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Volume Three - Issue Eight
The Control Room - Richard Mogridge - Webmaster
Walnut Hill Productions Daily News |
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Greetings from the Bone Doctor. I want to thank the 27,602 visitors to our site since January 1st of 2005. God bless all who come here, for you are welcome in the Land of the King! Major Shake-Up For ATOSThis was posted on the Theatre Organ Home Page mailing list by Tremulant Off on August 31st of 2006. We quote him below usint blue text. Those he quotes are in green text. For those of you needing to know the true reasons for the mass resignation of ATOS board members yesterday, read this extremely long posting. It contains the resignation letters submittied to ATOS by resigning board members via electronic mail yesterday. There is now no room for conjecture and no room for speculation. The reasons are clear. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Letter of Resignation from Bob DavidsonDear ATOS Secretary, In view of the secret board meeting with a private guest list and exclusion of five other board members conducted by conference call yesterday, 8/29/2006, the phone call from Director, Don Near, to notify me of the Board majority to remove me from office, and the subsequent email letter received from ATOS Vice President, Michael Fellenzer, it is clear that an illegal coup has taken place. Since my election to the Office of President the end of May, there has continued to be a relentless attack on me personally by this handful of Directors that did not support the ballot for me as President. The July 6, 2006, conference call was nothing more than a demonstration of power and resulted not only in the firing of Dan Bellomy as Web Site Manager but sending a message to those of us that did not bend to their every liking to be on notice that we can be replaced. It is apparent that my term of President will contribute to nothing more than continued problems and issues for ATOS as this select few will continue to mire us into political arguments and contribute to no value added contributions to ATOS. This group has continued to stretch, ignore, and interpret our bylaws and policies to achieve there personal agendas. The contribution of these few are so filled with vengeance and animosity for previous actions taken by the Board that no true positive work on behalf of ATOS will be undertaken at all until the changes they want are completed. From Jelani Eddington's most recent email stating numerous research into California Corporate Law to defend his own actions but yet doing nothing in the past two years of his term as a Director to ensure that our bylaws and policies conform to California Law, has frustrated me to the point that I cannot truly function in a positive manner as the ATOS President. Therefore, it is only fitting with much regret that I tender my resignation as President of ATOS effectively immediately. I have no desire to continue to try and uphold our bylaws and policies as written with continued personal attacks from these individuals. I also have no desire to defend myself in a "Kangaroo Court" setting as was conducted on July 6, 2006, for the purpose of disposing of Dan Bellomy as our Web Site Manager. This has been the personal agenda of these individuals from the adjournment of the 2006 Annual Board Meeting as it has been clear for the past two months they are seeking revenge for not getting the candidats they prefer elected. They defend the actions of their own, whether right or wrong as in the case of Michael Fellenzer's refusal to release the ATOS Domain control as directed by the Board, to persecute those of us trying to lead ATOS in a positive manner. Rather than continue to be a part of this humiliating situation, it is better for me to step down as President and allow them to self destruct ATOS on their own. Sincerely, Bob Davidson Letter of Resignation from Nelson PageMichael Fellenzer ATOS Vice-President Dear Michael, I hereby resign my position as a member of the American Theatre Organ Society Board of Directors effective immediately. Respectfully submitted, Nelson Page Letter of Resignation from Jack MoelmannTO: The ATOS President (whoever that currently may be August 30, 2006 or to Whom It May Concern: Subject: Letter of Resignation This is probably the most difficult letter I have ever had to write. For the "legal beavers", I am writing this in accordance with paragraph 5.4 of theATOS bylaws which for the legally minded states: "Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board of Directors, to the President, or to the Secretary of the Society. Any such resignation shall take effect on the date of receipt of such notice or at any later time specified therein, and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective." This is not now a threat which I have been accused of making, but is now a fact. Therefore, I resign my 2006-2007 term as ATOS Secretary effective immediately and with many regrets, more than you will ever know. (In accordance with the above, I shouldn't have to send it to anyone but myself as Secretary, but thought I should send it to all of you as the Board and the President whoever that is or will be, and the staff for their information, ref moelmann vs ATOS, August 2006, as filed someplace. As