The NEAT Tractor Club annual banquet introduces new executives

The coming year’s executive of the North Easthope Antique Tractor Club. They include, from left, Henry Dietrich, Kevin Winhold, Wayne Gerber, president John Mohr, Gid Jantzi, John Schyff, vice president Murray Gingerich and Ron Neeb. The Allis Chalmers in the photo is a refurbished project of Amulree’s Keith Schmidt. Gary West photo

By Gary West

The Shakespeare Optimist Hall was the setting for this year’s annual banquet for members and friends of the North Easthope Antique Tractor Club (NEAT). The owners of antique tractors travel to various breakfast destinations throughout the summer in Perth, Waterloo and Oxford counties when the weather permits and have been doing so for over 25 years. Members also help non-profit organizations raise funds for community projects. They also are involved with the annual Mennonite Relief Sale in New Hamburg with a donation of an antique tractor that has been totally refurbished and running and looking like new. This year, the tractor offered for the sale is a Massey Ferguson “35” diesel. Over the last number of years, many thousands of dollars has been donated to the annual sale on behalf of club members.