The winter convention was held February 8th through the 10th

at the Hilton Garden Inn Convention Center in Salina with

three full days of activities.

Thursday February 8th a large number of members enjoy

touring the Great Plains manufacturing plant in the morning

and in the afternoon the Kubota manufacturing plant.  Also on

Thursday a number of guest speakers Kent Rudy from

Temple, Texas gave a presentation growing up in an

IH dealership and now his current career adventures with IH. 

Lee Sackett gave a talk on restoration of tractors and later in

the day gave tips on how to install decals. Howard Raymond gave a presentation on the history and the mystery of the reaper which he has just recently restored.

National President Bob Buxton gave a talk on the State of the Union address for IHCC. 

Friday was another busy day with Jim Brewer of Harvester Heritage giving the history and restoration of the M21 no-till planter.  Raleigh Ordoyne of Herrs Machine Hydrostatic gave an interesting speech on just what the ‘Doctor Ordered’ for hydros.  Friday afternoon the ladies enjoyed an antiquing trip and shopping.

The IH Consignment auction was Friday evening with lively bidding on a large number of consignments and donated items.

Saturday morning was the national board meeting.  Also a Pink Zebra candle making demonstration for the ladies.  Saturday afternoon a large number of members’ toured The Garage downtown Salina viewing classic and lead sled cars.  It was discovered at The Garage, there was a rat rod named ‘Hairpin’ on display. In reading the description it stated it came from a hedgerow in Lincoln County which was member Adrian Hanneman's dad's.  Adrian said when the weather was bad his dad would take him, his brother and sister to meet the bus in this model A now known as ‘Hairpin’!

 

Saturday evening was a social hour with great visiting before attending a sold out banquet.  There was a 50/50 drawing; tickets could be purchased during the social hour, thankful that Brandon Paisley had such long arms to roll off tickets (you had to be there)! 

Doug Hrbeck was our outstanding MC for the evening and kept things interesting with many laughs. There were drawings for door prizes donated by Steiner,  Kan Equip, Herrs Hydrostatic.  The pedal tractor drawing was won by an IH enthusiast from Ozawkie, Kansas.  There was lively bidding on the table centerpieces, a donated cutting board, a “Limited Edition” Anniversary Edition of the “Farmall Century” donated by Lee Klancher of Octane Press.    Bob Buxton, National President gave a few words and mentioned that this was the best meal he had ever had at a convention!  Don Landoll of Landoll Manufacturing was the guest speaker for the evening and gave a very interesting presentation.

 

Chapter 3 had an impressive merchandise display along with the pedal tractor for the drawing on Saturday night.  Also on display was Bill Connelly’s display of memorabilia along with a number of Adrian Hannemann’s 1/8 scale tractors.  Ron’s picture?

 

Very nice displays of red tractors were an attraction in front of the Garden Hilton Hotel.  Members who brought tractors were:

 

Dennis Stover – 560 Diesel Farmall, BN Culti-Vision Farmall

Bill Connelly – 460 Farmall

Cory Connelly – T5 Farmall Crawler

Kan Equip – 95A Case IH

Daryl Lehmann - 504 Farmall, 300 and H Farmall
Robert Feldmann - M Farmall and H Farmall
Alan James - F-20, H Farmall and A Farmall

Lee Sackett – 86 Hydro, M Farmall

Dan Kennedy – H Farmall

Pat Wendling - H, with #10 manure spreader

Greg Meyer – Spirt of 76 Cub Cadel lawn and garden tractor

 

The convention could not have been so SUCCESSFUL without the dedication of so many committee members stepping up and helping where needed.  Ron and Yvonne Schmitt for designing the Convention Schedule booklet and Banquet Program (special thanks to Mike Saft for his Graphic Design).  Andy Rokala for registration, Dan Kennedy for acquiring outstanding and interesting speakers.  Adrian Hanneman with Layton Rhudy assisting were in charge of the auction with local Bob Tummel Auction Service.  Yvonne Schmitt for checking attendees in.  Kathy Connelly for chapter table and banquet table center pieces and winter convention t-shirts.  Craig Blocksome and Paul Dunlap for tour guides to Great Plains and Kubota.   Joyce Stover did an exceptional job for the hospitality room along with the help of Barb Kirkwood and Joan Wilson. Snacks were provided by the Visit Salina/Salina Chamber of Commerce and Sam's, along with snacks made by Joyce, cookies made by Joan Wilson and not to mention our official Club’s cookie baker Carol Kennedy providing her awesome cookies.  A number of members covered the merchandise table, sold tickets for the pedal tractor and answer questions.  Those helping out where ever needed were:  Barb & Bob Kirkwood, Rich & Bev Runnebaum, Joan and Doug Wilson, Paul Dunlap, Craig Blocksome, Linda Siek, Rhonda Bell, Scott Stover, Dennis & Joyce Stover, Layton Rudy, Greg Meyer, Adrian Hanneman, Brandon Peasley, Andy Rokala,  Bill & Kathy Connelly,  Alan James, Doug Hrbek, Howard Raymond.  Apologies for anyone that may have been overlooked but your help was greatly appreciated.