Category: News

An amendment to the NFLA Bylaws was proposed at the July Business Meeting to move the meeting date back to the first Saturday of every month. At the August Business Meeting, the vote on this amendment was postponed and the Board has accepted the task of sending out a survey to all paid members to get their input. Then, it will be discussed next year at the June Business Meeting, so that we can get a better feel for what all the members want.

To read a pdf version of the amendment, tap here.

Molly Shepherd and Allen Chrisman have combined their notes from the Summer Interlocal that took place at Sondreson Hall on Wednesday, July 18th. You can get a pdf version of that summary by tapping here.

Thank you Molly and Allen for taking the time to put these notes together. They will not only be useful for folks who were unable to attend, but provide a record that can be reviewed in the future about what was discussed during this important meeting.

Here’s a message from Irv Heitz…

Those of you in attendance at Wednesday’s Interlocal Meeting learned of a new research presence in the North Fork, the Flathead Lake Biological Station. Dr. Rachel Malison is researching river and aquifer stonefly populations in the gravel beds of the river and floodplains. You will notice pvc test wells at spots along the river and in some locations on floodplains a bit farther from the river.

Please do not bother these site. If you have questions or concerns, you can contact Dr. Malison at 406-982-33-1 x 246, or check out flbs.umt.edu/apps/research/dob/default.aspx .

Dr. Malison may be looking for additional sites with access to the river or tributaries of the river to continue the study, so if you are interested, contact her.

I have also engaged her for a possible pre-NFLA meeting presentation next summer.

Here’s a message from NFLA Secretary Dawn Olson Jacobson… Reminder that August meeting August 12 is elections for the NFLA in order to vote you need to be an active paid member $15.00 this money is used to pay for hall expenses and other things for the property. Please join the NFLA to help with our building. You can also join as an associate member for $10.00 just to help our building also all donations are gladly accepted. Think of the good times at New Years and other hall activities you enjoy at Sondreson Hall!

For more information on how to join and/or pay your dues, go to… Contact us

By now, if you have paid up your NFLA dues, you should have received a copy of the 2018 Spring Newsletter and Calendar in the mail.

The newsletter is the main result of work by Carol Groebe and Chris Heitz, plus articles by Lynn Ogle, Allen Chrisman, Lois Walker and Mark Heaphy. Besides social activities, the articles give great information on wildfire and how to protect your property, the activity of the North Fork Patrol, as well as the latest in the Lois Walker series of North Fork history. This time, she writes about the history of the Pole Bridge, which, since 1988, has been converted to steel and concrete.

If you’re not a member or didn’t receive the newsletter in the mail, you can read it here on the website. Check out our NFLA Newsletters page that includes a message from NFLA President Larry Wilson.

And don’t forget to check out the NFLA Calendar on line throughout the summer. Dates change and new events get added!

As bears emerge from their dens in the next few weeks, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers guidance for avoiding conflicts between humans and bears. Visit FWP’s Be Bear Aware web pages for important tips on maintaining bear-safe residences and camping expeditions.

“You’ll learn responsible ways to feed your pets, manage your garbage, landscape the yard and build electric fences to protect beehives and chickens in bear country, ” said Ron Aasheim, FWP spokesman. “Managing each of these activities properly will significantly reduce conflicts between bears and people.”

Learn about bear attractants, how to tell if your residence is bear-friendly, and some bear-aware tools to help keep bears wild.

If you have any problems with bears coming too close to your structures, please contact FWP Bear Management Specialist Tim Manley at tmanley803@gmail.com or call (406) 892-0802.

FWP’s Be Bear Aware web page is a great resource and this perfect time to be making an assessment about attractants around your North Fork home. Please, let’s keep our grizzly friends safe.

I am SURE summer is right around the corner, so this is just a reminder that your NFLA dues ($15 per person) are due before April 1^st if you want to receive the Spring Newsletter with the calendar of wonderful events planned for the summer.  Once again your Board of Directors has been working hard to make this summer memorable.  In addition to our usual picnics, floating, hiking and biking we have TOURS OF HISTORIC HOMESTEADS, a bi-weekly FARMER’S MARKET, and presentations on BEARS, FIRE MITIGATION around your home, and a 1^st AID, CPR, AED Class to name just a few of the  events lined up so far.

Tap here for a copy of the NFLA Membership Form.  Just send it and $15 per member to:

NFLA Treasurer
PO Box 1603
Columbia Falls, MT  59912

We look forward to seeing you this summer!

The North Fork Preservation Association has a story about Alan McNeil that begins… Alan Rideout McNeil died of a heart attack on the 29th of December, 2017. The family wish to thank the neighbors, the Sheriff’s department, and the Coroner, all of whom were most helpful in the midst of the recent blizzard conditions. Read the full story here.

There will be a gathering on the North Fork this summer in Alan’s memory. Alan will certainly be missed.

We just received word that Alan McNeil, dear friend of the North Fork, died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Friday. Our hearts go out to Cecily, Bruce, and especially Alan’s daughter Fiona. Alan was a good neighbor and active member of the NFLA. He will be greatly missed.