National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum
605 East 222nd Street
Euclid, OH 44123
USA
E-mail: Polkashop@aol.com
Phone: 216-261-3263
Toll Free: 1-800-66POLKA
Fax: 216-261-4134
Mary Skerlong, "the first lady of ethnic radio," was considered the "Slovenian matriarch
of Western Pennsylvania." Broadcasting from Pittsburgh's Keystone Hotel in 1938,
Mary featured live musicians when turntables were not readily available. Elected
for thirty consecutive years to host the "American- Slovene Radio Program," Mary
built an audience approaching 50,000 across four states on Pittsburgh's WPIT, and
defied the experts by returning to her post just eight weeks after a heart attack
in 1980. Maintaining a Slovenian focus, Mary disdained the support of politicians
and sponsors, instead relying on voluntary contributions from her listeners. Mary
regularly traveled to Slovenia to keep her repertoire current and featured the recordings
of Cleveland-Style orchestras. Mary organized and taught Slovenian language classes,
was active throughout the Slovenian community, oversaw Slovenian participation in
the Pittsburgh Folk Festival, and was named "Slovenian Woman of the Year" by the
American-Slovenes of Western Pennsylvania in 1985.
Inducted in 1996
www.polkafame.com © National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum, 605
East 222nd Street, Euclid, OH 44123, USA.
