LM Times August 12th 2019

10 Last Mountain Times • Monday, August 12, 2019 • lmtimes.ca
She’s a beaut!
Reminiscing about old cars and the
people who own them.
Driving around Regina Beach on
any hot, summer day, a visitor
might wonder if they are,
instead, in Havana. That Cuban city is
famous its old/refurbished and vintage
vehicles. There it is necessary due to
the decade’s old trade embargo with
the U.S. But, here in the valley, many
of those grand carriers of days gone by
are still maintained and roadworthy,
because of diligent care, a sincere interest
in the vintage,
and a deep love
of keeping with
tradition.
Regina Beach
resident, Art Jacobs explains that he’s
“I have had a old
vehicle of some style
all my driving life,”
had a hands-on interest in cars for
more than six decades. Not surprisingly,
his career before retirement, was
working as a mechanic!
“I bought my first car at the age of
14,” says Jacobs. “It was a 1928 Ford
which I got running and then sold
before I was able to legally drive. I have
owned many vintage vehicles over
the years. Some were Chevrolets from
1939, 1955 and 1957. I owned a 1965
GTO which I drove for a year and then
sold. I restored a 1969 Charger and
then sold it.”
That is almost 100 years worth of
automotive history and knowledge!
Today, Jacobs owns a 1964 Mercury
Marauder which is in perfect condition.
He is the second owner of this impressive
silver grey vehicle. It isn’t used for
every day driving, but he does drive it
around town, and it can be viewed at
car shows in and around the valley.
“I have taken my car to several car
shows including Access Communications’
Show and Shine in Regina,
and the Moose Jaw Car Show at the
Air Strip.” Jacobs says there are also
local car shows, which are always well
attended. “The Lumsden Car Show
and Shine has a lot
of interest, as does
the Watrous Fun
Run Auto Show and
Shine. My Marauder
won the best 60’s/70’s Classic Car in
2018 at the Watrous Car Show.”
During summer months, classic vehicles
can be seen out and about, doing
every day business in Regina Beach.
It causes heads to turn, but there are
more than just a small handful of the
prime vehicles in town. There are
dozens of roadworthy, vintage vehicles.
This is most apparent during Canada
Day when classic vehicles are polished
up and showcased, as part of the parade.
Beach resident Laurie Graff, owns
three of those vehicles, a 1955 Pontiac,
1964 Buick and 1967 Bonniville,
“I have had a old vehicle of some style
all my driving life,” says Graff. “So that
means I have been driving a vintage
model for at least 50 years.”
Like Jacobs, Graff says he learned
about car maintenance at an early age.
“My father was a auto mechanic and
owned his own shop,” he says. “Dad
taught me a lot about old vehicles,
so they aren’t really that difficult to
maintain. Anything I don’t know, I can
ask, and we now belong to the Antique
Auto Association of Regina. There is a
wealth of knowledge available in that
car club.”
Jacobs agrees, saying that keeping
the old cars in working order isn’t as
onerous as might be expected. “Car
enthusiasts share stories. Someone will
know where to find hard to find parts.
Besides, it is not difficult to maintain
most of the vintage cars, especially if
you are able to do the work yourself.
Repair parts are available on-line
through organizations that specialize
in Ford and Mercury parts, like my
car.”
In short, it is a labour of love for car
collectors to restore and maintain. In
doing so stories about a way of life are
kept alive as are the memories, highlighting
just another piece of unique
history on the south shore.
- by Carol Rose GoldenEagle
Semans Old Fashioned Saturday
It was a busy weekend in Semans on July
26 and 27, 2019. For many weeks the community
prepared for Old Fashioned Saturday.
The town and cemetery were trimmed up and
ready for visitors. Friday evening the “Class of
94” celebrated their 25th school reunion at the
arena. Saturday morning the Semans Legion
hosted a pancake and sausage breakfast at the
Legion Hall. The rest of the festivities were
held at the school grounds and gymnasium.
The fancy cars, trucks and a semi parked on
the school grounds for display for the Show
and Shine. There were 17 cars and trucks and
one semi. The “Best in Show” was awarded to
Bob Digney of Semans for his 1968 Firebird.
Congratulations Bob, that’s a beauty of a car!
The Semans Gym was open offering a
cool place to rest, visit and eat. The Semans
Seniors and Candlelight Quilters sold beef on
a bun meal, homemade pies, ice cream and refreshments.
A shady spot on the north side of
the gym was a welcome spot for the beer gardens
along with entertainment by ‘Hammer
Jammer’. Wanda Shiels had a busy afternoon
with face painting for
the young ones. Ol’ McDales Friendly Farm
and Traveling Petting Zoo was a great place
to relax and pet the many birds and animals.
A children’s Bouncy house, Blow up Boxing
Ring and Wrecking Ball kept many children
entertained. A high light for the younger
crowd was the Bicycle Parade. Many bikes
were brightly decorated for the day. After a
parade around the school grounds each biker
was given a treat bag and a toy compliments of
Semans Cenntennial Comm and Affinity Credit
Union, Semans. Alicia and Evan Mann gave
horse drawn wagon rides through out the day.
Harvey Linnen arrived later in the afternoon
with his horse drawn stage coach. Harvey gave
rides around town in and on top of the stage
coach. The day closed
with a caberet dance in the gym. Music was
provided by Grim Inc. with Semans own Colin
Phillips as a member of the band.Semans Candlelight
Quilters raffle of a Summertime Fun
Basket was won by Jose Digney. Congratulations
Jose, hope you enjoy your summertime
prize.
The Semans Centennial Committee did
a fabulous job of planning, organizing and
working at this annual event. The weather
was warm and a nice breeze made for a successful
day. They hope you all enjoyed yourselves
and look forward to seeing everyone at
the next Old Fashion Saturday.
The Saskatchewan Lawn and Garden Tractor
Collectors Club gathered in Semans on July 27
in conjunction with the Semans Old Fashion
Saturday. There were 10 lawn and garden
tractors on display. Many of original parts and
some modified. Three pedal tractors were also
on display, rode and owned by Jayce Digney,
Eric Hillis and Harley Lekivetz. Show judge
was Garfield Beaudry of Raymore. Awards
were given out by Malcolm Bains and Narissa
Digney. Best in Show was won by Neil Bruce,
CONTINUES on PAGE 14
Garfield Beaudry, Judge of the Land and Garden Tractors, and Narissa
Digney, Semans Centennial Committee volunteer.