The BlogComments Off on International Weekend in Washington DC
May212025
The weekend started on Friday May 16 which included a staff led tour of the Capitol, cocktails at the Naval Lodge, and Dinner in the Mansfield Room inside the Capitol for dinner which included a presentation on the value of congressional travel by the Senate Historian. On Saturday, some lucky few were able to get in on a White House tour, followed by the annual meeting and luncheon. During lunch, we received a fabulous presentation by the Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society. All of this was capped off on Sunday with brunch at Chapter President Gwendolyn and Jim’s home in Middleburg followed by an arena polo match nearby. All in all it was an eventful weekend.
There is plenty of trouble in the world today and favorite places that some Circumnavigators are avoiding. But, more importantly, there is much for which to be thankful. Let’s take some time to be grateful for the wonderful things in life such as friends, family and parts of our great globe where peace and love abound. We wish all our members a festive November and Happy Thanksgiving.
Foundation News
In each upcoming edition of Circumbits, a YouTube link will be provided to a video interview of one of the Foundation Scholars from 1971 to the present who participated in the Foundation Retrospective program undertaken in connection with the half-century observance of the around-the-world travel-study grant program. The interviews provide insight into the Scholars’ research projects as well as fascinating – and at time, harrowing – travel tales that all Circumnavigators will enjoy.
Click here to access the Foundation’s interview with 2003 Georgetown University Grantee Matt Scholder, whose research topic was “Converging Import and Export Strategies: The Future of Global Energy Cooperation.”
Chapter Highlights
Washington, D.C.Chapter recently held its semiannual meeting, featuring Circumnavigators Foundation grantee John DiPerri, who discussed his project “Politics hits the Pavement.” It was a cross comparative of local governance” highlighting the nations visited on his circumnavigation— United Kingdom, France, Spain, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Singapore, and New Zealand. Chapter President Gwendolyn Sutton reported it “was fascinating listening to him describe his adventures, both work, fun, and meeting wonderful people along the way.” Members had a lovely Oktoberfest themed meal and had the opportunity to present long overdue membership certificates to Melanie Armstrong, Rachel Barnett, and Isiah Akin.
NaplesChapter – The G.E.M.S. unit held its final meeting of the Florida “off” season. Members enjoyed sharing travel stories and viewing items that members discovered on their trips. G.E.M.S. stands for Globetrotters Exchanging Memorable Stories.
Miami Chapter members met on Sunday, October 27 at the Las Vegas Cuban restaurant and enjoyed guest speaker, Michael Hiner, a purser with United Airlines for 20 years, who shared very interesting stories.
SingaporeChapter President, Mr. Ang Hao Yao, presents membership certificates to new members Mr. Fred Teo and Mr. Kevin Goh.
Circumnavigators Singapore Chapter, Past Presidents Graham Bell and Michael Palmer and members David Chen and Allan Lim welcomed Bert & Madge Amann of the Naples Chapter to Singapore over dim sum lunch at a famous Singapore restaurant.
Circumnavigators Maria & Alan Weiss (New York Metro) climbed the Spanish Steps in Rome. They report, “We’ve climbed them over the years six times or so, and now we did it again at the age of 78.”
Six Circumnavigators from the Naples Chapter enjoyed a cruise from Lisbon to Rome with fascinating excursions in Portugal, Spain, Monaco, France and Italy. Jon & Melody Dill, David & Dottie Mink and new members David & Sally Batanian pose in some of their memorable locations.
Circumnavigator and Club treasurer Jim Franch (Chicago Chapter) is enjoying a trek through the “Stans”. He reports here from Tashkent Uzbekistan where he saw the oldest known Koran, the soviet style subway and other famous sites. “I was treated to a special tour of master ceramist Rakhimov’s studio. Rakhimov is a 5th generation recognized master ceramist whose son, grandson and now granddaughter are also recognized masters and represent the 6th and 7th generation. He played an integral part in restoring the mosques damaged by earthquakes as well as doing commissions for the US State Department. As an amateur, I was thrilled to grasp his hand.” Jim is now moving on to other “Stans” on his ambitious journey.
Circumnavigator Stephen Carmichael (At Large, Minneapolis) also visited the “Stans” with his wife Susan Stoddard and friends. Shown below in Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. He reports the trip was with Golden Eagle Trains, called “Republics of the Silk Road”. It was the second circumnavigation for Stephen and the first for Susan.
Circumnavigator Suzanne Frye (New York Metro) ventured to Newfoundland where she visited Fogo Island, staying at the Fogo Island Inn. She enjoyed colorful hiking and posed with a replica of the extinct Fogo auk.
Circumnavigator Carol Sommers (Chicago Chapter) took a dive trip in the Solomon Islands. Here she is with a local museum guide in the capitol, Honiara on Guadalcanal Island.
