Hello MMDers.  Just so you all know, I had just returned from my
vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC, and have an updated status report on the
two organs at the Pavilion amusement park.  The Bruder organ (Wurlitzer
165) was playing as it normally does, and nothing has changed about it
over the past year.  It still only plays when it feels like it, so it
isn't playing every day.

The Baden Ruth Organ is sounding a little better than last year.
This year marks its 100th birthday.  I had gotten the opportunity to
see the organ from the backside, and I must say I was quite impressed.
Everything was looking in really good condition, except for most of the
book music.  Most of the crates (they have about 10-15 in all) were
labeled as broken.

The park is looking to have the books recut over time.  They are in
25-minute and 45-minute playing lengths.  The organ itself is sounding
more full than it did last year.  All but two of the moving figures are
working properly; the two bell ringers are in need of repair.

They do plan on doing some restoration on the organ, but the next big
project is the carousel.  I was planning on making a recording of the
organ like I did last year, so I have more music available to listen
to, but the night I was there to record it (which was my last night),
they were forced to shut down the organ due to an electrical storm.
I will try to get some pictures online to show you all when they all
get developed.

Also during the trip, I stopped at Kings Dominion for a day.  There
is a Gavioli organ on the carousel that is in extremely great need
of restoration and is unplayable, but they also plan on restoring the
carousel and organ eventually.

Also, I stopped at Glen Echo Park to listen to the Wurlitzer 165;
well worth the visit, a wonderful organ.

Until next time -- keep the music playing.

Bill Griswold