THE STOP RAIL
Valley of the Sun Chapter of the
American Theatre Organ Society
VOLUME 30 ISSUE 4 APRIL, 2006
“The Valley of the Sun Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society is a recognized tax-exempt educational and charitable organization under section 501-C-3 of the Internal Revenue Code and is a non-profit corporation organized in the state of Arizona.”
THE STOP RAIL is published by Valley of the Sun Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society, P.O. Box 36151, Phoenix, Arizona 85067-6151, www.theatreorgans.com/az/phoenix/ Local Chapter dues are $20.00 per year. Name badges are $8.00 each. Classified ads are free for members. The non-member rate is a flat $10.00 per issue. Mail copy with check (if needed) to Dale E. CAPLIN, Editor, 2333 W. Irvington Place #26, Tucson, Arizona 85746. Publication deadline is the 15th of each previous month.
From the Desk of Our President
Hi All . . . March has been a great month for our club. We finished our Silent Sundays Season in the Black. Our attendance is on the increase and the Publicity system is working great. Last Sunday’s show was attended by almost 500 people, a new record. We had attendees from several Red Hat groups and a busload from the San Diego chapter. Several Recreation Centers were also in attendance. Several members had the idea to start the show with Eric Frickie. What better way to open “The Kid” than to have a 13-year-old start off the concert part of the program? Thank you Ron for letting us use part of your concert time. We, as a Club, are serious about educating the young and Eric is a good example. Results, like this, can only happen when a dedicated group of people work selflessly to make it happen. I am proud of all of you and so is your Club and the Community.
Phoenix College major re-building projects are now in progress. We are rebuilding the relay. We hope to have the relay and the console finished shortly. As I have said before, we will have many jobs for the experienced as well as the novice. So if you are interested in being a part of this great effort, give me a call at (623) 694-1746 and I will add you to our e-mail or phone notification lists . . .
March has brought some trials & tribulations to our Club and our hobby also. We lost our member Harlan Harris on March 10th. Joanne and family will miss him greatly and so will we all. Many of you will remember Harlan for his tireless work to restore out Wurlitzer at the Orpheum Theatre. Nationally we also lost two great organists. Tom Hazelton and Ashley Miller.
I look forward to seeing each and every one of you at one of our upcoming functions . . .
Bill Carr ~
Chapter Meetings
Have you been attending our chapter meetings and “Silent Sundays” films this year? If you have, great - and thank you for supporting our chapter functions! If you have been unable to attend, this is a condensed version of what you’ve missed:
January
Our scheduled artist was unable to appear at the January 8th meeting at the Orpheum. Instead, we had a program of chapter members participating in open console, which turned out quite well. We can always count on Mark Crenshaw for his “Baby Elephant Walk” and “Boogie Woogie.” One of Eric Fricke’s numbers was “While We’re Young” (at only 13, he still is!). When Don Story played “To You, Sweetheart, Aloha,” Tom Fizzell quipped, “Mr. Obscurity strikes again!” Bruce Jacobsen gave us some old standards, including “Misty” and “Mood Indigo.” Mary Jacobsen interspersed “Knights In White Satin” with “Memory.” Bill Hagey’s gentle “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers Anymore” was followed by a rousing “Napoleon’s Last Charge.” Even Tom Fizzell got into the act! He played Walt Strony and Lyn Larsen - through the computer! Eric returned to the bench to bring the afternoon to a close.
Madeline LiVolsi
February
We returned to the Orpheum on February 19th to hear Bill Campbell at the Wurlitzer. Currently living in Anaheim, Bill has also recently become a VOTS chapter member. Considering our lovely weather, “I Feel A Song Coming On” and “It Might As Well Be Spring” seemed very appropriate opening numbers. Bill played a wide variety of music, from E.T. Paul’s turn-of-the-century “Dashing Cavalier” to the more contemporary (1977) Anne Murray songs, “You Needed Me” and “I Just Fall In Love Again.” I especially enjoyed the selections he played by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse. He brought the afternoon to a close with “When Day Is Done” and the “King Kong March” from the original movie.
Madeline LiVolsi
March
Sunday March 12, 2006 Bill Carr conducted a very short meeting to tell about Silent Sunday plans for March 19. And he announced the passing of member Harlan Harris, husband of Joanne Harris
. The program today was held at the First Christian church and the artist was Virgil Howard. He introduced his fiance, Pat. She played the flute and also a couple of numbers on the organ. She also played duets with Virgil.
