Celebrating 20 years with old talent and older cars - By Michelle Libby

 The Windham Raymond Athletic Booster Club is ready for its 20^th annual auto show, which will be held this Sunday behind Hannaford at the Windham Mall. There will be 29 categories of cars, trucks and special interest vehicles. It’s one of those don’t miss events.

This year cars will register on Sunday starting at 7 a.m. with a suggested cost of $5 per car. All proceeds will benefit the athletic teams in Windham and Raymond. Awards will be presented around 1:30 p.m. Spectators are invited between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 per adult, $3 for students and seniors and children 5 and under are free. The event will take place rain or shine. There will be plenty of fair food available to purchase. 

Being the 20^th year of the car show, coordinator Dan McGowan decided to bring back coordinators from past years to revamp the show to create the fundraiser it should be, he said. 

His fellow coordinator of the auto show is Debbie Schkrioba, who was in charge of the show in 2009.  “We want to go back to the original format and transfer knowledge to the new boosters, who didn’t have experience with a show. We’re bringing back old boosters to make this a viable fundraiser,” Schkrioba said. 

“The atmosphere is to see older cars all souped-up and refurbished. With vintage cars, they are remembering their childhood days,” said McGowan.

This fundraiser in the past has helped to provide each team at the high school and middle schools with a $500 stipend for equipment or things like refs, coaches and training. The money has to be approved through the athletic director Rich Drummond. Booster money has also helped with purchasing wrestling mats, sheds for the golf team and ski trips for the ski team. In past years, the boosters worked to get the baseball team new dugouts and the swim team purchased bleachers to have extra seating at meets. The boosters also provide four scholarships to senior athletes. “We try to be even,” said McGowan. 

“It supplements the athletic budget. It supplements things they couldn’t have,” said Schkrioba. 

At some schools each sport has its own booster organization, but in Windham Raymond, the boosters support all teams. Money earned at booster events go into a general fund, said McGowan. “It’s all for one, and one for all,” he added. 

The auto show has been helped by local auto mechanic Frank Jimino, who although he has no children in the school, he has been coordinating the judging since the beginning. 

“None of this would be possible without Frank Jiminio,” said Schkrioba. “By no means could any of the boosters have done it,” she added. 

This year in recognition for all of his efforts, the best in show trophy has been renamed to the Frank Jimino/Lorriane Jordan best in show. Lorraine Jordan was one of the first organizers of the auto show. 

The show has changed locations for the last few years. However, they have found a place that works for them behind the Windham Mall.   

The Windham Raymond Athletic Boosters Club is an all volunteer club.

“It’s all made possible by parents who volunteer hours,” said McGowan. “The car show is all run by parent volunteers and fall athletes all donating their time.”

Sponsors for the auto show are Napa, Windham Weaponry, Paul White Tile. From large to small business the support from the local community has been great, said McGowan. There will also be raffles and a 50/50 raffle.