by Caroline Bredekamp for the Preston Times
The Great River Threshers in Miles held their annual celebration and despite the Friday evening storm and the two days of excessive rain were able to hold most of their events with a revised schedule. The Galusha Memorial Walk/Run started the day on Saturday, and it was full steam ahead! Those in attendance had fun with neighbors and friends, shared in fellowship while eating a noon meal on Saturday and a breakfast on Sunday morning, sampling BBQ from the competition, and finding special treats, drinks and sandwiches served by the 4-H, other local groups and some vendors in their food trucks. Many children’s activities were provided including a spelling bee at the schoolhouse, the pedal pull competition, carnival-type games and the round bale play area for lots of climbing and jumping. The parade around town, the fireworks show, and a tractor pulled wagon ride around the Thresher’s grounds were fun for all family members. The local 4-H show was also held, and many animals were shown, and indoor projects were judged and displayed. Of course, there were the demonstrations with the threshers and shellers, broom making machines, sawmill and black smith equipment providing a historic and education component to the weekend. The Ecumenical Community Church Service was held at the Miles Park and had over 100 in attendance. Lots of music, worship and community filled the air. These are the main highlights of the event, but so much more was going on. The participants were certainly not lacking for activities to do.
Someone is always needed to make sure to shout down the power supply at a moment’s notice in case of machine malfunction or the thresher becoming bogged down and jammed.
The windmill was an important part of early farm life and important source of water and power.
Releasing steam from the steam engine. The steam and the clouds blended into one in this picture.
Broom making demonstration’s final products. These are popular items to purchase each year.
Starting to wrap the wire around the straw and broom handle using the broom making machine and tools.
Sawing wood and prepping it to make cedar shingles.
A closer look at the inner workings in the steam engine. The machine was cooling off and being prepped for storage.
Several pairs of horses proudly paraded into the Threshing Pavilion and were hooked up to the drive that would eventually supply the power to the threshing machine.
Three Generations of the Beeck family supplied the people power during the threshing demonstrations.
