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Wednesday, March 7, 2007 · Page 19 Memories of a 1925 Star sedan On December 29, 2006, I received an email from Barbara (Gale) Wallis: "Bill ­ I've enjoyed reading your car stories in the Kincardine News. My father, Hugh Gale, originally wrote his car story January 16, 1973. He is now 87 and has had lzheimer's for about ten ears. I was glad to find his hand-written story mong his papers, so that ome of his memories are reserved." And a wonderful story it s. "I spent three of the best ears of my life (1935-37) riving my two brothers nd four girls to high chool in Listowel, Ont., in a 1925 Star sedan (made by Durant Motors). Twentyfive miles a day in the most snow any car ever went through. That front axle was two inches higher than a Model T Ford's. We went through countless snow drifts wide open in second gear blinded by flying snow. At all other times we were wide open in high gear at 55 mph (no hills). "The two-wheel brakes were next to useless on pavement but on icy roads they were always good for a spin-out with four screams from four girls every time. The only reason we didn't freeze to death was because we were well packed in. Check any Star Model F sedan body size and imagine three boys in the front (with that short gearshift lever) and four girls in the back. "That Star never let us down in three years. We limped home with a broken piston twice, had a frozen gas line once, a plugged air hole in the gasoline cap once (you should have heard the air whoosh in when I took off the cap to measure the gas with the stick) and got storm-stayed at a farm house once from Friday afternoon till Sunday evening. "The four girls were paying guests at 25 cents per day (Depression days those were). The father of one of moved up to forward for this game and he worked just as hard as always scoring the third goal with assists going to Luke Tremblay and Eric Rawlins. Rod Summerfield played goal for the entire game and made some awesome saves, especially the final one. Rod was left alone with a Harrow player on a breakaway at the end of the third and made no mistake to save the puck and keep the the girls owned the hardware store/gas station and the Durant dealership from whom we bought the Star for $80. It was about ten years old. My dad also had bought a new Durant Deluxe Sedan six-wheeler from him in 1931. For each day that the dealer's daughter rode to school, I collected one gallon of gasoline (25 cents per gallon) dispensed from an old style ten-gallon glass-tanked score 3-2 for the Ravens. Sunday night Tecumseh came to Essex for a playoff game. This was unfortunately one of Tecumseh's best games and just the opposite for the Ravens. Within the first five minutes Tecumseh was up by five goals. Alec Robillard scored the only Essex goal with assists to Zack and Tyler. Goaltending was shared by Kane Gagnon and Rod Summerfield, both working hard. hand pump. The usual five gallons just kept us going for the week. "I sold the Star in 1938 to a friend for $50. Imagine 20,000 miles for $30 and not one tire replaced." The 1923 Star sedan in the photo was restored by Hugh Gale at Inverhuron, Ont., in the 1980s and is similar to the car he drove over 70 years ago. Do you have any photos of old cars to share with our readers? Email bill@car story.com or write to Bill Sherk, P.O. Box 10012, Leamington, ON, N8H 2C3. CARSTORY I S SPONSORED BY Your Security. Our Responsibility. Atom AE Ram Contract Carriers The Atom AE started their weekend with an exhibition game against Harrow. The Ravens played this team early in the season and knew that they were a strong team, so with no hesitation the Ravens came out playing very physical. Harrow was able to score the first goal of the game but Gerard Busko answered right back with a feed from behind the net from Zack Prentice and Tyler St. Pierre. Danielle Dent hustled to get the puck out of the Ravens' zone, passing it up to Gerard who gave it to Tyler who made no mistake and buried it in Harrows' net. Harrow came right back and scored on us again, ending the second period tied 22. The defense worked hard to keep the puck out of their end. Carter Sherk was Windsor and Essex County Crime Stoppers, in partnership with the Windsor Spitfires Foundation, will be hosting a 'Chuck-A-Puck' fundraiser at the Windsor Arena on Thursday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. when the Windsor Spitfires take on the Plymouth Whalers. L-r: Crime Stoppers Coordinator Tim Murphy, Spitfires Assistant Coach D.J. Smith, Spitfires Assistant Coach Mark Turner, Spitfires Owner/Head Coach Bob Boughner, Spitfires Owner/General Manager Warren Rychel, Captain Crime Stoppers, Crime Stoppers Coordinator Dave Ferris. 2007 Registration Late Registration at Essex Source for Sports. Late fee will be waived during the month of March. House League: T-Ball Rookie Mosquito Pee Wee Bantam Jr. Girls Int. Girls Sr. Girls (2002-2001) (2000-1998) (1997-1996) (1995-1993) (1992-1990) (1998-1996) (1995-1993) (1992-1989) Travel: Rookie Mosquito Pee Wee Bantam Midget Junior (2000-1998) (1997-1996) (1995-1994) (1993-1992) (1991-1989) (1988-1987) Registration fees may be claimed as a credit for 2007 income tax purposes for children under the age of 16. Financial assistance is available to parents who are eligible to receive the National Child Benefit Supplement. Contact the town of Essex for details and please bring completed forms to registration if eligible. House League coaches and assistants wanted. Late registration will be subject to availability and an additional fee of $20 per player will apply.