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Have you ever been invited to a screwing party?

By Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady

On a recent visit to the Finger Lakes Wine Region of New York, I heard the true story behind the biggest screwing party ever. The region is known for great wine, gorgeous scenery, and wonderful food. But only the insiders and locals know the screwing story.

I asked Michael Sullivan, owner of the Hill Top Inn where it took place, to tell me about it. Here it is in his own words:

“Our Wreath and its History.

“In 1983, a gentleman by the name of Herman Rynveld from New Albany, PA was a customer of ours.   One evening while he sat at the bar with my father – Bob Sullivan he brought up the subject of building the world’s largest wreath.  At the time, Rynveld’s company specialized in artificial wreaths and trees.  If you ever saw a tree or wreath on the front of the JC Penny catalog…it was his.

“As they discussed his idea that evening, Herman suggested that they locate the wreath right on our hill.  As my father told the story, it took him no more than half a second to say “yes”.

“In the early fall, four flatbed trucks pulled into our parking lot each with ¼ of a wreath on it.  Telephone poles were cemented into the ground and up went the 46 foot wreath with over 1000 white light bulbs in it.  At the time, it was the world’s largest wreath.

“Unfortunately just four years into its life, a very strong wind came through the valley snapping the telephone poles and ripping the wreath to the ground.  Many in the community wanted to help, but it was so large they didn’t know what to do.  One small child went door to door and collected eight dollars and sent it to my father with a card hoping that the money would help put the wreath back up.  The two men vowed that the wreath would return better than ever.

“After 3 months of welding, tying, procuring and setting four new 60 foot steel poles, 10 one-ton guy wires the wreath was almost complete. (To a tune of over $35,000!)  The wreath would have a new addition in lights only with the world’s largest shamrock.  They also added a bow at the top of the wreath for more color.  With the additions, there were now over 1500 light bulbs that needed to be put on this before the crane lifted it into place.  Bob decided to make a party out of it and invited the community to join him for a “screwing party.”  Tickets were sold with money being donated to charity and everyone who bought a ticket was given a box of light bulbs to screw into place.  It was the biggest screwing party the area had ever seen!  Today the wreath and shamrock still light up the community to the delight of community members old and young.”

Sounds like the “screwing party” made for a memorable holiday.

And there are lots of other reasons to visit The Finger Lakes Wine Region.

Sparkling lakes, breathtaking waterfalls and rolling pastoral land dominate the landscape of the Finger Lakes Wine Region. Over thousands of years, gigantic glaciers and coursing streams carved this landscape shared by generations of people. During the past million years, giant glaciers covered New York State several times, dramatically transforming the land in its path.

WHERE TO STAY
The Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars
5435 Route 14
Dundee, New York 14837
800-243-5513
www.glenora.com
All rooms have a private deck with a spectacular view of the lake and the vineyards. A complimentary bottle of wine will be chilling in the refrigerator for you.

Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn
201 Townley Ave.
Corning, NY, 14830
Tel: 607-936-7800
www.staybridge.com/sbscorningny
All suite hotel with studio, one bedroom and two bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens. Facilities include E-com library, complimentary continental breakfast, fitness room & pool. Opened in December 2001, the hotel is close to Corning Museum of Glass, Corning’s Gaffer District, Watkins Glen and wineries.

GREAT GUIDEBOOKS

An Explorer’s Guide to Western New York
From Niagara Falls to the Western Edge of the Finger Lakes
By Christine Smyczynski
The Countryman Press
www.countrymanpress.com

Great Destinations: Finger Lakes Book: A Complete Guide
Katharine Delavan Dyson       
Countryman Press 
www.countrymanpress.com

Finger Lakes Panoramas
Kristian S. Reynolds
Foreward by Hon. Matthew F. McHugh
McBooks Press
www.mcbooks.com

Don’t miss
Schooner Yacht Malabar X
Get swept away for a cruise on the vintage schooner yacht Malabar X. Enjoy great sailing and the many sights of Seneca Lake. Try the helm, trim the sails, or simply sit back and relax as your captain and crew take you on an adventure on this truly magnificent yacht.

Heluva Good cheese and snacks served on board. Passengers may bring their own food and drink. Up to 30 passengers welcome.

