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SOME NEW POLISH SONGS • HOW TO BEGIN YOUR SUPPER • CHRISTMAS IN PRZEMYŚL CLASSICS • A CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING • AN UPLIFTING OPTION: SING PO ANGIELSKU REVISIT CHRISTMAS IN A POLISH VILLAGE • WIGILIA SUPERSTITIONS: WHAT DO THEY MEAN? Newsmark MERRY CHRISTMAS SCHNEPF CONDEMNS o szopy, hej pasterze, TERRORIST ATTACKS. Do Szopy, bo tam cud! Ambassador Ryszard D Schnepf (right) with Syn Božy w żłobie leży, his wife Dorota, lead a by zbawić ludzki ród. moment of silence for the victims of the latest ome, shepherds to the stable, terrorist attack in Paris. behold this wondrous sight! Up to three hundred C guests were present at See in the the Embassy of Poland for in early morning light. an evening observance of Polish Independence Day PHOTO: RICHARD POREMSKI on Friday, November 13 — the same day and time frame WESOŁYCH ŠWIĄT as the Paris tragedies were unfolding. Story on page 12.

POPE FRANCIS, DUDA MEET. Polish President Andrzej Conservative Law and Grateful for Grzaniec Duda met the Pope Francis in the Vatican. Foremost in the The Winter Beverages of Poland meeting agenda was a focus on the 2016 World Youth Day Justice Back in Power with the Pope in Krakow, and the 1,050the anniversary by Staś Kmieć of the baptism of Poland. Later, Duda and the Pope were PiS – First Party Since The aroma of spiced and beer spiced with cin- joined by Poland’s fi rst Lady, their nineteen-year-old 1989 to Rule Independently namon fi lls the air each year at Poland’s traditional Christmas daughter, and members of the Polish delegation. markets. Poland has a history of warming throats and souls The President presented the Pope with a copy of the Post-communists, Other Leftists with this regional specialty drink that is the perfect remedy for image of the black Madonna of Czestochowa, expressing Ousted from Parliament a cold winter’s day. wishes to the Pope that the Mother of God have the Pope During a Kulig sleigh ride or when the season chills you to under her protection. Pope Francis expressed his thanks for — The conservative Law and Justice (PiS, Pra- the bone, indulging in a hot beverage such as warmed Krupnik same stating that he very much needs that protection. The wo i Sprawiedliwość) party swept into offi ce in Poland’s Octo- (honey vodka) or a hot toddy of sorts was a guarantee to warm Pope gave Duda a papal medal featuring the tree of peace ber 25 parliamentary election, you from the inside out. When the effects of winter took their and also the Polish-language edition of his latest encyclical becoming the fi rst political toll, there was always the home therapy of Kogel mogel/Gogl- Laudato Si devoted to ecology. formation since the 1989 fall Mogl to ease a sore throat. Shortly after their arrival in Rome, the President and of communism to be able to First lady attended mass at St. Peter’s Basilica at the tomb rule independently without MULLED WINE OR BEER. Mulled means heated and spiced. of Polish Pope Saint John Paul II. During the visit, Duda coalition partners. PiS won Grzaniec is a warm drink made from red wine or beer, some also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of the majority needed to form citrus fruit, a sweetener and spices. Sometimes, it is addition- State and laid a wreath at the monument to Marshal Josef the government independent- ally enhanced with spirits – vodka, brandy or cognac. It is Pilsudski. The monument, built in 1937, is a tribute to ly by picking up 235 seats in kind of like mulled cider… only better! that architect of Polish independence. The president also Parliament’s lower house, the In a scene from the historical fi lm Potop (The Deluge) – bestowed honors on working at the Vatican and met Sejm. Its less decisive victory based on Henryk Sien- with members of the Polish Embassy. in 2005 had forced Jarosław kiewicz’s novel about Kaczyński’s party to team up the Swedish Inv- with two none-too-compatible SECURITY ASSURANCES ECHOED. “Polish-U.S. ties see “Grateful ...” smaller parties that ultimately are very strong,” said Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, page 10 resulted in their defeat in snap commanding general of the United States Army Europe, elections in 2007. when talking to journalists after a wreath-laying ceremony Offi cial results showed at Warsaw’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Poland’s new Prime Minister, PiS winning 37.58% of the “When I think of Poland,” said Hodges, “I think about Beata Szydło. vote ahead of its chief ri- the people who love freedom and know how to fi ght for it,” val, the Civic Platform (PO, Platforma Obywatelska) with recalling also that two Polish patriots, Tadeusz Kosciuszko 24.09% support. Two small new groupings, the anti-system and Kazimierz Pulaski are also honored heroes of the “Kukiz-15” party of rock musician Paweł Kukiz (8.81%) and United States. See “Law and Justice Party ...” page 12 The thrust Hodges’ talks in Warsaw was Polish-U.S. military cooperation with the offer of security assurances for Poland in light of Russia’s aggression. As with the LORE AND LEGEND historical examples of Pulaski and Kosciuszko and the United States working together, General Hodges stated, Polish and American soldiers today are “fi ghting together Polish Christmas – More than Gifts and Treats in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places.” by Robert Strybel ber of meatless dishes. And had been added, as that would To many people nowa- FORMER PM NOW A HARVARD FELLOW. Former children continue to be told to ensure robust health all year days, Christmas is largely Polish foreign minister Radosław Sikorski will join be on their best behavior, be- long. The “the all-year-long” associated with festive food, Harvard University’s Center for European Studies as a cause how you are on Wiglia theme ran through many drink and presents and the non-resident Senior Fellow. you’ll be the whole next year. other practices. And if a child high-powered shopping that Sikorski, who had been one of the major fi gures in the Various folk beliefs once should have to be spanked goes with them. In addition outgoing centrist government, did not attempt to hold onto governed the entire Wigilia for misbehaving on Christ- to the above, Polish Yuletide his seat in Bydgoszcz, north central Poland, in the October routine. A common notion mas Eve, he/she could expect celebrations have long been 25 general election. His Civic Platform party lost the held that good luck was in more of the same for the next rooted in ritual and legend. election to the socially conservative Law and Justice party. store if the fi rst visitor enter- 12 months. Grown-ups too To this day Wigilia (Christ- The Oxford-educated politician served as Poland’s ing a home on Wigilia was a refrained from arguments mas Eve) is the most impor- foreign minister from 2007 to 2014, before becoming male, whereas a female visi- and settled any fi nancial ob- tant and symbolic day of the Speaker of the Sejm (lower house of parliament) until June tor foretold misfortune. Fam- ligations in the hope of being year with the fi rst star of the 2015. ily members used to wash in a debt-free in the year to come. “Wilku, wilku chodź do gro- evening, the opłatek-sharing Sikorski will participate in CES activities, and engage bucket of cold water brought supper or chu ...” Can peas keep the ritual, the hay beneath the in seminars and discussions with faculty and students. from the nearby stream to “wieczerza wigilijna” was wolves at bay? table-cloth and the set num- which a silver coin or two See “Folklore,” page 9 2 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015

ALMANAC VIEWPOINTS Revisit Christmas Follow us on Facebook or visit us in a Polish Village on the internet at: “Over All These Put On Love” polamjournal.com by Rev. Charles Jan DiMascola At the sharing of the opłatek there were This is a season for reminiscing and I was more tears mingled with laughter and more Q doing just that. I was remembering when I remembering. All the family was there, spiri- December Grudzieñ was young how we would all gather to cel- tually and physically. In Jesus and for Jesus Grudzień to miesiąc zawiły, ebrate Christmas Eve. As you know the Polish and by Jesus we were all there and we were czasem srogi, czasem miły. Custom is for the family to gather on Christ- all family! It was a time when petty arguments December is a baffling time, mas Eve to celebrate Christmas by sharing the had to be forgotten; when all disagreements sometimes nasty, sometimes fine opłatek and enjoying a very traditional family had to be put aside; when we shared in the meal. Every action and every part of the meal love that the called us to share 1 1925. Signing of the Locarno is dictated by tradition. It’s almost like a reli- and behaved as a family in Christ! Treaties, in which the First gious ceremony. Today the Church reminds us that we are World War Western Europe- In our family it was really the only time of family. And that is not just for Christmas an Allied powers and the new the year that we all came together at the same Eve or for the feast of the Holy Family. We states of Central and Eastern time to eat at the same table. I mean we saw are family and we are most precious to each Europe sought to secure the post-war territorial settlement, each other all year. Most of my family lived other and we must recognize the value of each and return normalizing relations next door, but it was the only occasion when other! As followers of Jesus Christ we have to with defeated . we actually all sat down together. The table understand that we are called to love and gen- 3 1854. About 800 Polish settlers was extended and another table brought in to tleness, tolerance and kindness, forgiveness arrive in Galveston, Texas after make it even larger. Every chair and even the and sacrifice, all because we are one family a nine-week voyage. The walk garden bench was brought in. Everyone had to in Jesus Christ. The Christmas of our ancestors comes back to over 200 miles from the port to sit at the same table. There could be no sepa- That is the unique quality of the Church. life in a stage production based on Rev. Czeslaw Panna Maria, where they hold rate table for the children. No one could eat in We are called to be family 365 days of the Krysa’s “A Polish Christmas Eve.” Christmas Eve Mass outdoors. another room. It had to be at the same table. year day by day, hour by hour, minute by min- 4 ST. BARBARA On the rare occasion when one of the fam- ute! Jesus, Mary and Joseph gave us the ex- BUFFALO, N.Y. — Join the Polish Heritage Niechaj ka¿dy pamiêta, Dancers of Western New York for a treasury of jaka Barbara, takie œwiêta. ily could not be there, either because of some ample and what a pleasant life we can have if Let everyone remember: emergency or because they had died (even we simply give in ... give in to His love ... A nostalgia capturing echoes of the traditions carried as (the weather on) St. Barba- though they had died decades ago!) they were love without exceptions. out by generations of Polish families. ra’s Day, so the holidays. remembered first and with many tears. That v v v The dance group will present a “Polish Christ- 6 ST. NICHOLAS Christmas Eve supper always bound our fam- The Rev. Charles Jan DiMascola, a man mas in the Village” at the Lancaster Opera House Šw. Mikołaj ily together in a very strange and even su- with “an Italian name but a Polish heart,” is on Sun., Dec. 27 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. The stage Today is tradi- pernatural way. The living and the departed, pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish in is set in a cottage, where the family partakes in the tionally reserved those there and those absent. Turners Falls, Massachusetts. traditions of a Polish Christmas. It is narrated ex- for gift-giving plaining the traditions and meaning behind them. in Poland. Traditional Polish carols will be sung —and they 7 1279. Death of hope you will join in! Bolesław V A Christmas Homecoming This unique performance will include Polish the Chaste Those of us old enough to remember “classic self, for your kids, for your grandchildren. 8 1990. Ship- folk dancing, song and music celebrating the won- TV” (i.e., those of us over 50) remember that the Wigilia is the quintessential Polish celebra- der of the season. yard electri- Waltons originated from a 1971 movie entitled tion of the year. Why not resolve to have a real cian and Soli- The program is adapted from the book, “A darity Trade “The Homecoming: .” Polish Christmas Eve this year, to make memo- Polish Christmas Eve,” written by Rev. Czeslaw Union leader Christmas is the time par excellence for ries for yourself and for your family? To put up Krysa. Lech Walesa homecomings. In mobile America, Christmas is your (choinka) on Christmas Eve Guest vocalist will be Brittany Mruczek, a so- elected presi- still one of the few times that families really try and make some of your own Christmas orna- prano from Batavia, N.Y. She has earned her Mas- dent of Poland. to come home, to be with each other, to spend ments? To put the favorite Christmas dishes on ters degree in performance from NYU. The Holy 9 1922. Narutowicz elect- time together. No matter how long they may be the table? To share the magic of watching for the Mother of the Rosary Cathedral Choir will be join- ed first president of the Second separated, how far apart they might live, how first star to announce the beginning of the sup- ing her. Polish Republic. He was assas- little contact they might otherwise have, Christ- per and to read the Christmas story together? To sinated seven days later. For the past 18 years, members of the Polish mas is time for homecoming. break the opłatek as a sign of family homecom- Heritage Dancers have been delighting audiences 12 1586. Death of King Stefan Ba- Nor is that homecoming just physical. Christ- ing and unity? To sing some kolędy together? To tory. and sharing their heritage throughout Western New 14 1970. Government price hikes mas is often the time that families alienated go together to (), ide- York, so don’t miss this special Christmas produc- in Poland spark bloody labor from each other try to bury the hatchet, to lay ally to a Polish parish? tion. The popular holiday show sells out quickly. protests on the Coast, Gdansk, the burden of the past aside and try — if at least Our December issue gives you ideas for cel- Tickets — a great — are $15.00 and . for a while — to begin anew, to start afresh, to ebrating a Polish Christmas, and we have tra- and available at the Box office or on line from the 15 1859. Birth of Lazarus Ludovic reconcile. That’s why is such an appro- ditional Polish Christmas cards, ornaments, and Lancaster Opera House. Zamenhof, developer of Espe- priate time for homecomings — because we are opłatki ready for your order. Without sounding The dancers remind you to “like” them on ranto, the International Lan- all on a journey to “the home of the Father.” As too commercial, we’d love if you put a subscrip- Facebook, which will keep you up to date with up- guage, in Bialystok, near Lithu- one diocese’s campaign to encourage people to tion to the Polish American Journal on your anian, Poland and Byelorussia coming events. return to the sacraments, to make a good Con- Christmas list — for yourself and for somebody For more information call (716) 983-5084. borders. fession and return to Communion at Christmas, who might want to get in touch with his or her 18 1929. Birth of Cardinal Jozef Glemp. says: “Catholics can always come home.” Polish roots. 19 1852. Birth of Polish Jewish sci- Christmas is also a time that we come home But most of all, we wish a Christmas home- ON THIS MONTH’S COVER. The artist of “The entist A.A. Michelson, 1907 No- to our roots. People who don’t think much about coming: to the peace of the Lord that is what Adoration of the Shepherds” is not known. Histo- bel Prize winner in Physics.. their Polish roots throughout the year discover gives Christmas its real meaning; to the warmth rians have dated its style to 1630s Napoli. Initially, 21 ST. THOMAS how a memory sneaks in, a sentimental thought of your family, that makes the Lord’s love in- the work was attributed to Spanish artists Diego 1898. In Paris, Marie, 31, and returns, a familiar smell sets off a whole flood of carnate in the world today; to your Polish roots, Velázquez (1599-1660) or Francisco de Zurbarán Pierre Curie, Polish and French remembrances … and that’s good. roots of faith and tradition that — if you try to (1598-1664). It has also been thought to be the chemists, discover radium. The Polish American Journal wishes each discover them anew this season—will remain work of various Neapolitan painters of the early 23 ST. JOHN KANTY (CANTIUS). 1473. one of you a happy Christmas homecoming. with you and your family long after Christmas 17th century. It is first recorded in Seville in the 2005. Lech Kaczyński becomes Come back to your faith! Come back to Christ! 2015 is past. Wesolych Świąt Bożego Narodze- 1770s and may be the work of a Sevillian painter president of Poland. 24 DZIEN WIGILIJNY And come back to your Polish roots — for your- nia i szczęśliwego nowego roku! influenced by Velázquez and Zurbarán. Na szczęście, na zdrowie ze świętą Wiliją. SUBSCRIPTIONS Health and good fortune POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL this Vigil! Dedicated to the Promotion and Continuance of Polish American Culture • Established 1911 UNITED STATES 25 BOZE NARODZENIE TOLL-FREE 1 (800) 422-1275 • P.O. BOX 271, N. BOSTON, NY 14110-0271 Regular First According to Polish tradition, Mail Class the 12 days of Christmas predict Editor in Chief Mark A. 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Some New Polish Christmas Songs Weso³ych Œwi¹t by John M. Grondelski every year. The communion of saints, after all, includes Bo¿ego Narodzenia Polish Americans, especially those whose families Christmas. The Preisner/Rybotycka version is classic, arrived during the 1880-1920 emigracja za chlebem but there is also a góral (Highlander) version. (the “Emigration for Bread”), are familiar with many staple traditional Christmas carols (kolędy). “Dzisiaj w Daj nam wiarę, że to ma sens, GOLDEN Betlejem,” “Wsród nocnej ciszy,” and “Mędrcy świata” Że nie trzeba żałować przyjaciół. are all well-known to most Polish Americans, but carols Że gdziekolwiek są dobrze im jest, that have since become commonplace in Poland are not Bo są z nami choć w innej postaci. LION necessarily so well-known in America. Here are three I przekonaj, że tak ma być, you might want to get to know (you can find them all on You Tube – take a listen!): Że po głosach tych wciąż drży powietrze, Że odeszli po to by żyć. JEWELRY Maleńka miłość [The Little Love]: Eleni (Helena I tym razem będą żyć wiecznie. Dzoka) is a Polish-Greek singer whose parents came to Poland in the 1950s. Her carol speaks of how Jesus, Give us faith that it all makes sense, P.O. Box 199 the living Love of God, is asleep in the manger, a love That we need not mourn our friends Port Reading, NJ 07064 that makes heaven and earth shine. But that Love also That wherever they are they’re well (908) 862-1927 comes to save the world and save us from our fear, a Because they are with us but in another form www.goldenlionjewelry.com Love before which heaven and earth tremble. And convince us that it’s how it should be that the air still trembles with their voices Maleńka miłośc w żłobie śpi maleńka miłośc And that they have gone in order to live Gary and Lorraine Lisowicz Sohayda przy Matce Świętej and, this time, to live forever. Marc and Eric dziś cała ziemia i niebo lśni dla tej miłości maleńkiej. Jest taki dzień [There’s Such a Day]: No matter how hard Ebenezer Scrooge tried to convince every- Maleńka Miłość w żłobie śpi, body that it was just another day, an “excuse to pick a Maleńką miłość chrońmy z lękiem Dziś ziemia drży i niebo drży man’s pocket every December 25th), there is something dla tej Milosci maleńkiej. special to Christmas, the “day that begins at nightfall.” The long-running Polish music group Czerwone gitary That Little Love is asleep in the manger captures this in Jest taki dzień, not a carol—it is not ex- That Little Love beside the Blessed Mother. plicitly religious—as much as a Christmas song, a song Today the whole of heaven and celebrating the peace that day brings. earth gleam for that Little Love. Jest taki dzień, bardzo ciepły choć grudniowy, That Little Love is asleep in the manger dzień, zwykły dzień, That Little Love shields us against our fears w którym gasną wszelkie spory. Today both heaven and earth tremble Jest taki dzień, w którym radość wita wszystkich, for that Little Love. dzień, który już każdy z nas zna od kołyski.

Kolęda dla nieobecnych [A Carol for the Absent]: There’s such a day – very warm Christmas is a time for family, but family is not just even though it’s in December those physically gathered at the Wigilia table: we leave an empty place setting there for the unexpected a day—an ordinary day— guest or, more often, to recall those of our family who that extinguishes every conflict have passed away. Few artists can manage to combine Theres such a day on which joy greets everyone Christmas with the reality of death. Charles Dickens a day that every one of us has was one: who is the Ghost of Christmas-Yet-to-Come known from the cradle. but the Grim Reaper? Kolęda dla nieobecnych is an- other such achievement, combining the sense of loss Why not add them to your tradi- with the struggle for faith to which Christmas invites us tion? 4 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015

REMEMBER OUR PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS AT THE LIFE AND Na nadchodz¹ce Œwiêta Bo¿ego CHRISTMAS TIME. Lord, we lift up to your these on our honor roll and Narodzenia, ¿yczê radosnych Œwi¹t, LEGACY of all the priests religious, seminarians, and those contemplating priestly or oraz na ten Nowy Rok 2016, FR. JUSTIN religious life. Sanctify them, heal them; guide them, mould them into the obfi tych łask Bo¿ej Dzieciny, FIGAS, OFM Conv. likeness and holiness of Your Son, Jesus, the Eternal High Priest. Amen. zdrowia i wszystkiego najlepszego. Famed originator of the “Fr. Justin Rosary Hour” Fr. Justin’s weekly message of spiritual guidance, en- BERNADETTE M. PRZYBYLSKI couragement and hope was an influence on generations of Polish immigrants, their New Castle, children, and grandchildren. $9.00 plus $4.50 s&h SOFTCOVER, 82 PP. 5.5X8.5, B&W PHOTOS Available in English or Polish Wesołych Œwi¹t Please specify when ordering Bo¿ego Narodzenia PAJ BOOKSTORE P.O. BOX 271 REV. JAMES J. N. BOSTON, NY 14110-0271 MESZAROS

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RELIGION / Bemjamin Fiore, S.J. Papal Almoner Opens Homeless Shelter Archbishop Konrad Krajew- teaching and practices regarding di- in Poland. The crown used in the ski, Pope Francis’ director of chari- vorced and remarried Catholics. ceremony was fashioned out of met- table works (almoner), inaugurated al by Fr. Krysa himself. As part of a shelter for homeless men in a MARATHON RUNNING BISHOP. the anniversary celebration, 28 fam- Jesuit-owned building adjacent to Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of the ilies pledged to devote their home to Wesołych Œwi¹t St. Peter’s Square. The shelter has RC diocese of Springfi eld, Ill., com- the Blessed Mother, setting aside a Bo¿ego Narodzenia 34 beds in an open-fl oor, partitioned pleted his 21st marathon in 21 years. place for prayer, a “little oratory,” dormitory. The shelter is run by the Through this run he helped raise encouraging families to have a place i Szczêœliwego Missionaries of Charity who briefl y over $20,000 for Catholic Charities in their home where they can pray.” Nowego Roku interview the guests before they are Legal Services and the Chicago Le- This puts into action the belief that from the checked in. A structured check-in gal Clinic endowment fund, both of God was born in to a family, wants time has them arrive between 6:00 which provide pro-bono legal ser- to be intimately related to the family and 7:00 p.m., with lights out at a vices to low-income people. and be in the family’s life. LOWELL set time. At the 6:15 wake-up call, the guests are offered breakfast and CREATION CARE TEAM AT POLISH FOUNDRESS BE- POLISH have until 8:00 p.m. to tidy their CATHOLIC PARISH. Hoping to ATIFIED. Sr. Clara Ludmilla CULTURAL respective areas and use the wash- promote greener living and to pro- Szczęsna, co-foundress of the Con- room. After the shelter closes for mote the message of Pope Francis’ gregation of the handmaids of the the day, guests can visit the barber most recent encyclical on the envi- COMMITTEE Sacred Heart of Jesus, was beatifi ed Lowell, Massachusetts and showers at the facilities opened ronment, Sandra Kucharski of Ss. in Kraków, Poland in September. in St. Peter’s Square, also set up by Peter & Paul R.C. Church in Ham- She was recognized for her readi- Archbishop Krajewski. Lunch and burg, N.Y., founded a Creation Care ness to accept the will of God and to dinner are available at a nearby Vati- team in her parish. The wife and care for the needy, especially chil- A Blessed and Joyous Holiday Season can soup kitchen, the “Gift of Mary” mother of three had been inspired by dren and the sick, with special char- and a Year of Happiness shelter for women. the encyclical “Laudato Si” and felt ity. Pope Francis commented on the and Peace to All concern for her two grandchildren blessed in his Wednesday audience GAYS’ REACTION TO THE SYN- Wesołych Œwi¹t Bo¿ego Narodzenia! wondering “what the world is going where he said that she “taught us OD. While former priest Krzysz- to be like when they’re adults trying about giving oneself to God, hum- tof Charamsa — expelled from to raise their families.” She began ble service to neighbor, life accord- Gora Piesn CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION the priesthood after he “came out” by going to the site www.catholic- ing to the spirit of the Gospel, and Polska! as a homosexual living with a male climateconvenant.org which gave of the sensitivity to the poor.” partner — denounced the Church her information on how committed POLISH SINGERS ALLIANCE and the recently concluded Synod Catholics can begin Creation Care STO LAT TO … Mary Eleanor as continuing homophobic and de- teams in their own neighborhoods. OF AMERICA Witkowski-Flanagan on receiv- famatory teachings against gay She explained that at meetings of Mary Lou T. Wyrobek, President — Central Administration and transgender people, the fi nal the team they will discuss and learn ing the “Pride of Polonia” Award , President District IX document of the Synod presented from the encyclical “what our rela- for 2015. The presentation of the Adrianne Kusmierczyk to the Holy Father reiterated the tionships are to the rest of the planet, award took place at the National Izabella Kobus Salkin, General Choral Director Church’s position that gays should to the rest of life on the plant.” She Shrine of Our Lady of Częstochowa in Doylestown, Pa. After a Mass be respected, avoiding any mark noted, “When we hurt, waste and FESTIVAL OF CAROLS of unjust discrimination. Other gay abuse part of God’s creation, we’re celebrated by Bishop Andrzej Zgle- jszewski of the R.C. Diocese of SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015 • 3:00 p.m. activists did not share Charamsa’s actually abusing ourselves and other ST. STANISLAUS B&M R.C. CHURCH wholesale rejection of any compro- human beings.” Rockville Center, Long Island, N.Y. 123 Townsend St, Buff alo, NY 14212 mise but found the document calling Among her accomplishments, Mrs. for particular care for families with HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO… Flanagan received the Knight Com- members with homosexual tenden- St. Casimir R.C. Church in Buf- mander of St. Sylvester from John cies. They went on to say that “we falo, N.Y., celebrating 125 years. As Paul II, and the Cavalier Cross of need to work with, and not against, part of the anniversary ceremonies, Merit from the Polish government. the Church.” Pastor Czesław Krysa blessed and She is a long-time supporter of Cyril In advance of the Synod, the crowned an icon of the Black Ma- & Methodius seminary at Orchard head of the Polish bishops, Arch- donna of Częstochowa. The icon Lake. bishop Stanisław Gądecki spoke was given to the church by Fr. Mi- Fr. Joseph Klos, pastor of Sa- out strongly against the attempt at chal Czyzewski, pastor of Corpus cred Heart RC Parish in Bowmans- the Synod on the Family to subvert Christi Church and a Pauline Father, ville, N.Y., on being honored by the doctrine by some Synod fathers part of the order who care for the Buffalo Diocesan Holy Name Soci- who spoke of changes in traditional Shrine of Our Lady of Częstochowa eties. Dr. Brian K. Kobilka, MD, on being the 45th recipient of the Mendel Medal, awarded at Phila- Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia delphia’s Villanova University to outstanding scientists who have worked to advance the causer of science and have shown that there is no intrinsic confl ict between true science and true religion. Dr. Ko- bilka holds the Helene Irwin Fagan Chair in Cardiology and is Professor of Molecular and Cellular Physiol- ogy at Stanford University School of medicine.

