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Health & Fitness

The Drivers Of Maryknoll's June Classic Car Show

Whether driving, riding shotgun, or crowding into the back seats, Maryknoll employees are pooling talent to get everyone to the June 10 antique and classic car show in Ossining.

After pooling their expertise and special talents for the past six months, the employees at the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers in Ossining are ready to unveil Westchester County’s largest and best antique and classic car show on Sunday, June 10. There is only one way to describe the drive of this crew of several hundred people from a wide range of professional backgrounds -- it is similar to incorporating all the key car parts and adding a lot of elbow grease to bring out the beauty of a vintage automobile.

Employees with polished writing and artistic skills are generating attention for the show throughout the New York City metropolitan area. Others have opened a trunk full of event planning experience to entertain passionate car fans while not forgetting the interests of other adults and children.

Some employees have the skills of mechanics to organize the food plan that will provide a variety of grilled items along with a showroom selection of home-baked cakes, cookies and candies. Many others have revved the engines to interest sponsors and obtain a variety of car, sports and other items for give-aways and prizes.

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As Seen On TV

The best way to learn more about the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers’ Antique and Classic Car Show, which will showcase about 100 vintage cars on the Maryknoll grounds (55 Ryder Road, Ossining), is to read the newspapers, listen to the local radio stations and watch television. Ads, articles and interviews are cruisin’ throughout the Hudson Valley.

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On Cablevision, scheduled half-hour broadcasts during the next several weeks will allow viewers to learn about Maryknoll and its 100-year history, and to navigate the road to the show. Tune-in to Cablevision on the following channels and dates:

  • Ossining/Peekskill area (Channel 15): Tuesdays, May 22 and May 29, at 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, May 27, at 9 a.m.; Friday, June 1, at 5:30 p.m.
  • Yonkers area (Channel 18) and New Rochelle area (Channel 76): Sundays, May 27 and June 3, at 8 p.m.; Fridays, June 1 and June 8, at 8:30 p.m.
  • Yorktown (Channel 74): Sundays, May 27 and June 3, at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, June 2 and June 9, at 7:30 p.m.
  • Wappingers Falls (Channel 21): Wednesdays, May 30 and June 6, at 8:30 p.m.; Fridays, June 1 and June 8, at 7:30 p.m. 

 

Proceeds from the fun-filled day will support the work of the Maryknoll Society as it enters its second century of serving the poor around the world.

Maryknoll’s Click And Clack

In the “lead planning car” for the show are the “click and clack” of Maryknoll. Dave Agosta and Donald Baisley are two longtime employees who also love old cars.

Agosta attended his first car show when he was 10 years old. He bought his first classic treasure, a 1946 Dodge 4-Door Sedan, at age 15. By the time he graduated from high school, the Hopewell Junction resident who grew up in Cortlandt Manor, also owned a 1947 Plymouth Special Deluxe Coupe and a 1929 Ford Model A.

When Agosta first started in the mailroom at Maryknoll during 1980 (today he is director of support services), he drove to work in the ‘47 Plymouth. When he realized it wasn’t the ideal commuting car, he upgraded to a more “modern” 1963 Chevy Impala.

These days, he regularly exhibits his 1941 Hudson Commodore 8 at the Rhinebeck, Montgomery Place, Mills Mansion and Hudson National shows when he is not chauffeuring his wife and two daughters for picnics and ice cream. Last summer, he welcomed a 1957 Chevy 210 to the family.

The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers’ Classic Car Show is the beginning of an exciting annual event and a chance to invite the community to our beautiful campus,” said Agosta. “It’s a family day. Whether people are showing cars or coming as spectators, there will be plenty of vendor stands, food and things to do. And we particularly want to encourage people to tour the Seminary Building, visit the gift shop and get to know Maryknoll.”

More Than Just Cars

The Seminary Building is believed to be the largest fieldstone building in the country. It contains an interactive museum that tells the many stories from Maryknoll’s century of helping the poor in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the U.S. Kids will learn about Our Global Neighborhood Pachamama Farm that is located on the property and has donated almost 200,000 pounds of organically-grown produce to local food pantries for 10 years. Other kids’ activities include slot-car racing, face painting and crafting peace cranes to be displayed in the Maryknoll museum.

As for the cars, many prizes will be awarded, including the Best in Show prize presented by Maryknoll Society Superior General Father Edward. M. Dougherty. He will arrive at the final selection after close consultation with the Road Knights, a car club formed during 1955 in Peekskill. 

“This is a prize you won’t be able to get at any other show,” added Agosta whose ideal car is the 1948 Tucker Sedan, of which 51 were built and 47 survive.

“It’s very rare,” said Agosta about the Tucker, “and it was way ahead of its time with safety features that included the first seat belts and a third headlight that turned with the steering wheel, disc brakes and a padded dash. It is rumored that the ‘Big Three’ actually put it out of business because it was too much of a threat.”

Loves “Gear-Head” Cars

Baisley also was “bred into cars.” He has a picture to prove it. It shows him at five years of age and helping his father jack the family’s 1947 Chevrolet Fleetside at their home in Peekskill.

His first purchase, at age 15, was a 1964 Chevy Impala Super Sport Convertible. He has since “always owned a gear-head’s car” -- big block Mopars, Chevelles and Corvettes.  He proudly showcases his 1974 Triumph TR6 every Wednesday at the Bear Mountain Cruise Night, and he attends several Classic Auto Shows each year.

Since he claims that he is “kid broke and house poor,” Baisley also owns several   motorcycles.  He was AMA District 34 representative for the Ramapo Motorcycle club during the late 1970s and early 1980s. He also was assistant route chairperson of the Ramapo 500 (motorcycle tour). As a member of the Lost Wheels Motorcycle Club, he assisted with many rallies while serving as route chairman of the Lost Wheels Poker Run. Baisley is an active member of the AMA Motorcycle organization and an avid racing enthusiast at Connecticut’s Lime Rock Park.

Of all the cars to be showcased at Maryknoll, Baisley is most excited about the famous 1953 Hansgen-Jaguar special owned by Bob Millstein of Briarcliff Manor. The Jaguar XK120 Special won at such events as the 1953 Watkins Glen Grand Prix.

“This is what’s so exciting about a good show – the chance to see something really special. That, and trading car stories with the other participants,” said Baisley, who has been with the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers for 39 years. He began as a pressman on many of Maryknoll’s publications. Today, he is senior manager of production and procurement.

“Several car buffs have been talking about putting on a classic car show at Maryknoll for years, and I’m so glad we’re finally doing, it,” added Baisley. “Maryknoll has beautiful grounds and the right resources to put on a great show.  We also want to expose more people to the Maryknoll Society and the great work of the Maryknoll missioners in helping the poor and others in need around the world. This is an event for the entire community.”

If he could own any car in the world, Baisley said it would be an Austin-Healey 3000 Mark III BJ8.

“It’s a collector’s dream – there’s no other car like it.”

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