2003 Threshing Days comes to a close years ago
By DELBERT PETERS
Contributing writer
This year's Threshing Days in Goessel was one for the history books.
A local teacher and coach showed off his newly published book. A representative from Poland brought gifts and an invitation to become a sister city. Tractors from across the region rolled into town.
It was a weekend packed with events and activities. Here are a few of the highlights.
Brian Stucky's book
Brian Stucky introduced the public to his new book, "Hallowed Hardwood," which is a picture and story book detailing vintage gymnasiums from schools across Kansas.
Stucky chose the Goessel High School auditorium as the location of his kickoff event, since at one time it was one of the vintage gyms of the area. The book is arranged with two pages dedicated to each gym, containing photos and stories about the gym's past.
Stucky is the art and photography teacher at GHS and has been an athlete at Moundridge High School and Bethel College. He's coached volleyball and track while at Goessel, and he is fascinated with history and statistics.
Putting this book together has been a labor of love for Stucky.
"For Brian, it isn't just talk, but he took interest and put his ideas into action," said Goessel Superintendent Chet Roberts.
The public was invited to purchase books and have the author sign them at Friday's event. Fifty books were sold after the Friday presentation, and more than 30 have been ordered. For more information, contact Emma Creek Publishing, Box 177, Goessel, KS 67053.
Polish sister city
Henryk Zamojski (HEN-ry zah-MOY-skee) presented the City of Goessel with gifts from Poland and an invitation to become the sister city of Pawlowiczki, Poland, a small town with about 1,000 residents.
Zamojski worked on the Flaming Dairy north of town 25 years ago, and he continues to stay in touch with the Goessel community. He presented the von Goessel crest, a map of Europe, and an invitation to become a sister city.
Saturday evening, Zamojski's parting wish was this: "May God bless the U.S. and Poland. May God bless Goessel and Pawlowiczski."
Goessel officials presented Zamojski with a wheat straw marquetry picture of the Goessel Preparatory School, a scrapbook of the Goessel community, and history books of the Goessel area. Mayor Peggy Jay read a letter that Zamojski will take to the City of Pawlowiczski, accepting its invitation to become a sister city.
As Jay described pictures and leafed through the scrapbook, Zamojski shook his head in disbelief.
"I go home with gifts and books, more than luggage," he said. "I am so happy I can be today with you in Goessel."
Tractors, tractors, everywhere
"You will have to travel 1,000 miles to see this many large prairie gas tractors in one place," claimed Jerry Toews, WHEAT engine club member. He estimated that there were 10 big machines on the Goessel Threshing Days grounds.
"Rollag, Minn., would be the place to see as many of these big tractors at one place," he said. "The engines consume about eight gallons of gasoline per hour.
More than 150 tractors overall were on display at Threshing Days this year. Also, many vintage cars and tractors comprised the 45-minute parade down Main Street Saturday morning.
"Kendall Schmidt will defend his World Pedal Tractor Pull title next week," said grandfather Arlo Schmidt. The 12-year-old participated on Goessel's sanctioned pedal tractor pull, which included contestants from age 4 through teenagers. The top finishers qualified to pull at the Kansas State Fair.
Sand volleyball
The seventh-annual Threshing Days sand volleyball tournament was held at the West Branch Park during the weekend, with 16 teams participating. Teams competed in co-ed, men's, and women's divisions. Proceeds from the tournament went toward Bethesda Home.
