Tag Archives: Larry Wilson

Larry Wilson: Opinions from Trail Creek

Commentary,

Larry Wilson presents a 25th anniversary column this week. Or maybe, since he says the first one was in 1985, it’s 26 years. Anyways, here’s the lead-in . . .

At the end of March I will have written this column for twenty-five years. The first one appeared on April Fools Day 1985 which was probably appropriate.

I was asked to write the column by then owner and editor, Brian Kennedy, and I agreed with many reservations. My only writing experience was writing wrestling columns for Mel Ruder when I was coaching at Columbia Falls High School and felt ill-prepared to replace John Frederick, who had been writing the column. He at least was an English major. At that point I decided I would try to inform folks about the North Fork and let someone else teach grammar and English.

Continue reading . . .

Northern Lights Café and Saloon secures liquor license

Commentary, News, ,

Larry Wilson’s column this week in the Hungry Horse News talks about the Northern Lights Café and Saloon’s successful year-long effort to acquire (reacquire, really) a liquor license. He also provides an update on the renovations at the Northern Lights and the Polebridge Mercantile.

I am sure that by now most North Forkers have heard the good news. The Northern Lights Café and Saloon have been granted a full liquor license. It has been a long struggle. The previous owner of the Northern Lights lost the license and the new operators, Reiswigs and O’Haras, had to start over at square one. . .

In the end I suspect the Northern Lights will be the premier North Fork watering hole and eating place. The new owners have cleaned, renovated and retained the backcountry ambiance with good food, service with a smile and involvement in the community.

In addition, Stuart and Flannery have added to the “Polebridge appeal” with the operation of the Polebridge Mercantile. They have continued the terrific bakery, installed an efficient electrical system (solar) and this winter are further improving the Merc itself.

Continue reading . . .

Larry Wilson: Snow piling up on the North Fork

News, , ,

This week, Larry Wilson talks about the higher than normal snowpack on the North Fork and the possible consequences when it starts to thaw . . .

I doubt if anyone on the North Fork is unhappy to see the end of February 2011. In the last two weeks nearly 36 inches of snow fell on the Trail Creek area. This was on top of nearly two feet of settled snowpack.

Before that — all in February — we had two shots of minus 20 degrees as well as two shots of thawing temperatures with heavy rain. Not unheard of in past winters, but a real challenge if you want to go to town.

Folks who plow their lane just plain ran out of room to pile snow and had to contact neighbors with bigger plows or with bigger snowblowers. Thank goodness for Mike Edy, Tom Franchini, Denis Moris and Larry Crane who combined to keep Trail Creek Road and private lanes open with their tractor snowblowers.

Continue reading . . .

Wilson discusses North Fork watershed resolution and aftermath

Commentary, Environmental Issues, , , , ,

This week’s Hungry Horse News column by Larry Wilson discusses the recent actions on both sides of the border to protect the North Fork watershed and takes a look at what might be coming next. His column is, as usual, recommended reading . . .

Since Gov. Brian Schweitzer signed a memorandum of understanding with British Columbia, which promised up to 17 million dollars to Canadian companies for reimbursement for cash already spent, we have all wondered where he would find the money. Montana could not pay and for months efforts were made, without success, to get Uncle Sam to foot the bill.

Now it seems that an answer has been found! The Nature Conservancy of Canada and the U.S. Nature Conservancy have committed $9.4 million to the government of British Columbia to conclude the British Columbia-Montana memo of understanding signed a year ago. As part of the deal, the province of British Columbia will enact legislation banning the extraction of minerals, oil, gas, and coal within the watershed. With the two nature conservancy groups coming up with this money, protection of the upper North Fork is an important step towards completion.

Continue reading . . .

Larry Wilson on Christmas parties past and present

Commentary, History, , ,

Larry Wilson’s column this week reminds everyone of the upcoming North Fork community Christmas party at Sondreson Hall and provides a nice retrospective on past events. It’s recommended reading, as usual.

(And, no, I have no idea why Larry’s column is online sometimes and sometimes not. The Hungry Horse News follows its own, incrutable logic in such matters.)

Bears, lynx and being there

Commentary, Environmental Issues, , , ,

This week’s Hungry Horse News columnists give the North Fork a fair bit of ink. “Her N. Fork” by Carol Vuchetich discusses the experience and responsibilities of living on the North Fork. Larry Wilson’s “North Fork Views” is a nice end-of-summer piece, ruminating on a quiet fire season and the big uptick in bear sightings. And G. George Ostrom even gives the North Fork (and Larry Wilson) a mention as he talks about Lynx, past and present.