I hope this does not get to be a boring note, but thanks to all who
have asked about getting to Deansboro NY for the auction in September.

I did promise to get camping, lodging, meeting etc. info to you,
so here it is as brief as I can make it.  I am going to use some
abbreviations for places to stay etc. and will consolidate those at
the end of this note.

First of all, you get to Deansboro NY off the New York State Thruway
at exit 32.  The Thruway is a pay as you get off at the toll booth at
each exit if driving of course.  It is not really a long stretch, but
I will cover from exit 35 EAST to 28 (Fultonville) EAST.  Now that
the New York State Fair is over and the leaves have not changed color,
I think I will try to keep your expenses down.  The auction in tiny
Deansboro is on 12B SOUTH off 5S reached by exiting at Westmoreland
(Exit 32).

Map:  Exits:
35   34   33   32 (Exit-here)   31   30   29   28  -> East

There are at least 12 nice eating spots at 35 which is East Syracuse.
All major hotel chains are there also, from Marriott's to Motel 6.

Exit 34: Junction of I-48, is called Canastota.  At 34, (Canastota)
there are three or four RV parks within 7 miles of this exit, named
To-Go, The Landing, Verona Beach State Park.  Motels there at Exit 34
are Days Inn and a private one, Graziano's Motel.

Exit 33- intersection of NY state 365 for Verona, and Rome.  Rome is no
where near the exit, but the sign is.  Verona is where the Indian
casino, The Turning Stone is.  Joe's Front Yard Steak House is the
eating place.  There are no lodging facilities at the Turning Stone
Casino yet, though you can see the casino from the Thruway.

Exit 32: is where it is all at for us.  It is Westmoreland, where you
will exit and head for SOUTH after going through toll booth to 5s and
12B following signs for Clinton and then a few miles down to the tiny
town of Deansboro.  Museum on your left just south of town.  It IS
possible to miss it.  If you miss it, you will be in another In Indian
town called Oriskany (or is it Oriskany Falls).

There is ONE Inn there that is mentionable from references and that is
Carriage Motor Inn (food and lodging), in Westmoreland.

I have just spoken with the Carriage Motor Inn personnel at exit 32 at
the Westmoreland New York, New York Thruway exit.  Your room rate
double or double-double should be $50 and there will be a large room
for any MMD contributors to meet in after the preview date (Friday
night) .

Right now you will have a few days to call there if you want to get
close to the auction.  My room number there will be room 18, but I will
not be there 'til the morning of the preview.  The telephone number for
the Carriage Inn, which is right at the exit of the thruway, is area
code 315-853-3561.  I guess you can contact me directly here on the net
at <berkshires@earthlink.net> or leave a general note on MMD.

There should be only about 9 open room reservations by the time you
read this.  Continental breakfast is the only food available right on
the spot.  It would be nice if someone there would have a laptop to
keep a post going into MMD.  There will be a very small contribution
requested for a room for all of us to meet in at that spot.  So call
there almost immediately, if you want to stay with them.

Exit 31 has about six motels, such as Motel 6, Super 8, Best Western,
Hojo, A-1 etc.  Exit 30 at Herkimer, has two motels at the Thruway, the
Herkimer Motel, which is nice, and also the Mohawk Valley Motor Inn.

If you choose NOT to go to the Carriage House in Westmoreland,
I highly advise you to save a dollar or two with the following info.
If you call Carriage House, tell them you ARE the Deansboro Auction
Group., and that you want a double or a double-double.  Most of the
motels etc. if you do not stay in the city have the recommendation that
you tell them you are over 50 years of age, etc.  You can save 10-30%
on your rates.  The 3s for your reference are:

  Rodeway: 1-800-228-2000
  Clarion: 800-252-7466 Traveler Discount #00004444
  Ramada: 1-800-228-2828
  Hojo (Howard Johnson): 1-800-1-GO-HOJO -- 10% discount
  Quality: 1-800-228-5151  Prime Rate Discount (you want) 30%
  Sleep Inn: 1-800-753-3746
  Econolodge: 1-800-553-2666
  Days Inn: (old folk get the September Days Discount) 1-800-DAYSINN
  Holiday Inn: 1-800-HOLIDAY

I think that is enough of a start.  Remember, you may be out in the
country, and I am sure that any MMD subscribers who live in that area
will be happy to show you this and that and whatever.

Two minor things of importance is that there are ATM machines at all NY
plazas ON the thruway, handled by ONBANK which may NOW be M&T bank.
All those are inside.

Lastly, and we hope you don't need this:

1.  There is a hospital at exit 33 and one at exit in Herkimer.

2.  The CVS pharmacy chains are at exit 31 (Rite-Aid).

3.  Yes, the payoffs at The Turning Stone Casino at Verona are nice,
if you know the game and their luncheon area is nice.

4.  Anyone interested in other stuff OUTSIDE the auction itself, catch
me at Room 18 at the Carriage House at Exit 32 on the LATE morning of
the preview.

5.  There MAY be a possibility of looking at an AMPICO B with 250 rolls
around exit 27.

6.  There are a few antique stores (expensive) that may have some
player pianos, a rare Play-a-sax, and other such things.  The little
towns where mostly all the parts of many pianos still in existence, are
still there, with no factories to speak of as prominent as the
Wurlitzer one in North Tonawanda out around exit 53 WEST or so.  For
theatre organs, there are some private ones, some dead ones, and none
are playing at that time.  The one organ that would have been available
at exit 25 is getting its primaries re-leathered.

7.  Moving your winning auctions, we have to discuss out there as there
will be some private and well as regular movers, local and cross
country who may be able to help.  We will have to pay a few extra small
dollars for the Carriage House Inn for the large room to meet in.
Please make sure you contact them a.s.a.p. as they ARE small, but most
convenient.  If you have to fax me, you can do this at 518.732.1986.

I have to add a disclaimer that I am in no way connected with the
auctions or the lodgings or restaurants, but will help all I can,
hoping that Art gets a good turnout at the museum, and that the auction
itself is run a little more efficiently than one or two of the midwest
auctions of the past.

Take care and get in touch as soon as you NEED to.  I have no word on
the availability of the UTICA NEW YORK airport which is north of exit
31.  It used to function at one time.  Private plane pilots will find
numerous small fields, and remember, ...out in the country, if you land
in a field that is not an airport, well than, you own it.  If you land
on the Thruway for any reason, you may as well own it.

Thanks for the space Robbie and I hope I did answer most of the
questions all have been asking , and that you have more information on
what to do in the next few weeks.  Be sure to bring your resale numbers
etc. if you are dealers.

The mail on land here is The Backroom Piano, Box 1, Castleton,
NY 12033-0001, and my announced web site for players, sheet music etc.
is "parked" 'til after the auction is over.

Bill Ryan