PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 

"Plays Well with Others"
In my professional field of educational research, one of the items on the ubiquitous kindergarten teacher checklists for children is: “Plays well with others.” Kindergarten teachers are able to produce, on this one item, a fairly accurate rating of the child’s sociability after only one or two months’ of acquaintance with a new class of children, I dare say that many of us in NCJOC would fare quite well on this item, if rated by some mythical inspector from the national Jaguar Clubs of North America.

Our avid Publicity Chair and Concours Chairperson, Michelle Dawson, reveals an intuitive grasp of such basic life truths embodied in author Robert Fulghum’s famous 1988 book, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” The 2009 year for NCJOC was replete with many social functions from parties to parades to ponies (you know, the Point-to-Point races) in addition to the fabulous Concours d’Elegance. Michelle has done a marvelous job at planning, managing or assisting at many of these events.

Al and Janet Iagnemmo’s beautiful XK140 and Bill and Jackie Moore’s exquisite XK150 play well together at the Reston Thanksgiving Friday Parad

But sociability comes in many forms, such as the mini-tours and the tech sessions. We are grateful to Jamie Delgadillo for coordinating the tech sessions at several Jaguar dealerships, and for Bob Andrews with his ever-faithful assistance in the cookouts that we “gearheads” have enjoyed as part of the party. Bob and Betty Andrews also hosted a mini-tour in the spring and again in the fall for the driving delights of club members.

We owe thanks to Al and Mary Beth Hemer for their creative contributions to the life of NCJOC. In the slow (?) month of July when we schedule no regular club meeting, they hosted a fascinating tour of a local collection of Tucker cars and original factory artifacts. Also in the “slow” month of July, John and Nora Masters once again hosted a convivial picnic with members’ Jaguars lining their driveway.

Of course, many club members contributed to the background planning and preparation sessions that occur throughout the year. Those events are always a combination of production time and party time. We appreciate the support of all the NCJOC officers and volunteers who continue to burnish the reputation of NCJOC as a leading Jaguar club in North America that plays well together.

Happy Holidays and Happy Motoring,

John