<HTML>In a message dated 2/24/02 6:22:24 PM Central Standard Time, MoodyPiano@AOL.COM writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">According to local legend, Ruth picked up his friend's piano, carried it outside and heaved it off the deck, where it tumbled down a small hill and splashed into the pond about 50 feet away</BLOCKQUOTE> I have heard about the Babe's super human strength before, but picking up a piano is almost an unbelievable feat. The pianos at that time weighed in excess of 600 pounds. Yes, a person can lift 600 pounds, but not when it is in the shape of a piano. I suspect that Ruth pushed the piano off the deck, and probably through the railing. With good casters, almost anyone can do that. S<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">ince then, the piano has become a symbol of both Ruth's wild lifestyle and his superhuman strength."Muscled hero that he was, I think he threw it as a demonstration of his strength," said Kevin Kennedy, a Sudbury resident and teacher for the Restoration Project, which hopes to refurbish the piano.The Acton-based Restoration Project trains people recovering from mental illnesses to restore furniture.If the piano is in the pond, the search team thinks it is less than 50 feet away from the shore. If the piano is positively identified, an excavation permit would be needed to retrieve it later."We're confident we can save it and play it again," said Kennedy, a local upholsterer. </BLOCKQUOTE> Me thinks Mr. Kennedy is looking for some publicity for his upholstery business. I guess he figures if he can restore a couch, a piano shouldn't be much different. (ha). As Ron said, the mental illness factor has to be seriously taken into consideration. Wim </HTML>