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Old Radios: It's a Small World After All...and a Big (Zenith) Stratosphere

5/15/2014

2 Comments

 

STRATOSPHERE. (Link)   Zenith 1000Z

The owner has sold this radio.

 It's one word that would grab most radio aficionados attention- it did mine.


PictureZenith 1000Z Stratosphere (This photo doesn't do it justice.)








Scanning down the page, I noticed, "...near Medford, Oregon. Local Pick-up Only." That's where we live! I revived myself, then sought out Russell to share the news.

    "Russ, you're never going to believe this. There is a Stratosphere for sale in this area! Local pick-up only."  As predicted, it caught Russ' attention. We contacted the owner, and made arrangements to see it; soon we were on our way. 
Picture
The Zenith 1000Z chassis.
Picture
Although I couldn't afford to put the Strat in my STI; I couldn't resist "picturing" my STI on the Strat.
     As it turned out, the Stratosphere dwell within a hour's drive of our home. During the ride there--on a beautiful blue-skied, warm, sunny day--many questions rumbled in my mind. Who might owe this top-of-the-radio Zenith radio? Where did he live? How did he get it? Why was he selling it?    I would soon find out the answers to all these questions...and more.
Picture
Five acres of masterful landscaping, a on-going project accomplished by many years of imagination and effort.
     When given permission to write this blog, I promised not to divulge the exact location- but I can tell you, I felt honored to be granted access. A long, windy road delivered us to a forested area, fronting a rolling hillside. The sun pranced on one of the slopes, then leapt into a pond; it glistened on the water. A gaggle of geese and goslings floated peacefully underneath an arched walkway that lead to an island featuring a cedar gazebo. 
Picture
Peaceful perfection; a perfect place for reflection.
Picture


Wildlife flourished in the naturally landscaped area.
Picture
      Further back, atop a small knoll, a contemporary-style cedar home with expansive windows, sat.
Picture
    Arf, arf!  A well-groomed Sheltie Collie came bounding up, following on his heels, the owner. The sheltie then took off to explore, returning later.
Picture
This little "lassie" greeted us.
    "Hello. My name is Jeff Rense. Nice to meet you." After exchanging the obligatory greetings, we were given the grand tour. Jeff told us a bit more about himself. He had relocated from Montecito, (Santa Barbara County), California- a number of years ago.  A single dad, he came here with his daughter, to escape an every increasing influx of Hollywood celebrities-which included Dennis Miller and Oprah. 
Picture
Peeking through the railway tunnel.
Picture
Jeff explaining how much the trees have grown since he planted them.
Picture

Jeff's is currently in the process of putting together his small scale railway. 
     When Jeff purchased the raw property; he had a vision, one he succeeded in bringing to fruition. He built the striking cedar house, numerous ponds, trails and is even adding a small-scale railway on the five-acre property.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co5aum87h9w  (Video of railway in action.)
The results would indicate he must have been blessed with  20/20. vision. With the eye of an artist, he painted his vision onto the acreage, will the skill of a great master putting his brush to the easel.
Picture
Jeff preparing for another radio program.
     And his interest in radios? It became apparent as he shared his livelihood with me. Jeff is the mastermind and founder of Rense.com. He manages, owes and operates several radio networks. He has a weekly radio program at 7:00 pm, Monday- Friday. It's an interesting site; I'd recommend talking a look and/or listen. After an extended, pleasant chat, I had one final question. I wondered why he liked old radios. His interest exceeded early electronics, "Makes me feel good, seeing them."    A smile crept across his face.
Picture
Lilly pads on the pond behind the home.
We'd like to thank Jeff for his kind hospitality and sharing his Stratosphere and interesting life with us.

Till next time,

Regards,

Sue
phlog's blog
Picture
Strat with cat.
ps.. Some people feel it is necessary to place a cat on the center bottom of the Stratosphere. If you happen to be lucky enough to owe a 1000Z, and would like to, I would recommend the Cleo-CAT-tra. Think she's one cool cat, who I believe, could pull it off. ;) Jeff mentioned, that he heard from a friend, just last week, that someone had found a white cat with Zenith stamped on the bottom. Did Zenith actually produce a cat to keep the Strat company? No one seems to know for sure. Truth or legend? The question lingers on.

2 Comments
Jeff Rense link
5/20/2014 02:30:40 am


I am stunned. That is a *beautiful* set of photos and the
writing is a perfect match to the images! Sue has captured
the essence of the property (and it's eccentric owner-caretaker).
She is a VERY talented pro and I am sort of overwhelmed because
no one has ever done anything like this before...and she nailed it...
just right. She has a wonderful eye for composition. Every photo
is perfect! Please make sure she see this. Thank you, Sue!!!

Reply
Sue link
5/20/2014 02:33:09 am

Jeff, You really know how to make a girl's day! Thanks so much for all your kind comments. It was my pleasure. Sue

Reply



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CUSTOM DESIGN BY SUE WEBB  06/2013       Redesigned by Russ Webb     Approved by Fuzzy   Updated:  Pretty much all the time, but I forget to change this date
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