Sanpete community Boy Scout Troop 527 is holding a Dutch Oven Mutton and Sourdough Dinner fundraiser on Friday, Sept 24. The dinner will be held at Tifie Scout Camp at Mountain Dell Scout Ranch located east of Mt. Pleasant.

Seating will begin at 5:30 with dinner service beginning at 6. The dinner will include mutton, slow-baked in a Dutch oven, Dutch oven potatoes, coleslaw, sourdough biscuits, with a choice of cobblers for dessert.

Entertainment for the evening will be furnished by Junction 89: The Band. Tickets are available for $15/individual and $45/family. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling or texting 435-250-4669.

Tickets are also available at: Mt. Pleasant Peel Furniture Works 565 W Main St. 435-851-2342, Ephraim Phil Thomas at Bailey Farms 325 E 700 N, Ephraim Gary Cole 638 E 25 S 435-851-6955.

The Scout troop consists of about 25 boys from Sanpete County. Its charter sponsor is Lions Club. The troop meets weekly and participates in monthly campouts. Its website is http://sanpetescouts.com.

This is a celebration of the sheep industry of Sanpete County and the men and boys who herded the sheep. In years past there were numerous herds of sheep in Sanpete, from Indianola and Fountain Green in the north to Gunnison and Axtel in the south. This tradition continues today.

A few generations ago, the sheepherders lived in canvas wall tents. These were replaced with the iconic step-side sheep wagon/sheep camp. In the camp was a small wood range with a cooking surface and an oven. The herder’s diet typically consisted of a good deal of sourdough. Sourdough pancakes in the morning and sourdough biscuits with supper. And of course, there was mutton.

The traditional combination of mutton and sourdough is delicious and savory. This mutton will be slow-cooked in Dutch ovens and served hot from the Dutch oven. The values and skills of the sheepmen of Sanpete County parallel those of the Boy Scouts of America.

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