Virg introduced his "friend", Jolly, the mechanical monkey. They played a couple of upbeat numbers with Jolly keeping rythym with his cymbals.
Virg played the piece "Daddy" showing us how to register a "wah wah" trumpet....a bit of education along with the entertaining music
. He entertained us with stories and music from old radio days. He told the stories of a radio program out of Cincinatti, Ohio when Hank Pfizenmayer requested the theme song from that show, "Moon River". The Clooney sisters, Rosemary and Betty also performed on that show. This was followed with the theme song from "One Man's Family". What fond memories of radio days gone by.
Virg played in many theaters including the Paramount in Toledo, Ohio and the Fox in Detroit.
It was a delightful Sunday afternoon and it ended with a short sing along.
Shirley Long
Silent Sundays
Our “Silent Sundays” season has gone well, with each film bringing a better turnout. In the audience for the last film of the season were a group of ladies from the Red Hat Society, and some organ society members from San Diego! Most of the crowd was surprised when the organ rose out of the pit. Seated at the console was not the expected Ron Rhode, but 13-year old Eric Fricke! Eric played three numbers, then Ron introduced him to the audience, who showed their approval of our young organist. Ron dedicated the afternoon’s program to Bill and Barbara Brown, then played a couple of their favorite songs.
Madeline LiVolsi
NOTE: Our next season’s dates are set for, 09/17/06 & 10/08/06, 01/07/07 & 04/29/07
A Return to Music
and Memories
David Lindsay will be back in the Valley for a couple of weeks in April. He will play for the Easter Sunday service (10:30 AM) at the Unity Church of Sun City. He will also present a “Return to Music and Memories” program in the church activity center on Thursday, April 20, from 6:30-8:30 PM. The program will feature some of his Yesterdays singers. Tickets are $5 per person, and will probably sell quickly. For additional information, contact the church at 623-974-6443. The church is located at 10101 W. Coggins Dr., just south of Grand Avenue, and east of 103rd Avenue.
Members News
Bob and Kay Inman are moving back to Tempe. Here is their new address!
Robert W. & G. Kay Inman
4630 S. Lakeshore Drive #176
Tempe, Az 85282-7174
(480) 777-7282 Home
(602) 400-4571Cell
E-mail stays the same
Bokay2@att.net
Trials & Tribulations
Harlan Adair Harris
1925- 2006
Joanne Harris lost her beloved husband on March 10, 2006. Harlan spent many enjoyable hours rebuilding the Orpheum WurliTzer so it could be installed it in the Theatre for all to enjoy. He will be missed by alll.
Harlan … unselfishly shared his love and laughter, honorably served his country and community, and gently offered his wisdom and kindness ~
George Thomas Hazleton
1942 - 2006
Tom Hazleton suffered a massive heart attack and passed away in his sleep at home on Monday, March 13, 2006. A Requiem Mass will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church in San Diego on Saturday, April 8, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the Hazleton family at 3224 San Helena Dr., Oceanside, CA 92056
Tom was organist and associate minister of music for 14 years at the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, as well as professor of organ at the University of the Pacific in Stockton. He was affiliated with the Allen Organ Company for more than 20 years.
Hazleton was one of a select few concert artists who are equally proficient on both classical and theatre organs. He was named "Organist of the Year" in 1986 and inducted into the "Hall of Fame" in 2003 by the American Theatre Organ Society.
For anyone wishing to send condolences:
Tom Hazleton Family
3224 San Helena Dr.
Oceanside, CA 92056
A requiem mass will be held April 8th
at 3:00 PM at the
All Saints Episcopal Church
625 Pennsylvania Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103
619-298-7729
Ashley Miller
1918-2006
Ashley Miller passed away 4:30 AM, March 20, 2006. He was at home surrounded by family.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ashley Miller. Ashley was one of the few remaining post-silent era organists who gained much fame during the days of live radio (and later television) with organ accompaniment.
Cremation will be private.
Memorial service to be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers - The Miller family will be setting up a Scholarship Fund in Ashley's name, sometime in the near future.
