IHC Chapter 7 First Quarter Meeting: February 8, 2026. Refer to the Calendar for more information!

Harvest is over and machinery is tucked away for the winter. As I write this update, we are expecting a major snowstorm here this weekend of January 24th and 25th. I hope you are tucked away as well and dreaming of warmer weather and an early spring, like I am. I do want to share some of the activities of our Chapter 7 from this past year and report that we are about to kick off the New Year with our first meeting on February 8th.

It was a busy summer and fall for Chapter 7 since I last shared my update. I know you have all been busy with both work and family, plus pursuing your IH restoring, collecting and displaying hobby. Seems there are not enough hours in the day to get all the things done that I would like to do. I thought

retirement would be less hectic, but I’ve said lately, I need to retire from retirement.

I hope many of you got to visit Red Power Roundup in Sedalia, Missouri in late June. It was a great show, and I’m always amazed with all the products that IH made. This year they even had one of the first Steiger tractors there. As many of you know, Steiger made some of the first IH articulated four-wheel drives and they later went on to purchase the Steiger company. I had one of the off-colored green Steiger Panthers and then later owned a few of the Red Steigers. I sure enjoyed seeing them there.

Chapter 7 had a successful State Show and meeting at the Hendricks County Fair in Danville Indiana in late July. The Hendricks County Antique Tractor and Machinery Collectors were great hosts and even invited us to their tractor drive. We had a few members join them and luckily, my 560 made the trek with no problems. We all had a great time.

Many of us attended a few other shows, but the highlight for me was the Half Century of Progress show in Rantoul, Illinois. They featured the 1206, my favorite tractor, and had a great turn out of 263+, from all around the country. I hauled my 1206 and a few other red tractors over for the show. I saw many of our members there attending, showing and working in the demonstration fields.

I truly appreciate any tractor/machinery collector who loads, hauls, displays and unloads their prize collections to share with other farmers and the general public. It takes a lot of time, talent and treasure to do that. I’m so grateful for those that go this extra mile for all to enjoy.

Chapter 7 had our 4th quarter meeting at the end of November. It was held at Vice President Andrew Tucker’s shop. We had a carry-in lunch at 1:00 pm with the Chapter supplying the meat, plates and utensils. We had a great meeting there once before and Andrew was very gracious to invite us to come back. We got to see some of his tractors in the shop. As a side note, he has one of the best IH corn picker collections anywhere. It’s easy to get there, as it is just south of Brazil Indiana. Thanks to Andrew and his family for hosting us.

We also had our drawing for the unrestored International Cub and mower at the November 30th meeting. Jason Miner was the winner. Jason bought his tickets during our State Show this past summer. The Cub was a donation from Mrs. Rosie Taylor, as it had been in her family and she wanted it to go to a good home. The proceeds go into our Chapter 7 scholarship fund.

A few upcoming shows to highlight are the Florida Flywheelers, taking place February 25th, 26th, and 27th in Fort Meade Florida. I mention this as I know some of you travel to Florida in the winter months and this year they are featuring IH tractors and machinery.

Also please save the Portland Show on your calendar for August 20th, 21st, and 22nd. It will truly be a State Show, as IHC Chapter 33 from northern Indiana will be joining us for this special IH Reunion Show.

Please come to our upcoming 1st quarter meeting on February 8th at the MCL Cafeteria, 3630 S. East Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. The meal is scheduled at 12:30 with the meeting following. There will be a short directors meeting after that. If we have some bad weather, we will send out our phone voice broadcast and will also post details on the website at www.ihcin7.net

I look forward to seeing you along the IH trail.

Don Villwock