Sconda

Sconda Hoodies Across America - Utah

There's one more player and one less state in Sconda Hoodies Across America (SHAA).  Introducing Max "The Ice Man" Kelly, the newest contestant in the hooded cotton craze that's sweeping America.  Max grabbed Utah, the largest state to fall in SHAA.

While snowboarding in Park City, Utah at the appropriately named Park City Mountain Resort Max and his brother, Wade Kelly took a little time from doing their best Shaun White impersonations to take this snowy picture and some great video proof as well.

Max's brother and mother, Sue Kelly both work at Scott Honda, but with dedication like this we may have to find a nice corner office for Max in the near future.

Some fast facts about the 45th state in the union and more importantly the 10th state in Sconda Hoodies Across America; Utah is home to the largest salt water lake in the western hemisphere, the Great Salt Lake.  Up to 72% of the population belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Utah had the fastest growing population in 2008 according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sconda Hoodies Across America - NY

The Empire State falls to our leader in Sconda Hoodies Across America, Ken Barker who came back from a four states to one deficit to take the lead over Zach "ZZ" Zimmerman.  Barker took the lead in style too, posing for numerous pictures at the famous Coney Island.

"I had never been to Coney Island before, but my Pilot's navigation system took me right to the boardwalk...love that thing!" Barker told Sconda Blog.  "I can see why Coney Island has such a special place in the hearts of New Yorkers.  It must be great growing up there or being able to take the subway to the beach."

Photo 1: Barker stands in the shadow of the famous "Wonder Wheel", which according to the highly paid research staff at Wikipiedia was built in 1918 and opened in 1920, this steel framed Ferris wheel has both stationary cars and rocking cars that slide along a track. It holds 144 riders, stands 150 feet tall, and weighs over 2,000 tons. At night the Wonder Wheel's steel frame is outlined and illuminated by neon tubes.

Photo 2: Our leader in SHAA stood beneath the "Eiffel Tower of Brooklyn" as it has been affectionately referred, but officially known as the Parachute Jump, was built in 1939 for the World's fair and moved to Coney Island in 1941.  Standing 262 feet tall and weighing 170 tons this ride stopped "pulling it's ripcord" in 1968 and in 1980 was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Photo 3: Working up an appiteit on his busy day of sight seeing, Baker parked outside Nathan's Famous for a hot dog.  According to their website "Nathan’s Famous was founded by a Polish immigrant, Nathan Handwerker, and his is truly an authentic 'only in America story.' He started his business in 1916 with a small hot dog stand in Coney Island, New York using a recipe developed by his wife, Ida.

Photo 4: For his final photo Barker stood beside the New York Aquarium, which is proud to hold the title of the America's Oldest Continually Operating Aquarium, now in it's 113th year.

We can only guess where Ken "Hoodie" Barker will end up next...but if you follow him on Twitter you may get some hints.

Sconda Hoodies Across America - NJ

"Only you can prevent forest fires" and only Ken Barker can prevent the rest of the world from claiming  New Jersey in Sconda Hoodies Across America, and that's just what he did.  In one of the most memorable photos of the contest Ken palled up with a famous bear in Cape May for this portrait.

While most folks refer to this fire fighting Black Bear as "Smokey the Bear", his official name is just Smokey Bear.  This is a misconception the United States Forest Service has been battling and losing ever since songwriters Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins wrote the hit "Smokey the Bear".  According to Wikipedia the duo said they added "the" to Smokey's name to "keep the song's rhythm".

Smokey Bear, the public educator, was born in 1944, but it wasn't until a real bear cub got caught up a tree and rescued during a New Mexico forest fire in 1950 that the now classic character really became an American icon.

Thanks to Ken we all know a little more about our furry friend Smokey and we know Ken is a sucker for the beach in winter...who can blame him, no crowds and no sunburn.  This state tied him with Zach Zimmerman at four states a piece, but Ken was in a New York state of mind after this pit stop.

