MONROE Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Superstore, noted as “the Low Payment Kings,” celebrated its 54th anniversary with a Monroe Street Cruise for 54 vehicles. All vehicles were welcome, old and new. Even though they were going to cut it off at 54 vehicles to go with the anniversary, there were 67 participants.
Morning show host Jeff Tuttle of 98.3 FM and Monroe Superstore owner Ralph Mahalak, Jr., led the parade that started with two Monroe police cars. They were in the first “Naked” Jeep Gladiator with an American Flag flying high and did a one-hour Facebook Live broadcast. Monroe Dodge sales manager Larry Gardner drove a “Hot Itm Hemi” blue Dodge Challenger.
Honored were the area’s first responders and health care professionals by honking as they cruised by the Monroe Township Fire Department, the Michigan State Police Monroe Post, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Monroe Public Safety Headquarters, ProMedica Monroe Hospital, and the Frenchtown Fire Department.
Special donations were made to first responders who experienced recent tragedies including Monroe police officer Renae Peterson, who was wounded in the line of duty; the family of Darrian Young, an animal control officer whose young life tragically ended at the hands of a drunken driver; and Save Devon's Smile for Devin Freelon, Jr., a young man who was assaulted at Sterling State Park.
Donations were also made to the Heart of the Badge Educational Scholarship Program and the Rev. Heather Boone at Oaks Village Church.
"We salute all our first responders and health care professionals who put their lives on the line every day," Mr. Mahalak said.
The cruise started at the Monroe Superstore on South Monroe Street in Historic Monroe and ended at Joe's French Italian on N. Dixie Highway for an afterglow with great car conversation and a free spaghetti dinner, compliments of the Low Payment Kings crew. Everyone had fun showing off their amazing rides while they practiced social distancing. Just in case, a reminder was posted for all to maintain social distancing per CDC guidelines while enjoying camaraderie both outdoors and in the restaurant.
About $4,100 was raised from community contributions and from the Monroe Street Cruisers, and $10,000 was contributed from Mr. Mahalak and the Low Payment Kings.
THE Tile Club, celebrating its 125th anniversary, returned on June 23 after its longest in-season interruption, due to the coronavirus, which closed the club in downtown Toledo for an unheard of three months.
The only previous break from weekly scheduled evening meetings was two weeks in October, 1918, for quarantine during the Spanish influenza, which went on into November that year. It was documented in the club's 125-year-old journal, The Nights of the Tile Club.
The club, which is limited to 20 members who range from artists and musicians to attorneys and architects, anticipates reopening Sept. 29 with regular Tuesday meetings. The 125th celebration will be scheduled once it is safe for large gatherings.
The 2020 return included 12 of the current members for a socially distanced picnic on the club’s lawn. Their usual steak meals have been substituted for a variety of options prepared by whatever members’ turn it is to cook, while other members do portraits and sing at the piano, which will return once they move back indoors.
Seen were Eric Bergman, Scott Heacock, Fred Harrington, Joe Conda, Jack Straub, Jason Sanderson, Joe Marconni, Doug Adams-Arman, Jim Hartung, Ken White, Chris Werkman, and Bob Lubell, who was the cook for brats and salads finished with home-baked pies. Missed were the usual guests singing and joke-telling, including Eric Hillenbrand, Gary Byers, Bob Boyles, Larry Golba, David Sayger, Bob Pollex, and Richard Reed. As always, before the evening of camaraderie and friendship ended, everyone signed the giant ledger.
THE Boys and Girls Clubs of Toledo's annual Barefoot at the Beach presented by Fifth Third Bank at Maumee Bay State Bark has been canceled this year due to the coronavirus, but keep your sandals on!
In lieu of the big beach party, the Clubs created the STAY Barefoot 2020 campaign. They are asking you to “Stay Barefoot” and enjoy the summer, but donate to the Clubs. For nearly 130 years, local Toledo kids have counted on the Clubs to be their safe haven and now, more than ever, they need the Clubs. Many successful men and women recall their youth days at the Clubs, including former Toledo Mayor Mike Bell and Bob LaClair of Fifth Third Bank.
A virtual event to stream on Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo and on the clubs website will be Aug. 15.
Vendors as of June 26 include American Rent All, 7 Little Cupcakes, Benchmark Restaurant, Blarney Irish Pub Toledo, Mancy's Bluewater Grille, Caper's Restaurant & Bar, Cocina de Carlos, Carlos Que Pasa, Beirut Restaurant, Maumee Bay BREW PUB, Cousino's Steakhouse, Le Petit Gourmet, Local Roots Juice Co., Fricker's Sylvania, Manhattan's Pub 'n Cheer, Maddie & Bella Coffee Roasters, The Next Sweet Thing Bakery & Coffee, The Nutrition Spot Toledo, PM Frosted Fantasies, Poco Piatti, Rick's City Diner, Rockwell's, Rosie's Italian Grille, Rachel Michael's Gourmet Popcorn, Schramm's Flowers & Gifts, Texas Roadhouse (Toledo and Holland), Vas-ko Company, Ventura's Mexican Restaurant, Whiskey & The Wolf, Zingo's Mediterranean, and Zoup!
Go to the Clubs' Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, website, email, call 419-241-4258, or mail the club at Stay Barefoot at 2250 N. Detroit Ave.
First Published July 5, 2020, 3:00 p.m.
