409 Sheridan Dr. Eldridge, Iowa 52748
It seems once you’ve tried a Minneapolis-Moline you’re a
fan forever. At least the memory is always there. Thus groups of
Minneapolis-Moline enthusiasts began to gather to share their
mutual interest.
In 1986 in order for more of the people to share in the
organizing and background work needed to put on these get-togethers
a group met, drew up the by-laws and so started ‘THE
MINNEAPOLIS-MOLINE COLLECTORS’. And the club is now
incorporated in the state of Iowa and a tax-exempt status is being
worked on.
An excellent magazine, ‘The M-M Corresponder’ was
already being published by Roger Mohr, Vail, Iowa. With his
cooperation all club news and announcements are included in the
‘Corresponder.’ Subscription is $13.00 a year for four
issues with $1.00 of that going to the club treasury, which makes
you a club member. Or $1.00 gives voting rights to a member who
does not wish to receive the magazine.
Currently the club plans two conventions a year. The Winter one
will be held on the last weekend in February and a summer one in
connection with an established show which will feature M-M. Two
very successful summer shows were held at Cedar Falls, Iowa and
Waverly, Nebraska. 1989 summer show will be at Marshalltown, Iowa
the first weekend of August. The first winter convention at
Madison, Wisconsin was a huge success. 1989 winter show is being
planned for Sidney, Ohio Feb. 24 and, 25. It will begin with a
plant tour of White Farm Equipment, of Cold-water, Ohio. Saturday
includes farm tours, an auction and banquet.
The membership roll includes fans from almost all the states and
several . foreign countries. Last year four members from England
visited and thoroughly enjoyed the many fine collections, and
invited everyone to ‘come and see us’, and some may bloody
well do that!
The members collections vary greatly, some prefer the older
Minneapolis tractors, or the Twin Cities. Others revel in the M-M
of the thirties and forties. Some collections are large in numbers,
some small, some beautifully restored, some in the ‘someday
stage’. Some start out with just a memory of that old
‘Z’ Dad had or the ‘J’ Grandpa farmed with. But
soon they acquire one and thoroughly enjoy finding parts, paint,
etc. to restore it to it’s old glory. They seldom stop with
just one!
One of the many things they have in common is sharing their
enthusiasm in the fun of collecting anything connected with M-M.
Vacations are planned around the conventions, trips include stops
to see other members collections, and any journey into the
countryside includes a watchful eye on the look-out for that speck
of ‘Prairie Gold’ sticking out of a building or ‘bone
yard’!
Want to join the fun? Write or call Dan Shima, 409 Sheridan Dr.,
Eldridge, Iowa 52748 (319)285-9407, or Marvin Koch, 3848 W. Yoder
Rd. Freeport, Illinois 61032 (815)563-4493.
