Northern Illinois Airstream Club

Our 2014 Northern Illinois Unit Officers
We had perfect fall weekend weather.  Seventeen trailer/motorhomes parked at the Lee County 4H Fairgrounds.  On Saturday, two more member couples drove in to visit and share in the big turkey feast with all the trimmings.  Three new member couples attended.  Some people went to Franklin Grove for Friday dinner, while four couples barbecued Salmon on the covered patio.  We had a campfire after returning to the fairgrounds and  a sprinkle of rain about 4:oo in the morning, which made a nice sound on the aluminum trailer roofs.

Sun up, it was bright and brisk, but warmed up quickly.  Business meeting  was at 10:00.   Carol Dixon shared plans for our 50th anniversary celebration for May of next year.   Our Incoming President, Bob Whitesell, presented his plans for next year’s activities next year.  Dave Mayo, incoming 1st vice president, outlined his plans for 2015.   Jim Kraner volunteered to serve as 2nd vice president.  Rick Wendorf and Dwight Dixon agreed to serve as directors for the next two year.   The full slate of officers was elected.

 The installations ceremony was then conducted by Past President, Carol Dixon.  Brian McFarland was thanked for his two years service and given his past president’s flag.   After the ceremony, the kitchen crew, under Carol’s direction, sprang into action and prepared the three 20 pound turkeys for roasting in the Nescos.  Returning from  a short trip to Amboy,  people brought their “dishes to pass” to the main building and the feast began at 5:30.

After the dinner, some members played jokers, while others gathered around a second campfire.  Saturday evening was a little cool, dropping into the 40’s, so we all tested our furnaces.  Sunday was sunny and cool.  A few trailers left early,   We had a little worship service and then served the yummy leftovers from yesterday’s feast.   By 1:00,  the building was cleaned and most trailers were on the road again.

Eight Northern Illinois unit couples attended. We signed up a new NIU couple at the rally. After seeing an ad for the Region 5 rally on AirForums, they stopped by on their way back from picking up their first “new to them” Airstream in Georgia. Over 60 couples attended the rally. Weather was hot the first two days and then cooled down. The rally was held at General Butler State Resort Park and Conference Center on the top of a high wooded bluff overlooking the Ohio River Valley and the historic river town of Carrollton, KY. Facilities and campground were good and all attendees had a very good time.

Seven Northern Illinois couples attended. The Wisconsin Unit had nine couples. The races were good and there were over 100 sports cars participating. Some of the cars included: retired Formula One cars, Indi cars from the 30’s, prewar MG’s, Corvettes, Cobras, Porsches, and many Triumphs. They really raced these cars. Unlike most races, the track and paddock were not crowded, so we got to see things up close and talk to the owners, drivers and mechanics. We did get a little wet while touring the paddock, but the races continued in the rain. The rain caused one minor accident. There were two excellent, well attended, car shows in town with cars and motorcycles from as early as 1910 and late as 2014 models.

Four trailers from Lincolnland, one trailer from Iowa, and Bob and Anita Koch, from Northern Illinois, attended the rally.

Monte Barksdale led caravans to: the Kilgas Family farmstead in Fairbury, Bernandis, and Baby Bulls Restaurants in Pontiac. The Eliotts served wonderful Mountain Man/Farmer Breakfasts.

Pontiac has been renovated, with a multitude of beautiful murals painted on the sides of buildings, and is outstandingly clean. There was the typical fair and well-attended parade. Thanks to Monte Barksdale for organizing the rally. Bob & Anita Koch

We had excellent weather. Thirteen couples camped for the weekend.  The Baulings drove in for Saturday afternoon.  New members, Peter and Judy Schwarz brought their new 2013 Interstate and the Gardners brought their new 2013  22 ft. Sport.  The Dixons make pancakes and sausage for Saturday breakfast.  Everyone chipped in for the Chuck Wagon pot luck dinner Friday.  Many of us climbed the stairs and hiked the trail up the 125 foot high Starved Rock to view of the Illinois River Valley, created when the last glacier retreated 10,000 years ago.  Saturday, some of us ate at the historic rustic Starved Rock Lodge, built by the CCC in the 30’s, and stayed for the music on the Veranda, overlooking the valley. President MacFarland was unable to attend due to car problems.

The rally was hosted by Joan and Ron Goyke at their 3 acre “oasis” in Goodland, Indiana. Six couples attended: Newton County Pun’kin Vine Fair, Newton County Fair, Fair Oaks Dairy Adventure, Railroad Museum, and the Lafayette Zoo. In Lafayette,  Chinese Buffet and an Irish Pub have delicious food.  Dry camping at Goyke’s was free.

Region 5 June 2013 Newsletter now posted at: Region5.WBCCI.net

Four Northern Illinois couples attended. Hal Withey carried the Northern Illinois flag and was our representative at the Delegates’ Meeting. Once again the club members, through their delegates, rejected the IBT proposed  amendment to allow Thor (non-Airstream)  Motorhomes in the club.   The weather cooperated and the entertainment was good.  Total attendance was 384.

Here is the link to the Region 5 May Newsletter http://region5.wbcci.net/files/2008/04/Region-5-May-Newsletter.pdf

Four of our Northern Illinois couples braved the elements to participate in the caravan to and the Tulip Festival in Pella, Iowa.  John Green,from the Lincolnland Unit, organized and hosted the caravan/rally. Unfortunately, one of the Lincolnland trailers was destroyed on the way to the rally. Luckily, Bob and Linda Hattan had only minor personal injuries. Our campers got 4 inches of snow during the first days of the rally, but that could not dissuade the tulips from coming forth through the snow. The Pella people gave 110% dressing in costumes and dancing. Confronting the snow and rain made this a once in a lifetime experience.

We got rained out.  Amboy received 4.94 inches of rain 48 hours just before the rally was to be held.  As a result, the Lee County 4H Fairgrounds, was flooded.  President, Brian, decided to call off the rally. Since we will not be able to hold our business meeting, we held an internet/postal election and elected the unchallenged International officer slate, but the members decided to reject the IBT proposed amendment to allow non- Airstreams, Thor Motorhomes be allowed to join the club, unless it was significantly modified during the delegates meeting at the Huron International Rally.