Wayland ’55-plus’ group visits Damveld gas station shrine

Damveld's1The Wayland Union Schools Community Ed Leisure Life pizza/prize bingo event Wednesday featured a unique visit at Gregg and Mary Damveld’s pole barn/garage to see Gregg’s collection of Corvettes and Standard Oil classic collectibles.

The local group, open to people ages 55 and older, first met for lunch at BC Pizza in Dorr and then stopped in at the Damvelds’ shrine for old cars and a gasoline station from days gone by.

Gregg and his brother Mike, both Wayland High School graduates, took over the Standard Oil gas station in Dorr after their father retired. It still stands today as the BP Gas Station in Dorr.

Gregg travels all over the U.S. to find his collection of treasures, which got so large he had to build the building to house them in 2003.

The Leisure Life group meets periodically, most often Damveld's2at the Wayland Schools Transportation Building on Wildcat Drive, just south of the middle schools.

Local school officials decided a couple years ago to resurrect a community education program for adults 55-plus. Two events are planned each month, including free pizza and prize bingo and events such as visiting Meijer Gardens, the Shipshewana Flea Market in Indiana, turkey dinner buffet and play at Turkeyville in Marshall, Grand Rapids Museum and Planetarium, a Saugatuck shopping trip, the annual Holiday Christmas lunch, speakers, etc.

Anyone who would like to receive the quarterly newsletter of events or would like more information, may contact Penny Salisbury 269-792-2996 or salisburyp@waylandunion.net

The program this month was sponsored by Kubiak Cook, one of a number of sponsors who help make the outings and gatherings possible.

PHOTOS: These classic cars are prominent in Gregg Damveld’s unique building that serves as a tribute to bygone days for vehicles and gas stations.

Gregg Damveld speaks to members of the Leisure Life group about his lifetime hobby.

(Photos courtesy of Penny Salisbury)

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