The last Saturday of August, it has been a long hot month, some wet and Thanks to the Grand Cruise a very memorable month as well. Many of the Regulars that frequent Block 4 with us, would be, stranded at work or out of town this weekend. Emil, KJ4GNH would be in Richmond, Virginia as an inspector for the NSRA show this weekend. Yes, he drove his “High School Flame” the 800 plus miles to the event. Linda & I would head out at our normal time. We think we have the ignition system problems all taken care of now. There wasn’t anyone to meet at the “Top of the Hill” so we just drove by and took the us 192 route to our “Home Town”. Lee was at the gate and there was quite a crowd of guest on the streets. We would make the turn by the clock and head for Dave that was at The Cruise Office. He gave us our number. Jimmy already had his ‘32 Ford in it’s place of honor. Mike would have his Mayflower Yellow ‘65 GTO in Big John’s parking spot, he was taking a vacation up North. Bob, the head Loon. had his ‘64 Comet in the “Looney Bin”. Bob had his SS396 Chevelle in his favorite parking spot. We followed Nic & Fran in the ‘32 Ford and Mark was coming up behind us in the “Beast”. We would make our way to Block 4, Gary met us by Florida Plaza and manned the cones to let us in. There weren't a lot of cars in town yet, OK so it was warm. 90 degrees plus but it was not raining and there was only a 20 % chance of it. We would visit with Gary a bit in Block 4 as he made his way past us several times while setting up for the day. Bunny & Tom were the first of our bunch to arrive. She drove her Fairlane on over from Summerfield. It wasn’t loing before Bill and Doris would stop by for a visit but not before Tom arrived in his ‘68 Mustang and took a spot just down from us. Lori would be bringing out the Challenger a little later. Charlie would make it to our overhang soon after that.

I took a little ride around to the back of “Kids Town” and saw where the Scrambler now lives. When I got back Linda and I would take a walk up Trophy Row and would visit with those that were out, Karen and the Kids were behind the stairs as they usually are, there couldn’t have been more than 50 cars or so but “Earl’s Custom Lettering and pin striping”, Model A was near the top of Block 1 as was that green Studebaker pickup rat rod.

It was a while before we would see more cars arrive. Graham, G4HFG would check in from the UK, except today he was traveling near Cambridge but he didn't miss a chance to see who was at Old Town. Laura, NO4OO would also check in on her way to work.

It was time to head for “Flippers” for dinner, Tony, K4AVD now living in Wisconsin came in to send greetings from him and Sharon. They are not looking forward to winter again. Who knows, maybe we’ll see them back some day. Dave D had arrived in his “Mint Julep” ‘57 Chevy and I think I say “Big Daddy” Darrell in one of his ‘57 Chevys. The Amigos were in place by now. Bill would be back in his ‘53 Ford “Show Time”. John & Angel would have their “Sun Bug” by the fence at the Top ov Block 1.

Anyway we would dine alfresco as usual, Tex-Mex was starting to get an early crowd even though there were only about 70 cars in town. We visited with Gina while we were being served. Ted, KE4TTE would join us just after we had ordered. The spectator crowd just wasn't growing as fast as the cars rolled in. That would change about the time we were done up in Restaurant Corner.

On our walk back down “Trophy Row” it was nice to notice that most of the top 2 Blocks were now at capacity. The band was setting up and Pablo was under the stairs with the rest of the gang. Bob ‘65 Ambassador was in his spot. The night was pretty much set. Doc & Cara would be in Block 4 with the old “Tater Truck”, Suzanne would join them later. Bob N would be out in his ‘36 Ford followed by “Bo” in his ‘64 Corvair convertible. Rodger would bring his Citroen and Mark would park his big Polara next to it.

Cousin Vinny was about with his plan for a Cruise past Joe Rodhouses home next Saturday morning before Old Town. Cruisers are to meet at the Fashion Square Mall at 10:00 and then roll on past Joe's a little after that. Joe’s daughter Dee will have him on the front porch so he can see us all pass by.

Butch & Jenn were in town, being a 5th Saturday they decided to come out and visit with all of their friends at Old Town. Butch guided Linda through a “Picture Book” of their UK trip that they gave to each other for their 25th Anniversary. Thanks for that Butch. Oh By the Way the Kilt he had on was quite a Babe Magnet while standing in front of those castles in Scotland.

The rest of the night was spent chatting with all that had arrived through out the day. There were a lot of visitors from the Netherlands and Belgium this week, next week some of our “Regulars” from the UK will be back with us. They don’t have a Cruiser car yet but they rarely miss an evening of Old Cars and Rock and Roll. They are also members of our Old Town Amateur Radio Cruisers, in fact Ian, K4ZPZ/G4ZPZ and Sue, 2E1SUE/KK4SUE were tested right here at Old Town and they have supplied the radio equipment for the repeater that were are still trying to get on the air at Old Town.

Some weeks it is harder than others to come up with a story for the day but I still enjoy reporting what I remember when I set down to compile the days events for the web site and the printed version.
I do not take many notes I just like to share what I remember that had impressed me on any given cruise day. I would also like anyone out there to submit stories for publication. Maybe you took a great vacation that you would like to share with your friends. How about sharing a few photos and a story about your latest project car or radio system?

Also maybe it is time to have your Cruiser re appraised for insurance reasons or peace of mind. We will have a bit of a slow time for a few months now so it is important to come on out and keep our “Home Town” alive.

 

Just after 8:20 Esther stopped by with the "Flag Winners". The Cruise Staff would start by directing the August "Cruiser of the Month", Jimmy & Barbara Fontana, in their '32 Deuce Coupe on to the Cruise Route, followed by the rest of 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 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 give the safety announcements, and play the National Anthem, "Wolfman Jack", then proclaimed, "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise", for tonight's 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 253 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 Saturday in "Town" a fun and safe one.
 

Get well Joe Rodhouse we all miss you!

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See you all "Out There"