Category: Events

Historic tribute Ceremony in honor of Jim Fowler: Oct. 1, NYC, blacktie+

Historic tribute Ceremony in honor of Jim Fowler: Oct. 1, NYC, blacktie+

As a historic organization, steeped in tradition, The Explorers Club honors Jim Fowler with our highest ceremonial event – The Tribute. In honor of this individual, who has given so much to our organization, we shall gather together at the Clubhouse in our finest regalia and offer tribute and honor to one of our own – an individual who has distinguished himself in the annals of Club history.

6:00 – 7:30 pm
All members and guests gather in the 2nd floor library for a Buffet, Dessert and Cocktails. Weather permitting, the terrace will be open.

7:30 pm
The Tributee party adjourns to the Members Lounge. Tributors remain in the 2nd floor library for a glass of brandy or port, and reading of the Rites of Passage.

7:45 – 10:00 pm
Members take their specified places along the grand stairway holding lit candles. The lights are dimmed, and the bell from the cutter Bear is rung in a slow and solemn manner. Tributors chant the name of the Tributee in unison with the bell. Jim Fowler proceeds up the stairway followed by members in order of seniority. All take seats in the Great Hall before a blazing Great Fire of Exploration. Members rise one by one, take a glass of port or brandy (or water if absolutely necessary), and give a spirited, stirring, humorous (and hopefully somewhat coherent) Tribute to one of our most beloved members.

10:00 – 10:15 pm
Tributee Fowler then rises and responds in a like fashion.

10:15 – 11:00 pm
Tributee Fowler then exits the Great Hall and leads the procession to the 2nd floor library for an adjourning beverage.

Date: October 1st, 2015

Location: Club Headquarters, 46 E 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021

Member Ticket Price: $65

Reservation Notes:

This event requires White / Black Tie or Native Dress, with Medals & Decorations encouraged.

To clarify, this event is open to Members Only.  The event is expected to sell out, and as such, there are no invited guests. Should there be openings, spouses of members will be given priority.

To make a reservation please emailreservations@explorers.org or call the Club at 212-628-8383 by Monday, September 28, 2015

Cancellation/”No Show” Policy:

* If a reservation is canceled after Monday, September 28th, there will be No Refund of the ticket price.
* There are no refunds for a “No Show” to a catered event.

ECWG Members enjoy picnic at Stephen Seager’s Virginia farm

ECWG Members enjoy picnic at Stephen Seager’s Virginia farm

ECWG members and their guess enjoyed a picnic on a perfect summer’s day on July 25, 2015 at the working farm of Dr. Stephen W.J. Seager, FN 95 and his wife Dora in The Plains, Va.

Dr Seager with one of his polo ponies. Photo by Patricia McGeehan
Dr Seager with one of his polo ponies. Photo by Patricia McGeeha
Some of those at the picnic on the deck overlooking the pool. Photo by Patricia McGeehan
Some of those at the picnic on the deck overlooking the pool. Photo by Patricia McGeehan
 Afterwards, ECWG Chair Jack Williams, emailed Dr. Seager his thanks:

“Dear Dr. Seager, As chair of the ECWG, I want to thank you for inviting ECWG members and their guests to your beautiful and fascinating farm on July 25.  I’m sure I’m speaking for everyone who was there when I say that your farm is the perfect setting for a delightful picnic. We especially appreciated your taking us on the hayride tour.

“One of the highlights was your explanation of the stately elm trees and your efforts to protect some of the few elms now growing in North America. Your stories of the history of the farm and its buildings help us appreciate how your land is a fascinating part of American history.

“All in all, the July 25 picnic is one of the highlights of this year’s ECWG’s activities.”

Sincerely,

Jack Williams, Chair, ECWG

 

 

Hans-Peter Plag spoke at May monthly dinner: adapting to the future climate.

Hans-Peter Plag spoke at May monthly dinner: adapting to the future climate.

Hans-Peter Plag, Professor, Ocean, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, and Director of the Mitigation and Adaptation Research Institute at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA spoke about how society can prepare for the changes in our earth due to climate and global changes that are taking now taking place world wide.

ECWG Han-Peter Plag 2

His talk was entitled: “Preparing for a Journey into the Unknown: The Transition to the Post-Holocene.”

Some scientists propose that we call this new period the “Anthropocene”, geologic chronological term that begins when human activities have had a significant global impact on the Earth’s ecosystems. See Science: 3 April, 2015,Vol 348, Issue 6239, p38-39.

