Fairville, New York
For six weeks we have had hot, dry weather. The week of the show
it decided to be rainy and chilly. It rained every day of the week
of the show. It kept some of the public away but didn’t deter
our exhibitors. Our exhibits were more and better than in
years.
We had about 50 tractors with a wide range represented. There
were dozens of oil pulls, many John Deeres, Allis Chalmers,
McCormick Deerings, Cases, Massey Harris’, Holt, Fordson,
etc…
There were scores of new engines, many I suspect have been just
restored this season. There was a Lauson traction engine, about 5
HP; a Niagara, Fuller and Cooper, Friend, among many others. We had
many antique cars and trucks with the biggest, a Mack chain drive
tractor. We had two shingle mills, one by Ross Pino and the other
Wes Hammond’s alternating making shingles. There was also Frank
Johnson’s Ireland drag saw cutting unusual slabs from a hollow
log. There were numerous other saws on the grounds, too.
We threshed Saturday and Sunday in spite of intermitant showers.
We baled right after to keep the straw dry. We have a Case wire
tire portable baler. Our expert baler men weren’t there when we
began so we had some wierd bales. 3′, 4′ 6′ and 7′
bales were not uncommon. By the end of the demonstration we were
doing much better.
Dave Shearns and Jack Schilbe had their Rumleys on the stone
crusher. During the weekend they went through quite a pile of
stone.
There was a lot of action this year. There was grinding,
shelling, churning, pumping and washing machine demonstrations.
Saturday the models started pouring in and we had to rush out
and rent a bigger compressor to handle the extra load. There were
some very beautiful ones this year and a lot of them ran under
their own power.
Other clubs represented here were Central New York Chapter of
P.G.E.A., Southern Tier Antique Gas and Steam Association, Chemung
Valley Old Timers, Tioga Early Days, Williams Grove and Pageant of
Steam.
Quite a few flea markets and other sales were going on. Our
auction was good this year with consignment selling too. We had a
cake booth raffling off homemade goodies donated by the ladies of
the club. Our ice cream and confection stand was taken care of by
Howard and Harriet Wakeman who also took care of the campers who
were numerous.
The Fairville Fire Department Ladies Auxillery had their food
concession, also serving a breakfast to the early risers.
Craftsmen were busy on the grounds – the Dornbergers
‘Rolling Rock Shop’ with handcrafter jewelry; Carol Swank
spinning homegrown wool to yarn; Al Tichy’s lathe momentos and
others.
The headquarters pavillion housed flea markets, models and our
souveniers and our Secretary, Mary Sanders who registered
equipment, took memberships, etc., in spite of losing her husband,
Wilfred the week before.
Thursday and Friday we had steamed sweet corn done by Frank
Orbaker’s Frick. A square dance was held on Friday and Saturday
evening.
Our Queen was Dolly Salerno, and our first princess was Missy
Hunt.
The Graves engine display from Camden, New York, won the
‘Best Display’ award.
The parades kept coming with most of the tractors, trucks and
cars on the grounds. There were rides for the kids, slow races,
etc.
I’m very proud to have served as President for such a great
bunch of engine collectors.
