HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1993-09-08, Page 25Welcome Visitors to the
32nd Annual Thresher Reunion
Stop in at
Wilson's Health
& Gift Centre.
You'll love the
Wilson's
Health & Gift Centre
Queen St., Blyth 523-4440
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1993. PAGE A-S.
Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion 1993
IPM souvenir model at Thresher Reunion
Putting it together
Teeswater Custom Tractor employee Mark Schiestel assembles the replica
1920 Waterloo Steam Engine. The 300 limited edition models were made for
the Bruce County International Plowing Match to be held in Walkerton.
Leipers gets enjoyment from old methods
HcoNDESBORO CO-OP
By Bonnie Gropp
One of the many attractions of the Huron
Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association is
the models and farm toy collectibles which
have been increasing in popularity as a
hobby over recent years. It has become a
financial investment for some collectors
while for others it is a way to recapture a
treasure of youth.
This year there will be a special attraction
— a model of a 1920 18 horsepower
Waterloo Steam Engine designed and built
by Teeswater Custom Tractor as an official
souvenir for the Bruce County Plowmen's
1993 International Plowing Match. Of the
300 limited edition models, which all bear
the IPM logo, as of August only 50
remained.
An earlier souvenir made by Teeswater
Custom Tractor for the IPM, a Lobsinger
Threshing Machine was sold out in
February, less than five months after it went
into production.,
The model is a replica 1/16 scale
designed from factory drawings and sales
material. The main body is of hand crafted
wood while the stacker hood, pulleys and
wheels are spun cast. Company owner Bill
Ireland says the models are painted factory
colours and carry the IPM logo.
Mr. Ireland said when he was approached
by the IPM committee about making the
models it was decided to go on a limited
edition to "keep the value there and make
them a collector's item." Each modeli sells
for $250 and takes approximately 10 hours
to build.
There have also been 1,000 ploughs
mounted on stands for the IPM. These sell
for $45 and will be on display at the
Reunion.
Mr. Ireland's business started after he
made some models as a favour for a friend,
who owned a store in Minnesota. "His
business had gradually grown to the point
where he was getting behind on orders so he
called and asked me if I could help pick up
some of the slack," says Mr. Ireland.
From that day, the enterprise has
continued to flourish so that he eventually
operated it full-time and hired part-time
Continued on A-6
Office 523-9606 Jim=
Elevators 523-4470
continued from A-4
before being collected and transported to the
Blyth Fairgrounds, the site of the Reunion.
On the average they take about three loads
of grain.
The process requires time, stamina and
equipment and the stookers have typically
been older retired farmers who know the old
equipment and have a little more time to get
the job done.
Before the Leipers took on the task in
1989, Frank Hallahan along with his father
Dan, and Norman Cook got the machinery
ready to bring back those earlier times.
Binders, as did many machines of the era,
seem to take on an almost human quality.
Today that mood might best be described as
cantankerous , quite fitting for something
being called back to work after years of rest.
The Leipers were ready for the challenge
as, up until a few years ago, they stooked
their own grain and still have all the
machinery in working order.
Though it may take a lot of work, the
Leiper brothers enjoy their brief return to the
past each year. For farmers who never really
made the transition to modern equipment it
holds fond memories. "We get a bit of fun
out of it," the Leipers say.
rt
HENSALL
DISTRICT
Co-OPERATIVE
HAUGHOLM BOOKS
Brucefield, Ontario
(519) 522-0248 Allan J. Haugh
CLASSIC TRACTOR, CAR & GAS ENGINE BOOKS
Decal sets for older tractors
and gas engines
Always open, !Thorne. but please call first
1 mile east of Brucefield on Cty. Rd. #3
• Fast efficient service • Wagon dumpers
• Trucking available • Fair grades and prices
Hensall Co-op is pleased to provide
farmer-owned grain and bean elevator facilities
in Londesboro. By working together, farmers
can build their own successful agri-business!
Committed to serving rural communities
NOW RECEIVING WHITE BEANS
to the
Threshers on
their 32nd Reunion
tot 1,0140/