Circumnavigator Mary Houston (Chicago Chapter), had an interesting boat ride during a recent visit to Spain and Portugal. It took her across the border from one country to the other.
Circumnavigators Rich & Jan Aaron, (Chicago Chapter), recently spent time in Cardiff, Wales, and toured Caerphilly Castle. Their first photo stop was the castle’s humiliation stockade, a remnant of former times.
Circumnavigators Don & Jeneane Blom (Chicago Chapter) traveled to Samarkand, Uzbekistan this summer. Once way off the beaten track, Uzbekistan now looks like a popular travel venue for Circumnavigators.
Please let us know about your travels. Send info to Executive Director Tracy Sancilio at headquarters. Email club@circumnavigators.org.
The Last Shot
Take a moment to enjoy an autumn apple. Good for your health and state of mind!
Woodstown, a little town in southern New Jersey, is known for its dozens of homemade scarecrows on its streets. Enjoy!
Welcome to October
Best wishes to Circumnavigators, family and friends for a glorious month. Keep us updated on your travels!
The LOG
The upcoming issue of The LOG is in the works. Please send us any recent travel info and photos for All Over the Map. Also, for Collectors Corner we are featuring holiday tree ornaments collected from foreign trips. We would welcome submissions by email to headquarters.
Foundation News
In each upcoming edition of Circumbits, a YouTube link will be provided to a video interview of one of the Foundation Scholars from 1971 to the present who participated in the Foundation Retrospective program undertaken in connection with the half-century observance of the around-the-world travel-study grant program. The interviews provide insight into the Scholars’ research projects as well as fascinating – and at time, harrowing – travel tales that all Circumnavigators will enjoy.
Click below to access the Foundation’s interview with 2016 Northwestern University Grantee Tara Mittelberg, whose research topic was “Genetically Modified Organisms: Progressing the Conversation.”
Chapter Highlights
New York Metro members gathered at The Yale Club for cocktails and exchanged recent travels stories. The next gathering at The Yale Club will be on October 15 at 6:30 pm. Members from Chapters and At Large are welcome. We hope to see you there. If you would like to join the New York Programs Committee, please reach out to Tracy at club@circumnavigators.org.
Naples Chapter…Its seasonal G.E.M.S. held its meeting featuring Sophie Classen’s presentation on Egypt. The group (Globetrotters Exchanging Memorable Stories) is organized by Anne Granada with monthly events in the Florida “off” season.
Circumnavigator Ed Hotchkiss (New York Metro) and his wife Khadija recently completed an ambitious eight-country, three-continent tour. Afghanistan and Burundi were among the off-the-beaten track countries. Ed reports, “I spent two weeks in Afghanistan exploring many regions and cities including Kabul, Bamyan, Kandahar, Helmand, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharīf and Jalalabad. I saw only eight other foreign tourists, so it hasn’t become a mecca of travel by a long shot. I had frequent interactions with Taliban foot soldiers, commanders and government officials.” Ed goes by the moniker Exploring Ed. Members can read more about the fascinating trip at www.ExploringEd.com.
Circumnavigator Michael Lawler (Pacific SW Chapter) and his wife Barbara camped with 80,000 other “crazies” at Burning Man in the northwest corner of Nevada. Here they are ready for the Pink Tutu Parade!
September was busy for the Chicago Petersons. President Dan Peterson flew his plane to Parry Sound, Ontario, for a beautiful lakeside wedding of some friends in nearby Port Carling. Meanwhile his wife, Circumnavigator Melanie Peterson traveled to London, Portsmouth, Amsterdam, Brugge, and Paris by air, sea, and rail, with her friend and future Circumnavigator Marcia Christoffel, pictured here at the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris.
Circumnavigators Gwendolyn and Jim Sutton (Washington DC Chapter) visited Cody, Wyoming for Rendezvous Royal weekend at the Buffalo Bill museum of the west. They “highly recommend this fun event to explore the west! And yes, it’s still wild!” On the first leg of their trip, they enjoyed sites of Wyoming.
Circumnavigator Ken Mink (Washington DC Chapter) and his wife JJ took a two-week western trip that included a seven-day cruise on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. They saw many of the west’s iconic wonders such as Yellowstone, the Tetons, Mount St. Helena and Multnomah Falls.
Circumnavigators Virginia Foster and Arthur Hammonds (Pacific SW Chapter) made the long way from Southern California to Northern New England to visit beautiful Mount Desert Island in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Circumnavigator Sherri Donovan (New York Metro) is currently on an African adventure, including Libya and Algeria. Here she takes a break on Roman columns in front of the oldest mosque in Libya.
Circumnavigator Michael Bell (New York Metro) is traveling in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Italy with stops in Sicily and Corsica. He loved Sicily but Corsica is event better in his opinion.
