[ I asked Cyndy to tell us about NCA.  -- Robbie ]

The National Carousel Association is a formal organization, which
also includes international members.  Its purpose is "to promote
conservation, appreciation, knowledge, and enjoyment of the art of
the classic wooden carousel and especially the preservation of complete
wooden carousels."

Annual dues are $35 (as of 1998) in U.S. and its possessions; $41 for
foreign surface mail.  Membership runs from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31 and
includes four issues of Merry-Go-Roundup.  To join, send a check
payable to "NCA" with name, address, zip code, and phone number, to:
Terry Blake, Exec. Sec., NCA, PO Box 4333, Evansville, IN 47724-0333.

Membership also includes a copy of the NCA biennial (1998) Census of
operating wooden carousels, discounted admission to the annual NCA
convention (which in 1997 visited the Sanfilippo Collection and Eden
Palais Salon Carousel), admission to the annual NCA Technical
conference, etc.

Terry Blake is the person to contact for info and back issues.
The issue now coming off the press includes coverage of the 1997
convention.  Incidentally, the great Matt Caulfield helped host a
previous convention in Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Merry-Go-Roundup nearly always features information on band organs.
Contributions are welcome.  The special Seabreeze, Coney Island, and
Santa Monica issues included info on band organs associated with the
featured carousels.  Note also that the Herschell Carrousel Factory
Museum in North Tonawanda, N.Y., purchased the remaining Wurlitzer
perforating equipment and demonstrates it on site.  There is much
concern for the once-magnificent Wurlitzer Factory, which still stands
but is empty and appears to be neglected.

Check out <http://www.carousel.org> for info on carousels and band
organs, the NCA, clips of band organ music (including the old Seabreeze
165), and color photos.  It also will soon offer the 1998 census.

Thanks for your interest.  Hope you find this useful.

Cyndy Hennig