you know, or maybe you don't know, who knows, I have served continuously on the Board of Directors of ATOS since 1983 when I was first elected and served as Secretary since 1995. All of those years will be and are great memories for me and I hope that I have served ATOS well in various capacities including President from 1985-1988. During that time I have met and worked with a lot of wonderful people, helped with guiding our organization through many hurdles, developed many friendships, and served formally or informally on many committees as well as serving our membership with information when they needed it. Never during that time have I ever been more disappointed and frustrated than I have been in the last few months. You, the Board (not necessarily the staff), have been very divided in what you have tried to do to undermine the great work of the organization. Your action in firing Dan Bellomy was the beginning in July. A great guy, a personal friend, and a potentially hard worker had he been given the tools needed to do the job with the web site, and who had served on the Board for the previous six years dealing with his committee activities in an outstanding manner. Then the essentially firing (call it forced retirement, resignation, or whatever you want to call it) of our current President, Bob Davidson, because he wasn't at your beckoned call immediately or responsive to what you thought should be done and be done when you wanted it done, and what you were almost demanding him to do. You never gave him a change or supported what he could do. Then there are those who ignored Fr. Gus Franklin as the immediate Past President, while not having a vote, but not including him initially in applicable correspondence and inviting his experience as a Past President. He was just thrown out "with the bath water". Just three months ago some self-proclaimed experts joined the Board and thought that they knew everything which they didn't. They just weren't happy with the way things were going. Job descriptions were ignored (some which haven't been updated in perhaps 10 years, e.g. Education Committee dated 1997), we had chapter and verse on California Law and Supreme Court Cases (who cares) which really had nothing to do with the normal business of ATOS which has gone on for some 50 years now without problems or major concerns until now. There were and will continue to be personality conflicts with the people on the Board and I am not going to name names but I don't want to be part of it. It used to be a Board of Directors that got along socially, had fun, got things done, and admired and appreciated one another for what each and everyone had to offer be they musical talents, business expertise, or just being good people. Normal Board votes were unanimous. That is not the case now and won't be for a few years to come. I leave the Board with very strong mixed emotions but the greatest is knowing that I don't have to be involved with all of the fighting going on and don't look at the past or even care about the effect of these current activities on the future of both ATOS as an organization or what we are all about (yes I really do), presenting and saving the theatre organ artform. Personally, I look at the past as being named an Honorary Member of ATOS in 1994, presented a special award in 2003 for 20 years of continuous and faithful service to the Board of Directors, and will cherish these honors for years to come and will continue to be a proud member of ATOS. My life on and with the Board is history now but my love for ATOS and the theatre organ will live on forever. You can't take that away from me though you may try. I will attend conventions even though I have to pay for them myself, enjoy meeting with great friends and meeting new ones, and watching all of you and what you are doing playing in your sand box, hopefully for the betterment of ATOS but you better get a better organization going and get a better understanding of how to get along with people or you will fail. I hope to be able to continue with the ETONES and do what I can for that unless you want to replace me, but that's about all I will do. When you name a new Secretary, I will be glad to provide all of the files which I have and they are numerous and some more important to the organization than what some of this controversy is over concerning the files for the Journal held by Dale Baker. Come and get them. Sincerely yours, and with great regret I depart what was once a great Board of Directors, {sign by this date} J A C K M O E L M A N N, ATOS Secretary, Retired Letter of Resignation from William Russell HolmesAugust 30th, 2006 For the attention of: The Directors and Officers of the American Theatre Organ Society. With the resignation of the current ATOS President and 3 Past Presidents, I see today as the darkest day in the 51 year history of ATOS. Since the meeting in Tampa, it has been clear that ATOS is no longer functioning as a team with common goals and objectives. Indeed, if we look at what has been achieved in the last three months one can't find much to show for it, other than a hefty phone bill. The immediate resignation (as a Board member) of the newly appointed Vice President to provide a Board seat opening caused me much discomfort but I went along with it. However, the subsequent removal of Dan