BRASS RING ENTERTAINMENT'S
April / May 2001
CAROUSEL NEWSLETTER
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---------------- IN THIS ISSUE -----------------
SPECIAL OFFER! ONLINE CAROUSEL NEWS & TRADER SUBSCRIPTION
1. ELK CITY, OKLAHOMA CAROUSEL: MEMORIAL DAY OPENING PLANNED
2. SAN FRANCISCO ZOO CAROUSEL: RIGHT ON TRACK
3. ALBANY, NEW YORK'S HISTORIC DARE CAROUSEL: MOVING RIGHT ALONG
4. NEW AT CAROUSEL.COM: FREE CAROUSEL ePOSTCARDS
5. NEW AT CAROUSEL.COM: FUN STUFF!
6. NEW AND IMPROVED: FREE CAROUSEL CLASSIFIEDS
7. OFFICIAL CAROUSEL SURVEY: NUMBER 2
8. OUT OF PRINT CAROUSEL BOOK BY MAURICE FRALEY
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SPECIAL OFFER FROM CAROUSEL.COM AND THE CAROUSEL NEWS & TRADER
The only magazine that deals with everything carousel:
THE CAROUSEL NEWS & TRADER SPECIAL
ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION OFFER
From now until May 31, 2001, with each new online subscription to the Carousel News & Trader, get the 2001 Buyers Guide Edition for free! This is the ultimate reference for everything connected with carousels. It's the issue that all carousel businesses advertize in.
This is the carousel connoisseur's must have edition, and it free for signing up at Carousel.com
To take advantage of the offer, click on the link below:
http://www.carousel.com/cnt
By the way, the Carousel News & Trader makes a great gift!
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1. ELK CITY, OKLAHOMA CAROUSEL: MEMORIAL DAY GRAND OPENING
The clock seems to be ticking faster as we finish up the remaining work needed to be done before we pack up Elk City's carousel and start hauling her to her new home. Everything's coming together now like a giant, heavy, three dimensional crossword puzzle...and it's a beaut!
Since writing last month, we have made quite a bit of progress...the rounding boards (the decorative panels that are on the outside-top edge of a carousel) are getting the finishing touch by our expert painter/pin stripper, Jack Burr, a true master of the brush. In his spare time, Jack races a NHRA 300+ mile an hour funny car. We watch him paint carousel parts during the week, and watch him at the races on TV on Saturday and Sunday.
George Herczak has been busy finishing up the rounding board shields...these are gorgeous, wooden pieces that fit between the rounding boards...and they're magnificent. They feature delicately carved cherubs with outstretched wings...modern day masterpieces...and carved out of wood!
We have added a great photo of all the completed horses standing up in the shop...they are all lined up and looking for some running space. We'll miss'em when they gone...it's comforting to know they are going to a good home in Elk City.
We also added a photo that shows the progress that has been done on the Elk City's carousel building...it's nearly ready...the completion of the carousel and the building are falling right in place. Brass Ring's crew will start making there way to Oklahoma for installation in just a few weeks. Boy, time flies.
For the latest information on the progress of this project, go to:
http://www.carousel.com/elkcity
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2. SAN FRANCISCO ZOO CAROUSEL: MECHANICAL FUTURE?
This months new photos helps remind everyone that carousels are not just pretty faces...sure, the exterior is the part we remember...the part we ride on and photograph; however, without well made mechanical parts, put together properly and maintained lovingly, all the exterior beauty means nothing. How do you feel when your expectation for a carousel ride is cut short with the following words..."Carousel Closed For Repairs"?
We here at Brass Ring Entertainment are doing all we can to make it possible to not see that sign for a long, long time. And how do we plan on doing that? Well, it easy...we simply produce the highest quality parts, using the finest materials...we do our work with pride and fully expect to see the fruits of our labor last well into the 21st century.
Although not as pretty as the horses and other animals, photos of the mechanical parts of a carousel can be appreciated too. This month we've added some photos that show some of the new parts that we have either refurbished or rebuilt. It's always fun to see our founder's face light up whenever new parts are completed...he loves to see well made parts. A well made ride means two things to Dan Horenberger: 1. He takes pride in the fact that his company produces such fine work, work that will be remembered and enjoyed for generations, but more importantly : 2. By doing it right the first time, he knows that he won't have to be repairing it.
Among the photos are the newly created crank shafts...these are the steel shafts that, when rotated, cause the horses to jump up and down. Another extremely important part that has been completely refurbished is the crown bearing. It is at the top of the center pole and carries the weight of the entire ride. We added a new precision thrust bearing and upgraded the brass sleeve bearing to a needle bearing. In plain English, it means that it is a nearly indestructible bearing and won't be need to be changed until your grandchildrens grandchildren are ansy for a ride.
Finally, the center pole hub was replaced with a new one and the old cast iron 40" bevel gear was replaced with a flame hardened, precision cut gear. New matching crankshaft gears were also made. Again, we're talking longevity.
What's happening over at the Zoo? Over the last month, the entire carousel building has had it's old lead based paint stripped and is being repainted and prepared for the arrival of the restored carousel. Furthermore, they are replacing the roof on the old hippodrome.
