The Buckeye Backcheck

Volume 29, Issue 2          October 2004
Newsletter of the Columbus Chapter of the Piano Technicians Guild


In this issue:
President's Message
Meeting Minutes

 
President's Message


I read the president’s message, Mentoring- Building for The Future by Jim Birch, in the September issue of the PTJ with some interest. I have surely had some mentors through my career. I owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Cloyd Cook who started my interest in piano work in early 1970's.  I was already working at a piano store doing piano moving, tearing down pianos for refinishing, stripping finishes and just about anything else asked of me. I guess it was really starting at the bottom of the food chain in the piano business. It wasn’t really part of “Cookie’s”, job to help me learn something about the workings of the piano. In fact, he was reluctant at first due to a failure of his previous apprentice to continue on the path of piano work. Mr. Cook said “never again” to take on an apprentice. With my continued questions, be the “go-fer”, and quite a number of months, he started to reveal some of the magic of pianos to me.  Much of my education was advanced by the PTG,  and too many to mention instructors, institutes, conventions, seminars and chapter meetings through the past thirty plus years. A number of other people helped me set my standards higher, and some were there when I really needed some good advice. I have tried to thank them all, by sharing some of that knowledge with others. I hope some will remember me that way someday.

 My thought is that, mentoring might also be earned. I guess what I’m really saying is that, you only reap what you sow. The person making the effort towards the greater good of the profession, someone serious about piano technology as a career. The person making a commitment to their own PTG Chapter, accepting responsibility, making a contribution to the chapter, these deserve to be the mentored.

 Just joining the PTG is not automatic entitlement, nor does it make one a piano technician, it is only the first positive step on a long road. The PTG examinations should be more than “personal pride”, I believe they should also show a commitment to the profession.                      


Meeting Minutes (excerpts)

President’s Report: -- Mark has been contacted by the Home Office about a potential new member, Jeff Rayber of Columbus.  He will be sent complimentary newsletters and contacted by Mark about future meetings. -- A Long Range Planning Task Force has been formed and a large part of its commission will be to once again look into the membership categories of PTG. -- International Associate Members are looking for chapters to sponsor their membership in accordance with Article VI of the PTG By-Laws. -- The Testing Committee passed change to the By-laws to have certified examiners for the Technical Exam similar to those for the Tuning Exam. These will be referred to as TECH.  Any RPT who has assisted in giving the Tech Exam between Jan. 1999 and April 30, 2005 can be grandfathered in as a TEC.  Kim assisted in giving the exams in Nashville and will be certified by the Board  at the January meeting. Any nominations for awards for national recognition need to be turned in.

New Business: Doug will check with Ben about hosting a holiday meeting in January.  It was also suggested that we could convene at a restaurant. Announcements:

Mark has 2 technicals lined up.  The next meeting will be Oct 19th at the Ritchie’s.  He is finishing up a Weber Upright that has undergone extensive restoration including a new soundboard.  In November, Don Mannino from Kawai will give a presentation at Grave’s Piano and Organ.

Tech Tips

  I would really like to have a regular section devoted to this topic. I tried to get the ball rolling last month with a couple of suggestions. If every RPT in this Chapter just sent one Tech Tip we could fill this space for two years.  It only needs to be a few lines or a paragraph. I know everyone has one little trick to save time, or to make a little job go faster. Write or e-mail me. Your tip here next month!

Chapter News & Notes 

We have added several new faces to our Chapter over the summer. Congratulations are in order for proud new parents.  Mitch & Gale Staples  son Oliver Lee  7-2-04 / 8 lbs 9 oz.  21" Bryan & Marlene Hartzler son Prescott Thomas 7-17-04 / 8 1/2lbs  21 1/2"    --  Rick Miller has enrolled at The University of Western Ontario School of Piano Technology. We will be looking forward to Rick's return to the Columbus Chapter.   --  Christine Kaufman has left Graves Piano & Organ to pursue her Master of Arts in Piano Technology Degree at Florida State University School of Music in Tallahassee.   --  Nadine Gittinger called the night of the picnic and said she was recovering from shoulder surgery and doing fine. She is finishing work on her Masters degree and still teaching, playing trumpet, and piano. Nadine asked us to say hello to everyone.

The Picnic Review             

Thanks to all who made it to the summer end picnic and for the great selection of side dishes. I don’t think anyone should have left hungry. There was a good turnout and even a couple of MIA’s. We hope all in attendance enjoyed themselves and had some fun in the country. The Staples children found a praying mantis in the yard and found that quite interesting. There is certainly an abundance of all types of critters out here. Everyone got to meet Oliver Lee Staples for the first time.  We offered the stray cat to any takers but unfortunately didn’t have any volunteers. I guess we may have a cat for a while. Our dog, Ebby,  is not quite so sure that is the best option, or decision we could make. Victor got my telescope aligned, guess it will soon be time to start looking at the winter constellations.  Vic had just returned from Illinois with the astronomy group after several days of celestial viewing. Doug was a little late to the picnic after a close encounter with a parking lot pole. Only a broken tail light which he had already repaired. For the spouses that couldn’t make it -- we sent home nice “doggy bags” .......again much to Ebby’s chagrin. 
Mark & Marilyn



 
The Buckeye Backcheck 
Published by the Columbus Chapter of the Piano Technicians Guild Mark Ritchie, Editor  6262 St. Rte. 605 Westerville, OH 43082

The Buckeye Backcheck is published monthly, excepting the summer, and it is available to all Columbus Chapter members as part of their dues. It is available to others for a subscription fee of $12.00 per year or by exchange with other chapter newsletters. Make your checks or money orders payable to Columbus Chapter PTG and send to Ron Kenreich  280 Storington Rd. Westerville, OH 43081

Articles and original cartoons may be re-printed by other PTG newsletters with proper acknowledgement, unless otherwise indicated in the article. The editor can e-mail them to you to save time if you wish.

Comments and articles and advertising requests may be sent to the above address.

All expressions of opinion and all statements of supposed facts are published on the authority of the author as listed and are not to be regarded as expressing the views of the Chapter of the Piano Technicians Guild unless such statements or opinions have been adopted by the Chapter or the Guild.