Tropical Koi Club Members Attend AKCA Seminar in Jacksonville
A report by Ron and Sue Bilkis

Excitement Along the St. Johns River

The 27th AKCA Seminar was full of highlights for Sue and I. We expected to  participate in some informative seminars and we always enjoy the social interaction with folks from all over the country.   We did all that plus we had two very special treats.

The first was Martin Wilcox  being presented with the Bob Spindola award which is the Champion of Champions Award.  All the Grand Champions from all the shows all over the country from the previous show season are entered.  The fish is chosen from photographs by a vote of all the AKCA Judges throughout the country.  They are the only voters and to be the winner is a HUGE honor.  Martins' fish won 2 shows in Florida, the Tropical Koi Club in South Florida and the Central Florida Koi Show in Orlando.  This  was the whipped cream and the cherry of the awards banquet. Way to go Martin!! Congratulations.

The second thing that was above and beyond our expectations  was the last pond on the Sunday pond tour. This was the Sea World of home ponds.  The glory pond was a 20,000 gallon pond with every bell and whistle you could imagine.  The water was clear as gin and in perfect balance according to the chemical room  devoted to the care and keeping of the water.  The fish were extraordinary as befitted this magnificent pond.  The owners, Steve and Mary Height have the greatest pond we have ever seen. They also have several other ponds including a 4000 gal. quarantine pond.  The entire landscape including mud ponds, and lilly ponds made this seminars pond tour one we will always remember.  We hope you all can go to one as exciting as this one.

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