THE REALITY OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS?

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train was roaming the route of the Arrow and Midwest Hiawatha on Sunday, and there was snow on the ground.  The second track has long been gone west of Pingree Grove and east of Byron.

Mark Llanuza photograph retrieved from Facebook.

The roads were near a state the highway patrol used to describe as "good winter driving conditions."  The drivers, less so, although fortune must have favored the risk-takers, as I saw none in the ditch.  I gave myself plenty of time to meet the train at Byron.

The snow was of the packing kind, and these kids were hard at work building the Ghost of Deramus Freight Trains Past.  The former Chicago Great Western extends as far east as the nuclear generating station that still faces an uncertain future.

The train calls at a section road crossing near the high school, and things were busy in Byron, with the football team having secured a state title in record-setting fashion the day before.

No doubt, they'll be amending that sign to note "2023 state champion."  So goes the political economy of the Rock River Valley.

"A lot of people think of Byron as an affluent community, and we are, but we have a lot of people in need of food and who have trouble paying their bills,” said Ruth Anngoelitz, President of People Helping People.

Anngoelitz was amazed to see the hundreds of people present at the train's arrival, adding that she is thankful for the community and its continued support.

It's good entertainment, and neither of the State Line's pro football teams were playing on Sunday.  Kiesza (a singer) and Seaforth (three guitars and a drum) did the singing.

The Railroad presented People Helping People a check for $4K, and people attending the performance made in-kind and cash contributions at the pickup truck.

My video includes a cameo by one of the roving reporters.  Her report includes remarks by Ms Anngoelitz and additional clips of the performance.

Kiesza was pumped by the opportunity to sing in the snow, and apparently the spectators on the crossing had some opportunities to dance along.  After half an hour, it was time for the train to pack up and roll.

The weather conditions were better for the trip home, as was the mood.  I last watched the train at Byron in early December, 2018, and it was raw and rainy that day.  That was also the day the Packers fired Mike McCarthy and Northern Illinois small forward Courtney Woods blew out her knee.  The Thanksgiving weekend news for both the Packers and the Lady Huskies was better over the weekend just passed.