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Car show benefits Parkinson's research

| 24 Jul 2018 | 11:43
    Blair Debois of West Milford, New Jersey points to some of the celebrity autographs on his customized 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T. Photos by George leroy Hunter
    Blair Debois of West Milford, New Jersey points to some of the celebrity autographs on his customized 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T. Photos by George leroy Hunter
    Seventeen year old Andrew Van Hook of Newton, N.J. stands next to his customized 1991 Nissan 240 SX low rider.
    Seventeen year old Andrew Van Hook of Newton, N.J. stands next to his customized 1991 Nissan 240 SX low rider.
    A polished 1985 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Super Sport on display. The car belongs to Mark Bird of Branchville, New Jersey.
    A polished 1985 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Super Sport on display. The car belongs to Mark Bird of Branchville, New Jersey.
    A strange looking blue creature sitting on a blue 1967 Plymouth Barracuda.
    A strange looking blue creature sitting on a blue 1967 Plymouth Barracuda.
    A shiny 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle on display. The car belongs to Bill Brownlee of Budd Lake, New Jersey.
    A shiny 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle on display. The car belongs to Bill Brownlee of Budd Lake, New Jersey.
    A classic yellow Chevy pickup truck hauling a color coordinated motorcycle is on the move.
    A classic yellow Chevy pickup truck hauling a color coordinated motorcycle is on the move.
    Herbie the Sussex County Miner tours the rows of classic vehicles on display.
    Herbie the Sussex County Miner tours the rows of classic vehicles on display.
    It was also Superhero Night at Skylands Stadium, where children and adults were encouraged to wear costumes of their favorite superhero. The Hulk and Iron Man pose with the Kuperus family of Lafayette, New Jersey. From left are Charlotte (7) as a super princess, Matthew (5) as Spider-Man, Timothy (18 months) as Batman and mother Michelle Kuperus.
    It was also Superhero Night at Skylands Stadium, where children and adults were encouraged to wear costumes of their favorite superhero. The Hulk and Iron Man pose with the Kuperus family of Lafayette, New Jersey. From left are Charlotte (7) as a super princess, Matthew (5) as Spider-Man, Timothy (18 months) as Batman and mother Michelle Kuperus.

By George Leroy Hunter
Augusta — A charity car show featuring some cool rides took place at Skylands Stadium on Saturday, July 21.
Car aficionados got a feast for the eyes at The Park and Pitch for Parkinson's Car Show, organized by Wantage resident Joseph Coscia . For several hours in the afternoon classic and late model rides, both domestic and foreign made, filled the parking lot at the stadium's entrance.
Owners who registered their vehicles in the car show got the chance to win a trophy in a judged contest. The winning cars or trucks were eligible to be part of a on-field car parade inside Skylands Stadium.
Coscia wants to create a greater public awareness about Parkinson's disease, a disorder he was diagnosed with several years ago.
Parkinson's is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. Currently 1 out of 10 people diagnosed with the disease is under 40 years old. The disease affects the cells of the brain and causes muscle degeneration. The most common symptoms are muscle tremors and loss of motor skills. Medication and physical therapy can help prolong a person's abilities as the disease progresses. There is no known cure.
A portion of the proceeds from the car show will benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's. Movie star Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1991. By 3:00 pm, $3,200 had been raised, according to Coscia.
“We (Team Fox) were able to create a partnership with the Sussex County Miners organization to put together the car show," Coscia said. "Guests get to see some nice cars and a baseball game. We were able to get many businesses to join us as sponsors. The Garden State Region Mustang Club, J. Olinger Drilling LLC, Iron Hills Tavern of Ledgewood, N.J. and High Point Utilities of Wantage, N.J. are some of the numerous sponsors that helped us make the The Park and Pitch for Parkinson's Car Show possible. All of this is to create greater awareness of Parkinson's disease.”