THIRD ANNUAL DREAM FACTORY TRACTOR CRUISE---May 3, 2008
The Third Annual
Dream Factory Tractor Cruise sponsored by the Greater
Kansas City Two Cylinder Club was held on Saturday, May 3, 2008, in
Independence, Mo. Ninety eight individuals registered for the cruise
with eighty four tractors making their appearance. The cool weather with
the possibility of rain probably scared a few people away but the
weather turned out to be great but a little cool. A variety of tractors
made for a rainbow of colors as the tractors made their thirty four mile
cruise through Jackson County beginning at the Independence Square with
lunch at Sibley Orchard and then returning to Independence. Many
spectators viewed the tractors as the tractors passed by through out the
cruise. A delicious barbecue dinner was served at 5:00 p.m. with a
drawing and awards program following dinner. The goal this year was
$25,000. We didn’t make our goal but we did present the Dream Factory
with a check for $16,329. Mike and Peggy Phillips and son, Patrick,
Dream Factory recipients were with us the entire route. Patrick rode one
half of the route in the trailer and the other half on a fire engine.
Many thanks are in order: (1) Dan Hanna, tractor cruise chairperson, for
doing an outstanding job again this year, (2) Sandy Hanna, Linda
Ratzlaff, Maxine Hooper (dessert lady), Betty Reed, Bev Lee, Fred Inbody
and others who helped at the registration table, (3) Independence
police, Jackson County Mounted patrol and Buckner police for keeping us
safe, (4) Rollback truck services for helping the less fortunate back to
their truck, (5) Independence 76 Fire Company for helping us to stay
together, (6) Sibley Orchard for providing lunch, (7) all the
individuals who helped park the trucks and who helped line up the
tractors (8) Justin Read for printing and taking photos (he has photos
available--contact him) and (9) all the drivers who brought tractors for
A SHORT RIDE FOR YOUNG DREAMS.
Letter from Dan Hanna
As
the old saying goes, the third time is a charm! I think that with the cold
weather hampering our event a bit, our turn out was slowed just a bit, but the
participants that came out had a good time. Larry Moore just couldn't
believe the turn out and was really impressed by all the Tractors that were on
the Independence Square. He was so appreciative of the Two Cylinder Club's
effort and support of the Dream Factory. The total numbers are not in just yet,
but it looks like that we will be giving the Dream Factory around $16,500 for
this year's event.
First off, I want to THANK the ladies and Fred at the registration table for getting everyone registered that morning and getting them their bag of goodies to each person. Also, the ladies from the Dream Factory for passing out refreshments for nourishment to the drivers. With out them this event would not work! The guys helping park the trucks and trailers and the guys on the Square instructing drivers where to go and which line to get in.The guys who came to my office to stuff envelopes and bags for the give-a-ways that the club provided.
As one of my old coaches used to tell us, There is not an I in
the word TEAM. It takes all of us to make this event happen.
I
want to single out a couple of folks who in my estimation went above the
call of duty in this year's event. First is Justin Read, for doing all the
printing of materials and taking photo's for this years cruise. Great JOB
Justin, job well done! You can get a Photo CD of this year's event from
Justin. Second, Maxine Hooper, for making the sheet cakes and cookies for
the dinner at the end of cruise. I can still taste those cookies. I think there
were around 25 dozen that she baked. (Yum Yum). Then lastly but not least, my
wife, for having to put up with me these last few days in me getting all
the last minute things done to make this event happen. Thank You!
Those
two little words in the English language don't get used enough in my estimation
to let folks know how much you appreciate what they do and how hard they work.
For the club members who didn't get to go on this years ride, you missed out on a really fun day and being with your fellow club members! Hope you can come out next year, you won't be sorry that you did!
Thanks
for everyone's help!
Dan Hanna
Letter from Wes
Dan,
I thought the event was very well presented this year. The weather was brisk(Cool & Windy) in the morning but the bright sun made everyone enjoy the day. The Independence Police, Jackson County Mounted Patrol, Sibley Police, Rollback Wrecker Services and the Fire Engine Group handled the logists very well.
Pat and his wife provided a wonderfull lunch and the evening BBQ was execellent. Sandy,Linda, Maxine and the rest of the women did a outstanding job with the registeration, snacks and helping make the cruise a success. The blue bag of goodies was very nice, the shirt was execellent as was the emergency kit.
I believe that everyone had a great time that I visited with. Lots of Positive comments. I thought the cruise route was execellent this year with lots of rolling hills, ridges and winding roads past some very nice country farm steads and homes. Also lots of specators in town and along the route. The many different tractors provided a colorfull array of our unique Mid-West culture and American history. It will be great to see the many pictures that Justin took along the cruise.
Dan
you are to be commended for a outstanding job well done.
Wes
