Looking for inspiration to write something profound and worth reading, I turn to the headline subject of the day. It is January 21 and the coldest day of the year (thus far). It is 3 degrees with a windchill of -30 according to the AM radio that we thankfully still have in the kitchen. I cannot access my weather app or the television AS THE INTERNET IS NOT WORKING because of the cold weather. Ironic, isn’t it? We are so used to having everything at our fingertips – we can stream everything and anything, and yet when Mother Nature gives us a reality check, the old trusty radio—AM no less—is there to connect us with the outside world. And they want to get rid of AM radio! I am sure that FM is working, but the radio programs I listen to (other than the music from the oldies) are on AM.
My welcome to 2025 is a bit late, but my wishes for a happy and healthy year will continue throughout 2025! With every intention of completing my January article, 2024 ended with Richard’s emergency gall bladder surgery which threw us for a loop, especially as this happened upon our return from an unexpected but delightful trip to Paris and a week before we left for Christmas in Florida.
As you already are aware, PRCUA thought it time to make a change in 2025 and so the monthly Naród Polski newspaper will be online only and known as the e-Naród Polski. The printed bi-monthly edition will make its debut February 1st. As for my articles, they will appear only online, but we will re-invent the wheel with a slightly different format to keep you “hands-on” members apprised of the happenings in our fraternal world with “Fraternal Footnotes” (originally the title of past Lady Vice President Regina Ocwieja’s column) and “It’s more than Life Insurance” by Sales Department Coordinator Marge Grzeszczuk; etc. Please make note of Editor Lidia Kowalewicz’s request to receive information for the monthly newspaper by the 10th of the previous month. The printed version will feature highlights of the monthly online version, so please keep this in mind. There will be many more photos available to view online.
Permit me to recap some of the merriment that has happened since the close of my last article – literally the last day of November. The Zajączek Dancers (Colleen Bonkowski, Director; Tricia Dennis and Rachael Kasperek, Choreographers) presented Hannah Saunders, escorted by Brady Courtney, and Evelyn Frederick, escorted by Evan Lubiarz, at their Graduation Ball. Congratulations to the graduates! There was also the wedding of Wesoły Lud alumni Alicia Kaleta and Andrew Summers. Of course, the group participated in both the church wedding and reception. Many of Alicia’s cousins including mom, Rene, and Ciocia Ania Kraszewski-Winkler, were members of Wesoły Lud. Posing for the “family” photo made a moving impression. Congratulations, newlyweds!
December was filled with the merriment of Christmas pageants of the language schools and dance groups under PRCUA patronage, intertwined with Christmas parties with a Polish traditional twist. From the get-go, December 1st boasted the Opłatek hosted by the Halka Dancers (School Director Laura Hejza, Choreographer Tom Lisiecki) as part of the Youth Michigan Youth Foundation (formerly, the PRCUA Michigan Women’s Division).
Illinois Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas hosted an international Christmas party for the community on December 6. Among her many guests were Polish Consul Bernadetta Palka-Maciejewska, President Robaczewski, Adult Culture Group President Elizabeth Dynowski, and the 2025 Royal Court: Cinderella Emilia Kroplewski, Prince Charming Maciej Truty, and Runners-up Liliana Gal and Kevin Wenc.
December 8th was a very busy date with the Opłatek hosted by PRCUA District 9 (National Director and Chair, Elizabeth Sadus), which President Robaczewski, Secretary-Treasurer Bastrzyk and Executive Editor Lidia Kowalewicz attended; the Southwest Center of Polish Song and Dance Christmas Program (Manager Anna Winkler) with guest appearance by the Wesoły Lud Polish Folk Dance Company (Artistic Director and Choreographer of both, Richard Jaminski), which I attended together with National Directors from D-8 Elizabeth Dynowski and Myron Cislo, as well as Sales Department Coordinator Marge Grzeszczuk and Marketing Manager Courtney Zielonka; Polonia Ensemble’s Jasełka (Manager Anna Krysinski, Artistic Director Jaclyn Krysinski) as part of the St. John Brebeuf Parish Christmas market attended by Sales Associate Joanna Blach; and the Wigilia event hosted by the Polish Club of Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, whose President is Tatry Dance Group alumna Elise Lubiarz. In reviewing the event’s social media page, I learned that other PRCUA Michigan Dance School graduates are active participants of this Polish Club as well. It warms my heart that their Polish heritage has taken them to “impart it to the next generation” (St. John Paul II).