Most Reverend Richard J. Malone and the faithful of the Diocese of Buffalo

MODLITWY

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THANKSGIVING NOVENA TO ST. JUDE. Holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near the kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent position. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. (Say three Our Fathers, Three Hail Marys, Three Glory Be’s). St. Jude pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen. Publication Please make checks payable to: ACPC, c/o must be promised. This prayer is to be said for nine consecutive days. This novena has never been Florence Langridge, Membership Chair, 78 known to fail. My prayers have been answered. A.E.A. Meadow Lane, West Hartford, CT 06107 6 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015

SPOTLIGHT ON LONG ISLAND / Barbara Szydlowski FOLKLORE Święty Mikołaj is Coming to Town Wigilia Superstitions: December (Grudzien) was dedi- The supper, lighted by candles, portant custom associated with this cated to Saturn, god of seed sowing. is set on a tablecloth under which is day is when all work agreements What Do They Mean? The Saxons honored Thor, god of placed a little straw in memory of the are concluded and the farm hand is by Tony Bara from the fact that Judas, Christ’s Thunder on December 21, which Christ child’s birth. The head of the either hired for another year by his Polish Christmas Eve, or Wigil- betrayer, was the thirteenth apostle. they called Giul, and later became household breaks a wafer (opłatek), employer or leaves to seek other ia, has some very warm traditions. The superstitions involving get- Yule. When the Saxons converted to which is shared with all those pres- employment. Breaking the opłatek wafer, carol- ting into and out of one’s seat may , they called the month ent at the table and wishes for happi- ing, opening gifts, the midnight have resulted from a desire to re- holy month, with lots of activities. ness and peace are exchanged. Tra- LEGEND. The origin of kissing Mass—these are practices beloved spect and appreciate the gift of be- ditionally there is an uneven number under the is attributed to by every Pole and person of Polish ing able to dine with your family on . On December of courses, including herring, the ancient Scandinavians. One leg- descent. Wigilia. As mentioned, these prac- 4 Polish Americans named Barbara barszcz made end associates the mistletoe with Equally interesting, however, are tices arose during a time when life observe her name day. But who was with beets, carp Baldur, god of the Sun and god of the various superstitions that domi- was much more difficult and uncer- Saint Barbara? Saint Barbara is cel- or other fish, Justice. His mother, Frigga, nate the evening, some of which tain. Surviving to celebrate another ebrated in , , , cooked wheat, after whom Friday was date back to pagan times. Largely Wigilia was a God-given gift that Palestine, Israel among Arab Chris- , , named, was the goddess of ceremonial today, these supersti- should not begin or end in a hurry, tians annually on December 4 in a sauerkraut, compote of the Sky and presided over tions once reflected the lives and but rather with a gravity befitting feast day similar to that of North and Christmas love, marriage and domes- times of those who observed them. the occasion. American Halloween. The general cakes. In rural areas, people share tic affairs. She undertook to get all Here are three major Wigilia super- belief among Lebanese Christians is food from their Christmas sup- living creatures as well as inanimate stitions and their origins. WANDERING SPIRITS. Poles used that Saint Barbara disguised herself per with the animals, including the things to swear that they would not to believe that spirits walk among in numerous characters to elude the , which is usually harm Baldur. However, by mistake, WIGILIA PREDICTS THE REST the living on Christmas Eve. These Romans, who were persecuting her. dyed a different color for the pets she overlooked the mistletoe, which OF THE YEAR. An old Polish be- ghostly wanderers would enter a Also, the United States Army Field and barn creatures. took no oath. Loki, god of Evil and lief claims that whatever you do home in the form of animals, myste- Artillery Association and the United Christmas carols are sung and Jealousy, found this out and made on Christmas Eve will affect your rious strangers or invisible entities. States Army Air Defense Artillery the family gathers around the light- an arrow of mistletoe, which he or- entire year. If you fight with your As a result, Poles would be careful maintain the Order of Saint Barbara ed Christmas tree. Under the tree are dered Hodur, the blind god of Dark- loved ones, it’s a sign that the up- not to sweep the floor or dust a chair as an honorary military society. gifts, some of which have been left ness and reputedly Baldur’s twin coming year will be filled with during Wigilia for fear of disturbing by Święty Mikołaj. Then it is time brother, to shoot at the sun god. It strife. If you stay clean and healthy, their guests. At supper time, an extra . December 6 to be off to church for the Midnight pierced Baldur’s heart and killed you will remain so all year. Lend- place would be set at the table for the Feast of Święty Mikołaj / St. Mass (Pasterka). him. Frigga wept bitterly at the trag- ing out money or objects to others a wandering spirit. Food and drink Nicholas. This is the day many Eu- After a festive Christmas Eve, edy and when her tears turned into was once avoided for fear that the would be served to this “person” ropean children receive their gifts. December 25 Christmas Day, is pearls as they fell on the mistletoe, upcoming year would find you lack- like anyone else. In Poland, Święty Mikołaj visits spent visiting family and friends. Baldur came back to life. In this ing food or other necessities. The belief in spirits is a rem- the homes of people in the village, Another feature of this season is the legend, the kiss under the mistletoe When you consider how perilous nant from pagan days, intertwined dressed in his bishop’s robes. When szopka, a miniature puppet theatre symbolizes the assurance that the life was centuries ago in a Polish with the Roman Catholic concept Święty Mikołaj visits the children, made of cardboard and elaborately goddess of love and marriage will village — harsh winters, the chance of purgatory. In general, spirits he gives them a gift for being good decorated with ribbons. The szopka never permit lovers to be harmed. of crop failures, etc. — you can be- were believed to be on a journey to and to remind them of the gifts giv- takes the form of a church includes gin to understand why such beliefs the afterlife and, as with any other en to the Christ Child by the Three one or more stages set with biblical NEW YEARS EVE. December 31 existed. Any form of reassurance journey, the travelers needed ac- Kings. Święty Mikołaj is called scenes. marks the end of the year and in Po- that one would survive to the next commodations and nourishment. “,” known to chil- land, Wroclaw’s Market Square is a Christmas was embraced. Acting Furthermore, Polish villagers in dren in America as . ST. STEPHEN. In Poland, the day favorite destination for New Year’s properly on Wigilia gave one a feel- past centuries believed that appeas- after Christmas, St. Stephen’s Day, Eve, for both native Poles and visi- ing of greater control over life’s un- ing the dead would ensure that they TRADITION. December 24 Christ- is known as “Drugie Święto,” the tors. It hosts light shows, brilliant predictable nature. “moved on” and didn’t bring ill for- mas Eve/ Wigilia is a time for the second holiday. Throughout Poland fireworks, and lively music. The live tune to the living. family to be together. Tradition has on this day, the peasants throw grain shows performed by eminent musi- TAKING YOUR SEAT AT TABLE. In recent times, the practice of it that the Christmas Eve Supper at one another to bring a good har- cians and performers of the country Seating arrangements carried a host leaving an open place at the Wigilia starts with the appearance of the first vest. Members of the family also keep New Year’s Eve festive. of superstitions during Wigilia in table has taken on a different mean- star. If there is an absent member of throw grain at each other, at friends, Wishing one all A Merry Christ- olden days. Poles used to believe ing. During Poland’s tumultuous the family, a place is set at the table. and at the animals. Also another im- mas and a Happy New Year! that there must be an even number nineteenth and twentieth centuries, of people seated around the table at at least one family member was supper time to prevent bad luck in often away at a war. The extra spot the next year. It was also believed was reserved just in case that loved Weso³ych Œwi¹t that people would die in the same one might miraculously reappear. It order as they sat down, and anyone thus became a sign of hope that the Bo¿ego Narodzenia leaving the table before the meal family might reunite. ended would have ill fortune. Though observed only ceremo- i Szczêœliwego Superstitions associated with niously today, if at all, these Polish Nowego Roku 2016! numbers go back to ancient times Christmas Eve superstitions are a and present themselves in cultures fascinating part of our heritage. Un- Merry Christmas and around the world. In the case of derstanding them and their origins Christian Europe, of which Poland helps us better understand our com- Happy New Year! was naturally a part, odd numbers mon past and what it means to be may have received a bad stigma Polish. How to Begin Your Wigilia Supper Like the celebration of Easter, the Christmas Eve supper or Wigilia POLISH BENEFICIAL (Vigil) properly begins with nightfall. The youngest child should be out watching for the appearance of the first star, the signal that the fast (in Poland, December 24 is a fast day) is over and Wigilia begins. ASSOCIATION Gathered around the table, covered with a white tablecloth beneath Polskie Stowarzyszenie Kasy which some straw is placed, the family should begin with prayer: the “Our Father,” the “Hail Mary,” the “Glory Be,” and the “Apostles’ Creed.” Afterwards, someone should read the account of the birth of Jesus found in Luke 2:1-20. THE ONLY POLISH FRATERNAL DOMICILED IN PHILADELPHIA Now is the time to break the opłatek, the Christmas wafer. Each family member has a piece of the wafer, which he or she offers to every other member of the family, who breaks a piece off and consumes it, A Fraternal Life Insurance Society extending Christmas wishes and words of peace and reconciliation, as appropriate. Once everyone has shared the wafer with each other, it’s Low Cost Life Insurance for the Entire Family Ages 0 - 95 time to sit down to the supper. Fraternal Activities for Members There should be one place setting that stands empty: tradition re- serves a place for the stranger or wayfarer that might stumble our way on Christmas Eve (no one should be alone this night) or the memory of those family members who used to be at the Christmas Eve table but 2595 Orthodox Street now celebrate Christmas in the heavenly . Afterwards is time for exchanging presents and singing carols. Philadelphia, PA 19137-1695 (There are various collections on You Tube). Polish tradition has the Tel: (215) 535-2626 family going to midnight Mass (Pasterka) together: if there is a Polish American parish you can reach, consider going there. v v v www.polishbeneficialassoc.com The Polish American Journal offers opłatki, kolędy CDs, orna- ments, books (like Fr. Krysa’s A Polish Christmas Eve) and other items 1899 — 116 YEARS OF SERVICE — 2015 to help you celebrate Christmas: check out our webpage at www.pol- amjournal.com. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015 www.polamjournal.com 7

POLONIA OF THE EASTERN GREAT LAKES / Michael Pietruszka Former Cigar Store Goes Up In Smoke B U F F A L O , N.Y. — A land- Festival of Polish Carols at St. Stanislaus mark building that once housed a St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, anniversary festivities will continue chinski (v.p.), David Gorski (2nd cigar and confec- the Mother Church of Rochester’s with an “International Polka Koledy v.p. ), Mike Stack (3rd v.p.), Dar- tionary store was Polonia, marked its 125th anniver- Kick-Off” with the New Direction ryl Borawski (sec.), Andrew Koza- destroyed by fire, sary with a special Mass celebrated Band and K-Town Kids Caroling at kiewicz (treas.), Paul Manno (fin. Nov. 9, 2015, 13 by Rochester Bishop Salvadore Potts Banquet Hall in Cheektowaga sec.) and Jerry Imiola (sgt.-at-arms) days after it was Matano, Nov. 1st and a St. Stan- on Dec. 19th ... Polish veterans or- ... The Polka Variety Social Club purchased from islaus Feast Day Dinner Dance on ganizations from across the area will hold its Christmas Party with the city for rede- the 14th ... The winners of the Pol- marked Polish Independence Day, the Buffalo Concertina All Stars on velopment. ish American Congress, WNY Di- Nov. 11th. Dec. 5th ... District IX of the Polish Stephen Kar- vision’s 2nd “Zupapalooza” Pol- On the 15th, the Consulate Gen- Singers Alliance of America will nath bought 585 ish Soup Festival were: Harmony eral of the Republic of Poland in To- present its “Annual Festival of Pol- Fillmore Ave. in Polish Folk Ensemble (Golden ronto and the Toronto Branch of the ish Carols” at St. Stanislaus Church the city’s historic Ladle - Polish Army Pea Soup), Canadian Polish Congress hosted a in Buffalo’s Historic Polonia Dis- Polonia district at United Cultural Society (Silver La- concert of patriotic songs and mu- trict on Dec. 6th ... Ascension Par- auction Oct. 27, dle - Tomato Soup with Handmade sic of the 1920s, “Duma I Radosc ish in Batavia will host a “Wigilia” and had just made BETTER DAYS. Employees gather outside the tobac- Noodles), Msgr. Adamski Polish - Pride and Joy,” featuring Bialy Dinner in Slomba Hall on Dec. 6th. the final payment. conist Joseph Jankowski’s store, circa 1907. According Saturday School (Bronze Ladle - Orzel Troupe, Novi Singers, Toron- The General Pulaski Associa- “We just bought to Buffalo’s Am-Pol Eagle, the key to Jankowski’s success Sauerkraut Soup). There was a tie to Sinfonietta under the direction of tion will hold its Christmas Party it from the city for was the variety of products he offered. For those who between the Msgr. Adamski Polish Maciej Jaskiewicz, soprano Kasia at the Grapevines Banquet Hall in $4,500, but we preferred national brands, Jankowski had Yellow Kid Saturday School’s Sauerkraut Soup Konstanty and clarinetist Kornel Depew on Dec. 7th. Members are would have spent from New York and Pulaski cigars from Chicago. He also and the Polish American Congress, Wolak at Humber College ... The reminded to bring a stuffed animal a million,” said the offered his own brands, which included Moniuszko WNY Division’s Dill Pickle Soup Chopin Singing Society performed for the annual donation to the Child executive direc- and Sobieski. “If you could afford to spend more than a for the Peoples’ Choice Award. The at the Holy Mother of the Rosary Advocacy Center ... Special Deliv- tor of Broadway- dime on your cigars, Jankowski had his two premium Polish Heritage Dancers of WNY Polish National Cathedral in Lan- ery will provide the music for the Fillmore Neigh- brands, Yaritta and JJ’s Best. Many of Jankowski’s cigars won for best decorated table ... The caster on the 15th ... Alfred Karney Buffalo Polka Boosters Christmas borhood Housing were sold in high-end tobacconists throughout the Polish Legacy Project of Buffalo spoke on “Polish Classical Music Party on the 12th ... The Polish Services. city,” said the newspaper. and Polish Genealogical Society of and Krzysztof Penderecki” at the Heritage Society of Rochester will “The board had the building was been converted to NYS sponsored a Mass for All Souls Niagara Polish Cultural and Histori- host its traditional “Wigilia” Din- committed for the first $130,000 to a rooming house and apartments and Polish Ancestors’ Day at the St. cal Society meeting at the Niagara ner in the Cleary Auditorium on the stabilize it. Then we would gut it, for men who worked at the New Stanislaus Cemetery Resurrection Falls Library, Nov. 17th ... The Pol- St. John Fisher College Campus on reframe the sections and put a whole York Central Terminal, a few blocks Mausoleum in Cheektowaga, Nov. ish Arts Club of Buffalo presented Dec. 12th ... The Polish Arts Club new roof on it,” said Karnath. “We away. 1st ... The Polish Arts Club of Buf- Dr. Richard Merritt of Niagara Falls, of Buffalo will celebrate its Annual were planning to apply to the state Common Council Member Da- falo moved its offices to the North- Ontario speaking on “Training for “Wigilia” and 70th Anniversary Division of Housing and Commu- vid A. Franczyk of the Fillmore west Buffalo Community Center Armageddon: Niagara Camp in the Dinner at the Millennium Hotel in nity Renewal for a major capital District said he could remember as in the Riverside neighborhood of Great War (1914-1919) - The Pol- Cheektowaga, and the Niagara Pol- grant. We wanted five apartments a kid shopping at the deli. “In more Buffalo. The group’s new contact ish Connection” at the Harlem Road ish Cultural and Historical Society and a commercial storefront, maybe recent years, it was a rooming house information is 155 Lawn Avenue, Community Center in Amherst, will hold its “Wigilia” at Koban’s a coffeehouse, in front. We were go- in fairly good shape,” he said, “but Suite 312, Buffalo, NY 14207; Tele- Nov. 18th ... Damian Maliszewski, Restaurant in Niagara Falls on Dec. ing to do the walk-through today.” it required a lot of work because a phone: (716) 876-8108 Ext. 33. Friar Alessandro, Kinga Mitrowska 13th ... Also on the 13th, the Uni- The house was built in 1875 by a huge pipe had flooded the build- The historic home of Dr. Fran- and Krzysztof Jedrysik headlined versity of Rochester Skalny Cen- Swiss immigrant, according to vol- ing. The building was on the city’s cis Fronczak at 806 Fillmore Av- the 26th Annual International Fes- ter for Polish and Central Euro- unteer historian Monica Rzepka. “It demolition list three years ago, but enue in Buffalo’s Historic Polonia tival of Religious Song at the John pean Studies will present a concert, was the first house built on Fillmore several groups of preservationists District, which once hosted Ignacy Paul II Polish Cultural Centre in “Masterpieces of Chamber Music” that was a not a farmhouse,” she came forward and they asked that Paderewski, was saved from the Mississauga, Nov. 21st and 22nd featuring violinist Oriana Master- said. “But after that, it was a cigar- we try and save it.” Buffalo Tax Foreclosure Auction ... The Permanent Chair of Polish nak and pianist Kristina Raczyn- manufacturing factory of Joseph Franczyk blamed “negligent and is now under renovation by a Culture at Canisius College exhib- ska at the Strong Auditorium on the Jankowski. The tobacco leaves were owners who don’t take care of their group of local Polonia activists. For ited “1989: The End of the System”, university’s River Campus ... The dried in the attic.” properties,” for the ramshackle state more, see this month’s “Polonian prepared by the KARTA Center, Msgr. Adamski Polish Saturday Rzepka said the building served of the city’s aging structures. Places.” ... Buffalo attorney Ben- Consulate General of the Republic School will perform their “Jaselka” as a store for Jankowski’s cigar fac- He lobbied James W. Comerford, jamin Dwyer spoke on the coop- of Poland in New York and Polish at St. Stanislaus Church in Buffalo tory, and it had a candy area – possi- commissioner of Permit and Inspec- erative relationship between the Bar Cultural Institute, in Alumni Hall on Dec. 20th ... The John Paul II bly into the 1950s before it was sold tion Services, to spare from demoli- Association of Erie County and the during November Polish Cultural Centre in Missis- to another Polish family who oper- tion the two structures on the parcel Rzeszow District Bar Council dur- sauga will host a Traditional Polish ated a corner deli.” that incurred little fire damage. ing the “It’s a Sister Act: Cultivating UPCOMING. On Dec. 1st, the Pro- Wigilia, Dec. 24. In the 1930s, the second floor of Bar Association Relationships in fessional and Businessmen’s Asso- v v v a Globalized World” session at the ciation will hold its Christmas Par- Wesołych świąt Bożego nar- recent American Bar Association ty, Elections and Man-of-the-Year odzenia i szczęśliwego nowego Weso³ych Œwi¹t Section of International Law Fall Presentation at Shea’s Performing roku 2016! Merry Christmas and meeting in Montreal ..., Nov. 7th, Art Center in Downtown Buffalo ... Happy New Year to all my friends Bo¿ego Narodzenia i St. Adalbert Basilica celebrated The Chopin Singing Society will and readers. Szczêœliwego Nowego Roku! a Mass of Remembrance to honor host its “Wigilia: Traditional Pol- v v v Merry Christmas and deceased loved ones. The Villa ish Christmas Celebration” at the If you have an item for this col- Happy New Year! Maria Chorale, under the direction Millennium Hotel on Dec. 5th ... . umn, please send the information by of Dr. Ireneusz Lukaszewski, per- The Pulaski Police Association the 6th day of the month preceding formed at the Mass. On Nov. 7th, of Buffalo and WNY will hold its publication month (i.e. Dec. 6 for DAVID FRANCZYK St. Casimir Parish in Buffalo’s Annual Christmas Party and Instal- the January 2016 issue) to pietrusz- Fillmore District man Kaisertown neighborhood hosted lation Dinner at the Polish Falcons [email protected].  an “Autumn Polka Dinner Dance” Hall in Depew on Dec. 5th. The or- featuring Rare Vintage as part of its ganization’s 2016 officers will be 125th anniversary celebration. The Fred Ziemecki (pres.), Marty Bo- 8 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015

THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY POLISH CHILDREN’S HEARTLINE (a non-profit corporation, State of New Jersey)begins its 30th year of helping children. An all volunteer non-profit organiza- tion receiving generous donations from Polonia and American supporters makes it possible for over 2000 Polish children to be treated annually by cardiac surgeons and physicians in hospitals in Poland. As requested, equipment critical to pediatric care is provided to six hospitals in Zabrze, Katowice, Lodz, Suwalki, Bialystok and Grajewo. Contributions may be made in memory of and/or honor of family and friends. Each donation is tax exempt and acknowledged. We thank you for your support and ask for your continued support for much help is still needed. ” If we don’t help our Polish children, who will?” —Doreen Patras Cramer, President For information call (732) 680-0680 or write POLISH CHILDREN’S HEARTLINE, INC., 177 BROADWAY, CLARK, NJ 07066. e-mail: [email protected] website: PolishChildrensHeartline.org

HAPPENINGS: CHICAGO STYLE / Geraldine Balut Coleman From the Land of the Winged Horsemen – “The Polish Prince” Wins in Chicago PHOTO: GERALDINE BALUT COLEMAN BALUT GERALDINE PHOTO: cartons, and even on scraps of paper glued together. His art includes self- portraits, landscapes, and cityscapes of

PHOTO: BOXINGJUNKIE.COM Krynica, its spas and churches. It appears as though Nikifor lived a hermitic life in poverty in Krynica and was considered by some as men- tally challenged. He spoke with difficulty and was almost illit- erate. In 1960, knowing Nikifor’s work had Octava Ensemble at St. Constance. been underappreci- tury Renaissance and Baroque to American breast cancer awareness Polish Prince Fonfara (right) wins after a brutal twelve rounds. ated, Marian Włosiński, a painter Bruckner, Szymanowski, Kodály, program. She was also active in the CHICAGO — Could this have in order to examine Cleverly’s bro- also living in Krynica, met Nikifor. and Górecki. They have recorded Solidarity movement, both politi- been one of the fights of the year, ken nose. From then, Włosinski spent time and albums of works from the Renais- cally and medically. Additionally, the (WBC) According to CompuBox, the a portion of his professional career sance and the Baroque periods. she is an active member of both International computerized punch scoring sys- helping Nikifor promote his work. The Octava Ensemble Chamber the Polish American Medical Soci- Championship? Held at the UIC tem, this fight set a record for most After the artist’s death, Włosinski Choir, based out of Kraków, was ety and the Chicago Chapter of the Pavilion (University of Illinois at punches landed (936) and punches donated Nikifor’s works to various founded in 2004 by students and Kościuszko Foundation. Chicago) on October 16, a crowd thrown (2524) in the light heavy- museums. Today, the most complete graduates of the Academy of Music Guests at the event were treated of over 4,000 boxing enthusiasts weight division. CompuBox is used collections are housed at the Nikifor in Kraków (Akademia Muzyczna w COLEMAN BALUT GERALDINE PHOTO: watched Andrzej Fonfara and by HBO, NBC, and ESPN and else- Museum in Krynica and the Region- Krakowie). Its Artistic Director Zyg- battle through a where throughout the world. al Museum of Nowy Sącz. munt Magiera, is laureate of the brutal 12-rounds. Throughout the With the crowd wearing red Nikifor’s last years were the 12th Nation Competition for Choral match, Fonfara, (28-3, 16 KOs), a and white, waving Polish flags and topic of the 2004 film My Nikifor Conductors in Poznan. He is also the native of Poland, who fights out of scarves, the judges gave a unani- by Krzysztof Krauze and featured artistic director of the Kraków Opera Chicago, and Cleverly, (29-3, 15 mous decision to Fonfara with actress Krystyna Feldman in the Choir. Presently the members of the KOs), a native of Wales, exchanged scores of 115-113, 116-112, and role of the artist. For this role, she ensemble include: sopranos, Anna punches, with neither man yielding 116-112. was presented with the Best Actress Magiera and Agnieszka Drabent; an inch of ground. Cleverly threw altos, Małgorzata Langer-Król punches from unsuspecting angles and Zuzanna Kowalówka; tenors, but Fonfara never seemed to be Zygmunt Magiera and Mateusz fazed by the Welshman’s power. Prendota; and basses, Bartłomiej Pollak and Marcin Wróbel. Octava has performed at numer- ous Polish festivals as well as con- certs in Europe, Turkey, and China.

PHOTO: GERALDINE BALUT COLEMAN A TADEUSZ KOŚCIUSZKO IMIENINY CELEBRATION. The Sabina P. Logisz Great Hall of the Polish Museum of America pro- vided a perfect setting to celebrate Tadeusz Kościuszko’s Imieniny, Name’s Day. On October 28, mem- bers of the Chicago Chapter of the Kościuszko Foundation and their guests participated in this cherished Nikofor’s “Rotunda with Chandelier” and “Office with Flags and Three Polish tradition. White Eagles.” Fonfara entering the ring in his Russia had just crushed the Pol- Joanna Rudnicki Winged Hussar outfit. ish army, outlawed Poland’s May 3 THE ART OF NIKIFOR KRYNICKI Award at the 2004 Polish Film Fes- Constitution, and banned the award- to a concert by the 16-year-old pia- The fight kept up a hectic pace AT PMA. The Polish Museum of tival. ing of Virtuti Militari medals to Pol- nist, Daniel Szefer, who played with each boxer taking turns chal- America (PMA), its staff, and vol- It is interesting to note that dur- ish heroes. The Polish officers who Chopin’s Andante Spianato et lenging the other. Neither hit the unteers welcomed over 100 guests to ing Nikifor’s early life, he received received these medals sent them to Grande Polonaise Brillante in E- canvas and neither man committing view the Art of Nikifor Krynicki: care at a Krynica hospital and paid their wives or sweethearts. Flat major, Opus 22, Tchaikovsky’s any penalties. Watercolors from the Collection for his hospital care with his paint- On October 28, 1792, the Name’s Nocturne, Opus 9, No.1, and Franz In the sixth round, Cleverly land- of Alfons Karny Exhibit on Octo- ings. Because he mixed his paints Day of Kościuszko, Prince Adam Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody, No. ed several thumping upper-body ber 23. The ongoing exhibition fea- with spit, the hospital, fearing that Czartoryski, an English-educated 12. shots to Fonfara. But in the seventh tures 50 original watercolors owned he might have tuberculosis, de- Polish statesman and patron of the Fonfara landed a series of upper- by the Jacek Fraczak Family is stroyed many of the paintings it re- arts, held a party at his Sieniawa POLISH-ENGLISH cuts that caused Cleverly’s nose and held on deposit at the Alfons Karny ceived for his treatment. Palace in Southeastern Poland for ear to bleed. A broken nose slowed Museum of Sculpture in Białystok, Tadeusz. Women wore white dress- TRANSLATOR down Cleverly’s pace and created Poland. At the opening, Jacek M. OCTAVA ENSEMBLE PRE- es with black and azure blue sash- MIERES IN CHICAGO. The Oc- • Official documents, letters, some extra points on the judges’ Fraczak, associate professor of art es. Intertwined in their hair were e-mails, etc. score cards. Cleverly mockingly at Missouri State University, led a tava Ensemble composed of eight the Virtuti Militari medals. The • Reasonable rates. stuck his tongue out at Fonfara after walking lecture-tour of the paint- voices singing a cappella and in vo- women fashioned a garland crown • Fast, reliable service by e-mail the bell rang. ings. This exhibit will appear at the cal harmony performed for the first of oak leaves that was placed on or regular mail. During the eighth round, Clev- PMA until January 17, 2016, as the time in United States at the Polish Kościuszko’s head. • Translation to/from other erly gained some momentum and second of a limited three-city tour in Museum of America on October 9. Each year, Kościuszko Foun- languages available as well. Afterward, the ensemble spent the dation (KF) chapters reenact this • Over 40 years experience pinned Fonfara against the ropes. the United States. working with genealogists, attor- However, the twelfth round was Nikifor, also known as Ni- next couple of days performing at event by honoring individuals who neys, businesses, film-makers, Fonfara’s show, pummeling Clever- kifor Krynicki and Epifaniusz Chicago’s St. Helen, St. Ferdinand, have supported the KF and the Pol- government, medical profes- ly into a corner, before the bell rang. Drowniak, was born in Krynica, and St. Constance churches. ish community. This year, the Chi- sionals, etc. Cleverly won a few rounds by Poland. He is considered one of the The vocal octet has established cago Chapter honored Dr. Joanna ANDY GOLEBIOWSKI throwing punches from awkward most outstanding naïve artists of his itself as one of the leading en- Rudnicki, a former neurologist, for 109 Rosemead Lane angles and by countering effectively. time. It is believed that he painted sembles among Polish chamber playing a vital role in breast cancer Cheektowaga, NY 14227 At one point, the fight was stopped over 40,000 pictures on sheets of groups. It performs every type of prevention as an active member (716) 892-5975 momentarily by the ringside doctor paper, pages in notebooks, cigarette music from 16th and 17th Cen- of the Amber Coalition, a Polish [email protected] POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015 www.polamjournal.com 9

Wesołych i pogodnych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia życzy... Polish Christmas – More than Gifts and Treats Merry and Happy Christmas wishes from .... continued from cover said to the peas. Those peas were of the Vigil Supper table. A green RICHARD AND PEARL WILGOSZ no ordinary supper. Everything also believed to keep wolves at bay: strand meant marriage before the 1400 S. Ocean Drive, No. 506 about it was special, unique and “Wilku, wilku chodź do grochu, a end of Zapusty (Mardi Gras), while Hollywood, FL 33019 highly symbolic. Traditionally jak nie przyjdziesz do grochu, nie a yellow one signified that the girl meatless, it featured the gifts of przychodź do końca nowego roku!’ would still to wait before someone farm, field, forest and river: , (If you want peas, wolf, do come popped the question. But a dark, grains, dairy products, fish, veg- here, if you don’t, stay away all withered strand condemned the etables, fruits, nuts and poppy year!) girl who had pulled it out to a life seeds. Well into the 20th century, In some areas, the head of of spinsterhood. Sometimes the girl many poor peasants ate the food the household would who chose the lon- from common serving bowls with fling a spoonful gest strand was wooden spoons. Until the meal was of cooked yellow said to be the first over, nobody was allowed to set peas at the ceiling. The to go to the altar. their spoon on the table – it had to more that stuck, the bet- Another prac- be held the whole time. Except for ter a harvest could be tice was to go into the housewife serving the food, no- expected the following the front yard and one was allowed to leave table until year. In “Cieszcie się i wy robaczki, listen for a barking the meal was over. Everybody was eastern dog. Wherever the first bark expected to taste at least a small P o l a n d Pan Jezus się narodził!” was heard, that is the direction sample of everything on the table the same was done with kucja or ku- from which a suitor would come and not to leave anything uneaten tia, a thick pudding made of cooked courting. Girls would also count the on their plate. To do so foretold grain and honey. In the mountain ar- pickets in the fence saying “kawal- missing out on various good things eas of the south a handful of straw er, wdowiec, kawaler, wdowiec...” in the year ahead. from the sheaves standing in the (bachelor, widower, bachelor, wid- Various incantations and prac- corners was thrown at the ceiling to ower...), the last picket determining tices during the meal were meant to ensure a good harvest. Since only whom they would marry. attract good fortune and keep harm rarely did a strand or two of straw TALKING TURKEY. It was said that away. When pasta or grain dishes get caught on a sliver or rough spot, at the stroke of midnight the water were served, someone might ex- that practice seemed to have been in wells would turn to wine, but hort: “Mnóż się zboże!” (Multiply, a kind of self-fulfilling prophesy: a there was only one catch: only those o grain!). “Składaj się kapusto!” bountiful harvest was a rarity in the who had never sinned could taste it. (Fold into heads, cabbage!) was poor soil of the hard-scrabble moun- That certainly excluded the rough- uttered when sauerkraut and cab- tain areas. and-tumble farm hands, village bage dishes made their appearance, drunks and other unsavory types and the words ‘Rodźcie się ziem- WEDDING BELLS? Wigilia for- who would have loved to sample the niaki!’ (Grow, potatoes, grow!) tune-telling usually centered on miraculous tipple. According to an- were heard when boiled potatoes the martial prospects of eligible other folk belief farm animals could were brought to table. “Wiąż się maidens. They would draw strands speak in human voices at midnight, groszku!” (Form into pods!) was of hay from under the table-cloth but anyone who heard them would not live to tell the tale. After the Christmas Eve sup- per was over, it was common to gather up the table scraps together with any bits of leftover opłatek, the grain scattered on the table and the hay from beneath the table-cloth and take it to feed the livestock. The straw strewn about the cottage floor was tied into roping and used to wrap the fruit trees to ensure a good crop. A farmer that kept bees would also tap the hives and inform their drowsy denizens: “Cieszcie się i wy robaczki, Pan Jezus się narodził!” (“Rejoice you little bugs, Christ is born!”) After the above rituals had been re-enacted, families would return home and sing carols from their “kantyczka” (hymnal) until it was time to leave for Pasterka. But gift- giving was not practiced on Christ- mas Eve in the Polish countryside until well into the 20th century. Now kids in Poland get their pres- ents already on Christmas Eve.

