Photos by Angela Gonzalez The Shades of the Past car club had their annual ice cream social Thursday, visiting residents at Hill Street Place, Heritage Pointe and Boulder Estates, having root beer floats and going for a cruise around town.

MARSHALL — Residents from Hill Street Place gathered together both outside and inside the building. As they talked to one another, trays of root beer floats in plastic red cups were being passed out. Soon everyone was enjoying a fresh cold float for the hot summer day.

The Shades of the Past club has had an ice cream social every year at nearby nursing homes such as Hill Street Place, Heritage Pointe and Boulder Estates.

“The car club does all kinds of community events,” said Mark Mather, former Shades of the Past president. “We want to be good partners with the community.”

As residents began finishing their treat, some made their way to the cars parked across from them. They wanted to get closer looks at the shiny vintage cars and sports cars.

One special car, a turquoise 1955 Chevy, had caught the eye of a couple, Aaron and Susan Tondre.

“When we got married in Texas,” Susan Tondre said. “We had a ’55 Chevy just like this.”

The Tondres thought it was quite the sight to see, especially since they just recently celebrated their 55th anniversary together. They made sure to get plenty of pictures in front of it.

Once the floats were finished, there were door prizes for the residents. Names were called out, and people whooped and cheered, for their friends and themselves, as they won chocolates and cookies.

It was then time for the car rides.

During the door prizes, other fancy cars came driving past from the other nursing homes, but now it was Hill Street Place’s turn.

Tondre was eager to have the first ride in the ’55 Chevy. A big smile appeared on her face as the car pulled up before her. She buckled in and waved good-bye as the car sped off.

More cars pulled up and residents happily hopped in, smiling and waving in flashy convertibles, old pick-up trucks and antique cars.