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I have added a new page to the Electrolux section of my web site, featuring the homely but cute 1956 Thrift Model.
See:
http://www.137.com/thrift
Enjoy!
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Friday, December 30, 2005 at 00:29:56 (MST)
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Did everyone have a great Christmas. Three new vacuums to my collection. A Kirby Tradition, GE MV1 and an Electrolux Side Kick... well two vacuums I guess. Love the Side Kick. Use it on my G all the time now. Great for the stair steps, to bad is is louder then the G.
Time to play,,, there must be something that needs a good vacuum... OH the Car... See you all later
MorganT. Frazer
Dubuque, WI USA - Tuesday, December 27, 2005 at 13:26:16 (MST)
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Hi, Everybody--Merry Christmas to All! My Hospital G is working perfectly! Anyhow--I hope you all have a Happy and Merry Christmas, and a prosperous New Year!!! I've already made my New Year's Resolution--Start saving ahead for this years Convention!!! I hope to see you all there!
Nathan Thomas
Wayside, TX USA - Sunday, December 25, 2005 at 08:27:50 (MST)
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I hope everyone's holidays suck! To at least 137 inches of water lift on a suction gauge!!
And here's to a glorious new year in a vacuum!!! ;P
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Sunday, December 25, 2005 at 02:00:47 (MST)
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Merry Christmas everybody
Alex Taber
El Cajon, Ca. USA - Saturday, December 24, 2005 at 10:06:22 (MST)
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! My biggest New Years resolution, is to get a little more active in the club, and communicate with some of you. Before this year, I hadn't been a member since '96, and it's good to be back! Let me introduce myself. My name is Jason Davis. It seems the club has grown quite a bit over the last 10 years! I plan on being at the convention in June, and meet you guys in person. Until then, please e-mail me so I can learn a little more about some of you, and you a little more about me.
Jason
USA - Thursday, December 22, 2005 at 19:30:26 (MST)
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Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year. The Forum seems very quiet and I am hopeing everyone is in good health. Tom it is great to hear your back to the shop. But DON'T over do it. Listen to those women that owned the Rainbow's..
I want to say thanks to the Board Members, Louis, Alex, Charlie for all the work that they have done this year to keep this club alive. May 2006 bring a lot of new vacuums and friends into our club and lives.
Morgan
Morgan T. Frazer
Dubuqe, IA USA - Thursday, December 22, 2005 at 06:24:08 (MST)
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Tom,
I am so glad to hear you are doing better and that you are home. I'm sure David and the rest of your family are relieved. Next time you have a tooth issue, just the right Kirby attachment and you won't have to go through this again! Let me say again, I am really glad you are on the road to total recovery and best wishes to you both.
To the rest of my friends and club member, (sorry I'm not into political correctness, I'm way over 50, so no hate mail or postings either!), I want to wish a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year that is filled happiness, good health and prosperity.
And, if you don't celebrate Christmas, Happy whatever you do this time of year.
C. Watrous
USA - Sunday, December 18, 2005 at 10:53:49 (MST)
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Hi Everyone:
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the kind words to David during this whole thing. I had an abcessed wisdom tooth, the pain of which prevented me from eating food for a month. I went from 220 pounds to 170 pounds in one month. I'm six feet tall, and should weigh about 190 pounds, so if anything at all good should have come of this, it's that I'll be able to take my tank top off at the pool this summer.
The infection from the tooth shut down my pancreas. There was nothing to make insulin, and my sugar levels went higher and higher until I passed out into a coma, from which I didn't come out for two whole days. And when I did, I was so disoriented, I pulled out the IV, the catheter (that's an indigantion that was also new to me) and everything. I was going HOME. They had to literally pick me up from the floor and throw me back into the ICU bed, and reattach the IV's, since the blood was going everywhere.
I was delerious. Much more so than my normal demensia.
I was in ICU for five days. Then, off to regular hospital room for two days, and now I'm home. I have to take insulin injections (4 per day) for the rest of my life, since I no longer have a functioning system.
It was wonderful that everyone was calling David and keeping his mind (and time) occupied while I was in there. No phones in ICU, and only 15 minutes of visiting time for Dave. He was going nuts, after just having a pacemaker/defibrulator put in him 3 weeks ago.
The hospital was excellent and the nursing staff was too. You can tell a LOT about a lady by her vacuum. I'm sure Marty and Charlie would agree. I asked every nurse what kind of sweeper she had. Interestingly, the kindest nurses seemed to have Rainbows.
Since I'm officially 'retiring' from the business (I'm selling the shop to Dave's brother), I have lots of things to give away. I have several hundred machines to part with also. The only cleaners I'm keeping are pre World War II vacuums, as these will always be the oldest cleaners, and I'm most fond of 1910 and 1920's sweepers anyway. If anyone has any requests for post War stuff, let me know.
In closing, thank you all once again for your concern. I came very close to dying twice in this past week. I look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting in June. Everyone should be able to take home something from my collection...
tom gasko
park hills, MO USA - Sunday, December 18, 2005 at 00:40:05 (MST)
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Hi, All--It's good to hear that Tom is getting better! I'm a Firm Believer in the power of prayer--It really works! Guess what, Everybody? I'm soon going to have in my collection a Hospital G!!! Yeah!!! If I can have a few tips on how to post pictures for the forum, let me know and when I get the Hospital G I'll post them for you all to see. Anyway--I'm glad to hear that Tom and David are doing better, and I'll continue to lift you both up in prayer. Charlie--I hope you're all right, I think I had a Hoover blow the bag off one time, Wow, what a Mess! I'll talk to you all later--Meanwhile, back to workin' on more vacs---
Nathan Thomas
Wayside, TX USA - Thursday, December 15, 2005 at 12:09:29 (MST)
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So glad to hear Tom's improving!
I have done another rocket this season. It is made from two vintage hairdryers. Check this out:
http://www.goodfirm.com/marksart/mark9/
mark goodall
Omaha, NE USA - Thursday, December 15, 2005 at 09:47:38 (MST)
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BETTER NEWS! Tom is being transferred to a regular room this afternoon. He's still very weak, but ate all his breakfast, and his organs seem to be doing better. He will still be in for a few more days, not sure how many per David. If any of you would like to send a card...Mineral Area Regional Hospital/1212 Weber Rd./Farmington, Mo. 63640-Rm. 251. David is working at the shop today if anyone wants to give him a call.
Rick Asquith
Saint Louis, Mo USA - Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at 11:03:14 (MST)
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GOOD NEWS! I just returned from the hospital to see Tom and he has definitely improved, although not out of the woods. He will probably be in ICU a couple more days before being moved to a regular room. They're still not sure how well his organs are functioning/filtering. He had good color I thought, but then was told he had a fever due to the still infected wisdom tooth which cannot come out until after he's released. He's making cracks and still "lovingly" refers to the nurses as the "bitches"! He's getting great one-on-one care, and this hospital/staff apparently saved his life. He still thinks his only problem is his wisdom tooth, but he will be prescribed a diabetic diet along with daily injections of insulin. He's thankful for all the thoughts and prayers by all, and they must've worked! David is doing 100% better now with Tom's progression as we all are. Tom's mom Jean was there and she is sweet as the day is long. David's brother Dan also was there and he deserves a huge kudos, without him, Tom and Dave would be lost, he is great support for the both of them. I will update again if there is anything new, David said he was going straight to bed tonight after only having 3 hours sleep last night...understandably so. For those of you that believe in prayer, keep praying, they've worked so far and we still need to get him "through the woods"!
Rick Asquith
Saint Louis, Mo USA - Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at 19:05:00 (MST)
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Well, something happened today that until now has just been the "Stuff of Legends."
I was vacuuming with my Kirby D50, happy as a clam using one of my favorite machines. All of a sudden, I heard a very startling "RRROAR-FWOOOOSHH" sound. It was not until I saw the miniature mushroom cloud settling down onto the floor that I realized what had happened.
You got it: The Sani-Emptor door popped open. OH MY GAWD, what a mess. The entire room was covered with a film of dust, and there was a big clump of dirt and dog hair on the floor next to the machine.
What a mess.
Guess I should have been better about following the instruction manual's admonition to "empty the bag after every use......" But what fun would that be? Kirby bags never look right unless the bottom third or so is full of dirt!!
The only happy part about it: I got to spend another hour using my Kirby! :) Actually, I only cleaned the large Oriental rug with it, I did all the dusting and above-the-floor cleaning with my cute and perky Electrolux Model S, another of my favorites. I've always liked the Electrolux economy models for some reason - the T, R, S and L. Maybe because so many people had them because they were less expensive.
Back to the Kirby, one of the many reasons my mother never wanted one (along with the weight, kludginess and difficulty in using, according to her) was because of a (probably irrational) fear that what happened to me would happen to her someday. Somehow, she had gotten it in her mind that Sani-Emptors were popping open all over the place! My aunt had a 1950s Kirby for many years, and I never remember her saying anything about that ever happening to her!
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at 13:07:21 (MST)
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I talked with David around 11.15 am today.
Tom was much improved this morning. He was sitting up in the hospital bed and they were trying to get him to eat. David said he looks 100 percent better compared to the weekend. He will probably be in ICU for at least 2 to 3 more days. David is at the shop today and will try to keep it open.
Morgan T. Frazer
Dubuque, IA USA - Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at 10:57:32 (MST)
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David and Tom, Please know that you are both in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks so much for keeping us posted David and please take good care of yourself too. Tom is going to need you now more than ever. Terry
Terry Lattz
Danville, Il USA - Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at 10:51:51 (MST)
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Tom and David,
You will be in my prayers as well. I wish I were closer so I could help in some way. Prayers for now... David you take care...
Morgan
Morgan T. Frazer
Dubuque, IA USA - Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at 08:27:17 (MST)
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Tom--You are certainly in my prayers--I will lift you up in prayer to the Lord Every day. I hope you will recover quickly!
Nathan Thomas
Wayside, TX USA - Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at 07:56:30 (MST)
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David,
As one of the "bitches" I know first hand what Tom and you are going through. Please get some rest David,we don't want you ending up in hospital too! I'll be saying an extra prayer for both of you tonight. Take Care
Marty
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs , Ca USA - Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at 02:29:12 (MST)
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Hi Everbody,
My God this has been a weekend I never want to see again.
Tom seems to be slowly getting back to us, the first sign of that was tonihg at 9:00 p.m. I was standing there and he slowly looked up at me and said "Take me Home!!" These people are hurting me and he called the nurses "Bitches" and if anyone knows Tom - they would know that was a good sign. This has been a very critical time for him, but after tonight, finally, I have him back.
Although it was a small thing it was nonetheless.
II told him of all of you guys knowing and that you all gave one big hug. I thank all of you and until he's out of I.C.U. I am not resting. If you want to call me call, I will let you all know the progress, right now you wouldn't even recognize him he woulld not want you all to see him that way, it tears me up when I walk in the room. But, There is hope and thanks to all. You ALL Mean ALOT To him you know yoou do.
They said this is going to be a long process because of his condition. But with all of you guys thinking of him aand your prayers are AWESOME. I have always said you are an Awesome buch of people and I mean that.
Thanks,
David
David
Desloge, MO USA - Monday, December 12, 2005 at 22:30:57 (MST)
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I am really sorry to hear about Tom, he is one of the old timers when we were trying to get this club going. Most of you don't know this, he was our first president. My thoughts are with him.
As a professional caregiver I know the job Dave is up against, my thought are with him too.
Alex Taber
Alex Taber
El Cajon, Ca. USA - Monday, December 12, 2005 at 20:23:49 (MST)
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I am really sorry to hear about Tom, he is one of the old timers when we were trying to get this club going. Most of you don't know this, he was our first president. My thoughts are with him.
As a professional caregiver I know the job Dave is up against, my thought are with him too.
Alex Taber
Alex Taber
El Cajon, Ca. USA - Monday, December 12, 2005 at 20:23:27 (MST)
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Update on Tom Gasko...I just spoke to David this evening, and today was touch and go for Tom. He has been in a diabetic coma since being taken to the hospital yesterday morning. Tom nor anyone was aware he was diabetic until this episode. He had a tooth infection and started feeling really rough on Fri, then through the weekend. David and his brother Dan literally had to pull Tom from the bed, and then called 911. The next couple of days will be touch and go at this point as they are having a problem regulating his blood sugar. He's in/out of the coma, sometimes recognizing the people around him. He's in ICU under constant watch and can only have visitors on even hours and then for only 15min. David said he was sorry he hasn't contacted more people, but he sends his thanks for everyone's prayers and concerns. David as you know is health challenged also with his heart, just recently have more surgery a few weeks ago, and needless to say this is really devastating for him and everyone. I talked to Tom's mom this morning and there's no diabetes in his family, so everyone is in shock. I got David's permission to give his cell nbr. in this posting...it is 573-631-8836. He has plans on working at the shop Tues. from 10am-3pm..shop nbr is 636-937-1001 if anyone would like to contact him. David said he's sure that Tom would want someone to be there, so he's planning on going in tomorrow. Tom has a great support group around him, and everyone is praying for his recovery. Tom has been a mentor and great friend to me and many from the club, and we all need to put him in our prayers.
Rick Asquith
Rick Asquith
Saint Louis, mo USA - Monday, December 12, 2005 at 19:48:41 (MST)
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VERY SORRY to hear this news about Tom. I echo Skip's request for updates as they are available.
Will be keeping him and David in my prayers.
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Sunday, December 11, 2005 at 23:32:41 (MST)
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Hello to All:
Just wanted to Say I got news today that Tom Gasko was rushed to The hospital with a dietabic seizure and was wondering if anybody near him can keep us posted as to his condition etc
Thanks Skip...
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La USA - Sunday, December 11, 2005 at 23:15:33 (MST)
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Oh heck - OK just go to www.automaticwasher.org and click on Discuss-O-Mat, go to the Super Forum and look for Thread 4227 - "A New Kirby Dual 80 Arrives". It seems to work and then doesn't.
Fred
Fred Nelson
St. Charles, Il USA - Sunday, December 11, 2005 at 18:51:39 (MST)
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Just a heads-up that concurrent with the mailing of the next issue of the newsletter, all the usernames and passwords for the secure areas of the site will change. You will be given your new username and password along with the next issue of the newsletter.
And just another reminder that the security of this site is a tremendously, vitally important matter.
DO NOT -- repeat -- DO NOT -- give your access information to ANYONE. Even a close buddy or sweeper pal.
Everyone who has paid their dues and is thus entitled to access this site will have the means to do so. If someone has lost or forgotten their information they need to email me and request it.
Thank you for valuing the security of our forum by cooperating ONE HUNDRED PERCENT with this and all other site guidelines.
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Sunday, December 11, 2005 at 18:08:40 (MST)
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Fred, that one doesn't work either! ??
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Sunday, December 11, 2005 at 18:02:40 (MST)
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OK - Let's try that again.
http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/THREADS/SANDBOX/4227x23.htm
Fred Nelson
St. Charles, Il USA - Sunday, December 11, 2005 at 06:58:43 (MST)
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Fred, the link you posted does not work - something's wrong with the URL. But it did prompt me to have a look at the AutomaticWasher.org site. Really very lovely; and now I guess I've figured out why this forum is so quiet --- everyone's doin' their blabbin' over there. :(
If the VCCC had more money to spend on the site, and more people to use it, and more time for me to upgrade this forum and moderate it, we could have a "post photos" feature here as well which is VERY cool.
However, that's neither in the budget nor in time availability at present. In addition to the added costs, someone would have to be on the guard at all times to make sure interlopers don't sneak in and post pix of kiddle porn or whatever. Wonder how they handle that at AW.org.......
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Saturday, December 10, 2005 at 20:37:34 (MST)
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Hi Everyone - Charlie is looking for an original bag for the Dual 80 in this link. I now see the difference in bags. Gotta love those Kirbys!!!
http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/THREADS/SANDBOX/4227x22.htm
Fred
Fred Nelson
St. Charles, IL USA - Saturday, December 10, 2005 at 18:46:13 (MST)
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Does anyone have an original Kirby Dual 80 cloth bag in reasonably good condition they would like to sell? It differs from the replacement in that the Kirby circle logos are very close together and touch each other rather than like the Kirby replacement ones where the logos are spaced far apart. If so, please email me.
Also, does anyone have for sale an owner's manual complete for a Kirby 510? If not, would anyone that has one be willing to make a copy of the last page that has the rebuild information, (both the left and right page) on it and send it to me? Please let me know via email and thanks in advance!
Season's Greetings to all.
C. Watrous
NC USA - Thursday, December 08, 2005 at 08:34:46 (MST)
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P.S. to my post just below --
To give you an idea of how much greater the traffic has been to our site, consider that from the time the site was launched in March 2003 to October 2005, traffic averaged at 4,000 - 5,000 hits per month.
However, in November 2005 we had over 30,000 hits!! And December has already had almost 9,000 hits and we're only into the sixth day of the month; AND most of those hits came in the first four days since I had taken the site down yesterday pending my investigation into this.
It was clear that we were headed for another "Big Bandwidth" month and that's why the web hosting service alerted us.
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Tuesday, December 06, 2005 at 11:34:55 (MST)
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Well, there has been some negative impact on our site from all the publicity we've been getting. We received a notice from the company who hosts our site that our bandwidth (traffic to the site) had blown off the chart. We were getting so many hits that they were threatening to pull our site down.
To remedy this, I hope, I have made some internal, behind-the-scenes changes to the way the site functions. That should stem the tide from people trying to get to the site via links that have been posted elsewhere.
Yes, that will turn away some people, but it's the lesser of two evils. Either we take this action and preserve the site for its intended users -- the club members -- or don't do anything, and see our site disappear because of the excessive traffic.
I did a google search of a certain page from our site [one page in particular that had, by a huge difference, the most traffic], and was astonished at how many links turned up -- thousands of them. We're all over the place. This probably started when someone put a link on their "blog" and it just mushroomed.
Some of the things I came across were not particularly complimentary, to say the least. I'll spare you the insults and innuendo. You've all been hearing it all your life. Suffice it to be said that, all in all, I believe it will be a good thing that we will be getting a clean start in this regard.
It does also mean that I am going to have to keep a much closer eye on the site statistics, and if bandwidth starts spiking again I may have to make further, more drastic changes. Among them would be to secure the entire site, making all of it password protected. I hope it does not come to that, but it we keep getting hit with huge traffic, we may have to do so.
Ever your humble webmaster,
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Tuesday, December 06, 2005 at 11:11:14 (MST)
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Has anyone been to Sears to see the new Hoover Z 400. What has happened,,, it is the most awkward and awfull looking thing!!! Cheap and unusable attachments. Complain about a Kirby being heavy.. try lifting that piece of plastic..but hey it does fold up... or I guess it does...I will be using my 50 year old vacuums and know that they will out clean the new stuff... Well got that off my chest..
Morgan T. Frazer
Dubuque, USA - Friday, December 02, 2005 at 21:16:47 (MST)
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A second website that also lists "wierd websites" has posted a link for the VCCC website, and it looks like positive publicity for the club. As a result of these postings, there are two radio interviews scheduled for tomorrow. One is with the WDVE Morning Show in Pittsburgh, the other with a radio station in England. Who knows what may come next?
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA - Wednesday, November 30, 2005 at 08:05:00 (MST)
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"Gentlemen ... Start Your Vacuums!"
Anyone out there ever heard of "vacuum cleaner races??!" The only thing I can figure out is that the guy may have found photos of the Swedish "Electrolux Cars" from the late 1920s. But surely he would have to be pretty dimwitted not to realize that these are car-SIZED vacuums.......! But then, eBay IS full of dimwits isn't it!!
SEE:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4421086546
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Monday, November 28, 2005 at 22:01:51 (MST)
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Thot the following query, and my response, might be of interest.......
=======
DAVID DEISHER wrote:
> I have a Model 700 Hoover vacuum but have not been able to find any info
> on the machine. The serial# is 7443318 with a motor# 7M470381. It has
> some handwriting on the bottom that appears to record repair dates. One
> states 10-23-49, Roby and another states motor repaired 3-12-54, Roby. I
> assume Roby was the service technician. Can you give me more information
> on this machine? I tried the Hoover web site but the answer I got form
> them was no information on this model. By the way it still works. >
> Thanks
> David Deisher
Dear Mr. Deisher,
The Hoover 700 was introduced in 1926.
(See http://www.137.com/museum/hoover.htm)
It is no surprise that it still works, and here's another secret -- it will out-clean many modern vacuum cleaners, and would be more quiet-running, beautiful, and elegant in the bargain!
As long as it is in good operating condition and the bag is intact with no holes or tears, there is absolutely no reason you couldn't use it as your "daily driver" upright cleaner (except for people with allergies, who should use a sweeper with hepa filtration).
In case you are wondering about value, it's probably negligible. (See www.137.com/value for more information.) The only specimens that are generally of interest to collectors are ones in original condition -- that this one has been repaired several times suggests that probably the original cloth bag has been replaced, and possibly the cord and rubber bumper trim as well.
It's a shame -- and very disappointing to hear -- that you could not find any information about it from the Hoover Company. For many years, they maintained a Historical Center that had a comprehensive display of their old machines, and also had staff people who knew about them. Guess it's just a sign of the times that no one in the industry -- even at Hoover where the electric vacuum cleaner originated -- cares about the oldies any more. No one, that is, except for a few kooks like me.
Best wishes,
Charlie Lester
Webmaster
vaccc.com
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Monday, November 28, 2005 at 21:10:46 (MST)
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Today I was introduced to a website called "doubleviking.com". The top of their home page claims they are, "ruining corporate America with enough sexy chicks, funny videos, weird websites, and cool gizmos to last an eight hour work day. Well, I guess I should be honored that they consider ours to be a "weird website" because about halfway down the page is a link to the VCCC website, with one of my favorite pictures. Apparently they add new stuff daily so if you don't catch it until Saturday, it'll be on page two, or even further in as time goes on. I guess there's no telling WHERE the VCCC will show up next in cyberspace?
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA - Friday, November 25, 2005 at 22:09:49 (MST)
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Charlie Lester,
Oh you should see the rooms now! My Dad set the tile and right before Thanksgiving I took the Hoover Floor mate to it. But it left suqeegie marks so I took my Grandmothers old Sunbeam floor polisher and buffed it to a beautiful shine!!!
It's funny but a Sunbeam floor polisher sounds just like a Sunbeam mixmster on speed number 12!
So i'm going to the garage to get something out of the freezer for my Mom and guess what i see lining the garage floor?! Beautiful two tone green hi low shag carpeting!!! My Dad says it will keep the garage warm!
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs , CA USA - Friday, November 25, 2005 at 21:47:25 (MST)
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The Janitronic that Mark Goodall mentioned in an earlier post has a new home. I just got it and it's fantastic. It will need a good cleaning and a trip to the repair shop to check fan, bearings and so on but in general it's a great machine.
Mark, you have made my Christmas! Thakns.
Alex.
Alex Taber
El Cajon, Ca. USA - Friday, November 25, 2005 at 17:49:56 (MST)
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Hi, Everybody--Happy Thanksgiving! I couldn't agree more-The Electrolux Model G is truly an amazing machine! I own close to a dozen of those, with the exception of the Hospital G. They are pretty much the quietest vacuums I've ever used! The Model XXX's are pretty much a close second. I've bought several old vacuums these past few days, including 2 model XXX's, a Turquoise G, a Tan G, and a Silverado--All for a total of about $50.00. Anyhow--I hope you all are having a great Thanksgiving--We'll talk to "ya-all" later!!!
Nathan Thomas
Wayside, TX USA - Thursday, November 24, 2005 at 14:55:34 (MST)
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The Model G - Probably one of the best machines ever made. Solid, quiet, and a good performer. I have a few. If I had to choose just one (God forbid!) it would be a model G with a later power nozzle. I go up to visit friends in Madison Wisconsin for an annual gathering for Oktoberfest from all over the counry. I am assigned to vacuum every year before the main party happens. Last year I used their Hoover Windtunnel and got covered with dirt cleaning that damn pleated filter. This year I brought my rebuilt silver G with a PN4 to do the vacuuming. Glenn and Michael were amazed at how quiet and effective that machine was. Michael commented that standing behind it was like standing behind a jet engine. I will get one and rebuild it for them. Happy and safe Thanksgiving everyone!!!
