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August Archives
8/28: I know some of the crops around here needed a little more rain, but Mother Nature was kind enough to give Higginsville enough rain to settle the dust, but left things dry enough for the pull to stay on track. I was happy with the showing of tractors, considering that there was a pull just a little ways south at the same time. We tried the new radios out, and the reports were positive. I'll get them recharged and ready for the Boonville pull.
I spent so much time rubbing it in on Kurt Lewis for running out of fuel, that it just wouldn't be fair if we did not bring up the fact that Reed Nichols hauled his tractor all the way from Ashland, Mo in order to put it on display with an empty propane tank!
I want to extend thanks to the Higginsville FFA for putting on a great pull. The weather was just about perfect. This was the first time for me to pull there - and the facilities were very nice. And, we had plenty of good, flat parking as well.
The pull got over just in time for some of us to head back to the hotel and raid the buffet just before they closed. And - of course - after everybody was filled up on food - we went into the hotel lounge. I learned alot of useful information, sitting there until we were forced to leave because of closing time. It was too bad Gray Feather and Wounded Knee could not join us! We had plenty of company, and good refreshments. Ask Terry McCormick just how tuff cardboard is the next time you see him. After we left the lounge, everyone else got to go outside and look at the full moon - except for me. (I always get left out!) By the way - I never did get to hear my Dukes of Hazzard song!!!!!
8/23: Hello everyone. After a week off, and "hopefully" the heat wave behind us, everyone should be ready to go pulling again. We are heading to Higginsville this weekend. This is the first time (that I know of) MATPA has traveled to Higginsville. I hope everyone can attend and help support the pull. As most of you know, this pull was scheduled earlier in the summer, but was rained out and this is the reschedule date.
I went and purchased 6 radios with the sponsorship money we raised for the Back to the Farm Showdown. I'm going to take them to the pull in Higginsville so we can see how they work. This should make communication on the track much easier. They each come with the hands free - voice activated headset, and have a 26 miles range.
I posted some "House Keeping" issues on the main page concerning the Back to the Farm Showdown pull at the Steam Engine Show. Please take note of these. I can't stress enough about getting there early. They have a parade every day at 3:00pm, and this creates a major traffic jam if all the pullers are coming in around that time. Also, we scheduled another set of scales for that pull, so we will have a set of scales for each sled. This should cut down on congestion when weighing in. Each sled will be roped off, and when you cross them, you will be entering the pulling arena. I'm also looking to "schedule" volunteers for helping with track duties. I have a few people already scheduled to help, but it will take many more to "pull" this off.
I want to thank Mike Soendker and his crew for coming down last Sunday and putting in counter tops in for the announcers stand. They look great!!!
I assume like every year, if you want to come and join us, we will be cooking somewhere near the track on Friday night - September 7th. Bring a dish, or some chips and something to drink. Its a late night of sitting around and telling stories and making new friends. Come and visit!
See ya at Higginsville!!!!
8/13: hope the folks up north are enjoying the rain. Can we have any of the leftovers?????? Things are pretty dry here south of I-70.
We had another good day of pulling in Sturgeon this past weekend. Attendance was down a little. I'm sure 102 degree temps didn't have anything to do with it. Steve Timm had an instrument that measured temps and he used it on the dirt bank on the north side of the track - and it read 137 degrees! Thanks to those who did the flagging, hooking, line-ups, and announcing that day. I'm not sure who all worked because I didn't get there until just before my class. Congratulations to JP for not blowing the horn this week!!HA-HA.
I'm starting to get things rounded up for the Showdown Pull at the steam engine showgrounds. I have a couple of volunteers already to man the scales all evening in order to free up our pullers for helping in other areas. Be checking back to the website frequently as I'm going to be posting the pulling order for the sleds at this pull since we are having two sleds. We will also be having two sets of scales. Each sled will have its own set of scales. And - they will be roped off so that if you cross the scales - you will be entering the arena. We don't have time to be chasing down who has crossed the scales, and who has not. This will alleviate that problem. If you know of someone who knows a little about the sport, and is not pulling that day - let me know if they would be interested in doing the line-ups.
We have this weekend off. Then we go to Higginsville on the 25th of August. I know this is a far trip for some of us, but please try to attend. The Div VII tractors from Higginsville have been attending almost all of our pulls and they do a good job of helping out with track duties. I hope we can show them the support our club has been getting from them. The Higginsville FFA is using this pull as a fundraiser. See you all there!
8/2: Columbia and Macon Pulls are in the books! We'll have the points posted ASAP. Thanks to Billy and JP for putting on a couple of good pulls. Things moved along pretty well at both pulls. Slater is coming up this Saturday. I assure you this will be another good night of pulling.
The points are starting to total up and some of the classes are moving along with some heavy competition. If you are leading in a class - don't get too big headed yet! Remember we only total the best 8 pulls, so just because you are leading now, doesn't mean someone who hasn't been to all the pulls can't slide in and take the lead at the end of the season! The best way to assure a good finish in the points is to attend all the pulls you possibly can, and do the best you can!
I talked to Billy today, and he is working on the getting the two banners ready for the Sept 8th pull at Boonvile. Please be spreading the word about this pull being on RFD TV. I have heard alot of people that are planning on attending to watch, but we are going to need alot of pullers too. We would like to see well over 300 Hooks.
The Higginsville pull has been rescheduled for August 25th. I'm unsure of the time, but I'm sure someone will let me know. A big thanks to Dawn Hill for the great photos that have been posted, I'm told there will be some more to come.
See ya at Slater!!!!!!!!!