April 2021 Circumbits

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Mar 302021
April 2021 Circumbits
The sun sets on another winter. Thanks to Circumnavigator Kristen Koontz (New York Metro) for this shot on NC’s Outer Banks.

Save the Date for Annual Meeting

Gunther and Maria Winkler in Tikal, Guatamala.

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

Circumnavigator Ann Swinford (Michigan Chapter) took this stunning shot of the aurora in Alaska. More of Ann’s photos of the aurora will be shown in the next issue of The LOG.

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

Luck to you!

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David A. Mink
International President
davidamink@me.com

March 2021 Circumbits

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Mar 012021

Let’s Spring Forward!

Thanks to Jennifer Teague (Washington DC Chapter) for this photo.

The cold, icy, snowy weather has added to the misery of the pandemic in many parts of the United States. We can look forward to nice Spring weather and, hopefully, the easing of the pandemic. Some Circumnavigators are returning to international travel now that vaccinations are available. Please let us know by email if you are traveling or plan a foreign trip.

Report from UK Chapter

Chapter President Helen Jenkins announces exciting news that distinguished author and travel writer Andrew Eames will be the guest speaker for the House of Lords dinner in London on December 9. However, the guest list is already fully booked for the event. This is encouraging news that Circumnavigators are beginning to return to normal activities. Members who are not signed up can go on the reserve list by contacting Helen (via Tracy at headquarters ).

Club Update

The long-awaited Order of Magellan event, honoring film maker Ken Burns, is still on hold until Mr. Burns feels comfortable with doing large events. We will keep everyone posted. The Club’s Annual Meeting will again be done virtually via Zoom. It will be held in mid-May with date and time to be forthcoming.

Photo Exhibit Presentation

The top photos in the 2020 Photo Exhibit/Contest were reviewed on a lively Zoom presentation. In most cases, the photographers were able to provide insight into their photographs and answer questions from members. We recommend that Circumnavigators take a good look at each photo by clicking on the Photo tab at the top of this page and going to 2020 Photo Contest.

Scuttlebutt

NASA’s “Perseverance” landed on Mars right on schedule on February 18. Amazing pinpoint technology. Canadians Henri and Natasha van Bentum signed up to get “Boarding Passes” for this mission, which launched in July 2020. Their names — along with one million other people — are engraved on a super-memory-stick so their names are now on Mars! Note the other fun bit—more than 313 million frequent flyer miles!

The Last Shot

Before the pandemic hit, Melody and Jon Dill (Naples Chapter) cruised to Norway with a number of other Circumnavigators. They took this peaceful country shot in Innfjorden. Makes us want to return to seeing the world.

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

Luck to you!

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David A. Mink
International President
davidamink@me.com

February 2021 Circumbits

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Feb 012021

Welcome to February!

Even though the pandemic days can be challenging, time sure flies by. Seems like we just kicked off the new year with January Circumbits putting 2020 in the rear view mirror. We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy and that those eligible are getting their vaccines. We feel better days are ahead.

Zoom Events

Circumnavigators are getting together via Zoom events with some interesting programs in the past month. All Zoom events are open to the general membership even when sponsored by a particular Chapter. We had 53 members join the New York Metro event recently with a great program on the remote areas of Russia by journalist Alec Luhn. Zoom events are posted on our site under upcoming events on the right side.

Scuttlebutt

Circumnavigators Have a New Book

PJ Heyliger (Desert Chapter) and Canadian Henri van Bentum have collaborated on their fifth Children’s book Three Mermaids’ Escapades, shown here. Henri wrote the story and PJ did the illustrations. The book is available on Amazon. Congratulations PJ and Henri.

Back on the Road

Circumnavigators are beginning to slowly return to international travel. Melody and Jon Dill (Naples Chapter) have just visited Egypt where they found the popular sites were almost empty, giving them great access to the wonders of the world. They report: “There could not be a better time for us. Weather is perfect, in the 60s and 70s. We’re guessing there were only 25 or 30 people on the 777 from JFK to London. Absolutely no one in line with us going through security at Heathrow. In Egypt, all hotels and ships are restricted to 50% capacity. At the Ritz Carlton, they were 12% capacity. On the sanctuary sun boat IV, there are 38 of us when normally there would be 80. Photos show the emptiness.
And, of course, the price is right. Abercrombie & Kent was 50% discount. We arrived a couple days early and had a Nile view room on club level for $180. Normally $400, $600?

The Last Shot

Norman and Susan Dailey (Washington DC Chapter) spent a romantic Valentine’s day last year in Bali. It was their last trip before the pandemic. The dinner was at the Swept Away Restaurant in Ubud, Bali in Indonesia. They were on their fourth circumnavigation.

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

Luck to you!

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David A. Mink
International President
davidamink@me.com

January 2021 Circumbits

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Jan 042021

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.

