Central Illinois Green Club

I wanted to take a moment to thank Chad Miller from Kankakee Farm Bureau. I think the work of the Farm Bureau is so important right now. If you have the ability to go to their website www.ifb.org or in particular if you can receive emails, This Week in IFB and the IFB Legislative Alerts, we as farmers can stay informed about current topics that affect us. Chad emailed this week to say that the Great Lakes Belt Railway did in fact move forward as he predicted. This and several other pieces of legislation need to be watched as they will impact us regionally. I think that the Kankakee County Farm Bureau also needs to be commended for the $76,000 dollars that has been awarded in Scholarships to local students and for keeping the Kids Day on the Farm program going. Remember we are now about 1% of the population as farmers.

We need to stay informed. On a lighter note, this month I would like you to meet new member, Dick Smerz. Dick and his wife Lillian live near Wilton Center, IL (Manhattan). Both Dick and his wife were born and raised in Chicago. They married in 1955 and moved to Evergreen Park. Lillian worked out of the home until their 4 children arrived and then became a home maker. Their children are Mike of Florida, Linda Naughton of Manhattan, Paul of Oswego and Judy Abderhalden of Naperville. The Smerz have 9 grandchildren and 3 greatgrandchildren.

Dick worked as a Union Construction Carpenter for 55 years. He worked on several large construction projects including McCormick Place and the Deep Tunnel Project. Dick retired in 1991 to Wilton Center with his lovely wife Lillian. Dick served in the Navy during the Korean War. Thanks Dick for your service.

I asked Dick what brought him to Wilton Center to retire. I received an answer that I did not expect. I expected that it was a nice quiet place to retire, that is was near St. Patrick’s Catholic Church where he was drawn to Father Sal, that there were a lot of nice people living there like Jim Toepper for whom Dick helped farm for many years. Nope, that is not the answer I got.

Dick told me a very different story. Dick said that during the Great War (WWII) he worked on a farm for 3 summers for the Crop Corps. WHAT? I said. Dick said that the Crop Corps was a program during the war operated by the Farm Bureau in which young men went to the country to help farmers as live-in helpers. This was done to aid the farm efforts while the men were gone to War. I did not know this! Dick worked 3 summers on a farm owned by Earl Kenison in Wilton Center. During those 3 summers, he learned a lot from the Kenison family about farming including how to operate a tractor. That would be the very same ’41 M you see Dick driving today. In fact, he drove that tractor on all 13 Heritage Tractor Adventures. I know this! That’s where I first
met Dick! I also know his daughter Linda drives her ’41 H on the rides too! In fact, you will see them again in June at the Morris Tractor Ride (formerly the Heritage Tractor Adventure).
Dick was also awarded the “Golden Hitch Award” for participating in all 13 HTA’s. Dick says he joined our Club because he likes our “Ride the River” ride. He says it is so scenic. Dick has several other tractors including an F20, an F30 and a 240 utility, oh and Linda’s 41 H.

And so, for a very quiet guy, I found out some very interesting things that I did not know. One more thing. Ask Dick what his age was when he graduated from Joliet Junior College. WHAT!

Dick, I have decided that I need to step up my game. -Craig

I’m going to try something new. I want to bring to the membership short stories from our own group. I hope you will enjoy this.

My guests for the first story are Duane and Anna Mae Boyd, Charter members of CIGC. Duane tells me that he was born and lived southwest of Herscher on his family’s farm near 15000W & 7000S where their son still lives. He attended Grubwood Grade School and later Herscher High School. Anna Mae says she was born in Gardner and moved to Bonfield in the 7th grade. She attended the Shreffler Grade School near her home. She later attended Reddick High School and because of redistricting moved to the Herscher High School as a junior. HHS is where she met and married Duane. They have been married 65 years!

As adults, the Boyds both worked off of the farm. Duane went to work for ComEd (then called Public Service Company of IL) for 39 years. He held several positions including Groundman, Lineman, Trouble-man and Crew Leader where he retired from. Anna Mae worked at St. Mary’s, Leiser’s and later at Turk’s Furniture Manufacturing in Bradley. When daughter Linda (Messerlie) and son Ronald came along, Anna Mae became a full time mom. The Boyds have 3 grandchildren, Ryan working in San Francisco for Groupon, Keith, living in Buckley and drives for Manitow Trucking and Kevin who recently became the manager of Right on Target, Bourbonnais, a gun shop and range.

The Boyds farmed his father’s farm part-time until about 5 years ago with their son, Ron. Anna Mae says she has helped farm and has driven all of their tractors except the John Deere
4630. She says it was just too big. They own a JD 4020 and a JD 730 that we have seen them plow with. They also own Anna Mae’s father’s International M. Grandson Keith restored it.
Keith has also taken over the full time farming duties for the family. Duane also owns his father’s JD H and a Case DC which still needs a little TLC. Duane also collects a few toy
tractors which he enjoys at home. As president, I am very pleased to have the Boyds as cornerstone members of the Central Illinois Green Club.

