We would head to Old Town just after 1:00 as usual. Steve Mc, K4SKM was headed out via the Parkway and we were going out US 192. Many Cruisers would be in Town already, the gates opened early to accommodate those that participated in the “Happy Birthday. We All Miss You, Cruise for Joe Rodhouse this morning. The more than 60 cars represented all of the Cruise nights at Old Town and there were even a dozen or so Bikes from Thursday. Linda & I were trapped by our “Day Job” this morning and were un able to attend. “Red Racer” Ted, KE4TTE was there and took lots of pictures as did Butch & Jenn and Gary. I have them posted on line.

Emil, KJ4GNH was already positioned in a place he likes to call his own. Steve would have his Model A one over there was a car left over from regular parking. A late model Chevy. It turned out to belong to a merchant that should have known not to park on “Trophy Row” on a Saturday. The car was moved before it made any difference. Morris would bring his 50 Ford down to join us. Tom would bring his ‘66 Malibu to Block 4 and Bunny would have her ‘68 Fairlane out today as well. Miguel in his ‘68 Fairlane was already parked, he was in the Cruise for Joe this morning. Mike would join him a little later in his Fairlane GTA. Winston was out trying to air up the big Bud bottle next to the beer tent. The skies looked as though it might rain. Tom brought his ‘68 Mustang to Block 4 just before Linda & I would head up “Trophy Row” for the first time today. Larry would have his ‘72 Skylark at the bottom of Block 3. Mike would have his ‘65 GTO parked just outside the “Looney Bin”. Bob would have his GMC pickup out today. Jim R would have his ‘67 GTO just down from Cris & Larry’s VW. Bill L would have his Old School Plymouth Hot Rod across from them just down from The “Beast” that Mark brings out. Bob would be in his ‘68 SS396 Chevelle and Nick and Fran would be out in the ‘32 Ford. A little further up John would be in his spot with the “Double Nickel Express” along with the other members of the “Redline Rodders”. Karen and the Kids were behind the stairs and the Top Block had it’s regulars by the bleachers. Duffy joined in with them today as the Rat Rod’s have sort of taken over the top of Block 1 but that didn’t stop Bill from parking his “Showtime” ‘53 Ford pickup near the fence.

The HAM radio chatter was heavy, Ian, K4ZPZ is back in town and Kevin, KM4FSU was headed out to help him with a furniture move before coming on out to Old Town. Ed, WB8BHL would also be joining our group at 4:00 or so at “Flippers”. T Rod, KT4ROD would arrive once we made it back to our car. Charlie would make it out early as well. Lori had arrived in the ‘71 Challenger and parked near Tom. We did get a little sprinkle, not even enough to spot the cars very much just before we would all head to “Restaurant Corner”.

On the walk up “Trophy Row” we would visit with Dave who was out in his “Mint Julep” Pablo who was out in his Nova, Darrell who had his LTD parked next to Bob’s Ambassador. The “Amigos” were in place and Duffy was blocking the breeze as normal around the corner.
We would take several tables under the overhang on the Patio. Ted, KE4TTE was in town and making his way to join us. So that would give us 8 and we were expecting at least 4 more. Nice turn out. The cars would continue to roil in. I spotted Bert's ’66 Comet wagon, His mother was riding with him, She and his sister and Brother-In-Law were visiting from Indiana. She would later ride in the Cruise with Mark in his “Beast”. The talk at the table was not only the cars but we talked a little about the possibility of simal-casting the events of the Saturday Nite Cruise with a Radio Station in the UK. Graham, G4HFG mentioned that there is a Station nearby him that has a show on Saturday that plays the music of the Saturday Nite Cruise and that is what the show is called. The Radio Club is hoping to get the hardware set up so that we might at least stream the audio on the internet then maybe some video. The OTARC tower is still on hold due to lack of time at the moment but hopefully we will get it in the air soon. Angela took care of us and John helped out as he always does. Thank You.

The late arrivals were Ian, K4ZPZ, Sue, KK4SUE, Kevin KM4FSU and Ed, WB8BHL. We would head back and leave them to enjoy their meal. Once they finished it looked like rain so they all left Town. It never did rain, Oh well you can never tell here in Florida. Rain all over the place and for the 2nd week not at Old Town.
We would make our way back to Block 4 and Visit with all of the latest arrivals including Bert & Ernie, His family from Indiana, The rest of the Under the Stairs gang that now Included Bill & Doris. Nick would invite us all back to his car for some Birthday Cake for Mark at 7:00. There always seems to be cake on “Trophy Row” maybe Old Town needs a Cake Bakery…. They could do a good Business.

I would visit with John B and Mark Inwood who brought out his Mopar today. I world also run into Joe & Louie Z Linda Z and Kathy were visiting on the bench by the Cruiser of the month board. It was a very good night. Lots of people to look at our cars and by the days end there would be 162 of them to look at.

We would finally take a rest and take a few minutes to chat with Don L who had his Metropolitan parked under his stairs next to our Dodge. He is doing quite well after a week of Hell, according to him, his health took him for that trip just a few weeks ago but he is back Cruising! It is the “Regulars” like this that make this event more than a car cruise. It makes it a meeting of a family each week, that is more than some of us get to see our biological families. The number of spectators that are “Regulars” seems to grow each week as well. It is such a sense of community and this mornings “Cruise For Joe” proves that. The rest of the night was spent visiting with all that stopped by.

Then just after 8:20 Esther stopped by with the "Flag Winners". The Cruise Staff would start by directing the September "Cruiser of the Month", Frank Bertone in his '70 El Camino 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 162 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!

Newsletter #257 is on sale, still only $2
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See you all "Out There"