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Dads will do the work at Winslow vintage car show
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BY LARRY GRARD
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 06/13/2008

WINSLOW -- In a town that revels in its football, this is a natural.

Vintage automobiles, contests, food, a raffle and, yes, football on Father's Day weekend. It all happens on Saturday, at Sukee Arena off the Augusta Road.

Eyeing this as an annual event, the Winslow High School Football Boosters are sponsoring the Father's Day vintage auto show. Proceeds will benefit the school's general athletic fund.

Dave and Dan Wendell are among the father-son duos who will appear at the event. They learned only Thursday that the players cannot help with the function, per rules of the Maine Principals Association.

Dan Wendell is a junior on the football team.

"He's around and willing to spend time with his Dad," Dave Wendell said. "I basically told him that he had been volunteered, and he didn't seem to mind."

That all changed when Athletic Director Sean Keenan learned Thursday afternoon that the players cannot help, because football is out of season.

"They can go to the show, but they can't work it or help with it," Keenan said. "We're off by one day. If it was the 15th, we'd be OK."

Dave Wendell, a booster himself, said that the club needs this offseason fundraiser. Temperatures in the high 90s for last year's season opener and pouring rain for another home game hampered fundraising efforts last year, he said.

Dave Rodrigue, boosters president, came up with the idea.

"It's a good opportunity for the boosters to get enough funding so we don't have to scramble quite so much during the season," Wendell said. "Dave, among others, has been absolutely nose to the grindstone on this."

Dan Wendell, a second-team, all-Pine Tree Conference Class B defensive tackle last year, had planned to help run the punt, pass and kick competition.

"It will be a good time," he said. "Dad's been pretty into it from the start. It's a great thing for a father and son to relax, have a good time and throw the football around."

The vintage auto show itself is designed for viewing, and not competition. Police, fire and ambulance services will display their vehicles, and the Maine Army National Guard will display military vehicles.

The raffle offers two preseason New England Patriots tickets for an August game. Admission for the show is $4 for adults and $2 for students and senior citizens. It begins at 10 a.m., and runs until 6 p.m.

The show also will feature free games for youngsters. The winners will get trophies, to be presented prior to the start of the first home football game on Sept. 13 against Belfast. The boosters are hoping for less extreme temperatures.

Keenan is well aware of the community's connection to football.

"It's a very deep-rooted connection," Keenan said.

"You will see Dads bring their sons to Winslow football games. You will see grandfathers bring their sons and grandsons. It's in the lifeblood of people here."

Police Chief and Winslow High graduate Richard Grindall knows all about that. Grindall has attended dozens and dozens of games.

"The football boosters are the parents of these kids, and they're involved in their kids' sports, which means they're involved in their kids' lives," Grindall said. "This is a good thing.

"Football is important, but sports in general are, too. Any extracurricular activity makes (students) more well-rounded. They learn team concepts and build social skills."

Rodrigue advises that anyone wishing to show a classic or antique car, truck, tractor or motorcycle should stop by on Saturday morning, and the boosters will let them in the show until space runs out.

Larry Grard -- 861-9239

lgrard@centralmaine.com

 

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