Thanks
Barry Howard and Larry Fenner would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the following people who helped make our project possible:
Donald Borden, who saved WurliTzer Opus 501 from the wrecking ball in 1962 and who rebuilt and continued to maintain the instrument until 1975.
Ernest Boda, for his dedication to, and preservation and improvement of the instrument from 1975 until his untimely death in 1995.
Beth Boda, who continued to preserve the instrument in Ernie’s memory, for allowing us to be the next owners of Opus 501, and for extending her patience, understanding, and generous hospitality to us during the removal of the organ.
George Bell, whose untiring assistance during the removal and packing of the organ was as welcome as his friendship.
John Angevine, recipient of ATOS’ 2007 Award for Technical Excellence/Technician of the Year, who also provided much welcome assistance during the removal and packing of the organ, and who continues to share his wealth of technical expertise with us during our installation.
The picture below shows (L to R) Larry, George Bell, Barry, and John Angevine during the Ohio River Dinner Cruise of the 2008 "Play It Again" ATOS Convention headquartered in Indianapolis, IN.
Bob Matterness, Doug and Barb Eyman, Hans Herr, Rich Schaeffer, Rick Kepley, and Scott Ellison for helping to unload the final truck in Pennsylvania and for continuing to offer their help as the project progresses.
John Basil, whose family owned Basil's Lafayette Theatre from 1942 until 1962, for supplying historical information about the theatre through reprints of newspaper articles and also in his yet unpublished book entitled "True Theatre History During The 20th Century."
Ralph Bacha and Harry Radloff, for providing historical pictures of Opus 501 while it was still in the Lafayette Theatre and pictures of the demolition of the theatre, and especially for providing copies of recordings made on the organ while it was still in the theatre. Mr. Radloff also helped Donald Bordon remove the organ from the Lafayette in 1962.
Terry Nace and Ray Brunner, of R.J. Brunner & Co., Silver Spring, PA, for sharing their organ building expertise and for their services in providing replacements and repairs of damaged parts.
Larry Pruett, Bill Duck, and the crew at Columbia Organ Leathers, Columbia, PA, for their advice about various leathering projects and what types of leather to use for them, and for making quality leather available to us.
Rick, Deb, and Ken at the Backyard Woodshop in Hummelstown, PA, who stripped the old paint and restored the original mahogany finish on the console.
Ken Crome at the Chrome Organ Company, P.O. Box 18212, Reno, Nevada 89511, (775) 852-1080, TheCromes@aol.com, who expertly made our new stop rails and fall board.
Bayer HeathCare, the makers of Aleve, the pain reliever that got us through the move. Our aching backs!