Tag: lake placid florida

All Aboard! The U.S. Sugar Express Train No. 148 is Coming to Town!

Published on by corvettes

Here’s the Story of the Restored U.S. Sugar Express Train!

Greetings Cruisers and Happy Thanksgiving!

Last Sunday we told you about our December 10 Car & Bike Show that will take place, only for December, at the Lake Placid Historical Society Depot, located at 12 Park, Avenue in downtown Lake Placid, Florida.

Our Special Guest Star for the show isn’t an automobile, but it does have wheels (14 of them) and can move people and big things from here to there. U.S. Sugar Express Train No. 148 is a local historical artifact. Instead of the 102-year-old “static” display piece, this slice of history still works and sells rides!

Here’s some interesting info about the U.S. Sugar Express Train No. 148 from the Wikipedia page for the locomotive…

“No. 148 was the eighth member of ten 4-6-2 Light Pacific class 141 steam locomotives built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Richmond, Virginia in April 1920 for the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC).

It was assigned to haul passenger and freight trains on the FEC’s Overseas Railroad between Miami and Key West, Florida until 1935 when the Labor Day Hurricane destroyed many of the route’s long bridges and the FEC permanently closed it down due to the Great Depression.

During that time, the FEC began to retire most of their older 4-6-2 locomotives for scrap or selling them to other railroads in order to recoup their financial losses.[4][5] No. 148 remained in service with the FEC until June 1952, when it was sold to U.S. Sugar Corporation (USSC) in Clewiston, Florida, where it worked alongside its sister locomotives Nos. 98, 113, and 153 to haul sugarcane trains from the harvest field to USSC’s sugarcane mills.”

So, what that means is that our “Guest of Honor” is 102 years old! Continue reading “All Aboard! The U.S. Sugar Express Train No. 148 is Coming to Town!” →

Lake Country Cruisers Christmas Cruise-In

Published on by corvettes

December 10, 2022, at the Lake Placid Historical Society & Depot Museum

Greetings Cruisers! This might seem a little early, but we want to get ahead of this special event!

Our next scheduled Lake Country Cruisers Car & Bike Show is on December 10, 2022. It just so happens that there’s A LOT going on that day in downtown Lake Placid!

To be part of the day’s festivities, the Lake Placid Historical Society & Depot Museum invited the Cruisers to have our December Car & Bike Show at the museum. Here’s what’s going on in downtown Lake Placid that day.

The fully restored U.S. “Santa” Sugar Express will be arriving at 12:00 Noon and departing for the south later in the day. If you have never seen a steam locomotive before, this will be a treat! These giant machines “breath” and sound like beasts “resting”.

Our December show will be in the Historical Society’s parking lot and side yard. And while you are at the show, the U.S. “Santa” Sugar Express will be coming into the Lake Placid Train Depot/Historical Society Museum!

The Toys For Tots folks will be there, so bring a toy if you like. Continue reading “Lake Country Cruisers Christmas Cruise-In” →

Next Lake Country Cruisers Meet’n Eat at GC Grillhouse!

Published on by corvettes

Lunch at the GC Grillhouse??? You get’n hungry, or WHAT?

Dateline: 10-5-22 – Calling all hungry Cruisers! The date is set for another “Tie on the ‘ol feedbag” event.

The GC Grillhouse on Rt. 27 in Lake Placid is having Lake Country Cruisers back again for another scrumptious Lunch Special! The date is Thursday, October 20, 2022, from 2 to 4 pm. Once again, we will have the private back room so that we can whop it up and be as noisy as we want to be! Continue reading “Next Lake Country Cruisers Meet’n Eat at GC Grillhouse!” →

Luxury Hotel With “Car Furniture”!

Published on by corvettes

Dateline: 8-25-22 – This is just too charming to not share with our fellow Motorheads!

Big THANKS to our buddy, Jack Murphy for passing this to me.

If any of you come across any fun, car YouTube videos that you’d like to share, send me the link via e-mail at ” lightoak@comcast.net “, and I’ll get right back to you and share it on the site.

The only “trouble” with the Car Hotel is that you’ll have to go to Germany to enjoy it!

All the reasons to build a “Car Hotel” in Sebring. It could be cool! Enjoy the video. – Scott

 

 

PS – Just a reminder that Lake Country Cruisers will be having a Car & Bike Show on the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend, September 3, 2022. American Legion, 10 am to 2 pm. The Legion Mess Hall and Bar are open for lunch, and hard-drinks-to-soft-drinks, beer, and water too! Party with the Cruisers!

Party With the Cruisers on Saturday of Labor Day Weekend!

