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Car show survives weekend flooding

KINSMAN — If the 10th annual summer Kinsman Car Show had been held Saturday, it likely would have been a wash-out. Event organizers said they lucked out Sunday that the former Badger High School grounds had mostly dried out.

Kinsman resident Chris Mott of Gustavus Masonic Lodge 442, which hosts the show, said Sunday that when he checked the property Saturday, much of it was covered by water.

“We were concerned attendance would be down today because everyone is saying Kinsman is a disaster area,” he said Sunday.

A block or so away from the former school grounds at 8319 N. Main St. NE, families evacuated from their homes because of flooding were seeking refuge and assistance at United Presbyterian Church, 8365 N. Main St. NE.

The lodge has hosted the show for 10 years, with proceeds benefiting Ohio Special Olympics, scholarships to seniors graduating from Badger High School, Adopt a Grandparent program, area youth programs and other community needs.

It will be their last show as the Gustavus Lodge. Mott said that later this year, the lodge, which has been in existence for 149 years, will consolidate with the Cortland Masonic Lodge in Mecca.

“We have had a lack of membership involvement, so it made sense to consolidate to get more members,” Mott said,

Both the Cortland and Gustavus lodges voted for the consolidation, he said. A large clock located inside the lodge and made by its member was donated to Kinsman Township Hall.

The car show will continue and will be sponsored by the consolidated lodge along with Kinsman Public Library and area businesses.

“The car show will continue be held each summer. This brings families out for the day to see the cars,” he said.

This year’s show had more than 100 cars, including from members of the Shenango Valley Cadillac Club.

Kinsman resident Rob McCrimmon said he enjoys seeing the variety of cars.

“This place was a flooded mess Saturday. I never thought we would have it today,” he said.

Greene resident Herb Stanford, a lodge member and event committee member, said the lodge wanted to have a car show to provide a summer event for area families.

“The families have an enjoyable time. Ninety percent of the money we generate goes back to local charities such as Special Olympics, and scholarships. We have been fortunate the library and others came on board,” he said.

Stanford said the show has grown from 70 the first year to some years more than 300 cars.

The nearby library had musical performances and displays set up.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com

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