The Mississippi Historical Radio and Broadcasting Society
News Letter
Our regular monthly meeting was held May 9th, 1993 at the usual place and time. Our next regular meeting will be Sunday, June 13th - 3PM at 2412 C St. Meridian. Hope to see everyone then!
It is with great sadness that we must report the passing of one of Radio's last surviving pioneers:
Don Kresge (1911 - 1993)
He started his career in radio at the age of 12 when he built his first radio. His interest continued and after he completed his formal education, he went to work for General Electric in 1935 as an engineer. His early work was on the FM project underway at GE, where he often participated in field tests. He had many opportunities to stop by Major Armstrong's lab to report on their progress, and to observe, first hand, the genius at work. He loved to tell stories about those good old days -- one often got the impression that those memories were precious indeed. However, that certainly is not the extent of his work: after WWII he left GE to go to work at Bendix Aviation. There he worked as an engineer until around 1950. In 1950, he was offered a job in Industrial Electonics which took him to Birmingham four years later. In the late seventies, he retired, and settled down to collect, work on, and promote old radio. In late 1988 through early 1989 he and several interested collector friends began the Alabama Historical Radio Society. That club has since grown to a memership of 50+ in the years since. We first talked with Don several times in early to mid 1990, and met him in person at the ALHRS show at the National Guard Armory in Homeward in October of that year. He and his wife were most gracious, and invited us to their home to see Don's "stuff". We visited with Don many times in the years following. He attended every annual show of ours, and he always brought interesting things to share with us. He always enjoyed telling his many stories on the "old days"; and gave us much advice and help with starting this club. His warmth, humor and genuine caring will be missed very much.
In a particularly good peice of luck,we were able to arrange for him to be interviewed by a reporter from one of our local TV stations while he was attending this year's MHR&BS's annual show. Though he didn't have time to go into any details, he was able to cover the highlights of his career; his association with Major Armstrong; and his thoughts on the current status of radio. It is a touching few minutes. Both the ALHRS and our club have copies of the video tape in our libraries. It is a few minutes we'll treasure for a long, long time.
I, for one, am delighted about ALHRS's show Saturday, May 15th. Attendance was excellent, people were buying, the tax and traffic problems of the previous year had been solved: All in all a really good show and sale. One GREAT improvement was that the museum was down on the main floor where people could easily see it. This time, THOUSANDS of bodies poured over the exhibits (though no damage to anything as far as we know!). We displayed our portable tube collection / display, and it seemed very popular. Bryan sold everything he took well before noon (I didn't take anything to sell this year -- I sold about everying at our show!). Prices seemed low to medium, haggling was rampant and friendly! With the truck-load of radios brought in by the ALHRS themselves, there was no shortage of stuff to buy!!!! All in all, a really good show!
Dave (Cisco and Johnson), Earl, and Raymond and the others are all to be commended! I'm sure Don was pleased to hear how well the show went.
On the homefront, Pop McNeil isn't doing too well. He is in the Queen City Nursing Home. His wife is doing fair, but she could use a hand now and then. If any members can spare some time, We're sure she would enjoy some company, and maybe a helping hand with some chores. Be sure and indentify yourself as a Radio Club member, so she isn't upset by "drop-in" strangers! We wish her and Pop well!!
In other area developments, we were contacted by the people putting together the new club in Nashville, TN called the Music CityVintage Radio & Phonograph Society. They want to put together a large regional meet, something that will compete with the likes of Elgin, etc. They haven't a clue what it really takes, but they seem to be willing to learn -- and most importantly, they seem to be willing to listen! We wish them well. Further info can be had by contacting Wade Jessen at (615) 871-6764.
Speaking of club memberships -- this club is down to 20 dues paying members -- several more have let their membership lapse without renewing --- and there are two that lapse this month - who haven't re-newed yet! We need more bodies!!!!! Any suggestions for a membeship drive will be greatly appreciated. Come ready to talk about it at our next meeting Sunday -- or call me!
No Classifieds this month except this reminder --- I still need 6 - 8 filing cabinets to get those SAMS put up!!!! Any dontations / super sale prices greatly appreciated!!!
That is about it for this month.
Good Collecting!
The Mississippi Historical Radio and Broadcasting Society Newsletter is published monthly by:
The Mississippi Historical Radio and Broadcasting Society
2412 C Street
Meridian, MS 39301
601 693-5958
© 1993, The Mississippi Historical Radio and Broadcasting Society.
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