Summer 2013 - Peace Corps Panama Friends

2013 Quarter II
Summer/Verano Edition
Issue: 25
In This Issue
Get Involved with PCPF
50th Reunion
Bud Keith Scholars
CD Spotlight
New PCP Leadership
Friends Remembered
PCPF Lifetime Achievement
Quick Links
PCPF website
El Bochinche Archives
PCPF Facebook
Dear Stephen,
PCPF news, news, and more news! There is a lot going on this season
with Peace Corps Panama and Peace Corps Panama Friends! Please
take a second to scroll down and find out about the new Peace Corps
Panama Director, Pete La Raus, who just joined the team the day after
the PCPF 50th reunion. Check out pictures and stories from that reunion
(we had more than 130 people attend!), and see stories about how
people reconnected to Panama and the Peace Corps. Also see how
YOU can reconnect through being a member of the PCPF Board or
chairing a committee. We will have special elections in August for PCPF
president, vice-president, and treasurer, so here is your chance to shine
like a SUPER VOLUNTEER (those ones we loved to hate). We also
celebrate the lifelong contribution of Steve Spangler to PCPF, and
unfortunately mark the sad passing of a RPCV friend.
¡Hay mucho que ver en esta edición del boletín, El Bochinche! We invite
you to browse, enjoy, and get involved!
Saludos,
Valerie
Valerie Whiting
PCPF President
PCPF LinkedIn
Peace Corps Panama Friends (PCPF)
Peace Corps Panama Friends (PCPF) is a non-profit organization founded in 1986 consisting
of returned and current Peace Corps volunteers, Peace Corps Panama former and current
staff, and families and friends. Our mission is to help our members continue their commitment
to international service and understanding, support the Peace Corps mission in Panama, and
share knowledge of Panama and the Peace Corps with others.
PCPF Directiva include:
President - Valerie Whiting
VP - David Modzelewski
Treasurer - Jaime Clark
Panama Liaison - Florence Reed
Secretary - Sarah Strong
Special thanks to PCPF Reunion planning committee: Bonnie Birker, Meredith Cornett, Caitlin
Morvidelli, Steve Spangler, and Shiv Srikanth
PCPF website:http://www.panamapcv.net/
E-mail: [email protected]
You can help support PCPF by donating to either the PCPF Community Development Fund or
the Bud Keith Scholarship Fund for the Blind.
PCPF does not sell members' names, e-mail address, or contact information to third parties.
PCPF Involvement
Calling all interested parties it's your time to shine! Are
you looking for an
opportunity to hone your leadership skills? Are you crazy about numbers and love to organize
spreadsheets? Do you love staying up late at night working on webpages? Are you crazy
about organizing social and fundraising events? Then we have a place for YOU to direct your
TALENTS!
Peace Corps Panama Friends will be holding elections for President, Vice President and
Treasurer in the month of August. After many years of service, Valerie Whiting, David
Modzelewski and Jaime Holland Clark are stepping down from their respective positions. At
the same time, PCPF still has critical committee positions that need to be filled.
If you wish to get involved, please see the list of positions below. Elections will be held for
Board Positions (President, Vice-President and Treasurer), and Committee Positions are open
to anyone interested. Please send an email to [email protected], with the position
you're interested in, and a brief paragraph about your Peace Corps service (where, when you
served, what you did) and why you're interested in the position. Self-nominations will be
accepted through Monday, August 5, 2013. Elections for Board positions will commence,
via on-line voting, on August 15th, and results will be announced for September 1st. Those
interested in Committee Positions will be contacted directly. For a full description of positions,
please see Board Descriptions.
Open Board Positions
 President
 Vice President
 Treasurer
Open Committee Positions
 Fiscal
 Fundraising Director
 Membership Director
 Mentoring Coordinator
 Social Activities & Special Events Director
 Webmaster
Reunion survey
What a success our reunion turned out to be! Between 100-150 attendees, days packed full of
activities and information, and incredible weather.
Part of good event planning is getting feedback from attendees while the event is still fresh in
your memory. The Reunion Planning Committee has created an online survey to find out what
you liked, what you didn't like, and what you'd like to see next time.
