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2019 Cruise The Narrows Award Winners

10/6/2019

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            Category                Trophy Sponsor                     Entry #               Winner Name/Vehicle                                   

1. Founder's Choice     Gig Harbor Cruisers                   172               Kent and Colleen Bittner – 1955 Bel Air
2. Favorite                     4X4 Rick and Trish Belfoy            13               Russell Hueners – 1949 Willys Wagon
3. Favorite Muscle        Car Mackert Automotive           114              Shawn Whitehead – 1967 Camaro SS
4. Favorite Unfinished  Ride Sculpture Hospitality         176            Tim Roan – 1976 Dodge Aspen K2 Edition
5. Favorite Truck (2 Wheel) Uptown Eye Candy Optics 20              Doug Crosby – 1968 Chevrolet C-10
6. Favorite '30's              Les Schwab Tires                        77              Anna Overland – 1936 Ford Pick-Up
7. Favorite '40's               Griot’s Garage                               111              George Thomas – 1948 Ford Sedan Conversion
8. Favorite '50's               Pacific NW Eye Associates       33                Steve Stock – 1953 Chevrolet Pick-Up 3100
9. Favorite '60's               Gig Harbor Boat Works             38                Mark Kimura – 1965 International Pick-Up
10. Favorite '70's              Soundview Barbers                   71               Jim Dillow – 1970 Triumph
11. Favorite '80's              George Flaherty                         29               Tom Lesh – 1987 Ford/Mazda RX7
12. Roger Mosiman - Most Unusual Award Gig Harbor Cruisers 170         Ray Harold – 1931 Model A
13. Favorite GM              Ottman and Hendrickson          78                Rod Overland – 1966 Chevrolet Pick-Up
14. Favorite Ford            Emerald City Gymnastics Academy 105      Hope Baker – 1969 Ford Bronco
15. Favorite Mopar        John Hogan & Uptown               74                  Michael Rubek – 1973 Dodge Challenger
16. Favorite Orphan      Monnie Moen                              220                Roland Horwell – 1973 Citroen SM
17. Decidedly British     Pat and Renee Crist                    4                   Clark Watters – 1950 Singer
18. Under 20 Cruiser    The Speed Factory                   214                  Pierce – 2004 VW Jetta
19. Favorite Corvette    Mackert Automotive                 34                    Steve Blanchard – 1967 Chevrolet Corvette
20. Favorite VW             NW VW Club                           107                    Tony Bowman – 1967 VW Bus
21. Kid’s Pick                   Systems for Public Safety      143                   Accuracy Automotive – 2004 BMW
22. Favorite                     Subaru Peninsula Subaru
23. Favorite Honda        South Tacoma Honda               72                   David Corentto – 1991 Honda Civic
24. Favorite Scion          Titus Will Toyota                      183                   Danny Gututala – 2006 Scion
25. Favorite Toyota        Titus Will Toyota                      213                    Tom Curran – 1977 FJ 40
26. Favorite British Sports Car Gig Harbor Cruisers     60                     Kay Franklin – 1973 Triumph TR6
27. Favorite Datsun        Gig Harbor Cruisers                  23                    Joe Eberle – 1969 Datsun Pick-Up
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2019 Show Poster is Here!

6/6/2019

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GH Cruisers Give Back!

12/2/2018

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2018 Gig Harbor Cruisers Annual Giving Community Outreach ~  
The Gig Harbor Cruisers membership selected three local community organizations to support through the club's charitable giving fund.  Food Backpacks 4 Kids, Gig Harbor Peninsula F.I.S.H. Food Bank and Santa for Seniors were selected by the club to each receive cash donations from the club.

Food Backpacks 4 Kids is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity registered with the Washington Secretary of State. Their charter states they "meet the needs of hungry school children in the Peninsula School District. This program is an effort to ensure families have access to nutritious meals on the weekend."

Gig Harbor Peninsula F.I.S.H. Food Bank began in June 1976 and was incorporated in August 1985 from a group of people who believed "that every person in our community is our neighbor. " Neighbor helping neighbor  is their motto. GHP FISH is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 

Santa to a Senior is a program to provide presents for Seniors in need during the holidays administered through Home Instead Senior Care.

