”It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, ev’rywhere you go!…
” WELCOME, FRIENDS, TO DECEMBER! Hope this month with the Christmas season at the top of the list is one of good health and love, joy and happiness, harmony and peace of mind! Although the gift of giving seems to take front and center for the holidays, there are many gifts that do not take any space or will not require wrapping, so consider the gift of a PRCUA membership – this gift serves as a special way to contribute toward a secure financial future and help the mission of PRCUA continue for another 150 years! This gift of love is truly in your hands! (By the way, the 2025 PRCUA Christmas Special comes with an extra token of our holiday spirit and is guaranteed to wrap the recipient in the warmth of love’s embrace).
My gift to you is a wish for you is to be mindful of the little things around us. AI defines mindfulness “as the practice of focusing your attention on the present moment with awareness, observing your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment. It can be cultivated through meditation, simple breathing exercises, or by being more intentional during everyday activities. Mindfulness can help manage stress, reduce negative thought patterns, and improve overall mental and emotional health.” Try it during the upcoming holiday season and who knows, it may top your New Year’s resolution list as well! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!
What does December have in store for us here at the PRCUA? On the first Sunday of the month, immediately following our quarterly PRCUA Board of Directors meeting, many of us locals will be at the PRCUA Southwest Center of Polish Song and Dance Christmas Concert with a special performance by the Wesoły Lud Polish Folk Dance Company (12/7); all of our PRCUA schools and groups will host their Christmas pageants and parties as well; PRCUA employees will be treated to a lovely luncheon headed by the creative team of Anna Grabowski (Executive Assistant to the President) and Julie Prado (Manager of Member Services); and then we will all join our family and friends for the rest of the holiday season.
Looking for inspiration to make this article captivating, I do not need to look far. PRCUA always provides enough material for me. The past month did not disappoint as it was full of nostalgia for me as the Malbork Dancers (Grand Rapids, Michigan) hosted their first luncheon on behalf of the PRCUA Michigan Youth Foundation (11/15), the 20th Anniversary of the Holy Cross Polish Catholic School (Joliet, IL) boasted a lovely banquet (11/15), the Polanie Dancers of the St. John Paul II Polish School (Lemont, IL) celebrated its 25th Anniversary (11/16) and the Adult Culture Group of PRCUA hosted another beautiful and successful Cinderella Prince Charming Ball – #53 (Palos Hills, IL) while in Sterling Heights, MI, the Zajaczek Dancers celebrated its 2026 graduates at its annual ball (both on 11/22). Before I summarize each of the above events (I was fortunate to attend all of them, although the Zajączek event only in spirit), I want to congratulate each and every event coordinator and their team of elves (forgive the holiday pun) for an amazing job, on their anniversaries, and wish them continued success! Sto lat!
The PRCUA Michigan Youth Foundation evolved from the Michigan Women’s Department which traditionally hosted an annual Opłatek in December with one of the Michigan Dance Schools at the helm. This year was Malbork’s turn and School Director Natalia Szczygiel opted for something different coming up with the idea of the Folklore Harvest Luncheon on a lovely Saturday early afternoon – the weather cooperated, there was singing and dancing courtesy of dance instructor Michelle Marcinowski and her dancers, music by accordionist Wade Hillen, raffles to gift the lucky winners (our table won 7 baskets), good food and camaraderie. Joining me at this event was, of course, my husband Richard and District 8 Director Elizabeth Dynowski. The fairy godmother of the Malbork Dancers is District 10 Director Colleen Bonkowski who was accompanied by her husband Brian. Many of the Michigan school directors and choreographers were in attendance. Topping the list was Kristi Mihalic from the Wieliczka Dancers who was instrumental in finding the dance group the current instructor ten years ago. Kristi’s uncle, then PRCUA President Joe Drobot, commissioned Bob Hojnacki to organize a dance group in the Grand Rapids area and voilà! Malbork was born and in 2026, we will join them in celebrating their 10th anniversary! Bravo to the 50 dancers and all who made this wish a reality!
Later that night, in addition to Richard and Liz, vice president of District 8 Joanna Niedzielski joined us in the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Holy Cross Polish Catholic School (Joliet, IL) which was held at Crystal Grand Banquets in Lemont, IL. Principal Barbara Szuba and the teaching staff warmly greeted all present. The program included a polonaise by the 2026 graduates and the students who were formally inducted to 1st grade (Worth repeating – in the USA our kindergarteners graduate to 1st grade at the end of the school year; in Poland these children are inducted at the beginning of their 1st grade school year).
