Box 111, Davis Junction, Illinois 61020
Pictured here from the North Central Illinois Steam Power Show
making the Rollag, Minnesota Steam Show Bus Trip, August 31, are
left to right: Ray Knutson, Emil Svanda, George Hedtke, Floyd King,
Dennis Ehmen, and Neal Drummer. Rhinie Luebbers, the
show photographer taking this picture also made the Rollage
A privately owned Continental bus, converted to a ‘traveling
fun bus’ for groups going a long distance, was a treat for 26
aboard Labor Day weekend. The bus is complete with kitchen
utilities for preparing cooked meals while traveling. Also it is
equipped with a fine seating area and a restroom.
The 1500-mile trip to western Minnesota was greatly enjoyed by
steam show enthusiasts from three northern Illinois area shows. The
‘fun trip’ was planned and arranged by Roger Baumgartner of
Walnut, Illinois, and Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Blanchard of Grayslake,
Illinois.
Four shows were visited during the Labor Day weekend, August 31
through September 3. Rollag, Minnesota was the first show to see
early Saturday morning. Lodging that night for the group was
arranged at a motel at Pelican Rapids. Early Sunday morning the
group enjoyed breakfast at a restaurant at Pelican Rapids and then
attended the horsepower threshing show, and other horsepower
demonstrations using 50 head of horses at the Battle Lake,
Minnesota show. The numerous horse-powered units and outfits was
something to see in operation. Next we stopped and visited the
Museum and showground’s at Dalton, Minnesota.
By five O’clock Sunday evening it was time for the bus to
leave for our homeward trip via Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where
lodging for the night was arranged at the Holiday Inn. Early Labor
Day morning the group had breakfast and the bus journeyed homeward
via Edgerton, Wisconsin where the group arrived for the parade time
at the Rock-River Thresheree on U.S. 51 midway between Edgerton and
Janesville.
Those making the long Labor Day weekend trip from the Davis
Junction show at Hedtke’s Hickory-Oaks Farm were: George
Hedtke, Emil Svanda, and Ray Knutson all of Davis Junction; Dennis
Ehmen of Monroe Center; Rhinie Luebbers of Kirkland; Floyd Kings of
Kings; and Neal Drummer of La Moille.
