Volume 5 Number 3 May/June 1988

Dick JohnsonThe Key Word

is Communication

"Hawthorne's like the UnitedStates - there's no place betterin the world to live," said ournew HRCA President DickJohnson. "But, some peoplehere have done a lot of thingsright. We're living within ourbudget."

His many years of organiza-tional work as a 33rd DegreeMaster Mason and head of theEastern division for the State ofMissouri gives our newpresident a solid preparation forhis new duties. He was also aDirector on the HRCA Board dur-ing the transition from ColonialPenn ownership.

Florida's Finest Resident-Owned Retirement Community

.. URCA's New President

The very pleasant Dick Johnson is pictured here at his desk at home. Dick and hiswife Margaret moved to Hawthorne in 1979 from St. Louis, MO. They have nochildren and Dick was an only child, but Margaret had two brothers and a sister andDick and Margaret have a bunch of nieces and nephews to enjoy and brag about.(Nat Bodinger photo)Dick itemized the ways he

hopes to communicate thespirit of pleasant cooperation that was present inHawthorne when we formed our HawthorneResident's Cooperative Association in 1982. He andMargaret, his wife of 51 years, started his year in officewith a picnic at their spacious home for all the Direc-tors and their spouses, and some of the managementstaff with their spouses.

that he and General Manager Dan Gorden will beavailable for individual consultations the first Mondayof each month from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in theMarina Office. Further, he outlined steps by which anyshareowner can review current HRCA financialrecords on the last two Fridays of each month from2:00 to 4:00 p.m. (except January). A 24 hour notice andsigned official request form is required.

"I want the Directors who are to work together toget to know each other," he said, "and I want everyoneto have a voice in our government."

"I'm a worry wart and think of things in the middleof the night," Dick smiled, "but I'm told that if I keepmy sense of humor things will work out!"

The April Board meeting ended with a period open toshareowner's questions and concerns, and his futureBoard meetings will continue this policy. Dick said Rosalind MacRae Sykes

From The ...

Editor's NotebookOur language has wisely sensed two sides of beingalone. It has created the word "loneliness" to expressthe pain of being alone, and the word "solitude" to ex-press the glory of being alone.

*****

Lillian and George Braun, who live here on ChestnutStreet, returned on April 23rd from their 50th WeddingAnniversary cruise to St. Thomas, St. Croix andNassau, compliments of their four children: MillieRobertson, Elizabeth Puckett, Andrea Braun andGeorge, Jr. and his wife Esta, all of whom live inAtlanta, Georgia. Going with them on the cruise werefriends from Hawthorne: Gladys and Bill Wangard,Martha and Harry Bergquist, Betty and John Adamsand Juanita and Howard McClintock. Some old friendsfrom Des Moines, Iowa and two couples from Min-nesota joined them at Ft. Lauderdale to board ship forthe cruise. What a delightful way to spend a secondhoneymoon.

*****

Ben and Mildred Thorne who lived at 180 Azalea Trailfrom 1973 to May 21, 1986, came back to Hawthorneon January 27 this year. They lived for 18 months in thefull care John Knox Center in Orange City but Mildreddecided she would rather cook than eat food shedidn't like, even if it is good for you. They have certain-ly been busy getting their new home on Palo Verde ingood shape with new siding among other im-provements and then had the lawn sodded. We hopeyou will be happy here again.

*****

We want to welcome another couple back toHawthorne. Lois and Don Paterson, who lived at 409Palo Verde Drive since November 1975 until October1987 when they moved to West Chester, Illinois to benear their daughters family and enjoy watching thegrandchildren grow at closer range.

In August of 1987, the Patersons celebrated their50th wedding anniversary with a huge gathering of allthe family at Pershing Park in Latrobe, PA. They camehome, put their house on the market and moved intoan apartment in West Chester. But four months waslong enough to convince them they had made amistake. The weather was not only cold to theirFlorida-warmed bones, but there was so much snowand ice they were always afraid of falling and foundthemselves having to depend on the family for all oftheir errands. They promptly took their house off themarket here, and on February 6,1988 they moved backinto their home. Two of their friends and neighborscame over and helped them unpack. They are trulyglad to be home. Lois thinks it may have been worththe errant move to be welcomed back so warmly by thepeople here.

