Larry Hallar joins his student Eric Noltkamper on
stage.
| The St Louis Metro Polka Club celebrated its 20th anniversary March 20th with an anniversary dinner dance. It was a difficult decision to choose the entertainment for our event. St. Louis has the good fortune of many local polka bands that perform at the monthly meetings and that are showcased at our festivals. How to choose between – The AlleyKats, Danny Krausz Band, Die Spitzbuam , Dynamic Combo, Dave Hylla's Good Times Band, Herb Eberle Band, Heritage Band, JayJay Polka Lovers, St. Louis Czech Express, Joey James Orchestra, Trio Freddi , Larry Hallar's Two Star Final and Polka Connection – it was impossible. So, the club officers put on their thinking caps and decided that Eric Noltkamper’s Band would be a fitting band since Eric was born in the St Louis area and played with the Herb Eberle band for many years and has been a longtime member of the club. |
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The original officers in 1984 were Shirley and
Leroy Schultz, Eleanor and Joe Kania, Betty Peek, Stan and Bernice Novak and Ray and
Jeannie Knopik. The club logo, a blue on white background Polka with the L in polka a G
clef, was designed by Stan Novak. Additional people who have held an officers position throughout the years include Helen Baim, Lil Kopec, Gerald Reed, Clarence and Vera Schaeffer, Frances McNeely, George Novak, Frank Giballa, Frank Langenhorst, and the current officers finishing their term in 2004: President - Ron Andracsek, Vice-President - Gene Lawrence, Recording Secretary -Claire Andracsek, Treasurer - Shirley Langenhorst , Corresponding Secretary - Mike Bergmire , Sergeant-At-Arms - Chester Kopec , Director-At-Large - Joe Kania , Director-Constitution - Barbara Bergmire , and Director-Social - Fran Janik. |
| Shirley Schultz the club's first president dances with Joe Szydlowski |
| Notable musicians who joined the club include Frankie Yankovic
(deceased), Jimmy Sturr, Dick Pillar, Walter Ostanek, Jan Lewin, Roger Bright (deceased),
and Marv Herzog (deceased). The club has really grown since it’s inception in 1984 and is now has about 600 members. The club hosts 2 theme dances each year – Polka Stampede and The Hawaiian S.H.I.R.T. dance, and a 3-day Polkafest each November in addition to it’s monthly dances. The club has computerized with our newsletters and membership roster and has a 24 hour a day presence on the World Wide Web at www.folkfire.org/polka. The club has had 15 years of polka festivals with the following out of town performers: Duane Malinowski, Freddy K, Verne Meisner, Downtown Sounds, E-Z Tones, Walter Ostanek, Bob Doszak, Roger Bright, Gordon Hartmann, Jimmie Mieszala, Joe Beno, Verne and Steve Meisner, Chicago Milwaukee Ave, Joe Fedorchak, Toledo Polkamotion, Polka Nuts, Marv Nissel Band, The Polka Quads, Don Lipovac Orchestra, Polka Pals, Julida Boys, Michigan Connection, Crusade, Jodi Mikula, Take-Five, Becky’s Ivanhoe Dutchman, Pat Zoromski and the Boys from Polonia, The Casuals, Julida Boys, Brass Notes, John Stevens and Double Shot, Gerry Tarka, The Greg Anderson Band, and Kenny Brandt. |
| The club currently sponsors several ethnic youth dancing groups, and
provides sponsorship to polka radio programming on 770 AM WEW Polka Plus with Anthony
Kaminski , 880 AM Polka Celebration with Joe and Debbie Wondolowski and 1230 AM WHCO Polka
with Al Dreas. The club hopes to be around for another 20 years. |
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Anthony Kaminski attended the 20th anniversary celebration. Anthony is the host of Polka Plus on WEW 770 AM on Sunday's |
Last modified 01/13/06
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