Cayla Norby holds Mia Wulf as Santa snuggles in for a memorable Christmas photo. (Photo by Dianne Swanson)
Mary Anne Mercer gives a brief talk about her book, and the discovery of her grandmother's trunk which inspired it. (Photo by Dianne Swanson)
Jazmine Sommerfeld helps her daughters Kit, Wrenlyn and Aurora create a sparkling snowflake during the MonDak Christmas celebration. (Photo by Dianne Swanson)
The MonDak Heritage Center, Sidney, hosted its annual Christmas celebration on Sunday, Dec. 8 with delightful entertainment, crafts, tasty treats and Santa Claus.
Mary Anne Mercer kicked off the festivities with a talk about her new book, "Crossing the Yellowstone, The Saga of a Montana Ranch Family". MonDak executive director, Nikki Bailey-Will, described the story this way. "Books like Crossing the Yellowstone are important for preserving not only the history but also the culture of Eastern Montana and the MonDak area. While the hardships and triumphs of homesteading families can be told across much of the west, family stories like this tale of the Mercer family showcase the specific grit and courage it took to truly survive and thrive in the MonDak." Reading like a novel, the story follows Mercer's grandfather from his home state of Missouri to settling in Eastern Montana and building a legacy which continues to this day. The story continues with her father and mother, into the 1940s. Mercer grew up on the family ranch, then pursued an academic career in international health. She and her husband divide their time between their home in Seattle and a small ranch near Red Lodge. This fascinating book is available at the MonDak Heritage Center and would make a great gift for the history lovers on your list.
Reader Comments(0)