AMICA Convention 2017 , , Canada August 8-13, 2017 By Terry Smythe (assisted by Alan Turner and Glenn Thomas), Photos by Terry Smythe and Glenn Thomas

Background entire train to ourselves on Wednesday, for a one-hour A year of intense planning and organization by our ride to Grosse Isle, a nearby town that arranged a lunch. International President Alan Turner resulted in a first-class Upon arrival at Grosse Isle, word leaked out that among us convention, marked by a smooth day-by-day schedule to were two desperados. As the train came to a halt, it was surrounded by the local “sheriff” and many her deputies, all great events. Alan came up with the ideas, the venues, on horseback. They dismounted, boarded the coaches and negotiated timing and prices, menus, transportation, bus arrested the two bad guys, who turned out to be AMICA captains and moving his own instruments to and from the President Alan Turner and MBSI President Judy Caletti. hotel. They were escorted off the train, ordered to “assume the position”, and read their rights.

Fort Garry Hotel - host Hospitality room, registration desk. Several of Alan Turner’s pianos shown

The Hotel From there, they The main venue for our convention was the elegant, historic were locked up in Fort Garry Hotel, built in 1912 by the Grand Trunk Pacific the local jailhouse, Railway. It has been lovingly restored by the current owners where we were to its former grandeur. Our annual banquet was held in its invited to pay their magnificent concert ballroom on the 7th floor. See: http:// fines and/or bail www.fortgarryhotel.com/. http://tinyurl.com/ycxrelzj. money. Sufficient http://tinyurl.com/ybojd624. monies emerged as if by magic, and In the Beginning they were released As Alan has the only collection of automatic instruments Fort Garry Hotel - host from jail. The monies here in Winnipeg, he graciously made available his 1936 collected went to a Chickering Ampico B grand piano, 1919 Sherlock Manning local charity. pumper player piano, Seeburg KT orchestrion, Cremona Style 2 nickelodeon, and c. 1860-cylinder music box. Alan Grosse Isle Sheriff and her deputies on horseback deftly recruited family and friends to help with numerous surrounding the train. Proceeds of Fines/Bail awarded to tasks including our registration desk, bus captains, assisting Dr. Bryan Magwood, Executive Director of Our Own Health caterers, and numerous other tasks. Centre Inc., presented by Founding Member Richard Reutlinger, from AMICA members who “bailed out” Judy Board Meeting Caletti and Alan Turner from jail in Grosse Isle. Alan Turner brought our Board Meeting to order at 9:00am, and completed it before noon. Rainbow Stage Within the time frame of our convention, Winnipeg outdoor Prairie Dog Central theatre stage - Rainbow Stage - was presenting Mama Mia, The Prairie Dog Central is an authentic 1882 steam a delightful musical presentation. We enjoyed a wonderful locomotive, pulling an array of passenger cars from c. 1906. evening performance of a near “Broadway” quality show. See http://pdcrailway.com. Convention attendees had the 40 AMICA Bulletin -November/December 2017

