By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief

This email crossed my virtual desk yesterday afternoon and I wanted to post it for NYCR readers, particularly those in the Finger Lakes, to see.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
SATURDAY MAY 1st TO HELP RAY EMERY

A work bee
has been scheduled for Saturday,
May 1st at Emery Vineyards in Pulteney, New
York to trim and tie about 35
acres of vines. Owner and vineyardist, Ray Emery,
has a serious medical
condition that leaves him unable to work this spring. A few weeks ago,
about
150 area grape growers, winemakers, friends, family and strangers turned
out
from as far away as Watertown to help. Together, they completed the
trellising,
and trimmed and tied over half of Emery's vines.
The goal for this Saturday's
bee is to finish up the spring vineyard work and assure that Emery has a crop
in the fall.  

Steve
Marchionda of Penn Yan is one of the
organizers of this Saturday's work bee. He calculates, "If 50 people
turn
out this Saturday at Ray's farm, and each person does two rows, the
trimming
and tying will be finished." He added, "No experience is
necessary. Just bring pruning shears (and gloves). We'll show you
everything you need to know."

Most
volunteers will meet at the barn at 8:00
am for assignments and training. If you cannot arrive until later, come
when
you can and just ask for help getting started. A rain date is set for
Sunday,
May 2nd. 

If you can
be there to help on Saturday,
please email Steve Marchionda at scm@scmassociates.com.