CARS & HAPPINESS

Photo courtesy of Christopher Lemieux

Originally Posted on 9/26/2017

I attended a very special car meet this past Saturday. I’ve been to other car meets before, but this one has always been entirely different. Roughly 200 people attended the 20^th annual Joe Pearlstein Memorial Fall Foliage Run (as it was called in the early years.) The car is the Toyota MR2 sports car. Many years ago a gentleman named Joe Pearlstein decided to meet up with a few friends during a crisp autumn day to drive around the area of Bear Mountain to revel in the beauty of the season and take pictures.

Sadly Joe passed away from cancer after starting this little tradition. Only today, it is not so little. I have been attending The annual Joe Pearlstein Memorial Drive, as it is called now since 2009. At that time there were roughly over 100 cars in attendance. The day starts out as everyone arrives at the Sheraton hotel in Mahwah New Jersey in the morning.  Enthusiasts from all over the northeast and many from further arrive bright and early. many arrive the night before. Many of us had not seen each other since the last meet one year past.

But it feels like yesterday when we meet up again. Old friends hug and chat in front of their cars. Others that meet for the first time create new friendships that often last for years. The day consists of a drive on back roads around the area with a stop at a mall parking lot to have lunch, admire the cars and enjoy the happiness and connection this event creates.

After a drive up to Bear Mountain, we meet back at the Super 8 hotel in Mahwah.  This evening festivity, affectionately called ‘The Beer Mountain After-Party’ was created by a marvelous Canadian with a big heart and exceeding happiness for all.  I am always in awe of the happiness and sense of brotherhood (and sisterhood!) at these events. In a time where we are facing racism, hatred and political separation in our country, this moment in time shines a light that we as people of many races and beliefs can come together and enjoy each other’s company with happiness and joy that flows so easily for everyone there.

In its small way, this yearly event shows me there is hope for our country to move past the religious and political hatred that is so often advertised on television today, to a better understanding and acceptance for everyone.