Faimount hosts car show

On the afternoon of July 22, the weather smiled on Fairmount, a retirement community comprising two campuses perched on the high ground where Cat's Back Road traverses between Farmersville and Hinkletown. About 25 classic and vintage vehicles parked near the entrance at 333 Wheat Ridge Drive, Ephrata. More than 30 residents crowded under the portico of the front door waiting for a parade of vehicles, while others strolled the parking lot taking in the sights, which ranged from a Chevrolet Fleetwood from the 1940s to a later-model Mustang.

The cars were brought to the venue by members of the Axle Snappers Inc. Car Club, a group of nearly 20 car enthusiasts who meet monthly. The car show was first suggested by Fairmount resident Abe Witmer, a one-time Studebaker owner, who mentioned the idea to Colleen Hurst, one of Fairmount's activity coordinators. Colleen quickly turned to her father, car club member Wilmer Hurst, who helped her to organize the show, which began at 1 p.m. At a little after 2 p.m., the cars began to move in tandem to form a parade that looped under the portico and around the grounds, making two passes by the gathering of residents.

"We are the second-oldest car club in the United States," said Wilmer, noting that one older group exists in California. "We were established back in 1953." Original club members included Bill Schlote and Ron Mummal. The initial membership consisted of men who liked to race cars. Members named the club the "Axle Snappers Custom Car Club," and the group met at Wilworth's garage, just East of Hinkletown on Route 322. Building and racing dragsters were among the first activities, and in 1959 the club's flathead dragster set a national record and captured a national championship.

Currently, the nonprofit Axle Snappers Club is open to new members. "Our older members are getting older and with the younger members coming in, we changed our rules a bit to adapt for the younger generation with different cars," explained Wilmer, who noted that the requirement that club members own American-made cars was recently dropped. The club meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Elks Lodge 1933, 170 Akron Road, Ephrata. "We all love cars of all makes and models," said Wilmer. "We strive to promote the car hobby. We assist with and attend local car shows."

Individuals interested in joining the club should call 717-413-8236 before attending a meeting. More information about the Axle Snappers may be found at http://axlesnapperscarclub.com.

More information about Fairmount may be found at https://fairmounthomes.org.