End of Year Party - January 9, 2010
Submitted by: Stan Foster
New England Triumphs wrapped up the 2009 season in style on Jan 9, 2010 with a very enjoyable and entertaining party
at the Courtyard by Marriott in Marlborough, MA. This was a new location for us and we were not disappointed as the food,
venue and facilities were all excellent. With 30 NET members attending, we comfortably filled the large function room.
After spending a bit of time socializing
and enjoying a pre-dinner drink, we were seated for a delicious multi-course dinner of soup, salad, main course and dessert
served by an efficient and attentive wait staff.
A new addition to the party this year was our first ever Cardboard Concours Competition. I think we all were surprised
by how much work was required to cut out, assemble and color the cardboard TR3. Fortunately a number of club members
persevered and submitted an entry into the competition, four of which can be seen in this photo.
We saw some creative entries that proved to be a challenge to judge as they were all quite good. In the end we awarded the
Best Construction prize to Jack Nixon, Best Paintwork to The Trowel Family as we hear it was a joint effort and the prize
for the Modified class went to John Bowe for his “Barn Find” submission. Naturally the trophies for our cardboard competition
were made from cardboard cups but we also included a model TR3 – a self assembly kit of course. Thanks and congratulations
to all who participated.
The EOY Party is also the time when we hand out our annual awards and this year was no exception. Bob Lang and
Linda Cragin took home the coveted stripped gear award in recognition for going above and beyond with the Fall tour
and the last minute route and schedule changes for the Art Baker dinner. Tom Boggiano will be surprised to hear that
he was awarded the Terribly Impressive Triumph award in recognition of his patience and persistence in getting a running
engine in his TR4. Debbie Christopher’s significant work on the NET web site was rewarded with the Chairman’s Award.
We were delighted to welcome two of our newest members, Rick and Laurie Tuttle who we first met by chance during our fall tour in October. Rick is restoring a white Spitfire. We hope to see Rick and Laurie on the road in the Spit this spring. A special Serendipity Award was presented to Rick during the awards ceremony.
No NET end of year party would be complete without a Yankee swap and Tom Walling did a fine job facilitating and keeping us amused with the commentary.
Thanks to everyone who attended the party. You all made it a fun event and it was great to see so many people come and support the club. Thanks also to Alice Lowe and the staff at the Courtyard in Marlboro for taking such good care of us before, during and even after the event.
January seems to be a good time for our end of year party as it comes after the hectic holiday period and gives us a group activity that bridges the end of one season and the start of the next. We will probably continue with that schedule and I would not be surprised if we end up at the Courtyard when we wrap up our driving season next year.
More pictures from the 2009 EOY Party are included in our Photo Gallery.