PRCUA: Looking through the Window...

(Photos) As I am writing this article, slowly and steadily the year 2009 is creating space for year 2010 to step in. When the clock strikes twelve on December 31st, we will cheer and wish each other a “Very Happy New Year.” I do not know whether 2009 has been good or bad for you and your family, but let's cherish the good memories of 2009, learn from our mistakes and make resolutions not to dwell on negative memories in 2010. May the 2010 year symbolize the beginning of better tomorrows and may all of you look to a good year ahead, spreading happiness with these wonderful New Year wishes. On behalf of our organization, we wish all of you a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year! We extend our heartfelt thanks to our employees, long-time PRCUA members and new ones and to everyone who has supported our organization in the past year, as well as in previous years. We are looking forward for your support in 2010! We do hope that the next 12 months will be filled with peace and harmony, commitment and happy attitudes, interesting and challenging opportunities to make our organization strong and successful.

As the year 2009 comes to a close, let's pause to reflect on the many people and events that have contributed to the well-being and prosperity we experience in this country. Let's take a few minutes and reflect on all of the blessings we have in this country that allow us the freedom of choice. Remember to appreciate those who serve in the military - our heroes - we love them and are empowered by their commitment and bravery. We thank them for their honorable, brave work at the fronts in Iraq and Afghanistan and other parts of the world. May God watch over them and keep them safe.

Let me share just a few events that may be of interest to you that happened since our last visit. On Sun., Nov. 1, members of Five Holy Martyrs Parish in Chicago, from past and present, came together to celebrate the parish's 100th anniversary with a special Mass concelebrated by Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago and many priests who served that parish throughout the years. The church was packed to capacity for this historic, joyful and prayerful occasion. Over the last 100 years, Five Holy Martyrs welcomed to its church not only bishops and cardinals, but also 30 years ago the parish welcomed Pope John Paul II during the Polish pope's historic first visit to the United States.

The Centennial Mass was followed by a social hour and a dinner. After dinner, an unforgettable and outstanding performance was given by PRCUA dance groups - Wesoly Lud and Southwest Center of Polish Dancing (SWCPD). While I may be a bit biased, many guests did tell me that the performances of our dance groups were the best they ever attended! So if you want a wonderful dance performance at your extra special event, our dance groups are the answer! See the PRCUA website for dance group contacts.

On Fri., Nov. 6, a reopening of the newly-renovated Ignacy Jan Paderewski Room located at the Polish Museum of America (PMA) in Chicago was held. The museum is in the sam building as the headquarters of the PRCUA and is one of the oldest ethnic museum in the United States.

It was a very beautiful and elegant affair, attended by almost 100 invited guests, which included a sit down dinner, concert and a tour of the Paderewski Room. The Paderewski Room highlights the life of the pianist, composer and Polish statesman Ignacy Paderewski. It holds the largest collection of Paderewski memorabilia worldwide, including the pen with which he signed the Treaty of Versailles, a Steinway piano specially constructed for the pianist, and furnishings from the suite he occupied for the last two years of his life in New York City's posh Buckingham Hotel.

The renovation project involved tearing the room apart in order to restore and up-grade cabinets, lighting, flooring, add air-conditioning and repaint the walls. All the proceeds from this event were to help cover the cost of renovations. Some renovation work was supplied by pro-bono labor and many volunteers; however donations are still needed. You can make donations to the PMA Paderewski Room; any donation is most welcome and needed. Next time when you are visiting Chicago, please stop by PRCUA headquarters where this Museum and Paderewski Room is located, you will not be disappointed!

On Wed., Nov. 11 a Concert and Award Ceremony honoring 90 years of Polish Independence and Veterans Day was held at the Great Hall of the PMA. November 11th holds dual significance for many Polish Americans - it is not only Veterans Day, but also the anniversary of Polish independence in 1918. After 123 years of partitions, Poland reappeared on the map of Europe as a sovereign democratic state at that time. Hon. Zygmunt Matynia, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago, officiated at this large celebration, which consisted of mainly the Polish community, special invited quests, among them Governor of the State of Illinois, Pat Quinn. It was a very beautiful and touching ceremony, which featured speeches and an award ceremony and a special address by Governor Quinn. After the ceremony, we were graced by a beautiful musical program by soloists from Poland - Adam Zaak (bass-baritone), Grazyna Bieniek- Zaak (mezzo-soprano) and Romuald Spychalski (tenor), who captivated the audience with performances of operettas, musicals and cabaret.

