POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2014 www.polamjournal.com 1 JUNE 2014 • VOL. 103, NO. 6 $2.00 PERIODICAL POSTAGEPERIODICAL PAID AT BOSTON, NEW YORK

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ESTABLISHED 1911 www.polamjournal.com JOHN PAUL JONES JOURNAL AND POLAND DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION AND CONTINUANCE OF POLISH AMERICAN CULTURE PAGE 9 TIME TO START HELPING OUR OWN • COMMITTEE FORMED TO SAVE PHILLY’S HISTORIC ST. LAURENTIUS CHURCH 14TH ANNUAL KATYN REMEMBRANCE • COMMITTEE SEEKS ANSWERS TO AIR DISASTER • CLUB ORGANIZED AT GMU JOHN PAUL II’S INFLUENCE CONTINUES • KARSKI CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATED • THE KICK-OFF OF FESTIVAL SEASON NEWSMARK 25 Years Ago “It’s like winning the Oscar” Poland Comes Poles Voted to Aid of MISSION ENDS IN GHAZNI. Ceremonies held May 4 at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, marked the offi cial act to for Freedom Future Leaders recognize the end of mission for the Polish army in Ghazni province, Afghanistan. Partially-free New Scholarship The mission began in 2008, with soldiers of the 12th Elections got Program Available Polish Mechanized Division, and ended with soldiers of the Ball Rolling For Undergraduate the 10th Polish Armored Cavalry Brigade. For more than OBAMA TO HELP POLES Students six years, Polish soldiers of Task Force White Eagle have CELEBRATE THE OCCASION been patrolling the Ghazni province along with Afghan Na- of Polish Origin tional Security Forces and coalition partners. At its peak, by Robert Strybel NEW YORK — The there were almost 3,000 Polish soldiers assigned to TF WARSAW – The silver an- Kosciuszko Foundation an- White Eagle. niversary of Poland’s regained nounced the opening of the During the ceremony, Townsend and Task Force White independence is being cel- application process for a Eagle commander Polish army Brig. Gen. Cezary Podla- ebrated with heavy TV cov- special tuition scholarship sinski recognized both U.S. and Polish troops with awards erage including documentary program for undergraduate and certifi cates, symbolizing the six-year partnership be- footage and interviews with students of Polish origin. A tween the two countries. prominent fi gures who helped $2,000 scholarship will be The Polish army recently relinquished their battle space topple the communist regime. offered to 30 promising un- in Ghazni, but they will continue their commitment to Af- “Oaks of Freedom” have been SOKOLOWSKI SIBLINGS Bernie, Mike, and Mary Balbier dergraduate students studying ghanistan through Operation Resolute Support, that is ex- planted in 25 different Polish at the James Beard Foundation Awards Ceremony and Gala in the United States and pur- pected to begin on Jan. 1, 2015. localities, and the festivities Reception, May 5, at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln suing degrees at the intersec- Center in New York City. MICGIEL NEW KF PRESIDENT. Dr. John S. Micgiel of will include exhibitions, con- tion of media, communica- Columbia University has been elected the seventh presi- certs and patriotic programs. CLEVELAND — Sokolowski’s University Inn, Cleve- tion, political science, social dent of the Kosciuszko Foundation. World media interest will be land, was named a 2014 winner of the James Beard Founda- studies, law, and administra- Micgiel taught for twenty-fi ve years at Columbia’s greatly heightened by Presi- tion’s “American Classics” Award. tion. Students seeking careers School of International and Public Affairs, where, for many dent Barack Obama’s par- “Every year, the American Classics Awards are a favorite in media, government, and years, he directed the Institute on East Central Europe, the ticipation in the observances. part of the [Beard Awards] ceremony,” said Susan Ungaro, public affairs are particularly East European, Russian, and Eurasian National Resource Ukraine is expected to domi- president of the James Beard Foundation, in a press state- encouraged to apply. Applica- Center, and several other Institutes and Centers. He is on nated the agenda of Obama’s ment. “These honorees represent the unique American dream tions will be accepted through the faculty of Warsaw University’s Eastern Studies Center talks with Polish leaders. of people who have created enduring, quality restaurants and July 31, 2014 and scholarship and the Estonian School of Diplomacy in Tallinn. Micgiel Since so much has oc- food establishments that refl ect the character and hospitality awards will be distributed for was instrumental in organizing the campaign to raise an curred world-wide over the of their cities and community.” the fall semester of the 2014- endowment, now valued at $5.2 million for a newly-fi lled past 25 years, many people “It’s like winning the Oscar, you know?” said Mike 2015 academic year. Professorship in Polish Studies in Columbia University’s See “25 Years ...,” page 10 See “Sokolowski’s,” page 4 See “Scholarship ...” page 5 History Department. (See next story). Micgiel has been recognized by the governments of Po- SPOTLIGHT / Poles in Britain land and Romania for his work on behalf of educational exchange and cooperation, and has been the recipient of numerous fellowships and scholarships awarded by vari- ous institutions including the Kosciuszko Foundation. Britain’s Polish Workers Poles That Have and MAZUREK FIRST POLISH STUDIES PROFESSOR AT An Interview with Dr. Anne White on Have Not In England COLUMBIA. Dr. Małgorzata Mazurek has been selected Poles, Immigrants, and England by Columbia University as the fi rst incumbent of the Pol- Dr. Michał Garapich of the An expert on contempo- ish Studies Professorship in the university’s Department of University of Roehampton, UK History. Mazurek will assume the position on July 1, 2014. rary Polish migration trends to The task of establishing the professorship began in Great Britain, Dr. Anne White Dr. Michał Garapich, who holds his doctorate from the 2003, in talks between Kosciuszko Foundation then-Pres- teaches sociology and politics Jagiellonian University in Kraków, is a research fellow and ident Joseph Gore, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Wi- of central and eastern Europe social anthropologist, specializing in migration studies, at the told Sulimirski, and Professor John S. Micgiel of Columbia at the University of Bath. University of Roehampton in University’s East Central European Center She has written a full-length London. The Polish Studies Professorship at Columbia Univer- study of recent Polish migra- His research has also fo- sity was subsequently established by donations from insti- tion to the UK and Western cused on the phenomenon of tutional, corporate, and academic organization, as well as Europe, Polish Families and dispossession among immi- individual donors. Migration Since EU Accession grants, as well as comparative (Bristol: Policy Press, 2011), studies of Polish immigration POPE FRANCIS MET WITH POLISH PM DONALD contributed research on Eng- to the UK and to Italy. TUSK, May 19, for a conversations ranging from the can- land-bound Polish migrants to He spoke with Dr. John onization of St. John Paul II and the plans for World Youth three scholarly collections published in the UK and Poland, Grondelski: Day 2016 to current political tensions in eastern Europe. and published seven scholarly articles on the subject. Dr. In related news, the pope has appointed Bishop Wojciech White holds a bachelor’s degree from the Oxford University British PM Cameron ig- Polak, who is currently serving as an auxiliary in the and a doctorate from the London School of Economics. nited a controversy when, on Gniezno archdiocese, to become Archbishop of Gniezno She spoke with the Polish American Journal regarding re- the eve of the UK opening its and Primate of Poland. He will replace Archbishop Jozef cent controversial remarks by British Prime Minister David borders to workers from Bulgaria and Romania, he attacked Kowalczyk, who is retiring at the age of 75. Cameron about “Polish workers” in the UK: “Polish workers” who immigrate to England but apply for The Archbishop of Gniezno has traditionally held the At the begining of the year, British Prime Minister Cam- child benefi ts for their children in Poland. Can you tell us the title of Primate of Poland. That tradition was interrupted eron ignited a controversy, on the eve of the UK opening its particulars of the controversy, and what set it off? for a short time, from 1992 until 2007, when Cardinal Jozef borders to workers from Bulgaria and Romania, by attacking Well, as often happens, this incident had little to do with Glemp was Archbishop of Warsaw and Primate of Poland. “Polish workers” who immigrate to England but apply for Polish migrants as such. Cameron knows well the statistics Cardinal Glemp had inherited the latter title when he was child benefi ts for their children in Poland. Can you tell us the that in fact migrants from Poland are less likely to use govern- appointed installed as Archbishop of both Gziezno and details of the controversy? ment assistance than the native British. He used the Poles sim- Warsaw. In 1992, when he approved a restructuring of the BBC reporter Andrew Marr on January 5 asked Cameron ply as an illustration of his, and much of his party’s, discontent Polish hierarchy that separated the two archdioceses, Pope whether it was “acceptable that Romanians or Bulgarians over the EU freedom of movement principle. His comments John Paul II stipulated that Cardinal Glemp would remain or anybody else working here who maybe have four or fi ve refl ect also his party’s worry about the UKIP [United King- the Primate until his retirement from active ministry, which occurred in 2007. (CWN) See “Britain’s Polish Workers,” page 4 See “Have and Have Not,” page 4 2 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2014

ALMANAC VIEWPOINT / Christopher West

Follow us on Facebook or visit us 1938 – Revisited on the internet at: polamjournal.com On September 30, 1938 with the an citizens clamoring for a mother signing of the Munich Pact, Adolf Russia seek more than economic Q Hitler began his reign of terror and aid. Russia did not provide for its June Czerwiec conquest. On March 15, 1939 Hit- member nations under the USSR ler marched across Czechoslovakia and mother Russia never will until 1 CHILDREN’S DAY (Poland) Dzień Dziecka is an occasion without military resistance and over it has resolved its own economic on which youngsters receive the borders into Bohemia and Mora- system and implements democratic gifts and attend various picnics, via. Echoing those tactics, Russia reform. programs and sporting events has consumed the Crimea/Tauric This “Frozen War” will be more organized just for them in place Peninsula and has moved onto the destructive than its previous “Cold of normal school lessons. borders of the Ukraine. War.” As death squads return again, 2 1979. First pilgrimage of Pope Hitler repeatedly crossed borders civil wars will erupt echoing the John Paul II to Poland, through on the pretext of being a savior. The cruelty and paranoia in unimagina- POLAND, BIALYSTOK, CIRCA 1992, LOCAL GROCERY. Initially, there June 10. Third Reich promulgated racial per- ble proportion. were not a lot of groceries after political changes from communism. Slowly 3 1890. Death of Oskar Kolberg more products came on the market and shelves were filled. (b,. 1814), ethnographer. secution and instigated hatred. Not Russia must stop and think be- 4 1989. Election triumph of Solidar- unlike a cancer destroying life while fore it considers invading Poland as ity in the first round to the parlia- spreading into other parts Europe, Hitler did years ago. velop Russian heritage and skills. years those symbols were removed ment and the senate; second round his control of the National Socialist Take some lessons in economics What automobiles does Rus- and computer technology and a June 18th. Solidarity seeps the first German Workers’ Party (NSDAP/ from your old friends at the Com- sia produce for the global market? free market system transformed the round 252 out of the possible 161 Nazi Party) from 1933 to 1945 was munist People’s Republic of China. At the point of a Kalashnikov will streets and the people. I have re- seats;in the second round 260 seats the death knoll for all of those who Everything we wear and use to pre- Russia force peace and prosperity turned since and the transformation in the 560 seat parliament, a condi- trusted him. pare meals and repair and maintain or will it turn back time and force is a miracle. tion of the Round Table. Russian political leaders took our homes is made in “China.” Not everyone to wear gray and live in In 1992 I saw people standing 5 1674. Jan III Sobieski elected control years before the recent the People’s Republic of China but homes never painted or repaired? in line waiting to get into a grocery King of Poland. conquest of Crimea. Today they “China” and they are “Commu- Will the Kremlin educate its citizens store and in the grocery store I saw 6 1530. Birth of Jan Kochanowski, or will they again sit at the side of little more than potatoes in a bin. Poland’s greatest humanist and mimic the events and practices used nists,” and Russia is technically not. writer of the Renaissance. to overtake countries fueling the Turn those hammers and sickles roads watching horse-drawn wag- I saw women selling eggs by the 8 1980. St. John Kanty Prep in flames of a United Soviet Social- into plowshares and personal com- ons finding no hope? handful to a line of grocery custom- Erie, Pa. closes. ist Republic. As with Hitler in his puters. Moscow must not starve its I was in Poland from 1991 to ers. I visited the temporary markets 11 1857. Birth of Antoni Grabowski, premise of protecting those in other people or its neighboring nations. It 1994 to help as a volunteer business filled with newspapers used as floor- Polish chemical engineer known nations, mother Russia is promoted. must not take from those it loves and and economic development advisor. ing selling undergarments next to a for compiling the first chemis- Like a thief in the night taking crush their families in the streets. I witnessed a huge drab green lo- sausage in the heat of day. try dictionary in the Polish lan- other national resources by force Adolf Hitler and his gang of killers comotive with an unmistakable red Russia’s ideology is not welcome guage. or by scheme, they achieve nothing did not have the ability to truly care star. I saw an emergency fire hose in the Ukraine, and certainly not in 13 1907. Stanley (Kiecal) Ketchel with economic impotency. The pil- for anyone but themselves. box in a department store display- Poland. Demilitarization and eco- wins the middleweight boxing ing the hose and nozzle in the shape nomic policies open the door to jobs crown. He holds the title for laging of nations has never resolved If Putin really cares, he will bring three years. the most basic principles. Ukraini- financial aid and education and de- of a hammer and sickle. Over the and productivity, not hatred. 14 FLAG DAY (U.S.) 1940. The Nazis opened their JUST BETWEEN US / Mark Kohan concentration camp at Aus- chwitz. In German-occupied Poland the first inmates arrived at the Auschwitz concentration Time to Start Helping Our Own camp. They were all Polish po- litical prisoners. THE RESPONSE to our special edi- Polish heritage. ary, and we got a decent deal on the ily funding — that have prevented 15 FATHER’S DAY (U.S.) tions on the canonization of Pope Larousse Pocket Dictionary (which many great projects from getting 16 1943. Death of U.S. Medal of John Paul II has been overwhelm- STARTING THIS MONTH, Greg we are passing on to you). This up- off the ground. We also have grown Honor winner 2nd Lt. Joseph ing. We thank all who made these Witul from Niagara Falls, N.Y., dated softcover book of 331 pages increasingly frustrated to see stu- Sarnoski in Solomon Islands. editions possible, and all who or- will present a series called “Polo- has over 40,000 words and phrases. dents, future leaders who are pas- 17 1696. Death of Jan III Sobieski, dered extra copies of the April and nia Places.” This is a look at some We liked it because it was easy-to- sionate about Polonia, seek other who defeated the Turks at the May papers. famous buildings, parks and loca- read print, too. areas of study because they could Battle of Chocom near Vienna, tions throughout American Polonia. not secure something as simple as and is credited with saving Eu- WE ARE ONCE AGAIN reminding Witul has a knack for digging up in- AND NOW, THE BEST FOR LAST: airfare to study in Poland or abroad. rope from being overrun. 18 1949. Birth of Lech Kaczynski, all to submit the email addresses teresting and little-known facts, and After almost two years of paper- Likewise, we see so many talented former president of Poland from of their elected representatives, es- we know you will enjoy his contri- work, a lot of meetings, and a lot of academicians, scholars, artists, folk 2002 to 2010. pecially those who have a vote on butions. money, we will soon launch the Pol- groups – the list goes on – whose 19 CORPUS CHRISTI Polish American matters. We will ish American Journal Foundation. special projects or areas of study Boże Ciało, a free day in Poland, send them a complimentary digital WE’VE ADDED TWO NEW books This will be a non-profit 501c3 or- have been dropped for lack of funds. the religious feastday is marked subscription of the PAJ to keep them in our Bookstore this month. “Hit- ganization. The principal activities In many cases, state or federal arts by Eucharistivc processions abreast of events in our community ler’s Furies,” by Wendy Lower, of the PAJF will be the promoting or cultural funding is available, but down city streets and country and in Poland. published by Houghton Mifflin of “Polish and Polish American cul- these groups cannot afford process- lanes. In addition to central pro- Harcourt. This is a long-overdue ture and traditions among members ing fees to meet application require- cessions in major ciites, each ONE MORE REMINDER: In July, account of the women of Nazi Ger- of the public and other Polish and ments. It is time to start helping our parish also holds its own. It is still celebrated in larger Polish we will be having our annual half- many who worked as Hitler’s kill- Polish American groups by organiz- own. American parishes. price subscription sale. This is for ing fields. The 288-page, hardcover ing special events, networking op- We will cover this great news 21 1918. Birth of Eddie Lopat new subscribers only. We wish we book earned high praise from the portunities, consultation and public in more detail in upcoming edi- (Lopatynski), New York Yan- could give everyone this fantastic PAJ’s Dr. John Grondelski. and private gatherings.” tions. In the meantime, we ask you kees star. deal, but we need money for ink, pa- In everyday terms, as a national help spread the word about this, 22 1940. Gen. Wladyslaw Sikorski per, and utilities! A subscription to YOU ASKED. We have been getting newspaper serving Polish American and please consider the PAJF when establishes Polish government- the PAJ is a great way to reintroduce many requests for a new Polish- communities, we have a unique per- planning tax-deductible donations in-exile in London. family members and friends to their English / English-Polish diction- spective on the shortfalls — primar- for 2014. 23 ST. JOHN’S EVE This Polish midsummer festival of pagan origin is celebrated SUBSCRIPTIONS with bonfires and with candlelit POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL Dedicated to the Promotion and Continuance of Polish American Culture • Established 1911 UNITED STATES wreaths set afloat on rivers. It is Regular First believed that the forest comes to USPS 437-220 / ISSN 0032-2792 IGNATIUS HAJDUK • Founder 1911-1920 Newsclippers Edward Dybicz, Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Mail Class life this night. JOHN DENDE • Publisher 1920-1944 Dvornicky, Anthony Guyda, C. Kanabrodzki, 1-year $22.00 $35.00 24 1914. 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E-MAILED ON MAILING DATE of the advertisement itself. We are responsible only Galicia, Poland. Lydia Kordalewski; Toledo Margaret POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL for the first incorrect insertion of an advertisement. 1919. Treaty of Versailles, mak- Zotkiewicz-Dramczyk; Warsaw Robert Strybel; P.O. BOX 198 Advertisers are advised to check their advertise- DISCOUNTS. For non-profit and organization Washington Richard Poremski ing Poland a free nation, signed BOWMANSVILLE, NY 14026-0198 ment immediately upon publication and report at subscription discounts, call 1 (800) 422-1275. Columnists Mary Ann Marko, Martin Nowak, by I.J. Paderewski today. once any errors. Claims for error adjustment must www.polamjournal.com Jennifer Pijanowski, Ed Poniewaz, Stephen be made immediately after an advertisement is REFUNDS and CANCELLATIONS. Request for Szabados, Greg Witul published. subscription cancellations must be made by calling This paper mailed on or before (800) 422-1275. Refunds will be prorated based on The July edition will be one-half of the remaining subscription balance May 29. plus a $5.00 cancellation fee. There is no charge mailed on or before for transferring remaining subscription balances July 2. TOLL-FREE SUBSCRIPTION LINE 1 (800) 422-1275 to new or existing accounts. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2014 www.polamjournal.com 3 Crowley Backs Two Visa Waiver Bills 14th Annual Katyn Remembrance PHOTO: ANDRZEJ TRZECIAK ANDRZEJ PHOTO: QUEENS, N.Y. — A proposed House of Repre- of a Comprehensive Immigration Bill (H.R. 15) several sentatives bill making Poland eligible for America’s months ago also containing Visa Waiver support. It is Visa Waiver program has now acquired an additional almost exclusively a Democratic bill, which Crowley co-sponsor in the person co-sponsored even before of New York Congressman the Polish American Con- Joseph Crowley (center). gress met with him to ask Shown thanking him for him to also co-sponsor H.R. his support of H.R.1354 are 1354. officials of the Downstate With the focus of H.R. N.Y. Division of the Polish 1354 concentrated on trav- American Congress Frank el, tourism and Visa Waiver Milewski, president (left) (The JOLT Act of 2013), and Chet Szarejko, chair- it has thus far received bi- man of that organization’s partisan acceptance with Political Activities Com- almost even co-sponsorship mittee. from both Democrats and Crowley’s agreement to Republicans. support H.R. 1354 helped In case the House de- push the count of Congres- bate on comprehensive im- Brigadier General Jaroslaw Strozyk sional co-sponsors to over PHOTO: DOWNSTATE NY PAC migration reform reaches a 150. Polish Americans have already put in several stalemate, the PAC hopes the legislators could at least All Katyn Victims erans – Post 36, from Passaic, N.J. years of dedicated effort to get Poland into the U.S. agree on the limited provisions of H.R.1354 and pass it, Remembered at Folk-costumed local dance groups Visa Waiver Program. They are now conducting an in- according to Political Activities Chairman, Chet Szare- Baltimore Ceremony Krakowiaki (youth) and Ojczyzna tensive nationwide drive to have this bill voted on and jko, a former Democratic District Leader. (adult) led the mass singing of the approved by the end of the present session of Congress. Crowley supported Poland’s entry into NATO in by Richard Poremski respective national anthems. The Every member nation of the European Union is in 1999. BALTIMORE — Brigadier Gen- invited speakers focused on remem- the program with only the exception of Poland, Bul- “With the current crisis Russia’s Putin created in eral Jaroslaw Strozyk, commander brance of the martyrs, the horrors garia, Romania and Cyprus. neighboring Ukraine, everyone sees why being a mem- of the Defense Attaché Office of the of genocide, and dangers of intoler- A comprehensive immigration reform bill contain- ber of NATO is now so important to Poland,” said Sza- Embassy of the Republic of Poland, ance. Then followed a wreath lay- ing the Visa Waiver provision has already passed in the rejko, who considers Crowley a good friend of the PAC. delivered the keynote address on ing ceremony. “Taps,” played by an Democratic-controlled Senate. The next action on im- He also noted that Poland has lived up to all its NATO behalf of the Polish Armed Forces Army National Guard bugler in the at the National Katyn Memorial. He migration reform will be taking place in the House. obligations since joining the pact, and has contributed shadow of the Memorial, provided House Democrats had put together their own version militarily to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. was supported by his Army, Navy a melancholy and fitting end to the and Air Attachés. Consul Ewa Pi- etrasienska represented Ambassa- event. SPEAK UP / Letters to the Editor dor Ryszard Schnepf and the people Earlier in the day, a dedicated of Poland. Polish-English mass was celebrated Three coordinated Katyn Re- at Holy Rosary Church at 10:30 Committee Seeks Answers to Air Disaster membrance events took place here a.m. The Polonia groups all partici- pated in the mass. Dear Editor: first time Russell greeted Tom with “So….you’re the on April 6, 2014 organized by the At the afternoon reception and We are gathered here April 12, 2014 at the National great Gola”. There’s no record of what Gola replied but National Katyn Memorial Founda- Shrine of Our Lady of Częstochowa in Doylestown, I insert what I think he said: “A pleasure to meet you tion (NKMF) under the auspices of dinner held in the Great Hall of Pol- Pa., to commemorate the Fourth Anniversary of the Mr. Russell. I’m not great.” Chairman Richard P. Poremski and ish National Alliance – Council 21, Smolensk Disaster of April 10 2010. In that disaster, all This is real life. Tom Gola went onto a professional its Board of Directors. Poland’s President Lech Kaczynski 96 aboard Polish Air Force One perished. Among the career after two years in the armed forces serving God Approximately 200 people at- and the other 95 victims of the cata- victims were many of Poland’s top governmental, mili- and our country. He was a five- time all pro selection. tended the ceremonies at the Katyn strophic April 10, 2010 Katyn/Smo- tary, church, and academic leaders, including President After he retired from professional basketball he made Memorial site. The participants in- lensk airplane crash were honored Lech Kaczynski. On this occasion, we issue this appeal a mistake (in my opinon) by entering politics as a Re- cluded Baltimore, State of Maryland in a candle lighting ceremony in to all of our fellow Poles and friends who love Poland. publican. He won a couple of elections as a state repre- and U.S. Congressional speakers, front of their framed photo collage, From across the Atlantic, we see the sovereignty of sentative. After losing a race for mayor he disappeared or their representatives. Catholic, flanked by bouquets of flowers. The Poland is once again threatened. From the moment of from the public scene except for two years as a head Christian and Jewish clergy offered lives cut short included many of Po- the Disaster to the present, we observe the attenuation couch at his alma mater where he had a record of 37-13. prayers and religious traditions for land’s political, military and social of Poland’s sovereignty, which unless stopped, will de- The only time I heard about Tom Gola after the the dearly departed. The victims strata elites. In keeping with Polish stroy our Motherland. One can ascertain it by the fact 1970s was when he made a brief comment about bas- were the 25,000 Polish Army of- custom and tradition, everyone rose ficers, including many of Poland’s that the investigation of the Smolensk Disaster was sub- ketball in the old days in a documentary for television. and observed one minute of silence officialdom, leading citizens and in- serviently and unconditionally handed over by the Tusk The last ten years of his life were very difficult because in their memory. Preceding the ban- telligentsia, slain in the now-inclu- Government to a foreign power unfriendly to Poland he had a couple serious falls that confined him to St. quet, as is traditional, Honorary — the Russian Federation. Joseph’s nursing home. sive 1940 Katyn Forest Massacre by Soviet Union’s militarized NKVD NKMF membership was bestowed We are deeply troubled by the stance, which demon- His character can be seen when he was still a young upon notable and supportive per- strates a disdainful and even contemptuous attitude to- player in college. He was selected on the All-Italian political police, in Katyn, and at other locations, during early World sons. wards the families of the victims. Independent academ- team. His reply to this honor was typical of his humble On this reflective Sunday, all ic researchers and journalists have been harassed and attitude. “I thank everyone who selected me and will War II. who perished at Katyn were com- even defamed following their attempts to objectively cherish this honor, but I have to tell you something; I’m The national colors of the Unit- analyze the causes of the disaster. This clearly demon- Polish” He is a real All American and a member of the ed States and Poland were paraded memorated … in the past by the strates a threat to democratic principles and a return to National Polish American Hall of Fame. Eternal rest and posted by the Polish Legion of hand of Josef Stalin’s Soviet Union what we recognize as well-known totalitarian methods grant unto him, O lord and may perpetual light shine American Veterans – Maryland De- … and more recently by the hand of of control and manipulation. on him and may his soul and the souls of all the faithful partment, and the Polish Army Vet- fate. Revealing the truth about the Smolensk Disaster is departed rest in peace. Amen. the key to ensuring Poland’s sovereignty. We will al- Rev. Jerome C. Romanowski STERLING SILVER JEWELRY ways regard this effort as our sacred obligation to those Hammonton, New Jersey who perished that day. A The Organizing Committee to Commemorate GRATEFUL. Many were touched by St. John XXIII B D E Fourth Anniversary of the Smolensk Disaster of and St. John Paul II, transcending economic, ethnic, C April 10, 2010. and even religious boundaries. My mother, Rita, and Tadeusz Antoniak, Chairman I were blessed to be at their dual Canonization. At St. Peter’s Square, in front of us were people from the F THE REAL JACK ARMSTRONG . In my father’s day, Congo; to our right, from Poland; to our left, from It- G I Frank Merriwell was the model of the All American aly; and behind us from Chile. We helped each other H boy in the books and for a while on the radio. Then with cameras and traded stories. Beyond the canoniza- came Jack Armstrong, the All American boy in the tion, we experienced the great impact of St. John Paul movies, on the radio and in the early days of the tele- II on our pilgrimage spiritual leader Very Rev. Canon J K vision. In the 1950’s in real life came Tom Gola from Mirosław Król (New Jersey). After returning to Detroit, the Port Richmond area of Philadelphia and his hero- our merged parish hosted a priest celebrating mass on ics on the basketball court made headlines while he his 50th anniversary of being ordained by Bishop Karol was in Annunciation Catholic Grammar school where Wojtyła. ALL SHOWN ACTUAL SIZE • All items are Sterling Silver. he dominated the CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) June 13, The Detroit Tiger’s 44th Annual Polish All these items are available in 14 kt. gold • Please contact us for pricing. league and then went to La Salle High School, winning American Night will be celebrated adjacent to the area championships there and on to little La Salle college at of Polish immigration after the U.S. Civil War. From DESCRIPTION GOLDEN LION JEWELRY 20th and Olney. the top of the ballpark, we not only see our newly re- A. Polish Princess...... $7.00 P.O. BOX 199 The college basketball world did not know about La stored St. Josaphat Church steeple, but we can see sev- B. #1 Babcia (Script)...... $8.00 PORT READING, NJ 07064 Salle college until Tom Gola arrived where he led the eral places where Cardinal Wojtyła/Pope John Paul II C. #1 Babcia (Block)...... $8.00 D. Small Eagle...... $12.00 (908) 862-1927 team to a NIT championship when the National Invita- celebrated mass and evangelized. St. John Paul II con- E. Medium Eagle...... $14.00 [email protected] tional Tournament was the most prestigious of the past tinues to enrich and heal our lives and why, in gratitude, F. Large Eagle...... $15.00 • Add $5.00 S&H season clashes. He was a freshman at the time and also we attended the Canonization. G. Large Heavy Eagle...... $35.00 an All American, which he was in his four years at La We are also grateful to PAJ and all who helped Save • Prices subject to change H. Extra Heavy Eagle...... $40.00 • Allow 10-14 days for delivery. If not Salle. His team under coach Ken Loefler won the NCAA Our Steeple and, as a result, St. Josaphat Church, De- I. #1 Mamusia (Block)...... $12.00 satisfied, return for refund within championship in 1954 and runner up to San Francisco troit. J. #1 Tatus (Block)...... $12.00 15 days. University led by defensive standout, Bill Russell. A Dean T. Wiśniewski K. #1 Ciocia (Block)...... $12.00 • N.J. residents must add 7% sales small incident portrayed the difference between person- 4th generation (Detroit) Tie Tacks of D, E, ...... $19.00/$21.00 tax. N.Y. residents add appropriate alities of these two great players. When they met for the Polish American Tie Tacks of F, G, ...... $22.00/$42.00 sales tax. 4 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2014

