florida friends pls report in all is well

[dick benbow]

Anymore, I have so many good koi kichi's in florida that when I wake up to hear the news of dreadful storms and homes crushed and lives lost, it gives me a sick feeling till I know all are well. I heard thru the grapevine that Joe White was fine but how about the others, could we hear from you please.....

[Rod L.]

Hi Dick,
As far as I know, Henry, Mike M. and the Whites are all o.k. as I have gotten emails about the show from them that are only a few minutes old. I am sure if anything was wrong with them that they would have said something. I think most of the others are not in that area, but can't say for sure.

Rod L.

[kingkong]

Here is a map. Thanks

[dick benbow]

Thank-you both..that eases things a bit!

[JoeW]

Hi Dick,

We are in the south end of Port Orange area right under one of those tear drop thingies on King Kong's map. A subdivision across the river from us and the local airport not more than about 3 miles direct from us was torn up pretty bad. We are fortunate. Most of our club members reporting in are ok but some without power. Joe

[jnorth]

Thats good news Joe. Glad to hear you guys are doing ok.

[RobR]

All I can tell you is that the koi keepers from the tampabay area did fine and there is a few of us on this board.
I feel for the people of ladylake as many of my relatives have lived there at one time or another. A very quaint retirement community of nice mobile homes, golf courses, restaurants, where most peoples transportation was golf carts. I'll never forget my visits back in the early to mid 90's. I worry it will never be the same.

[keokoi]

Glad to hear some familiar hobbyist names from the board doing well..

Joe

[MikeM]

Hey, Dick. Orlando proper is fine. Just north of Orlando was hit terribly. My heart goes out to so many whose homes simply do not exist any more. Gone in literally seconds.

A week ago we were having a threat of a freeze. Then we had unseasonably warm days in 80sF. Then rain in the dry season. Now tornadoes and thunder storms. Nature is confused... the native swamp maples have autumn-colored foliage hanging on 6 weeks after the leaves should have fallen, and new growth with helicopter seeds is coming out at the same time. Azaleas are in peak bloom. It's Fall, Winter and Spring at the same time.

[kntry]

My youngest son is living in Deland and going to school at Regional Airline Academy. He said that airport that Joe is talking about is where he was flying out of. I haven't heard anything about his school yet.

I'm glad everyone made out ok.

After going through Katrina, I can sympathize with them. Hearing those helicopters in the background on the news gave me the chills. It hits all too close to home.