NEAT Antique Tractor Club members gather for breakfast at Hidden Acres

Dozens of NEAT club members show their appreciation to the breakfast makers at the Mennonite Camp, the camp’s directors in the front of the group include, from left: Maryanne Lebold, office manager; Cyndi Cook, kitchen cook; Cassie Lebold, assistant program director; Joshua Penfold, program director; Cora Musser; Brent Messer, facilities and environmental stewardship director; Evie Musser; and Mary Anne Musser, facilities and environmental stewardship director. Missing is Chris Pot, executive director. Gary West photo

By Gary West

Near the end of summer, members of the North Easthope Antique Tractor Club (NEAT) were invited for breakfast at the spacious camp of Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp, northeast of Shakespeare on Line 37.

If you've ever thought the NEAT club was a small organization, once you see this picture, I am sure the wow factor comes to mind.

Dozens of antique tractors made their way to the camp, eager for a good photo with the executive, councillors, and kitchen staff from the picturesque Hidden Acres Camp.

Two nearby farmers and brothers, Lorne and Julius Lichti, donated the acres of land where the Mennonite camp is situated many years ago, wanting the camp to serve a much-needed purpose in the community.

If they could only see today how Hidden Acres has flourished over the last number of decades, their families, many of whom still live in the area, know that both Lorne and Julius would be very proud of how many the camp welcomes each and every year.

In speaking with Josh Penfold, the program director for the camp, they welcomed 568 campers through the nine weeks of programming this past summer.

They also have nine year-round staff and about 45 summer staff while camps are running.

They also welcomed over 10,000 guests across summer camps, retreats, rentals, and school programs.

Needless to say, they are one of the busiest camps around for 12 months of the year, and the Tractor Breakfast members were very happy to be able to help them out with some of their fundraising efforts.