Caledonia Argus

Beautiful weather, beautiful autos

Posted: 6/8/04

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

Organizers of the Motor Ioway 500 visit to Caledonia couldnít have asked for a more perfect day than June 4.

Hardly a cloud in the sky and temperatures in the 70s greeted the old car buffs who stopped here as part of a four-day tour.

Plenty of friendly Caledonia people greeted them too, from Ann Thompson at the Caledonia Sesquicentennial table to the omni-present Redwood Red Hatters, who even sang them a song.

ìWe enjoy it, seeing all the different cars and all the people,î Darrell Jensen of Hamline, Iowa, said. He was driving a 1959 Ford Galaxy Club Coupe. He enjoyed seeing the farms around Caledonia, and the city was nice too, he said.

ìYouíve really done a nice job,î Val Neubauer said a little later, after getting a warm welcome from Audrey and Joyce Ranzenberger, two of the Redwood Red Hatters. ìBeautiful little town.î Neubauer was driving a 1967 Mustang.

Jerry Hajek, one of the organizers from Caledonia, was pleased with the turn-out. He said it was an honor for Caledonia to be chosen as a stop for the 90-some cars, which were parked in gleaming rows around the city park by the gazebo. He had given some of the members an initial tour about a month earlier, then worked with local businesses to promote it. For example, the Caledonia Bakery donated rolls, and Kwik Trip provided free orange juice. Some merchants contributed coupons for their businesses to tour people who wanted them.

The group started in Charles City, Iowa, on June 3, went to Caledonia, New Albin, and Waukon the next day, then spent the next day touring in central and eastern Iowa.

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