POL. E.G.L.

(Polonia of the Eastern Great Lakes)

NEWSBITES

May 2008

POLONIA TIDBITS - Although Polish was determined to be the second most spoken language in WNY in a recent survey, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority has announced that Polish will not be one of the seven languages in which they will conduct business with the Public.... "Life in a Jar", the play about the daring exploits of Irene Chrzanowska Sendler in the Warsaw Ghetto, played to capacity crowds at Canisius College's Montante Center and Temple Beth Am at the end of March.... U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) is pressing the House Judiciary Committee to take action on the bill to grant honorary U.S. citizenship to General Kazimierz Pulaski (H. J. Res 39).... Buffalo's Polonia marked the 155th anniversary of its founding on March 27. It was on that day in 1853 that Catherine Emma Barnicka, the daughter of Charles Barnicki and Elizabeth Manczynska, was baptized at Buffalo's St. Mary's Church. Thanks to Keith Kaszubik for the research.... Dr. Radoslaw Rybkowski was the keynote speaker at the Polish Heritage Society of Rochester's 10th Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon at Mario's Italian Steakhouse and St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in Mississauga, Ontario presented its "Tribute to John Paul II the Great" on April 5th.... The University of Buffalo Alumni Association honored Przemyslaw Garbaczewski and Dr. Paul Mayewski with Distinguished Alumni Awards at the group's annual banquet on the 5th.... Also on April 5th, the WNY Division of the Polish American Congress installed its new officers and honored Konstanty Witczak, Christine Jozwiak and Mira Szramel at its Annual "Swieconka" Dinner at St. Stanislaus Parish on Buffalo's East Side.... Members of the General Pulaski Association are working to establish a separate political action committee in order to be able to support WNY Polonians in their bids for public office.... On April 6, Polish pianist Igor Lipinski performed at the University of Rochester. Mr. Lipinski will perform with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra at Kleinhans Music Hall on May 10 and 11.... "Zegota" was screened on the Canisius College campus on April 6 and "Poland and its New Government" was Dr. Slawomir Jozefowicz's topic of discussion at the school on the 7th.... On April 10, the Buffalo Mural Arts Society held a fundraiser to raise money for supplies to decorate buildings in Buffalo's historic Broadway-Fillmore area.... SUNYaB's Dr. Kazimierz Braun's play, "Helena, The Emigrant Queen", about the life of actress Helena Modjeska, was performed by Nina Polan in NYC on the 10th as well.... The Polka Country Musicians and the John Gora Band were featured at the "Spring Polka Fling" in Burlington, Ontario on the 11th.... "Peaceprints: Sister Karen's Paths to Nonviolence", a new book about the life, death and legacy of Sister Karen Klimczak, was released on April 12. Information about the book is available at <http://www.buffaloheritage.com/peaceprints.html>.... William Gross addressed the members of the Polish Arts Club of Buffalo on the topic, "Wilno: A Historical Treasure of Poland", at the Harlem Road Community Center on April 16.... A number of different individuals in the WNY Polonia Community are endeavoring to secure a copy of Andrzej Wajda's "Katyn" for screening in the Buffalo area. The film has not yet been released in the U.S..... Pianist Adam Makowicz performed at a benefit concert at the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts on the 18th and 20th.... On April 19th, the "Knewz" released their new CD, "4th Edition", at Potts Banquet Facility, the Msgr. Adamski Polish Saturday School hosted their Spring Dance featuring "Polanie" and Eddie Blazonczyk's "New Phaze" debuted at the Polish Falcons Club in Erie, PA.... The "Miss Polonia Canada 2008" final competition took place on April 20 at the John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre in Mississauga.... The University of Rochester's Skalny Lecture Series presented Dr. Radoslaw Rybkowski's lecture, "Polish Foreign Policy After the 2007 Election" on April 23.... The Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius College presented soprano Mary Beth Wrobel and pianist Rasa Stalygiene in a concert to benefit a Polish orphanage service trip in the Summer of 2008 at the Montante Center on April 27.... The Kalina Singing Society hosted its annual concert and dinner on the 27th.... The Polonia Civic Center of Rochester will hold its annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Hall of Justice on May 2.... On May 3rd, the Polish Cadets of Buffalo will hold their Installation Dinner Dance, "Polish Day 2008" will be held in Waterloo, Ontario and the Polish Constitution Day Polka Dance will take place at the Syracuse Polish Home.... Commemorations of Polish Constitution Day will be sponsored by a variety of groups across the area on May 4th.... The Polish Arts Club of Buffalo will be accepting scholarship applications until May 15. For more information, contact Irene Sikora at (716) 689-3136.... The Professional and Businessmen's Association has announced that Polish Union of America National President James Jozwiak has been named the organization's Man of the Year for 2008.... WNY's 6th Annual Polish Heritage Festival will be held at the Hamburg Fairgrounds from May 30 through June 1. This year's theme is "Poland in the Country". Additional information on the festival is available at <http://www.polfunfest.com/>.... The Polish Scholarship Fund of Syracuse has announced that it will host its 54th Annual Polish Festival the weekend of June 20 through 22 in Clinton Square. For more information, check out <http://www.polishscholarship.com/>.

