COUNCILMAN FRITZ SCHERZ TO HOST 8th ANNUAL THANK YOU DINNER FOR VETERANS!

Fred “Fritz” Scherz, Jr., Councilman on the Verona Town Board, will hold his 8^th Annual Thank You

Dinner for all Town of Verona Veterans and their families on Sunday, November 11^th from 5pm to 6pm at the Verona Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6811 (4928 Spring Rd.) in Verona. 

“I have great admiration for Veterans and thought this would be a nice way to thank them once again,” said Scherz.  “The last seven years I’ve held this event, there was a good turnout. It is always great to see Veterans of various ages attend, share their stories with each other, and even make some new friends. This year, though, we will miss a friend of the Scherz family for over 40 years, WWII Veteran, Louie Trunko, who recently passed away. I want folks to know that as with last seven years I’ve held this dinner, no town funds are being used for it whatsoever as this is not a government-based event.  Rather, I am personally covering the cost because this is just something I thought would be nice to do again. My family always looks forward to this annual event. We even have a surprise special guest lined up to attend. So, if you’re a Veteran from the Town of Verona, I sure hope to see you and your family at my Thank You Dinner!”

  

While reservations are not required, Veterans who plan on attending are asked to contact Fritz at

 fritz@fritzscherz.com and/or (315) 363-3509 by November 8^th so he can better plan on how much food to have. Plus, if folks have any food allergies, Fritz wants to plan accordingly. For more information on Fritz, go to: www.fritzscherz.com, Fritz’s Twitter feed at: www.twitter.com/fritzscherz, and/or his blog at: www.fritzscherz.blogspot.com. 

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FRITZ'S POLKA BAND RECEIVES LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION BY NEW YORK STATE SENATOR, JOE GRIFFO!

Fritz's Polka Band (sponsored by Coldcock Whiskey) from Verona, NY was presented with a State of New York Legislative Resolution by New York State Senator, Joe Griffo on October 19. De Anna Stafford (from Senator Griffo’s office) handled the presentation prior to Fritz’s Polka Band performing that night at Copper City Brewing Company in Rome, NY. The resolution read in part as follows: “Whereas, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and commend those musicians who have brought entertainment and cultural enrichment to the citizens of the great State of New York; and Whereas, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 40^th Anniversary of Fritz’s Polka Band…”

“This was quite an awesome surprise,” said Fritz Scherz, band leader of Fritz's Polka Band (FPB).  “For my band to receive statewide recognition for our 40^th anniversary by the legislature is quite amazing! Big thanks to Senator Griffo for making this happen! Joe has been a friend of ours for many years and has always been there for us…whether it was putting in a good word for us with Michael Lang prior to Woodstock ’99 or doing an Oneida County proclamation to honor my band for our 25^th anniversary back in 2003 or when he honored my Dad, (the late Fred Scherz Sr.), for being the first person in New York State to be inducted into the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame in Euclid, Ohio in 2004. It’s truly an honor be friends with Joe!”

October 14, 2018 marked the 40^th anniversary of Fritz's Polka Band! FPB made history in 1999 by becoming the first polka band to play at a Woodstock Festival.  FPB has made 18 recordings and appears on "The Manchurian Candidate" DVD, released in 2004. In 2011, FPB had two songs (‘Grandparent’s Polka’ and ‘Here Is Fritz’s Polka Band’) included in two episodes of the TV show, ‘Breaking Bad’.  In 2013, FPB released their 18^th recording, a double live CD entitled, “The WSKG Sessions”. Last year, FPB was nominated for three Just Plain Folks Music Awards and each member was nominated for national awards by the Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame (CSPHOF). In August 2018, FPB and each band member were again nominated for national awards by the CSPHOF.

For more information on Fritz’s Polka Band, view the band’s website:  www.fritzspolkaband.com, Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/fritzspolkaband, their Twitter feed at: www.twitter.com/fritzspolkaband, and/or their Instagram at: www.instagram.com/fritzspolkaband.                                                                                         

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FRITZ’S POLKA BAND AND ALL FRITZ’S POLKA BAND MEMBERS NOMINATED FOR NATIONAL AWARDS!

Fritz's Polka Band (FPB) from Verona, NY, as well as all FPB members have been nominated for national awards by the Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame (CSPHOF) in Euclid, OH.  FPB has been nominated in the “Band of the Year” category. Original remaining founding FPB members, Fritz Scherz (accordionist/vocalist) and Gabe Vaccaro (bassist/vocalist) have both been nominated in the “Musician of the Year” category, while fellow FPB members, Frank Nelson (guitarist/vocalist) and Mike Faraino (drummer) have been nominated in the “Sideman of the Year” category.  The winners will be announced during the CSPHOF Awards Show on Saturday, November 24^th at the Cleveland (OH) Downtown Marriott Hotel as part of the annual Thanksgiving Polka Weekend. 

