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November 7, 2015

ReeDWOODER, Vol. 232, November 2105

Presidents Message

Tony Mustaro

Dear Friends,
As we enter the holiday season I want to wish you and your family good health and joy for the coming year. Now is a time to remind ourselves to be thankful for all of the good things in our lives and all of the trials that have made us stronger. Happy Holidays.
At our last board meeting we were discussing ways to make our holiday dinner dance a bit more festive and family oriented. We are going to try something new this year to encourage more multi-generational family activity during the year. If you have grandchildren or even great grandchildren under twelve in your family you are welcome to bring them as guests of the club. Maybe Santa will show up also. Please let Diana know at once if you will be bringing an under twelve guest so that we can plan accordingly. It would be great if their parents/grandparents could find time to purchase tickets and attend as well. One of the things I really enjoyed during the years that I spent in Italy was the social gatherings with all ages and generations coming together and interacting. That’s how it was in my family when I was growing up. I think that this is one of the things that keeps families strong. It is still practiced in Europe but not so much these days in the USA. Maybe we can start it up again at least here in Petaluma.
On the subject of the dinner dance, once again I encourage you to make your reservations early. It will save you some money and make it much easier for all of those who work to bring you this event. Please be aware that the cut-off date listed in the flier is the date by which your reservations must reach Diana. Not the date you write the check or the date when you mail it. There is still plenty of time to get it done, so don’t wait.
Our monthly meeting is on November 16th this month. My friend Carlo Solivan has contacted me to say that he will be performing for us at this meeting so it would be a good time to invite a friend or relative to attend the meeting. I can get great entertainers to perform for our meetings if I know that we will have a good turn out to show them our appreciation. I have a difficult time asking performers to donate their time and talent to perform for an almost empty house. The better the attendance at our meetings the more exciting entertainment we can present.
Hoping to see many of you at this month’s meeting.

Tony Mustaro

President
Accordion Club of the Redwoods

OCTOBER ENTERTAINMENT

Tony and Carlos

Tony and Carlo

Wow, this was the warm up act. As you may well know, Carlos is always great, but when you get Tony and Carlos together, that could be the entertainment alone!

 

 

Frank Divita

Frank Divita

Frank’s playlist was short, but fun. He started with “Al di La,” followed by “Upali Upala” and finishing with “Gulietta Polka.”

IMG_2018

Bart Beninco

Bart as always was in top form. His playlist was also short and as always, beautiful. Beginning with “Arriva Derci Roma,” “Tango of the Roses,” “Roman Guitar,” and ending with a French song. Bart we really need to hear from you more often.

 

Steve Balich Jr

Steve Balich Jr

Steve was in great form, short but great with “Serenadu Odatija,” “I’m Dreaming,” “Castle Rock Polka,” “Ever True Evermore,” “Daj Daj (Snow Waltz),” then ending with “My Wife is Happy Polka.” What a night!

Tony Mustaro

Tony Mustaro

Tony had a two part series as a soloist, and as a duet partner with Geroge Simko. As a soloist he played “Under Paris Skies,” “Violino Tzigano,” “Solamente una Vez,” and finishing with “La Campagnola.”
Tony informed us that most of the music performed that night was done with his accordion and that it had never sounded that good when he plays it. No, Tony, you are always great!

 

Tony and George

Tony and George

Tony and George teamed up for a great night. Starting with “Blue Skirt Waltz,” “Tiny Bubbles,” “Echoes Of Vienna” “Liechtensteiner Polka,” and ending with both singing and playing “I Wonder Why.” That alone was well worth the price of admission.

 

George Simko

George Simko

George Simko
George finished of the night with “Steirerman San,” “Schutzenlisel,” “In Munchen Steht ein Hofbrauhaus,” “Allegheny Moon,” “C’est Magnifique,” “Moonlight and Roses,” “Blue Tango,” and finished off with a rousing “Hoop De Do Polka.” What a night.

 

Filed Under: Newsletter, November 2015
October 13, 2015

ReeDWOODER, Vol. 231 October 2015

Presidents Message

Tony Mustaro

Dear Friends,
We’re having beautiful Indian Summer weather so far, and I hope that this fact encourages you to venture out to our October meeting on the 19th of this month.
George Simko, our member from Texas, will be at this meeting and if he and I can find some time to get together maybe we can play a duet or two together. Sincere condolences go out to George and his family on the loss of his mother.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Joann and Rod Hayman for their thoughtful donation to our ACR scholarship fund in memory of one of our founders, Harry Cannata. Their gesture is much appreciated and a fitting tribute to Harry’s generosity of spirit and his love of music.
Your board and officers are now in the process of planning for our annual Christmas Dinner Dance. Once again we will be using the services of Lombardi Catering of Petaluma so you know that we will have a great meal. Music again by the Steve Balich Band, and hopefully we will have the fabulous Zinfandel and Pinot Noir from Marcucci Winery.
We have been trying to come up with a way to encourage people to make their reservations for this event early as this makes everything easier for the caterer and for our steadfast volunteers in planning the ordering and serving of the dinners. Last year, as some of you know, we had members who wanted to buy tickets after the caterer’s cut-off date and some who even waited until the day before and the day of the event to get tickets. This increases our overall cost per meal and makes unnecessary extra work for all. We did our best to accommodate but it made a great deal of extra work for the volunteers and extra expense for the club because we actually had to have more food delivered during the event.
This year we will have a small discount for those of you who are thoughtful enough to help us by making your reservations in a timely manner. There will also be an extra charge if you make your reservations after the cut-off date and a large extra charge for anyone who waits until the last minute to make a reservation. Anticipated prices are $24 for normal timely reservations, $30 for late reservations and $35 for last minute reservations. We are hoping that everyone can purchase the $24 tickets.
That’s all for now. See you at the meeting.

Tony Mustaro

President
Accordion Club of the Redwoods

Obituary

Penny Simko

 

Geroge Simko

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of Penny Simko, mother of long time member George Simko.
In late July her house in Santa Rosa was badly damaged by a fire caused by a PG&E transformer explosion. Then on August 9, 2015, Penny passed away. The house was burglarized two nights in a row five days after Penny passed.
Noreen has been tested to the limit with all of this. Let’s keep her in our prayers.
Her son, George, will be at our October meeting.

OCTOBER ENTERTAINMENT

The September 2, 2015, meeting was magical. Our players could not have been better! We started out with:

Frank Divita

Frank’s playlist was long, but well worth it.
He started with “Tutti Mi Chiamona Bionda,” “Carousel,” “Opali Opala,” “Sentimental Journey,” “Just Another Polka,” “Julieta Polka,” “Snow Flake Waltz,” “The Lady is a Tramp” with Tony Mustaro,” “Tiemonte Simon” and ending with “La Piemontesina.” Great job Frank; we can’t wait to hear it all over again.

Jane Tripi

Jane was pitch perfect this night as always! Her playlist started with “Autumn Leaves,” “Someone Else is Taking My Place,” “A Sunday Kind of Love,” and ending with “Indeed I Do.” It has been to long Jane. Please do not make us wait that long again!

Xavier de la Prade

Xavier was fresh off of a gig at the San Francisco Accordion Club. I understand he received a thunderous applause.
As usual, Xavier does more than play the music; he has a beautiful story for his playlists. At our meeting, it was about Edith Piaf. I have heard brief stories about her before, but Xavier’s stories were riveting. Xavier started with “La Vie En Rose,” “Mon Menege a Moi,” “Hymme a l’Amour,” and ending with “Non Je Ne Regrete Rien.” What a history lesson on Edith!

Xavier de la Prade

Tony was spot on this night. From what I could observe from the Italians there (Diana), some of his pieces were quite emotional and tears were observed by this editor. Tony started his playlist with a medley: “Godfather Waltz and Speak Softly Love,” “Dicitiencello Vuje,” “Tarantella Napolitana,” “Tango Delle Capinere,” “The Ferryboat Song,” “La Spagnola,” “Mattinata Fiorntina,” “Non Dimenticar,” “O Marenariello,” and finished up with “O Surdato Nnamurato.”

 

Filed Under: Newsletter, October 2015
September 29, 2015

ReeDWOODER, Vol. 230, September 2015

Presidents Message

Tony Mustaro

Dear Friends,

Well, the fall season is upon us already. The Cotati Accordion Festival is over, the summer is at an end and we will welcome autumn with our September 21 Monday night meeting. This means we need to start planning for our annual Christmas Season Dinner Dance. This year we will try something new in order to plan appropriately for the necessary number of dinners to accommodate all who attend.

We will have two tier pricing for this year’s event. As you know, since Steve Balich and Donald Agresti have stopped cooking for this event we have been using the services of Lombardi Catering. They serve us a very good meal and we have had only positive comments on the food at these dinners. This along with the wonderful wine from Cheri and Phil Marcucci make these dinners a wonderful bargain for our members and their guests.

We have attempted to keep the attendance cost low in spite of the increased expense of commercially catered dinners. Unfortunately, several of our guests have failed to honor the cutoff date for purchasing tickets. This has resulted in our having to order more dinners on the night of the event which increases our costs and creates unpleasant extra work for our wonderful volunteers. In an attempt to avoid this situation we will have a cutoff date at the normal price, and an increased price for orders received after that date with the highest price for those who wait until the day of the event to order. Hopefully this will allow everyone who wants to attend to do so at the lowest possible price by reserving early. Prices will be announced after we have consulted with the caterer.

On a sadder note, this has been a sorrowful time for the club in general and for me personally, with the loss of Harry Cannata, Joe Chiesa, and my mother, Edith Mustaro after an unexpected terminal illness. Although they have all lived full and productive lives and are now at rest, there is never a good time to say a final goodbye to those we care about.

My heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of Harry and Joe and my heartfelt thanks to all of the friends who have sent me messages of sympathy and encouragement on the loss of Mom. Your kindness is much appreciated.

I hope to see all of you at the monthly meeting on this coming Monday, September 21 and at our Christmas event as well.

Tony Mustaro

President
Accordion Club of the Redwoods

Obituary

Edith Mustaro

MUSTARO, Edith M. 95, of Somerdale, NJ, passed away on August 27, 2015. She was the last of her generation in her family and will be greatly missed. She leaves behind her loving children, Anthony (Olga) Mustaro and Dee Brittain; her grandchildren, Kenneth, Daniele, Lance, and Matthew; a great-grandson, Jackson, and many nieces and nephews. Services were held privately at the request of the family. Donations in Edith’s memory may be made to Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Dr. # 300, Marlton, NJ 08053.

