Central Illinois Green Club

Most of you are aware that the recent election of Directors took place at the November meeting. All of the Directors chose to return to service for 2020 and all of the Directors were reappointed to their respective positions. Let us thank them all for the time and effort that each have given in the past and show them the support they need to continue fueling the Central Illinois Green Club. The List of Directors and Offices is included on the letter. On November 23rd, many of you chose to participate in our GICG field trip to the Earl D. Schoeffner Farm Museum, Momence and on to the Graham House Museum. I am told that everyone attending enjoyed the trip and many went on to Tony’s
Pizza, Peotone for lunch.

On December the 4th, Directors and Ride the River Committee members will meet at 6:30 pm for a light supper and first meeting of the Committee for the 2020 RTR. The meeting will be at the Long Ranch 3550N 5000 W Rd., Kankakee. If you would like to join the Committee, see our President Dave and come join us. On December 11th, GICG members and guests will meet at the Herscher Legion Hall, 102 S. Oak St., Herscher, IL at 6:30 to share fellowship of the Christmas Season, have a holiday meal provided by Lestina’s, and participate in a silent and a live auction. Please bring an unwrapped item for the silent auction. Those items will benefit GIGC directly. And I know there are good cooks out there who may bring baked goods for our benefit. Herscher Historical Society will also be our Honored Guests for the evening.

Jerry and Linda Tibbs have been gracious and have presented CIGC with an International 1066 series pedal tractor to be raffled off at our 2020 Christmas Party on December 16th, 2020. The pedal tractor is in great condition and will require nothing. I will have it for inspection at the Christmas Party. Each year our Club has gained significant value from the raffle and it gets our name out there, something people can touch. CIGC thanks Jerry and Linda very much forgiving CIGC this opportunity and very nice gift. Thank you.

Craig

Hello Friends. It’s that time of year again that we’re all looking forward to the many holiday get togethers. Whether it be with family, at the workplace or with club members it’s what we do. As adults we remember those days as a kid how hard it was to wait for each page to flip on the calendar.

Ah yes, finally it’s November it won’t be long now, candy, turkey, ham, dressing, presents. That’s right you all know you thought about the candy first or was it presents? Hmm!

Anyway, now that our mouths are watering, DO NOT forget CIGC potluck November 20th @ 6:30pm Bonfield Lions Club Hall.
See You there!!

Sincerely Dave Wehrmann

Our next event is Rodney’s Plow day, September 7th, coffee and donuts at 8:30 am, plowing starts at 9:00. We need an RSVP from you 815-263-7008. Call my phone for a head count for food. This is important! We will plow or Show or sit around and talk rain or shine. The Herscher Historical will also provide a bake sale fund raiser at Rodney’s.

A great Big thank you goes out to Chuck Quick who managed the CIGC display at the 2019 Kankakee County Fair and to those who brought tractors and equipment. We should be very proud to be in the face of our Community in such a good way. Thanks Chuck!

The Feature Column will return next month. I thought I would share with you a few pictures from our events and give you some pointers on Half Century. The Olde Time arm Show, Historic Farm Days, Will County Thresherman’s and The CIGC Veteran’s Ride have come and gone for the summer. The events have been plentiful, warm and well attended. The Barnyard Class Pulls have been well attended too. There are still a lot of events left for the summer so get out and enjoy them. If you haven’t registered for the Herscher Labor Day Parade, please do so. It’s a place where CIGC is always welcome and our neighbors love to see us.

I hope that many of you take advantage of the Half Century of Progress Show. A Show of this magnitude is in our back yard and we are part of the event. The Show begins on Thursday August 22nd and runs through Sunday the 25th. The Show opens each day at 7 am followed by the raising to the “World’s Largest Flag” at 8 am. The Field demonstrations begin each day at 8:30 am. Where the demonstrations are will be is posted each day at Hangar 2 (that is where you register you and your equipment, attend a Safety Meeting and receive your entry day passes). If you are not bringing equipment, walk in entry is $15 per day or $30 for a 4-day pass, under 12 is free. There is a one-time fee of $30 for Gators and carts even if you are an exhibitor. As in the past exhibitors will enter into the North gate. You must have your wrist band to enter without cost after your initial entry. There is exhibitor camping from the North end for $40 for the entire time as long as there is room. The improved camping is full as of last week. The tractor Ride with Max is on Thursday 8am sharp and will return around noon. You must preregister by going to the website for a form and getting it to Bonnie Marcotte.

At 4:30 Thursday, Friday and Saturday there will be tractor pulls. You will note that this is much earlier in order that more contestants can partake and that you don’t have to find your car in the dark. The broom guy and check planter guy are both returning over by the North entrance. Jolene Brown, an entertainer will perform at 10 am Thursday and Friday. She is the “Holy Crap, I married a Farmer” lady.

No riders will be allowed anywhere on the field unless there is a seat. The exception is during the Parade there may be some allowed. Remember 5 mph is the speed limit on conveyances, the little blue lights are expensive so don’t run them over, if you spill fuel, tell someone, do you best not to hit pedestrians and have the best time you can. The Airport will close to flights from Monday the 19th to Monday the 26th. Please respect their property, we want to come back again in 2 years.

