Fitting to a 'T'
<p>SHAWN GUST/Press Luke Schwartzmeyer, a fifth grad student at Ponderosa Elementary School in Post Falls, dressed as Henry Ford and arrived in 1926 Ford Model T Monday as part of the school’s wax museum event as part of its history curriculum.</p>
POST FALLS - Luke Schwartzmeyer was ahead of the game Monday, while taking a step back in time.
The Ponderosa Elementary fifth-grader, dressed as Henry Ford, pulled up to school riding in Dave Holinka's 1926 Model T Ford called "Mrs. Green Tea."
The grand entrance for the school's fifth-grade wax museum "Images of Greatness" project highlighting significant people in American history drew rave reviews from fellow students and parents.
It also made the day for Luke, who has autism.
"I really enjoyed it," said a beaming Luke, moments after he exited the Model T. "It's my first time ever riding in one."
As Luke reflected on the ride, several of his classmates yelled, "Nice car, Luke!"
Also along for the ride, with Holinka as escort, were Luke's brothers Gage and Donald.
As the classic rolled in, Holinka sounded the horn.
Luke said he noticed distinct differences between riding in the Model T and his family vehicles.
"It was a little bumpy and noisy," he said.
But Luke - a huge fan of trains and Model Ts - wouldn't have traded the experience for anything.
"I liked how the horn sounded and, when you opened the window, it was like air conditioning," he said.
Luke's dad, Jack, has known Holinka for several years. When Schwartzmeyer learned about the Model T, he told Holinka he knew just the person who would love a ride.
"I said 'absolutely,'" Holinka said "It made me feel good to help out. It was a great opportunity to get it out on a beautiful day, because it just sits in the garage 99 percent of the time."