By Pete Soyer
The Rudyard Historical Society is holding its seventh In-Gathering at the Depot Museum in Rudyard on Saturday.
Jim Roen, husband of master of ceremonies Beth Roen, said the gathering is like a reunion. "Anyone from the whole Hi-Line can come," he said. A person doesn't have to be from Rudyard to enjoy the day.
The day starts at 8 a.m. with registration at the Depot Museum. The first activity will be the Air National Guard Flag Ceremony at 10 a.m. The history of Montana's flag and Old Glory will be presented.
Iva Kolstad will give a talk about the Grand Union Hotel in Fort Benton after the flag ceremony, and lunch will follow after that for $5.
Musical entertainment will fill the early afternoon with the Hi-Line Cowboy Symphony performing.
Ellis Parry, the principal in Rudyard and a newly published author, will be signing books all morning at the museum. Parry's book, "Montana Dateline," was published last spring. It is a book about Montana's history.
Pitchforks will be brought out for the evening meal to make pitchfork fondue, Roen said.
Steaks are put on the pitchforks and then placed in a vat of hot oil, he said. "It sears them instantly."
Jane Rhodes, an inspirational speaker from the Hi-Line, will close the day with a sermon.
Roen said everyone is welcome and they can show up on Saturday at the Depot Museum and register. The festivities are free, but the meals are not. The pitchfork fondue costs $10.
Roen said the In-Gathering is a chance for people who have left the Hi-Line to come "back to small town America to see what the small town is still doing."
