Ted and Nancie in Bariloche, Argentina.

Travel Film Lovers Nancie and Ted Burkett End Their Long Run at Geograpical Society

Nancie and Ted Burkett ended their long volunteer run with the Geographical Society of Philadelphia at the close of the June 2010 season.  They were elusive to find because they were spending what they report was an unprecedented five or six weeks of freedom at their summer house on Lake Erie.

Both are longtime members of the Society.  Nancie served two years as president in 1985 and 1986 when programs were presented in the gilded horseshoe of the glamorous (and expensive) Academy of Music.  Thayer Soule was such a frequent performer the Academy audience knew his intro by heart. He was a real challenge to introduce.

The couple fondly recalled other filmmakers and incidents, including one rather unnerving event during which Nancie and Joe Adair waited and waited backstage to start the show. The delay became so long the audience resorted to rhythmic clapping. It seemed that the fussy projectionist wasn’t going to let any woman into his projection booth and Mary Liz Adair wasn’t going to let any unsupervised projectionist handle their new16mm print.

Among others, regulars included Fran Reidelberger, Hal McClure, Doug Jones, Buddy Hatton, Robin Williams, and Ken Richter with their ever-popular travels in Europe or exotic lands.  Uniquely exciting films were Ron Shanin’s Rivers of Fire and Ice and Norman Baker’s Tigris Expedition.During those years, a concentrated marketing effort rebuilt the membership from 1,200 back up to 1,800. Nancie then served a term on the board of directors followed by several years of being a contented audience member with no responsibilities.  During that time, membership dropped to 900 and the Society moved to several unpopular venues, which eventually left a stalwart group of under-250 members.

To keep the Society from closing down and erasing the Burkett’s favorite form of entertainment, Nancie grabbed the presidency again in 1997 and moved the series to The Academy of Natural Sciences, the present and quite satisfactory venue, where a matinee was added to the evening performance.

An exciting matinee setup the first season there occurred when Mike Shileycalled from a traffic jam north of Washington, DC. less than two hours before he was due on stage — he made it! The by-laws prompted Nancie to recruit the newly retired Ted as president in 1991 to continue “seeing the world on film.”  Since then membership has increased and many changes have challenged the industry.The transition to digital projection was a big one!

They remember the early days at TRACS with Jim Tompkinsand Hal McClure playing the David and Goliath role against the old guard.  Other programming innovations were added during the last decade, including a high-level member category with additional events and illustrated lectures by explorers and adventurers.

Executive Director Mary Carroll Donahoe has been with the Geographical Society for over two years, and has worked through two full seasons of Travel Adventure films, explorer speakers, and Annual Dinner events.  Some of her earlier experiences were with Philadelphia’s International Visitors Center and International House near the University of Pennsylvania where she created special events for their International Film Festival.

With Mary Carrroll in place along with new officers and a strong Board of Directors, the Geographical Society is in good hands for the future, the Burketts said.