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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