For 25 years, the Polanie Dancers of the St. John Paul II Polish School have been blessed with many artistic directors, choreographers, dance instructors and assistants, and coordinators (moms that assist with extracurricular activities). The current staff is composed of artistic director and choreographer Michael Dziadkowiec; dance instructors Patrycja Szyrzyna and Dominika Gornikowski; and coordinators, Teresa Rafacz and Kasia Gałdyn. The school principal was (at the start of Polanie) and is at present Halina Szyrzyna. The school board headed by president Grzegorz Karkoszka, assisted with the banquet. Both Richard and I have had the privilege of working with Polanie and it was nice to see the first artistic director and choreographer Basia Rozwadowski-Eckert, and past instructors Barbi Wargacki-Skrzypiec, Kalina Dziadkowiec-Gorczyca, Victoria Gavaghan-Bomba, and Alexandria Cislo, attending the event. Pan Mikey started with the Southwest Center of Polish Song and Dance and after obtaining his choreographer’s diploma from the University of Rzeszów, became the head of Polanie. Both Patrycja and Dominika started as Polanie dancers – Patrycja at the beginning and Dominika about five years later, both graduated to Wesoły Lud and then became instructors at Polanie. Other than the responsibilities of their titles, Patty also serves as the unofficial manager of Polanie and Dominika, a very talented seamstress and costumer. The silver anniversary program on November 16 included a slideshow of dancers through the years, performances by all three groups, a special performance by Wesoły Lud, and the finale which is the Polanie theme song. Patrycja did an excellent job as the bilingual mistress of ceremonies, and I thank her for her kind words. Wishing Polanie continued success!
The 53rd Cinderella and Prince Charming Ball featured 27 candidates – 18 beautiful ladies and 9 handsome gentlemen and the 2025 royal couple – Emilia Kroplewski and Maciej Truty. An article with photos and details will be in an upcoming issue so you can witness for yourself the beauty and splendor of our PRCUA balls. Of those present at the ball, distinguished guests included: Rev. Canon Thaddeus Dzieszko; Consul Michał Arciszewski and his wife, Katarzyna; the PRCUA executive committee with spouses; PMA (Jan and Carleen Lorys); PSFCU Bridgeview Manager Grażyna and Mark Pikul; Legion of Young Polish Women with its new President, Cherilyn Denisuk and their queens; and a special visitor from Poland, Ms. Elżbieta Banaszewska-Miałkowska – Director of the Tax Jurisprudence Department of the Poland’s Ministry of Finance. Many past Cinderellas, Prince Charmings, Runners-up and candidates attended this year’s ball. One in particular, Peter Konopacki, twice selected as Prince Charming Runner-up, together with his wife Selena, presented their daughter Ruby. Through the lottery system that determines the winners, President Robaczewski drew the envelope with Ruby’s name as the 2026 Cinderella. Yours truly drew Piotr Tumiel’s name as the 2026 Prince Charming. Since PRCUA Secretary-Treasurer Agnieszka and Daniel Bastrzyk presented son Aleksander at the Ball, District 8 Directors Liz Dynowski and Mirek Cislo selected the 2026 runners-up and they are Zofia Kuzmiuk and, for the second time in a row, Kevin Wenc. Bravo to the Adult Culture Group, emcees Danielle Lech-Kroplewski and Ricky Skowyra, and artistic director/choreographer Richard Jaminski on another enchanted evening. Congratulations and wishing the royal couple, runners-up and candidates – their happily ever after!
On November 15, PRCUA President Robaczewski in his position as the First Vice President of the Polish American Congress represented the National PAC at the PAC Arizona Division 2025 Annual Polish Heritage Ball at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix, Arizona. Chairing the event was PAC AZ Division President Sylvia Gładkowska and PAC National Vice President of Polish Affairs Andrzej Niemyjski.
On November 1, Wesoly Lud alumna Alexa Gajda married her soulmate, Mark Sanborn at a lovely wedding in Hickory Hills, Illinois. The bride’s brother, Mitch Gajda, and his fiancee Weronika Niedzielski, performed for the couple. Mitch and Alexa first danced with the Polanie Dancers, then with Wesoły Lud where Mitch met his future bride. Best Wishes and Sto Lat to the new Mr. and Mrs.!
In closing, may you have the gift of faith, the blessing of hope, and the peace of His love at Christmas and always! Happy and Healthy New Year from our family to yours!
