Car, coffee enthusiasts in Pooler share road, racing plans

I have to admit that the best part of pulling up at Cars & Coffee Pooler at Spanky’s Westside is seeing what cars are here! Mary Ann Worsham and her partner Chuck Snelling’s perfect solution for outdoor activities is a success judging by the number of cars lined up.

After seeing the support of car enthusiasts at the Oglethorpe Driving Club’s monthly Cars & Coffee at Habersham Village three months ago, Mary Ann and Chuck made a call to Spanky’s Westside’s Chaz White and asked if they would host a monthly car meet in their parking lot.

I head over to catch everyone gawking at David Rubnitz red Acura NSX. Teasing David about his new haircut and side part, I pose him with Pooler native Chris Watring and fellow Orkin rep Andy Meola.

Feverishly freaked out but slightly fascinated by creepy crawlers, I ask Chris what’s new in the bug world. “Bed bugs are the new big bad bug” is his answer. Before I can get too detailed, I ask the guys what they do for fun. Who knew that both guys would say, “Cruising, boating and spirited beverages!”

Next up is uber attractive Gary Javo and his sweet 2020 Turbo Audi R8. So not looking 42 years old, the Memorial Day School grad tells me about his Sit and Sleep Mattress and a shopping center, being a racing instructor and travels out west while posing with my favorite car of the day.

With an invite out to Roebling Road Raceway on Jan. 29 for the Apex Track Experience, Gary tells me, “From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. we will have road racing and from 2 to 5 p.m. there will be straight-line racing with everything from Lamborghinis and Corvettes to Mustangs and BMWs.”

Leaving Gary, I head over to meet Cedric Gray and admire his black BMW M8 Competition. The Jackson, Mississippi, native is hanging out with New Jersey dudes Jimmy Reynolds and Dave Miller who agree to pose for a quick pic before I walk over to the car that has garnered the most attention today.

This electric blue Shelby Cobra has always been Kerry Conaway’s dream car. “I sold two cars and had to get some extra cash to get this car,” shares the enthusiast to father and son Rusty and Royce Reid. Seeing the face of 11-year-old Royce when he takes a seat behind the wheel of this 1965 masterpiece makes my heart happy knowing that I am seeing the next generation of car lovers.

Speaking of future generations, 1 year old Ryder Panait is being driven around in a remote controlled BMW 507 operated by his dad Rado. Stationed at Ft. Stewart, Rado invites me to Hinesville to a car show held on the last Sunday of every month.

Loving the brisk 50-degree weather, I head inside Spanky’s to see if there is any hot chocolate and find 86-year-old William Taylor hanging out with Mike Stevens and Jeff Ashley. Recognizing William from American Legion Post 322, I ask the veteran where he served. “I was in the Korean conflict in ’52 while in the U.S. Navy,” said the winner of a 209-car race in Bradenton, Florida, in 1978.

Before leaving the fellow drag racers, I ask who the best driver is among the three. Both Mike and William glance at Jeff who admits, “I drive a lot more than they do.” Following Jeff out to snap a pic of his red ’65 GTO, I hear Rick Broussard of RPM Autoworx calling me over.

Proud to hear Rick tell me of his plans to race his Mustang GT at Virginia International Raceway in March and how successful his Chatham Parkway auto repair shop is, I convince him to join a group pic while waiting on Mary Ann and Chuck to join me.

When the car couple moseys over, I get to thank them for giving the Westside something cool to do outside. “There hasn’t been a lot of events that are COVID-safe and people were looking for something to do closer to home. This location is perfect,” shares the Red Door Auction owners.

With plans to continue to host their “free and open to the public” Cars and Coffee at Spanky’s Westside the second Saturday of every month, Mary Ann cruises off in her red ’66 Chevy C10 truck followed by Chuck in his ’72 El Camino.  

During these events, when people are wearing face masks, I suggest they remove the mask, I quickly take the photo, and they put the face mask back on.

Invite Bunny to your gathering, gala or other social event. Contact Bunny at 912-844-1122 or email her at bunnyware@aol.com.