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History
The Old Colony Ski Club was originally an informal group of
skiers from the Quincy area who skied together locally and traveled to New
Hampshire during the years 1937-1940. During 1939 the group decided to buy a ski
lodge in New Hampshire and after a diligent search, a typical New England house
(167 years old) was acquired in New Hampton, New Hampshire for $1,000 cash in
August, 1940. In order to raise the necessary funds, new members were recruited,
merchants in the Quincy area were solicited for donations, and several personal
loans were obtained from the members. Once the building was obtained and paid
for, a philanthropic benefactor (David Cutler of Quincy, now deceased) allowed
the Club the use of $1,000 for renovations to the building. During September
1940, the Old Colony Ski Club was incorporated with Charles Bodine as President,
a position which he held for many years. After extensive renovations to convert
the house from a family dwelling to a ski lodge, the lodge was officially opened
New Year’s Day, 1941. The Club thrived for the next two years with 80 to 100
members and then declined somewhat during World War II. In the fall of 1945 the
turning point came. Slowly the membership was rebuilt, our benefactor’s estate
repaid in full, and in the fall of 1949 the Old Colony Ski Club became solvent.
President Bodine released his burden of responsibility and in
token of our gratitude for his efforts in maintaining the organization through
the war years, he was voted a lifetime honorary membership in the form of the
only charter membership ever granted by the Club. Charles Bodine passed away in
1991.
The Club maintained a membership of 100 and in addition to
the many improvements made to the New Hampton lodge, the Club was able to build
the treasury to the point where it was decided a newer and larger headquarters
was necessary, preferably closer to Cannon Mountain in Franconia. In 1956 a
committee was formed to investigate the possibilities of building or buying a
lodge and various projects were undertaken to enlarge the treasury. In June
1957, the present lodge was found. At that time it was a commercial inn known as
the Daniel Webster Lodge. Groups of members visited the inn in North Woodstock
to inspect the premises and then the Club voted to purchase the property. A
deposit was then placed on the property, dues were solicited six months in
advance, and a down payment of $5,000 was made. A mortgage for the balance was
obtained; and as a result of the sale of the New Hampton lodge, the mortgage was
immediately reduced by $5,000.
A few necessary repairs and improvements were immediately
made, and 1957-1958 saw the Club settled in its new headquarters. In 1958 costly
improvements were made, including new bathrooms and shower rooms, for the
comfort and convenience of the members. In 1959 Operation Slipnot was
established. (Slipnot means "Ski Lodge Improvements Program, Naturally On
Time.") This program included construction of a fieldstone fireplace and
the complete remodeling of the first floor.
Since that time, major improvements have been made from time
to time including a sprinkler system and alarm for the protection of the
members. The exterior walls have been insulated and the roof replaced. The construction
of a woodshed and a newly designed upper living room have been completed. The
replacement of the underground oil tank and upper parking area grading and
drainage improvement continued a long-time program adding to the safety and
convenience of the club members and their guests.
In 1967 Old Colony played its part when EICSL was sanctioned
to host the first World Cup event in the U.S. that was raced at Cannon Mt. For a
week the lodge was used to house the workers and volunteers that were needed to
run an event of this caliber. Paul Parker a past president of Old Colony and
past president of EICSL was a key factor in getting EICSL sanctioned as the
organization to host this World Class event. People were amazed at how well a
amateur organization was able to run a race on the World Cup circuit.
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