Sundem Oil in Hills is more commonly known as Orv’s. It is an epicenter of social activity for the southwest corner of Rock County, and frequent visitors are aware that the atmosphere can be surprising. That was definitely the case for anyone who happened to stop in Saturday evening.

The counter was packed with hunters and the booths in the back were filled with women and children. Both scenarios are not that uncommon for the small station.
On Saturday there was something different, something special. The sound of “happy music” could be heard coming from the back corner of the room.

Fritz Lukes of Lester Prairie was in town, and he brought with him his handcrafted concertina. An impromptu concert at Orv’s has become a longstanding tradition for Lukes, who visits every fall during the hunting season.

He makes the journey south with Brad Bush, who grew up in Hills and still has several family members in the area. The two work together and long ago became hunting partners.

Lukes is a lifelong musician who rarely travels without his small green concertina. He has played at the Tuff Village and even once made a trip to Hills to play in the Friendship Days parade in honor of Brad’s parents’ anniversary.
The concert at Orv’s has become a fun way to end the hunting day and Orv Sundem welcomes the festivities.

Lukes’ passion for playing concertinas goes beyond an ordinary hobby.
He is one of few people in the world who can actually craft the instrument by hand.
The green and pearl concertina he played on Saturday is one he made. It contains 300 reeds and features his last name in green sparkle letters down the front panel.
He plays in several bands making what he calls “old-time music,” although he admits that many of his peers now call it “happy music.”