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Memorable SummerFest 2012

Last Updated on Monday, 06 August 2012 13:14 Written by George Mattson Monday, 06 August 2012 13:11

Another great camp! Thanks to all the regulars and a couple of new presenters, this year's SummerFest was a blast. Watch the site and Facebook for lots of the pictures taken during the weekend. My thanks to Darin Yee, who is the hardest working camp volunteer anywhere. He made this 30th anniversary event both memorable and stress free for Sue and me.

Also, thanks to all of you who decided to join the 'clan' this year for the first time. I always get a kick out of listening to them at the end of the weekend telling everyone who will listen. . . "Wow, what a dummy I was for not attending before this yeat!"

Congratulations to all the masters who demonstrated their kata to peers, family and friends. What a great way to receive their new rank.

Three new titles were awarded by the newly expanded Titles Committee. The renewed concept of titles being something earned and not just something tacked on to certain rank is a worthwhile and worthy concept that has been revived by IUKF.

And thanks to John Page, our retiring Masters of Ceremony, for all his help in making the event run smoothly.

Bill Glasheen wrote a great camp review in his forums this morning. In case you missed it:

SummerFest Featured Presenters for 2012

Last Updated on Sunday, 29 July 2012 18:57 Written by George Mattson Saturday, 28 July 2012 07:38

Sunday: July 29- noon update. . . From Darin Yee:

Hi George,

It is my pleasure to announce I’ve convinced one of the most popular local musicians to perform for us on Saturday, August 4^th in our lounge at the Jungleplex. Her name is Sherry Malone. She will be entertaining us after the Masters Ceremony.

On Saturday, Bob McClellan and Henry Tow would like to teach a cane kata and the use of a cane as a weapon for any of our participants wishing to learn how to use a cane as a weapon. They have both been certified as cane instructors.

As for the children program, there have been a few changes. It has been explained to me my program as sent out was too much of a work out and not enough fun activities for children. I have reformatted our children activities to combine working out and learning karate while accomplishing these values and have fun.

Our programs will begin at 9am sharp. We will stop at 12noon for lunch. There are 2 options for lunch. They can either bring their own lunch or eat at the Jungleplex where we have machines where they can purchase drinks. The second option is I have convinced a very popular all you can eat Chinese buffet restaurant across the street to reserve a room and charge our campers only $8 per person and they will even throw in a free large soda. I will personally walk with the children along with any instructor wishing to eat Chinese. The menu is large and there is something for everybody. If you are a vegetarian, the have meatless dishes. If you would prefer, you can go to the sushi counter and pick sushi made fresh right in front of you. You can also go to the hibachi counter and gather the vegetables you like with or without meat and the cook will cook it right in front of you. Visit these counters as many times as you like. Still only $8 and a free soda. I think the deal is $10 or $11 for dinner. I think you may have to ask me for a signed menu. I’ll try to get some card from the restaurant. Cards may be a little smaller and easier to carry.

JuniorFest Program:

9:00 am Meeting our participants and introducing each instructor present.
A quick tour of the facility pointing out where the lavatories are the drink machines and so on.
9:30 am Warn up exercises and stretching
10:00 am Kata and drills
11:00 am punching drills
12:00 pm lunch
1:00 pm blocking drills (game)
2:00 pm Sparring
3:00 pm lighting rod challenges

Sunday: July 29th: Updated Schedule posted.

I am very honored to announce that Rory Miller will once again be a featured presenter at this year's SummerFest. Rory will be teaching two sessions on Friday and Saturday. Don't miss them!

I am also very pleased to annouce that two of this year's Masters Ceremony awarees, Fedele Cacia and John Felipe will be featured presenters at this year's event. Both will be at SummerFest on Friday and Saturday! Looks like another fantastic weekend. Hope to see you all next week.

IUKF's First "Lifetime Achievment" Award will be presented to Sensei John Spencer at the Masters Ceremony!

Oh yes. . . if you are a IUKF member, watch for your monthly newsletter, sent out this weekend. Best, George E. Mattson

SummerFest Masters Ceremony Awardees

Last Updated on Monday, 06 August 2012 17:06 Written by George Mattson Friday, 27 July 2012 16:30

2012 Summer of the Tiger
Martial Arts SummerFest

IUKF Masters Celebration Saturday 7-9PM
Inductees:

William E. (Bill) Bauknecht I was raised on a farm with all the other animals. One sibling, older sister who passed when 47 yrs old. I attended and graduated from Milford High School in 1955 along with 58 others. (Mostly human)

Enlisted into U.S.A.F. August 10, 1955.Honorably discharged in 1961. Acquired highest security clearances after being accepted into Security Service and spent two years with a mobile unit in Alaska. This time was spent "playing games" with the Russians and working directly with National Security Agency at Fort Meade, Maryland. After my discharge, I worked as an insurance investigator in Ohio until moving to Cape Cod in 1963.

During the 50's, my brother in law (USAF) and family was stationed at Otis AFB; I spent some time in SAC, stationed at Westover Field in Springfield, MA. My parents would come to the Cape on vacation and I would drive over for the week ends. We all became well acquainted with the Cape. In 1959 my parents bought a small business in East Falmouth. They rented a few small boats, sold fishing tackle and bait, wholesaled and retailed shellfish, lobster, live and cooked and especially made our famous Green Pond Stuffer. A stuffed quahog known not only locally but even out of country.

Read more: SummerFest Masters Ceremony Awardees

I don't want a promotion - rank is not important to me!

Written by David Berndt Thursday, 26 July 2012 18:48

I don't want a promotion !

The rank is not important to me
by David Berndt, Renshi

How many times does a junior student or a lower dan rank hear this from their Seniors? Many times. Probably more often than not. We think what? You don't want higher rank? Why not?

Many of our martial arts Black Belts have different reasons. Some are that they are in a tournament circuit and are not allowed to compete past a certain rank. So they stay where they are for many years until they are done competing, either broken, worn out, or won it all. Then get back on a promotion schedule.

Then there are those who don't want the pressure of the responsibility for attaining higher rank, as more may be expected of them. One reason many drop out after Shodan. Been there done that attitude. More responsibility would be placed on a person to step up and perhaps start teaching. But, not every body is a teacher. Some should realize they don't all have to be teachers. There is nothing wrong with being a student. You can always help when new students start, but you don't want the responsibility of a long road with a new person.Just train. Many shodans go into debt to open a dojo, only to fail, due to lack of teaching experience, or other circumstances may be not planned for.

When you get your black belt, it doesn't automatically give you license to teach. I find in talking with Seniors, they would love nothing more than to line up with everybody else and just train.

On my trip to Okinawa years ago, that's what you saw. A couple "Senior Seniors"up front, and fifth, sixth and seventh dans in line. Being students. At heart, though, we all are students for the rest of our lives.

One final thought to ponder for you "rank is not important" people.  Promotions are one way for our arts to continue, to perpetuate, to grow. Without them, we would have UFC rings to determine who's the boss. While ultimately not important, we must use the promotion process as a checks and balance system to gauge and judge those coming up behind us, as the heirs.

One last point, lets not forget the Titles. This is going the extra mile for the Art. The stripe, like the black belt, may not mean a lot to some, but it shows your dedication to the art and leaving a legacy.