Since the last ice age, about 12,000 years ago the earth has experienced a  period of exceptionally stable climate favoring our transition from hunters and gathers to agriculture. This relatively warm period is known as the Holocene epoch.  During the last 6,000 years there has been very little change in the amount of water locked up as ice on Greenland and Antarctica so the sea level has been exceptionally stable, allowing humanity to build permanent settlements in coastal areas and, in particular, river deltas and utilize the many benefits of these areas.

Fema-Surge Sandy with textHowever in the past 100 years as world temperatures have warmed ice shelf melt from Greenland and Antarctica have increased sea levels on average 8 inches world wide. Flood damage from Hurricane Sandy was enhanced compared to what it might have been 100 years ago because of today’s higher ocean level.

In the past couple of hundred years humanity has introduced extreme and rapid changes in the coupled human-environmental system: increased CO2 and CH4 into the atmosphere, land clearing practices, agricultural practices, soil erosion, etc.

Prof. Plat argues these changes have pushed us out of the Holocene into a Post-Holocene, or Anthropocene (from Greek anthropos: human being).

In the Post-Holocene, Earth will be a planet unknown to humanity. Our inevitable journey to the unknown new Earth may turn out to be the greatest challenge  humanity has to face since the super-eruption of Toba about 75,000 years ago, estimated to have caused a 10 year long winter worldwide.  Fundamental changes of our way to interact with the Earth’s life-support system are needed to make this journey less threatening for modern society.

Prof. Plag is also Editor-in-Chief: Journal of Physics and Chemistry of the Earth. His column, “On the Edge”,  can be found at http://www.mari.odu.edu/people/hpplag/my_column.php                                                    the MARI site is here:  http://www.mari.odu.edu/                                                                   and his bio is here:  http://www.mari.odu.edu/people/hpplag/

Saturday, May 16th, 2015: 6-9 PM

“Preparing for a Journey into the Unknown: The Transition to the Post-Holocene”

Please reserve  ____  places for

Name _____________Guest name(s)_____________________________       Number of vegetarian meals (if any) desired __________________________ Organization Affiliation if other than ECWG  _________________________

Number of dinners @ $55 each ____________  

Enclosed is a check for $  _______________ (Make check payable to “ECWG”)

Send form and payment to:

Arnella Trent, 115 Willis Street, Cambridge, MD  21613-1618     Phone: 301-526-0822, Arnellat@gmail.com

No cancellations will be accepted after Tuesday evening, May 12, 2015

The next ECWG event will be the summer picnic, date to be announced soon.   Forthcoming 2015 ECWG Dinners at the Cosmos Club:                                             September. 19 (NOAA’s Kathy Sullivan),   November 21,  and December 5.

ECWG website: www.explorersclubdc.com

ECWG April talk on explorers’ discovery of WW II remains on Pacific island

ECWG April talk on explorers’ discovery of WW II remains on Pacific island

 

Harry Brooks  and Jack Williams.  Photo by Darlene  Shields.
Harry Brooks MED93 and Jack Williams FN98.                Photo by Darlene Shields.

Harry Brooks, MED93-Sweeney  award, presented a talk “From Butaritari’s Coral Reefs to Arlington Cemetary ”  on April 11 ECWG dinner at the Cosmos Club. It centered on his group finding the WWII remains of an American Marine on Butaritari, an island in the western Pacific Ocean. The discovery led to the recovery and return the remains of  19 US Marines.

Harry Brooks, MED93-Sweeney; Dr. Thorn Winter, MN89; Susan Davis, MN 90; DR. Joe Rude, MN83 with TEC Butaritari Flag 146
Harry Brooks, MED93-Sweeney; Dr. Thorn Winter, MN89; Susan Davis, MN 90; DR. Joe Rude, MN83 with TEC Butaritari Flag 146

 

Brooks has carried The Explorers Club Flag on eight expeditions, including expeditions to Papua New Guinea, Roatan, Belize, the Tarawa Atoll, Midway Atoll, and Butaritari Atoll.

Although unplanned, Brook’s expedition to Butaritari discovered a skeleton that eventually resulted in the recovery of 11 US Marine Raiders, missing since 1942.

The Marines were killed during the Second Marine Raider Battalion’s raid on the island, which was then known as Makin Island.

