Here in northern New England our colorful leaves have given away to the brown scowl of early winter. Cheerful thoughts have come from readers who’ve sent us lots of Sightings this issue. Once again we’ve enjoyed superb entries that warrant emptying more of the crockery cupboards at Rovers North. As always it’s helpful for rookies – and useful as a reminder for the grizzled veterans as well – to review the rules for Sightings.

Sightings Rules:
Rule #1: All Sightings receive appreciative recogntion but not necessarily a mug. We reward only those Sightings that capture the unique qualities of Land Rovers and their owners, and display them in a distinctive way.

Rule #2: Sightings should find Land Rovers where you might not expect them. This rules out Land Rover sales advertisements, off road magazines, British television programmes, British publications, films with British themes, and shows about African safaris.

Rule #3: At an ever-changing date before publication, we close off the Sightings. If we’ve mentioned the Sighting in an earlier issue, we won’t mention it again. If you’re new to the family of Land Rover enthusiasts, you may not have seen your Sighting in an earlier issue. Welcome aboard!

Rule #4: We’re not outfitting your kitchen. If you qualify, one mug per Sighting per issue.

Rule #5: Sightings that are Land Rover references in books go to our Literary Land Rover editor for mention when space permits.

Rule #6: Psst.. if we can’t read your name and address because of atrocious penmanship we can’t recognize the Sighting or potentially send you a mug. Psst… E-mail submissions – remember we can’t send you a mug via e-mail. Send us your real name and shipping address, too.

Rule #7: Grudgingly, very grudgingly, the Editor admits he might have made an error. Let us know if you think you’ve been jobbed. We’ll review everything but the decision of the Editor is final.

In tough economic times, every product looks more desirable when in the presence of a Land Rover. Ads for The Childrens Place feature an NAS Defender 110. Eden and Jim Reynolds, Jacksonville, FL, Chanty and Roy Adams, Holladay, UT, Aaron Colliver, Simpsonville, SC, Marshall Gardner, Fremont, CA

Woolrich’s woolen clothing makes sense when you’re trying to stay warm in the soft top Series II-A used in their catalogue. Stephen Johnson, Johns Island, SC, Mark Freeman, Green Ridge, MO, Fred Holmgren, Athol, MA, Sherry Block, Hadlyme, CT, Jackie Pippin, Westfield, MA, Warwick Hansell, Salt Lake City, UT, Chuck Padula, Westford, VT, and James Shaffer, Milton, PA

Lands End also features a hardtop II-A. Fred Holmgren, Athol, MA, Ann Williamson, Delanson, NY, Matthew Hinesand David Lane (see Rule #6), Jeff Foland, Clarksville, OH, James Shaffer, Milton, PA, Andy Draxler, Locust, NJ, and Jessica Carthew, London, ON

John Glass, Wellesley, MA, saw a Defender 110 in a Paul Smith ad for the New York Times Style magazine. Kevin Humphrey, Jonesboro, AR, and Stephen Johnson, Johns Island, SC, spotted several photos of a Series Rover in the latest Orvis catalogue. Jack Nardone, Hampton, NH, spotted several shots of a Hawaiian Series Land Rover in the Crazy Shirts catalogue.

Cecil Reaves, Canton, GA, reminded us of the Tickford station wagon used in a Filson ad. Cpt Bill Warkentin, Oceanside, CA, admitted he filched the in-room San Francisco City Guide to send us the Barbour ad with the Defender in the background. Steven Walls, Baton Rouge, LA, read a restaurant article in Departures magazine; Walls admits he ignored the photo of the celebrity chef in her car but saw the Range Rover in the background.

Eric de Rochambeau, N. Kingston, RI, sent in some previously-mentioned Sightings but also copies of the September Four Wheeler magazine, which included articles on no less than three different Land Rovers. He also sent in a copy of North Kingston magazine, which included an article on an African safari with a Defender in the photo. Walt Warner, Bethel, VT, read an interview on Larry Redmon in the Bourbon Review; the accompanying photo is of Redmon and his restored 109”. Matthew Kosaber, Johnstown, PA, noted that the Lancaster Farming newspaper included a nice shot of a topless Series III 109” in an article on Trader’s Point Creamery.

Jeff Stewart, Cheney, WA, read an article on Geoff Arnold in Traditional Bowhunter magazine; the Australian hunter uses a Land Rover. Steve Walls, Baton Rouge, LA, also found images of an air boarder who transports himself in a Defender 90. Richard Thomas, Savannah, GA, noted a Series Rovers is used in the Africa exhibit at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, NC. Eric DePetris, Middleburg, FL, reminded us that a Range Rover Classic sits in the middle of the lion exhibit San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park.

Greg Goffman, Coshocton, OH, found an IBM ad on emerging markets that uses a topless Series Rover to symbolize “emerging.” The past winner of several mugs wanted to “share the wealth” and sent a huge assortment of promotional items to share with Rovers North, all very much appreciated. Allen Minner, Carnation, WA, noted that an Investors Business Daily article on the “new GM” featured a photo of a Defender 110 and a Range Rover P-38 – huh?

