GISBA cruise night a success

Story and Photos by Alice Gerard

Senior Contributing Writer

In 1961, Guy Rizzuto’s father purchased a 1916 Ford Model T.

Sixty-three years later, on June 27, Guy and Pat Rizzuto brought that car to the first ever cruise night sponsored by the Grand Island School and Business Alliance (GISBA). The event was held in the parking lot of Grand Island High School and Veronica Connor Middle School.

According to Sue Marston, a member of the GISBA board of directors, this event attracted approximately 140 cars, which were exhibited at the show.

“We were hoping for 75 cars, and we doubled that,” Marston said.

Each car has its own story. The restoration of Rizzuto’s car represented the bond between father and son.

“I was quite young (in 1961). The two of us restored it, and he gave it to me,” Rizzuto said. “It’s completely original. Ford said you can have any color you want, as long as it’s black. 1916 was the last year of the brass radiator. These have kerosene lights, and they do work. That’s because these lights work off magneto. The faster the car goes, the brighter they get. When you’re in an idle, you don’t see those very well. And then the wiper works as long as you handle it. It’s by hand.”

Rizzuto said he enjoys driving this car.

“It’s more of a family keepsake than anything else,” he said. “It’s a fun car. I use it on the Island mainly because it doesn't have a water pump, a fuel pump or a generator, so I can’t go over the bridges. You had to go backwards up a hill in 1916.”

The car is all about fun, Rizzuto said. He explained he takes care of the car but does not see it as a museum piece.

“Some people have old cars, and they really baby them,” he said. “I let my grandkids climb on it. I don’t care. To me, it’s about having fun. I’m trying to teach one of my daughters how to drive it now because you shift this car with your feet. You give it gas with your hands. So, it’s a little different. It’s fun.”

In addition to the car show, the cruise night featured a basket raffle, a raffle of an Adirondack chair built by students in the high school’s technology department, a 50/50 raffle, and food. There were activities for children, as well.

Grand Island High School Assistant Principal Jaime Peld, who oversaw the basket raffle, said what she liked best about the event was “seeing people from this community and from surrounding communities, not just Grand Island.”

Emma Daigle, a sophomore at the high school who was assisting Peld as a volunteer, said, “I love seeing all the people here. I think it’s awesome they came out. Plus, I’m getting service hours for DECA.”

She said being part of DECA is an “amazing experience.”

Marston said, “It’s amazing, and everybody comments that it’s a great community event. People said they want to come back next year. We’re raising money for kids. What’s better than that?”