VFW 1075 Hosts Another Successful Car, Truck and Bike Show

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Senior Staff Writer

HARRISON – This year’s VFW 1075 Car, Bike and Truck Show held Saturday, July 6, was once again participant rich, similar to last year’s event. While not all of the pre-registered 29 participants showed up on the day, others just dropped in without prior registration, which brought that number back up. So, all in all, 29 owners were onsite showing off their pride-and-joy vehicles.

It truly was obvious that’s how the owners regard their special vehicles, whether they were antique cars, trucks or motorcycles, or ones that were newer, jazzed up, and highly customized. And that full gamut was represented at the show.

This year’s cars and trucks were spread out a bit, with some empty spaces left by owners who had to depart for other places, and still others who did not want to get their cars wet. It was noted that one owner was so worried about the pristine condition of his vehicle that when it threatened rain, he bowed out, retreating to a dryer locale. And taking recent severe weather into consideration, the possibility of hail hitting these labors of love probably was simply not worth it. Although rain during the early part of the event kept some visitors away, things picked up in the afternoon.

Most participants appeared glad to be onsite regardless of the weather, and enjoyed sharing information about their rides and no doubt stories of the road, as well. It seems that no matter where people hail from, shared conversations are always spurred by special memories associated with various vehicles from their past.

The event included food (Mmmm…brisket) and refreshments, along with a silent auction with many winning bidders, and also some onsite vendors. A lollipop pull offered buyers a chance to win a prize, a quilt raffle drawing was won by Blake Wallace, and a 50/50 drawing saw winner Allison Gross take home $81. The Lottery Board was a big draw – literally – and saw one lucky, smiling Judy Tritten carry it away.

Trophies were awarded toward the end of the event, with two places going to each for Car, Truck and Bike, along with a Commander’s Choice Trophy for Best Overall. Winning for their cars were: 1^st place Dennis Metzler (1934 Model A); and 2^nd place Timothy Gross (2008 Pontiac G8). Winning for their trucks were: 1^st place Dennis Metzler (1946 Chevy pickup); and 2^nd place Dale Tritten (1954 Chevy pickup). Winning for their motorcycles were: 1^st place Wayne Nalevayko (2009 Harley-Davidson Road King Classic); and 2^nd place Jim Rienke (1941 Indian 741 B). The Commander’s Trophy went to Luke Hamilton for his 1968 Dodge Dart.

This year’s show also served as a fundraiser seeking participation and donations toward the purchase of a new commercial stove for the VFW kitchen. It was explained by Carl Lounsbury, past commander of Post 1075, that the existing stove had been used in the former VFW building on the southwest corner of N. Clare Avenue and Townline Lake Road (now Trail’s End). He said that stove was moved to the new building, which (according to a plaque at the base of the building’s flagpole) was dedicated in 1992. Thus, math has it that the stove could be estimated to be in the neighborhood of 35 to 40 years old – definitely making it time for a new one.

So, anyone wishing to help the gracious, community-minded folks at VFW Post 1075 keep putting on meals for benefits and other causes, should know their donations will go to serve a worthwhile purpose.