Sconda Hoodies Across America - MD

It was by stage coach and ferry that the first beach-front renters arrived in Ocean City, Maryland in 1869.  Now a days it's via Scott Honda Pilots, by men wearing Sconda Hoodies.  Ken Barker added the "Land of Mary" to his list, which was his third of five states racked up in two weekend road trips.

"My photographer caught me in front of the entrance to the boardwalk," Ken wrote to Sconda Blog.  "As you can see, there is still plenty of ice and snow on the street and for some reason the beach was not crowded," he wrote jokingly.

It was George Calvert who applied for Maryland's royal charter in 1629.  He had lived in Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland and after winter lasted until May he wrote to a friend, "There is a sad face of winter upon all this land."  When the seas thawed he sailed south, wisely planting himself in Maryland the next summer, a trend millions would emulate in the centuries to follow. 

I'm sure Calvert never envisioned anything like the Ocean City Boardwalk, which started in 1902 as a wooden walkway that was small enough to get rolled up during high tide and has evolved into 2.5 mile long food and fun extravaganza.

Coming up next, Barker's trips to the Garden and Empire States.  Want to join in the fun, click here to learn how.

Sconda Hoodies Across America - DE

Ken Barker is back in the game! This is the first of a three state tour he made last weekend to tie the contest at four with early leader Zach Zimmerman.

"I got up early this morning, jumped into the Honda Pilot, grabbed my photographer (my loving and very patient wife of 44 years) and headed for the beach," Barker told Sconda Blog last Saturday.  "My first stop was Bethany Beach, Delaware where we took this picture along Route 1 near the National Guard training center.  Not quite so cold and windy as the Valley Forge adventure from last week, but still not beach weather!"

Barker stood before the Delaware National Guard Training Site and a sweet helicopter which definitely got him some points for "unique objects in the background", under the creativity portion of the contest.

To all you other eager hoodie wearers there is still time to get in the contest.  All you need is a Sconda Hoodie, a camera and a smile.  As we speak hoodies are being mailed across the country, but one road trip to Florida could yield 5 states and put you right in the lead. 

Get your picture taken in a new state (only 42 remain), in front of a prominent, obscure or unique landmark and you'll get a special post on Sconda Blog.  The best photograph and the person who sacks the most states will win a new iPod Nano 8gb and even more Sconda gear. Scott Honda employees are not excluded, the more the merrier.

Send your photo's to dougscott@scotthonda.com or post them on our Facebook Fan page.

Sconda Hoodies Across America - VT

The travels of Zach Zimmerman, in his pursuit of Sconda Hoodies Across America immortality, brought him to the birthplace of arguably the most beautiful state in this fair nation.

Windsor, Vermont, a (granite) stones throw from New Hampshire, was also the summer home to former President Woodrow Wilson and also the residence of Winston Churchill, (no not that one) this one was the American novelist, but he was friends with his British counterpart.

Vermont, the leading producer of Maple Syrup is also the 2nd least populated state, with only Wyoming having fewer residents.  If you're a surfer, Vermont is not for you, it's the only New England state without any coastline, but Lake Champlain is a great substitute for you water lovers.

So ZZ has jumped out to a commanding  4 state to one lead, can Ken Barker make a charge and get back into this race, or should I send Zach his iPod now?  Stay tuned.

Sconda Hoodies Across America - Mass

ZZ strikes again.  The New England Bandit bags another state, as Massachusetts gets put in Zach Zimmerman's "Basket o' States".  Bringing his tally to four, Zach has started off Sconda Hoodies Across America with a bang.  This time our version of Carmen Scon-diego landed in Beantown.

"This photo was taken in Boston with the famous Citgo sign in the background, the one next to Fenway Park." Zach told Sconda Blog.  "I apologize for it being blurry...that would be Brian Doucet's fault, he took the photo."  (Que sound of bus being driven by Zach, running over Brian)

While it took a little Photoshop magic to make up for Doucet's photography woes in order to bring the Citgo sign to life, the effort was there and the hoodie was on.  The question is, can ZZ capture all of New England?  Only the Ocean State, the Constitution State, and the Green Mountain State remain.  I do however know of several Sconda hoodies making their way northward, back to college as we speak.

