ASSINIBOIA - Once summer arrives, members of the Southern Cruisers Car Club are shifting their focus.
The southern Saskatchewan car club was founded in 1991, making for more than three decades undertaking an opportunity to leave everything else in the rearview mirror, while fulfilling their passion for their cars and sharing this enjoyment with other like-minded people.
From their website, Southern Cruisers Car Club has grown into a very formidable organization. Boasting an impressive 25 members in a community of less than 3,000 people, they have become one of the largest and most active car clubs in southern Saskatchewan.”
Founders included Glen Berjain, Colin Thompson, Alvin Karts, Merv Barnes, Wes Hall, Lyle Erfle and Todd Brandon. Sadly, while some have passed on, and some club affiliates have had to step away or move on, original members Lyle Erfle and Todd Brandon are still active members, holding their place as the longest serving members of the club.
Jeff Setrum, president of the car club, said that while he lives in Coronach, where he farms and works on the side as a mechanic, he approached Assiniboia’s Car Club in 2019 and gained membership.
“The club has been a great place to come together with those who share common interests, meet new people and to make new connections and friendships as well as nurture old ones,” said Setrum.
Car club members affirmed that it is a great place to benefit from others’ experience when it comes time to source parts of services with in the car community.
Membership grants the use of the clubhouse as both a place to come and socialize, as well as a facility and equipment to work on projects, as some members don’t have the space or tooling at home.
“Sadly, this facility, while being the heart of the club is also its biggest challenge in viability. Facility upkeep, taxes and insurances all take their toll the limited financial resources of the club itself.”
The Car Club hosts events to help raise money to support these financial needs. Funding also comes from yearly club membership dues. Setrum says that this obligation, in itself, can be a deterrent in attracting new members. The club says they are like many organizations and new, young members are almost non existent.
Beyond the gathering space and social aspects of Assiniboia’s Car Club, members also participate in various car shows around the province, as well as hosting their own.
The Southern Cruisers Car Club will host two annual shows in 2024, with the first being the Thompson Lake Rod Run, held August long weekend. This show offers both a show and shine component as well as a 150 km poker run to allow entrants the opportunity to cruise with their cars with good friends, and enjoy visiting along the way. Participants build their poker hand stopping at various businesses along the way for fellowship and refreshment, with the added bonus of chances to win prizes.
The second show is the club’s fall show and shine held in conjunction with the Assiniboia and District Museum. Taking place on Sept. 7, this car show also gives attendees a chance to take part in museum activity for the day.
“Beyond those dates, we travel at our discretion to several car shows and events throughout the province, and while we participate in shows hosted by other clubs and socialize with other members, we share no affiliation with other clubs to my knowledge,” added Setrum.
Car club members said, within their club, they target several establishments in nearby communities travelling for regular Wednesday supper cruises throughout the summer. They support several small-town eating establishments that members have come to know and enjoy and is something they value and look forward to.
“Our club has also played an active role in the community, donating where it can various organizations come to mind such as: Kinsmen Telemiracle, Girl Guides, Assiniboia Fire Dept, Assiniboia Museum, South Country Assistance Trust (SCAT) and STARS air ambulance,” said the club president.
“We happily welcome new participants to join and after a vetting process they become full fledged members, our newest being Riley Borgeson, who joined in April of this year.”
As with many clubs and organizations, community support is essential in keeping their club an integral part of the community. The club has a website, www.southern-cruisers.com and a Facebook page for people to learn their lates news and updates.
For the Southern Cruisers Car Club, it’s not about the destination, it’s about the drive because life is a journey, and their members want to take time to enjoy the ride.
