About S.C.R.A.P.
The club was started in 1986. Four men, Doug Markel, Veryl Keppler, JD (Ray) Burkett, and Don Yoder (photo)decided over coffee at the truck stop on St. Rt. 6 and Rt. 23 that they were going to try to get a club started for antique tractors and engines. They decided to have a meeting at the Yoder's on August 28, 1986, where they would choose officers and a name for the club. The first name of the club was Sandusky County Country Collectors. In 1988 it was renamed by Bob Peck's 8-year-old son, Ryan, to Sandusky County Restorers of Antique Power or S.C.R.A.P. The first official meeting of S.C.R.A.P. was held on September 11, 1986. Meetings were first held at the Yoder's house, then the Sandusky County Sportsman's Club, then Steve Ruth's business barn, and now the Helena Fire House on the third Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m.
The First President was Don Yoder who served from 1986-1989. Don also served as a Director for the last nine years. He and Richard Flahiff, served as the first Chairmen of the S.C.R.A.P. Tractor-pulls, with the help of their wives Joann and Linda from 1998-2004. Don remains very active in the club to this day.
The first Vice President was JD (Ray) Burkett. JD served from, 1986-1989, he also served on the Board of Directors and was a very active member up to the time he lost his eyesight. With the help of his grandson, he was still able to participate in the show. JD passed away just a few days before the show, August 27, 2003. Members of S.C.R.A.P. were asked to drive their tractors in his funeral procession. All the founding members were present and all were driving their tractors in honor of his memory.
The first Secretary Treasurer was Doug Markel. Doug served from 1986-1989. Doug is no longer an active member, but still supports the show and is still a member.
Veryl (Red) Keppler has been a very active member, has served on the Board of Directors and was the announcer for the S.C.R.A.P. show and tractor pulls for many years. He still is as active as his health allows him to be.
The first ten men in the club were Don Yoder, JD Burkett, Veryl Keppler, Doug Markel, Karey Keppler, Steve Ruth, Kevin Ruth, Bob Peck, Paul Brecheisen, and Jim Reed. These are the ten men who put on the first show, with the help of others, and are the ones who made the commitment to make the club the success it has become. Jim Reed also is the only person to have a tractor that has been to EVERY Scrap show. It's a little Ford 8N, which the Reed family has lovingly nicknamed " Old Henry".
The first show was at Heritage Days, White Star Park, Gibsonburg, Ohio, October, 1986. There were ten small engines and seven tractors in attendance. They did this for three years, then in 1989 the Sandusky County Parks District was having some financial difficulties. The men made the decision that they would ask if they did the upkeep on the park for the year, could they have a show? the Parks District gave them a date of Labor Day Weekend. A vote was taken and the first Annual S.C.R.A.P. Labor Day Weekend Show was held in 1989.
The first Show Chairman was Steve Ruth, he served from 1989 until 2002. Paul Brecheisen was the first Consignment Auction Chairman who was instrumental in getting Baker Bonnigson as our Auctioneers, they have been with us ever since. Bob Peck was the first Flea Market Chairman. The first Vendor at the show was the Helena Fire Department.
S.C.R.A.P. was incorporated in 1991. As far as the memories go the first Board of Directors came into being that same year.Women first became individual members in 1992. Even though Linda Yoder was the first woman member of the club, she was never active until after that time. The first women to hold office as members were Joann Flahiff
and Connie Klausz.This is just a brief history and some highlights of the early years of S.C.R.A.P., Inc. There are so many, many people that have been instrumental in the success of the club. So many people have worked really hard to make each show a success. It's just that our club has been so blessed and has grown so fast that to get everything, and every name here would be impossible.
The founding members hope that you have enjoyed learning
about the early history of the club and they would like to say THANK YOU
for all the hard work and commitments that everyone past and present has
made to make the club the success it is today! We invite you to
become an active member of S.C.R.A.P., Inc.
Linda Yoder