Evelyn Wojtkowski has split her days between her native Monessen and Hamtramck, Mich., her home for more than four decades.
But for many area residents, she is known by her stage name, Evelyn Wayne, and the accordion she loves to play.
Born in Monessen, she graduated from Monessen High School, where she was one of the first drum majorettes.
She attended Duff's Business Instittue and briefly worked in the Monessen tin plate mill and at Pittsburgh Steel before moving to Michigan to follow a job opportunity.
Moving to Hamtramck, Wojtkowski worked as secretary first for the Chrysler Corp. and later for General Dynamics, from where she retired.
Wojtkowski lived in Michigan for 44 years before moving back home to Monessen to take care of her ailing mother.
"I took care of her until she went to be with the Lord," Wojtkowski said.
It is playing the accordion that has brought Wojtkowski pleasure for many years.
Wojtkowski began playing the accordion at age 12, receiving lessons from Volkwen's of Pittsburgh for $1 a lesson.
Her father, Julius, played concertina. He was born in Poland and came to Monessen as a young boy. Her mother, Frances, was born in the U.S.
Wojtkowski's accordion has taken her far. She has played weddings and with small orchestras.
As an adult, she played at the Greentree Lounge in Washington, Pa. and her concerts were broadcast on WJPA radio in the city.
She has played in nursing homes, veterans hospitals and at retirement parties.
She even played at Tiger Stadium on Polish Night.
"I played right next to (Tigers pitcher) Denny McLain," Wojtkowski said.
In Michigan, she organized the Hamtramck Polka Club and the Secretaries of Chrysler's Girls Club.
"I enjoy this," Wojtkowski said. "I like to entertain kids because they say cute things."
Wojtkowski laughs when she recalls a little boy who asked her to play "The Chicken Dance."
As she was finishing the song, he whispered something to his mother.
"The mother said, 'He said after you're done playing the Chicken Dance, will you play In Heaven there is no Beer?'"
This year marks the seventh straight that Wojtkowski has played at the Keystone Bakery sites to celebrate Paczki.
Paczki is a Polish tradition in which all of the sweets are gathered and eaten before fasting for Lent begins.
During Paczki, special filled donut-like pastries are made and eaten in the pre-Lent festival.
When she isn't playing her accordion, Wojtkowski likes to watch movies, listen to music and sew her costumes.
