Wisconsin seems to have a pretty good sense of humor about its clichés. Beer? Brats? Cheese? Bring it on.
And if we’re making a list, let’s add polka!
A question came in from Josie, an elementary school student in Mineral Point, who asked, “How did the polka become a dance and a tradition?” So WPR’s WHYsconsin followed up with her and answered her question.

How did polka become a dance and tradition? You betcha we have an answer!

Wisconsin Life celebrates the people, places, history and culture of the state. Come with us as we kayak the Mississippi River, interview musicians in Milwaukee, and bake pasties in Rhinelander. We connect you with diverse people and ideas through short stories updated twice a week.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Harry Whitehorse of Monona, Wisconsin was a prolific artist who painted and created mixed media and wood sculptures for almost 90 years. That’s why a new festival, the Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival, is named in his honor.

Artist Harry Whitehorse honored with new wood sculpture festival in Monona

Home means different things to different people. Home can be the house you grew up in, a quiet spot in the woods, or right beside your favorite person.
For Mai Lo Lee of Appleton, defining her home is complicated. She shares her story as part of the “Home Is Here” project, which amplifies the voices of the growing number of Black, Asian, Native American and Hispanic residents who call northeastern Wisconsin home. The project is part of the NEW News Lab – a local news collaboration in northeastern Wisconsin made up of six news organizations.

‘Home is where I am safe’: Appleton’s Mai Lo Lee for ‘Home Is Here’

‘Lessons Learned’: Reminiscing on childhood adventures of fishing with friends

Sports fans across Wisconsin can spend their summers watching college baseball players compete in the Northwoods League on teams like the La Crosse Loggers and the Madison Mallards. This summer, that league is expanding to add softball teams, like the La Crosse Steam and the Madison Night Mares. WPR’s Jenny Peek joined some Night Mares players at the ballpark to get a sense of what to expect from their inaugural season.

Northwoods League expands to softball, bringing Night Mares to Madison

When someone downsizes their home, they have to think about what stays and what goes. But what do people do with relics from their life that carry deep meaning, like old trophies, that can’t make the transition into a new space? At the Nationwide Trophy Recycling program in Madison, Wisconsin, staff and volunteers take old trophies for a fee and recycle the parts. Then, they rebuild new trophies and give them away for free to nonprofits nationwide. Alexandra Salmon takes us on a tour of the shop.

How did polka become a dance and tradition? You betcha we have an answer!

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