Cedar Valley Engine Club to celebrate 54th Threshers Reunion Saturday-Monday

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

It’s a tractor show and a whole lot more.

Think stepping back in time to an era when steam-powered machines worked the land and little schoolhouses taught reading, writing and arithmetic.

One need only land a foot on the grounds of the old Gilbert Swartzrock farm 7 miles west of Charles City to experience the roar of a gas engine, the clank of a blacksmith’s hammer or the buzz of a saw mill.

It looks to be a true blast from the past this Labor Day Weekend at the 54th Annual Threshers Reunion hosted by the Cedar Valley Engine Club. The reunion takes place on 7-mile corner just off Highway 14.

The gathering of old and new will include a truck and tractor pull, live auction, flea market and the popular “barn talks” to entertain and educate attendees of the show that first started in 1966.

In some ways the reunion has become a rite of passage for the uninitiated who haven’t experienced what farming life was like back in the late 1800s and early 20th century.

“It’s just a tremendous tradition,” said Mary Koenigsfeld, a member of the Cedar Valley Engine Club.

Koenigsfeld has been busy lining up entertainment and featured speakers that will all be a part of the festivities this weekend.

She remembers when she was first introduced to the reunion.

“When I started out there with the group, I thought, ‘Gee, nothing but rust and iron out here,’” said Koenigsfeld. “I found out how much I didn’t know. I’ve learned something every single year.”

Her husband’s grandparents used to own the old 1940s Roseville General Store that was moved to the site in 2009. The store that is normally open by appointment will be open all three days the reunion is held.

The Ulster No. 3 country schoolhouse, which closed in 1956, can be toured all three days and is one of the more popular exhibits. The school was relocated to the club grounds in December 1993 and opened to the public two years later.

“Preserving the past is one of our big goals – exhibiting it for the public,” Koenigsfeld said.

This year’s “barn talks” in the big red barn will include an interesting mix of topics.

“It is a phenomenal place to visit,” said Koenigsfeld. “It’s worth seeing. It’s fun. People sit for awhile and then they mosey on.”

Minneapolis Moline, a Minnesota machine and tractor manufacturer with ties to Charles City’s White Farm tractor heritage, will be featured at this year’s reunion and is part of the “barn talks.”

The history of the company, which existed from 1929 until 1974, will be discussed in a presentation led by Jay Groskreutz at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The Tyden Farm No. 6 in Dougherty, which is listed on the National Historic Registry, will kick off the “barn talks” on Saturday at 11 .m. Ted and Judy Pitzenberger will enlighten listeners about the eight farms that are located in Cerro Gordo County and built during the Great Depression.

Goats Galore will be led by Pat Blank, award-winning host of Iowa Public Radio’s “All Things Considered.” She’ll share her colorful Nigerian dwarf goats, which she raises at her Black Eagle Ranch in rural Shell Rock.

Doris Montag, a curator of historical displays and member of the Cedar Valley Engine Club, will veer a tad toward the risque with her presentation of “A Lady and her Legs – Hx of Shaving and Stockings.” Montag said this specific “barn talk” is funny and part of women’s history that no one talks about.

“She said she is going to spice it up this year,” said Koenigsfeld.

Children’s author Jennifer Schmitt will have a one-day only presentation of “Twanda’s Tales: Best Friends Forever” on Monday. The book is about Twanda’s horse, Honey.

Entertainment acts will be Char’s Band, which plays polka music and oldies from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.

Lonesome Ron, who hails from Minnesota, will sing songs and tell stories about the American cowboy.

Gary Froiland will help lead the Sunday morning worship service from 9-10 a.m., including singing Gospel hymns.

Also at the Sunday service, there were be a memorial tribute to Harold Swartzrock, who passed away at the age of 91 this past May. Swartzrock is one of the founding members of the Cedar Valley Engine Club.

The Hemmer Family and their music group Restored, will also perform on Sunday.

“The music is always fun just to listen to under a shady tree,” Koenigsfeld added.

A new display this year will be Hay Tool Collectors, which is a group that will show interested folk carriers and forks that are associated with the operation.

“They restore them. Some of the things they do with them are just amazing,” said Koenigsfeld.

There were also be cornshelling, milling, wool spinning and a kid’s tractor pull at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. A plowing demonstration after noon on Monday and a daily parade of power will take place at 3 p.m. Drawings for door prizes will take place all three days at 4 p.m. Koenigsfeld said many vendors will also be set up at the reunion.

One aspect of the reunion no one has much control over is Mother Nature. Rain forced the cancellation of the truck and tractor pull last year and created soggy grounds.

That’s why Keonigsfeld said over $3,000 was raised by the Cedar Valley Engine Club to lay down 20 loads of rock on the property.

“Rain is no fun for anybody, but that was crazy that year,” said Koenigsfeld. “It was just mud, mud and more mud.”

The reunion runs from Saturday, Aug. 31 until Monday, Sept. 2.