We wish all our members, friends, donors and sponsors A Blessed Christmas and a Healthy ad Happy New Year SAVE A CHILD’S HEART The best gift one can receive is the smile on a child’s face that was given a second chance to a normal and healthy life. Thank You for your support. — Doreen Patras Kramer, President Polish Children’s Heartline

177 Broadway Clark, NJ 07066 (732) 680-0680 (732) 914-0019

SAVE THE DATE! January 10, 2016. ANNUAL CHAMPAGNE GALA at the Polish Consulate, for information, please call (732) 680-0680 10 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015

Grateful for Grzaniec Wesołych œwi¹t Bo¿ego narodzenia continued from cover Sangria, and Mexicans will fi nd 2 cardamom pods, dla całej Poloni. sion of Poland, the custom of this it vaguely reminiscent of Ponche slightly bruised Merry Christmas to all Polonia drink is enacted. Grzaniec is not Navideño. 1 vanilla bean, halved necessarily a traditional Pol- While the basis of mulled wine 2 star anise ish drink, but one that is popular is nearly the same everywhere, Slice the orange and lemon along PULASKI ASSOCIATION OF throughout Europe in one form regional differences give each its cross-section. PROFESSIONAL & BUSINESSMEN or another — especially in the one a special taste. Many recipes Put all ingredients, except the countries with a colder climate. will suggest using a cheap red wine. wine, into a large non-reactive pan 519 Leonard St., Brooklyn, NY 11222 Cheap wine can taste bitter, so it and warm over medium heat, until would become bitterer after being all the sugar is dissolved. www.pulaskiassociation.com heated. The liquid will reduce, so after Traditional spices used in mull- around 30 minutes, add in about a ing are cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, half cup of wine. This allows the Merry Christmas and anise, allspice, and vanilla. Oranges fl avors to infuse and will create a Happy New Year and lemons add a bright and zesty syrup. to All Polonia fl avor. A dry, fruit forward wine When your syrup is ready turn from the such as Zinfandel or Syrah is sug- the heat down to low and pour in the gested although you may use what- bottle of wine; additional alcohol is GENERAL PULASKI ever wine is your favorite. It is im- optional. portant not to boil it as not only Heat the mixture on low to a gen- MEMORIAL PARADE will the alcohol burn off, but the tle simmer for 15-20 minutes, mak- wine can separate and it won´t be ing sure it does not ever boil. COMMITTEE, INC. as tasty. When you combine all Stir from time to time. your ingredients, allow them to Strain, then ladle into glasses and www.pulaskiparade.org warm and leave it long and slow, serve warm. this will give the herbs time to fla- vor the wine. GRZANE PIWO MARIE CURIE Grzaniec is the Polish word for MULLED BEER RECIPE PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S “mulled” and is usually associated (FOR TWO) In a scene from the historical fi lm with wine, but a better experience 20 oz. beer ASSOCIATION, INC. Potop (The Deluge), Sienkiewicz’s comes from mulling beer – grzane 2 Tbsp sugar Danuta Siemiñska — President beloved character Jan Onufry piwo. The tradition of drinking 2 Tbsp honey (or more, if you Zagloba is about to enjoy some like it sweet) warm beer has its origins in the 3 cloves BEST WISHES FOR A MERRY CHRISTMAS spiced wine (grzane wino). Middle Ages, with one of the fi rst cinnamon stick (or 1/4 tsp For information about MSCPWA or the recipes appearing in Poland in 1595. ground cinnamon) MULLED OR SPICED WINE HAS The combination of honey and spic- pinch of ginger Anthony & Josephine Chmura Memorial Scholarship BEEN AROUND for centuries. es along with the beer had a very * honey can be replaced with Visit our Website at www.curiewomen.org These drinks were thought to be therapeutic effect and Doctors rec- raspberry syrup healthy and served as tonics in the ommended it for medicinal purpos- In a medium saucepan heat Roman Empire; in the 12th century, es during the long winters, to help beer with sugar, honey and spices. STERLING SILVER JEWELRY a spiced wine named Pimen or Pi- fi ght colds, strengthen the body, and Stir from time to time. Heat until ment was mentioned; and during improve one’s general mood. Often beer reaches boiling temperature. the 13th century, the French city times, the beer was homemade and Strain and serve in hot beer mugs. A B C D E of Montpellier traded spiced wines blended with a variety of ingredi- with England. ents such as dried fruit, honey and GRZANE PIWO (EGG OPTION) Called Ypocras or Hipocris after spices which were mixed and sealed Beat 2 egg yolks together in a the Greek physician Hippocrates, it into clay pots. mug, with 4 Tbsp of sugar; Set it was commonly drunk during medi- The recipe for mulling beer is ba- aside. F eval times. The drink became ex- sically the same as wine. The best G I Heat a bottle of beer (preferably H tremely popular and was regarded beer tends to be a solid lager with a Polish beer) with a cinnamon stick as having various medicinal or light crisp fl avor. You want one that or ground cinnamon, and whole even aphrodisiac properties. An- will provide a great foundation once cloves or 1/4 tsp of ground cloves. J K tioxidants in red wine have been you warm it and add in the addi- Bring it to a boil and let it boil for linked to a reduction in heart dis- tional ingredients. Avoid light beers a couple of minutes. ease, diabetes and dementia, and since they do not have much fl avor. ALL SHOWN Remove it from the heat. Slowly, ACTUAL SIZE adding slices of orange or lemon start drizzling in the egg yolk/sugar GRZANE WINO have Vitamin C. Doctors even mixture, whisking the entire time. prescribed it to aid digestion. As MULLED WINE RECIPE ALL ITEMS ARE STERLING SILVER • ALL THESE ITEMS ARE Keep whisking as it foams up. AVAILABLE IN 14 KT. GOLD • PLEASE CONTACT US FOR PRICING time passed this “medicinal” drink Ready to serve in about 60 min- *If you’ve used whole cloves and DESCRIPTION become popular around many coun- utes, and easy to make on the stove, a cinnamon stick, use a strainer to A. Polish Princess ...... $7.00 GOLDEN LION tries that developed their own reci- or mull it in the slow cooker. Any pour your hot beer into your glass. B. #1 Babcia (Script) ...... $8.00 JEWELRY pes. It was served at most banquets or all of the herbs and spices will Na zdrowie! Cheers! C. #1 Babcia (Block) ...... $8.00 P.O. BOX 199 all over Europe. be fine; ground spices are an op- To be continued In Czech it is called Svařák, tion. D. Small Eagle ...... $12.00 PORT READING, NJ 07064 Glühwein is the name in and 1 bottle of red wine E. Medium Eagle ...... $14.00 (908) 862-1927 1 cup water JUST A TASTE. According to F. Large Eagle ...... $15.00 Germany, Глинтвейн (Glintvein) [email protected] in Russian, Swedes serve Glogg, 1 large orange, peeled tradition, everyone seated at the G. Large Heavy Eagle ...... $35.00 French sip Vin Chaud, Hungarians then juiced Wigilia table must sample at least H. Extra Heavy Eagle ...... $40.00 • Add $5.00 S&H 1 lemon, peeled a bit of all the different foods laid I. #1 Mamusia (Block)...... $12.00 • Prices subject to change brew up Forralt Bor, Italians hand • Allow 10-14 days for delivery. 1/2 cup honey, sugar or out, otherwise they may experi- J. #1 Tatus (Block) ...... $12.00 around Vin Brule, and the Poles raspberry syrup • If not satisfied, return for refund ence poverty in the year ahead. K. #1 Ciocia (Block) ...... $12.00 polish off Grzane wino. 5-6 whole cloves within 15 days. The drink eventually inspired 1 nutmeg, about 10 gratings After the meal, it is customary to Tie Tacks of D, E, ...... $19.00/$21.00 • NJ, NY, CT, and PA residents must the Spaniards in their creation of 2 cinnamon sticks, broken sing kolędy (carols). Tie Tacks of F, G, ...... $22.00/$42.00 add appropriate sales tax.

Weso³ych Œwi¹t The O icers, Directors, and Members of the from REGINA WNUKOWSKI Philadelphia ASSOCIATION OF THE SONS OF POLAND Wishes the en›ire Polish community an Blessed Christmas and a Joyous New Year!

333 HACKENSACK STREET CARLSTADT, NJ 07072-1043 Tel: (201) 935-2807 • Fax: (201) 935-2752 www.SonsOfPoland.org

CELEBRATING 111 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE POLISH AMERICAN COMMUNITY WITH LOW-COST LIFE INSURANCE AND BENEFITS OF FRATERNAL MEMBERSHIP POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015 www.polamjournal.com 11

CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS Two Christmas Eve Memories Christmas in Przemyśl For Polish Americans, especially DON PIENKOS. We celebrated by Sabina Bober believed that a woman would bring I recall how my parents labored those who are observant Christians, Christmas in Chicago as a big fam- PRZEMYŚL, Poland — Christ- bad luck for the coming year. The for months before Christmas Eve Christmas Eve — or Wigilja — is, ily event at my grandparents’ house mas in my childhood years (the ladies, therefore, stayed home. to assemble all the products needed along with Easter, one of the great in the 1950s. But aside from our 1980s) was always a family event. Christmas Eve was observed with to make the Wigilia supper, e.g., events of the year. Not only is it a Busia’s mushroom soup, pierogi The whole family assiduously pre- a strict fast, even for the children sugar, which was on ration cards time for decorating the Christmas and chrusciki, we had an “Ameri- pared for the holiday and most im- once they started school. Mom let and which mom hid so that it would tree and the giving of gifts, the Vigil can” . For us kids portant was experiencing it spiri- us eat a little bit in the morning but, suffice for baking. My parents’ meat of Christmas has some very special and our many cousins, the high- tually. Mom, my siblings, and I otherwise, we were not to eat un- ration cards were inadequate; dad and meaningful features and tradi- light at our seemingly mammoth participated in Rorate, a special only bought cold tions for us. Some Polish Ameri- dining room table was our annual Mass and devotion to our Lady at cuts. Our meat cans, following closely the tradi- contest to see how many pierogi we dawn during Advent. In the week came from the tions passed onto them from their could chow down. I can still see my before Christmas, my older sisters barn, where my Polish born parents and grandpar- Busia’s smile about that! and I would start making decora- parents had pigs— ents, observe Wigilja in one way. tions for the Christmas tree, some- some years we Others mix in various “American” “Wigilja for us remains thing we looked forward to impa- shared with our practices — which have crept in, tiently every year. Dad bought the neighbors, oth- almost imperceptibly, over time. a wonderful and Christmas tree and it always had to ers, they with us. Here are some recollections of two memorable highlight.” be a living one: I remember none of It was hard to buy Christmas vigil gatherings going our neighbors having an artificial baking powder or back to the 1950s and how they have I think we started by sharing tree. That was simply tradition. yeast in the store; been combined nowadays. They are opłatek. But we didn’t go to Mid- Thinking back over the years, I stood with my based on the recollections of Angela night Mass or sing kolędy. There I have the picture in my mind of a sister in line many and Don Pienkos, both originally were so many wonderful American Christmas tree that was rather not Important components of a Polish Christmas are times to buy sugar from Chicago. Christmas tunes those days and they so attractive. Sometimes mom said straw and — under the white tablecloth — hay. or margarine to were either playing on the phono- that dad bought a tree that was de- These evoked the Bethlehem manger. The use of bake pastries. But- ANGELA MISCHKE PIENKOS. graph or on TV. After dinner our fective or crooked or didn’t have straw dates from earlier Polish tradition, when it was ter was practically Back in the late 1940s and 1950s, I dziadzia (grandfather) — a terrific enough branches. But, at the time, thought of as the hair of of Mother Earth, a symbol unavailable. remember that our family followed a guy — liked to place a pile of coins getting a pretty tree—or any tree at of fertility and plenty. In urban settings, this custom Just before the very traditional Wigilja dinner each in a big bowl. Each of us kids could all—was a challenge. Not every- was displace with a handful of straw on a plate tied Wigilia Supper, year. This was thanks to my Polish- reach in with one hand and grab as body could buy a Christmas tree: together with a ribbon. This tradition has stood the the whole family born babcia (grandmother) and my many as we could hold. I think my there were limits. They were usually tests of time, practiced by rich and poor alike. knelt before the Mom, who had come to America in parents paid off the mortgage with pine trees; nobody even dreamed of image of Our Lady December 1913, just months before our loot! a fir tree. I remember that dad- re til the common Wigilia supper. As to pray, and then my eldest sister the outbreak of the First World War. We had a big Christmas tree at solved one year — to our surprise a six year old, I was supposed to read about the Nativity from the Bi- My Mom was then just eight years my grandparents’ house. Our young- — to buy a fir tree. How many trips fast, though that was no small task ble. We thanked God for our health old. est aunt did the honors of handing it took, how much going back and for me, especially as the smells of and our successes. We also prayed Together they really worked at out the gifts. One Christmas we all forth, how many contacts—but, in various Wigilia dishes wafted from for our dead, whom mom declared Wigilja! With our big family all to- watched “I Love Lucy” when Lucy the end, when he went to go get the the kitchen. The table was deco- each by name. After our common gether we began with the sharing had her baby. long dreamed of fir, he came back rated with a white tablecloth with meal, mom began the singing of of the blessed opłatek. Then came with a pine tree, because some Party straw beneath it, symbolizing pov- Christmas carols (kolędy), abiding a multicourse meatless dinner — THE PIENKOS. For years, we have secretary got the fir. erty. Mom made all the dishes. They in that festive atmosphere until Mid- starting with a true Polish mush- hosted our Wigilia for our family included pierogi (with cabbage and night Mass (Pasterka). Pasterka was room soup, then herring, veggies, and friends, and we basically follow My sister and I decorated the tree mushrooms), stuffed cabbages with one of the few Masses where the and a main fish course followed her tradition — along with the ever on Christmas Eve, using the orna- rice and potatoes, the traditional church was filled beyond the rafters. by pierogi. (Later on my Mom in- popular coin deal. We leave Mass ments we had made. We had denied baked carp, and kutia (which my Christmas itself was spent with troduced a shrimp and rice creole for Christmas Day but we do sing ourselves chocolate (which was on younger siblings liked to eat). Com- family, singing carols together. dish to the menu.) For dessert there a mix of kolędy and American reli- ration cards) for a few months ahead pote made from dried fruit was a Friends and more distant family were Christmas cookies. After Santa gious and secular Christmas songs of time, so that there would be real appetizer. We did not have the members came to visit on St. Ste- dropped in, we kids opened up our with our children and their kids. Be- something to put on the Christmas traditional twelve courses, because phen’s Day (December 26). presents, and sang Polish carols fore dinner, our grandchildren enjoy tree. Putting the tree in just the right my parents thought they would be v v v along with tunes like “Rudolph.” some vintage Disney Christmas car- place in the room took up the most wasted, so we limited ourselves to Dr. (hab.) Sabina Bober teaches Then we went off to church — St. toons or various games. Sharing all time; the ornaments concealed any just a few. There was no lack of pas- history at the John Paul II Catholic Mary of Czestochowa in Milwau- the gifts is almost a riot. Lots of fun. imperfections in the crooked tree. try, which mom baked liberally. For University of Lublin, Poland, where kee — for Midnight Mass. Our Wigilja for us remains a wonder- On the morning of Christmas us, they were all rarities—except for she directs the History of East- Christmas tree was decorated just a ful and memorable highlight. We Eve, we all waited for the caroler. pierogi, the other dishes appeared Central European Minorities Study day before Wigilja. are so fortunate! He had to be male, because it was only for Wigilia. Unit.

Weso³ych Œwi¹t Weso³ych Œwi¹t JUTRZENKA SINGING SOCIETY #226 wszystko Polaków! d Bo¿ego Narodzenia i South Brooklyn, NY Szczêœliwego Nowego Zapraszamy do spiewania! Come, sing with us! RAYMOND BULWICZ “God Bless America” visit: jutrzenkasingingsociety#226psaa.org “Let There Be Roku 2016! Former President Peace on Earth” Polish American GREATER HAZLETON “Merry Christmas to All” Unity League POLONAISE SOCIETY POLISH SINGERS ALLIANCE OF AMERICA 19 White Cap Way VALENTINA P.O. Box 2275 DISTRICT 7 CHORUSES Brick, NJ 08723 KOZLOWSKI Hazleton, PA 18201 Connecticut - New Jersey - New York - Pennsylvania (732) 864-9222 Thomas Kopetskie, President Yaga Chudy, President Binghamton, New York Adrian Sylveen, District Choral Director

Wishing all Christmas Blessings COUNCIL 84 . with q POLISH NATIONAL ALLIANCE ¯ycie wszyscy Weso³ych s Health and Happiness Good Health in the New Year 2016 Œwi¹t Bo¿ego Narodze- Adele Iwachow, President nia oraz Szczêœliwego to the PAJ Staff! Merry Christmas BARBARA AND Helen M. Pater, Vice Pres. Nowego Roku 2016 roku. and Happy New Year Barbara R. Blyskal, Secretary JOHN (JASIU) JULIUS T. EDDIE BLYSKAL Ed Blyskal, Treasurer WARZYBOK Paul Iwachow, Sgt-at-Arms MYŚLIWIEC JEAN JOKA Staten Island, New York Moundsville, West Virginia Woodbridge, NJ Communications Director Merry Christmas and Weso³ych Œwi¹t Happy New Year to all POLISH HERITAGE Weso³ych Œwi¹t Bo¿ego Narodzenia i y the Bujewskis. SOCIETY OF Bo¿ego Narodzenia Szczêœliwego Nowego Weso³ych Œwi¹t i Szczêœliwego Nowego Roku Call (618) 444-7028 PHILADELPHIA Roku 2016! Bo¿ego Narodzenia i GENERAL PULASKI Szczêœliwego Nowego POLISH UNION JOHN BUJEWSKI Roku 2016! Celebrating Polish Culture ASSOCIATION of the OF AMERICA General Contractor in the USA since 1965 Aaron Construction & Farms NIAGARA FRONTIER 745 Center Road MICHALINA CAHILL 24356 N. Carolina Road Buffalo, New York West Seneca, NY 14224 Phippsburg, Maine Ashley, IL 62808 12 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015

Schnepf Condemns FORUM / Don Pienkos Terrorist Attacks by Richard Poremski “We share the pain with all the Poland’s Big Election Year — One Observer’s View WASHINGTON, D.C. – The French people and we profoundly On October 25, 2015 Poland held a truly historic younger people, many of them college graduates. These mood was uncharacteristically re- condemn the attacks. This is not parliamentary election. For the first time in the 26 years complaints have long been sore points among critics of served at the Embassy of the Repub- only an attack on France, it is an at- of its democratic Third Republic, one political party, the Civic Platform, despite its overall success in man- lic of Poland on Fri., Nov. 13, 2015. tack on everyone who believes in Law and Justice, won an absolute majority, 235 out of aging Poland’s economy. The guests had assembled to cel- the principles of democracy, free- 460 deputies, to the Sejm, Poland’s dominant legisla- ebrate Poland’s 97th Independence dom and peace. We are in solidar- tive body. Poland’s latest vote on October 25 has Day of November 11, 1918, but the ity with the French nation. We must As a result, Poland’s new Prime Minister will be left western commentators at a loss in horrific news from a soon became promise to stay united and together Beata Szydlo, 52. She succeeds Ewa Kopacz of the figuring out what happened and why. the topic of conversation. and fight terrorists wherever they Civic Platform party, which had headed Poland’s gov- “Ladies and gentlemen, dear are. They are threats to all of us re- erning coalition since 2007. Politically, the release of illegal taped private con- friends: Good evening. But it is not gardless if you live in Paris, Rome Earlier in May the Law and Justice party’s presiden- versations among government officials in 2014 did a good evening because there is or New York. tial nominee, the previously little known Andrzej Duda, some damage to the image of the Civic Platform. Worse very, very, sad news” said Ambas- “Let’s have all people of good 42, defeated the seemingly safe incumbent, Bronislaw was the departure, last September, of the party’s skillful sador Ryszard Schnepf from the will stand together, and remain con- Komorowski. His win came as a first big shock to the leader Donald Tusk. A highly effective Prime Minister podium. “This was supposed to be vinced that democracy must win Civic Platform, whose free market policies had been since 2007, Tusk relocated to Brussels to become the another joyful occasion to celebrate during this struggle. I ask you to credited as helping make Poland’s economy one of the EU’s president — itself a sign of Poland’s stature in that the rebirth of the Republic of Po- join me in a Moment of Silence to fastest growing in Europe. vast, multistate organization. land after World War I. But the news honor all of the victims of the ter- In September Poland also held a national referen- October’s election also resulted in the failure of the coming from France is terrifying. rorist attacks in Paris,” said Ambas- dum, where the voters rejected a proposal to radically post-communist Alliance of the Democratic Left to win France is under terrorist attack at sador Schnepf. alter its method of electing deputies to the Sejm. a single seat in parliament. Whether this party is ‘his- multiple locations in Paris, and over The respectful moment was con- Poland’s latest vote on October 25 has left western tory’ cannot be known yet. But its defeat offers Law and 100 persons have been killed. The cluded with a solo piano perfor- commentators at a loss in figuring out what happened Justice with a golden opportunity to further enhance operations of the security forces are mance of the French National An- and why. Neither have they demonstrated much appre- its standing by winning over at least some of its disaf- still being completed. them — La Marseillaise. ciation about the impressive vitality of Polish represen- tative democracy since 1989 nor shown they fully grasp fected voters in putting together constructive economic the nature of the political party divisions in Poland. policies to gain their support. The same possibilities of Poland to Shun Refugees after Paris Attack In fact the Civic Platform has the basic features of course hold true for the Civic Platform. A real opportunity for closer cooperation between WARSAW — Poland’s new gov- ter 7,000 refugees, prime minister a moderate conservative free enterprise party. It is in- ternationalist in its embrace of the European Union. At Poland’s new government and the United States also ernment won’t accept migrant quo- designate Beata Szydlo referred to exists, if Prime Minister Szydlo and President Duda tas imposed by the European Union, the deal as “blackmail.” home it has supported the principle of the separation of church and state while respecting the enormous role move systematically in this direction. A closer U.S.-Po- as the terror attacks in France have land strategic relationship may also mean a greater role exposed the weakness in the bloc, MARCHER PROTEST EU EDICT. of the in Polish life. Law and Jus- tice, which has invariably been described in the west for Polish Americans in working to enhance the ties be- the nation’s future minister for Eu- Two days before the attacks in Par- tween the two NATO allies and to promote a greater ropean affairs said. ish, a nationalist rally attached itself as “Euroskeptic” and “rightwing,” does stand for mor- ally “conservative” views held by the Church. But its appreciation of Poland and the values Poland’s extraor- “In the wake to the official November 11 -Inde dinarily pro-American citizens share with the people of of the tragic pendence Day commemorations in economic posture is populist and commits it to action programs aimed at improving the conditions of Pol- the United States. events in Paris, Warsaw. Tens of thousands marched v v v Poland doesn’t under the slogan “Poland for the ish working people. This is understandable, given the existence of fairly widespread dissatisfaction over low Don Pienkos is a professor emeritus at the Univer- see the political Polish,” in protest of the European sity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. possibilities to Union’s demand that Poland absorb wages and frustration over the lack of good jobs for implement a de- additional refugees from the Middle cision on the re- East, Africa, and elsewhere. location of refu- Police said 25,000 people joined Law and Justice Back in Power gees,” Konrad the march, while organizers put the continued from cover (65 for men, 60 for women) that had a Washington-Warsaw security rela- Szymanski Szymanski was numbers at 50,000. Nowoczesna (Modern) of hard- been upped by Platforma, and addi- tionship. It opposes increased “ref- quoted as saying on Wpolityce.pl “God, honor, homeland,” chant- nosed pro-market economist tion of a monthly family allowance ugee” migration into Europe. Given website. “The attacks mean there’s ed the protesters as they marched Ryszard Petru (7.6%) have made for second and subsequent children Poland’s reliance on coal-fired pow- a need for an even deeper revision under a sea of red-and-white Polish their parliamentary début. The of the European policy regarding to cope with Poland’s demographic er plants, it opposes tougher EU cli- flags. Demonstrators trampled and Peasant Party (Stronnictwo Ludowe decline. PiS hopes to finance some mate change rules. the migrant crisis.” burned a European Union flag at – 5.13%), which just barely cleared Szymanski’s rejection of the EU of its program through taxes on for- The conservative shift in Euro- one point, while a banner added to the 5% threshold, also made it into eign banks and chain stores/super- pean public opinion has not been quotas hours after Paris was rocked the anti-EU theme with the slogan parliament. markets, which PiS argues were ad- greeted positively by Western Euro- by terrorist attacks underscore the “EU macht frei” (“Work makes you Better-off and better-educated vantaged against small business and pean or American mainstream me- divide among governments in the free” in German), a reference to the urban voters, who had been the “mom-and-pop” enterprises. dia: media reports on the outcome bloc over the influx of Middle East- slogan over the gates at Auschwitz. mainstay of the middle-of-the- ern migrants. His Law and Justice In terms of foreign policy, PiS of the election characterized the PiS “Yesterday it was Moscow, to- road PO, became disaffected after party tapped into concerns among is committed to rolling back exces- victory in such pejorative terms as day it’s Brussels which takes away eight years of that party’s rule, one the country’s conservative Catholic marked by scandals, unkept prom- sive European Union interference “nationalist,” “xenophobic,” “pro- base that too many Muslims are ar- our freedom,” chanted one group of protesters. Other banners read ises and the same old faces on the in domestic affairs and recasting Catholic,” “homophobic” and “Eu- riving in Europe. TV news. For the first time ever, “European integration” to enhance ro-skeptical.” Poland’s previous cabinet, led “Great Catholic Poland” and “Stop Islamisation.” PiS has not only attracted a higher national sovereignty. It also advo- — The PAJ’s Robert Strybel con- by the Civic Platform party, also cates a strong NATO and focus on tributed to this article. Several thousand riot police of- percentage of young people, city- opposed efforts led by German dwellers and voters with higher Chancellor Angela Merkel to force ficers were deployed for the protest, which was punctuated by numerous education than PO but has actually Our Annual Christmas EU member states to take in more made inroads beyond its traditional migrants. While incoming Foreign firecrackers and smoke bombs but Gathering is keeping our otherwise went off peacefully. base of support in poorer eastern Polish relatives and friends Merry Christmas Minister Witold Waszczykowski and southern Poland (roughly coin- — Compiled from Bloomberg, together for a wonder and Happy New Year said Poland will meet a commit- ciding with the former the Russian ment by the Civic Platform to shel- BBC, AP, and other news reports party. Santa arrives every to the and Austrian partitions) to pick up years and goodies and early voivodeship (province) except THE DZIENCIOLS drinks are served! two. Platforma had previously been from the P able to count on electoral support in THE WILLIAMS O western Poland, roughly coincid- THE MERLENBACHS Pe³nych radoœci, ing with the old Prussian partition. (LUNIESKI) FAMILY Radosnych Œwi¹t Bo¿ego pokoju i szczêœcia Likewise, for the first time since Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Narodzenia pomyœlnego Œwi¹t Bo¿ego Narodzenia 1989, the Sejm is free of any post- Nowego Roku 2016 oraz wszelkiej pomyœlnoœci w communists, leftist leftovers from POLISH AMERICAN nadchodz¹cym Nowym Roku the 45 year-long communist dicta- torship. POLISH AMERICAN CITIZENS CLUB WALLY PIATEK PiS’s success and the Left’s de- Camden County, N.J. Berlin, New Jersey feat means that the wedge cultural CULTURAL CENTER issues pushed by the latter — abor- 308 WALNUT STREET tion-on-demand, same-sex mar- riage, or excluding religious instruc- PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106 Weso³ych Œwi¹t tion from schools — is unlikely to (215) 922-1700 Merry Christmas have any traction in the new Sejm. When You’re in Philadelphia’s Historic PiS also supports traditional fam- District, Visit The Polish American ily values, expressed in a Christian Cultural Center Museum Exhibit Hall social agenda that includes restora- Featuring Polish History and Culture tion of the former retirement ages OPEN 10:00 a.m. TO 4:00 p.m. • FREE ADMISSION January through April • Monday to Friday DID YOU KNOW? Donations to May through December • Monday to Saturday the PAJ’s Press Fund and the PAJ Gift Shop is Open During Regular Exhibit Hall Hours STEVE & ADELE LITWIN Foundation help pay for the PAJ’s Binghamton, New York Closed on Holidays On-Line Library and other services Visit Us on the Internet: www.polishamericancenter.org to the Polish American community. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015 www.polamjournal.com 13 PAJBOOKSTORE TO ORDER BY MAIL TO ORDER BY PHONE TO ORDER ON LINE: Use form on page 16 (800) 422-1275 • (716) 312-8088 polamjournal.com CHRISTMAS for all items on pages 13, 14, 15, and 16 MON.-FRI., 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. SECURE SERVER

