POL. E.G.L.

(Polonia of the Eastern Great Lakes)

NEWSBITES

November 2009

POLONIA TIDBITS - Mike Rizzo's new book, "They Call Me Korney", documents the story of John "Korney" Kwiatkowski and other Prohibition Era Polish gangsters on Buffalo's East Side.... The merged SS. Hyacinth and Hedwig Parishes in Dunkirk has been renamed in honor of Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska.... Hon. Marta Moszczenska, a Canadian of Polish descent, has been appointed Canadian Consul General for the Buffalo office.... Erie County Judge Michael Pietruszka was made a Life Member of the Polish Cadets of Buffalo.... Alex Storozynski, author of "The Peasant Prince", lectured on Tadeus Kosciuszko at the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society on October 1 and at Canisius College on the 2nd.... The Pawlowski family operated "Pumpkinville", NYS's oldest continuously working pumpkin farm, in Great Valley through October.... Big Joe's Video Polka Fest took over the Buffalo Convention Center the first weekend of October.... The Polish Legacy Project in Buffalo Conference honoring WNY's Polish survivors of World War II at the beginning of October was a great success, attracting over 400 attendees from nine different U.S. states and Canadian provinces. For more information, please visit <http://www.polishlegacybuffalo.com/>.... The Polish Heritage Society of Rochester marked their 90th year at the Midvale Country Club on October 3.... The Warsaw Village Band performed in Toronto on October 4.... Professor Marek Konarzewski spoke on "Global Climate Change: The Polish Perspective" as part of the Skalny Lecture Series at the University of Rochester on October 7.... On October 8, the Polish Genealogical Society of NYS presented a lecture by Lee Chamberlin entitled "The New Generation of Genealogy: DNA" and "Corpus Christi Then and Now: A Beacon of Hope for Buffalo", an exhibit at the Karpeles Museum on Porter Avenue in Buffalo, opened....The West Seneca based Polish Union of America awarded 83 scholarships for the 2009 - 2010 academic year.... The Polonia Civic Center of Rochester marked Pulaski Day with a Mass and program at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church on the 11th.... The Polish Student Association of the University of Toronto elected the following leadership for the current academic year: Monika Wyrzykowska (president), Jakub Surkont (vice-president), Natalia Kusendova (secretary) and Agnieszka Fraczek (treasurer).... On October 13, Roman Polanski's "Knife in the Water" was presented as part of the Buffalo Film Seminars at the Market Arcade Film and Arts Center in Downtown Buffalo.... The Polish Arts Club of Buffalo held its Grand Polonaise Ball, "An Evening of Romance" at the Westwood Country Club on October 17 and presented "Wanda Landowska: Polish Harpsichordist", a lecture by Michael Harris, at the Harlem Road Community Center in Amherst on the 21st.... Adam Michnik visited Toronto in mid-October.... Andrzej Rozbicki's Celebrity Symphony Orchestra's "Polish Rhapsody" multimedia concert filled Mississauga, Ontario's Living Arts Center on October 24.... On October 24 and 25, the Polish Heritage Society of Rochester's Third Krakow "Szopka" Workshop was held at the Rochester Museum and Science Center.... The Professional and Businessmen's Association honored James Jozwiak and Marcin Ostrowski at its annual Man-of-the-Year Dinner at Salvatore's Italian Gardens in Depew on October 25.... "Black Rock" and "Heart of Polonia" tours were offered during October.... The Polish Cultural Foundation, Buffalo State College Music Department and Chopin Foundation of the United States will be presenting the winner of the 2010 U.S. Chopin Piano Competition in concert at the Rockwell Hall Performing Arts Center at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 12, 2010.