Help us and the planners of our next reunion by taking this quick survey:
http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e7u3oepxhj4ogjbv/a0112hj9zbs
xl/questions
Sincerely,
Your PCPF Reunion Planning Committee:
John Allensworth, Bonnie Birker, Ed Brylawski, Meredith Cornett, Dave
Modzelewski, Caitlin Morvidelli, Flo Reed, Hugh Smith, Steve Spangler, Valerie Whiting
Peace Corps Panama 50th Reunion
By Alicia Añino (Natá, Coclé, 1998-2000)
My decision to attend the PCPF reunion was easy since I travel to Panama every year to see
friends and family. However, my plan was to travel to Panama alone, as I first did when arriving
for my Peace Corps service in 1998. Alas, I ended up bringing along an entourage of five. How
can you pass up the opportunity to have more people fall in love with Panama?
Group 37 PCPF Reunion attendees
My reunion experience was positively
positive! I loved listening to stories about the Vietnam draft, returning to the US by bus through
Central America, peace protests, love stories, anti-American clashes with volunteers, and
more. I enjoyed and spent a hefty penny at the artisan tables located right outside our main
reunion room, especially since our reunion was so packed with events that there was no time
for shopping!
On Wednesday a small group took a tour of the Patronato Luz del Ciego. We got to see braille
and handwriting classes in action; tour the kitchen, library, and classrooms; and best of all we
had ample opportunities to talk with PCPF scholarship funded recipients: a precious 8 year-old
visually impaired girl who loves to study, a totally blind adult male in his 30s that was dressed
more fashionably than everyone in our group, a visually impaired bilingual woman that dreams
of being an interpreter, and so much more. Remember: your support to the Bud Keith Fund
assures scholarships to eager, dedicated students like these. From what I've heard Bud Keith
was an incredible person and volunteer who was active in PCPF and Ski for Light International
before he died in 2008.
On Thursday we were sequestered in our Country Inn & Suites
meeting room, but it didn't matter because we were surrounded by
PCPFs and family, listening to what RPCVs are doing in country
(look up Sustainable Harvest, Planting Empowerment, Bikes for the
World); talking about what's going on in Panama today (El Visitante
editor, Jacob Ehrler took questions); and ended with author readings
and reception for the Peace Corps in Panama: Fifty years - many
voices book launch and documentary showing of One Life for
Another (Zach Litwack).
On Friday we loaded up in Diablos Rojos to the Ciudad de Saber,
where the new Peace Corps Panama offices are located. PCP has
two whole floors of space, with a wing for computers and lounging
for PCVs, a hallway filled with each group's swearing-in photo, a wall
showing where all current PCVs are serving, and a huge upstairs
meeting room. It was a day packed full of information about current PCP programs, PCV
projects (VAC, GAD, Seeders, etc.), previous and current directors, and a lunch of sancocho,
arroz, porotos, plátanos en tentación, and pollo. That evening we enjoyed more Panamanian
cuisine at Las Pencas for the despedida dinner where PCP office staff even joined us.
Saturday included various options for site visits, but I jumped on the chance to take the Arimae,
Darien - Planting Empowerment trip, since the Darien province was off-limits to us when I was
a volunteer. Our visit included a trek to various farm sections where Planting Empowerment
leases land from local groups to grow teak, rosewood, spiny cedar, Spanish cedar, mahogany,
and other trees that I couldn't tell you the names of. If you're interested, Planting Empowerment
is looking for investors: http://www.plantingempowerment.com/invest.
The last day of the reunion was dedicated to lunch meetings with current volunteers in each
province. I, however, had to pass to go pick up my progenitors from their grandparents' house
where I had left them for the week. They returned having only learned one phrase in Spanish,
"¿puedo ir al chino?"
Although we had around 100 participants, my only lament was that there were not more
RPCVs from the 21st century. Although there were not many volunteers that I knew from my
era of service, I thoroughly enjoyed lending my ear to the stories from the 60s.
How was your experience?
Reunion includes visit to Bud Keith Scholars
By Jerry Lutes (Tinajita, Panama, 1969-1971)
Fifteen PCPF members met with the six current Bud Keith scholars
and one former scholar during the PCPF reunion last month. The
visit began with a tour of the Patronato Luz del Ciego, the
organization that administers the scholarships in Panama. We saw
the many ways that the Patronato provides support for the visually
impaired. The photo at right shows one of the new Bud Keith
scholars, Geovanni Ibarra, practicing his signature while Barb
Spangler looks on. We learned that some people lose the ability to
sign their name after going blind because they rarely use that skill.
