I can hardly believe it! It wasn’t that long ago we headed on into a new Millennium and now we are on the brink of entering into the second decade of it. I know most of you wouldn’t admit that you are history buffs but this hobby proves that you really are. January 1st the 1980 automobiles are going to be 30 years old. The Nineties will be 20 years ago. A lot of the Science Fiction of the 60’s and 70’s have become science fact and their developments are in use on a day to day basis. That “Devil Music” is now heard in elevators and quite melodic compared to a lot of today’s music. That is one thing that never seems to change, the older generation adapting to the younger generations music and lifestyles. The younger generations do not seem to have any problem acquiring a taste for the “Old Time, Rock N Roll”. Just go near the stage on a Saturday Night when the nostalgic music is being played and performed, the crowd that enjoys it are truly from birth to 94. Wednesday Nights are another night that proves this. The crowd that comes out each and every week despite the weather to hear “A Tribute to the King”. For nearly 2 years and they never tire of it. OK I know I drifted off topic a bit but Saturday when we arrived in Old Town we were only about the 15th car or so. The day would take a while to get going. The rain had only stopped just before we left home for our trek to the “Home Town”. Yesterday the rain was relentless, it kept all but the “Die Hards” from coming out. The Elves were in place to collect the toys for the annual “Toy Weekend”. There were Cruisers that just came out and dropped off a few toys and would leave, this community doesn’t forget the kids at Christmas.

It was several “Layers” cold when we arrived and was only going to get colder as the day moved on. Dave was registering at Elf Central. The Sleigh and the “Mint Julep were parked nearby on the Avenue. The table was quite full of gifts when we arrived. The Christmas decorations were all up and still looking very good after all of the rain that had fallen over the last 48 hours or so. “Trophy Row” was pretty much un occupied when we made the turn to head for Block 4. Steve Mc, K4SKM’s Corvair was parked next to the “Carport”. Bruce & Sandy would have their ‘63 Split Window Corvette just where they liked it and it wouldn't be long before Larry would park his ‘41 Studebaker at the bottom of Block 3. Emil, KJ4GNH’s “High School Flame” was in a spot he likes to call his own but he and Charlie took a side trip over the Grand Floridian to check out the Christmas decorations. Larry, WA3PGL called to say he would stop in on his way home from taking Linda, KA3BRP to work.

Gary was making the final preparations for the day stopped by for a chat just about the time that Bunny in her ‘68 Fairlane and Tom in his ‘66 Chevelle would arrive and take spots next to Emil, back in Block 4 after her Cruiser of the Month reign. Charlie would make it back but he had dropped Emil off earlier, it was nearly time for dinner. So we would head out, making stops to visit on the way up to “Restaurant Corner” as I call it. You know the home of Flippers, Kool Katz and The Tex-Mex Express. It is nice to have these full service places right in out “Home Town” to complement the ’Tropical Breeze and the “Snack Stands” in the heart of Town. There weren’t very many regulars out yet. Richard was out with out his Cruiser and on Duty in the Cruise Shack. Mark would have his Nova across from Mike who had his ‘65 GTO in Big John’s place. Roger was out in his Chevota “Pro Street”, Shane was next to him in his ‘57 Chevy, Sue and the grandkids joined them later. Allan and Nicole were at the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's concert in Orlando but would be in town by Cruise Time. Block 1 would have 2 out of 3 Amigos along with a few cars that I have only seen on occasion and Bill was back in his “Show Time” pickup and it was along the fence. John & Angle were out in his grand dad’s ’49 Ford. Butch, of WJBJ fame was with us on the streets tonight, Jennifer was doing a VW show somewhere but that didn’t stop him from coming out to Old Town for the evening.

We actually opted for dinning inside today. This really threw everyone off a bit but it was so cold outside, for us anyway. Mark would even join us for a while, can’t take him anywhere and Ted came in as well. Angie would take good care of us, Trish & Gina would greet us all in their special way. All of the rest of the Patio gang would be inside as well, Ray, John and Rich would take a table next to Butch and Wanda who were dinning with Butch. It was hard to keep track of who was coming into town, it is much easier for car watching from the patio, however I did see a bunch of Elves and Joe & Kay head into the dinning room at Tex-Mex Express. Hey we all have to eat! On our way back to the cars we would visit with the latest arrivals including Lynn in her ‘49 Ford pickup, I spotted Nancy and “Skûter”, I mean Lori and all of the regular under the stair gang and Old Town Dancers, of course Coy would be helping hold up the outside bar at the “Breeze”. Don would be out in his ‘63 Chrysler, Bob N would be parked nearby him and “Bo” would be next to him. Tom & Chris along with Tom and Lori and Tony & Donna would be a few of the regular after dinner arrivals to Block 4. Snowbirds, Gene & Dianne, John & Janice along with Don & Pat would park across from us with the ‘28 Studebaker and ‘48 Chevy pickup the Old Chevy was still in the shop, Don didn’t make it back from Maine until late Friday and didn’t get it from the shop.
 

Esther would stop by just after 8:20, with the Flag Winners, the Cruise Staff would direct the the "Head Elf" and the Big Dumb Elf in the Mint Julep to the Cruise Route 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 112 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. Frank Elf was driving the sleigh with Mrs. Clause up front and Santa himself waving to all were at the end of the Cruise.

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 #270 is on sale, still only $2
1017 368 123 65
 

See you all "Out There"