The AMAZING Harold LeMay Car Collection VIDEO

Published on January 2, 2023January 2, 2023 by corvettes

A “Trash Man” Makes Good!

Greetings Cruisers and Happy 2023! We hope that everyone had a happy and safe New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

It’s no secret that “there’s BIG money in trash!” Harold LeMay was an amazing car guy. Born in 1919 in Yakima, Washington, Harold was into cars as a kid. As soon as he graduated from high school he went into the auto business. This was just Harold’s first enterprise.

After WW-II, Harold launched Lucky Towing, HELM Trucking Company, and Lucky Sales & Service. Eventually, Harold started his refuse company, Harold LeMay Enterprises, in Tacoma Washington.

Lots and LOTS of Cars!

Along the way, Harold bought cars, trucks, and motorcycles. LOTS of them! At one time, Harold’s collection numbered over 3,000! In 1997, three years before his death in 2000, the Guinness Book of World Records listed the LeMay Collection as the largest privately-owned car collection in the world.

Typically, car collections are sold-off after the owner passes. In 1996, Harold came up with the idea of starting a non-profit museum so that his collection would not be broken up and sold off. But as they say, “Life got in the way”. Harold didn’t live to see his museum idea work out. However, later, his wife Nancy and son Doug made his dream a reality.Of course, the entire collection was left to his wife, Nancy. Talk about a strange inheritance!

80 Acres of Cars!

In 1991 the “LeMay Family Collection Foundation at Marymount” in Tacoma, Washington opened an 80-acre estate that was once a military academy-style school for boys. Marymount was founded by Dominican nuns in 1923. In 2012 the establishment was renamed, “The LeMay America’s Car Museum.”

With 80 acres and thousands of vehicles, it must be a marathon to take in or an all-weekend experience. Clearly, Harold’s family also has gasoline in their veins too. You’d have to, in order to make such a thing come together. Of course, Mecum or Barrett Jackson would have loved selling off all those vehicles! Continue reading “The AMAZING Harold LeMay Car Collection VIDEO” →

Party With the Cruisers on Saturday of Labor Day Weekend!

Published on August 16, 2022August 17, 2022 by corvettes

Special Labor Day Weekend Summer Event, Lake Placid American Legion, September 3, 2022

Dateline: 8.15.22 – We got some interesting questions at the Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show, as well as several of our breakfast and Meet’n Eat luncheons. Basically this, “When is the next Lake Country Cruisers Car & Bike Show?”. And we answered, “Well, on October 8.” Then we hear, “Oh, no shows until then?”

So, we got to thinking.

Last year we had two summer special events at the Plaza Journal, one on Independence Day Weekend and the other on Labor Day Weekend. The grassy courtyard next to Wet Dogs Brewing is torn up and under construction. After a new building is up, the courtyard will be restored.

Since we had a Father’s Day Show and the Caladium Show Car & Bike Show, let’s do a Labor Day Show at the American Legion! The American Legion management agreed and asked us to remind everyone that the Legion’s kitchen Mess Hall and Bar will be Open For Business!

So, here’s the deal! The “Lake Country Cruisers Show’n Shine Labor Day Car & Bike Show” will be at the Lake Placid American Legion, on Rt. 27, on Saturday, September 3^rd, 2022, from 10 am to 2 pm. We will announce Door Prizes around 12-noon and announce the 50/50 Winner at 1:30 pm. And don’t forget, there will be a sweet 50/50 Runnerup Winner!

Admission will be $5 at the Sign-In table; Door Prizes will be given, and very generous 50/50 tickets will be available under the tent. 50/50 tickets are 10-tickets for $10 and 40-tickets for $20. Our 50/50 ticket payouts have been growing, so be sure to get some!

So shine up your ride, and bring your cooler and tent! It’s a Labor Day Car Show Party! – Scott, Pete, & Ron

**PS – Bring your flags to the car show!**

PSS – Our next Cruisers Meet’n Eat is this Thursday, August 19^th at Dock 633, on Lake June Rd., in Lake Placid. Bring your appetite, the foods is GOOD! See map below.PSS

The Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show Was a BIG Hit!

Published on August 7, 2022September 2, 2022 by corvettes

A record number of cars, attendees, and a $1,000 50/50 payout!

Dateline: 8.8.2022 Photos by K. Scott Teeters, except where noted – Lake Country Cruisers has expanded our horizons. Last year, after nearly two decades of service, Bob Larson retired as the Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show Chairman. Pete Richie stepped forward and said, “Well then, I’ll do it.” and Ron Ellerman and I said, “We’re with you too, Pete!”