THIS PAGE SPONSORED BY POLISH CHILDREN’S HEARTLINE (a non-profit corporation, State of New Jersey)begins its 28th year of helping children. An all volunteer non-profit organiza- tion receiving generous donations from Polonia and American supporters makes it possible for over 2000 Polish children to be treated annually by cardiac surgeons and physicians in hospitals in Poland. As requested, equipment critical to pediatric care is provided to six hospitals in Zabrze, Katowice, Lodz, Suwalki, Bialystok and Grajewo. Contributions may be made in memory of and/or honor of family and friends. Each donation is tax exempt and acknowledged. We thank you for your support and ask for your continued support for much help is still needed. ” If we don’t help our Polish children, who will?” —Doreen Patras Cramer, President For information call (732) 680-0680 or write POLISH CHILDREN’S HEARTLINE, INC., 177 BROADWAY, CLARK, NJ 07066. e-mail: [email protected] website: PolishChildrensHeartline.org Sokolowski’s named a James Beard Foundation “American Classic” Award Winner Karski Topic of Talk continued from cover Foundation described the restaurant this way: cently into a touchstone restaurant for Polish FRANKLIN, Wisc. — The Polish Center of Sokolowski, co-owner of the restaurant with “In 1923 Victoria and Michael So- families in search of their culinary roots.” Wisconsin will hold a talk and concert in honor brother, Mike, and sister, Mary Balbier. kolowski founded a Polish restaurant on a Mike Sokolowski says that it’s those cus- of Jan Karski, Sun., July 13, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. “You work your whole life, cleaning toi- bank of the Cuyahoga in Cleveland. Today, tomers, and tens of thousands of others over at the Center, 6941 S. 68th Street. lets and all the other kinds of work you do as Sokolowski’s University Inn serves edible the year, who have made his family’s restau- Professor Neal Pease of the University of a kid, working in your parents business and homages to the city’s immigrant-driven in- rant a timeless Cleveland landmark. Wisconsin-Milwaukee will talk about the cou- everything else, and ... eventually it pays off. dustrial past, dishing sturdy comfort foods “We know we can’t please every person rier from Warsaw who tried to tell the West of “We couldn’t be happier. The whole fam- like cabbage rolls that once fueled the city’s who walks through the line, though we try,” Nazi Germany’s killing fields. His presentation ily is so proud,” he said. growth. he said. will be followed by a recital by Igor Lipinski, Each year, five food establishments in dif- “Pierogis, stuffed with whipped potatoes, “But we’ve been blessed by so many concert pianist at Northwestern University. ferent parts of the nation receive the honor. bathed in butter, and drenched in caramel- wonderful people who trudge through all the Refreshments wills be served. Businesses must be in existence for at least ized onions, are everyday specials. The So- construction around us in Tremont and stand The event is co-sponsored by: Polish Heri- 10 years, and be locally owned to be con- kolowski family does right by Midwestern in line waiting for our food,” he said. tage Alliance, Polish American Congress-Wis- sidered for the recognition. According to the dishes, too. They beer-batter and fry Lake “We view it as a huge honor,” said Mike consin Division, Republic of Poland Consulate Foundation’s Awards criteria, the American Erie perch. They craft their own bratwurst Sokolowski, emotion welling in his voice. in Chicago, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Classics prize is “given to restaurants that and smoked kielbasa. “I look at my Mom and Dad and all the Libraries, and through a generous grant from the have timeless appeal and are beloved for “What began as a tavern when the Trem- hard work they put in — and the morals they Chicago Society of the Polish National Alliance. quality food that reflects the character of ont neighborhood was flush with blue-collar taught us, to do the right thing. This is a great For further information, call the Polish Cen- their community.” steelworkers, expanded to cafeteria-style award for them, too. I know they’re looking ter at (414) 529-2140 email MarkPienkos2012@ In naming the Cleveland landmark, the service in the 50s, and has evolved, more re- down and smiling.” gmail.com. Have and Have Not Britain’s Polish Workers continued from cover are men), previous history of exclu- continued from cover favor” of hardworking Poles be- Heathrow Airport, is over 5% Pol- dom Independence Party—ed.], an sion or economic deprivation – they children back home, not in Britain, cause he knows that British employ- ish, according to the census. openly anti-EU and anti-immigra- all play a part. What I found in my can claim child benefit in Britain ers need migrant workers and that tion party that is continuing to rise research was that most homeless and remit the money straight back.” East Europeans’ overall contribu- Poles who came to the British in the polls, at the expense of the Poles were victims of harsh capital- Cameron said it was unacceptable. tion to the UK economy is positive. Isles after EU accession: do you see Conservatives. So Cameron’s com- ist market relations already in Po- Explaining that EU rules would On the other hand, he is aware that them as temporary or permanent? ments are a mixture of ignorance land. However, there are different need to change, he used Poles as voters believe migrants ‘steal jobs’ Are they staying in England and, if and politics. Not that it makes it less reasons behind becoming homeless an example, not Bulgarians and and abuse the benefits system, and so, how are they assimilating? serious. But it was less about Poles, and different factors sustaining that Romanians. Cameron asserted that he has to watch how he as a leader is The evidence suggests that only more about the combination of Brit- situation. “there are other European countries presented in the media. The benefits a tiny minority of Poles come to the ish ambiguity towards the EU and In London for example, home- who like me think it’s wrong that issue is also important in its own UK expecting to live here for the domestic politics. less people quickly adapt and find someone from Poland who comes right: Cameron perceives it as one of rest of their lives. In most cases they resources (scrap collecting, beg- here, who works hard - and I am those ‘irrational’ EU arrangements plan temporary stays. However, it’s How well are recent Polish emi- ging) that keep them in these cir- absolutely all in favor of that - but which need to be re-negotiated in also clear that many Poles who ar- grants to the UK doing? How settled cumstances for months, even years. I don’t think we should be paying Brussels. At the moment, EU citi- rived after 2004 have stayed longer are they? Do they see themselves as There is a particular culture of self- zens who move to work in another child benefit to their family back at than they expected. My research temporarily or permanently in the reliance among groups of males that home in Poland.” EU country can claim child benefits shows that families in particular British Isles? form closely knit communities of Polish Foreign Minister as soon as they arrive. Many French experience many pressures to settle Polish emigrants in Britain are a homeless, distrustful of any institu- Radosław Sikorski immediately parents working in the UK, for ex- down. Children often do well at very diverse mix – there are some tional engagement. Alcohol plays a complained that it would be unfair ample, do exactly the same as Poles. who settled permanently, some who role here too. As a bonding device, for Poles working and paying taxes school in the UK and make local continue to move back and forth and it obviously makes matters even in Britain not to be able to claim Britain assumed certain obliga- friends. Their parents are reluctant some who keep their options open. worse. It is a difficult situation, not benefits for their children. -Sikor tions towards other EU citizens as to uproot the family a second time It is relatively easy to adapt your helped by the fact that the Polish ski’s sharp reaction should be seen part of the Union. Do British tax- by returning to Poland, especially plans to changes in the labor market government seems reluctant to face not just as a response to Cameron’s payers feel “put upon” by EU citi- since they fear the children wouldn’t and life cycles – move back to Po- this issue head on. comments the previous day, but also zens? cope well in Polish schools. As for land, move elsewhere or settle. The to his developing habit of naming It’s hard to generalize about “EU assimilation in general, Poles with majority of the 700,000 or so Poles Tell us something about Polish Poles as problems. Before Christ- citizens.” Hundreds of thousands good English have no problems as- who moved here after the EU expan- London — its high points and its mas Cameron had mentioned Poles of French, German and other West similating into the UK labor market sion in 2004 are probably long-term dark points. specifically when criticizing the Europeans live in the UK, and they and many seem to feel comfortable emigrants, and the growth of num- Polish London is rapidly chang- 2004 decision to open the UK job do not seem to be objects of hostil- living in the UK. It’s harder for ber of Polish children is a testimony ing. What we witness is in fact market to new EU member-states. ity. It can be different for “East Eu- those with poor English, many of to this process. But Britain remains many communities, networks, It was a ‘very bad decision’ because ropeans.” The problem, however, whom have gotten stuck in typical a favorite destination for those who groups composed of Poles from var- ‘Poland and those countries are is really less about taxes, and more migrant sectors like cleaning. Many want to come just to save up for a ious migration waves, from various much poorer than us’ and too many about jobs. Scare-mongering about of them acutely need affordable year or two. So the picture is mixed, class backgrounds – from wealthy migrants had come to the UK. “benefit tourism” has a certain English-language classes. What’s facilitated by ease and relative low financial sectors employees to - fac It’s understandable that Cameron public resonance, but more signifi- interesting is that Polish people who costs of travel to Poland. tory workers, from urbanites to ru- felt he needed to appear ‘strong on cant is the fact that East European do return to live in Poland some- ral folk, from Polish Roma to Polish immigration,” given that opinion manual workers are believed to take times find it hard to re-integrate and Not all emigrants find El Dorado; students. We are now witnessing a polls show high levels of public jobs from British workers. There is actually come back to live abroad. some fall on hard times. About what political mobilization ahead of Eu- concern about affording Romanians evidence that some employers pay My research suggests that in such percentage of Polish emigrants to ropean Parliament elections and and Bulgarians free access to Brit- East Europeans below the minimum cases they often decide to stay in the the UK find themselves with -prob local elections, but along many po- ish jobs from January 2014. Anxiety wage, depressing wage ranges in UK at least until their children have lems, and what kinds of problems litical allegiances, from left-leaning about this prospect had been created general for the lowest paid workers, grown up. are they? Would these problems re- trade unionists to right wing groups. by right-wingers in Cameron’s own and creating situations where Brit- solve if they “just went home?” From this perspective it is diffi- party, sections of the UK media, ish workers cannot afford to support How can Poles be helped to feel Migration is a stress factor and cult to see one representation of Pol- and, above all, the United Kingdom their families on locally available more welcome in the UK? there is a lot of research on that. But ish diaspora here. Unlike the United Independence Party (UKIP) – which wages. It would be helpful if there were I would not exaggerate by putting States, or Chicago in particular, could steal many Conservative votes less ethnic labelling—less focus on the main blame for some problems Poles here are rather fragmented, You’ve been studying Polish in the 2015 general election. “Poles” versus “English” — and on migration to another country. occupying various social and politi- It’s also understandable that workers who came to England after more attempt at tackling the com- Moving to a larger town, having to cal niches. The question is whether Poles were offended on both oc- Poland joined the EU. How many mon problems of working people. find a job, getting used to unfamiliar this is a good or bad thing. Ethnic casions, and concerned that hard- are there, and where are they? Cameron, for example, mentioned settings are also stress factors that urban politics isn’t so present in the working Poles were being stigma- According to the 2011 census are not solely associated with mi- UK as in the US and some groups tized as “benefit tourists.” There is there were 500,000 Poles living in the need to enforce the minimum gration. Having said this, the truth – like Italians – are like Poles, not little or no evidence that Poles move England, and Polish was the sec- wage. This would benefit workers is that Polish migrants are dispro- really forming political blocs. Poles to the UK purely to subsist on ben- ond most common language here. in the UK whatever their national portionally represented among the aren’t overtly discriminated against efits. However, Cameron probably A striking aspect of recent East Eu- origin. In addition, making it easier homeless population, particularly – although some formal organiza- didn’t intend to be unpleasant about ropean migration is how migrants and cheaper for Poles to acquire in London: one in three homeless tions may disagree – and this may Poles in particular. British people have scattered across the whole British citizenship, and encourag- in London is Polish. The reasons be the reason behind their low levels often use “Poles” as shorthand for country. This is very different from ing them to be dual citizens, would behind this are numerous – exclu- of formal associations. You get or- “East Europeans” (which is offen- normal migration patterns, and re- also recognize the reality that for sion from welfare assistance (EU ganized when there is threat to your sive in itself). flects the fact that Poles in the UK the foreseeable future hundreds of citizens can qualify only after a year interests. And so far, despite some PM Cameron does not seem to be come from so many walks of life thousands will continue to live with of employment), precariousness of political rhetoric, British society in objecting to Polish workers in the and do so many different types of a foot in both countries. As voters in the labor market (Poles work pre- large has been rather sympathetic to UK—or is he?—but to their use of jobs. London naturally has the larg- UK general elections, they would be dominantly in construction which Polish migrations. There are some UK social benefits. est number of Poles (137,000) but in a better position vis-à-vis politi- is very unpredictable and unstable), minor tensions, but nothing too se- Cameron is trying to have it both there are also individual towns with cians who were tempted to play the gender (almost all Polish homeless rious. ways. He says he is “absolutely in big Polish populations. Slough, near anti-immigrant card. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2014 www.polamjournal.com 5 Scholarships Available For PMA Seeks Managing Director Ambassador Opens Home Undergraduate Students CHICAGO — The Polish Museum of America (PMA) is seeking a full-time Managing Director. The Museum continued from cover to Brzezinski and Guests houses exhibit space, an art gallery, archives, and a library, POREMSKI RICHARD PHOTO: The key goal of the program is to identify and all of which contain materials pertaining to Poland, Poles, support highly motivated students of Polish descent and Polish Americans. The Managing Director will work who contribute or are likely to engage in community under the direction of the PMA Board of Directors in the service or any initiatives that benefi t or promote a areas of operations, budget and staff management, fund- positive image of Polish Americans. raising, marketing, and public relations. “This groundbreaking program will increase op- Candidates require, at a minimum, an undergraduate portunities for Polish American students enrolled in degree in Fine Arts, History, Museum Studies, Finance or specifi c fi elds at universities throughout the United Business/Public Administration or an equivalent of fi ve States. It is yet another example of the importance years related experience. Candidates require excellent or- that the Polish government places on good relations ganizational, communication, planning, and management with Polonia, and the confi dence that it has in the skills; fl uency in speaking and writing both English and Kosciuszko Foundation to implement this and other Polish; along with good computer skills, that include word important projects,” said Dr. John S. Micgiel, presi- processing and accounting software profi ciency. Marketing dent of the Kosciuszko Foundation. and project management skills are considered a plus. Full-time undergraduate students who are U.S. Only qualifi ed candidates will be considered. citizens or permanent residents with a minimum Submit resume, employment history, education, and GPA of 3.0 are eligible to apply. Scholarships are personal references to: director-search@polishmuseumo- merit-based and are awarded for academic achieve- famerica.org, or write to The Polish Museum of America, ment, leadership qualities, motivation, interest Attn.: Richard Owsiany, 984 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60642-4101, Details can be found at polishmuseumo- in Polish subjects, and involvement in the Polish Charles Gati (left) interviews Professor Zbigniew Brzezinski during a dis- famerica.org. American community. cussion of past and present world events, and other intriguing matters, To learn more or to apply, visit www.thekf.org/ at the Residence of Ambassador Ryszard Schnepf. scholarships/Scholarships_for_Undergrads/ The scholarship program was made possible Polish Club Organized at GMU by Richard Poremski conversation. thanks to a $60,000 grant secured by the Kosciusz- FAIRFAX, Virg. — The Polish Mason Club has been WASHINGTON, D.C. — With This vehicle effectively remind- ko Foundation in the national competition “Coop- established on the campus of George Mason University. many thanks due the Republic of ed the audience of the assertive eration with Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad in Members are reaching out to fellow Poles, Polish Ameri- Poland’s Ambassador Ryszard Sch- “Brzezinski Brand of Realpolitik,” 2014,” run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of cans, and anyone interested in Polish culture or language. nepf, more than 200 Washington its subsequent analyses, opinions “We would love to meet you! If you know someone who dignitaries, government offi cials, Poland. An additional grant of over $15,000 was and decisions — like them or not. awarded for an update of the New KF English-Pol- might be interested in learning more about Poland, please and Polonia, in attendance March share this message,” said offi cer Aneta Radzikowski. 28, 2014 at the Residence of the Among the topics expounded upon ish, Polish-English Dictionary, last published over were the rise of Russian expansion- a decade ago. The project, co-sponsored by the KF “We have many ideas and are very motivated to pro- Ambasador, learned just about ev- ism under Vladimir Putin, present and the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union, has mote Poland and its culture among the GMU community. erything there is to know and admire begun and will result in a thoroughly updated Dic- Our main interests are food, language, fi lm and Polish cul- about Professor Zbigniew Kazimi- Russian aggression in Ukraine and tionary, with online and app-based versions ready ture in general. If these are things you enjoy as well, please erz Brzezinski — a true renaissance annexation of Crimea, NATO, Eu- in 2015. don’t hesitate to e-mail us at [email protected].” man in our midst. He was accompa- ropean Union, genesis and conse- nied by his wife Emilie (nee Benes), quences of World War II, the cold a sculptor in her own right, and a POLONIA PLACES / Greg Witul war, etc. Many other important top- grandniece of Evard Benes — a for- ics and situations of the political mer president of then-Czechoslova- Brzezinski-Era, and beyond, were kia from 1935-48. Transfi guration in Buff alo, New York Brzezinski was born in Warsaw, covered in the documentary that fol- TRANSFIGURATION 180 ft. steeple and seating for 1,400 building was deemed structural de- Poland on March 28, 1928 and lowed. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH with a budget of $70,000. The com- fi cient, and Masses were held in the eventually became an American The second part of the program Sycamore and Mills Sts. pleted church was blessed July 5, former school. The parish held its citizen in 1958, years after a fortu- was a showing of the new 90-minute Buffalo, New York 1897. Centennial and fi nal Mass on Au- nate familial safe haven stranding in documentary “The Strategist” by Status: Closed With this larger church the par- gust 22, 1993 at the Villa Maria Canada at the time of the joint Nazi Katarzyna Kolenda-Zaleska, which Buffalo, New York is a city of ish continued to grow. As the area Motherhouse chapel in Cheek- German and Soviet Union coordi- refl ected on the life story and pro- churches. It is home to Presbyterian, just off Sycamore became more towaga, New York. Twenty nated west-east invasions of Poland found times of Brzezinski, during Protestant, Baptist, Polish National, affl uent, many of prominent mem- years later the structurally de- in September, 1939. Brzezinski is which we walk with him on the long a political scientist, geostrategic, and Catholic congregations. Of the bers of Buffalo’s Polonia began at- fi cient church still stands defi - journey from his boyhood in War- Catholic parishes, few have as sto- tending Transfi guration, including antly on the corner of Syca- and statesman who rose to serve as saw to becoming a senior diplomat ried and tragic history as that of the Health Commissioner Francis E. more and Mills. U.S. National Security Advisor to city’s sixth Polish church, Trans- Fronczak and architect Wladyslaw v v v President Jimmy Carter from 1977 in Washington. It includes reveal- fi guration. H. Zawadzki. Through much of the Have a Polonia Place to 1981. Beginning in 1953, his for- ing and interviews with former U.S. Transfi guration parish was es- twentieth century the church met you wish to know about? eign policy professorships include Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger tablished July 23, 1893. The new the needs of the faithful and was Email it to Gregory Witul teaching at Harvard, Columbia and and Madeline Albright, President church was spearheaded by the St. well attended. at stainedglassbuffalo@ Johns Hopkins Universities, along Jimmy Carter, and former Soviet Joseph’s Society of Saint Adal- The end of Transfi guration gmail.com. with now being a scholar and fel- leader Mikhail Gorbachev. It is an bert’s Basilica and Father Wojcik began with the “white fl ight” of low at the Center for Strategic and entertaining and powerful fi lm that of Assumption Parish, who together the 1980s. In 1985 the school International Studies. He is a much- immediately draws you in and keeps closed and the church was clus- asked permission of Buffalo’s Bish- respected guest and astute com- there. “It was a moving experience op Ryan to start a parish. Because tered with another parish when mentator on many national news to watch a fi lm about yourself dur- of the high concentration of Poles its priest retired in 1990. At the programs, and generously serves on on Buffalo’s East-Side the Bishop same time the now un- many boards and councils. ing a very volatile historical period” quickly granted permission to the der-maintained The fi rst part of the evening’s Brzezinski said after the screening. Society. The group found a suitable church program was an interview and The atmosphere quickly shifted plot of land on Stanislaus Street conversation with Brzezinski con- into a surprise party mode when and a church and school building ducted by Charles Gati, editor of Ambassador Schnepf smilingly an- was quickly raised. By the next “Zbig. The Strategy and State Craft nounced that “today is Professor year there were over 150 families of Zbigniew Brzezinski.” The book Brzezinski’s 86th birthday!” Ev- enrolled in the parish and three Fe- is a collection of essays by former eryone joined in a robust singing of lician Sisters from Detroit, Michi- protégés and famous fellow col- “Sto lat” in his honor. He then was gan were brought in to teach at the leagues who knew Brzezinski from invited to cut the huge, masterpiece school. his various posts in academia, and By 1896 the growth of the parish in public and government service. of a birthday cake prepared by em- required a larger, more substantial Gati’s literary compilation also in- bassy chef Andrzej Bielak. A light church it be build. Architect Carl cludes his extensive interview with buffet followed, and the evening Schmill was hired to design a red “Zbig,” which formed the basis of closed on a high note in more ways brick, Gothic Revival church with a the 30-minute live interview and than one.

