NFLA – Page 61 – North Fork Landowners Association

Improvements to Sondreson Hall

The NFLA maintenance committee had a long list of tasks that they wanted to finish this summer and fall including the kitchen floor, a new back porch with a ramp, replacing the batten on the back of the building, and hooking the wood stove back up inside. Much of that work was finished during a flurry of activity this past week. Here’s a report from Becky Braunig on the work that took place on Saturday…

There was a good work crew on hand Saturday including Paul Marotz, Randy Kenyon, Donna Harrison, Bill Walker, Gary McDonough, Lynn Ogle, and Lynn’s sister and brother-in-law John and Nancy North. Karen McDonough had planned to attend, but was unable to so sent lunch with Gary. We got the roof on the back porch finished and one section of batten done. Around 4PM everyone was tired and ready to go home. Then someone said let’s put the stove back where it belongs on the tile and after that decided to go ahead and hook it back up. That was quite an adventure because the stovepipe did not want to go back in place and they had to take one section of it off and crimp it. They got it done tho and I was happy to see smoke coming out of the chimney yesterday morning when I went down to church.

Karen and Gary are dog sitting the Hoilands’ lab Knute while they are in Ireland. He provided entertainment all day for all of us, bringing sticks and dropping them on our feet to throw. By the end of the day Knute looked like all he could manage was a piece of grass. I imagined Knute slept well last night and Karen confirmed that he did.

Here are some photos from Becky and one from Donna Harrison:

We want to thank everyone who has been participating in all of the work at Sondreson Hall this summer and fall. Everything looks great and it wouldn’t have happened without you.

Annual Membership Dues have Increased

The NFLA Board of Directors voted to increase the annual dues for active members from $10 a person to $15. Dues for associate members (no voting privileges) were also increased from $5 a year to $10. For more information about joining the NFLA and paying dues, including an updated form to fill out, see our Contact Page.

NFLA Sondreson Hall Fall Maintenance Schedule

Members are taking advantage of the cooler weather to perform some maintenance at Sondreson Hall. Following is the schedule:

Help with moving – On Wednesday, September 10th, a few folks are needed to help put the kitchen back together after the floor work in that area has been completed. Work will begin around 4PM.
Minor repairs and oiling – On Tuesday, September 16th, folks are asked to come help with some minor repairs to Sondreson Hall, including flicker damage and oiling the logs on the south side. Work with begin around noon.
Major work – On Friday, September 19th, a major work day has been scheduled for Sondreson Hall including starting construction on the back porch, raking gravel, and putting the stove back in place for the winter. Work will begin a 9AM and go throughout the day. Please bring work gloves, a rake, and your lunch.

We want to say a special thanks to all the folks who plan and supervise these work parties. Sondreson Hall is in the best shape its been in years due to their efforts.

Tree Farm Newsletter and Annual Tree Farm Meeting

The Annual Tree Farm Meeting will be held on Saturday, October 11. The group will be meeting at Sondreson Community Hall at 10AM before proceeding on to the Chrisman and Hoiland Tree Farms, then returning to the Hall for the lunch, Business Meeting, and Awards. This meeting is open to the public – anyone wanting more information on the Tree Farm program is welcome to attend. Registration is $25 per person, $12.50 for children under 16. With Registration both lunch and snacks are provided.

Both the Hoiland and Chrisman Tree Farms will be visited – so don’t miss an opportunity to check out what is going on at your neighbor’s!

Download the Tree Farm Annual Meeting Registration 2014 form from here.
Download the 2014 Fall Tree Farm Newsletter (Full Color) from here.

Anyone with questions can contact me at chrisman@bresnan.net or 406-249-6130.

August BOD Election Results

The annual election of the officers took place at the Business Meeting on Saturday evening. Here are the results:

President Karen McDonough
Vice President Donna Harrison
Past President Debo Powers
Treasurer Bonny Ogle
North Director Allen Chrisman
North Director Paul Marotz (new)
South Director Alan McNeil
South Director Carol Groebe

In addition, the following proposed bylaw change was passed: Dissolution Clause; “Upon the dissolution of the North Fork Landowners’ Association, assets shall be distributed by action of the Board of Directors to one or more charitable organizations that qualify for the distribution by the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.”

The proposed by law change regarding lifetime membership was withdrawn by Bonny Ogle.

2014 Fire Wise Day

For eleven years (since the Wedge Canyon Fire in 2003, the NFLA has had a very active Fire Mitigation Committee. Each summer, the committee hosts a Fire Wise Day at the Hall to help inform landowners about what they can do on their property to mitigate the effects of catastrophic wildfire. Grants have been available to help landowners with reducing fuels around their homes. This year’s Fire Wise program began with a staggering film about the devastating wildfires that have plagued Colorado in recent years. This film covered some of the causes of those fires and the conditions that control the options that fire managers have in fighting huge wildfires. The overwhelming message of the film is that if you choose to live in a fire-prone area, you will eventually have to deal with the consequences. The remainder of the program focused on research concerning adequate distance between trees in thinning projects and the Kinsolving’s restoration project since the Wedge Canyon Fire. Molly Shepherd and Allen Chrisman received an award from Fire Safe Montana for their leadership with the NFLA Fire Mitigation Committee.

Molly Shephard & Allen Chrisman receive award from Fire Safe Montana at the NFLA Fire Wise Day

North Fork Country Kitchens Cookbook update

Lois Walker reports that sale of the NFLA’s North Fork cookbook at the 4th of July parade was a tremendous success! All 400 copies of the color edition of the cookbook were sold out by 2:00 on the 4th. She sends a huge shout-out to all of the cookbook participants who marched in the Cookbook Brigade at the parade, especially to Carol Dolan-Groebe and Jan and Alice Caldwell who helped organize the marchers and Lynn Ogle and Bill Walker who helped with logistics of the sales booth.

A second printing of the cookbook is in process. This one will feature greyscale photographs in the main portion of the book, but the Heritage Section will still be in color. It will also contain a beautiful color rendition of Helen Huck Ramon’s sketch entitled “Grandma’s Kitchen.” The second edition will sell for $20 and should be available by 1 August. You can download the revised North Fork Cookbook Order Form from here.

Cook on!

Gardening with Native Plants

North Fork “plant nerds” gathered at the Community Hall on Tuesday morning for a workshop on Gardening with Native Plants. Because it was a beautiful day, the workshop was held on the front porch. Terry Divoky from Wildflower, who has been leading this workshop in our community for many years, and Stacey Jacobsen Burgard from the Center for Native Plants, presented information, answered questions, and sold native plants that they had brought with them. After attending this workshop for several years, many North Fork gardeners have transformed their home sites by landscaping with native plants. Next year, we plan to organize this workshop as a field trip to see native plants in North Fork yards.