Jeffrey AronsonOur New England version of winter, the one with chilling cold and plenty of snow, has introduced itself to the Deep South. Cities and states that have never owned a snowplow, let alone a snow shovel, have discovered a good reason to have some on hand. I hope all enthusiasts in the south and southeast have the chance to experience the ability of Land Rovers to tackle snow.
As a life-long New Englander, I should have known that snow can fall anytime around November; I should not have waited until early December to prep my Land Rovers for winter driving. When neither the QE I [’66 Series IIA 88” SW] nor Rickman [’67 Series IIA 109” SW] wanted to start readily in cold weather, battery tests showed that both needed replacement. I gulped and went with Optima Red Tops. NADJA, my ’98 Discovery I, had never seen snow or experienced salted roads, so I wanted a Waxoyl treatment while the Maine roads were clean of brine. Land Rover specialist Andrew Pratt, Freeport, ME, reminded me that December was too late for a proper cleaning. Bob Collins Auto in South Portland, ME agreed on the impact of my tardiness but said he would consider applying Fluid Film to the undercarriage. Fortunately, NADJA had a solid undercoating on her frame and suspension components already, but the application of the lanolin-based product would further help protect the steel frame. (The downside of Fluid Film, as with most lightweight oil products, is that it must be applied annually.) A seasonal oil change and a heater hose replacement helped prepare the Discovery for winter.
Recently, a young workmate parked his family’s 4WD pickup on my sloped lawn; he quickly discovered the truck lost traction in the soft snow, icy undersurface and steep uphill angle. Even though the QE I had hardly traveled anywhere in a month, once choked, it started up. I let it warm up and pushed in the choke. It leapt through the snowdrift and we hooked up a recovery strap. I had to double it up due to a narrow road width. Shifting into low range, I tried second gear, which proved to be too high for the short pull. First gear and a gentle throttle provided some momentum and slowly, the very heavy pickup started to move forward.
If only I had paused to take photos…
Todd and Hope Whiddon, Thomasville, GA support twin passions – Land Rovers and their area’s humane society – with equal abandon. Their stunning home serves as a shrine to the Land Rover marque; framed photos and posters decorate the walls and join thousands of Land Rover models on display. And that’s just in the house. Adjacent to their outdoor pool stands a building filled with even more Land Rover models and paraphernalia. Of course, real Land Rovers – from a Series I to a ’93 NAS Defender 110 to a new Range Rover grace their driveway and garage.
The Whiddon’s love of Land Rovers shares equal billing with their support of their area animal rescue and support organization, Thomasville Humane. Todd and Hope walk the walk, too, through their fostering and placement of dozens of dogs to groups like Wounded Warriors. They’ve also adopted strays: Stone and Gracie (golden retrievers), Hardy (boxer) and TJ, or “Todd Jr” (pit bull).
Chandler Giddes, Thomasville Humane’s Executive Director, looked for new ways to fundraise for the 55-year-old organization and and thought of sharing donors’ “Collections” as a theme. When he visited the Whiddon home and saw the spectacular array of Land Rover-themed items throughout their property, he recognized that “Land Rovers are who you are.” Todd and Hope secured dozens of sponsors, invited over 100 friends who share their same passions, and threw a benefit party on a Saturday evening in November.
Caterers brought vast quantities of finger foods and an event planner staged the Whiddon’s grounds with a Land Rover safari theme. Todd arranged his Land Rovers in his driveway and augmented his own collection with two Defenders re-powered and customized by Wolf Classics. The mobile kitchen of the South Georgia Catering Company arrived and sent zephyrs of mouth-watering BBQ scents through the air. The Dog and Pony Pub served cocktails all night. The Kenny Hill Band entertained with toe-tapping music. All the arrangements hinted at a guest list of generous donors with high expectations for the guest speaker – me.
According to an article in the Thomasville Times-Enterprise, I would “share insights on the Land Rover legacy and its relationship with man’s best friend.” Really? I thought back to my trips to Rovers North. Wherever you are in the buildings, one of the following dogs will greet you and demand recognition (or ignore you and continue napping): Petunia or Waffles (rescue chihuahuas), Bear (Newfoundland), Maple (German Shepherd), Carson or Marlo (Standard Poodles), Teddy (Poodle Mix), and possibly more. The reading of the names and breeds brought contented sighs and yips of delight from the Humane Society supporters.
The event enticed over 100 guests from across the area, including the Jim and Nick Karantinos families from Lake City, FL, 100 miles away. According to a newspaper article, Giddes had learned that owners view their Land Rovers as true companions. “We are in the business of companionship,” he said. “Our pets are our companions and if there’s a ‘product’ we sell, it’s the idea and emotion of companionship, so it was a really cool tie-in to hear someone so passionate about their vehicles while being in the home of someone equally passionate about their pets.” Through the generosity of guests in attendance, Thomasville Humane added significant funding money to their Emergency Medical Fund.
The group’s reactions to my stories reflected their equal enthusiasm for their Land Rovers; their sharp questions at the end signaled their concerns over some of JLR’s recent decisions. In the end, the kindness and generosity of the Whiddons and their friends and guests showed that Southern hospitality is the real deal.
It’s quite fitting that, given his last name, Rafe Churchill would have an appreciation for Land Rovers, especially Range Rover Classics. Rafe satisfies this affection through his company, Ellsworth Classics, in bucolic Sharon, CT. The family farmhouse, the Ellsworth House, lent its name to his business, which specializes in Land Rovers and Range Rovers in original condition.
Rafe satisfies his admiration for historic building and their craftsmanship through his work as an architect and founder of Hendricks Churchill in nearby Salisbury, CT. It’s the shire town of Litchfield County, an impossibly stunning locale for lovers of rustic charm, historic buildings, rolling landscapes, working farms and Lime Rock Park, the 69-year-old sports car racetrack. It’s Northwest Connecticut location borders on New York’s Dutchess County and Massachusetts’ Berkshire County, all equally appealing drives any time of year.
Hendricks Churchill’s renovation and move into a historic building on Salisbury’s high street dovetailed with the town’s annual Merry & Bright Festival in early December. Rafe Churchill worked with Cooper Murray’s Vineyard Series to create The Salisbury Series cars and coffee gathering. On a Saturday morning, 40–50 Land Rovers of all models and conditions lined Main Street.
For this event, Rafe asked me to secure panelists and moderate a discussion on the legacy and impact of of Land Rover. I had the good fortune to have area Land Rover enthusiasts do all the hard work for me. Rob Wollschlager (Colchester) founded CT Land Rovers and has life experience with his Range Rover Classic, a Perentie, and a Series Land Rover. Barry Enis (Kent) owns a Series III and a Range Rover Velar, and cut his teeth with a gray-market Range Rover Classic. Richard Crouch (Cornwall Bridge) knows the Land Rover diesels from the inside. Annabel Taylor (Hudson, NY) reminded attendees of the visual impact of any Land Rover in real estate transactions. Cooper Murray and Rafe’s experiences rounded out the panel.
To my amazement and appreciation, a group of 30 enthusiasts packed themselves into the Hendricks Churchill building and listened, commented and questioned for over an hour before we called for an end so we could all enjoy viewing and discussing our Land Rovers in the cool, sunny outdoors. The morning ended with a scenic drive through surrounding towns before the hours-long drives homeward.
Should you choose a visit around Salisbury, I recommend The White Hart, a stunning inn and tavern in the center of the town. Thanks to Hendricks Churchill, I ate and slept like a toff!