CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE

Our 50th Anniversary celebration weekend in New York, April 16-18, was a big success with over 100 attending. Our interesting speaker at the UN luncheon was Harry Allen, adviser in the Host Country Affairs Section of the US Mission to the United Nations. Special thanks go to Lynn Simmons, TCC New York Coordinator, who assisted at all events. We especially appreciate that Board Members Kevin Hughes, Chris Hudson, Floyd Baker, Pamela Barrus, Ronald Endeman, and Diane Jarrett took the time to attend our special celebration.

Our next 50th Anniversary event will be in Las Vegas, Oct. 1-3, and we encourage our Western USA and overseas members to join us for a fun-filled weekend.

Our March luncheon in Newport Beach, CA, at the expanded and remodeled Balboa Bay Club, was outstanding and another beautiful sunny day on the waterfront. Special thanks go to the Shea family – Jeff, Novita and Lani. Jeff shared with us an exciting slide show of his conquering the highest peaks in the world. We were pleased to welcome Northern California Coordinator, Tim Carlson.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS OF OUR
50TH ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Due to prior commitments, I was unable to attend our New York 50th Anniversary celebrations but will be attending our Las Vegas 50th celebration, Oct. 1-2. I’m sure many of you will join me. I was glad that so many of our Board Members were able to attend the New York event.

You won’t want to miss our elegant June luncheon at the prestigious Le Dome Restaurant on Sunset Blvd. Owner Eddie Kerkhoff promises an outstanding classic French fare.

We’re pleased to welcome back Wendy Windebank who will present a slide show on “The Colors of Rajasthan.” We will start off in Delhi and travel to Mandawa, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Pushkar, Jaipur, ending in Agra. Don’t miss this special event. Seating is limited so RSVP early!

At the March TCC luncheon meeting at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach, Jeff Shea presented a fascinating slide show on the arduous and challenging climb to the 29,035-ft. summit of Mt. Everest in 1995. By 1997, at the age of 42, Jeff completed his climb of the Seven Summits – the highest mountain on each continent. He has been to 316 of the TCC countries, all but Wake Island. “The thing I think is great about TCC,” he observes, “is that it opened my mind to places I never would have thought about if I hadn’t seen the list. TCC has inspired me.” Jeff had dreamed of visiting every country since he was 19. He has made a point of seeing as much of a destination as he can, and he wants to continue to travel to places in depth. His wife, Novita, whom he met when traveling to Moluka, a province of Indonesia, has traveled with him to186 countries, and threeyear-old daughter, Lani, has been to 105 destinations. She became the youngest TCC member before she was three and is said to be the youngest child to reach all seven continents.

That’s a question we are often asked by members and non-members. Here are some of our answers; let us know if you can add to the list:

• Worldwide recognition, or “bragging rights,” since few have visited 100 countries.
• Opportunity to share experiences with other well-traveled people.
• Exclusive Info Files, written by members from their own experiences, containing helpful information, especially about the more difficult-to-reach or unusual destinations.
• Camaraderie and friendship among the members; networking opportunities.
• Opportunity to travel with other TCC members to exotic destinations.
• Interesting and educational speakers and presentations about unique destinations.
• Lunches, dinners, and other social events with other TCC members.
• Quarterly informative newsletters.
• Membership directory every two years.
• Members-only pins
• Self-fulfillment and inspiration.
• Better understanding of the world.

ORDERING PINS – We receive many requests for special pins for 150+ and 200+ countries without the completed list of countries visited. We must have the completed list before we can send you the pins.

TENT CARDS – These are used by members to reserve their seats at our meals. Please do not sit at a reserved seat or table unless it is your designated seat. If you arrive late, you may not find seats together and may have to sit separately.

RENEWAL DUES – Our statements were mailed in December and we are still receiving dues payment. Starting this year we prefer a credit card on file so we may charge your dues by year’s end. This is especially important for foreign members due the high bank charges for foreign remittances.

