Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Dittenber.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am the president and one of the founders of the West Michigan Avid TypeWriters. Our story begins in 2018 at the Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts. My friend and fellow festival volunteer, Fred Bivins, was in charge of bringing back the artists’ demonstration tent. Since it was just getting back up and running, he came up a few slots short. So he and I decided to set out a few of our typewriters in the open spots and see what happened. Much to our surprise it was one of, if not the most popular of the demonstration arts. We combined art, education, engagement, and fun. Folx could take something unique home that they made themselves. Due to the popularity of the first year of the demo tent Fred decided that we should schedule the typewriters for the following year, and again we were very well received. On the third year festival leadership gave us our own tent for all three days and the West Michigan Avid TypeWriters was born. Due to the continued success of our presence at Festival of the Arts, we were invited to another weekend long festival, Fallasburg Art Festival, in Lowell. That led to the Fallasburg Village Celebration. We typically bring between 8 and 12 machines and most of the time there is a line to use them. As more people started to find us at various festivals, other opportunities started to pop up. Now we do all types of events, including educational events, like Art in the Park in Grand Rapids, proms, library events, and we even have held events in the Grand Rapids Public Museum where kids could type their letters to Santa, and Santa even loaned the club his very special golden typewriter! You may also see us at political events typing letters to various lawmakers. We do private events and can make a custom presentation for a classroom or an activity for your organization. We do a floating Third Thursday Type-In at various locations around Grand Rapids. Book stores, restaurants, libraries, and sometimes in public areas. Also keep on eye on our socials for surprise Pop-Up Type-In’s.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been mostly smooth typing, and we were never short on events to keep us excited about the club and our enthusiasm never waned. We did struggle with some organizational and structure issues for a few years. The club was strong but we needed clear direction on who played what role. We managed okay, but recently, though we are not an official organization, we put in place an Executive Committee and a Board of Directors, all with clear titles and duties. We are also in the process of creating by-laws.
The other challenge, in the beginning which was a fun one for Fred and I to tackle. We all of a sudden needed more typewriters! We often didn’t bring enough machines once we got them. In the mean time, the club now has its own collection of a dozen or so machines, and Fred, club Secretary, Erin, and I continue building the collection when the right machines are available.
That lead to our final problem, which Fred tackled whole heartedly. We needed to learn to repair and fix typewriters, and to come up with a way to respool machines. All of which we did and now we put on events aimed at fixing and repairing machines, but we also have a professional on call for tough issues.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I work part time for Avanti Press, which is a greeting card company based in Detroit Michigan. I am their Senior Field Auditor, which means I drive around and take photos of card departments and write a report about what I see. I also build card display racks and stock cards. It does involve a certain amount of travel, which I enjoy doing. This week while working in the northern part of Michigan I stopped at several bodies of water, set up my portable table and chair and began to type things about water. For my job I am most proud that my boss from the 80s and 90s remembered my work ethic, attention to detail, and my leadership qualities which led him to seek me out to work for him again in 2024. I also am lucky enough to set my own schedule most of the time, and I have great flexibility which allows me to volunteer around town, to be the President of the West Michigan Avid TypeWriters, and to work in the oldest record shop in Michigan, Dodds Record Shop.
What I am most proud off in my life is the success of the West Michigan Avid TypeWriters. What I am proud of besides its success of the club is much more important. The friendships and partnerships we have developed over the years. It makes me feel great when people who have recently met at our events are texting, hanging out, and becoming friends. Also filling my heart with joy are the partnerships we have formed over the years with various establishments around GR, like Periwinkle Fog, MuseGR, The Mitten Brewing Co., Paws with a Cause, and even Dodds Record Shop. I will speak for the club and say that we all take great joy when we can inspire a young artists, poet, writer, or really anyone, to pursue what makes them happy and are passionate about.
What does success mean to you?
Living a peaceful & worry free life doing what you love with who you love.
Pricing:
- We rent machines by the hour, and the prices vary.
- We do political events, with reduced or no fees.
- Nonprofits get at least 25% off.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/west_michigan_avid_typewriters/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tw101
