Welcome to September

It’s back to school for many youngsters and on the road for many Circumnavigators. Best wishes for a great month and Labor Day holiday to our members, family and friends. Please send us photos and info on your travels.

Never too old to explore the world

Circumnavigators honored our new members Ellie Hamby and Sandy Hazelip who made headlines by traveling around the world in 80 days at the age of 81. The Dynamic Duo gave a lively presentation of their ambitious trip that drew headlines from press around the world. More than 30 members and friends enjoyed the program at the Yale Club. There will be more about their adventure in the next issue of the LOG.

There is still time

There is still time…Our biggest event of the year is coming next month. The Order of Magellan will be awarded to authors and travel experts Tony and Maureen Wheeler on October 6 at the historic Union League Club in New York City. If you would like to make a reservation to attend, please contact headquarters at club@circumnavigators.org or call 201-612-9100. Overnight accommodations can also be made at the Union League Club.

Last chance, Photographers

Deadline for the upcoming photo contest/exhibit is September 15. If you haven’t made an entry, please consider submitting a photo for this fun event. The event helps support our Foundation. Click here for details: https://circumnavigators.org/product/2023-photo-contest/

Circumnavigators David & Dottie Mink (New York Metro and Naples Chapter) cruised from Athens to Venice which brought them for the first time to fascinating Croatia and Montenegro. The trip was historically & culturally illuminating and also very hot—108F in Athens.

Circumnavigator Gigi Sutton (Washington DC Chapter) visited Serbia’s Belgrade where her friend David Vuich received a lifetime achievement award for his role in the Apollo Mission as one of the Serbo 7. Gigi loved Serbia with its lush farmlands, castles, fabulous restaurants on the waterfront and charming citizens.

Circumnavigator Carolyn Stein (President, Miami Chapter) enjoyed a trip to London and Turkey, although she found conditions hot and crowded.

Circumnavigators Steve & Henna Fuller took their running shoes on the road again where Steve ran marathons in New Guinea and New Zealand, and Henna ran a 10 km race. Henna enjoyed meeting friendly local ladies.

Circumnavigator Suzanne Frye (New York Metro) was on the road again with a visit to Alaska where she enjoyed Running Reindeer Ranch in Fairbanks.

Circumnavigator Russ Bredholt (Palm Beach Chapter) and wife Chris crossed the Atlantic on the Queen Mary 2 where they experienced smooth sailing and excellent entertainment. After London, they traveled to  Bredholt, Denmark where they visited the Bredholt Estates on the Jutland Peninsula. Later they stayed with Chris’s family near Copenhagen.

Circumnavigators Paula & Roger Weatherburn Baker (Naples Chapter) enjoyed a barge cruise in northern France. More about this interesting experience will be in the next issue of the LOG.

Circumnavigator Rick Jennewine (Naples Chapter) visited the beautiful Japanese Gardens in Portland, Oregon.

Circumnavigators Tom & Judy Van Horn (Palm Beach Chapter) went to Germany, but not in Europe. They visited Frankenmuth, Michigan’s Little Bavaria. They enjoyed authentic German food and shopping for Octoberfest clothes.

Circumnavigator Neil Mandt has been more active than ever on the travel front. The Emmy Award director has been to four continents in the last month. He visited Andorra which he calls a “cool” little country. It is his 126th country.

Chapter Highlights

Chicago Get together. 40 members of the Circumnavigators Chicago Chapter and the Chicago area Travelers Century Club had a joint club gathering to share travel stories and memories in the backyard of Dan & Melanie Peterson’s home. They had a great time even as they weathered the 100-degree heat.

Michigan Chapter members enjoyed the classic Woodward Dream Cruise weekend in Detroit. Vintage autos, good dining and friendship were the highlights. Twenty-five Circumnavigators and guests joined the crowd of one-million who were entertained by 40,000 cars.

Scuttlebutt

Congratulations…First Vice President Dan Peterson (Chicago Chapter) will receive the prestigious Good Scout Award in Illinois. A dinner honoring Dan will be held in October. The Good Scout dinner, held since 1970, honors leaders who have had a tremendous impact on their communities and on the Scouting program. The organization recognizes Dan’s long time contribution to Scouting at the Troop, Council, & National levels.

Good press…The Wall Street Journal published a story on round-the-world travel that prominently featured the Circumnavigators Club.

The Last Shot

Do you have a good photo for The Last Shot? Please send to club@circumnavigators.org.

Luck to you!

David A. Mink
International President
club@circumnavigators.org

Historic Gavel Taps in Annual Meeting

The Circumnavigators Club completed its 121st Annual Meeting last month at the Penn Club in New York. Members attended from far and wide including Oregon, California and Peru. Committee reports and Club finances were reviewed with the state of affairs in good order. The Circumnavigators Foundation also reported good standing. After the meeting, members and guests enjoyed a fascinating presentation by Malaysian Azman Mokhtar who discussed his epic circumnavigation of 77 days on 77 trains.

About the Gavel

As a bit of history, the gavel was given to the Club by celebrity member William Jennings Bryan in 1908. Mr. Bryan, having run unsuccessfully for president three times, has been described as the most famous American in the period. Here is a little update from this writer—-for last year’s meeting, president David Mink was given possession of the gavel because Executive Director Tracy Sancilio could not attend. David reports he has never been more nervous about any possession. How would it feel to by the president who lost the gavel! It spent a year in a safe deposit box at the Jersey shore and was delightfully handed back to Tracy for the meeting.

Did you get your copy of The LOG?

Our venerable Club publication has finally been published. Members should have received it in the mail. We invite you to give us feedback and comments about the issue. Also, if you don’t save your copy, please don’t throw it away. Pass it on to friends or neighbors, or give it back to your Chapter president for future use in welcoming new members. Finally, please note: No unsolicited stories will be accepted for upcoming issues. If you have a good story, please review it with the LOG staff. 

Chapter Highlights

Singapore Chapter…Singapore Chapter President Mr Ang Hao Yao presenting membership certificates to new members Mr Peter Ho and Mr Allan Lim.

Bill Ashley (Washington DC Chapter) recently returned from a wonderful trip to Iraqui, Kurdistan. Not only did he see many sites that date back thousands of years, he saw sites that showed Saddam Hussein’s lifestyle and the torture he as convicted of through his gassings in several villages.  

In February, Bill visited the island of Socotra, the island owned by Yemen. Even though it is most known for its endemic Blood Trees, there are also Bottle Trees (see above) which are also endemic to the island.  When in bloom as he saw elsewhere on the island, they have beautiful pink blossoms. 

The Last Shot

Do you have a good photo for The Last Shot? Please send to club@circumnavigators.org.

Luck to you!

David A. Mink
International President
club@circumnavigators.org

On March 25, George Beebe presented  “Round the World Trip #14 with a quick look at Singapore, Bangkok, and Jeddah.” He also explained how he and Kathleen paid for the flights using mostly miles from credit cards.  They served a very chic, very Euro, very elegant brunch.