POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2009 www.polamjournal.com  AUGUST 2009 • VOL. 98, NO. 8 $2.00 PERIODICAL POSTAGEPERIODICAL PAID AT BOSTON, YORK NEW

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SIBERIAN Established 1911 www.polamjournal.com DEPORTATIONS JOURNAL REVISTED DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION AND CONTINUANCE OF POLISH AMERICAN CULTURE Page 5 Gołąbki Galore! • Poles Developed Early Television • “Forgotten Beauty”: A Polish Costume Exhibit NEW ELEMENT NAMED FOR COPERNICUS • THE WAR THAT NEVER ENDS • Does Amber Have Healing Powers? Kmieć Elected to Actors’ Equity National Council • A Date with the Works of Zofia Stryjenska Obama Offers Triple Treat 20th Anniversary of the NEWSMARK Missile Base to Third Polish Republic BUZEK ELECTED PRESIDENT Kremlin in Trade Two Free Polands: OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT. 1918 and 1989 Former Polish Prime Minister Jer- for Cooperation zy Buzek was elected President of by Robert Strybel the European Parliament, making on Iran WARSAW — Last year, him the first leader of the institu- MOSCOW — President Poland celebrated the 90th tion from a Central European EU Brrack Obama offered to anniversary of its re-emer- nation. scrap a missile defense shield gence as an independent state Buzek was the European Peo- in Eastern Europe if Russia following 123 years of for- ple’s Party (EPP) candidate for helps to stop Iran building a eign occupation. The Second the post. EPP, the largest politi- nuclear bomb. Republic (II Rzeczpospolita) cal group within the European Parliament, has agreed to At the Reset Summit in that arose in the wake of share the presidency with the socialist bloc, the Progressive Moscow to urge a new era of World War I in 1918 lasted Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, the second-largest partnership between Russia until the joint Nazi-Soviet group. and the United States in com- invasion of 1939. This year The Polish politician had to fight off competition by bating the spread of nuclear a similar anniversary is being Italian Mario Mauro, who resigned from the running. weapons to rogue states and celebrated – 2009 marks the “The fact that we have such a symbol in the form of a terrorists. 20th anniversary of the col- Pole as head of the European Parliament gives Poland a “That is why we should lapse of communism and the greater opportunity and a stronger position in the EU,” said be united in opposing North rise of the Third Republic (III Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said. Korea’s efforts to become a Rzeczpospolita). Many likened Buzek’s election to a final healing of Eu- nuclear power and preventing But, although those peri- rope’s old East-West division — as did Buzek. Iran from acquiring a nuclear ods (1918-1939 and 1989- “Once upon a time I hoped to be a member of the Pol- weapon,” Obama said. 2009) each covered two de- ish parliament, in a free Poland,” the center-right politician The U.S. plan to put a mis- cades, comparing them is no said. “Today I have become the president of the European sile shield in Poland and the easy matter. In 1918 Poland Parliament, something I could never have dreamed of.” Czech Republic strained rela- was faced with integrating Buzek, 69, drew a standing ovation from an assembly tions with Russia under Presi- into a single state three sep- he will lead for two-and-a-half years. A still unnamed so- dent Bush. Moscow views the arate partition zones. This cialist will succeed him for the next two-and-a-half years, shield as a threat to its secu- necessitated creating a new under a tradeoff between the left and the right in the EU rity, while Washington insists Polish state with a whole new assembly. that it is to defend against a They’re talented. They’re bright. They’re beautiful. They’re infrastructure: the institutions surprise attack from Iran. In identical triplets… and they’re Polish! Alizma — an acronym of a parliamentary democ- A FINAL PILGRIMAGE? (Gazeta Wyborcza) — Journal- a speech that was notably representing Aleksandra, Izabela and Monika Okapiec — pre- racy, a single currency (first ists from Italian state television RAI conceived an idea to light on criticism of Russia, miered on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” and continue to wow the Polish mark and then the organize a symbolic final pilgrimage ofJohn Paul II to his See “Obama ...” page 4 the audience and the judges. Story on page 18. See “Third Polish...” page 4 motherland. The journey would take place after Pope’s be- atification, which is expected next year. The authors of the Wianki on The National Mall Can This Fiat Save Chrysler? idea petitioned to Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, John Paul i

II’s long-serving private secretary, to send the late Pope’s sk m remains around Poland where they can be displayed. e or Cardinal Dziwisz has not yet given an official stance P ard

on the pilgrimage of John Paul’s relics to Poland, but it h ic

is highly probable that he will ask Pope Benedict XVI to : R

give away the remains. The idea of a final pilgrimage is oto

supported by Polish bishops. Last year, Bishop Tadeusz Ph Pieronek assured the faithful that some of John Paul II’s relics – among them, the Pope’s heart – may be brought to Poland. The pilgrimage could take place next year after John Paul’s beatification. According to Italian newspaper Il Giornale, the beatification process is in full swing. Theolo- gians from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints have already agreed to forward so-called positio (an essential document in the beatification process) to Cardinals, who are to read it and offer their opinions on the beatification of the later Pope John Paul II. Based on these opinions, Maidens Preparing for the Wianki Ceremony. De- The Polish-built Fiat 500, a cute retro minicar, seats Pope Benedict XVI will make a final decision on whether picted above are some of the participating maidens displaying four and gets up to 50 m.p.g. In addition to the glass skyroof to pronounce John Paul II a saint. their traditional floral wreaths. Polonia and members of the shown here, it is also available as a convertible. large and multicultural audience enthusiastically responded by Robert Strybel to the PAAA invitation to take part in various group events PBS PULLS ANTI-POLISH SLUR FROM RIEU CON- WARSAW — It may sound hard to believe, but it only goes during the evening. CERTS. As a result of Polish American complaints about to show that in our confused, chaotic and crisis-ridden world by Richard Poremski Andre Rieu’s Polish bashing during his American concert even the highly implausible is possible. A mini-car built only WASHINGTON, D.C. — It was a grand event within a tour, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) advised the in Poland is set to help save Chrysler from extinction. That grand setting: Celebrating Wianki (St. John’s Eve) here on Anti-Bigotry Committee of the Polish American Congress is good news not only for the workers of the southern Polish June 20, 2009 on the lower plaza of the Lincoln Memorial. the offensive material has been dropped. industrial city of Tychy, where the model is built. That integral Rieu is the PBS superstar whose performances are usu- The Polish-American Arts Association (PAAA) of Wash- ington, D.C. organized the cultural affair under the direction fragment of a broader agreement will also benefit U.S. auto- ally taped and later aired by the network as a fundraiser. workers and the American car-buying public. His crude attempt at low class anti-Polish humor appears of Mary Anna Eckel. Many traditional and regional dances of Poland were expertly performed by the Polish Folk dance Following prolonged legal proceedings that took the case to have been out of step with the high class image usually all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, the bankrupt for- projected by PBS. groups Janosik (Philadelphia) and Michas (Virginia Beach, Virg.).The Brothers-In-Law Plus Band played lively musical mer Chrysler Corporation, renamed Chrysler Limited Liabil- “A lot of us were angry and disappointed because of ity Company, Fiat of Italy have concluded what is officially Rieu’s nasty antics. He took a cheap shot at us and lost a selections and general dance music. The program also included audience participation folk termed a “strategic alliance,” which enjoys the full backing lot of friends,” said Frank Milewski who heads the Anti- dancing (a large, eager group performed a very credible of President Barack Obama. Suffering from a severe drop in Bigotry Committee. See “Wianki on the Mall,” page 3 See “Polish-Built Fiat,” page 3  www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2009

ALMANAC JUST BETWEEN US / Mark Kohan Kmieć Elected to Actors’ Equity National Council August • Sierpieñ

“Ever notice how you come across PAJ to Salute Polish War Veterans somebody once in a while you Each October, we choose a theme hold symbolism for Poles, Polish the videotaped attack that appeared shouldn’t have messed with? for our special Polish Heritage officials say. worldwide on the Internet and cable That’s me.” Month edition. Because this Sep- Poles have long held that World news channels. — Clint Eastwood as tember marks the 70th anniversary War II started Sept. 1, 1939, with Cook County Circuit Judge John Walt Kowalski in Gran Torino. of the start of World War II with the German invasion of Gdansk, Fleming also gave Anthony Abbate, Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland Poland. The 70th anniversary of 1 1944. Warsaw Uprising be- 40, a home curfew of 8:00 p.m. to gins—not to be confused with on September 1, 1939, we felt it ap- the attack will be held in the city 6:00 a.m. and ordered him to per- Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of ropos to salute the men and women and is to be attended by Putin and form 130 hours of community ser- April 1943, which was restricted who fought not only for Poland’s German Chancellor Angela Merkel. vice. to the Jewish district of the city. freedom, but for freedom around the But Russian authorities have never Prosecutors had asked for prison 3 1924. Death of Jozef Conrad Ko- world. We will publish firsthand ac- recognized the date as the beginning for Abbate (he could have been sen- rzeniowski (Joseph Conrad), counts by these brave souls, which of the worldwide conflict, Russia’s tenced to up to five years behind 66, British and Polish author. we hope will give you a sampling of Interfax news agency reported. bars) but the judge said he didn’t 5 1772. The First Partition of the trials and tribulations they faced “Putin’s presence on Sept. 1 Poland by Prussia, Russia and see aggravating factors to justify a in their gallant efforts to stop the would be a breakthrough in our prison term. The judge said Abbate Austria. Nazi Germany’s tyranny. evaluation and re-evaluation of his- Polish American Journal 6 Feast of the Transfiguration had a clean record before the inci- If you are a Polish veteran and torical events,” Polish Prime Min- Culture Editor Staś Kmieć 10 ST. LAWRENCE dent, did not seriously injure the wish to share an account of a partic- ister Donald Tusk said. “A meeting has been elected to the National Wawrzyniec pokazuje, bartender, and underwent alcohol ular battle or any other aspect of war, between the Russian prime minister Council of Actors’ Equity Associa- jaka jeseñ nastêpuje. rehab “and has not had a relapse.” we urge you to submit your recollec- and the chancellor of Germany on tion for a three-year term as a Cho- Lawrence shows what sort Earlier this month, the judge re- of Autumn will follow. tion to us for this edition. Previously Sept. 1 would be a symbolic con- rus Councilor representing the East- 11 1882. Birth of Wladyslaw published material will be accepted. firmation of the fact that the war jected Abbate’s claim he acted in ern region. Equity represents more Anders, General of the Polish Copy should not exceed 750 words. started with Germany’s invasion of self-defense and convicted him of than 49,000 professional stage ac- Army during World War II. He We reserve the right to edit copy. All Poland, namely Gdansk, and that it aggravated battery. A tavern secu- tors and stage managers nationwide. was commander of the Polish submitted photos will be returned. actually ended in Gdansk as well ... rity video shows a drunken Abbate The Council is Equity’s ultimate de- Forces in the Soviet Union and punching and kicking Obrycka af- cision-making and governing body commanded the Second Corps Send to: Polish American Journal, symbolism of this would be impor- P.O. Box 328, Boston, NY 14025, tant for the entire European Union ter she refused to serve him more regarding policy issues, finance, ap- in Italy. His greatest achieve- drinks. ment was the successful lead- attn: Heritage Month Edition; or and all of Russia.” peals, and major topics of concern. ership of the Polish forces that e-mail to [email protected], Kmieć, a resident of New York took Monte Cassino, Italy. re: Heritage Month Edition. Copy COP GETS OFF EASY. The 250- CORRECTION. The photograph City, joined Equity in 1987. He has 13 1916. Birth of Polish American deadline is September 10. lb. off-duty Chicago police officer of Young Artists Showcase winner served on its Advisory Committee historian Edward Pinkowski. convicted of pummeling 125-pound Ashley Genadek (PAJ, July 2009) on Chorus Affairs, the Dance Cap- 14 ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE PUTIN’S VISIT. Russian Prime Karolina Obrycka as she tended bar got mixed up with the one of Pulaski tain’s Committee, and has helped 15 Assumption Minister Vladimir Putin’s atten- in February 2007 was sentenced Scholarship winner Agnes Sekows- to develop Equity Deputies Nego- ... also known as Matki Boskiej dance at an observance of the start Tuesday to two years probation ki (pages 5 and 15). We apologize Zielnej, Feast of the Lady of tiation Proposals for a number of the Herbs. This day is marked of World War II in Poland would and anger management classes for for the error. contracts. In addition to the Coun- in Poland by a massive pilgrim- cil meetings and committee work, age to the Shrine of Our Lady of he will be a Tony voter, seeing all Czestochowa. VIEWPOINTS / Sophie Hodorowicz Knab Broadway productions and voting 17 St. Hyacinth for the winners of the Tony Awards. 19 1989. Polish president Wojciech As a performer, Kmieć has ap- Jaruzelski nominates Solidarity 65th Anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising peared on Broadway, and in touring activist Tadeusz Mazowiecki and regional productions. He has to post of Prime Minister, the On August 1, 1944 Poland’s crush the Poles spirit for the fight. It the Uprising, the Germans system- first non-communist in Polish Home Army (Armia Krajowa, AK) didn’t work. The people of Warsaw atically blew up the city, block by performed with the Boston Ballet power in 42 years. began what has been called the wanted their city, their country back block. The inhabitants of Warsaw and the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, 20 1907. Birth of Henry Archacki, greatest and most tragic uprising in in their own control and endured in- that survived were rounded up and among others, and choreographed founder of the Polish American European history. credible hardships and sacrifices in- placed in a temporary transit camp the Irish premiere of Best Little Historical Association. The Warsaw Uprising was a he- cluding lack of water, power, food, called Pruszków just outside of Whorehouse in Texas, as well as a Co ma wisnieæ, nie utonie roic 63 day struggle by Poland’s ammunition, death and destruction. Warsaw and then sent to forced la- dance sequence for the film, Trust What is to hang will not the Man, starring Billy Cruddup. drown. resistance Home Army and civilian The battle raged on. bor camps and concentration camps. non-combatants to liberate Warsaw Unable to compete with the re- The majority were sent to KL Aus- “Having been on both sides of 22 1939. Birth of Carl “Yaz” Yas- the audition table, I am aware the trzemski, Boston Red Sox hit- from Nazi occupation. Although the inforced German troops, the insur- chwitz while thousands of Polish ting star. Polish attack was planned as a two- gents were forced into hiding, often women were sent to the infamous most effective results come with 24 1989. Coalition government in to three-day revolt until the Russians into the sewers, from where they KL Ravensbruck. Thousands more communication, collaboration and Poland under the first non-com- could arrive with additional support. continued to organize and co-ordi- died. diplomacy,” said Kmieć. munist prime minister Tadeusz The Russian support never material- nate attacks. The people of Warsaw The Warsaw Uprising never re- Kmieć is also a member of the Mazowiecki takes power. ized and the short coup turned into a were dying at a rate of 2,000 a day. ceived the attention it deserved until Screen Actors Guild, the American 25 1905. Birth of Sister Faustyna brutal and bloody two-month strug- After a valiant fight, the Home Army the end of Communism in Poland. Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) Kowalski, Saint of Divine Mer- gle for the Home Army. The Ger- was forced to capitulate and negoti- After the war was over and Poland and the Society of Directors and cy Canonized April 30, 2000. Choreographers. He served on the 1919. Birth of mans used tanks, aerial bombard- ated a surrender on October 2nd, 63 was handed over to the Soviets, it Matt Louis Ur- AGMA Board of Governors. ban (d. 1995), in Buffalo, N.Y., ment and long range artillery on the days after the Uprising began. could not be discussed. The Soviets the most decorated combat sol- insurgents. They began rounding up The horrific statistics: Polish his- had never come to the rescue of Po- Founded in 1913, Actors’ Equity dier of World War II. He was people from the houses in the dis- torians believe that 18,000 military land during one of its darkest hours, Association seeks to advance, pro- awarded a total of 29 decora- tricts which they still controlled and personnel died and another 25,000 even though they were stationed at mote and foster the art of live the- tions, virtually every combat shot them - women, children and the were injured. There was no taking of the other side of the Wisła and could atre as an essential component of medal possible, including seven elderly were not spared. They exe- prisoners. Military personnel were see the smoke and flames rising our society. Equity negotiates wages Purple Hearts and the Congres- cuted at least 30,000 citizens in what summarily shot on the spot. Civil- from the city. and working conditions, providing sional Medal of Honor. is now referred to as the Wola mas- ian losses ranged into the hundreds Let us remember those who died a wide range of benefits including 26 Our Lady of Czestochowa sacre. The genocide was intended to of thousands. At the conclusion of for a free and independent Poland. health and pension plans. 27 1764. Stanislaus Augustus Poniatowski named King of Poland. www.polamjournal.com 28 1596. Christopher Pawlowski POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL leads expedition to India. Dedicated to the Promotion and Continuance of Polish American Culture • Established 1911 www.pajtoday.blogspot.com 1852. Fr. Leopold Moczygem- PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT BOSTON, NEW YORK AND ADDITIONAL ENTRY OFFICES ba arrives at the port of New USPS 437-220 / ISSN 0032-2792 POSTMASTER—Send address changes to: Orleans on the Sea Eagle with The Polish American Journal is published monthly in five editions (Buffalo, POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL, P.O. 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SPEAK UP / Letters to the Editor Polish-Built Fiat continued from cover from collapse. But that tender was thing. As an alternative to Chrys- sales, huge debts and crippling la- won by a Russian-backed Cana- ler’s complete disappearance from Donations Make Gabreski Bust a Reality bor, pension and healthcare costs, dian-Austrian consortium. Polish the world’s automotive map, this ar- Dedication Set for September 30th Chrysler filed for bankruptcy - pro workers at the Opel plant in Gliwice rangement is expected to save thou- Dear Editor, whose father’s store is located on tection at the end of April. Fiat was are still unsure of their future, as it sands of American jobs and provide On Wed., Sept. 30, 2009 at 10:00 Rivington Street (one block south of the only serious contender to come remains unknown whether the new the company’s products with much a.m. a Polish American war hero Stanton), has no Polish neighbors. forward and offer to assist the ailing owners plan to continue building added international exposure. The will be honored at the United States Instead, in the first two books the corporation. cars in Poland or move the facilities Chrysler Group, as the new corpo- The deal will enable Chrysler elsewhere, presumably to Russia. ration is known, will continue to Air Force Academy in Colorado only non-Jews who are mentioned products to be sold through Fiat’s As part of the Fiat-Chrysler al- have its headquarters in southeast- Springs. are the Italian superintendant of the extensive international sales net- liance, the Italian corporation will ern Michigan and produce Chrysler, A bronze bust of Air Force ace building her family lives in, and an Italian woman who comes into her work, and Fiat vehicles will turn up reportedly also contribute technol- Jeep and Dodge branded vehicles as Col. Francis “Gabby” Gabreski at Chrysler dealerships in America. ogy to build downsized Chryslers well as Mopar spare parts. will be dedicated and placed on per- father’s store, and her schoolteach- er. Among them will be the Fiat 500 and make the firm more competi- The Fiat 500 as a highly unique manent display at the Academy’s minicar, now built only in Tychy, tive. At present, the smallest car addition to the country’s retro pa- Cadet Honor Court. How could it be possible for American Girl researchers to allow Poland, but marketed world-wide in the Chrysler line-up is the hefty rade. The car is already selling like Gabreski distinguished himself with the exception of America. A Caliber hatchback which is consid- hot cakes in many different mar- as the leading air ace in the Euro- a book and character to exist who denies the existence of a Polish par- thoroughly modern vehicle inspired erably larger and less fuel-efficient kets with waiting lines stretching pean Theater during World War by the legendary 1950s Fiat 500 than the Chevrolet Aveo and Ford’s over many months. The addition of II. He then went on to further dis- ish which in 1914 alone, had 850 Christenings, 317 marriages, and 68 that helped put Italy on wheels, the forthcoming revamped Fiesta, not to American customer demand could tinguish himself as an ace for the cute little hatchback falls into the mention economy Toyota or Honda necessitate the expansion of Fiat’s second time in the Korean War, the funerals? This number of events alone retro category along with the Mini, models. Poland operation, thereby creating only pilot ever to have achieved this would have meant that there were New Beetle and Chrysler’s own PT From a purely American stand- new jobs in our ancestral homeland, status. The bust of Gabreski will at least three events occurring in the Cruiser. point, it would have been better if where the unemployment rate is join a place of honor shared by such parish church daily, yet neither Re- The 69-horsepower Fiat 500 is Chrysler had not gone under. But in now uncomfortably close to 11 per- notable members of aviation history becca nor her family sees anything. not the car for someone who has to our less than perfect world, the Fiat cent. Maybe there’ll be one gracing as the Wright Brothers, and General However, if you add to this that drive from New York to Chicago on alliance is probably the next best your driveway some time soon? Curtis LeMay, considered the father there were 597 children attending business every week, but as a sec- of American military aviation. the parish school of St. Stanislaus, ond or third car it is ideal for big- The creation of the bust has been and that the flood of these children city traffic. The 90-inch-wheelbase financially supported by a number exiting from the school on a daily four-seater gets up to 50 miles per of Polish organizations and indi- basis must have been noted on the gallon, turns on dime and parks any- vidual Poles throughout the United streets. Then finally, if you consider where, but — when necessary — States as a means to honor this great that the parish register of the early can achieve a top speed of 100 mph. Polish-American war hero. We owe 20th century shows some 10,000 It has been estimated that if only them a big vote of thanks for their parishioners, well, it becomes im- half of the cars on the road were the support. probable, that Rebecca Rubin, liv- size of the Fiat 500, rush-hour traffic Chester Lipinski ing no more than three blocks from jams would disappear from Ameri- Via e-mail St. Stanislaus could not have had ca’s big-city expressways. Polish neighbors. The Fiat 500 is the perfect com- American Girl Doll Misses I write about this because the ex- muter, shopper and knock-around- Polish Neighborhood. I am istence, contributions and struggles the-neighorhood car. Its convertible writing to you to ask for your sup- of Polonia in New York are little version shows considerable recre- port and help in creating a ground- known, and in fact, the Lower East ational potential as a beach buggy swell of protest and opposition to Tenement Museum refuses to ac- or even four-passenger golf cart. Its the recent issuance by “American knowledge the existence of any Pol- high-performance companion mod- Girl” of a new historical doll, who ish community in the Lower East el, the Abarth 500, is designed for — while supposedly living on East side. those with a sporty flair. In Poland 7th Street in Manhattan in 1914 prices for the Fiat 500 start at under — sees no Polish Americans in her I ask you: how could these $13,000, but exactly how much it community. American Girl researchers will cost in America remains to be In a link to the New York Times determined. article about the issuance of the not have discovered a parish The “Pięćsetka”, as it is called in Rebecca Rubin doll, the company with 10,000 members? Poland, is only one component of a states: broad Fiat line-up which comprises “To write the books, the company However, the denial of our ex- economy cars, sporty hatchbacks, found Jacqueline Dembar Greene, istence by American Girl is almost sedans and SUVs, all slightly down- who had written a historical novel more significant. The American Girl sized compared to Chrysler’s cur- for young adults set in 1654 about stores, dolls, books and concurrent rent range. It includes a light pickup Jewish immigrants to New Amster- materials are “educating” the 8- 12- truck, a mini-delivery van able to dam. Ms. Greene and company re- year-olds of the entire United States maneuver in tight spaces and heavi- searchers made a trip to Manhattan, in the belief that there were no Pol- er-duty delivery vehicles. Exactly visiting the Lower East Side Tene- ish Americans on the very street which models will turn up in Ameri- ment Museum and a row house on where their parish, their bookstores can showrooms in the near future is East Seventh Street.” and their restaurants were located. still unknown, but many American As I was interested in the sub- There is no secret about the history car buffs are a looking forward to ject, I proceeded to read two of the of St. Stanislaus and any good faith the début of Fiat’s sporty Alfa-Ro- associated Rebecca Rubin books. effort by the author and the “re- meo line. However, the Italian cor- Much to my surprise I discovered searchers” would have documented poration’s super-high-performance that Rebecca Rubin does not live in our existence in both the press and Ferraris and Maseratis will not be the precise parameters of the Lower in research material. I ask you: how part of the Fiat-Chrysler deal. East Side, but lives north of Hous- could these American Girl research- Fiat had also made a bid to take ton Street, specifically on East 7th ers not have discovered a parish over GM’s European Opel division, Street. Therefore, in 1914, when the with 10,000 members? which the U.S. automaker was un- story starts it is impossible for Re- If we allow this denial of our ex- loading in an attempt to save itself becca not to have Polish neighbors. istence to occur, we will be allowing Let me explain. our identity and our history in New Wianki on the Mall The fact is that had the company York to be destroyed. researchers walked down 7th Street, I ask your help in forwarding this continued from cover which is only six blocks long, they letter to all Polonian organizations Polonaise after a crash course given would have walked right past the that you know, I ask that you speak by Mike Levinsky/Michas), a folk Church of St. Stanislaus, B.M. to your friends and ask them to boy- costume fashion show, the perform- which has been located there since cott the dolls. I ask everyone send ing of traditional Polish songs, a re- 1901 and is clearly identified on its letters and emails of protest. Ameri- lated Polish sing-a-long, the mean- cornerstone. The parish was previ- can Girl is owned by Mattel and the ingful Wianki/Wreaths Ceremony, ously located at Stanton and For- Chairman is Robert Eckert (corpo- and concluding with dancing under sythe Streets, in a former Methodist [email protected]). the stars. church and later synagogue, from Tell Mattel we will not buy their Thanks to the PAAA, the magic which congregation it was pur- products. Let us make sure that the and enjoyment of Wianki — as well chased, from 1878 until 1901. history of Polish Americans in Man- as the culture of Poland — was I mention these facts because hattan is not denied and forgotten. beautifully conveyed to everyone in Rebecca Rubin, the American Girl Krystyna Piórkowska attendance, and was very much ap- heroine, who lives on 7th Street and Via e-mail preciated by them in return.  www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2009

