Appreciation festival set for Sunday

The Havre community and Montana State University-Northern have been closely linked since long before the college opened its doors, said Havre resident Lynn Hamilton.

“Havre is dependent on Northern, and Northern is dependent on Havre,” said Havre businesswoman Renelle Braaten.

But a lot of people in Havre haven’t been to Northern in years, they agree.

“Sometimes Northern is its little village up there," Braaten said.

So the two joined with several friends to organize a community appreciation barbecue on campus, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The idea, they explained, to get the community to see Northern in a relaxed atmosphere. People will be able to have a good time and meet with faculty, students and administrators who will be on hand.

Post cards have been sent out to every residence in Havre urging people to attend.

Beef and pork barbecue and a host of side dishes will be served, special games will be provided for youngsters and there will be a brief program.

Interim Chancellor Greg Kegel will speak and introduce his staff, but most of the time will be for people to tour the campus in a number of ways.

There will be self-guided tours of several buildings, they said.

Many community groups, including Northern Montana Health Care, have donated use of their vans and buses to take people around campus for tours.

The 1930s-era car that runs in Havre Festival Days parade every year also will be used to transport people around campus.

“There’s so much for people to see at Northern, and a lot of people have never seen it,” Braaten said.

After the tours, door prizes will be raffled off, she said.

The idea of the barbecue came about when Braaten and Hamilton joined up with Mark Peterson and Terry Lilletvedt.

All four have known of Northern and is advantages for the community over the years.

Hamilton is a former member of the Montana Board of Regents, Braaten is a supporter of many Northern projects, Peterson is a Hill County commissioner and Lilletvedt is a Havre city councilwoman.

Hamilton said she has been encouraged by the support from the business community and community at large.

Everything has been donated, and they have received best wishes from everyone who believes it is time for such an event to occur.

“Northern has always been a strong backer of Havre and the Hi-Line communities,” Hamilton said.

“So many people have said that they are looking forward to bringing the kids after church on Sunday,” she added.