Circumnavigator Mark Pross (Washington, DC Chapter) successfully completed a 6,042-mile polar expedition sailing from Iceland to Greenland, through the Northwest Passage of the Canadian Arctic to Nome, Alaska, and Vancouver. Mark pays his respect at the graves of three crew members from the lost Franklin Expedition to find the Northwest Passage (1845-1848) on Beechey Island, Nunavut, Canada. Inuit elder in Ulukhaktok, Victoria Island, Northwest Territories, Canada. Mark sailing from the Chukchi Sea south through the middle of the Bering Strait by Big Diomede Island, Siberia, Russia (center), and Little Diomede Island, Alaska (left). At this point, the United States and Russia are only 2.4 miles apart. The islands are separated by the International Date Line.
Circumnavigators Kristen Koontz (New York Metro) and Katie Koontz (At Large, California) ventured off to Mexico to experience the south of the border culture. Here they are in Mexico City.
School Day in Isphahan, Iran. Thanks to Gunther Winkler (Naples Chapter) for this shot.
September Already?
Circumnavigators for the most part are past their school days. But we remember that September meant the end of vacation and back to school. For our members, however, the month means looking forward to a season of travel adventures. Best wishes to all Circumnavigators, family and friends for a great month. Please make sure to send us your travel stories and photos!
School Days
We asked some of our key photographers to send us photos of international school children and we got a bunch! We hope Circumnavigators will enjoy schools days around the world. Besides the photo above, we have posted several more under the Last Shot.
Chapter Highlights
Nineteen members and guests of the Naples Chapter enjoyed the recent meeting of the seasonal G.E.M.S. group with a lunch and presentation given by Ellen Stephens, and her husband Richard Weise. They shared memories of their recent trip to South Africa, which took them by air, rail and car across this fascinating country full of natural wonders. G.E.M.S. stands for Globetrotters Exchanging Memorable Stories.
Front row, George Beebe. Back row left to right, Arthur Hammons, Virginia Foster, Fran Pulone, Kathleen Beebe, Lynn Payette and Carolyn Parrish.
Pacific Southwest Chapter members gathered to welcome new member Lynn Payette and share travel stories.
The Circumnavigators Chicago Chapter held a joint meeting with the Illinois Chapter of Travelers Century Club with a backyard BBQ at the home of International President Dan Peterson. Thirty-three people shared travel stories and plans and according to Dan, finished 11 bottles of wine, among other beverages!
Pacific Northwest Chapter Circumnavigators met to review Chapter business, socialize and share travel stories. Circumnavigator Caroline Farrell provided an outstanding Hawaiian buffet. A round table discussion of recent travels, including an in-depth description of Seoul by Circumnavigator Stefan Krasowski.
Michigan Chapter members enjoyed the iconic Woodward Dream Cruise Weekend in the Motor City. They were joined by Circumnavigators from Chicago and Washington DC. The group enjoyed partying, dining and experiencing the 40,000 plus vehicles cruising Woodward on a ten-mile loop.
Circumnavigator Suzanne Frye (New York Metro) recently returned from a trip to Africa which included close encounters with giant tortoises in Mauritius. She also was delighted to visit the historic painting school in the Congo. The young artists of the Poto-Poto School produce varying styles that share common themes from daily life in the Congo. The school was founded 70 years ago to foster the natural talent of the African artists who had little to no background in painting or knowledge of the conventions of European fine art.
Circumnavigator Mark Pross (Washington DC Chapter) is currently on a polar expedition sailing from Iceland to Greenland, through the Northwest Passage of the Canadian Arctic to Nome, Alaska, and Vancouver. He unfurled the Circumnavigators flag at the abandoned cryolite mine and settlement in Greenland and at the traditional Inuit sod house, Nunavut, Canada.
Circumnavigators Roger & Paula Baker (Naples Chapter) just returned from the Channel Islands, the only part of Britain occupied by the Germans during WWII. They were there a week before the official visit of King Charles III.
Circumnavigators Maria & Gunther Winkler (Naples Chapter) enjoyed a hiking vacation in Austria. They said they felt like they were in the Sound of Music movie.
Scuttlebutt
Ed Galkin and his plane
Flight Centennial
September 28, 2024 is the 100th anniversary of the first flight around the world. Every country wanted to be the first, the United States won. The flight left Seattle in April 1924 and arrived back in Seattle September 28, 1924, greeted by 50,000 people.
Circumnavigator Ed Galkin (New York Metro) will be a major participant in the upcoming four-day celebration of the centennial. A private pilot, Ed has circumnavigated several times in his own plane. Now, he has been selected to have his plane on display with six other planes that have flown around the world. It is estimated that he is the oldest pilot to have flown a single engine plane around the world. The event will be held at Boeing Field in Seattle. Look for an update after the event. Congratulations, Ed.