October 2009

POLONIA TIDBITS - Buffalo Bishop Edward Kmiec was awarded the Mater Christi Award by Immaculata Academy in Hamburg.... At the Corpus Christi Parish "Dozynki", Eileen Koteras Elibol won the Best Pierogi Contest in the "Traditional" category with her blueberry pierogi, and Kasia Wrobel and her daughter Sonya won the "Non-Traditional" category with their spinach and cheese pierogi.... THE WNY Division of the Polish American Congress marked the 70th anniversary of the beginning of World War II with a Mass of Remembrance at the St. Adalbert Basilica on September 6.... An exhibit entitled "Memory Spaces: Katyn, Charkow, Miednoje, Belzed, Treblinka, Majdanek World War II Memorials" was presented in Toronto's Metro Hall during the first half of September.... The annual "Farewell to Summer" benefit for the Orchard Lake Schools in Michigan took place at the Millennium Hotel in Cheektowaga on the 10th.... The Lancaster Opera House staged Tom Dudzick's play "Over the Tavern" September 11 through 20.... Atlas Stage Productions presented "The Battle of Grunwald", a play commemorating the 70th anniversary of the start of World War II, in English and Polish at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre on September 11 and 12.... The Msgr. Adamski Polish Saturday School of Cheektowaga started its new academic year, Jasiu Klocek and the "Salt City Brass" and Lenny Gomulka and the "Chicago Push" headlined the Fourth Annual Fulton Polish Fest at the Fulton Polish Home, and the "City Side" polka band played at Batavia Downs on September 12.... Holy Mother of the Rosary Cathedral in Lancaster hosted its Fifth Annual "Dozynki" Polish Harvest Festival, featuring "PhoCus" and the Polish Heritage Dancers of WNY, on the 13th.... On September 13, the General Pulaski Association honored the following WNY labor leaders of Polish descent at their 37th annual banquet at Cheektowaga's Creekside Banquet Facility: Joseph Lipowski (Textile Workers Union of America); John Helak (Sheet Metal Workers); Ray Struzik (NYS Compensation Board); Jeff Pietrzyk (U.A.W. International Servicing); John Kaczorowski (Local 774 U.A.W.); Tom Wisniewski (International Association of Machinists); Mark Kurkowski (United Steel Workers Local 135); Gerald Skrzeczkowski (O.P.E.I.U.); Robert Miske (NYS Basketball Officials); Stephen Szymura (Civil Service Employees Association); William Misztal (Buffalo P.B.A., Inc.); Kevin Osinski (West Seneca Central Teachers Assoc.); Joseph Gredzicki (A.F.S.C.M.E. Grievance Committee); and Judith Matecki (U.F.C.W. District Union Local One).... Michael Rudzinski of West Seneca was awarded a $1000 scholarship by WNY AAA Insurance Agency.... Katarzyna Roslaniec's short film, "Mall Girls", was screened as part of the Toronto International Film Festival on the 13th and 14th.... Lucyna Dziedzic started new semesters of Polish language classes as part of the Maryvale Community Education Program in Cheektowaga in mid-September.... The Polish Arts Club of Buffalo presented SUNYaB librarian Jean Dickson's program, "U.B. Polish Library Collection: A Treasure of Polish Heritage" on the SUNYaB North Campus in Amherst on September 16 and 23.... The Polish National Alliance awarded scholarships to the following WNY, CNY and Western Pennsylvania students for the 2009-2010 academic year: Meagan Adams (Fayettville), Ryan Astemborski (Erie, PA), Carrie and Nicole Burgess (Olean), Dyzio Guzierowicz (Rochester), Eric Guzowski (Erie, PA), Andrea Hiebica (Johnson City), Kelley Kowalczyk (North Syracuse), Monica Majkowycz (Syracuse), Patricia Mrozek (West Seneca), Patrick Newton (Syracuse), Mark and Stephanie Szymczak (Lancaster), and Philip and Nicole Wroblewski (Erie, PA).... Robert Lonski, the administrator of the Bar Association of Erie County's Assigned Counsel Program, recently received the Wildred O'Connor Award from the NYS Defenders Association.... Attorney James Domagalski has been elected the managing director of Hiscock & Barclay, LLP's 40-lawyer Buffalo office.... "Kino Kultura", Toronto's Polish film festival, offered "Katyn", "Pan Tadeusz" "Zakochany Aniol", "Dzien Swira" "Zemsta" and "Trzeci" at the Revue Cinema the weekend of September 18 through 20.... Despite difficulties caused by road construction, the John Gora Band, Concertina All Stars, "Freeze Dried", Polka Family Band, "Lechowia", "Radosc-Joy" and "Cracovia" entertained audiences at the Roncesvalles Polish Street Festival in Toronto on the 19th and 20th.... The Syracuse Polish Home celebrated its 90th anniversary with a Mass at Sacred Heart Church and a banquet at its clubrooms on September 20.... Canisius College sponsored the ""Outskirts of the Photographic Image: Wojnecki - Prazmowski - Dabrowski" photographic exhibit in the Vogt Gallery during September.... On the 25th, the Burlington, Ontario Polish Home held its Fall Polka Dance which featured the John Gora Band, Lenny Gomulka and "Atlantis".... The Rose Theatre in Brampton Ontario staged "Wariacje Tischnerowskie Kabaret Filozoficzny" on September 26.... The Bar Association of Erie County's new International Law Committee is working toward establishing relationships with the Krakow and Rzeszow Bar Associations....On September 30th, the Professional and Business Women of Polonia held a general membership meeting featuring a program on Eleanor Roosevelt by Denise Reichard at the Kloc Banquet Facility in West Seneca.... Polish Student Associations from across eastern Canada have established the "Polska Inicjatywa Studentow w Kanadzie" or "PISK" network to work together on campus. More information is available at <http://pisk.ca/>.

September 2009

CHRISTIAN HOLOCAUST - POLISH REMEMBRANCE DAY - Six million Poles (half Christian, half Jewish) were among the 11 million victims of the Nazis during World War II. Unfortunately, the passage of time has already begun to cloud the Public's memory of the three million Christian Poles killed in Nazi death camps.
WNY's twelfth annual Christian Holocaust - Polish Remembrance Day observance took place on August 15 at the St. Stanislaus Cemetery Resurrection Mausoleum in Cheektowaga to ensure that these three million Poles are not remembered only as "and others". This observance is held in conjunction with St. Maximillian Kolbe's feast day in accordance with a resolution passed by the Polish American Congress thirteen years ago. Polish American Congress WNY Division Religious Events Coordinator Joseph Macielag stated that the event serves to remind the Public of the terror and horror suffered by those Poles interned and murdered in German Nazi concentration camps as well as those deported to Siberia and held in Stalin's gulags.
Several Polish Holocaust survivors participated in a Memorial Mass celebrated by Buffalo Bishop Edward Grosz.

POLONIA TIDBITS - "Spirit, The Musical", written by WNY father and son team Michael and Paul Marszalkowski, was very well received by audiences during its two week run at St. Francis High School in Athol Springs. For more information on this production, please visit <http://www.spiritmusical.com>.... The Peace Mural, a 24 by 7 1/2 foot sgraffito created by WNY artist Josef Slawinski, was moved as part of a recent renovation project at the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Lewiston.... Sophie Hodorowicz Knab's "Play Time in Poland" program was presented at the North Tonawanda History Museum as part of this year's Canalfest celebration.... Jason Radwan of Lakeshore High School, Nick Jasinski of St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, and Anne Wasik and Katie Bartkowiak of Fredonia High School won All WNY honors in baseball and softball.... Eugenia Zastempowski Smith, the founder of WNY's Krakowiacy Polish Folk Dancers, passed away in late July after a lengthy illness.... Black Rock native Joseph Pawlik recently received the French Legion of Honor Medal for his valor during the D-Day invasion of Normandy during World War II.... The 65th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising was marked with a Polish language Mass of Remembrance at St. John Gualbert Church in Cheektowaga on August 2.... St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Rochester and SS. Hyacinth and Hedwig Parish in Dunkirk held their Summer Festivals the first weekend of August.... Rev. Ryszard Biernat, a native of Limanowa, Poland, was ordained a Roman Catholic priest by Buffalo Bishop Edward Kmiec on August 8.... Jerry Darlak and the "Touch" floated polka music along Buffalo's Lake Erie shore on the Miss Buffalo on August 10 and the Erie Canal in Lockport on the 20th.... The Buffalo Bisons baseball team honored Roger Puchalski and Renee Harzewski of the Am-Pol Eagle as its Polish Americans of the Year on August 11.... West Seneca native Elizabeth Lesinski appeared in the Hell in a Handbag Company's production of "Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical" in Chicago's Chopin Theater during August.... The Rochester Rhinos soccer team sponsored its "Polish Night" at Marina Auto Field on the 15th.... WNY's Polish veterans observed Polish Soldiers Day with a High Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward Grosz in Buffalo's St. Stanislaus Church on August 16. August also marked the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Polish Armed Forces Museum on the cruiser Little Rock located in the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park on Buffalo's waterfront.... On August 19, Toronto's Lodzer Holocaust Centre presented its "Guardians of Memory" program on the Otwock Ghetto, which included a screening of the Polish documentary film, "March of Memory and Prayer".... The Polish documentary film, "For Your Freedom and Ours" was shown at Toronto's SPK Hall on the 20th.... Frank and Stella Barnashuk, better known as St. Stan's Mr. and Mrs. Dyngus, recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.... Holy Trinity Parish in Erie, PA featured the "Knewz", "Dynabrass", "Mar-vels" and Henny & the Versa-Js" during its "Zabawa" Festival August 21 through 23.... Buffalo's Best Homemade Pierogi Contest along with the music of Al Kania's "Polka Smile Eastern Style", Joe Macielag and the "Pic-A-Polka" Band and Soprano Mary Beth Wrobel were the highlights of Corpus Christi Parish's 30th Annual "Dozynki" Polish Harvest Festival that same weekend.... The 21st Annual Owl Family Picnic was held at the Lamm Post Grove in Williamsville on August 23. This year's picnic featured members of the Eddie “O” Orchestra, "New Yorkers" with CJ Luksch, "Nickel City" Band, "City Side", Concertina All-Stars, "Phocus", "Rare Vintage", Tony Krupski’s "Krew Brothers", "Crash Cadillac", JC Thompson Band, Danny Neaverth and Accordion Bill with special guest “Scrubby” Seweryniak. The proceeds benefit Camp Good Days and Special Times, Mercy Flight, Former Troopers Helping Hands and the St. Adalbert’s Response to Love Center.... On the 28th, the Rochester Redwings baseball organization held its "Polish Night" at Frontier Field.... Buffalo's historic Broadway Market is a participant in a contest for farmers' markets sponsored by care2.com. Voting continues until September 17. For more information or to cast your vote, please visit <http://www.care2.com/farmersmarket/2831>.... Plans are well in hand for the upcoming Big Joe's TV Polkafest to be held at the Buffalo Convention Center the first weekend of October. Details are available at <http://www.polkacatalog.com/TxPolkafest.htm>.... Andrzej Golebiowski announced that Irene Tomaszewski, the author of "Zegota: The Council of Aid to Jews in Occupied Poland, 1942-45", will be the keynote speaker at the "Poland to Buffalo Through World War II: Untold Stories Come Alive" conference to be held in Buffalo on October 3 and 4. More details are available at (716) 892-5975.... Discussions are continuing between the Polish Cultural Foundation and the Miami-based Chopin Foundation of the United States regarding the possibility of presenting WNY performances by the winner of the National Chopin Piano Competition in 2010 and the winner of the Polish Chopin Piano Competition in 2011.

