Earl Stephens of Arnold won the $100 top prize in the My Best Ride photo contest for his photo of a 1923 Ford T-bucket he bought in memory of his late father.
Robin Potter of High Ridge took second place and $75, and Kevin Carle of Festus won the $50 third-place prize in the contest, sponsored by Grand Times, Leader Publications’ magazine for senior citizens. The contest was held in conjunction with the West Side Senior Expo set for 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, July 24, at Northwest High School, 6005 Cedar Hill Road, in Cedar Hill.
The contest was open to readers of all ages from Jefferson County, Eureka and Wildwood, who were invited to send in pictures of their best, or favorite, ride, and Earl Stephens’ winning photo was randomly selected from the 62 contest entries.
First place
Earl, 78, bought the T-bucket in the spring of 2000 to honor his father, Lloyd, who had just died.
Stephens’ wife, Margie, said he inherited a little bit of money and decided to purchase the car.
“He always wanted a T-bucket,” she said. “He’s had several Fords (including a 1956 Ford they had for 47 years). His dad also had Fords. It’s kind of a family thing.”
Earl had a tribute painted on the back of his T-bucket. It says, “In memory of Pop.”
Margie said their two children, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren have enjoyed the T-bucket.
“My son had one too, so it was a family affair,” she said. “We would all go to car shows together.”
Margie took the winning photo in June 2018. It shows Earl driving the Ford T-Bucket during the 2018 Herculaneum all-school reunion parade, accompanied by a grandson and a great-grandson.
Second place
Robin, 68, took second place for the photo she submitted of her father, Gordon Potter and herself on a Honda Dream motorcycle. She said the photo was taken in the 1960s in North Little Rock, Ark., when she was about 14 years old.
Robin Potter, 68, of High Ridge took second place for the photo she submitted of her father, Gordon Potter and herself on a Honda Dream motorcycle. She said the photo was taken in the 1960s in North Little Rock, Ark., when she was about 14 years old.
Robin Potter, 68, of High Ridge sent a picture taken last June by a photographer, Andy Wilson, in Augusta. “I ride a laguna orange 2017 HD Street Glide Special named Clementine,” Robin said. “A smooth ride to take me on adventures and allow me to enrich my life, meeting many great friends from all walks of life! Dad taught us how to ride. I progressed over the years with bigger bikes. Our dad is no longer with us, but I thank him in my heart, each time I get on my motorcycle, for his love, strength, care, humor and for teaching me to ride a motorcycle.”
She said she started riding motorcycles when she was 12 and is on her seventh motorcycle now.
“Dad taught us how to ride,” Robin said. “I progressed over the years with bigger bikes. Our dad is no longer with us, but I thank him in my heart each time I get on my motorcycle, for his love, strength, care, humor and for teaching me to ride a motorcycle.”
Attached with the photo of her dad was a photo of her current bike – a laguna orange 2017 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special named Clementine.
“A smooth ride to take me on adventures and allow me to enrich my life, meeting many great friends from all walks of life!” she said about the Harley.
Third place
Kevin, 65, won third place for a photo of him and his wife, Peggy, with their newborn, Jennifer, and 18-month-old daughter, Stephanie, in front of a 1985 Ford Bronco II they purchased in the fall of 1985.
Kevin Carle, 65, of Festus won third place for a photo of him and his wife, Peggy, with their newborn, Jennifer, and 18-month-old daughter, Stephanie, in front of a 1985 Ford Bronco II they purchased in the fall of 1985.
Kevin’s father-in-law took the photo on Sept. 11, 1987.
“This picture is of our family of four going home from the hospital the day after Jennifer was born,” he said. “We needed a four-wheel-drive vehicle for my wife to drive to work in St. Louis safely after dealing with winter driving in her rear-wheel-drive car. It kept our family safe for many years.”
Kevin said he and his wife sold the vehicle in 1992 when their third child was on the way because it didn’t have enough seat belts for three children.
“We loved that little thing,” he said.
To see all the contest entries, click the links below:
