What a great day for another Saturday at Old Town, it is always nice to be
welcomed to a place that seems like our "Home Town". A friendly face,
where ever you look. Following good friends that were made in this town
and trailed by another great friend all caravanning in classic cars.
Greeted by an old friend, Ron, at the gate. Then after rolling down the
street a few hundred yards another friend, Bratt, registers us for the
nights events. This will be our 215th consecutive Saturday that Linda &
I have come home to the unique shops and boulevards that had been
envisioned by the late Deac Hundley over 20 years ago. I'd like to think
that it was styled after the town I grew up in, Tomah, Wisconsin. Linda
on the other hand grew up in a small town in the Northwest of England.
As a child she had a great love for the movies and TV shows that she had
seen that took place in small towns in the U.S. before moving to Florida
she would always drag her late husband and family to see the old cars at
Old Town. I have been coming out to the "Saturday Nite Cruise®" and
cruising off and on since it's inception. Remember the "Auto Fest"?
"Little Darlin's"? "Wolfman Jack's"? "Santa & Company"? I sure miss "The
Dukes" on the corner by the A&W.
This first Cruise of the new year seemed special, It was all of the
greetings that were shared by all on the short trip to Block 4 where
most of the Cruisers from "Mustang Mike's, Saint Cloud Thursday Nite
Cruise" park. It is getting harder to mention every one that we see, or
talk to each and every week. We even spotted Fred, from Michigan, that
is a regular spectator while on his trips to Florida a few times a year.
He even has a subscription to this newsletter so that he can stay in
touch with all of us. We pass that "Home Town" feeling on to him even
when he is in the mid-west.
This feeling of friendship prevailed as we waited for the 4:00 gate
closing. Gary & Wanda, in their '55 Chevy, Ed & Evelyn in their Corvair
Convertible had joined Tony & Sharon, in their Ranchero, Steve Mc in his
Real Steel Hotrod and our Ranchero, while Linda & I made our rounds
delivering the newsletter. Becky, "King Richard's" er.. ahhhh, I mean
the "Saturday Nite Cruise®" Director's wife stopped and gave us all New
Years greetings, yesterday was their Anniversary. Tony, the "Lunch
Timer" and F.A.C.A.C.A.
Cruiser Director had us all head out a few minutes early for lunch.
On the way to eat, we saw Bobby G. parking his '54 Belair near Tony &
Marianne's '71 Monte Carlo, "The Looney Bin" was occupied by "Snowbirds"
that made their way in before the "Loones", Butch in the Gran Torino and
Larry in the Mercury convertible could make it to Old Town. Jaime &
Aglae were spotted without their Cobra, seems it is a bit under the
weather and they needed a Cruiser Friend fix. The "Rat Pack" were in
place next to the "Red Line Rodders". Bob & Marge had the '41 Buick in
it's usual place. Ben's family was in place near the stage for their
Saturday in town. 5 from our group opted to dine with the "King", Tony,
Sharon, Linda and I went to our usual haunt. Jane, our official hostess,
at "Flippers" actually had a little time for a visit, the last 2 weeks
she was swamped, as was the patio. She got lucky tonight, once again we
were to meet a few fellow HAM radio operators from the UK and around the
area but they were a no show. The food and service were great! Thanks,
Jane.
On the way back to Block 4 the gate reopened, a flood of "Rolling American
History" entered down "Deac Hundley Blvd.", Tony & Sharon had gotten the
news that they could have the signs from the closed "Santa & Company" so
arrangements were made with Scotty to obtain a ladder for their removal.
Steve & Ed went to help them. What a site to see, this rather large
wooden sigh making it's way through the display of cars to end up in the
back of "Lucy". About that time Ron & Shirley parked up the '53 Chevy
across from us. The "Mustang Twins" parked next to him in Betty's 'Stang.
We watched and greeted many regulars as they passed by us. Bo in his
Corvair, Bob in the '36 Ford Humpback, Doug in his Bronco. Trish in her
GTO. Dave parked his '62 Spyder convertible between the "Grinster" &
"Elvira". Richard & Carol Cruised with Ron & Shirley, first time on the
bricks for them, hope they start to bring out their cars. Mike Singer
could be heard over "Old Town Radio" with his usual mix. "Rusty Bones"
was due on stage at 7:00. Ashley & Shelby were all excited that they
were going to clogg a bit in front of the stage to promote their dance
troupe from Saint Cloud. They have entertained us many times on a
Thursday Nite.
Just after 8:00 Nikki brought the flag winner list to us, then Lee and
Richard led Daryl in his '66 Ford Galaxie, the "January Cruiser of the
Month", followed by the Cruisers from the top 3 Blocks, to the staging
area, that block 4 becomes at this time of the night. On time, Mike
Singer gave the safety announcements, played the National Anthem, at
8:32, "Wolfman Jack" proclaimed. "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise" and the
232 cars started to roll past Bill & Doris, on to the Bricks to a very
large cheering crowd of spectators for this the 863rd running, that's
right, nearly 17 year tradition.
Thank You to Old Town, for making this our "Home Town" allowing us to
bring out these cars we all love to see and talk about, to the sponsors
for the continued support, the merchants, for putting up with us, the
Cruise Staff for keeping us all safe, our fellow Cruisers and to the
spectators that enjoy our fellowship. It isn't just a bunch of people
setting by their cars, it is an extended family that we are proud to be
part of.
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