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Just find Labor Day weekend, and Winery Weekend
is the second weekend afterward. |
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"There are not many things
in life |
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"It is one of the blessings
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Just like Brigadoon, Winery Weekend appears every year (ok, Brigadoon came every 100 years but work with me), and it reflects the best that life has to offer - Fun, Family, Frolic and Friends. Now, some of you may be asking, "What exactly is Winery Weekend"? |
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Every year a group of like-minded individuals heads to the New York Finger Lakes region for some camping, conversation, and congeniality. Coincidentally, the Finger Lakes are home to some of the best vineyards in the country. |
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Camping + Wine + Great Friends = a most relaxing and enjoyable weekend that for many, is a social highlight of the season. Rest assured, that nary an empty glass is to be seen. |
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Beginning in 1991, this annual pilgrimage has grown from 6 to as many as 35 participants. The growth comes from our ever-expanding lives where we meet new, like-minded friends. |
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And, of course, let us not forget
the "breeding factor". It seems like just
yesterday (deedle de de...deedle de de) that we were laughing about
the idea of marriage and kids (or dogs for some) and now look at us!
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Winery Weekend
goes something like this:
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Friday we make the drive to Havana Glen Park & Campground which is where we have been camping for the last number of decades (since the NY State Parks don't like us anymore). We set up camp, and the party begins. Throughout Friday evening, as the remainder of the crowd straggles in, most of us can be found in one of two places either sitting around the campfire eating, drinking, and relaxing or up in the pavilion enjoying the annual "this is my favorite Beer / Booze" sampling event. Friday starts the weekend off right by catching up with old friends while making new ones. |
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Saturday you wake up and eat some more, shake the fuzz from your brain, (see left) and come up with the day's plan to explore this year's particular Finger Lake. Visiting the wineries is a bit more"free range organic" now but those with similar goals gather together, jump into cars, and go out exploring (otherwise known as eating and drinking). | ||||
| At one point during the day, we all rendevous at a central location for the "Mother of all Lunches" and eat some more. It is very important to keep your strength up while sampling all that wine don'tchaknow. |  |
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The day continues in this manner until all participants are either too drunk, or too tired to continue. It is now time for the obligatory nap (or corn-hole championship of the world, your choice). | |
| Saturday Night we start the "Great Pot-Luck_Palozza" as everyone checks their crock pots, brings their dishes to share, cooks whatever has to be cooked (while playing corn-hole usually) and when the dinner bell is rang we gather together once again in the pavilion for the biggest meal of the weekend. |  |
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Of course after dinner, the drinking starts anew as the guitars are broken out for the patented "Don't Know the Words" sing-a-long. NOTE: It has been years since this has happened, but I am hopefull it will re-appear one day. | |
| Sunday is recuperation day. After a leisurely breakfast, and subsequent "food auction", the packing of the gear occurs based on the ratio of travel time versus daylight left. I guarantee that after all is said and done, a great time will have been had by all. | |
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By now you should have a very good idea what Winery Weekend is all about. Of course, if you are reading this page, you have either been to Winery Weekend, or someone has just invited you and referred you here. Either way, Welcome New Friend or Hello Old Friend !! I have known most of you for nearly 35 years and I have to say that this annual weekend is proof that any life can be rich without wealth. Thank you all for the years of friendship. You guys are the greatest. |
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your webminor: Gary Wolanske
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