Local Information

LOCAL INFORMATION

North Fork History Group 559 877-4807

North Fork Library 559 877-2387

North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians 559 877-2461

Sierra News Online Sierranewsonline.com/calendar

North Fork Town Hall 33060 Mono Drive Road 228 North Fork, CA 93643 559 877-7700

North Fork Recreation Center 33507 Recreation Road 230 North Fork, CA 93643 559 877-7706

Sierra Mono Museum 559 877-2115 Sierramonomuseum.org

US Forest Service Bass Lake Ranger District 559 877-2218

Sierra Vista Scenic Byway Association sierravistascenicbyway.com

North Fork Chamber of Commerce 559-917-0362

North Fork Community Development Council 559 877-2244 northforkcdc.org

NF NORTH FORK BOOSTERS A community based public benefit corporation with the purpose of promoting charitable and educational prosperity in North Fork, California.

President: Cathey Thornburg Vice President: Jessie Hutchens Secretary: Wade Wheeler Treasurer: Cindy Quigley

Board Members: Gloria Bain Mike Garcia Holly Johnson Rudy Verduzco

Welcome to North Fork! The Loggers Jamboree is an annual event located at the North Fork Recreation Center in the exact center of California. This event pays tribute to the loggers of time past and those still keeping the industry alive today. Participants in the Jamboree help us appreciate and honor the loggers’ craft and hard work, while keeping us entertained throughout the competition. All proceeds from the Jamboree go into The North Fork Boosters General Fund, to keep local facilities, programs, and events going year after year. In between the competitive events there are local food and craft vendors to visit, and if you feel the need to cool off then head down to the swimming area for a dip! Find the official saw of the HUSQVARNA 395 XP® 61st Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree

at CHOPPERS oakhurst!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

©Terrance Reimer ©Terrance Reimer

©Terrance Reimer

©Terrance Reimer ©Terrance Reimer 61st Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree North Fork Recreation Center 33507 Rd 230 North Fork, Ca Schedule of Events - July 3rd & 4th 2021

Saturday, July 3rd Sunday, July 4th 8:00 am Pro-Am Gates Open 7:00–10:00 am Lions Club Pancake Breakfast 8:00-9:00 Sign-ups Pro-Am Town Hall 33060 Road 228 10:00 am Pro-Am Competition Presale $8 adult $7 child Junior Axe Throw At the door $9 adult $8 child Jason Taylor Axe Throw 10:00 am Loggers Jamboree Gates Open 12:00 pm Horseshoe Tournament Admission $5 / 12 and under free 10:00-11:00 Sign-ups for Loggers 5:00 pm Main Street Parade 12:00 pm Pro Competition Logging Events 7:00 pm Recreation Center Little Logger & Princess Announcement

8:00 pm The Wood Choppers Ball 61st Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree Queen Coronation $10 per person / $15 couple Live Music by Darden The Band tickets available at northforkboosters.org

©Terrance Reimer northforkboo sters.org MID-SIERRA LOGGERS JAMBOREE LOGGING EVENTS Axe Throw: Contestants will throw at a 36 inch target from a distance of 20 feet or more. The center of the bulls-eye will be 60 inches above the ground. The center of the bulls-eye will be a full can of beer worth 5 points. The outer rings will decrease in point value to 1 point on the very outside ring. No axe head will weigh less than 2.5 pounds, no handle will be shorter than 24 inches. Axe heads must be double bit with manufacturers stamp or mark on head, with no welded tips; blades should have a maximum width of 6 inches. If both bits stick on the target, no score. The best 3 out of 4 throws count.

Choker Setting: Contestants will run approximately 100 feet over logs, get a choker, run back over logs and set a choker on the end log. Choker must be buckled. Chokers will be furnished for the event but will not be available for practice. Two contestants will compete at once running against each other. Protective gloves should be worn and work boots with 8 inch tops are required for the event. No track shoes with 8 inch sewed on tops will be allowed, they must be a manufactured boot.

Double Hand Bucking: (Jack and Jill) Contestants will saw an approximately 18 inch log. A standard falling or bucking saw will be used. Saw may be set to 1.5 inches. Prizes and points will be split 50/50. No “M” tooth saws allowed.

Hand Chopping: Contestants will chop on approximately 12 inch logs. Axes may not weigh over 5 pounds excluding handle weight. Logs will be prepared by contestants. Contestants cannot cut on log; they may mark logs with a marking pen only. Steel toe required.