POLISH LEGION OF AMERICAN VETERANS PLAV AN AMERICAN VETERANS ORGANIZATION Open to all Honorably Discharged American Veterans Organized in 1920 to serve American Veterans of Polish Descent Chartered by and Act of Congress Members and Posts in 14 States with large membership in many more. Contact Deputy Membership Director Fred Thomas on how you can become part of the largest ethnic veterans organiztion in the United States or how to form a Post in your area. PHOTO: DMEALIFFE PHOTO: Visit the National website www.plav.org The PLAV, USA is among the leaders in service to the veteran and family. 6 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2014

RELIGION / Benjamin Fiore, S.J. SIEGEL JULITA PHOTO: John Paul II’s Vision and Influence Continues The documentary “Francis: ‘The among the simple, among the poor.” Martha Marie Olszewski, CSSF, Pope of the New World’” was fea- He told the residents of the area: Sr. M. Catherine Raczkowski, tured for the first time during the “Today, the Pope comes here to stay CSSF, Sr. M. Johnice Rzadkiewicz, John Paul II International Film with you, to be a seed of justice, fra- CSSF, Sr. M Georgette Zielinski, Festival in April in Miami. The Fes- ternity and peace, a seed that will CSSF ... Mary Lou Wyrobek on tival was founded in 2009, 10 years bear fruit in a community in which receiving an award from Buffalo’s after John Paul II, himself a play- everyone can feel that they are Polish American Congress for her wright, poet and actor, wrote a letter brothers and sisters and can share efforts to advance Polish culture in to the world’s artists to urge them in the dignity of the children of God Western New York. She is chair of to use their talents to uplift society, that we have been given through the Canisius College’s Permanent Chair to teach and preach human dignity, Lord’s resurrection.” of Polish Culture and a leader in the and to help the people of today to Polish Singers Alliance as a mem- better understand the mysteries of PILGRIMAGE TO CANONIZA- ber of Buffalo’s Chopin Singing So- both God and man. The Festival TION OF TWO PAPAL SAINTS. ciety ... Renato Cardinal Martino gives a home to filmmakers who Fr. James Kurzynski, pastor of papal nuncio to the United Nations, have chosen to use their medium Roncalli Newman parish in La on receiving the Maximilian Kolbe to express and share a message of Crosse, Wisc, journeyed to Rome Medal for bravery in carrying out hope, struggle, triumph, and love for the canonization of its co-patron, the instruction of Saint John Paul II with the world. Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, St. John in defense of life, faith and family. PMA HONORS SAINT JOHN PAUL II. The Polish Museum of America John Paul II’s enthusiasm for the XXIII. The 40-year-old pastor noted The United Nations has fallen vic- (PMA) announced the completion of the renovation of its permanent vocation of marriage and family that both John XXIII and John Paul tim to pressure groups from the U.S. St. John Paul II Display, located in the Sabina P. Logisz Great Hall. The life is being carried forward today II were influential in his vocation to and Europe to advance abortion and display highlights Karol Wojtyła/Pope John Paul II’s visit to Chicago. Dur- through an academic institute dedi- the priesthood. other anti-life policies throughout ing the weekend of the canonization, the PMA held a special viewing of cated to studying his theology and the world. The same groups launch the documentary, “Big Poland, Little Poland. Visit of John Paul II to Chi- related issues. The Pontifical John STO LAT TO… Jubilarian Priests repeated attacks against the Church, cago” produced by Robert Lewandowski, the late and well-known Polish Paul II Institute for Studies on Mar- of the Buffalo Diocese: 55 years including attempts to oust the Vati- American TV host and journalist. riage and the Family was born after — Rev. Msgr. Matthew S. Wen- can from its seat as a member of the Pictured above is just a small part of the exhibit. (GBC) the synod on the family that John dzikowski, Revs. Seweryn j. Ko- United Nations. The medal is given Paul II had desired from the begin- szyk, Marcel Sokalski; 50 years by the board of the Catholic Family ning of his pontificate. Georgian — Rev. Theodore Rog, Eugene organization. Committee Formed to Save Philly’s scholar Eleonora Stefanya, who re- Slomba; 25 years – Rev. Michael ceived her license degree in theol- Burzynski. KANSAS PROSECUTOR LOSES Historic St. Laurentius Church ogy and is now pursuing her doctor- Jubilarian Religious of the Buf- LICENSE. The U.S. Supreme Court PHILADELPHIA — A group Laurentius’ convent was recently ate there, said, “For me personally, falo Diocese: 80 years – Sr. M. declined to hear the appeal of Kan- of parishioners have a plan to save sold for approximately $350,000. studying at the institute was a great Virginelle Burakowski, CSSF; 75 sas state prosecutor Phil Kline, who the Saint Laurentius Church in the Despite reports to the press from gift in understanding myself, under- years – Sr. M. Angeline Bierut, investigated late-term abortionist Fishtown section of Philadelphia. the archdiocese claiming any par- standing what I’m called to.” CSSF, Sr. M. Agnes Czarnecki, George Tiller and Planned Parent- This committee has hired a canon ish can use funds generated from CSSF, Sr. M. Ursuline Hilinski, hood for violating the state’s abor- lawyer and intends to do every- property sales, the archdiocese JOHN PAUL II STATUE BLESSED CSSF, Sr. M. Felicity Wardzinski, tion law. Tom Brejcha, president thing it can to reopen Saint Lau- has earmarked the proceeds of the AND INSTALLED IN SANTIAGO, CSSF; 70 years — Sr. M. Vincentia of the Thomas More Society, which rentius Church for regular wor- convent sale for demolition, not CHILE. A statue of St. John Paul Jachimski, FSSJ, Sr. M. Francella underwrote and assisted Kline’s Su- ship. for repairs. The balance needed II, donated by the University of San Turajski, CSSF, Sr. M. Telesphore preme Court appeal, noted, “It is According to the Diocese of for demolition would place Holy Sebastian in Chile, has been moved Wozniak, CSSF; 65 years — Sr. bad enough that the guilty go free, Philadelphia, the church is in im- Name of Jesus Parish in debt. to the Puente Alto neighborhood M. Francelita Machnica, CSSF, but now an innocent man has been minent danger of collapse. It was At the request of the committee, after an unsuccessful five-year -ef Sr. M. Janet Mazierski, CSSF, Sr. punished for bringing their crimes closed on March 28 of this year. a conditions assessment of the ma- fort to find a prominent place for it Joyce Martin Nalewjak, FSSJ, Sr. to light.” The church has been used as a sonry towers has been performed. in the Chilean capital. Puente Alto Helen Therese Pelc, FSSJ, Sr. M. As state attorney general and weekly worship site of Holy Name A contractor specializing in the is the largest poor neighborhood in Alisette Skotnicki, CSSF; 60 years later Johnson County district attor- of Jesus Parish, with which St. preservation of historic churches Santiago. At the blessing and instal- — Sr. M. Marcelette Bogoniewski, ney, Kline filed 107 charges against Laurentius merged last year. submitted a proposal to remedy lation ceremony, Ricardo Cardinal CSSF, Sr. M. Eleanor Chorobik, Planned Parenthood of Kansas and St. Laurentius has a thriving the violations by restoring the ma- Ezzati criticized those who prevent- FSSJ, Sr. Conrad Maria Glica, Mid-Missouri’s Comprehensive school and its students use the sonry towers. The cost of the work ed the statue from being placed in FSSJ, Sr. M. Francelette Smi- Health clinic, including 23 felony a trendy district for the “pride and gielski, CSSF; 50 years — Sr. M. charges related to covering up an al- basement of the church for lunch. would be $691,000, pending the self-sufficiency of those who think Barbara Amrozowicz, CSSF, Sr. leged failure to report child sexual The church is in need of re- approval of a structural engineer that art or beauty or truth depends Barbara Bartkowiak, OSFa, Sr. abuse. Additional charges against pair, say committee members, but commissioned by the parishioners. on their own narrow point of view” M Michaelanne Galas, CSSF, Sr. abortion providers included falsify- to close it and claim it in danger The contractor has stated that, al- He saw their refusal as providen- Anne Marie Jablonicky, CSSF, Sr. ing records and conducting illegal of collapse — and schedule its though the towers need work, the tial “because the Pope wants to be Suzanne Marie Kush, CSSF, Sr. late-term abortions. Kline was ac- demolition — has not given the notion that they are in imminent cused of violating 11 laws of profes- parishioners time to perform due danger of collapse is not consistent sional conduct, including mislead- diligence. with his observations. MODLITWY ing others during the course of his The Archdiocesan proposal To learn more, or to make a do- to demolish the church would nation to help pay for repairs, visit PUBLICATION OF PRAYERS. The Polish American Journal gladly accepts prayers ads for publication. investigations. State justices cited They must be received by the 10th of each month, prior to the month of publication, and must be the prosecutor’s “fervid” belief in cost an estimated $1,000,000. St. savestlaurentius.org. pre-paid at the cost of $15.00 each, which can be paid by check or charge. If you have any questions the pro-life “cause” in their ruling regarding this policy, please call 1 (800) 422-1275 or (716) 312-8088. Send to: Polish American Journal, P.O. Box 271, N. Boston, NY 14110. against him. Brejcha promised to carry on the Artifact to be Permanently Displayed ST. JUDE NOVENA. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved through- fight to clear the prosecutor’s name KAMINSKI JAMES PHOTO: out the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, LACKAWANNA, N.Y. — The bell pray for us. St. Jude, helper of the helpless, pray for us. Recite nine times a day. By the 8th day, your and to see that he is “fully vindicat- from the former St. Barbara’s R.C. prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised. Thank you ed — in the court of public opinion St. Jude and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. D.S.W. Parish was on display at Holy Cross if not also in our courts.” Cemetery in the city, in prepara- tion for its permanent exhibit at Experience its history, culture, and folklore on a the burial ground. The parish, was one of four Pol- ish American churches to serve GRAND CIRCLE TOUR OF POLAND the Buffalo suburb, was founded with Jane Shuback in 1903. The church was construct- ed in 1930, and featured a 154 foot September 4-18, 2014 bell tower, which is one of the tall- 14 Days visiting: Warsaw • Olsztyn • Elblag • “Mazurian est structures in Lackawanna. The Wedding” Party • Gdansk • Torun • Gniezno • Poznan last Mass was celebrated there on Boleslawiec • Wroclaw • Zakopane • Wieliczka Salt Mine Sun., Jan. 16, 2008. The bell, cast in 1908, lists the Czestochowa • Krakow • and much more! parish founders. At that time, the city was part of West Seneca, N.Y. Includes: First Class Hotels • 2 Meals Daily One year later, residents voted to split from West Seneca, and took Transportation by air-conditioned • Motor coach • Baggage the name Lackawanna in honor of the Lackawanna Steel Company, handling in & out of hotels • English speaking guides • Entrance which opened its factory there in 1902. fees according to tour program • Service charges & city taxes In late 2009, lightning struck the tower of the shuttered church, an act some say was the result of its namesake’s intervention, as St. Don’t get lost in the crowd Barbara — the patron saint of artillerymen, armory makers, military Space limited to 25 persons engineers, gunsmiths, miners, and anyone else who worked with can- non and explosives — is invoked against thunder and lightning. For complete itinerary, contact The church was demolished in 2011, and while the bell and some of it significant paintings and statues have found homes in other Jane Shuback (845) 343-6198 Please make checks payable to: ACPC, c/o Florence Langridge, Membership Chair, 78 Western New York parishes, much of St. Barbara’s was relegated to a or email: [email protected] Meadow Lane, West Hartford, CT 06107 landfill. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2014 www.polamjournal.com 7

HAPPENINGS: CHICAGO STYLE / Geraldine Balut Coleman Astronaut Pawelczyk Guest Speaker at PAA Brunch PHOTO: ANDRZEJ BARANIAK ANDRZEJ PHOTO: POTASIAK TERESA PHOTO: CHICAGO — land after World The Polish Amer- War I, the turmoil ican Association leading to Gabri- (PAA) hosted its el Narutowicz’s annual Chair- election by the man’s Brunch on Sejm, and his as- April 27 at Chi- sassination. cago’s prestigious The next film, Standard Club. Stara Baśń (When Chairman of the the Sun was God), Board, Kenneth directed by Jerzy Berezewski, pre- Hoffman, tells sented the PAA’s the story of ninth- Solidarity Award century Slavic to Arie and Bo- The Zweigs and Dr. Pawelczyk tribes that existed zenna Zweig awarded the Gold Cross of Merit. while the Polish for their lifetime of giving. This Additionally, Kazimierz Malisz, state was form- year’s speaker was James “Jim” son of Bogusław Malisz, accepted ing. King Popiel A. Pawelczyk, Ph.D., who shared the Siberian Exile Cross on behalf rules and his cruel the inspirational story of his distin- of his late father. Stefania Kubic- wife, Ryksa, mur- guished career as an astronaut and zek was awarded a special medal ders the entire rul-

academician, citing also his Polish from Poland’s National Education PHOTO: ANNA SOKOLOWSKI ing assembly. The pride and identity. As an American Commission. U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, U.S. Congressman Mike Wreath-laying ceremony at the Kosciuszko peasants revolt, researcher of physiology and kine- Four representatives of the Pol- Quigley, and Judy Baar Topinka, Illinois Monument in the median of E. Solidarity paving the way siology who flew aboard the NASA ish American community were State Treasurer. Drive, southeast of Shedd Aquarium. for the establish- STS-90 Neurolab Space Shuttle honored with the Outstanding Pole ment of the Piast mission as a payload specialist, Abroad Award. Lucyna Migala, co- outside of Poland and celebrates further information on the Paschke dynasty. This film Pawelczyk was the first astronaut founder, artistic director, and gen- the anniversary of the ratification Art Center visit: www.edpaschke. was shown on May 31. of full-blooded Polish descent to eral manager of the Lira Ensemble, of the Polish Constitution on May org. The third film in the festival is go into space. He recalled how he artist-in-residence at Loyola Uni- 3, 1791. For 123 years, Polonia’s Far From Poland, a docudrama brought a Polish Flag, sent to him versity Chicago, was honored for various community organizations SPRING FILM FESTIVAL AT by Jill Godmilow. She was unable by Aleksander Kwaśniewski, Presi- her many years of promoting Polish have come together to share in this PNA. For the next couple of months to gain entry into Poland during the dent of Poland, via the Polish Em- culture through music. Ms. Migala, traditional Chicago salute of Polish the Polish Arts Club of Chicago, early 1980s, in order to make a doc- bassy, on the mission. On May 3, an Emmy-award-winning television pride and tradition. An estimated the Chicago Society, and the Polish umentary about the Gdańsk strikes 1999, he presented that same flag journalist, is vice president and pro- 100 organizations including Polish National Alliance will inaugurate and the Solidarity Movement. She to Kwaśniewski in a ceremony in gram director of WCEV/1450 AM, language schools participated in this a Polish Heritage Series to explore finally gained access. More- im Warsaw. He also told of the crew’s one of Chicago’s major multi-ethnic year’s parade. the beauty and richness of Polish portantly, her film tells the story one-week isolation from everyone, stations. Also receiving this award Polonia is indebted to ART- heritage. Its Spring Film Festival of the woman who really started including his family. Then he re- were Tom Startek, businessman, VCHICAGO for “live streaming” began April 26 with the showing of Solidarność – Anna Walentynowicz. lated to the audience his experience and Jan Loryś, former manag- the entire Parade in both English Smierć Prezydenta (Death of the This will be shown on June 28. prior to the launching of the shuttle. ing director of the Polish Museum. and Polish. A special dziękuje bard- President). This film was directed All films are screened at the Pol- Though isolated on Easter Sunday, Michael Traison, a lawyer and ad- zo goes out to Barbara Chalko, by Jerzy Kawalorwicz, the director ish National Alliance, 6100 N. Ci- the crew and NASA “brass” had vocate for Polish American–Jew- marketing representative for the Il- and writer of the film Quo Vadis. cero Avenue, Chicago, at 2:00 p.m. planned a wonderful Easter din- ish American dialogue, was named linois State Treasurer’s office and The drama is filled with political in- The cost of viewing each film is a ner, baked ham, pineapple, and all. “The Friend of Poland and Polonia” president of the Polish Scouting Or- trigue and tells of the rebirth of Po- bargain at $5.00 per ticket. Pawelczyk commented that he re- and received the 2014 Outstanding ganization, Harcerstwo, in Illinois, quested kielbasa. Much to his won- Polish American Award. for her excellent English language derment, the chefs at NASA had The Outstanding Pole Award is commentary and to Slawomir Holocaust Opera Based on Radio Play heard of kielbasa, and would try to sponsored by the Foundation for Budzik, general manager of Radio locate some. Jim said that he would Polish Promotion in Warsaw, in Deon on WPNA/1490 AM, and Syl- and Novel Premieres at Lyric Opera PHOTO: CATHERINE ASHMORE CATHERINE PHOTO: order the best kielbasa from Redlins- cooperation with the Office of the wester Skora, radio producer of ki’s Meats in Buffalo, New York, his President of the Republic of Poland, WPNA/1490 AM, for their Polish hometown. Once it arrived, he had the Senate and Ministry of Foreign commentary. Thanks to Polvision’s to show the chefs how to prepare it. Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Eugeniusz Jarzabek for his excel- He was pleased that the Easter Sun- which includes its embassies and lent camera work in broadcasting day dinner with the NASA staff and consulates. Pangea Network USA is the Parade. crew had a touch of Polish and that the national organizer of this award. ABCTV Channel 7 did tape he had introduced the crew to Polish the parade, but it was delayed un- cuisine. Dr. Pawelczyk is currently POLISH CONSTITUTON DAY til 11:30 p.m., and ended abruptly Associate Professor of Physiology, PARADE. It was a great day for a without closing remarks. “Thank Kinesiology, and Medicine at Penn- parade, any parade. The weather you” to news reporter and anchor sylvania State University. was in the high 50s and the sunny Alan Krashesky, for his many sky was a perfect years of enthusiastic commentary. shade of blue. And dzieki, to Anna Ziolkowski The theme of Sobor for her Polish history com- Chicago’s 123rd mentary. Annual Pol- ish Constitution ED PASCHKE ART CENTER Day Parade was OPENS. If you are an Ed Paschke Check out Chicago’s Lyric liner above to the dark horrors of PHOTO: ANDRZEJ BARANIAK “John Paul II – a fan, this may be of interest to you. Opera 2014-2015 season, even the death camp below … Guilt Polish Son for In honor of the late Paschke’s 75th if opera is not part of your musi- and denial, lies and truth, fear and the World.” The birthday, the new Ed Paschke Art cal preferences. There is one op- courage, and love — it’s all here Parade, held on Center at 5415 W. Higgins Av- era that may be of interest. “The in an artistic and emotional experi- Saturday, May enue in Chicago’s Jefferson Park Passenger” by Polish composer ence you’ll never forget.” 3, included state, area will hold its grand opening on Mieczysław Weinberg will have “The Passenger” received its county, and Chi- Sunday, June 22. The Center is be- its Chicago premiere during the American premiere at the Hous- ing constructed inside the former Lucyna Migala receiving award. cago dignitaries, Lyric’s 60th Anniversary Season. ton Grand Opera, February 2014, along with repre- Knobe the Stationer Building. It “The Passenger” is based on a but was staged for the first time in CONSULATE’S PRESENTA- sentatives of Chicago, Illinois, In- will feature a 2,800 square foot gal- 1968 adaptation of a 1959 Polish 2010 at Austria’s Bregenz Festival, TION OF POLISH MEDALS AND diana, and Michigan Polonia. This lery along with 1,700 square feet radio play and, later, a novel, by then again in Warsaw and London. AWARDS. During Polish Constitu- year’s Grand Marshall was Edward of educational space. The Center Zofia Posmycz, a Polish Catholic Amanda Majeski, interna- tion Day celebrations, the Consulate Mika, former president of the Al- is funded through the Rabb Family survivor of Auschwitz. tionally-renowned lyric soprano, General of Poland held an award liance of Polish Clubs. Vice Mar- Foundation in partnership with the The printed synopsis of the op- a native of Gurnee, Illinois, and ceremony to honor distinguished shalls were Anna Sokolowski, vice 3M Company, the Block Museum era is: “Aboard an ocean liner in graduate of Carmel Catholic High members of the Polonian commu- president of the Polish Roman Cath- of Art, and the School of the Art In- the early 1960s, a West German School and Northwestern Univer- nity. Robert Rusiecki, deputy con- olic Union of America and Dorota stitute of Chicago. diplomat, Walter, and his wife, sity, will have the role of Marta in sul general, presented Arkadiusz Malachowska, president of the Dar The Chicago-born son of Polish Liese, are bound for a new post- the opera. Przio with the Cavalier’s Cross of Serca (Gift from the Heart) Founda- immigrants, Paschke grew up on the ing in Brazil. But unbeknownst to Naturally, as is the custom at the Order of Polonia Restituta. The tion. This year’s parade queen was northwest side. He became a nation- her husband, Liese served as an the Lyric, English translations will Commander’s Cross of the Order of Paula Soltys, a student from De- ally-known artist and belonged to a SS officer in Auschwitz. Haunted be projected above the stage. This Merit of Poland was posthumously Paul University and an active mem- unique Chicago group known as the by her past, she is stunned when powerful Holocaust opera will be presented to Wladysław Lis. Ac- ber of Polonia. Imagists, whose art was considered she thinks she recognizes a fel- performed in multiple languages: cepting this medal was his wife, The Polish Constitution Day Pa- by some to be grotesque and surreal. low passenger; is it really Marta, Polish, Czech, German, Yiddish, Regina Lis. Mieczysław Leopold rade proceeded up Columbus Drive This style was influenced by the ab- her former prisoner? ... The action Greek, French, and English. The Kukuła received the Cross of Free- in the heart of downtown Chicago. stract and expressionist art and the moves between two realms – from opera runs from February 24 – dom and Solidarity. Cynthia Euge- Chicago’s Polish Constitution Day pop movement of the 1960s. The the pristine white deck of a luxury March 25, 2015. nia Mitchell and Emil Walat were parade is the largest Polish parade Center offers free admission. For 8 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2014

