Jim and Marjorie Voyles joined EDGE Branch 16 in 2000. Once they joined, Jim and Marjorie attended monthly meetings and quickly became engaged at all levels of the club. In 2008, Jim was asked to serve on the board as a director and quickly agreed to serve. Jim continues to serve as a director to this day.
As we all know, volunteers are essential to making everything happen, from maintaining the grounds, improving the grounds, helping the show run smoothly and assisting at monthly meetings. Both Jim and Marjorie jumped in feet first. Jim manages one of the mowing teams – a group of individuals essential to keeping the grounds in good shape. Responsibilities include mowing, picking up sticks, spraying for weeds and other grounds maintenance. Jim is the individual in charge, but Marjorie is there with him helping every time.
Our local chapter has an annual swap meet, where you can find both Jim and Marjorie helping collect registration fees and directing traffic. As you know, our club moved to new grounds in 2023. Both Jim and Marjorie were at the old grounds on every workday, helping get equipment ready to move and were also at the new grounds work days getting ready for the equipment and helping plan where everything would go. Jim also served on the building committee to help determine what buildings needed to be built and where they would be placed. Jim and Marjorie picked up more rocks at the new showgrounds that you can possibly imagine. Missouri s known for low quality soil and high quality rocks – unfortunately rocks are not conducive to smooth roads and easy walking, so this was a big job. Additionally, Marjorie helped assemble and paint the new picnic tables to be used at the show.
One of the bigger challenges with the new showgrounds is the lack of trees. Jim volunteered his time and expertise to research which types of trees would be best for the new showgrounds, developed a planting plan and helped plant 100+ trees, insuring shade in the years to come.
In addition to volunteering for our local chapter, Jim has served as president of the J.I. Case Heritage Club and traveled throughout the US to attend multiple shows. The J.I. Case Heritage Club hosted their annual show in Republic, MO in 2012. For this show, Jim and Marjorie coordinated getting the 50 state flags displayed properly, determined where the Case tractors would be displayed and coordinated the annual meeting, including the meal.
Jim and Marjorie also host an annual event at their home every October – the Voyles Sorghum Making Days. There are typically 100-150 people in attendance. They have demonstrations showing how to make butter, apple butter and sorghum. Attendees are encouraged to participate in the demonstrations. Other activities can include basket weaving, scroll saw carving, music, tractor displays and gas engine displays.
Jim and Marjorie have an extensive Case tractor and implement collection that they share with the public at our annual show and other Case shows throughout the US. Jim is always more than happy to assist others when they are restoring their antique equipment. Jim’s help includes actual help with the restoration project and donation of parts (if he has the correct ones) to help with the restoration.
Jim and Marjorie are dedicated to the success of EDGETA Branch 16 and are amongst the first members to step up to volunteer to help with projects. They do not wait to be asked, instead they step up and ask how can they help. Jim and Marjorie are a vital part of EDGETA Branch 16 and deserve to be recognized by EDGETA as Hall of Fame members.