Independent Editor,
One of the great joys in life is being reminded how special and generous your hometown can be. Five local community groups put on the Durand Chicken BBQ annually in July and this year they honored the National Railroad Memorial, Inc. (NRMI) as the recipient of the funds raised. As in years past, attendance and participation in the BBQ by community residents has grown. NRMI is working with the City of Durand to restore cosmetically Iron Horse Park. The funds from the BBQ were dedicated for work to be done on Durand’s GTW 5632 Steam Locomotive on static display in the park. Thanks to the generous funds raised by the BBQ, added to private donations and funds raised previously during Railroad Days, NRMI was able to immediately start work on the 5632. With a few finishing projects to go, GTW#5632 looks amazing! If you have not driven or stopped by Iron Horse Park in Durand, please do so, as the work has brought new life to the steam locomotive. So, with much appreciation and pride in my hometown, Durand, thank you to all who put on and to all who took part in the Durand Annual Chicken BBQ last month. Special Thanks to the Greater Durand Area Chamber of Commerce for selecting NRMI and Engine 5632 as recipient of the funds raised and to the Durand Rotary Club, The Durand Eagles, The Durand Lions Club and the Durand VFW for joining with the Chamber to put on the BBQ and raise the funds.
Janice M. Brownson
Secretary of the National Railroad Memorial, Inc.
Saginaw