Geovanni Ibarra in handwriting
class
After the tour, we met with the Bud Keith scholars. After short
speeches about the scholarship program and Bud Keith, each of the students introduced
themselves and talked about their hopes for the future. They showed themselves to be spunky,
determined to live independently. Their dreams included becoming teachers, special education
aides, and interpreters. Finally, we broke up into small groups so the students and visitors
could chat. In the photo at left, Janice Jorgensen and Nick Braun talk with Erika Pimentel,
whom we have been assisting since 2009.
The Patronato staff has asked Bud Keith Fund to fund a training program
for people who can see adequately in bright light but who can see
nothing at night. Without special training, these "night blind" limit their
employment and outings to daylight hours and are in serious danger if
they can't make it home before dark.
Erika Pimentel talking
with PCPF Reunion
attendees
Help us provide the training they need...
Donate to the Bud Keith Fund
Changes
By Joe Hindman (PCP Country Director, 1993-1995)
Mil gracias to the organizers of the PCPF 50th reunion in Panama City! It was very well
planned and organized and I heard nothing but great feedback from other attendees.
The following are some of my impressions after spending 12 days in Panama this June;

Panamanians: As friendly and gracious as ever! It was great to see some old faces
from the days when I was there, as well as to meet new friends, both Panamanian and
RPCVs.


Construction (AKA "Development")
Roads, high-rises, hotels, canal
widening, hospitals, casinos,
convention centers, etc. The apartment
building where I lived from 1993-95 in
Cangrejo had a view of Panama Bay
with ships waiting to transit the canal.
Today there are dozens of highrises
blocking that view. The old Peace
Corps office on Via España (across the
street from the Hotel Panama) was torn
down and a new Spa and Casino has
taken its place. Now, how about a little
rural development?
This is where the PC office was located when
PC re-started in 1991. The new building now
houses a casino and spa.
Traffic; It's always been congested in Panama City and now it's a nightmare! But
getting from Panama City to most places in
the interior seemed to be easier. Will the new
metro help Panama City traffic? (Place your
bet at one of the many new casinos)
 The Interior (AKA "Campo"): I was
able to travel to, and spend some time in,
Veraguas and Chiriquí and noticed that the
smaller towns had changed very little. The
larger towns, like Santiago and David,
seemed to have lots more strip malls, but
were still recognizable as being
Panamanian-even with all their US fast food
joints.
 Inflation/Prices: I didn't notice a huge
rise in prices since the last time I was in
Skyscrapers sometimes visible through the
Panama four years ago. But Panamanian
wiring...
friends told me that food/transport/lodging
prices had increased drastically. Fortunately, with all the construction taking place,
many poorer Panamanians had jobs. My friends expressed concern that once the
construction 'bubble' was over, the poor would not be able to cope. The rich
Panamanians were definitely doing well.

PCPF/RPCVs: I won't forget one
scene that played out at the
restaurant where weall ate lunch in
Clayton the Friday spent at the PC
Office. We all descended on the
restaurant at once and it was
obvious that the staff was not up to
the task of feeding us in an
orderly/efficient manner. But they
were in luck with us! Any other
group of that many Americans that
would have complained, asked for
the manager, and/or walked out.
Avenida Balboa, near where the old US Embassy
was located. Is this Panama??
With us, I don't recall
anyonecomplaining. In fact most of
us actually sympathized with the
staff and had no problem getting our own food, silverware, drinks, etc. And I bet some
of us even left tips!
Thanks again to the organizers of this 50th anniversary of Peace Corps' arrival in Panama. I
had a great time and can't wait for the 100th!
How I like to remember Panama...
Peace Corps Panamá and friends...50 years later (en español)
Por Brenda Almodóvar, alias "Crazed Hormiga" (SBD Group 37, Portobelillo, Herrera, 19982000)
"Peace Coprs Panama Friends" (PCPF) se dio a la tarea de organizar la celebración de los 50
años de la presencia del Cuerpo de Paz en nuestro querido Panamá. Luego de mucho
trabajo y esfuerzo por parte de los organizadores, esta celebración se realizó durante el
pasado mes de junio en los predios del Canal (sector Amador), lugar perteneciente a la
antigua Zona del Canal. ¡La reunión fue todo un éxito!
En mi caso, la última vez que había estado
en Panamá luego de mi "Close of Service"
había sido 6 años atrás. Llegué con
muchas expectativas, aunque un poco
desilusionada de que no fueran a asistir a
la reunión muchas personas de mi grupo ni
de grupos cercanos a mis años de
servicio. Muchos de los ex voluntarios
asistentes pertenecían a los primeros
grupos de Cuerpo de Paz - Panamá. O
sea, ¡en los años sesenta! Chuuuuleta!