POLONIA OF THE EASTERN GREAT LAKES / Michael Pietruszka Karski Centennial Commemorated PHOTO: RICHARD POREMSKI POREMSKI RICHARD PHOTO: Polish American Congress Marks 70 Years BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Polish ing experience is preferred. Submit “Polish Peace Posters” ... Talking American Congress (PAC) cel- a letter of application and curricu- Leaves Books in Buffalo present- ebrated its 70th anniversary jubilee lum vitae to the Skalny Center for ed Tomek Jankowski, author of by holding its National Directors Polish and Central European Stud- “Eastern Europe: Everything You meeting in the city in which the ies, University of Rochester, Hark- Need to Know about a Region That organization was founded — Buf- ness Hall 101, Rochester, New York Shaped Our World and Still Does” falo, NY. Entitled “From Proud 14627-0147. Direct questions to Dr. on May 3, and Marc Pietrrzykows- Past to Dynamic Future,” the 70th Bozena Sobolewska, bozenna.sobo- ki, author of “Raiders of Niagara” anniversary weekend started off on [email protected] or 585-275- on May 8. May 29 with the PAC National Di- 9898. On May 4, the Kalina Singing rectors meeting. After that meeting, Society celebrated its 113th anni- Buffalo Auxiliary Bishop Edward POLONIA TIDBITS. The win- versary with a banquet at the Mil- Grosz, Father Ted Bocianowski and ners of “Buffalo’s Best Kielbasa” lennium Hotel. Amanda Borowski other priests concelebrated a Mass Contest, held at the historic Broad- received the groups’s 2014 schol- at St. Stanislaus Church, the Mother way Market as part of its Easter arship at the dinner ... The Polish Church of Buffalo’s Polonia. A re- festivities were: Dubel’s Sausage Genealogical Society of NYS pre- ception at the St. Stan’s Social Cen- (Peoples’ Choice for Commercial, sented a Research Workshop at Villa ter followed the Mass. Best Overall Commercial, Best Maria College in Cheektowaga on Pawel Stefanski, Chairman of the Jan Karski Institute for Tolerance and On May 30, a Jubilee Confer- Smoked, Best Fresh, Best Smoked the 8th ... On May 10, WKBW-TV, Dialogue, addresses the gathering at the gravesite of Jan Karski on the ence focusing on the issues of unity Holiday, Best Fresh Holliday); Han- WNY’s ABC affi liate, presentedFr. occasion of his 100th birthday. A photo of Karski is displayed on left. In and cooperation within the Polish zlian’s Homemade Sausage (Best Michael Burzynski, the pastor of the background, forming a graveside Guard of Honor is Polish Embassy American community was held at Non-Traditional Commercial); and St. John Gualbert Parish in Cheek- Military Attachés Commander Dorota Stachura – Navy, and Major the Millennium Hotel in Cheektow- the Bednarz Family (Best Overall towaga, speaking about his collec- Norbert Czerbniak – Air Force, fl anked by Polish and American fl ags. aga. The conference was open to the Homemade) ... Dyngus Day favor- tion of religious relics on its “Our public. Following the conference, a ites, “Those Idiots,” headlined the Daily Bread” television show ... by Richard Poremski commemorations being conducted Gala Dinner was held at the hotel. “Euro Block Party” at Buffalo’s Also on the 10th, the Polish Yacht WASHINGTON, D.C. –A cen- there on April 24th. Many Polish, Canadian and U.S. Dnipro Ukrainian Center on May Club of Toronto marked its 90th an- tury ago, on April 24, 1914 — St. Pawel Stefanski, Chairman of dignitaries were in attendance. 2 ... Former Erie County Executive niversary with a banquet at the Bev- John’s Day — Jan (John) Romuald the Jan Karski Institute for Toler- May 31st brought at trip across Dennis Gorski has announced his erley Street SPK Hall. Kozielewski was born in Lodz, Po- ance and Dialogue, organized and the border to Niagara-on-the-Lake, candidacy for a seat on the Town of The Adam Mickiewicz Library land. He was serving as an artillery led the event. Kaya Mirecka-Ploss, Ontario to visit the St. Vincent De- Cheektowaga Justice Court in this and Dramatic Circle elected the offi cer in the Polish Army Reserve founder and honorary chairwoman Paul Cemetery. Members of the year’s election ... The Dom Polski following leadership at its recent when the Nazi Germans invaded of the Institute, was unavoidably PAC visited their Canadian coun- in Perry has closed ... Polish Con- annual meeting: Gary Ptak (presi- Poland on September 1, 1939. Dur- absent due to her requested pres- terparts – representatives of the Ca- stitution Day was marked by ob- dent), Amy Smardz (vice president), ing the long and brutal Nazi Ger- ence in Poland to participate in the nadian Polish Congress (KPK).This servances by the Polish Arts Club of Greg Witul (secretary), Annette man occupation that ensued after Karski events there. unprecedented meeting took place Buffalo (with the Harmony Polish Juncewicz (treasurer) and Janice Poland’s defeat, Kozielewski joined Stefanski reminded everyone in the historic setting of a Polish vet- Folk Ensemble), Adam Mickiewicz Swinnich (fi nancial secretary). the underground resistance Home that 2014 was offi cially declared as erans’ cemetery where they honored Library and Dramatic Circle, and St. Bill Nowakowski, Louis Perfetto, Army (Armia Krajowa/AK) and “The Year of Jan Karski” by the Pol- the memory of the Polish soldiers Stanislaus Parish ... Artist Destiny Robert Sienkiewicz, John Killian, adopted, from among others that he ish Parliament to celebrate his “Sto from the United States and Canada Rogowski, a native of Gdansk, has Aniela Baj Thant, Mark Jaskula, employed, the nom de guerre of Jan Lat – 100 Years.” He reminded us who volunteered to serve in General been adding murals to the walls of Doug Butler, Dan Shanahan, Yuri Karski. From that point onward he that Karski was a husband, solider, Haller’s “Blue Army” during World the new Chrusciki Bakery Cafe in Hreshchyshyn and Chip Campbell was known only as Jan Karski for author, university professor, leading War I. Kenmore . were elected to the group’s board . the rest of his life, until his passing American citizen – and most impor- Molly Poremski, the curator of Erie County Democrats endorsed in July, 2000. tantly … “an extremely inspiration- OPPORTUNITY. The Skalny Cen- the Polish Room of the Lockwood Family Court Judge Margaret Ol- Karski was very active in the AK al human being.” ter for Polish and Central European Library at the State University of szewski Szczur for another term in and became a secret courier to the Poland’s Ambassador Ryszard Studies at the University of Roches- New York at Buffalo North Campus that offi ce ... On May 16, the Roch- Polish Government in Exile, even- Schnepf remarked that Professor ter seeks an instructor in Polish lan- recently announced that the library ester Oratorio Society performed tually based in London until the end Karski was a true Polish patriot and guage, who would teach one or two recently added two new digital its “Liturgy and Legacy” concert at World War II. Employing subter- noted hero. He remembered that courses per term beginning Fall, collections: “Album Pamiatkowe the Asbury First Methodist Church fuge and disguise, he witnessed the Karski used to say that he consid- 2014. A native speaker with teach- - Buffalo’s Polonia History” and as a preview to its performance in severe plight of the Jews imprisoned ered himself a failure because no Krakow as part of an Eastern Euro- in the Nazi decreed Warsaw Ghetto, one really believed his eyewitness pean tour later this year ... The Pol- and the deadly Nazi concentration and prescient Holocaust revelations. PAJ SUBSCRIPTION FORM ish Heritage Society of Rochester camp situation. He reported his “But he was certainly not a failure,” held its Annual Meeting at the Pol- tragic fi ndings to the allied Polish, spoke Schnepf, “and our very pres- NEW SUBSCRIBER RENEWAL ADDRESS ska Chata Restaurant, and the ROC- British, and U.S. governments, and ence here today in his honor proves Fill out form. If Please include CHANGE MassMob descended upon St. Stan- various other high offi cials in the it.” Schnepf also gave extensive in- gift subscription, address label Enter new address islaus Kostka Church in Rochester, West — even meeting with Presi- terviews to all the Polish news me- please fi ll out address from paper below. Please include on May 18 ... The 12th Annual Pol- dent Roosevelt in the White House dia present. of recipient. address label from ish Heritage Festival will be held in 1943 — but he was met with in- Jacek Nowakowski, a personal KEEP OUR POLISH HERITAGE ALIVE! paper. on June 6 and 7 at the Fairgrounds credulity at every turn. After World friend of Karski, and representing SUBSCRIBE TO THE PAJ TODAY! in Hamburg. This year’s festival War II ended in 1945, the former the U.S. National Holocaust Me- 1 YEAR—$22.00 PAYMENT ENCLOSED will offer performances by Special incredulity became a monstrous fact morial Museum, recounted what an 2 YEARS—$41.00 PLEASE BILL ME Your subscription will not Delivery, John Gora & Gorale, Bob of genocide — “The Holocaust” — important role Karski played in the 3 YEARS—$57.00 begin until your check clears. Uleck & Polka Relations, Buffalo with Karski being accorded a most concept, planning and building of CHARGE TO MY: VISA AMEX Touch and the Ludowa Nuta Polish sad and bittersweet vindication of the museum. To much of their mutu- FOREIGN and MASTERCARD DISCOVER Choir. For more information, please his warnings and alarms. al amazement, it grew over the years CANADIAN RATES: visit polfunfest.com At Mount Olivet Cemetery, on from a modest concept into the all- See prices printed CARD NO. v v v April 23, 2014, a graveside cer- encompassing edifi ce it eventually on page 2. For library, If you have an item for this col- emony was held to commemorate became. institution, and bulk umn, please send the information Karski’s 100th Birthday. It was Representing the Armed Forc- rates, please call EXP. DATE CS CODE 1 (800) 422-1275 to me by the 6th day of the month celebrated here one day early for es of Poland — and rendering a preceding the month in which you recording by the Polish media, al- military salute to 2nd Lieutenant NAME would like the item to appear (i.e. lowing that this ceremony could be Kozielewski/Karski — was Briga- June 6 for the July edition) at pi- broadcast the next day in Poland in dier General Jaroslaw Strozyk, [email protected]. league with the other offi cial Karski Commander of the Defense Attaché NO. STREET APT. NO. Offi ce of the Embassy of Poland. The melancholy military melody “Taps” was then played by a bugler CITY, STATE, ZIP POLISH AMERICAN in the background. CULTURAL CENTER The ceremonies were a fi tting DIGITAL EDITION. 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TOLEDO POLONIA / Margaret Zotkiewicz-Dramczyk POLONIA ON FILM / Joseph W. Zurawski Kmieć Returns as Artistic Director Celebrating Summer Solstice YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio —The- George White’s Scandals (1935) atrical director, choreographer, per- Toledo is finally, finally going to Century Club in Sterling Heights, Comedy, Music, Romance former, and PAJ Culture Editor Staś see some 80-degrees temperatures, Mich. This is Macomb County’s Distributor: Fox Film Corporation Kmieć returns to Ballet Western a number not marked around town largest festival. Just a few of the Director: George White Reserve as Artistic Director, having since early October of last year. The highlights of this event include a Screenplay Writer: Jack Yellen assumed leadership in the dual role grass, so recently laden with snow, three-day craft show, the “Pierogi Featuring: Alice Faye, Lyda of Artistic Director and Executive is turning emerald green at last. It’s Challenge,” PRCUA of Michigan Roberti (as Manya) Director during the Winter-Spring time to rake the yard, plant flow- Group Reunion day Sunday, a Pol- Lyda Roberti was born in War- 2011 season. ers, and vegetables, and plan for the ish Mass at noon on Sunday as well, saw, Poland, May 20, 1906. Her During that period he took the summer months that are upon us. plus authentic Polish food, beer, and parents were circus performers. She organization to new areas of cre- It’s with great excitement that I non-stop music from no less than toured with the circus leaving it in ativity, public awareness, visibility, look forward to spending some time six polka bands over the three days. Shanghai, China. She learned Eng- and community involvement. The at new events (for me, at least) this Whew! lish and became a café entertainer. home facility in the Morley Center season. I have heard that Polish Before I close, I can’t help but Roberti emigrated to California in was given an interior renovation American Night at Comerica Park think about the warm, rainy Oc- 1927 and was soon discovered by and exterior branding, the Board of in Detroit is lots of fun, so the Jeep tober day in 1978, when I heard Broadway producer, Lou Holtz. She Trustees began a year-long strategic will be heading that way in a few that, for the first time in 400 years, became an overnight success in his planning process, groundwork for weeks. (As I write this, the Tigers the world’s Catholics were going show, “You Said It” receiving rave outreach and adjunct programs were have won seven games in a row, to have a non-Italian pope. Even reviews and numerous comments Lyda Roberti established, and a series of “Let’s let’s hope that momentum stays though I was only a senior in high about her Polish accent. show of local talent. White decided Move Youngstown” programs were with the team!) school at the time, I remember the She used that Polish accent to to stay for the show and was im- initiated. Later in June, The West Side thrill as I heard my father say that build her considerable fame and pressed with some of the local talent Kmieć is accomplished in many Detroit Polish American Historical the new pope was Polish. I will nev- exploited it: O.O. McIntyre writing areas of entertainment includ- in his New York “Day by Day” col- which he signed up for his show in Society is holdings its Sixth Annu- er forget the smile on his face and 1935. ing dance, theater, and film and al Summer Social, June 21, from the utter happiness that this news umn, February 27, 1931 comment- is a member of the professional ed: “The Paramount Theatre tower “George White’s Scandals” are 5:00-11:00 p.m. at the Monsignor brought to us and to our little Polish not very scandalous. They feature unions: Actors’ Equity, Screen Ac- Hunt K of C Hall. In Poland, the community in Dayton, Ohio. As the lights up only on Saturday night … tors’ Guild-AFTRA, The American Lyda Roberti, the platinum haired lavish costumes, extravagant sets Summer Solstice is one of the big- years passed and it became evident and dancing sequences that are Guild of Musical Artists, and The gest festivals, complete with bands, that this pope was meant to change Polish girl … is the new toast of Stage Directors and Choreographers Broadway, and deservedly.” When challenging, if not breathtaking. The fireworks over the Wisla River, and not only the Catholic Church but shows are meant to dazzle and en- Society. the lighting of wianki, which are also world history, I still cherish the advised to lose her Polish accent, Ballet Western Reserve, with its Roberti replied, “Many times they tertain the audience. They manage set on fire and floated on the river. memory of that warm, rainy day so to accomplish this with regularity. 50-plus year rich history provides PAHA’s event will recreate the old many Octobers ago, when the world tell me to learn English. But I do not pre-professional training in ballet vant to. I don’t vant to. I think better Roberti was featured is several of fashioned Polish Park picnic parties was given John Paul II. And though and multiple areas of dance. it eez to stay as I am.” the sets. of yesteryear with its own Summer I was not at any commemorative Kmieć has danced with the Bos- Roberti starred in eight films be- Roberti’s stage name for this Solstice Festival and Wianki. Ladies events in late April during his can- ton Ballet, the Metropolitan Op- tween 1932 and 1935. In “George movie is Manya, the name of her are encouraged to wear a wianki for onization, perhaps it was fitting that era Ballet, toured and performed White’s Scandals 1935,” she ac- real-life sister. a chance to be named Wianki Queen I was catching up with some of my on Broadway with both Rudolf companied George White to Florida In 1935 Roberti was forced of 2014. best and oldest friends from Old Nureyev and in the American after his smash 1934 review. During to withdraw from the filming of July brings the 34th Annual North Dayton at our annual reunion. a stop in a small town in Georgia, “Wives Never Know” due to illness. Dancemachine. He traveled to the American-Polish Festival held As the songs says, “how quickly White noticed that a local theater However, she was able to complete Soviet Union with Stars of Ameri- the 11- 13, at the American Polish time flies.” was using his name in promoting a some Hal Roach short features and can Ballet, and has performed in again returned to feature films. numerous Broadway and national CIEKAWOSTKI / Martin Nowak Three years later, Roberti died of a touring theater productions. In New heart attack at the age of 31. York City, he has been active in Note: Discrepencies exist about choreography and film work, and her birth date since each of her par- served as an instructor at the Ameri- John Paul Jones and Poland ents gave a different birth date. Her can Musical and Dramatic Academy John Paul Jones is the quintes- Confederation of Poland (which in- graveside marker at Forest Lawn (AMDA) and Ballet Arts. sential American naval hero. Born cluded among its fighters Kazimierz Memorial Park reads: “Lyda Rober- This summer, he will travel to in Scotland in 1747, he came to Pułaski) against Russian occupation ti Ernst 1912-1938.” Poland as an invited judge of the America in 1775 after a controver- of Poland. The sultan demanded that v v v 35th International Dance Festival in sial career as a merchant ship cap- Russia not interfere in the internal Joseph Zurawski is author of Po- Poznań; and will later choreograph tain. affairs of Poland and gave the Bar land: The Captive Satellite; Polish the premiere of “The Mapmaker’s Shortly after his arrival in the Confederates safe haven in Turkish American History and Culture: A Opera” at Off-Broadway’s New United Sates he offered his services territory. Russian Cossack pursuit of Classified Bibliography; Polish Chi- York Musical Theater Festival. to the newly formed Continental the Polish fighters into the Ottoman cago: Our History, Our Recipes; six Kmieć will balance his time with Navy. He performed admirably dur- Empire was seen as an act of war by regional histories (Niles, Illinois, BWR and has established numerous ing the Revolutionary War against the Turks. Door County, Sister Bay, Kewanee collaborative opportunities for the the British, and it was during a Admiral Jones was quite suc- County, Liberty Grove, Saukville) 2014-15 season and innovative pro- naval battle off the British Isles in cessful at repulsing the Turks in your services.’’ and Sturgeon Bay Shipbuilding. grams for the future. 1779 that Captain Jones uttered his the Black Sea, but petty jealousies Admiral Jones had apparently famous phrase, ‘’I have not yet be- and false charges of rape from his asked Kościuszko to assist him in gun to fight.’’ envious Russian cohorts caused him landing a military position in Eu- SUPPORT THE PAJ PRESS FUND Following the war, the United to fall out of favor and be recalled rope or possibly, it has been con- States military was drastically from battle. Embittered, he left Rus- jectured, to become involved in n 1978, a voluntary fund-raising campaign was launched by a group downsized and Jones found himself sia in July 1789 after only a few an anti-Russian enterprise with of loyal readers of the Polish American Journal entitled “We Love the unemployed. His area of expertise months of active service at sea and Kościuszko. This was a few years PAJ Press Fund” in order to help cover rising postage, material being naval warfare, he began of- little more than a year in Russia, to before Kościuszko’s unsuccessful and production costs. IDonations to the PAJ Press Fund are also used to support our reader fering his services to other nations. seek employment in another Euro- 1794 uprising against the Russians Centuries ago this was a com- pean country. in Poland. services (postage, telephone, research, etc.), provide newsclippers with mon practice that did not have the Jones also corresponded with and stamps and envelopes, and cover extraordinary expenses in producing negative connotations that today’s IN SEPTEMBER OF 1789 John met Lewis Littlepage in Warsaw, the the paper. The Polish American Journal is not a profit-making ven- soldiers-for-hire, or mercenaries, Paul Jones was in Warsaw, Poland American then serving as an aide to ture. Thanks to its dedicated staff, the PAJ is published­ as a “public have. For example, the great Polish where he managed to write mem- Polish King Stanisław August Poni- service” for American Polonia. generals Kościuszko and Pułaski oirs of his American campaign and atowski. Littlepage had also served Donations to the PAJ Press Fund will be acknowledged in the paper basically hired themselves out to his activities in the Russo-Turkish in the Russian navy in 1788 and had unless otherwise directed by the contributor. been under the command of Admi- the United States during the Revo- War. He sent a copy to the czarina in A sincere “THANK YOU” for their donations to the PAJ PRESS FUND: ral Jones. lutionary War. whose employ he was still, but un- In Memory of Ted Lesniak from Helen Cooke, Brecksville, Ohio, Dr. It was when he was near death In 1788 the Russian Czarina der leave of absence, hoping to be John Niziol, Clifton, N.J.; Rev. Carl Urban, Schenectady, N.Y.; Regina that Jones again found gainful em- Catherine was in need of experi- recalled to active service by her. Wnukowski, Philadelphia; one Friend of the PAJ. Dziękujemy wam ployment. Living in Paris, he was enced naval officers, and being While in Warsaw, Jones be- wszystkim! The PAJ thanks all who donated to the Press Fund. impressed with his experience and came acquainted with Tadeusz appointed by President George credentials, she hired John Paul Kościuszko. Upon leaving the Pol- Washington to act as U.S. consul MAIL TO: PAJ PRESS FUND Jones with the rank of rear admiral ish capital in November he sent with Algiers to secure the release POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL to command a flagship on the Black General Kościuszko a letter in of captive American sailors from its P.O. BOX 271, NORTH BOSTON, NY 14110-0271 Sea during the ongoing Russo-Turk- which he gave a forwarding address ruler. He never assumed his duties I want to make sure the POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL continues its ish War. This war was an attempt by in Holland and wrote in part: and died in his apartment in 1792 at service to American Polonia. Enclosed is my contribution of $______the Turkish Ottoman Empire to re- “As I shall be in relation with the age of forty-five. v v v take lands seized by the Russians af- our friends in America, I shall not NAME ter the previous Russo-Turkish War fail to mention on all occasions the An interesting note: John Paul of 1768-1774, and the Russians also honorable employment and the re- Jones was not his given name, it saw it as an opportunity to control spect you have attained in your own was simply John Paul, the same ADDRESS the Black Sea. country, and the great regard you as the one that was adopted by the That first war had been in part retain for the natives of America, great Polish Pope St. John Paul, two CITY, STATE, ZIP instigated because the Sultan of where your character is esteemed, centuries later. Jones was added in Please [ ] include [ ] do not include my name in your list of contributors. Turkey had sided with the Bar and your name justly beloved for honor of a friend he admired. 10 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2014 25 Years Ago Poles Voted for Freedom Poland in a 75-year nutshell: Timeline of Polish freedom continued from cover erates knew that the Polish ship of state by Robert Strybel 1968: Polish nationalist communists with the EU which is expected to have forgotten that it was the partial- was sailing in uncharted waters at a WARSAW – June 4th, the an- win a power struggle against Jewish lead to full membership by 2000. ly free or semi-democratic elections time when 70,000 Soviet troops were niversary of the partially free 1989 Stalinists, and most of Poland’s Jews The same year Soviet troops pull out of June 4, 1989, which led Poland to still based on Polish soil. Even two elections, is being celebrated as are forced to emigrate in the resul- of Poland. Former communists now freedom and democracy after 45 years the silver anniversary of Poland’s tant anti-Semitic purge. calling themselves social democrats years Moscow later, witnessed a failed win the parliamentary election. of Soviet-imposed communist rule. attempt to restore the Soviet order. In regained independence. In actual- 1970: Bloody worker riots on the That raises the logical question: how 1989, no-one knew how things would ity, that event was but one of the Baltic coast topple the regime of 1995: Wałęsa loses his presidential could an election that was largely un- stages leading to freedom. It could strait-laced Wladyslaw Gomułka and re-election bid to former commu- play out. usher in a decade of rule by the more nist Aleksander Kwaśniewski. The democratic lead to full democracy? It was only after the eastern bloc’s not have occurred were it not for pro-Western Edward Gierek who surprise upset sends shock waves The question and the answer reflect first non-communist government was Solidarity’s peaceful revolution, gets the country into debt by obtain- across Poland and Polonia. the convoluted meanders of Polish the regime’s 1981 martial-law in place that the Berlin wall came ing excessive Western credits. 1997: The Solidarity-led govern- politics which had included the peace- down, and one Soviet-style regime crackdown and the resurgence 1976: New price-hike protests erupt ment of Jerzy Buzek carries out four ful Solidarity revolution, the regime’s after another collapsed. The follow- of labor unrest in the late 1980s in Ursus and Radom; leftist dissidents major reforms; they include replac- martial-law crackdown and several ing year, in fully democratic elections which finally brought the commu- set up the Worker Defense Commit- ing the country’s 49 tiny voivodships intermittent stages leading to the June Lech Wałęsa was chosen as Poland’s nists to the bargaining table. tee (KOR) to assist sacked and jailed (provinces) with 16 big ones. 4th parliamentary contest. first popularly elected president. But But why did Solidarity emerge workers and their families. 1999: Despite Moscow’s opposition, General Wojciech Jaruzelski’s De- the country did not follow a smooth in the first place? What was it re- 1978. Polish Poland together with the Czech Re- cember 1981 martial-law clampdown and straight road to freedom and belling against and why? Answers Cardinal Karol public and Hungary join the North had effectively quashed labor unrest, prosperity – rather it was more like a to those questions go back many Józef Wojtyła Atlantic Treaty Organization. Polish but the economy kept deteriorating bumpy, winding path strewn with pit- decades to World War II and its af- elected pope troops set up joint forces with Ukrai- of the Ro- nians and Lithuanians which are still until a new wave of strikes swept the falls and obstacles. termath which turned Poland into a Soviet-controlled puppet state, man Catholic not NATO members. country in the late 1980s. The commu- The hardships caused by Finance satellite or captive nation. The Church. 2003: A high-powered pro-EU pro- nists decided to sit down to a roundta- Minister Leszek Balcerowicz’s shock- following timeline will hopefully 1 9 8 0 - 1 9 8 1 : paganda campaign tries to convince ble in spring 1989 and negotiate rather therapy reforms, coupled with constant help put those events into sharper A strike at Poles that membership in the EU than violently suppress the protests. bickering in a parliament in which 29 The more liberal Soviet leadership of focus: the Gdansk will mean freedom to travel, study different political parties were repre- Shipyard spreads across the coun- and work throughout the commu- Mikhail Gorbachev was more condu- sented, caused a political backlash in try and leads to the emergence of nity, economic and civilizational ad- cive to such dialogue. 1939: On September 1st, Nazi Ger- which Poles returned former commu- many attacks Poland marking the Solidarność, the Soviet bloc’s first vancement and many other advan-