THIS PAGE OF NEWS BROUGHT TO YOU BY The Polish Gift of Life, Inc. thanks our generous supporters, who, for over 30 years have made it possible for us to help sick Polish POLISH GIFT children. We are able to bring many children who needed life-saving surgery or procedures to the United States. This past year, 14 OF LIFE, INC. children have been operated on by Dr. Edward Malec, who has relocated to Munich, Germany, from Poland. We purchased needed P.O. BOX 273 equipment requested by Pediatric Hospitals in Poland. Once again, thank to you, we were able to fill some of these heart-rendering ALBERTSON, NY 11507-0273 requests received from orphanages throughout Poland. This list for aid is long, but with your continued support, we will be able to www.polishgiftoflife.org provide Polish children with the precious “Gift of Life.” For more information, please call (516) 746-1532. Third Polish Republic Celebrates 20th Anniversary continued from cover lite officially called the People’s get done, but everyone got paid. goods as well as putting Poland on today’s Poland over that of the be- zloty), armed forces, post office Republic of Poland, was smaller in Cash was no problem because the wheels in the Fiat 126P minicar. But tween-the-wars period was its ad- educational system and other insti- area than the Second Republic of government could also print more it was all done on gigantic Western mission to NATO in 1999. Over the tutions and public utilities. Even rail 1918-1939. The one-half of Poland paper money to pass around. Even credit which has taken generations centuries, Poland’s unfortunate lo- widths had to be unified. annexed by Stalin in collusion with the apparent benefits of totalitarian to repay. cation between two traditional foes The country that re-emerged on Hitler in 1939 was never returned. communism such as free kinder- Another legacy of the commu- – Germany and Russia – had been the map in 1918 had been ravaged As partial compensation, the Big garten-though-university education nist era was 600 percent inflation. the source of endless conflicts, inva- by the Great War. Many people to- Three Allies gave Poland northern and medical care as well as low-cost The shock therapy used in the early sions and occupations. Today’s Po- day do not realize that there had been and western lands that had been part vacations ultimately had a demor- 1990s by government economist land is internationally more secure no fighting on German soil in World of Germany before World War II. alizing effect. The cradle-to-grave Leszek Balcerowicz to overcome it than any time since the Middle Ages War I, but Poland territory had been Despite the 20 percent net territo- communist welfare state created and get the economy moving initial- when it formed part of the sprawl- the chief battleground on which rial loss, a major advantage was that a lethargically society waiting for ly caused widespread poverty and ing land empire known as the Pol- Germany and Austria had clashed post-1945 Poland was ethnically government hand-outs. frustration. Overnight people saw ish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In with Tsarist Russia. That had left homogenous. Poles accounted for their purchasing power slashed in fact, the country’s secure position in Poland badly scarred with the loss some 98 percent of the population, Most Poles believed that af- half. The resultant disenchantment of some 1.2 million lives and seri- hence the ethnic minority problems ter the Solidarity movement had with the Solidarity-rooted govern- the heart of Europe is about the only ously damaged infrastructure. The that had plagued pre-war Poland be- dumped communist rule, they would ment brought about an astonishing thing the perpetually squabbling communist Poland that peacefully came marginal. soon enjoy freedom and prosperity. political backlash: in 1993 the com- Polish political scene agrees. collapsed in 1989 had antiquated in- But the Third Republic, which The freedom was easy enough to munists, now calling themselves frastructure and in many ways was arose after Poland dumped com- achieve. Laws were passed to abol- Social Democrats, were voted back Obama Offers Base 50 years behind America, but it was munism in 1989, inherited a country ish censorship and grant political into power. They were back in of- continued from cover no longer the war-ravaged country it that had been subjected to six years liberties including the right to join fice a second time in the past two Obama pressed Moscow to take had been in 1945. of ruthless German occupation and or even set up a political party, es- decades in 2001-2005. more responsibility for stopping an Another difference was that only 45 years of communist misrule and tablish a private business or have a Poland started recording hefty Iranian bomb. 68 percent of pre-war Poland’s citi- mismanagement. Especially in the passport. Under communism, pass- annual economic growth after the “I know Russia opposes the zens were ethnic Poles. Ukrainians, first post-war decade (1945-1956) ports were kept by the police, and turn of the century and became a planned configuration for missile Jews, Germans and a few smaller the Polish nation was subjected to citizens had to apply for permission European leader in that respect. But defense in Europe . . . I have made groups made up the balance. This wholesale Sovietization, and many to travel abroad. access to the job market of the Brit- it clear that this system is directed caused various problems. The out- of those who tried to oppose it were But prosperity, which could not ish Isles after Poland joined the Eu- lawed largely Jewish-led Com- jailed, tortured or killed. Warsaw’s simply be legislated into existence, ropean Union in 2004 started a mass at preventing a potential attack from munist Party of Poland was a sub- central planners mainly developed has been long in coming. The com- exodus of some of the country’s Iran and has nothing to do with Rus- versive group taking orders from heavy industry geared to serve So- munists had left Poland with a cum- most energetic and well-trained sia,” he told students in Moscow. Stalin. Ukrainian nationalists incited viet military power. bersome, antiquated and heavily younger workers, leaving a domes- “I want us to work together on disturbances in eastern Poland and Since under communism ev- bureaucratized economy and moun- tic manpower shortage in many key a missile defence architecture that the German Fifth Column provided eryone was guaranteed a job, there tains of debt cause by the 1970s areas. Everyone knows that the cap- makes us all safer. But if the threat Hitler’s Third Reich with anti-Pol- was gross overemployment. Of- spending spree of communist leader italist economy works in cycles, and from Iran’s nuclear and ballistic ish propaganda. fice workers drank tea and read Edward Gierek. He may have won every recession eventually has to missile programs is eliminated, the newspapers, construction workers some personal popularity by intro- end. But, economic ups and downs driving force for missile defense in The Poland that emerged sat around because supplies had ducing Coke, Pepsi, Marlboro ciga- notwithstanding, one thing is cer- Europe will be eliminated. That is in after World War II, a Soviet satel- not been delivered. Work did not rettes and other Western consumer tain. The indisputable advantage of our mutual interest,” he said. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2009 www.polamjournal.com 

WORLD WAR II / Sophie Hodorowicz Knab Invasion, Division, and Deportation Dear Readers: This month we eral Government. Mr. Domichowski they’re possessed. We pick up the begin a series on the Nazi invasion wrote of his experience after the war old man and help him find a place. of Poland in 1939 and the beginning was over. He called it “Transport.” After pushing us into the cars, the of World War II. – an account of his four day jour- Germans quickly slide the heavy ney in a freight car. This accounting door closed with a bang. On August 22, 1939 Hitler met is just one small example of what “They closed us in like in a tomb” with his commanding generals and it was like to live in Poland dur- says a voice. Inside the car is com- said: ing wartime. It will be offered here plete chaos due to the fact that thirty “... for the time being I have in a series of articles over the next people are trying to settle down on sent to the East only my Death’s Head Units with the order to kill few months. There are thousands of the floor of the car in almost com- without pity or mercy all men, stories such as this one. The stories plete darkness. Clouds of dust are women, and children of Polish need to be told. settling on our sweaty faces. The race or language ... The invasion cause is cement dust. Cement was and the extermination of Poland Part I “Transport” transported in these cars. We can begins on Saturday morning. I “The early morning of March 16, taste the bitterness on our lips and will have a few companies in Pol- 1940 was cold and miserable. Three develop headaches. Everyone is Deportees. Gniezno, 1940. ish uniform attack in Upper Sile- round iron stoves were not enough coughing and rubbing their eyes. sia or in the Protectorate. Wheth- ity. Everybody was thirsty and prac- another began to partake in a small to heat the vast barracks. On this It becomes more and more stifling tically no one managed to bring wa- bite to eat from their provisions. The er the world believes it doesn’t day they woke us up a 6 a.m., gave inside with the constant stirring of mean a damn thing to me.” ter. Even those who had a kettle or greatest racket was from the crying —Document L-3, us a half a liter of some bitter ersatz people on the dirty, dusty floor caus- bottle, strongly regretted that they children who were cold and uncom- Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression (made of grain) coffee per person, ing even more dust to float in the car. had not provisioned themselves fortable. You could here “Mama, as well as a loaf of bread for five The cries of the children intensify with water. I want to go home” over and over In the early hours of September people. At 7a.m. the German admin- along with the helpless sobs of the It gradually gets colder and even again. The mothers did what they 1, 1939 Hitler invaded Poland. istrators in charge of the camp came mothers trying to comfort their chil- though each of us are could to help them fall asleep. In the In an agreement known as the in and started calling covered with what we end the entire wagon began to fall German-Soviet Union Non-Aggres- people’s names from had, we still freeze. asleep with the exception of one in- sion Pact of August 1939 Poland a list. Those called, When the containers dividual who keeps vigil. was divided between Germany and along with their be- used to care for our Towards morning our trans- the Soviet Union. longings, were ar- physiological needs port is still without a locomotive. Germany took the whole west of ranged to one side. overfills, the people There is no sound of voices. One Poland bordering on Germany it- We were surround- begin to use the center can only hear the clatter of distant self. It consisted of Silesia with its ed by soldiers and of the wagon where trains and the shunting of wagons… wealth of mining and industrial cen- armed volksdeutch earlier we had made We wait in resignation…after 14 ters, Great Poland and its cities of who were also called some space and gath- hours, a locomotive is coupled on Poznan and Lodz ( called Warthegau, Selbstschutz ( a semi ered together some and the train is finally moving the or Warta by the Poles)and northern military defense unit rubbish and cement deportees towards the unknown. Poland (called Danzig-West Prus- composed of Germans which absorbed peo- [From: Wysiedlenie i Poniewierka sia) . This area was called the in- living in Poland) who ple’s leavings. In spite 1939-1945 . Wspomnienie Polaków corporated Eastern Territories and wore a red armband of covering any holes wysiedlonych przez okupanta hit- were to become an important part of with a swastika. and the one window lerowskiego z ziem polskich “wciel- the new Nazi Reich that was to give Arranging the men, it began to get darker onych” do Rzesy. (Deportation and Germany what it called lebensraum women, children and and smellier. Everyone Homelessness 1939-1945. Memoirs – living space for the German peo- sick people, encum- tries to arrange their of Poles deported by the German ple. Hundreds of thousands of Poles bered with various things as comfortable occupants from the Polish region were deported to work in Germany bags and bundles as possible and insu- “incorporated” into the Third Reich. as slave laborers. Thousands and was difficult and took late themselves from Edited by Ryszard Dyliński)]. thousands more were evicted over- some time. The call- the cold wafting up v v v night from their homes and property ing of names, forming from the floor of the Join us next month for the con- and shipped to other parts of Poland. groups, counting – all wagon. Families hud- tinuation of the story. Thousands on thousands died. accompanied by the dle together, trying If you are interested in explor- Russia took the eastern hollering and swear- to warm themselves ing the experiences of people dur- portion of Poland and acquired some ing of the Germans, the cries of the dren. We feel our first thirst. There through body heat. ing World War II, please log on to 201,000 square kilometers of Polish children and the sobs of the women- is a lack of water. The chilled people Long monotonous hours passed http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Po- territory and approximately 13.5 took two hours. By 9 a.m. we are nervously look for a place in the car waiting for departure. The locomo- landBuffaloWWII. million Polish citizens. More than a all in place and waited. Next there and, eventually tired out, lay down. tive doesn’t arrive. This one and then million of them were deported into was distribution of food for the trip. Some fresh air reaches inside the the interior of the USSR between Every individual received a half a car from the small window, covered 1939 and 1941. Men, women and loaf of bread, about 100 grams (3.5 with barbed wire. children ended up in Soviet prisons, ounces) of marmalade and marga- Wanting to stop the stirring up SUPPORT THE PAJ PRESS FUND labor camps or special deportation rine. We have no understanding of of cement dust from to the chaotic n 1971, a voluntary fund-raising campaign was launched by a group settlements. Thousands more died. how many days this was to last us. shifting of everyone in the wagon of loyal readers of the Polish American Journal entitled “We Love the The remainder of German oc- After distribution of the provisions we create a six person committee PAJ Press Fund” in order to help cover rising postage, material cupied Poland extending to the riv- we waited next to the barbed wire, in order to help one another. From and production costs. freezing. The worst was that the the moment the Germans locked the IDonations to the PAJ Press Fund are also used to support our reader ers Bug and San to the borders of Russian occupied Poland) was orga- people — cold, weakened and emo- door of the car and isolated us from services (postage, telephone, research, etc.), provide newsclippers with nized into a region called the Gov- tionally in turmoil — had greater the world, inside we became as one stamps and envelopes, and cover extraordinary expenses in producing ernment General. Its boundaries ex- physiological needs than under nor- family at the mercy of the Germans the paper. The Polish American Journal is not a profit-making ven- tended to the new boundary with the mal conditions. The guards, so as not for who knows how many days ture. Thanks to its dedicated staff, the PAJ is published as a “public Russians. It was to become a labor to ruin the formation of the groups, or nights. The smallest assistance service” for American Polonia. reservoir, a reserve of humans to do refused to let people take care of brought comfort during the night- Donations to the PAJ Press Fund will be acknowledged in the paper the bidding of the German occupi- these needs. The children had to do marish trip. We help the mothers unless otherwise directed by the contributor. ers. It was ruled by a German civil their deed out in the cold, next to the and children as well as the elderly administrator named Hans Frank. columns of standing people. to settle down and remind them to A sincere “THANK YOU” for their donations to the PAJ PRESS FUND: Krakow became the capital of the Waiting out in the cold was mis- move as little as possible. After a Joy A. Chlus, Wethersfield, Conn.; Joseph Dolzynski, Waterford, Mich.; General Government. erable. The sick elderly and the careful count, it turns out that there Sandra Kapla, Waterford, Mich.; Stephen Kasprzak, Floral Park, N.Y.; The Polish nation with its history children suffered the most. At last are 33 people in the car: four chil- Stan Kokoska, Windham, Conn.; Edward Lipka, Newark, Del.; Mr. & and culture would cease to exist. For the soldiers unhooked the chain and dren, 16 women and 13 men. Mrs. Robert Malaski, Twinsburg, Ohio; George Morgan, San Jacinto, Poland, it was the beginning of five counted us out in groups of thirty They load about 1100 of us Calif.; Leonard Oleskiewicz, Garrettsville, Ohio; Wanda Pyrdol, West years of German occupation and the to thirty five. Behind the chain was into 30 freight cars. Finally, by 11 Haven, Conn.; Richard Rumonoski, Northbridge, Mass.; Rev. Carl beginning of five years of political, the platform to the train. There were o’clock, a locomotive is hitched up Urban, Schenectady, N.Y.; Edward Yelito, Sugarloaf, Pa.; and two religious, intellectual and human thirty freight cars and two passenger and the train carrying the evacuees “Friends of the PAJ.” Dziekujemy! The PAJ thanks all who donated to genocide. cars for the German guards. We are begins to move. After many switches the Press Fund. The following is an account of ordered to get in. Amidst the swear- and shunting it stops at the Poznan- the experience of one Franciszek ing and shouts of the German guards Franowo train station at 12:30. Mail to: PAJ PRESS FUND Domichowski who, along with hun- we load into the freight cars. Out of Again we wait monotonous hours Polish American Journal dreds of thousands of other Poles, fear, the people want to get into the for our much desired departure. The P.O. BOX 328, BOSTON, NY 14025-0328 was forcibly removed from his cars quickly, pushing one another, day was cold and in the unheated car I want to make sure the POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL continues its home in Poznan in Western Poland trying to find a place to settle, stir- we increasingly felt colder. Body service to American Polonia. Enclosed is my contribution of $______and, allowed only the barest es- ring up clouds of dust. One old man functions asserted themselves but sentials that could be carried in a falls to the ground, confusion fol- the doors are locked so it is impos- NAME small bundle, deported to the Gen- lows, the SS men are screaming like sible to exit the car. The children begin to relieve themselves in the ADDRESS middle of the car. The women who Unique Polish Folk Art and Crafts couldn’t hold out any longer began to maneuver some kind of contain- CITY, STATE, ZIP www.polishpeddler.net ers which in the confined space was Please [ ] include [ ] do not include my name in your list of contributors. a complicated and unpleasant activ-  www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2009

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RELIGION / Benjamin Fiore, S.J. Holocaust Reconsidered Historians have recently called Omer Bartov, in his recent book Msgr. Anthony E. Jaworowski, for a major reassessment of the Ho- “Erased: Vanishing Traces of Jew- pastor emeritus of St. Adalbert RC locaust because the symbolic power ish Galicia in Present-Day Ukraine” Parish, Philadelphia, on his 65 anni- of Auschwitz obscures the Nazis’ (Princeton University Press) re- versary as a priest. Among his many mass shootings and other atrocities counts the slaughter of the Jews in assignments, Msgr. Jaworowski in the East. Buchach and 20 similar towns dur- served on the faculty at St. Pius X Timothy Snyder of Yale says ing World War II, an atrocity whose High School and was archdiocesan “Auschwitz yielded numerous sur- memory was suppressed by Soviet vocations director. vivors who after the war were free Russia and only slowly emerging Fr. Ignatius J. Szal, pastor to recount the horrors they experi- today. Some 500,000 Jews were emeritus of Holy Martyrs RC Par- enced. Not so Holocaust victims brutally killed in Western Ukraine ish, Oreland, Pa., on his 65th anni- caught behind the Iron Curtain. alone. versary of ordination. In addition to “An adequate vision of the Ho- parish assignments, Fr. Szal served locaust would place Operation Re- Army Chaplain Dies from as the director of the Hispanic Apos- inhardt, the murder of the Polish Iraq War Injuries Fr. Timothy tolate and the spiritual director of Jews in 1942, at the center of its Vakoc, an Army chaplain wounded the Legion of Mary. Pictured above are David Harris (left), executive director of the American history,” he says, including the hor- in Iraq in 2004, died recently at the Fr. Benjamin Fiore, S.J. on the Jewish Committee and Krzysztof W. Kasprzyk (right), Consul General of rors of the death camps Treblinka, age of 49 and joins his 4,000+ com- 35th anniversary of ordination to the the Republic of Poland presenting a lifetime achievement award to Chi- Sobibor and Bełzec — the latter of patriots who gave their lives in the priesthood and 45th anniversary of cago Zoning Attorney John J. Pikarski, Jr. for his decades of effort on which, “though the third most im- war. He was wounded in Mosul by a religious life. behalf of the National Polish-American Jewish-American Council. Pikarski portant killing site of the Holocaust, roadside bomb on the 12th anniver- received the award at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland after Auschwitz and Treblinka, is sary of his ordination. He once told Papal Statue at Rome Hos- in New York City. hardly known.” Next in importance his sister, “The safest place for me pital. . . A 10-foot tall statue of are the mass shootings in the Soviet to be is in the center of God’s will, Pope John Paul II was recently un- Mt. Pleasant, Pa. Vatican officials from the Congre- Union, eastern Poland and the Bal- and if it is in the line of fire, that’s veiled in the patio in front of Rome’s Fr. Jack Podsiadlo, S.J., on as- gation of the Doctrine of the Faith tics in 1941-42, often with local as- where I’ll be.” RIP. Gemelli Hospital, where the pope suming the duties of president of who are conducting a “doctrinal As- sistance (“All in all, as many if not was cared for on nine occasions, the New York Nativity Centers, in- sessment” of the group’s activities. more Jews were killed by bullets as Polish Engineer Refuses the first being on May 13, 1981, af- ner city middle schools to prepare According to Vatican spokesman Fr. by gas …”). This “Shoah by bullets” to Convert, Executed. When ter the assassination attempt in St. and motivate young people to suc- Federico Lombardi, S.J., the Vatican killed a million Jews in 1941 alone, Pakistani Taliban asked captured Peter’s Square and the last in March ceed in high school and college. The visitation team will “undertake in Snyder says, “the equivalent of the Polish oil exploration engineer Pi- 2005, shortly before his death. The schools operate in Crown Heights, the coming months a study regard- total number of Jews killed at Aus- otr Stanczak, 42, to choose be- pope jokingly referred to the hos- Brooklyn; Hunt’s Point, Bronx; and ing doctrinal problems that have chwitz during the entire war.” “In tween execution and conversion to pital as Vatican III, the third papal Manhattan’s lower East side. presented themselves in the area of shorthand, then, the Holocaust was, Islam, he remained true to his faith residence after those at the Vatican Sr. Emmanuela Le, CSFN, and female religious life in the United in order: Operation Reinhardt, Sho- and was beheaded by his captors. and Castel Gandolfo. Cardinal Dzi- Sr. Nahida Al Sawa, CSFN on pro- States.” This is a follow-up to a ah by bullets, Auschwitz,” Snyder He was being held as a bargaining wisz, the pope’s long-time secretary, nouncing their vows in the Rite of 2001 report on “the initiatives taken says, “or Poland, the Soviet Union, chip in negotiations to free a jailed remarked, “From the tenth-floor Profession as a member of the Sis- or planned” to promote acceptance the rest.” Yet, he adds, even this ac- terrorist. The details of Stanczak’s window, he blessed the suffering ters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. of Vatican teachings on the problem counting “omits the state that Hitler death were revealed by his captors crowds, and now from the center of Also Sr. Rosalynn Nguyen, CSFN of homosexuality, the ordination of was chiefly concerned to destroy, to another hostage, a Pakistani, who the square — where his sculpture on being accepted as a novice at the women to the priesthood and the the other state that killed Europeans was later released unharmed. was raised with exquisite sensitiv- congregation’s novitiate in Grand 2000 declaration “Dominus Jesus,” en masse in the middle of the cen- ity — he will continue to watch Prairie, Texas. which concerns interfaith relations. tury: the Soviet Union.” Happy Anniversary to … over this site and to bless those who Holy Cross Fr. Laurence Olsze- come, and those who here serve the Pope John Paul II at Ease. A Cambria City Revisited. The MODLITWY wski on his 70th birthday, which sorrow of mankind.” newly-published book, “Beauty and new parish, created by Altoona- he celebrated at the Holy Cross Spirituality of Married Love,” in- Johnstown Bishop Joseph V. Ada- Retirement Community in Cocoa Sto Lat to ... Michael J. Kola- Publication of Prayers. The Polish American cludes photographs of the late pope mec, who closed and merged four Journal gladly accepts prayers ads for publication. Beach, Fla. He served a large par- kowski, of St. Albert the Great RC while he was still a parish priest. He Cambria City, Pa., churches will be They must be received by the 10th of each month, ish in Cartavío, Peru, and later in Parish in Huntingdon Valley, Pa., on prior to the month of publication, and must be is shown relaxing on a camping trip called Resurrection Roman Catho- pre-paid at the cost of $15.00 each, which can be Senegal, Tanzania, and Burundi as a his ordination to the permanent dea- with his students, a college study lic Church. A transition council is paid by check or charge. If you have any questions missionary with the Catholic Relief conate. He is a retired Philadelphia group called The Little Family. The handling the particular details of the regarding this policy, please call 1 (800) 422-1275 Services. Former pastor of St. John elementary school principal. or (716) 312-8088. pope’s nickname at that time was merger in an attempt to save trea- the Evangelist RC Parish in Viera, Fr. Joseph Lewandowski on his wujek (uncle). sured traditions and activities in the Prayer to the Blessed Virgin. (Never Known Fla., he currently assists at Divine installation as pastor of Transfigura- merged parishes. Two members of To Fail). Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, Mercy Parish on Merritt Island. tion of Our Lard PNCC Parish in fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of U.S. Women Religious un- each parish comprise the council. the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my der Scrutiny. necessity. Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me Sr. J. Lora Dam- In the meantime, parishioners of Ss. herein you are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of broski of the Sisters of St. Francis Casimir & Emerich Church, which God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech of the Providence of God president will be closed, put on display a pho- you from the bottom of my heart and succor me in my necessity (make request). There are none that of the U.S. Leadership Conference tographic retrospective of life in the can withstand your power. Oh Mary, conceived of Women Religious, and the orga- Polish and Hungarian Church com- without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee nization’s other leaders met with munities. (three times). Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (three times). Say this prayer for three con- secutive days and then you must publish and it will be granted to you. Thank you for your help. M.L.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin. (Never Known To Fail). Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart and succor me in 760 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY 14203 my necessity (make request). There are none that (716) 882-2987 can withstand your power. Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (three times). Holy Mary, I place this cause in Center for Pastoral Care your hands (three times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then you must publish and and Wellness it will be granted to you. Thank You, Dear Blessed Mother. H.D.N.

