Bob Kravos

Many of us are looking forward to this Saturday dance at our SNPJ Spring Hill hall - with live music by:

• Bob Kravos - great nephew of Frank Yankovic from Cleveland, Ohio and
• guest appearance of Walter Ostanek, the Canada's Polka King

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Video above: Bob Kravos and the Boys in the Band playing My Polka Lovin' Gal at SNPJ Farm

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Saturday, January 30th, 2010 
Schedule:

• Food served 5 – 7PM 
• Kitchen closes at 7 PM 
• Dance 6 – 10 PM 
• Admission $10.00
• Dinner $6.00

For info & reservations call Mary Ann Hiltz at 727-376-8486

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Linda Hochevar

Linda Hochevar is a beautiful lady with a life-long passion for polka music. Also and excellent dancer, she plays button box accordion playfully and with ease. To anyone who observes Linda Hochevar playing, button box looks like a lot of fun.
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Video above: Linda Hochevar playing at the jam session at SNPJ Spring Hill hall on January 24, 2010 with: Frank Moravcik, Walt Harfmann, Kurt Harfmann, Pat, Tony Klaus, Marty Raab, Don Caton and ...

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Linda Hochevar has learned how to dance polka in the kitchen of her home - like most children of Slovenian heritage in United States - and soon started learning how to play some instruments under the influence of her Slovenian father and polka musician.

Everything else about her musical background Linda tells us in the video below, taken on January 24, 2010 at SNPJ Spring Hill hall.

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Video above: Linda Hochevar talking about her musical background and beginnings

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Linda has had her button box group, called Magic Buttons for fifteen years and they are performing around the county.
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Photo above: Linda Hochevar with her button box accordion in Spring Hill, FL on January 24, 2010

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68th Wedding Anniversary

This past Sunday (January 24, 2010) at our dance with Frank Moravcik we had a couple of very dedicated "polka people" who drove to our SNPJ Spring Hill Hall all the way from Fort Meyers on the East coast of Florida.

The dedicated 'Ohio Polka Friends' names are Ralph and Kathryn Knick, who are celebrating their 68th Wedding Anniversary on February 7th, 2010.
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Photo above: Ralph and Kathryn Knick at SNPJ Spring Hill hall on Sunday, January 24, 2010

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Ralph and Kathryn met at the dance in Ansonia in 1939 and started polka dancing about 35 years ago.

Frank Moravcik with his band played the Waltz of Love for Mr. and Mrs. Knick, to honor their special day.

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Waltz of Love

I've been waiting for an opportunity to take a video of someone playing the Waltz of Love since last Thanksgiving.

Finally, this Saturday (January 23, 2009) Frank Moravcik with his group of musicians granted my wish and here's the result to enjoy - for everyone who loves one of the most romantic Cleveland-Style songs of all times - that received the title of

"2009 Greatest All-Time Hit Song" 

(2 elected)

at the XXII Polkas International Award Show in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Video above: Waltz of Love performed at SNPJ Spring Hill Hall on January 23, 2010 by: Frank Moravcik (accordion), Pete Oberson (guitar), Kurt Harfmann (drums) and Bill Rochon (accordion)

To watch/rate/comment on this video on youtube, click on the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4WSWyurGNQ
(new window opens)

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The song was originally written in 1965 by a young accordionist Stan Blout who was playing with Joe White Orchestra.

Stan Blout wrote Jacqueline Waltz and another one that didn't have a name. The band played both of these tunes at engagements.

Lyrics have been added to the unnamed waltz for an appearance on TV's popular Polka Varieties show. They were written by Jack Tankovich, saxophone player and vocalist. The song soon caught on as the "Waltz of Love" and Joe White Orchestra released a 45 rpm recording of it.

Joe White turned his band over to Stan Blout in 1966. In 1969 The Stan Blout Orchestra released Polka Sounds of the 70s album, featuring the Waltz of Love. It soon became a waltz standard and has been recorded and played over and over again for the past four decades.

Lyrics: Waltz of Love

We danced the Waltz of Love through the night,

I kissed your lips and held you tight.

I asked you to marry me, forever one to be.

We danced the Waltz of Love and I know,

my love for you can only grow.

Take my lips, take my heart,

promise me we'll never part

as we dance the Waltz of Love.

Waltz of Love

Composer: Stan Blout

Lyricist: Jack Tankovich

Hit Recording:

• Stan Blout Orchestra
• Album: Polka Sounds of the 70s
• Label: Delta International
• Year: 1969
• Stan Blout, accordion
• Jack Tankovich, saxophone
• Dennis Marold, bass
• Lou Pavlik, drums
• Al Markic, guitar
• Frank Piccirillo, piano
• Key of G, D
• Time: 2:44

Other recordings:

• Joe White Orchestra
• Bob Kravos and the Boys in the Band
• Hank Haller Orchestra
• Joe Novak
• Verne Meisner

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Frank Moravcik Weekend

Frank Moravcik with his band is someone we know pretty well at our Spring Hill Hall - and enjoy his music very much. He is playing again for two of our dances this Saturday and Sunday. We expect great crowds and lots of fun for everyone that attends this weekend's events. Everybody and your friends are welcome!

