The three organs from Ramona Park were all owned and restored by Paul
Eakins. They were displayed in his two museums until they were sold.
"Madam Laura", a Gavioli, was sold to Bellm's Music Museum in Sarasota,
Florida, and was displayed there until it closed. It was then sold to
a private collector and is now in the hands of Chris Carlisle and is
currently being restored.
"Sadie Mae", once thought to be a Gavioli, is now known to be a DeKleist,
and was sold to Walt Disney World. It provided the music used in one
of the parades for a period of time. It was in storage for several
years and later sold into a private collection, Bob Gilson's, I think,
but I am not sure.
"Big Bertha" (a Limonaire?) was also sold to Walt Disney World and is
currently displayed in the Park Fair Restaurant in the Grand Floridian
Hotel. It is in poor playing condition and needs a complete restoration.
"Big Bertha" has always been my favorite of the three when it was
playing the North Tonawanda 82-key rolls. It now is playing Wurlitzer
165 rolls and, in my opinion, has suffered for it. While I am a big
fan of 165 music, the North Tonawanda rolls had a sweet flowing style
in their arrangements which made them very enjoyable to listen to.
Anyone who has heard the original recording of "Big Bertha" will know
what I am talking about. It's too bad that more recordings of these
wonderful North Tonawanda rolls have not been made.
Bob Moore
Orlando, Florida
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