Brrr…

Circumnavigators, it’s cold outside, unless you happen to be one of our many members in Florida, Southwest California or Singapore. This writer is penning Circumbits from Antarctica where it is definitely cold. Hitting my seventh continent, I want to remind Club members to let us know if you have touched all the continents so you can be listed on this site and receive a special certificate. Happy Holidays to all our members, family and friends!

Honorary President and Distinguished Circumnavigator Lois Kahan passed away early this week. Lois was an extremely active member of the Club since she joined in 1994 and was recognized by being named Honorary President. We will miss this great lady. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

First VP Dan Peterson (Chicago Chapter) visited Europe where after a long and winding road, he joined the Beatles in Liverpool, England.

Past President Howard Matson (New York Metro) traveled to Tunisia with his wife Amy and daughter Leslie. In this photo they are at the Jem Romana amphitheater. 

You never know where you will find globe trotting Circumnavigator Suzanne Frye (New York Metro). Lately she was in searching for the Saltwater Hippos of Guinea-Bissau. 

Circumnavigator Jason Chang (President, Washington DC Chapter) traveled to Thessaloniki, Greece to visit friends and harvest olives.

Circumnavigators Paul & Pat Buescher (Pacific Northwest) explored the Northwest Passage, boarding at Nuuk, Greenland and traveling to Vancouver. Along the way, the ship broke through the ice where they saw these playful polar bears.

Circumnavigators Paula & Roger Weatherburn Baker (Naples Chapter) visited Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil.  Below, they’re pictured in the tropical bird sanctuary in the rainforest near Iguazu Falls, Brazil and sitting behind Eva’s Peron’s desk in the presidential palace in Buenos Aires.

Circumnavigator Larry Glick (At Large, Texas) visited Qatar for the World Cup soccer tournament. Larry is known for his amazing photographs of birds, but here he shows us photos of colorful fans.

Scuttlebutt

Six Circumnavigators in the Mink-Koontz family—David, Dottie, Ken & Fred Mink and Kristen & Katie Koontz—visited Scranton, PA for the wedding of Fred’s son, Drew. We know that Scranton isn’t on anyone’s bucket list, but the city has a number of interesting sites, including Steamtown National Historic site with its vintage railroad cars, a coal mine museum and, interestingly, the Harry Houdini Museum, a tribute to our early member of the Circumnavigators Club.

Signs, Signs, Signs

We asked and we received—dozens of interesting and humorous signs from around the world. We will feature a sampling in the next issue of The LOG, but we decided it would be fun to include one sign in each posting of Circumbits. The one here is from Roger Weatherburn Baker, found in Mumbai, India. Please keep sending us signs! Send to Tracy at club@circumnavigators.org or David Mink at davidamink@me.com.

The Palm Beach Chapter held a successful event at the Irish Brigade in Fort Worth, FL. Circumnavigators Brad and Susan Gary made a fascinating presentation on their trip to the Arctic, Russia and the “Top of the World”. Additionally, Circumnavigator Tom Van Horn reported on his visit to watch the NASA Artemis launch. Tom realized that he had to get it right since distinguished Astronaut and Circumnavigator Robert Crippen was in the audience.

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

Welcome to November

It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us. Best wishes to all our members, family and friends for a joyful season. Remember to let us know about your trips, travels and important personal news.

Did you get The LOG?  

We hope you have enjoyed the latest issue of our venerable Club publication with great travel stories, photos and member news. We would love to have your feedback. If you did not get your copy, please let headquarters know via email. If you don’t save your copy, please don’t throw it away. Pass it on to a friend who travels or give it to your Chapter President to give to prospective members. Some members give the LOG to a local library. Thank you!

Save the Date

It may be a little early to plan for 2023 events but we want to call your attention to the Annual Meeting that will be held in NYC on May 19. In addition to the meeting, we have a terrific speaker slated to make a presentation. The presenter will be internationally recognized traveler and distinguished business executive Azman Mokhtar who went around the world in 77 days on 77 trains. Azman says, “I caught the wanderlust fairly early. And have never or wanted to be cured ever since.” Please consider joining us for this exciting event. Members and guests are welcome for the presentation.

