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Local Look Back: When Big Sky was ‘West Fork’
Published
6 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Linda Nell
As a child in the ’70s driving between our home in Bozeman and property in West Fork, it was a game to see who saw landmarks first. I see … the ‘M,’ or counting the Seven Sisters (the seven streams that feed the Gallatin River south of the Lava Lake trailhead), the stone lookalike of the Yellowstone Park Bear, or Lone Mountain.
The trailer would be towed up in the spring. Dad would turn off Highway 191, park, and take a walk down the dirt road entering West Fork to see that it hadn’t been washed out and was still passable. Remnants of that road are still visible along the side hill from the Spur Road bridge.
We trekked to West Fork many weekends. Days were spent clearing the land my parents envisioned retiring on, as a remote and wild haven. Long summer days allowed for adventures hiking and fishing in places my parents had romped growing up in the Gallatin Valley.
I’d wonder if they knew just where we were going. Stopping on a dirt road, finding what appeared to be a game trail, grabbing the fishing poles, catching hoppers along the way and hiking to Ulery’s Lake. We rarely saw anyone. I do recall one time there was a gentleman there fishing. Dad said, “That’s Chet Huntley. Let me go introduce you.”
Ousel Falls was a steep hike down from north of the river. In later years, Dad would tell anyone who would listen about how he shot his first elk in the Yellow Mules as a boy. He was born in 1922.
Times have changed and now West Fork is Big Sky. Although I pine for the time it was just “West Fork,” I count myself lucky when I make the curve on the road and say to myself, “I see Lone Mountain!”
Both sides of Linda (Vogel) Nell’s family have lived in the Gallatin Valley for generations. Her aunt and uncle attended Big Sky School District when it was a one-room schoolhouse in the Porcupine Creek area.
Linda grew up in Bozeman, where she attended high school and college, and has lived in Big Sky full time for the last three years on property her parents purchased from the Sappingtons in the 1960’s. She has worked in public schools for about 25 years and currently works at Ophir Elementary School.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
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Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
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Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
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Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
29mar3:00 pm4:00 pmGood Friday Mass: St. Joseph Catholic Mission3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Event City:Big Sky
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Friday of the Passion of the Lord St. Joseph Catholic Mission
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Friday of the Passion of the Lord
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Friday) 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm