The photo of the old Tyroli Ski Inn that was the "Back in the Day" in the October 21, 2010, issue of <The Valley Reporter was of the Alpen Inn in October 1961. I used to love to watch the
riders who were trying to play cowboy polo at the time. I wanted so to
be on a horse riding with those other riders. But being 10 and no real
riding skills, I would have been outclassed.
The photo shows , from left to right, John Macone, Ann Day, her sister
Margo Macone, then Jack Murphy in his new riding boots, which were given
to me years later, and Trodd Fortna on the grey horse as referee of the
game. The modified polo-type mallet was not a rigged-up ski pole or
regulation mallet but a blunt, round-like head on the end of the pole.
All those of us whose mindset still lingers in that time know how nice a
place Alpen Inn was. One day you could be watching polo or see gliders
and their pilots land their sailplanes in that same field. We had to
keep our minds awake to what was going on around us. My mom, while
watching the boys, was almost struck by one of the silent landing
gliders.
Margo went on to remarry Phil Chase and to raise horses on their
Shenandoah farm in Stanton, Virginia, until she passed away in August
2009. John, Margo and their two boys were like family members to us and
my mom and to many others. There are fond memories of the old Alpen Inn
of 50 years ago.
Gregory Viens
Fayston
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