Historic Gavel Taps in Annual Meeting
The Circumnavigators Club completed its 121st Annual Meeting last month at the Penn Club in New York. Members attended from far and wide including Oregon, California and Peru. Committee reports and Club finances were reviewed with the state of affairs in good order. The Circumnavigators Foundation also reported good standing. After the meeting, members and guests enjoyed a fascinating presentation by Malaysian Azman Mokhtar who discussed his epic circumnavigation of 77 days on 77 trains.
About the Gavel
As a bit of history, the gavel was given to the Club by celebrity member William Jennings Bryan in 1908. Mr. Bryan, having run unsuccessfully for president three times, has been described as the most famous American in the period. Here is a little update from this writer—-for last year’s meeting, president David Mink was given possession of the gavel because Executive Director Tracy Sancilio could not attend. David reports he has never been more nervous about any possession. How would it feel to by the president who lost the gavel! It spent a year in a safe deposit box at the Jersey shore and was delightfully handed back to Tracy for the meeting.
Did you get your copy of The LOG?
Our venerable Club publication has finally been published. Members should have received it in the mail. We invite you to give us feedback and comments about the issue. Also, if you don’t save your copy, please don’t throw it away. Pass it on to friends or neighbors, or give it back to your Chapter president for future use in welcoming new members. Finally, please note: No unsolicited stories will be accepted for upcoming issues. If you have a good story, please review it with the LOG staff.
Chapter Highlights
Singapore Chapter…Singapore Chapter President Mr Ang Hao Yao presenting membership certificates to new members Mr Peter Ho and Mr Allan Lim.
Bill Ashley (Washington DC Chapter) recently returned from a wonderful trip to Iraqui, Kurdistan. Not only did he see many sites that date back thousands of years, he saw sites that showed Saddam Hussein’s lifestyle and the torture he as convicted of through his gassings in several villages.
In February, Bill visited the island of Socotra, the island owned by Yemen. Even though it is most known for its endemic Blood Trees, there are also Bottle Trees (see above) which are also endemic to the island. When in bloom as he saw elsewhere on the island, they have beautiful pink blossoms.
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
club@circumnavigators.org
