Robert Jury

When the last factory in a small Rust Belt town closes its doors, an unlikely hero emerges in dutiful, quiet Allery Parkes. A career employee of the factory, the aging Allery can't reconcile how to live a life simply sitting at home doing nothing. Against the advice and pleas of his loving wife Iola, he forms an unlikely friendship with his charismatic neighbor Walter Brewer in order to revive the defunct factory.

An adventure-packed and inspirational year spent with the Nordic ski team from tiny Paul Smith's College located in the big woods of the Adirondacks. The determined co-ed team and their motivational coach overcome physical and personal adversity in grueling marathon canoe races, ski jumping, and biathlon while pursuing a national championship in the competitive endurance sport of cross country skiing.