Remembering Tom Edwards' kindness

It is sometimes hard to realize that I have been a North Forker for nearly 70 years. My parents, Ross and Louise Wilson, bought Kintla Guest Ranch from Matt and Mata Brill in 1947 and operated it until 1953 when it was sold to Pete Widener. He closed down the Guest Ranch and a high school buddy and I became the caretakers. That fall, Tom Reynolds sold us 10 acres on Kintla Ranch Road for $100 and at the ripe old age of 17 I became a North Fork landowner.

Over the last 69-plus years, of course, many long time residents have passed away or moved away. I think of them often as I remember their kindness, help to neighbors and how they fostered a feeling of community.

Just one of these was Tom Edwards. Tom came to the North Fork as a boy with his family when his Dad was a seasonal employee in Glacier Park. The family bought land and became lifelong North Forkers.

After he retired, Tom became more and more involved in the North Fork. He served as a Director of the North Fork Landowners’ Association and was one of the founding members of the History Committee. To say he is missed is an understatement.

This week I received a platter of cookies from a neighbor. On the face of the platter is the following inscription: 

Pass Along Plate

It is the way to be generous and kind

Fill this plate with some love and some treats

There is not a better gift you will find

I will be the 20th name on the list which comes with the plate. You guessed it. The plate was started by Tom Edwards. Just another reminder of Tom’s generosity and kindness. A perfect memorial which I will pass on and hope it continues for years to come.

On another note. Mosquitoes are making their whining appearance all over the North Fork. It’s a little bit early but certainly expected. 

Since I am not pregnant nor likely to become pregnant, I do not have to worry about the Zika virus. Apparently this virus, spread by mosquitoes, has not been a problem in the continental U.S. so far, but is expected to arrive sooner or later as it moves north from South and Central America. The virus causes serious birth defects and could be a dangerous epidemic. I hope health officials are able to control it quickly.

On the North Fork, at least in the Trail Creek area, we have a minor epidemic of grizzly bears. The three females who had twins two years ago should be kicking them loose this spring. Plus, two other females have been spotted with twins born last winter. 

Obviously, there are one or more males contributing to this mini explosion. 

Luckily, locals are good about keeping human foods away from bears and the bears have been good about avoiding humans. 

Still, we have had a couple of near confrontations during hunting season when there are gut piles in the woods and meat hanging near homes. 

I hope that continues but fear it will not. 

What do you think?