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PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS 2008 EVENT HAS ALREADY TAKEN PLACE. ALL OF THIS INFORMATION IS STILL HERE SO THAT YOU CAN SEE WHAT ACTIVITIES TOOK PLACE IN 2008.
TRIPS and TOURS
TRACTOR/IMPLEMENT-RELATED TRIPS
Thursday, March 13
SINDT ANTIQUE MUSEUM, Keystone, IA
The Darold Sindt collection is housed in the former John Deere dealership location on Main Street in Keystone. It features a remarkable variety of approximately 100 tractors and implements plus riding mowers, pedal tractors, engines and other interesting memorabilia. There is something of interest for everyone. Many of the tractors have interesting histories pertaining to Darold Sindt and the Keystone dealership. Plans are to build an additional building next to the existing museum but they cannot promise it will be completed by March, 2008. The Sindt family is looking forward to hosting those who select this trip. Tour participants will be able to explore the museum at their leisure. Lunch will be served in the nearby Keystone Turner Hall.
The coach bus will depart from the Holiday Inn at 7:15 a.m. and will return to the hotel at approximately 4:00 p.m. The cost of the tour including transportation and lunch is $26. Please preregister on the “Gathering” Registration Form which you can download and print from this site.
Friday, March 14
WORKSHOP ON THE ROAD TO IMPLEMENTS OF THE PAST – 1930s AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM, Quincy, IL
How about this for an activity during the “Gathering?” …a workshop on the coach bus as you travel from the Holiday Inn to Quincy, IL to tour Don McKinley and Marvin Huber’s exceptional 1930s Agricultural Museum. Upon arrival, Don and Marvin will personally give a guided tour of their museum. During the bus ride, they will discuss the “Fine Points of Implement Restoration” including why one should collect implements, how to find them, goals of restoration, disassembling, preparation for painting, priming and painting, reassembling and much more. The museum is located in a 5760 sq. ft. building which house the contents of a 1930s era farm house and some forty-two classic John Deere implements of the 1930s. Many of the items you will see were found on an 80 to 120 acre farm in the Midwest. A huge display of horse bits and horse equipment is also available for viewing. This unique “workshop on the road” and museum visit will give you a glimpse of one decade in the evolution of agriculture and John Deere agricultural equipment in middle America. This workshop/tour includes a sit-down catered lunch in the museum. The idea of this workshop on the road resulted from the good attendance at implement workshops led by Don and Marvin at previous conferences; hence came the thought to expand the parameters and include an actual visit to their museum. This will be a “thumbs up” experience. If you have not already done so, be sure to read the interesting article about Don and Marvin’s unique museum in the July, 2007 issue of Green Magazine.
The coach bus will depart the Holiday Inn at 7:30 a.m. and will return to the hotel at approximately 4:30 p.m. The cost including lunch and transportation is $29. Please preregister on the “Gathering” Registration Form.
TRIPS & TOURS – Thursday, March 13, 2008:
NATIONAL FARM TOY MUSEUM & PLAZA ANTIQUE MALL, Dyersville, IA
The farm toy instills lasting impressions in people of all ages, from children to adults recollecting on a magical childhood. Established in 1986, the National Farm Toy Museum in Dyersville, IA has become a major tourist attraction offering an array of 30,000 farm toys, trucks, banks and other toys of interest to both the serious collector and casual visitor. Farm scenes illustrate the importance of agriculture throughout history to present day. You will spend the morning touring the museum. At approximately 11:30 a.m., the group will walk to the nearby and popular Country Junction Restaurant for lunch (on your own).
After lunch (12:45), you will take a short walk to the Plaza Antique Mall which is a cleverly designed facility boasting neatly organized vendor display areas and nostalgic decorations from days gone by. The Plaza is home to over 200 dealers offering a wide variety of antiques and collectibles including farm toys. There is something of interest to be found by those of all ages, including a display of vintage and collector autos for your viewing pleasure.
Your coach bus will depart from the Holiday Inn at 7:30 a.m. and return to the hotel at approximately 4:00 p.m. The cost including transportation and NFTM admission is $23. Note that lunch is on your own. Please preregister on the “Gathering” Registration Form.
JOHN DEERE HISTORIC SITE, Grand Detour, IL
Visit John Deere’s home, a replica of his blacksmith’s shop, a building housing an archaeological exhibit that shows the place of John Deere’s original blacksmith shop, and the gift shop. During this afternoon visit you will be greeted by members of the Historic Site staff who will guide you through the buildings and grounds located on several beautiful acres along the Rock River. A mid-afternoon snack and refreshments will be served courtesy of the Historic Site.
Reminder: the tour will be on Thursday afternoon. The bus will depart from the Holiday Inn at 12:15 p.m. and return at approximately 5 p.m. The cost of the tour is $7. Please preregister on the “Gathering” Registration Form.
DEERE-WIMAN HOME & BUTTERWORTH CENTER, Moline, IL
& ISABEL BLOOM PRODUCTION STUDIO, Davenport, IA
Located in the Overlook Historic Neighborhood in Moline, these majestic Deere homes offer an extraordinary journey into the history of John Deere and his family. John Deere’s youngest son, Charles, built the beautiful Deere-Wiman House in 1872. In 1892, Charles Deere built the Butterworth Center, a block from his beloved Overlook, as a wedding gift for his youngest daughter, Katherine and her husband William Butterworth. Join us for a guided tour and an authentic glimpse into Victorian family life and architectural innovations of the past century along with beautiful formal gardens and walkways. Enjoy a catered lunch in the old Deere-Wiman Carriage House.
