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Classic cars for classic generation

Recreation coordinator Lori-Ann Tkachuk Hudon wanted to give St. Brieux’s Chateau Providence residents and members of the community a car show, which is how the first Big Ol’ Car Show on July 26 came to be.
Big Ol' Car Show
Frank Nagy’s 1960 Chevy Impala caught the eye of Steve and Mary Arsenie during the Chateau Providence St. Brieux Big Ol’ Car show on July 26. photo by Becky Zimmer
Recreation coordinator Lori-Ann Tkachuk Hudon wanted to give St. Brieux’s Chateau Providence residents and members of the community a car show, which is how the first Big Ol’ Car Show on July 26 came to be. Around 18 cars came out for the show with the oldest being a 1934 Ford Coupe shown by Rob Dudar and the youngest being a 1989 Chevy short box shown by owner Tim Bulicz.
 
Tkachuk Hudon always takes as many residents as possible to the Melfort show and shine. It is difficult to get enough volunteers to assist the residents, she says. While they still drive through the show it is just not the same.
 
Tkachuk Hudon thought what better way to give their residents and the community a chance to see a car show than to put one on themselves.
 
“It’s great to have all these young people and people in general here for my residents to enjoy. They love getting out, seeing everyone, and the old cars.” 
 
The Canalta Group, which includes A&W locations from Nipawin, Tisdale, Humboldt, and Melfort were a big help, she says with Jesse Storoschuk stepping in to lend a hand providing food and support.
 
Helping out and giving back to the community is part of their drive, says Storoschuk.
 
“Almost everybody I work with gives a darn about their community. It really comes back to who we’re serving in the area and who’s served us in the past.”
 
Storoschuk is happy to bring back the classic cars to the residents who do not have many opportunities to see the classic cars.
 
Also included in the event was a 12 booth tradeshow which offered a bit more fun for more of the car show visitors.
 
The event raised $2,000 for the eventual community owned Handi-van, which Tkachuk Hudon is very excited about.
 
Staff worked hard to ensure all the Chateau Providence residents could safely get out and see the cars and they deserve a big thanks, says Tkachuk Hudon.
 
Through fundraising, donations, and grants, Tkachuk Hudon says the community has been able to raise $100,000 of the $120,000 needed to purchase a new wheelchair accessible van.