Merry Christmas!

[Jack H]

The Night Before Portland
(Copyright 1998 by Dean Vinson, with apologies to Clement Moore)
Twas the night before Portland and all through the land
not an engine was cranking, not even by hand.
The campers were nestled all snug in their trucks
awaiting the swapmeet to spend a few bucks.

At last in the morning the time had arrived
to see people to talk with and iron to buy.
To look at the engines and tractors and steam,
from Fairbanks to Farmall, and all in between.

Past castings, and fenders, and French & Hecht wheels,
walked thousands of tinkerers hoping for deals.
The contraptions, and gizmos, the flying Norwegian!
There's too much to write about; you just have to see 'em.

Then promptly at one there arose such a clatter
I looked up from my sweetcorn to see what was the matter.
And there ran the mightiest, grandest of things--
a hundred-horse engine, puffing perfect round rings.

Now Cockshutt, now Moline, now John Deere and Fordson!
Then Oliver, Allis, Massey, and moresome!
From the tip of the drawbar to the front of the grille,
they spoke of our history and the bonds we share still.

I shook hands with my friends as the sun headed down
then I walked to my car at the edge of the grounds.
And I thought to myself as I put it in gear,
"I hate to be leaving, but I'll come back next year."

[Kevin O. Pulver]

Very well done! And Merry Christmas to you as well. Kevin

[Mac Leod]

Wow, that was moving, brought tears to my eyes. anyways Merry Christmas to every one here..thanks, Harry, for the site

Mac Leod

[Craig A]

MERRY CHRISTMAS to YOU all too!!! And if you want a WHITE Christmas, you can have ALL the snow I hope we DON'T get here in Wisconsin!!!!!

[John Hammink]

TO ALL OF YOU, HARRY THANKS FOR
THIS GREAT BOARD.

[Mike in NC]

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE!!!!! AND A BIG THANK YOU TO HARRY!!!!!!!!!

[Dick Hamilton]

To Harry, and to all the members of this great board. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Great New Year. May Our World Find Peace Again. Dick in the cool Finger Lake Region of New York.

[Frank K Jr.]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my new friends at Smokstak.

Frank

[Craig A]

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and ESPECIALLY Harry!!!! Craig

[Mac Leod]

Merry Christmas To All And May All Of Us Remember The Reason We Celebrate It. May The Good Lord Bless Us All And May We Have A Very Rusty New Year!

Thanks Harry

Mac Leod

[Dick Webber]

Thanks Harry! and thanks to all of you out there in engine land who take the time to post your wisdom which helps us all out in various ways. This is a great hobby.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Dick Webber

[nick11082001]

Merry CHRISTmas to you all too, im new to this hobby, but i really enjoy it, i cant wait til i get my B&S model A runnin

[Paul Hokanson]

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all from myself and family and the refrigerator known as Minnesota.

[Paul Spence]

YES, everyone have a MERRY CHRISTMAS. Sure do have a lot to be merry about living here in the good old U.S.A, and even in NJ . Taking one of my last "BREAKS" here at work on 3rd. shift

[hitmis1]

Hi Dick,
MARRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND ALL SMOKSTAKERS.
BILL IN KY ( HITMIS1 )

[Pat Barrett]

Merry Christmas to you, Harry, and all the people who have offered great opinions, help and views on the stak, this year. This is the U.S.A. and the freedom we enjoy has been guranteed by all of us who have, or are now serving our country, in the military. May everyone have the Christmas of there liking.

[Dick Brown]

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR to all. sitting here in western ky.in the deep freeze created by mother nature.
DICK BROWN

[Robert Bowlin]

Thanks Harry for the great site
I enjoy all the opinions and all the answers from the great experts on this site.
Merry Christmas

[Greg Doby]

I want to WISH everyone a Merry Christamas,I hope Santa is GOOD to everyone this year,may 2005 be as good a year as this 1 was,Happy Holidays,Take Care Everyone,Greg Doby

[Mike in NC]

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD BLESS ALL THE SMOKSTAKER'S!!!