Poland Trip 2008 - video

It's been a while since I posted anything here on the site... sorry about that. Part of it is that I've been pretty busy, part of it that no one has really sent me anything!

So, I've been looking for something to post here, and figured... why not post one of my video clips from Poland? We travelled there in the Spring of 2008.

I'll write more about this later, and post more videos later. I have many hours of video, but I can only put a few minutes up here per clip. I have some nice scenes of Poland, and the countryside, mountains, and other sights. I also have some video of the "real" Trumpeter of Krakow, with video of the view from all the way up in the church tower. Look for these in the next few days.

For the time being, here is one clip of Louise standing at the well on the property where her Grandmother Valeria grew up. I make a cameo appearance as well... when the camera looks down the well, you'll see me reflected back. Hope you enjoy it.

In case anyone was wondering what the name of the band was, that was setting up to play at the Wheeling Heritage Park one day last month... all they had to do was look at the bright red T-Shirts the band was wearing. Right there inside a big white circle was the name "Yudasz Family Band". The band had the T-Shirts made just for the event.

A huge crowd was on hand when they played for Polka Night at Wheeling Heritage Park on July 30th. Reportedly it was one of the largest crowds of the entire Summer Concert Series.

Although they don't play many public performances, whenever they do... it's always a lot of fun. So, next time you hear that the YFB is playing, plan to come out and support them. You'll be in for a night of good entertainment... Yudasz Family style!

Plan on coming out to hear the Yudasz Family Band perform on Wednesday July 30 for a "Polka Night" at Wheeling Heritage Port, 12th and Water Street, in Wheeling, WV. The band will be playing from 7:30 to 9:30. Bring a friend or neighbor and prepare to enjoy a nice summer evening of Polka Music.

This is a rare public performance for the Band, who generally play only for family functions like weddings and get-togethers. Anyone who missed them when they played at the Rec Center in St. Clairsville last year really missed a good time. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Pictured here in a photo from our performance last year are: Alan Antolak - Fiddle, Jeanie Shields - Piano, Steve Gadzdik - Accordion, Jeff Gazdik - Accordion, Louise Satory - Accordion, Charlie Tansek - Clarinet, Kevin Adams - Trumpet, Jerry Gretchen - Trumpet, Randy Timko - Bass, John Gdula - Drums, Rich Gretchen - Drums, Pete Stazenski - Washtub Bass, Alex Gazdik - Guitar, Andrew Gazdik - Trumpet, Matthew Gdula - Guitar, and Alex Falcone - Tuba.

Old Black Betty's 2008 Summer Tour has been set. Her and Charlie will be making Beef Brisket on 4th of July, cooking Steamship Round at Vicki's on Aug. 9th (will be a MFHS "going back to school" staff party and will close the summer out with the second annual Clam Bake. You need to make reservations for the clam bake. Dinners for the Bake are $30.00 (with Crab Leg) and $20.00 (with only clams) The dinner includes Doz clams, half chicken, sweet potato, sweet corn, cole slaw, roll, clam chowder. Additional clams may be purchased for $7.00 a doz.

Contact Vicki at 740-359-2503 or vicki.falcone@omeresa.net for reservation or for more information. It is also the OSU vs USC football game and a TV will be set up. Should be a great time. Anyone who attended last years will attest to the fabulous food!

Order form is available here!

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Submitted by: Vicki Falcone

It's hard to believe, but we are on the last day of our trip to Poland. Today we arrived in Warsaw for a tour of the city. Lots of history here. We saw Lazienki Park with the big statue of Frederic Chopin. Louise loved that! It was a beautiful day, just a little on the hot side though.

We'll write more and post pictures when we get back.

See you all soon,

Kevin

We are having a great time, seeing the sites and traveling to quite a few cities in Poland, like Krakow, Zakopane and Lvov in the Ukraine. In fact we came just a little early to visit with some relatives in the countryside of Rudka and Wierzchoslawice.

Here's a picture from one of last week's visits. We will post more soon when we get a chance.

Pat Waltz has finally hung up her softball mitt. She recently turned in her resignation from coaching softball at Valley Forge High School. Pat is one of the pioneers in the field of girls's athletics. She played organized sports before Title IX made girls athletics available to girls everywhere. She has been playing/coaching in organized sports for over 40 years.


When Pat started in sports it was before sports bras and slider pants! Her uniform in the 1960's was a cheerleader uniform which does nothing to protect the legs from sliding! Pat has had the opportunity to coach hundreds of women in her career. These women have all learned valuable life lessons off of her that they continue to use in their careers.

Pat is not quiting everything as she will still be the Assistant Athletic Director at Parma City Schools.
Good luck to you Pat. Time to start training Emma!
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Submitted by: Vicki Falcone

As you may already know John & Louise and Kevin and Barb are going to Poland soon. During our trip we will be visiting three families who are descendents of Jozefa Bodziach (the sister of Valeria and Julia). If you remember your family history, in the early 1900's when Valeria left Poland to come to the US her younger sister Jozefa stayed behind and eventually got married, raised a family in Poland, near where they had all grown up. These are her three children: Genevieve, Janina and Adam. They are all in their 80's now and are 1st cousins of Aunt Betty, Aunt Vicky, Aunt Sophie etc... And, of course their children have children so, as you can imagine we'll see quite a few relatives on the trip.

We have visited them before and each time we have brought a gift of money for them. They are very appreciative of any help we can give them.

Anyone interested in giving a gift of support may send it to us. We will pool the money and split it three ways. Each of the families will receive a portion of it.

Please email us at webmaster@yudasz.com or call and let us know it is coming. For those of you who have already donated; Thank you.

We'll keep you posted here in the next couple of days and provide updates during the trip.
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Wednesday May 28.
TRIP UPDATE:
We arrived in Poland safe and sound. We were tired of course, but after a good nights rest set out to visit the relatives.
We took a lot of pictures, and will be writing updates periodically when we have internet access on the trip.
Look for another article soon!

Kevin, Barb, John and Louise

*This was sent in recently, and had originally appeared in The Times Leader, Sunday Feb. 24, 2008. Sorry for the delay in posting.

Congratulations Jake, and Good Luck!
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