Central Illinois Green Club

It’s looking more like Spring everyday even though we see a few snow showers now and then.

I’ve seen numerous robins and cardinals out already. They are out chirping away even before daylight. I believe we have gotten past the groundhog’s curse as the beginning of March is not looking too bad at all. I am sure we will see some tractors tillage equipment and planters parked on the farm yards real soon.

There will be no membership meeting in March, but mark your calendars for April 16th at 7:00 pm at the Bonfield Lions Club Hall for our first club meeting of 2025. Mary Wood will be teasing our taste buds with some of her delicious dessert recipes. Just a reminder to all Directors do not forget the meeting at Craig’s t 6:00 pm on March 18th. Lots of business to catch up on as well as planning for the rapidly approaching 2025 tractor season. There are many dates on the calendar already filled for some type of tractor activity. None of this would be possible without the efforts of many people working together. Do not forget to thank our Veterans who made many sacrifices to secure our freedom so we may continue to enjoy all of these opportunities. Please take a moment to remember all the families that have lost loved ones and those that may be fighting an illness, too many times we forget about them. I look forward to seeing everyone at the Director meeting and the April meeting. In the meantime, please take care.

God Bless you all.
Sincerely,
Dave Wehrmann

Before I go any further, I want to thank everyone for attending the CIGC Annual Meeting and Christmas Party. I want to give my sincere thanks to everyone responsible for all their extra efforts for planning and the hard work to keep count of the RSVP list, arrangements for the meal, the meal service, decorating the hall, donations for the silent auction and for all of the wonderful desserts that made the night a success. A sincere thanks to all the Directors for all you do and for remaining on the Board with me. I am looking forward to another great year as President and with your help it will be. Thanks to all the Members that continue to support our Club. Let us continue to carry on in 2025 and enjoy more events and some new ones along the way. Keep in mind that once again there will be two rides to the Manteno Veterans Home in 2025. The first one late spring and the second one early fall. Dates to be decided. This event has begun to grow in size and popularity every year. We need to thank Jim Morgan for his efforts. He has gone above and beyond to allow us to start the rides from his facilities and make arrangements with Becky Wilder to set up the available dates. He was instrumental in changing the rides to Fridays instead of Saturdays which has worked out great. Please remember that you are welcome to attend even if you do not have a tractor. I am very proud to tell everyone about this event and how we donate pop and various packaged treats to them several times a year. It is very rewarding to see the smiles on their faces as they reminisce about days gone by that they may have farmed and or owned a tractor like one of us drove out there. We must keep this event going! Keep an eye out for more events to come that will be listed in the Greensheet. Please remember there will be no membership meetings in January, February, or March but there will be a monthly Greensheet. Directors will meet in March and the date will be announced soon.

I hope everyone has a wonderful year in 2025. Please don’t forget to remember those that may be ill and the families that have lost loved ones. Pray for the safety of our Veterans, active, retired or departed, as they give or gave their all so we may be safe and enjoy our beautiful country. God Bless all of you!

Sincerely,
Dave Wehrmann

How’s everyone doing? It’s been a wonderfully mild fall so far and the farm fields are mostly harvested and tilled. This has been a wonderful break from the terribly wet harvests we’ve had before.

We are planning holiday celebrations again. The season offers a much needed break and I’m looking forward to it, and surely you are too. There are many opportunities for enjoying those wonderful home cooked meals and desserts and that never gets old. Speaking of food, let’s not forget the CIGC potluck on November 20th at 6:00 pm at the Bonfield Lions Club Hall. Please bring a bib and dessert and CIGC will supply the rest. Don’t forget to bring a big appetite. A short meeting will follow the meal.
Save the date on your calendar of December 11th at 6:00 pm for our Annual Meeting and Christmas Party. Again, please bring your bibs and a dessert and CIGC will furnish the rest. As usual, come with a healthy appetite and some extra cash. There will be another chance to purchase pedal tractor tickets then also. Everyone is asked to bring one item for a silent auction, please! Ann Roach will be taking reservations.

Please keep our Veterans in your prayers and remember that those on active duty may not be with their families or have a soft recliner to nap in after a home cooked holiday meal. Too many sacrifices were made by them and they often get overlooked. It’s our duty to always remember them and thank God that they are keeping us safe. Remember all of our loved ones we have lost and never forget the good times and memories they’ve left with us. They will always be by our side in spirit, that feeling we get sometimes that someone is watching us. That’s more than just a feeling. I’ve also learned firsthand if given the opportunity to welcome a new person into your life to do so. God’s plans are unpredictable and don’t disappoint him.
I wish all of you the best always and throughout this holiday season. Please be safe everyone and I hope to see everyone very soon!

God Bless You All!
Sincerely,
Dave Wehrmann

I’m looking forward to nice long holiday weekend and I’m sure you are too. We’ve had plenty of the usual summer events to enjoy and even though it gets hectic trying to fit them all in somehow, we do it. There are plenty more to come so just watch the Greensheet.

If you’re ever in need of help finding a recipe for desserts, etc. check out Mary’s Good News. There’s something for everybody. Umm, Umm Good!! Speaking of events, Saturday September 7th will be Rodney Schwark Plow Day with coffee ans donuts at 8:30 am. Depending on the dew, plowing may start at 9:00 am. Bring a tractor a plow, or bring a gator. A loader tractor will be on site. You must join the club to plow at a $30.00 membership fee. You will receive the Greensheet and we prefer you give us an email address, phone number and home address. There is a four bottom plow max.

On Friday September 13th the Club will be taking the iron horses to the Manteno Veterans Home. Be at Jim Morgan’s shop by 9:00 am for coffee and donuts. We will leave from there by 9:30 am and after our visit there we will mount up and head to Mayberry Junction restaurant in Manteno. Where we park there will be discussed at Morgan’s shop before we head out.

Don’t forget our membership meeting on September 18th at 7:00 pm. I hope to see you at all of these events. Please pray for those who are ill and the families that have lost a loved one. Always remember our Veterans. Be safe everyone and God Bless you all.

Sincerely,
Dave Wehrmann

How is everyone doing? I’m sure everyone is a lot happier now than last month when there were many unplanted fields. Crops are really growing fast and looking good. Hopefully the weather gives us a few more breaks so the side dressing and spraying gets finished. There’s plenty to do after the farming is finished. The county fairs, festivals and tractor shows are going strong. Tractor pulls and tractor rides are just too much choose from here on through the Fall.

There are some important shows coming up this month. The I & I Historic Farm Days, Will County Threshermen’s Show, Kempton Days and the Kankakee County Fair. There’s a great tractor ride on July 27th at the Kickapoo State Park that you shouldn’t miss. Proceeds will be donated to the Vermillion Cancer Society. Further details and contact information can be found in the Green Sheet. I urge everyone to attend these events if possible.

The Will County Thresherman’s group can always use some help with the show, so, give them a call and see where you can be of assistance.

If you need an addition to your recipe files then please check out Mary’s Good News section of the Greensheet for a monthly treat.

Always remember to “Thank A Vet”. They continue to keep our country safe while we are enjoying life at a party or in our comfy home.

Please keep those who may be ill or mourning the loss of a loved one in your prayers. Too many times we get in a hurry or really busy and we forget to give a hug or say good bye. Remember this, next opportunity may never come. I’d like to say thank you to everyone for the hugs, kind words and thoughtfulness you expressed after the loss of my wife, Janet.

Sincerely,
Dave Wehrmann