Hot Power Saw: Contestants will saw up to a 40 inch log. Any saw may be used, as long as it was originally a chain saw and has no more than one engine attached to the bar. Contestants will furnish their own fuel for this event. This is a live start. The contestant will be given one minute to start their saw. If the contestant fails to meet this time they will be given a second chance after all contestants have completed their cuts. Must cut from one side only.

Ladies Axe Throw: The same rules apply as the Men’s Axe Throw event.

Ladies Stock Power Saw: The same rules apply as the Men’s Stock Power Saw event. One straight cut will be made in an approximately 24 inch log. This event will be a live start.

Log Birling: Two contestants show off their birling skills head to head. Contestants will be in the water. Shoes must be worn. Contestants must wear 8 inch manufactured boots. No track or special spiked low top shoes or with sewn tops will be permitted for men or women.

Springboard Chop: Competitor uses and ax to chop pockets into a 9-foot pole and then place springboard platforms into the pockets. Good Luck Loggers! Jason Taylor Junior Axe Throw Memorial Axe Throw Ages 13 -15 yrs Saturday July 3rd sign up @ 8 am Saturday July 3rd sign up @ 8 am Winner receives a Jason Taylor Begineers welcome! Memorial Silver Belt Buckle Sign up and try your luck at Donated byMike Ervin this exciting timber sport!

2019 Loggers Jamboree Results Champion Logger Pro Events CHOKER SETTING 1st Nate Hodges 2nd Jerry Hodges 3rd JB Thornburg 4th Lane Chant

Ax Throw 1st Mike Morrow 2nd Bob Maldonado 3rd Lawrence O Toole 4th Nate Hodges

STOCK POWER SAW 1st Nate Hodges 2nd Pete Curtis 3rd Bill Davis 4th JB Thornburg

HAND CHOPPING 1st Lawrence O Toole 2nd Walt Page 3rd Nate Hodges 4th Will Kraemer

TREE FALLING 1st Nate Hodges 2nd Bill Davis 3rd Will Kraemer 4th Lawrence O’Toole

LADIES AX THROW 1st Jayci Coon 2nd Amanda Hodges 3rd Brittany Burnet 4th Karrin Pacheco

LADIES POWER SAW 1st JoAnn Nolen 2nd Tina Harrison 3rd April Holt 4th Brittany Curtis

DOUBLE BUCKING 1st Nate Hodges/Jerry Hodges 2nd Lane Chant/Lawrence O’Toole 3rd Will KreamerWalt Page 4th George Harrison/Thomas Porter

JACK AND JILL 1st Will Kreamer/Erin Sheridan 2nd Nate Hodges/Lani Owen 3rd George Harrison/Tina Harrison 4th Justin Wilson/Megan Howel

SPEED AX 1st Nate Hodges 2nd Jerry Hodges 3rd Kyle Jansen 4th JB Thornton

HOT POWER SAW 1st George Harrison 2nd Mike Morrow 3rd Ricardo Medina 4th Nate Hodges

SPRINGBOARD 1st Lawrence O Toole 2nd Nat Hodges 3rd Walt Page 4th Lane Chant

BURLING 1st Nate Hodges 2nd Jerry Hodges 3rd Lani Owen 4th Lane Chant

PRO AM RESULTS 1ST Jerry Hodges and Anthony Castenada 2ND JB Thornburg and John Moglia 3RD Bill Davis and Nick Brinlee 4TH Jessie Hutchens and Derek Robinson

JASON TAYLOR AX THROW 1st Mike Morrow 2nd Justin Wilson 3rd J.B. Thornburg 4th Jessie Hutchens

WORKING SAW 1st Jerry Hodges 2nd Mike Morrow 3rd Jessie Hutchens 4th J.B. Thornburg

JUNIOR AX THROW 1st Carson McIntosh 2nd Nicholas Coleman 3rd Hayden Bebout PITCHING SHOES IS AN ANNUAL TRADITION IN MEMORY OF TIM PUNKIN The horseshoe pitching tournament held on Saturday July 3rd at 12 pm is expected to attract some worthy competition. This tournament requires a $5.00 entry fee. The tournament teams will be chosen by lottery and winners will be awarded after double elimination. Sign up for this annual event on Saturday July 3rd at the recreation center horseshoe pits or contact the tournament chairman Dale Tex at 559.283.2867