2006 ELECTED BOARD ADDRESSES, TELEPHONE NUMBERS, AND EMAIL ADDRESSES:
President., Bill Carr, 11815 N. 77th Drive, Peoria, AZ 85345 (Cell 623-694-1746) billcarr3.vots.atos@cox.net
Vice President, Tom Fizzell, 2201 E. Siesta Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85042 (602-243-9546) tfizzell@aol.com
Secretary, Madelaine LiVolsi, 3626 W. Vernon Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85009 (602=278-9107) mmlv1@yahoo.com
Treasurer, Dale Caplin, 2333 W. Irvington Place #26, Tucson, AZ 85746 (Cell 520-370-7091) decaplin@aol.com
Member-at-large, Don Reasor, 11511 W. Cyprus Dr., Avondale, AZ 85323-4110 (623-877-0635)
aaretiree@cox.net
Member-at-large, Nancy Fricke, 7405 E. Camino Santo, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260-3904
(480-607-2970) Nancyfricke@aol.com
Statutory Agent, Pete Knobloch, 1507 E. Fremont Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282 (480-820-7093)
peteknobloch@yahoo.com
VOTS MARKETPLACE
2 Hammond Colpnnades 2 manuals, 25 pedals one walnut and one white. $1,300.00 each, Conn 650 3 manual 32 pedal theatre organ in Walnut: $1,300.00, Conn 643 2 manual 25 pedal theatre organ in Walnut: $500.00, an Eminent classical organ with two 56 note keyboards and 13 pedals: $600.00, two Allen 282C’s 2 manual 32 pedal classical in Walnut with 2 external speakers: $2,000.00 each, and an Allen 2 manual theatre organ in light Walnut with a princess 32 note pedalboard: $600.00 OBO. Hammond Elegante w/Leslie walnut $1,900.00 Dale Caplin 520-370-7091 (leave message).
Allen R-211 theatre Organ. Mint condition. $15,500.00. Walnut finish with twp HR-100 external speakers. Arizona or Southern California delivery can be arranged for just actual delivery cost. Call Don Story at 520-792-4523 or cell 520-349-3774.
Estey Chaplain’s Field Pump Organ for sale. $250.00. Blue vinyl type covering with carry handle. Knee volume control. One voice--basic diapason. Myrra Johnson 480-946-1180 or email myrrajo6@cox.net
“Organ Stop” Tucson (1989) - Who is the mystery artist?
Some Good News!!!!!!!!!
The May company owned Lord & Taylor. Federated Stores purchased the May Co. in the fall and therefore took over Lord & Taylor. Federated announced officially that they were not going to keep the Lord & Taylor Chain. They were making the Strawbridge Department Store in Philly a Macy's and divesting the Lord & Taylor Store chain.
Of course you know the Wanamaker Organ and the famous store Eagle are in the Lord & Taylor Store in the Wanamaker Building. Well, a sudden announcement by the Federated Stores on Friday stated that they were NOW going to close the Strawbridge Department store in Phila. and were taking over the Lord & Taylor Store in Phila. and making it a Macy's store and would include the Wanamaker Organ and the Eagle as a part of the new Macy's Phila. store. We at the Wanamaker Organ are happy with this news (as we now know the Lord & Taylor space will remain as a Macy's store), but, know nothing further about the management and plans for the new Macy's other than they are totally closing the Lord & Taylor Phila. Store June 1st to remodel the Lord & Taylor Store area and reopen sometime in August as Macy's.
The Friends of the Wanamaker Society always have the all day Birthday Celebration of the Wanamaker Organ on the 2nd Saturday of June (scheduled June 10th this year) so we are planning to postpone it till after the new Macy's opens and it is agreeable to Macy's management. There is nothing further we know about this hard to believe wonderful and sudden move by the Federated Stores, but can understand their liking of the Beauty and the Magnificence of the Lord & Taylor Store and its location close to the Convention Center and all transportation and next to City Hall and the Wanamaker Organ traditions since 1911 and the annual Christmas Holiday Light Show.
Just a little bit of new information you may not have heard. We hope to be able to continue with the restoration we have already started of the Orchestral Division and the New Organ Shop area. It will cost Macy's nothing as both projects are funded by substantial grants to complete both projects and the projects will greatly enhance and benefit the Wanamaker Organ and the Wanamaker Building which is privately owned and all space in the building is rental. Wally McLean in Philadelphia.