2004 ROSTER OF MEMBERS – This was mailed in March. It includes the 50-year history of the club. If you have corrections or changes to your listing, please notify TCC headquarters.

• At press time, word comes from Charles Veley that he is on his way to the Solomon Islands to visit the Santa Cruz Islands, and then plans to visit Conway Reef, both on the DXCC (“Ham Radio”) list. He is in pursuit of completing the Ham Radio list of 335 items. He has traveled to all but two on the Guinness list. He completed the TCC list of 317 in April, 2003. Charles reports that he has visited a total of 350 countries and territories and plans to visit every country and territory on all three lists.
  
  
• During March Kevin Hughes spent considerable time in Baghdad and Northern Iraq. We were glad to hear he departed that volatile country prior to the April conflicts. He then journeyed to Turkey, returned to Istanbul, and then spent some R&R time in Pattaya, Thailand, before returning home via Sydney. He had traveled around the world twice in just over a month.

Note: this section will appear from time to time. If you wouldlike your travel escapades or accomplishments/honors mentioned (subject to available space and the editor’s discretion),send your information to TCC Headquarters. Humorous incidents and letters to the editor are also welcome.

The two most recent Presidents of TCC were honored at the March luncheon meeting at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach, CA.In left photo, current Pres., David Barry (at right), presents a crystal globe to Immediate Past Pres. Floyd Baker. In right photo, Baker (at right) bestows a crystal globe to the Pres. who preceded him, Kenneth Ziegler.

We’re sorry to report that long-time member, Barbara Maitland, widow of TCC Past President Richard Maitland (1997-98), passed away in February in LaJolla, CA. Both were active in TCC, having traveled to over 200 countries, and also in various civic organizations. Donations are suggested to San Diego Hospice, 4311 Third Ave., San Diego, CA 92103.

The Centurian welcomes letters to the editor. Please mail to TCC. P.O. Box 7050, Santa Monica, CA 90406, or e-mail to mail@travelerscenturyclub.org. Submission of a letter to the editor constitutes permission to publish the letter in the Centurian and on our website.

#434 Line Islands, October 2003, by Carolyn Broadwell
#435 Libya, by Dr. Robert Petrik
#436 Mali, A Naturalist’s Viewpoint, by Kenyon B. DeGreene, Ph.D.

Note: The opinions expressed are those of the writers and not the Travelers’ Century Club.

A hearty thanks to all of you club members for sending in Info Files for our Centurian. They are enjoyed by all, so please send in your items of interest. Don't forget that these must be typewritten, single spaced and not to exceed two pages due to cost of postage. Those of you who have sent in your Info Files that have not yet been published, please be patient as they will be used in the future. Note: We do not edit or correct misspellings, since we cannot match your type. You can also send your info files to our e-mail address: tccclub3@gte.net

Please note that when you request back issues of Info Files, there is a $1.00 cost per Info File.

We have new permanent name tags with the TCC Logo and your name engraved. Cost $7.50 including shipping. If you wish to order, send us your check and you will receive your tag in 14 to 21 days.

Club Lapel Pin – $10
Silver 150 Countries – $8
Gold 200 Countries – $8
250 Countries – $8

All pins are available with pin or tie-tack.
backing. Available only to regular members of the TCC.

North American Members – $15
Overseas Members – $20

Pin has tie-tack back only. Available all members, regular and provisional.

Travelers' Century Club
P.O. Box 7050
Santa Monica, CA 90406-7050

Tel: 310-393-7419
Fax: 310-395-9511
E-mail: tccclub3@gte.net
www.travelerscenturyclub.org

Officers
Klaus Billep, Chairman
David J. Barry, President
Kevin Hughes, Vice-President
Sanford K. Smith, Secretary
Christopher Hudson, Treasurer

Executive Board Members
Floyd D. Baker
Pamela Barrus
Ronald L. Endeman
Bart M. Hackley, J
Diane Jarrett
Kenneth Ziegler