The members of the Gig Harbor Cruisers encourage our friends to give support by sending your contributions to the following:

FOOD BACKPACKS 4 KIDS
PO BOX 173
GIG HARBOR   98335
http://foodbackpacks4kids.org/

F.I.S.H.
PO BOX 154
GIG HARBOR  98335
http://www.ghpfish.com/

Santa For Seniors donations can be sent (checks payable) to Gig Harbor Cruisers Automotive Club, at PO Box 2642, Gig Harbor, WA 98335.
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Happy Holidays!
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21st Annual Cruise the Narrows Car Show Award Results

8/11/2018

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​2018 CTN Awards
Category                             Sponsor                                          Reg #   Vehicle - Entered  by
Founder's Choice             Gig Harbor Cruisers                      138     2006 Lexus - Trenton Culburt
Favorite 4X4                       Rick and Trish Belfoy                   196      1970 International Scout – Alan Walker
Favorite Muscle Car          Mackert Automotive                   130      1967 Ford GT 500 – Rob Sweet
Favorite Unfinished           Sculpture Hospitality                    15      1957 Chevrolet Pick Up – Chris Corigliano
Favorite Truck (2 Wheel)  Erin Rockery                                  58       1966 Chevrolet Pick Up – Ken Marshall
Favorite '30's                      Les Schwab Tires                         93       1933 Ford 4 – Door Sedan – Doug Houghton
Favorite '40's                      Griot’s Garage                              168       1947 Chevrolet – Van Schrader
Favorite '50's                      Pacific NW Eye Associates        114       1958 Chevrolet Impala – Jerry Walsten
Favorite '60's                      Gig Harbor Boat Works               57       1968 Chevrolet Chevelle – Rich Marquis
Favorite '70's                      Soundview Barbers                     45        1970 Fiat Spider Coupe – Steve Hare
Favorite '80's                      George Flaherty                           88       1988 Pontiac Fiero – Tom Lovely
Mosiman Most Unusual   Gig Harbor Cruisers                     20       1930 Ford Model A – Mike Ubrick
Favorite GM                        Ottman /Hendrickson Familes 50        1964 Cadillac Coupe de Ville – John Patterson
Favorite Ford                      Bridan Builders                           130        1967 Shelby GT500 – Rob Sweet
Favorite Mopar                  John Hogan                                  97         1973 Dodge Challenger – Michael Rubek
Favorite Orphan                Monnie Moen                             169         Saab Sontett – Toby Clausen
Most Photogenic              Pat and Renee Crist                   225        1968 Chevrolet Chevelle (Canadian) – Ross Fraser
Under 20 Cruiser              The Speed Factory                     85         1976 Toyota Celica – Zach Winter
Favorite Corvette              Mackert Automotive                 216         1969 Chevrolet Corvette – Robin Rickard
Favorite VW                      NW VW Club                               110        1971 VW Super Beetle – Amber Stephens
Kid’s Pick                           Systems for Public Safety          19         1964 Chevrolet El Camino – Leah Smith
Favorite Subaru                Peninsula Subaru                      224         2004 Subaru WRX STI – Justin Capps
Favorite Scion                   Titus Will Toyota                         76         2008 Scion – Chris Norton
Favorite Toyota                 Titus Will Toyota                         84         1973 Toyota Land Cruiser – Marty Pattin
Favorite Nissan                 Gig Harbor Cruisers                  139         1998 Nissan 240 SX – Trenton Culburt
Favorite Datsun                Gig Harbor Cruisers                    54         1968 Datsun – Don and Sandi Anderson
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21st Annual Cruise the Narrows

6/11/2018

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20th Annual Cruise the Narrows Car Show Awards List

