Articles:
There was toe-tapping, clapping, humming, singing and even a few tears as accordion players tickled the keys and buttons at the Sixth Annual Art Pahl Accordion Fest at the Plymouth County Historical Museum Sunday.
More than 300 people attended the musical event, a tribute to the late Art Pahl and his love of accordion music. Pahl was a well-known accordionist in the area.
The first Accordion Fest was held on Sunday, March 30, 2003. Pahl, who died of cancer in May 2003, had a request to have an "accordion jam," according to Movylene Haack, who served as master of ceremonies for the afternoon's event.
"We had three weeks to put it together, and we did," she said. "During that Sunday's program, every once in a while I would feel a tug on my jacket. I'd look around and here it was Art, saying 'thank you'," Haack said.
Participating in this year's fest were Sebestian Pahl of Jamestown, N.D., nephew of Art Pahl; Gary and Linda Reeves of Le Mars; mother and daughter duo Audrey Rolfes and Sherry Kezar of Alcester, S.D.; Lyle Koehlmoos of Granville; sisters Carla Drost and Paula Top of Alton and their father Harvey DeBoer of Orange City; Roger Christiansen and Norm Hogref of Storm Lake.
Sebastian Pahl was the surprise guest of the day.
"His coming was a spur of the moment decision," said Bill Renken, who with his wife Janice helped coordinate the event. The couple were longtime friends of Art Pahl.
Sebastian played the black and white accordion with the name "Art Pahl" on it. That same accordion was played many times in the area by Art. "I let this (the accordion) play for me," he said. His style was reminiscent of the music Art performed for so many people through the years.
When asked how long he had played, Sebastian modestly said, "About 45 years."
"I never know what I'm going to play," he said.
About 15 members of Art Pahl's family attended, including his brother Herbert from the Minneapolis area and sister Marie Bender of Harvey, N.D., as well as nieces and nephews.
Bender told the group "Keep it up," after she was presented with a floral arrangement. Also an accordion player, Bender was listed as an honorary accordion player on this year's program. She has played in previous fests.
Haack also paid tribute to several accordion players who had participated in previous years, and who were either unable to attend or who had died.
"They were dear to our hearts," she said.
Carla Drost led the group in two songs, "The Tennessee Waltz" and "Amazing Grace," both favorite songs of Art.
Plans are already being made for next year's festival, which again will be held the Sunday after Easter.
More than 300 people attended the musical event, a tribute to the late Art Pahl and his love of accordion music. Pahl was a well-known accordionist in the area.
The first Accordion Fest was held on Sunday, March 30, 2003. Pahl, who died of cancer in May 2003, had a request to have an "accordion jam," according to Movylene Haack, who served as master of ceremonies for the afternoon's event.
"We had three weeks to put it together, and we did," she said. "During that Sunday's program, every once in a while I would feel a tug on my jacket. I'd look around and here it was Art, saying 'thank you'," Haack said.
Participating in this year's fest were Sebestian Pahl of Jamestown, N.D., nephew of Art Pahl; Gary and Linda Reeves of Le Mars; mother and daughter duo Audrey Rolfes and Sherry Kezar of Alcester, S.D.; Lyle Koehlmoos of Granville; sisters Carla Drost and Paula Top of Alton and their father Harvey DeBoer of Orange City; Roger Christiansen and Norm Hogref of Storm Lake.
Sebastian Pahl was the surprise guest of the day.
"His coming was a spur of the moment decision," said Bill Renken, who with his wife Janice helped coordinate the event. The couple were longtime friends of Art Pahl.
Sebastian played the black and white accordion with the name "Art Pahl" on it. That same accordion was played many times in the area by Art. "I let this (the accordion) play for me," he said. His style was reminiscent of the music Art performed for so many people through the years.
When asked how long he had played, Sebastian modestly said, "About 45 years."
"I never know what I'm going to play," he said.
About 15 members of Art Pahl's family attended, including his brother Herbert from the Minneapolis area and sister Marie Bender of Harvey, N.D., as well as nieces and nephews.
Bender told the group "Keep it up," after she was presented with a floral arrangement. Also an accordion player, Bender was listed as an honorary accordion player on this year's program. She has played in previous fests.
Haack also paid tribute to several accordion players who had participated in previous years, and who were either unable to attend or who had died.
"They were dear to our hearts," she said.
Carla Drost led the group in two songs, "The Tennessee Waltz" and "Amazing Grace," both favorite songs of Art.
Plans are already being made for next year's festival, which again will be held the Sunday after Easter.
Art Pahl Accordion Fest offers
sweet music
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
By Beverly Van Buskirk
Le Mars Daily Sentinel
sweet music
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
By Beverly Van Buskirk
Le Mars Daily Sentinel