Big crowds, big support at auto show

By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com

Not even an angry Mother Nature could stop the success of this year’s Chatham Indoor Auto Show.

Sloppy, wet, snowy weather rolled across Chatham-Kent March

3, discouraging visitors from attending the event that night.

Greg Hetherington, the show’s organizer and general manager of Five Amigos Broadcasting, said fewer than 300 people braved the conditions.

“Friday was crazy,” he said. “It was our worst crowd ever. We had 280 people for the entire night.”

But the enticement of new cars on display and sunny skies turned the tables the next day. Nearly 1,700 people showed up to check out the 75 cars on display from nine Chatham auto dealerships. They also brought cash donations and non-per- ishable food items, as entry to the event was $5 per adult or a canned good. Proceeds went to four local charities, Outreach for Hunger and Salvation Army food banks, as well as the Children’s Treatment Centre and R.O.C.K. Missions.

Hetherington said the Saturday crowd was a one-day record for the event.

Sunday delivered even better weather and another 1,020 car enthusiasts. The weather co-operated, but perhaps a little too much.

“Friday was poorly attended because of the weather. On Sunday, I think it affected us as well, because it was too nice,” Hetherington said with a laugh. “But we still had a great crowd.”

With more than 3,000 patrons over the course of the three days, the dealers and the event organizers managed to raise about $5,000 in food for the two

Contributed image

From left, Chelsea Peachy from Outreach for Hunger accepts this donation of food from Ian Cartwright of Chatham Mazda, Sa’id Hammoud of Victory food banks, and collect nearly $4,800 in cash donations for the treatment centre and R.O.C.K.

This year’s event saw fewer vehicles on the floor, Hetherington said, and one dealer, Campbell Toyota, did not attend due to a lack of vehicles to showcase to the public. That didn’t mean they weren’t involved.

“Even though Toyota wasn’t there, they’ve been a part of organizing the show, but didn’t have any product,” Hetherington said. “I think it just shows the relationship with all the dealers trying to work together as one.” That is something you don’t necessarily see in other cities. Previous shows had seen about 90 different vehi- cles on display and this year’s show featured 75. Hetherington said.

How can my family and friends participate in my service?

When planning a funeral event, there are various ways family and friends can participate. Here are a handful of ways.

Eulogy - For those who feel compelled to speak, there is always an opportunity to share a eulogy. This is likely the most involved role one can take on, and ought not to be forced on anyone who is not feeling up to it. That being said, the eulogy is truly what personalizes a service above all else.

Read a poem or a reading - If one is comfortable with public speaking, but does not wish to put their own thoughts to page, having a family member read a poem, or a reading is a great way to have them participate.

Singing or playing an instrument - To those with a musical skillset, this is a great way to pay tribute to your loved one.

Read a eulogy on the writer’s behalf - Not all eulogists wish to get in front of a crowd. In these cases, one person can write the eulogy and another family member can read it. This is also something the Celebrant, Minister or Funeral Director can do if no one else is comfortable.

Pallbearer or Urn Bearer - This is a very physical way a family member can participate in laying their loved one to rest. It is often done by friends of the family, and more recently grandchildren or even the children of the deceased themselves.

Flower Bearer - Sometimes, you can say more with a flower than you can with words. A flower bearer will often lay a single flower at the grave or in the Funeral Coach.

Honour Bearer - An honour bearer can participate, either by forming a line with other honour bearers, or simply by sitting in a special section during the service. An honour bearer receives the honour due to their connection and history to the decreased. It is a way of acknowledging the relationship without putting too much of a burden on the participant. An honour bearer does not even need to be present for the service to be recognized. An example of this would be if someone is living in a nursing home and is unable to attend.

459 St. Clair St., Chatham - 519-351-2040

76 Main St. E., Ridgetown - 519-674-3141

141 Park St., Blenheim - 519-676-3451 www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com