Rodbenders host busiest show yet
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June 2, 2013 |
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By Mike Weland
If you like cars; antique, classic, muscle, work
rigs ... nearly any kind of automotive
excellence, Bonners Ferry was the place to be
Saturday, as the Bonners Ferry Rodbenders hosted
their 14th annual Borders Three Jamboree, and it
was one of the best yet.
There were 175 official entrants, and more than
20 awesome rigs on display be Rodbenders members
that weren't counted or judged; well over 200
rigs packed the full length of Main Street, as
well as in nearly every downtown parking lot
except the city parking lot, where the Bonners
Ferry Farmers Market was enjoying a banner day.
 The
weather wasn't quite as good as in years past,
with overcast skies threatening rain, but that
didn't seem to dampen anyone's spirit. How could
it? With KBFI Radio's JoJo Baker keeping up his
hearty, southern-fried banter on the PA and
spinning some of the best songs this side of
ever, you couldn't help but feel good and enjoy
the moment.
The event is named as it is because of Boundary
County's unique position; bordering, as it does,
the rest of Idaho to the south, British Columbia
to the north, Montana to the east and Washington
to the west. On Saturday, every one of our
neighbors was well represented, especially
Libby, Montana, with the Igniters Car Club
bringing in 16 vehicles.
The Rodbenders handed out a slew of awards, with
the top honor, Best in Show, going to Merna and
Dave Wildenberg, Spokane, for their beautiful
1939 Cadillac LaSalle.
Top 12 honors went to the 1931 Pierce Arrow limo
owned by Robert and Jody Gandy, Troy, Montana;
the 1935 Dodge pickup owned by Delbert Daniel,
Clark Fork, Idaho; a 1970 VW bug belonging to
Shelly Pica; Athol, Idaho; a 1957 Chevrolet Bel
Air owned by Howard Naumann; Priest River,
Idaho; the 1949 Oldsmobile Fastback, also owned
by the Wilderbergs; a 1941 Lincoln convertible
belonging to Tom Broderick; Bonners Ferry; a
1957 Oldsmobile Supper 88 owned by Denis
O’Brien; Priest Lake, Idaho; the 1936 Ford
5-window coupe owned by Larry and Lynne
Schierman, Mead, Washington; the 1967 Chevrolet
Camaro owned by Bob and Dana Hobbs; Bonners
Ferry; a 1941 Plymouth belonging to Steve
Tillberg, Sandpoint; a 1968 Mercury Cougar owned
by Joy King, Libby Montana; and the 1959
Chevrolet Corvette belonging to Rick and Kim
Kanski, Creston, British Columbia.
Class Winners were:
40 & Older Stock Car: Pierce Arrow; Robert and
Judy Gandy, Troy
40 and older stock pickup: Delbert McDaniel,
Clark Fork
41-59 Stock Car: 54 Chevrolet Del Ray, Gary
Haymond, Hayden, Idaho
Lady’s Ride: 65 Chevrolet Impala Convertible;
Linda Dumont, Sandpoint
In Progress: 1951 Chevrolet Fleetline; Bill
Baker, Bonners Ferry
Rat Rod: Buick Retro Rod; Gery & Linda Rose,
Troy
Motor Cycle: 78 Honda Hobart Moped; Jeramy
Hofer, Bonners Ferry
Long Distance: 320 miles; 1975 Mercedes, Geoff
Elkins, Alberta
Mayor’s Trophy: 1967 Chevelle; Hank Hoover,
Spirit Lake, Idaho
On behalf of the Boundary County community, News
Bonners Ferry extends its thanks to everyone who
participated, near and far, and to all who
attended. Special thanks go out to the
Rodbenders themselves, who have not only given
us 14 years of great Borders Three Jubilees, but
who have added classic automotive style to so
many local events.
Whether you're young or old, there's nothing
quite like meeting a convoy of classic rigs
coming into Bonners Ferry when on you're on your
way to wherever you routinely go to make you
smile and wave, oooh and aah ... and to remind
you that, once again, there's something special
going on in Bonners Ferry.
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She
only sat in the seat of this Midget for
a moment, but this young girl's Dad gave
his daughter a memory that will last her
a lifetime. |
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classics affected older folks as well,
stirring memories that were or "bucket
lists" to reach. |
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How
many of today's kids, seeing cars such
as this this, will be caught doodling
hot automotive pictures in class instead
of subjugating verbs? Remember getting
caught? For many of artistic bent, the
teacher holding up a particularly good
picture drawn was not a source of shame,
but a rite of passage. |
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even a record of proof that a love of
and dedication to beautiful cars will
not preclude one's being a functional
member of society, but better. Despite
hours spent polishing, fabricating and
keeping this old girl going in nearly
every local parade and show, County
Commissioner Walt Kirby, and his wife,
Jane, have well proven that they still
have time to give to neighbors and
community. |
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Believe it or not, some rigs in the
Borders Three car show aren't all
chrome, spit or polish, but it doesn't
mean they aren't beautiful, but have
much to be appreciated. Walt and Gerri
Dinning are appreciating all the
artistic touches on this "rust bucke;,"
from the spider web fender to the
raven's skull on the cowli ... or should
that be "caw"ling?" ... Regardless, it's
classic. |
| A love of
cars wasn't essential to enjoying the
day ... with JoJo asking "How low can
you go?" many kids chose to limbo ...
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Others chose to admire bi-pedal, but
walking bikes was okay, too. |
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Special thanks for this story go out to
Rodbenders president Don James, and to Judy
Swing. To learn more, visit
http://www.idahorodbenders.com. |
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Questions or comments about this
article?
Click here to e-mail! |
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