THANKSGIVING NOVENA TO ST. JUDE. Holy On-Going Events St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and Daily Mass. 4:30 p.m. rich in miracles, near the kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special (except Saturday) patronage in time of need. To you I have recourse Novena to St. Jude from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to Every Wednesday 4:30 p.m. whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent Sunday Mass. 12:30 p.m. position. In return I promise to make your name Bereavement Support Group known and cause you to be invoked. (Say three (Every 1st Tuesday of the month Our Fathers, Three Hail Marys, Three Glory Be’s). St. Jude pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen. 2-2:30 p.m.) Publication must be promised. This prayer is to be said for nine consecutive days. This novena has never been known to fail. My prayers have been Rev. Richard H. Augustyn, Director answered. D.R.E. and M.A.E. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2009 www.polamjournal.com 

KULTURA / Staś Kmieć Travelogue  A Date with the Works of Zofia Stryjeska The National Museum in ryski Library (ul. św. Marka 17), in her work, and this is the first ma- maidens was reconstructed in 1953. Kraków (al. 3 Maja 1) is housed in and a massive modern building as jor exhibition dedicated to her art. Her work decorated the pas- a rather formidable looking build- the main seat. Stryjeńska’s paintings attacked senger liners Batory (1934) and ing that looks like the kind of place Conservation and renovation of the viewer with innovative form Piłsudski (1935) and the Fukier where state secrets might be kept. At the Bishop Erazm Ciołek Palace and individual style. The subjects wine tavern and Wedel patisserie in the main reception I was greeted by (ul. Kanonicza 17) are underway, she chose were generally familiar, Warsaw (1935), and she designed the charming Dorota Dziunikowska where plans are to mount exhibi- but her work displays a wealth of decorative patterns for the China from the Promotions Department, tions of Polish art spanning the pe- ideas, diversity of presentation and Factory in Ćmielów. who had arranged my press tour of riod from the Middle Ages to the a variety of vivid colors and decora- In 1930 the Polish government the facility. We sat down near the end of the 18th century as well as tive patterns. The characters in her gave Stryjeńska its highest award, café section, where I was briefed orthodox art. paintings were generally depicted in Polonia Restituta, and six years about the history of the Museum Krakow’s material heritage man- regional costumes, often moving in later the Polish Academy of Litera- and the groundbreaking retrospec- aged to survive the Second World dance form and emanating the joy ture awarded her the Gold Academic tive of Zofia Stryjeńska. War in better shape than most Pol- of life. Wreath. The subjects Stryjeńska chose were Kraków has an embarrassment ish cities, and today visitors can en- The artist worked and experi- For her friend, composer Karol generally familiar, but her work dis- of riches on the museum front. Szymanowski’s Podhale-inspired plays a wealth of ideas, diversity of It was the former Royal Capital; ballet, Harnasie, she created three presentation and a variety of vivid however when museums first came sets of costumes. The first set was colors and decorative patterns. into vogue in Europe, Poland only not used, but the second was used died in 1976 in Geneva, where she really existed as an idea. The coun- for the premier in Warsaw’s Great was buried. try had been wiped off the map in Theatre and the third for the Polski She lived a life of splendor and 1795 by Russia, Prussia and Austria, Balet Reprezentacyjny performanc- misery. The heroine of scandals, in and thereafter, presenting patriotic es in 1939, in Paris, Brussels, and private life Stryjeńska remained a material was difficult and compli- New York City. timid person, full of complexes. Her cated. Poland’s oldest museum, the On display in the Polish Pavilion life was full of dramatic phrases and Czartoryski, now a branch of the at the 1939-40 New York World’s a constant struggle for survival. National, had to flee to France with Fair were examples of Stryjeńska’s The museum journey through the its owners, the Czartoryski Princes, work. After the outbreak of World splendor of Stryjeńska’s work con- in 1831. War II, 11,000 objects from the Pol- veyed her vision – full of sensuality, In 1873, the Austrians gave the ish Pavilion were stranded in New mysticism, humor and vibrant color. Poles a free rein — much to the York and a number of them found Superficial content did not interest annoyance of Russia and Prus- their way to the Polish Museum of her; she introduced freshness to Pol- sia. From that point, the Habsburg America in Chicago. ish art. Her paintings breathe a great Kingdom of Galicia became the During these years Stryjeńska spontaneity and joy of existence. most flexible place in the former created one album of enormous val- The collection includes her most Polish lands to launch a patriotic en- ue — Polish Peasants’ Costumes. important projects, such as large terprise. Kraków immediately took Przy watrze góralskiej (At the Highlander’s Fire) Figures were depicted from both murals from the 1920s: the deco- the lead. front and back, with the costumes joy the accumulation of centuries of mented in many forms, styles and rative panels Pory Roku (The Four The nobility wanted to turn being authentic reproductions of heritage. mediums. She pursued painting Seasons) with allegories of the Kraków into a giant open-air and regional garments. The album was Receiving a commemorative on easel and large canvas, as well months; Ogień i Woda (Fire and indoor museum of Poland’s his- printed with an introduction and satchel, full of museum guides, as mural painting, drawings in Water); the Pasha (Resurrection) tory. The jewel in the crown was to notes by Tadeusz Seweryn, cura- books, folders and promotional ma- pencil, charcoal and crayon, and cycle, the complete portfolios of be the former Royal Castle, which tor of the Ethnographic Museum in terial, I was escorted to the entrance graphic arts – mostly lithography. Bożki Słowiańskie (Slavic Gods), was officially returned to the nation Kraków. of the exhibit I was eager to view. Stryjeńska designed theatrical sets including the monumental designs in 1905 after a stint as an Austrian Subsequent Art Deco style rep- and costumes, posters, illustrations on this theme for the Senator Tower army barracks. resentation albums followed. I was Zofia Stryjeńska (1891-1976) and covers of books for adults and at Wawel Castle. Four museums were launched or fortunate to have acquired many of ranked among the most popular Pol- children, kilims, textiles, toys and Yet it was the work on Polish re-established: Princes Czartorys- these original gouache hand col- ish artists of the interwar period. other functional forms. folk themes that I was mesmerized ki (ul. Sw. Jana 19), Emeryk Hut- ored lithographs from the Polish Art She won fame at the 1925 Paris In- She was a child of Kraków, born by. This choice of subject was influ- ten-Czapski (ul Piłsudski 10-12), Center in Hamtramck, Mich., over ternational exhibition, where she re- on the 13th of May in 1891 into the enced by her own early love of Pol- Matejko House (ul. Floriańskia 10 years ago. Each drawing in the ceived a string of Grand Prix awards. prosperous Lubański family. Zofia ish folklore. Kraków was surround- 41) and the Gallery of Polish Art limited edition of 400 volumes is Although derided by some Polish studied at various art schools in Po- ed by villages in which folk-life was (Sukiennice, Main Square), all of signed by artist. critics as a second-rate graphic art- land and finally at the famous Mu- alive. She was able to witness peas- which are now under the auspices of Art was Stryjeńska’s escape from ist, her distinctive style as a multi- nich School of Art, where with her ant wedding pageants, folk religious the National. the nightmare of war. She spent the faceted artist was hugely influential, brother’s passport, she disguised processions, markets, trade fairs, More branches were added after war years in Kraków. In 1943 she with its exuberant blend of art deco herself as a man, calling herself Ta- and festivals of all sorts. Poland regained her independence discovered she had syphilis, which and folk motifs. deusz Grzymała, in order to gain ad- in 1918, these include Józef Me- affected her eyes and at times she After the war, Stryjeńska was mittance. In Munich she became in- In her memoir, she described hoffer House (ul. Krupnicza 26), could not paint. alienated from the mainstream as fatuated with Aleksander Sucharow, Stanisław Wyspiański Museum her early morning walks with her she refused to join the Communist a renowned Russian ballet dancer, father to the Rynek (Market Square) (ul. Szczepańska 11), Karol Szy- After the war, not wanting to government’s Union of Polish Art- who may have influenced her ability where she saw: manowski Museum in Zakopane live in a Communist country, she ists. Since the fall of the Iron Cur- to capture the motion and vitality of (ul. Kasprusie 19), Princes Czarto- joined her children in Switzerland, “... a mass of peasants ... from tain, there has been renewed interest dance. and then lived briefly in Geneva, different villages in the environs It was at the Warsztaty Kra- Paris, and Brussels. Having applied of Kraków ... who in their fantas- kowskie cooperative that Zofia 14KT. GOLD JEWELRY to the Kosciuszko Foundation for tic, colorful folk costumes created met Karol Stryjeński, an architect, assistance, Stryjeńska attempted to the impression of some magical A D sculptor, educator, and designer. B E immigrate to the United States. Un- meadow replete with flowers of According to her diary it was love C fortunately, the Supervisory Board the most beautiful colors .... We at first sight. They were married in of the Foundation refused her ap- walked among this mass of village a private ceremony on November 4, peal. people of incomparable beauty and 1916, but many years later divorced. Without her permission, the grace, whose gestures and style are The couple had three children: Mag- I Communist government appropri- not to be encountered in any other G da and twins, Jan and Jacek. H ated her paintings and illustrations place, there in the Kraków Rynek From 1912 she took part in nu- of Polish subjects and folklore for the initial images of Slavic Gods merous exhibitions at home and mass-produced postcards, calendars, germinated in my mind, and a dis- abroad, including the Venice Bien- J K plate decorations, and other objects, tant premonition of a grand Slavic nale of 1920. At the International and used her graphic designs for resurrection led by Poland ... Later, Exhibition of Decorative Arts in various commercial purposes. Her all my life, I painted these village Paris in 1925 Stryjeńska received F name even was signed to works cre- people, this vision of my first youth, four Grand Prix for mural painting, ated by others. She was never paid in the midst of which I grew up ... it ALL SHOWN ACTUAL SIZE • All items are 14KT Solid Yellow Gold. poster, fabric, and book illustration. royalties, nor did she claim any; is only to be pitied that my brushes France stressed that the painter’s she merely lamented about the poor failed to render faithfully their real work is thoroughly modern, yet at Description Some items available in sterling silver. quality of the reproductions. enchantment, which will always re- the same time, based on the tradi- A. Polish Princess Please write or call for pricing. Two years before her death, the mains in my memory ...” tions of Poland, which intrigued the B. #1 Babcia (Script) Alfred Jurzykowski Foundation of The Zofia Stryjeńska exhibit has Golden Lion Jewelry West. C. #1 Babcia (Block) New York City presented Stryjeńska done a great service to an incompa- P.O. Box 199 In 1928, together with Władyław D. Small Eagle an award inscribed “For extraordi- rable talent. The retrospective has Ostrowski, she painted the ornamen- E. Medium Eagle Port Reading, NJ 07064 nary artistic achievement in visual since traveled to Poznań and War- tal mural decoration of apartment F. Large Eagle (908) 862-1927 arts. Her original works, subtly saw. houses in the Old Town in Warsaw G. Large Heavy Eagle (Add $6.00 Postage & Handling for each item) inspired by Polish folk art, left an I ventured through the rest of the to commemorate the tenth anni- H. Extra Heavy Eagle Prices subject to change indelible mark on the Polish imagi- museum of Poland’s late nineteenth versary of Poland’s independence. I. #1 Mamusia (Block) Please allow 10-14 days for delivery. If not satis- nation and gained a deserved inter- century and twentieth century mas- fied, return for refund within 15 days. Unfortunately the Old Town was J. #1 Tatus (Block) national recognition.” ters in a daze, and left to continue New Jersey residents must add 7% sales tax. completely destroyed by the Nazis my day in Kraków on an artistic K. #1 Ciocia (Block) Her health deteriorated and she New York & Mass. residents add appropriate after the Warsaw Uprising. A copy high. L. Tie Tacks of D, E, F, G was losing her sight. Stryjeńska sales tax. of Stryjeńska’s fresco of two village to be continued  www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2009

Happenings: Chicago Style / Geraldine Balut Coleman SCIENCE New Element to be Named for Copernicus “Forgotten Beauty”: A Polish Costume Exhibit (BBC) — Discovered 13 years ago, and officially added to the peri- CHICAGO — The Polish Mu- odic table last month, element 112 finally has a name. seum of America (PMA) is receiv- It will be called “copernicium,” with the symbol Cp, in honour of the ing the positive notoriety it well Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. deserves. On Saturday, June 27, the Copernicus (Mikolaj Kopernik) deduced that the planets revolved Museum opened its doors to an- around the Sun, and finally refuted the belief that the Earth was the other successful exhibit: “Forgotten centre of the Universe. Beauty”, a Polish Folk Costumes The team of scientists who discovered the el- Exhibition. It was a wonderful cel- ement chose the name to honour the man who ebration of Polish culture. Twen- “changed our world view.” ty-four young Polish Americans The International Union of Pure and Applied danced and sang to the sounds of Chemistry (IUPAC) will officially endorse the new Poland’s mountain music. This live- element’s name in six months’ time in order to give ly, sometimes eerie and high pitched the scientific community “time to discuss the sug- highlander music echoed through- gestion.” out the Great Hall of the PMA, giv- Scientists from the Centre for Heavy Ion Research in Germany, led ing witness to the preservation of by Professor Sigurd Hofmann, discovered copernicium in fusion ex- Polish customs. Approximately 400 periments in 1996. attendees filled the Museum’s- ex “After IUPAC officially recognized our discovery, we agreed on hibit hall to re-acquaint themselves Costume of the Lowicz region. proposing the name (because) we would like to honor an outstanding with a world filled with vibrant and scientist,” said Professor Hofmann. intricately-made traditional folk “Princess of Polish Painting.” Each cians from The Polish Highlanders Copernicus was born 1473 in Torun, Poland. His finding that the costumes from the various regions painting depicts scenes with Poles Association of Chicago. Special planets circle the sun underpins much of modern science. It was pivotal of Poland. Many of the costumes dressed in regional costumes. This thanks to Paulina Jakubiec of the for the discovery of gravity, and led to the conclusion that the stars are are on loan from Chicago area Pol- addition of the exhibit was gener- Museum’s staff, who curated this incredibly far away and that the Universe is inconceivably large. ish folk-dancing troupes. Adding to ously loaned to the Museum by the exhibit. Naturally, such an evening the importance of this display were Polish Women’s Alliance of Ameri- would not have been complete with- MATYJASZEWSKI CITED BY EPA. For the 14th year, works of the multi-faceted Polish ca. The opening reception included out Polish cuisine, spirits and wines. the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rec- artist, Zofia Lubanska Stryjenska a performance by Siumni, a group “Forgotten Beauty” will be on dis- ognized chemical technologies developed by leading (1891-1974), who was dubbed the of Polish folk dancers and musi- play until August 15. researchers and industrial innovators who are making significant contributions to pollution prevention in the A SUMMER BALL REVISITED. As United States. The Presidential Green Chemistry Chal- it has for over 30 years, The Polish lenge Awards are given in five categories: Academic, Museum of America held its major Small Business, Greener Synthetic Pathways, Greener fund-raising event, the Summer Ball Reaction Conditions and Designing Greener Chemicals. on June 26 at the Café La Cave in Among the 2009 Award winners was Professor Krzysz- Des Plaines, Illinois. From finding tof Matyjaszewski of Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh. The that “special something” among Matyjaszewski Group, which Professor Matyjaszewski heads, currently the numerous items from the Ball’s consists of 13 graduate students, six postdoctoral fellows, and two un- Silent Auction to experiencing fine dergraduate students. It has led to the publication of 10 books, 66 book dining, to having lively conversa- chapters, over 600 peer-reviewed scientific papers, and 36 U.S. and 108 tions with guests, as well as danc- international patents. Due to the creative work of his group, Professor ing to the music of the Anthony Matyjaszewski, a native of Poland, ranked second among all fields of Kawalkowski Orchestra made for a chemistry in a list of the 100 most cited scientists compiled in 2008, special evening. But it was also an fourth in 2007, and sixth in 2004-2006 by Essential Science Indicators. evening of presenting the Museum’s The Green Chemistry Challenge promotes research and development prestigious Polish Spirit Award, of less-hazardous alternatives to existing technologies that reduce or honoring that individual or those in- eliminate waste, particularly hazardous waste, in industrial production. dividuals who made positive contri- butions to the Polonian community Wallace Ozog, Teresa N. Abick, Maria Ciesla, and Jan Lorys. The Polish Genealogical Society of Connecticut and the and beyond. This year’s recipient was Teresa N. Abick, vice-presi- Spirit Award for decades of service sustaining Polish traditions through Northeast Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Conference dent of the Polish National Alliance. to the Polish American community, Polonia’s youth. NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — The Hoffman, Brian Lenius of Canada, Mrs. Abick was awarded the Polish especially for her contributions in Polish Genealogical Society of and Aleksandra Kacprzak of Grud- Connecticut and the Northeast Inc. ziadz, Poland. Also speaking will be REGIS BARWIG’S 50TH ANNI- is celebrating the twenty fifth -an Thomas Sadauskas on Lithuanian VERSARY. Father Regis Norbert niversary of its founding this year. records, Lisa Alzo on Slovak gene- Barwig, Prior of the Community of The society was founded on April alogy and Kallile Mehr on the latest 25, 1984 by students enrolled in an developments in acquiring records Our Lady, celebrated the 50th an- Adult Education course on Polish from various Eastern European ar- niversary of his ordination to the genealogy in New Britain, Connect- chives, among others. Noted scholar priesthood on Sunday, Mary 31. icut, taught by Jonathan Shea. Professor Mieczyslaw Biskupski of This Holy Mass of Thanksgiving The 25th anniversary conference the host institution will deliver a was held at St. Stanislaus Kostka will be held at CCSU, August 7-8, lecture on the history of Polonia. Church in Chicago. Assisting Father and will feature speakers from Po- Representatives from the National Barwig was His Eminence Jozef land and Canada, as well as feature Archives, the Connecticut State Li- Cardinal Glemp, Primate of Poland. lectures on genealogical resources brary and the Jewish Genealogical A black tie/white tie reception and in neighboring nations whose his- society of Connecticut will also be dinner honoring Father Barwig was tories are intertwined with that of present to assist researchers. held later that evening in Chicago’s Poland. For information about the twenty Among those speaking are indi- fifth anniversary conference or the world-famous Gold Coast Room of viduals well known in Polish gene- Society, visit or write www.pgsctne. the Drake Hotel. This by-invitation- alogy circles, namely Matthew Biel- org; PGSCTNE, 8 Lyle Road, New only event was attended by Father His Eminence Jozef Cardinal Glemp, Primate of Poland, and Father Regis awa, Prof. Jonathan Shea, William Britain, Connecticut 06053-2104. Barwig’s family as well as a multi- Norbert Barwig. tude of friends. Clergy representing the Archdiocese of Chicago, Poland, studies in political science while at- der the guidance of Cardinal Amleto POLISH AMERICAN and his Benedictine order, members tending Georgetown University, and Giovanni Cocognani, the Vatican’s from the Community of Our Lady, then pursued sacred theology stud- Secretary of State and with the bless- CULTURAL CENTER were in attendance. Regis Barwig’s ies at the Pontifical Lateran -Uni ing of Pope Paul VI, Father Barwig 308 WALNUT STREET ancestral background dates back versity in Rome, Italy. Ordained along with Fathers Eugene Kalinski PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106 to his paternal great-grandparents’ on May 30, 1959, Father Regis and Augustine Sarafini, who, inci- arrival in Chicago via Galveston, celebrated his first solemn Mass on (215) 922-1700 dentally, assisted Father Barwig as When You’re in Philadelphia’s Historic Texas in 1862. His maternal great- June 14, at his boyhood parish of he celebrated his first solemn Mass, District, Visit The Polish American grandparents date back, according St. Stanislaus. After his ordination, established the Community of Our Cultural Center Museum Exhibit Hall to St. Stanislaus records, to 1870. he spent approximately seven years Lady, a monastic foundation in Father Barwig graduated from St. at the Polish Daily News (Dziennik Featuring Polish History and Culture Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Father Regis Stanislaus Grammar School and Chicagoski) as an administrative as- OPEN 10:00 a.m. TO 4:00 p.m. • FREE ADMISSION Norbert Barwig is Canon of the January through April • Monday to Friday Weber High School. After graduat- sistant and translator. In 1964, his May through December • Monday to Saturday ing from Illinois Benedictine Uni- Benedictine superiors requested that Royal Chapter of Wilanow-Warsaw, Honorary Principal Chaplain of the Gift Shop is Open During Regular Exhibit Hall Hours versity, he became a monk at St. Father Regis organize the founding Closed on Holidays Benedict’s Abbey, based in Lisle, of Our Lady of Claremont Priory in Polish Association of the Sovereign Visit Us on the Internet: www.polishamericancenter.org Illinois. He continued his graduate Cedarburg, Wisconsin. In 1968, un- Military Order of Malta.