Fred Nelson
St. Charles, Il USA - Wednesday, November 23, 2005 at 19:03:02 (MST)
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To Morgan and Marty:
I too love the model G. I remember the tan color one that my SCHOOL had. I was one of the kids who chose Drama class over Shop class (go figure, I'm a vacuum mechanic today) and the classroom was one of those double size rooms and had, of all things, carpeting. So there, in 1978, sat a tan model G named "Homer". When someone was late to class, they had to 'homer' for five minutes. This was, Mrs Peppers kept the rug clean. Of course, the machine was VERY quiet since the dial was set at '6' and the bag was stuffed. I brought a new bag one day, and you would have thought the machine was firing bullets, they didn't know what to do with it. It was actually working correct, and was much louder than when the bag was stuffed full. Within a few uses, the bag was clogged and 'homer' was quiet again. In fact, with the stuffed bag, it ran so quietly you would have to go up to it and put you ear near the machine to tell if it was 'on'. Don't know what ever happened to that particular 'homer' but I have a perfect one in my collection and every time I use it, it reminds me of my "much" younger days, always being late to class so I could vacuum.
tom g.
USA - Wednesday, November 23, 2005 at 18:22:06 (MST)
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Ohhhh Marty, I have gone into a state of mourning and need to go to church and light candles. I am SO SAD that your parents' wonderful green shag rug is gone. I loved it so much!!! Now what will you have to use your Sunbeam Challenger on?!
"But seriously folks" ... while I did really like that carpet [my parents' 1970 split-foyer house in Annapolis, Maryland had it from stem to stern], the "Extreme Makeover" does sound fabulous and I hope I can get out there soon to see it!
And HAPPY GOBBLE DAY to everyone!!!
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Wednesday, November 23, 2005 at 12:02:12 (MST)
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You-all will get a chuckle from this.......
=->
Hi:
I've got a Singer hand-held that doesn't work if you'd like to buy it. I got it years ago at an estate sale because I had never heard of Singer making a vacuum cleaner. I took it apart and asked an electrical guy if it could be fixed and he said no (didn't want to is my guess). It has sat in a bag since then. I believe it needs a new cord. Give me a fair price and shipping and it's yours. Let me know.
Sincerely,
Marilyn Hamill-Stewart
<-=
Dear Marilyn,
Tell me ... what do -you- think is a fair price for a bag of parts that used to be a sweeper that did not work and that needs a new cord.......?!
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Wednesday, November 23, 2005 at 11:57:43 (MST)
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY
Alex Taber
El Cajon,, Ca. USA - Wednesday, November 23, 2005 at 09:09:11 (MST)
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Hi All:
Over the last couple of months my parents have been doing some long over due redecorating. Those few of you who have been to my folks place, the 30 plus year old two tone green hi low shag carpeting is no longer!!! Cottage cheese ceiling...all gone! New windows, front door, crown molding, paint. through it all, my beautiful Electrolux model G!!! Morgan, I know what you mean by raving about your G, it just keeps going and going and going... I did start using the Hoover Telios Canister but what a piece of junk! Electrolux G is the way to go!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
Marty
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, Ca USA - Wednesday, November 23, 2005 at 01:22:03 (MST)
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That is very sad. Its actually sad that if I think about it too much, it almost makes me want to cry. The worst part is that it's not just Electrolux, but most vacuum companies in the US, we used to make such great vacuums here. Now so many of them are cheapyl made in other countries and the companies themselves aren't what they used to be. Very sad.
Reggie Ridlen
Parker, Co USA - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 19:48:54 (MST)
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This is pretty sad, huh -- scroll down to the eBay link, cut and paste it into your web browser, and then read the item description.
I wrote the ebay seller and expressed my commiseration over her plight (and promised to buy a coin or two), and told her I thought that this really was a sad, tragic, shameful end to a once-glorious company that had, in its heyday, epitomized the very best of successful, quality manufacturing and was a company that had, once upon a time, really cared about its employees. That becomes clear when you study the company's history.
She replied,
> Thank you for the note. Some of the workers just want to sit in a bar and whine but a larger number of us have a plan and intend to make something of ourselves. I am 27 with a five year old son and we are going to do just fine. My Dad always told me, 'When you are hip deep in horse manure, keep looking for the pony!' Like Mulder in the 'X Files' I know the answer is 'out there.' <
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8355346754&sspagename=ADME%3AL%3ARTQ%3AUS%3A1&rd=1
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 13:03:34 (MST)
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Man is it quiet out here in cyber land... I hope everyone is just getting ready for a great holiday weekend. I am sure everyone is just vacuuming and cleaning to their hearts content to get ready for a big Thanksgiving weekend. We will be putting up the tree and outside decorations. So I did some cleaning yesterday. Model G Electrolux has become my favorite.
Well everyone enjoy Thanksgiving and family
Morgan
Morgan T. Frazer
Dubuque, IA USA - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at 06:02:23 (MST)
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To Mark Goodall:
I would love to add the Janitronic to my collection. I regret not having kept new ones when they were available and we were selling them (both in brown and in green). Please let me know if it's still available.
tom gasko
park hills, mo USA - Friday, November 18, 2005 at 18:36:14 (MST)
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To Mark G. & Charlie L.-
Here's another supposition/guess to the Lux XXX handle mystery. Since the XXX was made both before and after WWII (with some variations) it's possible that the availability of raw materials (mostly from rationing during the war) may have caused them to use ANY available material (plastic or rubber) to make the handles.
I believe that this is why we see variations in the Hoover models 27 & 28; steel vs. aluminum castings and bakelite vs. metal hoods were probably also a result of material availability as the war was winding down. Just a guess that makes sense to me based on the times....
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA - Tuesday, November 15, 2005 at 20:14:35 (MST)
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Mark, to tell you the truth I am not sure. I have always assumed that the denser black rubber handles were from the early 30s, but certainly I may be wrong about that.
I will say that as back as far as the 1970s, genuine Electrolux replacement handles for the XXX were gray rubber, and I recall seeing some bojack handles that were gray plastic.
Funny, the plastic handles probably would hold out longer as they would not be affected by the salt in people's hands (from perspiration) the way rubber is. That's also why you hardly ever find the really old black and gray rubber Kirby handles , and the old Hoover molded rubber handles (150 etc.) in good shape -- the rubber literally gets deteriorated from people using the machines.
But back to the question, again, I don't know if replacement handles were ever sold in black.
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Tuesday, November 15, 2005 at 19:57:12 (MST)
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Model XXX - Charlie, your communique regarding the ebay obnox caused me to look at your description and then check out my shelf of XXXs. If a 535 Watt XXX has a black handle (a couple of mine do), does that mean the handle was replaced?
Janitronic - anyone interested in my Janitonic - or need parts? I do not keep uprights.
Mark Goodall
Omaha, NE USA - Tuesday, November 15, 2005 at 07:29:34 (MST)
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While I do not actively patrol eBay looking for people who use material from my site or link to it in their auctions, when I happen to come across these situations I email the sellers and draw their attention to the copyright notices on my site.
Usually, the oversight is an honest mistake with no harm intended, and most people apologize and immediately remove the copyrighted material or links.
However, every so often I run into a jerk who clearly thinks s/he is entitled to take from others what s/he wants, with no consideration whatsoever for other people's property or propriety rights to such property. Here's the most egregiously snide reply I have received to date from such a seller:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Question for item #4418697463 -
Antique 1949 Anniversary ELECTROLUX
Model XXX or 30 NR
From: kittytwitty Expires: Dec-14-05
To: sellitfouru
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I initially wrote:
=-> When you took text from my web site for use on your auction listing, you somehow missed the large and very prominent copyright notice on the page, which CLEARLY prohibits use of my site by eBay sellers. Please refer to that copyright notice (http://www.137.com/lux/luxxxxxx.html) and then remove my copyrighted text from your listing. Thank you. >-=
They replied:
=-> We most certainly respect anything that you have done in the way of educating the public on these unique vacuum cleaners. Copying someone's work is probably the highest form of compliment one human can pay to another. We even went so far as to comp;iment you further by directing others who are not so knowledgeable to your site. We certainly did not imagine that our nine dollar vacuum cleaner would cause you that much grief. We do, however, happen to have an attorney in the family who specializes in corporate law. Now that you have begun something, we'll let you have the last word, by going ahead and filing the necessary papers for copyright infringement. Have a nice day. We most certainly respect anything that you have done in the way of educating the public on these unique vacuum cleaners. Copying someone's work is probably the highest form of compliment one human can pay to another. We even went so far as to comp;iment you further by directing others who are not so knowledgeable to your site. We certainly did not imagine that our nine dollar vacuum cleaner would cause you that much grief. We do, however, happen to have an attorney in the family who specializes in corporate law. Now that you have begun something, we'll let you have the last word, by going ahead and filing the necessary papers for copyright infringement. Have a nice day. <-=
e.g. "Screw you."
It's folks like you that make eBay such a pleasure.
~
~~~
~~~~~~~
Charlie Lester
P.S.: You may find this hard to believe, but the world of vintage vacuum cleaner collecting is very, very tiny. I probably know, or know of, just about anyone who would have any interest in your Electrolux.
How inclined do you think any of my fellow collectors would be to patronize your auction when they receive their BCC of my reply to you? Once the word gets out, you're not likely get even your opening bid, let alone decent bidding on it (not that in its incomplete condition it's really worth a whole heck of a lot, that is).
Kinda seems like the "don't shoot yourself in the foot" or "don't cut off your nose to spite your face" sort of thing, doesn't it.......
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Monday, November 14, 2005 at 22:06:00 (MST)
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Veteran's Day
As a tastefully decorated combat veteran, may I suggest that you buy a vet lunch tomorrow. Y'all take care.
Mark Goodall
Omaha, NE USA - Thursday, November 10, 2005 at 12:10:14 (MST)
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To Mark Goodall:
The Janitronic is definately a keeper. If for nothing else, the brush roll. This machine was made by Scott & Fetzer at the Kirby factory. Notice there's no belt lifter. This machine was not for sale 'in the home', but to the commercial market through vac shops. The nozzle was not made to be removeable and no attachments were ever made to be used with it. The nozzle (and brush roller) are slightly larger than Kirby, since the parts are now obsolete (and it was made from 1968 - 1982) it would be wise to save it for use or 'parts'. Interestingly, the machine was made to be used with the cloth bag, or the "f & g" style paper bags. Scott and Fetzer had the bags made of very strong blue paper with a yellow 'throat', and in the later years, sold the paper bags in plastic packs marked with the Kirby logo. We ordered them with the Kirby parts order, and sold them to people who had 'converted' Kirbys (converted over to use paper bags). It saved us from having to tell the customer that she could buy her 'kirby' bags at the supermarket as Eureka F & G , which of course, would have not made us any money.
tom g.
park hills, mo USA - Tuesday, November 08, 2005 at 20:04:48 (MST)
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As many of you know, vintage vacs are brought to me because of the visibility of my assemblage sculptures. Well, today someone left a Janitronic Model J. It is brown with a greenish bag that has a pattern of the letter J inside diamond shapes. Is this a keeper?
Mark Goodall
Omaha, NE USA - Tuesday, November 08, 2005 at 16:40:26 (MST)
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Your so right Charlie.. is everyone still adjusting to the time changes and the fall weather. Well that is if your having fall weather. Here in Iowa we are still having Indian Summer.. High 60's today and 70's tomorrow.
Have added a new vacuum to my collection. A Viking Dustmaster which is a Eureka model 726. this one was used mabey once or twice. Still had the original bag. The only tools ever used were the dusting brush and crevise tool. So I am off to clean....well play... Later..
Morgan T. Frazer
Dubuqe, IA USA - Monday, November 07, 2005 at 21:12:44 (MST)
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Rec'd the following query to the site. Can anyone help this guy - assuming anyone is reading the forum?!
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The bearings in my Airway Sanitizer model 55A needed replacement. After 2 months of having it apart, I have forgotten how to put it back together. Can you let me know where I can get an exploded view of this machine so the reassembly can begin?
Hopefully,
Frank Wilhelm
piglets@imaginenet.net
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Monday, November 07, 2005 at 09:54:35 (MST)
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Gee, no one (but me) has posted since Halloween ... "WHERE IS EV-RY-BO-DY??!" :(
Did anyone pick up that Hoover in North Carolina?
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Sunday, November 06, 2005 at 19:57:28 (MST)
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Per my previous post, guess you need the email address to contact the guy ... it got truncated off because it was in "link" mode which this forum software - wisely - forbids! sorry. It's "jwerner5@nc.rr.com"
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Tuesday, November 01, 2005 at 20:09:40 (MST)
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We rec'd the following email to the web site. Anyone in the Raleigh NC area who wants this, feel free to contact the guy directly.
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From: "Jeff Werner"
To:
Gentlemen:
I have the following unit available for any of your members who may desire it:
Sears Model POWER MATE - 11656512690 (POWERMATE) Vacuum Cleaner
It is available for a donation of your choice. A repairman at Sears here in Raleigh suggested I offer this to your organization.
If anyone is interested, please contact me. I hope this will make someone out there happy.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey T. Werner
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Tuesday, November 01, 2005 at 17:40:27 (MST)
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HAPPY HALLOWEEN everybody.
Alex Taber
El Cajon, Ca. USA - Monday, October 31, 2005 at 16:45:38 (MST)
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Tom-
Glad you enjoyed the Dyson article. I don't think I would have recognized the differences between the DC07 and the DC14 if I hadn't talked to you and experienced both models personally. Both are more maneuverable in the upright mode than I had expected, though the 14 definitely has advantages in the wand configuration. I still think the instruction book needs more "fine tuning" than the machine does. The only things I'd change about the machine are the brush roll (so it releases hair more easily) and adding and optional non-stretch hose. Feel free to pass the article along to your friends at Dyson, if you'd like to.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA - Saturday, October 29, 2005 at 08:25:48 (MDT)
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Good morning,
I have to also tip my hat to Louis. The newletter (magazine) was wondferful. The pictures of the convention and all the new members were awesome. The articles were great. Thanks to everyone who took part and put forth all the effort. Can't wait for next year. Sounds like plans are being made.
Hope a trip to Stans theatere is part of the plans. That would be great fun and there are many of us in the club who are organist so hearing Stan play would be a great treat.
Thanks Louis for sending the Life Magazine article as well. It was a great feature. So many vacuums!!!
Morgan T. Frazer
Dubuque, IA USA - Saturday, October 29, 2005 at 08:21:24 (MDT)
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RJ:
Wonderful piece in the newsletter about your experiences with Dyson. You hit the nail on the head with you commentary about cleaning old cloth bags and the great success with using DC14. I too have quite a collection of vintage cloth-bag cleaners. When I get a 'new' member - the first thing to do is clean the cloth bag (and look for tears or rips to be repaired). I always find that the very fine, decayed dust in the cloth bags clogs up the filter in whatever vacuum I'm using as my 'shop vac'. Except when I use a Dyson. It's for that reason alone I came to feel the Dyson is superior to bag type sweepers. But I don't enjoy cleaning with a Dyson. It's the means to an end (a clean house).
I definately enjoy using my vintage cleaners. Unlike modern things like Dyson, a Hoover 700 is a joy to use. I smile the whole time I'm using an Electrolux LX-1. Am I crazy or what?
tom gasko
USA - Thursday, October 27, 2005 at 21:39:52 (MDT)
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Hey guys,
Sorry this is a bit late, but I just wanted to say how fabulous the most recent newsletter was. After reading it, it made me remember just how much fun I had. It was also the first time I had ever been to California, so it made it twice as fun and exciting. Louis, you have worked hard as the newsletter editor these past two years, and your work has been absolutely fabulous! Thank you for all your time and effort! And Alex, you are a very fun and knowledgeable guy, and are most definitely qualified for the new newsletter editor. I can't wait to see your work!
Thank you to everyone who attended the past convention and made it as fun and successful as it was, and louis, thank you once again for your hard work as newsletter editor.
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA USA - Sunday, October 23, 2005 at 17:21:50 (MDT)
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Help!
A friend of mine gave me a Sunbeam touch and go vacuum. It's a broom type vacuum, blue, skinny and has a revolving brushroll. I am looking for bags. If anyone has any extra, i'll buy. I am using a hoover belt ( the one for DAM power drive not the brushroll belt) and it fits perfectly. Just looking for the bags now. Oh the model number is 601-1. Thanks! Marty
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, Ca USA - Sunday, October 23, 2005 at 16:08:44 (MDT)
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NEWSLETTER-
Today I heard from two different sources about two members who have not yet received their newsletters. If you have not received yours, or know of another member that hasn't received theirs, please contact Louis Rescigno at > to request a replacement copy. Since he used up his pre-printed labels on the original mailing, please include your mailing address with your request. Thanks!
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA - Saturday, October 22, 2005 at 15:47:20 (MDT)
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WOW!!!
Got the latest newsletter in last Saturday's mail. What a GREAT issue!!! A tip of the hat to Louis and everyone else involved for a job well done! And Charlie, can't wait to see chapter 2 of your story!
Best regards to one & all,
Jeff
Jeff Schroff
Galion, OH USA - Friday, October 21, 2005 at 20:12:11 (MDT)
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Greetings to all, I know that this is a bit late but I just arrived home yesterday and I wanted to send out a very special thank you to Mark Turbyfill for hosting such a great mini meet. I went out a week early to help Mark get ready for this and he was wonderful host. It was so much fun helping him in the shop and getting things ready It was so good to see Roger, Michael, Dave, Brent, RJ, Richard, Mike, and Ken again. We had so much fun and I just wish that more of you could have been there as well. I don't think that anyone went home without some new treasures. On Monday Mark took us on a tour of Spokane that was so interesting. Once again Thanks Mark for being such a great friend and a perfect host.
Terry
Terry Lattz
Danville, Il USA - Friday, October 21, 2005 at 11:59:58 (MDT)
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Louis I just wanted to send a BIG THANK-YOU for the great Newsletter. I enjoyed reading it from cover to cover. Thanks for all of you hard work! Terry
Terry Lattz
Danville, Il USA - Friday, October 21, 2005 at 11:50:23 (MDT)
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Hi everyone,Just want to say'Thanks,Kudos,and Cheers'to Louis Rescigno for doing an outstanding job on the newsletter!! Alex Taber has a real hard act to follow but I'm sure he can handle it.--Jim
Jim Harakal
Mena, Ar USA - Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 14:26:38 (MDT)
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To Tom G:
Whoever told you that the convention speaker and "all the details" were already worked out was either being overly enthusiastic, or was misinformed. The list of possible hotels has narrowed considerably from the twenty I started with, and the next round of eliminations should leave us with the final choices. Marty K. has assisted me with some computer research, although no on-site visits have been made yet.
One of our members has graciously agreed to design our centerpiece/table decorations, and that process has already begun. As I mentioned in the email I sent you last week, I'd be contacting you soon about local participation. I've spoken to Stan Kann and Ruth Hollander to confirm their availability, although any scheduling within our time frame is only a list of potential activities at this point.
Until your posting on this forum, no suggestions had been made for guest speakers. Since then, the Board has suggested one additional name. If still more are suggested, they can also be considered. If time allows, I see no reason why we can't have mulitple speakers representing different perspectives. After all, our club is a diverse group with many different ideas about favorite machines.
If you or any other club member should hear any other rumors regarding convention plans, you can certainly feel free to contact me for verification, so we can minimize the promotion of incomplete and/or incorrect information.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA - Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 01:03:31 (MDT)
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To Marty R.:
There are all kinds of tricks to make using the DC07 easier. I'll show you at the St. Louis convention. The month of June, 2006 is the launch of a very special model Dyson, exclusive to America. I have it right now, on the home trial program, and can honestly say that our old "friend", Communist Reports, should LOVE the next model (right now, it has no model designation). One of the 'paces' I'm going to put it through is cleaning the lobby carpet at the Fox Theater next time when Stan and I go. He's bringing the Huge Hoover, 972, and I'm bringing the next model Dyson. Let's see which one cleans better... No matter who 'wins', I'm still in love with the 972. Just think, it was $135 in 1926...and will outclean almost any vacuum on the market today.
To RJ: Someone told me that the convention speaker (as well as the hotel and all the details) were already worked out for St. Louis 2006. Didn't your buddy Marty K. do all the leg work already? Someone said he did. I've had so much on my plate with the home trial Dyson, the Hoover Extreme (a Windtunnel with the Fusion's filtration system) plus the store to run and vintage vacs to restore, plus Stan is going through his collection to put some on eBay (I convinced him NOT to put anything on eBay that is really special or rare, but to save it for club members), plus Stan gave me a whole bunch of original cloth bags for machines in my collection, so I've been very busy making them look their very best. The Dyson company has been approached about being a corporate sponsor and they, of course are interested. I have a box full of Dyson T-Shirts, pens, prizes, CD's, etc. just wjaiting to be given away at the 2006 meeting. I also approached them about giving the club a DC15 for the contest. I didn't mean to step on your toes, you have done a great job so far. I'm definately going to sit back, relax, put my feet up, and enjoy everything you've put together for the next meeting.
To Morgan F.:
I've heard at least ten of my club member friends mention your name when we're talking about nominations for the next club President. RJ's term is up in June, and I for one would LOVE to see you run for office. You would make an EXCELLENT club President and I for one (among MANY) would definately vote for you. Please consider it.
tom gasko
park hills, MO USA - Wednesday, October 19, 2005 at 17:15:55 (MDT)
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Hi, Everybody! Charlie, I thoroughly enjoyed your article in the latest Newsletter! I Love It! The more I read it the more it sounds like me! I Love It!!! Marty, That's sure a sweet model CA! I could almost "Shoot Myself" for not buying those 2 CA's at the garage sale a couple of years ago but I didn't realize their value at the time, but--who knows--maybe I'll run into a CA again. Alex--I'll be sending you some pictures of my collection for your up-coming newsletters, I think you'll enjoy them. Charlie--I hope you get over your flu bug soon--Just drink lot's and lot's of water and it'll be gone in no time!!! Once again, Excellent Article!!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Take Care, Everybody--Until next time--Chow!
Nathan Thomas
Wayside, TX USA - Wednesday, October 19, 2005 at 16:15:02 (MDT)
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Following Charlie's suggestion below, I'm looking for a machine that's been on my "wish list" for quite some time. A Hoover Constellation, model 88. It does NOT have to be perfect (or even running, for that matter. It does NOT have to come with tools, etiher). But I would like it to have the color-matching tool caddy that hinges on the back.
What would I give for it? Well, I have several other models of Constellation I'd swap as a "fair trade." Or maybe another brand or model you'd prefer?
If you have a model 88 Constellation you'd be willing to part with, drop me a line & let me know & we'll talk!
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA - Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 20:03:42 (MDT)
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Well, it's rain rain rain again in "Sunny" Southern California ....... as I am sure most of you have heard, we DO have four seasons out here -- earthquakes, brush fires, floods, and landslides... Looks like we're enjoying three out of the four right now... *sigh*
Which means given my bout with some very strange kind of flu bug, I'm home-bound yet another day. Can't be going out in this miss with my lungs hangin' out of my mouth...
I'll spend some time tweaking and fixing a few little clinkers here and there on the site in-between still more bad television. You know, bad TV is kind of like crack. It's really habit forming isn't it. Gawd, what it must be doing to young impressionable children. Don't even want to wrap my mind around that.......
Anywayyyyy.......
I'd like to take this time to suggest that those who have had their own "mini-meetings" might want to submit photos, write-ups, etc., of those events for the web site's Club Room and/or publishing in the newsletter. That way, everyone can feel like they were able to participate on at least some level.
Ditto for photos of your collections, personal memories, wish lists, glorious finds, questions, repair tips, etc. etc. etc. You know - the kinds of things we all talk about one-on-one on the phone and in email with one another. Much of the vacuum chatter that goes on behind the scenes could be much more widely shared and enjoyed than it is now.