The Marines’ remains were interred at Arlington Cemetery August 2001. For this, Harry was made an Honorary Marine

In addition to the Butaritari’ expedition,  Brooks has carried TEC Flags to Papaua New Guinea (entomology samples for the University of Georgia); Roatan Honduras (coral reef & fish survey); Belize (reef fish survey); Tarawa Atoll (coral reef survey); Midway Atoll (coral reef survey); Bonaire (survey of the Mary Bohn); Easter Island (search for Dutch founder’s anchor; ; and two ethno diversity and biodiversity studies in the Peruvian Amazon (one with 11 Atlanta area students).

Although unplanned, Harry’s expedition to Butaritari discovered a skeleton that eventually resulted in the recovery of 11 US Marine Raiders, missing since 1942. The Marines were brought home and interned in Arlington Cemetery in August 2001.
The Marines were brought home and interned in Arlington National Cemetery in August 2001.

Brooks was elected a Fellow of The Explorers Club in 1993. in addition to being  a Sweeney Medalist, he has served The Explorers Club as a Director for 6 years, the Atlanta Chapter Chair for 4 years, , and chair of several committees including Flag & Honors, Legal, Nominating, and Membership. He was also the assistant treasurer and the Club Ombudsman. e currently  serves on Flags &Honors Committee.

After graduating from the University of South Carolina, Brooks joined the U. S. Marine Corps where he served as a Naval Flight Officer flying the F4 Phantom. After 7 years in the Marines Brooks served in the Air National Guard where he flew the RF4C and the F105G Wild Weasel.

While attending law school at night, Brooks began his career at International Loss Management as an air safety investigator and aviation claims adjuster. He has investigated over 5,000 aviation accidents and incidents. Harry has spoken to many aviation insurance and air safety groups, including the NTSB, the FAA and the Aviation Insurance Association (among others). He has consulted with major law firms and testified as a pilot expert.

In addition to his finance and law degrees, our speaker has graduated from several military schools including Marine Corps Air Combat School, the Navy Air Intelligence School, USAF Fighter Weapons, USAF Electronic Warfare and the Air Force Flying Safety Course at the University of Souther California.

Harry with Dr. Hayes Wilson submerged in Midway Atoll; EC Flag 146
Harry with Dr. Hayes Wilson submerged in Midway Atoll; EC Flag 146He  is an active commercial pilot and advanced scuba diver. He lives in Norcross, GA with his wife, Leslie.

Forthcoming 2015 ECWG Cosmos Club Dinners are:

May 16, 2015: Dr.Hans-Peter Plag: Accommodating to impacts of climate change.

September. 19 – Kathy Sullivan,Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator

The date for the June picnic at Virginia farm of Dr. Stephen Seagar

Speakers for November 21, and December 5 not yet confirmed.
_____________________________________________Tickets, other details about the April 11, 2015 dinner
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: The Cosmos Club, 2121 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20008
Cost: $55 per person for set meal.
RSVP by Tuesday, April 7, 2015.  Please contact Arnella Trent at:

Postal: 115 Willis Street; Cambridge, MD 21613-1618

Telephone: 301.526.0822

email: Arnellat@gmail.com
Reservations for Saturday, April 11, 2015

Please reserve ______places for

Title of Talk Flag 146: Butaritari Coral Reef Survey & Bringing Home the Marine Raiders

If you are reserving by mail please complete the form below and mail it to Ms Trent:

Your name _______________________________________________________

Guest name(s) ____________________________________________________

Number of vegetarian meals (if any) desired _____________________________

Organization Affiliation if other than ECWG ______________________________

Number of dinners @ $55 each ______________

Enclosed is a check for $___________ payable to ECWG

No cancellations will be accepted after noon, Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Are Americans risk takers?

Are Americans risk takers?

Outside events of possible interest:

Zocalo Public Square thinks some ECWG members might be interested in free event about risk taking.

Are Americans risk takers? Do Americans really possess a propensity for risk? What explains it, and how does it differ from that of other nations?

Jack Hitt (Bunch of Amateurs: A Search for the American Character) will moderate a panel composed of Arturo O’Farrill (Grammy winning jazz pianist), Holly Morris (Adventure Divas) and Magen McArdle (The Up Side of Down: Why Failing Well is the Key to Success).

Tuesday, March 31, 2015, 6:30 PM

National Museum of American History,  14th St. and Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC

Make a reservation at: www.whatitmeanstobeamerican.org

Zocalo Public Square: a Arizona State University affiliate, not-for-profit, ideas exchange that blends live events and humanities journalism.

http://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/