OTTUMWA —
The colors of harvest are green and yellow.
If you don’t agree, you didn’t attend the Sixth Annual Harvest Days Saturday at Dave Cobler’s farm north of Ottumwa.
John Deere tractors marked in green and yellow were all over three fields. Harvest Days gives tractor enthusiasts a chance to use vintage tractors to bring in the crops.
For others, the event is a time to remember the sights and sounds of harvest time. The memorable “pop pop” sound of the two-cylinder tractor engine is a longtime favorite.
New to Harvest Days was Sherman Kiefaber of Pella. He’s a blacksmith, and he demonstrated how to make a new chain link while curious onlookers watched.
“Be careful heating up metal because it will burn,” he said.
Seeing is believing. Kiefaber used his tongs to hold a piece of metal in the fire, which was contained in a small grill on a stand. The metal piece appeared to be on fire as he retrieved it, but after he removed it and started to pound it into a link, the flames died out.
Host Dave Cobler said he event was “goin’ real good” at midday Saturday. Usual activities included harvesting wheat, combining soybeans, picking corn by hand, hayrack rides, hand shelling and more.
“A lot of local folks are here, it’s a very good turnout,” Cobler said. “The purpose for the event is to respect our fathers and grandfathers and all the people who got us to now.”
Cobler also noted the tractors and other equipment ranged from 1900-60.
“There’s a lot of Joseph Dain stuff, such as a Dain sheller and an 1896 cutter,” he added.
Cobler said he’s a seventh-generation farmer and his son, D.J., represents the eighth generation.
Wayne Durham of Arbela, Mo., is a farmer and was born on a farm. He’s also a mechanic and his hobby is restoring tractors.
“The unusual ones are the challenge,” he said. “And I enjoy workin’ with the old stuff. If we don’t interest the younger generation, they won’t know how to operate the antique equipment.”
Terry and Connie Stephen of Montezuma smiled a lot as they sat on a big hay bale under a tree near the barns and watched tractors, shellers, and other equipment working in the fields.
Terry Stephen said he was raised around John Deere equipment and could operate the machinery when he was a kid.
“That’s why I look at old John Deere tractors,” he said.
Connie Stephen said she still has a John Deere combine and tractor stored in a machine shed at her farm near Lake Ponderosa.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Blacksmith Sherman Kiefaber of Pella was one of the new activities at the Sixth Annual Harvest Days Saturday at the Cobler farm. Several people gathered around to watch Kiefaber make a link out of other metal. Other activities included watching men use antique equipment to bring in the crops. Cindy Toopes/The Courier
Blacksmith joins Poppin’ Johnnies harvest
Harvest Days gives tractor enthusiasts a chance to use vintage tractors to bring in the crops
- Local News
-
-
Bridge work will close trails section
The closure of the trails between Black Lake and Mary Street is expected to remain in effect through November.
-
PHOTOS: Fire and Ice — Raising funds for smoke detectors
Cooper Chickering, 3, of Ottumwa, enjoys the “ice” part of the “Fire and Ice” event, while Ottumwa Master Firefighter Bill Keith shows a crowd the “fire” part of the fundraiser, which raises money to buy smoke detectors for Ottumwans who need them.
-
Ottumwa schools toughen Internet policy
This week, the Ottumwa school board adopted a new policy for Internet use in the district. The new policy fits with The Children’s Internet Protection Act, a federal regulation tied to government funding.
-
‘A peek behind the curtains:’ Weekend events gear community to check out trails, downtown
This weekend's events to benefit the trails and educate the community of what’s new and changing downtown include the annual Tips for Trails at the Tom Tom Tap and the mediathon to raise money for the Wapello County Trails Council.
-
Eisenhower bridge repair in the works
Insurance companies are still hammering out final reimbursements after a truck hauling a wide-load wind turbine struck the Eisenhower Pedestrian Bridge in April 2011. The city also finalized severing ties with Centerplace and blasts the company's management of Bridge View Center.
-
Cremer takes command of Veterans Affairs office
The Wapello County Board of Supervisors has approved hiring Marty Cremer of Agency as the county’s new Veterans Affairs director. Dan Hoy, the outgoing director, told the board his last day will be Friday.
-
PHOTO: Rewarding field day at Wildwood
Students at Wildwood Elementary School reap the rewards of collecting Box Tops worth more than $2,000. The school had 12 activity stations Monday at its Field Day, where Wildwood alumni came back to help the kids have fun.
-
Ottumwa school district, teachers agree on contract
The Ottumwa school district approved the 2012-13 Master Contract for teachers on a unanimous vote.
-
IHCC eyes 2012-13 budget estimates
A potential state funding increase could add $800,000 in new money to the Indian Hills Community College's bank account next year. On the other hand, an estimated decrease in student population may reduce funds by about $800,000.
-
Gothic House Center has new outdoor exhibit area
Four outdoor panels will be available to visitors who stop by when the American Gothic House Center is closed. One panel features the history of the American Gothic House, and the others are about Grant Wood’s painting, his life and the impact of this painting.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Bridge work will close trails section