Hawthorne HospitalityWe have a very active Hospitality Committee here inHawthorne and, while they are always quite visible atmany activities, they do have definite functions theyperform. They have charge of the coffee machine inthe hospitality room at the club house as one of theirmoney making activities. Hope you have noticed thenew coffee machine which was compliments of theMemorial Fund with a bit of help from Sun Bank inlocating the machine.

The primary job of Hospitality is to help peoplemeet other people here in Hawthorne.

In February they sponsor a Valentine card party foreveryone and this is not a money making project. Theyalso trim the Christmas tree in December. But theirmost energetic projects are the three Newcomers teasthat they give in October, January and April. At theseteas, the newcomers to Hawthorne are introduced tosome of their new neighbors. Cookies, coffee andpunch are served to everyone.

Anyone interested in Hospitality is most welcome.

Pictured here with a plate of luscious fresh strawberries thateveryone at the April Newcomers tea seemed to enjoy arethree of the hostesses for the tea. Left to right: Regina Parks,Noreen Allen and Vera Battipaglia.

Hawthorne HeraldHawthorne-at-Leesburg

Post Office Box No. 1764 Leesburg, FL 32749-1764Telephone (904) 787-1000

Published bi-monthly by the HawthorneResidents Cooperative Association, Inc.

Editor VernaGarberAssociate Editor" BunnyMcCarlEditorial Staff ElnoraBolan,

Reba Heintzelman, Anna K. Merlino, Marie L.Richardson, Web Stull, Rosalind MacRaeSykes, Dewhirst W. Wade.

Photographers Nathaniel Bodinger,JohnTienken

Art LorraineThomas

Phyllis Pence (left) and Elaine Hoffner pretty up thenew bike stand that has been installed in front of theTennis courts at Hawthorne. Phyllis is coordinator ofthe tennis activity and was first to arrive by bike forthis early morning photo. Late News Flash! On May 6,Phyllis won a gold medal in singles play at the Univer-sity of Ole Miss Golden Games in Oxford, Mississippi.Sincerest congratulations, Phyllis.

Precursors of Golf - Hawthorne StyleThese may have been miracle golf shots! On

January 15, 1988, at Pennbrooke golf course with agroup of Hawthorne ladies, Norma McElwain shot a'Hole in One' from the men's tee, 117 yards on the 13thhole. Then early this spring at Rolling Hills golfcourse, Joe Bohlan had an eagle on hole No.1, a par 5hole.

It was the beginning of the new year in January,1988, at Rolling Hills on Friday morning, that threeHawthorne golfers shot three birdies on the 123yard, 3par 8th hole. They were lola Bartley, Darrell Fadely andDewey Wade, whose golf balls, after brushing LiveOak tree branches and after clearing over the waterpond, landed very close to the pin on the 8th green. Aone stroke putt by each of the golfers resulted in a bir-die on the 3 par hole.

Other recent birdies this spring at Rolling Hills byHawthorne golfers were Bob Artman, Stuart Henry,Wade Drake, Glen Jones and Chuck Poulson.

To the average golfer, these feats are indeedmiracles but to the rest of the world who gain their golfpleasures from watching the Pros on TV, it is almostexpected.

All golfers are welcome to play Rolling Hills onFridays by calling Chairman Bob Artman or JackStevens. And for the ladies, call lola Bartley, NormaMcElwain or Mickie Hall.

Here at Hawthorne we have a nine hole puttingpractice course and pitching area, along the banks ofthe Palatlakaha River. The values of practice in puttingare necessary and rewarding. Even a good golfercould easily lower his score by taking one ortwo puttsper hole here.

