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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen-38Th Reunion, 1999-09-08, Page 33THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBERS, 1999. PAGE A-13. 1999 Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion & Hobby Show. 3b ■ - -J—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------——------------—- Tractor doesn't have interest of steam engine CONTINUED FROM A-l 1 separator. There were so many gadgets and magical noises on the old machines that they held all the fascination for a youngster as one of those Rube Goldberg inventions. That’s why I enjoy going back to the Thresher Reunion year after year to hear the growing whine of the separator as it speeds up. to hear the whack of the belts when the tractor first starts to drive the thresher and to smell the smells of warm straw. After we watched the machine set up there’d be a race to the granary to be there by the time the first kernels tinkled —---------—____ ____ ___& down the grain spout and Young eager to threshing crew, probably onto the newly-cleaned " ’ ’ ’ granary floor. Working in the granary was something we were all eager to do and the younger we were, the more eager we were. When the threshing began we’d shovel the first bit of grain so many times it was nearly ground to chop, but later, when we sank to our knees in the mounting hills of grain, the novelty would wear off. Nearly everyone threshed from the stook by the 1950s but one neighbour still gathered his grain into the barn to wait for the threshing crew to finish elsewhere then come and thresh his grain out of the bam. Some of the earliest money I earned was helping in the mow to move the sheaves around after they'd been dropped into the mow from slings. One experience I never had was working with the steam engines but for youngsters, this steam steam on the Stephen (519) 523-4922 Londesborough, Ontario NOM 2H0 Fax:(519)523-4765 must have been even more exciting. The ordi­ nary tractor just doesn't have the interest of the chucking, whirring, steam-whistling tractor. About the closest I came to the engines was visiting my uncle’s farm next concession where a neighbour across the road had a threshing gang that used what must have been one of the last steam tractors in the area. It was a mysterious thing, black and green and gleaming. As a teenager earning spending money by working on farms in the summer I got to expe- ------------------------- rience being part of the one of the last ones in the work in oronery townsh*p by that time, i was one of the young bucks who tried to spear a whole stook and prove my manhood by heav­ ing it to the top of the load. The oldtimers would shake their heads and express dire warn­ ings about being worn out before dinner. I ignored them of course. They were right, of course. The farm isn’t the way it used to be in the days of threshing crews. Farm neighbourhoods aren’t the way they used to be in the days of the threshing gangs. Technology changes of course and in a competitive world we have to change with it or find ourselves changed against our wills. Yet when the cost of change gains something in efficiency but loses something in the impor­ tant things like human friendship, it’s hard to term it progress. PAUL COOK ELECTRIC For all your wiring needs HOME, FARM AND COMMERCIAL Welcome to all those visiting the 38th Annual Thresher Reunion and Congratulations to the organizers. 357-1537 TO 6lVTH ft "Specializing in Older Tractor Parts ... ...and looking for tractors and combines in any condition" Congratulations to the Huron Pioneer Association on their 38th Reunion Make Cook's your supply and service centre. PLANNING IS THE KEY TO REACHING YOUR FARMING GOALS! Before you make any decisions for 1999 or 2000 talk to the folks at Cook's. Walton Atwood Amberley Parkhill 887-9261 1-800-786-1476 356-2292 395-3601 294-6256 Division of Hensail Centralia Kirkton Parrish & Heimbecker, Limited 262-2410 228-6661 229-8986 THE CHOICE IS YOURS A GAS FURNACE FROM YOUR LENNOX DEALER, OR A - SCRATCHY BROWN WOOL W' You’ll feel more comfortable with one of our Lennox Elite '’ gas Helen Johns, M.P.P. Huron-Bruce 1-800-668-9320 furnaces, because they’re durable five-year limited parts warranty.and bached by a You can get one from your local independent Lennox dealer, who’ll always be there for you. And probably won’t go out of style. It is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome to everyone attending the Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion and Hobby Show. Congratulations to the organizers on your 38th year. I know that this celebration of Huron's Agricultural tradition will once again be very successful. Best Wishes Helen Johns, MPP Huron-Bruce Be sure to ask about our 2 & 3 stage furnaces LENNOX ONE LESS THING TO WORRY ABOUT.' MONTGOMERY'S COMFORT CENTRE LTD. Hwy. #4 South, Wingham 519-357-4300 Port Elgin 519-832-2026 ©LENNOX INDUSTRIES INC., 1995. LENNOX DEALERS ARE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED BUSINESSES.