The lederhosen are off!!! This is a challenge to Linda Nuss, Don Ungerecht and Terry Olson! The four of us will be the so-called "stars" of Oktoberfest's Dancing With the Stars September 27th. The show is at 8 p.m. in the big tent and you aren't going to want to miss it.

I've been doing a little research on the subject of polka and I've learned that one of the contemporary styles of polka is called the "Chicago Honky". I wonder which one of my competitors will fit that category? Or maybe do the "Chicago Push"?

The word polka comes from Czech word půlka
– literally, "little half" – perhaps this will be a description on how much polka the others will learn in these three short weeks. The word's familiar form has been influenced by the similarity to the Czech word polka, meaning "Polish woman" – Nuss doesn't sound Polish to me. I guess she won't be able to draw on her heritage to help her win.

The Polka Champion

We each will have a dance partner who will teach us the moves, and a panel of judges will decide the champion. The program will be feature Tim Lyon as the Master of Ceremonies and the Country Polkateers band. Crowd influence will help, so be there or be square (or maybe bratwurst shaped?).