A subscription to the Polish American Journal makes a perfect gift! Order on-line at www.polamjournal.com or call 1 (800) 422-1275. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2009 www.polamjournal.com  New Officers PIASA’s 67th Annual Meeting a Great Success NEW YORK —The 67th Annual Meeting of the the presentation of the monodrama “Helena, the Queen Polish Institute of Arts & Sciences of America (PIASA) of Emigrants” a production of the Polish Theatre Insti- was held on June 13-14, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency, Jer- tute of U.S. featuring Nina Polan as Helena Modjeska. sey City/ On the Hudson. According to the chair of the The entire listing of the program can be found on Annual meeting, Dr. Thaddeus V. Gromada, over 200 PIASA’s website: www.piasa.org persons attended the two-day, multi-disciplinary con- The main banquet address was delivered by John R. ference on Polish and Polish American studies. Most Davis, U.S. Ambassador to Poland in the crucial years were scholars and scientists from 20 states and five for- of the 1980s. He spoke on “1989, the Year that Poland eign countries which included Poland, Canada, United Changed the World” based on his personal experiences Kingdom, Netherlands, and Israel. in which he was not only an eyewitness but an active Representatives of the following organizations par- participant in making history. He was preceded by Hon. ticipated in the conference: Polish Cultural Foundation Krzysztof Kasprzyk, Consul General of the Republic of of Clark, N.J., Polish American Historical Associa- Poland, in New York City, whose remarks were based tion, Polonia Technica, Pilsudski Institute of America, on his role during the dramatic events of 1989. The Kosciuszko Foundation, Orchard Lake Schools of The results of the 2009 election by mail ballot were Michigan, American Council of Polish Culture and the announced during the banquet that took place the eve- Polish University Club of N.J. ning of June 13. The following were elected to the The conference opened with plenary session on PIASA Board: Leonard Baldyga, Career Minister, U.S. “1989 Annus Mirabilis: Poland’s Road to Indepen- Foreign Service (ret.), Anna M. Cienciala, Professor of THE POLISH AMERICAN SOCIETY OF GREATER CINCINNATI inducted dence” moderated by Dr. Gromada, President of PIASA, History, University of Kansas; Zbigniew Darzynkie- new officials for the year, and dedicated its new meeting facility, the Polish New Jersey City University. Panelists included Dr. Jan wicz, Director of Brander Cancer Research Institute Heritage Center, located in Sharonville, Ohio. Kubik, Rutgers University, Dr. Z. Anthony Kruszews- New York Medical College; Eve Krzyzanowski, media The new facility was dedicated to Dr. Herb and Betty Holinko in memory ki, University of Texas at El Paso, Dr. Jakub Grygiel, professional, presently Executive Producer of “Mo- of their many years of service to the community. The PAGSC (www.Polish- Johns Hopkins University, DR. Neal Pease, University ment of Luxury” a series for PBS stations; Rafal Ol- American-Cincinnati.org) has been active since 1962. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Dr. Susanne S. Lotarski, binski, graphic artist, illustrator and designer; and John Pictured are officers and several members (l. to r.): General Joe Lojek, U.S. Department of Commerce. Seventeen other ses- Wasacz, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mike Griscik, Ann Griscik, Michelle Day, Ann Janusik, Emerson Day, Don sions and panels were presented on various topics and Manhattan College. Szarmach, Jean Ann Obrebski, Marlene Hardman, Ted Hardman, and Ted in various disciplines which included, “Poland After 20 The chair of the meeting was Dr. Gromada, while Day. years of Transition,” “Cold War and Its Aftermath in his Deputy Executive Director Janina Kedron, was the Elected were: Andrew Biernat (pres.); Chris Mystkowski (v.p.); John Poland and Eastern Europe,” “Polish Children in Ex- coordinator. The Annual Meeting committee members Preklas (treas.); Jean Ann Obrebski (corr. Sec.); Don Szarmach. Named to ile,” “Prominent Poles in the History of Science,” “Pol- included staff members Mariusz Bargielski and Patry- the board were: Peter Kasprzycki, Helen Preklas, Pawel Kobek, Ann Janusik, ish Music and Cinema,” “”Kazimierz Wierzynski: On cja Roman and volunteers Theresa M. Gromada and Michelle Day, and Ted Day. Ted (Dzienisziewicz) Day was named director the 40th Anniversary of his Death,” “World War II” Its Henry P. Kedron. Plans for the next Annual Meeting in of the Polish Heritage Center. Impact on Poland,” etc. The conference concluded with Milwaukee, Wisc. are being prepared.

POLONIA EAGLE OF THE EASTERN GREAT LAKES / Michael Pietruszka Western New Yorker Pauline Bernat celebrated her 105th birthday on June 22, 2009. Born Pauline Bogusz, Buffalo Mural Arts Program she married Anthony Bernat in BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo CORPUS CHRISTI “DOZYNKI.” September 1927. The couple had Mural Arts Program hosted its first The 30th Annual “Dozynki” Polish three children: Rita (Sikorski), mural creation event in the Broad- Harvest Festival will take place on Henry and Edward. Mrs. Bernat now way Fillmore neighborhood in front August 22 and 23 at Corpus Christi has seven grandchildren and ten of the historic Broadway Market on Church on Buffalo’s East Side. This great-grandchildren. Her greatest July 25. The theme was “Faces of celebration, which dates to the Mid- happiness has always been in her Broadway - Fillmore.” Community dle Ages, is the Polish equivalent of role as wife and mother. She also members were invited paint their America’s Thanksgiving holiday. enjoys crochet work and playing faces and leave their “mark” inside This year’s festival will offer cards. of the market. homemade Polish food and drink, as Mrs. Bernat is a life-long mem- The Buffalo Murals Arts Program well as polka, classical and pop mu- ber of Corpus Christi Parish on is associated with the B.E.S.T. Com- sic, and an opportunity to tour the Buffalo’s East Side. She graduated munity Association, a non-profit or- historic church. A Mass of Thanks- from Corpus Christi elementary ganization whose mission includes giving will be offered on Sunday, school and was married from the the preservation, revitalization and August 23 at 11:30 a.m. landmark church. For many years, beautification of the East Side of The sounds of Al Kania’s “Polka Mrs. Bernat attended daily Mass. She was a member of the Senior Buffalo. Through the Mural Arts Smile, Eastern Style” will fill the air Citizens and Mothers’ Club at Corpus Christi. Program, the groups hope to revi- on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday MARY BETH WROBEL. Hometown Mrs. Bernat continued to faithfully participate in weekly Mass until talize the Broadway Fillmore area, afternoon, the big tent features mu- favorite dropped by WIVB. a fall and subsequent hip surgery several years ago has kept her more provide future generations with a sic by Joe Macielag’s “Pic-A-Polka” test against the Kaleidoscope The- homebound. She lives at home with her son in Cheektowaga, where sense of the neighborhood’s past, Band. Dyngus Day favorites “Those atre Company’s production of Da- she continues in her role as loving matriarch of the extended Bernat and instill a sense of civic pride in Idiots” will entertain the crowd on vid Ives’ play “Polish Joke.” WNY family. the neighborhood’s residents. Sunday evening. PAC Division President Richard Project co-ordinator Aniela Baj This year, Corpus Christi Church Solecki and PAC National Director John Fisher College on the 19th ... of the Albright Knox Art Gallery sums up the project thusly: “As is celebrating the 100th anniver- Joseph Macielag, armed with cop- Council 72 of the Polish National in Buffalo ... The Buffalo Bisons in the words of our own Goo Goo sary of the dedication of the current ies of the play’s script, confronted Alliance in Erie, Pa. installed the baseball team will honor Renee Dolls, “Broadway is dark tonight”, church building. The entire Corpus Keith Wharton, the production man- following officers for 2009-2010: Harzewski and Roger Puchalski but with a little less conversation Christi Parish campus has been des- ager and co-owner of Kaleidoscope. Josephine Wawrzyniak (president), at its Annual Polish Festival Night and a little more action … we can ignated a New York State Landmark Over 30 Polish Americans partici- Thomas Habursky, Jr. (male vice- at Coca Cola Field in Downtown have a bright future that symbolizes and has been listed on the National pated in the picketing at the Ma- president), Karen Sandell (female Buffalo on August 11. Group tickets where we’ve been.” For additional Register of Historic Places. rie Maday Theatre on the Canisius vice-president), Holly Nowak (trea- are available from Mark Gordon at information on the project, please For additional information about College campus ... Holy Trinity surer) and Cindy Plizga (recording (716) 846-2018 ... The concert by contact Ms. Baj at (716) 479-2342. the festival and Corpus Christi Church, the recently closed Mother secretary) ... The Professional and the choir from Rzeszow previously Church, please visit . was sold by the Catholic Diocese chosen Marcin Ostrowski, the own- falo State College’s Rockwell Hall of Buffalo to the Niagara Heritage er of Pol-Tec Industries, as its 2009 has been postponed until the Spring POLONIA TIDBITS. On June 20, of Hope and Service organization Man of the Year. The group has of 2010 … Preliminary discussions the WNY Division of the Polish ... The Podhale Parents and Youth also awarded scholarships to Adam are underway between WNY’s Pol- American Congress organized a pro- Association held its annual picnic Augustyn, Stephen Bykowicz, Jor- ish Cultural Foundation and the in Franklinville during the Indepen- dan Kurtzman, Jacob Pilarski and Miami-based Chopin Foundation dence Day weekend ... The Catholic Christina Stock ... Former New Or- of the United States regarding the Polish-English League Appeal for Religious Assis- leans Saints offensive lineman and possibility of bringing the winner Translator tance to the Church in Poland an- Williamsville South High School of the 8th National Chopin Piano nounced that the Diocese of Buffalo graduate Jim Dombrowski was se- Competition to Buffalo as part of a • Official documents, letters, collected over $57,000 during its lected to enter the Greater Buffalo national tour next year.” e-mails, etc. 2008 appeal .. Mary Beth Wrobel, Sports Hall of Fame this year ... Pia- If you have any item for this col- • Reasonable rates. nists Janina Fialkowska and Ama- umn, please send the information • Fast, reliable service by e-mail a Black Rock native and an accom- plished soprano singer, was let go deusz Kazubowski-Houston, and to me by the 6th day of the month or regular mail. cellist Luke Pomorski participated preceding publication month at: • Translation to/from other lan- from her position as weekend me- guages available as well. teorologist by WIVB-TV Channel 4 in the 2009 Music Niagara series at POLEGL, P.O. Box 223, Niagara • Over 20 years experience work- in Buffalo. St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Ni- Square Station, Buffalo, NY 14201- ing with genealogists, attorneys, Fredonia native Jenn Stuczynski agara-on-the-Lake, Ontario at the 0223. My e-mail address is pietrusz- businesses, film-makers, gov- won her fourth national pole vault end of July and beginning of August [email protected]. ernment, medical professionals, ... Buffalo native Tod Kniazuk, For more information on what’s etc. title at the U.S. Track and Field Championships, clearing 15 feet 3 the executive director of the “Mu- going on in the Polonia of the East- Andy Golebiowski sic is Art” organization established ern Great Lakes, including a calen- 109 Rosemead Lane inches ..The Polish Heritage Soci- ety of Rochester hosted its Annual by Robbie Takac of the Goo Goo dar of upcoming events, an organi- Cheektowaga, NY 14227 Dolls, announced that this year’s zational directory and interesting (716) 892-5975 Accordion Jam, featuring John Firth, Dan Mocniak and Ted Kania, at St. “Music is Art” Festival will be held links, visit my website at: www. on September 12 on the grounds polegl.org. 10 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2009

Gala Celebration In Washington PA ON PARADE Photo: Richard P. Poremski by Richard P. Poremski break of World War II. The huge im- WASHINGTON, D.C. — Po- portance of Poland’s admittance into SCHNECKSVILLE — Sun., land’s May 3rd Constitution, 90 NATO and the 5th Anniversary of Aug. 9. Polish National Alli- Years of Poland-United States Dip- Polish membership in the European ance Council 171 Polish Festival, lomatic Relations, a decade of Po- Union were also mentioned. Dozynki. Schnecksville Fire Co. land’s membership in NATO, and the Professor Zbigniew Brzezinski, Pavilion, Rt. 309, Gates open 11:00 20th anniversary of the fall of com- the special guest of honor, was im- a.m. Polish Mass Noon. Music by munism were observed May 6 at the pressed by the invitation’s “numeri- Eddie Derwin & The Polka Naturals Corcoran Gallery of Art. cal complexity,” saying that all of the Band. Refreshments available. Info Ambassador Robert Kupiecki and anniversaries mentioned are a source call Michael Pierzga (610) 759- Commanding Military Attaché Brig- of great pride for the people of Po- 2775. adier General Leszek Soczewica, re- land. The fraternal diplomatic rela- PHILADELPHIA — Friday, ceived and greeted the line of guests tions between Poland and the United Aug. 14. The Philadelphia Chapter as they arrived for the evening’s fes- States were recounted – especially of the Kosciuszko Foundation Fifth tivities. harkening back to 1918 when the Annual Summer Concert, Ethical The United States was represent- United States successfully insisted Society Building, 1906 S. Ritten- ed by members of Congress, Depart- on a resurrected Poland at the end of house Square, Philadelphia, 8:00 ment of State officials, various gov- World War I. But be that as it may, a p.m. Info/reservations call Alfred ernment and agency administrators, major catastrophe occurred in 1945 Wolanin (267) 987-5347. The Embassy of Poland observed the 218th Anniversary of Poland’s White House staffers, and officers with the end of World War II, when DOYLESTOWN — Sept. 5-7, historical May 3rd Constitution at The Corcoran Gallery of Art. Pictured the armed forces. Ambassadors, their the United States abandoned Poland (Labor Day Weekend), and second above is guest of honor Professor Zbigniew Brzezinski addressing the staffs and military attaches, turned to the Soviet Union and allowed it to weekend Sept. 12-13. Polish Amer- many attendees. Ambassador Robert Kupiecki listens intently after out from the diplomatic community. be locked away behind the commu- ican Festival at the National Shrine having delivered the opening remarks concerning the evening’s varied Guests from NATO and the many in- nist Iron Curtain. of Our Lady of Czestochowa. Live commemorations dear to Poland. ternational institutions were also in Brzezinski also noted that the music, dance groups, food and re- attendance. And the Polonia present been fully realized today, he said, with the fall of historical destinies of both countries freshments each day. Noon to 8:00 was comprised of a large, varied group. communism and the end of the Cold War – large- have been coupled, beginning with the crucial p.m. Info call: (215) 345-0600, or Soprano Laura Kafka, Ph.D., sang the national ly brought about by Poland’s triumphant Solidar- participation of Polish generals Pulaski and Kos- visit their Internet site: www.Polish- anthems of Poland and the United States. ity movement during the 1980s. Great emphasis ciuszko in the American Revolutionary War. The Shrine.com. Ambassador Kupiecki delivered the opening was placed on the close and critical U.S./Poland professor also demonstrated the historical paral- ANDALUSIA — Sun., Septem- remarks. He emphasized the importance of Po- diplomatic relations over the years, which has lels between the May 3rd and Solidarity move- ber 13. St. Valentine Parish Fam- land’s revolutionary and democratic Constitution shaped the history of both nations. Kupiecki also ments: Therein exists a fundamental and altru- ily Picnic, Pulaski Park, 875 Mill of May 3rd, 1791 and its profound effect on Po- spoke of Poland’s heroic resistance – and abject istic bond to each other in their pursuits of the Road. 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. Music. Info land and Europe ever since. The Constitution has suffering – on this 70th Anniversary of the out- ideals of freedom and independence. call (215) 632-1816.

NEWSWIRE

THE WAR apparent wrongs committed against Room by Room” (Circle Press), She addressed the Polish Cultural ment of diocesan bishops in the for- THAT NEVER them is bitterly opposed by Poland, “Grace Café: Serving Up Recipes Institute of Minnesota about her ex- mation process. ENDS. Wartime which as a nation had to endure over for Faithful Mothering” (Circle periences as part of its 2009 lecture animosity be- five years of Nazi occupation. Press), and “Catholic Saints Prayer series. Smith was also interviewed BLAME IT ON THE SUN. Writing tween Poland It regards such moves as both an Book” (Our Sunday Visitor), at the by Dan Olson of Minnesota Public in the journal Medical Hypotheses, and Germany attempt to assuage Germany’s war- International Women’s Congress to Radio for its “Voices of Minnesota” Australian psychologist Darren could resurface time guilt by casting Germans as mark the 20th anniversary of Pope series. Lipnicki says he found a correla- after a new elec- victims and Poles as villains, and an John Paul II’s encyclical Mulieris tion between the bizarreness of his tion manifesto insult to Poland’s suffering. Dignitatem. The books are all by TRIP PLANNED. The Polish Mu- dreams and the level of local geo- Merkel: Says published by the Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle. seum of America is sponsoring a magnetic activity influenced by the deportation of Christian Dem- Poland’s main opposition party and military-themed trip, Sept. 20-21, to solar wind. The journal New Scien- Germans unlaw- a former prime minister, has con- JEWISH HERITAGE TOURS. Jew- commemorate the 70th Anniversary tist agrees with Lipnicki, finding ocratic Union ful. (CDU) pledged demned the CDU, claiming that the ish Americans wishing to explore of the invasion of Poland in 1939. that studies have linked low geo- to promote the cause of those ex- German party was trying to revive their roots in Poland can now expe- For more information, contact Jan magnetic activity to an increase in pelled. territorial disputes and questioning rience the country thanks to Poland Lorys at (773) 384-3352 or jan. the production of melatonin, a hor- The party of the German Chancel- the Polish-German border. Jewish Heritage Tours (www.po- lorys@polishmuseumofamerica. mone that helps set the body’s circa- lor Angela Merkel has declared that landjewishheritagetours.com). The com. dian clock. In short, Lipnicki found its countrymen expelled by Poland Wielki Brat Cię Obserwuje. trips are sponsored by the Taube the greater the geomagnetic activity, after the Second World War have a Fines for speeding on roads in Po- Foundation for Jewish Life and Cul- U.S. Catholic Seminaries the stranger his dreams. “right to a homeland” and said the land will increase, and more cameras ture in San Francisco. For more in- Healthy. After a lengthy inves- deportations “should be condemned will be installed by the government. formation, call (415) 777-0411. tigation by an apostolic visitation PAPER PRINTS POLISH JOKE. under international law.” The cameras will be connected to team, Zenon Cardinal Grocho- Patriot and Free Press (pub- In 1945 millions of ethnic Ger- one main server which can quickly ETERNAL GRATITUDE . As a child lewski signed the report declaring lished by the Patriot Newspa- mans were forced from their homes identify the owner of the speeding in Poland during World War II, Lucy the seminaries generally healthy but pers, 34 Water Street Cuba, NY 14727-1490, (585) 968-2580) after a redrawing of the border re- car and print out a speeding ticket. Smith was a “hidden child”; a Jew recommending a stronger focus on thinks everyone is too quick to sulted in their lands becoming part Government officials maintain that who was taken in by a Polish fam- moral theology, increased oversight “scream ‘racism’ these days!” of Poland. the more efficient system will make ily and hidden from the Germans. of seminarians and greater involve- And — for reasons known only The CDU has yet to say what roads safer. to the editor — tried to prove compensation it wants for the expel- its point in its June 17-23, 2009 lees and the demand could simply Books Presented to Cardi- Margaret Jusko Licensed Sales Associate edition by printing a Polish joke be symbolic. nal. Cardinal Stanisław Rylko, Fluent in Polish on the cover the paper. No other But any step taken in Germany president of the Pontifical Council 1127 Wehrle Drive explanation was offered for the to highlight suffering endured by for the Laity, was given a copy of Williamsville, NY 14221 joke. German expellees and to right any three books: “The Domestic Church: 716-204-2294(office) Thanks to PAJ reader Rich 716-574-8847(cell) Kowalski for bringing this to our www.polishamericanstudies.org 716-632-7479(fax) attention. [email protected] PAHA PASS IT ON! When you finish reading your copy of the Polish The Polish American Histocial Association was established in December 1942 as a special American Journal, please pass it on, commission of the The Polish Institute of Arts and ask that person to subscribe. and Sciences in America to collect, compile and publish information about Polish Americans. In October 1944, it was reorganized as a na- tional American society to promote study and How Will You Be Remembered? research in the history and social background of Americans of Polish descent. The Association, Many people talk about leaving gifts to worthy causes, but don’t have a will, and do not realize which was incorporated under the laws of Illi- it requires a will to do so. The laws of most states make it quite clear that personal property goes nois in 1972, strives to assist and cooperate with automatically, by law, to your nearest relatives, even if they are quite distant ones, unless you have all individuals and organizations interested in a legal will that says otherwise. If you have no relatives, it goes to the state. More than half of all Polish American life and history. Contributions in support of the work of the Association adult Americans die without having made their wills. Most of them undoubtedly planned to do so, are tax-exempt. Regular one-year membership to the Association is $30.00. but never got around to it. Some had wills but didn’t keep them current. When you have a will, you should update it every few years as conditions change. Also, always name an executor who will carry ___ I am interested in becoming a member of PAHA. Enclosed is a check or money out your wises. Besides money, non-cash possessions can also be used as contributions and vari- order for $30.00 made payable to the Polish American Historical Association. ous donation plans can be carried out. Be a philanthropist: leave your stocks, bonds, real estate, art, valuable collections or insurance to continue the Polish American traditions. Your will is the most important way of giving. When you are gone, it is a legacy that is not forgotten. In your will, you can NAME specify what you would like your donation to be used for. For help in making your will, contact a competent lawyer. The National Polish Center, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that needs your help and legacy. ADDRESS The National Polish Center, Inc. CITY, STATE, ZIP 2025 “O” Street NW • Washington, DC 20036

MAIL TO: PAHA, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT 06050 Tel.: (202) 785-2320 • Fax: (202) 785 2159 • www.polishcenterdc.org POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2009 www.polamjournal.com 11

POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL Despite Electrical Outage, Polka Power Strong in Pennsylvania Neither wind, horizontal rain, their off stage time, taking in all the a total power outage, rumors that amenities of the resort, including spread like room temperature butter, the new massive swimming pool, nor water from ceilings could stop the multiple activities for children, determined polka people from en- the many restaurants and food con- joying the 2009 Polka Fireworks at cessions. The atmosphere is as re- the Seven Springs Resort in Western laxed as you want it, or as busy as DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION AND CONTINUANCE OF POLISH AMERICAN MUSIC Pennsylvania. you make it. This queen of polka festivals The music workshops, where marked its 35th year at the Seven polka musicians offered their exper- Fireworks Photorama Springs Mountain resort in Cham- tise and talents to any eager to learn pion, Pa. over the July 4th holiday. or polish their techniques, were a Featuring four days of live polka mu- great success. sic, polka bands, polka workshops, This year’s Polka Fireworks polka jams and band reunions, the could only be labeled a complete event had the dance floors filled and success and preparations are already the music constant at the massive being made for the 2010 edition of Seven Springs Mountain Resort the Polka Fireworks. Start making with thousands of people ready for plans today. a good time. Bel-Aire Enterprises and Eddie The Blazonczyk family and Blazonczyk invite you to attend their staff keep everything running their 34th Annual Fall Polka Festi- smoothly and on schedule. Both val at Seven Springs, November 6- back-to-back dance halls provided 7-8, 2009. the perfect venue for the 18 polka For more information, tickets or bands that played a variety of styles room reservations contact: Tish Bla- and entertainment throughout the zonczyk, BelAire Enterprises, 7208 The Boys were back at the Polka Fireworks. Ted Borzy- Andrea, Erika and Kristine of the Polka Towners week. S. Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, mowski and Mike Matousek on stage. wowed the crowd at the fest. The Polka Fireworks at Seven IL 60455. Phone (708) 594-5182, Springs has become the place mu- Mon.-Sat. 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; sicians and their families can enjoy E-mail: [email protected].

