Opinion: The holidays in the North Fork

For most North Forkers it was a totally different Thanksgiving. It was the first time in decades that I and many others did not celebrate the holiday at Sondreson Hall. I have always been proud of the fact that we celebrated Thanksgiving as a community just like the original pilgrim celebration.

Because of the Covid virus a community celebration just wasn’t in the cards. Even so, as individuals and a community we have much to be thankful for.

I know a very few folks who have had the virus and all have survived. In fact none of them were very sick. I am also thankful for all of the things that make life good every year. Family, friends, neighbors and new acquaintances that enter our lives every year. They create the diversity that makes the North Fork special. Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Christians, Muslims, atheists, a hodge-podge of economic levels and attitudes.

All of these and more, environmentalists, rednecks and a fool or two all mixed together.

To add to the mix we have clean air, clear rivers and streams and forest that supports a wildlife population as diverse as the human population. The homesteaders would be amazed at what they helped to create.

Next of course, will be Christmas. Like Thanksgiving there will not be a big party at Sondreson Hall. Ditto the usual New Year’s Eve party. These, too, are canceled due to the virus. That doesn’t mean we won’t celebrate. For some, Christmas is a solemn religious event. Others view it as just an excuse for a party. I choose to think of Christmas as a time to consider everyone a friend and concentrate on kindness, compassion and understanding. A time to set aside our prejudices, bigotry and evil thoughts and to hope that all of us will be better in the future.

P.S. I think the petition to keep Tepee Lake free of motor boats is one more step towards making things better for the North Fork.

Larry Wilson's North Fork Views appears weekly in the Hungry Horse News.