Father Takes Son for a Ride on Cruising Night at Shorewood Towne Center Park

Shorewood’s Tom Benson was along for the ride—literally.

The 50’s and 60’s cruising event on Thursday night at Shorewood’s Towne Center Park was his father’s time to shine.

And the smile on Jim Koenig’s face was as bright as the finish on his fire-engine red 1957 Pontiac Chieftain that he was showing off in the parking lot during the weekly Summer Fun in Shorewood program.

Koenig, a Channahon resident, bought the Chieftain in its current state—near-mint condition—about seven years ago. He is a self-proclaimed car buff who goes to a show almost every weekend during the summer months. He also owns a 2004 Chevy SSR Convertible Truck (two-seater).

The Chieftain is his baby.

“There are a lot of ‘57 Chevys,” Koenig said. “But you don’t see a lot of ‘57 Pontiacs. I think one reason is people held onto the Chevys. They were cheaper to buy at the time. The Pontiacs were more expensive.”

Also on Thursday, the Shorewood Glen Garage Band performed in the band shell at the park and residents enjoyed an ice cream social. Children made pet rocks in a craft activity run by the Shorewood-Troy Library and the young and old enjoyed mini-golf.