Butts and Flanges

Butts and Flanges; Newsletter of
The Cleveland Chapter of the PTG Meeting is September 13th, 2004 8pm.
Mattlin-Hyde Piano Co. 5109 Mayfield Rd. Lyndhurst, OH

Pre Dinner at 6: 30 Hunan's of Lyndhurst, 5670 Mayfield Rd (about 1 mile east of Mattlin Hyde)
Near Applebee's at Brainard and Mayfield in the plaza.

September Technical Voicing the NY Steinway Hammer will feature Ken Sloane. "I will bring sample hammers to demonstrate lacquering and needling procedures and, of course, talk about the decision making process that accompanies the work. There will be pianos at the store to refer to, and I'm sure Mattlin-Hyde will let me "work" on some of the pianos. The technical will focus on Steinway hammers."
Ken Sloane

Presidents Message

What a wonderful meeting we had in August! Many thanks to our great hosts Gerry & Chris Paluck for the fantastic picnic they had for us. It was really fun discussing the many ideas we came up with for technical presentations this year. There is definitely plenty of RPT Pride in our chapter. It is this chapter's culture that makes Cleveland one of PTG's finest chapters. The difference between an average chapter and a exceptional one lies in a chapter's culture. What I enjoy about our chapter is it's ability to help others just starting out in our business, helping associate members through mentorship to upgrade to RPT, volunteering to serve as chapter officers, and many other things that set the tone and spirit of the chapter. It's these intangibles that determine a chapter's culture. Another exceptional chapter is the Indianapolis chapter. Through the leadership of the officers and ALL it's members, they've developed a chapter culture that successfully upgrades associates to RPTs regularly. To attain these goals, they simply demonstrate by words and deeds their deep rooted convictions of how special becoming an RPT really is. When I was attending the Nashville convention this summer, I was speaking to their newest RPT, Brian Evers. My jaw dropped when he proceeded to tell me how even before he upgraded to RPT, he was telling his clients all about the meaning of RPT, all about the testing procedure and how special this status was in our industry. This is a technician that truly understands the meaning of RPT Pride ! This amazing story is a byproduct of a chapter culture that has RPT Pride . Our goal this year is to inspire our members to even greater accomplishments. To enhance an already successful chapter culture starts with the little things, like setting an example by wearing your RPT pins to meetings, by attending meetings regularly, by volunteering for technical presentations, by sharing your knowledge with associates to help them enjoy the benefits of RPT. There is an excitement and energy in our chapter that was clearly evident at our last meeting. Your chapter officers are incredibly excited and motivated to make this year our best ever. With a little RPT Pride , this year can truly be our finest hour!

Bob Russell, RPT

This may seem like the wrong time of year, too far away, don't even know if I can go,..... but.............Here are some words from Jim Geiger.

"One message I would convey to your members is this; A convention is worth a year of college. We cannot afford not to go. Make your plans now for Kansas City, in June, 2005, and save money for it. How can we succeed if we do not plan to succeed? There will be classes for everyone from the rank beginner to the finest professional. Come Home to Kansas City--see our new home office, the museum and the library."

And From Stu Freedman
Speaking of seminars, the month of October is presenting us with two opportunities to acquire new skills. The Central East regional seminar is only in its second year and is presenting a good line up of classes. This is being held in Indianapolis October 7-10.

The other October seminar is the well established North Carolina regional seminar, October 28-31. Again, a good line up of classes as usual. Consider one of these weekends in your October planning. You should have received brochures about both of these opportunities. If not look them up at the PTG web site: www.PTG.org or ask me about them at the September meeting.

"All expressions of opinion and all statements of supposed fact are published on the authority of the author as
listed, and are not to be regarded as expressing the view of this chapter or the Piano Technicians Guild Inc.
unless such statements or opinions have been adopted by the chapter or the Piano Technicians Guild Inc."