Dewey Wade

Bunny McCarl, Program Coordinator

How to Handle Problems

What is a problem? It is a dilemma, quandary,predicament or unsettled question. In fact, life is aseries of problem-solving techniques one afteranother.

Many books have been written discussing themany methods of problem solving. BusinessAdministration students in colleges are taughtproblem-solving techniques. Seminars are offered inevery major city in the country on problem-solving forthe business community. Every time we turn aroundwe hear more and more about some fool-proof methodto solve problems. I figured it was now my turn to offersome suggestions. However, my method is asimplified version of Norman Vincent Peal's problem-solving technique called "The Way to Handlea Problem".

1. Think positively about your problem.

2. You can think your way through any difficultyor problem. You must think, not react emo-tionally. Discipline yourself to be calmabout your problem.

3. Develop a real faith in God and in yourself.

4. Stop being an "IF" thinker. Avoid the word "if"the next time a problem occurs.

5. Learn know-how from your problems. Look atevery problem as containing some amazingvalue to you.

6. When God made you he made you GREAT.Affirm and believe: "I am bigger than anyproblem. I can overcome any problem."

7. Cut your problem down to size. Take it apart,break it into its components. Then chisel offthe easiest part and dispose of that.Continue until each part of the problem issolved.

8. "Every problem contains the seeds of its ownsolution." Believe this, erase all doubts, nevergive up trying. You can overcome anyproblem.

Try to look at the positive in every situation. Try tofind the good in the time of crisis. Know that each pro-blem becomes a learning experience for the future.

If you believe in yourself and follow these simpleguidelines, you will find you can overcome any pro-blem. Give it a try. ~

Lily Tang, AI and Arlene Bakeman

HAPPY COINCIDENCEWhile chatting at the Clubhouse, Emil Hartzer

commented to AI Bakeman that Jim and Ellen Jurolwere visiting across the street from him. He thoughtthey'd enjoy talking with him about their recent visit toChina. AI was born to missionary parents in China andlived there several years.

When AI contacted the Jurols, he found they hadspent three months teaching English at a Chineseschool, and had met a young Chinese girl who wantedto come to America to attend college. Jim Jurolarranged a scholarship for Lily Tang at HillsdaleCollege in Michigan, where he is a professor. Shestarted school at Hillsdale in the fall of 1987. Duringtheir 1988 Winter Break, the Jurols and Lily Tang cameto Hawthorne to see Ellen Jurol's parent's home thathad been left to her.

AI and Arlene Bakeman invited the Jurols and LilyTang to dine with them at the Hunan Restaurant inLeesburg, because Cathy Chen, the manager, couldconverse in Chinese with Lily. While dining, AI and Lilyalso discovered they had both been born and raised inthe City of Hangzhou, capital of the Southern Sungdynasty! Although there was more than fifty years dif-ference in their ages, they both recalled West Lake,Needle Pagoda and many other places in the city. AItold Lily there used to be a wall surrounding the cityand that the gates were closed at nightfall.

After dinner, AI showed slides of his last visit toChina eight years ago. Both the Jurols and Lily Tangknew many of the various places that were portrayed,adding to the pleasure of the visit.

They all agreed that the Emil Hartzer-AI Bakemanchance meeting had enriched their lives with a mostenjoyable afternoon and evening.

In fact, Jim and Ellen Jurol have decided to keepher parent's home here for their own retirement. Theyalready love Hawthorne!

Rosalind MacRae Sykes

"t ';•• '

y

.:..- Snow Birds 1CThey are leaving, they are leaving,

The snow birds, headed north.They have packed their cars and cases

And are set to sally forth.

They have trimmed up all the bushes,Told the gardener what to do,

And have closed the house securely,Given key to neighbor, too.

They have checked the car and road map.Shall they take two days or more?

May it be a pleasant journey'Till they see their favorite shore.

Then they shake the dust of Hawthorne,Head for mountains, hills or lakes,

Where the air is crisp and coolerAnd old friends await with cakes.

They all enjoy the summer,Spent again in cooler clime,

But as early as SeptemberHawthorne calls to all her kind.