In the last twelve months, Pete, Ron, and I have managed ten car shows; the 2021 Independence Day and the Labor Day shows at The Journal Plaza, adjacent to Wet Dogs Brewing; plus eight shows at the Lake Placid America Legion. While the Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show was a bigger event, we were confident.

By all accounts, this year’s Caladium Car & Bike Show was a HUGE success. According to Jerry Meisenheimer of the Highlands News-Sun report, there were a record-number 280 cars, trucks, and motorcycles stuffed into the Devanne Park, in beautiful downtown Lake Placid. Jerry reported, “The best word to describe the July 30^th event is, “WOW”. Continue reading “The Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show Was a BIG Hit!” →

Nifty Cars Wanted For Car & Bike Show

Published on July 20, 2022July 20, 2022 by corvettes

Caladium Festival Car & Bike Shows Gets Some Local Ink!

Dateline: 7.20.22 – A big THANKS to Highlands News-Sun and writer Jerry Meisenheimer for splashing the upcoming Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show, coming up on Saturday, July 30, from 9 am to 4 pm. The Car & Bike Show will be in Devane Park inside the round-about circle off Interlake Blvd and across the railroad tracks in downtown Lake Placid. For safety reasons, no animals are permitted.

Click the above image to read the BIG version!

The overall Caladium Festival runs from Friday, July 29, and Saturday, July 30 from 9 am to 4 pm, and Sunday, July 31, from 10 am to 3 pm. This is a street vendor event, so streets will be clocked off for the 150-plus vendors!

So, bring your four-wheel, three-wheel, or two-wheel machine and join in on the fun. There will be food vendors, a beer garden, pizza across the street at Mr. Sammy’s, dash plaques and goodie bags for the first 150 registered vehicles, trophy plaques, and an awesome, 27-inch-tall, hand-made by local metal artist, Jamie Klemm, “Best In Show” trophy.

And 50/50 tickets; your arm’s length – $5.00; your height – $10.00, or your car’s length – $20.00. The Caladium Car & Bike Shows are very well attended, so someone is going to go home with an AWESOME 50/50 payout! Continue reading “Nifty Cars Wanted For Car & Bike Show” →

Cruisers Partied Hardy For a Saturday Meet’n Eat!

Published on July 2, 2022July 2, 2022 by corvettes

A BUSY month for the Cruisers…

Dateline: 7.2.22 – It had been a year since we hosted a Meet’n Eat event at our house. This was Karen’s idea, but unfortunately, she was feeling under the weather but is doing fine now. It was a REALLY hot day, so we all stayed inside and enjoyed a few hours of laughs, good conversation, and eats.

Everyone brought something and everything was REAL GOOD!

On a personal note, Karen and I are just thrilled with the Lake Country Cruisers community. We lived in New Jersey for a long, long time, and there was nothing like this there.

The more we attend car shows and luncheons, the larger everyone’s social circle becomes. And I don’t mean those faceless “social media” circles. Almost every time I go out and about, I see “someone” connected to either Lake Country Cruisers or Highlands County Corvettes. It’s a good thing!

So, if you would like to host a Meet’n Eat event at your abode, let us know, we’ll work out a time, and let everyone know!

July is shaping up to be a busy Cruisers month. We are working on a Cruisers Pool Nite at Warehouse Billiards, in downtown Lake Placid.

Also, we will be announcing the date of our next Meet’n Eat Luncheon, this time at Cowpokes Watering Hole, in Sebring. Hope you like steak! Their new Cuban Sandwich is awesome!

Dates for “Pool Nite” and the “Watering Hole” luncheon will be announced soon.

And then there’s the BIG Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show on July 30, 2022. There are already more street vendors signed on than last year and we are anticipating more cars and motorcycles. More details to come.

Y’all stay hydrated and cool. We want to see you at our next event! – Scott, Pete, & Ron

PS – Everyone had a wonderful Independence Day weekend with those you love!

Our Father’s Day Show Gets Some Local Ink!

Published on July 1, 2022 by corvettes

Dateline: 7-1-22 – A BIG THANKS to the nice folks at Highlands News-Sun Newspaper for publishing the story we sent in about our First Presbyterian Church Father’s Day car show. Indeed, a good time was had by all. This morning at the Highlands County Corvettes Friday Breakfast at Oscars Family Restaurant in Sebring, I happened to see Reverend Drew and he reiterated that we will be having another Sunday car show perhaps after New Years when it’s cooler.

To read the BIG version, just click the above image, or CLICK HERE.

We will keep you informed! – Scott, Ron, & Pete

PS – Plans are coming together nicely for the Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show on July 30, 2022. According to Jennifer at the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce there will be more vendors this year than last year. Lake Country Cruisers is hoping for a larger turnout of cars and motorcycles!