OPŁATEK Polish Christmas Wafers POLISH-ENGLISH CHRISTMAS CARDS KEEP THIS BEAU- NEW FOR 2015! Cards designed for the PAJ by Poppyfi eld Press TIFUL TRADI- 75¢ each / 10-pack $6.00 / 50 or more 50¢ each TION ALIVE IN YO U R FA M I LY! Practice the ancient Polish custom of sharing the Christ- mas wafer with fam- actualShown size A MUST FOR YOUR ily and guests. Many CHRISTMAS TABLE people place a piece of opłatek— a thin wafer, SMALL (2 x 3½ in.) made of fl our and water— individual wafer Wesolych Swiat / in each Christmas cards w/glassine envelope Merry Christmas to family members and 5/$3.00 friends. Each Polish Christ- Mail Sticker mas Wafer is embossed with Proceeds to benefit religious scene. Catholic Orphanage in CARD 310 CARD 311 CARD 312 Bialoleka, near Warsaw, KRAKOWSKA SZOPKA OPŁATEK - CHRISTMAS WAFER CHRISTMAS LOWANICZKA IF ORDERING OPŁATEK Po l a n d a n d Po l i s h ONLY, SHIPPING A m e r i c a n J o u r n a l CHARGE IS $3.00. Press Fund. 1” x 2”. 20 SEE FORM ON PAGE 16 decorative stickers/ Learn more about this LARGE (6¼ x 3½ in.) stamps to a sheet. Perfect tradition from our Three white and one for presents, Christmas website: pink opłatki, with deco- cards, etc. polamjournal.com rative envelope (shown $5.00 per sheet. Follow Library Holidays above) depicting wigilia (If ordering stamps link to the Christmas with history on back only, shipping is $1.00 listings 4 /$5.00 per every four sheets). 3-D BRASS HANDPAINTED KOLĘDY & CAROLS POLISH EAGLE WOOD EASTER EGG ON CLASSICAL ORNAMENT ORNAMENT GUITAR CD CARD 314 CARD 313 GORAL MUSICIANS BABY JESUS ON HAY Don’t forget Christmas ENVELOPES CARD 315 wafers in your cards INCLUDED HOLY FAMILY for friends and family WITH ALL CARDS! across the miles. SAVE BIG ON OUR ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS CARDS! (BELOW) 50¢ each • 10-pack - $4.00 • 50 or more - 30¢ each Produced by the Polanie Society — $7.95 • Cicha Noc • Dzisiaj w Betlejem • Do Szopy Hej Pasterze • Gdy się Chrystus rodzi • Lulajze Jezuniu Designed to hand fl at in Hand-decorated • Gdy Sliczna Panna a window or twisted into Birchwood Polish • Hej w dzień narodzenia a 3-dimensional orna- Easter Egg • Wśród nocnej ciszy CARD 302 ment as shown, it can be $5.95 each • Pójdźmy wszyscy twisted many times if Imported from Poland do stajenki • Oj Maluski CARD 102 CARD 103 CARD 201 care if taken to reverse Styles vary. Will not the twists when closing. • Przybieżeli do Betlejem ship identical eggs if • We Three Kings $7.95 each buying more than one. • What Child is This? Made in the United States. A great stocking-stuff er! • O Come Emmanuel Item 1-1501 • The First Noel 3 1/2” high x 3” wide Item 1-1502 •

KOLĘDY SING-ALONG BOOK CARD 305 With Music and Lyrics in Polish and English Published by the Fr. Justin Rosary Hour Sing-along to 37 of the most popular Polish Christmas Carols. This 90-page spiral-bound book contains the words and music plus English translations. Published in 2003, the book also con- CARD 202 CARD 203 CARD 205 tains a message from the Rosary Hour director, an explanation (in Polish and English) of Polish Carols by the late Msgr. John R. Gabalski of St. Stanislaus Parish in Buff alo, N.Y., plus Pope John Paul II words about the importance of koledy to the Polish na- tion. Published at $7.00, available now for only $5.00 CARD 306 POLISH VILLAGE CHRISTMAS CDs A POLISH CHRISTMAS EVE CARD ASSORTMENT 1 A POLISH CHRISTMAS EVE Two each cards 102, 103, VOL. I Traditions and Recipes, 201, 202, 203, 205, 206, or II — Decorations and Song 301, 302, 304, 305, 306, $12.00 by Rev. Czesław Michal Krysa, S.L.D. 307, 308, and 309. (30 each Everything you need for Wigilia or CARD 206 CARD 301 CARD 304 cards total) plus extras Christmas Eve Vigil Supper! Bi-lingual $9.95 + $5.00 s&h carols with musical notation, Wafer ($19.00 WITH S&H sharing messages, heritage photos, IF PURCHASED SEPARATELY) PREVIEW ornaments, and ritual decorations, SAMPLES the origins of Wigilia, poetry, literature, etc. CARD ON OUR This book is a quick and easy reference, step-by-step WEBSITE ASSORTMENT 2 guide and international collection of folklore, stories, Four each cards 310,311, recipes, carols and decorations with never before pub- 312, 313, 314, and lished photos and black and white illustrations, glossary, MORE BOOKS AND 315 (20 cards total) pronunciation guide, and a regional map of Poland. This GIFT ITEMS ON is a wonderful book and a must for every Polish-Ameri- $11.95 + $5.00 s&h PAGES 14, 15, can family. ($20.00 WITH S&H AND 16 CARD 307 CARD 308 CARD 309 IF PURCHASED SEPARATELY) 300 pp., sc., illustrated, 8.25 x 10.75. $26.95 14 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015 PAJBOOKSTORE TO ORDER BY MAIL TO ORDER BY PHONE TO ORDER ON LINE: Use form on page 16 (800) 422-1275 • (716) 312-8088 polamjournal.com CHRISTMAS for all items on pages 13, 14, 15, and 16 MON.-FRI., 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. SECURE SERVER Traditional Straw Ornaments Carols on CD 2016 Calendar Harfa Mens Choir - Najpiękniejsze Kolędy Polskie These 18 Polish Christmas songs were preformed by the Harfa Men’s Choir directed by Jan Węcowski. Recorded in the PWSM Concert Hall in Warsaw, February 1997. Set of 44 pieces, Glitter Stars Set of 48 pieces, Silver Finish Songs include: Wśród nocnej ciszy, Dzisiaj Ornaments measure 2” H - 2.3” H. Ornaments measure approx: 2.4” w Betlejem, Gdy się Chrystus rodzi, & more #660103 - $29.95 #660123 - $34.95 #MTJ10046 - $19.95

Bayer Full - Ida Swieta, The 2016 Poland Wall Calendar Holidays Are This calendar includes some of the most Coming beautiful, scenic photographs of Poland 9 Polish Carols we’ve ever seen. And, at a full 12” x 12”, you performed by can truly appreciate Poland’s sights from the Bayer Full home. Other calendar features include: group. Songs Weekdays & Months in Polish & English, include: Świąteczny remix, Idą Święta, Polish and US Holidays, and Male & Female Wspaniała matko, Zimowa miłość, & more Polish Name Days (called imieniny in Polish). #GM16021 - $19.95 Quantities are Limited, so order your’s today! #CP16 - $14.95

Set of 20 pieces & Wicker Basket Large 11” Straw Ornament Christmas Greeting Cards Ornaments measure approx: 2.4”. Wicker Based on traditional Polish straw Each set of cards displays a Polish sentiment on the inside. Designs vary, so you may not get exactly what is shown. Envelopes included. Basket measures 7.9” L x 7.9” W x 1.6” H ornaments held together by string. #660127 - $22.95 #660112 - $12.95 Butter Molds

Cards with 3-D pop-up Religious Christmas Cards, Set of 5 pictures, Set of 4 Cards Measure: 4.7” x 6.5” #PCS703 - $14.95 #PCS722 - $13.95 A B Christmas Books Foldable Christmas Square A. Rectangle w/Star Top Polish Holidays: Polish Carols This beautiful mold features popular Measures 5.0” L x 4.25” W x 1.25” H An Introduction Songbook with Christmas motifs on each side: a Christmas #KOR112 - $34.95 This handy tree, a shooting star, a candle with holly, and CD introductory guide a fi sh. Measures 2.7” L x 2.7” W x 2.8” H Holding on to the B. Osełka Butter Mold to Polish holidays #KOR110 - $49.95 beautiful tradition Measures 5.0” L x 3.0” W x 1.25” H provides factual #KOR109 - $29.95 of singing Polish information in an Christmas carols, easy to digest packet. we give you a large Contained within is collection of the Religious Figurines information, recipes, most beautiful Polish and/or songs for the carols. You will fi nd in Harvest Festival, it lyrics and musical notes to 51 compositions. All Saints’ Day, St. Nicholas’ Day, Christmas Songs include: Wśród nocnej ciszy, Dzisiaj Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Three w Betlejem, Gdy się Chrystus rodzi, W żłobie Kings, Carnival, Fat Thursday, and Easter. leży, Anioł pasterzom mówił, Bracia patrzcie SoftCover. 8.5” x 5.5”, 28 pages. English. jeno, Hej, w dzień Narodzenia, & more. #BK2573 - $9.95 #BK2706 - $19.95 Religious Gifts

Virgin Mary: Our Lady Virgin Mary: Virgin Mary: Our St. Joseph Silver Scented Rosary Hand-Carved Wooden of Grace Immaculate Heart Lady of Lourdes Plated Box with Crucifi x Triptych Resin statue measures 7.75” H. Resin statue measures 8” H. Resin. Measures 5.9” H. Measures: 2.75” D. x 1.9” H. Measures 17” L. Measures 11” x 10”. #435178 - $19.95 #435177 - $19.95 #435176 - $14.95 #ARP465 - $29.95 #A642 - $24.95 #700111 - $59.95 POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015 www.polamjournal.com 15 PAJBOOKSTORE TO ORDER BY MAIL TO ORDER BY PHONE TO ORDER ON LINE: Use form on page 16 (800) 422-1275 • (716) 312-8088 polamjournal.com KITCHEN for all items on pages 13, 14, 15, and 16 MON.-FRI., 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. SECURE SERVER on the market. ” incorporation in the Polish American POLISH COOKBOOKS — Polish Cultural mainstream culture. PIEROGI: APRONS News Polish Holiday Cookery covers holi- From the Old PIEROGI LOVE A perennial days such as Christmas and Easter, as Country to the $20.00 each plus $5.95 s&h New Takes on bestseller, Polish well as celebrations year-round. Ideas Old Neighbor- Proclaim your Polish heritage with an Old World Heritage Cookery for banquets, picnics, dinners, and hood $10.00 by this lovely restaurant-style apron. Comfort Food is the most exten- family favorites abound throughout, Eva Gerwecki, 100% Cotton, with two generous By Casey Barber sive and varied ensuring that cooks have a selection of 48 pp., sc. pockets. Quality red cloth with ma- $19.95 Polish cookbook dishes for any occasion. A collection of chine-embroidered lettering and de- Hc; 128 pp. ever published. “secret” recipes, sign. One size fi ts all! 8.3 x 8.1 inches More than 2,200 recipes use eas- POLISH CLASSIC RECIPES tips, and more for Full color photographs ily available American ingredients and $16.95 not only fi llings This tasty tribute to the pierogi measurements. Modern by Laura and and toppings, but a variety of takes a familiar wrapping and stuff s it is a blend of hearty peasant dishes and Peter Zeranski recipes as well. Over 150 recipes with with a host of unconventional, innova- more elegant gourmet fare, incorpo- 2011, 96 pp., h.c., regional variations, from California to tive, and decidedly non-traditional fi ll- rating a broad cross-section of cultural index, 100 color New York! ings. With 60 sweet and savory recipes infl uences. The book includes numer- photographs by that include everything from the clas- ous cultural notes, historical accounts Matthew Aron THE OLD NEIGHBORHOOD sic Polish cheese and potato off erings of Polish culinary traditions, and de- Roth POLISH COOKBOOK: WESOLYCH SWIAT / Tree to American-inspired Reuben pierogie scriptive line drawings. Its expanded Designed for the modern kitchen Hamtramck, Detroit and Beyond — (Merry Christmas in Polish) 2-269 and fried apple pie-rogies to worldly edition includes information on Polish yet retaining traditional roots, each $10.00 by Elna fi llings like falafel and Nutella, there’s products available in the United States, heritage recipe in Polish Classic Recipes Lavine, 44 pp., sc. a pierog for every party and every pal- such as plum butter, honey mush- has been tested to perfection. Accom- 96 recipes ate! Each recipe comes with a charm- rooms, and kielbasa, and their culinary panied by notes on Polish holiday cus- from the famed ing story from Barber’s extensive ex- uses. toms, history, and menu pairing sug- Polonia of De- plorations in pierogi fl avors. gestions, these dishes off er a fl avorful troit. Breakfast, Casey Barber is a freelance food GREAT POLISH sample of the Polish dining experi- lunch, dinner POLISH CHEF POLISH CHICK writer, photographer, and editor of RECIPES ence, as passed down from generation pastries, pierogi, 2-200 2-224 the critically acclaimed website Good. by Raymond T. to generation. kluski, cream Food. Stories. Laskowski chipped beef, $10.00 POLISH soups, desserts THE ART Spiral bound, s.c. CLASSIC and more. OF POLISH 62 pp., index DESSERTS COOKING 8.5 x 5.5 in. $16.95 POLISH GIRL By Alina Published in By Laura and COOKBOOK 1980 and redis- Peter Zeranski $10.00 by FOREVER POLISH I LOVE PIEROGI Zeranska 2-222 2-225 Pub. at $22.95 covered this year, 2013. 96 pp. 8½ Eva Gerweck, PAJ Bookstore this is a collection of four generations x 8½. Index. 100 44 pp., sc. Price: $15.95 of recipes from kitchens in Poland and color photos Another cook- TO Ethnic / Polish the United States. Includes appetiz- Organized by type and with titles in book full of reci- ORDER, 384 pp. ers, soups, salads, vegetables, breads, both Polish and English. From mazur- pes from Detroit’s USE 8 1/4 x 5 1/2 noodles, sauces, stuffi ng, kielbasa, en- kas and babas to pastries and bever- Old Polish neigh- trees, and desserts. Straight-forward, ages, these recipes are designed for borhoods. Ap- FORM 12 b/w illus. Index 2nd ptg. ON PAGE Reissued by Pelican Publ., The Art of easy-to-follow recipes for beginners the modern kitchen but retain their petizers, entrees, DRINKING TEAM Polish Cooking, contains 500 authentic and experienced cooks alike. traditional roots. Each of the forty-fi ve breads, desserts, 2-271 14 recipes, complete with recipes for hors desserts are tested to perfection and and more! Upper Peninsula style pas- tries, potato salad, pastries, babka, d’oeuvres, soups, entrees, vegetables, POLISH HOLIDAY COOKERY paired with mouthwatering photo- HANDTOWELS pastries, desserts, and beverages. Spe- $24.95 graphs and notes on Polish history and breads, and more. cial holiday menus are also presented, by Robert Strybel customs. $9.50 each plus $5.95 s&h along with charming descriptions of 248 pp., hc., POLISH Hanging towels. Machine embroi- traditional Polish feasts and celebra- Hippocrene Bks. POLISH CHICAGO: RESTAURANT dered designs. Useful and attractive. tions. Author Alina Zeranska provides Polish Holi- OUR HISTORY, OUR RECIPES COOKBOOK Red with white towel (cloth may vary). easy-to-follow recipes for favorites like day Cookery ac- $29.95 $10.00 Cabbage Rolls, Chicken in Dill Sauce, quaints readers by Joseph W. by Jonathan Meat , and Fruit Mazurka. with traditional Zurawski Becklar, 44 Zeranska has translated these Polish Polish foods as- 240 pp., hc., 720 pp., sc. recipes perfectly using exact American sociated with photographs This unique measurements. various occasions G. Bradley Pub. cookbook actual- and furnishes Since the ly replicates reci- POLISH HERITAGE COOKERY countless cooking tips and serving 1830s, millions of Poles have come to pes taken from by Robert Strybel suggestions. This “instruction manual Chicago. 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PAJBOOKSTORE TO ORDER BY MAIL TO ORDER BY PHONE TO ORDER ON LINE: Use form Below (800) 422-1275 • (716) 312-8088 polamjournal.com BOOKS use form for all items on pages 13, 14, 15 and 16 MON.-FRI., 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. SECURE SERVER NEW! THE The University of Toledo Press pub- ments, current websites and books use. With its handy, portable, paper- BOCHEK IN POLAND COLOR OF lished American Originals as part of that will be useful for your genealogi- back format, great price and clear, $11.95 COURAGE its series on the various ethnic groups cal search. Even if you are not a begin- easy-to-use layout it’s fi lled with up-to- 54 pp., Polonie Publishing A Boy at War: The who settled in Toledo. Previous titles ner, this book will give you helpful tips date vocabulary in all subject areas. A First Prize winner in a literary World War II include Hungarian American Toledo, that may be the one you need to locate 55,000 words and phrases and contest sponsored by the American Diary of Julian The Irish in Toledo, and Aran Ameri- that missing relative. more than 80,000 translations; hun- Council of Polish Kulski Paperback cans in Toledo. dreds of usage examples; abbrevia- Cultural Clubs, by Julian E. Kulski POLISH tions, acronyms, and proper nouns. this is a delight- $19.95 LOVE GENEALOGY: ful, captivat ing Aquila Polonica IS LOVE Four Easy Steps POLISH children’s story Publ., 2012 List price $25.95 to Sucess CUSTOMS, about the life of 496 pp., 6” x 9”, pb, PAJ Bookstore by Stephen TRADITIONS & storks and many “If there is going to be a war, I do price $19.95 Szabados FOLKLORE of the Polish not want to miss it.” So wrote Julian By Maria Bello $19.95 $16.95 customs they en- Kulski a few days before the outbreak 240 pages, 5.5 x 164 pp., pb. by Sophie counter. Beauti- of World War II, in this remarkable diary 0.8 x 7.2 inches This book is Hodorowicz fully illus trated and educational, it will of a boy at war from ages 10 to 16. Kul- Dey Street Books, designed to give Knab be thoroughly enjoyed by adults as ski wages his own private war against 2015 the researcher the tools needed to re- 340 pp., pb. well as children. the Germans with small acts of sabo- The daughter of a working-class search their Polish ancestors and fi nd Hippocrene tage. At age 12, Kulski is recruited into Roman Catholic Italian American fa- possible answers to the origins of their Books the clandestine Underground Army by ther and Polish American mother, Ma- Polish heritage. The book outlines a Polish Customs, Traditions, & Folk- PUSH NOT his Scoutmaster and begins training in rio Bello majored in political science at simple process that will identify where lore is organized by month, beginning THE RIVER military tactics and weapons handling. Villanova University. Following gradu- your ancestors were born and where with December and Advent, St. Nicho- $15.95 At age 13, he meets with leaders of ation, she honed her acting skills in a to fi nd their Polish records. Traditional las Day, the Wigilia (Christmas Eve) St. Martin’s Press. the Jewish Resistance. Arrested by the number of New York theater produc- sources are covered but it also discuss- nativity plays, caroling and the New 496 Gestapo at 14, he is rescued and at 15 tions before moving on to become one es many new sources for Polish records Year celebrations. It proceeds from pp.pb. Maps & fi ghts in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. of today’s most successful actresses. that have been implemented by ge- the Shrovetide period to Ash Wednes- wycinanki illust. Bello speaks often and highly of the nealogy societies in Poland. The book day, Lent, the celebration of spring, Reading NEW! THE infl uence her Polish American grand- covers the most up-to-date collection Holy Week customs and superstitions, Group Guide AUSCHWITZ mother had on her. of sources for Polish genealogy. beliefs and rituals associated with This book VOLUNTEER In 2013, Bello was recovering from a farming, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, club favorite is by Witold Pilecki life-threatening illness when she made FORGOTTEN midsummer celebrations, harvest fes- based on the real Translated by a discovery that changed her life: HOLOCAUST: tivities, wedding rites, nameday cel- diary of a Polish countess who lived Jarek Garlinski She was in love with her best friend, The Poles ebrations, and birth and death rituals. through the rise and fall of the Third of $34.95 a woman named Clare. In her new Under German Line illustrations enhance this rich and May Constitution years, a time of great Aquila Polonica book, she examines the myths that so Occupation, varied treasury of folklore. turmoil. Vivid, romantic, and thrillingly Publ., 2014 many believe about partnerships. She 1939-45. Third paced, the novel has been called “Po- 460 pp., 6” x 9”, explores how many diff erent relation- edition NEW! MY land’s Gone with the Wind.” pb, ships helped defi ne her life. $19.95 WAGGING TAIL In 1940, the 358 pp. pb. by Stanley AGAINST A Polish Underground wanted to know MEMORIES OF Hippocrene Bednarczyk CRIMSON SKY what was happening inside the recent- DZIADKA Books. $19.95 $15.95 ly opened Auschwitz concentration Rural life in Forgotten Ho- 476 pp., p.b. St. Martin’s 369 camp. Polish army offi cer Witold Pilecki the Kingdom locaust has become a classic of World There comes a pp.pb. Map & volunteered to be arrested by the Ger- of Poland War II literature. As Norman Davies time in life when wycinanki illust. mans and report from inside the camp. 1880-1912 and noted, “Dr. Richard Lukas has rendered one begins to Reading Group His intelligence reports, smuggled out Immigration to a valuable service, by showing that look backward in- Guide in 1941, were among the fi rst eyewit- America no one can properly analyze the fate stead of forward. “You don’t ness accounts of Auschwitz atrocities. by Stephen of one ethnic community in occupied The story of growing up in Camden, have to read Pilecki’s story was suppressed for half Szabados Poland without referring to the fates N.J. as the son of Polish immigrants Push Not the a century after his 1948 arrest by the $14.95 of others. In this sense, The Forgotten (and the youngest of fi ve children) River to get the Polish Communist regime as a “West- pb. 134 pp. Holocaust is a powerful corrective.” Bednarczyk, an an 81-year-old Depres- most from this sequel,” says Su zanne ern spy.” 6 x 9 inches The third edition includes a new pref- sion baby, recalls his life on the streets Strempek Shea. The award-winning This book is about the life of a Pol- ace by the author, a new foreword by as a youth and as a letter carrier. “A author picks up where Push Not the AMERICAN ORIGINALS ish immigrant, from his birth in the Norman Davies, a short history of ZE- member of the so-called Silent Gen- River leaves off , tak ing the charac- Northwest Ohio’s Polish Community at Russian partition of Poland: the cus- GOTA, the underground government eration, he has something worthwhile ters 20 years into the fascinating Na- Home, Work, Worship, and Play toms and traditions he grew up with; organization working to save the Jews, to say.” (Mary Latham, Polish American poléonic era, highlighting the exploits Editor: Timothy his decision to leave his family and the and an annotated listing of many Poles Journal). of the glorious Polish lancers. Borden land of his birth; the trek across Poland executed by the Germans for trying to Pb. 258 pp. to the port of Bremerhaven; his voyage shelter and save Jews. POLAND: A THE WARSAW The University of across the North Atlantic Ocean; ar- HISTORY CONSPIRACY Toledo Press rival in America; and his life in America. LAROUSSE by Adam Hussar Quill Press, 9 x 6 inches Through the story of one man, you will POCKET Zamoyski 508 pp., pb. $22.95 learn and understand the hardships of POLISH- $19.95 $17.99 A m e r i c a n a typical Polish immigrant in the early ENGLISH/ pb. 426 pp. Portraying two Originals, an an- 1900s. ENGLISH- 5.5 in. x 8.5 in. brothers in love thology of stories POLISH A substan- and war, The War- from Toledo Polonia will prove to be a FINDING GRANDMA’S DICTIONARY tially revised and saw Conspiracy favorite on any bookshelf devoted to EUROPEAN ANCESTORS by Larousse updated edition completes the tril- the Polish-American experience. Elev- by Stephen Szabados Published at of the author’s ogy. You need not en chapters discuss aspects of what $14.95 / 128 pp., pb. $6.95 classic 1987 book, The Polish Way: A have read the oth- makes Toledo’s Polish community This is a “must have” book to fi nd PAJ Bookstore Thousand-Year History of the Poles and ers to enjoy this family saga set against unique, such as the polka traditions, your European ancestors. The author Price: $5.50 their Culture, which has been out of the November Rising (1830-1831). weddings, foods, neighborhoods, and uses his experience to help you iden- 608 pp. pb. print since 2001. No nation’s history With Siberia or emigration heart-rend- culture. Importantly, American Origi- tify the available resources that you For anyone speaking, reading, or has been so distorted as that of Poland. ing contingencies, matriarchs Anna nals provides an overview of the as- can use to fi nd your own ancestors. studying, the Larousse Pocket Diction- “..excellent and authoritative” ... “fresh, and Zofi a attempt to steer the clan similation of the Poles into Toledo. The book includes many sample docu- ary is the ideal dictionary for everyday diff erent, and brilliantly readable” through ever-muddying waters. ORDER FORM USE THIS FORM FOR ALL ITEMS ON THIS PAGE and PAGES 13, 14, 15 and 16