8/29/2017

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​CTN Awards 2017

               Category                               Trophy Sponsored by            Awarded to                Entry        
     Founder's Choice                 Gig Harbor Cruisers                 Don Mescheke          1969 Chevrolet Z-28
     Favorite 4X4                           Rick and Trish Belfoy               Bill Bubbell                1952 Willys Jeep
     Favorite Muscle Car             Mackert Automotive                Robbie Morris           1969 Chevrolet Nova
     Unfinished Ride                     Sculpture Hospitality              Dave Sumner            1967 Chevrolet Corvette
     Favorite Truck (2WD)            Erin Rockery                              Devin Merriott           1956 Ford F-100 Pickup
     Favorite '30's                          Les Schwab Tires                     Tim Springer              1932 Ford Roadster
     Favorite '40's                          Griot’s Garage                           John Paul Nelson III  1949 Mercury
     Favorite '50's                          Pacific NW Eye Associates    Rob Walker                1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
     Favorite '60's                          Gig Harbor Boat Works          Dave Rocket              1963 Buick Riviera 
     Favorite '70's                          Soundview Barbers                 Dave Gjertson           1971 Chevrolet C-10
     Favorite '80's                          George Flaherty                      Tom Garvin                 1987 Buick Grand National
     R, Mosiman Most Unusual  Gig Harbor Cruisers                 Nicolas Gossen         1952 Citroen Traction Avant
     Favorite GM                           Jackie’s House Daycare          Patty McGinley          1969 Camaro SS
     Favorite Ford                         Bridan Builders                         Jarod Marzano          1932 Ford Roadster
     Favorite Mopar                     John Hogan & Uptown  Plaza John Griffin                1966 Dodge Charger
     Favorite Orphan                    Monnie Moen                           Jim Densley               1976 Styler Punch Pinzguar
     Most Photogenic                  Pat and Renee Crist                 Rob Walker                2017 Camaro ZL1
     Under 20 Cruiser                  The Speed Factory                   Amber Stephens      1971 Volkswagen Beetle
     Favorite Corvette                  Mackert Automotive                 Mark Johnson          1962 Chevrolet Corvette                        Favorite VW                         NW VW Club                             Melissa Stephens     1967 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
     Kid’s Pick                               Systems for Public Safety        Jarrett Dively            1963 Volkswagen Bus
     American Family Dream Car    American Family Insurance   John Glomstad    1933 Buick Type 57

                                           2017 Special Awards 
              "Cuz it's Cool" selected by Club Members
               The trophies awarded were each designed and built by the member who selected the award
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                                     Trophy Builder              Entry                                                      Awarded to
                                     Dave Robertson            1933 Buick                                        John Glomstad
                                     Fletcher MacGregor     1948 Plymouth                                 Don Miller
                                     Tony Wedington            1963 Buick Riviera                           Dave Rockett
                                      Virginia Wedington      1931 Ford Model A 5 window        Tim Springer
                                     Mike Rickey                    1971 Volkswagen                             Amber Stephens
                                     Bob McCord                   1965 Chevrolet Malibu                    Dale Hopson
                                     George Flaherty            1969 Chevrolet Camaro                  Loren Schiro
                                     Jack Harrison                  1931 Ford Model A Roadster          Kelly Watkins
                                     Louise Harrison               1968 Chevrolet Camaro                 Marsha Seekins
                                     Howard Mackert             1968  Chevrolet Camaro                James Nicolaus

              20th Anniversary Club Founders Special Awards
              Club Founder Special Awards were each designed and built by Mike Campbell and awarded
                                                                       by Mike and Sue Campbell

                                                     Entry                                             Awarded to
                                                    1955 Ford Truck                             Robbin Hagan
                                                    1965 Oldsmobile                           Rick Patterson
                                                     Capri                                               David Dennis
                                                     Buick LaSabre                              Stanley Carter
                                                    Volkswagen Beetle                      Jake Walker
                                                    1987 Buick Grand National         Tom Garun
                                                    1961 Chevrolet Impala                 Joe Turco
                                                    1968 AMC AMX                              Roberto Massimi
                                                     1967 Volkswagen Beetle            Tristan Bigelow

                      Host club members vehicles entered in the show are not eligible for awards consideration
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2017 Scholarship Awards - Jack Sutton and John Griffith ~ Scholarship Committee

6/1/2017

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Gig Harbor Cruisers Scholarship Recipients – 2017

The Gig Harbor Cruisers awarded $5500 in Scholarships to seven graduates from our two Peninsula School District High Schools.
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The following students were recently recognized:
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​Peninsula High School:
Zachery Lester
Aaron Johnson
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Gig Harbor High School:
Blake Ellestad
William A. Emery
Noah A. Brooks
Lucas R. Smith
Peyton J. Hopkins

ook for these high school graduates; I am sure you’ll see their names in the future.  As members of the Gig Harbor Cruisers we should be proud that we may have helped a student with his career when education is expensive and there is a real desire to learn and succeed.  