They have seen the autumn color,They have seen their friends and kin,

They begin to think of winterWhen the frost and snow come in.

Then, like geese, they travel southwardTo the place they love so well

Enter by the flower gardens,Then they find that all is well.

Open windows wide for airing,Put the luggage in the room,

Call upon their favorite neighbors,Whom they cannot see too soon.

They relax, enjoy the sunshine,Gradually peruse the news,

Take a swim and check the sauna,And then they have a snooze!

Now they know they're safe in Hawthorne,Cares of outside world are less,

As they settle into routineDoing things they like the best.

Thus, to all of us in Hawthorne,Though we leave it for a time,

We return with joy and gladnessTo the friends who are so fine.

Ernestine Johnson

Hawthorne NeighborsA Salute to Harry Edwards

"Citizen of the Year" was awarded to HarryEdwards in May. He was nominated by the Florida Na-tional Association of Social Workers who are mostknowledgeable in civic accomplishments.

Harry attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohioand majored in Education and Coaching. A scholar-ship from New York University was the beginning ofhis career when he became Recreational Director ofthe Harlem Boys Club. He received his MastersDegree dealing with underprivileged and overpriv-ileged youths in New York City.

He came to Palm Beach, Florida in 1936 to directthe Beach Club, four Polo Fields and the GulfstreamProperties. His real estate investments and operationswere a parallel career to his recreational andrehabilitation youth work.

In 1942 Harry [olned the Navy and became AthleticOfficer of a large convoy base at Guantanamo Bay.After four years of active duty he joined the NavalReserves for twenty years.

He moved to Orlando to take the posltlon of ChiefProbation Counsellor and helped found the Boys Clubof Orlando, now called the Central Florida Boys andGirls Club.

In 1975 Harry became director of the Boys Club ofLake County and his influence and guidance led to the"Man and Boys" award in 1985. This organizationdeveloped a day care center for working motherswhere the children could be left before and afterschool hours until the mothers picked them up afterwork. He still serves on their Board of Directors, underthe capable hands of Executive Director DarrellEdwards, who shares his name but is not related. Thisorganization is now for both boys and girls.

Harry was one of two laymen along with 20attorneys, on the Governor's Committee to establishlaws and procedures for the Juvenile Courts ofFlorida.

In Palatka, Florida, Harry started the Boys Ranch, ahome for delinquent and homeless boys, second of itskind in the United States.

Harry held a real estate broker's license in NorthCarolina and Florida. He taught an adult real estatecourse at the Daytona Beach Junior College. StetsonCollege appointed him Career Guidance Director andhe taught courses in real estate in their BusinessSchool.

Harry and his wife Mary Lou came to Hawthorne inOctober, 1974. He continued his social work in thisarea. He was also very active on the original HRCAboard of directors and influential in making the propermoves and contacts which enabled us to buy ourbeloved Park.

Congratulations to Harry for a lifetime of service tohis fellow man. We extend our best wishes for manymore years of health and sharing.

Anna K. Merlino

Harry Edwards is very proud of the work he does with youngboys and this is his latest trophy. But his greatest reward isin seeing these boys grow to useful manhood. (Nat Bodingerphoto)

Harry Edwards, up close and personal, was 82 yearsold in May and suffers from Parkinson's Syndromewhich limits the use of his hands in many ways. HisMary Lou has been in the Eustis Manor Nursing Homesince 1983 and he visits her practically every day.

Harry has over 1000 miles back-packing over theAppalachian Trail from Georgia to Virginia. And has260 miles back-packing in the Grand Canyon ofArizona. He lived in the Canyon with a HavasupaiIndian tribe for 15 days. Here he saw one of the mostmemorable and beautiful Sights of his entire life whenhe watched horses romping through the fields in themoonlight from his sleeping bag. He won the hearts ofthe Indians by helping the boys polish their basketballskills. These kids rode horseback up the trail for 12miles to the canyon rim and then rode a school bus 70miles for a basketball game.

