Sadly, Area Coordinator Thomas Flannigan reports that the scheduled host for the October chapter meeting, Kurt Shafer, unexpectedly passed away in September at his home in Chatsworth, Illinois. Kurt had attended the first TCC chapter meeting in the area in 1997 and “charmed the attendees.” Tom notes that Kurt had just published a travel book, with essays and observations, and many lists. “His many lists of best and worst included a few that I have never heard of, depressing me for an instant, but making me realize we wanderers must never think we have seen it all; we have not,” he adds. (The book is available for $50; call Bruce at 309-663-8545.)
