25th Anniversary Winter Camp in Florida Cancelled

Posted 2005-10-31 17:12:51 by Jun Akiyama
URL: http://www.aikidoeast.com/


I just received notice from Peter Bernath sensei that the 25th Anniversary Winter Camp in Florida has been cancelled. The letter, in part, states, "Sadly, due to the destruction visited on South Florida by Hurricane Wilma, the 25th Anniversary Winter Camp has been cancelled. Most factors combined to cause this cancellation: power failure, damaged hotels which could not guarantee they'd be ready for us by Thursday or Friday, and which would not have had restaurant service in any case, dangerous driving conditions, and on and on. The only bright spot is that the electricity is on at our dojo but it's not clear that the city would let us use the facility by the weekend."

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The rest of the letter states:

The reservations at the Yankee Clipper have been cancelled; they will call you in the next day or two to confirm this. Anyone with reservations at the Ramada Inn where we stayed last year should his or her own resercations. We will send your money back to you and if you need a letter from us attesting to the seminar's cancellation in order to get your tickets reimbursed, we will happily provide one by fax or email. We're very sad about this and sorry we won't be seeing you this weekend, but we'll see you next year at the 26th anniversary. Peter and Penny Bernath

-- Jun

Aw, man.

Thanks, Jun.

It's a cryin' shame... I was looking forward to this one... But Lauderdale is definitely not a place you want to be right now. Glad the bulk of the storm missed us here in Orlando (had too much of this hurricane business last year). A note on the Florida Aikikai website says they might try to reschedule the event for January or February, but I can't be sure how up-to-date that thought is...

Talked to some of my friends down there. Everyone is fine and looking forward to getting back to normal. Dojos can be rebuilt and mats washed or replaced...lives can not. Glad everyone is doing well! Keep practicing! See you next year!

Yes, all in our dojo are well. Fortunately, there was no damage to the dojo. The park where our dojo and where the seminar takes place is located is currently a staging area to give out ice and water to those still without power and to allow people to apply for The Blue Roof Project coordinated by the Army Corp of Engineers. As far as what Peter told me yesterday is that he is trying to re-schedule as Clark mentioned but that is still tenative.

Stay in touch, there might be good news...

Hi Anne Marie,

Please keep us posted!

-- Jun

I will Jun. Things will be more concrete by next week.

Woo hoooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so psyched!

The scoop...Announced by Peter after tonight's class...It's a definent go ahead for the first week of February. It will be held at the Ramada on Galt Ocean Mile (the hotel from last year). Peter has been able to reserve a conference room in the hotel with 3,000 sq. ft. and we plan on having a party there as well. Everything will take place at the hotel so there is no driving back and forth to the gym to worry about.

I'm sure Peter will be emailing everyone's sensei within the next day or so and our dojo website ( Florida Aikikai ) will be updated with more detailed information. If you need to make flight reservations to re-schedule you can go ahead and do so.

Jun, I'll submit the official information to you as soon as I get it from Peter.

I'm glad to hear that your winter camp has been rescheduled! I'm sure it'll be a great time.

And, please feel encouraged to post the seminar in the seminars section as well as on the front page as a news item, too.

I hope I can make it out there some day!

-- Jun