Ray Polarski, Violin Maker
    1915 - 1997 

In a farmhouse built by his parents in the late 1880's on Highway 45 south of Three Lakes, Ray Polarski was born on February 23rd, 1915. His four older sisters were very happy to have a brother to help with the chores. In a few years two more children were born to the family......another boy and a girl. The girls grew up and moved away. Rays father died in 1932 and two years later, his mother died. Ray and his brother, John, were left to take over the farm as young boys.

Ray Polarski playing Win Olson's first violin 1/95.

    Ray repaired a violin when he was just 12 years old. He used this violin as a pattern to make his first violin. His brother, John, would sell some of the later violins or fiddles at school which was located across the road. The country school was where the Sportsman's Bar is today.
   Music and Saturday night dances were their forms of entertainment for Ray and John. Ray made the violins and John made guitars and mandolins. Some of these early instruments were sold for $5. This wasn't much money even in those days as it took about a hundred hours from start to finish for a violin. But considering that wood was available at no cost (the only item he had to buy were the strings) he felt he made a small profit.

Ray Polarski in his shop 8/92.
     Family Photo
   Ray played his fiddle for his children as they danced to the tunes of  "Turkey in the Straw" and "Pop Goes the Weasel." He was busy raising his five children and didn't have much time to make violins. Later his brother John reminded him that he had a talent and should start making violins again. In his retirement, Ray made many violins. Ray is listed in the national registry of violin makers. The Boston and New York symphonies have his violins.

Contributed by the Polarski Family
Last updated 10-16-01