It’s always summer somewhere
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 Last Shot
Do you have a good photo for The Last Shot? Please send to club@circumnavigators.org.
Luck to you!
David A. Mink
Editorial Director
club@circumnavigators.org