LG cellphones features a Defender 90 in its latest tv ads. Kirk Przybylski, Lakewood, OH, Mitch Milner, Truckee, GA, John Costello, Ridgefield, CT, LCDR Michael Freidie, Pembroke Pines, FL, Ronnie Massey, Franklin, NC, Chris Whybrew, Broken Arrow, OK, and Derek Leath, Frontenac, MO. Justin Charles, Kennebunk, ME, noted that Land Rovers appear in the animated show “The Venture Brothers” on Adult Swim. Nicolas Dover (See Rule #6) watched a Quebec television program called, “Passion Whiskey,” touring the Isle of Jura; “Rovers and single malt! That deserves a mug.” It does deserve a toast, but see Rule #2.

HGTV knows that it needs Land Rover to spice up its shows. “What You Get for the Money” included a shot of Defender 90 in front of one Pittsburgh house, reports Suzette Esteban (See Rule #6). David Matlock, Lebanon, MO, has a Discovery Series II in “My First Place.” In “The Property Shop” Lori Peterson (See Rule #6) notes that her husband is a “Land Rover fanatic who keeps the entire family looking for Land Rovers” so she was pleased to spot the real estate agent’s Range Rover in the episode. Bill Hinsley, Seattle, WA, watched NBC’s The Philanthropist and spotted a Defender in a scene out of Nigeria. Grant Turpin (See Rule #6) appreciated the “gorgeous” dark blue Range Rover Classic in “Dark Blue.” Nathan Mapson (See Rule #6) had a “duh” moment when a Discovery Series I was substituted for a Range Rover Classic in “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”

Doug Barnes, Waitsfield, VT, reminds us that the cover of the American Map Road Atlas has two women and a pooch on its cover. Steve Stricker, Oxford, MS, noted that Mobil 1 is once again running ads featuring Land Rovers to move the oil. In a Camping World ad during a Nascar truck race, Richard Fenwick, Ashville, OH, is certain he saw Series Land Rovers used in the ads. Noel Chiongian (See Rule #6) reminded us of the Outback Steak House menus with the Discovery on the cover. Benjamin Richards, Monument Beach, MA, noted the Outback ads that feature a similar car. Peter Lynch, Redmond, WA, saw a rerun of the AT&T yellow pages ad with an elderly couple in a 109.”

Matthew Cook, Soldotna, AK, also saw a Range Rover Sport in the sales brochure for Icon aircraft. Ryan Skrak, Bluffton, SC, noted that photos of Defender 110’s improved an article in Celebrate Hilton Head magazine. Randy Kremer (See Rule #6) saw the Armani ad in Details magazine with a while NAS Defender 90.

The movie “Taking Woodstock” includes a Land Rover in a scene, sadly being worked on in a garage, notes Gavin Robinson, Maynard, MA and Brad Haley,Redlands, CA. Thaniel Smith, Dublin, VA, noted a Discovery in the movie 13 Going on 30. Neill Thornton reminded us of the presence of a Series Rover in the G I Joe movie. Andrew Konopka (See Rule #6) also saw Taking Woodstock, and also noted a Range Rover in the TV show “Kings.” Matthew Cook, Soldotna, AK, saw a Range Rover in an ad for the new show “Jupiter Jack.” Belinda Garza, Lorain, OH, watched a Defender LWB pulled a baby elephant out of a trough on Animal Planet.

Ladders reran its successful Super Bowl ad that featured Series Rovers, seen by Brent Lane, San Diego, CA. Bruce Bishop, Sacramento, CA, and Ed Graham, Temple, GA noted that new ads for Spiriva medicine include a Series Rover. Joe Weinham, Neshanic Station, NJ, watched a misidentified Discovery used as a shooting target in the Outdoor Channel’s “Shooting Gallery.” Scott Peterson (See Rule #6) reminded us that there’s a Range Rover often in The Closer.

The Triumph TR-7 world enjoyed a moment of fame in one Lady Gaga video; Matthew Cook, Soldotna, AK, actually listened to her lyrics in Paper Gangsta that included “your Range Rover heart.” He also reminded us of the Jet Li movie Unleashed, that featured some Range Rovers. Lastly, Matthew believes that there’s a Range Rover Sport clone in the Xbox 360 Grand Theft Auto. Karen Gattuso, West Point, VA, remarked that a Range Rover figures in the movie “A Dog Year”.

Stephen Dickerson, Dayton, OH, noted that Apple, renown for its design flair, includes a Series Rover in their “Quick Tips” video podcast. Andrew Gold, Hacienda Heights, CA, noted that Motor Trend linked the Defender 90 with other “cool cars” such as the ’62 AC Shelby Cobra, the ’53 Porsche 550 Spyder, and the ’70 Dodge Challenger. Motor Trend called the Defender “simply the quintessential off-road rig. For others, well, there’s always the Pontiac Vibe.”

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