To the MMD -- Continuing on with comments in MMD about the recent COAA
organ rally and AMICA convention, I was glad to attend the COAA rally
Sunday afternoon.  I was so disappointed that business needs caused me
to not be able to attend the AMICA convention this year, but I was able
to break away from work to come as a COAA guest for a day.  I don't
think I have ever seen so many band organs in one place!  The air was
certainly full of the "Happiest Music on Earth".

It was good to see many of my AMICA friends as they came to the COAA
rally Sunday afternoon, but I was disappointed that many more had
already left the convention that morning.  Mike Walter graciously
allowed me to 'hang out' with the AMICANs for a while.  Thanks, Mike!

I was most interested to hear and meet Jeff Weiler of Chicago, with
his Wurlitzer history presentation.  As Holly Walter said, it was
somewhat of a continuation of my Wurlitzer presentation that was given
last year at the AMICA convention in Cincinnati.  Jeff is certainly one
of the foremost authorities on Wurlitzer.  He also does pipe organ
restoration and maintenance.

I also had a great time exploring the hallowed grounds of Wurlitzer.
So many of the instruments that we continue to enjoy today were "born"
at that this place.  I was able to trace the expansion of buildings
from the original DeKleist building from the 1890s through the 1940s
additions in the jukebox era.  The complex of connected buildings is
about one mile long.  The owners of the buildings (since 1978) have
made it into an industrial park with around 50 businesses operating out
of it.

Thank you,
Gary Rasmussen