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Power Show draws from near and far
{Brush Tribune)
By Iva Kay Horner -- Publisher/Editor
Wednesday, July 25, 2007 9:01 AM MDT
The temperature may have been in the mid-90’s Saturday, but that didn’t keep spectators from Arvada, Sedalia, LaSalle, Pueblo, Denver, Craig, Evergreen, Minnesota, Hays, Kansas and the surrounding area from attending the Cottonwood Forge Antique Power Show.
Held just off Exit 89 on land provided by Odle & Cumberlin, the initial event drew in 54 tractors, seven or eight vendors and demonstrations by Cottonwood Forge of Brush, 4E Forge of Longmont and Sole Bros. Whistleworks of Denver.
“This is just beyond our wildest expectations for the first year. All of us are greenhorns at this,” co-organizer Ed Gagen said regarding the turnout for the event. “For the first year, it’s outstanding. I’m tickled to death,” he exclaimed.
Bruce Fyfe, another co-organizer stated, “Everyone is standing around swapping stories and that’s what we were after. I consider it a success.”
Added Delane Gagen, who took care of the vendors, “I can’t believe the people and businesses that donated. It’s absolutely fantatic. I think it’s a really good turnout, especially for the first year.
But while Sam Dembitsky, show superintendent, felt “real good” about the turnout, he admits setting his expectations slightly higher. “I had hoped for 100 tractors and if everyone that had called about bringing their tractor had come, we would have had that many.”
Even so, Dembitsky was more than satisfied with the event, stated, “We’ve got a good display of tractors, all makes and models and a lot of them in mint condition.”
Dembitsky was even more excited to have not only his two grandsons, 15-year-old Mark and 12-year-old Todd Fresquez of Yuma assisting in his own blacksmithing demonstration, but to also have his trade teacher, Chuck Everitt of Longmont participate at the show.
“Chuck started me 16 years ago,” Dembitsky said of the blacksmither and owner of 4E Forge. A fourth generation blacksmith, Everitt has been performing his trade for 57 years and is helping his son learn the trade that began with Everitt’s great-grandfather.
According to Everitt, he continues to use an anvil brought to the area in a covered wagon from Ohio by his great-grandfather in 1862 or 1863.
Also lending their support to the Cottonwood Forge Antique Power Show were friend, Dick Dedrick of Denver, who emceed throughout the day, as well as Rick Hendrickson of Hays, Kansas.
A lifelong friend of Dembitsky, Dedrick is known as the voice in the American Warehouse Furniture commercials. “He has been on radio and television for a number of years and when I asked if he would come and help, he accepted,” Dembitsky commented, adding, “He’s a great friend.”
Hendrickson, who has known Dembitsky for “30-some years” came to Brush on Saturday not only out of their friendship, but to display his restored stationery engine, a craft he has been doing since 1978.
Making their presence known by tooting their own horn throughout the day were Dave and John Sole, owners/operators of Sole Bros. Whistleworks in Denver. Utilizing machinery from the early 1900s, Dave laughed, “It’s discarded junk, parts and pieces put together as a working steam power plant.”
The brothers have been making steam whistles and taking their power plant, complete with buzz saw, on the road for the past 10 years, said Dave, adding, “We steam it up just to have fun.”
An industrial pipefitter and painter by trade, Dave has been interested in older machinery since he was a young boy.
A Parade of Power and food were also a part of the antique show, with the Brush Knights of Columbus, Council #4627 serving up breakfast and lunch. The last meal of the day was provided courtesy of Chef Charles of South Carolina who served up beef and pork sandwiches, ribs, turkey legs, corn on the cob, potatoes and more.
According to the three show organizers, it looks like the activity will become an annual.
“Next year, we will be looking for more people and volunteers to step up,” said Dembitsky adding, “If not for Ed and Bruce, I couldn’t have done it.” Dembitsky also passes credit to his wife, Sandy, who he commented has “been the backbone of this.”
In addition to the major sponsor of Odle & Cumberlin, contributors to the show included the Bank of Colorado, Brush, C&C Auto Parts, Eastside Liquor; AC Ice, Standard Motor Supply, O’Neil & Co., Ackley Building Center, Dardanes Tree Service, AMA Auctioneers-Chuck and Bryson Miller, Dilley Redi-Mix, Draegert Feed & Supply, VFW Post #3551, American Eagle Distribution, and Korf Continental, all of Brush, as well as Fort Morgan State Bank, Fastenal, Central Auto Parts, Keith Bath Farms, Morgan County REA, Kay Jan, Inc., Westek Rental, Wickham Tractor Company, and Murdoch’s, all of Fort Morgan.
Also lending support were Waste Management of Sterling, Dick Dedrick, Coca Cola-Greeley, Trans American Rubber of Englewood and RSC of Greeley.
Photo information: Iva Kay Horner/News-Tribune
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