61 61st Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree Grand Marshal Richard Childers & Family 2021 Grand Marshal – Richard Childers & Family Richard Childers and his Family are incredibly grateful for being honored as Grand Marshals for the 61st Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree. The Childers name has long been associated in the timber industry, five generations to be exact. It all started with William Childers establishing a sawmill in Teaford Meadows, North Fork. There Henry, Oscar, Jimmy, and Warren Childers worked many years. At the conclusion of that mill, Oscar went to work at Central Camp as a “Whistle Punk” where he loaded onto the railroad. Around that time Oscar would meet Charlotte Acosta and they would marry. Oscar continued following work in local sawmills and in doing so found himself at Dinkey Creek where he helped in the construction of a sawmill in 1940. Oscar and family would go on to spend the summer months working at Dinkey Creek and when the snow fell, they would travel back to North Fork. Work always continued in the woods. Around that time of 1940, Richard was born with his sisters Sharon and Shirley to follow. Richard grew up in the mountains surrounded by the woods that he loved. Richard got his first job at 12 years old as a Bullcook for Bob Biles at Dinkey Creek. After various jobs in and around the sawmill, he graduated to scaling timber in the woods. In 1957 he started working half of a day in the mill learning the trade of saw filing and half of the day in the woods. Eventually his skills of saw filing led him to fulltime work in the sawmill. His saw filing skills included sharpening of band saws, circular saws, deck chains and numerous other tasks too numerous to list. As he honed his skills, saw filing would come to be his life career and he took that skill to an art form. In 1960, Richard met JoAnne in North Fork and it did not take long before they married. Three children would come from that union, Rusty, Terri, Abby. Richard continued to work summers at Pine Logging (Dinkey Creek) however in 1979 that seasonal mill closed. Richard then worked at sawmills such as Oakhurst, North Fork, Auberry, Yancy (Tollhouse), Martel, Green Valley to name a few, some of them as Head Saw Filer. All along teaching apprentice saw filers. Richard and JoAnne fostered a love and respect of the mountains/woods in their family. Rusty would go on to become a timber faller (Childers Contract Cutting) and climber at the early age of 16 and has not stopped. He would foster that skill set in his own son, Keegan (San Joaquin Forest Products) at an early age and he too has not stopped. North Fork has been a special hometown for the Childers. Every family member attended local schools, church, and community events (i.e., Loggers Jamboree). So many long- lasting friendships have been forged along the way. It is a privilege to be counted among the past distinguished Grand Marshal’s and we send heartfelt “Thank You” to our North Fork Community!!

Past Grand Marshals 1969 Florence and Jim Douglas 1971 Louis and Ida Carmen 1973 Jane Visher 1974 Oscar Childers 1975 Charlotte and Bill Horn 1976 Ann and Vince Goodwin Alcesta and Harry Forster Ella and Dan McSwain 1977 Dr. Wilbur and Drew Cohlan 1978 Ada Wenham and Hollis Bach 1979 Barbara Betty and Inga Ward 1980 Katherine Green and Fern Weatherly 1981 Johnie and Willard Nelson 1982 Marilyn and Charlie Coelho 1983 Elaine and Dyk Fink SanJoaquinfp.com 1984 Gail and Bud Klette Elena and Jack Dozier Pat (Thornburg) Hayden 1985 Gwen and Willis Keys 1986 Avis and Herb Punkin 1987 Dottie and Ralph Nicassio Keegan Childers 1988 Alvin McDonald 1989 Dot and Jim Morris 1990 Jeannie and Gene Ayers 1991 Winore and Troy Carver 1992 Ila and Paul Barnes 559.433.7998 1993 Laura and Warren Morgan 1994 Ivy and Glenn DeMoss 1995 Bill Bailey 1996 Blanche and Warren Childers 1997 Zella and Barney Rohrbaugh 1998 Gladys and Grant Sturm 1999 Janet and tom Wheeler 2000 Diana and George Stafford 2001 Sharon and Tom Hebrard 2002 Nellie and Bill Nelson 2003 Cindy and Mark Swarts 2004 Tammy Armstrong 2005 Gayle Fain and Doug Waltner 2006 Loretta and Bob McKee 2007 Kathy and Mark Logee 2008 Sue and Mike Morro 2009 Lois and Doug Betty 2010 Judy and Chuck Borden 2011 Sherry, Bill and Shawn Antill 2012 The Killian Family 2013 Marcia and Ken Goodwin 2014 The Hutchens Family 2015 Sheri and Craig Pinkerton 2016 Bill Vandenburgh 2017 Claudia Box 2018 Jon and Judy Norby Patrick Emmert and Susan Waters 2019 Cathey Thornburg ©Terrance Reimer ©Terrance Reimer 2020—————

Paige Thornburg - our 60th Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree Queen will pass the crown to one of these contestants

Madison Khloe Parra Owen sponsored by: sponsored by: the Millers Buckhorn Landing Restaurant & Saloon resort north fork bass lake

The North Fork Boosters organization is proud to announce our 61st Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree Queen Contestants Buy tickets to Sunday July 4th events from one of these outstanding young ladies! Join them at The North Fork Recreation Center on Saturday July 3rd at 8 pm to congradulate the winner!