Published on by corvettes

Special Labor Day Weekend Summer Event, Lake Placid American Legion, September 3, 2022

Dateline: 8.15.22 – We got some interesting questions at the Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show, as well as several of our breakfast and Meet’n Eat luncheons. Basically this, “When is the next Lake Country Cruisers Car & Bike Show?”. And we answered, “Well, on October 8.” Then we hear, “Oh, no shows until then?”

So, we got to thinking.

Last year we had two summer special events at the Plaza Journal, one on Independence Day Weekend and the other on Labor Day Weekend. The grassy courtyard next to Wet Dogs Brewing is torn up and under construction. After a new building is up, the courtyard will be restored.

Since we had a Father’s Day Show and the Caladium Show Car & Bike Show, let’s do a Labor Day Show at the American Legion! The American Legion management agreed and asked us to remind everyone that the Legion’s kitchen Mess Hall and Bar will be Open For Business!

So, here’s the deal! The “Lake Country Cruisers Show’n Shine Labor Day Car & Bike Show” will be at the Lake Placid American Legion, on Rt. 27, on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, from 10 am to 2 pm. We will announce Door Prizes around 12-noon and announce the 50/50 Winner at 1:30 pm. And don’t forget, there will be a sweet 50/50 Runnerup Winner!

Admission will be $5 at the Sign-In table; Door Prizes will be given, and very generous 50/50 tickets will be available under the tent. 50/50 tickets are 10-tickets for $10 and 40-tickets for $20. Our 50/50 ticket payouts have been growing, so be sure to get some!

So shine up your ride, and bring your cooler and tent! It’s a Labor Day Car Show Party! – Scott, Pete, & Ron

PS – Bring your flags to the car show!

PSS – Our next Cruisers Meet’n Eat is this Thursday, August 19th at Dock 633, on Lake June Rd., in Lake Placid. Bring your appetite, the foods is GOOD! See map below.PSS

Lake Country Cruisers July 2022 Meet’n Eat at Cowpoke’s Watering Hole

Published on by corvettes

Great Steaks, Lunch Specials, Entries, & Service at one of Sebring’s Premier Restaurants

Dateline: 7-22-22 – Well, the hungry Cruisers descended upon Cowpoke’s Watering Hole to tie on the ‘ol feed bag! It was a hot, sunny summer Florida day, but cool in the Watering Hole’s private back room. With twenty Cruisers in attendance, we filled half of the room.

A very good time was had by all; lots of laughs, joking, story-telling, and comradely. That’s what our monthly Meet’n Eat luncheons are all about.

And a special “Thanks” to Cowpoke’s Watering Hole. Our waitress was excellent, the food was perfect, and everyone felt welcome. We’ll definitely do it again!

Cowpoke’s Watering Hole has a lot to offer. The outside Tiki bar is a delight, the inside air-conditioned dining rooms was relaxing, and the restaurant can accommodate special events, such as Lake Country Cruiser’s Meet’n Eat luncheons! – Scott, Pete, & Ron

PS – Our next Meet’n Eat Luncheon will be at Dock 633, the date to be announced.

Cowpoke’s Watering Hole Website…
https://cowpokeswateringhole.com/

Cowpoke’s Watering Hole Facebook Page…
https://www.facebook.com/cowpokeswateringhole

Cowpoke’s Watering Hole / 6813 US Highway 27 S / Sebring, Florida
Phone: 863-314-9459
Hours of Operations:
Mon-Thu 11am – 9pm / Fri-Sat: 11am – 10pm / Sun: 11am – 8pm

20220721_142541
20220721_142612
20220721_142616
20220721_142637
20220721_142744
20220721_142547
20220721_142822
20220721_142802
20220721_142752
20220721_142840
20220721_142832

July Cruisers Meet’n Eat at Cowpoke’s Watering Hole!

Published on by corvettes

Dateline: 7.7.22 – Lake Country Cruisers has reservations for the back room at Cowpoke’s Watering Hole for Thursday, July 21, 2022, from 2 pm to 4 pm. The Watering Hole is well known for its steaks and sandwiches. Their international Cuban sandwich is amazing.

Please RSVP Scott by either dropping an e-mail to… lightoak@comcast.net, or call… 863-699-6355, so we know how many settings, feedbags, and chairs to put out! Continue reading “July Cruisers Meet’n Eat at Cowpoke’s Watering Hole!” →

Next Meet’n Eat at Beef O’Bradys, June 23, 2022, 2 pm-to-4 pm, BE THERE!

Published on by corvettes

Are you get’n hungry, or what?

Dateline: 6.4.22 – Greetings hungry Cruisers! Pete just confirmed that our next “tie on the ‘ol feed-bag” Meet’n Eat luncheon will be at Beef O’Brady’s on June 23, from 2 pm to 4 pm.