Prairie Dog Railway train, inside, and desperados in jail

Prairie Dog Railway train, inside, and desperados in jail Prairie DogAssiniboine Railway train, Park inside, and desperados in jail See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assiniboine_Park. RainbowWe Stage visited the 1,100-acre Assiniboine Park, formed in http://tinyurl.com/ycdksl3e. http://tinyurl.com/ybmy62hk. 1906, to see the Polar Bear Conservation Centre, the Leo http://tinyurl.com/ycfuxptx. WithinRainbow the timeMol Stage Sculpture frame of Gardens, our convention, and the English Winnipeg Gardens, outdoor followed theatre stage - Rainbow Stage - was presenting Mama Mia, a delightfulWithin the musicalby time a catered fr presentation.ame lunch. of our The convention,We park enjoyed also embraces Winnipega wonderful a outdoor400-acre evening theatre performanceCanada stage Museum of- Rainbowa near “Broadway”for Stage Human - was quality Rights presenting show. Mama Mia, a delightful naturalmusical forest presentation. across the street, We which enjoyed houses a wonderful a natural deer evening The Canadian performance Museum of fora near Human “Broadway” Rights (CMHR) quality is the show. population within city limits. first museum solely dedicated to the evolution, celebration Assiniboine Climate Park change is seriously affecting the polar bear and future of human rights. It is the first national museum We visited populationthe 1,100 -ofacre Northern Assiniboine Manitoba, Park, so informed 2012, inthe 1906, Journey to seeto thebe builtPolar in Bearnearly Conservation half a century, Centre,and the firstthe Leooutside Mol the Assiniboineto Churchill Park was built within the Assiniboine Park. It actively National Capital , Ontario. It emerged from the vision Sculpture Gardens, and the English Gardens, followed by a catered lunch. The park also embraces a 400-acre natural forest We visitedcontributes the 1,100 to- acreenvironmental Assiniboine and Park,wildlife formed research in 1906,and ofto a see Winnipeg the Polar Property Bear Conservation Centre, the Leo Mol across the street, which houses a natural deer population within city limits. Sculptureconservation, Gardens, and with thefocus English on polar Gardens, bears. Abandoned followe dpolar by a cateredDeveloper/Philanthropist lunch. The park Israel also Asper. embraces Unfortunately, a 400- acrehe natural forest Climate changebear cubs is seriously are often affecting rehabilitated the inpolar this center.bear population While not of passedNorthern on Manitoba, before seeing so in his 2012, vision the realized. Journey Histo Churchill family wasacross built the withinpossible street, the to Assiniboinewhich return themhouses to Park. the a wild, natural It actively they aredeer acontributes source population for zoos to environmentalwithin resumed city hislimits. quest and wildlifeand with research support from and Manitoba, conservation, Canada with focusClimate on polarchangeworldwide. bears. is seriously Abandoned affecting polar bearthe polarcubs arebear often population rehabilitatedand of private Northern in thisdonations, center. Manitoba, the Whilemuseum so not in emerged 2012,possible inthe itsto Journey finalreturn form them to Churchill to thewas wild, built they within are thea source Assiniboine for zoos Park. worldwide. It actively contributes toin 2008.environmental We had the and opportunity wildlife for research a guided andtour throughconservation, with focus on polarBefore bears.he passed Abandoned on in 2009, Dr. polar Leo Mol,bear an cubs internationally are often thisrehabilitated impressive museum.in this center. While not possible to return them to Beforethe wild, he theypassedknown are sculptor on a insource 2009, of Ukrainian forDr. zoosLeo heritage,Mol, worldwide. an internationallyarranged a gift knownof See sculptor also: https://humanrights.ca/about. of Ukrainian heritage, arranged a gift of many of his pieces tomany the of City his piecesof Winnipeg. to the City The of Winnipeg.City seized The the City opportunity seized to create a sculpture garden featuring his work, which we the opportunity to create a sculpture garden featuring his Annual Pumper Contest hadBefore the privilegehe passed of touring.on in 2009, Dr. Leo Mol, an internationally known sculptor of Ukrainian heritage, arranged a gift of many of work, which we had the privilege of touring. Our annual Pumper Content produced about a dozen Wehis hadpieces the topleasure the City of ofvisiting Winnipeg. the English The GardensCity seized within the the opportunity Park,contestants. a delightful, to create It was peaceful precededa sculpture tour. by previous gardenFor a winnerphoto featuring Juliandisplay Dyerhis of work,this which we gardhaden, the see: privilege http://tinyurl.com/y7lepta5 of touring. .