Harry started riding a bicycle in 1976 for exerciseand by 1984 he says he "got serious about it", for inthe spring of 1984 he took his first Florida Safari of 340miles, and then that summer, he did a 540 mile ride inIowa. The Florida Safaris are from 340 to 440 miles andHarry rode in 1985 and 1986 but had to miss the one in1987 because of his wife's illness.

He rides 50 to 60 miles a week around the streetsof Hawthorne, then every Saturday when the weatheris good, he rides a 50-mile-round-trip to Clermont forbreakfast then across country through Groveland andCenter Hill and back to complete the 50 miles.

Harry has received 7 Presidential sports awardsfrom the Government Physical Fitness Program for hisbicycling, back-packing and running.

This is one man's way to cope.

Out to LunchIf I do say so myself, I have really adjusted very

well to my husband's retirement. I've grownaccustomed to sleeping later in the morning andlingering over a somewhat larger breakfast. I havemanaged to explain to Jim that I organize my pantryshelves according to a container's content and not byits shape or size. I've achieved the ability to refrainfrom comment when Jim is hovering over me and mur-muring "What's for dinner?" while I prepare a meal. Iam even willing to watch Vanna White on "Wheel ofFortune" once in a while;

However, I just cannot accept the idea of planningand implementing a lunch menu SEVEN days of theweek when for years in the pre-retirement stageSaturday and Sunday were the only lunch-at-homedays. To me breakfast is easy: cereal with banana,bagels or English muffins, raisin toast with peanutbutter. And dinner has always been a stimulatingchallenge to my culinary creativity. But lunch? EVERYday? I can think of tunafish sandwiches one day andham and swiss cheese the next, but what in the worlddo I do for the other five days?

I'm not really complaining, though, because I'mvery fortunate. Jim is positively angelic when it comesto overlooking this I-refuse-to-get-Iunch quirk. Do youknow what he did this last week? On Thursdaymorning he suggested taking a ride to Ocala and,since I am very cooperative except about lunches, Iagreed to go. When we got as far as Palm Plaza, heturned in.

"What are you doing?" I asked. "I thought you saidwe were going to Ocala."

"I'd just like to stop here first," he said. "You canfind some small item to purchase at the supermarket,can't you?"

"Of course, Jim," I replied. "We can always use acan of tunafish."

Jim piloted me into the store, murmuring that ashopping cart would not be necessary. Then he gentlypropelled me toward the rear, until we encountered amost appetizing aroma.

"Good morning," he said to the smiling womantending an electric frypan. "What do we have for lunchtoday? It sure smells good."

"It's a special treat," she answered."Cheeseburgers! And they are made with our first-grade quality ground beef, tasty cheese, and freshlymade buns from our bakery."

"Great!" Jim exclaimed and, turning to me, "Here,honey, try one of these. I'm sure you'll like it."

I COUldn't deny it was a delicious morsel and, as amatter of fact, we each ate two. Pretty soon Jim wasmoving me along to the bakery department.

"This pumpernickel bread just came out of theoven," said the bakery attendant as she offered us aplate of dark-brown cubes. "And over here is ourdelicious pound cake, made from our special recipe."Naturally, we tried both bread and cake and gobbledthem up with enjoyment. Then Jim led me along to thedeli counter. On top of the counter was a platter withgenerous chunks of bologna, something we learnedwas olive loaf, and two kinds of cheese.

"Help yourself, dear," Jim told me. "Be sure totaste each kind." As always, I followed his instruc-tions. I didn't really care for the olive loaf, but the

bologna and cheeses were very good.Next came the fruit and vegetable department. "I

see we have fresh pineapple today," Jim commented,handing me a large juice-dripping piece impaled on atoothpick.

"M-m-m, that's good," I said, "but I'm getting alittle thirsty."

Without a word Jim directed me to a display oforange- and grapefruit-juice cartons. Next to them wasa dispensing machine with a stack of paper cupsbeside it. He filled a cup and gave it to me, saying,"This will quench your thirst, I'm sure." I drank it quick-ly and then followed him to the front of the store.