Jorge Serpa (At large) took first place in Architecture with his shot Watcher of the Sky taken at the iconic Bahia Fort in Oman.
First place in Flora & Fauna goes to Gunther Winkler (Naples Chapter) for his shot Elephants at Kilimanjaro taken in Kenya.
Brian Baum (Pacific Northwest) took first place in Human Interest with Venetian Sparkle taken at the Venice Carnival.
Ann Swinford (Michigan Chapter) took First place in Landscape for Aurora taken in Alaska.

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

Gunther Winkler (Naples Chapter) submitted this fantastic photo for the Photo Contest. The judges loved it but we decided the shot had already been highly recognized as the cover shot for a 2020 issue of The LOG. We thought members would enjoy seeing it again. Gunther took the shot of the wedding couple in Uzbekistan.

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

Luck to you!

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David A. Mink
International President
davidamink@me.com

December 2020 Circumbits

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Dec 012020

Unique Holiday Season

One of our favorite historic LOG covers was contributed by famous cartoonist Louis M. Glackens in 1929. Glackens was published in numerous magazines in his day and often contributed to The LOG.

The holidays are decidedly different in 2020 with the restrictions on travel and gatherings, but we wish all of our members, family and friends a joyous season. We are all looking forward to getting back to normality. Stay safe!

The LOG is Out

Have you received your copy? If not, please contact Tracy Sancilio at headquarters. Thanks to all our contributors for great stories and photos. We appreciate feedback on the issue. Our next issue will come out in the spring of 2021 when we hope Circumnavigators will be traveling again. Let us know if you have any ideas for stories, and when you take a future international trip, let us know about it.

Calling All Photographers

The deadline for the 2020 Photo Contest has been extended to December 15. Please consider sending in a photo or two for this event that allows members to share their photos and helps support the Foundation. Contributions are tax-deductible and are $10.00 per photo. Categories are Architecture, Human Interest, Landscape and Flora/Fauna. 

Extended Deadline: December 15, 2020

Above: Circumnavigator Michael Puldy (Pacific Southwest) took first place in the 2019 Human Interest category with this shot of a determined archer in Bhutan.

Chapter Events on Zoom

There are a number of interesting Chapter and New York Metro Zoom events in the upcoming weeks. All Circumnavigators are welcome to participate. Events are posted on the website calendar and emails are sent with the Zoom link to join. It’s a great way to keep in touch. 

The Last Shots

Circumnavigator Tom Ambrose (Palm Beach) wrote about the Land of Ice and Snow with fire below in Columbia, South America. Due to space considerations, we were unable to show the snow photos in the LOG, so here they are.
Sierra Nevada snow caps, a rare sight in South America

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

Luck to you!

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David A. Mink
International President
davidamink@me.com

November 2020 Circumbits

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Nov 022020

Happy Holidays

Circumnavigator Gunther Winkler, Naples Chapter, captured the beautiful fall foliage near his home in Winchester, Mass. Pictured is Middlesex Fells, a conservation area only seven miles from Boston.

November kicks off the holiday season and we wish all our members, families and friends a joyous season, even though 2020 has been far from normal. Please remember how much there is to be thankful for.

Annual Meeting Goes Virtual

Postponed since May, the 118th Annual Meeting of the Circumnavigators took place in October using Zoom technology. More than 100 members worldwide participated in the meeting. All official business was transacted. Will Mason (Pacific Northwest Chapter) and Rick Jennewine, (Naples Chapter) were welcomed as new members of the Board of Governors.

The meeting was kicked off by Executive Director Tracy Sancilio with our historic whale tooth gavel.

Chapter News

With “live” events on hold during the pandemic, Chapters have been attending virtual events via Zoom. These events have been well received and enjoyable. Members from other Chapters and At-Large members can join any Chapter event. When headquarters receives notification of a Chapter Zoom event, the Chapter Presidents are informed and invite their members to join. At Large members will receive an email invite.

Legendary traveler Don Parrish gave a presentation to the Chicago Chapter.

Calling All Photographers

The 2020 Photo Exhibit/Contest is underway. Please submit your best travel photos to participate in this fun event that shares photos with our membership and helps support the Circumnavigators Club Foundation. 

Deadline: December 1, 2020

Categories: 
Human Interest
Flora & Fauna
Landscape
Architecture

You will receive an email soon with the rules and submission details.

Also, the Foundation Appeal letter is in the mail from Foundation President Greg Rider. We ask you to please consider donating to the Foundation to support our Travel Study Program. See Greg’s letter.

The Last Shots

Sandy Schopbach, Michigan Chapter, who also has a home in Paris, took this shot from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. It shows the layering of the city from the Seine to its highest point.
Mary Houston, Chicago Chapter, reminds us that a rainbow follows a storm.

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

Luck to you!

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David A. Mink
International President
davidamink@me.com

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