"Gathering of the Green"

Trips & Tours - 2010      Hi, I'm Meli, your tour guide. Along with a lineup of excellent workshops, vendors, speakers and other activities, “Gathering” planners are putting together several interesting trips and tours during the “Gathering” which will appeal to both guys and gals. Below are brief descriptions of these activities along with tentative details. More comprehensive information will be included in the registration packet which will be available on November 1 and on this page of the web site as plans are solidified. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17 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. 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. This will be a popular trip so return your registration form ASAP. Note that space is limited. The coach bus will depart from the River Center at 7:30 a.m. and will return at approximately 4:30 p.m. The cost of the tour including transportation and lunch is $38. Please preregister on the “Gathering” Registration Form which you can download and print from this site. THIS TOUR IS FULL - NO FURTHER SIGN-UPS CAN BE ACCEPTED WALLACE GARDEN CENTER, Bettendorf, IA – An afternoon of learning and shopping at the beautiful Wallace Garden Center. Attend two interesting and informative sessions, one on the top ten easy ways to grow house plants and another on container gardening. After the sessions there will be time to browse and shop in their large store. The bus will depart from the River Center at 1:00 p.m. and will return at approximately 3:45 p.m. The cost of the tour including transportation will be $10. Please preregister on the “Gathering” Registration Form which you can download and print from this site. JOHN DEERE HARVESTER WORKS, East Moline, IL – This factory is the largest, most modern combine manufacturing facility in the world. Located in East Moline, IL, it has approximately 90 acres under roof and has produced products since 1913. See John Deere Factory Tours page for tour details and sign-up instructions. THURSDAY, MARCH 18 THIS TOUR IS FULL - NO FURTHER SIGN-UPS CAN BE ACCEPTED WORKSHOP ON THE ROAD TO IMPLEMENTS OF THE PAST – 1930s AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM, Quincy, IL - If you missed this popular tour in 2008, it’s back again in 2010…a workshop on a coach bus as you travel from the River Center 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 be on board to 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 houses 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. The workshop/tour includes a sit-down catered lunch in the museum. This is a repeat of the very successful tour offered to “Gathering” folks in 2008, and we can assure you that it will be a “thumbs up” experience in 2010. The coach bus will depart the River Center at 7:30 a.m. and will return at approximately 4:15 p.m. The cost including lunch and transportation is $30. Please preregister on the “Gathering” Registration Form which you can download and print from this site. Sears Manufacturing, Boejte’s Mustard Factory & John Deere Pavilion & John Deere Store – see below – Visits to these three sites will be combined to make a one-half-day tour. SEARS MANUFACTURING, Davenport, IA – Sears Manufacturing started in the Davenport area in 1855, initially manufacturing quality leather and canvas products for the agricultural market including harnesses, saddles, pistol holsters and other items for which there was a market. As customer needs changed Sears changed with the times, and over the past forty years the company has become a world leader in the manufacture of agricultural and truck seats including seats for John Deere tractors. Plan to join us for this most interesting tour. BOETJE’S MUSTARD FACTORY – Rock Island, IL – We suspect you didn’t know that a well-known all-American mustard is produced in the Quad Cities. From a humble beginning in 1889, Fred Boetje began making stone ground Dutch mustard in his Rock Island garage, and his company has become a major producer of mustard in the USA. This family-owned business has strived over the years to improve and refine the quality of their mustard. This tour will not only show you how quality mustard is made but will illustrate how a family-run business holds its own in today’s global market. JOHN DEERE PAVILION AND JOHN DEERE STORE, Moline, IL – The John Deere Pavilion was created as a celebration of the past, present and future of agribusiness. It has attracted guests from all corners of the globe and is recognized as the world’s most comprehensive agricultural exhibit. You will enjoy the interactive exhibits