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Updated: June 18, 2009, 9:51 am	Share    Print    Email

Vernon Vatter, Anthony Green, Todd Tureski (standing) and Cliff Corwith, all local businessmen, acted as judges of the Southampton Classic Car & Bike Show. Photos by Eileen Casey

Southampton - Anthony Green of Westhampton is a man who cares about his community and wanted to organize a charitable event. According to Green "I had a cancer scare a few years ago, and since then I have wanted to raise money for a worthy cause. I was going to try and organize an event for The American Cancer Society, however, I did feel that raising funds for such a large organization didn't give me the same satisfaction as trying to organize an event and raise funds for a more local cause. I met Jim Reister and am still shocked as to what happened to his brother, so I felt that my idea [for an auto show] and any funds raised would be better used for a community or local purpose."

Two of the classic vehicles that were on display, along with hot rods, pick-up trucks, and motorcycles. Photo by Joe Strand

Green, with the assistance of many local businesses, sponsors, friends and supporters, organized the Southampton Classic Car & Bike Show, which was held on the grounds of the Southampton Elks Lodge on Saturday, June 13. The proceeds from the event went to The Andrew Reister Fund for the benefit of Reister's wife Stacey and their two children, five-year-old Mary Grace, and nine-year-old David Andrew.

Under surprising blue skies given the rainy weather of late, the 'rides' rolled in. Custom and classic hot rods, pick-up trucks, and choppers accompanied by the men and women who love to own, ride, restore and show them turned the grounds of the Elks Lodge into a feast for the eyes and quenched the thirst for automotive, design and engineering knowledge for attendees who spent hours moving among these testaments to man's on-going and evolving relationship with machines.

Scott Robertson (fireman) on a 2003 Yamaha Royal Star Venture motorcycle.

Green "Put the word out to local automotive and motorcycle clubs - and opened the event to all makes and models, years, and gears." And come they did! Scott Robertson, the Vice President of the Red Knights New York Chapter 25, and a fireman, commented "This is an important local event for a local man and his family. We [Red Knights] are happy to show our support." Four fellows from Riverhead all relayed "We know Anthony and, of course, know of what happened to Andrew Reister. We are all glad to be here." The sentiment of expressing support for a local family was echoed by participants over and over again. All were aware of the tragic circumstances leading up to the death of Andrew Reister and all wanted to express the collective goodwill of a community, as one attendee relayed, "These are just people getting together showing off what they love, and that love will trickle down to his [Reister's] family."

Pete Johnson, Jeff Langhorne, Rodney Rollins and Dion Brown, all from Riverhead, appreciated the rides on view.

In the last page of the program book after numerous pages of ads from local businesses - it is printed [in part] "Andrew Reister was a long time resident of Southampton. Through his life, Andrew built friendships, relationships and a family that he loved and adored. Through his career as a Corrections Officer at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverhead, he was very well respected because of his fairness and professionalism with the inmates who spent time in his department."

Jack Fiorvante of Deadwood Choppers (MIddle Island) on a custom built motorcycle. Photo by Joe Strand

At Saturday's event it also appeared that many new friendships and relationships were borne from the efforts of 'well-respected' professionals because of their 'fairness' and concern for the benefit of a local family. Amid the laughter, serious conversations, bragging and bravado among those who chose to come together for a worthy cause - the overwhelming roar of community involvement could be heard the loudest of all.

Trophy table displaying trophies to be awarded in seven judged classes.

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Southampton Classic Car And Bike Show