Category Archives: Commentary

Larry Wilson: North Fork saddened by losses

Commentary, News, , ,

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.

Continue reading . . .

Larry Wilson: Summer arrives in North Fork

Commentary, News, ,

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.

Continue reading . . .

Larry Wilson: Sondreson Hall built by volunteers

Commentary, History, , ,

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.

Continue reading . . .

Larry Wilson: North Fork Road lake filled in

Commentary, News, , ,

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.

Continue reading . . .

Larry Wilson: Rain hampering North Fork drivers

Commentary, ,

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…

Continue reading . . .

(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

Commentary, News, ,

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

Commentary, News, , ,

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.

Continue reading . . .

Forest Service pamphlet provides early history of North Fork Road

Commentary, ,

Larry Wilson’s column this week reveals some tidbits about the early history of the North Fork Road . . .

This winter, I have spent more time in my Columbia Falls residence than up the North Fork. It has had some advantages. In town, I have a computer and have received a number of e-mails from North Fork landowners who reside in all corners of the U.S…

Four e-mails liked the columns about North Fork history and asked for more information about the Forest Service and the North Fork Road. As luck would have it, Lee Downes loaned me a Forest Service pamphlet prepared by Fred Burnell in 1980. The title is “History of Development of North Fork Road No. 210.” The following information came from the pamphlet.

Continue Reading . . .

Larry Wilson: The times they are a-changin’

Commentary, History, ,

Larry Wilson’s column this week discusses the changes on the North Fork over the last century or so, especially those related to Forest Service activity . . .

I have written several times about how change has affected the North Fork, especially the changes brought about by the influx of the two periods of homesteading that opened up the area with roads and dwellings and, most of all, with people.

Of course, there were white men in the North Fork before the homesteaders. The earliest were no doubt trappers and hunters who left no written records to speak of and few marks on the land.

Without a doubt the U.S. Forest Service has had the longest presence on the North Fork closely followed by the U.S. Park Service.

Continue reading . . .