The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher
Friday's opening night at the Henderson County Old Tyme Farm Show always pulls in the biggest crowd - with it's old fashioned and delicious Ham and beans and moist buttery corn bread fixed by the families of the late Ralph Lafary of Smithshire.
There is just something about the "old way of cooking that stirs up good feelings inside, and it is fun to relax, visit with neighbors, and listen to country music.
Cindy McClintock and her 10 year old daughter, did a fine job.
It helped that the weather cooperated and that the price was right for the evening as well.
Janet Lafary and all her children got involved: John (the cook) of Smithshire, Scott of Stronghurst, Marty and Dan of Gladstone, plus the grandkids helped.
The Lafary family also had several other exhibits including the Feature Truck an 1918 Model T Ford that had been Ralph's grandfather's (Harry Lafary of Table Grove).
Harry had purchased it new and had given it to his son Herbert Lafary of Table Grove and then Ralph brought it to his Smithshire home and fixed it up 20 years ago, Janet said, and the family drive it in the parades. They enjoy driving it past the nursing home for residents to see. It will go about 40 m.p.h., she said.
"There use to be a big hill called Oak Hill which they would test the Model T Ford on. They would drop the B Stinger, sound the horn, choke it, and let it go."
Everett Johnson of Carman had the Feature Tractor. He purchased it new fifty-two years ago from Wayne Waddill at the Stronghurst Implement Co. where Riverland FS is now located. It's a 1951 44 Diesel Massey-Harris, with a top speed of 14 m.p.h. (about 3 m.p.h. when pulling a plow).
"The Dannenberg Bros. had one and they liked it," Everett said.
It is what influenced him to purchase it over his dad's B John Deere tractor. It was Everett's first new tractor to help his dad in his 300 acre farming operation.
He recalled the days when they would hand pick corn clear to Christmas before they were finished. "If we got up early enough, we could pick 100 bushels ( a couple acres) in a day. He said Dick Stone who lived with them until he went into the service was the same age, 16.
"He had stronger hands and wrists and could out-pick me. He was a hired hand and being paid, Everett said.
Today, Everett is retired from farming but his family continues to farm an expanded operation. Everett buys old tractors and fixes them up and adds them to his collection. He displayed over six antique tractors at the show.
On Saturday, a sunny day, a parade, threshing, sawing, blacksmithing and tractor pull and fun was enjoyed along with good food prepared by the SHS FFA club.
The much needed rain pleased farmers even though it slowed the Old Tyme activities. The religious service was held in spite of the rain
Donna Powless, Raritan, keeps busy with seasonal crafts and attends 11 shows yearly.
Ron Stamp, Stronghurst shows Mary Margaret Day of Blandinsville the hand-made settee he repaired and refinished that once was Virgie Meade's. Repairing and refinishing is a hobby he enjoys throughout the year.
Ethan Lafary explained every item of the Lafary family collection. Above he points at antique ice skates.
The Crawfords look at some home-made items.