Bellomy as Web Site manager and the means in which that was achieved, led the organisation down a destructive path. As was often hinted at, it became quite apparent that it was only a matter of time before those that didn't vote or support Bob Davidson as President moved to have him removed from office. The actions and attitudes of certain Board members has led to the resignation and dismissal of individuals who have had nothing but ATOS' best interests at heart. The manner in which recent business has been conducted has certainly not been in the spirit and best traditions of the ATOS that I have been a part of for almost 20 years. It has come to my attention that a majority of the Board decided to hold a conference call meeting to discuss how to deal with the current President. The outcome from that call was Don Near's phone call and Michael Fellenzer's followup e-mail, which effectively was a 'resign or be removed' communication. The fact that I was not approached or included in this call demonstrates to me that my opinion or thoughts on this matter (and presumably future matters) are of no value to those that were involved in this process. The fact that I was not to be included or notified of his action shows a severe lack of trust. This point was further re-iterated this evening when I received a call from Don Near who had been asked to leave a 'Board' conference call to assess my intentions. If there was any hint of team work or trust then why wasn't I included in the call? I have deliberately been left out of these meetings which in itself demonstrates that you have no place for me in your current scheme. I had hoped that my involvement in ATOS would help the organisation continue to grow and be successful both on the International stage and with the Young Organist's Competition. However, under the current conditions, I feel that I have no role to play in the leadership of ATOS in its current form. Therefore, having thought long and hard about this, I have decided to resign my position as an elected Director of ATOS, effective immediately. This e-mail should therefore be considered as my formal resignation from this post, and associated committees. I have today completed an expenses claim form which I have submitted to the treasurer along with appropriate paperwork, for reimbursement of customary Convention and Mid Year meeting expenses and trust that these will be honored. Sincerely, Wm. Russell Holmes Letter of Resignation from Father Gus FranklinAugust 30, 2006 Dear Directors and Staff, It is with a heavy heart that I hereby submit my resignation as the ex-officio member of the ATOS Board of Directors, effective immediately. I simply cannot continue to be associated with a group that is clearly being motivated by personal agendas, rather than by the desire to further the goals and objectives of ATOS. Never in my life have I experienced such a nearly continuous display of moral and ethical bankruptcy, be it subtle or blatant. And it has been both. There are even paper trails of this and of the constant, behind-the-scenes orchestration of it which go back to, at least, last April. Enumeration of the incidents of this behavior is unnecessary. Those responsible know both who they are and what they have done. They must live with themselves and be accountable for their actions. After serving three years as Vice President and the following three years as President and being blessed by having a wonderful Board with whom to work, it is nearly impossible to believe what is currently happening. Without a doubt, this is most certainly the saddest day for ATOS that I have ever seen or about which I have ever been informed. Sincerely, Gus Fr. Gus L. Franklin The Bone Doctor's View: Recent EventsIn light of these events, Walnut Hill Productions will continue to support the efforts of those involved in the world of the mighty Theatre Pipe Organ and all that it stands for. However, we will do so outside of ATOS for now. I herewith resign my ATOS membership immediately. Since we are no longer near the organs of the MTOS and the CFTOS, we resign from those chapters as well so that we can focus on an instrument closer to home, the Tennessee Theatre 3/16 Mighty WurliTzer Balaban 2, the Princess Elenoir. The company will focus more on other forms of music and projects and less on the Theatre Pipe Organ for the near future. The Gazette will be restructured so that it is easier to maintain but updates will occurr less frequently as a result. We will be relying on our field reporters for website content in the form of monthly columns in the Gazette. If at some later time things begin to mellow out in the upper ranks of what could possibly be the King of Instruments' only true salvation and preservation as its founding fathers intended, we will concider rejoining ATOS. Time will tell... God bless and happy playing. |
