REMEMBERING FONDLY: Times I Had with Harry Woodmansee

If I might throw in a few good words about our show this year (Michigan Steam Engine and Thresher's Club, Mason, Michigan), and some of my experiences of getting ready for the show.

I decided that the engine could use a good coat of paint, so we started sanding, scraping, steam cleaning and using paint stripper. I started the end of May and didn't finish until the morning that Carl Turtle came after it. Every night after work, every weekend, and one week's vacation, I worked on cleaning and painting my 20 HP Advance Rumely, but we finally got it done, and I might say so myself, it looked fairly good. But in the meantime, I neglected to mow the grass, and when I got home from the show, the grass was extremely tall and I expected Tarzan to come swinging through my yard at anytime! But I finally got the grass mowed and everything else under control and I never did find Tarzan.

If I counted right, there were 34 steam engines at our show this year. I tried the block race with my 20 HP Advance Rumely, but I knocked the block over. Afterwards I decided that I will leave the block race to the younger generation, because arthritis in my hands makes it hard to grip the steering wheel and turn it fast.

I have been a member of the Michigan Steam Engine and Thresher's Club since 1962. I am proud to be a member of this organization because there are a lot of good people in the club.

Picture taken of a new 30 HP Advance at the factory in Battle Creek, Michigan. The man in the picture is Harry Mast who worked for the Advance Company.

There have been a lot of members of our club who have passed away over the years and I miss them, but I also feel lucky to have known them and to share their memories. I only hope God allows steam shows in Heaven!

I hope to see all of my friends at the 1996 steam shows around the Michigan, Indiana and Ohio areas. If anyone else has stories about Harry, or anyone else, please send them in to the magazine so that we can all share.