Editorial

Following a dream on Ravenswood Road

Friday, October 1, 2004

When Harold Davidson returned to his hometown of McCook, he brought a dream with him. Harold wanted to turn his hobby, wine-making, into a second career.

Thanks to planning and painstaking preparation, Harold is accomplishing his goal. The first grapes -- from Seyval Blanc vines planted in 2001 -- have just been picked and will be made into wine during coming months.

These first few bottles of wine will not be for sale, as Harold has not yet sought his license for the marketing of alcoholic products. But, even so, the initial production is important, as it will give Harold an indication of the taste and quality of the wine which emanates from the Republican River Valley soil.

Harold's developing enterprise -- known as Ravenswood Road Vineyard -- serves another valuable purpose. It reminds all of us in the Golden Plains about the need to try new approaches ... to seek new methods of commercial activity.

As fate would have it, grape-growing and wine-making may be a good fit for Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas. The reason is that the annual rainfall needed for a vineyard -- between 20 and 25 inches per year -- is very close to the annual rainfall total in this area.

Harold also feels fortunate that the place he chose for the vineyard -- Ravenswood Road -- is well suited for the purpose. Davidson purchased 8.5 acres from the Chet Youngs family. The land sits on the south side of Ravenswood Road, with the back of the property brushing up against the trees alongside the Republican River.

Davidson returned to McCook after a career in corporate America. All told, he spent more than 40 years with Ford Motor Co., Standard Oil of Indiana and Abbott Laboratories. Along the way, he learned the art of wine-making, and -- starting next year -- he will teach classes in wine-making at his Ravenswood Road home.

Harold's tenacity and determination are lessons for us all. We need to follow our dreams. We need to try new approaches. The effort not only uplifts us ... it invigorates our community.

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