Every week a little two-door brown car is parked in the high school parking lot. Many people may look it over, but friends of its owner recognize it immediately due to its broken front bumper being held on by cables and bungee cords.
Kate Cleveland has owned "Old Bessie" since it was handed down to her from her sister, Jennifer. In fact, the most noticeable aspect of the car comes from Jennifer driving it. One morning before school about four years ago, she realized she had forgotten something at home and turned around at the Co-op in Badger to go back and get it. The front end of the car was sticking too far out in the road and a passing bus hit the front left bumper. This would be the reason why the bumper is held on by cables and bungee cords, and though the bus door was dented, no other damaged was caused.
Although the headlights surprisingly do work, there are a few problems with this 1981 Firenza LC Coupe that aren't readily noticeable. The radio doesn't work all the time, the air conditioning not at all, and the sunroof is broken. The odometer has turned over twice, but other than that, it's a pretty good car.
Kate has become accustomed to Bessie's little personality quirks. When the radio doesn't work, a quick hit to the dash above the radio will most times get it in tune long enough to usually hear another song. The air conditioning issue doesn't really matter to Kate or people riding with her in her car. She prefers an open window anyway, and her passengers tend to agree. As for the sunroof, it's missed about as much as the air conditioning.
Just like each person has their own personality, so does each car. Many "Heap of the Week" owners are asked if they would ever trade their car for a newer or "better" one, but in most cases the answer is "no". A car and its personality often times become part of the personality of the owner. It's who they are and adds certain characteristics to the person just as much as the person may customize the car. So when you see a little brown two-door Oldsmobile Firenza LC Coupe with a damaged front driver's side bumper going down the road, remember: that's Kate Cleveland.
Article #2: Hoagie's Car
In case anyone hasn’t noticed, one of the school and community’s most loved articles has not been in the paper recently. In fact, not a single Journalism student has been working on this particular article theme at all since the beginning of second trimester at least. So, with no further ado, I give you, “The Heap of the Week”.
That’s right, the junk car article is back. And this week it’s the “Girlie Smell Car”. A few of you may know who this car belongs to. Others have never known this car by that name. Well, it’s also known as the Cavy and was once even called the Hoagie-mobile. If you don’t know the owner by now, Lisa Hogue might be a little upset.
Sitting out in the snow is a little blue 1991 Chevy Cavalier. Whether at County K Apartments, the school, or sitting in my driveway, this little two-door has been seen all around Humboldt, Dakota City, and Fort Dodge. And if you know Lisa, you definitely know this car is a wonderful candidate for “Heap of the Week”. The brakes, although fairly new, are shot, the shocks don’t work as they’re supposed to, and the paint is chipping off in places. Parts of the interior are held in place by duct tape, and the driver’s side window is no longer able to roll down. The tires are bald, the shocks are noisy, and the air conditioning doesn’t work. Add to that, the Hoagie was recently in a little accident which left the front passenger side corner of her car with a broken turn signal and dented metal. In fact, the best part of this car is the new cd player.
Yes, it’s true; there have been worse cars. However, a total heap is rare, and Lisa’s car comes pretty close. There have been many things that have happened to her car since she started driving it. While turning off Highway 169 one day, Lisa accidentally hit some loose gravel and ran over a road sign. The sign cost only $35 to replace, however to the best of her knowledge, it never was.
Originally belonging to her mother, the Hoagie has made this car her own. From the stickers in the window and on the back of the trunk to her little bear residing in her backseat which she has named “Vin Diesel”, it says a lot about her.
