"Keeping the Tradition Alive on 88.5"

Dzien Dobry Mr. & Mrs. Zolnierowski,
 
Just wanted to take a few moments to let you know how
much I enjoyed your "Happy Louie Special" which aired
this past Sunday, April 19th, 2009. I'm listening to the 
"show" from the "archives" section on www.wmnf.org.
 
Once again Mr. & Mrs. "Wackie Jackie" demonstrate why
they are the number one "polka show" on 88.5fm WMNF, 
Tampa, Florida. Full of zany polka chit chat, "The Polka
Party Express" is a well thought out, fast moving, highly
engaging 2 hours of simply the best in polka entertainment.
From the "contests" to the "live interview" with Happy Louie
and Jucia, the 2 hours literally flew by. An amazing show 
with two amazing "polka personalities" whose heartfelt and 
genuine feelings for the music shine thru like a beacon.
 
Thanks for a "great show", the music of Wesoly Ludwik will
remain a source of "Polish Pride" with us for years to come. 
I will be making "The Polka Party Express" a "must listen to"
part of my Sunday afternoons.
 
I Remain, Polkatively Yours,
Derek Kaszuby / Polska Zabawa
http://www.polkajammernetwork.org

Witamy.
Thank you for doing what you do! I'm a young 34-years-old. Born and raised in Buffalo, New York.  Throughout my entire childhood, I performed with the Krakowiacy Polish Folk Dancers of Western New York and participated in the  1989 national festival in Poland.  

I regularly listen to the show.  My wife thinks I am crazy but she can't help but laugh because, sometimes, Polka songs are so damn funny!

I'm not Polish but my upbringing in Buffalo and participation in the dance troupe has endeared me to the Polish culture.

Again, thank you for working so hard to entertain us. Mrs. Wackie...watch out for water today and Wackie Jackie Z go easy on Mrs. Wackie with those pussy willow switch's.

Happy Dyngus Day!
Derek Kilborn from St. Petersburg

JACKIE,

YOU REALLY BLEW THE ROOF OFF WITH THAT SHOW. I REALLY ENJOYED HEARING HAPPY LOUIE AND HIS WIFE OVER THE AIR WAVES. I HAD TEARS WHEN I HEARD HIM. GENE

P.S. YOU GUYS HAVE THE BEST SHOW THAT I HAVE EVER HEARD, AND I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF THEM. YOUR HAPPY LOUIE SHOW TOPS THEM ALL.

Today was an absolutely wonderful day of memories for me. Thanks for making all the old time polka fans in heaven smile and bring sunshine to all of us.

Cheryl Debella

Good music today, with all the problems in the world, your show is 'shelter from the storm', thanks, nothing like it in Pittsburgh!!!........Rich.

5/3/2009

Loved your show today especially the gypsy music, alot of time you drive around town and spanish music is blairing from cars well not to fear but when I'm driving my 88 Chevy S-10 and of course with the windows down I take great pride in cranking the Polka music for Pasco drivers.I really love it and my sister too.

BEARII5778

5/3/2009

HI WACKIE AND MRS. WACKIE,
THANKS SO MUCH FOR ANOTHER GREAT SHOW.
YOU REALLY MAKE MY SUNDAYS GREAT.
JOHN AND PAT VENICE

5/3/2009

I'm listening live online from Chicago, and will revisit in the future. You know we have quite a polka legacy in Chicago, but it's nice to hear the whole mix you present. Keep doin' what you're doin'. F.Y.I., I'm 58 yrs. old.

Tom Bykowski

5/3/2009

We enjoyed your "Live Broadcast" at the Sun Coast Arts Festival in Wesley Chapel with the Europa Band. Enjoy the attached pictures and keep the Polka Music aglow. You both are doing a wonderful service to all the Polka Fans in the Tampa Bay area and the Worldwide Web.....Thanks!

