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October 13, 2017

ReeDWooder, Vol. 247 September-October, 2017

Presidents Message

Tony Mustaro

Dear Friends,

Fall is here and we are already planning our Christmas Dinner Dance which will be held at Hermann Sons Hall on December 2, 2017. We will have our usual combination of good food, good wine and good music where friends can get together to usher in the holiday season.

We will send a separate mailer to you which you can return with your reservation requests in the near future. Right now, just mark December 2 on your calendar. Invite your friends and relatives to attend. Music this year will be by Steve Albini and Tatiana and Jim Lehmann.

Our August meeting pasta dinner had a good turnout, good music and a good time was had by all judging by the comments heard during the evening. Steve Albini will be our featured performer for our October meeting so make sure you save the date and turn out this month.

On a more somber note, one of the primary movers and founders of our club and of the Cotati Accordion Festival, my good friend Steve Balich, passed away on October 6th. There will be a very private cremation, with a memorial to be held in January around his birthday. Steve has been a patient and a friend of mine for over forty-five years and I hold him in great esteem as one of the finest and most generous people I have ever known. He has always been willing to give freely of his time, his knowledge and his talent. He has served our club as a founder, president, vice president, board member, band leader, caterer, public relations representative, and liaison to other clubs and to the public and in general. He has been married to his sweetheart, Jenny, for over seventy years and I had the honor of playing for their seventieth anniversary party and seeing Steve and Jenny dance together for the last time in public on that occasion. This club and the Cotati Accordion Festival are only a part of his legacy. He has passed his love of music and the accordion as well as his generosity of spirit on his son Steve junior. I believe that it would be fitting to have a statue of Steve join the statue of Jim Boggio in the Cotati Plaza where the festival is held annually and ask your support in working toward this goal.

Please remember Steve, Jenny and the Balich family in your thoughts and in your prayers.

Tony Mustaro
President

September MEETING

Frank Divita

Frank played his usual fantastic tunes. This consisted of “Moonlight,” ‘Iupali Iupali,”

“Roll out the Barrel.” Sentimental Journey,” and Mazurka, Great job as usual Frank.

Jane Tripi

Wow, Jane played some great music. I hope I can read my writing. “Sonata Pathetique Allegro Movement,” “Meglio Stasera,” “Unforgettable,” and “Rambling Rose.” We wish that you would play for us for often Jane.

Ed Sciarini from Escalon

Ed stayed over another night after Cotati and stopped by to have some pasta and flay for us. His playlist was “Bella Verzaschini.” “Picola Vagabonda,” “Chicilo,” “ Ticinella” and “La Romanina.” It’s always nice to have a guest artist from a sister club stop by.

Hurry back Ed.

Bart Benico

We have not heard Bart for some time. His playlist was “Tango of the Roses,” “Arrivederci Roma,” and “Tonight Tonight from West Side Story.”
We hope that Bart’s next performance for the club won’t be too far away.

Ed and Steve, Then Ed, Steve and Tony

Wow, the hits just keep coming. If you did not make this event, you truly missed a great time.

Ed, Steve and Tony

We truly have a great President and Cook!

September 2017 Audience

Filed Under: Newsletter, Sept-Oct 2017

August 17, 2017

ReeDWooder, Vol. 246 July-August, 2017

Presidents Message

Tony Mustaro

Dear Friends,

There are lots of accordion events happening in our area this month. Of course all of you know that the Cotati Accordion Festival will take place the weekend before our Monday August 21st general meeting. Our club will be selling discounted tickets to the Cotati Accordion Festival again this year. Cathy Patton is our ticket sales chairperson for this year. Art Clark will, of course, be selling tickets as he has done in the past. You can see either Cathy or Art to purchase tickets. If you have friends attending Cotati this year be sure to ask them if they would like to purchase tickets through our club. This will benefit the club and help them to save money at the same time. It’s a win win deal. Hope to see many of you there.

In addition, I want to remind you again that we are serving a pasta dinner at our general meeting on Monday August 21. We’ll be serving pasta with meat sauce, salad and Italian bread starting at 6:30 on the night of the meeting. All members and their guests are invited and encouraged to attend. Please try to attend the dinner and the meeting. We can promise you that good food and good music will be in abundance.
Another reminder that the Sons of Italy picnic at Penngrove Park is scheduled for Sunday August 13th. Please contact Ann Albertoni for more information.

I had the honor to attend the celebration of Steve and Jennie Balich’s 70th wedding anniversary last month. Congratulations on continuing a great life together.

Happy 90th Birthday to our own Dorothy Nadale.

For those of you who don’t already know, there will also be a total solar eclipse on Monday August 21st as well. This is an extremely rare event which occurs in any given area only once in several lifetimes so be prepared. Please inform yourselves regarding how to safely view the eclipse without damaging your vision. We will not have a total eclipse here in Sonoma County as I understand it, but there will be a significant blockage of the sun as the moon passes in front of it at our location.

I ask you to remember our dedicated Treasurer Diana Santi and her family in your thoughts and prayers at this time as Diana is experiencing some health problems and we are all wishing her a speedy recovery.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the meeting.

Tony Mustaro
President

July MEETING

Frank Divita

Frank was in great form. His playlist was “The Canary Song,” “Moon Glow,” “Aristide,” “Olumpali Olympala,” “The Woodpecker Song,” “The Lady is a Tramp,” “Just Another Polka,” “Polka La Companiale,” and finished off with “Sentimental Journey.”

Great Job Frank

Elmo Fama

Elma’s playlist was short but most entertaining. His playlist was ‘Sleepy Time Gal,” “Love Me with All of Your Heart,” “My Blue Heaven,” “My Love Forgive Me”

Always a pleasure to listen to you.

Tony Mustaro

Tony wrapped is all up, amd what a wrap. His playlist was “Tanga of The Roses,” Mattinata Fiorentina,” “The God Father Theme,” “Oi Mari,” “Bessame Mucho.” “Lost Hope,” “Tomaa a Surriento,” “Beer Barrel Polka,” “Dicitencello Vuje,” “Clarinet Polka.” and “Ferry Boat Seranade,” and “Tango dele Capinere”.
There were many more, but I could not spell them or keep up.

You missed a geat night!!

July 2017 Audience

Filed Under: July - August 2017, Newsletter

June 20, 2017

ReeDWooder, Vol. 245 June-July, 2017

Presidents Message

Tony Mustaro

Dear Friends,

Hope this issue of the Reedwooder finds everyone well, healthy, happy and ready to attend our next general meeting on June 19 of this month. The fun band will be there at 6:30 as usual to start off our evening of music. In discussing the fun band at our last board meeting, we have realized that the group has been without an official leader since Steve Balich has been unable to continue in that capacity. Steve has always expressed his appreciation of our Scholarship Chairman, Frank Divita’s playing ability, and accordingly the board has asked me to ask Frank to officially assume the position of leader. Xavier will continue to do the great job that he has always done as the band music librarian. We are anxious to hear another selection of our club songs this coming meeting.

The club will be selling discounted tickets to the Cotati Accordion Festival again this year. Cathy Patton has graciously volunteered to act as ticket sales chairperson for this year. Art Clark will, of course, be selling tickets as he has done in the past. You can see either Cathy or Art to purchase tickets. If you have friends attending Cotati this year, be sure to ask them if they would like to purchase tickets through our club. This will benefit the club and help them to save money at the same time. It’s a win win deal.

The board has decided to have a pasta dinner at our general meeting in the month of August (August 21, to be exact). I have usually received positive reviews of my sugo at past dinners, so I have volunteered to prepare this again. Kris Nelson and Steve Albini have volunteered to prepare the meal as well. We’ll be serving pasta with meat sauce, salad and Italian bread starting at 6:30 on the night of the meeting. All members and their guests are invited and encouraged to attend.

