Capturing the Essence of International Harvester Collectors Chapter 35 of New York 20th Anniversary

REPORT ON OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY SPRING MEETING.

Well, something I have wanted to do ever since we organized this chapter twenty years ago is now successfully in my rear-view mirror. Hosting Sunday's meeting here at my place in Greece, NY was a delight. It was blessed with a good turnout and BOD and General meetings with a good exchange of information. All our officers were present except Goober. Conducting meetings in my barn with lunch in the garage with some 1/16 scale tractors here and there proved to be a fine plan, and as much as the weather tried to dampen our spirits, we made it a good day with fun conversation and good food. Thanks to my son Mark at the grill and Patty Feeney for having prepared all the food, nobody went away hungry. It was my pleasure to provide lunch to you and I was pleased with all that expressed appreciation. The chapter did pay for the outstanding 20th ANNIVERSARY CAKE made by a church friend of Patty. It was an awesome cake, tractor and all!

A busy meeting agenda followed by an excellent talk by our speaker Bob Melville. His expertise in tractors, especially FARMALLS is amazing. He has solved difficult tractor problems along the way, a few of them right here in the shop where he spoke and showed his pictures. Speaking of pictures, I am including a large group photo of attendees and a few others, but the entire photo coverage of the day must be seen on our website. Showing the pictures there is much easier than trying to send a large number to you by email, a number many of your computers often cannot process.

Our SPECIAL 20TH ANNIVERSARY FARMALL FLYER was a success providing you with an updated membership directory. It showed us that more members read hard copy than online. So the editors have agreed to terminate our trial of an electronic newsletter. It has not been read as we hoped, so we are going back to a hard copy snail-mailed to all members, but with some restrictions. Pages and pictures will be limited and space-saving smaller print will keep costs down. This news will make many of you happy. There is just something good about having Farmall Flyer at hand lying on the coffee table. However, if you prefer an emailed copy, please contact Dave Meacham at ihcc35ny@roadrunner.com.

Young OLIVER Macauley did an excellent job passing out my commemorative meeting buttons, and I hope all enjoyed my brief history of the Preston Family Farm. A highlight of the day was when Geneseo's smiling Doug Harke and I had our picture taken next to my mighty Farmall 400 that - as Doug says, turns over my field with a little #8 McCormick 2-bottom 16"plow - pictured on my meeting button. It is what it is Doug! 

 Be safe out there especially when moving your tractors about and folks are nearby. These big old iron machines don't brake so well anymore and can be mighty unforgiving. We'll see you at our next meeting at Macauley's Merrimac Farms, June 22, 1:00 PM. RSVP me by June 15 if you are coming. Lots and lots to see awaits us there. 

Gene Preston, President. Dick Monkelbaan, Vice President.