Cindy Ladage has been busy writing. Even with her usual blog and magazine articles,, she has another book soon to release this month.

True Farm Girl Adventures will release soon. This book is a compilation of her adventures traveling, mostly the Midwest. Most of the the stories will be farming related, but not all. Anyone that follows Cindy’s blog Traveling Adventures of a Farm Girl  will know and appreciate her writing style. This book even includes illustrations, making it even more familiar to her readership.

Cindy is a talented writer. Farm Girl Adventures, which is a work of fiction in her unique style, released last year in March. My revue can be read in the article titled Cindy’s Book

She has collaborated writing children’s title’s that have released in the past. An E-book titled Agricultural Treasures Guide Book is also available.

Cindy stays busy. There is another collaboration currently in editing and will release this fall.

I finally managed my first toy show attendance for 2026.“Digger Dave Kemp and I didn’t get to travel to ST. Louis, earlier this month. Life got in the way and spoiled that plan. Dave was behind on his work schedule and was desperate enough to enlist my help. St’ Louis is a great and all, but I had a great time driving a dump truck. That’s work, but a change of routine is still fun.

Digger and I vowed, we wouldn’t let the Quincy show slip past again. We had confirmed plans set as early as the previous Wednesday. Toy shows are just as much an event as tractor shows. Our adventure even includes travel and dining plans. Dave and I, neither one, like to travel on the interstate. Even if that is the quickest and most efficient. We had breakfast in Mt. Sterling, vectoring across route 24. Even with Interstate 72 being the convenient return choice, we chose route 104 homebound.. Ya never know what you’ll see on the roads less traveled.

This year, in Quincy, was made more special. We came across several familiar faces. Some were to be expected.. In the case of “Toy Man” Don Nowack a meet up had been planned for Dave. Don had beaten us there, which again was expected. He left earlier than we did, empty handed. He told me he just wasn’t feeling a desire to rehome anything. At the time, I had agreed. My return comment was, “I was just looking”

Dave and I encountered Carl Davis pretty early on. Again a pleasant, but not unsurprising. Anywhere Carl is fun is there too. Jerry and Demaree Lindsay were also in attendance. Paul Sheerer, was there. I remember asking Paul if he was hunting John Deere toys. That comment and the one made to Donnie would soon come back to haunt me.

After their departure, I was struck with a toy buying mood. The itch affected Digger as well. This year we both carried packages to the truck. Digger brought home a nice Caterpillar D7 replica.

We found ourselves in the room of Calvin Elder, a gentleman I had some idea of who he was. I for some reason thought Calvin lived in Iowa. It turns out he’s more local, living in Mt’ Auburn. Calvin is also known for building incredibly realistic scale models Dave bought a beautiful MM LP model that I’m surprised it didn’t start up and drive. It looks that real!

I have to confess something before we discuss what treasures I acquired. Although I’m a strong Red Power supporter, in which I’ll argue the best brands, even that other none Du-all or Oliver green. Nothing more fun than stirring up one of those crazy uppity JD guys…..I like ALL brands….There it is in bold italics! I admit I like John Deere! People seem to forget I had a John Deere A in my collection for a short time…A very short time! …I can’t remember but I’m sure I replaced it with another red one.

There were three green tractors in my toy collection that have always been on display. The one over my right shoulder in my office as I draft this article is a JD BR on steel. My toy A has two memorial reasons. One simply because I had a real one. The other is it reminds me of simpler times when I was younger.

I’ve had a toy 4230 ever since the tractor was introduced in 1973. It was given to me at the Farm Progress Show that year. It’s a little worse for wear now, considering I “rug farmed” with it. I’m not sure just how but that tractor was one of the few surviving pieces from a house fire.

The most devastating loss was my 7520 4WD. I’ve never replaced that tractor…until the Mark Twain Show this year. That replica has continually risen in market value.

My first 7520 had been a Christmas gift. That year had been really special. My parents didn’t have a lot of extra money to spend. My sister and I were young, but still old enough to understand that times were harder. We both understood not to expect much. That Christmas was special, we did get one gift on our wish list. Mine had been the 7520 with a centerfold disk. I was a John Deere guy when I was little, but I grew up and came to my senses.

Before the 7520 my big tractor had been a 5020 Wheatland. I don’t think I lost that one in the fire though. I traded it. That’s a great memory from high school! I’ve been collecting farm toys since before that was cool and accepted. The trade went down similarly to a drug deal. The drug deal may have been less embarrassing if it had been exposed. I wasn’t old enough to drive yet so I had to dodge and be vague about “What’s in the bag?” on the school bus. The exchange went down in the metal shop. The teacher was in on the secret, letting the loot stay hidden, in his office, during the school day. I found out in later years he was a “secret” collector back then too. I had traded for a 1566, so there’s further proof I was coming to my senses.

