I was informed by Roger Blaine who attended Pete Schmucker's Checker Meet in Shipshewana, IN in May, 2015 that he met Dave Beachy who said he will host a checker meet on Friday & Saturday, March 4^th and 5^th 2016 in Sarasota, FL.  I have posted this on NCCA 2016 calendar.  The meet will be held in the Pinecraft Park where shelters will be reserved for this event.  This park is well known for checker players.  You may review Pinecraft Park.  I will post more when Dave finishes his checker tournament plans.  All the top Amish & Mennonite players from Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania will be there, so bring a friend and join the fun!  Also come early and stay over because this is a checker player's haven for pickup games. Yoder's Restaurant, 3434 Bahia Vista Street, Sarasota, FL 34239 is close by, just .4 miles / 8 minutes walking distance. Yoder's Deli, Post Office, and Subway are also near the restaurant. You should write Dave Beachy for any questions about this tournament. His address is 5382 Bowers St, Sarasota FL 34232.  He has trouble hearing so telephone is not very feasible, nor does he use e-mail. There are plenty of hotel and motels in the area which I looked on-line this time of year for a weekly rental in $100-$150 per night and most everything was already booked for 2016. Here are the ones I looked at less than 15 miles from the park: Comfort Suites – Sarasota/Clark Station, Cadillac Motel, Lantern Inn & Suites, Regency Inn & Suites - Sarasota Bradenton, Motel 6 - Sarasota Bradenton, Sunrise Inn - Sarasota Bradenton, Sleep Inn – Sarasota, Motel 6 – Venice, Sunshine Motel – Venice, Roadway Inn– Venice. You will find more available hotels 40 miles away and at a little better price.  You have the option of asking Dave to see if you can stay with a Sarasota home owner who plans to attend or knows someone who has an extra bed.  There are usually plenty of accommodations if you choose to bunk in with a player.  You should search hotels in Sarasota early if you plan to attend. This date also overlaps the Tennessee Open which is traditionally scheduled 1st Friday thru Sunday in March. I plan to write Mr. Beachy and see if moving it to the month of February might help some. It's 770 miles from Greensboro to Sarasota, or 13 hours driving time, or a $400 round trip flight.  Another good contact for information is Joe Weaver (330) 465-4025, email: summitframingweaver@yahoo.com.