Pues déjenme contarles que ¡they rocked!
Brenda con el taller de Amigas Unidas de Portobelillo
Fue un verdadero placer escuchar todo lo
que estos ex voluntarios tuvieron que
decir. Fue muy inspirador el conocer sus historias, sus proyectos y su reiterado compromiso
con Panamá y con la organización. Más aun, irradiaron un mar de energía y unos deseos de
vivir contagiosos...por lo menos me contagiaron a mí. Por algo fueron de los primeros
voluntarios del Cuerpo de Paz en el mundo. No podía dejar de imaginármelos en sus vestidos
"hippies" 40 años atrás...
Durante las diferentes actividades que se llevaron a cabo en la reunión pude conocer acerca
de la vida y el servicio de muchos de los ex voluntarios presentes. También pude conocer, por
supuesto, al gran Steve Spangler, a quien conocía mucho en el espacio cibernético. Pude
saber, además, acerca de cómo algunos retomaron proyectos en sus comunidades luego de
muchos años de ausencia, cómo otros viven nuevamente en Panamá en su retiro y cómo
muchos otros siguen viviendo sus vidas con el mismo afán y ánimo con el que fueron
voluntarios hace 40 años atrás. Muchas gracias a todos por sus historias, testimonios y,
sobretodo, por su ánimo. Me quedé con muchas ganas de continuar de alguna manera
colaborando con el Cuerpo de Paz y con la bella República de Panamá.
Yo aproveché el viaje y estuve dos
semanas. Luego de la reunión me quedé
para visitar a amistades, ir a mi comunidad
(of course), comprar artesanías para mi
tienda y, por supuesto, gozar del folklore de
mi querido Azuero... ¡Aue! Eso es lo que se
llama un viaje productivo. Claro que fui a un
baile (Celebración de San Pedro en Los
Pozos, Herrera, Baile de Samy y Sandra
Sandoval) y claro que bailé (Priceless!).
Portobelillo, Herrera
Bailar típico panameño sigue siendo una
absoluta delicia. Los días que pasé en mi
comunidad fueron como haber vuelto a casa. Hubo muchos abrazos y mucha alegría. "Usted
no se olvida de nosotros", todos me decían. No los olvido; la verdad es que nunca los olvidaré.
¡Muchas gracias a PCPF por el encuentro!
Going back to Laguna...and getting back to work
By Carol and Sherwood Guernsey (La Laguna, Veraguas, 1969-1971)
We were PCVs in a small village in the Azuero from 1969-1971...the best years of our lives.
After 40 years, in 2011, we got a yearning to go back. We walked into town with little warning,
and it was just like old times. La Laguna welcomes us with open arms.
After plenty of paseando and celebrando and a few cervezas, we offered to work with the
village again. We called a community meeting and prioritized computers for the town and
school, English classes, and a baseball field. People were very eager to participate. We
organized committees for each project, and jumped right back in. We coordinate from
Massachusetts, and travel to La Laguna two to three times a year to keep things going.
In April 2012, one year later, the computer center int he school opened. In May 2013, we got
the Internet connected. Panamanians love to party and so la inauguración was a great fiesta.
We never dreamed that this could happen, but we are so very glad that we have gotten reinvolved.
We partner with SENACYT, the Panamanian technology agency; INADEH, the vocational
education agency; and MEDUCA, the Department of Education. In addition, Peace Corps
Panama has partnered with us to provide a Response Volunteer, who is in the middle of her
nine months in La Laguna, and is a key addition to the team. Our Infoplaza is a new model,
located in a village school for the use of the school as well as the entire town.
Our longtime friend, Flor de Maria Prado, who was a young teacher 40 years ago, is our
coordinator on the ground in Panama, along with a big group of other energetic Panamanians.
We are now working on creating a town recreation field for baseball and soccer, and are
getting requests for microfinance loans for village-sized businesses. It just keeps growing! We
are thinking about replicating the computer center project in another town with a demonstrated
need and with a PCV in place or a RPCV who wants to get involved. This could never have
been successful if we had not had the close relationship we built with these Panamanians
many years ago.
