Sadly, for everyone’s safety we’ve had to make the difficult decision to cancel this year’s show. (The St. Joe County Fair has also been cancelled.) The tractor caravan that typically occurs the Thursday before the show is still on.  Stay healthy and safe, and we’ll see you next year!

Meetings Reminder

Saturday, April 18th, 6:00 PM, CANCELLED
Saturday, May 16th, 6:00 PM, SEE BELOW
Saturday, June 20th, 6:00 PM
Location: United Methodist Church in Three Rivers at 215 N. Main St.

PLEASE NOTE: April 18th Club Meeting

HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE COVID 19 RESTRICTIONS.

THE MAY CLEAN-UP AND SWAP MEET HAVE ALSO BEEN CANCELLED

John Steiner talked to the St. Joe County Health Department about having the swap meet. They said it should be cancelled. You may contact Amy at the Health Department at 269-273-2161 ext. 241 if you have any health question. If you have club questions, you may call Tim Rossman at 269-319-1215, David Machan, 269-625-7232 or any other officer or board member.

MAY 16TH CLUB MEETING will be held ONLY if the Governor has lifted the travel ban and the limit on how many people can congregate.

Newsletters are being mailed to everyone even if they hadn’t paid 2020 dues; however you will not receive further newsletters unless your dues have been paid. Dues can be paid at meetings or by mail. Send check made out to St. Joe Valley Old Engine Association to Judy Hollister, 3220 Detroit Rd., Niles, MI. 49120. $8.00 for 18 years and older, $1.00 for 17 years and younger.

Feature tractors for our 60^th annual show in 2020 are Oliver and Cletrac.
Feature garden tractor is Bantam.

A BIG “THANK YOU” goes out to Tom Miller for paying for the club’s tent at the Centreville fair in 2019.

February Meeting Notes

A change in the by-laws was passed clarifying the Treasurer position. A motion to hold summer meetings at the church was proposed and passed.

Mackinac Bridge Crossing

The bridge crossing is September 11th. Registration is open online. You can register by mail, also. Contact Terry Bowlby at 269-445-7210.

Decatur, Michigan Plow Day

Contact Robbie Laporte at 269-228-6158 closer to the date to see if it is still being held. Plow day is scheduled for April 18th at 10:00 AM located at 89701 54th St., Decatur, Mi.-that is the corner of M51 and 54th st. All tractors/plows are welcome.

Parade Schedules (if not cancelled)

Three Rivers Water Festival Parade is Thursday, June 18th, 7:00 pm. step-off (Storm date is Friday June 19th, 2020). A club entry fee of $20.00 is due May 22nd. On- line form says more than 3 vehicles must fill out a 2nd entry. Entries are limited first 80 received.

Constantine Parade is July 4th. No other information available on their website. Check online.

Sturgis Electric Parade is June 26th. Line-up is 9:00 pm and step-off at 9:30 pm on June 26th. Must complete a form on line at www.sturgisfestmi.com by 6/15/2020.

White Pigeon Days are July 10 – 12. If you would like your event in the White Pigeon Days schedule, please message them directly.

Centreville Covered Bridge Days are July 17-18th. The Theme is ” Bull Dog Pride: Celebrating Centreville”. The parade is Saturday, July 18th. Line-up is at 4:00 PM and step-off is at 5:00 PM. An entry form is due June 26th.

Schoolcraft: 2020 schedule is not listed.

Mendon Riverfest: No info online. Just says, “Event information may be out of date due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Confirm details with event organizers.”

Burr Oak Days will be in July newsletter.

Important Meetings Change

We have a new meeting place as of January 2020 at the United Methodist Church in Three Rivers at 215 N. Main St across from 5th/3rd bank. Meeting here will save the club money. For January through March, meeting is 2:30 on the 3rd Sunday of the month.

2020 FEATURE TRACTOR:
OLIVER & CLETRAC

WEATHER ALERT

Our meetings will be cancelled if, on that day, the State or County closes roads due to weather conditions. Club officers have the option to cancel a meeting due to bad weather even if the roads
aren’t officially closed. If you have questions call Tim Rossman 269-651-4878 or David Machan 269-625-7232.

Our Club’s 60th Anniversary Year

Let’s make it a good show! We will no doubt be ordering T-shirts. Keep in mind size and quantity you would like. No design has been approved as of this writing.

DUES

Dues are $1.00 for children 17 years and under and $8.00 for all others. We operate on a calendar year basis for dues. They can be paid by mail or at meetings. If we haven’t received your dues for 2020 by April 1st you will not receive future newsletters. You must be a paid up member to vote. To pay dues by mail, make your check payable to St. Joe Valley Old Engine Association and mail it to Judy Hollister, 3220 Detroit Rd., Niles, Mi. 49120.

