Balc's Christmas Letter 2011 (17th Edition)

Top 10 List for the year.

ONE

In February Mom and I spent a week in the sun in Phoenix, Arizona and surrounding area attending the Minneapolis Moline Prairie Gold Rush Winter show and visiting relatives.  70's and 80's degree weather was awesome.

TWO

Had another fun trip looking at tractors and collections in and around Pittsburg, Kansas at the winter Minneapolis Moline show in Mid March.  Again the weather was nice 60's and 70's.  The highlight was visiting the Kingsley's collection and also looking at their airplanes.  They made my niece Anna's day when she had the opportunity to fly in a 1939 2-seater plane similar to Lindbergs.  She also had a crush on the young pilot named Brett.  Her Dad said she had "Brett-Lag" after the flight. lol

Three
 

In August I bought a Minneapolis Moline Airport Tug at the Crystal Airport.  My nephew Dan went along and helped load the 1960 Model "Mo Tow" .  We then parked the truck and trailer at my friends Roger and Jill Caspers who live by the State Fairgrounds.  Dan and I went to the State Fair and had a good time.

Four

Dan and I had a good time at the State Fair in 2011.  I hooked up with my buddy Ross and he supplied us with drinks from his strawberry and orange smoothie booth.   I once moved some cast iron heat registers for Ross when he remodeled his house so I have "lifetime free drinks from his State Fair Booth".   Later in the night Dan was impressed with the Space Needle.  I said. " Run over and see what it cost to ride it."  (I figured it was high price since I had been to the Fair several times with my folks and we never rode it)  He said "It is 3 dollars."  I replied. "Let's go in it then." It was worth the money seeing the entire fairgrounds and the Minneapolis/ St Paul skylines.  (I was informed by my younger sister Lynda she had gone up with Mom and Dad and someone else (I am think Leroy Theiman and Leroy probably bought)   Lynda always has been spoiled since she is the only girl and the youngest.  (lol)

Five

On our way home from the State Fair after staying overnight at Roger and Jill's, Dan and I stopped in LeSueur, Minnesota at the Pioneer Power Show which what featuring Minneapolis-Moline.  I am my fathers son so I had to show Dan how to save 6 dollars each on the show.  I told the guy at the gate that I wanted to exhibit my Minneapolis Moline Mo Tow Airplane Tug that was on the trailer.  He pointed me to the unloading area and we unloaded the tug for the show, ran it in the parade, and enjoyed the show ourselves.  We also were awarded a nice plaques for showing our Minneapolis-Moline.

Six

The Minnesota Golden Gophers beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 22-21 at TCF Stadium (I was there)

Seven

Went to the Fairmont High School Class of 1986 25 Year Class Reunion.

Eight

Most of the Original Wrestling Team from J Robinson's first year of coaching honored him at the Minnesota/ Iowa dual for coaching 25 years.  (Yes I was a Freshman in college on the team 25 years ago.)

Nine

Fairmont High School was very close to winning a State Championship in Football.  The lost a humdinger 34-32 to St. Croix Academy at Mall of America Field.  It was the 1st time Fairmont had been in the Football State Title Game.

Ten

Balcom Implement looks a little different since 33 semi loads of scrap iron were hauled out this fall. 

I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Take Care and God Bless, Sincerely, Balc :)

www.balcomauction.com  and click on show pictures for pictures of the MM shows