Dear all

I have held back my comments until a method of overseas payment was
identified, and I am pleased to see that VISA will be an option.
However, I hope that the credit card company does not charge Jody the
earth for providing the facility. An overseas money order would be
just as acceptable to me.

John Tuttle makes some good points on the charitable aspects of the
request for funding: no one really wants to be seen to beg or indeed to
patronize. If the consensus is that it is a worthwhile service then I
feel that we should all be prepared to meet the cost, and in an equitable
a fashion as possible. Those that are able to pay (and if you are on the
Net you must have some spare $$$) should do so according to their
conscience - those who cannot for whatever reason should be allowed some
grace period, if only to encourage them.

Keep it simple - I am sure that no-one (least of all Jody and Robbie)
wants to suffocate the MMD in a welter of bureacracy.

I am sorry to disagree with the general tone of Larry Smith's
contribution - it seems rather negative, and somewhat self-centred. I
find it hard to believe that many folk feel the same way. Personally I
_make_ time for those pursuits that give me (and others) pleasure, and
accept the resultant obligations willingly.

I believe that Jody should advise on a "preferred" donation - $30 seems
as good as any - and allow folk to contribute or not according to their
means and inclinations. I think that the sort of subscribers that we have
in the MMD will respond positively simply because most seem to be mature,
sensible (if a little eccentric!) and yes, _generous_  people. Which
reminds me - I'm 53 today - getting maturer all the time.

I consider the Digest invaluable as a forum for the exchange of ideas and
information, even though I may not be turned on by much of the subject
matter. Music Boxes, Orchestrions, Calliopes etc. all have their fans but
I am not (as yet anyway) one of them. Nevertheless I still check out the
threads because I might just _learn_ something.

Keep up the good work Jody and Robbie - it is appreciated.

Roger Waring

P.S. Does anyone have a list of dates for Robbie's band in the UK please?