We should be proud as Gig Harbor Cruisers that we have contributed over $75,000 to scholarships and charitable donations since the club was founded in 1997.  

We encourage more of our membership to get involved in this process.  The selection of scholars by reading through the scholarship notebooks, and the award ceremony evenings conducted at each school are educational and provides a perspective to our students as they move to higher education.  We have a fairly broad selection criteria which allows us to choose students with varied interests.  

We strive to support those who want that automotive or related career.​
​

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20th Anniversary Cruise The Narrows Car Show

5/27/2017

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20 Year Anniversary - Memories of a Car Club President; "The Mark Years"

4/2/2017

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Mark Hendrickson 
I remember it very clearly.  It was a rainy Saturday afternoon in 2004. 
It may have been New Years Day.   Rick Belfoy, the current club president, called me while I was keeping a couch company and asked if I would be interested in taking over as president of the Gig Harbor Cruisers.  I sort of panicked and explained I didn’t live in Gig Harbor.  He shared with me it didn’t matter, and I should think about it.  I hung up the phone and quickly called former President, Mike Campbell.  He was the leader when I joined in 1998.   He told me it was a great opportunity to develop leadership skills and the Cruisers were really supportive of the president.  He was right.  The meetings were well attended at the Gig Harbor Eagles Lodge (Taco Tuesday), and people were engaged.  I was a single guy with time on my hands, and a strong desire to be more involved in the community. I thought it over and called Rick later in the week.  His sigh of relief was much louder than I expected…I get it now. 
 
I was President of the Gig Harbor Cruisers from January of 2004 to sometime in 2008.  It was a good run, and I learned a lot.  During my time, ("The Mark Years") our meeting locations changed a few times.  We could no longer meet at the Eagles, so Harbor Place at  Cottesmore  offered us their meeting room for free.  It was a nice space, with lots of parking and in theory, that sounded good.  But I missed the fact that food was no longer available and my $1 Rainiers at the Eagles were a memory.  Without an opportunity to have the dinner and talk, the meetings started to get smaller.  At the end of my run, even though our membership numbers were still very strong, our meeting attendance numbers dwindled.  Not good.  Something needed to change, and it was the perfect time shake things up by stepping aside.  

At the time, the club's president also directed the car show. So, to speed up the process of finding a replacement (remember Rick Belfoy’s loud sigh?) I offered to continue to direct the show and make the position of president “seem” more attractive to a potential candidate.  Fortunately, John Hopkins signed on and began making some positive changes to rebuild.  We moved to a new location that served food and people came back.  Under his leadership, it was once again a social club and not just a meeting.  We rebuilt the board and got serious about assigning tasks to make sure people weren’t getting burned out.  Three presidents, later the club maintains well over 100 members and meetings filling over 40 seats.  Pretty cool! 
 
The club is in a good place right now.  Membership is strong, and people are enthusiastic and being involved.   Personally, I consider this club a part of my extended family.  I’ve learned a great deal about cars, leadership, and life from many of the people who have called themselves Cruisers.  The experiences I have had with cars and within the community simply would not be possible had I chosen not to join.  (That decision is fun story I’ll share another time).  I’m still learning and reaping the benefits of my membership by being surrounded by smart, good people.   