After lunch you will board the bus for a short ride across the mighty Mississippi River to tour the famous Isabel Bloom Harborview Production Studio in Davenport, Iowa. Begin your tour of the studio with a video on how the world famous Isabel Bloom sculptures are made and then tour the studio to see the artisans in action as they explain the process while they work. Four special pieces are available for purchase to those touring the studio. Before departing you will have the opportunity to visit the gift shop.
The bus will depart from the Holiday Inn at 9:30 a.m. and return to the hotel at approximately 3:15 p.m. The cost including transportation and lunch is $25. Please preregister on the “Gathering” Registration Form.
TRIPS & TOURS – Friday, March 14, 2008:
BISHOP HILL HISTORIC SITE, Bishop Hill, IL & AMERICA’S FURNITURE SHOWPLACE, GOOD’S FURNITURE HOUSE, Kewanee, IL
Visiting this National Historic Landmark will be an experience you won’t forget. Discover why Bishop Hill is acknowledged as the most significant force in immigration of millions of Swedes and other Scandinavians to the United States. The colony, established by Swedish immigrants in 1846, was an early attempt in communal living. The Pre-Civil War community has remained intact and is very similar to the original village. Your tour will include a video depicting the history of the village followed by visits to several of the original buildings led by experienced and knowledgeable tour guides dressed in period costumes. The morning will end with a visit to the Colony Store and other interesting shops. Lunch will be at P.L. Johnson’s Swedish restaurant. The visit will be a walking tour or by bus, depending on the weather.
After a delicious lunch (on your own) at P.L. Johnson’s in Bishop Hill, you will board your bus for a short 13 mile ride to Kewanee to visit America’s Furniture Showplace, Good’s Furniture House. Family-owned since 1895, Good’s Furniture House is composed of 12 gallery buildings of quality furniture, the Market Square Gift Emporium and the Wine Cellar Bistro & Bakery. People travel to Good’s from all parts of the USA to visit this remarkable and huge furniture gallery in the small farming community of Kewanee. It’s a sight to see and one you’ll always remember. Browse on your own through the showplace but don’t get lost and remember your departure time.
The bus will depart from the Holiday Inn at 9:00 a.m. and return at approximately 4:00 p.m. The cost including transportation and Bishop Hill admission is $21. Note that lunch is on your own at P.L. Johnson’s. Please preregister on the “Gathering” Registration Form.
FIGGE ART MUSEUM, Davenport, IA & QUAD CITY BOTANICAL CENTER, Rock Island, IL
This is a tour you don’t want to miss. In the morning you will take a short bus ride to Davenport to visit the Figge Art Museum, a world-class designed building on the banks of the Mississippi River, with collections of American, European and Mexican art plus a regional art display of Grant Wood paintings. Recently the Figge has added both contemporary glass and James J. Audubon exhibitions. The tour will begin with a 15 minute orientation in the auditorium followed by small group tours led by experienced docents. A national publication has named the Figge as one of the top art museums in the USA. The tour will end with a visit to their lovely gift shop.
Prior to lunch, you will again cross the Mississippi, this time to Rock Island and the Quad City Botanical Center. There you will enter a dining area, with white linen-covered tables, to enjoy a delicious catered luncheon buffet featuring the highest quality foods. Following lunch, you’ll be treated to a delightful afternoon program entitled, “’Food of the Gods’ - Chocolate” – that will provide a closer look at the sweet lure of chocolate. Through a short informational session and tour of the Botanical Center, you will examine the fascinating history of chocolate (our addiction to it began 3000 years ago in Central America), learn about the chocolate-making process, taste five tropical-flavored fudges, and visit a chocolate tree. What a special day!!
The bus will depart from the Holiday Inn at 9:30 a.m. and return at approximately 3:15 p.m. The cost of the visit to Figge, the QC Botanical Center, the buffet lunch, the chocolate tour and transportation is only $42. Please preregister on the enclosed “Gathering” Registration Form.
SPECIAL ACTIVITY – Saturday, March 15, 2008:
LUNCHEON & STYLE SHOW AT LAVENDER CREST WINERY, Colona, IL
On Saturday, March 15, the ladies (some guys too) attending the “Gathering” will not want to miss this luncheon/style show at the Lavender Crest Winery located in Colona, IL, only a few miles from the Holiday Inn. Established in 2004, the winery sits on nine scenic acres of vineyards and has a California ambiance. Along with a delicious lunch you will be treated to a lovely style show presented by the Four Seasons clothing store in Geneseo, IL. The Four Seasons, a family-owned business for over forty years, includes seven stores located in Illinois and Iowa. The buyers work hard to find the best selection of new and exciting merchandise and you can be sure the show will include fashions of quality and style. This will be a truly enjoyable experience.
The bus will depart from the Holiday Inn at 11:15 a.m. and return at approximately 3:00 p.m. Cost, including transportation and lunch, is $22 per person. Please preregister on the “Gathering” Registration Form.
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