Horses in Dissolution

Unmask Group is a trio of Beijing-based artists, Liu Zhan, Kuang Jun and Tan Tianwei.  They met while attending the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing and have been working together since 2001.

These seemingly incomplete stainless steel works show figures in a state of dissolution or, perhaps, just the opposite -- emergence.  These pieces were recently on display at HT Gallery, established in 2009 in the Beijing 798 Art District, providing a platform for young Chinese artists who represent the future.

All photos: Exposition of Unmask at HT Gallery

Armour's World Famous Gray Percherons (1905-1910)

The Armour Packing Company's grade Percheron geldings were winners in the four-horse hitch competitions in the early 20th Century.  They later developed into a six-horse hitch in 1905 and 1906 showing at the Chicago International Livestock Exposition.  These beautiful geldings went on to the UK for exhibition and show in 1907.

Many of the big companies owned six and eight-horse hitches, competing at county or state fairs, and frequently in the larger, well-known shows at that time such as the International (Chicago) or Kansas City's Royal Show.  The teams were hand-selected to match in size, color, conformation and intelligence. The Armour Packing Company's delivery fleet used yellow wagons and dapple gray horses.

1910

Armour Packing Company of Chicago entered an agreement with the proprietors, Harry Tammen and Fred Bonfils, of  the Sells-Floto Circus, a big railroad show out of Denver. News covered by Billboard magazine's March 20, 1909 issue read, in part: "Armour Prize Team with Sells-Floto Shows announced that in addition to the horses and wagon, all of their trophies, ribbons and other prizes the horses won in show would be also exhibited." 

1910

Billboard magazine's story went on that the horses would be dressed in gold-trimmed harness in daily parades, exhibiting stunts and were under the hands of Bill Wales, an expert whip at the time for the tour.

The Sells-Floto Circus traveled on 30 railroad cars and opened that year in Denver on March 29, 1909. Newspaper ads mentioned "The $25,000 World Famous Prize Winners, the Armour Greys" added to the media frenzy while the troupe was on the road until October 30, 1909, when they returned to Denver.  Newspapers always pulled the Armour greys into their stories, often times stating "The famous Armour Greys were a great hit.  The cups and prizes won by these renowned horses were on exhibition.  Letters of admiration were displayed from King Edward of England and Emperor William of Germany."  The 1909 tour was so successful that it was repeated for the 1910 circus season.

The Sells Floto Circus went on to feature Buffalo Bill Cody in 1914-1915.  By 1929 it had become a part of the American Circus Corporation consisting of four other circus production companies.  

John Nicholas Ringling ultimately purchased the American Circus Corporation for $1.7M creating a monopoly of traveling circuses in America.

1894

Date Unknown

The Armour "Star" is still seen today, only with 
the name Armour and a "star" image.

1910

Present Day Packaging

Saturday Night's All Right

Gelding Team Win

Soon-To-Be-Mom, Dakota Haller, is All Smiles Competing 

in Ladies Team, Who Later Won the Class of 11.

Raedene Messenger competing in Ladies Cart

Brian Coleman, Head of the Wagon Train on the Rail.

2016 National Western Stock Show

We are so excited to be attending the draft show 
in Denver, Colorado, competing in Halter, and 

with the Mark Messenger Memorial Hitch in Performance.

Stay Tuned . . . 

Here we go!

 Photo:  J Ann Brodland, 2014

 

Winner, Open Six - 2016 Big Thunder Draft Horse Show

Thank you for all the fabulous well-wishes for our win of the
Open Six of the North American Six-Horse Classic Series competition with the Mark Messenger Memorial Hitch. The 2016 Big Thunder Draft Horse Show was terrific, and we appreciate being chosen as "Fan's Choice" on Friday night.  Onward to compete at the National Western Stock Show in Denver this weekend. We're already missing Big Thunder's heated barn!

If you're in Denver, stop by to visit the horses.

Big Thunder Draft Horse Show - 2016

We are so excited to be competing at the first show in 2016

with the Mark Messenger Memorial Hitch.

We are Proud to Win Heat 1 of the Six Tonight!  

Stay Tuned . . . 

Final Flight

David Bowie's "Space Oddity" (1969)
Performed by Canadian astronaut, Commander Chris Hadfield,

from the International Space Station (2013).

CD/LP:  "Space Sessions:   Songs From a Tin Can"

Bowie himself called the rendition,

"possibly the most poignant version of the song ever created."

RIP Ziggy Stardust.

Natural Saturn on the Cassini Cruise

Hubble Heritage Team (AURA/STScI/NASA)
8/17/2003

★

Farewell to 2015

Life rarely turns out exactly the way you want it to, but you still have an opportunity to make it great.  

