The BIG Spring (West Coast) Wash-In!!!

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Kevin thank you for a wonderful

Wash In! It was well worth the prodding!! I'll give you a longer lead next time too!

It was great to meet everyone and put faces to names and handles! Just got home nice quick flight back to Boston. Off to bed!

Jeff you take such nice pics! I hope Kevin you and Andy can repair the damaged Kenmores. John has parts!!

We didn't ask about the stove but I did love it, there was no one there, it says on the door call for an appointment and its kind of odd because its a vintage appliance store with a used book store.

Kelly I can still taste that lasagna and Greg and I loved our cakes, (well actually Greg loved my cake!! )
 
The Aroma

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<p>[COLOR=black; font-size: 10.5pt]I was honored that Kevin let me crash his party and act as surrogate partner. Its difficult to manage the projects, people and sheer square footage of his property before, during and after the wash in and I didn't want him to feel alone. I enjoy the preparations as much as the party and for the days ahead got to feed and kibitz with the working crew that put the machines and basement in showroom order. For some of us the delight is in machines and engineering, the thrill of the hunt finding a sought after machine, repair and restoration, some make it all about the laundry and while I like it all,  I savor the connections and friendships. I held court in the kitchen, entertained by Kevin's father Lloyd with his rapier wit and joy of lexicon, feeding <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> [/COLOR]dog treats and belly rubs to Westie in trade for floor clean up and enjoyed the joyful banter of the men gathering around the table for grub. Kevin has every pot, pan, toy and tool for cooking making the time there joyful. He has a Miele convection oven which bakes like nothing I have ever used, pure perfection. There was a vintage dual fuel Modern Maid wall oven that ran hot but was great for biscuits and roasted leg of Pork. While I wouldn't choose a gas cook top, the GE gas did a fine job and I managed not to burn anything. Kevin is every bit as kind and loving as he appears in the posts and gave so much in time and expense to make this all happen to say nothing of taxiing us all to and from the airport. I have long enjoyed a friendship with Ralph and was thrilled he arrived early. Ralph was tremendous help, willing to do anything, making at least 12 Home Depot and store runs and being a wonderful loving presence. Tim is nothing short of amazing, his Kentucky drawl pours out like rich molasses and his mind is rapier fast with solutions and innovation for repair problems. His bedroom was the pull out in the family room which meant he was the last one to get to bed and the first one roused in the morning. Andy.......How do you describe Andy......funny, amazingly insightful, he misses nothing, sees everything and seems to possess the wisdom of the ages. I was so glad to meet him and appreciated his concern for my welfare making sure I got to enjoy the party. You've got to love a man who brings you a Mixmaster to use since carry on wasn't big enough to bring one. Gordon was totally on point, serious about his work, watching his diet and delightfully funny in his taciturn way. It was pure joy to watch Justin love on his Unimatic. I almost offered to carry it back to Tucson for him knowing how hard it is to have a new toy and not be able to have it home. It was so fun to see his serious demeanor split wide open and a fun loving kid come bounding out. For those of you who haven't met Roger you are missing being in the presence of a real hero and giant among men. I was so touched by his care and kindness in Tucson and delighted to see him again. Nate could be a runner up in the sweet competitions and good to see him happy and thriving in his marriage with David. Nothing really prepares you for meeting the LeFever brothers. You might get the impression from John's cryptic assessments of lesser machines that he would be stern and nothing could be further from the truth. Jeff and John are so much fun, interesting and have the wealth of generations to share about machines and repair. I nearly swooned when I met Cal, perhaps the most perfect example of southern gentility and breeding and so very interesting to visit with. Smitty was happily touring car shows and looking for the holy grail of car part collections, funny and bright, long suffering as he napped on the couch waiting for John to say his final good byes. Its not really fair to say and perhaps its because I have spent more time with him but Greg and Omaha have become a favorite place to visit and catch up with his son Skyler and Greg’s family and friends. I always have such a good time and love Greg's self effacing humor and rolling laugh. When Kevin told me Robert and Fred were coming I asked him if there was time to lose 20 pounds, get a tan and go to the gym in preparation for the grand PooBah of all washerdom. For those of you who haven't been lucky enough to meet Robert and Fred they are two of the nicest, most patient and surely most beleaguered of us all administering the business of running each club. It was so good to see them. I was nervous a bit about Jon Charles, wondering if he would be approachable or a true Bostonian Blue Blood with a bit of reticence for the wild men of the West. Every worry melted with the first hug and hello and I quickly fell under the spell of his humor and good looks. It was fun to make special cakes for the birthday boys and I enjoyed catching up with Rich again after meeting in 2005. Dick Stevenson has been to Washington and we have shared machines and parts so it was fabulous to see him and meet Chris who was so interesting and such a nice man. Brad Ross came on Friday with his cousin Jill and I was enthralled with them both. Jill was wonderful help in the kitchen and it was fun to have close banter and support while working. I love Patrick from Portland and from him have heard so much about Eddy from Canada. Patrick made sure I got out of the house on Friday and we toured the shops on Retro Row and did some junking. I had no idea how much fun Eddy would be. I loved his stories and laughed hard at his work escapades. I look forward to some international visits ahead with Ross and Eddy. During Saturday's dinner I had a delicious time visiting with Anthony and Daryl in the kitchen and after the melee subsided we went downstairs to splash in the machines. What truly wonderful men they are. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love recapping an event and I get a surge of energy after the work is done and I know I made it. Andy, Tim and I ruminated on the events of the days and shared our take and insights on the event. Reluctantly we went to bed at 1:30 not wanting the day to end. Sunday morning dawned and I bounded out of bed to make cinnamon rolls and breakfast for those who came by to load up their treasures. Then it was all over. Four days of short nights and long days took their toll and I kept feeling a nap attacking me. We put machines away, sealed up the collection, did the entire house hold laundry and I read each section of the Sunday paper as Lloyd finished. It was my idea of a perfect time. I hate to sit still but don't really want to break a sweat either so keeping busy, loving what I do, loving the people and the anticipation of who I was cooking for, doing my part to relieve one small part of the stress for Kevin was pure joy. I am home and mourning the end of such perfect weekend. I enjoyed meeting everyone, loved the time to connect with new and old and truly apologize if I overlooked anyone in taking the risk of mentioning names.</span>