With wish lists in particular, what greater / easier way could there be for filling in the blanks in your collections? Whether it be for a particular nozzle or attachment, or an entire machine, why not send out the word to fellow collectors via the forum or newsletter, instead of paying the now-legendary and frequently outrageous rates on eBay?
Most of us are prone to be pack-rats to some extreme ... some worse than others ... while this may make good fodder for the therapist's couch and much teeth-gnashing by roommates, housemates, significant others, husbands, wives, parents, etc.; at the same time, it also makes a viable way to FINNNNND stuff you're looking for, and often for no more cost than the shipping. If even that. More than likely, SOMEONE has squirreled away that 1923 Hoover floor polisher head that you're dying to have. And it could be yours for the price of shipping or maybe a trade of something that YOU have hoarded away.
We used to have a lot of fun in the early days trading and swapping and sending stuff to one another; sometimes coming home and finding a "sweeper care package" on the front porch that just arrived out of the blue one day. That hardly ever happens anymore. And I think it's partly because of the fact that as the club has grown, the tight networking that used to happen has loosened considerably. And, of course, partly because of eBay.
And THAT is really what this club is supposed to be all about, if you know its history --- a club where like-minded collectors can COME TOGETHER and SHARE this magnificent obsession instead of "keeping it hidden in the cleaning closet."
So come on, boys and girls! Submit, Submit, Submit!! Send, Send, Send!!! As Alex Taber said, your officers and appointed servants can't run this club alone.
Thank you for ALL being active participants!!!!
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 08:24:14 (MDT)
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Well my newsletter came today!
Charlie Lester, I really enjoyed chapter 1 of your story. Something very interesting, my mom has the same theory about me hearing her vacuum before I was born, which really does seem possible.
Louis R., the newsletter was very good. As always, I love getting the newsletter and reading it.
Reggie Ridlen
Parker, Co USA - Monday, October 17, 2005 at 21:28:13 (MDT)
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Okay...
I have
f - i - n - a - l - l - y
archived the old postings. I could smell the smoke coming from RJ's computer all the way here in L.A. so I knew it was time...! haha
"But Seriously Folks" this IS a time-consuming process and has to be done "verrry delicately" as the Wicked Witch of the West said, or things can go terribly kafloooey. That's why I don't do it more often.
Example - archiving six months' worth of postings took almost three hours today. When I am in the bloom of good health and of sound mind (okay, never mind), it would go a little faster -- but while under the influence of TheraFlu and Robitussin, I really had to take my time and make sure nothing got screwed up.
But, today, what with being home from work and languishing in bed watching bad TV programs (okay, they're ALL bad, but especially bad in the daytime), it seemed to be the best chance I'll probably have in a while to get it done, so I finally just decided to get up and do it.
So anyway, there you have it.
Then to the newsletter, Louis, you did an EXCELLENT, FABULOUS, GLORIOUS job. I am one of a privileged few club members who knows first-hand what a big job THAT is and you rose to the challenge. I look forward to seeing the efforts of the newest editor, Alex Taber.
I've gotten quite a bit of response to my "Sweeper Memories" article. Seems a lot of it resonates with a lot of other collectors. So, RJ, I will have to figure out some kind of damage control and redo (again) the remaining chapters so the context flows correctly. Don't know yet how I am going to do this but I'll figure something out.
And, now, back to bed, for yet another episode of Jerry Springer ...... on TV I mean, not here in real life ....... I HOPE!!
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Monday, October 17, 2005 at 20:54:36 (MDT)
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Ol' Crabby here, sticking my head in from my sick bed (flu) to say not only is it being a "pal" to provide your email address when posting to the Forum, it's also a requirement of the Forum Guidelines -- for security purposes.
Members may want to take a moment and review the Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Monday, October 17, 2005 at 15:26:28 (MDT)
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To Tom G-
I'm somewhat puzzled by your recent post. You say that you never seem to receive a newsletter. Have you contacted the editor about this? Or the treasurer, who maintains the roster and provides the labels for newsletter mailing? If there's a glitch in our system, I'd certainly like to know so I can address it. Perhaps you can let me know which newsletter issues you do have so we can figure out which ones you may be missing. The current issue was mailed last Wednesday; I received mine on Saturday. Since different areas of the country take different times for delivery, please keep me posted is you don't have yours within a week of mailing. I think you'd especially enjoy this one, since it have my review of the DC-14, along with lots of color pictures of the Los Angeles convention.
Your post goes on to mention the possiblity of James Dyson as convention speaker and continues, "but I understand there are already other plans". Are you saying that Mr. Dyson has other plans and would not be available? Or are you saying that there are other plans for a convention speaker? If other plans are being made for a guest speaker, no one has consulted with me about it. I'm sure you remember from the policies established during your tenure as president that convention coordination is the responsibility of the president. If someone is making plans for a guest speaker, I would certainly hope that they would consult with me regarding this issue.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA - Monday, October 17, 2005 at 03:59:53 (MDT)
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Hey Tom,
I don't think there is anyone lined up to be the guest speaker as of yet so if you can get James Dyson by all means get him!!! I would love to meet him! I will try that trick to release some of the suction when using the hose on my Dyson and will let you know how it turns out.
Jeff,
I too have the DC07 Animal model and i love it on the rugs. I will rethink the tools when i try Tom's trick to release some of the suction. What i do wish is that they sell the book brush that is available on one of the DC15's as a separate optional tool. I would buy it.
PS Tom, be a pal and put your email on your post so i don't have to search for my roster through that big pile of paper allegedly known as my desk. I will be talking to you soon. Marty
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, CA USA - Sunday, October 16, 2005 at 16:41:08 (MDT)
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Marty:
We are opposite on Dyson tools, I actually like using the tools, and while the dusting brush could be better, the crevice tool and the upholstry tool are very good.
I am also very impressed with the tool suction, I believe it to be the strongest I have ever encountered as it makes the turbo brush nozzles I have sound like they are gonna take off!
What the Dyson does need is some type of carrying handle, I usually hold the hose with one hand and the top of the dirt bin with the other, sometimes the bin becomes detached...I think I read somewhere they had corrected this issue(I have a DC07 Animal) but maybe the one I have is older.
Overall its not a bad vacuum, it just takes some getting used to. I like the quiet-ness and that it maneuvers well. The handle is also comfortable, and the hose/wand reaches all the way to the top of my stairs without lifting the cleaner.
Drawbacks are the tiny brush roller that easily becomes entangled wity hair, the nozzle suction inlet right over the belt, no headlight, no carry handle, and the amount of stuff that seems to stick up in the cyclones of the dirt container. I can tap tap tap that thing and get dirt out of it for 10 minutes after releasing the bottom of the bin.
I was at Lowes yesterday buying a new faucet for my downstairs bathroom and stopped to look at the DC15 and the BALL. I can see the advantages of the DC15 over the DC07, but am not crazy about the small diameter for the extension tube, even smaller still on The Ball. It also looks like you can take the cyclones apart on the newer cleaners too.
Jeff Parker
Roselle, IL USA - Sunday, October 16, 2005 at 09:48:40 (MDT)
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Once again, I find myself thanking my good friends at the VCCC. Your generosity and kind thoughts are overwhelming. I can1t tell you how the gorgeous flowers touched my heart and brightened my spirit. You are all so very special to me.
I have every intention of attending the 2005/2006 Convention. Besides, I1ve been threatening Tom Gasko that I was going to visit him and his remarkable collection for the past 8 years.
Here1s hoping that all the negativity from this past year has been left behind along with my room at Broward General Hospital. The hospital doctor discharged me this past Thursday. I am now recovering in the comfort of my own home, which, by the way I have only had the pleasure to spending two nights prior to my illness. With a little luck, I will find new employment soon and normal life can begin again for me.
Thanks again, from the bottom of my heart for all of your kindness.
Michael LaBue
Ft. Lauderdale, FL USA - Sunday, October 16, 2005 at 08:53:04 (MDT)
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To past newsletter editor Louis from the new newsletter editor. GREAT jOb!! The hard work paid off big time, thank's for making Kinko's get it RIGHT.
To the membership. I have a number of ideas for future newsletters but I can't do it alone. As both Louis and R.J. said please send me whatever you have in the way of ads, cartoons, articles, and human interest stories. I plan to profile one club menber in each issue and that could mean you, so please jot down a few comments about yourself, how old you were when you were bitten by the vacuum cleaner bug, what your favorite machines are and a bit about you collection in general. E-mail those to me so I can file them into my computer.
I know that most of our board members and other staff are limited on time spent on club business. As I am semi-retired I plan to be at this desk several hours every day. For me, the newsletter will be a job not just a hobby. I plan to grind out historical information both electric and non-electric. At this years convention I gave the club three books of patents that I started acquiring back in 1972 and completed in 1990. These are patents of Electrolux, Hoover and Kirby. I have also devoted a lot of time over the years working on a biography of both Electrolux and Kirby.
If you have questions I'll try to find the answer, or if you just want to talk about vacuum cleaners, Call or e-mail me.
Alex Taber
El Cajon, Ca USA - Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 21:05:18 (MDT)
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hey whassup? I just got a newsletter "Post Convention Issue" Looks like all y'all musta had a perty good time? maybe someday I'll get to come to one a all y'alls meetings. All y'all went all out I see...Vacuum cleaners on the dinner table? givin vacuum cleaners names? sounds like quitea deal! How many vacuums wouldja say were probly there? who brought the most? (I'm sure ya noticed that I used the word "All Y'all"- this is cuz "y'all" is only one person..."all y'all" is more than one. I also noticed by the directory all y'all sent me, that there's another feller in Oklahoma besides me collectin vacuums! Good ta know I'm not alone!well, over and out...10-fore good buddy I'll be seein all y'all one day! Don't forget to tell me who brought the most vacuums!
Jason Davis
Dewey, OK USA - Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 17:57:48 (MDT)
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Hi Marty:
Glad to hear you got your newsletter. You'll have to let me see it sometime. I never seem to receive one.
The Dyson hose is easy to use IF you release some of the suction. Squeeze the tabs on the blockage removal port and lift it up about 1/2 inch. This is like opening the suction control on a canister. The very powerful suction will be reduced by about 1/2 making it very easy to use the hose and attachments.
Also, when using the Dyson as an upright, place the cord in the slot at the top behind the suction opening in the handle. Close the little vented cover and your cord will not get in your way but will be held up nicely on the handle.
I was going to see if I could get James Dyson to speak at the St. Louis covention, but I understand there are already other plans. Hope the guest speaker will be as interesting as James. He'll be in America the entire month of June next year for the lauch of the ConstantMAX model. Perhaps I can have him come to my shop and I'll privately invite a few interested club members over to meet him in person. I think he's an interesting and dynamic person, certainly someone a vacuum collector would want to meet.
tom g.
USA - Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 16:05:52 (MDT)
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Louis, just got the newsletter in the mail today. It's fantstic! Good Job!!!
Marty
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, CA USA - Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 13:15:44 (MDT)
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Jeff, I have the DC07 Animal myself and am constantly amazed what a Great Dane and two messy roommates can leave behind. I didn't realize that i should check the brushroll( I just thought everything would be sucked into the collection bin.) What a surprised when i turned the machine over and found the brush roll completely covered with hair and threads.
I like the Dyson to vacuum the rugs only. I find that i have to fight with the hose for dusting so i just pull out the Electrolux ( be it the Marquis, L , or the Lux/Eureka Oxygen) when i want to vacuum everything else.
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, CA USA - Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 01:01:31 (MDT)
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To Marty:
Haven't had a chance to play with a Fusion yet, they just started turning up in the stores around here.
I've just recently had the chance to play with a Dyson DC07 Animal, and use it in my house. Its not as bad as I thought it would be, but that tiny brush roller really gags on all the dog hair, becoming quite tangled. My neighbor across the street had a similar problem with a Dyson last year, too much pet hair for the teeny tiny brush roll to cope with.
Kinda fun to play with though, I get a kick out of watching the dog hair swirl in that bin, for about 5 minutes, then its so full that it stops spinning!
No wonder I'm changing the bag in my Convertible every other week!
Jeff Parker
Roselle, IL USA - Thursday, October 13, 2005 at 15:29:42 (MDT)
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Marty,,
About the Windtunnel beater bar,,Of the ones I have worked on. They use a little plastic lever inside the case that relieves pressure on the beater bar belt so it wont turn while using the tools. The draw back I have seen is that the belt is still in contact with the motor shaft and not moving,,thus wearing out a spot in the belt,,until it breaks. My sisters windtunnel eats this belt about every two months. Due to the wear spots,,and her rationalization that anything that hits the floor should be able to fit in the vacuum,including Polly pocket dolls! Good thing the cat or the dog doesnt stay around her during the house cleaning ritual of sacrificing a virgin object to the vacuum god *grin*
I dont know about the rest of you collectors,,but I sure felt like I missed a great time up at the mini meet! And I know for sure Marty Rocha and myself wouldve ended up shipping a few new prizes home!
Victor
Victor Lee
Palm Springs, CA USA - Thursday, October 13, 2005 at 01:08:41 (MDT)
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Dear Friends & Fellow Collectors,
Wheeewww!!! The newsletter has finally mailed today, Wednesday, October 12!
You will receive a full color 32-page magazine that includes over eleven pages of color photos from this past June's convention in California.
What a BEAR of a newsletter to publish I might add. A thirty-two pager was no easy task! Many, many, many hours were spent just downloading, organizing, and importing photos from June's convention via emails received from our president, RJ Vanik, not to mention the many articles, as well. RJ and I have put a lot of hard work and time into this publication and it is still not nearly as perfect as I would have liked it to be.
Printing began on September 29th and problems arose from the onset. The file could not be properly read and so Kinkos farmed the job out via email to a third party and that's where the comedy of errors began. When Kinkos received the file back and began their part of the process, their inexperience with new software capabilities and constraints further complicated the equation impart as a result of their fairly newly established partnership with FedEx. Somehow, several of the previous variables (some of which I had established with them from the beginning of my tenure as editor/publisher) changed and I looked like the crazy guy. However, I challenged the constraints and drove them hard until they got it right! It only took three printings and like I said earlier, it is still not nearly as perfect as I would have liked it to be!
And so here it is for you to enjoy. Mailing them out is another chore in itself. I had to handle each envelope four times--three stamps and one return label had to be affixed, one denomination at a time. I had Kinkos reprint the labels since they used the previous ones on the goof-ups and asked them to affix them to the new envelopes. NOW.....
If there is anyone who is a current member who does not receive a newsletter, please don't panic. Let Dave Olsen know and he will forward that information to me and I will get one out to you ASAP!
So guys, let us know what you think. In the meantime, enjoy!
Louis
Louis Rescigno, Newsletter Publisher/Editor
Madison, CT USA - Wednesday, October 12, 2005 at 19:02:48 (MDT)
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Just to let everyone know, member Michael LaBue is in Broward General Hospital until the end of this week an/or possibly longer.
The phone number is 954-355-4400, room 316. I'm sure he would appreciate hearing from his vacuum friends. I do not have the address for the hospital or his new Ft. Lauderdale address. Please note, he and John just moved to a new condo last week so any address you may have had previously is not correct.
If nothing else, say a prayer for his recovery. Those of you have met him will probably never forget him! And, keep in mind, at the 2003-04 conventions, he was responsible for nearly $1000 worth of raffle sales so we as a club are indebted on some level.
Thanks!
C. Watrous
Charlotte, USA - Tuesday, October 11, 2005 at 17:49:37 (MDT)
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Tom,
Thanks for the info on the Hoover Fusion. I'm not wild about the color either and it's a shame the brushroll does not turn off when using the attachments. The Windtunnel can, why not the Fusion?
New models of Electrolux from Lowes appeared in the Parade magazine in the Sunday paper this morning. Looks like they put a PN on what looks the be the Harmony but they are calling it the Oxygen3 model. The upright version looks like the first Lux ( the real Electrolux) from the 70's, big and bulky.
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, CA USA - Monday, October 10, 2005 at 00:15:52 (MDT)
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Spokane update
Hi Everyone, We are having a great time here and wish that you were all here with us!! Terry has been a great help and wonderful company this past week. I couldn't have done his without him. Today we went to the home show and had a fun time playing with the new Lux, Rainbow, and Tri Stars. Can you believe that there were no Kirby dealers there??? We have had a great day here at the house playing with vacuums and my new Front Loading washer. We had breakfast at a little local waffle shop and tonight we ordered KFC and enjoyed the rest of RJ's birthday cake.
Marc Turbyfill
Spokane, wa USA - Sunday, October 09, 2005 at 22:51:39 (MDT)
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Marty:
The Hoover Fusion has decent suction. It's fun to use. It cleans the rug very well. I like how the turbo brush hangs on-board. Wish the pre-motor filter was not just a 1/4 inch piece of foam. Leaks some fine dust. A Hepa filter would have made it run cleaner. Probably that's what the 'improvement' will be in the next version of the Fusion. I like the telescopic handle and really like how the switch is right at your thumb. It's not as clean to empty as the Dyson, you have to actually brush the inside holes clean on the Hoover. But it does vacuum the rug really well and has decent suction. Don't care for the color, though. Would have looked better in some other color. Wish it had a way to shut off the brush when using attachments or for bare floor cleaning. The Fusion uses the Windtunnel's brush roller, which accounts for the Fusion's fine performance on carpets.
tom g.
USA - Sunday, October 09, 2005 at 12:51:47 (MDT)
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SPOKANE UPDATE
Started the day with a continental breakfast at Marc's home. Spent much of the late AM and early PM going through Marc's huge paper collection; several pieces I'd never seen before. LOTS of GE,Premier, and Kenmore documents. Later it was testing out machines in his (home) basement, followed by a tour of his garage. He was looking to make some room in his basement and garage, so lots of his (former) machines now have new homes. Spent the later PM at thrift stores, then the whole gang went out to dinner. Back to Marc's for desert (cake & ice cream; my birthday today). My favorite find of the day was the Hoover 34 that's eluded me for years. That's one more I can cross of my "wish list". I think the plan for today is to spend much of the time a Marc's store, since it's not open for business today. We may do a "basement cleanout" there. More updates later.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA USA - Sunday, October 09, 2005 at 09:51:00 (MDT)
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RJ senility is sinking in since i misspelled my last name! But you know how it's spelled!
NEXT TOPIC:
Has anyone had any chance to use an Electrolux Harmony? I was at Sears earlier this week and was looking at one. They look kind of cute and i like the attachments. Also, has anyone used the Hoover Fusion? I also have my eye on that one and wonder if maybe Jeff or Fred S. has anything to say about it ?
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs , CA USA - Saturday, October 08, 2005 at 13:07:10 (MDT)
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RJ, I was hoping someone would give us a daily rundown on the mini meet. I really wanted to go but me brother's College gradution was last night and we are having a big family gathering tomorrow for his graduation and for my father's birthday and my sister, who lives in Olympia and RARELY visits California, is going to be here for a week. If none of this were going on ( i would have taken Dad for dinner later this week )I would have been there. Did Mike fly up there or did he ride his bike (well maybe that's too far to ride, duh!) Anyway, just thought about him because we are having "California Heat" here in Palm Springs. This town is filled and i mean FILLED with people on motorcycles!! The bikes are cool to look at and hear, mostly Harleys. Wouldn't get on one though after working 15 years in trauma LOL! Give us another update tonight if you can. And remind Marc, I have Saniway S wands and a carpet nozzle on my wish list if he digs them up. Have a great time all!
Martin Rcoha
Palm Springs, CA USA - Saturday, October 08, 2005 at 12:58:56 (MDT)
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The spokane mini-meet began to take shape last evening as participants gathered at Marc Turbyfill's store. Several different geographic regions were represented with Terry Lattz(IL) Ken Johnson(MT) Mike Banta(CA) Roger LeQuea, Michael Thomas(AZ) David Olsen, Brett Schiewe (OR) Marc Turbyfill and myself (WA)participating. We spent much of the evening trying out different machines, eating pizza and socializing. This morning we're meeting at Marc's home for breakfast,then a day of thrift store hunting. More to report later.
I also want to take a moment to wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to members Jim Cowardin (10/08) and Mark Thomas (10/10).
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA - Saturday, October 08, 2005 at 08:59:40 (MDT)
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So the other night I was watching a DVD of that goofy 1960s variety show "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" ....... when, what to wondering eyes should appear ....... See www.137.com/modern and go to the third page of that section!
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Saturday, October 01, 2005 at 23:42:17 (MDT)
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after not coming to the forum for a while its good to read past post. thats what happens when a new partner takes up with u, im as happy as if id hit a thrift store and hit the mother load, looks like a move is in the near future for me and the children
ron
ron d jones
USA - Friday, September 30, 2005 at 17:23:52 (MDT)
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Hi, All--Well, I'm Now the "Proud Owner" of a Vintage Fairfax Vacuum--Matter of fact I now have two!!! Went "Junking" yesterday, and bought an almost all chrome, Fairfax Vacuum Cleaner, for less than $10.00! Talk about Suction!!! When I pulled the motor unit off of it and turned it on, and set it on the floor--That dude will literally stick to the floor! I'll tell you that's some incredible suction! The machine came with it's original hose, and what looks to be a floor tool with scrubbing type brushes on it, also it came with an extra center piece that fits inside. The tank inside looks spotless! Who knows--If anybody has an Electrolux Hospital G--Maybe we could do some trading--as I probably don't need two Fairfaxes but it really is a pretty one! Hope you all are doing well, and yes, it's really sad about the person who lost everything to the hurricane--Anyhow--That's it for now--Until next time--
Nathan
Nathan Thomas
Wayside, TX USA - Friday, September 30, 2005 at 14:51:33 (MDT)
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Terry,
Sorry I won't be able to attend Mark's mini meet. Just found out that a good friend is dying of cancer. Now in the liver so she has about 2 weeks...
Morgan T. Frazer
Dubuqe, IA USA - Thursday, September 29, 2005 at 06:11:04 (MDT)
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Fred,
Thanks for the Post. It is so good to hear that Charlie is back on board. And that board members are all ready planning for the convention next year. It takes team work to make this club work and communication to the rest of the membership...
Again thank you Fred and WELCOME BACK CHARLIE!!!
Morgan T. Frazer
Dubuque, IA USA - Thursday, September 29, 2005 at 06:08:29 (MDT)
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Hi to all, Thank you Fred for letting us all know about this. I would like to be the first one here to welcome Charlie back to the board. I am so glad to have you back! And yes Fred, it was a fabulous time at your home this past weekend. We had so much fun playing with all of Fred's beautiful vacuums as well as changing his vacuum rooms all around. Fred is a fantastic host and we all had a great weekend. Saturday evening Jeff Parker hosted us at his home. He had a delicious prime rib dinner for us. It was great to see his collection again as well.
Just want to also remind all of you that it isn't to late to plan on coming to Mark Turbyfill's mini meet the weekend of Oct. 7,8,9. If you are interested just go back to the orginal posting on July 22nd. for the details. I am leaving for Mark's this weekend so if you plan to come just give us a call at 509-327-2244 Mark'home or at 509-327-4662 Mark's shop and let us know if you are coming, the more the merrier! Several people are already planning on being there. I know that we will have a great time. Terry
Terry Lattz
Danville, Il USA - Wednesday, September 28, 2005 at 22:21:17 (MDT)
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Greetings members!! Charlie Watrous has been reinstated as a board member. Charlie Lester - please add him to the masthead on this site. Plans are underway for St. Louis - stay tuned . . .
Fred Nelson
St. Charles, Il USA - Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at 21:42:55 (MDT)
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[I am forwarding this with Jimmy's consent - so many people wanted to know more about what happened, so here it is from the horse's mouth ~C]
- - - - - - -
Hello to all, Mr. Jimmy Descant, Rocketman; and Mrs. Penelope Getman-Descant calling.
We want to say thanks to all our friends and family that have gotten touch via e-mail with concerns for our health, safety, and whereabouts.
For anyone who hasn't heard the story, I'm going to tell it, including updates, followed by an appeal.