nists re-badged as social democrats to start of War World II, the bloodiest independent trade union. A 10-mil- tages. Poles approve their country’s AT THE ROUNDTABLE, the Solidar- power. And ex-communist Aleksander conflict in the annals of mankind. On lion-strong movement of Poles from membership in a June referendum. ity opposition surprisingly agreed that all walks of life seeks to democratize Kwaśniewski narrowly defeated September 17, Soviet Russia invades 2004: Poland and nine other coun- the election to the Sejm would be only the country but is crushed when Wałęsa in 1995, quashing his bid for eastern Poland and Hitler and Stalin tries officially join the EU on May 1st. 35% democratic, with 65% of the seats divide up the country roughly in half. martial law is declared in December Celebrations marking the occasion re-election. 1981. reserved for the ruling communists and 1944: The Poles victory over the Ger- cannot hide the fact that only three their allies. As leading dissident Jacek 1982-1988: Troops and tanks patrol EU countries have opened their job ALTHOUGH GOVERNMENTS have mans at Monte Cassino, Italy, uplifts Kuroń put it, “they (the regime – RS) the nation’s spirits. On August 1st, the streets, some 10,000 Solidarność markets to Poles. Passports and visas have the army and police, control the come and gone, one cannot deny that freedom-fighters launch the - War activists are jailed and major indus- are no longer necessary and Poles state apparatus and the airwaves, so overall the country has progressed saw Uprising against the German try is militarized as General Wojciech can now travel across EU borders Jaruzelski’s seeks to re- with only their ID cards, that counts for about 65%.” over the past quarter-century. Cities occupation forces. The two-month have been modernized, motorways and insurrection is crushed after the store Soviet-style com- but their cars can still There were, of course, Solidar- munist rule. But an un- be searched. ity radicals who said that anything highways have been built, home and advancing Red Army, which in July had already set up a Soviet puppet derground opposition 2005: Pope John Paul less than 100% free elections were a car ownership has expanded and Poles movement continues to defy the are better educated than ever before. regime in Lublin, refuses to aid the II, regarded as the greatest Pole of all sell-out and betrayal. But the tactical insurgents. regime, a new strike wave erupts in times, dies after a prolonged agony. Apart from the June ‘89 election, 1988, forcing the authorities to ne- compromise of Solidarity’s moder- 1945: At a February meeting at the His funeral at St Peter’s Square is one ates carried the day and made Poland other milestones this year include the gotiate with Solidarność. of the largest such send-offs in histo- 15th anniversary of Poland’s admis- Soviet Black Sea resort of Yalta, FDR the first Soviet bloc country in which and Winston Churchill consign Po- 1989: Roundtable negotiations be- ry. The conservative Law and Justice the opposition got a real say in the sion to NATO and the 10th anniver- land to the post-war “Soviet sphere tween the communist regime and party, headed by Jarosław Kaczyński, governing process. Solidarity scored sary of European Union membership. of influence”, inaugurating 45 years Solidarność lead to an agreement to wins parliamentary elections, but a landslide by winning all the freely Although, like most everything else, of the country’s Soviet subjugation. hold partially democratic elections. lacks a majority and creates a coali- Despite the restrictions, Solidarność tion with two smaller parties. His contested seats and 99 seats in the those moves have had their downsides, 1945-1955: A decade of hard-line all in all they have firmly anchored scores a surprise victory at the polls twin brother Lech is elected Presi- newly restored, democratically elected Stalinist rule attempts to Societies in June, leading to the emergence of dent of Poland. 100-member Senate. Poland on the side of the Free World. the Polish nation by killing and jailing Poland’s first non-communist post- 2007: Unable to govern with his Under a “your president our prime That development became all the more Polish patriots, nationalizing private war government several months valuable in view of the recent Ukrai- property, collectivizing agriculture, two contentious coalition partner, minister” proposal floated by dissi- later. The Polish example leads to the Jarosław Kaczyński calls for new dent Adam Michnik, Jaruzelski be- nian turmoil east of the border. Unem- destroying the Church and breaking domino-like collapse of one com- the will of the Polish people. elections hoping to improve his came president of Poland by a single ployment still remains high at around munist regime after another across party’s showing. But his party loses vote and Catholic journalist Tadeusz 14%, while the country simultaneously 1956: June “bread and freedom” Europe. to the liberal Civic Platform party of Mazowiecki headed up Poland’s first suffers a shortage of specialists and riots in Poznan usher in a period 1990: Over the next decade, join- Donald Tusk which forms a coalition known as the “the thaw”: Stalinist post-communist government. But skilled workers now earning a living ing European Union and NATO are with the small Polish Peasant Party. abuses are exposed, Cardinal Stefan Poland’s top foreign-policy priorities. Mazowiecki agreed to include two in Western Europe. But, although one Wyszyński is released from custody, 2010: A Polish presidential airliner communist generals in his cabinet as still can hear among the elderly and Lech Wałęsa becomes Poland’s first crashes in Smolensk, Russia killing forced collectivization is abandoned popularly elected president. an interim arrangement to ease the less educated that under communism and attempts are made to create a all 96 people on aboard including transition. That evoked outrage in “things were better,”, not many Poles “socialism with a human face.” 1993: Poland, Hungary and Czecho- President Kaczyński and his wife many Solidarity quarters, but the mod- would really want to go back. slovakia sign an association treaty and many leading political figures and military leaders. Bronisław Ko- morowski is elected president in earlier elections called to fill the va- Festival Season Kicks Off this Month cancy. POLISH HERITAGE FESTIVAL chop dinner and Polish and American fast food stop cultural entertainment and a variety of Polish 2011: Pope John Paul II, regarded by JUNE 6-7 will be available. To satisfy your thirst, you can foods. his countrymen as the greatest Pole BUFFALO, N.Y. — The 12th annual Polish choose from Polish and American beer, wine, There will be an array of different musical who ever lived, is beatified in Rome. Heritage Festival will be held June 6-7, 2014 at soda pop or water. And to satisfy your sweet performances by bands such as Grammy award Tusk’s Civic Platform becomes the “The Fairgrounds” Grange building, 5820 South tooth, delicious, mouth-watering desserts will be winner Jimmy Sturr, Polka Country Musicians, first party to get re-elected since Po- Park Avenue in Hamburg, N.Y. The theme for available once again. Molly B & Squeezebox, Gary Christian’s All Star land adopted democratic rule 1989. this festival is “Honoring Saint John Paul II” at a This is a family-friendly event. Admission is He is again joined by the Polish Peas- Band, Cold Sweat & the Brew City Horns, Liver- ant Party as junior coalition partner. Polish Folk Mass on Saturday, June 7:00 at 4:00 only $10, with youth up to 16 years of age re- pool 64, John Gora & Gorale, Bobby Way & The pm. It will be celebrated by Rev. Msgr. Matthew ceiving free admission when accompanied by an 2012: For the first time ever, Poland Wayouts just to name a few. plays host to European Champion- Kopacz, P.A. with folk music by John Gora & adult. Admission includes Polish music, dancing, As in years past, the festival will feature Syre- Gorale, accompanied by the Ludowa Nuta Pol- exhibits, vendors and more. ship Soccer Finals; the event is co- na Polish Folk Dance Ensemble, 16th Annual hosted by neighboring Ukraine. A ish-Canadian Folk Choir. The music at the Polish The Polish Heritage Festival is a 501(c)3 non Chopin Competition, Sukiennice Marketplace, train crash near Szczekociny kills 16 Folk Mass are selections loved by St. John Paul. profit charitable organization that serves to pro- and the Cultural Village main tent will feature people and injures several dozen This will be a special Mass because Rev. Msgr. mote Polish and Polish American culture and tra- a collection of authentic Polish Costumes from others. ditions. Funds raised are used to support various Kopacz has a special connection to St. John Paul. many regions of Poland. 2013: The new Pope Francis, who re- In 1976, he was the secretary of the welcoming charitable causes both locally and in Poland. Celebrate Father’s Day from 4:00-6:00 p.m. places the abdicating Benedict XVI, committee when Pope John Paul was still a Car- on Sun., June 15 when all dads get in free when continues fast-track canonization dinal. Just before the Pope’s death, Msgr Kopacz WISCONSIN POLISH FEST proceedings for Poland’s John Paul II. accompanied by their child of any age. Children traveled to Italy to see him once again. JUNE 13-15 15 and under are also free. Reduced admission is 2014: Turmoil in neighboring This year’s festival entertainment on Friday MILWAUKEE — America’s largest annual Ukraine dominates Poland’s political will be Special Delivery, a popular local band. Polish festival will be held June 13-15, 2014 at also available on Sun., June 15 when gates open to scene, as Russia annexes Ukraine’s They will be alternating with Bob Uleck Polka the Summerfest Grounds—Henry W. Maier Fes- the public at 9:30 a.m. for the Mass and will close Crimea peninsula and pro-Russian Relations from Pennsylvania. On Saturday, John tival Park. promptly at 11:00 a.m. Fr. Steve Malkiewicz will separatists destabilize the country. Gora & Gorale will be performing alternately with The 2014 Milwaukee ethnic festival season celebrate Sunday morning Mass at 10:15 a.m. at Pope John II is declared a saint of the a favorite festival regular, The Buffalo Touch. starts with the Polish Fest. Polish Fest, now in its the cultural stage. You need not attend Mass to Catholic church at a canonization ceremony attended by an estimated For competitive attendees, we offer the Pierogi 33rd season, features cultural exhibits, Polish mu- pay reduced admission, however ticket must be purchased before 11:59 a. m. At noon, prices re- one million pilgrims; he is co-can- Eating Contest, and also, the Festival Pageant. sic and entertainment, vodka tasting, Polish food, onized with Pope John XXIII. Poland You can also enjoy seeing unique exhibits and vodka bar, Polish beer and fireworks on Saturday vert to the regular $12.00. celebrates its 15th year in NATO and vendors, and try your luck at winning the huge night. Ticket prices are $10.00 in advance and for a decade in the European Union, the prizes at the Theme Basket Auction valued at a Enjoy “50 cent Friday” on June 13 when fes- seniors and $12.00 at the gate. Children 15 and 25th anniversary of regained inde- minimum of $50.00 each, with some worth much tival admission is only 50 cents from noon until under are free with an adult admission. For more pendence and the 70th anniversary more! 5:00 p.m. and $5.00 from 5:01 p.m. until mid- information, call the Polish Fest office at (414) of the 1944 Battle of Monte Cassino To satisfy your hunger, a Polish platter, pork night. Guests will enjoy a weekend of great non- 529-2140, or visit online at www.polishfest.org. and the Warsaw Uprising. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2014 www.polamjournal.com 11

POLISH CHEF / Robert Strybel Recipes for Your PolAm Summer Food Fest Hotdogs, burgers, pizza and ta- (plain or containing 1/2 c spicy- HOT KIEŁBASA (kiełbasa na almost to the end. Grill as above. ½ inch thick. Pound with meat mal- cos are rarely in short supply, but style ketchup). Bake covered in pre- gorąco). This is the most conve- let lightly and set aside. For the at your PolAm fest, parish picnic heated 350° oven 1 hr. Reduce heat nient way to serve kiełbasa to a BATTERED KIEŁBASA ON A marinade, in a large bowl combine or other Polonian summer doings to 325° and cook another 1-2 hrs. large crowd. Cut smoked kiełbasa STICK (kiełbasa w cieście na ¾ c salad oil with 3 buds crushed it is the traditonal Polish delica- Switch off heat and leave in oven into 3”-5” serving-sized pieces, patyku). Prepare sausage as in pre- garlic, 1 large fi nely chopped onion, cies that are the main attraction for another 20 min or so for fl avors to place in a large pot, cover with boil- ceding recipe but dip kiełbasa on a 2 crumbled bay leaves, 1 t salt, 1 many. In fact, people are known to blend. These can be kept hot in the ing water and cook until boiling stick in crêpe (naleśnik) batter and t ground pepper, 1 t marjoram, 1 t drive in from many miles away to electric roaster in which they were resumes. Reduce heat to low, cover deep-fry to a nice golden-brown. sweet paprika, 1 t freshly squeezed sample some of the Polish comfort cooked and served as needed. Serve and remove portions as needed. Pro- lemon juice, 1 t brown mustard and foods they get so little of these days. with rye bread or as a complete meal vide rye bread, horseradish, ćwikła KIEŁBASA IN A ROLL (kiełbaska several dashes of Tabasco or other And if take-outs are available, many with mashed potatoes and mizeria (beetroot & horseradish) and brown w bułeczce). Grillers (thin wiener- hot pepper sauce. Mix well and will stock and take ethnic treats “to (cucumbers in sour cream, seasoned Polish-style mustard. sized Polish sausage) or lengths of place the meat in the marinade mak- go”home to their families. Here with salt, pepper, and dill). hot kiełbasa served in a crusty split ing sure all sides get coated. Cover are some favorite festival foods to GRILLED KIEŁBASA (kiełbasa z roll into which they are inserted are and refrigerate at least 24 hrs. Cook consider. Here are some traditional MUSHROOM GOŁĄBKI FOR rusztu). Cut smoked kiełbasa into always popular and fairly easy to on fairly hot charcoal grill several foods to consider. VEGETARIANS (gołąbki postne 3”-5” serving-sized pieces or use serve. Provide Polish-style brown mins on each side until fully cooked z grzybami dla jaroszy). Here the smaller grillers (wiener-sized mustard and horseradish. inside. Serve with boiled dilled po- GOŁĄBKI / STUFFED CABBAGE is a delicious alternative to meat Polish sausage). Cook on charcoal tatoes and a crispy green salad. ROLLS (gołąbki). Combine 1 lb gołąbki that even non-vegetarians or electric grill well away from KIEŁBASA-KEBABS (szaszłyk raw ground meat (pork, pork & will enjoy. In 4 T butter, margarine fl ame, turning frequently, until z kiełbasą). On a skewer alter- KISZKA (kaszanka w bułce). Kisz- beef, pork-veal-beef combination, or oil sauté 16 oz. fresh, washed evenly browned on all sides. These nate 1/2” - 3/4” pieces of smoked ka (Polish groat sausage) in 4-5” or ground dark-meat turkey) with and chopped portobello mush- can also be cooked on a rotisserie. kiełbasa with 1/2” thick onion lengths may be cooked on a grill 4-6 c undercooked rice, 1-3 chopped rooms with 2 medium chopped on- To ensure even cooking, score each slices, fresh mushroom caps, sqa- or fried in a greased skillet until butter-fried onions and 1 egg. Mix ions. Combine with 4 c preferably piece of kiełbasa by cutting half- ures of thick-sliced bacon and bell browned on the outside and heated ingredients by hand and salt & pep- slightly undercooked rice or barley way through at an angle on one side pepper pieces of roughly equally through. It can be sliced (leav- per to taste. Other seasonings can . Add 1 raw egg and mix to blend at 1/4” intervals. Provide rye bread, size. Brush with oil, sprinkle with ing the casing on) into 1” rounds include: 2-3 dashes of garlic powder ingredients. Salt & pepper to taste horseradish, ćwikła (beetroot & pepper, marjoram, garlic powder and fried in a greased skillet until and/or Tabasco, or a sprinkling of and garnish with 1 T chopped fresh horseradish) and brown Polish-style and paprika and cook on rotisserie crusty-browned on both sides or it chopped fresh parsley or dill. Use parsley and 2 T chopped dill. Fill mustard. or grill, making sure that all sides can be removed from casing and meat-rice mixture to fi ll pre-wilted pre-wilted cabbage leaves as above. are evenly cooked. They are ready fried hash-style. Good accompani- cabbage leaves. Before fi lling and Drench with a 10½ oz can cream of KIEŁBASA ON A STICK (kiełbasa when the onion is tender. ments include fried onions, brown rolling, cut out or shave down the mushroom soup combined with 3 c na patyku). Cut smoked kiełbasa mustard, horseradish, dill pickles thick central vein near the base of boiling water in which 1 mushroom into 3”-5” serving-sized pieces or GRILLED PORK-NECK STEAKS and sliced tomato slices. It can be the cabbage leaves. Place gołąbki bouillon cube has been dissolved, use the smaller grillers (wiener- (karczek z grilla). This is now the served with potatoes and mizeria as snugly in roaster no more than 2 lay- and bake in preheated 350° oven at sized Polish sausage). Run a wood- Poles’ favorite char-grilled treat! a complete meal or on a crusty bun ers and drench with 3 c tomato juice least 2 hrs. en skewer up each piece of sausage Slice 2½ - 3 lbs pork neck into steaks as a “kiszka-burger.”

To order, use form on page 15, call (800) 422-1275, Mon.- Fri., THE POLISH KITCHEN STORE 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. , or shop on line at www.polamjournal.com. countryside through the year, giving for your recipe box— perfect as party licates recipes taken from menus of COOKBOOKS readers priceless historical information favors or hostess gifts! Motor City and surrounding area res- HANDTOWELS to common questions asked by de- taurants. It shows you how to make an TREASURED scendants of Polish immigrants. Love- POLISH entire menu right in your kitchen that $8.50 each plus POLISH ly illustrations by Elliott Hutten and HOLIDAY tastes and smells just like the restau- $5.95 s&h RECIPES FOR pearls of practical wisdom from the COOKERY rant. Soups, salads, dressings, sand- Hanging towels. AMERICANS old Polish kitchen marvelously com- $24.95 wiches, stuff ed cabbage, and more. Machine embroi- $14.95 plement this book. This title includes by Robert Strybel dered designs. Polanie over 100 easy-to-follow recipes, and 248 pp., hc. POLISH PIEROGI: From the Old Useful and at- Publishing a detailed bibliography and resource Hippocrene Bks. Country to the Old Neighborhood tractive. Red 170 pp., h.c. guide. Polish Holi- $10.00 by Eva Gerwecki, 48 pp., sc. with white towel day Cookery ac- A collection of “secret” recipes, tips, I LOVE PIEROGI The fi rst com- (cloth may vary). 2-210 plete, hard cover POLISH quaints readers and more for not only fi llings and top- collection of Pol ish cookery in the Eng- CLASSIC with traditional pings, but a variety of dough recipes lish language published in the United DESSERTS Polish foods associated with various as well. Over 150 recipes with regional States. Researched from old Polish $16.95 occasions and furnishes countless variations, from California to New York! cookbooks and recipes collected from By Laura and cooking tips and serving suggestions. the best Polish American cooks, it also Peter Zeranski This “instruction manual for the cul- contains stories of Polish festivities and 2013. 96 pp. 8½ turally aware Polish American” off ers APRONS customs such as Christmas Eve wigilia, x 8½. Index. 100 color photos by Bob more than 400 recipes, along with a Harvest Festival dożynki and the foods Rock lexicon of basic foods and culinary $20.00 each plus $5.95 s&h POLISH CHEF to celebrate them. Perfect for home Organized by type and with titles in concepts, ingredients and procedures, Proclaim your Polish heritage with this I LOVE KIELBASA 2-211 2-212 cooks or to give as a special gift. both Polish and English. From mazur- and sample menus. The clearly-written lovely restaurant-style apron. 100% kas and babas to pastries and bever- recipes facilitate the preparation of the Cotton Apron featuring two gener- POLISH CHI- ages, these recipes are designed for dishes and their incorporation in the ous pockets. Quality red cloth with CAGO: the modern kitchen but retain their Polish American mainstream culture. machine-embroidered lettering and OUR HISTORY, traditional roots. Each of the forty-fi ve Polish Holiday Cookery covers holi- design. One size fi ts all! OUR RECIPES desserts are tested to perfection and days such as Christmas and Easter, as $29.95 paired with mouthwatering photo- well as celebrations year-round. Ideas by Joseph W. graphs and notes on Polish history and for banquets, picnics, dinners, and Zurawski customs. family favorites abound throughout, 240 pp., hc., 720 photographs ensuring that cooks have a selection of POLISH CHICK I LOVE KISZKA G. Bradley Publishing POLISH dishes for any occasion. 2-213 2-226 Since the 1830s millions of Poles CLASSIC have come to Chicago. This work re- RECIPES THE OLD NEIGHBORHOOD counts by vivid prose, rare photo- $16.95 POLISH COOKBOOK: graphs and poignant anecdote the by Laura and Hamtramck, Detroit and Beyond — amazing story of these indomitable Peter Zeranski $10.00 by Elna Lavine, 44 pp., sc. I LOVE PIEROGI 2-225 people. The volume turns a spotlight 2011, 96 pp., h.c., 96 recipes on 36 Polish American restaurants and index, 100 color photographs by Mat- from the famed families who opened up their kitchens thew Aron Roth Polonia of De- to share time-tested, delectable Polish Designed for the modern kitchen troit. Breakfast, I LOVE POLISH CIOCIA’S recipes. yet retaining traditional roots, each lunch, dinner MUSIC 2-227 KITCHEN 2-228 heritage recipe in Polish Classic Recipes pastries, pierogi, THE POLISH has been tested to perfection. Accom- kluski, cream I LOVE CZARNINA POLISH CHEF COUNTRY panied by notes on Polish holiday cus- chipped beef, 2-223 2-220 KITCHEN toms, history, and menu pairing sug- soups, desserts COOKBOOK gestions, these dishes off er a fl avorful and more. $16.95. by Sophie sample of the Polish dining experi- Knab. 337 pp., ence, as passed down from generation POLISH GIRL pb., Ill. to generation. COOKBOOK WESOLYCH This popular $10.00 by Eva Gerweck, 44 pp., sc. SWIAT (Merry cookbook by GIFT PACK Another cookbook full of recipes Christmas) 2-270 beloved Polish 12 FAVORITE from Detroit’s Old Polish neighbor- POLISH CHICK FOREVER POLISH 2-224 2-222 American author GLOSS-COAT hoods. Appetizers, entrees, breads, Sophie Hodoro- POLISH RECIPE desserts, and more! Upper Peninsula wicz Knab is now updated with a new CARDS style pastries, potato salad, pastries, section on Polish Feasts and Festivals! $5.00. by Polanie Publishing. babka, breads, and more. Top of “I Love Knab combines recipes for favorite Pol- Appealing red-ribbon cello packet Czarnina” towel ish foods with the history and cultural of the most popular and treasured rec- POLISH RESTAURANT features yellow traditions that created them. Arranged ipes, in cluding Cabbage Rolls, Turkey COOKBOOK $10.00 duckies. according to the cycle of seasons, this Cutlets with Mush room Sauce, Baked by Jonathan Becklar, 44 pp., sc. WHO STOLE THE CIOCIA’S I LOVE CZARNINA I LOVE PACZKI cookbook explores life in the Polish Apples in Red Wine and more. Handy This unique cookbook actually rep- KISZKA? 2-201 KITCHEN 2-202 2-229 2-274 12 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2014