Ann Albertoni, our club secretary, and also President of the Sons of Italy Petaluma, has informed me that they are planning a picnic at Penngrove Park on August 13. See Ann for more information regarding this event. If you would like to perform on behalf of our club at this event, please talk to Ann about that as well.

Before I sign off, I want to remind you that if you haven’t yet sent your annual membership dues to Diana Santi, you are in arrears so please do so to assure continued delivery of your Reedwooder.

Hope to see you at the next meeting, at the August 13 picnic (Sons of Italy), at the Cotati Accordion Festival and at our August 21 general meeting and pasta dinner.

Tony Mustaro
President

April MEETING

Weylih West

Weylih is only 14 and had only been playing for about 6 months.
His playlist was “Beans and Macaroni Soup,” “Come to the Sea.” and “Over the Waves.” Great Job Weylih, come back soon!

Ken Kelzer

Ken plays very thoughtful his pieces. His playlist was “Under the Double Eagle” (marching tune), “My Old Kentucky Home,” and “Spanish Eyes.”
Thank you Ken; it is always a pleasure.

Frank Divita

Frank was, as always, in great form! His playlist was “Sentimental Journey Home,” “La Companiola,” “Just Another Polka,” and to finish off with a “Mazurka.” Always a good night with Frank!

Sheri Mignano

Sheri’s playlist was both beautiful and informative. Her playlist was “Mon Manege a Moi” (an Edith Piaf song composed by Norbert Glanzberg), “Meglia Stasera “, a samba , “It Better Be Tonight” by Henry Mancini from the Pink Panther a movie, and finished off with “ La Rondinella “ (The Swallow) an Italian mazurka. Great job Sheri.

Patty Perez

Patty is the heart of Showcase and her husband Louie is the soul. They are our new members. Patty played her lively dance tunes and some of us even danced, Her playlist was “Breeze” (a tango), “It Better Be Tonight,” and “Light & Darkness.” Many others were played, but I was too busy dancing to write them down. Please come back again soon.

April 2017 Jammers and Audience

Filed Under: June July 2017, Newsletter

April 10, 2017

ReeDWooder, Vol. 243 February-March, 2017

Presidents Message

Tony Mustaro

Dear Friends,

The food wine and music were great as usual at last month’s annual Spring Fling dinner dance. The attendance was less than we had hoped to have for this event. That notwithstanding, everyone who attended had an enjoyable evening of dining dancing and visiting with friends.

I want to thank all of our members who worked to make this event happen. To Diana for all the hours of work involved in planning and creating such an event; to Jane, Frank, Kris, Xavier, Ann, Annette, Marilyn, Elmo, Denise, Carola, Art, Olga and members of Hermann Sons Lodge, all of whom pitched in to help make this event successful sincere thanks. I believe that we too seldom offer our thanks to the few who do so much to keep this club afloat.

I was pleased to have Skyler and Accordion Apocalypse friends join us at our last meeting.Hope to see them more often at future meetings.

Our general meeting will take place on Monday the 17th this month, so please do include attendance in your plans for April.

I ran into Marie Meredith yesterday. She has a beautiful new Petosa accordion and there is a good chance that she will be able to attend and play for us this month. For those of you who are new to the club, Marie was a member for years. She is a very talented performer and played as part of a duo with the late Jim Martini and with her own band after that. I’m hoping to see Steve Balich (both of them) there along with Steve Albini if his plane arrives home in time to get to the meeting. Also inviting Frank Divita, Xavier, Elmo, Don Fertig, Jane and some of our other players to play for us, if not this month, then at our next meeting in June. Share your music with others. That’s what it’s for.

I spoke with Joe Domitrowich recently. He has been very busy with his many musical interests but he has consented to play for us at one of our meetings in the not-too-distant future. Check your coming issues of the Reedwooder for more information on when Joe will be entertaining us.

