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August 18th
Ready once again to head out to Old Town
for another "Hot Summer Night" of Old Cars, Good Friends and lots of
people looking at our cars. Linda & I, in our Corvair, "Elvira" needs
some radiator work, met up with Tony, in "Lucy" his '69 Ranchero,
Sharon would join us later for dinner, Mike & Kristen had to make a turn
back to the house for a different antenna for his HT. We arrived at the
gate, Lee was there to greet us with his smile. We headed down to the
Registration area where Bratt signed us in. Dave Dean was there with a
collection box for Mike Singer, "The voice of Old Town", that needs a
little help. As we made the turn at the clock, Allan was there to guide
Tony into the new "Cruiser of the Month" parking. "Big John" had a rare
'67 427SS Baldwin Motion Camaro parked in his favorite spot. As we made
our way to Block 4 we saw that Ed, Evelyn and Michelle were already
parked in our groups favorite spot, behind "Black Market Minerals". Ed &
Sarah were parked next to them in the '70 "Shortbox" Chevy. Their first
time out since '04. Hope they continue to join us. Mike & Kristen joined
us a few minutes later. There were several Oldsmobiles already in Block
4. It was a meeting of the Florida Oldsmobile Club, that would conclude
at 4:00. I met up with Joe while he was getting Ice and Water for the
Cruise Staff, had a little chat with him and gave him his newsletter. We
weren't set up too long and we heard the "Zoomies" of Marks T-Bucket
making it's way on Florida Plaza around to registration. After he
registered he joined in our row. Graham, G4HFG, checked in over the HAM
radio from Manchester England for his usual "Color Report". Bill & Doris
stopped by for a chat. Joe & Kay stopped by to pick up their newsletter.
Sharon arrived in her daily driver to join us for dinner so we headed
for "Flippers".
On our way up to dinner we spotted many of
the regulars in the spots they liked. John and a few of the "Redline
Rodders" were in Block 2, Karen & family were in their favorite spot. I
didn't see Darrell but his '66 Ford was parked right where he likes it.
Tony & Marianne were parked near Russ & Phyllis. There were a few not so
regulars parked way at the top so Emil & Shane had their cars behind the
English store. There were 2 T-Buckets parked by Emil, a few weeks ago
the 3 cars made the trip, on the road, not in trailers, to NSRA's 38th
Annual Street Rod Nationals® in Louisville Kentucky, imagine that trip
in those great cars. Mike Mark & Ken were in the shade behind "Old Town
Chippy". The night was stacking up to be a good one. We had our regular
6 at the table outside "Flippers". Jane took great care of us as usual.
"Big John", Jim & Mark were inside. Of course there were all of the rest
of the "Early crowd" setting around the tables. Bratt & Lee had their
meal break at "Flippers". While we were dinning, Ron & Rene sat outside
at the table next to us. Pep & Nancy arrived as we were leaving.
On the way back down we visited with the
Cruisers that had arrived while we were eating. More of the regulars
were now occupying the top 3 blocks of "Trophy Row". Lara & Don brought
a pair of Camaro convertibles out tonight. Terry & his wife, sorry, her
name escaped me tonight, stopped for a visit. It was raining in Winter
Haven when they left so they were in their daily driver. Ted, KE4TTE,
who had been fighting the "Heat Monster" at dinner time joined us for a
while between his service calls. Simone came out to visit with Kristen.
Craig, Mary and Trinnie came out to play, this would be Michelle's last
Cruise until next year, she is headed back home to PA on Wednesday. The
night just seemed to fly by, lots of spectators and several cars I had
not seen were out. I guess I was busy taking pictures. "Good Ole Larry"
was spotted next to Roger in Block 4, he is back from Michigan. Ashley &
Shelby were in "Town" for the first time in a while, good seeing those
two back out "Cruisin".
Dave came running down to block 4 with a
flag rolled up in his hand, he just had to deliver mine to me. "You've
been so luck lately", he said, "I just wanted to bring it to you
myself." Nikki stopped by with the
"Flag Winner" list just after 8:20. The "Cruiser of the Month",
Tony in "Lucy" his '69 Ranchero would be led to block 4, that becomes the staging
area at this time, by Bratt, Lee & Dave. Followed by The Conway
Little League, senior division, the 2007 Florida Little league Champions
in convertibles as Grand Marshalls and the rest of the cars
from the top 3 blocks. Chris, filling in for Mike Singer, that had been playing
the usual mix
of nostalgic music and jingles, got word
that we were ready to Cruise, he then gave the safety announcements,
played Kelly Leonard's "Live Version", recorded at Old Town a while
back, version of the
National Anthem,
"Wolfman Jack" proclaimed, "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise", right on time, for this the
895th running of this tradition.
Osceola's finest would escort Tony followed by the rest of the
181 cars, rolling up the bricks of "Deac Hundley Avenue", delighting the
very large crowd of spectators,
there is nothing quite like it for the "Cruisers" and it is always a treat for those watching it from
the sidewalks and boulevards.
Tonight we would come back for "Part 2", Ed & Evelyn and
Linda & I won a Flag and needed to come back for the closing festivities
to pick up the prizes associated with it. Dave introduced himself to
everyone and gave out the awards for the Flags. Allan was once again
interacting, with his high energy as usual, with the large crowd of
people assembled. Dave Dean, Fellow Cruiser, Head Elf (Christmas Time)
and friend to the Cruise, took care of the Donation Box, for Mike
Singer. He collected $1,000 tonight. This is just proof of the
compassion, brotherhood and generosity that this family, the Cruisers of
Saturday Nite, has towards each other.
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", "Tags With Class", "Wound and
Around", & "Flippers" just to name a few. Thank you to
Allan, Joe, Gary, Lee, Bratt, Dave, Ron, Nikki, Miguel, Tommy along with the entire
Cruise Staff and our fellow Cruisers for making this our 247th consecutive Saturday a fun and
safe one. Mike Singer, we miss you, get well soon.
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.
Congratulations to the Checkered Flag Winners!
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Click here for the
complete listing to date for 2005
Click here for the
complete listing to date for 2006
Click here for the
complete listing to date for 2007
Roger
Puff
1967
Chevrolet
El Camino
Ed & Evelyn
Booher *
1963
Chevrolet
Corvair
Steve & Linda
Butler *
1961
Chevrolet
Corvair
Jason
Miller
1971
Ford
Maverick
Gus
Lofts **
1969
Chevrolet
Chevelle
Max
Howe
1932
Ford
Roadster
Luz
Salamar
1957
Belair
Joe
Bravo
1961
Fiat
500
* Registered Cruisers at "Mustang Mike's" Saint Cloud
Thursday Nite Cruise-In.
**Disqualified, Cruiser left property before flags were awarded.
***First Time Cruiser!
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"
| Cruise # |
Our
Consecutive |
Allan |
Mike
Consecutive |
|
895 |
247 |
8 |
23 |
|
|
|
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