August 2009

BUFFALO MURAL ARTS PROGRAM - The Buffalo Mural Arts Program hosted its first mural creation event in the Broadway Fillmore neighborhood in front of the historic Broadway Market on July 25. The theme was “Faces of Broadway - Fillmore”. Community members were invited paint their faces and leave their “mark” inside of the market.
The Buffalo Murals Arts Program is associated with the B.E.S.T. Community Association, a non-profit organization whose mission includes the preservation, revitalization and beautification of the East Side of Buffalo. Through the Mural Arts Program, the groups hope to revitalize the Broadway Fillmore area, provide future generations with a sense of the neighborhood's past, and instill a sense of civic pride in the neighborhood's residents.
Project co-ordinator Aniela Baj sums up the project thusly: "As in the words of our own Goo Goo Dolls, “Broadway is dark tonight”, but with a little less conversation and a little more action…we can have a bright future that symbolizes where we’ve been." For additional information on the project, please contact Ms. Baj at (716) 479-2342.

CORPUS CHRISTI "DOZYNKI" - The 30th Annual "Dozynki" Polish Harvest Festival will take place on August 22 and 23 at Corpus Christi Church on Buffalo's East Side. This celebration, which dates to the Middle Ages, is the Polish equivalent of America’s Thanksgiving holiday.
This year’s festival will offer homemade Polish food and drink, as well as polka, classical and pop music, and an opportunity to tour the historic church. A Mass of Thanksgiving will be offered on Sunday, August 23 at 11:30 a.m.
The sounds of Al Kania’s "Polka Smile, Eastern Style" will fill the air on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday afternoon, the big tent features music by Joe Macielag's "Pic-A-Polka" Band. Dyngus Day favorites "Those Idiots" will entertain the crowd on Sunday evening.
This year, Corpus Christi Church is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the current church building. The entire Corpus Christi Parish campus has been designated a New York State Landmark and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
For additional information about the festival and Corpus Christi Church, please visit <www.corpuschristibuffalo.org>.