 

Obituary

Joe Chiesa

 

​On August 15, 2015, family, friends, and community lost a very special man. After a lengthy illness, Joseph Chiesa left this world peacefully surrounded by his beloved wife of 30 years Donna, his adoring children, Joseph Jr, Mary Everitt, and Antoinette Chiesa.

He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and his extended family in New York and elsewhere along with a multitude of very close friends. Joseph was born in New York City on June 15, 1930.  Prior to his retirement, he was for  many years, in the food service industry. In addition to the love he had for his family and friends and other hobbies, his favorite activity was to play his accordion as an entertainer at home and among his friends. As a member of the Accordion Club of the Redwoods, Joe was on the board of directors and one of his pleasures was overseeing the Scholarship Program for students learning to play the accordion.  He was also a charter member of the ACR joining the club just months after its inception.  Joe was also a licensed pilot, his lifelong pleasure were those times when he was able to pilot an airplane,  In the early fifties, he served in the United States Air Force as an airplane mechanic. While stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base in Marin County, he visited Santa Rosa and decided to make it his home.  He was a fine cook, story teller and loved to make people laugh.

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow;
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle Autumn’s rain.

When you waken in the morning’s hush;
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight;
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die

Mary Elizabeth Frye 1932

Renee und Ingo Brauning’s Wedding

ReneeMotorcycle

Photos of Renée de la Prade`s marriage on August 28,in Meiningen, East Germany. Renee, who was a long time member of our club, played accordion with both “Culann’s Hounds” and “Whiskey Women” for years in the Bay Area. She also published the “Accordion Babes” calendar for many years. Renee fell in love with the drummer on “Rebel Lovers” while on tour in Europe. She will be taking up residence in Hamburg, Germany, with her new husband, Ingo Brauning.

SEPTEMBER ENTERTAINMENT

Xavier

Diana drafted me to play and fortunately I had been practicing six French songs for my fifteen minutes of fame at the Cotati Festival. My first song was “Prendre Un Petit Coup.” This song tells you it is agreeable to have a drink or two, but not to the point of rolling under the table. I then played a medley of three waltzes “Mademoiselle de Paris,” “Sous Les Ponts de Paris,” and “La Seine.” My third song was “Chevaliers de la Table Ronde.” This song recommends that one should taste the wine first to see it it is good, and if it is, then drink three or five bottles with a woman on one’s knees. I then played an old waltz “Le Petit Vin Blanc.” This song is about a mother who tells her daughter she married a loser because she drank too much cheap wine. Song number five was “Aupres de Ma Blonde.” It is another old song dating back to Louis the XIV celebrating the fact that it is nice to be sleeping next to your sweetheart. What else is new? My last song was from Quebec “Alouette.” This song is about a trapper annoyed by the singing of a “lark.” He sings that he will pluck its feathers starting with the head all the way to the legs. Fortunately, the French members of the club gave me great moral support by singing along with me. Thanks to all.

Elmo Fama

Elmo Fama was our next draftee.
He wowed us with his playlist of “Love You with All My Heart,” “My Blue Heaven,” “Mariani,” and finally with “Alley Cat.”

Frank Divita

Frank Divita was our next and final draftee.
His playlist was enthusiastic “Juliata Polka,” “Opali Opali (sp?),” Canary Song,” “The Lady Is a Tramp,” “Aristide,” and finally with a rousing “Roll Out the Barrel.”

 

Cotati Accordion Fest thanks to Jeanine Aguerre

Cotati Accordion Festival 2015
Filed Under: Newsletter, September 2015
August 13, 2015

The ReeDWOODER , Vol 229, August 2015

Presidents Message

Tony Mustaro

Dear Friends,

Well, it’s August again and we all know what that means. Cotati Accordion Festival time!

Once again this year our club is selling discount tickets to the festival. This gives you an opportunity to save some money on your ticket and gives the club an opportunity to add a few dollars to the treasury. You can see Art Clark or Cathy Patton for tickets. You can also buy tickets for friends who will attend the festival.

This is the 25th year for the Cotati Festival and also the 25th year for the Steve Balich Band playing for dancers in the big tent. Steve Sr. is one of the original founders along with Jim Boggio and we are happy to congratulate him on this landmark year. The festival staff has lined up an impressive roster of American and international artists to perform this year and our club will have a booth at the festival again this year. We will have a couple of accordions for sale and a large amount of accordion music for sale this year. All will be at bargain prices so stop by the booth and say hello and pick up some new (to you) music to work on at home.

I would like to thank all of the club members who dedicated so much time, work and talent in order to stage the July daytime meeting and meal which so many members indicated that they would like to see the club sponsor. As you may know I was absent from this area for over a month due to a family illness and I appreciate all of those people who stepped up to make the event happen as promised.

Unfortunately, the turnout for this event was dismal. The event took so much time and work by the volunteers and the lack of support by the club’s general population makes it very unlikely that we will be doing similar events again. I have asked many times to let the officers and board know what events and activities all of you would like to see us sponsor and a daytime meeting was the most requested item. I really don’t know what else we can do to elicit more participation from the general membership. Once again, we are open to ideas so let us know what you a willing to support.

See you at the next meeting and at Cotati.

Tony Mustaro

President
Accordion Club of the Redwoods

Obituary

Joe Chiesa

 

CHIESA, Joseph June 15, 1930 – August 15, 2015 On August 15, 2015 at 4:40 a.m., our Beloved Joseph M. Chiesa passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family, and after a prolonged battle with cancer. Joseph was born in New York City in 1930, the son of belated parents, Mary and Tony Armanini; father of belated daughter, Katherine J. DelNero, and belated son, Robert Henderson. .He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Donna Henderson Chiesa, and her children, Sheila (Joe) Ajuay, Laurie (James) Carew, Michael (Tricia) Henderson; his children, Joseph (Shirley) Chiesa, Jr., Mary Everitt, and Antoinette Chiesa. In addition, being such a loving person, he considered Joey Young, Jr and Phyllis Biehn, as his own. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and his extended family in New York and elsewhere along with a multitude of very close friends. He excelled for many years in the Food Service Industry. In addition to the love he has for his family and friends and other hobbies, his favorite activity was to play his accordion as an Entertainer, at home and among his friends. As a member of the Accordion Club of the Redwoods, he oversaw the Scholarship program for new students of the instrument. Joe also really enjoyed those times when he was able to pilot an airplane, which was a life long pleasure. As a Veteran while stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base in Marin County, he visited Santa Rosa in the early fifties and made it his home. Joe was a fine cook, story teller and loved to make people laugh. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Heartland Hospice Services and their teams for their support in his final days. Family and friends are invited to a visitation at Daniels Chapel of the Roses, 1225 Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa, California 95405 on Friday, August 21st, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 6:00 p.m. There will be a Funeral Service Saturday, August 22nd, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., Calvary Catholic Cemetery Chapel, 2930 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa 95404. All are invited to a reception following the service where sharing of remembrances and music may be played.

 

Bulletin Board

Accordion Festiva 2015

Do you enjoy our meetings?
Do you enjoy our musical entertainment and dinners?
How about the camaraderie at the meetings?

Do you wish to continue as a member of the Accordion Club of the Redwoods ? ? ? Have you sent in your renewal payment ? ? ?  the yearly dues are $30. for member and spouse, $20. for individual.  Our annual membership runs from May 1 thru April 30.

Send your information and check (made payable to A.C.R)

to:  Diana Santi,
3 Sandalwood Court
San Rafael, CA 94903.

Hurry, hurry, time is running out ‘til you are no longer a member.

Don’t be shy……

If you have any “news” that you would like share with the membership, send your news items to Art Clark at thereedwooder@gmail.com so that we may publish them in the Reedwooder.

Morbidoni accordion for sale.

Has 5 sets bass reeds, 3 sets treble reeds, LMH configuration, 41 keys, 120 bass, 19 ¼” keyboard, weighs 24 pounds. Good reed response, good sound, smooth shallow keyboard action, tight bellows, good condition. Wax and leathers excellent, no rust or mildew. Black accordion, white straps, white back pad. $800 or best offer. George Bachich put it in good condition for sale. Call George (707) 738-5276.

Do you have some interesting news that you would like to share with the membership? By all means write it up and send your article to: thereedwooder@gmail.com If you feel you can’t write an article, no problem, give us your information we will be happy to write it up for you……

AUGUST ENTERTAINMENT

Our annual Saturday luncheon meeting was held at the Hermann Sons Hall on Saturday, July 18. The beautiful music supplied by Xavier de la Prade, Meryle Dahl, Guy Richards, Steve Balich and Steve Albini made for some wonderful dancing and singing, the food was plentiful and prepared by Kris Nelson, Steve Albini, Elmo Fama, Johny Patton, Del Patton and Steve Balich and was served by Jane Tripi and Annette Casabonne. A big thank you to all that helped make this a truly wonderful day.

Sausage feed kitchen crew

IMG_1965

There wasn’t the massive turnout that we expected and cooked for, but for those of us that were there, we had a heck of a good time. The music played and we danced and sang until after 4 PM.

Sausage Feed Crowd
Filed Under: August 2015, Newsletter
July 8, 2015

The ReeDWOODER, Vol 228, July 2015

Presidents Message

Tony Mustaro

Dear Friends,

I am writing this message to you from our family home in New Jersey which I helped to build in 1962. Olga and I are here visiting my mom, Edith Mustaro, who turned 95 on March 1, 2015. It was a long drive, just a few miles short of three thousand miles, but we made it in four days and we enjoyed it.

Mom is still living on her own and cooking and cleaning just as she did when I was growing up. The house is immaculately clean inside, but she is upset because she cannot maintain the yard in the condition that she is used to keeping it. We’ve been working on that. She is feeling a bit under the weather these days and I ask that you remember her in your thoughts and prayers.

