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Would have been a better shot with you guys standing behind the car.
But then you wouldn’t get to see the lamb chops we’re each holding (Oh yeah, I promised no more food shots. Ever!)
That’s our friend and GM Mike in the middle - he’s especially looking forward to meeting you Lance - and your MT brother Jim F who came out to see us and the new i-Pace (and the Range Rover SV.) Or maybe it was for the lamb chops?
While not for me, we were all rather impressed with the i-Pace (although not with the color shown) and I must say the Range Rover SV - a $200,000+++ coupe - was the epitome of opulence. And, at that price, it sure as hell better be.
We organize F-Type only events s well and it always worked well that way. The attendants never engage in any display of stupidity on the road and having the same car helps in discussions/social as well. When we organized events (Exotic Cars & Coffee) with rides, it was a bit of a challenge. When we had to turn donw some cars (XKR, XFR etc). it quickly escalated to insults... including members from this forum. RickyJay certainly organized a terrific event, why mess with the recipe ;-)
We organize F-Type only events s well and it always worked well that way. The attendants never engage in any display of stupidity on the road and having the same car helps in discussions/social as well. When we organized events (Exotic Cars & Coffee) with rides, it was a bit of a challenge. When we had to turn donw some cars (XKR, XFR etc). it quickly escalated to insults... including members from this forum. RickyJay certainly organized a terrific event, why mess with the recipe ;-)
The 2018 Jaguar Wild Blueberry Blast would not have been possible without the following – many friends - to whom I give thanks and my gratitude (and, where appropriate, my business):
General Manager Alen Saric and Director of Sales & Marketing Avery Windham of the Hyatt Place Portland Old Port for providing 5-Star treatment to all our group including an unbelievable group rate, never mind purchasing parking passes for all of us exclusively on Fore Street so we could stage each morning. I will be thanking my dear friend and landlord who owns the Hyatt personally. https://portlandoldport.place.hyatt....otel/home.html
Owners Enrico Barbiero & Fabiana de Savino as well as Mauro Stoppani and Stefano Zurleni for allowing us to have our kick-off party at their new restaurant – before it was open to the public (in other words the entire restaurant was ours) – Pizzarino. Everything about the place, including the owners – all from Milan - is authentic and amazing. Menu (I’m sure Pizzarino will soon have its own website.)
Owner Rebecca Rand and her son Zach who runs the kitchen and General Manager Andrea – and server Gabe Walker - who opened their doors, and outside deck, to the most iconic diner in Maine, Becky’sfor our first breakfast together Friday morning. Becky's Diner
Administrative Assistant Margaret Cummings of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute for allowing us to park all our cars in their parking lot so that we could eat at Becky’s. GMRI.org | Science. Education. Community.
Captain Brian J. LeFebvre, Commander Sector North New England, Deputy Commander Hector L. Cintron Jr., Lt. Junior Grade Chellsey Phillips and Executive Assistant to the Sector Commander Richard Carlson (R.C.) for an incredible visit and tour of the United States Coast Guard Station. You simply will not find a more impressive group of men and women anywhere! https://www.uscg.mil/ For donations, please consider going to the Coast Guard Foundation which is not a government agency. https://coastguardfoundation.org/
Senior Executive Assistant & Executive Project Manager Debra Pollard and Shannon Garrity of Garmin and a VIP Tour of Eartha, the worlds largest rotating globe in the world. https://www.garmin.com/en-US
Owner/Master Chef Krista Kern of The Purple House for an exquisite lunch, as always, on Friday. The Purple House
Chief Curator Jeff Orwig and owners Bob, Sandy, & Gary Bahre for an amazing private tour of one of the most magnificent [private] collections of classic automobiles on the planet! The Bob & Sandy Bahre Automobile Collection is only “out-done” by the charm, passion and incredible wealth of knowledge possessed by Jeff. Sorry Jeff, but it’s true. Thanks also to Jennifer Lewis for opening the doors of the Hamlin Memorial Library & Museum during our visit to the collection. Hamlin Memorial Library & Museum
Owner/Captain Ben Graffius of Portland Harbor Water Taxi for a wonderful tour of Portland Harbor…in spite of some rain. Cool - like the rain - and very experienced, we were in good hands. Harbor Tours, Shuttle Service: Portland, ME
Principal Owner Dana Street and General Manager Michael Burke and Dining Room Manager Adam Beckworth for knocking-it-out-of-the-park, again, at Scales for dinner Friday night which was incredible. Scales Restaurant Portland Maine
