IN PHOTOS: Rehabilitation center residents judge car show

JOHNSON CITY — Residents at The Waters, a rehabilitation and skilled nursing center, were up early Saturday morning for a special treat: cars. The facility hosted around 70 vehicles over the weekend for its fourth annual car show. Twenty-five winners, judged by the residents, received trophies. Activities Director Angela Nease said registration funds went toward activities like food truck visits. The show started when Nease's sister and brother-in-law, who go to car shows every weekend, asked if they could host one at the center. Four years later, Nease said residents still love looking at the cars. Rubber ducks decorate a green Jeep Gladiator. "Jeep ducking," or "Duck Duck Jeep," is a brand custom where owners leave ducks on each other's vehicles, traditionally accompanied by a kind note. JOY MAZUR/SIX RIVERS MEDIA "Just the smiles on their faces, that makes my day," Nease said. "If I could make them happy and make them smile, I've done my job." Resident Randy Mashburn said he evaluated vehicles based on sound, look and model year. While his favorite car of all time is a '69 Plymouth Road Runner, he's a fan of all wheels. "If they sound good, I like 'em," he said. Angela Nease, activities director at The Waters of Johnson City, poses with resident Randy Mashburn. "I like all of 'em," Mashburn said about cars. "If they sound good, I like 'em." JOY MAZUR/SIX RIVERS MEDIA The event gives residents an opportunity to get out and socialize, Mashburn added. "I think it's wonderful," he said. "I think we need to have it once a month." This year, a new award was introduced to the show — one that honored a recently passed resident. Although Leila Harris was blind, Nease said she loved to listen to the cars every year. Morgan Hensley, 16, was chosen to bestow the memorial award to one registrant. The girl developed a special relationship with Harris after the two struck up a conversation at last year's show. Morgan Hensley (right) with The Waters resident Leila Harris. Although Harris couldn't see, she loved listening to the vehicles at the annual car show. The show gave out a memorial award this year in her honor. CONTRIBUTED/MORGAN HENSLEY "She just looked the sweetest," Hensley said. "I was drawn to her, because she reminded me of my grandmother a lot, who had passed." Through periodic visits and phone calls, Hensley and Harris bonded over flowers, religion, Elvis Presley and more. "[It's] a relationship that I wouldn't change for the world. She just meant so much to me," Hensley said. "It was just so unexpected, and I'm so grateful for it." Hensley added that the new award represented kindness, compassion and being there for others. Although she wasn't sure how to decide the trophy recipient at the start of the day, she had a good idea of where to begin. "I think I'm just gonna [let] Miss Leila lead me!" Many car owners pop their vehicle's hoods to give attendees an inside look at the engine bay. JOY MAZUR/SIX RIVERS MEDIA The hood ornament of a '37 Graham Supercharger offers a streamlined look. JOY MAZUR/SIX RIVERS MEDIA A 1925 "Ford Track T" sports its original coat of paint. JOY MAZUR/SIX RIVERS MEDIA