Three Sun City residents, Bonnie Autowski, Carol Didricksen, and Amy Rohr, joined their neighbors for a tour of the Huntley Fire Department at 11118 Main Street. The tour featured a completely restored Huntley fire engine.
Scott Ravagnie, Fire Chief at Huntley Fire Protection District, said, “This was a five-year project. The engine was donated back to the fire department after several owners. All the parts are original except for the diamond tank. The truck was made originally for the war. It had a green interior then. It works; the engine has been redone.”
Autowski and Didricksen had an idea with the fire engine in mind after the tour. Autowski said, “We took all kinds of pictures during the tour, especially of the engine.”
Didricksen said, “We had a project for Amy. At 96 years old, she is very talented; a very talented sculptor.”
Many Sun City residents have seen Rohr’s beautiful sculptures that have been displayed outside the ClayGround studio. Her home is filled with beautiful sculptures. Rohr has some favorite pieces: an elderly couple and mermaid.
Autowski said, “We convinced her to do a sculpture of the retired fire engine.”
Rohr started the process using photos taken by her friends. Rohr said, “It took me about two months to finish it. I knew I wanted to donate it to the Huntley Fire Department.”
On March 26, Rohr presented the finished sculpted red fire engine to Fire Chief Scott Ravagnie at the Huntley Fire Station. Ravagnie said, “I am going to bring it to our next trustee meeting. Then we will have to settle on a place to display it.”
The sculpted fire engine is currently displayed with the restored fire engine in a room in the fire station that was made for the engine. The photos on the walls are of old fire equipment. The side of the Fire Engine has the name of Floyd Seamann. Seamann donated the fire engine but did not live to see it fully restored. But it did make a trip to the cemetery. Ravagnie said, “The fire engine was brought out for Floyd’s funeral.”
The fire engine continues to impress.
Autowski said, “I enjoyed the tour very much. And Amy showed us that nothing is impossible. At 96, she is still sculpting her magical pieces. “
Ravagnie said, “We have an open house during the week of Huntley Night Out. It’s after the Softball Game in Sun City. This year, it’s on August 7. We welcome everyone to come and tour.”
