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State of the Chapter

The Past

As I write this, in December of 2000, we don't know who will be the next president of COTOS. But neither do we know the next president of the United States so what else is new? It might seem to some that COTOS didn't do much last year but we did and I'm here to tell you about it.

We ended 1999 a little shaky but got off to a pretty good start in January by examining our goals and ambitions with members present giving their OK to our agenda. The business part of the general meeting was kind of long but necessary. It was voted upon to contract Clark Wilson as advisor for the expected rebuild of the Wurlitzer.

During the February board meeting we elected officers for the year. Elections that normally would have been done earlier became delayed for several reasons. Board members were John Drake, John Burns, John Adams, Tom Hamilton, Emma Soiu, Mark Williams, and Herman Thompson. Fund raising became the responsibility of Stan Krider, Tom Hamilton, and Keith Britton. Emma Soiu was elected to be secretary and has done an outstanding job in recording not only the board minutes but reports of the general meetings. John Burns became Vice President as well as the Stop Tab editor. He has improved the newsletter appreciably. John also designed the COTOS web page, which has become as fine a site as any other chapter. If you have Internet access and haven't looked at the page, you should do so. Go to theatreorgans.com/COTOS/index.htm. There are photographs being posted (under "Extras") on a regular basis and who knows, yours may be next. There are pictures now of some COTOS members helping the Holland Theatre group to move a donated Robert Morton organ. As handsome a group as you will ever see (if you are from Mars).

The Holland Theatre in Bellefontaine, which is being restored by a non profit group, has been given a six rank Robert Morton organ. The organ will be completely rebuilt. Organ chambers have been in the theatre since it was built but they never housed an organ. COTOS has been asked to advise on this installation. This is of course one of the goals of our chapter, to encourage reinstallation of theatre organs in their rightful homes where feasible.

COTOS has been given two theatre style Conn organs, the Model 650. One has been installed in the Strand Theatre in Delaware and the other will be installed in the new Heritage Museum in Springfield. Both remain as property of COTOS. Both were put in fully operational condition and at both venues our Chapter can have use of the organs.

Equipment for heating, cooling and humidifying the organ chambers at Worthington High School has been installed. Being fully functional awaits the school supplying electrical power and a water supply for the humidifier. Before too long Miss Buckeye's pipes will be completely comfortable. While this drained our treasury a great deal, it is a necessary expenditure especially before the expected rebuild.

Tom, Stan, and Keith as the official fund raising group have compiled a very impressive brochure. A black and white copy will be furnished to all COTOS members. The color copy in a spiral bound format will be presented to corporations and foundations. These contacts will be made eventually as a personal approach. Naturally, donations and/or pledges from our membership are not only necessary but will also influence corporate donors by showing our commitment.

The trip to Baltic for a meeting with Dorothy Steiner was a memorable experience and I think she would be happy to have us back this coming year. If so you will regret not going. The organ is a fine   (continued on page 4)