Extra work days may be announced at meetings.

FOR SALE

1937 IH F-20, full steel $1,200.00
1939 IH F14 restored $1,200.00
1939 IH A restored, $1,200.00
Contact Jim Brown 269-279-9046.

Financials will be included in a future newsletter.

MEETINGS REMINDER

Saturday, Oct. 19th 6:00 pm
Saturday, Nov. 16th 6:00 pm-See change below
Saturday, Dec. 7th 6:30 CHRISTMAS PARTY
Location: Lion’s Club House,
420 6th Ave., Three Rivers, Mi.

2020 FEATURE TRACTOR:
OLIVER & CLETRAC

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

will take place at the October meeting. Your dues must be current to vote and/or run for office.

NOVEMBER CHANGE

There will be no bake/craft sale. The club voted not to have them. This is something that could change in the future if club members decide to have it again.

CHRISTMAS PARTY

We will celebrate the holidays together December 7 at 6:30 at the Lion’s club house. Bring your own plates/silverware and a dish to pass. If you wish to participate in the gift exchange, bring a gift for a man if you’re a man and woman if you’re a woman. Mark it accordingly. If you wish your child to participate, bring a gift for a child so marked. No other meeting is scheduled for Dec.

JANUARY MEETING

The January 2020 meeting will be Sunday, January 19th at 2:30 at the Lion’s club. The January newsletter may be late due to the inclusion of financial data.

CLUB ACTIVITIES UPDATES

A BIG “THANK YOU” to all who came on the extra work day before the show. It was well attended and a lot was accomplished.

27 tractors participated in the 55 mile tractor tour before the show this year. The route was completed with no breakdowns and no one had to be towed. We had some first time participants who said it was fun.

The August show was a success. The registered counts were 186 tractors, 91 garden tractors, 9 stationary engines and 24 others. New this year were 4 rail cars and 1/3 scale operating case steam engine and hay raker. A HUGE “THANK YOU” to all who helped, especially in the food shoppe. See drone picture taken by Dick Reynolds at end of newsletter. The Mackinac bridge crossing included 1168 tractors. 34 of those tractors with 17 buddy riders were from our club. Some rain during the ride didn’t deter them. All went well.

We displayed 90 tractors and 32 garden tractors at the Centreville Fair. Many children had their picture taken on a tractor just for that occasion. Thanks to our members, we had lots and lots of food and fun. 30 of our tractors, led by Fred Henningsen, participated in 3-4 mile tractor ride Saturday. Another big ‘THANK YOU’ to all who helped set up, tear down and helped in the kitchen tent. See drone picture taken by Dick Reynolds.

 

FOR SALE

1945 John Deere B. Contact Terry Bowlby 269-445-7210.

2020 DUES

($8.00 for 18 yrs. and older, $1.00 for 17 yrs. and under) can be paid at meetings or send a check made out to St. Joe Valley Old Engine Association to Judy Hollister, 3220 Detroit Rd., Niles, MI 49120

MEETINGS REMINDER

July 20th, meeting changed to show grounds – bring lawn chair
Aug 17th, 6:00 pm
Sept, no meeting – St. Joe County Fair

Location: Lion’s Club House, 420 6th Ave., Three Rivers, Mi.

The feature tractor for the 59^th annual tractor show in 2019 will be Rumley and Allis Chalmers.

SHOW CLEAN-UP: EXTRA DAY SCHEDULED

July 20th beginning at 8:00 AM will be a clean up day at the show grounds. THIS DOES NOT REPLACE THE REGULAR CLEAN UP ON JULY 27TH. Needed are a few painters to paint the registration booth and food booth & patch holes. Call Tim if you can help paint, 269-651-4878. Supplies needed; paint rollers/trays, pails or coffee cans, brushes, step ladder. Also, some workers needed to remove cement pillars, move the Baker Fan, etc. A sandwich meat tray will be furnished by the club for the workers. You may bring a side dish if you wish. The July club meeting will take place at the show grounds at 1:00 on the 20th instead of 6:00.

SHOW CLEAN-UP

Clean-up for the show will be Saturday, July 27th. If needed, it will be continued on the 28th. We will have a pot luck meal on Saturday at approximately 12:30 pm. Bring a dish to pass. We need people for yard clean-up, mowing, weed whacking, staking out food shop parking, cleaning food shop, placing picnic tables, marking vendor spots, etc. Please come and help even if for a couple hours.

TRACTOR TOUR

is Aug. 1st. See Terry Bowlby or Duane Hollister for registration before the event. Register, also, Wednesday July 31st 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at show grounds food shop or Aug. 1st at 7:00 am-7:30 am before the tour at the food shop. Several stops are scheduled. The tour leaves the show grounds at 8:00 am.