As mentioned earlier, we hope you will enjoy these photos of school children around the world.
Tanzania by David MinkIndia by Dottie MinkSaigon by Paul Buescher
Kenya by Gunther Winkler
Liberia by Suzanne FryeMorocco by Roger BakerCambodia by Michael Puldy
As summer winds down for many people, Circumnavigators know that we can always find places to enjoy the fun of summer. Best wishes to all members, friends and family for a wonderful August. Please keep us posted on your upcoming travels. We love getting photos and trip info.
Chapter Highlights
The Naples Chapter held its monthly summer meeting of the G.E.M.S. Group (Globetrotters Exchanging Memorable Stories) was held in July. Twenty-two members of the Naples Chapter attended. They enjoyed an excellent presentation by Circumnavigator Tom Menaker, who with his late wife Bonnie, circumnavigated the world in their own 40-foot sailboat. The journey took eleven years to complete. Tom shared many of his fascinating adventures and stories with the luncheon group
The Washington D.C. Chapter held its Second Annual Polo Event at the International Equestrian Center in Leesburg VA. Members from New York, Chicago, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida attended the event. A big congratulations to the Hotels at Sea & Resorts at Sea Circumnavigators Club Polo Team as well as the Team Captain Circumnavigator Tareq Salahi on winning the “Hotels at Sea Polo Cup”!
Singapore’s Chapter President Ang Hao Yao welcomed everyone to the Chapter’s Mid-Year dinner held in an historic black and white house. An outstanding Chinese dinner accompanied by fine wines and strolling minstrels ensured everyone had a wonderful evening.
Circumnavigator Michael Puldy (At Large, Los Angeles) and his wife Adrienne just returned from the South Pacific where they visited Fiji and Vanuatu. Michael reports, “Fiji is like being part of a movie…everything you read, see and hear is true. Really great experience. Vanuatu was a 180 degree shift. The US just opened an embassy, and yet we didn’t meet another American during our entire stay….let me just say a lot more rustic! We did hang out with a reformed cannibal tribe and watched fire-walking which was wild!”
Circumnavigator and Second Vice President Jason Chang (Washington DC Chapter) attended the 79th Soil and Water Conservation Society’s international conference in Myrtle Beach SC where he moderated a symposium on the international activities of the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service’s from its founding in the 1930s to today.
Circumnavigators Dottie (Naples Chapter) & David Mink (Past President) took their granddaughter Jennie to London, Rome and Venice as a high school graduation present. The Minks have now taken all five of their grandchildren on international graduation trips. The finale in Venice featured a spectacular fireworks display). Their son Dave (also a Circumnavigator) and his wife Carol accompanied them.
Circumnavigator Fred Mink (At Large, Delaware) and his wife Jan made a pre-Olympics trip to France. They spent much of their time biking in the southeastern region where they found the country to be very bike friendly.
Circumnavigators Melody & Jon Dill (Naples Chapter) had quite an experience on an Arctic cruise. They report, “we ran into major ice in southern Greenland, which required us to change our itinerary. Also, never made it to Churchill, because they were totally blocked with ice and no ships could get in. Tragic for residents who were waiting for fuel and other supplies. We got hit by a rogue wave which took out six windows in the ship’s dining room. Thankfully, it hit at 1 AM so no one was hurt. Also, two zodiacs got stuck in fast moving ice and had to be rescued. Our zodiac was on polar bear watch while they created a path out of the ice sheet.” The good news, the Dills say, was that they saw polar bears and the trip was a lot of fun.
Circumnavigators Virginia Foster and husband Arthur Hammons (Pacific Southwest) ventured to the North Pole where they also had close encounters with polar bears.
Circumnavigator Suzanne Frye (New York Metro) visited the Republic of Congo and its capital Brazzaville where, as usual, she got some great photos and also enjoyed local dancers. Her wildlife and market photos are excellent. See photos below and another in the Last Shot
Scuttlebutt
Past President Howard Matson was in touch with former Club First Lady Betty Morasso on her 94th birthday. Betty is a Club member who was married to past President Alfred who passed over the horizon several years ago. Betty is doing well and asked to pass on her best regards to all Circumnavigators.
The Circumnavigators Club is the only organization devoted to bringing together those men and women who have circumnavigated the globe. The Club's purpose is to encourage global fellowship and understanding. It strives to inspire people to see and absorb as much as they can about the world in which we live. It is devoted to providing those who have circumnavigated the globe with a forum for intellectual exchange.
Our Goal
Through Friendship, To Leave This World A Little Better Than We Found It.
Upcoming Events
July 23, 2025Chicago Chapter - Foundation Fundraiser
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December 17, 2025United Kingdom Chapter - House of Lords Dinner
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