Hello, everybody! Welcome to April!
Inspired by the tornado warning followed by two inches of snow the night before the first day of spring (3/20), I decided to get a head start on this month’s article! It seems that all four seasons decided to take their spring break in the Midwest. One has no idea how to dress anymore, but we take our cue from the onion and dress in layers. Spring is funny that way, but then has the weather not been surprising as of late? According to a global warming expert, our winters will be warmer, spring and autumn wetter, the jury was out about the summers. Taking a cue from the meteorologists, we will just have to stay vigilant and see what actually happens! In any event, April has arrived and whether its showers bring May flowers, or it is a canvas of endless opportunities, it tends to put a spring in your step!
This year, Easter will be celebrated on April 20th by both the Western and Eastern (Orthodox) Christians – an occurrence that has happened approximately one third of the time since the 4th century. In the year 325 at the First Council of Nicaea, it was determined that this holiest day of the year would be observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. Although both religions agree on this “formula”, the dates have differed at times because the Eastern Orthodox follow the Julian calendar (introduced by Julius Caesar in the 1st century BC) and the Western Christians adopted the Gregorian calendar (enacted by Pope Gregory XIII in the 16th century). Currently, there is a 13 day difference between the two calendars; by the year 2100, it will be 14 days. The World Council of Churches, a global Christian organization founded in 1948 to work for the cause of ecumenism, has urged churches to find a common date for Easter on this 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. In 2024, Pope Francis pointed out that Easter is not tied to any one calendar. “Easter occurred because God ‘so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life’,” he said. “Let us not forget the primacy of God.” Time will tell if we are ready to establish one date to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the meantime, Happy and Blessed Easter to each and every one of you, your families and friends!
April continues the dance recital season with Gwiazda and Polskie Maki (both on April 6), Halka and Rogalin (both on April 13) and the Southwest Center of Polish Song and Dance (celebrating its 40th anniversary on April 27). Enjoy your performances and good luck! Check the PRCUA Calendar of events in this Naród Polski, on our website and social media for more information.
The PRCUA Annual Święconka will be held on Sunday, April 13, and is hosted by District 9 with Director Elizabeth Sadus at the helm. If you are in the Munster, Indiana area, come join in the tradition. Details on p. 9.
Throughout the month of April, our PRCUA members celebrate birthdays, including former President Edward G. Dykla and current Secretary-Treasurer Agnieszka Bastrzyk (4/13), PMA President Richard Owsiany (4/24), PRCUA IT Director Kevin Ryba (4/29), my daughter Alina (4/15) and son-in-law Ben Pearson (4/2); anniversaries including Nicole and Michael Turkiewicz (4/24); and many other family occasions. Happy wishes to all! Sto Lat!
Mark your calendars for the upcoming Polish Heritage Nights with professional sports teams: in Chicago, the Chicago Bulls on April 1 and in Michigan, Polish Heritage Night with the Tigers is on April 25. [FYI: June 24 for the PHN for the Chicago White Sox in Chicago and June 28 with the USPBL, sponsored by Jimmy Johns in Warren, Michigan.]
March “roared in like a lion” from the beginning. The 1st Slavic Festival was held at the American Polish Cultural Center in Troy, Michigan with four of our PRCUA dance ensembles participating: Echoes of Poland, Gwiazda, Halka and Zakopane. PRCUA was also one of the sponsors with Director D-10 Colleen Bonkowski manning its booth.
Meanwhile, on the same date, the PRCUA EC and spouses attended the 85th White and Red Ball hosted by the Legion of Young Polish Women at the Hilton Chicago. The debutantes included two of our PRCUA members: Pola Kozikowski and Emilia Faber. Jaclyn Krysinski, artistic director and choreographer of the PRCUA Polonia Polish Song and Dance Ensemble and former White and Red Ball debutante and Ball Chair, together with family and friends, joined the festivities to support Pola Kozikowski, who is a member of Polonia. Congratulations to the Queen Megan Carlson, 1st runner-up Olivia Gebarowski, and 2nd runner-Up Emilia Faber.
