December 8th

I will start the story this week with the results of this years annual "Toys for Kids Cruise" weekend it was a great success. Over $1200 and more than a Bus load of toys for The Osceola Council on Aging for distribution and to benefit the children within Osceola County. You all can be proud to be a part of this "Family" that comes to "Town" every week.

Now back to the beginning, I know it has been a while since I started this column off with, Our caravan met at the Top of the Hill at quarter past one for the trip up Osceola Parkway, today I am pleased to say that we did. Mike, N4HHA and daughter, Kristen brought out their latest Corvair for it's first time on the road, right to the "Saturday Nite Cruise©". This one being a 1963 Monza 900 Spyder convertible. He had missed 11 Cruises with a car but was still out at 8 of them with out a car since the '64 convertible got it's broken nose. He wouldn't have missed the 3 if it wasn't for emergency calls at work. Steve Mc, K4SKM was also debuting his latest "Cruiser" on a Saturday, a 1929 Ford Model A Sports Coupe. The run on the "Parkway" was quick, while waiting for the light to change to cross 192 a "Cruiser" in a Yellow VW Bug swung around us into the left lane and cut across the front of us to "Turn Right On Red" with out even hesitating at the light from the wrong lane, I hate when some one thinks they are above the law, I must apologize for the Cruising community, people like that can give us all a bad name. Lee was at the gate with that welcoming smile of his. The Elves were at their station by the Christmas tree collecting the gifts and donations then to Bratt at the "Registration Area". As we made the turn at the Clock I spotted "Big John's" latest car, a 1969 Shelby GT 350 convertible in his spot, Bob had the GMC pickup in the "Looney Bin" and Cris & Larry had the Comet convertible there too. We had followed Bill down the bricks and he had the '55 Chevy & his '47 Plymouth out today. Roger & Company were in their favorite spots. James also had his first generation Firebird there as well. Paul & Pat pulled the '58 DeSoto out of a spot in block 3 and joined us in Block 4. Bill & Doris stopped by for a chat, then Ed & Evelyn arrived in their '63 Corvair convertible followed by Ed & Sarah in "Maybelline" their '62 Corvair coupe and parked behind "Black Market Minerals" with us. Linda & I would make a trip to the top of "Trophy Row" to drop off the newsletters. Many of the "Regulars" were in place. Shane looked lost without Emil and was parked in Block 3. John was in block 3 along with many members of the "Red Line Rodders" many of the "Drop Your Top" bunch were across from them, tonight would be Silly Hat night for them.

Laura, KI4ZJX, arrived just before our stroll to "Flippers" for dinner. "Kool Katz" was having a "Free Sampling" of the bill of fare that they will be offering starting next week when they open to the public. We received several good reports on the food from others that had stopped by for a sample. Bert said it was good. Gina substituted for Jane tonight, she did a great job of taking care of us. While we were eating Ron & Renee took the table next to us. The "Cruisers" kept rolling in, Mark, from Parish, in his T-Bucket for the last time. He will be taking it to Missouri to trade on, as he says, "A Loud Chevelle"! Linda stopped by "Old Town Chippy" to meet with the manager, we will get back to all of you at a later date on what went on. Laura and I made our way down "Trophy Row" to get to the cars, I stopped to see Mike Singer in the "Blue Room". Sure was good to see him at the controls. Richard was in his box at "Mike Kelly's Cruise News". Many of the cars and the "Cruisers" were well decorated and lit up for the parade up the "Bricks".

We spotted the rest of the "Regulars" pour in. Joe & Harriett moved from Block 3 to Block 4 in their T-Bird. Nick & Francine arrived in the '32 Ford. He was surprised with a Birthday cake and special shirts with his car on it. Bob was out in his '68 SS 396 Chevelle, he celebrated his birthday tonight as well. "Mustang Mike" was out in his '64 Corvair Greenbrier. Good to see him out. Bob & "Bo" came out a little later and parked behind the roller coaster as did "Doc" and Suzanne in the "Tater Truck". The night went fast, the spectators were "cheek to cheek", enjoying the display and anticipating tonight's event. Laura was ready to ride the parade route in Steve Mc's '29 Model A. Neil & Elaine would drive their 2 British sports cars up the bricks for the last time before heading back to the UK. Graham, G4HFG, from Oldham, England checked in over the radio to get his usual "Color Report".

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.

Ed  Fitzpatrick 
  1950  Ford  Pick Up

Mike  Colette 
  1961  Chevrolet  Corvette

Mike  Bencz*
  1964  Corvair  Greenbrier

Ken  Paparelli 
  1968  Chevrolet  Camaro

John  Addison 
  1968  Chevrolet  Camaro

Mark  Seight 
  1936  Chevrolet  Master

John  McGowan 
  1969  Plymouth  Roadrunner

Isreal  Roman 
  1967  Pontiac  Catalina

On to the Photos... after this.

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

Nikki took these shots of the Toys all bagged up and in the Bus late Saturday Night
 
Click on any photo for a larger view.

 See you all "Out there".
 

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©2K7 Stephen Lynn Butler All rights reserved

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