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Togetherness - and mean machines Mail Tribune / Drew Fleming Medford residents Richard Baldwin, left, and children Danielle and Shawn enter two classic cars - a 1932 Cabriolet Vicky and a 1932 Ford Sedan - in the Medford Cruise Show and Shine at Hawthorne Park Saturday. The Show and Shine continues from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. Cruise provides early Dad's Day present By JILL BRISKEY Deb Baldwin and her father, Charley Larkin, cruised into Father's Day a little early this year. On Saturday, Baldwin entered her 1933 Ford Roadster in the Medford Cruise Show and Shine at Hawthorne Park. Larkin displayed his 1941 Plymouth Coupe. Competing against an estimated 500 entries, the father and daughter, both Medford residents, brought home separate awards. "It really is a father-daughter thing this year," Baldwin joked. "We weren't expecting it." But to Baldwin, the awards, given by show sponsors, are just icing on the cake. Her real joy comes from the fact her passion for classic automobiles is shared by the rest of her family. Deb's son, North Medford High School student Shawn Baldwin, entered his 1932 Ford sedan in Saturday's event. Husband Richard Baldwin entered a 1932 Cabriolet Vicky that will one day belong to his daughter, Danielle, a student at Hedrick Middle School. "This is our life. This takes up our time and money, but we have a blast," Deb Baldwin said. "It's something we all love to do." The 2001 Show and Shine marks the seventh Medford Cruise event the Baldwins and Larkin have participated in. The family has taken home three people's choice awards in the past. Their efforts, however, aren't limited to Medford. During the summer, the family is rarely home, Richard Baldwin said. Instead, they travel both in and out of state participating in similar events. "You get to meet a wide variety of people, really interesting people," said Baldwin, owner of the Medford auto body shop ProFab Inc. "It's something we're all really involved with." "It's not just about the cars. It's a good thing for the family," Larkin said. "It's something we all do together." Richard Baldwin sparked a passion for classic cars with Deb 20 years ago when the couple met and married. It's a passion that has given Danielle and Shawn a few benefits other kids their age aren't likely to receive from their parents. Both own or will own classic cars, and both teens have been practicing driving since age 11. "We've always encouraged them to drive," Richard Baldwin said. "It is pretty cool," Shawn admitted, adding that he doesn't plan to make a career out of classic cars. "The whole thing is mainly a hobby, but it's something we all like." Richard Baldwin and Larkin's passion for automobiles makes Father's Day a snap when it comes to picking out gifts. Instead of golf balls, ties or razors, this father and grandfather are happy with stuff for their cars - anything from license-plate covers to steering wheels. Today, Richard Baldwin's children will give him a Billet Grill for a pickup he's building, along with a few personal items. Deb Baldwin gave Larkin his Father's Day gift a little early this year - just in time for the show. "It looks so good in there," she said of the custom-made silver air cleaner with "Dreamin'" printed on top. The Baldwins and Larkin plan to spend Father's Day watching races at the Sports Park in White City. "We always have a good time," Richard Baldwin said. "That's what this is all about." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.