It’s Sunday night, Aug. 11, and I’m already nervous about getting everything ready for the 27th annual Inman Farm Heritage Days on Sept. 20-22.
I don’t know why I worry so much. Every year since we started the show, a great group of volunteers has always risen to the occasion and done what was needed to put on an event we can all be proud of. It’s not always the same people; new ones step up every year.
At the risk of leaving out some of them, I’m going to mention some that come to mind. Since my memory isn’t what it once was, I’m just going to highlight the past week or so. Then I’ll return to this spot in a week and do it again.
Phil Mitchell, who has been a part of our boiled peanut sales since the beginning, is building a cool new portable structure to replace the old “Nut House” that had fallen into disrepair.
Not wanting to let anything go to waste, Glen Roberts is leading the way as we moved the old one to a spot along the Walking Trail. We are repairing it and turning it into an Inman history exhibit. Glen is also restoring an old gas station light, donated by Barry Carden, that will be placed in front of the main exhibit building.
(pictured from left to right: Rick Minter, Sam Chason & Daniel Perkins with the newest project – a 1959 John Deere 730)
Daniel Perkins and the Chasons – Sammy, Sam and Austin – are working at least one night a week putting the finishing touches on some tractor restoration projects here, in addition to completing some of their own.
Greg Thompson has joined us for a few sessions, and Ben Maddox and John Collis from the Empty Wallet Club came over Friday night and helped get the rocker shaft, valve cover, water neck and front frame on the John Deere G. (There will be a story about their group in the souvenir program this year.)
Also on Friday, we cranked a 1959 John Deere 730 that hasn’t run in 15-20 years. We’ve done a ton of work on it, and it still needs some fine tuning, but it did all our hearts good to see it driving again.
We’re close to completing the rebuilding of a John Deere G that Stephanie and I started on in 2003 and got stalled out. We’re also putting the finishing touches on a McCormick-Deering 10-20 and a Farmall F30, neither of which has ever run since they came here.
Allen Pierce and Joanne have been busy mowing grass and cleaning the show grounds. Brandon Harp is working to spread some asphalt millings on the roads in our parking field. Howell Fowler has replaced the engine in our 1935 ton-and-a-half Ford truck. Stephanie is working on the souvenir program and other business aspects of putting on the show.
Tommy Hicks and Jim Sams are making some repairs on the dragline. Frank Carden and Darryl Coleman are working on some carburetors for us, and Teresa Walling cleaned up the Walking Trail so we can record a video of it to post on YouTube.
I’m sure I left some out. I’ll try to make it up to them next week.
We are so blessed to have friends that are willing to help put on Inman Farm Heritage Days, and we hope lots of you will be a part of it this year.
Rick