Why these radio awards mean a lot to me.
Plus, a peek at a very special donation of records.
This week’s Shotski Lodge update is a long one. But hear me out: I get choked up about community radio! I’ve also got good news about the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association awards, a very special box of donated records.
LINKS: In the update, I make reference to a couple of big things we did to recognize the 30th anniversary of polka becoming Wisconsin’s state dance last year, including:
And welcome new Shotski Lodge members, Brad and Lydia. Brad joined earlier this year and Lydia just joined last month. Your support helps me with my mission to get more people to listen to vintage polka. Thank you!
New merch!
Want people to play more Wisconsin polka? Me too. Find the I *heart* WI Polka shotski-sized sticker and lots more polka-centric goodies in the Shotski Shop. Old English POLKA flat brims are sold out for now, but will be back in stock soon.
Polka Time: Where and when to listen
LIVE - May 11 Whoopie John’s birthday and shoutouts
Sunday, 7 p.m. - WVMO-FM 98.7 Monona
Streaming - Rebroadcast of last week’s spring songs and dedications
Saturday, 8 a.m. - WHYS-FM 96.3 Eau Claire - support WHYS
Saturday, 3 p.m. - WRJQ Goodtime Radio - support WRJQ
Saturday, 6 p.m. - WPCA-FM 93.1 Amery - support WPCA
Saturday, 7 p.m. - WVMO-FM 98.7 Monona - support WVMO
Sunday, 7 a.m. - WOJB-FM 88.9 Hayward - support WOJB
Sunday, 8 a.m. - WILW-FM 96.3 Waupaca
Sunday, 9 a.m. - WOCT-FM 101.9 Oshkosh
Sunday, 4 p.m. - WLSP-FM 103.5 Sun Prairie - support SPMC
Thanks to these community and volunteer-powered stations for keeping vintage polka on the air waves.
DJ Shotski wins two Wisconsin Broadcasters Association top honors
Polka Time’s host station WVMO wins best radio station in a large market
On May 2, 2025 the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association awarded excellence, creativity and passion in broadcasting.
DJ Shotski won two awards: 2024 best specialty program for an interview with Governor Tommy Thompson on his recollections of signing the law that made polka Wisconsin’s state dance, and the 2024 best live online on-site coverage for the impact of Green County Cheese Days’ world’s largest polka dance event.
“Awards are never about a solitary effort,” said DJ Shotski. “Good things happen because people come together around shared values in our communities. This recognition and these events were made possible because of the people who share my love of polka, Wisconsin’s happy music.”
As WVMO retains the top award for large-market radio, it’s an honor to have “the coolest little station in the nation” and our dedicated volunteers recognized by the station’s peers.
Events
Saturday, June 8 - Trek 100
Since 1990, Trek bicycle company has been hosting a charity ride, raising over $22 million for the MACC Fund. Bike riders take on beautiful, rural Wisconsin trails and rest at party stops along the way. One rest stop will be a polka party with DJ Shotski!
Sign up for the event or send this link to your friends who love a long country bike ride: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/trek100/
Saturday, September 13 - Gemütlichkeit Days
Jefferson County, Wisconsin has thrown a party to celebrate its German heritage since 1971. This year will be no exception as the community gathers for polka music, dancing, games and the welcoming spirit of Gemütlichkeit.
Join DJ Shotski in the GDays biergarten for vintage polka from Wisconsin and the upper Midwest from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Dancers welcome.
The event is held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds at 503 N. Jackson Ave., Jefferson, WI. In the event of rain, the event will move inside a fairgrounds building. Thanks to generous local sponsors, GDays is free.
Saturday, October 11 - Rosemount, MN Oktoberfest
Rosemount, Minnesota will host its second annual Oktoberfest celebration with music, games, local brews in a pop-up biergarten, and food trucks on the beautiful green lawn of Central Park in front of a wooden amphitheater. DJ Shotski will provide vintage polka music in the afternoon.
Readers like you keep the Shotski Lodge open
The Shotski Lodge is a reader-supported publication. Support from subscribers like you gives me the confidence to pursue my mission to get more people to listen to vintage polka and vinyl records, including through this free e-newsletter.
Become a Shotski Lodge member - Substack offers paid subscriptions for people who want to be patrons of the Lodge’s mission.
DJ Shotski’s Venmo - skip the subscription and give via Venmo where transaction fees are lower.
Hire me for a gig! - your community needs a polka party. Email me at djshotski@gmail.com if you have a venue or an event that needs a vinyl DJ.
Donate records - the answer to free records is always “yes,” though I’m backed up on processing donated records at the moment. I hope to be caught up by late spring 2025. Email me at djshotski@gmail.com with a description of what you have to share.
Want to connect? Drop me an email.
I’d love to hear from you at djshotski@gmail.com
In the Shotski Lodge, only paid subscribers can leave comments on posts. That’s by design. I want to connect with listeners in a better, more direct way than in a comments section. We’ve been leaving comments on social media apps for twenty years and it’s a real mixed bag whether it’s brought us more connection or left us feeling more disconnected from each other.
So drop me a line. Tell me what polka music means to you. Or ask me for some community radio show recommendations. Let’s connect outside of social media.