June 17, 2008

People gathered for the opening assembly which had the singing of US and Canadian anthems lead by Bill Bremmer and Bill Davis with Randy Woltz at the piano.	The role call of the states is alway a favorite event and the states represented showed an expected West Coast bias. Melanie Brooks introduced the incredible team of institute directors and the moving crew who had just moved some 110 pianos into the building.

Awards

The opening assembly has become the place where all awards are given out. This gives the members a chance to congratulate the recipients during the convention and puts less stress on those who know who the recipients are to keep their secret.

Presidential Citation

Israel Stein, RPT was awarded a Presidential Citation for his tireless and focused work on the Exams. Council had an incredibly large proposal related to exams which was easier to deal with because of the clear attention to detail. Israel is shown here on the right being presented with the award by Dale Probst.

Examiner of the Year
for outstanding service administering exams during the year.

Audrey Karabinus, RPT

Jack Greenfield Award
for outstanding contributions to the Journal

Anne Acker
Dan Levitan, RPT

Member of Note
This award is presented for recent outstanding service to the Piano Technicians Guild
and the Piano Industry.

Joe Garrett, RPT
Dan Gates, RPT
Andy Rudoff

Hall of Fame
There shall be a Hall of Fame to honor those who have shared their talents, time and loyalty to our profession
so that we may have what is ours today. Therefore, the Piano Technicians Guild has instituted this
Hall of Fame record wherein names with tributes and profiles of honored ones may be preserved and remembered.

Richard Davenport, RPT	Jim Geiger, RPT

Golden Hammer
The Golden Hammer Award is given to one outstanding member each year for
service and dedication above and beyond the call of duty. One who has made a
definite change for the better by his/her many years of outstanding contributions to
the Piano Technicians Guild and the Piano Industry.

Ron Berry, RPT

Poolside Reception

This being Southern California, there was an outdoor poolside reception with a band, surfboards, and palm trees [we don't have palm trees in Indiana]. The band played rock and roll and people talked and danced. The reception was sponsored by Flügelbauer Piano Supply.

Then.....Mike Carraher got the idea that some peole should do slow dancing in the pool (with clothes on, of course, after all we are still piano technicians). After much talk, I was told by Sandy that I had to do this to make history.

So.... Ron & Julie Berry, Mike Carraher, Sandy Roady, Sarah Sparks, and Laura Olsen all entered the pool for a dance to "Under the Boardwalk". Melanie Brooks shortly entered the pool although we believe that she was less willing than the rest of us. The water was wonderful and we didn't get cold until we got out. At that point we went up to dry off and I assume the party went on for a while.

Pictures should follow, I did have the presence of mind to remove all my electronics before entering the water, even though the new iPhone is due in a couple of weeks.