Have You Been to 7 Continents?

The Circumnavigators Club will recognize members who have visited all seven continents. The Board of Governors authorized this action at its July meeting. Members who have achieved this accomplishment will receive a certificate (in due course) and a listing on this web site. So far we have heard from 25 members. Let us know if you qualify. Contact Tracy Sancilio at club@circumnavigators.org. 

The LOG is Out!

You should have received the latest issue of The LOG in July. The issue has great photos and stories from our members, and Club news and information. Featured are the winning photos from our 2019 Photo Contest. A copy of the issue is posted on this site.

Attention Photographers

LOG contributing editor Roger Weatherburn-Baker is working on his column Through My Lens for next issue which will come out in the winter. He’s looking for photographs with “alternative views”– two examples can be seen above.

He says, “Sometimes looking at things a little differently — looking up or down, from a different height or unusual angle, for example — can get some fun results.  If you have any such unusual shots, we’d love to see them!”  Please send them to davidamink@me.com.

These Circumnavigators have been joined our Great Circle in July:
Vincent Cucchiara, Naples Chapter
Christiane Fuhrer, Pacific-Southwest Chapter
Susan Gibbons, Naples Chapter
Lacey King, Naples Chapter
Irwin Kudman, Palm Beach Chapter
Eugene Tan, Singapore Chapter

Where in the World are the Nicobars?

By all accounts, Circumnavigator Don Parrish (Chicago Chapter) is one of the world’s most traveled person. So it is amazing that he can still discover new places in the world. Recently, he became one of the first five foreign travelers to the Nicobar Islands, which India kept closed to foreigners until 2019.

Don’s adventure started with a helicopter trip to the Islands during which he developed a friendship with the pilot, who was curious about why he was going. He explained to the pilot that he enjoyed going to remote places, like the South Pole. This immediately impressed the pilot who, as it turns out, was a big fan of the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen. Don and the pilot bonded on this journey which Don says “is what real travel is about: discovery and bonding with people across cultures.”

The pilot passed him a note that told him that they were about to visit the southernmost point of India—Indira Point. Don says, “You cannot plan or buy this experience, but you can enjoy the moment when it happens.”

It was a wonderful venture for Don and he thanks the pilot for his special gift.

Readers can learn more about Don’s trip as well as his previous trip to the South Pole on our web site www.circumnavigators.org.

Scuttlebutt

Santa Tours

Circumnavigator Eric Oborski (New York Metro and Lima, Peru) has been operating Goodwill Santa Tours for 35 years. The annual tour takes travelers to remote countries where on one day of the trip they dress as Santa and entertain less fortunate people on a mission of love.  Over the years, the Goodwill Tours have taken 6300 “Santas” to more than 78 cities. The next tour will be to Easter Island (Chile) in early December 2019. There are a few spots open if any Circumnavigators would like to go. Contact Eric at ericoborski@yahoo.com for more information.

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

A very sad note…Over the Horizon
A Tribute to Ellen Parke

By David A. Mink

During the Circumnavigators Club’s 117 years, there have been some truly extraordinary leaders. Past President Margaret Ellen Parke represents the best of them. Ellen passed away shockingly and suddenly at the end of a cruise to the Caribbean in the last days of January. She felt ill at the end of the cruise and was taken to a hospital upon the ship’s arrival in Miami. She passed away during an evaluation. As of this writing, many details of the incident and plans for funeral arrangements are still unknown.

Always modest, Ellen might have disagreed with our assessment of her great leadership, but consider the facts.

She made her first circumnavigation at the age of 12. Her father, Everett Parke, was a naval commander and diplomat whose career required many moves during Ellen’s early years. Among her “residences” was Saigon in the early 1960s where she spent seventh and eighth grades. While living in Norway, she first heard about the Club from Circumnavigator Mark Austad, then the U.S. Ambassador. Ellen asked the Ambassador if she could join the Circumnavigators, but was politely informed that the Club did not admit women.

