March 1st, 2008
Linda, K4EIO & I, K4SLB met Steve Mc, K4SKM, in his shiny
fendered '29 Ford Model A Sport coupe, at the "Top of the Hill" at 1:15
for our pilgrimage to Old Town. We ran a little late because of a inept
Osceola County Deputy that really needs to make her way back to "Traffic
Control" classes, her fiasco delayed us and countless others trying to
make our way to the Parkway. Mass confusion on her part, I guess it was
only her job to keep the flares lit that people were running over. Maybe
that wouldn't have happened if she given the traffic some sort of
directions. Just a thought. Anyway, Gary was at the Gate and greeted us
with that Grin of his. Bratt was at her post by the "Grim Haunted House"
to register us, we made our turn by the clock and a few cars were coming
down from Block 1, they were headed for our favorite parking spot.
Allan, Dave & Joe were working over a hot grill under the carport. We
noticed that Mike, Mark & Ken were at the bottom of Block 3, of course
Roger was there and a few other regulars. Anyway, Bill, in his F100 and
Bill in his '54 Mercury along with friends in the "Cool 54" Chevy a '57
Chevy pickup and a '65 El Camino from Illinois. We lost or favorite
spots, oh well it was fair and square, it is first come first served,
they beat us to them by seconds. We headed down towards the end of the
Block behind the "General Store". We needed to have a few spares like we
usually do because Ed & Evelyn along with Ed & Sarah would be joining
us. Conrad, who we have let in to block 4 for the past year or so
arrived in his '57 Chevy pickup and was very surprised not to see us in
our regular spot. He thought that it might have been something special
because since he has been Cruising he has seen us in at the top of Block
4. Jeff was next to arrive in Block 4 in his '59 Edsel, Dan Z was close
behind in his '56 Ford Crown Vicky Flower truck.
Linda & I headed out to see who was in "Town" we stopped
to talk to the Bills and company, their favorite spot at the top of
Block 1 was occupied and they needed an area that had room for 5 cars so
they came down. We joked about it for a while and Linda & I continued
our journey. We stopped to talk with Mark, Ken & Mike. Mark brought out
the meat and "Fixin's" for the "Early Birds", Bar-B-Que, courtesy of
Winn-Dixie. Shane had his '57 Chevy parked across from Roger. James' '67
Firebird was nearby. Bruce had his Split Window Coupe in his favorite
spot. After we stopped for a few photos at the carport, Grillin' area,
we stopped by the "Looney Bin" where Bob had his GMC pickup and Cris &
Larry were out in that Mustang with the Camaro taillights. Most of the
"Redline Rodders" were in place. Emil was up behind the British
Store, he got his windows fixed, he hadn't been out in a few weeks, it
was too wet. Bob was nearby in his '63 Corvair. We turned around and
headed back down to our car, Tony & Marianne had just arrived in their
SS454 Monte Carlo, they parked near Russ' Chevelle. Bob & Marge were out
in their '40 Buick. We then ran into Gary & Helene, she was excited, the
chrome bumpers were now on their '66 Galaxie. Ralph & Shirley had
arrived and were positioning themselves under the stairs, just where
they like it when their favorite bands are on stage. We also ran into
Karen and the Kids on their way to set up behind the stars. Yes, we did
stop by for some of that good smellin' Bar-B-Que. After we got back to
our car I figured I better head up to where we usually park, it was near
time for Bill & Doris to come out, I was right they had arrived and had
bewildered looks on their faces, they may have been one of the first to
ask the Bills, "Where's Steve?". We had a short chat and they headed up
to join the "People under the Stairs". We hung around for a while,
Graham, G4HFG from Oldham, England would check in over the radio for the
first time today. We caught up with The Eds and Evelyn & Sarah, who had
arrived in our absence. Doc & Cara would park the '30 Chevy "Tater
Truck" next to the '29 Model A. "Lucky Louie" would park his '52 Ford
across from us. The night was set, it looked like there would be a big
Cruise tonight.
It was time to head to "Flippers", tonight it would be
just Linda & I, just a table for 2, how nice for a change. It took us a
while to make our way there. More cars had now arrived and the band was
setting up, We chatted with Eddie and his bride for a bit. I finally got
a good photo of the '38 Graham, "Shark nose" that was at the top of
Block 1. For the past few years it always had a sign in front of it. We
took a table, of course we dinned alfresco. Jane mentioned it had been
slow today. I wonder why? She took great care if us as usual. While
there we saw many cars making that turn on to the "Bricks", they just
kept rolling in. By the time we were leaving, around 5:15 the previously
vacated Patios, Kool Katz, Flippers and Jammers were starting to fill
up. On our way back down to the car we ran into Craig from "The Dukes".
