In the late 80’s to mid 90’s I worked for WARD-AM. A 10,000 watt daytimer in Pittston, PA owned by Jim and Dorothy Ward. It was one of the few remaining locally owned radio stations that was still committed to local programming. Weekday programming was local and national talk and weekends were dedicated to spinning polkas during “Polka Weekend.”
We had a library of polka records that we played on turntables. CDs and MP3s weren’t around yet, so we still were a slave to queuing up the vinyl and dealing with skips and scratches.
One of the bands that got airplay was the “Jan Lewan Orchestra.” Jan immigrated to the United States from Poland and found his way to southern Luzerne County in Hazleton. It was there where he opened a gift shop selling stuff you would never allow in your house or wear around your neck unless you were a little touched.
While his music was being played on WARD and the amber jewelry he was selling in his shop collecting dust, he was on the road with his band playing gigs and selling stock in his “company.” He was finally nailed for his Ponzi scheme, but not before taking the life savings of many elderly who enjoyed his music and were charmed by his personality.
He did his time in prison and even has his neck slashed by a cell mate. Recently he was set free and he’s working on putting a band together again. In today’s Wilkes-Barre, PA Times Leader newspaper, Sherry Long tells the story of how this criminal is working to repay those who he swindled. (Good luck if anyone sees a dime from him.)
In the article, photographer Pete Wilcox captured a great photo of the bandleader and one of his senior followers. If there is a caption that goes along with this picture, it should read:
Having been swindled out of her life savings by former polka band leader Jan Lewan (left), Stella Wondelowski grabs hold of Levan and beckons for other seniors to come up and beat the shit out of him during a recent performance.
The look on the old broad’s face is priceless!
