As usual, the Thanksgiving dinner at Sondreson Hall was a big community success. While most of the U.S. has made Thanksgiving a family holiday, here on the North Fork it is a community event. Just like the original Pilgrims, we choose to live in an place where the weather can be harsh and there is a real need for neighbors to help each other at times. With town 50 miles away and many services limited or nonexistent, a good neighbor is a fine thing.

It is not unusual up here to help a neighbor get out of the ditch or to bring auto parts or groceries from town. On the North Fork, a neighbor might live 20 miles away but is still considered not only a neighbor but a friend. In towns or cities, people are more likely to look through you than at you. Not so, on the North Fork.

As a result, the Thanksgiving dinner is a collection of 60-80 neighbors who are glad to see you and you're glad to see them.

Of course, there is always lots of good food. The North Fork Landowners Association buys the ham and turkeys; hosts Mr. and Mrs. Steve Berg get folks to cook them, other volunteers decorate the hall, and everyone else brings a side dish.

Before eating, thanks are given for the food and our special place as well as for our servicemen and women past and present.

This year we had a special treat as eight-year-old Lenny Triem led us all in singing the first two stanzas of "America" and we then listened in awe as he sang the fourth without accompaniment. Needless to say, he was given a standing ovation. Then we all followed Tom Sluiter through the food line.

As I write this on Friday morning, there are only three days remaining in the general hunting season. By all accounts, the elk harvest on the North Fork is about average - less than a dozen is the norm. Deer harvest is low again, and hunters report seeing fewer big bucks. In my neighborhood, more 2-point bucks were killed than 4-point or bigger.

Several folks that I have talked to have passed up little bucks hoping for something bigger. They say that with only three days left, even a spike will be in danger. A little meat is way better than no meat.

One week ago, I missed my Friday deadline and there was no column. It included my thanks to Jan and Alice Caldwell for their great Halloween party. I regret that and offer my apologies.

There is really no excuse for missing the deadline since all I have to do is get it to Becky Braunig, three miles away, and she sends it to the editor by e-mail. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by modern technology.