Message from Fire Chief Lynn Ogle

According to the USFS report in the Daily Interlake dated October 1, 2015, fires will continue to burn until significant RAIN and or SNOW. At this time the fires in Lincoln County continue to burn but pose NO immediate threat to Private Property.

Marston Fire is now over 7000 acres.
Goat Rock Fire is over 22000 Acres.

The fire season is being lifted in Flathead County has been moved to Open burning. However the following information should be followed.

  1. Check the weather forecast and air quality for Rain and or Wind events.
  2. Establish a fire line and clear the Perimeter around your fire, down to bare soil.
  3. Have an adequate WATER supply and EXTRA persons to help control any fire that might escape your control.
  4. NEVER leave any fire unattended!
  5. Start debris fires small and add in small amounts to insure you can keep your fire contained.
  6. Always REMEMBER that you can be held Financially Responsible for suppression costs, should your fire escape!

Lynn P. Ogle
Fire Chief, Trail Creek Irregulars

Birding on the North Fork – Last Business Meeting of the Year

This coming Saturday, October 3rd, starting at 7PM at Sondreson Community Hall, Donna Harrison will speak on Birding on the North Fork. Donna’s talk will be followed by the last NFLA business meeting of the year starting at 8PM. Come join your friends and neighbors for this interesting talk and meeting.

And don’t forget to bring your food donations for the Food Bank. See this post for more information.

Square Dance on Saturday Night

Come join Debo and the gang for the last NFLA square dance of 2015. It’s this Saturday night, September 19, starting at 8PM at Sondreson Hall. We’ve been practicing all summer and now is the time to put all of those square dance moves into motion. Please bring s snack to share with your neighbors.

Message from the NFLA Board

The NFLA Board Welcomes You To A New Year!
2015/2016 NFLA Dues

Dear North Fork landowner,

As president of the North Fork Landowner’s Association (NFLA), I would like to take a few moments of your time to bring you some important information. The NFLA has been an ongoing and active organization since 1947.  During that time, it has represented and supported landowners in promoting and maintaining our unique corner of the world.   Without our dedicated volunteers, none of this would be possible.  First and foremost though, remains the aged star of our community, the Sondreson Hall. This hallowed hall is the conerstone of our North Fork. Maintaining this facility to the highest standards of safety and quality is expensive and time consuming.

This is where your membership pledge can provide ongoing support.  This small contribution can and will help ensure the future of our little corner of the world. Dues for an Active Member are $15 per person.  Associate membership for non-owners is $10.  Any additional contribution is greatly appreciated!

For more information on joining and a calendar of events and activities please visit our website at www.nflandowners.org.

We look forward to another exciting and eventful 2016!  Randy Kenyon, NFLA President

NFLA 2015/2016 Board Members: Randy Kenyon-President; Allen Chrisman-Vice President; Heather Sullivan-Treasurer, Secretary; Karen McDonough-Past President; Alan McNeil-Hall Usage, South Director; Jan Caldwell- Social Committee, South Director; Paul Marotz- Hall Maintenance & Improvements, North Director.

North Fork Landowners’ Association
Membership Sign-up/Renewal

The North Fork Landowners’ Association was founded in 1947. The Association owns Sondreson Hall at Whale Creek that serves as a center for business and social functions on the North Fork. Only property owners of record, their spouses and adult members of their immediate families are eligible to vote. Associate Members (non-property owners) may not vote. Annual dues for Active Members are $15 per person; dues for Associate Members are $10 per person. Dues may be paid by mail or in person at any NFLA meeting.  Additional contributions are welcome.

Please send your dues to:
North Fork Landowners’ Association
Secretary-Treasurer
P.O. Box 1603
Columbia Falls, MT  59912

Backwoods Book Lovers Get Ready

The next meeting of the Backwoods Book Lovers is coming up on Tuesday, September 15th starting at 7:30PM at Sondreson Hall.  The book this month is Fools Crow by James Welch. Here’s an excerpt from Wikipedia…

Fools Crow is a 1986 novel written by Native American author James Welch. Set in Montana shortly after the Civil War, this novel tells of White Man’s Dog (later known as Fools Crow), a young Blackfeet Indian on the verge of manhood, and his tribe, known as the Lone Eaters. The invasion of white society threatens to change their traditional way of life, and they must choose to fight or assimilate. The story is a powerful portrait of a fading way of life. The story culminates with the historic Marias Massacre of 1870, in which the U.S. Cavalry mistakenly killed a friendly band of Blackfeet, consisting mostly of non-combatants.

You have plenty of time before the 15th, so read the book and come join your North Fork neighbors in the discussion. Also please bring a snack to share. Backwoods Book Lovers is hosted by Gerry Stearns.

Message From the New Treasurer – Heather Sullivan

Good morning!

I would like to introduce myself for those who don’t know me and thank Bonnie for all her years of dedication! I look forward to working with everyone!

