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Massey Days Reunion Thank You note.

I thought I had posted this last week after getting it put together.  However, I cannot find it on the website at this moment.  I would rather risk having it posted twice than not at all, so I will try again...

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Dear Massey Days attendees,
 
Sorry this has taken so long to happen.  But, with a much needed rainy day, I finally found a few moments to sit down, reflect, and put a few words of general thanks and recognition for all of you who played a part in making the 2016 Massey Days Reunion a successful, fun, and rewarding event.  There is always great risk of missing somebody when it comes time for recognition, but acknowledging that risk, here we go.
 
A huge thanks goes out to all of the generous auction donors and buyers.  Due to your active participation, I was able to cover the costs of putting this show together.  Specific recognition is deserved by Tom & Cyndi Jansen, and Jack & Lavon Holton (and those who bid against them!) for the purchase of the two quilts.  That was very special, actually amazing, and really made it all very meaningful for Marlene.  Auction recognition also goes out to Gary & Ony Emsweller for putting together the Banquet ticket/auction bidder cards, donor/buyer identification cards, and tally sheets.  Also, to Sandy Kessel and Debbie Armstrong for clerking and managing the auction items.  Certainly no small task and they did it very effectively.  Thanks to ring men Dennis Volling, Tim Pace, Jeff Noah, and Drew Emsweller.  And, of course, our auctioneer, Paul Fuchs, who kept things going and lively. 
 
There were a great bunch of vendors and memorabilia on display in the buildings, as well as several tractors from as far away as Madison, SD parked out in the front field.  And a good variety of tractors as well, including the early Wallis Cub Jr.; Wallis 12-20; and Massey-Harris No.2; with examples of almost every era between those and the brute MF 4840 represented.  And, a Massey-Harris 8-HP Type 1 engine, for good measure, along with several implements from the different eras, and some nice Lawn and Garden tractors.  Thanks to all of you.
 
Now for some specific recognition:
 
Thanks to Tom Tague who came over and helped me move a bunch of stuff, including the “Dead Row” out of the barn the Saturday before.  I worked him so hard I wasn’t sure I would ever see him again! 
 
Thanks to my “little brother”, Jeff Noah, and his family (Cari Beth, Abby, and Jack) for spending the week with us getting things organized and cleaned-up, and for all their help during the weekend.
 
Thanks to Terry and Sandy Kessel.  They showed up early in order to get themselves set-up, but they also jumped right in and helped with all the table and chairs set-up, table decorations, ran to town and picked-up some supplies which they donated for the event.  And every morning when I went into the barn, work-a-holic Sandy was already in there sweeping, straightening-up, etc. before I could even get started.  Thanks so very much for all of your help.
 
Thanks to Gary and Ony Emsweller.  In addition to the Banquet Tickets/Auction bid cards, Gary was active on compiling reservation and registration lists, adding missing spouse names, correcting spelling, and providing advice and counsel on items as I needed.  Ony deserves recognition just for putting up with us…  Thanks to both of you.
 
Thanks to Dennis Volling.  Again, always there for advice and counsel.  As well as pitching in and doing whatever he could while he was here.  Much appreciated.
 
Thanks to my family.  Marlene’s daughters Shawna and Brandy were amazing.  The ideas they came up with for the banquet decorations and door prizes were great, as well as all their help during the week and weekend.  And the grandkids kept things lively for us, while really enjoying their time with Abby and Jack Noah during the week.
 
Of course all of this effort would have been for naught without the participation of all of you who traveled from near and far for the Massey Days Reunion.  Based on registrations, there were folks here from 16 different states plus Ontario, Canada!  Well done!  Big thanks to each and every one of you.
 
And, last but certainly not least, my wife, Marlene.  As most of you know, in the words of one of my Cummins co-workers, I have “meticulous tendencies”…  (There are certainly less kind ways to say that…).  Marlene puts up with that on a regular daily basis.  So you can imagine what I was like getting things ready for Massey Days Reunion.  She was a great help and supporter. 
 
If you did something special and I missed you, I am embarrassed and terribly sorry.
 
In summary, a big thanks again to all of you “nicest people” that the “Old Masseys” have collected.
 
Sincerely,
 
John and Marlene Bush