Cars, food & more offered at St. Stephen's 'Rockin' the Grounds'

Story and Photos by Alice Gerard

Senior Contributing Writer

Tony Buscaglia, who displayed his MGA at the car show at St. Stephen R.C. Church’s “Rockin’ the Grounds” event Aug. 21, said the 1958 MGA, which is his second MGA, carries a lot of memories.

“Rockin’ the Grounds” featured a car show, food trucks, live music, and cash, bake and basket raffles. The community event is held annually to celebrate and support the parish. In addition, there were tours of the historic church, which is being renovated. The goal is to turn the building into a Grand Island Cultural Center, said Frank Burkhart, who was offering tours of the structure.

The car show featured a variety of vehicles, including antique and classic cars. Stephen Stouter, the owner of a 1963 MGB, said there were three MGs at the car show, sitting side by side.

“I bought (my first) MGA in 1959, when I was dating my wife,” said Buscaglia, who has been married to Rose for 60 years. “I bought (the second MG) in 1987 in California, and I restored it to be exactly like my original car. I love it.”

Buscaglia said he has fond memories of celebrating the MGs in Watkins Glen with the Collier Club. He said he and Rose traveled to Watkins Glen for the 50^th anniversary of the Collier Cup, which occurred in 2004.

“We were doing vintage racing on the Watkins Glenn track,” Buscaglia said. “They used to run the Watkins Glenn race right through the town. We had a picture taken as we were making the turn into the town. It looks like a Norman Rockwell painting. That was a good day.”

Buscaglia said the car has a lot of sentimental value for both his wife and him: “I love it. When I take it out of the garage in the spring, my wife cries because it means so much to us.”

Stouter’s car is painted with British racing green. That is the original paint, he said.

“I have had it since April 2023. I had one, a 1970 MG, when I was in college. When this one became available, I couldn’t pass it up,” Stouter said. “I had some work done to it. I did some work myself. The paint is as I got it. It’s a fun car to drive in the summertime.”

“And it looks cool,” Barbara Stouter added.

The third MG, a white MG Midget, is owned by Paul Minton and, according to Stephen Stouter, it features three windshield wipers.

At Historic St. Stephen, Burkhart explained, “Our goal is to have a self-supporting building financially.”

The history of the building dates to the early 1860s. On Feb. 16, 1862, the first Mass was held, with three priests and 40 families in attendance. The pastor, Francis Stephen Ulrich, described the day as “a bright sunshiny day with ample snow for sleighing.” Ulrich, who had formerly been pastor of Pendleton and the Tonawandas, first began visiting Grand Island in the summer of 1854. Before St. Stephen was opened, he offered Masses in private homes and instruction for children, as well as hearing confessions.

The church had an addition built in 1948, Burkhart said. This building served as a church for Grand Island’s Roman Catholic community until Feb. 27, 2000, when Bishop Henry Mansell dedicated the new church. For more information about the history of St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church, visit https://www.ststephenswny.com/parish-history#:~:text=The%20first%20Mass%20was%20celebrated,with%20ample%20snow%20for%20sleighing%E2%80%9D.

Phase one of the renovations, which was funded by the sale of the property at 1841 Whitehaven Road (owned by the Knights of Columbus – Mary Star of the Sea Council No. 4252), involves the lower floor of the building.

“We cleaned the mold and dirt off of the walls, and there are no more mold and moisture problems,” Burkhart said. “We’ve replaced the electrical and the plumbing.”

Burkhart showed two areas that will provide storage space for Boy Scout Troop 630 and for the Grand Island Neighbors Foundation. He said the larger space in the lower level of the building will be a multipurpose room that can seat 80-90 people and will be open to groups that need space.

Another part of phase one is to make the whole building handicapped-accessible with a new elevator and four handicapped-accessible toilets.

Phase two of the project will involve repairing and restoring the former sanctuary space. The goal, Burkhart said, will be to rent out the upstairs to “a theatrical group, which will be an anchor tenant. They will do regular performances.” The space will also be available for other events, such as musical concerts and large gatherings, such as wedding receptions and big parties.

Fundraising efforts continue for phase two of the project. A Grand Island Cultural Center meat raffle will be held Sept. 6 at the Grand Island Rod and Gun Club, 1083 Whitehaven Road. The doors will open at 6 p.m., and the first spin will occur at 7 p.m. For more information, call Maura Rustowicz at 716-773-2422.

For people who are interested in volunteering or donating, call or text 716-773-4752 or send an email to [email protected].

A bounce house at “Rockin’ the Grounds.”