Anyway, I now have another 5020 back on my collection shelf. I’ve been watching for just the right one for a few years now. I finally found one in Quincy. My biggest problem was deciding which tractor to buy. Turns out I decided not to decide. I bought both!

The Monticello Railroad Museum held their inaugural tractor show on Saturday, August 9, 2025. I attended with a group of friends, Marvin Stinebaker, Carl Davis, “train fanatic extraordinaire,”  Keith Ladage, and friend, fellow journalist & author Cindy Ladage The five of us met for breakfast and formed a convoy, making the travel as enjoyable as the final destination.

I must say, the museum was far beyond my expectations. It was such an amazing experience. They operate on 11 miles of track that spans from White Heath down into the heart of Monticello. The grounds are vast enough to hold buildings to house a majority of the train collection.

There are two depots that have been relicated from DeLand and another location in the city . The train schedules many departures from the museum grounds , with a layover in Monticello. Buying a ticket and riding the rails is just like days gone by.

The museum is totally staffed by volunteers. Everyone brings their own experience and knowledge to keep history alive. Volunteer conductor John Crawford even dresses the part (Cindy interviewed many more people. She covered the event in much greater detail)

John and I had a minute to “talk tractor” He shared memories of his father buying a Farmall F-20 new. Grayson Rademaker brought one to display. The smile on John’s face was worthy of a Kodak moment.

There was so much to see and experience throughout the event. Our group pretty much went their separate ways to enjoy the event. Carl, of course, was like a kid in the candy store. Marvin was more his typical laid-back self. Cindy, with Keith, did what they did best, reported coverage of the event. I had left my notepad in the truck, deciding to be more of a tractor guy and less a reporter. After doing some photography, I hung out with Marvin and enjoyed the day.

Pictures from the train

Monticello station

Return trip

Here’s a couple I took as we passed the museum station

Carl, Cindy, and Keith rode the locomotive during the day. Here’s some more train pictures they shared

65 tractors came to be displayed. It’s not a bad turnout for the first show. Here’s a couple I took while Marvin and I chilled out in our lawn chairs

It was such a great day! We all made memories, and I learned a lot about Railroad history. I highly recommend a visit.

Thank you, Cindy and Carl, for the photography assistance. Cindy will probably have a more extensive take on the day

Another garden tractor jamboree has passed.  Like the 15 predecessors, a great time was had by one, and all Andy Hinrichs hosts a great show.

There are plenty of activities to participate in. The day begins patriotic by presenting the colors. There is a tractor parade immediately following. Throughout the day, there is an opportunity to plow. In the afternoon, there is a cruise to an old wooden  railroad bridge. The annual 4H auction starts around noon. Andy emcees the slow race in the early afternoon.

I enjoy seeing tractors simply just driving around. That’s a great way to view machinery, running, and in action. For the past two years, I have recruited Leigha and Laci Kersten to exercise a couple of mine during the show. Evan Speicher and Danny Davis took a spin.

The show is well documented with pictures on Facebook. There is a group AJ’s Garden Tractor Jamboree where people have posted many great  pictures. I enjoy viewing every perspective. There are so many unique insights on what to see

So what’s my insight?

I like the unique, obviously. Considering I collect Shaw Du-all and Gibson, that would be well evident. I carried six of my collections to Oregon. Other than Leigha and Laci”s pictures, I didn’t deem the necessity to take pictures of my stuff. The readership of this blog has seen them.

I’m happy to report there were five Du-alls at the show. Another collector from Champaign brought his R12T to display

Jeff Klewer brought this early model Economy from Wisconsin. It almost could be mistaken for a Gibson D with a steering wheel

I never had the opportunity to visit with the owner of this Bush Hog Javelin.. I’ll be watching and hoping to get an interview sometime.

Dave Carlson, from.Terre Haute, IN, had some really interesting David Bradley items. This little “pedal” tractor would have been a fun toy in the early sixties.

This snow scooter would have also chased away the winter blues. Dave looks like he could have scooted right off if we only had snow

So, that’s only a few of what caught my eye this year. I’m going to wrap this article with a teaser….

There’s cool, and then there’s 49 Haney cool. What’s the story? Stay tuned.

With all the traveling, it’s a wonder that Cindy Ladage has any time to write anything other than for her travel blog. Her debut book, published by House of Honor Books, was released at the end of February. Cindy’s book was released just in time. March 1st, she  traveled to Nashville,TN, for a book fair with fellow HoH authors Jack LaFountain, Keshia Willi, Robert Borders, and me.

This isn’t Cindy’s first published book. She had coauthored children’s books with Jane Aumann and recently created an e-book. 

