The Scoop
President’s Report - Fall 2023
Summer and Fall are the peak of the tractor show season, this year being no exception. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to Red Power, but we did get to attend our outstanding State IH show at Rushville and IH featured shows at Greensburg, Maumee Valley Show at New Haven and just returned from The Half Century of Progress Show at Rantoul, IL.
Our Chapter 7 Show at Rushville featured over 400 red tractors. I was told the Green boys only had 330 last year. The Half Century of Progress Show at Rantoul celebrated IHC ‘s 100 years by having an IH tractor from every year, starting in 1923 through 2023. It was a very impressive line up! Our thanks to Rollie Moore, from Central Illinois IH Chapter 10, for coordinating that special undertaking.
Joyce and I always look forward to our local show, the White River Valley Antique Show at Elnora on Sept. 7 - 10. In addition, Chapter 7 has been invited to participate in the Farm Bureau Plow Day fundraiser on Sept. 9th outside of Greenfield. Details are included in this newsletter.
We had a good turnout for our Chapter 7 Annual Meeting on Aug. 5th at the Rushville Show. We heard from representatives from the Osgood Show which will also be our 2024 State IH Show and Annual Meeting. Leaders from the Franklin Antique Machinery Show made a presentation that included a bid to host our Chapter 7 State Show in 2027. A motion was made and passed to accept their invitation. We still will need to find a show that will host us in 2025 and 2026.
Long time director Norman Jackson, vice president George Scherb and treasurer Jim Yoars completed their terms and asked to retire after many years of dedicated service. Their announcement was met with a resounding applause for all their hard work. The chapter then elected Dave Williamson of Economy, Mark Dieckmann of Osgood and Jason Scaggs of St. Leon, to fill their spots.
At the director’s meeting that followed the annual meeting, directors then re-elected Don Villwock as president, Jason Scaggs as vice president and Mark Dieckmann as treasurer.
Secretary, Pat Schenkel, has secured the MCL Cafeteria at Muncie for our 4th quarter meeting on Sunday, November 19th at 12:30 pm. I look forward to seeing you all there.
I was given an inquiry from a potential member this past week. He wanted to know why he should join. After some thought I replied: “By joining Chapter 7, you do become a member of the National IH Chapter and receive the National Harvester Highlights magazine. But, besides giving away 2 annual scholarships to our member’s children and grandchildren, we also try to encourage anyone to become a collector. We do that by helping each other find parts, locate IH tractors and machines, plus some of our members are outstanding mechanics and can offer great advice and assistance. For me, it is the lifelong friendships and general camaraderie that we share with fellow members as we visit and reminisce about our common IH experiences. Helping each other is what we do best.
If you ever have any questions please call or email me.
Don Villwock
812-881-8034
In the Barn
Some of my favorite tractors
Some of my favorite tractors
Some of my favorite tractors
Much like one's kids,
Some of my favorite tractors
Some of my favorite tractors
"I love them all"
Some of my favorite tractors
"I love them all"