SPRING ZGODA 2021 THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POLISH NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF THE U.S. OF N.A. 1882-2021 Vol. 166; No. 1 Welcome Spring Witaj Wiosno (USPS 699-120) Published Quarterly The Official Publication of the Polish National Alliance 6100 N. Cicero Avenue Contents Chicago, IL 60646-4385 3 Easter Greetings Phone: (773) 286-0500 4 PNA Frontline Hero Award www.pna-znp.org 5 From the President Polish National Alliance of the U.S. of N.A. 6 Official PNA Representatives Executive Committee 7 From the National Sales Manager Frank J. Spula 8 – 10 Life Paid Up at 65 President, CEO 11 – 29 Fraternal News Marian Grabowski • Council 62 Vice President • Gadecki Family Appeal • New Members Alicja Kuklinska • Coloring Contest National Secretary • Scholarship Opportunities Steve H. Tokarski • Christmas Celebrations Treasurer • Region H News • District VIII Golf Outing Board of Directors • PNA Essay Contest Irene T. Hercik • Council 21 Activities Anthony W. Nowak-Przygodzki • Region “H” News Wal Pawlos • Polish Spelling Contest in California Teresa Strudziak Sherman • Polish Daily News Subscription Offer Jeffrey M. Twardy • Women’s Day in Massachus Send all articles, correspondence 30 –31 Life of Polonia and materials to: • Pulaski Day in Chicago ZGODA Magazine 6100 N. Cicero Avenue 32 –33 History Pages Chicago, IL 60646 • From Poland to India e-mail: [email protected] 34– 37 Destination Poland – Opole Alicja Kuklińska 38 – 41 Taste of Poland Editor • Easter Delights • The Custom of Święconka Ewa Krutul Graphic Editor 42 – 45 Living Well – Defense Against Covid-19 Teresa Strudziak Sherman 46 Bulletin Board Małgorzata Bondyra 47 You Need Life Insurance Magdalena Biedroń Contributors Periodicals–Postage Paid at Chicago, Illinois and additional mailing offices. During spring the Earth’s axis is at an angle in between our closest and farthest point from the sun. The weather POSTMASTER: Send address turns warmer, trees begin to grow their leaves, plants start changes to Zgoda, c/o PNA to flower, and young animals such as chicks and lambs 6100 N. Cicero Avenue are born. The arrival of spring brings more daylight, Chicago, IL 60646-4385 so we can enjoy the energy that triggers the release of Change of address serotonin, a brain chemical that helps us feel happier. For believers, spring is a reminder that God is all about or interruption in subscription making things new. Enjoy the spring season! 1-800-621-3723 (ext. 366) [email protected] The great gift of Easter is Hope. Wishing you an Easter blessed with Hope, Joy, and Peace. Happy Easter! Wesołego Alleluja! Executive Officers Directors Fraternal Advisors President – Frank J. Spula Irene T. Hercik, Chicago, IL Irene S. Grabowy, Bristol, CT Vice-President – Marian Grabowski Anthony W. Nowak-Przygodzki, Corona, CA Bozena Kaminski, New York, NY National Secretary – Alicja Kuklińska Val Pawlos, Pittsburgh, PA Joseph M. Magielski, Youngstown, OH Treasurer – Steve H. Tokarski Teresa Struziak Sherman, Wilbraham, MA Stella G. Szczesny, Hamtramck, MI Vice-Chair – Wesley E. Musial Jeff Twardy, Pittsburgh PA Barbara J. Wesolowski, Orland Park, IL Magdalena Solarz, Glenview, IL Sean Jackson, Glassport, PA Jolanta Mazewski-Dryden, Seabrook, TX Teresa A. Jankowski, Saint Francis, WI Greg G. Chilecki, Orange, CA PNA Frontline Hero Award These days we don’t need to look to the skies to find a hero; they are in our lives every day. In hospitals, restaurants, schools, local stores, and on the frontlines battling the Covid-19 pandemic, members of our PNA Community have been working hard to keep us all healthy and safe. Thank you to all of the frontline workers. We appreciate your courage and your commitment. You are modern Frontline Heroes. You exemplify the core values of our organization. The Polish National Alliance is committed to supporting the health and well-being of our members and their families. We would like to recognize the Frontline Heroes within our own organization and reward them for their tireless efforts. This is where you can help. Nominate members in your community for the PNA Frontline Hero Award and show them your appreciation for all that they do! Nominees must be a Beneficial Member of the PNA in good standing. There will be one Frontline Hero selected from each PNA Region, and presented with a check in the amount of $500 as a token of our appreciation. Deadline for nominations is June 30th, 2021. Full Name of Frontline Hero Nominee……………………………………………………………………………… Occupation……………………………………Brief Summary of Duties:……………………………… ……………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Nominee’s Address: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Nominee’s Phone: ……………………………….. Email: …………………………………………………………………. Brief Explanation for Reason of Nominating Frontline Hero: ……………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………… Name of Person Submitting Nomination: ……………………………………………………………….…………… Phone: ………………………………………………Email: ………………………………………………………………… Submit your nomination no later than June, 30th, 2021 to: PNA Fraternal Department Email: [email protected] 6100 N. Cicero Avenue More information: 1-800-621-3723 ext. 312 Chicago, IL 60646-4385 pna-znp.org I am pleased to announce that we have hired a new National Sales Manager Mr. Thomas Adamson, to work with Ms. Jolanta Walaszek and the rest of our PNA Team. He comes to us with many years of experience in the In- surance Industry, Sales, Training, Product Development. We are excited to have Mr. Adamson on board and wish him success in his new role! COVID-19 has brought hardships to many families. One of the ways to make certain that loved ones and families are protected is through life insurance. Life insur- ance provides immediate cash to surviving beneficiaries, to assist in paying the deceased’s final expenses, monthly bills, a mortgage on a family home, or any other financial obligations. Additionally, proceeds are tax-free to benefi- ciaries. I invite you to take a look at our latest Life Insurance Promotions. Signing up for a Life Insurance Certificate From the President is a quick process that will provide much-needed stability for your family during the time they will need it the most. March 2021 For almost forty years, the Polish National Alliance has Dear Members, been offering annuities to its members with thousands of members benefitting. With Americans living longer, an- This is the first edition of Zgoda in the New Year, and nuities are one way to ensure a retirement strategy. One while many of 2020’s problems have carried over into of the key benefits of an annuity is that it allows you to 2021, I hope the beginning of this year has been peaceful save money for the future and defer paying taxes until you for you. We need to stay positive, focused, and take con- retire, and in a more favorable tax bracket. An annuity trol of our destiny. We want to strive to make this year serves as a complement to other retirement income sourc- better than in the past. es, such as Social Security and pension plans. Even though 2020 was a challenging year due to the With the filing of taxes around the corner, we are pandemic, I am delighted to report that the Polish Na- pleased to announce our interest rates on most annuities tional Alliance is financially sound. The total revenue in- have been increased to 2.75% guaranteed for a year. creased from $35.289 million to $36.565 million in 2020. The organization experienced a net operating income You can find our latest promotions on pna-znp.org, or of $884k before refunds to members. The total assets by calling our Home Office Sales Team at 1-800-621- increased by $3.5 million, to $433.438 million while the 3723 ext. 330 (Jolanta), 325 (Bart), or 344 (Halina). They surplus increased by $110,000 to $21,844 million. Over- will be happy to assist you. all, expenses were lower by $750,000 in comparison to the previous year. Thanks to PNA’s conservative and sta- I wish you and your loved ones a joyful Easter Holiday, ble investment policy, the assets pledged to support PNA’s and for good things to come during the rest of the year. liabilities are sufficient and able to provide for the expect- ed benefits and expenses of its in-force business. Please know that whatever the future holds, the Polish National Alliance is here for you. As of the beginning of this year, National Secretary Alicja Kuklinska will be serving as Acting Editor of Zgo- Happy Easter, Wesołego Alleluja! da. She has previously served in that position for seven years and agreed to continue for the time being. We offer Sincerely, our sincere thanks and gratitude to Mr. Mark Dobrzycki for his efforts and contributions to the 2020 Zgoda issues. Frank J. Spula, FLMI President and CEO 5 Our Official PNA Representatives We are here for you. Our PNA representatives are just like family and we know that sometimes you need to reach out and talk to someone who talks just like you and understands your concerns. Below is a list of directors and fraternal advisors, the districts and regions they represent and their email addresses. Feel free to contact them with your comments and questions; after all, we are here for you! Region Fraternal Advisor Contact A Irene Grabowy [email protected] 860-589-0592 B Sean Jackson [email protected] 412- 841-3120 C Bozena Kaminski [email protected]