Attendees were lucky to enjoy an amazing breakfast – of the best bagels anywhere (this coming from someone who knows his bagels) among other delectable items – on Saturday morning at Owner Allen Smith’s not-yet-open-to-the-public Forage Market [Portland branch, the other is in Lewiston] because once it is open it’s gonna be mobbed! Allen was baking the bagels himself that morning – talk about hot and fresh from the oven – and kudos also to General Manager Laura Posiak and Café Manager Georga Morgan-Fleming for an outstanding job. Forage Market
Speaking of the best, anywhere, my “Butter Girls”, Jennell Carter & Alicia Menard, owners of Casco Bay Butter Co. came to Forage Market and provided all of us with ALL their amazing butters (and there are lots of favors to choose from; even if I am partial to their Cultured Sea Salt) and, yes cream cheeses. I’ve even permitted Mbourne’s wife to refer to them as her “Cream Cheese Girls”. https://cascobaybutter.com/“
O ye’ll tak’ the high road, and I’ll tak’ the low road, and I’ll be in Scotland afore ye”. Well, Marko, we weren’t in Scotland – although it certainly felt like we were – but at owners Brian & Marie Powers wild blueberry fields in Hope, Maine called Hart’s Blueberries. From [driving and] parking our cars to learning all about WILD blueberries, it’s unlikely anyone attending will forget our visit here. https://www.facebook.com/hartsblueberries/
Thanks to Director Christopher J. Brownawell, CommunicationsOfficer David Troup, Co-Curator Jane Bianco and their staff of The Farnsworth Museum in Rockland and The Olson House in Cushing for our visit and tour of what is arguably the most famous house depicted in one of the world’s most famous paintings; Christina’s World by Andrew Wythe. I have already thanked the man who allowed us to park, 15 of our F-Types, on his property which paved the way to making our visit possible in the first place. https://www.farnsworthmuseum.org/vis...s/olsen-house/
What can I possibly say about Debbie Gagnon and Red’s Eats, in Wiscasset, that those in attendance don’t already know? I am at a loss for words, even if I think Debbie was nuts to do all that she did. I will not list what she did, since this is going public, but suffice to say it was out-of-this-world. Including, made just for us, wild blueberry Whoopie Pies by Glen B and providing us with delicious Blueberry Dream soda from Green Bee. Besides L.L. Bean I doubt very highly that there is a more iconic destination than Red’s Eats. Just ask anyone waiting on the several hours long line. Reds Eats https://www.glenbs.com/Whoopie-Pies.html Green Bee
Thanks to President/CEO Steve Smith and his Executive Assistant Beth LeBlanc of L.L. Bean for making, for the third year in a row, the amazing boat tote bags with our LOGO on it. They are not only beautifully made, rugged, and useful but stunning! No visit to Maine is complete with a visit here as we did Saturday afternoon before heading back to Portland and dinner @ 8:00. https://www.llbean.com
Speaking of dinner, and the last dinner of the event, it was spectacular. That should come as no surprise because co-owners, husband and wife, Cheryl & [Chef] Jeff Buerhaus’s Walter’salways tops the list of places to dine in Portland. It’s also a bit of “hidden” gem, not that it is, to visitors and I was delighted to share my own “secret” to cap our last but incredible dinner together. Even if our road-warriors were extremely late to the party. Special kudos to them and the entire staff of Walter’s for accommodating them at such a late hour! Walter's | 2 Portland Square, Portland, Maine
Special thanks to Jeanne Gross – and her entire staff (including my buddy Steve Porter) – at the most visited Light House in the world? (it’s certainly Maine’s oldest) Portland Head Light in Fort Williams Park, in Cape Elizabeth for…well…you know. Some things are better left unsaid. https://portlandheadlight.com/
Sunday breakfast was served at Scarborough Jaguar/Land Rover’s stunning new dealership (still under construction) – thanks to General Manager Mike O’Rourke (who will be highlighted in this e-mail shortly; but no more standing ovations please) – featuring amazing, huge, breakfast sandwiches made with home-made biscuits from St. Joe’s Café in Scarborough, Maine thanks to General Manager Wesley Obermeyer, capped by no-words-to-describe beignets (known as bennies here) along with various dipping sauces. You really have no idea. Thankfully, we all do. My guess is some attendees might be starting their diets today. Scarborough | St. Joe's Coffee
The last event to the 2018 Jaguar Wild Blueberry Blast was a last-minute, but most welcome, entry. I’ve recently been buying this delicious wild blueberry sparkling wine – fermented and bottled in the Methode Champenoise – called Bluet and reached out to co-owners, Michael Terrien and Eric Martin and when they offered a tour of their winery (which is never open to the public, never mind on a Sunday) how can I refuse? So I didn’t. A fitting way to end the wild blueberry blast, even if a tear or two was shed in the process. Bluet - Wild Blueberry Sparkling Wine from Maine
