Schowe and shine to be held Saturday

Dr. Ron and Linda Schowengerdt with their staff will be hosting the 2nd annual Schowe and Shine Auto Show this Saturday, May 17, at their office located at 1701 W. Austin Blvd, Nevada. The show will benefit the Nevada Area Habitat for Humanity.

Last year the event was held for the first time and it was successful, which pleased the sponsors. I thought that they might have only about five entries, but what did I know? There were 42 vehicles entered. It is good for the community to have special events such as the car show.

Ron indicated that he will be happy to have 50 this year, but added there may be as many as 100. Several have pre-entered; other individuals and groups have indicated that they plan to attend. The registration fee for the event is $20 for the first vehicle and $5 for each additional vehicle. The show includes cars and motorcycles. The first 50 who register will receive a T-shirt and a dash plaque.

Cash awards will be presented instead of trophies, which the exhibitors expressed that they prefer. Cash awards will be presented to best car, best truck, and best motorcycle, best in show and people's choice.

Admission to view the vehicles is free. There will be a concession stand with the proceeds going to Habitat. Other means of raising funds will include a 50/50 pot, a drawing, and a silent auction for a Terry Redlin print. This year there will be representatives from Nevada Area Habitat for Humanity present to operate the concession stand.

Last year $1,000 was donated to charities as result of the car show. He hopes at least that much will be raised this year, Ron will be ecstatic if that amount would be doubled or tripled this year.

KNEM/KNMO will have a live radio remote at the show. Live music playing bluegrass and gospel will be performing during at the event.

Ron is in hope that the weather will cooperate. The long range weather report is that it is to be a sunny day. We can hope that it will be that way when Saturday gets here. He says that people come out for a special event as this type which he compared to an event such as a wedding reception.

He has had a great amount of interest in cars during his entire life. Asked when he first became interested in cars, he said that there is a picture of him when he was four years old playing on the floor with a toy car transport truck with cars on it.

Ron is the owner of four antique cars. One is the first car that he owned, which was bought when he was 14 years old. He paid 50 dollars for the vehicle which included the fee for a wrecker to bring it home. It is a 1948 Chevrolet, four passenger coupe, straight 6, 216 cubic inch motor.

Another indication of his interest in cars is his collection of model cars. In the waiting room in the dentist's office, model cars are on display. There are additional cars in his private office. In total he has 300 at the office and additional 200 at home. The cars are of 1/18 scale and 1/28 scale. They range from match box cars to a two foot fire truck.

With his interest in cars, he remembers each car that his father owned. He also remembers the cars that each of his relatives ever owned including uncles.

He occasionally shows his antique cars at shows. One of them has been at the Maple Leaf Festival in Carthage held during October. He said there they have tons and tons of cars.

Ron gave a great amount of credit to their staff for making Schowe and Shine a reality. When the idea was proposed the staff bought into it, willing to give up their time to work on the special project. He said, "Without staff we couldn't do it."

He considers those participating in the show as a great group of people who have a hobby and can share with other people. They are also helping with a group in the process. He considers them to have great hearts.

Groups participating in shows of this type are looking for a good cause to support. For this show it is Nevada Area Habitat for Humanity. This is a god charity to support and they need additional funding. This show will be helpful in supporting habitat.

It is a unique concept and a great event for the community for Ron and my cousin Linda to host the second annual Schowe and Shine. It provides an event for those who are into showing their vehicles to be involved with. It is a good way to give support to Habitat.

This Saturday the Schowe and Shine will be a good event. For additional information contact Dr. Schowen-gerdt's office at 1701 W. Austin or call (417) 667-7134.