SUMMARY
The 2022 Gathering in Burlington, Vermont, was a great success!
82 members and guests assembled in Burlington for the 2022 Gathering. The weather was perfect and there was even a spectacular sunset and a full moon! We enjoyed four days of renewing friendships in person, meeting new friends, enjoying varied presentations and social events, and some came away with mementos from the live and silent auctions. Here are some of the comments received:
“I sincerely thank you for making the Burlington Gathering great!”
“From my perspective it was perfect and I am eager to spread the word about the Antarctican Society.”
“Thanks again for the really great Antarctican Gathering.”
“You did a phenomenal job on putting together the 2022 Gathering! You selected a wonderful location and set up a nice selection of activities.”
Thursday, August 11, 2022
32 registrants visited the Shelburne Museum on Thursday afternoon. The Museum gave us an introduction and special discounted rate on the entry fee; there was much to see at this world-famous museum of Americana! Despite a brief afternoon thunderstorm, it was an enjoyable visit for all who made it!
Friday, August 12, 2022
Thanks to Liesl Schernthanner, Diana Logan, Valmar Kurol, Rob Hamilton and Kirsten Carlson for the photographs.
Registrants were welcomed in the Lake Lobby outside of the Film House. Coffee, tea and pastries were served in the Black Box Theater until presentations began in the Film House. The state-of-the-art audio-visuals in the spacious and comfortable Film House were a long way from the Port Clyde garage theater! Links to recordings of these presentations will be added when the recordings are processed and permission is given by the presenters.
Admiral Richard E. Byrd, Organizational Genius by Guy Guthridge (Note: This presentation was not recorded but a similar version of this lecture is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM2qCLARw5s )
Art Underneath the Sea Ice by Kirsten Carlson (Note: This lecture was only partially recorded)
Like Father, Like Daughter: Antarctic Odysseys of Two Generations by Dr. Elizabeth Crockett
A Decade of Engineering Support for USAP by Dr. Zoe Courville
Gordon Cartwright: First U.S. Antarctic Exchange Scientist by Tom Henderson
U.S. Coast Guard Icebreaker Operations and Science Support in Antarctica by Martin Weikert
The Reception that evening was held at the Leahy ECHO Center for Lake Champlain, only a block away. Attendees socialized inside the Center, which was reserved for our group, and enjoyed a catered meal inside and on the outside deck overlooking the Burlington Harbor and Lake Champlain. We were treated to a spectacular sunset at the end of the evening!
Saturday, August 13, 2022
Thanks to Liesl Schernthanner, Diana Logan, Valmar Kurol, Rob Hamilton and Kirsten Carlson for the photographs.
Saturday featured more presentations in the Film House. Links to recordings of these presentations will be added when the recordings are processed. At noon, lunch was catered in the Black Box Theater so the attendees could eat lunch while participating in the live auction of major items donated by members. The live auction was very successful, bringing in over $5,000! There was also a silent auction of various books and other donated items as well as a donation table in the Lake Lobby at which attendees could trade items, offer them for free, or take items for a voluntary donation. A lot of swapping of stories also took place there!
Destination Antarctica: An Overview of Antarctic Tourism by Lisa Kelley
Lost in the Ice: An Artist Explorer and Lost Whiskey by Alan Campbell
National Science Foundation (NSF) Update by Dr. Polly Penhale
The Discovery of Antarctica by Joan Boothe and Dick Wolak
Polar Science from a Bush Pilot’s Perspective by Art Mortvedt
In the evening, the group boarded the tour boat Spirit of Ethan Allen for a sunset dinner cruise on Lake Champlain. We had the middle deck and open-air back deck all to ourselves. The dinner was excellent and the socializing was even better as we leisurely cruised south on the lake!
Sunday, August 14, 2022
Thanks to Liesl Schernthanner, Diana Logan, Valmar Kurol and Kirsten Carlson for the photographs.
Sunday was a day of picnicing and more socializing. Again, the weather was perfect on North Beach. After a short Board discussion, the group indulged in hamburgers, hot dogs, and other traditional picnic food. Special thanks go to Art Mortvedt for acting as our grill master! It was a great way to end a great gathering!
Thanks to everyone who attended, donated, helped, presented, and shared photos. It was a wonderful Gathering and we hope to meet again in 2024!