Strains of golden oldies music filled the air, along with the aromas of popcorn, hamburgers, hot dogs and other old fashioned picnic items at Bel Aire Senior Living Center in American Fork on Friday evening.
The occasion was a car show that was the culmination of the center's celebration of National Assisted Living Week. More than 20 classic vehicles were on display in the center's parking lot, bringing back memories for many of the residents and their family members. Other activities during the week have included a memorial service, tree planting, band concert and a Wii bowling tournament for seniors.
At the car show, visitors and friends were able to make donations to help fund Alzheimer's research and care.
The facility's owner, Steve Sabins, was in the thick of things, grilling hamburgers and hot dogs and dishing up potato salad and beans for those who attended. The food was free to residents and visitors, but they could make donations there for the Alzheimer's cause.
"This is one event in a weeklong celebration for National Assisted Living Week," Sabins said. "Most senior living communities throughout the U.S. recognize this. We try to do activities to celebrate it.
"This is tied to a bigger thing than we are having an event on a Friday evening," he said, again noting the national aspect, which he estimated had been continued for at least a decade.
Each year, the celebration has a theme. This year's was "Living Life."
Blaine and Jill Thompson provided the music and commentary for the car show. Owners of Rockin' Hotrod Productions help get the word out among car enthusiasts about upcoming events they may want to attend. They coordinated the event with Bel Aire staff members and presented classic music to set the mood for the classic vehicles.
Cars, trucks and even an old hearse were on display. Owners lovingly polished their pride and joy, and were on hand to answer questions.
Brandon Rushton brought a 1955 Bel Air and a 1963 Impala. He owns a car audio shop in Orem and had one of the vehicles equipped with numerous speakers.
"It has taken about three years for the restoration," he said. "We have been working on it for quite a while. The Bel Air will be our winter project. It takes a couple of years."
Jerald Nay of Orem brought a 1950 Chevrolet pickup.
"I have worked on a lot of restorations," he said. "This is the first I have run around with a lot. All the sheet metal is original."
Reid Williamson brought two Pontiacs to display.
"I always enjoy car shows," he said. His all-time favorite car is a 1948 Pontiac Streamliner four-door sedan, which he showed. He said the cars are not museum pieces, but were actually all operable.
"These cars go on the road," he said. "I have driven some back East. I have been to lots of car shows."
One of his cars had 25,000 miles on it when he purchased it four years ago; it now has 42,000 miles. He bought a Pontiac eight years ago with 39,000 miles. It now has 72,000 miles. It is a custom sedan, an eight-cylinder flathead straight eight.
The vehicles brought back memories for many of the residents who attended the show.
Glen Paulsen said he was familiar with many.
"Half of them I used to drive," he said. He in particular remembers a 1933 Pontiac, a Bel Air and a 1956 Chevrolet.
"I used to have one like that one there," he said, pointing to a display. His take on the cars was practical.
"I don't have any special memories," he said. "They got me where I wanted to go, and that is all I wanted."
Cula Ekker said she didn't have first-hand experience with any of the cars.
"We were too poor to own one," she said. "But we saw them on TV. That is part of what made our life worth living -- pondering and dreaming all these things."
Beverly Lemon had a connection with the vehicles.
"My dad used to have a green Chev," he said. "It was neat."
"It is all right. It is pretty fun," said JoAnn Benson. "One of our first cars was a Pontiac. We have a lot of run memories -- raising our kids in that Pontiac."
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