All material for the next issue of the magazine (Jan.-Feb.)
should be in our office no later than Nov. 1, 1972.
Hi Folks! I’ve had a nice summer and hope you have had too.
You have helped to make it so for me, by being the wonderful folks
you are. My visits to the shows and meeting new friends and
greeting old ones was just delightful.
The second trip to Ohio with Mr. and Mrs. Dave Egan to the Miami
and Old Washington Shows was most enjoyable. It was the first time
I had the opportunity for these Reunions.
It was my pleasure to meet Prof. Lorin Bixler while there. He is
the informative and ‘down to earth’ kind of gentleman as my
hubby had learned to appreciate years ago.
The Rough & Tumble Reunion at Kinzer certainly had the
biggest and best show they have ever enjoyed.
The trip started pleasantly by my daughter, Marsha and her
hubby, Bud, offering to go along down. This was most kind and
thoughtful. He unloaded my truck for me. This is one of the many
places I miss my Hubby, Elmer.
The same afternoon my sister and her better half, Claire and Jim
Greider, stopped on the way back from the shore. They stayed and
ate dinner with me in the evening, before going home.
My friend, helper and employee as Publications Secretary, Anna
Mae, came down with her 8 year old son, Tommy, on Saturday. She has
been most cooperative and interested. This latter has surely
‘rubbed off’ on the offspring. He was just so anxious to
help. Several persons had to wait a few minutes for their change
while we supervised his activities. Then he was satisfied. Hope the
folks didn’t mind.
Mr. and Mrs. Dave Egan came Friday night and stayed at the motel
with me. This way I had a male to help me pack Saturday evening to
come home.
Of course, Mrs. Scheafer was my co-worker, as usual, at the
stand. I know she must have appreciated Mrs. Mary Miller’s help
too. I did.
Roy Glessner, who drew the cartoons for our magazine for many
years, and his wife, Naomi, surprised us by appearing at the motel
late Friday in their camper. We had a nice visit before retiring.
Saturday morning we were treated to a delicious breakfast before
starting to work.
All these acts of thoughtfulness and surprises sure do make
one’s world wonderful. Don’t they?
Mr. Robert Ramsey from Indiana suggested in a letter to us that
the different clubs, when sending in their advertisements next year
name the nearest largest town or city in the State, or give Highway
numbers to enable folks to locate reunions by road maps.
This is something to think about, Reunion Officialsfor the
future betterment of your club.
Mr. Frank Coulthard from Canada would like to see a picture of a
Watrous thrashing engine. He said he thought the last one was made
around 1909. (Anna Mae tells me there should be a picture of one in
this issue from Douglas A. McConnell of Manitoba, Canada). Can
anyone help us out with more pictures?
We received one reply for Ed Croley. Frank Stark from Billings,
Missouri wrote to say he was one of the lucky few who received a
first sample of our magazine from Rev. Elmer Ritzman. At that time
it was named The Farm Album, published four times a year at $1.00.
He said he has each and every copy since.
I’m sure there are more of you original subscribers around.
Won’t you please write to us?
Mr. Russell Templeton of Warren, Pennsylvania wrote the
following and I’d like to share it. ‘In my many years of
steam enthusiasm, I have attended many shows and I thought that I
knew most of the steam traction engines by sight and name, however
this year I was for a loss on one that I had never seen or heard
ofIt was at the Pageant of Steam at Canandaigua, N. Y. The engine
was a ‘Lang & Button’ and was one of the prettiest and
well kept pieces of steam machinery that I have seen in a long
time. It was made in Ithica, N. Y. and if I remember right, was a 6
HP. I was intrigued by her horizontal governors, and she just ran
like a well jeweled watch.
I wonder if there are others like her around the country, and if
so, maybe your good magazine could print some pictures of this fine
machine, and give us a little history on her.
Would just like to mention that in attending these shows, I
would rather see the models actually running on steam than on air
which seems to be taking over, (with the exception of the Rough
& Tumble Show) after all they are steam shows and not Air
Shows.
The Pageant of Steam was a fine show this year and their new
show grounds are outstanding.
Thank you for your time and continued success to your wonderful
publication.’
We are still having new subscribers write and ask if we wish
pictures and stories which they can supply. The answer is
definitely Yes! Just remember if you want your pictures returned,
write the word ‘Return’ on them, plus your name and
address.
Our printer made a big mistake in stating the price of our Gas
Engine Magazine in the last issue. It is $4.00, not $3.00, as
given.
Many have written asking for a list of thresherees in U. S. This
we do not have. This information is available though through our
advertising of the shows in the magazines. Sorry about this!
We have not made ourselves clear about what ‘general
mailing’ means. Another, and perhaps a better word may be
‘bulk Mailing’ which we do for each magazine every other
month. This is when all subscribers’ magazines are sent out at
one time in mail bags. This is a cheaper method for us, because of
the processing and time, as well as postage expense. Just renew
your subscription immediately when the color sheet is found in
magazine. There will be no need to send the extra 25c, nor will you
miss an issue of it.
Mr. Larry R. Caskey, R. D. 1, Orrville, Ohio 44667 would like
some information on an 8 HP McNamara engine. Pictures or stories of
any description would be appreciated from you. Can one of you
fellows help us out?
Allan Brill from Australia wrote the following which I thought
would interest you also, since it is from another country. ‘I
am very interested in steam engines, having one which I display at
Agricultural and Pastoral Shows. The district in which I live is
the largest sheaf hay and chaff centre in the Southern Hemisphere,
cutting approximately 35,000 tons of hay into chaff per year for
stock feed. Although the industry is not as big as it was
twenty-five years ago, it is still one of the districts largest
industries.
In its best day, many steam engines of all kinds traction and
portable-were used to drive the chaff cutting machines. One of the
most popular was the Buffalo-Pitts of America. These engines, I
believe were the most used of any American make in
Australia.’
I’ve heard that Eudora Idol of Winston-Salem, Route 3,
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27105 has been ill, but that she is
improving. Perhaps you would like to drop her a cardshe’d be
happy to hear from you. Many of you folks will remember her as the
lady who ran the steam sewing machine at the Reunions.
Very soon my thoughts will turn towards school bells and
children. I’ve had a pleasant summer, but will be happy to
return to working with the younger ones.
Dinah Mulock Craik expresses much better than I the feeling
about Friendship Oh, the comfort the inexpressible comfort of
feeling safe with a person. Having neither to weigh thoughts, Nor
measure words but pouring them All right out just as they are Chaff
and grain together Certain that a faithful hand will Take and sift
them Keep what is worth keeping And with a breath of kindness Blow
the rest away.
I just realized this is the Holiday issue. My co-workers and I
wish that each and everyone of you may have a Joyous Christmas and
a Prosperous New Year.
