7 inducted into Czech Musicians Hall of Fame

MILLIGAN — Seven musicians have been inducted into the local Czech Musicians Hall of Fame during a ceremony and accordion jamboree at Ron’s Tavern in Milligan.
 

Four of the seven were inducted posthumously.

The honorees:

* Debra Spicka Polacek of Harvard, formerly Friend, plays piano accordion, saxophone, clarinet, button accordion and organ with the Milligan Legion Czech Brass Band; Sue and The Blue River Czechs; and The Accordionettes. She also promotes Czech heritage with the South Central Nebraska Czechs and other organizations. She is a teacher and librarian at Harvard Public School.

* Frank Kassik of Milligan plays button accordion, bass horn and percussion, and has played with many dance and concert bands in the past 40 years. He plays bass drum with the Milligan Legion Czech Brass Band, which he joined in 1966, and works at Kassik Milling Co.

* Terry Hynek of Wilber plays drums. As a teenager, he began performing with area and regional  bands. He is the drummer for the Jim Kucera Orchestra. He works at Karpisek’s Meat Market and farms.

* The late Emil Korbelik of Ashland graduated from Milligan High School, where his music career began. He played trombone and piano accordion with many area bands and had his own family band for 18 years. He also played with the Math Sladky Orchestra for 17 years. He was inducted into the Nebraska Polka Hall of Fame in Omaha in 1983. 

* The late William “Bill” Hajek of Odell began playing button accordion at age 5, and even carried one under the seat of his Jeep during his service in World War II. The entire Hajek family played instruments and held musical jamborees on the family farm. Hajek also played trumpet and other instruments and sang. In the 1960s, he formed a group of family and friends that played regularly.

* The late Alfred and Teresa Kohl Cochnar of Dorchester founded the popular U-Neta Orchestra in 1938, playing in many states and across Nebraska. Alfred played saxophone, clarinet and trombone and handled bookings. Teresa played lead trumpet and wrote arrangements. The orchestra had 40 years of consecutive bookings until 1978. Later in life, Teresa played the Polka Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Crete and directed and arranged music for area choirs and rural schools.

The hall of fame was created in 1999 to recognize Nebraska musicians who preserve Czech heritage. A plaque with the engraved names of inductees is mounted in Ron’s Tavern.

If you wish to nominate someone for 2009 honors, call Delores Becwar, Friend, (402) 366-5078.