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When you look back at the years when you grew up, the automobile was an important part of your life. Vacations, travelling to family reunions or going on a “Sunday Drive” were ways for the people together.
Your family might have had a Packard, Studebaker, Nash, Chrysler or Lincoln, but you might have a dream of a 1956 Chevy coupe or 1964 Ford Mustang.
This year’s Organization of the Year brings back those memories of the past through their one love - the classic or vintage car. “Still Cruisin’ Car Club,” you are truly living your dream.
The club began as “Staples Area Antique Collectors” in 1996. Tom Lucy and Dave Nordell were the originators. Dave told Tom, “You get it going and I’ll help.” Original members were Tom, Dave, Bruce Hayenga, Verde Pepin, Rueben Nelsen, Reggie Petrich, Huck Holst, Al Case, Bill Walters and Doug Case.
The members put in $20 each and decided to have a car show the fourth weekend in August, 1996. At the two-day event members cars were displayed in the Staples Community Center with a 1950s theme that provided the viewers a flashback to the “Good Old Days.” Vehicles of non-members were displayed on the high school football field. Thirty collector cars were shown. Little did they know what the future had in store for the club.
During those early years, the club would hold a “Car Cruise.” Members would go out for a drive and stop for a burger, malt or root beer float. The Spot Café sponsored one of these cruise nights.
Monthly meetings began and the club changed its name in 2000 to “Still Cruisin’ Car Club.” The one thing the club focused on each year was the annual car show with members providing ideas for improvements.
The show became sanctioned by the Minnesota Street Rod Association. In 2002, the event had 200 entrants with an engine giveaway and participants have increased each year. More people were coming to Staples to see the car show and participate in Railroad Days.
Jessi Combs, Spike TV’s “Extreme 4x4” host, made a memorable journey to the 2007 “Ride the Dream” car show that displayed 400 cars. This year they will give away $10,000 in prizes including two engines. Over 600 cars and 3,500 people were expected.
The club membership is around 50 people ranging in age from 15 to 87. The group contributes to the power mechanics class at Staples Motley High School for the Max Mileage car competition and to Staples Motley Dollars for Scholars.
The club was nominated by Morgen Martin.
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