HISTORY
A Community Tradition for over 60 Years!
The New London Outing Club has deep roots in the Kearsarge/Lake Sunapee community. We began in 1947, when a group of community members gathered to plan a way to bring more visitors and revenue to New London during the winter months and to provide residents with a place to ski. The Northeast Slope on Bunker Road provided just the opportunity and the New London Outing Club was born. All New London children could participate in free ski lessons on Friday and Saturday mornings - the “Friday Winter Program” was established. Of course, equipment was basic, and grooming consisted of participants sidestepping to pack the slope had there been a snow fall the preceding night!
Eventually, the Outing Club outgrew the Northeast Slope, with its tractor engine-powered, mitten eating rope tow. So the directors set out to find a location with more land and potential. The “upside down mountain” known as “King Ridge” was the answer, and the King Ridge Ski Area was founded in 1960.
As time marched on the NLOC grew. By it’s 25th anniversary in 1972, Woodward Park had been dedicated in the heart of downtown New London, where 34 acres of woods and field offered our children baseball and soccer fields. Lighted tennis courts and a winter skating rink were added. NLOC also organized a program offering middle-schoolers lessons in ballroom dancing and an end-of-the-season Cotillion! If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this while dancing, thank the NLOC!
Thanks to the thoughtful generosity of Lamont Moore, the 60 acre Knights Hill Nature Park property was donated to the NLOC in 1972.
In 1992 a successful collaboration of the NLOC, Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust, the New London Conservation Commission and Planning Board transferred to the NLOC a 55 acre parcel that abutted Knights Hill Nature Park. Now the Outing Club could offer almost 100 acres of hiking trails, lots of open spaces, and numerous sporting activities - all within the middle of New London.
Today the NLOC offers a wide range of programs and activities for persons of all ages in the Kearsarge/Lake Sunapee community, including bocce ball, horseshoes, tennis, soccer, baseball, lacrosse, volleyball, basketball, badminton and more. Throughout its history, the Outing Club has provided services, facilities, and activities through the tireless efforts of hundreds and even thousands of volunteers - without taxpayer monies. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we are dependent on the monies raised from private donations and membership fees. Our program fees are set to cover the basic cost of the individual programs and do not begin to cover the high costs associated with maintaining the fields, surfacing the tennis courts, maintaining the buildings, upgrading the electricity, fencing, paving, etc.
Now in our 70th year of operation, the Outing Club continues to grow in activities. Recent addition is the Outing Club Indoor Center - leased gym, activity room and additional playing fields at the former Kearsarge Regional Middle School. However, we still need membership participation. Please become a member or increase your donation level to ensure that all members of our community can continue to enjoy the benefits of this priceless gem in the heart of New London. Thanks!
THROUGH THE YEARS
Dr. John” Ohler (Director) and kids on Sugaring Off Day.
Dr. John Ohler (“Dr. John”), is another lifetime director of the Outing Club. He is known as a man who “just loved to have fun”. Many families fondly recall Dr. John in his sports coat and ski boots on “Sugaring-off Day” when he would ladel the boiled maple syrup into the snow for the children to consume. He too has been a tireless contributor to the entire community and the NLOC.
Dr. John” Ohler (Director) and kids on Sugaring Off Day.
Dr. John Ohler (“Dr. John”), is another lifetime director of the Outing Club. He is known as a man who “just loved to have fun”. Many families fondly recall Dr. John in his sports coat and ski boots on “Sugaring-off Day” when he would ladel the boiled maple syrup into the snow for the children to consume. He too has been a tireless contributor to the entire community and the NLOC.
Peter & Laurie Lauridsen in a promotion for the “Upside Down Mountain” - King Ridge.
"King Ridge was great. It was a place where you could drop off your 7 year old for the day and not worry about them."
- Laurie Lauridsen, Director
Peter & Laurie Lauridsen in a promotion for the “Upside Down Mountain” - King Ridge.
"King Ridge was great. It was a place where you could drop off your 7 year old for the day and not worry about them."
- Laurie Lauridsen, Director
“Dr. Bill” Clough, Founder
Our “first volunteer” and first lifetime director was the founder of NLOC, Dr. William P. Clough, Jr. (“Dr. Bill”). In the opinion of many and offered by Gusta Teach, “Bill Clough did more for the children of New London than any other person.”
“Dr. Bill” Clough, Founder
Our “first volunteer” and first lifetime director was the founder of NLOC, Dr. William P. Clough, Jr. (“Dr. Bill”). In the opinion of many and offered by Gusta Teach, “Bill Clough did more for the children of New London than any other person.”
"Interest in ice skating and hockey in our area was heating up. The Springfield Eagles of Massachusetts had filed for bankruptcy and I knew the president of the company. I was able to convince him that it was in his best interest to donate their Zamboni to us. We had other volunteers that helped us hook up the hot water and lights and we were in business."
- Mal Gilvar, Director
"Interest in ice skating and hockey in our area was heating up. The Springfield Eagles of Massachusetts had filed for bankruptcy and I knew the president of the company. I was able to convince him that it was in his best interest to donate their Zamboni to us. We had other volunteers that helped us hook up the hot water and lights and we were in business."
- Mal Gilvar, Director
Sumner Woodward, Lifetime Director
“Last, but far from least, comes Sum. He has always been a leader in sports and social functions, and his leadership in class affairs has made him a very important member of our class.” That quote was taken from Sumner Woodward’s high school yearbook, The Exodus 1948.
A dedicated and enthusiastic contributor to the Outing Club, he is largely responsible for expanding the Club’s focus from skiing to a wide array of sports programs and other activities that offers something for everyone in the community. Whether he was teaching ballroom dancing, coaching baseball or mowing the fields, not a day has passed during the last 50 years when Sumner wasn’t somehow involved in the Outing Club.