sign in sign up
<<
Home , Agriculture in Poland, Christmas in Poland, Crime in Poland, Elections in Poland, Energy in Poland, Kabanos

POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013 www.polamjournal.com 1 DECEMBER 2013 • VOL. 102, NO. 12 $2.00 PERIODICAL POSTAGEPERIODICAL PAID AT BOSTON, NEW YORK

POLISH AMERICAN AND ADDITIONAL ENTRY OFFICES

SUPERMODEL ESTABLISHED 1911 www.polamjournal.com JOANNA KRUPA JOURNAL VISITS DAR SERCA DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION AND CONTINUANCE OF POLISH AMERICAN CULTURE PAGE 12 RORATY — AN ANCIENT POLISH CUSTOM IN HONOR OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN • PICKING, ANYONE? MEMORIES OF 1970 • A KASHUB CHRISTMAS • NPR’S “WAIT, WAIT … ” APOLOGIZES FOR POLISH JOKE CHRISTMAS CAKES AND COOKIES • BELINSKY AND FIDRYCH: GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN • DNA AND YOUR GENEALOGY NEWSMARK

AMERICAN SOLDIER HONORED BY . On Nov., 12, Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis of Staten Island, was posthumously honored with the “Afghanistan Star” awarded by the President of the of Poland and Dr. Thaddeus Gromada “Army Gold Medal” awarded by Poland’s Minister of De- fense, for his heroic and selfl ess actions in the line of duty. on Christmas among The ceremony took place at the Consulate General of the Polish Highlanders the Republic of Poland in New York. Ryszard Schnepf, Ambassador of the Republic of Po- r. Thaddeus Gromada is professor land to the United States and Brigadier General Jarosław emeritus of history at New Jersey City Universi- Stróżyk, Poland’s Defense, Military, Naval and Air Atta- ty, and former director and president ché, presented the decorations to the family of Ollis, who of the Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of AmericaD in New York. He earned his master’s and shielded Polish offi cer, Second lieutenant Karol Cierpica, from a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. doctoral degrees at Fordham University in New York Ollis, 24, died Aug. 28, in Ghazni Province, Afghani- under the mentorship of the Polish historian Oskar stan. Halecki. The son of Highlander (górale) immigrants to New Jersey, Dr. Gromada has devoted his life to pre- MORE VICTIMS OF COMMUNISM DISCOVERED. The serving and disseminating knowledge of Highland tradi- remains of as many as 200 people have been found in Bi- tions. As a teenager, he founded — and still edits with his sister Jane alystok, Poland, at the site of a former temporary prison Kedron — the bilingual Tatrzański Orzeł (Tatra Eagle, 31 Madi- used for interrogations and temporary imprisonment by the son Ave., Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604), a quarterly propagating Soviet occupiers during the initial two years of World War Highlander culture and events, and recently published a book, Ta- II, and again after the “liberation” of Poland from the Nazis tra Highlander Folk Culture in Poland and America. Dividing re- in 1944. tirement between North Carolina and New Jersey, he discussed Poland’s Institute of National Remembrance said one of Christmas in the Polish Highlands with John Grondelski, whose the victims found had been shot in the back of the head, a own roots lie in Gorlice.

Soviet execution method used also during the 1940 RIGA IN POLAND OF REPUBLIC OF THE EMBASSY THE PHOTO: Massacre. Christmas is a special time of year in Poland, and you are proud of your family’s Highlander (góral) traditions. Have you ever spent PNA TO SELL NYC LANDMARKS. New York’s Polonia Christmas in the Highland regions () of Poland? What was will lose two of its landmarks, as the Chicago-based Polish it like? National Alliance will sell two buildings here. I am very proud of my Polish góral heritage, with its beautiful The former headquarters of the Polish National Alliance traditions and customs, but I never spent Christmas Day in Pod- of Brooklyn, at 155 Noble Street in Greenpoint, already has hale. I came pretty close back in 1968 when I spent the fi rst two a potential buyer. weeks of December 1968 in , Chochołów and other The second is a house at 180 Second Avenue in Manhat- neighboring goral villages. Many Polish Americans still don’t tan, which is the home of the Pilsudski Institute. Directors realize that December 6, his feast day, is the day that St. Nicho- of the Institute, which recently celebrated its 70th anniver- las—the real —brings gifts to children throughout sary, have a lease through April 2015. The lease, however, Poland and . It’s not December 25. So I had the chance to does not state what happens should the PNA sell the build- help St. Nicholas bring all sorts of gifts, toys, candy and clothing ing, currently valued at about $7.6 million. See “Boże Narodzenia Po Góralsku,” page 5 The Institute, which recently began digitizing its ar- chives, has over 20,000 books and artifacts in its collection. A Polish American’s Christmas in Poland Mazowiecki THE POLISH AMERICAN CONGRESS was among the by Krysia Kmieć- Laid to Rest several dozen organizations — mostly from business, la- Markowski bor, and faith communities — invited to the White House A Christmas for a meeting with President Barak Obama on immigration fi lled with Polish reform. PAC National Offi ce Director, Dr. Barbara Ander- traditions has al- sen, represented PAC at the October 24 East Room meeting ways been a magi- which heard the President call for “fi nishing the job of fi x- cal time for me, ing a broken immigration system. and the prospect of In addressing the group, Obama recounted the various actually spending it shortcomings of the current immigration system and why in Poland, with my enacting reform legislation was in keeping with the coun- husband’s family, try’s historic values and its economic and security interests. was exciting. How- At press time, the Clerk of the House reported that 99 ever, since I had al- Members of the House of Representatives (48 Republicans, ways spent 51 Democrats) had signed on as co-sponsors for H.R. 1354, with my family I — A state fu- the Jobs Originating through Launching Travel (JOLT) prepared for my neral was held for Poland’s Act, which includes the waiver legislation. one-month winter fi rst post-Communist prime trip to Poland with minister, Tadeusz Mazow- STORM CLAIMS ICONIC STEEPLE. The main steeple of a mixture of emo- THE ROYAL ROUTE leading to Castle Square was decorated with iecki. Thousands attended the Detroit’s historic Polish American St. Josaphat church will tions, as it would be elaborate umbrella-shaped streetlamp fi xtures, which made the set- funeral in Warsaw, including be coming down and replaced with a roof, following dam- my fi rst Christmas ting the perfect picture postcard. Polish and European leaders. age from a heavy winds, Nov. 18. away from home. The president of the European The steeple — an icon on the Detroit skyline — was al traditions, I was prepared to experience the Commission Manuel Barroso I met my husband Jurek in The - seen swaying during the storm. customs in the setting of its origin… but how was among the mourners. iacy Polish and Dance Ensemble when St. Josaphat is part of the newly merged Mother of Di- different would things be? Mazowiecki, 86, was an he joined the group. Jurek was in the United vine Mercy Parish, which also includes Sweetest Heart of Our fl ight was scheduled to arrive in author, journalist, philanthro- States without his family and was invited Mary Church and St. Joseph Church in Detroit. Poznań; Jurek’s father was to pick us up and pist, politician and pro-de- to spend Wigila with mine, even before we Kevin Piotrowski, parish council president, hopes a drive north to Szczecinek. However, with the mocracy activist who served were married. He had not spent Christmas or “guardian angel” could help the parish rebuild the steeple, heavy fog, after three attempts to land, the pi- as an advisor to Lech Walesa New Year’s with his own family since arriv- but said safety was the foremost concern. lot landed the plane in Wrocław instead. We and the Solidarity freedom ing in the States, so I knew this trip would St. Josaphat is listed on the National Register of Historic were then transported by bus to the other air- movement. Foreign Minister Places and is a Michigan State Historic Site. be especially meaningful for him. As a Polish port, and what should have been a three-hour American brought up with Old World season- See “A Polish American’s ... page 5 See “Mazowiecki,” page 3 2USE FORMwww.polamjournal.com ON THIS PAGE FOR FOR ALL ITEMS ON THIS PAGE, PAGE POLISH25 (Books) AMERICAN and PAGE JOURNAL11 (Cookbooks • DECEMBER and Kitchen 2013 Gifts). Items on PAGE 27 must be ordered on form on that page.

TO ORDER ON LINE: TO ORDER BY PHONE, M-F, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: TO ORDER BY MAIL PAJ CHRISTMAS STORE polamjournal.com (800) 422-1275 • (716) 312-8088 USE FORM BELOW KOLĘDY SING-ALONG POLISH VILLAGE OPLATEK Polish Christmas Wafers BOOK CHRISTMAS CDs With and KEEP THIS BEAUTIFUL VOLUME I in Polish and English TRADITION ALIVE or II Published by the Fr. Justin Rosary Hour IN YOUR FAMILY! $12.00 Sing-along to 37 of the most popular Practice the ancient each

Polish custom of sharing actualShown size Polish Christmas Carols. This 90-page the spiral-bound book contains the words and with family and guests. music plus English translations. Published Many people place a in 2003, the book also contains a message from the Rosary PREVIEW piece of opłatek— a Hour director, an explanation (in Polish and English) of Pol- SAMPLES ish Carols by the late Msgr. John R. Gabalski of St. Stanislaus A MUST FOR YOUR thin wafer, made of ON OUR CHRISTMAS TABLE flour and water—in Parish in Buff alo, N.Y., plus Pope John Paul II words about the WEBSITE each Christmas cards to Wesolych Swiat / importance of koledy to the Polish nation. Published at $7.00, family members and friends. Each Polish Christmas Wafer is Merry Christmas available now for only $5.00 embossed with religious scene. Sticker SMALL (2 x 3½ in.) LARGE (6¼ x 3½ in.) Proceeds to benefi t Catho- POLISH-ENGLISH CHRISTMAS CARDS individual wafer Three white and one pink lic Orphanage in Bialoleka, w/glassine envelope oplatki. Comes with near Warsaw, Poland and INTRODUCING FIVE NEW CARDS BY STACEY OLEXY 5/$3.00 decorative envelope Polish American Journal Description / explanation of each tradition depicted printed on back of card (shown) depicting wigilia Press Fund. 1” x 2”. 20 deco- IF ORDERING OPŁATEK with history on back rative stickers/stamps to a ONLY, SHIPPING 4 /$5.00 sheet. Perfect for presents, 75¢ each CHARGE IS $3.00. Christmas cards, etc. SEE CHART BELOW $5.00 per sheet. 50 or (If ordering stamps only, more Learn more about this tradition from our website: shipping is $1.00 per every 50¢ each www.polamjournal.com four sheets). Follow Library Holidays link to the Christmas Listings 10-pack $6.00 POLISH CHRISTMAS BOOKS TREASURED POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS CARD 305 CARD 306 by The Polonie Societym, Minneapolis Jaselka characters: Angel, Goral and his dog beneath This fascinating book is overfl owing with the customs and traditions Św. Mikołaj, and the Devil the Christmas Star of the Polish Christmas holiday season, as it was and still is observed in Poland. This book contains a charming Story of Christmas and provides menus and recipes, carols and music, Jasełka (the Nativity Play), and tree ornaments. The authentic decorations are patterns with detailed instructions for reproducing. A great resource for ethnic studies. De- lightful reading not only for Christmas but throughout the whole year. Colorful reproductions of Stryjeńska’s art illustrate the book. An excellent gift! 208 pp. hc. Published at $29.95. Now $24.95 MORE BOOKS AND A POLISH GIFT ITEMS ON Traditions and Recipes, PAGES 11 AND 25 Decorations and Song by Rev. Czesław Michal Krysa, S.L.D. Everything you need for Wigilia or Christmas Eve Vigil Supper! Bi- lingual carols with , Wafer sharing messages, heritage CARD 307 CARD 308 CARD 309 photos, ornaments, and ritual decorations, the origins of Wigilia, po- Holy Family and Angel Św. Mikołaj at Manager Angel blessing Wigilia etry, literature, etc. This book is a quick and easy reference, step-by-step guide and in- ternational collection of folklore, stories, recipes, carols and decorations with never before SAVE BIG ON published photos and black and white illustrations, glossary, pronunciation guide, and a OUR ORIGINAL regional map of Poland. This is a wonderful book and a must for every Polish-American family. 300 pp., sc., illustrated, 8.25 x 10.75. $26.95 CHRISTMAS CARDS! 50¢ each USE THIS FORM FOR ALL ITEMS ON THIS PAGE, PAGE 15 50 or more - 30¢ each ORDER FORM (Books) and PAGE 22 (Cookbooks and Kitchen Gifts) 10-pack - $4.00 ITEM / TITLE PAGE # PRICE QNTY. TOTAL CARD 302

Envelopes included with ALL card orders! CARD 304

SHIPPING: SHIPPING: SUBTOTAL (all boxes)  $.001-$20.00 ...... $6.95 CHRISTMAS CARDS CARD 301 CARD 206 CARD 205 CARD 203 $20.01-$35.00 ...... $8.95 ONLY NY residents - add sales tax  $35.01-$65.00 ...... $9.95 1-5 cards ...... $3.00 $65.01-$95.00 ...... $12.95 6-10 cards ...... $4.00 S&H (See charts at left) $95.01-$125.00 ...... $14.95 11-25 cards ...... $5.00 $125.01-$200.00 ..$18.95 25-49 cards ...... $6.00 TOTAL TO SUBMIT TO PAJ  Over $200.00 ...... Call 50 or more cards ...... $7.00 SHIPPING: OPLATKI (Wafers) ONLY  1-5 packages ...... $3.00 VISA, MC, AMEX, and DISC ACCEPTED 6-10 packages: $6.00 — 11-15 packages: $9.00 etc.

PLEASE CHARGE TO ACCOUNT NO. EXP. DATE. CVC CODE:

PRINT CLEARLY OR ATTACH ADDRESS LABEL. THIS IS YOUR SHIPPING LABEL. CARD 202 CARD 201 CARD 103 CARD 102 From: POL-AM JOURNAL P.O. BOX 271, NORTH BOSTON, NY 14110-0271 NEW FOR 2013! CARD ASSORTMENT 2 To: NAME CARD ASSORTMENT 1 Two each cards 102, 103, 201, 202, 203, Five each cards 305, 306, 307, 308, and 205, 206, 301, 302, and 304 plus extras. ADDRESS 309 (25 cards total) (24 cards total) plus extras CITY $11.95 + $5.00 s&h $9.95 + $4.00 s&h ($20.00 WITH S&H ($18.00 WITH S&H STATE ZIP IF PURCHASED SEPARATELY) IF PURCHASED SEPARATELY) POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013 www.polamjournal.com 3

VIEWPOINT ALMANAC

Follow us on Facebook or visit us A Polish Christmas on the internet at: It’s said that a pastor once began his Christ- In this month’s issue, we present various testi- new old ties or discover your family there. Put polamjournal.com mas sermon with the remark: “I am glad to see monies of Christmas in Poland, especially in the some opłatek in your cards for those who might so many people here in church tonight. Please 20th century. Some are light; some are painful. recognize that custom. Learn to say “Wesołych December Q Grudzieñ remember that the Lord wants us to keep His Some talk of customs. Some talk of the Commu- Świąt!” “The true Christian can nurture a Day holy throughout the year, so feel welcome nist version of the “war on Christmas,” the name Prepare yourselves a traditional Wigilia table trustful optimism, because he is cer- here. But do note—this is a church, even if it isn’t not to be spoken. Some talk of walking across with the dishes of our heritage. Break the opłatek tain of not walking alone. In sending decorated in or lilies!” the Christmas snow. Some talk of Wigilia eaten among yourselves. Deck out the choinka in Pol- us , the eternal Son made man, There’s a grain of truth here: people at Christ- amidst war, martial , repression, and even ish tradition (PAJ also has some great ornaments God has drawn near to each of us. In mastime and Eastertide come home, return to genocide. for you). Christ he has become our travelling their roots. In the Archdiocese of Washington, But the one thread uniting them all is how Make Christmas a time of spiritual growth. companion.” for example, there are annual campaigns to en- these traditions have bound together, in Take part in a Christmas retreat and Penance —John Paul II courage Catholics to receive the sacrament of weal and woe, throughout the ages. So, as we en- service. Come home at Christmas, especially 1 1944. . Po- Penance worthily: “Come home at Christmas,” joy Christmas 2013 in a free land, as we prepare through the sacraments, and attend Midnight land is handed over to the So- “Come home at Easter.” for the holidays, let us cling to those traditions. Mass, the , as a family together. Find a viet sphere of influence. The same is truth of polskość. Start early! Use an calendar to prepare Polish parish (a disappearing phenomenon) and 3 1854. About 800 Polish settlers Christmas is a time when lots of people re- the kids for the season. Teach your kids about go to as a family, receiving the arrive in Galveston, Texas after member their Polish roots, even if they don’t Święty Mikołaj and observe December 6 in your Infant Jesus together. a nine-week voyage. The walk during the rest of the year; even if they have homes. Find out about the Polish Advent custom Leave your kids the kinds of memories that over 200 miles from the port to long forgotten (or never learned) their ancestral of Roraty. will persist with them over the years, supporting Panna Maria, where they hold language. The traditions of Christmas endure— Send out some Polish Christmas cards (the them in good times and in bad, like they did for Christmas Eve Mass outdoors. especially the Wigilia table, especially the Pas- PAJ has some great choices for you). Do you the people we discuss in this issue. 4 ST. BARBARA Niechaj ka¿dy pamiêta, jaka terka (Midnight Mass). Those are things to which have any family or friends in Poland? Make Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia i Barbara, takie œwiêta. Poles have clung, in good times and in bad. sure to send them a card. Use the chance to re- szczęśliwego nowego roku! Let everyone remember: as (the weather on) St. Barbara’s Day, so the holidays. Jajko Calls Investigation “A Cover Up” New Release by Ewa Angeli Features 5 1867. Birth of Josef Pilsudski, WARSAW — In an interview cow’s] contempt for Poland’s sover- Kolędy in English Translation Polish military leader, victor with Poland’s Gazeta , USAF eignty and independence, and a slap at the Battle of the , and Brig. Gen. Walter Jajko (ret.) called in the face of all of humanity.” LOS ANGELES — International post-World War I leader of a Moscow’s investigation of the April He said the crash may have been artist Eve Angeli, a Polish artist per- free Poland. 10, 2010 Smolensk Plane Crash — an assassination on Kaczyński be- manently residing in Los Angeles, 6 ST. NICHOLAS (Sw. Mikolaj). To- day is traditionally reserved for which killed the Polish president cause of his pro-American policies. has released “In Night’s Still Si- lence,” a collection of Polish Christ- gift-giving in Poland. and his entourage — “a cover up.” Jajko served as director of the 9 1990. Shipyard electrician and “In the case of Smolensk, we Special Advisory Staff, Office of mas carols sung in English. The showcases the beauty Solidarity Trade Union leader are talking about a pseudo-inves- the Secretary of Defense; was the Lech Walesa elected president tigation, or rather — a cover-up Assistant to the Secretary of De- of traditional Polish Christmas car- of Poland. — which is an insult, scandal, and fense (Intelligence Oversight); and ols — some dating back to the eigh- 12 1970. “December ’70” Polish crime committed with unimaginable held the position of Acting Deputy teenth century — presented in tra- demonstrations against food arrogance,” Jajko told the newspa- Undersecretary of Policy Support. ditional and contemporary settings. price hikes. per. “It is an expression of [Mos- The 12-song CD was produced 14 1970. Government price hikes in Los Angeles and Nashville by a very important part of the dissemi- in Poland spark bloody labor SPREAD THE WORD! If you are not one to save your copies of the PAJ, Tom Herzer, Henry Chrostek, and nation of Polish culture,” said An- protests on the Coast, Gdansk, and . please pass this on to someone you think will benefit from learning Angeli. The music was recorded in geli of her latest studio effort. 15 1859. Birth of Lazarus Ludovic about all our treasured Christmas customs and traditions. Nashville by Warren Hartman, who The English translations for the is Kenny Rogers’ producer and mu- kolędy come from the Polonie So- Zamenhof, developer of Espe- ranto, in Bialystok. sical director. ciety’s books on Polish song and 1930. Birth of New York Yankee This is Angeli’s third full-length . great Bill “” Skowron. WESOŁYCH ŚWIĄT! recording. Her first two, “Hold on “In Night’s Still Silence” is 18 1929. Birth of Cardinal Jozef to Me” and “Butterfly Wings,” -re available on cdbaby.com, Amazon. Glemp. Best Wishes for a ceived great reviews in both Europe com, and iTunes. 20 1982. Death of Chopin Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from and North America. To learn more about Angeli, visit and pianist . “I believe this album can become www.ewaangeli.com. 21 ST. THOMAS 1898. In , Marie, 31, and Pierre Curie, Polish and French TATRA EAGLE PRESS Mazowiecki chemists, discover radium. 31 Madison Ave., Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604 continued from cover tlements, Mazowiecki had a calming 22 1982. Richard Trumka sworn Radoslaw Sikorski stated that he effect on some Solidarity hotheads in as president of United Mine Publishers of: was “one of the fathers of Polish lib- pushing for a more radical agenda Workers. 1. “Tatrzański Orzeł” (The Tatra Eagle) - a quarterly published erty and independence.” But in 1989, the Soviet Union was 23 ST. JOHN KANTY (CANTIUS). 1473. since 1947. Annual subscription rate: $20 (US); $25 (outside of Mazowiecki was also in the still in place and had thousands of 1895. Death of Henry Kalusows- US) forefront of Christian/Catholic in- troops permanently stationed in ki, Polish-born U.S. government official who translated the Rus- 2. “Tatra Highlander Folk Culture in Poland and America” tellectual activity in post-World Poland. After the USSR dissolved sian documents dealing with the by Thaddeus V. Gromada. Special holiday price: $13. includes War II Poland. He was influential itself, a coup attempt by Russian purchase of Alaska. postage and handling in leading WIEZ, a Catholic intel- hardliners could have potentially 24 DZIEN WIGILIJNY 3. “Oskar Halecki (1891-1973); Eulogies and Reflections” edited lectual monthly magazine published rolled back the Solidarity revolu- 1798. Birth of Adam Mickiewicz by Thaddeus V. Gromada. Price: $10.99 includes postage and in Warsaw. Although subjected to tion. Without fanfare and bravado (“Pan Tadeusz”), considered Po- land’s greatest poet. handling. severe censorship by the Commu- Mazowiecki patiently shepherded nists, the publication maintained the country from a Soviet-style dic- 1854. About 100 families from Send checks to address above. To pay by credit card via consistent high stature and reputa- tatorship and central planning to a Upper arrive in Panna Maria, Texas to establish the Pay Pal visit www.tadgromada.wordpress.com tion among Catholic intellectuals. parliamentary democracy and mar- A firm believer in negotiated set- ket economy. first permanent Polish settle- ment in the United States. Fr. Leopold Moczygemba holds SUBSCRIPTIONS Midnight Mass under a large POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL oak tree that still stands today. Dedicated to the Promotion and Continuance of Polish American Culture • Established 1911 UNITED STATES 25 BOZE NARODZENIE Regular First According to Polish tradition, USPS 437-220 / ISSN 0032-2792 IGNATIUS HAJDUK • Founder 1911-1920 Henry J. Kensicki, Jerry Mazuchowski, Walter Mail Class the 12 days of Christmas predict JOHN DENDE • Publisher 1920-1944 Piatek, Edward H. Pietraszek, John A. Riggs, 1-year $22.00 $35.00 the weather for next 12 months. The Polish American Journal is published HENRY J. DENDE • Publisher 1944-1983 John Yesh 2-year $40.00 $67.00 26 ST. STEPHEN monthly in five editions (Buffalo, Editor in Chief Mark A. Kohan Agents Robert Czubakowski 3-year $57.00 $96.00 1655. Swedes withdraw from Polish Beneficial Association, Association [email protected] Proofreader Larry Trojak FOREIGN (except Canada) Poland. of Sons of Poland, The Union of Poles in Senior Associate Editor Larry Wroblewski Circulation Manager Kathy Bruno 1-year $28.00 $46.00 27 1983. Pope John Paul II meets America and National editions) by: 2-year $52.00 $89.00 Associate Editors Florence Waszkelewicz- Advertising James Kaczynski in prison with and forgives Ali 3-year $75.00 $132.00 PANAGRAPHICS, INC. Clowes, Benjamin Fiore, S.J., T. Ron Jasinski- Visit us on Facebook Agca, who tried to assissinate P.O. BOX 271 Herbert; Michael Pietruszka, Stas Kmiec, Steve CANADA the pope. N. BOSTON, NY 14110-0271 Litwin, Walter J. Mysliwczyk, Thomas Tarapacki TO ADVERTISE IN THE PAJ CALL 1-year NA $46.00 31 ST. SYLVESTER PHONE: (716) 312-8088 Contributing Editors John J. Bukowczyk, 1 (800) 422-1275 2-year NA $89.00 Niech już wystrzelą E-MAIL: [email protected] Thad Cooke, Sophie Hodorowicz-Knab, Edward Regular rate: $12.50 per column inch 3-year NA $132.00 Pinkowski, John Radzilowski, Joseph Zurawski korki szampana, INTERNET: www.polamjournal.com Non-profit rate: $10.00 per column inch A ty baw się świetnie BUREAUS. Binghamton Steve Litwin; DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT BOSTON, NEW Chicago Geraldine Balut-Coleman, Miami The Polish American Journal does not assume SAME AS UNITED STATES REGULAR MAIL do białego rana! YORK AND ADDITIONAL ENTRY OFFICES Lydia Kordalewski; Toledo Margaret responsibility for advertisements beyond the cost RATE. E-MAILED ON MAILING DATE Let the champagne corks of the advertisement itself. We are responsible POSTMASTER—Send address changes to: Zotkiewicz-Dramczyk; Warsaw Robert Strybel; become airborne, Washington Richard Poremski only for the first incorrect insertion of an adver- POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL DISCOUNTS. For non-profit and organization and you will play Columnists Mary Ann Marko, Martin Nowak, tisement. Advertisers are advised to check their subscription discounts, call 1 (800) 422-1275. P.O. BOX 198 Barbara Pinkowski, Ed Poniewaz, Stephen advertisement immediately upon publication ‘til early morn! BOWMANSVILLE, NY 14026-0198 Szabados. and report at once any errors. Claims for error REFUNDS and CANCELLATIONS. Request for www.polamjournal.com Newsclippers Edward Dybicz, Mr. & Mrs. Jacob adjustment must be made immediately after an subscription cancellations must be made by calling Dvornicky, Anthony Guyda, C. Kanabrodzki, advertisement is published. (800) 422-1275. Refunds will be prorated based on This paper mailed on or before one-half of the remaining subscription balance November 29. The January plus a $5.00 cancellation fee. There is no charge 2014 edition will be mailed on or for transferring remaining subscription balances before January 1, 2014. TOLL-FREE SUBSCRIPTION LINE 1 (800) 422-1275 to new or existing accounts. 4 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013 Roraty — An Ancient Polish Custom in Honor of the Blessed Virgin by John Grondelski dew from above” Many Polish American Catholics — Isaiah 45:8— know of the Polish Lenten devo- perhaps now tion Gorzkie Żale (Bitter Lamenta- more understand- tions), a sung series of prayers that able to Catholics, commemorates Jesus’ Passion and since the revised death. A number of the remaining translation of the Polish parishes in America still cel- Third Eucharis- ebrate the devotion during Lent. tic Prayer has the Fewer Polish American Catho- priest praying lics know there is also a Polish Ad- “Let your Holy vent devotion: Roraty. Surviving as Spirit descend on an element of an older, more gen- these gifts like eral Catholic tradition, Roraty is a the dewfall…”). RORATY begins with a candle-lit service. Above, al- series of special chants in honor of Living in War- tar servers and chorus members at last year’s Mass at the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated saw, I remember Exaltation of the Holy Cross Parish in , Poland. in conjunction with the fi rst Mass large numbers of Catholics making their way in the Preparing for Christmas also of the day, celebrated at dawn. The means spiritual preparation, i.e., service usually begins between 6:00 crunching ice and snow to neighbor- hood churches in the early morning trying to attend Mass sometime dur- and 7:00 a.m., with candlelight in a ing the week during Advent. Un- darkened church. to prepare for Christmas by going to Mass during Advent – and honor- fortunately, fewer Polish American The name comes from the Latin parishes celebrate Roraty. If there is words of the ancient prayer, “Ror- ing the Mother of God through the beautifully sung Rorate devotion. one near you, try to go and discover ate caeli de super” (“Send down the this beautiful custom in honor of Our Lady. If not, you can read more about it Weso³ych Œwi¹t! in Polish at www.roraty.art.pl/ or in English at www.catholicgene.word- press.com. The latter offers a video Andzia’s Amber clip of part of the service. For a lon- ger video clip, see www.. Amberjewelry.com com/watch?v=MhWcmOvXXfQ. You might also check some Pol- 1 (877) 586 6599 ish Catholic radio stations, which RECOMMENDEDBY THE INTERNATIONAL sometimes stream Roraty live (at AMBER ASSOCIATION IN POLAND about midnight, Eastern time) — a Use code PAJ for 20% discount likely candidate is Radio VIA in Rz- eszów www.radiovia.com.pl/.

