Bringing it home

Dairy Field, Jun 2003

* Convention to recall days of milk trucks and door-to-door service.

The days of fresh milk in glass bottles delivered to your door every morning are gone in all but a few select locations across the United States. But many of the dedicated people who once made that happen soon will be converging on Medina, Ohio, to recall that bit of history.

All current milkmen, former milkmen and their families are invited to attend the Midwest Milkman's Reunion and 2003 Convention of the Divco Club of America, scheduled for July 17-20 at Elm Farm in Medina, the site of a former working dairy plant that served customers across northern Ohio until 1979.

Also invited to attend is anyone with a vintage milk truck. The Divco truck - its name derived from manufacturer Detroit Industrial Vehicle Co. - is the most recognizable milk truck that people remember, according to reunion organizers.

With the theme "Milk Trucks in Medina," the gathering will host a huge collection of Divco milk trucks and delivery trucks of other makes, brought from across the country by members of the Divco Club of America. There also will be displays of "dairyanna" - collectibles like milk bottles and other dairy-related items. There will be swap meets and dealer booths for those looking to sell or trade items, or expand their collections. A full slate of activities also is planned, including butter churning, ice cream making and ice cream eating contests.

Several trips are scheduled, such as tours of the Dairyman's plant in nearby Cleveland and the Smith Dairy in Orrville; excursions to former Divco factory locations; and a pilgrimage to a storehouse of Divco truck parts that restorers will be able to purchase.

Registration and other information is available at (360) 598-3938 or www.milkmanreunion.com.