Lions Club members from the Western Pocono Lions Club and the Tannersville Lions Club arrived at the West End Fairgrounds in Gilbert before 7 a.m. to begin the work for their joint car show.

Sunshine, not rain greeted them, in contrast to last year's event.Before the 8 o'clock official opening time, vehicles of various ages were already finding their class spots, sparkling in the sunshine.Robert Young of Kresgeville (not the Pleasant Valley School District teacher) came with his 1975 Chevy Camaro."I'm the original owner," he explained, adding that he got the car on Aug. 15, 1975.Over 150 cars registered, growing some classes so large that the designated parking area had to be expanded. Both men and women, young an old, were among the registrants and winners, with women taking all three awards in Class 17 and Luciene Howser of Lehighton taking the top honor with her 1964 Ford Mustang.Jim Hauser, also of Lehighton, took 1st place in Class 1, with his 1931 Ford Model A. In Class 2, it was Mike Gazza of Mt. Pocono with '51 Mercury Coupe.Easton and East Stroudsburg were represented in the top class wins, with Mike and Brenda Fish winning Class 5 with a '73 Plymouth Barracuda.A '87 Buick Regal from New Jersey took first place in Class 6 and Palmerton's Richard F, Beers took 1st in Class 7 with his '55 Thunderbird.Tobyhanna's John Hoskin took top honors in Class 8 with his 1964 Thunderbird while McMichaels' Sherwood Gower won Class 10 with his Corvette.Allentown and Stroudsburg received the winners' plaques for Class 11 and 12, while Effort octogenarian Paul Smith took first place in Class 13 with his 1965 Chevy Caprice.Fellow Effort resident Nikky Dispenza took Class 14 with a Dodge Challenger and Jim Thorpe's Jim Smith won Class 16 with his 1956 Ford Pick up.A Chevy Chevelle shown by Mike Hothingsworth of Saylorsburg took the Class 18 and Joe Zogorn earned top honors in Class 19.Randy Labarr's '38 Ford Coupe won Class 20 and Bill Jones took Class 21.Winning the Best Paint honor was Joe Curran Sr. while Palmerton's Richard Beers won not only his class but also the President's Choice award.Recognition was given to the club with the most cars registered and first place went to Easton's Jukebox Cruiser with Monroe County Cruisers Club placing second.Winning the coveted People's Choice award was Paul Varga of Easton with his '36 Ford Coupe.Tannersville Lions Club President Nate Laubach greeted all in attendance while Western Pocono Lions Club secretary Jon Evans said each car had its own story attached.The show was a wrap shortly after three o'clock. However the good that will result from this fund-raiser will continue to shine in individuals' and organizations' lives as the two clubs give back the funds realized from the show to fulfill the Lions motto, "We serve."