First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid’s Father’s Day Car Show – SLIDE SHOW

Published on June 20, 2022June 21, 2022 by corvettes

A Family & Faith-Centered Father’s Day Cruisers Car Show

**Click the above image to see the larger panorama.**

Dateline: 6.20.22 – The First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid hosted a Father’s Day Car Show on Father’s Day morning with the Lake Country Cruisers Car Club. The Cruisers managers, Ron Ellerman, Pete Richie, and Scott Teeters all thought it would be a beautiful way to share the local car culture within a family environment that is a celebration of Fathers. First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid Reverands Ray Cameron and Drew Severance agreed and made it happen!

The Car Show was Father’s Day morning, from 9 am to noon, and held on the grassy courtyard in front of The Genesis Center in downtown Lake Placid. As it was Father’s Day, the church had a special 10 am service and graciously provided hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, ice cream, lemonade, and ice water to everyone in attendance.

The weather started out warm and was hot by noon, so everyone appreciated and enjoyed the cold drinks, ice cream, and sandwiches. Approximately thirty cars filled the courtyard representing a delightful spread of automobiles from classic vintage cars to hot rods, and Corvettes. By 11 am when the church service was over, parishioners strolled about the courtyard in their Sunday finest. Several Cruisers brought their doggies and it was so nice to see so many children. Continue reading “First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid’s Father’s Day Car Show – SLIDE SHOW” →

Father’s Day Car Show at the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid this Sunday!

Published on June 15, 2022June 15, 2022 by corvettes

Are You Busy Father’s Day Morning?

Dateline: 6.15.22 – The nice folks at Highlands News-Sun were kind enough to publish our announcement for this Sunday’s Father’s Day Car Show at the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid.

We will be having the show in the grassy courtyard in front of the Genesis Center. We invite you to have some family fun and fellowship. Reverend Drew will be having a special service at 10 am and Cruisers are welcome to attend. Continue reading “Father’s Day Car Show at the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid this Sunday!” →

Lake Country Cruisers Family Father’s Day Car Show!

Published on June 6, 2022June 7, 2022 by corvettes

Bring Your Ride! Bring the Kiddos! Bring the Grand Kiddos! Bring the Nieces and Nephews!

Dateline: 6.5.22 – Well Cruisers, we told you that there will be Car Show action during the summer months. Actually, we will be sponsoring four shows, with our first summer show being, the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid Family Father’s Day Car Show. For Father’s Day, there will be a special one-hour church service from 10 am to 11 pm. Cruisers, you are welcome to attend! Typically, the church has two services, one at 9 am and the other at 11 am.

The date is June 19, 2022 (obviously) and the show will be on the church’s courtyard lawn and there will be NO CHARGE for the show.

The Car Show starts at 9:15 AM and will run to 12 Noon. The church will be supplying hot dogs, bottled water, and “maybe” even ice cream!

The First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid address is – 118 N Oak Ave, Lake Placid, FL 33852.

When we hold our Cruisers Car Shows at the Lake Placid American Legion we are always delighted when Cruisers bring their young children, adult children, and especially grandchildren.

We believe that the Car Show Culture should be a family affair because it provides an activity that encourages the bonding of the generations; parents, children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; with America’s favorite pastime, cars! Continue reading “Lake Country Cruisers Family Father’s Day Car Show!” →

Lake Country Cruisers May 2022 Car & Bike Show – BIG Slide Show!

Published on May 15, 2022May 15, 2022 by corvettes

Dateline: 5.15.22 – South-Central Florida dished up another spectacular summer-like day for Lake Country Cruisers’ last Lake Placid American Legion Car & Bike Show for the season. We will be having four events before we start up at the Legion again on October 8, 2022.

Officially we had 60 cars registered. When you register, you get a car number, later in the show, we pull numbers for Door Prizes. The Cruiser that came the farthest was Ted Pierce, from Alva, Florida (just west of LeBelle) with his 1948 Chevy Pickup. Thanks, Ted!

We also had special guests from South Florida State College, in Avon Park. Professors Dave Alvarez and Garrett Lee brought along some of the students from the Automotive Vocational Training school. Thanks for being with us, guys! After you build your ride, we want to see you and your machine there!

And Dave brought his 2020 Harley-Davidson Livewire electric motorcycle. While we all have “gasoline in our veins”, the new era of electric cars is just around the corner and many of these vehicles are brutally quick and fast. It’ll be an interesting time. Continue reading “Lake Country Cruisers May 2022 Car & Bike Show – BIG Slide Show!” →

Win a 1940 Ford Cookie Jar Full of Mini-Cheer!

