President's Message - Spring 2002

By Brian Morgan, NCA President

Brian Morgan speaks to Technical Conferees.

This month I want to talk about some carousel people. At times we need to be reminded that people are more important than things, and recent world events have caused many to focus on the importance of people.

That is not all this message is about, but there are some carousel people I want to mention.

First, I want to welcome the new members of the National Carousel Association board of directors. Bill Frasch has worked to preserve and restore the Columbus, Ohio, Illions carousel for many years and brings practical experience to the board. The other "new" member is Charles Walker, one of the NCA's founding members and long-time NCA conservation chairman. Charles is a former member of the board and is highly respected across the country for his knowledge of the mechanics of carousels.

I also want to thank the retiring board members. Linda McDonald has been one of the mainstays of the long effort to first restore, and then find a permanent home for PTC #33 in St. Paul, Minn. Linda has been a frequent speaker at NCA Technical Conferences on the practicalities of actually running a carousel and the whimsies of operating a carousel gift shop.

Calvin Pearson has served on the board for a number of years, bringing a unique perspective from his position with the city of Hampton, Va., where he was directly responsible for the successful operation of that city's PTC carousel. Calvin has worked with the carousel from the early days of its acquisition through the restoration to its current status - an eminent example of how a carousel can revitalize a city. Calvin has offered to be a continuing resource as the NCA works with other cities that may want to follow Hampton's example.

Unfortunately, we have also lost two prominent attendees at many of our conventions. Marilyn Blake (Terry Blake's mom) and Jeanette Jones, wife of past president Ray Jones, both recently succumbed to lengthy illnesses.

Marilyn could usually be found helping at the NCA table during the Roundabout Fair - or toward the back of a bus trying to control her daughter and husband. Jeanette seemed to grace every convention with her sparkle and smile. We will truly miss them and the many others I have not named who can no longer join us at our conventions.

And finally, Cyndy Hanks will retire after 10 years as Merry- Go-Roundup editor. Cyndy found us through her volunteer work with the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum and has proved to be another in our long line of great editors. Each editor has brought a new dimension to the role. Cyndy was able to combine a professional layout and look with her enthusiasm for carousel research and history. I will miss working with her.

Although she hopes to retire by the end of this year, she has offered to be available to consult with and advise the new editor as needed. We have a number of qualified candidates who have expressed an interest in taking over as editor, so it looks as if Cyndy will finally be able to take a well-earned rest.

And of course, we need to remember and thank every carousel enthusiast, and every carousel worker and friend, for helping to spread the word about the joy of carousels and the thrill of knowing that their work and enthusiasm is helping to preserve carousels for one more day, one more week, one more year.

Reprinted from The Merry-Go-Roundup, Spring 2002
(Quarterly publication for NCA members.)

Back to current President's Message


	President's Message - Spring 2002 By Brian Morgan, NCA President This month I want to talk about some carousel people. At times we need to be reminded that people are more important than things, and recent world events have caused many to focus on the importance of people. That is not all this message is about, but there are some carousel people I want to mention. First, I want to welcome the new members of the National Carousel Association board of directors. Bill Frasch has worked to preserve and restore the Columbus, Ohio, Illions carousel for many years and brings practical experience to the board. The other "new" member is Charles Walker, one of the NCA's founding members and long-time NCA conservation chairman. Charles is a former member of the board and is highly respected across the country for his knowledge of the mechanics of carousels. I also want to thank the retiring board members. Linda McDonald has been one of the mainstays of the long effort to first restore, and then find a permanent home for PTC #33 in St. Paul, Minn. Linda has been a frequent speaker at NCA Technical Conferences on the practicalities of actually running a carousel and the whimsies of operating a carousel gift shop. Calvin Pearson has served on the board for a number of years, bringing a unique perspective from his position with the city of Hampton, Va., where he was directly responsible for the successful operation of that city's PTC carousel. Calvin has worked with the carousel from the early days of its acquisition through the restoration to its current status - an eminent example of how a carousel can revitalize a city. Calvin has offered to be a continuing resource as the NCA works with other cities that may want to follow Hampton's example. Unfortunately, we have also lost two prominent attendees at many of our conventions. Marilyn Blake (Terry Blake's mom) and Jeanette Jones, wife of past president Ray Jones, both recently succumbed to lengthy illnesses. Marilyn could usually be found helping at the NCA table during the Roundabout Fair - or toward the back of a bus trying to control her daughter and husband. Jeanette seemed to grace every convention with her sparkle and smile. We will truly miss them and the many others I have not named who can no longer join us at our conventions. And finally, Cyndy Hanks will retire after 10 years as Merry- Go-Roundup editor. Cyndy found us through her volunteer work with the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum and has proved to be another in our long line of great editors. Each editor has brought a new dimension to the role. Cyndy was able to combine a professional layout and look with her enthusiasm for carousel research and history. I will miss working with her. Although she hopes to retire by the end of this year, she has offered to be available to consult with and advise the new editor as needed. We have a number of qualified candidates who have expressed an interest in taking over as editor, so it looks as if Cyndy will finally be able to take a well-earned rest. And of course, we need to remember and thank every carousel enthusiast, and every carousel worker and friend, for helping to spread the word about the joy of carousels and the thrill of knowing that their work and enthusiasm is helping to preserve carousels for one more day, one more week, one more year. Reprinted from The Merry-Go-Roundup, Spring 2002 (Quarterly publication for NCA members.) Back to current President's Message