POLONIA TIDBITS - On June 20, the WNY Division of the Polish American Congress organized a protest against the Kaleidoscope Theatre Company's production of David Ives' play "Polish Joke". WNY PAC Division President Richard Solecki and PAC National Director Joseph Macielag, armed with copies of the play's script, confronted Keith Wharton, the production manager and co-owner of Kaleidoscope. Over 30 Polish Americans participated in the picketing at the Marie Maday Theatre on the Canisius College campus.... Holy Trinity Church, the recently closed Mother Church of Niagara Falls' Polonia, was sold by the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo to the Niagara Heritage of Hope and Service organization.... The Podhale Parents and Youth Association held its annual picnic in Franklinville during the Independence Day weekend.... The Catholic League Appeal for Religious Assistance to the Church in Poland announced that the Diocese of Buffalo collected over $57,000 during its 2008 appeal.... The Polish Mutual Benefit and Friendly Society sponsored the "Polonaise Village" at the Polish Hall on Pearl Street and the Polish Alliance of Canada hosted the "Warszawa Village" at its clubrooms on Albion Street during the 36th Annual Brantford International Villages Festival in Southern Ontario from July 8 through 11. As an added bonus, the Brantford Polish Hall has a very informative website at<http://www.brantfordpolishhall.com/>.... Mary Beth Wrobel, a Black Rock native and an accomplished soprano singer, was let go from her position as weekend meteorologist by WIVB-TV Channel 4 in Buffalo.... Hank Nowak AMVETS Post 45 elected the following leadership for the coming year: Stephen Radominski, Sr. (commander), Louis Kozlowski (first vice commander), Bill Bateau (second vice commander), Joseph Lipowski (post adjutant), Edwin Kazmierski (finance officer), Arthur Vanderbush (judge advocate) and Stephen Kazmierski (provost marshal).... The Polish Association of Brampton and the Debowski Family Ensemble participated in "Carabram", Brampton, Ontario's multicultural festival, at the St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School on July 10, 11 and 12.... Soprano Brittany Mruczek was accompanied by Mary Lou Wyrobek, Steven Kroczynski and Michael Gmyrek during her performance at the Our Lady of Czestochowa / Polish Day observance at the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Lewiston on July 12.... Fredonia native Jenn Stuczynski won her fourth national pole vault title at the U.S. Track and Field Championships, clearing 15 feet 3 inches.... The 31st Annual Cheektowaga Polish American Festival presented a Polish classical music program by the Cheektowaga Community Symphony Orchestra with soprano Mary Beth Wrobel; popular music by the "Knewz", Joe Macielag, Rick Gazda Band, Maestro's Men, Polish American String Band and Bud Hudenski & the "Corsairs"; and performances by the Polish Heritage Dancers of WNY and Harmony Polish Folk Ensemble during its four-day run in the Cheektowaga Town Park from July 16 through 19.... The General Pulaski Association Parade on July 19 was led by Brigadier General Albyn Irzyk, U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins and Grand Marshal Sandi Schmid, and featured the Polish American String Band (A/K/A the "Mummers") from Philadelphia.... The Polish Heritage Society of Rochester hosted its Annual Accordion Jam, featuring John Firth, Dan Mocniak and Ted Kania, at St. John Fisher College on the 19th.... Council 72 of the Polish National Alliance in Erie, PA installed the following officers for 2009-2010: Josephine Wawrzyniak (president), Thomas Habursky, Jr. (male vice-president), Karen Sandell (female vice-president), Holly Nowak (treasurer) and Cindy Plizga (recording secretary).... The Professional and Businessmen's Association has chosen Marcin Ostrowski, the owner of Pol-Tec Industries, as its 2009 Man of the Year. The group has also awarded scholarships to Adam Augustyn, Stephen Bykowicz, Jordan Kurtzman, Jacob Pilarski and Christina Stock.... Former New Orleans Saints offensive lineman and Williamsville South High School graduate Jim Dombrowski was selected to enter the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame this year.... Pianists Janina Fialkowska and Amadeusz Kazubowski-Houston, and cellist Luke Pomorski participated in the 2009 Music Niagara series at St. Mark's Anglican Church in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario at the end of July and beginning of August.... Buffalo native Tod Kniazuk, the executive director of the "Music is Art" organization established by Robbie Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls, announced that this year's "Music is Art" Festival will be held on September 12 on the grounds of the Albright Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo.... The Buffalo Bisons baseball team will honor Renee Harzewski and Roger Puchalski at its Annual Polish Festival Night at Coca Cola Field in Downtown Buffalo on August 11. Group tickets are available from Mark Gordon at (716) 846-2018.... The concert by the choir from Rzeszow previously scheduled for November 16 at Buffalo State College's Rockwell Hall has been postponed until the Spring of 2010.... Preliminary discussions are underway between WNY's Polish Cultural Foundation and the Miami-based Chopin Foundation of the United States regarding the possibility of bringing the winner of the 8th National Chopin Piano Competition to Buffalo as part of a national tour next year.

