Florida seems to be stuck in one of those Bad Winter scenarios along with the rest of the world. At least we do not have to shovel the cold or the rain. After a very wet Friday the sun was shinning brightly today but the wind was just howling. You guessed it, this would not stop us from heading to our “Home Town”. Mark M3GZJ/KJ4LVL would call in over the IRLP to wish all his best and to mention that he and Allan, M3ELP/KJ6CEW will be on the Streets of Old Town in late April.

Lee was at the gate with that smile of his that always welcomes those that arrive for the days events. Today was nothing special, no club shows or special events just a day for the regulars to come out. We spotted Dave at the registration area as we made the turn at the clock. Mark would already have his Nova parked just where he likes it and Steve Mc, K4SKM would be parked next to the carport. Larry would have his ‘41 Studebaker in a spot at the bottom of Block 3. Emil, KJ4GNH would already be parked in the spot he likes to call his own with the ‘48 Ford. He moved the cone so we could pull in to block 4. It wouldn’t be long before Charlie would arrive in his Mini and park it along Florida Plaza. Bill & Doris would stop by for a chat just before we would make our first trip up Trophy Row. Graham, G4HFG would check in over the repeater from Oldham England. On our trip to the top we would visit with those that had already parked. The head Loon was in his spot with the GMC pickup. Cris & Larry were parked next to him in the VW convertible. Bill would have his “Showtime” pickup along the fence way atop Block 1. Duffy would have his T-Bucket parked down by the bleachers. Once we were back in Block 4 Ray & Carm would arrive in their ‘32 Ford Coupe, Then Steve from Melbourne. Ron S would be in his ‘41 Packard, Dave in his ‘55 T-Bird and Jeff with his ‘59 Edsel would take the next bunch of spots. Bunny would arrive in her ‘68 Fairlane and park next to Emil and Tom in the ‘66 Malibu would be across from us. T Rod KT4ROD would call to say he was on his way out to see us, it has been over a month since he has been able to come to Old Town because of his work schedule. Larry, WA3PGL & Linda, KA3BRP would come out to join us for dinner shortly after T Rod arrived. We would visit with Gary when he made his way down to see us. Then it was time to make the walk to “Restaurant Corner”. Bruce & Sandy would have their “Split Window” Corvette just where they like it. Richard would be just up from him with his ‘67 El Camino, Louie Z would be in his Benova wagon and Dave D would have his ‘57 Mint Julep Chevy in his spot. You could even pick up “A Taste of Chicago” Italian Beef sandwich by the Cruise office, CJ & Cordell were manning the table. “Scary Larry” would be out in his latest acquisition, a ‘64 Corvair Greenbrier, he would have it parked in “Big John’s” spot. Anyway we would have quite the table full at “Flippers” John would take good care of our table of 9. The cars would continue to roll in. Even that pickup that doesn’t know what color it wants to be. John & Janice’s ‘48 Chevy. Don was spotted in his ‘39 Chevy caravanning with them. Bill Ash in his ‘63 Parisienne and Larry & Karen in “ITZA40” ‘40 Ford Coupe would come in a little later.

On our walk back to Block 4 we would visit with the latest arrivals that included Bert & Ernie in their ‘66 Comet wagon, Lynn in her ‘48 Ford pickup. Darrell had been parked in his favorite spot since earlier in the day and by now Bob would have his vintage Buick next to him in his “Decades of Cruising Spot”. John C would have out yet another great Chevy, a ‘62 Impala that was catching quite a lot of looks and the regular “Redline Rodders” were in place. Bill L would have his ‘55 Chevy and his ‘46 Plymouth out tonight and Bob would have his new ‘64 Chevelle Pro-Street setting just where he likes it. Joe & Kay were out in the Camaro. Jim R & Mike had their GTO’s, a ‘65 and a ‘67, in the “Looney Bin”. These are 2 of the best examples of this great car. Tom & Lori would have their Mopar’s in their place of honor. Tony, K4AVD, from Wisconsin, would check in over the Old Town repeater and pass his greetings on to all. He and Sharon are trying to make their way back to Florida, he hopes this will be his last winter up there. Tony & Donna would end up taking the other spot under the carport later in the night. Mark I would bring his big old Dodge out tonight and I would spot him visiting with John B that was in the “Slick 51”. Once we were back in Block 4 Erwin and Aly Suiker, spectators from Holland that were with us in September found us and introduced us to family that they brought with them. We would take several more trips up and around “Trophy Row” during the evening, Ed, WB8BHL, would arrive and we would introduce him to Bill & Larry. Bill is also a big fan of Lionel trains and Ed is on the board of Directors of the Lionel Collectors Club of America. WOW another link to Old Cars, Toy Trains. Do any of you remember the Train Store at Old Town? We’ll have to do an article on that one day. Anyway the rest of the night was spent as it always is, spinning the yarn of the fabric that is the latest nostalgia.

This summer we will be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of this great weekly event. We are a very lucky bunch of people here in Central Florida, to have a place that lets us all come out and hang around. Bring our families and have friends from all over the world come and meet us. I have been documenting the nights as Linda and I see them for more than 7 years. I have been posting photos on line for more than 15 years and hope to continue to do so in the future. Old Town has treated us very good as they have anyone that is willing to participate following simple rules and to mainly have a good time with friends both new and old. It is a community that cares about their “Family” of staff, merchants and Cruisers. We are proud to be part of it and continue to bring more people into the hobby and to Old Town.

Esther would stop by with the flag winners just after 8:20, the Cruise Staff would direct Lori Altman in her '72 Challenger and Tom Altman in their 71 'Cuda our February 2010 Cruisers of the Month, who were then 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, radio "Jingles"  gave 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 109 cars in cruise formation cruised past, delighting a large crowd of cheering spectators along both sides of the Avenue. "Rain or Shine" or even Snow, 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 #279 is on sale, still only $2
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See you all "Out There"