[5-16-07]  NEWSPAPER ARTICLE APPEARS IN MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE – SOUTH ADDITION.   The article and slide show can be viewed on the following web links:

http://www.startribune.com/332/story/1183136.html

http://www.startribune.com/10137/rich_media/1185524.html

 

[5-8-07] Four applications have now been received for concertina scholarships.  Glenn Wondra will be writing the letter of acceptance.  The committee will be selecting the scholarship recipients.  Two hundred dollars has already been received as a donation from one of our members for the scholarship fund.  A receipt from the club will be sent for any donation.   Thank you.

 

[3-13-07] The new Scholarship Committee met after the club meeting.  Its members are: Glen Wondra, Pat Boulay, Mike Elsenpeter, Ron Kuzelka, and Dave Czaja.  We will be evaluating the proposed “Scholarship Registration Form.”  Also administration, funding and banking were discussed.  If you have any comments about the scholarship proposal, please share them with us.  If you would like to also serve on the scholar committee, please let us know.  Comments can be addressed to: czajadj@aol.com.  The proposed registration form is located on this web site.  Contributions to the fund are now welcome.

 

[2-27-07] Summary of February 27, 2007, Music Committee Meeting

 

The CACC music Committee met on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 6:30 pm at the Pizza Ranch in New Prague, MN. In attendance were: Maynard Ohm, Bill Hlavac, Jerry Minar, Dave Czaja,

and Butch Herrmann.

 

It was agreed to still modify our current version of Red Wing Polka to be written in the key of G for the ease of our button accordion players. The New Prague high school students currently taking concertina

lessons are writing out the concertina music for the school song. It was agreed to include it in the club music library and distribute it with a future song of the month. Many other songs were discussed along with

the various keys in which they could be played. The next meeting is scheduled for September 25, 2007, at 6:30 pm at the Pizza Ranch in New Prague.  Submitted by Butch Herrmann

 

[2-22-07]  The following was received in the mail.  “It is with great pleasure that we inform you that the Adult Awards and Recognition Committee for the Girl Scouts of Greater Minneapolis wishes to present the Czech Area Concertina Club with the Hand-in-Hand Partnership Award.  This award recognizes the club’s contribution of time and knowledge to the Northern Skies day camp.  The girls learned a lot and had a great time.  You and the musicians enriched the camp experience for all involved!  We thank you for preserving a wonderful piece of history and for your dedication in sharing it and educating young people in the community.  [Signed-Kathy Grieger, Chair]

 

[2-20-07]  The following was receive from Bill Barton who is in Iraq.  “Hey Dave (Sibinski),  Just some new news for ya.  I participated in a talent show over here in iraq and took 1st place.  Everyone was oooing and awwwing when i took it out of the case.  the whole crowd(around 150) was clapping and cheering the whole time.  I did 2 encores.  it was awesome!  So i figured the club would like to hear polka music has spread to 3rd world countries.  Im telling you dave seeing those young kids playing made my heart swell, it is soo good to see that generation X may not let this great music slip through the cracks, i think it is really on a comeback streak, maybe not so much in minnesota but the surrounding areas have a huge audience my age, it will just take some time i think.  Just wanted to say hi dave, hope all is well.  best regards, bill.”  [Editor-Remember Bill in your prayers and send him an e-mail at: armyboy8302@yahoo.com]

 

[2-13-07] – It was a historical moment at the February club meeting when eight New Prague High School students, along with their band teacher, attended the CACC meeting and played their concertinas for the club members.  The recently formed high school concertina group played several selections to show what they have accomplished within the last month.  It was a somewhat emotional moment to see the enthusiasm of the young people playing together in front of the club.  It has been a dream of our members to be able to reach the young people and share the beauty of playing this instrument and here before our eyes it was happening.  We can’t thank them enough for sharing their talents and now it is up to our membership to encourage them and help them anyway we can.  There take on the concertina, “It’s cool.”

 

If you have a news item for this web page, please let Dave Czaja know. 

 

– Dave Czaja, czajadj@aol.com