MUSKEGON, Mich. (AP) - More than 70 years later, the Old Timers Polka Band is calling it a career.
The band members - minus one who is battling cancer - played their last performance Tuesday night during a paczki party at the Polish Falcon Club, according to The Muskegon Chronicle ( https://bit.ly/1cahR0i ).
The original band formed in 1937, when it was called the Pee-wee Orchestra. The polka band has been playing across the area at various church functions, Roosevelt Park gazebo dances and many more events.
The accordion player of the band, Fred Walker, is suffering from brain cancer and is undergoing treatment, which keeps him from performing, said Tom Sanocki, a member of the band.
Sanocki, who plays tenor saxophone, said that Walker has a positive attitude and the band is hoping and praying that Walker will recover.
The band members for Tuesday’s performance were Frank Piotrowski, who filled in for Walker, Dick Strang Jr., Jeff Jasicki, Mike Walukonis, Tom Sanocki and Ed Sanocki.
The oldest member of the band, Tom Sanocki’s father, Ed Sanocki, began performing at St. Michael’s Catholic School when he was in the sixth grade.
For the band’s last performance, the Polish Falcon Club was filled with people of all ages who danced to the sounds of the polka band.
In addition to the music, the crowd in attendance combined to eat many paczkis.
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Information from: The Muskegon Chronicle, https://www.mlive.com/muskegon
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