News
Editorial: Ann's House
Scott Wagar
12/23/2013
The time finally came over the weekend when Annie’s House opened up to skiers, snow boarders and tubers alike for the very first time when the Bottineau Winter Park kicked-off its 2013-14 season.
Ground broke for Annie’s House in the spring of 2012. That fall, the non-profit organization, New York Says Thank You, along with hundreds of volunteers from around the world, came to the winter park and framed up and enclosed the chalet. Since that time, a small group of local men in the area have taken it upon themselves as volunteers to do the majority of the work to make the ski lodge operational.
There are a few things that need to come together before it is complete; but, Annie’s House is up, operational and is a masterpiece when it comes to chalets in North Dakota.
For those who do not know the details of Annie’s House, the chalet was named after Ann Nicole Nelson, the only individual from North Dakota who lost her life in the 9/11 attacks when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center buildings in New York City.
Months after her death, Ann’s parents received her personal belongings and found a bucket list she had compiled of items she wanted to complete in her lifetime. One of the items was to build a house in North Dakota.
When New York Says Thank You found out about Ann’s wish to build a house, Jeff Parness, founder and CEO of the organization, offered his services to build Annie’s House, which is not only a chalet, but the first ski lodge in the state of North Dakota that accommodates individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities. The ski lodge is also set-up to assist soldiers and veterans who have been physically wounded in combat.
You see, Ann loved to ski and spend time with children with physical and cognitive disabilities. So, when you take Ann’s bucket list wish, her true loves in life, and from what I’ve been told, her humble and caring personalities, the creation of Annie’s House became a reality.
And, what a reality it is. The chalet has enduring space, comfortable sitting areas, large windows that grant a panoramic view of the park and a vast fireplace that adds stature to the ski lodge. The chalet is truly a touching edifice to stand in.
Although I have never met Ann, and only heard stories about her from family and friends, when I stand in Annie’s House, I feel as though I can feel her presence there, her love for life, the warmth she so freely gave to others and her larger than life personality filled for adventure. Being in Ann’s house makes me feel as though I have entered into Nirvana, a place of inner most peace where dreams become a reality.
Although the former A-frame chalet was used last year while the inside of Annie’s House was being constructed, children with physical and cognitive disabilities were welcome to Annie’s House and given the opportunity to ski at the winter park with adaptive equipment, which granted many wishes to come true and dozens of smiles.
As this ski season starts, I can only imagine all the wishes and smiles that will come true for more adaptive skiers; and, no doubt, Ann, herself, in her own unique way will be there smiling, too.
Winter is here, Annie’s House is open and Ann’s house is the best place in North Dakota to be when wanting to experience the state’s greatest outdoor recreational area.