BROKEN BOW – The bridge between spring and summer in central Nebraska most years can seem so narrow that only sunlight can squeeze across it; this time of year, Custer County seems to wake up to frost and go to bed with a sunburn.
Over the past decade, the Custer County Historical Society has planted the perfect trail marker to signal to residents that it may be time to keep the aloe handy: its Pie and Ice Cream Social.
This year marks the tenth for the social, and Custer County Historical Society Curator Tammy Hendrickson says that the event does a great deal more than merely mark the seasons.
“It’s our opening day of summer, but it’s also our customer appreciation.”
Hendrickson goes on to say that as a customer appreciation event, it provides a chance for community members who may otherwise miss the historical society’s open hours to explore the museum at their own pace, with the added bonuses of friends, and of course, desserts.
“We’ll have homemade pies, store-bought pies, combinations, all different things. You can grab a slice, and if you feel, come back for more.”
She also says the social is a nod to the eras that the historical society seeks to preserve; pie and ice cream socials used to be seasonally commonplace before communication became so instantaneous.
“It’s an older style thing, where socializing would happen, and you wouldn’t get it over text.”
Hendrickson says that in addition to seeing what’s new with neighbors, those in attendance will have a chance to see what’s changed in the museum since winter.
“It’ll be a chance for people to come in and see what we have out for the season, what’s new this year, and introduce our new coworkers.”
There’s plenty new at the museum for the coming summer; in addition to rearranging some of the perennial fixtures such as the business token displays and bank teller’s desk, Hendrickson and her crew have made a point to put community-sourced exhibits front and center.
Upon first entering the Custer County Museum, patrons will first notice the vibrant wooden, to-scale farm equipment meticulously carved and cut by Sargent’s own Bud Heitz; just behind his menagerie, another resident’s collection of dolls, freshly propped and posed, awaits its signage.
The Historical Society’s Pie and Ice Cream Social is a free-will donation; all the money raised from the event goes right back into the museum’s short and long-term projects. One in particular, Hendrickson says, should help both county residents and those traveling through see the proverbial “writing on the wall.”
“2027 will mark the 150th anniversary of Custer County. With that, we’re aiming to put a mural on our west-facing wall to be visible from the highway. It’ll be a culmination of artistry, of technique, and of history.”
Aside from the obvious draws of approximately 24 varieties of pie and the chance to help the museum maintain and improve its offerings, Hendrickson says the social will feature 6 p.m. entertainment courtesy of area cowboy poet Don Schauda and a mystery guest.
She goes on to say that although the museum itself is located in Custer County, nobody should feel excluded from attending.
“There have been a few years where we’ve had out-of-towners at the social. If you’re in the area, you’re welcome to come in for pie and ice cream.”
For those out-of-towners passing through, or for those who are considering attending their first social at the museum, Hendrickson hints that it may well be worth showing up as early as possible for one specific pie.
“Usually, we have chokecherry, and that’s the first one gone. Chokecherry is a delicacy, so we’ll see if that happens this year.”
The Custer County Historical Society’s 10th Annual Pie and Ice Cream Social will take place at the museum this Friday, June 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
