10^th Annual NSRA Day In Little Rock Was A Big Hit

 
Story by Tim Irby
Photos by Jim Larmoyeux

On Wednesday before the annual NSRA Appreciation and Safety Day, the forecast was for rain and lots of it.  As president of the host car club, Classic American Muscle and Streetrods (CAMS), I gave serious consideration to cancelling. But changing the date would have been very difficult, because so many different groups are involved.  We met with representatives of the host facility, Pulaski Tech, on that Wednesday and had a walk through to discuss how to handle inspections, etc. in case of rain.  Needless to say, the weather did not look encouraging at all.  The options to me were to cancel or go forth as planned. We elected to “go forth.”  And how happy we are that we did.  The weather gave us a one-day window between the Friday and Sunday rains and we had absolutely perfect weather for the 10^th annual event.

The beautiful weather brought out 130 vehicles including 55 NSRA members, who received their appreciation pins and seven new members signed up. Kay Staggs and Jim Beemis plus the volunteer inspectors represented NSRA. Like last year, Pulaski Tech also provided space for a statewide Chili Cook Off competition.  And this year we added a nearby motorcycle club who brought around 25 antique motorcycles. Both added to the festivities. The early arrivers were greeted with free coffee and donuts compliments of the local Golden Corral Restaurant.
 
Members of CAMS assisted with parking, helped with registration, gave away prizes (and lots of them) and generally served as ambassadors for NSRA.  CAMS also provided the grill that was won by the Betty McKee of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.  Mike Lewellyn from nearby Lonoke, Arkansas kept things hopping with 50’s and 60’s music.  He is a real treasure and we appreciate him so much.

  Proceeds from the day were donated to Treatment Homes, Inc., which providescaring for foster children with special needs.  CAMS has been providing financial assistance to the organization for several years and is the clubs main charity.  In addition, several hundred pounds of pet food was brought by the rodders and was donated to the Pulaski County Humane Society.

  NSRA inspectors Ronnie Clark, Bobbie Clark and Tommy Garland were finished by mid afternoon and the annual hotrod “coming out” event of the spring was done for another year.  Now the 2012 hotrod season can officially begin in Arkansas. 

  It was good to see and visit with so many friends who appreciate “rolling art” like I do.  Sure, we love to talk about our motor and the restoration, but these vehicles mean a lot more to most of us.  They serve as memories.  Our first car, the truck I drove at grandpa’s farm, the car my wife and I dated in, the car I always wanted as a kid, etc. 

  As president of CAMS I remained after the car event ended and helped announce the Chili Cook Off Winners.  But as I drove my 1950 Hudson off the lot I noticed that there were still numerous car fanatics visiting like they’d not seen each other in years.  I guess it’s just that way with hot rodders.

 CAMS plans to again host the event next year on the second Saturday of March 2013.  

Arkansas Rodders Honor Veterans at VA Hospital 

Story and photos by Tim Irby

 

It was an incredibly beautiful fall day in Arkansas and 90 hot rods showed up for the annual Dad’s Ole Car Ain’t What It Use Be at the Veteran’s hospital in North Little Rock, Arkansas. It was the 10^th anniversary of this event, which was moved from Father’s Day to November to be closer to Veterans Day and because of the extreme Arkansas heat in June. It appeared to be a good decision as everyone seemed to enjoy the day.

 

This event is not a car show in its purest sense however. Sure there are a couple of plaques given out by the host, CAMS Car Club of Sherwood, but it’s all about the veterans, their families and the health care workers who provide care to these sick and injured warriors. 

 

The North Little Rock VA hospital primarily serves those requiring long-term physical therapy. Some are there for a few months. Some never leave and their bed becomes a permanent home filled with books, pictures and other memorabilia.

 

On this fall day the parking lot was full of patients (many in wheel chairs and others dragging along oxygen) looking at the cars, laughing and talking about how their dad had a car like this or their uncle had a truck on his farm just like that. Of course, most of the vehicles on display this day were much more than daddy ever drove. This group of veterans certainly enjoyed seeing the cars and reliving their past. And the perfect weather kept many looking the entire two hours.
 
Everything was free, which included chili and cookies provided by Golden Corral Restaurant, Kroger donated drinks and Polar Ice provided ice.  The daybegan and ended with patriotic music by DJ Mike Llewellen.  Mike played music all day and the speakers were arranged so everyone could hear the music and announcements from anywhere on the parking lot.
 
A Spectator Choice plaque went to Bud and Tibbie Burnett of North Little Rock who’s perfect 1955 Chevy was stunning. And the Participants Choice award wasgiven to Troy and Sandi Wilkens of Maumelle who brought a fresh ’54 Mercury tricked out like an old police car.

CAMS Car Club Honored at Annual Treatment Homes Banquet

In recognition of the money that has been raised for foster care, provided through Treatment Homes, Inc., CAMS was honored at the Treatment Homes annual banquet with a Community Service Award for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.  As in the past, the banquet was held at the Governor’s Mansion. 

Each year for the past several years CAMS has donated thousands of dollars to Treatment Homes through donations collected at the annual NSRA Appreciation Day event, as well as funds collected through raffle tickets for a very nice shop sized tool box that any street-rodder (or otherwise) would be proud of.  This past year the toolbox was donated for this purpose by Home Depot.  Treatment Homes has also been heavily involved in the sale of tickets for this event.   Partnering with CAMS in the effort in 2011 was the Chili Appreciation Society through a chili cook-off competition. 

Treatment Homes, founded in the early ‘80’s, has taken on providing care for foster children that have been emotionally, mentally, or physically abused.   The goal is to stabilize the children, who are placed in therapeutic foster families, and work with the biological parents when possible to try to reunite them.  When this is unsuccessful, Treatment Homes helps to facilitate appropriate adoptions.   Faced with funding cuts, the money raised this past year was particularly beneficial.