Myersdale FFA Presents Scholarships, Awards GAY BROWNLEE Somerset Co. Correspondent MEYERSDALE (Somerset Co.) - "Our objective is to recog nize academics in our chapter," Meyersdale FFA adviser Jim Stutzman told 200 members and guests, after announcing that about $l,OOO would be divided among the scholarship awards and plaques his students were about to receive. County Record Book results were Bill Sines, first, off farm 0- 400 hours; Jason Knotts, first, beef production and a state bronze medal; Kristi Michael, second, on-farm 0-400 hours; David Crissinger, first, on-farm 800-1200 hours and state silver medal; Philip Petenbrink, sec ond, on-farm 1600 hours and state bronze medal; and Matt Emerick, second, entrepreneur ship. Beef production awards were presented to Don Miller, Gretchen Vought, and Jason Knotts. Dairy production awards were received by Eric Murray, Philip Petenbrink, Kristi Michael, and Keith Walker. Eric Murray and Philip Antique Collectors Keep Farm History Alive (Continued from Page B 2) also has several John Deere marbles from the 1960'5. The McMath milk bottle col lection includes favorites from local dairies such as Singingbrook Farm in Imler, Kanagy's Superior in Big Valley, Lewistown Pure Milk Company, Royal Dairy in Lewistown, Kay- Vee in Belleville, Morrison's Cove Dairy embossed with a cow's head, and Shirley-Ayr Farms, a dairy that bottled milk from the early 1930 s until the 1980 s. Shirley-Ayr stores were located in Huntingdon, Lewistown, and Altoona. His Purity (Lewistown) bottle with a baby face had been delivered to families with a newborn. McMath said new milk bottles, made to look old, have no lip in which to fit a cap. A glass case helps to protect Jim and Barb's collection of antique farm toys. Their oldest toy is a steel-wheel Fordson with a man sitting in the seat, made in the early 1900 s. Their collec tion includes three or four of the first toys made; a Ferguson, a Minneapolis-Moline, a John Deere with rubber wheels, and Petenbrink received the dairy show awards. David Crissinger, in the Fall Skills Contest was second in tractor driving. In the county FFA Public Speaking Contest, Gretchen Vought was first in prepared; Josh Slifco, second in creed speaking; and Matt Emerick, first in conversation. Citrus sale awards went to David Crissinger, Justin Shawley, Bill Deal, Crystal Bittner, Bill Sines, Kristina Platter, Matt Emerick, Tom Sanner, Louis Neimiller, Danny Artice, Charlie Teets, and Brett Boyce. Flower Bulb sale award recipients were David Crissinger, Bill Deal, Neil Blank, Crystal Bittner, Mandy Decker, Eric Murray, Dan Miller, Matt Gauntz, Tom Sanner, Danny Artice, Travis Smith, and Josh Silfko. Rick Boder, David Crissinger, and Bill Deal each received the Keytone Degree. Receiving the Chapter Degree were Dara Arnold; Valerie Bender, Matt Emerick, Matt Gauntz, Jason Knotts, The McMath's built more shelves to accommodate their line of farm toys. an old salesman sampler walk ing plow. Jim collects signs and sale bills too. One posted dated 1940 lists items for sale at his grand father's public auction W. L. McMath and Sons. A Hartzler sale poster is dated in the early 19205. Jim McMath purchased his first new 1962 tractor, a 4-cylin der John Deere 2010, on his first wedding anniversary, almost causing a divorce in the process! He's restored 10 John Deere one Oliver three Ferguson tractors, and a 1950 Ford truck. "I'm partial to John Deere because they don't lose their value. They actually increase. Some of these old tractors have doubled, even tripled, in worth. I just like to hear that old putt putt sound!” He's also collected John Deere 2-way horse plows, a horse cultivator, a rope hay loader, single-row potato planter, a ground-driven corn binder, and lots more. He received a letter in 1987 from Robert Hanson, chairman of the John Deere Company, for restor ing his first tractor. "When I'm working on a trac Recipients of the first ice awards at the Meyersdale FFA Parent-Member Banquet, front from left, are Dan Miller, Crytal Bittner, Gretchen Vought, and Tonya Banner, Chapter Sweetheart. In back are David Crissinger, Dan Artice, and Matt Emerick. were Danny Artice, Sean Brady, Swindell, Charlie Teets, and David Harvey, Jeremy Jeremy Troutman. Knieriem, Brett Boyce, Joshua Dara Arnold, Valerie Bender, Slifco, Travis Smith, Tim Brian McKenzie, Dan Miller. Philip Petenbrink, Tom Sanner, Earl Shaffer, and Kristi Michael- Greenhand Degree recipients tor, I forget about everything else. It's relaxing," states Jim. His former hired man of 32 years, Gary Love, helped restore six of the tractors. "It keeps Jim out of trouble," Barb laughs. "The boys help too. There's a lot of togetherness. I just ring the dinner bell if I need them." The McMath's have raised six children; Pam, Stephanie, Jim 11, Bessie, Bill and Dustin. The youngest still hives at home Jim and Barb. Their son Jim 11, lives nearby, milks mornings and evenings, helps manage the herd, and raises more than 400 bred heifers a year. Jim and Barb own three farms for a total of 780 acres (300 tillable). They milk 150 head with the help of full-time hired man George Secrest. Jim and Barb were instru mental in starting the Huntingdon County Farm Museum, at the fairgrounds near Huntingdon. Only open fair week in August, the McMath's and helpers start to prepare the displays of more than 1,500 items early in July. He takes dis play cases filled with antique farm implements, many were ~ ;* vx i*' * * 4 ■