Allison Lacie Demasters bebout sponsored by: sponsored by: Red Barn Bandit Coffee co. Town north fork north fork

@DardenTheBand

61st wline Sno Saloo The n

©Terrance Reimer ©Terrance Reimer

60th Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree Princess & Little Logger princess Little logger Hazel Waylon Bates Fonesca 61st Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree Princess & Little Logger Contestants Buy tickets to Sunday July 4th events from one of these cute kids! Join them at The North Fork Recreation Center on Saturday July 3rd at 7 pm to congradulate the winners!

June McMillan Emmeline DeHart Axel Paquette Phoenix Zavalza Koah Lourence The Snowline Millers Landing Resort The Pizza Factory Gas n Stuf The Buckhorn Saloon

thank you Vulcan materials company for your continued support! Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree Champion Loggers

1960 Alvin McDonald 1991 Jim Taylor 1961 Alvin McDonald 1992 Tom Wheeler 1962 Alvin McDonald 1993 Jim Taylor 1963 Dyk Fink 1994 Jim Taylor 1964 Dyk Fink 1995 Tom Wheeler 1965 Gib Hunter 1996 Reggie Lewis 1966 Herb Punkin 1997 Jim Taylor 1967 Dyk Fink 1998 Mike Morrow 1968 Martin Hedrick 1999 Tom Wheeler 1969 Herb Punkin 2000 Tim Punkin 1970 Herb Punkin 2001 Jim Taylor 1971 Jim Taylor 2002 Jim Taylor 1972 Jim Taylor 2003 Aaron Morrow 1973 Jim Taylor 2004 Jim Taylor 1974 Martin Hedrick 2005 Nathan Hodges 1975 Jim Taylor 2006 Nathan Hodges 1976 Martin Hedrick 2007 Nathan Hodges 1977 John Clark 2008 Nathan Hodges 1978 Gary Azevedo 2009 Riley Allen 1979 Jim Taylor 2010 Aaron Morrow 1980 Gary Azevedo 2011 Nathan Hodges 1981 Dyk Fink 2012 Tom Martin 1982 Herb Punkin 2013 Nathan Hodges 1983 Dyk Fink 2014 Nathan Hodges 1984 Gary Azevedo 2015 Len Nielson 1985 Gary Azevedo 2016 Nathan Hodges 1986 Gary Azevedo 2017 Nathan Hodges 1987 Dyk Fink 2018 Nathan Hodges 1988 Tom Wheeler 2019 Nathan Hodges 1989 Tom Wheeler 2020———————- 1990 Jim Taylor 2021...

Pioneer-Logging.com Author Coming Home to Setting of Novel - NORTH F0RK CA

Darby Patterson, one-time publisher of a local paper, “The Timberline Times,” will be in town for the Loggers’ Jamboree to share her mystery book that’s set in North Fork. The book (featuring a chapter that takes place at the Logger’s Jamboree) includes plenty of references to local landmarks and people (names changed) she knew when she lived here in the 1980s. “No matter where I went,” she says, “I couldn’t get North Fork out of my mind. It was a joy to revisit the people and place in my book.” The mystery novel, “The Song of Jackass Creek,” gets top reviews on Amazon, and a sequel is underway. Part of her visit, she says, is to rekindle her memories and gather new details for the in-progress book. She is also looking forward to seeing old friends from the days when “The Timberline Times” was published from her office in downtown North Fork and Old Town. Look for Darby at a booth on the Jamboree grounds, welcome her back, and sign up to win a free copy of her book. She’ll also be donating part of her proceeds from the day to a local nonprofit and bringing her whole family to get the full experience of the 61st annual Loggers’ Jamboree. www.darbypatterson.com

