HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-09-03, Page 38From showing to camping, one couple wouldn't miss Reunion fun
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His babies
Bill Jenkins stands along his collection of Oliver tractors, which line the area
next to his driveway. A sign at the beginning of the property aptly identifies
the Hullett Twp. farm as "Oliver Lane". The Jenkinses are regular attendees
of the Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion and Hobby Show.
By Bonnie Gropp
Once they get you in the gate you just
keep coming back.
Ask Bill and Ruth Jenkins of RR1,
Clinton, who have been attending the Huron
Pioneer Thresher Reunion in Blyth for many
years. Each year, on the first weekend
following Labour Day, the Jenkins, like
hundreds of others, roll onto the fairgrounds
in their motor home and get ready for
several days of displays, music and fun.
For years, campers came earlier and earlier
to the park, to try and get the best spot. By
the time the Reunion was underway a
miniaLire village had sprung up. Bill said he
and Ruth have luckily always gotten one of
the serviced lots, right next to the racetrack
and close to the music that Ruth loves so
much. Demand for sites has increased to the
point where organizers decided to offer an
opportunity for regulars to reserve ahead.
"Now I pay at the end of the Reunion for the
next year to guarantee our same spot. If I
ever give this one up, I'll never get it again,"
Bill says.
Camping offers an opportunity to meet a
lot of new people who share some common
interests. But it also helps you feel a part of
the action taking place, being on-site and
able to peruse the many sights at your
leisure.
After attending the show for many years,
in 1987, Bill, who collects Oliver tractors,
decided he might as well start showing a few
of them. The Olivers which were
manufactured in Iowa, are identified by
numbers. Though Bill started collecting
them about 15 years ago, he owned his first
in 1949, which he used for farming. "When I
bought it, I thought it was the nicest on the
road and it outlived all the others too," he
said.
He presently owns 14, which he has
lovingly restored himself. The oldest is a
1937, four-cylinder Oliver 99, while the
newest is from 1955.
While the restoration is part of the
satisfaction in owning such a prized
collection, there is also a special story on
how each tractor was acquired. "Every
tractor has a history," says Bill. For example,
the 1947 Oliver 88 he owns was purchased
from three bachelor farmers, who lived south
of St. Marys. "They hadn't farmed with it for
three years," said Bill. "I figured it would be
seized up, when those fellows had turned the
crank every month.When I tried it, it started
right up."
Bill has travelled to many Ontario towns
in search of his Oliver tractors, but the
furthest came from Manitoba. "People get to
know that you collect Olivers and they'll call
to tell you they might have something you'll
be interested in."
While Ruth has a benevolent smile when
asked what she thinks of her husband's
collection, Bill laughing suggests she does
have her limits."I went to a sale a few years
ago to see an Oliver. When I left Ruth said,
'Don't you go buying that tractor'. I came
home with my hat in my hand through the
door first."
Bill likens his hobby to that of a racehorse
owner. "It's about the same cost and the
same fascination, except these machines
don't have to be fed when they're not
running.
Though Bill has travelled to other shows
to exhibit his collection, the Thresher
Reunion is one he always looks forward to.
CONTINUED ONA-7
After and before
This 1947 Oliver 70 looked great once Bill Jenkins had finished with it, but in
the beginning (right) it was a nightmare. The tractor had sat in Kippen for
several years and was seized solid. Bill says, "I wished for a long time that
I'd never seen that one, but we did get it working."