Santa came early for me in 2016. In early December, I received a letter to the editor from Wendell Starkebaum who shared a short, sweet story. I won’t spoil it for you, but I will say it is exactly the kind of thing I’ve long hoped for.
The folks who read Farm Collector are scattered all over the U.S. and beyond. You come from all walks of life and pursue work in countless professions. Some of you have ties to a farm; others can do no more than dream of that. And yet all of you form a community, no matter how far-flung or diverse.
Shows and clubs bring many of you together, and that is an invaluable association on many fronts. There is the social aspect, the fellowship, if you will; there is the service you provide just by putting on a show. There is the educational aspect, both among collectors and among visitors. Many of your efforts target school children, and that is another very fine connection.
But in my heart of hearts, I always hoped Farm Collector would spark something special. Perhaps a reader would discover an ancestor’s inventive side through a patent illustration. Perhaps in these pages someone would stumble onto something long lost, or solve the mystery of an old photo, or recognize an unusual piece and share knowledge of its background.
Years ago, Josephine Roberts, our faithful columnist in Wales, sent old photos taken in Canada 80 or 90 years ago and we published them. Intellectually I knew it was a long shot, but the cockeyed optimist in me was just sure that someone’s grandson’s neighbor’s wife’s sister would see the photos and tell us the story behind them. That hasn’t happened – yet.
But we do finally have a special bond brought about by Farm Collector. It’s the kind of thing that shows what a special connection exists between like-minded folks – and it’s just enough of a spark to put a warm glow on a cold winter day. Here’s hoping your new year is full of sweet moments like these! FC
Leslie C. McManus
LMcManus@ogdenpubs.com