Elizabeth and I arose and went to George Webb across the road for breakfast then returned to do our regular morning routine since the meetings started at 9:00 A.M.
The view of the City of Milwaukee from the 21st floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, the venue for the conference meetings.
After the plenary session and reports discussion, the Advisory Council went into session. Left to right: William Welk, Ted Itchon, Dawn Holmberg, Doug Scott, Arthur Bliss, Cliff Kierstead, Jim Perry, Elizabeth Guenzler (Secretary) and Richard Shulby (Chairman).
Several National Representatives joined the meeting by Zoom. The meeting adjourned before noon and there was a one-and-a-half-hour lunch break.
I went for a ride on The Hop, also known as the Milwaukee Streetcar, a modern system of 2.1 miles which connects the Milwaukee Intermodal Station and Downtown to the Lower East Side and Historic Third Ward neighbourhoods. The system is owned by the city and operated by Transdev. Construction began in late 2016, was completed in summer 2018 and service began on November 2, 2018.
After lunch, Elizabeth strolled along part of the Milwaukee River on a beautiful autumn day.
For the past couple of years, these conferences have included a Chapter roundtable, an informal forum led by Elizabeth in her position as Lead of the Chapter Engagement Commmittee. National Representatives, both in person and remotely, joined in the conversation which resulted in good communication and sharing of ideas.
It was then time for the NRHS Board meeting. Left to right: Bob Bitzer, Ken Mosby, Jon Baake, Tom Gallagher, Scott Andes, Mike Yuhas, John Fiorilla, Tony White and Ellen Scott. Once that meeting concluded, there were a couple of hours free until the motor coach departed the hotel for the Polish Centre for the Wisconsin Chapter's 75th anniversary banquet.
The table of raffle items at the banquet.
Keith Schmidt, Wisconsin Chapter President, Tony White, NRHS President, Ward Wells, Wisconsin Chapter Vice-President and Daniel Grudzielanek, Chapter Director and National Representative, after the presentation of a certificate commemorating the 75th anniversary.
Keith Schmidt presenting past Chapter President Mike Yuhas with the President's Award in thanks and recognition of his hard work and dedication to the chapter. The keynote speaker was Arlyn Colby, Wisconsin railroad historian and author. A delicious buffet meal was enjoyed by the members and guests present.
The celebratory cake. The winners of the raffles were announced then before the event concluded, everyone was welcome to take whichever of the centrepieces we wished. There were some lanterns with ribbon lights inside, pocket watches and other items and Elizabeth chose the pocket watch for a friend's birthday. Afterwards, we mingled and chatted before the bus returned us to the hotel for the night.
10/5/2025
After our last breakfast at George Webb, we exited the hotel from a side door and this display, organized by the Milwaukee County Historical Society, was a complete surprise.
The Attempted Assassination of Theodore Roosevelt.
Newspaper articles on the event.
The plaque memorializing the attempt on his life. We retrieved our car and drove to the Illinois Railway Museum in Union.
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