RR 5, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P2G6
Well we have finished another successful show despite rather wet
weather the second day. We tried a dance this year and were pleased
with the results, so plan another next year. We aimed for the old
time spirit that used to prevail at dances and I feel we came
pretty close to achieving this. We had my husband as the only
evening was out (unfortunately I do not know the names of the
gentlemen who picked up the guitar during the evening) A fellow
member, Les Short, arrived with his ‘G String’, a tub set
up with a broom handle and a string, which he really knew how to
play. We even got the community into this dance as two gentlemen
from around here got the dances rolling. Mr. R. Coonfer had
everyone participating in several spot, bingo and ladies choice
dances. Mr. Warwick called a couple of square dances. We certainly
enjoyed the help of these two to get the dance moving.
We had a lunch which several of the club ladies donated to and
some of the community; the coffee perk decided to act up so we made
coffee the old way in a large boiler (everyone felt it was better
anyway). I feel we came a long way towards involving the community
in our club which is how it should be.
Now we’ll get on to the subject of the show, our main
objective as a club outside of keeping our heritage alive. We had
four steam engines this year and a great response in the models and
pump engine line. We signed up several new members at the club
booth and had the largest raffle to date with nine draws. Plus a
children’s raffle with prizes for boys and girls. There again
we had community participation – Wenstrom Equipment of Langdon
donated a lovely IHC tractor (toy) for the boys’ draw. Smarts
Sales of Langdon donated a lovely doll ‘Cindy’ with a hair
boutique set for the girls. We had one other raffle, a 9 lb. can of
hand cleaner donated by the ‘Maple Creek, (Saskatchewan)
Coyotes’. I managed to obtain films for sale plus several
novelties and of course we had magazine subscriptions and books; so
we ended up with quite a full club booth this year and hope to have
this or better for next year. We had several lovely trophies this
year and I’m sure the men who won them will be very proud of
them. CASE EQUIPMENT donated a large size cup trophy with a small
cup for the winner. This went to Harry Garriott of Calgary driving
a 1911 Single Cylinder Mogul. It was to be given to the BEST
HISTORICAL MECHANICAL EXHIBITION. The runner-up was Tom Anderson of
Three Hills, Alberta with his Case Steam Engine (unfortunately
there is no prize for the runner-up). The horse trophy was donated
by Les Short of Olds, Alta. (a member), with a lovely buckle to
keep. It was won by Ralph Loosemore of Three Hills, Alta. The
trophy for the best operator went to Eric Schwesinger of Calgary,
Alta. on the Rumely. The trophies were all won by members of our
club. I could continue on about the show but think I’ll leave
this report as is, our advertising manager or treasurer will no
doubt send in a more detailed report as far as tractors go.
