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The
Old Appliance Communiqué - Welcome to Our
'Kitchen-In-The-Sky' ©
Hey
there kitchen rangers! So glad you could drop by and visit us down here
in the kitchen. I have a cuppa for you waiting on the stove and some
iced tea chilling inside the Monitor Top fridge in the corner. Help
yourself. While you're at it, grab one of our old creaky chairs and park
the old rump roast for a spell. This meetin' has come to order.
You
know, it seems like everything in life today is based on speed. Rush
here, rush there, hurry, hurry, hurry…there just never seems to be
enough 'kick back' time to just hang out and absorb life the old
fashioned way -- one bite at a time. When I was growing up it seemed
like there was plenty of time for everything. People actually knew their
neighbors personally and could drop by and pay a visit without the need
to 'schedule' it in. Most of the time the chats were never about
anything monumental, but somehow as you walked back home, you felt just
a little bit richer inside your soul.
Say,
do you remember when garages were used to work on fun and interesting
projects instead of just storing boxes? Folks could barely wait for the
weekend to work on their latest brainstorm. It almost seems that a
lifestyle like that can only be found in a history book. But is that
really true? Sometime you need to go full circle to understand what
really counts in life. Like the old Al Jolson song goes, "You'll
find your happiness lies, right under your eyes, back in your own
backyard."
With
great thanks to a physical injury (that nearly killed me) I was plucked
off the fast track. Although I didn't know it at the time, my entire
future became a U-turn back to the past - back to the good old days,
just the way I remembered them when I was growing up. By having to slow
down a bit, I was now able to see, hear and understand more than ever
before. As I started to slowly regain my health, I began to cross paths
with people that made it their business to deliberately avoid the
highways in life to experience the beauty of traveling down byways
instead. Like a reversible vest, I found out there is more than one way
to wear your life. That change of direction over thirty years ago made
all the difference in the world to me. Some may call it 'life in the
slow lane', but let me assure you it has never been boring.
A
'by-chance' interest in restoring just one old stove and refrigerator,
for our own kitchen, gradually blossomed into one of the first classic
stove and refrigerator restoration companies in the USA. Being genuinely
excited about something can change your whole outlook on life. It sure
did mine. You'll know when it happens - 'cause your mind starts to snap
mental pictures like a camera. Click, click, click until finally - BOOM
- the best shot appears and you are on your merry way!
As
the years went on, our outfit expanded. Then something completely
unexpected happened. Our customers began requesting an organization be
formed where all old appliance owners could connect with each other.
There was also a need for a publication where folks could buy or sell
classic appliances or locate parts, services and information. Since
there wasn't a group nor a publication that dealt with both old stoves
and appliances we decided to give it a whirl and create one. (Let me
tell you folks, we couldn't have been greener than a Granny Smith apple
at it!)
Enter
> The Old Appliance Club www.antiquestoves.com/toac/about.htm.
Word
spread rapidly after we published a tiny half-page newsletter for the
group in late 1994. Because there was no choice, I had to learn how to
use a computer and how not to use every cuss word known to mankind
swearing at the doggone thing. (The 'puter didn't respond quite like my
trusty old 1921 non-electric Underwood typewriter!)
Today, after operating TOAC and publishing the The Old Road Home vintage
appliance magazine for almost a decade, the entire credit for its
success goes directly to everyone that asked for and helped to support
TOAC. The interest in antique American appliances and stoves has never
been greater.
The
Old Road Home is now a 40-page publication free to all members of TOAC
at this link - http://www.antiquestoves.com/toac/about.htm.
In each issue
one can find all types of old appliance services, parts, information,
members stories and pictures, historical archive information and
pictures, classified ads and old time fun!
We have jammed as many benefits as we could into a membership so you can
get personal assistance or referrals from not one, but a variety of
sources to get your old appliance project up and running fast.
You may want to take a peek at our past issue index for specific
appliance needs. (Your favorite old appliance might have already been
published in a past issue TORH.) Here is the link http://www.antiquestoves.com/toac/theoldroadhome.htm.
All back issues are currently available at this time.
