15700 Santini Road, Burtonville, Maryland 20730
After some problems getting things organized in advance, we
succeeded in putting on one of the best shows we have ever had. We
have the usual problems of getting enough help in advance, and in
transporting the engines, but it all ‘came out in the wash’
as the old saying goes. One of our officers remarked to me, ‘I
think we should put up a sign that reads like this. As a member,
what have you done for your club in the last year.’ However, I
think the crowds were as big or bigger than ever for our 13th
show.
OUR show is usually held the last full week-end in July, a
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The location is the grounds of the
Ruitan Club in Berryville, Va. which are well shaded, with plenty
of permanent buildings. Berryville is located in the beautiful
Shenandoah Valley of Va. After 2 years of poor weather, we had 3
slightly warm, but beautiful days.
Due mainly to transportation difficulties, we did not have quite
as many large traction engines as some years, but we had a large
variety of makes. We had 10 traction engines including an 1884
Garr-Scott, two ‘S’ Geisers, a Russell, a Farquhar, a
‘ZZ’ Geiser, a CASE, 2 Frick twins, and an
Aultman-Taylor.
We had a good supply of young engineers and helpers, ranging in
age from early teens to the 70’s and younger. These included
one of my helpers, who at 13 can safely tend and maintain my 20hp.
Aultman-Taylor, including loading it onto a tractor trailer by
himself. I consider him to be an exception in skill, at 13, and am
proud to be one of his instructors.
We also had some nice homemade engines and a portable. Our gas
tractors and small gas engines were to numerous to list, but they
put on an excellent display. We also had many miscellaneous
displays, including models, a working blacksmith shop, foundry
making small castings, a good sized flea market and many more.
Between our wagon rides behind a steam engine, and gas tractors
running about, the sawmill, shingle mill, and thresher, several
things were usually in operation at the same time all during the
day. OUR FOUNDRY AND BLACKSMITH SHOP were kept busy during the day
making souvenirs. We also had a live steam railroad giving rides to
the kiddies and quite a few adults. There were also helicopter
rides over the show grounds, Berryville, and the valley, along with
pony cart rides.
The thresher saw more use than at most of our previous shows,
and was a large attraction. Also our membership and souvenir both
seemed fairly brisk with activity, and Mr. and Mrs. Shaeffer were
selling books and magazine subscriptions etc. as usual.
The antique car display was very good, being large in number and
variety with most of them beautifully restored. I do not have a
complete list of cars and owners as I write this, but they varied
all the way from the likes of a Marmon to a Stanley Steamer.
I hope I have missed no one, and as a member of the Board of
Directors and an engine owner, I would like to thank all that came
and helped. I especially wish to thank the workers, truck drivers,
their helpers, the exhibitors and all that made it such a good
show. We always hope to do better next year and we will try – So,
if you can, plan to come see us July 26th, 27th, and 28th,
1974. N-73.