Ellen was disappointed (and annoyed) but within a year, she was contacted by Ambassador Austad and told that the Club’s by-laws had been amended to allow women membership. He enthusiastically sponsored her whereupon she became one of the first woman Circumnavigator in May 1984. 

Back in Washington, DC in 1984 she found there was no presence of the Club in the Nation’s Capital and considered resigning. But she received a call from Club President Bob Peterson asking if her if she would lay the groundwork establishing a DC Chapter, and the rest is history.

Besides her active participation in the new Chapter (her father and mother became members), she held numerous positions in the Club and Foundation, culminating with her four years as President which concluded just last May.

Ellen’s passion for travel and the love of the world (and, of course, the Nationals) were truly contagious. This writer was privileged to know her for about a decade, and found she was vivacious and enthusiastic, always on the mission to make the world a better place through love, friendship and understanding.

We will all miss her.

On a Happy note…Wedding vows for C. Barb Roy and Robert Greene.

Barb and Robert were married in Naples, Florida, on January 25. Barb is the former President of our Naples Chapter and a long-time active leader of the Club. The wedding news resulted in a major story in the Sunday New York Times, which even mentioned the Circumnavigators Club. Congratulations to Barb and Robert!

Click to link to the New York Times article

New President for Singapore

Outgoing Chapter President Richard Hoon passes the gavel to new President Michael Palmer. C. Palmer, partner in a notable law firm,  has held a number of important civic and political positions in Singapore. He served as a member of Parliament and speaker of the House. He is former chair of the National Police Cadet Corps. Our thanks to C. Hoon and best wishes to the new Chapter President.

Change in Nominating Committee

President David Mink appointed the Nominating Committee for 2019 in early January. An update has been made – Second Vice President Brad Vogel will take the role Nominating Committee Chair in place of Past President Ellen Parke.

Brad Vogel –  Second Vice President, Nominating Committee Chair
Bill Holm – Past President 
Jim Lungo – Board of Governors
Sue Murphy – New York Metro
Tina Nicholson – Board of Governors

Did you get your new issue of The LOG?

The LOG has been mailed to all members. If you have not received a copy, please contact Tracy Sancilio at headquarters. The new issue is packed with interesting stories and outstanding photos. As always, we appreciate any feedback. We are now working on the next issue which will be published next summer. Let us know if you have any good ideas for stories or photos. Make sure to send us photos and brief news about your travels for the All Over the Map feature.

White-knuckle tour

In The LOG, C. Albert Podell described his harrowing experience in the Caucasus. Albert reports that he has gotten feedback from several members about why he didn’t bail out after the first terrifying day. He explains,

“The problem is that, in those mountains, the only airport from which they could connect to a place (like Moscow) that had flights back to the States, is in Vladikavkaz, eight days drive further on, and if they wanted to turn around and fly from Makhachkala, where the drive began, there is no transport to get them back there. But I’m pretty sure that the friendly hermit would not mind if they stayed with him for a few days, although all he can offer for sustenance is week-old bread, vodka, unpasteurized milk, and dog food.”

Scuttlebutt Online

For nearly a century, The LOG has carried a section called Scuttlebutt with news and info about our members. With the LOG only coming out twice a year, this news is far from timely, so we are now running Scuttlebutt on the website every month. Please send us news!

Journey aids Alzheimer fight

C. Edwin Galkin (New York Metro) has recently completed his third circumnavigation by small plane. This trip was billed “Flight for the Cure” and was designed to bring awareness to the world of this terrible disease. Ed, along with his co-pilot Marty Balk, completed the round-the-world trip in Ed’s Cessna 210. It was quite an adventure which can be followed on the web site www.aroundtheworldagain3.com. Ed’s journey will be featured in The LOG next summer. Congratulations and thanks to Ed and Marty.

Icy paradise

Cs. Sue Murphy and Suzanne Frye (New York Metro) visited the Ice Festival in Harbin, China. Sculptures and buildings were made out of clear ice and then turned colorful by reflected lights.

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