Craig Long

Welcome to 2017!  I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a very Happy New Year.  Our 2016 was certainly a challenging year for many of us.  Let us remember those we have lost here at CIGC and continue to stay in touch with their families.Welcome to 2017!  I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a very Happy New Year.  Our 2016 was certainly a challenging year for many of us.  Let us remember those we have lost here at CIGC and continue to stay in touch with their families.

On a lighter note, I am still trying to get comfortable with my new responsibilities as President of the CIGC.  I am finding out that there is a lot more to it than I thought.  I want to take a moment to thank Stan Dietz, Janeen and especially Nancy Evans.  What a great job they have done.  I appreciate all of their help during our transition.  Remember, Nancy has been a great organizer from Day One!  I think we have not given her enough credit for crossing all of the “t’s” and doting all the “I’s.”  Thanks for all you have done Nancy!

As for what’s ahead.  I can only say that we, the Directors and I, are going to pick up where they left off and run with the ball.  Our intension is to provide the means for which all members of CIGC can thrive.  I believe that we all have seen the impact CIGC has had on our local FFA Chapters, so yes there will be another “Ride the River.”  I believe the activities we do, plowing, tractor rides, and the meals we share all have a positive impact on us, the members of CIGC and the people around us.  So yes, there will be more of that.  In the future I will be handing out jobs to do on several Committees.  If you, the members, are inclined to add your help and expertise, please join the Committee.  We are only limited by our imagination and our willingness to volunteer.  Here is to a Happy and Healthy 2017!

PS. If you have not seen some one at the meetings lately, invite them along! See what we come up with in the future.

Craig Long

Bruce Graf had been the editor of Central Illinois Green Club’s monthly publication called “The Greensheet” for many years.  Printed on green paper by a local printer, it is written, edited, laid out, and mailed to each member every month.  To this day it is coveted by members not only because it reports on the multitude of business covered at monthly meetings, but it also gives updates and reports on shows and events that have happened or are scheduled to happen in the near future.  It also has a calendar of future local events as well as items for sale from your neighbors that you never knew they had.  Sometimes there is even a tasty recipe to try!  Today “The Greensheet” is still mailed out, but only to members who do not receive it in electronic form via email.

Bruce said it best when in May of 2004 he wrote that “The Greensheet” reports not only the news of the Green Club and events to attend, but also news relating to antique farm equipment in general. It would be even better if there were more of the general interest information such as farm auctions, equipment sales, and upcoming events. The editor needs help from the membership in order to expand the coverage for the antique machinery enthusiast. The newsletter is not limited to one page and the editor actually enjoys the challenge of presenting this information in an accurate readable, and compact format!  Bruce created and made “The Greensheet” what it is today.  Everything from the format to the articles and classifieds had to meet his approval and receive his final touches.

Over time Bruce included quotes and even added an occasional comment or snippet of wisdom to “The Greensheet”.  When Bruce retired as editor of “The Greensheet” because of health reasons, many of his quotes continued to be reprinted in a section called “Bruce’s Corner.” These quotes have been enjoyed for a second time by many members over the last few years.  As the final issues of “The Greensheet” were prepared, “Bruce’s Corner” featured yet another poignant statement of that which describes the family of the Central Illinois Green Club.  He said DECEMBER – As I prepare for the years final “Greensheet”, I reminisce on the past two years of the Green Club and my involvement in the activities. I find myself very fortunate to become a part of this wonderful group of friends who have shown me some of a different lifestyle and attitude that my city upbringing was lacking. I enjoy the friendship and remain thankful to the Green Club for the experiences.

It is possible that reading “The Greensheet” is the greatest tribute that one can give to the work that Bruce put into the creation of the monthly publication.  That being said, we are sad to report that long time “Greensheet” editor and former Central Green Club Director Bruce Graf passed away on November 1, 2016. Bruce was a valued member that worked tirelessly to make the Central Illinois Green Club what it is today.  He will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace Our Friend!

As a busy 2015 drew to a close and the members of the Central Illinois Green Club had much to reflect on.  Everyone started the year on a high note, but these feeling were often washed away by the extremely wet spring and early summer that much of Northern Illinois experienced.  In fact, many tractor shows were either canceled all together or had their events severely limited by the weather.  Everyone is hopeful that 2016 will be a better year for the crops as well as for enjoying the tractor drives and many shows in and around Northern Illinois.

The banquet held on December 16 at the American Legion in Herscher was a fitting way to close out 2015.  One high note was special recognition that Dale Armstrong received for selling the most peddle tractor raffle tickets.  He has always been a top seller, but this year he blew away the competition!  He also announced that he will be moving out of state.  This may give our peddle tractor raffle an even greater reach!

This year brings Ride the River 2016.  With 150 drivers enjoying the ride while fundraising money for 8 local FFA chapters, this year should turn our much brighter than last year.  Save August 27 for Ride the River and get your Registration Form in soon!  The annual Covered Bridge Tractor Ride is also being planned as well as many other local rides around the area.  Be sure to plan accordingly!!!

We hope this year will be a good one!