The eighth annual Lincoln Homecoming at the Lincoln Motor Car Heritage Museum began with a full day of activity starting with staging at the Gilmore property at HIckory Corners of a caravan for a scenic drive, followed by the 75-minute diving tour, winery visit with lunch and return to the base hotel at the Sheraton Four Points in Kalamazoo, MI
Tire kicking began about 9 a.m. at the Gilmore property. After an orientation from leader Dennis Garrett, the group headed off into rural areas of northwest Michigan enroute to the Fenn Valley Winery, one of the oldest and largest in the area.
About 20 cars and over 60 people snaked their way over country roads filled with historic buildings and quaint scenery. As the state’s promotional ads say, it was “Pure Michigan.” See below.
Once at the winery we split up into three smaller groups. Some began the wine tour on a tram while others stayed behind to admire our beautiful Lincolns or enjoy some wine tasting inside the main building.
Our guides Haley and Aaron took us onboard a tram deep into the vineyard and explained the history of the winery as well as the grapes grown there. Besides the vines, the property is also home to some rare chestnut trees and large evergreens that were once part of a Christmas tree farm before the land was purchased for the winery.
Some of us couldn’t resist taking a few bottles home.
In the evening we went back to Hickory Corners for a reception, buffet dinner and traditional auction of car related items for the benefit of the Lincoln Museum. Dennis Garrett served as auctioneer, persuading numerous bidders to loosen their purse springs for a good cause. As darkness fell, the museum’s coffers were enriched by several thousand dollars and a good time was had by all.
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