The Philadelphia chapter meeting on Sunday, Oct. 4, was lightly attended due to illness, golf trips and schedule conflicts, but those who came enjoyed a delicious dinner at Burmese restaurant Rangoon in Chinatown. In addition, we had a real treat: Ginny Too, a Philadelphian who completed the hiking “Triple Crown” of the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Appalachian Trail, was the featured speaker.
Ginny, a consultant with McKinsey, was featured in 2014 in the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Travel Section for her achievements. Very few Americans can lay claim to having completed the Triple Crown, but Ginny is one of them. To underscore this point, only about 40 people a year ever complete the Continental Divide Trail, but Ginny did. Those who go on to hike all three major trails are worthy adventurers indeed. Using books, maps and photos from her personal albums, Ginny shared with us the trials and tribulations of striking out on hikes that blaze a 2,500+ mile path through the wilderness. In total on trails in the United States, Ginny has hiked 7,938 miles, equal to the distance between Philadelphia and Calcutta, a formidable achievement indeed.
The Pennsylvania Chapter’s next meeting is slated to be held at Zahav, an Israeli restaurant at 2nd and Dock Streets, at the foot of Society Hill Towers, just off Walnut Street, on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, at 5 p.m. This meeting requires that all interested parties RSVP immediately. Zahav’s private dining room is in very high demand, and we’re being asked to pre-pay for our dinner that evening. The family-style menu at $70 a head will include mezze starters, three main courses including their famous lamb cooked with pomegranates, and a dessert assortment. The price includes the meal, tax and gratuity, an excellent value for this venue. Zahav was voted the #1 restaurant in the city in 2011. Please note that wine, cocktails or any beverages will be extra; this will be paid directly to the restaurant that evening. The featured speaker will be Middle East archaeologist Jill Weber.
—Jane Berryman, Pennsylvania Area Coordinator
