TO HUNTER WE DID GO.

If you've been to any of the Hunter Mountain Festivals on weekends you know what the crowds are like. This year, band schedules enticed The Insider to try weekdays at the National Polka Festival at Hunter Mountain. It was not a disappointment and definitely a dancers paradise.

The National Polka Festival draws two distinctly different groups. Some are there for the Bobby Vinton Show while others come for the polka bands. Of course there are over-laps but essentially the crowds are divided. The Vinton fans are generally "sitters" and "watchers" while the polka fans are "standers" and "dancers."

Vinton works a crowd to perfection. He sings, talks, plays an array of instruments, clowns with members of the band, and even introduces his Son on bass guitar. The audience loves him and he loves his audience.

The strict polka fans could select from a variety of bands ranging from Stanky and the Coalminers, Eddie Forman, Polka Family, Bay State IV, Chicago Push, The Memory Makers and Jersey Polka Richie. All of the bands did a formidable job on stage although their performances seemed at the mercy of the "Sound Crew" handling the tent mixer board. Dancing, on the weekdays, is ideal with much of the crowd leaving immediately after the Vinton Show. The wooden portable dance floor is one of the best around.

Hunter Mountain has a series of festivals throughout the Summer and, naturally, The Insider prefers the polka fest. The others festivals, however, are interesting and well worth you attention on a weekend or better yet on a weekday.

Multi-colored tents covered the grounds, the Pastor walked among the crowd, people carried stuffed animals and the "live" band played polkas while couples danced under the large tent. No, this is not a nostalgia article of those good old days, it all took place at St. Rita's Catholic Church in Chenango Forks, NY. The Golden Tones from Pennsylvania, along with the church committee, were definitely key factors in making this annual parish picnic a success. Not only did the band play great music, they also played "to the crowd." The Golden Tones have that ability to make friends instantly with their audience. Thanks to St. Rita's, Father Tierney and The Golden Tones for bringing back those good time feelings originated years ago at the Western New York church lawn fetes.

INSIDE-OUTS

It's a PATEK triple, pearl gray with plate block reeds and a sound that drives honky concertina players wild. In case you haven;t guessed this is the newest addition to the Insider's household. Now, when you hear "grind that ?concertina" it can be done, by The Insider at least.

Polkas on the Lite Side came to the area as Michael Costa's Limelight was on stage at St. Mary's Hal. Their name may be "lite" but their sound is powerful, their musicianship is first rate, their presence on stage is impressive and their hearts filled with polka spirit. With Mike Costa and Paul Pietrucha handling trumpets and vocals, Bob Szymanski on power accordion, Eddie Brestacki on bass and Don Tomko behind the drums, Limelite is a group headed to the top.

Let There Be Lite is the title of their new album and it supplies the listener with a fix that will infiltrate your polka soul and get that blood surging through your veins. Originals like "Sports Polka Fan," and "Little Darling" polka are balanced perfectly with standards like "Tu Lu Lu" oberek, "Yermazeh" polka, and "White Table" polka to produce an album that all polka fans will enjoy. Limelite also features "Life can Be Beautiful" polka and "Where Did the Good Times go" polka, two tunes that just never seem to receive enough play from the stage or on record.

They are upbeat, vibrant, commanding and talented. Their polkas have no calories, after all they are a "lite" band, but that's only a portion of the tale. Make note of Limelite - they are a welcomed addition to the East coast polka scene.

Dave Radomski played with several polka bands in Buffalo and he is pictured below with the original Sunshine band. One of his contributions to polka music was his rendition of My Krakowianka polka which included a second verse, which he wrote. A night, almost 40 year ago, Dave and I were sitting and enjoying a few at Chopin's Club and talking music. I mentioned to Dave that I need to memorize that second verse of My Krakowianka polka so Baldy and his Eagles can sing it. Dave asked the bartender for some paper and a tablet was found in a collection of things behind the bar. Dave wrote out the second verse and gave it to me.

This unique piece of polka history has been in a box of items brought with me when I moved from Buffalo 35 years aDave Radomski is no longer with us, passing away many years ago but here, written with his own hand, is the second verse of My Krakowianka by Dave Radomski.

- A Polka Bulletin Board has been established on the GENIE computer online service. Accessed through GENIE Basic Services, polkas can be found under the ENTERTAINMENT menu or by entering MUSIC. Select Category 3, World Music and Folk International, and read Topic "Polkas" to discover "Polkas on GENIE."

General information, specific questions and discussions on all types and styles of polka music are typical subjects on this newly created GENIE topic. A monthly fee of $4.95 gives you unlimited access to GENIE from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday. Power up that computer, turn on the modem and become a member of the Polka Bulletin Board on GENIE.

- The Ray Budzilek band played for the grand opening celebration of the newly constructed Leonard Post VFW in Cheektowaga, NY.

- The Naturals released two knew 45 rpm records, "Gettin Loaded" polka and "One More Drink" polka.

- Eight thousand people filled Warsaw Park in Detroit on August 5 to enjoy the music of Frank Wojnarowski at a picnic honoring Eugene Konstantynowicz, a polka radio personality on station WJLB.

- Walt Jaworski's Orchestra, consisting of Edward (Whitey) Mazurek on trumpet, Gino Kurdziel on bass, Jimmy Grzankowski on drums, Gene Martin on sax/clarinet , John (Johnny Johnson) Banaszak on Cordovox.

- Stan "Stas" Jasinski wrote, "And once again, just when some skeptics will say as they have been for 40 years, Polka Music has seen its days - you will see a new, greater surge. It's coming and it's not too far away - So keep up the work of producing new polkas, - get the younger musicians interested in polka music, -write it, -arrange it, -record it, -polkas are here to stay."