by Mike Anderson
The 2017 Fathers Day show is over. It was a great weekend full of great people honoring Persian Orange and the heritage of Allis-Chalmers. Bonnie and I arrived Friday around noon the signs were set up, about thirty tractors, and several vendors were already setup. We started out on our Friday outing, tractor drive, with fifteen tractors and several others following in cars and trucks to West Amana and “OPA’s tractor barn museum” owned by Norman Schantz. A step back in history mainly Minneapolis Moline’s and area craftsmen. I think everyone had a good time. Traffic was fairly light as we tried to miss shift changes at the Amana plant. The weather was good and the fresh breeze in our faces as we traveled was nice. As always motorists waved and honked as they past. Pictures can be seen on your Allis Connection facebook page, be sure to visit.
Saturday morning saw a shower overnight and a sunny day that became a little humid as the day went on. The outpouring of support by those coming out to visit the show was tremendous. I believe this was the largest number of spectators that we have had. Alot of fine Persian Orange and A-C yellow were on hand for them to see. Several new vendors were on hand also along with our veteran vendors that are there every year. We had about ten young people enter the pedal pull. I was very happy with the number of young families that attended; many coming to see grandpa in the parade. Plenty of tractors and garden tractors participated giving everyone something to appreciate as they passed by.
107 people were in attendance at the banquet. The folks at the OX YOKE INN work very hard to help us give everyone a great meal in a very efficient manner. Harold Joseph from Williamsburg, IA told a couple of funny stories to warm up the crowd as everyone arrived. Arland Lepper from Hubbard, IA gave the blessing as we began our meal at 6:00 PM. Following the meal the list of the five scholarship winners were announced and Emma Bloom was recognized as the Lavern Greif memorial scholarship winner. Harvey and Linda Zabel were presented their Hall of Fame award plaque. Harvey Zabel then auctioned off the donated items for the scholarship fund raising over $1000.00.
Sunday morning was sunshine cooler and less humid almost cool conditions for the well attended Sunday morning worship led by Dave Maddux and Arland Lepper. Sunday was again a large crowd of spectators with several young people participating in the pedal pull. Sunday’s parade was even larger than Saturday’s. Plenty of pictures to follow in the newsletter.
I need to close this has been a long one, I hope not to long. Hope to see you at other summer shows and both Gathering of the Orange shows one in Michigan and one in Kansas. The Allis Connection will also have a spot at the Farm Progress show in Decatur IL.
Keep the stories and pictures coming; Linda and Zach do a lot of work on the newsletter and Facebook page to spread the word and let others know what everyone is doing.
May the sun always shine on A-C.
Mike and Bonnie
P.S.
If you haven’t already found it be sure to look up the Allis Connection Facebook page and see the fun things Zach and Jessie Wilson have placed on the web for all of us to enjoy and introduce others to Allis-Chalmers and the Allis Connection. allisconnectionfacebook.com
............be sure to get your Newsletter to read more.
This was last up-dated June 2017