ShawneeDispatch.com

Save for the hustle and bustle on nearby Kansas Highway 7, there was no indication that the date was April 2, 2005, as the sun beat warmly upon a freshly plowed field on 43rd Street.

During that warm and sunny early spring day, about a dozen "old former farm kids" used eight antique tractors to plow the corn field that lies just to the west of K-7. It was there that the group of friends, relatives and co-workers set out to "play with their toys" and remind everyone else just how things were done a half-century ago.

"We're having a great time out here," said Tulsa resident Brent Kitchen, who joined his friends plowing the field with his 1966 Case '430' tractor. "Most of us were farm kids, and we're just out here to bring back old memories."

To be sure, the memories did come back as the group of about a dozen watched or rode the eight well cared for and restored tractors that tilled the land in staggered formation.

Back when the group was working on farms, a day in the field began early, shortly after first light, and did not end until the sun eased passed the horizon. However, last weekend's outing was just for fun, and the team of tractors zipped through work.

Because the tractors and plows are smaller and simpler than modern pieces of farming equipment, it would have taken any individual one of them much longer to complete the job. Likely, the task would not have been nearly as enjoyable either.

"It would take about two hours to go straight through it with all of the tractors," said Shawnee resident Andy Hurrlebrink, who, along with his father Bob, joined the group. "But with just one it probably would have taken a couple of days."

During the outing, many participants said their hope for participating in the event was that it would remind people how life was. Turned around, that same message can also illustrate how things have changed.

As the plows tilled the land, Leavenworth resident Herman Sachse led the way through the field aboard a 1936 John Deere 'A.' During the days when that tractor made its maiden swipes across farmland, life was different. Long before high-speed Internet and long-distance conference calls became major components of the day, farmers plowed their way across the state.

Today, farming is still a part of life in Kansas; the Wheat State, the Sunflower State. But a quick glance or a sharp ear was all it took Saturday to observe the busy intersection a few feet from the field and notice just how much has changed.

Saturday's gathering of friends, plows and tractors was the first such demonstration the group has taken part in. However, many of the participants said they enjoy restoring the old tractors and sometimes travel with them to different shows.

"Some people like playing around with motorcycles, boats or old cars," Tonganoxie resident Jese Hummelgaard said. "I guess we just like old tractors."

After the last tractor made the last swipe across the field, the consensus was that the outing was a success and an interesting way to unite friends with a common, albeit unique, interest.

"This was a first," Kitchen said, "but I hope we make it an annual event because it was so much fun."