“The guys in my band were already eager to play again in Cleveland on November 24^th and 25^th, as we always have a great time there,” said Fritz Scherz, band leader of Fritz's Polka Band.  “Now, with FPB as well as each FPB member nominated for national awards, this has increased our anticipation for Thanksgiving Weekend! To think we get to play twice that weekend AND attend the awards show as nominees is an incredible feeling! We encourage our friends to join the CSPHOF right away and vote for us!!! This yet another cool thing happening this year as we celebrate our 40th anniversary!!!”

This year, Fritz's Polka Band is celebrating 40 years of performing! FPB made history in 1999 by becoming the first polka band to play at a Woodstock Festival.  FPB has made 18 recordings and appears on "The Manchurian Candidate" DVD, released in 2004. In 2011, FPB had two songs (‘Grandparent’s Polka’ and ‘Here Is Fritz’s Polka Band’) included in two episodes of the TV show, ‘Breaking Bad’.  In 2013, FPB released their 18^th recording, a double live CD entitled, “The WSKG Sessions”. Last year, FPB was nominated for three Just Plain Folks Music Awards and each member was nominated for national awards by the Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame.

For more information on Fritz’s Polka Band, view the band’s website:  www.fritzspolkaband.com, Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/fritzspolkaband, their Twitter feed at: www.twitter.com/fritzspolkaband, and/or their Instagram at: www.instagram.com/fritzspolkaband. For details on joining the CSPHOF, go to: www.polkafame.com and/or call: (866) 66-POLKA.

                                                                                             

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FRITZ'S POLKA BAND WORKING ON NEW RECORDING TO COMMEMORATE 40TH ANNIVERSARY!

Fritz's Polka Band (sponsored by Coldcock Whiskey) from Verona, NY, is in the process of working on a new recording to commemorate their 40^th anniversary. The Fritz’s Polka Band (FPB) recording sessions, which started in mid-June, have been taking place at SubCat Music Studios in Syracuse, NY. A release date has not been set yet.

“Since this year marks my band’s 40^th anniversary, I thought recording a new CD would be a cool way to celebrate this band milestone,” said Fritz Scherz, band leader of Fritz's Polka Band. “Additionally, we have numerous original tunes that have never been recorded….including some that are rather personal to me, so it felt like the time was right to do this. While the recording project is not completed yet, we have made great strides in accomplishing what will be a very eclectic album.  We have some surprises planned, too!” 

FPB made history in 1999 by becoming the first polka band to play at a Woodstock Festival.  FPB has made 18 recordings and appears on "The Manchurian Candidate" DVD, released in 2004.  In 2011, FPB had two songs (‘Grandparent’s Polka’ and ‘Here Is Fritz’s Polka Band’) included in two episodes of the TV show, ‘Breaking Bad’.  In 2013, FPB released their 18^th recording, a double live CD entitled, “The WSKG Sessions”. Last year, FPB was nominated for three Just Plain Folks Music Awards and each member was nominated for national awards by the Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame.

For more information on FPB, visit the band’s website:  www.fritzspolkaband.com, Facebook page at:

www.facebook.com/fritzspolkaband, their Twitter feed at: www.twitter.com/fritzspolkaband, and/or their Instagram at: www.instagram.com/fritzspolkaband. 

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COUNCILMAN SCHERZ ANNOUNCES WINNER OF 9th ANNUAL FRED SCHERZ SR. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY SERVICE!

Fred “Fritz” Scherz, Jr., Councilman on the Verona Town Board in Verona, NY, announced today that he has selected Zachary Nell from the Town of Verona as winner of the 9th Annual Fred Scherz Sr. Memorial Scholarship for Volunteer Community Service. Mr. Nell initially joined the Verona Volunteer Fire Department as a junior member. Since he has turned 18 years old, he can apply to become a full member and continue his volunteerism. Although he’s been a member for a little over one year, he’s already responded to various calls for assistance in the community. Additionally, Mr. Nell has voluntarily assisted at the Vernon Verona Sherrill Baseball Clinic as well as at the Oneida County Youth Bureau Camp for American Legion Baseball, as well as other activities. As winner of this award, Mr. Nell received a certificate of accomplishment and a check for $250. 

 

“Upon reviewing this year’s applications, I was struck by how Mr. Nell felt the urge to volunteer at a junior age with the Verona Volunteer Fire Department,” said Scherz. “It’s a well-known fact that volunteer fire departments throughout central New York (and beyond) need volunteers. For a young man like Zachary to step up says a lot about his character and willingness to serve! He comes from a family who’s volunteered in various communities over the years, so it’s nice to see him continue the Nell tradition. It’s obvious he cares about not only the Verona community, but the surrounding areas as well, as his volunteerism has extended beyond the Town of Verona. I congratulate Zachary for not only winning the scholarship, but for also setting a great example for others to follow. On a personal note, I know my Dad would’ve been impressed with the on-going volunteer efforts of this young man!”

 

For more details on the 9th Annual Fred Scherz Sr. Memorial Scholarship for Volunteer Community Service, visit Fritz’s website at: www.fritzscherz.com, his Twitter feed at: www.twitter.com/fritzscherz, his blog at: www.fritzscherz.blogspot.com, or call: (315) 363-3509.

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