January 12th 2008
We headed out to Old Town before 9:30 AM,
the NCRS was in it's 3rd day of the 30th Annual Winter Regional Meet,
this marks their 5th year at Old Town. "Trophy Row" was opened up at
10:00 AM so that the "Regulars" would be able to come in and enjoy the
show as well. This year there were even a few spots opened up on Block 4
for the people that come out each & every week "Rain or Shine". Thank
You! We all appreciate it. All of the spectator parking to the east of
Block 4 was the "Vendor Field" as well as the rest of Block 4 and south
of "Kid's Town". The entire West side of "Town" was packed with all
years and colors of this "Great American Sports Car". There were several
of the "Regulars" in Corvettes that would park in "Trophy Row". The
"Vendor Field" would also be the home to a "Car Corral" with many cars
for sale. From what I could see the event looked as though it would be a
great success. This of course brought the "Cruise Staff" and even a
security company out early to stay late since Wednesday, to keep it all
running smoothly. Well done by a group of people that still have yet
another day to complete. Then to top it off the Orange Blossom Chapter
of the Hudson Essex Terraplane Club, would have a dozen or so of their
cars on the "Bricks". So the very large crowd of spectators that was
already forming early in the day would have plenty of cars to look at.
Allan was making more than his regular rounds in the Golf Kart, his son,
Cordell was riding along for a while. Joe could be seen zipping around
all day as well, making sure the staff was staying hydrated.
Anyway, Linda & I pulled up just as the "Gate" was
opened. Roger & Company along with several of the "Red Line Rodders"
were ahead of us, Gary greeted us all with a big smile and Dave was
helping Bratt register all by the clock. We settled into our favorite
spot behind "Black Market Minerals" a few moments later, we then were
joined in Block 4 by Bob in his '71 Camaro, Nick in his '32 Ford coupe,
Mark, all they way from Parish, in his latest "Earth Shaker", I mean
"Pro Street" '70 Chevelle powered by a 468 Merlin. Dan Z & Liz along
with Ron S in his '34 Ford and Jeff in his '59 Edsel would finish
filling the spots that were open. We were set for the day in "Town".
We would spend the next few hours
looking at the 'Vettes and checking out the vendors, what a boon for the
members of the NCRS and Corvette owners. Roberta the "Beer Lady" would
be set up in her regular area behind the General Store with her normal
"Bill of Fare" along with event specific items and 'Vette Fest T-Shirts.
Bob, N2SXJ would come out to visit, he was on his "Lay down" bicycle.
Graham, G4HFG would come in over the HAM radio to see what was going on.
T Rod, KI4GJS called to say he would join us later. Linda & I would make
a run up to Block 1 to visit with all that were out so far. By Noon many
of the "regulars" were in place, Dennis would be out in his '67 'Top Gun
'Vette. Bert & Ernie would have their '66 Comet wagon out. Darrell would
be in his '66 Galaxie, the list goes on. Charlie, a friend to the Cruise
would be chatting with Shane that made his way to Block 3 in his '57
Chevy, the topic was Emil and that he should be out next week in his
"High School Flame" it has been 7 weeks since we have seen him. We
headed back to the car to people watch and visit with all that stopped
by. It was amazing to see the amount of people gawking at our row of
"Orphans" amidst the Sea of Corvette paraphernalia. I spotted Mike Kelly
mingling with the crowd. Just before 3:00 Kevin, KJ4AYR called over the
radio to say he would come to Old Town for his first time. Mike, N4HHA
and Kristen tried to surprise us by maintaining Radio Silence on their
way out but it didn't work. Sonny, KI4HZP from Palm Bay called in to say
that his daughter and a friends were going to come see what this was all
about. After Mike found a place to park his daily driver we would head
for "Flippers" for dinner. I couldn't believe my eyes, there was Emil
talking with Charlie and Shane, 2 weeks before he thought he would be
back with us. That hip was doing well, No Cane, No Walker! He actually
was getting around much better than before the surgery! It sure was good
to see him and with a big smile. Now that was a surprise. Kevin made it
out about the time we were walking up "Trophy Row", we must have passed
him. Anyway he joined us alfresco and Jane took great care of us once
again. Meghan, Sonny's daughter and our Great Niece, her friends Ashley,
a major "Motor head" that would experience sensory overload and Jason
made it to town and joined us on the patio. Pep & Nancy also came about
that time as well. The cars kept streaming in. It was going to be a big
night. By now many of the later model Corvettes and Vendors would be
leaving town making a bit more room for the regulars and the spectators.
Ted, KE4TTE came out to join us as did T Rod and Jacques
down in block 4. Mike was called into work but Kristen would spend the
rest of the evening with us. Tony, K4AVD, August '07 Cruiser of the
Month, now living in Wisconsin came in over the radio to see what was
going on, he got the chance to send his best wishes to all of us in
Block 4 and even got in on a little Birthday Cake for Dan Z. It was a
great night with good friends once again even with Vendor tents breaking
up the flow of cars, the thousand or so Corvettes in "Town" added to the
"show". We did manage to get a good soaking about 7:45, but it would be
gone by "Cruise Time"
Sarah stopped by with the "Flag Winners"
just after 8:20. It had stopped raining, Mark Inwood in
his '56 Chevrolet 210, January's "Cruiser
of the Month" was led to block 4 that becomes the staging area at this
time, by Bratt, Gary, Dave & Lee.
By this time Vic & Shawn, made their way to the "Blue Room" and got word that we were ready to Cruise,
they
gave the safety announcements, played the National Anthem, "Wolfman Jack" proclaimed, "It's the
Saturday Nite Cruise", right on time, for this the
916th running of this tradition. Bratt & Lee escorted the
'56 Chevy driven by Mark, followed by his Dad, Irvin in a '72 Rolls Royce and
the Orange Blossom Chapter of the Hudson Essex
Terraplane Club. Then the rest of the
240 cars, rolled
up the bricks of "Deac Hundley Avenue", in a bit of a "NO WAKE
ZONE". delighting a large crowd of
spectators, tonight they were several rows deep on both sides "Rain or
Shine" every Saturday night of the year, there is nothing quite like it
for the "Cruisers" and it is always a treat for those watching it from
the sidewalks and boulevards.
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 "General Store", the "A&W", "Tags With Class", "Wound and Around", Pepsi, Roberts Brothers,
Race Depot & "Flippers" just to
name a few. Thank you to, Joe, Ron, Lee, Bratt, Gary, Dave, Nikki and the entire Cruise Staff and fellow Cruisers for
making this our 268th consecutive Saturday a fun and
safe one. Get Well, Mike Singer, we all miss you!
On to the Flag Winners
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