Dan and I suddenly decided to go to Wildwood and Cape May, New Jersey for a couple of days to escape the heat in Maryland and to enjoy the lovely ocean. The next day, Wednesday, August 3rd, we arrived at our eclectic, old motel near the beach in Wildwood. My friends joked with us,

“So, an accordion-free vacation — this is a novelty for the two of you!” We excitedly threw our bags into the room, got back in the car, and drove to gorgeous Cape May. As a child, I spent every summer at these two side-by-side locations and have very fond memories of those wonderful trips.

While looking around Cape May and reminiscing, I spotted the familiar old bandstand two blocks away. We were heading toward the frozen custard stand and I quickly stopped Dan. “Look, Dan! I see the shoulders of a person on that bandstand and there are two black straps on his shoulders. That HAS to be AN ACCORDION!” I dragged Dan the two blocks down the alley, excitedly wondering, “Who is the accordion player in this band? Do we know him?”

As we got close, I see what seems to be several accordionists! Then, as we came around to the front of the bandstand, there was the banner, “Westmont Philharmonia Accordion Orchestra”. We were delighted! How could this be? The ONE night we are in Cape May, Stanley and Joanna Arnold Darrow’s orchestra is playing there!

Needless to say, we stayed for the lovely outdoor concert and enjoyed every minute of it. Joanna Arnold told us that their Westmont, New Jersey accordion orchestra has been performing on this bandstand every summer in early August for many years. Well, our “accordion-free vacation” was delightful – especially because it was not “accordion-free”!

Photo left of Stanley and Joanna Joanna Arnold Darrow