A picture of Roy Varney hangs inside the lodge at the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center in Turner. Varney graduated from Leavitt Area High School and was a member of the Hornets Nordic ski team. The Roy Varney Hornet Classic is a race held each year in memory of Varney, who died in a 2019 farming accident.
Gloria Varney puts the "open" flag outside the new ski lodge at the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center on River Road in Turner.
Minerva keeps an eye out for the sheep that are inside a barn at the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center in Turner.
People can ski two loops at the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center in Turner. Plans are in place to offer more in years to come.
A sign for the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center is half covered with snow along River Road in Turner.
Everet Varney talks with a cross-country ski coach while he grooms trails Wednesday at his family's Maine Outdoor Wellness Center in Turner. Varney graduated from Leavitt Area High School and is an engineering student at the University of Maine in Orono.
Gregg Varney climbs into a corn harvester while plowing the parking lot Wednesday at the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center in Turner. Varney's son, Roy, had plans to build a Nordic ski and biathlon facility on the family farm. Roy Varney died in 2019, but the family and community have kept Roy's dream alive.
Members of the Leavitt Area High School Nordic ski team train Wednesday at the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center in Turner. The center's ski, snowshoe and mountain bike trails are open to the public free of charge. Donations are accepted to help with expenses and future additions.
Everet Varney grooms cross-country ski trails Wednesday at the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center in Turner. The center's ski, snowshoe and mountain bike trails are open to the public free of charge. Donations are accepted to help with expenses and future additions.
Gregg Varney uses a corn harvester to plow the parking lot Wednesday at the Maine Outdoor Wellness Center in Turner. Varney used the foundation from an old cow barn on which to build the center's new ski lodge.
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