mid-Sierra loggers Jamboree Queens 1962 - 2020

1962 Betty Vanderburgh 2009 Larissa Thornburg 1963 Barbara Ayers 2010 Monica Sherman 1964 Linda Smith 2011 Aurora Middleton 1965 Charlene Porter 2012 Crystal Piotrowski 1966 Pam Cox 2013 Rebecca Moisa 1967 Sue Vaughn 2014 Cheyenne Whitener 1968 Pam Huckle 2015 Heather Lutz 1969 Delores Topping 2016 Halle Lutz 1970 Cheryle Berard 2017 Kate Hough 1971 Lynn Deaton 2018 Taralee Wass 1972 Pam Whitener. 2019 Paige Thornburg 1973 Bonnie Carver 1974 Gwen Fink 1975 Amy Belden 1976 Tami Ayers 1977 Jeannie Finch 1978 Dana Nelson 1979 Jeanene Belden 1980 Tina Johnson 1981 Brenda Lavell 1982 Cindy Betty 1983 Natalie Goodwin 1984 Audra Betty 1985 Amy Goodwin 1986 Brandy Williams 1987 Doris Gonzalez 1988 Justine Leppanen 1989 Patricia Lavell 1990 Sharon Patterson 1991 Sabrina Webb 1992 Amy Killian 1993 Christina McDonald 1994 Jennifer Casner-Thornburg 1995 Iris Heiss 1996 Halley Smith 1997 Michoelina Kloppenburg 1998 Jessica Coleman 1999 Tricia Thornburg 2000 Jodi Bowlan 2001 Leoma Box 2002 Amanda Wheeler 2003 Savannah Ward 2004 Tiffany Ward 2005 Janae Hester-Pinkerton 2006 Ashley Nabors & Yalanda Walker 2007 Sierra McGovran 2008 Breanna Shaffer 559 877 4357 YosemiteRealEstate.com Thank you for your continued support! - North Fork Boosters

mtfent.com 530 626 4127

Hot Shot Coffee Shack 33013 Road 222 North Fork, Ca 559 877 6300

North Fork Boosters Childrens Fishing Derby

Thank you Alice Koda! North Fork History Group Installs Interpretive Signs at the Old Mill Site Property

"Three new educational interpretive signs have been installed at the Community Development Council (CDC) property—the Old Mill Site. The main theme of the signs is based on how trees provided prosperity to the local community during a 50-year era of logging. The signs have been installed adjacent to the junction of Koso Nobe Road and Old Mill Site Court across from the buildings of the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California. The signs overlook the remains of two of the huge saws that once resided inside the lumber mill building. In the original community meetings in 1996, community participants said they did not want to lose sight of their history. The CDC recognized and made a commitment to preserving the "pony" saw and "head rig" from the mill. These interpretive signs are reminders for the community, students, visitors and travelers of the history of the local people and the environment that sustains us all. The North Fork History Group (NFHG) designed the signs and had them fabricated to National Park Service standards. The Sierra Vista Scenic Byway committee partnered with the NFHG and provided half the funding for the signs. The NFHG thanks all contributors to this effort. stop by to enjoy the signs and to learn more about your local history!" Thank You North Fork History Group!

North Fork Boosters Citizen of the Year Mike Garcia Mike has volunteered with the North Fork Boosters for many years. He has been an active board member and is always ready to lend a helping hand within our organization. His positive attitude and uplifting spirit is always appreciated. Mikes enthusiasm and dedication to our community is admired and most certainly valued. Congradulations!

North Fork Boosters Citizen of the Year 1979 Marilyn Coelho 2013 Mark Logee 1980 Grant Sturm 2014 Janet Wheeler 1981 Paul Barnes 2015 Linda Gott-Maddox 1982 Jim Zizzo 2016 Al and Robyn Flory 1983 Bob Quick 2017 Claudia Box 1984 Tom Wheeler 2018 Tom Burdette 1985 Betty Lyons 2019 Dave and Sue Novell 1986 Blaine Shultz 1987 Tom Hebrard 1988 Charles Coelho 1989 Tal Carter 1990 Jim and Dot Morris 1991 Elaine C. Fink 1992 Beverly Cole 1993 Paul Vining 1994 Tom Digilinger 1995 Charles Harrington 1996 Lloree Knowles 1997 Mary Myers 1998 Frank Verduzco 1999 Mark and Cindy Swarts 2000 Chris Stanley 2001 Cathey Thornburg 2002 Loretta McKee 2003 Tammy Armstrong 2004 Kirk and Alice Koda 2005 Volney Donavan 2006 Bill and Gretchen Choate 2007 Augie and Cindy Capuchino 2008 Viola Carr 2009 Dave Smith 2010 Joan Constable 2011 Vincent and Ginny Smith 2012 Hansel Kern

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Oakhurst, mammoth Lakes, Big Bear, & Lake Tahoe California locations

559 683 2937 Mobile Axe Throwing! Call to Book your private event!