We'll keep you up-to-date on the upcoming grand reopening.
Brass Ring Entertainment and the San Francisco Zoo have made a commitment to keep the carousel open to the public as much as possible during the entire restoration process.
For the latest information on the progress of this project, go to:
http://www.carousel.com/sfzoo
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3. ALBANY, NEW YORK'S HISTORIC DARE CAROUSEL: GETTING A NEW BUILDING
Mechanics, mechanics...and more mechanics. When you restore a carousel, it's best to use only the finest parts...and if you've read this far, you know Brass Ring's approach. Quality first.
Over the last month we had the new sectioned ring gear's manufacture process started. The ring gear makes the carousel spin, and the flame hardened one that we are having cut out of solid steel will spin this carousel well into the 22nd century.
George Herczak, our trusted wood specialist and carver, continues his restoration work on the Dare horses. It has been one of the highlights of his woodworking career...carefully restoring horses that were carved over 100 years ago. Perhaps you read about George in the New Carver issue of March's Carousel New & Trader.
We also added a photo of preparations underway for the construction of the upcoming carousel building that is being built right along side the New York State Museum building. It is going to be quite a memorable contrast...modern architecture, massive and a bit cold and pressed up right next to it one of the oldest carousels in the country! Bravo New York!
For the latest information on the progress of this project, go to:
http://carousel.com/albany
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4. NEW AT CAROUSEL.COM: FREE ePostCards!
Well, as many of you know, we added FREE ePostCards to our site last month, and boy'o boy have they been popular...we're so glad you like'em!
We've added sections with photos from three of our current major projects. You can add band organ music to your card and surely add a smile to a friend or family member... Feel free to send as many as you like...it free and it's fun.
You can find the FREE Carousel ePostCard site below:
http://www.carousel.com//epostcards
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5. NEW AT CAROUSEL.COM: FUN STUFF!
Many of you have written us requesting that we add something for the kids...we finally had time to do something about it. We've added Fun Stuff! to Carousel.com.
What is Fun Stuff!? Well, it is the beginning of a collection of online carousel related games and activities that adults and kids will love to use.
We started with a challenging game called Carousel Mismatch. You are given two nearly identical photos of carousel horses...your job is to click on the 5 differences. Your reward? The sound of a carousel bell, virtual brass rings and the chance to advance to the next level. Give it a try...it's addictive.
The second super fun activity comes from one of Carousel.com's visitors, carousel artist Brandi Jasmine. It's an online coloring book complete with illustrations by Brandi. We were totally amazed by this one...it's your chance to paint a carousel animal online...no fuss, no mess. Kids love this one. Use the online help if you have any questions.
To have a little fun:
http://www.carousel.com/funstuff
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6. NEW AND IMPROVED: FREE CAROUSEL CLASSIFIEDS: LARGEST ON THE INTERNET
We've done it again...due to the popularity of our Free Carousel Classifieds, we have decided to spruce up the page and ad a few more features. In case you didn't know already, adding photos to your ads is free too, and it's real easy...anyone can do it.
Do you have some carousel stuff that you are dying to sell...feel free to ad it to the growing list of carousel goods available, and if your looking for carousel bargains, be sure to check our classifieds. For your convenience, we have the useful Keyword Notify option. It allows you to have the computer inform you by email when anyone adds an ad that fits your search criteria. Very useful.
Visit us:
http://carousel.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi
http://www.carousel.com/classifieds
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7. OFFICIAL CAROUSEL SURVEY: #02
Last month was the start of our Official Carousel Survey. We asked folks what their favorite carousel animal was...well, many of you dropped by and voted. Now we know. Go to http://carousel.com/survey/march.html to view the results; furthermore, we've decided to allow people to continue to vote... Go to it carousel lovers.
This month we've decided to see how many times you've ridden a carousel during the last year and where. If you've got a little spare time, drop on by for a quick vote...you'll feel good that you did.
http://www.carousel.com/survey
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8. OUT OF PRINT CAROUSEL BOOK BY MAURICE FRALEY
This is the same book we offered earlier this year...Maurice has sold quite a number, but there are some more still left. All proceeds go directly to the author.
This is the book that started it all. Maurice and Nina Fraley were the originators of taking carousel animals and making them fine art. Followed by their son Tobin, the Fraley family has made carousel art what it is. They have directly or indirectly influenced the restoration of nearly every american carousel piece.
This book has been out of print for years. Last year, Maurice found some new in the box at home and asked, "do you think anyone would want these?" This book is 53 pages of the finest carousel photography ever done. Maurice's expertise in knowing not only the manufacturer of the animal but also the era makes this book an excellent tool for every collector.
Here is your chance NOT to buy a used copy from eBay for a bunch of money, but to get a new, personally signed copy from the author to you for just $15.00 plus $3.50 shipping. There are not that many available and when they're gone, you're out of luck.
Follow the link below to order the book:
http://www.carousel.com/fraley
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Brass Ring Entertainment
11001 Peoria Street
Sun Valley, CA 91352
818-394-0028
fax 818-394-0062
info@carousel.com
http://www.carousel.com
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