Appreciation day draws crowd

The Odessa Trading Company (OTC), with assistance from Ag Tech Services of Moses Lake, held its annual customer appreciation day last Thursday, May 24, with events beginning as early as 2 p.m. Representatives of Case IH and several other companies that supply equipment such as guidance systems and other specialized farming applications were on hand to show farmers and other interested citizens what their products could do.

A special educational session on lube/filters was held at Any Occasion Banquet Hall. Visitors could then move on to the equipment displays at the Odessa Community Center. Several large pieces of Case IH equipment were on display on First Street, including a combine, a tractor and some smaller utility vehicles. Farmers appeared to enjoy looking at the new equipment, as did their children. What better treat is there for a young future farmer than to crawl up onto a huge combine and sit in the driver’s seat?

A dinner was prepared for the guests by the Odessa Riders Club, serving barbecued beef, rolls, baked beans, pasta and potato salads, dessert and soft drinks. OTC employee Don Strebeck told The Record that approximately 330 dinners were served. During dinner, the crowd also enjoyed a raffle drawing for various donated items. Everyone who wanted one also received a free Case IH hat, available in several different styles.

OTC general manager H.P. Carstensen told the crowd that the company had just experienced its best sales year ever, so he was more than happy to express his appreciation to the loyal customers who made the company’s success possible. Carstensen also gave the credit for organizing the dinner and the day’s events to OTC office manager Diane Voise and to OTC parts manager Ted Suchland for handling publicity and other duties.

People came into town from much of the surrounding area, not just to have a free dinner, but also to learn about new technology, touch base with other farmers they might not have seen in a while and enjoy the hospitality provided by the Odessa Trading Company and its hardworking crew members. Farmers and their families appeared to be enjoying the food, the new hats and the camaraderie.