It was just a few days after the lightening did all the damage to the servers and all of the Computer/Radio equipment in our home. It is going to be a long haul getting everything back up and running, there wasn't any insurance on any of it and it is very time consuming retrieving data and setting up all of the servers.

Anyway it didn't ruin our Saturday in our "Home Town". We would head out in our old Dodge at our regular time, Steve Mc, K4SKM was headed out the Parkway in his Corvair and Emil, KJ4GNH was already in the lineup at Old Town and would be headed for a spot on “Trophy Row” in Block 4 he likes to call his own. It was Hot, the skies were overcast and the weatherman wasn’t calling for big chances of rain but today would prove him wrong again. Lee was at the Gate when we arrived, Gary was zipping around on his kart getting things ready and Dave was at the office to sign us all in. Nikki, Esther, Mesha & Deputy Asa would all be on duty as well. The “Looney Bin” was occupied by the “Head Loon”, Bob, in his GMC pickup/ His “New Car” was parked across from him, the ‘65 Mercury Comet that Stephanie & Butch had been cruising for the last year or so. Cris & Larry would also have their Falcon in the line up. Mark & Nick would be Cruising Old Town’s ‘57 Chevy today, the “Beast” and the ‘32 Coupe are out for repairs this week. Fran would join them later and Bob & Marge would have out their ‘68 SS396 Chevelle. Big John would have his ‘66 Corvette out today and ‘Scary Larry” would be riding with him.

Once we were parked in our spot it wasn’t long before Tom & Bunny would arrive in their ‘66 Malibu and take a spot just down from Steve. Graham, G4HFG from Oldham, England would check in over the radio. Laura, NO4OO would call in to say that she would join us for dinner. Bill & Doris would stop by before I took the first walk up “Trophy Row”. I would take the first trip by myself, the top 3 Blocks were not that populated yet. Many of the “Redline Rodders” were in their favorite spots. Karen & the Kids were behind the staircase as usual, Pablo & Nilda were already in place as were Bert & Laverne. The Amigos were in their spots. Duffy would be near the top of Block 1 in his T-Bucket. As I made my way back to the cars I spotted the Old Studebaker Wrecker of the “Dean Boys”. Well, it was going to be a day of Celebration for the entire Dean family. With a half a dozen of their cars ready for the nights Cruise. With the whole family in Town for the funeral of Arlene yesterday, They all thought the place to be today was right here at Old Town. What better way to celebrate Arlene’s life, with all of her family and friends in a place she loved to be. We all know that she is with us all when we are in Town. She will be missed but not forgotten.

T Rod, KT4ROD would stop out early in the afternoon ad take a few photos for us, he would later join us at “Flippers” for dinner. The cars would continue to arrive but at a very slow pace. The heat and those pesky clouds would keep some of our Cruisers away.

We would make our trek to Flippers for dinner and Laura would join us. Tony, K4AVD from Wisconsin would come in over the radio, Steve & Amanda would arrive in their ‘57 Chevy and make their way to the dinner table. John would take great care of us. Many of the “Regulars” would start to arrive to eat as we were finishing up. A few more cars would make it into town while we were there.

On our walk back to the cars the top 3 Blocks were starting to get a few more cars in them. The Dean Family was all over town visiting with everyone. I even spotted Mike Singer visiting at street level today. Once we were back at the cars Tom & Bunny surprised me with a birthday cake. That is what I get for listing my birthday in the paper. Thank you! I would spend the rest of the night inviting all to make their way to Block 4 for a piece of cake. “Bo” and Ron would arrive just after 6:30 in the Corvair and the ‘36 Ford. Annette, N4HHI would stop by and drop off a part to Steve Mc, Mike, N4HHA was stuck at the airport, as usual. She would partake in a bit of cake as well. The rest of the night was spent in usual fashion, the legends of the cars and the folks that drove them. The family trips that were taken and all of the fun that was had in these old cars when they were new. Back when the love affair with the automobile was in full bloom.

Just after 8:20 Esther stopped by with the "Flag Winners". The Cruise Staff would start by directing the July "Cruiser of the Month", Miguel & Elizabeth Lopez, in their '68 Fairlane on to the Cruise Route, then the Cruisers out of their parking spots into the line up, Mesha would bring them to Block 4 that becomes the staging area for Old Town's signature event. The "Dean Boy's Toys" would be following closely behind, piloted and carrying the many family members that included, Son's and Daughters, Daniel & Michele, her mother Anita, Mark, Dominick and Teresa. Grandchildren Arlene, Christopher, Stephanie and Shannon. Dave's brothers Newt & Kenny along with Mike & Kathy T in town from Tennessee all to pay homage to and dedicate tonight's Cruise to Arlene Dean who passed away on Tuesday night. Then the rest of the cars from the top 3 Blocks would join in behind them. Mike Singer, KJ4GNI, who had been at the controls of the "Blue Room" all day, playing a mix of nostalgic music and radio "Jingles" would have us remember Arlene in a very nice tribute and moment of silence. She has touched so many lives and will live on in the hearts of all that knew her. He would give the safety announcements, and play the National Anthem, "Wolfman Jack", then proclaimed, "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise", for this the 996th running of this tradition. The Cruisers made their way to the "Bricks" of "Deac Hundley Avenue", Mike announced the Flag Winners as the rest of the 155 cars in parade formation cruised past, delighting a very large crowd of cheering spectators along 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", "Out of this World Embroidery", "Wound 'N Around", Pepsi, Roberts Brothers, the Pearl Factory, the Gold Hut, the "Tropical Breeze", Tex Mex Express & "Flippers" just to name a few. Thank you to Allan, Ron, Gary,  Lee, Dave, Esther, Vic, Nikki, CJ, Mesha, Chrisanne, Deputy Asa and the entire Cruise Staff and fellow Cruisers for making our 347th consecutive Saturday a fun and safe one.

Linda & I would come back for part 2 tonight in homage for the Dean Family. It was wonderful to see the family celebrate Arlene's life with their second family out here at Old Town. On stage was a bit historical, Mike T actually would accept a Flag for the first time since 1990. Suzie the one that sold the 50/50 tickets for years was in the crowd and many "Old Timers" would also be spotted. Thank you to the Old Town Staff for the Birthday wishes and Card.

Get well Joe Rodhouse we all miss you!

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See you all "Out There"