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At Eldridge, the
excitement is everywhere
  f you ask Elmirans 'what's
new' these days, I'll just bet the answer you get won't be about the
weather. The carousel restoration at Eldridge Park is moving along
at full tilt and the excitement is everywhere.
Carver Larry Pefferly reports that the lead horse has been completed and is ready for painting. Larry sent us photos of the various stages of his project on the lead horse and you can view them here in sequence. Larry has also started work on Dusty, the next in line. A total of 19 horses purchased from a seller in Minnesota by Dr. Lyon arrived recently and the story ran in several of local papers in the Elmira/Corning area. At least 10 of these horses will become part of the herd at Eldridge Park. You can read that story by clicking here. And John Kolanach has given us a series of photos of his work on the first Dragon Bench. Check that out by clicking here. Bob Lyon, founder of the Eldridge Park Carousel Preservation Society reports that in a recent meeting, the Board elected officers. Here are the results: President - Dr. Robert Lyon In reporting on the actual activities at the Park, Dr. Lyon reports to us the following: May 2nd-4th, Furman & Harkness Builders headed up the framing project in preparation for the security doors. The Boy Scouts of Troop 129 were there to assist along with Tommy Burhyte, Tommy Earl, Bill Burge, Norm Morse, Andy Avery, Ed Wall, Mike Hatton, Frank Messina, Blaine Overacker, Mark Embree, Dan Schmidt, Bret Burdette and myself. All lumber was provided by Chase Pitkin and Robinson Lumber with food donated by Pietro and Son. On Monday the 5th, Overhead Door installed the 7 doors. There are now 3 security doors totaling sixty feet in length across the front. When they are open the building looks as it did many decades ago. Architects Larry Foor and Rob Fell-DeWalt have provided us with a sneak preview of the drawings of the completed building. May 9th and 10th we sanded the carousel and step in preparation for painting next week. My son, Garnet, has an Eagle project which involves stripping and painting the main step. The brass poles are being stripped of the 1950's chrome that was plated on to them to decrease maintenance. The Carousel will glimmer once again with its original brass; a special coating will be applied to keep the maintenance down. Our hat is off to Dr. Bob Lyon and his fabulous team of volunteers and workers for their enthusiastic progress on the restoration of the Eldridge Park Carousel. There are a number of silent players in this project and Dr. Lyon calls one of them to my attention, and I join him in singling her out. She is Bob's wife, Mary, who I know as someone who has kept me and many of us, who are remote from the Elmira area but nonetheless doing their parts, abreast and together on this project. Bob says of Mary: Last but not least, I will give credit where much is due. My wonderful wife, without whose daily support I would not have been able to take on this enormous project, is behind the scenes handling thousands of details. She is a Saint. There is no way that anyone besides Bob could know the amount of work Mary puts in on this project. Like he says, she's behind the scenes. But from my small vantage point, she is an immense part of the overall Carousel Restoration Experience. On behalf of the visitors to EldridgePark.US and Eldridge Park fans everywhere, thanks, Mary, for all you are doing to help make this restoration happen. Bill Cook,
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