The Perfect Gift for Christmas Day — Order Now! esołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia W Sterling Silver do Moich Bliskich Przyjacioł Polish Eagle Bead for your Pandora SHOWN LARGER THAN Bracelet ACTUAL SIZE $3500 each* Call (908) 862-1927 for credit card orders or make check payable to “Golden Lion Jewelry” and mail to address below. Specify Sterling Silver or Sterling Merry Christmas and Best Silver with NY & NJ please add 14KT gold appropriate sales tax plating *FREE shipping to Wishes to my Close Friends continental U.S. only GOLDEN LION JEWELRY P.O. Box 199 CRICKLEWOOD, LLC Port Reading, NJ 07064 KIRTLAND, OHIO • EUGENIUSZ J. TRELA • (440) 256-5024 www.goldenlionjewelry.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013 www.polamjournal.com 5 Boże Narodzenia Po Góralsku continued from cover with peas, kwaśnica (sauerkraut his hands. It’s believed it will make to my many little relatives in soup), potatoes, lima beans, dump- them as durable and hardy as the Chochołów. What a joy to watch lings (kluszki), with cheese, precious coins that never rust. Girls their smiling faces as they opened prunes and sauerkraut, etc. A freshly go outside to listen for dogs barking, up packages! cut spruce tree was decorated with for it was believed their future hus- Advent is wholly focused on an- objects made during Advent. Christ- bands would come from the direc- ticipation of Jesus’ birth. This sol- mas Eve was a day people were not tion of the bark. Many barks meant emn period starts on St. Andrew’s keen on visitors, especially women: many suitors. People then attended Day, November 30: górale say, if a woman were a visitor, it was Pasterka, after which they rushed to “Święty Andrzej, skrzypce zamyka” thought to be back luck for the next get home first, because if they suc- (St. Andrew shuts down the violin), year. There was a saying, “co się ceeded, it meant an early and great and even take the precaution of tying robi w Wigilije, to przez cały rok” harvest. Christmas Day was strictly the strings of their instruments! In (what is done on Christmas Eve will a family affair. Advent, there is no dancing or par- be done year round). So there was ties. Villages are quiet and peaceful, pressure on everybody, in view of Tell us something about Polish and strict is the rule—not the impending birth of Jesus, to be Highlander Christmas , the even animal fat was used to cook, on their best behavior. pastoralki. How do they differ from TED GROMADA (standing, with violin) inside his uncle’s Tatra hut in the only linseed oil. On Sundays, fami- kolędy? góral village of Chochołów. The children, a mix of relatives and friends lies made decorations to be hung on One tradition that unites all Polish Christmas carols have lost — are peering in to see what will happen next. Gromada’s uncle in in the on Christmas Eve Poles is the Christmas Eve Supper, their regional character: one hears the middle with the violin. This was taken in the 1960’s when he was in … no sooner. or Wigilia. What unique aspects the same ones all over Poland. But Poland during research and visiting his family. does the Wigilia have in the High- there are some carols known as “pas- While there are some customs lands? toralki” (shepherds’ carols) associ- niment of folk . The only find it, to my mother’s delight. My universal to all Poles, there are The table is set in a special way ated with folk regions like Podhale. unusual custom for the day was bak- father and I did not get a Christmas some that are the special preserve to commemorate Christ’s Birth in They are old, traditional songs sung ing sweet breads (nowe latka) for tree until Christmas Eve, because of Poland’s Highlanders, the górale. the : hay is spread over the in the gwara góralska (highlander young children and grandchildren. that was the tradition. There weren’t Can you describe some of those spe- table, covered with a linen cloth. In dialect). The tradition of caroling is many good trees left by then on cial Highlander Christmas tradi- the center a depression is formed in strong among Highlanders, starting As a young boy growing up in a Market Street, but they were cheap. tions? which the housewife pours . She immediately after Christmas and góralska rodzina in New Jersey in I was on the lookout for appearance It would be difficult to determine then places a large ceramic bowl continuing until (January the 1930s, what special memories of the first star. There was one mi- which Polish Christmas customs are atop them from which all family 6). Carolers are usually led by a pa- do you have of Christmas? nor change from what I described positively góral and which are not, members eat. After each course, the rade of strangely dressed persons: I grew up in Passaic—a textile above: we did not eat from a com- but we can say the górale were best bowl is examined to see how many an angel with a long stick and big and industrial city—in the 1930s mon bowl, but each had his own able to preserve those traditions. oats stuck to it: if many oats stuck cardboard star; a devil; death; and a and 40s. Wigilia was sacred, spe- plate. I remember that the food was Christmas Eve was the most impor- to the bowl in which soup horned animal called a “toruń.” So cial, even magical, and my sister absolutely delicious and plentiful: tant event. This was a day to be on was served, for example, it meant carolers not only sing, but present Jane and I looked forward to it. We soups, herring, pierogi, fish, stewed one’s best behavior. Children were next year would be a good one for a short nativity play about the birth were children of Highlander immi- fruits, pastry. The atmosphere cre- warned not to misbehave. Men did cabbage. of Jesus and the slaughter of the in- grants who arrived only in 1927, so ated by breaking and sharing the something good like go to the forest Before the meal, the father en- nocents in . They are re- our parents—Aniela and Jan—kept opłatek, when each member of the to chop trees for firewood or hunt ters, praising Christ and placing warded with food, drink, and coins. the customs and rituals faithfully. family extended special greetings rabbits and deer. Before sunrise they a spruce branch (of usually three As a boy, I took them seriously and, to the others, and singing carols to- would go into the stables to incense stems to suggest a cross) above the Are there any special New Year as I grew older, insisted they be fol- gether is something I will treasure the barn animals with the smoke of door. He does the same in his stable or Epiphany customs in Podhale? lowed to a tee. Since it was a tra- and never forget. As long as I live, I specially prepared herbs and greens. so that his animals will also be under Górale celebrate New Year, but dition to have hay under the table- endeavor to recreate that feeling and The busiest were the housewives God’s protection. The family kneels to a much lesser degree than Christ- cloth, I made it my business to find spirit in my only family on Christ- (gazdziny), who had to prepare any- at the table, prays, then eats. After mas Eve. Visits (podłazy) are made hay in urban Passaic, a real chal- mas Eve. where from nine to eleven courses supper is over, the gazda (husband) to friends and relatives, usually by lenge, since there were no cows and To learn more about Highlander for the most important supper of the throws silver and gold coins into a young men who compose specially not many horses around in an inner culture, visit www.tadgromada. year, which included cabbage soup bowl from which everyone washes humorous rhymes to the accompa- city. But I somehow managed to wordpress.com. A Polish American’s Christmas in Poland continued from cover cold to participate. in supermarkets. I insisted that I would make Daria’s sernik cheesecake, and a nut łamańce trip to the intended destination, took seven I was looking forward to finding and pur- them myself. – something I’ve never tasted. hours. chasing Christmas ornaments as 99% of our The day before the vigil, Halina and I It snowed a little each day, and even though tree has always had ornaments made in Po- settled down at the table to make the pierogi PASTERKA MASS. Having always attended it was cold outside, we could not resist taking land. It would surely be the perfect time to and . The morning of Wigilia, Jurek and Midnight Mass at a Polish church in Garfield, multiple walks into the center of town each find them here. We didn’t see any when we I made Polish vegetable salad (sałatka jar- N.J. or Haverhill, Mass., I was exposed to the day. It was like a fairytale. We were prepared first arrived, but thought that for sure we’d see zynowa), as this has become our tradition in kolędy carols and warmth of a mass in Polish. for winter’s cold with boots, warm coats, hats, some the week before Christmas. We eventu- recent years. After St. Michael’s was closed and directed scarves and gloves, but were not prepared for ally saw some very unattractive, yet highly It seems that many of the new younger to merge with two other parishes at the for- the severely frigid temperatures Poland had in expensive ones in Warsaw. Most stores carry generation do not know how to prepare the mer St. Joseph’s Church — now renamed All store for us. The coldest was -30 C which con- inexpensive plastic ornaments that are made basic staples of the Wigilia meal. While we Saint’s Church, the Polish choir continues to verts to -22 F. Jurek bought himself a sheep- in . It seems that most of the beautiful were shopping for ingredients, some were sing, but only on holidays. Although we still skin kożuch coat, and I borrowed my sister- Polish ornaments are exported; however I am shopping for already prepared or packaged have the tradition of singing kolędy, it has in-law Halina’s kożuch, which kept me toasty told that Kraków has an impressive selection. barszcz, pierogi, and salads — losing out on never been the same since our church closed. warm. Many homes still have small trees, but larger a practice that trails down from our great- That evening as we walked to church, I In the States, school children typically put trees are now available and seem to be pur- grandmothers to our mothers. It is this con- remembered how we once walked to church snowflakes in their windows. I add a Polish chased by the crowd. nection to our roots – our past that makes Wi- in Garfield. As the procession started, I felt twist on this and make wycinanki style snow- We were looking forward to spending gilia a family tradition and a remembrance of transported back in time. Tears filled my eyes flakes. I made some for my mother and father- Christmas away from all the consumer com- those who are no longer with us. as I remembered what was and how Midnight in-law’s windows and then had to make more mercialization. The store windows were dec- After breaking the opłatek wafer and Mass used to feel. There was a communal for my two sisters-in-’ windows. No one orated nicely. Things have changed over the prayers, we enjoyed grape wine made by my feeling here as the entire parish rose in voice in Szczecinek had nicer decorated windows. years, as Poland is more commercialized than father, which we brought with us. Depending singing the age-old kolędy. This was the truth before. Small and practical gifts are still ex- on the area of Poland, barszcz Polski is czer- of a Christmas in Poland I had been in search A TRIP TO WARSAW AND ORNAMENTS. changed; however in the stores one could hear wony (red) or biały (white). The biały barszcz of. The week before Christmas, we traveled with young children requesting specific toys. z grzybami (with ) is common in my sister-in-law Barbara to Warsaw to visit the southern regions – the area where my fam- CHRISTMAS DAY – MEAT, MEAT, MEAT! my husband’s niece Daria and her husband WIGILIA VARIATIONS. Christmas customs ily originated from, so it is this variety that On Christmas Day I am accustomed to typi- Karol, and also my friend Krzysiek Kurlej, were first introduced to us at the home of my I grew up with. Here they are accustomed to cally having ham and leftovers from Wigilia, the Impressariat-Manager of . We grandparents in Garfield, New Jersey, and barszcz czysty czerwony (a clear beet consom- but here they have numerous amounts of were able to attend a private rehearsal of now continue with my parents and family in mé). Since Jurek became part of the family, I smoked and baked meats - szynka, boczek, Mazowsze’s choir as they prepared for an up- Massachusetts. I was interested in experienc- make red for Christmas day; this year I would polędwica, kiełbasa, and wędzona karkówka. coming Christmas concert and could bask in ing the differences and regional variations in reverse the order. I made a large pot of the biały barszcz — the glory of Poland’s kolédy sung live and in the way my husband’s family celebrated as I knew that there would be a lot of fish everyone enjoyed it and was amazed that a amazing voice. they are from a different area in Poland (north dishes served in the northern re- Polish American could be so savvy at Polish The Royal Route (Nowy Świat into Kra- vs. south). gion. In southern Poland it was less likely cookery. kowskie Przedmieście) leading to Castle Having been home-schooled by my to be included in such variety in the Wigilia The age-old practices based in folk tradi- Square was decorated with elaborate umbrel- mother in Polish cooking, I was pleased to meal. We never had fish with my grandpar- tion and customs are slowly stepping aside to la-shaped streetlamp fixtures, which made be able to contribute to the food preparation ents; but later introduced it when we started the modernization of a country that once held the setting the perfect picture postcard. The for Wigila and the days to follow. Two days celebrating at home. We would typically have onto every aspect of its ethnic identity. Shifts Royal Castle was lit with a snowflake pro- before, the kitchen was bustling with activ- 2-3 dishes compared to the never-ending pa- in America’s Polonia have been felt with the jection lightshow and the cone-shaped tree ity. Jurek’s mother made the filling for the rade of fish creations here. changes and challenges in our cultural insti- was synchronized for effect. Giant-lit pres- kapusta pierogi, and I made the filling for the With all the focus on fish in the north, there tutions and church gatherings. Polish Ameri- ent boxes filled an area where tourists could uszka (“little ears” – a small and twisted ver- is no room for the southern dishes of grains cans cling with a deep nostalgia to the iden- take holiday photos. A Christmas fair – full sion of pierogi, filled with flavorsome wild – kasza buckwheat groats and jaglana millet tity engrained in us by our parents. Despite of amusement rides was taking place near the forest mushrooms). Since making the tiny- groats, or kapusta z grochem that I am used an ever-changing world, what matters most is Palace of Culture in the center of town; how- sized uszka is demanding, Jurek’s mother had to having. The evening was capped with tra- the sense of bonding, for a Polish Christmas is ever we did not want to brave the evening’s planned to buy them as they are now available ditional fruit kompot and desserts, such as most importantly being with family. 6 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013

CHRISTMAS STORIES Why I Love Kolędy Christmas 70 Years Ago in by The Rev. Dr. Zygmunt down. The things he took wound up Poles in the eastern reaches of the risking being murdered. Many population), attacking five smaller Zieliński in his boss’s possession. We could Second Republic — the — suf- families spent Christmas in mourn- nearby settlements en route. Mid- he outbreak of World have expected punishment, and fered successive hells during World ing for loved ones murdered by the night Mass, which had been de- War II destroyed every- even problems with the police in War II. Originally occupied by the Ukrainian nationalists, a campaign ferred to morning out of security thing about our lives up to the nearby village, but his supervi- Soviets in 1939, Russian repression that had reached its zenith only six concerns, was underway, forging that point. The Germans sor (who was later murdered in a was replaced by German with Hit- months before. People gathered at a raised spirit of determination to Tchased us out of our apartment concentration camp) was a human ler’s invasion of the Soviet Union Christmas with family and neigh- survive. Upon hearing gunshots, with nothing but the clothes on our being and let the matter drop. He in 1941. In those areas occupied by bors, taking in strangers who had the men in the Zasmyki self-defense backs. We couldn’t even take the told us he would always give us a the Germans, local es- lost their homes. The future was force left the church and tried to family pictures. Although the Ger- Christmas tree, but we couldn’t take pecially in two groups — the Orga- so uncertain that many thought this support the self-defense groups in mans — local Germans who col- one by ourselves. nization of Ukrainian Nationalists would be their last occasion to be the settlements under attack. There laborated with the Gestapo — shot That year, though, there was no and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army together. was no lack of casualties, among my father in the Valley of Death Christmas tree. There was no noth- — collaborated with the Germans in It wasn’t that the holidays — oc- both the defenders and the civilians. near Chojnice, Bory Tuchowskie, ing, not even oil for the lamp. We sat the hope of winning an independent casions to visit Ukrainian neighbors At the same time, the UPA attackers on December 22, 1939, we didn’t with mom around the cast iron stove . As that hope faded, these and exchange Christmas greetings encountered another self-defense know about it on that first wartime in the kitchen, eating baked potatoes forces — led by nationalist Stepan — were irreversibly past. Count- force in Witoldówka. Christmas, which we — my mother, with a dash of salt and some cottage Bandera — took matters into their ing on the fact that Poles might be On Christmas Day 1943, a total three children, and aunt — spent in cheese. The only illumination was own hands, unleashing a way of off guard, attacks on them were not of 116 people and 10 self-defense a small rental room in a village. We a circle of light from the stove re- genocide against Poles, intended to even discouraged during the Christ- force members were murdered in had a few potatoes and some cottage flecting on the ceiling. At the time, ethnically cleanse the area, which mas season. eight localities in Volhynia. Similar cheese that my aunt brought. It was it made an extraordinary impres- reached its zenith in Volhynia in Christmas attacks in the Tarnopol really cold; our fuel was branches sion on me. After that humble meal, 1943. Altogether, at least 100,000 Counting on the fact that Poles took place in 1943, in stolen from the woods. we said the Rosary for my father Poles died at Ukrainian nationalist might be off guard, attacks on which more than 80 people perished I remember that Christmas in the (who was already dead two days), hands. them were not even discouraged in seven localities, the greatest num- most minute detail, although I was those who had died in battle, and during the Christmas season. bers in Dubie and Hnilice. only eight years old at the time. My for God’s Mercy on us, because the by Ewa Siemaszko These desecrations of Christmas oldest sister and I, along with our threat of being taken to a concentra- hristmas 1943, the last The Ukrainian Insurgent Army by people professing Orthodoxy and neighbor’s son (who was my age), tion camp—or worse—existed all Christmas in Volhynia attacked Poles in six places on Greek Catholicism did not end then. went to the woods to get a Christ- the time. During the prayers I, as and East Małopolska Christmas Eve: Łuck, Ołyka, Volhynian Poles were murdered in mas tree. The snow literally reached a kid, kept squirming while kneel- spent under German Dworzec koło Równego, Bortnica, the village of Siniowce at Christmas my waist, but I only had summer ing on the hard floor as I thought of Coccupation, was observed amidst Sadów, and Połonka. More than 200 1944. Almost 200 Poles in 15 lo- shoes on — the ones I had when different things. I knew why we had misery and trepidation. The raging people — adults and children — calities died at the hands of the UPA the Germans threw us out of our no Christmas tree, but there were no terror and criminal genocide exe- were killed. The greatest casualties in the Tarnopol voivodeship either house. On the way back, we ran into presents, no visit from St. Nicholas, cuted throughout 1943 on the Poles — 100 — took place in five suburbs on Christmas Eve or in Christmas- a forest warden — a Pole, but a bu- and we didn’t go to Midnight Mass. of Volhynia by the Organization of Łuck. The majority of victims tide 1944. A particularly monstrous reaucrat — who took our Christmas I remember even asking Mom about of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) were tortured so badly that the sight crime took place in Ihrowica in that tree and axe, swearing at us up and Mass. She said it was because there and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army left a huge impression on the Ger- voivodeship where the pastor, Fr. was no priest: he had either been (UPA) had forced practically the man soldiers who were doing local Stanisław Szczepankiewicz, was Weso³ych Œwi¹t killed on the spot or taken off to a entire rural population of Poles to patrols. Several dozen Poles also hacked to death with axes. There Bo¿ego Narodzenia concentration camp. abandon their villages. The situation died in a number of locales in the were also macabre Christmas Eves That first wartime Christmas was was not as bad in East Małopolska, neighboring Tarnopol voivodeship, in two county seats in Stanisławów strange. Of course it was clear that but the threat of mass scale butchery where the UPA’s genocide had also voivodeship: almost 100 Poles were our normal lives up to that point was spreading at the end of 1943, been stirred up. killed in Dolina and Kosów. were over, but why was it that a day under the influence of the - mur The UPA tried to rout the self- Ewa Siemaszko is a leading Pol- that we had been waiting for so long der of individual Poles and Polish defenses in Zasmyki na Wołyniu ish researcher and author on the had suddenly become unimportant? families. The Poles’ tragic material on Christmas Day. At dawn, UPA genocide of Poles in Volhynia. She I don’t remember the subsequent situation was brought about by the forces moved on that village (which (and her father Wladysław) have of the war as clearly as Germans (who stole farm products, included numerous refugees from written numerous books on this sub- that first one, so completely different limited commerce, and assigned the locality along with its regular ject. from the images that had previously starvation rations for official work); encoded themselves in my child- wartime activities; and the destruc- hood imagination. I asked myself tion brought about by OUN-UPA. Weso³ych Œwi¹t whether every family was celebrat- Difficult circumstances notwith- Bo¿ego Narodzenia ing Christmas as badly as we were: standing, people everywhere tried none of the usual carp or other dish- to celebrate Christmas in a worthily es that used to be on the table, no festive manner. Mass that Christmas ST. JOSEPH Christmas carols (we could not sing was celebrated only in the towns; too loudly in Polish, because speak- with but a few exceptions (where PARISH ing Polish was prohibited). Carols there were strong self-defense or- (Polish) hummed under one’s nose were no ganizations), the village churches 1010 LIBERTY STREET FR. WALTER source of joy; instead, they brought no longer existed, victims of OUN- CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY about an oppressive sadness. That’s UPA arson. The universal shortage (856) 963-1285 RAKOCZY what I remember, which is why, un- of foodstuffs made it impossible til this very day more than 70 years to observe the usual Wigilia din- Reverend Pawel W. later, nothing moves me more than a ner, e.g., in number or variety of ST. MARY’S Kryszkiewicz, Pastor Polish . courses. There was no poppy seed, The Rev. Dr. Zygmunt Zieliński fish, or pastries. Obtaining flour and 411 W. 11th St. is professor emeritus of modern especially fat was difficult. Many Live Broadcast and Website Michigan City, IN 46360 Church history at the Catholic Uni- did not have Christmas trees, be- www.stjosephscamdennj.org versity of Lublin. cause going into the forest meant

Pasterze mili, Hej Kolêda, Kolêda coście widzieli? Niechaj d³ugo œpiewa Polonia Widzieliśmy maleńkiego, Jezusa narodzonego, Syna Bożego! Syna Bożego!

You and your loved ones across Polonia will be remembered in the Holy Masses throughout Christmas and Epiphany.

Wishing you peace, love, hope, and great joy during this Christmas season and always!

Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia! Merry Christms! Prosperous New Year A.D. 2014! 20+K+M+B+14 REV. CANON JOSEPH Let Us Be Peaceful REV. FR. JAMES JOSEPH SUCHOLET L. SREDZINSKI REV. CANON PHILIP S. MAJKA PFA National Chaplain Duszpasterz Polski, Metro Washington, D.C. NOTRE DAME R.C. CHURCH, Durham, Connecticut Jeannette, PA 15644 4597 Eavensworth Rd., #5, Annandale, VA 22003 and ST. COLMAN R.C. CHURCH, Middlefield, Conn. Call (703) 403-3723 POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013 www.polamjournal.com 7

CHRISTMAS STORIES Memories of Christmas 1970 by Piotr Szczudłowski located in the quiet Gdańsk neighborhood of Christian symbols. Dinner on Christmas Eve through the TV screen. As a result of price increases announced Oliwa, at the foot of a forest. The clinic was was a little more festive and fancy than usual, We loved visits from our parents but, be- by the Communist Party days before Christ- housed in a nice old German building that but there were no prayers, no carols. There cause of the disturbances in Gdańsk and mas, shipyard worker protests broke out in had been a health care facility even before the were even some sweets on the table, but no- Gdynia on those December days, visitation the Polish port cities of Gdańsk, Gdynia, and War; during the War, German soldiers were body told us what we were celebrating. We was limited, on some days even cancelled. Szczecin in December 1970. In response, the treated there. only heard that it was the “holidays.” There were, however, messages that our par- Communists used massive armed force — in- We were surrounded by doctors, nurses, My father visited me before Christmas and ents did not want us to worry. The workers cluding helicopter gunships-- to suppress the and caretakers. We went to school in the sana- brought me an opłatek, telling me I should there kept up a tempered attitude: the children workers. More than 40 were killed, 1100+ torium, too; our teachers came from outside. eat it on Christmas Eve. And that is what I could not be partners to their conversations, wounded, and 3000 arrested. The protests There were undoubtedly those who carried did. Our unexpected guests on Christmas Eve and even among themselves they were mea- eventually brought down Party Secretary out their work competently and with passion, were a few boars, who made their way be- sured, fearing that some indiscretion might Władysław Gomułka, who was replaced by but that neither had nor could have any infl u- neath our windowsills in search of food. carry professional “consequences.” Edward Gierek — Editor. ence on the ideological atmosphere in the san- The occurrence of the “December events” As I said, Christmas in the Oliwa sanatori- atorium. Like the whole of the medical and naturally made their mark on the atmosphere um was observed in a secular way, completely ore than 40 years — no mean educational system that existed in Poland at of the period. As a child in the sanatorium, I ignoring the fact that the residents were bap- amount of time — has passed that time, it was completely secularized, i.e., knew little of what was taking place on the tized and came from Catholic families. That since that holiday. Despite the it denied the fact that the majority of people streets of Gdańsk and nearby Gdynia. Nev- doesn’t mean we were subjected to some kind years, memories of Christmas there, adults and children, were overwhelm- ertheless, we had a feeling of something ter- of political indoctrination. I don’t recall, dur- M1970 — which we by convention call the ingly Catholic. The laicization of public life rible going on, something oppressive, though ing the year I spent there, that we celebrated “Polish December” — have stayed in my and, therefore, of individuals, was a priority we didn’t know what. I remember watch- some offi cial state holidays, like July 22 or mind. I was then a nine year-old boy, in fourth of the Communist Party ruling Poland at that ing TV before Christmas. On the black and May 1 or the anniversaries of the Bolshevik grade. I was living in my native Gdańsk, time. On the walls of our sanatorium there white screen, I saw some “talking heads” and Revolution. The doctors were focused on our where the local Party headquarters went up in were no crosses. No chaplains came to visit. heard excerpts of speeches by Party func- health, the teachers on our education. Neither fl ames and where a lot of shipyard workers’ There were no Masses. There was no cate- tionaries, appealing for something, warning side displayed the zeal typical of Party acti- blood fl owed, spilled by the militia’s bullets. chism. In such a secularized spirit, they also against something, teaching about something, vists. I wasn’t an eyewitness to those events — par- organized Christmas 1970. One thing above threatening something … everything in cold, Piotr Szczudłowski is a graduate of the ents naturally protected their children from all — you couldn’t use the word “Christmas.” death-like voices. Of course, I understood Catholic University of Lublin, arrested in the the danger on the streets — but in my case, ill- You said “the holiday.” They put up a Christ- nothing of their words, I only felt the peculiar 1980s for his Solidarność and free student ac- ness was also a cause. Due to my illness, I was mas Tree, decorated with colored ornaments, atmosphere of an otherwise undefi ned threat, tivities. He is now a member of the third order staying in a closed sanatorium for children, but neither on the tree nor near it were any an atmosphere seeping into the sanatorium of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X. Weso³ych Œwi¹t i Weso³ych Œwi¹t! Szczêœliwego My Thanks to the Polish Merry Christmas Vincentians for Teaching Me to to All! Nowego Roku! from the Appreciate my Polish Heritage FRIARS and STAFF of the MSGR. BERNARD FATHER JUSTIN ROSARY HOUR WITKOWSKI P.O. Box 454 Athol Springs, NY 14010 www.rosaryhour.net Philadelphia

Weso³ych Œwi¹t Bo¿ego Narodzenia i Szczêœliwego Nowego Roku! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! THE POLISH PEDDLER Chet and Virginia Luty Medina, Ohio

THE UNION OF POLES IN AMERICA 17 • POLISH NATIONAL ALLIANCE n

9999 GRANGER ROAD Wesołych Œwiąt! Garfi eld Heights, OH 44125 The Oldest Polish American Fraternal Organization in the HOLY TRINITY CHURCH State of Ohio Binghamton, New York FOUNDED IN 1894

Wesołych Œwiąt!

Weso³ych Œwi¹t Bo¿ego Narodzenia CLEVELAND SOCIETY OF POLES FATHER 6966 Broadway Ave. ROBERT Cleveland, Ohio 44105 WITKOWSKI (216) 556-0302 St. Edmund Church www.clevelandsociety.com Warren, Michigan 8 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013

CHRISTMAS STORIES A Kashub Christmas The Kaszubs are a distinct Slavic their arrival at a home. Not every- havior). The whole group would get ings to each other, a custom that was supposed to bring good luck. ethnic group with their own speech, body opens the door, because today some money, then they would take continues to this day. On the coast, They’d ring out the year with gongs inhabiting in northern there are lots of people who come off their costumes and everybody children (mostly boys) dressed in or banging metal, while young peo- Poland, and numbering perhaps around for commercial purposes. sat down to eat. costumes would board trams or ple would play pranks on people, around 300,000. Their unofficial Once upon a time, after World War As regards the Wigilia itself, I buses, singing carols, for which like taking off the garden gate, lock- “capital” is Kartuzy. In the New II, a whole ensemble would visit a remember that, right after the War, they would receive small presents ing people in, or carrying the out- World, leading centers of Kaszub home in Gostomko, where I come we only had soup made from dried or sums of money. house away from the house. culture are found in Wilno, Ontario from: “Gwiozdcie” or “Gwiżdze” fruits and bread and butter. The There were occasions when, on Today, Kaszub children do (where Kaszubs have been settling (Star), “Dziad” (Old Man), “Baba” whole family would leave at about St. Stephen’s Day, priests would be Christmas performances in their since 1859), Minnesota, and Wis- (Old Woman), “Zolnierz” (Soldier), 10 o’clock on the wagon or by sleigh showered with oats as they descend- parishes and then represent their consin. “Niedźwiedź” (Bear), “Bocian” to attend Midnight Mass (Pasterka). ed from the altar. parishes at a festival in Sieraków. (Stork), “Kozioł” (Goat), and “Koń” For Christmas, my grandfather Hunters still fire their rifles on Let me end with a traditional by Fr. Władysław Szulist (Horse). They would treat the in- would make a nut-shaped delicacy New Year’s Eve to greet the New Kaszub Christmas verse that we he richest folk tradition habitants to a short theatrical pro- made from , flour, and other Year. I still remember on New used to recite: “Janderny pón, among Kaszubs is bound gram. The Chimney Sweep would specialties, which he put in a basket Year’s Eve 1972-73, people in janderna pani, janderne tetko, up with , remove the coal and ashes from the and we sufficed for the long Christ- Mściszewice would bring wagons janderne wszétko, prosi o datka.” i.e., Christmas, New Year, stove, the Devil would threaten the mas evenings. We didn’t have and buggies to the square in front (Robust sir, robust madame, strong Tand Three Kings. Children dress kids who did not know their prayers, Christmas trees after the war; that of the Church and, if there was ice, child, everybody — a donation, up in costumes and go from house the Angel would bless them, and custom came only later to Kaszubia. they’d take sleds on to the middle of please!) to house throughout Advent, most the Soldier or the Policeman would It used to be believed that on Christ- the lake. Fr. Władysław Szulist, a histo- often dressed as a devil, a chimney keep order in the group (especially mas Eve animals spoke with human Once upon a time, people used rian and Kaszub scholar, was or- sweep, and a shepherd. Bells signal by restraining the Devil’s wilder be- voices and that water became wine. to tell each other’s fortunes on dained in 1959 and is now retired. On Christmas Eve, adults (and New Year’s Eve: about next year’s He is recognized for his efforts to only adults) in Mściszewice would harvest or whether one would or preserve Kaszub culture and re- The Officers, Directors, and Members of the visit from house to house, giving wouldn’t marry. They would burn search its transplantation to North short speeches and bringing greet- any leftover on the table, which America. ASSOCIATION My First Christmas in Poland OF THE by John Grondelski rowing up in a Polish American home, I re- SONS OF POLAND member pieces of Polish Christmas traditions that Wishes the entire Polish community an Gwe celebrated, but they had long been adapted by a family settled in Blessed Christmas and a Joyous New Year! America more than 60 years. My first completely traditional Wigilia 333 HACKENSACK STREET was actually before December 24, CARLSTADT, NJ 07072-1043 as a freshman at St. Mary’s College in Orchard Lake, Michigan, where Tel: (201) 935-2807 • Fax: (201) 935-2752 we had our own student Wigilia be- www.SonsOfPoland.org fore we went home for Christmas 1977. My first traditional Wigilia 9 with Poles was at the Polish Pilgrim  Home in Rome in 1992, where af-  terwards we attended Pasterka at St.  Peter’s Basilica, celebrated by Pope PAJ BOOK REVIEW CONTRIBUTOR John M. Grondelski celebrates a John Paul II. But my first Wigilia in Polish Wigilia with his family in Rogers, Conn., Christmas 2011 (l. to r.): Poland took place in Kościaszyn in Aunt Wanda Mack; cousin Ashley Wheeler; Alexandra Grondelski; John Z. Grondelski; Dorota Grondelski; John Grondelski; his aunt Alice Guay; Weso³ych Œwi¹t and his aunt (and PAJ subscriber) Bertha Kuszaj. 1994. called out “Pani Kostrubiec, Pani Bo¿ego Narodzenia Where’s Kościaszyn, you ask? Kostrubiec.” Eventually, a gruff About three miles from the Ukraini- farmer’s voice announced “nie ma i Szczêœliwego an border, perhaps 120 miles south- tu zadnej Kostrubiec.” Nowego Roku 2013! east of Lublin. I had gone there to I looked at Dorota, who an- meet the family of my girl (and now, nounced we obviously had to hike Merry Christmas and my wife, Dorota) for the first time. it, eight kilometers (4.8 miles) to her I was then teaching at Seton Hall village. The road was icy, and the Happy New Year! University in New Jersey, and flew farmers — in keeping with the tradi- to Poland to spend the holidays. tion of talking animals on Christmas Back then, Finnair offered the Eve — had let their dogs out. We cheapest flight, but you had -a lay started walking. There were no cars, POLISH BENEFICIAL over in Helsinki. Flying out on De- just an arch of snow-covered trees cember 22, we landed in the Finn- that looked a lot like Dr. Zhivago. ish capital at 9:00 a.m., as dawn Maybe half-way there, a truck came ASSOCIATION was breaking. I had five hours to along and took us another two miles, Polskie Stowarzyszenie Kasy spend there, so I went into town. I dropping us off to walk the last one. stopped in the cathedral and met a When we got home, cooking fish THE ONLY POLISH FRATERNAL DOMICILED IN PHILADELPHIA priest decorating a Christmas tree in the kitchen was Dorota’s mom, 1899 — 113 YEARS OF SERVICE — 2012 — who turned out to be the Bishop ruddy-faced (although her flow- of Helsinki. When I got back to the ers were frozen). “Where had you airport at 2:00 p.m., the sun was set- been?” Dorota asked. “I went to the A Fraternal Life Insurance Association ting. They might have a midnight bus stop, but there were only two Low Cost Life Insurance for the Entire Family Ages 0 - 95 sun in summer, but they pay for it people there, some guy and a wom- Fraternal Activities for Members in winter. an in a white coat and some fancy Arriving in Poland, my priest- hat, so I figured you missed the 2595 Orthodox Street friend picked me up in Warsaw and bus and I went home.” To impress Philadelphia, PA 19137-1695 put me on a bus to Zamość, where me, Dorota had spent much of her Tel: (215) 535-2626 • Fax: (215) 535-1069 Dorota met me at 10 o’clock at teacher’s salary that month to buy a night. The next day, December 24, new coat, a hat, and a huge Christ- www.polishbeneficialassoc.com we did a little shopping, then set mas tree. out on the last bus for Kościaszyn. It was a warm Wigilia dinner, “Don’t forget to bring my mother though we passed up walking four EXECUTIVE OFFICERS some flowers,” she added. Her sis- kilometers to the neighboring vil- Rev. Fr. Joseph Zingaro...... National Chaplain ter’s husband had forgotten many lage for Midnight Mass, going in- Loretta Zekanis ...... President years earlier, but my mother-in-law stead on Christmas morning in the Elizabeth Wagner...... Administrative Secretary never forgot. village chapel. Two and a half years Christine Kaszupski...... Vice-President We got to a “nearby” village, the later, we were married. And I’ll ad- Phyllis Rooney...... Treasurer last stop, at about 3:15. The day was mit: my mother-in-law is a great Dr. Bernard Dlutowski...... Medical Examiner waning, it had snowed, and there woman whom I really like. DIRECTORS was nothing there but a church, a John Grondelski contributes Walter Drejerski • Marianne Stone • Angelina Wagner cemetery, and the bus stop. I saw a book reviews to the Polish American Joseph Jankowski • Walter Gasiewski snow-laden car in the distance, and Journal. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013 www.polamjournal.com 9

CHRISTMAS STORIES Christmas in Silesia Christmas in the Zamość by The Rev. Prof. Bernard terwards, there is carol singing (usu- by The Rev. Prof. Edward Walewander with sufficient food—editor]. Kołodziej, S.Chr. ally all the verses), which continues hristmas brings all the members of the family Preparations for Wigilia began over several days pri- pper Silesia, which had until all leave for Midnight Mass. together, an occasion for memory. We most or to Christmas. Traditionally one neither ate nor drank not been a part of Poland Midnight Mass always has a spe- frequently remembered World War II and the on Christmas Eve until the Wigilia. When the house since the 14th century cial, liturgically festive character in German occupation. In our home, there were had been thoroughly cleaned, one began decorating the until after World War II, terms of celebration and singing. Cconstant memories of daily life under German occupa- Christmas tree with paper decorations, apples, ginger- Upreserved the in its Before midnight, one still sings Ad- tion, of endless shortages, and of hunger—the last of breads (pierniki), candy, and Christmas balls. oldest forms. The eastern part of Up- vent songs, e.g., “Spuście nam na which frequently haunted many families. The obligatory courses at the Wigilia meal included per Silesia avoided Germanization ziemskie niwy” but, right after mid- We never sang “Silent Night” in the presence of cer- kutia (a sweet mixture of soft grains, poppy seed, and in large part because, although it night, the bells ring, the organ plays, tain neighbors. For them it would have brought back dried fruits), fruit drink made from dried fruits, red beet was outside Poland’s borders, from alpine sound, and Mass be- painful memories of life in the German concentration soup (barszcz), cabbage and peas, poppy seed rolls, a Church perspective it belonged to gins with carols like “Bóg się rodzi” camps where, at Christmastime, they would have to lis- fish, and herring. the Diocese of Kraków. That sepa- or “Silent Night” (Cicha noc). ten to that carol over the loudspeakers while standing rate ecclesiastical difference was, for hours in the cold for roll call. Everybody made sure that the first person among other things, the reason for Until this day there remains they saw on that day was a man ... the great amount of singing in Up- an old Christian tradition that, The hay used at the Wigilia table was fed to the farm per Silesia, because people sang in immediately prior to the Wigilia animals on St. Stephen’s Day to keep them from illness. church in Polish, hence many com- meal, the father of the family It was believed that, thanks to the Wigilia hay, cows posers and organists created new (frequently together with one of would give more milk. The sheaves were made hymns and that was often his children, his son if he pre- into small binders (powrósła) that were tied around sung in the Silesian dialect. pares him for it) would festively fruit trees so that they bore more fruit. In , proper prepara- carry in some hay to place be- Various customs and superstitions were connected tion for Christmas began with the neath the tablecloth as well with Christmas Eve. Everybody made sure that the first First Sunday of Advent. as a sheaf of wheat called the person they saw on that day was a man, which was sup- For children, the first signal of “King” (król). One wanted to posed to predict success. Women were not supposed to Christmas’ approach was the Feast have the blades as long as possi- visit others on that day. They were supposed to stay at of St. Nicholas, always marked on ble, because it was believed that home, because visits augured bad luck. People tried not December 6. St. Nicholas usually next year’s wheat would grow to borrow money on Christmas Eve or during the holi- came in the evening, dressed in a When Święty Mikołaj (St. Nicholas) makes his rounds in just as tall. The wheat symbol- days because that, too, foretold bad luck. white robe or long coat, a chasuble Poland, he usually arrives with two helpers: an angel and ized the newborn The Rev. Prof. Edward Walewander is professor of or a cape and always in a bishop’s a devil, who would give bad children peels or coal. who, through His birth, should pedagogy at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lu- miter. He usually arrived with two This 1948 photo from Rdzawka shows Święty Mikołaj, an become the King of our lives. blin, Poland. He comes from Niemirówek in the Zamość helpers: an angel and a devil. De- anioł and the diabeł visiting a school. The breaking of the region. pending on the children’s “polite- opłatek—a Polish custom with ness” and behavior, children re- There is a traditional Silesian roots stretching back to the Church of the first centu- ceived presents and, from the devil, lunch on December 25: chicken ries—has a very religious character. The family prayed a symbolic strike with a belt. Then soup with homemade noodles, black together, often on kneelers: the Our Father, the Hail the children promised to amend and white noodles, “blue” cabbage, Mary, the Apostles’ Creed, the Ten Commandments, their ways. Presents were simple rolade and sauce, fruit kompot and and the Angelus. We also read the Gospel of the Nativ- and inexpensive: candy, clothing, a special Silesian pudding-like des- ity. If somebody in the family had died, we also prayed toys. Children who were disobedi- sert, szpajza, made in many varia- for his eternal rest. After the prayers, the father, mother, ent also received presents which in- tions. Leftover cold fish from the or the oldest person in the family briefly spoke. After cluded, for example, potato peels or Wigilia supper is eaten later. The this came a moment of sorrow for the wrongs one had pieces of coal. whole family usually gathers at the done and a request for forgiveness. Only then was the Christmas Eve and the Wigilia parents’ house. After dinner, more opłatek broken. One made the sign of the cross before Supper: traditionally, the Wigilia gifts are exchanged, particularly for partaking of it. table is simple, covered with a table- the children. On the second day of Christmas—St. Stephen’s cloth (usually white). A decorated After Christmas, in addition to Day—“well-wishers” (szczodracy) visited homes very Christmas tree — usually a spruce the “usual” caroling in church, car- early in the morning. The “well-wishers” were children, or fir — stood in the corner of the olers, shepherds and kings went most frequently boys, who visited families first thing in room. Among the items on the table around to houses singing. That cus- the morning, generously wishing them God’s blessings were a cross, lighted candles, holy tom, which still exists primarily in (hence, the name). When they finished, they threw oats water, and the Bible. There was also the villages, can last until the begin- at everybody, a custom recalling St. Stephen’s death by a small plate with salt, , a piece ning of February. stoning. The “well-wishers” received some money as of bread, and money — so that these In some places, on New Year’s a reward, which is why they competed to get around things would never be lacking. The Day, gates and doors were removed everywhere as early as possible, thereby assuring a bet- Wigilia courses were traditionally, and carried to the town square in ter profit. at a minimum five, up to twelve or front of the church. Its traditional People in the Zamość region, beginning with Christ- more. They were usually simple, meaning was that owners should mas Eve and running through Christmas, St. Stephen’s, made mostly from products that pay attention during the New Year to St. John’s (Dec. 27), New Year, and Three Kings, vis- were consumed on an daily basis. new items around the house and gar- ited each other. Upon entering a home, they would ex- There was, however, a big differ- den. Silesian gardens are renowned press their wishes with the words: “Happiness and good ence from an ordinary supper. The for their well-kept and clean flower- health at Christmas (or New Year, etc.).” The formulaic Wigilia began with a formal prayer, beds. response was always: “May God let us begin the New said individually or together, fol- The Rev. Prof. Kołodziej is pro- Year and happily await the next one!” (Daj nam Boże lowed by a breaking and sharing fessor of Church history at the Adam ten rok sprowadzić i drugiego szczęśliwie doczekać!). of the opłatek and expressions of Mickiewicz University in Poznań, [Soil in the Krasnobrod region is poor, and families mutual forgiveness. Basic spices, Poland. were often lucky to make it through the entire winter berries, and fruits were on the table. The major foods were: potatoes; fried carp; and cabbage with peas or mushrooms. Specifically Silesian Best Wishes for a Blessed and Joyous dishes included: a soup called si- Christmas and a Healthy and emieniotka, made from hemp seeds Happy New Year! but often today substituted by a fish or mushroom soup, barszcz, or Sile- sian “thin” żurek (sour soup). The next Silesian dish is , DELPHINE HUNEYCUTT SHARON ZAGO which looks like a loose marmalade National President Vice President made from dried smoked plums. After cooking, one adds raisins and ANTOINETTE L. TRELA other nuts or grated ginger mince- Secretary-Treasurer meat. Another Silesian delicacy is makówki, made from yeast bread covered with a milk and poppy POLISH WOMEN’S seed sauce and soaked in raisins or nuts. Everything is assembled in layers and filled with the sauce. It’s ALLIANCE OF AMERICA put aside for a few hours and usu- Established in 1898 ally eaten at the end of the meal or For information on membership benefits, life insurance products, after Midnight Mass. There is also and annuities,please call, visit, or write: the usual fruit drink (kompot), made POLISH WOMEN’S ALLIANCE OF AMERICA from dried fruits. 6643 N. NORTHWEST HWY, 2ND FL., CHICAGO, IL 60631 After the Wigilia supper comes www.pwaa.org the usual giving of gifts from under the Christmas tree, which it is said 1-888-522-1898 are brought by the Christ Child. Af- 10 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013

RELIGION / Benjamin Fiore, S.J. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All Polonia from the 20 Years a Blessed GENERAL PULASKI or visit www.feliciansisters.org. tion, recover back wages from an MEMORIAL PARADE employer, secure disability benefits HIDDEN PAINTING UNVEILED. or provide protection in domestic COMMITTEE, INC. A mural painted by artist/army violence situations … This program www.pulaskiparade.org colonel, and parishioner of St. Pe- goes to the heart of preserving hu- ter’s Episcopal Church Ted Witon- man dignity and empowers people ski was recently unveiled for pub- to gain control of their lives again.” lic display in the church at 346 W. The program was launched with the 20 St., New York City. The mural, support of Catholic and non-Catho- Our Lord Blessing a Soldier and a lic lawyers as well as $1.5 million PULASKI ASSOCIATION OF Sailor, was painted during World in seed money from the diocese. War II to honor our servicemen, but Caritas Legal Services was created PROFESSIONAL & BUSINESSMEN was concealed for 59 years behind in belief that it is “fundamentally a drape because some in the parish unfair and unjust to deprive the poor would like to wish Polonia a very Merry Christmas and thought it favored militarism. Fur- of legal protection for their lives a Prosperous New Year 2014! ther information: (212) 929-2390 that wealthy persons enjoy.” Weso³ych Œwi¹t Bo¿ego Narodzenia i or visit www.stpeterschelsea.com/ wordpress/. BISHOP REACTS TO ROSARY Szczêœliwego Nowego Roku 2014! FOR GAY MARRIAGE IN CATHE- DRAL. Springfield’sBishop Thom- BLESSED MARY ANGELA MARCH FOR LIFE AND FAMILY 519 Leonard St. • Brooklyn, NY 11222 as Paprocki reacted forcefully to TRUSZKOWSKA, foundress of the IN GDAŃSK. A Sunday in Octo- www.pulaskiassociation.com the plan of the Rainbow Sash Coali- Felician Sisters. ber brought thousands of Poles in Gdańsk to join a colorful march tion to stand before one of the week- As the Polish-American com- with banners and flags through the day Masses and recite the rosary in Weso³ych Œwi¹t Bo¿ego Narodzenia munity looks forward to the canon- city where Solidarity was born. This support of the bill in the state leg- i Szczêœliwego Nowego Roku 2014! ization of Blessed John Paul II on fourth March for Human Life and islature to legalize same-sex “mar- Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Divine Mercy Sunday next year, we Family, co-organized by Human riage.” Citing his duty as shepherd Board of Directors and Employees of the also celebrate the 20th anniversary Life International – Poland, was in of his people to warn Christians not of the beatification ofBlessed Mary support of the fundamental rights to profane God by asking Him to Angela Truszkowska, foundress of of the family and processed from publicly degrade holy matrimony, the Felician Sisters. A painting was the three crosses of the Solidarity Bishop Paprocki labeled the plan as created in Rome for her beatifica- monument to St. Mary’s Basilica blasphemous and stated that, with G tion in 1993 by Sr. Mary Colette with stops for prepared testimonials the assistance of police, persons Michniewicz, CSSF. Those who on the protection of the conceived wearing the rainbow sash would not G wish Blessed Mary Angela’s inter- child, the dangers of in vitro pro- be admitted to the cathedral, and cession for their needs can use this cedures, the joy of having a large those who stood to pray the rosary prayer: family, and promoting NaProTech- would be asked to leave. Gay activ- God, our Father, I praise and nology for aiding conception. Pol- ists reacted strongly in the media thank you for the gift of Blessed ish Senator Anthony Szymański and attempted to contrast Bishop Mary Angela, who lived your will and Gdańsk’s Leszek Paprocki’s stance with what they in- in faith and trust, and lived your Sławoj Głódź addressed the march- terpret as that of Pope Francis. love in service to others. I pray in ers on the importance of respect for UNFAIR ABUSE LAWSUIT BILL confidence, that through her- in family values by all, even public au- VETOED. The bill passed by Cali- tercession you will grant me the thorities. fornia’s to extend the favor which I request. I ask this statute of limitation on abuse cases through Christ our Lord, Amen. FREE LEGAL AID TO THE NEEDY as the charges apply to Church and To assist your devotion to IN SPRINGFIELD. Springfield, private organizations and business- Blessed Angela the following items Ill.’s Bishop Thomas Paprocki es while exempting public schools are available: Holy card with prayer, has launched a volunteer legal ser- and government institutions (see Litany of Blessed Mary Angela, vices program for the poor in need last month’s column), has been Blessed Angela medal, Blessed of legal counsel for civil matters. vetoed by California’s Governor Mary Angela brochure. Further in- He explained, “I have seen first- Jerry Brown. While the governor formation Sr. Rita MarieVondra, hand how civil legal aid can be a acknowledged that cases alleging Presentation of the BVM, 36800 lifeline that enables families to save abuse make “valid and profoundly Schoolcraft Rd., Livonia, MI 48150 their home from foreclosure or evic- important claims,” the statute of limitations is part of a legal tradi- tion of “fairness.” He also noted the MODLITWY “significant inequity” of different PUBLICATION OF PRAYERS. The Polish American Journal gladly accepts prayers ads for publication. treatment of abuse victims in public They must be received by the 10th of each month, prior to the month of publication, and must be and private institutions. pre-paid at the cost of $15.00 each, which can be paid by check or charge. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please call 1 (800) 422-1275 or (716) 312-8088. Send to: Polish American Journal, PROF. BARBARA ENGELKING of P.O. Box 271, N. Boston, NY 14110. Warsaw, Poland was named the re- Weso³ych Œwi¹t Bo¿ego Narodzenia! PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. (Never Known To Fail). Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in cipient of this year’s prize. Endowed BERNADETTE & RICHARD NAROG my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary, by Prof. Jan Karski at YIVO Insti- Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart tute for Jewish Research in 1992, and succor me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh ERICA & RICHIE NAROG Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (three times). Holy Mary, I place the $5,000 prize goes to authors Yonkers, New York this cause in your hands (three times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then you must of published works documenting publish and it will be granted to you. Grateful thanks, R.K. Polish-Jewish relations and Jewish PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT. Holy Spirit, You who solve all problems, who light all roads so I can contributions to Polish culture. attain my goal. You who give me the Divine gift to forgive and to forget all evil against me and that in all instances of my life you are with me. I want this short prayer to thank you for all things and to confirm once again that I never want to be separated from you, even and in spite of all material illusion. I wish to be with you in eternal glory. Thank you for your mercy toward me and mine. Thank you Holy Spirit. That person must say this prayer for 3 consecutive days. After 3 days, the favor re- PIASA quested will be granted, even if it may appear difficult. This prayer must be published immediately The Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences after the favor is granted, without mentioning the favor. Your initials should appear after the thank of America, Inc. you. Thank You Holy Spirit. E.W. is a 501c (3) tax-exempt, nonprofit organization dedicated to the maintenance of a strong center of A Blessed and Joyous Holiday Season learning and culture. PIASA is concerned with advanc- ing knowledge about Poland’s humanistic heritage and a Year of Happiness and about Polish-American contributions to the life, and Peace to All culture and history of United States. Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia! Weso³ych Œwi¹t! Gora Piesn Some of the PIASA’s activities include: serving as a liaison between Ameri- Polska! CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION can and Polish academic circles; publishing The Polish Review; operating The Alfred Jurzykowski Memorial Library and Archives; organizing annual scholarly of the conferences; as well as organizing lectures, symposia, author evenings, and diverse cultural/scholarly exhibits. POLISH SINGERS ALLIANCE Please note that our next multidisciplinary conference, the 72 Annual PIASA Meeting will be held in Warsaw, Poland, June 19-22, 2014. For further OF AMERICA information regarding registration, flight and hotel discounts please see our website www.piasa.org Mary Lou T. Wyrobek, President — Central Administration For membership information write: PIASA 208 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016 Adrianne Kusmierczyk, President District IX , General Choral Director Please make checks payable to: ACPC, c/o Tel: (212) 686-4164 • Fax: (212) 545-1130 Dr. Thomas Witakowski Florence Langridge, Membership Chair, 78 e-mail: [email protected] Visit: www.polishsingersallianceofamerica.org Meadow Lane, West Hartford, CT 06107 POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013 www.polamjournal.com 11

POLISH COOKBOOKS • INTERNATIONAL COOKBOOKS APRONS • KITCHEN TOWELS • UTENSILS THE POLISH KITCHEN STORE MANY MORE BOOKS ON-LINE AT POLAMJOURNAL.COM To order, use form on page 2, or order on line at www.polamjournal.com or call (800) 422-1275, Mon.- Fri., 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

POLISH COOKBOOKS HANDTOWELS APRONS

POLISH TREASURED with full color dividers for individual $8.50 each plus $20.00 each plus $5.95 s&h CLASSIC POLISH sections, hardcover bounded by plas- $5.95 s&h Proclaim your Polish heritage with this DESSERTS RECIPES FOR tic spirals for ease of use while cooking. Hanging towels. lovely restaurant-style apron. 100% $16.95 AMERICANS Two indexes for recipes-one in English Machine embroi- Cotton Apron featuring two gener- By Laura and $14.95 and one in Polish will make it easy to dered designs. ous pockets. Quality red cloth with Peter Zeranski Polonie fi nd your favorite dish. Useful and at- machine-embroidered lettering and 2013. 96 pp. 8½ Publishing tractive. Red design. One size fi ts all! x 8½. Index. 100 170 pp., h.c. THE OLD NEIGHBORHOOD with white towel NEW! WESOLYCH color photos by Bob Rock The fi rst com- POLISH COOKBOOK: (cloth may vary). SWIAT (Merry Christmas) 2-270 Organized by type and with titles in plete, hard cover Hamtramck, Detroit and Beyond — both Polish and English. From mazur- collection of Pol ish cookery in the Eng- $10.00 by Elna Lavine, 44 pp., sc. kas and babas to pastries and bever- lish language published in the United 96 recipes from the famed Polo- ages, these recipes are designed for States. Researched from old Polish nia of Detroit. Breakfast, lunch, din- the modern kitchen but retain their cookbooks and recipes collected from ner pastries, pierogi, kluski, cream traditional roots. Each of the forty-fi ve the best Polish American cooks, it also chipped beef, soups, desserts and desserts are tested to perfection and contains stories of Polish festivities and more. paired with mouthwatering photo- customs such as Christmas Eve wigilia, NEW! WESOLYCH SWIAT (Merry Christmas in Polish) 2-269 graphs and notes on Polish history and Harvest Festival dożynki and the foods POLISH GIRL COOKBOOK customs. to celebrate them. Perfect for home CIOCIA’S NEW! I LOVE $10.00 by Eva Gerweck, 44 pp., sc. KITCHEN 2-228 CZARNINA 2-229 cooks or to give as a special gift. POLISH Another cookbook full of recipes CLASSIC RECIPES $16.95 SPORTULA® POLISH EAGLE SPATULA by Laura and The SPORTULA® is a heavy- I LOVE CZARNINA POLISH CHEF Peter Zeranski 2-223 2-220 2011, 96 pp., h.c., duty stainless steel hamburg- index, 100 color er fl ipper, a grilling utensil photographs by Matthew Aron Roth with a laser-cut image of the Designed for the modern kitchen national emblem of Poland-- I LOVE POLISH CHEF yet retaining traditional roots, each the Polish White Eagle! 2-212 2-211 heritage recipe in Polish Classic Recipes It also features a bottle has been tested to perfection. Accom- opener at the top of the hard OTHER TOWELS panied by notes on Polish holiday cus- maple wooden handle and AVAILABLE: POLISH CHICK FOREVER POLISH toms, history, and menu pairing sug- the Polish word “Smacznego” 2-224 2-222 in the center (“enjoy your POLISH CHICK gestions, these dishes off er a fl avorful 2-213 sample of the Polish dining experi- meal”). A great grilling tool for ence, as passed down from generation festival picnics, barbeques, or I LOVE KISZKA to generation. tailgates. Made in the USA of 2-226 stainless steel, with hard ma- THE POLISH ple handle, and brass rivets. I LOVE PIEROGI I LOVE POLISH COUNTRY 18.5” x 4.0” x 1.0” $29.95 2-212 MUSIC 2-227 WHO STOLE THE CIOCIA’S KITCHEN GIFT PACK 12 FAVORITE GLOSS- KISZKA? 2-201 KITCHEN 2-202 COOKBOOK from Detroit’s Old Polish neighbor- To order, use form on page 3, COAT POLISH RECIPE CARDS NOT SHOWN: I LOVE PIEROGI 2-225 $16.95 hoods. Appetizers, entrees, breads, or call (800) 422-1275 $5.00. by Polonie Publishing. desserts, and more! Upper Penin- by Sophie Knab A p p e a l i n g 337 pp., pb., Ill. sula style pastries, potato salad, red-ribbon cello pastries, babka, breads, and more. INTERNATIONAL COOKBOOKS Hippocrene packet of the Books most popular POLISH RESTAURANT This popular and treasured cookbook by be- COOKBOOK $10.00 recipes, in- by Jonathan Becklar, 44 pp., sc. loved Polish American author Sophie cluding Cabbage Rolls, Cutlets Hodorowicz Knab is now updated with This unique cookbook actually with Mush room Sauce, Baked Apples replicates recipes taken from menus a new section on Polish Feasts and in Red Wine and more. Handy for your Festivals! Knab combines recipes for of Motor City and surrounding area recipe box— perfect as party favors or restaurants. It shows you how to favorite Polish foods with the history hostess gifts! and cultural traditions that created make an entire menu right in your them. Arranged according to the cycle POLISH CHICAGO: kitchen that tastes and smells just of seasons, this cookbook explores life OUR HISTORY, OUR RECIPES like the restaurant. Soups, salads, in the Polish countryside through the $29.95 dressings, sandwiches, stuff ed cab- year, giving readers priceless histori- by Joseph W. bage, and more. THE BEST OF FLAVORS OF HUNGARIAN THE NEW cal information to common questions Zurawski CROATIAN SLOVENIA: The COOKBOOK: Old UKRAINIAN asked by descendants of Polish im- 240 pp., hc., 720 POLISH PIEROGI: From the Old COOKING Food and Wine of World Recipes for COOKBOOK migrants. Lovely illustrations by Elliott photographs Country to the Old Neighborhood by Liliana Pavicic Central Europe’s New World Cooks by Annette Hutten and pearls of practical wisdom G. Bradley $10.00 by Eva Gerwecki, 48 pp., sc. and Gordana Hidden Gem by by Yolanda Nagy Ogrodnik Corona from the old Polish kitchen marvel- Publishing A collection of “secret” recipes, Pirker-Mosher Heike Milhench Fintor Pb. 270 pp. 2012 ously complement this book. This title Since the 1830s millions of Poles, tips, and more for not only fi ll- Pb., 311 pp. Hc., 220 pp. Pb., 230 pp. Gourmand includes over 100 easy-to-follow reci- often overcoming oppression and ings and toppings, but a variety $16.95 $24.95 $14.95 Cookbook Award pes, and a detailed bibliography and hardship, have come to Chicago with of dough recipes as well. Over 150 Winner $29.95 resource guide. a dream of freedom, a willingness to recipes with regional variations, work and a love of country, both old from California to New York! POLISH and new. This new groundbreaking HOLIDAY work recounts by vivid prose, rare pho- COOKERY tographs and poignant anecdote the MOLDS $24.95 amazing story of these indomitable by Robert Strybel people. EASTER 248 pp., hc. To many, food is nourishment. To BUTTERLAMB Hippocrene Bks. Polish Americans, food is a cause for Easy to use! To Polish Holi- sharing, celebration and for honoring make with butter, day Cookery ac- tradition. This volume turns a spotlight simply coat the quaints readers on 36 Polish American restaurants and mold with veg- with traditional families who opened up their kitchens etable oil (spray SPOONFULS CULINARY TASTES FROM SEASONS AND Polish foods as- to time-tested, delectable Polish type works best), press in softened OF GERMANY: TREASURES A TUSCAN CELEBRATIONS: sociated with various occasions and recipes. butter, clamp halves together, place German Regional OF NORTHERN KITCHEN Cooking Secrets furnishes countless cooking tips and and refrigerator until hardened and Cuisine ITALY: The by Madeline of Italian Villages serving suggestions. This “instruction MY HOMEMADE POLISH RECIPES you’re done. For chocolate, just pour by Nadia Hassani Cooking of Armillotta & Diane by Rosalie manual for the culturally aware Polish $17.95 and let harden. It’s that easy! Clean Pb., 288 pp. Emilia-Romagna Nocentini Fuscaldo Gaziano American” off ers more than 400 reci- by Anna Zaremba with soap and warm water. $24.95 by Giovanna Bellia Hardcover, 188 pp. Paperback, 144 pp. pes, along with a lexicon of basic foods 160 pp., hc, spiral EASTER BUTTER LAMB MOLD La Marca $24.95 $19.95 and culinary concepts, ingredients bound Small 3-1/2” width by 3” tall Hardcover, 208 pp. and procedures, and sample menus. Bilingual (Eng- # 1-600 $4.95 $24.95 The clearly-written recipes facilitate lish/Polish) cook- Large 5” width by 4” tall the preparation of the dishes and their book containing # 1-601 $7.95 A SIMPLY TRADITIONAL over a 120 Polish DELICIOUS IRISH IRISH RECIPES incorporation in the Polish American POLISH / ENGLISH CHRISTMAS recipes. Every CHRISTMAS by George L. mainstream culture. WORDS MOLD. $8.95 recipe was tried by Darina Allen Thompson Polish Holiday Cookery covers holi- 12-coin mold. Each coin is 1-inch in both countries, Paperback, Paperback, days such as Christmas and Easter, as across x 1/4” deep. Includes Polish and so it will defi nitely taste the best. With 100 pp. 88 pp. well as celebrations year-round. Ideas English for : Merry Christmas, Christmas both USA and European measure- $15.95 $13.95 for banquets, picnics, dinners, and Eve, St. Nicholas, Christmas Tree, Man- ments you can use it anywhere you go. family favorites abound throughout, ger, Star, Midnight Mass, Wafer, Christ- In the book you will fi nd sections with ensuring that cooks have a selection of mas Play, and more! To order, salads, soups, meats, seafood, desserts dishes for any occasion. $4.00 S&H ON ALL MOLDS and pies. Only one recipe per page use form $1.00 each additional mold on page 2 12 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013

HAPPENINGS: CHICAGO STYLE / Geraldine Balut Coleman NPR’s “Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me” Apologizes for Polish Joke CHICAGO — During the Octo- broadcast is not only unjustified Most recently, Jensen contributed In addition to the Chopin pieces, ber 26 broadcast of National Pub- and hurtful, but it also paints an to the new PBS series Genealogy Korzistka played Lutosławski’s lic Radio’s (NPR) very popular, erroneous picture about a big Eu- Roadshow, in which its inaugural Piano Sonata, Bucolics, and Folk Chicago-based “Wait Wait… Don’t ropean nation. show took place in Detroit’s historic Melodies. Proceeds from this soirée Tell Me,” Peter Grosz, the actor and I would greatly appreciate it if Indian Village. benefited the Rare Book Conserva- television writer and host Peter Sa- you could see to this matter per- Ola Heska, who received her tion Project of the Museum Library gal verbally played around with the sonally and rectify this distasteful Master’s degree in Russian philol- (PMAL). This project is devoted to worn out “how many Poles does it situation by airing a suitable expla- ogy from Łodz University, is a ge- the preservation of the PMAL’s old- take to screw in a light bulb?” nation in the next episode of the nealogist and translator, fluent in est books, one of which dates back The joke was in such poor taste program in order to set the record Polish, Russian, English, and Latin. to 1508. The cost of restoring and that that segment of the radio show straight with your listeners. Heska is also a decipherer of Old conserving one rare book is approx- not only prompted listeners to call Yours sincerely, Russian handwriting. As a member imately $500.00. Wish to donate NPR, email/write letters to NPR, Paulina Kapuścińska of the PGSA, she offers her exper- to this project? To have your name but when Poland’s Consul General Consul General of the tise to the PGSA. Another guest placed in a rare priceless book? To Paulina Kapuścińska’s letter accus- Republic of Poland in Chicago speaker was Thomas MacEntee, memorialize a loved one? Contact ing the show of xenophobia and a genealogy pro- the PMAL at 1.773.384.3352, Ext. prejudice reached the desk of Mi- fessional who 101 or by contacting the Library at Krupa visiting Dar Serca. chael Danforth, Executive Producer specializes in the PMALibrary@PolishMuseumO- headed by Anna Bieciuk, a young of WBEZ 91.5 FM (NPR) Chicago, use of technology fAmerica.org. Polonian from the office of Michi- he felt that an apology was in order. and social media PHOTO: KONRAD ZIELINSKI gan Governor This incident reached the Chicago for genealogical Rick Snyder. The Tribune as well. National Public Ra- research. He also Michigan locale dio does serve a sophisticated audi- spends his non- was more than ence and as Danforth stated “I can’t busy time writing appropriate; one disagree with your judgment that blog posts, orga- in nine Michigan- the content of our October 26 show nizing the 3,000+ ians are of Polish was unsophisticated and insulting to members of Ge- ancestry. the intellect of NPR listeners.” neaBloggers. His letter to Kapuścińska apolo- com, and teach- SUPERMODEL gized for a joke that listeners found l. to r.: MacEntee, Jensen, Heska, and Nitsch. ing online geneal- KRUPA VISITS “hurtful.” ogy webinars and CHICAGO. Jo- “Finding that right mix of irrev- PGSA HELD CONFERENCE. The more. anna Krupa, erence and comedy is a risky busi- Polish Genealogical Society of The PGSA took special time dur- Polish American ness, and we sometimes step over America (PGSA) held its 35th an- ing its conference to honor Annma- supermodel and the line. Never is it our intention to nual conference on September 13- rie Utroska, a PGSA volunteer, star of the real- offend,” he wrote. Kapuścińska re- 14 at the Hilton Hotel in Lisle, Ill. by presenting her with its Gwiazda ity show, Real sponded by stating that she was hap- This conference offered something Award. This award is presented to Lt. Gov. Calley (center), Consul General Kapuścińska Housewives of py that Mike Danforth apologized. for everyone who attended, from a PGSA volunteer who has given (2nd from left), and entourage. Miami, was in Below is the letter that Consul how to use Google as one’s search much in time and talents. The PG- Chicago the General Paulina Kapuścińska wrote engine to navigating the Polish State SA’s Wigilia Award was presented CONSUL GENERAL TRAVELED weekend of November 3-4. She to Michael Danforth, Executive Archives to the history of the Prus- to The Polish Museum of America TO LANSING. On October 15, spent time at the Gift From the Producer of WBEZ (91.5 FM) Na- sian Partition and its record keep- for the outstanding services and the Polish Consul General Paulina Heart Foundation (Dar Serca) facil- tional Public Radio (NPR): ing. The PGSA’s 94-page program support it has given to the PGSA. Kapuścińska traveled to Lansing ity in Schiller Park, Illinois meeting book was worth the trip to this con- Accepting this award on behalf of and met with Michigan’s Lieuten- with its staff and volunteers. Dear Mr. Danforth, ference. It is a excellent resource/ the Museum was its president, Ma- ant Governor Brian Calley. She also But more importantly, Krupa I am writing to you following a research tool. ria Ciesla. took part in the first-ever Polish Day was there to visit with the special- number of phone calls that poured The PSGA was honored that PAWLOWSKI ANDY PHOTO: celebration at Michigan’s State Cap- needs children. The Gift From the into my office from WBEZ listeners four renowned experts in the area itol and met with State Senator Ste- Heart Foundation helps seriously ill who felt offended by a distasteful of genealogy were part of this con- ven Bieda. During both meetings, and handicapped children from cen- joke about Poles which appeared ference. Tomasz Nitsch came from topics concerning the prospects of tral and eastern European countries on WBEZ’s program Wait Wait … Warsaw, Poland to add his expertise cooperation between Poland and the who can only receive special treat- Don’t Tell Me last Saturday, Octo- in genealogy. He is a graduate of the state of Michigan were discussed. ment available in the United States. ber 26, 2013 in an episode Bluff the Krakow University of Economics, Consul Kapuścińska went on On Mon., Nov. 4, Krupa was Listener. The joke was about “how majoring in informational technol- to participate in the ceremony cel- the guest at a by-reservation-only many Poles it takes to screw in a ogy and econometrics. He is chief ebrating Polish Day at the Capitol, event hosted by PAL-PAC, the Pol- light bulb” and was told by the host information officer for the broadcast which, apart from speeches by the ish American Leadership Political Peter Sagal and Peter Grosz. Need- media enterprise, TVN S.A. More Lieutenant Governor and Consul Action Committee, a political or- less to say, it offended many Poles importantly, he is the founder and General, featured performances by ganization formed for the purpose and Polish Americans. Jokes such owner of Poland’s GenPol.com, one Polish dance groups, displays of of addressing the social, civic, and as these offend your listeners in a of the most important genealogy artwork by young Polish American business interests of the Polish number of ways: websites in the history of the Polish students, as well as many references American community. This appear- Firstly, they are xenophobic in internet. This website plays a very to the shared Polish and American ance at Chicago’s Gold Coast Public nature and present Chicago NPR important role in helping to enhance values and traditions. Hotel’s Library Lounge coincided (WBEZ) as promoters of preju- genealogical knowledge. Malgorzata Kot, Head Librarian, The celebration was attended by with the season finale of the Real dice, secondly, they are some of The PGSA was delighted to and Korzistka. many leaders and members of the Housewives of Miami. Guests were the most unsophisticated of jokes have invited one of the country’s Polish American community, in- able to view this final episode of Jo- which offend the intellect of NPR most knowledgeable certified -ge KORZISTKA RECITAL. Sunday, cluding State Senators Mike Kowall anna and Romain Zago’s wedding listeners, and lastly, they promote nealogists, Ceil Wendt Jensen, to October 20, was a perfect afternoon and Steven Bieda and Polish Ameri- on large screen monitors. untrue stereotypes about Poles its conference. Jensen has a Mas- to hold a piano recital at The Polish can media. The event was spear- and Poland. ter’s degree in education and is Museum of America (PMA). Those For nearly a quarter of a cen- the founder and co-director of the who endured the unexpected bum- tury now, Poland has been Eu- Polonica American Research Insti- per-to-bumper traffic on the - Ken Weso³ych Œwi¹t rope’s success story because of tute, which is the Polish Mission’s nedy Expressway received a special Bo¿ego Narodzenia i its economic, scientific, and po- genealogy center in Orchard Lake, treat. Pianist Michal Korzistka, one 2 Szczêœliwego Nowego litical achievements. In fact, many Michigan. She has conducted re- of the leading Polish interpreters of Roku 2014! countries in Europe, Central Asia, search throughout the United States Chopin’s piano works, performed Weso³ych Œwi¹t and North Africa nowadays rely and Poland. Additionally, she has piano compositions of Frédéric Bo¿ego Narodzenia GREATER HAZLETON on Poland’s example of good gov- authored four books related to Po- Chopin and Witold Lutosławski. SOCIETY ernance. This success would not lonia history: Detroit’s Polonia, Mr. Korzistka performed Chopin’s LILLIAN CYRAN P.O. Box 2275 have been possible without the Detroit’s Mount Elliott Cemetery, Andante Spianato et Grande Po- Maspeth, New York Hazleton, PA 18201 intelligence and resourcefulness of Detroit’s Mount Olivet Cemetery lonaise Brillante, Opus 22, Piano Thomas Kopetskie, President the Poles. Therefore, offending the and Michigan Polonia’s Sto Lat: A Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Opus Poles’ intelligence on a nationwide Modern Guide to Polish Genealogy. 35, along with a and a ballade.

Weso³ych Œwi¹t CHRISTMAS GREETINGS! Merry Christmas j Dick Kozacko KOZACKO MEDIA Zdrowych i pogodnych Œwi¹t Bo¿ego Narodzenia SERVICES WALTER SIEJA 9214 White Eagle Ct. STEVE & ADELE LITWIN Hollywood, Florida Raleigh, NC 27617 Binghamton, New York (919) 508-6295 [email protected] POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013 www.polamjournal.com 13

POLONIA OF THE EASTERN GREAT LAKES / Michael Pietruszka Weso³ych Œwi¹t Bo¿ego Narodzenia i Szczêœliwego Nowego Roku! Bulhak’s Photography Goes Digital Merry Christmas and BUFFALO, N.Y. — Molly Po- ness Women of Polonia’s dinner through May 31, 2014. Happy New Year! remski, curator of the Polish Room meeting at Salvatore’s Italian Gar- In preparing for the Christmas in the University of Buffalo’s Lock- dens ... The Felician Sisters at Villa holiday, a number of WNY’s Polo- wood Library is digitizing and cata- Maria commemorated the 140th an- nia organizations have already an- DAVID FRANCZYK loging the architectural and land- niversary of the Felician Sisters in nounced their events to celebrate  scape photos of Polish photographer North America with a “Holy Hour” the season. The Chopin Singing  Jan Bulhak ... On November 3, in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Society will hold is “Wigilia” at Henryk M., Anna Cyzon and Dari- Convent Chapel in Cheektowaga on the Millennium Hotel in Cheektow- usz Kozakiewicz starred in a trib- November 21 ... The Polish Consul aga on December 7. The Pulaski ute concert for Polish blues legend General in Toronto celebrated Eddie Police Association of Buffalo & Tadeusz Nalepa at the John Paul II Zawadzki’s new book, “Poles in the WNY will mark the holiday with Polish Cultural Centre in Mississau- New World: The New Generation” its Christmas party and installation ga. A new CD of the music present- on November 22 ... The Associa- dinner at the Polish Falcons Hall in Wishing All A Very Merry Christ- ed, “Prog Na Ktorym Siada Blues” tion of Priests for Polish Affairs Depew that same evening. The Pro- mas is available in the Toronto area ... held its annual Mass for Deceased fessional & Businessmen’s Asso- And A Safe Holiday Season Polish actress Kinga Mitrowska Clergy and Religious at Buffalo’s ciation will host its Christmas party headlined the production of “Va- St. Stanislaus Church on November and elections at Orazio’s Restaurant riete” at the Mavo Academy of Arts 26 ... The Polish Orphans’ Charity in Clarence on the 9th. The Polish NYS and Music in Mississauga on No- held its “White ” Cadets of Buffalo will hold its An- vember 9 and 10 ... WNY’s Polish at Toronto’s King Edward Hotel on nual Holiday Dinner at their club- ASSEMBLYMAN veterans marked Polish Indepen- November 30 ... Also on the 30th, rooms on December 21. DENNIS dence Day and Veterans Day with “Andrzejki” festivities were held To all my readers and your a Mass at St. Stanislaus Church, the at the UMC Great Hall and the John families: Wesołych Świąt Bożego GABRYSZAK Mother Church of Buffalo’s Polo- Paul II Polish Cultural Centre in Narodzenia i szczęśliwego nowego 143rd District nia, on the 10th ... St. Luke’s Pro- Mississauga. roku! ductions brought their nationally Polish rock legends “Elektry- Best wishes to you for a Merry touring one-woman play, “Fausti- czne Gitary” will perform at the Christmas, and a happy, healthy, and na: Messenger of Divine Mercy,” John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre prosperous 2014! to three churches in the Diocese of in Mississauga, and the District IX Buffalo in early November ... The on the Polish Singers Alliance of COMPUTER Polish Cadets of Buffalo held its America will host its Annual Festi- DESIGN Keep up the good work! Semi Annual Election Meeting at val of Polish Carols at St. Stanislaus SOUNDS its Grant Street clubrooms on No- Church in Buffalo, on December 1 CDS vember 17 ... Former Niagara Falls ... The University of Rochester’s Christmas Greetings to City Historian Paul Gromosiak ad- Skalny Lecture and Artist Series with D.J.Rob the Staff and all the readers of dressed the Niagara Polish Cultural will present Dr. Michael Galas’ lec- the Polish American Journal. and Historical Society meeting on ture on “Progressive Synagogues Music for Any Occasion “The History of the Echo Society in Poland as Centers of Patriotic WEDDINGS May your 2014 be fi lled Property” at the Niagara Hub on the Teaching in Goergen Hall on De- ANNIVERSARIES with Happiness, Health, and 19th ... Kosciuszko Visiting Profes- cember 4; and a concert, “Music of HOLIDAY PARTIES Prosperity. sor Dr. Barbara Klassa spoke to the Poland,” featuring violinist Maria INSTALLATIONS November 20 meeting of the Polish Raczka and pianist Ivanka Drianko- RETIREMENTS Arts Club of Buffalo on the topic, va in Strong Auditorium on the 8th  “The Image of Poland in Ameri- ... The WNY Division of the Polish Call (716) 570-3611 can 19th Century Historiography,” American Congress will host the Visit us on Facebook! PULASKI POLICE of BUFFALO and and the “Snowbelters Quartet” per- national organization’s 70th anni- formed at the Professional & Busi- versary meeting in Buffalo May 29 WESTERN NEW YORK POLISH-ENGLISH Fred Ziemecki, President POLISH AMERICAN TRANSLATOR • Official documents, letters, CULTURAL CENTER e-mails, etc. “Over . . . 53 Years of Quality Service” 308 WALNUT STREET • Reasonable rates. • Fast, reliable service by e- PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106 mail or regular mail. (215) 922-1700 • Translation to/from other When You’re in Philadelphia’s Historic languages available as well. District, Visit The Polish American • Over 35 years experience working with genealogists, Cultural Center Museum Exhibit Hall attorneys, businesses, film- Featuring Polish History and Culture makers, government, medi- OPEN 10:00 a.m. TO 4:00 p.m. • FREE ADMISSION cal professionals, etc. January through April • Monday to Friday May through December • Monday to Saturday ANDY GOLEBIOWSKI Roofi ng • Siding 109 Rosemead Lane Gutters • Trim Overhang Gift Shop is Open During Regular Exhibit Hall Hours Cheektowaga, NY 14227 Vinyl Replacement Windows Closed on Holidays (716) 892-5975 Maintenance Free Decks & Railings Visit Us on the Internet: www.polishamericancenter.org [email protected] MICHAEL C. HOINSKI 5434 Genesee St., PO Box 716-684-0355 Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia i szczęśliwego nowego roku! 202 Bowmansville, NY 14026 FAX: 716-684-0751

