Retired Richmond Farm Couple Won’t Miss Out On WIBW Farm Profit Seminars

Larry and Elsie MacArthur are the winners.

Hands down the Richmond farm couple has been to more 580 WIBW Farm Profit Seminars than anybody.

That even includes the individual WIBW farm program directors and seminar coordinators, who’ve shared attendance through the years.

“We always went to the daylong seminars there at the downtown motel in Topeka,” Larry reflected. “That wasn’t so far from home, and since the seminars have been in other towns we’ve just kept going.”

A snow storm one time kept the Franklin County actually retired farmers, Larry, 81, and Elsie, 78, home. “We hated to miss it, but we sure didn’t want to be caught on the road,” he insisted.

It’s 186 miles from their farm to Washington, Kansas, but they didn’t miss the Farm Profit Seminar there. “We rented a motel room and stayed overnight after some programs that were a long ways from home,” Larry said.

Greg Akagi, now 580 WIBW farm director, visited with Larry and Elsie MacArthur at a Farm Profit Seminar in Garnett. The Richmond farm couple hasn’t missed but one Farm Profit Seminar first as daylong programs then evening’s at area towns. They’ll be at Alma for the Farm Profit Seminar Wednesday evening, Feb. 6.

“We enjoy those seminars. They are so well coordinated, educational, sometimes the speakers are quite entertaining, too. That Darrell Holaday when he talks is something else; he really gets enthused,” Larry contended.

“Of course we enjoy the great suppers, too,” Elsie inserted with a smile.

Likely, the always most congenial farm couple has collected a record number of door prizes at the seminars as well. “Between the two of us, we’ve had our names drawn several times. Got some nice things we still use,” Larry said.

Of course, Larry and Elsie are dedicated 580 WIBW radio listeners. “I’ve been listening ever since I was a kid,” he said.

Several of the farm directors through the years were remembered. Wilber Levering, Harold Ross, Virgil Huseman, George Logan, Rich Hull and today’s team Kelly Lenz, Greg Akagi and Dan Johnson.

“They’ve always been so good with the farm news and market reports. I couldn’t do without WIBW,” Larry declared.

Just as prominently strong in Larry’s reflections are of the Pleasant Valley Gang’s live entertainment every morning on WIBW. “Edmund Denney, Miss Elsa and Bill Kirk were always the highlight as we were eating breakfast,” he contended.

“What are the rest of the words to that song they sang? ‘Yeah you know I’m a tomcat. And I’m scratching around in your windowpane.’ It was our favorite, but I just can’t remember the rest of the words. Can you figure those out for me?” Larry wondered.

The “Gang,” Denney, vocals and guitar; Kirk, accordion; and Miss Elsa, organ, were live on WIBW from the 1940s through the mid-1980s.

“We still wake up every morning to the Wall Street Report, then the Ag Roundup,” Larry and Elsie appreciated.

The most congenial farm couple have their reservations in and will be at the Farm Profit Seminar in Alma Wednesday evening, Feb. 6.

Everybody else can come too for supper, visiting with 31 sponsors at their booths and hearing the educational, always entertaining farm management panelists.

It’s important to call Karaline Mayer at the Wabaunsee County Extension Office 785-765-3821 to guarantee supper count.

Sponsorships with commercials and booths are available by calling 785-228-7259.