Al Jenks’ Talk on the History of Windblown Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

 

 

 

The New Ipswich Historical Society cordially invites the public to a presentation by Al Jenks on the history of Windblown Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, which he and his family operated from 1972 to 2020. The program will take place at the New Ipswich Library on Thursday, May 5, at 6:30 p.m. NIHS is excited to offer this event free of charge and will make it available via Zoom for those who cannot attend in person. To register for the virtual presentation (Zoom), email info@newipswichhistoricalsociety.org.

 

In 1963, when Al Jenks was a high-school senior in Acton, MA, he borrowed money from his grandfather to purchase a 400-hundred acre lot from two neighbors, Marion Davis and Schuyler Hollingsworth. After attending college and spending three years in the military, he returned to his property and opened Windblown in the winter of 1972. 

 

A captivating storyteller, Jenks will reflect on his memories of Marion Buck Davis, owner of the former Wapack Lodge and Wapack Trail blazer, share stories of his experiences running the business that drew Nordic skiers and snowshoers from throughout New England, and factors that led to his decision to close Windblown at the end of winter in 2020. A Q & A session will follow.