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Krysa tions in these carols, they paint Bethlehem in munion hymn which turns to Jesus’ in English italics, ap- Part I the mountains of Poland culminating under Mother, if not in a Polonia church? pears in a new, bi-lingual Rust belt PolAm Catholics have been hit the mantle of the Fairest of Maidens. Polonia Our joy is Jesus in Eucharist, par- volume: Polish American badly, in the heart, between our spiritual eyes needs to demand such singing in the name of ticularly evident at the annual Heritage Hymns: Spiri- with closings, mergers, blending of our par- Catholic diversity. Corpus Christ Procession. tuality in Song and ishes. Some bishops, pastors, and merged Does your merged par- Ritual. This lyrics congregations are blatantly anti-multi-cultur- THE POLAM “BOOK OF PSALMS.” Like ish celebrate this four only collection of al, not allowing even ethnic singing in newly the 150 Psalms (literally songs), our hym- altar witness walk? 91 hymns and six merged “worship site”. Perhaps these indi- nody embodies every possible emotion hu- devotions, opens to viduals have forgotten that Catholicism is by mans have ever felt. Some boldly, and others NEW EVANGELIZATION the wider public, in St. nature diverse, a worldwide church. We, Pol- humbly yet shamelessly, place these feelings SINGING. In terms of disciple- Casimir’s 125th anniver- Ams, on the other hand, need the treasury of directly before God, Jesus, and his Mama ship and taking up Gospel mission, sary year, thirty-fi ve years of our hymns, and more than just a patronizing Mary. Most expressive of sorrow, sadness, Marian and Eucharistic hymns rise high Rev. Dr. Czesław M. Krysa’s work Serdeczna Matko at a funeral. Our churches and anguish are Jesus’ Bitter Laments at His above their English peers. Do what my Son and experience. A very limited supply of may be closed, our souls are not. Many con- execution, which appeal to anyone overcome tells you to is the fi nest and most compel- PolAm Heritage Hymns will be available by gregations need to be more open and welcom- by grief and pain. Jesus Shepherd and All Hail ling example. Many Marian evangelization mail beginning mid-December 2015. ing and less uni-cultural. From the perspec- Queen and Mother are funeral laments, so hymns were born among young pilgrims To obtain a copy please mail a check, for tive of singing, here’s why: foreign to North American Catholic celebra- whose ever-increasing 3-10 day on foot pil- $20 plus $10 shipping and handling payable tions. This tradition is less didactic and exhor- grimages, annually crisscross the country. to: The Church of St Casimir, 160 Cable St., THE POLISH FAMILY GOSPEL. With the tative, and therefore more experiential than its This ministry is growing among PolAms in Buffalo, NY, 14206. Christmas season approaching, the kolęda English counterpart. North America: New Jersey, Chicago, Lew- Funds are earmarked for ongoing structural rises as the Gospel of our Domestic Church However, the main prize of the resilient iston, N.Y., and Midland, Ont., Canada. So is restoration of the landmark church building. and the crown of our hymnic tradition. Some and persevering, singer, are the lungs which the repertoire, including Lady of the Mountain v v v carols ring with a social justice call for equity breathe hope as joy at Easter and in Holy Brilliant, You’re the Breath of the Springtime, Rev. Dr. Czeslaw M. Krysa, Rector of the among rich and needy, while dancing a po- Eucharist. Fifty Alleluia days proclaim spiri- and Reigning over us for ages. These sung Church of St. Casimir, is director of the Buf- lonaise with national pride. Others leap like a tual joy: the Dawn of exaltation or Praise the intercessions ask Mama Mary to place social falo Diocesan Offi ce of Worship, and a visit- stag with the folk melodies of the Krakowiak, Lord. These glories are cast like petals before justice for the vulnerable, disenfranchised, ing lecturer at Christ the King Seminary. Mazur, or Oberek. Among the most beloved the Eucharistic Lord born of Mary, or when conscience and free will before the eternal He has written numerous scholarly papers is the mazurek tuned, In David’s City. So fa- asking Mary. Lead me to Jesus in the Holy King’s feet. articles, and is the author of the book “A Pol- miliar are both the characters and conversa- Eucharist. Where have you ever sung a Com- All except one of the hymns quoted above ish Christmas Eve.”

THE PONDERING POLE / Ed Poniewaz Wise Children from the East It is not often that I think about How has the “experiment” France, Germany, Russia, United an excellent education and unique and worry for our brothers and sis- worked? Kingdom, Brazil and Australia. cultural experience. ters in the ancestral homeland, but Without exception, the students What a hoofer! Is Kielbasa Polish there is a lot of political turmoil who have come from TJ from or not? IF YOU HAVE A THOUGHT about going on with the government and SPLOT have been spectacular. They this month’s topic, have a question, with the infl ux of refugees into Eu- have integrated very quickly into WESOŁYCH ŚWIĄT to all of the or have interesting facts to share, rope. The new president and prime our school community and have Journal readers and blessings and contact me at: Edward Poniewaz, minister and all of the people of Po- thrived in this setting. They have all peace to all of our Polonian brethren 6432 Marmaduke Avenue, St. Lou- land need our thoughts and prayers done well academically, and have here and around the world. We have is, MO 63139; email alinabrig@ya- as they go forward. contributed a great deal to the qual- so much to be thankful for: dziękuje hoo.com. We are approaching the Christ- ity of life here. Our only regret is bardzo to Mark Kohan for the lead N.B. If you send email, reference mas holiday and, as with all of the that they can’t stay longer! on Ben Orr; and dziękuje bardzo to the Polish American Journal or the Christmas holidays of the past, it is What happens to the Polish kids Charles E. Merrill, Jr., and all of the Pondering Pole in the subject line. a time for refl ection, gift giving, and after they graduate? Do most stay in teachers and staff at Thomas Jeffer- I will not open an email if I do not being thankful. There is a small pri- the U.S. or go back to Poland? son School for giving a Polish kid recognize the subject or the sender. vate school in St. Louis with a long TJ’s Polish students have tradi- and rich history doing one of the tionally returned to Poland to pre- most important things in the cause pare for and take the Matura exam. Benjamin Orr (nee Orzechowski) of humanity and that is to teach. It Many of them have stayed in touch for suggestions there are so many PAJ SUBSCRIPTION FORM is also a wonderful example of one with TJ in the years since their stay ways to use Polish names either in NEW SUBSCRIBER RENEWAL ADDRESS of those rare enterprises or persons with us. the original or in a modifi ed form to that have made it part of their mis- Most of us live based on predeter- Fill out form. If Please include CHANGE name the little bundle of joy. Please gift subscription, address label sion to serve and support Polonia mined formulas and processes and Enter new address share and if you need help, let me please fi ll out address from paper below. Please include in a special way. Thomas Jefferson either don’t have the time nor inter- know. of recipient. address label from School (http://www.tjs.org/about) est in exploring something “outside KEEP OUR POLISH HERITAGE ALIVE! paper. does both of them well. the box.” So a man decides to ven- POLISH OR NOT? One of the SUBSCRIBE TO THE PAJ TODAY! Thomas Jefferson School (TJ), ture into Eastern Europe searching original principles, along with Ric founded in 1946, “is an independent, for something “different” and now Ocasek, in forming the rock group 1 YEAR—$22.00 PAYMENT ENCLOSED non-sectarian, boarding and day there is a scholarship program for The Cars was lead singer Benja- 2 YEARS—$41.00 PLEASE BILL ME Your subscription will not school for grades 7-12.” The main Polish kids to come to St. Louis to min Orr. Ben was born Benjamin 3 YEARS—$57.00 begin until your check clears. benefactor of TJ is philanthropist study and learn. And according to Orzechowski in Lakewood, Ohio in CHARGE TO MY: VISA AMEX and iconoclast Charles E. Merrill, Dr. Holekamp, TJ is expanding the 1947 and according to Wikipedia he FOREIGN and MASTERCARD DISCOVER CANADIAN RATES: Jr., the son of Charles E. Merrill, Sr., program so that: “A group of Polish is Polish, Russian, Czech, and Ger- See prices printed CARD NO. who along with Edmund C. Lynch students and one of their teachers man descent. The listing doesn’t say on page 2. For library, created the giant fi nancial securities will come to TJ in January, and then what the percent of each. He was institution, and bulk fi rm Merrill Lynch & Company. a group from TJ will go to Poland in the unique voice you hear in the hit rates, please call EXP. DATE CS CODE The Polish connection comes March. The teachers are collaborat- song “Just What I Needed.” Orr died 1 (800) 422-1275 from Charles Jr.’s “extraordinary ing on projects in mathematics and in 2000 of pancreatic cancer. What interest in learning and cultures,” music.” percent Polish is the Slavic looking NAME a meeting and friendship with Ho- That is fantastic. rocker Benjamin “Orzechowski” locaust survivor Bernat Rosner, In the total scheme of things, this Orr? NO. STREET APT. NO. and was bolstered by his wife Julie story might seem inconsequential Into Dancing with the Stars are Boudreaux, a teacher and education or insignifi cant. But for me, on so you? Into dancing swing? I have a innovator who established a col- many levels, it is like a big bright treat for you. Check out the name CITY, STATE, ZIP laboration with a similar school in star shining in the sky. Michael Kielbasa on YouTube. A Poland, Spoleczne Liceum Ogol- West Coast guy and a West Coast DIGITAL EDITION. To receive the PAJ as an Adobe PDF fi le, please initial here ______. noksztalcace (SPLOT). NAME DROPPING, AGAIN. In Swing (a style of dancing) kind of Print your e-mail address below. This replaces your print edition. “Mr. Merrill supports these ef- the July issue of the Pondering Pole, guy, read this brief summary of his E-MAIL ADDRESS forts by sponsoring a scholarship I introduced you to my grandson dancing life and check him out at that sends a SPLOT student to TJ Lucca Stanislaus. Soon after Lucca (http://www.michaelkielbasa.com): each year.” This scholarship has was born, Tony and Alice Kaminski, Kielbasa been training and danc- MOVING? Please note the Post Offi ce will NOT FORWARD brought one student per year from parishioners at St. Stanislaus Kostka ing for the past 20 years, in most SECOND-CLASS MAIL. If you move, you must notify our offi ce. Poland to TJ since 1997. Church in St. Louis announced the styles of Partner Dancing. He lives THREE EASY WAYS TO SUBSCRIBE! There is much more to the story arrival of their new granddaugh- in San Diego, California and teach- than space allows, but here are two ter, Alayna Kasia. In the spirit of es out of Starlight Dance Studio. MAIL TO: PAJ SUBSCRIPTION DEPARTMENT of the answers from a group of ques- something different, your help is re- As one of the top Champion West P.O. BOX 198, BOWMANSVILLE, NY 14026-0198 tions I posed to Elizabeth Holekamp quested with a new Pondering Pole Coast Swing Professionals, Kielba- Ph.D., Head of School, about the segment. Send me examples of your CALL: 1 (800) 422-1275 or (716) 312-8088 sa has been traveling, teaching and M-F 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. EST Polish students that have attended Polish-named children and grand- performing not only in the United TJ: children. If the “kids” are asking States but in countries like Canada, ON LINE: www.polamjournal.com SECURE SERVER (Amex, Disc., MC, Visa, and PayPal) Please support our advertisers and patrons. They help make the Polish American Journal possible. 18 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015

NEWSWORTHY Fallen Soldier’s Family, and the Man He Saved Reunite at Marathon International Speakers at Polish American Museum Symposium NEW YORK — The family of a fallen PORT WASHINGTON, Long Is- Polish Drama Club at (860) 832-3010 or jacquesm@ soldier from Staten land, N.Y. — A symposium on the Premiers in Washington ccsu.edu Island, who died preservation of Polish history in tur- WASHINGTON, D.C. — The shielding a fellow bulent times — “Above and Beyond Students Asked to soldier from a suicide the Call of Duty” — as held at the Polish Drama Club premiered its new play “Norymberga” (“Nurem- Contribute to bomber, have gotten Polish American Museum. Guest together with the man speakers were Dr. Boguslaw Winid, berg”) on October 25 to a packed Interactive Website house at Our Lady Queen of Poland he saved to run the Republic of Poland Ambassador NEW YORK — As part of the Parish in Silver Spring, Maryland. New York City mara- to the United Nations and Melissa activities taking place to commem- The play stars Miroslaw Podloch thon. John, Director of the Bentley Priory orate the memory of General Thad- in the role of a retired Communist Army Staff Sgt. Museum, London, England. deus Kosciuszko on the bicentenary counterintelligence officer who - re Michael Ollis was The program was conducted by of his death, the Kosciuszko Foun- grets his crimes and demands a trial. killed in August 2013 Gerald Kochan, Director and Cura- dation and the Polish American Podloch’s role is supported by Lau- in Afghanistan, but Kimberly Loschiavo (right) and her sister Kelly tor of the Center for Military Studies Teachers Association are organizing ra Migasiuk playing a young, up and his legacy lives on. Manzolillo (left), ran the New York City marathon in the Polish American Museum and an interactive website. coming journalist, whose father was His two sisters and with Polish military Lt. Karol Cierpica in honor of promoted by Barbara Szydlowski, Kosciuszko has a large number Lt. Karol Cierpica, the Museum president. repressed in the Communist era by their brother, Staff Sgt. Mike Ollis, who sacrificed Podloch’s character. The play clear- of monuments, poems, geographic Polish soldier whose his life saving Cierpica. The program was opened with locations (mountains, hills, towns, life he saved, decided the singing of the Polish and Ameri- ly portrays the evils of Communism the Polish President. and condemns martial law, which counties, parks, and so on), and in- to run together in his memory. can anthems by Evaline Backiel. stitutions (schools, clubs, associa- “I feel lucky, because other fami- The family says their most emo- Ambassador Winid spoke about was the attempt by Poland’s then tional meeting was with Cierpica Communist authorities to destroy tions), named after him all over the lies who have lost a loved one don’t his research to locate Polish World world. have a connection like this,” said and his pregnant wife Basia. War I tanks, the discovery of one in the Solidarity movement in 1981, “He absolutely looked scared, but it also examines human weak- The Kosciuszko Foundation in- Manzolillo, who lives in Hawaii, to Afghanistan, the cooperation of the like a deer in headlights when he ness and interdependence. vites pupils to the age of ten from the New York Post. “We have some- Polish military stationed there and was staring at us,” Bob said. “I The Polish Drama Club, one around the world to contribute to a one who was there with Michael, the shipment of the tank to a military grabbed him and I hugged him. Washington Polonia’s newest orga- database that will provide a reposi- the closest thing we can relate to.” museum in Poland. He co-authored tory of information on our Global Ollis was serving with the 2nd “It was very emotional for me nizations, is led by experienced ac- because of meeting the family,” the book “Przywracanie Pamieci” Pole who was admired during and Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, tor and director Dorota Ponikiews- Cierpica said. The family had a lot (“Recalling Forgotten History”), a after his lifetime in the United 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th ka. The group recently received of questions for him and wanted to copy of which was presented to the States, Poland, , Russia, Mountain Division (Light). His pla- non-profit status. know exactly what happened in the Polish American Museum. what is now Belarus, and through- toon was attacked in the middle of last few minutes of Ollis’ life. John spoke about her efforts to out Europe. the night as a car bomb blasted a Award-Winning When the Cierpica’s baby was establish the Bentley Priory Muse- A two-sentence description in hole in the wall of their army base. born they named him Michael. Then um, which was dedicated to the Pol- Film at CCSU English or Polish will suffice, along They then came under fire from the Cierpicas asked about running ish Air Forces that served with dis- NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — The with weblinks if possible, and high Al-Qaeda rebels who fired mortar tinction in the British RAF during shells, shoulder-fired rockets and the marathon in Ollis’ memory. S. A. Blejwas Endowed Chair in resolution photographs if available. “I was very surprised. We were the Battle of Britain. The Museum Polish and Polish American Stud- Contributors will be listed. hand grenades into the base. is sited in the former headquarters Ten suicide bombers made into so pleased. We’re just thrilled about ies along with the Polish Club will Kindly forward information by it,” Linda said. of the RAF Fighter Command. present the Golden Lions award for email to [email protected]. the base. Eight were killed while a During the program, Evaline ninth were shot. But a surprise tenth “I’m a soldier, [but] actually, best film at the 2014 Gdynia Film Submissions must be in English, running is my passion … What is Backiel and Robert Jakobsze, ac- Festival and the Eagle at the 2015 and only one submission per pupil bomber took the pair of them by sur- companied by Robert Wirkowski prise. Ollis stepped forward to pro- important for me is the marathon at Vance Aca- will be published. we run together with my friends to and Bogdan Czerwonka, per- tect Cierpica. The bomber detonated demic Center, Room 105 of Central honor [Ollis],” said Cierpica, who formed Polish patriotic songs. All his vest, killing Ollis, 24. Connecticut State University, Sat., Poles Top English started the Thank You For Your Ser- are members of the Noste Domine Ollis received a posthumous Sil- Dec. 5, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. vice foundation. Choir, St. Hyacinth Church, Glen Fluency Rating ver Star for his heroism. He also The film, “Bogowie,” is a 2014 “My mission is for servicemen Head, Long Island. The fifth annual international received Poland’s highest honor for Polish dramatic feature film direct- like Michael, servicemen and fam- Also unveiled were two new ex- English Proficiency Index by a foreign soldier, the Army Gold ed by Łukasz Palkowski. It is based ily who lost fathers, sons, fighting hibits, one to the Museum, featuring company Education First concludes Medal. His parents, Bob and Linda, on the life and career of Polish car- for their country,” he said. photographs, medals and badges of diac surgeon Zbigniew Religa, who Poles are in the top ten non-native along with the sisters, were met by two Polish armed forces members, performed the first successful heart English speakers in the world. namely Corporal Jakub Kochan and transplant in Poland in 1985. While the 2015 assessment saw Need free help researching your Polish ancestors? Lieutenant Julian Kurtz. The film is in Polish with English Poland fall to ninth place (62.95 Want to help others researching their Polish heritage? The program was concluded with subtitles points) from last year’s sixth place Kochan, John and Szydlowski, pre- Admission is free and the public (64.26 points), the differences Join POLISH GENIUS senting to Ambassador Winid a rare is cordially invited. Refreshments in scores were minimal. The the Polish genealogy email list. print of a Polish World War II fight- will be served. country remains in the elite group er aircraft, painted by Ronald Wong, For further information please of Europe’s most fluent English- Check us out and ask the group a question. renowned aviation artist. contact the Polish Studies Program speaking countries. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/polish_genius/

SYBIRACY / Stefania Borstowa Trips To the Woods, Feast in Kyrgyz Family’s Yurt “Sibracy” (Poles exiled to Siberia during on the way back. When we finally reach the burped well to cause the hosts to be World War II) is written by Stefania Borstowa. house we lie down, barely alive, for an hour. satisfied. It is thanks to my childhood Borstowa, her children and Marysia, a home Then we pull our cart back to the woods and anti-cultural education in Lodz — we servant, were deported from Lvov to Kru- do it again and again … As you can tell, the were playing street games in distance toyarka, a small village in Kazakstan. Soon life here is very primitive. We have to prepare spitting and we held contests in burp- after the Soviet Union invasion, her husband everything with our own sweat and our own ing and I was quite good. After each was sent to the labor camp in Eastern Siberia hands. (…) I had a chance to buy rain boots, of my eructations, the hosts were and died of dys­entery, but she did not know too large, but I bought them, since I might not shaking their heads in adoration and about it until after World War II. have any chance later on. tried to be nice in their own specific We became friends with a Kyrgyz fam- way. I was shaking out from chuckles Excerpt from the letter of ily who live in a neighboring hamlet, called and revulsion inside. 23 September, 1940 Boguyalichka, 6 km away. They invited me Food consumption was done in a I worry since I have no news from Lodz for Sunday to their yurt for a feast. When I unique way since we had no forks, and Zgierz, where my family comes from, nor entered the yurt, I greeted the hosts and sat A Kyrgyz yurt. plates or glasses, we only had clay from Warsaw. Since I have no information, cross-legged like they did. We sat on the rugs, cups. A chief host sliced the yeast I don’t know whether I should prepare food which used to be elegant Turkish carpets. Be- cake on the lacy napkin, which was probably cake in thick pieces like bread and supplies for winter or use what we have. I am sides me, they were three women and four white in better times. We also had hard-boiled divided it between us. He was also slicing the in limbo situation. Should I buy or exchange men, all Kyrgyz. I was struck by their dis- eggs, onion, black salt and the home-made lamb into thick pieces and was throwing these the supply of wheat or wait? Our situation tinctly oriental facial features: slanted eyes, jam with no sugar to eat. Kyrgyz host poured pieces to us, so we had to catch them in flight. with wood and heat supply looks like the fol- flat noses, yellow sharp buck teeth and pro- a tea with milk and invited me to participate I was also pretty good at catching the pieces lowing: when we have a day free from kolk- truding check bones. Kyrgyz men had mus- in the feast. Frankly, I could only eat eggs in the air. hoz work, we pull a wheel cart to the woods, taches hanging down to the chest which looks with no restrain, since I was not sure about the It was a good experience and a good busi- about 3 km (2 miles) away to collect and bizarre since they have little facial hair, just hygiene and cleanliness of other foods. Still, I ness for us, Poles. We knew that this Kyrgyz bring a supply of dry branches of birch and some hair on the chins and under the noses. had to try it all. family had enough , eggs and sheep for hornbeam. This is an arduous task, since the Food was already prepared and waiting. A exchange. I kept in mind that when we are forest is very dense and it feels like a torture huge broiled lamb spiced heavily with garlic ACCORDING TO KYRGYZ’S CUSTOMS, a friends, it would be easier to buy products at to pull out the branches. Our legs, arms and was placed in the very middle, on the huge guest shows appreciation by eating so much a better price. faces are scratched to blood. When we finally baking tin. I could smell this garlic three kilo- that he/she has to burp or get the hiccups or v v v load the branches as tight as we can to the meters before the hamlet on the way there. On even be forced to leave to puke. Otherwise the Reprinted courtesy of Baba Jaga Corner. wheel cart, it is quite challenging to push it the side there was a samovar (self-boiler) on hosts are offended that you did not eat enough. Visit Jaga Polish Culture Website at: www. back. We have to catch a breath several times, the tray with the tea pot. There was a big yeast I was good in pretending that I ate enough and polishsite.us. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015 www.polamjournal.com 19

POLISH CAN BE FUN / Robert Strybel GENEALOGY / Stephen M. Szabados Polish Christmas and New Year’s Christmas Memories — Be sure If we compare the Christmas terminology of Polish (herring), zupa grzybowa (mushroom soup), szc- and English, we see that the Polish version represents zupak (pike), kapusta z grzybami (sauerkraut & to Include in Your Family History greater variety. English monotonously uses the adjec- mushrooms), kluski z makiem (poppyseed noodles), How did your Polish grandpar- that Santa would come only after I tive “Christmas” over and over again. Some examples: piernik (), makowiec (poppyseed roll), gęś ents celebrate Christmas? Here in was asleep. Morning brought cheer (goose), indyk (turkey), bigos (meat, mushroom & sau- America and in Poland? with the opening of presents with Boże Narodzenie ...... Christmas erkraut ragoût). This could be an important part my parents and grandparents and Gwiazdka ...... Another Name For Christmas Now let’s use the above to describe our holiday ac- of your family history. Celebrating then a large breakfast. But again my Wigilia ...... Christmas Eve tivities: holidays and special events gave the grandmother told me of her memo- Wieczerza Wigilijna ...... Christmas Eve Supper • Wigilię zawsze spędzam z najbliższą rodziną — I Polish people an overall rhythm to ries Christmas in Poland. Her family Opłatek ...... Christmas Wafer always spend Christmas Eve with my closest family. their lives during the year and most began the celebration on Christmas Kolęda ...... • Z babcią przełamałem się opłatkiem w szpitalu. — Polish immigrants tried to continue Eve with a huge feast which began Żłóbek, Szopka ...... Christmas Crib Or Crèche I broke and shared the Christmas wafer with granny this in their new homes. with the breaking of the Christmas or Stajenka ...... in hospital. We all love Christmas because wafer (opłatek ). A piece of the opła- Choinka or Drzewko ...... Christmas Tree • Na Pasterce byłam z rodzicami, rodzeństwem i of its magical atmosphere. It is a tek was passed to each person at the Prezent Pod Choinkę ...... Christmas Present wujkiem Stasiem. — I was at Midnight Mass with special time, when people forget all table. After the pieces of the wafer Jarmark or ...... Christmas Fair or Bazaar my parents, siblings and Uncle Staś. their problems and try to be togeth- were eaten by each at the table, the Kiermasz Świąteczny • Z rodziną i przyjacółmi śpiewaliśmy kolędy przy er. Christmas helps people trans- traditional dishes were served which Jasełka ...... Christmas Or Nativity Play choince. — With family and friends we sang carols form themselves from the cold dark included cheese, sauerkraut pierogi, Pierwszy Dzień Świąt ...... Christmas Day around the Christmas tree. realities of winter into a better mind fi sh, mushroom soup with noodles, Zabawa Choinkowa ...... Christmas Party. • Pod choinkę Tomek dostał deskorolkę i smartfo- by enjoying the festive celebra- herring, boiled potatoes, Wesołych Świat! ...... Merry Christmas! na. — Tommy got a skateboard and Smartphone for tions surrounding Christmas. Fam- with plums and poppy seeds, stewed Christmas. ily, relatives, friends, neighbors and prunes with lemon peel and a fruit A few other words worth knowing: • Naszą ulubioną potrawą świąteczną jest staropol- complete strangers become kind, and poppy seed cake. After supper, Pasterka ...... Midnight Mass ski bigos. — Our favorite holiday dish is Old Polish friendly and generous. the family gathered to sing carols Święty Mikołaj ...... Saint Nicholas bigos. and tell Christmas stories. The eve- What are your memories? Kolędnicy ...... Carolers • Na wielkim balu sylwestrowym świetnie bawiliśmy ning’s festivities ended with the Do you remember the Christmas Sylwestra ...... New Year’s Eve się do białego rana. — At a grand New Year’s Eve family blowing out the candles and tree at your grandparent’s house? Bal Sylwestrowy ...... New Year’s Eve Ball ball we had great fun till the crack of dawn. then traveling to their nearby church What were the decorations like? Święto Trzech Króli ...... Feast Of The Three Kings, to attend midnight Mass. Were they homemade of paper and . WORDS OF WISDOM Are my grandmother’s memo- foil or did they splurge and buy the Barbara po wodzie, Święta po lodzie! ries similar to your experience colorful glass ornaments? A few delicacies of the holiday season: śledzie with your grandparents? Did your My early memories are of a fi r family gather on Christmas Eve tree in a corner of the living room or Christmas Day? What were the fi lled with an array of wooden and Discover the Meaning of Your Polish Name dishes that were served? What was paper fi gures that were mixed in Consider a unique and memo- coat of arms goes with it. For a custom-researched analysis the fi lling in your pierogi? Did you with glistening glass globes. Shiny rable Christmas gift of Polish heri- The recipient will also get a use- of your family name, please airmail have a cucumber salad (Mizeria )? foil garlands were wrapped around tage. giving a loved one the story of ful genealogical contact chart which a $19 personal or bank (cashier’s) What was the soup — mushroom or the tree and silver hung on the his or her Polish family name is a will put you him/her in touch with check or money order* (adding $12 beet? Were the potatoes mashed or tree and this gave it a festive look. gift that will long be remembered genealogical researchers who can for each additional surname you boiled? My family had a ham as the I believe that this was the Ameri- and appreciated. It will explain the help track down your family re- wish to have researched) to: main dish. Was ham on your grand- canized version of the Christmas surname’s meaning, how it came cords in Poland as well as photo- Robert Strybel, ul. Kaniowska mother’s table or did she serve a tree that my mother who was born about, how many people share it, graph and/or videotape ancestral 24, 01-529 Warsaw, Poland. For fi sh recipe to keep to the traditional here had developed. My grand- where they are from and whether a homesteads and graves. more information on this service meatless Christmas Eve feast? What mother told me that in her village please contact research60@gmail. were the desserts? in Poland her father had hung the com. Payment is also accepted via These are the memories that will tree from the ceiling and the family MoneyGram. make your family history come decorated it with walnuts wrapped alive. Capture them now while your in silver and gold foil, bright red memories are still sharp. Add the apples, gingerbread in fancy shapes, memories of your brothers, sisters and chains made of glossy colored and cousins to capture as many de- G paper. A manger was set up near the tails as possible. Also remember to tree. She and h er brothers and sis- enjoy the spirit of Christmas today. Weso³ych Œwi¹t ters had made many of the decora- Bo¿ego Narodzenia Wesołych świąt! tions but the manger and some of v v v the foil decorations had been made Stephen M. Szabados is a promi- by other generations and saved over THE POLISH nent genealogist, and the author of the years. four books, “Finding Grandma’s PEDDLER My memories of Christmas Eve European Ancestors,” “Find Your and Christmas day start with mid- Chet and Virginia Luty Family History,” “Polish Geneal- night Mass and afterwards being Medina, Ohio ogy,” and “Memories of Dziadka.” shuttled off to bed with a promise Wesołych Œwi¹t Bo¿ego Narodzenia CLEVELAND SOCIETY OF POLES 6966 Broadway Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44105 (216) 556-0302 www.clevelandsociety.com