We left New Orleans June 29 with a truck full of art, our 2 cats, and our 1984 Shasta camper for a 2 month trip thru the American West, 3 art shows, and a hunt for the perfect mountain range to nestle against. We had gone on such a trip last year, and fell in love with southern Utah's majesty, and proximity to so many natural wonders; and truly set our sights on moving from New Orleans, my home area for life, and Penelope's for years.
An outdoor show 4th of July in Denver went well, but not fantastic sales; but we were camping in the Rockies! My next show was in Pasadena scheduled for opening Aug. 6, but got postponed 2 weeks, so we hurried a schedule together to head straight south to Phoenix, and with the greatest effort, the folks at the Phoenix Family Museum got a gallery to let me have a 1 night special show, and we made a grand hit. Though no sales there I may be working at this future world class children's museum next year designing interiors of buildings in "rocketship interior" stylings. The possibilities are endless, and large in scope.
Before going to Pasadena for the group show opening, "America", we went back to Utah to look at land and places, dreaming all the time. It was great getting educated about another state.
The show in Pasadena was a great time, I made lots of contacts, was excited about the possibilities, but only sold my lowest price piece. After finding out that the show length was cut in half due to their schedule mixup, I arranged any unsold pieces to be transferred to another gallery in Hollywood.
We left Ca. and headed for New Mexico, and Santa Fe. Penelope found a great little adobe hotel in the small town of Espanola, NM; We found our wedding rings at a flea market there that day, 1940's sterling, shaped like an arrowhead, with crossed arrows on the side (means friendship). We had a minister meet us there, and got married in a small ceremony in the courtyard, with her Mom on the speaker phone! Little did we know that in New Mexico, there are plenty mosquitos near rivers! We were all scratching.
Sunday we took the day to relax, and couldn't, watching Hurricane Katrina heading straight to New Orleans. Last year we rode out Ivan at our house and thankfully for N.O., it turned. We didn't have that feeling this time around, and there was nothing we could do but try to contact folks before the hit. Monday we drove to Amarillo, then to Texarkana to meet up with Penelope's Mom and family at a relative's place, and here we still are. My family are all right because they got safe and all live on the northshore away from the water. None of them have electricity yet, but are coping, and doing fine.
We have our camper parked at another relative's house with elec, water, and sewerage, so we're comfortable but cramped. We realize that we have it so much better than all those poor people who had to endure the horrors of the storm, then the deplorable living conditions, then the shuttling inbetween shelters.
It's very hard not to be allowed down to see, or to help, or to show the world what happened. We have been just upset about the lack of information available about even basic questions thru this whole fiasco of beaurocracy.
We have seen aerial photos of our neighborhood, thru weather.gov, showing above shots of the flooding, but not the depth. We got the eyewitness account a few days ago from our next door neighbors, who drove, then walked, the paddled to get home to check it out. The saved several folks who were stuck in attics, and got them to medical help. The told us that the water was up to the ceilings of all the homes in our area! The garage/shop in the backyard sits on the ground and low so the water is probably over the roof. We were on the wrong side of 2 of the levee breaks, with the turned over train cars of chemicals, the sewerage systems overflowing into the area, coffins floating down the streets, and the dead bodies all around town. Our neighbor had to dive into that toxic soup to get the axe to chop thru the ceilings too.
We left town with what was going on this trip, but it looks like evrything else in our beautiful rented house and shop is gone, or just too contaminated. Even if they pump all the water out, we won't be able to get back in till the cleanup starts to even see if there's anything salvageable. They say that may be 30-90 days at best accounts.
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We went into N.O. on Wed. and hope no one has to go thru something like that.
After the second checkpoint, they said get in and get out because this will be your last chance till after Rita runs it's course. It was like a wasteland, of people and life.
We managed to get some stuff out but most was lost to damage and mold. The stench was overwhelming at times. My very first rocket was a casualty, totally coroded and full of grime, like a lot of my art and other people's art too. The garage had been completely under and the rocket bikes weren't destroyed, but ruined forever.
The hanging Electrolux too. All my old records, all my business stuff, my Dad's guitar.... Stuff in the attic was spared though. We did what we could, and said good-bye to Pontalba St. We'll never show the pictures to anyone who came to our warm and loving home, for red beans, or visits, or rest. You, and the house, deserve only those memories.
Yesterday, we Lysol bathed everything we got out and packed it away in P's mom's garage. After years of collecting cool stuff and parts for art, it all fits in a 6' w x 4' deep x 5' tall space.
Most all my parts are so contaminated, I would never feel good about putting them in my art again.
Don't be fooled by the EPA's assesment of the bio hazards there. They're sugar coating to get tax payers back in, and the stench and infections will assuridly kill more later. The corruption is unbelievable!!!!
We want to go visit everyone we know to soak up some love. Please keep in touch, and once I get access to my website again, I'll post all the info.
So many folks have offered us a place to stay, and help, that our hearts are about to burst.
We're so thankful for so many things, past present, and future.
As someone who's almost always been self employed and self sufficient, it's so hard to even utter a plea for help. We really have all that's truly important, we just need funds. We never thought that we would be kicked out of New Orleans in such a way, instead of leaving in love and peace and gratitude. The expenses, and lack of sales, of this Western trip have put in a bind. As well as Penelope losing her private massage practice and job in the French Quarter.
As newlyweds, as friends, as artists, we ask that if you can help financially, we would deeply appreciate the effort. Here is a direct way to help evacuees. We have a place to stay now rent free, and will likely be moving on to Kentucky to stay with Penelope's sister rent free, having to get whatever jobs we can, in our fields or not. I am lining up little shows, and gallery contacts thru cool folks from the road. I just have to work outside the camper with whatever I find here.
The funds we make or receive will go to relocation, especially gas. The site is still up, but frozen. http://www.deluxerocketships.com/. The truck on the site is sold, but Penelope may be selling her cool ride also to help get us West, the 1968 Chevy Caprice, 396, 325 hp. Pics on request, once we get it out of Slidell. Luckily it was stored at her Mom's house and wasn't hurt.
And the West is the true trail's end for these cowpokes. We knew before the storm that like the Anasazi said, "It is time to go.". I'll miss my hometown unbelieveably.
Our old # has been disconnected, 504-484-6958. Once cell towers go up in that area, P's cell should work, or she'll get another phone. She can call anyone but only sporadic incoming calls. 504-388-0848. Since I have access to a computer, e-mail is the way to go. DON'T MAIL ANYTHING TO N.O.! My site is up but it's frozen in limbo till I can get the old program and a new computer.
Our new mailing address for a while will be Jimmy & Penelope Descant c/o Charlotte Feldman, 120 Marwood Dr., Lancaster, Ky. 40444. Thanks to all my friends, family, business associates, and just cool folks that have crossed our paths in this great life. We love you and feel you. We'll be in touch about all the next great adventures.
Jimmy & Penelope
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at 20:37:45 (MDT)
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Yikes! That link doesn't work too well. Go to Automaticwasher.org to thread 3424 on the Super Forum to see all the fun!
Ida
Fred Nelson
St. Charles, Il USA - Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at 20:32:03 (MDT)
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Michael darling - I could never be offended by you. All of the credit goes to the Contessa de Chatham and the others. I am soooooo glad you like the G Kirby. They are fabulous aren't they. Check out this link for a review of the fabulous vacuum gathering this last weekend. My basement will never be the same!!! http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/THREADS/SANDBOX/3424X52.htm
Fred Nelson
St. Charles, IL USA - Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at 19:13:39 (MDT)
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OHMIGOD! I just realized that I did not mention Fred Nelson in my last post. He also particapated in sending us the Kirby G4. Fred I'm so sorry to have not mentioned you in my original post. I was as nurvous as an Academy Award Winner by forgetting who to thank for my gift. Will you ever forgive me?
Best Wishes
Michael
Michael LaBue
Ft. Lauderdale, FL USA - Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at 11:33:48 (MDT)
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I just realized that it has been almost a year since I¹ve posted on the VCCC¹s Forum. The last year has been a very challenging one for me. I¹ve moved from NYC to Ft. Lauderdale with my new partner. We are moving into our new apartment this coming weekend. Therefore I¹d like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Chuck Chatham, Charlie Watrous and Tania, for that gorgeous Kirby G4 as our housewarming gift. I can¹t think of the last time I was so touched by a gift. As Chuck knows it totally caught me by surprise. There wasn¹t a dry eye in the room. You guys mean the world to me. Thank you all SO VERY MUCH! Even John is getting a kick out of it. He loves the Tech Drive. I¹m thinking that¹s a good thing. He can help with the vacuuming now and not complain about it. LOL!
I love you guys
Michael
Michael LaBue
Ft. Lauderdale, FL USA - Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at 11:29:25 (MDT)
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O M G
I am so sorry to hear about Jimmy Descant. He has created some incredible art and sculpture from old vacuum cleaners and other appliances. There are links to web sites in the "Sweeper Links" section of our site; and his email address is SOUL47@aol.com. He is a very kind and gentle person. I am sure he would be very grateful to get emails of moral support.
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at 00:58:26 (MDT)
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Katrina Destroys Vintage Vac Art
One of this site's Sweeper Links is to Jimmy Descant's Deluxe Rockets. He is an assemblage artist using many vintage canister's in his work. His home and studio were destroyed by Katrina. He happened to be doing a show out of the city when Katrina hit.
Mark Goodall
Omaha, NE USA - Monday, September 26, 2005 at 08:17:15 (MDT)
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I am looking for a Hoover Model 115 to add to my collection. Any out there?
duane torisky
USA - Thursday, September 22, 2005 at 20:17:51 (MDT)
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I saw the article, very nicely done, and some great publicity for the club!
On another note, everyone be sure to tune into "The Price is Right" this Wednesday September 21, the episode that Fred S and I were in the audience for way back in June is finally going to air!
Jeff Parker
Roselle, IL USA - Monday, September 19, 2005 at 13:40:13 (MDT)
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Louis Recigno is sending me a copy the article. We don't get that here in the midwest. Most of our papers use Parade.
Thanks
Morgan T. Frazer
Dubuque, IA USA - Monday, September 19, 2005 at 05:50:35 (MDT)
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Could someone forward a copy of the Life magazine article. I have looked and we don't have the available here.
Thanks in advance!!
Morgan T. Frazer
Dubuque, IA USA - Friday, September 16, 2005 at 20:32:24 (MDT)
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To Kyle M-
I was surprised to see the Life Magazine article come out today - they had told me it would be in the Sept. 23rd edition. Brian's photos were great, and I was very pleased with the way the article was written.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue , WA - Friday, September 16, 2005 at 19:27:57 (MDT)
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To Jeff Schroff-
The coming issue of our club newsletter is due to be mailed within the next few days. It will be a DOUBLE issue (32 pages) with 8 pages in color. As soon as I know it's been mailed, I'll be letting members know here so they can watch their mailboxes.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue , WA - Friday, September 16, 2005 at 19:19:30 (MDT)
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To All VCCC Members: For all of those who attended the Convention in Los Angeles 2005 you may recall we had a photographer, Brian Berman, who was working on a photo assignment. Today, in your local major newspaper there should be a copy of "LIFE" on pages 16-17 is an article/color pictures on our Club. By all means make sure you get a copy.
PS The featured members are Victor Lee, President RJ Vanik, Brett Schiewe, Fred Stachnik and Mikey Banta.
Take care,
Kyle J Mathews
Kyle J Mathews
Los Angeles, CA USA - Friday, September 16, 2005 at 10:56:47 (MDT)
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Hi everyone! This is my first posting to the forum after almost 2 years in VCCC. My collection is small with about 10 vacs in it, including a Regina, Sweeper Vac, Filter Queen, 2 Hoover Constellations, Hoover 28, Westinghouse Canister, 2 Electro-Hygiene uprights (straight suction) and an Electro-Hygiene 966 Tank. I first learned of the club through Charlie Lester's website, which I have visited and enjoyed again and again. So many great pictures and so much information!
Speaking of pictures and information, I also found our newsletter a great source, but I wonder what's going on with it. When I joined the club I was told it comes out quarterly, but so far, I have only received 1 issue this year, and 3 last year,so hopefully there will be another issue real soon.
Take care, and best wishes to one and all,
Jeff
Jeff Schroff Sr.
Galion, OH USA - Thursday, September 15, 2005 at 22:22:50 (MDT)
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I hope this finds all of you having a great weekend. I just wanted to put up a little reminder about the "Mini Meet" that Mark Turbyfill is planning. It is set for Oct. 7,8,9th. If you are interested in any details you can refer back to our orginal posting on July 22nd. If you have any questions feel free to contact me either by email or phone. (217-443-2918). Mark has some wonderful vacuums and I know that you would have a great time. I bet if there is a special machine or part that you are looking for you just might find it. Take care all!
Terry
Terry Lattz
Danville, Il USA - Saturday, September 10, 2005 at 12:27:44 (MDT)
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Add my best wishes Chuck. Hope that you had a great birthday!! Terry
Terry Lattz
Danville, Il USA - Friday, September 09, 2005 at 22:13:22 (MDT)
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Happy Birthday Chuck, may all your wishes come true!
Jeff Parker
Roselle, IL USA - Friday, September 09, 2005 at 13:20:49 (MDT)
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Tomorrow, Friday, September 9th, is Chuck Chatham's birthday. Chuck has been a member few several years and also served on the Board for the club.
I hope you wish him a Happy Birthday as I do!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR CHUCK AND MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY!!
C. Watrous
Charlotte, NC USA - Thursday, September 08, 2005 at 21:32:00 (MDT)
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Well a grand time was had by all at Tania's 50th birthday gathering. The group started out on Saturday and visited Stan's (I'm sorry, but I don't remember his last name) collection. He has some older machines and I wish I was there because he ran his gas-powered Maytag wringer for the group. The group partied on until I arrived on Sunday morning to see Tania's ever-expanding collection. She must have the definitive Airway collection, although she parted with the two-motor Airway to Charlie. She got a new Tri-Star (not sure of the number) but boy, those are great machines. We departed from Tania's to lunch and off to "Blast From The Past" a great antique place. Then off to Fred Stachnik's house. His collection is absolutely more awesome than ever. I was floored to see the green constellation (geez, I am getting old, can't remember that number either) but it was the one with the switch on the hose end - and it actually still works. Fred has an interesting collection that spans decades including a new windtunnel. He has a Miele Platinum. One of my new favorites of his was the aqua 634 (I believe) which was a special promotion model out at the same time as the 63 - in mint condition. We also tried out his constellation adapted with a Hoover power nozzle - amazing. Anyway Tania was drinking what tasted like lemonade (delicious) but spiked with vodka, and was having what appeared to be a wonderful time. I had to leave Sunday evening to return to St. Charles, but I am sure that there will be many more stories to tell. Happy 50th Tania and 50 more wonderful years to you!!
Fred
Fred Nelson
St. Charles, IL USA - Monday, September 05, 2005 at 16:26:03 (MDT)
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Hi, Everyone
I hope everyone is having great labor day.Saturday i picked up three 70's sears
/kenmore upright vacuums green in color, They came without the front snap on cover (Model # 116329). Where you pull off to replace the bag.Can anyone
help?
Thanks,Russ
Russ Meninno
Easton, MA USA - Monday, September 05, 2005 at 07:07:17 (MDT)
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OK Everyone!! Tomorrow is Miss Tania Voight's 50th birthday!!! Charlie Watrous and Mark Thomas headed up from Charlotte to Milwaukee today. She knew Mark was coming up but not Charlie which is why I waited to post this. I am heading up in the morning (she doesn't know that either). Fred S. is picking the guys up from the airport and then heading out for a fabulous beginning to the celebrations. Jeff Parker will probably be coming up as well.
Since Miss Tania doesn't have email, write or call her to wish her well. We'll let you know how the festivities go!
Fred Nelson
St. Charles, IL USA - Saturday, September 03, 2005 at 18:11:28 (MDT)
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Alex,
Thanks for showing an interest and wanting to keep this club active. It has been almost a year and a half and little or no communication. So will be looking forward to learning more about how this club was founded. Being new to the club and fairly new to collecting I don't have a lot of information but always willing to learn.
You mentioned in an earlier post that you were a Kirby Salesman here in Dubuque. Was it the Dubuque Kirby Company. If so you may interested to know that they have closed the shop here. Rumor has it that she is running it out of her home for now but is planning on opening a new store soon. They used to have an office downtown on Main Street and then moved out to the Kmart Plaza. So not sure where she may reopen. The Main Street store used to have a complete line of all models all along the uppper wall of the store. Often wonder what has happened to those machines. I beleive I was told they also had all the complete attachments for them as well.
Well everyone out in Vacuum Land have a safe and Happy Labor Day weekend.... Where has the summer gone!!!
Morgan
Morgan T. Frazer
Dubuque, IA USA - Friday, September 02, 2005 at 21:11:38 (MDT)
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Alex, Thank you so much for all the intereting information about the early years of the club. I will look forward to reading more about it in future issues. John Lucia spent a few days with us last March when I was visiting Roger LeQuea and Michael Thomas in Az. He still has alot of his "paper collection" and it was fun to see some of it. Terry
Terry Lattz
Danville, Il USA - Thursday, September 01, 2005 at 22:02:35 (MDT)
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Hi Everybody.
Great letters in the forum, but I need to make one correction, Tom Gasko is being overly generous to me, I was never President of the club. Until 1995 there were no officers. Tom was our first elected president. I was simply the founder and the person who did the newsletters for the first ten years. However I must add here that without my great support staff of John Lucia, Charlie Lester, and a handfull of others it could not have been done.
I lay the groundwork by going to the Hoover Historical Center in the fall of 1980 and got to know Stacy Krammes. She provided me with the historical information on the non-electric machines.
A year of so later I got a letter from Stacy forwarding a letter from John Lucia asking the history of hoover models 150 and 700. I called John and a friendship over the phone lines continued until September 1982 when we met in person and went to Hoover together. As I'd already been to Hoover I let John bask in the glory of vacuum cleaners. You see, I was not a Hoover buff at that time, my thing was Electrolux, Kirby and the non-electric's.
After leaving Hoover I turned to John and asked if we should contact the four people who showed interest in collecting. My question was "think we should form a club?" John just smiled. As he would be on the road for the next few months I wrote to people and the response was imediate, "form the club!" Our first very crude newsletter went out in January 1983. Back then my mom was our secretaty and her mome in Chesterton, Ind. was club headquarters. It was a very small operation. John was our Hoover buff I covered everything else.
In the fall of 1984 Mike Pupek came to see me in Lombard, Il. and suggested a meeting of the club. I downplayed it, his suggestion was simple. "Put the question in the newsletter." I did and we held our first meeting on the weekend of May 3rd,4th and 5th 1985. We held the club meeting on the first weekend in May until the year we went to Hoover (1994.) Later that same year (85) I bought a house in Naperville, Il. and made that club headquarters. I turned a spare bedroom into the "Vacuum Cleaner hall of Fame." Eventually it outgrew that room and my garage was remodeled. Old timers like Tom Gasko, Clay Floyd, and others were the backbone of the club. In fact it was Tom who started our first swap meet. He drove up with a van stocked with stuff. I still have the prize catch of that meeting. The box for the Electrolux model LX." It was at that meeting that I met Charlie Lester and the rest as they say is history.
Little did I know when I sold that house in the spring of 1995 that I was closing the door on the club. With a new house in southern California I planned to continue. A new job changed all that and an overwhelming work schedule forced my to bow out of the club.
I'm back and I'm back to stay! In the near future I will get back to doing what I love most. The newsletter! But this isn't just a position in a club, it will be a job! I plan to devote time to research, patent info, e-mail, interviews with club members, the history of the vacuum cleaner and more. I plan to hold fun contests and make EVERYBODY part of the club.
As I said without John, Charlie, Mike, Tom, Clay and several others we would not be here.
Thanks guys!
Alex Taber
Alex Taber
El Cajon, Ca. USA - Thursday, September 01, 2005 at 12:08:32 (MDT)
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I remember someone talking about buying bulk hose from some company in any color you wanted. It was hose similar to what was used on the GEs and later Universals. I don't remember exactly how much, be you would have to order quite a bit. So the idea was that if a group of us got togather, enough to use all the hose, we could order some. The problem is that I don't remember who was talking about this, so if any one remembers, could you let me know? The reason is that I would be interested in 30' of this hose if any one wants to get togather on a white, beige, light bluish, off white, or any similar color to that.
Reggie Ridlen
Parker, Co USA - Tuesday, August 30, 2005 at 22:08:07 (MDT)
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LIFE MAGAZINE
The story in Life Magazine featuring the VCCC is scheduled to run in the September 23 issue. I1ve never seen a media venue that was so meticulous for checking detail. I had two phone calls and 3 emails today from their 3Research Deputy2 verifying facts and details all the way down to spellings, hyphens, and apostrophes. I1m reasonably certain that with their attention to detail, the content should be accurate. It1s my understanding that featured members will include Mike Banta, Victor Lee, Brett Schiewe, Fred Stachnik, and myself.
For those of you in my age range, we grew up with Life as a weekly magazine available at most newsstands and by subscription. Rising publication costs of the magazine with it1s large glossy photos forced them out of publication somewhere around the 1970s. Eventually it came back as a quarterly publication. In it1s current 3incarnation2 it1s back to weekly, now as a supplement insert to many 3Tribune2 and other newspapers.
As I find out more, I1ll keep you posted here.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue , WA - Tuesday, August 30, 2005 at 20:09:52 (MDT)
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Hi everybody.
I've just been reading the letters posted in our forum and like what I've read!
There have been a number of people who asked me why I left the club. Was I mad at anybody? had I lost interest in the club? or worse, in vacuum cleaner collecting? The answer is NO! Shortly after relocating to Southern California I got into the medical profession. Dealing with round the clock care for people left me with no time for other things. I'm happy to say that while I still do the same job, my work schedule is not as hectic!
Yes it is true, I am going to take over the Newsletter. I'm pleased to be back at work digging research. R.J. and I have talked about a number of features, most of them are history related.
I'm open to suggestions, welcome lettters and phone calls.
Before signing off I have to give a special thank you to Charlie Lester. That Electrolux model LX web site did the trick. My deep thank's to Charlie and all the others who kept this club active.
Talk to you later
Alex (Bob) Taber
Alex Taber
El Cajon, Ca. USA - Tuesday, August 30, 2005 at 04:01:22 (MDT)
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Hi To All:
Just wanted to thank the few members who called me worried about the hurricane that came my way. I was very fortunate to be on the west side of it and had no damage of any kind. Just a little rain and some guts of wind. But poor New orleans really suffered alot. It's really horrible as there are bodies just flowing around. I have alot of Family in the New orleans area but They did evacuate but I'm sure most of there homes are under water.
Again Thanks to the ones who called and worried about me.
Skip...
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La. USA - Monday, August 29, 2005 at 18:29:04 (MDT)
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To R.J.:
I'll be happy to help in any way I can.
As you might expect, I want the 2006 Convention to be a truly fantastic experience for the Club Members. That's one reason that we are volunteering our expertiese with repairs on vintage Hoover, Lux, and Rexair. I've heard from several club members already who wish to bring an old sweeper for a much needed repair.
Ever since the documentary on Stan Kann appeared on PBS, he's been given many offers of 'old vacuums' from people who remember him from his many television appearances. His 1911 Cadillac upright is his current 'baby'. That it has the original bag is just the jewel in the crown. The huge Hoover 972 is still the Master of his house.
Since the last time you were in his home, he has replaced all the wall-to-wall with vintage orientals on his refinished hardwood floors. Every straight suction upright he has can now be used to clean the kind of rugs they were made to vacuum
tom g.
Park Hills, MO USA - Saturday, August 27, 2005 at 06:52:13 (MDT)
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To Tom:
I may be arriving a few days before the meeting, but I won't be making a separate trip before next summer. That's why I'll need the help of "locals" for the "on-site" inspections. I'm especially looking forward to seeing Stan again and some of his wonderful vintage machines.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA - Friday, August 26, 2005 at 21:10:18 (MDT)
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To R.J.:
I'll be happy to help you with on-site inspections. Does that mean you'll be coming to St. Louis before the meeting? If so, I'll arrange for us to have dinner with Stan Kann. He just got a 1911 Cadillac upright he's very proud of.
