Category Archives: Commentary

Larry Wilson: Auction at Sondreson Hall a big success

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This week, Larry reports on last weekend’s auction at Sondreson Hall and previews some of the other activities scheduled for the next few weeks . . .

The auction at Sondreson Hall last weekend had more than one goal. First was to revive an old tradition. Second was to provide a community experience by hosting a community-wide activity. Finally, there was a desire to raise some money to fund the North Fork Landowners Association’s History Committee.

That committee has expressed interest in doing oral histories of long-time North Fork residents and redigitizing the 78 rpm records that have been the basis for years of square dancing at Sondreson Hall. Maybe some funds could be used for a new sound system as well?

All these goals were met. The community responded with donations which covered every interest…

Continue reading . . .

Larry Wilson: North Fork threat level still secret

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In this week’s column, Larry Wilson covers a broad range of topics, including the Border Patrol’s seemingly excessive secrecy about their operations . . .

It has been another action-packed, fun-filled week on the North Fork, with community service, educational, informative and just plain fun social events. The biggest gathering was for the interlocal meeting, which I would call informative and educational.

For several years, the Border Patrol has been asked about the threat level on the North Fork and whether or not arrests have been made here and, if so, for what offense. The Border Patrol’s reply is that they can tell us arrests have been made but they cannot provide details or inform us about the threat level.

I can understand not being informed about the threat level – that might fluctuate from day to day subject to nationwide possibilities. I don’t understand why we cannot be told about North Fork arrests and what the violations were. Even assuming continuing investigation of a particular event, they could give us details of 2008-2010 arrests. We would then know what to watch for and could even aid the Border Patrol with information.

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Larry Wilson: American flags and automatic bear traps

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Larry Wilson covers two big events of the past week: The annual Polebridge Fourth of July Parade and the Bear Fair, both of which were rousing successes . . .

What a great week on the North Fork. The Fourth of July parade was a big success, with some resident-created floats, lots of American flags and handsome kids on unicycles leading the whole thing…

Also this week was the Bear Fair in beautiful downtown Polebridge, which was funded in part by a Forest Service Resource Advisory Committee grant…

Read Larry’s column . . .

Larry Wilson: North Fork saddened by losses

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Before getting into the ongoing summer activities, Larry pauses to honor several North Forkers we’ve lost this year . . .

Earlier in the year, the North Fork was saddened by the passing of Ruth Sondreson, who lived here for many years and was instrumental in the formation of the North Fork Improvement Association and the building of the Community Hall – named in honor of Ruth and her husband Lloyd years ago.

In recent weeks, we have lost two more courageous ladies, Sandi Thomson and Jean Grimaldi. Sandi fought a long feisty battle with cancer for years, and in recent years Jean suffered with illness also.

Jean was the treasured wife of Bob Grimaldi for more than 50 years, and they supported each other in sickness and in health, raising their children and enjoying their grandchildren. Jean loved the North Fork and her family, and it was a blessing that she was able to enjoy being here at their lovely home with her husband at the last. She, Bob and their family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sandi was also a North Fork fixture, with a home on the bluff overlooking Red Meadow Creek. Unknown to most, she was the “anonymous donor” who paid for the new generator at Sondreson Hall as well as drilling a well and other things in the community. She was always positive, with a big smile and a big heart. She would be an asset in any community – we are lucky she was part of ours.

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Larry Wilson: Summer arrives in North Fork

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Larry talks about the arrival of summer on the North Fork and some of the upcoming activities and social events . . .

Deadline for turning this column in to the Hungry Horse News is noon on Monday. Consequently, I usually write it on Sunday afternoon and, rarely, early Monday morning. This week it’s Monday morning.

I’m trying to get used to the idea that it’s almost the Fourth of July. First it seemed that the snow would never melt in my front yard, and when it did – in late May – it has seemed as if the weather would never warm up.

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Larry Wilson: Sondreson Hall built by volunteers

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In this week’s Hungry Horse News column, Larry Wilson talks about the important role of volunteerism on the North Fork, with Sondreson Hall as a prime example . . .

A couple of weeks ago, I commented on all of the work done by the North Fork Landowners Association Board of Directors and the various committees. Their efforts have ensured a great season for social and educational activities.

To me, it is even more important that they have returned the landowners association to the original goals and values envisioned by the founders of the North Fork Improvement Association, the original landowners association.

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Larry Wilson: North Fork Road lake filled in

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In this week’s column for the Hungry Horse News, Larry Wilson discusses the condition of the North Fork Road (much improved) and recent activities at Sondreson Hall (very successful) . . .

The river continues to run high and muddy, but so far no real damage from flooding. In my view, every day that passes makes a major flood less likely. I would not say a flood is impossible, but I sure think the chances are a lot less likely than they were two weeks ago.

The road is also better. Flathead County crews worked last week to at least mitigate the problems. Wurtz Hill was smoothed out somewhat, and the lowest slumps were evened out so that all of the ledges are gone and the hill is passable for passenger cars, but it’s still rough and drivers need to go slowly.

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Larry Wilson: Rain hampering North Fork drivers

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Larry Wilson talks about the state of the river (tolerable so far) and the state of the North Fork Road (pretty bad, especially further north).

It may have been cold, wet, and nasty in the Flathead Valley this last week, but it was twice as nasty on the North Fork.

All in all, that has been a good thing for the river. Although the river is muddy and running nearly bank-full, there has been no flood damage. The threat of flooding is not over, merely postponed. There’s still a lot of snow in the high country, but I remain confident that we will not have major flooding unless we have heavy warm rain. The cold rain of the week is supposed to be replaced this week with warming temperatures and little rain. Hopefully, although the river will be high, we will have little damage.

The rain did have an affect on the North Fork Road…

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(Many roads in the Flathead National Forest are in rough shape, too. Call one of the ranger stations for the latest conditions: Hungry Horse/Glacier View at 387-3800, Tally Lake at 758-5204, Swan Lake at 837-7500 and Spotted Bear at 758-5376.)

Larry Wilson: High country drives flooding

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Larry Wilson’s column this week discusses the spring thaw and the annual changes coming to the North Fork . . .

The snow is finally melting. In the last week, the piles of snow under my eaves have gone from being over three feet deep to just a narrow strip of ice, which will disappear today. Side roads and unplowed lanes that were snow-clogged 10 days ago are now dry.

More importantly, every day the snow line is higher up on both the Whitefish Divide and the Rocky Mountains, and the river has changed in the last three days from an unclear green to high and muddy. The gravel bar islands are beginning to disappear, and rain is predicted.

Will we have a flood? That is anybody’s guess…

Continue reading . . .

Larry Wilson: Sondreson Hall and the Flying Farmers

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Larry Wilson reflects on the passing of Ruth Sondreson and the many contributions the Sondresons made to the North Fork . . .

Mostly, I enjoy writing this column. The North Fork is special to me, and to the folks I write about, and we have special concerns about how to best preserve the area and the things that make it special. Among those things are the fish and wildlife, the forest, the river, and, of course, the rural lifestyle. That means we often disagree on how to protect the North Fork.

Occasionally, though, I have to write about sad or even tragic events, since living in a special place doesn’t shield us from the cycle of life. This week is one of those times.

We received word that Ruth Sondreson died on April 14. Ruth was the last person I know who was instrumental in the building of the North Fork Community Hall, which was later named Sondreson Hall.

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