News

The sounds of the Ray Charles classic "You Don't Know Me" wash over two spacious parking lots at North Way Christian Community in Pine, as people peruse an eclectic gathering of equally classic automobiles.

The Starlite Car Cruise held each Friday in the summer drew about 200 cars in the early part of the decade, but because of family activities, ample parking, word of mouth and radio advertising, it is attracting between 1,200 and 1,600 cars these days. The season ended the Friday of Labor Day weekend.

"This place is totally amazing," said Gary Morrison, 59, who makes the weekly trip from Salem, Ohio. "Nothing compares to this."

Sponsorship revenue helps fund the event, which is free to participants and spectators, and a partnership with KDKA provides advertisement. Each week, a different genre, such as antique or off-road vehicles, is featured as part of a competition that pays $50 and a trophy to the winner.

For the last six years, Bob Frank has attended the cruise seeking tips and inspiration for his restoration of a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu.

A close inspection reveals a few chips and dents, but after spending a year on the engine, a year on the frame and two years on paint, he easily ignores the imperfections.

The headlights, rear lights, bumpers and grill all are original, and a 300-horsepower engine is conducive with the model's muscle car status.

Meeting place for friends and family

"I've met 100 people that I know by name," says Denny Dutko, who has been cranking out oldies and keeping folks entertained since the first Starlite Cruise, 10 years ago.

Walt Lendl Jr. of Shaler attends regularly to show off his '57 Chevy Bel Air and promote his oldies band, Magic Moments.

Clowns, jugglers, face painting and jewelry vendors have made the cruise a family event.

"We like to provide the service to the community," says Pastor Jay Passavant, founder of both North Way Christian Community and the car cruise.

The word "church" doesn't appear on North Way's sign, "because we want people to know that the emphasis is on the community part of it," he says.

The church is left open to the public during the event because "it builds a sense of welcomeness," he says.

"We don't solicit. We let them know they're welcome. People end up showing up to the church on their own."

Surveys dispersed throughout the congregation indicate that 10 percent are cruisers turned worshipers, Passavant says.

Food stands, traffic control and sound systems are manned by 180 volunteers "mostly from the church," who are divided into three teams that rotate weekly.

Directing traffic on a recent Friday were parishioners Tom Casey, 58, and his son, Warren, 15, who were able to check out some unique automobiles.

"We never expected (the car cruise) to turn out this huge," Tom Casey says.

Passavant's father, who restored nearly a dozen classic cars, spurred the idea for a car cruise before he died in 1998. His vision became a reality soon after.

• Most Read
• Most E-mailed
• Latest News