Polkas take January blahs away
Info Box: Frania Yakima-Urbaniak
A graduate of Chartiers Valley High School, as a young girl Frania Yakima-Urbaniak listened to polka music daily and was influenced by her Polish parents who did their best to keep ethnic traditions alive. For 35 years, she taught elementary school in Washington’s Trinity Area School District.
Last year, she was presented with the Polonian of the Year Award from the Polish Cultural Council. Additional recognition has come from the Joseph Jachimczyk Polonia Award sponsored by the National Medical Dental Association and National Advocates Society for outstanding contributions toward the enhancement of Polonia and received a Papal Blessing from Pope Benedict XVI.
Info Box 2: Polka Trivia
• During the Big Band Era, the Andrews Sisters had hits with the “Pennsylvania Polka” and “Beer Barrel Polka.”
• Once polka became a phenomenon, the word became associated with many items, such as “polka dots.”
• The Polish word “polka” means Polish woman.
• First Lady Julia Tyler introduced polka music in the White House during her husband President John Tyler’s term as the 10th president of the United States.
• The 46th Annual United States Polka Association Festival & Convention will be held May 23-25 in Strongsville, Ohio.
• Polka Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Chicago honors outstanding polka personalities who have made significant contributions to the promotion of polka music. Frankie Yankovic and Li’l Wally Jagiello became the first to receive honors.
• Around 1830, Poles, Germans, Czechs, Slovaks, Norwegians, Finns and Spaniards brought their style of polka music and dance to the U.S.
• Polka music stayed alive during the Great Depression, helping people remain upbeat in hard times.
With the glow of Christmas quickly fading, toe-tapping sounds of music are sure to brighten our spirits. Many believe there are no happier sounds than the beat of a polka. Delighted with increased energy and happiness polka’s provide, in the mid-1960s, the International Polka Association declared January as National Polka Month.
In the South Hills, dance floors at weddings and festivals fill with quick-stepping men and women spinning and turning to upbeat polka music.
A delightful woman, Frania Yakima-Urbaniak does her best to promote polkas and Polish traditions. Born of Polish heritage, fast-paced polkas filled her early years. As an adult, she looked forward to attending polka dances and festivals with family and friends.
In the 1970s, Frania met a group of Polonian Folk Dancers led by the Rev. Paul Pindel, pastor of the now-closed St. Genevieve Church in Canonsburg. Father Pindel enjoyed taking his dancers all around Western Pennsylvania to perform. In an effort to raise needed funds for the group, Father Pindel signed on with WPLW radio station in Carnegie and started the Polka Padre program. Frania did the group’s publicity and provided many of her polka records, featuring both local and national bands. Lacking advertising support to continue the show, a dedicated polka fan, Frania accepted the challenge and began her broadcast career, now in its 27th year. She hosts Frania’s Polka Celebration noon-2 p.m. Saturdays and on the internet live at www.wedo810.com. Featuring Polish-American-style polkas, waltzes and obereks (quick steps and turns), Frania also offers tales of Polish history and announcements of local ethnic events to her listeners and proudly ends each program with the Polish National Anthem.
“I love polka music and continue to promote our local bands,” Frania announced proudly. “Ray Jay & the Carousels, Henny & Versa J’s, Andy Fenus & the Trel Tones, Bud Hundenski & the Corsairs and ‘Stacey Morris & The NuTones, to name a few. Fast-paced polka music is the Eastern style as compared to the slower Chicago-style.”
Nationally-known Jimmy Sturr is the only one ever awarded the Commendation of Excellence Award in the polka field. Sturr has also won 18 Grammy awards and has received more consecutive Grammy nominations than anyone in the history of musical awards.
Polka fans and musicians travel great distances to keep their dance traditions alive. The uplifting polka spirit is wonderfully addictive. Sell-out crowds frequent popular events convenient for those living in the South Hills. Mt. Pleasant, Yukon and Oglebay are just a few places. Seven Springs offers polka parties in July and November. Fourteen nationally-known polka bands will be on hand for the 40th anniversary of the Polka Fireworks Festival set for July 3-6 at the Seven Springs Resort.
“People are happy and friendly at polka parties,” said polka fan Donna Inglot. “If you attend a polka dance, you’re there to have a good time. I travel to many big polka festivals and shows each year. They gather thousands of people so I make reservations a year in advance to guarantee attendance.”
Frania enjoys hearing from her listeners. She can be reached by mailing Frania Yakima-Urbaniak, WEDO Radio, 1985 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131.