"It's GREEN
they say."
"It's Not Easy
Being Green"
2/2/07
What's that MUSIC??
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Major events at the “Harvest in the Heartland”
Sixty-four vendors, the largest number in the history of the “Gathering,” participated in the conference and offered a variety of goods, services, parts, manuals, art work, toys, and clothing. The vendor areas were busy throughout the conference. In fact, most vendors were not completely set up when the enthusiastic crowds, intent on shopping, arrived on Wednesday afternoon. It’s difficult to come to a “Gathering” and not take something John Deere home with you! We extend our sincere appreciation to all of our vendors for their participation and ongoing support of the conference. We trust you had a successful week.
Our evening speakers are a superb feature of the “Gathering,” and this year was no exception. Randy Sergesketter, of Deere & Company, started us off on Thursday evening with a most informative presentation on John Deere combines, telling of the rich heritage the company has in harvesting, manufacturing and development of these vital machines. Also on Thursday, Wally Miller showed photos of belt buckles, discussed his collection, and shared information on the history of companies and the products they manufactured. On Friday, Ray Defenbaugh, farmer, businessman, ethanol plant CEO, and farm accident survivor from Biggsville, IL provided insightful, thoughtful and eloquent words about his life experiences, his rural values, and his faith and commitment to those rural values. As one audience member said, “Mr. Defenbaugh’s talk made me feel more patriotic and very proud to be an American.” Our final speaker was the well-known and popular, Lewis Baumgartner, The World’s Worst Farmer, who shared his wit and wisdom from Cocklebur County, Missouri during our closing banquet on Saturday evening. The Fun Auction continues to be a popular event, thanks to the generous donations from our vendors and the always humorous and entertaining auctioneer, Vern Mariman. This year was no exception. A good time was had by all. Thanks Vern for your ongoing participation and support of the “Gathering.” 
The tours of John Deere manufacturing plants are always a highlight for attendees as is evidenced by the large number of “Gathering” registrants who signed up to visit the John Deere Engine Works and Tractor Assembly plants in Waterloo, IA as well as the John Deere Dubuque Works in Dubuque, IA. Seven tours of Deere & Company factories in the Quad Cities were arranged through John Deere Guest Services. Visits were made to the Harvester Works, Seeding Group and Davenport Works. This year, two busses traveled to Williamsburg, IA to tour the Kinze tractor collection and plant.
A significant number of activities for spouses were a part this year’s conference. Shopping and lunch in historic Galena, IL was a popular event as were the tours of the historic Deere homes (Deere-Wiman Home & Butterworth Center) with lunch catered by Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse. On Friday, lunch and a program at the Lavender Crest Winery in nearby Colona, IL drew over 80 people, and over 110 gals and a few guys attended the Spring Gardening Luncheon at Montana Jack’s featuring local florist, Craig Hignight. Cork and Eileen Groth presented a special workshop for the ladies entitled, “Two Silly Tractors” in which they explained two-cylinder restoration in plain, understandable and humorous terms. After the 2004 “Gathering,” we received an offer from the Ladies of the Minnesota Buffalo Ridge Two-Cylinder Club to present a “Make & Take” (crafts) Workshop at the next conference. That offer became a reality in 2006 as Anna Epple, Carol Olson, Ramona Pitzl and Beverly Wilson organized Friday sessions which were very well-attended and popular with the ladies. Activities for the ladies have become an important element of the “Gathering” and we thank everyone for their hard work in organizing these activities for spouses. 
With the hall beautifully decorated in John Deere green and yellow, the banquet began with a video tribute to America featuring Lee Greenwood’s rendition of “God Bless the USA,” leaving few with dry eyes. The evening went on to be a most memorable one. Don McKinley shared background information on the creation of the “Harvest in the Heartland” displays, and Mark Johnson, “Gathering” Cochairman, thanked the many, many people who organized and contributed to the “Gathering.” Lewis Baumgartner was the keynote speaker, and Ken Reese presented the final comments to close the 2006 “Gathering of the Green.” Over 650 people attended the banquet to enjoy the evening’s program and the delicious buffet dinner prepared by the staff of the Holiday Inn. The “Gathering” banner was auctioned, as was a beautiful painting donated by Charles Frietag. One person at each table took home a beautiful flowered centerpiece created by Susan Johnson, and another an attractive ice bucket donated by Deere & Company. The battery-powered child’s John Deere Buck was won by Wendy McDonald of Coon Rapids, MN.
The 2006 John Deere Gator CS was won by 16 year old high school sophomore Kyle Biddle of Walcott, IA. Kyle, a member of FFA, and his family reside on a farm near Walcott and he and his sister show Hereford cattle at shows all over the Midwest. At last report, he was seen buzzing around the barn with 10 buckets of feed in the back. It’s obvious the Gator will get a good workout on the farm.
E-mail: Ken Reese at kwreese@aol.com if you have questions. |
"Green Green"