Leduc West Antique Society

THE IGNITOR NEWSLETTER

VOL.16 No. 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 2005

"Living the Past for Future Generations"

Leduc West Antique Society Executive:                  www.leducwestantique.com

SPECIAL RESOLUTION

at the

General Meeting

June 11th, 2005

at the

Alberta Heritage Exposition Park

LWAS FAMILY PICNIC

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - Walter Burak

Spring of 2005 has started with much activity around the Society grounds. Work on the station cedar roof replacement has started and should be completed shortly. It is quite an improvement and was a definite necessity to do. For all the non-believers, several shingles have been saved to show how the shingles were nailed to the roof causing them to lift. The other major project is inside completion of the engine building. At the present Frank is taping and should be ready for painting this weekend. Hopefully these two projects will be finished before the Country Swap Meet on May 21st.

Elmer has been doing a lot of grade work at the Park. The extension of Vintage Iron Street is almost ready for gravel and the low areas along side are filled, levelled, and ready for seeding grass. Depending on the amount of rain we receive the area may not be ready for the show.

We have received more information on the EDGETA Insurance issue. What was neglected to be mentioned in our previous discussions was that membership in a USA Chapter is required before insurance can be issued. The fee for membership is $10.00 US plus $10.00 US for the insurance option which makes this $20.00 US to obtain the coverage. Very little interest from our membership has been forth coming for this coverage.

At our last executive meeting discussion centered on the Society's Objectives & By-Law changes that were proposed at the General Meeting following the Annual Meeting in February. I neglected to print the words "Special Resolution" in the newsletter which is required to alter the By-Laws. This exercise to change the By-Laws will be presented to the membership again at the General Meeting on June 11th at the Family Picnic by "Special Resolution" with the following proposed Society Objectives & By-Law changes:

In the Objectives section - add: as Heading 2.(i)

The registered charitable objectives of the group have a provincial focus. Remove from section 3 'County of Leduc' and make section 3 read: The operations of the society are to be chiefly carried on in the Province of Alberta.

By-Law changes:
Add section 16 with the following wording, heading: Offices:
      The group will establish offices in other Alberta Communities.

The purpose of the By-Law changes is to satisfy Alberta Liquor & Gaming Commission requirements to have our Society classified as a Provincial Group and therefore the group is able to go to any casino in Alberta to hold events. We are only interested in taking advantage of Casinos in Edmonton as opposed to St. Albert where the percentage of monies received far exceeds what we receive at the present.

We hope to see many of you at the events at the Park.

EVENT CO-ORDINATOR'S REPORT - Marg Burak

Time sure flies when you're having fun. I can't believe this is the 15th year since the Society was formed. I know we were the Calmar Antique Club for the first years and had our show in Schneider's pasture. Since then major work has gone on with the help of volunteers as we have a pretty good set up at the Park. Considering the number of members we have lost over the years our membership still remains in the 400 + area. In the past 15 years the executive has only refused one membership and eliminated only one member. We have had three good president's to keep the Society going. You can ask any one of them the job of being President is hard work. It doesn't only involve monthly meetings. It is a daily commitment whether you're on the phone or at the Park. Now with all the expansion the commitment is even greater. However, there are still the few die-hards that keep it going. I know we aren't all perfect, we neglect to do things properly sometimes, and we even forget things; but, we try our best. We appreciate suggestions and ideas; however, out and outright constant criticism and petty jealously are totally unacceptable. My advice to those members is you either "put-up or shut-up". Back stabbing is not acceptable. Maybe you can't do all the physical work; but, anyone can mow grass, water the plants, sweep the floors, prune trees, etc. I hope these complainers decide that it's time to pull together and help in whatever areas you can. I don't believe in all these years we have refused anyone work. So now that I got this off my mind let's make this a year to remember in celebrating ALBERTA'S 100th ANNIVERSARY YEAR.

Our first event on May 21st, the Country Swap Meet, has quite a number of interested vendors coming - some old, some new. The pricing has been changed to avoid any hassles. An outside vendor will pay $20.00 as most of them sell off a trailer or the back of their pick-up which is equivalent to approximately two tables. For the Country Swap Meet we will be using the newly renovated engine building for the vendors that wish to be inside. Kathy will have entertainment during the day. The concession will be operational. Several members of the Edmonton Antique Car Club will be coming out to display their cars and perhaps even bring along a suitcase of car parts. Wayne Mclntyre will be selling the little Waterloo Boy that he built, if it's not sold prior to the meet. We encourage many of our members that have things for sale to bring them out and make our swap meet extra successful. Our admission is still FREE, so if your interested as a vendor, collector, buyer, or just want to come and look around the Park, we hope to see many of you there.