and the opportunity to see the newest John Deere equipment as well as selected antique two-cylinder and New Generation tractors. A few feet away from the Pavilion is the John Deere Store, a one-of-a-kind specialty retail shop offering a wide variety of merchandise and collectibles for enthusiasts of all ages. Whether it is clothing, toys, gift items, or housewares you are looking for, the John Deere Store is sure to have that special something for everyone on your list. The bus will depart from the River Center at 8:15 a.m. and return at approximately 12:30 p.m. The cost of the tour will be $15. Please preregister on the “Gathering” Registration Form which you can download and print from this site. DEERE WIMAN HOUSE & BUTTERWORTH CENTER – Moline, IL – This tour will end in the mid-afternoon -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, architectural innovations of the past century, and beautiful formal gardens and walkways. Enjoy a catered lunch in the old Carriage House. On the way back to the River Center, you will stop at the John Deere Pavilion and John Deere Store. Don’t forget your plastic! The bus will depart from the River Center at 10:45 a.m. and will return at approximately 3:00 p.m. The cost of the tour including transportation and lunch will be $30. Please preregister on the “Gathering” Registration Form which you can download and print from this site. JOHN DEERE SEEDING GROUP , Moline, IL – Planters are assembled in this factory and it is the business center for John Deere planters, box drills and air seeders. See John Deere Factory Tours page for tour details and sign-up instructions. JOHN DEERE HARVESTER WORKS, East Moline, IL -- This factory is the largest, most modern combine manufacturing facility in the world. Located in East Moline, IL, it has approximately 90 acres under roof and has produced products since 1913. See John Deere Factory Tours page for tour details and sign-up instructions. JOHN DEERE DAVENPORT WORKS, Davenport, IA -- Visit the factory which manufactures John Deere industrial equipment including loaders, motor graders, log skidders and ADT trucks. See John Deere Factory Tours page for tour details and sign-up instructions. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010 HOUSE ON THE ROCK, Spring Green, WI – Enjoy a leisurely coach bus ride through the beautiful country side of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin on your way to tour the House on the Rock in Spring Green, one of the Midwest’s most popular destinations. Upon arrival, you will visit the foundation of Alex Jordan’s grand vision – the Original House. The fourteen-room house is rich in detail and variation, from the canted stained glass windows, and sandstone fireplaces to the Infinity Room soaring 156 feet above the valley floor. The Gate House is also a part of the morning tour. Then have lunch - PAY ON YOUR OWN - at the restaurant. Following lunch you will visit the world’s largest carousel and view hundreds of collections and displays including the Mill House, Streets of Yesterday, Heritage of the Sea, Music of Yesterday and the Spirit of Aviation. The bus will depart from the River Center at 7:30 a.m. and will return at approximately 4:45 p.m. The cost of the tour including admission and transportation will be $45. Note that lunch is on your own. Please preregister on the “Gathering” Registration Form which you can download and print from this site. THIS TOUR IS FULL - NO FURTHER SIGN-UPS CAN BE ACCEPTED KENNY BUSH MUSEUM, Milan, IL – If you are an admirer of everything John Deere, then a tour of the Kenny Bush Museum in nearby Milan, Illinois is a must. Start the morning with coffee and donuts in the party room where you’ll see one-half of a full-sized windmill suspended from the ceiling. Kenny and his wife have transformed an old barn into a fascinating museum full of antiques, household items, photographs, a one-room school, old tractors, hay forks, pulleys - memorabilia seldom seen anywhere – a truly unique look at agricultural history. The Bush family has had close ties with Deere & Company’s seeding and harvester experimental program over the years. Many of the Deere planting and harvesting machines were tested and improved on the Bush farms. This tour will be of interest to both the guys and gals – and one which shouldn’t be missed. The bus will depart from the River Center at 8:30 a.m. and return at approximately 11:30 a.m. The cost of the tour will be $10. Please preregister on the “Gathering” Registration Form which you can download and print from this site. BIG RIVER RESOURCES, Burlington, IA - Located in the heart of the corn