The following day, the president of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda and First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda were honored at an event co-sponsored by the Polish Consulate in Chicago and the Copernicus Foundation. Representing the former was Consul General Regina Jurkowska and the latter, Chairman of the Board Hubert Cioromski. The emcee was Lukasz Dudka, general manager of the Polish Daily News. The program commenced with Polish and American anthems sung magnificently by our PRCUA member, Alan Krolikowski, followed by welcome remarks by the Consul General. The speech delivered by President Duda was one of gratitude to the United States and the Polish American community for not only the support Poland has received during the war in Ukraine, but throughout his presidency and the difficult times of Polish history in the twentieth century. Following his speech, President Duda awarded selected Polonians gold, silver or bronze medals for their dedication to the community and select Polish-American organizations, the Polish flag. President Robaczewski accepted the Polish flag on behalf of the PRCUA, which was such an honor. The grand finale was performed for the distinguished guests and audience by the Siumni Highlander Dancers (Polish Highlanders Alliance of North America), the Lajkonik Ensemble (Polish National Alliance), and the Polonia Song and Dance Ensemble of PRCUA. A photo op with the presidential couple completed the performance. Other than the EC and our spouses, the 2025 Cinderella and Prince Charming, Emilia Kroplewski and Maciej Truty, together with the Adult Culture Group officers and District 8 national directors Liz Dynowski and Mirek Cislo were in attendance. I was very impressed with the flow of the program and proud of all the participants and honorees, but especially our PRCUA members. Complete details and photos are found on p. 8 in this issue of the Naród Polski.
The annual Casimir Pulaski Day Program at the Polish Museum of America was equally memorable, as the Polish president and first lady honored us with their presence. I would be amiss if I did not acknowledge the impression their presence made amidst our government officials and Polonian leaders in attendance. Performances by the PRCUA Wesoły Lud Polish Folk Dance Company (dancing the Krakowiak) and the Tatra Foundation Dancers (Podhale dances) were intwined in the program amidst the customary introductions, greetings and speeches. A photo session commemorated the event for posterity and the presidential couple left for their next destination and the program continued. This was the second time I met the Polish president and third time meeting the first lady, and it will be one of the highlights of my PRCUA memories. Full details and photos are also in this issue on p. 6-7. [Thank you, Mr. Andrzej Baraniak, for the special photo you took of Wesoły Lud].
The following weekend included the PRCUA Board of Directors two-day meeting, followed by the Polish Heritage Night with the Chicago Wolves (3/8). If a picture is worth a thousand words, these tell an entire story. Enjoy.
The second weekend in March continued to be eventful as the Adult Culture Group of PRCUA hosted its 49th Fashion Show, chaired by ACG VP Nathalie Skowyra. Emcees were Wiesia (Wendy) Wildhirt and Andy Sacinski. The models were the members of the Royal Court, candidates, parents, siblings and ACG members. Performers included the HHPD Dancers (Liz Dynowski, choreographer) and the Wesoły Lud Dancers (Richard Jaminski, artistic director and choreographer). Crystal Grand Banquets in Lemont, Illinois was filled to the “brim” with beautiful ladies in beautiful hats. Congratulations to all – organizers and guests, models and performers! Bravo! The EC attended with their spouses, family and friends. Richard and I were seated with National Directors Ewa Cholewinski (D-7) and Elizabeth Sadus (D-9), and the representatives of the Henryk Sienkiewicz School with Principal Ilona Sobiech and the St. Rafal Kalinowski School with President Magdalena Sojka and company. See the article and photos on pages 20-21.
Happy 20th anniversary to the Zajączek Dance Ensemble and its dance instructors Rachael Kasperek and Tricia Dennis! Happy 30th anniversary to school director Colleen Bonkowski for 10 years with Mała Polska and 20 years with Zajączek! As the founder of Zajączek, Colleen is to be congratulated on mastering all things Polish folk, especially costumes and raising funds. Bravo to the staff, dancers and parents for 20 years of dedication to Polish culture and for an outstanding recital on March 15th. Look for an article with photos in this issue written by Alina Klin.
Also on March 15th, the Opole Dancers (Beth Thacker, school director; Donna Skurski, dance instructor) held their recital. Congratulations on your performance!
PRCUA celebrated St. Joseph Day on St. Patrick’s Day and you can read all about it in this issue. Thank you, Conrad Wiecek, for organizing another successful employee luncheon.