If you have never been to Beef O’Brady’s it’s easy to get to.

The Tower is on the left, just before the LEFT turn onto Tower Street.

If you are coming from Sebring headed South, the restaurant is located on Rt. 27, in between the only two traffic lights in Lake Placid. The shopping center is on the LEFT side of Rt. 27, the same side as The Tower.

Turn LEFT at the first traffic light, Tower Street, then RIGHT into the parking lot. WATCH OUT for the Speed Bumps, they are vicious! Continue reading “Next Meet’n Eat at Beef O’Bradys, June 23, 2022, 2 pm-to-4 pm, BE THERE!” →

Lake Country Cruisers Meet’n Eat at Jaxson’s On the Lake!

Published on by corvettes

Excellent Entries and Lunch Specials at one of Lake Placid’s Oldest Watering Holes!

Dateline 5.21.22 – The beautiful winter and early spring weather seems to be behind us now, as it was a hot day in Lake Placid for our May Meet’n Eat luncheon. The lakes were indeed “placid”, but it was in the low 90s. Needless to say, our gathering of Cruisers was happy to lunch INSIDE air-conditioned Jaxson’s On the Lake.

Typically, Jaxson’s packs them in during the dinner and evening hours, but the 2 pm-to-4 pm hours were quiet enough for good conversation and lots of laughs.

Big THANKS to JJ, the Jaxson’s owner for the generous $50 gift certificate that Mark Taboda won at last weekend’s Cruisers Car Show at the Lake Placid American Legion. JJ is a Corvette guy and when he has the time, he comes to the Highlands County Corvettes shows.

Our attending Cruisers included: Martin Striegel and his wife, Mark and Sharon Taboda, Jim and Linda Schindlbeck, Bob Mahel, Bob Barrard, Ron Ellerman, Jack Murphy, Jim Maze, and Pete Richie, and myself. Our waitress, Madison was terrific, and CONGRATS to her and her new baby!

Lake Country Cruisers also got some ink in the Highlands News-Sun May 18, 2022 edition. Cruisers Jim Schindlbeck, Bob Mahel, Pete Richie, Jack Murphy, Jim Maze, Mark Taboda, and I brought our Corvettes; Ron Ellerman brought his classic Toyota 4×4, and Bob Barrard brought his Ford Hot Rod Roadster. So, we decorated Jaxson’s parking lot with cool rides! Continue reading “Lake Country Cruisers Meet’n Eat at Jaxson’s On the Lake!” →

Lake Country Cruisers May Meet’n Eat at Jaxson’s On the Lake, May 19, 2022

Published on by corvettes

Dateline: 5.13.22 – Greetings Cruisers! We just confirmed that our May Meet’n Eat will be this Thursday, May 19, 2022 from 2 pm to 4 pm at Jaxson’s On the Lake, in Lake Placid!

We will be having our luncheon in the back screen-in porch area that looks out over Lake Henry, next to Tomoka Heights.

If you have never been to Jaxson’s, it’s easy to get there. If you are driving south on Rt. 27 (as if you were coming to a Cruisers Show at the Lake Placid American Legion, drive another mile-or-so, past the Advent Hospital on the right, and TURN RIGHT on to Lake June Road, just past the Lake Placid CITCO gas station on the right.

If you are coming from south of Lake Placid, TURN LEFT, just before the Citco station that will be on your left.

The road winds and twists, and you’ll drive about one mile. Jaxson’s is on the RIGHT, there’s a sign, you can’t miss it!

Please RSVP to Scott at lightoak@comcast.net , or call, 863-699-6355 so that we know how many will be there. Continue reading “Lake Country Cruisers May Meet’n Eat at Jaxson’s On the Lake, May 19, 2022” →

Lake Country Cruisers Meet’n Eat at GC Grill House

Published on by corvettes

Great Steaks, Great Lunch Specials, & Great Service at the Lake Placid Florida GC Steak House!

Dateline: 4.16.22 – Well the Cruisers filled the back room Thursday afternoon, April 14, 2022. So a BIG THANKS to the Lake Placid GC Grill House Manager/Owner, Ray Tharp for supporting our car club with their generous Gift Certificates and availing their space for our Meet’n Eat luncheon.

As usual, when a gang of car folks get together there’s lots of talking, but after lunch was served, it got quiet for a time as everyone was enjoying their meal. Karen and I have been to GC Grill House many times and have always enjoyed the food provided.