Our Annual Exposition is on July 23rd and 24th. Plans are underway to have another successful show. Two more motorhome groups are joining us this year. Our admission fee is still the same at $5.00 per adult. Children under 12 get in free. We are planning a special tent for the ladies which will include things from scented candles to massages, etc. The girls in the concession are looking for many pies - as this is a great money maker. All Elsie Smith's 47 pie plates are full and just require baking. The concession reefer has been put down to ground level with new shelving in place. Raven will be out with the gymkhana. The llamas will be there. There will be several activities for the younger generation. The entertainment is solid booked. We are going back to a fiddler's contest again. The roast beef & buffalo supper is all planned.

The Tractor Square Dancers have things all lined up for two showings again. The tractor pulls have a brand new track, so the culvert won't affect any pulls. The area for displays is cut down quite a bit as top soil was put in to raise the low spots and I don't think the new grass will be ready. Dorothy, Annette, & Val are ready to cook cinnamon buns and I'm ready to eat. If anyone is interested in helping them, please call. Hopefully, we'll have a large display of antique vehicles - cars, trucks, tractors, and equipment. This year we are featuring case equipment with the eagle leading the parade. We only have one inside building now for vendors, so the priority will be given to the vendors who have stuck with us since '94. However, we will have a tented area for vendors just east of the track.

As always we can make the plans; but, we need you as volunteers to help implement them. You can call to volunteer or wait until you receive a call.

As for all events at the Park DOGS are only allowed in the parking area by your vehicle or in the camping area by your motorhome. NO DOGS are allowed anywhere on the show grounds during the events. Also no campers, tents, kiosks, ATV's, etc. are allowed anywhere on the show grounds. We are receiving static from several people as why we allow certain members to set up tents & others we say no. Therefore to make it fair to all we will allow no one to set up other than in designated areas. All cars or trucks must be parked on the parking lot or along the west fence or north side if permission is given. No vehicles will be parked elsewhere on the grounds unless permission is given prior to the event or unfortunately it will be towed at the owners expense. This is starting to become a problem as several people are taking it into their own hands & making decisions and not following rules as outlined by the Executive & Event Co-ordinator.

The Country Harvest is on September 10th. The basic plans have been made. I'm sure it will turn into another successful event as well. Remember the PROVINCIAL ANTIQUE TRACTOR PULLS are held on this date at the Park.

Much landscaping is still required at the Park. Wally will be moving in another 40 trees as we want to make shaded areas around the Park. Many people can only walk short distances before they must sit down. Also they love to watch the events; but, can not tolerate the hot sun. We do not wish to have a number of tents all over the show grounds or we will become known as "TENT CITY". Norm has been working these past couple months on building picnic tables. Soon they will be ready for painting. Bill is going to paint - I'm sure he could use a helper or two. As always there is watering, grass cutting, pruning, raking, painting, renovations, maintenance, etc. We can always use all the help we can get. If you come out on a Sunday afternoon the horses are practising in the corral so you'll even have some entertainment while you work. Eventually all the landscaping will be in place until we expand further.

Howard has been very busy landscaping around his building. Soon he will have the grass planted. He also has been levelling out the area near the spruce trees and concession. Bill Smith has been very helpful in the renovations with the engine building. Thanks to Bill all those dirty windows are now washed, as well as, the beams which will be covered with the drop

ceiling. As Bill says, "only God knows if there's dirt up there".

The Edmonton Power Guys have been a tremendous help with the renovations. They are our chief movers & help in whatever way they can.. A big thank you to Norm Miller for all his work with the electrical.

Don Andrich will be doing the inventory of all artifacts at the site. He will continue what Memie Smith started several years ago. The signs made by Peter Straub & his sons look beautiful in the Founder's Gallery. I can't wait to see the one they are working on for case.

The LWAS FAMILY PICNIC is on June 11 @ the Park. A potluck dinner will begin at 12:30 pm followed by a General Meeting and hopefully some tractor pulls. If you wish to try out your tractor and see if it can pull, bring it along. Door prizes are always welcome. We may even be able to arrange some entertainment. So bring along your favourite dish, possible new members, or friends. Coffee, juice, plates, & cutlery are provided.

ACRE PLAQUE PROGRAM by Howard Lengert

When we bought the eighty acres in March, 1992 we needed to come up with some way of paying for our land. After some discussion it was decided to sell acre plaques for a donation of$l,100.00 which was the price of one acre of land as we had paid $88,000.00 for our 80 acres of land. I offered to take on the project and Lengert Industries had a large walnut plaque made up and for each acre or half acre donation we received we had a small plaque made up and mounted on the large plaque. I have brought this plaque to our annual meeting for quite a few years.

