And not only did the ride will go on, just as “Ma” would have it, but the donations can pouring in, with a whopping $20,327 as of press time! Now, more kids will have miracles granted, just as “Ma” would have it! Her family and friends make it happen in a big way, and were even Blessed with a small rain shower along the way.
The 13th Annual Old Iron Trail Ride was hosted in Castroville last Saturday, May 19, 2018 in honor and memory of the beloved “Ma”, Joyce Noblitt Haass, who passed away a several weeks ago after a valiant 8 month fight with Guillain Barre. Joyce and her husband Douglas spent countless hours every year working on the trail ride, the awareness, the marketing, fundraising and organizing of the actual ride. Her family has been involved over the years, but really stepped it up taking on the lead this year to make sure the tradition continues and critically ill children are granted wishes, through Make-a-Wish. Of course “Pa”, Douglas Haass, was still in charge of the actual trade ride, while the kids and grandkids helped make sure things kept rolling.
Anyone who knew Joyce Haass knows how passionate she was about her volunteer works, things being done right, accountability, and traditions being taught and passed on to the next generations. Her family learned well.
“This was my first year of taking over the reins of the Old Iron Trail Ride. Many will remember how my mother, Joyce Haass, would talk fondly about the ride to help raise funds and awareness,” said Cynthia Patterson. ” The Trail Ride was a true passion of mother’s and something she truly believed in.”
“Over $20,327 was raised. Special thanks to Pastor Greg Knippa from Zion Lutheran Church for the blessing before the ride and the MV Methodist Church for the use of the fellowship hall for lunch.”
The Event
The 75 participants rode around the Castroville area on 25 different tractors or types of farm equipment last Saturday, May 19. Douglas Haass lead the procession on his Allis Chalmers tractor with his granddaughter Brooke Terry as co-pilot, pulling a covered wagon full of family members and friends of the Old Iron Trail Ride. His grandson Randolph brought up the end of the ride with in his F450 ready for any mechanic work needed on the old tractors. All the tractors were old and or refurbished ones except the newer tractor granddaughter Cara Thomas used to pull the all important port a potties! Her husband Jerry provided traffic control as well as Castroville PD. Some great tractors on the ride were by Allis Chalmers, Case, John Deere, Massey Harris, McCormick Farmall, Ford, Massey Ferguson, Polaris, and Oliver Hart Parr. Lots of beautifully restored tractors pulling beautiful handmade coverage trailers and wagons rolled about the countryside of the Medina Valley.
Lunch was provided by Haass Customs and Safety Plus. A barbeque sausage dinner cooked by Anthony & Amie Cortez and Ryan Haass and crew was enjoyed by all before diving into the homemade peach cobbler, red velvet cake and German chocolate cakes all made by Eunice Patterson.
Donations
You can still send donations to Old Iron Trail Ride, c/o Douglas Haass, 6035 State Hwy. 173 N., Devine, TX 78016. Help us make more wishes come true! If you need additional information contact Cynthia Haass Patterson at 830-931-5402 or Cara Patterson Thomas at 210-232-0033.
By K.K. Calame
Publisher