My wife and I had the pleasure of having Herman (German) and his
mother visit with us last year for several days.  During this time
they accompanied us, and one of our Stinson organs, to the Lake Winnie
Band organ rally near Chattanooga, Tennessee.  We all had a great time,
except for some minor language difficulties on my part.

That rally is coming up again on the weekend of 26 May and if you have
never been to Lake Winnie it is a really neat old style park worth the
drive from most anywhere.  The park is situated on Lake Winnepesaukah
and has the oldest water flume/dark ride in the country and a great
merry-go-round with a Style 33 Ruth organ restored by Charles Walker.

There is usually a good turnout of band organs and other music machines
for the rally and lots of other interesting places and attractions
nearby to visit as well.  The park owners are happy to have us and
treat all the organ people graciously.

Herman studied all the organs on hand and was very excited and eager
to return to the USA for more rallies.  One of his hopes is to start
a mechanical music museum in Guatemala, as nothing like that exists
there at this time.  While here he purchased a large Arburo and four
other machines from me which he will incorporate in his museum, along
with machines he has built.

If you should meet him on his return, you will find him very friendly
and eager to discuss organs and organ building.  Hopefully he will
bring one of his fine machines with him.  If you would like to
correspond with him, e-mail me and I will relay his e-mail address
to those who are MMD regulars.  Roll On!

Jim Welty