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The enthusiasm is appreciated, but here's the reality...
I've been Jay's wingman for 8 events over the past seven years, which gave me the opportunity to see up close how events like this work (including and especially the minutiae), without the stress. In a fit of lobster-induced hysteria (and with Jay's blessing), I've offered to host next year's event in Massachusetts. Interestingly, I went from having no idea what we'd do, to having a complete (preliminary) itinerary in 1/2 a day.
Here are the issues with inviting more folks...
1. I'm pretty confident I'll have as many cars and people as I can deal with; I can see reaching 20 cars pretty easily. That's parking for 20, restaurant and group reservations for 40, etc. Not impossible, but it rapidly gets very difficult to manage. Jay has always done a remarkable (and probably not stress-free) job of keeping as many as 18 (I think, I could check the photo record) F-types all together, which isn't easy going through small towns with stop lights and signs, etc. So my sense right now is I simply can't/don't care to handle more cars/people.
2. This has been an invitation-only event. Not because we're snobs, but because over the years we've put together a group of people (30s to 70s), from all walks of life, who really enjoy each other's company. It's really a treat when we see each other once a year, or in many cases, more often. We do invite a few new folks each year, and most of us met originally through this forum, but that's through private communications. Sorry, hope I don't come across like a jerk. We enjoy sharing our photos, etc. in part to inspire others to try the same sort of thing. It's also an opportunity to give a shout-out to the various places we visit.
However, there are a few things I can offer. One is some advice in putting an event like this together - indeed, we could start a thread on that. For me, the hardest part is where/how to start, but I think Jay finally settled on a format I really like: kickoff on a Thursday afternoon, spend 2 nights in the area doing fun stuff, on Sat take a nice drive and stay somewhere else for 2 nights, departing Mon morning. With that framework, I'm just filling in the blanks.
Second, it's possible that I may be able to invite some locals to one or two of the events. No promises (I'm just starting to reach out to venues - the event is a year away), but that could work.
Lastly, after the event, I'll list the full itinerary. Someone could run nearly the same event themselves with a lot of the initial legwork already done...
Thank you for replying Dave, I did not want to let these inquiries go unanswered.
The truth is these past 8 events have been a joy to host—and counter to DJS’s thoughtfulness; putting these events together is not only stunningly easy for me to do (despite countless e-mails, phone calls, texts, etc. to everyone involved, and I am mostly talking about the venues visited) practically stress-free. The ONLY stress—and stress is not the word; disheartening is—is cancellations. Particularly last minute (days) before the event commences. That entails e-mails, texts, phone calls to places who have planned on us coming. That is not only awkward but slightly embarrassing. OF COURSE life does get in the way—including unexpected health issues—and there’s simply no avoiding that. So I have certainly come to accept it. But I don’t have to like it.
The way I’ve planned all 8 events is simply what I would want to do (alone or with my wife). I am simply bringing a number of people along for the ride. So while I treat everyone special, we are not doing anything special. So that is the way I would suggest anyone planning an event.
It’s safe to say our group has become quite the family. Despite death threats and gentle rumblings, we basically have what I would call extraordinary chemistry. And when you consider that I have all these people running around—and waking up at crazy hours, without much sleep—driving, eating, etc. it is miraculous that no one has killed me. People attending these events drive many hundreds and thousands of miles to attend so I have to make it worth their while and “jam” in as much as I can. And make it special for them and to leave the State of Maine with memories to last a lifetime. 8 lifetimes.
Last but not least, Dave has it right that it’s not so much the number of cars—I have hosted 30 Acura NSX’s in NYC (you have no idea, trust me)—but the number of people. Many if not most of the restaurants we go to are owned or managed by friends or good acquaintances. (And we do not go there because they are owned or managed by friends. We go there because I go there, and they are all remarkable). I do have to do some gentle arm-twisting from time to time as getting a reservation, in Maine, during most seasons even for 2 or 4 can be impossible. So try 25-30.
The way I am looking at it, I am going out on a high note—although I would like to think all 8 events have had their high notes (I haven’t even touched on the relationships and stories garnered from these events)—with a beautiful couple getting engaged on top of a mountain, on a stunning beautiful fall day in Maine. Ending with dinner at one of the best restaurants, anywhere on the planet—with two-time James Beard Award Winning Chef Melissa Kelly—Primo. It just doesn’t get better than that!
Eight is enough and I proudly pass the torch to DJS who is not only is totally capable but a great guy and great friend (wingman). Never mind his photographic skills. And upcoming drone pilot.
Cheers to you all!
Jay
P.S. There is the possibility that I have one more event in the future. And that would be planning the wedding of that beautiful couple who got engaged up on Mount Megunticook in Camden Hills State Park. For that I would “return”.
Last edited by RickyJay52; 10-20-2022 at 07:35 AM.
Jay, I personally want to thank you for your efforts over the many years. You are a class act and and your time and hospitality is sincere and it has been for no personal gain on your end with the exception of the many friends you made along the way. No one shows of my home sate of Maine better than you and I think it's wonderful that you passing the torch to the very capable DJS. My friends at the Brown Street garage in Portland enjoyed checking out the F-Types in the pouring rain while everyone was visiting the Portland Museum of Art and I would have made an appearance but seeing my former SVR would have broken my heart. Bravo Zulu my friend!
Last edited by Portlander; 10-20-2022 at 09:35 AM.