Two old Buffalo polka guyWhitey Ryniec and PAJ Polka Jan Cyman and Tony Blazonczyk on stage with the Magazine Editor, Steve Litwin. New Phaze band.

Rich Kurdziel and new jammer Valerie Martin at the 26th annual Con- certina Jam at the Polka Fireworks.

Bobby Zima and Wally Maduzia — polka all stars. Butch Jasiewicz of the Versa Js on drums in the Alpine Lounge.

The Polka Insider / Steve Litwin The Queen of the Polka Festivals The Polka Fireworks Festival out seeing some member of the staff What has always been unique Kathy Blazonczyk has things under David “Nigel” Kurdziel on bass with has become an institution of polka you knew. at the Polka Fireworks is how the control at the well-stocked record- Eddie Blazonczyk’s Versatones. music. It is where some friends only Easily the most memorable non- resort becomes a polka city for a ing concession. meet, once a year. It is where you polka moment of the week had to be week. Walk from your room to a meet at least a couple of new friends the full two-hour power outage at restaurant and you’ll meet at least a every year. It is where things may the resort. Accolades to the staff for dozen people you know, from musi- change but yet people can celebrate the constant and prompt attention. cians to DJs to fans. A ten minute and participate, day and night, in- (have you ever been in a rest room walk usually takes you 30-40 min- doors or out. The 2009 version of when everything goes black?) utes because of the number of times the Polka Fireworks at the Seven Eighteen bands were on the you’ll stop to talk. Springs Mountain Resort continued schedule but if you add in jam bands On a personal note, the 26th an- this tradition and when the bellhop the number was well over that. Mu- nual concertina jam filled the Mat- recognizes you as you open your sic in the halls, in the rooms, near terhorn Lounge with over 30 con- car door, you know you are back the rooms, in the lounges seemed “home” again. endless. Sorry, we didn’t make the certina players and other musicians, There were some changes at the all-night “after jams” but from the plus about couple of hundred watch- resort and the fountain and grassy eyes of those who did, they had a ers and listeners, and one “dancing area is now a huge pool. On the good good time. dog. (you had to be there). To all, we side, there is still an outdoor bar. On Naming bands is not something send our sincere thanks for allowing the bad side, it rained, off and on, worth doing because everyone Adele and me to mark our 26th year for a few days so the pool and the knows bands play “up” at the Polka for this event. bar didn’t get used. The rooms have Fireworks. When you are on stage To the Blazonczyk family — it all been renovated, as has the main and see people filling the entire area, is a pleasure to work with you and lobby. The people are still the same stage-front, it makes you want to your hard work makes Polka Fire- and you couldn’t walk 20 feet with- play. works the Queen of polka fests. “Na zdrowie” from the Dopkowski clan of Syracuse. 12 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2009

NOTES / Barb Pinkowski Polka Saturday Night Redux BUFFALO, N.Y. — Fans and Varitones and filled in with other No, I was only on the tapings of Buffalo Concertina All-Stars. That Tones, Sounds, Dyna-Tones, Wanda friends of the former television bands. After, I played with the Krew the Polka Saturday Night TV show was after a long break between & Stephanie, and PhoCus, just to show “Polka Saturday Night,” host- Bros., Dynatones, and Stas Golon- at those episodes taped at the Polish Steve and the All-Stars. name a few. ed by the late Big Steve Krzemin- ka. Most recently, I played with the Falcons. What is your best memory of the Are you currently in a band? ski, will have a chance to relive their Concertina All Stars for two and I want to add that Big Steve was Polka Saturday Night show? Yes, actually I’m working with memories as members of the former half years until the beginning of a wonderful guy and friend—he I can’t remember my best, be- two right now; Stephanie & her Bellares television band reunite for this year when I left due to my work would do anything for you. He cause by the end of the taping I was Honky Band and the Concertina All a benefit. schedule. would always be there for you if usually tired. We did three shows at Stars. The dance and tribute to the late Are you currently in a band? you needed him. Everything Steve each taping. I liked all the fun we What is your best memory of the Buffalo band leader will be held at No, due to the hours my job re- did came from the heart. had playing music and having a Polka Saturday Night show? the Polish Falcons Club, 445 Co- quires. good time with all the people that Watching the show come to- lumbia Ave., in Depew, Sat. Nov. 28 What is your best memory of the attended the tapings. gether, from just a dream that Steve from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Polka Saturday Night Show? Do you have a favorite memory had. The people, the songs —most- It is being presented by members That is easy to answer. We were of Steve? ly done “on the fly” as Steve would of the group that played on the tele- recording a show right after Christ- Here are some of my favor- put it. We never pre-arranged a TV vision series, namely Dale Wojdyla, mas in December of 1984 at the ite places we played at, and I have show. It was always “off the cuff.” I Jim Cwick, Ed Pilarz, Dave Ma- Polish Falcons in Depew. This girl great memories of each one: Hawaii think that’s what made it most excit- guda, Sonny Wanderlich and Robin came to the taping just to see me. in 1979; the bus trip to Pheasant ing for me. Pegg. When Run Resort in Chicago; the band’s Did you have a favorite episode Admission is $10 and money I saw her, I dropped my trum- cruises in 1987, ’89 and ’91; all of or favorite place to play? will benefit Roswell-Park Cancer pet—it was love at first sight! Six the Polka Saturday Night tapings; All of the shows were great! But, Institute. months later, in July of Sunday polka parties at the Point I have memories of playing outside To familiarize our readers with 1985, we were married and that Breeze Hotel; recording the album; at Point Breeze Hotel in Angola and band and the late Big Steve, we are lasted 23 years! and all the band parties! Lacki Plaza in Niagara Falls. interviewing some of its members. Did you have a favorite episode Steve was a very helpful guy Do you have a favorite memory Here’s what they had to say about or favorite place to play? and good friend not only with the of Steve? Krzeminski and the show. I enjoyed playing and while I band but in his personal life, too. I His professionalism combined was with the band, we were taping have pleasant memories of getting with his humor. I think that’s what DALE WOJDYLA — Trumpet at the Polish Falcons in together with everyone socially, I miss the most about Steve, his hu- Depew. At first, I was a little which always included the families. mor. He could take any bad situation nervous when the show started but How long did you play with Big We had many great parties. and make it funny so you would kind it got better and the tension eased. Steve and what year did you start? Are you on any of Steve’s record- of forget what you were worried All of the shows were my favorites I played with Steve for 20 years. I ings and which ones? about. It made me see things from a because something different and believe I started in 1973 and ended I only did one album with Steve. different prospective. something good happened at each playing with him in 1993. After I was on the “Polka Lovers of Amer- Are you on any of Steve’s record- one. I liked that there was always a leaving the band, our friendship ica” one with Eddie Pilarz, Jimmy ings? Which ones? packed house and the people in at- never ended, with my family and Cwick, and Eddie Skoczylas. Yes, I am on the “Big Steve’s tendance were very supportive and his. I played my first job, which was enthusiastic! Everyone was friendly Ray Barsukiewicz’s last job, with Back” CD (released on 1994) and and sad to say, many of them have him New Year’s Eve at Plewacki funny you should ask Barb, I am since passed. Post on Paderewski and Memorial also on an upcoming special re- Do you have a favorite memory Drives. cording that will be released that of Steve? Had you played in other bands evening, Saturday Nov. 28, 2009. Yes, at every band practice, party before and after the Bellaires - It features the guys from the “Big or dance, Steve would come up with which ones? Steve’s Back” CD. SONNY WANDERLICH. Trumpet a joke that would keep us laughing The only real steady band that I Thanks for your continued sup- all day. Steve would laugh, too! It played in was with the Bell-Tones, port Barb! Without folks like you, How long did you play with Big was always a fun time and Steve when I first started. When that broke people wouldn’t have nice things to Steve and what year did you start? was extremely happy which made it up and we all went on, for me it was read about in our Polish papers ev- I played with Big Steve from so enjoyable to be in his band. One college, I started to job around while ery week/month. 1978 until Jan. 1985 – about seven of my best memories was the trip in school. After I graduated that’s I’ll have more interviews next years. the band took to play in Hawaii in when I wanted to be in a band, and month! Have you played in other bands 1979. The charter plane was full and that’s when I hooked up with Steve before and after the Bellares—which we had a great time. and became one of the Bellares! GET WELL SOON. Big Al Bakow- ones? Are you on any of Steve’s record- Are you currently in a band? ROBIN PEGG — Trumpet ski had major surgery on June 26. Before Steve, I played with the ings and which ones? Currently I’m playing with the After some complications, he was I would like to ask you what doing as well as could be expected. Please keep him in your prayers ... Listen to the prompted the idea to get the band members together and have a re- And get-well wishes are going out union of the Polka Saturday Night to Norb Pacer, who recently under- ROCKIN’ POLKA Big Tony Polka Show band members? It is a great idea and went knee replacement surgery on ROCKIN’ I think it will be a packed house! June 6. Norb said he wore out his JAMBOREE WJJL 1440 AM This November marks the 10th knees dancing all those polkas! POLKASPOLKAS with your host Niagara Falls / Buffalo, NY anniversary of Steve’s passing. I with SUNDAY AFTERNOON figured, it would be a nice way to Our sympathy to her family SCOTT CLEVELAND 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. remember Steve by putting his TV and friends of on the passing of Al- MIKE & GEORGE PASIERB Show band back together again for ice Nowak on June 19. Alice ran a one-time-only appearance to show the Nowak’s catering business for SUNDAY Send all promotional material to him we have not forgotten about many years and her delicious food WXRL NOON ’till 3:00 p.m. Tony Rozek him after just ten years. has been enjoyed at many of our do- 78 Cochrane St. How long did you play with Big ings. 1300 AM Buffalo, NY 14206 Steve’s band and what year did you LANCASTER-BUFFALO WXRL start? MISCELLANY. Family and friends SAT. 2:00-3:00 p.m. For advertising information, call I started playing with Steve’s of Ann Kierejewski celebrated her 1300 AM (716) 824-6092 band in 1984. I worked with the 90th birthday in style, with a sur- SUN. 9:00-10:00 p.m. LANCASTER-BUFFALO www.wjjl.com Bellares for 11 years. prise party on July 18 ... If you’re Had you played in other bands attending the Erie County Fair this before and after the Bellaires? month, keep an eye out for Justin POLKA MUSIC Which ones? Kohan, who is playing trumpet in DON’T MISS Yes, as most of your readers the Pepsi-Cola All Stars Marching UNLIMITED know, I am originally from Penn- Band. You won’t miss the group: THIS LIFE-TIME EVENT! sylvania. I have worked with such they are wearing tie-dyed shirts and Polka Stony and great bands as the Polka Jets, Trel- blue shorts. Polka Happiness Mary Ann is now on the OBERAMMERGAU internet! PASSION PLAY TOUR polkasonline.com

POLKA MUSIC UNLIMITED SEPTEMBER 11 - 19, 2010 (315) 374-7148 Polka Music Unlimited FOR A FREE BROCHURE CALL (716) 681-6167 P.O. Box 1994 Cicero, NY 13039 or (716) 683-4357 or TOLL FREE 1 (800) 678-3450 EXT. 3232 A “Friend of the Family” escorted with Ron Dombrowski of WECK & WXRL’s DRIVETIME POLKAS

POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2009 www.polamjournal.com 13 Evanina Releases Merrymakers Anthology Polka Jammer Network Releases New CD POLKA PLATTER “Jammin’ Summer” a new live CD produced by the Polka Jammer AOL Adds Polka to its Internet Radio Network has been released. The CD BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. egory “World/International” at the features 25 tracks from many of your (PMN)—“AOL Polka” launched on bottom of the alphabetical category favorite polka artists recorded live. July 2, 2009. The discs have been listing. For a short time it will also Artists include: Eddie Blazonczyk’s flying fast and furious from the Min- be listed in “What’s New” at the top Versatones, Polka Family, Den- nesota-based Internet radio network of the column. nis Polisky & the Maestro’s Men, location to the AOL master library, Listeners will ultimately be re- Connecticut Twins, The Tones, The so that they can be included in the sponsible for how the station de- Downtown Sound, Gennie O & The very first polka station that AOL has velops. When a song plays the title Windy Brass, Happy Louie, Marion ever host. and artist is displayed and there is Lush, Gene Wisniewski, Steve Ad- Denny Anderson of The Interna- the option to rate the song. Give it amczyk, The Dynatones, Billy Beli- tional Main Street Polka Band says, one to five stars. Anderson says he na’s Honky Band, and many more. “The Polka community has been will pay close attention to that and It is available for a donation of outstanding rallying to the support over time, if there is a song that con- $35.00 to the Polka Jammer Net- of this new Internet radio stream. It sistently gets bad ratings, it will be John Evanina and the Pennsylvania Merrymakers. work. All proceeds go strictly to- will be unlike the very fine Internet pulled. A person’s vote counts only ward operating costs. Polka streams in existence already, once, so a single person cannot push PECKVILLE, Pa. — John Evan- ers dating back to 1957 when the Please help keep the Polka Jam- because it will mix all the styles to- a particular song to the top. ina is proud to announce the release band was originally called the “Jus- mer Network on the air by picking gether all the time.” Anderson may be contacted at of a double CD package called tUs 4,” later called the “Evaninas,” up a copy. Visit: www.polkajam- Anderson added, “The up-side is . the Pennsylvania Merrymakers.” “Pennsylvania Merrymakers.” The polka it just may turn up next! You This new package contains 42 history details John Evanina’s 52 Toledo Area Polka Society can put any station that is playing Big Joe, who is featured twice songs from seven LPs recorded by years of entertaining polka fans. on ‘pause’ plus you can skip songs weekly on RFD-TV, will be video- TOLEDO — The Toledo Area the Merrymakers in the 1970s and The double CD anthology con­ that come on. So if you don’t like taping in Buffalo, N.Y. October 1-4, Polka Society (TAPS) is a non-prof- 1980s. All songs have been digitally tains a mixture of polkas, obereks, the song that’s on you don’t have to 2009. His show is now available in it organization that started in 1982 remastered and are now available on waltzes, a zzardas and seven bonus sit through it.” over 43 million homes. He is based when a group of polka enthusiasts two CDs. tracks featuring Polish and Ukrai- A polka fan does not have to be in Omaha, Nebraska. met in an East Toledo garage. From Included are seven cuts off the nian figure dances. Included are a subscriber to AOL to listen and its early days at LaPark Nite Club, first recording on Stella Records instrumentals and great English and there is no charge involved. There is Mike Stapinski is working hard their purpose in starting the group dating back to 1972. The history of Polish vocals. also have a great tuner application to inform polka fans about the new was simply to promote live Polish the band continues with songs off Some of the musicians include for iPhones. open blog at www.polkasunited. music. What started out with 25 five recordings on Lemans Records, John Evanina, Tom Butash, Frank To tune in from your comput- com. It is something new that is de- members grew to a one-time peak and ends with eight songs off the Kozak, Alan Piatkowski, Charley er point your Internet browser to signed to help polka music, making of approximately 750 members be- Merrymakers last recording on Starr “The Fiddler” Lawrisky, Ed Gold- and the genre move forward and grow. fore an aging core caused the group Records. berg, and Joe Stanky. click on the button on the page that Although a newcomer, it is already to plateau at its current level of 400 This double CD package also The Pennsylvania Merrymak- says “Listen Now.” A player pops drawing attention and fans are con- enthusiasts. Its first officers, Tom features an eight-page jacket. The ers Anthology can be purchased for up and there is a big column on the tributing their thoughts, praises and Ross, president; Dick Reed, vice jacket includes pictures of the band, $20.00. The purchase price includes left hand side that says “Stations By criticisms. president; Ruth Silka, treasurer; De- discography, credits and a list of all shipping and handling. Please make Category.” Polka will be in the cat- the musicians that recorded with the your $20 check or money order out lores Ziemankowski, secretary; and Pennsylvania Merrymakers. to “Polka CD” and mail to Polka Walter Ziemankowski, sergeant of Also included is a complete his­ CD, P.O. Box 234, Peckville, PA arms, set its direction in the early tory of the Pennsylvania Merrymak- 18542. (See advertisement below). days. It now hosts monthly dances from September through May at its home base, Conn-Weissenberger Hall, 2020 W. Alexis Road in North Toledo. It also sponsors Bus trips to major Polka events in Champion, Pa. and Frankenmuth, Mich. Upcoming dances at Conn-Weis- senberger Hall, 2020 W. Alexis ($10 cover for members; $13 for guests) include: Ray Jay, Sat., Oct. 17, 7:00- 11:00 p.m.; and Jimmy K & Ethnic Jazz, Sun., Nov. 22. Oktoberfest in the Hudson Valley FLORIDA, N.Y. — The Hudson Valley Resort, Kerhonkson, N.Y., will be the location for an Oktober- fest featuring Jimmy Sturr and his Orchestra, Ray Jay & the Carousels, Tony Blazonczyk’s New Phaze, Duane Malinowski, The Maestro’s Men, Patti & the Guys and The Pol- ka Naturals September 25-27. For details contact: United Polka Artists at (800) 724-0727.

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“Don’t Stop NEW RELEASE The Music” FOLLOW US BACK TO HONKY Florida Honky Vocals by Jackie Libera, Rich Bernier Polka Band and special guest Eddie Skinger 17 Selections • Polkas, Obereks, Waltz SEND FOR A FREE CATALOG SUNSHINE To order your New CD send $17.00 (includes shipping) to: PO BOX 652 Dennis Polisky, 28 Westerly Terr., Colchester, CT 06415 W. SENECA, NY 14224 Join the mailing list via email: [email protected] CDs $12 each $2.00 SHIPPING & HANDLING Visit their website: www.maestrosmen.com 14 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2009

