After many years of constructing some of the best sounding and
most ornate band organs -- including my personal favorite, the Model
165 which has played for the Griffith Park carousel in Los Angeles,
California, since it was first installed there in 1987 -- Don Stinson,
founder of the Stinson Band Organ Co. in Bellefontaine, Ohio, is
officially retiring and shutting down his shop for good.

Of course, many Stinson organs can be seen on public display as well
as in many private collections at various rallies, carousels, fairs,
et cetera.  One thing I really found intriguing about Stinson organs
(particularly the larger models that are known for playing Wurlitzer
Style 165 arrangements) is they could be constructed in a way to mimic
both the American Wurlitzer marching band sound and the European
orchestral street organ sound.

Thank you, Don, for bringing the happiest music on earth in its present
day form to a new generation of future band organ and mechanical music
fanatics.  Your organs rock!

Andrew Lardieri
Voorhees, New Jersey