Page 6 - GLFEB2023

Page 6 GRANITELIFE.ONLINE February 2023
Community
By Brittany amalfi
Making an Impact in The Great Gains
In the Spring of 1932, Mary Aiken Drake donated a 400- acre tract of land to the City of Franklin in honor of her late husband, Dr. Ervin T. Drake, and it became the Great Gains Forest. And then, an important series of events kicked off, lead- ing to a well-known organization we all love. From 1939 to the 1950s, the Franklin Outing Club operated the Sunny Slopes Ski Area in East Andover, and after, the City of Franklin asked the US Army Corps of Engineers to construct a ski area in the Great Gains Forest. And then, in Janu- ary 1961, The Franklin Outing Club was re-formed to assist the Recreation Commission in running the ski area. So now, about 61 years later, operating out of the Veteran’s Memorial Recreational Area, the Franklin Outing Club is here for the com- munity.
The Franklin Outing Club’s mission is to offer affordable out- door recreation to families. Their mission proves true thanks to the club’s hard work and generous contributions from members and business sponsors. Families have loved participating in the club’s fun-filled events for years as peo- ple from the community come together to enjoy some outdoor activities.
The president of the Frank- lin Outing Club, Tim Morrill, had nothing but good things to say about this wonderful orga- nization. “This year and last, we’ve been able to have free ski weekends thanks to the local
businesses and organizations.” Morrill informed that the Frank- lin Outing Club provides skiing, snowboarding, and sledding, and the Great Gains Forest has excel- lent activities like hiking trails, mountain biking, and more.
The Franklin Outing Club does have a membership oppor- tunity, but one doesn’t have to be a member to go to the Veteran’s Memorial Recreational Area. To become a member, interested people can go right on their web- site or come into the building
when they are opening.
The club has a board of di-
rectors, and everything is run by volunteers. Morrill said, “every day is different, and we have different people volunteering. A lot of people in the community really want to help.” There is no doubt that people in this com- munity know the impact of the club and what they do for fam- ilies, so volunteers are ready to pitch in.
When asked about the club and the overall experience, Mor- rill said, “We’re growing, and it’s amazing. We’re getting a lot of new faces, and a lot is happen- ing, and it has all been so great to see.” The Franklin Outing Club can only go up from here, and the community is here for it.
It’s no secret that the Frank- lin Outing Club is full of hard workers who ensure all of the fun for families looking for some outdoor activities. “There are so many great people involved,” Morrill informed. “It takes a village, and without all of the fantastic people involved, we
wouldn’t be where we are today.” They are located at 266 Flag- hole Road, Franklin, NH. For more information on the Frank- lin Outing Club, their member- ship, events, and activities, please visit https://www.franklinout-
ingclub.org/.
861 LAKE STREET BRISTOL, NH 03222
603.217.0030
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