[ Don wrote in 080220 MMDigest, "Retirement money being what it is,
 [ I have found it necessary to drop memberships in MBSI and AMICA
 [ as of last year."

Some clarification on my part is probably appropriate regarding AMICA
and MBSI memberships.  I consider the publications as worthy work and
believe they need support if for no other reason than much of what is
generally known about how music machinery was made and maintained is
documented there.  The question for me is whether my limited funds
should be used for this purpose.

The question about my participation was more seriously considered
when MBSI made a decision to professionally produce a one-hour film
at a cost of $60,000.  The alleged purpose of the film was to get it
aired on PBS and other broadcast venues with the hope of increasing
membership.  In my opinion, poppycock!  And it consumed nominally
half an entire years dues from membership.  Now, that _is_ expensive.
It's worse than expensive -- it's a waste of _my_ money.  As a result
of that project, I joined AMICA and am considering leaving MBSI.

My reason for staying in the organizations was to take advantage of
the gatherings.  Over time, and since my retirement in 1999, those
gatherings have become out of reach dollar-wise.  Accordingly, with
the exception of local events, the greatest joy I had received from
my memberships had slipped into the same abyss pay checks fell into.
So, as of last year, both memberships have been unrenewed.

My years in MBSI were good years, sharing events with wonderful and
generous people.  I do miss those times but I reached a point where
a reality check was necessary and decisions had to be made.

I would like to thank Mike Schoeppner for his suggestion about
joining the Carousel Organ Association.  I will be responding to Mike
separately.  I did attend one of their events and enjoyed it.  One of
the things retirement might allow is the building of a monkey organ.

Don Shenbarger