April 2008

POLONIA TIDBITS - SUNYaB's Dr. Kazimierz Braun's plays "Radiation" and "Tamara L." were performed at the Burnhamthorpe Library in Mississauga on February 9 and 10.... The Hamilton, Ontario Conservatory for the Arts presented "The Music and Letters of Chopin" on the 15th of February and pianist Jana Zayas on March 29.... On February 17, the Syracuse Polish Home served up its Annual Soup Festival, the Kosciuszko Club in Dunkirk held its Annual Election Meeting and St. Stanislaus Church, the Mother Church of Buffalo's Polonia, hosted a Lenten Concert featuring the Camerata di Sant Antonoi Chamber Singers and Orchestra.... St. John Gualbert Parish in Cheektowaga was the site of a four day, Polish language Lenten retreat at the end of February.... Pomost International, a WNY group that teaches the English language in Buffalo's Sister City of Rzeszow, elected the following officers for this year: Marilyn Tota (president), Bill Gross (vice president), John Medwid (treasurer) Carol Ann Harlos (recording secretary) and Therese Clarke (corresponding secretary).... March 1st brought the Second Polish Canadian Business Summit to Mississauga's John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre.... St. Casimir's National Catholic Church in Rochester marked its centennial on March 2.... Newly elected Erie County Executive Chris Collins addressed the members of the Professional and Businessmen's Association at the Polish Falcons Hall in Depew on March 4. Mr. Collins spoke about the challenges that have faced him in his new position during his first 60 days in office. In appreciation for his visit, the group gave the County Executive a monogrammed P&BA jacket and hat.... The WNY Division of the Polish American Congress elected the following officers and directors at its annual meeting on March 6: Richard Solecki (president). Michael Zachowicz (vice president), Adeline Wujcikowski (secretary), Andrew Kucharski (treasurer), Rick Manzella (director), Michael Pietruszka (director), Edward Reska (director), Mira Szramel (director), Dina Szymanski (director), Joseph Macielag (national director) and Richard Solecki (national director).... Acting NYS Supreme Court Justice John Michalski was the keynote speaker at the General Pulaski Association's installation banquet on March 7. Justice Michalski's presentation was entitled "The Heroism of General Pulaski and His Inspiration of Courage Today". Earlier in the day, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Carl Bucki, NYS Senator Antoine Thompson, Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard, Erie County Judge Michael Pietruszka, Buffalo Corporation Counsel Alisa Lukasiewicz, Amherst Town Council Member Deborah Bucki and Lancaster School Board President Ken Graber joined with the members of the association during the group's annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Pulaski statue in Downtown Buffalo.... Rev. John Kasprzak is the pastor of the newly formed Queen of Angels Parish in Lackawanna.... Ilona Frederick addressed the March 11 meeting of the Polish Heritage Society of Rochester.... U.S. Bankrucptcy Court Judge Carl Bucki spoke to the Polish Arts Club of Buffalo on "Constitutions and Moments in History: The History Behind the Polish and United States Constitutions" on March 12.... On March 13, Gregory Witul lectured on the art of Joseph Mazur before the Polish Genealogical Society of NYS.... Stas Golonka performed at the Potts Banquet Hall in Buffalo and "City Side" hosted its "Polkasino" trip to Niagara Falls on the 15th.... The Am-Pol Eagle, WNY's weekly Polish American newspaper, honored Christian Holocaust survivors in February and March.... The Consulate General of the Republic of Poland and the Polish Jewish Heritage Foundation of Canada sponsored a lecture by Dr. Krzysztof Jasiewicz