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
