Category: News

Flathead Forest Friday Focus: Weeds

Everyone Invited for a Breakfast Chat on Friday, September, 20th

KALISPELL, MONT. – Nearly 30 species of invasive plants, or weeds, can be found on the Flathead National Forest. Each year forest employees strategize when and where to put its resources in the fight against these invaders. The tools used to kill the weeds are constantly changing as botanists consider everything from plant sniffing dogs to plant eating insects. Come chat with us about our efforts. Continue reading Flathead Forest Friday Focus: Weeds

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.

NFLA auction dinner was well received

Fried squash blossoms

One of the items on offer at the NFLA auction earlier this month was a wine dinner for 6 with all the trimmings.  Chef Morgan Hart’s goal for this year’s auction dinner was to source ingredients locally to the greatest extent possible. This effort included not only taking advantage of the trout pond and gardens at HartsCore but also accepting generous donations from North Fork neighbors Lee Secrest, Molly Shepherd, Debo Powers.  Morgan also visited local farms including Kalispell Kreamery and Farm to Market Pork as well as shopping at the Whitefish Farmer’s Market and Glacier Produce.  The search for a locally sourced piglet was, however, thwarted. Continue reading NFLA auction dinner was well received

New holdings for the NFLA Library of Nature Books

Debo sent word that there are new nature books available for check out.  These include:

  • Small Mountain Owls by Scott Rashid
  • Lepidoptera of the Pacific Northwest:  Caterpillars and Adults by Jeffrey C. Miller & Paul C. Hammond
  • Butterflies Through British Columbia by John Acorn & Ian Sheldon
  • The Moth Book by W. J. Holland
  • Montana Starwatch by Mike Lynch
  • Stars Over Montana:  The Men who shaped Glacier National Park by Warren L. Hanna

For more information including how to check these and other books out, see the Trails Committee page.

Fire Mitigation Committee update, August 2013

The Fire Mitigation Committee held its annual Firewise Day workshop on July 10, 2013, before the Inter Local meeting.  The focus of the workshop was the Wedge Canyon Fire, ten years later.  Over fifty people attended.   The response was enthusiastic, particularly to presentations by Allen Chrisman and Wally Bennett.

Allen spoke about climate change and its effects on fire behavior and frequency in the Northern Rockies.  Basically, we’re likely to experience more fires and more intense fires as temperatures rise.

Wally Bennett took over as Type 1 Incident Commander the day after the Wedge Canyon Fire made its big run on July 24, 2003.  He recently visited the North Fork to see the public and private fuels reduction work that’s been accomplished since the fire.  He remarked at the workshop that the work has made a big difference and that he’s proud of what we’ve done.   He also spoke about ingress and egress and how important it is to firefighters to turn their equipment around.

In addition, Michael Dardis discussed the major fuels projects undertaken by the U.S. Forest Service on the North Fork since the Wedge Fire.  Brian Manning did the same on behalf of the DNRC.  Federal and State efforts complement those of private landowners.

Otherwise, it appears that the North Fork will be awarded another fuels reduction grant, this one in the amount of $91,000.  We don’t have a formal agreement yet but if it happens, monies will still be available on a 75-25 basis, with the grant paying 75% and the landowner paying 25% of the cost of a project.  That’s increasingly rare; many grants now require 50-50 contributions.   There will be a focus on Trail Creek Road as an exit route in the event other routes aren’t available.

Finally, speaking of the ten years that have passed since the Wedge Canyon Fire, it’s also been ten years since the Fire Mitigation Committee was appointed.  Ed Heger, Lynn Ogle, Molly Shepherd, Jerry Wernick and Larry Wilson have served from the beginning.  Allen Chrisman joined the committee a few years ago, after her retired as Fire Management Officer for the Flathead Forest.

Molly Shepherd, Chair
North Fork Landowners’ Association’s
Fire Mitigation Committee

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.

 

Knapweed pull

On August 15, the North Fork Weed Wranglers will be pulling weeds on some of our neighbors property. We will be focusing on helping those neighbors who are disabled or physically unable to do this work themselves. If you would like some help, please contact Debo Powers at debopowers@gmail.com.

We also welcome anyone who would like to help pull weeds. This is a good way to learn about weed identification and help your neighbors at the same time. Meet at Polebridge at 9:30AM on August 15 and please bring some glove

NFLA election results

Last evening friends and neighbors of the North Fork met for the August business meeting and annual elections. Here is the new Board of Directors:

  • Karen McDonough was elected for her first term as President.
  • Donna Harrison was elected for her first term as Vice President.
  • Debo Powers will step into the role as Past-president.
  • Bonny Ogle was reappointed as Treasurer by Karen.
  • Larry Kinsolving continues into the second year of his current term as a North Director.
  • Alan Chrisman was elected to his first term as a North Director.
  • Flannery Coates was re-elected to her second term as a South Director.
  • Alan McNeil continues into the second year of his current term as a South Director.

In addition, the one by-law change proposed by Larry Wilson at the July meeting was considered:

      “Be it resolved that the name “North Fork Landowners Association” be changed to “North Fork Improvement Association.”

After a constructive discussion with plenty of participation, Larry proposed to withdraw the amendment and charge the BoD to form a committee to make a recommendation next year.

We want to thank Betsy Holycross and Lee Secrest who are leaving the Board for all their hard work during their time on the NFLA Board of Directors over the last few years. Great things were done by both while they were in office and we are in their debt.

We also want to say thank you to all of our neighbors who have agreed to serve on the current Board of the NFLA. It’s an important job and their time and efforts are appreciated.