We have about twenty some odd acres left and this being our 100th anniversary of the province of Alberta you might want to remember a loved one or have your name on a plaque to be remembered for posterity. This large plaque will be mounted on the wall in the waiting room of the railway station for all to see.

I would like to recommend that this will be the last year that we will accept donations for acre plaques. Please contact any executive member if you are interested in having your name on a plaque.

MEMBERSHIP
Thank you to all the yearly members that have updated their membership. There are still a few that have not renewed. Please send in your membership as soon as possible.

GIGANTIC ANTIQUE TRACTOR. MISC AUCTION

Due to health these two collectors are having a dispersal sale. Some of these units are professionally restored, some partly, and others still in their work clothes.

Over 100 tractors, 10 stationary engines, 7 older trucks, 7 crawlers, and many related machinery and parts.

For a complete listing please look in the Western Producer or on web site www.parsonsauctions.com or phone Albert 780 349-5696 Howard 780 349-5128 Parsons Auction 674-3929

I know this is the same day as the Family Picnic at the Park; however, I thought some of you collectors may be interested in going to this sale and come back with a tractor for the Tractor Pulls.

In Memoriam
It is with our deepest sympathy that we have to announce the passing of another one of our members. Pat Alien Baxter passed away March 1, 2005. He was 89 years old. Pat led a very active life from being a machinist, playing in a band, serving overseas in the Canadian Armed Forces, operating a machine shop, and doing many hours of volunteer work restoring farm machinery & rebuilding stationary engines. Pat was a good friend of Don & Bev Beckett. Pat worked with Don on many tractors and small engines. He had tool displays at some of the Society's events. When working on equipment Pat would never say "I told you so"; but, rather he would say, "Balls, it didn't sound quite right to me." I'm sure by now Don, Pat, & Bud have set up shop and are busy restoring antique farm machinery in the blue yonder. Before Pat died he told his best friend, "All of my friends have passed away and you are the only one left so here's what we will do. I will be cremated and you can carry my ashes to my grave in your vest pocket." Pat is survived by his two daughters, wife Marie, one brother & a sister. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

RAFFLE The raffle tickets are coming in very well. Thank you to all the members that are returning them so promptly. I would like to have all tickets in by the end of August if possible. Bill and I will be selling at various places throughout the summer promoting the annual exposition.

KOLLECTORS KORNER by Bill Smith

When you travel it is always nice to check out garage sales & antuqe shops. Such was the case the end of March when I travelled just over 8000 km or 5000 miles in English. Gas ran about $3.00 a gal in our money with the smaller gallon it would be approximately a dollar per gallon cheaper than in Canada. Gas prices were fairly constant right across northern USA and then south to Washington, DC. I guess the most nerve wrecking city is going through Chicago which is about 60 miles. One wrong turn and you are on to a road and right into the loop or heart of the city. Since I've been there a few times I can only say KEEP OUT. The only other cities which come to mind to avoid is New York and San Francisco. Vancouver, BC is a piece of cake in comparison.

We were a little too early for most antique shops which usually don't open until May 1st for tourists. However, we did find a few very large ones open. People are very friendly and helpful wherever one stopped. I could not seem to find any high end items. Lamps were the run of the mill and were a bit cheaper than here. I picked up a quarter panel coal oil LOMAX lamp for $35.00 US or about $50.00 Canadian. Here it would be about $100.00 or double. They seem to be very heavy into primitive items or early American. I did not see one Canadian can on the trip. We did much better in this sort of item in the NW states. If there were cans you can bet they were dirt cheap. I did purchase a fine ivory and chrome push button cradle phone. Again I felt it was a bargain. Once a collector always a collector.

One thing really surprised me was the US Customs. They never asked questions. I could have been a real criminal on the run with a suitcase of weapons. Coming back by Canadian Customs it seems their only concern, not who I was, but if I had any liquor or cigarettes. Since I had neither I made their day. No paper work.

April 16th & 17th was the big Wildrose Antique Annual show at Northlands in Edmonton. Again very few big ticket items. The crowd was down several hundred and why? This has to be the worlds poorest throughout complex. Parking is available for about 1/3 of the people who would like to attend. Vendors were down, rent was up, and parking attrocious - not a good element to attract buyers.

I think there is a lesson to be learned for LWAS. Keep our show expanding, and keep our prices in order. Our food and bathrooms have 100% reputation and the envy of other similar clubs. We got a reputation to uphold and only you our volunteers can help make it happen. Hope to see you out in May, July, and September. WE NEED YOU !!!!

The HISTORICAL CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATION will be having their International Convention at the Reynolds Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin on August 5, 6 & 7 featuring the GREATEST SHOW on EARTH MOVING. Several of LWAS members are involved with this event. The chairperson for this event is Bill Graham. If you wish more information you can contact him @ 446-4151.