On Sat., Nov. 14, the John Paul II Polish Language School of Lemont and Romeoville, IL held its Annual Fall Dance and Banquet. At this dance, the high school graduating class of that school presented a small program and asked all the guests to purchase flowers that they sold after dinner. The proceeds from the flower sale went towards the class trip to Poland. Each year during Thanksgiving week the senior class spends a week visiting and experiencing the culture, history and charm of Poland. It is an educational trip. They visit museums, attend theater, meet and exchange ideas with the local high school students, meet well-known personalities and do some sightseeing. At the end of the Banquet, the seniors thanked everyone for their generous donations, which will help to offset some of the expenses and make it possible for the seniors to enjoy one last trip together as a senior class. I would like to thank the School Board, faculty and students for their very nice words and a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

The 38th Annual Cinderella - Prince Charming Ball was held on Sat., Nov. 21. Congratulations to all the Candidates - you were fantastic! For the past several weeks these young Candidates, under the watchful eye of the demanding and very talented choreographer Misia Jaminski, worked on their dance techniques. They all danced beautifully with style, grace and poise. Without a doubt, they are an outstanding group of young adults. We thank them for their commitment and dedication and may they always have good health, prosperity and happiness! Our Congratulations to the new Cinderella - Maria Alexandra Tkacz and Prince Charming Marcin Marek Burdzy, 1st Runner Ups - Cynthia Jennifer Avila and David John Skwirut; and 2nd Runner Ups - Monica Marszalek and Christopher Gumienny. “May you always be proud of who you are, and may the coming year be magical.” Special THANK YOU to last year's Cinderella Natalia Paprocki and Prince Charming Matthew Skrzypiec for representing our organization at social and religious functions with pride and commitment during 2009.

Thank you to the M. Konopnicka Adult Culture Group for presenting me with a beautiful bouquet of roses. More details about this event will be published in a future issue of Narod Polski

HAPPY BIRTHDAY and Sto Lat to all who are celebrating birthdays in January, especially PRCUA employees: Robert Kowalski, print shop manager; Alice Robaczewski, Treasurer Office: Kim Wachowski, part-time scanning processor; PRCUA National Directors Krystyna Lech - District #8 (and SWCPD Dance Director); Lillian Stempinski - District #7; Barbara Toboy - District #10; also PRCUA Dance Directors Cynthia Cervanek of Gwiazda and Colleen Bonkowski of Zajaczek; forever young Shirley Galanty, and the "suave" Julius Szymczyk; Walter Gibala, Eleanor Bielenda, Walter Szarowicz, Barbara Pawlowski, Elizabeth Dynowski and Bolek Bogun.

Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating their birthday in February, especially employees: Boguslawa Chrzanowska, Treasurer Office, Frances Surowiec, Gen. Office, Jozef Gancarczyk, maintenance; Sharon Quinn, Philadelphia Office Manager; Maria Ciesla, PMA President; Jan Lorys, PMA Director and his Mother, Maria Lorys; Krystyna Grell, PMA librarian; Paulina Jakubiec, PMA Folk Costume Curator; Monika Nowak, PMA Graphic Arts Curator; Basia Frankowicz, Financial Secretary of Soc. #1622; Rita Cerankowski, Halka Dancers Director; Rev. Anthony Iwuc, PRCUA Vice Chaplain; Edward Muszalski - PRCUA Insurance Supervisor; Hania Kwasniewski and her daughter, Kasia, and Lottie Myslinski. May your Birthday be a happy beginning of a wonderful year!

CONGRATULATIONS and best wishes to the Polish Highlanders Alliance of America (Zwiazek Podhalan w Ameryce) who celebrated its 80th Anniversary in November. The organization is dedicated to maintaining and preserving the Polish Highlander way of life and culture in America - especially its music and dances.

THANK YOU - Before we close the books on 2009, I would like to thank everyone so much for your Christmas cards and e-mails with your best wishes to me and my family. A special thank you to our dance groups and language schools for all the beautiful cards many with student signatures. Thank you to all, especially the PRCUA employees for your good wishes, the flowers, gifts and the CHOCOLATES! Thank you very much for your support and encouragement over the past year. I'm looking forward to the year to come and wish you all every happiness and success!

You can now check us out online at: Facebook.com, MySpace.com, and Twitter.com. Just type in our name: PRCUA and add us as a friend/fan. Our email addresses for these sites are: facebook@prcua.org, myspace@prcua.org, and twitter@prcua.org. Please pass this information onto your friends and family and ask that they add us as well. Thanks for all the support!

I look forward to receiving your comments, suggestions and ideas. Take care until next time. Let me know what’s going on in your corner of the world-write fraternal.department@prcua.org or call 1-800-772-8632 or send letters to 984 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60642

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