Save the Date for Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, May 19 at 5:00 pm (EDT). Hopefully this will be the last time for a virtual meeting. All of the obligatory Club issues will be addressed. Only members can participate in this part of the meeting. After the formal meeting, members and guests will be invited to watch a presentation by Photographer Gunther Winkler and his wife Maria (Naples Chapter). Great photos from around the world will be shown. We hope you can join us. Log-in details will follow later. The election ballot for this year’s nominees will be sent via email so please be on the lookout.

Circumnavigator Trips?

For decades, the Club took trips every couple of years, including a circumnavigation for the 90th Anniversary in 1992. We are now considering returning to Club travel, and we would like to get a handle on the level of interest from our members, including some input on the type of trips. Shortly, you will be receiving a survey by Survey Monkey to get info. Thanks for participating.

Need Your Help

As the pandemic goes away (we hope!), the Club will be making some major moves to increase membership and enhance the enjoyment of being a Circumnavigator. We are looking for members who will volunteer to help us in some of these areas: Photography, Advertising, Financial/Accounting, and Internet/Website. Please email headquarters if you have expertise in any of these activities

Back on the Road

Circumnavigators are beginning to travel internationally. If you have made a foreign trip, please let us know about it. It is important to share this info with members. Circumnavigators Vinny & Fran Cucchiara (Naples Chapter) recently ventured to the Bahamas.

The Cucchiaras report, “It was an 11th hour decision to visit Nassau and check out the Baha Mar Resort. However, nothing is easy in the age of COVID travel. The Bahamian government has very strict rules about letting people in the Islands. They require all visitors to have a health visa showing they are symptom free of COVID. No health visa, no admission.”

They go on to report the tedious process of getting the health visa, required tests and timetables. More testing was required for returning to the U.S. Their conclusion: “The trip was fun but the paperwork was a little bothersome.”

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
davidamink@me.com

Cheers for 2021!…

It’s a nice feeling, at least psychologically, to put 2020 in the rearview mirror and head into a new year that promises to be brighter and safer. Remember the pandemic is still with us, so continue to take the necessary precautions. We all look forward to Circumnavigator events and getting back to our travels. Best wishes for our members, friends and families.

Congratulations Photographers

The 2020 Photo Contest set a record with more than 130 photos submitted, raising $1300 for the foundation. Thanks go to our professional judges who had to wade through numerous outstanding shots. All three said the judging was very difficult with so many great photos. The judges were professional photographers Roger Weatherburn Baker (Naples, FL), Mike Johnson (Estero, FL) and Richard Senti (Arizona). Members can review all of the 2020 photos by clicking the photo tab at the top of the website. Shown below are the top winners in each category.

Happy 70th Anniversary, Al Morasso

No, not a wedding anniversary. Al celebrates his 70th year as a Circumnavigator, a record that will undoubtedly stand of a long time. Al was introduced to the Club and sponsored by his father who was a long-time Circumnavigator and Past President. Al followed in his footsteps and also served as Club President. Another Past President, Howard Matson, describes the event honoring Al:

The lines of communication were humming recently when a Zoom Cocktail Party for the Club’s current and past International Presidents was placed on the calendar.  In attendance were Executive Director Tracy Sancilio, Executive Director “emeritus” Helen Jost, International President David Mink, Second Vice President Brad Vogel, Foundation President Greg Rider, Past Presidents Bill Holm, Jeff Kelly, Howard Matson, Al Morasso and Peter Mosse, and New York Metro Program Chair, Jeffrey Peterson and his wife C. Eda Peterson. 

Besides the goal of a congenial get-together raising a glass of wine and reminiscing, was the “surprise” celebration of Past International President Al Morasso’s 70th anniversary of his membership application (November, 1950).  A Club historic record!  Al’s term was 2003 until 2006 and in another first, he became the first member to serve in the position once held by his father.  All Circumnavigators join in congratulating Al and our former first lady, Betty, who live in New Jersey – Good health to you,  Al. Luck to you!

House of Lords Dinner is on the Calendar

One of the top annual events for Circumnavigators is the holiday dinner party at the House of Lords, sponsored by the UK Chapter. Unfortunately, the 2020 dinner was canceled but UK Chapter President Helen Jenkins reports that the event has been scheduled for 2021. It will be held in London (of course) on December 9, 2021. Please contact Helen if you would like to attend. 

Scuttlebutt

Order of Magellan honoree Mark Kelly has been elected to the U.S. Senate to represent Arizona. Mark is the second Circumnavigator honoree and astronaut to serve in the Senate, following in the footsteps of John Glenn.

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
davidamink@me.com

Welcome to August

The summer is winding down and it isn’t a season that will be very memorable for most Circumnavigators. No travel, no parties, no Chapter events, no sports and the list goes on. However, as we have been often told: “This too shall pass.” Meanwhile the Club has some news and questions for our members.

Our Annual meeting, postponed from its usual May date, has now been set for Wednesday, October 14 at 5:00 EDT. It will be a virtual event using Zoom technology. The meeting will cover the usual required agenda, followed by a short presentation: Tales and Traditions of the Circumnavigators Club. Members will receive an invitation with further details along with an election ballot for Club leadership positions.

The LOG Needs Your Help

Do you have a collection from your travels? Katie Koontz’s Collectors Corner is looking for a collection to feature. Also, we are looking for photos that depict the pandemic for the Photo Spread. Please send info on these matters to davidamink@me.com. You can send photos by attachment for consideration.

Scuttlebutt

Gulfstream is discontinuing production of its famed Gulfstream Five after decades of outstanding service. Circumnavigator Bradford Gary, Palm Beach Chapter, recalls circumnavigating on this plane in record time 30 years ago. He participated in this historic flight which circled the globe non-stop from the state of Georgia to New Jersey. He participated as an observer. The flight took 54 hours, a record that stood for many years.

When You Can’t Travel

Circumnavigator Ann Swinford, Michigan Chapter, isn’t used to not being on a trip. So she has been engaging in heavy duty gardening which has included a screen for her to rotate the numerous flags she has hauled home from all over the world.

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
davidamink@me.com