Rain puts the brakes on Cruizin' for a Cause

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“The same darn thing happened last year,” said Gary Maddocks, president of the Johnston Street Machines. “Apparently, old man weather doesn’t like us; he really threw a monkey wrench into tonight’s opening cruise.”

Maddocks issued that statement moments after rain covered the Denny’s parking lot inside the Johnstown Towne Centre on Hartford Avenue and washed out last Thursday night’s Cruizin’ for a Cruise season opener.

“It’s our first month’s charity that really got hurt,” Maddocks said, noting that there are still four Thursdays left in May for the JSM to raise money for Meeting Street School. “With that in mind, we’re hoping to surpass last year’s total ($1,385).”

So the JSM will try again tonight for its actual opener that will run from 5 to 8 p.m. and feature all kinds of vintage vehicles whose owners will donate $5 each to the benefiting charity and receive a 20% off coupon to Denny’s All-American Restaurant if, in fact, they choose to purchase some food.

In keeping with tradition, the JSM’s Cruizin’ for a Cause will begin their fourth anniversary season tonight – May 3 – inside its only home, the Denny’s All-American Restaurant parking lot located at 1448 Hartford Avenue inside the Johnston Towne Centre.

Last year, the JSM took in upwards of $4,800 during five months for a number of charities, and founding folks Maddocks, Anthony Ferranti and Gina Sabitoni-Arakelian are hoping to surpass that mark in this their fourth season of Cruizin’ for a Cause.

Other May dates the JSC will host its popular event are May 17, 24 and 31.

For those not familiar with the JSM’s Cruizin’ for a Cause, there’s no cost for spectators who walk all over the Denny’s parking l9ot admiring all kinds of vintage vehicles while listening to oldies music played through a portable sound system by Richard George, known as DJ The Car Guy, a retired public school administrator turned noted disc jockey in his retirement years.

On May 31, the JSM will hold its annual Trophy Night that will again be sponsored by Johnston resident Steve Nelson who owns and operates Nelson Oil Company. Trophies are awarded for Best of Show in the auto and motorcycle categories.

Maddocks also announced that Denny’s neighbor – Five Guys Hamburgers – will show its support by donating 10 percent of its Thursday night sales to the JSM. Price Rite has also shown its support and donated gift cards for the weekly raffles.

 

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