By the time this is read, CPM’s terrific June show will be history; but such wonderful history it is! Having cancelled the 2020 June show due to the Covid pandemic, everyone was anxiously awaiting the decision for this year. Thankfully for widespread vaccinations, the dreaded disease ebbed, and we are able to have the show. What a great show it was! With the nice weather, there was an atmosphere of pleasant relaxation across the grounds. We were so happy to see all our friends again!

Our grounds opened on Tuesday at noon for exhibitors and sellers to enter and set up their displays. By late afternoon, the grounds had many displays being set up with a spirit of enthusiasm for the days ahead.

Wednesday morning greeted me with a delicious plate full of sausage, eggs, and taters — all fried hard. It was a good start for the day as I had to work the gate to greet all our guests. It was so nice to renew old friendships and make new ones. That is the best part of our engine passion! While enjoying the breakfast, I reflected on our faithful food vendors: K&S Concessions, The Pulled Pork, Villella’s Meats, and Dana’s Dogs and Burgers. All the vendors were busy. All the attendees were pleased with the great food and service.

We were happy to welcome a new vendor, Creekside Kettle Corn, which does it the old fashioned way, sweet and salty. Yummy, it was tasty, and fun to watch a batch being made. Welcome to Knight and Amanda Clark!

Of course, the Lions Club was here and Gary Burkett was busy selling all kinds of brooms to benefit so many in our community. Great job! My wife, Marilyn, loves the broom she bought.

Getting off front gate duty on Wednesday, I hurried down to the Preston Foster Hall for the usual engineers’ meeting conducted by President Kieth Monnier. This is necessary for all to have a good and safe event. But then, there was a surprise for me! Russel Farmer, founder of the Oil Field Engine Society (OFES), introduced Jim Rush as their Grand Master. It got even better when the Grand Master called me up and presented a donation for a memorial brick for the new Air Blast Injection Diesel Building. Wow! I graciously accepted and humbly bowed to him. I thank all the members of OFES everywhere!


The show officially started on Thursday, and I was on gate duty again. It was busy with a steady stream of visitors who I enjoyed chatting with. Probably the best part of our show is making new friends and revisiting old ones. That’s what makes CPM so special.



Our fields manager, Jake Faith, along with John Hanley, did a superb job on the grounds. Jake is always “Faithful” to us and his attire is so unique. We appreciate you both.

As I drove a Gator around the grounds, I discovered so many unique and wonderful engines on display. I’ve never seen anything like it.

Probably the most unique engine that I have ever seen is this Sorg, owned by Ed Laginess and restored and operated by Marv Hedberg. He patiently explained all the details to me. It runs so well and is a delight to see. CPM appreciates your efforts to display and operate it for our show. Thanks again!

Friday was another great day. After greeting many more at the gate, I had a special treat. Last fall, I had given Kyle Kintner, a rail car enthusiast, my “paddy” car that I saved from a scrap yard in 1967. It looked like a horrible job but he liked it and promised to display it this year, and indeed he did! I even got to operate it about 100 feet on the gravel. I was thrilled!

Jim Rush abandoned his role as Grand Master of the OFES and did a remarkable job on our 3-cylinder 90hp Westinghouse gas engine. This is probably the largest of the few that survived. Located beside it, we have a 60hp twin-cylinder example that is operational. Both were donated many years ago by Blawnox Rolls in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Mark Rembis and his wife did a wonderful job with the Witte Dieselectric and applied load testing to it, demonstrating its capabilities. It is located in the John Kline Generation building.

Gordon Jones did an excellent job selling bricks to benefit the new Air Blast Injection Building. We certainly thank all those who purchased, there will be an impressive display for all to enjoy.

An enjoyable moment on the busy Friday afternoon was the dedication of the Pete Shaffer Field. Pete and I grew up together here in Coolspring, and he was involved with the engines long before the museum was formed. When he was no longer able to do that, he drove the shuttle cart and enjoyed visiting will all the guests. Pete, you are sadly missed!

Reid Wellman gave a fantastic presentation about Miller engines, our theme this year. It was held in the Coolspring Presbyterian Church and the building was packed. I wish it could be that way on Sundays! After that, the grounds were alive with an evening engine runs; it seems so special to see them operate after dark. A delightful way to end the perfect day!

Reflecting back, there were so many wonderful exhibits and happenings that it was hard to keep up with it all. I realize I missed a lot and truly apologize to those omitted in this article. Everyone is equally important here at CPM in making our event special. I thank everyone!

Everything slowed down on Saturday as many of our guests had left for their long sojourn home. It was time to start the clean-up, with so much to put away until the next event. All our volunteers did an excellent job making everything look calm and serene. Then, we relaxed for the evening in anticipation of the coming Volunteer Dinner. It was good, catered by Shannon’s Catering, who provided a scrumptious array of food to please everyone’s palates.

Kieth Monnier gave the opening
remarks at the volunteer dinner.
Our president, Kieth Monnier, provided the opening remarks and offered the prayer. Then, everyone dug in. The food was endless and absolutely delicious. We were all provided with boxes to take home for the next day. Following was a leisurely evening of relaxing and chatting. Everyone was in awe of the tremendous success of our show!
Someone shouted, “There is a rainbow.” It was a great sign to the success of Coolspring Power Museum. I hope you will all return to enjoy the next event.
Dr. Paul Harvey is a regular contributor to Gas Engine Magazine as well as the founder of Coolspring Power Museum. He can be emailed at engdoc8@gmail.com.