Ruger's Auction To Benefit Honored American Veterans Afield

Here's a good GREAT one from Ruger!  It is a 1991 Ruger Red Label Over-Under Shotgun, in 20 Gauge, with 3 inch chambers, 28 inch barrels, Modified and Full Chokes. Top of the line walnut, too!  This is the shotgun you have been waiting for all your life, so CLICK HERE to read all about it and to place that winning bid.  This extra-fine shotgun will sell mid-day, Wednesday, October 31, 2018.  $1625

The Extent Of My Deer Hunting

We are just about on a first name basis with some of the deer around here, and we know where to go to have a visit with them.  Our friendly little six-pointer is hanging out in one barn, and this little four-pointer is hanging out where I park the tractor.

Tuesday Torque: Smoke Rings!

These big old Fairbanks engines are famous for blowing smoke rings.  That is one thing I always watch at the Boonville, Indiana show.  RoadKing 805 shot this video a few years ago, and Merle spotted it for us.  Thanks, Merle!

Old Times Are Not Forgotten

Back To The Old Grind!

Weekend Steam: A Visit To Jay Leno's Garage

1832?!  Good Catch, Merle!

The Moon Makes Me Dream

Ruger's Auction To Benefit Honored American Veterans Afield

Ruger is offering a real winner this week and it probably won't be run up by the Collecitibles Crowd.  This is a 1990 (first year of production) P85 Decocker Pistol, with 15 round magazine in 9mm.  These are great pistols for home, vehicle, sport; whatever!  They are built like a tank, and the Decocker would be my pick if I went looking for one.  It is New-In-Box!  You can't go wrong with this one.  Click Here to read the description and to place your bid.  This fine pistol will sell mid-day, Wednesday, October 24, 2018.  $655

Tuesday Torque: 30-60 Rumely Oil Pull

These big old machines are more fun to watch if they are working.  Here we see a big Oil Pull on a sawmill.  These were a big step up from steam engines, but life was still hard.  There is no description with this video, other than it belongs to Charley Roadhouse.

'round and 'round She Goes! Hard To Beat Stone Ground!

Back To The Old Grind!

Here You Go: LINK

Hey, did you notice that Mr. Freeman might just be a bit supersitious?  One of his galluses is twisted, and that will protect you from being struck by lightning!  I have heard it from many old-timers who were never struck; it must be true!

Tree Farm Field Day!

You could not have asked for a better October day than we had in Wayne County Illinois today for Gary and Debbie Stratton's Tree Farm Field Day.  Gary and Debbie were the Tree Farmers of the year in 2017 for Illinois, and today they hosted a party at their Tree Farm for all who are interested in growing trees.  Activities included a portable sawmill, invasive species identification and control, prescribed burning benefits, timber marketing, a fishing derby for kids, chainsaw maintenance, chainsaw use in falling trees, campfire, coffee, and free donuts!

                Gary and Debbie Stratton with Jay Hayek, University of Illinois Extension Forester.

                             
                                    Tree Farmers who have been active in forestry for 25 years.

                                          Susan won a Smokey Bear poster as a door prize!

                     Believe it or not, the chainsaw instructor won the raffle for a Stihl chainsaw!

The Fairfield Forestry District has always been a busy place, with very low turnover in foresters.  Mel Gerardo opened the office during the 1950's.  Mel was a Marine vet, and was one of the Chosin Frozens.  He ran the Anna-Jonesboro nursery when he left the Fairfield office.  Rick Moore was the next District Forester; he was a Vietnam vet.  Gary Stratton followed Rick, and I was the D.F. from 1988 to 2017.  Jenny Lesko has been there for a year now, and she is really getting into the job.  I hope she is there for many years. The Fairfield district has had several Illinois Tree Farmers of the Year.  Bernard and Mike Podolsky, Jack and Beth Riley, Terry Wheeler, and the Strattons were the award winners during my years at Fairfield.