It was a nice Autumn afternoon, the last Saturday of November, the Turkey Run was in full swing over in Daytona. We would arrive at Old Town at our regular time, Lee would be at the gate with that warm smile of his. As we made our way past the resident ghouls in front of the Haunted House we would make our turn at the Clock. There was Dave with the key tags and the registration clip board. Gary would be zooming past us getting the rest of the set up done Allan would be up visiting with Uncle Bob and family at the hospital, who is holding his own at this time. Bruce would have his ‘63 Split Window coupe in front of the Maintenance shed, just where he likes it, Larry would have his ‘41 Studebaker at the bottom of Block 3 and Emil, KJ4GNH would have his “High School Flame” parked in a place he likes to call his own awaiting our arrival. It wasn’t long before Laura, NO4OO would call in on the radio on her way to work. She had spotted Tom & Lori at Dean Still road in Polk county headed to Old Town. It wouldn’t be long before we were joined by other Cruisers on Block 4. I would head to the General Store to chat with Winston & Vic as they were assisting Gina with the Beer Tent setup.

Linda & I would take our first trip up “Trophy Row”. Mike would be parked in “Big John’s” spot with his ‘65 GTO, the head “Loon” had his ‘64 Comet out this week. Across from them was Bob in his ‘71 Z-28, Nick’s coupe is still out of service but he and Francine would be out later in the daily driver. The “Redline Rodders” had a good showing as usual, Bob M was backing his ‘65 Ambassador into it’s spot as we walked by. Darrell had his ‘66 LTD next to the stairs. Karen and the Kids were in their spot behind the stairs. Good to see them back and have Ben back in the parking lot after his cataract surgery. Block 1 would have it’s usual suspects, the bleacher mob and the cars that are always next to them. The Amigos must have been in Daytona but Bob & Jerri had their ‘63 Corvair behind the Fish and Chip Shop, John & Angel would have his dad’s ‘49 Ford in the first spot on the East side. Billy brought out his GM Pickup today instead of the Old Studebaker. Larry, WA3PGL would stop out for a while before having to pickup Linda, KA3BRP from work and bring her over for dinner at “Flippers”.

After we were back at the car more Cruisers would roll in to Town. It was a little slow at first but we were seeing several cars from out of town including our annual invasion of Amphi Cars, they were parked up in Block 1. I spotted a ‘34 Buick coupe that I don't remember ever seeing before so, the Turkey Run was bringing us some different cars again this year. Charlie would arrive with Carole, nephew Dwight, from Virginia and his friend Kim for an evening of Old Cars and friendship her first ever to Old Town. Tom & Bunny arrived from Daytona just before it was time for us to go eat so we would head out to “Flippers” without them. Laura, NO4OO would call to say she was on her way. Gina set the table and would take good care of us as the 85 Cheerleaders that were on the Patio were winding down. Charlie & Emil would stop in too. Ted, KE4TTE would be in town by now taking pictures. The cars kept rolling in. Tom & Lori were spotted arriving some 2 hours after Laura had seen them, they detoured to Doug and Trish’s for their annual Turkey Day get together. The cars kept coming in as we ate.

On the way back to Block 4 we would visit with the latest arrivals on Trophy Row. The Band was setting up and the Old Town regulars were getting their spots for the night’s entertainment as we made our way past the stage. Graham, G4HFG in Oldham, England came in over the new N4OTC repeater right here at Old Town as did Tony K4AVD now living in Wisconsin. We would stop and visit with Richard at the Mike Kelly’s shack. Warren & Dave were under the carport in the T-Bird and the “Mint Julep”. Roger was out but Shane was in Daytona. Tom & Chris would arrive in the Silver Camaro just about the time we got back to our car. The spectator crowd started to grow more as the sun went down, the temperate also started to fall a bit. Cruisers were coming and going, this great ‘56 Chevy wagon would park across from us. It was out of Kentucky and was about one third it’s original size. Not only was it chopped and shortened it was narrowed 11”. The only part of the body that wasn’t changed from it’s original dimensions were the doors. It was powered and sub framed by a ‘86 Chevy 3 cylinder Sprint. This car sure drew a lot of attention.

The rest of the night would be spent like it usually is, talk of cars, rock & roll and all of the things from the “Good Old Days”. You know, last week. We make the “Good Old Days” fresh each week when we keep these Old Cars and simpler attitudes alive in this “Home Town” atmosphere.
To answer a question I get all the time, “What influenced or caused you to move to Kissimmee?”

Well, I guess I would have to say that nearly 30 years ago the main street of Kissimmee looked like my home town in Wisconsin did when I was a kid. Lot’s of good memories. Then shortly after that Old Town was born just to the West of Kissimmee and it too was just like my home town. Downtown Kissimmee has changed drastically but Old Town has evolved into that Mid-Western Town that I grew up in. I am sure it is many others “Home Town” by now and it is the people that make it that way.
 

Esther would stop by just after 8:20, with the Flag Winners, the Cruise Staff would direct the November "Cruiser of the Month", Bunny Jaggers in her '68 Ford Fairlane 500 on to the Cruise Route followed by Mark with Tom, her proud husband holding on to Asa as he rides with Mark in his new Nova, then the rest of the Cruisers out of their parking spots into the line up, Mesha & Chris 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, played 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 171 cars in cruise 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.

Newsletter #269 is on sale, still only $2
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See you all "Out There"