Greetings

[Newton Hunt]

Dear Greg and List,

I don't know if Ben is planning another "Tuners Brigade" yet.  If he
does it will likely be in about a year.

Usabole parts of any kind will be welcome, even rusty tuning pins.  ANY
supply, felts, flanges, leathers, hammers are needed.  Piano wire,
copper wire, tools of every kind and condition are all needed.

Imagine pianos thirty years old and older not having been serviced or
poor serviced since the imbargo began.  Imagine two generations not
having input from the likes of us, and the older tuners not passing on
their knowledge and skills to the younger ones.  Imagine having no
access to tools and parts for thirty years.  If you can imagaine all
this you just barely begin to understand the situation there.

The Cuban people are proud, loving, giving and involved people.  They
love music, classical to salsa, rock to pop and they enjoy making music
as well.  They are a musically talented people.

Keep watching the list for an announcement of a trip.

Ben has been loading a container with old usable pianos, bicycles, piano
parts medicines, and anything else he can get that might be useful.

When I know of such a trip I will make an announcement.

There is no way to fly from a US airport to Havana, but there are
schedules flights from Mexico, Nassau and Canada.  I have found that
with all expenses it costs about $1500 per person.

Now that I have established a track record with the Cuban music
authorities I have made it plain that they must resipricate and help me
with room, board and transportation.  

I will return sometime but not right away.  I have been home for alomost
a week now and have gone through some stomach problems and have not even
made all the calls yet, much less read my mail.

I am working on a full report of my trip so I will let you all know when
it is finished.

Have a wonderful weekend all and be well.

	Newton
	nhunt@jagat.com