Howell comes alive with classic cars Saturday nights filled with sights that bring back memories BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR. Staff Writer Muscle car enthusiasts, to get your motor running, just head out on the highway. Route 9, that is. What you'll find at the Chick-fil-A, Route 9 north at Lanes Mill Road, Howell, on Saturday evenings during the summer are the Blue Moon Kruisers, who hold a classic car cruise and spend time looking under the hoods of American automobiles. Howell resident John Lebrio founded the group and organizes the weekly gathering. He said the group started as a "jacket club" of car enthusiasts who "wanted to do more than just hang around." Lebrio's group took over the fledgling Chick-fil-A cruise, which began three years ago. He said the event was only attracting 15 to 20 cars at a time. "It had a slow start," he said. After the Kruisers unofficially assumed control of the car show in 2005, the engines really started to rev. Lebrio brought in sponsors from the area, gathered door prizes and sought donations for competition trophies. Now the weekly event averages 100 cars. Recently, the cruise topped out at 136 cars. "It really blossomed into something big," Lebrio said. One of the sponsors, Rick Blind - who owns and operates the Chick-fil-A restaurant - has supported the cruise since its inception. Blind, an automobile lover himself, remains an integral cog in the event. After all, car cruisers do get hungry. "We've been sponsoring it from Day 1," Blind said. "It's simple, I'm a big muscle car enthusiast even though I'm only 31 years old. I love it, I love [the cars]." While cruising, attendees are treated to classic music, hula-hoop contests and other retro-activities - a genuine trip down memory lane. The Howell High School Rebelettes - decked out in 1950s-style black and pink skirts and hairdos - also perform. That nostalgia is what drives Lebrio. "It really gives me a good feeling and a lot of pride to do this firsthand to enhance automobile heritage," he said. "It's part of Americana." Lebrio made sure to note that since this event is a car cruise and not a car show, there are no fees or costs for anyone who wants to attend. Anyone with a classic American car is welcome to show up be-tween 6-9 p.m. As part of the event, Lebrio has engineered a partnership with the Howell Food Pantry. Attendees are asked to bring nonperishable items to the cruise, which will be donated to the food pantry. "That's our mission this year," Lebrio said. At the event, you'll see Lebrio standing by his 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air, which, like so many cars, has its own story. Lebrio said a Bel Air was his first car. Back then, as a 17-year-old, driving remained a special experience for he and his girlfriend - who eventually became his wife. As time moved on, Lebrio traded in the Chevrolet, but always hoped he could find another one like it. "[In the past], I said I'd like to get that car again," he remarked. Years later, a bout with cancer and encouragement from his wife fueled his desire to locate a '58 Chevy. After some searching, Lebrio found a near-identical 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air- in Canada. "It was the same exact car, same color, interior," he said. Lebrio was glad the car didn't need much work, but said it didn't really matter anyway. "I bought it for the memories," he said. Now, "the wife and I enjoy going out for an ice cream or down the shore." And sometimes, just a classic cruise.