Hope to see a good turnout at the April meeting

Tony Mustaro
President

FEBRUARY MEETING

Joey Manfredi

Joey played “Estoniantina Waltz” by E Waldteufel, “O Sole Mio” by Edward Capua and for a finale, “The Carnival of Venice” by Ole Staff. Come back soon Joey.

Susannah Leon

Susannah is always a delight. She played a French Musset, “Bonjour Paris” and the “Theme form the Godfather.” She is always a delight. Hurry back Susannah.

Frank Divita

Frank’s playlist is always a delight. He played a combination of many tunes followed by “Give My Hat Back,” and “Lupali Lupala.”

Skyler Fell and Kalei Yamanaha

Wow, what can I say. They all were original tunes. Skyler played “Mon Amant du St. Jean,” “Pony” by Kasey Chanbers and “Buba Mora” and “Karapet” an Eastern European medley. Kalei played “Templetons Trip,” “Rag Kite” and “Vestige Hem.” My spelling is atrocious. I am coping the notes that Skyler gave me and it is very small. You just needed to be there; what a night!

Ken Kelzer

Ken was in fine form as usual. His playlist was “Ay, Jalisco No Te Rajes,” “Muss I Denn,” and “Begin the Beguine.”

Steve Balich Jr

It just keeps getting better. Steve’s playlist was “A Time for Love,” “Schneider Polka,” “My Father’s Waltz,” “Angel Face,” and the finale with “My Happy Wife Polka.”

Steve, Kris and Tony

It was hard to keep up with these guys. Tony and Steve teamed up to play “Las Piniole” and “Aye Jalisco No Te Rajes.” Then Kris, Tony and Steve teamed up with Kris singing “Your Cheating Heart,” “Jambalaya,” and “Busqanan.” You missed a great night if you did not show up.

SPRING FLING 2017

The attendance was small, but the people were anything but small.
The food was supurb
and
The music was even better!
You missed a great night!!

PICTURES ARCHIVE

Guess who the accordionist is. His initials are ?

Filed Under: February March 2017, Newsletter

February 13, 2017

ReeDWooder, Vol. 242 February, 2017

Presidents Message

Tony Mustaro

Dear Friends,

We are beginning a new year at ACR and I hope that all are happy and well. Enjoy the photos of our 2016 Holiday dinner dance which was a big success.

There are a few items that I need to inform you of in this message: Remember that yearly dues remittance is coming up in April along with election of club leaders, and secondly, our annual Spring Fling dinner dance will be held on March 25, 2017. Lombardi Catering will be cooking a great meal for us again. Please make your reservations early and please give me any feedback you have regarding the dinner menu. I will contact Phil and Cheri Marcucci regarding their terrific wines for our new round tables.
We have a lot of music planned for our February 20 meeting. Marjorie had three of her accordion students playing for us this month.
Art Clark has informed me that Patti Perez of Showcase plans on joining us at this meeting.
Steve Balich Senior and Junior are also planning to attend and we may be able to press one or both of them into service.
I know that Steve Albini has just purchased a brand new all blonde wood Ottavianelli Super Jazz accordion which has just been delivered to him this week and he has been playing it non-stop since Wednesday. Maybe he will come and give us a demo as well.

I would like to welcome our newest member, Felicia McFall, to our club. Felicia, who entertained us last year, is a serious music student whom I met at SRJC. She is concert mistress of the college orchestra being an accomplished violinist as well as accordionist. We are looking forward to seeing her and maybe even one or two of her friends at the meeting.
Despite the many jokes we hear about accordions, there are definitely a lot of people who want one. A recent news article reports that a family run accordion shop in Berkshire, England suffered two burglaries, one last August and one this month, during which a total of about $190,000.00 worth of accordions were stolen and presumably shipped to continental Europe for resale.
Finally we send our condolences to the friends and family of Joe Greco. Please take a moment to remember Joe, a true accordion enthusiast, who passed last year.
I look forward to seeing you at this month’s meeting