Strictly by chance I was passing through Milwaukee, WI last weekend
and dropped in on the preparation day for the Great Circus Parade.
There I was delighted to find seven beautifully restored and functional
Calliopes and Band Organs, including the "De Grote Steenput".

While I enjoyed the music greatly, it was a bigger thrill to talk to
the friendly folks who owned these marvels and wanted to share their
treasures with people like me who showed an interest.  It was a lot
of fun to meet Ron Bopp and Elise Roenigk who have been contributers to
MMD.

It gave me a good feeling to know that people whose words I read
in this forum are as open and friendly in person as the correspondence
in MMD implies.  It's a pleasure to be associated with such a fine
group of people!

John Breen
Southboro, MA