Organizations are finding large program books worthwhile, both
to present pictures and stories of members and their engines, and
to raise funds.
We’d appreciate hearing from your group on whether you
prepare a book of this type, and whether your experiences have been
positive or unfavorable.
One book we picked up on a recent trip into Canada was that of
the Essex County Steam and Gas Engine Show, held at Southwestern
Ontario Heritage Village.
This is a little over 8 x 11 inches, with brown ink on the white
cover, which features a 1936 Massey-Harris Pacemaker which members
restored. An article about the restoration appears inside.
The 1987 event, August 8-9, was the third annual show for this
club, which is young but very energetic. Gerald Vincent is
president; Rick Laramie, vice president; Kathy Laramie,
secretary-treasurer. Board members are Dan Wiper, Brian Sturdevant,
Elwyn Robinson, Bob McCracken, Don Webb, David Bailey and Cliff
McGuire. Show committee members for 1987 are Orval McGuire, Bob
Labute, Bob Janzen, Jim Alford, Ken Voakes and Rock Jones.
The issue covers 48 pages, with many advertisements. The
Case-Eagle story is one of the articles; others tell of
restorations and history.
A Wisconsin book comes from the Badger Steam & Gas Engine
Club, whose show is located at Baraboo. This was the club’s
24th show and the silver anniversary is set for next August.
The Badger cover is light blue with black type and gold
decoration. It is about the same size as the Essex County book.
Many pictures show club and member activities. All members are
listed, with hometown address.
Verne Kindschi, well known in the engine field, is Badger
president. Other officers are Robert Coates, vice president; James
Rick, secretary, and Lowell Opperman, treasurer. Directors are Paul
Young, Paul Grotophorst and Gordon Riddle.
This year’s Baraboo book is dedicated to Walt Meisel, of
Merrimac. Each annual edition has an article on the history of a
company that made engines. This year’s book has 48 pages.
Another Wisconsin book comes from the Wisconsin Steam Antique
Engine Club, whose show is held at Chilton. The book is edited by
Ed Westen, and this year’s is the fourth.
The 1987 edition includes pictures and information on five other
clubs in the state: Dodge County Antique Power Assn. at Beaver Dam;
Union Theshermen at Symco; Northeastern Wisconsin Antique Power
Assn. at Valmy; Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Assn. at Sussex,
and North Central Wisconsin Steam and Gas Club at Edgar.
Book 4 is also about 8 x 11, with red framing of pictures which
are black on white. On the cover are photos of Dan and Rosella
Mayer and their Model G John Deere; Alan Masheder and his 1934
Austin Diesel; Kurt Burmeister and his F-20 Farmall; Dennis Kaster
and his Eagle; Pete Patek and his Model L John Deee, and Earl
Wagner and his gas engines. Two steamers are shown inside the front
cover.
Fred and Audrey Reckelberg are president and secretary; Ervin
Schmidt, vice president, and John Poch, treasurer.
These and other show catalogs perform a keepsake service while
in some cases helping to raise funds-either through ad or single
copy sales, or both.
Maps of show grounds are sometimes included, and these help
visitors.
As with any club project, it takes determination to bring these
books out on time. Usually one person has to ride herd, and
sometimes he or she has to be downright mean to force people to
bring in their pictures, stories and ads.
If your club publishes a book, send it along. We’ll write
reviews every so often.
