June 30th

The day started off very overcast, the weatherman called for high percentages of rain. It was definitely a day that would lead to a "Hot Summer Night" at Old Town. Mike, N4HHA, and Kristen met us at our house today rather than the "Top of the Hill". Steve Mc was MIA. Hope he is OK. Tony & Sharon were vacationing in Wisconsin so it would be the 2 Corvairs that would make their way to this weekly tradition, well at least in our families, to the "Saturday Nite Cruise®", the  World's Largest and Longest Running Weekly Car Cruise! It has always been, for us and has become a family affair for many of it's participants. It has even become a generational thing for some families.

We arrived about 1;45 and Gary C welcomed us at the gate, there was a hand out in the "Mike Kelly's Cruise News" about a few changes that will be happening at this event. I will go into that in a bit of detail in a separate article in number 145 . Bratt was in position at her "Registration Point" armed with her clipboard and smile attired in her now familiar "Poodle Skirt". We made our turn at the clock and headed for "Trophy row", the early turn out was very light, it was very Hot and Humid and looked like rain. Kathy C dropped the gate at Florida Plaza so we might cross and take our favorite places behind "Black Market Minerals". Joe R stopped by to get his newsletter and have a chat. About this time Linda and I decided that it was time to claim another "Victim" for her "Old Town Residents" series she is writing for the newsletter. It was Allan that we were after today. We headed up to the "Point", that is where the Cruisers enter "Trophy Row". There he was, so we took the time to interview him, right then and there. You can read it on page 4 of Number 145 due out next week. We stopped in and chatted with Bob in the "Looney Bin" and Larry & Cris that were out in his Mustang. Many of the "Redline Rodders" were in place along with the "Rat Pack". Bob & Marge that celebrated their 50th Anniversary last night were in their Buick. Mike, Mark & Ken were near the top of block 1. That "Shiny new (1963) Super Stock Plymouth" wait, wasn't the song about a Dodge? Well this was it's Plymouth cousin. Emil had his "High School Flame" parked at the very top of block 1. Shane had his '57 Chevy next to him, last week he wasn't out because the ignition jammed up on him. We visited with the latest arrivals on the way back down to the car to catch up with Mike & Kristen before time for food.

Stan the "Pacer Man" flagged us down and gave me his report and the flag winners list. Thanks, Stan. We spotted the "Slick '51" so we knew John B was out. Louie & Linda had the "Grocery Getter" Nova wagon parked in his spot. Ron had his '37 Chevy parked by Bill's '47 Plymouth, across from Gary & Kathy's Fairlane. After few minutes of chatting with a few spectators and Cruisers in block 4 it was time for Food, yes, the choice was "Flippers" again. Ted, KE4TTE, friend of the cruise was going to join in with us again and spend a few hours with us, then go home and take his wife, Gina, KE4VNV, out "Somewhere Nice" for their Anniversary. They both wished it could be Old Town but she gets off work to late too make it out. While we were on the Patio, Jane taking our orders, Graham, G4HFG, checked in over the HAM Radio and bid us all a happy Saturday from a rain soaked Manchester, England. Dave Dean along with family from out of town and Mark, Lois and Beau joined us under the overhang. About the time we were served, the rest of the "Regulars" made their way into "Flippers". The entire staff did their usual  efficient service we have all grown accustomed too. Just before we left, Mark from Parrish sat down with us, he had just arrived and wasn't sure if he was going to take the T-Bucket out of the trailer. He had driven through a lot of rain on his way to Old Town. It even rained briefly while we ate.

Mark strolled along with us as we made our way back to the cars. We spotted Butch, WJBJ Cruising with the Classics, He came out tonight just in case the recovering Mike Singer needed a hand at the controls. Always good to see him back at Old Town, especially with his and Jennifer's busy schedules. I finally caught up with Traci, running up the stairs to Old Town Radio, we both agreed to stay in contact via e-mail during the week so that I might stay up to date on events planned for the Cruise. Once we were back to block 4, Bob rolled his '36 Ford Humpback and parked it across from us, yes, "Bo" was also out in his Corvair with his son in the passenger seat. Mark decided to go and get his T-Bucket, Kristen would ride over from the Motel with him, Mike, her dad wanted to but she won out. Maybe next time Mike. Don & Leona parked the Metropolitan under the stairs as usual. The night was set. Linda & I were in our "Hometown" with the night's events ahead of us. A night with Old friends and friends we were about to make. Bob & "Bo" both had visits from their spouses, Dar & Nancy and a few of their children and grandchildren. Traci was "On the Street" interviewing members of the Cruise Staff, so that we, the Cruisers might know a little about the people behind the scenes. A great idea. Once we heard Mike Singer over the speakers we headed out to get a rare interview with the "Voice of Old Town".

Nikki & Micha, stopped by with the "Flag Winners", tonight, much to our delight, we were on the top of the list. Flag number 5! The "Cruiser of the Month", Tony & Donna Fisher in their '68 Mustang were being led to block 4, that becomes the staging area at this time, by Lee, Dave & Bratt. Followed by the rest of the cars from the top 3 blocks. Mike Singer, who had been playing his mix of music got word that we were ready to Cruise so he gave the safety announcements, played the National Anthem. Right on time, for this the 888th running of this tradition, the cars then hit the bricks of "Deac Hundley Avenue", led off by Osceola Counties, Finest, delighting the very  large crowd of spectators. Traci announced the "Flag Winners". There would be a total of 188 cars rolling by them on this Hot Summer Night.

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 A&W to name a few. Thank you to Joe, Gary, Lee, Bratt, Kathy, Nikki, Micha, Ben, and the entire Cruise Staff for keeping us all safe. Thank you to our fellow Cruisers for making this our 240th consecutive Saturday a fun and Safe one.

Tonight we did head back for "Part 2" the presentation of the "Booty" that the flags give us and the drawings. Allan was working the "Crowd" with microphone in hand while waiting for the Cruisers to make their way back to the stage. He and Joe alternated the flag winner interviews. Allan & Joe's banter was fun to listen to. Reminded me a little of what "Mustang Mike" & I do on a Thursday Nite. Joe awarded the "Cruiser of the Month" jacket to Tony for June. It was a great night and a lot of fun. We might just have to come back for part 2 more often, we usually head for home so that this report is on line before midnight.

On to the Flag Winners...

Tonight's random drawing winners that and received the coveted "Old Town Checkered Flag" along with $25 cash, A Case of Oil from Valvoline and a drink from the Tropical Breeze.

Steve & Linda  Butler*
  1961  Chevrolet  Corvair

Bill  Mabry 
  1953  Ford  Pick Up

John  Filipello 
  1967  Ford  Mustang

Bob  Shanbelan***
  1959  Thunderbird   

Terry  Baker**
  1952  Ford  Pick Up

Berry  Wagner 
  1972  Ford  Gran Torino

Gerry  Despathy 
  1969  Plymouth  Roadrunner

Tommy  Christie 
  1957  Chevy  Belair

On to the Photos... after this.

 Here are the Photos.
Click on any photo for a larger view.

Click on any photo for a larger view.

 See you all "Out there"

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