FollowingWe had thethese pleasure events, ofwe visiting had a cateredthe English lunch Gardens in the park wi alongsidethin the Park, a delightful, peaceful tour. For a photo display of this agard largeen, duck see: pond, http://tinyurl.com/y7lepta5 frequented by many kinds. of water fowl including numerous Canada Geese. Following these events, we had a catered lunch in the park alongside Seea large also: duck https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assiniboine_Park pond, frequented by many kinds of water. fowl including http://tinyurl.com/ycdksl3numerous Canada Geese.e. http://tinyurl.com/ybmy62hk . http://tinyurl.com/ycfuxptx. See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assiniboine_Park. http://tinyurl.com/ycdksl3Full room of conventioneerse. http://tinyurl.com/ybmy62hk Winner Mike Walter. holding the http://tinyurl.com/ycfuxptxenjoying AMICA’s. signature “golden footsie” trophy presented by Canada Museum“pumper for contest.”Human Rights Jere DeBacker The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) is the first museum solelyWe had dedicated the pleasure to the of visitingevolution, the Englishcelebration Gardens and within future of humanCanada rights.the Museum Park, It is athe delightful, first for national Human peaceful museum tour. Rights For to a be photo built display in nearly of half a century, andthis garden,the first see: outside http://tinyurl.com/y7lepta5. the National Capital Ottawa, Ontario. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) is the first It emerged from the vision of a Winnipeg Property museum solelyFollowing dedicated these events, to the we hadevolution, a catered celebration lunch in the parkand future of Developer/Philanthropist Israel Asper. Unfortunately, he passed on alongside a large duck pond, frequented by many kinds of human rights. It is the first national museum to be built in nearly half The stunning Human Rights Museum before seeingwater his fowl vision including realized. numerous His Canada family resumedGeese. his quest and witha century, support and from the Manitoba, first outside Canada the and National private Capital donations, Ottawa, the Ontario. museumIt emerged emerged from thein its vision final formof a Winnipegin 2008. We PropertyAMICA had the Bulletin opportunity -November/December 2017 41 forDeve a guidedloper/Philanthropist tour through this Israel impressive Asper. museum. Unfortunat ely, he passed on Seebefore also: seeing https://humanrights.ca/about his vision realized. His. family resumed his quest and with support from Manitoba, Canada and private donations, the museum emerged in its final form in 2008. We had the opportunity The stunning Human Rights Museum for a guided tour through this impressive museum. See also: https://humanrights.ca/about .

The stunning Human Rights Museum

who showed us how it is done and what the judges will be Winnipeg Art Gallery looking for. This year’s winner was Mike Walters. Winnipeg’s premier Art Gallery was the site of our special event, open to the public. Our presence there started with a Workshops self-guided tour. We were fortunate that timing for our event This year, we had three workshops, two of them conducted coincided with the gallery’s display of works by Picasso. by Winnipeg residents. Terry Smythe from Winnipeg has been building AMICA’s on-line research library for 10+ years Illustrated Songs & Silent Films and discussed its contents and how to access it for personal At the art gallery’s Muriel Richardson Auditorium, we enjoyed research. He also focused on additional internet resources an evening of entertainment listening to Frederick Hodges and tips for document preparation, and encouraged all members to ensure personal ephemera collections are protected and shared. Original literature is extremely fragile and their contents need to be digitized while still possible. The real value is in the published content.

Liz Barnhart conducted her annual Cross Stitch workshop, product of which emerged as a special surprise at the Annual Membership Meeting on Sunday. Hermetic Code Tour Within the many AMICA Conventions I attended, the Hermetic Code Tour of Manitoba’s Legislative Buildings was an amazing treat. Dr. Frank Albo, an architectural historian researched the construction of this building and the people Bruce Newman, presenting “Building Organ Pipes” behind it. A fascinating tour. He took us through the entire

Terry Smythe on “Preserving our Heritage” Local Winnipeg piano technician, Stan Kroeker, gave us a presentation on piano myths and technical tips. building, starting with the exterior, pointing out a huge array of Masonic symbolism hiding in plain sight. Out of this at the piano accompanying Sean Sharp’s vocal renditions research, The Hermetic Code book was written. This fine of Vaudeville-era music. The evening started with Sean book was presented as this year’s table favor. Sharp, singing an array of period songs, supported by hand

Manitoba legislative building Hermetic Tour underway within the Black Star chamber

42 AMICA Bulletin -November/December 2017 Hermetic Code Tour Within the many AMICA Conventions I attended, the Hermetic Code Tour of Manitoba's Legislative Buildings was an amazing treat. Dr. Frank Albo, an architectural historian researched the construction of this building and the people behind it. A fascinating tour. He took us through the entire building, starting with the exterior, pointing out a huge array of Masonic symbolism hiding in plain sight. Out of this research, The Hermetic Code book was written. This fine book was presented as this year’s table favor.

