Article contentThe beauty of the community, Wood said, is he can go anywhere and if runs into a car problem, with a couple of messages, he’s usually got an invite to someone’s shop nearby to get fixed up.Article content“Everybody stays on the road. … Nobody gets left behind.”Article contentMany people in Spidle’s neighbourhood know him and his 1928 Model A Ford, but travelling to different areas can draw some attention.Article content“Sometimes, like this morning, I had people waving to me.”Article contentHe attends some cruises with a pre-war antique auto club. Sometimes they will get together and go for an ice cream in Kingsport.Article content“There will be seven or eight cars and the newest one will be in the mid-’30s.”Article content Vehicles from different eras filled the grounds of the West Dalhousie Community Hall July 25 for its annual show and shine. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentArticle contentHistoryArticle contentThe show took place for four years before the Covid-19 pandemic. It returned in 2025, two weeks before the community was ravaged by a devastating wildfire.Article contentJonathan Gillis, president of the West Dalhousie Community Hall, said there were a number of people who attended the show in past years who came back this year.Article contentArticle content“Three different people have said, ‘Thank God this building is still here,’” Gillis said as vehicles continued to roll in. “They watched what happened and they wanted to come out.”Article content West Dalhousie Community Hall president Jonathan Gillis directs traffic as people arrive July 25 for the annual show and shine. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentGillis handed out handmade thank-you cards with a shammy and a save the date card for next year’s event as he welcomed people at the driveway.Article contentLow was on site during the fire, volunteering with the Nova Scotia Guard.Article content“I see a lot of familiar faces here today, so for me, it was easy to come out.”Article content Dan Cheessman’s 1967 Chevelle Wagon was one of the most unique cars at the West Dalhousie Community Hall Show & Shine on July 25. Hall president Jonathan Gillis, right, admires it as it arrived for the annual show.Jason Malloy Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentArticle contentUniqueArticle contentThere are a number of things that set the show apart from others around the region.Article content“The kitchen is hopping in there,” Gillis said.Article contentAnd there was more than hot dog and hamburgers. The menu included chili, chowders, pie, and dump cake.Article contentThere was bingo going on inside the air conditioned hall, a band playing outside, and face-painting for the kids and young at heart.Article content Prospect’s Ivan Armstrong’s 1969 Ford Mustang Fastback was on display at the West Dalhousie Community Hall Show & Shine on July 25. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle content Cars lined the grounds at the West Dalhousie Community Hall for the annual show and shine on July 25. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentHaving a place for people to park and show their vehicles on grass reduces the heat of standing on pavement all day.Article content“They have a huge advantage here of the road. It’s a beautiful drive coming to West Dalhousie for this show,” Wood said. “It’s a nice show, but some people would come up here just for the sake of a morning drive and then the show is a bonus.”Article contentArticle contentAnd it’s not a fundraiser, just an opportunity to bring people to the community and for the community to have an event of its own.Article content“There’s no charge for the cars to register, there’s no charge to come in and see it,” Gillis said. “The only money we make is off the canteen.”Article content Cape Sable Island’s Greg Nickerson brought his 1970 Pontiac GTO to the West Dalhousie Community Hall Show & Shine on July 25. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentArticle content Nictaux’s Harry and Debbie McKenzie had their 1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe at the West Dalhousie Community Hall Show & Shine on July 25. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentRelatedArticle contentA look at the award winners from the West Dalhousie Community Hall Show & Shine. There were 73 vehicles registered and more than 10 unregistered.Article contentTop 10 in Show (in no particular order)Article contentDan Chessman – 1967 Chevelle Wagon.Article contentIvan Armstrong – 1969 Mustang Fastback.Article contentWoody Wood – 1967 Chevrolet Camero.Article contentHarry and Debbie McKenzie – 1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe.Article contentDarrell Mackinnon – 2006 GMC Canyon.Article contentChris Hopkins – 1950 Ford Custom.Article contentRichard and Ena Balsor – 1958 Ford Fairlane.Article contentRichard Ripley – 1986 Porche 928.Article contentTravis Baker – 2010 Ford Mustang GT.Article contentBrian Jacquard – 1981 Z28 Camero (T-Top).Article contentSpecial AwardsArticle contentRegistrants Choice (voted on by registered participants): Greg Nickerson – 1970 Pontiac GTO.Article contentOldest Entry: Kirk Spidle – 1928 Model A.Article contentMost Unique Entry: Chris Nelson – 1977 Honda.Article contentBest Bike in Show: Name not legible – 2004 V-Star.Article contentLongest Distance Travelled: Mike Kaplan – More than 250 kilometres travelled.Article content
‘A rolling museum’: Classics on display at West Dalhousie Show & Shine
