Sunday, December 14, 2008

January 2009 The Oklahoma Squeezins The Prez Sez Dan Orza My family and I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope that this past year was a good one for all of you, and the coming year brings Joy, Good Health and even more Happiness and Wealth. Our Oklahoma Accordion Club has accomplished many wonderful things these past couple of years. You should be proud of yourselves -- proud of OAC and proud of what we do and the reason we meet and perform. You make me proud to be both a member and your leader. Thank you for letting me do that. But now it is time for me to "pass the baton." Your new ill also work hard to keep OAC an active and involved performing accordion group. My one concern and continuing goal is increasing attendance and participation at meetings. To that end I will do all I can to assist as past president. Our December Big Squeeze was another outstanding success. We had a full house at the UCO Jazz Lab in Edmond. It was a long show, but everyone stayed until the end - they loved ALL the performers - they loved ALL the different types of music offered. Many thanks for Lou LeBurn and Sharon Fox for coming all the way from Missouri. They were so good. Our local fantastic pros Bob Mansfield, his group "Gypsy Wind," and Dick Albreski with his magic accordion were outstanding. And our two teenage guys Jarion Baquero and Micaiah Elliott were superb. The audience really loved the fact that we had such a variety of styles of music and different age groups performing. THEY WERE IMPRESSED. And I really believe that the Jazz Lab is perfect for our venue. Best of all, we made a nice profit for our club. Your new officers will take over in January. PLEASE COME TO THIS MEETING for the changing of the guard. Your newly elected officers are ill Henson, Vice President Jim Wooley, Secretary Beth Henson, Treasurer Dick Albreski, and Historian/Librarian Bob Mansfield. I will be involved with reviewing and updating the by-laws, along with my committee: Jackie Mashore, Max Gunther, Bob Mansfield, and Bill Henson. Our holiday Christmas party had to be moved from Messiah Lutheran Church to First Presbyterian Church. Everyone was notified, and we had quite a few people there. However, some who made reservations did not show. We had lots of really good food and plenty of wonderful side dishes and desserts brought by members. And we played Christmas carols till we dropped - what great fun. We had a whole load of GLOVES, MITTENS, SCARVES, and HATS… even a COAT to give to the Jesus House. Thank you all for your donations. The club will donate these items on your behalf. Musically yours, DANO OUR MUSIC, OUR ACCORDIONS, BRING US TOGETHER IN FRIENDSHIP, IN HARMONY IN LOVE, IN SHARED BLESSINGS, IN TOGETHERNESS WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO BELONG TO THE OKLAHOMA ACCORDION CLUB MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL DANO