Hermetic Tour underway within the Black Star chamber

Manitoba legislative building

colored slides in anWinnipeg emulation Art of Galleryburlesque era promotion of Winnipeg's premier Art Gallery was the site of our special event, new songs. He was accompanied by Frederick Hodges. open to the public. Our presence there started with a self-guided Then the lights wenttour. down We wereand fortunatewe were th treatedat timing to for two our silent event coincided with films – “Get theOut gallery's and Getdisplay Under” of works featuring by Picasso. Harold Lloyd, and “Their Purple Moment” featuring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Silent films are rarelyFollowing shown in our Winnipeg, self-guided so tour, the we enjoyed a catered dinner in the rooftop Storm Café. event was open to the public.

Lower Fort Garry Following our self-guided tour, we enjoyed On the west bank of the Red River, 30 km north of Winnipeg, a catered dinner in the rooftop Illustrated Songs & Silent Films Storm Café. Lower Fort Garry’sAt sturdythe art gallery'sstone fort Muriel marks Richardson a turning Auditorium, point in we enjoyed an evening of entertainment Canada’s history listeningwith the to making Frederick of HodgesTreaty No.at the 1, piano the first accompanying of Sean Sharp’s vocal renditions of the numbered treaties.Vaudeville The-era Fort music. was Thehome evening to the started Hudson’s with Sean Sharp, singing an array of period Bay Company andsongs, a hub supported for the byFirst hand Nations colored trappers slides in an and emulation of burlesque era promotion of new songs. He was accompanied by Frederick Hodges. Then the lights went down and we were treated to two silent films – “Get Out and Get Under” featuring Harold Lloyd, and “Their Purple Moment” featuring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Silent films are rarely shown in Winnipeg, so the event was open to the public.

Sean Sharp

Sing along Frederick Hodges accompanying Sean Sharp a silent movie

Hudson’s Bay Company traders who helped build modern western Canada. From the 1830s, the original buildings still stand, ringed by limestone walls and Sing along faithfully restored by Parks Canada. Our group had a tour of the Fort, populated by people in period costume going about 1880 daily lives. Frederick Hodges accompanying a silent movie Half Moon Drive-In Since it first opened in 1938, the Half Moon Drive-In has become a famous Manitoba destination. A family drive along the Red River for a deluxe dog has become Arerial view of Lower Fort Garry a tradition. The spring of 1983 saw the old Half Moon close its doors and a larger, more modern restaurant opened its doors closer to the historic St. Andrews Lock and Dam. The Half Moon has become a favorite destination of the Manitoba Classic and Antique Auto Club, which scheduled a Meet and Greet to coincide with our visit. Because of publicity in the Winnipeg Free Press, a representative of the local Dutch Cultural Society contacted Alan Turner and graciously offered to bring their 1911 Gasparini Dutch street organ for our enjoyment.

The magnificent Gasparini Dutch street organ entertaining AMICA group during lunch

AMICA Bulletin -November/December 2017 43 Representatives of the old car club showed their vehicles along with the organ at lunch Westminster Church Organ members appearing in period costume, with great music by Westminster United Church in Winnipeg, c. 1912, has a the Ricky Bogart Orchestra lead by Peter Sarmatiuk. Casavant Frères pipe organ that has been carefully maintained and updated throughout the years. Our group Farewell Breakfast was privileged to attend a recital and description by Don Our Farewell Breakfast was held in the 7th Floor Concert Menzies, who was appointed Organist in October 1966. Ballroom, directed by President Alan Turner, who began with He is co-founder of the Westminster Concert Organ Series, an aboriginal prayer song by Harmony Knott, followed by a which started in 1989 and performs frequently as part of that summary of Board Meeting proceedings. Jere DeBacker series. He guided us through the history of the organ, Op. awarded the AMICA International Award to Doug Hershberger 481 (1912) demonstrating the various stops and voices this for outstanding contributions to the field of automatic music magnificent instrument can produce.

