The Musical Box Society International’s fourth Annual Mechanical Music Christmas Show at the Eisenhower Recreation Center was host to a steady stream of curious folks. Lots of grandchildren were seeing old-fashioned music boxes and street organs for the first time.
At the entrance of the Eisenhower Center a replica of a 1920s Wurlitzer Military Band lured people into the show. Inside the Center music machines dating from 1852 to the 1920s were on display playing music with owners nearby to give the details of their particular machine.
Nancy Taber and her visiting grandchildren were making a day of it. First they visited the train show and then over to see the music boxes. Jean Klinkenberg and her visiting grandchildren also took in the show while visiting the Eisenhower Center. Spending time looking at the Christmas themed music boxes, eleven-year-old Hailey Klinkenberg deemed the show “very cool.”
Charles and Barbara Sullivan didn’t know what to expect but thought the show sounded intriguing. “It is really fabulous and very informative,” said Barbara while getting a detailed description of the workings of an 1890 Regina Disc Player. Fascinating and very educational was also the opinion of two women who just happened upon the show as they were exiting their Zumba class. They were especially drawn to Craig Darlak’s German Hoffbauer street organ.
“The music just dominates the room,” said Roberta Yap, “but where is the monkey?”
Other attractions include a Victrola, a cylinder music box dating from1852 and a self-crank music box used in the Wild West shows.
Iif you would like more information about the Mechanical Music Society of The Villages contact Jack Hostetler at johnhostetler90@gmail.com