belt, Big River Resources is an ethanol plant in West Burlington, Iowa. The plant processes corn into renewable fuel and feed products. Production at 40 million gallons per year started April 12, 2004. A doubling project from 40 to 92 million gallons per year was completed December, 2007. Learn more about the production of ethanol and tour this technically advanced plant. A buffet lunch will be PAY ON YOUR OWN at Ryan’s Family Steakhouse. The bus will depart from the River Center at 8:30 a.m. and will return at approximately 2:30 p.m. The cost of the tour will be $23. Note that lunch is on your own. Please preregister on the “Gathering” Registration Form which you can download and print from this site. JOHN DEERE HARVESTER WORKS, East Moline, IL -- This factory is the largest, most modern combine manufacturing facility in the world. Located in East Moline, IL, it has approximately 90 acres under roof and has produced products since 1913. See John Deere Factory Tours page for tour details and sign-up instructions. JOHN DEERE DAVENPORT WORKS, Davenport, IA -- Visit the factory which manufactures John Deere industrial equipment including loaders, motor graders, log skidders and ADT trucks. Note there are two tours of this factory on Friday. See John Deere Factory Tours page for tour details and sign-up instructions. JOHN DEERE SEEDING GROUP , Moline, IL – Planters are assembled in this factory and it is the business center for John Deere planters, box drills and air seeders. See John Deere Factory Tours page for tour details and sign-up instructions. SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010 THIS TOUR IS FULL - NO FURTHER SIGN-UPS CAN BE ACCEPTED QUAD CITIES AREA TRACTOR COLLECTIONS – Here is a great opportunity to see some of the best tractor, implement and memorabilia collections you will find anywhere – right in the Quad Cities area and only a few miles from the River Center. They won’t all be green but we greenies enjoy antique equipment of any color. Dick Bockwoldt of Dixon, Iowa and Neil West of Bettendorf, Iowa will host the tours and guide you through their unique and very interesting collections of tractors and implements. An additional treat will be a visit to the newly constructed timber frame barn typical of those built on a 19th century farm on the grounds of the Antique Engine & Tractor Association located north of Geneseo, Illinois. The new barn will be full of tractors of all colors. A box lunch will be served at noon. The bus will depart the River Center at 8:30 a.m. and will return at approximately 2:15 p.m. The cost including a box lunch and transportation is $22. Please preregister on the “Gathering” Registration Form which you can download and print from this site. DEERE & COMPANY WORLD HEADQUARTERS AND LUNCH AT DEERE RUN TPC GOLF COURSE CLUB HOUSE, Moline and Silvis, IL – The Deere & Company World Headquarters, located on 1400 acres of beautifully-kept land, is a tribute to the genius of two craftsmen who lived and worked a century apart. John Deere and Eero Saarinen, the Finnish-American architect who designed the building, both created masterpieces in steel. Deere used steel to forge the plow that tamed the prairie; Saarinen used it to build a structure that reflected the character of the company that bears Deere's name. In addition to viewing the building exterior from the grounds you will visit the display floor where you can look at antique John Deere equipment and get up close and personal with a variety of the company’s new equipment offerings. The floor features a three-dimensional mural by Alexander Girard. that contains 2200 authentic pieces of memorabilia dating from 1837-1918, spanning the company's first 75 years of operation. Then on to TPC Deere Run, a majestic golf course along the Rock River and home of the annual John Deere Classic golf tournament. A delicious lunch will be served in the attractive Deere Run club house and TPC Grille, highlighted by an outstanding view of the lush, manicured 18th fairway, with the beautiful Rock River serving as an awe-inspiring backdrop. LuAnn Haydon, Director of Visual Services for Deere & Company, our luncheon speaker, will share her experiences as a long-time Deere manager. You will return to the hotel in mid-afternoon with plenty of time to prepare for the evening banquet and keynote speaker. The bus will depart from the River Center at 10:15 a.m. and return at approximately 2:10 p.m. The cost of the tour and lunch will be $30. Please preregister on the “Gathering” Registration Form which you can download and print from this site. HOME STAY TUNED TO THIS WEB SITE FOR NEW INFORMATION.