North Fork Views: Big yard sale up the North Fork

The three main community organizations, the Landowners, Preservation Association and the Compact have all held their annual meetings and elections. As expected, there were no significant changes as all three presidents were re-elected: Randy Kenyon, NFLA, Debo Powers, NFPA and Don Sullivan, North Fork Compact.

Two newer groups, the Coalition for Health and Safety and the Trails Association have not informed me of any results. I know the Trails group is having a meeting but I can’t imagine founder and current President, Bill Walker, stepping down given the growth of the group and the effort he has put into developing positive relationships with the Forest Service and other private groups like the Backcountry Horsemen.

I don’t know how the Coalition picks officers or if they hold annual elections. Ray Brown has been their president for several years and their spokesman at Interlocal meetings.

The North Fork Memories Photo Studio will have an open house/sale on Saturday, Aug. 20th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featured will be wildlife and scenic photos by Lynn Ogle and Larry Wilson plus a variety of historical black and white photos taken by old time North Forkers.

There will also be a limited number of North Fork historic items like a Kintla Ranch pole bed, an icebox, a 1910 Edison phonograph with about 80 cylinder records, and a small collection of old tools and kitchen appliances.

Any local craftsmen and gardeners are welcome to bring their wares and there is no fee, just bring your own display table. We’ll make it a big yard sale, along with books by local authors.

With items from 25 cents to $3,500, there is something for every pocketbook or just come to enjoy the snacks and your friends and neighbors.

Supposedly the 20th will be a typical summer day. Hot and dry. However, the last week has been chilly and it really rained on Wednesday. I don’t know what time the rain started on Tuesday night, but it was raining hard when I got up at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning. It continued raining, hard, until noon. I did not see any lightning nor hear any thunder, so hopefully, fire danger will not rise anytime soon. By any measure, fire season will last for another six weeks. Remain watchful and be careful with fire.

The rainy weather really reduced floaters on the river but folks on the river don’t bother me.

I am concerned about limited room at the border launch site and at the Polebridge bridge. In the latter case, parking is adequate but the launch/takeout spot is not adequate.

At the border, parking is inadequate and the launch site is terrible, but there is a toilet which is more than you can say for Sondreson Meadows.

Larry Wilson is the Hungry Horse News North Fork columnist.