Eighteen tractors roll past Swiss clock tower during tour of Berne

Authored by Jim Langham on Aug 25, 2010

It’s been nearly 70 years since the 1925 Dodge Brothers Touring Car driven by Ralph May on Tuesday afternoon made its way into his family. May laughed when he told how his father purchased the car in the 1930’s and then sold it while he was serving in World War II. When he returned, May purchased the car back and has been driving it ever since.
“I completely restored it,” said May. “I tore it down and built it back up again. For awhile I had it in boxes and cans. I love driving it around. I always say, ‘you’re never going to succeed at anything unless you’re willing to take a risk.”
May was one of 18 drivers that made their way from the Tri-State Engine and Tractor Show in Portland to the Berne area on Tuesday afternoon. The procession made its way to Bearcreek Farms for lunch and then drove to Adams County and Berne, with the purpose of circling the new Swiss Clock Tower.
James McEwen, one of those heading up the tour, said that this is the third year that a group of vehicles from the show have visited the Berne area. He noted that the original idea came from Chicago radio announcer Max Armstrong who organizes such tours in the Chicago area.
“The point of all of this is to see other communities,” said Gyneth Augsburger, of the Jay County Visitor and Tourism Bureau. “We’re hoping that they will enjoy the communities that they visit so much that they will want to go back and take their families.”
Dave Kuck, of New Bremen, Ohio, was driving a Super M Farmall tractor. Kuck noted that he likes to join such rides just to see the different types of country in the Midwest.
“I’ve driven through Berne before but I’ve never really driven in the countryside around Berne,” said Kuck. “This is the first time I’ve been on the back roads around here. This is a beautiful area. I really enjoy seeing the Amish people.”
The brigade ended its tour of the city of Berne by circling the clock tower. Bill Taube, of Richmond, said that he has been doing different tractor rides for the past 10 years. He noted that several of the riders were eagerly anticipating viewing the clock tower. As the parade of tractors surrounded the tower, bells chimed to welcome the visitors to our community.”
Taube, who was driving a 300 Farmall, said that he had always been on tractors most of his life.
“I really enjoy the tractor rides,” said Taube. “My first one was with Max Armstrong in Chicago. Now we ride anyplace we can find a place to ride.”
Taube’s wife, Ellen, was the only woman driving on Tuesday’s ride.
“I don’t know where all of the other women are. I love this,” said Ellen. “I love this town; the clock tower is beautiful. I was raised driving tractors. I helped my dad farm. Driving tractors has been a big part of my life.”
Mayor John Minch referred to the visit as a wonderful opportunity to showcase the community. He said that several of the tractor drivers had commented how beautiful the Berne area is from a ride on a tractor, as versus moving through at a more rapid pace in a car.
“They have a chance to really view the magnitude of this area,” said Minch. “An event with the magnitude of the Jay County Festival filters out to other towns and other communities in the surrounding area. They can view our community highlights; this is very tourist oriented.
“When they see how the law enforcement and everyone works together, and how friendly the people area, it really gives a good impression,” continued Minch. “They’ll go and tell others about what they saw here. Word will spread and hopefully people will come back to visit as a result.”
Minch and his secretary, Becky Sprunger, passed out “Amish Popcorn” as they greeted the guests at the city building.
“I love to drive around and test tractors,” commented Nolan Fisher of New Paris, Ohio. “Fixing up these tractors gives us something to do in the winter months. I enjoy riding around and seeing the countryside. It is really nice around he

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