Windsor hall draws regional crowd for polka dances

By Kate Tarasenko
Correspondent

In the dimly lit hall of the American Legion building in Windsor, more than 60 couples rushed the well-worn dance floor on a Sunday afternoon to strut their stuff to Dick Zavodny and His Polka Band.

Mostly of retirement vintage, these couples are seasoned and enthusiastic as they pound out waltzes and polkas, spinning each other in smooth succession around the expansive hall - an exercise that leaves many of their younger counterparts winded and fumbling for the right moves.

"I've been doing this for 25 years," said 81-year old Julie Netteshein, whose endurance and appearance defy the laws of gravity and of time. "They've been having dances like this in this area for as long as I can remember."

Organized and hosted by Bill Peterson, the Windsor Polka Dances are held from 3 to 7 p.m. on alternating Sundays for a nominal $5 admission fee. The original Forbes-McKay Post No. 109, which was established in 1919, has served as home to the dances for the past year. Historic photos adorn the walls of the lodge, which features a bar inside.

"I've only been dancing for about 15 years," said Peterson, modestly. "I was by myself, and I love the sound of the music so much," he said, "but it took me about five years to get comfortable with the dancing. This place is a good place for us because a good dance floor is essential."

He is interrupted by the good-byes of one couple heading back to Cheyenne who shake his hands warmly and thank him for a great afternoon. "They have a club up there," said Peterson. "We don't have an official club or an official name" - his cohort Don Spangler is working on that - "but we get the bands in here. We don't always make enough to pay them, so I pay them out of my own pocket," which shows his devotion to bringing such a special offering to so many grateful patrons.

Especially popular is Dick Zavodny's band, whose up-tempo traditional and contemporary dance music barely breaks between songs. Its high-energy appeal rivals any band whose constituency might be half as young. The Loveland-based accordionist's traditional Polish, Russian and Dutch-hop style polkas and waltz music - and joke-telling - are something of a local legend along the Front Range.

"The exercise is wonderful. I don't have arthritis or anything," said Netteshein.

The thrice-married Ukrainian insisted, "It's more than dancing, though. It's a fellowship. We're all friends here." Netteshein waved her arm toward the rest of the couples as she uncharacteristically sat one out. "It's like a great big family. It's amazing."

Netteshein and her husband, Bernie, a man much taller than his firecracker wife, dance as often with other partners as with each other.

Tillie Bryan, a widow of six years and a Chicago-area native, loves the idea of live music and dancing within walking distance of her home in Windsor.

"I like the variety of music," said Bryan. "I've always loved dancing - the polkas, the waltzes, the two-step, the Western step and line dancing. With some of my girlfriends, I did the cha-cha and the Cowboy Charleston."

She experiences the same sense of community and obvious joy shared by Netteshein and Peterson.

"I've met lots of people, lots of new friends," Bryan said. "I've even made a special male friend. He lives in Longmont. People come here from all over"--from Loveland, Fort Collins, Longmont, Greeley and Cheyenne--"and we all meet here."

The fit 60-something credits the dances with expanding her social circle, especially at a time in her life when she needed it most. "If I didn't come to these dances," said Bryan, "I'd be sitting at home, looking at the four walls."

Peterson said he's glad to be able to host such a popular event in a central location. "These people are all my friends," he said. "So many people want me to do it, and it makes everyone so happy."

Anyone interested in joining the fun and finding out more about the musical lineup can reach Peterson at 663-0433 or e-mail Netteshein at julber@netzero.net.