(If
you are visiting Washington, DC, and have the opportunity to visit the
Smithsonian, every issue of The Old Road Home is archived and available
for viewing. If you would like your local historical organization to
join the roster of museums or libraries that carry our publication,
please have them e-mail their request to toac@sbcglobal.net.
We can
instruct them how receive The Old Road Home on a regular basis.)
The
Old Appliance Communiqué is born - Over the course of each year we talk
to the most fascinating people and receive cases of mail about their
interest in classic appliances.
There was no doubt that their stories and questions had to be shared
with the largest amount of old appliance lovers as possible. To do this
we decided to add another type of publication. Different than TORH, and
sent by e-mail, it acts as an in-between newsletter or 'tweener'.
We call it - The Old Appliance Communiqué.
Since we commenced publishing, here's a peek from our pals across the
miles…
"I
was so lucky to hear about The Old Appliance Club and the Communiqué on
radio today. There were two tips for both my 50s stove and fridge that
saved me over $300.00. Whew! This is great stuff.
M.
Sands
Chicago,
IL
Hello
from Canada!
"First
let me say that I love your site, and look forward to getting your
emails!!! I'm a big fan of yours here in rural Ontario." Thank
you so much,
Patti
"I
was not able to find replacement glass for 1950s stove door. The old glass
looked just awful as it was badly scratched. Once I read in your
publication where to go and what to ask for I was able to easily do the
job myself at a cost of just $12.00! You provide a remarkable
service."
E.
Perez
New York
"I
enjoy your newsletter so much…Thanking you so much for your great
coffee, warmth and knowledge."
S.
Killen
Lindsay, CA
There is not anything that I enjoy reading
more than The Old Appliance Communiqué. What a GREAT newsletter you
e-mail. I keep it for a while and go back and read it many times… Keep
up the great work and Godspeed.
B.E. Tobin,
Bulverde, TX
Hi Jack, just a quick note to say how much I
really enjoy your communiqué, not just the info, but the informal banter
is delightful reading. Since Alaska is so young, we don't have all the
vintage appliances the lower 48 has, so I learn so much from your
efforts. Thanks,
J. Hatfield
"Thank
you so very much for the outstanding newsletter you produce on internet.
It is not only extremely informative but a great joy to read. People like
you are the true 'gems' of society." Sincerely,
Kenneth
(from the Internet)
The
Old Appliance Communiqué is our 'Kitchen-In-The-Sky' ©. It's
a great place to visit, pick up some tips and maybe even hear a joke or
two that will make half the hair slide off your head. (In fact, some of
you guys sitting in the back there look like you might have heard them
already.)
You
Are Invited - At least once a month we all gather together right down here
in the kitchen for an old time friendly get-together. Come as you are -
dress codes are out the window.
Grab a chair and have a cuppa with us and hear what's been going on across
the miles. Enjoy the new old appliance products, services and parts links
that are listed near the end of each issue.
Whether
you consider yourself a 'can do' Do-It-Yourself person or would rather
turn the wrench over to an 'old hand' at it, we chart out both sides so
you can decide for yourself which fit is best for you.
We'll
let you know what your fellow kitchen rangers have been up to. That's
important. And if you are working on restoring an old appliance, we invite
you to enjoy, use, and share self-help tips and common sense seat of the
pants knowledge. What
one doesn't know, someone else usually does. This is how we all learn and
help to pass things on to the next new old appliance owner who needs
assistance. It's good for all, saves time and money and keeps the
excitement and spirit going. If you have a sure-fire tip or an interesting
story that you would like to share, please send it along to toac@sbcglobal.net.
You
can receive the next edition of The Old Appliance Communiqué in your
e-mail just by clicking here...
Oh,
and by the way, please keep your money in your pocket…
The Old Appliance Communiqué is strictly 'on the house'!
Watch
your mailbox - like a turnip, it'll turn up before you know it!
We'll
save a seat for you down in the kitchen!
Sempre
Avanti
Jack
Santoro
Founder of The Old Appliance Club
Editor of:
The Old Road Home vintage appliance magazine at www.antiquestoves.com/toac/about.htm
and The Old Appliance Communiqué delivered fresh by email. |
