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Volume 26, Issue 1September 2026

The

Oklahoma Squeezins

“Our Squeezin' is Pleasin'!”

The Oklahoma Accordion Club Newsletter

Join us to listen and play at the

Twinnies reprise

Join us Sunday, September 13 at 3:30 PM for the highly requested Twinnies reprise. Snacks welcome — bring your accordion or come as you are.

Meetup Info for Sunday, September 13, 2026 — 3:30 PM

The Oklahoma Accordion Club meets on the Second Sunday of each month from 3:30pm–5:30pm at Messiah Lutheran Church, 3600 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112.

Messiah Lutheran is at the intersection of NW Expressway and Portland Avenue, just west of I-44 and Baptist Hospital, and north of Deaconess Hospital on Portland Avenue. Use the south entrance—there is a covered portico at that doorway if the weather turns.

Can't attend in person? Join us on Zoom at the same time. Open the link below on your phone, tablet, or computer.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5236709799Zoom

September 2026Page 1

Prez sez

Maggie Abel

Bellows ahoy! This Sunday 3:30 is our "Twinnies" meeting! Dear Squeezeboxers: Two "not-to-miss" world-renowned upcoming meetings are in the offing! First one is Sunday, September 13. If anyone missed last season's dramatic live Twinnies reinactment, be sure to attend its "highly-requested" reprise this very Sunday at 3:30 at Messiah Lutheran Church! No clues or spoilers for you about it except that Susan and I can't show our faces a few places since the last time! That very day, Dick has promised us to make available four sides of hand-picked easy-peasy sheet music to take home and prepare for an accordion family jam of the most congenial kind that will debut at the following Oktoberfest meeting (Sunday the 11th). These very accessible polkas and waltzes involved are ones we'll be glad to have in our repertoire! Details regarding both meetups are also enclosed in Dick's "Mark Your Calendar" report.

Continued on next page…

Board of Directors

President / acting newsletter editor
Maggie Abel
Vice President
Ron Shearon
Acting Secretary
Myke Dixon
Proofer, snacks & birthdays
Karen West
Webmaster & photographer
Diana Richard
Founder; lessons & repair
Dick Albreski
juaccord@hotmail.com · (405) 721-0564

Open positions: PRESIDENT, SECRETARY, TREASURER, LIVESTREAM TECH, HISTORIAN, LIBRARIAN, NEWSLETTER EDITOR

Past presidents: Barbara Duer †, Dick Albreski

Website: okaccordion.club

Membership: $20 per year individual, +$10 per year family add-on. Visitors welcome.

Lifetime members

Maggie Abel
Jim Butricks †
June Butricks †
William "Rusty" Dolton
Frank Gesinski †
Janet Haskin
Roland Lohmann
Frankie Martinez
Bob Mansfield
Tom Phillips
Phil Scibelli
Ophelia Woody

September 2026Page 2

Prez sez (continued)

Maggie Abel

That Oktoberfest Sunday (October 11 at 3:30), we'll serve "Germanesque" hotdogs and sauerkraut to those who have reserved (and their guest), and then play Bohemian music like you've never endured before! I've laid out Frank's green hat and his lederhosen plus the slides from our Alpine honeymoon to make sure we are all in the mood!! Reminding all to notice that the Oklahoma Squeezins newsletter is now digital rather than carved on a clay tablet like previously! We'll be encouraging bids at this Sunday's meeting on a beautiful accordion and case, donated by a long-time member. This is our second month enjoying the great gift from our member Myke Dixon. Our newly [still updating] website contains our beautiful pictures, news, and videos of players. It digs back deep into the club's history... And continues to go uphill from there. More is being added as fast as our little digital legs can carry us! Try it out again today by clicking on [or copying and pasting] the link below: https://okaccordion.club/ Look in all the pockets, tap on every option, thumb through years of meeting photos--identify old friends who played here before. Your feedback is welcome and maybe some of your mementos can make their way into future issues! Check it throughout the month to see how the data it has accumulated is multiplying and ready to view! xoxox Maggie (Prez Sez) Abel 405-201-7867

September 2026Page 3

Mark those calendars!

Dick Albreski

The Oklahoma Accordion Club (OAC) is going OKTOBERFEST! What does that mean for you? It means we are going to party and play! Party means at the October meeting we will serve Hot Dogs and Apple Strudel. But we will only serve to those who make a reservation. Remember, your one guest is always welcome. Reservations are a must because we must know that you are coming. Now the Play part. You will receive four prepared sheets of Polkas and Waltz arrangements. How do you receive them? You can ask for them! Dick Albreski has them ready and waiting for you. Our goal at the October meeting is to have a POLKA JAM with a BUNCH of members playing together! The arrangements are not challenging and can be sight-read the first time. The intent of the arrangements is to have a bunch play with ease and confidence. Now we sure want you at the September meeting, but also really want you at the Octoberfest meeting. DANKE.

