From the Executive Director
by
Tom Drugan

Our apologies to everyone who tried to use the telephone number given in the notice to call us regarding the Veterans reunion. There was a typographical error in the article and everyone who tried the number got a message that the number was disconnected. SORRY!

It gives me great pleasure to report that several hundred new members have been added to our rolls as a result of the efforts of the Liberty Belle ridership campaign. Don Brooks is providing a one-year Foundation membership for all his riders and your museum is the beneficiary.

Liberty Belle has recently been repainted and looks beautiful. If any of you are near one of the many stops they make throughout the United States, you should make the effort to go to the airport to take a look at her. You can find the schedule of their stops on their website http://www.libertyfoundation.org. The schedule usually extends about a month ahead, so check it periodically.

After several years of urging from our office, the copyright holders of the “Pistol Packin’ Mama” video have agreed to convert the old VHS format to a new DVD format. Welcome to the 21st century gentlemen! This new version will be available by the time you read this Bulletin. Even if you have the VHS copy of this superb program, you may want to acquire the DVD. The quality should be excellent. It will cost us a bit more, but we are holding the price to the same $20 ($22 with shipping) we charge for the VHS version. Also, the new reprint of Anthology II is finally available after more than a year of being out of stock. Both items can be ordered with the form on page 15.

With impetus provided by Bill Pennebaker, we are finalizing stories for Anthology III. Please see Andy’s article on page 9 and submit your story for consideration. We expect to have this new volume available sometime in 2007.

Most of you know by now of the passing of one of our longest serving volunteers and Director of Research, John Warner. John’s absence has already had an impact on how we function here at the museum. I sorely miss our weekly one-on-one meetings where he shared the great insight derived from many years of experience. We are very fortunate that John had the foresight to train those that follow him in the research department. Carolyn Beaubien and Gene Radtke are responsible for filling some big shoes. They are doing an admirable job. See page 11 for our article on John Warner.

Thank you for your continuing support!