The Pennsylvania TCC Chapter convened on Sunday, Jan. 29, at The Black Squirrel, a well-reviewed gastropub in the East Falls section of the city, to hear from two locals who recently became two of the 500 Americans who complete The Great Loop sailing adventure every year. Departing from the Delaware Bay, sailors Tasha Doremus and Sebastien Leclercq made their way up the Hudson, through the Erie Canal, around the Great Lakes, down the Mississippi, along the Gulf Coast, through the Florida Keys, then along the barrier islands lining the Low Country and Virginia before re-entering the Delaware Bay 54 weeks after they first left. Tasha, an award-winning art photographer, took thousands of exceptional pictures of the voyage from their 22-foot motorized skiff, 100 of which were shared with the group during their wonderful presentation.
During the meeting, as the group enjoyed traditional pub fare like cottage pie and Lancaster Dip, several new members were introduced — the Gormans, Ramchand Francisco and the Brodzinskis— and we also had the considerable pleasure of celebrating the Eagles winning the NFC Championship.
Our next meeting on Sunday, May 21, at 5 p.m. will herald the chapter’s 15-year anniversary, and we will celebrate with a special dinner at renowned Lebanese restaurant, Suraya, recently named one of the city’s top 20 restaurants. Our guests of honor at that meal will be the Pennsylvania leadership team of AMERICA250, the committee planning our nation’s Semiquincentennial in 2026. The fixed price, family-style dinner will be $95 a person plus tax and gratuity. The menu and pricing details will be sent to all chapter members on or before Thursday, Feb. 9. Reservations and a 50 percent deposit are due by Monday, Feb. 20.
Looking ahead, our other upcoming meeting dates and venues will be:
- Sunday, Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. — Spanish tapas bar Barcelona, Passyunk Square, with guest speaker Cuban emigre and University of Pennsylvania Professor of Fine Arts Gabriel Martinez.
- Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024 – Georgian restaurant Sakartvelo at 7th an d Chestnut Streets, Center City; guest speaker TBA.
