Plenty of food, fun and fellowship was enjoyed when three events came together on Aug. 20.
The Moorefield and District Horticultural Society’s 90th anniversary, Bea Houston’s 90th birthday and Jo and Bob Houston’s annual family and friends corn roast were all joined together for one big celebration at the Houston farm outside of Moorefield.
“As I am involved with all three events, it made sense to put them all together into one. If it can work out that way, then why not do it all at once?” Jo said.
In celebration of its 90th anniversary the horticultural society has hosted various events throughout 2016, the corn roast being its largest event for the year. Members reminisced about the society and its history. Family and friends joined Bea for her birthday party and the Houston’s 32nd annual corn roast was underway. Bea came to Canada from Holland as a war bride.
Over 75 guests enjoyed a smorgasbord of food, outdoor games and socializing.
During the festivities, the Houston’s 1923 Waterloo Manufacturing Company’s Western Plow Tractor was on display.
“I bought this steam engine from a guy in Puslinch in 1978. My Dad encouraged me to; call it stupidity or insanity. I also have a collection of other pieces including a sawmill that is powered by this engine,” Bob said.
The tractor weighs 15 tons, takes 2/3 of its power to move and has a top speed of 2.5 mph. Bob noted that the unit drives like a locomotive. With the introduction of gasoline, diesel and propane powered tractors, steam engines fell along the wayside. Construction crews building bridges used the units in the 1950s to heat concrete, allowing for work to continue on bridges throughout the winter. Today collectors and enthusiasts display their collections at fairs, shows, threshing reunions and museums.
“My daughter Christy is better at driving the steam engine than I am. Although, she and her family are currently living in Moose Factory, there will always be that bond that we share with steam engines,” Bob said.
Not only was the Houston’s steam engine on display, but it was cooking part of afternoon meal in the tractor’s smoke box. The compartment was filled to the brim with potatoes, beef and ham, triple wrapped in aluminum foil.
Two steel barrels filled with unhusked sweet corn were cooked in 20 minutes by steam produced by the tractor. Butter added to two water-filled jars brought to a boil by steam was used to dip corn in.
The Houston’s would like to thank everyone who came out to celebrate the three events.
“To anyone who lent a hand in anyway, thank you. Congratulations to the Moorefield and District Horticultural Society on 90 years, Happy Birthday to Bea and it’s always good to bring friends and family together each summer for a corn roast,” Jo said.
Bob was quick to mention that it was his wife Jo that did all the planning and organizing for this day.
“The day wouldn’t have been the success that it was without her hard work,” he said.
