Vintage vehicles at veterans home

PERKINS TWP. — A community car show brought together car club enthusiasts, veterans and local residents. Members of the Remember Crusin' Car Club, a local group established in 1991, hosted a community car show on Wednesday. Taking place on Wednesday morning, it occurred at the Sandusky-area Ohio Veterans Home. More than 20 vintage vehicles, attracting people from across the area, filled the parking lot. The idea for the event came from Tracy Waskielis, an activity therapy administrator at the Ohio Veterans Home. "I have a connection with one of the ladies in charge," Waskielis said. "They came out during COVID and did fun runs for our residents. This is our first picnic here at (the veterans home), so I connected her and said, 'Hey, let's turn this into a car show.'" The goal, Waskielis explained, was simple: "Just to get the residents outside, engaged with the community and enjoy some fresh-cooked food right off the grill." Volunteers provided attendees with food hot off the grill. The Drip was also set up, providing coffee and pastries. "It's about getting them to smile, reminiscing about the old cars and engaging with the new ones," Waskielis said. "It's a different atmosphere when you're outside, almost like a party." Members of the Remember Crusin' Car Club expressed their mission. "All of our shows are for charity," club historian Wendell Blevins said. "It's about giving back to the community." With nearly 100 members, the club continues to be a strong presence in the community. "We build camaraderie by traveling and hosting shows together," Blevins said. For the veterans, gatherings like this go beyond just entertainment — they create meaningful connections and shared moments. People can search for "Remember Crusin' Car Club" on Facebook for more information, including on upcoming events and appearances.