December is an abbreviated Cruise month for the gang that shows up at the Sonic in Saint Cloud. Many years ago an agreement was made with Wal-Mart so they might have their whole parking lot for the busy holiday season and the Cruisers might spend the Holiday Season with family. Tonight would be the first of only 2 Cruise-In’s this month.

What made tonight’s event more special than any other week was the fact that the “Cruise-A-Matic” had reached $300 and the drawing would continue until it was given away. This and the fact that the day afforded us nearly perfect weather the “Cruiser” turn out was a little larger than normal but not as big as we expected.

Allan & Nichole with CJ, had their Tundra parked before we arrived. Even Don & Tara made it all the way from Volusia County in their Firebird. Some Cruisers didn’t bring out their cars, they had already been decorated for Saturday’s Christmas Parade in Saint Cloud. It was good to see Ed & Evelyn along with Tom & Edna in their respective Corvairs. Dave, Esther and Mesha would make it out for the evening in the ‘83 Grand Marquis. I know that I usually try and mention all that make it out. Instead I would like to list those that may have wished that they did. These are the Cruisers that were drawn in the “Cruise-A-Matic” that were not present:

656 Jorge Rivera
619 David Turnbull
777 Mike Tomko
388 Harry Di Martino
358 Tommie Longbrake
433 Rich Towne Sr
106 Marty Garrett
163 Richard Weidner
680 Fred Urban
363 Terry Catledge
103 Jimmy Brown
489 Gary Brandt
735 Ralph Brueggeman
264 Susan Dugas
630 Jeff Sutton
494 Robert Gawlowski
495 Tim Gallagher
134 Gina Clark
482 Ralph Beauchamp
70 Don Smallwood
111 Charlotte Bainbridge
336 Mike T (Tollefsrud)
366 Patty Collins
127 Scotty Perkins

"Cruiser of the Week" went home with Tom & Edna Adams, Cruiser #241 for their '28 Ford Model A "Fire Chief Special. Tom was also that 25th Cruiser number that we drew, for the $300, it was a good night for him! He donated $20 back to the Cruise-In, Thank you. "Big Jim" Wirebaugh, Cruiser #118 had the winning 50/50 ticket for the $118. "Ernie" was the ticket picker and Renee did the prize shopping.

Next week will be our last Cruise-In for 2008 and our Cruiser appreciation night, Pizza will be provided for all that attend and those who wish to attend are encouraged to bring some side dishes or desserts.

We then take off 3 weeks for the Christmas - New Years Season. January the 8th, 2009 is the first Cruise-In for a Thursday night. The Old Town events do not take a Holiday so you can find us and “Mustang Mike” there on a Wednesday, Friday or Saturday during this Holiday Season. Everyone is welcome, with or without their cars to enjoy the festivities.