By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
While tractors have been used for decades, assisting farmers in growing crops to feed countless people, a local club spends much of the year raising money and awareness instead of crops to help those suffering from cancer. “The biggest focus of our club is to try to inform or perhaps educate the public about our club and that it is not just a bunch of guys pulling tractors. We pride ourselves in being a very diverse club in that we have a variety of different events each year,” said Cheryl Boulier, spokesperson for the Northern Maine Antique Tractor Club.
This year the NMATC helped raise funds for three organizations: Aroostook House of Comfort, Hospice of Aroostook, and the C.A.N.C.E.R. organization. The goal this year was to aid families stricken by cancer. Checks were presented to representatives of each group during a ceremony earlier this fall: $1,000 to Rick and Nancy Duncan for Aroostook House of Comfort, $1,000 to Gail Phair-Kirk and Ruth Collins on behalf of Hospice of Aroostook, and $500 to Sue Nickerson and Sue Levasseur for C.A.N.C.E.R.
“One thing we’ve dedicated ourselves to is supporting the three organizations we gave money to this year that care for those struggling with cancer. We work hard at raising funds each year through our annual tractor trek, as well as our annual raffle,” said Boulier.
This year’s trek took place July 13, with nearly three dozen tractors and operators taking part.
“We had 30 tractors and 35 people involved in the trek. Some tractors had a second seat. Joining them was Richard Rand who drove his 1946 Chevy truck with the Memory Board. Two vehicles followed the tractors, just in case a tractor did not make the complete trek,” said Jane Bartlett, trek chairperson.
This year’s trek raised $1,500 for Hospice of Aroostook and the House of Comfort. The club raised most of the money through donations.
The ride took several hours to complete, since most of the tractors were older and not designed to go very fast. This marked the seventh year of the trek.
Bartlett said the club has a growing number of women participating in the annual event.
“Women have always been involved, but yes, there were more women drivers this year. Hopefully we’ll have even more next year,” said Bartlett.
She said participants came from all over the County.
“We had riders from Hodgdon to Fort Kent, as well as New Brunswick and Nova Scotia,” said Bartlett.
According to Bartlett, the club is a family-oriented organization and it’s not uncommon to see several generations of the same family enjoying festivities together.
“We had three generations riding. Craig Stackhouse was the youngest person. He rode with his grandfather, Dennis Quint and his great-grandfather, Roger Quint, was the oldest. We had husbands, wives, fathers, daughters and sons, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, and many friends participate — all for a worthy cause,” said Bartlett.
Boulier said it’s a common misconception that the club is based in Presque Isle.
“We’re far more widespread than that. We have over 350 members from Fort Kent to southern Maine and some even from Canada. So our efforts to raise money for these organizations comes from all these members and supports many communities, not just Presque Isle,” said Boulier.
For more information about the club, e-mail Boulier at cheryl604@myfairpoint.net or Bartlett at bartlettfarms@pwless.net.
