24th Annual “Spirit of Exploration” Banquet Held

The 24^th Annual “Spirit of Exploration” banquet, presented by Cosolargy International and the Andean Explorers Foundation & Ocean Sailing Club, was held in the Paradise Room of the Atlantis Hotel and Casino in Reno, Nevada. The dinner came at the end of a week of Convocation lectures and Counsels and conference presentations by both organizations. In attendance were Cosolargists and conference presenters from around the globe.

Beginning at 6:30 p.m. a reception was held for board members and presenters joined by all guests at 7:00.

 

At 7:30 table seating took place with AEF & OSC’s vice president, Dr. Gary Robert Buchanan, emceeing events for the evening’s program from the podium.

The event coordinator, Francine Petrovich, began the program with a traditional Lighting of Candles at each table followed by a screening of the 2012 video “Triumphal March: The Spirit of Exploration,” featuring The Foundation Orchestra. Scenes depicted recent excursions by Community members to Japan and South Africa.

The two visits to Japan, in 2011 and 2012, were to the Cosolargy International headquarters inKurume, led by Yukinori Matsushita, and to Shinto and Buddhist shrines of historical and spiritual significance. The trip to Africa took place in October 2011 and included a visit to the Global White Lion Trust in Timbavati and nearby ruins of an ancient civilization known as Great Zimbabwe.

The video march presentation was then followed by the tolling of the ship’s bell in memoriam of Luzmilla Bernales de Ontaneda, Jack Webb, C. Ann Johnson, Eva Walker, and Inge Veith, all past members and supporters of work accomplished by both AEF & OSC and Cosolargy International.

Another video and extended tribute were presented by Dr. Buchanan in memory of longtime AEF & OSC bagpiper Rick James of the Sierra Highlanders Bagpipe Band, followed by pipe selections performed by Morgan Etnyre, also a member of the Highlanders.

During dinner, AEF & OSC president Sean Savoy, assisted by Yukinori Matsushita, presented the South Africa/Zimbabwe 2011 and Japan 2012 reports along with a wonderful video montage.

As has become another tradition at these annual banquets, a traditional Japanese dance and music was offered by Ms. Miyuki Okayama.

The evening’s main musical presentation was by a classical Indian music ensemble led by celebrated performer Chakrapani Singh on the acoustic guitar rather than traditional vina. Mr. Singh played two extended rags for the occasion, both of which were extremely well-received.

At the end of the evening the official award presentations were delivered by Cosolargy International’s president, Gene Savoy Jr.

Those who participated in the excursions to Japan and South Africa were honored — along with all the presenters from the week’s “Conference on the Spiritual State of the World, 2012.” The latter included Dr. Karl Maret, Dr. Jacob Liberman, Dr. Rowena Kryder, Dr. James Oschman, Dr. Stephan Fuelling, Dr. Gary Buchanan, Puran and Susanna Bair, Jim Eaglesmith, and Gene and Sean Savoy.

Sean Savoy concluded the evening’s banquet with closing remarks reminding participants of the mission of both Cosolargy International and AEF & OSC in bringing the Teachings of Light to the world.