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