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Joined:
January 2014
Posts: 402
Location: Taxed To Death State | Yesterday I was told a story about the guys at Ovation, about the building, the building owner and very sad piece of CT history. Here goes.
A couple of Decembers ago, my wife was wheeling me into the hospital for a desperately needed back surgery. When we got up to the surgery center, there was around 30 people in the waiting area and it was absolutely silent.
I was surprised by the silence and everyone was huddled around the TVs crying. We went over to see why it was so quite. Some sick mofo with weapons went to an elementary school and shot 20 kids and 6 adults. You all know the rest of that story........
Many of you may not know this but the building is not owned by ovation. It's owned by a man named Mr. Hurley.
He's a nice guy, been in town forever, has his own spring shop down there and provides jobs for local residents. He's also extremely protective of the building and it's history. In the tower above Ovation there is a huge bronze bell in the tower that is really old and probably really valuable. He unhooked all of the mechanics from it so wise guys won't ring it and damage it. I am told there is a sign on the wall that says "ring this bell and you will be looking for a new job"
A few days before the one year anniversary of the tragedy, JB down in service had an idea, he thought it would be something if they all could honor the memories of the kids and teachers by ringing that bell one time for each person lost that day. He asked the plant manager and the building owner if he could do that in memory of the tragedy the morning of the anniversary. Mr Hurley said absolutely YES lets do it. He went up to the tower, connected new ropes and got the bell working again. That morning everyone gathered at the time when the tragedy happened and John rang that big *** bell one time for each victim. He said he pulled that rope as hard as he could and it was a thunderous boom and really friggin loud. As far as I know, that bell hasn't been rung basically in a long long long time. I never heard it once in all my time living up the street.
Not that my story has anything to do with guitars, but more about everyone who works there, the building itself, and a testimony to the many great caring people of New Hartford. I can only hope that whomever occupies that space in the future carries on the legacy of the caring great people who worked their asses off for the last 40+ years down there. JB did something really special. Just thought I'd share that story. |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Nice story!
("ring this bell and you will be looking for a new job".....ironically, that came true) |
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Joined:
June 2011
Posts: 29
Location: North Carolina | Thanks for sharing Dan!
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I heard they needed an exterminator in that tower.
too many roaches |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | No, just a torch and a clip
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4228
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Here's an addendum to that story: That day I happened to be driving to New Hartford to pick up a guitar. I was listening to mp3's and not to the radio while I drove and had zero idea what was happening in Newtown as I was driving past its exit. John never brought it up while I was there. I was so pleased with my new guitar, and I suppose he didn't want to ruin it for me. He also never mentioned the story of the bell. It must have happened just before I got there or not long after. John is a very decent and humble man. And may all the victims rest in peace...... |
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A story I'd like to share about the people at the factory