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April 2015 Midway Talk

Former Showmen’s League of America President, James H. Drew III, has become an ambassador for Wings Watch Company. The watch company chooses outstanding people in their fields from the United States and around the world to represent it.

            In making his presentation, Frank Christian, president of Wings Watch and former photographical historian of Augusta National Golf Club, said: “We are very honored to have Mr. Drew as a Wings Watch ambassador. Mr. Drew, known throughout the U.S. for his specialty in show business, is also known locally as an outstanding pilot with ratings in both multi-engines and instrument.”

            Wings Watch Company is distinctive in that a pilot’s ratings are displayed as a red chevron on the black metal band and the pilot’s wings are engraved on its fastening latch. Drew, a former two-term member of the Augusta Aviation Commission, has been active in aviation circles since 1963.

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Recently, Bill Bullis passed away.  His early days in the midway industry were spent on Klein Amusements and, later, Serie Fun Shows, each a midwestern carnival.  With Serie, he was a Manager for a decade.

Next, Bill established himself, with wife Terry in tow, as an independent ride owner.  His arsenal included Wisdom's Gravitron and Castle, respectively, a pair of Hampton kiddies plus an Eli Mini-Ferris Wheel.  His headline attraction was a 1970s-manufactured Mack Himalaya that he secured from Arnold Amusements in 1990.  Bill altered the piece to operate it sans the canvas roof.

In 2001, Bill purchased Arbroo Shows in the northeast and operated it for several seasons.  He later sold out with Pat Guthrie of Georgia's Gold Medal Shows acquiring the "Himi", refurbishing it and placing the "music ride" for sale.

Besides Terry, daughter Jennifer and son Troy survive Bill -- Dan Zapata, Contributor.

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            The   IAFE Management Conference will be held April 30-May 3, at the Millennium   Hotel in Buffalo, New York. Designed   for upper level management staff, this program is only open to fair   members.  This conference always features cutting edge programming, but   this year's is thought to be exceptional.

Keynote speaker Dan Quiggle's   acclaimed session on "Lead Like Reagan" will kick things off.   Breakout workshop sessions and panel discussions will cover everything from   marketing to programming to operations (final details announced soon).   Highlights will include a chance to experience the brand new,   state-of-the-art Agriculture Discovery Center at the Erie County Fairgrounds   in Hamburg, New York, as well as an exciting evening featuring a daylight and   illuminated night view of the Niagara Falls.

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The OABA's 50th Annual Member   Meeting, held last month in Tampa, Florida, in conjunction with the IISA   trade show and Fare Foods trade show, plus NICA events, with over 400 members   attending, witnessed many changes in the leadership of this trade   association.

Chairman Chris Lopez turned   the gavel over to Michael Wood, as the 2015 Chair, with Officers Tom Gaylin,   E. J. Dean moving into the First and Second Vice Chairs, respectively. Jay   Strates, formerly a seven year Director, was elected by the board to become   Third Vice Chair. Larry Yaffe was re-elected as Treasurer and the following   Directors were elected by the members attending this meeting: Charlene   Leavitt and Doug Burtch. The following Alternate Directors were elected:   Patrick Sheridan, Scott Siefker and Steve Turner.   

Trustee Bill Johnson, having served on the   Board for the the past 15 years, steps down as an Officer, however we know he   will always be a great OABA supporter.


  Recently, four additional industry leaders, including a second female leader,   were added to the legacy of the mobile amusement industry's Hall of Fame and   Pioneer recipients in Tampa at the OABA's 50th Annual Meeting and Golden   Jubilee Gala. Since 2001, a total of 43 men and women have been honored by   their peers as amusement industry leaders.

The OABA's Hall of Fame recipients   included Jean Clair, with Luehrs' Ideal  Rides and Clair's Classic   Foods, an OABA Trustee in 1996, who broke into the then-male dominated board   to chair the OABA that year, after serving as a director.


  John Hanschen, owner of Thomas Carnival, following in his father-in-law's   footsteps, the late Bernie Thomas, another OABA founder, trustee and Hall of   Famer, whose daughter Carolyn is married to John, with three siblings, all in   the carnival business today.


  With an audience of over 400, the OABA recognized Pioneers Dan Dudley and   Jerry Barber, with short videos highlighting their lifetime achievements   in amusement ride safety and for being an entrepreneur in this industry,   respectively.
 
  Both men and their friends and families looked on as they gave credit to   their mentors and families who have helped them along the way.

Congratulations to both OABA's   Pioneer and Hall of Fame class of 2015!

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The Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society, Inc., in a proactive safety measure for its employees and Maryland State Fairgrounds visitors, has expanded its safety program to include more Automated External Defibrillators (AED). 

According to a recent Occupational Health & Safety Magazine article, “Having an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) nearby when Sudden Cardiac Arrest strikes increases the survival rate by nearly 70 percent.”

The portable medical devices, that offer voice prompts with step-by-step instructions, are located in the Cow Palace, 4-H/Home Arts Building, Exhibition Hall, Farm & Garden Building, Administration Office and Maintenance Shop.

“The purchase, placement and installation of the devices has been overseen by our Maryland State Fair Safety Director Bill Connolly,” said Maryland State Fair General Manager D. Andrew “Andy” Cashman.  “Hundreds of thousands of people visit our fairgrounds each year. We think it is important to have these life-saving devices available in the event of an emergency.”