Amenia Lions Club kicks off fundraising season with Community Classic Car Show

AMENIA — The Amenia Lions Club brought their fundraising season on the road by attracting local motorists to showcase their pride and joy at the sixth annual Community Classic Car Show at Maplebrook School on Sunday, Sept. 16.

With registration priced at $20 on the day of the event, the show welcomed pre-war vehicles from 1942 and prior, post-war vehicles from the years 1946 to 1999, contemporary models from 2000 to 2015, hot rods and motorcycles. The first 100 cars that were registered for the show received an event dash plaque, while returning participants were entered into a special raffle drawing.

Amenia Lions Club members and Maplebrook School volunteers were lucky to have a model summer day to host the annual community event. Parked near the Maplebrook School entrance, a vintage black and red “Batmobile” drew motorists’ eyes to the spectacle taking place in the center of the campus.

Spectators encountered an impressive menagerie of cars and motorcycles kept in flawless condition. Circling the vehicles parked in the sun, they admired the characteristics of each model and made friends with the cars’ owners, oftentimes hearing the stories behind the cars while getting acquainted. Every now and again, the owners popped the hoods of their vehicles so people could examine the engines.

After they admired the rows of cars on display, spectators visited the registration table to cast a ballot for this year’s People’s Choice Award. In between the songs played across the campus, they were encouraged to keep an open ear for trivia questions and raffle opportunities. As a bonus treat, one lucky raffle winner received a ride in the “Batmobile” later in the afternoon.

With the smell of barbecue wafting in the air around 11:30 a.m., spectators paused their tour and used their lunch coupons to enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers cooked by Bill Anstett and his fellow Amenia Lions Club members. The judging process kicked off around noon and show and raffle winners were announced at 2:30 p.m.

Along with bringing a variety of local motorists and their vehicles into the spotlight for the community’s appreciation, the Amenia Lions Club brought the community together to support an excellent cause and to demonstrate what services the organization provides for the local towns and beyond.

“What we’ve heard about this event is people like it because the campus is so pretty, and it provides quite a bit of shade,” said Lori Hall, the executive director of the Maplebrook School Foundation and a public relations representative for the Amenia Lions Club. “It’s really quite enjoyable for car enthusiasts as well.”

Along with organizing the sixth annual Community Car Classic Show as the club’s first fundraiser of the year, Hale announced this is the club’s 70th year of service.

“It’s a beautiful area and it’s a good cause and great people,” said Alan Benson, a returning participant from Pine Plains who brought his 1961 Impala to this year’s car show.

Reflecting on all the Amenia Lions Club has accomplished, Benson said, “They do so much. I know they do a lot nationally, but they do so much locally too. I just think it’s our civic duty to help them out.”

With the exception of the 50-50 raffle, all proceeds raised at the Community Classic Car Show were directed toward the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Sponsors for this year’s event featured local businesses such as Associated Lightning Rod, CarQuest, Interstate Batteries, Jack’s Auto Service, Millerton NAPA, Pawling NAPA, Sharon Autobody, Taylor Oil and Wes’s Autobody. Additionally, this year’s raffle prizes were made possible with donations from Carl’s MATCO Tools, Interstate Batteries, Jack’s Auto Service, Snap-On Tools and other anonymous contributors.

David Hull won first place in the Pre-War car category with his 1935 Buick Coupe, followed by Bob Loucks in second place with his 1931 Ford Roadster Pick-Up. Alan Benson earned first place in the Post-War category with his 1961 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe while Norm Fontaine earned second with his 1944 Ford Pick-Up. Winners of the Hot Rod category featured Lou Repola in first place with his 1952 Chevy Gasser Coupe and Richard Nannetti in second place with his 1935 Chevy Master Delux. Motorcycle winners included first-place winner Brian MacKay with his 2005 Harley Davidson Road King Custom and second-place winner Darrin Nettleton with his 1987 Harley Davidson Softail Chopper.

Bov Sloboden, a resident of Lodi, N.J., was recognized for having traveled the greatest distance for the show while Jim Whalen won Best in Show for his 1966 Ford F-150.

A total of 50 cars were registered for this year’s annual Community Classic Car Show.