entitled "March '68" at the University of Toronto on the 16th.... Dyngus Day was another great success. Congratulations to Marty Biniasz, Eddie Dobosiewicz and the rest of the "Dyngus Day Buffalo" group. Check out their website for details and photos.... Gusto in the Gallery presented three films by Andrzej Wajda, the Harmony Polish Folk Ensemble, and the "Bedrock Boys" as part of its "Polka Spectacular" at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery on March 28.... On the 29th, St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Rochester held its Family "Swieconka" Dinner Dance.... The Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius College presented a performance of "Life in a Jar", the story of Irena Sendler, at the Montante Center on March 29, will be screening "Zegota" on April 6 at the Winter Student Center and will present a lecture on "Poland and its New Government" by Dr. Slawomir Jozefowicz at the Horan O'Donnell Science Building on April 7.... "Life in a Jar" was also presented at Temple Beth Am in Amherst on March 30.... Also on the 30th, John Gora and "Gorale" took part in the St. Joseph / St. Patrick / Dyngus Day Party at the Hearthstone Manor in Depew and Peter Rubik's oratorio, "Psalterz Wrzesniowy" at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall.... Polish language classes with instructor Lucyna Dziedzic will begin in Maryvale in early April and in West Seneca and Williamsville in early May.... April 5th will bring the WNY Division of the Polish American Congress' "Swieconka" to the St. Stanislaus Social Center in Buffalo, the Polish Heritage Society of Rochester's scholarship luncheon to Mario's Restaurant in Pittsford, "Polish Night" to the Dunkirk Moose Lodge and the "Heart of Gold" Charity Ball to Mississauga's Banquet Royale Hall.... The Am-Pol Eagle's "Citizen of the Year" Luncheon will be held at Kloc's Grove on April 6.... Comedienne Linda Ochocinski will be performing at Rob's Comedy Playhouse on April 26.... Igor Lipinski, the Polish piano prodigy who is currently a student at Rochester's Eastman School of Music, will be the guest soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra on May 10 and 11.... The Polish Union of America announced that the 6th Annual Polish Heritage Festival, to be held at the Hamburg Fairgrounds from May 30 through June 1, will feature a record breaking fish fry attempt, the Great Polish-American Czarnina Duck Races, Polish Princess Patty Waszak, Lenny Gomulka and the "Chicago Push", Jerry Darlak and the "Touch", "Nickel City Notes", "West of the Mark", "Copperhead Road" and "90 West". For more information, please check <http://www.polfunfest.com>.... St. Stanislaus School will be closing at the end of the school year in June.

March 2008

DYNGUS DAY 2008 - This year March 24 will mark one of WNY Polonia's most visible and enjoyable community celebrations - Dyngus Day.
For those not familiar with this holiday, Dyngus Day celebrates the end of the restrictive observance of Lent. Over the decades, Dyngus Day has become an opportunity to celebrate Polish-American culture, heritage and traditions. Tradition says that the custom goes back to the Middle Ages when men doused women with water to symbolize a renewed Baptism, but a more likely scenario involves young men who wanted to attract the notice of young ladies as the snows of Winter began to melt. The young men threw water and hit the women on the legs with pussy willows to get their attention. At modern Dyngus Day parties it is common practice for both men and women to splash and switch each other with water and pussywillows equally.
Buffalo is the Dyngus Day Capital.
For more information on Dyngus Day and the latest WNY celebration update, check out Marty Biniasz's website, Dyngus Day Buffalo, at <http://www.dyngusdaybuffalo.com/>.