Become a member today Polish American Historical Association e Polish American Historical Association was established in December 1942 as a special commission of the e Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences in America to collect, compile and publish information about Polish Americans. In October 1944, it was reor ganized as a national American society to promote study and research in the history and social background of Americans of Polish descent. e Association, which was incorporated under the laws of Illinois in 1972, strives to assist and cooperate with all individuals and organizations interested in Polish American life and history. Contributions in support of the work of the Association are tax-exempt. Regular one-year membership to the Association is $40.00. ($25.00 for students) made payable to the Polish American Historical Association. PAHA, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT 06050 www.polishamericanstudies.org 14 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013 Kerry Pays Visit to Warsaw General Rowny Honored by Kosciuszko Foundation PHOTO: RICHARD POREMSKI RICHARD PHOTO: Top U.S. diplomat allays said that it was important to main- by Richard Poremski allies’ e-spying concerns tain a balance between citizens’ se- The Washington (D.C.) Center of the Kosciuszko curity and privacy, emphasizing that Foundation (KF) held its Annual 2013 Fundraising Missile shield to be in America’s electronic surveillance Dinner, Oct. 26, 2013 at the Army and Navy Club on place in Poland by 2018 had saved lives by preventing pas- Farragut Square. Tribute was paid to General/Ambassa- senger planes from getting blown up dor Edward L. Rowny (Ret.) — the Guest of Honor — U.S. defense sector eager to and thwarting other terrorist acts. by KF President Alex Storozynski and its Washington Kerry was eager to keep the out- representative Barbara “Basia” Bernhardt. bid for $45 billion upgrade rage generated by the eavesdrop- The fascinating history of Brigadier General by Robert Strybel ping scandal separate from forth- Rowny’s careers with the U.S. Army (42 years), and as WARSAW – U.S. Secretary of coming U.S.-European Union trade President Regan’s appointed Ambassador/Chief Nego- State John Kerry recently paid a negotiations. He said the free-trade tiator to the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START), one-day whirlwind visit to Poland, deal would create the most power- were recounted. A detailed description of the forgoing his only European stop during a ful marketplaces on planet Earth. “It was published in the October 2013 issue of this news- paper in preview of this event. swing through the Middle East and will put millions of people to work, To show Polonia’s deep appreciation, General Africa. It was also his fi rst visit to create new jobs, more opportunities AND GENERAL ROWNY KEEPS ROLLING ALONG. Rowny was presented with the KF’s prestigious “Pio- Central-Eastern Europe since being and it is worth pushing for,” he ex- General Edward L. Rowny and “Basia” Bernhardt neer” award. Entertainment was provided by the Joy appointed US diplomatic chief last plained. Obama’s envoy also prom- of Motion Dance Center, performing related ethnic played the offi cial U.S. Army theme song — “The February by President Obama. ised his Polish hosts that part of an dances. Renowned pianist Brian Gancz, of the National Caissons Go Rolling Along” — on his trusty and ever- Kerry held talks on defense co- anti-missile shield would be in place Philharmonic, performed Chopin and other melodies. present harmonica, with guests participating by singing operation and business ties with his in Poland by 2018. Tensions between Warsaw and Gancz also thanked the KF for its invaluable assistance its popular lyrics. Polish counterpart Radosław Sikor- in his early career, and for the opportunity to now return In his congratulatory letter, Poland’s Ambassador ski and Prime Minister Washington erupted in 2009, when, in a bid to improve ties U.S.-Rus- the favor. Ryszard Schnepf succinctly summed up the evening: “I and in the company of Defense Min- Later, many of the 150 guests enthusiastically par- would like to thank you all for being here and support- sian ties, Obama announced he was ister Tomasz Siemoniak visited Eu- ticipated in the Grand Polonaise and general dancing. ing the Kosciuszko Foundation and its future genera- scrapping a Bush-era plan to install rope’s largest military fi ring range As pictured above, a most memorable highlight of tion of scholars, who one day, as General Rowny did, 10 long-range missile interceptors at Drawsko Pomorskie on the Baltic the evening occurred when General Rowny, now 96, may take part in shaping the history of the world.” coast. At a press conference, Kerry on Polish territory. He has since told reporters that his talks with Pol- replaced it with a more mobile, ish offi cials “have confi rmed good scaled-back project, whose Roma- strategic relations between the US nian section is already under con- Majewski Re-elected as Hamtramck’s Mayor and Poland.” He also praised Po- struction. by Geraldine Balut-Coleman Presence in Detroit. Her award-win- land’s economic performance since Kerry also praised Poland for HAMTRAMCK, Mich. — On ning book, Traitors and True Poles: it dumped communism in 1989 say- modernizing its military facilities, November 5, Karen Majewski won Narrating a Polish-American Iden- ing: “In less than 25 years, the Pol- stressing that American defense her third four-year term as mayor tity, was published in 2003. ish nation has transformed itself into contractors were interested in taking of Hamtramck, edging out former Majewski continues to publish an economic power and Poland’s in- part in the $45 billion upgrade. councilman and familiar foe, Abdul regularly and is a frequent speaker fl uence is felt throughout the trans- A professed Catholic, Kerry, Algazali. at conferences. She is project man- atlantic community.” began his Polish sojourn by visit- Majewski was born in the heav- ager for the University of Michi- The U.S. diplomatic chief was in ing the grave of Catholic journalist ily-Polish Back of the Yards neigh- gan’s Community Economic Ad- Warsaw only weeks after American Tadeusz Mazowiecki, post-war Po- borhood on Chicago’s Southside, justment Program Institute which security services were accused of land’s fi rst non-communist prime but spent most of her childhood in assists midwestern communities spying on European mobile-phone minister, whose funeral had been Oak Lawn, Ill. To earn money for impacted by the downturn in the and Internet users including those held the previous day. Between her college tuition, she was a fac- auto industry. of top government offi cials such as talks with Polish leaders, he also tory worker and was the fi rst mem- She began public service as a German Chancellor Angela Merkel. found time to stroll down Warsaw’s ber of her family to attend college. member of Hamtramck’s Historical But both foreign ministers evaded historic Krakowskie Przedmieście She received her bachelor’s and Commission. She served on the city direct answers when asked whether street with U.S. Ambassador to Po- master’s degrees in English from council and as city council president Southern Illinois University, and and mayor pro tem before being Polish leaders had been spied on. land Stephen Mull. Along the way Karen Majewski Sikorski would only say that there he chatted with ordinary Poles and then went on to teach in Illinois, elected Hamtramck’s fi rst woman would be “further consultations be- school children and munched on a Missouri, Minnesota, and North Historical Association. She is on mayor in 2005. She was re-elected tween our intelligence services to baguette he had purchased at one of Carolina. She then settled in Michi- the Board of Trustees of the Deka- in 2009. Additionally, Dr. Majewski help fi ght a common enemy.” Kerry the local cafés. gan to begin American immigration ban Foundation, which facilitates sits on the Board of Wayne-Metro- and ethnicity studies at the Univer- faculty exchanges in the fi elds of politan Community Action Agency sity of Michigan and went on to agricultural, economic, and engi- and the Michigan Suburbs Alliance. earn a Ph.D. in American Culture. neering between Polish universi- Majewski received 52 percent PAJ SUBSCRIPTION FORM As a graduate student, she lived just ties and universities located in the of the mayoral votes, and as stated over the Hamtramck border in De- United States, Canada, and the in the Detroit Free Press, “Incum- NEW SUBSCRIBER RENEWAL ADDRESS troit. Then in 1998, Karen settled in United Kingdom, and the Michigan bent Mayor Karen Majewski faces Fill out form. If Please include CHANGE Hamtramck, where she lives with strong challenges, but she is clearly gift subscription, address label Municipal League. She is also a for- Enter new address her husband, cartoonist and graphic the best choice for the part-time post please fi ll out address from paper below. Please include mer member of the executive board of recipient. address label from artist, Matt Feazell. of the Michigan Suburbs Alliance’s that pays $7,400 a year.” KEEP OUR POLISH HERITAGE ALIVE! paper. Majewski, an active scholar and Millennial Mayors Congress. In Andrea Karpinski also was SUBSCRIBE TO THE PAJ TODAY! researcher, is a former Executive 2001, she organized the Detroit His- elected to one of the three City Director of the Polish American torical Museum exhibit: The Polish Council seats. 1 YEAR—$22.00 PAYMENT ENCLOSED 2 YEARS—$41.00 PLEASE BILL ME Your subscription will not 3 YEARS—$57.00 begin until your check clears. CHARGE TO MY: VISA AMEX Archbishop Refl ects at “Wadowice on the Potomac” FOREIGN and MASTERCARD DISCOVER WASHINTON, D.C. — The CANADIAN RATES: Metropolitan Washington, D.C. See prices printed CARD NO. Chapter of the Friends of John Paul on page 2. For library, II Foundation honored Archbishop institution, and bulk Carlos Maria Vigano during its an- rates, please call EXP. DATE CS CODE 1 (800) 422-1275 nual “Wadowice on the Potomac,” held at the Apostolic Nunciature in NAME Washington, Oct. 19-20, 2013. More than ninety guests recog- nized His Excellency for his dedi- NO. STREET APT. NO. cation to the Church and for his promotion of the legacy of Blessed John Paul II. CITY, STATE, ZIP The archbishop recalled when he was ordained a bishop by John Paul DIGITAL EDITION. To receive the PAJ as an Adobe PDF fi le, please initial here ______. II, and of the sadness he felt after Print your e-mail address below. This replaces your print edition. John Paul was shot. He spoke of E-MAIL ADDRESS John Paul’s love of languages and AMBASSADOR SCHNEPF (center) joined Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano how important it was to address his (2nd from right), the Ambassador of the to the United States for audiences in their native tongue. He MOVING? Please note the Post Offi ce will NOT FORWARD an evening commemorating the Papacy of John Paul II. SECOND-CLASS MAIL. If you move, you must notify our offi ce. remembered his passion for young people and his courage to have lived The second day of celebration by the Polish American Apostolate THREE EASY WAYS TO SUBSCRIBE! a life fi lled with human frailties. was at the National Shrine of the and the Chapter was acknowledged MAIL TO: PAJ SUBSCRIPTION DEPARTMENT The Chapter awarded the Arch- Immaculate Conception at the al- for its promotion of the legacy of P.O. BOX 198, BOWMANSVILLE, NY 14026-0198 bishop a paperweight as a reminder tar of our Lady of Czestochowa. A Blessed John Paul and for arranging of his work on behalf of John Paul mass was celebrated by Cardinal the reception after the service. CALL: 1 (800) 422-1275 or (716) 312-8088 II. The three dimensional art work Maida and concelebrated by ap- The Chapter hosted the reception M-F 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. EST included an image of the Archbish- proximately fi fteen priests including at the Pontifi cal Institute of John op, John Paul II and the Vatican fl ag. ON LINE: www.polamjournal.com the rector of the shrine. The founda- Paul II for the Studies of Marriage SECURE SERVER (Amex, Disc., MC, Visa, and PayPal) It was designed by Carla Tomasze- tion took part in the unveiling of and Family at McGivney Hall at wska of Maryland. the Mosaic of John Paul II donated Catholic University. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013 www.polamjournal.com 15

MPA Holiday Dances Holiday Magic POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL FRIDLEY, Minn. — Get into the FLORIDA, N.Y. — Jimmy Sturr holiday spirit at the Midwest has released a DVD entitled “Holi- Association Holiday Dance, Sat., day Magic.” Filmed at the Kirby Dec. 7, at the Fridley Legion, 7365 Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., it was Old Central Avenue NE. originally released on VHS and Dr. Kielbasa will play for danc- is now available on DVD for the ing and listening from 7:00-11:00 first time. Ninety minutes long, it p.m. features a 19-piece orchestra with In case of inclement weather, special guests including Boots Ran- please call the Legion club at (763) dolph, The Polonaise Dancers, The DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION AND CONTINUANCE OF POLISH AMERICAN MUSIC 786-0920 to confirm that the dance Jimmy Sturr Singers, Irish Step will be held. Dancers and Lenny Gomulka. On Dec. 28, the MPA will pres- Contact JS Productions, Box Connecticut State Polka Celebration A Huge Success ent a “Pre-New Year’s Eve Blast” at 1, Florida, NY 10921 or call (800) the Maplewood Moose Lodge, 1946 724-0727. English St., Maplewood (corner of Frost Avenue and English Street). Craig Ebel’s DyVersaCo, will Polka Fireworks provide the music from 7:00 p.m. 40th Anniversary until midnight. CHICAGO — Make plans to PHOTO: CHRIS ZOLKIEWICZ For location directions, call the Moose Lodge at (651) 776-2830. attend the 40th Anniversary of the A Special 98th Birthday Dance Polka Fireworks Festival at the Sev- for Larry Trojanowski will be held en Springs Resort, Champion, Pa., Jan. 11, 2014 at the Maplewood Wed. July 3- July 6, 2014. Moose Lodge. Craig Ebel’s DyV- Fourteen of the nations top polka ersaCo will play for dancing and bands will be on stage, including listening from 7:00-11:00 pm. No Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push, gifts, please! John Gora & Gorale, Dennis Po- For information on any of the lisky & the Maestro’s Men, The aforementioned events, email Dan- Boys, The Knewz, Jeff Mleczko’s ny Fabeck at dan.fabeck@gmail. DynaBrass, The Buffalo Concertina com or call (763) 244-0152. All-Stars, Tony Blazonczyk’s New Phaze, The Nu-Tones, Ray Jay & The Carousels, Andy Fenus & The Bay City Trel-Tones, Henny & the Versa Js, Kowalski Honored Mike Charney’s Crab Town Sound, The Mon Valley Push, and DJ Ken- BAY CITY, Mich. — Stanley ny Olowin. Kowalski, a Bay City polka musi- A Polka Mass will be celebrated cian, was honored October 6, 2013, on Sunday morning with music by LEGACY SECURED. On Sun., Nov., 3, a huge celebration was at the historic Polish National Home in Hartford. when Mayor Christopher Shannon Henny & the Versa Js. The hall quickly filled with polka fans and friends from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, proclaimed October 6, 2013, “Stan- Reservations are being accepted. and Rhode Island. Master of ceremonies Peter Danielczuk began the program detailing his long seven-year ley Kowalski Day.” Contact Tish Blazonczyk at: (708) journey to secure Ray Henry’s “Ballroom Polka” as the official Connecticut State Polka. Kowlaski, who was recently 594-5182 or visit www.polkafire- Danielczuk then introduced state representative Linda Gentile, who read the proclamation from governor elected to the Michigan State Pol- works.com. Dannel P. Malloy. After the declaration, there was a resounding burst of applause that filled the historic ball- ka Music Hall of Fame, treated room. The Ray Henry Tribute — Polka Hall-of-Famer Dennis Polisky, Andrew Galarneau, Jim Turek, Greg the crowd to “Roll Out the Barrel” Dolecki, Jim Bednarczyk, Stan Scott, Ron Pezda, Joey Milardo, and Eddie Skinger — launched into Ray Henry’s played on his accordion. New Year’s Eve Sold Out theme song. A proclamation commemorating BUFFALO — The Polka New In attendance were polka dignitaries, IPA Polka Hall-of-Famers Billy Belina, Mitch Biskup; DJs Todd Zaga- the day the polka musician was in- Year’s Eve Party at the Millennium niacz, Helen and Charlie Curtin, John Prytko. Jr., Teri Arensman, Lucy Flossic, John Gladdis, John Hurchala, ducted into the Polka Music Hall of Hotel is — at press time — sold and Gary Szeflinski; PAC President John Ziobrowski; musicians: Eddie Biegaj, Rob Prytko, Marty Swiatek, Chris Fame in Owosso was approved by out. If you wish to attend the event, Zolkiewicz, Dave Goclowski, and more. the City Commission. The Hall hon- which features music by by Polka The chairman of the Ray Henry Tributes committee Ed Satkowski, along with his wife Irene and fellow com- ors polka musicians and promoters Country Musicians and Special De- mittee members, were ecstatic for yet another milestone. Friends and followers of the late Ray Henry (nee who are 50 or older and have played livery, you can be placed on a wait- Henry Mocarski) were deeply moved by the musical presentation that Polisky and the band performed. publicly for at least 15 years. ing list. Call (800) 323-3331.

POLKA INSIDER / Steve Litwin JUKEBOX / Steve Litwin POLKA MEMORIES / Steve Litwin

If you have a special Polka Memory photograph to publish, email : Treasure the Memories Heaven on Earth [email protected]. Christmas is around the corner. two. There are in heaven It may not be what it was in your Musically, what began in the and you can also find them here childhood days, but it’s still a spe- kitchen of my Dzia’s house contin- on earth, especially on the new cial time. In days past, grandparents ued to the corner of 6th and Oliver K&C Entertainment CD, “Hon- often lived within walking distance and the famous Kolędy Nights at ky Heaven.” of your house. In many cases cous- Litwin’s Blue Room. After we all Recorded live at Kuzmans ins were all within the toss of a rock went through Uncle Tony’s song Lounge in Girard, Ohio, the track and, as with our family, Christ- charts, singing several songs at least list of this recording is a who’s mas meant visiting every relative’s twice, it became polka time. Every who of polka industry. The CD house during the holidays. Polish standard you could think of covers it all, from the music, to Midnight Mass was special and was on the list and the accordion the performers, to introductions now there is no Midnight Mass was passed from Stan, to Bob, and by DJs and promoters, to musi- at our church. As a matter of fact, to some young guy named Steve. cianship by the best. here even the church we called our Bucky or Butch handled the tarka If you want names, how about own is gone. Fortunately, the church and the hours seemed to last forever. Joe Oberaitis, Charlie Tansek, Steve and Andy Fenus, Jim from my childhood is still alive and Snow meant slippery sidewalks J & THE BRASSTONES. Northeast Pennsylvania. c. 1980. remains in my heart, even if it is 200 and icy roads but it also meant Kilian, Stas Golonka, Jimmy miles away. Christmas and kolędy and holiday “K” Krzeszewski, Li’l John Na- Growing up in the Buffalo area, I polkas. For several brief weeks all levanko, Bobby Piven, Eddie can remember my grandfather play- those great polka Christmas record- Madura, Bernie Gorak, Sr., Rich ing polkas on the harmonica or tun- ings were dusted off and played al- Zebrowski, Marty Dzik, Randy ing in Stan Jasinski on the radio. The most continually. From the Palas, to Koslosky, Keith Stras, and more. Polka Beehive program and Pic-A- Wally, to Blaz, those melodies of the Classic is a term used a lot but Polka show were never missed dur- season warmed the heart, put joy in it truly fits this musical product ing my youth. This music was even our days, and brought back memo- like a glove. With a selection of more present at Christmas time. It ries of Christmas pasts. songs that cover the entire book, meant celebrating the birth of our Nothing remains the same and and 33 tracks of music and com- savior, music, singing kolędy and the only thing constant is change. mentary you’ll find your favorite the endless tables of food. We were Think back to those days. Continue tune on “Honky Heaven.” never money rich but the riches we the traditions you can from your The live recording It puts you had went far beyond cash. heritage, even in a modified form. there, in the hall, next to the stage Of course you couldn’t live in Treasure those memories, those enjoying every minute. Western New York and not shovel events, those times, because they If you don’t have this CD, get snow or take accordion lessons. To are a gift. “Sometimes a memory it. Better yet, get two and give this day, many decades later, I can is your best friend.” From the Pol- one as a gift to that friend who still play kolędy without music and ka Insider and Rosalinda, Merry loves honky-style polkas. can still shovel snow. Don’t ask me Christmas, Wesołych Świąt Bożego To order, visit kncentertains. for the correlation between those Narodzenia! com or call (847) 468-0112. PENNSYLVANIA POLKA KATS. Mayfield, Pa. 1980. 16 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013

NOTES / Barbara Pinkowski Thanks for the Memories! Hi everyone! I have big news: I from Burlington joined the Piat- have decided that after writing for kowski Brothers (Rob and Al), the PAJ for 26 years, this will be Mark Trzepacz, and Matt Lewan- my last article. Mixed feelings of dowski on stage at the Polish Villa gladness and sadness fi ll my heart. I II for a “Sweetest Day / Half Way loved doing this, but I feel it is time to Dyngus Day” party. Lots of polka to get a fresh look on the polka re- fans fi lled the Villa to hear the su- porting. per sounds of this band. Eddie and Throughout all the years, I have Roseanne Kutas were happy to see met and spoken to many musicians, such a large turnout. JENNIFER PIJANOWSKI and yours truly. Jennifer will EDDIE KUTAS, John Gora, and Ken Krupski, at the polka fans, and promoters. Many start her column in next month’s paper. “Sweetest Day” dance. A BUSY PLACE. interesting and informative conver- It was a double- on their marriage on Nov. 2. Mat- Polish and Cana- event, I was in the polka mood. sations were shared about the mu- header at Potts Hall on Oct. 26 when thew is the son of polka musician dian fl ags and singing the three na- My parish, St. James, now Blessed sic and everything associated with Ted Szymanski had a sell-out for and chiropractor, Matthew Misiak, tional anthems. There were many of Mother Teresa, had a Polka Mass at it. Tons of photos I have taken fi ll the trip to the Seneca Niagara Ca- and Karen Kozak. our Canadian friends there includ- 4:00 p.m. which Special Delivery my with remembrances of sino. Afterwards, it was a buffet din- ing John Gora and his wife having played to a full church. The music all the good times and fun at the ner and music by Special Delivery. WHAT A CROWD! Polish Night at a good time. Lenny Gomulka & sounded so good, it made you feel social polka events. It was an honor A couple hours later, New Direc- the Fr. Justin Knights of Columbus the Chicago Push did a tremendous like dancing. and thrill for me to be named Polka tion had its Halloween party there in Cheektowaga, Nov. 2, was a huge job. Many songs from his newest Reporter of the Year by the United with prizes awarded for costumes. success. Every promoter would love CD, “Save the Music,” were played MERRY CHRISTMAS. I would States Polka Association the last Fun for everyone! to see a hall as packed as this din- and enjoyed. When it was time to like to wish all you dear read- three years. So, thanks for all your ner-dance. Jim and Marie Brado did end after Lenny’s last number, the ers my sincerest wishes for a very GET WELL comments and ideas, it was a plea- … wishes go out to Sal- a fabulous job in the kitchen prepar- crowd would not let him go and kept Merry Christmas and Happy New sure to share our love for the music! ly Matyjas from Lockport. Hope ing food for 400 people! There was requesting more songs. He pleased Year! May your life always be So, it’s goodbye Barb and hello she is feeling better now … to Kim a patriotic start to the festivities with the crowd by playing almost an ex- fi lled with love, laughter and music! Jen! Rozek, who is recouping from knee the presentation of the American, tra half hour until it was “Turn out Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodze- As of 2014, Jennifer Pijanows- surgery on No- the Lights, The Party’s Over!” They nia i Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku! ki will be writing a polka column vember 8 … and were stellar! for this paper. Jen attends many to Special Deliv- The New Direction Band also UPCOMING polka functions both in and out of ery’s Dave Mie- played and did an excellent job. Dec. 7. Polka Variety Social Club town and has a big circle of polka sowicz, polka’s Gene Rzeznik is back into polka Christmas Party at the Leonard Post- friends and connections. Her hus- “Offi cer John music again. He is the new bass Music by Rare Vintage. Call Bill at (716) band, Ricky, plays drums with our McClane,” who player with the band and does a 759-8194. local band, The Touch. Welcome went under the great job. Before I even got to this Dec. 8. Response to Love Kolędy aboard, Jen! scalpel Novem- Dance at Potts Hall, 41 S. Rossler, ber 13 for foot Cheektowaga. Music by the New Di- rection, 3:00-7:00 p.m. Food, theme INTERNATIONAL TALENT. Our surgery. Listen to the area was treated to the sounds of tray raffl e and more. $10.00 admission. Call 826-6575. great Canadian musicians when on CONGRATU- Dec. 8. Special Delivery plays at Oct. 17, Ed Guca from Toronto and LATIONS TO BIG TONY POLKA SHOW Metzger’s Pub, 4135 Seneca St., West his band entertained at the Polka … Matthew Seneca, N.Y. 4:30-7:30 p.m. Boosters Club meeting. Then on Misiak, Jr. and SWEETHEARTS at the Sweetest Day dance: Sandra WJJL 1440 AM Dec. 14. Polka Boosters Club Christ- Oct. 19, the talented John Gora Kristen Galas, Lewandowski, Jennifer Maziarz, and Lori Stachelski. Niagara Falls / Buffalo, NY mas Party. Polish Falcons Hall in De- SUNDAY EVENING pew. Sit-down dinner, open bar, and 5:00 p.m. music by the New Direction. Call Chris at (716) 771-1076 for information. Dec. 22. The Touch. Sportsmen’s Send all promotional material to Tavern, 326 Amherst St., Buff alo. 3:00 Tony Rozek p.m. start. 78 Cochrane St. Dec. 23. Kolędy Night. Madonna Buffalo, NY 14206 Council K.of C. 755 Erie Ave., N. Tonawa- nda, NY from 8:00-11:00 p.m. with Con- certina All Stars. Call 693-5470. For advertising information, call Dec. 29. Dianeagains at 2460 Clin- (716) 824-6092 ton St., Cheektowaga, has Special De- [email protected] livery from 4:30-7:30 p.m. The End! Drivetime Polkas with “RONNIE D” WESTERN NEW YORK’S ONLY SEVEN-DAY-A-WEEK POLKA SHOW

www.drivetimepolkas.com WXRL 1300AM MONDAY-SATURDAY 5:00-7:00 p.m. WECK 1230AM SUNDAYS 8:00-11:00 a.m. FOR INFORMATION or ADVERTISING RATES, CALL (716) 683-4357 POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013 www.polamjournal.com 17

TOLEDO POLONIA / Margaret Zotkiewicz-Dramczyk FREE CATALOG! HEAR ALL THE POLKA STARS TAPS 30th Anniversary a Huge Success on Hats off to Kevin and Judy Kwi- band kept the diverse crowd danc- Cleveland Polka Association, the SUNSHINE atkowski and the entire anniversary ing throughout the night, with ev- Polish National Alliance, the Toledo SEND FOR A FREE CATALOG committee for the Toledo Area Pol- eryone begging for ‘one more time’ Polish Genealogy Society, and the SUNSHINE ka Society’s 30th Anniversary gala as the evening concluded. Polish Roman Catholic Union of PO BOX 652 event held October 26. Special thanks go out to Felix America Toledo and Wyandotte so- W. SENECA, NY 14224 TAPS was founded in 1982, and CDs $12 each and Stella Sobecki for their hard cieties. $2.00 SHIPPING & HANDLING the membership of the organization work on the video presentation, On behalf of all of the Board formed in 1983. The charter officers Eric Hite for his coordination and members of TAPS, dziękuje to ev- were: president, Tom Ross; vice mixing of the CD featuring many eryone who helped make the 30th president, Dick Reed; secretary, Toledo bands who played for TAPS anniversary celebration a premiere Dolores Ziemianski; treasurer, Ruth throughout the years, Mike and event. Silka; and sergeant-at-arms,Walter Marie Marek for their hard work As we say goodbye to 2013, Ziemianski, with an additional 24 on the anniversary booklet, Allons- charter members. Y! Marketing for the collation and don’t forget to check out all of our Early dances and meetings were printing of the book, and Kevin and dances in 2014. January 19, music held in members’ houses and ga- Judy Kwiatkowski for not only co- is provided by The Mixx, February rages, and eventually, the activities ordinating the anniversary commit- 23 will see Duane Malinowski & took place in public settings. Danc- tee but for hours spent producing Polka Jamboree on the stage, and es were held at the Argonne Post of and packaging the commemorative March’s band will be the Diddle the American Legion in North To- CD. Styx from Michigan on the 30th. All ledo, the Eagles Post 197 on Jack- Thanks also go out to the Polka dances are held at Conn-Weissen- man Road in West Toledo, and up Boosters of America, The Inter- berger Hall, 2020 West Alexis Raod, through the present, where dances national Music Association, The with music from 2:00-6:00 p.m. take place at the Conn-Weissen- berger Post of the American Legion Weso³ych Œwi¹t on Alexis Road. Over the years, TAPS dances FRANIA’S POLKA CELEBRATION featured dozens of the nations’ top Frania Yakima traveling bands, and numerous lo- Saturday: cal bands. Individuals were honored 12 noon- 2 p.m. Saturday Kolêdy with acknowledgement for years of Listen LIVE @ Special membership, a practice that takes www.wedo810.com December 25 place to this day. Theme dances, Archived shows @ 10:00 a.m. summer picnics, and bus trips have www.frania.wedo810.com all formed part of the history of TAPS. White Oak, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania To commemorate the history of TAPS, the anniversary commit- Weso³ych Œwi¹t Bo¿ego tee, which coincidentally had 30 Narodzenia i Szczêœliwego Nowego Roku! members, began meeting in early SLOVAK CHRISTMAS CAROLS summer to map out the notewor- JASLICKARE — 14 CHRISTMAS CAROLS IN SLOVAK thy evening. As well as planning “O SVATA NOC,” “TICHA NOC,” “CO TO ANAMENA?” & MORE the schedule, the committee came up with special touches such as an anniversary booklet, a complimen- AMERICAN SLOVAKS tary CD, a continuous video loop of CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS members past and present, 30 door ST. MATHIAS CHOIR — 11 CAROLS IN SLOVAK prizes, and fall-themed fresh flower “KEDY JASNA HVIENDZDA,” “PASLI OVCE VALASI,” & MORE . The enthusiasm generated by ONLY $13.99 EACH committee members paid off, as the shipping included dance was sold out, with well over PA Residents add 6% sales tax 250 guests and standing room only To order, phone: 1.800.768-6311 (9 a.m.-7 p.m.) The band with music after dinner. mail: Joe Nardone’s Gallery of Sound Guests included several charter RBO MUSIC for every occasion 180 Mundy St., Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18702 members, Ray Jay (who sat in with Contact June Sherry Ingram the band) and his wife, fans from www.galleryofsound.com 352 Packer Road as far away as Canada, Chicago, Mystic, CT 06355-1124 Maine, and Georgia, many people from Michigan, and of course the (860) 536-2452 or (860) 908-7877 local Toledo polka fans. Dan and Laura Mateja from The Interna- THE POLKA CAROUSEL www.richbobinski.com tional Polka Association presented ROCKIN’ROCKIN’ TAPS with a congratulatory plaque midway throughout the evening. Wesołych Świąt! Merry Christmas! from Toledo Polka Queen Alyson Kra- POLKASPOLKAS jewski was in attendance as well as with several former polka queens. MIKE & GEORGE PASIERB Of course no dance would be memorable if not for the music. Your Host: Ed Slomkowski Lenny Gomulka & the Chicago WXRL Push filled those shoes perfectly. www.polishnewcastleradio.com Lenny’s newest release is “Save the Wed. 5:00 to 6:00: p.m. Music” featuring Lenny and his son 1300 AM Fri. 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Teddy, and throughout the evening, LANCASTER-BUFFALO www.radioharborcountry.org Lenny played several new songs SAT. 2:00-3:00 p.m. Wed. 11:00 a.m. to noon from this recording, in addition SUN. 7:00-8:00 p.m. to crowd favorites. Lenny and the Sun. 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Rob Mazur, Owner

The Polka Carousel WSKT Polish Program SALT LAMPS ETC. Host Ed Slomkowski Host Ray Kolodziej 5274 Broadway, Lancaster, NY 14086 •(716) 564-9286 Wednesdays 5:00-6:00 p.m. Sundays Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Can’t sleep? Need relief for asthmas? Allergies? Sinuses? Piwo “N” Polkas Polka Magic Radio Hosts Hosts TJ Salonick & John Lesniewski & Now available beautiful Polish salt lamps that clean and Melonie Nowak Bob Pawlik ionize air for your health and well-being. Wednesdays 8:00-9:00 p.m. Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to Noon

Laboratory tested for ionization and quality. Polka Revolution Party Time Polkas Hosts Dave & Vud Host Stan Wilgocki For information and flyers call: Sundays Live/WKST 1200 AM Fridays 7:00-9:00 p.m. We will ship Joyce (716) 860-0828 • [email protected] 9:35 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. anywhere in the USA Arlene (716) 649-3188 • [email protected] 18 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013

POLISH CHEF / Robert Strybel Christmas Day Meat Dishes Following the traditionally meat- c chopped stewed tomatoes, ¾ c – 6 raw chicken livers. Add: 4 egg until only 1/4” thick. Sprinkle with der but not overcooked. less Christmas Eve supper, meat chopped, pitted prunes and 2 peeled, yolks, beaten until creamy with salt and pepper, dredge in flour, dip dishes of various kinds reign su- diced large cooking apples. Toss in- 4 T soft butter and 1 T sugar; 1 c in egg wash and roll in plain bread MEATBALLS IN SOUR-CREAM preme during the long post-Wigilia gredients to blend and bring to boil, drained, pre-soaked raisins; 1 c crumbs, shaking off excess. Fry in SAUCE. klopsiki cielęce w season of Christmas and New Year reduce heat and cook uncovered on ground blanched almonds; and 3 – 4 several T hot butter to a nice gold- śmietanie. Soak 1 stale, broken-up entertaining stretching from Dec. 25 low 30 min. Mix again, cover pan T chopped parsley. Season with salt brown (several min per side), drain bread roll (about 1-1/2 oz) in 1 c to Feb. 2. Here are some of the all- and bake another 2 hrs at 325° stir- & pepper, 1/4 t grated nutmeg and on absorbent paper and serve imme- milk until soggy. Run through meat time favorites. ring frequently. After switching 2 pinches or so ground cloves. Mix diately. Serve with rice or potatoes grinder. mix with 1-1/4 lb ground off heat, leave bigos covered until well. Gently fold in 4 beaten egg and mizeria or lettuce. veal, add 1 egg and work by hand HUNTER’S BIGOS bigos it cools to room temp. Refrigerate whites and toss very gently. Mix- until well blended and smooth. Salt myśliwski. This dish is as much over night. Add 1/2 c dry red wine ture should be moist and soggy, as ROAST LOIN WITH & pepper to taste and (optional) add at home at a gourmet banquet as and 2 buds mashed garlic and cook it firms up during roasting. Fill cav- PRUNES schab pieczony ze 1 T fresh chopped dill. Roll into it is bubbling in a pot over over a on low another 2-3 hrs, stirring oc- ity loosely and sew bird up. (Note: śliwkami. Rub a 4-5 lb pork loin walnut-sized balls, dredge in flour forest campfire with hunters hud- casionally. Reheat at 325° for 90 This quantity is about right for a with salt, pepper, marjoram and and lightly brown on all sides in 3 T dling round. Soak 1 oz dried bolete min before serving. If the bigos is 10-lb turkey, so adjust the amount 1 – 2 buds crushed garlic, place in butter. Whisk together 1-1/2 c meat mushrooms in 1-1/2 c water several not as tart as you want, stir in a little to the size of your bird.) Tuck ends roaster, smother meat with 2 sliced stock, 3/4 c sour cream and 1 t or hrs, then cook in same water until reserved sauerkraut juice. Season of drumsticks under skin flaps and , cover and let stand at room more flour until smooth and drench tender, chop, return to liquid and with salt, pepper, marjoram and place in roaster. Rub all over with temp 1 hr. Remove loin, pat dry, meatballs with mixture. Cover and set aside. Drain 3 qts sauerkraut, re- crushed juniper. butter and place thin wide strips of sprinkle with flour and brown on simmer on low 30 min. Season serving liquid,. If overly sour, rinse salt pork on breast and drumsticks. all sides in hot oil or lard to seal in sauce to taste with salt, pepper and in cold water, drain again, squeeze ROAST TURKEY POLONAISE Roast about 20-25 min per lb. When juices. Return to roaster. Brown on- lemon juice. Serve with mashed dry and chop coarsely. Place in pot indyk po polsku. Wash and pat done, remove from oven and let ions in the pan drippings and return potatoes, rice or noodles and a non- with 1 bay leaf, cover with cold dry 8-12 lb turkey. Rub inside and stand at least 15 min before carving. to roaster. Add 1 c water and bake in creamed salad. Variation: Instead water and cook uncovered about out with salt and let stand covered 375° oven 1 hr. Meanwhile, soak 2 c of meat stock, make sauce with 1 60 min, stirring occasionally. Add at room temp 2 hr. Crumble up 12 CHICKEN-BREAST CUTLETS unpitted prunes in water to cover 20 mushroom bouillon cube dissolved about 2 qts various cooked cubed - 15 slices stale French bread (or kotlety z piersi kurczaka. Pound 4 min, drain and add to roaster. Bake in 2 c water, 1/2 – 2/3 c sour cream meat (beef, venison or other game, equivalent amount of chałka, kai- skinned and halved chicken breasts another 90 min or until meat is ten- and 1 heaped T flour. pork, veal, turkey, duck, smoked ser rolls, buns, etc.) into bowl and Polish and/or cubed ham. drench with milk to barely cover. in any proportion you like. Add the Mix and let soak. When soggy, NASZA KUCHNIA / Carole Hango-Hanlon mushrooms and their liquid, 1/2 grind with raw turkey liver and 5

LOWS Our Hours are: Mushroom Picking, Anyone? KO Ki Lunch SO ’S M-F 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Many years ago, my mother be- In 2011, I was listening to our future meeting. When I walked in, Fri. Night Dinners longed to a group, the Club Pola- National Public Radio affiliate in there were several tables of mush- 5:00-9:00 p.m. naise in New Jersey. Washington, D.C., WAMU. Kojo rooms that people had brought to The Club would always have Namaji hosted a talk, “Autumn Sat. Night Dinners the meeting. Some were edible and a picnic at a park. After feasting, Mushrooms — Dangerous and De- others poisonous. 4:00-9:00 p.m. many would go for a walk; I would licious.” (You can listen to the pro- I had never seen such a variety of Lounge open ‘til 1:00 join them. gram from this link: http://thekojon- mushrooms. I decided to go on their a.m. on Fri. and Sat. John Jaworski, whose wife, namdishow.org/shows/2011-09-28/ next foray. Cleveland’s Premier Agnes was a member of the Club, autumn-mushrooms-dangerous- If mushroom picking inter- Polish American would hunt for mushrooms on the and-delicious. ests you, I encourage you to join UNIVERSITY INN Restaurant walk. He always instructed me Ray LaSala, president of the My- a group, especially to learn how CLEVELAND, OHIO Now in our 90th year never to eat the mushrooms. I was a cological Association of Washing- to identify mushrooms. If you are ESTABLISHED IN 1923 in Business child at the time and never realized ton, D.C. (www.namyco.org) at the looking for a club in your state, Featured on the Travel there were poisonous mushrooms. I time, was one of the guests. I had visit the Mycological Association (216) 771-9236 had grown up with mushroom soup no idea there was an association of & Food Network www.sokolowskis.com website to search for an affiliated and pierogi at wigilia. I had no idea mushroom hunters! I found the talk clubs. Most of the clubs have for- there were poisonous mushrooms. interesting and decided to attend a ays where they will help identify the mushrooms you have found. There are many books on mushroom iden- tification. You can find them at your local library, bookstore or on Ama- zon.com. I encourage you to join a group. You will learn a great deal and meet a fascinating group of people who enjoy the outdoors. Take a look at the web site www. fungi.com. You can even grow your own mushrooms. If you have a mushroom story, submit it to the Polish American Journal for possible publication. Mushroom hunting practically de- fines our heritage. I am currently interested in learn- ing more about medicinal mush- rooms: shiitake, enokitake, maitake, turkey tail and chaga, to name a few. Happy hunting!

PLEASE NOTE. There is risk in eating wild mushrooms! Get good books to help you identify the mushroom. Find an experienced teacher or a club. Mushrooms listed as edible in some field guides may not be edible in your area. In other cases, only certain portions of the mushroom may be edible. Ingesting poisonous mushrooms can be fatal. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013 www.polamjournal.com 19

POLISH CHEF / Robert Strybel Christmas Cakes and Cookies POPPYSEED ROLL strucla z makiem, makowiec.: For the until blended and gradually add 3 c flour, mixed with 1 t bak- filling: rinse well 2 c poppyseeds and drain. Place in pot, scald ing soda. Knead well and set aside to rest about 1 hr. Bet- with boiling water and cook 15 min. Remove from heat, cover ter yet, prepare dough a day ahead. Spread dough on greased and let stand till cooled to room temp. Drain poppyseeds well baking sheet and bake in 350° oven about 40 min. Cut into and grind 2-3 times through fine-mesh strainer. Melt 1 T but- squares after it cools. ter in skillet, add ground poppyseeds, 3 T honey, 1/2 c rinsed, drained raisins, grated rind of 1 lemon and 1/4 c chopped can- ALMOND KING CAKE ciasto Migdałowego Króla. At Three died orange rind. Simmer, stirring constantly, on low heat 10 Kings festivities (Jan. 6), whoever finds an almond in his min and set aside. Add 1/2 t vanilla extract. When cool, beat 2 piece of cake becomes king or queen of the ball. Any of the egg yolks with 3/4 c sugar until creamy and stir into mixture. honey-spice cakes, or almond-roll cake can serve Fold in 2 stiffly beaten egg whites. For the dough: mash 1-3/4 this purpose. Simply insert a whole blanched almond into one cakes yeast with 1 T sugar and 2/3 c warm milk. Stir in 1/3 serving of the cake. c flour, cover and let rise in a warm place. After about an hr beat 2 egg yolks with 1/2 c sugar until creamy and add to yeast ANGELWING PASTRIES faworki, chruściki. Beat together mixture together with 2-2/3 c flour and 1 whole egg. Work 3 eggs yolks, 1/3 c sour cream, 2 T softened butter, 1/2 t va- ingredients into a dough. Work in 4 T melted butter and knead nilla and 3 T 100 proof vodka or brandy (cognac). Gradually until smooth and silky. Set aside in warm place to rise. When add 2 c flour, mixing well to blend. Knead dough about 15 doubled in bulk, divide dough in two and roll out each piece min, beating it at intervals with a heavy wooden rolling pin. ¼” thick. Spread dough sheets with poppyseed filling leav- Place in bowl, cover with clean dish towel and set aside to ing a 3/4” margin round the edges. Roll up and place in bak- rest in cool place 1 hr. Roll dough out thin, cut into 2”x6” HOLIDAY BASIC keks świąteczny. Cream 2/3 ing pan(s) to rise. Bake in preheated 390° oven about 50 min. strips, make a slit in the middle of each strip and pull one end c butter with 1 c confectioner’s sugar, gradually stirring in 5 Dust with confectioner’s sugar or glaze with white icing. Op- through to form a bow. Fry in hot oil, shortening or lard on egg yolks. Add 1/2 c chopped walnuts, 2 T finely chopped tional: Soft icing may be sprinkled with chopped candied or- both sides to a light golden brown and remove to paper towel. candied orange rind and 1-1/2 c flour sifted with 2 t bak- ange peel, slivered almonds, chopped walnuts or poppyseeds. Dust with confectioner’s sugar. Usually limited to Mardi Gras ing powder, then fold in 5 stiffly beaten egg whites. Mix to in Poland, in Polonia this is a year-round favorite! combine ingredients and add 2/3 c raisins, rinsed drained NUT-ROLL CAKE strucla orzechowa. The rolled-up yeast- and floured. Transfer dough to well greased loaf pan(s), even dough cake may contain fillings other than poppyseeds. Pre- FRUITED HONEY-SPICE CAKE piernik z bakaliami. Heat out top and make a deep lengthwise slit in dough with knife pare dough as for poppyseed-roll recipe (above). In dry skil- 1-1/2 c honey to boiling, stir in 1 c sugar, bring to boil, simmer dipped in melted butter. Bake app. 1 hr at 375° After cooling let, toast 3/4 peeled hazelnuts (filberts) until lightly browned. briefly and cool to room temp. Mash 1 cake yeast and dissolve and removing from pan dust with confectioner’s sugar. When cool, chop and set aside. Grind 2-1/4 c chopped walnut in 1/2 c warm beer. To honey-sugar mixture add: beer-yeast meats and beat with 1 egg and 1/2 c sugar until smooth. Add mixture, 1 T butter, 4 beaten eggs and 4 c flour. Beat well. Add combine ingredients. Stir in another 1-1/2 c flour and fold in 4 the chopped hazelnuts and 1 jg rum (or 1 jg vodka flavored 1-2 t honey-spice-cake seasoning, 1-1/2 southern fruits (figs, stiffly beaten egg whites. Transfer dough to greased, floured- with several drops rum extract) and mix to blend. Spread prunes, dates, raisins, walnuts in any combination) chopped cake pan and bake about 50 min in preheated 375° oven. rolled-out dough with mixture and proceed as in first recipe. fine (raisins may be unchopped) and 2 T candied orange rind, Optional: Dust baked strucla with powdered sugar if desired. chopped fine. Mix dough well to combine ingredients evenly. CHEESE-DOUGH APPLE TURNOVERS rożki serowe z Variation: Almonds may be used in place of the walnuts and Spread on greased baking sheet and bake app. 40 min in pre- jabłkami. Sift 1-2/3 c flour onto bread-board and combine filberts to produce strucla migdałowa (almond-roll cake). heated 350° oven. When cool, cut into squares. with ½ lb ground or processed farmer cheese. Cut in ½ lb but- ter and 5 T sour cream and combine ingredients into a dough. HONEY-SPICE CAKE piernik. Here is a very basic recipe for HONEYLESS SPICE CAKE piernik z marchwi bez Roll out 1/4” thick and cut into 2” squares Place an apple slice a cake often served during the Christmas-New Year season. miodu. Scrape clean, wash and grate fine just over 1 lb car- on square diagonally, bring ends of together over it and pinch Heat 1 c honey with 1 t honey-spice-cake seasoning (przy- rots. Beat 4 egg yolks with 1/4 lb butter, add 1-1/2 c brown ends together to seal. Transfer to uncreased baking sheet and prawa do pierników) or pumpkin-pie seasoning (more or less sugar, 1-2 t honey-spice-cake seasoning, 2 t baking powder, bake in pre-heated 400 oven to a nice golden brown about 15 according to preference). Add 1 c sugar and 2 eggs, mix well the grated rind and juice of 2 lemons and 1-1/2 c flour. Mix to min. When cool, dust with confectioner’s sugar. 20 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS / Tom Tarapacki Belinsky and Fidrych: Gone, But Not Forgotten Part 1 street brawling, of California. in 25 people from his native coun- Some athletes have fleeting mo- and got his nick- The lefty with the outstand- try for the week, including soldiers ments of greatness before the fame name from mid- ing fastball and screwball gave the stationed in Afghanistan, the Pol- and glory fades, but very few of dleweight boxer newspapers plenty to write about, ish Minister of Sport, the Polish them still remain in the public con- Bobo Olson. and not just about what he did on ambassador and children from his sciousness after the cheering stops. His father the diamond. He became an instant camp. But while they Two of those athletes who still prodded him to celebrity, driving to LA’s trendi- were arriving in Arizona, Gortat capture the public’s imagination stay out of the est hotspots in his candy-apple red was catching a flight to Washington. decades after their playing careers pool halls and get Cadillac. Over the next couple of Gortat told the Washington Post: “It ended are Bo Belinsky and Mark more involved years the handsome bachelor dated was hard for me, at the beginning, Fidrych. in sports, but Bo some of Hollywood’s most beauti- but this is life. This is a business. Both Belinsky and Fidrych were didn’t play base- ful women, like Ann Margret, Con- The NBA is a big, big business.” talented Polish American pitchers ball his senior nie Stevens and Tina Louise, and he But those who bought tickets for with strong personalities, who had year at Trenton was engaged to actress Mamie Van the game will get free tickets when brilliant but short careers. Other High School. Al- Doren. When he married (after re- Gortat and the Wizards visit Phoe- than that, they had very little in though he was not tiring from baseball) his first wife nix in January. common. Belinsky was a streetwise very motivated was Jo Collins, a former Playboy A 6-10 center from Lodz, Gortat and cocky pool hustler from Tren- to play baseball, BO BELINSKY made his major league debut with the centerfold. While playing in LA he is known as “The Polish Hammer.” ton, New Jersey who dated Holly- Bo had plenty of Angels in April 1962, and won his first three starts. also made numerous appearances Other than the problems with Pol- wood starlets; Fidrych was a hum- talent and was a to the West Coast, when the Nation- on TV shows and in movies. Re- ish Heritage Night, Gortat is excited ble, down-to-earth native of a small lefthander as well, so he was signed al League Brooklyn Dodgers moved flecting on his time with the Angels, about being on a team that’s a play- town in Massachusetts, who talked by the Pirates after graduating in to LA in 1958. In 1961 the Ameri- he later said, “In those days it was off contender. Gortat made the post- to his baseball and played with a 1954. He later went to the Orioles. can League added the Los Angeles all sex and champagne, champagne season in each of his first four sea- child-like exuberance. In the minor leagues Bo constantly Angels as an expansion team. The and sex. The two were a lot like sons in the NBA with Orlando, and Bo Belinsky threw the first no- got in trouble off the field, particu- Angels had a decent team with some each other. When it was good, it was made it to the NBA Finals in 2009, hitter at Dodger Stadium — and the larly when his roommate was Steve Polish American major league vet- good, and when it was bad, it was but he has missed the playoffs the first no-hitter by a rookie left-hander Dalkowski (Dalkowski, widely con- erans like Ted Kluszewski, Steve still pretty good.” past three years in Phoenix. in baseball history —as a member sidered the fastest baseball pitcher Bilko and Ed Sadowski, but they After his fast start in 1962 Be- of the expansion Los Angeles An- ever, never made it to the majors struggled to compete with the well- linsky’s wild life off the field hurt KUBIAK RECOVERING. Houston gels on May 5, 1962. He’s remem- due to his unpredictability on and established Dodgers in the LA mar- his pitching. He began the season Texans head coach Gary Kubiak bered for that, of course, but more off the field). Bo seemed to have ketplace. With the signing of Bo, 6-1, but was 10-11 with a 3.56 ERA was released from the hospital days so for his colorful playboy lifestyle enough ability and charm to escape however, the LA newspapers were when it ended. In ‘63 he won just after dropping that made him one of the most writ- whatever difficulty he got himself soon writing more about Belinsky two games, and spent part of the to his knees dur- ten about people in Los Angeles. into. In 1961 his contract was pur- than about the Dodgers’ Sandy Kou- year in the minors. In ‘64 Belinsky ing halftime of Robert Belinsky was born in chased by the Angels. Even before fax and Don Drysdale. was 9-8 with a 2.86 earned run aver- a Texans-Colts 1936 on Manhattan’s Lower East he had pitched in a major league Belinsky made his major league age, but his season ended in August game. Side to a Polish Catholic father and game, the ever-confident Belinsky debut with the Angels in April 1962, when the Angels suspended him af- The 52-year- a Russian Jewish mother. His father held out for $8,000. When the An- and won his first three starts. Then ter he punched a sportswriter for the old Kubiak felt was a laborer who moved to Tren- gels offered $6,500 for the year his it got even better. On May 5, 1962, Los Angeles Times. After the season, dizzy and light- ton to work at a plant that made steel response was: “I can make $6,500 after a night of carousing, Belin- the Angels traded him to Philadel- headed, and was wire for suspension bridges; later on shooting pool.” Although that state- sky threw a 2-0 no-hitter against phia, where he posted a 4-11 record sent to a hospital in an ambulance. he opened a TV repair shop in Tren- ment was probably true, Bo finally his old team, the Baltimore Orioles with a 4.61 ERA over two years. He He was treated intravenously with ton. Ed Belinsky had played base- signed a deal with the Angels after for his fourth straight win. It was then went to Houston, Pittsburgh tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), ball in the Coast Guard, and passed some highly-publicized salary ne- also the first no-hitter pitched by a and Cincinnati, spending a lot of a clot-busting medication typically on the sport to his son. Young Bo gotiations. rookie lefthander, and the first major his time in the minors. Bo retired given to people who are suspected also enjoyed shooting pool and Baseball had only recently come league no-hitter pitched in the state in 1970 with a record of 28-51and of having had a stroke. It works by a 4.10 ERA in eight major league breaking up clots so that blood can seasons. return back to the brain. A stroke According to the Los Angeles is caused when blood flow to the Times, after he was sent to the minor brain stops, which stops the organ leagues, the Roman Catholic diocese from receiving blood and oxygen. The largest The best that encompassed his hometown of tPA can also be used for other con- Trenton issued a statement saying ditions, like heart attacks, or for variety prices it hoped that he, like his pitching, other neurological problems that are would “fade into obscurity.” caused by blood clots. Even after leaving baseball, Be- Kubiak is the great grandson of POLISH INTERNET STORE linsky never quite faded into obscu- Polish immigrants who settled in rity. He worked for a Las Vegas car Texas in the late 1800s. A former www.polishfoodandgifts.com dealership, and was in high demand NFL quarterback, he has coached for public appearances. “You know, the Texans since 2006. (724) 858-8145 I’ve probably gotten more mileage winning 28 games in the majors THEY SAID IT From Our Kitchen Polish Import Gifts from Poland than most guys who’ve won 200,’’ “Bo Belinsky had a Jewish PIEROGI CHOCOLATE POLISH HATS he once said. “If I had won 250 mother and a Polish, Catholic father. STUFFED CABBAGE SWEETS T-SHIRTS games instead of 28, I would have During his early days in Los Ange- made a few more dollars and gone les whenever Bo scored a victory, POTATO PANCAKES FRUIT CARVED WOOD ITEMS broke a little later,” he said. the papers reminded their readers PRESERVES WOODEN PISANKI Bo’s alcohol and chemical de- that Bo was Jewish. When Bo lost, NUT ROLL PICKLES EGGS pendency problems became worse they reminded their readers that Bo after he left baseball, and he strug- was Polish.” POPPY SEED ROLL HERRING FLAGS gled mightily for a time. However, — Peter S. Horvitz in The Big he said that he became a born-again Book of Jewish Baseball. Christian and had been sober since v v v 1976. He died in Las Vegas at the “I was born apart. My mother age of 64 in 2001 of a heart attack. was Jewish, my father Polish Cath- Next: Bird Takes the Country By olic. To , I was a p----k. To Storm. Poles, I was a k--e. I was removed — removed from people in my fam- BIG, BIG BUSINESS. The Phoe- ily, people in my school. Even in my nix Suns celebrated Polish Heritage youth, I didn’t know where to park Dear Customers, night during their season opener myself.” against the Trail Blazers. Unfortu- — Bo Belinsky, on his personal Our Polish family-owed store and restaurant in Pittsburgh, Pa. has been successfully nately, the Suns’ Polish-born Mar- sense of alienation. operating since 2008. Now you can enjoy shopping with us online! ZAPRASZAMY! cin Gortat wasn’t there — he was v v v Dorota Pyszkowska, Owner traded to Washington. “Belinsky was the victim of The Suns weren’t necessarily neighborhood brawls, some because honoring Polish heritage just be- he was small, some because he was “... if it’s Polish, we have it!” cause their starting center was born a kid with a big mouth, some be- in Poland, but Gortat was to be a big cause he was Jewish and Polish in part of the festivities. The event was a neighborhood that was Jewish, COUPON planned in conjunction with the Ari- Irish, Polish, Italian and Swedish.” zona Division of the Polish Ameri- From Bo: Pitching and Wooing for POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL READERS can Congress, and special ticket dis- by Maury Allen with the Uncen- Enter coupon code “PAJ DEC” counts were offered. sored Cooperation of Bo Belinsky. In addition, Gortat he had flown and receive 10% off storewide It’s the perfect time of the year to give a gift subscription to the PAJ! POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013 www.polamjournal.com 21

THE PONDERING POLE / Ed Poniewaz THE OLD COUNTRY / Richard Poremski What was All of the Pondering About? For the record, this is the 99th I became introduced to famous peo- Kubelsky (Jack’s father) spoke Pol- installment of the Pondering Pole. ple such as Tamara de Lempicka ish and came from Poland, then he To recognize and celebrate the oc- (art deco painter), John Szarkows- was indeed Polish.” Wikipedia and casion, I would ask that you indulge ki (photographer), Zbigniew Ry- other sources for Benny’s ancestral PHOTO: RICHARD POREMSKI me so that for this edition, let’s look bczynski (music-video director), background can now be corrected. back at the purpose and goal origi- Stanislaw Wyspianski (renowned As the team at the research bureau nally set forth for the column. Let us painter and contemporary of Hen- of the Pondering Pole like to say in reminisce a little if you will. Then rik Ibsen, Gustav Klimt, and Paul a case like this, cza-czing! for number 100, I want to offer up Gauguin), and finally, Michael So- some thoughts and ideas on what kolski, creator of Scantron, the mul- POLISH OR NOT? Ashton Kutch- might be (might we) accomplished tiple-choice testing method (Ugh!). er, actor, producer, model, and de- in 2014 and beyond. As always, let’s And, as they say in the commer- spite the last name and face is not explore and “ponder” together. cials, there was “much, much more.” Polish. Ethnic Celebs (http://eth- Way back in 2005 I wrote: For me, the more important thing in nicelebs.com) brings him in at 66% I am constantly amazed at how this long journey was the analysis Czech. Count him though as another many persons or historical events and the lessons learned. That would member of our Eastern European have a Polish connection or twist I be the “why” part previously men- family. was not aware of and am pretty sure tioned and interspersed through- Polonia and certainly most Ameri- out. To my surprise, there was a A HEARTFELT Wesołych Świąt cans are not as well. While most profound Polish point in the topics to all the Polish American Journal of us are familiar with the “Cs,” of economics, theology, arts and readers, advertisers, and staff. I am Curie, Chopin, and Copernicus … literature, psychology, and at least especially grateful to all of the folks there are many lesser-known but twenty times in history. The Polish that read the Pondering Pole, those equally interesting and significant soul, heart, mind, blessing, , that I have corresponded with, and stories about how our people are in- and Angel Wings were examined. I those that have helped or contrib- volved and have contributed in this believe I can explain now why the uted in any way for the last eight country and elsewhere throughout people that love us, love us, and I years. Dziękuje bardzo to you and history. am beginning to understand why joy and blessings at Christmas. I should have said constantly the people that don’t aren’t seeking amazed to discover some of the hid- therapy (although, many most likely IF YOU HAVE A THOUGHT about den stars and gems of Polonia, to are.) The latter also might be simply this month’s topic, a question, or look where no one else was looking a lost cause or falls into the category have interesting facts to share, con- EXHIBITING EQUINE CURIOSITY. Old Town, Warsaw. May 16, 1976. and to research those people, events, of prerequisite, psychology – in- tact me at: Edward Poniewaz, 6432 and stories that many of us did not sane. For all of it though, what I can Marmaduke Avenue, St. Louis, MO DID YOU KNOW? / Robert Strybel know or realize. Since the project tell you: become your own Ponder- 63139; eMail alinabrig@yahoo. was an immense undertaking, part ing Pole. I hope you find it as fulfill- com. Don’t forget to visit The Pon- of the plan was to engage others in ing and satisfying as I do. dering Pole blog, ponderingpole. INTERESTING POLISH CHRISTMAS FACTS the “work.” In my opinion, this has That’s what I’m talking about! blogspot.com. The blog is a work in • Traditionally, the Christmas Eve of Christmas known as Gwiazd- truly been a success both in reveal- progress and I need to catch up on supper does not begin until the ka, a bearded Gwiazdor (Father ing new notable persons of Polish TIMING IS EVERYTHING. As sub- posting current and past articles. evening’s first star appears in the Christmas) or St Joseph. In other extraction and by exciting a number stantiation for the 99th edition of the N.B. If you send email, reference sky. Small children were usually parts of the country it was Święty of others of Polish extraction to join Pondering Pole, along comes a per- the Polish American Journal or the given the task of standing in the Mikołaj (St. Nicholas) who is in the fun of the hunt. The final bo- fect gift. Gil Mros sends me an ar- Pondering Pole in the subject line. window and watching for the star, now the most common holiday nus of all this was that the research ticle he wrote for the Polish Geneal- I will not open an email if I do not which was a good way to keep cheer-spreader and comes twice: evolved towards analyzing and see- ogy Society of Minnesota (Summer recognize the subject or the sender. them from getting in the way of on his feastday December 6th and ing more to the person or story than 2013 pgs. 21-23) on the ancestral last-minute preparations. on Christmas Eve. met the eye. “Why” became as im- birthplace of Benjamin Kubelsky, • In the past, poor Polish families • Because of the prime significance portant as “who” or “what” in this better known as the comedian and would decorate the evergreen of Wigilia, Christmas Day is far bough (“podłaźniczka”) hanging less important to Poles than to exercise. All of the aspects of being television star Jack Benny. Is he Weso³ych Œwi¹t! a “Pondering Pole” became truly Polish or not? from the rafters with small pieces Americans and West Europeans. satisfying to me and I think it helped To make a long story short, yes of wood wrapped in colored paper St. Stephen’s Day (Dec. 26th) is others to think about it as well. he is. The remarkable and impres- EDWARD J. PODGURSKI to imitate candy. also a legal holiday in Poland, So over the last eight years I sive thing though was the detective Huron, Ohio • One Polish folk-belief contends and St. John’s Day (Dec. 27th) is found out that Jim Furyk (future work involved in finding and com- that farm animals are briefly able widely celebrated in the country- golf professional Hall-of-Famer), piling the list of clues that eventu- to speak with human voices at side, but these are largely social Peter Cetera of the rock group ally lead to that conclusion. Here is midnight on Christmas Eve. The occasions lacking the singular so- Chicago fame, Meg Ryan, Holly- one example for starters: Benny’s downside of all this is that anyone lemnity and symbolism of Christ- wood film star, andRyan Newman, wife consistently claimed his family Serdeczne życzenia z okazji who actually hears them will not mas Eve. NASCAR driver are part Polish. was from . True but then Bożego Narodzenia, dużo live to see another Christmas. • According to one Polish folk- That there is a Polish connection to perhaps he came from a Polish town zdrowia, radości i • Poland’s -giver belief, at midnight on Christmas the Enron Scandal, with one of the in Lithuania. What was the primary pomyślności once varied according to region. Eve the water in wells turned to In some places it was the Christ wine. But only those who had “most influential writers” of Ireland language of the family? How should Sincere wishes for health, Child himself, elsewhere it was never sinned could actually taste (James Joyce), in the Broadway immigration and census records be happiness, and prosperity this musical West Side Story, in “String interpreted? an angel, a female personification it. Christmas Theory,” “Intelligent Design,” at On and on with these and many The Matchbox Bar in Chicago, with other questions and considerations, RICHARD and PEARL STERLING SILVER JEWELRY the television show Flipper, danc- the “whys,” “whos,” and “whats” WILGOSZ ing the tango, film star Audrey just discussed. Eventually, when Hollywood, Florida A Hepburn’s ballet training, and with adding it all up, according to Gil, “I B D E the movie … ready: “King Kong”! felt confident in stating that if Meyer C

We wish all our members, f F friends, donors and sponsors G I Pe³nych radoœci, H A Blessed Christmas and a pokoju i szczêœcia Healthy ad Happy New Year Œwi¹t Bo¿ego Narodzenia SAVE A CHILD’S HEART oraz wszelkiej pomyœlnoœci w J K nadchodz¹cym Nowym Roku The best gift one can receive is the smile on a child’s face that WALLY & MARTHA was given a second chance to a normal and healthy life. Thank PIATEK You for your support. —Ronald Syslo, President ALL SHOWN ACTUAL SIZE • All items are Sterling Silver. Berlin, New Jersey All these items are available in 14 kt. gold • Please contact us for pricing. DESCRIPTION GOLDEN LION JEWELRY Polish A. Polish Princess...... $7.00 P.O. BOX 199 B. #1 Babcia (Script)...... $8.00 PORT READING, NJ 07064 e C. #1 Babcia (Block)...... $8.00 Children’s D. Small Eagle...... $12.00 (908) 862-1927 Radosnych Œwi¹t Bo¿ego E. Medium Eagle...... $14.00 [email protected] Narodzenia pomyœlnego F. Large Eagle...... $15.00 • Add $5.00 S&H Heartline Nowego Roku G. Large Heavy Eagle...... $35.00 H. Extra Heavy Eagle...... $40.00 • Prices subject to change 177 Broadway I. #1 Mamusia (Block)...... $12.00 • Allow 10-14 days for delivery. If not POLISH AMERICAN J. #1 Tatus (Block)...... $12.00 satisfied, return for refund within Clark, NJ 07066 15 days. K. #1 Ciocia (Block)...... $12.00 (732) 680-0680 CITIZENS CLUB • N.J. residents must add 7% sales Camden County, N.J. Tie Tacks of D, E, ...... $19.00/$21.00 tax. N.Y. residents add appropriate (732) 914-0019 Tie Tacks of F, G, ...... $22.00/$42.00 sales tax. 22 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013

THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY POLISH CHILDREN’S HEARTLINE (a non-profi t corporation, State of New Jersey)begins its 28th year of helping children. An all volunteer non-profi t 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 , , 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

AMERICAN POLONIA AT A GLANCE St. Florian’s Polish Soup CONNECTICUT zur Gemutlichkeit Restaurant, 2300 were forced to spend the night in a Festival Serves Up Tradition HARTFORD — The Polish University Avenue NE, Minneapo- barn with a menagerie of farm ani- National Home is celebrating the lis, Sun., Dec. 8, 2013. For informa- mals. To their surprise, when they HAMTRAMCK, Mich. — Two men dressed in soldier camoufl age 30th Anniversary of its designation tion, visit www.pacim.org. woke, they found the animals had uniforms stood in a makeshift booth, made to resemble a tent, and on the National Historical Registry decorated the barn with ribbons and poured out bowls of military soup — pea soup. It wasn’t a foreign out- at 2:00 p.m. in the main ballroom NEW YORK bows and prepared traditional Pol- post where this action took place. of the PNH, 60 Charter Oak Ave., BUFFALO — District IX of the ish Christmas dishes like pickled but the church hall of St. Florian Hartford, Dec. 8, 2013. Tickets are Polish Singer’s Alliance of America herring, pierogi, and kolaczki. The Roman Catholic Church Sunday, $40.00 per person with choice of presents its Annual “Festival of farmers and the animals celebrated Oct. 27. The occasion was the pork tenderloin or salmon entrée. Polish Christmas Carols,” Sun., together before the men rushed parish’s second annual Polish For more information, contact Irene Dec. 1, at 3:30 p.m. at St. Stan- home to spend Christmas morning Soup Festival. Syp Underwood at (860) 561-2336 islaus R.C. Church, Peckham and with their families. Among the soups served, be- or at [email protected]. Townsend Streets on the East Side. You can watch and listen to sides the pea soup, were mush- HARTFORD — The Polish Cul- Admission is free. the song at www.youtube.com/ room, barley, tomato rice, dill tural Club of Greater Hartford will NEW YORK — Greg Adkins, watch?v=FjWK_ztEyFE. pickle, beet, czarina (duck blood hold its annual Szopka Festival, an amateur songwriter in New York soup), chili, and a seasonal squash soup. Traditional Polish food (be- Sun., Dec. 1, 2013, from 9:30 a.m. City, has penned a Christmas tune PENNSYLVANIA sides the soup) was also sold including: gołąbki, kiełbasa, pierogi, ka- until 3:00 p.m. at the Polish Nation- based on a story about a pair of UNOIONTOWN — The Polish pusta. Contributing their time and talents, parishioners made the soups al Home, 60 Charter Oak Ave. farmers in Poland who fi nd them- Heritage Club will host its annual as well as a delectable array of desserts, including authentic Belgian The Szopki (elaborate Polish selves stranding in a blizzard as they Wigilia (Christmas Eve Supper), waffl es. Christmas ), which are try to make it home to their families. Fri., Dec. 6, at 6:00 p.m. in the Pol- Polish entertainment displayed the made by area school children, will Adkins spun the story into a country ish Club Hall on South Mt. Vernon dancing skills of the different-aged dance be on display and prizes will be song set in the desert. Adkins based Ave. groups from the church while The Kiel- awarded for the best. St. Mikolaj, his tune, “Cows Love Christmas,” Reservations are need. Please basa Kings played the day and night away. the traditional Polish Santa, will be on a tale his grandmother, Teresa call Barbara Novsek at (724) 438- A tin can auction, religious articles, a rum- there to greet the children. There Witkowski, told him in the early 1036. mage sale, and Polish Christmas orna- will be a variety of Polish imports ‘70s when she began visiting him All are invited to come and enjoy ments added to the list of attractions. and home-baked goods including and his family in Daytona Beach, the meatless meal, share opłatek, The Rev. Mirek Frankowski of the Pol- babka, pierogi and kielbasa. There Fla. from her home in Lancaster, sing koledy, and receive specially- ish order, Society of Christ Fathers is the will also be arts and crafts, books, N.Y., just outside Buffalo. basked pierniki (Christmas cook- pastor. Cindy Bonneau is the event direc- cards, jewelry and more. Admission “Grandma Terry,” who passed ies). tor, assisted by her husband, Mike. is free, and the hall is handicap ac- away in 1998, told her grandson Last year, over 150 participants For more information, visit the St. Flo- cessible. the story of two farmers trapped in came from near and far to promote rian’s website at www.stfl orianparish.org. the Polish countryside by a snow- and enjoy this treasured tradition of — Michelle Odrobina ILLINOIS storm on Christmas Eve. The two our heritage. CHICAGO — “Wigilia, Tradi- tional Polish Christmas Eve Sup- per” will be held in the Sabina P. Gdy nadejdą miłe Świêta, Logisz Great Hall of the Polish Mu- seum of America, Fri., Dec. 6, 6:30- j Niech ten wierszyk Ci przypomni, 8:30 p.m. ¯e o Tobie ktoś pamiêta, The evening will include an ex- Ktoś, kto w dali spêdza Świêta! planation of the beautiful Wigilia Merry Christmas traditions, sharing of the Polish to All Christmas wafer opłatek, delicious JOACHIM & CYNTHIA RYBKIEWICZ traditional Wigilia meatless meal, and the Staten Island, New York carols (kolędy) and a visit from St. Best for the Nicholas (Święty Mikołaj). Cost is $25.00 per person, 13 New Year years and older; $15.00 for children 4-12. Adults must accompany and Na nadchodz¹ce Œwiêta Bo¿ego remain with children. Reservations Narodzenia, ¿yczê radosnych Œwi¹t, are required and there is limited oraz na ten Nowy Rok 2014, seating. Please call (773) 384-3352, ext. 104 or email: pma@polishmu- obfi tych ³ask Bo¿ej Dzieciny, seumofamerica.org for further in- zdrowia i wszystkiego najlepszego. formation. There is plenty of free parking. BERNADETTE M. PRZYBYLSKI STEPHEN J. KASPRZAK MINNESOTA Floral Park, New York New Castle, Pennsylvania SMACZNE! The Polish Ameri- can Cultural Institute’s 25th An- nual Polish Soup Festival was held October 27 in Kolbe Hall in John Paul II School, Minneapolis. Guests sampled many of the dozen or so soups offered (servers gave eight ounces at a time—to allow room for as many soups as possible). Bever- ages, bread, and dessert were in- cluded in the admission price. There was also a children’s area, vendors selling Polish foods and articles, and performance by Mosaics. OPŁATEK IN WINONA. The Polish Museum at 102 Liberty St. in Winona will hold an opłatek (Christ- mas gathering), Sat., Dec. 7. At the Polish Museum we celebrate the tradition with assorted Polish foods, desserts and beverages. Polish and traditional Christmas Carols are en- joyed by everyone gathering around our beautiful Polish piano. Free ad- mission and open to the public. For information, call (507) 454-3431. PACIM WIGILIA DINNER. The traditional benefi t for PACIM’s Dom Dzicka Children’s Fund to support disadvantaged youths in Poland will be held at the Gasthof POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013 www.polamjournal.com 23

MORE AND MORE LEAVING GENEALOGY / Stephen M. Szabados SURNAME CORNER / Robert Strybel According to as-yet unpublished figures from Poland’s Central- Sta tistical Office (GUS), over two mil- DNA and Your Genealogy Looking for Birthplace lion Poles were living abroad at the close of 2012. The data, seen by the Many genealogy researchers DNA testing. DNA test results will Q: I am searching for my grand- Poland. Under Prussian occupation Rzeczpospolita daily, marks an in- have begun using DNA testing to indicate a Y-Haplogroup and a Ma- parent’s place of birth. I have three up until 1918, Czerniejewo was crease of about 70,000 since 2011 help answer questions in their fam- ternal Haplogroup and these groups different spellings, and I would like known in German as Schwarzenau. and 130,000 since 2010. ily history and try to get past brick are used to predict the origins of to know if they are all the same Some point to recent legisation walls. FOR A CUSTOM-RESEARCHED your ancestors. These are based on or different places. They are: Cz- as the reason. Our DNA consists of 23 pairs analysis of your surname – its ori- DNA markers that have been found erniejewo, Czewojewo, Poznan In 2012, Poland’s of of chromosomes and the markers (from a passenger list) and Juncewo gin, meaning, number of users, in people from specific areas and parliament passed a law raising the in each pair give us our individual (from a cousin who is research- where they live and coat of arms Haplogroups may be valuable to age of retirement to 67 for both sex- characteristics. There are three ing). If you can help me with this if any, kindly airmail a $19 check explain our anthropological origins. es, in a bid to combat the changing different types of DNA tests (Y- question, I would be most grateful. (adding $10 for each additional The number of companies offer- ratio between workers and pension- DNA, mtDNA and autosomal) and Thank you. surname you wish researched) to: ing DNA testing has been expand- ers, which is currently 3:1, but may each analyzes different pieces of our Dorothy Badzinski Robert Strybel, ul. Kaniowska 24, ing rapidly. The three major compa- be as high as 1:1 in 2060. DNA. The results for each can be nies used by genealogy researchers [email protected] 01-529 Warsaw, Poland. For more used to interpret or verify different A: The three names you listed are information please contact: re- Around 1.5 million Poles living are FamilytreeDNA, Ancestry.com abroad are below the age of 39 and aspects of our heritage. and 23and Me. Ancestry.com and all separate localities, not different [email protected]. Y-DNA tests can only be taken spellings of the same place. Your 726,000 are between 25 and 34. The 23andMe offer only autosomal test- A subscription to the Polish most dramatic phase of the exodus by male members of a family and ing. FamilytreeDNA offers all three grandfather must have listed Cze- close Y-DNA matches will predict a wujewo in his travel documents. It is American Journal makes a perfect was in the first three years after Po- tests. gift. Call (800) 422-1275 today! land joined the EU in 2004. common ancestor within 15 genera- Submitting a DNA sample will a small village in today’s Kujawsko- Pomorskie voivodship (province) in tions. If possible, historical docu- not magically produce your entire Żnin county. Juncewo is another vil- Need free help researching your Polish ancestors? ments should be used to find the family tree. In fact, your test results lage also in Żnin country. By con- Want to provide help for those researching their Polish heritage? common ancestor. However, if this may not produce any matches at is not possible other factors need to trast Czerniejewo is a small town first. When you do have matches, Join POLISH GENIUS be considered to confirm the valid- of some 2,500 in the Wielkopolska they should be used as clues to pos- ity of the DNA test results such as region in Gniezno county just across the Polish genealogy email list. sible relationships and you should common areas of origins and com- the Kujawsko-Pomorskie border. always try to verify with genealogi- Over 750 members from all over the world. mon surnames. All three localities are in the same cal documentation. DNA test results Our two moderators are from the USA and Poland. MtDNA or Mitochondrial DNA general area of central northwest Check us out and ask the group a question. may help you get around a brick test results are similar to Y-DNA. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/polish_genius/ This type of DNA is passed down wall when the paper trail has been thru the mother to her children and lost. Your results may point you in the test can be taken by both male a new direction and may help you and female children. The results will find new places to look for the docu- help identify relationships to spe- ments you need. DNA matches may cific mothers. This is important be- also help you jump over segments cause of the challenges due to prob- of your tree where documents are lems with finding maiden names. lost or sealed by a court. The Autosomal DNA test is a If your results seem confusing, new test that many believe will be remember that scientific data is still a major breakthrough in genealogi- being accumulated. The definitive cal research. This test analyzes more results that we expect may still be than 700,000 DNA markers in our in development. A very good source entire DNA make-up. The predict- to answer many questions may be ed relationships are based on how found online on the resource page many segments are shared and the for International Society of Genetic length of the segments. Autosomal Genealogy at www.ISOGG.org. testing adds an extra dimension to v v v DNA testing because it can uncover Stephen M. Szabados is a regular relatives in any branch of the fam- contributor to the Polish American ily tree. Journal, and the author of Finding Haplogroup is another genetic Grandma’s European Ancestors and term that is given in the results of Find Your Family History. SUPPORT THE PAJ PRESS FUND n 1978, a voluntary fund-raising campaign was launched by a group of loyal readers of the Polish American Journal entitled “We Love the PAJ Press Fund” in order to help cover rising postage, material and production costs. IDonations to the PAJ Press Fund are also used to support our reader services (postage, telephone, research, etc.), provide newsclippers with stamps and envelopes, and cover extraordinary expenses in producing the paper. The Polish American Journal is not a profit-making ven- ture. Thanks to its dedicated staff, the PAJ is pub­lished as a “public service” for American Polonia. Donations to the PAJ Press Fund will be acknowledged in the paper unless otherwise directed by the contributor.

A sincere “THANK YOU” for their donations to the PAJ PRESS FUND: Mr. & Mrs. Frank Austin, Orchard Park, N.Y.; Wally E. Chapla, Rockledge, Pa.; Chester Drozd, Mt. Prospect, Ill.; Ken Francis, Avoca, Pa.; Helen Gawlik, Poolesville, Md.; Anthony Grzebyk, Tom’s River, N.J.; Jerry Holchuck, Elmira, N.Y.; Dr. Michael Jurek, Oak Ridge, N.J.; Eugene Kaczkowski, Greendale, Wisc.; Edward Kopek, Utica, N.Y.; Dr. John A. Niziol, Clifton, N.J.; Martha Pachnik, Crystal, Minn.; Chester Przybysz, Toledo, Ohio; Irena Szewiola, North Hills, Calif.; Genevieve Trzeciak, Appleton, Wisc.; Richard and Pearl Wilgosz, Hollywood, Fla.; Regina Wnukowski, Philadelphia; and two Friends of the PAJ. Dziękujemy wam wszystkim! The PAJ thanks all who donated to the Press Fund.

MAIL TO: PAJ PRESS FUND POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL P.O. BOX 271, NORTH BOSTON, NY 14110-0271 I want to make sure the POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL continues its service to American Polonia. Enclosed is my contribution of $______

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY, STATE, ZIP Please [ ] include [ ] do not include my name in your list of contributors. 24 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013

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.

KULTURA / Staś Kmieć TRAVELOGUE / Staś Kmieć Polish Music with a Polish Soul 5 Days in Poland: The Jerusalem Path to Sobieski CD REVIEW Part IV Jerozolimska. The village Polish Violin Music – a CD re- Aleje Jerozolimskie (Jerusa- was abandoned shortly af- cording featuring violinist Kinga lem Avenue) is the street that leads ter its founding. Most of the Augustyn and pianist Efi Hackmey to the Sobieski Hotel in the busi- Jews eventually moved to the is dedicated to the Polish violin tra- ness district of Warsaw. I took the city, but the name has been dition in all its fascinating diversity. healthy walk past the cafés, restau- used in its plural form ever The album is an important contri- rants, coffee shops, and joints since. bution to the musical landscape of – places like Grand Kredens, Café Here the first railway sta- Poland – many of the recordings are du Monde, and Amigos Restaurant, tion in Warsaw was built. The world premieres, and much of the which sports a wonderful wózek easternmost part became one repertoire is virtually unknown. wagon filled with planted field flow- of the most representative The opening in G ma- ers. At Domino’s Pizza you can get and the expensive areas of jor, Op. 26 by Aleksander Zarzycki a duża pizza with one topping for the ever-growing city in the is a gem and sets the standard of 19.90 złoty (~$6.35). Concert post- late 19th century. The street of Culture and Science – jokingly quality of this magical CD. Rarely ers for coming attractions such as was extended westwards in the referred to as “the gift from Stalin have I heard Polish music played Paul McCartney, American bands early 20th century, and after Poland that Poland wanted to give back.” with true temperament, nuance and Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, regained independence in 1918. The only surviving part of the pre- with the elusive Polish soul. Ms. Exodus, Six Feet Under, along with Most of the houses along the av- war architecture is Warsaw’s origi- Augustyn speaks the language of Polish bands Kabanos and Lady enue, including priceless examples nal main post-war department store, the music and approaches the intri- Pank plaster the brick walls. Past of Art Nouveau and modernist ar- CDT “Smyk,” located to the south cacies with refinement, restraint and Kinga Augustyn the billboards, city traffic, trolley chitecture, were destroyed in the of the street. finesse. cars, and under highway overpasses, aftermath of the Warsaw Uprising. Only slightly off-the-beaten Efi Hackmey creates the- per Organizations constantly feature track, I arrive at Plac Zawiszy 1 – fect complement and support to the winners of Polish music competi- the Jan III Sobieski Hotel, which violinist’s exquisite virtuosity. Au- tions who are technically proficient, opened in the new Democratic Po- gustyn’s elegant playing and fear- but lack the understanding, subtle- land in 1992. I have never stayed less panache are unfailingly musi- ties, and sensitivity of the music’s here, but my mother and sister Kry- cal. Capable of lyricism and bravura source. Is it because they are not sia could not get over its modern in equal measure, her sound is full- Polish, or is it because they do not style or the talking elevator. The bodied and passionate. possess an innate sensitivity to the hotel has since gone through sev- This is a must-have CD – an ex- “voice” and language that the music eral hands of ownership. Its first cellent addition to a musical library speaks? owner was a consortium of two and the perfect gift for the holidays. state-owned banks; it was sold to Zarzycki’s virtuosic Mazurka v v v was a staple of an older generation a Polish-Austrian company, then a Polish Violin Music is avail- of violinists and a frequent recital Norwegian company and a decision able for download online at www. showpiece. His music is emblem- was made to turn it into a network naxos.com and www.classicsonline. atic of the romantic ethos of the of Radisson Blu. An overhaul of the com. CDs can be obtained through nineteenth century. Augustyn de- building has been implemented in www.kingaugustyn.com; kingaau- votes a sizable portion of the CD to phases and will last until 2015. [email protected], or at Radio his work and is the first violinist to The Radisson Blu Sobieski Hotel Rampa – 133 Greenpoint Ave, record all of his violin pieces. A TURN-OF-THE-CENTURY postcard view of Jerusalem Avenue. offers business district convenience Brooklyn, NY 11222. The balance of old and new can and gracious accommodation with be found in the choice of compos- I walked along a path full of history. Following World War II, Com- 435 rooms full of modern amenities, ers. In addition to five pieces by The Avenue is one of the prin- munist authorities demolished the and two restaurants to serve guests. Zarzycki, the offerings includes cipal streets of the city running remaining buildings. The north- I enter, and ask the front desk clerk works by Zygmunt Noskowski, Pi- through the City Center and linking ern side of the street is currently to contact Daria Stefanik. otr Drożdżewski, Henryk Mikołaj d the western borough with the bridge dominated by the gigantic Palace — to be continued — Górecki, , on the Wisła River and the borough Witold Lutosławski, and Karol Weso³ych Œwi¹t! of Praga on the other side of the Lipiński. Górecki and Lutosławski river. are preeminent figures of the twen- In 1774, August Sułkowski erect- tieth century whose finely crafted DR. JOHN NIZIOL ed a small village for Jewish settlers music resonates with audiences all Clifton, New Jersey in Mazowsze. The name of the vil- over the world. It is of great surprise lage was Nowa Jerozolima (New that Górecki’s Little Fantasia, Op. Jerusalem), and the road to Warsaw 73 has never been recorded. was named in the singular – Aleja

BRUSH UP / Polonia Media Network Menu Items III m, f, n = male, female, neuter prepositions are joined to the next word indyk...... (EEN-dihk) turkey filet cielęcy...... (FEE-leht cheh-LEHN-tshih) filet of veal flaczki...... (FLAHCH-kee) tripe and vegetables cooked in bouillon flądra...... (FLOHWN-drah) flounder gęś pieczona...... (gehnsh pyeh-CHOH-nah) golanka...... (goh-LAHN-kah) pig knuckles gołąbki...... (goh-WOHM-kee) cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice groszek...... (GROH-shehk) green pea groch...... (grohh) lentils grochówka...... (grohh-UUV-kah) Weso³ych Œwi¹t to All Our Family, lentil or split pea soup Friends, and PAJ Subscribers grzanka...... (GZAHN-kah) toast or crouton RALPH & WANDA KLIMS grzyby...... (GZIH-bih) mushrooms POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013 www.polamjournal.com 25 A GREAT WAY TO RE-INTRODUCE FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO THEIR POLISH ROOTS!

TO ORDER ON LINE: TO ORDER BY PHONE, M-F, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: TO ORDER BY MAIL PAJ BOOKSTORE www.polamjournal.com (800) 422-1275 • (716) 312-8088 USE FORM ON PAGE 2 NEW! POLAND: OFF KILTER: A FORGOTTEN defeat, Adam and Natalia join in a des- FINDING A HISTORY Woman’s Journey HOLOCAUST: perate hunt for the 1940 Soviet order GRANDMA’S by Adam to Peace with The Poles authorizing the of 20,000 Pol- EUROPEAN Zamoyski Scoliosis, Her Under German ish army offi cers and civilians. ANCESTORS $19.95 Mother, and Her Occupation, by Stephen pb. 426 pp. 5.5 in. Polish Heritage 1939-45. Third BY WAY OF Szabados x 8.5 in. by Linda edition HISTORY: $14.95 A substantial- Wisniewski $19.95 A Soldier’s 128 pp., pb. ly revised and up- $18.95 358 pp. pb. Passage from This is a “must dated edition of 164 pp., pb. Hippocrene Peace to War, have” book to the author’s clas- Even before she Books. Glory to Despair fi nd your European ancestors. The au- sic 1987 book, was diagnosed Forgotten Ho- by Lt. Col. J. thor uses his experience to help you The Polish Way: A Thousand-Year History with scoliosis at thirteen, Linda locaust has become a classic of World Bokota, tr. by identify the available resources that of the Poles and their Culture, which has Wisniewski felt off kilter. Born to a cruel War II literature. As Norman Davies Stan Bokota you can use to fi nd your own ances- been out of print since 2001. No na- father and a long-suff ering mother in a noted, “Dr. Richard Lukas has rendered $13.95, 174 pp. tors. The book includes many sample tion’s history has been so distorted as Polish American community in upstate a valuable service, by showing that Spiral bound, pb. documents, current websites and that of Poland. “..excellent and authori- New York, she learned martyrdom as no one can properly analyze the fate An eyewitness account of World books that will be useful for your ge- tative” ... “fresh, diff erent, and brilliantly a way of life. Only by accepting her of one ethnic community in occupied War I and World War II events, last cav- nealogical search. Even if you are not a readable” physical deformity, her emotionally Poland without referring to the fates alry charges and the defeat of the Red beginner, this book will give you help- unavailable mother, and her Polish of others. In this sense, The Forgotten Horse Army at Komarow in 1920, the ful tips that may be the one you need THE EAGLE UNBOWED: American heritage does she fi nally fi nd Holocaust is a powerful corrective.” battle of Bzura and Warszawa in 1939; to locate that missing relative. Poland’ and Poles in the Second World balance and a life that fi ts. The third edition includes a new pref- the AK struggles, fi nally description War by Halik Kochanska. $35.00 ace by the author, a new foreword by of the moral and physical destruction NEW! POLISH Harvard Univ. POLISH Norman Davies, a short history of ZE- of Poland by the Soviet regime in the GENEALOGY: Press hc., 784 CUSTOMS, GOTA, the underground government years 1945-70. The events so well de- Four Easy Steps pp.; 6.125 x TRADITIONS & organization working to save the Jews, scribed, although interesting, are not to Sucess 9.25 inches. 32 FOLKLORE and an annotated listing of many Poles as fascinating as the man himself, who by Stephen halftones, 8 $16.95 executed by the Germans for trying to comes through in these recollections. Szabados maps by Sophie shelter and save Jews. $19.95 Halik Ko- Hodorowicz FOR LIBERTY AND JUSTICE: A 164 pp., pb. chanski tells, for Knab NIGHT OF Biography This book is the fi rst time, 340 pp., pb. FLAMES: of Brig. Gen. designed to give the story of Po- Hippocrene A Novel of Wlodzimierz B. the researcher the tools needed to re- land’s war in its Books World War Two Krzyzanowski, search their Polish ancestors and fi nd entirety, a story Polish Cus- by Douglas W. 1824-1887 possible answers to the origins of their that captures both the diversity and toms, Traditions, & Folklore is organized Jacobson $29.95 Polish heritage. The book outlines a the depth of the lives of those who by month, beginning with December $16.95 by James Pula. simple process that will identify where endured its horrors. Most histories of and Advent, St. Nicholas Day, the Wi- 384 pp. pb., 335 pp. plus your ancestors were born and where the European war focus on the Allies’ gilia (Christmas Eve) nativity plays, car- McBooks Press introduction. 112 to fi nd their Polish records. Traditional determination to liberate the conti- oling and the New Year celebrations. It In 1939 the illustrations, hc. sources are covered but it also discuss- nent from the fascist onslaught. Yet the proceeds from the Shrovetide period Germans in vade 1978, 2010 es many new sources for Polish records “good war” looks quite diff erent when to Ash Wednesday, Lent, the celebra- Poland, setting This lavishly that have been implemented by ge- viewed from Lodz or Krakow than from tion of , Holy Week customs and off a rising storm of violence and de- illustrated biography of a major Polish nealogy societies in Poland. The book London or Washington, D.C. The Eagle superstitions, beliefs and rituals associ- struction. For Anna, an assistant pro- American fi gure of the 19th century, covers the most up-to-date collection Unbowed provides in a single volume ated with farming, Pentecost, Corpus fessor at a university in Krakow; and tells the story of a Polish revolutionary of sources for Polish genealogy. the fi rst truly comprehensive account Christi, midsummer celebrations, har- Jan an offi cer in the Pol ish cavalry, exiled to America where he rises from of one of the most harrowing periods vest festivities, wedding rites, name- the loss is unimaginable. Separated private to general during the Civil War. TRICK A in modern history. day celebrations, and birth and death by war, they must fi nd their own way WITCH, WED rituals. Line illustrations enhance this in a world where everything they ever TREASURED POLISH SONGS WITH A HEDGEHOG, NEW! BE NOT rich and varied treasury of folklore. knew is gone. ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS SAVE YOUR AFRAID $24.95 SOUL: An by Heather Kirk BOCHEK IN THE KATYN 350 pp., hc American Artist $19.95 POLAND ORDER Polonie Publ. Encounters Borealis Press, $11.95 by Douglas W. A magnifi cent Poland by 276 pp., pb. 54 pp., Polonie Jacobson collec tion of Pol- Darlene Want to learn Publishing $24.95 ish songs with Wesenberg Rzezotarski. Wecker Press, something about A First Prize 384 pp. hc., musical scores 2012. 88 pp., pb. $19.95 Poland and the winner in a lit- McBooks Press for voice and After the fall of Communism, Rzezo- movement that erary contest A m e r i c a n piano accompa- tarski’s husband had an amazing fi rst started the end of the Cold War in an sponsored by Adam Nowak has niment. Included meeting with Polish cousins, introduc- easy-to-read, well-written book? Be the American been dropped are folk songs, lullabies, religious, art ing the couple to the rich world of Pol- Not Afraid is an introduction to the Council of Polish Cultural Clubs, this into Poland by songs and bal lads, solo and quartet ar- ish and familial history, so intertwined Polish non-violent resistance move- is a delightful, captivat ing children’s British intelli- rangements and more. Enhanced with as to become a microcosm. Rzezotar- ment, “Solidarity.” It involved ten mil- story about the life of storks and many gence as an assassin and Resistance colorful Werten illustra tions, the book ski brings an outsider’s appreciation lion people over a period of ten years, of the Polish customs they encounter. fi ghter. During the Warsaw Uprising features authentic Pol ish lyrics with and an artist’s intuition through tales freed Poland from Soviet domination, Beautifully illus trated and educational, he meets Natalia, a covert operative beautiful English translations. Ideal of family, of national identity, and of and contributed to the fall of the So- it will be thoroughly enjoyed by adults who has lost everything. Amid the Al- for both musician and appreciative lis- the enchanted world of fairy tale and viet Union in 1991. It killed no one. as well as children. lied power struggle left by Germany’s tener alike. myth. Profusely illustrated in color.

JAMES MARTIN TRILOGY PACKAGE BY FLORENCE WASKIELEWICZ CLOWES

Purchase all three of James Conroyd Martin’s POLISH FOLK LEGENDS — $14.95 award-winning novels about a Polish countess who In£ nity Pub., 2010, 208 pp, pb. lived through the rise and fall of the Third of May Con- Forty legends collected in Poland or researched in stitution years, a time of great turmoil, and almost many books and periodi cals, including Poland’s fi rst $10.00! Vivid, romantic, and thrillingly paced, the written history by Muenster in 895 that states King novels has been called “Poland’s Gone with the Wind.” Popiel reigned in Polonia 246 years before Christ. Push Not the River ...... $15.95 OLD SECRETS NEVER DIE — A Bashia Gordon Against a Crimson Sky ...... $15.95 Mystery — $14.95 The Warsaw Conspiracy ...... $17.99 with Lois J. Blackburn In£ nity Publishing, 2007, 220 If purchased separately: ...... $49.89 pp, pb. PAJ Bookstore Special Trilogy Price: ...... $39.95 Bashia Gordon, semi-retired interior decorator and amateur sleuth, is at it again. When she learns her friend Connecticut State Trooper Mark Jankowski, is investigating the death of one of her clients, Gladys Goodell, her curiosity takes over. Soon a mummifi ed baby is found in the old Goodell home. None WOOD EGG ORNAMENTS of the Goodell sisters ever married. Whose baby could this be? Hand- decorated Birchwood Ornaments $14.95 each BONES IN THE BACKYARD — A Bashia Gordon Mystery —$14.95 with Lois J. Blackburn In£ nity Publishing, 2001, 198 pp, pb. A beautiful heirloom gift. In the quiet corner of northeastern Connecticut, semi-retired interior dec- Made in Poland. orator, Bashia Gordon, turns amateur sleuth when she and her Peace Corps friend, Dottie Weeks, uncover a fragmented skeleton in a septic tank. How did it get there? Who is it? Could the bones be the wealthy eccentric who disap- Item 2-250 peared years ago? Our Lady of Czestochowa Wooden Egg Ornament A HISTORY OF POLISH AMERICANS IN PITTSFIELD, MASS., 1862-1945 Poland’s Most Revered Icon $14.95 Palmetto Press 2004. 152 pp., 5.5” x 8.25,” photographs, pb. Using church records, organization brochures and oral histories, the au- thor has compiled a valued history of the Polish community in Pittsfi eld, Item 2-251 originally formed when nineteenth and twentieth century Polish immigrants Blessed John Paul II came to the area seeking work in the wool mills. Wooden Egg Ornament. With John Paul II’s uplifting words THREE EASY WAYS TO ORDER: “Be not afraid” on obverse. 1. BY MAIL. Use form on page 2 2. CALL (800) 422-1275, Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. 3. ON-LINE at www.polamjournal.com 26 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013

BOOKS IN BRIEF / Florence Waszkelewicz Clowes MLIS OBITUARIES Turf Wars in Detroit Honorable Benjamin C. Stanczyk he Honorable Benjamin C. Stanc- retired Judge Donald Binkowski.. THE POLISH GANG, 1929 no end, until the killings, drugs and zyk, 98, a native Detroiter, was born “A man of many interests, Ben by Karl J. Niemiec booze makes the two families real- on Easter Sunday in 1915, and was photographed many individuals ac- Lap Top Publishing, 2013 ize something must be done. one of the oldest living graduates tive in stara Polonia and was pres- 224 pp., $12.00 of the University of Michigan Law ent when many prominent Poles THE ERRAND OF THE EYE It was a time of prohibition, and School. He became a Detroit Com- from all over the world visited De- the Roaring Twenties. Detroit was photographs by Rose Mandel mon Pleas Court Judge in 1957, and troit. Then he had them preserved rife with crime in 1929 including by Susan Ehrens, Prestel Publish- after retiring from the bench in 1975 for history by donating them to the murders, kidnapping, amidst prohi- ing, 2013, 127 pps., $39.95. worked as a visiting judge and ar- University of Michigan, Bentley bition and the stock market crash. Born in Poland, Rose (Rosalie bitrator in Southeastern Michigan Historical Library. This slapstick comedy, reminiscent Reich, 1910-2002) and her husband until 1999. With his activist father-in-law, of the Hatfields and McCoys, - cen escaped and emigrat- A World War II veteran, he was Anthony Wojsowski, and others, ters around the heads of Italian (the ed to California in 1942. She was flu- a driving force in several veterans’ Stanczyk published “Poles in Mich- Mangione family) and Polish (the ent in French, Polish, and German, organizations, a recognized leader igan.” Niemieces) families. With property but her English was inadequate for a in the Polish community and a life- Stanczyk developed an abiding on Lake St. Clair, a sign of old mon- career in child psychology or educa- long member of the Lions Club. hobby in collector watches and guns ey, the Poles work on buying more tion (which she studied in Europe), “Nourished with a big Polish tive Polish American in Michigan’s as well as photography. land while the Mangiones dream of and instead turned to photography. heart, Stanczyk became the most ac- Polonia, perhaps in its history,” said blending in with the Gosse Point so- She enrolled in the California ciety. The Niemiec family group, in- School of Fine Arts, studying pho- cluding three sons, a daughter, run a tography as an art form, developing Blanche Schneider, 100, Active in Community well-established bar and restaurant her skills under Edward Weston, An- Blanche T. Schneider passed A. Groh Schneider, Sr., Esq. (Ret. She and her husband built a new fu- on the West Side. sel Adams and Minor White. Using away in her sleep in Warminster, Captain USNR) with whom she had neral home in Hatboro in 1960. Two young teenagers in the a tripod-mounted 4 X 5 view cam- Pa., October 27, 2013 just 32 days shared 56 years of marriage. Schneider was a member and past families often meet, and when Ni- era, she developed an artistic vision short of celebrating her 101st birth- Schneider taught teach kinder- cole is found drunk and naked late and creative energy for abstract art, day. She was a long-time member of garten in the Philadelphia School president of Hatboro-Warminster one night, her father, Bartolomeo with nature becoming her primary the National Shrine of Our Lady of District, and also taught English and Welcome Wagon and a member and Mangione immediately blames it subject. She left the student class to Czestochowa and a member of the American Citizenship to hundreds past president of The Crooked Billet become senior photographer in the on Bronislaw Niemiec and war is Polish Women’s Alliance of Amer- of newcomers to America seeking Woman’s Club of Hatboro. In 1965 declared. He hires a murderer to art department at the University of ica. their U.S. citizenship. she received the Most Outstanding wipe out the Niemiec family. The California, Berkley, where she was Born in Philadelphia, she was She was also an instrumental young couple, in the meantime, is employed for the next two decades. the daughter of the late Frank and part in the growth and success of Merit Mother award presented by baffled by their elder’s response. A This oversized book is part of the Karolina (Zyla) Trybala, both from Schneider Funeral Home, a family the American Mothers Committee slapstick comedy plays out as the exhibition of Mandel’s photography Poland. She was the wife of the late owned business founded in 1870. of Pennsylvania. Poles set out to kidnap Nicole at the held in the de Young Museum in crooked District Attorney’s Fourth San Francisco from June to Octo- AHEAD OF SCHEDULE ber of this year. She spoke through of July party. Meanwhile illegal Emily Pinter, Dance The conductor on a train from her photographs. The streets of San drugs are being smuggled across the Wroclaw to Lublin, Poland, was Francisco and photographs of peo- Instructor, Hall of Fame Member Detroit River by the Polish gang and surprised to learn passenger Maria ple in a relaxed atmosphere, juxta- liquor flows from their corner bar Emily Pinter, nee Mucha, 84, Chet Schafer. Kus had just given birth. posed images and reflections and vi- and restaurant. long active in Chicago’s Polonia, In 1969, Emily became involved “It was at 6:00 a.m. when we set brant nature are included. The book The book is full of rough lan- died October 21, 2013, in Florida. with the IPA where she served as off. I hadn’t even sat down when contains over 200 illustrations of guage by the gangs as the two At age 16, while dancing with the director for two years, treasurer a gentle pain started,” said Kus. her work, as well as a chronology of groups fight over territory and lake Alliance of Polish Clubs group, the for eight years and the first woman “Nothing suggested what was going her life and exhibition history. property. It’s a squabble that has dancing instructor took ill, and Em- president for two years. She served to happen.” ily was asked to take over the class. as chairperson of the Annual Awards The new mother who was travel- The following year she was hired Banquet for many years. She is a ing home to Skarzyska Kamienna, full-time, launching her on a career recipient of the Antonina Blazonc- said the birth — about three weeks of dancing. In 1948, Emily directed zyk Award for her dedication to the early — was painless and that it her first recital. She continued with polka field. took only a few seconds. musical lessons on piano, accordion She worked full time for Kem- The railroad later phoned Kus and clarinet at Northwestern Uni- per Insurance Co. as an executive with its congratulations, and award- versity School of Music. assistant for 27 years and then as a ed her daughter Kinga free travel on She joined an international folk secretary for 11 years for Storgaard all of the company’s trains until she dance group and became a piano ac- Construction Co. reaches twenty-six years of age. companist. She taught ballroom and polka dancing at Arthur Murray Stu- dios and Aragon Ballroom. Pinter organized the Polish Fes- tival Dancers, a young adult group, which became quite popular per- a forming in Chicago and St. Louis. l Radosnych She attended various In Memory of Camps throughout the country, Œwi¹t Narodzenia teaching and studying new dances. Manya Dybicz Lewandowski pomyœlnego For many years she taught the ED DYBICZ Nowego Roku children of the PRCUA groups at Swedesburg, Pennsylvania HELEN NOWAKOWSKA seven different parishes throughout Philadelphia Chicago. In addition, she has two private groups on the north side, and one on the south side. In 1973, she was instructor at the PNA College in “A tradition of local & long distance service continues!” Cambridge, Pa. Emily assisted Chet Gulinski on WOPA Radio & Chet Schafer on WTAO. She participated in many Stobierski Lucas Polka Stage Shows produced by Gardenview JUREK-PARK SLOPE Funeral Home, Ltd. FUNERAL HOME, INC. Rita A. Lucas 161 Driggs Avenue Jude P. Lucas (Greenpoint) Brooklyn, NY 11222 George J. Mueller (718) 383-7910 • (718) 383-2737

(718) 383-8600 Wishing all a  Weso³ych Œwi¹t A.K. No. 383-0320 Blessed Christmas  Bo¿ego Narodzenia i g Peter Rago Szczêœliwego Nowego 728 4th Ave., Brooklyn, NY  Lic. Mgr. ANTHONY C. PAKULA DORIS V. AMEN Leslie P. Rago Roku 2014! LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTOR NEWLY DECORATED CHAPEL FACILITIES F.D. “Glory To God in the OUR 24-HOUR PERSONAL SERVICES ARE MICHALINA CAHILL AVAILABLE IN ALL COMMUNITIES Highest, and on earth peace AT-HOME ARRANGEMENTS Phippsburg, Maine INSURANCE CLAIMS HANDLED and goodwill toward men.” SOCIAL SECURITY & VETERAN’S BENEFITS PROMPTLY EXPEDITED FUNERAL HOME, INC. — Luke 2:34 MONUMENT INSCRIPTIONS ASCERTAINED  (718) 768-4192 131 Nassau Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222 POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013 www.polamjournal.com 27

USE FORM ON PAGE 2 FOR ITEMS ON 2, 11, and 25. ALL FORMS CAN BE MAILED TOGETHER. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, CALL (800) 422-1275, MON.-FRI., 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. 28 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2013 Ludowa Nuta to Perform in Brooklyn Lira Holiday Concerts in Pittsburgh and Chicago

Poland’s Master of the Written Word LUDOWA NUTA. Polish-Canadian folk chorus to perform in New York. THE LIRA SINGERS, a popular part of the Chicago-based Lira Ensemble. BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Ludowa Nuta Choir ertoire comprises songs from various regions CHICAGO — The Lira Ensemble, which perform music of Frederic Chopin, including and Kapela will sing at the 7:00 p.m. Mass at of Poland. The chorus is accompanied by a specializes in Polish music, song and dance, the “Andante Spianato” and “Grand Polonaise St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Greenpoint, typical Góralska Kapela, and a Kaszubska will present two concerts this Christmas sea- Brillante.” Despite his young age, Szefer has Sat., Dec. 7. This folk chorus from southern Kapela. The performances are enhanced by son, titled “Polish Carols, Song & Dance” already performed around the United States Ontario, formed just eight years ago, has al- some lively anecdotes and skits about Polish featuring the Lira Singers, Lira Dancers and and has won first or second prizes at presti- ready made a reputation for itself and become folk traditions. Lira Orchestra. gious piano competitions. a favorite not only in Canada, but also in the On December 7, the choir will feature li- The concerts will be: Lucyna Migala of Chicago’s WCEV, who United States and Poland. turgical (Advent) music at the Mass and a Sun., Dec. 1, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at the Do- is artistic director and general manager of the The one and only goal of Ludowa Nuta is Kolendowanie concert, a medley of pastoralki minican University Performing Arts Center, Lira Ensemble, will narrate the concerts in to promote Polish folk music, said director from Żywiec, Spisz and Beskid Śląski regions 7900 West Division St., River Forest, Ill. For English, demonstrating some Polish holiday Vick Dudalski. Its colorful, traditional cos- of Poland. tickets, visit events.dom.edu, or call the DU- traditions and will offer a bit of the history tumes are all made in Poland and their rep- PAC Box Office at (708) 488-5000, or LIRA and tradition behind the music and dance per- at (800) 547-5472, and; formed. Sun., Dec. 15 at 4:00 p.m. at Carnegie Mu- The Lira company is artist-in-residence at Hazleton Polonaise Society To Hold Wigilia sic Hall, 440 Forbes Ave., in Pittsburgh, Pa., Loyola University Chicago and is the nation’s For tickets, call (773) 508-7040 or (800) 547- only professional performing arts company HAZLETON, Pa. — The Greater Hazle- lowed by a reading of the Gospel of St. Luke 5472. specializing in Polish music, song and dance. ton Area Polonaise Society will hold its 37th by the Rev. Boguslaw Janiec. The concerts feature Polish carols of vari- The mission of the company is to bring the Annual Wigilia, Sun., Dec. 8th, at 2:00 p.m., The Polonaise Chorus will sing “Chica ous styles, and also popular Polish holiday best of Polish culture into American life. at the Lobitz Fountain Room. Noc” and “Oh Come All Ye Faithful.” music. This concert offers the rare opportunity Both theaters open at half an hour before A 13-course meatless meal will be served, Opłatek will be blessed and shared before to hear Polish carols played by an orchestra. the concerts. Lira recordings will be available which will include mushroom soup, potato dinner. The Lira Ensemble will also perform works for purchase in the two lobbies. babka, pierogi, haddock, and more. Bever- Following dinner, the Polonaise Cho- by Polish master such as Frederic Tickets for “Polish Carols, Song & Dance” ages will be served, and a bottle of wine will rus will sing kolędy, accompanied by Tom Chopin, Stanislaw Moniuszko, and Witold are very reasonably priced so that families can be part of each table setting. Kopetskie on accordion. Lutoslawski, one of the most respected Polish attend – from $35 to $58, with discounts for The evening will begin with the lighting For more information or reservations, composers of the 20th century. groups of 20 or more and half price tickets for of the , the Blessing of the call Olga Morga (570) 929-2012; or Tom Guest star at both concerts is 14-year-old children under age 16 in all price ranges. , Blessing of the Food, fol- Kopetskie (570) 454-4397. Daniel Szefer — a piano prodigy who will All seats are reserved.