The Mars 100… My Story So Far.

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General Meeting for January 15, 2016 @ 7:30pm

As a reporter with CHCH-tv for many years, Karen Cumming was used to telling other people’s stories.  Turns out she has a pretty interesting one of her own to tell now.  In February of last year, Karen was chosen as one of 100 people from around the world who are moving on to the final round of astronaut selection in the Mars One Mission.  They’re known as “The Mars 100”.  Their goal?

To colonize Mars.  Oh, and did we mention?  It’s a one way trip.  To say the whole experience has been surreal would be an understatement.  Join Karen on January 15th as she tells us about her own unique space story.

Karen Cumming grew up in Ancaster.  She has worked as an educator for a decade now, and before that spent more than 20 years in the media.  Karen was on the air at CHML for many years, reporting and producing talk shows there.  She also worked in the media in Montreal, Toronto and Edmonton before settling down as a reporter at CHCH-tv in Hamilton.  As well, she was fortunate to work as a reporter/producer at the London 2012 Olympics, and as a media liaison at the Pan Am Games in Toronto.

A couple of years ago, Karen applied for the adventure of a lifetime… a one-way trip to Mars. Last February, she became one of “The Mars 100”… a group of people from all over the world who have made it through to the next round of astronaut selection. She still pinches herself every day to make sure she isn’t dreaming.

Place and Time

We’ll be meeting at The Hamilton Spectator Building located at 44 Frid St, near the junction of Highway 403 and Main St West in Hamilton. Starting time is at 7:30pm. Admission is free and everyone is welcome!

HAA 2016 Celestial Event Calendars

There are still a few 2016 HAA calendars for sale. If you don’t have your copy yet, get one before they’re gone! This beautiful calendar features images ex- clusively by your fellow HAA members. It makes a wonderful gift and look great when displayed at home or office. The price is $15 each or two for $25. Any revenue generated from sales goes back into the club to help support club activities.

calendar-sales

Door Prizes

There will be a draw for door prizes at the meeting and a free door prize ticket to all who arrive before the 7:30 start time!

Food Share Donations

Donations of non-perishable food for the Hamilton Food Share program will be collected at this meeting. Please drop off any items at the drop-box located near the entrance of the auditorium. All donations gratefully accepted and thanks to your generosity we’ve collected thousands of pounds of food since we began. Let’s keep up the great work as the need continues.

Photo credit: NASA/JPL