So far, our winter has been pretty tolerable. Not much snow since December, temperatures that have been respectable and the wind, ok so the wind has been blowing pretty much every day. But, another 30 days will put us near mid- March and close to Spring and Tractor Time! I believe the Slow Boyz have the first ride on April 8th.

I want to take a moment to thank Dustin Wright, Vice President of 1st Farm Credit Services of Bourbonnais, IL 815-933-7831. He was a good guest speaker and had some good information for CIGC.

Our pedal tractor raffle is in. It’s a 7020 John Deere. I have tickets ready for you all to help me sell. Yes, they are $1 each or 6 for $5. I have already sold a few tickets at the Peotone FFA Toy Show. Brad Eich and I and several from the WCTA joined forces there. I’ll have tickets at the meeting. I’m also going to Seneca, IL on March 26th if you want to help sell tickets. I am still looking for an older pedal tractor to restore for our next drawing. What do you have in your basement or garage you could sell to the Club? Or donate would be better.

I have been communicating with Mary Beth DeGrush from the Heritage Tractor Adventure. At this time the planned dates are June 9, 10 and 11 near Morris, IL. Details are forth coming. You may want to save the dates. I’m sure that it will be a good ride in a very Historic and beautiful part of our State. More to come as I get it.

Our February Guest Speaker will be Lisa Regal from Bonfield, IL. She has been a leader in getting the information out to the public with regard to the Grain Belt Railroad. If you think it’s dead, it’s not. Lisa will bring us up to speed. There is also a proposed meeting in Grant Park, IL toward the end of February for those
who are concerned.

By the time we get to the February meeting, it should be fairly known what the feature for the Half Century of Progress will be. The Show is dedicated to memory of Darius Harms the Show organizer so you know that it will be BIG and it is probably red and it will create a spectacle for all to see. Go to Halfcenturyofprogress.com to catch the updates. The Show runs from August 24th to the 27th. PS, there is a new Holiday Express in Rantoul if you still need a room.

Central Illinois Green Club Facebook page is open for business. Check us out. Bring us some tractor news.

I don’t have a Guest Speaker yet for March. Any ideas? What do you want to learn about?

Craig Long