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January 5th 2008

It sure was a cold week, the Weatherman promised us that today would be warmer and only a 10% chance of rain. The sky was awfully dark as we headed towards Old Town just a few miles down the "Osceola Parkway". Linda & I were the only ones from our group that was heading out at the "Regular Time." Lee was at the gate with that great smile of his, Bratt greeted us with an enthusiastic "Happy New Year", this was after all the first Cruise of 2008. Allan was out in "Sunny California" well the weather there was worse than ours. As we made our turn around the clock we spotted "Big John" out in his '69 Shelby. Down in Block 3 was Kathy in the Fairlane and across from her, it was Roger & Sue's adopted family, James in his '67 Firebird and Shane in the '57 Chevy. We of course would be the only ones in Block 4, behind "Black Market Minerals". I chatted with Graham, G4HFG, coming in on the radio from Oldham, England. We sat for a while then Bill & Doris arrived for their normal visit. Last night was a good Cruise for how cold it was. Nick called on the phone, said it was raining quite a bit in Saint Cloud but they would be out. Linda & I would head out to the top 3 Blocks to deliver the newsletters and visit with all in attendance at the time. Bruce was out in his '63 Corvette in hs favorite spot by the maintenance shop. Cris & Larry were in the "Looney Bin", The "Rat Pack" was in place along with the "Red Line Rodders", John C had a great Chevelle out tonight and had it parked in his "Decade of Cruisin'" spot. Bob had his '41 Buick just where the likes it. Karen & the kids were on the corner. Ralph, Shirley, Linn along with Bill & Doris were under the stairs. Gary was out in his '66 Galaxie as was Darrell in his. Brian was right at the top with his Chevelle, Quintino would not be making it out today, it looked like rain. As we started to walk back to Block 4 this mist started, it just sort of hung in the air.

Ed & Evelyn in her '64 Corvair along with Ed & Sarah in the '70 "Shortbox" pickup had joined us. Mike, N4HHA and Kristen were coming out in the daily driver to join us for dinner. A few more cars joined us in Block 4, Richard & Doug stopped by with a report on the El Camino restore.

3:45 rolled around and we decided to head up to "Flippers" to eat. Tony, K4AVD,  FACACA Cruise Director, Emeritus and August 2007 SNC "Cruiser of the Month" came in over the radio from Wisconsin to at least be with us as best he could be. He would continue to visit with us over the radio all night. Graham was also back getting the "Color" of the event. "Big John" his friend Steve along with Mark R were inside eating. We dined alfresco as usual. T Rod, KI4GJS called and mentioned that he would be out later. It was a little cold, but still very enjoyable. Jane took great care of us as usual. Joe & Kay came up about the time we were ready to head back to the car.  So, we visited with them for a while. Mark stopped by, said the rain didn't start till he backed his new Cruiser out of the trailer. We then headed back as we got near the stage I spotted "Eddie & the Kuzers" setting up on the stage. Then here came Joe in the cart bringing Mike Singer to the Blue Room, he looked good! Glad to have you back tonight, Mike. By now the rain started to get heavier, a few cars left the top 3 Blocks, Dick & Gert arrived in their Hot Rod and parked with us. John, just in town from New Jersey was out in his latest. A '59 Dodge Custom Royale. Don & Tara moved down to Block 4 from Block 3, they were out in the '67 Acadian, Roberta, "The Beer Lady", was back at her post. She was up in Michigan visiting with her first grandchild over the Holidays. The rain continued for a while it seemed to get colder, that drove a few away but the Cruisers "kept a commin'". T Rod was out by now, he said the "Tonys" his friends would be out tonight, at this point they are only imaginary, we think. Laura, KI4ZJX would join us over the radio for a while.

After a few more trips up "Trophy Row" we spotted Rodger, he was out in his "Healey" he had it parked next to Mark's '56 Chevy that was in it's place of honor. John B had his "Slick 51" out. Nick was spotted as was Francine, along with Ashley & Daniel. Bob B parked his '68 SS396 Chevelle in Block 3. After we got back down to the car, low and behold, Tony & Bruce, a friend we didn't know about came up to T Rod. Later, the rest of them would come down to meet us, Tony, Toni, Drew Ann, Gage, his friends from Florida and her brother Bruce and girlfriend Caitlin from Michigan, we all said, "They Do Exist!"

The rest of the night flew by, George & Mary were out in their '72 Monte Carlo for the first time in months. It was good to see them when they stopped by just before "Cruise Time".

Nikki stopped by with the "Flag Winners" just after 8:15. 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 now Mike Singer, in good voice, who had been paying his mix of nostalgic music and radio jingles got word that we were ready to Cruise, he then gave the safety announcements, played the National Anthem, "Wolfman Jack" proclaimed, "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise", right on time, for this the 915th running of this tradition. Bratt & Lee escorted the  '56 Chevy driven by Mark, followed by his Dad in a vintage Rolls Royce and a 1914 Fire Truck. Then the rest of the 176 cars, rolled up the bricks of "Deac Hundley Avenue", 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 267th consecutive Saturday a fun and safe one.

Other than a few Cruisers "Cutting in Line" down in Block 4 and 1 Engine rever, the Cruise was fantastic.

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