Newsletter ofof thethe Polish Polish Cultural Cultural Council Council • Vol. • Vol.5 • Spring 13 • Summer/Fall2007 2015

I am very proud of the Polish winds have landed on the shores of successful years in office, the center Cultural Council’s organizational the US. (Civic Platform Party), led by president mission. Because we are a Polish Here is a brief overview of Polish Komorowski, lost to the Kaczynski’s cultural organization, and not a political politics. In Poland, the right, or right wing Law and Justice Party. one, we do not delve into the current conservative, parties are typically very The Law and Justice Party was led politics of Poland at our meetings. much aligned with the Catholic Church, by a relatively unknown candidate for Although we have many native- having on their platform restrictions on president, Andrzej Duda. This was a born Poles on our board and in our abortion, in-vitro fertilization, gay rights, stunning defeat for the party whose membership, we avoid the pitfalls of etc. They are also highly nationalistic objective was full integration with the some other Polish organizations which advance one political agenda after another while members “take sides”. Message from the President Our debates are not about the roles of the church and the state in Poland. and against any further integration European Union. So, the left replaces Rather, they are about topics such as with the European Union. They are the right and at some time in the future, which particular Polish musician would vehemently anti-Russian, calling for the opposite will occur. Such is the draw a crowd in Pittsburgh. increases in military spending. They nature of politics: nothing lasts forever. I am also involved in an organization blame Putin for downing the plane So why am I writing about Polish whose mission is to support Poland carrying President Kaczynski and his politics when they are not part of the as a loyal ally and a proven friend of entourage to Smolensk, Russia. Their PCC? My observation is that Polish the United States. I also have friends strength comes from the rural areas of political discussion in the US within involved in Polish “social” organizations Poland, especially the southeast, close our cultural and social organizations is around the country. An increasing to the Ukraine. the kiss of death for them. I have seen number of members are Polish-born. The left, in the case of Poland, is the battle lines drawn, and for what They therefore have a keen interest comprised of former communists. The purpose? No one wins, except some in internal Polish politics. The Polish party is virtually irrelevant. However, egos. Let the Poles sort their politics Americans within these organizations the center party is pitted against out themselves and leave it on their are more concerned that Poland has the Polish right. The center is highly shores. Let those of us who truly care a democratically elected government supportive of EU integration. (Where about Poland lobby our government free from outside influence. Internal do you think all of the money for to help insure that it remains a free Polish politics are not their concern. Poland’s new highways came from?) country, democratically elected and Increasingly, in Polish political and They firmly believe in the separation a strong member of NATO with good social organizations, the members are of church and state. They have their trade agreements. Who the next determined to get their political agenda greatest followings in the urbanized president of Poland is, is for the Poles met, which often means nothing gets areas of Warsaw, Krakow, Wraclaw in Poland to decide. Who will be the done as participants’ tempers rise and and Poznan. next Polish musician to bring focus turns to who is There was a national election in to Pittsburgh, is ours. right. The anger is Poland in May. Like most elections, this based on Poland’s was a struggle between two Rick Pierchalski political winds. Now, political parties with two President PCC via these organi- very different ideologies. zations, those After five fairly Glamour in the Shadow By Magda Rybka, (Warsaw, Poland) If you intend to recapture your heritage or wish to find the less traveled path for your next vacation anytime of the year, the article below from our Warsaw correspondent will pique your interest. Ed.

Busko Most of us have heard about Busko and its underground treasures. Many have been lucky enough to “enjoy” the virtues of its foul-smelling, salty and sulphury water and benefited from its miraculous qualities. The minerals it contains are supposed to be good for everything that’s inside and outside us, starting with heart and finishing with our hair and nails. Not many, however, Pińczów have had the opportunity to go to the resort in November and stroll around his property to the nuns in 1241. In 1251, Wiślica the spa park in the misty fall afternoon the nuns received a revenue privilege from when all the sculptures, statues and King Bolesław the Chaste (Bolesław Wsty- It takes just a quarter of an hour to dead fountains take on misterious and dliwy) allowing the convent to use the salt get from Busko to Wiślica. The town was monstruous shapes that bring to mind water. This is the first record of the use of founded more than 1000 years ago, close the books of Zafon. In this hazy weather Busko’s mineral waters. In 1287, Busko to the important trade routes. At that the old Marconi sanatorium looks like an was granted civic rights by Prince Leszek time it was probably the capital of the enchanted castle. Its few residents and the Black. We may see the statue of the famous tribe of Vistulans.The land of scarce visitors, hiding under umbrel- famous prince and warrior in the main Vistulans, after coming under temporary las and behind high collars of their avenue leading from the spa park to the rule of Great Moravia and Bohemia, was coats, seem unreal and kind of ghostly. town market place. A small and shapely incorporated into Poland by Mieszko the Beautiful Art Nuoveau villas, partly figure of the heroic black knight welcomes First in 990. The first fortified settlement submerged in shadows, deepen the sense tourists and passers-by. Yes, the history of was probably founded at the end of the of timelessness. Only a cup of heated Busko and the surrounding region started 9th century. and aromatic wine ordered in Deresław’s long ago and left imprints all around. It’s Before entering the town, we can see castle can bring you back to normal. De- an unquestionable challenge and plea- the proud tower of the Collegiate Basilica reslav was a medieval knight who owned sure to follow the long forgotten path of of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, which the Busko territory. Knight Dersław left historic traces. was completed by King Kazimir the Great

