News

Annie's House now a home

By Tyler Ohmann

03/11/2014

A project more than three years in the making finally debuted this past weekend with the grand opening of Annie’s House at Bottineau Winter Park.

The large facility and adaptive ski program has been running since last winter, but the building was recently fully completed.

Annie’s House was the brain child of Jeff Parness of the New York Says Thank You Foundation to honor Ann Nelson, the only North Dakotan to die in the tragic events of 9/11.

Parness as well as Nelson’s parents, Jenette and Gary were on hand at the grand opening, and Parness even helped break the ribbon, along with several adaptive skiers.

“If it wasn’t for Annie, Annie’s House wouldn’t be here, we just sent emails out,” Parness said. “I remember the first conference call, and we said, if we try and fail, Ann will be happy we tried.”

“But the first time that a kid in a wheel chair, or a wounded warrior goes down that hill Annie will be jumping up and down,” Parness added.

The completion of the project with the grand opening was evidence that she was.

Mary Stammen, who was a friend of Ann Nelson, and is now the director of Special Education for Griggs, Steele and Traill counties also spoke at the event.

“We called this place Annie’s House, but we have to change the name, because today it turned into Annie’s Home,” Stammen said. “It’s a home for anyone who wants to come up here and have fun.”

Stammen has been bringing kids to take on the slopes for their first time since last winter, and also made trips up to the Lake Metigoshe area with them this summer for fishing and hiking.

It is an adventure that they have enjoyed.

“Some of the kids that I brought with me, when we talk about Annie’s House, they are right there ready to go,” Stammen said.

The weekend included not only the ribbon cutting, but also events for military personnel, a lighted ski show and a lantern release. It was also about having fun.

Clint Reinoehl from the Bottineau Chamber of Commerce was on hand to provide a few words as well, and he showed his appreciation for all that has come of the project.

“We’re so excited at the Chamber, and in the city that we have this beautiful facility,” Reinoehl said. “Bottineau Winter Park has been here for many years, and has been a wonderful thing for our community, but adding Annie’s Home has been a magical thing.”

The slopes, building and grounds were all buzzing with activity, just as those who began planning it three years ago imagined.