Afternoon with Bill and Ann Mayo
Posted: 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
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
but you have to agree these are two people who are great to spend some time with.