MARTINSBURG – In its 10th year, the Diamond and Pearl Extravaganza, hosted by Friends of The Norwalk Foundation and the Berkeley County Relay For Life, recently took place, with half of the proceeds raised to benefit Relay For Life and the other half to profit supporting the Norwalk Car.
“We started it to raise money to support the Norwalk Car. That’s the main function of this event, ”said Patricia Runkles, Friends of Norwalk Foundation member. “For the first two years, the foundation took care of it on its own. The event has continued to grow. We have it at Heritage Hall in Inwood, and we sell 400 tickets. It’s usually a sold-out sale.
After being rescheduled twice due to COVID-19, the event finally took place in November and was a success, according to Runkles.
With games, a silent auction, dinner, 50/50 drawings, a live auction and raffles, Runkles said it was a fun night out. There have been over 120 silent auction items this year, she added.
“We had 12 items that went to live auction. These were our premium items, ”said Runkles. “We have also partnered with Littman Jewelers over the past two years. “
With over 40 volunteers and many attendees, Runkles said the Diamond and Pearl Extravaganza is the foundation’s largest fundraiser.
The main sponsors of the Diamond and Peal Extravaganza included Heritage Hall; Jefferson Asphalt Products Co.; Littman Jewlers, Inc .; Tanya Noll — Long & Foster Real Estate; and Randy Smith Family Investments LLC. Gold sponsors for the event included City National Bank, Farmers & Mechanics Insurance, Frye Masonry, Gantt’s Excavating, Lovely Pixels, Mountaineer Kitchens & Bath, Trick Trucks, Unger Excavating and Vic & Shelly McFillan. Silver sponsors for the event included Dr Mary Hendrix & Chuck Craft, Dorothy Hurley, Pill & Pill, Quick & Easy Autowash, State Farm Insurance-Kay Lewis, State Farm Insurance-Jerry Williams and Zeero Distributors-Rick Cogswell.
Auctioneer Duke Edwards always volunteers his time, Runkles said.
There were several other sponsors attending the event from across the community.
The Friends of Norwalk Foundation began its fundraising efforts in 2008.
“The organization was formed with the aim of purchasing the last known surviving Norwalk Underslung Six and returning this piece of industrial era heritage to Martinsburg,” said Board member Galen Runkles in the pass.
The foundation was chartered for the purpose of acquiring, purchasing and preserving a 1914 Norwalk Underslung Six motor car, which was built in Martinsburg by the Norwalk Motor Car Company and which is believed to be the only motor vehicle known survivor produced by this company.
According to Galen Runkles, the Norwalk car was purchased in Colorado in 2008 for $ 300,000 by the organization and paid off in just over eight years.
“In the early 1900s, a low-profile luxury car was built in the industrial center of Martinsburg,” the Norwalk Motor Car website states. “The long and lavish Norwalk Underslung Six was touted as ‘the car of absolute exclusivity’. It remains Martinsburg’s main claim to automotive history. It was also the most successful and oldest motor vehicles known to have been made in the Highland State. “
The foundation’s fundraising efforts, including proceeds from Diamond and Peal Extravaganza, will go towards a proposed project in the future to potentially bring Norwalk Underslung Six survivors to the area.
The Norwalk has been on display in the Washington County Heritage Museum in Maryland for several years, and the Friends of Norwalk Foundation may wish to use the fundraiser to bring the car back to Martinsburg in the future.
According to the descriptions, the Norwalk had many unique features, including 40-inch wheels, which placed the front fenders almost level with the hood. It had a push-button electric transmission and was built on a 136-inch chassis. In its year of manufacture, the car cost $ 3,100. The Ford Model-T could be bought for $ 250 at the time.
The company began assembling the car in 1912 in a building formerly occupied by Brooklyn Brass Works located on Miller Avenue, now known as Norwalk Avenue, located along the Winchester & Western Railroad tracks in the once woolen mill district. flourishing of Martinsburg. The company did business there for a few years and then moved to New England due to the economic impacts. Later, in 1989, the Martinsburg Norwalk factory burned down.
The foundation is seeking any assistance from the community to aid it in its efforts to find or create a permanent home in Berkeley County for the car.
“I hope something will be resolved soon,” added Patricia Runkles.
For more information visit www.norwalkmotorcar.com.