<b>By CINDY LADAGE<br>
Illinois Correspondent</b> </p><p>

CARLYLE, Ill. — Farm toy collectors have been waiting for the start of their season; with the National Farm Toy Show at Dyersville, Iowa, back in the first week of November 2007, it seems long ago and far away.</p><p>
Now that collectors have celebrated the holidays, they’ve marked their calendars and are ready for the 2008 season. One of the first toy shows of the year was held Jan. 5-6 in Carlyle, Ill., hosted by the Southern Illinois Chapter 32 of International Harvester Collectors (IHC) Club.</p><p>
Chapter 32 was formed Jan. 18, 2003. The club, which began with 92 people and expanded to 137 charter members by March 2003, has grown to more than 185 members since. Chapter 32 represents those Illinois IH collectors living south of Interstate 70.
This was the fourth year for the show. “We have been doing well and have been very pleased with the results,” said Larry Kauffman, president of the Chapter 32 IHC Club.</p><p>
While it is a group of Farmall red collectors who host the show, farm toys and collectibles of all brands were on hand. The vendor Southern Star had a nice variety of farm toys, with a few unusual Silver King models and other variations.</p><p>
There was another vendor offering an array of literature, and one offering a variety of jigsaw puzzles with a tractor theme. And Roy Lee Baker and his wife, Audrey, were on hand with his from-scratch-built 1/32nd-scale Cub Cadet Model.</p><p>
The Carlyle show was just the beginning of the farm toy show season. Several upcoming shows offer toy collectors a chance to see what’s new and get their toy fix after the long, dry spell.</p><p>
The next show on the Toy Farmer calendar will take place Jan. 11-13 in Urbana, Ill. This is a relatively new show, celebrating its fourth year. The Annual Illini Farm Toy Show, sponsored by the Illinois Farm Bureau District 12 Young Leaders, will be held at the Park Inn and Illini Conference Center at Interstate 74 and U.S. Route 45.</p><p>
This Friday at 5 p.m., it will open room trading and vendors will be set up in the banquet room. The show closes at 9 p.m. and reopens Saturday at 9 a.m., with open room trading. The banquet room then closes at 5 p.m. and reopens Sunday at 9 a.m., to close at 2 p.m. For information, call (217) 247-2644.</p><p>
On Jan. 12, another show will be held in Peotone, Ill. The 17th annual Peotone FFA Farm Toy Show will be at the Will County Fair Atrium, located at West Street and Wilmington Road (it is 40 miles south of Chicago on Interstate 57; take Exit 327 and go east one mile past the Will County Fairgrounds, and turn left on West Street). Hours are 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and the silent auction will be from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. To learn more, call 618-604-4714.</p><p>
Also on Jan. 12, Michigan collectors can check out the Saginaw Valley Toy Show at Albee Township Hall, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For information, call 989-777-9819.</p><p>
Saline, Mich., residents can enjoy a show on Jan. 26 at the 20th annual Benefit for Saline FFA Chapter Farm Toy Show, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Washtenaw County Farm Council Grounds. This is located at 5055 Saline-Ann Arbor Road (Saline is north of U.S. Route 12 and south of Interstate 94). To find out more, call 734-429-8030, ext. 2343.</p><p>
For East Coast toy collectors, on Jan. 19, in Westminster, Md., the 21st Central Maryland Farm Toy Show, Sale and Evening Toy Auction will be held at the Carroll County Ag Center, at 700 Ag Center Drive, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The auction is at 5:30 p.m. For information, call 410-848-2735.</p><p>
Iowa collectors can attend a show Jan. 19-20 in Spencer. The Clay County Toy Show is presented by Dean and Carol Riessen at the Southpark Mall. Located on Highway 71 South, show hours are Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from noon-5 p.m. For information, call 712-262-8700.</p><p>
Iowans may also look forward to a follow-up toy show on Jan. 26, at the 15th annual Montezuma Lions Toy and Craft Show. It will open from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Montezuma High School gym. To learn more, call 641-623-3043.</p><p>
Nebraska visitors can enjoy a show Jan. 20 in Lincoln, at the 22nd annual Husker Toy and Buckle Show, planned from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., located at the Ag Hall of State Fair Park. For information, call 402-797-5585.</p><p>
In Minnesota, the first show of the season commences Jan. 26-27 in Mankato. Collectors can attend the 30th annual Farm and Antique Toy Show at the Midwest Wireless Civic Center. Hours are Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 507-524-3275.</p><p>
One of the biggest toy shows in the Midwest will be Feb. 1-3 in St. Louis, Mo. This year will mark the 27th year for the Gateway Mid-America Toy Show at the Westport Sheraton Chalet Hotel. Located at 191 Westport Plaza Drive, show hours are Friday from noon-6 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m.-6 p.m., with the consignment auction at 9 a.m., and on Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. For information, call 618-836-7787.</p><p>
The farm toy season is up and running, and for collectors, 2008 is off with a bang.