Cars on adjacent US Highway 150 are usually the loudest noises heard around Mount Saint Francis, home of the Conventual Franciscan province of Our Lady of Consolation. On Saturday, many of those cars will be turning into the drive and parking in the fields, as the friars of "The Mount" host their annual picnic.

The peace and tranquility of this former minor seminary and current Center for Spirituality will be broken by the sound of carnival wheels, PA announcements, and the voices of friends and neighbors getting together to celebrate the practical end of the summer picnic season in southern Indiana.

The Mount's famous Chicken Dinner will be served, but this correspondent will be sure to save room for a beer, bratwurst, and homemade German potato salad.

The event kicks off at 11am tomorrow and runs until midnight.

For more information: www.mountsaintfrancis.org