The major news for the ACR is that this month we will be having our July meeting on Saturday July 18 from noon until around four PM in the usual room at Hermann Sons Hall and we will be serving Italian sausages on French rolls. No meeting on the third Monday this month. The menu is the same as last year. I won’t be there to help with the cooking so the work will fall on the other board members and the usual volunteers. Please try to show them your appreciation by turning out for this meeting and inviting some friends and family members to join you. Of course our friends from the Petaluma Hermann Sons Lodge are invited to join us as well.

It was good to see many of them and many of you turn out for the pasta dinner at our last meeting. It was a very successful event and we hope to have many more like this in the near future. I loved seeing everyone socializing, eating and dancing and just having a good time. This is what our club is all about. If you enjoyed the June meeting and would like to see more meetings like this and are willing to come out and support such meetings, let me or any officer or board member know and we will try to make it happen.

Once again, I want to thank all of the volunteers who worked so hard on our last meeting to make it a success. I look forward to seeing all of you when I return. Have a great July and eat some sausage for me!!

Tony Mustaro

President
Accordion Club of the Redwoods

Breaking News

Dear Kris,
We are contacting you to request that you pass on the following information to your club members. During our August meeting Paul Pasquale of Accordions International (Salt Lake City) has agreed to make an accordion presentation in the first half. He is a past partner of the Colombo Accordion Company of San Francisco. He is the creator of today’s Concerto Digital/Acoustic Accordion which is the most advanced accordion in the world that I know of. It is used by many professionals and high end players. He also is the owner of the “Colombo” trademarked name and still builds the Colombo accordion. He also builds custom instruments for the world wide community. He also is the producer of the Las Vegas Accordion Convention in Las Vegas, this year labeled as the “Summer Solstice, Celebrate with the Stars.”
Because of this special event I would like to get the word out to everyone at the other Accordion Clubs in case they wish to attend. This will be an unusual opportunity to talk to a player who designs accordions and custom builds them. All of Paul’s electronics and software that he has created is made in the USA.
Our meeting will be on Sunday, Aug 2nd, beginning around 2 pm, at Harry’s Hofbrau in San Jose. If any more information would be useful, just let me know.

Best wishes,
Ken Caple, President SVAS.

 

Obituary

On July 8, 2015, family, friends, and community lost an amazing man. After a lengthy illness, Harry Cannata left this world peacefully with his beloved wife, Daphne (Dee) of 49 years by his side. Born November 23, 1925, he leaves an older brother, Steve, of San Francisco.
In December 1943 at the age of 18, he enlisted in the US Army. Harry served overseas in the Infantry during World War II. Seeing action in Europe.
Prior to his retirement, his earlier occupation was that of a machinist and then for 16 years as an engineer for Alcoa Glass Co. at their headquarters in San Francisco.
He was an accomplished guitarist and not only accompanied the Steve Balich Combo and many other combos, he was also the guitarist with the group “The Eurotones” which was comprised by the button box duo of Tom and Kay Newberg.
In March 1996, he along with several others got together and founded the Accordion Club of the Redwoods. He was also elected as President of ACR, a true asset to our club.

May the road rise to meet you‚
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face‚
The rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again may GOD hold you in the palm of HIS hand.
Harry, we will miss you.
Rest in Peace my friend, Rest in Peace

Dee Cannata
2579 Westberry Drive
Santa Rosa Ca 95403

 

Bulletin Board

Do you enjoy our meetings?
Do you enjoy our musical entertainment and dinners?
How about the camaraderie at the meetings?

Do you wish to continue as a member of the Accordion Club of the Redwoods ? ? ? Have you sent in your renewal payment ? ? ?  the yearly dues are $30. for member and spouse, $20. for individual.  Our annual membership runs from May 1 thru April 30.

Send your information and check (made payable to A.C.R)

to:  Diana Santi,
3 Sandalwood Court
San Rafael, CA 94903.

Hurry, hurry, time is running out ‘til you are no longer a member.

Don’t be shy……

If you have any “news” that you would like share with the membership, send your news items to Art Clark at thereedwooder@gmail.com so that we may publish them in the Reedwooder.

Morbidoni accordion for sale.

Has 5 sets bass reeds, 3 sets treble reeds, LMH configuration, 41 keys, 120 bass, 19 ¼” keyboard, weighs 24 pounds. Good reed response, good sound, smooth shallow keyboard action, tight bellows, good condition. Wax and leathers excellent, no rust or mildew. Black accordion, white straps, white back pad. $800 or best offer. George Bachich put it in good condition for sale. Call George (707) 738-5276.

Please keep in your thoughts and prayers our members who are “under the weather” Harry Canada, Joseph Chiesa, John Pordon and Edith Mustaro mother of our President Tony.

Ellen Karel plays a small but mighty accordion, on loan from Xavier de la

Prade, in the Corte Madera July 4th parade to accompany Health Care for

All-Marin singers in, “This Plan is Your Plan” about single payer universal

health care.

JULY ENTERTAINMENT

And the Band played on! Wow, what a night. I apologize for not keeping up with the playlist of our players. I was having too much fun, way too much fun. I hope you are not too disappointed. If you were there, I think you can understand my problem. If you were not there, you missed a great night!