Thanks to my poet-writing/bookstore owning friend Gary Lawless (and co-owner/wife Beth Leonard) of theGulf of Maine Bookstore in Brunswick for hand-signing 17 personalized copies to each of the participants of the Wild Blueberry Blast of spindleworks speaking; collected voices from spindleworks…the brilliant book I gifted everyone at the kick-off ceremony. gulfofmainebooks https://www.spindleworks.org/
Thanks to Standard Bakery – the standard by which all bakeries should be measured and one of five finalists this year for The James Beard Award for Best Bakery, in the nation – and owners Alison Pray & Matt James for supplying all of us with one of their signature lemon tarts with wild blueberries made expressly for us. Standard Baking Co. ? Breads and pastries handmade daily from scratch
I could almost make a list of every police and law enforcement jurisdiction in the State of Maine – that’s how many escorts and how often we had assistance throughout our, basically, 4 days together – and thank them as a group. But since that just won’t do…outstanding people all! Please support your local police department and all law enforcement officers. In alphabetical order:
Brunswick Police Department: Chief Richard J. Rizzo; Commander Tom Garrepy, Lt. Todd Ridlon, Det. Sgt. Greg Mears & Officers Dan Sylvain & Charles Tompson
Cape Elizabeth Police Department: Chief Brent Sinclair & Officer Darin Estes
Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office: Lt. Tom Williams, Sgt. Jim Estabrook & Officer Pete Anderson
Freeport Police Department: Chief Sue Nourse & Lt. Nate Goodman
Gardiner Police Department: Chief James A. Toman, Officers Marcus Niedner, Amanda Roggio, Carolynn Taylor & Sam Quintana
Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office: Chief Deputy Al Morin & Officer Frank Hatch
Knox County Sheriff’s Office: Lt. Patrick Polky
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office: Lt. Brendan Kane
Paris Police Department: Chief Hartley “Skip” Mowatt Jr. & Officer Timothy Holland
Portland Police Department: [Interim] Chief Vern Malloch, Commander Jim Sweat, Major Frank Gorham, Lt. Glen McGary and Officers Dave Argitis & Kevin Haley
Scarborough Police Department: Chief Robbie Moulton, Office Administrator Cathy Chandler, Sgt. Tim Barker & Officer Isaiah Jones
South Portland Police Department: Chief Edward Googins, Lt. Todd Bernard, Sgt. John Sutton, and Officers Jeff Warren & Rocco Navarro
The following is a list of things which I “acquired” as gifts for your benefit and to celebrate/enhance the 2018 Jaguar Wild Blueberry Blast. In ALL cases it consists of products that my wife and I buy all the time; whether for personal use or to give as gifts. Not any person or place listed is owed anything except your thanks and no promises of any kind have been made. In my opinion they simply represent the very best of its kind. In no particular order:
Maine by Hilary Nangle. MOON Travel Guidebooks. Published by Avalon Travel, an imprint of Perseus Books, a Hachette Book Group Company. https://moon.com/
Wild Blueberry Jam from Turtle Rock Farms. Some of the very best seasonal preserves – including their amazing wild blueberry jam – we have ever had. Turtle Rock Farm
Wild Blueberry Balsamic Vinegar from LeRoux Kitchen. We buy many (and when I say many, I mean many) of the vinegars and olive oils LeRoux Kitchen offers – a full list of what vinegars and oils they sell was in your tote bags and they make wonderful gifts for people on your list – and if it has anything to do with the kitchen, or eating, or drinking…LeRoux has it. All. https://www.lerouxkitchen.com/
Wild Blueberry Honey from Maine Maple Products. I’ve been buying their products, both for my own personal use and to send as gifts – as well as their wonderful Pure Maine Maple Syrups – for as long as I can remember. https://www.mainemaple.com/
Boat Tote Bag with our LOGO stitched on from L.L. Bean. Just fantastic. The third bag they’ve made for us and possibly the most beautiful. https://www.llbean.com/
2018 Jaguar Wild Blueberry Blast T-Shirt sponsored by Continental Tire. Also the third time Continental Tire has sponsored our “official” T-shirt and maybe the nicest design of the bunch. Of course no one tells me that other than it’s the softest shirt they have. No matter, it’s incredibly generous of Continental to allow me to work with their T-shirt company to produce the shirts to my design specifications and get them made. Thank you very much Continental Tire! Car Tires, SUV Tires, Truck Tires & More | Continental
Wild Blueberry Mead from Maine Mead Works. Last year’s 2017 Jaguar Lobster Run kicked things off at Maine Mead Works and the owner, Ben Alexander, couldn’t have been more hospitable or generous. This year he has again supplied each of us with his mead, this time his delicious wild blueberry mead. It’s as wonderful and unique as it sounds. https://www.mainemeadworks.com/
VELOCITYAP Hoodie from Velocity AP and Stuart Dickinson. Since VELOCITYAP is our clear choice for aftermarket products on the Forum – including their tunes - I reached out to Stuart and asked him if he would be so kind as to supply each of us with a VELOCITYAP-branded hoodie and he complied without hesitation. Thank you Stuart. Velocity Automotive Performance, Inc.