John B who was showing an old friend, a guy he went through school with
from the 7th grade, back up in Michigan, Larry & Jane Vanderlin that
were in town on vacation, just what Old Town and Saturday night was all
about. Then we spotted a '51 Crosley Station wagon that was dressed up
to be a "Woody" complete with surfboard on the roof. It just got into
town from Ohio last night. He is part of the Crosley gang, out of Ohio,
that come to Cruise Central Florida every year about this time.
Linda & I would make many trips around "Town" to the top
of Block 1 to the parking area behind "Kids Town" that was starting to
fill up by 6:00. It was good to see Randy & Tina out in their '64
Belvedere. Bob & Marje were out in their '71 Z-28, Nick & Fran had the
'32 Deuce Coupe next to it at the bottom of Block 4. Mark was hanging
out with them, they almost have his car ready to bring back out. We
would meet Roberta's Grandson along with his Mom. He was ready for a
nap. Roberta was doing a great business out of the Beer Tent. Winston
was stuck in the Store most of the night but he did make it to "Trophy
Row" for a visit with a few Cruisers. Just about everyone we talked with
said something was askew with the night, or the building in Block 4 was
turned around. I guess when they are used to seeing us in the same spot
for several years it is funny if we aren't. Don, who usually has his
Metropolitan under the stairs at the top of Block 4 was out in his '65
Ambassador that he bought new in Orlando. Later he would hit the parade
route with lots of family in it. It is impossible to mention every one
that we talked with tonight, it just seems to be more every week. Let's
just say, these nights at Old Town are the best, Old Friends and ones we
just made. The spectator crowd was huge, "The
Dukes" were singing on the corner in front of "Black Market
Minerals" "Eddie & the Cruzers" were on Stage, to the delight of the "Old Town Dancers" along
with all of the regulars that come out each week for the entertainment
and cars. Bob, N2SXJ, stopped out to look at all the cars and to check
in with us, he had a hard time finding us. Charlie, who was fighting a
sinus infection would make it out for a few minutes to take a couple of
photos and pick up his newspaper. I never did get much time to set down.
Sarah stopped by
with the "Flag Winners" just after 8:20, Dave Dean filling in
for Jim & Charlene Goldade, our March "Cruiser of the Month" who had
technical difficulties with their '65 Mustang 2+2, right at the start,
as "Leader of the Pack" he was followed by the dozen or so of members of
the National El Camino Club from the "Bricks" on the even side of "Deac
Hundley Ave." then the rest of the cars from the top 2 blocks of "Trophy Row",
were led to
block 4 that becomes the staging area at this time, by Bratt, Gary, Dave
& Lee. Allan who had the "Auto Pilot" running Old Town Radio
programmed with a mix of
nostalgic music, made his way to the controls of the "Blue Room",
then got word that we were ready to Cruise,
he
gave the safety announcements, played the National Anthem, "Wolfman Jack" proclaimed, "It's the
Saturday Nite Cruise", right on time, for this the
923rd running of this tradition. Bratt & Lee escorted Dave
Dean in a '64 Chevy and the El Camino's up the even side of "Deac Hundley
Avenue", followed by the rest of the 309 cars,
delighting a very large crowd of
spectators, many rows deep on both sides of the Avenue. "Rain or
Shine" every Saturday night of the year, there is nothing quite like it
for the "Cruisers" and it is always a treat for those watching it from
the sidewalks and boulevards.
Thank you Old Town for letting us, the
curators of this "Rolling Display of Automotive History", the cars that
are the "Stars", to be their guests this evening. Thank you to the Old
Town Merchants Association and the Sponsors of this event, "Valvoline",
the "General Store", the "A&W", "Tags With Class", "Wound and Around", Pepsi, Roberts Brothers,
Race Depot & "Flippers" just to
name a few. Thank you to Allan, Joe, Ron, Lee, Bratt, Gary, Dave, Nikki and the entire Cruise Staff and fellow Cruisers for
making this our 275th consecutive Saturday a fun and
safe one. Get Well, Mike Singer, we all miss you!
On to the Flag Winners
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