Last Month

The 10^th annual New England Chinese Karate Federation Kenpo Camp was held October 11^th in Holden, Mass. It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since the very first Camp was held, coincidentally, in Holden Mass.  The subject throughout the day was focused on the different entry drills and techniques within the Kenpo system, and the relationships between them. Instructors for the day were Mr Harry Grimm, 4^th Black, Mr. Bill Gaudette, 5^th Black, Me, and my instructor, Mr White, a 7^th degree Black Belt. Thanks to everyone who came to support this event. The next big camp comes in the Spring, and it’s going to be one worth noting. It’s called the “ My 3 Sons Camp “ and it’s going to feature Mr. Lee Wedlake, a 9^th degree Black Belt, and his 3 7^th degree Black belts: Mr White, from Manchester, NH, Mr Graham Lelliot, from Sacramento, California, and Mr Gary Ellis, from Plymouth England. In other words, the top 4 Kenpo in our lineage!    

.

This Month...

We’re promoting 7 new Black Belts! That’s right, our candidates passed their 3^rd and final exam on November 1^st .  Congratulations to: Dante Aguayo, William Bernard, Shannon Hayes, Nicole, Joshua, and Dominic Manha, and Erin Quinlan. This group impressed me with their performance at this exam, and I am very proud of them. They demonstrated a strong work ethic throughout the entire testing process, and as a result really improved their overall skills. As is tradition, we’ll hold a special ceremony for them and their families on November 14^th, and all current Black Belts are encouraged to come to welcome them to the Black Belt class. Great job, guys!! I’m looking forward to training you all as Black Belts!! 

ack to top

Happy Birthday!!!
- Another year older and wiser…..

Happy Birthday!!! - Another year older and wiser…..

11/ 03...Austin Quinlan, 11/ 07...Jacob Georgoulakos

11/ 10...Dante Aguayo, 11/ 16...Spencer Cloutier

11/ 22...Tanner Harz, 11/ 25...Nick Lorman

Back to top

New Ranks!!   Please join me in congratulating these fine students for earning their new belts!

1^st Degree Black Belt: Dante Aguayo, Shannon Hayes, Nicole, Joshua and Dominic Manha, Erin Quinlan, William Bernard

Brown Belt: Dylan Amadon, Harry Frank, Jacob Georgoulakos

Red Belt: Mikayla Georoulakos

Green Belt: Charlie Teed

Blue Belt: Al Frank

Purple Belt: Joey Brisson, Seamus Othot

Orange Belt: Joey Altobello, Jed Jones, Daniel and Tim Trzepacz

Tiny Tiger Purple: Taoighan Othot

 Coming next Month! 

-A Black Belt step exam is scheduled fro Saturday, December 13^th. All Black Belts with the minimum points are expected to attend. Now is the time to start preparing! We will be covering our most recently completed technique set, as well as a random selection of forms techniques by me. As a Black Belt, these step tests are very important for your advancement. I will be offering a class on the list of techniques we will be testing on. It is scheduled for Saturday, November 22^nd at 12:30. Cost is $20. You can also earn 3 class points for this class. 

- Our annual Christmas party and ornament swap is scheduled for Friday, December 19^th. This will be a pot luck dinner.  Look for the ornament swap sign up sheet on the bulletin board. We’ll start swapping names after the Thanksgiving break.   

Kenpo Views

There are various versions of the story of the blind men and the elephant. The blind men and the elephant is a legend that appears in different cultures - notably China, Africa and India - and the tale dates back thousands of years. Some versions of the story feature three blind men, others five or six, but the message is always the same. Here's a story of the six blind men and the elephant:

Six blind men were discussing exactly what they believed an elephant to be, since each had heard how strange the creature was, yet none had ever seen one before. So the blind men agreed to find an elephant and discover what the animal was really like.

It didn't take the blind men long to find an elephant at a nearby market. The first blind man approached the beast and felt the animal's firm flat side. "It seems to me that the elephant is just like a wall," he said to his friends.

The second blind man reached out and touched one of the elephant's tusks. "No, this is round and smooth and sharp - the elephant is like a spear."

Intrigued, the third blind man stepped up to the elephant and touched its trunk. "Well, I can't agree with either of you; I feel a squirming writhing thing - surely the elephant is just like a snake."

The fourth blind man was of course by now quite puzzled. So he reached out, and felt the elephant's leg. "You are all talking complete nonsense," he said, "because clearly the elephant is just like a tree."

Utterly confused, the fifth blind man stepped forward and grabbed one of the elephant's ears. "You must all be mad - an elephant is exactly like a fan."

Duly, the sixth man approached, and, holding the beast's tail, disagreed again. "It's nothing like any of your descriptions - the elephant is just like a rope."

And all six blind men continued to argue, based on their own particular experiences, as to what they thought an elephant was like. It was an argument that they were never able to resolve. Each of them was concerned only with their own idea. None of them had the full picture, and none could see any of the other's point of view. Each man saw the elephant as something quite different, and while in part each blind man was right, none was wholly correct.