The Ducky 56ers Story
Lori and Brandon of Just Ducky started informal meetings with interested collectors and the Ducky 56ers grew out of those meetings.
1998 - A constitution was drawn up using the National Collectors Club (NCC) guidelines in order to establish affiliation with them.
Election of Officers:
- President - Michelle Heatherly
- Vice President - Sally Nott
- Secretary - Carol Cavanaugh
- Treasurer - Bonnie Peterson
This year, the 1st Annual Holiday Housewalk took place
1999 - Towards the end of the year, thoughts of retiring the club were in place and then set aside when a volunteer, Rich Wyllie, came forward to become president.
2001 - Election of new officers:
- President - Rich Wyllie
- Vice President - Cynthia Kasdorf
- Secretary - Wendi Kim
- Treasurer - Pat Jelinek
2003 - Committees formed with the following Chair:
- Social Gathering - Michelle Heatherly
- Chicago Convention - Kirk Wyllie
- Newsletter - Wendi Kim
- Club Products - Bill Antonitis
April - Ducky 56ers is commended in the Downers Grove Reporter for their generous gift of $3000 to the Ronald McDonald House.
The first edition of the Ducky Digest was published
November - Downers Grove Reporter features an article titled “Getting Hooked, Club members share love of Department 56 villages” in which some of the Ducky 56ers were interviewed. There was also information plugging the clubs annual housewalk.
December - Two more articles featuring the Ducky 56ers are released in other papers.
2004
January - Wendi Kim steps down as Secretary and Teri Gelz is elected.
April - The 1st Chicago Gathering takes place and Ducky 56ers are one of the host clubs.
June thru September - McTrain, the 4-by-12 foot display was designed, built and transferred to the Ronald McDonald House.
October - Ducky 56ers promote 1st Annual Halloween Housewalk in the Downers Grove Reporter.
November - Pat Jelinek steps down as Treasurer and Cheryl Merkel is elected.
November - Article in The Naperville Sun titled “Residents drawn to bright lights, little cities” mentions Just Ducky, the Ducky 56ers and a couple of its members.
December - Downers Grove Reporter feature article “Village by village” which again promotes collecting, the club and the housewalk.
2005 - Celebrations Magazine features a two page article regarding the McTrain Project.
2006
Chicago 2006 Gathering in Rosemont: Ducky 56ers was a main supporter of event that drew over 300 people from across the country. The program and program support were the responsibility of the Club.
2007
New officers elected as follows:
- President - Rich Wyllie
- Vice President - Dan Collander
- Treasurer - Cheryl Merkel
- Secretary - Michelle Eckerle
- Webmaster - Wendi Kim
- Digest Editors - Chuck & Beth Lazzara
- NCC Representative - John Eckerle
Just Ducky announces they will no longer be carrying Department 56 and the Darien store will be closing
2008
European Imports becomes the new sponsor of the Ducky 56er's
2009
Rich and Sharon Wyllie named Department 56 Collectors of the year at Texas Gathering. | 
