SECOND WEEKEND OF AUTUMN TRAILS
by
Maryann Miller

 

There's something about small town festivals that makes everyone feel at home. Strangers don't meet as strangers, they are new-found friends, and everyone is willing to stop and chat a moment.

That was especially true this past Saturday as folks came out to enjoy the beautiful fall day and all the events downtown and at City Park.

The day started with the Pilot Club's bike race, and about forty-five entrants gathered at the Depot parking lot for the start of the race. Although not officially a part of Autumn Trails, the bike race has been a part of the second weekend for many years, and riders come from many places, including the Dallas area. David McGaffin (L) came from Rockwall, where he has a dental practice. He said he's been riding for six or seven years, and came with his friends, Ben and Katie Sewell, who are from Dallas. "David and I have been partners in crime on many a bike adventure," Ben said.

Katie is a graphic artist and Ben, is a pilot for FlexJet. "Think of timeshares for jets," he said. "People who don't want to purchase their own plane can join with others to purchase a plane and then share it."

David took first place in the 40mile finish, with Enrique Lopez from Mt. Pleasant second, and Keith Shurtleff from Sulphur Springs third.

Ben took first in the 20 mile finish. Rich Lorhell from Rowlett was second, and Penny Fortenberry of Mesquite came in third.

Riders from Tyler swept the 65 mile finish. David Gersh was first, Andy Kutach, second, and David Starrett third.

In this age of modern technology, you wouldn't think many folks would be interested in tractors and tractor pulls, but over 800 people gathered to see the various tractors and to watch them pull tons of concrete through the pavilion. Mike Banks, of Valley Feed, who is one of the organizers of the event said this was the best year yet. "We had over 175 tractors this year," he said. "We started doing this in 1999 with 13 tractors."

Coincidentally, Mike's grandson, Cade Hayley, was one of the first drivers to get his picture taken as he was coming off his pull. Cade, who is a fifth grader at Memorial Middle School, got certified to compete last year. He said he has loved tractors all his life and was especially excited because on the day of the Tractor Pull he became the owner of the 1943 John Deere he was driving. "My grandpa said when I can crank it, I can have it," Cade said. "And I got it cranked this morning." (Cade is pictured here on the right with his uncle, Ronnie Moore.)

Apparently, one does not simply turn a key to start one of these vintage tractors and some muscle is needed to get 'er going.

It's not just men and boys who love tractors. Plenty of ladies do, too. Kimberly Dickerson (L) from Grand Saline decided a long time ago she wanted to drive tractors in parades after watching her dad do that. But this weekend was the first time for her to enter a tractor pull. "Dad taught me last summer," she said. "And I just love doing this."

She started to say the 1952 Farmall H she was driving belonged to her dad, but he was standing next to her and said, "It's hers."

Tractor people are mighty generous, but maybe that is part of the lure. They want everyone to enjoy what they do. Kimberly's father, Bill Brummett, has a number of tractors, but one that means the most to him right now is the one he is pictured here with. "This tractor belonged to a good friend, Jake Jackobson," Bill said. He passed away two years ago and his family wanted me to have his tractor. He was always a favorite with the kids, so I try to carry on the tradition."

Bill, who has a weekend place in Quitman, is a member of the Lake Country Antique Tractor Association.

In addition to being thrilled at the response to the Tractor Pull, Mike Banks was really excited about having a John Deere Series at the show. "That's a very rare thing," he said. "You don't see many complete series at shows."

Mike is pictured here with his 70 John Deere, and he said he has one from the 40, 50, 60 and 80 Series that started in late forties and goes to the 1960s. "They started with letter series then changed to numbered series," he said. "The ones I own were all made in the mid 1950s."

Mike explained that all the tractors in a series are about the same size, but each new model had an improvement. In this weekend's show there was a D, an R, an 80, an 820, and an 830.

The oldest tractor at the show was a1924 McCormic Deering. The owner could not be located in the crowd for a picture, so Matthew Brown agreed to pose. He is the three year old son of Mike and Sarah Brown of Winnsboro.

