Not long ago I wrote about the large number of player pianos that are
being thrown out since no one wants them.  Unfortunately, my notes
ended up being introduced as evidence in a court case where the defend-
ant is trying to get out of an alleged responsibility.  Those about
which I wrote are all unrestored pianos, not ones in working condition.

Recently someone wrote that amateur radio is dead.  But during the 9/11
crisis, Katrina, and numerous wild fires, etc., amateur radio was the
only means of communication.  It is staging a comeback.

We live on the edge of New York City near JFK Airport, and thus play
host to a myriad of people from all over the world, all of whom are
enthralled with our "ghost" piano or piano that "plays paper tapes."
Yesterday we demonstrated our Ampico for a man who is eighty-four years
old.  He was enthralled.  Ours was the first one he had ever seen, and
he had to show his wife.  We also find that children and teenagers love
the piano, our music boxes, and our Edison cylinder machine.

A few years ago we visited the Zelinsky collection in San Francisco
shortly before it was moved from the Cliff House.  We noticed that more
children were putting nickels in the antique musical machines than in
the modern game machines.  They were absolutely ecstatic that a coin
dropped in a machine could produce such great music ... and those
things weren't in tune by any means.  So, if parents will only allow
their children access to these wonderful works of musical magic, I
think there will be a great comeback.

The Lady Liberty Chapter of AMICA holds workshops for anyone who wants
to restore a mechanical musical instrument or even an old reed organ.
These cost $10 per session, plus materials.  They are open to anyone,
member of AMICA or not.  One reed organ was completely restored by a
pastor's wife.  We mechanical kinds are still working with our toys,
while she finished hers and plays it daily.

Vincent Morgan,
New York City