HEREABOUTS lynn minneman
If you don’t have anything planned Saturday, Oct. 10, I would suggest attending the Trotwood Madison Historical Society’s Homestead Pioneer Harvest Fest. This is the 11th year for the fest, and it is guaranteed to take you a step back into time.
“Trotwood Fire Department will be displaying their Antique 1928 Ahrens Fox Fire Engine,” posted Claude Keeling, TMHS treasurer, on the blogspot www.t-mhs.blogspot.com.
Between 400-500 attended last year, and Keeling along with Regina and Tony Kleinhenz were the chili chefs. The smell of chili cooking over an open fire is always a hit with the crowd. Last year was the first year they actually ran out of chili — so you better come early if you want some. More than 20 gallons of chili were prepared and consumed by the crowd.
“For your listening pleasure, we have added the Rock Island Plow Company, a bluegrass band to our program this year,” blogged Keeling.
The Bluegrass group was formed in 2004 with veteran musicians. They perform bluegrass music combining solid instrumentation and heartfelt vocals with a respect for tradition while embracing its future, according to the group’s Web site. Familiar sounds of classic bluegrass like Flatt and Scruggs and Bill Monroe coupled with newer bluegrass styles will be performed. The band will be playing from 3 to 5 p.m.
You will see many of the same events as last year, and the harvest is always a fun-filled day for the young and old alike. More than 30 antique tractors are on display or being used as the corn is brought in to the belt driven “Corn Husker Shredder.” This year’s feature tractor is a 1929 Case 25-45 beautifully restored by the Flora Family. Admission is free.
As usual, there will be demonstrations on the husker-shredder, corn binder, wool spinning and things done on the farm. The museum also will be open for tours. One room upstairs is set up as an old school room. This room contains many of the composite pictures from the former Trotwood-Madison High School, and if you recognize someone in a picture, please let a member of the Society know so they may be identified. Another room upstairs contains bedroom furniture and other items from days gone by. The rest of the museum will have current displays.
Keeling said they will also have old hand tools on display as well as old hand crank corn shellers for the children to use and a corn shelling contest in the afternoon and hayrides throughout the day. This is a real family friendly event, so bring the kids.
This year a new group has been added to the list: Herb ‘n Anvil, who will offer an interactive blacksmithing experience that gives young people the opportunity to shape metal like a real blacksmith.
“The smith heats a hook and the kids get to put a decorative twist in it, thus seeing how heat transforms the metal. Kids get to keep the hook as a souvenir,” Keeling said.
Keeling said participation helps people learn how blacksmiths have turned raw metal into useful tools for centuries. In addition, there is a display of herbs used as medicine before the era of pharmaceutical medication.
For more information about the annual event, call Keeling at (937) 837-5387.
Contact this reporter at (937) 609-4152 or newscommunity@ hotmail.com.
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