Afternoon with Bill and Ann Mayo

dickg1 · Post by **dickg1** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 9:27 am

My wife and I had the opportunity to spend a pleasant afternoon with Ann and Bill. What a wonderful and talented couple! Ann is an accomplished quilter and Bill, well you know his work with Shopsmiths.

Bill's workshop is something to experience. Before greeting you, Bill will wash the oil, grease and whatever else off his hands because he has been working on something. I have no doubt that Bill is always working on something! His workshop is filled with parts, sub-assemblies, modified Shopsmiths, and a number of special tools, some that Bill has adapted for his specialized requirements. His inventory of parts allows him to repair, modify, update or supply nearly any Shopsmith component that you would need.

I had previously emailed Bill asking if he could supply me with a mini frame upon which I could place my surplus Goldie headstock with my band-saw on the left and scroll saw on the quill side. Bill and I arranged a date for pickup and this resulted in our afternoon together.

The mini I picked up, packed into my Forester, brought back to New Jersey and subsequently reassembled is nearly showroom quality. It is way beyond what I expected. My mini is assembled with stainless steel bolts, lock washers and nuts, an indication of the pride that Bill exhibits in what he offers. Bill has asked that I post a picture which I will do once I have completed installing my headstock, band and scroll saws.

Bill stated that he has both good and bad days with his Alzheimer disease. He has been on a medication for several months that has significantly enhanced the number of the good days. He discusses his affliction freely and if he didn't you would not be the wiser.

Ann and Bill have a favorite restaurant that offers "all you can eat" fried shrimp (Bill's favorite) and assorted fried fish. I recommend the catfish, some of the best I have ever had! They aren't fooling about "all you can eat". We hadn't finish the first heaping mound of shrimp when our waitress piled on more.

Bill is a Navy retiree and served on board a ship similiar to the Pueblo. The Pueblo was an electronics surveilance ship that was captured by the North Koreans.

Ann and my wife had a good time together talking about quilts, cross stitching, children, grand children and great grand children. They struck up an immediate friendship and are continuing with emails.

I cannot say enough about this wonderful couple, their hospitality, Bill's work with Shopsmiths and Ann's quilting talent. If you are going to be in their neighborhood, do yourself a favor and send Bill an email to set up a date. You will not be disappointed.

Dick

camerio · Post by **camerio** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 10:40 am

Nice report and we await your picture or pictures to complete this story.
I really appreciated it.
Thanks.

backhertz · Post by **backhertz** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 11:40 am

Oh shucks! Now everyone knows my 'secret place'. I've been visited Bill and his lovely wife for many years whenever I fly down to Florida from NJ. Each and every time I learn something new from Bill as his Shopsmith experience is only a small portion of his life. It would take Paul Harvey a month or more to share with his listeners, "the rest of the story." But I am not going to share and leave that to Bill as no one can tell it better than he can.

You omitted something very important. Ann and Bill's Akita wonder dog! I think her name is Tatara, but my short term memory might be worse than Bill's. <smile>

Bill is one of the most talented people I've ever met in my life and as long as I am able, I will gladly stop by his shop and spend time with him. I bring my little olde Mudda with me and she visits with Ann while Bill and I spend time in the shop and, um….play, err do man stuff. Although Bill denies being a woodworker, I honestly believe there is nothing he can't do if he puts his mind to it.

Tony

dickg1 · Post by **dickg1** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 12:33 pm

backhertz wrote:Oh shucks! Now everyone knows my 'secret place'.

You omitted something very important. Ann and Bill's Akita wonder dog! I think her name is Tatara, but my short term memory might be worse than Bill's. <smile>

Tony

Their Akita is a shelter dog who was shot in her right front leg and is slowly mending under the tender care of Ann and Bill. There are some bullet fragments still in there. Their vet has indicated that although the bone was shattered it is mending properly and she may even walk without a limp. A beautiful dog who loves to roll (and roll) on the living room carpet, even with a hard cast on her front leg. In addition to their dog, they harbor a number of feral cats who earn their keep by keeping the mouse population in check. And, then there is the rooster who decided that their yard is the best in the neighborhood.

Tony, Bill did mention that you do pay him visits, which he enjoys. Sorry about blowing your "secret place"

but you have to agree these are two people who are great to spend some time with.

I agree with you and have no doubt that Bill can do most anything he sets his mind to.

Dick

backhertz · Post by **backhertz** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 11:45 pm

Dick,
I wasn't serious. But you are right, Bill and Ann are two VSP! <very special people> Otherwise my 83 year old mother wouldn't let me 'play' with Bill. I wish I lived closer.

Tony

skou · Post by **skou** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 2:22 am

Dick, I just wish I was able to visit Bill. As I have no private transportation now, that may be futile. (Anyone in Az that is planning a roadtrip, let me know!)

Bill, you have done so much for this community, wish I could thank you, personally!

steve

dickg1 · Post by **dickg1** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 2:50 pm

When Bill and I finished loading the disassembled Mini into my Forester, Bill asked if I would publish a photo once it was set up.

[ATTACH]20682[/ATTACH]

Here it is with my original Goldie headstock and my band and scroll saws.

joedw00 · Post by **joedw00** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 6:13 pm

That is nice. Now I want one.

I would put my band saw and sander on it. It would not take up much more room than storing them.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 6:21 pm

dickg1 wrote:When Bill and I finished loading the disassembled Mini into my Forester, Bill asked if I would publish a photo once it was set up.

[ATTACH]20682[/ATTACH]

Here it is with my original Goldie headstock and my band and scroll saws.

Hmmm? I never thought about it because my scroll saw is a standalone but does the scroll saw care which way the shaft turns.

joedw00 · Post by **joedw00** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 6:43 pm

How long are the tubes?