Wesołych Œwi¹t Bo¿ego Narodzenia i Szczêœliwego Nowego Roku! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

THE UNION OF POLES IN AMERICA DISTRICT 17 • POLISH NATIONAL ALLIANCE 9999 GRANGER ROAD Garfi eld Heights, OH 44125 The Oldest Polish American Fraternal Organization in the State of Ohio FOUNDED IN 1894 20 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015

POLISH CHEF Christmas Cookie Classics Recipes from the Polish with a chocolate glaze. angle. Cut dough lengthwise in half; baking sheets. Bake 20 minutes or the baking pan, sprinkle with sugar Women’s Alliance of America To hang: Make a hole in the cut each half into 12 strips. Make a until slightly brown on the edges. mixture. Let cool completely. Store cookies with a plastic straw before 1-inch vertical slit down center of While still hot, roll in powdered in a tightly covered container. PIERNICZKI baking, if you want to hang them each strip. Insert one end of strip sugar. Re-roll in powdered sugar Yield: 60 cookies Gingerbread Cookies on your Christmas tree. Loop a thin through cut to form twist; repeat when cool and store tightly covered. 1/2 cup honey red ribbon through the hole before with remaining strips. Yield: 36 cookies KOLACZKI 1 pinch of black pepper hanging. These cookies are deli- Heat oil in large saucepan to 375 1 (8-ounce) cream cheese, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg cious as well as pretty enough to add F. Place 6 strips at a time into hot CIASTECZKA WANILJOWE softened 1/2 tsp. allspice a special Polish touch to your tree. oil. Fry about 1 minute or until gold- Polish Vanilla Cookies 12 ounces (3 sticks) butter, 1 cup sugar Yield: 36 cookies en brown, turning cookies once with 7 ounces softened butter softened 4-5 cups flour 3 cups all-purpose flour slotted spoon. Drain on paper tow- 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. cinnamon vanilla bean, scraped of its seeds 2 (14-ounce) cans fillings of 1/2 tsp. cloves CHRUSCIKI els. Dust liberally with powdered choice (apricot, prune, raspberry, Angel’s Wings Cookies sugar. Cookies are best when served 3.5 ounces ground almonds 4 eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour etc.) 1 tsp. baking soda dissolved in 1 cup all-purpose flour immediately, but can be stored in powdered sugar 1 tablespoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking powder water airtight container 1 day. 1 to 2 tablespoons milk, if neces- Mix cream cheese and butter un- Heat honey until it boils, then 3 large egg yolks 3 tablespoons sour cream sary til light and fluffy. Add flour 1 cup at allow it to cool until lukewarm. In ROGALIKI 1 tablespoon powdered sugar a time and mix well. Wrap dough in 1 tablespoon vodka or whiskey Almond Crescent Cookies a large bowl, sift the flour with the Vegetable oil mixed with 1 tablespoon vanilla plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter sugar spices. In a separate large bowl, beat 2 and 2/3 cups powdered sugar hour. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Roll the eggs with the sugar until thick. 1/2 cup sugar Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a out dough 1/4-inch on a surface that Place flour and sugar in medium 1 egg yolk Add the soda to the eggs, then the bowl; stir to combine. Make well large bowl, cream together butter has been dusted with equal parts honey, then the flour. Mix well. 1 teaspoon almond extract and sugar. Add scraped seeds from in center of flour mixture; add egg 1/4 cup ground blanched powdered and granulated sugars Roll out the dough on a lightly vanilla bean and almonds, and mix yolks, sour cream, and vodka. Stir almonds (not flour). Cut into 2-inch squares. floured board to 1/4 inch - thick with spoon until soft dough forms. 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour again. In a separate small bowl, Place 1/2 to 1 teaspoon filling on ness. Cut cookies into Christmas Place dough on lightly floured sur- Powdered sugar whisk together flour and baking center of each square. Overlap op- shapes with cookie cutters. Bake face; knead gently until dough is Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a powder. Add it to the butter mixture posite corners of dough to the center them on parchment-covered cook- smooth. Form dough into 2 discs; large bowl or stand mixer, cream and thoroughly combine. If dough is over filling. Bake for 15 minutes or ie sheets in a 350 degree oven for wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate butter and sugar until light and too dry, add 1 to 2 tablespoons milk. when corners start to brown. Cool about 10-15 minutes, or until just until firm, 30 minutes or overnight. fluffy. Beat in egg yolk and almond On parchment-lined baking and dust with powdered sugar be- lightly browned. After cooling, The Working with 1 disc at a time, extract, mixing well. Add almonds sheets, portion out small balls of fore serving. If not serving imme- pierniki may be decorated with ic- unwrap dough and place on lightly and flour, and blend thoroughly. dough. Roll in your hands and diately, store cookies in a tightly ing made of powdered sugar, water, floured surface. Roll out dough Using walnut-size pieces of shape into small crescents. Bake 5 covered container, or freeze, with- and a drop or two of almond or va- with lightly floured rolling pin to dough, shape into a crescent with to 10 minutes or until bottoms are out the powderedsugar. Dust with nilla extract. Or they can be covered 1/8-inch-thick (12 x 10-inch) rect- your hands and place on ungreased golden. While cookies are still on powdered sugar just before serving. Sokolowski’s OLOWS Our Hours are: OK Ki Lunch University Inn S ’S M-F 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Wins Vanguard Fri. Night Dinners Award 5:00-9:00 p.m. Sat. Night Dinners CLEVELAND — So- kolowski’s University Inn 4:00-9:00 p.m. was among four Cleveland Lounge open ‘til 1:00 culinary stars honored at the a.m. on Fri. and Sat. third annual Cleveland Culi- Cleveland’s Premier nary Awards Gala. Polish American Sokolowski, a landmark UNIVERSITY INN Restaurant restaurant, opened in 1923, CLEVELAND, OHIO Now in our 90th year is Cleveland’s oldest family- ESTABLISHED IN 1923 in Business run restaurant. “You can go to Sokolowski’s and spend Featured on the Travel (216) 771-9236 six dollars or 40, and still eat & Food Network www.sokolowskis.com well,” said Joe Crea, cleve- land.com’s food and dining critic. “Any trip through its cafeteria line is a remarkable adventure,” he said. Bernie Sokolowski spoke of his genuine respect for their parents, “no-nonsense people” who maintained a sense of humor and instilled values in their children, he said. “We were raised above the restaurant,” said his sister, Mary. “When we came home from school we went into the cafeteria line.” In their home, there were three laws that all abided: Prayer, family and hard work. That hard work has paid off. This year, in a story about notable Cleveland- ers’ favorite dining spots, Ivan Schwarz of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission included Sokolowski’s on his list of five favorite Cleveland restaurants, calling it an “in- stitution.” “The personality is fan- tastic and inspiring, and the food is wonderful. (It) caters to the renaissance Cleveland is going through. It shows the old, from where we’ve come from, and the new, what we’re capable of in the future.” Also honored were Chef Michael D. Symon, Farm-to- Table Pioneer Parker Bosley, and Paulius Nasvytis, known A subscription to the PAJ makes a perfect gift! Order on-line at nationwide for his innovative www.polamjournal.com or call 1 (800) 422-1275 cocktails. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015 www.polamjournal.com 21

SPORTS / Tom Tarapacki Pair Could Enter Pro Football Hall of Fame Gary Kubiak recently got his 300th and became a founding member of win as a player, assistant coach and Three Dog Night, who had hits like head coach … fullback Henry Hyn- “Joy to the World,” “Shambala,” oski, who was signed by the Giants and “Mama Told Me Not to Come.” as an undrafted free agent in 2011 While on tour with the band, unlike and won a Super Bowl ring as a many rock musicians who partied rookie, was released this season … all night, Wells went to bed early. William (Barclay) Berezowski, He then got up before dawn to go who won the Grey Cup with CFL fishing. He never got involved in Hamilton Tiger Cats in 1953, died drugs or alcohol. at 87 … Stefen Wisniewski has When the become the starting center for Jack- band broke up sonville … kicker Sebastian Jan- in 1975, Wells ikowski set the Raiders franchise became more record for games played when he involved in fish- reached the 241 game mark. Only ing, appearing Kenn Wisniewski Fiederowicz five active NFL players have played on the TV show The annals of pro football are that his dad, Gary, introduced C.J. of fitness around the world. in more games. The American filled with the names of great- Pol (that’s Colton John) to the weight Growing up in Poland in the Sportsman and ish American offensive linemen, room when the youngster was in the 1980s, Wiesenberg was a competi- EYE ON THE BALL. Before he be- participating in names like Alex Wojciehowicz, 8th grade — and stood 6-5. tive gymnast and a member of her came an actor, Peter Falk enjoyed various charity fishing tournaments. Ron Solt, Jerry Ostroski, Conrad Fiedorowicz attended Johns- school’s track and dance teams. She sports — even though his right eye He also wrote about it for outdoor Dobler, Mike Munchak, Bruce Koz- burg, Ill. High School, where he left Poland at 17 to study abroad, was surgically removed at age three magazines. “I wrote everything un- erski, Jim Dombrowski, Bryan Bu- earned two letters as a sprinter on and eventually moved to the US. due to a tumor. For most of his life, der my own name, but most people laga and Frank Gatski among many the track relay squad. He picked She then worked in finance, but by he wore an arti- didn’t put the name together with others. Two recently retired Polish up two more letters as pitcher for the early 2000s decided to make a ficial eye. How- Three Dog Night,” he said. The American offensive linemen, Mike the baseball team. In basketball he change. Living in New York City ever, that didn’t band reunited in 1980, and Wells Kenn and Steve Wisniewski, have set a school record, scoring 1,400 and the mother of two, she trans- prevent him continued to fish while on tour been nominated for the Pro Football points in four seasons. But football formed her passion for fitness into from becoming around the world. Hall of Fame and could be inducted was his main sport. He joined the what she branded as Tonique in a star athlete at Wells was diagnosed with mul- next year. varsity as a freshman, and scored 2008. Sylwia teaches class in New Ossining (N.Y.) tiple myeloma in late September Mike Kenn’s real family name is two touchdowns in his first game. York City, and ships her DVDs HS, excelling and died in October in his home in Kuchowicz. He is a native of Evan- He finished his high school career around the world. in baseball and Dunkirk, N.Y. He was married for ston, Ill. and went to the University with 183 receptions for 3,121 yards, The program began following basketball. 51 years, and had two daughters and of Michigan before becoming a first and 42 touchdowns. He earned first her first pregnancy. “My goal was to In fact, he sometimes used the false five grandchildren. round draft choice of the Atlanta team all-conference honors for three prove everyone wrong who had told eye to his advantage. Falcons (13th overall). He starred in straight seasons and was league me that once you have a child your “I remember once in high school THEY SAID IT. “A long time ago the NFL for 17 seasons (1978-94), Player of the Year as a senior. Fie- body falls apart and loses its firm- the umpire called me out at third I told myself I would never work all with the Falcons, and holds the dorowicz attended the University ness and shape.” She said designed base when I was sure I was safe.” at anything I didn’t enjoy. Music team record for most games started of Iowa from 2010 to 2013, and a program that takes lunges and He once recalled. “I got so mad I and fishing happened to be the two with 252. During his pro career he was drafted by Houston in the 3rd squats and builds creative variations took out my glass eye, handed it to things I really loved.” missed only nine games due to in- round in 2014. Now in his second around them. She also is a propo- him and said, ‘Try this.’ I got such a — The late Cory Wells. jury. The 6-7, 286 lb. tackle was a season in the NFL, C.J.’s coaches nent of eating healthy, unprocessed, laugh you wouldn’t believe.” v v v punishing blocker who was named are pleased with his progress as he organic foods. Falk was known for playing Ital- “People have been asking me if to five consecutive pro bowls from has moved into a starting position. Her workout is intense. Jack An- ian American roles, especially Co- I’m playing the best football of my 1980-84. derson recently wrote in the Huff- lumbo, one of TV’s most memorable career. Maybe it is but I still hope Steve Wisniewski, a Vermont na- ington Post: “If the Spanish Inquisi- characters. In fact, Falk’s ancestors I can get better. I know I can get tive who grew up in Texas, played at tion had known about this technique on both sides came from Poland and better.” Penn State before going to Oakland. of physical torture, they would have Eastern Europe. — Poland’s Robert Lewan- The 6’4″, 300 lb. guard played all used it instead of the rack.” Still, However, in 1995’s comedy-dra- dowski, the record-setting soccer of his 13 seasons with the Raiders, Slywia is proof that it works. “She ma Roommates Falk played Rocky player who has developed into the and missed only one game in the has the most fit body that I have ever Holzcek, a cantankerous old Polish most feared striker in Europe. pros. Tough and aggressive, “Wiz” seen in real life,” he added. American baker living in Pittsburgh with his grandson. It’s a good movie took pride in playing hard until FIRST WOMAN POLICE the whistle blew. Some considered PERKOSKI’S NOTEBOOK. For- that’s definitely worth renting. CHIEF. Poland is set to see its him a dirty player but he was never mer Jaguar and Eagle safety Chris Falk died in 2011 at age 83. first female head of a regional thrown out of a game. In addition to Prosinski was signed by the Bears police department, with Irene eight Pro Bowls, he was named to earlier this season … Barbara GONE FISHING. While many rock Doroszkiewicz nominated to be- the prestigious NFL 1990’s All De- Orzechowska-Ryszel, a Polish stars of the ’60s and ’70s turned to come head of the Police cade team. fencer who competed in the women’s drugs and wild behavior when they Inspectorate. Both have been inducted into the team foil event at the 1960 Summer weren’t performing, Cory Wells of Doroszkiewicz was nomi- National Polish American Sports Olympics, died at 84 … Bogdan Three Dog Night did something a nated by former President Hall of Fame; Kenn in 2006 and Chruścicki, a Polish sports journal- little different: he went fishing. Bronisław Komorowski to head Wisniewski in 2004. ist, died at age 69 … New England Cory was born Emil Lewan- up the police in the southwest Wiessenberg Patriots tight end Rob Gronkows- dowski in Buffalo. His mother, Poland province. GOOD GENES. Houston Texan ki scored his 60th career touchdown, Sophie Lewandowski, was a single She is one of six officers to be tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz appar- POLISH JANE FONDA? Dubbed becoming the fastest tight end to 60 mom. It was as a boy in Buffalo that promoted at this year’s ceremony ently inherited some good genes “The Jane Fonda of Poland” by the touchdowns in NFL history. It took he began riding his bike to various at the Belvedere Palace in War- from his parents, both of whom Polish magazine Pani, Sylwia Wi- Gronk, in his sixth pro season, just fishing spots in the area. Eventually saw. were terrific athletes. It also helped esenberg is spreading her message 70 games … Denver head coach he moved west, changed his name 22 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015

TRAVELOGUE / Staś Kmieć CULTURAL TELEGRAM / Kasia Romanowska Poland’s “Olympic” Stadium Chopin Piano Competition Winner Recorded Deutsche Grammophon will who lives in Paris, has already per- by Andrzej Wajda. Part XVII present the debut solo album from formed with leading orchestras and “Once there was a studio, and As the bus en- Seong-Jin Cho, winner of the 17th conductors, including the Mariinsky studios are created by people who ters the city lim- International Chopin Piano Com- Orchestra and Valery Gergiev, the are employed there: editors, sound, its of Poland’s petition. Cho took the coveted first Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio lighting engineers, extras and many fourth largest city prize, among the most prestigious France and Myung-Whun Chung, others. Now, it’s impossible to rec- Wrocław, I see an titles in the world of classical mu- the St. Petersburg Philharmonic and reate that atmosphere. Lodz made a impressive and sic. He was named winner October Yuri Temirkanov, and the Russian terrible mistake by closing the stu- massive site in the 20, 2015, following three weeks National Orchestra with Mikhail dio, and therefore lost its culture. distance. Upon and three stages of competition Pletnev. Today, this town is dead, it’s a city inquiry, Krzysiek in Warsaw. The recording, set for of bums.” and Piotr tell me international release on 6 Novem- STUHR DIRECTS ROZEWICZ. In Lodzians’ reaction was immedi- it is the Stadion ber, contains highlights from the the Polonia Theatre in Warsaw Jerzy ate, because the statement was un- Miejski (Munici- 21-year-old South Korean pianist’s Stuhr is directing On all Fours (Na derstood as a comment to the entire pal Stadium), a recital rounds. czworakach), a play by Tadeusz city. The people are outraged by the new Sports Arena. It was built for of Physical Education in the 1970s, This live album marks the start of Rozewicz. Jerzy Stuhr directs the actor’s words and started boycotting the 2012 UEFA European Soccer and was modernized with flood- a long-term collaboration between performance and will also play the the movie. Championship and ranks among the lights and undersoil heating. DG and the Fryderyk Chopin Insti- main character, Lawrence. highest in soccer stadium categories. City administration assumed tute, created to promote the work of The cast, among others, includes WYSPIAŃSKI, WYCZÓŁKOWSKI It has a capacity of 42,771 specta- ownership in 2006 and had the outstanding interpreters of Chopin’s Dorota Stalińska and Wieslaw Ko- AND WITKACY. art master- tors, and all seating is covered. The speedway racing track rebuilt. It is music to the widest possible audi- masa. The premiere was Nov. 5. pieces are on display in the National winning architectural concept with now used mostly for speedway rac- ence. The play is a Polish classic. The Museum in Warsaw. All 250 works its distinctive shape, was developed ing, and serves as the home stadium The International Chopin Piano text, belonging to the theatrical can- presented at the exhibition come by JSK Architekci and chosen to be of Giants Wrocław – an American Competition was founded in War- on and once played everywhere, has from the collection of the National easily recognizable and associated football team based in Wrocław; saw in 1927 and has been held ev- gained new content and timeliness. Museum. Alongside the outstanding with a dynamic city. they play in the Polish American ery five years since 1955. It stands “I was looking for art, through works of the big three pastel masters My Mazowsze friends began Football League. today as the world’s premiere com- which I could tell the audience — Wyczółkowski, Wyspiański and chiming in with anecdotes about The stadium now has a capacity petition for classical pianists. about my current state of mind. It Witkiewicz — at the exhibition can something far more interesting of 35,000 and was supposed to be Seong-Jin Cho was born in was not easy,” said Stuhr. also be seen the work of other Polish to me – it was the city’s Stadion one of the main pitches on UEFA Seoul, in 1994. He and European artists. Olimpijski (Olympic Stadium). Euro 2012. The newly constructed won the International Fryderyk LODZ: THE DEAD CITY. “There The attraction of the exhibition This particular structure was built was used for that Chopin Competition for Young Pia- is no need to deceive ourselves, the is The Wawel Treasury by Leon from 1926 to 1928 as the Silesian event instead. Passing the impos- nists in 2008 and took third prize at film in Lodz has died,” said Bogus- Wyczółkowski from 1907, shown Arena (Schlesierkampfbahn), when ing stadium, my sights are set on the the International Tchaikovsky Com- law Linda, the lead actor in Powido- for the first time since the interwar the city of Wrocław was still part new Polish city I am about to dis- petition in Moscow in 2011. Cho, ki (Afterscenery) — the latest film period. of Germany and called Breslau. As cover. the centerpiece of a larger sports park complex; it was extended from 1935 to 1939 and renamed Her- Chopin Society of Chicago Hosts ACPC Convention mann–Göring–Stadion under the by Peter Obst president Mary Ellen Tyszka, Fr. Nazi authorities. CHICAGO — The 67th conven- Philip Majka delivered the invoca- Despite its current Polish name, tion of the American Council for tion. Keynote speaker Mark Do- the arena has never been an Olym- Polish Culture (ACPC) was hosted brzycki, Polonia activist and trustee pic Games site, though among many by the Chopin Society of Chicago, of the village of Harwood Heights, Poles it is said to have been a part with the theme Polish Emigrant Ill., referenced the involvement and of Germany’s 1936 Sumer Olym- Composers and Musicians. significance of Polonia in the daily pics. That myth may have perpetu- Opening ceremonies began with life of the greater Chicago com- ated because Richard Konwiarz the presentation of colors by the munity. At lunch, Dr. Sławomir achieved a bronze medal in the art Polish Army Historical Association, Dobrzański presented on Tadeusz competitions at the 1932 Summer who wore uniforms of the Polish Zygfryd Kasem (1904-1957) — a Olympics in Los Angeles for his ar- Armed Forces from the inter-war Polish-Jewish composer in exile chitectural design. period. Justine Izewski led in the and his role in teaching music. Heavily devastated in World War singing of the Polish and American The afternoon was devoted to II during the three-month long Siege national anthems. She also sang some sight-seeing. In the evening of Breslau, the stadium was rebuilt Michał Ogiński’s Pożegnanie Ojc- all enjoyed the Music of Polish by the Polish municipal adminis- zyzny (Farewell to the Homeland) Emigrant Composers, with violinist tration and named after General and Fryderyk Chopin’s Życzenie Krzysztof Zimowski, accompanied Karol Świerczewski. It was used (The Wish). After greetings by host by Sławomir Dobrzanski on the pia- by the Wrocław University School Dr. Jaroslaw Golembiowski (Convention Chair), Mary Ellen Tyszka (ACPC Jaroslaw Golembiowski and ACPC no. Among the music presented was President), Dr. Sławomir Dobrzański (Accompanist), Katarzyna Sądej the first-ever public performance of (Vocalist), Dr. Wanda O’Brien-Trefil (Music Committee Chair) and Alicia Melody, Jaroslaw Golembiowski’s Dutka (Music Committee Member). SUPPORT THE PAJ PRESS FUND original composition. elected in this session were: Robert Monument, in Savannah, Ga. Pol- After the morning business ses- Dutka, Raymond Glembocki, Jack- ish Heritage Society of Philadelphia n 1978, a voluntary fund-raising campaign was launched by a group sion on Friday, lunch was accompa- ie Kolowski, Cecilia Larkin, Peter president Marie Hejnosz reported of loyal readers of the Polish American Journal entitled “We Love the nied by a presentation by Jaroslaw Obst, Patricia Skurzynski, and Ted that the Adam Styka Art Exhibit PAJ Press Fund” in order to help cover rising postage, material Golembiowski on History of the Więcek. Outgoing President Mary and Competition, would again and production costs. Polish-Emigrant Symphony, based Ellen Tyszka was recognized for her take place this year at the National IDonations to the PAJ Press Fund are also used to support our reader on his doctoral dissertation and il- strong leadership over the past two Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa services (postage, telephone, research, etc.), provide newsclippers with lustrated with Power-Point slides. years. in Doylestown, Pa. Henrietta Nowa- stamps and envelopes, and cover extraordinary expenses in producing At the end the audience listened kowski announced that a 5,000 dol- the paper. The Polish American Journal is not a profit-making ven- to the second part of his 3rd Sym- EDUCATION COMMITTEE. Ray- lar grant is available to conduct re- ture. Thanks to its dedicated staff, the PAJ is published­ as a “public phony. The evening was filled with mond and Cecilia Glembocki pre- search on the Polish “strike” of 1619 service” for American Polonia. a performance by Katarzyna Sądej, sented on the 2014 Boston session at the Jamestown colony in Virginia. Donations to the PAJ Press Fund will be acknowledged in the paper this year’s Marcella Kochanska of the National Conference for the unless otherwise directed by the contributor. Sembrich Voice Competition win- Social Studies (NCSS), which was AWARDS PRESENTED. The Con- ner. The songs included works by the largest such conference ever. vention ended with the Awards A sincere “THANK YOU” for your donations to the PAJ PRESS FUND: Chopin, Moniuszko, Karłowicz, Helping the Glembockis and Deb- Banquet. Music was provided by Chester Drozd, Mt. Prospect Ill.; Geoffrey Kowalczyk, Sterling Hts., Paderewski, Szymanowski, and Pe- bie Majka at the booth were Dr. An- Jaroslaw Golembiowski, the Mar- Mich.; Paul Lukasiewicz, New Haven, Conn.; Thomas Nowakowski, tersburski’s tangos. Sławomir Do- drzej Pronczuk and journalist Jason cus Band, and singer Ewa Stan- New Hope, Pa.; Wally Piatek, Berlin, N.J.; Irene Wrobel, Cheektowaga, brzanski accompanied her on the Franzen. They announced that the iszewska. Honored with the ACPC N.Y.; Richard and Pearl Wilgosz, Hollywood, Fla.; Regina Wnukowski, piano. Music Committee chair Dr. next NCSS session will take place Founders Award were Raymond Philadelphia; and one Friend of the PAJ. Dziękujemy wam wszystkim! Wanda O’Brien-Trefil presented the in New Orleans, La., November 13- and Cecilia Glembocki, and Camille The PAJ thanks all who donated to the Press Fund. mezzo-soprano with a plaque and 15, 2015. The Education Committee Kopielski. The Cultural Award was flowers. MAIL TO: PAJ PRESS FUND renewed its commitment to creating presented to Dr. Pawel Checinski, POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL prizes for students addressing top- a pianist and teacher of piano, for P.O. BOX 271, NORTH BOSTON, NY 14110-0271 ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Among ics from Polish history at the annual a lifetime dedicated to music, es- I want to make sure the POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL continues its the items accomplished during the National History Day (NHD) com- pecially that of Fryderyk Chopin. service to American Polonia. Enclosed is my contribution of $______discussions were some much need- petition. In this year’s finals there The Distinguished Service Award ed revisions to the ACPC Constitu- were 24 entries that featured Poland recipient was Dr. Zbigniew Sobol tion and the election of executive or individuals of Polish extraction. for his long service as a physician NAME officers for the 2015-2017 term of Unfortunately, none received prizes. and surgeon who supported many office. These were: Thomas Payne, charitable programs that helped the ADDRESS president; Robert Synakowski, first PULASKI OBSERVATION. The people of Poland through aid to hos- vice-president; Alicia Dutka, sec- Savannah Casimir Pulaski Com- pitals and institutions. The ACPC is CITY, STATE, ZIP ond vice-president; Judy Tompkins, mittee reported that the next ob- also very pleased to associate with Please [ ] include [ ] do not include my name in your list of contributors. treasurer; and Marcia Lewandowski, servance of Pulaski’s birthday will a very large contingent of members recording secretary. Board members be on March 5, 2016 at the Pulaski from its South Bend affiliate. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015 www.polamjournal.com 23

THIS PAGE IS SPONSORED BY For information about our Fraternal, its history, and the Our plans of insurance include: Endowments, Single Premium kinds of plans that we offer, visit our website at The Association of the Sons of Poland Life, Five- and Twenty-Payment Life, Five-year Benefactor Plan www.SonsofPoland.com with Beneficiary as a charity, and Children’s Term. Benefits 333 CARLSTADT include scholarships for HS Seniors planning to go to college, or call us at (201) 935-2807 HACKENSACK NEW JERSEY the free ScriptSave Prescription card; Dental and wellness/health Celebrating Our 2nd Century of Fraternalism STREET 07072 plans including LifeLine Screening.

