A classic car enthusiast from Riverbank has received not one, but two ‘best of’ trophies over a recent two-day period.
On Friday, June 24, the staff at Astoria Senior Living and Memory Care Center in Oakdale hosted their annual fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association at the Laurel Avenue facility, which included an invitation for members of several local car groups. The show also included a barbecue for residents and their families, with lots of tasty food, and snacks, along with both adult and soft drink beverages.
Even though it was sunny and warm on Friday, many took the opportunity to travel down memory lane, checking out the many restored or hot rodded classic cars of all ages. Even Oakdale’s mayor, Cherilyn Bairos, came out to see the cars.
At the end of the day, staff members tallied up the votes, and Terry Barrett’s 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air and matching travel trailer received the “Resident’s Choice” award trophy.
The very next day, Barrett participated in Riverbank’s Centennial Picnic and Car Show celebration in the downtown area, on Third Street, in front of City Hall North and South, between Topeka and Stanislaus streets. And although there wasn’t room for the matching trailer, he still went home from that celebration with the “Fan Favorite” trophy. So, all in all, it was not a bad weekend for the auto enthusiast.
Barrett said that he gets lots of horn honks, waves and thumbs up as he travels around to the car shows he participates in.
He said, “People ask me, what am I looking to accomplish, driving a 1956 Bel Air to a car show? Why? I tell them, it’s not showing the car that is the enjoyment, it’s sparking memories of days gone by; that’s where it’s at. People remember the ‘56, when they bought it new, and tell me stories of family life and the trips they took. And the trailer brings up even more memories.”
It’s likely that remembering the ‘old days’ brings the feeling of nostalgia, when things were simpler and less stressful.
“It’s fun to talk and listen to people’s stories of the ‘50s and ‘60s,” he explained. “I don’t feel I am materialistic and worldly, quite the opposite. I just enjoy the old cars.”
