SQUEEZE PLAY Article Polka Times writers

Squeeze Play

Brunch and Dance honoring the “Polka Times” writers

Article - #2 by Mary Lou Downs & Charlie Tomecek (2009)

Although the world is changing with the advent of the Internet, there is one newspaper that has been established within the last few years, and its circulation has been increasing since inception. That paper is America’s Polka Newspaper “POLKA TIMES” published monthly by Paul Mirkovich of Farrell Pennsylvania. After publishing his paper for several years, Paul then bought the former Polka News as the owners were retiring. The Polka Times is larger, more colorful, and a lot more interesting than many hometown newspapers, and even though we are internet savvy we still enjoy curling up in a big easy chair and relaxing while we browse through this paper once a month.

On May 31, 2009, Paul (with help of some friends and his wife Carol) honored his many Polka Times writers with a brunch at the Croation Home in Bessemer PA followed by a dance at the SNPJ Recreation Center in Enon Valley PA. Paul called Charlie and me in February to ask if our Button Box Buddies group from Canada would play at the event, and I can’t tell you what an honor that was. To be able to play at the “Grand Ole Opry of Pennsylvania Polka Music” was a privilege and a thrill. And to actually be on the same stage that day as legends such as Bob Turcola and Tony Trontel – well, it sure stroked a lot of things off my “bucket list”.

That whole weekend was a very enjoyable time. We arrived at the SNPJ Recreation Center and Campground on Saturday afternoon after a six-hour drive, and settled into a cabin that Andy and Cecile Miinch had booked for us. The Canadian six-pack (Andy and Cecile, Dennis and Beth Uhlik, Charlie and me) then headed to the gostilna where we met Kathy Paulenich for dinner. As it was a Stanley Cup Finals Detroit/Pittsburgh hockey game night, the bar was busy and boisterous. I know that as a Canadian it is my patriotic duty to know what is happening in the hockey world, however (I hate to admit this) until we got there I didn’t even know there was a hockey game going on – or who was playing!!! Many of the musicians who are the “who’s who” of polka music have a summer retreat in the trailer court at the Rec Center and often they relax and socialize in the gostilna. We met, among others, Bob Turcola, Fran Gondell and his pretty wife Helen, Ken Zalar of Captain’s Crew fame, and Terry Skovenski and his fiancée Marlene.

As we were eating dinner on Saturday night, in walked our music heroes Eddie and Kim Rodick who have recently purchased a summer getaway in the trailer court on the grounds. They were scheduled to play at the Johnstown PA Polkafest the next day and were staying here overnight. We were invited up to christen their trailer with a nightcap (would you believe delicious Apple Pie Liqueur?) and had a nice visit, listening to stories about their recent successful stint in Holland. Kim is terribly afraid of flying but obviously enjoyed the Europe experience and had many pictures on her computer. Eddie told us of the generosity of hosts, Jelse Vos and John Hasper – how they had made such wonderful arrangements for the whole troupe of musicians while in Europe, and how much all the musicians enjoyed it. We understand that Ed Klancnik was the organizing arm on this side of the Atlantic, and that the audiences in Holland were absolutely blown away by our wonderful North American musicians. AND SO THEY SHOULD BE!

On Sunday, after a lovely brunch at the Croation Home in Bessemer PA, Charlie and I and our Canadian buddies, Andy Miinch and Dennis Uhlik, called upon some “Play Mates” to play with us. We were joined by fellow Polka Times writer Kathy Paulenich, a long-time button box player with Mahoning Valley BB club, drummer Fran Gondell, bass player Art Tracy, and Potsy Jenovic on banjo. Most people know Potsy as being a fabulous polka dancer but don’t realize he plays banjo too. Coming up on stage to lead us in a few button box numbers was pretty 16-year-old Kara Maruszak who stayed to sing along with us – in Slovenian. We closed our set by singing Kathy’s favorite song – Dolini Tihi, and we were joined by Mary Jane Smith another Polka Times writer who is 100% Slovenian.

The main entertainment of the day was Bob Turcola and an all-star band consisting of Fran Gondell (drums), Art Tracy (bass), Dan Klanica (second accordion), and Geno Santucci (sax). The evening was wrapped up by Tony Trontel and an all-star group which included Ron Pivovar, Potsy Jenovic, Mike Caggiano, Henry Mutt, and John Ross on drums. We were very pleased to get to meet John Ross because we had exchanged correspondence some time ago when our CD “Pure Jam” came out. He has a radio program and asked for a copy of the CD and we emailed back and forth. Then his name came up again at the Thanksgiving Polka Party in Cleveland in November. I was congratulating Kim Rodick on winning the “Vocalist of the Year” award and she very humbly and magnanimously said that there were so many people who deserved that award and she mentioned John Ross. So this weekend in the Alpine Room we got to meet him, he drummed for us during our second set, and we got to hear him sing. He does indeed have a great voice.

What a success the day was – and there were over three hundred people in the hall to enjoy it all. Paul had arranged for a ceremony to introduce all the writers, and presented each with a Certificate of Recognition. We have to give a big THANK YOU to Ron Pivovar who provided the sound system and his sound engineering services. Ed Ostry did an outstanding job as emcee and coordinator of the music program. And of course Paul Mirkovich and his lovely wife Carol pulled it all together.

Sunday night after the dance and in the Alpine Room, we retreated to the gostilna again for a late meal (meals there are excellent, by the way), and Adam Pivovar, father of the well-known Ron Pivovar, entertained us with stories and jokes. He was the official photographer for the day, and although he pretends to be a curmudgeon, this man is a ninety-something wonder. First of all, he does not look to be in his nineties. And secondly, he sure doesn’t act it. Adam has had a very interesting life, having lived for many years with the Inuit. He is an archeologist / anthropologist / photographer / entertainer / comedian / author and he is working on another book. It should be an interesting read as this man sure packed a lot of fascinating things into ninety years.

This adventure drew to a close on Monday morning as Charlie and I took a stroll throughout the grounds at the Recreation Center before leaving for home. It was sunny and peaceful, and we hated to leave. Again, we have met more wonderful and interesting people, friends who like the music that we like, and the camaraderie that goes with it. We are looking forward to returning in July for Slovenefest (28th annual) which runs from July 10 to 12 and features a huge lineup of great musicians – music all three days at five different locations on the grounds: the Alpine Room, the gostilna, the outside stage in the tent, the International pavilion and of course the jam tent. For information about Slovenefest go to www.snpj.org.

Paul Mirkovich is to be congratulated for hosting such a successful event and we were truly honored to be a part of it. If you like polka music (and we have to assume you do or you wouldn’t be on this website) you would enjoy America’s Polka Newspaper, the POLKA TIMES. For more information and/or to subscribe contact info is:

Paul Mirkovich,

Polka Times,

PO Box 281,

Farrell, Pennsylvania,

USA 16121

comjournal@surf724.com