SPEAKING OF NEXT YEAR'S MEETING:
Jimmy Martin, Clay Floyd, Stan Kann, and Myself will be offering to help any club member with the repair and restoration of a vintage Hoover, Electrolux, or Rexair/Rainbow.
Stan and I will help with the Hoovers, Clay with Rexair, and Jimmy with Lux. We figure that there are club members who, perhaps have a Hoover 700 and need someone to grease the bearings, or change the cord. Maybe they have a Model XXX Electrolux that needs a part or doesn't run. Or a Rexair that needs rebuilding. I have a repair shop - and Jimmy and Clay will bring repair parts.
We thought there might be at least a couple of club members who perhaps might like to take advantage of our experience and offer of help. I, for one, have many Hoover repair parts for the '700 and 800' series Hoover motors, for example.
tom g.
Park Hills, MO USA - Friday, August 26, 2005 at 07:04:39 (MDT)
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Tom:
I would welcome the input of our members in St. Louis. That's why I emailed you last spring and asked for your assistance in researching potential facilities. I have added the one facility you told me about to my list. If you (or other St. Louis area members) have additional facility suggestions, I would welcome them too. Please send the name, address and phone number of any facilities to be considered to my email address.
I would also welcome the input of non-St. Louis members who may have travelled to St. Louis, or may have contacts in the travel industry. The larger the list is to begin with, the more options we have available for physical location, availability dates, costs, food service, and amenities. All of these factors will narrow the original list down.
I'm well aware that the VCCC has had conventions in St. Louis previously, as that is where I first attended in 1999. Once the list is narrowed down to a few, I will need assistance doing "on-site" inspections, to make sure the facility meets our needs. You may recall from a previous post on this site (2-18-05) that one of the facilities being considered for 2005 looked good from a standpoint of cost, availablility and location, until Dave Olsen and Marty Rocha made an "on-site" inspection and discovered that the meeting room was at the bottom of a flight of stairs with no elevator. (Anybody remember Portland in 2001?)
So for ANYONE having suggestions as to facilities, please forward them to my email address along with the address and phone number of the facility. And rest assured that the best interests of the entire membership will be considered in making the final decision.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA - Thursday, August 25, 2005 at 23:30:33 (MDT)
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R.J.:
If you are interested in St. Louis hotels, perhaps it would be wise to ask club members who live IN ST. LOUIS. 2006 will be the THIRD convention we've had in St. Louis, the last two St. Louis meetings were wonderful, and very well attended.
tom g.
park hills, MO USA - Thursday, August 25, 2005 at 06:49:47 (MDT)
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Hi, All--Yes, I know it's been awhile since I've said "Hello", I've been trying to keep busy. I had a chance to go see a friend in Tucson a month or so ago, I had a great time. My Friend Richard Groski lives in Tucson and we hit all the vacuum stores, and I picked up some more Lux's. I still am searching for a "Hospital G", If "Ya-all" find one let me know. It's hard to believe Summer's almost over--but there's always next Summer to look forward to. I hope I can attend the convention next year, I've found some pretty interesting machines, including an Airway 88 model, light blue/green color, and an old Electrolux model XXX, at a garage sale, both machines for $2.00. Anyway--I just wanted to let you know, "Nathan's Still Alive & Kickin'" and still crazy about vacuums!!!!!
Nathan Thomas
Wayside, TX USA - Wednesday, August 24, 2005 at 21:31:12 (MDT)
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Hi, is anyone familiar with an Air-Way product from, I am guessing the 1920s or 1930s, called the "Waxaver" ??
It's a tin can about a foot long and 4" in diameter, orange with black and gold lettering, that holds a mop sort of thing: It has a two-part aluminum frame with a felt pad for, presumably, applying paste wax to floors.
I found one of these in an antique store north of L.A. and am curious about it since I don't know anything about it.
It also makes me wonder, did Air-way ever manufacture or "private label" any electric floor polishers?
I am probably going to put this on eBay since it's of no great interest to me but thought I'd try to get some kind of info on it first.
Thx!
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Wednesday, August 24, 2005 at 00:50:03 (MDT)
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NEWS UPDATE-
The newsletter should be out within the next two weeks.
And speaking of news, you should be able to read about the VCCC in an upcoming edition of Life Magazine. Freelance photographer Brian Berman was a guest at this year's convention, taking numerous pictures throughout the event. Some of his pictures were submitted to Life Magazine, and I was contacted by one of their writer/reporters last week. Today in an email he confirmed that his editor wanted to go ahead with the story, and requested contact information on some of the members who were present. So if you were present at the L. A convention, don't be surprised if you get a call or email from Life Magazine.
On the topic of conventions, the hotel search has begun for the 2006 convention in St. Louis. I currently have 20 hotels on my list that meet certain criteria that the club needs for a successful convention. If you are aware of any facilities in the greater St. Louis area that you would like me to consider, please forward the name, address, and phone number of the facility on to me.
One note on the date of the 2006 convention - in accordance with the motion passed at the 2004 meeting, the members present at this year's meeting voted to extend the 2006 convention by starting one day earlier than usual, so the dates will be June 14, 15, 16, and 17, 2006. Mark your calendars NOW to reserve the dates! I'm looking forward to seeing as many of you there as possible.
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA - Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 17:29:49 (MDT)
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Those pesky Hoover Lenses,, I have a couple of the Hoover convertibles with the "square hood" that has the square looking lense that keeps falling out. I found that if you take some surgical latex tubing,,cut a one inch length section off, and slip it over the little bottom "tabs" of the lense, one for each side. This will make the lense tight again,and it stays in,,,even during use. I dont know how long this fix will work,,as the tabs seem to warp after a few years, but it sure helped mine. And I am sure I am not the only one that has had this problem. Victor
Victor Lee
Cathedral City, CA USA - Friday, August 19, 2005 at 01:48:38 (MDT)
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To Marty R.:
As a former Club President, I can add a perspective here to the conversation about the present club condition. I felt, and still feel, that the club should be run like a business, by that; Professionally.
At the time I was President, I felt like it was my duty to get out four newsletters per year, come hell or high water. The club 'owed' that to the members, since their dues pay for the newsletter. That's the club 'product', and it needs to be delivered. Even if it is xeroxed and stapled, it contained INFORMATION that members so desperately look forward too.
Richard Klein came after me, and he also felt it important that the newsletter be on time, on topic, and contain INFORMATION.
The newsletter editor needs to have two things AT HIS DISPOSAL, a very large paper collection (literature and owners manuals) and a computer. Add in several hours of time, and BAMM, you have a newsletter.
I think the problem with people sharing things with the newsletter editor (as well as with Charlie) is that we tend to hold 'dearly' to our paper collections, and also we tend to be lazy people. Someone else will do it. I ran into that thought so many times while I was President. Hardly anyone sent me anything for the newsletter.
Alex Tabor certainly has the will to do a good newsletter. I applaud him for trying. I joined when Alex was President of the Club and his newsletters (which Charlie helped write) were very nice and contained INFORMATION.
I will go on record here and say Charlie's newsletters were, everything considered, the best. They contained the most INFORMATION. I still refer to them to this day.
Tom Gasko
Park Hills, MO USA - Thursday, August 18, 2005 at 07:12:34 (MDT)
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Thanks for the good wishes guys, I never thought I'd ever really be able to quit smoking, but if it hadn't been for the bronchitis back in June, I probably wouldn't have.
Good thing I did, I need all that $$$ I'm saving for gas... its now $3.00 a gallon here in the Chicago burbs!
Jeff Parker
Roselle, IL USA - Wednesday, August 17, 2005 at 19:56:40 (MDT)
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Jeff,
Congratulations!!! That is a big step and not an easy one I might add. I grew up in a house of smoke. My mother smoked about a pack a day and so did my father... washing walls was a monthly event... can't imagine the color of their lungs...
Morgan
Morgan T. Frazer
Dubuque, IA USA - Wednesday, August 17, 2005 at 06:03:19 (MDT)
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Jeff,
Congratulations on being smoke free!! Your lungs are probably back to their nice healthy pink selves by now. I forgot to include in my rather lenghty post that you did a daily post of the convention happenings each day. Those were nice to read AND Fred Stachnik provided a link for his FABULOUS photos of the convention AND of you and Fred in front of the Brady Bunch house! I don't know about the other Californians, but i have lived here all my life and I have never been there!
I'm glad you're feeling better!!!!
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, Ca USA - Tuesday, August 16, 2005 at 21:33:16 (MDT)
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got the old kenmore runnin now looking for a pwer nozzle for it its a progressive model deep blue
any help appreciated
ron
ron d jones
USA - Tuesday, August 16, 2005 at 13:27:41 (MDT)
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Victor,
I have some Hoover things and info for you too, just have been very busy with work lately and not been able to catch up on emails.
Shoot me an email at home and will explain.
An aside note, at the convention I was not quite myself, I was recovering from a serious case of bronchitis, and was also going through some smoking issues...Well....
I'm happy to report, 2 months after the convention, I am still smoke free and plan on staying that way! Its been a rocky road at times, but I'll make it!
Jeff Parker
Roselle, IL USA - Tuesday, August 16, 2005 at 11:04:02 (MDT)
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Monday night and all is quiet,,,
How about we open a new subject? Posting your sale vacuums and wanted items on the forum?
I had read once that we were going to try a swap and sale section. But havent seen a thing yet. I for one, am having a "Hoover moment" and have been hunting hoover convertibles for my collection. After getting to play with a few of the members vacuums at the convention, I have been driving Marty Rocha nuts trying to find hoovers that I want to add to the collection*grin*
I just received a great model 66 from Fred Stachnik, and it just made my Hoover craving that much worse!
I now need to sit back,,look at each one of my prized finds, and decide which ones to keep. As I am getting so many,,I find that I cannot devote the time to enjoy each any every one of them,,and am afraid that they might go into a state of neglect, or worse,the rubber parts would de-compose.
I would rather post some of these vacuums and get them to a member who really enjoys a particular model or color. Besides,,if my garage gets any worse,,Marty is going to threaten me with re-arranging everything and cleaning (hmm,,this may not be a bad thing)
Anyway,,Is anyone else up for this idea of posting a online swap and sale??
Thanks! Victor
Victor Lee
Cathedral City, CA USA - Tuesday, August 16, 2005 at 01:13:18 (MDT)
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Marty, that's a good idea - to let the Forum know when I have had to delete nonconforming postings. I had not thought about that but upon reflection it does make sense to do so and may preempt hard feelings or misuderstandings should I have to do so again.
Speaking of vacuum finds, I found something this weekend that I'm still pinching myself about. Stay tuned for details.......!
Ever your humble and faithful servant,
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Tuesday, August 16, 2005 at 00:28:17 (MDT)
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I'm going to talk about vacuums now.
I was in San Bernardino making the thrift store rounds and I found an electrolux guardian! ( i'm sorry Victor but they just keep falling right out of the sky and into my arms!)How anyone could let a new vacuum get in such bad shape is beyond me. It was filthy on the outside but very clean on the inside! All 3 tools were still under the hood and the side kick was attached to the hose. The hose was taped in one section and was dented in severeal spots but still worked. Missing were the wands , power nozzle and the filter on top and the floor tool. this weekend i bought a filter, bags , wands and a floor tool at the Aerus office in San Diego and will work on getting a hose and and PN next month. Oh i paid ten bucks at the thrift store for the vacuum but you can imagine what i paid for the new stuff! Ugh! But i have always liked the blue and white look of the guardian. Oh well.
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, CA USA - Monday, August 15, 2005 at 03:02:36 (MDT)
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Hi Everyone,
Okay, i'm confused. When i read Charlie's "reminder" post, i didn't get why he posted in the first place. I scrolled down as far as the beginning of July and everyone has their name and email addresses included in their post.
So Charlie, if i may suggest, if you are getting questionable posts, start off your post by informing us that odd posts are coming in and that you are not posting them ,THEN post your guideline reminder. That way we will know WHY you are posting the reminder in the first place.
Morgan and Terry , I've read the last couple of posts and i don't really know why you come to the conclusions that Charlie is singling you two out. I like you both very much so i don't want to hear any noise about dropping out of the club!!!
Now i'm one of the more quiet members of this group and i'm sure there are some of you out there that think i never have anything important to say so i am going to speak now. I for one felt slighted by the low attendence for the LA convention at first until RJ reminded me that it was up to us "older" members to make the convention, no matter how poorly or well attended, special and memorable for the "first timers" and there were quite a few this year!
I think we had a really good time this year!
As for the business meeting minutes, they have always been printed in the first newsletter following the convention, for all to see. Unfortunately we have had problems getting the newsletter out in a timely manner. At the meeting this year, Alex Tabor was elected the newsletter editor. Alex brought a bunch of old newsletters from the original vac club and i have to say they were very informative and with lots of pictures. Some of the newsletters were almost 20 pages thick!
Now when i first joined this club in 1997, the newsletters were typed, xeroxed, and stapled. Was i glad to have one? You bet! Any material that had to do with vacuums i was happy to have. Now when Richard Klein was newsletter editor, we got really spoiled with his beautiful, colorful letters. But eventually he got tired of putting out "something with nothing", meaning none of us members were sending him things to be included in the newsletter and he gave up the position. And even the club! Even though i've sent in things here and there over the years, i'm am guilty too.
Here's a suggestion, everyone reading this post, type up a profile of yourself and send it to me. My email is at the bottom of this post, or send it to me via snail mail to PO Box 5281 Palm Springs, CA 92263. I will then send them to Alex.
And by all means send them to Charlie too! They can be included in the website too!
I might as well add that this year i became the club secretary (!?)AND I'm also a board member! As far as being secretary, if i can take Doctor's order's over the phone, i can surely take down the minute's of the meeting! Now you see there, for those of you who don't know, i'm a nurse! Who i might add does not know the first thing about taking a vacuum motor apart or rewiring. Ask Marc Turbyfill!
As for being a board member, i am not really sure what i should do so i think i will keep in contact with Alex and RJ as far as the newsletter goes.
We have lost some very nice people over the years and it would be a shame to lose more due to misunderstandings. Like i said ,i don't talk much so i hope what i said makes sense. I for one care about EVERYONE who i have met in this club!
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, CA USA - Monday, August 15, 2005 at 02:44:59 (MDT)
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Charlie,
I apologize for pointing the finger at you. We could not see the post that you were talking about which left two very good club members posts that seemed to be the topic of your complaint.
But that does not in any way change my feelings of this club coming to a slow death. The newsletter is not the only issue. The President and Board need to communicate. Like I said in my last post, I am sure most of them have email or internet access or know of someone who does. We must communicate.
Right now the forum is the best way of doing that. And Charlie you have offered many times to open the forum up for better useage... why are we as a club not doing that...members page ect. This forum is a great tool, LETS USE IT!!!
You do a great job with the forum and I appreciate that. It must be a lot of work and I read it daily. It is just so dissappointing that the zeal that we once had is gone.
Morgan T. Frazer
USA - Sunday, August 14, 2005 at 05:25:01 (MDT)
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I am truly disheartened to read that Terry Lattz and Morgan Frazer have apparently taken issue with my posting reminding members of the guidelines of this Forum.
The person to whom that posting indirectly referred was, and still is -- at least to me -- anonymous inasmuch as s/he used a pseudonym and phony email address to sign off with. Therefore, I can hardly in fairness be accused of singling out someone for abuse or mistreatment since I don't even know who it was.
Anonymous postings are CLEARLY and DIRECTLY a violation of the guidelines, and I was merely doing my job as Webmaster in (a) deleting the posting in question and (b) making a reminder, as I do from time to time, that members should occasionally re-acquaint themselves with those guidelines.
As far as changes being made to the status quo, well hey: I have offered many times to surrender my position as webmaster and turn it over to someone else to administer, moderate and maintain. To date, no one else has stepped up to the plate and offered their services; until they do, and the Board approves them, y'all are stuck with me for better or worse.
The alternative to me playing "Forum Police" will be to open this Forum to the public and not moderate it. Then sit back and watch it turn into anarchy and see it self-destruct as has happened to most of the other vac forums. Especially since we have interlopers waiting with bated breath for the opportunity to sneak in when they think the gate is open and un-tended.
I appreciate that you gentlemen are concerned. I have concerns of my own regarding the club in general and the newsletter, the Forum, and the newsletter in particular. But let's please not be too hasty in pointing the finger of accusation in the wrong direction when airing these concerns.
Thank you for letting me be of service.
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Saturday, August 13, 2005 at 22:03:10 (MDT)
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thru trial and error got the kenmore open
ron d jones
USA - Saturday, August 13, 2005 at 21:26:49 (MDT)
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got a kenmore progressive cant figure out how to ge the motor top off
ron d jones
USA - Saturday, August 13, 2005 at 18:28:55 (MDT)
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got a kenmore progressive cant figure out how to ge the motor top off
ron d jones
USA - Saturday, August 13, 2005 at 18:28:06 (MDT)
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I would like to thank Morgan for having the courage to come forth with some concerns that I know many in our club have. I think that he has made many valid points and if nothing else I hope that it will get everyone out there thinking and questioning our current status. Everyone in this club has something interesting and worthwhile to add and in order for change to happen it is going to take some effort on all of our parts.
I know that I have also wondered what things were decided at the last board meeting. I thought that maybe we would have a newsletter by now with some information. Please understand that in no way am I pointing a finger at Louis. He can only put out what he is given.
I was not amused either by the posting concerning the rules on this forum nor the direct remark toward one member. There have been only 6 posting on here in 13 days. Maybe it is time, as a group that we make some changes with those rules as well.
I am not pointing a finger at anyone member in our group. I just think it may be time for us to start working together and try to save what is left of our club.
Sincerely, Terry Lattz
Terry Lattz
Danville, Il USA - Saturday, August 13, 2005 at 12:25:37 (MDT)
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Well Members and Friends,
It is time for me to speak my mind! What has happend over the last year? What was once a very vibrant and exciting club has died before our very eyes. The last post from our webmaster is about the last straw for me. How anyone can slam another member who has given this club so much is beyond my wildest imagination. I know names were not used but it is not hard to figure it out.
We have no one to blame but ourselves. We have sat back as this year has progressed complained amoung ourselves but yet no one is willing to step up to the plate and get the ball rolling.
I have personally offered my services to several board members and it has all fallen on deaf ears. Our current president does not even address simple questions that come up here on the forum. As a club that covers such a wide area we can not continue unless we communicate. I am sorry, but most of our members have some form of email availibility including our board and current president, yet no communication. I have offered to print items that get posted here to any member who does not have email access. But can't seem to get a list or even a post back...
If things don't improve by year end I will not be renewing my membership. Since the convention we have had no information on the business meeting, have not a clue to who is now on the board (another position that I volunteered for, and again no response). We have some wonderfull people out there, lets use there resources. Use the forum... minutes of the meeting could be posted here...
Lets get this club back to where it was 2 years ago. Lets get the Board and President back on track... lets not just offend the people that are trying and care. Change is hard for most of us. And as the club has grown I think some of us feel threatened. I don't understand why? This is a hobby we all love....the more members, the more vacuums, the more knowledge...the more friends....bigger and better events...
I am not as good with words as some who post here. But it breaks my heart to see all the fighting and finger pointing. But most of all, if we truly love our hobby and we don't get our act together and soon I might add....then mabey we should just let all the old vacuums die too
Morgan T. Frazer
Dubuque, IA USA - Friday, August 12, 2005 at 22:58:05 (MDT)
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I believe it's time to remind all members to review the Forum Guidelines. Please see:
http://www.vaccc.com/membersonly/forum.html
And would a certain member (who shall remain nameless) please take special note of Rule No. 2.......
Thank you for your cooperation.
Charlie Lester, Webmaster & Forum Babysitter
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Tuesday, August 09, 2005 at 02:08:01 (MDT)
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PS - Oops - I am using a like new PN2 with the L. The PN4 is upstairs (2nd floor) with the factory rebuilt Lux G (silver). The pinnacle of Electrolux. Sigh . . .
Fred
Fred Nelson
St. Charles, Il USA - Saturday, August 06, 2005 at 12:37:26 (MDT)
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Just some vacuuming observations:
With so many neat vacuums, I get the urge to use different ones. My current mood is the Hoover Aero Dyne model 53. I was going to get out the Hoover Model 61 to vacuum the rugs with it. That would have been a great combination back in the early fifties. Well, I vacuumed the back part of the first floor and my observations are that it is just an OK machine. I have a AirWay bag in it (fits perfectly - thanks RJ) to protect the pristine nature of the cloth bags that has hardly been used. The suction is just so-so and it doesn't pick up on bare floors as well as my all-time favorite - The Lux Model L (more on that later). My fascination with this machine has more to do with it's pristine condition and the incredible craftsmenship that went into it manufacture. Metal tools, and tooled metal wands. That ultaflex hose is very well made. Oh well, I get it out every few years and use it, realize that other machines probably clean better and then put it back on display. I really don't like the runners, especially on wood floors.
Now the Lux Model L is a completely different story. It is a beautiful blue with cordwinder, from a lady that either hardly used it or took exceptionally good care of it - it is like new. Lightweight, excellent construction, incredibly powerful suction, cord winder and new hose and tools that perfectly match the machine. The new Aerus bags filter exceptionally well. I am using a PN4 on it. All parts still available. Now that was a brilliant design. I keep it upstairs on the first floor and use it all the time. A true testimonial to a great machine.
Fred
Fred Nelson
St. Charles, Il USA - Saturday, August 06, 2005 at 12:32:22 (MDT)
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Here's a web site that's sure to thrill any Electrolux aficionado! It's a tribute I have created to George Nilson, the grandfather of a friend I made on ebay. Mr. Nilson worked from Electrolux in Washington State from 1947 to 1965.
My friend is so pleased about the page that he is going to see if he can dig up more materials for me to add to it. Hopefully, we'll be able to come up with enough materials and photos to cover his entire career with Electrolux.
Enjoy!
SEE: http://www.137.com/nilson
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Thursday, August 04, 2005 at 14:27:33 (MDT)
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Dear Members:
Greetings to all and I hope your summer is going great and you are having fun vacuuming and collecting!
The time has come for me to continue "thinning" the herd and before I ebay items I thought it only fair to let members have first dibs on the following items. I am selling complete with hose, tools, attachment carriers, leatherette carrier, wands, etc., the following:
Air-Way 55A, Air-Way 66 and Air-Way 77.
For those of you who know me, you know my vaccums are mint, factory fresh models. Usually several other vacuums have served as "donor" machines to make one near perfect vacuum. The 66 and 77 have replacement cords. The 77 hose leaks but is correct and in good shape for show. The 66 hose is original with some leakage. The 55A has a Hamilton Beech vintage upright hose, (for color corectness), with Air-Way ends and all tools for the early model.
All work beautifully and quietly! If interested, please email and I will get back to you. I travel for a living so it may be some time before you hear from me. I am, of course, selling the vacuums and they will go to ebay if there are no interested takers here.
Thanks and now get back to vacuuming those stairs and dark corners!
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, USA - Tuesday, August 02, 2005 at 20:30:47 (MDT)
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Hi All:
Just for the record I have been in contact With Hans
Happy vacuuming
Skip...
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La. USA - Saturday, July 30, 2005 at 17:05:35 (MDT)
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Howdy all...I have been hunting for "shake out" bags for some of my hoover convertibles that I use for daily drivers. I want to find a dark blue, a sea foam green, or turquoise. I also need to find an original dark blue bag to fit a great hoover model U4027 that I got from Marty Kaplan at the last convention. Any help here is greatly appreciated! Marty Rocha and myself have spent many hours combing the thrift shops and parts houses,,only to find some black bags that dont seem to fit anything. Between that, and shop owners that act like you should buy an oreck , I am about ready to pack them away for another time.
