Region 5

      Two of the WBCCI veterans attending the Region 5 Rally in Rantoul, Ill. were from the Southern Illinois Unit…Conrad Jenkins, left, a Unit president in 1987, and Howard Groner.

      The stage and backdrop for the evening programs at the Region 5 Rally were set up in the hanger that houses the Octave Chanute Museum. A total of 87 Airstream trailers and motorhome attended the Rally.

      Airstreamers attending the 2007 Region 5 Rally at the Octave Chanute Museum in Rantoul, Ill. enjoyed touring the museum with its variety of historic airplanes plus memorabilia from Chanute Air Base's rich history. The base was created in 1917 and was one of the first military bases created in the United States.

      One of the tours during the Region 5 Rally was a trip to the Hardy Reindeer Ranch outside Rantoul. Some Airstreamers got up close and personal with the herd of 15 reindeer maintained at the Ranch.

      The Hardy Reindeer Ranch had more than just reindeer. The Airstreamers boarded a wagon to tour the farm that also included Christmas tree raising and a corn maze carved out of 15 acres of corn.

      Reindeer shed their horns once a year so the Hardys over the years have collected quite a collection of horns. Several of them were used to create this unique arch at the entrance to one of the barns.

      No visit to a ranch would be completae without a visit to the chow wagon, which in this case was set up in the Hardy Reindeer Ranch restaurant where the Airstreamers enjoyed a hearty western meal.