This autobiography chronicles the life and adventures of Walter J. Hammer, a long-time North Fork resident and well-known builder. Walt first came to Montana from Lincoln, Nebraska, in the spring of 1932. He had negotiated employment as a ranch hand for Matt and Mata Brill at their Kintla Guest Ranch in the northern portion of the North Fork. He subsequently worked for the Forest Service, and finally as owner of his own construction company.
The Forest Service is hoping to assemble a work crew to do a few projects at Ford Schoolhouse during the last week of August. Potential projects: Replace the south sill log on the building, and/or begin installing sub-flooring for a new floor that will be installed next summer. (Curiously, the old floor that they removed this summer did not have any sub-flooring.)
Contact Lois Walker at lewalker@nvdi.net and she will pass names to Ryan Powell, the Forest Service archeologist who will be in charge of the work.
Just so you know . . . The Forest Service has a crew working at the Ford Schoolhouse this week, removing the old floor, which will be replaced next month. Ryan Powell is the person in charge.
As a reminder, the memorial to celebrate the life of Becky Braunig will be held tomorrow, August 5, at Sondreson Hall, starting at 1:00 p.m. A meal will follow. Side dishes and desserts are welcome. Some of Becky’s friends from Texas will be in attendance.
Come join the community in bidding this dear North Forker a fond farewell.
REBECCA ANN BRAUNIG
The North Fork lost a valued member of the community on May 29, 2023, with the passing of Becky Braunig, 68.
A native of Texas, Becky was a master gardener and a great source of knowledge on all things botanical. She earned a degree in horticulture from Texas A&M University in the 1970s. She began her career working for San Antonio Botanical Gardens. In 1979, she accepted a job with the San Antonio parks department. She worked there for 25 years, rising to the position of Horticultural Services Superintendent for the City of San Antonio. At the height of her career, she was responsible for more than 300 employees.
In the early 1990s, she married Stanley Haag. They came to the North Fork on their honeymoon, staying at the North Fork Hostel. It was love at first sight. Shortly afterward, they purchased property on Trail Creek Road and over several years built a retirement home there. Becky had been a full-time North Fork resident since 2004.
In addition to contributing to local gardening activities, she was an avid wildlife photographer, a member of the North Fork Landowners Association and the North Fork Preservation Association, and a volunteer with North Valley Search and Rescue.
Becky was a sensitive, kind, and generous soul. She will be fondly remembered by her many friends for her love of plants, animals, and the North Fork. And, as many would note, for the delicious stuffed jalapeño peppers she created and brought to many a North Fork potluck dinner.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Sissy Braunig and her husband Von Stanley Haag. Columbia Mortuary is handling arrangements. A memorial will be planned later this summer.
This past week, a Forest Service fire crew removed a number of trees posing a threat to the historic Ford Schoolhouse. According to Forest Service Archeologist Ryan Powell, a Youth Conservation Corps crew will do further clearing at the site in July. In September, the Forest Service historic preservation team out of Missoula plans to reinstall the windows that have been stripped of their lead-based paint, do further foundation work, and replace the existing metal roof with a shake roof. The schoolhouse was originally constructed in 1917-1918. Continue reading Ford Schoolhouse preservation work continues
For those who were unable to attend the June NFLA meeting, Lois Walker will give a repeat showing of her history presentation on the 100th anniversary of the completion of the North Fork Road to the Canadian border in 1920.
The show begins at 7:00pm, Friday, August 7.
The Forest Service archeologist has let us know that they will be delaying this year’s work on the Ford Schoolhouse. They still plan to do the roofing work this summer, but it won’t be during the first week in June. They will definitely welcome volunteer participation when the time comes. Stay tuned.