PIAST Institute to Cooperate BOOK REVIEWS / John Grondelski with Young Polonia Foundation Hopes to Foster Polonia Foundation, which is based Friends of Liberty Understanding of Heritage in Warsaw, Poland. “And even with those obstacles, we notice a growing Gary B. Nash and Hull (1759-1848) was a free black Among Young Polish number of American participants in Graham Russell Gao Hodges born in Massachusetts who served Americans our art and poetry contests. There- Friends of Liberty: from 1777-83 as a soldier during HAMTRAMCK, Mich. — The fore, we are pleased to partner with Thomas Jefferson, the Revolutionary War, for much of Piast Institute, a National Institute the Piast Institute to increase our Tadeusz Kosciuszko it as Tadeusz Kosciuszko’s aide-de- for Polish and Polish American Af- presence in the United States and and Agrippa Hull camp. Surviving almost sixty years fairs, located in Hamtramck, has de- help spread the knowledge of Polish New York: Basic Books, 2008 after the Revolution ended, Hull be- veloped an agreement to cooperate heritage among millions of young Hardcover, pp. 328, $26.00 came a local legend in Stockbridge, with the Young Polonia Foundation Americans with Polish roots.” To Order: (800) 343-4499 or Massachusetts, where—save for the (Fundacja Mlodej Polonii) to help The Piast Institute, with its Perseus Books Group Orders, war years--he spent almost his en- it carry out its mission and increase knowledge of the Polish-Ameri- 1094 Flex Dr., Jackson, TN 38301 tire life. their presence in the United States. can landscape of the United States, (Organizational bulk purchases: Kosciuszko’s American experi- Many in the Polish and Polish is the perfect fit to promote Young 1-800-255-1514 or special.mar- ence reinforced views he brought American communities in the Unit- Polonia’s efforts in the country that [email protected]). from Poland about the need to el- ed States complain that not enough is home to 2,340,309 people with evate the civil status of the disen- work is done with young members Polish roots under 18 years of age f one were to describe books franchised. Rubbing shoulders day- of our community to preserve their (according to the 2005-2007 Ameri- published about Tadeusz to-day with black Americans amidst Polish heritage. There are organiza- can Community Survey Estimates). Kosciuszko in terms of “feast the tribulations of the New York and AGRIPPA HULL, Kosciuszko’s aide- tions, however, dedicated solely to “The possibilities are great,” says or famine,” we’re currently Southern campaigns and the build- de-camp. fostering understanding of Polish Dr. Thaddeus C. Radzilowski, the on the feast side. Alex Storo- ing of West Point, the Polish hero ko’s first draft, the monies dedicated culture among young people with president and founder of the Piast zynski, the President and Executive experienced the paradox fighting I to the manumission of slaves were Polish roots living around the world. Institute. “The mission of Young Director of the Kosciuszko Foun- for a country that proclaimed “all committed to purchase Jefferson’s The Young Polonia Foundation is the Polonia complements our mission of dation, has given us a well-written men are created equal” while de- slaves. Up until the time of Kos- prime example. It has been work- building a new Polonia for the 21st global biography of that hero of two nying its own credo with respect to ciuszko’s death in 1817, Jefferson ing towards bringing young Poles Century. Many programs developed countries in his The Peasant Prince: blacks. A close friend of Jefferson, showed himself a faithless fiduciary living outside of Poland together by Young Polonia encourage young Tadeusz Kosciuszko and the Age of Kosciuszko challenged him and the by borrowing from Kosciuszko’s for almost 20 years by organizing people to learn the language, explore Revolution (New York: Dunne/Mac- United States by putting his money money to help maintain his lifestyle events that promote Polish cultural the culture, and ultimately maintain Millan, 2009). Nash and Hodges where his mouth was: Kosciuszko — built on money he did not have competency, language proficiency, our rich Polish heritage in America. take a different tack: they examine willed the wages he received from and on slave labor — to which the and historical aptitude. That is priceless for the future of our how the lives of three figures from his service during the American “sage of Monticello” had grown ac- The Young Polonia Foundation, community.” the American Revolution—Jeffer- Revolution to be used to emancipate customed. When Kosciuszko finally despite a multitude of success- To learn more about the Young son, Kosciuszko, and Hull—inter- and educate slaves. passed away, Jefferson dallied in ful projects completed worldwide Polonia Foundation, their programs, sected on the issue of slavery. Jefferson comes out least at- over the last two decades, remains different way to support them, or the Jefferson needs no introduction. tractively in this book. Although probating the will, and then swore a largely unknown organization for partnership between Young Polonia Kosciuszko might ring a bell as one he penned the Declaration of Inde- off his executor’s duties (pleading a great majority of Polonia in the Foundation and the Piast Institute, of the foreign military leaders who pendence’s stirring claims of hu- the frailty of old age, even while he United States. “The United States visit youngpolonia.piastinstitute. contributed to the American Revolu- man equality, Jefferson equivocated was concurrently actively designing is a huge country, and despite our org. tion, though most Americans would throughout his life about their im- the University of Virginia). After good relations with the Polish em- For more information on Young be hard pressed to identify what plications for African Americans. his own death in 1826, Jefferson’s bassy and multiple consulates, Polonia Foundation and its partner- he did (and probably none would While he made some early attempts slaves were auctioned off to pay his we are unable to reach all Polish- ship with the Piast Institute, contact know anything of his subsequent to challenge slavery, the backlash debts although, as Nash and Hodges American communities throughout Dominik Stecula at (313) 733-4535 revolutionary exploits in Poland). he received from his fellow Virginia observe, “the total proceeds from America,” says Jozef Kaczmarek, or email him at stecula@piastinsti- Agrippa Hull would most likely planters made him perennially skit- the 130 slaves . . . could have been the president and founder of Young tute.org. elicit the question: “Agrippa who?” tish about doing anything practical entirely covered by Kosciuszko’s es- to end that “peculiar institution.” tate, which by August 1828 reached Not only did Jefferson avoid mak- $25,516” (p. 245). ing waves, he also held views of If slavery was America’s “origi- inherent black inferiority that ren- nal sin,” Kosciuszko offered a 2-200 dered him incapable of believing means of redemption. If Jefferson Barbecue had chosen to spend some of his po- that blacks could be the “yeomen litical capital (since, by virtue of the ORDER NOW farmers” that Jefferson envisioned as the backbone of America. way he rewrote Kosciuszko’s will, it Season IN TIME FOR would cost him none of his financial His views, of course, put him 2-211 LABOR DAY! at odds with many of the circles in capital) America’s history might is Here! which Jefferson moved. As ambas- have taken a radically different turn. sador to the French court and later as Although he had ample opportuni- Show off your Secretary of State during the French ties, he did not. Revolution, Jefferson was regularly While this book has much to Polish pride in contact with forces working for recommend it, it also has flaws. In with your own the abolition of slavery. While try- reviewing the list of scholars and ing to stay in their good graces, he consultants with whom the authors “Polish Chef” always remained loyal to his own worked, the scarcity of Polish and caste: Virginia’s slaveholder estab- Polonian names and institutions Apron and lishment. leaps out. James Pula, author of Hanging 2-210 Agrippa Hull was, of course, the Thaddeus Kosciuszko: The Purest Son of Liberty (Hippocrene, 1999), 2-212 living proof of just how wrong Jef- Kitchen Towels ferson was. Born free, he enlisted deserves more than just a few foot- ORDER FORM as soon as the Massachusetts’ Leg- notes. The authors’ opinion that islature removed barriers to service Kosciuszko was “not a deeply read 100% Cotton Apron ALL ITEMS MUST BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY Each Qnty. total by blacks, and stayed until the war political theorist” (p. 4) ignores the featuring two pockets. Red 2-200 Polish Chef Cotton Apron $20.00 ended. As Kosciuszko’s right hand, breadth of his exposure to the leading cloth with embroidered he was involved in the construction luminaries of his times (see Storo- lettering and cooking 2-210 I Love Pierogi Kitchen Hand Towel $8.50 of West Point and in various battles. zynski, pp 2-4, 12-13). Their remark utensils design. One size Upon his return to Massachusetts, that he “lost many, if not most, of fits all!$20.00 each 2-211 Polish Chef Kitchen Hand Towel $8.50 he worked for local families while his letters as he moved from country 2-212 I Love Kielbasa Kitchen Hand Towel $8.50 saving his money, eventually pur- to country” ignores the reality of the Hanging Kitchen chasing enough tracts of land to spies that Poland’s partitioners set Towel. Available in three Subtotal make him the wealthiest black land- on his heels after his failed Uprising designs Useful as well as owner in the Berkshire town. Self- (Storozynski, pp. 217). NY State Residents must add 8.75% sales tax attractive. Red with white assured and claiming to be the son At this historic juncture, with the towel. (Red fabric may Shipping $5.00 of an African prince, Hull became a first African American sitting in the vary). $8.50 each local icon: respected, revered, even White House, it is right to recall the Total loved in his little Housatonic Valley role that a Polish patriot played in Name town. addressing the fundamental flaw of After the abortive Kosciuszko American race relations. It is a role Address Insurrection in Poland, the hero of of which Polish Americans can be Racławice returned once more to justifiably proud, and one that should City, State, Zip the United States where, in 1798, figure in dialogue between the Pol- [ ] Check enclosed | Charge to my [ ] Visa [ ] MasterCard [ ] Discover [ ] Amex he wrote a last will and testament ish and African American communi- dedicating his American funds (then ties, especially in those central city Card No. exp. Date. CVS (security) code more than $18,000) to be used to areas which were once Polish and free and educate slaves. Jefferson are now black. A provocative book, Telephone number (in case we have a question about your order) was to be executor. Friends of Liberty deserves reader- Aprons and towels will be shipped The twists and turns of this will ship and dissemination. Send to: Polish American Journal Bookstore show how essentially two-faced Jef- v v v P.O. Box 328 directly from the Polish Peddler® ferson was. When Jefferson returned Boston, NY 14025 in Hinckley, Ohio Dr. John M. Grondelski writes with his edited version of Kosciusz- from Bern, Switzerland. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2009 www.polamjournal.com 15

BOOKS IN BRIEF / Florence Waszkelewicz Clowes MLIS HERITAGE / Ellye Slusarczyk To the Holy Lands Bielowieza Forest TO THE HOLY LANDS outstanding example of dedication Early in its history, Poland’s park. Thankfully, the aurochs were within the park. Also, various rep- Pilgrimage Centres from Mecca to the cause of freedom, for Poland plain was almost entirely covered saved. Then along came World War tiles and fish abound. To Medina to Jerusalem as well as America. in forest. Consequently, the thickly II, which almost eliminated the au- In parts of the forest, no trees by Alfried Wieczorek, Michael The book has rated an extensive forested area served as a barrier for roch. However, an intensive effort have been cut down, for centuries. Telienbach and Claude W. Sul review, titled “A Two-Country Free- the migrations of other peoples. To- has swelled the auroch population These trees are awesomely large Prestel Publishing, 2009 dom Fighter” by Aram Bakshian, day, the Bielowieza Forest still re- from fifteen aurochs to well over and only fall through the efforts of mains from centuries ago. three hundred. Nature. 175 pp., $60.00 Jr., recently published in the Wall The auroch, better known as Roaming through the forest, you Bielowieza Forest is nature at its This oversized book of photo- Street Journal (6/20/09). graphs and text takes us on a jour- the European bison, lives in this likely might encounter the tarpan, finest. Come and explore this mag- ney to sacred sites of Jewish, Islamic MATCH DAY wooden place. Faced with extinc- perhaps a wild horse, boars, deer nificent woodland. Then step back and Christian faiths. It is an exhibit One Day and One Dramatic Year tion, the Polish government has de- and badgers. For bird enthusiasts, in time to the forested Poland of of works of the pioneering figures in the Lives of Three New Doctors clared Bielowieza Forest, a national there are over two hundred varieties many, many years ago. of photography in the Arab world, by Brian Eule and presents fantastic photographic St. Martin’s, 288 pp., $24.95. images of the holy cities. Special This is reviewed here because Polish American Journal BOOKSTORE printing techniques were used to one of the doctors in the book is TWO Push Not Against a copy the 1880-1890 full color and Rakhi Barkowski, who turns out FRIENDS, the River Crimson Sky sepia photographs and woodcuts de- to be a young Indian woman mar- THEY WENT by James by James C. A’ DANCING Conroyd Martin Martin picting people in costume, scenery, ried to a Polish American. How- by Maria buildings, and homes. ever, “Match Day” is so unique, it Bielski $15.95 $14.95 St. Martin’s Press St. Martin’s Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem deserves a review here. If you have and Janina 496 pp.pb 369 pp.pb. are the most important holy places of ever complained about a seven-min- Dobkowski Maps & Map & Islam. Pilgrims travel to these cities ute doctor’s visit in his office, con- $20.00 wycinanki illust. wycinanki illust. today, just as in the past. 1904 maps sider the route that brought him into Singing Reading Group Reading Group and travel itineraries for eight days your life. games and Children’s Dances from Guide Guide visiting Jerusalem, Bethlehem and The National Resident Match- Poland the Dead Sea, Seven days in Beirut ing Program, a not-for-profit cor- Includes music CD, lyrics, AUTOGRAPHED! This book club favorite AUTOGRAPHED! “You don’t have or four days in Faifa. Information on poration, provides a computerized and sheet music is based on the real diary of a Polish to read Push Not the River to get accommodations and practical con- method of matching would-be doc- Spiral bound, softcover countess who lived through the rise and the most from this sequel,” says siderations regarding an interpreter tors with hospitals for their intern- The book contains lyrics (in both fall of the Third of May Constitution years, Suzanne Strempek Shea. The award- and guide is also included. ship and residency. The decisions English and Polish) of ten popular a time of great turmoil. Vivid, romantic, winning author picks up where Push Hundreds of photographs, post- in Match dictate the future of their singing games, and a vocal music and thrillingly paced, the novel paints Not the River leaves off, taking the score with chords. Clear step-by-step lives for the next three to seven the emotional and memorable portrait characters 20 years into the fascinating cards, and sections of photograph movement and dance instructions of the metamorphosis of a nation—and Napoléonic era, highlighting the albums make up this wonderful years. This, after many years in col- are outlined precisely with the text. In of Anna. a proud and resilient young exploits of the glorious Polish lancers. book. Detailed biographies of pio- lege and medical schools. addition, a CD of the recorded songs woman, and Jan, her soldier-husband. Having narrowly escaped death neer photographers and explorers The author has followed three with accompaniment is included, so C r i t i c s amidst the chaos caused by are included. One of my favorite couples, of which he is part of one, that parents, grandparents, teachers, have called the violent dissolution of their photograph is a photochrome of as they anxiously wait to learn where and children can immediately enjoy the story COPIES homeland, Anna and Jan struggle stonemasons and laborers in Jeru- they will spend their internship, with the songs and games. Each page has P o l a n d ’s AUTOGRAPHED to raise a family in uncertain times. salem. low pay and an 80-hour week. It an original “wycinanki” (Polish cut- Gone with When Napoléon Bonaparte comes The Dubai Culture and Arts Au- may or may not be their first choice out style) illustration, designed by the Wind. BY AUTHOR! calling, hinting at independence thority has supported this exhibition of hospital or in their specialization. the artist, Joanna Bielska, which can “The story one day for the country, Polish be reproduced for coloring or craft The year of insecurity, hasty deci- i s w e l l legions form up—Anna’s friends in 2008 to create an awareness of projects.Both authors are teachers paced and compelling, the historical and family members among them— the region’s cultural heritage and sions, supporting mentors, sleepless by profession and have an extensive detail plentiful yet not overwhelming, and accompany Napoléon as he encourage interaction between cul- nights are shared in this narrative background in Polish folk art, music and the characters engaging and true battles his way across Europe in an tures. non-fiction, with the author taking and dance. They have danced with to the period.” ~The Historical Novels effort that culminates in the doomed an active part of the scene. the Polish American Folk Dance Com- Review. The author is the winner of the 1812 winter march to Moscow. “A THE PEASANT PRINCE The grueling year usually turns pany and organized countless folk 2007 Gold Medal for Literature from The sprawling epic . . . entertaining.” ~ Thaddeusz Kosciuszko and the student/doctor into confident dance workshops all over the New American Institute of Polish Culture. Publishers Weekly. the Age of Revolution doctors, endured 36-hour duty with York Metropolitan area. by Alex Storozynski, Thomas little or no sleep, deciding when and The Finchley House The Mayor’s Daughter Dunne, 2009, 370 pp., $29.95 whether to marry and have children, Mystery by Delores Gapanowicz Kosciuszko was a man ahead of and wondering when they will have by Delores Gapanowicz $12.95 the times—a freedom fighter for Po- time for anything beside medicine. $13.95 Edition illustrated NOW IN land and America. Hospitals had frowned on anything Nightengale Press, 2005 Nightengale Press, 2007 STOCK! As the son of a minor landowner, that would distract the intern from For Ages 9-12 176 pp., pb. he was chosen to attend the Royal their work. It is interesting that the 132 pp.pb. Readers will discover what life was like in Knight’s School, a military academy former U.S. Surgeon General C. Ev- Delores Gapanowicz is rural Eastern Europe before World War I, a way that provided him with a first-class erett Koop had his 1942 application a published author of of life that has changed forever. This book re- education and later art and engineer- to Vanderbilt rejected because he children’s books. trieves one family’s heritage and allows us all Is the Finchley House ing in Paris. The men in his fam- was married. to connect with our own. Gapanowicz wrote haunted or not? Are those ghosts flitting from “The Mayor’s Daughter” about her parents because she wanted the ily fought for freedom, Thaddeusz Women now make up a greater room to room after dark? Or is someone secretly grandchildren in her family to have some idea of the life in Eastern among them. He came to America to percentage of students and the prob- living in the old house and not wanting to re- Europe before her family emigrated. The stories were told to the aid the country in its fight for free- lem of marriage and children inter- veal themselves? Could it be the rumors float- author by her parents before they passed away. These tales show dom, engineering the fortifications fere with the demanding hours of a ing around Green Hills are actually true? No one that young people on farms in Europe didn’t spend their time only of West Point and played a key roll medical profession. Only the single dared to investigate until Paul and Tom decided milking cows and picking potatoes. They played tricks on friends, in the battle of Saratoga. Returning life, or with an understanding spouse to find out once and for all. The boys and their went to wedding celebrations and dances, and flirted with other to Poland, he joined in the national is their lifestyle able to survive. Ra- sisters dared to go up the hill toward the old, old people their age. They also experienced tragedy and loss. Their lives struggle against Russia, and created khi and Scott Barkowski did marry house and their adventure began — scary from were a mixture of the sweet and bitter, not unlike the lives of people the first volunteer Polish army of and have a child shortly after finish- the start. everywhere. landowners, serfs and peasants. ing her first year of internship. The long hours of duty are con- MY NAME IS JADWIGA’S A TRAVELLER’S Released from the czarist impris- MILLION: An CROSSING: HISTORY OF onment, his last years were spent in tinually being debated as to the ef- Illustrated a story of the POLAND Swiss exile. In his will he provided ficiency and effectiveness of the History of Poles Great Migration by some of his fortune to buy the free- doctor. in America John dom of American slaves, but this An excellent book for anyone $19.95 $14.95 Al and Dick Radzilowski was squashed by Thomas Jefferson, considering the medical profession hc. Original Lutz’ $14.95 who feared it would start a trend. and what they will have to endure Price: $24.95 acclaimed work 312 pgs. ill. Kosciuszko is fondly remem- before they can make your office From the 17th 348 pp., pb. maps. pb. bered by Polish Americans as an visit a short one. century to the A perfect gift of A comprehen- present, people heritage ... The sive historical Karlowicz Remembered of Polish descent have made important experience of late 19th Century im- survey guides contributions in every area of Ameri- migration, as seen through the eyes travellers through a general history WARSAW — Poland’s musical world honored composer Mieczys- can life. Most of their names will not of Paul and Jadwiga Adamik and what of the people and places of Poland law Karlowicz, who perished at age 33 in a snow avalanche in the Tatra be found in American history books. they went through to make America from pre-history to today. Includes mountains one hundred years ago. Concerts of the composer’s music But many of their names and stories their new home. Appropriate for all a full chronology, a list of monarchs are being held in many Polish cities and towns, including Zakopane are included in this richly illustrated ages 12 and up. and rulers, a gazetteer, historical and Warsaw. Wreaths and flowers adorned the base of Mount Koscielec history. My Name is Million is also the maps. where the composer’s body was found. story of those millions of Polish Ameri- Karlowicz is a prominent figure in Polish 20th century music. He be- cans whose role in American life have, LET US SELL YOUR BOOKS! You can reach a target audience of over 12,000 Polish until now, gone unrecognized. gan violin lessons at age seven, studied music composition in Warsaw American homes every month. Call M-F, 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. for details. and Berlin, composed a cycle of songs between sixteen and twenty-two years of age and conducted his own symphony at the Berlin Philhar- Shipping: 1 book: $6.95 • 2 books: $8.95 • 3 books: $10.95 • 4+ books: $12.95 monic at twenty-six. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL BOOKSTORE • 1 (800) 422-1275 He composed a violin concerto and six symphonic poems, was an P.O. Box 328 • BOSTON, NY 14025 avid mountain climber and photographer and helped found the Moun- www.polamjournal.com | VISA MC AMEX DISC ACCEPTED tain Rescue Society of the Tatra mountains. 16 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2009

POLISH CHEF / Robert Strybel POLONIAN PROFILES Gołąbki Galore! Pierogi at the Fair: Millie’s Delivers! Gołąbki (pronounced: go-WUMP-kee) are variously known in Eng- by Staś Kmieć was the matriarch Anna (Tauscher) lish as stuffed cabbage, cabbage rolls or even “pigs in a blanket” and It was a balmy August Saturday Lopuk. Everyone seems to claim to are nearly everyone’s favorite. But there are many more varieties of this last year when I had the urge to visit “Millie” at the booth, even the men. tasty dish than simply the common meat & rice type in tomato sauce. the Dutchess County Fair in upstate There was a Millie originally, but There are meatless and riceless gołąbki, served with different kinds of New York. I had been there a few she owned a different establishment. sauces, and even entirely sauceless ones. But they all start with the same years prior and had the delight to She sold it when her son died, and basic preparation method: see Millie’s Pierogi prominently there were a couple of owners be- displayed among the many food fore the Lopuks bought it in 1976. vendors and country fair offerings. Daughter Ann was in college and PREPARING GOŁĄBKI (przygotowywanie gołąbków): Regardless I coaxed my friend Lee to venture when her parents told her of their of what filling is used, the basic preparation is usually the same. Core out with me and along the way we purchase she couldn’t understand 3 lb cabbage, place cored-side-down in pot of hot water to cover and were stuck for a lengthy time in the the logic, since the joint was known simmer to wilt leaves. Remove outer leaves as they wilt to colander or fair traffic. Was the fuss to get there more for pizza than pierogi. Her fa- paper towel. When cool enough to handle, cut away the thick base of the worth it? Would Millie be there ther, Walter Lopuk said, “because it cabbage leaves and shave down the thick central vein. Place an oblong again or would it be a day of fried can’t go anywhere but up!” scoop of filling at the base end of each leaf. Fold sides of leaf over filling dough and farm animal prize win- The first year was a real struggle and roll up tightly. Line the bottom of a roasting pan with half the left- ners? for the couple. Anna said that “it over undersized, damaged or otherwise unused cabbage leaves. Place Just beyond the entrance gates was lots of long days and nights and the cabbage rolls snugly in roaster in no more than 2 layers. Drench and around the corner I saw the ro- hard work,” but that determination with app. 3-4 c sauce of choice (see varieties below) or stock and cover tating signature red-and-white sign and willingness to commit the time with remaining leftover cabbage leaves to prevent scorching. Bake cov- with Poland’s crowned eagle. Millie and energy paid off. Today, Millie’s Little did Ann Lopuk know that ered in preheated 350° oven 1 hr. Reduce heat to 325° and cook another was there! With an appetite, I went more than quadrupled the number trying to impress her new Polish 90 min to 2 hrs. Switch off heat and leave in oven another 20 min or so over to the counter manned by red of stores that they deliver to – the mother-in-law would years later for flavors to blend and white capped and shirted atten- size of the physical plant, and has develop into a full-time business. dants, and made my order of three initiated a successful mail order and a family affair with Dad doing the MEAT & RICE GOŁĄBKI (gołąbki z mięsem i ryżem): Combine 1 samplings: farmer’s cheese, kapusta/ concession aspect to the business. cooking in the diner, Mom – the lb raw ground meat (pork, pork & beef, pork-veal-beef combination or cabbage and prune. Each one with a Their visits to festivals and fairs al- bookwork, brother Gary handling ground turkey) with 4-6 c undercooked rice, 1-3 chopped butter-fried different dough consistency due to low them to meet the public and put the filling; each one delicious! a personal face to the brand name. the deliveries and the preparation onions and 1 egg. Mix ingredients by hand and salt & pepper to taste. My Uncle John in Sparta, N.J. ini- So where did this family recipe of the cabbage filling, and daughter Other seasonings can include: 1 bud crushed garlic or several dashes of tially told me about Millie’s Pierogi, derive from? Walter Lopuk was no Ann – waitressing, delivering, and garlic powder, 3-4 dashes of Tabasco or a sprinkling of chopped fresh which he ordered so he could keep stranger to homemade pierogi. His pinching pierogi. parsley or dill. Use meat-rice mixture to fill pre-wilted cabbage leaves. a proper supply in the freezer at all mother came from Poland, and his With patience and perseverance, Drench gołąbki in roaster with 3-4 c sauce (see below) or stock and times. father from Russia. Living in the growth came steadily as they ex- bake as above. Serve with rye bread or as a complete meal with mashed I had experienced many a pieróg predominantly Polish area of Chi- panded into the farther reaches of potatoes and mizeria (sliced cucumbers with sour cream). at fairs, but never had they tasted copee Falls, Massachusetts, even Massachusetts, Connecticut, and like Millie’s. This was the real thing the German-born Anna knew all then parts of Rhode Island, swell- MEAT & GROAT GOŁĄBKI (gołąbki z mięsem i kaszą): Proceed — delicate dough with delightful, about pierogi, or so she thought. ing the number of stores serviced as above, but substitute cooked barley, buckwheat groats, Kraków tasty fillings! Part of the secret of Trying to impress her new Pol- to over 200. They purchased a con- groats (fine buckwheat) or millet for the rice. Millie’s pierogi is that they are en- ish mother-in-law, she attempted to cession trailer and made the rounds tirely hand-pinched; this enables make pierogi for her husband, and to the local fairs. They have now RICELESS MEAT GOŁĄBKI (gołąbki z mięsem bez ryżu): These thinner dough, unlike machine- ended up in tears, with a mess all crossed the ethnic barrier, as people are essentially meatballs wrapped in cabbage leaves! Break up 2 stale made products. Upon my return past over the kitchen. “I’m never going of all nationalities have been intro- bread rolls into bowl and drench with milk to cover. When soggy, grind the booth, I ordered another round, to try to make another pieróg,” she duced to and enjoy pierogi. and combine with 1 lb raw ground meat (as in meat & rice gołąbki but this time a double order and an told him. Little did she know? Family members have departed above). Add 2 butter-fried diced onions, 1 bud crushed garlic (optional), addition of potato and cheese with Anna fully understands the frus- and there have been new additions 1 egg and any leftover milk from the rolls. Mix well and salt & pepper kielbasa bits to the mix. tration of mail order customers who such as Ann’s “Polish working” to taste. If mixture is too soft, mix in a little bread crumbs. Fill cabbage I asked if “Millie” was there and try to replicate their cherished fam- Irish husband. I was introduced to a cheerful wom- ily recipe. She considers it an honor leaves and proceed as above. What are Millie’s (I mean An- an. I would later find out that this to have their brand be considered na’s) favorite pierogi? Farmer’s close enough to a relative’s to stand cheese with a little sugar sprinkled in its place. on top. ASK ANDZIA ABOUT AMBER / Andzia Chmil As a married couple, the Lopuks had a background in the food indus- Their busy schedule in August try, having run two 24-hour diners consists of the Seafood Festival, Does Amber Have Healing Powers? Aug 7– 9 (Charlestown, RI); Wil- for 25 years. After Urban Renewal swept through downtown Chicopee braham Peach Festival, Aug 21–23 Dear Andzia: An extremely powerful anti-oxi- Not much has actually changed (Wilbraham, MA); The Dutchess Many times I have heard that dant that helps fight free radicals and since the olden times — amber is Falls they turned toward a pierogi business. County Fair, Aug. 25-30, (Rhine- Baltic amber has special healing disruptions of the cardiac rhythm, still trying to communicate with us, beck, NY); and The Big E, Sept 18 powers. Is this true? succinic acid has been shown to but we still have not unlocked all of At the beginning, Millie’s con- sisted of a small restaurant, and a - Oct. 4 (West Springfield MA). bolster the immune system, promote its secrets. Visit the Millie’s concession Baltic amber is unique among all healing and reduce stress. Succinic We do not even know for sure delivery truck held together with baling wire and prayers. They deliv- stand, sample the delicious pierogi, others ambers — such as Dominican acid is commercially produced to- which tree produced this fantastic and say hello to “Millie!” amber, African and Mexican amber ered to about 50 local supermarkets, day from a wide variety of plant and material over forty million years For orders and additional infor- — because it contains 3 to 8 % suc- artificial sources and is recognized ago. employing a few pinchers, a couple mation: www.milliespierogi.com. cinic acid, a naturally occurring by the United States Food and Drug We do know that current research of waitresses, and a driver. It was substance that can also be found in Administration. It is used in many has confirmed what people have be- rhubarb, broccoli and myriad other pharmaceutical drugs manufactured lieved and felt for centuries — that plants. in the United States and overseas as there is a magical power in Baltic HANDMADE PIEROGI We make our pierogi by hand, using the finest ingredients, then fully cook before packag- Early European peoples under- a preservation agent among other amber that is a good power and ing. They arrive fresh at your door in a reusable foam cooler. Cabbage, potato & cheese, stood the anti-bacterial proper- uses. worth getting familiar with. farmer’s cheese, prune, blueberry, or potato & onion fillings — pick your favorites! ties of amber and used it, and still The unusual properties of amber Box of 6 Trays ...... $42 . continue to use it, for amber baby have fascinated mankind since an- Andzia and Holly Chmil are owners of Box of 10 Trays ...... $63 . teethers, baby teething necklaces, cient times, but always in spiritual, Andzia’s Amber Jewelry, known on the Polish Picnic ...... $43.50 . pipe mouthpieces, cigarette holders medicinal and uplifting ways — web as amberjewelry.com. Andzia be- Kapusta and 5 Trays ...$45.50 . and spoons. In the 17th century, the amber has never inspired dread or gan working with amber in 1995 and her Polish Party Pack ...... $66 daughter Holly came on board in 2004 wealthy Aristocrats brewed their tea fear as has been the case with some Plus shipping PIEROGI as a web developer. The company has ONE DOZEN PER TRAY in special amber containers. precious gems. been recommended by the prestigious Even before mankind knew that Amber has inspired doctors, sci- International Amber Society in Poland 129 Broadway, Chicopee Falls, MA 01020 • (800) 743-7641 www.milliespierogi.com there were things such as antibiot- entists, artists and magicians. These every year since 2003. Send your ques- Featured in The New York Times and Yankee magazines ics, they recognized that amber had types of people can see that amber is tions about amber to: andzia@amber- magical curative powers. They dis- still alive and always changing. jewelry.com. covered early on that amber burnt away when set on fire and left be- hind a piney aromatic smoke that was both soothing and irritating. Andzia’s Amber When the plagues devastated Eu- Jewelry rope in the Middle Ages, fumigation P.O. Box 468 was accomplished by burning heaps Chincilla, PA 18410 of amber. The Prussian priest Mat- thaus Praetorious recorded in the 877-586-6599 year 1680 that “During the plague always toll free International callers not a single amber man from Gdan- 570-346-4568 sk, Klaipeda, Konigsburg or Leipaja INTERNATIONAL AMBER died of the disease.” Amber smoke ASSOCIATION CERTIFIED is still used in aromatherapy. amberjewelry.com MEMBER POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2009 www.polamjournal.com 17

