MEETINGS REMINDER:

Saturday, October 17th 6:00 PM
Saturday, November 21st 6:00 PM
Christmas party Dec. 5th 6:30 PM
Location: Corey Church of Nazarene, 10056 Water St., Three Rivers

IMPORTANT CHANGE: The pastor at the Methodist church where we were scheduled to meet contracted Covid 19. They have closed the church for the rest of 2020. We will meet at Corey Church of Nazarene. Take M-60 West of Three Rivers to Corey Lake Rd. Turn North. Water St. is just a jog West after the turn. It is not far from the show grounds. The building is at the rear of the church. It will be inside, so feel free to wear a mask and keep (anti) social distancing.

THE TRACTOR CLUB IS INVITED:

Rouch Outdoor is having an open house fall color celebration at their store, 56653 Abbey Road, Three Rivers. Our club has been invited to display tractors at that location October 10th and 11th from 12:00 noon till 5:00 pm. You do not have to be there both days. Larry Townsend is contact person for this at 269-273-4543.

A NOMINATING COMMITTEE

consisting of Col. Paul Guthrie, Todd Allen and Tim Allen has been formed to select candidates for club officers and board members. Election will take place at the October meeting. If a committee member calls you, please consider running. If you would like to run, please contact one of them.

CHRISTMAS PARTY:

Bring your own table service and a dish to pass. The club will furnish rolls, butter and drinks Dec. 5th at 6:30 pm at Nazarene Church.

UPDATES:

A BIG “THANK-YOU” to Larry Townsend, Terry Bowlby, Jack Hensel, Doug Reed, Stan Yoder, Paul Guthrie and John Steiner who cleaned up the show grounds in preparation for our get-together Aug. 8th. The get-together was well attended and we had a good time.

The annual tractor ride took place as scheduled. Thirty-eight tractors participated-the highest number to date. It was a good ride and it was good to be with friends.

Members of the club took 17 tractors to the Constantine festivities September 12th. A good time was had by all and the club gained 5 new members.

Several club members displayed tractors at the Otsego festivities September 26th.

Club members voted to keep the same feature tractors and garden tractor that were scheduled for the 2020 show. It was also decided to celebrate 60 years of annual shows even though it will be the clubs 61st year in existence.

Our treasury balance is low. Not having a show or swap meet contributed to that. Because of the generosity of club members in donations and membership renewals so far, Treasurer Dolores Stemen reports we will have sufficient funds to put on the swap meet in 2021.

Feature tractors for our 2021 annual show are Oliver and Cletrac. Featured garden tractor is Bantam.

Dues:

A lot of you renew your dues at the tractor show in August and I really missed seeing you. I urge you to either pay 2021 dues at our meetings or send them via mail. Dues increased to $10.00 for ages 18 and up per calendar year. Dues for ages 17 and under are still $1.00 per calendar year. To pay by mail, send a check payable to St. Joe Valley Old Engine Association to Judy Hollister, 3220 Detroit Rd. Niles, MI 49120. I will send you membership cards.

St. Joe Valley Old Engine Association
Judy Hollister
3220 Detroit Rd.
Niles, MI 49120

The January 2021 newsletter will be a little late in order to include the financial report. Be sure to read it as it will include information about our next meetings.

If you have updates from events in which the club participated, I would be glad to include them in the newsletter. To contact me with that info, call 269-683-9537 or use our contact form.

Meetings Reminder

Saturday, July 18th, 6:00 PM
Saturday, August 18th, 6:00 PM, location TBA
No September meeting
Location: United Methodist Church in Three Rivers at 215 N. Main St.

AUG 2020 SHOW CANCELLED

Sadly, due to the governor’s restrictions and continued concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s show.

Tractor Tour

Our tractor tour will be held on Aug. 6th, even though the show is cancelled. Registration will take place at the show grounds Wed. Aug. 5th between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM and Thursday Aug. 6th 6:00 AM to 7:15 AM at which time a driver’s meeting will take place. Due to distance and road construction, we must leave promptly at 7:30 AM.

Make sure your tractor is in good working order. The tour is 60 miles long passing near Centreville to Colon, Mi. We will visit the museum and listen to an oration about Colon’s connection to magicians and other attractions. The Museum depends on donations and your generosity would be appreciated. Contact Terry Bowlby 269-445-7210 or Duane Hollister 269-683-9537 with questions.

Dues Increase

Club members voted to increase tractor club dues to $10.00 per calendar year for those 18 years and older beginning in 2021. Dues for those 17 years and younger will remain at $1.00. If you have prepaid your dues, you will not be charged any extra. To pay by mail, send check made out to St. Joe Valley Old Engine Association to Judy Hollister, 3220 Detroit Rd., Niles, MI. 49120.

Mackinac Bridge Crossing

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

Parade Schedules and Other Shows

All parades have been cancelled including Burr Oak Days. Most tractor shows are cancelled, exceptions:

• Butler County Antique Tractor and Engine Club has cancelled their show, BUT may reschedule it later in the fall.
• Tri State Gas Engine and Tractor Show at Portland August 26-29th has not been cancelled according to their website at the date of this publication.

St. Joe County Fair is Cancelled

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.