Hi folks.  My name is John Carrington.  I've been on the list for
over a month now but have been soaking up information and haven't
really felt like I had much of value to contribute.

I live in Chesterton, Indiana, in the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore,
and am an aspiring middle-aged theater organist with about 30 years of
classical piano under my belt.  I work as an editor in Chicago.

For one thing, people on MMD talk about barrel-organs.  I didn't
know what one was until this afternoon when I saw more _restored and
playing_ Nelson-Wiggens, Duo-Arts, PianOrchestras, Hupfelds (multiple
examples of each, all playing), and Imhof & Mukle's (with 400 or so
pipes -- each!), Regina HexaPhones, Welte Wotans, (all restored and
fully functional) in one place than probably exists anywhere else in
the world.

This afternoon, I went to the ultimate museum showcasing restored
orchestrions, player pianos, nickelodeons, etc.: I went to the Hopeful
Hearts fund raiser at the Sanfilippo's Victorian Palace in Barrington
Hills, Illinois, and spent an enchanting afternoon listening to Lyn
Larsen burn up the 5/80 Wurlitzer.

Sitting for three hours about 100 feet from five pipe chambers and
8,000 pipes means I'll probably get fitted for a Miracle Ear Hearing
Aid today, but it's gonna be worth it!

Just wanted to get all that out.  I look forward to contributing
occasionally.  :)

John Carrington
Chesterton, Indiana

 [ I want to see that collection, too -- Welcome to MMD, John !
 [ So, when your ears recover, what special instrument do you
 [ want to begin your collection with?  (Don't overlook the
 [ little music boxes! ;)  -- Robbie