Tag Archives: Larry Wilson

Larry Wilson: Fewer bear problems this summer

Commentary, Environmental Issues, News, , , ,

In this week’s column, Larry talks about the encouraging drop in bear-human conflicts this summer. . . .

I’m a little bit surprised that there have been so few grizzly bear problems this summer.

On Trail Creek, the huckleberry crop has been less than bountiful in the lower elevations, and this usually translates to more bear problems.

The two three-year-old sows that have been seen quite often have not caused any problems, and the big boar on Trail Creek has also been seen but, so far, has not been a problem.

I think there are several reasons for this, but the biggest is the fact that North Fork humans have become excellent guests in grizzly habitat.

Continue reading at the Hungry Horse News . . .

Larry Wilson: North Fork groups elect new officers

Commentary, News, , ,

Larry Wilson discusses the recent organizational elections . . .

At first it seemed that summer would never arrive. It certainly took its own sweet time. June was cold and rainy, and it was cool and wet in July – we celebrated the anniversary of the Wedge Canyon Fire of 2003 on July 18 with a rainstorm.

All of a sudden it’s mid-August and already there are signs of fall. The huckleberry crop is waning, and the serviceberries are ripening. Just a note to Joe Novak – ripe serviceberries may be purple, but they are otherwise nothing like huckleberries.

All of the local organizations have held their annual elections…

Continue reading . . .

“Newcomer” recalls North Fork historical highlights

Commentary, History,

Patti Hart, editor of the NFNews site, ably standing in for Larry Wilson this week, adds a little context to the North Fork experience . . .

I’m new to the North Fork. Although I’ve been living on the North Fork for more than 11 years and have actually spent several winters here, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that I’m a newcomer.

That’s not to say that I’ve not learned a lot since arriving. I now know that wimpy city tires are a guaranteed way of getting a flat tire on the North Fork road, that locally-sourced game is the best meat in the world, that hummingbird feeders attract grizzly bears, and that diesel will fail to do its duty at 40 below.

I still have a lot to learn, however. For example, I don’t know the best method for getting rid of pests like ground squirrels and noxious weeds. And I still don’t understand how 20 or so otherwise rational adults can stand around at a party and discuss the relative merits of headlamps for an hour. As I said, still a lot to learn.

Continue reading . . .

Larry Wilson: Auction at Sondreson Hall a big success

Commentary, News, , ,

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

Commentary, News, , , , ,

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.

Continue reading . . .

Larry Wilson: American flags and automatic bear traps

Commentary, News, , ,

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

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 . . .