Local History

Polka was king in Minnesota’s early years

BY BRIAN HAINES

Executive director of the McLeod County Museum

In the McLeod County History Museum, there’s a plaque on the wall near the entrance to the west wing that reads “No power on earth has the ability to move people like the spirit of music.” The quote was written by two Minnesota musicians, Vern and Alyce Steffel, donors of the west wing, and though they did not hail from McLeod County, their quote speaks volumes when it comes to this area’s history.

McLeod County’s history of music began in 1855 when three brothers of the famed Hutchinson singers decided to lay their roots along the edge of the Big Woods. Their first night in the county was spent in Glencoe, and as you might guess, they gave a free concert to the residents there. The following day they set out for the site that would later bear their name where they no doubt literally sang praise to the land around them.

Though the Hutchinson brothers were the first famous singers of the area, they were by no means the only musicians. Those early settlers came from all parts of Europe and the United States, bringing key facets of their culture and traditions along with them — music among them.

Music was an important aspect of everyday life. Living on the frontier could be tough and monotonous. Settlers had none of the modern conveniences we enjoy today, so idle time was often spent playing and listening to music. Instruments on the frontier were basic. Since most settlers traveled by ox cart, their instruments had to be somewhat portable. A popular instrument at the time was the small push button concertina, an instrument commonly referred to as a “squeeze box.” It was lightweight, portable, and a key instrument in a style of music that was fast gaining popularity in parts of Europe and the United States — polka.

Polka is said to have originated in Czechoslovakia where the term “pulka” was coined. According to legend, the word “pulka” means to “dance in half,” referring to the half tempo and half-step style of dance that accompanies the music. In Wisconsin, Minnesota and the Dakotas, where German, Bavarian and Czech immigrants arrived in droves, polka fast became the mainstream genre of music.

Minnesota had become settled by 1900 and was changing fast. Over the next few decades, dance halls were constructed across the state. They needed musicians and musical groups to perform, and the “modern” polka band was born. They ranged from three people to 12 or more and typically consisted of drums; horns such as trumpets, trombones and tubas; woodwinds such as clarinets and saxophones; and of course the mainstay of polka music, the accordion or concertina. Music typically included polkas, waltzes and schottisches — each played with unique timing.

By the 1920s and 1930s, Minnesota bands like Whoopee John and the Six Fat Dutchmen became household names as radios broadcast their music in homes. It was at this same time that McLeod County saw its own rise of homegrown bands. A popular musician at the time was Jerry Dostal, who formed an eight-piece band in the early 1930s. The group frequented radio broadcasts all over Minnesota in the ’30s and even played in the Dakotas and Iowa.

Another popular group was the Littfin Bros. Orchestra of Winsted. Local musicians regularly played in ballrooms and dance halls such as the Lake Marion Ballroom, Pla-Mor Ballroom, Archway Club, Stewart Community Hall and many more.

Nationwide, polka began to lose popularity with the younger crowd in the 1950s and ’60s as rock ’n’ roll took over. Yet in McLeod County and other parts of the state, polka held onto its popularity. Local musicians such as Jerry Kadlec, a player in the original

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Chuck, Jason and Jacob Thiel — three generations — will be serving up polka music May 5 at the McLeod County History Museum’s fi rst Whoopee Fest.

➤ continued from 9 Whoopee John Band, did their part to entertain crowds.

One popular McLeod County musician of the time was Brownton native Lester Schuft, who took his love for polka all over Minnesota. An original member of “Eddie’s Dance Band,” Schuft would go on to play in front of Hubert H. Humphrey, New Ulm Polka Days, the Big Joe Polka Show, and at the Metrodome prior to a Twins game.

Another man with the same last name, Jerry Schuft, played in polka bands in the 1950s and carried his love of music with him for many years afterward. A Brownton native, Jerry played in several bands and was lucky enough to tour the Twin Cities ballroom circuit, as well as other regions of Minnesota.

Another musician, Wally Pikal, literally jumped onto the scene and would go on to entertain America with his unique skill of playing two trumpets at once while bouncing on a pogo stick. He began his “Wally and the Dill Pickles Orchestra” in 1950. His act eventually received national attention and Pikal was booked on “The Tonight Show,” “The Mike Douglas Show,” “Bozo the Clown,” and “The Al Harrington Show.” Pikal eventually brought the act to the international stage in Czechoslovakia, where he played three trumpets while jumping on a pogo stick to the tune of “Beer Barrel Polka.”

Polka music has faded some through the years, but musicians like Chuck Thiel, whose Jolly Ramblers have over a century’s worth of history, continue to entertain crowds with the style of music that is part of the folk culture of Minnesota and McLeod County.

To celebrate McLeod County’s tradition of “old-time” music, the History Museum is hosting

FILE PHOTO

Polka music has long been a part of Minnesota and McLeod County history. Local musician Wally Pikal went on to entertain America with his unique skill of playing multiple trumpets while bouncing on a pogo stick. He performed this unique act on “The Tonight Show” as well as other TV programs. Pictured is Wally playing with his band at the 2016 McLeod County Fair.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Among the displays in the Steffel Wing at the McLeod County Historical Museum is the Whoopee John Bandstand, which features Vern Steffel’s memorabilia collection of the nationally known polka band.

“Whoopee Fest,” a polka event on Thursday, May 5. Admission to the event is free. There will be live music played by Chuck Thiel, as well as German food and beer catered by The Blue Note from Winsted. In addition, there will be sausage made locally by the Brownton Meat Market (there will be a charge for the meal). Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the music will begin at 6 p.m. There will also be free Alpine-style hats for the first guests to show up. Lederhosen will be optional. — Brian Haines is executive director of the McLeod County Historical Society and Museum, 380 School Road N.W., Hutchinson. The museum is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1-4 p.m. Saturday and by appointment. Admission is free. For more information, call the museum at 320-5872109.

MONEY MATTERS

Set boundaries for ‘boomerang’ kids

FINANCIAL FOCUS

By Edward Jones

Once you’re an empty nester, you may start shifting your focus — and your financial resources — to your own retirement, while still preparing for the unexpected with sufficient insurance and an emergency fund. But here’s an event you might not have anticipated: your grown kids moving back home. How would this affect your life?

Take comfort: You’re not alone. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend of “boomerang” kids. By July 2020, more than half of 18- to 29-year-olds in the U.S. were living with their parents, according to the Pew Research Center — the first time this had happened since the Great Depression.

Grown children moving back home can present some challenges — one of which may be your own generosity. Consider this: 71% of retirees are willing to offer financial support to their families even if it could jeopardize their own financial futures, according to the Edward Jones/Age Wave Four Pillars of the New Retirement study.

So, how do you balance the trade-off between providing support and staying on track toward your own goals?

Ultimately, the choice is highly personal. You have to decide how much and what kind of help you’re willing to provide. Then, to achieve a happy balance, you may well need to set boundaries. By doing so, you communicate the limits of what you’re willing to do, which helps everyone involved know what’s expected, right up front.

For example, you may want working children to contribute part of their salary for room and board at your home, or perhaps help out around the house in some way. Regardless of what boundaries you decide to set, it’s important to follow through with them.

Setting these types of boundaries helps everyone. Your children, like virtually all young adults, want to be independent — and you want to enjoy the retirement lifestyle you’ve envisioned. — This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC.

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