Replica of an 1829 Stephenson's Rocket,

built for the 1923 film, "Our Hospitality"

You have to do what you can, with what you have, exactly where you are.  It will not always be easy, but it will be worth it in the end.  Remember, there is no perfect life, just perfect moments. And it's these moments you must cherish; it's these moments that make the whole journey worthwhile.  Obstacles can be viewed with quick thinking in positive light, as seen in the film, above.

Thank you for being a part of our journey at Eaglesfield Percherons.  May you all find peace, love and prosperity in 2016.  

.•°*”˜☆˜”*°•.˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•٠·˙.•°*”˜☆˜”*°•.

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The School Bus is Here!

1930 Aroostook County School Bus
Making Rounds in Downtown Presque Isle, Maine.

(These lucky children have a heater!)

Photo:  Dick Graves Collection

Today's the Day for the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train!

It's that time of year again, and Santa, aboard the Canadian Pacific line visited us today in Didsbury.

The Holiday Trains travel through Canada and the United States, stopping at communities along the way offering free concerts from their boxcar-turned-stage, amongst other seasonal festivities.  Over the three weeks of the program, there will be over 150 free concerts all over North America.

These trains not only bring a spark to the holiday season and tradition.  They also provide an opportunity to build up food bank supplies in both Canada and the United States.  The festivities are free, but you are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items as a donation.  Monetary donations are appreciated as well.  It is good to note that all contributions in the community stay within the local community.

Since 1999, the Holiday Train has raised close to C$9.5 million and 3.3 million pounds of food for North American food banks.  As stated before, all donations stay within each community and Canadian Pacific makes an additional donation at each stop on their route.  It has been found that in some places, the Holiday Train program can raise the majority of money a food bank requires for the year.

Click the map above for the Holiday Train Schedules for Canada and the United States.

Click the photo above to detail the Holiday Train routes and stops for both Canada and the United States.

Hopefully, you'll have the chance to enjoy the Holiday Train event, and make it a traditional must-do for you and your family to enjoy for many years to come.  Click the train above to see the video of this must-do holiday tradition.

It is through giving that we truly receive which brings joy in our hearts. What a better message for us all this holiday season.

String the Lights, Camera, Action!

Hay, It's a Light Show! (2015)

We send our greetings and salutations across the continent to the Messick Farm Equipment folks of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. Messick's has been a long-standing icon in their community since 1952, when two brothers broke ground in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  Business was (and still is) good. 

Deck the 'Botas (2014)

In 1976, the successful Messick enterprise broke ground again on a 21-acre location, later expanded this location in 2005 onto an adjacent car dealership, and again in 2013, expanding their service shop space to repair large equipment.

To give a bit of joy back to their community, Messick's started their Christmas light shows on a small scale some 10 to 15 years ago. Back then, only a couple of pieces of equipment were decorated for all to see along Highway 283 (at the Rheems Exit). 

Blanketed Holiday Lights (2013)

Then, Messick's began their annual participation in the local Christmas parade every year, driving decorated equipment.  

Messick's is Always a Hit

Elizabethtown, PA Christmas Parade (2015)

New Holland SP.275F

In 2013, a full-scale launch into a musical, light-choreographed show, supported by 32 decked-out Kubotas, sent Messick's holiday orchestra message out to the masses.   

Tractor Christmas Orchestra 2013

The Messick's traditional light show continues on in 2015, with more equipment, more lights and more sound.  All visitors have an open invitation to stop by, park and sit with the family and enjoy the show.  There is no fee for anyone to attend (except busses - $3/person).  There is an opportunity for visitors to donate for local charities (focusing on food and homelessness) on their way out after the show -- only if you are able. 

Inspired?  Want to see the effort behind such a production?  Click on the rear tire below to join the Messick boys as they perform a "show and tell" explaining the process.

Under a Spray of Lights

Elizabethtown Christmas Parade 2015

New Holland SP.275F

The Messick family philosophy is to work with credibility, honesty, integrity, and courtesy because a sincere relationship with their customer is of utmost importance.  

We are sure that Lancaster County appreciates Messick's for their business, as well as their fellowship, entertainment and charity collection efforts during the holiday season.  In 2013/2014, they raised over $50,000 for local families via: 

Habitat for Humanity

Mennonite Disaster Service

Water Street Ministries

Paxton Ministries

Community Cupboard of Elizabethtown.

•.¸✽✽¸.•
Eaglesfield Percherons salutes you, Messick Farm Equipment, and your efforts from afar.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

•.¸✽✽¸.•

Messick Farm Equipment
187 Merts Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022

717-367-1319 / 800-222-3373

877-260-3528 Parts Hotline