Thanks to Jody, my modem is working.  There are many Digest members at
the meeting here, and everyone is enjoying being able to see who we have
enjoyed sharing the Digest with.  The week so far has been incredibly
busy, with no hope of letup in sight. Tuesday and Wednesday are business
days for Society Officers and Trustees. And Wednesday the tours began.
I'll let Jody tell you about the tours, since I did not go on them due
to being involved in the work of the meeting.

Wednesday the Exhibit and Hospitality Room was opened.  What an
incredible collection of instruments: many of the orchestrions and
nickelodeons built by the Chicago makers are on display and played
regularly, a particularly beautiful art-cased reproducing piano stands
in one corner, next to Siegfried Wendel's new Weber Maesto.  This piece
is a magnificent piece of work, faithfully reproducing the Weber of the
past.  The Ramey's Banjo-orchestra reproduction is also present and
being played to the enjoyment of the many people roaming the room.  The
room itself is a reenactment of the famous Svoboda's Nickelodeon Tavern,
complete with checkered table cloths.

On to the rest of the exhibit:  There are several grind organs of
various makers including a very nice small "Busker's Organ" made by Alan
Pell, and being played by our very own organ grinder, Angelo Rulli.
I might add that Angelo has not so far completely lost his mind as Chair
of this huge meeting. Also included in the display are several musical
boxes, both cylinder and disk, with a wondrous display of very early
miniatures owned by Chris Eric.

If this isn't enough, on Wednesday evening, we were treated to an organ
grinder in the Beer Tent outside until some very late hour. Then on
Thursday, many people had 7:30 buses to catch for the Wisconsin Tour.
Hustle, hustle.

Thursday was primarily occupied with a replay of the various Tours until
Thurs. evening when the annual Welcome Reception for First Timer's was
held.  This gives the officers and committee chairs, as well as many of
the members a chance to welcome and introduce themselves to the members
who have not attended a national meeting before.

The keynote speaker, Arthur Ord-Hume gave his presentation Thursday
evening. Since I'm a bit short on time this morning, I'll make a report
on his talk as well as the man later. We're off to a 7:15 breakfast
meeting this morning, followed by workshops, the mart, and the auction.
We'll be puffing by the end of this day!!

Later -- Beatrice