NWI CHAPTER
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
December 2020 from
Jerry Pyfer



The chapter meetings have been cancelled until further notice.
(Updated 12.12.20)

The Annual Meeting That Wasn’t

Saturday, November the 28 th wasn’t the same as years past would have predicted. Before the pandemic wreaked havoc on the world, I was looking forward to our 51 st anniversary annual business meeting.

While out photographing the Rockford & Interurban carbarn before meeting its fate, I realized I would go home and stay there for the night.

According to regulations covering 501c3 tax laws (under which the Chapter is governed) we are supposed to have an annual business meeting. I would hope we can make the plea that the pandemic regulations made such a meeting impossible in 2020.

One of the special things about the annual meeting was the gathering of members that don’t normally make regular chapter meetings.

Thus in the words of so many Chicago Cubs fans, wait until next year.

Nostalgic Time of Year

Our back page features a Tacoma, Washington department store Christmas event sponsored in part by the Milwaukee Road. While parents helped Santa with the gifts, the kids were dropped off in the toy department. In this case, they got to ride a miniature Hiawatha train and probably talked with Santa Claus.

Back in the 50s and early 60s when I was but a wee lad, I remember Mom and Dad going to the Sears store on North Main in Rockford. Outside, Sears always had a colorful Christmas season window display in the corner window facing North Main Street.

Inside, they always had a large O gauge Lionel train set that made any boy drool over the multiple trains running around the layout. My brothers and I could be left there without fear of getting kidnapped or getting lost. Even though my brothers were more into army guys and cowboy stuff, these trains were quite captivating. Who could walk away from such a collection of operating fantastic trains?

NWI Dues Renewal Time

The NWI Chapter dues renewals are now due for 2021. The Chapter dues will remain at $20.00. This level makes you a full member entitled to partake in Chapter business, hold office, receive the North Western Limited newsletter and vote on all Chapter matters.

The North Western Limited newsletter subscription remains at $20.00. You may participate in Chapter events, but cannot partake in Chapter business.

2021 National Railway Historical Society dues must be handled separately with the NRHS.

For more information about the Chapter, see Meetings and Join.