We have created a foundation to support the costs of these projects, "Fund for New World
Development" in the U.S. with a Panamanian counterpart, "Fondo para el Desarrollo del
Mundo Nuevo - Panama." Our website is under construction; watch for news soon.
Carol Guernsey: [email protected]
Sherwood Guernsey: [email protected]
U.S. telephone: 413-458-4417
Then and now
By Dave Modzelewski (el Canafistulo de Pocri, Los Santos, 1968-1970)
After staying a day or two with Bonnie Birker in Guarare, and attending
the luncheon for current volunteers in Chitre. I headed to El Canafistulo, 20
miles from Las Tablas. Las Tablas was a foreign city to me and it wasn't
until I got out of Las Tablas that things began to become more
recognizable. Signs for La Palma and Paraiso, for La Laja and Pocri as well
as the now familiar landscape helped. As I turned to head toward Paritilla I
chuckled to myself at the billboard... a billboard! announcing Canafistulo.
Faustina "then"
As a photographer my hope was to re-photograph friends whose pictures I took 46 years
before. I had the photos with me and would leave them in Canafistulo for posterity. I rephotographed with mixed results. My favorite photo from my PC time is attached. I call it 'then'
Faustina. Sadly I was informed that Faustina had moved several years before to Natá in the
Coclé province. I related to my Canafistulo friends my disappointment in not being able to get a
new shot of Faustina. A twenty-five year old daughter of a Canafistuleno was part of that
conversation.
After a very emotional and uplifting time in Canafistulo and the
exchange of phone numbers and e-mails (unbelievable!) I returned
to Massachusetts. Just a few days after my arrival home an email
appeared sent from Daris Itzel Acevedo Gutierrez with an
attachment. It was a photo of 'now' Faustina! Taken just as I would
have taken it had I had the chance. Daris had tracked down 'now'
Faustina via email and family connections and snapped the shot.
Perfect... her smile hasn't changed in nearly 50 years.
Faustina "now"
We all know that the world is small and growing smaller everyday.
This experience is testimony to that fact. I am now collaborating
with Daris Gutierrez on some of the other 'then and nows' that I
missed.
Panama tourism throughout the provinces
Sambu Hause, small Bed & Breakfast run by an American
Sambú, Darien
http://sambuhausedarienpanama.com/
Yandup Island Lodge, luxurious cabins with solar-powered
electricity on a private island
Playón Chico, Kuna Yala
http://yandupisland.com/index.php
Sierra Llorona Panama Lodge, B&B lodge and forest
reserve ideal for birdwatchers
Sabanitas, Colón
http://www.sierrallorona.com/
Eco-tourism of AAPEQ Association
Manglar Lodge, beach hotel ideal for surfers
San Carlos, Panamá
http://www.manglarlodge.com/
Hotel Cocle, new modern hotel with pool
Penenomé, Coclé
http://hotelcocle.com/
Hotel Hibiscus Garden/Jardín de Papos, beach hotel on Lagartero Beach ideal for surfers
Santa Catalina, Veraguas
http://www.hibiscusgarden.com/
Hotel Guayacanes
Chitré, Herrera
http://www.losguayacanes.com/hotel-los-guayacanes
Casa del Puerto, oceanfront vacation rental run by
RPCV
Bambu Hostel
Guararé, Los Santos
http://www.panamacasadelpuerto.com/
The Lost and Found Hostel, eco-hostel between Bocas and Chiriquí
Fortuna Cloud Forest, Chiriquí
http://www.lostandfoundlodge.com/lostandfoundlodge.com/Eco_Resort.html
Bambu Hostel
David, Chiriquí
http://www.bambuhostel.com/
La Loma Jungle Lodge, eco-resort and chocolate
farm located in Ngobe village
Bastimentos Island, Bocas del Toro
http://www.thejunglelodge.com/
Eco-tourism and Agricultural Association of Quebro,
operation funded by UN Development Program and
started by PCVs and their community that specializes
in endangered sea turtle conservation.
They also offer kayak rentals in the mangrove
estuary, swimming and surfing at isolated beaches,
and hikes to waterfalls.