Thanks,,Victor
Victor Lee
Cathedral City, CA USA - Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at 02:16:20 (MDT)
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Hi everyone,
I had a phone call from Hans Craig. He has been out of town for the weekend. Got back and had to leave for a funeral. He will be back on Tuesday late afternoon.
Thanks
Morgan
Morgan T. Frazer
Dubuque, IA USA - Monday, July 25, 2005 at 20:36:11 (MDT)
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Hi To All:
I was just curious if anyone has had any luck in talking to Hans yet as to what is for sale i have been trying since Saturday and all I get is his answering machine and I have left messages on it.
I started thinking maybe because he doesn't know me maybe that's why he isn't calling back
Happy Vacuuming Skip...
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La USA - Monday, July 25, 2005 at 19:32:32 (MDT)
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I just had a phone call from club member Hans Craig. Hans lives in Lenoir, NC. He is wanting to downsize his collection. He has about 150 vacuums that he is interested in selling. Uprights and Canisters. If there is something you have been searching for chances are he has it. He is not on line so if you are interested give him a call at 828-726-1419. If he isn't home he said to leave him a message and he will get back with you.
Terry Lattz
Danville, Il USA - Friday, July 22, 2005 at 13:52:06 (MDT)
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Attention!! Attention!!
Northwest Mini Vacuum Convention
Hosted by Mark Turbyfill/assisted by Terry Lattz
Location:Spokane, Washington
Dates: October 7th, 8th, 9th
Are you looking for-----a wonderful time with good friends, a chance to "play" with lots and lots of neat vacuums, maybe finding that special machine or part thay you have been wanting, a beautiful fall get-away with some breathtaking fall foliage, well then this event is for you!
Mark Turbyfill, owner of Harold's Sew and Vac in Spokane, WA is hosting a mini convention. Mark has a wonderful collection to share with you. He has a really neat shop with a "backroom" and a "basement" full of lots of treasures. At home he has a garage with lots more. He is looking to do some "weeding out" and will have lots of things for sale at really great prices.
CONVENTION ITINERARY
Friday Oct 7th. 5:30 pm----??? We'll meet at Marks shop, lots of fun, good conversation, guest speaker, and good friends, and of course lots of vacuums. We will order pizza and divide the cost for this.
Saturday Oct. 8th 8:30 am. Continental breakfast at Mark's home. We'll have a lite breakfast and then take off for the day. Estate Sales, Thrift Shops, or sight-seeing, it's up to you.
Saturday Evening 6:00 pm. We'll meet at a local restaurant for dinner (dutch-treat) and then we'll return to Mark's home for more "vacuum fun" and desserts.
Sunday Oct. 9th. 9:00 am. We'll meet at a local restaurant for breakfast (dutch-treat). If you are planning on staying over till Monday we'll have some ideas for a fun day.
Convention Location:
Mark Turbyfill (Store)
2607 Northwest Blvd.
Spokane, Washington
509-327-4662
Home
1508 W. Shannon Ave
Spokane, WA
509-327-2244
CONTACT Terry Lattz if you are planning to attend or have questions! Please send me an email with your name to vg703@sbcglobal.net or call me at 217-443-2918. I will get back to you ASAP.
Lodging: There are many motels and hotels in the area to choose from. One good choice that is clean and reasonable is the Motel 6 at 1508 S. Rustle Street. Phone 509-459-6120. This is not to great of a distance from Mark'home or shop.
We're hoping to see many of you at this fun event!!
Sincerely, Terry Lattz
Terry Lattz
Danville, Il USA - Friday, July 22, 2005 at 10:10:02 (MDT)
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Hi everyone,
I have decided to add central vacs to my collection. My first question, What would a GE central vac from the 60s have had for attachments? I am also looking for Kenmore/ Whirlpool inlets, the ones that turn on when you open them and have a 1 1/4 in. opening for the hose. Hopefully someone can help me.
And since I am adding centrals to my collection, if anyone has any old central vac related things that they would like to sell, trade, give, or tell me about, pleace e-mail me.
Reggie Ridlen
Parker, Co USA - Friday, July 22, 2005 at 00:16:03 (MDT)
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Thanks guys, I too, would like to see the business side of the club and convention. Plus a membership list would be great. I look forward to all of that in a possible news letter.
Norm
norm brown
Columbus, OH USA - Sunday, July 17, 2005 at 18:41:07 (MDT)
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Thanks guys, I too, would like to see the business side of the club and convention. Plus a membership list would be great. I look forward to all of that in a possible news letter.
Norm
norm brown
Columbus, OH USA - Sunday, July 17, 2005 at 18:40:44 (MDT)
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I agree with Chuck and Morgan, thank you so much for posting with these questions. I am sure that many of us would like more details. I really hated that I was unable to attend this year but these things do happen. A new membership list would be great!! Fred, I am so happy that you got the Hoover's from Roger that you have been longing for!! Take care all!! Looking forward to St.Louis in 2006!! Terry
Terry Lattz
Danville, Ill USA - Sunday, July 17, 2005 at 10:54:26 (MDT)
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Speaking of conventions, if anyone took photos at my place I'd love to see them. I've only seen the half-dozen or so that Dave Olsen took.
There's a great online (FREE) service for sending large files -- see www.dropload.com. You zip or stuff your photos into one big file, upload it to dropload, the intended recipient gets notification that the file is there, and then they can download it. It's a great way to transmit large files. Provided both parties have high-speed internet of course. THX
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Thursday, July 14, 2005 at 23:20:46 (MDT)
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Chuck,
Thanks for the last post. I too have been wondering how the business part of the meeting went. There were some issues at last years convention that needed attention (age issues and so on). I am hoping they were addressed.
A new membership list would be great. The one I currently have is now very outdated and a lot of wrong phone numbers and adrresses. Possibly could it be put out here on the forum?
Looking forward to next year. Will have plenty of vacation time built up by then.
Morgan T. Frazer
Dubuque, IA USA - Thursday, July 14, 2005 at 21:25:22 (MDT)
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Dear Friends and members,
I have been watching the forum, with anticipation, in hopes that someone would post more detailed events from the convention. The photos were all quite nice.... thanks. BUT... details would be great, IE, how many attended? what is the current membership count (paid members)? who are the new board members? What are the current finances of the club? Did "we" make money at this convention, OR take a loss since the turnout was a bit low. Will there be a newsletter in the NEAR future? Just some details so the members at large know how our club is doing.
Personally, I would like to ask that a current membership list be included in the upcoming newsletter........ It has been a long time since we recieved an updated list.
It is unfortunate that so many members could not, as opposed to "would not", attend. I wish that circumstances would have allowed me to attend, but it just was not meant to be.
In closing...... I saw today at the Wal-Mart super center...... A DYSON.... only $399.00!?!! GAAWWD, am I glad I didn't jump on "that wagon" Hoover, then Electrolux er ah Aerus, yeh Aerus thats who I mean, now Dyson.... all taking that sleazy path down the "big box aisle" My oh my how the vacuum industry is changing.
Best to you all....
Chuck ... dba Chathams Vacuums, home of Air-Way, and Bosch vacuum cleaners
Chuck Chatham
Lock Haven, pa USA - Thursday, July 14, 2005 at 18:32:45 (MDT)
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To the members who attended the L.A. convention, I ask for your help:
Five of the six vintage Hoovers that were auctioned off to benefit the club are accounted for; the 541, 575, 700, 725, and 305. I have no record of WHO purchased the 300 (the machine was dressed in purple). If you remember who the purchaser was (maybe you have a photo?) PLEASE let me know.
Many Thanks!
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA USA - Thursday, July 14, 2005 at 17:50:28 (MDT)
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To Duane:
There is currently a 1953 model 12 Hoover Lark on ebay, just showed up on there the last couple days.
Have a look, it appears to be in pretty good shape.
Jeff Parker
Roselle, IL USA - Wednesday, July 13, 2005 at 06:36:16 (MDT)
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Hi Duane,
The only Hoover Larks I know are Models 12 and 14 but I don't think there were available to the UK.
I do know there is a blue Hoover Lark from the 60's that looks like a broom vac.
From time to time the Hoover Larks 12 and 14 show up on ebay.
To All:
I"m still looking for the Euerka 4 brush polisher
Happing Vacuuming Skip...
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La USA - Monday, July 11, 2005 at 19:30:24 (MDT)
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Well, it took going to a vintage washing machine convention in Omaha for me to finally get my hands on two of my dream machines. Charlie Watrous and I motored from Chicago to Omaha (Iowa will never be the same again!). It was a gathering of about 70-80 who share of love of vintage machines (washers, dryers and dishwashers). Their logistics are more difficult since it is not easy to take a few Bendix Washer-Dryers with you for the weekend. O
Anyway, there is a lot of cross-over in this club and fellow VCCC members, Terry Lattz, Roger Lequea, Hans Craig and Scott Onasch (forgive me if I am forgetting anyone) were on hand to enjoy the basement and garage full of vintage washers and dryers, some very rare and a pink (including hoses) GE Mobile Maid portable dishwasher. I brought the Hoover 29 and the brand new Kirby 519 for show and tell, both of which created quite a stir. It seems that the vintage appliance bug runs across different types of machines. There were at least three folks from Europe there, one of which just loved the vacuums. Another fellow VCCC member, Greg Nunn hosted the event - check the pictures out at www.automaticwasher.org. Pretty amazing collection.
Anyway, I was talking outside with Roger Lequea and he is thinning his collection and what ho! he had two of my long-sought-after machines a Hoover 150 and a 64. He emailed me with the particulars and sold them to me for what he paid plus shipping. I am in seventh heaven. Thanks Roger! Just goes to show you, you never know where the next dream machine is coming from.
Fred Nelson
St. Charles, Il USA - Monday, July 11, 2005 at 18:47:08 (MDT)
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Hi!
I'm looking for a restored Hoover Lark cleaner.
These were made in the US in the early 1950's.
Called Hoover Junior in Great Britain. If you have one in good working condition and wish to sell or trade, please contact me. Older, full sized Hoover uprights interest me as well.
Thanks in advance!
duane
Duane Torisky
Albuquerque, NM USA - Sunday, July 10, 2005 at 15:28:57 (MDT)
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Dear Friends and Members,
I would like to wish everybody a great 4th of July and am so grateful we have this forum to use to communicate with each other. I hope all enjoy a day off, a barbecue, a beverage of choice, a get together with friends or the best of however you choose to celebrate America's freedom.
Wishing you all well and tomorrow I'll be playing with vacuums starting with cleaning my upstairs with the fabulous, one and only, Hoover 150.
Be careful with the firecrackers and do not vacuum up any remnants until they are completely extinguished!
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, USA - Monday, July 04, 2005 at 18:04:51 (MDT)
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HI Charlie
Thanks for the information. Like I say if anyone has one to sell I'm Game
Thanks Skip...
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La USA - Monday, July 04, 2005 at 11:57:35 (MDT)
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Hi Skip, I no longer have the Eureka polisher. I gave it to another club member who does read this forum; if he wants to sell it to you I am sure he'll be in touch.
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California USA - Sunday, July 03, 2005 at 18:06:50 (MDT)
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Hello to All:
I was wondering if anyone might have a 4 brush Euerka Floor polisher that they might want to sell As I'm wanting to get one.
I see Charlie lester has a beautiful one. I have seen them in chrome and white and blue.
If anyone has one to sell please contact me and I will gladly buy it from you
Thanks Skip...
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La USA - Saturday, July 02, 2005 at 12:07:44 (MDT)
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Postscript to my previous post:
Any way you look at it, it's a sad ending to what was once a great company. Wenner-Gren was a pioneer on the global commerce scale, decades before the world caught up with him. He was one of few men who truly deserved the title of "visionary." He's surely rolling in his grave over this big stinking mess.
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Friday, July 01, 2005 at 11:15:16 (MDT)
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Looks like the consumer confusion between Electrolux/Eureka and Aerus/Electrolux has finally come to a head. The following information has been posted to the www.electrolux-usa.com site (Eureka/Electrolux):
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Vacuum cleaner products in colors other than red are manufactured by a different company, Aerus LLC. The following Aerus LLC link (http://www.aerusonline.com/) will take you to their website where it's possible to receive information about replacement parts and additional product service.
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Funny, though, that the Aerus site does not reciprocate the courtesy!
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Thursday, June 30, 2005 at 13:33:35 (MDT)
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Hi, All--Hi, Charlie Lester--I really enjoyed looking at your great photos of the convention. I'm sorry I couldn't attend, I would have loved to! Maybe Next Year. That Electrolux "CA" is pretty rare, from what I've heard. I only saw two of those at a garage sale awhile back in Amarillo, TX, which is close to Wayside, TX, where I live. I should have bought them, but neither one of them worked and I thought the price was a little high--$200.00 apiece, but--that's O.K.--I've got 4 or 5 of the big Electrolux CB's and that suits me fine. Do any of you receive the Vacuum Dealer Trader's Association magazine? If so--watch for the up-coming edition, the July 2005 edition. There is an article about myself and my Electrolux Collection--Just thought I'd pass the word along. Anyhow, I am glad you all had a great convention and hopefully I can make it next year!
Nathan Thomas
Wayside, TX USA - Wednesday, June 29, 2005 at 21:16:55 (MDT)
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Hello To All:
Charlie Thanks for the wonderful Pictures of the convention and your collection as well. I really enjoyed that tremediuosly.
I talked To Evan last nite He told me what a great time you'll had. I'm glad you'll enjoyed it, wished I was there but for sure St. Louis here I come no matter what.
TO Dave Olsen:
Can you please mail me an updated rooster for the current year, I would greatly appreciate that.
Again I'm really glad a good time was had by all that attended.
I trully believe St. Louis will have the biggest turn out ever.
Happy Vacumming Skip...
Skip Aultman
Lafayette , La USA - Monday, June 27, 2005 at 19:17:39 (MDT)
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We may have another "junior" member in the club soon! I rec'd the following email today:
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Hello!
I wanted to write to tell you that I really enjoyed your web site [my own site, 137.com -cl]. I happened across it when I dialed in a bad web address. Your web address showed up as a suggested site, so out of curiosity I clicked it. I spent about 2 hours reading about you and your family, and your doggies and vac facination. I love it!
My 7 year old son was also facinated with vacuums at a very young age. He started around 2 or 3, and as far as I know, he still thinks they are very cool. I have considered taking him to the orreck show room here in Wichita Falls, TX where we live. My husband happens to know the owner, I'm sure he would enjoy our visit. I had no idea that there was such a fan base for vacs! How funny!
I'm a horse and car junkie, myself. I train horses here in TX, and I have a great '76 Cadillac Eldorado convertible. It's gold, and HUGE! It comfortably seats 6 (or more) and guzzles gas! :0)
Anyway, thank you for sharing your wonderful life and humor with me. I've spent so much time on your site, I feel I know you! Have a woderful day, and God bless you!
Sincerely,
Lanette DeLuna
Wichita Falls, Texas
horsecharmer@juno.com
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Thursday, June 23, 2005 at 23:50:19 (MDT)
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Charlie
Many, many thanks for your pictures of the
convention 2005. I especially enjoyed the
Lux collection.
Looking forward to making next years convention
work on my calendar.
Norm
Norm Brown
Columbus, OH USA - Wednesday, June 22, 2005 at 21:15:23 (MDT)
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Charlie L:
The pictures look great, thanks for sharing them with us.
I think Fred uploaded more to his yahoo albums of the ones taken after the convention was over.
This morning was rush rush as we hurried back to LAX to catch our flight home. The lines were long, but we made it in time, and a big, beautiful Boeing 767 brought us home.
I loved every minute of LA, its a beautiful, exciting city, I'd come back in a heartbeat. So much to see and do, nice weather, and the beautiful mountains. Perhaps one of the nicest things Fred and I noticed is the almost complete absence of annoying insects. Last night we sat outside Starbucks on Santa Monica Blvd sipping coffee, and noticed not even a moth flying around!
Pretty cool to me!
Jeff Parker
Roselle, IL USA - Wednesday, June 22, 2005 at 20:58:17 (MDT)
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Charlie L.:
The photos of the convention look wonderful. I'm so sorry I missed it. In all the many years I've been with the club, this is the second meeting I didn't attend (Portland was the other). Looking over the photos, there were so many new faces. I hardly recognized anyone I knew. Perhaps the light turnout was due, somewhat, to the fact that most people couldn't drive to the convention in L.A. There should be a ton of people driving to St. Louis (and bringing machines with them). While I've never been to California in my life, I understand driving in L.A. is horrible. I think Jeff Parker made this observation while at the convention. In any event, I enjoyed the pictures and sure do hope many of the new people can make it here to St. Louis next year. Stan Kann is all excited by his 'new' (to him) 1910 Cadillac sweeper. It's the most primitive electric cleaner I've ever seen.
tom g.
USA - Wednesday, June 22, 2005 at 05:24:11 (MDT)
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[NOTE: Pls disregard my post that follows this one. I had forgotten that we had, for security reasons, disabled putting clickable links into forum entries.]
- - - - - - -
Hey kids,
I have uploaded three pages of photos from the L.A. Convention.
Below is the link, which you can cut and paste into your web browser, or else use the navigation panel on the left to browse to the main Members Only page, scroll down, and then follow the link to the Convention 2005 Photos section.
Enjoy!
http://www.vaccc.com/membersonly/features/convention2005
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Wednesday, June 22, 2005 at 00:45:11 (MDT)
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Hey kids,
I have uploaded three pages of photos from the L.A. Convention. Below is the link, which you should be able to just click on. If that doesn't work, then either cut and paste the link into your web browser, or else use the navigation panel on the left to browse to the main Members Only page, scroll down, and then follow the link to the Convention 2005 Photos section.
Enjoy!
Charlie Lester's photos from the 2005 Convention
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Wednesday, June 22, 2005 at 00:41:24 (MDT)
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Charlie Lester and vacuums friends,
Well, Charlie, as I was reading your post, the first thing that did pop into my mind was "Phantom of The Opera", and little did I know you would refer to it later on. I'm sorry about what happened to you and I'm glad you are alright!
I'm at Fred Nelson's casa in St. Charles, IL, awaiting Fred to come home from his office. I flew into O'Hare and motored out to his home and while enroute, talked with Fred Stachnik to get the dish on the convention. Sounds like it was wonderful! Fred and Jeff Parker were in Grenada Hills and had just spotted Michele Lee and Donna Mills at a shoot of a reunion show of "Knot's Landing", and they were in 7th heaven.
I would have loved to attend the LA event but had made previous commitments to go to the vintage appliance convention in Omaha later this week and with what has been going on at the airline I could not get the vacation time for both evenents. Also, initially, there was some question about the date of the convention. However, I will be at St. Louis and I hope I can help the Board and President R. J. set up the event.
It is my opinion that many east coasters did not attend due to the distance rather than fear of LA and the associated expenses. As you know, it takes one day to get there and one day to get home. In addition to airfare, hotel room, registration fee, and possible rental wheels, there are lots of incidentals along the way and I think it may have presented challenges, (espically in the way of $$$$$), for a lot of us east of the Mississippi.
The great thing about the club and this forum is that we can "live" the event through the telling of what went on and the pictures that Fred S. has in his Yahoo photo album. Scott Onasch is attending the appliance convention so Fred and I plan to find him to hear his rendition of things.
Anyway, with such a great group of people, attendees can only have fun and a memorable time. Since there were many new members, I can only hope they will continue to attend and bring their creative input and energies.
Take care of your injuries and know we are thinking of you. I understand that Alex Tabor is now going to be doing the newsletter and I look forward to his first issue and coverage of the convention. Also, Marty Rocha is now on the Board and I know he brings a wealth of knowledge to the table as well as a fabulous collection of vacuums.
I hope to see folks keep posting and I look forward to any pics or other information you add to the site.
Best wishes to all and happy vacuuming!
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, USA - Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at 16:13:17 (MDT)
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I'll add my "hurrahs" and "thank yous" to R. J. and crew for organizing a great meeting. I am only sorry I had to miss so much of it. Because of all the recent uncertainties that defined our living situation I was not sure I would be able to participate at all --- then, when it turned out that I could, I had a LOT of work to do at the last minute .......
I was literally up until 4 a.m. Saturday morning getting my displays ready. So even when I was at the meeting Saturday afternoon and evening, I was so exhausted and stressed out that I was only "barely there." But it was fun, and it was most especially great to meet new people and renew acquaintances with old friends. I was particularly delighted to see Alex Taber. I am so glad he's in the mix again.
Those who were here know of my household disaster, which added further frustration to the weekend.
Friday while I was doing my housework, I had to tend to a clogged shower drain. I got out the bottle of crystal "Red Devil" drain opener and poured some into the drain. However, instead of fizzling down into the drain as it usually does, there was about a half-second of fizzle and then a huge "SPLAT" as the stuff belched up from the drain and all over my face, arms and neck.
Screaming in terror, I ran to the sink and flushed the stuff off with cold water for several minutes, feeling its fiery sting eat into my flesh. I finally got it off and the burning stopped, then I had to rinse out the shower stall. I took a cold shower and washed off with mild soap and conditioner.
When I got out of the shower and saw my face in the mirror, I just about died. When you see my photos that I'm going to upload later, you'll see why. Of ALL weekends for something like this to happen ....... I can only that "Whoever" was looking out for me, however, that none of the stuff got into my eye. There are two small burns on either side, less than a half-inch away. I guess that's just how close I came to getting blinded. Even though I now look like the Phantom of the Opera, it could have been a lot worse.
The only thing I can figure out is that whatever had clogged the drain was sitting close to the surface instead of down inside and was obviously saturated with water --- so when the lye crystals hit it, they reacted with such great force. I can't even begin to describe the sick feeling I got when that stuff splashed onto my face.
Anyway, enough of that. I really did have a good time and hope to see a bigger and better turnout at the next meeting. I am still kinda puzzled at the light turnout for this one. I understand that the turnout was SO light that the Club has probably lost money on the weekend rather than bring any income in. Are people really THAT fearful about coming to Southern California???
I was particularly disappointed that more people from the L.A. area were not able to make it. I know a lot of people had other commitments and what-not, but some of the reasons seem kind of pale in the face of other members who managed to get here from as far away as Massachusetts and who furthered their hardship in getting here by bringing trailers and vans full of stuff to show, sell and trade. That's the kind of spirit that originally defined this club.
Anyway...........
"A good time was had by all" as my Grandma [who had a 505 Kirby, a pink G.E. canister, a Singer hand vac, and a Bissel carpet sweeper!] used to say.
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States of America - Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at 12:19:13 (MDT)
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I just want to say that i had a great time at the convention!! I got to meet members i have not met before and it was great seeing old friends again!
RJ did an excellent job and i want to say Thank You to everyone who had a hand in making the convention happen!! A BIG Thank You to Charlie and Kyle for letting us into their homes!!!!
This year was different in that I bruoght vacuums to the convention for a change. Victor and i rented a van and stocked it full of vacuums for display, sale or for the free pile. What i job!!!! I had know idea!! My cap if off to all of you who bring vacuums each convention!!!
I think i'll just bring the scrapbook to St Louis next year. It is alot easier!!!!
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs , CA USA - Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at 10:13:58 (MDT)
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I just wanted to write in and tell everyone about the great time had by all at the convention. But first, I should express how gratefull I am to have met such a great group of people! I did not know quite what to expect, but from the moment Marty Rocha, Rick Benedikt, and myself started to set up, Pepole were coming over to introduce themselves. This wasnt an ordinary club,,this was a tight knit family of friends! Kyle was gracious enough to let the group inspect all of his prize machines he had displayed in his home. Charlie lester invited us to a class on buffing aluminum housings on vacuums. And this included a great tour through his great vacuum collection that included food and drink! A great big thank you to both of you guys! I cant even start to thank every one enough,,I dont think this page would hold it all*grin* I know I will think of more after I have a good nights rest. Marty and myself made it home this afternoon to unload, and upon reading e-mail I was surprised to see Fred had loaded the convention pictures already to his collection! Now thats what I call fast! Again,,a big thank you to every one I had a chance to meet this weekend! Your a great group of people, and I cannot wait to see you again in St. Louis. Victor
Victor Lee
Cathedral City, CA USA - Monday, June 20, 2005 at 22:40:48 (MDT)
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I had a lot of fun again at the convention. It was fun to see people again and meet sone new people. I really liked the very antique vacuums that Alex brought, and seeing Kyle's and Charlie's collections was very fun too. I am already excited to see everyone at the next convention in St. Louis. Especially Stan Kann and his collection, and the Fox Theatre's central.
