Hi All,  You might recall that last week Michael Lawrence wrote in to
ask for pictures of a Molinari street organ [080710 MMDigest].  He had
purchased a small organ at a flea market and it was missing the front
panel.  I replied that if he could send me some pictures of what he
had, I would be happy to send him pictures and help him rebuild it.
I also mentioned that I had arranged a concert of small Molinari organs
at a past MBSI meeting.

Well, he did send some pictures and the organ had a few more problems
than just a missing front panel.  In fact, a small rodent had apparently
developed a love for music (and pine) and had taken up residence between
the pipes and the barrel.  One thing led to another and Michael offered
to sell the organ to avoid having to start another project.  We agreed
on a price and, with the help of Phil Jamison who lives nearby, I bought
the organ.  (Now _I'm_ the one who has another project!)

So, a this morning I received a lovely message from Walt Kehoe
inquiring about the Molinari organ concert that we arranged at the MBSI
chapter meeting at the Genesee Country Village and Museum in 1991:

  "And a wonderful job you did on organizing, and overseeing, that
  MBSI Meeting.  The open houses, including your own, that you
  arranged as well, were wonderful.  If I recall correctly some of
  the MBSI"s most notable members were represented in that picture.
  ...  If you can share the pictures of that event with the MMD, I'm
  sure every one would appreciate it.  Thanks for stirring up great
  memories."

And great memories they certainly were.  Fortunately my wife, Kathay,
was able to find the picture that I took of the concert.  Bob Conant
and I were in the audience and Harvey Roehl was busy tootin' the
calliope but on the porch of the Town Hall at the Museum you will see
(from left to right) Jere Ryder, Jeff Vincent, Jim Feller, Jim Foote,
Ray Zapata and Marion Roehl, along with seven Molinari organs.  And
no, we did _not_ play them all at once.

So, go to the MMD Archives and take a look at the largest array of
Molinari organs ever assembled, outside the Molinari factory in New
York City.

Craig Smith

 [ Thanks, Craig.  Watch for the photo at the MMD Pictures site,
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Gallery/Pictures  -- Robbie