Oktoberfest in New York

Circumnavigators and guests celebrated Oktoberfest in New York at German restaurant Bierhaus.

Circumnavigators have been on the move…

Executive Director Tracy Sancilio made it to Paris on a trip that had been postponed several times.

Circumnavigators Steven & Henna Fuller (At Large, Kansas City) visited Riga, Latvia. Henna is a new member who operates Cultural Wander which caters to travel for small groups. She is planning to sponsor a 30-day around the world trip in August/September 2023. 

Circumnavigator Fred Mink (At Large, Bethany Beach, Delaware) cruised  with friends to Turkey and Greek Isles. The photo shows Fred with wife Jan in Santorini.

Circumnavigators Norm & Susan Dailey (Washington DC Chapter) are on another around-the-world trip. Photo below is in Jakarta. Remember the Daileys’ Amazing Race Adventure is featured in the latest issue of The LOG.

Circumnavigator Alan Weiss (New York Metro) made an extensive visit to Australia with his wife Maria. Shown below on the river walk.

Circumnavigator Helen Jenkins (UK Chapter) visited Venice with her business partner Jayne White. Shown below are Helen and Jayne on the Bridge of Sighs.

Circumnavigators Geoff & Marilyn McGrath (At Large, Williamsburg VA) are on their third circumnavigation, originally planned for their 50th anniversary in 2021. First stop, Singapore where they are shown below at the legendary Raffles Hotel.

Last Call for Photos of Signs

We have gotten some great photos of “unusual” signs from foreign lands. They will comprise a humorous feature in a future issue of The LOG. If you have a good photo, send it in high resolution by email attachment to Tracy at club@circumnavigators.org or David Mink at davidamink@me.com.

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

Circumnavigators in Florida

Our fellow members weathered a tough hurricane last week. Hurricane Ian took its toll on the usually sunshine state where more than 200 Circumnavigators call home. Especially hard hit was the Naples area, home to our largest Chapter. At this time, we have not heard of any serious problems for Circumnavigators.

Rolling Out the LOG

The new issue of our venerable publication, The LOG, is being printed. Members should receive their copy in October with many great stories, including treks to Croatia and Algeria and the adventure story of Norm & Susan Dailey’s Amazing Race. We think you will love the cover from Croatia. It is not the cover shown here – that is the runner up..

Keep on sharing

Please let us know if you have a feature story to discuss for the next issue of The LOG. We do not take finished stories, so you need to contact us to develop the story. Also, photos and trip items are encouraged for All Over the Map, used in both The LOG and Circumbits.

Singapore welcomes new member

Chapter Vice-President Graham Bell presented the membership certificate to Mr. Johnson Chen at the Singapore Chapter September lunch event at the iconic building that used to be the main post office and is now the five-star Fullerton Hotel.

New chapter in the works

The inaugural meeting of the proposed Northeast Florida chapter was held in September with 17 enjoying a gathering at Jacksonville’s Timuquana Country Club. The chapter will draw members from the greater Jacksonville area, which includes Ponte Vedra Beach. Circumnavigator Fred Seely has been orchestrating the new Chapter plan.

International Past President Howard Matson, during his recent visit to Ireland and Northern Ireland, was moved by recent historic events to stop and sign the condolence book for the Queen at Government House in Belfast.

Circumnavigator Steve Fuller (At Large) posed in Qorikancha Museum in Cusco, Peru. He was visiting Machu Picchu with his wife Henna.

Circumnavigators Norm & Susan Dailey (Washington DC Chapter) reached Mongolia on their fifth circumnavigation. 

Circumnavigators David & Dottie Mink (New York Metro and Naples Chapter) had a cooking lesson in Tuscany, Italy.

Don’t you love signs?

Circumnavigators enjoy shooting photos of unusual and whimsical signs on their international travels, like the one shown here from Japan. Please send us good shots that you have collected for a future feature. Send in high resolution photo by email attachment to Tracy at club@circumnavigators.org or David Mink at davidamink@me.com.

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