School kids enjoy fun in the sun while admiring vehicles from yesteryear
by Mary Jo David
On September 8, 2022, the students of Smith and Heritage schools in Stockbridge were treated to a blast from the past in the form of a parade of vintage cars.
The Dearborn to Lansing Endurance Run is an annual event featuring antique cars from 1915 and earlier. In other words, if your vehicle was born in 1916, it’s too young to be in this Run! Approximately 35 cars are traveling roughly 200 miles—from Dearborn to Lansing and back to Dearborn’s Greenfield Village—across four days.
Back in August, Principal Brad Edwards of Smith Elementary was visited by a couple who organize the parade.
“Every year in their drive between Greenfield Village and Lansing they stop at unique places along the way to show their vehicles,” Edwards explained. Apparently, Stockbridge—and specifically Smith and Heritage—were on their route this year so they asked Edwards if they could stop by so the kids could view the cars.
According to Gregory resident Gary Hicks, who was on hand photographing some of the collectors and their cars, the schoolchildren were visibly excited to be out in the sunshine and engaged with the owners of the vintage classics, asking them questions and honking the occasional horn.
This is the 39th year the event has taken place. Word on the street is that the Endurance Run also made a stop at the home of Stockbridge residents Linda and Steve Collins this year. The drivers and their four-wheel wonders were right at home amidst the historic house, barns, and beautiful gardens that the Collinses work so hard to maintain.
All photos by Gary Hicks
John and Gloria Mitchell 1927 model T roadster
One vintage car features an antique passenger taking a nap in the back.
Notebooks at the ready, these kids check out engines that are more than 100 years old.
Students smile from ear-to-ear as they sit up front in an old-time Buick, the pride and joy of Schramm Family Enterprises.
A 1912 Jackson, owned coincidentally by Tim and Linda Jackson, pulls into the school lot. The Jacksons have driven their Jackson on a 2,500-mile trek Out West.
This patriotic Buick is appreciated by kids and adults alike.
A line of young onlookers is mesmerized by the spit shine of this vintage wonder.
It was a great day for student to soak up some sun while taking in history courtesy of the Dearborn to Lansing Endurance Run.
Elementary kids are listening carefully to stories about what it was like to grow up when these vintage cars were young.