"Would you like some ice cream?" inquired ayoung woman with a display table set up in front of thefreezers. "We have several flavors - butter almond,chocolate, strawberry royal. .."

"Oh! Strawberry is my favorite!" I exclaimed andaccepted a heaped-up dish from her.

"Did you like that?" Jim asked. "Now it's just abouttime to go, but I suppose we'd better buy something orother before we leave."

"Tunafish?" I suggested."Well, all right," he said. "And wasn't that a good

lunch? When we come tomorrow we'll find a complete-ly different menu. Maybe we'd better plan on Saturday,too."

As I have mentioned, I am very cooperative, so Ihastily concurred. I was happy to do so. Not only did Ihave a can of tuna on hand for one of next week's lun-ches, but also I had managed, with the help of mythoughtful husband, to get out of preparing lunch forone day at least.

Marie L. Richardson

Gene Tidwell, who lives at 115 Royal Palm Drive,caught this 6% pound bass in the Palatlakaha riverthe second week in April this year.

Gene and his Pat moved to Hawthorne on June 30,1986 from Mt. Gretna, PA. Gene was an engineer withAlcoa, retiring as Maintenance Superintendent after40 years of employment there. (Photo from Tidwellcollection)

TravelogueSt. Augustine and the Fountain of Youth

One of the many advantages of living at Hawthorneis the central location near the Gulf and the AtlanticOcean. This location affords us many beaches and in-teresting sights to tour for a day, weekend or longer.

St. Augustine, Florida is located on a narrow pointof land where three rivers meet the Atlantic Ocean,and is only a two hour drive from here. This city isrenowned as the oldest city in the United States, andfor the many historical spots which have beenrestored in recent years.

Ponce de Leon, Spanish explorer, discoveredFlorida when he was searching for a magic "Fountainof Youth." According to legend, anyone who bathed inthe waters would become young again. Ponce arrivedin Florida on Easter Sunday (Pascua Florida) whenbeautiful flowers were blooming so he named thearea, Florida.

The city still has a Spanish flavor with wrought ironbalconies, patios and walled gardens. There is asection of the city with high rises, and industry.Shrimp and vegetable canneries, lumber and boatfac-tories are in evidence, but tourism leads.

Tourists can visit the oldest Fort in the UnitedStates, San Marcos National Monument, the OldestWooden School House under three flags on quaintGeorge Street, and the Pan American Center, once thesite of an 18th century orchard. The Oldest Missionand Shrine is located where St. Augustine wasfounded in 1565.

Other interesting spots are: The Old City Gate oncethe main entrance to the city, the Lightner Museum inthe City Hall, formerly the Alcazar Hotel, built by

The oldest wooden School House under three flags standson quaint old St. George Street in St. Augustine, FL, justwithin the Old City Gates. As evidence a Spanish map of1788 shows this cedar red house "in fair condition".

Henry Flagler. Tour buses are available or picturesquehorsedrawn carriages on romantic Aviles Street.

There is even a Ponce de Leon lodge which is amodern golf and tennis resort providing activities forvacations. This resort offers a cloverleaf pool, 18-t'l0Iegolf, nearby beaches, and of course superb sight-seeing in historic St. Augustine.

Oh, and don't forget, that is in case you areinterested, in a park with evergreens and flowers awrought iron archway beckons and beguiles with thesign:

ENTRANCE TO THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH!

Elnora Bolan

County Commissioner Don Bailey and our Ann Skelding show off the new sign that was installed alongsideU.S. 27 at Lake Harris in April this year. And this is how that came about. Several people who came throughLeesburg to Hawthorne would ask what was the beautiful lake they passed just up the road. Ann wondered outloud why there was no sign on that lake and finally, Commissioner Bailey decided that was one situation thatshould be remedied and he did it. So now when you drive by the Lake Harris picnic area along U.S. 27, look for thenew green sign (at right). An identical sign has also been installed at the north entrance to the park that can beseen coming from Leesburg, south.

