POMEROY–Perfect weather conditions greeted those attending the old-fashioned ice cream social at the Pataha Flour Mill on June 12, put on to honor Pioneer Day, which is normally held on the second Saturday of June. Reminiscent of past years when the celebration was staged outside at the city park, the crowd gathered at the gazebo next to the mill. Like socials of earlier times, the festive afternoon included music and oratory as well as the delicious dessert.

Muriel Bott opened the program playing a delightful repertoire of piano music, after which Marilyn Myers presented a brief background about the Garfield County Pioneer Association, founded in 1909, and read a list of persons with connections to Garfield County who had passed away since June of last year—a startling total of sixty-three people. She also noted that the museum has over ten thousand obituaries in its archives. This was followed by a history of the Ruchert family in the county written by Jim Ruchert.

Brothers Mike and David Laughery, accompanied by Gerry Moore, entertained the audience with several well-known older hymns and George Scoggin was a crowd-pleaser playing tunes on his harmonica. A riveting narrative of the harrowing battle, retreat and crossing of the Snake River to safety by Colonel Steptoe and his troops in May of 1858 was given by Bott.

Jon Van Vogt asked the group to relate memories they had growing up of the people, places, events and more that contributed to the fabric of this community. Among the many wonderful recollections by numerous people were several special remembrances by Shirley Fisher. The homemade ice cream enjoyed by the group was produced by the Van Vogts using Alvin Landkammer’s famous recipe.