March 22nd, 2008
It was a gloomy day, sprinkling a bit when
Linda & I headed to Old Town, our other "Regulars" that usually caravan
with us were busy with the Holiday Weekend.
Lee was at the Gate with
that welcoming smile of his. Bratt wasn't at her
usual spot. She was hiding under the overhang by the Office. Greg was
there for about a minute to say Hi. "Big John" had his GT50 Shelby on the corner,
Bob had his GMC in the "Looney Bin". Cris & Larry had the '69 Mustang
there as well. Roger & Company were in their favorite spot at the bottom
of Block 3. For the longest time it was our '60 Ranchero
all alone on Block 4.
Graham, G4HFG from Oldham, England checked in quite early and stayed
with us most of the evening over the 443.100 repeater. I decided to ask
the guy that we see from time to time, for the past few winters, that
sets under the stairs by us who he was. He is Steve K from
Fredericksburg, Virginia. He is a "Snowbird" that spends a few months
with us every year, he Cruises a '64 Galaxie 500XL up there and is
trying to figure out how bring it with him next year to join in with us. We then wandered to the top 3 Blocks.
John & Angel backed their '67 VW Fastback into a spot by the Cruise
Office, I don't even think they got out of it for much of the night. Most of the
"Die Hards" were in place on this rainy spring day. John in his
'55 Chevy Sedan Delivery and the Red Line Rodders were all in place by now. Karen & the kids were in their favorite spot. Bob & Marge were out in
their favorite '40 Buick parked near the stage, Darrell was just up from
it where he likes it.
Emil had his '48
Ford behind the English store. Bill, Bill and Don, who is
headed back to Illinois next week, were at the top of Block
1, Lyle was out this weekend, in his '54 Chevy, Leon was back with them
in his '57 Chevy pickup. On the way back down to the car we stopped by
the Cruise office Bill & Doris
also
stopped by for a chat. With us Bratt, Nikki and Kathy.
Shane made the
turn at the
Clock and headed for his favorite spot.
Conrad would arrive
and head for Block 4 in his '57 Chevy pickup, I dropped the gate while
Linda went over to give Shane his newsletter.
3:40, It was time to head
out to "Flippers"
for our dinner. "Red Racer " Ted, KE4TTE and Kevin, KM4FSU would be on
the radio making plans to join us. Bert was parked near the Stage in his
'66 Comet Wagon. Lyle & Karen were out in the '40 Ford Coupe for the
last time before heading back to Canada. John & Sandy in the '53 Ford
were parked by Steve & Carolyn that will be in Daytona next week before
making the trip home. Ken, Mark & Mike was
on the East side of Block 1, We spotted Dave in the '56 Mercedes heading in as we crossed the "Bricks". When we arrived Pep & Nancy were at a
table on the patio. Pep had arranged for us to pick up a set of wheels
that might fit our Ranchero, Jim would be out later and we would pick
them up after the Cruise. They were waiting for Lynn and a friend to join them
for dinner. I spotted Bratt and her son James on lunch break with Lee
inside. We would watch others make their way in to town while we were
eating. We spotted Tom & Edna with a car full in their '58 Buick arrive.
Jim in his Orange Challenger along with Bob in his '68 Chevelle.
Jane took great care of us as usual,
the four of us would head back down to the car. Gary & Helene had their
'66 Ford Galaxie 500 XL,
across from where they like it but then again they came out late.
Roberta "The Beer lady" wasn't
very busy down at the "Beer Tent", that was under the overhang tonight.
Winston was out back for a while, he said I was responsible for keeping
the rain away outside and he was responsible for the General Story Only,
well, it wasn't raining on Roberta, he did better than I did. During a
walk back to the top of "Trophy Row", while we stopped again at the
Cruise Office for an interview or two, just before 6:00. The Three
Stooges plus 2 would arrive. "Larry" AKA John in his '65 Mustang
convertible, "Curley" AKA Ron in his '64 Corvair convertible and "Moe"
AKA Bob in his '36 Ford along with Ron in his '72 Monte Carlo and John B
in his "Slick 51. It was raining pretty good by now but the "Die Hards"
kept a coming. Tom & Edna headed out for home about 6:45, it was pretty
damp so I don't blame them. That left Bob, Nick, Francine & Mark, who
might have his car back in a week or two, to occupy our overhang. I
chatted on the Radio with Graham, G4HFG, T Rod, Ted, Kevin, Josh and
Ian, G6TGO from Manchester , England who was curious about what was
going on at the Cruise. These Ham radio operators have become "Regulars"
over the airwaves as well as joining in with us when they can. "Mr.
Bill", Lisa's dad was out to see us all tonight, he will ride with Dave
Dean as tonight Cruise would be dedicated to "Miss Lisa".
Sarah stopped by
with the "Flag Winners" just after 8:20,
Jim & Charlene Goldade, our March "Cruiser of the Month"
in their '65 Mustang 2+2, were led to block 4 that becomes the staging
area at this time by Lee. Then the rest of the cars
from the top 3 Blocks followed to the "Staging Area" for Old
Town's signature event.
"Mustang Mike" who was at the controls of the
"Blue Room", playing a mix of
nostalgic music and radio "Jingles", was joined by Allan they got word that we were ready to Cruise,
Allan
gave the safety announcements. Then offered a moment of silence and
dedication in
memory of Lisa Ann Lowery Simonson, better known to us as "Miss Lisa", a
long time member of the Old Town Family. Then the National Anthem was
played, "Wolfman Jack" proclaimed, "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise", for this the
926th running of this tradition. Bratt & Lee would
lead
Jim & Charlene Goldade, our March
"Cruiser of the Month" in their '65 Mustang 2+2, up the even side of
"Deac Hundley Avenue",
"Mustang Mike" announced the Flag Winners
as the rest of the 116 cars in
parade formation,
made the turn by "Kids Town" on to the "Bricks", delighting a very large crowd of
spectators, many rows deep on both sides of the "No Wake Zone" 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 278th consecutive Saturday a fun and
safe one. Get Well, Mike Singer, we all miss you!
On to the Flag Winners
_small.jpg)
_small.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
(100).jpg)
.gif)
