Cruising for 25 Years and Still Motoring This summer marks the 25th an- niversary of the Strathroy-Cara- doc Cruisers Car Club. Estab- lished in 1999 by a handful of local classic car owners looking for a way to get together, the Cruisers have been meeting weekly to share their love of cars with others ever since. One such car enthusiast, hailing from Thedford, is Doug Baker, who comes out to every Strathroy-Caradoc Cruiser Wednes- day evening show he can with his son William and has for the last 25 years. Doug has lived in Thedford for 50 years but became involved with cars as a young man living in Windsor. His son William, now 37, has been cruising with his dad his entire life. Between the two of them, they have three different Mopars: a ‘62 Plymouth Belvedere and a ‘63 Plymouth Belvedere, both belonging to Doug and William’s ‘66 Plymouth Belvedere. According to Doug, Mopar is a term that refers to a wide range of classic cars from the Chrysler family, including the Dodge and the Plymouth. While Doug and William are the true cruisers, it’s also a hobby that their family enjoys. Doug’s wife, Beth, and their other son, James and his wife, Sam, also attend the Strathroy-Caradoc Cruisers shows with them. “We like spending the time together with family,” says Doug. “We also enjoy hanging out with old friends and meeting new ones. Each night is a new adventure because you never know who or what will show up.” Doug has had various cars since he was a teenager in Windsor. William was a backseat participant, riding in his dad’s car until he bought his own, nine years ago, which he’s been driving ever since. Doug and William take pride in their vehicles but don’t take them - selves too seriously. “There’s no pressure to be perfect because you know by the time you get to where you’re going, the car’s going to be dirty again,” laughs Doug. Even though Doug considers the Sarnia Cruisers his home club, he and William love coming out to the Strathroy-Caradoc Cruis- ers shows because it’s such fun being with friends and family and hanging out with all the great people there. “We all look forward to Strathroy on Wednesday nights because it always feels like being with family,” he adds.
The Strathroy-Caradoc Cruisers don’t just meet to chat. They also fundraise for local charities through donations and 50/50 draws at their Wednesday night shows. This year, the charities they are fundraising on behalf of include the Strathroy Hospice Building Campaign, Mount Brydges Caring Cupboard, 37 Frank Street Café, Women’s Rural Resource Centre, Middlesex Com - munity Living, Southwestern Middlesex Health Centre and the Salvation Army. On June 14, the Strathroy Cruisers Car Club will host their an - nual car show once again. They have been an opening day tra- dition for the Hometown Festival since its inception. More than 200 vintage cars will line the street, starting at the corner of Frank and Front Streets, from 2 pm until 8:30 pm. The Strathroy-Caradoc Cruisers Club’s Wednesday night car shows happen in the Canadian Tire parking lot on Adelaide Road every Wednesday, weather permitting. The weekly show runs from 5 pm to dusk, starting early May to the end of Septem- ber. For more information, contact Mary Wright at 548-888-4364. Father and son enjoy the Strathroy Cruisers Car Show each week. Pictured L-R, Will, Beth and Doug Baker. Photo courtesy of Mary Wright
Page 14 Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc
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