HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1990-03-14, Page 74John Kuik, "once a John
Deere man, always a
John Deere man
• by Pat Livingston
For John Ica of B. 7, Ludlow, it
doesn't matter the shape they're in when
he gets them, bell make those John
Deere tractors run and, look like new
again! Mr. Kuik refers, to tractor restora-
tionas his "winter dine hobby", one he
became interested in eight- years ago.
Since then he tries to restore one each
winter. •
Mr, Kora ""babies." total ' eight, in'v
eluding a 1940 "B", 1939 "D", 1937 '81,",
1946 "AR", 1946 `SBR",. 1954 "50", 1949•
"G" and a 1958 "73" diesel. The saying
"once a John Deere man, always a John
Deere man", Is certainly . true of . Mr.
Kwik, who admits he takes a lot of Md -
ding around his household. Remark;; such
as, when he cuts himself - it rum green,
do not botherhint One could say his, love
affair with these green tractors began -
when he started farming with a 1937
"BR". Mr, Kuik said he bought it for
$250, sold it for 6250, and is flow,. unsuc-
cessfully to this point in time, trying to.
buy it back to add to his collection. Isn't
hindsight great? •
A considerable amountof time goes in-
to restoring these tractors, but the sound
of their two cylinder motor running and..
' the lustrous glow of that green paint,
Makes it all worthwhile. All of his trac-
tors are stead inside to protect them and
in good weather he tries to take one out
each Sunday for a ride.
Mr. Kuik's "pride� and joy" is the 1937
he
"D"', which when brought it e homwas
referred to by his wife, Helen, as
ag7"pile
of junk". This tractor was stripped down
completely with each and every bolt
cleaned. Mr. Kuck' said his son, Dour,
"scraped a lot of grease on this one!"
His latest finished .project, the 1940
"B", has been dubbed "Grandma's Putt
Putt, by 2 1/2 year old grandson,, .Jim
John. Mr. Kuik says "Grandma Helen"
will be driving this one in the parades
this year, instead of riding with him on
the '
This family is strong John Deere folk,
as is evidenced from glancing around
their home. The toys on hand for Jim
John to play with are John Deere; model
John Deeres stand regally on a shelf and
the face of the kitchen clock is adored
with mini, mini John Deeres.
If this . article has ' you dreaming of
green, start looking for your own -• Mr.
Kuik says, • "my toys are not for sale'!
A strong John Deere man, John Hulk
stands besides "Grandma's Putt Putt, a
1940 "B", his most recent completed
restoration. This tractor came from the
west. In order to run on the pavement,
rubber has been bolted on to the steel
tires. On the right is a 1939 "D". Mr.
Kuik's eight. models are kept stored. in-
side; safe from the elements and- are nor- .
molly only brought out to„take part in •
parades, tractor pulls or simply, to enjoy
a Sunday afternoon ride , in the good
weather. (Pat Livingston photo)
Agricultural Society works to improve relations
• from page 17A
located on the grounds of the Seaforth and
District Community Centres.
Last year the Agricultural Society
planted 200 trees in an attempt to land-
scape its fairgrounds, and says it plans to
equal the effort again this year. It also had
booths at the Canadian International Farm
Show in Toronto, the International Plowing
Match in Essex, and the Stratford' Farm
Show.
"We've put Seaforth's name on the
map,” commented Mr. Haney.
"And part of our plan for the future is
to continue to work more towards getting
the Town of Seaforth involved with the
Agricultural Society, and special events.
We're always interested in working with
other groups," said Mr. Ribey, adding that
the Agricultural Society works, in conjunc-
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tion with the Van Egmond Foundation and '
Egmondville . United Church during the
Midwestern Ontario Show and Sale.
"You don't have to be a farmer to be
part of the Agricultural Society." .
The Seaforth Agricultural' Society is run
under ,the direction of 18 Board of Direc-
tors, one secretary and•one junior director.
Lyle Haney is President. of the Fair Board,
Ross Ribey is Vice President, Betty Glan-
ville in President of the •Homecrafto Divi-
sion, Bonnie Glanville. is Vice President of
the . Homecraft. Division, and Sharon
Flanagan is Secretary Treasurer.
The Agricultural Society estimates that
at least 10,000 people are attracted to the
Town of Seaforth because of the special
events it sponsors - 3,000 plus to the Home
and Garden Show, 3,000 plusto the show
and sale, and 4,000 plus to the fall fair.
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