Windham Auto Show races into action this Sunday - By Michelle Libby

From old models that make one long for a time gone by to newer, tricked out models, they will all be at the Windham Auto Show on Sunday, September 13 behind Hannaford at the Windham Mall. There will be 29 categories of cars, trucks and special interest vehicles. 
 

Year after year, the Windham Raymond Athletic Boosters Club holds the show to raise money to support sports teams in the RSU. 

This year cars will register between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. with a donation of $5 per car. Judging begins at 11 a.m. and will be coordinated by Windham resident and mechanic Frank Jiminio, who has been judging since the beginning of the car show.  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. 

“It’s nostalgic to see the old cars and see new cars, the souped up cars and trucks, and there will be some motorcycles,” said coordinator Dan McGowan, who will be running the show for the last time this year. People love to come see the unique cars and grab a bite to eat, said McGowan. Last year Don Rich brought over his antique oil truck and there was a Shelby, he said.  

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 referees, 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. The boosters also provide four scholarships to senior athletes. 

“The money pays for things that are not covered in the budget,” said McGowan. 

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. 

Last year the auto show raised $8,000. McGowan would love to see at least that much, if not more. The event is a labor of love with high school fall teams helping out to set up and tear down the event especially moving the entire concession stand to the mall from the high school and then moving it back before the home soccer game on Tuesday.  

McGowan would like to see the event expanded with more adult volunteers to help organize it for next year. The planning starts in January.