5420 White Creek Road Marlette, Michigan 48453
St. Clair County Farm Museum’s eleventh annual Threshing Bee
and Antique Engine Show was scheduled for August 26-27, 1995.
The Lord blessed us with good weather, and there was a good
turnout of exhibitors and spectators, including one from Spain and
another from Italy.
Each morning, a delicious pancake and sausage breakfast was
prepared and served by Pam and Dave Powers, owner of K’s Diner
in Avoca. After breakfast, Wayne Coon and Dennis Young opened the
concession stand and sustained us with good food and refreshing
drink. They all donated their time and talents to the Museum and
their generosity is much appreciated.
Sye Langolf and John Knecht were up and on the job before dawn
to get the Baker steam engine fired up and ready to thresh. Harry
Michaels was not much later building a fire under the big kettle to
make his famous black pot bean soup, which was served with homemade
bread made by Lyla Kegler.
Lewis and Larry Osborn brought their variable load machine that
is adjustable from no-load to all an engine can handle in the belt.
Glen Schade and Art Cooney oversaw the threshing and Arlen Schade
and his crew sawed logs into lumber, using the Richmond Club’s
saw mill.
Tom Ellis organized our first tractor pull. It attracted a large
and enthusiastic crowd. Thanks Tom! This writer hears that our old
20-40 Oil Pull out-pulled them all!
Marilyn Schade, Jenea Schade, Erin Schade, and Nelda Winter took
care of the registration booth and made sure that each exhibitor
got a show button and plaque. The Museum was open and there was a
flea market, crafts and other special exhibits.
Dane and Tammy Campbell and Duane Michaels, our president,
secretary and treasurer, not only took care of the business end,
but could be seen everywhere filling in and doing whatever needed
to be done.
After lunch on Saturday, the Classy Ladies, an equestrian drill
team, performed for us. It was a nice addition to our show.
There were about 44 tractors in the parade each day, led by the
Museum’s 1922 Rumely Oil Pull Tractor. Marilyn Schade did an
excellent job of announcing the parade.
We were honored at Sunday’s parade to have pretty 11
year-old Linda Marie Young ride on the Oil Pull. She said she had
not ridden on such a thing ‘in years and years.’ Her
grandpa, Wayne Coon, hadn’t either.
Several tractor exhibitors showed their skill at plowing while
others ‘belted up’ to the Baker fan–a first for some.
Don Hallead came from Elgin, Illinois, to help his dad, Lloyd,
with the show. They were kept busy with their engine exhibit,
operating the Oil Pull tractor, giving demonstrations belted to the
fan, and answering the many questions asked by the spectators. Many
expressed the feeling that antique engines, with their many exposed
moving parts, low speeds, and distinctive sounds, are fascinating
to see and hear in operation, especially the steam engine and the
Oil Pull.
Many thanks to our members and to members of the Richmond
Antique Engine and Threshing Association, and to all others who
contributed to make our show a success.