July 2009

POLONIA TIDBITS - City of Buffalo Corporation Counsel Alisa Lukasiewicz unexpected resigned her position to return to the private practice of law in late May.... The Buffalo-Rzesow Sister City Committee invited interested persons to join its Facebook group, "Buffalo Rzeszow Sister Cities International".... OperaBuffs of WNY named Dr. Thomas Witakowski its Educator of the Year.... NYS Court of Claims Judge John Michalski of Amherst was reappointed by Governor Patterson and is awaiting confirmation by the Senate.... Peter Jassem, chair of the Toronto Chapter of the Polish-Jewish Heritage Foundation of Canada, was recently presented with the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.... NYS Assembly Member Dennis Gabryszak of Cheektowaga has been named chair of the Legislative Task Force on University -Industry Co-operation.... The 7th Annual Polish Heritage Festival featured the John Gora Band, Jerry Darlak and the "Touch", "Mon Valley Push", Anya, Kujawiacy Polish Song and Dance Ensemble, Sugar and Jazz Orchestra and "Ludowa Nuta" Polish Choir at the Hamburg Fairgrounds, St. Adalbert Basilica Parish and School held a general reunion dinner and the Polish Army Veterans Association of America hosted its 30th National Convention in Grand Island at the end of May.... Lancaster resident Mark Pietruszka was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout by the Boy Scouts of America.... The Polish-Canadian Yacht Club "Zawisza Czarny" hosted its "Zawisza Cup" regatta in Hamilton, Ontario the last weekend of May.... WNY native Tina Parol (born Tina Borusowski), who wrote the song "Rock Boy" for Britney Spears' "Circus" CD , has her own hit with "Who's Got Your Money?".... The Polish Arts Club of Buffalo honored Peter Gorecki at its "Biesiada" Dinner at Gregor's Garden Grove in West Seneca on the 3rd.... Polish pianist Beata Golec performed and served as the artistic director for A Concert to Benefit the Supper Program at Rochester's Blessed Sacrament Church on June 5. More information on Ms. Golec is available at <http://www.beatagolec.us/>.... The Subversive Theatre's run of Slawomir Mrozek's one-act play "On The Sea" at the Great Arrow Building in Buffalo closed on June 6.... Drew Cerza, Buffalo's "Wing King", has been named interim president of the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau.... The Polish Literary Club of the Polish Heritage Society of Rochester presented a Polish language program entitled "Romanticism in Polish Literature" in the garden of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church on June 7.... On June 7, Buffalo native Tom Dudzick's new play, "Our Lady of South Division Street" closed at Stony Point's Barn Playhouse and Olean's Transfiguration Parish held its "100Th Anniversary Polish Festival".... Rev. Christopher Zugger of Texas, who is writing a book about the experiences of Polish refugees in Siberia, visited with local Siberian survivors before the WNY Division of the Polish American Congress meeting at St. Stanislaus Parish on June 11.... Larry Zielinski of Elma has been elected to serve a two-year term as president of the University at Buffalo Alumni Association.... On June 12, the Joseph Skalny Welcome Center was dedicated at St. John Fisher College in Rochester.... The Polish Legacy Project in Buffalo - World War II has established an online discussion site at <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PolandBuffaloWWII/>.... A new source of information about the artistic offerings in the Toronto Polonia Community can be found at <http://artspolonia.enginesource.org/>.... June 14 brought the Annual Corpus Christi procession between St. Stanislaus Church and Corpus Christi Church on Buffalo's East Side, the Annual Polish Veterans' Pilgrimage to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario and the Chopin Singing Society's performance in the Lackawanna Centennial Concert at the Our Lady of Victory Basilica.... The "Knewz" polka band won the 2008 International Polka Association's Favorite CD of the Year award for "4th Edition".... Lucyna Diedzic taught a "Polish for Travelers" language course as part of the Maryvale Community Education program in Cheektowaga during June.... The 55th Annual Syracuse Polish Festival brought Lenny Gomulka and the "Chicago Push", Cracovia Dance Group, Lechowia Dance Company, Salt City Brass, Ashley Cox, Tatry Polish Folk Ensemble, Figiel Brothers Band, Dennis Polisky and the "Maestro's Men, Fritz's Polka Band, Jerry Darlak and the "Touch", Little Poland Dance Ensemble and Al Piatkowski to Clinton Square the weekend of June 19 through 21.... The Polish Combatants' Association of Canada held a banquet "In Tribute to the Canadian Veterans of Afghanistan" at the Toronto SPK Hall on the 20th.... The Polish Canadian Open Golf Tournament took place at the Granite Ridge Golf Club in Milton, Ontario on June 20 and 21.... The Polish Consulate in Toronto presented "Noc W Wenecji" on the 21st.... Also on the 21st, the 4th Annual John Paul II Grand Parade was held in Brampton, Ontario.... Valerian Ruminski appeared as Basilio in a production of the "Barber of Seville" at the Riviera Theater in North Tonawanda at the end of June.... The General Pulaski Association announced that Alexandra "Sandi" Lawkowski Schmid will be the Grand Marshall of this year's Pulaski Parade in Cheektowaga on July 19.... "Spirit, The Musical", a play written by WNYers Michael and Paul Marszalkowski, will be staged at St. Francis High School in Athol Springs on July 18, 19, 24 and 25. More information on this show can be found at <http://www.spiritmusical.com/> or the SPIRIT Facebook page.... The Buffalo Bisons baseball team will honor Renee Harzewski and Roger Puchalski at its Annual Polish Festival Night at Coca Cola Field in Downtown Buffalo on August 11. Group tickets are available from Mark Gordon at (716) 846-2018.... "They Called Me Mayer July: Painted Memories of a Jewish Childhood in Poland Before the Holocaust", the work of Toronto artist Mayer Kirshenblatt, will be on display in the Jewish Museum in New York City until October.