Slide Show 2015

Filed Under: July 2015, Newsletter
June 8, 2015

The ReeDWOODER, Vol 227, June 2015

Presidents Message

Tony Mustaro

Dear Friends,

Summer is almost here and with the longer daylight hours I’m hoping to see more of our members turn out for our monthly meetings.

This month our meeting is on June 15, and we will be having another pasta dinner. By request we have added bread to the menu, so bring your appetite and bring a friend or two for a good meal and some good music afterward. It would be very helpful (and thoughtful) if you could notify me or Art Clark, our Reedwood editor, if you plan on attending the dinner. This is a great aid in enabling the cooks to purchase and prepare the correct amount of food for the dinner and eliminates waste and ensures that there will be plenty to eat for everyone.

Speaking of eating, next month for our July meeting we will meet in our usual meeting room on Saturday, July 18, instead of the third Monday. Make a note of this change on your calendar and remind your friends also. It will be an afternoon meeting from 12 PM to 4 PM and food will once again be Italian sausage with peppers and onions with French roll. This has proven to be a very popular choice in the past. Once again we ask you to bring a friend or two and try to let us know in advance of your plans to attend so that we can plan accordingly. Cost will be $8 per person. There will be accordion music, of course, and space for dancing. Even those of you who don’t enjoy night time driving can come to this one as you can be home long before dark.

If our club is to remain healthy, we must have the support of our members when we plan special functions. It takes a lot of hard work by our volunteers in order to staff these events. Even if you are unable to volunteer to work at these events, you can show your support and gratitude to these members by supporting their efforts.

The board is planning some exciting accordion events in the coming year, and we will tell you all about them as we progress in the planning stages. We are also working toward closer ties with our sister clubs. Hopefully some of you have made plans to attend the San Francisco Accordion Club Gala celebrating the 25th anniversary of the rebirth of their club.

A big thank you to our scholarship students, (teacher Marjorie Konrad) who played for us last month. They did their teacher proud, and I have had many complimentary comments from the members who enjoyed their performances in May.

Once again I would like to remind all of our friends belonging to the Petaluma Hermann Sons Lodge that they are invited and welcome to all of our social events, and we look forward to seeing them attend when they are able to do so.

See you all at the pasta feed.

Tony Mustaro

President
Accordion Club of the Redwoods

 

Another Pasta Feed

Be sure not to miss our pasta feed at our next meeting June 15. We will start serving at 6:30, and YES we will also be serving bread. The price will be $8.00, which includes the wonderful entertainment that will follow.

Club News

New Members

MICHAEL BRAUD and ANDRE FOURNIER both from Petaluma. Welcome aboard, make sure to attend our meetings and enjoy some GREAT music and camaraderie.

Please keep in your thoughts and prayers our members that are ill or recovering from surgery, especially Harry Cannata and John Pordon.

Thank you from Al Gardi

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Next Meeting and Band Practice

The ACR Club will have its next meeting on June 15, 2015, 6:30 PM. Band Practice can be held before dinner if members choose. Contact Xavier.

The meeting for July will be SATURDAY, JULY 18, from 12PM to 4PM — NOT JULY 20.

Folks, have you sent in your membership renewal and payment? The yearly dues are $30 for member and spouse, $20 for individual. Our annual membership runs from May 1 through April 30. The Membership Renewal Form is on Page 6. Please list your e-mail address.

JUNE ENTERTAINMENT

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Joey Manfredi – age 9

Joey’s playlist was “Cinderella’s Waltz,” “Tony” and “Cotton Candy.” A great job Joey; come back soon!

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Max Van Doorin – age 12

Max plays by “Ear” (an ear player?). Max is shy, but his playing was bold with “Beautiful Brown Eyes,” “Pony Boy,” and “First Waltz.” Great job Max; you and your ears can come back anytime!

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Susannah Leon – age 12

Susannah just gets better and better. She gets up 5:30 every school morning to practice her accordion then off to school and after school, baseball. Susannah dazzled us with “Fur Elise,” “The Picnic Waltz” and “Sparkling.” For an encore, she played “Dark Eyes.”

Great job Susannah as always!

My first song was, “Si j’étais resté célibataire” by André Verchurin. (If I Had Stayed Single), followed by “Reine de musette,” (The Queen of Musette) recorded by Yvette Horner. You may enjoy Googling both songs. Sheri Mignano and I then played “Paris dans chaque faubourg,” (In Paris and in Every Neighborhood) by Clair-Jabert. Our second song together was a ‘Whiter Shade of Pale,” based on a Bach aria by a group called “Procal Harem” in the sixties. My sincere thanks to Sheri for being such a great jam partner.

“Paris dans chaque faubourg,”  an enchanting waltz that transports listeners to all the favorite neighborhoods in Paris.

Sheri’s French pieces:

“Sous les toits de Paris,”  (Under the Roofs of Paris).  This was the theme song from the first French talking film in 1927.

“Retour des hirondelles,”  (The Return of the Swallows) with lots of fluttery arpeggios. It was a favorite of all the musette players.

George played three beautiful pieces, “Star Dust Melodie,” “What a Difference a Day Makes,” then ending with “Besame Mucho.” George, we need to hear from you more often.

