From: Sammy G. (sammyg411@hotmail.com)
Date: Wed Jul 02 2008 - 11:17:30 EDT
Dear Dehai Retreat 2008 Attendees
I hope everyone made it safely and on time to their respective
destinations. On behalf of the Dehai Retreat organizing team I'd like to
thank everyone particularly those who braved long distances and the high
cost of fuel to be part of the venerated annual Dehai Retreat. In
keeping with tradition Dehai Retreat 2008 was as successful (if not
more so!) as any years past.
I believe everyone had a refreshing educational and entertaining
weekend. No doubt Dehai Retreat 2008 attracted the largest number of
kids to date. Yet the adult population slightly out-numbered the kids to
about 65 to 75 with the total approximately being 140.
The overwhelming consensus is that the adult-to-kids ratio will start to
tip over in favor the kids in the coming years. This is mainly because
the kids are increasingly becoming the clear winners in one key category
unbridled fun. As one Dehaier pointed out Dehai Retreat is the only
summer camp/retreat place where Eritrean parents can send or bring their
kids to without paying a dim= e filling out forms or signing paperS with
COPIOUS fine prints in them (emphasis mine).
In addition to the usual well-planned weekend activities this year's
seminar component included an introduction to digital photography by
Photographer Yared Tsega= i as well as four technical presentations on
the effective use of key cyberspace tools sponsored by the Organization
of Eritrean Americans (OEA).
Finally our special thanks and gratitude goes to the wonderful folks who
supported Dehai Retreat 2008 with their physical material and financial
support. You know who you all are so be very proud of your exemplary
services. Hagezkum ke'a ayfeleyena.
Thank you to all of you again.
Now to the Dehai Retreat 'Academy Awards Winners':
Firday Bonefire
Story-Telling Session:
Best Actor
[for Comedy]: Amanuel (Ohio)
for 'New Location'
Best Director:
Freweini (VA/Ohio?)
Best Picture: Sophia T. (VA) for 'Bicycle'
Best
Cinematography: Ghenet (VA also winner of 2007's Best Actress for (Tigray)
Best Actress
(Kids Riddles): Semira Yemane (VA) for 'Davinda Vasher'
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday
Hiking-B-B-Q-Sports-&-Party Events:
Best
Actor: Ephrem Yonas (NC a 5-year-old kid who told us: 'Let go of me
I'm not a kid you know' when we tried to hand-walk him on some rough
hiking terrain)
Best
B-B-Q Master: Yonas (MD for serving arguably the best tasting
burgers/hotdogs in the history of Dehai Retreat)
Best
Artist: Tekleab (Poet from Ohio)
Most
Celebrated Attendee: Habtu (Professional Artist from Ohio)
Best
Sports Team (Overall): Ohio
Best
Disappearing Acts: Hanna and Meron (MD)
------------------------------------------------------------------
See you all
next year in a bigger and better Dehai Retreat 2009.
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----