The Malbork Dance School hosted its 9th Dance Recital on March 22nd, featuring its four levels of dancers at West Catholic High School, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Natalia Szczygiel is the school director and Michelle Marcinkowski, the dance instructor. The school was founded by former PRCUA President Joseph Drobot Jr. together with Director Colleen Bonkowski, who remains the school’s Fairy Godmother.
Among this year’s candidates for Queen of the May Third Parade were PRCUA members Olivia Kowalczyk and Angelica Popieluszko. For the third year in a row, a PRCUA member was selected as queen. Olivia Kowalczyk was crowned queen and voted as Miss Photo. District 7 National Director presented the PRCUA award for Miss Congeniality to Patrycja Niżnik, who was also crowned 2nd runner-up.
Westland Bowl in Westland, Michigan was the location of the 86th PRCUA National Bowling Tournament, hosted by Sacred Heart of Jesus Society #162 and chaired by Society President Stan Pasko. Thank you to Stan and his team of worker bees, Bowling Coordinator Brian Brumm, Fraternal Coordinator Conrad Wiecek, the staff at Westland Bowl and the Westland Grille. This three-day event began on Thursday, March 27, with a hospitality gathering at the PRCUA Club in Wyandotte; followed by Doubles and Singles on Friday, March 28, and a second gathering at the PRCUA Club; and on the third day, the formal “opening program” commenced Saturday’s Teams Event with an Award Banquet including a delicious dinner in the evening at the club. The national event boasted bowlers from eight states: Florida, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, South Carolina and Michigan. Congratulations to all the bowlers – it was a fun and wonderful event! 1st place Winners: All Events – (W) Barbara Cassedy and Janet Rys tied, (M) John Hamilton; Singles Scratch – (W) Allison Filipowski, (M) Stanley B. Malewski; Singles Handicap: (W) Laree Smart, (M) Vincenzo Badalamenti; Doubles Scratch & Handicap – (W) Dawn Sheldon and Julie Kaczor, (M) Vincenzo Badalamenti and Anthony Bagozzi; Teams Handicap – (W) “Adventours” (VikkiJean Mixon, Sandra Kaminski, Kathy Chopcinski, Kimberly Harris, and Kathy Tarr), (M) Corner Pins (Paul Godin Sr., Paul Godin Jr., John Godin, Lawrence Godin, and Shawn Kapuscinski; Teams Scratch – (M) Polski Boys IV (Stanley Filipowski III, James Niezgoda, Robert Gorecki, Stanley B. Malewski, and Thomas Wall ). All winners are posted on the PRCUA website. Complete details with all photos will be forthcoming. Stay tuned!
Also on March 29th, the Tatry Dancers held their dance recital at Thurston High School in Redford, Michigan. The school director is Mary Skurnit, and the dance instructor is Karen Lubiarz. Bravo to the staff and performers! Surprise guest appearance by PRCUA President James Robaczewski!
Back in the Chicagoland area, Sales Coordinator Marge Grzeszczuk attended the Jan Karski Polish School Poetry Competition and Awards Gala, representing the sponsor PRCUA. Marek Adamczyk is the principal. An article with photos will be in the upcoming issue of the Naród.
To end the weekend in Michigan, St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in Detroit was the sight of the beautiful Blessing of Polish Dance Groups Mass. Many of our PRCUA dance schools and groups were in attendance, together with President and Mrs. Robaczewski and Sec.-Treas. Agnieszka Bastrzyk. The PRCUA officers brought up the scroll with all the dancers’ names who attended the Mass. Select photos courtesy of Polish Weekly and Colleen Bonkowski.
We encourage you to join the ranks of the PRCUA at the Polish Constitution Day parade in downtown Chicago on May 3rd. Look for the banner when you arrive. We’d love to see you there!
As we all know, life is too short and the unexpected happens. Present at the March Board of Directors meeting was Director Gregory Olma from Buffalo, New York (District 2). One week later, he was called by the Lord. He just celebrated his 65th birthday on March 4th. I refer you to the tribute on p. 24-25. On behalf of all of the PRCUA officers, directors and members, President Robaczewski attended Greg’s services, extending our deepest condolences to his wife, Annette, and the family and friends present. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
Until next time…stay safe, be happy, live life to the fullest!