David and Angie McCarley came from Waxahache to show the 1936 Model B General Purpose Tractor. It has skeleton steel rear wheels and what is called "Texas Sand Disc" wheels in front. David said those front wheels are hard to find. David is the son of Wyley McCarley who lives here, and David keeps some of the 70+ tractors he owns here for "Dad to play with."

David has been collecting since 89 or 90, but said he grew up on a farm, so he was familiar with tractors. "You could say I grew up on Farmalls, but converted to John Deeres," he said. "When I was a teen we had a Super Farmall, and a neighbor had a John Deere B. He drove it down to our place to visit with my dad, and that was the first time I saw a Deere."

Angie fully supports David's tractor habit. In fact, she is starting one of her own. "I followed him around from show to show for a year," she said. "Then I told him, 'I'm done following. Make one for me.' So he did."

She has a John Deere B, as well as a 1959 John Deere 330S. Angie said their two girls grew up around the tractors and tractor shows, "And they still come back and play with us. Next will be our grandson. He'll probably get the next one that is in the shop getting restored."

It wasn't just farmers in bib overalls spending the morning at City Park in Winnsboro - although there were plenty of those. People from all walks of life came to the tractor show and then wandered over to the Arts & Crafts booths. Nicki Bramlet from Gilmer came with her dog, Clyde, who is apparently quite a John Deere fan. Then there was young Jacob Glenn, with his father, John Glenn from Sulphur Springs. The boy was wearing a T-shirt with a Farmall tractor on it. "My brother-in-law is competing on a Farmall," John said. "So we have to support him."

The Arts & Crafts Fair had 34 booths, so shoppers had a lot of merchandise to choose from. Andy and Suzi Rogers had a variety of rope baskets and other hand-crafted items for sale. "We started just with baskets two years ago," Suzi said. "Then Andy started adding to the baskets."

Each basket has a unique design in the actual rope weaving, as well as differences in what is used to accessorize the basket. Their company is Just Ropin' and they will take orders via e-mail or phone 903-348-4020.

They also carry a number of other home decor items, including these unique crosses.

Another unique gift item for sale at the fair was a grill tool with a curled end for picking up items off a hot grill. Todd McCoy, (below R) customizes the Pig Tail Food Flipper with deer antlers. "I started by making one for my Dad," he said. "Then Uncle Charlie wanted one. Then someone else, and pretty soon I was making them for lots of relatives and friends."

Todd figures that part of the fun of having one of his customized tools is that the owner can tell deer stories while he's cooking like fisherman tell fish stories.

Toryn Webb had a booth with hand-blown glassware and dinnerware from Pueblo, Mexico. The dishes are like works of art, and each one is signed and authenticated. Toryn currently lives in Winnsboro, but is getting ready to go to Mexico to do an internship on organic farming. "It's something I've been interested in since college," he said. After a year or so, I plan to come back and start an organic farm near here. Then I can take in interns and teach organic farming."

As if all that was not enough to keep people busy on Saturday, there was also the BBQ cook off, and visitors could buy BBQ and other items inside City Auditorium for lunch. City National Bank with Charles Horsheim cooking took first place, second was Jimmy Davis, of Davis Floors & Electric, and third place was won by Don Meeks and the Chuck Wagon Gang. Don is from Como and he's been cooking for about 2 years. "I found this old chuck wagon in Oklahoma," he said. "And I can cook anything."

He will go as far as 200 miles, "Depending on the prize money." He takes his dog, Corky, and his guitar with him. "Sometimes I play a little," he said.

Cooking for The Propane Company that recently opened a branch in Winnsboro was Greg Glober (Below L) and Max Sanders. "We didn't place in the competition," Greg said. "But it wasn't because we didn't try."

"It must be okay," Max said. "They're selling it inside the building and nobody's getting sick."

Greg was cooking stuffed jalapeno peppers and giving them to folks who stopped by. He would tell them about the Holland grill he was using, but there was no hard-sell going on. Just folks sharing some fun on a great day in Winnsboro.