On losing members...  I'm not in a position to take action, but
perhaps that gives me the authority to suggest something that I would
like to see in MMD.  Each notice that yet another of the mechanical
music enthusiasts has joined the 'Crankers of the Band Organ Invisible'
is depressing.  It is, however, a reminder that we have potential young
fans out there who are totally unaware that our hobby exists.

Years ago, before MMD, I helped Dave Levin provide player piano busking
in Harvard Square.  From the stares of wonderment I saw and the good
singing I heard, I'm certain that we drew in a few new people as
enthusiasts.  But I'm done with that and am on to other things.

What I now want to see, right here in MMD, are postings from or about
_new_ members of the mechanical music hobby.  For each notice of
"so-and-so has passed away" I want to see two or more notices about
new people.

It's not enough just to have young fans -- we (especially those of us
as old as our instruments) want to know all about the new people, how
they found us and what they plan to do.  We need reassurance that the
hobby will continue.  Also, a few of us do not have heirs clamoring for
our "junk," but are loathe to bequeath it to the silence of a museum.

Peter Neilson