/Four generations of Winters: Front: Alysia Miller, Madelyn Crawford, Maren Winter, Eve Winter. 2nd row: Lachlan Crawford, Sarah Traynor Crawford and baby Cora Mae Crawford, Kenny Devera, Nancy Winter Traynor, Ida Winter. 3rd row: Andrew Traynor, Cindy Miller Traynor, Larry Traynor, Jessica Traynor. Back row: Rob Winter, Jennifer Winter and Virginia Winter.
by Marianne Christy
The Twitchell Inn was abuzz with activity on Sunday, August 30 as close to 200 family and friends of Ida Winter stopped by to honor her in celebration of her 90th birthday.
Born August 11, 1925 to Gertrude Estelle Oakley and Danforth R. Ainsworth, Ida is a lifelong resident of the Big Moose area.
She grew up in Big Moose Station where her parents operated Ainsworth Camp. She attended a one-room school house in Big Moose prior to attending and graduating from Town of Webb High School.
Following in the footsteps of her parents—founding members of the Big Moose Community Chapel—Ida became passionate with the church. She is a lifelong member and in the past has served as a trustee, assistant treasurer, vice-president and president.
It is also where she married her late husband, Bob, in 1949.
In recognition of her dedication to the chapel, August 28, 2011 was proclaimed “Ida Mae Winter Day” in Big Moose and the Town of Webb by then-Supervisor Robert Moore.
The presentation took place during the chapel’s Sunday service.
In the greater Big Moose community, Ida was actively involved with the American Legion Auxiliary, the Town of Webb Historical Association, and the Town of Webb Health Center Fund.
She, along with the late Wanda Martin and Betty Barnum, was a founding member of the local philanthropic organization, The Jolly Moosers, which will celebrate 60 years of service to the community in 2016.
The birthday party was hosted by Ida’s children, Virginia, Nancy and Rob, with grandchildren, great grandchildren and a number of cousins in attendance.
After spending the month of August in Big Moose, Ida has returned to Virginia to the home of daughter Nancy, where she currently resides.
Happy birthday wishes may be sent to: Ida Winter, c/o Nancy Traynor, 3104 Sherwood Dr., Chesapake, VA 23322.