Good Luck Competitors! Stop in before the Mid Sierra Loggers Jamboree to practice! 4th Annual Hackers & Slackers Golf Tournament Thank you to all the players, sponsors and volunteers that participated today in the 4th Hackers & Slackers at River Creek Golf Course. Big shout out to River Creek Golf Course for all you do to make sure our tournament is a success! Also Elevated Graphics makes the best signs!

North Fork Boosters Annual Events Citizen of the year dinner Bingo at town hall mid-Sierra loggers jamboree kickoff dinner hackers & slackers golf tournament childrens fishing derby childrens summer youth program mid-Sierra loggers jamboree fall festival christmas bazaar children’s Christmas party

remodel complete! stop in and see the new museum (Above, Cover and Back Cover) Artist: Mary Beth Harrison Website: MaryBethHarrisonart.com Phone: (559) 905-8034 Showing at: Yosemite Gateway Art Center, Jennie's Garden, La Cabana, and Sierra Artists Gallery

good luck competitors! Mountain Home Health

Ranay Wass CRMA/HHA

559.676.7244 559.877.2299 home/fax [email protected]

CROSSROADSLUMBER.COM 559 877 3645 [email protected] Good luck loggers

A lot of you are saying “Climate Change“ is the sole cause of all these disastrous fires. Right? So let me say that over the 60+ years I have worked the land here in the foothills and Forests. I have witnessed many drought years, some a few years some only a year or two. Before the 3 saw mills shut down here in our area (5 different mills all together) we Did Not have these great big totally devastating 100,000 acre fires. We Had Healthy Forests, we had logging, cattle grazing, cleaning up of the underbrush, and thinning small clusters of trees so the dominant tree could grow freely. In the 70’s we had a few drought years and the Bark Beetles were rampant. But you know what? We beat them. You know how? We logged them, cut the attacked trees, and sawed them up before they could spread like they did these last 5 years. Gyppo Loggers would drive around on our logging roads (roads paid for from logging revenue) and would identify attacked trees and drive down to the Forest Service Office to notify them. The Forest Service then would send the Silviculturist to make sure the tree was Bark Beetle attacked, then mark, measure, and do the paperwork to figure how much it was worth. They then sold those trees to the Gyppo loggers who cut them down and shipped them to the Saw Mills! Wow Saw Mills! I’m posting all this because I’ve lived it all. “Been there and done that” using Common Sense when it comes to conservation, forest health, fuel reduction, control burns, herbicide application, planting trees, thinning trees, planting grasses, fertilizing. You name it, I’ve probably done it. I started my career working at the North Fork Saw Mill, cutting and burning brush, logging, Jill Poking (going into units after they were logged and cleaning them up), logging my 40 acres at Johnson Meadows off Grizzly Meadow road (right next to the Creek fire), thinning the 40 acres, burning the piles, brushing hundreds of acres at the Circle W Ranch consisting of over 4,000 acres, control burning 1,200 acres 3 times on the ranch, working with the MADERA County Control burn Committee on over 20 burns here in Eastern Madera county, Chairman of the Coarsegold Resource Conservation District, Chairman of the District 6 Conservation Resource District, member and Chair of the Yosemite/ Sequoia Resource & Developement District, and much much more, taking care of the grassland, brush and forest. So when I talk about healthy Forests it’s not from books, but from real, on the ground learning. All I really know is that over the 60+ years working on the ground, learning from many ranchers, scientists, conservationists , U.C. Scientists , NRCS employees, FSA employees, Foresters, Silviculturists, USFS employees, Cal Fire (CDF) employees, and on and on. What really works and does not work, even with Climate Change, adds up to the fact that if we would’ve had Healthy Forests these Monstrous Fires wouldn’t be happening. I could go on and on with facts but I hope you get the gist of what I’m trying to say. Healthy Forests were here for hundreds of years because of lightning fires and Native Americans burning underbrush. Modern man’s disruption of these natural processes has created the unhealthy Forests we have today. Folks here is why our Forests are burning up. California used to have over 120 Saw Mills to build the roads to and in the Forest, thin, cut, and mill the most Renewable Resourses we have, Trees. In the early 90’s the Environmental community started using the Spotted Owl endangerment as a excuse to stop logging to save them. We now only have around 20 Saw Mills in California. And guess what, the Spotted Owls are now burning up along with our unmanaged forests. (Tom Wheeler) SierraVistaScenicByway.org The Sierra Vista Scenic Byway Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose purpose it is to stimulate interest in educational, interpretive and related activities along the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway

Thank You for all of your hard work and dedication to our community!

