February 23rd, 2008
Talk about wet! As we headed towards Old Town today the
rain started to fall a bit harder. This still would not dampen our
resolve for a day in "Town". Gary was at the "Gate", even in the rain he
greeted us with a smiling face. The "Wide Track Warriors" show was
winding down now that the rain had continued. Bratt was standing by the
office under the rain to sign us in. Larry, the gentleman that he is
stepped out to hand us our mirror tag. Allan opened the gate so that we
could cross Florida Plaza so we could take a vacated spot behind "Black
Market Minerals" where we try and park every week. Larry, WA3PGL came
out to check out the Cruise and visit with us and T Rod, KT4ROD that was
on his way out for the evening. Bill & Doris stopped by for their weekly
visit, it sure is good to see them back on the corner by "Kids Town"
when we make that turn onto the "Bricks". Time slipped away as we were
all visiting with some of the Pontiac show contestants. 150 of them
graced Block 4 for the day. I am sure the attendance would have been a
little higher if the weatherman wouldn't have called for an 80% chance
of rain today. It looked like it was a good show and everyone had a
great time. Graham, G4HFG from Oldham, England checked in, as did Zahra,
W7ZMA from Reno, Nevada over the HAM radio. Bob, with the '63 Corvair in
Block 1 came down to see the Pontiac's. Time got away from us and it was
time to head to "Flippers".
On our way up we encountered many of the regulars, Bill &
Company under the overhang at the bottom of Block 3, Kathy was setting
by the Fairlane across from them, Shane was wiping down his '57 Chevy.
Louie Z had the "Grocery Getter", Nova station wagon, in his "Decade of
Cruising" spot. "Big John" had the '56 Buick Special on the corner. Bob
had his GMC pickup in the "Looney Bin". Cris & Larry had out the '69
Mustang there as well. We found more of the Regulars in the "Red Line
Rodder" area including Bob who was out in his '40 Buick. Dennis had his
"Top Gun" Corvette next to Tony & Marianne's '71 Monte Carlo. Ralph &
Shirley were under the stairs awaiting the rest of the gang. Karen & The
kid's were on the corner. Darrell had his '66 Galaxie 500 in his
favorite spot. Bill had his '54 Mercury pickup nearby. Mark, Mike & Ken
were near the top of Block 1 just where they like it. Jane took good
care of as usual, Larry, WA3PGL needed his "Flippers" fix, it had been a
while since he has been out. Then the British invasion started, Mini's,
Mini Mokes, Estate wagons, Mini pickups, Mini "TOW MATER", even one with
a 5th wheel pulling a trailer. They came from all over the US and
Canada. They filled the odd side of "Deac Hundley Ave." We headed back
to the car just past 5:15.
On the way back down to the car, we came across even more
regulars like John B, Dave, Newt and that list goes on. That great '34
Pierce Arrow was out again tonight. Then I spotted a 1955 Fairlane,
"Crown Victoria" that was custom built way back when as a "Flower Car"
so it looked like a Ranchero but 2 years older than the original. Model
T's, Corvettes, T-Birds and the rest of the "Usual Suspects". Linda & I
were going to continue around the bottom of Block 4. Then Allan called
me about a great Photo op by the "Clock". Well, here was a 1923 Model T
Ford from just outside of Columbus, Ohio. Legend has it that Marty &
Jeanne Addy headed to Florida a ways back in this great automobile with
everything they owned, today they made it to Old Town. Well that is what
I heard, it must be that they got the idea from the Clampett's, just
took them a while longer. "Red Racer" Ted, KE4TTE stopped out after his
work day to have his "Meat on a Stick" and visit with us and the rest of
the Cruisers. By now Nick was out in his '32 Ford, Mark was with him.
They, Bob, Nick & Mark, are still working on getting Mark's Chevelle
even a bit louder. Mark just had to drop off another wheel barrow full
of money so they can continue next week. "Bo" was out in his '64
Corvair, John came in with him in his Mustang. The Edsel Twins, Dan Z
and Jeff had their '59 Edsels out. Doug & Trish had the Camaro and the
Bronco parked a little further down. Tom was out in his Mustang a little
later. The rain stayed away from us the rest of the night and the Town
was full of spectators, "The
Dukes" were singing on the corner behind us "The Peanut Butter
Company" was on Stage, to the delight of the "Old Town Dancers" along
with all of the regulars that come out each week for the entertainment
and cars, Bert & "Ernie" and Pep & Nancy among them.
Sarah stopped by
with the "Flag Winners" just after 8:20 Joe & Debbie
Taylor February's "Sweetheart Cruisers of the Month", Debbie in the
Daisy Duke '74 Roadrunner with Joe driving the "General Lee" '68 Charger
followed by all of those "Itty Bitty" cars that lined the "Bricks" all
evening, then the rest of the cars from the top 2 blocks of "Trophy Row",
were led to
block 4 that becomes the staging area at this time, by Bratt, Gary, Dave
& Lee. Allan who had been able to spend his time on the Streets all
day today with the Wide Track Warriors in town all day and with the
regulars tonight, because "Mustang Mike" who had been playing his mix of
nostalgic music was filling in at the controls of the "Blue Room",
went up to assist Mike on his first Saturday Night, got word that we were ready to Cruise,
he
gave the safety announcements, played the National Anthem, "Wolfman Jack" proclaimed, "It's the
Saturday Nite Cruise", right on time, for this the
922nd running of this tradition. Bratt & Lee escorted the
the "Sweetheart Cruisers" in those great Mopars up the even
side of "Deac Hundley Avenue", followed by the rest of the 229 cars,
delighting a large crowd of
spectators, many rows deep on both sides of the Avenue, in the "No Wake
Zone". "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 Allan, Joe, Ron, Lee, Bratt, Gary, Dave, Nikki and the entire Cruise Staff and fellow Cruisers for
making this our 274th consecutive Saturday a fun and
safe one. Get Well, Mike Singer, we all miss you!
On to the Flag Winners
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