Mata Oscura, Veraguas
http://www.tortugaspanama.com/
La Loma Jungle Lodge
Peace Corps couchsurfing
https://www.facebook.com/groups/343679895679009/
NPCA Next Step Travel program features small group travel (up to 20), hands-on service
projects, educational programs and a close-up view of the impact of volunteer service. Our allinclusive trips are operated by Discover Corps, a program of Terra Education, an experienced
leader in educational travel. Their CEO, Andrew Motiwalla, is also a RPCV (Honduras 199698)! Most trips offer both a 14-day and a 10-day option. All trips are accompanied by a NPCA
Host.
http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/resources/next-step-travel/
PCPF media
PCPF on Facebook was blowing up this month with travel plans and pictures of the PCPF 50th
Reunion. Check for and post relevant job
postings at PCPF LinkedIn.
Peace Corps Panama GAD on Facebook
Books:
Cornett, M. (forthcoming). Heart of palms:
My Peace Corps years in Tranquilla.
University of Alabama Press.
Forbes, E.T. (2013). Eye on the road.
Central America. A gringo's adventures in
Central America. Amazon Digital
Services, Inc.
Revolution Tower, Panama City
Vance, E. (2013). The gringo guide to Panama. What to know before you go. JuliAnne Murphy
Publisher.
Videos:
Ngabe Ethnobotany Study Center project:
http://www.thisisyourplanet.com/ideas/knowledge/339
Presentación de la Vida de las Letras: http://vimeo.com/48813557
PCP GAD 2013 camp:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1-HbZ2BKAA
Other:
PCV Map at http://www.pcvmap.com
Jeff Depree, a PC Sierra Leone invitee, just created
this website to help new/prospective volunteers
access blogs from previous volunteers and gain a
2013 GAD camp
better feel for what life is like in Peace Corps in
general, and in their specific country/region/village. If successful, volunteers can check this
site and see that someone served in the same village 40 years ago and compare notes.
The Hero series (takes place in Panama) is on Thursdays on TNT 8/7 Central. You can also
watch episodes at http://www.tntdrama.com/series/the-hero/
The Hero
Peace Corps Panama leadership change
Let's say adios to outgoing PCP Director, Brian Riley and
bienvenidos to the incoming PCP Director, Peter La Raus.
Pete comes to Peace Corps with a decade of international
leadership experience with Save the Children in Latin
America, Africa, and Asia. Most recently, Pete served as the
Country Director for Plan International in Indonesia where he
managed 400 staff and 12 million dollars and focused on
children's rights. Before that, Pete was the country director
for Save the Children UK in Bogota, Colombia where he
PCP Director Brian Riley talking with
PCPF Reunion attendees
improved the overall operations of the organization while
managing a $4.5 million program budget. Pete also served
as the as Chief of Party for Save the Children USA in Indonesia, acting Country Director in
Nicaragua, and as a Director of the Nuba Mountain region in Sudan with Save the Children
USA.
He holds a master's degree in Public Administration in International Management (MPA) from
the Monterey Institute of International Studies in California and a bachelor's degree in
International Relations and Spanish from Bowdoin College in Maine. Despite living all over the
world surrounded by many languages, Pete remains fluent in Spanish and Panama is excited
to have him.
Check out an old video of new CD when he was at Plan Indonesia:
Plan Indonesia : Peter La Raus
Dear NPCA Group Leaders for the Americas,
It is my privilege to have served as your representative to the National Peace Corps
Association Board for the past eight years and it is now my pleasure to introduce to you Dennis
Grubb, RPCV Colombia I (1961-1963), who has been elected to represent the Americas
effective June 28, 2013.
Many of you know Dennis and others will soon see evidence of his leadership and diplomacy
as he works with you and the NPCA community. His relationship with Peace Corps dates to
June 1961 when he finished his sophomore year at Pennsylvania State University and was
working his summer job as a theatre production assistant. He was then called by Sargent
Shriver to train at Rutgers University for service with Colombia I, the first Peace Corps group to
enter training and the first group to go in Latin America.
Upon returning from Colombia in 1963, he completed his studies at American University and
became an international banker / broker in New York, London and Bombay. He is the founder
of InvestAsia, Ltd, a development finance consulting firm working in 25 developing countries.
Dennis now serves as a non-executive Director at the Aries Group (www.ariesgroup.com), a
development finance contractor with the ABD, World Bank, and IMF.
I hope you and members of your Groups will be able to attend Peace Corps Connect where
both Dennis and I will be able to greet you. I continue as your representative for another six
weeks; please contact me if anything comes up you'd like to discuss.