HAVE FUN, BUT REMEMBER TO BE RESPONSIBLE: DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!!!!
Jesli pijesz to nie prowadz samochodu!!!!

POLONIA TIDBITS - Bishop Edward Grosz celebrated the Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Mass at St. Ann Church on Buffalo's East Side.... Igor Lipinski, the Polish piano prodigy who is currently a student at Rochester's Eastman School of Music, performed a concert of classical music and magic at the De Lamar Mansion, the residence of the Consulate General of Poland in New York, on January 31.... The Adam Mickiewicz Library's "Paczki Day & Candlemas Day Demonstration" and "Paczki Day Party", the Harmony Polish Folk Ensemble's "Mardi Gras - Zabawa Maskowa", the Cheektowaga Democratic Chairman's Club Paczki Day Party and the Polish Heritage Dancers of WNY's 11th Annual Paczki Day celebration were all well attended events. The Polish Heritage Dancers' 2008 Paczki Court is John Jankowski (King), Raelynn Woltz (Queen), Joey Stoj (Prince) and Georgie Stoj (Princess).... Erie County Judge Michael Pietruszka administered the oath of office to the following officers at the Polish Arts Club of Buffalo luncheon at the Protocol Restaurant on February 3: Stanley Nowak (president), Charles Peszynski (second vice president) and Malgorzata Nalecz (financial secretary). Board members Marsha Ashton, Christine Nowak and William Podlewski were also installed.... Kabaret "Pod Banka" staged "Polonijny Kabareton IX" at the John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre in Mississauga, Ontario on February 8 and 9.... NYS Senator George Maziarz has joined the fight to have the new federal courthouse being built in Buffalo named after Lt. Col. Matt Urban, the most decorated American combat soldier of World War II and and WNY native.... A "Pierogies, Prohibition and Polkas" tour of Buffalo was hosted by Marty Biniasz on February 16.... On February 17, the Syracuse Polish Home served up its Annual Soup Festival, the Kosciuszko Club in Dunkirk held its Annual Election Meeting and St. Stanislaus Church, the Mother Church of Buffalo's Polonia, hosted a Lenten Concert featuring the Camerata di Sant Antonoi Chamber Singers and Orchestra.... The Chopin Singing Society commemorated the genius of Frederick Chopin at the Leonard Post in Cheektowaga on the 19th.... Corpus Christi Parish on Buffalo's East Side presented a Lenten Organ Recital Series during February..... The Am-Pol Eagle, WNY's weekly Polonia newspaper, announced the recipients of its "Citizen of the Year" awards: John Mills (Business), Dr. Norman Weinberg (Civic Leader), Dr. Muriel Howard (Community Leader; Non-Pole), Wanda Slawinska (Culture), Patricia Weinreich (Education), Chester and Diane Stranczek (Good Neighbor), Richard Kloc (Government), William Wieczorek (Health/Medicine), Christine Jozwiak (Humanitarian), Gregory Witul (Heritage), Irene Pawlowski (Individual in Organization), William Hochul (Law), Ron Dombrowski (Media), Stan and Antonina Markut (Military/Veteran), Holy Mother of the Rosary Cathedral Bell Choir (Music), Brother Daniel Geary (Religion), Lee Stempniak (Sports) and Peter Miecyjak (Youth).... The Polish Union of America will be accepting scholarship applications until April 15th.... St. John Gualbert Parish in Cheektowaga was the site of a four day, Polish language Lenten retreat at the end of February.... "NY Loves Bio", an economic development effort to retain existing companies and attract new life science enterprises to New York State, has named Thomas Kucharski of Buffalo as its new chairman.... The Western New York Division of the Polish American Congress will hold its elections at the St. Stanislaus Social Center in Buffalo on March 6.... On March 7, the General Pulaski Association's annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Pulaski statue in Downtown Buffalo and installation dinner at the Creekside Banquet Facility will take place.... The Polish Arts Club of Buffalo will be accepting applications for a $1000 scholarship until May, 15, 2008. For more information, contact Leonard Sikora at 681 Downing Lane, Williamsville, NY 14221-8058.