This is the video, taken by Ed Klasa, from last year's Snowflake Dance at Suncoast Dance and Party Center - SNPJ Lodge 778 in Spring Hill with Frank Moravcik. Enjoy!! :)
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Saturday, January 23rd
Frank Moravcik (Cleveland)
Dance admission: $10.00
Food served 5 -7 PM Kitchen closes at 7 PM
Dance 6 – 10 PM

Food choices:

• stuffed cabbage
• meatloaf
• kielbasa
• and nice variety of pastries + coffee

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Sunday, January 24th
Frank Moravcik (Cleveland)
Dance $10.00
Food served 12 noon – 1:30 PM
Kitchen closes at 1:30 PM
Dance 2-6 PM

For reservations call:
Mary Ann Hiltz at 727-376-8486

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Accordion Jam Fest

WMNF Accordion Jam Fest 
Saturday, January 16th, 2010 

Polish American Pulaski Hall of Holiday, Florida
4616 Darlington Rd. Holiday Florida
MAP

1:30pm until 4:30pm

Tickets are $5.00 per person
Children 12 and Under are FREE
Students are just $1.00

Food and Beverages will be available!

ALL MUSICIANS ARE WELCOME!

Special guests Joe Oberaitis, Tony Lovello,Walter Kasprzyk and Carmen Vitanza, and Alex Meixner will be there in person and on stage to entertain us as well. This event is being held to help raise money for 88.5fm WMNF Community Radio in Tampa, Florida

Listen to us on the Internet at www.wmnf.org

Photo above: Wackie Jackie Z and Mrs. Wackie, the hosts of this Saturday's Accordion Jam Fest, was taken at SNPJ Spring Hill hall in January of 2009


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Florida Sunset

The big window across from my desk faces west and I feel very lucky to be able to see another world-wide famous Florida sunset every day, even when I'm not on the beach - but working on my laptop. I only close the blinds after all the stunning colors of another Florida sunset fade away, into the darkness of the night sky.

On this (another) record cold January night, it feels really warm and satisfying to look at the photo of Florida sunset, taken at Bayport, Florida - on April 4, 2009. Courtesy of a great photographer and polka lover, Nicholas Dudish.
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Photo above: Florida Sunset - © Nicholas Dudish


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Jam sessions regulars at Spring Hill hall

At our SNPJ Spring Hill hall we have jam sessions at most every event hosted by Slovene-American Club. For March Days weekend event musicians from around the country join-in the fun an play with such a passion and uplifting energy that everyone present either dances - or taps with their feet or fingers - to the cheerful beat of polkas and waltzes.

However, there are some musicians jamming at our Spring Hill hall on a regular basis and this post is devoted to them, to thank them and show our appreciation - for sharing their music with the rest of us.

This post would not be possible without the help and camera operated by Nicholas Dudish who is tirelessly taking pictures and recording at most of our events. He has a neck for taking great portrait shots. All the photos below were taken by Nick. Thank you!! :)
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Don Caton (above), playing his button box (Photo: © Nicholas Dudish)
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Marty Raab (above) with button box (Photo: © Nicholas Dudish)
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Bob Turcola (above) with accordion (Photo: © Nicholas Dudish)
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And finally, the one that probably never misses jamming at SNPJ Spring Hill hall: Walt Harfmann (above) with button box (Photo: © Nicholas Dudish)

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Once again, thank you to all of the above!! :)

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Wedding Anniversary

We have heard about quite a few very impressive wedding anniversaries at the board meetings in our SNPJ 778 Spring Hill hall. At the moment I don't have the whole list with all the names and numbers but I did manage to take two photos of one of the hardest working couple from our Lodge.
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The president of our Club Ben Drongosky and his wife Carol celebrated 52nd wedding anniversary in December of 2009. On both of these pictures they are dancing their "happy anniversary dance" to the music ob Bob Turcola's band, playing at our New Year's Dinner Dance - which was also Ben's idea - and a great success.

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Ben and Carol Drongosky are two of the hardest working and caring people in Spring Hill SNPJ Lodge 778. In the name of many of us who also care and work for the continuity of our Spring Hill hall, I'd like to say this:

We know how hard you work and very much appreciate everything you do - even when it doesn't seem or sound like we do. Thank you!! :)

I had to be a little sneaky to find out which was Carol's and Ben's favorite tune. Carol told me that The Blue Skirt Waltz by Frank Yankovic was the first waltz she heard when she started dating Ben. So - here it is Carol, for you and your husband: click on the play button below and enjoy!

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I hope you danced, congratulations once again...

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Spring Hill hall

Spring Hill hall Suncoast Dance & Party Center on 13383 County Line is available to rent for:

• Weddings
• Picnics
• Meetings
• Banquets
• Shows
• Dances
• Anniversary parties
• Mini conventions
• Expos
• and other events for up to 350 people

For a limited time this Spring Hill hall is running a

BABY SHOWER SPECIAL

For additional info about renting the hall for your baby shower at a discounted price - or with any other questions

contact Jim at: 352-238-4095

SNPJ's Spring Hill hall has an ideal location, easy access from US 19 or Suncoast Parkway - and plenty of parking space.

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