Category: Social

Social and square dance were great fun

Last night’s Ice Cream Social and square dance was enjoyed by everyone who came to Sondreson Hall.  Linda Pittman and Debo Powers made delicious ice cream and everyone else contributed the pies.  We had special visits from Cecily McNeil and Ray Hart who reminded us that square dances have been taking place at the hall for over 60 years – and the tradition lives on.  A special thanks to Linda for once again sponsoring this year’s Social and to Debo for her usual excellent job at calling the square dance.  We had some pretty fancy dancing going on by the end of the evening!

Don’t forget that the next square dance is scheduled for Saturday, August 16th, starting at 8PM at Sondreson Hall.  We hope to see everyone then.

Thanksgiving at the hall was rich in community spirit

NFLA Vice President Donna Harrison recently attended Thanksgiving at the hall and sent in the following story…

Numbers were small, but community spirits high on a snowy Thanksgiving Day. The challenge of an icy, rutty parking lot was met with neighborly good
cheer as vehicles were pushed in to parking spaces.  The Hall was warm and lovingly decorated by volunteers who arrived early to make it a welcoming place.

Three turkeys and a beautiful ham donated by Steve and Christina Berg were prepared in the homes of several generous folks.  These and delicious dressings, scrumptious mashed potatoes and gravy, tasty casseroles, and salads awaited the line of diners. Of course, the beautiful table of pies
and cakes and other goodies tempted everyone and caused many to overeat (including me).  The smaller crowd made visiting easier, and lots of folks caught up with neighbors while enjoying food and fellowship in our unique North Fork way.

Thanks to everyone for a wonderful time.

Thank you Donna for sending in the story. Don’t forget, if you have something to contribute to the website, don’t hesitate to send it in using the NFLA contact page.

Backwoods Booklovers looking for suggestions

Although the snow is flying, it’s not too soon to be planning for next summer. The Backwoods Booklovers are soliciting suggestions for 2014 books.  Two fiction and two non-fiction books are included in the schedule.  Please send your suggestions, with a review if you have read the book, to Gerry Stearns at gsmontana@hotmail.com.  If you don’t have suggestions but would like to have a say in what books are read, please send your e-mail address and note to Gerry.

Good turnout for astronomy night

Astronomy nightAbout 30 people came to the Kinsolvings for the first astronomy night of the year.  Our presenter and guide to the stars, Mike Hawkaluk, came early and set up two large telescopes so that we could take a peak at the setting sun.  We were actually able to see several sun spots on the sun’s surface.  Once the sun went down, Mike gave an interesting slide presentation that provided great context and background for what we were going to be seeing in the night sky.  Then he led us to the Kinsolving’s field where the telescopes were set up and showed us double stars, nebula, star clusters and more.  Mike had this terrific laser pointer that enabled him to show us exactly which stars and constellations were under discussion including Capella, Cassiopeia, the Great Square of Pegasus, and the summer triangle.

The second astronomy night of the season is scheduled for Saturday, September 28th on the Hart’s deck.  Mike will return with a new presentation, so you don’t want to miss it.

Line dancing at the hall

Come join Debo Powers and all your North Fork neighbors at Sondreson Community Hall next Friday, August 30th, for an NFLA-sponsored line dancing event. Beginners are encouraged to attend because Debo will show us how it’s done.  The fun begins at 8PM.  And don’t forget to check the NFLA calendar for all the latest North Fork events.

Square dance was old-fashion fun

Last night friends and neighbors gathered at the Sondreson Community Hall to celebrate a North Fork tradition, an old-fashioned square dance. And this one was the best ever. With just enough people to make up two squares, everyone had a chance to dance all night long. Folks were prepared for each move thanks to Debo Powers who had spent time breaking down each song step-by-step so that we were able to practice before the music began. As a result, we not only did old favorites like the grand right and left but ventured into new territories with a Texas star and grand chain. Debo also gave a quick lesson on the waltz. Finally, she and Ed Neneman showed us how the West Coast Swing is done. The dancing continued until midnight and a good time was had by all.

If you missed last nights square dance, don’t despair. Debo is leading us all in line dancing on Saturday, August 30th at Sondreson Hall starting at 8PM.

NFLA Garden Tour

On Monday, August 5, the NFLA held its second annual North Fork Garden Tour.  Over thirty people attended the tour which visited five gardens.  These gardens were different from the seven gardens that were featured on the tour last year.  North Fork gardeners must contend with a short growing season and frost that can occur on any night of the summer.  Many North Fork gardeners use a combination of outside gardens for hardy crops and greenhouse space for more tender crops.   There was much discussion about soil, fertilizers, mulch, and pests, including critters that eat gardens like ground squirrels and deer.  Snacks were available at most gardens, including fresh apricots from the Wernick’s greenhouse-protected fruit trees.

 

First float trip of the year

On Tuesday, July 9, three rafts and one kayak transported thirteen North Forkers down the North Fork of the Flathead River from the Border to Wurtz. The weather was perfect for this community float sponsored by the NFLA. Although the river is getting lower every day, this route still had enough water to get the boats through even the most shallow places. The Kintla Rapid near the Wurtz take-out was alive in all its glory producing huge waves that drenched and excited the paddlers.

Gardening with Native Plants Workshop was informative

On Monday of this week, Terry Divoky and Andrew Beltz gave a presentation on native plants at the Community Hall. This year, Terry and Andrew asked us for feedback about how our natives have done–what worked, what didn’t work, and answered our questions about natives in general as well as specific plants. They also gave us information on how to collect seed, when to collect, how to dry and store the seed, and when and how to plant. This was followed by a “tour” outside of the many different plants they brought, quite a few of which were in bloom. The plants ranged from mountain ash to currants to native grasses and wildflowers. Plants were available for sale and several folks had pre-ordered plants.

Terry and Andrew pointed out was that the native seed need the snow protection of the winter, so we should plant our seed in the fall, not in the spring. They also gave us a website, nativeplantnetwork.org, which has growing information for individual plant species.

This was a very educational and fun event and hopefully Terry and Andrew will return to talk to us again next year!

Square Dance at the Hall was fun

The first square dance of the summer season was a huge success. Bonny and Lynn Ogle opened the Hall on Saturday night and set everything up for a potluck supper. Following that, Debo Powers showed up to call the square dance after having climbed Stanton Peak. The Haverlandt’s brought some square dance friends from the Flathead Valley and they joined North Fork residents and visitors in an old fashioned square dance. Fun was had by all!