ROCHELLE — Willkommen! Guests at the Hub City Senior Center were all German Saturday night as they celebrated Oktoberfest.
The annual German festival is always held late September through the first weekend of October and this year Flagg Rochelle Public Library decided to get in on the folk festival. Library staff are looking to provide additional activities and become more involved in the Rochelle community and reached out to the Hub City Senior Center for a collaboration.
Approximately 100 attendees were treated to an authentic German dinner and danced the night away to Polka music.
“Not only was working and visiting with the senior citizens of the community very rewarding, the Library was able to hire the Mike Schneider Polka Band from Milwaukee to entertain. Many Library patrons may know Mike Schneider as the Uncle Mike who brings his program “PintSize Polkas” here to the Library,” stated Connie Avery, assistant director.

Brats, sauerkraut, German potato salad, baked beans and German chocolate cake were served. To keep with tradition, Hub City Senior Center Staff wore Dirndls to serve the food and dance the night away in traditional attire.
“We had so many good volunteer help from library staff and all the workers at the senior center,” stated Nancy Larsen. “It was a really fun night.”
Not only was the evening enjoy for the staff serving, attendees all had a great time and are hoping he library and senior center partner next year to host a second annual event.
The idea to host Oktoberfest came up at the library, and director Sarah Flanagan asked the senior center if they would like to partner for an evening of folk.
Mike Schneider Polka Band, from Milwaukee, Wis., entertained the crowd with traditional polkas and waltzes. Staff from the library and Hub City Senior Center danced traditional waltzes with those in attendance.  
“Everyone had a wonderful time,” added Avery. “The food was delicious, the music and dancing were enjoyed by all who attended.”