Malabar X departs from the Fishing Pier at the Watkins Glen Waterfront behind Seneca Harbor Station Restaurant.
Scheduled Cruises (departing daily)
Morning Call for availability
Afternoon 1pm to 3:30 pm
Sunset 5:30 to 8 pm
www.senecadaysails.com
Reservations by phone 607-535-Lake

Watkins Glen State Park
Located a short distance south of Seneca Lake, Watkins Glen State Park is one of 26 facilities of the Finger Lakes State Parks Region. It features a spectacular narrow gorge where you can hike alongside Glen Creek past deep pools, water-sculpted rocks and waterfalls. You can experience the park’s rich scenery along hiking trails in and above the gorge, at scenic picnic areas, or at the park’s Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Within two miles, the glen’s stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. Rim trails overlook the gorge.

Campers and day-visitors can enjoy the Olympic-size pool, tent and trailer campsites, picnic facilities and excellent fishing in nearby Seneca Lake or Catharine Creek, which is renowned for its annual spring run of rainbow trout. Climbing on the tail is moderately rigorous ¾ of the way up. Wide paths make return easy, at any point.
PO Box 304
Watkins Glen, New York 14891
Park Office 607-535-4511

Trolley Ride with Visit to Mark Twain’s Study
A 90-minute Historical Tour of Chemung County. Departs Tuesday-Saturday every hour from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Points of interest include: Quarry Farm, Elmira College, Mark Twain Study, Woodlawn National Cemetery, Confederate Prisoner of War Site, Near Westside Historic District, Brand Park, Southside Maple Avenue District, Dunn Field. At the end you will know where Mark Twain really did his writing.
Holiday Inn Elmira-Riverview
760 East Water St
Elmira, NY, 14901

National Soaring Museum
Experience 100 exciting years of motorless flight; historic gliders, Wright Brothers, World War II, modern sailplanes, space shuttle. See why Elmira became "Soaring Capital of America." Land a glider on flight simulator, design and fly your glider on computer and experience the cockpit simulator. Hands-on exhibits, active soaring field, films and the world's largest collection of sailplanes.
51 Soaring Hill Drive
Elmira, New York 14903
Tel: 607-734-3128
www.soaringmuseum.org

Wings of Eagles Discovery Center
"Where history takes flight." A premier museum that provides visitors the experience of the history of airpower. See, touch & ride legendary aircraft. Experience the thrill of flight. (Formerly known as the National Warplane Museum)
17 Aviation Drive
Horseheads New York 14845
Tel: 607-739-8200
www.wingsofeagles.com

MARVELOUS MUSEUMS
Rockwell Museum of Western Art
Experience the West! See one of the largest and finest collections of American western and Native American art in the Eastern United States. Children's Artpacks make the museum family oriented and the Trading Post sells a wide variety of western-themed items. The Rockwell Museum is housed in the 1893 historic City Hall building, one block from Market Street
111 Cedar Street
Corning, New York 14830
Tel: 607-937-5386
www.rockwellmuseum.org

Corning Museum of Glass
607-937-5371
www.cmog.org
The glassmaking experience is the best part of the museum.
607-974-6573
You need a reservation made the same day
Open noon to 5pm daily

MADELYN’S MOST FAVORITE PLACE IN FINGER LAKES WINE REGION
Skyland Farm is more than a store—it is an art gallery, a restaurant, a garden, a children’s play area and an absolute must-see for any visitor to the area. Check the hours. The opening times are quirky and unpredictable. (http://www.skylandfarm.net/skylandfarm/).

MOST UNIQUE SPA EXPERIENCE
Most spas are at luxury resorts. This is one of the few I have encountered at a camping ground. And not only will your body feel good after a treatment, but your soul will soar with the knowledge that part of your fee will be contributed to their charity Wellness G.I.F.T.S. which hosts treatments for those with disabilities.

Finger Lakes Wellness Center and Health Spa
7531 County Route 13
Bath, NY 14810
Phone: (607) 776-3737
Email@FingerLakesWellness.com

BEST WAY TO TASTE ALL THE FINGER LAKE WINE REGION WINES
Summer Bouquet
Each year the Corning Glass Museum hosts this gourmet event showcasing medal-winning wines from the 29th International Eastern Wine Competition.
Summer Bouquet at The Corning Museum of Glass is set for Friday, June 16, 2006.

For more information on Finger Lakes Wine Country visit www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com
or call (800) 813-2958

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