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The Wash-In Scene...

Thanks Kelly for painting the scene, thats what these gatherings are all about, they go far to quickly and its a vital part of any washparty that the washer workers and guests are nurtured and all get to enjoy....its a scene I`ve witnessed Terry perform perfectly as well as Alistair over here...AND gives the host the chance to entertain and flit around!!!

NOWTHEN - the videos on webcam are showing more people than we`ve seen (lovely as you all are) any more pics please...Lol

Oh Tim, any more twinny pics & what was the washer next to the Maytag and guys, what type of boot did you use on the Westy or was it repaired and if so with what??

Cheers, Mike
 
Kevins Wash-In

Kelly thanks again for all you did to make this event the new standard of Wash-Ins and your summery of the event was a great way to savor the fun a little longer,   Thank You.

 

Mike the boot we installed on the Westinghouse 25" Space Mate was a correct new in box part, while these boots are long ago NLA there still seem to be a few around. They are not the correct ones for the full sized slant front washers but some people have been able to get them to fit.
 
Well it just figures...

That I move away right before all the fun! I am bummed that I missed the chance to meet all of you guys. Kevin does indeed have an incredible collection that I've enjoyed the few times I got to see it myself. I know there will be other wash-ins but it would have been nice to meet you all this time around! Oh well, next time!

Looks like you all had a great time!

Matthew
(back in Pennsylvania)
 
Laundromat

Looks like you guys had a lot of fun! I am especially fond of the cute Westinghouse. Why does it operate only with one dial? Should it feature modern "one dial sets all"-technique?
 
What was the washer next to the Maytag?

Hi Mike,

If you are referring to the photo in reply #77... the machines in the photo, front to back are: the Maytag A50 twin tub, next is a 1971 GE (Hitachi built) automatic, portable washer, the 1970 Hoover 0515 and finally in the back, the 1959 Maytag E2LP wringer.

I hope this helps!
Kevin
 
Amazing

My profound thanks to our wonderful host, Kevin, for an incredible event, shared with wonderful friends--and to our amazing host of the kitchen, Kelly, who turned out the most beautiful, sumptuous, and exquisite food I've had the pleasure of tasting (and in quantities that I still cannot believe)!

 

Thank you as well to all who shared their time, expertise, and mechanical/cleaning/organizing/decorating skill.  You all truly are something to behold, and it was such a privilege to get to see you in your elements.

 

I'm still working on "processing" photos and movies to add to the fray.  What a wonderful time we had, and it was so fantastic to get to see our AW.org friends!  Thank you, Kevin, for such a lovely time and the chance to share it with you!
 

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