Memories of times gone by at the Cedar River Engine Club 55th Annual Threshers Reunion
Three veterans received their Quilts of Valor at a ceremony held Sunday at the Cedar Valley Engine Club Threshers Reunion. Pictured are, from left, Marine Corps veteran Ted Stirling; Peggy Hanson, who made the Stirling’s quilts; Air Force veteran Marlene Stirling; Marine Corps veteran Algie Slindee; and Leona Montag, the leader of Quilts of Valor of North Central Iowa, who also made Slindee’s quilt. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Vince Tiso shapes the blade on a knife while Gary Knipfel stokes the forge at a Gary's Twisted Iron blacksmithing display Sunday at the Cedar Valley Engine Club Thresher Reunion. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Rows of antique and restored tractors were on display as part of the many exhibits at the Cedar Valley Engine Club's 55th Annual Threshers Reunion held over Labor Day weekend at the club site near Rockford. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Scores of steam engines, steam tractors and other steam-powered equipment was on display at the Cedar Valley Engine Club's Thresher Reunion Saturday through Monday. Many exhibitors who have become friends over the 55-year-old event's history take the opportunity of the reunion to catch up and show off their latest acquisitions. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Algie Slindee of Elma points out an adjustment that needs to be made while helping demonstrate the steam-powered sawmill at the Cedar Valley Engine Club Threshing Reunion Sunday afternoon. Press photo by Bob Steenson
A small crowd gathers for the sawmill demonstration at the Cedar Velley Engine Club Threshers Reunion Sunday afternoon. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Exhibitors at the Cedar Valley Engine Club's Thresher Reunion set up the sawmill for a demonstration Sunday afternoon. Press photo by Bob Steenson
A 16-hp M. Rumely steam-powered tractor built in 1914 is used to power the belt drive for the sawmill blade, one of the exhibits at the Cedar Valley Engine Club, which held its 55th annual Threshers Reunion over the Labor Day weekend. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Some of the oldest and some of the newest John Deere equipment is lined up by each other at a special John Deere display at the Cedar Valley Engine Club Threshers Reunion. (Submitted photo)
Scores of steam engines, steam tractors and other steam-powered equipment was on display at the Cedar Valley Engine Club's Thresher Reunion Saturday through Monday. Many exhibitors who have become friends over the 55-year-old event's history take the opportunity of the reunion to catch up and show off their latest acquisitions. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Cedar Valley Engine Club President Ron Robinson drives a tractor pulling a shuttle for rides around the showgrounds. Press photo by Bob Steenson
By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com
A good-size crowd attended the three days of the Cedar Valley Engine Club Thresher Reunion, held Friday through Monday over Labor Day weekend at the club’s showgrounds on Highway 14 seven miles west of Charles City.
As usual in this, the club’s 55th annual event, there were dozens of displays brought in by exhibitors of steam-powered engines, vehicles, farm implements and other devices, as well as demonstrations of blacksmithing, corn shelling, sawmilling, threshing, plowing and more.
A few things were changed in light of COVID concerns, such as the eating area being moved outdoors under a tent to make it easier to socially distance, and the general store and the schoolhouse were closed, but there was still plenty to do and see and hear.
Also at the event, on Sunday, three area veterans received their Quilts of Valor during a ceremony.
They were:
• Algie Aurthur Slindee of Elma, who served four years active duty in the Marine Corps from 1966 to 1970.
• Marlene Stirling of Rockford, who served in the Air Force from 1969 to 1972.
• Ted Stirling of Rockford, who served in the Marine Corps from 1967 to 1970, including service in Vietnam.
Leona Montag of Nora Springs, leader of the Quilts of Valor of North Central Iowa, led the ceremony, and also made the quilt that was awarded to Slindee Sunday. Peggy Hanson made the quilts that were awarded to the Stirlings.
Montag noted that more than 260,000 quilts have been given to veterans who served in the country’s armed forces. The Quilts of Valor Foundation was started in 2003 as an idea to wrap veterans with a homemade comforting and healing quilt to honor them for their “service, sacrifice and valor in serving our nation.”
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