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POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2010 www.polamjournal.com  FEBRUARY 2010 • VOL. 99, NO. 2 $2.00 PERIODICAL POSTAGEPERIODICAL PAID AT BOSTON, YORK NEW

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Established 1911 www.polamjournal.com A LOOK AT ’S JOURNAL POSTAL SYSTEM DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION AND CONTINUANCE OF POLISH AMERICAN CULTURE Page 7

The Changing Face of America • HOT-BUTTON ISSUES IN SPEAK-UP • Rejoicing with the Lira Ensemble A Trip to Panna Maria • Pączki Recipes AND EVENTS • Polish Heritage Is Alive and Well in Texas Pulaski Legion’s Polish Officers • Music of Szymanowski in New York City • BLESSED IGNATIUS NEWSMARK

URBAN STAMP A STEP CLOSER. Postmaster General John E. Potter has asked the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee to review the proposal to create a stamp for Lt. Col. Matt Urban. Urban (1919-1995) was an Army officer who served with distinction in World War II. He was belatedly award- ed the Medal of Honor, in 1980 for repeated acts of hero- ism in combat in France and Belgium in 1944. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, he is the most Celebrating decorated American serviceman. Previous attempts to create a stamp for Urban were turned down by the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Commit- tee, the group which evaluates all stamp proposals. Approximately 25 new subjects for commemorative stamps are recommended each year. “Should the Committee decide to place the proposal under consideration, it will be added to the pool of can- didates for upcoming years,” said Potter. A stamp for Urban, born Matty Louis Urbanowicz, in Buffalo, N.Y. has been repeatedly overlooked.

Poles Call for Extradition. Polish prosecutors say they have identified the Swedish mastermind of the theft from Auschwitz of the Arbeit Macht Frei sign and will seek his arrest and extradition to Poland. Prosecutor Artur Wrona said that Swedish prosecutors have confirmed the identity of the suspect as Anders H. Polish prosecutors withheld the suspect’s last name, as required by Polish law. Wrona said the man must be brought to Poland be- fore charges can be filed and said prosecutors will issue a European arrest warrant. Five Poles are under arrest after confessing to taking part in the theft December 18 of the sign, which says “Work Sets You Free” in German. The sign was found on December 20, cut into three pieces.

LUBINSKI NAMED FIRST OPENLY GAY U.S. MARSHAL. Former Minne- apolis assistant police chief and Green Bay, Wisc. native Sharon Lubinski has become the first openly gay U.S. Mar- shal. The U.S. Senate confirmed her to be U.S. Marshal for the Minnesota Dis- trict. Lubinski has served a number The Romantic Immortal of roles with the Minneapolis Police Department. She was also a sheriff’s particular: he taught Chopin the value of sheer hard work, and deputy in ’s Dane County ryderyk Franciszek Chopin is remem- ignited in him a passionate interest in the music and culture for eight years. bered as the composer of some of the most of Poland; the latter was to become especially significant to U.S. Marshals oversee federal courthouse security, challenging and subjective music in the Chopin later in life. witness protection and the apprehension of federal fugi- whole of the keyboard repertoire. He stands In his music he poured out his reaction to what was hap- tives. — SOURCE: WUWM, Milwaukee, Wisc. not only as Poland’s greatest composer but per- haps as the most significant composer in the history pening to Poland, especially in the Etude in C minor, Op. 10, KOSCIUSZKO RETURNS TO . A monument of the piano; he exhaustively exploited the instrument’s No 12. to Tadeusz Kosciuszko will be unveiled in Warsaw, May capacities for charm, excitement, variety, and timbral beauty. Chopin’s legacy consists almost entirely of works for the 2. It will be located next to the Lubomirski Palace, near FHis innovations in fingering, his use of the pedals, and his piano. The instrument was everything to him, and he found the Saski gardens. The monument is a replica of the one general treatment of the keyboard were highly influential. previously undreamt of levels of subtlety and expression designed by Polish sculptor Antoni Popiel which stands A Pole who spent his mature years in France, he brought to within its keys. He was acknowledged as a virtuoso, but one in Washington, D.C.’s Lafayette Square, across the street his music a keen interest in his native musical forms and was who had a very distinctive style, concentrating on delicacy of from the White House. That statue was dedicated in 1910 a precursor of the ‘nationalist’ composers who did so much touch and extreme variations of dynamics and color. He was and was a gift to the from the Polish Ameri- to bring new life to during the course of the singularly gifted in the realm of melody, and was also a key can community. 19th century. figure in the popularizing of the polonaise, mazurka and other Historian Marian Drozdowski, chairperson of the Com- His father taught him until he was old enough to go to dance rhythms which was to lead many other composers to mittee for the construction of the monument, stated that the Lyceum, but his musical proclivities manifested them- listen closely to the music of their own countries. Chopin’s since Kosciuszko is the most popular Polish national hero selves early and at the age of seven he began piano lessons music is mercurial, and can move from the dreaminess of the and almost four hundred schools in Poland are named with Adalbert Zywny. The lessons were so successful that the to the fire and spirit of the and , after him, it is long past time that a monument be erect- young boy played at a public concert before he was nine. He the elegance and dash of his to the brutal emotional ed to him in the Polish capital city. also wrote a little march for the Russian Grand Duke Constan- realism of his sonatas. tine, who not only accepted the dedication but had the work Apart from two piano concertos (both 1830) and four other POLES RESCUE SWEDISH FISHING BOAT. Poles came scored for military band. works for piano and orchestra, virtually all his compositions to the rescue of five Swedes as their boat began taking At the age of 16 Chopin entered Warsaw Conservatory are for solo piano; they include some 60 , 27 études, on water in the Baltic Sea, about twenty nautical miles where he was taught by the composer Józef Antoni Franciszek 26 , 21 nocturnes, some 20 waltzes, 16 polonaises, 4 off the cape of Rozewie. Polish Sea Rescue responded to Elsner. Elsner was helpful in a number of ways, but two in ballades, 4 , and 3 sonatas. (Classical.net). a distress signal, and were dispatched immediately. They rescued the crew members and towed the boat to Wla- Related Stories in this edition: Biography of a Genius • Chopin Bicentennial Celebrations Begin dyslawowo. “Chopin’s Poland” Essay Contest • The Heart and Soul of Poland’s Musical Legacy  www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2010

ALMANAC JUST BETWEEN US / Mark Kohan

February Luty The Heart and Soul of Poland’s Musical Legacy “Every difficulty One cannot imagine the music of Poland with- land partitioned by Russia, Prussia and Germany. part after the stormy desperation of the beginning slurred over out thinking about Fryderyk Chopin. Likewise, The power and majesty present in the Military suggests a yearning for the comfort of his youth, will be a ghost it is equally difficult to imagine Chopin without Polonaise is offset by the helplessness and de- a simpler time with a promising future. to disturb your thinking about Poland. His music is part of our spair presented in the twin, but lesser-known, repose later on.” national identity, whether we are first- or sixth- Polonaise in C Minor, Op. 40, No. 2. The great In less than twelve minutes of music, Chopin — Frederic generation Poles. The more we learn about Cho- and Chopin advocate, Anton Rubinstein, captured Poland identity as victor and victim Chopin pin, the more apparent this becomes. Here is one remarked that the Polonaise in A major is the example: symbol of Polish glory, while the Polonaise in C throughout the ages. 2 Candlemas. At Candlemas, honoring the Presentation of For decades, Western New Yorkers listened to minor is the symbol of Polish tragedy. Our Lord in the Temple, Poles radio shows hosted by the late Stan Jasinski. The It is … “a broad, noble, but profoundly gloomy Chopin’s relationship with his contemporaries observe “Matka Boska Gromnic- news from Poland portion of his Sunday show work of the darkly majestic type,” wrote Perry. has been the source of great academic debate. za.” Candles blessed in church was introduced with Polonaise in A major, Op. “The theme, in octaves, voices the stern, well Still, when all was said and done, all held him in are taken home a symbol of the 40, No. 1, better known as the Military Polonaise. nigh despairing indignation of a strong, daunt- the highest regard. Perhaps they, like Franz Liszt, Blessed Mother. They are called Jasinski, whose radio career spanned pre-World less race crushed to earth by the overwhelming saw a man troubled by the conflicts in his home- Thunder Candles. The candle is War II past the Solidarity era, likely selected that weight of numbers, but sullenly biding its time, land, who was able to translate those emotions lit during thunderstorms to pro- song for the same reason Polskie Radio played it and gathering the remnant of its strength for one into heavenly music. tect the home from lightening. It during the September 1939 German invasion of last desperate struggle, heroic, though hopeless, “Music was his language, the divine tongue is also lit in times of trouble or Poland at the outset of World War II: to rally the to avenge its many bitter wrongs; with pride and when someone is approaching through which he expressed a whole realm of death. The legend surrounding Polish people. courage still unbroken, but with a full realization sentiments that only the select few can appreci- the candles is that in the eve- Until the German occupation, Polskie Radio of its impotence. ate,” wrote Liszt. “The muse of his homeland dic- ning the Blessed Mother wards broadcast this piece daily as nationalistic protest. “It is the same spirit that led the Polish stu- tates his songs, and the anguished cries of Poland off wolves by using the candles It so infuriated the Germans, they banned public dents in the streets of Warsaw to throw them- lend to his art a mysterious, indefinable poetry as a torch. performances of Chopin’s music. Knowing that selves unarmed upon the Russian bayonets by which, for all those who have truly experienced 3 1899. Death of painter Juliusz faith and culture were responsible for Poland’s the hundreds, preferring a futile death to a life of it, cannot be compared to anything else ... The Kossak (b. 1824). survival during 18th and 19th century partitions, shame among a vanquished people.” piano alone was not sufficient to reveal all that 4 1505. Birth of the father of Pol- Germany aimed to eradicate the country’s na- In less than twelve minutes of music, Chopin lies within him. In short he is a most remarkable ish literature, Mikolaj Rej. tional symbols. They later destroyed Warsaw’s captured Poland identity as victor and victim individual who commands our highest degree of 1745. Birth of Polish and Ameri- main monument to the composer, a sculpture of throughout the ages. can patriot, freedom fighter and devotion.” military engineer Thaddeus a windswept Chopin seated under a tree, which This is but one example of his genius. Many of Chopin’s music takes us from thrones to bat- Kosciuszko. was erected in 1926 at the entrance to Lazienki his songs are identifiable by just a few notes. The tlefields, from concert halls to parlors, from cel- 6 ST. DOROTHY Park. “Minute” waltz, Grande Valse Brillante, March ebrations of Christ’s birth to Last Rites. While Œwiêtej Dorocie “In his Military Polonaise, Opus 40, No. 1,” Funebre, Heroique, and Fantasie-Impromptu are we honor Chopin’s genius during the 200th year uschnie koszula na p³ocie. wrote Edward Baxter Perry in “The Story of the just a few that come to mind. of his birthday, let us contemplate our good for- St. Dorothy’s shirt will dry Polonaise,” (Polish Music Journal, Vol. 5, No. Not all Chopin compositions echo his fervent tune in having him to tell our story through his on the fence. (Days are 2, Winter 2002) … [Chopin] “tells us of the mar- nationalism. ����������������������������������Written between 1831 and 1842, the music. windier and warmer start- tial spirit and prowess, the courage and chivalry Scherzos are among his most enduring master- ing St. Dorothy’s Day). of the Polish knights in their magnificent, gem- pieces. The first, however, Op.20 in B minor, is March Edition Will Be Mailed Late 9 1961. Birth of John Kruk, col- studded armor sweeping the field of battle on based on a Polish Christmas carol Lulajze Jezu- Because of the way the calendar falls, orful and often-quoted major their matchless steeds, with the clash of steel, the niu. printing schedules, and other considerations, league baseball player. blast of trumpets, bearing the Polish standard to It has been said that Chopin wrote the piece the March 2010 edition will not be mailed un- 10 1903. Founding of the Polish victory.” around the ancient lullaby in response to the������� sad National Alliance of Brook- til Fri., March 5. The paper should arrive in Anyone familiar with Chopin knows of his news from Warsaw of the failed November Ris- your home no later than March 15. lyn, USA. “dark side,” a reflection of the angst felt for a Po- ing in 1830. The soothing carol in the middle 1866. Birth in Detroit of John Temke, first American priest of Polish descent. PAC Takes NYTimes to Task 11 1945. Yalta Conference. So- QUOTES / compiled from news sources NEW YORK — The Polish viets receive Poland’s Eastern American Congress took the New lands. York Times to task for failing to 12 1867. Death of George Soko- mention Poles as victims at the Aus- loski, first Polish American A Race Against Time chwitz Nazi Death Camp. The lat- graduate of West Point Acad- “In ten years there will be no wit- Our mission is to reach people who Times of London. est gaffe appeared in a recent story emy and Civil War veteran. nesses and it will be easier for the have information.” v v v about the theft of the sign above the 15 1880. Polish National Alli- crazy people who say nothing hap- — American-born Cynthia “I would never try to estimate Auschwitz gate. ance is formed in Philadelphia. pened in the camps. Only the build- Wroclawski, outreach manager of likelihood at anything as exact as 1903. Death of Fr. Jozef Dab- “In her December 24 report on ings will remain ... Nobody could the Shoah Victims’ Names Recovery this.” rowski, founder of the Orchard the theft of the ‘Arbeit’ sign at Aus- have imagined such a horrific act of Project of Israel’s Yad Vadshem Ho- — Maslowski, telling the Times Lake Schools. (b. 1842). chwitz, Judy Dempsey lists ‘Jews, vandalism [as the theft of the sign]. locaust memorial museum. To date, he has no clue where Gore got that 16 1952. Death of Felix Witkow- Roma, homosexuals, conscientious Now try to imagine the public out- the names of 3.6 million Jewish vic- idea. ski, last Polish American vet- objectors, and Soviet and German eran of the Confederacy. cry if one of the barracks started to tims have been registered. The proj- v v v political prisoners’ as the victims in 17 1772. First Partition of Po- fall down, impossible to restore.” ect searches for survivors, who can “These rating agencies were Auschwitz,” the PAC wrote to the land between Prussia, Russia — Director-General of the Aus- recall the names of victims. falsely elevated to some godlike sta- Times. “Poles are not mentioned as and Austria. chwitz-Birkenau Foundation Jacek v v v tus that when they put a triple-A rat- the second largest group nor are they 18 1386. Marriage of Polish Queen Kastelaniec, who met with British [According to a Dr. Wieslaw ing on something, you could take all mentioned at all. ‘None’ is what Ms. Jadwiga d’Anjou to Wladys- Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The Maslowski] … “there is a 75 percent of your mother’s savings and invest law Jagiello of Lithuania. Dempsey implies in her report from PM visited the camp in April 2009 chance that the entire north polar ice it in there and you were doing the 19 1473. Birth of astronomer Nich- Berlin.” and pledged to contribute to the res- cap, during the summer months, right thing.” olas Copernicus (Mikolaj Ko- The PAC asked the Times why it toration but has yet to announce a could be completely ice-free within — Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D- pernik) in Torun, Poland. is reluctant to include Poles as Aus- figure. five to seven years.” Pa.), sponsor of the bill that now 20 1530. Zygmunt II August chwitz victims, considering they crowned King of Poland. v v v —Al Gore, to a gathering on regulates credit rating agencies, were second to Jews as targets. 21 1820. Birth of Apollo Nalecz- “We are in a race against time. global warming, as reported in the such as Moody’s, and S&P. Korzeniowski, dramatist, poet and father of Joseph Conrad. 22 1814. Birth of folklorist and en- POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL www.polamjournal.com thographer . Dedicated to the Promotion and Continuance of Polish American Culture • Established 1911 www.pajtoday.blogspot.com 1810. 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SPEAK UP / Letters to the Editor

“Traditionalist Poles have a difficult time “To juxtapose Poland ... against some accepting accusations of Polish anti-Semitism.” unidentified ideal country is just not fair.” In response to the letter of Anna R. Dadlez, Polish Communist Party. Rob Strybel and Ms. I read with mixed feelings Mr. Kiseleski’s million Ukrainian lives in the early 1930s, Ph.D. regarding Polish-Jewish relations (PAJ Dadlez misconstrued my remark for their own long refutation of my comments in defense of on top of other atrocities taking place during January 10, p. 3), it’s understandable that tra- purposes and accused me of stating Jews are Mr. Strybel. On the one hand I was pleased by Stalin’s “collectivization.” We, who have sur- ditionalist Poles have a difficult time accept- more intelligent than Poles. the fact that he knows Polish history relative- vived the Siberian or Kazakhstan gulag dur- ing accusations of Polish anti-Semitism. No Some of Poland’s Jews became frustrated ly well, on the other, his interpretation of facts ing World War II (and there were Jews among other European nation has suffered as Poland with a society which was becoming increas- is problematic. Also he seems unaware of the us), remember very well that even ardent has with the three partitions followed by the ingly restrictive in regards to religion and eth- precarious situation in Poland, the newly res- supporters of Karl Marx were hunted down Nazi and Soviet occupations. It’s challenging nicity and saw socialism and communism as urrected country, which soon after the World by NKVD and that any idea of human equal- for a nation so victimized to confront intoler- positive alternatives. However, history reveals War I, faced a growing threat from both the ity, dignity and justice simply did not exist in ance of its own. that only a very small percentage of Poland’s East and the West. Soviet Russia. It is indeed difficult to accept We all understand that Poland was a haven Jews actually supported communism. Tradi- Briefly these are my comments: that Jewish Poles, educated as the author says, for European Jews in the Middle Ages. Pol- tionalists would be surprised to learn that a To juxtapose Poland, which had just or any other persons familiar with the Polish ish monarchs welcomed Jews from Western proportionate number of Polish Jews were emerged from some 120 years of occupation scene, would be naive enough to find the sys- Europe, although their motivation was hardly slaughtered at Katyn and deported to the Gu- in 1918 — which had to deal with unsettled tem across the border attractive and believe altruistic. Jewish acumen in finance and trade lag by the Soviets. “Zydokomuna” is a myth. population, ruined industry, horrendous polit- that the ideas of equality and humanity could was sorely needed by the monarchs and no- Ms. Dadlez writes that she finds it “particu- ical and economic problems — against some in any sense be applied to the murderous re- bility. larly unfortunate” that I “accuse” Rob Strybel unidentified ideal country is just not fair. Even gime of the Soviet Union. I may also point out Many Jews thrived in Poland although so- of being a supporter of “Zydokomuna.” In re- those countries which did not have such tur- that the accusation of “anti-Semitism” has too cio-economic rivalries sparked periodic epi- ality, Mr. Strybel regularly and enthusiastical- bulent history did not practice ‘justice for all’ often been launched without careful consider- sodes of anti-Jewish intolerance. ly preaches “Zydokomuna” in the pages of the in their domestic policies, which most of us ation of its applicability. In the late-nineteenth century, a concept of PAJ and elsewhere. Even Ms. Dadlez adds to would have liked to see. Case in point: the Eu- There is one other comment that I would Polish nationalism began to emerge which ar- the ”Zydokomuna” myth by emphasizing that ropean and American experience through the like to make. Those people who have had gued that the Poland of the future would be Polish Jews comprised the leadership of the 20th century and Israeli treatment of Palestin- neither personal experience nor extensive a nation exclusively of ethnic and Catholic UB-secret police. How did that happen, Dr. ians in the last 60 years. academic study of Poland before, during Poles. Roman Dmowski and his National Dadlez? Jewish intellectuals gravitated to It is an undeniable fact that despite some and after World War II, seem to know only Democratic Party spearheaded this “Poland leadership positions of the early Polish com- real problems with ethnic minorities in the about the suffering of the Jews. The theme for Poles” ideology which quickly gained munist party. Why? How? What was it about pre-war Poland, an open discrimination as has been pursued ad infinitum in publications popularity. Polish society that made communism an ap- seen in domestic policies of great powers did and at schools, and there is a good reason for When Poland regained its independence pealing option for some Jews? not take place in Poland. Poland was theoreti- knowing about it, but not to the exclusion of in 1918, Pilsudski was able to successfully Unfortunately, Polish traditionalist such cally a democratic state with a constitution, everything else. The fact is, and it in no way counter the radicalism of Dmowski and the as Strybel and Dadlez, are satisfied to never senate, sejm and elections, dominated by detracts from Jewish suffering, that the Jews Endeks. However, by the 1930’s, National ask “Why” and to never venture outside their one party, sometimes one man, but freedom were not the only victims of the war. Yet, rela- Democratic thought had gained sway. There smug chau- of speech was not curtailed to tively few Americans know that while almost were organized boycotts of Jewish busi- vinism. For Editor’s note: We sincerely appreciate the extent that one was afraid to three million Jewish Poles perished under the nesses. Numerus clausus were established at them, the the letters of both Mr. Kiseleski and Prof. criticize the government or the German occupation, three million non-Jewish universities restricting the number of Jew- “ Z y d o k o - Dadlez. We feel they provided informa- ruling party. All minorities were Poles shared their fate under the same regime. ish students. Those that were accepted were muna” myth tion for a healthy argument on the mat- recognized as fully fledged On the other hand, it is hardly surprising that relegated to segregated “ghetto” benches in s e r v e s i t s ter of anti-Semitism. However, we also citizens of Poland, and though to the people who had experienced the Soviet the classrooms. Jews were prohibited from purpose by feel these discussions deserve more at- many different groupings or rule, any attempt to exonerate its supporters, certain jobs and were restricted from promo- deflecting at- tention than can be afforded in the Pol- political parties could express is a sign of either ignorance based on histori- tion in others. High-level government discus- tention away ish American Journal. Therefore, we po- and promote their sometimes cally unacceptable data, or on lack of basic sions of the “Jewish Question” included the from a seri- litely ask both parties to solve the matter disgusting beliefs and ideas in human empathy. viability of deporting Poland’s Jews. In a pe- ous flaw of with correspondence or debate between the political arena, (it happens And now for my advice to you, Tom: Since riod of growing hostility there were frequent the “Christ themselves. We are not ignoring the is- in America, you know) they you obviously appear to be a person interest- episodes of violence. Among Na- sue. We do feel, however, such debate is were not the government and ed in history, I would suggest starting a seri- Ms. Dadlez casually dismisses the increas- tions.” better suited to publications specializing had no executive power. The ous study of Polish/Jewish relations, with an ingly virulent anti-Semitism of inter-bellum But the in deliberations of this nature. fact remains that there were open mind, by reading renowned historians. Poland as “shortcomings.” She states that “in smokescreen many Jewish Poles in presti- Dr. Gross — whom you quote — has, to the no way could (Jews) be considered a perse- of “Zydokomuna” should not dissuade us gious positions in the years 1918-1939. [See best of my knowledge, a Ph.D. in sociology, cuted minority.” Huh? How much persecution from examining the truth of Polish intoler- P. Wandycz “Price of Freedom” 1992, p. 211] not history. Norman Davies, a leading British must a minority endure before Dadlez grants ance and anti-Semitism. The PAJ would actu- Jews were considered an ethnic, not religious historian in his book “Europe, East and West” recognition? Has Dr. Dadlez actually ever ally do its readers and Polonia a great service minority, based on language and custom, they c. 2006, gives a brief history of how Polish/ read a history of inter-war Poland with the by exploring historical Polish anti-Semi- were the third largest minority and represented Jewish relations have been misunderstood or Endecja, the Camp of National Unity, Oboz tism. It’s a sign of health and maturity for a almost 10% of the population, “most visible misinterpreted by some western authors, and Narodowo Radykalny, the sermons of Polish nation to come to grips with its past. A weak among the white collar workers, constituting often prejudicial and, pre-conceived ideas Primate, Cardinal Hlond, etc., ad nauseum? and immature society whitewashes its history. nearly 50% of the “free” professions, virtu- flourished. (Chapters III and XI may be of When confronted with examples of Pol- The majority of the Polish people have been ally dominating medicine and law.” Although special interest to you). It is only in the last ish anti-Semitism, traditionalists reflexively able to accept that their nation, like any other, Poles are by no means angels, it is only fair to several years after the collapse of the Soviet counter with the “Zydokomuna” myth, say- has some shameful skeletons in its closet. It’s state that in many countries minority groups Union that books and documentaries dealing ing it was Poland’s Jews that toppled the Pol- only among the Polish conservatives, like the did not enjoy such freedoms and opportuni- with the subject started to appear. Davies’s ish nation by supporting communism and the supporters of Father Rydzyk, Radio Maryja, ties. other publication “Europe” c. 1996, includes Soviets as if to say, “Jews accuse us of big- the Kaczynskis, and in the pages of the PAJ, When Mr. Kiseleski states that in talking statistics depicting crimes committed by So- otry and intolerance but they are guilty of bad that denial and “Zydokomuna” persist. about the strong participation of Jews in the viet governments, which are several times things, also.” Historians tell us that a number Perhaps the PAJ would consider an article Soviet-imposed government of the post war higher than those committed by Hitler’s Ger- of disaffected, educated Jews were attracted on an excellent history of the rise of anti-Sem- Poland, we should ask why it was so, he is many. (Explanation: Hitler was in power only to the promises of a communist utopia with itism in Poland, “Poland’s Threatening Other: absolutely right. However, the only logical 12 years; Stalin ruled Soviet Union for some equality and opportunity for all despite race The Image of the Jew from 1880 to the Pres- answer to this question must be “for reasons 25 years). or ethnicity. Hence my earlier point that Pol- ent,” by Joanna Beata Michlic, Ph.D. having nothing to do with justice.” Having a Happy reading. ish-speaking Jewish intellectuals were at- Tom Kiseleski, B.S. long border with Soviet Ukraine and Byelo- Anna Dadlez, Ph.D. tracted to communism and were represented Pittsford, N.Y. russia, anyone living in Poland knew about Saginaw, Michigan disproportionately in the leadership of the the “man-made famine” claiming some seven Anti-Semitism, Abortions, Prove to be Hot-Button Issues Dear Editor, Poland, USSR, Cuba, etc. looked see where Prof. Rudnicki is coming abortion is such a personal issue that it describes people that allow reli- I am a Catholic Polish American upon their younger, able-bodied, from when he defends the Polish no one, not even the Pope, Polish or gious superstitions to dictate how immensely proud of my Polish par- educated subjects as state assets Communist Dictators then in power otherwise, can dictate what a person they think and behave, usually in a ents and the values I learned from and refused to let them migrate un- by stating “Poland certainly did not should or should not do. I told her very conservative manner bordering them. I received a subscription to til they, the regimes, got their value intentionally send handicapped and that she is not following the dictates on backward. your paper as a Christmas gift. I am back from their so-called invest- aged people to Israel.” of her religion. She smiled and said Yes, the Polish community is sorely disappointed in what I read. ments. To say that Golda Meier was Prof. Rudnicki, there is a bridge that the boys in don’t always more than Polkas and pierogis but It is no secret that the stigma of “playing politics” is tautological. If in Brooklyn that I would like to dis- know about the realities of life and progressive it is not. Let us hope alleged Polish anti-Semitism has that is the case, he should say the cuss with you. that is why many Catholics, espe- that eventually it can climb out of been an albatross around our col- same thing about President Jimmy Walter Bajak cially in the United States, choose the darkness. lective necks. In your Speak Up Carter during the Mariel boat lift. Via e-mail to disagree with Rome on a number Janusz M. Szyszko section there is a discussion about Castro sent his criminals and the in- of issues. She added that everyone Canton, Michigan “overplaying” the subject. But what firm to the United States and tried to REALITY AND ROME. I was dis- is entitled to their beliefs but if their do you have on the front page but block talented able bodied Cubans appointed but not surprised to read beliefs infringe on the freedom of a thinly veiled anti-Semitic note re- from coming to the United States. “Polish Americans to President: other people to choose how to man- ferring to a Golda Meier letter. Complaining to the Polish Commu- veto health Care if it Finances Abor- age their lives, then they are plainly Help severely autistic I think that Prof. Rudnicki was nist Dictatorship that they were pre- tion,” January 2010. wrong. She called the abortion fa- adults. Buy a book at being very economical with the venting such people from migrating My mother, who is in her late natics “ciemnota.” truth. Does he forget that in the to Israel is not playing politics but eighties, very Polish and very Cath- The Polish word is interesting douglasacres.com. 1950s the communist regimes in standing up for human rights. So we olic, told me that the question of and hard to accurately translate but  www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2010

Biography of a Genius Chopin Bicentennial newspapers, and “little Chopin” be- and orchestra) and the Trio in G mi- Celebrations Begin came the attraction and ornament of nor, op. 8 for piano, violin and cello. receptions given in the aristocratic Chopin ended his education at the Poland officially began com- tary and from animation to experi- salons of the capital. He also be- Higher School in 1829, and after the memorations of the bicentennial mental, the films in this series re- gan giving public charity concerts. third year of his studies Elsner wrote of the birth of its most celebrated veal the cinema’s fascination with His first professional piano lessons, in a report: “Chopin, Fryderyk, third composer, Frederic Chopin, re- Chopin’s music and his dramatic given to him by Wojciech Zywny year student, amazing talent, musi- cently with a ceremony at his biography, fraught as it was with (b. 1756 in Bohemia), lasted from cal genius.” birthplace, Żelazowa Wola, about illness, stormy love affairs, and 1816 to 1822, when the teacher was After completing his studies, 50 miles west of Warsaw, and a exile from his homeland. no longer able to give any more help Chopin planned a longer stay abroad concert in the capital featuring the Six diverse programs will be to the pupil whose skills surpassed to become acquainted with the mu- Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra. presented from now until May, his own. The further development of sical life of Europe and to win fame. More than 2,000 events, nearly highlighted by the visually stun- Fryderyk’s talent was supervised by Up to then, he had never left Poland, half of them to be held outside ning The Blue Note by Andrzej Wilhelm Würfel (b.1791 in Bohe- with the exception of two brief stays Poland, are planned during the Zulawski starring Polish pianist mia), the renowned pianist and pro- in Prussia. In 1826, he had spent a bicentennial, including films, jazz Janusz Olejniczak and Sophie fessor at the Warsaw Conservatory holiday in Bad Reinertz (modern performances, exhibitions and the Marceau (May 8); as well as a who was to offer valuable, although day Duszniki-Zdroj) in Lower Sile- 16th annual Chopin International program of experimental films, in- irregular, advice as regards playing sia, and two years later he had ac- Competition. In August, Warsaw cluding one of the world’s most in- will be home to the Chopin and novative: The Orchestra by Zbig- Portrait of Chopin by P. Schick. the piano and organ. companied his father’s friend, Pro- fessor Feliks Jarocki, on his journey His Europe International Festival, niew Rybczynski (April 10). by Barbara Smolenska-Zielinska From 1823 to 1826, Fryderyk to Berlin to attend a congress of nat- with 50 concerts and over 1,000 Other films include: Aleksander English translation by Aleksandra attended the Warsaw Lyceum where uralists. Here, quite unknown to the performers, and as always will host Ford’s 1951 classic The Youth Rodzińska-Chojnowska his father was one of the professors. Prussian public, he concentrated on the 16th International Fryderyk of Chopin The Youth of Chopin, Reprinted with permission of The He spent his summer holidays in es- observing the local musical scene. Chopin Piano Competition, Octo- Calling Mr. Smith, one of the first Fryderyk Chopin Society tates belonging to the parents of his Now he pursued bolder plans. In ber 2-23. For Chopin Year 2010 and most persuasive World War II- school friends in various parts of the July 1829 he made a short excur- worldwide programming, check era film experiments, rare footage Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin, the country. For example, he twice vis- sion to Vienna in the company of updates at www.chopin2010.pl of the International Fryderyk Cho- Polish composer and pianist, was ited Szafarnia in the Kujawy region his acquaintances. Wilhelm Würfel, In the United States, the Film pin Piano Competition in Warsaw born on 1 March 1810, according where he revealed a particular inter- who had been staying there for three Society of Lincoln Center and the at different stages in its history. to the statements of the artist him- est in folk music and country tradi- years, introduced him to the musical Polish Cultural Institute in New Two Polish documentaries, Born self and his family, but according to tions. The young composer listened milieu, and enabled Chopin to give York, in association with the Pol- in Warsaw and Under the Sign his baptismal certificate, which was to and noted down the texts of folk two performances in the Kärtnertor- ish National Film Archive and of Chopin, as well as the a rarely written several weeks after his birth, songs, took part in peasant weddings theater, where, accompanied by an Polish National Television are pre- screened archival newsreel from the date was 22 February. His birth- and harvest festivities, danced, and orchestra, he played Variations, op. senting a series of films inspired the competition’s 7th edition, and place was the village of Zelazowa played a folk instrument resembling 2 on a Mozart theme and the Rondo à by the life and art of the great Pol- Impromptu, dir. James Lapine, Wola near Sochaczew, in the re- a double bass with the village musi- ish composer. staring Hugh Grant as Fryderyk gion of Mazovia, which was part of cians; all of which he described in Filmmakers around the world Chopin and Judy Davis as George the . The manor- his letters. Chopin became well ac- have explored Chopin’s legacy Sand. www.polishculture-nyc.org. house in Zelazowa Wola belonged quainted with the folk music of the since the beginning of the film era. — Staś Kmieć to Count Skarbek, and Chopin’s Polish plains in its authentic form, Ranging from drama to documen- father, Mikolaj (Nicolas) Chopin, with its distinct tonality, richness of a Polonized Frenchman, was em- rhythms and dance vigour. When position abroad, for up to then, his fate of his country and family, he ployed there as a tutor. He had been composing his first mazurkas in works had only been published in ceased planning the further course born in 1771 in Marainville in the 1825, as well as the later ones, he Warsaw. of his career, an attitude explained province of Lorraine in France, but resorted to this source of inspiration Upon his return to Warsaw, Cho- in a letter to J. Elsner: “In vain does already as a child he had established which he kept in mind until the very pin, already free from student du- Malfatti try to convince me that ev- contacts with the Polish families of end of his life. ties, devoted himself to composition ery artist is a cosmopolitan. Even if Count Michal Pac and the manager In the autumn of 1826, Chopin and wrote, among other pieces, two so, as an artist, I am still in my cra- of his estate, Jan Adam Weydlich. began studying the theory of music, Concertos for piano and orchestra: dle, as a Pole, I am already twenty; At the age of 16, Mikolaj accom- figured bass and composition at the in F minor and E minor. The first I hope, therefore that, knowing me panied them to Poland where he Warsaw School of Music, which was concerto was inspired to a consid- well, you will not chide me that so settled down permanently. He never both part of the Conservatory and, erable extent by the composer’s far I have not thought about the pro- returned to France and did not retain at the same time, connected with feelings towards Konstancja Glad- gramme of .” contacts with his French family but Warsaw University. Its head was the kowska, who studied singing at the The performance ultimately brought up his children as Poles. composer Jozef Elsner (b. 1769 in Conservatory. This was also the took place on 11 June 1831, in the In 1806, Mikolaj Chopin married Silesia). Chopin, however, did not period of the first nocturne, etudes, Kärtnerthortheater, where Chopin Tekla Justyna Krzyzanowska, who attend the piano class. Aware of the French Romantic writer George waltzes, mazurkas, and songs to played the Concerto in E minor. was the housekeeper for the Skar- exceptional nature of Chopin’s tal- Sand, who questioned the sexual words by Stefan Witwicki. During The eight months spent in Vienna bek family at Zelazowa Wola. They ent, Elsner allowed him, in accor- identity and gender destinies in the last months prior to his planned were not wasted. Strong and dra- had four children: three daughters: dance with his personality and tem- fiction. Outside the literary world, longer stay abroad, Chopin gave a matic emotional experiences in- Ludwika, Izabela and Emilia, and perament, to concentrate on piano Sand was noted for her numerous number of public performances, spired the creative imagination of a son Fryderyk, the second child. music but was unbending as regards love affairs with such prominent fig- mainly in the National Theatre in the composer, probably accelerating Several months after his birth, the theoretical subjects, in particular ures as Chopin (1838-1847), Prosper Warsaw where the première of both the emergence of a new, individual whole family moved to Warsaw, counterpoint. Chopin, endowed by Merimée, Alfred de Musset (1833- concertos took place. Originally, his style, quite different from his previ- where Mikolaj Chopin was offered nature with magnificent melodic in- 34), Alexandre Manceau (1849-65), destination was to be Berlin, where ous brilliant style. The new works, the post of French language and lit- vention, ease of free improvisation and others. the artist had been invited by Prince which revealed force and passion, erature lecturer in the Warsaw Ly- and an inclination towards brilliant Antoni Radziwill, the governor of included the sketch of the Scherzo ceum. He also ran a boarding school effects and perfect harmony, gained la Krakowiak, op. 14 as well as per- the Grand Duchy of Poznan, who in B minor and, above all, the pow- for sons of the gentry. in Elsner’s school a solid ground- forming improvisations. He enjoyed had been appointed by the king of erful Etudes from op. 10. The musical talent of Fryderyk ing, discipline, and precision of con- tremendous success with the public, Prussia, and who was a long-stand- Having given up his plans for became apparent extremely early struction, as well as an understand- and although the critics censured his ing admirer of Chopin’s talent and a journey to Italy, due to the hos- on, and it was compared with the ing of the meaning and logic of each performance for its small volume who, in the autumn of 1829, was his tilities there against Austria, Chopin childhood genius of Mozart. Al- note. This was the period of the first of sound, they acclaimed him as a host in Antonin. Chopin, however, resolved to go to . On the way, ready at the age of 7, Fryderyk was extended works such as the Sonata genius of the piano and praised his ultimately chose Vienna where he he first stopped in Munich where he the author of two polonaises (in G in C minor, Variations, op. 2 on a compositions. Consequently, the Vi- wished to consolidate his earlier gave a concert on the 28th of August minor and B flat major), the first theme from Don Juan by Mozart, ennese publisher Tobias Haslinger success and establish his reputation. and then went on to Stuttgart. Here being published in the engraving the Rondo à la Krakowiak, op. 14, printed the Variations on a theme On 11 October 1830, he gave a he learnt about the dramatic collapse workshop of Father Cybulski. The the Fantaisie, op. 13 on Polish Airs from Mozart (1830). This was the ceremonial farewell concert in the of the and the prodigy was featured in the Warsaw (the three last ones written for piano first publication of a Chopin com- National Theatre in Warsaw, during capture of Warsaw by the Russians. which he played the Concerto in E His reaction to this news assumed the “Chopin’s Poland” Essay Contest minor, and K. Gladkowska sang. form of a fever and nervous crisis. On 2 November, together with his Traces of these experiences are en- CLEVELAND — Mary Kay Pieski, president of terested Kosciuszko Foundation Ohio Chapter high friend Tytus Woyciechowski, Cho- countered in the so-called Stuttgart the Ohio Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation an- school junior or senior, however, can participate. pin left for Austria, with the inten- diary: “The enemy is in the house nounced final details governing the Chapter’s annual Awards for the winning essays are first place, tion of going on to Italy. (...) Oh God, do You exist? You do essay contest commemorating the Bicentennial Year $1,000.00; second place, $500.00; third place, and yet You do not avenge. - Have of Frederyk Chopin’s birth. $250.00; and at least two Honorable Mention desig- Several days after their You not had enough of Moscow’s The essay contest, titled “Chopin’s Poland” reflects nations. Award winners, their parents, and their teach- arrival in Vienna, the two crimes - or - or are You Yourself a Poland’s designation of 2010 as the “Chopin Year.” ers will be honored at the annual banquet of the Ohio friends learnt about the outbreak Muscovite [...] I here, useless! And Essay participants will have a choice of two top- Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation on April 17, of the uprising in Warsaw, against I here empty-handed. At times I can ics: 1. How the Uprising of November, 1830 impact- the subservience of the Kingdom of only groan, suffer, and pour out my 2010 at the Polish American Cultural Center in Cleve- ed Chopin’s adult life and his music, and 2. Analyze Poland to Russia and the presence despair at my piano!” specified compositions of Frederyk Chopin in the af- land. of the Russian Tsar on the Polish termath of the Uprising of 1830. Essay entries must be postmarked by February 16, throne. This was the beginning of In the autumn of 1831, Cho- The annual essay contest was designed to empha- 2010. All related essay contest materials are available a months-long Russo-Polish war. T. pin arrived in Paris where he met size participation of junior and senior parochial high from the websites: http:northeastohio.the kf.org or Woyciechowski returned to Warsaw many fellow countrymen. Follow- schools in the eight-foundation-block counties of the from [email protected]. to join the insurgent army, while ing the national defeat, thousands of Ohio Chapter, namely Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark, All essays will be judged by university and inde- Chopin, succumbing to the persua- exiles, including participants of the Lorain, Lake, Geauga, Medina and Portage. Any in- pendent scholars, who are familiar with the topics. sion of his friend, stayed in Vienna. armed struggle, politicians, repre- In low spirits and anxious about the continued on next page POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2010 www.polamjournal.com 

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continued from previous page The most important source of pin fell in love with her and wanted time the increasingly hostile attitude sentatives of Polish culture, such as Chopin’s income in Paris was, how- to marry her and set up a family of George Sand’s son, who exerted the writer Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz, ever, from giving lessons. He be- home of his own in exile. The fol- a strong influence on the writer, Romantic poets A. Mickiewicz and came a popular teacher among the lowing year, during a holiday spent caused ever more serious conflicts. Juliusz Slowacki, and the Warsaw Polish and French aristocracy and together with the seventeen year-old A final parting of ways took place friends of Chopin, the poets Ste- Parisian salons were his favorite Maria and her mother in Marien- in July 1847. fan Witwicki and Bohdan Zaleski, place for performances. As a pia- bad (modern day Márianské Lázne sought refuge from the Russian oc- nist, Chopin was ranked among the in the Czech Republic), and then Grievous personal experi- cupation in a country and city which greatest artists of his epoch, such as in Dresden, he proposed and was ences as well as the loss of No- they found most friendly. Chopin Kalkbrenner, Liszt, Thalberg and accepted on the condition that he hant, so important for the health made close contacts with the so- Herz, but, in contrast to them, he would take better care of his health. and creativity of the composer, had called Great Emigration, befriended disliked public performances and The engagement was unofficial, and a devastating effect on Chopin’s its leader Prince Adam Czartoryski, appeared rarely and rather unwill- did not end in marriage, for after a mental and physical state. He al- and became a member of the Pol- ingly. In a friendly, intimate group year-long “trial” period, Maria’s most completely gave up composi- ish Literary Society, which he sup- of listeners he disclosed supreme parents, disturbed by the bad state tion, and from then to the end of his ported financially. He also attended artistry and the full scale of his pia- of the health of her fiancé, who Chopin had lived at 12 Vendome life wrote only a few miniatures. In emigré meetings, played at charity nistic and expressive talents. was seriously ill in the winter, and Place in Paris for only three weeks April 1848, persuaded by his Scot- concerts held for poor emigrés, and especially by his irregular lifestyle, before his death from tuberculosis tish pupil, Jane Stirling, Chopin left organised similar events. Having settled down in viewed him as an unsuitable partner on Oct. 17, 1849. There, a few hours for England and Scotland. Together In Paris, his reputation as an art- Paris, Chopin deliberately chose for their daughter. Chopin found later, a young sculptor, Jean Baptiste with her sister, Miss Stirling organ- ist grew rapidly. Letters of recom- the status of an emigré. Despite the this rejection an extremely painful Clesinger, took a cast of the compos- ised concerts and visits in various mendation which the composer requests of his father, he did not experience, and labelled the letters er’s face and hands. Clesinger was localities, including the castles of brought from Vienna allowed him obey the Tsarist regulations, issued from the Wodzinski family, tied into the son-in-law of novelist George the Scottish aristocracy. This ex- immediately to join the local mu- in subjugated Poland, and never a small bundle, “My sorrow.” Sand, whose well-publicized love ceptionally hectic life style and ex- sical milieu, which welcomed extended his passport in the Rus- affair with the composer had termi- cessive strain on his strength from him cordially. Chopin became the sian embassy. Consequently, be- In July 1837, Chopin travelled to nated in 1847. Hostile at first, Chopin constant travelling and numerous friend of Liszt, Mendelssohn, Fer- ing regarded as a political refugee, London in the company of Camille had finally warmed to Clesinger, and performances, together with a cli- dinand Hiller, Berlioz and Auguste Chopin deprived himself of the Pleyel in the hope of forgetting all they had become good friends. mate deleterious to his lungs, further Franchomme. Later on, in 1835, in possibility of legally revisiting his unpleasant memories. Soon after- “After death,” wrote Franz Liszt, damaged his health. On 16 Novem- Leipzig, he also met Schumann who homeland. He longed to see his fam- wards, he entered into a close liai- “his face regained its youthful ber 1848, despite frailty and a fever, son with the famous beauty, its pure expression, and that Chopin gave his last concert, play- As a pianist, Chopin was ranked among the greatest French writer George serenity to which it had now been ing for Polish emigrés in the Guild- artists of his epoch, such as Kalkbrenner, Liszt, Thalberg Sand. This author of long unaccustomed. His youthful hall in London. A few days later, he daring novels, older loveliness, so long dimmed by bitter returned to Paris. and Herz, but — in contrast to them — he disliked public by six years, and a sufferings, was restored by death.” His rapidly progressing disease performances and appeared rarely and rather unwillingly. divorcee with two made it impossible to continue giv- children, offered the pin, still greatly weakened, moved ing lessons. In the summer of 1849, held his works in great esteem and ily and friends and, seeking refuge lonely artist what he missed most to George Sand’s manor house in Ludwika Jedrzejewiczowa, the el- wrote enthusiastic articles about the against loneliness, decided to share from the time when he left Warsaw: Nohant, in central France. Here, he dest sister of the composer, came Polish composer. Upon hearing the accommodation with the physician extraordinary tenderness, warmth was to spend long vacations up to from Warsaw to take care of her ill performance of the unknown ar- Aleksander Hoffman, another Polish and maternal care. The lovers spent 1846, with the exception of 1840, brother. On 17 October 1849, Cho- rival from Warsaw, the great pianist exile, and after the latter’s departure the winter of 1838/1839 on the returning to Paris only for the win- pin died of pulmonary tuberculo- Friedrich Kalkbrenner, called the from Paris, with his Warsaw friend, Spanish island of Majorca, living ters. This was the happiest, and the sis in his Parisian flat in the Place king of the piano, organised a con- former insurgent and physician, Jan in a former monastery in Valde- most productive, period in his life Vendôme. He was buried in the cert for Chopin which took place Matuszynski. In this situation, the mosa. There, due to unfavourable after he left his family home. The Père-Lachaise cemetery in Paris. In on the 26th of February 1832 in the composer could meet his parents weather conditions, Chopin became majority of his most outstanding accordance with his will, however, Salle Pleyel. The ensuing success only outside Poland and when in gravely ill and showed symptoms of and profound works were com- his heart, taken from his body after was enormous, and he quickly be- August 1835 they went to Karlsbad tuberculosis. For many weeks, he posed in Nohant. In Paris, the com- death, was brought by his sister to came a famous musician, renowned for a cure, Chopin soon followed. remained so weak as to be unable poser and writer were treated as a Warsaw where it was placed in an throughout Paris. This rise to fame Afterwards, while in nearby Dres- to leave the house but nonetheless, married couple, although they were urn installed in a pillar of the Holy aroused the interest of publishers den, he renewed his acquaintance continued to work intensively and never married. Both had common Cross church in Krakowskie Przed- and by the summer of 1832, Cho- with the Wodzinski family. Years composed a number of masterpiec- friends among the artistic circles of miescie. pin had signed a contract with the earlier, the three young Wodzin- es: the series of 24 preludes, the Po- the capital, such as the painter Dela- v v v leading Parisian publishing firm of ski sons had stayed in the boarding lonaise in C minor, the Ballade in F croix and the singer Pauline Viardot, For more information about Schlesinger. At the same time, his house managed by Mikolaj Chopin. major, and the Scherzo in C sharp as well as the Polish emigrés, such the The Fryderyk Chopin Society, compositions were published in Their younger sister, Maria, now an minor. On his return from Majorca as A. Mickiewicz and W. Grzyma- contact it at Plac Piłsudskiego 9, Leipzig by Probst, and then Breit- adolescent, showed considerable in the spring of 1839, and following la. For years, the couple enjoyed a 00-078 Warszawa, Poland; e-mail: kopf, and in London by Wessel. musical and artistic talent and Cho- convalescence in Marseilles, Cho- deep love and friendship, but with [email protected]. The Changing Face of America HONORS ALEXANDRIA, Virg. — The United States of filling out the census form. A national adver- sus. Professor Richard Lukas, author ethnic and racial composition has significantly tising campaign will launch in January and con- In addition, several states provide funds for of “Forgotten Holocaust,” “Did the changed since 2000 and is projected to continue tinue airing when the census forms are mailed in outreach to active non-profit organizations in Children Cry?” and “Forgotten Sur- growing after the 2010 Census. The U.S. Cen- March of 2010. The campaign will include TV, order to help boost 2010 Census participation in vivors,” won a citation for his article sus Bureau is increasing its efforts to inform and radio, print, and online advertisements that will select hard-to-count communities with low par- on Irena Sendler from the Catholic assist a wide variety of ethnic communities and be in-language on Polish American media outlets ticipation numbers in the Census2000. With the Press Association during its annual language groups. This includes reaching out to to explain the direct benefits of the census. The help of the “Count Me In” project in Chicago, meeting. The article appeared in St. historically undercounted groups such as Polish data decides how many seats each state occupies the Polish American Association will target im- Anthony Messenger. Americans. in the House of Representatives, and helps allo- migrants with limited English skills in 37 tradi- Patrice Nedelec joined Sunquest The Census Bureau and its partners are taking cate over $400 billion in funding to community tionally undercounted Chicago neighborhoods in Tucson as vice president of qual- several steps to obtain a complete and accurate hospitals, transportation, schools, and emergency and cities around Illinois. ity and regulatory affairs … Aaron 2010 count in the Polish American community. services The upcoming census form will be the short- A. Pisula, graduated cum laude Language Assistance Guides will provide in-lan- Polish American organizations and commu- est in history, with only ten short questions ask- from Duquesne University, Pitts- guage help for Polish speakers as they answer nity leaders currently serve as national partners ing for information such as name, gender, age, burgh, with a bachelor’s degree in the English-language Census form. Additionally, to help reach this audience. The Piast Institute, date of birth, race, and whether respondents own music performance. He continued 2010 Census brochures, fact sheets, and answers headed by Dr. Thaddeus Radzilowski, has been or rent their home. There are no questions about graduate studies at Duquesne on a to frequently asked questions have been created a consultant to the Census Bureau for 20 years. immigration status, Social Security numbers, or full scholarship to the Mary Pappert in Polish and are available for download on the “We come together every 10 years to tell the political and religious affiliations. All responses School of Music … A mural to hon- Census Web site, www.2010census.gov. world who we are and for the Polish community are confidential and used for statistical purposes or fallen Philadelphia police officer Furthermore, the Census Bureau is increas- it is important. Many programs that are important only. John Pawlowski was dedicated at ing efforts to inform Polish Americans about to civic life are directly impacted by the census,” For more information about the 2010 Census, the Parkwood Youth Organization these new resources, and about the importance he says, highlighting the importance of the cen- visit http://2010census.gov. in Northeast Philadelphia.  www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2010

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RELIGION / Benjamin Fiore, S.J. Catholic Healthcare Center for Women A specially developed infertility campaign to convince Catholics that Patricia Ann Czarnota, OSF, Sr. Ma- treatment that is both effective and they can disregard Church teaching ria Denise Provoke, OSF, 50 years; pro-life is now being offered in the and still remain in good standing. Bro. Martin Joseph Jarocinski, Mer- New York region through Gianna: “Nothing could be further from the cedarian, Sr. Christine M. Konopel- The Catholic Healthcare Center for truth,” the archbishop-designate in- ski, SSJ, 25 years. Women, located at 15 East 40 St. sisted. in New York and sponsored by St. Ukrainian Catholics Re- Vincent’s Hospital. In addition to Faith on Ice. Archdiocese of gain Church. Bishop Marian fertility treatment, the center offers Chicago’s Bishop Thomas Pap- Buczek of the Kharkiv-Zaporizhia a wide range of general women’s rocki, known as the “Holy Goalie,” Diocese in Ukraine presided over health care including obstetrics, skated with the Green Knights of the re- of St. Joseph’s prenatal care and routine gynecol- St. Norbert College in Wisconsin Church in Dnipropetrovsk, in ogy. Dr. Anne Mielnik, co-founder and then addressed the team in the eastern Ukraine. A decade-long le- of the center, explains that while it locker room before the game. The gal battle ended with the return of is open to all regardless of their be- bishop is a seasoned athlete and church, confiscated by the com- liefs, the center’s pro-life ethic and marathoner and, after his practice munists in 1949 and then sold to a its founders’ Catholic faith touch ev- with the team spoke to them about private company in 1998. Capuchin ery aspect of its work. She and her the connections between sports and Fr. Jerzy Zielinski, who serves at the Survivors’ Stories add Sober Side to Christmas Party. associate Joan Nolan of Syracuse, living the Catholic faith. “My faith,” parish, noted, “From early morning Wanda Lorenc and Wladyslaw Mazur (center) are concentration camp sur- N.Y., also founded the John Paul he says, “gives me strength to run until late at night the parishioners vivors and veterans of Poland’s Warsaw Uprising (The Rising) of 1944. II Center for Women, a nonprofit marathons, and running marathons have been working to clear away the They do not normally speak about their wartime experiences at a Christmas organization with the goal of creat- teaches me endurance, which helps rubble and make the church ready party. for the re-consecration ceremony.” ing centers throughout the United me to persevere when facing chal- But with the large number of children always present at the annual This year the Catholic community States to offer pro-life medical care lenges in life.” Bishop Paprocki is Christmas party of the Polish American Congress, PAC President Frank in Dnipropetrovsk marks its 230th to women and to give them an al- currently writing a book on sports Milewski (left) and Political Activities Chairman Chet Szarejko (far right) anniversary. The Franciscan Capu- ternative to treatments that are not and faith. After blessing the St. Nor- invited them to spend a few moments to tell the children what it was like to pro-life such as in vitro fertilization bert team before the game, the bish- chins are celebrating their 10th an- niversary since their return to work live as a teenager in German-occupied Poland in World War II. (IVF). The Gianna center uses natu- op skated to center ice and dropped “Holocaust studies in public schools don’t usually accentuate the story ral procreative technology (NaPro) the ceremonial puck to start the in the parish and the 300th anniver- of Polish Catholics like Mrs. Lorenc and Mr. Mazur. We thought our Polish to treat infertility and also to assist game. St. Norbert’s won 8-2. sary of their ministry in Ukraine. American kids should be made aware of what such people went through,” couples to avoid pregnancy natu- Sto lat to … said Szarejko, a former history teacher on Long Island. rally. With this approach, says Dr. John Paul II Film Festival John S. Grabows- Mielnik, no embryos are created in Launched. The John Paul II In- ki, professor of moral theology at Both speakers were members of the Polish Underground (Armia Kra- the lab for implantation in the uterus ternational Film Festival, “a home Catholic University of America, and jowa) and both were arrested by the Germans and sent to concentration with some subsequently aborted as to filmmakers who have chosen his wife Claire, parents of five chil- camps. they begin to grow. Rather NaPro to use this medium to express and dren, on being appointed to the Pon- During the Uprising, Mr. Mazur miraculously survived two German tracks the women’s cycles to find share a message of hope, struggle, tifical Council for the Family. bullets that grazed his neck and a third one that pierced into his hip. Even a German soldier’s rifle butt to his head was unable to finish him off. underlying causes of infertility and triumph and love to the world,” held Discernment Retreat A Big While a prisoner in a German concentration camp, an SS guard kicked then prescribes medical treatment its first awards ceremony in Miami Draw. Sr. Joseph Andrew Bog- Mrs. Lorenc’s face to a bloody pulp after she threw a piece of bread to a or surgery to correct the problem. in November. The Miami campus of danowicz, community vocations starving and pleading Jew. She considered herself lucky because she could While IVF has a success rate of 45% Florida International University was director for the Dominican Sisters after three cycles of treatment or the site and the festival was hosted of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, in have gotten a bullet in her head instead. 51% after six cycles, NaPro boasts by the non-profit 7eventhDay Me- Ann Arbor, Mich., held their regular Mrs. Lorenc’s parents and a brother are honored at Israel’s Yad Vashem that up to 70% of couples have been dia, Inc. The festival was created discernment retreat for about 100 as “Righteous Among the Nations” for rescuing and sheltering twelve Jews helped to achieve pregnancy. in response to the late pope’s apos- young women in October. Women during the Holocaust. tolic “Letter to Artists,” in which he are attracted to the retreat in increas- Another brother was part of an Armia Krajowa unit which tried to blow Archbishop Retires. Pope challenged artists to respond to the ing numbers from all over the world. out a hole in the wall of the Warsaw Ghetto to let Jews escape. Bendict XVI recently accepted the world’s need for Truth, Love and Over 4,000 women have made the But neither this brother nor Mrs. Lorenc were ever honored as “Righ- resignation of Archbishop Daniel Peace through the use of art.” One retreats over the last 12 years. If teous” because the Jews they helped were not around to testify that the E. Pilarczyk of the Archdiocese of of the films awarded was the docu- some are being drawn to a religious events really happened. Israel’s Yad Vashem does not count anyone this Cincinnati. Archbishop Pilarczyk mentary “The Water Project,” which vocation, the sisters direct them to way unless the rescued Jew will validate it. had been the longest serving active followed a non-profit group to the communities that are appropriate to Even though Israel honors Poland as the country with the most “Righ- bishop in the U.S., heading the arch- Dominican Republic where they in- their vocation and inclination. “All teous,” many Poles say that number would be many times greater if it were diocese for the previous 27 years. stalled an aqueduct for a community we want for anybody is the will of not for the fact Yad Vashem does not count any act of aid unless the Jewish that had never seen running water. God, no matter what that is,” ex- person who was aided steps forth and confirms it. Archbishop Unmasks “Pro- plains Sr. Joseph. “That is what the After coming to the United States when the war ended, Mr. Mazur cen- choice Catholic” Group. Happy Anniversary to priests Church today needs – saintly women tered his efforts on working with the Maria Konopnicka Polish Saturday Archbishop-designate of Milwaukee and religious of the Philadelphia willing to embrace whatever God’s School in Brooklyn, N.Y. Many of the students came to the Christmas cel- Jerome E. Listecki declared that a Archdiocese: Bro. Kaźimierz will for them might be.” ebration to honor him and hear his testimony. self-described Wisconsin Catholic Paśnik, of the Pauline order, 75 Upcoming retreats are scheduled As in past years, the Polish American Congress Christmas event was group which holds that Catholics can years; Sr. Ann Rita Kobierowski, for February 20-21 and May 22-23. held at Greenpoint’s Polonaise Terrace. disregard the Church’s teachings on CSFN, Sr. Regina Wesolowski, abortion, contraception and human CSFN, Sr. Consolata Pylilo, CSFN, ASKS YAD VASHEM TO HONOR sexuality is disowning its Catholic 70 years; Sr. Aurelia Lopata, CSFN, POLISH NUNS. Paul Z. Wos, who heritage. The group Young Catho- Sr. Bernadette Sznurkowski, CSFN, with his deceased parents saved the lics for Choice, a part of the dissent- Sr. Maryann McKeough, CSFN, Sr. lives of twelve Jews during World ing group Catholics for Choice, has Rita Partyka, CSFN, Fr. Marcellus War II in German-occupied Poland, begun collaborating with Family Kolakowski, OFM, Fr. Clement called upon Israel’s Yad Vashem Planning Health Services of Wausau Kurowski, OFM, 60 years; Fr. Jo- Memorial to honor Poland’s nuns, and is conducting an advertising seph M. Olczak, Pauline order, Sr. who hid and protected Jewish chil- 760 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY 14203 dren. (716) 882-2987 Poles faced the death penalty MODLITWY for helping Jews. “We all knew we Center for Pastoral Care Publication of Prayers. The Polish American invoke your aid. Amen. Publication must be prom- could be shot on the spot,” said Wos, and Wellness Journal gladly accepts prayers ads for publication. ised. This prayer is to be said for nine consecutive “but we were also Christians.” They must be received by the 10th of each month, days. This novena has never been known to fail. My He has suggested “a special mon- prior to the month of publication, and must be prayers have been answered. A.R.K. pre-paid at the cost of $15.00 each, which can be ument at Yad Vashem dedicated to On-Going Events paid by check or charge. If you have any questions Prayer to the Blessed Virgin. (Never Known the memory of these heroic woman, Daily Mass. 4:30 p.m. regarding this policy, please call 1 (800) 422-1275 To Fail). Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, or (716) 312-8088. fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of who risked their lives in protecting (except Saturday) the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my the lives of Jewish children.” Novena to St. Jude PRAYER TO ST. JUDE. Holy St. Jude, Apostle and necessity. Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me Yad Vashem turned down Wos’ Every Wednesday 4:30 p.m. Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near herein you are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of the kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech request, He was advised a monument Sunday Mass. 12:30 p.m. all who invoke your special patronage in time of you from the bottom of my heart and succor me in like this already exists, called the Bereavement Support Group need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my my necessity (make request). There are none that Memorial to the Anonymous Res- (Every 1st Tuesday of the month heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such can withstand your power. Oh Mary, conceived great power to come to my assistance. Help me in without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee cuer, which “honors the nuns, cler- 2-2:30 p.m.) my present and urgent position. In return I promise (three times). Holy Mary, I place this cause in your gymen, townspeople, farmers and to make your name known and cause you to be hands (three times). Say this prayer for three con- invoked. (Say three Our Fathers, Three Hail Marys, secutive days and then you must publish and it will other rescuers whose specific heroic Rev. Richard H. Augustyn, Director Three Glory Be’s). St. Jude pray for us and all who be granted to you. Thank you for your help. M.L. deeds will remain unknown.” POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2010 www.polamjournal.com 

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TRAVELOGUE / Staś Kmieć A Trip to the Poczta Part XII ered by messengers. In the Middle To make a good Polish cocktail, Ages, such services were available the most common recipe says to take only to the privileged classes — a few bars of Chopin and a dash of monarchs, rich merchants and some chivalry (including hand kissing), of the organized communities, like fortify it with a jigger of wódka, add a large towns, universities or monas- little Polish enthusiasm, a few tragic teries. Royal couriers would use the notes from the last world war, top it podwoda method — horses and carts off with Polish blood shed “For your provided at fixed points on the route Freedom and Ours” and season it up for replacement. Poczta Glowna, the main post office of Krakow. Poczta Polska is a very efficient enterprise. with an inexpressible mood of yearn- The postal service was created ing. For zest and pep add a touch of Oct. 18, 1558, when King Zygmunt en. For a small fee the older women it from opening. Ewa assured me that nist days-gone-by were missing, but the beauty and chic of the Warsza- August established a permanent made a profession of custom-sizing I had done a great job and it would be the smile and pleasant exchange first wiacy. Stir well. postal route from Kraków to Venice, boxes from remnant cardboard, ex- fine. Because of the weight and since with the older Krakowian woman I first came across this “recipe” and later to Wilno, in order to man- pertly packing and cushioning the it didn’t matter when I received the and then with Ewa was well worth back in Communist times and was age new affairs in Italy, which arose contents, with a grand finale of tying package, I decided to send it by boat, the experience. The “Polish cock- reminded of it as I walked back from after the death of Queen Bona, his the box in an elaborate lattice spider- rather than air. I was told it would tail” may have not changed in es- my jaunt in Kraków’s Old Town. mother. The king commissioned the web of string-cord. take 2-3 weeks. Would this be a mis- sence, but with in a new Poland with Taken one by one, the ingredients fit supervision of the postal service to With a box that was too large, I take? an optimistic and bright attitude and the stereotyped image of Poland. The Prosper Prowana, a courtier of Italian recalled their methods and sized and Realizing that I wanted coverage demeanor the taste is so much more real recipe is both simpler and more descent. For many years the service scored the box with scissors Ewa let in case of damage or loss, I decided pleasant. complicated at the same time, and as was financed from the royal treasury, me borrow. I secured the sections to pay with my credit card. The only Postscript: In just a little over 2 Poland has changed, so have some of and it was not until 1647 that King with the small amount of peel-off la- problem is that Ewa could not accept weeks the package arrived intact. I the ingredients. Władysław IV introduced the so bel tape and then tied the box with it. With her apologies she directed now know that there is a Mailbox Etc Back at Hotel Cracovia I assem- called podatek podwodowy tax. the short length of string. After sev- me to another window, where I could (ul. Karmelicka 55, www.mbe.com. bled all my travel purchases and ac- As Poland engaged in a series of eral attempts, I produced an inventive pay the amount with my Visa and pl), where they will package your cumulations for a trip to the post of- devastating conflicts in the 17th cen- result. The paperwork was in Polish then return with the voucher. That items. fice, in an attempt to lighten my load. tury, the development of the postal and mystifying had also been trans- accomplished, I said a silent good- Free from the burden and suitcase I separated the items that needed to service had been brought to a halt lated into French – and only French, bye to my package. I was on my way to Wawel Castle be sent, primarily books, promo- until the reign of King Stanisław Au- so I relied on my Polish understand- After a longer than anticipated or- – the royal residence of the country’s tional items and folders. Despite the gust Poniatowski. It was then made ing to complete the form. deal I was relieved to lose the weight kings, queens and rulers. best intentions and stringent rules available to all the citizens at flat I brought the misshapen package from my luggage. The convenience Source material: Poczta Polska, on packing during my trips, I some- rates and the postmen (pocztylion or back to the desk and asked for some and efficiency with all its grim firm- www.poczta-polska.pl, Poland the how always hit crisis mode while in kursor) were issued official uniforms additional tape to completely secure ness and bureaucracy from Commu- Country and Its People Kraków. I needed to send a pack- and post horns – an emblem that is age back to the States. I also had to retained to this day. The Polish post- Order now in time for ! mail the cell phone I had on loan to al service, at that time the most ef- Krzysiek back at Mazowsze. ficient postal system in Europe, was With everything packed in a small destroyed by the partitions of the suitcase I set out for the poczta. I in- country. Butter Lamb Mold quired at the front desk for the direc- For short periods of time the ser- tions to the nearest post office. I was vice functioned in the Duchy of War- Also: Easter Words, Everyday Words, and John Paul II Butter and Chocolate Molds told that it was very close – simply saw (1807-1812) and the Kingdom Easy to use! To make with butter, simply EASTER BUTTER LAMB MOLD a right out of the hotel, right again of Poland (around 1815-1830). After coat the mold with vegetable oil (spray type Small 3-1/2” width by 3” tall and past the Cineplex, followed by regaining independence in 1918, the works best), press in softened butter, clamp # 1-600 $4.95 another right. Easy enough! It was united territory of Poland was in need halves together, place and refrigerator until Large 5” width by 4” tall a pleasant sunny November day and of a uniform network of communi- hardened and you’re done. For chocolate, just # 1-601 $7.95 the walk was quick. I walked a dis- cation. The interwar period saw the pour and let harden. It’s that easy! Clean with tance on that final right and no post rapid development of the postal sys- soap and warm water. office was in sight. My experiences tem as new services were introduced Give your table some Polish flair! over the years have led me to believe such as money transfers, payment of that Polacy are not known for giving pensions, delivery of magazines, and full directions. air mail. POPE JOHN PAUL II The best bet was to inquire with During national uprisings and in COMMEMORATIVE an older local who knew the area. the course of wars, communication MEDALLION MOLD Sure enough, a kindly woman walk- was provided mainly through field — ing with a cane, gentle words and post, which was subject to military 5-inches across x a smile directed me on the correct authority. Postmen always took ac- 3/8” deep $6.95 path. What had been missing was tive part in the fight for indepen- a left and then a right following the dence by secretly delivering parcels third right. I was on my way. Before and documents, or by providing vital I even had the chance to turn onto the information about the enemy. Many street I could hear the woman call important events in the history of out to me to reiterate the instructions, Poland involved the postal service, motioning with her cane. I accepted like the heroic defense of the Poczta and thanked her again. Gdańska in 1939 and the participa- I found the poczta. It was not the tion of the Scouts’ Postal Service large municipal Poczta Głowna (ul. in the Warsaw Uprising. During the 20) that I was accus- difficult times of World War II, the tomed to, but a neighborhood local Polish Post in exile would lift up branch. the spirits of compatriots by issuing commemorative postage stamps. History of Poczta Polska. Poczta Polska is the Polish pub- Ewa – “Poczta Polska Poster lic post service — an enterprise Model.” After a short wait on line, with over 450 years of tradition, it I was met with a smile and a pleasant is one of the oldest institutions in greeting by the beautiful dark-haired Poland. The Polish Post has more Ewa, who could have been a poster NEW! LET’S LEARN POLISH EASTER LET’S LEARN POLISH EVERYDAY than 8400 postal outlets. It is the big- model for Poczta Polska. What a WORDS PLASTIC MOLD 12-coin mold. WORDS MOLD. 12-coin mold. Each coin is gest postal operator on the market, welcome departure from the gray, Each coin is 1-inch across x 1/4” deep. $8.95 1-inch across x 1/4” deep. $8.95 not only in Poland but in the whole gruff, pre-democratic atmosphere of Central Europe. The postal network years past! I told her I needed to pack THREE EASY WAYS TO ORDER! Easter 2010 consists of postal outlets, branches my items for sending; she weighed 1. Mail. Send with check or money order payable to and agencies. The enterprise is one the contents, gave me some forms to Shipping Special: “Polish American Journal” and mail to $3.00 shipping and handling of the biggest organizations in Po- complete and a box kit for packaging Polish American Journal, P.O. Box 328, Boston, NY 14025-0328 land with more than 100 thousand and then told me to return directly to per mold. employees and handles about several the front of the line when I was fin- 2. Call. 1 (800) 422-1275 (Toll Free) or (716) 312-8088, 5 or more molds: $2.00 each billion postal items a year. ished. Mon.-Fri., 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. EXPIRES MARCH 31, 2010 Valid for mail and phone Before the postal system was es- I had been spoiled during Commu- 3. Order on-line at: www.polamjournal.com orders only tablished, correspondence was deliv- nism by the poczta packaging wom-  www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2010

Happenings: Chicago Style / Geraldine Balut Rejoicing with the Lira Ensemble The sounds that radiated through- lin, Silesia, Rzeszow and Krakow. A out Orchestra Hall at Symphony wonderful and innovated orchestral Center, home of the Chicago Sym- piece, Polish American Christmas phony Orchestra, were evidence of Festival, by Leroy Anderson and the setting of Chicago’s own Lira arranged by Philip Seward, co-con- Ensemble’s Holiday concert: “Re- ductor of the Lira Orchestra, set the joice! Polish Carols.” Attending tone of the concert. such a festive gala was a wonder- The Orchestra and the Lira ful way to end the Christmas sea- Dancers performed Wojciech Ki- son and a joyous introduction to lar’s beautiful and elegant Polonaise the 21st century’s second decade. from the film Pan Tadeusz. The Hall On December 27, Orchestra Hall echoed with sentimental and tradi- was filled by primarily a Polish tional Polish Christmas carols. An- American audience who listened other highlight of the afternoon was and watched a new Lira production the dancing of the Helena Polka, of Polish carols, as well as music performed with that special “Chi- from renowned Polish composers, cago hop,” which, as Ms. Migala such as Wojciech Kilar, Fryderyk explained, was influenced by swing Lira Orchestra and Dancers. Chopin, and Zygmunt Noskowski. and the Charleston. Lucyna Migala, This concert also included spir- Lira Ensemble’s Artistic Director, She delighted the audience with ing guests with salt and bread, as dressed in authentic regional Pol- ited and dances associ- General Manager and co-founder, interesting commentary about a Migala pointed out, dates back prior ish costumes. The Lira Ensemble is ated with the Polish regions of Lub- served as Mistress of Ceremonies. couple of aspect of the Polish cul- to Christianity. composed of eight members of the ture. Lucyna described the tradi- The Lira Orchestra was conduct- Lira Singers, twelve members of the tions of oplatek on Christmas Eve, ed under the baton of Dr. Ruth Lin, 14KT. GOLD JEWELRY the three kisses on the cheeks, and and the Lira Dancers were choreo- Lira Dancers, and forty-two mem- the greeting of guests with salt and graphed under the tutelage of Iwona bers of the Lira Orchestra, and is A B bread which represent prosperity Puc and Anthony Dobrzanski. The Artist-in-Residence at Loyola Uni- C and wisdom. The practice of greet- Lira Singers and Dancers were versity Chicago.

BEATING A BARMAID MEANS years later, Abbate headed for court Judge Fleming refused to reverse G I CHICAGO COP’S DISMISSAL. requesting a bench trial instead of a his guilty verdict. As Judge Fleming H The images from a February 19, jury trial. He was suspended from stated, “If I believed sentencing An- 2007 video surveillance camera the police force and relieved of his thony Abbate to prison would stop from Jesse’s Short Stop Inn Tavern duties and pay. people from getting drunk and hit- on Chicago’s Northwest Side, that The CPD had been facing pub- ting people, I’d give him the maxi- had been seen around the world, lic criticism, because it originally mum sentence.” show an alleged altercation between charged Abbate with a misdemean- On December 15, the Chicago a Chicago policeman, Anthony Ab- or. Once the video was exposed to Police Board, all members of a nine- F bate, and a Polish American bar- the public via television and inter- member independent civilian board, ALL SHOWN ACTUAL SIZE • All items are 14KT Solid Yellow Gold. maid, Karolina Obrycka. What net, the charge was changed to ag- ordered the immediate dismissal of one sees is a hulky 250 lb. man re- gravated battery. On June 24, 2009, Anthony Abbate from the CPD. “No Description Some items available in sterling silver. peatedly punching, throwing, kick- Cook County Criminal Court Judge one in recent memory ... has done A. Polish Princess Please write or call for pricing. ing and dragging a 125 lb. woman. John Fleming sentenced Abbate to more to tarnish the reputation of the B. #1 Babcia (Script) Golden Lion Jewelry It was not until February 21 that Ab- two years probation, ordered him Chicago Police Department than C. #1 Babcia (Block) bate was arrested and charged with to attend anger management classes Anthony Abbate,” Cook County As- and perform 130 hours of commu- sistant Attorney LuAnn Snow stated D. Small Eagle P.O. Box 199 aggravated battery and placed on a leave-of-absence pending an internal nity service, and was given an 8:00 during the sentencing hearing. E. Medium Eagle Port Reading, NJ 07064 investigation by the Chicago Police p.m. to 6:00 a.m. curfew. His law- Sadly, Karolina Obrycka wanted F. Large Eagle (908) 862-1927 Department (CPD). He was released yers argued for a mistrial, claiming Abbate to apologize to her. He did G. Large Heavy Eagle (Add $6.00 Postage & Handling for each item) Prices subject to change after posting a $70,000 bond. that he acted in self defense and that not. H. Extra Heavy Eagle On May 29, 2009, almost two Obrycka attacked him. However, “I’m disappointed,” she said. I. #1 Mamusia (Block) Please allow 10-14 days for delivery. If not satis- fied, return for refund within 15 days. J. #1 Tatus (Block) New Jersey residents must add 7% sales tax. K. #1 Ciocia (Block) New York & Mass. residents add appropriate L. Tie Tacks of D, E, F, G sales tax. SUPPORT THE PAJ PRESS FUND n 1971, 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: M. Dobek, Three Rivers, Mass.; Andrzej Gawlik, Poolesville, Md.; Christine Harrison, West Palm Beach, Fla.; Mr. & Mrs. Paul H. Jackowski, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Mrs. Peter Kush, Milwaukee; Eugene J. Polonia Ensemble and hosts in Fort Lauderdale. Lewandowski, Silver Spring, Md.; Walter Nastaj, Edison, N.J.; Sophie Oreszak, Sierra Vista, Ariz.; Richard Pozecki, Nottingham, Md.; Ray BREATHLESS SCHEDULE. Po- be part of the twelfth annual Polish ish American Club, to perform at its Przybycin, Allison Park, Pa.; R.M. Sawaryn, Baltimore; Adolph lonia Ensemble had a very active Christmas Eve celebration hosted annual New Year’s Eve celebration. Tomaszek, N. Smithfield, R.I.; William Vishneski, Manchester, N.Y., and schedule during the 2009 Holiday by St. Hyacinth Parish on Chicago’s The entire visit was made possible three “Friends of the PAJ.” Dziekujemy! The PAJ thanks all who donated Season. On December 6, the Ensem- Northwest Side and sponsored by through the generosity of Krzysztof to the Press Fund. ble held its annual Polish American Polvision and Radio Station 1030 Poprawski of the Sunrise Inn, Zenon Christmas Gala at Northeastern Il- AM. This was a special event in Marzec of the Paradise at the Sea Mail to: PAJ PRESS FUND linois University. On December 12, which the homeless and needy were Resort, and Ryszard Czapla of the Polish American Journal the dance troupe accepted its tenth the honored guests. As Mrs. Anna Ocean Breeze Motel. They hosted P.O. BOX 328, BOSTON, NY 14025-0328 annual invitation from the Polish Krysinski, General Director of the the Polonia Ensemble and made this I want to make sure the POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL continues its Consul General of the Republic of Ensemble, mentioned, “We were trip possible. service to American Polonia. Enclosed is my contribution of $______Poland to sing Christmas carols at pleased that we could help form a Polonia Ensemble is, perhaps, the Consulate’s Holiday Gala. Ear- truly genuine Polish Christmas at- the most internationally-traveled lier that day, this troupe was found mosphere for these homeless people amateur Polish American dance and NAME performing an array of Polish folk and help them remember their most song troupe in the United States. In dances in full costume at the Wood beautiful Christmas memories spent the past eleven years, this ensemble ADDRESS Dale, IL Public Library. Four days in Poland.” After Christmas, the has performed in Italy, Israel, Tai- later, the Polonia Ensemble pro- troupe traveled to the warmer cli- wan, Bulgaria, Peru, Brazil, Puerto CITY, STATE, ZIP vided a festive spirit at the annual mate of Fort Lauderdale, Florida at Rico, Spain, Portugal and Ecuador, Please [ ] include [ ] do not include my name in your list of contributors. Chicago Society’s Christmas Party. the invitation of Zdisław Zielinski, along with numerous performances The Polonia Ensemble was proud to president of Fort Lauderdale’s Pol- in Polish and U.S. cities. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2010 www.polamjournal.com 

POLONIA OF THE EASTERN GREAT LAKES / Michael Pietruszka Chicago Heights Honors Heritage Pulaski Police Association Installs New Officers BUFFALO, N.Y. — On December 4, the Pulaski Maria Academy athletic center in Cheektowaga from Police Association of Buffalo and WNY held its An- the Felician Sisters ... Soprano Brittany Mruczek per- nual Christmas Party at the Polish Falcons Hall in De- formed at a traditional Feast of the Three Kings Mass at pew. The night’s festivities included the installation of St. Adalbert’s Basilica on Buffalo’s East Side on Janu- association officers: Al Ziemecki (president), Marty ary 2 ... Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gretchen Wylegala Bochinski (1st vice president), Dave Gorski (2nd vice and John Rogowski received awards from the Federal president), Walter Kantorski (3rd vice president), Law Enforcement Foundation for the contributions to Mike Stack (recording secretary), Ron Skotnicki law enforcement in WNY ... Medina Mayor Adam Ta- (treasurer), Paul Manno (financial secretary) and Jer- belski was chosen to be a member of the 18th annual ry Imiola (sergeant at arms). The oath of office was Business First “40 under Forty” class. administered by Erie County Court Judge Michael Pi- The Buffalo Polka Boosters are celebrating their etruszka. 40th anniversary in 2010 ... Hon. David Franczyk Nine scholarships were awarded by the group to lo- was re-elected to the post of President of the Buffalo cal students: Josh LiPuma, Chelsey Broderick, Kell Common Council ... The Polish Union of America Miskell, Jordan Kowalczyk, Jeremy Bible, Kyle celebrated its 119th anniversary with a dinner at Potts Gulczewski, Nicole Nicosea, Kimberly Roll, and Banquet Facility on January 10 ... The University of The Chicago Heights-Wadowice Sister Cities Committee Hannah Grorek. John Mruk was named Man of the Toronto presented lectures and recitals of Polish music was active again in October celebrating Polish American Heritage Month Year and the Business Person of the Year award went to by Zygmunt Krause in mid-January ... The New Di- at City Hall. Carol Misnik. President’s Awards were given to Rob- rection Band played at the “Snowball Dance” at Potts Members of the committee presented a beautiful pictorial exhibit trac- ert Mediak and Paul Imiola for their dedicated service Banquet Facility on the 16th ... On the 17th, the Pol- ing the history of the Chicago Heights Polish community. In addition, Mayor to the Pulaski Police Association. ish Legacy Project - WWII hosted an Oplatek at St. Alex Lopez signed a proclamation designating October Polish American Stanislaus Church in Buffalo ... Assistant U.S. Attorney Heritage Month throughout the city with the Polish and American flags POLONIA TIDBITS. Msgr. Adamski Polish Saturday Bill Hochul’s name has been submitted to the Senate flying together in front of city hall. School President Mira Szramel received the Golden for confirmation for the position of U.S. Attorney for Eugene Sadus, chairman of the Chicago Heights Polish sister cities pro- Cross of Merit for her tireless service to the WNY Po- the Western District of NY by President Obama ... The gram and a musician himself, is pictured with one of the displays featuring lonia Community at the Polish Consulate in New York John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre in Mississauga, Chicago Heights musicians of Polish ancestry. The exhibit attracted many City ... The Polish Arts Club of Buffalo elected the Ontario hosted “13 Polonijny Kabareton” on January viewers throughout the month. following leadership for 2010: Charles Peszynski (pres- 22 and 23. ident), Malgorzata Nalecz (vice president) and Elzbieta Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki was in To- Kosciuszko Legacy Grabowska (financial secretary) ... Patricia Jaworow- ronto to participate in the University of Toronto’s “New PRCUA Establishes icz, Stanley Kaznowski III and James Rogowski were Music Festival” the last week of January ... Remember Haiti Relief Fund Gets Top Rating sworn in as members of the Cheektowaga Town Board that February 16 is Paczki Day ... The Third Canadian CHICAGO — The Polish Ro- WEST POINT, N.Y. — The U.S. at the Cheektowaga Senior Citizen Center on January 1. Chopin Piano Competition will be held in Toronto at man Catholic Union of America has Military Academy here has been Erie County Legislator Tom Mazur also took the oath the end of February. More details about the competi- established a “Haiti Relief Fund.” ranked the top university in Forbes of office during that ceremony ... Also on the 1st, NY tion’s events can be found at www.chopinfestival2010. As all of you know, a 7.0 mag- magazine’s newest list of America’s Assemblyman William Parment administered the oath com. nitude quake ripped through Haiti, best universities. Thaddeus Kos- of office to City Council Members Michael Michalski If you have any item for this column, please send Jan. 12, 2010. This quake caused ciuszko, who persuaded Thomas and Stacy Szukala, Board of Assessors Clerk Thomas the information to me by the 6th day of the month pre- great destruction and widespread Jefferson to establish the school, Mleczko and City Assessor Mark Wisniewski at the ceding the month in which you would like the item to casualties. This powerful quake was would be proud. Dunkirk City Hall. appear (i.e. February 6 for the March edition) at: PO- the first in more than two centuries Today, a towering statue of Kos- Controversy surrounds the early departure of Visit- LEGL, P.O. Box 223, Niagara Square Station, Buffalo, in that part of the world. ciuszko overlooks the campus. Af- ing Kosciuszko Foundation Teaching Fellow Dr. Artur NY 14201-0223. My e-mail address is: pietruszka@ The Executive Officers of the ter attending military academies in Grabowski from the State University of NY at Buffalo verizon.net. For more information on what’s going on PRCUA established a fund to aid the Warsaw and Paris, Kosciuszko was after only one semester ... Dennis Walczyk, the CEO in the Polonia of the Eastern Great Lakes, including a victims of the earthquake. They are put in charge of building forts for of Catholic Charities of Buffalo, has been named chair- calendar of upcoming events, an organizational direc- appealing to all Polish Americans to the Continental Army by Benjamin man of the NYS Council of Catholic Charities Direc- tory and interesting links, visit my website at: www. contribute to this newly established Franklin and John Hancock. tors ... Villa Maria College purchased the former Villa polegl.org. fund. George Washington put Kos- Contributors should make a ciuszko in charge of designing check payable to the Polish Roman Fortress West Point after the Pole’s POLISH AMERICAN Polish-English Catholic Union of America with a strategy to use the high ground at notation on the check “Haiti Relief Bemis Heights became the deciding CULTURAL CENTER Translator Fund”. Please mail checks to the factor in the Battle of Saratoga, the 308 WALNUT STREET • Official documents, letters, PRCUA, 984 N Milwaukee, Chi- turning point in the American Revo- e-mails, etc. cago, IL 60642-4101. lution. PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106 • Reasonable rates. • Fast, reliable service by e-mail (215) 922-1700 or regular mail. When You’re in Philadelphia’s Historic • Translation to/from other lan- PAJ SUBSCRIPTION FORM District, Visit The Polish American guages available as well. • Over 20 years experience work- NEW SUBSCRIBER RENEWAL ADDRESS Cultural Center Museum Exhibit Hall ing with genealogists, attorneys, Fill out form. If Please include CHANGE Featuring Polish History and Culture businesses, film-makers, gov- gift subscription, address label Enter new address OPEN 10:00 a.m. TO 4:00 p.m. • FREE ADMISSION ernment, medical professionals, please fill out address from paper below. Please include January through April • Monday to Friday etc. of recipient. address label from May through December • Monday to Saturday Andy Golebiowski KEEP OUR POLISH HERITAGE ALIVE! paper. SUBSCRIBE TO THE PAJ TODAY! Gift Shop is Open During Regular Exhibit Hall Hours 109 Rosemead Lane Closed on Holidays Cheektowaga, NY 14227 1 YEAR—$20.00 PAYMENT ENCLOSED (716) 892-5975 Visit Us on the Internet: www.polishamericancenter.org 2 YEARS—$37.00 PLEASE BILL ME Your subscription will not 3 YEARS—$51.00 begin until your check clears. CHARGE TO MY: VISA AMEX FOREIGN and MASTERCARD DISCOVER CANADIAN RATES: See prices printed CARD NO. on page 2. For library, institution, and bulk rates, please call 1 EXP. DATE CSV CODE (800) 422-1275

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MOVING? Please note the Post Office will NOT FORWARD SECOND-CLASS MAIL. If you move, you must notify our office. THREE EASY WAYS TO SUBSCRIBE! MAIL TO: PAJ SUBSCRIPTION DEPARTMENT P.O. BOX 328, BOSTON, NY 14025-0328 CALL: 1 (800) 422-1275 or (716) 312-8088 M-F 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. EST ON LINE: www.polamjournal.com SECURE SERVER (Amex, Disc., MC, Visa, and PayPal) 10 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2010 Cleveland PGS Holds Election A Trip to Panna Maria under an oak tree on December which was a near sell-out. Jerry met 24th 1854. In 1855 they built their Fr. Mariusz Lazarek, parish adminis- first church next to the oak tree and trator, and later visited the church, dedicated it to the Virgin Mother, visitors’ center and museum. “Panna Maria.” “If you are ever in that area try to The present church, named visit this historical Polish site,” said Immaculate Conception Church, Brzezinski. “You will not be disap- contains the image of Our Lady of pointed.” Czestochowa, called the Black Ma- donna. This piece of art was donated by President Lyndon Johnson on Discover the Meaning of May 3, 1966 to commemorate the Your Polish Last Name Millennium of Poland’s Christianity. Near the top of the list as Po- The church is also home to three land’s (and Polonia’s) most pop- hand-carved chairs used by Pope ular Polish last names are Kow- John Paul II during his visit with the alski (meaning the blacksmith’s Polish people of Texas on September son or helper – over 140,000 us- 13, 1987. ers), Wójcik (the village mayor’s JERRY BRZEZINSKI talks with Fr. Brzezinski said Panna Maria is kid – 99,000) and Kamiński (the CLEVELAND — The Polish Genealogical Society of Greater Cleveland Mariusz Lazarek, administrator of about a three-hour ride from San An- guy from Rockton or Stonebury held its annual election of officers at its December 1st meeting and Immaculate Conception Parish in tonio. About 15 minutes from Panna – 88,000). Christmas Party. Panna Maria, Texas. Maria, you pass near Kosciusko. The For a custom-researched Re-elected were (l. to r.): Ron Marec (VP and membership), Ben Kman Brzezinski, of Green Bay, Wisc., Fr. Leopold Mocczygemba Memorial analysis of the meaning and deri- (treas.), Sonia Chapnick (sec.), and John F. Szuch, who was re-elected to along with his wife Geraldine, made Highway bypasses Kosciuszko, but vation of your Polish last name, his 18th term as president. the trip to the historic town while you can see a large how many people share it, where The organization meets on the first Tuesday of the month (Septem- visiting relatives in Texas. in the distance. Next comes the they live and whether a coat of ber thru June) at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s PNC Church which is located at Panna Maria was settled by town of Czestochowa. The highway arms goes with it (illustrations of 5375 Broadview Rd. (a couple of blocks south of Brookpark Rd.). A short Poles, who followed Fr. Leopold bypasses this town too, but there the coats of arms are provided), business meeting is held, followed by membership discussions about Moczygemba from the Slask region. too was a large Catholic church. please airmail a $16 check (add- their ancestor research. There is generally a formal presentation at each They arrived on Dec. 24, 1854 after Polish settlers took great pride in ing $9 for each additional sur- meeting either pertaining to genealogy research or Polish history and a nine-week voyage from Poland to their churches. name you wish researched) to: culture. Refreshments are available prior to the meeting, starting shortly the United States through the port The Brzezinski visit to Panna Robert Strybel, ul. Kaniowska after 7:00 p.m. of Galveston. On that Christmas Maria coincided with the town’s “An- 24, 01-529 Warsaw, Poland. Prospective new members are always welcome. Upcoming speakers Eve, they celebrated their first Mass nual Homecoming Turkey Dinner,” can be checked out at the PGSGC website www.freewebs.com/pgsgc/. Interested parties may also contact President Szuch at (330) 769- 4603, [email protected], or VP Ron Marec at (216) 752-5713), jamareca@ cs.com. Gifts for the NEWSWIRE Polish Chef Poland’s post-communist daily POLISH CHEF APRON • POLISH CHEF HAND TOWEL “Trybuna” has gone out of business I LOVE PIEROGI HAND TOWEL • I LOVE KIELBASA HAND TOWEL after struggling 20 years on the free SMACZNEGO GROCERY BAG market. A direct successor of “Try- buna Ludu”, the official organ of the once-ruling Polish United Workers (Communist) Party, in recent years it lost readership as diehard commu- 2-200 2-220 nists died out and the Internet made increasing inroads into the print- media sector. When Gen. Jaruzelski 2-211 declared martial law in 1981, “Try- buna Ludu” and the hard-line army daily “Żołnierz Wolności” were the only papers permitted to appear. Talking musical benches have appeared along Warsaw’s historic Krakowskie Przedmieście and sur- rounding areas in connection with the 200th anniversary of Fryderyk 2-212 Chopin’s birth. The 15 special 2-210 BAG EMBROIDERY DETAIL benches have been installed at vari- ORDER FORM ous places connected with the com- 100% Cotton Apron poser’s life and work in Poland’s featuring two pockets. Red Visit us on the internet at: capital. Each is fitted with an audio cloth with embroidered www.polamjournal.com device explaining the site’s signifi- lettering and cooking Each Qnty. Total and our blog at cance in Polish or English and pro- utensils design. One size [email protected] 2-200 Polish Chef Cotton Apron $20.00 vides a sample of one of Chopin’s fits all!$20.00 each compositions. 2-210 I Love Pierogi Kitchen Hand Towel $8.50 Hanging Kitchen 2-211 Polish Chef Kitchen Hand Towel $8.50 www.polishamericanstudies.org Towel. Available in three PAHA designs Useful as well as 2-212 I Love Kielbasa Kitchen Hand Towel $8.50 attractive. Red with white 2-219 All Three Towels (Pierogi, Chef, Kielbasa) $24.00 The Polish American Histocial Association towel. (Red fabric may was established in December 1942 as a special vary). $8.50 each 2-221 Smacznego Grocery / Tote Bag $12.50 commission of the The Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences in America to collect, compile and Grocery / Tote Bags are Subtotal publish information about Polish Americans. canvas with reinforced In October 1944, it was reorganized as a na- NY State Residents must add 8.75% sales tax tional American society to promote study and nylon weaved handles. research in the history and social background of 17” wide x 12” deep x 4” Shipping $5.00 Americans of Polish descent. The Association, across the bottom. which was incorporated under the laws of Illi- $12.50 each. Total nois in 1972, strives to assist and cooperate with all individuals and organizations interested in Name Polish American life and history. Contributions in support of the work of the Association Address are tax-exempt. Regular one-year membership to the Association is $30.00. 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POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL CPA Valentine’s Day Dance CLEVELAND — The Cleve- This will be a no BYOB with bar land Polka Association’s Valentine service and food available. Those 18 Dance will take place Sunday, Feb- and younger will be admitted free. ruary 14, 2010 at the Crowne Plaza For large table reservations or more Hotel 7230 Engle Rd., in Middle- Information call: (216) 661-5227. burg Heights. Treat your valentine to a special Music will be provided by Tony night out. Mention “CPA” for spe- Blazonczyk’s New Phaze from Chi- cial room rates at the hotel, which cago, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Doors are good for both Saturday or Sun- DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION AND CONTINUANCE OF POLISH AMERICAN MUSIC open at 2:00 p.m.. day night. “Stas” Bulanda Passes Remembering Stanley “Stas” Bulanda PHOTO: STEVE LITWIN STEVE PHOTO: PHOTO: STEVE LITWIN STEVE PHOTO: CHICAGO — Polka Music Hall by John Furmaniak of Fame member Stanley “Stas” Bulanda, died following illness in John Furmaniak spent many his hometown of Chicago. He was years on stage with the late Stas Bu- 55. landa. We thank him for sharing his The leader of the the Average memories with us. Polka Band, Dyno Chicago, and I first met Stas in February or Old School Review, Bulanda was March of 1971. My wife and I perhaps best known for his “Polish were at a club called Club Karlov, Prayer” waltz, which received much and Stas — I believe — was play- airplay throughout the early 1990s. ing with a band called “The Happy He is survived by wife Diane Times.” You could see he was way (nee Whyte); children Erica (Da- too talented for that group. vid), Jennifer (Ken) and Tommy I bought the guys in the band a (Sandi); brother John (Barbara) and drink and he came over to us dur- sister Sally (Karl) Gleffe. ing break and we talked. I knew him Funeral took place Monday, Jan- from some of the PNA dances he uary 11 with a Mass at St. Daniel would come to with his father and the Prophet Church and interment at uncle, but never really got to know Resurrection Cemetery. Stas Bulanda. Popular band leader dead at 55. him until 1971. I asked him if he Within a day after his passing, his would be interested in joining my mother Sally G. (nee Okrzesik) Bu- of seven, and a devoted great-grand- group, the Dial-A-Tones. The band landa, died. She was a grandmother mother of eleven. had quite a bit of work and Stas said he was interested. I took his phone POLKA INSIDER / Steve Litwin number and called him during the Author John Furmaniak (left) on stage with Stas Bulanda. week to set up a rehearsal. At re- hearsal it sounded good, he agreed Ranger & Tonto. We talked every back and perform with him. Of His Music was from the Heart to join the band, and history was day. course you know the answer was made. We stayed together until 1976 Finally the Average Polka Band “yes” and I’m glad I did. Stas got It was his voice that I first remem- Ron Flisnik and Bob Pienta forming when the band broke up. suffered a major burnout. All the sick in early August, but I got to see ber hearing many years ago, a voice the “Average Polka Band.” At that time we hung out at the guys quit, and there we were on him inducted into the Polka Hall of that was his personality, whether In their first year together, they Omen Lounge and the owner, Ted New Year’s Eve, on stage with the Fame and I’m glad I was with him he sang or talked or shouted. When recorded their first album on the Chi- Okzresik, had mentioned that his equipment and no band. I told Stas during his trying times the last six Stas Bulanda spoke, people near cago Record label and a song on the two sons, Danny and Teddy Jr., were to think about starting a new band. months. I will miss him dearly. him listened. When Stas Bulanda record, “Polish Prayer Waltz” which ready for a band. This was the start A couple of months later and he’s Some of the special moments sang, everyone listened no matter featured Stas’ two daughters, Erica, of Windy City Brass. all excited and says, “ Foo, let’s get with Stas over the years includ- how far they were from the stage. age 9, and Jennifer, age 8, won the Stas left in 1979 to go with Li’l another group going.” ed: Dyngus Days in Buffalo; The His voice was his heart and his mu- band three awards. The next year, Richard Towalski and got an op- “It seemed to always end Springs; the nomination for the sic came from that heart. His “grind” Wally Maduzia became the fifth portunity to write some material Grammy; “Polish Prayer”; “Polish on concertina, his unique way with member of the A.P.B. playing con- for him. Stas also wrote some tunes up with Stas and I getting Traditions”; “Run Stas Run”; “Let’s a vocal, his talent on horn and clari- certina, clarinet and saxophone. It for Gennie “O” when he was with back together. We were Have a Party”; Stas, sleeping on the net all made his who he was — Stas was then they recorded their second Windy City. inseparable as friends ...” couch in the chalet at 7 Springs, and Bulanda a Polka Hall of Famer! album “Let’s Have A Party,” which In 1980 I was asked to go with us guys in the band carrying him He now rests with those that went earned them a Grammy nomina- Marion Lush & the White Eagles, With the Average Polka Band, outside without him knowing until before him, but those who knew Stas tion. and every Winter Stas would come Wally Maduzia was on concertina, morning; Dick Pillar’s 25th New are well aware he won’t let anyone In the following year, Tom Lizik down to Florida (Daytona) with Li’l so Stas was mainly playing horn and London celebration in Rhode Is- just sit around. Play that concertina, became the sixth member of the Richard and we (The White Eagles) some clarinet but we did a “honky” land; playing an anniversary in Jer- Mr. Polka Man! A.P.B. as a trumpet player. would use him on concertina for all set with Stas going on box. We liked sey and Happy Louie being in the The following biographical com- They went on to record another the jam parties. Stas and I would al- that sound, and Dyno Chicago was crowd and coming up to sing with ments are from Stas Bulanda’s in- album titled “Stormin’ Polkas.” The ways room together and hang out. born. Stas; our only Polka Cruise on the duction into the IPA Polka Music song, “Polish Traditions Waltz,” Stas left Richie in 1985 and went After a few years I was suffering ship, Celebration with the Hall of Fame: turned out to be a hit for the. with Jimmie Miezsala, and when from my own version of polka burn- whole band and their wives; the gig Stanley “Stas” Bulanda’s love for After several more years with the I quit Marion Lush, Jimmy asked out and wanted to take a break, so in Binghamton, and the steak house polka music started at a very early Average Polka Band, Stas wanted if I would like to join his group. It Dyno Chicago became history. Six with the enormous steak that hung age while listening to the music of to start a band featuring more of seemed to always end up with Stas months later, Wally Maduzia and I over the plate; the band vacation his father’s and uncles’ polka band. the old time music that he loved so and I getting back together. We were started up the One More Tyme band with wives to Vegas; playing for They would let him sit on the much. So he started a band called inseparable as friends and, because with some of Stas’ old members, Judy Stringhill with Stas, myself, stage and started his musical educa- “Dyno-Chicago,” and continued the we only lived 10 minutes apart, Eddie Tylka, Tom Lizik, and Jerry Tony Kempinski, and Eddie Siwiec; tion. After a few years, they even al- old time traditional music in his last drove to all the jobs together. Mytych. Stas was playing with Jim- and Judy Stringhill’s, All Star Band lowed him to sit in on the drums at band “The Old School Review.” In 1986 we started the Average my Homel and the Changing Times with Judy’s sister Verna in Louisi- some of their engagements. It was in Along with Bernie Gorak, Steve Polka Band and in 1989 we were as a side man, but you could see ana during . There are so high school that he teamed up with Fornek, Marty Drazek and John nominated for a Grammy. The late that wasn’t his MO. A few months many memories but, as you can see, a few of his friends and they started Furmaniak, The Old School Review ’80s and early ’90s were great times later he started up Old School Re- it always came back to me and Stas a small polka band. They mainly just completed their latest CD en- with plenty of jobs, meeting many view. One More Tyme broke up in performing together. The memories played at house parties, small instal- titled “Glory Days,” which also fea- friends and our friendship was un- December 2008 and Stas called me will be in my heart forever. lation dances and a few parish car- tured Stas’ son Tommy, an excellent deniable. We were like Starsky & from IPA Massachusetts weekend John Furmaniak can be reached nivals. drummer and sound engineer. Hutch, Abbott & Costello, the Lone and asked if I would like to come via email at: [email protected]. Stas then joined a band called the “Happy Times” orchestra who were together for a few years and played POLKA PATTER / Prepared and Distributed by the Polonia Media Network a lot of weddings, anniversaries, etc. While playing with that band, Stas Dance Benefits and mail to Polkasonline.com, P.O. Guca is on sax, clarinet and of Guca has been a pioneer in polka had the opportunity to meet John Box 1994 Cicero, NY 13039. course vocals. Featured with him music, performing with polka stars Furmaniak who had a band called Polka Maryann are a number of musicians well such as Li’l Wally and Marion Lush the “Dial-A-Tones.” He joined them SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A dance to New CD from Ed Guca known to polka fans – Ed Humeniuk across the United States, Canada, as a concertina player and they re- help Polka Mary Ann Switkowski on fiddle, drums and vocals, Henry and Europe. He has led his own corded two albums. The very first Cartner, cohost of the Polka Happi- and the Polish Canadians Szarota on accordion, Brian Tos on popular bands, the Polish Canadi- song award Stas received was for ness radio show, was held January TORONTO — Ed Guca just re- trumpet and vocals, and Joe Banel ans, Polka Aces, and Major Music, a song he wrote called “Thank You 24 at the Syracuse Polish Home. leased a new CD, his 15th album, on drums and vocals. The surprise and composed many original polka For This Day” on the Dial-A-Tones Mary Ann is suffering from cancer capping a long and distinguished special guest on the album is Jerzy hits such as “Ej Mamusiu Moja” and first album. and is faced with overwhelming career in performing and recording Krzeminski, leader of the famous “Tatusiu”. Ed received the well-de- After the Dial-A-Tones, Stas medical expenses. on the polka scene. The new CD, Polish rock band, No To Co (So served honor of being inducted into went on to play with the “Windy City Event organizers are still accept- entitled Raise Your Glasses - Niech What), on guitar and vocals. the Polka Hall of Fame in a ceremo- Brass,” the “Li’l Richard Band,” the ing donations on Mary Ann’s be- Sie Gra, offers an exciting variety of The new CD can be obtained ny in Cleveland last August. “Music Explosion” and then even- half. Please checks payable to “Pol- contemporary and traditional polka from your favorite DJ, or by con- ������������������������Visit Ed’s Myspace page, www. tually again with John Furmaniak, kasonline.com — Maryann Benefit” styles for which Ed is famous. tacting Guca at [email protected]. myspace.com/edguca. 12 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2010

NOTES / Barb Pinkowski Getting Things Back to Normal

Dale Wojdyla (left) and Ray Barsukiewicz of the Concertina Andy Kuczmarski of Phocus and sweetheart Theresa John and Danuta Gora, a great couple from the Great White All-Stars. Ryndak. North.

Erin Binga and Eric Bakowski, who asked Erin for her hand at Frank Kolodziejski of the Piatkowski Brothers band and Buf- The Brothers Piatkowski, Al H. (left) and Robbie E. Christmas. She said “yes.” falo DJ Mike Pasierb at Potts Hall. I hope your holidays and New once she is all better … Glad to The first polka dance in Adirondack Association and hosted p.m. Food, raffles and more. Call Year were enjoyable. Now that all hear Mark Trzepacz is doing bet- 2010 was well attended. On Jan. 2, by Dave Sychtysz of Syracuse, New Michelle at 937-0032. the cookies are eaten and the Christ- ter, too. the Piatkowski Brothers and the York. Two full days of Polka Music Feb. 14. Hard Times Polka mas decorations put away, we can Concertina All Stars played to a will feature Dennis Polisky and The Dance at Potts Hall, 694 South Og- get back to our normal routines. CONDOLENCES ... to the family big crowd at Potts’ Hall. Both bands Maestros Men, Dave Walter, Frank den St., Buffalo, N.Y. Music by the I think by now we got used to of Stas Bulanda and his mother ... did an excellent job. Dan Potts treat- Liszka and Old School, Jeff Mlec- Concertina All Stars from 4:00 p.m. writing 2010 on our paperwork. also, our deepest sympathy goes ed everyone to bowl of chili, which zko and the DynaBrass and Polka to 8:00 p.m. Always takes awhile to get into the out to John Rogala and family on really hit the spot on an extremely Family Band. Polish Food and bev- Feb. 18. Polka Boosters Meet- habit of putting the correct date at the passing of his wife, Cynthia cold night. erages are available. ing at the Polish Falcons Hall, 445 the beginning of a new year. ,on Jan. 13th. John currently plays For motel information and addi- Columbia Ave., Depew, N.Y. Doors with Nickel City and formerly with STURR GETS GRAMMY NOMI- tional details contact Dave Sychtysz open at 7:00 p.m. Music at 8:00 p.m. Congratulations to ... Eric the JR V group. Their son, Mark, NATION. “Polka Cola: Music That at (315) 699-1708. Everyone welcome. Call Chris at Bakowski and Erin Binga, who also played drums with the band ... Refreshes” by Jimmy Sturr & his Happy Valentine’s Day to all! 892-7977 for more information. got engaged on Christmas Eve.A Deepest sympathy going out to the Orchestra is a nominee in the Folk So, until we meet again, stay Feb. 20. Polka Night at the Pol- wedding will take place sometime family of Richie Bosiacki. Richie, Category (Category 68) in the run warm and cozy. ish Villa II on Harlem Rd., Cheek- in 2012. Eric currently plays con- also known as “Richie the Roadie,” for the 52nd Grammy Awards. Con- towaga, N.Y. Music by Jerry Darlak certina with The Alliance band. He was the driver and roadie for the G- grats to Jim and the guys! UPCOMING & the Touch from 8:30 p.m. until is the son of Al and Barb. We wish Notes band for years. May he rest Feb. 3. Polka Variety Meeting. 11:30 p.m. Call 822-4908. them much happiness! in peace. NEW WEBSITE. New Brass Ex- Lily of the Valley Hall, 2379 Union press has a new website at www. Rd., Cheektowaga, N.Y. Doors open Get well wishes ... go out to DOGGIN’ IT. Ray and Gerrie Bar- newbrassexpress.com. The band is at 6:30 p.m. For info call Richard at Irene Weich, secretary of the Polka sukiewicz have a new family mem- preparing to record after the first of 826-2281 Boosters Club, who recently had ber – they recently got a new puppy the year and will be posting video Feb. 6. Polka and Big Band Night POLKA surgery. We wish her a very speedy — a “labradoodle” named Cosmo! of a behind the scenes look as they at Potts Hall, 694 South Ogden St., recovery and hope to see her out So cute! record their new CD. Buffalo, N.Y. Music by The Knewz JAMBOREE and Patti Parks from 8:00 p.m. to with your host FULL CIRCLE IN TOWN. The 1:00 a.m. Call Tom at 465-2487. ubergroup Full Circle will appear Feb. 6. Polka Night at the Bata- SCOTT CLEVELAND Memorial Day, Mon., May 31 at the via Downs Casino. Music by New Ukrainian Hall on Como Park Blvd. Direction from 7:00 p.m. until 11:00 SUNDAY in Cheektowaga. More details as p.m. Free admission. Call Ron at they are announced. 675-6588. NOON ’till 3:00 p.m. Feb. 14. Paczki Day Celebration ADIRONDACK FESTIVAL. Make at the Harvey Morin Post, 965 Cen- plans to attend the 13th Annual Ad- ter Rd., West Seneca, N.Y. from 1:00 WXRL irondack Polka Festival, Memorial p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Music by Phocus Day weekend, May 29 & 30, 2010 in from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. with 1300 AM beautiful Old Forge New York. The a folk dance show presented by the LANCASTER-BUFFALO event is sponsored by the Central Polish Heritage Dancers at 3:00 POLKA MUSIC Listen to the UNLIMITED Big Tony Polka Show DON’T MISS ROCKIN’ROCKIN’ THIS LIFE-TIME EVENT! Polka Stony and WJJL 1440 AM Polka Happiness Mary Ann Niagara Falls / Buffalo, NY POLKASPOLKAS SUNDAY AFTERNOON with is now on the 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. MIKE & GEORGE PASIERB OBERAMMERGAU internet! Send all promotional material to PASSION PLAY TOUR polkasonline.com Tony Rozek WXRL 78 Cochrane St. POLKA MUSIC UNLIMITED Buffalo, NY 14206 SEPTEMBER 11 - 19, 2010 (315) 374-7148 1300 AM FOR A FREE BROCHURE CALL (716) 681-6167 Polka Music Unlimited LANCASTER-BUFFALO P.O. Box 1994 For advertising information, call or (716) 683-4357 or TOLL FREE 1 (800) 678-3450 EXT. 3232 Cicero, NY 13039 SAT. 2:00-3:00 p.m. A “Friend of the Family” (716) 824-6092 escorted with Ron Dombrowski of WECK & WXRL’s DRIVETIME POLKAS SUN. 9:00-10:00 p.m. www.wjjl.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2010 www.polamjournal.com 13

POLKA PARADE / Prepared and Distributed by the Polonia Media Network

We believe the following information at a Super Bowl Party, Bayway Polish low, Mass., 3:00-7:00 p.m. E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, Ariz., 6:00- • Florida. Bee Sharps at the St. Peters- to be correct, but it should always be Home, 625 Pulaski St., Elizabeth, N.J., • Michigan. Frank Moravick at the 10:00 p.m. burg Polish Society, 1343 Beach Dr. verified before traveling long distances buffet at game time, music 4:00-8:00 Warren Polka Boosters, K of C Hall, • Florida. Polka Family at the Polish S.E., St. Petersburg, Fla., dinner 3:00- or expending funds. p.m., $15. 44425 Utica Rd., Utica, Mich., 2:00- American Pulaski Club, 3621 W. In- 4:30 p.m., music 4:00-7:00 p.m., din- 6:00 p.m. ternational Speedway Blvd., Day- ner $8, music $5 members, $7 non- ONGOING Friday, February 12 • New Jersey. Mike Niemiec’s Variety tona, Fla., 2:00-6:00 p.m. members. Every Tuesday • Arizona. Squeezebox with Mollie Band and the Ablemen at Bayway • Florida. Northern Sounds at Colony • New Jersey. Matty Rock and Johnny • Illinois. The Major Pensionaires at Busta at the Pulaski Club of Arizona, Polish Home, 625 Pulaski St., Eliza- Clove, Ellenton, Fla., 6:00-9:00 p.m. Jay at Bayway Polish Home, 625 Major Hall, 5660 W. Grand Ave., Chi- 4331 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, Ariz., beth, N.J., 2:00-7:00 p.m., $10. • Wisconsin. Polish Connection, Chad Pulaski St., Elizabeth, N.J., 2:00-6:00 cago, Ill., 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 6:00-10:00 p.m. • New York. Tony’s Polka Band at Przybylski & the Polka Rhythms and p.m., $10. • Ohio. Duane Malinowski at Connie’s the Polish Community Center, 225 Gary’s Ridgeland Dutchmen at Dale’s • Ohio. Duane Malinowski at the To- Every Wednesday Celebration Hall, 6195 Lewis Ave., Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, N.Y. Weston Lanes, 5902 Schofield Ave., ledo Area Polka Society, Conn-Weis- • Illinois. Tony Paliga’s Morning Stars Toledo, Ohio, 7:00-10:00 p.m. Check locally for details. Weston, Wis., 3:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. senberger American Legion Hall, at the Stardust, 5688 N. Milwaukee • Ohio. Polka Family at the Internation- 2020 Alexis, Toledo, Ohio, 2:00-7:00 Ave., Chicago, Ill., 10:00 a.m.-1:00 Saturday, February 13 al Music Association, Conn-Weissen- Sunday, February 28 p.m. p.m., $4. • Connecticut. Dennis Polisky & the berger American Legion Hall, 2020 • Arizona. Jerry Darlak & Buffalo Touch • Ohio. Squeeze Box at Bavarian Haus, • Illinois. The Midway Cavaliers at Ma- Maestro’s Men at a Valentine Dinner- Alexis, Toledo, Ohio, 2:00-7:00 p.m. at the Pulaski Club of Arizona, 4331 Rte. 18 west of Deshler, Ohio, 4:00- benka’s Restaurant, 7840 S. Cicero Dance, St. Joseph’s Polish Society, • Ohio. Duane Malinowski at Bavarian E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, Ariz., 1:00- 8:00 p.m. Ave., Chicago, Ill.. 7:00-10:00 p.m., 395 S. Main St., Colchester, Conn., Haus, Rte. 18 west of Deshler, Ohio, 5:00 p.m. • Rhode Island. John Stevens & Dou- free admission. dinner 6:30 p.m., music 7:00-11:00 4:00-8:00 p.m. • Connecticut. Dennis Polisky & the bleshot at the Lefoyer Club, 151 p.m. Maestro’s Men at the Polish Ameri- Fountain St., Pawtucket, R.I/. 2:00- Every Friday • Florida. Florida All Stars with Joe Thursday, February 18 can Citizens Club, 541 N. Main St., 6:00 p.m. • Illinois. Joe Walega & the Happy Oberaitis at the WMNF Polka Party • Florida. Eddie Forman Orchestra at Bristol, Conn., 3:00-7:00 p.m. Hearts at the New Warsaw Restau- Express, St. Petersburg Polish Soci- the Lake Sumter Landing, The Vil- • Florida. Joe Novak & friends at the Dates Set for Polka Fireworks lages, Fla., 5:00-9:00, free admission. Polish American Pulaski Club, 3621 rant and Banquets, 6250 W. 63rd St., ety, 1343 Beach Dr. S.E., St. Peters- CHICAGO — This year’s Chicago, Ill., 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., burg, Fla., 1:30-4:00 p.m. W. International Speedway Blvd., $5. • Florida. Eddie Forman Orchestra at Friday, February 19 Daytona, Fla., dinner 12:00 p.m., mu- edition of the annual Polka Fire- Elks Lodge #2122, 3690 S. Jason St., • Florida. Polka Palls at the Slovene sic 2:00-5:00 p.m. works Festival will take place Friday, February 5 Englewood, Fla., 5:00-9:00 p.m. National Benefit Society Lodge #603, • Florida. Northern Sounds at the Pol- Thursday, July 1 through Sunday, • Arizona. Varitones at Crescent Run • Michigan. Jimmy K & Ethnic Jazz 421 N Samsula Dr., New Smyrna ish American Club, 4616 Darlington July 4, 2010 at the Seven Springs Resort, Mesa, Ariz., 7:00-10:30 p.m. at a Paczkowy Ball, Mount Carmel Beach, Fla., dinner 4:00 p.m., music Rd., Holiday, Fla., dinner 1:00 p.m., Mountain Resort, Champion, • Florida. Jimmy K & Ethnic Jazz at the Church, Gymnasium, Wyandotte, 5:00-9:00 p.m. music 3:00-6:00 p.m. PA. For more information con- Polish American Club, 4616 Darling- Mich., 8:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. • Florida. Eddie Forman Orchestra • Florida. Polka Family at the Pol- tact: Bel-Aire Enterprises, 7208 ton Rd., Holiday, Fla., dinner 4:00 • Ontario. John Gora & Gorale at a Val- at the Polish American Club, 4616 ish American Social Club, 7500 U.S. S. Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, p.m., music 6:00-10:00 p.m. entine Dance, St. Nicholas Hall, 1415 Darlington Rd., Holiday, Fla., dinner Highway 1, Vero Beach, Fla., dinner IL 60455; tel.: (708) 594-5182. Barton St. E., Hamilton, Ont., Canada. 3:00-5:00 p.m., music 5:00-9:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m., music 2:00-6:00 p.m. Saturday, February 6 Check locally for details. • Florida. Stas Golonka & the Chicago • Arizona. Varitones at a Mock Wed- Masters at the St. Petersburg Polish ding Dance, Sun Lakes Resort, Sun Sunday, February 14 Society, 1343 Beach Dr. S.E., St. Pe- Lakes, Ariz., 6:00-9:00 p.m. • Connecticut. Patti & The Guys at the tersburg, Fla., 7:30-11:30 p.m. • Massachusetts. Eddie Forman Or- Polish American Citizens Club, 541 chestra at a Sweetheart Dance, N. Main St., Bristol, Conn., 3:00-7:00 Saturday, February 20 18th Annual Sunderland Elementary School, p.m. • Florida. Mark Bouchard Orchestra Swampfield Dr., Sunderland, Mass., • Florida. Gen. Kazimierz Pulaski Band and Joe Novak & Friends at the Slo- 7:00-10:00 p.m. at the Polish Club, Belleview, Fla., vene National Benefit Society Lodge • New York. New Directions Band at dinner 12:00 p.m., music 2:00-5:00 #603, 421 N Samsula Dr., New Smyr- Pre-Dyngus Day Polka Night, Batavia Downs Casino, p.m. na Beach, Fla., food 11:00 a.m., music Batavia, N.Y., 7:00 p.m. • Florida. Jersey Polka Richie at the 12:00-10:00 p.m. Cash Bar & • Ohio. Freeze Dried at the Mardi Gras Polish American Club, 4616 Darling- CelebrationKitchen Available! Dance of the United States Polka As- ton Rd., Holiday, Fla., dinner 1:00 Sunday, February 21 BUFFALO’S OWN sociation (USPA). Check locally for p.m., music 3:00-6:00 p.m. • Florida. Mark Bouchard Orchestra, details. • Florida. Polka Classics at the Pol- Bob Turcola Orchestra and Tony JERRY DARLAK & THE TOUCH ish American Pulaski Club, 3621 W. Klepic Band at the Slovene National MASSACHUSETT’S Sunday, February 7 International Speedway Blvd., Day- Benefit Society Lodge #603, 421 N Doors Open: 6:00 p.m. • Florida. Polka Palls at the Polish tona, Fla., dinner 1:00 p.m., music Samsula Dr., New Smyrna Beach, Music 7:00 p.m. American Pulaski Club, 3621 W. In- 2:00-5:00 p.m. Fla., food 11:00 a.m., music 12:00- to 12:30 a.m. $10.00 per person LENNY GOMULKA 6:00 p.m. ternational Speedway Blvd., Day- • Florida. Eddie Forman Orchestra (Non-Refundable) tona, Fla., dinner 1:00 p.m., music at the Polish American Social Club, • Florida. Stas Golonka & the Chicago 2:00-5:00 p.m. 7500 U.S. Highway 1, Vero Beach, Masters at the Polish American So- & THE CHICAGO PUSH • Florida. Jimmy K & Ethnic Jazz at the Fla., dinner 1:00 p.m., music 2:00- cial Club, 7500 U.S. Highway 1, Vero Sunday, April 4, 2010 Polish American Social Club, 7500 6:00 p.m. Beach, Fla., dinner 1:00 p.m., music U.S. Highway 1, Vero Beach, Fla., din- • Florida. Sounds of the South at the 2:00-6:00 p.m. ner 1:00 p.m., music 2:00-6:00 p.m. St. Petersburg Polish Society, 1343 • Florida. Eddie Forman Orchestra CELEBRATE • Florida. Bee Sharps at the Polish Beach Dr. S.E., St. Petersburg, Fla., at the Polish American Social Club, American Club, 4616 Darlington Rd., dinner 3:00-4:30 p.m., music 4:00- 7500 U.S. Highway 1, Vero Beach, Holiday, Fla., dinner 1:00 p.m., music 7:00 p.m., dinner $8, music $5 mem- Fla., dinner 1:00 p.m., music 2:00- 3:00-6:00 p.m. bers, $7 non-members. 5:00 p.m. • Florida. Tropical Squeeze at the St. • Florida. Florida Honky Band at the • Florida. Florida Honky Polka Band AT THE Petersburg Polish Society, 1343 Cape Coral Elks Club, 4531 SE 10th at the St. Petersburg Polish Society, Dyngus Day Beach Dr. S.E., St. Petersburg, Fla., Place, Cape Coral, Fla., 3:00-7:00 1343 Beach Dr. S.E., St. Petersburg, dinner 3:00-4:30 p.m., music 4:00- p.m. Fla., dinner 3:00-4:30 p.m., music 7:00 p.m., dinner $8, music $5 mem- • Massachusetts. Dennis Polisky & the 4:00-7:00 p.m., dinner $8, music $5 PVT. LEONARD POST, JR. bers, $7 non-members. Maestro’s Men at the Polish Ameri- members, $7 non-members. • New Jersey. Eddie Forman Orchestra can Citizens Club, 355 East St., Lud- • Michigan. Squeeze Box at the Polka Boosters of America, Msgr. Hunt K of C, 7080 Garling, Dearborn Heights, #6251 VFW Mich., 2:00-6:00 p.m. NEW RELEASE Free Catalog 2450 Walden Ave. @ Nagel Drive, Cheektowaga, NY Polkas! • Michigan. Duane Malinowski at the For more information or Tickets available at DOCTOR KIELBASA Visit our new American Legion Hall, 11601 Lewis Tastes Like Chicken Ave., Ida, Mich., 3:00-7:00 p.m. table reservations call Pvt. Leonard Post Jr. Post xCDs website Jackie (716) 444-8693 (716) 684-4371 today! Friday, February 26 xDVDs • Arizona. Jerry Darlak & Buffalo Touch SEND FOR A FREE CATALOG at the Pulaski Club of Arizona, 4331 SUNSHINE PolkaConnection.com E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, Ariz., 6:00- PO BOX 652 10:00 p.m. W. SENECA, NY 14224 Come to the experts for the music 21st Annual CDs $12 each Saturday, February 27 $2.00 SHIPPING & HANDLING you love! Call Toll Free (866) 901-6138 • Arizona. Jerry Darlak & Buffalo Touch at the Pulaski Club of Arizona, 4331 Dyngus Day SALT LAMPS ETC. Cash Bar & BUFFALO’S OWNCelebration 5274 Broadway, Lancaster, NY 14086 •(716) 564-9286 Kitchen Available! Can’t sleep? Need relief for asthmas? Allergies? Sinuses? THE KNEWZ MASSACHUSETT’S Doors Open: 5:00 p.m. Now available beautiful Polish salt lamps that clean and Music 6:00 p.m. ionize air for your health and well-being. to 1:00 a.m. $10.00 Per Person LENNY GOMULKA Laboratory tested for ionization and quality. (Non-Refundable) & THE CHICAGO PUSH For information and flyers call: Monday, April 5, 2010 We will ship Joyce (716) 860-0828 • [email protected] NO Squirt Guns•Reserved Tables of 10 or more only, NO EXCEPTIONS A ticket does NOT guarantee a seat • NO BYOB anywhere in the USA Arlene (716) 649-3188 • [email protected] NO bringing in of food or any type of beverage. Bags will be checked! 14 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2010

THE POLISH CHEF / Robert Strybel Pączki Day Celebration, February 14 BUFFALO, N.Y. — Celebrate Theme Basket Raffle. Amber, Gems the last hurrah before begins at & More, and Salt Lamps Etc. will Pączki Recipes to Have You Rolling (in) Dough Western New York’s largest Polish be there as well for your shopping pre-Lenten party. , the day before making from Polish Heritage Cook- Fry pączki under cover with- pleasure. There will be a crowning , evolved from the ery by our own Polish chef, Robert out crowding several minutes until This year the Polish Heritage of the Pączki King, Queen, Prince practice of shriving—purifica- Strybel: nicely browned on bottom, then turn Dancers 13th Annual “Pączki Day” and Princess. tion through confession—just be- over and fry uncovered on other celebration will be held on Valen- Tickets are $6 in advance or $8 fore Lent. Other names also apply. DOUGH. Dissolve 2 cakes crushed side another 3 minutes or so. Note: tine’s Day, Sun. Feb 14. The event at the door. Children under 12 are starts at 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Mardi Gras is the culmination of yeast in 1 c. lukewarm milk, sift in If using electric fryer, set temp. at $2. For tickets and table reserva- several weeks of revelry. At Fas- 1 c. flour, add 1 T. sugar, mix, cover, 360-375 degrees. If frying in stove- the Harvey D. Morin Post, 965 Cen- ter Rd., West Seneca. tions, call (716) 937-0032 or (716) nacht, Dutch children and let stand in warm place to rise. top pan and fat begins to burn, add 681-3526. Ticket will be on sale get up early to avoid being the last Beat 8 egg yolks with 2/3 c. several slices of peeled raw potato Music will be by Phocus from 2:00-6:00 p.m. The Polish Heritage until Feb. 12. Tickets available at: one out of bed. Adults and chil- powdered sugar and 2 T. vanilla which will both lower the tempera- Am-Pol Eagle, 3620 Harlem Rd., dren eat fasnacht kuchen, tradition- sugar until fluffy. Sift 21/2 c. flour ture and absorb the burnt flavor. Dancers take the stage at 3:00 p.m. Cheektowaga, N.Y., 835-9454; Salt ally a rectangular Pączki may also be fried in oil, but with a folk dance show. Home- with a lard produces the tastiest results. If made Polish food (dinners, ale carte Lamps Etc., 5274 Broadway, Lan- slit in the middle, you are cutting down on animal fats, items and desserts) will be avail- caster, N.Y.; and at Pott’s Deli & raised without you can compromise by using a lard able for purchase. There will be a Grill, 694 S. Ogden, 826-6575. yeast. Pancakes and oil combination. are another tra- Transfer fried pączki to absor- Contest to Determine Largest Pączek ditional food on bent paper and set aside to cool. BUFFALO, N.Y. — Can you Categories to be judged are: “Fat Tuesday,” When cool, dust generously with make the largest pączek in Buffalo? weight, height, width, traditional baked to use up powdered sugar, glaze or icing. By weight? By height? By width? flavored, and unique flavored. the cooking fats The judging will begin at 7:00 Pączki must have a filling and must that are forbid- EXQUISITE OLD WARSAW p.m. on Sat., Feb. 13 at Adam Mick- be completely edible. Contestants den during Lent. PĄCZKI. This is an old recipe modi- iewicz Library and Dramatic Circle, must have a half dozen prepared for To Americans of fied for those who prefer granulated, 612 Fillmore Ave. the judges. Polish descent, active dry yeast to the more tradi- The Entry Fee for contest is To register, call Amy Smardz at Pączki Day means eating pączki, into bowl, add sponge, egg mix- tional compressed fresh yeast. $2.00 (716) 228- 3659 special jelly-filled buns. ture, and 2 T. grain alcohol or 3 T. Beat 12 egg yolks with 1. t. salt While the practice of Pączki Day rum, and knead well until dough is at high speed until thick and lemony. is traditionally observed the day be- smooth and glossy. Gradually add Dissolve 2 packets of dry yeast in ASK ANDZIA ABOUT AMBER / Andzia Chmil fore Ash Wednesday in the United 1 stick melted lukewarm butter and 1/4 c. 110-degree water. Separately, States, in Poland, pączki sales are continue kneading dough until it no cream 1/3 c. room-temp. butter with I see so many fragrances, their unending supply of wealth. the highest on Tłusty Czwartek, or longer clings to hands and bowl and 1/2 c. granulated sugar until fluffy, body lotions and soaps with Since amber was an exotic luxury, “Fat Thursday.” This day marks the air blisters appear. and beat into yeast mixture. Scald 1 Qamber or amber oil listed as it was an extreme status symbol to start of the final week of the pre- Cover with cloth and let rise in c. whipping cream and cool to luke- one of the main ingredients. Is Baltic show that their money could liter- Lenten celebrations. warm place until doubled. Punch warm. amber used in all these products? ally go up in smoke and not worry In Old Poland, the zapusty or dough down and let it rise again. Gradually add 2 c. flour and the them one little bit. “carnival season” reached its height Transfer dough to floured board, cream, plus 3 T. French brandy, Baltic amber, in its raw, un- As far as beauty products, per- during this period. Elegant balls sprinkle top with flour, and roll out beating constantly. Then add 2 more touched natural form will fumes, soaps and the like that we were held in well-to-do manor hous- about 1/2” inch thick. With glass or c. flour and finally the yolk mixture. Agive off an aroma similar to see on today’s market, the amber es, attended by young men, women biscuit-cutter, cut into rounds. Ar- Knead well until air blisters appear. pinesap. The best way to obtain this used for the “top notes” is manu- and their parents. Country-folk, on range on floured board and proceed Cover with cloth and let stand in smell is burning thin shavings of factured from different materials — the other hand, would make merry, in either of the following ways: warm place until doubled. Punch amber directly over glowing char- none of them actually amber as we drink, dance and flirt at the village down and let rise again. Roll out coals. Burning amber gives off a know it. “Amber” compounds (the inn. The rich would feast on fancy SMALL PĄCZKI. Place a spoonful on floured board, sprinkling top of sharp pungent piney aroma — ex- good ones) are primarily made from hors d’oeuvres, roast game, and of fruit filling (rose-hip preserves, dough with a little flour, about 3/4 tremely strong and very harsh. Am- the resins of benzoic trees (spicy, fine wines. Peasants enjoyed their cherry preserves, or other thick inch thick. ber was burned in the Middle Ages gummy Asian trees) and labdanum zimne noge (jellied pig’s knuckles), jam) off center on each round. Raise Cut into 2 inch rounds and top to ward off the Black Plague and it (rock rose) with essential oils and kiszka (blood and groat sausage), edges of dough and pinch together half of them with spoonful fruit fill- just might possibly have helped the fragrances added to it. Almost all and kielbasa z kapusta (sausage and over filling, then roll between palms ing. Cover with remaining rounds, people feel better, if only for a short of these products come from places cabbage), which they washed down snowball fashion to form balls. Let pinch edges together with seal. time. Inhaling smoke from a pile of such as Sumatra and India, where with beer and gorzalka, the least ex- rise in warm place until doubled. (Note: If dough is dry, moisten burning amber would most likely hand intensive labor is required to pensive vodka available. edges with water before pinching make one cough almost uncontrol- harvest the spices, herbs and special Common to both groups, how- LARGE PĄCZKI. Place a spoonful lably and bring tears to the eyes blends of ingredients. ever, were pączki, which were con- of fruit filling as above on only 1/2 together.) Place pączki on floured board, cover with cloth, and let raise — possibly conducive to clearing Of course, the manufacturers sumed in huge quantities. dough rounds, cover each with an- impurities out of one’s system. until doubled. Fry as above, drain of such products keep their blends In Polish American neighbor- other round, pinch edges together, In ancient times peoples burned top secret. If you have ever used a on absorbent paper, and when cool, hoods across America, there is more and roll between palms to form a amber for a number of different high end product with “amber” as than likely a local bakery that sells ball. Let rise until doubled in warm, dust with vanilla sugar or cover with reasons. It has been said that the an ingredient, you most likely have pączki. draft-free place. Heat 11/2-2 lbs. lard glaze, preferably containing some Chinese peoples burned copious enjoyed warm notes of a woodsy, If you don’t have a good old-fash- in deep pan so pączki can float freely grated orange rind. amounts of amber as a symbol of earthy very rich fragrance — telling ioned bakery nearby, or you want to during frying. It is hot enough when yourself this is exactly what amber try your hand at making these treats, a small piece of dough dropped into must smell like. here are recipes and tips on Pączki- hot fat immediately floats up. At the opposite end, if you are us- ing a relatively inexpensive product with an ingredient labeled as “am- ber” you are most likely smelling a cheap synthetic version of any num- ber of other synthetics combinations and imitations such as vanilla, jas- mine and the like. Possibly quite en- joyable but definitely not real amber by any means. A decade ago, one could actually find products in Poland that were made with amber as an ingredient. Amber has many positive proper- ties and Poles, from ancient to mod- ern times, have always been both LOWS Our Hours are: creative and clever in using those KO Ki Lunch properties for well being. In today’s SO ’S M-F 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. world, amber is very scarce and very Fri. Night Dinners “Where You’ll Remember Mama’s... expensive, making products with 5:00-9:00 p.m. Gdzie Bêdziesz Pamiêtac Mame” this marvelous gem almost impos- Sat. Night Dinners sible to obtain or, much more im- 17 Spring Street • Oil City, Pa 16301 portantly, to properly authenticate. 4:00-9:00 p.m. JOSEPH C. BROZESKI, Mgr. Lounge open ‘til 1:00 E-mail: [email protected] Andzia and Holly Chmil are owners a.m. on Fri. and Sat. of Andzia’s Amber Jewelry, known on the www.pierogipalace.com Cleveland’s Premier web as amberjewelry.com. Andzia be- Polish American Our pierogi are whole- TEL.: (814) 677-4090 gan working with amber in 1995 and her UNIVERSITY INN Restaurant some and fresh, made from daughter Holly came on board in 2004 CLEVELAND, OHIO Now in our 87th year only the finest ingredients. Toll Free: (877) 727-8359 as a web developer. The company has ESTABLISHED IN 1923 in Business They’re good and FAX: (814) 678-2221 been recommended by the prestigious good for you. SHIPPING AVAILABLE • VISA and MC ACCEPTED International Amber Society in Poland Featured on the Travel (216) 771-9236 every year since 2003. Send your ques- & Food Network www.sokolowskis.com Keep Alive This Heritage! Visit www.polishheritageproject.com tions about amber to: andzia@amber- Check out the Polish Heritage Project and PHP Memorial Park jewelry.com. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2010 www.polamjournal.com 15

SPORTS / Tom Tarapacki Opportunity Knocks Baltimore Raven special teams are 31-33 in Kubiak’s four seasons for 153 yards, before losing 34-13. standout Tom Zbikowski per- as coach. The team was 18-46 in its The Pittsburgh native, drafted by formed well when he replaced Ed previous four seasons under Dom Tampa Bay in the sixth round of the Reed, the five-time Pro Bowl player Capers … Raiders kicker Sebastian 2006 draft, has resurrected his pro and former defensive player of the Janikowski is the team’s first mem- career this season with the Raiders. year, in the Ravens’ defensive line- ber of the 1,000-point club. He set Portland Trailblazers center Joel up. Reed missed four games with a the team record for single-season Przybilla suffered a ruptured right groin injury, and the former Notre accuracy and matched a career high patella tendon and patella disloca- Dame and Buffalo Grove (Ill.) HS for field goals made. Indeed, Jan- tion. “The Thrilla” had stepped into star filled in ably. ikowski might have gone to the Pro the starting lineup after a recent Perhaps the most satisfying game Bowl if he were on a better team. He knee injury to Greg Oden. Through for “Tommy Z” came against the made 26 of 29 field-goal tries (89.7 29 games, Przybilla was averag- Bears. He grew up a Bears fan in Ar- percent) with misses from 45, 57 and ing 4.2 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.4 lington Heights, rooted for the Bears 66 yards. His 61-yard field goal was blocks in 23.2 minutes per game, Zbikowski KUBIAK in the 2006 Super Bowl and would the fourth longest in NFL history. but his season is now over. have loved to have been drafted Janikowski is going to be an unre- in his minutes led the Blue Devil Chmura is also remembered him by his hometown team. However, stricted free agent this offseason … IN MEMORIAM. Tom Janik, a de- sophomore to announce that he will for a high-profile sexual assault trial he’s a Raven now, and he finished Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkows- fensive back and punter mostly with transfer. Czyz leaves in good aca- at the end of his career. A girl who with seven tackles, second best on ki led the Patriots in scoring for the the AFL Buffalo Bills died at 69 in demic standing and hopes to land was 17 at the time accused him of the day for Baltimore, as the Bears second straight season, tallying 125 Texas. He made 25 interceptions in at another Division I school. “Olek assaulting her in a bathroom during lost, 31-7. Reed praised Zbikowski points while going 26-for-31 in field eight AFL seasons with Denver, Buf- has a bright future ahead of him and a post-prom party at a friend’s home following the win: “He’s taken ad- goal tries and a perfect 47-for-47 in falo and Boston, and returned six for we wish him the best of luck,” Duke in April 2000. Chmura was acquit- vantage of the opportunities that extra-point tries … Rob Chudzins- touchdowns. In 1968 as a Bill he in- coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a ted in February 2001 and retired have come to him. ‘Zibby’s’ been ki, assistant head coach, TEs for San tercepted a pass by Joe Namath and statement released by the school. from football four months later. proven beforehand. I already told Diego is considered a possible can- returned it 100 yards for a touch- “He has been a valued member of Coach that. He knows exactly what didate for head coaching vacancies down. The game turned out to be the the Duke basketball family, and we THEY SAID IT. he’s supposed to do, where he’s sup- in the NFL. Many observers say that Bills’ only win, and the Jets went on will support him through his im- “Quite honestly, yes, that off-the- posed to be. And he’s been playing Chud’s hiring last year helped head to beat the Baltimore Colts in Super pending transfer.” A 6-7, 240-pound field incident — which he was ac- all year. We always say that every- man Norv Turner manage games at Bowl III … Ron Klimkowski, a for- native of , Poland, Czyz saw quitted of — that was discussed. But body on defense is a starter, so he’s much higher level than last season. mer pitcher for the Yankees and the action in 19 career games at Duke that was some time ago. And these prepared that way all season. That’s Oakland Athletics, has died at the finishing with 23 points, 24 re- are things you can’t hang around why we don’t miss a beat.” THAT HURTS! Oakland Raiders age of 65 … John Kuczynski, one bounds, eight assists, one block and people’s necks forever.” Zbibowski was drafted by the Ra- quarterback Bruce Gradkowski of the pioneers of free-style wres- two steals. — Packers Hall of Fame presi- vens in the third round of the 2008 suffered a torn medial collateral tling in Poland, died at the age of 74 dent Mike Gage, on the induction NFL draft. He was also a standout ligament in his left knee and a par- in Gdansk. He was an Olympian in GOING IN THE HALL. Tight end of Mark Chmura. amateur boxer, and won a couple of tially torn MCL in his right knee in Rome (1960), a World Cup finalist Mark Chmura, a key contributor v v v pro bouts before giving up the ring a game against Washington, ending (1958, 1959), and later coached … on the Packers’ two Super Bowl “I’m just happy for me, because I to concentrate on football. his season. Gradkowski had provid- Michał Gajownik , a Polish sprint teams in the 1990s and a three-time always wanted to prove that I could ed a spark since replacing Jamarcus canoer who competed from 2000 to NFL NOTES. Pro Bowl selection, will be inducted be a free safety, that I wasn’t just The Houston Texans Russell as starting QB for Oakland . 2006, died in a car accident in Chr- didn’t make the playoffs, but team into the Green Bay Packers Hall of another good-tackling, white safety He won two of his three starts, engi- zanów. Fame. An excellent receiver as well who understood the game, but a owner Bob McNair announced that neering comeback victories against coach Gary Kubiak would return as a devastating blocker, “Chewie” play-making safety.” Cincinnati and Pittsburgh before the LEAVING DUKE. We reported last caught 188 passes for 2,253 yards — Baltimore Raven Tom for the final year of his five-year injury. The Raiders trailed 17-10 month that Duke’s Olek Czyz was contract. The Texans finished a and 17 touchdowns during his ca- Zbikowski, on his success as a when he got hurt, with Gradkowski seeing increased playing time early reer in Green Bay. starting free safety. franchise-best 9-7 this season, and completing 10 of 18 pass attempts in the season. However, a decline

BABA YAGA’S CORNER / James Smock Polish Heritage Is Alive and Well in Texas Whenever someone mentions an Marshall and his friends have Polish immigrants in Texas, primar- Polish American culture, places like played old time Texas Polish tunes ily in the larger cities. Our Lady of Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit at the annual St. Stanislaus Catholic Czestochowa Catholic Church is a come to mind, but most people do Church bazaar in Anderson. In 2009, focal point for the recent immigrants not realize that there is a large popu- an enthusiastic group of 15 talented in the Houston area and has become lation of Polish Americans in Texas. musicians of Polish descent joined the center of Polish religious, cul- Large groups of Polish immigrants in, including the young sons of three tural, and social life in Houston. In settled in small, rural Texas towns of the musicians. It was heartwarm- 2009, the parish held a Polish Heri- as early as 1854. Although many of ing to see the Texas Polish music tage Festival and a Dożynki Harvest these immigrants came to America traditions continue through the next Festival, and also hosted the annual with very little material possessions, generation of grandsons of the early Houston Slavic Heritage Festival. they did bring their work ethic and immigrants. Entertainment at the Polish Heritage toughness along with their unique The second annual Polski Koledy Festival contained a mix of tradi- culture and strong Catholic faith. was another excellent example of tional Polish folk dance and music, Over the years, many of the de- the many efforts to keep the old cus- modern Polish music and the unique On St. Stephens day, the day after Christmas, a dozen musicians along scendants of these early settlers toms alive. On St. Stephens day, the Texas-Polish dance band music as with approximately 60 Christmas carolers decked out in traditional cos- have moved on to the larger cites day after Christmas, a dozen musi- played by Polish fiddler Brian Mar- tumes, descended on the little town of Chappell Hill, Texas to sing kolędy in Texas or even to other states, cians along with approximately 60 shall and his Tex-Slavic Playboys. and share their culture and heritage with the local residents but they still call small towns like Christmas carolers decked out in Our Lady of Czestochowa parish Bremond, New Waverly, Ander- traditional costumes, descended is currently building the John Paul son, Chappell Hill and Brenham on the little town of Chappell Hill, II Parish Hall that will be available HERITAGE / Ellye Slusarczyk home. Annual homecoming bazaars Texas to sing kolędy and share their in the future for Polish heritage held at the local Catholic churches culture and heritage with the local events. remain popular as a way for these residents. The carolers sang on the Houston also has an excellent Blessed Ignatius descendants to connect with their steps of the historical St. Stanislaus Polish restaurant that serves many Pope Benedict XVI beatified years he also served as vicar of Polish culture and heritage. A good Catholic Church and at several in- traditional dishes including bigos, Ignatius Klopotowski in 2005. A the Lubin Cathedral. His mission example of this is St. Mary’s Catho- dividual homes in the area and then pierogi, schabowy and golonka as most ambitious, pious and dedi- was a deep concern for the poor lic Church in Brenham, Texas where held a solemn candlelight ceremony well as the ever-favorite pączki for cated priest, he is revered as a role and the uneducated. This lead to they celebrated their annual Polish at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in honor dessert. This is a preferred meeting model for social workers, priests, his founding an employment cen- Festival last October with a menu of the early Chappell Hill Polish place for the descendants of the ear- journalists, and all who are poor. ter, a professional school, a home of traditional Polish food including pioneers. More musicians joined the ly Texas Poles as well as the more On July 20, 1866, Ignatius was for women and girls who needed kielbasa, czarnina, rosół, kiszka and group for a jam session of tradition- recent Polish expatriates hungering born to very pious, patriotic par- to escape their poor surroundings. pierogi. al Polish music at a social held for for a small taste of home. ents in the Polish village of Ko- He also founded orphanages and Music was always an important the carolers later that evening. Yes, Polish culture, heritage and rzentowka. Called to the religious homes for the elderly. part of the early Polish immigrant’s Texans interested in their Pol- traditions in Texas are alive and well life, he entered the seminary at Father Ignatius founded and life and was played at all weddings ish roots have long had a fantastic and Polish Americans in Texas are seventeen. He administered in a published “The Polish Catholic” and family gatherings. The unique resource in the Polish Genealogical fortunate to have so many dedicated variety of assignments. These in- in 1905 in Warsaw. He also found- style of Texas-Polish music, as Society of Texas. Over the last 25 individuals who continue to cel- cluded parochial vicar at St. Paul ed the Congregation of the Sisters played by the early settlers, can still years or so, the dedicated research- ebrate the old Polish traditions and Parish, chaplain at St. Vincent’s of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lo- be heard today, thanks to a handful ers at PGST have published vol- work hard to keep the culture alive. Hospital, and then as a seminary reto to assist him in his publishing of musicians who believe that it is umes of information on the history You can find more information instructor. For fourteen years he ministry. important to keep the traditional and genealogy of the early Polish about our history, traditions and cul- taught sacred Scripture, moral Father Ignatius died on Sep- music of our ancestors alive. immigrants in Texas. ture on the Polish Texans website at theology and canon law. For two tember 7, 1931, now his feast day. For the last twenty years, Bri- There are also quite a few recent www.polish-texans.com. 16 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2010

IN MEMORIAM TRIVIA TIME / Ellye Slusarczyk

1. In 2008, Lech Walesa received War general b. World War II Danuta Mostwin, Doctor and Acclaimed Writer a pacemaker in: a. Cleveland b. war hero c. Member of Eisen- Houston c. New York City hower’s cabinet Danuta Mostwin, an author, psychologist and sociol- short stories that she later wrote. ogist who had been a member of the Polish underground In a 2007 interview with The Baltimore Review, Dr. 2. When award-winning polka 7. Przenosiny is a ceremonial during World War II and whose fiction chronicling the Mostwin explained that “I didn’t become a writer; I was bands travel south, it is known event that is associated with a: experiences of Polish emigres earned her two nomina- born a writer. From the very beginning, if I didn’t write, as “Polka Season” and occurs a. funeral b. wedding c. bap- tions for the Nobel Prize in literature, died Janury 11 in I was talking and telling stories.” from: a. January to May b. Oc- tism Ruxton. Md. at age 88. Some of her novels included “Beyond the Water,” tober to March c. September to 8. Pan Jan Onufry Zagloba is a: Born in Lublin, Poland, and she completed high “The Third Value” and “Testaments.” Her last novel, December Nobel recipient b. renowned school in Warsaw in 1939. She had planned to be a “Magda,” was published in 2006. 3. When Copernicus died he was: politician c. fictional character playwright, but turned her attention to studying for a Critics and scholars consider her major work to be a. 39 years old b. 51 years old c. 9. Professional surfer Snyder medical career after the outbreak of World War II. her seven-volume Polish saga, a historical narrative that 70 years old After Germany occupied her homeland, Dr. Most- chronicles a Polish family from 1863 to the present. Strider Wasilewski’s, middle win had to study at an underground medical school held Her work was nominated in 2000 and 2006 for the 4. Mazowze’s first performance name is: a. Raspberry b. Pipe- at the . Nobel Prize in literature. was held at the Polski Theater line c. Wipe-Out During the war years, she and her family were active Dr. Mostwin, who spoke only Polish at home with in: a. Warsaw b. Gdansk c. Kra- 10. Rye meal soup is: a. doughy b. in the resistance movement. In 1944, she met a young her husband, explained in a 1986 interview that “I’ve kow sweet c. tart Polish freedom fighter, Stanislaw B. Mostwin, who be- adopted a lot of the way of American living, but I re- 5. Karol Wojtyla’s “The Jeweler’s ANSWERS. 1. b Houston 2. b Oc- came her husband. With the end of the war and the Rus- main European, foreign, because of my accent, because Shop” is a play about: a mer- tober to March 3. c 70 years old 4. a sian occupation of Poland, and with her husband facing of my heritage. In a way, I want to preserve that differ- chant’s lifelong dream b. three Warsaw 5. b three couples struggling arrest by the secret police, the couple and her mother ence.” couples struggling with love c. with love 6. a Civil War general 7. b fled to England. Dr. Mostwin and her friend, Sen. Barbara A. Mikul- an overworked jeweler wedding 8. c fictional character 9. a Dr. Mostwin completed her medical education in ski, were co-founders in 1982 of the Maryland Action 6. Włodzimierz Bonawentura Raspberry 10. c tart 1948 in Edinburgh, Scotland. for Poland committee, which provided material relief to Krzyżanowski was a: a. Civil In 1951, the couple and their young son immigrated those in Poland who were affected by the declaration of to New York and then to Baltimore, where Dr. Mos- martial law at that time. twin went to work for the city Department of Public “She was a freedom fighter, liberator, humanitar- Welfare. ian, social worker and mentor. She was a legend and a Unique Polish Folk Art and Crafts Many of her patients were Polish immigrants who pioneer both in Poland and the United States,” Senator lived near Patterson Park and Fells Point, and her expe- Mikulski said. www.polishpeddler.net riences found their way into “Asteroids,” a collection of —SOURCE: The Baltimore Sun

OBITUARIES / Jennifer Moskal

Eugene S. “Herman” Gembara, sition, Lamecka accepted a position 1948 in South Africa, and with the reli- children Char- mander of the Laskowski-Wojtkowiak 83, was the owner and proprietor of from the Veteran’s Administration in gious name Sister Teresa made her first lotte, Maureen, American Legion Post 74, Camden. He the Gem-Bar Lounge along the South Albuquerque, New Mexico, were she profession in 1951. With her cheerful, Jane, Teddy, Luc, was involved in multiple other com- Branch of the Chicago River. Gembara’s worked until her retirement. She re- devout and loyal disposition Sister and Liam. Stuka munity and Polish organizations. He father opened the tavern in 1918, and ceived numerous awards for her con- served at Mary Immaculate Children’s was an accom- also served in the U.S. Army during Herman worked at the bar starting at a tributions to emergency nursing. Home and Nursery School, promoting plished opera World War II as a surgical technician, young age. He took over the Gem-Bar its development in Lyndhurst, Johan- singer of Polish stationed in Texas. from his dad in the early 1950s, work- Sgt. James R. McIlvaine, 26, from nesburg and qualified in early child heritage singing ing around his day job as an engineer Olney, Maryland; was a member of the care and education. under the name Staff Sgt. Mark A. Wojciechows- with the Water Reclamation District of 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, In 1989 Sister Teresa visited the of Tadeusz Sztu- ki, 24, from Cincinnati, was a member Greater Chicago. He was a longtime 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expedi- Holy Land and the Motherhouse of ka and signed a record contract with of the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, Democratic precinct captain in the tionary Force, stationed in Twentynine the Congregation in Stara Wies, district RCA. His second career was in real 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Ex- 11th Ward, and worked as a bridge ten- Palms, California, serving in Iraq’s An- of Brzozow in Poland, and leaving the estate where he founded Stuka Re- peditionary Force, stationed in Camp der for the Loomis Street Bridge next bar province. Africa of landscapes and memories, alty. A private service will be held at Pendleton, California, serving in Anbar to his tavern. He also served in the U.S. was transferred to the United States to Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona province in Iraq. Army during World War II in Italy where Julian M. Niemczyk, 89, was a re- the Provincialate of the Little Servant Del Mar. he was wounded and earned a Purple tired Air Force colonel who was the Sisters in Cherry Hill, N.J. where she Heart. U.S. ambassador to Czechoslovakia served as an assistant supervisor and Willard C. Szczodrowski, 81, Jurek-Park Slope from 1986 to 1989. Col. Niemczyk was prepared supplies for the poor and the had several businesses in Chicago, but Ray Gorzynski Jr., 67, was a vice appointed by President Ronald Rea- oversea missions till 1996. She prompt- his favorite was the hot dog wagons Funeral Home, Inc. president of sales for a disinfectant gan to serve as ambassador, and he ly accepted her next assignment as and hot dog stand called “Bud’s Dog company, Medtrol Inc. Born and raised was also executive director of the heri- supervisor of environmental services Heaven.” Szczodrowski later retired at in Chicago, Gorzynski graduated from tage groups division for the Republi- at the Manor at St. Mary’s and later as age 65 from 3M Company in Nekoosa. Notre Dame High School and attended can National Committee from 1973 to devoted sacristan with great respect In 1946, at the age of 17, he enlisted DePaul University. He worked in sales 1980. He was chief executive of People for the Blessed Sacrament and priests in the U.S. Army and served in World for over three decades, starting with to People International, an education and her much-loved prayer ministry War II and the Korean Conflict, during Woodmen of the World Fraternal Life exchange program founded by Presi- among residents at St. Mary’s Home in which he received a Victory Medal and Insurance Society in 1971. He was also dent Eisenhower. He was also an Army Cherry Hill till 2006. Army of Occupation Medal Japan. an avid traveler, visiting seven conti- Air Forces veteran of World War II and Following two open heart surgeries 728 4th Ave., Brooklyn, NY nents and 43 states, as well as follow- an Air Force veteran of the Korean War. Sister Teresa returned to the Provincial- Edward Wdowiarz, 91, a long- DORIS V. AMEN ing the Chicago Bears to New Orleans During his military career, he also had ate as an apostle of prayer with hours time supporter of the Polish American LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTOR NEWLY DECORATED CHAPEL FACILITIES and Miami for Super Bowls in 1986 and assignments with the National Secu- of Eucharistic adoration. Journal, worked as an icing maker at OUR 24-HOUR PERSONAL SERVICES ARE 2007. rity Agency and the CIA. The Viewing with Vespers and a A.N. Stollwerck, Inc., in Camden, and AVAILABLE IN ALL COMMUNITIES AT-HOME ARRANGEMENTS Mass was held January 11, and on Whitman’s Chocolate in Philadelphia INSURANCE CLAIMS HANDLED SOCIAL SECURITY & VETERAN’S BENEFITS IRENEE B. FRUPINSKI LAMECKA, 63, Sister Maria Teresa Pawlac- Tuesday morning, January 12 with a until his retirement. Wdowiarz was an PROMPTLY EXPEDITED died suddenly in Dubai, United Arab zek, LSIC, a member of the Little Ser- Mass of Christian Burial in the Provin- active member of St. Joseph’s Church, MONUMENT INSCRIPTIONS ASCERTAINED Emirates. An avid traveler, Lamecka vant Sisters of the Immaculate Concep- cialate Chapel. Interment was at St. serving in their Holy Name Society. (718) 768-4192 journeyed to all corners of the world tion, formerly of Joseph’s Cemetery, Chew’s Landing, He was also a member and Past Com- including, but not limited to, the Sovi- the Provincialate N.J. Contributions may be made in her et Union, China, Japan, Africa, and the in Cherry Hill, N.J., memory: LSIC Siberian Missions, Pro- South Pole via a Soviet freighter. Born was ready for her vincialate, 1000 Cropwell Road, Cherry “A tradition of local & long distance service continues!” in Chicago, Renee attended St. Helen death on Jan. 7, Hill, NJ 08003. Elementary School and St. Stanislaus 2010 of conges- High School. During her childhood tive heart failure Spec. Lukasz D. Saczek, 23, from days, Renee was a member of the Chi- and pneumonia Lake in the Hills, Illinois; was a mem- cago Pinwheels, a Polish dance troupe. at Virtua Hospi- ber of the 1st Battalion, 178th Infan- Stobierski Lucas In 1961, Renee traveled to Washing- tal in Voorhees, try Regiment, Illinois Army National ton, D.C. to presented newly-elected N.J., having received the Sacrament of Guard, stationed in Woodstock, Illinois, Gardenview President John F. Kennedy with a bou- Anointing and the Viaticum. serving in Nangarhar province in Af- quet of flowers, and during the 1968 Born October 8, 1929 in Prusy, prov- ghanistan. Funeral Home, Ltd. Democratic Convention, held in Chi- ince of Lwow in Poland now Ukraine; Rita A. Lucas 161 Driggs Avenue cago, Renee, once again, presented a on February 10, 1940 her family was Nicholas B. Stachniak, 82, gradu- Jude P. Lucas (Greenpoint) Brooklyn, NY 11222 bouquet of red and white flowers. This deported by Soviets in a cargo wagon ated from the University of Illinois George J. Mueller (718) 383-7910 • (718) 383-2737 time it was to the soon-to-be Presi- on a long journey to Siberia, where with with a bachelor of science journalism dent Lyndon Johnson. Lamecka was a deep faith and singing hymns they sur- degree. In 1962, Stachniak joined the debutante at the Legion of Young Pol- vived in dreadful conditions. Detained New York Times in their composing ish Women’s White and Red Ball and a for work, in 1942 they escaped through room and retired after 28 years of ser-  (718) 383-8600 Life Member of The Polish Museum of the Middle East where her father died vice. He was a member of the CWA/ITU A.K. No. 383-0320 America. She received her R.N. degree in Persia now Iran. From Teheran, Poles Union. He served in the U.S. Army dur-  Peter Rago from Chicago’s St. Mary of Nazareth’s took care of them all the way by trans- ing World War II, both stateside and in  School of Nursing, as well as her Bach- portation via India to Africa. The young Germany. Lic. Mgr. elor and Masters Degrees in hospital Maria first stayed in Abercorn in North- Leslie P. Rago administration from Roosevelt Uni- ern Rhodesia now Zambia with her THEODORE THOMAS “TED” STUKA of F.D. versity. After a successful career at St. mother and two sisters and then went Corona Del Mar, Calif., died December Mary of Nazareth Hospital, Renee was in 1945 to complete high school in a 30, 2009 at the age of 92. A very kind promoted to Vice-President of Nursing Polish settlement in Lusaka, where she and caring man he was the eternal op- at this hospital’s sister hospital, Holy met the Little Servant Sisters nearby at timist. Stuka was married to wife Betty FUNERAL HOME, INC. Family Hospital in Des Plaines, IL. Fol- their mission in Kasisi. for almost 60 years. They have two chil-  lowing a number of years in that po- She entered the Congregation in dren, Dorothy and Martin, and grand- 131 Nassau Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222 POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2010 www.polamjournal.com 17

PONDERING POLE / Edward Poniewaz ARTSCENE / Staś Kmieć Steering Committee Music of Szymanowski in New York City My valentine to you for February good matchmaking going on any- Music by Polish composer Karol The honor was a result of their than ninety members, all volunteers is to consider the fine art of match- way. The young kids need a steer- Szymanowski will be featured on performance at the New Year’s Day varying in age, background, and oc- making. ing committee for sorting out all of the acclaimed New York Festival Of Mummer’s Parade. The day-long cupation, live and work in the Dela- Overheard at a wedding – Moth- the complicated stuff involved with Song’s The Voluptuous Muse, a pro- parade featured 15,000 participants ware Valley of Pennsylvania. er of the bride: “It took Bob’s (the hooking up with the right person, to gram of late 19th Century Romantic in four divisions of Comics, Fancy Headquartered in an ethnic groom’s) father and me three years be happy, and to spend the rest of songs on February 16 and 18 at the Clubs, Fancy Brigades, and String neighborhood of Philadelphia, the to get these two married.” their lives with. Maybe ciocia did Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Bands. The clubs develop a theme, Band upholds the Slavic heritage of Overheard at a sports bar – One say it best, “you should marry her!” Center (129 West 67th Street). create costumes, build sets and its members. It has been a consistent guy with team jersey to another guy The program will highlight the props, and choreograph musical and prize-winner in the Philadelphia BUCKET LIST III. with team jersey: “I can tell you all More project lush harmonies and exotic themes dance numbers. New Year’s Day Mummers Parade, of the things not to do in a relation- ideas. of late-Romantic masters includ- Founded in 1933, the Polish placing in the top ten 64 times, win- ship because I have done them all.” A Coffee Table book about the ing Szymanowski. These exqui- American String Band has been ning 11 first prizes and 14 second When I was young and single, most famous, unique, and well- sitely-crafted creations are charged entertaining audiences of all ages prizes. the babci would nudge me towards known Polish neighborhoods, past with seductive beauty and expres- in the fine tradition of Philadelphia Over the years, the band as young ladies they thought I would and present. Some of them such as sive power, composed during a Mummery with its great music played at performances throughout be a good match with romantically. Greenpoint in Brooklyn, Milwaukee unique historic moment of restless — string band music with a polka the United States, in Havana, Cuba, Occasionally they would become Avenue in Chicago, and The Nor- change—the era between the turn of sound — beautiful costumes and excited and just yell out (when we deast in Minneapolis still exist and the 20th century and the First World award-winning presentations. before Pope John Paul II in 1979 and were standing together) “she should can be visited. Some are no longer War. www.kaufman-center.org. The Band plays throughout the 1998, and in their ancestral home- be your girlfriend!” It was funny and an entity but are remembered and year at various venues to raise mon- land of Poland, playing in Warsaw, embarrassing and these immigrant are part of history. Once the Polish Polish American String ies for its elaborate costumes and Gdynia, Gdansk, Toruń, Kraków, generation gals with their overt (or version is complete, editions for Band wins Award. WPHL, other expenses, including perfor- and Częstochowa. sly ways) of creating love connec- other ethnic groups is a possibility. TV 17, which broadcasts the an- mances on at the two-day Polish The Polish American String tions were a remnant of the match- Polish church and organization nual Mummers Day Parade in festival held in Atlantic City, the Band (www.polishamericanstring- makers from the old country. I don’t “heritage”-themed apparel. Retro Philadelphia, presented the 1st Doylestown, Pa. Polish festival, and band.com) and all of the String think the second and third genera- styles are popular now as evident by place Viewer’s Choice Award to at the Philadelphia Pulaski Day Pa- Bands that were in the 2010 Mum- tion moms and dads are intrusive in the number of professional teams the Polish American String Band. rade. mers Parade will perform during their sons and daughters love life as that wear uniforms from the past for Captain Mark Danielewicz and Although the membership is no the Show of Shows on Saturday, their parents were. I’m not sure we special occasions. Would someone members of the string band received longer exclusively Polish, their mu- February 27, at Boardwalk Hall, have lost something either. from Omaha wear a knit shirt or the award. sic reflects the Polish heritage. More in Atlantic City, N.J. There is probably a chapter on sweatshirt with old fashion styling Polish matchmakers in one of So- for St. Casimir Church in Buffalo, phie Hodorowicz-Knab’s books. New York? I think so, especially if CIEKAWOSTKI / Martin Nowak There is the matchmaker part in it looked cool. This is a nice alterna- Fiddler on the Roof (I’m humming tive to the Polish Eagle as an iden- the song now.) The American play- tifier. Another consideration, the wright Thornton Wilder wrote a play trend is not in symbols but in words Pulaski Legion’s Polish Officers called The Matchmaker. I did find – Hilfiger, Pink, or Aeropostale. Polish-born Count Casimir Pu- Commander of the infantry of the Kovats) — May have been Hungar- a reference to matchmakers in the laski was one of many foreign of- Legion. Died in battle during a ian. Second in command of Pulas- Lithuania chapter of the Encyclo- On the road with Alina ficers to serve under the command surprise British attack on Pulaski’s ki’s Legion to Pulaski himself. Died pedia of World Cultures (Library of Casimira. The good reviews are of General George Washington dur- camp at Egg Harbor, N.J. in 1778. in battle in Spring 1779 in an attack Congress Cataloging-in-Publication pouring in for the Greenpoint neigh- ing the American Revolution. Other His location had been betrayed by a on the British near Charleston. Data, vol. 6, 1994). In the section on borhood in Brooklyn, New York. Polish officers also came to America deserter to the British side. Captain Stanislaus Kołkowski “Marriage and Family,” it states: My daughter’s business trip took and sought to join General Pulaski’s Jerzmanowski — First name (or Kotkowski, Kotkouski) — An command. Pulaski’s reputation was unknown, rank uncertain and prob- officer under Pulaski in the Bar In preindustrial Lithuania, her to New York and she crossed the Brooklyn Bridge to visit this “Little well known to them, and being a ably served as a volunteer without Confederacy. The only Pole be- marriage was arranged by match- fellow countryman, they naturally rank. A dedicated soldier well liked side Pulaski to be recommended to makers. Especially for the land- Poland.” She thought it was a quaint were drawn to him, for their lan- by General Pulaski, reportedly sent General Washington by Benjamin holding classes, it was largely an and clean place. Keep going Green- guage, customs and habits were the to him by General Washington. Ap- Franklin, the American representa- economic union with the bride point! same. And Pulaski was rather free parently helped carry Pulaski off the tive in Paris. Washington person- providing a bargained dowry. Additional questions to recruit his own staff of officers field after he was mortally wounded ally interviewed him. Beginning During Lithuanian independence, from as well as enlisted men, especially at the Battle of Savannah in 1779. his service in the Pulaski Legion in arranged marriages slowly disap- the Pondering Pole: 1. Jimmy Clausen, Quarterback, after he formed the Pulaski Legion Captain John Zielinski — Cous- late 1778, he was court-martialed in peared and were replaced by love February 1779 for abusing a civil- marriages.” University of Notre Dame. Polish or in 1778. in of General Pulaski who served as not? The Pulaski Legion was com- Captain of the Polish Lancers of ian in Minisink, N.J. He quickly re- This is probably the same model 2. Scott Boras, Professional prised of mostly foreigners, espe- the Legion, and an excellent horse- signed and returned to Europe. for preindustrial and independent Baseball Agent. Polish? Just anoth- cially Germans. Among the officers man. He had served with Pulaski in Major Caesar Elholm — Cav- Poland. Today there are plenty of er day for 54-year-old Scott Boras, were several Frenchmen, Germans the Confederacy of Bar against the alry Officer under Pulaski, he was professional resources for match- baseball’s most powerful agent, who and Poles. A famous American of- Russians in Poland. He died in Sep- probably a Norwegian who came to ing young people. The trend today left his $20 million, 23,000-square ficer in the Legion was General tember 1779 after being wounded in Poland and fought for the Bar Con- seems to be either online services or foot office compound here to do Lighthorse Harry Lee, the father of battle, either in Charleston, S.C. or federacy, then came to America and companies specializing in bringing his courting at the general manager Robert E. Lee. Of the Poles, the fol- Savannah, Ga. sought out Pulaski for a position busy professionals in touch through meetings at Naples (Fla.) Grande lowing notable officers served with Captain Charles Litomski — with him, for whom he performed eight minutes of relating or during Resort and Club. the great Pulaski: Aide-de-camp to General Pulaski at heroically. After the Revolutionary a quick lunch. With a little surfing, 3. Urban Meyer, born in Toledo, Captain Joseph Baldeski — the Battle of Savannah in 1779. Capt. War he was involved with the seces- you can find services for finding a Ohio, and Head Coach of the Uni- Served as paymaster of the Legion. Litomski was riding beside Pulaski sionist state of Franklin and died in Polish girl or boy from Poland. I ac- versity of Florida Football Team. Auditors of the Continental Con- during the battle when the General 1799 in Georgia. tually think these are not necessarily Polish or not? gress questioned and investigated was fatally wounded. Attended Pu- Maurice Beniowski — Born bad approaches. We have modern 4. Erin Andrews, sideline report- his accounting practices, but cleared laski at the time of his death and in Hungary but of Polish descent, he went to Poland and fought with equipment and methods, why not er for ESPN, looks like a Polish face him of any wrongdoing. Neverthe- supposedly was present at his burial the Bar Confederates and may have use them to find the person that most to me. less, he resigned his commission in in Georgia. Returned to Poland and been acquainted with Pulaski. Be- fulfills what you are looking for in late 1779. He apparently lived out served under Kosciuszko, and then If you have an answer to this niowski was captured by the Rus- a mate? his last years in Germantown, Pa. with the forces of Napoleon all over month’s questions, have a question sians and sent to Siberia from where While independent mindedness is and was a starchmaker. Europe. He returned to America in of your own, or have interesting he escaped. He made his way to a characteristic of Polish Americans, Lt. Colonel Charles DeBotzen 1831, then went to Brazil where he facts to share, contact me at: Ed- France and then the U.S. in 1779. I also don’t think it is a bad idea to ward Poniewaz, 6432 Marmaduke, (or DeBoze) — May have been an apparently died. lend advice and reasoning and sup- He never received a commission St.Louis, MO 63139; e-Mail ali- assumed name, but he was a Pole. Colonel Michael Kowacz (or from Congress, but reported to the port to the son or daughter’s search [email protected]. for someone or for the one they are Pulaski Legion around the time of dating, however they met. Most Pulaski’s death. Beniowski, by one stable and traditional families give BRUSH UP account, “was recognized by the at least a tacit consent in one way dying hero, officiated as his rela- or another to their son or daughter’s tive, chief mourner and heir, and de- future spouse. There is a bonding, in Phonetic hh is like ch in loch • Phonetic ai is like eye parted.” He later became involved healthy families, with the boyfriend Trees and Flora m, n, f denotes male, female, neuter in foreign intrigue in Madagascar or girlfriend to the extended family, drzewo...... (DJEH-voh) n dąb...... (dohmp) m where he was killed in 1786. psychologically and emotionally, as tree oak Of course, several other Polish much as with the marriage partner, or liść...... (leeshch) m sosna...... (SOHS-nah) f officers served with the American in today’s world, with just the part- leaf pine forces, not the least of whom was ner. If there is an ethnic component brzoza...... (BZHOH-zah) f świerk...... (shfyehrk) m Thaddeus Kosciuszko. In addition, to the child’s family, this is even a birch spruce scores of Poles and Polish Ameri- more important consideration. buk...... (buhk) m wierzba...... (VYEHZH-bah) f cans fought with the Americans as Should we bring back the Polish beech willow enlisted men, or common foot sol- matchmakers? I don’t really think jodła...... (YOH-dwah) f modrzew...... (MOHD-zhehf) m diers. The French army that was we need to but maybe we can learn fir larch allied with the United States also from them and in a sense, as I have klon...... (klohn) m kasztan...... (KAHSH-tahn) m had some soldiers of Polish descent implied, there is probably a bit of maple chestnut tree among its ranks. 18 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2010

THE OLD COUNTRY / Richard Poremski BOOKS IN BRIEF / Florence Waszkelewicz Clowes, MLIS Inside A Nazi Slave Labor Camp REMEMBERING SURVIVAL and starvation down to a personal uprising that took place in 1989. Inside A Nazi Slave Labor Camp level. Villagers of Wierzbnik were Many will consider this revolt in by Christopher R. Browning forced into slave labor at the Sta- Poland the beginning of the end, W.W. Norton & Co., 2010, notes, rachowice factories and munitions but there had been much dissent on photos, 375 pp, $ 27.95 plant, which supported the German the continent before the collapse of Browning presents a history of war effort. Poles living in the sur- Communism. the Jews of Wierzbnik and the Stara- rounding area are mentioned oc- His book begins with the war in chowice slave-labor camps through casionally when they helped or in- Europe, the rise in Communism, oral interviews as well as archival formed on various Jews. One might and the influence of Pope John Paul materials. This central part of Po- say it is erroneous not to include the II in the ‘70s. Food price hikes, land was under the control of the Polish detainees and their stories, shortages and discontent existed General Government during World but this book concentrates on bring- in all of Eastern Europe: Hungary, War II. ing oral testimonies of the Jews into Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Yugosla- More than anything, this schol- perspective with the entire history via as well as Poland and Eastern arly book is a story of Jews and how of World War II. Germany. Few revolts were without some of them managed to survive Bitterness exists when in 1972, bloodshed. The political arena was through the four years (1941-1945) Walter Becker, German Chief of a firepot of discontent, with leaders this book encompasses. Concen- Police in Starachowice, was acquit- being toppled at a rapid rate. The trating on 292 testimonies taken in ted by the Hamburg State Court working class in Poland which led “Young Poland Making Itself Free.” Oswiecim, Poland – May 22, 1995 and 2001, Browning provides of crimes against Jews. This bru- the strikes at the Lenin shipyards 1976. Former World War II Nazi-German concentration camp Auschwitz. personal perspectives on horrors of tal commander presided over the can be said to be the beginning of The sign above the entrance was recently stolen by neo-Nazis. Police have the war. It brought the elimination slaughter and liquidation of the Jew- the toppling of Communist rule, the apprehended the thieves, and recovered the infamous banner. of the Jews, the horrors of slavery ish ghetto in Wierzbnik, in which fall of the Berlin Wall, reunification some 4000 Jews were sent to die in of Germany and shattering the en- Treblinka. No survivor can forgive tire political system. POLAND FIGHTS / Douglas W. Jacobson him for his atrocities and callous- This book provides details on ness. the entire process of the unraveling of the Eastern Bloc after the war. A THERE IS NO FREEDOM most informative read that calls for 70 Years Ago This Month WITHOUT BREAD repeat reading to absorb the cohe- Jozef Opaki was a high school caught by surprise, the remaining ous German and Russia held terri- 1989 and the Civil War that siveness all relevant facts. teacher in the eastern Polish city Soviet soldiers fled the barracks, re- tory to complete the communication Brought Down Communism Pleshakov, a historian who now of Czortkow when the Soviet army grouped and eventually put down with the underground resistance in by Constantine Pleshakov teaches at Mt. Holyoke College in invaded in mid-September, 1939. the uprising. The next morning the Warsaw. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2009, Amherst, Mass., grew up in the Shortly after Poland’s capitulation, NKVD began mass arrests, brutal The Nazi occupation of Poland index, bibliography, notes, $26.00. Poland in the 1960s, and provides Czortkow was annexed into the interrogations and beatings. Twen- was one of the most brutal in his- This excellent book brings into shrewd insight to the simmering dis- Ukrainian SSR and severe repres- ty-four resistors were executed and tory as the SS and Gestapo sought to perspective the struggle of all East- trust of leaders and the spirituality sions against the Polish population fifty-five were sent to labor camps in carry out Hitler’s oft-stated goal of ern European nations, leading to the of Pope John Paul II. were initiated by the Soviet NKVD. Siberia including Jozef Opacki and systematically destroying the very In defiance of the Soviet oppressors, most of his teenage students. Three fabric of Polish life and culture. In Opaki joined a secret band of resis- months later, the Polish army offi- the book, Resistance, author D.A. Bitter Legacy to be Released in Paperback tors including local townspeople, cers incarcerated in the Czortkow Landis quotes the noted Polish re- LEXINGTON, Ken. — The Uni- “Lukas’s balanced and lucid book merchants and dozens of his own prison were among those executed sistor, Jozef Garlinski, who reported versity Press of Kentucky recently … (is a) welcome contribution to high school students. Beginning as by the NKVD in the Katyn Forest. that the underground resistance “had announced that Bitter Legacy: Pol- the subject.” early as October of 1939 they began to not only concern itself with sabo- ish American Relations in the wake Professor Lukas’ most recent clandestine meetings and by the end While short-lived and tage, diversion, and propaganda, but of World War II, originally pub- book, Forgotten Survivors, will also of the year they were ready to act. unsuccessful, the Czortkow also had to provide courts of law, lished in 1982, is now available in be available soon in 2009 by the During December of 1939 a Uprising was a harbinger of education, publication of books, paperback. University Press of Kansas, which large number of Soviet soldiers preservation of cultural relics, the- The press announced that Dr. plans an additional publication run. were dispatched from the garrison things to come. atre, and the press because all were Richard C. Lukas’ book had sold in Czortkow to fight the war in Fin- banned.” out shortly after its original publica- land. Opaki and his band of resistors While short-lived and unsuc- Beginning with the ill-fated up- tion and that recently there has been Polish-English seized the opportunity to launch a cessful, the Czortkow Uprising was rising in Czortkow and continuing demand for the volume. Translator strike for freedom. On the night of a harbinger of things to come. In with the formation of the Armia Bitter Legacy is the first major January 21— chosen because it was Paris, General Wladyslaw Sikorski Krajowa (the Home Army), the • Official documents, letters, analysis of Polish American rela- e-mails, etc. the anniversary of the 1863 Janu- became Prime Minister of the Pol- Polish resistance movement would tions from the Potsdam Conference ish Government-in-Exile and im- • Reasonable rates. ary Uprising — Opacki and more include hundreds of thousands of through the Polish elections of 1947. • Fast, reliable service by e-mail than two hundred resistors gathered mediately appointed Colonel Stefan partisans fighting for freedom until Drawing on an array of sources, a or regular mail. in the Roman Catholic Dominican Rowecki to organize and assume the last day of the war. number of which had never been • Translation to/from other lan- Church and launched the first Polish command of underground resis- v v v used before, Lukas shows why and guages available as well. uprising of World War II. tance forces in Warsaw. Through Douglas W. Jacobson is the Pol- how American policy was never able • Over 20 years experience work- Armed with only a few hand- a clandestine wireless network, ish American author of the award- ing with genealogists, attorneys, to reverse the process, begun at the businesses, film-makers, gov- guns, knives and swords, the Polish Polish leaders in Paris were able winning book, Night of Flames: Yalta Conference, that transformed to communicate orders to various ernment, medical professionals, resistors simultaneously attacked A Novel of World War Two. Mr. Poland into a communist state. etc. parts of Poland but were unable to the Soviet barracks, the town center, Jacobson has been a frequent con- Professor Victor Mamatey de- Andy Golebiowski reach Warsaw. So, couriers with the railway station, and attempted tributor to this newspaper and is scribed Lukas’ book “as a signifi- 109 Rosemead Lane forged diplomatic passports were to gain control of the local prison currently finishing his second cant contribution to the study of the Cheektowaga, NY 14227 forced to travel from Bucharest and where hundreds of Polish army of- historical novel set in Poland in origins of the Cold War.” Profes- (716) 892-5975 Budapest, crossing through danger- ficers were incarcerated. Though World War II. sor Piotr Wandycz commented that

WORLD WAR II / by Sophie Hodorowicz Knab Zamość under German Occupation 1939-1945 Part II 1580 on the trade route linking Lwów and Volhynia with Lu- Poland from the east on September 17, 1939. According to Early history of the region. Zamojszczyzna is the blin and Warsaw. It became the seat of local government and the initial communications regarding what would be the bor- name given to the region that surrounds the city of Zamość soon became a multiethnic and multicultural town. In 1585, ders between Russia and Germany, the Zamość region was to in southeast Poland. It consists of the counties (powiaty) of Zamoyski invited Armenians to Zamość as craftsmen. belong to Russia. The Germans left the region on September zamość, tomaszów, biłgoraj and hrubieszów. In 1588 he invited Sephardic Jews from Lwów as 25th and Zamość was occupied by the Soviets from the The city and region is named after Jan Zamojski, com- merchants and traders. The Jews were grant- east on September 27th. The concrete bor- mander-in-chief and chancellor to King Stefan Batory. One ed the same rights and privileges as other ders between Russian occupied Poland and of the most skilled diplomats, politicians and statesman of his residents including being able to own German occupied Poland was finalized on time, Jan Zamojski was granted a land charter — a massive property and having complete religious September 28th and the Russians had to amount of property from the king that was backed by the Pol- freedom. In 1589 Zamojski brought in leave the Zamość region. The evacuation ish parliament. The property could not be sold, mortgaged or Greeks from Kaffa. In 1595, he founded of the Soviets began on October 4th and divided and was entailed, that is, it could only be inherited a school of higher education called Aka- 5th and was finalized on October 8th. Ap- in full by a legitimate male heir. As was the custom of the demia Zamojska with instruction in Greek proximately a third of the Jews of Zamość times, in exchange for the estate, the owner was required to and Latin on philosophy, medicine and law. left with the soldiers to live in the Rus- prepare and maintain an army that would come to the aid of It was the fourth one of its kind in Poland. sian zone of occupation. the king at a moments notice. He was also obliged to settle By the outbreak of World War II, Zamość had The occupation of the Zamość re- and develop the land. The new landowner had to make a vow a population of about 25,000 with Jews account- gion by the Soviets lasted only 14 days but within a church to uphold the requirements as outlined in the ing for 43 per cent of the total population. was filled with rape, murder and looting. The charter. Any questions or matters regarding the inheritance of On September 16, 1939, sixteen days after Hitler invad- evacuation of the Soviets was finalized on the estate had to be settled by the parliament. ed Poland, the first Germans entered Zamość. As part of the October 8th. The almost 500 year-old Polish city and sur- The town of Zamość was founded by Jan Zamoyski in German-Soviet Union Non-Aggression Pact, Russia attacked rounding region was now in the hands of the Nazis. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2010 www.polamjournal.com 19

POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL Selling books and Polish Heritage items 1 (800) 422-1275 Bookstore since 1988 www.polamjournal.com NIGHT OF FLAMES: The Mayor’s Daughter Teacher, thy name Say “Happy Birthday” in Polish! A Novel of World War Two by Delores Gapanowicz Is sheep by Douglas W. Jacobson by E.J. Kalinowski $12.95 (NDP Edwardus Orzel) ycinanki-Style $16.95 Edition illustrated W 384 pp. pb., Nightingale Press, 2007 $9.95 McBooks Press 176 pp., pb. Kalski Books, 2004 Birthday Cards “The most powerful Readers will discover 132 pp., pb. CARD 400 weapon on earth is the hu- what life was like in rural Why are American high (“Sto lat”) man soul on fire.” Eastern Europe before World school students so undisci- 4¼¨x5½¨ with enve- In 1939 the Germans War I, a way of life that has plined? Read this book and invade Poland, setting off changed forever. This book judge for yourself. The au- lope. Full color design a rising storm of violence retrieves one family’s heri- thor, a retired high school and junior high school with Polish and Eng- and destruction. For Anna tage and allows us all to connect with our own. teacher, first wrote his opinionated discourse in lish greeting inside. and Jan Kopernik the loss is NOW IN Gapanowicz wrote “The Mayor’s Daughter” about 1968, and updated it in 2004. Among his views “Sto lat. Wszystkiego unimaginable. She is an as- STOCK! her parents because she wanted the grandchil- are “Give me a Principal with Principles.” “It takes najlepszego ... Happy sistant professor at a univer- dren in her family to have some idea of the life good parents, and good teachers, not a village, sity in Krakow; he, an officer in Eastern Europe before her family emigrated. to raise good students,” “The care of the student Birthday!” Printed on in the Polish cavalry. Separated by war, they must The stories were told to the author by her parents scholastically requires caring for the student,” “TV Glossy Stock. find their own way in a world where everything before they passed away. These tales show that is today’s mother, father, and teacher” among they ever knew is gone. young people on farms in Europe didn’t spend others. Through the long night of Nazi occupation, their time only milking cows and picking pota- Cards Designed by Doris Sikorsky Anna, Jan, and ordinary people across Europe toes. They played tricks on friends, went to wed- MOTHER POWER aND fight a covert war of sabotage and resistance ding celebrations and dances, and flirted with JOKE POWER against the overwhelming might of the German other people their age. They also experienced by E.J. Kalinowski CARD 401 war machine. The struggle seems hopeless, but tragedy and loss. Their lives were a mixture of the (NDP Peter Orzel) (“Candles”) they are determined to take back what is theirs. sweet and bitter, not unlike the lives of people $9.95 5½¨x4¼¨ with everywhere. Push Not the River Kalski Books, 1998 envelope. 142 pp., pb. by James C. Martin JADWIGA’S Full color Mother Power is a com- CROSSING: $15.95 pendium of psycho-biologi- design with a story of the Great St. Martin’s Press cal sketches on personali- Polish and Migration 496 pp.pb ties in various fields: politics, English greeting inside. “Sto Maps & wycinanki illust. $19.95 military, medicine, theater, lat. Wszystkiego najlepszego ... Happy Birthday!” Reading Group Guide Al and Dick Lutz’ and religion, written in a pertinent, pithy manner Printed on Glossy Stock. acclaimed work pointing out how mother influence determined AUTOGRAPHED! This 348 pp., pb. the success of the famous and infamous. $2.50 each book club favorite is based A perfect gift of heritage ... Joke Power stresses the deleterious effects on the real diary of a Polish The experience of late 19th jokes have in individuals and groups targeted for 10 or more cards: $2.00 each countess who lived through the rise and fall of the Century immigration, as seen derision. SHIPPING & HANDLING Third of May Constitution years, a time of great through the eyes of Paul and Jadwiga Adamik and The author is a retired high school and junior 1-5 cards: ...... $1.00 turmoil. Vivid, romantic, and thrillingly paced, the what they went through to make America their new high school teacher, who has penned numerous 6-10 cards: ...... $2.00 novel paints the emotional and memorable por- home. Appropriate for all ages 12 and up. polemic observations in community and regional trait of the metamorphosis of a nation—and of newspapers. 11 or more cards:...... $4.00 Anna. a proud and resilient young woman, and TWO FRIENDS, THEY WHOLESALE INQUIRIES WELCOME Jan, her soldier-husband. Critics have called the WENT A’ DANCING story Poland’s Gone with the Wind. “The story is by Maria Bielski and IMPORTED ITEMS well paced and compelling, the historical detail Janina Dobkowski BOOKS AND MUSIC plentiful yet not overwhelming, and the charac- $20.00 POLKA CDs ters engaging and true to the period.” ~The His- Singing games and Chil- MANY MORE CANDY and BUTTER LAMB MOLDS torical Novels Review. The author is the winner dren’s Dances from Poland ITEMS SALT LAMPS from WIELICZKA of the 2007 Gold Medal for Literature from The Includes music CD, ON-LINE AT EASTER and CHRISTMAS GIFTS American Institute of Polish Culture. lyrics, and sheet music Against a Spiral bound, softcover Crimson Sky The book contains lyrics (in both English and by James C. Martin WWW.POLAMJOURNAL.COM Polish) of ten popular singing games, and a vo- $14.95 cal music score with chords. Clear step-by-step CUT HERE CUT HERE St. Martin’s movement and dance instructions are outlined ORDER FORM / HOW TO ORDER 369 pp.pb. precisely with the text. In addition, a CD of the Map & wycinanki illust. recorded songs with accompaniment is includ- 1. Mail. Complete form. Send with check or money order payable to Reading Group Guide ed, so that parents, grandparents, teachers, and “Polish American Journal” and mail to children can immediately enjoy the songs and Polish American Journal, P.O. Box 328, Boston, NY 14025-0328 AUTOGRAPHED! “You games. Each page has an original “wycinanki” don’t have to read Push Not (Polish cut-out style) illustration, designed by the 2. Call. 1 (800) 422-1275 (Toll Free) or (716) 312-8088, Mon.-Fri., 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. the River to get the most from this sequel,” says artist, Joanna Bielska, which can be reproduced 3. Order on-line at: www.polamjournal.com Suzanne Strempek Shea. The award-winning au- for coloring or craft projects. Both authors are thor picks up where Push Not the River leaves teachers by profession and have an extensive SHIPPING CHARGES TITLE / DESCRIPTION QNTY TOTAL off, taking the characters 20 years into the fasci- background in Polish folk art, music and dance. Total order...... Charge nating Napoléonic era, highlighting the exploits They have danced with the Polish American Folk $.001 - $20.00...... $6.95 of the glorious Polish lancers. Having narrowly Dance Company and organized countless folk $20.01 - $35.00 ...... $8.95 escaped death amidst the chaos caused by the dance workshops all over the New York Metro- $35.01 - $65.00 ...... $9.95 violent dissolution of their homeland, Anna and politan area. $65.01 - $95.00 ...... $12.95 Jan struggle to raise a family in uncertain times. $95.01 - $125.00 ...... $14.95 When Napoléon Bonaparte comes calling, hint- MY NAME IS MILLION: ing at independence one day for the country, An Illustrated History $125.01 - $200.00 ...... $18.95 Polish legions form up—Anna’s friends and fam- of Poles in America $200.01 - $400.00 ...... $22.95 ily members among them—and accompany Na- $400.01 - $600.00 ...... $27.95 poléon as he battles his way across Europe in an $14.95 $600.00 and up ...... call SUBTOTAL (all boxes)  hc. Original Price: $24.95 NY & FLA residents - add 8.75% sales tax  effort that culminates in the doomed 1812 winter From the 17th century to the march to Moscow. “A sprawling epic . . . entertain- present, people of Polish de- PLEASE NOTE ... S&H (See chart to left) ing.” ~ Publishers Weekly. scent have made important • We cannot process TOTAL TO SUBMIT TO PAJ  your order until your The Finchley House contributions in every area of PRINT CLEARLY OR ATTACH RETURN American life. Most of their check or money order Mystery ADDRESS LABEL. THIS IS YOUR SHIPPING LABEL. by Delores Gapanowicz names will not be found in clears. Orders received American history books. But many of their names without proper pay- From: POL-AM JOURNAL $13.95 and stories are included in this richly illustrated ment will be returned. P.O. BOX 328, BOSTON, NY 14025 Nightingale Press, 2005 history. My Name is Million is also the story of those • For deliveries to Alas- For Ages 9-12 millions of Polish Americans whose role in American ka and Hawaii, add To: NAME 132 pp. pb. life have, until now, gone unrecognized. Delores Gapanowicz is $12.95 to shipping ADDRESS a published author of A TRAVELLER’S HISTORY charges. children’s books. OF POLAND • All items on this page Is the Finchley House by John Radzilowski shipped via USPS. UPS haunted or not? Are those ghosts flitting from service available at ad- CITY room to room after dark? Or is someone secretly $14.95 312 pp. ill., maps. pb. ditional charge. UPS living in the old house and not wanting to re- STATE ZIP A comprehensive histori- will not ship to P.O. veal themselves? Could it be the rumors float- cal survey guides travellers Box. ing around Green Hills are actually true? No one through a general history • Allow 10-14 days for [ ] CHECK or M.O. ENCLOSED dared to investigate until Paul and Tom decided of the people and places of [ ] CHARGE TO MY: to find out once and for all. The boys and their delivery. Poland from pre-history to sisters dared to go up the hill toward the old, old [ ] AMEX [ ] DISC [ ] MC [ ] VISA today. Includes a full chro- LET US SELL YOUR BOOKS! You house and their adventure began — scary from CARD NO. nology, a list of monarchs can reach a target audience of the start. and rulers, a gazetteer, historical maps. over 12,000 Polish American EXP. DATE CARD SECURITY CODE homes every month. Call for DAYTIME PHONE ( ) details. 20 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2010

AMERICAN POLONIA AT A GLANCE

dation (www.crf-usa.org) is a non- sites Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. Culture’s New Face at Embassy CALIFORNIA profit. non-partisan nationally rec- In accordance with its mission of by Richard Poremski LOS ANGELES — The Con- ognized educational organization “Building a New Polonia for the 21st stitutional Rights Foundation in WASHINGTON, D.C. oremski dedicated to helping our nation’s Century” Piast constantly seeks new P Los Angeles sponsors a statewide — Malgorzata Szrum arrived young people become well-in- ways to connect and involve Polo- here from Poland in August,

program to encourage students in ichard formed engaged and active citizens nia of all ages in hopes of bringing 2009 in the immediate wake of grades 4-12 to learn more about the and to understand their rights and Polonia from different backgrounds state’s history. Students can partici- her predecessor, Mariusz Bry- responsibilities as members of our together. A non-stop presence in mora, who was elevated in the PHOTO: R pate in any of the following catego- democracy the virtual world of Facebook and ries: historical paper; exhibit perfor- Foreign Ministry and reposted For additional information, send Twitter will help the Institute gain to Warsaw. She quickly im- mance; documentary; historical web fax to (818) 892-5531 or write to exposure and promote Polish and site; or 4th-5th grade poster. mersed herself in the extensive Irena Szewiola. P.O. Box 14446. Polish American culture and issues responsibilities and duties in- The entry fee is $40 per stu- Van Nuys, CA 91409-4446 among younger members of the Pol- dent; money orders only. Teachers, volved with being the Head of ish American community. the Culture, Press and Public parents, and sponsors should make ILLINOIS To follow Piast on Facebook, checks payable to the Los Angeles Relations Office at the Embas- ST. CHARLES — The DuPage simply log on to facebook.com and sy of the Republic of Poland. County Office of Education. County Genealogical Society will search for the Piast Institute and for The deadline for teacher forms Counselor Szrum has al- be hosting its 35th Annual Confer- the Friends of Piast. To keep up with ready manifested her own and material is February 11, 2010 . ence on Saturday, February 27, 2010 our tweets, connect with us at twit- Grace Malolepszy and Irena unique professional style, ex- at the Hilton Garden Inn, 4070 East ter.com/piastinstitute. To get the vi- hibited by the number of var- Szewiola, California Project Coor- Main Street, St. Charles, Illinois. sual behind the work of the Institute, dinators, urge Polish American stu- ied cultural presentations to Registration and browsing begin look for Piast Institute on Flickr. date – which no doubt is due dents to take advantage of this pro- at 8:00 a.m, with a full program from If you would like to be added to gram. They also encourage Polish to her extensive professional 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more in- the Piast Institute email list, simply experience. American businesses, organizations formation, email Dorothy Hansen at email [email protected] and to name and design their own cer- Born in Lodz, Poland, Sz- [email protected] or visit request to be added to the list. rum graduated from Lodz tificates for presentation to students, their web site at www.dcgs.org. teachers and schools or donate to a University’s Philology Depart- NEW YORK ment, with a MA in Culture that monetary fund to be used to design MICHIGAN NEW YORK —Mika Brzezin- Newly-Arrived Counselor a Project California Polonia History specialized in Theatre Study/ Settles In. Pictured above, on No- HAMTRAMCK, Mich. — Piast ski, co-host of “Morning Joe” with Criticism. Then it was off to Day in Los Angeles, or History Day Institute, a National Institute for Joe Scarborough on MSNBC, de- vember 3, 2009 during the Embassy California certificates. Monetary City University in London, reception for Poland’s Independence Polish and Polish-American Affairs, buted her memoir, “All Things at England, after being granted funds are welcome additions. is pleased to announce its presence Once,” in January 2010, explaining Day, is Counselor Malgorzata Szum - The Constitutional Rights Foun- its Joseph Conrad Scholarship. Head of the Culture, Press and Public on the popular social networking the unusual circumstances of her She attained a multifaceted childhood as well as the struggle to Relations Office at the Polish Embassy Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Washington, D.C. build a career in television media Administration there, which DeadlineAd is while raising a family. The book is Easter March 19, included a very rare special assignment to the Royal National Theatre. published by Weinstein Books, who Leaving her student days behind, Szum pursued her vocation and un- Sunday 2010 describes it as “a candid and in- is April2010 4, til 2001 served as the Head of the Theatre Division of Arts Department spiring motivational book that will at the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The years 2001 Weso³ego Alleluja! help women of all ages confront the to 2005 saw her as the Deputy Director (and eventually Acting Director) unique professional and personal Reserve Your Space in of the Polish Cultural Institute in London. The much accomplished lady, challenges they face in the key mo- at Warsaw’s beckoning, then performed as Head of the Literary Depart- Our Easter 2010 Edition ments of their lives.” ment at the National Theatre from 2006 to 2009. Send Easter Greetings to Family and Brzezinski’s father is Zbigniew Szrum’s many talents extend to having published numerous essays, Brzezinski, the foreign policy ex- Friends Across the Miles! interviews and articles about Polish and British contemporary theatre, pert and former National Security new playwriting and arts administration. We cordially invite our readers to participate Advisor to former President Jimmy The next few years promise fulfilling, interesting, and entertaining in the time-honored tradition of sending Happy Carter in the late 1970s. cultural times at the Polish Embassy, and other related venues, under Easter wishes across the miles with a holiday the very professional tutelage of Malgorzata Szum. Witamy w Ameryce greeting ad. All messages will be printed in OHIO i Waszyngtonie! the Easter 2010 Edition of the Polish American YOUNGSTOWN — Ostatki: A Journal. Your support, in the form of a holiday Polish Carnival Celebration will JOHNSTOWN — A new projec- aspects of Polish history, culture, greeting, helps us continue our mission to be held Sat., Feb. 6 at 7:00 p.m. at tion system at the Johnstown Flood customs and traditions. Students The Youngstown Club, 201 East serve American Polonia. Furthermore, it is a Museum is bringing the Academy will have a chance to share their Commerce St. Enjoy the popular Award-winning documentary on the own knowledge, insights and expe- demonstration of the solidarity that exists between imported vodka and unusual beer 1898 tragedy into the digital age. riences with Polish culture. Supple- Polish Americans from all corners of our country. tasting, heavy appetizers, games, Bob Rutkowski, owner of the ment materials will be distributed in Can we count on you? If you have any questions, door prizes, live music, dancing, production company The Magic class. The following classes will be please call 1 (800) 422-1275, M-F, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 and, of course, paczki! Tickets are Lantern, and Don Bell of Bell En- offered in Spring 2010: p.m. Don’t be left out! $30 advance/$40 at the door. Call gineering & Design, installed a new Beginners Polish I – designed (330) 719-0415 for reservations or digital projection system capable of for absolute beginners with no pre- visit www.polishyoungstown.com. ATTENTION: EASTER IS EARLY displaying the recently re-mastered vious knowledge of Polish; provides YOUNGSTOWN — The Kra- THIS YEAR — Because the holiday film in perfect quality. basic understanding, speaking and this year, kowiaki Polish Folk Circle meets The film, which won the 1989 reading skills that will help the stu- falls the first Sunday in April every Thursday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Academy Award for Best Documen- dents communicate in fundamental we STRONGLY suggest groups and at St. Joseph the Provider Church, tary – Short Subject for acclaimed everyday situations. Wednesdays, individuals sponsoring Easter Sunday 633 Porter Ave. in Campbell Pol- director Charles Guggenheim, was 6.30 p.m.-8.10 p.m. and Dyngus Day (Easter Monday) ish language, culture, crafts, dance March remastered into digital format in Beginners Polish I Second Se- events to advertise these in the and song classes for children ages New York City. It provides a clearer mester – for students who com- of the paper. Deadline for that 3-18. Opportunities for adults with edition - image that reveals more detail than pleted one semester of Polish or edition is February 19. All other greet the Village Folk Singers and Band. the 35 mm print. equivalent. The class will focus on ing and well-wishing adds will appear New members welcome. For more building vocabulary and every day in the April Easter edition. information go to www.Polishy- UTAH communication skills as well as on oungstown.com or call (330) 646- SALT LAKE CITY — The Pol- developing reading skills. Mondays, 4082. YES! I wish to support the PAJ by placing an ad in the EASTER 2010 ish Genealogical Society of Michi- 6.30 p.m.-8.10 p.m. YOUNGSTOWN — The Polish gan is hosting the United Polish Beginners Polish II continua- EDITION. Please find a contribution in the amount of: Arts Club of Youngstown Annual [ ] $250 [ ] $100 [ ] $75 [ ] $50 [ ] $25 [ ] $20 [ ] Other ______Genealogical Societies conference tion – (prerequisite Beginners Pol- Concert and Scholarship Tea will in Salt Lake City from April 28 - ish I or equivalent) – designed for be held Sun., Feb. 21, 2010 from May 1, 2010. A Polish buffet will be students who completed two semes- NAME 1:00-4:00 p.m. Admission is free. held on April 28, 2010 and will fea- ters of Polish. The class will focus Butler Institute of American Art, ture speaker Loretta “Lou” Szucs. on building vocabulary in order to ORGANIZATION Butler North. To celebrate the 200th Other speakers on Polish topics will develop better comprehension and anniversary of Chopin’s birthday, be Daniel Schlyter, Sonja Hoeke- conversation skills. Class meets on ADDRESS attendees will enjoy a piano concert Nishimoto, Stephen J. Danko, To- Thursdays, 6.30 p.m.-8.10 p.m. by Edward Bak. For more infor- masz Nitsch, Paul Lipinksi and Ceil Intermediate II/III – designed CITY, STATE, ZIP mation, call Aundrea Cika at (330) Wendt Jensen. More information for students who already have basic 646-4082. is available at their website www. knowledge of Polish, understand TELEPHONE (for our records only unless checked below) pgsm.org. fundamental grammatical concepts PENNSYLVANIA and wish to concentrate on more OIL CITY — Lenten Services complex conversational skills. Tues- YOUR MESSAGE (Use additional sheet if necessary) WASHINGTON, D.C. in Polish will be held at the As- The Spring Semester of Polish days, 6.30 p.m.-8.10 p.m. sumption Church, 7 Pulaski Street. classes at the National Polish Cen- For more write to basiabern- The Gorzkie Zale will be on Sun- ter will start on Monday, February [email protected] or visit www. PRINT ADDRESS IN AD? PRINT TELEPHONE NUMBER IN AD day afternoons at 2:00 p.m. and the [ ] YES [ ] NO [ ] YES [ ] NO 8 and end on Thursday, May 20. As learnpolishdc.com. The National Droga Krzyzowa will be on Friday always, there will be fifteen (15) Polish Center is located at 2025 RETURN BY MARCH 19, 2010 to: evenings at 7:00 p.m. For informa- classes during the Spring Session. O Street, NW, between 20 and 21 POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL, P.O. BOX 328, BOSTON, NY 14025 tion call (814) 677-4090 or e-mail: Besides language instruction, all Street, very close to Dupont Circle We thank you in advance for your support of our efforts to promote our traditions. [email protected]. classes include discussions about Metro Station.