Wow, the thrills just come gushing out of this Guy! Keeping track of what tunes and songs he played was an impossible task. But I tried. He started with “Doll Waltz,” then with “To Think You Chose Me,” “Con Te Partiro” (time to say goodbye), “Mattinata,” “Theme from Titanic,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Ave Maria” (by Shubert), “Cumparsita,” “Diana” (for Diana Santi), “a German drinking song,” “Cabaret,” “Under Paris Skies” (with Sheri Magnano), “Tra Veglia e Sonno,” “Write Myself a Letter,” “All of Me,” and some Russian tune. The hits just kept on coming, what a night!

 

Anthony Berger in Denver

Our Anthony was in the whole musical of Les Miserables, but only played his accordion in the Master of the House (the pub) scene.

Here is one of him with his accordion headed down to the stage where he performed in Denver in front of 5,000 people! He had a bit part but still, so much fun!

 

Filed Under: June 2015, Newsletter
May 11, 2015

The ReeDWOODER, Vol 226, May 2015

Presidents Message

Tony Mustaro

Dear Friends,

Although the turnout was much smaller than we had hoped for at the pasta feed before last month’s meeting, those who came for dinner were enjoyed the food provided and for that reason we have decided to do it again for the month of June. I am posting this well in advance of the June meeting so that as many people as possible will be aware of this upcoming event. It’s a lot of work to plan, shop, cook and serve a good meal for a large number of people so we are hoping for better support and a larger number of diners at the June dinner. It would be a great help if you would contact me by phone or email and let me know if you are coming so that I can plan on how much food to prepare.

Welcome to our two new officers: Kris Nelson – Vice President, and Diana Santi – Treasurer, and to our two new board members: Steve Albini and Art Clark. Steve and Kris are both also past ACR Presidents.

Once again many thanks to John Pordon our retiring Treasurer, Jan Terribilini our retiring board member and Steve Balich Sr. our retiring Vice President. These are the folks whose hard work and dedication over the years are responsible for the creation and the survival of our club. We hope to see them at the meetings for many years to come enjoying the fruits of their labor and having a well-deserved rest.

Kudos to our own John Pordon who last month was awarded the Medal of the Legion of Honor from the French government for his service to France as a US Army Infantryman in World War II. Please see details elsewhere in this issue.

I would also like to invite our friends from Hermann Sons Petaluma Lodge to attend our meetings which take place on the third Monday of each month when we are not having a special event such as a dinner dance. We usually have very good entertainment during these meetings and the boring business part is kept to a bare minimum. The fun band plays starting at 6:30 PM and plays for an hour. The evenings entertainers usually start to play around 7:45 PM. After the musical portion of the meeting we put out something to eat so you will not leave hungry. If you would like to receive information on our meetings and events we would be happy to send it to you via email. I will try to arrange for an sign-up sheet in the hallway where you can register your email address.

Marjorie Konrad informs me that we will have three of our scholarship students performing for us at the May meeting. They will each perform three numbers.

On an unhappy note, our sincere condolences to Caroline Murphy and her family and friends on the loss of our friend Thomas Murphy.

Hope to see all of you at the May meeting and the June dinner.

Tony Mustaro

President
Accordion Club of the Redwoods

 

April Dinner Meeting

Click slide of April Dinner Meeting

April Dinner Meeting

Club News

Happy 98th Birthday Al Gardi on Tax Day, April 15th

The ACR Band will have its next meeting on May 18, 2015, 6:30 PM before the ACR general meeting at 7:30 PM. All levels of players are welcome. It helps if you can read sheet music. Bring an accordion and a good measure of enthusiasm. If you would like to play in the band, please contact Xavier de la Prade at

707-769-9880 or at zavyay@gmail.com.

A heads up, we have another $8 Pasta Feed for our June 15 meeting. I hope we have a better turn out this time!

THOMAS MURPHY OBITUARY

MURPHY, Thomas Lawrence Passed away in Freestone, CA, March 24, 2015. A native of Bethel, Connecticut. Age 95 years. He was the beloved husband of Caroline Mann Murphy for 68 years, loving father of Patrick Betty, deceased T. Murphy of Alturas, Ellen Ray C. Gianoli of Palo Cedro and Sean Pattie S. Murphy of Freestone. Grandfather of 11, great-grandfather of 15, and great-great-grandfather of four; uncle of numerous nieces and nephews; brother-in-law of Doris Guy Mann, Freestone, Lois and Nick Schaeffer, Crowheart, Wyoming, and Carol James Murphy, Bethel, CT; has cousins in the eastern U.S., and Tommy and Joseph Murphy of Co. Cavin, Ireland. Preceded in death by three sisters and four brothers. A Sonoma County resident since 1946, Tommy was a journeyman machinist, leadman, and foreman, retired United Air Lines. During World War II he was stationed at Santa Rosa Naval Air Station, meeting Caroline at Midway Dance Hall. He was co-founder and Fire Chief of the Freestone Volunteer Fire Dept. for many years. He was a member of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Bodega and an enthusiastic member of the Accordion Club of the Redwoods and the Five Valley Accordion Club, Hamilton, Montana. He was a man of integrity, inventiveness, and helpfulness. He relished flying, trout fishing, and playing accordion Due to the love and generosity of family, friends, neighbors, and care-givers, after a stroke nearly two years ago, Tommy was able to remain at the home he built with Caroline. The family thanks you all. Visitation was held, Friday, April 10. Our very own Bart Beninco played at his memorial.