WESOLEGO ALLELUJA!!! HAPPY EASTER!!!

February 2008

POLITICAL POLONIA - With the start of the new year, a significant number of Polonians began new terms in offices of public trust across WNY.
The Town of West Seneca welcomed new supervisor, Hon. Wallace Piotrowski, at the West Seneca Senior Center on December 30. Returning Erie County Legislator Timothy Wroblewski, Town Councilmembers Sheila Meegan and Dale Clarke, Town Clerk Patricia DePasquale, Town Justices Richard Scott and Dale McCabe and Highway Superintendent Patrick Finnegan were also sworn in during the year-end ceremony.
Frances "Binky" Kulczyk was chosen to replace Chuck Jaworski on the Lackawanna City Council. Mr. Jaworski was elected to the position of council president in last November's election.
NYS Assembly Member Dennis Gabryszak served as the MC for the installation ceremony of the new public officials elected to serve in the Town of Cheektowaga on January 1. Supervisor Mary Holtz, Councilmembers Jeff Swiatek, Richard Zydel and Charles Markel, Town Clerk Alice Magierski, Highway Superintendent Mark Wegner and Town Justice Tom Kolbert took the oath of office before a capacity crowd. The Town Board convened immediately after the ceremony to appoint Stan Kaznowski III to the vacancy created by Ms. Magierski's move to the Town Clerk position.
Other WNY Polonians who began their terms as town supervisors on January 1, 2008 included Scott Bylewski of Clarence and Francis Pordum of Evans.
Newly elected Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul's swearing-in ceremony on January 3 featured remarks by U.S. Congress Member Brian Higgins. Retired NYS Assembly Majority Leader Paul Tokasz and Erie County Democratic Chairman Len Lenihan were part of the large group in attendance.
Fillmore District Councilmember David Franczyk was re-elected president of the Buffalo Common Council at the council's reorganization meeting. Council President Franczyk's brother, Erie County Court Judge Tim Franczyk, passed on having a formal swearing-in ceremony in favor of hosting an informal brunch for supporters at the Ironworkers Hall in West Seneca on January 5th to celebrate the start of his full ten-year term.
Erie County Legislator Lynn Marinelli was returned to her position as chairperson of the Erie County Legislature.
Judge Michael Pietruszka announced that he will be seeking a second term on the Erie County Court in this year's elections. Information on Judge Pietruszka is available at <http://www.polegl.org>.

