Volume 15, Issue 2 August 2015 SQUEEZINS "Our squeezin’...is pleasin’" The Oklahoma Club Newsletter Septemberfest Dick Albreski

We can’t forget that in drinks will also be three months it will be provided. This German Septemberfest at the OAC. It feast will be served at will be held September13, 4:00 pm. 2015 at the Messiah Lutheran Church located at the All OAC members are southeast corner of Northwest encouraged to attend, Expressway and Portland in and each member can Oklahoma City. This annual bring one guest. This event preludes the spirit of event is not open to the the German Oktoberfest public. This is our only celebrations that are held all CLOSED MEETING of over the world. Accordionists the year. Reservations are a very important part of the are a must for each Oktoberfest parties, so it is only natural that the member and guest. WHY? We must know who OAC celebrates as well. will attend so we can prepare the required amount of food. We start the festivities with German music and German food in a Bavarian setting. On the plate Now the rest is up to you. The only way we for German music, you will enjoy the” Beer Barrel cam make this event a success is to have you ,” the ”Liechtensteiner Polka,” and the participate. That means you will start to practice “Schnee Valzer,” plus many more traditional your German music, and that you will make the German tunes. necessary reservation. Please contact Barbara Duer at 405/721-9657, or e-mail Barbara at On the culinary plate, you will enjoy brats or [email protected] to make your reservation. hotdogs, German potato salad, sauerkraut, red cabbage salad, rolls, and apple kucken. Soft

August Concert

In lieu of our August meeting, we will the concert is free. Because of the overflow present our annual concert on Sunday, turnout last year, the venue has been moved to August 9, at 2:30 pm, at the Yukon Czech the Czech Hall in Yukon. Many of our Hall. The Hall is located at 205 North Czech members have volunteered to perform, so it Hall Road in Yukon, Oklahoma (I-40, Exit will be a grand concert. 137). All are welcome to join in on the fun! The general public is invited to come, and

The Oklahoma Squeezins August 2015 Page 1 The Prez Sez Board of Directors PRESIDENT Barbara Duer Barbara Duer 100010 Hefner Village Terrace The third OAC concert is just a week away. The concert is a lot of Oklahoma City, OK 73162 work for members of the committee and performers, but from what 405/721-9657 I’ve experienced, well worth the effort. I personally have benefitted [email protected] from getting to know many of the members better. Working together brings us together to produce something very much enjoyed by VICE-PRESIDENT members of the community we entertain. Each year we have had a Tom Phillips great feeling of accomplishment from successful concerts. Holdenville, OK Another benefit of the concert is the result of advertising that lets [email protected] people know there is an accordion club. I’ve had two calls from people to donate , a call from a person that produced a gig TREASURER for the Accordionaires, and a possible new member who found out Milo Shedeck about us from the newspaper article. 12805 Castlerock Court Septemberfest is the next item on our calendar. At Septemberfest, Oklahoma City, OK 73142 the Club provides a great dinner of German food for members and [email protected] their guests. I need your reservations as soon as possible, so we can determine how much food to buy and prepare. Call me at SECRETARY 405/721-9657 to make reservations. Maggie Abel I’m working on having short programs for some of the upcoming Oklahoma City, OK Club meetings. September is the Septemberfest dinner; in October, [email protected] Bob Mansfield will entertain us with “ Around the World;” in HISTORIAN/LIBRARIAN November, Dick Albreski and I will present a brief history and the Karen West music of Frosini; and the Youth Band will entertain us at the Oklahoma City, OK December meeting. [email protected] I’ll see you at the Concert, PAST PRESIDENT • Barbara Dick Albreski Oklahoma City, OK [email protected] Advertisements NEWSLETTER EDITOR Frank Gesinski 8035 South Irvington Tulsa, OK 74136-8404 918/492-1715 [email protected] WEBMASTER Diana Richard [email protected] WEBSITE http://www.okaccordions.com/

Lifetime Members • Jim & August Butricks • William “Rusty” Dolton • Janet Haskin • Roland Lohmann • Frankie Martinez • Bob Mansfield • Tom Phillips • Phil Scibelli

Page 2 August 2015 The Oklahoma Squeezins Mark Your Calendars Dick Albreski

The OAC will hold their Third Annual 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Norman Train Accordion Affair August 9, 2015 at the Station. Guest artist will be Nick Czech Hall on Czech Hall Road in Ballarini from Dallas, and George Secor. Yukon, Oklahoma. The concert will take Also, you will hear the Prime Squeeze place from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. All OAC Trio, consisting of Bob Mansfield, members are encouraged to perform, plus Roland Lohmann, and Rod Murrow, plus bring family and friends. Once again, many additional OAC members who will Lucas Ross from KFOR will show his perform. For more information contact accordion talents and emcee the program. Roland Lohmann at 405/819-3521 or visit [email protected]. Cotati Accordion 25th Annual Festival will be held on August 22 and 23, 2015 in The OAC Christmas Party is currently Cotati, CA. An old OAC friend, Ginny scheduled for December 13, 2015, at the Mac, will be one of the many talented Messiah Lutheran Church located at the accordionists. It will also feature the corner of Portland and Northwest reunion of Those Darn Accordions band. Expressway in Oklahoma City, For more information, visit Oklahoma, from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. This www.cotatifest.com. annual event will have a silent auction, with the proceeds going to the Youth Fourth Annual OAC Septemberfest will Band, and the collection of hats, scarves, be held on September 13, 2015, at the socks, and gloves for the homeless. It is Messiah Lutheran Church from 3:30 to our time for giving, but also receiving. 5:50 pm. All members and guests are There will be a cookie and candy welcome. For more information, see exchange that will tempt the appetites of Squeezins, the OAC N\newsletter, or visit all. Imagine eating all the treats as you the www.OKAccordions.com website. listen to played on the accordion. The Callithumpian Squeeze presented by Roland Lohmann and The Good Things Look for more accordion events in future Confectionary on October 18, 2015 from issues of Squeezins.

