By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

RESERVE – Pride in one’s hometown is not uncommon, and claims that something could only happen in a certain location have grown less likely in today’s global society. St. Peter School hosted an event Saturday, however, that truly could happen only in Reserve.

The school decided to transport neighbors back in time and take advantage of Reserve’s preferred mode of transportation by hosting a golf-cart drive-in movie on school grounds.

“Grease” was indeed the word as the carts pulled into rows, and familiar tunes from the 1950s wafted over the crowd. Volunteers in poodle skirts or rolled-up jeans served traditional concessions, and even the price of admission — $2 per cart — harkened back to America’s Atomic Age. Then, as the sun set and darkness spread over the spectacle, the familiar beach scene that opens the classic movie filled the screen.

The event was the brainchild of St. Peter School Board member Stephen Guidry.

Said Guidry, “I just knew Reserve had a lot of golf carts. I said, ‘These people are riding around looking for something to do.’”

He said the board is also looking into other ways to take advantage of this unique aspect of Reserve life. Besides more drive-in nights, he said two other ideas they have considered are a golf-cart show and a golf-cart poker run.

“It can grow into a multitude of things,” said Guidry, adding, “In today’s world it’s getting tougher and tougher to raise money, and you have to come up with new ideas.”

St. Peter’s new principal, Paula Amato Poche, pointed out that such events have a purpose beyond mere fundraising.

“We saw it more as a community-building experience,” she said.

For some attendees, the experience was something entirely new and different, but for others it brought back memories of their own drive-in days.

“I just thought it was great to bring it back and get the people together,” said Mary Alice Landeche. “We did the real thing in ’57.”

Regardless of their historical perspective on the drive-in phenomenon, most who braved the possibility of rain sprinkles could agree on one thing.

As one attendee, Jamie Remondet, said, “It’s gotta be Reserve.”