Community

 It's All About Community

Community is the word that came to mind for my blog post this week.  Let me explain. 

Mike and I enjoy going to car shows. Through the activity, we’ve met a lot of people and made many new friends. 

A local restaurant in our community, The Diner, hosts a pretty nice car show. They have five to six shows a year during the winter months.

Welcome to the Diner

Mike and I have been to that particular show several times. The food at the restaurant is excellent. The conversation is great. And the cars? There is a bit of everything present. Every car, old and new. Every color of car, from bright white to pitch black with everything in between. 

But what I appreciate most about the car shows at The Diner are the people.

I’ll start with the people who work at the restaurant itself. Service is great, yes. The food is excellent. But, moreover, this is a community minded group. If someone in the area has a need, they all pitch in to help. When local students need school supplies, the folks at The Diner make sure that happens. 

You see, the owner, Kim Speckner, cares about people. 

This past week they collected toys so children in Floral City can have a nice Christmas.

There is an old yellow pick-up truck parked in front of the restaurant. The goal was to fill the back of that truck with toys for children in need. The “car community” responded. 

I asked Kim about the old, bright yellow truck. It doesn’t run. Never has since the day she purchased it. She bought it and set it up as and eye catcher. It works. 

Yes, I know there are other organizations who work to collect toys all over the nation. But for the folks at The Diner, this is personal. It is a “We take care of our own” kind of place. 

Of course, The Diner has a secret weapon. Don Garlits.

Don Garlits with Kim at The Diner

Yep, Big Daddy Don Garlits, NHRA champion and owner of the Don Garlits Museum of Racing in Ocala, Florida is a frequent customer and supporter of our little local restaurant, The Diner.

 

He came to the show. People bought his book or took a picture with him. He gave his autograph to anyone asking. But Don Garlits didn’t do that because he’s famous and wanted the flock of fans around him. 

 

He did it to help the cause. You see, Don Garlits cares about people, too.

A “good” car show at the venue may have thirty cars or so. This one? Ninety cars. 

Yes…nine-zero…90. 

There were cars of every make and model…Old cars still carrying their scars of long-time duty and others that had been restored. There were new cars of interest and every sort of car in between. 

And that old yellow pick-up truck? Let’s just say, there are some local children who will have a good Christmas morning this year. Thanks to The Diner and all of us who appreciate good food, new friends, old cars, and people who care.

Community: A group of people who CARE.