I Spent Labor Day in Palmer, KS
Every year my parents' hometown, Palmer, KS, holds a Labor Day celebration. When I was much younger, the festivities overflowed. However, the recent celebrations have paled in comparison to earlier events. This small town of about 100 people has lost its steam, literally. The railroad tore up the tracks that went through town a couple years ago. Now all the grain from the elevator must be hauled by trucks. The population of Palmer continues to grow older and all the youngsters move out as soon as they can. I don't know how much longer this place can persist. So, Bree and I went to Palmer on Monday to take in another Labor Day. Despite the lost luster of this special day, we still had a good time. Plus, I got to see many relatives that I hadn't seen in awhile.

We spent quite a bit of time at Palmer Lumber & Hardware playing games. My uncle owns the place and he sets up many home made games for the kids to play for a quarter a pop. Each game offers a chance to win coupons, which can be redeemed for prizes. The children love this!

Here's Bill, my uncle, running my favorite game, skeeball. This game also offered the best opportunity to win massive quantities of coupons!


This is my cousin Natalie, keeping an eye on the putt-putt green.


Natalie's sister, Miranda, giving out prizes and showing off her autographed Nicole Ohlde (another relative of mine, other side of the family) jersey.


We also saw some really cool antique farm equipment. Check it out!

Bree liked the red Farmall.


I took a likin' to the orange glow of the Allis-Chalmers.


Can't forget John Deere!


I guess combines weren't always self-propelled.


Even road graders used to be towed. Ain't that old Caterpiller neat?


That's all, folks!
- posted by Jason @ 7:31 PM