BOOKS IN BRIEF/ Mary Lanham Just in time for Christmas, and a Look Into Poland’s Punk Communities CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS great thing about the book is that the seasoned expert who needs a 4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200 from other ethnographies about the POLISH STYLE it’s spiral bound so it lays flat on quick reference guide. It’s perfect Lanham, MD 20706 punk subculture is that the author by Lawrence G. Kozlowski the counter and has a plastic cover for any library. (301) 459-3366 has credibility within this group. Self published, 2013, 30 pps. so it stays clean. After the Wigilia Celebrate Christmas Polish Style Transnational Punk Communi- Marciniak identifies as a punk, her- 525 Beatty Road and Christmas section, Kozlowski by Lawrence Kozlowski is available ties in Poland is a study about the self, so those who she interviews Monroeville, PA 15146 covers the feasts up to Three Kings, from Pysankiusa.com. punk subculture and are more apt to open Just in time for Christmas, Polish following the earlier format. how it developed. up to her rather than artist, folklorist, and author, Law- The last section of the book is a ABOUT THE AUTHOR. Lawrence Marciniak primarily an outsider. Trans- rence G. Kozlowski has reissued true gem. Knowing that Christmas G. Kozlowski, the onetime director draws on interviews national Punk Com- his book Celebrate Christmas Pol- is the one time of the year when the of the Alliance College’s Kujawiaki, that she conducted munities in Poland is ish Style. As he has with his other whole family is likely to be around, is now best known for as a folk arts in communities like an extremely detailed books, Kozlowski Kozlowski has in- demonstrator and as cultural com- northeast Ohio and and thoroughly re- packs a lot of fun in- cluded a few genea- missioner for the Polish Falcons of Upper , Poland. searched academic formation into this logical pages that can America. With art degrees from the It delves into the phi- work complete with small tome. be filled out. Besides Polish Ministry of Culture in Lub- losophy, music, and a bibliography, end- The book opens the standard family lin, Kielce, Krakow, and Rzeszow, politics of punk cul- notes, and index. with the Advent sea- tree, one page is de- he has received the honor of being ture as well as how the Tr a n s n a t i o n a l son, before highlight- voted to special fam- recognized as a master folk crafts- different generations Punk Communities in ing a number of feast ily traditions, while man in the Commonwealth of Penn- relate to each other. Poland: From Nihil- day celebrations. two more are set up to sylvania. Kozlowski’s previous But the greater focus ism to Nothing Out- Each saint highlighted record family recipes. publications include Celebrate Eas- is on how the subcul- side Punk by Marta includes a depiction These are wonderful ter Polish Style, Easter Eggs Polish ture developed locally and interna- Marciniak is available from Ama- of them, their story, templates that can be Style, Paper Cuttings Polish Style, tionally. zon.com and Barnes and Noble. the role the feast plays easily photocopied Polish Ornaments Polish Style, One interesting topic that the in Polish culture, and and added to the book Celebrate Christmas Slovak Style, author examines is that of the econ- ABOUT THE AUTHOR. Marta a recipe. This all builds up to a sec- each year. Much to his credit, Law- Celebrate Easter Slovak Style, and omy of the subculture. Much of it Marciniak, originally from Warsaw, tion on Wigilia that takes up almost rence devotes the last page to a bib- Pin-Tip Eggs Slavic Style. He cur- is a DIY economy such as small has earned Bachelor’s and Master’s half the book. liography and thank-yous. rently writes the culture section in independent record labels and DIY degrees from the University of War- These 13 pages cover the history With Celebrate Christmas Pol- Sokol Polski. punk music festivals. One of these saw and holds a Ph.D. in American of the Wigilia, menus for seven- to ish Style Kozlowski has simmered festivals is Punk Island. Punk Island Studies from the University at Buf- twelve-course versions of the din- down the Polish traditions to a pure TRANSNATIONAL PUNK is “organized annually in New York falo. She currently lives in the Unit- ner, and over 40 recipes. The recipes concentrate. It hits on all the high- COMMUNITIES IN POLAND City in June by ‘collective of DIY ed States with her husband and son. are easy to understand and include lights, religion, food, and family. From Nihilism to Nothing punks from NYC,’ working with the v v v caraway soup, poached fish Polish This thin book is perfect both for the Outside Punk support of a non-profit called Make From Books in Brief to you, style, poppy seed roll, a number of beginner who is interested in learn- By Marta Marciniak Music New York…” Wesołych Świąt and have a Happy pierogi and peppered vodka. The ing about their Polish traditions and Lexington Books, 2015, 217 pps. What makes this work different New Year!

Canisius College and would in time POLONIA PLACES graduate with a medical degree, a GREGORY L. WITUL law degree, and pass the New York State bar exam. Although proficient Dr. Francis in law, Fronczak chose to focus on his medical career. This would turn out to be a fateful choice. E. Fronczak By 1905, Francis had become known in America’s greater Polo- Home nia because of his work in the Pan- 806 Fillmore Avenue American Exposition and national Buffalo, New York Polish organizations. On April 27th Status: Threatened of that year, a train from Canada rushed to Niagara Falls carrying a For the last few months there fearful Ignacy Paderewski. The pia- has been a major effort underway in nist and composer had lost all feel- Buffalo, New York to save a house ing in his arms and believed his life from the wrecking ball. Members to be over. When the future Prime The home at 806 Fillmore as it orig- of religious organizations, the pres- Minister of Poland arrived in the inally appeared in 1897. The Fronczak house in the summer of 2015. ervation community, and greater States he called upon an acquain- Polonia have volunteered their tance of his that he believed could Polish National Committee in Paris, ect of Rev. Alexis Zaryk lasted for building, spurring the preservation time, money, and energy to rescue heal him: Dr. Fronczak. Over the and become the City of Buffalo’s eight years, and was his home parish effort that continues today. course of a week, Francis was able Health Commissioner. In the home when he was elevated to the post of If you want to help preserve Dr. to heal his patient, and the episode at 806 Fillmore, Mrs. Fronczak Bishop. In 1984, the building was Fronczak’s legacy, please donate to made headlines across the country. would cook Paderewski his favorite sold to newspaper publisher Ronald the Fronczak Fund sponsored by the meal, beet soup and wiener schnit- Fleming, who moved his Fine Print Polish Legacy Project. Checks and zel, Francis would sit and chat with News and family into the house. money order can be sent to the Pol-

PHOTO: MARK KOHAN Wladyslaw Reymont when he was After Fleming’s death in 2010, the ish Legacy Project, P.O. Box 411 in town, and Haller would reminisce residence was abandoned. After sit- Buffalo, NY 14240, just add Fronc- about the Great War. ting vacant for four years the city zak Fund in the note. Thank you for According to historian and “Po- of Buffalo decided to demolish the your support and Wesołych Świąt! lonia preservationist” Monica Rz- A photo of the Fronczak Home epka, the home at 806 Fillmore was from the East Side Buffalo Land- built in 1897 by Dr. Irving Potter. “Over . . . 55 Years of Quality Service” marks series from 1990. Potter lived at the address for 10 the rundown building on Buffalo’s years before selling the residence Polish East Side. These groups and to Fronczak. In 1941, the Fronczak individuals have been working tire- family hired their friend, the notable lessly to save this particular home Polish architect Joseph E. Fronczak, because it was the former residence to expand the residence and a brick of Buffalo’s greatest Polish Ameri- addition was attached to the front of can, Dr. Francis E. Fronczak. the house. The home stayed in the Francis Eustace Fronczak was Fronczak: Hosted many dignitaries family after Francis’s death in 1953 born in Buffalo’s Polish East Side on in his Fillmore Avenue home. being passed on to his daughter, Dr. the 20th of September 1874. While Eugenia Fronczak and her husband Roofing • Siding attending St. Stanislaus School, the For the two men, a deep friendship Dr. Edward Bukowski. The Bu- Gutters • Trim Overhang kowskis raised their own family at Vinyl Replacement Windows teachers and faculty could see Fran- was born. Maintenance Free Decks & Railings cis was a bright child, and would go Francis would do much more in the homestead, and after the passing of Edward, the building was sold far. Once done with primary school, his life, include working with Gen- MICHAEL C. HOINSKI Fronczak continued his education, eral Jozef Haller and his Blue Army and transformed into the St. Vladi- 716-684-0355 mir and Olga Ukrainian Orthodox 5434 Genesee St., PO Box a rarity in Polonia. He enrolled at while serving as a colonel in the 202 Bowmansville, NY 14026 FAX: 716-684-0751 U.S. forces, act as a member of the Church. The church, a passion proj- 24 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015

OBITUARIES TOLEDO POLONIA / Margaret Zotkiewicz-Dramczyk Gen. Czeslaw Kiszczak, Engineered Martial Law in Poland 2015 —A Retrospective (AP) — Gen. Czeslaw nist Poland, a job he only held for less than three weeks As I look back on the year, I am Polka Picnic in August, now in its Kiszczak, a Polish general in 1989 before the country’s transition to a free-market thoughtful of the many Toledo Po- third year, and the upcoming New and communist-era leader democracy. lonia events in which I was able to Year’s Eve dance in the renovated who played a key role in Jaruzelski died in 2014. participate. I’ve talked about most church hall; imposing martial law in Both men remain deeply controversial. They are hat- of them in previous columns, with St. Adalbert-St. Hedwig, 1981 but eight years later ed by many Poles for repressions that caused the suffer- a brief re-cap in this fi nal column of merged parishes on LaGrange also took part in talks that ing of many Poles, accused of acting in the interests of 2015: Street, held an October heritage allowed for a peaceful Moscow, but they have also won some grudging praise The Toledo Area Polka Society event where guests did not pay to transition to democracy, for stepping away from power without violence. successfully transitioned to paring enter but instead, donated. The event died Nov. 5, 2015 in War- Still, many Poles fi nd it infuriating that Jaruzelski down monthly dances and adding was catered by Zavotski Custom saw. He was 90. and Kiszczak went to their deaths without facing pun- special events designed to help bol- Meat & Deli of West Toledo, with After Gen. Wojciech ishment for martial law and other repressive measures, ster the club and attract new polka musical entertainment provided Jaruzelski, the nation’s while some lower level police offi cers have faced con- fans. How much fun it was to travel by Randy Krajewski & Badinov. top leader at the time, Kiszczak was the most impor- victions. More than 100 Poles were killed in the crack- with new friends and old to the Ray They are holding a similar event, tant fi gure in the crackdown aimed at crushing the pro- down. Jay Testimonial held in early May Wigilia, December 12th, celebrating democracy Solidarity movement. Martial law included In the quarter century of democratic Poland, Kiszc- in Greensburg, PA. After that, it was the well-known Christmas tradition; the mass round-up and internment of Solidarity activ- zak was tried in court multiple times for his role in im- on to the fi nal weeks of planning The digitization of a diary writ- ists, curfews and other harsh measures. posing martial law, but he never served prison time. and anticipation for the fi rst Polish ten by a Polish woman who man- Both men long argued that they acted to stave off a One of the most serious accusations against him is Summer Picnic, where expectations aged to survive the horrors of World Soviet invasion. With Poland under Soviet control at connected to the massacre of nine miners who were were happily exceeded and as the War II and settle in West Toledo af- the time, many believed that Moscow would invade to shot by riot police in 1981 for protesting martial law. saying goes, “a good time was had ter years of struggle; crush democratic change, as it did in Czechoslovakia Another 25 were wounded. by all.’ The formation of the Polish in 1968. At times he was acquitted, at other times found The International Music Asso- Cultural Center Committee from “I saved the country from terrible troubles,” Kiszc- guilty, but he always managed to avoid punishment ciation of Toledo had a full schedule among the leadership of local Pol- zak said years later. amid appeals, retrials and the expiration of the statute of dances with many well-known ish organizations, with the goal of Kiszczak was also the last prime minister of commu- of limitations. bands coming to town entertain on creating a multi-purpose cultural Sunday afternoons. center; Rev. Msgr. Peter Zendzian, Served Numerous Parishes The Polish American Concert The Ohio Theatre on LaGrange Band held several concerts around Street, reviving the concept of inno- RIDGEWOOD, N.Y. Maspeth, where he offered prayers during the neigh- the community throughout the year, vative and unique events in an inti- — The Rev. Msgr. Peter borhood’s annual memorial vigil for the victims of the including the LaGrange Street mate venue; Zendzian, the leader of St. Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He was also coordi- Polish Festival, where their pres- Young talent on the radio show Matthias Roman Catholic nator of the Polish Apostolate, an organization serving ence has been a constant for many scene, namely cousins Daniel Earl Church since December Polish Catholics. years and the Fall Winter Concert and Benjamin Lynn, who started on 2013, died October 30, “Msgr. Peter was a wonderful servant of Jesus and at Woodward High School in North the University of Toledo radio sta- 2015 at the age of 63. a faithful friend to St. Matthias School. His love of its Toledo held Thanksgiving Week- tion with a nifty two hour segment Zendzian was ordained students was evident in his words and actions,” St. Mat- end. With the untimely passing of called Golabki, which recently in 1979 and served as the thias School Principal Barbara Wehnes wrote in a mes- conductor Randy Bialecki ear- moved to Polish New Castle Radio. pastor at Brooklyn’s Our sage posted on the school website. “Though we only lier this year, the band continues to These guys are carrying polkas into Lady of Czestochowa- had 1 1/2 years to share his life, we will always hold make its own transitions as 2016 ar- the next generation and deserve ap- Saint Casimir and Holy him in our hearts. We pray for the repose of his soul rives. plause for all of their efforts to keep Cross Roman Catholic and ask him to continue to intercede for us as he rests So it was with the music orga- polka music alive. Church in Maspeth before taking over for Bishop Ed- among the company of the angels and saints.” nizations that strive to keep Polish I’m sure I’ve left out other or- ward Scharfenberger, whom Pope Francis had appoint- In addition to serving as pastor at Holy Cross and heritage alive in Toledo. To recap ganizations and events worthy of a ed to lead the Diocese of Albany, at St. Matthias. St. Matthias, he was for a time the pastor of Our Lady the achievements of several other mention, but as I look forward to Zendzian arrived at St. Matthias in December 2013, of Czestochowa-St. Casimir Church in Brooklyn. He Pol-Am institutions in Toledo: the New Year, I also look forward to succeeding Bishop Edward Scharfenberger, whom also served as parochial vicar at St. Margaret Church in New events at St. Hyacinth Par- chronicling the story of Toledo Po- Pope Francis had appointed to lead the Diocese of Al- Middle Village; St. Rose of Lima Church in Rockaway; ish on Parkside Boulevard on the lonia in 2016. bany. St. Francis of Assisi Church in Brooklyn; St. Francis de near south side of town, such as the Happy Holidays! Although he led the faithful of St. Matthias for Sales Church in Belle Harbor; and St. Joseph Church in nearly two years, Zendzian remained close to his native Long Island City. CHANGING TIMES Margaret M. Machay, Owner of Polonia Banquets CHICAGO —Margaret M. (IPA), and hosted the nationally in the United States,” said the IPA Hamtramck Elects Muslim-Majority Council Machay (nee Jagielski), the long- known Bel-Aire Polka Days, pro- News. HAMTRAMCK, Mich. — This Majewski, was originally settled by time owner and operator of Polonia duced by the late Eddie Blazonczyk. In addition to managing her busi- historically Polish-Catholic enclave Germans, but Polish-Catholic im- Banquets, died Oct. 24, 2015. The family business at 4604 S. ness, Marge found time to serve on of Detroit, which rose to national migrants fl ooded into the area when In 1964, Marge and her late hus- Archer Ave. in Chicago continues the IPA executive board as treasurer prominence more than a decade ago the Dodge Brothers plant opened in band Chuck established the Polonia to be a hub for polka entertainment and director from Illinois for many when its city council gave permis- 1914. At that time, Irish and German Ballroom & Grove that went on to and events for the community. years. She also served as IPA Festi- sion to a mosque to broadcast its call Catholics dominated the Detroit po- become a Chicago landmark. To ac- The Machay family has also ex- val & Convention ad book chairper- to prayer from speakers on its roof, litical scene, so Poles gravitated to commodate their growing business panded their business with their fa- son for several years. When the IPA has elected a Muslim-majority city Hamtramck. in the 1980s, they initiated a major mous Polonia Catering to a second building was sold, Marge came for- council, believed to be the fi rst in The Muslim population in Ham- facility renovation and changed its location in suburban Chicago. ward and provided space at Polonia the nation. On Nov. 3, the city elect- tramck has grown steadily, said name to the present Polonia Ban- “After a half century, it’s quite Banquets to house and display the ed six city council members, four of University of Michigan-Dearborn quets. possible that Polonia Banquets is precious polka artifacts that make Muslim faith. associate professor Sally Howell, The Machays unselfi shly lever- the longest-running polka establish- up today’s IPA Polka Hall of Fame Hamtramck, with a population who has written a book on Michigan aged their establishment to promote ment under the same management Museum. of about 22,000 and under the ju- and U.S. Muslims. Dearborn has polka music in addition to their ca- dicious leadership of Mayor Karen many Arab-American immigrants, tering services. For fi fty years they but Hamtramck likely became the hosted events with top polka enter- fi rst city to have a Muslim-majority tainment that drew crowds from all EVERGREEN population in 2013. She estimates over the United States and Canada. that about 50 percent of the city is They showcased weekend-long pic- FUNERAL HOME, INC. made up of Muslims, and the city nics, festivals, and dances to support 131 NASSAU AVE., BROOKLYN, NY 11222 has at least seven mosques, more the International Polka Association (718) 383-8600 mosques per capita than anywhere else in the country. Stanley Skawinski, Leslie P. Rago Gigante, Director “The growth is taking place in these Muslim communities, and Columnist, Bandleader COMPLETELY AIR-CONDITIONED they are transforming the city AERATION FLOWER CONTROL SERVICES scape,” Howell said. “It’s become SARASOTA, Fla. — Stanley AVAILABLE IN ALL COMMUNITIES “Stan” Skawinski, 76, a musician much more visible in the last 15 and leader for over 30 years of the years.” Stan Skawinski Orchestra, and a columnist of the Post Eagle for over Jurek-Park Slope Funeral Home, Inc. RADIATING. After more than 50 years, died Nov. 3, 2015. Born in • Newly Decorated Chapel Facili¡ies 100 years, much of Marie Curie’s Garfi eld, N.J. he moved to Sarasota, • Our 24-Hour Personal Services Are Your “Greenpoint” possessions — her papers, her Fla. from Wayne, N.J. Available In All Communi¡ies Family Funeral Home furniture, even her cookbooks — Skawinski was in insurance sales • At-Home Arrangements STOBIERSKI LUCAS are still radioactive. Those who and attended Our Lady of the An- • Insurance Claims Handled GARDENVIEW wish to open the lead-lined boxes • Social Securi« & Veteran’s Beneœits gels Catholic Church. He was a ded- FUNERAL HOME, LTD. containing her manuscripts must icated sports fan and loved attend- Promptly Expedited • Monument Inscrip¡ions Asce¬ ained 161 DRIGGS AVENUE do so in protective clothing, and ing his grandson’s baseball games BROOKLYN, NY 11222 only after signing a waiver of li- and school events. Memorial dona- 728 4th Ave., Brooklyn, NY • (718) 768-4192 PHONE: (718) 383-7910 ability. tions may be made to the American FAX: (718) 383-2737 — Christian Science Monitor Cancer Society. DORIS V. AMEN, LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTOR POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015 www.polamjournal.com 25 Polkamotion 2015 Deemed a Success POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL Plans Announced for 2016’s Activities REHOBOTH, Del. — Polkamo- tion hall next September, arrange- tion by the Ocean, the five-day polka ments have been made to conduct festival held every year in Rehoboth polka dances at the nearby Ameri- Beach, was another success in 2015. can Legion Post 17 Pavilion, 113 Large, enthusiastic crowds filled American Legion Rd., Lewes, Del. the Rehoboth Beach So, mark your calendars as follows: Convention Center on Thursday, September to listen and dance to 15, 2016, Polka Family DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION AND CONTINUANCE OF POLISH AMERICAN MUSIC polka bands that in- will perform from 6:00- cluded: Polka Family, 10:00 p.m.. The Eddie The Knewz, Lenny Forman Orchestra with Flavor Master Gomulka & Chicago a special Charm City PHOTO: GARY E. MCKEE by Gary E. McKee Push, the Eddie Forman Sound Reunion show “The next song goes out to Ben- Orchestra, The Boys, Polka will be featured on Fri., nie and Kathy Bronikowski: ‘The Country Musicians, The Dynason- Sept. 16 from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. The Chappell Hill Special’.” ics, Old School, Crabtown Sound, Polka Country Musicians will wrap This dedication is a regular at and The Variety Tones. things up at the pavilion from 6:00- many polka dances, however few Throughout the fest, hungry pa- 10:00 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 17. dancers understand the significance trons consumed over 2,000 pierogi, Even though the pavilion is only of the song. The song gives a nod 120 pounds of kielbasa, hundreds of seven miles from Rehoboth Beach, to the town of Chappell Hill, one of gołąbki, and other homemade deli- promoters are looking into running the approximately dozen Polish set- cacies. a shuttle bus back and forth for folks tlements in Texas, located between The annual Polkamotion Open staying in Rehoboth who prefer not Brenham and Hempstead, Texas. Golf Tournament coordinated by to drive to the dances. In the mid-1800s Polish immi- “Jolly Rich” Anton was won by the After each dance, polka DJ par- grants began to arrive in Texas. The John & Lynn Cieplik/Bob Frydryk ties are being planned at some of primary areas of settlement were & Sue Czech team from Massachu- the fun Rehoboth Beach bars for Panna Maria (southeast of San An- setts. Spectacular weather blessed the polka night owls. And, the an- tonio), Brenham, Bremond, and the golfers, beachgoers, boardwalk- nual Polkamotion Open Golf Tour- Chappell Hill to name a few. They ers, and shoppers all week. Many nament will be conducted as usual brought their Catholic religion, cul- thanks to the festival volunteers and on Wed., Sept. 14, 2016. Call Mike ture, and music to the new world. all the fans who made Polkamotion Matousek at (202) 246-7918 for Their Polish music, which is string- 2015 another memorable event. more information. instrument based, has been handed To keep up with the details as Brian Marshall at this year’s Bremond Polish Days. He is a master of sev- down orally from generation to gen- WHAT ABOUT 2016? Despite they unfold, visit www.polkamo- eral types of Polish still popular in Texas today. Marshall has eration. the fact that construction at the Re- tion.com and www.rbpolka.com. In performed all over the United States. The original music typically hoboth Beach City Hall/Convention 2017, the construction will be com- consisted of a fiddle, a bowed bass, Marshall’s fiddle whips up a dance and fiddle. At the Polish Festival in Center will prevent Polkamotion plete so Polkamotion will be back at and an occasional clarinet. As time crowd with its distinct sound. What Bremond (June 26-27, 2015), Mar- from taking place in the conven- the Convention Center as usual. went by guitars, drums, and accor- is constant in Polish music is the shall’s cousin, Ronnie Kasowski Three More Stations dions were added. Brass horns were presence of a fiddle (or two or three) played guitar, and his son Jake, was Jim “Chainsaw” never fully accepted into Polish mu- in Polish polkas. Marshall com- thumping the bass fiddle. On drums Kucharski is Back to Carry Sturr Show sic as the popular feeling was that it mented, “All Poles play a fiddle, but was Chuck Bolin, who is married CHICAGO — Jim Kuchar- FLORIDA, N.Y. — Three new Czechanized the music. This isn’t a some shouldn’t.” to a cousin, so it was truly a family radio stations have just signed to air negative comment on Czech music, ski is back on the radio with his Tradition dictated that a fiddler band. Thank you Brian Marszalek the syndicated Jimmy Sturr radio it’s just that horns were not popular was hired for entertainment at func- “Chainsaw’s Polka Madhouse” (Marshall) for posting and sharing program. in the old country and they were tions and it was up to the fiddler to information on your heritage. radio program. He will be air- ing two shows on Sunday after- WABH, located in Bath, N.Y., protecting their roots. provide accompaniment. Marshall has performed all over noons, from 3:00-4:00 p.m. East- a 10,000 watt station is airing the The Polish oberek is a traditional Marshall’s father was a guitar the United States, including the Lin- dance that can only be described as ern Time on WHRU 101.5FM in show on Sunday at 10:00 a.m.; player in a band in the 1950s and coln Center in New York, National a real fast waltz with a lot of foot- ‘60s that played mostly Country & Huntley, Ill., streaming online at WEEU radio in Reading, Pa. broad- Folk Festivals in Maine, and Massa- stepping in a highly spirited fashion. Western music, but would bust into www.huntleyradio.com. casts the program at noon on Sun- chusetts, the Festival of Americana Polish music when the crowd was From 4:00-5:00 p.m. on Sun- days; and WCVT in Center Valley, fiddle tunes in Washington, to name REGIONAL FLAVORS. As with all right. days, EST, he will be broadcast- Pa. is airing the program at 11:00 a just a few. He is now signed with music there are regional interpreta- His grandfather, Ed Marshall, ing live over WERG 90.5FM a.m. on Sundays. tions influenced by geography and was a fiddler in the 1940s and ‘50s, Arhoolie Records, a music label that in Erie, PA. streaming online at Several months ago, CWTAP- politics both in the old country and but was equally well known for his specializes in American masters of www.wergfm.com. Sunday af- TV, which is associated with Ser- new world. There are basically two stage presence as a druszba (em- roots music. ternoons from 4:00-5:00 p.m. vice Electric TV, started broadcast- flavors of Polish music in Texas. cee) at Polish weddings and public Marshall conducted a workshop Eastern Time live over WERG ing the one-hour syndicated show. One is the Chappell Hill type, which events. and performed Polish fiddle music 90.5FM in Erie, Pa., streaming The Jimmy Sturr radio program infuses a rhythmic sound into the at the 2nd Annual Festival of Texas online at www.wergfm.com. is now heard on 28 stations across mix. The other is the Bremond style, IT’S A FAMILY TRADITION. In Fiddling on November 7. This festi- Visit his website, www.polka- the country, plus Saturday at 6:00 which reflects the music that would the tradition of a family band, Mar- val was an opportunity to see mul- madhouse.com, for more infor- p.m. on channel 147, Sirius XM ra- be found in the villages of central shall’s two teenaged sons, Jakub and tiple styles of music performed on mation, requests and dedications: dio. This program is also repeated and southern Poland. Michal, have been performing with the same instrument. [email protected] on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m., A master of both flavors, Brian their father for years on clarinet — Texas Polka News Eastern Standard Time.

HOME ON LAGRANGE / Randy Krajewski Gift of Life Considering Polka as Promotional Song TOLEDO — Greetings from north To- way while chuckling and shaking their heads. last year’s Lisa Biskup Memorial Benefit beer and set-ups provided, and catering by ledo’s Polish village, also known as “La- Whatever your take on it, by age 13 I was an heard a set performed by a hand-picked group Malczewski. Join us for what is certain to be a grinka.” Named after Lagrange Street, it accordion student of the Polish Kid with a called “Accordions a Go-Go.” That evening, fabulous evening. is the main thoroughfare which bisects the New Brass LP on my turntable, and Eddie B. the band performed a song I wrote “The Gift old neighborhood, and was one of two Pol- in my bloodstream. of Life,” which was written to honor Lisa’s A TIP OF THE HAT. Kudos to James Mack- ish settlements in Toledo, Ohio. I have lived A few years have elapsed since Badinov’s memory. Ron Biskup — Lisa’s dad, and the iewicz, Sr., director emeritus, and all mem- here my entire life, and I currently reside in debut recording “Trust Me,” and the boys are driving force behind the annual benefit— re- bers of the Polish American Concert Band the home in which I was raised in. Now, I am back at it right now. A new, full-length project cently informed me that Lisa’s University of (PACB) on the success of its annual Fall/Win- raising two daughters and attempting to carry is planned for an early 2016 release. It will Michigan-based foundation is interested in ter concert. This year was their 125th anniver- on Polish music traditions as one of the last contain their signature mix of polka styles using “The Gift of Life” as an advertising tool sary celebration as a performing ensemble groups performing in this town. My band, with selections spanning Chicago, Eastern, to promote organ and tissue donation. This in Toledo. The new recital hall at Woodward Badinov, formed about nine years ago, and is and Honky genres, as well as original music is great news, both for myself and the polka high school was the setting on Sun., Nov. 29 actively engaged in the Ohio/Michigan area. penned by Andrew Pawlak and yours truly. community. I am very gratified and looking for a great afternoon of holiday favorites, as Comprised of veteran players from bands I enjoy recording and presenting music that forward to relaying more information about well as traditional Polish music. The three such as Crusade, TPM, and a Touch of Brass, is “outside the box.” I wrote edgy, crossover this as talks progress. Polish tenors — Jimmy Rutkowski, Eric these guys can definitely play. music during my Crusade days, and I want Hite, and Robert McMahon — were the fea- As for me, I started accordion lessons Badinov to continue to give people a glimpse FIRST IS SOME TIME. For those of you who tured act, and I reprised my role of 20 some when I was six. I was part of a group that head of where I think polka music could go if we want to ring in the New Year polka style, years as pre-concert, sing-along entertain- Friday night “band practices” at Joseph’s Ac- push the boundaries. Badinov will perform at St. Hyacinth par- ment. Again, congratulations and many more cordion School on Lagrange Street. Imagine The band is recording at Smoochie’s Cav- ish in Toledo. The city has not had a polka to Toledo’s own PACB. 30 beginner accordionists in the same room! ern Studios in Dearborn, Mich. A bonus, non- New Year’s party in a number of years, and My mom, of course, was my biggest fan. I polka original track will also be included, and Badinov is happy to be a part of the festivities ON THE JAMMER. Remember to tune in to survived those days, and continued squeezing will highlight the group’s instrumental versa- at the same parish that brought back its sum- the Sons of Lagrange every Monday at 7:00 until I eventually started a polka band. Some tility and pop vocal capabilities. mer festival after a lengthy hiatus. The setting p.m. on the Polka Jammer network. may refer to this as an incurable illness; some, will be parish’s beautiful, newly refurbished All the best for a merry Christmas and a a vocation; and yet some just walk the other THE GIFT OF LIFE. Those in attendance at school hall. The price is $25 per person with happy, healthy, and prosperous 2016. 26 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015

POLKA CALENDAR / John Ziobrowski Christmas Polka SALT LAMPS ETC. Party to Collect To list your event, please send • Eddie Belinsky. Pulaski Club. Dayto- 5274 Broadway, Lancaster, NY 14086 •(716) 564-9286 date, band, location, times, and na Beach Fl. 2-5. (386) 258-7059 Food for Catholic contact number to [email protected]. • Chris & Ronnie Polka Band. Polish Can’t sleep? Need relief for asthmas? Allergies? Sinuses? Charities Club. Riverhead NY. (631) 727-9200 Now available, beautiful ... Celebrate Tom Goldyn’s DECEMBER 1 DECEMBER 17 POLISH SALT LAMPS • Eddie Forman. Aqua Turf. Plantsville • The Knewz. Potts Banquet Hall. that clean and ionize air for your health and well-being. Birthday by Helping Ct. 10:45-3:30. (860) 621-9335 Cheektowaga NY. 7-10:30. (716) 826- Laboratory tested for ionization and quality. Volunteer Agency DECEMBER 4 6575. Free TV taping Joyce (716) 860-0828 • [email protected] • John Stevens/Alex Meixner. Best DECEMBER 19 Arlene (716) 649-3188 • [email protected] Western. Matamoras Pa. 6:30-? (570) • New Direction Band. Broadway Mar- 660-7859 • Matt Urban VFW, Lancaster NY. Polka ket. Bufallo NY. 12-3. (716) 893-0705 Variety Club Christmas Party. 5-11. • New Direction Band. Potts Banquet (716) 681-2797 Hall. Cheektowaga NY. 7-11. (716) 826-6575 DECEMBER 5 • Dennis Polisky. PNI/Quovadis Club. DECEMBER 20 Worcester Ma. 5-9. (508) 361-2860 • Brad Turk. Pulaski Club. Daytona • The Continentals. Firehall. Emigsville Beach Fl. 2-5. (386) 258-7059 Pa. 7-11. (717) 292-3723 • John Stevens. Polish Community DECEMBER 21 Center. Binghamton NY. 6-10. (607) • The Special Delivery Band. Polish 729-0901 Christmas Party. Nite Cappe. Lacka- • Jimmy Sturr. Paramount Theater. wanna NY. 7-10. (716) 825-9488 Middletown NY. Show 3PM. (845) DECEMBER 22 346-4195 • Fritz’s Polka Band. Finger Lakes • Chris & Ronnie Polka Band. Polish Tom Goldyn. Racetrack. Farmington NY. 11-2. Club. Port Jeff erson NY. (631) 473- BUFFALO, N.Y. — What do 9807 (585) 924-3232 Christmas, Catholic Charities, and DECEMBER 6 DECEMBER 23 Tom Goldyn have in common? The • Dennis Polisky. PACC. Lyndhurst NJ. • Walt Groller. Holy Family Club. Naza- answer: Polkas, of course! 2-6. (201) 803-0909 reth Pa. 2-6. (610) 759-4728 This year, Special Delivery’s • Joe Stanky Cadets. VFW. Dupont Pa. DECEMBER27 darling drummer and vocalist is 2-6. (570) 654-9104 • The Swingmasters. VFW . Dupont Pa. turning the big 6-0, and the band in- • Eddie Forman. German Club. Paw- 2-6. (570) 654-5504 vites everyone to come celebrate the tucket RI. 2-6. (401) 569-6427 milestone. • Ray Jay Carousels. Slovenian Hall. • Trel Tones. Roosevel t hall. Norvelt Yukon Pa. 3-7. (724) 722-9700 Pa. 2-6. (724) 423-8558 But Tom does not want any gifts. Instead, he asks you bring a non- • Henny Versa J’s. Roosevelt Hall. Nor- DECEMBER 31 velt Pa. 3-7. (724) 423-8558 perishable food item, which the • Walt Groller. Liederkrantz Club. band will then deliver to Catholic • John Stevens. Freeland Center. Free- Reading Pa. 9-1. (610) 373-3982 land Pa. 2-6. (570) 636-0400 Charities for its Food Pantry. • The Special Delivery Band/Polka • Mellotone Band. Pulaski Club. Day- It all takes place December 13, at Country Musicians. Millennium Ho- THE POLKA CAROUSEL tona Beach Fl. (386) 258-7059 tel. Cheektowaga NY. (716) 681-2400 the Clinton Bar & Grill, 2460 Clin- • Jimmy Sturr. State Theater. Easton ton St. (near Harlem), Cheektowaga • John Gora. Polish Hall. Burlington ROCKIN’ROCKIN’ Pa. show 8PM. (800) 999-7828 Ontario. (905) 639-3236 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. DECEMBER 12 • Bob Turcola. Pulaski Club. Daytona As usual, no cover charge, drink • The Special Delivery Band. Buff alo POLKAS specials, great food, and the compa- Beach Fl. Evening. (386) 258-7059 POLKASwith Polkas Boosters Christmas Party. • TKO. K of C. Perry Hall. Md. 8:30-? ny of polka music’s upper crust, all Polish Falcons. Depew NY. 8-11. Res- (410) 529-1582 MIKE & GEORGE PASIERB peppered with the zippy music and ervations: (716) 771-1076 pithy repartee. • The Continentals. Fidelitas Club. Bar- JANUARY 1, 2016 Your Host: Ed Slomkowski For more information, call Clin- timore Md. 1-5. (410) 256-4178 • Dennis Polisky/Eddie Forman. PACC. ton Bar & Grill at (716) 768-3246. • The Continentals. Saengerbund Ludlow. Ma. 2-6. (413) 567-1961 WXRL www.polishnewcastleradio.com Club. Newark De. 7:30-11:30 (302) Wed. 5:00 to 6:00: p.m. 366-9454 JANUARY 3 1300 AM Fri. 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. • Dennis Polisky/Eddie Forman. Ukrai- • John Stevens. VFW. Dupont Pa. 2-6. nian Am. Club. Cohoes NY. (518) 233- (570) 654-5504 LANCASTER-BUFFALO WGPA Sunny 1100 9265 SAT. 2:00-3:00 p.m. JANUARY 16 Allentown, Pa. • Mon Valley Push. Slovenian Hall. Yu- SUN. 7:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday Morning 9:00-10:00 p.m. kon Pa. 5-11. (724) 722-9700 • John Stevens. Pulaski Club. Holiday Fla. 5-9. (727) 934-0900 DECEMBER 13 • The Special Delivery Band. St. John • The Special Delivery Band. Clinton the Baptist. Alden NY. Polka Mass, Bar & Grill. West Seneca NY. 4:30- followed by dance. See ad on page 7:30. (716) 681-2400 28. (716) 937-6959 • Dennis Polisky. St. Joseph Polish • John Gora. White Eagle Banquet Club. Colchester Ct. 2-6. (860) 537- Center. Hamilton On. (905) 545-0799 2550 • Eddie Derwin. VFW. Dupont Pa. 2-6. JANUARY 17 (570) 722-9700 • Jimmy Sturr. Cracovia Manor. Wal- Merry Christmas and • Golden Tones. Sacred Heart Parish lington NJ. 2-6. (973) 473-8527 Center. Cornwall Pa. 3-7. (717) 273- Happy New Year! 1574 JANUARY 19 • Rich Bobinski Orch. Polish Commu- • John Stevens. St. Marks Evangelist nity Ctr. Albany NY. 3-7. (518) 283- Hall. Summerfi eld Fla. 6-10. (352) POLKA AND OBEREK 0129 347-9317 TIME WITH BASIA WRHU RADIO Wesołych Œwi¹t HOFSTRA 88.8 and WRHU.ORG FRANIA’S SUNDAY 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. POLKA CELEBRATION Frania Yakima Listen to the Saturday: 12 noon- 2 p.m. Saturday Drivetime Polkas Listen LIVE @ BIG TONY POLKA SHOW www.wedo810.com with “RONNIE D” WESTERN NEW YORK’S ONLY SEVEN-DAY-A-WEEK POLKA SHOW WJJL 1440 AM Archived shows @ Niagara Falls / Buffalo, NY www.frania.wedo810.com www.drivetimepolkas.com WXRL 1300AM SUNDAY EVENING White Oak, Pittsburgh, MONDAY-SATURDAY 5:00 p.m. Pennsylvania 5:00-7:00 p.m. Send all promotional material to Weso³ych Œwi¹t Tony Rozek Kolêdy from the WECK 1230AM 78 Cochrane St. Special POLISH CAROLERS SUNDAYS Buffalo, NY 14206 December 25 Chicago, Illinois 8:00-11:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. For advertising information, call Chet Kowalkowski FOR INFORMATION or Tony Blazonczyk ADVERTISING RATES, CALL (716) 824-6092 (716) 683-4357 [email protected] POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015 www.polamjournal.com 27

DANCE TIME / Jen Pijanowski An Exciting Time to be a Polka Fan

Angelo Cicatello and Marty Biniasz at the Josephine and Edward Kurcz will be seen In the Halloween spirit — Tom and Karen Gene and Alberta Blasz enjoyed the music Polka Buzz recording at Potts’ Banquets. dancing on WBBZ. Bijak. of Ed Guca & the Polish Canadians. BUFFALO, N.Y. — The count- showcased a new sound introducing shows through every time they are guarantee it was event-ready. White come out and join the fun. You can down is already on until Dyngus Ricky “Krew” Krupski filling in on stage. A meshing of their hits seat covers and centerpieces com- join a taping of Polka Buzz featur- Day and this anticipation gave us with band for a few jobs. With the mixed with some long time polka pleted the elegantly decorated hall ing the Knewz on December 12th at reason to celebrate. Two Halfway addition of Ricky’s talent on sax, favorites made staying off the dance for the evening’s recording of three Potts Banquet Hall. to Dyngus Day parties were held clarinet and his soulful vocals, it floor impossible. Given such gifted shows. The change in venue sure within a half a mile radius in Cheek- gave a new spark to this already ca- performers and vocalists, the $10 helped the crowd with the hall being MERRY CHRISTMAS. December towaga. pable group of musicians. The mel- admission was a bargain for that filled to capacity. Special Delivery is always a reminder for me of how New Direction hosted an old lowing of Jimmy Nowaczewski’s caliber of entertainment. The kooky definitely played their hearts out, many blessings God has given me time polka party at Ray’s Lounge in trumpet skills with Ricky’s saxo- Halloween fun left everyone feeling getting barely any breaks during the over the past year. Moments spent Kaisertown. Ray’s is a classic Buf- phone offered a unique mix that pro- like a kid again after this enjoyable three-hour taping. They continu- with friends and family far out- falo tavern and super club that im- duced a new depth to their unique evening. ously entertained the crowd, keep- weigh any material gifts that we mediately forces you to reminisce of sound. Musically it seemed that ing the music upbeat and the floor are given. The older I get, the less years past. The mere $5.00 admis- Jimmy and Ricky had been playing WHAT’S THE BUZZ? Local Buffa- filled with dancers. Fans turned out I wish for items under the tree and sion was a steal for an evening of together for years. Quickly playing lo hometown TV station WBBZ has to get their five minutes of fame the more I yearn for additional time polka music spotlighting this forgot- to each other’s strengths exhibited put polkas at the forefront of their dancing the evening away. Even the to enjoy with those that I love. As ten gem. My husband and I grabbed what kind of music can come when programming by introducing a new non-dancing crowd (like me) got a this holiday season is upon us, I am a cocktail and a bite to eat for under playing from the heart. Only time show called Polka Buzz. This half- chance to join the evening’s host grateful that I have been given the $15.00. Delicious Polish food, hos- with tell if we will be lucky enough hour weekly program will showcase Marty Biniasz on the floor to cheer gift to express my love of polka mu- pitality, and a family legacy make to hear this duo appear together local bands and the community of for Polka Buzz as the show broke sic and my polka friends. Laughs, Ray’s Lounge a staple in the Polish again. fans who enjoy dancing and listen- for commercials. love and polka memories are some community. It is always nice to at- ing to their music. The first few It is an exciting time to be a polka of my greatest treasures. Thank you tend an event there as it is a blatant SCARY DOINGS. New Direction shows have broadcast and while the fan in Buffalo and it is my hope that for giving me purpose to share my reminder to relax and enjoy life. along with Ed Guca & the Pol- station is still working out the bugs, this show inspires many others to passion for this unique music. Next I headed up the street to ish Canadians hosted a Halloween it is exciting to have our local bands Polish Villa II, where they were polka party at Potts Banquet Hall. presented this new opportunity. The hosting its annual halfway event. Attendees were encouraged to dress first two live tapings were held in The Piatkowski Brothers took in costume and most of the audience North Tonawanda at Gratwick Ban- the stage driving a steady beat for came decked out in masquerade. quet Hall. The beautiful hall served dancers and spectators alike. Al Pirates, witches, Indians and even a as an exquisite backdrop for the and Rob were joined by Mark Trz- mouse trapped in a mousetrap were television show. The location how- epacz, Matt Lewandowski, and Al’s some of the costumes on display. I ever, was not the most convenient fifteen-year-old son Zach for an all- am grateful that I didn’t have the for the majority of polka followers. star band. Playing favorite polkas job of judging the contest where Phocus was the first band high- and highlighting their musical ge- winners in five categories were lighted on Polka Buzz and it was nius made for a magnificent evening awarded prizes for their originality. one of the top watched shows at that celebrating in the Dyngus Capital The crowded hall was decked out in time slot in Western New York. of the United States. Polish Villa II festive decorations for this Hallow- The show is the brainchild of proudly hosts the longest Dyngus een spooktacular event. New Direc- Angelo Cicatello, who has been a Day celebration each year starting tion dressed as “Men in Black “de- long time polka fan and supporter. the morning off with Bloody Marys livered long time favorites for their The next band highlighted on the and music at 10:00 a.m. You can be fans who were thrilled to be dancing show was New Direction. Their sure that the Kutas family is already to their steady beat. honky style displayed a completely in its planning stages to ensure an- This veteran polka band is al- different type of polka music from other fabulous Dyngus Day celebra- ways opening the door to new ven- Phocus and that contrast kept the tion in 2016. The countdown con- ues for polka music. They will once show fresh and exciting. Several of tinues as we are now less than six again be returning to the northtowns the first few episodes set up exactly months away. at Polish Nook in Niagara Falls, why the station decided to introduce Check out their website www.the- a new polka broadcast. Air time was WELCOME BACK. Anchor Inn in newdirectionband.com or the polka also spent interviewing people and the heart of Cheektowaga contin- calendar for their upcoming dates. businesses who are in the forefront ues to welcome polka fans to enjoy Alternating with Canada’s own of the polka community here in Phocus for a free event on the third Eddie Guca provided nonstop en- Western New York. Sunday of each month. This small tertainment and dancing. An im- The third band to tape was Spe- corner bar draws a crowd for the peccable musician, performer and cial Delivery, and the venue was polka band and constantly ensures gentleman, it is always a joy to get moved to the more well-known an enjoyable evening before return- a chance to see Ed and his band. Potts Banquet Hall. Danny Potts ing back to your weekly schedule on Their commitment to profession- and his staff worked hard to deco- Monday morning. Recently Phocus alism and their love for polkas rate the hall in red in white and Poland May 2016 Vacation – Jedziemy do Polski! Gomulka of Chicago Push, and Sopot. Lenny, Mitch, and Ted ture-rich beautiful city that it is. Biskup of New Brass Invite will take you on a journey through The Poland 2016 Spring Tour is Szymanski of Special Delivery the sweet homelands of Bialystok from May 20th thru May 31st. All and Torun on the renowned Vistula costs are included. LUDLOW, Mass. — In May River. You’re going to get music, Gomulka and Biskup always 2016, Lenny Gomulka and Mitch dancing, fun, shopping, parties, and help you celebrate in the most jubi- Biskup will hook up with Buffalo’s site-seeing galore with a close-knit lant manner as they play, sing and Ted Szymanski to embark on an ex- group camaraderie. You will have join the musicians and entertainers citing, memorable tour to beautiful the red carpet rolled out for you in of Poland. northern Poland. the Kashubian Region and through- This tour is filling in quickly. Flights are departing from To- out the Mazurian Lakes area. Call or write for a full itinerary. Con- ronto, Chicago, and New York. The As if all of this were not enough, tact Lenny (413) 374-7096 or Mitch group will take in the warm sights you will also spend three nights in (617) 899-5895; lennygomulka@ of the Baltic Sea region plus the Vilnius, the capital city of Lithu- aol.com or [email protected]. effervescence of Gdansk, Gdynia, ania, which prides itself on the cul- (See ad on this page). 28 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2015

AMERICAN POLONIA AT A GLANCE Vincent and Helen Knapczyk Honored 100 Years of an Artist’s Life at Immigrant Heritage Hall of Fame Gala by Richard Poremski POREMSKI RICHARD PHOTO: NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — Vin- sia with Gen. Anders’ army. Vincent and Carla Tomaszewski cent and Helen Knapczyk, a Polish fought with Anders’ Polish 2nd BROOKLANDVILLE, Md. — couple who survived the horrors Corps in the Italian Campaign, and On a picture perfect fall day here on of Nazi Germany to become inspi- was wounded in the Battle of Monte November 1, 2015 over 60 family rational leaders in the Connecticut Cassino, while Helen was taken to members and friends gathered at the Polish American community were an orphanage in East Africa. After Maryvale Preparatory School, just among those honored with induc- the war, both Helen and Vincent north of Baltimore, to celebrate the tion into the Immigrant Heritage were transported to England, where 100th birthday of Stanislawa “Stel- Hall of Fame (IHHF), Nov.7 at Cen- they married in 1948. They immi- la” Dernoga Hazard – the family tral Connecticut State University. grated to the U.S. in 1959, settled matriarch who is a woman, mother, “This year’s distinguished group in Bridgeport and have served the grandmother and great-grandmother of inductees truly represents the Polish American community in spanning generations. wide diversity of heritage, pursuit of Connecticut for years as leaders of Stella was born in Baltimore, excellence and dedication to service veterans and civic organizations. Md. on Nov. 2, 1915 to Martha and that the Immigrant Heritage Hall Also inducted were pioneer of John Dernoga, with the family’s lin- of Fame strives to recognize,” said aviation from Russia, Igor Ivanov- eage being of pure Polish stock dat- Andre Blaszczynski, a long-time ich Sikorsky, and his accomplished ing back to the old country. She dis- Tunxis Community College Profes- son, Igor Sikorsky, Jr. Tariq Farid, a played her artistic talents early on as sor of Economics who is co-chair native of Pakistan who founded Ed- a child, having inherited them from of the IHHF Organizing Committee ible Arrangements in East Haven in the skilled artists in her immediate and president of the Polish Ameri- 1999, was also added to the Hall. family. Stella’s husband, Charles can Foundation of Connecticut. The Immigrant Heritage Hall of Oliver “Hap” Hazard, was also ac- “The Class of 2015 exemplifi es the Fame celebrates the diverse ethnic complished in the arts when they important role our immigrant popu- heritage of Connecticut by honoring married in 1942 – a classic example lation has played in shaping today’s individuals and institutions who ex- of form follows function as it were. America.” emplify the best of their immigrant After graduating high school at Helen and Vincent Knapczyk’s heritage and have made outstanding the age 18, Stella began her cho- lives were shaped by World War II contributions to the cultural, eco- sen formal career at the Maryland — the Nazi invasion of Poland, ex- nomic and civic development of our Institute of Fine and Applied Arts GENERATIONS OF A POLISH FAMILY. Stanislawa Dernoga Hazard ile to Siberia, and escape from Rus- state and nation. as an assistant instructor in classic (seated) and daughter Carla Hazard Tomaszewski pose on the milestone watercolor and basic drawing, later occasion of Stanislawa’s 100th birthday. To their left is a watercolor of becoming an instructor specializing maternal “Grandpa Walenty Staszak with Strawberries” painted in 1963 in watercolor and oils/charcoal por- by his now-centenarian granddaughter, whom he fondly called “Stacia.” traiture. After Maryland Institute, GIVE she worked as a botanical artist/re- spreads of drawings from those as- Stella held top artistic positions search assistant at Baltimore’s Johns signments. After the war ended the at two other top colleges, as well as Hopkins University and Goucher Sun assigned Stella to draw the lat- pursuing other academic pursuits A GIFT College’s Biology Department. The est fashions as they were introduced and attaining a Master’s Degree be- University of California at Berkley from New York’s famed 7th Av- fore retiring at age 64. Stella then also employed her excellent and de- enue designer houses. Retirement pursed her hobby of manuscript illu- tailed graphic skills. from the newspaper came in 1947 mination, iconography and calligra- GET A In 1939, Stella began working at with the birth of her fi rstborn child phy. Additionally, she and daughter the Baltimore Evening Sun newspa- Charles Roger. Daughter Carla Mar- Carla founded a commercial graph- per. When America entered World tha followed in 1952, completing ics studio – Poppyfi eld Press – to ac- GIFT! War II in 1941, and with all the men the family roster. tively promote knowledge and ap- being called to arms, she became a Over the years, Stella has painted preciation of Polish culture, history pioneer in the then male-dominated numerous commissions for church- and traditions presently and forward newspaper business by being the es, synagogues, private patrons, into the future. Buy a 1-year gift subscription for a friend, fam- very fi rst woman editorial staff art- scientifi c institutions, and varied And so as we wished and sang ily member, clergy, or library, and receive ten ist at the Evening Sun. She worked subjects that caught her eye. At her “Sto lat” (Live for 100 Years!) in (10) free custom-designed Polish-English alongside notables such as journal- birthday reception, 44 paintings, Polish to Stella, we now must hap- watercolors, drawings, and sketches pily wish and sing to her “Dwiescie Christmas Cards with envelopes. (We’ll even ist/essayist H.L. Mencken and pho- tographer A. Aubrey Bodine. were displayed that refl ected the full lat” (200 Years!) into the next cen- pay for the shipping). That’s over $30.00 of range of her amazing abilities. tury of her spry life. goods, all for the price of one-year gift subscrip- Her wartime duties included tion! In addition to helping spread the news preparing for publication photo spreads from the European and Pa- about our wonderful Polish heritage, you will cifi c fronts. Stella was also sent by get these nifty Christmas cards, and a Gift Subscription Postcard, the Sun to different military train- which you can mail or give to the recipient. ing sites to chronicle the important We’ll select an assortment of cards for you, but if you have a role of women in our armed forces. preference, just let us know. (Cards on show on page 13 of this She produced several full broadside month’s paper). Christmas is one of the best times of the year to be Polish, and a gift subscription to Get a Jump on the PAJ is the best way to reintroduce fam- Shopping with ily and friends to the many treasured cus- the Perfect toms and traditions of Poland. Stocking Stuff er! Sterling [ ] Enclosed is $22.00 for a one-year gift subscription to: Silver Polish NAME Eagle Bead for your ADDRESS Pandora SHOWN LARGER Bracelet THAN ACTUAL SIZE CITY, STATE, ZIP $3500 each* Call [ ] Check or Money Order Enclosed (908) 862-1927 for credit card orders or [ ] Charge to my: make check payable to [ ] VISA [ ] MASTERCARD [ ] AMEX [ ] DISCOVER “Golden Lion Jewelry” and mail to address below. Specify CARD NO. EXP. DATE CV CODE Sterling Silver or Sterling NAME Silver with NJ, NY, CT, PA please add appropriate 14KT gold State Sales Tax. ADDRESS plating FREE shipping to continental * U.S. only CITY, STATE, ZIP GOLDEN LION JEWELRY P.O. Box 199 Send to: POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL Port Reading, NJ 07064 P.O. BOX 271, NORTH BOSTON, NY 14110-0271 www.goldenlionjewelry.com