245 From the time I left home to my arrival at Addis Ababa (the capital and largest city of Ethiopia), it took over 42 hours – 17 of which were spent dealing with flight delays, missed connections and layovers. The dirt roads from Addis Ababa to the factory were just as bad if not worse than usual. We left at 9:30 in the morning and finally arrived at the factory six hours later. My quarters were about half a mile away from the dining room – no air-conditioning, no television, no fan, no drinking water – very basic furniture with a limited supply of bathing water. My first night, I tried to go to dinner in the dark but my attempt to navigate was getting me lost so I turned back to return to my room. I didn't even have drinking water to quench my thirst. I went to bed unhappy and hot. The next morning, I ate weird tasting eggs and toast for breakfast with a cup of tea. Unfortunately, the food came back to haunt me. I paid an involuntary visit to the bathroom; when I tried to flush, no water. As I was still under the weather, I took it easy for the rest of the day and because of my stomach disposition I skipped dinner for three nights in a row. SUGAR BASKETS IhavestayedatWSMCbecauseIenjoymakingsugar baskets, the work environment and my co-workers. I always felt like WS is extended family and my wife and I really enjoy going to the company annual picnic. I have developed personal friendships with some of the WS retirees and benefit by learning from their experiences. — Gabe Williams 1933 AND COUNTING We had a customer call; it was several years ago, wanting to buy parts for his water driven centrifugals. He said, "I'm sure I have the wrong company.” I looked up the unit and I told him, "That's us. Water driven?” He said, "Yeah." I told him we had the 1933 drawings for these parts for the water driven machines. He was in the British West Indies. I asked him if he’d like to upgrade to electric which would make it faster. He said, “No. We don’t do things fast down here.” We had the original drawings – on linen. We manufactured and shipped the parts. An amazing testament to the durability of our product operating since 1933 and to the fact that we don’t obsolete any machine. — Larry Miller WESTERN STATES, THE BEST KEPT SECRET It is through the efforts of our international sales agents that employees at Western States have always joked that we are the company that most people in Hamilton, Ohio know nothing about, but Western States is a “household” name in the sugar industry throughout the world. — Charles “Chuck” Duersch ED DUNSMUIR FINCHAA, ETHIOPIA At times, I sensed people seemed envious of my trips, envisioning plush accommodations with exotic views and delectable meals. As a result, I decided to keep a daily journal when I traveled to Finchaa, Ethiopia for a six-week centrifuge installation from February 23 to April 12, 2010.