Noxon launches Road to the Buffalo Festival
Marla Hall Clark Fork Valley | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 years, 6 months AGO
Carl Haywood displays his book, “Sometimes Only Horses to Eat” at the Road to the Buffalo Festival held in Noxon
Linda Haywood shows the map from David Thompson’s Journal that outlilned the’ Saleesh Road to the Buffalo’ upon which the road signs and the new festival are based. (Marla Hall/Clark Fork Valley Press)
The highly desired ‘Taste of Sanders County’ basket at the Silent Auction
Drivers on Highways 200 or 28 have likely noticed the brown and white road signs indicating the “Road to the Buffalo.” In total, there are 12 signs that mark what fur trader, David Thompson, who was the first documented fur trader to come to the Thompson Falls area, referred to as the “Saleesh (phonetic spelling) Road to the Buffalo” in his numerous journals.
The project to place those signs began in 2010 with an application to the Community Transportation Enhancement Project, which is funded by gas taxes given back to counties, and culminated in 2015 after gaining State approval and being sponsored and promoted by Sanders County. The signs have piqued the interest of both residents and tourists as they have driven the roads and this has led to a plan to add four interpretive signs at turnouts along what is also known as the Kootenai Trail.
According to Peg Johnson of Women for a Better Sanders County, and Donna Anderson, the President of the Noxon Senior Citizens Center, those two groups have partnered to raise the funds necessary to make and place the interpretive signs. With the goal of raising funds for that purpose, the “Road to the Buffalo Festival” was launched with the hope of making the festival an annual event. The groups are working to raise enough money at this year’s festival to make and place at least one of the four planned signs, each of which will cost approximately $3,500.
This year’s inaugural Road to the Buffalo Festival was held in Noxon Saturday, where a highlight was a silent auction. Among many donations, one featured item was a huge “Taste of Sanders County” basket with gift certificates from restaurants from all over the county. Another highlight was being able to meet and talk with local author Carl Haywood, who studied the journals of David Thompson as research for his book, “Sometimes Only Horses to Eat,” which disputes some of the local historical lore. Additionally, several vendors sold everything from cookies to beaver furs and local musicians provided entertainment in the park. Organizers are hoping to not only make the festival an annual event, but also to grow it to include more activities for both kids and adults.
ARTICLES BY MARLA HALL CLARK FORK VALLEY
Helping generate a new generation of pilots
Pilots and car enthusiasts landed in Plains this past Saturday to share their gleaming vehicles of air and road with over 300 admiring fans of all ages. The event also drew a crowd for a pancake breakfast that was a fundraiser supporting a $500 scholarship given annually to a student wishing to pursue a career in aviation—as a pilot or mechanic. That scholarship, sponsored by the Sanders County Hanger group of the Montana Pilots Association and overseen by Dan Lilja, awarded this year’s scholarship to Cuahtemoc Rivera of Heron, Mont. who wants to pilot long range, hauling airplanes.
Circus performers bring smiles of delight
First-time circus visitors were obvious if not by their mere age, then by their eyes brightened with cautious curiosity at the new sights, sounds, and smells as they waited in line to enter the Big Top in Thompson Falls last week. As the audience built in numbers, the circus performers interacted with the kids both outside the tent and inside. Although many spectators may not have been aware, those working at the pony ride and bouncy houses as well as those painting faces and selling circus popcorn, cotton candy and souvenirs were the same members of the Culpepper and Merriweather troupe who entertained in the circus ring.
Cyclists in Thompson Falls Saturday were 'pedaling with a purpose'
Montana is a popular destination for cyclists who want to experience the beauty of nature up close, but some of those cyclists also ride for other motivations. This year marks the 30th anniversary that members of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, from chapters across the country, have pedaled across the U.S. working to raise funds for “The Ability Experience,” which supports people with disabilities. The 38-member team—30 riders plus eight crew, that was making its way from Thompson Falls to Missoula on Saturday is one of three cohorts traversing from the West to the East coast. The fraternity anticipates raising $650,000 through their “Journey of Hope” philanthropy this year.