Forest Grove Trailer Park ,Ontario N.Y. 14519
Summer has come and gone: it seemed very short, as I guess all of the seasons seem as we grow older. We had the much needed rains that were so scarce a year ago. In fact, it rained about every day there for a while. It seemed that they would never end. Now after a few weeks of dryness, we would welcome a rainy day.
As winter approaches, it means the end of another summer of the gas and steam annual reunions and get togethers. The men of the family will surely miss them. They would like one every week. Now with winter coming on, they will read and re-read the magazines and relive the summer shows.
Paul and I took in five shows this summer. Four of them were within a radius of 125 miles of home. At each of these, we see many of the same familiar faces. Our own Pioneer Gas Engine Association, Inc. show at Fairville was first. We were bothered with some rain, but we had a very successful show with more equipment displayed than before.
The next weekend, was the second Reunion of the Tioga Early Days, Inc. at Mansfield, Pa. It rained the first two days, but Saturday and Sunday were nice. They, too, had a bigger show than the year before.
Next came the New York State Steam Engine Ass’n., Inc. Pagent of Steam at Canandaigua. Rain plagued this show also, but from all reports, they had as large a crowd as ever. We saw the Ritz-man’s there, and were very glad they were able to be present.
The last show we attended, was the first annual rally of the new Western New York Pioneer Gas and Steam Engine Ass’n. at Alexander. They did real well and had some local equipment which doesn’t show up at the other New
York shows. Of course the old standbys who go and display at all of the shows were there with bells on. As I said before, these men and women are real enthusiasts and will go anywhere, anytime, within 125 miles to see a gas engine run or a steam engine fired up.
On our vacation, we traveled 500 miles to a show, the Brookville Community Picnic and Steam Engine Show, at Brookville, Ohio. This is a little different from our local shows, in that it is a one day affair, starting about noon. Most of the entire town closes up for the afternoon and everyone goes to the Park. There is something there for everyone, from kiddie rides, talent shows, to a horse show. Of course, we were interested in the engines. Paul saw some steamers and tractors, which are found only in the Mid-west, and that he had never seen before. An outstanding event, in our opinion, was the garden tractor pull. It attracted a very large crowd. We had never seen one before, but we understand they are quite common in that part of the country. We would like to know more about them. Do any of you have any information which you would like to send us? The day went all to fast. We met some very nice people, and the Edison Troutman’s and Kenneth Mears’ made us feel very much at home.
Ideal Model ‘R’ no. J29321, ‘T’ coil ignition hit and miss. Owned by my wife and daughter. 11′ diameter flywheels. Believe it to be about 1 Hp. Now it is the time for the annual meetings, when the past year will be reviewed, new officers elected and plans started for the coming year.
At our house, we have a new looking mobile home on the outside. Yes, it was finally painted, after a summer of wondering if the painter could work it into his busy schedule Paul has restored a gas engine. It looks and runs like new. On our Ohio trip, we went to the C. S. Bell Co. in Hillsboro, and picked up a burr grinder. Now, he is going to belt the Double Z Briggs and Stratton engine to the grinder and make some corn meal. So you can see that I will have to do some baking. It is real good and has a different taste than that bought in a store.
Here is a receipe for corn bread which is very good:
1 cup corn meal, 1 cup sifted flour, ? cup sugar, ? teaspoon salt, 4 teaspoons baking powder, 1 egg, 1 cup milk, ? cup soft shortening. Sift together dry ingredients into bowl. Add egg, milk, and shortening. Beat with egg beater until smooth, about 1 minute. Do not over-beat. Bake in greased 8 in. square pan or greased muffin pans in hot oven (425/ degrees) 20-25 minutes.
Paul and I both wish you all a very happy Holiday Season. Here is a bit of advise to remember-‘When you encounter stumbling blocks along the way, step on them and go ahead.’
My son, John Neitzel, with his engines. On ground is 1? Hp Economy no. 262234. On cart, left to right are Fairbanks Morse ‘Z’ no. 296779, 1? Hp. hit and miss. Sears Farm Master 2 Hp. no. A6423 made by Cushman, 1934.
6 Hp. Fairmont no. QB no. 32811, 2 cycle, reversible. ‘T’ coil ignition. An old section car engine
Economy 6 Hp. no. 12871, XK throttle governed, Wico magneto, ignition, magneto removed.
What is it? An upside down ‘V’ Twin. ‘T’ coil ignition. Owner unknown. Taken at Toledo, Washington Threshing Bee in August of 1967.