Welcome from Lori J. Runkle, Iowa State University Journalism Student

Vision is about making your own music and giving your heart and soul to those you love.

It's all about following the muses down unique swirling paths of creativity.

A book about Dutchmen style polka music by Lori Runkle, Published in March 2006

A pdf version of "American Polka" is avalable on-line.

"American Polka"

My Focus Grant from Iowa State University in the spring of 2006 was in the amount of $600. The money from the grant allowed me to explore a topic that is close to my heart: polka music.

From the time I was walking, my mother was also teaching me how to dance the polka and the waltz. My appreciation for the German-American music that originated in New Ulm, Minnesota in the early 1900s only increased as the years passed.

In the spring of 2006, I wrote a book about Dutchmen style polka music. I interviewed numerous musicians, did all of the photography myself, and designed the pages using Adobe InDesign for the layout. In March, I heaved a sigh of relief when the file was at last delivered to the printer.

This book gives my mother a reason to be proud of her daughter, and for me, that is the reward.

Design and photos by Lori J. Runkle

Updated on December 28, 2006