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The following is a story taken from the Marshfield
News-Herald, Friday December 16, 1955. The caption
under the picture read, "LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE FOR
THESE MUSICIANS--Six of the 11 children of Mr. and
Mrs. Ed Nikolai, Route 3, Stratford, comprise this musical
group, which has been having a happy time for three years
playing before folks in central and northern Wisconsin.
From left, they are: Caroline, 20, accordian; Francis, 14,
clarinet; Eugene, 15, sousaphone; Leonard, 10, accordian;
Theodore, 13, cornet, and Rose Marie, 17, guitar."
Rozeliville Young People
Prove Music Has Its Joy
ROZELLVILLE--(Special)--If you have attended a
public function in this community during the past several
years, the chances are you already have made the
acquaintance of the self-styled "Nikolodeons," and
orchestra composed of six of the 11 children of Mr. and
Mrs. Ed Nikolai, route 3, Stratford.
This group has been making something of a career of
playing at dinners, dances and other social gatherings
since the formation of the orchestra three years ago.
With only a smattering of formal musical training,
which has been supplemented by intensive self-study and
semi-weekly rehearsals under the direction of the oldest
daughter, these young people have a happy time playing
before many folks in central and northern Wisconsin.
Caroline, 20, an employee at the Weinbrenner Shoe
factory at Marshfield, is the recognized leader of the
group. She began accordian lessons at the age of 15, and
helped to start a younger sister and four brothers on the
road to happy lives through music.
Others in the orchestra are Rose Marie, 17, guitar, and
Eugene, 15, sousaphone, both students at Marshfield
Senior High School. Next in age is Francis, 14, clarinet, a
student at Willard D. Purdy Junior High School at
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Marshfield.  Youngest members are Theodore, 13,
coronet, and Leonard, 10, another accordionist, students
at St. Andrew's School, Rozellville.
The five other Nikolai children are Raymond, serving
in the Army at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo.; Eleanor, 16,
Victor, 11, Germaine, 8, and Mary Lou, 6, all at home.
Eleanor is studying saxophone, and Victor and Mary Lou
display inclinations of becoming accordian players.
Prospects seem bright that "The Nikolodeons" soon may
expand into a larger musical organization.
Mr. and Mrs. Nikolai, who show no anxiety over the
investment of nearly $3,000 in musical instruments for
their children, view the orchestra as a happy adventure.
Both parents in their earlier years had brief amateur
musical careers, playing the accordian and violin,
respectively.