52341 875 Road, Winnetoon, Nebraska 68789
In collecting my old grinders, burr mills, washing machines,
sickle grinders and all the other belt driven machines, also old
gas engines and all their accessories, I decided to share them with
someone besides old iron people.
I had been going to care centers for the elderly in northeast
Nebraska for several years, sharing old tools, cooking utensils,
etc.
One day I asked the director if I could bring in my old Dexter
washing machine. It would be fine, they said, but when you go
outdoors, the weather has to be decent.
When we finally got a nice day, I set up the washing machine and
Rock Island gas engine. It brought back memories to the women, as
many had washed clothes with a similar machine.
The men enjoyed the grinders and anything along that line. One
time I brought a forge and fired it up and showed them old tools
used in making iron gimicks.
I get lots of satisfaction out of doing this, and more people
might try it.
I know there are lots of nice collections out there, lots better
than anything I have, and those older people really appreciate
that, as they relate to these things. Most of the people are in
that 80-100 year old bracket, and that gets them talking about old
times. I even pick up some ideas from them once in a while, as they
describe how it was done way back when.
So, to all my collector friends, good luck!
