Car show shines in Superior
<p>Tressie Fink of Superior, shows off the award won with her husband, Fred, for Founder's Choice. The award was presented by car show founder, Gordon Hendrick earlier in the day.</p>
“Best of Show goes to, Dennis Black,” announced Mike Curtain at the 17th Annual Old Schoolhouse Rock Car Show in Superior. The show is put on by the Mineral County Community Foundation early in June. The Old Schoolhouse, TrailsWest Bank, and surrounding lawns fill up with classic cars. 120 car owners travel from all over the northwest to attend the show. It was held on the third and fourth with vendors, food, raffles and awards.
Curtain was the emcee for the award ceremony and he is also the man in charge if the event. He took over the responsibility from one of the founders, Gordon Hendricks, three years ago.
“It’s a lot of work but I enjoy it, and it’s a big boon for the town,” Curtain said. “Thousands of people attend, they eat at the restaurants, stay at the local hotels, and shop at local stores. Plus, it goes to a good cause.”
Proceeds are used for a $3,000 scholarship fund for all three Mineral County high schools. On Friday, classic Ford, Dodge, Chevy, and more, lined up to cruise the streets of Superior. On Saturday, festivities started at 8 a.m. and wrapped up around 4 p.m.
There were raffles, a Poker Walk, and an awards ceremony where 20 trophies were presented. Categories include choice awards by the Mayor, Sheriff, Founder, Veteran, and People’s. As well as the top 12, longest distance driven to the show, and a Hard Luck award.
Spokesperson, Maggie Bailey won one of the first raffle prizes, a golf game at Trestle Creek Golf Course. She said she was embarrassed that she won and donated the prize back. The new winner was Paul Kruger. Other prizes donated for the raffle included a cabin get-away given by Andy McDonald of Superior Welding; a room at the Hampton Inn; items from Les Schwab Tires; Alpine speakers; Rick’s Auto Body; Home Depot; Jackie’s Floral; Napa, St. Regis Travel Center, Superior Meats, and more.
Superior resident, Ron Stortz got the People’s Choice award for his 1929 two-door Tudor. He was in the top ten last year, and has been a car enthusiast all his life. He’ll be bringing a new vehicle next year, a 1955 Ford pickup that he’s currently fixing up.
Other awards went to Leon Nance from Missoula who won Sheriff’s Choice with his 2015 Chevy Camero; Don Norby of Cheney, WA., won Mayor’s Choice for his 1941 Chevy coup; Founder’s Choice went to Superior’s Fred and Tressie Fike for their 1934 Ford, and Veteran’s choice went to Dick Moon from Hamilton, for his 1927 Buick.
The longest distance was Russell Trainer who drove over from Great Falls with his 1936 Chevy. Jerry Doctor from St. Regis won the Unfinished award and Dave with car number 54 won the Hard Luck award when a rock cracked his windshield on the way to the show.
Another event at the show is the ball drop sponsored by the Mineral County Historical Society. A large white ball is dropped from the Lozeau Bridge located a few miles east of Superior. It takes around two hours for it to float back to Superior, guided by the Mineral County Search and Rescue team in a boat. Contestants guess how long it will take to get back to town, and winners receive prizes.
This year, the ball arrived in 2 hours, 17 minutes and 21 seconds. Nobody guessed the exact time, but both Monte Turner and Allan Labbe had 2 hours, 16 minutes and 20 seconds as their time (do great minds think alike?) and won the grand prize. Labbe won a pine table made by the Superior wood shop class, and Turner received a $50 gift certificate. Second place went to Seth Kuhl, who won a golf gift certificate to Tressle Creek Golf Course with a time of 2 hours, 15 minutes and 58 seconds.