Tom & Joanne

5/10/2009

You two are doing a GREAT JOB!
The Polka Party at WMNF is now the best Polka Show on the air!
Keep up the good work.....
Walt & Eileen Harfmann
SNPJ Lodge 778 Spring Hill, Florida

5/10/2009

MR AND MRS. WACKIE,
GOOD SHOW AND HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE POLKATEERS

FRED AND ROSEMARIE SZTUKOWSKI, SARASOTA/BUFFALO

5/19/2009

You don't have to read this on the air, but we just wanted to tell you how happy we are that we found your site. Your show REALLY makes our Sunday!!

Jerry Laurence

5/25/2009

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Wackie - I so enjoy listening to your program on Sundays but most of all the opportunity to listen to it again and again and again. Thank you to the radio station for making that feature available to the listeners. Your music is great so I always enjoy hearing it over and over.

Arlene Clifton

5/31/2009

JACK AND MRS WACKY,

JUST LISTEN TO YOUR SHOW ON THE INTERNET AND WHOW! YOIU BLEW THE LID OFF THE SHOW WITH THAT HONKY STUFF. HEARD MY REQUEST . 'MOTHER-IN LAW POLKA. SOUNDS BETTER EVERY TIME I HEAR IT. THAT HONKY SONG TOPS THEM ALL. WALLY DOMBROWSKI'S LATEST ' BACK TO ROOTS' CD IS AWESOME TOO. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, YOUR SHOWS ARE THE BEST I'VE HEARD IN A LONG TIME.

GENE(HONKY)BRYDA

6/17/2009

Driving back from a visit to my family in chicagoarea to my home in florida, i picked your show around tampa on the radio....i have great memories about my dad, who played and actually manufactured accordions in the chicago area i'm 73 years young, so you know he passed away a long time ago....he played the concertina when he was about 5 years old and continued to the accordion when he could handle the weight of it.....he was with wls radio for over 30 years and had his own show called "polka time"...he also taught leon sash to plat accordion...in the 40's, leon sash was awarded as the jazz accordionist of the year....leon was blind and my father could read braille music...he also taught my 2 cousins to play accordion and they were on wls barn dance (before grand old oprey) ....my dad wrote a lot of polkas and i shall copy and send you some copies of his cd's.... thanks for the great memories for me when i picked up your station...

jim klatt

6/18/2009

It was a great pleasure to meet you and MRS. Wackie this past Sunday.Spending that time with both of you was very memorable.My wife Linda and our Friend Bob said it was the best time they had lately. Keep up the good work. Tom & Linda Sobieski, Southgate MI. Remember Polkateers do not forget to donate to The Polka Express during the fund drive. Lets Keep Polkas Alive On 88.5

Thomas Sobieski

6/18/2009

We're ready! Let the Party begin ~ Thanks for the great job that you always do. We LOVE the Polka Party Express, Best wishes,

Cindi Pawlik and Family

6/21/2009

Dear Wackie,

Hey, loved the show. Talk about water works, you almost had mine running. So true about our dads. Luckily, after I left for NYC, my dad and I had a heart to heart over the phone, where he opened up like never before. And I responded. I told him, "Dad, you always told us someday we're gonna thank you. Well, today's that day," and I thanked him for his hard work raising us...and for MUSIC. I think he was sensing his declining health and heart problems, so he needed to say things to me like, "You and David mean more to me than anything in this world," something he was always too hard nosed to open up and say. A few weeks later, he was gone.

I got the tears right now, so I say bitter sweetly, thank you so much for helping me remember my dad on this Father's Day '09

6/21/2009

Dear Wackie Jackie Z,

My sister Maryann Wardach forwarded me your 6/19 response to her email requesting a polka tune in honor of my Dad's 80th b'day. I want to thank you for agreeing to play a polka for him, and also to attest to his loyalty to your program from firsthand experience. Joseph Wardach's beloved wife died unexpectedly on 5/19/08. She was his faithful polka dancing partner along with being a devoted wife & mother. They were married for 55 years. In fact, they met @ a Polish wedding! As the firstborn of their 6 children, I elected to live with my Dad during the 1st 6 months after my wonderful Mom died. My Dad & I were terribly grief stricken then. We'd attend mass on Sunday morning & eventually headed out to brunch. He made sure we exited the Restaurant in time to tune in to your program during our ride home. Your program continues to be so therapeutic & enjoyable for him. During those early months, your program provided relief from the intensity of our mourning. In addition, my Dad was able to share lovely memories of my Mom as we listened to your upbeat program together. He told me about the polka weekends in the Catskills that they would attend with friends. He'd recall the various bands and the dancing that took place. will be traveling back to Venice, FL on 6/29 so I can be with my Dad, along with 3 of my other siblings, for his 80th b'day on July 2nd. However I'll be the only one who will remain there long enough to have the pleasure of listening to your program with my Dad. Yes, we'll be tuning in together again on 7/5 & 7/12/09. Now I'm a Polkateer too!

Thanks again for being such a terrific source of comforting memories & fun for our Dad. Hope you & Mrs. Wackie have a great summer!

Kathleen aka Kasha Wardach
Edgewater, NJ 07020

6/28/2009

Dear Wackie Jackie & Mrs. Wackie,

Your show today was real HOT, like a freshly opened jar of horseradish! My spouse managed to broadcast you from his laptop this afternoon. He's now become a Polkateer, & he was born in Guyana, S.A. My Dad phoned me from his home in Venice, FL @ 4:00PM to tell me he both cried & smiled when he heard you read my letter on the air today. He was also thrilled with the Happy Louie tune that you played for him. Well, I'm busy packing & gearing up for my flight out of JFK tomorrow morning. Can't wait to listen to your program again with my Dad on 7/5 & 7/12 while I'm staying with him. Thanks again for reading my letter & honoring our request. Hope the 2 of you have a fabulous 4th of July! God bless America & God bless us all.

Your fan from Venice, FL & Edgewater, NJ,

Kathleen aka Kasha Wardach
Edgewater, NJ 07020

7/15/2009

Jackie,

Just want to compliment You and the Mrs. on Your great show. We are up in Cheektowaga for the next couple of months and are attending the POLISH FESTIVAL in Cheektowaga this weekend. Going to the "Polka Mass" Saturday and then Me and the Mrs will wander over to get a couple of beers and watch and hear Jimmie Sturr. Will take some pics and send You a couple.

My real reason of Me sending this is a big, THANK YOU the way You have Your show. Had My mother who is 84 over the house last Sunday for dinner and had You show on while We ate. Of course being up in age, she could not understand how We can get "Tampa" Polish music on the computer. She just lover the selections and the way You and the Mrs. handle the show. We are just so sad that Your not on longer, 12-6 PM????? (LOL).

In closing, We are all praying for Your MOM and I know she is 'Sleeping with God' Speeze Bogium (I know it is way off, but I know You will get the picture.

Take Care, Fred and Rosemarie Sztukowski Sarasota / Cheektowaga

7/24/2009

My husband Denny and I moved to Florida in 2000 from Wisconsin. We share a lot of heartfelt memories as we listen to your show as we remember the wild times we had with family and friends. We ate great food, laughed, played cards, drank snappers and listened to Polkas, sometimes everyone (the old and the young)would dance in the driveway or in the front yard. This year on Father's Day I surprised my husband with the Polka Party Express radio show, it brought tears to his eyes as he listened to a special Waltz that reminded him of his father who has passed several years ago, it was truly a very special gift to be able to give to my husband. No matter what we are doing or where we go we always make sure we are at home at 2:00 to enjoy your show. Thank you so very much for giving us this time.

Micki Wronkowski- Wesley Chapel, Fl

7/29/2009

We wouldn't miss your Party for a minute. We love you and Mrs. Wackie!
Thank you for all that you do, and for keeping polkas alive ~

Cindi Pawlik (and Gary), Michael, from San Francisco (and J.J.)

8/09/2009

Dear Wackie,

Hello and Greetings from Cleveland Oh. Just an advance note to thank you for the tribute to Dad ( Eddie Habat) and the other honorees! Just came home from the award and dance at the DoubleTree Hotel. As usual the whole crew form the IPA were outstanding! First Class all the way. Saw your ad in the program book. Thanks, Keeping Polkas Alive !! All our best Mark & Debbie Habat.

PS the music was !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mark Habat

8/17/2009

Hi Jackie Z. and Mrs. Wackie!

Just wanted to thank you again for the tickets for the Polish American Club's party Sunday in St. Pete. I had a great time! Very nice people! Very good music! I will attend again! Maybe find me a nice Polish boy and settle down - teehee!

Truly thank you

dixie white

8/18/2009

Hello, Wackie Jackie Z, and Mrs. Wackie! I'm a relatively new listener, but I have to congratulate you two on doing such a great show. I actually started listening to WMNF over the past year because of you guys. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon, driving through town, with Hot Polka music to keep me company? Bring out the knackwurst and sauerkraut, too!

Your Polka Party Express works because you two sound like you are having such a great time together. Now, the first time I heard your show, I thought to myself, "These guys have got to be kidding. Two hours of Polka music?" but I kept on listening, and I'm hooked! Keep up the good work, guys! And it turns out my wife actually went to high school with Mrs. Wackie, so now she is a Polkateer, too. Now, if I only knew how to dance....

Talk to you later, and thanks again for the great show!

Tim Freeland, Plant City

8/23/2009

Dear Wackie

I love this show!! Keep up the good work.

Franklin Roberts

10/23/2009

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Wackie;

Your shows are very enjoyable, refreshing and a welcome break from the everyday political nonsense. Polka Music is definitely "Happy Music" that I have enjoyed since my youth, Thank You for keeping it alive. I am 73 and live in Miami, Florida

Steve Jakobowski

11/07/2009

I listen over the Internet from Sacramento, California.My "home" community radio station is KVMR in Nevada City, CA, but sometimes they play stuff that isn't my favorite and I look for alternatives. I blundered into the Polka Party when looking for something else. What I know about polkas could be printed on the head of a pin, with room for the Lord's Prayer and a recipe for pierogi. But I am sure learning a lot about the music from you folks and the Polka Party is now on my regular listening list. So, my conscience dictates that I support the show.

Katherine Brunetti

11/07/2009

This contribution is inspired by Wacky Jacky and the Mrs. Wacky Polka Show on Sunday afternoons. It is one of the most wholesome and happy broadcasts that I have heard in my 60 years of listening to radio! Thank you Jacky Z and Mrs. Wacky! And thank you ALL at WMNF!

11/07/2009

We enjoy all the programs on WMNF but my husband and I have been catching Sunday's Polka Party for over 20 years. We are always inspired by their level of enthusiasm! If more people had just a SLIVER of the passion that the Wackie's do, for anything they did in life, the world would be a better place! Thanks again and long live WMNF!

12/01/2009

Dear Wackie

I missed your show yesterday. I found out today about the tribute through an email from someone in France! I wished you would have advertised on google! But it might have brought more listeners than you could handle. I just finished listening to it on the ARCHIVES and I want to thank You and Joe on a wonderful show that it was! It was just beautiful and it made my day! You had to do a lot of work on that. The 78's was superb! Clear and crisp. What a clean up that was. I could not have done a better selection of songs myself, being a Li'l Wally Fan!!!!! Thank YOU both again for making my day!

Verna Molek,
Pennsylvania

12/01/2009

Just would like to send out a request to my whole family for my personal favorite Lil' Wally's Puka Jasiu. I still play the record and drum along to it in my basement. He is definitely one of the musicians who makes me LOVE polka music! I think you guys are doing a great job at keeping polka's alive! Im so glad I can pick up you're station on the Internet from Virgina! Thanks for providing some great music on a Sunday afternoon to sit back and enjoy!

Matt

12/01/2009

I was unable to listen to the show on Sunday, but was able to check out the entire thing today on the Archives while at work. It wasn't easy because I actually had work to do, so it took me most of the day with all the pausing that was necessary.

But allow me to congratulate you on a swell show! I guess I didn't realize how many big tunes Wally really had. The show was not only informative, but it was good hearing all of those familiar melodies.

Well done!
Your Polka Cuzzin...
Rick/Stick/Fred