The Oliver Gang

Bill and Kay Meeker from North Henderson, Illinois, are starting an Oliver club in their part of the U.S., and are soliciting suggestions to make the new Midwest Oliver Collectors Club go.

Kenny Steinbeck, who represented the Hart Parr Oliver Collectors Association, talked to the group about area and local clubs working with the National organization for the betterment of our hobby. He said that all members of small groups had to belong to the National HPOCA.

Jim Kline, an officer of the HPOCA, expressed the importance of peace and harmony in all groups. He and his wife, Laquita, brought several fine tractors to the show from their farm near Green field, Ohio.

Mike Hodupp introduced the new editor of the HPOCA magazine, Sherry Schaefer, daughter of Olly Schaefer, a long time Oliver collector. Sherry admitted she didn't have experience in this line of work, but her youthful determination to do a good job will insure her success.

Keith Woods, well-known for his vast knowledge and literature on Olivers, introduced speaker Dennis Baker from Richwood, Ohio, who is one of the foremost collectors in this state. Dennis heard about an Oliver that was driven from coast to coast, and he began researching this trip. Dennis learned that Jim Clark, a successful farmer from Marion, Ohio, conceived the idea of driving an Oliver 990 from the Atlantic to the Pacific. He received the endorsement from the Oliver Company, the Goodyear Tire Company, and a fuel company. With all of this support he made the trip using a fast road gear in just a few weeks. The advertisement benefits exceeded all expectations and this inspired the second trip which began in Alaska but ended on the Mexican border when the neighbors to the south said 'No way, Jose.'

The meeting ended with congratulations and good wishes and compliments all around. It was agreed that Richard Kimbel and his wife, Vicky, brought the best re stored tractor, a Massey Ferguson 98an Oliver Super 99 in MF clothing.

It is good to go to the Findlay show with its great flea market, 400 tractors, many gas engines and 50 cent hot dogs.

I asked a man at the banquet from Little Rock how those in Arkansas like President Bill Clinton. He said those who like a leader that taxes and spends, love him.