Who could have imaged a 2-day Spring Picnic event in Amish Country! With the amazing help of our hosts – Atlee and Katie Hershberger, Melvin and Fannie Wengerd and Al and Irma Yoder it was everything and more! We started on Friday morning gathering at Hershey Machine where we could see Atlee’s business; some even making purchases; eating great treats made by Katie and checking out his 19 Oliver Tractors that were on display. From there we carpooled to the Age Of Steam Roundhouse Museum in Sugar Creek. This Museum was spectacular in every way. This is a fully operational 18-stall brick roundhouse and a 115-foot turntable. We received the history of all 18 locomotives and railroad cars inside the roundhouse. The turntable which allows them to move cars in and out was incredible. The Roundhouse building was completed in 2010 by our own Melvin Wengerd – Hickory Circle Construction.
From there we went across the street the Erb’s Coleman Museum. Who ever knew Coleman made so many things! This museum has over 3000 items on display. Everything from a Coleman minibike, irons, lights, lanterns, furnaces, cook stoves, and of course almost every cooler made and much, much more.
We then returned to Hershey’s and later headed to Byler’s Barbeque where we had terrific food; pulled pork, BBQ chicken quarters, seasoned potatoes, baked beans, coleslaw, cupcakes and ice cream. As dinner ended, we were then entertained by the band Destiny. They are a young group of guys getting started in the music industry. They were enjoyable and knew a lot of the good songs.
Saturday morning, we headed to Melvin and Fannie Wengerd’s in Apple Creek for our traditional picnic. Of all things Melvin and Fannie had another engagement and were not there for the picnic; they just turned their home over to us. Guys gathered outside for the swap meet, buying, selling and trading parts. Melvin had his barn open to see his collection of Olivers and Whites. We were served the traditional Amish Wedding Dinner – brown chicken, mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy and cooked baby carrots. Everyone brought covered dishes of salads and desserts – a lot of them. Dinner was delicious and a lot of food to go. Larry conducted a short meeting, and we had an auction of 4 items. First up was an Oliver Picture donated by Jan & Billie Huck. Next was an Oliver Fleece Blanket made by Marg Groweg. This was the HOT item with a bidding war and our high bid of the day. Next up was a vintage Literature Rack donated by Doug & Kathy Mitchell. Last we had an Oliver sign donated by John & Lynn Parker and Larry & Tonia Elliott.
