Winter started a few days early, late last night the Northerly winds whistled through Central Florida. In some places you could hear it howl. The mornings bright sunshine was deceptive. I know 62 degrees doesn’t sound cold but the 10mph winds gusting to 25mph turned it into a knife cutting out all of our heat. It wasn't suppose to get much warmer than 62 all day today and the winds were going to stay with us for a while. Our families and friends up North were getting more than a foot of snow so this isn’t bad at all. At least we were greeted by a warm smile when we got to the gate, it was Lee as usual on duty. Making our way down the even side of Deac Hundely Avenue we could admire all of the decorations that had been hung over the past few weeks and watch the Christmas shoppers move between the merchants. Yes the local Ghouls were hanging around the “Haunted House” but they even seem to have a bit of Holiday Cheer. I guess the three ghosts of Dickens’ time had given them a visit. A few of the Redline Rodders were at their post at Son on the Beach. We spotted Dave at the registration area once we made our turn at the clock. Juan had his Falcon parked in Big John’s spot. Across from him was Mark’s Nova. Gary & Kathy’s Fairlane was just around the corner. Bruce & Sandy had their ‘63 Split Window coupe just where they liked it. There must have only been about a dozen or so cars in place, the wind was still blowing a bit. Gary was getting things ready for the night, zipping about on the cart. Emil, KJ4GNH was the only one parked in Block 4. He would move the cone over for us to enter.

After we got all set up, moving Linda’s chair into one the puddles of Sunshine in front of the car. Donna from Old Town Leather would come down for a visit. I chatted with Gary and Emil and just sort of took it easy in the Sun for a while. Bill & Doris would stop by earlier than normal for a visit. We filled them in that “The Dukes” would be on stage starting the 6th of January at the Wednesday Nite Cruise-In. Terry, KT4ROD would arrive about that time. I showed him a few of the DTMF commands for the repeater system and brought Graham, G4HFG from England into the conversation. “Red Racer” Ted, KE4TTE would come over the radio to say that he would be out after dinner. Terry would join us on our first walk up “Trophy Row”. There still weren’t too many cars out yet. The “Redline Rodders” cars were lined up. Karen & the Kids were behind the staircase, Darrell had his LTD in his favorite spot. JR “Santa” was parked next to Duffy's T-Bucket with his “Little Shaker” Mustang. Mike had was in his Corvette, Mark was in his ‘63 Super Stock Plymouth Savoy and Ken was just arriving in his Bumble Bee Z-28.

Tom & Bunny had arrived and parked in their favorite spot. Charlie was now in town visiting with the block 4 bunch. After we got back to the cars we would visit with the latest arrivals to Block 4 and relax until it was time to head to “Restaurant Corner” for dinner. The breeze was still a little brisk but the Sun was shining brightly. The cars would trickle in rather than a steady flow.

On our walk up, Dave D would have his “Mint Julep under the carport, Bob B would have his ‘71 Z-28 next to Marks Nova. Many of the Cruisers were at Kool Kats second anniversary party. Lots of good food at $2.00 an item. Tom & Bunny where already on the Patio so Linda, Terry and I would join them, Emil & Charlie arrived a few minutes later. While waiting for our food, John was our server, I slipped over to say Hi to Bob at Kool Kats and Tony at the Tex-Mex. Joe & Kay along with Dave D were in the dinning room when I got there. All 3 establishments looked to be having a good afternoon. While we were dinning, Doc would make his way in driving the “Tater Truck”, Suzanne would join him later. Don & Pat in their ‘39 Chevy, Gene & Diane in the ‘28 Studebaker and John & Janice in the ‘48 Chevy pickup would arrive. On our walk back to Block 4 we would visit with the rest of the arrivals, everyone was pretty well bundled up and I wanted another layer myself. I spotted John B in his Corvette. There were people getting ready to leave to head over to the Annual Christmas Party in Saint Cloud and more cruisers arriving. “Herbie the Love Bug” was in his place of honor and there was a Metropolitan Pro-Street parked with him along with the Love families VW van. The spectator crowd was growing and Block 4 was getting a few more occupants. The cool weather was stifling the sales at the Beer Tent but not totally. Neil & Elaine would be out in the “Roller” their ‘62 Silver Cloud that is.

Mike, N4HHA called to say that he was on his way out and Annette N4HHI would be with him in their ‘63 Corvair. The bad weather up North made for a slower day of “Bags Out” at the airport so he could get away. Ed WB8BHL and Fred, WD8KNI would stop by then head out to look at all the cars in town. Even Laura NO4OO could stop out tonight, she had a little earlier shift and was able to get away. The wind stopped and the night actually became very pleasant, OK so it was still coat weather but the cold was no longer cutting to the bone. Maybe it was the tales that were being told that warmed the night up it is hard to say. Graham, G4HFG would check back in before the nights end and ask for a report. It was hard for him to hear that what we had was cold because it was truly cold over there in England and they were getting the snow just like New England and the Midwest was. Yes the fabric of the latest Nostalgia was completed and it was nearly time to Cruise.

Chrisanne would stop by just after 8:20, with the Flag Winners, the Cruise Staff would direct Herbie the "Love Bug" a '65 VW Bug, their VW VAN, you guessed it it was Steve Love with his Mom & Dad, this months Cruiser of the Month who was then followed by 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, radio "Jingles" and a few "Seasonal Songs" 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 139 cars in cruise formation. and Santa, Mrs. Claus and Frank Elf in the "North Pole Express" 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", Kool Kats, 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 #272 is on sale, still only $2
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See you all "Out There"