Cruisers included: Jack Murphy; Jim Maze; Bob Berard; Melvin White and his wife; Dick & Marilyn Roddie; John Meyerhoff & Mary Carol Plott; Rick Rounsavall; Jim Schindlbeck; Ron Ellernam; and John & Debbie Donato. (if I mangled anyone’s name, please let me know) Continue reading “Lake Country Cruisers Meet’n Eat at GC Grill House” →

Lake Country Cruisers Meet’n Eat, March 24, 2022 at Mr. Sammy’s

Published on by corvettes

Dateline: 3-21-22 – Greeting Cruisers! We have two things to share with you; first a reminder and second an announcement.

This Thursday, March 24 we will be having our second Meet’n Eat, this time at Mr. Sammy’s N.Y. Style Pizza Bistro and Italian Cuisine in downtown from 2 pm to 4 pm. If you are planning on joining us for some good food and drink (Sammy served beer!), please RSVP so we have an idea how many will attend.

You can RSVP by sending me an e-mail at: lightoak@comcast.net .

Our announcement to all of you is that Pete Richie has secured another local restaurant sponsor for our car shows! Beef O’Brady’s on Rt. 27 in Lake Placid is on board with a $50 Gift Certificate for our Lake Country Cruisers Car Shows! Continue reading “Lake Country Cruisers Meet’n Eat, March 24, 2022 at Mr. Sammy’s” →

Lake Country Cruisers “Meet’n Eat” at Mr. Sammy’s, March 24, 2-4 pm, BE THERE!

Published on by corvettes

Dateline: 3-5-22 – Greetings Fellow Cruisers! We had such a great time last month at Dock 633, we decided to get together again for another monthly, “Meet’n Eat” event. This month we will be getting together at Mr. Sammy’s N.Y. Style Pizza “A Bistro and Italian Cuisine”.

This is a Guys & Gals event, so fellows, bring your Lady!

If you have never been to Mr. Sammy’s, his pizza and classic Italian sandwiches and dinners are delicious! And, you can wash it down with a beer or two!

We will have the side room from 2 pm to 4 pm. All we ask is that you Tip accordingly.

Our Meet’n Eat Event for April will be at the GC Grill & Steakhouse private room, on Rt. 27, in Lake Placid, Florida. The time will be 2 pm to 4 pm and the date is TO BE ANNOUNCED. Continue reading “Lake Country Cruisers “Meet’n Eat” at Mr. Sammy’s, March 24, 2-4 pm, BE THERE!” →

Cookie Jar “Full of Cheer” Raffle at March 12, 2022 Lake Country Cruisers Car Show

Published on by corvettes

Dateline: 2.24.22 – At the last Lake Country Cruisers Car Show Gary & Peggy Pixley brought us a very sweet, hand-made by “Kathy’s Top 1940s”, 1940 Ford Cookie Jar. The convertible top” is the lid to the cookie jar. It even has a “Certificate of Title for Street Rod”. The “Title Number” is 064-1992, which leads us to guess that the cookie jar was made in 1992.

 George Silsby said, “Maybe we should raffle it off?” Then I said, “This should be filled with bright-colored Jolly Rancher candies.” Pete went pie-eyed and said, “We could fill it up with those little booze bottles!” And we all said, “Yea!”

So, here’s the deal, Cruisers. We were able to stuff 17 little bottles of Cheer into our 1940 Ford Convertible cookie jar! REALLY! The bottles that are not sticking up, are under the hood and trunk areas.

At our next Lake Country Cruisers Car Show at the American Legion (March 12, 2022), we will be raffling off this sweet 1940 Ford Convertible Cookie Jar Full of Cheer, for just $5 per ticket.

The winning ticket for the Cookie Jar Full of Cheer will be pulled AFTER we announce the Cruiser of the Month, and before we pull the 50/50 winner and Runner-Up Gift Certificate to GC Grill, on Rt. 27 in Lake Placid (formerly “Golden Corral”). Continue reading “Cookie Jar “Full of Cheer” Raffle at March 12, 2022 Lake Country Cruisers Car Show” →

Published on by corvettes

Dateline: 2.4.2022 – Greetings Cruisers!

If you have been coming to our Lake Country Cruisers shows at the Lake Placid American Legion, you know that when you sign in, we are asking for your e-mail address. I recently culled through the last few months of our logbook and added a lot of addresses to our website e-mail address.

The week before last we announced our Lake Country Cruisers “Meet’n Eat” at Dock 633 in Lake Placid. Since many of you are new to the mailing list, we thought we’d best let you know about our first social event coming up on February 10, from 2 pm to 4 pm at Dock 633, located at 633 Lake June Road.

Dock’s has reserved the screened-in back porch for us and the porch holds 30 people. If you’d like to attend, send your RSVP to Scott at: lightoak@comcast.net .

You can check out their menu HERE.

Hope to see you there! – Scott, Pete, & Ron

PS – This is a couples get-together!