My family has had property on the North Fork for 35 years. I grew up here as a kid every summer and raised my two daughters’ here the same way. Glacier and the North Fork has been our home for a long time, and I moved from Maryland last summer to be here full time. I live in Kalispell during the week and am at the North Fork most weekends.

I volunteered for the Treasurer position because my career is in business, I have an accounting and business degree, and have done accounting for others in the past. I thought I might be able to help out J

Thank you for your patience during this transition time and please feel free to contact me.

Don’t forget our meeting this Saturday, Sept. 5th at 8 pm.

See you all there!

Heather Sullivan

Heather SullivanHeather Sullivan, Treasurer
North Fork Landowners’ Association
P.O. Box 1603
Columbia Falls, MT. 59912
nflatreasurer@gmail.com

Message from Bonny Ogle

Effective August 31st, after five years of working with some of the greatest neighbors a person could want, I’m retiring from the North Fork Landowners’ Association as Treasurer.

I had done this before back in the 1980’s but things have changed a great deal since then.  It was a learning experience then but there were no phones or radio phones, internet or spreadsheets!  This time it has been an even greater learning experience and there have been many teachers and helpers along the way.  Too many to even begin to mention here.

Thanks to all who helped me or even just provided moral support with a smile or a hug when you came into the hall.  Hopefully I’ll still get to see you in the neighborhood.

Please use my new email if you need to contact me about anything or just to chat at bmsogle@lazys-o.com .  All of you North Forkers who need to reach the new Treasurer, Heather Sullivan, please email her at nflatreasurer@gmail.com.   She’s a great gal and I know she’ll do a good job for you all.

Our heartfelt thanks to Bonny for taking such good care of the NFLA finances for all these years. Bonny… you are a wonder.

Community Pot Luck End of Season Picnic

Come join your friends and neighbors this coming Sunday, August 23rd, for the annual Community Pot Luck End of Season Picnic. The fun starts at 12:30PM at the Bowman Lake Picnic area. Please bring a dish to share, any water vehicle you want, your drink of choice, lawn chair, mosquito repellant, and a smiley face. The meat will be provided.   Your hosts this year are Dennis & Carol Groebe.

“Crazy Hat” Square Dance Renewed a Tradition

There were plenty of crazy hats on offer at last evenings “Crazy Hat” square dance at Sondreson Hall. There was also lots of square dancing with Debo Powers doing the calling and good food brought by friends and neighbors.

Although the competition was fierce, our three distinguished judges decided that Sarah Ulrichesen’s “North Fork Packrat Association” hat was the best, followed closely by Karen McDonough’s “Frog Hat” that came complete with sound effects. The hot peach cobbler, cookies, brownies, and blondies were a welcome treat midway through the evening. We hope that this is the start of a new old tradition and are looking forward to next year’s “Crazy Hat” dance.

The Leigh family, with Karen McDonough and out of town guest Nina

Fire Mitigation Committee Report, August 2015

Firewise Day

The Fire Mitigation Committee sponsored a successful Firewise Day workshop on July 15, 2015, preceding the Summer Interlocal meeting. About sixty people attended. Committee co-chair Allen Chrisman put together an excellent program, with presenters from all of the agencies with wildfire responsibilities on the North Fork. As ever, the committee is grateful for their long-term collaboration.

Lincoln Chute was among the presenters at the workshop. He is Flathead County Fire Service Area Manager and now a member of the Fire Mitigation Committee.   He reminded attendees that wildfire preparedness is a matter of personal responsibility. There’s only so much that firefighters can do. Furthermore, landowners can’t count on having fire engines available to save their homes, since a shortage of volunteers has made it difficult to staff engines. He urged landowners to put their addresses on posts or mailboxes marking their driveways, using reflective numbers that can be easily seen in an emergency.

Mr. Chute and other presenters also discussed the danger of ember showers, which can ignite structures or the fuels around them a long way from a fire front. Decks and vents are especially problematic in an ember shower. Presenters encouraged landowners to inspect in and around their homes, to identify places where an ember might enter or ignite flammable materials, and to take steps to mitigate any hazards. Don’t store firewood on decks and do cover the openings to woodsheds, preferably with canvas or fire-resistant material. Cut the grass around structures and keep it green. Clean up the brush around propane tanks.

Manny Mendoza of the USDA Forest Service highlighted dangerously dry conditions so far this year. The area experienced the hottest, driest June in history. Although some rain and cooler temperatures in early July moderated the danger, Mr. Mendoza remarked that we’re still on the same track we were on in 2001 and 2003, when we had massive fires on the North Fork.

Grant Status

Progress has been made on the Trail Creek ingress-egress project. Duke and Naomi Hoiland have done significant work along their stretch of Trail Creek Road. Other landowners with frontage on the road are initiating fuels reduction projects, with assistance from the North Fork’s fourth cost-share grant.