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Eighteen years ago, I began writing these newsletters to help my son Will. Initially I resisted because I had no experience composing personal stories. As an aerospace engineer, I was only good at writing proposals and reports or solving technical problems. But many of the best things in my life occur because I push myself and try something new. So, I helped Will.
History
I retired from Boeing in 2000 but continued to work as a consultant for a few more years. During those times I was very involved with the Orange County Fine Arts organization. I became the Director of “Bear Street,” an art gallery with studios that young Will helped me construct. At that time, Will was a minor league baseball player with the NY Mets and Cincinnati Reds and he had spare time in the off-season.
During construction of that gallery, I was experiencing pain in several bones and was diagnosed in the late stages of Multiple Myeloma which explained why I had to give up another favorite pastime…playing my ol’ 5-string banjo. I had to undergo chemotherapy which left me too shaky to paint. So, I made a wooden device to support my hand. The device also held straight edges or French curves allowing me to confidently paint ship’s rigging.
Will, recognizing opportunity, said, “let’s patent that thing, make ‘em, and sell it.” And that’s exactly what Will did. He formed the company Watermen Art and manufactured Mahl Bridges and Mahl Bridge Clamps (for securing the Mahl Bridge to a stretched canvas) in our garage. Soon they were being advertised on PBS TV as a sponsor for Terry Madden’s Watercolor Workshop.
As sales increased, Will was approached by China Conda who began manufacturing large quantities of high quality bridges and clamps, to his specifications, at low cost in China. With plenty of product, I was writing that newsletter every month to support his sales. Also, as my health improved, I resumed doing outdoor art shows where customers signed up for the newsletter and distribution reached 3,500.
As I wrote more, it became less burden and more joy discussing life lessons learned as a child, adolescent, or adult. And I realized the letter had some value as confirmed by the many positive replies I received each month.
Update
On a trip to China to inspect parts for compliance to specs, Will recognized their ability to manufacture large shuffleboard tables … a favorite recreation for minor league and major league baseball players.
When all Mahl Bridges and Clamps had sold out, enterprising Will transitioned from art supplies to the owner of Hudson Shuffleboards. He began fabricating traditional all-wood shuffleboard tables in multiple lengths and designs with only a few parts made in China. Will eventually converted the entire operation (manufacturing, parts, and assembly) to "made-in-the-USA." My art studio sits in a corner of his large facility.
Just as a confirmation that baseball players love shuffleboard, Will delivered this custom board last week to the Baltimore Orioles home team locker room in Camden Yards.
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