[AT] How had the group changed

Mon Dec 16 11:04:24 PST 2019

I've been offline for a couple days and WOW, what a trip down memory lane!
Thanks for the shout-out Spencer  I had completely forgotten about Usenet
misc.rural, but now that you mention it, I used to visit there regularly
and surely that must have been how I found ATIS.  I think I already had my
Cub by then, and I was tickled to find like-minded individuals in a more
focused format than misc.rural.

Among the earliest members I recall include Steve Sewell, Bryce Adams,
Chuck Bealke, Hank Wessel, Jim Becker, Alan Nadeau.

Special mention for members who have passed including Mike Sloane and Cecil
Monson.  I think Bob Brooks did mention that a small sub-group of ATIS
members formed and lasted many years which consisted of Mike, Cecil, Bob,
Wayne Smith, Jim Thomson, and yours truly.  Another member I miss is George
Willer.  He was a consummate professional, a contractor and a machinist
extraordinare.  I am certain that I have declared more than once in public
"when I grow up I want to be just like George Willer".  (Still working on
that).   And then there was Evil Dave Rotigel,  in a league of his own.
And I apologize in advance for missing a few more who are no longer with us.

A few fond memories of the sagas that have played out on the List, in no
particular order (and unfortunately omitting many):  George Willer's
narrow-front Cub; Dean Vinson's Air Force service in Thule, Greenland;  the
passing of the boxes; the travels of the blue-handled fence pliers.

And to Spencer, it was an honor and a privilege to assist with some
technical editing on your book "How to Rebuild and Restore Farm Tractor
Engines".

Steve O.

On Sat, Dec 14, 2019 at 8:33 PM Spencer Yost <spencer at rdfarms.com> wrote:

> 
> 
> The list started in 1993 as an offshoot of misc.rural Usenet group.
> Just too many homesteaders and chicken folks there on misc.rural to get
> anything good about antique tractors.   A gopher server followed in early
> 1994 with the web site in late 1994.
>
> In 1994, Brice started the engine list at Indiana University.   It folded
> into ATIS a few years later.    Both lists got kicked off the Forsyth
> county government servers in 1997 and we’ve been on own since then.
>
> I was the first member obviously but about 125 people signed up within the
> first several weeks so there is probably 126 people who rightfully can call
> themselves the oldest.  I’ll bet a dozen or two of them are still with us.
>   Brice Adams and Steve Sewell come to mind.  Herb Metz, Farmer, Steve
> Offlier, John Thompson, Richard walker, and one or more of the Dotson
> brothers (“wagon master” Gene is still here).  The Waugh brothers were
> pretty early too and Gene Waugh is still with us.
>
> In August 1994 we had 25-30 people at the first ATIS gathering.
> Considering a participation rate of only a few percent we had already
> become quite large by then.
>
> I use to have backups that could answer this question  but about 2002 I
> realized I’d never have a tape drive again and had to chuck them (-;  Even
> then, I’m not sure analytics could help. Many of those earliest members
> have switched ISPs three or four times and I’m not sure we could trace
> addresses.
>
> There are still 250-350 list members.  I use pretty aggressive bounce
> processing rules so they are all good addresses receiving mail.  Even if a
> third of them forward our mail to the trash folder instead of actually
> unsubscribing  I’ll bet at least 150-200 folks read our posts fairly
> regularly.
>
> Spencer
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Dec 14, 2019, at 5:38 PM, Mike M <meulenms at gmx.com> wrote:
>
>  What amazes me is how long the list has been around. I joined in 1996
> and i know their are members that are more senior than myself. How long has
> ATIS been around?
>
> Mike M
>
>
> On 12/14/2019 8:29 AM, HERBERT METZ wrote:
>
> One of the many benefits of this group is the exceptional fellowship. We
> sure enjoyed Warrens visit. Warren told us of the program that Clemson had
> for participating in the lunar eclipse.  Barbara and I really enjoyed
> participating.
> One of the perks of visiting the Clemson Campus, as one approached the
> campus, was a nice sign, IIRC, Clemson Campus is a smoke free campus.
> Herb(GA)
>
> On December 14, 2019 at 3:49 AM Mogrits <mogrits at gmail.com>
> <mogrits at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Sadly, Herb Metz is the only member I ever met in person, but have sure
> corresponded with many more- some departed. My visit with Herb was
> delightful and I know meeting more of our group would be more of the same.
>
> Warren
>
> On Thu, Dec 5, 2019 at 8:03 AM HERBERT METZ < metz-h.b at comcast.net>
> wrote:
>
> Tyler,
> Yes, Barbara and I sure enjoyed your visit. Let us know if you plan
> another visit to Georgia.
> We bought the G with end loader in southeast IA and have been to several
> tractor shows in north central IA.  You were probably 'knee high to a
> grasshopper' about that time.  But never to south west IA; would be great
> to reciprocate if we ever get in your area.  Herb(GA)
>
> > On December 3, 2019 at 4:17 PM Tyler Juranek < tylerpolkaman at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hi,
> > I certainly haven't been here that long, but the time that I have been
> > on I have really enjoyed.
> > Everyone is so friendly, and what I enjoy most is all of the great
> > story telling!
> > Farmer deffinately has some good stories, some of which remind me of
> > my grandpa Juranek, who is still with us, but doesn't really do
> > anything with the old tractors anymore. He still has the oliver 66
> > that he bought when dad was a senior in high school.
> > It is really a shame that many of my generation don't care about old
> > iron. JD A's and B's don't bring much around here anymore, and most of
> > the people who have them at the shows are "grandpa to everybody there"
> > guys. :)
> > I do remember one time taking a trip down to Georgia to visit some
> > family, and somehow or another, I found my way to Herb Metz's place!
> > He and his wife Barbra are two amazing people, and the equipment he
> > has tells quite a story.
> > I still have a picture of Herb and I standing by his Allis G with a
> > loader on it. I came home and shared it with some relatives of mine,
> > and nobody even knew that Allis made a loader for a G.
> > Would like to meet more folks on here in person, but I don't do much
> > traveling as I cannot get away from my business very long. Am hoping
> > to get a guide dog by next year at this time.
> > If anyone gets down to the southwest part of Iowa, speak up. Always
> > good to meet folks on here.
> > Take Care,
> > Tyler Juranek
> > IA
> >
> > On 12/3/19, Stephen Offiler < soffiler at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > I was just hunting for some old photos the other day and came across a
> > > whole photo album from Portland, I think '98.  This was the year with
> the
> > > passing of the box and Spencer's Pacer smoking the belt on the dyno.
>  I
> > > need to scan those, I suppose...
> > >
> > > SO
> > >
> > >
> > > On Tue, Dec 3, 2019 at 10:10 AM Bill Brueck < b2 at chooka.net> wrote:
> > >
> > >> For a few seasons I was able to capture group ATIS pictures at the
> spring
> > >> swap meet in LeSueur, MN.  This started with the passing of the ATIS
> box.
> > >> Indeed, lots of folks missing by now.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> www.apluscomputer.com/atis
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> I also picked up a couple of the custom ATIS oak battery boxes that
> sold
> > >> at the annual Christmas auction.   Alas, they are still awaiting
> engine
> > >> restorations to put them to service.  Beautiful work, included the
> ATIS
> > >> logo inscribed into the lids.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Bill Brueck
> > >>
> > >>    Pine Island, MN
> > >> _______________________________________________
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> > >> AT at lists.antique-tractor.com
> > >> http://lists.antique-tractor.com/listinfo.cgi/at-antique-tractor.com
> > >>
> > >
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