This coming Sunday is “The Gathering” at Belle Prairie. Everyone is welcome to attend this event, which is a celebration of family and community history. And, hey, it’s free! (Okay, except for the specialty foods that will be offered. You have to bring money for those – but there’ll be French pancakes and French-Canadian meat pies, which aren’t on very many menues out there.)
The day will start with an outdoor Mass at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Church. All are welcome to attend. Then there will be a rededication of the cabin of Mother Mary Ignatius of Jesus.
From 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. there will be activities hosted by us (the Morrison County Historical Society) and the Morrison County Genealogy Society in Belle Prairie Park and Father Opat Hall. The Genealogy Society will be presenting a variety of family-related booths and information in the Hall, while we will be in the park offering a history scavenger hunt and history talks. Our Executive Director, Jan Warner, will be giving two talks, one starting at at 2:00, the other at 3:00. You’re not going to want to miss what she has to say. She carries a wealth of knowledge about county history in her head and she’s freshening up her Belle Prairie facts.
The Nature Conservancy will be on hand to lead some nature walks and Mothers of Pre-Schoolers (MOPS) will be leading some old-fashioned games for kids.
And if that isn’t enough to get you out to Belle Prairie Park, why don’t you bring a drum or another acoustic instrument? There will be an informal drum group – called “Pick Up the Beat” led by Jill Warner, and an Acoustic Jam for those with other instruments. You do not have to be a trained musician to take part in either of these activities. An adventurous spirit will do.
Come on out and have some fun at “The Gathering” – this Sunday, September 16.