SPORTS / Tom Tarapacki BABA JAGA’S CORNER / Jagoda Urban-Klaehn Polonia Wins — And Loses Long Summer Vacations Are children’s vacations too better. There are even some politi- long? I talk to many parents and we cians, mainly libertarians, who are share the same opinion: yes, they for eliminating public education at are too long! all. This would bring us on the level Here in Idaho kids start vaca- of Sudan or Somalia. tion season at the end of May. The On the local/state levels: Here school does not start back until the in Idaho there are school districts end of August. So there are three full where school is limited to only four months of vacations for kids. But it days per week, something unheard is hard to spend this time together as in Europe. The school day does not a family since adult vacations in the last as long as in other states. Usu- United States are one of the shortest ally kids start school at 8:00 a.m. of all developed nations. and are done by 1:00-2:30 p.m.. The So, in spite of kids having three after-school programs are very lim- months of free time, adults have ited, there is no after-school care, usually less than one month. It is which I had in Poland. In Poland I quite rare that a person is off work could stay at school in “after school for more than two weeks in a time. care” until my parents picked me There is a clear incompatibility up coming back from work. Here I Caroline Wozniacki Sabine Lisicki Krupa: Tells T.O. where to go. in this picture! have to pay a day-care to pick up my daughter from school, so that she Sabine Lisicki clinched her year-old Mark Martin in the number to bring boxing to Newark, creat- Let’s compare it to other coun- would be able to spend the rest of first WTA title in the Family Circle 5 Chevy at Hendrick Motorsports, ing something like the excitement tries. In Poland the school year is the day in the daycare. Cup. However, it came by upset- but Hendrick announced that Mar- that happened when Arturo Gatti, finished in the second half of June, Historically, education was nev- ting another Polonian, 5th seeded tin would run a full schedule next another adopted son of Jersey City, kids go back to school at the end of er a priority in the United States. Caroline Wozniacki. In a match season. No one knows what Brad fought there. They viewed Adamek, August, so the vacations last usually Teachers are paid very little, com- between two teenagers, 16th-seeded will do next, but his mom says: “I with his toughness, exciting style about 2 months. In Japan kids have pared to Western European coun- Lisicki overwhelmed her opponent can guarantee that whatever deci- and Polish following, was a great fit. only one month of summer vaca- tries. They do not have respect like with a booming serves and powerful sion he makes will be the right one. Adamek has certainly brought great tions. The adults in Poland and in in Poland. The United States is a groundstrokes. Brad won’t make a bad decision. He boxing to the Prudential Center in the rest of Europe have more time consumption-driven society. People Lisicki, who eliminated second never has.” Newark. off from their work than in the Unit- are encouraged “to have” rather seed Venus Williams in the third Adamek grew up in the mountain ed States. So, they usually spend than “to be.” Here is an example: round, said that “beating Venus re- MODEL PERFORMER. She’s village of Gliwice, near the Slova- one month together with their kids. the new town, Ammon, is growing ally gave me some confidence.” not a professional athlete, but Jo- kian border. For years, he traveled Teachers in the United States talk next to Idaho Falls where I live. Lisicki was born in Germany to anna Krupa’s appearance on between the US and Poland. It was about “summer learning loss.” The Property taxes in Ammon are even Polish immigrant parents. For the the “Superstars” television show hard on his family, his wife, Dorota, last weeks before school start are re- lower, so people build big houses past several years, she has trained was a highlight. The Polish-born and their two daughters, 9-year-old ally difficult; kids are usually bored there. But since the taxes are low, regularly in Bradenton, Fla., with supermodel best known as “The Roksana and 6-year-old Weronika. since they have not been challenged there is not enough money to build her father and coach, Richard Lis- Sexiest Woman in the World” part- Now he drives 15 minutes to train. for quite a long time the roads and to have a good educa- icki. Wozniacki was born in Den- nered with flamboyant Buffalo Bill He works with Andrew Gmitruk, Do children have long vaca- tion. Schools are bad and the roads mark to Polish parents and her fa- Terrell Owens, They were eliminat- his trainer of 10 years. He trains in tions because we care for them, or to the huge houses-castles are also ther has also coached her. Caroline’s ed on the first episode when Owens a Jersey City gym owned by Ziggy because we do not? I think that the in a very poor shape. father, Piotr and mother, Anna, were faltered going through the obstacle Rozalski, with ring posts painted in second is true. In America, educa- We have a phrase in Poland standout soccer and volleyball play- course. Krupa drew plenty of atten- red and white candy stripes. “I must tion is not a priority like in other de- “Children are the future of the na- ers, respectively, back in Poland. tion when she berated him for not be here,” Adamek said. “In Poland, veloped countries. There is usually tion.” That means that if we would Caroline and Sabine are just two being a real athlete and not being I can’t have a big fight. Only here, I not enough money left for education care for them, the future of the na- of the top female tennis players with worth his millions. However, be- can get them.” from the budget after the military, tion would be better. If education Polish roots. Check out this column cause of another team’s injury, she Things look bright for Adamek. medicare and social security are does not become a priority in the in next month’s PAJ for more. and her partner were asked to step If things work out, he could unify paid. United States, American workers in and continue competing. the cruiserweight title. There’s also Who is guilty of the low priority will not be competitive in the global READY FOR THE BIG TIME. Not talk of him moving up heavyweight, of education in the United States? economy. The discrepancy between only is he young, but he looks even JERSEY BOY. Tomasz Adamek and maybe even face 41-year-old All of us. poor and rich, who can afford bet- younger. Brad Keselowski is de- successfully defended his IBF Andrew Golota in their native Po- On the federal level — the Unit- ter schools and more activities for scribed by Ted Beech in Sports Il- cruiserweight belt in Newark land. ed States as a superpower spends kids during summer will grow. I lustrated as looking like “a gangly against challenger Bobby Gunn in much more money to upkeep its hope the current administration will kid, his angular features marked by front of 7,0000 mostly partisan fans. THEY SAID IT military might. This is what bank- prevent it and the education in the a goofy smile and a goatee that is a With Polish-American fans chanting “I wondered if there was going rupted the Soviet system. The uni- United States will become better, futile attempt at manly scruff.” De- “Polska, Polska, Polska” the fight to be an open competition, but from versity education is not free like in more similar to elsewhere in the de- spite his youthful appearance, the was stopped by the referee after the the start it was refreshing to see there other developed countries. I think, veloped world. 25-year driver is poised to compete 4th round. was a purity about the competition. if more young people would go to Visit my website at www.po- against the big boys. Adamek was born in Poland, but One day Hank called us in and said vote, their voice would be heard lishsite.us. Two years ago Dale Earnhardt Jr. today he is the pride of New Jersey. he wanted the best guys on the field, signed the virtually unknown Kes- Adamek, 32, and the holder of the and I was going to be middle line- elowski to drive for the JR Motor- IBF and IBO cruiserweight world ti- backer and Jim (Lynch) was going TRIVIA TIME / Ellye Slusarczyk sports team. In the 65 races since, tles, is viewed as a rising star in box- to play outside.” Keselowski has three victories and ing. Tomasz started boxing in War- — Wille Lanier, telling Sports 1. A young man in the Navy is a a. cans 33 other top 10 finishes, and won saw, but he won his first world title Illustrated about how Kansas City zalaga b. pasazer c. zeglarz 6. Grzanka is usually served at a. a wild race at Talladega in just his in his first fight in the US in 2005. Chiefs coach Hank (Wilczek) Stram 2. Woody Allen performed in a sold- breakfast b. lunch c. dinner fifth Sprint Cup start. Adamek took the vacant WBC light made Lanier pro football’s first out show in Knongresown Hall 7. Jajecznica are eggs that are a. Despite his youth, Brad has been heavyweight belt (175 pounds), join- black starting middle linebacker in in a. Sopot b. Torun c. Warsaw involved in racing for a long time. scrambled b. soft-boiled c. fried ing former cruiserweight champion 1967. 3. “Wachie Jackie Z” is a native of with ham “Born into a family that has been Krzysztof Wlodarczyk and 1990s v v v a. Buffalo b. Rochester c. Cleve- racing at one level or another for 8. Kazubians are known for a. wood light heavyweight champ Dariusz “I knew I was in Newark but with land carvings b. salt lamps c. fine em- more than 50 years, he was turning Michalczewski as the other Poles all the red and white flags waving 4. Known as the “Silver Fox of Pol- broidery wrenches on his father Bob’s cars to do so. He defended the title twice around me, it felt like I was in a soc- kas” is a. Steve Litwin b. Stas long before he ever began turning before losing to Chad Dawson in cer world cup match in Warsaw.” Bulanda c. Bob Pietrucha 9. Blessed Faustina Kowalska died laps in them,” wrote Beech. When 2007. As his body matured he need- — Boxing writer Dennis 5. Father Stanislaw Papczynski in a. 1910 b. 1929 c. 1938 K-Automotive Motorsports in the ed to move up in weight, so he be- Carreon, commenting on the strong founded the Marian Order of 10. Stefan Jarose explored a. deepest Detroit suburb of Rochester Hills fi- came a cruiserweight (200 pounds). support for Tomasz Adamek in New- Priests, after earlier joining the a. Africa b. Figi Islands c. Alaska nally collapsed four years ago, Brad For years, Main Events wanted ark’s Prudential Center. Piarist b. Dominicans c. Francis- had no team and no prospects. He ANSWERS 1.c zeglarz 2.c Warsaw searched out driving opportunities, 3.b Rochester 4.c Bob Pietrucha 5.a mostly in second-rate machines. Piarist 6.a breakfast 7.a scrambled He got his big break when he re- SALT LAMPS ETC. 8.c fine embroidery 9.c 1938 10.c placed a suspended driver in a truck 5274 Broadway, Lancaster, NY 14086 •(716) 564-9286 Alaska race at Memphis in June 2007. Ke- selowski put the Team ASE Toyota Can’t sleep? Need relief for asthmas? Allergies? Sinuses? on the pole and led 62 of the 200 Polish Art in Venice laps. Although he ended up finish- Now available beautiful Polish salt lamps that clean and VENICE, Italy — An exhibit of ing 16th, but won the admiration ionize air for your health and well-being. works by Polish artists opened at the of many observers, including Earn- Palazzo Dona at San Polo Square. hardt — who’d first met Keselowski Sponsored by the Signum Foun- while playing video racing games Laboratory tested for ionization and quality. over the Internet. dation based in Poznan, the exhibit Keselowski raced so well that For information and flyers call: continues through November 28. JR Motorsports ran him in two Cup We will ship Joyce (716) 860-0828 • [email protected] The presentation is titled: “Awake races last fall. It was believed that anywhere in the USA Arlene (716) 649-3188 • [email protected] and Dream” and represents works Keselowski would take over for 50- created between 1910 and 2009. 18 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2009

ARTSCENE / Staś Kmieć Polish Triplets Score on TV’s America’s Got Talent girls songs before they could walk, leading to their first public frequently. performance at age three. By the time they were 6, the young For the recently released filmAway We Go Krasinski has a prodigies were playing violin, and ten years later, at age 16, beard, as well as a completely different persona, showing an they were performing on Polish national television. entirely new side of the actor that will undoubtedly push his The trio (who has made Las Vegas their home for the last career even further. 10 years), sing and play classical violin in many styles, includ- Christine Baranski returns to network ing classical, pop, rock, and traditional Polish folk music. TV in the CBS drama The Good Wife. Born in Buffalo, New York, the daughter Kasprzak Competes on “So You Think You Can of Virginia (Mazerowski) and Lucien Ba- Dance?” From the moment we were introduced to Evan ranski, her grandparents were actors in the and Ryan Kasprzak on Fox-TV’s “So You Think You Can Polish theater. Dance,” one assumed we would be watching the brothers for She has won both the Tony and Drama weeks to come, as they squashed every other dancer in their Desk Awards twice and won an Emmy path. In one of the most heart wrenching eliminations of the Award as best supporting actress in a com- season, Ryan and Evan were positioned against one another edy series for the sitcom Cybill. for the last spot in the Top 20. Jane Krakowski has received an “One Kasprzak is better than no Kasprzaks,” said Ryan. Emmy Award nomination as “Outstanding Evan, who specializes in Broadway dance, definitely has a Supporting Actress in a Comedy” for her fighting chance of staying on the top of the competition. The portrayal of Jenna Maroney in NBC’s 30 21-year-old West Bloomfield, MI native started dancing when Rock. An accomplished Broadway singer he was six years old, having since performed in a tribute for and dancer, originally from Parsippany, Gregory Hines, with Hines’ family in the audience. He cur- New Jersey, she won the Tony Award for Alizma! They’re talented. They’re bright. They’re beau- rently studies at the Illinois Wesleyan University. “Best Performance by a Featured Actress tiful. They’re identical triplets… and they’re Polish! An in a Musical,” 2003 for Nine and the Lau- acronym representing Aleksandra, Izabela and Monika Krasinski – Baranski – Krakowski. The Entertain- rence Olivier Award for “Best Actress in a Musical,” 2006 for Okapiec, Alizma premiered on NBC’s America’s Got Tal- ment World is heating up with the work of three Polish-Amer- Guys and Dolls. ent and continue to wow the audience and the judges. ican actors. Born Jane Krajkowski, she dropped the “j” from the fam- On their first appearance, they played Charlie Daniels’ John Krasinski is probably best known ily last name when she began working as an actress as peo- “The Devil went Down to Georgia” and their talents scored for his role as sardonic nice guy Jim Halp- ple kept trying to pronounce the letter. Krakowski’s father’s them to the next round of judging. ert on NBC’s popular TV series The Of- family is entirely Polish and hail from Kraków, and although The 23-year-old triplets were born in Poland but are pol- fice. Born, in Newton, Massachussetts, to she knows some words and phrases in Polish, her father and ishing their remarkable skills in America. More than just three a family of Polish-American heritage, the grandparents are fluent. pretty faces, all recently earned Masters Degrees in Violin Per- 6’ 3” actor is the youngest of three broth- Krakowski lends her personality and humor to pro- formance, but also specialize in other string instruments. The ers. mote Breyers Smooth & Dreamy ice cream at www.smooth- judges want the blonde sisters to speak one at a time. Not one Krasinski was featured in People Mag- anddreamy.com. The webisodes feature a modern take on two of them ever finishes a complete sentence. azine’s Sexiest Men Alive issue of 2006. of Hollywood’s most iconic romance films — Gone with the The sisters were introduced to the world of music by He is claims Los Angeles as his current home, but travels to Wind and King Kong. their mother Halina, a kindergarten teacher who taught the New York City and his hometown of Newton, Massachusetts

CIEKAWOSTKI / Martin S. Nowak Poles Developed Early Television It has recently become fash- ferent countries and backgrounds region of Poland west of Gdańsk, restless for the confines of the class- piece of fiction featuring it and the ionable to credit the invention of contributed to its development. and schooled in nearby Wejherowo. room. At age twenty-four he left inventor, “From the London Times television to the American Philo T. Among them were Poles. These were lands taken by Germany teaching and began working on his of 1904,” which some say shows Farnsworth. But the truth is, modern Paul Gottlieb Nipkow (1860- (Prussia) in the 17th and 18th cen- ideas for new inventions, soon at- the telectroscope used as a forerun- television was not so much a single 1940) is usually called a German turies. Since they were part of Ger- tracting a financial backer. Since ner of the internet. invention by a single person, but a inventor. But more detailed sources many, Nipkow was legally a Ger- he lived in the Austrian Empire, Szczepanik sold the rights to his long process of interdependent dis- identify him as a Kaszubian Pole. He man citizen, and pursued his career his greatest opportunities lay in its telectroscope to the Paris Exposi- coveries. Many scientists from dif- was born in Lębork in the Kaszub in Berlin. capital, Vienna. He moved there in tion of 1900 for a small fortune, In 1884, Nipkow designed and 1898. but it was never demonstrated there patented a device to transmit mov- In February of that year, Szcz- and was soon forgotten, probably ing images by wire using two perfo- epanik was granted a patent for because no one could conceive of PAJ SUBSCRIPTION FORM rated spinning disks, selenium, and “method and apparatus for repro- a practical use for it. Szczepanik’s a photoelectric cell. There ducing pictures and the like other great invention from his Vi- NEW SUBSCRIBER RENEWAL ADDRESS is no evidence that the at distance by means of enna years was a device for improv- Fill out form. If Please include CHANGE gift subscription, address label Enter new address Pole ever actually built electricity.” He called ing the weaving process using pho- please fill out address from paper below. Please include such a system. But the invention the tography. This device is sometimes of recipient. address label from this technology was telectroscope, and it called a forerunner of the computer. KEEP OUR POLISH HERITAGE ALIVE! paper. used in the first was an early tele- It used a series of perforated cards. SUBSCRIBE TO THE PAJ TODAY! public demonstra- vision system. It (Remember IBM punch cards?) tion of television converted images In 1902 Szczepanik married a 1 YEAR—$20.00 PAYMENT ENCLOSED in 1926 by the into electrical native of Tarnów, Poland, and he 2 YEARS—$37.00 PLEASE BILL ME Your subscription will not Scotsman John current using mir- moved there and started a family. 3 YEARS—$51.00 begin until your check clears. L. Baird. Nip- rors, prisms and He continued working on inven- CHARGE TO MY: VISA AMEX kow was able to electromagnets by tions and eventually amassed nine- FOREIGN and MASTERCARD DISCOVER see his invention breaking up lines ty-two patents, including fifteen in CANADIAN RATES: in action in 1928 of light into dots, America. Among his other achieve- See prices printed CARD NO. on page 2. For library, at a show in Berlin. then reconstituting ments were the invention of color institution, and bulk Until 1938, he was them at a distant re- photography for both still cameras rates, please call 1 EXP. DATE CSV CODE recognized as the sole ceiver at the other end and motion pictures, an electric rifle (800) 422-1275 inventor of television. In of the wire. and an early bulletproof fabric. He 1935 in Berlin, the first public He demonstrated a work- also worked on a moving wing air- NAME television channel in the world was ing telectroscope in Vienna before plane, helicopter, dirigible and sub- named the Paul Nipkow station. witnesses in the spring of 1898, marine, and plans for a calculator NO. STREET APT. NO. Before Nipkow, the Polish psy- and created a sensation around the and a brick making machine. chologist and philospher Julian world. This system allowed pic- In 1925 Szczepanik died of can- Ochorowicz (1850-1917) wrote an tures to be transmitted in color, with cer at the too young age of fifty- CITY, STATE, ZIP article in 1878 that correctly fore- sound. This was most likely the first eight. He was buried in Tarnów and cast the future process of transmit- transmission of television pictures in 2002 a monument to him was ting live moving images. in history, and newspaper and maga- unveiled in the city. He is still un- MOVING? Please note the Post Office will NOT FORWARD Jan Szczepanik (inset) was a zine articles in Europe and America derappreciated in the world today, SECOND-CLASS MAIL. If you move, you must notify our office. Polish inventor whose achievements described inventor and invention. though he is often referred to as the have never been widely appreci- An American named Cleveland “Polish Edison.” He started with no THREE EASY WAYS TO SUBSCRIBE! ated. He was born in Rudniki (now Moffett in 1899 reported in some resources other than his brain and MAIL TO: PAJ SUBSCRIPTION DEPARTMENT in Ukraine) near Przemysł in Aus- detail a transmission by Szczepanik faith in himself. P.O. BOX 328, BOSTON, NY 14025-0328 trian occupied southern Poland in in 1896 in Vienna, but the Pole was The contributions of Poles to 1872. He attended school in Krosno not known to be in the city then. Per- world culture are usually over- CALL: 1 (800) 422-1275 or (716) 312-8088 and Jasło, then went to a teacher’s haps Moffett got the year wrong. looked. But whether they realize it M-F 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. EST seminary in Kraków, after which he Mark Twain, who was living in or not, a great Polish achievement ON LINE: www.polamjournal.com taught elementary school in Potok, Vienna at the time and befriended stares back at billions of people ev- SECURE SERVER (Amex, Disc., MC, Visa, and PayPal) Lubatówka and Korczyn. Szczepanik, was fascinated by the ery time they hit the ON button of But his brilliant mind was too telectroscope and even wrote a short the TV remote control. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2009 www.polamjournal.com 19

