Bill Walker – Page 8

Skip Bartram passes away (updated)

It is with great sadness that the family of Raymond A Bartram announces his sudden passing on June 22, 2023 at the age of 77.

His love of life did not come to an end with his death here on earth. He was surrounded by his loved ones, who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

Graduating from New Braunfels High School, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas in Austin and his MBA from SMU. He started his longtime banking career in the Trust Department at Broadway National Bank in San Antonio. Moving back to New Braunfels, he took the position of Executive Vice President-Trust and Investment Officer at the First National Bank. This position spanned three bank name changes. . . from First National Bank to Texas Commerce Bank to JP Morgan-Chase.

Upon retiring from the position he remained on as an Advisory Director.

He was an active community leader receiving numerous honors, awards and recognitions and was a member of the Rotary Club. After retirement from the bank, his next project was a joint venture to develop the condos known as Camp Warnecke Estates on Garden Street and establish the property management company. Then, in his spare time, he took up ranching. He registered in the Selective Service System in September of 1963 and served in the Texas Army National Guard, Bravo Battery, 4th Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery Unit.

He is preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Lucy (Schleyer) Bartram and is survived by his wife Carole; his son John and his wife Ashley and daughters Gaines and Lucy; his daughter Lezlee and her husband Shawn Jurica and daughters Porter and Keefer.

Via Kevin O’Bryan (on June 25)…

Sad News. Skip Bartram died late Friday of septic shock. I received an email from his wife Carole. Carole is currently in their home in Texas with her children and grandchildren. At this time, I have no further information on when (or if) they might even be coming to Montana this year.

If any Northforkers want to send a sympathy card, Carole’s address in Texas is:

437 Ogden Lane
New Braunfels, Texas 78130

Sorry for the bad news…

First Aid/CPR/AED Course July 18

Bob Lee will be giving his well-regarded First Aid/CPR/AED class in the North Fork again this summer. It is an all-day course, starting at 9:00am and wrapping up by 4:00pm. The date is Tuesday, July 18. The course will be held at Sondreson Hall. Cost is $45/person. Bring your own lunch and drinks. Class size is limited to 10 people.

The course offers two-year AHA certification in First Aid, CPR and AED usage. If your job requires certified First Aid training, your current certification is expiring or if you just want to get up to speed on such things, this is an excellent way to get it done.

Contact Bill Walker, 406-407-2764 or wkwalker@nvdi.com to sign up for the course.

Going-to-the-Sun Road Opens for the 2023 Season

From the press release . . .

WEST GLACIER, Mont. [June 13, 2023] – Going-to-the-Sun Road officially opened this morning for the 2023 summer season. The road may now be accessed by motorized vehicles all the way through from both the West Glacier and St. Mary entrances. This is the earliest the road has opened since 2005.

Vehicle reservations are required May 26 through September 10, 2023, for those entering the park by vehicle or motorcycle from 6 am to 3 pm at west side entrances including the North Fork, Camas, and West entrances.

With Going-to-the-Sun Road fully open, the number of vehicle reservations available will be increased in the corridor. This increase will be executed through a series of additional reservation releases made available each morning starting today, June 13 at 8 am MDT. For opening day, a one-time release for additional Going-to-the-Sun Road vehicle reservations will also take place today at 6 am.

Continue reading Going-to-the-Sun Road Opens for the 2023 Season

Flathead Forest Supervisor leaves for position at regional headquarters

Kurt Steele, Flathead National Forest Supervisor has moved to a position with Region 1 Forest Headquarters. In the meantime, Deputy Flathead Forest Supervisor Tami McKenzie is holding the fort…

Flathead National Forest Supervisor Kurt Steele has accepted a new position at the U.S. Forest Service’s Northern Region headquarters in Missoula, capping a three-and-a-half-year stint overseeing 2.4 million forested acres in northwest Montana that in the past year had become beset in controversy.

Tami MacKenzie

According to an agency spokesperson, Steele “was offered and accepted” a new post as deputy director at the regional office that involves “environmental planning,” although the details of the position are still being worked out.

“I think it’s just a lateral move to a position at the regional office level,” Dan Hottle, the federal agency’s northern region public information officer, said Friday afternoon, when details about the transition were still scant. “It’s a new role and he will work closely with the regional leadership team on a number of different projects across the region as deputy director. His start date is still being negotiated right now.”

Continue reading at the Flathead Beacon . . .

A mountain of millings at DeMers Ridge

Here’s a photo of the the mountain of millings generated by a Glacier Park road resurfacing project and subsequently hauled to the DeMers Ridge gravel pit. Beginning July 10, Flathead County will be reusing this material to repair and upgrade the roughly one-mile section of Glacier Drive between the Polebridge Mercantile and the nearby entrance to Glacier Park.

Millings at DeMers Ridge, May 25, 2023 - Lois Walker — Millings at DeMers Ridge, May 25, 2023 – Lois Walker

2013 GNP Vehicle Reservation System Begins May 26

Oh, joy… and just in time for the long holiday weekend . . .

GNP Vehicle Reservation System Begins May 26

24-hour advance reservations released on a rolling basis starting May 25 at 8 am MDT

Glacier NP Vehicle Reservation Areas 2023

WEST GLACIER, Mont. [May 24, 2023] – Glacier National Park reminds visitors that vehicle reservations are required May 26 through September 10, 2023 for those entering the park by vehicle or motorcycle from 6 am to 3 pm at west side entrances including the North Fork, Camas and West entrances.

For the east side of the park, vehicle reservations will not be required at Many Glacier, Two Medicine and St. Mary (at Rising Sun) entrances until July 1, 2023.

Visitors with lodging, camping, or commercial activity reservations (e.g., boat tours and horseback rides) do not need a vehicle reservation and can use their confirmation email to access the portion of the park for which their activity is booked.

Visitors who do not already possess a vehicle reservation can book 24-hour advance reservations at 8 am MDT on Recreation.gov the day before their visit. Vehicle reservations are only available at Recreation.gov.

The park is open 24/7 and visitors may enter the park before 6 am or after 3 pm without a vehicle reservation; however, entry to Going-to-the-Sun Road from the west side is restricted before 6 am due to construction activities requiring nightly closures.

For the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor, vehicle reservations will be checked at the Rising Sun check point (located 6 miles west of the St. Mary Entrance) beginning on July 1, 2023. Park shuttles at St. Mary Visitor Center are located outside of the vehicle reservation area and accessible without a vehicle reservation.

Additional vehicle reservation information and frequently asked questions are available on the park’s Vehicle Reservation page.

Glacier National Park is surrounded by a vast amount of additional recreational opportunities, including local tribal lands and national forests. Recreational activities on tribal lands such as hiking, boating, fishing, camping, etc. requires a permit through each tribe. Visitors can find more information on the Blackfeet Nation and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) websites. Information for recreation in the Flathead National Forest and Bob Marshall Wilderness can be found on the Forest Services’ website. Visitors should research and plan before visiting these areas.

Need help planning your trip? Visitors looking for travel guidance can visit the Glacier Country Tourism website for additional information about the areas and businesses surrounding Glacier National Park.

Call for Volunteers! Sondreson Hall Cleanup — May 20, 10:00am

Sondreson Hall interior after clean-up, May 14, 2022 - Tami Stone — Sondreson Hall interior after clean-up, May 14, 2022 – Tami Stone

The Sondreson Hall spring cleanup is fast approaching. This year, it will be on Saturday, May 20 at 10:00am.

Dan Jacobson is in charge of hall maintenance and needs to ensure that enough people will be present to accomplish the various outside and inside tasks. If you can come, please contact his wife, Dawn, and let her know: dawnmjacobson@gmail.com or 406-730-1263. She’ll pass the word on to Dan.

Oh, did I not mention lunch? There will definitely be lunch. I believe Dawn has a lot to do with that part, too.

First Aid/CPR/AED Course May 23

Bob Lee will be giving his well-regarded First Aid/CPR/AED class in the North Fork again this spring. It is an all-day course, starting at 9:00am and wrapping up by 4:00pm. The date is Tuesday, May 23. The course will be held at Sondreson Hall. Cost is $45/person. Bring your own lunch and drinks. Class size is limited to 10 people.

Contact Bill Walker, 406-407-2764 or wkwalker@nvdi.com to sign up for the course.

In case you’re wondering why we are having two classes this spring: Last month’s session was mostly for people taking the chainsaw course in early May. This is the regularly scheduled class we hold each May. If we have enough demand, there will also be another class on Tuesday, July 18.

Glacier National Park announces 2023 spring operations

View East into Glacier NP from Glacier View Mtn, April 16, 2017 - W. K. Walker — View East into Glacier NP from Glacier View Mtn, April 16, 2017 – W. K. Walker

From the official press release . . .

Glacier National Park Announces 2023 Spring Operations
After a long winter construction closure, Going-to-the-Sun Road opened to Lake McDonald Lodge this morning.

WEST GLACIER, Mont. [May 5, 2023] – Glacier National Park staff are gearing up for the season and while full park operations are still a month off, visitors will see an increase in recreational opportunities throughout May.

After remaining closed for the winter due to construction, the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road opened at 6 am this morning to vehicle and recreational access up to Lake McDonald Lodge. Construction will be ongoing through September to mill, reclaim, and pave the road. Visitors should drive and bike with caution. There will be waits of up to 30 minutes in each direction to pass through the construction zone. Nightly closures will begin June 1 from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. with opportunities for visitors to pass through at midnight, 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. The east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road is currently open to vehicles approximately six miles from St. Mary to Rising Sun.

Continue reading Glacier National Park announces 2023 spring operations