Reggie Ridlen
Parker, Co USA - Monday, June 20, 2005 at 21:19:32 (MDT)
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I have to echo everyone's cheers for an awesome convention, I had an absolute blast, and am already looking forward to next year.
Fred S. and I have stayed over a few extra days, Yesterday afternoon we parked in front of the "Brady Bunch" house in North Hollywood and took pictures as tourists should. Last night we spent a wonderful evening with Charlie Lester and Arlee, the food and the conversation were outstanding! Thanks to Charlie for everything, it was a very enjoyable evening!
Today we walked on HOLY GROUND, we were up before dawn, waited in line, scored good seats, and were 5th row center for the afternoon taping of "The Price is Right" While neither Fred nor I got to "C'mon down" we hooted and howled with the rest of the audience and had a ball. Our episode is scheduled to air on September 21st.
One more day before we fly home on Wednesday....
Now reporting from West Hollywood....
Jeff Parker
Roselle, IL USA - Monday, June 20, 2005 at 19:29:28 (MDT)
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TO Fred:
Thanks for the wonderful pictures, they were great. Well I really believe next years convention will be a great success as I really think everyone will be attending, I am for sure will be there.
I'm glad all of you'll had a great time and hopefuylly I will get all the scoop about it when I talk to Evan Saturday nite.
RJ I want to tell You that You did a great job hosting your first convention as President and know how the St. Louis convention will be subverb as well.
Like Evan says let's gear up now for St Louis next Year
Happying vacumming Skip...
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, la USA - Monday, June 20, 2005 at 10:50:15 (MDT)
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My Thanks to Fred for the wonderful pictures.
I just spent 2 hours going over every one of them.
It was my window on the convention I could not
go to.
Many Thanks again,
So glad all of you had a great time, Hope to see
you next year!
Norm Brown
Columbus, Oh USA - Sunday, June 19, 2005 at 22:18:07 (MDT)
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Dear Friends,
Just got in from worldwind flying and looked at Fred's pictures. ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!
The collections are stunning and I'm, "Pea green with envy!", in the words of Scarlett O'Hara.
Solider on vac people and continue having fun. Glad the LA event is so successful. Wishing everyone my best.........
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, USA - Sunday, June 19, 2005 at 21:26:00 (MDT)
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Dear members,
I just returned this afternoon from Los Angeles, and I must say IT WAS AWESOME! President R.J. Vanik did an excellent job planning all the events including the local member tours, the cleaning competition, and the Saturday night banquet, and of course, the raffle and auction which benefited the club treasury.
I also really enjoyed meeting some of the new members:Rick Benedikt, Rick Wilson, Christian Mollett, Victor Lee, and many others. I hope to see you again next year! In addition to the new members I also really enjoyed meeting Charlie Lester and Kyle matthews, who were both people I have heard great things about, but did not get to meet in person until now. Thanks a million to both of you for hosting us at your homes for seeing your magnificent collections.
I missed those of you who couldn't attend this year. I hope to see you very soon if not next year.
I had never been to California until now. I was finally able to experience firsthand how wonderful it is. I hope to go back sometime soon and do some more sightseeing!
So now that another convention has concluded, lets start thinking about 2006 in St. Louis! I hope to see many of you again next year!
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA USA - Sunday, June 19, 2005 at 21:20:49 (MDT)
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Jeff and Fred,
Thanks so much for the update on the convention. Makes me wish I could have been there. Other than starting a new job and not having time built up yet I would have been.
Lots of new faces this year. I only recognized a few faces in the pics. Will look forward to seeing a new roster.
Hope everyone has a safe trip home
Morgan T. Frazer
Dubuque, IA USA - Sunday, June 19, 2005 at 06:57:29 (MDT)
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Some pics from the convention have been added to Fred's photo albums, under LA convention.
The link is: photos.yahoo.com/retroderf
enjoy!
Jeff
Jeff Parker
LA, CA USA - Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 08:32:52 (MDT)
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Jeff
Thanks, so much for the convention update.
Looking forward to more insights of the days in
LA.
Norm Brown
Columbus, OH USA - Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 08:15:50 (MDT)
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Well I can provide a little convention update. Fred and I arrived yesterday afternoon after a really nice smooth flight from Chicago, and some of the scenery was absolutely breathtaking from the plane.
This morning we did 1 bit of competition, then had lunch and after that headed out to Burbank to see the collection of Kyle Matthews. It was very nice, but LA freeways always seem to be jammed no matter what time of day it is! I'm up typing this as the repair clinic is winding up tonight.
I've felt no earthquakes
Seen no low speed freeway chases
Seen no freeway shootings
LA is not much different than any other big city.
The hotel location is very cool, in the final approach path for LAX. In the past 15 minutes I've watched 747's for Qantas, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines all come in for landings. Its very cool!
You should all be here!!!
Jeff Parker
Los Angeles, CA USA - Friday, June 17, 2005 at 22:14:12 (MDT)
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Guys , sure i hate im gonna miss all of u this yr, hope everyone finds a treasure
email me when u can
take plenty of pix
ron
ron d jones
USA - Friday, June 17, 2005 at 09:43:43 (MDT)
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I too would like to say that I hope the convention is going very well and everyone has had safe, uneventfull travel. Seeing on MSN this morning that there was some earthquake activity in CA. That would be something to experience.
Looking forward to St. Louis next year. Sounds like there will a be a lot to do and see there as well.
Tom - could you email me your phone numbers. They are incorrect on the roster that I have.
Keep us posted on the convention.
Morgan T. Frazer
Dubuqe, IA USA - Friday, June 17, 2005 at 06:12:53 (MDT)
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I want to wish everyone going to the Convention this year, a safe and happy time. Wish I could be there with everyone. Stan Kann says to tell everyone hello. A full length documentary movie was released this past Sunday at the Fox Theater, featuring Stan and his lifelong obsession with vacuums and theater organ. The movie's director even interviewed people at Hoover and got some archival footage for the film. We'll be fortunate enough to view it at next year's convention - Stan has even arranged for us to see the film at the Fox Theater - where we can ALSO run the 1929 Spencer.
Happy Vacuuming and Safe Travels
Tom G.
tom gasko
USA - Thursday, June 16, 2005 at 18:41:44 (MDT)
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I also want to wish the best of times to everyone at the convention. This is the first one that I have missed since Portland but it just wasn't possible for me to attend this year. Have lots of fun everyone and take lots of pictures. Happy Vacuuming. Terry
Terry Lattz
Danville, Il USA - Thursday, June 16, 2005 at 09:36:39 (MDT)
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Best of times to everyone at the convention. Keep those of us who could not be there up on the
news by email. We would like to here and know!
To bad it is not being video taped so we could
at least hear and see what happened!
Norm Brown
columbus, OH USA - Thursday, June 16, 2005 at 09:17:54 (MDT)
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6:22 am in Chicago and I am wide awake, and all dressed and ready for the flight. Fred Stachnik is alseep down on the living room couch, and various pieces of luggage are lined up in the living room. I am very excited about LA. Our flight leaves Ohare at 1:14pm, and in a little less than 12 hours it will all be happening. I can hardly wait!
Jeff Parker
Roselle, IL USA - Thursday, June 16, 2005 at 05:20:47 (MDT)
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Hi all,
Yes it does look like we will be able to include a trip to my place during the meeting, if we can get the schedule worked out. The only tiny problem is, the only day I can do it is Saturday, and there is already a lot going on that day. But we'll see.
Really looking forward to seeing everyone, having reunions with old friends and putting faces to what so far have just been names!
Chz,
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at 23:57:11 (MDT)
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On my last post, It should read, " buy " the saniway attachments. Ugh!
Marty
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, CA USA - Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 23:36:03 (MDT)
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Evan,
Victor Lee and myself will be representing the Southern Cali Desert area. Our plan is to load up a van like RJ did for the Portland convention and bring vacs for display, sale and for the free pile. My hope is that i will only bring home the display vacs and maybe anything that i have bought at the convention. So any of you reading this, BUY BUY BUY, of TAKE TAKE TAKE!!!
For those of you who can't attend this year ( and i know who some of you are ) I for one will miss seeing you terribly. It won't be the same without you!!!
Evan, I'm glad you and your Dad will be here though.
Saniway Mark IV:
I found a Saniway Mark IV in Banning of all places! I was in town visiting my Gram and i stopped at my old Hospital's Thrift Shop and there it was! Just the canister and the hose. It cleaned up very well. I'm now on the lookout for the attachments. If anyone has extra to spare, I'll but them. Actually i would be happy with just the S wands and the carpet nozzle. Thanks!
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, Ca USA - Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 23:32:23 (MDT)
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Dear Charlie,
I am so glad that you do not have to move. Now that you know you will be staying put, will we be able to tour your collection? Or is it not possible?
I am getting really excited about the convention, now that it is less than a week away, and am finding it quite hard to contain myself sometimes! Is anyone else that reads this forum attending this year?
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA USA - Sunday, June 12, 2005 at 10:28:48 (MDT)
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Well, we don't have to move after all.
We met with the new owner today and were able to work things out to all our benefit, with both sides making some compromises and concessions.
For our part, we will have to be paying significantly more rent, but at least we won''t have to pay more rent AND move, and that would have been the alternative had he proceeded with his legal right to throw us out. You just don't know what a huge relief that is to us.
For the new owner's part, he has agreed to make significant renovations to our kitchen and bathroom --- both very badly needed after living under the reign of terror of a near-slumlord landlady for 15 years. I do hope her little corner in Heaven is kept up more nicely for her than she kept up our little corner on Earth!
The new owner is also going to completely repipe the entire building along with new hot water heaters and central heating units, as well as addressing other problems that were revealed during the pre-sale inspection of the building.
He has also already started making improvements on the exterior - will be installing new landscaping, new exterior amenities (outdoor seating, bbq facilities etc.), and has given us free reign to be creative with the back yard. We had always wanted to turn the rear part of the yard into a meditation garden but could not afford to do that on our own. The new owner has agreed to let us do the work and he will reimburse us for both time and expenses. We're going to enclose it with trellises and add things like more flowers and plants, a little pond with fountain, chairs and table, etc. Isn't that great!!
PLUS, we get to keep both garages ....... he expressed great delight over their spotless state (as well as the de-cluttering progress we have been making inside). but I can guarantee you they will never get filled up again. I don't ever, ever, EVER want to live through the heartache and agonizing labor of cleaning them out again. And I must say, while the initial shock and sorrow over disposing of so much "sweeper stuff" was nearly overwhelming, now that I have gotten it down to an almost-manageable level it does feel good. Much less stuff around to deal with, and I am going to continue that process now that I'm on a roll.
One slightly bittersweet note --- the stucco portions of the exterior will no longer be bright orange! The new color will be "stone" (presumably a light gray color) for the stucco, with off-white for the upper wooden siding, and then dark green trim including replacing the original wooden shutters that the previous owners had just torn off instead of sanding and painting). We had kinda gotten used to the shocking color, but guess a more mundane look will be a nice change.
This truly is an answered prayer, and I want to thank you for all your concern, prayers, and words of encouragement and support. You just don't know what that means to me.
"Ever Onward And Upward"
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Saturday, June 11, 2005 at 20:26:57 (MDT)
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Dear Members,
Well I am happy to report that the club's Commemorative Edition of the Ultalux given to the VCCC by Electrolux is now on it's way to Los Angeles for the convention!
I went over the packing as I only had it out of the box once during the past year, (too many vacuums and not enough space), and all parts are there ready for attendees to play with. The club has had the vacuum over five years and typically resides with the current president or with an approved designated party. It has now "lived" in: Portland, OR, Florence, KY, Chicago, IL, Festus, MO, Milwaukee, WI and Charlotte, NC. Too bad it is not getting frequent flyer mileage.
Many new members and west coast attendees will be seeing it for the first time. Only 100 were made and Tom Gasko arranged for the club to receive it from Electrolux, as a gift, under his Presidentcy. Thanks Tom!
I hope all those attending have a great time and I will look forward to seeing you in St. Louis next year as I am not able to attend this year. Best wishes!
Charlie Watrous
Charlotte, USA - Wednesday, June 08, 2005 at 15:19:15 (MDT)
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Hello all,
Anyone interested in a couple of Hoover 913s? One's almost perfect, but the other one is damn good-looking for a forty year-old commercial vacuum (though not as nice as the first one). The almost-perfect one (I'll send pics to those interested, but let me tell you right now it's gorgeous) is all-original except for the cord and the brushroll, and the other one is completely original.
I'll try and figure out what shipping will be, though first I'll have to get my hands on boxes to ship the handles. I have never been able to find those, but it'd probably help if I looked :P
Anyway, if anyone's interested, e-mail me for pictures and come up with an offer. I don't want to sell them short, but I DO want them out of the house.
Thanks,
Owen Perkins
Naperville, IL USA - Saturday, June 04, 2005 at 21:23:05 (MDT)
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Hi, Mike and Reggie--Thank-You for your answers to my question regarding my Silver King. My Silver King is an "AE" Model, No. 264159, by Thompson & Sons Inc. The Bottom Tank is a Hammertone Blue, with the top part a polished aluminum color. The top part of the motor cover is also a Hammertone Blue. The only attachments I got with the vacuum were the original cloth style hose, and the "S" Bend Wand, with what looks to be the carpet attachment. The vacuum has an electrical type outlet on the top of the motor housing, which I assume is for a power nozzle? Anyway, Mike and Reggie--I thank-you for your responses. The motor in the vacuum is in really good shape--I cleaned it and put new bearings in it and it still runs great!
Nathan Thomas
Wayside, TX USA - Saturday, June 04, 2005 at 20:50:42 (MDT)
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Silver King was sold in the 80s to Craig Leerberg in Colorado Springs, Co. The company is called Silver King International now, they are still around for now.
Reggie Ridlen
Parker, Co USA - Friday, June 03, 2005 at 22:44:22 (MDT)
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Hi Nathan. The silver king was sort of an industral / commercial cleaner. It had no bag, Just a pan with a sheet of papaer for a filter. The unit had a regular 2 stage lamb motor with a grounded three prong cord. It came with commercial attachments. a sweeping "s" style wands like Filter queen / airway., It was manufactured by thompson industries, I don't know if they are still making the cleaner. But they were marketed as a heavy duty cleaner. Most of them were green and polished aluminum. What color is yours? did it have all the attachments?
Hi Charlie. I remember the Kenmore you are talking about. some had four rings like an olypic logo. Was this a "Lady Kenmore" ? usually the first 2 digits after the period on any kenmore appliance were the year it was sold 116.72.... was a "72" model 116. was the manufacture in this case whirlpool. That old vacuum was the predacesor to what they aare selling today. Same principle except the hose didn't come off for easy cleaning. it had to be attached in the back. Mike
Mike Banta
San Jose, ca USA - Thursday, June 02, 2005 at 22:27:05 (MDT)
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I've just added a new section to my website, featuring the gloriously beautiful MODERN HYGIENE vacuum cleaner.
I ran across a reference to the machine's designer, Brooks Stevens, in another context. Reading about Mr. Stevens inspired me to haul my Modern Hygiene out to the workshop and restore it.
The cleaner came out so beautifully that I just had to stop everything and put this web page up! Enjoy!!
SEE:
http://www.137.com/modern
(P.S.: "Where is everybody??!")
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at 01:26:34 (MDT)
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Hi, All--Hope you all had a safe and wonderful Memorial Day Holiday! Charlie--You are in my thoughts and prayers. Got that old 1937 Lux XXX up and running--It's truly an original!! Has Anyone ever heard of a Silver King? I bought one of those, it's a canister, along with two other vacuums, the old 1937 Lux XXX, and a Viking, all for $20.00 at a thrift store. That Silver King looks like an original!!! Any ideas on how much it would be worth--I've heard the new ones are $3500.00! Anyhow--I hope all you vacuum collectors had a wonderful Holiday, and, even though I will not be able to attend the convention this year I would still like to meet some of you in person. For those whose interest includes Pipe Organs, I'm also fascinated with them, and I have the privilege of playing the Pipe Organ at a church in Lubbock, Texas, once a month. Anyway, beings I live in Texas, I'll say, "Ya'all" have a good Day!!!
Nathan Thomas
Wayside, TX USA - Monday, May 30, 2005 at 19:55:31 (MDT)
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Speaking of the meeting, with recent developments my participation is necessarily going to be very limited - far more so than I had expected.
Obviously there will be no tour of my collection or workshop since it will mostly be in boxes by that point; and I'll have to nix my plans to give a metal polishing demonstration. And I don't know timewise how things will be shaking out but I'll try to get to some of the doings on Saturday. Has an agenda of activities, dinners etc. been drawn up yet?
I do have already prepared a metal polishing handout that I will at some point finalize and turn into a web page for publication somewhere.......
*sigh*
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Friday, May 27, 2005 at 22:44:53 (MDT)
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So last night at choir rehearsal one of my members brought me a sweeper that she found when cleaning out a neighbor's house who is moving into a retirement home. Great. Just what I need, another vacuum at this point .......
But of course she meant well and I very much appreciated the gesture so I accepted it with grace and delight. Or pretended to, anyways!
I am wondering how old it is since it's later than I am generally interested in --- it's a plastic upright Kenmore that looks kinda like a Dial-a-matic but more "squared off" at the corners etc., and the handle "pole" is square. It's a light turqoise/aqua color with "phony woodgrain" accents. It' says "Kenmore Duo Power" and "Adjustable Beater Brush" on the front of it. It has an automatic cord winder and kind of "looks" like a deluxe model so I assume it was.
Pretty heavy and kludgy actually, and an ugly-looking thing -- its only saving grace is its aqua color, which is one of my favorite vacuum cleaner shades!
It kinda looks, aesthetically, like a 70s machine but the aqua color makes it look more 60s, so I am not sure. It's in real nice shape, the lady apparently took good care of it.
Any info on this machine? Would it be worth putting on eBay ya think?
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Friday, May 27, 2005 at 22:32:50 (MDT)
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Greetings to all!
Sorry that I've been out of touch for so long. My Mom has spent the past several months recovering from congestive heart failure complicated a mild stroke, so at least every other week or so I drive from St. Louis to Indianapolis to be of assistance. All of this driving gets pretty tiring after a while (though I'm glad to be able to be with Mom so often), but in the meantime, everything else in my life keeps getting pushed aside.
I regret that I won't be able to attend this year's convention -- our Provincial Chapter is going on at the very same time, and I am required to attend. However, I'm looking forward to being involved in the 2006 convention which will be here in St. Louis -- next year is our "year off" from Province summer gatherings.
Busy or not, I have visited with Stan Kann a few times and seen some new additions to his collection. What a treasure-trove of vacuum lore he is! Since I'm also a theater organist, he and I spend as much making music at his organ as we do running his vacuums. A visit with Stan is always a good time!
My work has taken me to Chicago a couple of times this year, so I've taken advantage of that to drop by the Henry Company in Highland, Indiana, for a visit with Mike Rogers. I doubt there is a kinder, more generous soul in the world than Mike! I was fortunate to spot a Hoover Convertible #4049 in mint condition in his shop window -- he had taken it in trade for a newer machine and had cleaned this one up. I snapped it up as I walked into the shop and bought it on the spot! And since he knows of my deep affection for the Hoover 29, he saved one for me that came through as a trade (not as "mint" as the 4049, but pretty nice nonetheless).
I have to hold myself back from acquiring any more cleaners. There are 26 of us who live in this friary, so individual space is at a premium. First-time visitors to my office just can't figure out why there would be so many vacuums in one room -- but that's only because they haven't been in my room or my key shop! Downsizing was the order of the day when my Mom moved from her house into a condo last fall, so she "gently" inquired if I could move some of the eleven vacs spread around her house back to St. Louis -- which exacerbated my space problem all the more! Once our Chapter meeting is over, however, I need to concentrate on thinning out the ranks some more. I'll be anxious to share my collection of "spare parts" at next year's convention -- it's amazing how quickly all that stuff accumulates!
Be assured that I will be with all of you in spirit at the convention in LA next month. I'm confident that it's going to be a GREAT time for everyone, as it always seems to be.
I miss you all ....
Good wishes from Brother Chris
Brother Chris Lambert
Saint Louis, MO USA - Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at 22:28:27 (MDT)
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Well, I guess it's a good thing we got those garages cleaned out. Now, it looks like we're going to have to start on the apartment as well.
We just got the grim news that we are going to have to move.
The new owner of the building [a coward who didn't have the ... er, the courage to tell us himself but sent an "agent" to bring the bad news] has decided he wants to become an owner/occupant and of course it's our apartment that he wants.
He will be obliged to give us 60 days' notice and pay a relocation fee of $3200. However, with the current rental market in L.A., that amount would not even cover first and last month's rent out here -- much less the cost of moving.
We have rent control in L.A. - which means, living where we have been for 15 years, our rent is below market, even as high as it is. An apartment next door to us just went vacant and the rent is more than twice what we are paying.
Rent control is a double-edged sword: Yes, it protects you as long as you don't have to move. But landlords typically greatly increase the rents on vacated apartments, so it is going to be very, very tough to find anything anywhere nearly as large as we have had, at anywhere near the same rent.
So ... please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as this hugely depressing and enormously daunting hurdle has dropped in our path.
Thanks.......
~
C
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Tuesday, May 24, 2005 at 18:30:11 (MDT)
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Hi to All:
Unfortunately I won't be attending the concention this year only because of my work schedule, they fired the Truck Supervisior in March so I'm acting supervisior until one is placed, I don't want the position but have to step in for now.
Also I'm the only person at work that knows how to route the trucks for there daily delivieries and fired supervisor was the only other one who knew how.
But I will definately make the 2006 St. Louis Convention I have already told My boss no matter what I will be at that convention job or no job
But I do really have regrets about not going to this convention as I'm dying to meet everyone especially Evan Rodgers I have maintained a very close friendship with over the phone.
WE talk usually once a week and Tania I talk to once a week.
I have met some really awsome members of the club over the tele but now it's time to meet face to face
Again I want To wish everybody that is going a very warm wish that you'll have to time of your lifes there and please take pics so I can see exactly what I missed
Happy vacuuming Skip...
Skip Aultman
Lafayette, La. USA - Saturday, May 21, 2005 at 06:56:09 (MDT)
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Tom, don't believe everything you see on TV.
The purpose of TV news is not to inform but to attract people TO the "boob-tube" to watch the COMMERCIALS.
And what attracts most people to TV? Nice sweet stories about how great life is or boring news about how fast the grass is growing on the Kansas plains? Or grim, ugly stories about the underbelly of the human experience and all the horrible things that happen to us?
Right. The latter, of COURSE.
What you see on TV news is always slanted toward keeping people's attention raptly focused on the TV, so they will see all the COMMERCIALS. Thus, the programming content is largely on crime, violence, natural disasters etc.
Los Angeles is no more or no less safe than probably anywhere else in the country in terms of crime. I suspect there's even crime in Festus, Missouri. For people to stay away from the meeting because they fear for their safety, well, that's really pretty silly.
As for earthquakes, mud slides, brush fires, yeah we have 'em. But not every day. Haven't had any of these in quite a while in fact.
And while we have these natural disasters, other parts of the world have it even worse sometimes -- tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, volcanic eruptions.......
I have lived in Los Angeles for over 25 years and I love it more with each passing day. It's a GREAT place to live. And you sure can't beat the weather 90% of the year!
Um ... HEY ... what was that......???
{{{Rumble}}} ...
{{{Rumble-Rumble}}} ...
