Amende family descends on Whitehall

There is perhaps nothing stronger than the bond of a tight-knit family. This was certainly the case last weekend in Whitehall when visitors from around the Western United States attended the "Amende" family reunion at the home of Dick and Carol Elshire.

Carol, whose maiden name is Amende, hosted the bi-annual event that included her brothers Larry, Bruce, and Dennis, and sister Nancy Gould. Carol said they were expecting 60 at the three-day reunion. She said that would include her siblings and their children, and laughed and said the kids, kids too.

Nancy said she had visitors from Eastern Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and as far away as Texas, adding they try to change the location for each reunion.

Planning for the event was a long process, and Carol said she started picking up items for the reunion five months ago. Despite a strong rainstorm Friday evening, Carol said on Saturday everything was going great and there were a lot of games and activities planned for the remaining two days. She also smiled and said she planned to feed everyone who attended, and it would be three meals a day.