She got her wish on Jan. 15, as the keys to the 1965 Chevrolet Impala were handed over to her by the North Platte Community College Foundation.
“I like cars like this. I’m a car person,” Ridenour said. “We have the car that my dad bought when I was a senior in high school. It’s a 1966 Plymouth Sports Fury, a 2-door hardtop, and I also have a 1999 Porsche Boxster convertible.”
When the Ridenours went to the fair, Linda reminded her husband about the car.
“I told him to go buy me a ticket and he said, ‘Really,’” Linda said. “I said, ‘Yes, I want a ticket.’”
Her husband added, “And I do what she tells me.”
“And that’s why we’ve been married for 45 years,” Linda chimed in with a laugh.
Linda was at a ladies tea when she got the call about being the winner.
“I was really, really surprised,” Linda said. “After we bought the ticket, I didn’t think about it anymore.”
When she got home, she told Ross about the ladies tea.
“And then I said, ‘Oh by the way, we won the car at the State Fair,’” Linda said. “We’re just very tickled, just so excited.”
Mid-Plains Community College President Ryan Purdy thanked everyone involved with the project at the ceremony.
“I just appreciate the hard work all the instructors and all the students do for such a quality project the college can be proud of,” Purdy said. “It’s nice to have it around for six or eight months as a nice recruiting tool for the programs.”
Proceeds went toward payment of income taxes to the winner, costs associated with this year’s raffle car project and scholarships for students in MPCC’s Classic Car Restoration, Automotive Technology and Auto Body Technology programs.
This car has a little extra power, according to Don Wilson, auto body instructor, and Linda said that’s OK with her.
“I like that,” Linda said. “When I get behind the wheel of a sports car, whatever---I change, but I will stay close to the speed limit.”
Linda said she and her husband were full-time educators for a total of 79 years together, and Ross still works as a substitute teacher.
“We spent a lot of years in education,” Linda said. “So we understand and appreciate the value of this program.”
Linda said they will take the car to shows and parades.
“But I’m not taking it to the mall to shop in,” Linda said.