HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen-39Th Annual Reunion, 2000-09-06, Page 23THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2000. PAGE A-3.
Area businessman leads Assoc, into new millennium
PRIDE AND JOY
An avid collector George Underwood is riding in style when he and wife Helen cruise in their 1941 Mercury convertible. It was
Underwood’s interest in cars and tractors that first brought him to the Thresher Reunion several years ago. He is now
Association president.
Underwood believes this becomes even
more important as an increasing number of
people are unfamiliar with farming methods of
the past. “Many people who attend these
shows really have no knowledge of how the
things worked. If you enjoy talking about this
as many who restore do, by taking a piece of
equipment to (he show you can explain."
His desire to share that interest is what
brought him to the Reunion seven years ago.
However, Underwood admits he has never
been one to just sit back and enjoy. “It was nat
ural for me,” he says of making the jump from
exhibitor to executive. “If I’m interested in
something I like to be involved and intend to
be involved.”
Thus having fulfilled his duties as vice-pres
ident of the Huron Pioneer Thresher and
Hobby Association, he now starts a two-year
term as president. In this time, he looks for
ward to the completion of the new building
Continued on page A-4
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
It is perhaps appropriate that as the Thresher
Association prepares to celebrate the
Millennium at this year’s Reunion, the man
leading the executive is George Underwood.
“It think it is a must that we can show what
has been the evolution of agriculture produc
tion,” says the RRl, Wingham resident and
agricultural businessman.
And the 2000 show promises to do just that.
“Rather than having a feature we agreed to
feature how agriculture began,” says
Underwood. To that end there’s a class for pre-
1900, one for 1900-1919 and one to 1939. “We
put a break at 1939 because there were proba
bly more changes made in agriculture with the
beginning of hydraulics and the acceptance of
rubber-tired equipment.”
This focus will continue into next year’s
show as well, Underwood says. “Everything
we’re planning now is building to the 40th
anniversary of the Reunion in 2001.” Part of
this will be featuring the years from 1939 until
1960.
Agriculture and history have been passions
of Underwood for some time. Having operat
ed a family-owned grain elevator business for
many years he understands the importance of
each. Several years ago he was one of the peo
ple involved in saving the Ontario Agricultural
Museum, now known as the Country Heritage
Park in Milton.
But before that, about 20 years ago he start
ed building his collection of antique Allis
Chalmers tractors and Mercury automobiles.
“Also, however, my interest today is to col
lect the equipment that went with that tractor.
There are lots of antique tractors out there
now, but it’s nice to be able to show what was
used with that tractor.”
This salute to the
is published by
North Huron Publishing
Company Inc.
PO. Box 429. Bly th, ON N0M 1 HO
Tel.: 519-523-4792
Fax: 519-523-9140
Email:
norhuron@scsinternet.com
Editor: Bonnie Gropp
Advertising sales manager:
Jeannette McNeil
Advertising sales: Ruth Uyl
Friends • Threshers • Tractor Men • Neighbours & Visitors
The Village of Blyth extends a warm
welcome to all visitors here to celebrate
another Thresher Reunion
THE VILLAGE OF BLYTH
AND
HE BLYTH PUBLIC UTILITIE
M COMMISSION /
to the Huron Pioneer Thresher
and Hobby Association
on their 39th Annual Reunion