AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi,
Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services,
and Midas of Annapolis and Pasadena
For decades, the Lost in the 50’s Custom Car Club of Maryland’s weekly Cruise-Ins have been a popular platform for antique automobile owners to display a wide range of fully restored or custom-built models dating from the 1950’s or earlier.
For the second year, the non-profit organization’s Cruise-In events are being held each Saturday evening from April through October on the lot at Pasadena United Methodist Church at 61 Ritchie Highway from 4 to 8 pm. Car cruise admission is $1 for members and $2 for non-members with spectators welcomed for free. Cruisin’ is surely fun but most Lost in the Fifties Custom Car Club members enjoy parking their rides in a spot that shows them off to good advantage, talking to spectators, and socializing among themselves.
Attending an LITF Cruise-In is not a new experience for locals from Glen Burnie, Pasadena, Severna Park, Millersville or Arnold. Like others who admire vintage automobiles, our own first visit to a Lost In the Fifties Custom Car Cruise-In took place in the late 1980’s or early 90’s and we’ve returned to the event several times over the years.
Hoping to get some information on when the custom car club started, we sought out the organization’s president Mike Arrington who introduced us to three long-time members. The only original member present on Saturday was Carl Blazek who’s been part of the club from the start more than 40 years ago. On Blazek’s far right was Virgil Graham who has been a member for over 30 years. Directly next to him was Jack Kozma who is also a member of long standing and serves on the Board along with Graham.
“We actually began meeting in the early 1970’s in fits and starts at impromptu gatherings or Cruise-Ins,” Blazek explained. “However, we didn’t become a formally recognized club until the 1980’s when we incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit and elected officers and a Board of Directors.”
All three gentlemen have loved cars all their lives and started their decades-long hobby of collecting and restoring them years ago.
Blazek noted that his first love was a 1949 Ford that he paid $35 for. He added that he did automobile appraisals for years and has owned, restored and shown many including the Chevelle he brought to the Cruise-In with the original 19,000 miles on it. He admits that he has a passion for Ford Thunderbirds and has bought 10 of them over the years.
Graham said his first car was a 1938 Plymouth he bought over 50 years ago and still owns and works on. He, too, has owned many cars including the 1952 Chevy Pick Up he and his wife Joanie brought to the show.
According to Joanie, Virgil owned the truck for a long while but kept it pretty much in the condition he bought it. Their daughter Christina Graham, who owns an automotive shop, rebuilt the truck for her dad as a retirement gift adding some amenities the vehicle didn’t originally have including power steering and air conditioning.
Kozma’s purchases and restorations include the 1956 black and white Chevrolet he brought to the Cruise-In that is an absolute treasure with an engine so clean I could have served tea on it.
Saturday’s event was by no means the largest collection of antique cars, trucks or street rods we’d seen at some of the club’s other events but the club is partnering with Flagship Car Wash for the much larger “Christmas In August Car Show” this Saturday (8/23/25) at 7155 Ritchie Highway in Glen Burnie from 4 to 6 pm.
Nevertheless, there was quite a nice representation of vintage automobiles to view and owners to meet. Conversational groups had formed around some of the cars including this 1964 Oldsmobile Starfire owned by William Kosman.
According to owner Ed and pals Bruce and Carol, his bright red ’66 Chevelle Super Sport drew a number of curious spectators eager to inquire about its big block, Brodix heads, headers and manual transmission.
“Everyone likes to talk about their cars,” Ed said. ” This Super Sport is one of five I own – a couple other Super Sports and a couple Malibus. It will be the last one.”
A soundtrack of rock ‘n roll hits played in the background as we noticed the familiar lines of one of our favorite vintage autos – a light blue 1961 MGA Roadster owned by Bill Riley.
“A 1961 MGA was my first car when I was in high school,” Riley said. “I’ve owned it for 58 years since buying it from a used car lot in 1967. It had two previous owners and had been given a not very attractive Earl Sheib paint job. My wife has been kind enough to let me keep the car though her pet name for it is “My Rival” after a song sung by Ann Margaret in the Elvis Presley movie “Viva Las Vegas”.
Eventually, we gravitated to the back end of the lot where we saw an entire line of antique cars including those seen in the opening photo – a 1951 Ford and a 1938 Buick. Others in the lineup include an early 70’s Ford Mustang, a 60’s Ford Galaxie, and a Chevy C-10 pickup.
We checked out a couple of other Ford Mustangs including one owned by John Kuccinski. Then, we wanted to take a closer look at the light green 1935 Ford Panel Delivery Truck we’d seen cruising earlier and caught up with owner Rick Sadler who has owned the van for 25 years.
Sadler did all the restoration work himself including the multi-gauge panel, steering wheel, seating and the gorgeous wood paneling in the back.
Part of the charm of attending a Lost in the Fifties Custom Car Club event is being able to see automotive elements of our common history. For the owners of classic and custom cars who populate the event each Saturday evening is an opportunity to share their passion with others, enjoying the company of like-minded enthusiasts and introducing new generations to the automotive hobby.
Family memberships in the club are $20. However, the Cruise-Ins are open to anyone with a 30 year or older vehicle. As mentioned before, car cruise admission is $1 for members or $2 for non-members. Proceeds from the Christmas in August Cruise-In taking place this Saturday in Glen Burnie and all other club events are donated to the Salvation Army and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
For more information, visit Lost in the 50’s Custom Car Club of Maryland – One of the largest antique automobile organizations in the state of Maryland! (lostn50s.com) or follow them at Facebook.
Anne Arundel County & Bowie Homeschool Fair at Severna Park Community Center
Macaroni Kid Pasadena and the Severna Park Community Center are partnering to host the Anne Arundel County & Bowie Homeschool Fair at the Community Center on Friday, September 12 from 10 am to 12:30 pm. Eighteen vendors that offer services to homeschool families will be on hand. They range from the Annapolis Dance Academy, Dance Center at Severna Park Community Center and Theater In The Park to Team Randori Martial Arts, Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi and Eco Adventures. There will be a FREE exchange table for gently used books and school supplies.
The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility whilereducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!
and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.
And Midas of Annapolis and Pasadena, A family- owned business with four locations (Annapolis, Pasadena, Laurel and Wheaton). With 40 years’ experience and the backing of a national brand, they are committed to earning customers’ trust by offering the expertise, value and responsiveness drivers expect – “every time they visit us.”