"Hobbies" by Reba

Pianos - But Read On

Four big grand pianos and a harpsichord in amobile home at one time?

That's right. Of course John O'Laughlin had tohave an addition built on the back of his home onBougainvillea Drive, but that was no problem for aman that has a hobby as big as his. He rebuilds oldreproducing grand pianos and has completed eightright here for Lake County residents.

O'Laughlin gets calls from all over the country torepair and rebuild these pianos, but he works only onhis favorites, the Steinway and Chickering. He literallytears the instruments down and rebuilds them withnew wire, leather and rubber tubings. Then he repairsand refinishes the outside casings, which is one of themost important parts of the rebuilding work.

John, who graduated from Iowa State University asan engineer went on to become a manufacturingrepresentative, traveling allover the country. Later, heand his wife Harriet and their two children settleddown on a farm in Iowa and built up a large herd ofcattle for a dairy farming venture. But it wasn't longbefore the couple became tired of getting up at 4 a.m.every morning to supervise the care of the herd, sothey sold out.

Being an engineer at heart, O'Laughlin neededsomething to work on and with his big empty farmbuildings, decided to put them to use and started col-lecting church and theater organs.

At that time there was a scarcity of larqe-orqanrepairmen available and this looked like an interestingand lucrative way to make a living and have a goodtime doing it.

So the word spread and O'Laughlin soon had ninebig organs in his haybarn with various parts and steelpipes strewn about in the stalls and pens whichformerly held prize cattle.

Astonished neighbors could not understand that,instead of the sound of soft mooing of cows, all of asudden there was loud, billowing organ sounds com-ing from the big barns.

After years of organ work, the genial gentleman'sinterest turned to the mechanics of the player piano.Although he says he is not a musician, he admittedthat he played sax and clarinet in a small combo whilein college. However the piano sound became his firstlove.

As his enthusiasm and experience grew, Johnfound that there were many big time piano artists whowere making player piano recordings and that theSteinway and Chickering companies were makingrolls that had special loud and soft expression tones

John O'Laughlin unrolls a bit of one of the paper rolls toshow the punched holes that cause the music to bereproduced. This is one small part of the walls where he hasmore than 5000 ro/ls stored in a temperature controlled roomin his home here. An expensive and time consuming hobby ofpure pleasure. (Nat Bodinger photo) C

printed in the paper rolls. These sounds caught thereal mood of the famous artists.

O'Laughlin joined the 1400 member AMIA(Automatic Musical Interest Assn.) and became presi-dent of the Southeast Border chapter. He is still on theInternational board of that organization.

That is only one part of this man's unusual life.Mr. O'Laughlin has collected more than 5200 rare

old player piano rolls which are all categorized andshelved on the walls of the temperature-controlledroom on the back of his house.

He has everything from Listz's "Liebestraum,"Chopin's "Nocturne" and Beethoven's "TurkishMarch" to rinkey-tink piano roll blues numbers byLawrence Welk's Irene Castle. There is hardly a singlepiece of music ever reproduced on a roll that isn'tlisted in O'Laughlin's collection.

Many of the rolls have actually been played by theoriginal composers and are personally autographedon the beginning of the roll. Among these are numbersby George Gershwin, Victor Herbert and many others.

O'Laughlin claims that the player piano roll isreally the grand daddy of our present day computers,and explained the reason. "Unbalanced vacuum air ispumped through the various holes in special paper.This is controlled by floating leather valves which in-struct the mechanics what to do," he said. (For moreinformation on this, please call Mr. 0.)

John now keeps his two favorites - a Steinway inthe living room and a Chickering in the piano roomstrictly for audience participation. Many schoolchildren and the Hawthorne Music Appreciation grouphave been guests of the O'Loughlins. In closing, Johnsaid, "By the way - tell the folks that anytime theywant to come in and hear our music, just comea-knockln' at our door. Everyone's welcome."

Reba Heintzelman

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