June 2026

Greetings to all and thank you for being a part of our Society.

June has really snuck up on me this year, and July is right around the corner.  So far this year, the Society has had out monthly meetings, provided a rope making exhibition to a Burlington elementary school, had our annual equipment maintenance day, sold a number of tickets for our tractor raffle, and provided transportation services with our “people mover” wagons at the Union Grove Lions Chicken Barbeque and Car Show.

Our next major event is the Summer Picnic.  Being the 4th fell on a Saturday this year, the picnic will be a little earlier than normal.  The picnic this year will be June Sunday, June 28th, beginning at 11:00 AM on Dennis Vignieri’s Farm, located at 2900 136th Ave., Kenosha, WI  53144.

Dennis has volunteered to supply the Society with hamburger patties again this year, and we greatly appreciate it.  The Society will supply buns and condiments, beverages, and dinnerware.  We ask that attendees bring a dish to pass as follows:

Last Name beginning “A” to “M”:  Please bring a dessert to pass

Last Name beginning “N” to “Z”:  Please bring a side dish to pass

Also, please consider bringing along an item or two to be provided as door prizes for the attendees.

Ahead of the picnic on the morning of the 28th the Society will hold our annual “Tractor Ride through the Country.”  There will be two options again this year for the ride, a “slow” tractor ride, and a “fast” tractor ride.  Both will depart from the Racine County Fairgrounds at 9 AM, sharp.  The slow ride (5-6 mph) will be lead by Wally Ott and will route to the Vignieri Farm.  The fast ride (approx. 10 mph) will follow a slightly longer route and have a rest stop at the Stumble Inn.  Sec. Daryl Johnson will be at the Fairgrounds ahead of the groups departure and will transport any dishes to pass from the ride participants to the Vignieri Farm.

The next event will be the Union Grove 4th of July Parade.  Sam Prestay has requested the use of our two people movers to haul the UG girls basketball squad and another group of people.  His family will be supplying tractors and operators to pull these through the parade.  Society members wishing to participate in the annual parade are asked to arrive at the Fairgrounds between 7:30 and 8:30 am, with the Parade beginning at 9:15 am, sharp.  The route follows Hwy. 11 and Hwy. 45 between the Fairgrounds and the Union Grove High School.

Our next event will be the Racine County Fair, July 29th to August 2nd.  The Society will once again be setting up our canopy next to the tractor tent.  Thursday the 30th is “Kid’s Day” this year, and we will need volunteers throughout the day to help children with making ropes.  We will also be selling raffle tickets under the canopy for the tractor raffle and the quilt.  Please speak with Paul Mantey about volunteering to help with Kid’s Day or Raffle Sales.

We will also be operating the Sawmill, shingle mill, and threshing machine at the County Fair.  We will be providing the demonstrations at 1:00 and 3:00 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (July 31, Aug. 1-2).  Each demonstration session lasts between one and one-and-one-half hours, so it is much less involved than demonstrations at Fall Harvest Days.  However, these dates overlap with the Dodge County Antique Power Show this year, so I am seeking a few extra volunteers this year as some of my regular crew will be there.

Speaking of our show, September 12th and 13th will be our 35th Annual Fall Harvest Days event.  The feature for this year is “Fordson, Ford, and Ferguson.”  We humbly ask that you consider volunteering to aid in the production of the show.  We have openings in the registration and Raffle Sales tents; Tractor Pull assistance and will need help at gates and other areas.  Please, let me know if you would like to volunteer.

Set-up for the event will be Friday the 11th, and clean-up will be on Monday the 14th.

We will also be hosting our Annual Dinner Auction on Friday night, September 11th, before the show.  Once again, we are looking for auction items and will be auctioning

off a beautiful quilt created by Kathy Fredricks for us.  Dinner will be provided by Stowell’s Catering and will feature pork chops.  The cost for the dinner will be $22 per adult.

We have been able to lock in our next two Fall Harvest Days features, 2027 will be Hart-Parr, Oliver & Cletrac, followed by our hosting of the International Harvester Collectors Club’s 2028 “Farmall Frolic”, with a feature of anything IH.

I will be putting out our Summer Newsletter in about a month’s time, which will include more information regarding the 2026 Fordson, Ford, & Ferguson Show.  Please spread the word regarding our show as much as you can.  Posters for the show and tractor pull are available, as are 3.5×5” handout cards with the pertinent information included.  Please see Brian Neumaier, Paul Mantey, or me for advertising materials.

Thank you all for being members of our Society, and I look forward to spreading an appreciation of our shared heritage and love of the past with general attendees and fellow collectors alike.

I hope to see you all at our upcoming events and appreciate your patience as I grow into this new role.

Sincerely,

Errol

Errol Gelhaar, President, Southeast Wisconsin Antique Power And Collectibles Society

Cell Phone – (262) 305-2058, Email – egelhaar@hotmail.com

Classifieds:

Ed Herreid, Jr. has for sale the following:

• 1958 Ford 861, 4-cylinder gas engine. Good runner, good rubber, 3 point and hydraulics. $3000. Also, a one arm loader with brackets to fit this tractor. Not attached $500.
• Woods 3-point forklift attachment. $900
• Selling the remainder of Dad’s Collection. Maytag single- and double-cylinder engines. Several to choose from.
• Farmall Cub Tractor: Good runner, good rubber with attachments. Front snow blade, rear mott mower, belly mount mower $2200
• Avery tractor not running for parts or restore or lawn art. $450
• John Deere A. Not running. One brake seized. Carb not located yet. $500
• Several hit and miss engines and an Ottawa log saw
• Call for details and to make appointment. Make offers on anything and discount for quantity buys. Contact Ed at (262) 818-7720 or bigtime64@hotmail.com 
• Lou Rugani has the following for sale:
  • Two (2) sealed beam headlamps with housings, chrome rings, and mounting bolts.
  • Contact Lou at (262) 652-3034, or louruganiradio1@gmail.com
  • Text Lou for pictures of the lamps, please.