Hay wagon moves people
Posted on Wednesday, June 25, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/gentry/News/2610/
GENTRY ó Taking a ride on a hay wagon has gotten a whole lot easier and safer, thanks to Glenn Smith and the wagon he loans out to area churches and organizations.
Smithís wagon is complete with seats, side rails, and fold-down steps with hand rails for boarding. It has both a clevis and a ball hitch so that it can be pulled by tractor or pickup truck.
His wagon was used at the Springtown Seventh-day Adventist Church Cowboy Camp Meeting this past weekend as a people mover. Itís been used by other area churches and organizations for hay rides as well.
The wagon is set for use again during Gentryís July 4 th Celebration. Smith said he will be giving wagon rides down Gentryís historic Main Street. And this fall, during Pioneer Days, it will be in use again.
ì I wanted to build a wagon for a safe way to have a hay ride, î Smith said.
He bought the wagon chassis, and the local chapter of the Tired Iron of the Ozarks helped him build the deck and seats.
ì We use it at our tractor shows as a people mover, î Smith said. ì We talked about loaning it out to area churches at no charge, î Smith said.
And heís been doing just that ó loaning it to churches. All they have to do is sign a form releasing Smith from liability, though Smith has taken great care to make the wagon safe.
ì All they (the churches ) have to do is call me, î Smith said.
Local businesses have also bought vinyl placards from Smith for a onetime fee which includes making and mounting the business ads. Smith has posted the vinyl signs neatly around the outside rails of the wagon. They show the communityís support for the wagon and its use.
With more requests coming in to use his custom-built wagon, Smith has been talking of building another so he wonít have to turn one church down if another has his wagon in use, or so that churches can borrow both wagons and take more on hay rides at the same time.
For more information, Smith may be reached at 736-2841.