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WMAT&MA NEWS
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2005 News Letter
- PERRY REXROAD. Perry Passed away January 29th at the age of 90 after a long illness.
Perry was very active in WMAT MA for many years. He served us well as president from 1982 through
1986 during some of our club’s most aggressive growth. Perry was president when we were looking to
expand and seek our own property to hold shows on. Something more permanent for us to build on.
He was the driving force behind us getting the land leased from the City where Frontier Village
now sits. Perry has probably been best known in Village circles as the slow race champion with his
F-12 Farmall. Perry won every race he ever entered with that tractor, even the one at last years
show. He was very ill and needed help to mount the machine, but drove like the old pro he was.
It is easy to say that WMAT MA would not look like it does had it not been for Perry’s leadership
at that time in our history. The club has lost one of the true builders and designers of
Frontier Village and a real friend.
- ANOTHER LOSS Some of you might remember George Bradshaw. I received word he had
passed away last month. George was a member for several years, but not in the last few since his health diminished.
- DONATIONS Adrian Bank presented a check to us for $500.00 to be used wherever needed.
After a disappointing 2004 show (weather wise) income, this is a most appreciated gift.
- Bill Parrish brought down a load of new steel for use in manufacture of more railroad cars.
RD said that Bill doubled the list he needed and then donated the entire load. Rd and his crew
have built 4 new cars this winter and with this last pile of steel they are planning on 2 more.
The South Prairie railroad train is 75 ft long now and Curtis’s train is about 40 feet long.
- The family of Rolly Ford gave us his hand operated drill press with a full set of bits.
- The Al Tenholder family presented us with $1020.00 that was given in his name at the funeral.
The board ear marked that gift for the addition to the Museum that Al wanted so badly.
The board decided to get a roof up first and then enclose it as funds became available. Darrel,
Jim, Kenny and Mark have offered to give the lion’s share of labor needed to complete the project.
- BUCKLES-BUTTONS-PLAQUES Our buttons and plaques are in and ready for the show.
I think you’ll like them. The buckles are here and they are great looking. They remain $15.00
and I have them at my shop in Adrian. I will also take them to the meetings so everyone will
have a chance to get theirs. As always, I will hold all assigned serial numbers for you until
Friday of the show, then they are all for sale. Be sure and get yours before then.
- AG DAY This board of directors is chasing a lot of fresh new ideas to recruit
new working members. These guys are making changes that will hopefully insure our very survival
as a functioning club. They have made a decision to give a full membership to high school
Ag (FFA and related) members so they can get hands on and see what we are and hopefully
find and interest in our goals. This free membership will run until their 18th birthday.
Along these same lines, we have started a new project. Monday, April 25th will be our first
AG day at the Village. This will be something like our KIDS day only much more advanced classes.
There should be a lot of one on one visits, so we will need lots of bodies in attendance.
Some of these young people will like what they see. I’m sure a few of them will become good
help during our show. This day will give them a chance to figure out what area they are
interested in. Schools invited are: Adrian, Archie, Ballard, Miami and Butler. We are
looking for about 200 young people.
- WARNING. If you work with Tim Hummel around old iron, stay alert. While throwing parts
out of boxes, Bob Highley was struck in the jaw with a large hunk of steel. I don’t believe
malice was the intent, but the wound looked bad. Bob was able to make it into the last meeting,
but you could tell he was hiding a lot of pain. Even when we are excited about new junk, lets all be careful.
- SUPPER AND MEETING. March 5th at 7:00pm we will eat in the Center. This is pot luck,
so bring a covered dish with your service and enjoy. Meetings for each club will follow the meal.
If you have not paid your dues, this would be a good time to do so.
- NEW SHOW DATE SET FOR ‘06. After many long hours of meetings, discussions and coordinating
with other clubs, the board has decided to change our show date to the last week end in June.
This was most likely the biggest discussion a WMAT MA board has had to make since we decided
to put on a show back in ‘78, and they did not take it lightly. The main reason for the change,
of course, is the heat. Given the average age of our members and the fact that at about 10am
each morning during the show we hear, “see you about 6 tonight, I’m heading for the AC”.
A hand full of members would look around and find that we were very short-handed. There will
be problems with the change and your board knows that, but if we work together, we will be successful.
- WORK DAY. Saturday, February 19th will be our first work day of the year.
Taking down Christmas lights, among other things, will be on the agenda.
Meet you at the village,
Don Arndt
- UPCOMING EVENTS:
March Meeting and Supper --- Saturday March 5, 2005 7 pm.
The BUZZ HELLWIG ESTATE SALE --- Saturday March 12, 2005
Swap Meet --- March 18, 19, 2005
Work Days --- (every Satuday in June)
27th annual Steam and Gas Engine Show --- July 22, 23, 24 2005
28th annual Steam and Gas Engine Show --- June 23, 24, 25 2006
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