6 Windward Drive, Severna Park, Maryland 21146
One of the best run gas engine shows in the entire USA has to be
Arcadia. Last year’s show (11-14 September) was no exception
and judging from the crowds, number of exhibitors, gas engines,
steam, gasoline and diesel tractors, saw mills, shingle mills,
antique machinery, flea market dealers, etc., a lot of people must
agree; Arcadia gets bigger and better every year.
This year there were 640 gas engines, 160 tractors and 16
miscellaneous displays. This count doesn’t include the large
number of antique cars. There were 335 registered gas engine
exhibitors. There was a very large flea market with contents
ranging from tools to antiques of all types. Many of the flea
marketers have been long time participants at Arcadia.
The gas engine parts dealers are located in the gas engine area
at Arcadia rather than in the general flea market area.
The third thing that sets Arcadia apart from other gas engine
shows is the Gordon & Margaret Warehime family. Donald Warehime
runs the gas engine part of the show in a way that makes everyone
pleased to be there. His wife Anna and their daughter Denise handle
the gas engine registration. Kenny, Michael and Matt, Denny, Bonnie
and Dwayne and Steve and Ruth Smith all pitch in to make the show a
success. The Warehime family have managed the gas engine portion of
the Arcadia show for many years. They make everyone feel welcome
and go to great pains to make space available to one and all, be
they early or late arrivals.
There is an almost endless list of engine restorers who have had
the good luck to know Bill Starkey, his wife Donna and son, Billy.
The photo of Bill, son Billy and ‘Max’ will also give an
idea of the beautiful weather we had this year. Without dealers
like Starbolt, one wonders what restorers would do for those hard
to find parts. All the dealers in new and used parts seem to avoid
too much duplication of each others inventory. This makes it easier
for restorers to locate that special part.
The picture of Dave and Lynne Reed with sons, Kenny and Brian
reveals that the Otto Gas Engine Works is more than an ad in GEM.
Many die-hard Arcadia exhibitors turn up at Dave and Lynn’s the
weekend following Arcadia. The Otto Gas Engine Works show is
attended principally by gas engine and tractor collectors which
makes it a great show for serious restorers and collectors.
Bill Debolt had an interesting display of his Witte headless
engine (1/2 scale 2 HP) castings and
kits.
John and Mary Ritter had their outstanding assortment of new,
used and reproduction parts.
Bob Lefever was there with his extensive offerings of tractor
fenders, hoods, etc.
Anyone needing John Deere parts needn’t worry about finding
the right part with Wayne and Nancy Shankle on the scene.
For Briggs & Stratton buffs, Carl Martin had an excellent
supply of those hard to find and so necessary bits and pieces.
One of the greatest problems many gas engine restorers have is
correct engine timing and adjustment. Gordon Warehime is always
pleased to discuss ‘fine tuning’ adjustments that can
really make an old engine run like the day it left the factory. If
Gordon or one of his sons doesn’t know the particular engine
they can generally find someone who does. Newcomers to gas engines
only have to ask and someone will know the little secret that
works.
Young and old exhibitors are all welcomed at Arcadia. Among this
year’s young collectors we were pleased to have Aron Gorrell,
14 years old from Pylesville, Maryland, with three engines he
restored.
David Barry is a long time Arcadia exhibitor of marine engines.
This year he had his ‘old reliable’ circa 1920’s RW-1
Palmer running like a watch with that sound only an old time marine
one lunger makes.
Charles Taylor’s display of beautifully restored antique
small engines has to be seen to appreciate the polished brass and
bright colors. Charley also has a lot of fun putting working
‘Rube Goldberg’ engines together out of hibachis, old lamp
bases and all sorts of odd junk. His creations are not only
beautiful but they work incredibly well.
For Maytag lovers, the Charles Sullivan family are ‘into
Maytags.’ ‘Charley Maytag’ has a magnificient display
with lots of different types of Maytags. Some of the Maytags were
never seen by the Maytag factory! All are beautifully restored and
arranged for interesting display. If you need advice on Maytags,
the Sullivans are hard to beat. One had to see their ‘Maytag
Seed’ to understand the extent of their collection.
William Severn of Baltimore is a very long standing exhibitor at
Arcadia and other shows in this region. His Leader engines are
beautifully restored and are always a source of much favorable
comment. Bill is a wonderful person who personifies gas engine
enthusiasts.
No write up on Arcadia would be complete without mentioning Mr.
& Mrs. Charles Hooker. The Hookers have been active at Arcadia
since 1965. Mrs. Hooker is one of the stalwarts who have made the
food service such a success at Arcadia for these many years. Try
the bean soup!
George and Pauline Neal were at their usual spot next to the
kitchen with their excellent selection of books, pamphlets,
magazines, etc., all devoted to antique engines, machinery,
automobiles, etc. They are always helpful and make everyone
welcome.
You will find Chet Haack of Baltimore at the soft drink stand.
Chet not only dispenses soft drinks but has his beautifully made
model gas engine running on the counter. How’s that for
entertaining thirsty gas engine buffs?
It is always a big event when the Love Brothers from
Canandaigua, New York, arrive with a trailer load of gas engines
looking for a new home. They seem to have an inexhaustible supply
of nifty old engines and other related artifacts.
For those not familiar with Arcadia, Thursday and Friday are
when many of the die-hard engine restorers arrive. A lot of engines
and parts change hands, old friendships are renewed and new ones
are made and the large crowds haven’t arrived yet. Saturday and
Sunday are the big days for the flea market and crowd pleasers such
as the antique car and tractor parades, shingle mill, rock crusher,
Baker fan, sawmill, blacksmithing, etc. operations.
By 7 p.m. on Sunday the grounds are all but deserted and another
great Arcadia show is over but not forgotten.