Saturday, as Niilo came in view of puffing 109-year-old steam Engine 1 as it drew out of the station, the conductor, engineer, and coal-shoveler waved enthusiastically to him and blew the whistle for their fellow train devotee.  Given first-class treatment by Bill Stringer, Bill Schecter, and crew, Niilo and family rode the little narrow-gauge Tanana Valley Railroad by the Chena River.  Bill Stringer sat next to Niilo as Bill Schecter, in the next row, explained to all passengers the history of the little train (see http://www.fairnet.org/agencies/tvrr/history.html).  Niilo clearly enjoyed being with his old buddies and surprised some of us with how well he was able to transfer from wheelchair to train and back.  Thanks so much, Tanana Valley RR crew!

  The trip wiped him out for hours but after sleeping Niilo walked a few yards almost unassisted.  Today (Sunday) he says he will feel up to going out to the front yard in the evening to visit with sauna-time guests.

  Thanks to Sherry Lewis, former fellow Chena-Goldstream Volunteer Fire Dept volunteer and Board member, for her visit today bearing jams hand-delivered from Marty Betts in Idaho!

  Heather