Pat Wand (RPCV Colombia 63-65), Vice Chair, NPCA Board and Representative of the
Americas (until 6/28/13)
Patricia A. Wand
[email protected]
www.patwand.info
Are you a changemaker, Peace Corp Volunteer? Intersections
of Ashoka and Peace Corps
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There are a number of ways you can get involved:

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
Join Our Team. Learn about career, internship, and volunteer opportunities.
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Newsletter Sign-up. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to get the latest updates on
Ashoka's innovations.

Nominate a Fellow. Help us identify social entrepreneurs. If you know someone you
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Friends remembered
It is with great shock and deep sadness that I report to you the sudden death of RPCV Chris
Reynolds (1996-1998, Agroforestry program PCV; PCP volunteer coordinator 1998-1999) .
Chris was taken ill on July 18th at the office where he was the Director of Economic Growth in
the Latin America, Europe & Global Programs at Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI). Our
thoughts and prayers are with Chris's wife, Gabriela, and three-month old daughter Meghan.
Chris with sugarcane mill
Chris on far right
PCPF Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Steve
Spangler
During the PCPF Plenary on Thursday, June 27th, 2013, Steve Spangler was recipient of the
Peace Corps Panama Friends Lifetime Achievement Award. Presentation of the award
including some friendly roasting, and a deep appreciation for everything that Steve Spangler
has done for the formation and continuation of Peace Corps Panama Friends throughout the
world.
In the words of Jerry Lutes (RPCV, 69-71, Tinijita, Panama): "At the NPCA's big celebration of
the 25th anniversary of the Peace Corps, in 1986, Steve helped organize a dinner for the
returned Panama volunteers. He then broached the idea of forming an organization of
returned Panama volunteers to keep in touch with each other and with Panama. I told him that
would be way too much work and that he would
quickly burn out, regretting that he had ever
taken on that task. I'm beginning to think I
might have been wrong...."
Bonnie Birker (RPCV, 67-69, Guararé, Los
Santos) also remembers, "It was 25 years ago
that Steve, along with Bob Brown, Jerry Lutes,
Bud Keith, Mike Nagle and others, put PCPF
together. He organized and moreover, he's
been able to direct us into tasks and positions
to keep the organization going for 25 years. It
was always difficult to say no to his diplomatic
pleas for volunteers."
Bonnie Birker, Jim Brunton, Steve and Barb Spangler in
Luca's in Los Santos
Not only was Steve one of the "founding
fathers" of Peace Corps Panama Friends, as
the organization developed and grew, Steve continued to be involved, adapting to changes,
and finding new ways to be a leader. "PCPF would not be where it is without Steve Spangler's
constant dedication and true love for Peace Corps and Panama, from our now signature
calendar sales to the website," says Sarah Schmidt (RPCV, 01-04, Sona, Veraguas). Sarah
Berghorst (RPCV, 01-03, San Andres, Chiriqui) is thankful for Steve "letting all us 'youngins'
invade PCPF back in the day and always embracing new ideas and being so humble - a true
leader whose dedication, diplomacy and commitment to the cause is claro como el agua."
Steve Spangler, in some respect, has done a little piece of ALL of PCPC business: assisting
with 501c3 certification, working on the database, putting together the website, selling and
shipping calendars and T-shirts, bringing money back and forth to Panama to fund small
projects, writing thank you notes, organizing Bikes for the World, visiting the Patronato,
contributing to the newsletters, communicating with the Panama office to receive La Vaina,
feeding and housing RPCVs as they pass through the DC area, organizing and celebrating at
happy hours and reunions, coaching and mentoring RPCVs as they through his life, opening
his home for December appeal letter-stuffing parties, sharing his family, his experiences, and
his joy and love for the Peace Corps and Panama.
It is with great honor that Peace Corps Panama Friends honors the service that Steve
Spangler has given to the organization, and the example he sets for us all, as a true, life-long
volunteer. Dave Modzelewski (RPCV, 68-70, Cañafistulo, Los Santos) said it best: "Always the
diplomat, always the gentleman. Always there. He is Peace Corps Panama personified."
Please note - it is important to also give great thanks to Barbara Spangler, who has been an
honorary Peace Corps Panama and Peace Corps Panama Friends member for life. According
to Sarah Schmidt, "... it is also true that of every great man has a great woman by his side, so
thank you to Barb for keeping PCPF motivated with food, wine and patience...so, cheers to
them both, for not just supporting PCPF, but exemplifying our values of dedication and
friendship."
Kati Davidson, Zip Line Guide Ali, Steve
Spangler, Hugh Smith, July 4, 2013
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