I held this year's 2017 Rose School of Karate Disciple Retreat at my home in New Durham, NH from Thursday 09/28/17 through 10/01/17. Besides my disciples who were able to attend, I had invited my student Shodan Eleanne Solorzano and Master House's student Shodan Marty Richter. They were included because of their hard work and dedication to observe and participate at this new level, and to be evaluated for possible promotion to 2nd Degree Black Belt Nidan Disciple.
Friday morning coffee to start the Rose 2017 Disciple Retreat in New Durham, NH. From left to right: 2nd Degree Black Belt Nidan Marty Richter, Tai Chien Dojo, Portsmouth, NH, 2nd Degree Black Belt Nidan Eleanne Solorzano, Rose School of Karate, New Durham, NH, 5th Degree Black Belt Wind Lynx Master Carl D. Parker, Albuquerque, NM, 9th Degree Black Belt White Cobra Grandmaster Peter M. Rose, Rose School of Karate, New Durham, NH, 6th Degree Black Belt King Snake Master Russell G. Jones, Sachem Health and Fitness, Laconia, NH, and 6th Degree Black Belt Spirit Eagle Master Timothy A. House, Tai Chien Dojo, Portsmouth, NH
My disciple Wind Lynx Master Carl Parker and his wife Sheina arrived Wednesday afternoon 09/27. They had flown into Boston that weekend, visited friends and family, and then spent a few days in the New Hampshire White Mountains. I fixed a marvelous spicy Shrimp Fra Diavolo for dinner that we enjoyed with a couple of bottles of Edna Valley Sauvignon Blanc.
Master Parker, Sheina, and Sue enjoying the Fall afternoon out on the porch.
Thursday morning, Sue and I took them over to Castle In The Clouds in Moultonborough, NH. We spent a couple of hours enjoying this truly spectacular home overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee. It was such a clear day, that we could see all the way down the lake almost to Alton Bay.
Castle In The Clouds, Moultonborough, NH
From the Castle, we all drove over to the Village Kitchen on Route 25 for lunch. We had come in 2 separate cars so that Master Parker and I could return to the house for some discussion and training while the girls went off for a drive around the lake and exploring the Meredith area.
Thursday afternoon other disciples and students began arriving at a house everyone had rented on Halfmoon Lake in Alton, NH, not far from where I live in New Durham.
Some pictures of the Halfmoon Lake rental house in Alton, NH
Rental house, Halfmoon Lake, Alton, NH
Rental house, Halfmoon Lake, Alton, NH
Rental house, Halfmoon Lake, Alton, NH
Rental house, Halfmoon Lake, Alton, NH
Rental house, Halfmoon Lake, Alton, NH
Because of the lack of space and accomodations, I limited Thursday night's class to retreat participants only. Since everyone was able to meet for that class, I began the retreat at that time though the "official" retreat opening was at 8:00 am Friday morning.
Thursday night class in the barn
Thursday class Master Parker
Thursday class, Master Rose working with Shodans
Thursday class working with Shodans
Late night for the Shodans til 2:00 am after Thursday class back at the rental house with Master Jones and Master House continuing training.
Friday morning, everyone met at my house for coffee and breakfast before my introductory comments, and getting into the retreat material. It would end up being a long day....
Friday sessions
Getting started Friday morning before getting started....
Native American quote of Chief White Eagle that formed the base theme of the retreat: "Nothing Is Permanent Except Chage" — Greek philosopher Heraclitus
Shodan Solorzano and Master Parker settling in for a long day, but only Master Parker knows how really long it will be. It was 2:30 am before she knew it....
Shodan Richter and Master Jones, who also is quite familiar with how demanding these retreats can be. They are certainly not for the faint of heart....
The calm before the storm...
Master Parker addressing Shodan Solorzano and Shodan Richter during the morning session.
Master Rose heading up the hill to the screened gazebo after lunch and the sun had warmed the air.
Master Parker and Master Jones.
Shodan Richter and Shodan Solorzano
Shodan Richter trying to "get the point" assisted by Master Jones doing some sort of charades clue....
Shodan Solorzano during the afternoon session
Saturday sessions
Shodan Solorzano learning the fine art of fixing Southwestern Omelets around 7:30 am Saturday morning from Master Parker at the rental house on Halfmoon Lake after being up until 2:30 am that morning.
Shodan Solorzano, Shodan Richter, and Master Parker listening to a presentation being given by Master Rose at the rental house Saturday morning.
Shodan Richter and Master Jones attending the Saturday afternoon sessions at Master Rose's home.
Shodan Solorzano
Master Rose working through his notes for the group during the Saturday afternoon session.
Master Rose working through his notes for the group during the Saturday afternoon session.
Sue had not only come up with the theme of the retreat for me during one of our discussions, but had also showed me this quote from a 2012 issue of Science of Mind that I used as a discussion topic for several of my presentations.
Shodan Marty Richter working through a small section of movements both he and Shodan Solorzano had been shown from Rose Crane Spreading Wings At The Break of Dawn set as a test of their adaptive ability during the Saturday afternoon session.
Retreat participants at the Lyon's Den, Gilford, NH for Saturday night's working dinner. From left to right: Shondan Richter, Shodan Solorzano, Grandmaster Rose, Master House, Master Jones, and Master Parker hopefully all enjoying Saturday night's dinner despite the continued intense work required of all participants at one of Master Rose's annual disciple retreats.
Congratulations
I would like to take this opportunity to not only congratulate my student Eleanne Solorzano of the Rose School of Karate to her recent promotion to Nidan 2nd Degree Black Belt, but also to Master Timothy House's student Martin Richter of the Tai Chien Dojo.
2nd Degree Black Belt Nidan Marty Richter, Tai Chien Dojo, Portsmouth, NH, 2nd Degree Black Belt Nidan Eleanne Solorzano, Rose School of Karate, New Durham, NH
Nidan Solorzano holds a Ph.D. in Statistics and is an Associate Professor of Decision Sciences at the University of New Hampshire's Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics. She has been a student of mine for 8 years, and during this time she has demonstrated tremendous enthusiasm and drive in her studies in our art, which has now become her art.
Nidan Solorzano received her promotion at my 2017 Disciple Retreat 10/01/2017, and was accepted as my Disciple in the Order of the White Cobra. She had been invited to attend to observe our processes at the Disciple level, and demonstrated full readiness to assume the responsibilities of my Disciple. As with all of my students who achieve Disciple status, their real promotion "certificate" is this: "This is my disciple Eleanne Solorzano. She is who she says she is. She has done what she says she has done. She will do what she says she will do." Congratulations Nidan on your success, and on your continued participation in our art!
Because Master House would be attending my retreat, I offered him to include his student Marty Richter as after his 12 years of dedicated work ready to see what a Disciple's responsibilities are.
Master House asked me to include his own thoughts in this notice concerning Nidan Richter's accomplishments:
"I am pleased to announce the promotion of Marty Richter to the rank of Nidan, 2nd Degree Black Belt, and his acceptance as my Spirit Eagle Disciple. Nidan Richter's discourse and knowledge during the preparation and subsequent contribution at this year's retreat was very impressive. I look forward to witnessing his continued growth in the martial arts and am honored to be his Master."
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