The Rural Voice, 2003-12, Page 61AgriTech
Shopping for Christmas collectibles
Janice
Becker is a
computer
enthusiast
and
journalist
living near
Walton, ON.
In several ways, 2003 has been a
difficult year as the farmers dealt
with the ramifications of the single
BSE case and the domino effect. The
weather has not been terribly co-ope-
rative, either in the spring or this fall.
So instead of discussing the
troubles of the past months, I decided
it was time for a light-hearted and
seasonal look at a fun aspect of
having an interest in farming.
Christmas is just around the corner
and I thought searching for that
perfect gift for the agriculture or rural
living enthusiast would be a good
way to lighten the mood. I went
shopping for farm toys.
Upon the discovery of the Rural
Living Canada website at
members.attcanada.ca, I looked
through a great list of items of
interest to rural residents and those
who wish they were.
By clicking on the "interests" then
"hobbies" link, there is a list of
connections to a variety of hobbies.
This connection can also be made
through members.attcanada.
ca/—kenruss/Pag00065.html.
As well as having information for
the gardener who is dreaming of
spring planting and stamp collectors,
the listing for Scale Model Replicas
and Farm Toys in Woodstock,
www.tinytoys.com, bills the site as
the country's largest farm toy mail
order business.
The list is extensive and the
shopping is easy with a simple click
to add an item to the shopping cart.
The bookstore through Rural Living
offers alternatives for those who pre-
fer to spend cold winter nights learn-
ing about their favourite subjects.
Ertl Farm Toys and Parts in Elmira,
www.imagiteck.com/farmtoy/, has a
wonderful selection of die cast repli-
cas, ranging in size from 1/16th scale
to the matchbox size 1/64th scale.
Brands such as John Deere, CaselH,
New Holland, AgCo and Caterpillar
are available. They have everything
from pedal tractors to classics,
collectibles, play toys, plastic animals
and books on toys. There is an ever-
changing list of "old" toys from the
1950s to the 1980s that are original,
restored or new. Though shopping
on-line is not possible, a catalog can
be ordered for $2 and orders can be
placed by phone, fax or e-mail.
Other Canadian sites include
Moore's Farm Toys of Saskatchewan,
www.mooresfarmtoy.corn/data/catalo
g.html, and the Toy Tractor Show at
www.toytractorshow.com.
Traveling a little farther abroad,
The Western Producer site,
www.producer.com/standing_editoria
l/computer_guide/2001 /farm_toys.ht
ml, lists several farm toys and coll-
ectible sites, I found interesting sites.
Red Wagon Antiques and Farm
Toys in Minnesota offers tin, cast
iron and antique versions of Allis
Chalmers, Cockshutt, Oliver, Minn-
eapolis Moline and Massey 1/16th
scale models, just to name a few.
Action Farm Toys of Montana,
www.actionfarmtoys.com/, is a very
easily used site with a good layout by
area of interest.
Toy Barns, www.toybarns.com of
Vermont, offers wooden barns with
moving parts as well as fencing,
animals and personalized farm signs.
So have fun and be a kid for a
while. As with any on-line shopping,
always read the security precautions
before submitting credit card inform-
ation. Most sites offer alternatives to
submitting numbers on-line.
With the Christmas deadline drawing
near, check out the delivery date for
any orders to ensure a timely arrival.
When ordering from American
companies remember the exchange
rate for U.S. funds and all orders
have shipping and handling fees
added to the purchase price.
Contact me at jlbecker@wightman.ca
with feedback or topic suggestions.0
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MadiriNio-
DECEMBER 2003 57