Fourth of July | East Bay Banjo Club

By: “Washbored Don” Granberg
Photos by: Linda Myers and Edward Hefter

Wow! It’s hard to believe that the year is half over. The 4th of July parade in Orinda was a lot of fun. We milled around the parking lot in the morning and enjoyed pastries until the truck and finally the straw bales arrived, as arranged by Bobbie Landers. Edward Hefter, Bob Malucelli, Phil Myers, and another hunk loaded the hay on the truck and we all helped to decorate the float. Herb Moore, Karen Hefter, Mickie McDonald, Linda and Phil Myers, Bob and Diane Malucelli, Ardie Jarrett, Chris Lardge, Dick Neuman, and Don Granberg played their hearts out on the songs selected by Betty David, our leader for this performance, and the beat was kept by Guy Black. We followed Boy Scouts, old cars, a Dixieland band, and a number of other groups through Old Orinda Crossroads and then through Orinda Village. Our newest member, David Hefter, helped keep the beat by playing his washboard. Although new to the EBBC, his amazing memory allowed him to play along with all of the songs without looking at any music! We all played in the heat until our fingers were numb and nearly melted. It was a lot of fun and everyone who participated had a great time. We would like to give a big “thank you” to our corporate sponsor, Alex Gailas and his wife from A.G. Realty, for supporting the EBBC in this parade.