10-4 Magazine October 2023

64 10-4 Magazine / October 2023 for a photograph?” A bit confused by a seven-year-old asking this, I told these owners/drivers who I was and what we were doing. Several hours later and with rain on the way, three batteries drained, and an SD card nearly filled up, we finally called it a day. With the restaurant nearly full to capacity due to the rain, we were able to sit down for dinner together. You won’t find a better wait staff at a truck stop than at Iowa 80. The food is excellent, and the service is amazing. Iowa 80 knows its customers and cares. After the Friday evening thunderstorm rolled past, and buying dinner for my new photographer, a bunch of us headed back out to the concert stage to hear Shenandoah play their hit songs. With rain puddles now forming everywhere, leave it to a couple of kids to find the mud – it was Carson and Addie. But apparently you only have to be young at heart, because these two kids convinced Kimmy and Eva to go dancing in the mud with them! As Friday night faded into Saturday morning, many of us stayed up late to talk and tell stories. Many of us began reminiscing about what a special place Iowa 80 is and about all the great friends we’ve met there throughout the years. Kim’s first Jamboree was in 1990, my first show was 1991, and it never fails to amaze me, every time I make the trek to the Iowa 80 Truckers Jamboree, besides seeing old friends, I meet new friends that end up becoming lifelong friends. Before Jay and I rolled out in his KW on Saturday evening, Eva Knelsen and I were having our photo taken and Eva summed the weekend up, saying, “Mark, this is what it’s all about, it’s a reunion every year with all our friends in the trucking industry.” Needless to say, it’s a true statement and even though the trucks get us there, our friends are the true trophies at this show! The 45th annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree is scheduled for July 11-13, 2024, also marking the 60th Anniversary of the Iowa 80 Truckstop itself, so make your plans to be there now! As you can imagine, this event will have plenty of friends and fun, so don’t miss it. n WORKING TRUCK (CABOVER): 1st Dennis Sikorski, Bancroft, WI – 1995 Peterbilt 362; 2nd Matt Schleuger, Wesley, IA – 1993 Kenworth K100E; 3rd David Brewster, Maquoketa, IA – 1989 Kenworth K100. WORKING COMPANY TRUCK (BOBTAIL): 1st Seth Dalberg, Clifton, CO – 2022 Kenworth W990; 2nd Eva Knelsen, Mount Elgin, Ontario, Canada – 2021 Kenworth W900L; 3rd Dawson and Bobbie Taylor, Cameron, NC – 2020 Freightliner Cascadia. WORKING COMPANY TRUCK (COMBO): 1st Luke Oligschlaeger, Meta, MO – 2020 Kenworth W900 and 2020 Great Dane; 2nd Andrew Worth, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada – 2021 Peterbilt 389 and 2010 Brenner tank trailer; 3rd Don Hummer Trucking, Cedar Rapids, IA – 2023 Kenworth W990 and 2016 Utility van. WORKING BOBTAIL CONV. (2020-2023): 1st Duane Peden, Taylorville, IL – 2022 Pete 389; 2nd James Nalin, Tucson, AZ – 2022 FL Cascadia; 3rd Brian Collman, Taylor - ville, IL – 2023 Peterbilt 389. WORKING BOBTAIL CONV. (2013-2019): 1st Duane Hostetler, Wooster, OH – 2015 Peterbilt 389; 2nd Vladimir Vitosetic, Harwood Heights, IL – 2014 Volvo D13; 3rd Jesse Wellmeier, Davenport, IA – 2013 Mack Pinnacle HDV-33. WORKING BOBTAIL CONV. (2005-2012): 1st Fritz Littlefield, Forest Lake, MN – 2006 Peterbilt 379; 2nd Matt Kunkle, Linton, ND – 2007 Peterbilt; 3rd Rick Kaiser, Taylorville, IL – 2005 Peterbilt. WORKING BOBTAIL CONV. (1999-2004): 1st Nate Heiderscheit, Peosta, IA – 2003 Peterbilt 379; 2nd Mike Schlabach, Apple Creek, OH – 2000 Peterbilt; 3rd Mel Williams, Richfield, MN – 2003 Peterbilt 379. WORKING BOBTAIL CONV. (1998 & OLDER): 1st Ron Brubaker, Sigourney, IA – 1993 Pete 379; 2nd Raiko Graveran, Orlando, FL – 1995 Freightliner FLD120; 3rd Blake Cope - land, Taylorville, IL – 1985 Pete 359. WORKING COMBO (2018-2023): 1st Brian Pete, Mineral Point, WI – 2019 Peterbilt 389 and 2022 Mac; 2nd Robert Hallahan, LaCrosse, WI – 2022 Peterbilt 389 and 2015 Great Dane; 3rd Douglas Prier, Dyersville, IA – 2022 Kenworth W900L and 2022 Wilson.