Car Show and Tell
Kentucky
Kruizers
keep their motors running
Car
club members use love for
automobiles to raise money for local causes
By
Roberta Sell
Contributing Writer
CARROLLTON, Ky. (October 2011) – Every first
Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., members of the Kentucky Kruizers car
club gather at Carrollton’s Welch’s Restaurant and chat over
hamburgers and coffee. Though the topic of conversation does indeed
involve cars, much of the meeting time is dedicated to planning local
cruise-ins and car shows, and organizing various ways to help other
local philanthropic organizations.
“We are more of a charity than a car club,” club member Mark
Reese said during the August meeting.
In fact, the money the club acquires is returned to the community. In
the past, the Kruizers collaborated with other clubs and groups to carry
out the annual Halloween events, such as the Haunted Train Ride during
the October weekends at Gen. Butler State Resort Park. The club then
donated its share of the earnings to Shop with a Cop, an annual holiday
event that pairs students with local police officers to shop for holiday
gifts.
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Photos
by Roberta Sell Kentucky
Kruizers members show and |
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The car club also contributes to Crusade for Children
and the local food bank. The Kruizers not only provide additional assistance
with young people’s programs, but it also provides a positive model
of behavior that the newer generations may emulate.
“We would like the younger people to get involved,” member
Brent Stucker said.
The club appeals to people of all ages. It offers fellowship to those
who remember classic cars when they were new off the line, and the opportunity
to exchange tales and talk shop. As Kruizer Ron McMillan said, the club
“gives people a chance to relive their youth.”
Anyone may participate in the upcoming Kentucky Kruizers events. Cruise-ins
occur every third Saturday in the parking lot of Carrollton’s Coopers
Restaurant from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. during the months of April through
October. The final cruise-in for 2011 will be held at Coopers on Oct.
15. Admission and entry are free, and awards will be given for People’s
Choice, as well as dash plaques to registered entries.
Additionally, a 50/50 raffle will be held. Half of the proceeds will
go to the winners, and the other half will be donated to charity. The
car club is also a familiar sight during Carrollton’s annual Easter
on the Square, and Christmas on the Square, where they provide music
for the visitors’ entertainment.
The Kruizers biggest annual event is the September car show at Point
Park in Carrollton. 2011 marked the club’s 19th anniversary of
this event. There was a Best of Show competition in GM, Mopar, Ford,
and other categories. Awards were handed out in honor of Gene Kinman
(one of the founding members), and a six-foot trophy was awarded in
honor of the Ray brothers for overall Best of Show.
Though the Kentucky Kruizers was originally formed for the love of a
fine machine, the club has evolved for the love of the community, its
members say.