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WMAT&MA NEWS
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2004 News Letter
- BUZZ IS GONE. The community and our club have been dealt a terrible blow.
Buzz Hellwig passed away Saturday, November 13th. Buzz was a Charter member of WMAT MA
and has been one of the staples of this organization since its inception. It is no
exaggeration to say that Buzz will be missed by everyone. Buzz had a part in nearly
every thing you see at Frontier Village. Buzz served on the board of directors for many years.
- LONG TIME MEMBER, BILL THOMAS passed away Sunday, December 12th at his home.
Bill always operated the Atlas steam engine at the mill house for us. He was certainly a
master with steam. His knowledge of engines seemed endless. John Raines and Bill were the
ones that restored our Collins steam truck. This club will always miss Bill Thomas.
- AL. Alfred Tenholder passed away Saturday December 18th. No one in the antique tractor
show circuit, for many states away could hear Al Tenholder’s name and not think of WMAT MA in Adrian.
He was President of our club from 1991 to 1997 and promoted our club far and wide. For most of the
clubs 28 years (since 1976) the time Al was not President, he served as a board member. His funeral
will be at St Patrick Church in Butler Dec 22nd, 10:00am. We will miss him so much.
We have just lost three remarkable men. The combined contributions to this organization from them
would be nearly immeasurable. They were my friends and I will miss them all greatly.
- CHILI SUPPER. The fund raiser held October 23rd was a huge success! This was held
exclusively to fund the railroad and the wonderful support was definitely appreciated. They
received about $1400.00 which will net them about $1000.00. Those funds will be used for
additions and upgrades of the railroad. Mainly, they need more new cars and some track replacement.
- CHRISTMAS LIGHT DETAIL went very well. We did not have enough smart Christmas light
putter-uppers for each crew to have one, but we got them up anyway. Frank was missed, but his
instructions were of great value.
- ANNUAL MEETING. 65 attended to enjoy a very good meal in the Frontier Village Center.
Many thanks to our wonderful ladies. About 45 members met at the office for our election of
officers meeting. Results are as follows, Bill Thurman President; Steve Doody VP; Secretary Doug Davis;
Richard Griffith Treasurer. Four were elected to a two-year team on the board. Bob Highley, RD Essenpries,
Ed Arndt and Delbert Watts.
- Much discussion about the flea market with not too much head way gained as Red and Sandy Lear
had decided to step down. They had decided to step down due to health issues. Since that meeting
they have reconciled and are back on board and ready to go.
- The 2006 show gate fee will be raised to $5.00. Our gate fee had been $3.00 for 26 years,
The 2005 gate fee will stay $3.00 per day because the show bills are already out and
advertising set.
- Jim LaRose will take the car show again this year.
- WEB SITE. If you want something neat to look at, go to our site www.wmatma.com and click on “kids day”.
Kevin has added lots of photos of the event. And on the subject of Internet, if you have a E mail address,
won’t you please send it to Kevin at webmaster@wmatma.com or Duane Craig at ducraig@earthlink.net ?
Do your part to save your club postage.
- HOT CHOCOLATE AND SANTA NIGHT. What a great evening it was! If anyone has questions,
as to whom we (WMAT&MA) really are. I think kid’s day and Hot chocolate night would be the answer.
Sure it was COLD, but those kids didn’t care a bit! Most faces had a red nose and a big smile on them.
The Ladies ran out of cookies and hot chocolate and had prepared enough for 500. We were not short on rides,
however. There were many choices for our guests to choose from. Santa was great and the rides were perfect.
The Lion’s club brought all the candy and fruit to the Center at just the perfect time for Santa to
hand it out to the kids. Most of our lights were working. The lights are not exactly as they were when Frank
was baby sitting it, but we didn’t do too bad. I think the Christmas music playing around the Village
were a good addition and many thanks to all those that provided the tapes to play. Many thanks to all
that made this a wonderful “family” event.
- DUES are due anytime now. They are $25.00 per year and you may mail them to Duane Craig,
1001 Country Club Drive, Butler, Mo 64730 or give them to any board member and Duane can send you a
membership card when he receives the money. Try to pick out a board member who looks somewhat trustworthy.
- CHANGES FOR 2005 SHOW! The City of Adrian gave permission to expand our show grounds fence
south 150 yards. We will make this Flea market area. The markets and crafts will also keep the two
open sheds for those that need cover. The horses will be moved to the “Bill’s Barn” area to give them
more room. Gas Engine people will still get Main Street for their displays. Any Gas engine folks that
need to live in a RV with their engines will have an open area near the old railroad acreage.
- BLACKSMITH’S REQUEST. If you have any extra stock steel left after a project, leave it by
the blacksmith shop in a pile.
- NEW OFFICE Bill Thurman appointed Matt Cobern to head up a new position. He will be our
new member promotion chairman. He will look for new ways to attract new working members to our group.
He will actively seek out young members that we need so badly!
- NEW BOARD MEETING DATES. Starting with January, club meetings will be the first Saturday
night each month starting at 7pm and ending by 8pm. If needed, any executive meetings will be held
following that. This change was deemed necessary because some of the board members could not make week
night meetings due to conflicts. Next meeting will be Saturday, January one!
I sincerely hope each one of you may have the best Christmas you possibly can. Also, let our prayers
be for the families of those we have lost .
See you Saturday night,
Don Arndt
- UPCOMING VILLAGE EVENTS:
Board Meeting --- Saturday January 1, 2005 7 pm.
Swap Meet --- March 18, 19, 2005
27th annual Steam and Gas Engine Show --- July 22, 23, 24 2005
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