A few years ago I was working in an office when an elderly gentleman came in as he sometimes did. He was 80 years old, very kind and unassuming. He loved to joke around and was very pleasant to talk to. He had nice stories about he and his wife and two children. This one day he was in the office he mentioned that he had to change some of the work he was doing when he was younger because he felt he had this calling to this organ. It was big, and sounded beautiful and needed special pipes to be built because it was intricate. He was a very smart man and I wasn't surprised he could play the organ. He said "I even ended up 'building' instead of buying when moving, so I could build around the organ." ...So I thought what a nice person and I pictured a nice big platform in his living room where he probably played and displayed the organ. He went on to explain that he was having people over to hear the organ and said I could come and see it before he donated it to the Warner Theatre. -An old and beautiful theatre sort of out of place, located in Erie, PA. My Grandmother, Mom and I went there many times when I was young, where they played old movies for 50 cents. I loved going there as a child and thought it was gigantic and very old fashioned and beautiful. So when he mentioned I could come and see the organ before it goes to the Warner Theatre. I said "Sure, thanks!" When I drove up to the house I remember thinking "Wow this is a big house." Still, nothing could have prepared me for what I saw when I entered the house. The house was actually built for the organ. There was a room that very few people enter because the pipes, which were 12 and 20 feet high shouldn't get dusty. When this gentleman said he built his house around the organ, he literally did just that. There were shutter type window like openings in the living room that would open and close as the organ was played. The organist had flown in from another state to play the organ before it left its home for the Warner Theatre which had to be renovated to accommodate the organ; a piece of history, fitting for the Warner Theatre. It was truly a magical experience that I will always cherish and be grateful for. Sometimes you never know what you'll learn from people you meet and how it can bring you back to a moment in time. I know my Grandmother had a hand in letting me see the organ, headed for one of our old favorite places, the Warner Theatre. This man's kindness will live on forever. He donated the very valuable organ for many to enjoy during theatre presentations and concerts. His gift will keep on giving. Here is a link to the organist and organ: https://clikview.com/v/3Wnugy
