SWEETHEART FAMILY POLKA NIGHT ATTRACTS
POLKA LOVERS FROM ALL OVER THE CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY
Sunderland, Massachusetts, February 6, 2010. They came from Sunderland and many surrounding communities: Deerfield, Hadley, Hatfield, Whately, Montague, Greenfield, all up and down the Connecticut River Valley. Some traveled from as far away as Hartford Connecticut to be part of the Cafe Sun's kickoff event, the Sweetheart Family Polka Night. It was an evening of magic, a gathering of young and old in a moment no one will ever forget. "It was the best night of my life!" exclaimed one young dancer. 'We hope you make this an annual event," was heard from more than one couple.
EDDIE FORMAN'S ORCHESTRA (EFO) DELIGHTS KIDS OF ALL AGES
The evening opened with a lively performance of Shake Senora by Sunderland's First and Second Grade Polka Dancers under the direction of Deb Zimnowski. Dressed in authentic Polish outfits, the kids dazzled the crowd to the live music of EFO. Their dancing was sharp and their contagious energy set the tone for the rest of the evening. Forman's versatile band entertained everyone with a wide variety of dance tunes from traditional polkas to contemporary dance favorites.
FREE POLKA LESSONS FOR ALL
Our very own Tom and Deb Zimnowski, along with the help of Carol Forman, offered free polka lessons in the month leading up to the Sweetheart Family Polka Night. It was the dead of winter with long cold nights, but the Cafe Sun was warm with music and dancers of all ages practicing for the big February dance.
VOLUNTEERS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
The Sweetheart Family Polka Night was a huge success in part due to the tireless effort of volunteers from the Sunderland Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), as well as student volunteers from SES and the Frontier Regional High School. Helping with everything including event planning, publicity, decorations and refreshments, Sunderland's PTO once again showed why they are an important part of our school community. Student's from Frontier Regional's National Honor Society generously donated their time with free baby sitting services during the month-long Polka lessons, as well as on the evening of the Sweetheart Dance. Our own elementary school kids showed up in large numbers to help with the coat-check room, babysitting and ticket sales.
SUNDERLAND'S POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS: INCREDIBLE GENEROSITY
The vision of the Sweetheart Family Polka Night was to offer a great evening of dance, joining together folks from many different communities at the Sunderland Elementary School. Any profits from ticket sales were to be divided equally between the Sunderland PTO, Police and Fire Departments. After all bills were paid, there remained a profit of nearley $2000.
But when checks were presented to both Chief Jeff Gilbert of the Sunderland Police Department, and Chief Robert Ahearn of the Sunderland Fire Department, they surprised and shocked all by giving the money right back to the Sunderland PTO. "Please be sure that the money is used for the kids," requested Chief Gilbert. What an awesome act of generosity!