TRACTOR SHOW

August 2, 3, & 4. Register your display at the registration booth. If you plan on taking a tractor to the Centreville fair, sign it up at the registration booth during the show. Make sure your tractor wheels are blocked at the show. You must be a paid member by the end of the August show to take a tractor to the fair.

PLEASE, your help at the food shop during the show is needed and greatly appreciated even if for a few hours. Contact Mark & Doris with questions: 269-483-9878.

MACKINAC BRIDGE CROSSING

2019 bridge crossing date is Sept. 6th. Contact Terry Bowlby for information: 269-476-2724. Some new rules are in place for Buddy Riders. You can sign up on line: www.mackinacbridgecrossing.com.

PARADE SCHEDULES

Centreville Covered Bridge Days parade, July 13th.

Line up at Centreville High School parking lot on Nottawa Rd. by 3:15 pm. You will receive a number. Step-off 4:00 pm.

Burr Oak Heritage Days parade, July 27th.

Line up begins at 9:00 am at Boyer Field. Parade starts at 11:00 am.

JUNE MEETING NOTES:

A permanent structure to be placed over picnic tables at the swap meet and show instead of tents was approved by members. A separate track for garden tractor use within the main track will be created for safety reasons.

FOR SALE

Allis Chalmers C with woods belly mower, $1,900.00 OBO. Call Cork Babcock, 269-816-8229.

MEETINGS REMINDER

April 20th, 6:00 pm
May 18th, 6:00 pm
June 15th, 6:00 pm

Location: Lion’s Club House, 420 6th Ave., Three Rivers, Mi.

The feature tractor for the 59^th annual tractor show in 2019 will be Rumley and Allis Chalmers.

SWAP MEET CLEAN-UP

Clean-up for the swap meet will be Saturday, April 27th . If needed, it will be continued on the 28th. We will have a pot luck meal on Saturday at approximately 12:30 pm. Bring a dish to pass. We need people for yard clean-up, mowing, weed whacking, staking out food shop parking, cleaning food shop, placing picnic tables, etc. Please come and help even if for a couple hours.

SWAP MEET: May 3rd and 4th

MACKINAC BRIDGE CROSSING

2019 bridge crossing date is Sept. 6th. Contact Terry Bowlby for information: 269-476-2724. Some new rules are in place for Buddy Riders. You can sign up on line: www.mackinacbridgecrossing.com.

PARADE SCHEDULES

Three Rivers Water Festival parade, June 13th.

Step-off at 7:00 pm. Storm date June 14th. The club pays the entry fee of $20.00, due by May 17th. Parade is limited to the first 80 entries received. Application form (one per club needed) is on line at http://trchamber.com/water-festival-forms-2/. Must pick up parade entry confirmation at the Chamber between June 3rd and June 7th.

Constantine July 4th parade.

2019 agenda is not available on their website. Check on line at https://festivalnet.com/25397/Constantine-Michigan/Holiday-Celebrations/Constantine-July-Fourth-Festival.

Sturgis electric parade, June 28th.

Line up is 8:00 pm and step-off is 9:30 pm. Rain date is June 29th at 5:00 with line up at 3:30. Entry must be lit. They suggest a book theme. Check their website http://www.sturgisfestmi.com/ or Send an email to electricfestivalparade@gmail.com. A form (one per club) is on their web site and is due before June 17th. No charge for entry.

White Pigeon parade, June 28th.

NOTE CHANGE OF DATE. Line-up 5:30 pm at the High School – enter only from Laird St off US 12. Can pre-register. Step-off 7:00 pm. Must have insurance paper signed. Form (not sure if it’s one per club) can be found at https://www.whitepigeontwp.com/white-pigeon-community-association/2019-wp-days-parade/. Click on red “2019 WP days parade”.

Mendon Riverfest parade, Aug. 18th at 10:30 am.

Line up starts on Burr Oak St. For more info, check website at www.mendonriverfest.org.

Centreville Covered Bridge Days parade, July 13th.

Line up 3:00 pm, step-off is at 4:00 pm. Theme is Christmas in July. Parade form is available (assuming it is one per club) due back by June 7th, at facebook.com/centreville.coveredbridgedays/

Burr Oak Heritage Days parade, July 27th usually at ll:00 am.

More info will be in the July newsletter.

WANTED

IHC or Pay Pac silo filler preferred. Contact Fred Henningsen, 269-625-1203.

AUCTION

Long time member, JoAnn Webster, is having an auction May 4th at 9:00 AM, 7632 Garden Lane, Portage, MI. Among items are several tractors, 35 gas hit & miss engines. Check Hahn Auctioneers website for more info.

