Farmer’s Union Local No. 253 was organized on Dec. 15, 1917, by J.C. Heinrich, John Noordsy, Henry Preshun, Robert Kaster, Elmer Goodyear, John Reecy, Leo Wingert, Henry Dykstra, Alfred Waechter, John Witkop, and G. H. Kirchner. Its first business transaction was the purchase of Berke’s Best Flour from the Montrose Mill. Alfred Waechter managed the business until his death in 1967, after which Anthony and James Waechter succeeded their father. The first building was begun in 1923 on the Waechter farm 5 miles southeast of Canistota, but it was destroyed by fire in 1929, and a new building was constructed northwest of the original business. In 1977, a new facility was built across the road. Because another Farmer’s Union in Canistota caused frequent mail confusion between the two businesses, Local 253 came to be called Rumpus Ridge. Rumpus Ridge became a center for commerce and social gatherings where farmers from the surrounding area sold cream and eggs and bought groceries, feed, seed, other supplies, and its famous 4 scoop nickel ice cream cone.