Casavant Frères pipe organcles

Westminster United Church and the Leo Ornstein Award to Terry Hathaway for his outstanding contributions in building and maintaining his Annual Banquet Mechanical Music Press website. Alan Turner presented Our Fort Garry Hotel venue has a gorgeous, elegant President’s Awards to Warren Trachtman and John Motto- ballroom on its 7th floor, fitted out in the style which we love to Ros for their long and dedicated service to AMICA and our embrace. We had a memorable evening marked by several collecting community over many years, never seeking formal recognition. 44 AMICA Bulletin -November/December 2017

Enjoying the banquet at dinner, on the dance Mike and Liz Barnhart in period costume, and proudly displaying their first AMICA convention badge from 1970. floor, and listening to the band Mike and Liz Barnhart in period costume, and proudly Enjoying the banquet at dinner, on the dance Long-time members, they have attended virtually every floor, and listening to the band displaying their first AMICA convention badge from 1970. conventionLong-time since members, 1970. they have attended virtually every convention since 1970. Farewell BreakfastFarewell Breakfast Our FarewellEnjoying Breakfast theOur banquet Farewellwas heldat Breakfast dinner, in the on was the7th helddance Floor in floor,the Concert 7th FloorMike ConcertBallroom, and LizBallroom, Barnhart directed directed in period by by President Presidentcostume, andAla Alan proudly Turner,n Turner, dis who- beganwho withbegan an with an aboriginal prayer songaboriginaland by listeningHarmony prayer to song the Knott bandby Harmony , followed Knott by, followed a playingsummary by a their summary firstof Board AMICAof Board Meetingconvention Meeting proceedings.proceedings.badge from 1970. Jere Jere Long-DeBacker DeBacker awarded awarded the AMICA International Award to Doug Hershbergertime members, for outstanding they have contributi attendedons tovirtually the field every of automatic convention music and the Leo the AMICA International Award to Doug Hershberger for outstanding contributions to the field of automatic music and the Leo Open HouseOrnstein Award to Terry Hathaway for his outstandingsince 1970. contributions in building and maintaining his Mechanical Music Press Ornstein AwardOn Sunday to afternoon,Terrywebsite. Hathaway Alanour Hospitality Turner for presented Roomhis outstanding was President’s opened Awardsto contributions to Warren Trachtmanin building and and John maintaining Motto-Ros for theirhis Mechanicallong and dedicated Music Press website. Alanthe public. Turner Veryservice presentedencouraging to AMICA attendance President’s and our collectingbased Awards in part community on to the Warren over many Trachtman years, never and seeking John formal Mot recognition.to-Ros for their long and dedicated service toadvance AMICA publicity and our in the collecting Winnipeg Free community Press. over many years, never seeking formal recognition.

Liz Barnhart awarding the result of her Cross Stitch workshop Liz Barnhart to Alan Turnerawarding - a miniature the result Canadaof herflag! Cross Stitch workshop to Alan

Turner - a miniature Canada flag!

Frank Nix awarding an "Atta Boy" to Alan Turner for a hugely successful convention.

Frank Nix awarding an “Atta Boy” to Alan Turner for a Liz Barnhart awarding the result of

Frank Nixhugely awarding successful an convention. "Atta Boy" to Alan Turner her Cross Stitch workshop to Alan for a hugely successfulOpen convention.House Turner - a miniature Canada flag! On Sunday afternoon, our HospitalityAMICA Bulletin Room -November/December was opened to the 2017public. Very encouraging attendance based45 in part on the advance publicity in the Winnipeg Free Press.

Open House On Sunday afternoon, our Hospitality Room was opened to the public. Very encouraging attendance based in part on the advance publicity in the Winnipeg Free Press.