POLONIA TIDBITS - Lori Stoklosa of Polish Falcons of America Nest 6 in Cheektowaga was named a Fraternal Most Valuable Participant for her contributions to the organization.... The Professional and Businessmen's Association elected Robert Nowak, Ralph Maraszek and Richard Stepien to its board of directors for the next three years.... As part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo's Journey in Faith and Grace, St. Hedwig's Parish in Dunkirk will merge with St. Hyacinth's Parish.... Andrew Golebiowski organized the first "Second Generationers Group" meeting for children and grandchildren of Polish parents and grandparents who survived World War II at the SWAP Post Hall on Buffalo's East Side at the end of December.... Sloan resident Karen (Guminski) Gold prepared her Polish Placek on Martha Stewart's "Holiday Traditions" show.... St. Stanislaus Church, the Mother Church of Buffalo Polonia, moved its Sunday Polish Radio Mass to WLOF (FM 101.7).... William Wieczorek, the director of the Center for Health and Social Research at Buffalo State College, recently announced that the center is the recipient of a $3 million grant to study drinking and driving behavior.... The Polish Union of America celebrated its 117th anniversary with a party at the Harvey Morin Post in West Seneca on January 6.... Polish Army Veterans Association (SWAP) Post No. 1 of Buffalo elected the following leadership for the coming year: Stanislaw Przystal (commander), Jozefa Solecka (first vice president), Stanislaw Lukasiewicz (second vice president), Maria Przystal (treasurer), Henryk Wigurski (secretary) and Rev. Wladyslaw Rekas (chaplain). The group has already begun to make plans for the 2009 national SWAP convention which will be held in Buffalo.... The Lechowia Dance Troupe presented "Hej Kolenda, Kolenda!!" at the John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre in Mississauga, Ontario on the 6th.... Toronto's Salon of Poetry, Music and Theatre presented "Magical Holiday Krakow" at the Burnhamthorpe Library in Mississauga on January 12.... "Oplatek" celebrations continued into January with an "Oplatek" Dinner Dance and "Jaselka" in the St. Stanislaus Kostka Church Auditorium in Rochester and the KSM (Catholic Youth Studio) concert program at the John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre on January 12 and the Polish Veterans of World War II (SPK) Post No. 33 observance featuring Dr. Thomas Witakowski at St. Stanislaus Social Center in Buffalo on the 13th.... Executive Director Tom Kazmierczak has left his post at the Lancaster Opera House to take a similar position with the State Theater of Ohio in Sandusky.... Buffalo native Michael Hanuszczak has been designated to serve as an acting NYS Supreme Court Justice presiding over an Integrated Domestic Violence calendar in Syracuse.... St. Barbara's Church on Ridge Road in Lackawanna celebrated its final Mass on January 13.... The career of former Buffalo-Rzeszow Sister Cities Committee President Chris Skonecki was celebrated at his retirement party in Buffalo's Chippewa District on January 14.... Buffalo City Court Judge Hank Nowak's Housing Court was the focus of an article on the mortgage crisis in the January 14th edition of "BusinessWeek" entitled "Dirty Deeds".... On the 19th, the Polish American Citizens Club held its installation dinner at its Rochester clubrooms.... The Professional and Business Women of Polonia hosted a "Members Appreciation Night" at the Millennium Airport Buffalo Hotel on January 23.... Polish Falcons Nest 52 held its installation dinner at the Webster Country Club on the 26th.... On January 27, Dr. Piotr Wrobel lectured on "Poyln: My Life Within Jewish Life in Poland, Sketches and Images" at the University of Toronto.... The Polish Genealogical Society of NYS elected the following officers for 2008: Dave Newman (president), Ted Smardz (vice president), Dan Domino (recording sevretary) and Chuck Pyrak (treasurer). The group also elected Pierre LaJoie, Walter Kloc, Edward Prabucki, Pat Neuland and Frank Martin as trustees.... Community education Polish language courses under the instruction of Lucyna Dziedzic began in the Maryvale, West Seneca and Williamsville School Districts during January.... The Syracuse Polish Home held its annual meeting on January 31.... The Harmony Polish Folk Ensemble has added veteran instructors Lisa (Bartczak) Florczak and Janet (Biniskiewicz) Stanek to its staff. The fruits of the new instructors' efforts can be seen at the group's "Zabawa Maskowa" to be held at Cheektowaga's Lily of the Valley Hall on February 2.... The Polish Arts Club of Buffalo will install its new officers and award a scholarship to Trevor Jelowski at its Annual Installation Banquet at the Protocol Restaurant in Williamsville on February 3.... The Polish Heritage Dancers of WNY have a new website which can be viewed at <http://www.phdofwny.com>. The new site contains details about the group's 11th annual "Paczki Day" celebration at the Hearthstone Manor in Depew on February 3.... Corpus Christi Church on Buffalo's East Side was awarded a $450,000 grant from the NYS Environmental Protection Fund for building repairs.... Chris Tanski was elected president of the Buffalo Polka Boosters.... Numerous "Karnawal" celebrations are taking place across the WNY and Southern Ontario as this issue goes to print.... REMEMBER THAT "PACZKI DAY" IS FEBRUARY 5TH AND "DYNGUS DAY" IS MARCH 24TH IN 2008. For more information, check <http://www.polamjournal.com/Library/Holidays/paczki/paczki.html> and <http://www.dyngusdaybuffalo.com/>.

Get Ready - Dyngus Day is April 13 in 2009.

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. June 6th for the July edition). My address is: