March 17th

Wow! What a beautiful day. I know I started it off that way last week, I just have to do it again. Today we met Tony & Sharon in "Lucy" Steve Mc in his '53 Courier and Mike & Kristen in their Corvair at the top of the "Hill" for our trek to Old Town. This would be our 225th consecutive Saturday, the second for Mike & Kristen and over 4 years off and on for the other 2 in our caravan. Ed & Evelyn were to meet us a little later in their Corvair.

Ron met us at the gate with that welcoming smile of his, then down to registration, on the way we noticed the East side of "Deac Hundley Blvd" was lined with Studebakers, it was their annual get together at Old Town this week end. Nikki was once again by the clock, assisted by Gary C., it was 1:45. Bratt was in an accident on Thursday but she is doing OK however not well enough to make it out tonight. Bill & Doris reported on it last night be we hadn't received their story yet, still have a few computer problems. Get well Bratt! We all hope to see you out as soon as possible. As we made our turn onto "Trophy Row" we noticed that the East side of Block 2 was occupied by the T-Bucket Alliance for their annual event. The spectators were already out in big numbers. Looked like it was going to be another great time in "Town".

After the 4 cars in our little caravan parked in our favorite spot in Block 4 behind "Black Hills Minerals" and set up Linda & I went off to deliver the papers. John & Angel, Roger & Sue, Bill and Ron were parked in their regular spots at the bottom of row 3. Across from them we spotted John B in his "Slick 51". Tara Bush had her black Nova in it's spot of glory by the Valvoline "Cruiser of the Month" shed. Bruce with his split window 'Vette was exactly where he liked to park and Louie had the Nova wagon near by. Steve & Carolyn, from Canada had their Mopar on the corner. "Big John" had a '62 Vette by the sign. Then the "Looney Bin" had Bob, Larry & Cris in their favorite spots just down from the entire "Regular" line up of the "Red Line Rodders". Emil was up near the top of Block 1, we are still all waiting for the "Fish & Chip" place to open. Helena  is going to keep us posted. David & Evelyn plus daughter Brooke were out in the '55 Chrysler 300, Evelyn also brought out her "New" cruiser, a 69 Mercedes Roadster for the first time tonight. Butch & Jennifer were in "Town", for their monthly "Guest Spot" on "Old Town Radio". Butch in the booth with Mike Singer and Jennifer on "Trophy Row". Always a fun night when they are visiting us.

Tony the "Timer" wasn't the one that steered us to eat today. Linda was hungry and said we should start up to "Flippers" a little early. Ted, KE4TTE, now a semi regular spectator after last week called on the radio and said he would meet us there. He actually beat us there and had a table outside. Tony & Sharon, Mike & Kristen and Linda & I joined him. Jane was on a break so Nick started to serve us, he brought us our drinks and Jane made it back in time to take care of us in her usual fashion. Steve Mc, Ed & Evelyn went to the "Steakhouse" on the corner. On the way back to our cars we actually went down the Bricks to look at the Studebakers. I then made my newsletter delivery to Mike Singer and we chatted a bit.

Visiting with all of the "Regulars", first timers, "Snowbirds" and spectators is always the highlight of the day for us. The cars are great too. In fact tonight for 4 years in a row, about this time of the year we were invaded by a Gaggle? or a Flock?, well anyway 4 Amphicars. You know the car with a worse identity crisis that the Ranchero. It doesn't know if it is a car or a boat. Nick rolled his Street Rod to block 4 just after we got back. The rest of the night was very busy with the normal Car Talk and fellowship that is always so prevalent on a Saturday night.

It was strange to see Mesha with the flag winners list just after 8:00 when it was barely dark, this early DST that we are in will take a while to get used to. Just after 8:15 Rich, Gary & Nikki led Tara Bush, in her Nova, "Cruiser of the Month" for March to lead the Cruise, the Studebakers were then staged in block 4, the T-Buckets right behind them. Mike Singer & Butch Johnston who had been playing their usual mix over "Old Town Radio" all evening gave the safety announcements, played the National Anthem right on time. "Wolfman Jack" proclaimed "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise". The lead cars made that turn by "Kids Town" onto the bricks of "Deac Hundley Blvd." followed by 221 more, for this the 873rd running of this Central Florida tradition.

Thank You to all that make this great event a reality each and every week. Old Town, The merchants Association, the Sponsors, the Spectators, the Cruise Staff and our fellow Cruisers for another fun and safe day in "Town".

Terry  Davis 
  1956  Chevrolet  Belair

Danny  Williams 
  1923  Ford  T-Bucket

John  Hapeman 
  1923  Ford  T-Bucket

Mike  Collet 
  1961  Chevrolet  Corvette

Dave & Arleen  Dean*
  1965  Ford  Mustang

Tom  Holt 
  1950  Oldsmobile  88

Don & Leona  Lutz*
  1960  Rambler  Metropolitan

Jerry  Purchell 
  1966  Plymouth   

 Here are the Photos.

Click on any photo for a larger view.

 Thanks, Butch! See you all "Out there"

 873/225/40
 
 

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