Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Forty years after their last meeting, Robert J. Janick, Silver Lake, is trying to reunite the Stragglers Car Club.
The Stragglers were established in 1956 and often met in Janick's home in Chicago on Saturdays until 1964. They primarily met for drag racing and custom cars. They won many trophies and Janick said their club was one of the better ones on the south side of Chicago.
"It was so much like the car clubs that participated in car shows in Chicago," he said.
During the 1950s and '60s, there were many car clubs, especially in the Chicago area, Janick said, and the club he was a part of had 21 members. Some of the members have died, while a few he's located in Texas, Florida, Kentucky, Illionis and other states.
"I'm still looking for some of these guys," he said.
The reunion is planned for October in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
On their car license plates, and even on their jackets, the Stragglers put their logo of an engine pulling an anchor. Janick said for the reunion, he plans to have those plates reproduced by a North Manchester company.
"I've got the only jacket left in existence," said Janick, "and I've got it."
He's working on his 1957 Oldsmobile, which he's had since he bought it brand new.
"It's going to look good again," Janick said.
On July 30, 2003, the old club had a meeting, but only six to eight couples showed up for it. Janick wants more to show up for this year's reunion.
To contact Janick, call 260-982-6596.