Best of Luck to the loggers at the mid Sierra loggers jamboree North Fork's Prominence As A Mill Town Began In The 1940s Posted by: SNO Staff June 22, 2012

For over one hundred years, North Fork was known as a logging community. In 1941, the Associated Lumber and Box Company purchased one hundred and thirty five acres from the Thornburg family. The mill, which originated in Beiber, California near the Oregon border, was relocated here in North Fork in mid-1942. On April 1, 1943, the first log was sawed into lumber. During the first year of operation, the North Fork mill cut just a little over 9 million board feet of lumber. It was a good showing considering all construction work has not been completed and considerable logging roads had to be built. With the mill’s opening in 1943 until 1951, the mill worked one shift on a five day week basis. There were men to fall the trees, drive the logging and lumber trucks, operate the mill pond, sawmill, planing mill and dry yards. There was a blacksmith shop, equipment service and overhaul, a cook, as well as various other jobs. During this time, crew sizes varied around 135 people during the logging season. The mill’s company housing – situated across the road from the mill – consisted of twenty two two-bedroom homes which rented to employees for $30/month including water and maintenance. In 1968, the mill had an annual payroll of $1,250,00, and logging was called the largest and most important single industry in the county. Throughout the years, the mill’s name changed from Associated Lumber and Box Company to General Box Company to American Forest Products, Bendix Forest Products and Sequoia Products. In 1985, the mill was purchased by Ron Yanke and was renamed South Fork Timber Industries. From 1985 to 1991 during the peak lumber harvest, loggers felled an average of 143 million board feet a year, enough to build approximately 12,000 single family homes. In 1991, the mill provided 145 jobs in North Fork. Nothing was wasted. The mill utilized the good parts of the logs for lumber and the scrap material for chips for particle board. A cogeneration plant was brought on-line in 1986, which used the sawdust to fuel the boilers and generate electricity. Any surplus power not consumed by the mill was sold to public utility companies. The mill also made humus from the bark and sold the ash as a complete fertilizer. In 1992, the forest yielded 83.7 million board feet, and in 1993, its production dropped to 63.8 million board feet under the new government regulations for ecosystem management. The cost and restrictions on logging made lumber production unprofitable. The mill would be eventually shut down. Several layoffs began as early as 1991. The last log was sawed on February 25, 1994. At noon, the mill siren wailed its farewell to a century-old logging era.

SUMMIT GARDENS HANDCRAFTED Vegan Soaps & Bath Products 559 676 2071 Amanda DeMasters P.O. Box 25 North Fork, Ca 93643 [email protected] @summitgardenssoaps Summit Gardens G o o d L u c k L o g g e r s ! - T h e D e M a s t e r s F a m i l y

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33023 Road 222 North Fork, CA Join the Parade! More info at NorthForkBoosters.org sat July 3rd @ 5pm Main Street Rd 222 North Fork Thank You to Everyone who donated to the Creek Fire Recovery Fund!

Small Local Businesses Raise Over $26,000 for Creek Fire Victims Posted by: SNO Staff December 17, 2020

