Rollag members visit New Rockford

[M Kerkvliet]

Last weekend was the Central North Dakota Steam Threshers Reunion in New Rockford, ND.

Mark Petersen has 5 operational steam engines up there, and I don't know how many gas tractors, but certainly dozens of them. He invites a group of us from the WMSTR show up to operate them every year.

The show is much, much smaller that Rollag, but it is a very nice show. The part I enjoy the most is being an exhibitor! I don't have to deal with the operations of the show, or carry a radio! This is all fine at Rollag... I love my job, but as you all know, it is nice to be on the other side of the fence from time to time, and enjoy a threshing bee, without having to worry about how things are going!

Here are a few pictures I have from the weekend. You will recognize a lot of Rollag people in them. If anyone else has any to contribute, please feel free to post them here!

Here is the lineup of Mark's engines. From L to R... an 80 Case, 40 Advance, 32 Reeves, 25 Aultman Taylor, and a 110 Case.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s317/mbkerk/Thelineup.jpg

Kenneth (Jim and Lynette's grandson) gets some operating time at this show. Here he is on Mark's 80 Case belted up to a separator. He is a good operator.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s317/mbkerk/Kenneth80.jpg

At the other end of the belt is our host, Mark Petersen pitching bundles. This must have been on Friday because Mark was not there on Saturday or Sunday. Something about combining edible beans...

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s317/mbkerk/Petersenpitching.jpg

And who is this :eek: ! You don't see this every day at Rollag! Just try to get her away from our administration building... but Klinger needed some help, so Lynette jumped right in there!

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s317/mbkerk/lynettebundles.jpg

Continued...

[M Kerkvliet]

Jerry Christiansen had his Prony brake up there. He draws good crowds with his exhibit. The Mandt family even did a couple of spark shows for the group on Friday and Saturday nights with Mark's 80 Case. Jerry brought up Peter Kiefer and Jim Todahl for support...

Here is a shot of Mark's 32 Reeves belted up to the brake. The Reeves will make a fireman out of you... I still have not quite figured it out :banghead3:

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s317/mbkerk/Reevesbrake.jpg

A long standing tradition at the New Rockford show is food, drink, and Rick Halldorson's tent! This is headquarters for the Rollag contingent. It is where all of the food is kept, and consumed... and where plans are made for the following day. The later it gets, the more messed up the plans get! Rick was not able to attend this year, but his tent made it! It took 4 of us about 2 hours to set it up... (15 minutes if Rick is there) but we made it:bannana:! I am sure Rick was with us in spirit!

Communications central...

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s317/mbkerk/Tent.jpg

And inside the tent... Friday night Rick usually makes a big pot of spaghetti. This year Katy made barbeque's so as not to mess up the tradition. Spaghetti will return next year. On Saturday night, Jerry Mandt cooks up a mean cream can concoction consisting of ear corn, bratwurst, cabbage, onions, potatoes, and other things I can't remember right now. It is delicious!

Here is the lineup for the food, I think this is on Barbecue night.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s317/mbkerk/Lunch.jpg

Here is Jerry unloading the first batch of food from the cooker. Look at the smiles! The corn came next...

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s317/mbkerk/jerrycooker.jpg

Thanks to Mark Pedersen from getting us all together up there, and to Rick Halldorson for the use of the "headquarters" tent! Also to Jerry Mandt, Katy Kerkvliet, Bud and Beverly Carlson (My in-laws) for all of the great cooking, and to all who brought the side dishes and cakes, etc. A great time was had by all!

[Todd Hintz]

Thanks much, Mark for the picture tour. I have a true case of "missing WMSTR" blues and this was fun to see. I'm going to try and get that show on the calendar for next year. Todd H