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Greetings from the Bone Doctor. I want to thank the 27,500 visitors to our site since January 1st of 2005. God bless all who come here, for you are welcome in the Land of the King! All Systems Go!After thoroughly testing the main data server, it appears that the surgery wew performed on it was successful. Though not much to look at, the drives all run much cooler and the system is stable without the need for rebooting or any of the random lock-ups that plagued it when we first set it up in the new location. This month has witnessed many drastic changes for Walnut Hill. Rather than answer the myriad questions scattered about the Yahoo! music groups, Doc will make note here. All is well with the production company but as goes with any change, we are behind schedule. When the Featured Organ of the Month for September is posted, the news will be here. The instument has already been chosen. It is to be a surprise, for we are deviating a bit from the TPO in September as we await the materials that will be going into this feature. After the first of the month, Walnut Hill will pay out the final bills from the old location thus closing all old business, and can then begin investing in the new office. There is much work to be done. At the moment, all equipment needed to continue our virtual organ research and recording projects is in storage awaiting installation later this year. New tracks from the Bone Doctor will be slow in coming but worht the wait. There are two older computers in the residence that need a full cleaning and rebuild along with a total software reload. A third machine needs cleaning and minor repairs to the power and cooling subsystems. When complete, the new office will have four machines of which two will be connected to the internet. THe main data server will function as our virtual organ testbed and recording system. This is why we upgraded the hardware recently, making it more than up to the task with power to spare. In closing, the next issue of the Gazette will be different. We are discontinuing the Dauly News section in favour of a Headline section. The Top Story section will remain. All ads near the top of the Gazette page are free to the owners of the ads because of the services they are providing to the TPO Community. Be sure to visit each one for they have much to offer and this website would not be possible without their contributions of knowledge, funds and time as well as hosting server space. When things are totally settled down at the new office, we will be listing a price sheet for advertising and other services including jingle authoring and other recording tasks for WTPO Internet Radio. We have proven that the concept works, all we need is for folks to get on board as team players. We know you are out there. You know who you are... Greetings from the Bone Doctor. I want to thank the 27,402 visitors to our site since January 1st of 2005. God bless all who come here, for you are welcome in the Land of the King! The Bone Doctor Playing
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By the evening, all Doc's stuff was moved and the remainder of the day was spent resting by all.
Greetings from the Bone Doctor.
I want to thank the 26,820 visitors to our site since January 1st of 2005. God bless all who come here, for you are welcome in the Land of the King!
Getting Settled In
The freight was still in Atlanta today. Doc spent the day cleaning and preparing the spaces for his things. The attic would serve as his new office and a second bedroom would be for his twin bed brought from Florida.
By the end of the day, the bedroom was ready to move into but the attic needed much more work.
Greetings from the Bone Doctor.
I want to thank the 26,760 visitors to our site since January 1st of 2005. God bless all who come here, for you are welcome in the Land of the King!
Sunday At The Ranch
On the Lord's Day, relaxation was enjoyed as we all reconnected with eachother and played darts and dominoes. A storage facility for Walnut Hill Productions was rented.
Later in the evening, we enjoyed some movies on the Square Jaw Ranch's home theatre system. Sylvia treated us to a supper of grilled Whiting, spinach and cheesy maceroni. Life is good...
Greetings from the Bone Doctor.
I want to thank the 26,720 visitors to our site since January 1st of 2005. God bless all who come here, for you are welcome in the Land of the King!
Visiting With Old Friends
Today was spent travelling southward to Lenoir City to visit with Al Owrutzky, the founding father and lead guitarist/vocalist of Mojo, a great blues band that the Bone Doctor has worked with for many years.
Al has finished landscaping his place and the yard is beautiful. Much fine homebrewed ale was sipped and many stories of yesterday shared. Plans were made to get some production work done for Mojo in the days ahead.
Greetings from the Bone Doctor.
I want to thank the 26,680 visitors to our site since January 1st of 2005. God bless all who come here, for you are welcome in the Land of the King!
The First Day In Tennessee
Saturday was a day for relaxing and catching up. After a full day of flying, Doc was very tired and just needed to unwind from all the excitement of moving.
It was good to be back in the Green Hills of East Tennessee. Things change slowly in Alcoa and most things looked the same as they did over four years ago when Walnut Hill was still just a concept.
The supper of the evening was homemade beef stew. The water in Alcoa can be drank from the tap and it was good to sip mountain water again, for the water in Florida never tasted like this.
Greetings from the Bone Doctor.
I want to thank the 26,650 visitors to our site since January 1st of 2005. God bless all who come here, for you are welcome in the Land of the King!