Our trailer and Olde Time Farm Show Trailer will be the first thing on the right as you come in as a spectator. If you have some time to volunteer it would be greatly appreciated. I will try and keep the cooler full of water so, stop by and say Hi! Get a map! You can print a map and a schedule from the website or get one at the entry points. It is big and there are lots of things to see. If you tune to 89.9 FM Radio, you can get traffic reports, changes in schedules and special announcements such as weather statements. It is a valuable tool. Lastly, have a great time and make new friends.

2017 Show Stats: There were 1405 Exhibitors registered, 2352 pieces of equipment from 26 States. There were 772 people who attended the Safety meeting.

Sadly, the Morris Tractor Ride was cancelled due to weather and farming conditions. And, we are sad to inform you that Bill Burnham’s mother passed. Bill and his parents hosted the event in the past. You may send a card if you wish to Bill at 8830 N. Scott School Rd., Morris, IL 60450.

Still on a sad note, Fred Lestina Jr.’s mom passed. Laura Lestina 92 years young passed on May 29th. Fred’s address is: 1100 Tracy Dr., Morris, IL 60450.

William D. Munyon Sale June 15 and July 27th. Most of you knew Bill or at least saw some of his collectibles. On June 15 the bulk of the tractors, near 80 will be sold at his farm on Rt 114. I am told even the John Deere G which stood guard over his farm on the silo is running and for sale. There are many very collectible tractors for sale. On July 27th the remainder of the trucks, Cushman’s and all of the hit & miss engines will be sold. There is also an additional sale on August 18 at the River Valley Auction Center, 880 S. McMullen Dr, Kankakee which are his train collection, slot machines, coins and Rail Road memorabilia. Don’t miss this. Bill had a great collection. You can see more by going to www.rivervalleyauctions.com or on Facebook.

Bonfield’s Barnyard Tractor Pull June 22nd has blossomed into a much larger event. I am told that the event now includes train rides, bounce house, craft and flea market, food vendors a car show and tractor show as well as the intended Tractor and Truck pull. It should be a fun day in Bonfield. Oh, I almost forgot, the Fireworks at 9 pm. For more info go to Bonfield Barnyard and Tractor Pull on
Facebook.

The 17th Annual Covered Bridge Ride will be June 29and 30th. If you have not experienced this ride yet, you don’t know what you are missing. The bridges are wonderful and the food is great. Its about 35 miles each day in the backhome country of Indiana. Sign up ends on June 19th. Contact Joe Warters 765-362-0910.

Olde Time Farm Show is featuring Oliver and Allis this year from July 5th thru the 7th. There will be lots of activities including Tractor Games sponsored by CIGC at 2 pm on Saturday. I could use some help with that. There is also a tractor pull on Sunday. Go to oldetimefarmshow.com for more info. Our trailer will be there and we will need some volunteers for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Historic Farm Days will occur from July 11 thru the 14 at the Club grounds in Penfield, IL This year’s feature are the 1458 and 1568 V8 IH tractors. It will also feature the 80th anniversary of the H & M tractors. This show also celebrates the 25 Anniversary of the Chapter 10 IH Collectors Club of llinois. Field demonstrations daily, tractor pulls, fireworks, parades and much, much more. There is an International 856 Wheatland for raffle too. Only 250 tickets will be sold at $100 each. Their tx number is 217-595-5000.

July 18th thru the 21st will be the Will County Thresherman’s Association show at the Spiess Farm located on US Rte. 52 just East of Wilton Center. They are featuring Oliver, White and Cletrac. There is also a tractor pull there as well as farming demonstrations of wheat threshing and plowing. Always a good time and yes our trailer will be there and yes, we need people to man (or woman) it. More info is at steamshow.org. PS the 7th Annual Vintage Tractor Ride will be held on July 20th sponsored by the Peotone Educational Foundation who supports the Ag program at Peotone High School. The cost is $65 and leaves the WCTA Show at 8:00 am sharp and includes a pork chop dinner.

Manteno Veteran’s Ride will occur on August the 10th. As usual we will have coffee and donuts before leaving the Evans Farm at 8:30. Another contingent will leave from Jim Morgan’s in Peotone. Please note the change in the date!

Half Century of Progress runs from August 22nd through 25th. This year’s theme is Harvest Brigade. If you can pick with it or cut with it or reap with it, you can display it. There will be field emonstrations daily, parades, parts and collectibles for sale and you will be able to see most any kind of farm item in operation each day. There is a tractor ride on Thursday but you must sign up ahead of time. The giant flag returns too with a formal raising of the flag each day. And yes, the fields did get planted. CIGC will share the very first spot as you come in the gate to sell our wares with Olde Time Farm Show. We need volunteers from Thursday on to help man (or woman) the trailer. You can find out a whole lot more by going to www.halfcenturyofprogress.com.

I am still working on the 501C3 for the Club. It is a little slower than I would like, but we will get there. I am always looking to Club members to feature so if you would like to be that person, call me. We are always looking for a guest speaker for our meetings. If you have an idea, please let us know. I also have Pedal Tractor tickets for sale. We sold a number of tickets at Seneca’s FFA Toy Show. Dave Wehrmann and the Directors are forming the Committee to decide the parameters for Ride the River grantees. If you are interested in being part of the Committee, please contact Dave. Tractor season is upon us. Come on out and enjoy a safe tractor season. Don’t forget if you have an activity or something to sell you can call me or email to craigplong@gmail.com.