I just returned from a super week spent with over 200 other mechanical
music enthusiasts.  We visited and saw the most wonderful and amazing
automata, orchestrions, music boxes, organs and pianos.  At one point,
two Mills Violano machines were playing together from a coordinated
MIDI system!  Having never seen an automaton writer before, this was
the coolest new thing I experienced.  If you attended, what was your
favorite new sight or sound?

The MBSI Southern California chapter really went all out to put on
a great week and make everyone feel welcome.  On "Mart" day, discs
which had been on my list for a while were available at a good price;
I bought them all.  At the workshops I learned how to get rid of
those pesky woodworms, successfully work with an auctioneer and the
differences between stepper motors and servo motors for use as
actuators.

I hear the meeting next year will be during the 2016 Labor Day weekend
in Minneapolis and I suggest all MMDers reserve those dates on their
calendar, join MBSI and attend.

Wayne Finger