Newsletter of the Polish Cultural Council • Vol. 12 • Winter/Spring 2014

If you have never been to the PCC’s work of the PCC Ostatki Committee is Ostatki (Mardi Gras) party, you don’t know nothing short of remarkable. Most of the what you’re missing! There is great food, volunteers who are working on the food for great music, and plenty of chances to this party are from . They dance. The members of prepare their families’ the PCC have been Message from the President recipes. holding this party Ostatki has also annually for almost ten years. become an important fundrais- It seems to get better with age. The setting ing event for the PCC, whose mission I has always been critical to the success of remind you, is to promote the best in Polish the party, but when you add in Polish vodka, Culture for audiences of western the amazing Polish culinary table, the music, Pennsylvania. So, if you want to do some- the dancing, paczki of course, well, it’s a thing for Polish Culture and celebrate Mardi party you really don’t want to miss. Gras/Ostatki, in the Polish style, I’ll see you This is our 5th year holding Ostatki at the 7 PM Saturday, March 1st, at the Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Center for the Arts on Fifth Center for the Arts. I’ll be the one who Avenue in Pittsburgh. This year’s theme, hands you your welcoming drink of “Anything Goes”, has been in the planning Zubrowka (Bison Vodka) and stages for over six months. Ostatki promises sok jablkowy (apple juice) on ice. to be loads of fun, with many surprises. The — Rick Pierchalski Pictured at Polish Day 2013 from left Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, 2012 Emily Herold, and Miss Polonia 2013 Maura Saxon. Please see the article on page 3.

2014 Board of Directors

OFFICERS:

Rick Pierchalski, PRESIDENT Merle Addams, PRESIDENT EmERITuS Joseph Kaminski, VIcE PRESIDENT Evanne Addams, TREaSuRER Terri Barger (Kaminski), SEcRETaRy MEMBERS:

On the last Saturday of the Carnival, immerse yourself in the ambiance of the art gallery, live John Adamczyk, Esq. entertainment and dancing. Join us for the specialties of the Polish Culinary Table, tempting John Bartus drinks and vodka tasting. Don’t miss the exciting and unique raffle items! James Clark Live music by the Continental Dukes! Dancing to the sizzling rhythms of Zumba; Anything Lorene Drake Vinski Goes “selfies” in the Costume Booth. Mary Louise Ellena Patrycja Jaworska-Garrett Timothy Kuzma Saturday, March 1, 2014 • 7:00 - 11:00 pm David J. Motak Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, The Marshall Building Galleries Eva Tumiel-Kozak 6300 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232 • Parking on the premises Andrzej Wojcieszynski Marysia Zioncheck $75 PCC Members $85 Non-members • RSVP by Friday, February 21, 2014 For more information call 412.871.3347 or email: [email protected] Hon. Edward Borkowski Informal evening attire. Masks and costumes welcomed! Irene Jakubowski HONORaRy BOaRD mEmBERS

Invitation available online at PolishCulturalCouncil.org Maria Staszkiewicz ExEcuTIVE DIREcTOR Ed Pawlowski, Mayor of Allentown

For the first time in memory, a His family owned and operated a very Polish American threw his hat into the well-known Polish restaurant in the Polish ring for the democrat nomination for neighborhood near Fullerton and Pulaski. Governor of Pennsylvania. Ed The restaurant, “Jakes, Little Bit of Pawlowski, the mayor of Allentown, Poland” was a Chicago fixture for 25 quickly realized that the governor’s years. Ed and his family lived in an apart- race required monetary commitments ment above the restaurant. When Ed was beyond his current capabilities. He was a young boy, he started working in the the first candidate to withdraw. Other family restaurant. He continued to work candidates for nomination have put there until his parents sold the restaurant millions of their own dollars into the when he was in high school. Both parents race. Unfortunately, Ed, who has been were Polish. In his iPhone, Ed proudly an honest public servant his whole car- carries a picture of himself as a six year rier, simply could not match the old, wearing a Gorale vest. money. I had an opportunity to meet Ed has always been interested in poli- tics. After getting a Masters in Public Policy, he took the position of Executive Mayor Ed Pawlowski at his desk in Allentown. Director of the Lehigh Housing Development Corporation in Allentown has a $1 billion liability and is funded at PA, in 1996. Under his leadership, the only 61%. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, non-profit corporation expanded to six Sept., 2013) surrounding counties. It is now known as In addition, during Ed’s tenure as the Alliance for Building Communities. mayor, he created a “Neighborhood His success eventually led him to become Improvement Zone” that has forever the Director of Community Development changed Allentown’s downtown. His pro- in Allentown. In 2006, after repeated gram pumped more than $1billion dollars requests by the community to run for into private/public partnerships. Mayor, Ed became Mayor of Allentown, a Downtown Allentown now showcases a position he holds today. new stadium, as well as new office and When Ed took over the reins of apartment buildings. When he took office, Allentown’s government, the city was on the city was running an $8 million dollar Ed Pawlowski stands with his father. the brink of bankruptcy. Because of his annual deficit. Today, it enjoys balanced executive experience as the chief of budgets. Ed recently in Pittsburgh, as he was Alliance for Building Communities, Ed Ed is only 48 years old, but he has a looking for support from his fellow put together a team of professionals who strong list of accomplishments. As a politi- Polish Americans. I found him to be analyzed the problems that Allentown cal candidate, Ed is more of a traditional an ordinary man who has accom- faced and created a step-by-step process Democrat on social issues, and a fiscal plished extraordinary gains for his city. addressing each issue. conservative when it comes to our tax dol- Ed was born and bred in Chicago. As mayor, Ed has had two commend- lars. Whatever job or office Ed holds in able successes in Allentown: he rescued the future, his strong message of reliability the municipal pension fund; and he creat- and consistency will make him an attrac- Polish Journey is a publication of the Polish ed a booming economy. (Other communi- tive candidate to future voters. Cultural Council, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organiza- ties could learn a lot from his accomplish- As Polish Americans, our voting tion. Please address your correspondence to: ments.) When he took over the pension records are among the highest of any of Polish Cultural Council, P.O. Box 81054, fund in 2006, it was only 52% funded. the ethnic groups. According to statistics Pittsburgh, PA 15217-0554, tel: 412.871.3347 Six years later it was fully funded. I, as compiled by the Polish American Rick Pierchalski, President; someone in the financial world, can say Congress, there are over 850,000 Maria Staszkiewicz, Executive Director, that the rescue of the pension fund was a Pennsylvanians of Polish ancestry. [email protected]; Eva Tumiel-Kozak, Editor-in-Chief; remarkable achievement. Ed did this by A future governor needs only about Veronica Wojnarowski, Charlotte Murray, leasing the water authority to a private 2,000,000 votes to win. Maybe one day Maria Staszkiewicz, Editors; enterprise. (That actually lowered water we’ll have the opportunity to vote for Ed, Kasia Goszcz-Bruniany, Graphic Artist; rates.) This lease arrangement brought should he again consider running for a Mary Seamans, Graphic Design; more than enough income to fully fund state-wide political office. visit us @ www.PolishCulturalCouncil.org the pension plan. Contrast that with the City of Pittsburgh, whose pension plan — Rick Pierchalski

2 Polish Journey • Winter/Spring 2014 How to Combat Winter in Pittsburgh: Dream of Polish Day! by mary Louise Ellena Polish Falcons; and Joseph The program began at 2 Pm with a Kaminski, Vice-President of Pcc. performance by the Lajkoniki Polar vortex! a –27° F wind chill! Dancers, directed by Frank Pociask Snow! Ice! Freezing rain! It’s winter co-chaired by Evanne addams and and sponsored by the Holy Family in Pittsburgh! James clark, the event featured the Polish National catholic church of famous Polish Kitchen, chaired by mcKeesport. a concelebrated mass It would be so nice to escape, to hop Brother Tom Hartman and Victor followed with Rev. Joseph a plane to Florida, or to take a cruise Bastecki. The Kitchen served an Swierczynski and the Roman to Puerto Rico. For most of us, how- array of traditional Polish gastronom- catholic Polish-american Priests. ever, the best we can do is dream of ical delights: golabki, pierogi, cucum- Polish Hymns were lead by the Summer, of august, of Polish Day at bers and sour cream, haluski, and Karuzela chorus, directed by Dr. Kennywood Park! kielbasa with sauerkraut. Father miro Neil Stahurski, with Debbie Stelmaszczyk, with his famous pota- Frauenholz providing violin accom- The 82nd annual Polish american to pancakes and dill pickles, comple- paniment, as well as serving as the Day at Kennywood, on august 6, mented the kitchen fare. stage manager. 2013, was perfect in every sense of Spearheaded by Ernestine Jeroski, the word, including comfortable and assisted by Betty and Dorothy Following mass, The most Reverend weather. most of all, it featured our Kolano and mary Lou Ellena, the canon Joseph Sredzinski offered the special honorary Guest, the promi- annual bake sale was the best ever, Invocation followed by margaret nent allegheny county Executive, with home made nut rolls, Polish Gowaty, who sang the Polish and Rich Fitzgerald, introduced by Polish pastries, paczki, and chrusciki, american National anthems. Fran cultural council President, Rick interspersed with traditional yakima-urbaniak was honored as Pierchalski as a man of vision. The american brownies and toll house the Polonian of the year, and event also welcomed the Honorable cookies. No one’s sweet tooth was maura Saxon was crowned miss Judge Joseph Borkowski; John unchallenged. Dave Dombrowski on Polonia. after the program, guests Bartus, President of the local the accordion and Ed Gibson on the danced the night away to the music Kosciuszko chapter; Timothy Bass entertained diners as they of “The Polka Family” in the main Kuzma, National President of the stood in line. pavilion.

Family and friends of Miss Polonia 2013, Miss Maura Saxon, gathered at Kennywood Park to watch her crowning.

Polish Journey • Winter/Spring 2014 3 Remarkable Polish Films —In Retrospective The Closed Circuit (Uklad Zamkniety) by Ryszard Bugajski; and Papusza, directed by Krzysztof Krauze and Joanna Kos-Krauze. Our showings were honored by the presence of Ryszard Bugajski and his main heroine, Maria Mamona, and the young director, Bodo Kox. It was a great pleasure for the audience to ask questions, venture their opinions, and rub shoulders with our special guests at the receptions. The actress and both of the directors were simply delightful in conversations, eager to discover our city, especially its various art places. There was no predictability, either in their films or in everyday talk with them, only sheer enthusiasm and joy in hearing their ideas for future possibilities, perhaps even movie-making – in Pittsburgh! Indeed, their creations were recog- nized world-wide with many awards and festivals.

Ryszard Bugajski and Maria Mamona at the Warhol Museum All of the films were the best examples of film media supremacy, beautifully showing the vision of No matter what you say about television or the the directors, especially the last film, Papusza. theatre, there are still certain things which movies This masterpiece in black and white is the story of express better. There are opinions that the art of the Roma poet, Bronislawa Wajs, and her people. cinema has been dying for a long time, and that The ingenious and gorgeous music score by television is taking over, with an abundance of fine Pawluskiewicz made Papusza especially unforget- acting and a plethora of choices. There is some table. truth to these opinions, but seeing all of the the- atres so packed at the Three Rivers Film Festival Bravo to the PCC’s Film Committee for such (TRFF) somehow presents a different picture (pun good choices. Bravo to Polish cinematic art, which unintended). is known around the world. We should be proud of its influence and its plentiful, new ideas and per- Perhaps audiences still prefer to join the crowds spectives. Proud and happy that one more and share, in person, their ad hoc critiques of the collaboration brought our mission to the forefront newest creations from international story-telling. of the attending audiences, whether Polish or Perhaps they like to argue with actors and direc- American. tors about their points of view. And film festival audiences know that they will be seeing the newest — Eva Tumiel-Kozak cinema. In November, 2013, the Polish Cultural Council presented five Polish films, in partnership with the Polish Film Festival in America–Chicago, and the Three Rivers Film Festival.

These Polish films, created within the last two years, are seldom available on DVDs or Blue-ray, until they make their way through a myriad of international festivals. Also, directors must over- come many obstacles, the financial ones not the least important. They must experiment creatively in order to engage the viewer. And last year’s pre- sentations prove that.

I had a chance to see four of the Polish films: The Girl from the Wardrobe (Dziewczyna z Szafy) by Meeting at the top — Guyasuta, Bodo Kox, and Washington Bodo Kox; Loving (Milosc) by Slawomir Fabicki;

4 Polish Journey • Winter/Spring 2014 PCC Member Honored The initiative met with PCC board member David Motak, a resounding success! regarded as a noted expert on the szop- ka art form, has been appointed to a “We should do this again!” seemed to be the resounding call prestigious Polish commission which from many who attended the first “Volunteer Appreciation promotes Polish culture internationally Picnic” and membership meeting on September 15th. Held among Polonian youth. “Być Polakiem” on a glorious Sunday at the Croatian Center, a well-pre- (“To Be a Pole”) is a world-wide initiative served picnic shelter tucked away in Millvale, more than 120 of the Polish government. Its purpose is participants enjoyed a delicious pig roast catered by to stimulate pride in Polish heritage Remo’s. Attendees shared home-made desserts and among young Polonians, by encourag- enjoyed the cheerful banter of bartender Andrzej ing them to experience their Polish her- Wojcieszynski! Perhaps he will share his new-found talents itage through the arts. Być Polakiem with us again at Ostatki on March 1st! sponsors a variety of programs in Polish communities around the world. It also The afternoon began with an address by Deborah Majka, holds an annual international competi- Honorary Consul for the Republic of Poland in Philadelphia, Dave Motak with the award-winning tion in which young persons of Polish and the representative of the American Council for Polish ancestry express their heritage through From Pittsburgh to Kraków szopka, and the recently published study of Culture (ACPC). Since the PCC decided to be affiliated poetry, prose, and art. the szopka art form. with the ACPC, Ms. Majka happily informed us that younger The members of the committee are PCC members will be able to apply for various scholarships mostly native-born Poles; however, the research for his szopka art project. At and benefits that the ACPC provides. Pittsburgh Pittsburgh-based graphic designer and the time, Dr. Szałapak was the coordi- Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak of District 4 sat down with noted szopka artist was appointed to nator of the annual Szopka Competition several of the PCC members while they enjoyed their meal, serve as a member of the organization’s in Kraków, and was curator of the exten- updating them on the latest “goings on” in city government. honorary committee because of his con- sive szopka collection owned by the City My husband Michael and I enjoyed her company and sense tinued efforts to promote Polish culture of Kraków History Museum. Because of of humor very much! internationally, and because of his pro- this meeting, Dave met several distin- continued on page 6 grams for children and youth. guished Kraków szopka artists. These Since Dave launched his szopka art acquaintances paved the way for his project in 2003, nearly 800 individuals, apprenticeship with noted szopka mas- including children and families, have ter, Maciej Moszew, in 2008. The month- studied szopka making at Dave’s work- long apprenticeship was supported by shops. They have been conducted local- the Pennsylvania-based Institute for ly and around the United States. Among Cultural Partnerships. Among other hon- these have been popular workshops at ors, Dave’s contributions to Polonia and the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum; at to the Pittsburgh region have been rec- various Polonian organizations; and for ognized by the Polish Cultural Council, inner-city school children, which he has who named him Polonian of the Year in taught for the Polish Embassy in 2012; by a special proclamation of the Washington, D. C. Pittsburgh City Council in 2011; and by Dave was asked to participate in the the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council’s annual Award Ceremony for the 2013 Work of Art Award in 2009 “Być Polakiem” Competition at the Royal The extensively illustrated, Polish lan- Deborah Majka addressing the crowd. Castle in in July, 2013. In addi- guage publication - literally an “encylo- tion to serving on the Być Polakiem ini- pedic study” of szopka art - details the tiative, Dave has also been featured szopka’s transition from a humble, rustic recently in a newly-produced scholarly theatrical tradition into the modern, study of the szopka art form published ornate constructions which are produced by the City of Kraków History Museum. in present-day Kraków. The 500-page The work, “Szopka krakowska jako publication includes detailed information zjawisko folkloru krakowskiego na tle on all the leading szopka makers. Dave szopki europejskiej” (“The phenomenon has been prominently included, with of the Folklore of the Kraków Szopka three pages of photographs of his work, within the Context of the European which is accompanied by descriptive Nativity Tradition.”) was written by Dr. text, noting his contributions to the Anna Szałapak, the leading European “international” szopka art scene. expert on this unique Polish art. Samples of Dave’s work can be viewed Dave met Dr. Szałapak in Kraków in at his artist’s web site: www.davidmo- Joe Kaminski reporting ... 2004, when he was conducting initial tak.com.

Polish Journey • Winter/Spring 2014 5 The initiative Duke and Fort Pitt on Tap? (continued from page 5)

Rick Pierchalski, President of PCC, warmly welcomed every- one to the picnic. He spoke about PCC’s mission and various programs that they offer. Joseph Kaminski reported on the profit made on the PCC picnic held in August at Kennywood Park. Foot-tapping music was provided throughout the day by accordionist Dave Dombrowski.

All in all, this first “Volunteer Appreciation Picnic” was a resounding success! Many thanks go out to Mary Lou Ellena, Dave Motak, Lorene Vinski, Evanne Addams, Terri Berger and her daughters, and Marysia Zioncheck and Rick Pierchalski for their efforts in planning what we hope will become an annual “Volunteer Appreciation Picnic”!

— Gerra Gembarosky Do you remember your parents the beer will be very different from or grandparents having a Duke or a the Duquesne pilsner. The Fort Pitt Fort Pitt beer? Those brands went beer recipe will go back to its his- away many years ago; but, thanks toric beginnings as the first brewery to Polish American attorney Mark west of the Alleghenies. Mark will Dudash, Duquesne Beer is back. be importing the same English hops Look for Fort Pitt beer to return to which were used in 1765 at Fort your local distributors in the spring Pitt. The beer will be of an English of 2014. ale style, with a deep copper color, Duquesne Beer is an iconic and a thick, dark brown head. brand with a storied history in Mark grew up in Mt. Lebanon. Pittsburgh. Remember the enor- He attended St. Pius School in mous Duquesne Clock on the Brookline. A Catholic education South Side’s Duquesne Beer continued with attendance at South Brewery? It used to advertise Duke Hills Catholic High School; Ready for the delicious pig roast? Beer with its Have a Duke market- Duquesne University, for both his ing slogan. The clock is still there, undergraduate and law degrees; but the former brewery is now a and St. Francis, for a Masters in home for many local artists. Do you Labor relations. Mark and his love- remember the pictures of the sashed ly wife Maria have four grown chil- Duke holding high his tankard of dren, two girls and two boys, with Duquesne beer? That logo, retired degrees in medicine, pharmacy and 42 years ago, is back. In 2008, economics. Mark bought the brand names of Last summer Mark and his wife both Duquesne Beer and Fort Pitt, took a trip to Poland. He was very and decided to revitalize the impressed with the economy of brands. In its first full year of opera- Poland and with the resilience of tion, 2010, Duquesne Beer sold the Polish people. As an amateur Wow! What a variety of food. 14,000 barrels with the help of its historian, he commented on the master distributor, Frank Fuherer. rebuilding of Warsaw, as well as on I asked Mark how the new Duke his love affair with the city of stacks up against the old. He feels Krakow. He fondly remembers that that he brews a better beer. Mark he and his wife sat in Jan Pawel II’s imports hops from Slovakia and pew at the pope’s church in . He buys the best two Krakow. During their trip, he sam- run barley, so that he can create an pled many Polish beers, which he award-winning Pilsner. In 2011, grew to respect because of their Duquesne Pilsner beer won the taste and the purity of their ingredi- 2011 blind taste test at the World ents. He was impressed with the Beer Cup in Chicago, which is support of Poland for its regional sponsored by the renowned Seibel breweries. He hopes to use that Brewery School. model in order to remake Although Mark’s Fort Pitt beer Duquesne and Fort Pitt breweries won’t be released until this spring, as powerhouses in regional brewing. PCC members enjoying the day.

6 Polish Journey • Winter/Spring 2014 Speaking Polish-Piece of Cake By Veronica Wojnarowski history of African Americans. At social with predictable consequences. The gatherings, slaves would dance or circle anonymous author of Aesop at Oxford With this issue, Polish Journey is initiat- around a cake, usually cornpone. The repeated this story in his fable Worse and ing a new column about most graceful pair would win the cake. Worse. The moral of the story is: “Don’t topics. We hope to entertain, teach, learn Thus, the word ‘cakewalk’ and the escape a bad situation by choosing a and enjoy. Any language-related issue is phrase ‘piece of cake’ describe a difficult worse one.” fair game, for example, word deriva- task which is made to seem effortless. tions, grammar, idioms, or phrases from They are also used to mean easy. ‘Piece The Polish phrase, z deszczu pod rynnę, historical events. If there is a topic of of cake’ first appeared in print in 1936, while using different images, has exactly interest to you, please send us sugges- in Primrose Path, by the American the same feeling about it. You can get tions at: [email protected]. Our first humorist and poet, Ogden Nash. He wet standing out in the rain. Better to article concerns some colorful, equiva- wrote ‘Her picture’s in the papers now, stand under something. But if you stand lent English and Polish idioms. and life’s a piece of cake.’ under a gushing gutter, expect to be thor- oughly drenched. ENGLISH AND What is easy about a small beer? Surely not making the beer. Drinking a small Facing two bad choices POLISH IDIOMS glass of beer would be easy. But, in the phrase “small beer” (not “a small beer”), Idioms are colorful phrases which are the adjective small does not refer to the Sometimes, you have two courses of abundant in both Polish and English. size of the serving. Rather, it refers to the action, neither of which is likely to result Many of them are funny. Some are concentration of alcohol in the beer, that in a good outcome. For this situation, in wickedly witty. Some are completely is, very low. In Medieval Europe, people English we say that you are “between a illogical, but convey their meanings any- made small beer for sanitary reasons. rock and a hard place”. In Polish, we say way. They can refer to body parts, foods, Alcohol from fermented malt and the that you are “między młotem a colors, animals, or plants. Many take the boiling water used to make beer were kowadłem” (between a hammer and an forms of similes or imperatives. All of known to kill water-borne pathogens. anvil). them are short, succinct ways to convey Through the process of making small thoughts and to describe situations. beer, polluted water was made safe to The English expression may have origi- Often their meanings cannot be derived drink. Small beer was used for hydration, nated with the Bisbee Deportation. On from the individual words. Think about without consequent drunkenness, in July 11, 1917, 1,300 striking copper min- ‘It’s raining cats and dogs.’ Water, not households and by people engaged in ers and others were illegally deported. A animals, falls from the sky, but we know heavy labor. Small beer was not regarded group of 2,000 vigilantes kidnapped the what this idiom means: “It’s raining real- highly. There were more expensive miners in the town of Bisbee, Arizona ly hard.” For your enjoyment, here are beers, which had a higher concentration and held them captive at a baseball park. some Polish and English idioms which of alcohol, and which were used for fes- They were then transported by cattle car have equivalent meanings. tivities. Thus, “small beer” means a tri- through desert heat without food and fle, a thing of little importance. water. They were dumped in Hermanas, New Mexico, a small farming communi- How easy was that? ty of only 150 people. They had no Not everything is easy money, transportation, or shelter. They If you are asked this question, and if were warned not to return to Bisbee. what you did was easy, English and In fact, things can go from bad to worse. Rescued by US troops on July 14, the Polish both have idioms for the answer. We have idioms for this. In English, you men had spent two days between the In both languages, the idioms at first “jump from the frying pan into the fire”. rocks of the mines and the hard place of glance seem illogical and both refer to In Polish, you go “z deszczu pod rynnę”, Hermanas. food. In English, you could answer, “from out of the rain to under the gut- ‘Piece of cake!’ In Polish, you could ter”. The English expression can be The Polish idiom is more straightfor- answer, ‘To małe piwo!’ (that’s small traced back to a collection of fables, ward. It refers to the metal which is sit- beer). Hecatomythium, which was assembled ting on the anvil and being beaten by the by the Italian author Laurentius hammer. Ouch! Au! So, what is easy about cake? Certainly Abstemius in 1495. The fable tells of not making it, especially if you are start- live fishes which are thrown into a pan ing from scratch (an idiom for another of boiling fat. One of them advises his Note: Historical and etymological column). Eating cake is easy. But the fellows to escape death by jumping out information for this article comes from origin of this idiom lies elsewhere, in the of the pan. Into the hot coals they go, Wikipedia.

Polish Journey • Winter/Spring 2014 7 with blue and green ribbon. After escorted by Matthew Wisneski ment of our volunteers. Planning Through theirthe presentation, theyEyes danced and Missof Haley Zaleski a escorted Peacockbegins a year in advance. the Grande Polonaise, disguised by Eric Dunbar. Committee members dedicate behind sequined peacock masks Immediately following dinner countless hours throughout the for part of their performance. and the debutante presentation, entire year. The Polish Cultural The Polish Cultural Council is guests were entertained by Council extends our most sincere proud to announce the 2013 ’s favorite band, John appreciation to Evanne Addams Debutantes and Escorts: Miss Gora and his orchestra. With a and Marie-Zielmanski Fallon, Co- Allison Beck escorted by Christian wide selection of musical styles, Chairs of the event, as well as to Ford; Miss Julie Karabin escorted the orchestra packed the dance the Committee Members Irene n November 16, 2013, by Tom Cwalina; Miss Riley floor for every dance. After a Addams, Janice Amend, John The Circuit Center and Kern escorted by David Antol; break, the debs and the escorts Bartus, James Clark, Chris OBallroom was overflow- Miss Melissa Paterni escorted by took the floor one more time, per- Conly, Lillian Grindle, Kris ing with debutantes, escorts, and Bradley Puskar; Miss Taylor Puc forming The Hand Jive, a num- Gutkowski, Anna Herold, Amy honored guests. It was the scene escorted by Patrick Duggan; Miss ber choreographed just for them. Havonec, Joe Kaminski, Ted of the 21st Annual Bal Polonaise. The theme, “Through the Eyes of a Peacock”, played heavily throughout the room. The cen- terpieces featured three-foot tall, artisan-crafted peacocks in the theme colors of blue and green. The peacocks were accented with genuine peacock feathers, tulle and ribbon. Guests enjoyed a marvelous sit- down dinner, featuring prime rib and salmon. While they dined, they were entertained by the one hundred-member violin ensemble, The North Allegheny Strolling Strings. As guests dined, the 2013 Debutantes Strolling Strings roamed the room, encircling the tables as they performed. Four members of the Stephanie Rodak escorted by Sam The girls were lifted onto their Michalik, Antoinette Mizgorski, ensemble also participated as Volosky; Miss Maura Saxon escorts’ shoulders, a group of the Lisa Sasinoski, Melissa Snee, debutantes and escorts. escorted by Greg Saxon; Miss guys performed dynamic Gorale Maria Staszkiewicz, Frania The high point of the evening Isabella Sedor escorted by Kevin moves on the floor, and they Yakima-Urbaniak, Barbara was the presentation of the 2013 Costello; Miss Jacquelyn Sinclair brought the house down. Wally, Bill U Monica Zanieski Debutantes. Each girl carried a escorted by Stephen Harrison; The continued success of the and Marysia Zioncheck. Thank single orchid, highlighted with Miss Rachel Sudo escorted by annual Bal Polonaise stems from you! And we look forward to the peacock feathers and trimmed Jake Maisto; Miss Lauren Tedrick the dedication and the commit- 22nd Annual Bal Polanaise.

Debutantes and escorts pose for a photograph at the 21st Annual Bal Polonaise, Nov. 16, 2013.

8 Polish Journey • Winter/Spring 2014 townsmen and landed gentry in old Poland (such as readily prepared pipe icing in various stored their spices in special chests, for which colors.) You can use your imagination for the the homeowner, his wife, or his chief steward design and perhaps include something written had the only key. Spices were seen as a sta- in Polish, such as “Kocham Cię” (“I love you”) tus symbol. Polish nobles enjoyed lavishly or “Dla Ciebie” (“For You”). This would also be a infusing as many spices into a recipe as they wonderful gift for Mother’s Day, for which you could afford, in order to demonstrate their could use the Polish sentiment “Dla Mamy” wealth. This practice often resulted in dishes (“For Mom”). which were not always very tasty, but they cer- tainly proved the host's affluence. Ingredients: The practice of adding spices to baked 2 large eggs goods, along with honey, dates back to ancient 1 cup sugar Slavic times; however, it was during the Middle 1 teaspoon cinnamon Ages when Polish bakers began to prepare 1 teaspoon ginger Around the world, February 14 is their pierniki in ornate molds which depicted 1/2 teaspoon cloves increasingly celebrated as a day of official events, such as municipal anniver- 1 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 3 table- romance, love and affection. This is espe- saries, battles and coronations. And, of course, spoons water cially true in the British Isles and in North hearts and loving couples were also extremely 1 cup honey America, where the tradition of making, giv- popular themes. These gingerbread cookies- 3 cups all-purpose flour ing and receiving valentines has been a many often were very large - were presented popular custom for generations. In Poland, as gifts and/or hung in the home as sort of an Preparation: the practice of celebrating St. Valentine's old fashioned potpourri. The aromatic spices In a large bowl, beat eggs with sugar until light Day as a day for commemorating romance provided a pleasant aroma and testified to the and lemon-colored. Add the spices, baking is relatively recent, actually, only over that homeowner's good taste and wealth. soda-water mixture and honey. Mix well. Add past two decades. Traditionally, the Poles Heart shaped cookies are often made and flour gradually and mix until a stiff dough forms. have regarded St. Valentine as the patron given in Poland at various times throughout Shape into a ball, wrap in plastic and let it rest of individuals afflicted by severe diseases, the year, including dożynki (harvest festivals), for 30 minutes. including mental and nervous disorders as religious festivals and carnivals, as well as on well as epilepsy. He is also regarded as the St. Nicholas Day. Heat oven to 400 degrees. On parchment paper patron saint of the Diocese of Przemyśl in I might suggest that, this year, rather than cut to fit your baking pans, roll the dough to a eastern Poland. buying some expensive candy or purchasing a thickness slightly over 1/4-inch. Cut into what- If you would like to observe St. commercially printed valentine, you might con- ever shape you desire. Lift the parchment paper Valentine’s Day this year in a special sider trying your hand at making your own by opposite corners and place on the baking “Polish” way, I offer the suggestion of fus- valentine-shaped pierniki. The recipe for the pans. ing two Polish traditions, one relatively new gingerbread is printed below. If you do not and another rather ancient. have a heart-shaped cookie cutter, you might Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly brown The making of pierniki — gingerbread wish to make a heart-shaped template from around the edges. Let cool completely before cookies — has been a Polish custom since card stock (simply by folding it in half and cut- icing. Store the pierniki in an airtight container the Middle Ages. The Polish city of Toruń, ting out the heart shape.) Then, trace the heart until you are ready to wrap them for presenta- birthplace of Copernicus, is particularly outline on the rolled out dough with a knife and tion. associated with this tradition. In an era transfer to your baking sheet. Once the pierniki when spices were particularly costly, are baked, you can decorate them with icing Smacznego!

Polish Journey • Winter/Spring 2014 9 OuR tHANKS to Our Members and Donors. PCC’s successful growth would not be possible without your financial contributions.

$1000 and above $500-999

Medallion Wealth Management Evanne Addams and Chester Wawrzonek Consulate General of the Republic Galetta Engineering of Poland, New York Mariola Jozwiak M.D. Dr. Krzysztof & Malgorzata Matyjaszewski The Kosciuszko Foundation – Pittsburgh Chapter Rick Pierchalski & Marysia Zioncheck Polish Falcons of America The Saxon Family

$250-499

Adamczyk Law Offices Polish Falcons of America Judge Edward J. Borkowski Polish Falcons of America, Nest 8 Dr. Chris & Aleksandra Kaniasty Polish White Eagles, Latrobe Workhorse Rail/Pittsburgh Pins, Prime Care Medical Associates, Dr. John Wisneski Stan & Nancy Cieslak Siemianowski Funeral Home Aleksandra & Chris Kaniasty Maria Staszkiewicz & Dr. Marek Skowronski Greg & Barbara Kochaniak Ewa Tumiel - Kozak PNC Lodge 352, McKeesport Lorene & Denis Vinski

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Joseph S. Bielecki, Attorney at Law Drs. Anna & Piotr Kosturek Dr. Wojciech Sliwa City of Pittsburgh David Motak Drs. Andrzej & Halina Strojwas Mary Lou Ellena Polish Society, Lodge 976 Arnold City Dr. Aron & Mrs. Irene Szulman Dr. & Mrs. William Fronczek West End Pulaski Society Lodge 1052 Dr. Mieczyslaw & Mrs. Anna Weinfeld Mr. and Mrs. Ed Gibson Thaddeus Kosciuszko Assn.- McKeesport Dr. Andrzej & Mrs. Malgorzata Wojcieszynski Dr. Andrzej Groch & Cynthia Maleski Groch, Esq. Dr. Tadeusz Massalski William & Monica Zanieski Joseph Hajnas Dr. Ewa Mickiewicz- Marcinkowska Wallace J. Zielinski Dr. Engelina Porowski

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Acme Vending Duro Cleaners Rick & Jeannie Krivda Janet & Mary Jane Petruska Stan Adamski Ruth Einhorn Ed Librecht Alice Plute Merle & Irene Addams Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gembarosky Dr. Slawomir & Mrs. Ewa Lukomski Emma, Kelsey & Cameron Potts Al & Carol Banaszak Eleanor & Edziu Grudi Dr. Andrew & Margaretta Madeyski George & Evelyne Potts Lucyna de Barbaro Drs. Aleksandra & Jan Grudziak Marina Majewska Jeffrey & Patricia Puc Anonymous Gene & Carol Grzebyk Edziu Matasy Joe & Mary Raimondi The Barger Girls Mike, Sue, Andrew, Daniel Hakos Thomas Michalik Kathy Raszewski John & Charlotte Bartus Diane Hnath Stephen & Karen Mihalsky Pauline Raszewski E.J. Burns Construction, Inc. Ed Hnath Cindy Mols Mike Raszewski Dolores Beaver Debbie, Tom & Tommy Hopkins Dolores & Chester Mols John Rodenski Lori & Dave Brooks Donna M. Inglot Sara Mols Frank & Stella Ruccio Kathie & Buck Buczynski Gerald Janusz & Jeanine Galvin Seth & Arlene Moulthrop Judy & Art Snyder Angelo Capozoli Krystyna Jadlowiec Ms. Patricia Neidig Lefty & Irene Squires Gina Capozoli Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Jeroski Marlene & Mike O’Toole Rev Joseph Sredzinski Nancy Marcuson Capozoli Flo, Kathy & Dave Ms. Anna Orzechowski Joe Stanek Century III Chevrolet Sharon & Jim Kaczynski Marlene & George Olszewski Brenda Stroz Dr. Chester & Anna Chorazy Regina Kaminski Dr. Stanley Ostrowski, DMD Joseph Stroz Ken Ciesielka MD Ann & Dave Kern Helen Pajak Paul Stroz Mr. and Mrs. Stan Cieslak Thaddues Kokoski Skip & Virg Paszkowski Sue Stroz Michael Cmar Linda & Micah Knouse Christy & Melissa Paterni Joan & Bill Syrek Felicia & Frank Coccagna Betty & Frank Kolano Cheryl & Jim Paterni Anna Marie & John Wudkowych Darlene & John Dorothy Kolano John & Rena Paterni Walter J. Zalewski Funeral Home Kathi & Carole Dvorak Kress Tire Company Emily & Mike Pawlos Zivic & Orie, Attorneys at Law

10 Polish Journey • Winter/Spring 2014 Rick Pierchalski, President

Polish Journey • Winter/Spring 2014 11 Polish Cultural Council P.O. BOX 81054 Pittsburgh, PA 15217-0554

www.PolishCulturalCouncil.org

PLEASE SuPPORt tHE FOLLOWING BuSINESSES OFFERING A DISCOuNt tO PCC MEMBERS: Miss Polonia 2014 NutRI-FARMACY – 12.5% EuROPEAN SKIN CARE Dr. Dan Wagner CLINIC – 10% 2506 Wildwood Rd, Grazyna Bobak, The Polish Cultural Council is now accepting applications for Wildwood, PA 15091 Owner-Esthetician Miss Polonia 2013. She should be a young lady age 16 or older 412-486-4588 315 Morgantown Road, Uniontown, PA 15401 of Polish descent. Miss Polonia will be crowned DAtA MINDS HOStING 724-438-7881 at Kennywood Park on Polish American Day, Web Portals Made Easy! –10%; 20% referrals MEDItERRA August 5, 2014. www.datamindshosting.com BAKEHOuSE – 10% 724-713-0455 Nicholas Ambeliotis 801 Parkway View Drive, MARGAREt’S FINE Pittsburgh, PA 15205 For more information IMPORtS– 10% 412-490-9130 or to apply, contact Malgorzata Kubicka 5872 Forbes Ave. S&D POLISH DELI – 5% Mary Louise Ellena Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Dorota & Slawek at 412-855-8330, or 412-422-1606 Pyszkowski 2204 Penn Ave, visit our website at ALFRED’S Pittsburgh, PA 15222 DELI PLuS – 5% 412-281-2906 PolishCulturalCouncil.org. Ania Misiaszek back to: 3041 Brereton St., PIEROGIES PLuS – 10% Pittsburgh - Polish Hill Helena Mannarino (Opposite Immaculate Heart 342 Island Avenue, of Mary Church) McKees Rocks 412-682-3100 412-331-2224 IT’S TIME FOR YOUR 2014 PCC MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL! Fill out and mail the form inside this newsletter, visit our website: www.PolishCulturalCouncil.org for the application form or call: 412-871-3347

12 Polish Journey • Winter/Spring 2014