News

Pinkerton FIRST, Derry Village Rotary team up for show

By Julie Huss
Staff writer
Published: August 13, 2008

DERRY — For the second year, car enthusiasts will roll out their classic wheels to put on display for a good cause.

The second annual Derry Village Rotary/Pinkerton Academy FIRST Robotic Team Classic Car and Motorcycle Show is set for Saturday, Aug. 16, at Pinkerton Academy. Rain date is Aug. 17.

The day includes a full slate of classic cars and vehicles like muscle cars, hot rods, classic sports models and motorcycles. Awards will be given for different classes and styles at the show.

The Derry Village Rotary Club, part of Rotary International, works all year to help strengthen the community while performing service projects that benefit people and the town, along with national and global concerns, too.

This year, the Rotary Club provided more than $20,000 to local nonprofits along with other projects in the community including contributing to and helping construct projects at Derry's Hood Park, improving the Derry traffic circle, maintenance at the Robert Frost Farm, and distributing holiday food baskets.

In addition, the Derry Village Rotary Club helps support local food pantries and also honors a Pinkerton student each month as Student of the Month. The club gives cash awards to various organizations throughout the year and also has a scholarship program at Pinkerton through the Rotary and Jason Schenker Scholarship Fund.

The Pinkerton students participating in the FIRST Robotics program work together to build a robot and then compete against other student-driven teams in regional and national events. FIRST — For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology — was founded by New Hampshire inventor Dean Kamen in 1989 and helps students build self-confidence, teamwork skills, knowledge and life skills as they learn to build the robots, then compete as part of a passion for science and technology.

By joining with the Rotary Club, FIRST students will benefit from proceeds from the upcoming car show. Proceeds from the event will support the robotics club and also the many organizations, scholarships and events the Derry Village Rotary supports all year.

Event sponsors for 2008 are Clam Haven, Energy North Propane Co., Traffic Jamz, Pinnacle Engraving and Awards, Betley Chevrolet, Ford of Londonderry, Shaw's in Derry, 99 Restaurant and Pub, Great American Subs, Verdine Performance Products, FocalCast Media, The Pulse, Derry Auto Parts, BAE Systems, Polyvac, Hart Supply, Igus, Kukshtel Family, French's Subs, Palm Inc., Vhill's Skateboard Shop, Veloce Imports, Hannaford Derry, Frank FM 103, Rescue Tape, Roadmaster Automotive, NAPA, Duncan's European Automotive, Sovereign Bank, Backmann's Florist, Phil Borriello's Chopper Shop, Twins Smoke Shop and Granite Industrial Gases.

All car enthusiasts are invited to stop by Pinkerton. Anyone wishing to show vehicles can preregister at www.derrycarshow.com or call 603-490-3529. Spectators admitted free of charge.