This current release is a work of fiction, however. Instead of reporting the facts in her wonderful journalistic style, she proves herself a creative novelist.

Artistic talent must be hereditary for Cindy. The book cover centers around a painting by her father, Bill Disque. In further tribute, Cindy dedicated the book to him

Cindy “stays in her lane” with this book. This series of short stories she writes about comes from her mind and heart. Readers of Traveling Adventures of a Farm Girl won’t need to adjust. They’ll know just what to expect.

Cindy knows Americana. This book is yet another way she shares that. Cindy has the ability to draw a reader in quickly and share a  quick plot.The stories are well written and will leave the reader with thoughtful insight or just simply a warm feeling. This is a book that can be read over and over

Farm Girl Adventures is available on Amazon. For those readers with Kindle Unlimited, the book can be read for free!

Also, check out the link houseofhonorbooks.com

Author duties go beyond just writing a book. We also have to do our part in promotion and sales. I began the month of March at the Book Authors and Publishers Fair in Nashville, TN.

Other authors working with House of Honor, besides myself, were in attendance. Jack LaFountain, Keshia Willi, Robert Borders, and I had our tables reserved for several months in advance.

Cindy Ladage had recently signed a contract with HoH. Since table reservations were booked, I volunteered to share mine. Before anyone thinks I was being generous, I had an ulterior motive.

I’m grateful I could share my space. Considering my introversion, it was a blessing to have a close friend I know to help me stay grounded. Thankfully, I managed to stay any anxiety attacks.

The table location was perfect! Cindy and I were placed with Jack to our right and Keshia to our left. Robert was our satellite table, further down the row. I learned the HoH system of sales last year. We work as a team selling everyone’s books. Robert continually sent potential readers our way, and we didn’t forget to reverse that.

There were 50 authors scheduled to attend. Surprisingly, there were a few no-shows. It was sad to see tables without authors behind them.

I sold a few books and had a few promises that they would be back.Some did ,Some didn’t, but I learned from selling farm toys years ago that was how it works.

My profits were reinvested in other authors’ works. The old antage of coming back from the dump with more than I left with comes to my mind. I wasn’t amune. Cindy had done the same thing.

~ Special thanks to Scott Rakes and Keith Ladage for their behind the scenes help. Driving, carrying, and camera duty wouldn’t have been as easy without them

Get well, Kathy Rakes. My stylist who coordinates table covers and advice on what I wear. Kathy couldn’t travel with us as planned.

September 7th, 2024, Nick Menke held the fourth annual Antique Tractors on the Boulevard in Williamsville, IL. Twenty tractors and six lawn & garden were on display. The weather started out chilly but soon became pleasant. It turned out to be a perfect fall day to show. 

The added lure, for the event, is the venue.The street fronts the abandoned train depot. The novel old building sits empty now, even with the active railroad passing right behind it. What better reflection of times gone by?

Just south of the depot is two railroad boxcars that once housed a museum. Nick informed me that the boxcars are now only used as storage.

Red power dominated the lineup. There were a few Oliver, one Allis Chalmers, a Minneapolis Moline, and surprisingly, only one John Deere. A working Rumly Oil Pull was on display and actually was driven down the street by host Nick. The starting process to get a Rumly purring is very extensive. There was also a McCormick Deering 10-20, of course, on steel in the lineup.

In contrast to the dominating red tractors, the lawn tractors were all green. Carl Davis brought five various models of early John Deere.  I hauled my Shaw Du-all N8W. I only took one due to my knees giving me issues, and I didn’t want to climb to load a fifthwheel.

I had a great visit with Carl when he wasn’t standing  close to the railroad tracks. Anyone who knows Carl Davis well would  know of his great love for trains. This was a perfect venue for him. Both passons side by side. I have featured Carl many times over the years. One of my first interviews to write was a story about him. That was a time before I was writing this blog. Carl will be featured again more extensively in the future.

I had the privilege of meeting Lori Lynn Parkin. Lori gained her notoriety, driving five and half hours to pick corn. Not many would take a journey from Pekin to Rantoul driving a tractor with a mounted corn picker and dragging a wagon. Luckily, it was a red tractor. I’m not sure any other color would have made it that far.

Williamsville is much closer. Lori and her husband Terry made the 45-mile trip on newer red power. Lori’s 1206 and Terry’s 966 has an average top speed nearer to 20 mph. Saturday started cold, so it must have been a chilly journey. Both tractors were open stations.

Not all the Farmall on display were red. Mike and Chase Turner had all three white demonstrators on the street. These three are the real deal. I asked Chase how to tell. Of course, it’s all in serial numbers. The white H and Ms are not legit! These three tractors are the only models painted white in the 50s

Nick recently acquired Super C. The little jewel was employed to pull a barrel train. The ride was enjoyed by children of all ages. I have a sentimental attachment to the C, considering I was the previous owner.

Congratulations to the best of show winners! Overall, it was a great day for fellowship with friends, old and new.

Editor’s note~ caption code #CL is Cindy Ladage  #LP is Lori Parkin  #CD is Carl Davis. Thank you, photographers, for your help.. I like to share different perspectives

I had to go through my article archive in research. My first attendance for this event was 2017. I have actually made the journey twice. Both times were spent mostly in the fields, plowing. The celebration put antique tractors to work tilling, threshing, and everything else imaginable. Everything farming could be found from horses to big modern four-wheel drives.

Renner Stock Farms also houses a museum of antique farm equipment and horse drawn buggies and wagons. The event is very family oriented and there is something for everyone.

The bi annual celebration has grown over the years. More has been added, and there is fun for all. This year Lawn & Garden tractors were added.

Lyle Grey of Olney, IL, made the initial contact with Tom Renner. Tom was receptive to the addition and provided a covered and secured space for a display. From that point, Lyle and his partner Jerome Weidner of G&W  Lawn Tractors   started making phone calls.

Marvin Stinebaker had invited me, but I couldn’t schedule time off from work. I spent Saturday visiting with the exhibitors and compiling information for articles.

38 tractors were on display. That’s a pretty good turnout for an inaugural appearance.A total of 7 collectors displayed tractors.The most impressive fact, Evan  Speicher came all the way from Elk City, KS.  The furthest east traveler was Terry Minuth. Terry resides in Hopkinsville, KY.

Marvin Stinebaker, Carl Davis, and Danny Davis represented central Illinois. Keith Downs carried his pristine Case collection from Festus, Missouri.

The distant travelers also brought distinctive tractors. Terry is the proud owner of the, I say the and not a because there is only one known to exist, Colt 2+Tools

.

Evan had his 1940 Handy Man RT that’s, customized on steel wheels

The exhibitors had a great time Carl Davis demonstrated a sickle bar mower for this reporter

Danny Davis went for a cruise on his silky behind his David Bradley walk behind

At one point, Marvin Stinebaker was overly excited Danny caught him in this candid moment. Normally, Carl is the one caught.

Editor’s note~ “special acknowledgment is due to Marvin for his assistance in writing this article. Thanks, Marvin!

No marching band, but firetrucks semis antique cars, horses, and of course tractors. What would anyone expect for a small midwest town?

The Waverly, IL picnic festival was this weekend. What festival isn’t complete without a parade? I’ve been a participant in past years, and I’m not sure why I had taken a hiatus.

This year, I felt obligated to take one of my Du-alls. I purchased the tractor from a Waverly local, and Jerry Rawlings is a nearby resident. It seemed fitting my R8 traveled the route.

Of course, my N8W just recently came from Edwards Tractor Restoration, and it was fitting to make a public debute. Steve Farmer piloted that tractor.

I made a phone call and invited Marvin Stinebaker along. He was more than happy to come. Marvin brought a backup machine, just in case. Fortunately, one tractor was enough.

Marvin invited Dennis Clark from Pawnee along. He was on a real sharp Wheel Horse. I noted Dennis had a backup tractor stashed in his covered trailer.

Carl Davis was also in attendance. Marvin told me no one invited him. He  just crashed the party! We tease each other, that’s how we  gauge our friendship. I’ll be honest, I’m glad Carl was there. He’s a great candid photographer. I’m using some of his pictures. 

Digger Dave Kemp decided he was more comfortable on a big tractor. We’ll cut him some slack. He mows with his choice now and then

The following pictures are en route. Carl took them. Obviously! I’ve never done a selfie from the back

The parade went well, for the most part. My R8 started to have fuel issues. My good fortune was it started at the end of the parade

I noticed Carl had his hood open at a couple of pauses. That’s what he gets for choosing a Deere. Marvin and Dennis didn’t need their alternates. Steve had a quick problem with the N8W at the beginning, but I knew he had everything under control.

I’m not sure why I haven’t been getting a team together for parades lately. After the fun, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ll sure  get started again.

I’m headed to Huntsville, Alabama this weekend for a book fair.  I guess it’s a fair, I’m going to help peddle books. I’m not sure what to expect, but I already view this as a successful adventure.

This will be a team participation. My publisher House of Honor Books has a booth for this venue and I’m one of three authors attending Robert Borders will be on scene

House of Honor Books publisher, editor, and fellow author Jack LaFountain will also be in attendance.  Jack has many titles that are available. I highly recommend any of his work. I openly admit I am a fan.

I’m looking forward to meeting fellow authors and I’m excited to be going.

So, have you figured out my need for a banjo? I can’t come home without one. As the ole song says “I come from Alabama, with a banjo on my knee”