Classic cars and lots of blooms filled ‘Flowers and Fenders’ event at Wassaic

Classic cars and lots of blooms filled ‘Flowers and Fenders’ event at Wassaic

Keeping raindrops from staying very long on his lava orange Porsche convertible, featured at the Flowers and Fenders car show event in Wassaic on Saturday, May 31, Peter Smith of Sharon was tending to both his car and the “carsage” floral installation on the car’s rear. The floral decoration was the work of Floral and Field Consulting, bringing floral design to car show events.

Photo by Leila Hawken

WASSAIC — Classic cars, each the pride of its restorers and owners, lined Wassaic’s Main Street on Saturday, May 31, attracting admiration despite the clouds and rain showers. The car show event was organized by an area organization, Fenders and Flowers.

In keeping with the theme, a floral installation created by Floral and Field Consulting adorned a Porsche convertible owned by Peter Smith of Sharon. As she put finishing touches on colorful blooms, floral designer Alisa Bolduc of Saratoga suggested that the display could be termed a “carsage.”

About 16 cars were being shown, only half of those who had registered to attend. Organizers indicated that some cars had likely opted to stay home out of the rain. Baked goods and coffee were available throughout the day at Vitsky’s Bakery. There was plenty to do. Visitors lingered and chatted in true community fashion.

“The color caught my eye,” Smith said, providing details about his lava orange Porsche 325t, 450 HP convertible. “I’m pleased to have a car that I can take both on the road and around the track,” he added.

“I’m excited to be part of this Flowers and Fenders event,” Smith said, admiring the yellow “carsage” that adorned the rear of his car..

“We’re all car guys. We like to share our passion with others,” Smith said, who does most of his mechanical work himself, having two working lifts in his home workshop.

Combining cars and flowers brings families out, explained Jeb Breece, one of the organizers of Flowers and Fenders.

“It’s a beautiful set-up,” said visitor Benj Wolff of Lakeville.

Despite the weather that dampened the attendance at least at first, organizers said that the event will go on again next year.

Latest News

Gilbert Kenneth Schoonmaker

WINSTED — Gilbert Kenneth Schoonmaker, of Monroe, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2025, at the age of 77. Born on Jan. 18, 1948, in Winsted, Connecticut to Gilbert and Alta (Bierce) Schoonmaker, Gil spent four decades enjoying life on Highland Lake before settling in Monroe.

He is lovingly survived by his wife of 56 years, Sally (Gustafson) Schoonmaker, and his two daughters, Lynn Sindland and her husband Lee of Lead Hill, Arkansas, and Deb Pikiell and her husband Tim of Bristol, Connecticut. Gil was a proud grandfather to Ozzie, Tommy, Betsy, Katie, George, Lucy, Maddie, Joey, and Julia, and he cherished his time with his eight great-grandchildren. Gilbert leaves behind his siblings Ann, Gary, Gail, Jan, and Tim.

Keep ReadingShow less
Village meeting to explore ICE cooperation limits set for Tuesday, July 29

The Millerton Village Offices on Route 22 north of the intersection with Route 44.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The anticipated follow-up to the May 21 special meeting regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement will take place Tuesday, July 29, at 6 p.m. Legal counsel for the village is expected to attend.

At the May meeting, nearly 20 residents and community members urged the village board to adopt a local law limiting cooperation between Millerton’s police and ICE, aiming to protect immigrants, including undocumented individuals. While no resolution was reached, Mayor Jenn Najdek committed to holding a follow-up meeting where village legal counsel would be present to help clarify questions and explore the proposal in more depth.

Keep ReadingShow less
Books and bites beckon at the upcoming Sharon Summer Book Signing

Author and cartoonist Peter Steiner signed books at Sharon Summer Book Signing last summer.

Photo by Stephanie Stanton

The 27th annual Sharon Summer Book Signing at the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon will be held Friday, Aug. 1, from 4:45 to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 3, at noon.

Friday’s festivities will honor libraries and the power of the written word. In attendance will be 29 locally and nationally recognized authors whose books will be for sale. With a wide array of genres including historical fiction, satire, thrillers, young adult and non-fiction, there will be something for every reader.

Keep ReadingShow less
Voices from Ukraine to America come to Stissing Center July 27

Ukraine Emergency Fundraiser at The Stissing Center in 2022 raised over $120,000 for Sunflower of Peace.

Photo by Michael Churton

The spirit of Ukraine will be on display at the Stissing Center in Pine Plains on Sunday, July 27. Beginning at 5 p.m., the “Words to America from Ukraine” fundraiser is set to showcase the simultaneous beauty of Ukrainian culture and the war-time turmoil it faces, all the while fundraising in support of Ukrainian freedom.

“Words to America from Ukraine” aims to remind and spread awareness for the suffering that often gets forgotten by those who live in comfortable worlds, explained Leevi Ernits, an organizer for the event. “We are trying to make an attempt to remind people that we are human, and we are connected with human values,” she said. “With very few words, poetry can express very deep values.”

Keep ReadingShow less