​Now if we can get $1 Rainiers back on the menu that would be fantastic.
See you on the road!  Mark
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20 Year Anniversary - Memories of a Car Club President; Hot Wheels and Corvettes

3/11/2017

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John Hopkins 
If you are reading this Blog, you are obviously a Car Guy or Gal.  
In 2003 I was transferred to the Pacific Northwest and made my home in Gig Harbor, Washington. We live in a beautiful community and like anyone who transplants here that first week of June you find yourself downtown at the Maritime Gig Parade. That was my introduction to the Gig Harbor Cruisers with club member Roger Mossiman walking behind the cars dragging a toilet bowl float down the street representing the parade's "oldest float." The Cruisers have participated in the Maritime Gig for as long as I can remember to promote their upcoming car show.
 
I was born into a car family; my father like many of our family members grew up working on their cars to keep them going and also helped my uncle's in their body shop. It is easy to forget how much work there is in owning a car then; even just the commuter car back in the day. Today computers have made cars super efficient, but are designed kind of boring and many can run without maintenance for 100,000 miles.

It's the cars that we love we are sometimes frustrated by. Many a day and night of my youth was spent on the frozen Philadelphia streets trying to keep mine or my friend's cars going.  No way in hell we were taking the bus, or a train if we could avoid it.  
 
On every trip as a child, my father and I would challenge each other to name the approaching car and even at night by the headlights. By the time I got my license, I was extremely proficient at spotting a Crown Victoria, or Chevrolet Impala, and many more. Every trip to the store with my mother I would disappear to the toy section; while I loved baseball and all forms of racing, she would always find me deeply immersed in the Hot Wheel section. My mother would say don't you have them all? Don't you have enough? And now at nearly 50, my beautiful wife Shelly says "don't you have enough..."  Simply, No!
 
My mother was my hero, and I treasure the memories of driving in her Pontiac LeMans as a kid. By the time she passed in 1982, I’d estimate she had wasted thousands of dollars she didn't have on Match Box cars for me. When I packed my things and left Philly in 1985 I never would have imagined my brother would have tossed all those cars; a 55-gallon drum of them, now worth God knows what, but he wasn’t a real car guy.
 
I’m a GM guy although I’ve owned a few Mustangs over the years. I’ve been part of Corvette and Camaro clubs for decades now, and all of them pale in comparison to the Gig Harbor Cruisers. Why? Simply, the people and the Cruisers approach to a car club. Twenty years ago the Cruisers started out as friends with a common interest; Cool Cars and wanting to make a difference in their communities which they lived and worked. They were friends that bumped into each other at shows around the area and joked about “We are the Gig Harbor Car Club.”
 
Twenty years later I think all of them would be surprised and should be darn proud of what a tremendous positive impact they made in our community. In the last Twenty years the Cruisers through their efforts and the vision of Founding Members: Pat & Renée Crist, Mike & Sue Campbell, Dan Lehosky, Sr., Tim & Jorjia Potter, Tom & Laurie Smith and Charter Members Bruce & Linda Dishman, John & Barbara Gilchrist, Mitch & Kim Mackenroth, Monnie (and Milo) Moen, Harvey & Sharon Oslin, Dave & Janet Robertson, Dale & Lyn Schultz, John & Karen Streich have raised and donated nearly 75,000-dollars for scholarships to help young adults who wanted to pursue an automotive related education. Having four children of my own and having sat through local scholarship awards ceremonies I can tell you some of our winners wouldn’t have been on that stage if not for the vision of our founding members. It was about the people first and cool cars second. One of our first winners, now in his 30’s and the father of two children has a successful career at the Ship Yard as a welder because the people mentioned above cared as much about people as they did cool cars.
 
I didn’t join the Cruisers till 2005 after I quit my job. I was searching for a better work-life balance and quickly became involved as Newsletter Editor, eventually served the club as President and Activities coordinator. While I love Corvettes, if you seen one…. you’ve seen, well, most of them. I can bore you to death with numbers matching; rarity, correctness, but because of the Cruisers my eyes have been opened to many other wonderful and sometimes orphaned cars because they are all welcomed in our club, and you'd be surprised how many Gig Harbor garages are housing some rare and unique vehicles. 
 
Many of my fondest memories in life involve cars and nearly all my memories of the last 14 years in Gig Harbor involve the great friends I met because I choose to become a Gig Harbor Cruiser.  ~John 

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