A Day In The Sky
This was posted on Yahoo!'s Walnut Hill VTPO newsgroup by Associate Editor Tom Hoehn:
On Friday afternoon, I transported the Bone Doctor to Tampa International Airport for his return flight to Knoxville. Since the security scare in London had happened on Thursday, we were taking no chances on having him miss his flight because of the long lines at security checkpoints.
His plane departed Tampa on time at around five in the evening. He arrived at Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta, Georgea on time. His connecting flight to McGee-Tyson Airport in Knoxville was delayed. He arrived about 75 minutes late into Knoxville and was treated to Ice Cream by Hank and Sandy Wear after they picked him up at the airport proir to shuttling him off to the Square Jaw Ranch in Alcoa where he will be residing.
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Greetings from the Bone Doctor.
I want to thank the 26,600 visitors to our site since January 1st of 2005. God bless all who come here, for you are welcome in the Land of the King!
The Last Day In Clearwater
This was posted on Yahoo!'s Walnut Hill VTPO newsgroup by Associate Editor Tom Hoehn:
On Thursday morning, I went to the Bone Doctor's residence in Clearwater with a 24-foot Ryder truck. In 4 1/2 hours we had loaded it with his computers, organ and instruments. We proceeded to ABF Freight in Tampa and transferred the contents of the Ryder truck into a 6 linear foot space on an ABF 28-foot long pup trailer.
After transferring everything and dropping the Ryder truck back at the yard, the Bone Doctor and I trekked back to the original Florida base of Walnut Hill operations which was at my house. Dinner was had, cigars were smoked (Cuban Romeo y Juliettas) and a good night's sleep was had by all.
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Greetings from the Bone Doctor.
I want to thank the 26,560 visitors to our site since January 1st of 2005. God bless all who come here, for you are welcome in the Land of the King!
The Last Day At Turner Street
Today was the last day Doc saw Kimmy as he loaded his things onto the truck. One last time would he rest in his bed in the Walnut Hill Manor office. Tomorrow was moving day and Doc needed rest for the long treck to come.
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Greetings from the Bone Doctor.
I want to thank the 26,530 visitors to our site since January 1st of 2005. God bless all who come here, for you are welcome in the Land of the King!
Greetings from the Bone Doctor.
I want to thank the 26,514 visitors to our site since January 1st of 2005. God bless all who come here, for you are welcome in the Land of the King!
Third Day Of Packing Up
The Bone Doctor at the console of Ron Carter's Mighty Allen.
Picture by Tom Hoen, taken on 07/28/05.
It is amazing how much stuff one can accumulate in four years, even after leaving most of it behind a year ago. Today was spent packing Doc's personal items and the various surplus computer stuff owned by CoyoteNET Digital System Solutions.
Time flies when you're having fun, for it was one short year ago that Doc left Tennessee via a stop in Georgia to play Ron Carter's Mighty Allen GW-IV Digital Theatre Organ, as seen in the picture above courtisy of Tom Hoen.
Tomorrow will be spent packing the server, clothing and other remaining items for the trip on Thursday via U-Haul to a freight company in Tampa. On Friday, Doc will fly out of Tampa International Airport at 5PM for an 8:30PM arrival in Knoxville, Tenessee with one stop for a plane change in Atlanta, Georgia. Doc will be travelling light with a carry-on roll-around suitcase and a digital camera. The freight will arrive the following Monday or Tuesday in Knoxville for a second short U-Hual trip southward to Alcoa.
The internet service in Clearwater will stop on Friday and the power will be stopped on September 4th, one day after Kimmy and Bob head for California via a seven day jouney seeing the sights in a rented 2006 model minivan. Hopefully, Kimmy will document the trip with her digital camera so we can post the pictures in our upcoming History of Walnut Hill Productions page.
Since tomorrow is the last day Doc has to prepare packaged goods for shipment, we will be breaking down the server in the morning. Thus, this entry in the Gazette will be the final one before we reconnect in September. The new number and address has now been posted at the top of this page. The phone number is temporary and belongs to those whom Doc will be staying with.
In closing, Doc says to all the loyal patrons who make our site worth doing, "we shall see you here at the site from the Green Hills of East Tennessee in about three weeks if we don't break our shoelaces or the creek don't rise, Good Lord willin'."