It’s heavier than I thought—beautifully crafted—and while it comes with adhesive strips to hang on the wall I pride myself in my “installations” so that even Godzilla can’t pull it down. So I quickly and easily installed actual eye-hooks and a picture wire on the back. I gently drilled a very tiny pilot hole about 5 inches down and evenly spaced on the back, screwed two little eye-hooks on the back, attached wire and…voila! I completed it by affixing 2 little clear rubber bumpers on the bottom to even it out on the wall.
As winter approaches—and attendees of the various items “won” at our last event have been received (you know who you are; although a number of the winners are not on this forum)—allow me to once again thank General Sales Manager Ron McIntyre and the Goodwin Motor Group (Jaguar Land Rover Scarborough, ME) for generously providing me with the funds to make 25 of these AMAZING L.L. Bean Sherpa Throws embroidered with both their dealership logo and ours.
Besides the separate thread “New F-Type Car Art (Engraving)” I might expect to see a few more public (forum) thank you’s—along with links to the companies who provided them—in the coming days and weeks. Then again…what do I know?
I would like to give a huge thank you to Ron McIntyre of Scarborough JLR for the wonderfully comfortable sherpa throws he provided along with the Jag Bags, writing journals, scarfs, coffecups, and the lunch spread at the dealership that was welcomed and devoured by all on a cool rainswept afternoon in Atlantic, Maine.
Many thank-yous to the exceptionally nice folks that greeted and escorted us like we were royalty through the many venues we visited, then there are the various police departments who provided escorts like we were heads of state. Of course there are kudos for the folks from Continental Tires, Bangor Savings Bank for dinner at Cook's, Grand Prix Originals, Artisan Born tables, Cozy Earth jogger pants, and of course as an electrical contractor I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Austere Surge Protector.
And so much thanks to the man, the myth, the legend @RickyJay52
I would like to give a huge thank you to Ron McIntyre of Scarborough JLR for the wonderfully comfortable sherpa throws he provided along with the Jag Bags, writing journals, scarfs, coffecups, and the lunch spread at the dealership that was welcomed and devoured by all on a cool rainswept afternoon in Atlantic, Maine.
Many thank-yous to the exceptionally nice folks that greeted and escorted us like we were royalty through the many venues we visited, then there are the various police departments who provided escorts like we were heads of state. Of course there are kudos for the folks from Continental Tires, Bangor Savings Bank for dinner at Cook's, Grand Prix Originals, Artisan Born tables, Cozy Earth jogger pants, and of course as an electrical contractor I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Austere Surge Protector.
And so much thanks to the man, the myth, the legend @RickyJay52
You forgot Sisal Rugs Direct Vince. . Oh, and the Maine State Prison Showroom for making all of us those wonderful wooden shot glasses featuring our logo!
I appreciate the kind words—particularly the shout-outs to Ron, the dealership, the other companies who provided us with some truly fabulous “stuff”, as well as LEO’s—although the Dalai Lama (and my wife) would reject my accepting your remarks about me.
You and your wife were very welcome additions to this year’s event, and I know I speak for us all. As DJS mentioned in a separate post, and as I have said over the last 8 events I have hosted, there are only so many [number of] people which makes any of this work. But it was great that you two could make it.
And I do hope that you and your wife can attend DJS’s “2023 Jaguar F-Type Nine Lives Tour”. Oh, oh. Now the cat’s out of the bag (although DJS is still mulling over names. Why, I don’t know).
Lastly, the newly engaged couple—on their one-month engagement anniversary—have informed me that any wedding will take place in NY. Which means, for me, that the 2022 Jaguar Every Thing Ends Tour is just that.
Cheers Vince and I look forward to chatting with you later today,
Jay
I would like to give a huge thank you to Ron McIntyre of Scarborough JLR for the wonderfully comfortable sherpa throws he provided along with the Jag Bags, writing journals, scarfs, coffecups, and the lunch spread at the dealership that was welcomed and devoured by all on a cool rainswept afternoon in Atlantic, Maine.
Many thank-yous to the exceptionally nice folks that greeted and escorted us like we were royalty through the many venues we visited, then there are the various police departments who provided escorts like we were heads of state. Of course there are kudos for the folks from Continental Tires, Bangor Savings Bank for dinner at Cook's, Grand Prix Originals, Artisan Born tables, Cozy Earth jogger pants, and of course as an electrical contractor I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Austere Surge Protector.
And so much thanks to the man, the myth, the legend @RickyJay52
Well said. Couldn't agree more as winter settles into CNY and the sherpa and scarf are spot on generously given gifts, put to good use. I also eagerly await my new set of Continental tires and hope for an early Spring. Shout out to Sean McDermaid of Continental tires, Ron and Justin at Scarborough Jag/LR, Jay, Liz, Scarlett and everyone who has made these trips so special this year and all the previous years.
My SVR is stranded at the dealer after a check engine light surfaced on the trip back from Maine (oxygen sensor). Need a warm day to get her back home. Will need the scarf as temperatures to hit 18 degrees F. Wishing of the days in Maine....
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DJS (11-21-2022),jaguny (11-25-2022),Jim F (11-23-2022),Mbourne (11-21-2022),sov211 (01-06-2023),SVR 575 (11-21-2022) and 1 others liked this post. (Show less...)
Better late than never, here's a look at Austere's aluminum surge protector that I took home in the raffle! Thanks again to Austere and the other sponsors.
Better late than never, here's a look at Austere's aluminum surge protector that I took home in the raffle! Thanks again to Austere and the other sponsors.
10-20-2022, 06:45 AM
Bravo Zulu my friend!