2018 Jaguar Wild Blueberry Blast Stickers courtesy of Mbourne for the third year in a row. A welcome addition and a really nice touch. Thanks Mbourne!
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que Saddlebag – an assortment of sauces and rubs -from jaguny and his son David. Who knew you could fit so much into the trunk of our F-Types; our coupes at least. Little did we all know we were taking home such a delicious treat and gift. But take home we all did.
And, finally, a few words of personal thanks:
To my wife for putting up with me.
To Mike O’Rourke who is not only a fabulous General Manager for Scarborough Jaguar/Land Rover – not many people like much less love their dealer, although I do - but a true friend, incredibly generous on all accounts (he/they not only foot the bill at Pizzarino, bought us all those gorgeous Jaguar/Panasonic Racing Team rain jackets – which came in handy from time to time – but also opened their dealership, on a Sunday, and bought us all breakfast) , and a real car guy [one might even say “nut”]. Our kind of guy! But…please…no more standing ovations. OK…one more virtual standing O. https://www.jaguarme.com/tcd/home/?t...9&locale=en_US
To Paul Sprague from Scarborough Jaguar/Land Rover who came in to help out – and a whole lot more – on his day off so we can have breakfast at the dealership on Sunday.
To the President/CEO of Bangor Savings Bank – the BEST bank I have EVER dealt with – and my dear friend Bob Montgomery-Rice for sponsoring our exquisite dinner at Walter’s. Bangor Savings Bank
To Zac Dufour who was the best co-pilot any driver could ask for. What none of you saw was how beautifully he handled the multiple tasks of navigator, still-camera operator, drone operator, cell phone assistant (I made, or took, quite a number of calls while driving and most of the time Zac got the people I needed to talk to on the phone and, in many cases, texted messages to people I asked him to…then read their responses to me). A perfect driving partner.
To Nancy McBrady, Executive Director Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine for being so enthusiastic and supportive about my centering this event around wild blueberries, introducing me to Brian Powers and Hart’s Blueberries, and for offering me a job as her Assistant Director. [That last part is a joke]. https://extension.umaine.edu/blueberries/factsheets/
To Portland Parking Manager John Peverada for never [having to] giving me the boot!
To the Brunswick Fire Department – yes, the Fire Department – and Captain David Hunter for coming to my aid at Midnight the night before our first driving day to help me raise my beautiful and big translucent garage door which snapped a cable at 11:00 that night. Without him there might not have been a 2018 Jaguar Wild Blueberry Blast. NO JOKE!
Thanks to our own UNHINGD for orchestrating and crafting my spectacular gift – including getting donations to pay for it [including from me; thanks to Mbourne for that] – pictures to come from our own DJS.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST TO ALL THOSE WILD BLUEBERRY BLASTERS WHO JOINED ME ON THIS JOURNEY AND MADE IT THE PLEASURE THAT IT WAS TO ORGANIZE.
Thank you all very much,
Jay
Last edited by GGG; 08-17-2018 at 09:33 AM.
Reason: Add revised attachments
Really can't say enough about the generous sponsors of the event. Mike at Scarborough Jaguar, Bangor Savings Bank, Continental Tire, VelocityAP, Hyatt Place Portland, and the famous Red's Eats (we love Debbie) just to name a few.
06-22-2018, 07:34 AM
