The last dogs of summer will make their farewell on Friday, October 7. It’s the true end of summer - there will be no more free hot dogs at the site known locally as the Mormon Monument, and residents are saddened.
“We kind of got used to getting a hot dog and chips on the way home,” said Phillip Buren of Susquehanna. “It seemed like a nice thing.”
The Mormons - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, more officially - offered the free snacks to anyone dropping by Friday afternoons throughout the summer. The monument is at the site of Church founder Joseph Smith’s Pennsylvania 1830’s homestead, although it’s not clear if the prophet ever roasted hot dogs there.
Current church members have become pretty good a barbecuing, however. “We’ve gotten better at this as we went along,” said Elder Ian Artinger, moving ranks of dogs around on the grill as people pulled in for a bite behind him. “You need to watch the heat, and keep an eye on what’s cooking. Some people like them well-done, and others don’t. Now that we’re master hot dog chefs, we’ve got the hot dog you want.”
Two elders are on hand there on Fridays so one can always keep an eye on those frankfurters. The elders are in Susquehanna as part of their mission to answer questions about their faith from anyone interested. There is no religious requirement for getting a hot dog.
“This is very important to us,” said Elder Austin Clark, who said the Oakland area reminds him very much of his small-town Canadian home. “And we found we really like the people... a lot of them stop by every Friday. I guess this is just our way of being neighborly.”
Of course, hot dogs aren’t the only thing they offer. “You want mustard on that?” Elder Clark asked.
The last day for dogs is October 7, 4:00-7:00 p.m., at the monument location on Route 171, just outside of Susquehanna. All you have to do is show up. There will be entertainment, contests, and games that day as well. For information call 607-331-5301.