{{{RUMBLE}}} {{{RUMBLE}}} {{{RUMBLE}}}
***CRAAAASH!***
***ROAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!!!!***
***BUMPPPP-THUMPPPPP-KABAAAAAANG!!!!!!!***
~~~~~~SLIIIIDDDDDDDEEEEEEE~~~~~~~
and
+++PLOPPPP!!!+++
______________________
We interrupt this program for special news bulletin: Here's anchorperson Ima Sillyputz LIVE on location in Santa Monica, California:
"Well, it finally happened ........ A magnitude 39 Earthquake has struck the southern west coast of the United States. The entire state of California has broken off from the coast and slid into the Pacific Ocean.
"This has been followed by the largest brush fire ever seen in the region and the entire state is up in flames as it collapses and falls into the Ocean.
"The huge brush fire was immediately followed by an ENORMOUS mud slide rolling across the desert from Arizona that is threatening what's left of the coastline.
"Mass pandemonium has set in as people, grabbing what belongings the can, run for their lives. Tragically, most of them have been killed in the utter conflagration.
"Looters and rioters have taken over the new Island of California, while corrupt police officers are beating and shooting everyone in sight.
"We take you now to our satellite QUAKECAM for dramatic footage of the quake; the fire; the slide; the utter destruction of land, property, freeways; the looting and rioting; and, of course, the thousands upon thousands of dead and mangled bodies. STAY TUNED! We'll play this footage over, and over, and over, and OVER, just as soon as we pause for these announcements from our sponsors."
______________________
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Friday, May 20, 2005 at 11:37:13 (MDT)
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Charlie L:
I'm looking forward to meeting you as well, and seeing your collection. I think this will be a great convention.
Fred Stachnik and I are travelling together, our flight is due to land at LAX about 3:40pm on the 16th.
I'm also looking forward to being a total tourist. So far we have plans to go to a taping of "The Price is Right" as well as see some of the other sites. For one I'm planning on having my picture taken on the sidewalk outside the "Brady Bunch" house!
It should be a fun time, and I am very much looking forward to it.
Jeff Parker
Roselle, IL USA - Thursday, May 19, 2005 at 10:32:46 (MDT)
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Convention FYI-
I spoke to the sales manager at the Four Ponts Sheraton LAX yesterday, and was assured that there are still a few rooms available at the VCCC club rate. They'll extend the reservations deadline for one week (until May 25) or until all the rooms are taken, whichever is first. If you're still "on the fence" about attending, there's still time to get your reservation in. Here's to a great convention!
R. J. Vanik
Bellevue, WA - Thursday, May 19, 2005 at 07:19:24 (MDT)
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Hi everyone:
I'm delighted to hear that the convention this year will be well attended by people from all over the country. After all the movies and news programs that depict L.A. in a negative light (the 'mean streets of L.A.'), I never had any interest in going to California until now. It sounds like a lot of fun this year - I've been to many, many past conventions and they seem to get better and better each year.
tom gasko
USA - Thursday, May 19, 2005 at 05:06:39 (MDT)
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Greetings-
Yes, I will be attending the convention in California. I too will be staying a couple extra days to do some sight seeing. If anyone needs a room and doesn't mind sharing to cut expenses, Marc Turbyfill and Ken Johnson and myself have room for one more person!
Looking forward to seeing all of you!
Ken Wagman
Capron, IL USA - Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at 13:57:12 (MDT)
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Jeff, Evan, Reggie, and others who are coming out here for the meeting, I am sure looking forward to meeting you all. I am glad to hear that apparently attendancew will be good; I and some of the other locals have been a bit worried that it may be a "bust" since we also haven't heard a lot of buzz about it from other members. I'll be participating as fully as I can given my hectic weekend schedule and I certainly will have an open house for people to come see what's left of my collection...!
One more desperate plea for a set of Air-way hose ends or complete Mark-II hose (non electric). I'll be more than happy to pay for this as long as it's not full SRP --- if I wanted to pay high dollar for a new hose I'd get one from the company.
---THANKS---
Charles R Lester
Los Angeles, CA - Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 23:23:11 (MDT)
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I've been looking forward to the convention for some time. I've got my airline tickets, rooms reserved, and even a car rented. I'm staying over a few extra days after the convention, last time I was in LA I was 9 years old, so I'm gonna be a tourist!
Less than a month away now!
Jeff Parker
Roselle, IL USA - Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 10:28:39 (MDT)
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Hi Tom,
I am attending the convention this year. I do not really know how many people from the east coast are planning on going, but I do know that we will have a lot of new members attending, as well as a very large amount of people from the west coast.
On a related note, I called the hotel two weeks ago to reserve a room, and they told me that all the rooms reserved by the VCCC were taken. They ended up selling me a deluxe room for only $20.00 more, but the fact that all the reserved rooms are taken should imply that we will have a large attendance this year.
I hope that I will see many familiar faces this year, and I will miss those that can't be there. Hopefully, however, I will make many new friends, like I have in previous years.
If there are any new members reading this that are on the fence about attending the convention, I strongly encourage you to attend. It is great fun to talk to others that share similar interests, and you make friends that last a lifetime.
As for myself, I am not only excited about the convention this year, but I am also psyched about going to California! I have been wanting to take a trip there for a while, and now I have the greatest reason to go there!
I look forward to seeing many of you in June!
Evan Rogers
Concord, MA USA - Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 16:40:21 (MDT)
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I am coming this year.
Reggie Ridlen
Parker, Co USA - Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 11:01:01 (MDT)
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Has anyone heard how many people plan to attend the L.A. convention? I was wondering who was planning on attending. While I certainly do not know everyone in the club (we've had 20 new members join in the past few months) - I know very few people who've said they plan on attending. Other than folks in California and Washington state, is anyone from the East coast or midwest states planning on attending?
tom gasko
USA - Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 17:09:45 (MDT)
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tom
thanks for the advice after taking the cover off the switch it seems someone for wahtever reason decided to disconnect the switch
reatached she purrs like a kitten now
ron d jones
USA - Monday, May 09, 2005 at 16:29:54 (MDT)
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Hey,
Does anyone out there have either an entire hose, or just the hose ends, for the later-model Air-way tank machines?
The specific machine in question is the 88 Mark II. This is one of the ones I had initially offered for sale but had to withdraw it when I realized I didn't have a hose for it.
I am going to list this on eBay so I certainly don't mind paying for the hose or ends. The complete original hose would be best of course (vinyl woven turquoise with gray tracing) but I'll take just a set of ends if that's all I can get.
THX
Charlie Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 15:08:36 (MDT)
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Hi Ron:
The model G and model L share the same motor (but different 'motor mounts'). IF the motor in the G is bad, you can always fix it with the L motor parts or replace it entirely. Of course, it's most likely that the G motor runs, but the cord winder has a short. Take the cord winder off, and test the brass contacts to see if there's power coming through.
I would be happy to help you fix it if you want. I'm having a few vacuum friends over for the weekend in a few weeks. Let me know if you are intested in coming to a small 'get together'. I'm always willing to help with any repairs you can't do yourself.
Congrats on your 'find'.
tom gasko
USA - Wednesday, May 04, 2005 at 16:31:31 (MDT)
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Lux shampooer, guys got a Lux 2101 shampooer looking for shampoo brushes for her any help appreciated
ron d jones
USA - Sunday, May 01, 2005 at 22:47:16 (MDT)
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junking today got a model G lux model L lux and a box of att for 10 bucks even thought the G doesnt run it was worth it
ron d jones
USA - Sunday, May 01, 2005 at 22:45:21 (MDT)
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G.E. Swivel top parts?
I just received a great salmon colored G.E.swivel top canister, model V13C3. When it arrived, the vacuum was in great shape,,but the tools and hose were the wrong color. I am hunting for the right colored tools and such for it.
I dont even know where to start ( unless I make a midnight raid of Marty Rocha's house *grin*)
Any help would be greatly appreciated,, Even some pics of what they wouldve looked like. This is the model that had the larger pink plastic swivel unit on the top, and rides on a carrior.
Almost looks like a pink penquin! Thanks,Victor
Victor Lee
Palm Springs, CA USA - Friday, April 29, 2005 at 23:35:25 (MDT)
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Hi,
I am looking for old Hoover attachments from about 1960 to 1970. Such as a Hose for a Dial-A-Matic, floor brushes, dusting, crevice and upholstery brushes. If anybody has any extras I would appreciate you contacting me. As a new member I am looking forward to meeting you at the Convention in California.
Rick
Rick Wilson
Tempe, AZ USA - Friday, April 29, 2005 at 17:38:16 (MDT)
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Hello All.
Just a short note-the Royal has found a new home.
Jim
Startup, WA USA - Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at 17:42:34 (MDT)
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Ron Jones: Dial A Matic belts are getting harder and harder to find these days. The best place to find a genuine one these days would be your local Ace or True Value hardware store, at least around here both still carry lots of the older Hoover stuff.
Jeff Parker
Roselle, IL USA - Sunday, April 24, 2005 at 16:30:27 (MDT)
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Hello again, Vacuum Collectors. I have a Canadian Electrolux model 88 that I would like to complete restoration on. My question has to do with the rubber material, surrounding the motor. It has become aged over the years and brittle, and is cracked to a point to where the vacuum no longer has any suction. Is it possible in any way to replace the rubber, or would it be easier to simply replace the motor? I have noticed that the mounting bracket on the motor is different, in that it has more places in it for screws, so it would, what shall I say, "Take some ingenuity" to get it to work again. I hate to throw the machine out as the body of it is in real good condition. The motor seems to run well. That rubber has deteriorated to the point that it has no suction. Any "hints" would be appreciated and helpful. Thank-You.
Nathan L. Thomas
kingofsteam@midplains.coop
Nathan L. Thomas
Wayside, TX USA - Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 21:12:19 (MDT)
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Hi. I have an old (looks like it came from the twenties) Royal upright, manufactured by the P. A. Geier Company, of Cleveland, OH., looking to find a new home.
There is a plate where the various patents (nad patents pending) are listed, which number around 19. It looks like the bag is original. It has, what appears to be, a newer, rubber cord, 21-1/2 feet long. On the inside, the cord is cloth-covered, wound cord. The wiring is very brittle and needs to be re-done. I am not that handy a person to attempt that.
Had it plugged in, but wouldn't run as wires are broken. Motor turns easily and might run fine with the proper home and a lot of tlc and some elbow grease.
I paid $25 for it-would like to get some back for it. I am not sure of it's true worth. I will send pictures of it privately to you at your requests. Contact me at norski75@hotmail.com.
Thanks.
Jim C.
Jim Cowardin
Startup, WA USA - Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 19:18:25 (MDT)
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Dial A Matic, guys what is the proper belt for a DAM just got one last weekend near perfect shape just in need of a new belt
thx
Ron
ron d jones
USA - Friday, April 22, 2005 at 21:10:56 (MDT)
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P.S. to my posting below --- this may be obvious, but I should have mentioned that people should email me privately with their offers (crl@137.com) and not make them here on the Forum!
And just a clarification based on some of the queries that have already started coming in:
Regarding how much I want for things ... as I said, I am offering everything directly to club members first and then whatever doesn't get sold will go to eBay.
But rather than putting set prices on things, I'm asking people to make offers. Since there really is no way to gauge the value of these machines, the best way to set a price is to see what people are willing to offer. And the highest offers will win.
Thx...
Charles R Lester
Los Angeles, CA United States - Friday, April 22, 2005 at 14:00:24 (MDT)
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Folks, I am in quite a pickle here.
Our apartment building has been up for sale for some time now, and in fact a sale is finally proceeding as we speak.
Now the bad part.
Read the following excerpts from an email the realtor sent to me -- He is talking about the seller's reaction to my garages and house full of stuff:
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The only word I can use to describe his reaction to your apartment and then to your two storage garages was absolute HORROR. Somebody said something about the sets of "Seven" and "Silence of the Lambs." He will come after you with a vengeance because he feels that your choice to live with such vast accumulations of physical possessions to him does not look like a life's work of finding wonderful things and pieces, to him it looks like you are storing the most volatile, dangerous, and out of control collection of fire accelerants ever accumulated.
I suspect his first volley into this problem is that he will order your garages emptied and then he will take them away from you. After that, who knows how he will go after your apartment interior. But trust me when I tell you this, he's smart enough to know he doesn't have to use pricey lawyers to go after you, all he has to do is bring in a city inspector and a fire marshall, and they will do his dirty work for him. And he also knows that you cannot mount a defense against that, for those manner of pronouncements by appointed Safety Officials of the City can not be sued over, cannot be overrruled and are tantamount to an Administrative Order with the full force and weight of the City of Los Angeles behind it.
So my advice is as follows. Go proactive. Don't wait on him. If you solve the problem before he has to force you to solve the problem, you will suddenly become tenants he desperately wants to stay. If you must, rent a public storage room - and clear your garages out completely. If you don't you are going to lose them forever. If you clear them yourselves, there's every good chance at least one of them remains yours.
Let me amend my mast paragraph. Rent a LARGE public storage space and box up all the clutter in the apartment. At the very least, clear it enough so that there is safe and adequate passage in all hallways, that there are no obstructions to either exit, and what remains is placed in appropriate places - books in bookcases, for example. You might want to consider donating your vacuums to a museum; this could become an important collection. But, the place for any remaining vacuum cleaners should be in a closet. Period!
You know what I'm suggesting and why. I know it's a pain in the ass, but I really want everybody in the building to be able to stay and more importantly to enjoy the benefits of the capital this man will put into the building. Solve the problem before he makes you solve the problem and you will gain much in his eyes.
--------------
Well.
I cannot afford to "rent a LARGE public storage space." I am just going to have to get rid of most of my stuff.
Which brings me to the TWO points of this missive.
-ooOoo-
First, I am going to have another, final garage clean-up. This time there won't be so much stuff since I really have not accumulated much since the last one. In fact, what I am pretty much going to do is just pull everything out of there and pile it in the back yard, then hire someone to haul it off. But I want to give you-all a last chance to look through what's there before it goes.
I would like to have that final clean-up on Saturday May 14 and, if necessary, also the following Sunday. Please check your calendars and get back to me ASAP with "yea" or "nay" so I can nail down a date.
Obviously, this is quite a rude awakening / reality check here. I am kinda reeling over the prospect of having to clear out all this stuff once and for all -- but I HAVE to, since the alternative (moving) is even less attractive. So I am asking as much for your moral support and a shoulder to cry on as I am asking for your help in getting rid of this stuff.
-ooOoo-
Then, second:
This of course also means that I am going to have to really streamline down my main on-display collection. It's clear that it can't stay here. I had in fact already made tentative arrangements to move it down to my church. Looks like that is going to have to be a definite GO now, but I am going to have to reduce the load before I move it.
I am going to keep my Electrolux collection intact of course, and keep most of the Kirbys, but all the Hoovers and the early straight-suction machines and other stuff are going to have to go.
I am going to list that stuff on eBay because I really need the money. As usual, things are very tight. But I am going to give my fellow VCCC club members a first chance to make offers on the following things. (See list below.)
I am making this offer now and leaving it open for a week, until April 29. At the end of that time, the highest offers on these machines will get them -- with of course me reserving the right to decline offers that I feel are too low.
But don't worry, I am not going to be putting "high dollar" tags on things. Make offers as you can and if they are anywhere near reasonable, I'll entertain them. Especially since this has to happen pretty fast. I have basically until May 15 to get this done.
I wish I could just afford to give all this stuff away. Believe me, that would be the easiest way to go. But I do have to make some sort of effort to recoup some of my investment in this collection. It did not all come free, or cheap.
(Note that shipping will of course be extra for machines that can't be picked up - pick-ups would be my preference of course.)
Those who have seen my collection know that most of my machines are in excellent to near-mint condition and in most cases all original and complete. I will note otherwise below.
If you have questions about any of these machines or want to see photos, I'll be as accommodating as possible. Your best bet would be to come by for a look in person which you are more than welcome to do. Some of these machines can be seen on my web site, www.137.com -- scroll down to the "things that go vrrrrrrrr in the night" section
Anyway, here's the list, in no particular order.
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Turquoise Kenmore tank on a cart
Electrolux B7 Floor Scrubber - first turquoise fold down version. No shampooer accessories
Turquoise Shetland floor polisher - several sets of brushes
Johnson-wax turquoise "helmet" floor scrubber
Airway 88 Mark II canister - everything except power nozzle but does include very rare polisher attachment
Eureka Model G upright
Filtex 1937 tank
Canadian Electrolux Z89 - includes THREE different Z89 power nozzles
Canadian Electrolux Z55 - beautiful maroon and blue
Singer R-1 upright
G.E. motor-driven upright - beautiful "machine age" styling up there with the Singer R1
Hoover Constellation yellow and tan -- motor unit only
Hoover 700 - VERY rare early "Special" version with matching black/silver bag and ornate nameplate (actually much more beautiful than the original 700!)
Hoover 725
Hoover 475 - replacement cord
Hoover 541
Hoover 825
Premier 37 motor-driven upright
Sweeper Vac motor-driven upright cir. 1937
Ohio Tuec straight-suction upright
Eureka Model 9 straight-suction upright
Electrolux tan model L - have orig hose in fair cond and maybe floor tool -- motor unit is beautiful & near mint
Electrolux dark turquoise model L - no power nozzle
Electrolux gold model L -- motor unit only but in exxxxxxcellent cond
G.E. Roll Easy -- beautiful cond, one of the gems of my collection. But has to go. Includes attachment caddy, spare original paper bags and instruction book
Haley's Comet canister - ditto. Missing large flat rug nozzle but complete otherwise
Fairfax S1 (1956) -- including the rare floor polisher setup
Modern Hygiene - mid 1940s. complete
Eatonia - beautiful Canadian tank
Early 1940s Universal tank - motor only. Beautiful machine
Early 1950s blue Universal tank complete incl orig box
Royal red tank cleaner - not the Royalaire but the later one
Kenmore Commander - including orig caddy-box
Westinghouse tank "I Love Lucy" model - incl attachment caddy
Westinghouse maroon tank - motor unit only but beautiful. Is a movie star - appeared in the film "Avalon"
Kirby Classic 1CR - the first one. Everything imaginable in an original boxes - complete.
And, yes, I do have a Kenmore Imperial "Bug Eye" but that's already been promised to someone.
Other misc things - some attachments and original boxes and stuff that I will offer at the clean-up either for "free" or "make an offer." I've got about 50 Electrolux floor polisher attachments, for example, many in the original boxes and complete. I will keep a few of them and liquidate the rest.
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Thanks.......
Charles R Lester
Los Angeles, California United States - Friday, April 22, 2005 at 13:12:18 (MDT)
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Good luck Marty. That sounds like quite a project. I think I remember that RJ made a beautiful Hoover bag one time. Keep us posted on your progrss. Terry
Terry Lattz
Danville, Il USA - Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 21:38:43 (MDT)
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Here's a funky question:
I have Dave Olsen's Premier Duplex at my house. It has a rather beat up Health Mor cloth bag on it. I'm thinking of trying to sew a new bag for it. What would be the best material to use for a bag. I'm going to measure the Health Mor bag and use it as a pattern. I've never made a bag before so this will be like a science project for me.
Martin Rocha
Palm Springs, Ca USA - Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 11:57:59 (MDT)
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Hi, here's another email that came to the vaccc.com website. If anyone wants some old Kirby stuff, give the lady a holler!
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Greetings! After 33 years of owning the same Kirby vacuum I have moved on but in cleaning out the Kirby's residential closet I found accessories never or hardly-ever used. I am wondering if one in your group would be interested in:
Miracle Head and Rug Renovator attachments - still in original box. (I didn't shampoo the carpets or buff the floors)
Handi-Butler accessories in the original box. I believe I got this from the estate of an old lady and I never used it. It sharpens knifes? It is older than my 33 year-old unit.
Although my Kirby vacuum is aged I am hoping the machine AND the great accessories could be important to someone. I just feel badly about taking it all to Goodwill or to a neighborhood garage sale.
I look forward to your response. Thanks very much.
Cindy Bryant, Lacey, Washington
cindylouhoo@earthlink.net
Charles R Lester
Los Angeles, California USA - Saturday, April 16, 2005 at 19:48:13 (MDT)
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There certainly is no way that I could better tell the events of last weekend. Charlie as always has done it most eloquently!! It was a fun filled weekend to say the least. Fred N. was the most gracious host!! It was very touching to see Tania recieve her beloved Dual 80. Kirby had done a fantastic job on the rebuild. The gala on Saturday night was and evening that I will always remember. I felt like "Cinderella" going to the ball.LOL Many thanks to everyone there for such a great weekend! Terry
Terry Lattz
Danville, Il. USA - Friday, April 15, 2005 at 12:31:11 (MDT)
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Dear members:
Well, the past weekend was a mini-meet to remember and some of you were the victoms of our our devious, yet fun filled "Drink and Dial", Saturday night fun.
Fred Nelson, generously hosted 6 members at his home in St. Charles, IL. He is on the Board of the generous and tony, "Human First", Board in Chicago, which is an AIDS fund raising foundation.
I flew in Friday afternoon and was met by Fred and the lovely Tania Voigt at O'Hare. How fab is that to start off the weekend? Then we motored to St. Charles and stopped at the local Depot to collect Terry Lattz, fresh in from Danville, IL.
It was then off to Fred's palatial home for fun with vacuums. Shortly, VCCC Vice-Pres., Jeff Parker joined us. Well, long story short, we played with Fred's collection and had dinner and imbided along the way until the wee hours of the morning.
Mid Saturday morning, Fred Stachnik and his friend Joe Jolley joined us for the festivities. At this point, one of the most wonderful things happened..........Fred S. had suggested to me and Fred N. that we try to find a Dual 80 Kirby for Miss Tania. The reason behind that was: at the time the 80 was introduced, Tania lost her mother and she was about 12-13ish. The Kirby salesman came calling very shortly after the death of Tania's mother. Well, Tania being Tania, said of course, they would take the vacuum. Due to the fact that family funds were tied up in probate for several weeks, that created a financial hardship.
When Tania's father learned that Tania said yes to the Kirby salesman, the proverbial s___ hit the fan and he said it all had to go back. When the Kirby salesman returned to collect the $$$$, Tania's dad told Tania to get the vacuum. Meanwhile, our Miss T. had HIDDEN all the attachments to the Dual 80! And there must have been a gazillon of them if you remember!
She finally got them all and sadly gave them back to the salesman. This on top of losing Mom. Fred S., Fred N. and I decided it was time that Tania have an 80 in it's full glory for an early Birthday present. So, I found a complete, yet iffy, 80 on ebay. We sent it to Kirby who did a fabulous rebuilt. We had the attachments and boxes so it was totally complete. And, on that wonderful Saturday morning, we finally fufilled a young women's dream.................a Dual Sanitronic 80, new in the box. None of us were dry eyed for such a moving event.
Have fabulous is that? For those of you that know Tania, she not only deserved this but on some level it was owed to her.
After that somewhat dramatic event, we left Fred N. to have some, "down", time and the rest of us went for lunch, to ship a vacuum, to purchase vacuum items and finally to buy at an antique mall, a near mint Kirby 562 with all it's tools, attachments and manuals. It is reported that the 562 has an interesting history and I have emailed Charlie Lester for details on this. (I am awaiting his reply.)
Later, we got all dolled up in our black ties and gowns and piled into a FAB white stretch limo with several bottles of Champagne to attend the fund raising function. Mayor Daley spoke, Martha Walsh of, "The Weather Girls", performed, money was raised, a sea of handsome men and women were cruised, we danced our asses off and finally limoed back to Fred's house. Several unusal and interesting items flew out the rear windows of the limo on the way back.................
All this said, we sadly drove and or flew back to our respective homes on Sunday morning and or afternoon. How time flies during periods of debauchery!
Back to the humdrum worlds or work on Monday morning.............however, this author worked a trip to Las Vegas and sat by the pool thinking, "Eat your hearts out people", and then ordered another beverage by the modelesque pool attendant.............so life goes on as the stomach turns in the vernacular of the old Carol Burnette show.
My best and thanks to all, espically: Ida, Tania, Concetta, Taffy, Chicklet and the ever always, Agnes. XO
Charlie Watrous