RD1, Levanna, Aurora, New York 13026
The 7th Spring Grove Steam Show, held July 21 and 22, 1973 was
the scene of many attractions. The Stone Flour Mill powered by
steam, operated by Carl Buckout and his son, Don, of Poplar Ridge,
sold over ? ton of wheat flour. Dave and Barbara Conroy, kept their
Steam Boat in continuous use giving rides on the farm pond. Gas
Thruston and Harold Stupp, both from Cayuga. A model Steamer built
by George Hildrith of Genoa, was used as power to run the Model
Case built by Mr. Luzerne Ball of Tarpon Springs, Florida. They
made very nice looking bales of Lawn Clippings. The Drag Saw
operated by Arthur Norton and Wood Splitting was demonstrated by
Earl Kelsey, both from Onondaga Hill. The Shingle Mill was operated
by Milton Skinner of Geneva and Sheep Shearing was done by Edgar
Sanders with the help of his sons and Bill Hitchcock. Our 18 horse
Birdsall, powered the Stone Crusher and the results were placed on
the drive way by the horse drawn Dump Wagon. Dad, his team, and the
horse drawn Road Grader, operated by George Murphy of Marcellus,
smoothed out the crushed stones.
Cannons that were replicas of the Revolutionary War were owned
and operated by Allen Hoxie of Genoa and John Sarnicola of Auburn.
The Donkey engine was demonstrated by Brad Hitchcock and Dick
Cornell of Unions Springs, to show how easily it could handle logs.
Threshing was done with the help of everybody, with our Chief
Engineer Edmond S. Worden of Senaca Falls the straw was later put
into three wire bales by our Ann Arbor 17×22 Baler and here again
Ed Worden, Chief Engineer, with a 8-1/2 x 10 Frick Steam
Engine.
Floyd Simmonds brought his model Case Engine that was enjoyed by
all. Don Skinner and Bill Hitchcock ran the Model T. Pick-up truck
drawing the blocks of wood from the Drag Saw to the Shingle Mill
and also they brought the Sheep for Shearing from the pasture with
the help of Scott Arnold. Rides were given by Ray Boles from
Ludlowville with his fine team of ponies; and Key Ryan from Aurora,
with his fine pair of horses, Key also ran the McCormick Reaper, to
cut Rye and it was later hand bound by Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey Bush
and Earl Klock and others gave a try which helped out a lot. These
bundles were later picked up and threshed by many willing
hands.
Albums were sold by Dayton Nichols of Stafford, N.Y., Printing
was done by W. E. Morrison from Ovid, N.Y.; Dowzing was done by Mr.
Winchester and Walter Rewald.
Ward O’Hara of Auburn, brought his Model T. Station Wagon
and Old International Truck. He and Ralph Snyder of King Ferry,
gave many rides.
The Cook Shack, with its wood burning stove, turned out hot
dogs, coffee, cookies, and cold drinks. Mureen Murphy. Nancy
Keller, Pat Kachris, Marcia, Sue, and Nancy Hitchcock did their
best to keep people served. The horsepower operating the Buss Saw,
provided the fire wood.
While the men were outside getting things underway, the ladies
were inside getting dinner. By the ladies I mean Margaret Murphy
Jean Heyen and Reva Hitchcock.
A Chicken Bar-B-Q was served Sunday by the Aurora Volunteer Fire
Dept. The best cooks ever, Delicious!
There were some people that seemed to be everywhere: Dick
Cornell. Brad and Bill Hitchcock, George Murphy, Milton Skinner and
his son. Don, Fd Worden. Leslie Lusk, Bill Goaley, and also Charles
Hitchcock.
The Steam Show was a great success and everyone seemed to enjoy
themselves. I hope to see new, as well as old faces again next
year.
Thank you, The Spring Grove Steam Show Gang.