From May 3-7, 2010, inns, restaurants and retail stores in the small town of Jackson, New Hampshire will once again open their hearts and doors welcoming hundreds of people who are living with multiple sclerosis and their guests. The brainchild of Don and Joyce Bilger, owners of the Inn at Jackson and Whitney's Inn at Jackson, this event has grown from a weekend getaway for those living with MS to a village-side week-long wellness retreat for those with MS. Located about three hours North of Boston, Jackson Village will transform from a small New England town to a welcoming refuge for those from Boston, Brooklyn and beyond who've been accepted via a lottery system to attend the week-long MS Week.
MS Week in Jackson Village began five years ago at the Inn at Jackson. The idea originated from Don and Joyce Bilger, owners and innkeepers of the Inn at Jackson. Joyce was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2000, and the couple wanted to give back to others coping with the disease. Due to the initial overwhelming response to the event, other inns in Jackson were inspired to step forward to help meet the high demand for lodging. This year participating Jackson inns include the Carter Notch Inn, Inn at Ellis River, Inn at Jackson, Inn at Thorn Hill, Snowflake Inn, The Wentworth, Wildcat Inn & Tavern and Whitney’s Inn at Jackson.
After the launch of MS Week in 2006, the entire village of Jackson became involved, as local specialty shops, restaurants, massage therapists, and a local spa offered discounts to MS participants from Boston and as far as Canada, and Jackson residents helped to clean rooms.
When asked about MS Week, Don Bilger said “In our wildest dreams, we never imagined the incredible response from other innkeepers, business owners and the residents of Jackson village for MS Week. This overwhelming show of support in response to MS week has allowed Jackson to offer more than 100 rooms free to participants, making it possible to provide a wellness experience for more people.” MS Week has been and will continue to be the Bilgers' "baby". Here is a perfect example that it takes a village to raise awareness of MS and help provide some comfort for those living with it.
Participants at the MS Week will enjoy at no charge up to two nights accommodations, breakfast each morning, informative workshops, rest, relaxation and socialization at participating lodging properties. MS Week in Jackson Village is reserved exclusively for individuals or couples (two people maximum) who are living with multiple sclerosis. In order to accommodate as many people as possible, each person chosen to participate may stay no more than two nights. Space is limited; therefore a drawing was held to determine who would participate and all participants were chosen earlier in the year.Participants are welcome to make a donation to the National MS Society in lieu of payment for the lodging and workshops, but this is not required.
Returning this year will be popular New Hampshire comedian Bucky Lewis, slated to perform at two dinner/comedy shows at the Red Fox Bar and Grille. Lewis has a personal connection with multiple sclerosis, as his mother lived with the illness for 28 years. These comedy shows will be held on Tuesday and Thursday nights and will be open to participants of MS Week in Jackson Village. Tickets are also available to the public on the night of the event.
Beginning in 2006, the Greater New England Chapter of the National MS Society has been closely involved with MS Week in Jackson Village, and has been instrumental in putting the event together.
Jackson Village is located in New Hampshire on the edges of the 750,000 acre White Mountain National Forest. Offering spectacular natural beauty, the village’s landscape is complete with covered bridges, white steepled churches, high mountains and rolling farmland. The village is home to several grand hotels, many country inns, fine restaurants, unique specialty shops, golf courses, plus alpine and world-class cross country skiing. Just ten minutes from Mount Washington and at the gateway of the White Mountain National Forest, and Mt Washington Valley Jackson is the ideal setting for MS Week.
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