Q: What is the perfect weight for an Q: What's the difference between an accordion player? accordion player and god? A: Three-and-a-half pounds, including the A: God doesn't think he's an accordion urn. player.

Q: Why do musicians leave their Q: What do you call a successful accordions on the dashboard? accordion player? A: So they can park in handicap spaces. A: A guy whose wife has two jobs.

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The Oklahoma Squeezins August 2015 Page 3 July Meeting Maggie Abel

OAC Meeting • Tom began the sequence by playing July 12, 2015 "Amazing Grace." Secretary's Report • The Anfangers (Tom, Myke Dixon, Rusty As Club members arrived before the meeting, Bolton, Steve Scott, Wayne Turgeon, and the Accordionaires (director Dan Orza, Lois Maggie Abel) played "Echo Waltz." Roth, Karen West, and Maggie Abel) played their August concert numbers, "Cactus • Wayne played "Golden Slippers;” Myke Polka" and "Comrades March." played "Heartbreak'n Rock;” Maggie played "Soldier's Joy." Club Vice-President Tom Phillips called the meeting to order. Twenty members and four • Steven Scott played "Fast Train;” Colleen guests attended. Rhettman played "Smile Awhile;” Karen West played "Going Out of My Head." • A photographer seeking photographs for Henry Dolive's article in The Oklahoman • Dan Orza played "Two Guitars" and "Glow shot photos during the meeting. Worm;” Rusty played "Over the Waves."

• Several guests brought accordions to sell, • The entire ensemble joined in the concert which they set up at the side of the room. finale, "God Bless America."

• Tom said parking southwest of Czech Hall • Members who were not present are is suggested, with player entry through the requested to e-mail their song titles to south door. The Czech Hall concert Maggie at [email protected] for the printed location has a raised stage. Concert players program. will enter from the left, where a small room is available for players to prepare. After Tom invited anyone who wished to play each number, accordions will be carried additional music for today's attendees to offstage, to the right, by the player. come forward. None did, and the meeting was adjourned. • Tom requested concert participants to come forward to play in the order planned for the Respectfully submitted by concert. Maggie Abel

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Accordion Lessons Dan Orza Two Master's Degrees in Music & Ed. Music Educator Dept. Head Retired US Army Band Commander Conductor at NAA Call 405/326-1124 [email protected]

Page 4 August 2015 The Oklahoma Squeezins July Meeting Diana Richard

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Page 6 August 2015 The Oklahoma Squeezins Did you call??? Dick Albreski

Did you call and make your reservation for opportunity to enjoy a great German feast the annual Septemberfest party to be held on consisting of bratwurst, hotdogs, German Sunday, September 13, 2015, from 3:30 to potato salad, sauerkraut, red cabbage, rolls, 5:30 pm, at the Messiah Lutheran Church, and mouth-watering apple pie. located at the corner of Portland and If you think that the apple pie is the Northwest Expressway in Oklahoma City. If dessert, you are wrong. There will be a lot of you did call, we did not get your reservation. German music played on our favorite It’s very important for you to make your instrument. What better way is there to enjoy reservations so we know how much food will a great meal and German music? This is one be required. Each member can also bring one event that you do not want to forget. guest. Now don’t wait. Call Barbara Duer at The only thing you have to bring to the 405/721-9657, or e-mail her at party is your appetite. Dinner will be served [email protected]. Get on the list for a starting at 4:00 pm. Don’t miss the fun, fun time.

Alzheimers and Music Lessons Dick Albreski

I recently read an article by the Mayo Lessons, I believe, also allowed the student to Clinic that suggests that music can benefit go beyond the normal thought process. persons diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. My experience taught me to evaluate what Based on limited research, they stated that the student enjoyed. My goals were to find music can: relieve stress, reduce anxiety and the student’s preferences, provide familiar depression, plus reduce agitation. music, and to encourage the student in a I have had a pleasant experience in positive manner. My reward was fantastic. working with a student who was diagnosed To see this person come to the studio with a with dementia. I found that the music lessons smile and optimism was so unique. stimulated the student’s life. The music lesson Based on my experience, I believe music became a prime time event for this student, lessons can and will help those who have been and the lesson became a goal. Playing the diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia. I accordion also enhanced their co-ordination -- look forward to my next opportunity to work keeping time with music was a positive those afflicted with these diseases. I stimulation. Many times, to my dismay, the encourage everyone else to do the student would outperform the lesson material. same.

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Oklahoma Accordion Club 7109 NW 102 Street Oklahoma City, OK 73162

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Page 8 August 2015 The Oklahoma Squeezins