2017 Union Trip & Reason To Visit Oregon

[Jerry B.]

This is a purely unsolicited endorsement for Grampa's Home Made Ice cream in Burlington, Iowa. It is more than a state treasure, it's a national treasure. We discovered in last year on the trip. We forgot where it is located but knew it was between Ottumwa and Burlington. Finally Dan came to the rescue and googled "best ice cream between Ottumwa and Burlington" and, bingo, Grampa's popped up. I had the two bowl oinkfest with dark chocolate and butterbrickle followed by a second bowl of peanut butter & chocolate and cookie dough. This may sound excessive but we loaded three record cabinets, three radios, and five talking machines. I earned it! Next year I'm looking forward to the piglet supreme.

The highlight of the experience was actually meeting Grampa. He comes in at 8am and makes hand made ice creme in small quantities until 2pm. He runs the store with his son and two grand daughters. It was a ton of fun.

Jerry Blais

[EarlH]

Jerry, Thanks so much for bringing this Electrola back with you all the way from California and babysitting it for the past 10 months. And thank you Peter Fraser as well for selling it in the first place! These things are heavy and a bit unruly and this sure has worked out well for me. You sure couldn't get something this large hauled anywhere for the money Jerry asks. Great guy, great service. That can be said about a lot of the folks in this hobby, and it sure helps keep things interesting and fun.

[Phonofreak]

Sounds like you had a good filling, time at Grandpa's ice cream. How many flavors do they have? Do they have a flavor of the day? How was the texture and aroma? I hope you're not diabetic. It would kill me. Keep us posted on your next thrilling adventure.
Harvey Kravitz

[PeterF]

Wow, it took a while, but good things are worth waiting for! Glad it worked out, and we now will all await the videos from you of it playing!

[melvind]

This morning we woke up in Burlington, IA and ended in Woodstock, IL. We had a good day antiquing our way with good stops in Peru, IL and Rockford, IL.

This morning I noticed all the 2400 miles of bugs on the front of the truck.

Dan

[melvind]

One of the great (?) finds for Jerry in Rockford was a very strange Edison Standard. Actually the machine is something that will fix up nicely. But, it was displayed in a very odd way and had a crane for a morning glory horn attached at the left side supporting the most oddly pained Cygnet horn I had ever seen. It was quite a site. Below are couple of pictures of crazy Jerry with the crazy painted horn. You can see that the trailer is also just a bit more full than before. We have been busy!

Finally, our last diesel stop before the phonograph show where Stan dutifully cleaned the windshield so it wouldn't look like the front of the truck. 2500+ miles and we are in Woodstock. We look forward to meeting up with folks in the coming days! Whew, what a trip. I am going to sleep very well tonight I think.

Dan

[clarphon]

Today Jerry found Elvis! What a pair of guys! But only Jerry drives the truck! Check out the t-shirt too.

[Phonofreak]

Wow, Jerry found Elvis!!!! Was this something he bought!!!! If he did, that would be a perfect match with the 400 lb cement nipper, if he bought that. Are you going to repaint the Cygnet horn, Jerry? Stan, what happened to the famous black socks??Glad to hear you guys are having a ball. Let us know the next thrilling adventure.
Harvey Kravitz

[Jerry B.]

We were in a shop today and Dan asked if I had seen the scary looking Edison Standard. I hadn't. When I did see it I saw a Model A with a winged C reproducer, original crank (missing wood knob), and in working condition (so the tag said). It's had a dreadful refinish. The Cygnet crane was mounted on the side of the cabinet inside an after market crane piece that you'd normally see on the front of a cabinet. The top half of the Cygnet crane was mounted backwards. The net result was a horn aimed at your toes. I'm sorry for not taking a photo. It would have explained so much. I think I'll keep the horn and sell the machine at Union. Come see me (or PM)if you'd like a good $200 project. Jerry Blais

[Damfino59]

I'm going to miss visiting that ugly Edison Standard at the Rockford Antiques mall! Hopefully somebody can do something with it.