The accepted sport of choice in the business world is golf. Like many firms, Highland Associates has its own golf league and many employees, either as individuals or as representatives of the company, participate in various golf tournaments throughout the season. But there is another pastime that draws more than a few of our employees together: our affinity for old cars.
Several of us, from upper management on down, have vintage automobiles. They run the gamut from an Olds Cutlass or vintage Mercedes convertible to an AMC Eagle wagon; the modern muscle of a new Dodge Challenger to the vintage muscle of a Chevy Nova; the classic lines of a Hudson Wasp to a sporty Olds 442. We have Corvettes of many vintages and body styles, ranging from a 1962 C1 all the way up to a 2007 C6. Hot rods, rat rods, vintage Brockway rigs, we’ve got them, and love to show them off, as anyone can see on any given Friday night from late April through October. Friday night cruises are a staple around here, and two clubs in particular – Pocono Mountain Street Rods and Villa Capri Cruisers – can claim Highland employees as members.
Ten partners and employees had their rolling stock on display in May as our office’s hometown of Clarks Summit held its annual Memorial Day parade (pictured here). Several also exhibited their cars in June at the annual Villa Capri Father’s Day Car Show at Nay Aug Park in Scranton. Senior partner Kevin Smith was one of the award winners that day for his ’66 Corvette. Partner Rick Guditus recently had his vintage ‘Vette recognized as a featured “barn find” at the 2011 Corvettes at Carlisle exhibition, one of the largest Corvette gatherings in the country.
Last year we even had a news crew show up at our office as one of our partners, Tom Millard, had the Batmobile replica he was building parked in our lot near State Street. It drew quite a crowd!
So why is a woman writing this blog? Because I’m a “car guy,” too. My husband and I both work for Highland, and while he has a number of vintage vehicles that he likes to show, or that are in various stages of restoration, he’s always been an “independent” man (AMC, Jeep, Hudson). Last year we acquired an ’81 Corvette, which I like to refer to as “my” classic car. I made my first foray as an exhibitor with the ‘Vette at the Villa Capri show in June, and am looking forward to taking it out to many more shows in the future.
This weekend the car guys should be out in force again for the Villa Capri Cruisers reunion cruise, Sunday, September 4th, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Nay Aug Park in Scranton.
That’s the great thing about the collector car hobby: anyone can enjoy it – young or old. There is no discrimination among car folk; no socio-economic boundaries; no politics; gender is not an issue; ethnicity doesn’t matter. It’s all about the mutual love of the machines.
Michelle Yadouga, Structural Designer Highland Associates
Michelle Yadouga has been with the Structural Department at Highland Associates since 1992. She is a graduate of Scranton Prep and Johnson College. Michelle is a past president of the Johnson College Alumni Association and previously served on the advisory committee to the Architectural Drafting and Design Program. These days in her spare time she serves on the Board of Directors of The Choral Society of Northeast Pennsylvania. She is a member of the Choral Society’s Symphonic Chorus, and also performs with their chamber ensemble, The Choral Artists of NEPA.