program_6/9/16
Posted by Guy Van der Werf
This week's program: Tom and Marilyn Maher share their Myanmar journey
Tom and Marilyn Maher, world travelers, will speak at the Rotary Club of Estes Park on Thursday, June 9, at their regular noon meeting. They will describe their journey through Myanmar (Burma) via the river highways.
With recent political changes in 2010, Myanmar has become more accessible for tourists. The Irrawaddy River valley forms the historical, cultural and economic heartland of Myanmar. Hence, a river cruise is an excellent way to explore this culturally diverse country and to meet the people living along its river banks.
After graduating from Oklahoma University, Tom Maher served in the U.S. Air Force, where he was a fighter pilot and was honored as Top Gun for both the F100 Super Sabre and F105 Thunder Chief. Afterwards, he flew for Trans World Airlines (TWA) for 30 years, spending more than 25,000 hours in the air. He is a past Rotarian of the Year in 1999, and he has been heavily involved with the Estes Park Duck Race and with Cholera Plus projects in Bolivia, India and Africa.
A graduate of Montana State University, retired teacher Marilyn Maher taught in the Park School District for 25 years and started the Talented and Gifted program in the elementary schools. In addition, she authored the children's book “Lucky’s Adventure” about the Rotary Duck Race.
As avid explorers, Tom and Marilyn have traveled to over 100 countries together.
Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. There are 1.2 million Rotary members in 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary clubs have been serving communities worldwide for more than a century. Rotary clubs around the world, initiate projects that address critical issues such as conflict resolution, hunger, poverty, disease and illiteracy.
The Rotary Club of Estes Park meets Thursdays at the Other Side Restaurant. Visitors interested in learning more about Rotary and its programs are welcome to attend. Buffet is served at 11:30 a.m., the Rotary business meeting opens at noon, and the program begins at 12:30 p.m.