Moose Jaw credits.
I can't say I personally found all these treasures. I'd like to publicly thank my new friend Doug Smith of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Just like Tom and Heather Anderson, he warmly welcomed me into his home without reservation when I arrived Thursday just before sunset. That first evening I was given the educational & jaw dropping tour of his home collection, then taken over to "The Building', wherein resides the other collection and the massive basement parts bins, racks & hanging hoses. You just have to imagine row on row down aisle by aisle stacks of incomplete or less than ideal vacuums of all makes and ages. Reminded me of the idea of the Donor Room in 'Coma'...without the naked bodies hanging on wires and Tom Selleck featured, of course. LOL
As Doug wisely counseled, you have to know what's already here before we go in to Regina to the Vacuum Shops on Friday, so we don't duplicate.
And so the pile began on a bare bit of floor by the door - While I routed through bins not knowing really what I was looking for, Doug kept adding things to the pile he knew I needed from our initial talks and the walk through my reference book of pictures. Rather than have to shift the pile several times we decided to leave the pile until it would be time to load up my car.
I'm so sorry I can't find all the cards I collected on our adventures but as soon as I get the names straightened out they shall be given due credit.
Friday we drove the 30 minutes east to the larger city of Regina SK (Moose Jaw is about the same size as Stratford at 30,000 souls). We visited 2 vacuum stores where Doug is well thought of and got into the 'back rooms'. Doug said, select what you want and we'll take it up front. Kids in a Candy Store Fantasy ensues...
I am thunderstruck to say that at each shop after hauling the heap up front, when I asked how much, each and every owner said, just take 'em! So we did and thankfully I had brought along a little something for everyone I met anyway as a memorable Christmastime keepsake that was all the more appropriate, given the circumstances.
Cards I have found:
Wayne and Marlene Freeland of Vacuum Master, 375 Broad Street., Regina, SK.
Ila Lepage, Store Manager of 1 Stop Vacuum Centre, 1004 - 11th Ave., Regina, SK.
I believe it was Ila that produced a dozen or so various User Manuals after I came upstairs with a FairFax Manual from the basement parts rooms. And so I have two pieces of Lux 89 Literature to swoon over...
We also did the usual round of Thrift stores and an amazing, if highly overpriced, 4 storey Flea Market type building that begged the thought "I shoulda brought the cube van".
Throughout the days and trips anytime Doug or I would think of something we'd write it down. So after returning from Regina and unloading on his kitchen floor, we returned to his Building to retrieve the pile there as well as bits & bobs from the lists. And the picture was taken.
Had to take my leave back to Winnipeg Saturday morning - it is a 7-8 hour drive - as I must pick up my Winnipeg host, Al at the airport on Sunday, when we will begin the week or so's labours of resurrecting the Steinway grand.
