Seek American Legion Poppies from Jackson G Nyitrai

On most Labor Day weekends, American Legion Post 305 member Jackson G. Nyitrai positions himself underneath the Mississippi River bridge at Marquette, Iowa. His mission is to offer red paper poppies for a donation to those gathered at the annual flea market. An event that attracts hundreds of people.

This year rain fell for most of the day, making the flea market crowd run for shelter below the overhead structure. Jackson, a retired US Navy service member who worked on ship boilers for many years, collects monetary donations to help fuel the Legion's local scholarships and honor flights to Washington D.C. 

Antique Airplane Association Annual Fly-In - Blakesburg 2012 Part 1

What better place to show off your old airplane than at the Antique Airplane Association Fly-In near Ottumwa, Iowa? This year the oldest flying Boeing airplane in the world, the 1928 Boeing 40C airplane made the stop at the grass strip near Blakesburg, Iowa just southwest of Ottumwa.

Airplane's owner, Addison Pemberton explained that the Boeing 40C was the first passenger aircraft used commercially in the U.S. before the more famous Ford Tri-motor. Boeing's 40C can accommodate four passengers, 749 pounds of cargo (mail) and a pilot. Spokane, Washington is the home of this restored aircraft.

This planes history is a story in itself. According to its information panel the plane started transporting mail between Spokane and San Diego in July 1928. Three months later on October 28 the plane crashed in Canyonville, Oregon and killed its sole passenger, a diamond dealer. The pilot was badly burned but lived. Some of the loose diamonds were recovered at the crash site in 1928. Others were reportedly found by explorers years later. In the late 1980s the plane was discovered, later sold to a restorer.

The restored plane flew again in 2008 after eight years of rebuilding with thehelp of over 60 volunteers. Its designation of the oldest flying Boeing plane is remarkable considering the plane's age, crash history, exposure to harsh elementsand scarcity of original parts.

The Antique Airplane Fly-In is officially reserved for members of the Antique Aircraft Association; however, plane enthusiasts may join (about $40 per person) at the gate during the Antique Fly-In held every Labor Day weekend at the Antique Airfield.

2011 Old Threshers Reunion - Part I

For decades the Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa has celebrated machinery, animals and people. The three day exhibition runs like a mini state fair complete with food on a stick, named music acts, machinery and process demonstration, and a parade of progress as viewed from the grandstand.

Old and young come to the Labor Day weekend event - many are from machinery or agriculture backgrounds. Plenty of people from all walks of life came out to just enjoy the day.

Food and beverage vendors did quite well this Sunday before Labor Day as the weather was perfect to watch over a hundred years of farm machinery, from steam to gas, pass by the grandstand.

Proud owners of life size and scale model engines took time to explain what their machine did, how it ran, and how they became interested in motor ownership and maintenance. This owner explained how the wide belt running off this motor was used to calibrate the equipment for various loads.

What is a fair without an artist drawing funny faces of the kiddies? This girl tried to sit still while her brother attempted to annoy her. Sound familiar?

While powered machinery helped ease the amount of labor on the farm, it also meant that the operator had additional chores to fill the gap. Early models like this gas powered tractor required big muscles to steer since all the motor generated horsepower went into rotating a flywheel or pulling things rather than into steering. 

At the end of the day the reunion is a celebration of the machinery and people who help put food on our tables from these mid-northern latitudes. Know that.