June 2009

POLONIA TIDBITS - After a 65 year wait, World War II veteran John Byczkowski was honored as a Knight of the French Legion of Honor and accepted the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions during the D-Day invasion at ceremonies held at VFW Post 6251 in Cheektowaga at the end of April.... Lancaster High School sophomore Eric Van Pyrz has produced a tribute film honoring Mark and Thomas Sokolowski, the twin West Seneca soccer players who were killed in a tragic automobile accident last year, to provide funds for the Sokolowski Scholarship Fund at West Seneca East High School. Additional information is available at <http://www.world2kids.org/sokolowski/>.... Marylou Borowiak has been named president of the Food Bank of WNY.... Sr. Marietta Pawlowski and Sr. Joan Marie Wieczorek marked 80 years of religious life in the Felician Order at a special Mass celebrated by Buffalo Bishop Edward Kmiec in St. Joseph Cathedral on May 2.... Villa Maria College in Cheektowaga named John Daly, Sr. Mary Angelica Bielski and William Nowakowski to its board of trustees.... Joseph Macielag, Roger Puchalski, Richard Solecki and Dr. Thomas Witakowski were honored at an event marking the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino and the 55th anniversary of the founding of Polish Veterans of World War II (SPK) Post #33 at Buffalo's St. Stanislaus Church on May 2.... Former Erie County Legislator and Polonia activist Ray Dusza passed away on May 3.... Polish veterans in Buffalo and Rochester marked Polish Constitution Day with commemorative Masses and programs.... The Am-Pol Eagle, WNY's weekly Polonia newspaper, honored its 2008 Citizens of the Year at Kloc's Grove in West Seneca on May 3. This year's honorees were Anthony Bajdek (National Honoree), Chopin Singing Society's Production of "Flis" (Art/Drama), Mazurek Bakery (Business), Mary Holland (Non-Pole Community Leader), Harmony Polish Folk Ensemble (Community Organization), Andrzej Golebiowski (Culture), Rev. Charles Jagodzinski (Education), Hon. Catherine Rybczynski (Government), Dr. Kevin Cichocki (Health/Medicine), Florence Oleszak (Individual in Organization), Hon. Michael Pietruszka (Law), Chris Byrd (Media), Alfreda Miecyjak, Krystyna Pienkowska and Jozefa Solecki (Military/Veteran), Jerry Darlak & the "Touch" (Music), Hon. Scott Bylewski (Politics), Rev. Anzelm Chalupka (Religion), Jenn Stuczynski (Sports) and Corrine Lasek (Youth).... U.S. Senator Charles Schumer recommended William Hochul to fill the vacancy in the position of U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York.... May 8th brought Rev. Tadeusz Isakowicz Zaleski's book tour in support of "My Illegal Life" to Mississauga, Ontario's John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre.... The St. Catharines, Ontario Canadian Polish Club held an Open House as part of the Niagara Folk Art Festival on May 10.... Michael Schudrich, the Chief Rabbi of Poland, addressed the topic, "The Revival of Jewish Life in Poland: Is It Really Happening?" at Toronto's Beth Habonim Congregation on May 11.... The work of Polish cinematographer Jolanta Dylewska was presented in the form of the film "Tulpan" as part of the 2009 Rochester High Falls International Film Festival.... Greg Kinal spoke to