JOHN PORDON – LEGION OF HONOR

Tuesday, April 21, 2015, eight American veterans of World War II received the medal of the Legion of Honor from the hands of Pauline Carmona, Consul of France in San Francisco, at the Residence of France.

John PORDON joined the US Army in March 1944 at the age of 18 years. As a truck driver in the 222nd Infantry Regiment, John participated in several battles on the French territory against the German armies in northern France in 1944 and 1945.

John was wounded at Cherbourg in December 1944, and was awarded, among others, the Purple Heart Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, the European African Middle Eastern campaign medal, the Army of Occupation Medal and the WWII Victory Medal.

APRIL ENTERTAINMENT

Bart’s playlist was beautiful as always. He started with “Joe Chiesa’s Carousel,” then with “Margie,” “Tango of Roses,” “Tico Tico,” “Elephant Walk,” and finally with “Arriva Derci Roma.” As usual, Bart, your music is beautiful!

Wow, I started getting writer’s cramps trying to keep up with this guy’s playlist. Were it not for those around me, Carola and Annette, I would not have made it. Guy started with “You’re Just Too Good to Be True,” then “When You Are Smiling,” a Mazurka, “Under Paris Skies,” “Blue Bayou,” “Putting on the Ritz,” “You Are the Cream in My Coffee,” “The Boogie Woogie Man,” and wound up his performance with “Tango Por Una Cabeza.” Wow, just wow!

When you think it could not get any better, Steve and Jim brought it on. Steve started out with “East of the Sun, West of the Moon,” then “Besame Mucho,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” a neopatani song Pasioni, (from a private collection of Frances Ford Coppola’s) a Salsa – an original piece, “Beyond the Sea,” “Look at the Moon,” and “Brazil.” There were a few others that I could not spell and did not know. What a night, a pasta dinner and great music for $8, how can you miss that?

 

 

Filed Under: May 2015, Newsletter
April 15, 2015

Renewal 2017

Click form to download Renewal PDF.

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Filed Under: Club Forms, News
April 15, 2015

The ReeDWOODER, Vol. 225, April 2015

Presidents Message

Tony Mustaro
Dear Friends,

I want to get this month’s bulletin out in time to inform everyone of the pasta feed at this month’s meeting, so this will be a rather short message. I would like to thank all of you who turned out to support our annual Spring Fling. It was a very good event with much better attendance than we’ve had for for past few dinner dances we’ve sponsored. Please think about who you can encourage to attend our annual Christmas dinner dance to make our next event even bigger.

Our thanks to the members of Hermann Sons Lodge who turned out to support the event and to Lynne Ewing and Elaine Cooperstein, both officers of the San Francisco Accordion Club for their attendance. We hope to see more members of the Hermann Sons Lodge at our monthly meetings to enjoy some music and have a snack with us. We are also planning cooperative activities between the San Francisco club and ACR. A very big thank you to the volunteers who worked so hard on this event. Jane and Frank Tripi, Carola and Art Clark, Annette Cassabonne, Marilyn Sylvestri, Jan Terribilini, Diana and Ivano Santi, Phil and Cheri Marcucci, Xavier de la Prade, Kris Nelson, Olga Kinder, Elmo Fama, Denise French and The Steve Balich Band.

I would also like to let everyone know that at our regular dinner dances the first table on the left as you face the stage is always reserved for the band and the kitchen staff. This year we had an incident where Frank and Jane were told that they could not sit at that table because seats were being saved for friends yet to arrive. Please be aware of for whom this table is set aside and be respectful of the people who work to make the event a success.

A special thank you to Nancy Pordon for stepping in and helping with all of the work that John has usually done in the past.

This month we a having a pasta feed. So I hope to see a large turnout for the meeting. We also have some great entertainment lined up for the April meeting. So turn out , have a good meal and take part in our annual election of officers and board members.

We have some new names appearing on the ballot this year, which you will discover elsewhere in this Reedwooder. Our sincere thanks to retiring officers and board members for their many years of devoted service. These folks have kept the club alive. See you at the April meeting.

Tony Mustaro

President
Accordion Club of the Redwoods

 

Club Entertainment

Click slide show for pictures of Spring Fling

Spring Fling 2015

Filed Under: April 2015, Newsletter
February 25, 2015

San Francisco Bay Area Accordion Orchestra Project III

  • Do you want to play music with other accordionists?
  • Are you interested in playing familiar tunes?
  • Is it difficult to make a long-term commitment to participate with an established group?

If you answered Yes to any or all of these questions, you’re a likely candidate to attend our third Accordion Orchestra Project held in San Mateo.
Rehearsals will be held on the following dates from 10 AM until approx. 2:30 PM (with breaks): The Project will be directed by Richard Yaus, the leading force behind the successful accordion ensemble AbsolutAccord and the Accordion Orchestra Projects in 2013 and 2014. The goal is to bring accordionists together to create a one-of-a-kind orchestra experience that will conclude with a performance at the Silicon Valley Accordion Society (SVAS) in San Jose on June 7, 2015.

Click the attached document below for more information.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized
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