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

SPORTS / Tom Tarapacki Fast Friends Bednarski Came First Bank, Attn. Chris Lynch, 306 W. Lockhart St., Sayre, PA 18840

THE POUGHKEEPSIE POPPER. Connecticut’s NCAA championship men’s basketball win brought back memories of the great Wes Bialo- suknia, who played at UConn in the mid-1960s and holds the single- season scoring record for points per game. Bialosuknia, who died last year at age 68, was born in Poughkeep- sie, N.Y. to Wes Sr. and Catherine (Tulacz) Bialosuknia. He was a three-sport athlete at Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park, N.Y., and went on to star at UConn. TED SZYMANSKI (left) and DAVE MIESOWICZ show off their Wes’s nicknames included FRED BEDNARSKI, who learned to play soccer in a German labor camp, medals after competing in the University of Buffalo’s Annual 5K “Run “Poughkeepsie Popper,” “Wonder- was introduced to American football in the United States. for Smiles.” The event, sponsored by the school’s Dental Department, ful Wes,” “The Mad Bomber” and Most people think that Pete Go- is a fundraiser for the department, which donates services and offers “The Typographical Terror.” The discounts to area residents. golak was the first person to kick a 6-2 guard relied mostly on his jump soccer-style field goal in American This year’s race was held Sat., April 26 at UB’s South Campus. shot to score 1,673 points in his Szymanski finished first in his class (65-69) at 26:30 minutes. Mie- football, but it turns out that the very three seasons with the Huskies. His first was actually Polish native and sowicz came second in the 55-59 class at 25:21 minutes. former coach Fred Shabel said: “He Both runners are members of Buffalo’s Special Delivery band. Szy- Holocaust survivor Fred Bednar- was just a dominant offensive play- ski. manski plays accordion and keyboards, and Miesowicz is the group’s er. Had we had the three-point line, reed player. Ferdynand and Wladyslawa he would have been even better.” Bednarski were living in Uscie Bednarski didn’t try a field goal un- Bialosuknia’s 1966-67 average Biskupie, Poland when World War til his junior year at the University of 28.0 PPG ranked fifth in the na- daughter of the late Bill Krzyze- The Buffalo Bisons (AAA) 2014 II broke out. The town was invaded of Texas. tion. He also holds school records wski, brother of Coach K. She av- Ethnic Night Series continues with first by the Russians, and later by though he did the following season. for career scoring average of 23.6 eraged 22 points as a Guerin senior Polish Festival Night, August 12. the Germans. Under Nazi occupa- He never did kick another field goal. pts. per game and consecutive foul and finished her high school career There will be a pre-game Party in tion the Bednarskis, including Fred Fred went on to join the Army after shots made (43). Among his many with 1,900 points before graduat- the centerfield pavilion beginning Jr., 5, Lucja, 3, and Jozef, 1, were graduation, serving as a lieutenant. honors, Wes was UConn’s initial ing in 1989. She later played at St. at 5:00 p.m. Enjoy live entertain- sent to a German labor camp in Aus- It wasn’t until 1961, that the first team Academic All-American Louis University. ment and great Polish menu options. tria. It was a difficult existence, but Hungarian-born Gogolak, who later in 1967. The Huskies were 56-18 Tara Lipinski, who won the la- Then, after the Bisons game, enjoy they were grateful that they stayed kicked in the NFL with the Bills and in Bialosuknia’s three seasons and dies’ singles Olympic gold medal a post game Pyrotechnics Show. together — and that they weren’t Giants, booted a 41-yard soccer- made the NCAA Tournament twice. in figure skating at the 1998- Win (Gates: 6:00 p.m.). Additional de- sent to a concentration camp. After style field goal for Cornell. Soccer- In his single pro season with the ter Olympics when she was just 15, tails will be forthcoming. being liberated from the labor camp style kicking eventually caught on, ABA Oakland Oaks, Wes ranked continued her successful TV ca- In the meantime, you can learn they went to a displaced persons and there hasn’t been a straight-on second in three-point field goal reer as a fashion correspondent on more about the Toronto Blue Jays- camp for four years before coming kicker in the NFL for over 25 years. shooting percentage and his nine NBC’s Kentucky Derby telecast . affiliated Bisons at Bisons.com. to America. A welfare organization Despite his unique contribu- consecutive three-point field goals 67-year-old Aleksander “Olek” placed the family on a dairy farm tion to American sports, you prob- made tied him for the most in ABA Doba recently paddled into New THEY SAID IT near Austin, Texas, and they settled ably never heard of Fred Bednarski, history. Smyrna Beach Florida at the end of “Playing sports has become very into their new life. However, you may be more familiar Bialosuknia was named a mem- a 6,000-mile trans-Atlantic journey important today, since it can encour- Fred Jr., who learned to play soc- with his little brother. Jozef Bednar- ber of the UConn All-Century Team in a 21-foot kayak. age young people to develop im- cer in the camps, was introduced ski went on to become a profession- selected in 2001. portant values such as loyalty, per- to American football in the United al wrestler, better known as Ivan POLISH NIGHTS. Everyone is Pol- severance, friendship, sharing and States. An outstanding athlete, he “Polish Power” Putski. NAMES IN THE NEWS. Duke ish at the Detroit Tigers’ Comerica solidarity. Sports, in fact, can make became an all-city fullback and coach Mike Krzyzewski is one of Park on June 13. That’s because it’s an effective contribution to peaceful kicker. As a kicker, he addressed the THEY’RE BACK! The three Polish the longest-tenured and most suc- the 44th Annual Polish American understanding between peoples and football from a 45-degree angle, the American NFL head coaches were cessful coaches in the history of Night. Enjoy polka music, tradi- to establishing the new civilization same way he booted a soccer ball. all fired this past season but, as ex- men’s college basketball and, ac- tional Polish dancing (weather per- of love. Sports contribute to the love After high school he decided to pected, all are back in the NFL. cording to USA Today, he’s the best- mitting) by local dance troops and of life, teaches sacrifice, respect and walk-on at the University of Texas. Former Houston head coach paid as well. Krzyzewski earned a special ceremony honoring Polish responsibility, leading to the full de- He boomed kickoffs for the Long- Gary Kubiak was named the new $9,682,032 from the Blue Devils dignitaries. Each ticket package in- velopment of every human person” horns but didn’t try a field goal until offensive coordinator of the Balti- during the 2013-14 season, putting cludes: upper box infield ticket; De- — St. John Paul II in 2000 his junior year. Field goals in col- more Ravens. troit Tigers Polish American Night v v v lege football were rare, and there him well ahead of Louisville’s Rick Mike Munchak, who served as Pitino, who made just under $6 mil- T-shirt; and a $3.00 donation to the “The only place this could have were few kicking specialists at head coach of the Tennessee Titans Polish Roman Catholic Union of happened was in America. You can the time, and those that did used a lion. for three seasons, agreed to become Lynette Krzyzewski Kentgen America #1593 Scholarship Fund. do all kinds of things in the United straight-ahead style of kicking. Soc- Pittsburgh’s offensive line coach. For groups of 15 or more, please States if you’re willing to try.” cer-style kicking was unheard of; in was inducted into Girls Catholic Rob Chudzinski, fired as head Athletic Conference Hall of Fame contact Corey Bell at (313) 471- — Fred Bednarski, on kicking fact, soccer itself was pretty rare in coach of the Cleveland Browns af- 2361 or e-mail corey.bell@detroit- the first soccer-style field goal in the United States. in Illinois. The former River Grove ter just one season, was hired by the (Ill.) Guerin College Prep star is the tigers.com. American football. Texas only attempted four field Indianapolis Colts to be head coach goals during the 1957 season — Chuck Pagano’s special assistant. their opponents didn’t try any. How- ever, one of those attempts made his- PODOLINSKI SCHOLARSHIP POLISH PROFESSIONALS! tory. In a game on October 19, 1957 ESTABLISHED. Jim Podolinski, We invite you to join other family a favor while honoring your parents — first-year Longhorns coach Darrell who co-founded the Epiphany Bas- Polish-American doctors, join our organization and attend our summer Royal sent in Bednarski to try a ketball Tournament, passed away in dentists, and lawyers who meeting. kick from 38 yards out. Bednarski January after battling an extended make up the National Medical had missed a 55-yarder earlier in the The 2014 conference will take place from illness for many years. In 1978, Po- and Dental Association season, but Royal told Fred, “If you dolinski founded and organized the July 30th-August 3rd at the Gaylord Resort and the National Advocates miss, it’ll be better than a punt, any- tournament, which had a tremen- & Convention Center at National Harbor, Society. These organizations way.” The attempt was good, with dous impact on thousands of youths D.C., next to Washington, D.C., just off exit present an annual conference in which you about 10 yards to spare, and Fred in the Southern Tier of New York 2A of I-95 of Maryland, and a short drive from was mobbed by his teammates. The will find a warm and friendly atmosphere, and the Northern Tier of Pennsylva- Reagan Airport. field goal gave Texas a 3-0 lead on nia over the past 37 years. stimulating presentations, and discussions route to a 17-0 upset win over the In honor of his memory, a schol- on contemporary medical, legal, and cultural We encourage you to contact us about 10th-ranked Razorbacks. The news arship has been founded in Podo- topics, with the opportunity to both relax attending the upcoming conference — you’ll media made note of the unique kick, linski’s name through the Epiphany and see the local sights on your own. This be glad you did. Please communicate with Dr. but didn’t make a big deal of it. Dad’s Club. Donations to the Jim is a family-friendly event, and activities for Leon M. Mielcarek, Jr., at 104 Juniper Court, Bednarski didn’t even play Podolinski Scholarship Fund can be children are available. Do yourself and your Glen Milles, PA 19342, or call (484) 431-0111. enough to earn a letter in 1957, sent to: First Citizens Community POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2014 www.polamjournal.com 13

THE OLD COUNTRY / Richard Poremski SURNAME CORNER / Robert Strybel BRUSH UP Be Proud of Your Polish Name! More Menu Items Speech 101 was a required fresh- Summers. Ashton and the like. Distributed by man course at Central Michigan Many years ago, the once-pop- Polonian Media Network University where I started college, ular, syndicated personal-advice “ai” is alike the “a” in “say” and what struck me most about it columnist Ann Landers received a a preposition is added was that first roll call. When the letter (that was before e-mail!) that to the next word professor got to my name, he asked: read: “I am going out with a won- “How do you pronounce it?”, to derful man. We are talking seriously pieczeń ...... (PYEH-chain) which I replied “any way you like.” about getting married, but I have roasted He gently chastised me saying: been thinking about asking him to cielęca...... (cheh-LEHN-tsah) “A surname is you most precious shorten his name. I just can’t see veal possession, something that identi- myself going through life with a wieprzowa.....(vyeh-PSHOH-wah) fies who you are, so only you can name that is unpronounceable. But pork say how it should be pronounced. If when I raised the subject, he flew wołowa...... (voh-WHO-vah) you spell your name Smythe and say into a rage and said he’s change girls it’s pronounced Jones, then Jones it beef before he changed his name. What pierogi ...... (pyeh-ROH-gee) is!” Ever since then I have been pro- should I do? Mary Smith.” stuffed dumplings made from nouncing my last name the original Ann Landers replied as follows: Polish way: STRIH-bell, not STRY- noodle dough “Dear Miss Smith: How would you bull, STRY-bell or whatever. leniwe...... (leh-NEE-veh) NO REFRIGERATION NEEDED. Krynica, Poland. May 21, 1976. like to be Miss Smith forever? It Of course, my two-syllable sur- could happen, and it would serve with curd cheese name is not really a problem, but you right. No name is unpronounce- ruskie...... (RUHS-kyeh) GENEALOGY / Stephen M. Szabados other Polish last names have proved with soft, white cheese to be real tongue-twisters for the able. Some names require a little more effort than others. This young z jagodami.. (zyah-goh-DAH-mee) average American. Some PolAms with blueberries have tried to phonetically respell man is proud of his name and sou z kapustą i grzybami Should I Join a Genealogy Society? their names, for instance Yankoski should be happy to have it.” Should you join a genealogy so- cieties. Each group gave me access instead of Jankowski. Other have (zkah-PUHS-towhn) ciety? Which one should you join? to different types of research mate- shortened them from, let’s say, Ba- DISCOVER YOUR POLISH with sauerkraut and mushrooms Should you join more than one rial – more specific from the local ranowski to Baran, while still other NAME. For a custom-researched z mięsem...... (zMYEHN-sehm) genealogy society? The answer to group and the Polish society and have translated them from Piekar- analysis of the meaning and deriva- with minced meat these questions should be: “Yes, very broad at the state level. Each ski to Baker and from Tomczyk to tion of your Polish last name, how z serem...... (zSEH-ehm) join all societies that can extend offered me access to speakers who Thomson. A minority of PolAms many people share it, where they with cheese your genealogy research.” gave programs on a variety of dif- have entriely discarded the Polish live, and whether a coat-of-arms sól...... (suhl) There are many different types ferent helpful topics. Most impor- surnames of their immigrant ances- goes with it, please airmail a $16 salt of genealogy societies available to- tantly, personal contacts at meeting tors and chosen some random name check (adding $7 for each addition- pieprz...... (PYEH-psh) day for the people seeking help with and conferences help me exchange that happened to strike their fancy. It al surname) to: Robert Strybel, ulica pepper their family history can join. I would research tips with each different has usually been an Anglo-sounding Kaniowska 24, 01-529 Warsaw, Po- classify them into four groups – lo- group. one like Johnson, Smith, Brown, land. cal, state, national and ethnic. Another important tip is to con- DID YOU KNOW? The at-sign @ in e-mail addresses in Poland is Join a genealogy society and get sider joining groups that have ac- SYMBOLS, GESTURES & SUPERSTITIONS / Robert Strybel involved. These organizations will cess to information that pertain to called a “małpa” (monkey), because help you expand your genealogical where your ancestors lived. If you it resembles a primate with its tail Every nation has its own system of notions, beliefs, signs, symbols skills as most schedule regular pro- live in Minnesota but your Polish wrapped round. Animal names are and ways of doing things, whose origin is usually buried in the distant grams and conferences on a variety ancestors lived in Chicago after they also used for this mark in Germany past. The Polish people are no different in that regard. Some notions of topics that expand your knowl- immigrated, you should join the (clinging monkey), Denmark (ele- have been borrowed, other are indigenous. Pagan superstitions have edge. They will also give you the PGSA located in Chicago because phant’s trunk), Italy (snail), Finland intermingled with Christian customs, and often the justification for a opportunity to meet fellow genealo- they have access to information that (sleeping cat), Russia (dog) and certain practice is no longer widely known – it’s just the way things are gists and by exchanging experienc- will include your ancestors. There Greece (little duck). — R.S. done. Many old habits have fallen by the wayside, whilst others are lim- es become familiar with different are also active Polish groups in De- ited to a certain region or even a single town or village. Here are some research methods. troit, Massachusetts, Connecticut, that are encountered with varying frequency. POLISH-ENGLISH If you can, get involved by vol- Minnesota, Texas, New York and TRANSLATOR unteering to help. You may be sur- California. Find the one that will THUMBS UP. This universal gesture of success or achievement is well prised to find that working on - ser include your Polish ancestors and known not only in Poland. It originated in ancient Rome by the emperor to • Official documents, letters, vice projects, society committees consider joining one. signify whether a fallen gladiator should be killed or spared. e-mails, etc. and at conferences, provide another v v v • Reasonable rates. opportunity to learn. You will be ex- Stephen M. Szabados, a regular TAPPING ONE’S FOREHEAD. Tapping one’s forehead with an index • Fast, reliable service by e-mail or regular mail. posed to other activities and topics contributor to the Polish American finger or tracing a small circle on the forehead is the Polish equivalent of making a winding motion near the temple or around the ear to means that • Translation to/from other that you might not be aware of if Journal, is a prominent genealo- languages available as well. you concentrate only on your own gist. In addition to numerous col- someone is “a bit screwy” or “of his/her rocker.” • Over 35 years experience research. Volunteering should make umns and papers, he is the author TAPPING ONE’S NECK. Tapping one’s neck means libation or a booze- working with genealogists, attor- neys, businesses, film-makers, your efforts fun and rewarding. of three books, “Finding Grandma’s up. If someone winks at his brother-in-law and taps his neck without his My personal research has ben- European Ancestors,” “Find Your government, medical profes- wife seeing it and tells her “We’re going for a little walk”, the brother-on- sionals, etc. efitted from my memberships in lo- Family History,” and “Polish Ge- law is fully informed that a round of drinking lies ahead. cal, Polish and state genealogy so- nealogy.” ANDY GOLEBIOWSKI MARRYING IN A MONTH WITH “R.” An old belief is that the only happy 109 Rosemead Lane and lasting marriages are those concluded in a month containing the letter Cheektowaga, NY 14227 Family and records research in Poland (716) 892-5975 “r”. In Polish that is: marzec (March), czerwiec (June), sierpień (August), [email protected] by Kasia Rutkowska. ► Located in Warsaw but will travel. ► wrzesień (September), październik (October) and grudzień (December). Also translations, photographing of ancestral villages; tour guide and interpretor. ► Bilingual. ► References available. email: [email protected] ►www.polishgenius.net/genealogy-research/

Need free help researching your Polish ancestors? Want to provide help for those researching their Polish heritage? Join POLISH GENIUS the Polish genealogy email list. Over 750 members from all over the world. Our two moderators are from the USA and Poland. Check us out and ask the group a question. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/polish_genius/ 14 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2014

NEW BOOKS “This Is Paradise,” Newest Book by Suzanne Strempek Shea GEORGETOWN, Mass. – West- in a country with a life expectancy just walk away,” Shea remembers. From a Lead-lined Room: Notes - ern Massachusetts author Suzanne of 54, and with 14 percent of the “Others would approach, she’d re- High and Low - From My Journey Strempek Shea crossed the ocean population affected by AIDS/HIV, if peat the same stark information. Through Breast Cancer and Radia- to write and research her tenth she wanted to memorialize her son, I wanted to know who this person tion; Shelf Life: Romance, Mystery, book, This Is Paradise: An Irish healthcare would be the most trans- was, what had happened to her son, Drama and Other Page-Turning Mother’s Grief, an African Village’s formative effort. and how does someone go about do- Adventures From a Year in a Book- Plight and the Medical Clinic That Billy actually was the third ing something like starting a clinic store; and Sundays in America: A Brought Fresh Hope to Both, pub- child Riordan lost over 26 years. — how does one single person do Yearlong Road Trip in Search of lished April 19 by PFP Publishing. Her fi rst child — daughter Niamh something that? Apart from that, Christian Faith. She co-wrote 140 The story of Irish guidance coun- — drowned at four months when how does someone repeat a horrible Years of Providential Care: The selor Mags Riordan and the clinic the family car malfunctioned and truth like that, over and over, very Sisters of Providence of Holyoke, she founded in Malawi in honor of rolled off a pier, and her second often to disinterested ears? I got to Massachusetts with Tommy Shea, a son who drowned there is at once child, Luke, succumbed to Sudden know Mags well by asking a lot of and with author/historian Michele inspiring and transfi xing. Infant Death Syndrome, also at four questions over the years since, and P. Barker. Her essay Crafty Critters, “We hear about the triumph of months. feel everyone else needs to get to about her lifelong love of knitting, the human spirit a lot,” says best- “I thought Mags’ story would know her well, too. The fi rst time he a craft she learned in the “Crafty selling author Ann Hood. “But make a strong magazine piece about heard me talk about Mags, my hus- Critters” 4-H club of Palmer, Mass., Mags Riordan personifi es the idea. motherhood, grief, healing, moving band, Tommy Shea, who always has back in childhood, is included in the In This Is Paradise, Suzanne Strem- outside the comfort zone — how the great idea, said, ‘That’s a book.’ recently released anthology Knitting pek Shea takes on her extraordinary one person can change one part of Thanks again, Tommy Shea.” Shea is a member of the faculty at Yarns, Writers on Knitting, edited journey and shows us the power of a our world,” says Shea, who met Shea followed Riordan on three the University of Southern Maine’s by Ann Hood. mother’s love.” Riordan in 2004, as she was fund- continents, for more than 3½ years. Stonecoast MFA program in cre- Winner of the 2000 New England The Billy Riordan Memorial raising in the Irish vendors’ area The book is being published in the ative writing and is writer-in-resi- Book Award, which recognizes a lit- Clinic, in Cape Maclear, Malawi, of the Eastern States Exposition in same year the clinic will celebrate dence and director of the creative erary body of work’s contribution to was founded in 1999 to serve an West Springfi eld, Massachusetts. its tenth anniversary. writing program at Bay Path Col- the region, Shea began writing fi c- area where there previously was one A former reporter for The Spring- “I’m delighted the story is getting lege in Longmeadow, Mass. She tion in her spare time while working doctor for a population of 800,000. fi eld Newspapers and The Provi- out there, and I’m hoping that it will has taught in the MFA program at as a reporter. Her freelance journal- To date, its all-volunteer internation- dence Journal who went on to write do some good for the Billy Riordan Emerson College and in the cre- ism and fi ction has appeared in mag- al staff of doctors and nurses have both fi ction and nonfi ction, Shea Memorial Trust, and might get oth- ative writing program at the Uni- azines and newspapers including tended to 275,000 people who pre- had her ears open as she helped a ers thinking about what they can do versity of South Florida. Yankee, The Bark, Golf World, The viously would have had no choice friend at a booth near where Rior- in this world,” Shea says. “It’s not Boston Globe, The Philadelphia In- but to make an eleven-mile journey dan was selling jewelry and art from exaggerating to say Mags’ story is year. Her sixth novel and eleventh quirer, Organic Style and ESPN the to the nearest hospital — a near im- Cape Maclear, the proceeds going to very inspiring. After the losses she’s book, Make a Wish But Not For Magazine. She was a regular con- possibility in a community having then-new clinic. endured, how does this woman get Money, the story of Rosie Pilch, a tributor to Obit magazine. only fi ve automobiles and a popula- “People would walk up to Mags’ up every day, never mind get up and palm reader who plies her trade in Shea lives in Bondsville, Mass., tion of 15,000. Unable to make the booth, look at the photos of the vil- do what she does for others? It’s a a down-and-out shopping mall, will with Tommy Shea, most recently journey, villagers died regularly, lage and the kids playing outside story of how you don’t have to be be published in October. the senior foreign editor at The Na- sometimes from complications that the clinic, and they’d ask what the a millionaire or an expert of some Shea’s previous books are the tional newspaper in Abu Dhabi, and began with even a slight infection. display was about. Mags would sort to start something that really novels Selling the Lite of Heaven; their dogs Tiny and Bisquick. Though her father had been a phy- start to say something like, ‘I built can help.” Hoopi Shoopi Donna; Lily of the For additional information, sician, Mags had no prior interest a clinic in the village where my son This Is Paradise will be the fi rst Valley; Around Again; and Becom- please visit: www.suzannestrem- in medicine, she simply knew that died,’ and many of the people would of two PFP releases for Shea this ing Finola. Her memoirs are Songs pekshea.com.

BOOK REVIEW / Tom Tarapacki BOOKS IN BRIEF / Mary Lanham Wojciechowski Remembers Great Game A Mosaic of Minds Journey “The Last Great Game: Duke provides much BIPOLAR BUFFALO POLA NEGRI: HOLLYWOOD’S vs. Kentucky and the 2.1 Sec- insight into the A Mosaic of Minds Journey FIRST FEMME FATALE onds that Changed Basketball,” by great Duke team by Anthony Antek by Mariusz Kotowski award-winning sportswriter Gene led by Mike Bipolar Buffalo Publishing University Press of Kentucky, 2014 Wojciechowski, is a captivating ac- K r z y z e w s k i , 2012, 258 pps. Born in Lipno, Poland at the end count of the game many consider Christian La- Bipolarbuffalo.com of the nineteenth century, Pola Ne- the greatest in the history of college ettner and Bob- Bipolar Buffalo takes the reader gri knew that despite her humble basketball. Its behind-the-scenes by Hurley. on the journey of a working-class beginnings she depiction of how the teams were L a e t t n e r , Polish American as he grows up in would be a star. put together and what led up to the who hit the Lackawanna, New York in the mid- As a girl she 1992 NCAA East Regional Final game’s dra- 20th century. was accepted matic winning Each chapter reads almost like its into the Impe- shot, came from LAETTNER, number 32, and HURLEY, number 11, cel- own short story covering an aspect rial Ballet Acad- A WOMAN’S ROLE: working class ebrate Duke’s victory over Kentucky in 1992. of Antek’s life. emy of War- In one chapter saw, but was A 1950’s ROMANCE Polish roots. father and Polish mother (Ledzion) Anthony re- struck down by He grew up in Angola N.Y., a rural from Jersey City. Bobby learned counts the time POLA NEGRI. t u b e r c u l o s i s . community outside of Buffalo. His the game at an early age from his he was a mi- R o m a n t i c a l l y No longer able father, George, was a printer for dad, one of the greatest high school grant worker linked to Chaplin to dance, she the Buffalo News. His mother, Bon- basketball coaches ever, at the leg- on his uncle’s and Valentino. started acting on nie was a teacher. Bonnie’s maiden endary St. Anthony’s High School. farm. As a stage and in 1914 appeared in her name was Turner, anglicized from The elder Hurley “set up his crib at child, he, his fi rst fi lm. In 1922, Pola was signed Turkowski by her father, who was courtside of the White Eagle Bingo brother and his to Paramount Pictures making her born in Poland. Her mother’s maid- Hall” where the team practiced. mother picked the fi rst European actor to be im- en name was Maliniak. George’s Despite their shared Polish heri- strawberries and green beans. In a ported to Hollywood. After acting maternal grandmother, Katherine tage, Laettner and Hurley didn’t get later section, Antek describes the in numerous silent fi lms, Negri tran- Boryta, was born in Poland. Here’s along — actually they hated each onset of bipolar disorder as a col- sitioned easily into talking movies. what Wojciechowski wrote about other. They were very different per- the fi rst time Duke Coach Mike lege student; his breaks from reality, She became one of the most popu- sonalities; Laettner was brash and hospital stays, and therapy. lar and well-paid actresses at the Krzyzewski came to Laettner’s outspoken, while Hurley was quiet home: On his quest of self-discovery, time. She loved wearing expensive and sensitive. It didn’t help that Anthony attends college, goes on clothes and jewels and was a trend- “Krzyzewski’s visit was part Krzyzewski made Hurley his start- White House State Dinner, part an extended road trip, holds various setter. Pola’s personal life was as ing point guard before he ever prac- jobs and meets celebrities. Weaved full as her professional life. She was “Seinfeld” episode, and part Sa- ticed with the team, something that lute to Poland. Though George deftly throughout are threads of married to a count and a prince and irked Laettner, who was a sopho- Western New York history and pop- was romantically linked to Charlie Laettner’s last name was German, more at the time. Krzyzewski broke This heartwarming novel in- his family was Polish. His grand- ular culture which give this autobi- Chaplin and Rudolph Valentino. with his past practice in doing so, vites the reader to participate parents had spoken and argued in ography a sense of authenticity. Kotowski’s biography of Negri but he saw Hurley as “a player who in the life of Celina Pasniewski. Polish. George had attended a Pol- Bipolar Buffalo: A Mosaic of draws from various sources includ- had more than talent: He had a gift.” It’s the man’s world of 1955, ish American school. The dinner Minds Journey is available in both ing newspapers, celebrity maga- In the end, they formed the core of and she is determined to assert theme would be pure Polska: fresh e-book and paperback editions zines, and letters. He paints a com- a team that won two national cham- herself at home and work, have Polish sausage, just-baked Polish through the author’s website at bi- prehensive picture of a woman was a career, and resist the coal min- rye bread, horseradish and butter, pionships. polarbuffalo.com. mysterious and who loved fi nery but ing tradition of the small town smoked sausage, handmade piero- Wojciechowski provides a fresh Born and raised in Lackawanna, was extremely generous and down where she lives. gies. Laettner’s sister Leanne had perspective on Duke’s dramatic N.Y., Antek earned three degrees to earth. This biography is complete 1992 win over Kentucky in the and had a lifelong career in educa- with her fi lmography, discography, $12.99 • pb. 321 pages made cabbage rolls the night before, tion. He now lives in Lakeview, and stage works, a chronology and Assent Publishing but George deemed them too salty. NCAA tournament. More than that, They were tossed outside, where the it provides fascinating insight into N.Y. with his wife. They have three numerous images of the late, great Available on Amazon, Barnes & raccoons gobbled them up.” the various personalities that were daughters and three grandsons. Pola Negri. Noble, Kobo, Sony, and Apple Hurley was the son of an Irish part of these two great teams. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2014 www.polamjournal.com 15

TO ORDER ON LINE: TO ORDER BY PHONE, M-F, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: TO ORDER BY MAIL PAJ BOOKSTORE www.polamjournal.com (800) 422-1275 • (716) 312-8088 USE FORM BELOW NEW! HITLER’S POLISH is a delightful, captivat ing children’s FOR LIBERTY Included are folk songs, lullabies, reli- FURIES GENEALOGY: story about the life of storks and many AND JUSTICE: gious, art songs and bal lads, solo and German Women Four Easy Steps of the Polish customs they encounter. A Biography quartet arrangements and more. En- in the Nazi Killing to Sucess Beautifully illus trated and educational, of Brig. Gen. hanced with colorful Werten illustra- Fields by Stephen it will be thoroughly enjoyed by adults Wlodzimierz B. tions, the book features authentic $26.95 Szabados as well as children. Krzyzanowski, Pol ish lyrics with beautiful English 288 pp., hc. $19.95 1824-1887 translations. Ideal for both musician Wendy Low- 164 pp., pb. FORGOTTEN $29.95 and appreciative listener alike. er’s stunning This book is HOLOCAUST: by James Pula. account of the designed to give The Poles 335 pp. plus OFF KILTER: A role of German the researcher the tools needed to re- Under German introduction. 112 Woman’s Journey women on the search their Polish ancestors and fi nd Occupation, illustrations, hc. to Peace with World War II Nazi eastern front power- possible answers to the origins of their 1939-45. Third 1978, 2010 Scoliosis, Her fully revises history, proving that we Polish heritage. The book outlines a edition This lavishly illustrated biography Mother, and Her have ignored the reality of women’s simple process that will identify where $19.95 of a major Polish American fi gure of Polish Heritage participation in the Holocaust, includ- your ancestors were born and where 358 pp. pb. the 19th century, tells the story of a by Linda ing as brutal killers. The long-held pic- to fi nd their Polish records. Traditional Hippocrene Polish revolutionary exiled to America Wisniewski ture of German women holding down sources are covered but it also discuss- Books. where he rises from private to general $18.95 the home front during the war, as loyal es many new sources for Polish records Forgotten Ho- during the Civil War. 164 pp., pb. wives and cheerleaders for the Führer, that have been implemented by ge- locaust has become a classic of World Even before she pales in comparison to Lower’s incisive nealogy societies in Poland. The book War II literature. As Norman Davies TREASURED was diagnosed case for the massive complicity, and covers the most up-to-date collection noted, “Dr. Richard Lukas has rendered POLISH SONGS with scoliosis at thirteen, Linda worse, of the 500,000 young German of sources for Polish genealogy. a valuable service, by showing that WITH ENGLISH Wisniewski felt off kilter. Born to a cruel women she places, for the fi rst time, no one can properly analyze the fate TRANSLATIONS father and a long-suff ering mother in a directly in the killing fi elds of the ex- POLAND: A of one ethnic community in occupied $24.95 Polish American community in upstate panding Reich. HISTORY Poland without referring to the fates 350 pp., hc New York, she learned martyrdom as “A fascinating look into how wom- by Adam of others. In this sense, The Forgotten Polonie Publ. a way of life. Only by accepting her en played roles in the Nazi Holocaust, Zamoyski Holocaust is a powerful corrective.” A magnifi cent physical deformity, her emotionally this study reminds us that women’s $19.95 The third edition includes a new pref- collec tion of Pol- unavailable mother, and her Polish moral agency can serve good—and pb. 426 pp. 5.5 ace by the author, a new foreword by ish songs with American heritage does she fi nally fi nd evil.” John Grondelski, Polish American in. x 8.5 in. Norman Davies, a short history of ZE- musical scores balance and a life that fi ts. Journal, January 2014. A substan- GOTA, the underground government for voice and piano accompaniment. tially revised and organization working to save the Jews, NEW! LAROUSSE POCKET POLISH- updated edition and an annotated listing of many Poles ENGLISH/ENGLISH-POLISH of the author’s executed by the Germans for trying to BIRTHDAY CARD BLOWOUT! DICTIONARY classic 1987 book, The Polish Way: A shelter and save Jews. by Larousse Thousand-Year History of the Poles and CARD 400 (“Sto lat” Published at their Culture, which has been out of THE KATYN - left). 4¼¨x5½¨ with en- $6.95 print since 2001. No nation’s history ORDER velope Full color. Polish PAJ Bookstore has been so distorted as that of Po- by Douglas W. and English greeting Price: $5.50 land. “..excellent and authoritative” ... Jacobson inside. 608 pp. pb. “fresh, diff erent, and brilliantly read- $24.95 For anyone able” 384 pp. hc., speaking, read- McBooks Press CARD 401 ing, or studying, POLISH A m e r i c a n (“Candles” - right) 5½¨x4¼¨ with the Larousse CUSTOMS, Adam Nowak has envelope with Polish and English greeting inside Pocket Diction- TRADITIONS & been dropped ary is the ideal FOLKLORE into Poland by An ideal “money card” for birthdays! dictionary for everyday use. With its $16.95 British intelli- $.50 each — 10 or more cards: $.30 each handy, portable, paperback format, by Sophie gence as an assassin and Resistance great price and clear, easy-to-use lay- Hodorowicz Knab fi ghter. During the Warsaw Uprising S&H: 1-5 cards: $1.00 — 6-10 cards: $2.00 — 11 + cards: $4.00 out it’s fi lled with up-to-date vocabu- 340 pp., pb. he meets Natalia, a covert operative lary in all subject areas. Hippocrene who has lost everything. 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BOCHEK IN War I and World War II events, last cav- The book includes many sample docu- POLAND alry charges and the defeat of the Red ments, current websites and books $11.95 Horse Army at Komarow in 1920, the SHIPPING CHARGES SUBTOTAL (all boxes)  that will be useful for your genealogi- 54 pp., Polonie battle of Bzura and Warszawa in 1939; $.001-$20.00 ...... $6.95 cal search. Even if you are not a begin- Publishing the AK struggles, fi nally description $20.01-$35.00 ...... $8.95 NY residents-add sales tax  ner, this book will give you helpful tips A First Prize of the moral and physical destruction $35.01-$65.00 ...... $9.95 that may be the one you need to locate winner in a lit- of Poland by the Soviet regime in the $65.01-$95.00 ...... $12.95 S&H (See chart at left) $95.01-$125.00 ...... $14.95 that missing relative. erary contest years 1945-70. The events so well de- TOTAL TO SUBMIT TO PAJ  sponsored by scribed, although interesting, are not $125.01-$200.00 ...... $18.95 MORE BOOKS ON-LINE AT the American as fascinating as the man himself, who Over $200.00 ...... Call polamjournal.com Council of Polish Cultural Clubs, this comes through in these recollections. PRINT CLEARLY OR ATTACH ADDRESS LABEL. THIS IS YOUR SHIPPING LABEL. JAMES MARTIN TRILOGY

PUSH NOT AGAINST A THE WARSAW From: POL-AM JOURNAL THE RIVER CRIMSON SKY CONSPIRACY P.O. BOX 271, NORTH BOSTON, NY 14110 $15.95 $15.95 Hussar Quill To: NAME St. Martin’s St. Martin’s 369 Press, 508 pp., Press. 496 pp.pb. Map pb. ADDRESS pp.pb. Maps & wycinanki $17.99 & wycinanki illust. Reading Po r t ray i n g illust. Reading Group Guide two brothers in Group Guide “You don’t love and war, CITY This book have to read The Warsaw club favorite is Push Not the Conspiracy com- STATE ZIP based on the River to get pletes the trilo- real diary of a Polish countess who the most from this sequel,” says Su- gy. You need not have read the others lived through the rise and fall of the zanne Strempek Shea. The award- to enjoy this family saga set against [ ] CHECK or M.O. ENCLOSED Third of May Constitution years, a winning author picks up where Push the November Rising (1830-1831). time of great turmoil. Vivid, romantic, Not the River leaves off , tak ing the With Siberia or emigration heart- [ ] AMEX [ ] DISC [ ] MC [ ] VISA and thrillingly paced, the novel has characters 20 years into the fascinat- rending contingencies, matriarchs been called “Poland’s Gone with the ing Napoléonic era, highlighting the Anna and Zofi a attempt to steer the CARD NO. Wind.” exploits of the glorious Polish lancers. clan through ever-muddying waters. EXP. DATE SECURITY CODE PAJ BOOKSTORE TRILOGY PACKAGE. Purchase all three of James Conroyd If purchased separately: ...... $49.89 DAYTIME PHONE ( ) Martin’s award-winning novels in a package and save almost $10.00! PAJ Bookstore Trilogy Price: $39.95 16 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2014

PONDERING POLE / Edward Poniewaz EULOGIUM / Lenny Gomulka A Movie, a Book, and a Play On the Passing of Rich Tokarz DELIVERY MAN scary word from a Polish perspec- Musician Rich Tokarz passed DreamWorks SKG tive so I prefer to summarize this away April 22, 2014. A friend to and Touchstone Pictures, 2013 complex as a feeling of confident all, Rich performed with many Okay, it wasn’t just me who was resignation of one’s ancestry and bands and appeared on polka stages anxious about the release of a new past. By any of these standards, do throughout the country. Most re- movie with Vince Vaughn, billed as we have it or not? cently he was a integral part of the a comedy, and with trailers showing For instance, why did we Poles Chicago Push Band. obvious Polish accoutrements and (during our resurgent decades of the I first met Rich when we were symbols. Perhaps you will remem- 70s and 80s) wear buttons that said both in our teens. He then played ber that Vince starred in a film with “Proud to be Polish.” The buttons accordion with the Pala Brothers Jennifer Aniston called The Break were cute and harmless but were we for a short time, filling Al Pala’s Up, playing the main character Gary subconsciously proving something slot, who was in the military. Rich Grobowski (“Gro”), a loser who is to someone? Should we have just went to high school with our friend crude and backwards with women been who we are and have others Bob Bobin, who was also in the Pala and in life, and ends the story with recognize us for it? When I think Brothers at that time. The three of no redeeming value or possibility about it, would a Jewish, Irish, or us, along with Rich’s brother Jerry, for success. You know, the “same Chinese person wear a button that of course, were good friends. At old” Hollywood Polish thing. said “Proud to be?” I don’t think that time, I was playing in the Eddie The new movie produced and they would even go there and would Blazonczyk’s Versatones. In 1976, MUSICIAN AND VOCALIST RICH TOKARZ (right) passed away April distributed in 2013 is called Deliv- think it strange and unnecessary to Junior Wozniak, who played violin 22, 2014. A friend to all, Tokarz performed with many bands and ap- ery Man, and stars Vince Vaughn advertise their worth on their shirt. with the Versatones, announced he peared on polka stages throughout the country. Most recently he was a as David Wozniak, a delivery truck The book does not focus on Po- had to leave the band for health rea- integral part of the Chicago Push Band. driver for the family meat process- lonia so I am not sure where it is on sons. It was in 1976 that we decided bandleader. Rich had all the ingredi- Resort Festival in Wheeling, W.V. ing business who, we find out, is a the ladder of cultural success. What- to add the new sound of the accor- ents of the perfect band member in- Rich’s accordion work is heard on former fertility clinic donor whose ever our “position” there is nothing dion/concertina combination to the cluding talent, unconditional loyalty the latest “Save the Music” CD with “donations” produced 533 children, else I want to be but Polish. No Versatones in place of the violin. and dedication. 144 of which sue the clinic to find matter what value you place on the Chicago Push. The stories and memories that I Rich was born in Whiting, In- out the identity of their father. With author’s formulas and theories, for Condolences are offered to Rich’s have from those years are incredible. diana to parents Stanley and Flor- a storyline like that, with Vince comparison sake see what you think brother Jerry Tokarz. It has been an- Rich and I played together, traveled ence Tokarz (deceased). He was Vaughn, billed as a comedy, and and let me know. It is an interesting nounced that services are private. A and recorded with Eddie & the Ver- the older of two sons. His brother plenty of Polish accoutrements and read nonetheless. Memorial Mass will be announced satones, and made still more memo- Jerry now resides in Las Vegas, Ne- symbols, well you might say as I in time to come. Presently, prayers ries together. In 1985, Bob Bobin vada. Uniquely, making a name for did, yep, “same old thing.” ONCE are most comforting. Rich is deeply had to leave my band, the Chicago himself as a musical sideman, Rich To my surprise though, it is not. A musical stage adaptation based missed and loved and will be re- Push because of health issues. It was a popular and accomplished ac- I think the Hollywood bigots had on the 2006 film by the same membered always. Thank you to the was then that Rich expressed an in- cordionist, singer and song writer. the perfect outline but forgot to name. Music by Glen Hansard Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual terest in becoming part of the band. He performed with Chicago’s Pala read the script! As the legal process and Marketa Irglova. Book by Adoration at St. Margaret’s Hos- He was then playing with Eddie B. Brothers, Li’l Richard’s All-Stars, works itself out, David learns about Enda Walsh. pital for your love and compassion and traveling extensively but he also Marion Lush, Eddie Blazonczyk’s himself, life, and what it means to Cultures collide but instead of in his final hours. Eternal rest grant just bought a bar in Hammond, Indi- Versatones, and Lenny Gomulka & connect and care for someone, or the Sharks and the Jets, the sides are ana which took away his extra time. unto Rich, O Lord, and let perpetual Chicago Push. With his party-like in this case 144 someones, plus the Irish and Czechoslovakian, the story Since my band wasn’t traveling as light shine upon him. May the souls personality and obvious love for woman he is having a baby with. I takes place in Dublin, and there is a much as Eddie’s at that time, Rich of the faithful departed, through the music he has made countless friend- found myself watching and waiting definite tension. The tension in this thought the move into Chicago Push ships throughout the United States mercy of God, rest in peace. and watching and waiting for the case is the good kind, sensitivity and would be to his advantage. He was a and Canada. He has served as a ma- I counted on Rich and I knew I big one, the “same old” scene as in love. What a great play/musical or part of Lenny Gomulka & Chicago jor inspirational role model to hun- could. May God Bless him with the The Break Up, where David does however you want to describe it. If Push from then on and remained dreds of aspiring musicians. He has happiness that he gave to us and so something crude, backwards, or ir- you are Polish it is easily relatable one of my musicians to this day. composed over 40 songs and has many others. We miss you Rich. reparably stupid. Instead, I watched as the Czech “translations” (English Rich is missed by all of us in the also recorded over 30 record albums Thank you for your loyalty, talent, scene after scene building to a grand to Czech on a ticker-tape) and ac- band. He was the foundation upon and CDs. His dedication to polka and friendship. denouement of encouragement and cents are so closely pegged to our which we built our style and actu- music has earned him a place in the v v v positivity. own. ally he set the example for many International Polka Music Hall of Lenny Gomulka is an award-win- David Wozniak finishes the mov- This play will tug at your heart bands out there today. He knew Fame, inducted by his peers in Au- ning musician, singer, bandleader, ie as a credible and sensitive guy strings and the treatment of the when to keep it simple and when gust, 2000. and composer. He currently leads and someone I liked, a lot. Don’t be Eastern Europeans is balanced and to step on the gas. He played with a Rich was a current member of the his band, Lenny Gomulka & the fooled, he does play the “problem sincere. See it and enjoy. team effort and he exercised musi- Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push. Chicago Push, which specializes child” of the family and his behav- cal dynamics. His special technique primarily in Polish-style and Chica- ior is not always top-notch. That is POLISH OR NOT? Robert Lamm, with pretty full chords, tastefully His last performance on stage was the backdrop but woven around this original founder and performer in filling in the gaps was every vocal- just a few weeks ago at the Oglebay go-style polkas. flawed man is his family seen as the rock band Chicago along with ist’s dream. In our band, the win- solid and decent people and I espe- Jason Scheff, another Chicago ning combination of Richie Tokarz “A tradition of local & long distance service continues!” cially loved how the Polish dad was alum, produced a CD for Polish and John Mikos on accordion and portrayed and acted. I do recom- singer/songwriter Zosia Karbowiak. concertina, both musically and per- mend you see this movie and let me Zosia’s work is modern and quite sonally, were a blessing to have as a know what you think. good. Are either Robert or Jason Stobierski Lucas Polish, or was their relationship JUREK-PARK SLOPE THE TRIPLE PACKAGE with Zosia the result of Windy City FUNERAL HOME, INC. Gardenview How Three Unlikely Traits osmosis? Explain the Rise and Fall of v v v Funeral Home, Ltd. Cultural Groups in America. If you have a thought about this Rita A. Lucas 161 Driggs Avenue Penguin Press, New York, 2014 month’s topics, have an answer to Jude P. Lucas (Greenpoint) Brooklyn, NY 11222 If you are interested in Ameri- the questions, have a question of George J. Mueller (718) 383-7910 • (718) 383-2737 can ethnicity and cultures, this is a your own, contact me at: Edward book you might want to read. The Poniewaz, 6432 Marmaduke Av- (718) 383-8600 authors are Amy Chua and Jed Ru- enue, St. Louis, MO 63139; email  A.K. No. 383-0320 benfeld and they analyze why some [email protected]. N.B. If you 728 4th Ave., Brooklyn, NY  American “groups” do better than send email, reference the Polish DORIS V. AMEN Peter Rago others “as measured by income, oc- American Journal or the Pondering LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTOR  Lic. Mgr. NEWLY DECORATED CHAPEL FACILITIES cupational status, test scores, and so Pole in the subject line. I will not OUR 24-HOUR PERSONAL SERVICES ARE Leslie P. Rago AVAILABLE IN ALL COMMUNITIES on” (page 2). “Groups” in this case open an email if I do not recognize AT-HOME ARRANGEMENTS F.D. can be religious like the Mormons the subject or the sender. INSURANCE CLAIMS HANDLED SOCIAL SECURITY & VETERAN’S BENEFITS or Jews, or as ethnic communities Don’t forget to visit The Pon- PROMPTLY EXPEDITED like Cubans or Nigerians. dering Pole blog, ponderingpole. MONUMENT INSCRIPTIONS ASCERTAINED So what is the “Triple Package?” blogspot.com. (718) 768-4192 FUNERAL HOME, INC. According to Chua and Rubenfeld,  131 Nassau Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222 success is measured by 1. A Supe- riority Complex, 2. Insecurity, and 3. Impulse Control. These three are the “rare and potent cultural constel- lation that drives disproportionate group success.” I’m not that far into the book but of the three, the one intriguing cat- egory is “A Superiority Complex.” The authors describe it as a “deeply internalized belief in your group’s specialness, exceptionality, or su- periority” (page 8). Superiority is a POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2014 www.polamjournal.com 17

POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL “Chainsaw” Cuts Ties with Polka Jammer Network CHICAGO RIDGE, Ill. —Jim tober of 2008 and was succeeded “Chainsaw” Kucharski has an- by Todd Zaganiacz, who is now its nounced his retirement from the president. Polka Jammer Network (www.pol- In addition to the Jammer, kajammernetwork.org) on May 31, Kucharski be giving up his terres- 2014. trial AM and FM shows. He will DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION AND CONTINUANCE OF POLISH AMERICAN MUSIC In a statement, Kucharski said continue to play upright bass with had grown tired of “waging an up- Bill Gula’s Chicago Image. hill battle to gain acceptance of Kucharski thanks all of his loyal Drummer John Fetkin Passes Polkapalooza polka music on the Internet.” He listeners who tuned in during his said the stress of operating an In- BRECKNOCK, 14½ year run on internet radio and 3 ternet radio station resulted in burn- ½ years on terrestrial radio. Pa. — John Fetkin, out, and he has decided to return to 64, died unexpect- school to train for another career. “It has been an honor to play the edly April 24, 2014 Kucharski started his first radio polkas, waltzes, and obereks we all in the Reading show on www.247polkaheaven. love on my shows,” he said. Hospital, where he com, which ran from October of The final edition of “Chainsaw’s was a patient since 2000 until February of 2004. In Polka Madhouse” aired on the Polka April. January of 2003, he was asked by Jammer May 31. His final terrestrial Fetkin was a Polkaman Jack Baciewski along show will air Saturday, June 28, multi-talented mu- with Peter J. Danielczuk to help with the Mix Segment of “Polka Pa- sician. He played launch the Polka Jammer Network. rade” from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Central drums with the Mu- Kucharski is credited with setting Time on WJYI 1340AM, Milwau- sicalaires. He also up the network for CD Quality ste- kee. The show can also be heard on- played concertina, accordion and guitar. reo sound line at www.joy1340.com). Fetkin is survived by his wife of 40 years, a As well as the establishment of NICHOLS, N.Y. – Four bands and hundreds of fans packed son, daughter, and and three grandchildren. live programming, an archive, a Proper Credit Due He was a member of Nativity of the Blessed Tioga Downs Casino for eight hours of polkas, food, fun and chat room, a Board of Directors to Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, Read- good times on April 12. Joe Stanky & the Cadets from Penn- oversee all operations of the net- Thanks to mail from a few ing. He loved to cook and was devoted and avid sylvania started things going at noon on the Coasters Stage work, and finally the establishment polka fans who pointed out the Steelers fan. with Fritz’s Polka Band from New York, Jude’s Polka Jets II from of the Jammer as a 501C3 “Not-For- late Richie Tokarz has errone- Contributions in his memory may be made Pennsylvania and Tony’s Polka Band from New York continu- Profit” Corporation, which received ously been credited for compos- to Disabled American Veterans (DAV), 4219 ing until 8:00 p.m. DJs Bill Flynn and Barb Mack acted as MCs. approval from the IRS in September ing “Just Married” polka. Trindle Rd., Camp Hill, PA 17011, Wounded Free admission, great ethnic food, and plenty of room for of 2013. The song was originally a hit Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS, dancing made for a great Sunday of polkas. People traveled Polkaman Jack Baciewski left for Marty Robbins in 1958 and 66675 or the Animal Rescue League, P.O. Box in from Elmira, Corning, Binghamton, and Pennsylvania to en- the Polka Jammer Network in Oc- was written by Barry De Vorzon 69, Mohnton, PA 19540. joy the day. and Al Allen. Chet Kowalkowski and Eddie Blazonczyk, Sr.: Highlights of a Lifelong Friendship o anyone who considers themselves a still booking many jobs low your heritage and culture—and polka aficionado, the names Chet and with my own group, but your mother’s wishes to play polka TEddie (no surnames are necessary) finally, in 1961, I joined music. Your parents and family are are synonymous with vocal excellence. Their the Versatones, which was very proud of you.” harmonies were legendary — think Everly made up of Rich Sendra, Eddie and the Versatones had 18 Brothers, Righteous Brothers, Indigo Girls Bob Sendra, Jerry Chohol- Grammy nominations throughout his — and their pairing shaped the sound of the ek, and myself. The four career, and he was awarded a Gram- early Versatones, one of the most influential of us played for about two my in 1986 for his album, Polka bands in modern-day polkas. The following and a half years. Celebration. He also received many recollection from Chet Kowalkwski, offers an In 1963, Eddie told awards and honors for his tremen- insight into those early, formative years. Donny Ptak he was looking dous contributions to polka music, for musicians to start a pol- and received the prestigious National by Chet Kowalkowski ka band. Later that year, we Heritage Fellowship Award, present- Part II (the original Versatones) ed to him by First Lady Hillary Clin- were performing at Club ton in 1998. THE BEGINNING OF THE VERSATONES. 505. Eddie just happened Eddie was good-hearted, and One night, when I was performing with Dick to be in town, so I asked would do anything for you. He was Billa at Joe & Jean’s lounge, the late Eddie him to go with me to Club also a great songwriter, a super multi- Nowak from Wheaton approached me when I 505 and he brought his bass instrument musician, singer, wonder- was taking a break and asked me if I was play- and sat in. Between Ed- ful personality and a smart business- ing steady with this band. I said, “No, I job die’s singing and our duets, man. He had a computer-like mind, around between this band and other groups.” we sounded great. We liked BLAZONCZYK JOINED THE VERSATONES in 1964. (l. to.r). Choholek, allowing him to remember people’s He told me there was a three-piece young Eddie and he liked us, so Kowalkowski, Rich Sendra, Blazonczyk, and Bob Sendra. first and last names and what state or group called the Versatones that was looking Eddie finally got his polka town they were from. for a steady horn-man and gave me the Sen- band and it was ready-made. At first we used a new employee, there was a lot of Saturday I truly miss my friend. dra brothers’ phone number. I called them and a clarinet and sax player named Gus Chucla, work involved. I heard through the grapevine Next month: made an audition date—this was in the early who was Sendra’s uncle, but, very shortly af- that I would be terminated because I was al- The Polish Carolers spring of 1961. Bobby Sendra asked me if I ter that, in 1964, Jim Bagrowski joined the ways taking Fridays and Mondays off. At the knew any Polish songs to sing. I told him I band. With this group and on the Bel-Aire time, my lip was also giving me problems, so knew of some my mother used to sing around label Eddie formed, we made our first album in 1969, I left the Versatones to save my job. the house, so we practiced and they came out called Polka Parade. Within six months, we About a year later, half the band left Eddie to pretty well. We became very popular around were recording our second album, Bel-Aire form the Tones Orchestra. Eddie was desper- the Hegwisch and West Pullman areas and 3002 called Here Come the Versatones. One ate and called me back to play until he could played a lot of gigs at Club 505, including the time, Wally Maduzia (who would also soon find steady musicians to travel. He would fly remote radio broadcasts on Sundays. I was be a Versatone) stopped in to hear the band me to and from out of town gigs so it wouldn’t and asked: “Who’s the guy on stage affect my job. with the Buddy Holly glasses?” At the end of 1972, I left Eddie again. He continued to travel, but I just performed lo- HITTING THE ROAD. Each year, Ed- cally. Once in a while, I would travel with die would produce two Versatones al- the local bands to Wisconsin or Michigan— bums and in 1964, we started to travel. performing with the Dial-A-Tones, Jimmy We sometimes played in Armstrong Mieszala’s Music Explosion, Don Jodlows- Creek, Wisconsin where, Eddie’s sis- ki’s Vibrasounds, and the Paliga Polka Dots, ter, Louise, would make dinner for the as well as many one-nighters with other local band, putting out an amazing spread. bands. In the mid ’80s the popularity of DJs Looking for attention at the table, I cut our jobs tremendously, going from work-

ALL PHOTOS: CHET KOWALKOWSKI COLLECTION once ate a whole stick of butter on a ing six to seven jobs a month, to two. By the slice of bread; the guys couldn’t be- early ’90s, my lip was really giving me prob- lieve it. Is that why my cholesterol is lems and the band I was in at the time broke so high today? up. Each year the traveling seemed to double, and because I had to take EDDIE CARRIES ON. Eddie, on the other Fridays and Mondays off, normal hand, continued with the band, winning work-related jobs were hard to find. many awards, including being inducted into CHET AND EDDIE. International Polka THE ORIGINAL VERSATONES, (l. to r.): Jerry In early 1967, I started working for the IPA Polka Music Hall of Fame in 1970. Convention. Buffalo, N.Y. 1965. This festival Choholek, Chet Kowalkowski, Robby Sendra, and the Archdiocese of Chicago, but I remember telling him: “Congratulations to was the forerunner of the IPA Festival and Rich Sendra. by1968, the road trips tripled. Being you Edziu, you made a wise decision to fol- Convention. 18 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2014

DANCE TIME / Jen Pijanowski A Dyngus Day Like No Other BUFFALO, N.Y. — Lori Ur- fl oor is packed and the crowd in Potts Banquet Hall was my next banczyk, the New York state direc- front of the stage is awestruck, stop for the day. John Stevens’ tor for International Polka Associ- watching as the band plays. There Doubleshot was playing when I ation (IPA), hosted a dance at Potts is no doubt that Easter Sunday is walked into the hall. They are a fun, Banquet Hall the weekend before not complete unless you get over to energetic band which plays both Easter. Buffalo welcomed the Boys Leonard Post to hear a set of Lenny. traditional polkas and a few of their from Baltimore with hometown own originals. The band has a su- band New Direction for this inau- THIS YEAR’S DYNGUS DAY cal- perb, full sound showcasing double gural event. The hall was fi lled with endar provided non-stop entertain- accordions in the band. Later in the not only local polka fans but many ment from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 day, Polka Family joined the es- traveled miles to come to this Satur- a.m. on Tuesday. I was able to make capade and alternated with Double day evening of fun. It was a sea of it to eight events on Dyngus Day, Shot. Potts serves as the hub which people on the dance fl oor throughout but still felt as though I missed quite connects all of the buses going to THE BAKOWSKI FAMILY pose for a family photo. Promoter Val Bakowski the entire evening. Ron Urbanczyk a few great bands. Here is a break- and from many of the venues for (left, with plaque), hosts one of the city’s most popular Dyngus Day par- took a few moments to recognize all down of my Dyngus Day experi- the day. It makes for a constantly ties, held at the Millennium Hotel in Cheektowaga. of the ‘“polka elite” that were in at- ence: changing confl ux as people are entertaining than any parade I have a band who call themselves Those tendance. They ranged from Eddie I started off at the Millennium making their way from area to area every attended. Red and white dom- Idiots. Myron the leader of the band Guca and Mike Nowakowski (both where Phocus played the pool party. throughout the day. inated the clothing for the day and always makes quite an impression IPA Hall-of-Famers) to Chris Tan- It is a great laid-back atmosphere, the Polish fl ag was fl own so very but this year topped them all. He ski our local Buffalo Polka Booster where some people were dressed proud. The smiles, squirt guns, and made his way through the crowd of club president. It was nice to see ev- in their Hawaiian gear. Phocus did pussy willows make this a parade thousands and onto the stage to join eryone recognized for their commit- a fantastic job delighting everyone that was sure to impress everyone his band dressed in a polka-inspired ment to the music. in the courtyard and sitting on their who attended. space suit. A large bubble placed balconies of the rooms. The guys in As the parade ended I made my over his head, he descended on the THE HIGHLIGHT of the Buffalo the band are always ready for a par- way into one of my favorite Dyngus stage like a true entertainer. This polka world happens on Easter and ty and their style of music kept that haunts, St. Stanislaus Church so- band, which is packed with talented Easter Monday. Polka fans have courtyard jumping all afternoon. cial hall. Stephanie & her Honky musicians, takes the likes of Ma- grown to anticipate both Easter and Next stop was the Firehouse, Band, along with Buffalo Concer- donna, Michael Jackson, and Kiss Dyngus Day affairs. Every single which is a small bar in the Cheek- tina All Stars, provide the entertain- and converts their songs into polkas. year, this celebration is growing be- towaga area. Eric Bakowski orga- ment here every year. It is always Last stop for me was back to Val’s yond anyone’s expectations. Beau- nized an All-Star band to perform fi tting being here as Fr. Ted Boci- Millennium Dyngus Event. Freeze tiful weather, plentiful venues, and this milestone event. The band was DJ Mike Pasierb and Lisa Pazderski anowski is dancing and sprinkling Dried and IPA Tribute Band alter- polka fans descending on Buffalo made up of Frank Liszka, Chris at the Millennium. us with holy water as we were ca- nated for an action-packed celebra- from all over North America sur- “Turtle” Bukowski, Jackie Libera, vorting around the dance fl oor. Both tion. While IPA is a more traditional passed all past years’ events Steve Binkiewicz, Chris Hedrich, AS EARLY EVENING approached, of these bands kept this diverse polka band, Freeze Dried provided Two venues hosted Easter Sun- Brian Urbanczyk, and, of course, my gang headed down to the East crowd dancing, laughing, and sing- music with a hint of diversity from day dances. Millennium Hotel had Eric Bakowski. The small tavern side, which is the birthplace of ing along throughout the evening. the old standards. Both bands gave Polka Country Musicians and was fi lled with a mix of regular bar Buffalo’s Polonia. Although much The parishioners work hard to make praiseworthy performances as fans Polka Family, while the Leonard patrons, Buffalo polka fans, and has changed in this area, it is trans- homemade Polish food for sale and fi led in and out of this gorgeous Post had Lenny Gomulka & the many people from out of town who formed back into a proud Polish man the bar which is always packed venue. Chicago Push, along with Buffalo stopped over to hear this polka con- community on Dyngus Day. In my fi ve to six deep. Touch. The venues are only about coction. opinion this is the most authentic After my group of friends had our FEELINGS OF PRIDE, celebration, 1/4 mile apart so it was easy for After a quick walk down the area for a true Dyngus Day expe- fi ll of dancing, singing and laughing music, and friendship overwhelm guests to take in both of these cel- street, I arrived to Polish Villa II rience. Polish fl ags line the streets until we cried, we headed over to me as I refl ect back on this year’s ebrations. Polka Country sounded where the Buffalo Touch was play- and Polish bars that still exist on the Pussywillow Park. The park whose revelry. It is a day to be proud of the amazing as always and constantly ing. Polish Villa always draws a East Side are bursting with excite- backdrop is the gorgeous Central Polish pride that Buffalo exudes. pushes the envelope when entertain- high energy crowd who cannot wait ment. The parade route passes all Terminal was loaded with more We are fortunate to be home to the ing the crowd. to dance and tap you unsuspectingly of the Polish landmarks from this people than I could have imagined. largest Dyngus Day celebration in At the Leonard Post, where Len- with a pussy willow. Buffalo Touch historic area including Central Ter- Food Trucks lined the perimeter of North America. If you haven’t come ny Gomulka has become a staple had the fl oor jammed when they did minal, Arty’s, Corpus Christi, Adam the entrance to the park including to Buffalo for this event, mark your for Easter/Dyngus celebration, the “Who the Hell is Alice” and ‘“Dyn- Mickiewicz Library, the Broadway Polish food truck Betty Crockski calendar for next year. I don’t know crowd is always mesmerized by gus Day in Buffalo.” The Touch is Market, and St. Stanislaus. The sun- and by 8:00 p.m. almost every sin- how the promoters are going to top Lenny’s voice and charm. When a staple on Dyngus at the Villa and ny weather brought everyone out to gle one of them had successfully run this year, but I have a sneaky suspi- he begins singing ‘“Dyngus Day in always starts the party early and sets participate in this unique celebra- out of food. My friends and I made cion they will not disappoint. Buffalo,” the insanity amongst the the mood for a day of fun and fri- tion of heritage. The parade, which our way into the park to indulge in crowd is exhilarating. The dance volity. lasted about 90 minutes, was more Drivetime Polkas POLKAMOTION with “RONNIE D” September 11-14, 2014 WESTERN NEW YORK’S ONLY SEVEN-DAY-A-WEEK POLKA SHOW Rehoboth Beach www.drivetimepolkas.com WXRL 1300AM MONDAY-SATURDAY Covention Center 5:00-7:00 p.m. 229 Rehoboth Avenue WECK 1230AM Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 SUNDAYS “Famous and Delicious” 8:00-11:00 a.m. Lenny Gomulka homemade Polish food from the FOR INFORMATION or & Chicago Push kitchen of Gil Ziemski! ADVERTISING RATES, CALL Polka Family Adult Senior (60+) Youth (17-21) (716) 683-4357 Eddie Forman Orchestra Thursday $16 $15 The Beat Friday $18 $17 WOW! Saturday $18 $17 The Boys Sunday $15 $15 Polka Country Musicians (PCM) Children under the age of 16 are admitted FREE! The Knewz Admission fee does not include food and beverages! No food or drink is allowed to be brought into Dennis Polisky the Convention Center! & The Maestro’s Men Reserved seating for bus groups only due to limited The Nu Tones seating — Thank You for your cooperation! Meet ‘n Greet Party with The Crabtown Sound For tickets and more information, call: Polka Mass Sunday with The Variety Tones Mike and Ann Matousek: 410-729-9697 Mike Ziemski: 410-654-4724 Listen to “The Mikes Are On!” or go to www.rbpolka.com on www.247PolkaHeaven.com www.polkamotion.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2014 www.polamjournal.com 19

POLKA INSIDER FREE CATALOG! HEAR ALL THE POLKA STARS “The Springs” on Just a Month Away SUNSHINE With the 40th Polka Fireworks SEND FOR A FREE CATALOG festival just months away, it makes SUNSHINE me realize that we’ve been a part of PO BOX 652 that festival for 31 years now. After W. SENECA, NY 14224 that first time in 1983, I wrote in CDs $12 each my Polka Insider column, “Seven $2.00 SHIPPING & HANDLING Springs is a resort to beat all resorts … The polkas, on stage, off stage, in the halls, in the rooms, in the chalets and just about everywhere, are first rate, top notch and superb.” Polkas and the Blazonczyk fam- ily remain the keys to making this festival work. However, it’s more than just music. It could be called one of the big- gest family reunions with polkas being the connection, because you essentially live with everyone for multiple days. From the main lobby, to the restaurants, to the pool, to the game room, festival halls, the slopes, the jam sessions, this re- union is non-stop. You cannot walk down a hallway without stopping to greet friends you’ve known for de- cades. This year will be our 32nd straight year at the Polka Fireworks and will also mark our 31st Concer- tina Jam. From that first party in our room, where a handful of musicians played some music, the jam gradu- ated to a lounge where an audience of polka lovers enjoys a stage full of polka musicians. Over the past 30 On the Road with years, close to 300 different musi- cians have taken part in this squeez- ing experience. Our thanks to the Blazoncyk family for filling the Seven Springs RBO MUSIC The Band with Music for Every Occasion Resort with Polka Fireworks. For more information visit www.pol- Contact June Sherry Ingram, Leader, Listen to the kafireworks.com or call: (708) 594- 352 Packer Rd., Mystic CT 06355-1124, 860-536-2452 5182. See you “At the Springs” July 2 through July 6, 2014. For The Fan Club, contact Cheryl Witek 150 Purchase St., Suite 5, Rye NY 10580-2141 BIG TONY POLKA SHOW ROCKIN’ROCKIN’ Sturr Releases New DVD/CD www.richbobinski.com WJJL 1440 AM FLORIDA, N. Y. – Jimmy Sturr Dr. Janusz R. Richards, Website Project Manager/ Niagara Falls / Buffalo, NY POLKASPOLKAS & his Orchestra have released a new Content Management & Layout SUNDAY EVENING with DVD/CD entitled “Come on and 5:00 p.m. Dance.” The DVD features over Congratulations to Eddie Biegaj and Kevin Adams MIKE & GEORGE PASIERB 90 minutes of entertainment and 2014 Inductees, IPA Polka Music Hall of Fame. Eddie Biegaj is featured vocalist and Send all promotional material to includes 35 new songs. The CD, Kevin Adams is an arranger on RBO MUSIC’s new CD which is included in the package, Tony Rozek WXRL 78 Cochrane St. offers seventeen exciting tunes. Sat., June 7 Church Festival, St. Stanislaus Church For more information contact: 82 Akron St., Meriden, CT Buffalo, NY 14206 1300 AM Sturr Productions, Box 1, Florida, 6:00-10:00 PM, Call Ada 203-235-6341 LANCASTER-BUFFALO NY 10921 or call: (800) 724-0727. Sat., June 21 Private For advertising information, call SAT. 2:00-3:00 p.m. Fri., June 27 Polish Night, Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre (716) 824-6092 Polka Lovers Call it Quits Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, LI, NY SUN. 7:00-8:00 p.m. 7:00-9:00 PM, Bring lawn chairs, Free admission, [email protected] WITCHITA — The Polka Lov- Call June 860-536-2452 ers Klub of America danced the last Sat., June 28 Live broadcast and taping, WVIA PA Public Media, dance — as of March 2014, the club Pennsylvania Polka, Ballroom, no longer exists. Formed in 1983, it Hotel at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, PA once had 250 members, but has de- 8:00 PM, call June 860-536-2452 clinded in recent years. Sun., June 29 Private Club items were donated to the Fri., July 11 Lyon Park Barton County Historical Soci- Putnam Ave. & King St., Port Chester, NY ety, St. Francis of Assisi Church in Summer Concert Series, 7:30-9:00 PM, Bring lawn chairs, Free admission Wichita and the Sisters of the Im- Call Angelo 914-937-3550 or June 860-536-2452 maculate Heart of Mary in Wichita. Sun., July 13 Family Picnic, Polish American Cultural Association, The balance in the treasury was dis- 5 Pulaski Place, Port Washington, NY tributed to various charitable orga- Music 3:00-7:00 PM, Call Irene 516-883-5553 nizations. Sat., July 19 Private Sat., July 26 Park Concert, Gazebo on the Green St. Michael Church, 25 Maple Ave., Beacon Falls, CT 6:00-8:00 PM, Bring lawn chairs, Free admission THE POLKA CAROUSEL Food available, Call Bob 203-723-7470 Tues., July 29 Park Concert, Coe Memorial Park, Torrington, CT, 7:00-9:00 PM, Bring lawn chairs. Rain location inside auditorium on site, Free admission Call Donna 860-489-2274, June 860-536-2452 Wed., July 30 Park Concert, Sherman Green Gazebo, Fairfield, CT 7:00-8:30 PM, Bring lawn chairs Call Ken 203-259-7765 Sat., Aug. 16 The Riverhead Polish Hall Your Host: Ed Slomkowski & Sun., Aug. 17 214 Marcy Ave., Riverhead, NY Sat. Noon-5:00 PM, Sun. 1:00-6:00 PM www.polishnewcastleradio.com in conjunction with The Polish Town Fair Wed. 5:00 to 6:00: p.m. Under the tent in the picnic area, Polish food Fri. 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. available in The Hall, Free admission Call Mike 631-727-7696 www.radioharborcountry.org Sun., Aug. 31 6th Annual Polka Fest 2014 with Polka Paul Wed. 11:00 a.m. to noon Roosevelt Park, St. Paul St., Blackstone, MA 2:00-6:00 PM, Bring lawn chairs, Food available Sun. 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Free admission, Call Paul 508-294-1512 20 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • JUNE 2014 Clean Slate

DETROIT — Now that Detroit Cornice & Slate has reached the main steeple cross, it will begin covering St. Josaphat’s recon- structed spire in new slate tiles. The steeple was twisted and badly dam- aged during a severe wind storm last Novem- ber. The city of Detroit ordered the church closed because of the danger it posed to worshippers and anyone walking or driving on Canfield. The doors to the church, which opened in 1901, have been shut since. A successful fundraising campaign plus some insurance money allowed the repair and restoration work to begin. The total cost of the project will be approximately $500,000. This is a very good sign for the future of the historic church and its iconic steeple. “We all wanted this but just didn’t know if it was going to be a reality,” said Kevin Pi- otrowski, parish council president of Mother of Divine Mercy parish, which includes St. Josaphat. “We’ve heard from people all over De- troit, the state of Michigan, people from out of state. The Archdiocese of Detroit has been a tremendous help,” Piotrowski told Detroit’s Action News. “We don’t have it all but we are hopeful and our faith tells us that we will have the resources to take this project to completion and to have that beautiful steeple restored, really to its original state.” New slate shingles will be added as part of the project to replace those lost in the storm. Crates of the new steeple covering, mined from a quarry in Vermont, have al- ready arrived at the church. Piotrowski said the church is already planning for a grand re-opening sometime this month. Wyszynski Named 2014 Parade Grand Marshal PHILADELPHIA — The Polish Ameri- can Congress (PAC), Eastern PA District, has named Raymond “Ray” Wyszynski as Grand Marshal of the 2014 Pulaski Day Parade. Wyszynski was selected in recognition of his many years of participation with the PAC, the Pulaski Day Parade in Philadelphia and his support of organizations in Polonia. Wyszynski will lead the Pulaski Day Pa- rade in Center City Philadelphia on Sun., Oct.5, which is one of the many events in the Philadelphia area held in recognition of the National Celebration of Polish American Heritage Month. For more information, visit PolishAmeri- canCongress.com or PulaskiDayParade.com, or call the PACoffice at (215) 739-3408. Email address: [email protected].