the Polish Genealogical Society of NYS on the topic of early 20th century immigration on the 14th.... On May 15, the Polish Heritage Society of Rochester held its annual meeting at St. John Fisher College and the University of Toronto's Polish Student Association hosted its Formal at the SPK Hall on Beverley Street.... The Kalina Singing Society presented its 108th Anniversary Concert in the Millennium Hotel in Cheektowaga on May 16.... St. Stanislaus Parish on Buffalo's East Side hosted the 5th Annual Service to Honor Pope John Paul II and the Professional and Businessmen's Association held its Annual Memorial Mass at Corpus Christi Church on May 17.... The Professional and Business Women of Polonia's Scholarship Dinner took place at Michael's Banquet Facility in Hamburg on the 21st.... On May 23, the Harmony Polish Folk Ensemble performed at the Fantasy Island Theme Park in Grand Island.... The Polish Army Veterans Association of America (SWAP) held its 30th National Convention in Grand Island the last weekend of May.... On May 29 and 30, the 7th Annual Polish Heritage Festival featured performances by the John Gora Band, Jerry Darlak & the "Touch", "Mon Valley Push", Anya, Kujawiacy Polish Song and Dance Ensemble, Sugar & Jazz Orchestra and the "Ludowa Nuta" Polish Choir at the Hamburg Fairgrounds.... The Chopin Singing Society, Concertina All Stars, and Harmony Polish Folk Ensemble were the featured performers at the St. Adalbert's Basilica Parish and School Reunion on the 30th.... The Joseph S. Skalny Welcome Center will be dedicated on the St. John Fisher campus in Rochester on June 12.... The WNY Division of the Polish America Congress is hosting a bus tour to the Polish Veterans Pilgrimage in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario on June 14. Local attorney Craig Bucki will be the keynote speaker at the ceremonies commemorating Haller's "Blue Army" after the parade. For details, please contact Mira Szramel at (716) 681-6739.... WNY Polonians have expressed concern over Canisius College's rental of its Marie Maday Theatre to Kaleidoscope Theatre Productions for a run of David Ives' "Polish Joke" in late June.... The Polish Scholarship Fund of Syracuse announced that Lenny Gomulka & the "Chicago Push", the Cracovia Dance Group, Lechowia Dance Company, Salt City Brass, Ashley Cox, Tatry Polish Folk Ensemble, Figiel Brothers Band, Dennis Polisky & the "Maestro's Men", Fritz's Polka Band, Jerry Darlak & the "Touch", Little Poland Dance Ensemble and Al Piatkowski will perform at the 55th Annual Syracuse Polish Festival in Clinton Square on June June 19 through 21. More information s available at <http://www.polishscholarship.com>.... The 49th International Convention of the Polish Singers Alliance of America will be held at the Millennium Hotel in Cheektowaga at the end of May 2010.

Get Ready - Dyngus Day is April 5 in 2010.

HAVE FUN, BUT REMEMBER TO BE RESPONSIBLE: DONT DRINK AND DRIVE!!!!

Jesli pijesz to nie prowadz samochodu!!!!

If you have any item that you would like to have included in future installments of this column, please send the information to me by the 6th day of the month preceding the month in which you would like the item to appear (ie. December 6th for the January 2010 edition). My address is: