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A Supplement to the Star Shopper
Friday, May 5, 2017 • Edition 6
Focusing on Today’s Rural Environment
Vouks hold vintage plow day 19th annual event is just turning dirt By HERMAN LENSING Staff Writer
ST. STEPHEN – Nineteen years ago, Steve Vouk purchased a vintage tractor with a plow. A lifelong interest in older farm equipment soon had him wondering a bit about the tractor and plow and what it could do. “I wanted to try it out. I went to Donny Vouk’s farm. They had a small field, then another cousin, Shawn Vouk, came over. That first day was on a Thursday; we had three tractors and plows.” The field they worked was planted and grew crop. The decision to use the tractor and plow grew into an annual event. This year the 19th annual Vouk Vintage Plow Day was held on April 23. Fittingly, 19 rigs showed
PHOTO BY DIANE LEUKAM
Steve Vouk (left) and Frank Vouk with a Farmall tractor at the 19th annual Vouk Vintage Plow Day April 23 at the Jim and Marilyn Schumer farm south of St. Stephen.
up and helped plow about 20 acres. “We have had 30 to 40 rigs in the past,” Steve said. “We have done between 30 and 35 acres sometimes.” The use of vintage machinery is not unique to Steve
or other members of his family. His cousin, Frank, who has participated in most of the annual events, also likes vintage equipment. The love is sort of in their blood. “We like antique machines,” Frank said. “My
grandfather started the Vouk Steam Threshing Show in 1965 and it ended in 2000. In our family we keep fixing up old machines and learn how they work.” The day is dedicated to plowing. Of course there are
visits with friends and relatives, but there is no “show” time, no fundraising dinner, or even an after-work meal. “A few years ago the local Sportsman’s Club sold food, but they haven’t done that lately,” Steve said. What is interesting is the variety of equipment that shows up. “We say the plows cannot have hydraulics,” Frank said. “They have to be ground driven.” The people who show up are assigned to a field and get to work. A line of the tractors and plows coming down a field includes some familiar and some discontinued lines. Among the most interesting that have come were steam traction engines. These were brought by Steve’s brother Tom, and left an impression on everyone. “It could pull 10 bottoms,” Frank said. “There is a deck on the plow for people to stand on and operate the levers when you have to pull the bottoms from the ground.” VOUK continued on page 4
A light in dark times Weseman publishes book after mother’s passing By ELIZABETH BETHKE Staff Writer
GROVE CITY – Nearly two years after putting words on paper in memory of her mother, Heather Weseman is a published author. Weseman’s book, “Nettie’s Garden,” is based on a true story about her mother, Jeanette Cordes, and told from a plant’s point of view. The children’s book setting is based off of her childhood home near Litchfield. Weseman and her husband, Josh, and their five children – Hannah, 15, Holly, 13, Haven, 9, Heidi, 7, and
Jewel, 3 – live near Grove City on their family’s farm where her husband and father-in-law, Jerry Weseman, raise corn and soybeans. On May 29, 2014, Jeannette passed away from a sudden massive heart attack at age 58. To get through the sudden loss, Heather and her family turned to their faith, praying to get through the hardship. “For several months, the Lord was encouraging me to write down my thoughts,” Weseman said. “I have always journaled, but that September, I wrote ‘Nettie’s Garden.’” The title of the book was inspired by Weseman’s mother’s nickname, Nettie; at a young age, Hannah had given her the name. The caring, involved grandmother loved her grandchildren just as much as she loved her gardening. “Mom suffered from arthritis and SUBMITTED PHOTO
WESEMAN continued on page 6
In January, Heather Weseman self-published a fictional children’s novel “Nettie’s Garden,” which is based on a true story about her mother, Jeanette Cordes, and told from a plant’s point of view.