June 14, 2019

The East Bay Banjo Club played a spirited one-hour set for Flag Day at Stoneman Village in Pittsburg.  Stoneman is a lovely setting, and we played in their attractive courtyard on a beautiful day surrounded by bougainvillea plants and a nice soft breeze.

To mark the Flag Day occasion we played a patriotic set, starting with the five songs of our U.S. Armed Forces — The Marines’ Hymn, The Caissons Go Rolling Along, Anchors Away, the Air Force Song, and Semper Paratus (the Coast Guard song).

Twelve club members played the event, and several others attended.  Banjo players were Paul Mack, Ardie Jarrett, Tom Brunetti, Garry Kerr, Betty David, and Chris Lardge.  Don Granberg played keyboard and also doubled on washboard for a few songs.  Jan Ruzicka played guitar, Slavka Ruzicka played autoharp, Doug Johnson played clarinet and John Greitzer played bass.  Kit Nelson sang several numbers.  Don, Chris, and Slavka also shared some of the vocal duties.  Other members in attendance were Bob Nelson and Mimi Johnson.

We are fortunate to have played at Stoneman Village every year for the past several years, and we certainly hope to be invited back again.