Trustees Honor Roll

Kumik, Merle

Polka Promoter (1925)
Inducted on November 28, 1998

Assuming a role out of the spotlight, Merle Kumik has been an avid promoter of Cleveland-Style Polkas. Founder and first president of the Penn-Ohio Polka Pals Booster Club, Merle has co-hosted Joe Fedorchak's polka tours, sponsored and organized polka bus tours and dances, and provided consultation to the Akron-Barberton-Canton Polka Club. In the broadcast arena, Merle has provided able assistance to Cleveland-Style Polka Disc Jockeys Steve Helvak in Struthers and Gene Fedorchak in Youngstown since 1979. Merle's Poland Beverage Center and Polka Village was the major source for Cleveland-Style recordings in the Penn-Ohio area in the early 1980s. Merle has managed the Polka Celebrity Waiters' Dance for the Catholic School Scholarship Fund and assisted with the Tod Children's Bospital fund- raiser among other charitable causes.