Want to get in the game click this link for info on getting your Sconda Hoodie.

Sconda Hoodies Across America - PA

Now we're talking.  We've got a competition going here folks.  Let me introduce to you Ken Barker, better known as @poppabarker  on Twitter.  I challenged Ken to get his horse in the race and he did just that, in historical style I might add.

Ken grabbed his Sconda Hoodie, his Scott Honda Pilot, a friend and a camera and went out to Valley Forge National Park and got himself on the big board with Pennsylvania, easily the most competitive state of the contest. 

In the shadow of the National Memorial Arch Ken stood in sub freezing temperatures for his photo and his mind began to wonder.  "Now I know what the continental army must have suffered," Ken said in an email.  "It was brutal out there with the cold and wind.  Too bad the troops didn't have a Scott Hoodie to keep them warm!"

Great job @poppabarker, the Garden State, the First State and the Old Line State are all within driving distance.  Remember to take you hoodie with you wherever you go.

Sconda Hoodies Across America - NH

The Granite State has been claimed by the aggressive, camera-loving Zach "ZZ" Zimmerman. At 1:53 p.m. Eastern Standard Time an email dropped in my inbox stating simply, "NH. Check it off."  The words were few, but the message was powerful, with the first two states in Sconda Hoodies Across America (SHAA) going to ZZ, this could be a one horse race.

Zach is Assistant Director of Admission at the prestigious New Hampton School, an independent, college preparatory school for boarding and day students, grades 9-12 and postgraduate, located in New Hampton, NH.  He took a couple minutes from his day, grabbed a friend and a camera and added New Hampshire to his SHAA list.

Interested parties who lack the proper attire to participate in this nationwide event have been inquiring as to how they too can get their hands on a Sconda hoodie.  I have just put in a new order for 70 hoodies that should be here in the next 3 weeks and I have a huge supply of crew neck sweatshirts (that still count in the contest despite their obvious deficiency) and long sleeve T-shirt's.  The hoodie costs $25, the crew sweatshirts go for $20, long sleeves t's are $15 and all prices include free shipping and handling.  Send a check or cash, your size (sweats run small, go up a size) and preferred style to the address at the bottom of the post.

As soon as your sweatshirt arrives you'll have your chance to win an iPod Nano, 8gb, by either getting your photo taken while wearing the sweatshirt in the most states, or taking the most creative picture.  The most creative picture can be taken in a state that has already been captured.  So travelers and residents in Maine and New Hampshire have no fear, you're still in the game.

Send your photo's to dougscott@scotthonda.com or post them on our Facebook Fan page.

Pa residents add 6% sales tax.

Sconda Hoodies Across America
c/o Douglas P. Scott
706 Autopark Blvd.
West Chester, PA 19382

Sconda Hoodies Across America - Maine

Welcome to the first of 50 installments of "Sconda Hoodies Across America."  Our ambitious plan is, as you may have guessed, to have a photo taken of someone wearing a Scott Honda hooded sweatshirt in every state of this fair country.

The contest has been kicked off in great fashion by Sconda fan, Zach Zimmerman, who received his coveted sweatshirt by becoming one of our first "Fans" on Facebook.  A resident of New Hampshire, ZZ, as he's known by his friends, was given one challenge with his sweatshirt, "to get his photo taken in front of a New England landmark while wearing it."

The Green Monster, Mount Washington and the Ben and Jerry's Factory have nothing on the Giant L.L. Bean boot in front of their flagship store in Freeport, Maine.  Beneath the boot with Zach is his sister Jacquie and friends Morgan and Tommy.

So now you know what you are tasked with.  Earn, find or buy a Sconda Hoodie, get your picture taken in a new state, in front of a really sweet landmark and you'll get your moment to shine on Sconda Blog and the best picture will win a new iPod Nano 8gb and even more Sconda gear.  Scott Honda employees are not excluded and you may have your picture taken in more than one state, it's not just one and done.

Send your photo's to dougscott@scotthonda.com or post them on our Facebook Fan page.