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Top Names in Automotive World Attend Car Show and VIP Brunch

Luke Paquin, a LaSalle High School Class of 2009 graduate, receives a $1,000 scholarship check from former St. Ignace Mayor Bruce Dodson. The scholarship, given out periodically by Nostalgia Productions, rewards promising local graduates who are pursuing automotive careers. Mr. Paquin plans to attend Ferris State University and pursue a four-year degree in automotive engineering technology. Joining crowds of car collectors and enthusiasts at the St. Ignace Car Show are many top names in the world of automotive invention, design, and customizing, invited especially to the show and the St. Ignace Car Show Guest of Honor Brunch by Ed Reavie of Nostalgia Productions.

Ken Gross, one of this year's guests of honor at the show, is a hot rod historian and writer who traveled to St. Ignace one day after collecting a lifetime achievement award from International Automotive Media. Mr. Gross writes a column for Old Cars Weekly, and has written for Street Rodder Magazine, Road & Track, AutoWeek, and many more publications. While in town, he sold copies of his new book, "Art of the Hot Rod," to benefit the St. Ignace Visitors Bureau.

Ken Gross, the guest of honor for the 2009 St. Ignace Car Show, shakes the hand of St. Ignace Mayor Paul Grondin after being presented with a key to the city by the mayor and City Manager Eric Dodson (right). Also pictured (from left) are Sean Reavie and Ed Reavie. Also in attendance Friday was the 2008 show guest of honor, Roy "Father Viper" Sjoberg, the innovator and developer of the Dodge Viper. To make the new, faster car for Chrysler, Mr. Sjoberg also developed a quicker, cheaper production method of creating cars for the company.

Jack "Doc" Watson, the 2007 guest of honor, attended the V.I.P. Brunch, also. Mr. Watson worked a 40-year career in the muscle car industry, overseeing the production of many famous Hurst/Oldsmobiles, Pontiacs, Buicks, Hemi Darts, Barracudas, and American Motors vehicles as the president of Hurst Performance Research.

Ed Almquist, the 2003 guest of honor, was recognized during brunch for his many contributions to hot rods, most notably providing a source for aftermarket parts for cars on the East coast in Pennsylvania and his engineering innovations like the Hurst Shifter, which he co-designed.

Jim LaRocque, the son of Bill and Margaret LaRocque of St. Ignace, gets an autograph from one of his heros, John Schneider, during the Guest of Honor Brunch at St. Ignace Middle School Friday, June 26. A big fan of "Dukes of Hazzard," Mr. LaRocque brought a model of the General Lee and a picture for Mr. Schneider to sign. Linda Vaughn, the "First Lady of Motorsports" and 1999 guest of honor, returned to St. Ignace this year, participating in the show, the Down Memory Lane Parade, and signing autographs downtown.

Providing color commentary during the parade and sharing hosting duties with Mr. Reavie and others was "Top Hat John" Jendza III, another regular of the St. Ignace show and author, historian, and car customizing consultant from Mt. Clemens.

Curtis Fischbach was there representing Magna Car Top Systems, which sponsored the brunch and the best convertible award at the show.

Bob Belenchia, agent to the stars, was responsible for getting John Schneider at the show, and also has, in the past, brought Paul Le Mat, Bo Hopkins, and Candy Clark of "American Graffiti" fame, as well as the "Happy Days" trio of Cindy Williams, Anson Williams, and Donny Most to St. Ignace as auto show special guests.

Also recognized at the brunch was Luke Paquin, a LaSalle High School Class of 2009 graduate who received a $1,000 scholarship from Nostalgia Productions. Guests of the VIP Brunch contribute the funds for a local scholarship, and the amount is matched by Mr. Jendza. The award was the second scholarship given out by the group over the years, and it recognizes a local student who has shown interest and ambition in automotive careers. Mr. Paquin, the son of Ed and Ellen Paquin of St. Ignace, plans to attend Ferris State University and pursue a four-year degree in automotive engineering technology.