Our annual Show & Shine event on Sunday 3 August was a great success, with 53 vehicles registered, including 20 non-member or visitor cars, registration for which raised $300 for the club. Along with the ever-popular 50/50 fundraiser draw, and sale of merchandise, we raised almost $1,000.
The winner of this year’s People’s Choice award for best-in-show went to club members Grant Close & Judy Rogers for their red 1941 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup truck.
The 1st runner-up award went to visitor Steve Harris’s beautifully restored 1930 Vauxhall (Errington).
And the plaque for the 2nd runner-up was awarded to Kory Scarisbrich’s whimsical 1949 Chevy ‘Rat Rod’.
Thanks once again to the Gabriola Lions for providing food, Brian McMahon for providing the music, and the local automotive artists—Judith Madsen & Judy Moshinski—who came out to show their work and sell cards. We were proud once again to host one of the Gabriola fire trucks and ambulances, whose staff explained their equipment and answered questions during the day.
All photographs by courtesy of Garrett James, used with permission.
Our annual Vintage and Specialty Vehicle Parade drive around the island was a great succes, with almost 60 member vehicles participating.
This year’s route began at Twin Beaches, and made its way around the island, with detours into the Whalebone and Stephens Road neighbourhoods. Many people came out to watch the parade pass their properties, and Canadian flags were in abundance.
Thanks to all the organisers and participants, and to the Gabriola RCMP detachment for controlling traffic at key intersections, allowing us to keep the parade together.
Video and photographs by John Hudson, Linda Blockhuizen, and Steve Wohlleben.
On 8 June, club members made a wine-tasting excursion to the Blue Grouse Winery, just south of Duncan, taking the scenic coastal route from just south of Nanaimo. Catherine Phillips, club quartermaster, provides this report on the outing:
A group of the Cruisers drove to the A&W in Oyster to have a bite to eat and to wait for anyone else who was going to join us on the drive to Blue Grouse Winery. Randy & Catherine were in the lead truck. Andy Earle, Russ & Rosemary LaBelle and Graham & Susie Miller were all at the A'&W. Robert Sharman and Carol Williams showed up a few minutes later.
Since no one else showed up in the next half hour, we left a little early (12:30 pm) and as we headed out on the road, Greg and Donna Bromley joined the procession at the streetlights. The roads were good, the sun was hot and there weren't many people traveling that day. The route was lovely going through scenic bays, meadows and local backwaters. We did a couple of extra scenic detours and ‘u-ey’ or two taking people to places some had never been before—like the ferry terminal to Thetis—and a necessary u-turn when the lead truck realized the road sign pointed to the wrong road. Greg's car left the convoy for him to get some lunch. Once we crossed the Trans Canada Hwy and were on Koksilah Rd heading to Lakeside Rd, the lead vehicle breathed a sigh of relief: yea! we're almost at the winery!
The winery is located in a lovely spot with an impressive building. While we waited for any late comers, some of us had wine slushies—yummy! I could have spent the afternoon looking at the view and drinking those slushies. Charles Cochrane and Louise Gallagher met us at Blue Grouse after we arrived. The winery staff were wonderful and very knowledgeable about their wines. Each of us had our favourites. Greg and Donna Bromley showed up after having to deal with their car overheating and still not having had any lunch. Good on them for still meeting us.
Always elegant: Louise and Carol.
Blue Grouse was very welcoming and appreciative of our visit, and the wine tastings were complimentary. The first club outing of the summer months was a great success, and everyone seemed to have a good time in the cool breezes at the winery.
16 vehicles participated in the club’s Dennis Keis Memorial Poker Run on May 25th, with drivers and passengers taking a scenic tour to collect their playing cards from various locations around the island. Back at the Agi Hall, where the Lions were on hand with hot dogs and burgers, participants tried to make either the best or worst poker hand. The trophy for the best hand—a remarkable royal flush (a 1 in 3,867 chance from seven cards drawn from eight decks, if I’ve done my math right)—went to Moira Rockwell, while the worst hand prize was won by George Holt & Dar Mace. Don Coles won a prize for having a joker, and numerous door prizes were won by other attendees.
High hand winner Moira, holding the trophy.
Dar and George holding their selected bobble-head poker player prize for the lowest hand.
For the club’s first excursion of 2025, about two dozen members congregated for lunch at the Rocking Horse Pub in Nanoouse bay, on Sunday 13 April. A few members drove their specialty/hobby cars to the restaurant, which made for a nice lineup of vehicles in the parking lot.
Some of the participants drove on to visit the Little Qualicum Cheeseworks after lunch.
Our 2024 Show & Shine event tookplace on Sunday 4 August.
All three People’s Choice awards went to Gabriolans. The winner of the 2024 People’s Choice award for best-in-show went to Trevere LeFeuvre’s baby blue Morris Minor 1000 Convertible.
The 1st runner-up award went to Moira Rockwell & Dennis Keis for their handsome 1927 Whippet.
The 2nd runner-up award went to Michael Speers’ wiley 1959 Willys CJ3B jeep.
The Gabriola Lions were on site providing food, and the Gabriola Fire Department and BC Ambulance brought out their vehicles, helping to make this an enjoyable and informative day for the public. Thanks to our award sponsor, Gabriola’s own Rombough’s Auto Detailing, and to BC Ferries for donating ferry tickets won by Shawn Titterton and Dennis Keis & Moira Rockwell.
All photographs by courtesy of Chris and Garrett James, used with permission.
A private museum, recommended by Michael Hubbard, organized by President Wayne Knibbs. About 20-22 members and guests attended. As you'll see below, an absolutely astounding venue. Aside from the usual displays of vehicles, the owner has recreated a 1950s restaurant, a 1950s house, an early garage and general store, plus a news room, dentist office and school. The first a set of photos are from member Chris James, followed by photos and videos from Dennis Keis.
Another beautiful August Sunday, thanks to our volunteers and to Dr. Bob Rooks for allowing us to use his field behind Twin Beaches Mall.
Many thanks to the Gabriola Lions Club for again catering to our taste buds with fine food. And once again thanks to the RCMP and Gabriola Ambulance Service for participating. And to Gabriola Fire Service, not just one truck, but two trucks, one with the astonishing ladder. GI John provided a needed service and entertaining music by DJ Turk.
Best in Show by Visitor & Participant Votes
Trophy Donated by Chris Rombough Auto Detailing - Gabriola
1928 Ford Model A - Ron Rosvold - Nanaimo
Runners Up by Visitor & Participant Votes
First Runner Up - 1953 Mercury Farm Truck - Rose Boulton - Gabriola
Second Runner Up - 1941 Chevy Truck -Grant Close - Gabriola
Wonderful Gabriola Lions Club Food
This first set of photos courtesy of Chris James
Mr. Music DJ TurkCruisers Prez Wayne Knibbs & Catherine PhillipsNot a 1955 TBird, it's Gregg's Shay - Google it!!
