Mark Chmielewski of the Chmielewski Funtime Band from Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota, passed away on January 11, 2010, at the age of 48. He was an accomplished musician, businessman and devoted father who will be missed very much.

The Polkaholics were named the Best Polka Entertainers at the Chicago Music Award ceremony on January 24, 2010. Don Hedeker, bandleader, said, "Thanks to all of you who voted for us and supported our case.

Father Henry Pozdol, former chaplain of the International Polka Association (IPA) died on January 29, 2010. He was also Pastor Emeritus of St. Joseph Church in Summit, Illinois, where he was waked.

The "Zembruski Polish Eagle Show" was started by well known band leader Victor Zembruski and his wife Sophie in 1935. In 1969 Sophie took over the program on her own until last year when health issues forced her to turn over the mike to her daughter, Lauretta. The program is in its 75th year of continued broadcasting on commercial radio, which may make it the longest running polka show on radio, with Sophie being involved in 74 of those years. She is celebrating her 92ond birthday this April.

The change made in Grammy categories did not bode well for polka bands. The winner in the Best Traditional Folk Music category was Louden Wainwright III, shutting Jimmy Sturr & his Orchestra out of an award for the first time in many years.

The Eos Music Corporation remains anxious to add polka to its background music library. It’s Music Procurement Specialist, Fred Vinson, may be contacted at fvinson@eosmusic.com or 1-800-741-2682. The company’s licensing agreement can be found online at http://www.eosmusic.com/agreement.pdf.

Planning for the 49th year of contemporary Dyngus Day in America is in high gear in Buffalo. Over 10 new venues will join the over 30 existing venues in Western New York. New locations are looking for polka acts and many of them want to start music at noon on Monday, April 5, 2010. Visit http://www.dyngusdaybuffalo.com for details or send band information pack to Dyngus Day Buffalo, 244 Potters Road, Buffalo, NY 14220.

Looking for a list of Dana recordings and have yet to find one? A list has been posted at a previously defunct website, so if anyone wants to check it out, it is at http://txteldata.com. Albums cannot be ordered directly from the site, but a correct title may help find one elsewhere.

January was a difficult month for the family of Stas Bulanda, leader of the Old School Revue, but the devotion of his fans may have helped to lighten the pain of loss. Stas passed away early in the month and his mother died on January 7, 2010. Numerous radio and live tributes remembered the popular polka star.