MEETINGS REMINDER

Sunday, January 20th, 2:30 pm
Sunday, February 17th, 2:30 pm – Bake Sale! Bring your goodies/craft items
Sunday, March 17th, 2:30 pm

Location: Lion’s Club House, 420 6th Ave., Three Rivers, Mi.

The feature tractor for the 59^th annual tractor show in 2019 will be Rumley and Allis Chalmers.

WEATHER ALERT

Our meetings will be cancelled if, on that day, the State or County closes roads due to weather conditions. Club officers have the option to cancel a meeting due to bad weather even if the roads aren’t officially closed. If you have questions call Tim Rossman 269-651-4878 or David Machan 269-625-7232.

BOILER

We now have an empty spot on the show grounds where the boiler was.  It was too costly to repair.  If anyone has replacement suggestions/display items, bring it up at a meeting or let an officer know about it.

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED

Our active members are getting older and not able to do as much. Please consider helping with even one event in some way even once a year. We will need someone to mark vendor spaces for the show in August. Mary will be there to guide. The pie shop can almost always use help for both the swap meet and show. There are many other chores at both the swap meet and show. See April’s newsletter for more on this.

DUES

Dues are $1.00 for children 17 years and under and $8.00 for all others. We operate on a calendar year basis for dues. They can be paid by mail or at meetings. If we haven’t received your dues for 2019 by April 1st you will not receive future newsletters. You must be a paid up member to vote.

To pay dues by mail, make your check payable to St. Joe Valley Old Engine Association and mail it to Judy Hollister, 3220 Detroit Rd., Niles, Mi. 49120.

FOR SALE

To place a sale item in the newsletter, contact Judy Hollister at the above address or by the website Contact form or phone 269-683-9537.

MEETINGS REMINDER

Saturday, October 20th 6:00 pm
Saturday, November 17th 6:00 pm
Christmas Party Saturday December 1st 6:30 pm
Lions Club House,
420 6th Ave., Three Rivers, Mi.

The feature tractor for the 59th annual tractor show in 2019 is Allis Chalmers and Rumley. Show dates are August 2, 3 and 4.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

will take place at the October meeting. Your dues must be current to vote.

NOVEMBER BAKE SALE

Following our November regular meeting we will have our annual fall bake
sale. Bring craft items, baked goods, etc. to be auctioned.

CHRISTMAS PARTY

We will celebrate the holidays together December 1 at 6:30 at the Lion’s club house. Bring your own plates/silverware and a dish to pass. If you wish to participate in the gift exchange, bring a gift for a man if you’re a man and woman if you’re a woman. Mark it accordingly. If you wish your child to participate, bring a gift for a child so marked. No other meeting is scheduled for Dec.

STURGIS BBQ FEST OCT. 13, 2018

Our club has been asked to display tractors in downtown Sturgis for their first annual BBQ fest.

It runs from 12:00 noon to 7:00 pm. It would be nice if tractors could be there from 12:00 till at least 4:00. They must know how many are coming in advance as they will mark off parking places with cones for us. If you plan to bring your tractor, call Duane or Judy Hollister, 269-683-9537 by Oct. 10th. You will receive more info on parking trailers, etc.

TRACTOR TOUR

This years tour included 29 tractors, the most we’ve had. The weather was good and fun was had by all.

TRACTOR SHOW

President Tim Rossman says we had a very good show this year. He thanks all who helped. Without you, we couldn’t have a show. Thanks to the Ripplingers for manning the food shop and for all who helped them.

MACKINAC BRIDGE CROSSING

Terry reports 26 tractors from our club crossed the bridge. In all 1342 tractors made the trek. The weather was nice and everyone had a good time.

CENTREVILLE FAIR

The fair this year was another big success. We had a total of 133 tractors and lawn/garden tractors on display. A new member, Richard Reynolds, takes drone pictures for the fair and gave
us permission to post our display.

John, Terry and Duane thank everyone who helped set up and tear down our display. Estelle, Mary and Judy heartily thank everyone who brought food and helped in the kitchen tent. Thanks to all who pulled back at the truck & tractor pulls. Some of our members use their tractors to pull visiting school children in wagon-type vehicles as they learned more about animals, etc.

Excited, smiling children had their picture taken on a tractor again this year. Sheriff Brad Balk led a parade of 34 tractors on a 4 to 6 mile ride again The age range of drivers was 11 years to 80 years.

2019 DUES

Pay 2019 dues at the meetings or send a check made out to St. Joe Valley Old Engine Assoc. to Judy Hollister, 3220 Detroit Rd., Niles, MI. 49120
Dues are $8.00 for 18 years and older, $1.00 for 17 years and younger.

Judy Hollister,
Membership Secretary