March 8th, 2008
Linda, K4EIO & I, K4SLB in our
'60 Ranchero, met Mike N4HHA and Kristen,
KJ4BST in the red '63 Corvair Spyder convertible, at the "Top of the Hill" at 1:15
for our pilgrimage to Old Town. We arrived at the Gate to Lee's smiling
face we would then make our way down to Bratt, who was soaking up a
little sunlight, it was cold for Florida and very windy, she registered
us. As we made the turn by the clock you could hear those "Might Titans"
testing their stuff on the Dynamo. There were more than 50 of them
behind the "Entertainment Shop" in the West parking lot, for their
annual meet. The other side of "Deac Hundley Ave." since 9:00AM was the
"Florida Edsel Cub". Old Town was already very busy with spectators and
Clubs on display. "Big John" had his GT 350 on the corner, Bob had his
GMC in the "Looney Bin". Roger & Company were in their favorite spot,
Ron S joined them in his '41 Packard. There was a bustling
community in Block 4, the
"Nostalgic Nova's Mini
Nationals" was in town
today. They have been a returning club since 1998. There was almost
every color and model of this great Chevy on display. Despite
yesterday's foul weather and today's Chilly and Windy, gusts nearing
45MPH, weather, there were 39 registered participants. Many would stay
with us to Cruise tonight. Bill & Doris were waiting for us as we
crossed "Florida Plaza". We would park in a temporary space to await an
opening in Block 4. Mike & Kristen parked on the other side. After a
chat with Bill & Doris and one of the members of the National
Staff of the show along with a few owners, Linda & I would head out to
see what regulars would be in place. Bill & Doris headed for the monthly
"Chick-Fil-A" show in Clermont. It seemed like a full day and it had
just started.
As we made our way up "Trophy Row" we stopped to visit
with all that were in Town. "Big John" was across from his car setting
in the Sun, soaking up a little heat. Most of the "Redline Rodders" were
in their spots but I think they were down looking at the Novas. Bob &
Marge were in their favorite spot with their Buick. Emil had his '48
Ford behind the English Store. We made our way up to the top of Block 1.
There they were, you know, that gang of Trucks from Illinois, O.K. so
some of them are now transplants, Haines City and even a "Snowbird" or
two and not all from Illinois. Lyle in his
'54 Bel Air, Don in his
'65
El Camino. Bill with his
'54 Mercury pickup, yes, it is a Mercury,
check out the feature story about Mercury Trucks in Number 28, February
24th of 2005, and
Bill in his
'53 F100 "SHOW TIME" pickup. A great bunch of guys that love
to come to Old Town. People from "Back Home" know where to find these
guys on a Saturday night when they travel to Florida. Heading back to
see how the Nova show was doing, taking some photos of the Edsels we ran
into Jeff with his '59 Edsel and Dan Z on the bricks. Jeff said there
were 21 of them out today. The line up even included a '60 Voyager
Wagon.
Shane had his '57 Chevy parked across from Roger.
At about 3:30 the Nova show was winding down, awards were
given and the newer ones and a few of the vendors would be leaving. Mike
brought his Corvair down and took a vacated spot across from our usual
parking spots. I would later move our Ranchero next to it. Nick & Fran
would arrive and take a spot next to Mike with their '32 Ford. Graham,
G4HFG, would check in over the radio from Oldham, England. "Red Racer"
Ted, KE4TTE would call to say he was tied up at a job site and could not
make it out tonight, T Rod, KT4ROD was also stuck at work. W7ZMA, Zahra
form Reno, Nevada checked in. Ron would bring his '41 Packard down to
Block 4 and park in his favorite spot near Roberta the "Beer Lady" who
had been doing a brisk business all day long. It was time to eat, you
guessed it off to "Flippers" we headed. It took us a while longer to get
there, more of the regulars were now populating the top 3 Blocks. Bert &
Ernie were out, Pep & Nancy, and Lynn in the '48 Ford pickup. Later
tonight they would celebrate Clint & Bert's birthday with a cake. Clint
passed away last July and he and Bert always had this celebration
together. Clint is missed by all of his friends and Old Town family.
Mark, Mike & Ken were now at the top of Block 1. Dave D was arriving in
his Mustang as we crossed the Bricks on our way. His brothers, Newt &
Ken would join him under the carport a little later.
While Jane was taking good care of us at "Flippers" many
of the other regulars made their way to eat. Tony & Marianne, John &
Terri along with visitors from New York. A few more Cruisers made their
way down the Bricks while the 4 of us dinned alfresco. John B in his
"Slick 51", Dennis in his T Tudor, Bob in the '68 SS396 Chevelle to name
a few. Mark was spotted walking up to eat with Nick & Fran. They went
inside, warmer there. O.K. so it was a little cold outside but it is
hard to break tradition. We said our "See ya Laters" to Jane and headed
back to the cars.
Bob, N2SXJ, a regular spectator stopped by for a bit. Bob
found a spot next to Nick and parked his Chevelle in it. Linda & I put
on a few more layers, people poked fun at my brightly colored stocking
cap but my head was warm. Shane joined the 4 of us on an excursion to a
few of the shops in Block 4. First the General Store, it was quite busy
and "Warm", I bet they sold a lot of sweat shirts tonight. Then over to
the "Europins" suite 418. All of the stores seemed very busy. The rest
of the night went by quickly.
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 Dave
& Lee. Then the Edsels that had been on display all day on the
"Bricks" followed by the rest of the cars from the top 3 Blocks
would follow next to Block 4 that becomes 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", 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
924th 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",
followed by the rest of the 206 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 276th consecutive Saturday a fun and
safe one. Get Well, Mike Singer, we all miss you!
Hope you are all right Charlie, we missed you tonight,
get well.
On to the Flag Winners
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