National Accordion Association Convention for 2027

National Accordion Association Convention for 2027. This will be in my mind one of the very best conventions for 2027. It will be held in Mesquite, Texas, at the Hampton Inn and Suites located at 1700 Rodeo Drive, Mesquite, TX 75149. The dates are Thursday, March 18th to Saturday, March 20th, 2027. This will be the 41st year for the NAA, and I am proud to announce that world-renowned Peter Soave and Cleveland-style polka pioneer Joey Miskulin will be the featured artists. I will again conduct the Fun Band for those accordionists (acoustic and digital) who want an easy, relaxing, musical adventure. And for those who want a more intense opportunity, Gordon Kohl will provide the music. Jamming will be encouraged plus there will be workshops. This event is still in planning and there will be more added to the event as it progresses. For contact information currently go to NatlAccordion@sbcglobal.net or call Norman Seaton direct at 214-938-5984. Also visit www.accordions.com/naa. As I learn more so will you. Keep watching this article and keep squeezin'.

September 2026Page 4

In remembrance

In Memory of Maxine Gunter

Sadly, I learned of the passing of one of the early members of the Oklahoma Accordion Club. Maxine Gunter was an accomplished accordionist and played the cello as well. She participated not only in playing solos but with various duets and quartets who were active in the club. For those members who remember Maxine, I'm sure they will say a prayer on her behalf. Good Squeezin' Maxine.

— Dick Albreski

September 2026Page 5

Meeting minutes

August meetup · Sunday, August 9, 2026

The Oklahoma Accordion Club met Sunday, August 9, 2026. President Maggie Abel opened the meeting, thanked everyone for snacks, and introduced the guests. Vice President Ron Shearon led the Pledge of Allegiance. Lauren Disabella served as acting secretary. Lois Roth and Anne Lopez opened the musical portion of the meeting with "America the Beautiful." Myke Dixon presented the new Oklahoma Accordion Club website and was making videos for the site and for TikTok. Videos and notes from past meetings have been uploaded, members can send pictures to be added, and older club material is available to browse. A TikTok presence is in the works. A question was raised whether the website could include a calendar of members' performances. Dues are $20 for an individual membership and $10 for a family membership per year. Dues help pay for the end-of-year pizza party. The club is looking to train more officers. Members should contact Maggie Abel for information. Upcoming accordion events were discussed, including the National Accordion Association Convention in Mesquite, Texas, in March 2027. Featured artists will include Peter Soave on French button accordion, and Joey Miskulin, noted as having played with Frankie Yankovic. Oktoberfest was mentioned. Lake Konawa was mentioned as a possible November event or location, in connection with Charlie Hillebrecht. There was also discussion of Tony LaBella / The 3 Sons, with guitar and Hammond organ mentioned, including "I've Never Cried Before."

Continued on next page…

September 2026Page 6

Meeting minutes

August meetup · Sunday, August 9, 2026 (continued)

Lois Roth and Anne Lopez performed "Waltz Across Texas." Ron Shearon performed "Bavarian Nights Waltz" and "Amazing Grace." Anne Lopez and Lois Roth performed the Gene Autry song "Oklahoma Hills" (the notes mention Jack Guthrie, cousin of Woody Guthrie), "Oklahoma!," and "Tennessee Waltz." Anne Lopez, Lois Roth, and John Warren played a jam session. Rod Kroutil performed "Sweet Hour of Prayer." Dick Albreski performed "Ding Dong Polka," noted as Slovenian/Polish, "Red Rose," and "Beer Barrel Polka." He demonstrated "The Testament Polka." Dick was noted as having played at many weddings. Wayne Turgeon brought exchange students from the Philippines and Cape Town, South Africa, and performed "Kentucky Rain." John Warren performed "Too Fat Polka," a polka medley, and "By the Sea." He joked that he is looking for a good 80–120 bass accordion with no weight — a full bass that’s also lightweight being nearly impossible to find. Shayla Chavis-Smith performed "My Bonnie."

Continued on next page…

September 2026Page 7

Meeting minutes

August meetup · Sunday, August 9, 2026 (continued)

Dana Kroutil performed the Czech piece "Ceska Pisnicka" ("little song"), and "Waltz from Poet & Peasant" with Dick Albreski. Rod Kroutil and Dick Albreski performed "The Marines' Hymn" and "Over the Waves."

— Lauren Disabella, Acting Secretary

Birthdays