October 14th, 2024

Good mornings folks,

      If I had known how much fun it was turning 77, I would’ve done it a long time ago!  We had an enormous cake and so many people coming through the store to wish me happy birthday, have a piece of cake and just hang out, that it was the best birthday possible. Old friends, new friends and countless family members came through the revolving door at Bernunzio Uptown Music, and it was all capped off by a wonderful workshop from Muriel Anderson. One of the complaints about our store has always been that there’s not very easy parking. Well, if we had a better parking situation, I think we would’ve had buy three cakes! Anyway, I just want to thank everyone for their warm wishes on all of the various platforms out there…I have tried to answer each and everyone, but I’m sure there’s a few I missed. a big thank you goes out to all of my friends and family.

     We are in the middle of a very big month of musical conventions. Three are coming up within the next few weeks and we will be attending each one of them. This week the American Banjo Fraternity holds its convention in NY. This group is dedicated to the preservation of the classical style of banjo playing which is music that is written specifically for banjo circa 1890-1920s. We will be bringing a few banjos for display on Friday night. On October 23, Ryan and Sam will be heading to Lansing, Michigan to represent us at the "Banjo Gathering" an assembly of people dedicated to everything arcane about the banjo. I have attended for many years but this year I think I will take a pass and let the young guys take over. At the end of the month, we are privileged to be attending the Classical Mandolin Society of America’s annual convention here in Rochester, NY. We will have a booth at the convention, which is at the Hyatt hotel, and we also be introducing a few of the acts. Julie and I are thinking we might have to get an apartment in Rochester because we seem to be there a lot lately..anyway it’s a thought. I have still been commuting back-and-forth to Penn Yan, but now that it’s getting dark earlier, it’s a little bit more of a strain. We shall see what the months ahead have in store.

    Dismal, cold and rainy weather descended upon us Sunday canceling plans for a get together with kids and grandkids. So the birthday will really drag on for a couple more weeks…as it should.

With peace,

John Bernunzio

Julie cut and served every bit of this enormous, beautiful and tasty cake from the great, Leo’s Bakery, Deli and Cafe….Patrick Bernunzio, owner. There’s a lot to like at Leo’s!!

Our home on Main St., Penn Yan