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Drivers, start your engines

DEVIN WEEKS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 7 months AGO
by DEVIN WEEKS
Devin Weeks is a third-generation North Idaho resident. She holds an associate degree in journalism from North Idaho College and a bachelor's in communication arts from Lewis-Clark State College Coeur d'Alene. Devin embarked on her journalism career at the Coeur d'Alene Press in 2013. She worked weekends for several years, covering a wide variety of events and issues throughout Kootenai County. Devin now mainly covers K-12 education and the city of Post Falls. She enjoys delivering daily chuckles through the Ghastly Groaner and loves highlighting local people in the Fast Five segment that runs in CoeurVoice. Devin lives in Post Falls with her husband and their three eccentric and very needy cats. | May 11, 2021 1:00 AM

HAYDEN — It’s hard not to hear the Coasters or Elvis Presley pop into your head when you see a baby blue ’57 Chevy Bel Air cruise by.

When it’s a cherry red ’74 Corvette, you might think to yourself, “I remember riding in a car like that when ‘Rock Me Gently’ played for the first time on the radio.”

Those happy memories of sweet rides and the wonders of youth will be delivered to residents of area senior living facilities when the third annual Silver Angels for the Elderly Classic Car Poker Run parades through town May 22.

“It’s just the exuberant smiles you get as soon as you pull in, and they’re laughing and pointing and talking with each other,” Diane Zell, founder of Silver Angels for the Elderly, said Monday. “They just reminisce. It’s a big smile fest.”

The poker run will start at 2 p.m. at the Hayden Eagles, 1520 W. Wyoming Ave. Drivers of cars from 1980 and earlier will proceed to six local eldercare facilities to collect poker cards, while giving residents and their caregivers opportunities to watch from a safe distance and enjoy the show.

Drivers will return to the Hayden Eagles to participate in a car show with a Peoples’ Choice Award.

“They came last year and it was very enjoyable,” said Larry Kay, activities manager at Brookdale Coeur d'Alene independent living. “The weather was beautiful. Everything turned out perfect.

“It does bring back a lot of memories for our residents,” he said. “All good feelings.”

All events are $40 if prepaid by this Saturday. Otherwise, the participation fee is $50. Participation in just the afterparty is $10.

“So many drivers come back and say how rewarding it was for them,” Zell said. “They feel like they did something — they brought happiness to these folks. A lot of these folks are secluded, they don’t see much, and here they get to see cool cars. We bring Car d’Lane to them.”

Visit www.silverangelsfortheelderly.com or call 208-906-0040 to register.

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Courtesy photo

William Snell shows off his trophy in front of a classic diner backdrop after winning best poker hand at the 2020 Silver Angels for the Elderly Classic Car Poker Run. This year's event is May 22.

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Courtesy photo

Classic cars will cruise to several local senior living facilities May 22 during the third annual Silver Angels for the Elderly Classic Car Poker Run. The day will include a car show and afterparty.

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