Published on May 11, 2022July 24, 2022 by corvettes

Dateline: 5-11-22 – Greetings Cruisers! Just a quick reminder and a few updates. At this Saturday’s Lake Country Cruisers Car & Bike Show we will be raffling off 1940 Ford Cookie Jar stuffed with little bottles of Cheer for just $5 per ticket! Big THANKS to Gary Pigman for donating the sweet car cookie jar.

We are still working on a possible Father’s Day Car & Bike Show on June 19, 2022.

Also, we are close to getting a date for our next Meet’n Eat luncheon event. The location will be either Beef O’Brady’s or Jaxson’s On the Lake. We’ll let you know as soon as the date and place is confirmed.

This Saturday’s Lake Country Cruisers show at the Lake Placid American Legion, on Rt. 27 in Lake Placid, Florida will be our first Car AND Bike show. So, if you have a two or three-wheeler, bring your machine to the show! We love machines!

So, bring your bike pals, bring the kids, bring the grandkids too!

The Weather Channel is forecasting a partly-cloudy and warm day this Saturday. Lucky for us we can go into the Legion Lounge to cool our heels and get some lunch and beverages.

The show starts at 11 am and we wrap it up around 1:30 with the 50/50 drawing and the runner-up prize of a local restaurant gift certificate. See you Saturday! – Scott, Pete, Ron, Christy, & George

Lake Country Cruisers Car AND Bike Show 5-14-22

Published on May 7, 2022May 7, 2022 by corvettes

We like motorcycles too!

Dateline: 5.7.22 – The Lake Country Cruisers crew and other volunteers will be managing the Caladium Festival Car and Bike Show this year, as Bob Larson has stepped down after many years of running the Car and Bike Show portion of the annual festival.

So, that got us to thinking; we all love machines and many of the Cruisers have motorcycles, so why not expand the Lake Country Cruiser shows to include motorcycles? After all, two and three-wheel motorcycles are very popular in our area.

So, if you have a motorcycle, in addition to your cruiser car, bring your bike! And if you have friends that have motorcycles, tell them that the Lake Country Cruisers car shows are now “Car AND Bike Shows”!

May 14, 2022, will be our last show for the season at the Lake Placid American Legion on Rt. 27, in Lake Placid. Our American Legion Car & Bike Shows will start again on October 8, 2022. Continue reading “Lake Country Cruisers Car AND Bike Show 5-14-22” →

Lake Country Cruisers April 2022 Car Show – Slide Show

Published on April 10, 2022April 28, 2022 by corvettes

It was a Florida-Perfect day for a car show!

Dateline 4-10-22: It was a spectacular day for a car show and a good time was had by all and a 180-degree turnabout from March’s total rain-out. What was amazing about last month’s rain-out was that despite the dismal weather, THIRTY cars showed up! The Lake Placid Wawa donated coffee and Dunkin Donuts provided yummy D&D donuts. So, the car show turned into a handout for an hour or so.

Officially we had 51 cars registered for our April show, which considering that the big “12 Hours of BBQ” event was going on at Fireman’s Field in Sebring, was very good.

We had four special guests at the show. Ellen Beers from the South Central Florida Car Club stopped by for a visit. It was a good day for Ellen, as she was our 50/50 Runner-Up winner and took home a $50 gift certificate from The GC Grill House. Thanks for coming up from LaBelle, Ellen!

Last December, thanks to your support, Lake Country Cruisers was able to make a $500 donation to the Veterans Council of Highlands County. Glenn West, the Vice President of the organization was on hand with his BMW sports car. We hope to be making another donation to help Highlands County Vets in the near future. Continue reading “Lake Country Cruisers April 2022 Car Show – Slide Show” →

Lake Country Cruisers February 2022 Car Show

Published on February 19, 2022March 22, 2022 by corvettes

Dateline: 2.18.22 – After weeks of mostly crummy weather, what a delight it was to have a classic Winter-in-Florida beautiful day. By around 1 pm it actually started to get to be low-80s warm, yea, just the way we like it!

Using our military-grade crowd-estimator, the data showed that Dick and Marilyn’s 1931 V12 Cadillac was by far, THE crowd favorite! They had more people around their car than anything else. This big beast of early 1930s Cadillac luxury is a visual feast!

I’d venture to say that most of the crowd hasn’t seen a car such as this in a long time, if ever. I know it wasn’t easy getting this old beauty to run, but Dick, you got it done. Hope to see your old Caddy again soon. Continue reading “Lake Country Cruisers February 2022 Car Show” →