Save The Last Dance For Me!

15 years gone by! It was ’96 and I was 46 when Bob Piontek and I were sitting around playing guitars. We got to reminiscing about the good ol’ days and the dances at the Holiday Inn. I thought why not put together another dance; I thought we could have a cross between “The Ted Mack Amateur Hour” and “The Ed Sullivan Show”—bringing local talent on stage to perform. OK, Bob thought, we could be the main band; seemed to us we had enough talent; we’d play the main part of the night and play backup for the performers. We’d call the event the “I Love Kelly Lake Dance”.

However, after a few practices we nixed the idea; we needed help! Bob knew a few musicians who might help us out. Enter Mike Haight, Jimmy Conrad, Dana Erickson, Mike (“Biggs”), Bob and myself. They played in bands, were professionals and could hit the ground running. The band formed and was known as the “DOWGS”, an acronym for “Drunken Old White Guys”! Various other members came and went through the years. The stage was set for a number of local singers/musicians to join us on stage; it wasn’t going to be a karaoke song jest; they were screened first. Again this year, Bob brought up local talent to sing and perform in between sets. Ron Asp and Todd Yancy among them.

I felt that as long as we were going through all the work, including advertising and promoting the event, why not include a charity. Through those years we hosted fund raisers for cancer patients and charitable organizations, including my favorite, “WorryFree InHome Care”—helping keep people in their own homes around our county, rather than assistant living or nursing homes.

Well, here we are 15 years later and older. I had taken a sabbatical from the stage for four years. Bob had carried the dance on, but thought this would be the last one. Since this might be the last dance, he approached me to play a couple songs: My signature song (first song I learned on guitar at age 15) “Last Kiss”; played it at every dance, and “House of the Rising Sun”; two songs I was featured playing and singing. I usually played rhythm guitar and back ground singer. Bob played guitar, bass and vocals. It felt good being on stage again, or at least one more time!

It had been a fun-loving 15 years performing and reliving the ol’ days laughing and dancing at the Holiday Inn in the late 50s and 60s. This time we were the entertainment! I want to make special mention of Romy and all he’s done for the dance and the charities; his helpfulness, contributions to the fund raisers and donation of the hall through all these years. Thanks, Romy. To the guys in the band? It was a blast! Go to “Links” in the right column and click on “Kelly Lake VIDEO Cam” for a short clip of the band.Roger

Area residents were honored with the “Kelly Lake Community Service Award” (see below).

(Note: Shirley’s exceptional photography suffered when her personal high resolution camera died; it lasted 8 years with thousands of pics taken; served her well. She ended up using my spare drop-in-your-pocket camera; quality just doesn’t compare. Meanwhile, we’ve ordered out another even better Fujifilm digital cam).

The “DOWGS”!

Mike (“Bubs”) Haight, Sound Mixer”, asked if I had a pic of him. Yup, though the quality is poor, Shirley got a shot—Bubs is far left.

Rick and Chderyl Hansen.

Heather Hansen and me.

Gary, Terry Natski, Peter and Dianne Hansen.

Larry Stephens, Earl and Nancy Macha.

Clare McQuire and Elizabeth Piontek.

Bob Piontek and Ron Asp.

Jeff, Greg and Juli Levar.

Rita Day.

Todd Yancy on stage.

Ron Asp singing.

Pete and Dianne Hansen.

Gary and Terry Natski.

Tom, Vicki, Tyson, TJ Pitch, and Tyson’s girlfriend(?).

Max, Leslie and Todd Yancy receiving Award. They are very active and ambitious in the community. Todd is willing to lend a hand whenever asked.

Gary Vizelka receives a Community Service Award for his contribution in many ways to the lake. May I note Gary was a big asset in helping me raise money by hosting fund rasiers at his bar. He and his boys would go around selling tickets and collecting donations when we held the benefits there.

Biner hand out Award to Marge Keshemberg for her service, especially with the KL Sportsmens Club. Marge is a familiar face around the lake, and lend a hand wherever needed.

The Kelly Lake community honored both Shirley and I with one of the “Community Service Awards”. Shirley and I were on stage at the time, hence no photo; that’s me singing. Bob recognized Shirley and my achievements which we are proud of: The Natural Gas Project that I spearheaded (it took two years from sending out surveys and newsletters to hook-up with natural gas; an alternative source of energy; competition among suppliers), the original ’79 Naiad Water Ski Club (social gathering for the youth; many from all corners of the lake got to meet each other and show their wares), my involvement with WorryFree InHome Care (assisting the elderly and disabled), the “I Love Kelly Lake Dance” (a fun night with fund raiser), and keeping the web site up (it’s a hobby of mine; I try to keep people posted of events and interests). Shirley and I both thank you for the Awards.

I know his first name is Nick; didn’t catch the last. But, Nick finished the night with a couple songs; a last minute spur of entertainment. Nick sang and played like a professional!

Share on Facebook