MADERA COUNTY MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES – A mix of mountain folks came together to raise relief funds for those who lost their homes in the Creek Fire. Spearheading the fundraiser was local business owners Heather & Kim Lawson of Get Deerty/Lawson Studios LLC, and local artist Kirsten Casey of Blue Lotus, along with a mix of mountain folks from Shaver Lake, Auberry, North Fork and Mariposa. The team is very happy to announce the final sum of their fundraising Sisters on the Fly efforts at $26,780. An assortment of fundraiser gear, including t-shirts, hoodies, hats, tanks, decals and handcrafted necklaces were sold with 100% profits going to those who lost their homes. Owner of Blue Lotus, Kirsten Casey of North Fork, sold her handcrafted gemstone Fire necklaces to raise relief funds. Auberry resident and carpenter, Travis Leeper assisted with road side selling efforts, while Kirsten and Josh DeFisher focused on selling efforts in North Fork and various other locations. Kirsten, Travis and Josh were all evacuated during the fire, and gratefully were all able to return to their homes. Other notable community and family members who assisted in the effort include: Jovan Steele, Jennie Miner, Chuck Otero, Ben Berrier, Sue Leeper, Travis Casey, Allyson DeFisher, Frank Simonis, Jenn Embelton and Allie Maxfield. MOUNTAIN Local businesses even stepped up to help in the selling efforts, such as Pak n’ Page, Macaulay Insurance, Vons in Oakhurst, Chukchansi Crossing and Fuel Station, Mar-Val Market in Prather and North Fork Super Market. STRONG “It really takes a village, and without all the amazing people and businesses that supported the efforts, we wouldn’t have been able to raise as much as we did,” Heather Lawson said. The funds were dispersed Friday, December 11th to the North Fork Boosters Creek Fire Relief Fund and the Shaver Lake Visitors Bureau Restore Our Sierra/Creek Fire Relief Fund. Contractor Support Services The funds were split based on the amount of applications received by each non- Mini Excavator Services profit. North Fork Boosters received $12,297 and Shaver Lake Visitors Bureau received $14,483. Both organizations will be distributing 100% of the funds Land Clearing directly to those who have lost their homes. The remaining Creek Fire clothing inventory from the fundraiser was donated to the North Fork Boosters whom are continuing to raise funds for the Creek Fire Relief effort. 559 760 7591 There is much work to be done still. If you are able and would like to donate to assist victims of the Creek Fire here are several ways to do so: Donate to the North Fork Boosters Creek Fire Relief Fund: NorthForkBoosters.org Donate to Shaver Lake Visitors Bureau Creek Fire Relief fund: GoShaver.org/take-action Together we are Mountain Strong! About the design: The Creek Fire design was thoughtfully crafted by Heather Lawson, each element with a particular meaning. Looming over the design is a dense nuclear looking cloud (aka Pyrocumulonimbus) which resulted from the fire growing so fast it created its own weather, thunder and lightning. The water represents the San Joaquin River through which the fire burned as well as the lakes many ran to for safety when trapped by the fire. The Chinook represents the pilots of many aircraft that risked flying in thick smoke to rescue those trapped by the fire. The silhouette of the fire fighter over looking the vast fire represents all those working tirelessly day and night to protect our communities. About Get Deerty and Blue Lotus: Get Deerty (owned and operated by Heather and Kim Lawson of Lawson Studios LLC) is an outdoor apparel brand specializing in ethically sourced apparel and more. They hand print to order in their boutique screen printing shop located in North Fork, CA. They were lucky to return to their shop after being mandatory evacuated for a week during the fire. Their line is carried in Oakhurst, Mammoth and Bishop Vons as well as the Chukchansi Crossing Fuel Station. You can learn more at GetDeerty.com To become an Auxiliary Member / Volunteer: Sandy 877-7796 Kirsten Casey, local artist and owner of Blue Lotus specializes in macrame hemp, wire wrapped gemstones and other custom hand crafted jewelry pieces. To purchase Reflective House Number Signs: Barb/Sandy 877-7796 She was evacuated from her home for nearly three weeks. You can find her To become a Volunteer Firefighter or EMT: Gus Lavell [email protected] work in her online shop, BlueLotusHemp.Etsy.com. Alvin McDonald Jr. This year’s Chips is dedicated in the memory of Alvin McDonald Jr. aka ‘Littleman’, April 1978-October 2020. Littleman came from a logging family and worked in the woods on the landing prepping logs to be loaded up and hauled down to lumber mills. His father, Alvin McDonald Sr., held the first official title of All Around Logger from 1960-1962. Raised around the Jamboree and travelling to other logging shows in the state with his family, it was only a matter of time before he would compete in the logging shows around the area and at the Jamboree. In 2020, at the Tuolumne Lumber Jubilee he took first place in the hot saw using the same saw his dad used for so many years. Littleman contributed to the North Fork Boosters each year by donating his time in the annual clean up events and supporting all of the various fundraising to keep the North Fork Recreation Center open for youth. He spent many summers here as a kid and looked forward to damming the creek each year. Littleman loved to compete in the stock saw, axe throw and hot saw events. He also competed in the horseshoe tournament each year. Littleman was a dialysis patient for five years and passed away from heart failure in October 2020. We sure will miss Littleman, but know he is throwing those six packs, bustin some beer cans, and making that mac spit some chips out up there above. Hosted by: North Fork Boosters Sponsored By: Donaghy Sales, LLC Northforkboosters.org Choppers Oakhurst Good Luck Loggers! Mountain f enterprises North Fork Supermarket cover / back Artwork by: Marybeth Harrison MaryBethHarrisonArt.com