Greetings from the Bone Doctor.
I want to thank the 26,420 visitors to our site since January 1st of 2005. God bless all who come here, for you are welcome in the Land of the King!
Second Day Of Packing Up
Today, Doc packed his clothing and other personal things for the trek to Tennessee. Final checks were made to the server before shutting it down to be packed tomorrow. It was allowed to run for one last night in Clearwater. The small residence on Turner Street was beginning to look like a storage locker full of boxes.
08/06/2006Greetings from the Bone Doctor.
I want to thank the 26,389 visitors to our site since January 1st of 2005. God bless all who come here, for you are welcome in the Land of the King!
First Day Of Packing Up
It is amazing how much stuff two people can accuulate in a year in one place after spending three years before moving, making four years worth of aquired belongings which needed to be separated and packed for shipment. Doc had lots of CD media and books which were boxed. Also, there were a miryad of small things to pack and a warehouse full of stuff to sort. By the end of the day, these things were done, leaving the clothing and computers to pack later.
Greetings from the Bone Doctor.
I want to thank the 26,332 visitors to our site since January 1st of 2005. God bless all who come here, for you are welcome in the Land of the King!
The Move Is Definate
It is final. After a long day of talking and planning, it is definate that Kimmy and Doc will each go their own way on or around the 11th of August, 2006. After four years together, it is time to move on to other places, people and things. Kimmy never got the love for the King of Instruments and Doc could not give it up. A number of other incompatabilities had surfaced during the year they spent in Florida. Both feel this is the best decision for all.
Greetings from the Bone Doctor.
I want to thank the 26,266 visitors to our site since January 1st of 2005. God bless all who come here, for you are welcome in the Land of the King!
Prepping The Office For The Move
Much file management and many revisions of online data had to be done today. There were lots of projects stored on the main data server that had to be dubbed over to the workstation, mostly files Kimmy created. Also, the disbursement of assets and belongings had to be carried out so the Kimmy ended up with all her stuff and Doc ended up with all of his. Tension was high most of the day but by nightfall, most of these tasks had been completed.
Greetings from the Bone Doctor.
I want to thank the 26,229 visitors to our site since January 1st of 2005. God bless all who come here, for you are welcome in the Land of the King!
Decisions
Simply put, today was a rough day at the office. After much heated debate, it was clear that things in Florida were coming to an end for Walnut Hill Manor. A year in Florida has made Kimmy homesick for her family in Olivehurst, California. Doc will not be able to do normal business that far from a major metro area, Sacramento being the nearest at over fourty-five miles to the south.
Since Doc's father is in his early eighties, Doc has decided to go back to Tennesee. Also, there was much unfinished business prior to leaving a year ago, and now Doc can pick up where he left off. Stay tuned as the story unfolds...
Greetings from the Bone Doctor.
I want to thank the 26,200 visitors to our site since January 1st of 2005. God bless all who come here, for you are welcome in the Land of the King!
Tom Hoehn Is New Group Owner
Of Theatre Organists Yahoo! Group
Bob Loesch, former owner of Theatre Organists on Yahoo! Music Groups, has passed the reigns of ownership to Tom Hoehn.
The Theatre Organists Group has long been a place where those who play or want to learn to play the King of Instruments could hang out and talk shop at any level of expertise and feel welcome. We believe that Tom will keep this tradition alive not only with his vast knowledge and talent but also his skills as a genuine people person. Be sure to visit the group if you are a member and give Tom a warm welcome. If you are not yet a member, we encourage you to join.
Greetings from the Bone Doctor.
I want to thank the 26,153 visitors to our site since January 1st of 2005. God bless all who come here, for you are welcome in the Land of the King!
Featured Organ Of The Month
The console of the San Bernardino Style 216 2/10 Mighty WurliTzer
Theatre Pipe Organ sitting in the pit with the horseshoe lid open.
In the west coast town of San Bernardino, California is to be found one of only 12 Style 216 2/10 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organs ever made. Only a few of the original twelve remain.
The Style 216 Mighty WurliTzer was the one Jim Henry chose to use as his specification for the Mighty MidiTzer 216.