THE OLD COUNTRY / Richard Poremski PONDERING POLE / Edward Poniewaz Nie Jestem Bogaty The www.dictionary.com trans- solve all of life’s problems, again, for no other reason than to docu- lator defines billionaire as “a very “it comes in pretty handy down ment the bigotry (for those deniers rich person who has more than a bil- here” and for a wide range of noble out there, Polish and non-Polish). lion dollars, pounds etc. Example: purposes and motivations. If Poland He’s not just a millionaire — he’s a or Polonia had more rich people, READERS WRITE. I have to apolo- billionaire!” The Polish translation perhaps it could defend its reputa- gize for missing a very nice e-Mail for “billionaire” is listed as bogacz tion and actions more effectively. from a reader about various plants (a rich man). If Poland or Polonia had more rich of Polish origin. Probably too late to Money may be the root of all people, perhaps more positive proj- acquire and plant this year but keep evil, but as George Bailey said to ects would be funded to improve this information for next season’s his guardian angel friend Clarence the perception of Polish culture and yard: in It’s a Wonderful Life, “comes history now but also for the sake of Dear Mr. Poniewaz, in pretty handy down here bub.” posterity. My list is almost endless A few years back I made the The business of America is busi- for the number of beneficial rami- following purchases. Maybe your Impeding the Flow of Progress. Lancut, Poland. May 20, 1976. ness, a former president once said, fications and outcomes of privately readers would find these companies and money and business are things held “stimulus” funds. helpful. Americans think about a lot. I have Question for August, is it true [email protected] car- OBITUARIES / Jennifer Moskal the highest admiration for those then, that there are no billionaires ries lilacs from Poland and he is who start or own private sector in Poland, and if so, why do you trying to get enough of the St. Jerzy Raymond J. Babiec, 92, received coached varsity baseball and football businesses, are part of the entrepre- think that is true? If true, how close Popieluszko for sale. That one is not the Polish National Alliance “Man of as well as sophomore football during the Year Award” and the “Unsung Hero his tenure at Rich East. neurial spirit of the country, and as is Zbigniew or Janina to making a from Poland. He is a family owned Award” in 1982. Babiec was a New Pro- it follows, are those who give jobs billion zlots!! business in Canada. Really nice! curement Inspector at CBC Davisville Zdzislaw K. Szczepanski, June 30, and livelihoods to the citizens of a Pickering Nurseries, also in for over 25 years, and then worked in 2009. He was born in Poland in 1917. free society. Greed is not good, Gor- BUCKET LIST. I took on one project Canada, Toll Free 1 (866) 269-9282, maintenance for the Rhode Island Na- Szczepanski was a well known archi- don Gecko, but opportunity, the free this year and it is more than enough carries a rambler-Polstjarnan from tional Guard for six years. He received tect, planner and artist and was an im- market, and capitalism are. for my schedule and ability and en- Wasastjerna. the Polish American Heritage Award portant part of Washington, D.C.’s Polo- The shift from a controlled econ- ergy. Here are a few others. They www.joycreek.com - all clema- at the Rhode Island State House and nia Circle. Educated in Poland, France omy to a somewhat capitalistic one might have already been attempted tis - Jan Pawell 2, Warszawska Nike, was a delegate to the Polish-American and Catholic University of America in was a reasonable transition for the but if they are not available I and am General Sikorski, Chopin, Danuta, Congress for 63 years. He was involved Washington, he was project director Poles when John Paul II and Ronald very happy to share them with you Solidarnosc, Kardynal Wyszinski, in numerous other Polish and commu- of the Washington Skyline Study and nity organizations. He was also a Staff a major designer of the National Zoo Reagan freed them in the 80s. Po- in case you need something to oc- to name a few. Sergeant in the U.S. Army serving in and Park. When the National Polish land has traditionally been closely cupy your time. If you have worth- Polana Everbearing raspberry the European Theater of Operations Center, (The American Center of Polish tied to agriculture and markets, and while projects that you want to add, developed in Poland from J.W. Jung during World War II. Culture, Inc.), opened in Washington, based on her history, the people im- send them to me. Seed Co. (I have 100 of these bush- Szczepanski volunteered his time and plicitly understand and love free- 1. A coffee table book on the es.) Rev. Ernest Ciemiega, 79, grew up talents to draw sketches of the Center dom. Freedom and trade generally 10 or 20 greatest Polish churches www.filareefarm.com carries on Chicago’s South Side and gradu- building and several interior rooms. produce very rich people. in America. Every month we read Polish Hardneck, a porcelain gar- ated from the University of St. Mary He was an accomplished artist, win- An article published in Forbes about another church that is closing lic, Carpathian from the Carpathian of the Lake/Mundelein Seminar. Fr. Ci- ning many prizes. He was a member of Magazine in 2004 appeared in my or will be torn down. Many of these Mountains of SW Poland is an aro- emiega was ordained on May 3, 1957. the Polish Home Army in World War II Yahoo home page under one of the churches are beautiful or unique and cambole garlic, and also the Polish He served as assistant pastor of St. and participated in the Warsaw Upris- Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Parish in ing in 1944. He resided in Falls Church feature tabs. It is about “The Deprived have a soft spot in our historical White-artichoke garlic. Posen; assistant pastor at St. Andrew Virginia with wife Anne and is also sur- Dozen” by Tim Ferguson (http:// heart as Catholics and Poles in this www.seedsavers.org carries Parish in Calumet City; associate pastor vived by daughters, Wanda Suder, Jo- www.forbes.com/2004/03/01/cz_ country. It can be a nice memento Aunt Molly’s ground cherry, Nimba at St. Bruno Parish on the Southwest anna Berrony and two grandchildren. tf_0301deprivedbill04.html) and is of our heritage. Beyond that, an Squash, Cyklon (hot) perrer, and Side; and administrator, pastor and A mass of Christian Burial was held on a listing of the world’s largest coun- enterprising person could have an Buran (sweet) pepper all from Po- then pastor emeritus at St. Isidore. Wednesday, July 8 at Our Lady Queen tries by population without one bil- Irish edition, an Italian edition, or a land. of Poland Catholic Church in Silver lionaire. The largest country with- Greek edition, etc. Might be profit- www.seedsofchange.com has Diana Kolakowski, 65, was a for- Spring, Maryland. out a billionaire is Pakistan with able endeavor. the Polish snap pole bean and Jack mer research chemist for the Michigan 151 million. Poland, at 39 million 2. Easy listening Polish. There is and the Beanstalk. Cancer Foundation who went on to Mary Torbik, 84, was a lifelong vol- people, was number 11 on the list. the 100 Strings Orchestra, the Lira www.nicholsgardennursery. become a political trailblazer in Ma- unteer, sharing her time with the Amer- comb County politics. Kolakowski was ican Red Cross, CARE, the White House, This is from the lead paragraph in Singers, there is folk music, and com offers organic Polish Ama- the first female to chair the Macomb and feeding the homeless for over 50 the article: there are hundreds of polka CDs ranth. County Commission and most recently years. Torbik volunteered her time We cheekily call them “de- available, all excellent examples for www.tomatofest.com - Solda- the economic development direc- with numerous other causes, and also prived,” and in a sense they are: the Polish music aficionado. I was cki, Opalka, Malinowski, Poland 2, tor for the city of Warren. She served spent five summers in Poland -teach Any modern economy that does in an Olive Garden the other day Polish giant, Zogola, Polish Lingui- on numerous panels, and was named ing English and volunteerism. Torbik not produce at least one huge for- and heard Italian style muzak pip- sa, and Polish Pastel tomato seeds. chairwoman of the Southeast Michi- celebrated her 70th birthday helping tune is, almost by definition, not ing through the entrance way. Nice. —Paula Barczewski-Jarnot gan Council of Governments in the Red Cross disaster relief in the Virgin creating the kind of wealth that I would like something similar with late 1990s. The Michigan Association Islands, which she later confided was is the earmark of a prosperous a Polish essence to it. Dziekuje bardzo, Paula, for the of Counties also named her the state’s her happiest celebration to date. She society. 3. I still think the definitive book web sites and addresses regarding top county commissioner. also worked for the Internal Revenue Service in South Dakota, and worked While money certainly doesn’t on anti-Polishism should be written the Polish plants. Gladys Demski Kuras, 81, began for the Civil Service Commission If you have an answer to this to fully embrace her Polish roots in  (718) 383-8600 month’s question, have a question of the late 1960s, which led her to learn A.K. No. 383-0320 your own, or have interesting facts the language and publish a newslet- Jurek-Park Slope  Peter Rago to share, contact me at: Edward Po- ter, “Passport to Polishness,” as well as  niewaz, 6432 Marmaduke, St.Louis, a book celebrating her ancestral land’s Funeral Home, Inc. Lic. Mgr. MO 63139; e-Mail alinabrig@ya- traditions. Kuras was prompted to do Leslie P. Rago hoo.com. these things after beginning her own F.D. Please note: if you send e-Mail, search for her cultural customs, and put a reference in the subject line being unable to find many books on the subject in English. In 1979, she about the Polish American Journal published “Polish Yuletide Customs of FUNERAL HOME, INC. or the Pondering Pole. I will not Yesteryear”. In the 1980s, she opened  open an e-Mail if I do not recognize Quasar Travel, which specialized in 131 Nassau Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222 the subject or the sender. educational trips to Poland. 728 4th Ave., Brooklyn, NY DORIS V. AMEN Paul Panczuk, 59, worked at Rich LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTOR BRUSH UP / Prepared and distributed by the Polonia Media Network East High School, starting as an Eng- NEWLY DECORATED CHAPEL FACILITIES OUR 24-HOUR PERSONAL SERVICES ARE lish teacher and most recently as the AVAILABLE IN ALL COMMUNITIES Phonetic hh is like ch in loch • Phonetic ai is like eye school’s dean of students. Panczuk AT-HOME ARRANGEMENTS INSURANCE CLAIMS HANDLED m, n, f denotes male, female, neuter earned his bachelor’s degree from SOCIAL SECURITY & VETERAN’S BENEFITS Geography, Part I PROMPTLY EXPEDITED Southern Illinois University and later MONUMENT INSCRIPTIONS ASCERTAINED earned a master’s degree in education północ...... (PUHW-nohts) f urwisko...... (uhr-VEES-koh) n at Chicago State University. He also (718) 768-4192 north cliff południe...... (poh-WUD-nyeh) n strumień...... (STRUH-myain) m south creek “A tradition of local & long distance service continues!” wschód...... (FSH-huht) m wydma...... (VIHD-mah) f east dune zachód...... (ZAH-huht) m las...... (lahs) m or west puszcza...... (PUHSH-chah) f Stobierski Lucas zatoka...... (zah-TOH-kah) f forest bay wąwóz...... (VOHN-vuhs) m Gardenview plaża...... (PLAH-zhah) f gorge beach wzgórze...... (VZGUH-zheh) n Funeral Home, Ltd. przylądek...... (pshih-LOHWN-dehk) m hill Rita A. Lucas 161 Driggs Avenue cape wyspa...... (VIHS-pah) f Jude P. Lucas (Greenpoint) Brooklyn, NY 11222 jaskinia...... (zahs-KEE-nyah) f island (718) 383-7910 • (718) 383-2737 George J. Mueller cave – Continued Next Month – 20 www.polamjournal.com POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 2009

AMERICAN POLONIA AT A GLANCE

traditional and contemporary Polish also helps promote various commu- Greater Hartford Scholars DELAWARE culture in Minnesota. nity-service and Polish-American WILMINGTON — From Mon., Organizers say that the Twin Cit- organizations. Sept. 14 to Sat., Sept. 19, St. Hed- ies Polish Festival will show why wig Parish will hold its annual Pol- Poland has earned the reputation as NEW JERSEY ish American Festival along the one of the world’s most hospitable NATIONAL PARK — Sat., Aug. Riverfront in Wilmington. 5:00 to cultures. The Festival will give an 15. Polish American Citizens Club 10:00 p.m. Live music, entertain- opportunity to Polish-Americans in 95th Anniversary Family Picnic. ment, carnival rides, games, food Minnesota to celebrate their heri- Soupy Island, Red Bank Avenue at and refreshments. Info call (302) tage and to engage our greater com- The River. 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. Music 594-1400 or visit www.polishfesti- munity in the celebration of Polish by Polka Family Band. No tickets val.net. traditional and contemporary cul- will be sold at the gate. Info call tures. Dan Steiner (856) 468-1215, or Bob MINNESOTA The Festival will feature live mu- Wisniewski (856) 779-7484. MINNEAPOLIS —To culminate sic, folk dancing, artist booths, pol- WILDWOOD — Sat. , Aug. 15. this year’s summer, the first annual ka bands, Traditional Polish Food Second Street Polish Society Sum- Twin Cities Polish Festival sched- Market with Polish cookbook heir- mer Polish Party, Echo’s, Walnut uled for Aug. 15-16 will immerse looms, such as pierogi and kielbasa, & Old New Jersey Aves. 5:00 to Twin Citians in all things Polish Polish Beer Garden with three kinds 9:00 p.m. Info call (215) 462-2243. with a kaleidoscope of cultural and of Polish beer, an exhibition of rare CHERRY HILL. Sun., Sept. 13. HARTFORD, Conn. — Since 1987, the Polish Cultural Club of Greater educational displays, food and top- Polish sheepdogs, Contemporary Little Servant Sisters Polish Festi- Hartford has promoted the encouragement of higher education among notch entertainment. Architecture in Warsaw Exhibit, and val & Country Fair. 1000 Crop- Polish American youth by offering scholarships to college bound The Twin Cities Polish Festival much more. well Road. 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. students. These scholarships are made possible by the funds raised at will take place on Main Street across This festival has something for Live music, dance group, food and the Annual Szopka Festival held each year in November at the Polish from River Place and St. Anthony everyone. You can take a free polka refreshments. Info call (856) 424- National home. The recipients of the scholarship awards this year are Main in Minneapolis and promises lesson and listen to traditional folk 1962. three young women who have demonstrated excellence in academic to be a fun-filled celebration. The music, or if you prefer classical pia- scholarship, school and community involvement, and respect for their admission is free and festival hours no, you can visit the Exhibition Hall NEW YORK Polish heritage are 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sat. at RiverPlace, where accomplished BROOKLYN, NY—May 31, The recipients are Marta Chlus of Wethersfield, Conn., an honors and 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sun. artists will be performing Chopin’s 2009, Atlas Savings in cooperation graduate from Mercy High School in Middletown. She is attending the . For more information on perform- music throughout the festival. For with the South Brooklyn Pulaski University of Connecticut, and will be majoring in the Pre-Pharmacy ers, vendors, the “Na Zdrowie” (to those who love the outdoors, the Parade Committee sponsored the program. your health) 5k Run scheduled for park lawn along Old Main Street 49th annual Miss Polonia Pag- The second recipient is Michalina Dzierlatka of East Berlin, Conn., Aug. 15, or sponsorship and ad- and the river is a perfect place to eant held at Sirico’s restaurant of who is currently enrolled at the Barney School of Business at the Uni- vertising opportunities, visit www. spread a blanket and sit with friends Brooklyn New York. This year’s versity of Hartford where she has received numerous honors. She is tcpolishfestival.org and take in the atmosphere of Polish Miss Polonia winner will represent majoring in Accounting. The Festival is a new collab- culture and entertainment. the borough riding atop the South The third recipient is Carol Oleasz, of Simsbury, Conn., an honors orative effort undertaken by Polish Twin Cities Polish Festival is a Brooklyn float, donated by Atlas graduate of Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford. Carol will organizations in Minnesota headed non-profit organization created to Savings at the General Casmir Pu- be attending Providence College where she plans to major in marine by a non-profit, Twin Cities Polish bring a world-class celebration of laski Memorial Parade along Fifth biology and English. Festival, which aims to promote Polish culture to the Twin Cities. It Avenue in Manhattan, Sunday Oc- An awards ceremony and a reception were held at the Polish National Home in Hartford in June. Observing the tober 4th 2009. sons interested in “The Polish Sto- OCTOBER IS POLISH 70th Anniversary Atlas Savings was established ry” of World War II. Please join us. of the Start in 1900 by a group of Polish immi- For details, contact Andrew of World War II grants as a state chartered full ser- Golebiowski at (716) 892-5975 or HERITAGE MONTH vice community bank. In January 510-7562; e-mail at andywbuffalo@ 2009, Atlas Savings has introduced yahoo.com. October is Polish American Heritage Month, and You can help us in our mission to keep alive that spirit a new web-site and on-line bank- the Polish American Journal turns to Polish American by sending greetings to American Polonia in the form of ing solution to help customers keep leaders and PAJ readers to join the observance. patron advertising in the October edition. This special track of their accounts. Atlas Sav- PENNSYLVANIA This October, we revisit Nazi edition will contain greetings from ings is a member of the FDIC and is PHILADELPHIA — The Polish Germany’s September 1939 invasion friends, businesses and organizations an Equal Housing Lender. Questions American Congress, Eastern Penn- of Poland and the start of World War that recognize the importance of about products and services can be sylvania District, is proud to an- II. With the passing of each year, the keeping that spirit alive here in the answered by calling (718) 768-4800 nounce that Stephen Skorczynski number of Polish veterans grows United States. or visiting www.atlasbank.com. will be the Grand Marshal of the smaller. We must not forget these Through your patronage, we are The Pulaski Day parade is a year- 2009 Pulaski Day Parade that will brave men and women who witnessed able to bring American Polonia a ly event that honors General Casmir take place on Sun., Oct. 4, in Center firsthand the horrors of war in their paper it can be proud of, as it is our Pulaski who was instrumental in City Philadelphia. homeland. These souls are reflections mission to heed John Paul II’s words securing American freedom during The PAC selected Skorczynski of all Poles, who throughout the ages and keep alive the traditions which the Revolutionary War. Questions in recognition of his more than 30 have been subjected to oppression by define us. Every month we publish the about the 49th annual Pulaski Day years of participation with the Polish those envious of the Polish spirit. good news about Americans of Polish parade can be answered by visiting American Congress and its member Poland’s story is an important descent who make a difference in the www.pulaskiparade.org. organizations. Throughout his life, one. It shows how conviction and world today. BUFFALO — A conference, Skorczynski has been very active dedication can overcome tyranny To guarantee placement of your ad “Poland to Buffalo through World in Philadelphia’s Polish community. and hatred. Following World War II in the Polish Heritage Month edition, War II: Untold Stories Come Having many talents, he is a teacher and Poland’s betrayal by her allies, please return the form below with your Alive,” will be held here, October of Polish history at the Adam Mick- the country was enslaved by Soviet check by September 11th. You can 3-4. iewicz Polish Language School, Russia, which tried to bend the Polish also place your donation with VISA, The focus of the conference is to where he attended as a child; dancer spirit to its ways. But that spirit, MasterCard, Discover or Amex. remember, honor and preserve the with the Polish Intercollegiate Club tempered from within by a love of nation, family, and We thank you in advance for your support and look stories of Polish citizens who settled for over 20 years; actor in the Adam church, proved too much for Poland’s foes, and broke the forward to producing this special edition which will in the western portion of New York Mularczyk Theatre Company; and yoke communism generations later under the Solidarity enlighten all on the contributions and sacrifices of those State after having survived World currently president of the Associ- banner. who fought for their freedom and ours. War II. ated Polish Home. Keynote speaker will be Irene Skorczynski is a long-time Clip form and mail by YES! I want so show my support for my Polish heritage. Enclosed, Tomaszewski, Soviet camp survivor, member of the PAC’s Eastern PA SEPTEMBER 11, 2009 please find a contribution in the amount of: author and screenwriter of “Żegota: District, its Youth Committee, Pu- laski Day Observance Committee, to guarantee placement of [ ] $250 [ ] $100 [ ] $75 [ ] $50 [ ] $25 [ ] Other $______The Council for Aid to Jews in Oc- Polish American Heritage Month your patron ad in the cupied Poland , 1942-45” and au- NAME Committee and a participant in vari- 2009 Heritage Month thor of “Inside a Gestapo Prison: the ous events sponsored by the Polish Edition! Letters of Krystyna Wituska, 1942- ORGANIZATION If applicable 1944.” American Cultural Center Museum We thank you in CITY, STATE, ZIP [ ] Check here if you wish address to appear in advertisement The October 3 conference will in historic Philadelphia. advance for your support. feature panel discussions with Pol- PHILADELPHA — Sat., Aug. 8 ish World War II survivors telling through Sun., Aug. 9. Walking Pil- MAIL TO: their stories, film clips with other grimage, starting from St. Adalbert POLISH AMERICAN Polish survivors, a panel on how Church, Port Richmond section, to get the story of Poland’s experi- Philadelphia, to the Shrine of Our JOURNAL HERITAGE MONTH TELEPHONE In case we have questions about your ad ence during the war out to the pub- Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, 2009 EDITION YOUR MESSAGE Use additional sheet if necessary lic. On Sunday, October 4, a Mass Pa. Info call Fr. Thaddeus Gorka P.O. BOX 328 in the old Polish neighborhood will (215) 739-3500. BOSTON, NY 14025 be celebrated to honor the survivors, DOYLESTOWN. — Sun., Aug. MAILING ADDRESS if different than above followed by a reunion of the post- 16. Polish Soldiers’ Day, National Toll Free World War II community. Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, 1 (800) 422-1275 [ ] Check here if you wish your donation to remain anonymous The conference is open to all cur- Ferry Road. Mass 12:30 p.m.; ac- rent and former residents of Western tivities throughout the day. All are We thank you in advance for your support. New York, as well as all other per- welcome. Info call (215) 345-0600.