Polish Journey is a publication of the Polish 2015 Board of Directors Cultural Council, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) orga- nization. Please address your correspondence to: Polish Cultural Council, P.O. Box 81054, OFFICERS: Members: Barbara Zawadzki, M.D. Pittsburgh, PA 15217-0554, tel: 412.871.3347 Rick Pierchalski John Adamczyk, Esq. Marysia Zioncheck “The opinions expressed by authors do not PRESIDENT Lorene Drake Vinski always reflect the views of the PCC.” Joseph Kaminski Mary Louise Ellena Hon. Edward Borkowski Rick Pierchalski, President; Vice President Patrycja Jaworska-Garrett Irene Jakubowski Evanne Addams Timothy Kuzma HON. BOARD MEMBERS Maria Staszkiewicz, Executive Director, [email protected]; Treasurer David J. Motak James Clark Eva Tumiel-Kozak Maria Staszkiewicz Eva Tumiel-Kozak, Editor-in-Chief; secretary Andrzej Wojcieszynski Executive Director Veronica Wojnarowski, Maria Staszkiewicz, Editors; Kasia Goszcz-Bruniany, Graphic Artist; We are very grateful to Terri Barger for her three-year term on our Board as a Secretary. Mary Seamans, Graphic Design; Her commitment, her expertise and her invaluable input will be hard to follow! visit us @ www.PolishCulturalCouncil.org Our best wishes for her next endeavors.

2 Polish Journey • Summer/Fall 2015 in 1350. It’s the most ancient and big- located in Pińczów’s market square. Cur- gest two-aisled church in Poland. Inside, rently, a regional museum is located here. we shall see the original wall paintings We may visit a Franciscan monastery dating back to the reign of King Jagiello from 1587 in the district of Mirów, as well who founded them in 1400. Today, the as a house which once hosted a Calvin- Collegiate is the Sanctuary of the Smil- ist printing shop which published for ing Madonna, half-sculpture, said to be example, the works of Frycz Modrzewski. given to Wiślica by king Ladislaus the Shame that there is no visible informa- Elbow-High, (Krol Wladyslaw Lokietek), tive placque on a house of such impor- but whose origins are not really known. tance. Indeed, Pińczów in the period of There is a legend that when Wiślica was Reformation was the center of intellec- sieged by Bohemians, the Virgin Mary tual development. The famous Pinczow supported Ladislaus in his quest for power Academy called the Sarmatian Athenes and helped him to defeat his enemies could boast with the best teachers and and gain the throne of Poland. Ladislaus, wonderful achievements like the first Pol- in order to express his gratitude to the ish translation of the Bible. It was also the Virgin Mary initiated the construction of center of famous theological debates. It the Gothic Collegiate, which we can still all came to an end after 1592 with the vic- admire today. It was not the first church tory of the Counter-Reformation. Pauline on this site; however, excavations showed monks, previously expelled by Zbigniew St. Bartolomeus at the Hotel the ruins of two earlier buildings in the Oleśnicki, returned, took over the build- Czerwony near Busko basements of the Collegiate. The first was ing occupied by the Pińczów Academy the church of Our Lady dating back to and redecorated the former church in the the 12th century with its most precious Baroque style. the basement of the Gothique house of Slab of Orants – a Romanesque floor Jan Długosz who was a cantor curator in An important chapter of Pińczów life plate with figures of people and animals the Wiślica collegiate. In the house there was involved with the Jewish community carved on it. Historians assume that the are the remains of old polichromies and which constituted the majority of town figures presented two princes who were original wooden elements of the house inhabitants. The old Synagogue, recently the founders of the old church: Henry framework. rebuilt, is therefore an extremely impor- of Sandomierz and his younger brother, tant landmark commemorating the lost For us the visit to the house was more Kazimir II. The other building, Holy people and the lost connection. Reserva- adventurous than educational, since the Trinity church was constructed in the tions are required to visit the synagogue. 13th century. electricity was off. So we watched the Museum treasures in the light of the Alas, again, we had to satisfy ourselves In the late 1950s, archaeologists also torch, which made us feel like Indiana with a nice walk around the city and a discovered the foundations of St. Nich- Jones. muddy climb to St. Anne’s Hill, overlook- olaus church, presumably built in the ing the town, where we could see a beau- After a short walk around the town, 10th or 11th century. Its remnants are tiful mannerist chapel. The museums and we moved on. We had only two days to displayed at the museum pavilion. the chapel itself were closed because of enjoy our sightseeing, so we had no time The discovery of a gypsum baptismal the state holiday. Let’s look at the positive to spare. font, which might serve as a font for col- side though: one lucky day, we will have a lective baptisms, on the site of the church, pretext to go there again, and see more of became a scientific sensation. It is one Pińczów the “top-secret” mysteries of Pińczów. of the oldest historic artifacts in Poland, After a short lunch break at a small and in my view, multiplies the importance Another 20 minutes and here we are. There is a famous saying ‘ ...and it dawns but exquisite Middle-Eastern fast food of this little town which came to be the place, we took a short drive around the witness of the Polish game of thrones. I in Pińczów’. It is tough to understand it well, until one finally visits the place. The countryside. We saw a few examples of must add here, as an aside, that we were wooden sacral architecture and enjoyed rather unlucky. We came to Wiślica on tiny town overwhelms with Renaissance and Baroque beauty and the gravity of its the picturesque views of Nida Landscape holiday and we couldn’t see it all because Park (Nadnidziański Park Krajobrazowy). the main expositions were not accessible. history. We could only peek at the famous font The attractions include the 18th- I encourage everyone to visit the men- through thick window glass. We could century palace of the Wielkopolski family, tioned places but please remember, the delight, though, in wonderful frescoes, several churches and monasteries (some trip needs planning. It’s a truth which we and stained glass windows lit by the faint dating back to the 15th century), the Re- had apparently neglected. November sun rays. We could look at naissance St. Anne’s Chapel, the recently so called Dog Hill (Psia Górka), where restored synagogue, and the ruins of the knight Gniewosz had to literally bark out 13th-century castle. The complex of the his accusations about the immoral con- former Pauline monastery, founded in duct of Queen Jadwiga. We also got to 1449 by Cardinal Zbigniew Oleśnicki, is

Polish Journey • Summer/Fall 2015 3 Polish Conductor Krzysztof Urbanski debuts with PSO

By Jim Cunningham Many of the greatest Polish musicians of the past century have appeared at Pittsburgh Symphony concerts . Pitts- burgh music lovers heard Artur Rubin- stein, born in Lodz and often mentioned as the all time greatest interpreter of Chopin. Rubinstein appeared at Pitts- burgh’s Syria Mosque in 1947 playing the Chopin Second Piano Concerto and Manuel de Falla’s Nights in the Gardens of Spain on the same program, with Vladimir Bakaleinikoff conducting. He returned several times including a visit in 1961 with Music Director William Steinberg leading Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 4. The founder of the Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra and former Music Director of the Warsaw Philharmonic, Witold Rowicki, visited Pittsburgh in 1966 and 1967 including Conductor Krzysztof Urbanski the fugue from the Second Symphony by Karol Szymanowski in his concerts. The famous Polish pianist, Krystian Zim- could land him in a boy band”. No one winter, driving from Indianapolis to the merman, had his Pittsburgh debut under questioned his authority with the New Steel City. He told me “I never get lonely Maestro Maazel’s baton. Two of Po- York Philharmonic when he was called at on the road because I almost always land’s most prominent musicians, Krzysz- his Warsaw home at the last minute to fill travel with my wife”. Has he mastered tof Penderecki and Witold Lutoslawski, in for an ailing Christoph von Dohnanyi the American way of driving? “I don’t returned to Pittsburgh twice, appearing last December. He has been a hit with the know. What is the American way?”, he not only in Heinz Hall but also working Chicago Symphony and as Music Direc- asked. I told him it involved avoiding with the students’ orchestra at Duquesne tor of the Trondheim Orchestra. He was state troopers. Not a problem, I learned. University and the Pittsburgh New Music Principal Guest of the Tokyo Symphony Mrs. Urbanski was at the wheel for the Ensemble. Both received their Doctorates and and has conducted concerts recently Pittsburgh journey. Has Maestro Urban- Honoris Causa from Duquesne Univer- which lead to his appointment as princi- ski been to the famous Indianapolis 500 sity. pal guest with the North German Radio Motor Speedway for the Memorial Day Orchestra in Hamburg. race? “Of course, and I enjoyed it very This past January members of the much”. Polish Cultural Council heard one of The Pittsburgh Tribune Review critic chose Poland’s brightest musical stars, Krzysz- Krzysztof Urbanski’s debut concert as Polish Cultural Council regulars at the tof Urbanski, in his Pittsburgh debut at one of the high points of the year, writ- PSO loved his very personal stamp on the Heinz Hall with the Pittsburgh Sym- ing, “His leadership helped the orchestra classics and look forward to a return visit. phony in an all Russian concert. Maestro play with confidence and panache in the In the meantime, you can find his first Urbanski is the new Music Director of unfamiliar Russian Overture by Sergei recordings with the Indianapolis Sym- the Indianapolis Symphony where he Prokofiev. His Pictures at an Exhibition phony and check out the DVD A Tribute has charmed his new orchestra and the similarly had special flair and precision in to Krzysztof Penderecki in which Urbanski public since his appointment in 2011. At a very familiar piece”. The Mussorgsky leads the Threnody to the Victims of Hiro- age 33, he is the youngest music director Pictures is so familiar to Urbanski that shima. Listen to his complete interview of an American orchestra. He has been he conducted it from memory without a as audio on demand from the WQED- called a young Herbert von Karajan but glance at the score. He told me having FM.org website and stay tuned for the laughed when I told him I thought it was the notes in his head is more efficient be- complete Pittsburgh concert broadcast in impressive to be compared to the long cause he has limited rehearsal time when the fall on WQED-FM 893 Sunday night time leader of the Berlin Philharmonic. he introduces ideas as a guest conductor. at 8 PM. “Yes I’ve been called a baby conduc- Speed is exhilarating to Urbanski at Jim Cunningham is the Artistic Director of tor.” The Wall Street Journal’s Pia Cat- the podium and on the road. Pittsburgh Classical QED 89.3 ton suggested “his artfully tousled hair was his first US road trip in the dead of www.wqedfm.org

4 Polish Journey • Summer/Fall 2015 Merle and Irene Addams:by Mary Lou Ellena A Polish Love Story The Polish community in Pittsburgh CCPO increased attendance at Pol- has lost two icons with the recent ish Day at Kennywood, initiated the deaths of Merle and Irene Addams. Polonian of the Year and Miss Polonia Merle John Addams was born in honors, began the Bal Polonaise (which Pittsburgh on December 8, 1922 to later included debutantes), started the Jan and Antonina Koziel Adamiec. He Karuzela Chorus and helped with died in Pittsburgh on March 28, 2015. countless programs and events which Irene Laura Prus Adams was born on focused on Polish Americans in Pitts- September 7, 1925 to Eva and Louis burgh. In 2003, the Central Council of Prus in Pittsburgh. She died on April Polish Organizations became the base 27, 30 days after her husband. Merle for the formation of the Polish Cultural and Irene would have celebrated their Council, the new, non-profit, organiza- 68th wedding anniversary on June 12, tion. Jedność began to deliver results as 2015. the Polish organizations joined forces, Theirs was a love which was meant providing greater community visibil- to be. It was at a Polish Women’s Alli- ity to many cultural and fundraising ance Convention dance in Pittsburgh programs. that Irene Prus met her future hus- Irene and Merle Addams Merle knew how to work a room. band, Merle. Too young to date, they He made a point of meeting and greet- courted by letter and by telephone until Mechanical Engineering Department ing people by name, of complimenting Merle returned home from World War until she married and started her fam- their accomplishments and of truly II. Their marriage was the beginning ily. Irene was a master seamstress and listening to their concerns. Irene was of a life-long partnership which pro- designer. She arranged flowers, baked the First Lady of the Central Council duced four children: Jeannine, Dean, delectable pies, and made mouth-wa- of Polish Organizations, (later known Evanne and Kent, and six grandchil- tering jams and jellies. She loved hats as the Polish Cultural Council (PCC)). dren. and customized them to suit her style Her vision and perseverance, com- Merle graduated from Duquesne and her outfits. She and Merle lived bined with Merle’s intelligence and University with a Bachelor of Science in Allison Park for 51 years and were wit, made them invincible as a team, in Business Administration in 1951. He members of St. Ursula Parish, as well each with complementary strengths. spent the majority of his career selling as Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Few people could say no to a request commercial light bulbs to businesses on Polish Hill. from Irene; she was relentless. Few people could forget a conversation with and institutions in western Pennsylva- Together, Merle and Irene Ad- nia and eastern Ohio, rising through Merle; he was witty and intelligent. He dams were forces of nature for their was a recipient of the Gold Cross of the ranks as district sales manager and family, their church, their community regional sales manager for Luxor Light- Merit, awarded by the President of the and especially for Pittsburgh Polonia. People’s Republic of Poland for exem- ing, Pittsburgh Guaranteed Lighting Merle joined the Central Council of and Nefglo Products, until his retire- plary public service to Poland that goes Polish Organizations in 1983, be- above and beyond the call of duty. ment in 1987. Merle remained a mem- came Vice President in 1987, and was ber of the Army Active Reserve for 25 elected President in 1989. His first The Pittsburgh Polish Community years, graduating from the Industrial act as president was the beginning was enhanced by the lives of Merle and College of the Armed Forces, the Army of a quest for “jedność”, the Polish Irene Addams. We have likewise been War College, and the U.S Army Com- word for “oneness.” Merle convened a been diminished by their deaths. They mand and General Staff College. He meeting of the leaders of the various will live on, however, in the hearts and retired from the Army as a Colonel in Polish organizations in metropolitan minds of those who knew them and 1982. Pittsburgh, with the goal of unifying loved them. They were true moguls of Irene graduated from Taylor Alder- the fragmented groups into one strong the Poles of Pittsburgh. dice High School in 1943. She was em- organization that would advance the Donations in honor of Merle and Irene Ad- ployed by the University of Pittsburgh status of Polish Americans. With Irene dams may be made to the Polish Cultural as a secretary to the Chairman of the and Merle working side-by-side, the Council, P.O. Box 81054, Pittsburgh, PA

Polish Journey • Summer/Fall 2015 5 Speaking Polish – Piece of Cake by Veronica Wojnaroski

The Polish language has quite a few words which are sources Jednogłośny can be made into the adverb, jednogłośnie, unani- of many other words. In Polish, these groups of words with a mously. Other adverbs include jedynie, only or merely, and common root convey a sense of unity in all of the things and jednocześnie, at the same time, where jeden combines with czas, activities which they represent. Here are just two. time.

From jeden, many Gotta hand it to ya The word jeden, meaning one, is arguably the most prolific The Polish word for hand, ręka, is the source of many words Polish word. In the Collins English/Polish dictionary, there is a and many colorful phrases. In English, these same words are full page of words which derive from jeden. The word came to quite disparate, as you will see. Nouns which come from ręka Polish from Proto Slavic, and ultimately from Proto-Indo-Euro- are: pean, from a word which means one or single. Beginning life as • ramię arm a number and an adjective, jeden has morphed into other adjec- tives, verbs, adverbs, nouns, pronouns, and even a conjunction. • ręcznik towel In many cases, it is the prefix of a noun or adjective, where it • rękaw sleeve combines with another noun or adjective to make a new word. • rękawica glove In its most basic meaning, jeden is used to count and to tell • rękawiczka mitten (there’s that diminutive again) time. Recognizing the Polish declensions, we have: • rękojeść handle • jeden dom, one house; • rękopis manuscript • jedna druga, one half; Strangely dłoń (palm) is not from the same source. • jeszcze jeden, one more; There is one adverb and one adjective: • ani jeden, not a single one; • ręcznie manually, i.e., by hand • o jednej godzinie, at the same hour; and • ręczny hand, as in piłka ręczna, handball, ręczny • jedenaście domów, eleven houses hamulec, handbrake, and ręczne, roboty, The many other more complicated words which derive from handmade jeden all convey a sense of oneness, unity, or singleness. Two Most of the phrases which are derived from ręka are quite simi- verbs (and their reflexive counterparts) are of interest. Jednać lar to their English counterparts. Here are a few: means to reconcile, while jednać się means to become recon- • od ręki while you wait ciled with someone. Jednoczyć means to unite, while jednoczyć się means to unite with someone. • pod ręką close at hand There seems to be only one pronoun which is derived from • z pierwszej ręki first-hand jeden, jedno, meaning one thing, but its uses are many. For • z pustymi rękoma empty-handed example: • ręce do góry! hands up! • Jedno i to samo, one and the same; • Iść z kimś pod rękę to walk arm in arm • Jedno jest pewne, one thing’s for sure; • Jedno z dwojga, one or the other. Three nouns derive from jeden. There are jedność, unity; jedy- Homework for you nak, an only child; and jednostka, individual. The one conjuga- Jeden and ręka are just two of the many Polish words from tion, jednak, means but or and yet. which many other words are derived. Look through your dic- Adjectives from jeden abound. Jedyny means dearest and tionaries to see if you can identify others. Hint: try listing all of jednakowy means equal. Here are a few adjectives created by the words which are derived from the word gość, guest.

combining jeden with another adjective.

Answers for gość hospitable.

Jeden plus the adjective produces the adjective gościnny, hospitably; gościnnie, house; somebody’s at stay to gosposia, housekeeper; gościć, to entertain; gościć u kogoś, kogoś, u gościć entertain; to gościć, housekeeper; gosposia,

barwny, colorful jednobarwny, monochromatic hostess; gospodyni, host; or farmer gospodarz, farm; or hold głośny, loud Jednogłośny, unanimous house- gospodarstwo, farm; gospodarski, thrifty; gospodarny,

Krótki, short Jednokrotny, only once economy; gospodarka, economic; gospodarczy, inn; Gospoda,

6 Polish Journey • Summer/Fall 2015 Bravo Krzysztof! The Camille and Henry Drey- Matyjaszewski developed the billion. “Kris Matyjaszewski’s fus Foundation has announced process of atom transfer radical work has made free radical that Krzysztof Matyjaszewski, polymerization (ATRP), which polymerization a precision tool the J. C. Warner University has proved to be the most impor- for polymer scientists to make Professor of Natural Sciences tant advance in polymer synthesis controlled macromolecular at Carnegie Mellon University, in half a century. In addition to structures, and has opened new has won the 2015 Dreyfus Prize these major advances in polymer avenues for industry in the con- in Chemical Sciences, conferred chemistry, Matyjaszewski has trol of polymer architecture in this year in Making Molecules also been effective at transferring practical manufacturing process- and Materials. The international the ATRP process to industry, es,” stated Matthew Tirrell, Dean prize, awarded biennially, consists with applications that include and Founding Pritzker Director of $250,000, a medal, and a cita- automotive coatings, adhesives, of the Institute for Molecular tion. The award ceremony will be cosmetics, inkjet printing, smart Engineering at the University of held at Carnegie Mellon Univer- and electronic materials, and Chicago and Board Member of sity in the fall and will include a many others, with an estimated the Dreyfus Foundation. lecture by Matyjaszewski. commercial value exceeding $20

CMU Professor Emeritus Lectures in China Professor Ted Massalski, profes- each university. sor emeritus of materials science, In his talks, Massalski discussed engineering and physics at Carn- numerous topics, including interna- egie Mellon, recently returned from tional cooperation, phase stability a two-week invited lecture tour in measurements and theories, laws China. This was his fourth visit to of thermodynamics, meteorites and China and he traveled together with cosmology, some practical applica- his daughter Dr. Renny Hutton. He tions of research on materials, and delivered the 67th Dachi (Wisdom) the very fast computer calculations lecture at the Shanghai Jiao Tong that will shape the future in this field. University, followed by another lecture at Tsinghua University in Prof. Massalski, has won numerous Beijing. In addition, he presented a international honors and awards memorial lecture at the Institute of over his long professional career. He Metals Research in Shenyang where was one of the former directors of he received the Lee Hsun Award, the Mellon Institute for Research in only rarely presented to foreigners. Oakland before it merged with Carn- In addition to lecturing, he met with egie Tech to form Carnegie Mellon faculty members and students at University in the late 1960’s.

Polish Kids Club Picnic On May 30th Polish Kids Club and the Polish Cultural Council orga- nized Graduation and the members annual “Majowka-Picnic”. The event was hosted by PCC President Rick Pierchalski and Board Member Mary- sia Zioncheck at Pike Run, Jones Mills. To learn more about the Polish Kids Club email: [email protected] or visit:wwwpolishkidsclub.com

Polish Journey • Summer/Fall 2015 7 BOB (ARON) SZULMAN As remembered by Eva Tumiel-Kozak Anyone who ever met Bob, was defi- sponsored by the Department of Pathol- nitely impressed with his vast knowledge ogy of the University of Pittsburgh. He of music, literature, especially Polish and had the pleasure and privilege of choos- British, and his memory for facts. At the ing and inviting a speaker among patholo- age of 94, he not only remembered songs gists, geneticists, or molecular biologists in from his childhood, the names and details the USA, Canada, or the UK. of the books he recently read, but also Bob loved working with students and was aware of all the interesting cultural often mentioned that he had learned a lot events, which he often attended with his from them. After all, most of them had vivacious wife, Irene. Irene, when asked, Masters or PhD degrees in the sciences. stresses two loves of his life: medicine and Irene’s and Bob’s hospitable home often music! Apparently, three days before his gathered numbers of them, not only death, he had just started reading another for an excellent meal, but also for some book about Beethoven. hot discussions late into the night. Irene Born in Lodz, Poland, Bob trans- remembers that Bob often considered ferred after matriculation in 1938, to a himself a substitute father, feeling respon- Bob Szulman secondary residential school in Yorkshire, sible to take care of the students. England. He entered Birmingham Medi- Both Bob and Irene loved to travel, a multitude of friends, who came from cal School in 1939. His medical career where Bob often lectured in various Med- different walks of life. If you talk to any as pathologist and researcher took him ical Schools. They joined friends around of them, there is one common thread: to Cambridge, London, Helsinki, the the world for sightseeing. Some of his Bob’s quiet charm, his delightful sense University of Berkley, the Biology Labs at fondest memories were from Poland, of humor, his unassuming nature, and Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and teach- which they visited to resume contact with the epitome of kindness. A real man of ing pathology at Harvard and Pittsburgh friends. As a member of Sociedad Latino- Renaissance! Medical Schools. He retired officially Americana Patologia, there was also an As our Consul Jan Napoleon Saykiewicz from Magee Women’s Hospital in 1990 unforgettable opportunity to lecture in the said, “He was the last old school gentle- in an Emeritus position to consult, write new Medical School in Spain’s Santiago man in his words and his actions. He articles in scientific journals and chapters de Compostela; or a recent invitation by respected everybody and he showed it in of books. His many scientific contribu- his Alma Mater which included a special the most elegant and charming way”. tions led to the unusual appreciation of visit to the House of Lords. his departmental colleagues at Magee in To say that he is dearly missed is an the form of The Aron E. Szulman Lectures, Indeed, wherever they went, they had understatement.

On June 23, Magdalena Parys won the European the West across the Bulgarian borders. About 100 of Polish Author Union 2015 Prize for Literature, for her book, Magik them lost their lives.” This information provides the Wins 2015 (magician). She received the award, along with a inspiration for a multilayered story about people try- check for EUR 5,000 at a ceremony in Brussels. ing to unravel the circumstances of mysterious deaths EU Prize for Other recipients included authors from Austria, in the 1980s. Croatia, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Although the story is set in 2011, its roots go back to Literature Norway, Portugal, Slovakia and Sweden. Upon re- the 1950s. That’s when an operation called Magik ceiving the award, Parys said, “It’s a total surprise for began: a brutal operation where GDR Stasi cooper- me, a stimulus for working harder and a chance for ated with Bulgarian border guards to murder refugees having my book translated into foreign languages”. from the socialist countries who, in the days of the Parys is a poet, a prose writer, and a translator. She Iron Curtain, tried to illegally cross the Bulgarian- studied Polish philology and pedagogy at Humboldt Turkish or Bulgarian-Greek borders. Although the University in Berlin and is the founder of the Polish- pretext was to prohibit illegal border crossings, this German literary magazine Squaws. led to the elimination of opposition activists. In the Here is the synopsis of Magik, as it appeared on the book, GDR history intertwines with the outbreak EU Prize for Literature website. of the Solidarity movement, contemporary Berlin, The starting point of the story is a press release: human stories of guilt, punishment and escape from “In 2010, the Federal Commissioner for the Stasi responsibility, as well as a complicated investigation Records (the German government agency) cleared by a disobedient police officer, Kowalski. Though almost six kilometers of files (20 million pages). It is removed from the investigation, he does not give up estimated that in the time of the Iron Curtain about – and will discover the dark past of some influential 4,500 people from the Eastern Bloc tried to escape to politicians in the reunited Germany.

8 Polish Journey • Summer/Fall 2015 government-owned “July 22 Plant” which combined the confectionary production facilities of the Wedel Company and other private candy producers into a large state-run confectionary conglomerate. But this did not deter Felix, who then began to produce fudge privately in the garden of his home in Milanówek. After his death, the “krówki “ business was taken over by his son, Leszek Pomorski, and then his grandson, Peter Pomorski. The candy Fudge Mazurek Mazurek Cake: label “L. Pomorski and Son” continues Poland has long been famous for its to this day. Krówki are as popular as ever - 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour agricultural and dairy products. One such and are now available in a wide variety of - 1 tbsp baking powder product is “Krówki”, or Polish fudge. flavors. - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar It has long been made in Poland, and You might wish to try your hand at your - 3 tbsp vanilla exported throughout the world, in spite of own version of “sweet” Polish history by - 4 oz unsalted butter Naziism, communism, and socialist mar- making your own version of krówki, or - 4 egg yolks keting. It is made from the freshest cream, perhaps use them as the basic ingredient butter, and natural honey. Mix the flour with baking powder, sift into in a delicious mazurek, the traditional Pol- a large bowl. Add the powdered sugar, But little do you know that that tasty ish dessert that we offer below with a twist. vanilla, butter, egg yolks and cream. Knead little piece of Polish fudge which you buy In any event, enjoy your taste of true Pol- by hand or with a mixer using a kneading in the import store is just loaded with ish history. Smacznego! attachment, knead briefly at the lowest history! And this sturdy little confection speed, then at top speed until the ingredients has braved the onslaught of Nazi aggres- combine. Turn the dough out on a floured sion, communist scarcity and oppression, pastry board and knead with your hands radical changes in economic and political again to make it smooth. Form the dough systems, as well as the vicissitudes of the into a ball, wrap in wax paper and put it in modern commercial market. All that in the refrigerator for an hour. Coat the bottom one tasty little, chewy bite! of a rectangular cake pan with Crisco and dust with flour. Roll out the dough to about 1 inch thickness and transfer to pan. Prick dough with a fork and bake at 350° until golden brown (approx 30 min). Fudge Topping: Homemade “Krówki” Fudge - 4 oz raisins (about 1/8 cup) During the dynamic economic period be- - 14 oz sweetened condensed milk - 14 oz commercial Polish “Krówki” fudge* tween the two World Wars, Filix Pomorski - 2 1/2 cups honey - 4 tbsp heavy cream developed the production of krówki on - 8 oz unsalted butter an industrial scale in Poznań. Pomorski - 2 oz candied orange peel - 2 cups caster sugar for baking (or called the candies “krówki”, little cows. regular sugar) - 4 tbsp brandy He wrapped the krówki in pieces of paper - 9 x 13 inch rimmed non-stick cookie pan - 1 tbsp unsalted butter which had a logo drawing of a cow. This - Chopped nuts and raisins for decoration marketing strategy helped to popularize - Coated candy wrappers or wax paper cut in 3 inch x 2 inch pieces the candies in Poland. When the cake has cooled, carefully remove it from the pan. Soak the raisins in the After he was expelled from Poland by Coat a cookie sheet with vegetable oil. brandy and let stand for an hour. Chop up the Germans during World War II, Felix Combine all the ingredients in a thick- the krówki in a food processer. Add then to a re-established his fudge company in bottomed sauce pan. Heat, stirring con- sauce pan along with the butter and cream, Milanówek near Warsaw, where, despite stantly. Consistently stirring, bring to a boil heat over low heat, stirring constantly to dissolve. When the mass has a uniform con- the great restrictions of the German and simmer for about 10 minutes until the sistency, add the raisins and chopped orange occupation, he managed to continue cre- liquid turns into caramel color (rather dark). zest. Spread the fudge mass on the mazurka ating his fudge confections. This factory Stir until liquid begins to foam. Pour the dough. If desired, before it cools decorate burned down shortly after liberation, but entire fudge liquid into the cookie pan. Let with chopped nuts and/or raisins. the family rebuilt it and again resumed solidify and cool. Once cooled, using a sharp the production of fudge. In 1952, the knife smeared with oil, cut into pieces small * Available at import stores and some major factory was nationalized by the com- enough to fit your wrapper, but leaving a bit super markets. munist regime and incorporated into the of wrapper for folding and overlap. Smacznego!

Polish Journey • Summer/Fall 2015 9 Polish Films at the 34th Three Rivers Film Festival November 6 to November 16, 2015 Screening at: Regent Square Theater, Melwood Screening Room, Harris Theater and Waterworks Cinemas. One of the films PCC plans to present is “The Photographer,” the latest film by Waldemar Krzystek. It is a gripping thriller, but it’s also a great psychological cinema showing the truth about Polish-Russian relations in the 70’s and the problems encountered by the Russians at the present time. See you at the movies!

News and Notes:

• Our legacy book project is under- • A limited number of copies of the a mathematician. Polish cryptanalysts way. We have begun the process of inter- award-winning book and DVD Polish as early as 1932 could decode German viewing Polish Americans and American Hill Remembered is available through ciphers and, by 1939, they were able to Polish whose lives and experiences have the PCC website for a donation of $20, successfully decipher messages written had an impact on Polish life and culture plus $3.50 for shipping and handling. Do with an earlier version of ENIGMA using in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, many of not miss out on the opportunity to own a a replica machine like “the bombe” that the email addresses of interested parties piece of Pittsburgh Polish History. could emulate the way ENIGMA worked. which we have gleaned are unreadable • In our last Polish Journey we featured When Poland was overrun by Germany or no longer functioning. As a result, we an article about the role of Polish math- in September 1939, the Polish as well as have been unable to contact these indi- ematicians in breaking the Enigma code. French cryptanalysts shared what they viduals. If you have not been contacted knew about ENIGMA with the UK, or if you feel that you have a story that It is really great to see that the CIA which allowed the cryptanalysts at Bletch- you would like to share, please contact recently published article related to Brit- ley Park, including Turing, to finally crack Maria Staszkiewicz at the PCC or project ish mathematician Alan Turing and his the ENIGMA ciphers”. director, Mary Lou Ellena, at mlellena@ contribution to computer science and Enigma included the following informa- The Polish mathematicians were Marian glconcepts.net. We promise to get back to Rejewski and Henryk Zygalski you quickly. We want to hear your story tion: “Poland was actually the first to real- and perhaps share it in our book. ize that the solution to breaking ENIG- https://www.cia.gov/ne…/featured- MA would most likely be discovered by story-archive/2015-featured

Adventurer of the Year — Aleksander Doba Aleksander Doba, a 67-year-old man from marine wildlife, once having to chase away a Police, Poland, has received the National shark with a whap to the head with his paddle. Geographic 2015 People’s Choice Award for One evening, he supplemented his freeze- Adventurer of the Year. He completed the dried food with flying fish, which conveniently longest ever transatlantic journey in a kayak, landed on his kayak. He experienced rashes 7,716 miles. Loaded with five months-worth from seawater, failures of his satellite phone of food and equipment, he departed from Lis- and his personal tracking device, and unfavor- bon, Portugal on October 5, 2013 and arrived able winds and currents. A broken rudder in New Smyrna Beach, Florida on April 19, caused him to stop in Bermuda for repairs. 2014. The journey was supposed to be 5,400 For a longer article about Doba, and an inter- miles, but inclement weather added 1,300 view with him, see http://adventure.nation- miles to the original plan. algeographic.com/adventure/adventurers-of- Out in open water, he was surrounded by the-year/2015/aleksander-doba/

10 Polish Journey • Summer/Fall 2015 Did you speak Polish as a child? Do you have family documents in Polish? Are you PCC Annual Fall Picnic planning a trip to Poland? Do you want to learn to speak Polish? If you can say “yes” in Croatian Center to any of these questions, please consider the Polish language classes offered by the

Sunday, September 13, 2015 Polish Cultural Council. Croatian Center, 80 Schuetzen Park Road in Millvale, PA, 15209 1 P.M. to 6 P.M. Register for Polish Doors open at 1 P.M. PIG ROAST starts at 1:30 P.M. Language Classes Music by Dave Dombrowski PCC will provide the food, drinks and entertainment POLISH LANGUAGE CLASSES WILL RESUME The cost is $10 per person to defray the expense of the facility rental. ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12th, 2015 AT 10 Children 12 and under come free. AM, AT THE CYA BUILDING IN LAWRENCEVILLE, CORNER OF FISK & GOVERNMENT LANE, Here’s the catch: You have to be a 2015 PCC member to attend! BETWEEN PENN AVE. & BUTLER. CLASSES We roast a full pig, accompanied by side dishes, pasta, beer, and music. RUN FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH MAY. Members are encouraged to bring a dessert to share. Registration Form 2015-2016 Here’s the deal for new members only: ______Simply go to our website, polishculturalcouncil.org and sign up today for membership or Name fill out the membership form and send a check. As a new member you will be entitled to ______one free ticket to the picnic (a $10 value) for an individual membership, two for a family ($20 value) and three ($30 value) for a business. Address This is for new members only! ______City/State/Zip Please confirm your participation ASAP but no later than September 4th. ______We would love to see you there! Email RSVP by e-mail [email protected] or tel. 412-871-3347

Class Choice: r Beginner r Advanced

In the event of an emergency or change of schedule, list the telephone numbers where you should be contacted.

______Day ______Cell/Evening ______Signature ______Cultural Tours Being Offered Date

Dave Motak will be hosting two of his Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, Budapest, Classes start the first Saturday following Labor Day popular cultural tours to Poland and Bratislava, Zakopane and Krakow. and run on Saturdays from 10 AM – 12 Noon until the Central Europe in 2015. Guests will enjoy a Danube River middle of May. They are held at the CYA building in Dinner Cruise, a concert in Schönb- Pampered Poland (Sept. 19 - Oct. Lawrenceville, 286 Main Street (entrance from Gov- runn Palace, local folklore entertain- ernment Lane & Fisk). 3) showcases the beauty of the Polish Autumn with a leisurely excursion ment, and a Polish “Kulig” (Sleigh featuring sightseeing, shopping, gour- Ride). The tour concludes with a Registration and Class Fees: met dining and many special events. “back-stage” visit to Krakow’s annual Szopka exhibit and our popular Polish Individual: $160.00. PCC Member: $130.00 The trip will include deluxe hotels and Family: $190.00. PCC Member: $160.00 health spas and many special events. “Wigilia” Banquet. For full details of these exceptional and Please make your check payable to Polish Christmas Markets of Central unique tours, visit www.janddtours.net Cultural Council and mail to: Europe (Nov. 27 - Dec. 10) features city tours and Christmas markets in or call Dave at 412-835-0539. Polish Cultural Council P.O. Box 81054 Pittsburgh, PA 15217-0554

Polish Journey • Summer/Fall 2015 11 Polish Cultural Council P.O. BOX 81054 Pittsburgh PA 15217-0554

www.PolishCulturalCouncil.org

12 Polish Journey • Summer/Fall 2015