District 8 Directors, with the assistance of D-8 Officers Joanna Niedzielski (VP) and Danielle Kroplewski (Secretary) and a few volunteers from the Wesoly Lud Dance Company, distributed Christmas wishes and treats to the students of the Polish Language Schools in Districts 8 and 9 during their Christmas events: Maria Konopnicka (12/6 & 12/20), Ks. Stanisław Cholewiński (12/13 & 20), Holy Cross (12/15), Zbigniew Herbert (12/21), St. John Paul II (12/20-21), Jan Karski (12/14 & 21), Henryk Sienkiewicz (12/22) and St. Raphael Kalinowski (1/12).
All this happened IN ADDITION to other Christmas parties and of course, the most important celebration on December 24 and 25 with family and friends. You would think that there would be a vacation from all this fun and preparation, but then there are the New Year’s celebrations, followed by the Carnival season and a few wonderful milestones that will be celebrated this year. Chicago’s Polonia greeted the new Consul General of the Republic of Poland, Regina Jurkowska.
In January, there were already a few such events: the Wesoły Lud Dance Company held its Winter Dinner Dance on the 11th with a French theme (FYI: the theme came to mind BEFORE the opportunity to go to Paris happened – maybe next year I should pick an Italian or Greek theme) celebrating the 5th anniversaries of four dancers: Konrad Bialas, Natalia Hatala, Victoria Pikul and Eric Wildhirt.
The Royal Couple and their court were honored at the Afterglow hosted by the Adult Culture Group of PRCUA on Sunday, January 12. Yours truly had the opportunity to distribute the PRCUA plaques to the 2025 Cinderella and Prince Charming, as well as to the runners-up. It was also an occasion to celebrate ACG President Elizabeth Dynowski on her birthday.
On January 15th – the Polish Daily Times “Person of the Year” event honored Barbara Bilszta and Wojciech Niewrzoł on behalf of the Paderewski Symphony Orchestra (PASO). Note: last year, PRCUA was honored at this event on for its 150th anniversary. The event was attended by President Robaczewski and Secretary-Treasurer Bastrzyk.
Babcia-Dziadziu Day, or Polish Grandparents Day, was celebrated the third weekend in January (actual dates are the 21st for Babcia and 22nd for Dziadzia) in many of the Polish schools, including those subsidized by PRCUA. PRCUA Sales-Marketing Departments produced a card for the occasion that incorporated the grandchild’s artistic talents and an invitation to join the PRCUA.
President and Mrs. Robaczewski attended the Evening of Elegance event by the Chicago Society on Saturday, January 25, at the Ridgemoor Country Club in Harwood Heights, Illinois. One of this year’s honorees was the multi-talented Anthony “Tony” Kawalkowski. Congratulations, Tony! Well deserved.
The Studniówka – Polish High School Prom hosted this year by the Feliks Konarski Polish School on behalf of the Polish Teachers Association (Ewa Koch, President) was also held on the last Saturday of the month. The elegant event was held at the Oak Brook Drury Lane Theater for the graduates-to-be of the many Polish high schools in the Chicagoland area. Yours truly with my handsome beau represented the PRCUA. Secretary-Treasurer Bastrzyk, in her capacity as the president of the Holy Trinity Polish School and past Vice President Anna Sokolowski were present as well. There are approximately 50 schools in the Chicagoland area including our PRCUA-sponsored schools who are pictured in this article. Among the many sponsors of scholarships for the “best of the best” seniors, was the PRCUA. The winner of the PRCUA Scholarship was Gabriela Bonar from the St. Blaise Polish Catholic School in Summit, Illinois. Congratulations, Gabrysia! We wish you much success! Entertainment was provided by the Lajkonik Dancers under the direction of PMA Archivist, Halina Misterka, who performed a lovely waltz and after their choreographed Polonez, invited guests to join them in the social Polonez that would commence the social dance portion. Richard and I were both honored to participate, and I was partnered with Artur Gromek as the lead couple. After the Polonez, the soon-to-be graduates took to the dance floor and danced the night away.
The month came to a close with a quick trip to northern California for a visit with my friend Gosia Niemiec. We met at an event for Polish American Youth at Alliance College in the 1970s and have been “best friends forever” ever since.
Our deepest condolences to Elizabeth (Myron) Cislo and Barbara (Gregory) Skrzypiec on the passing of their mother, Janina Wargacki, on December 23rd – Janina was a school director at the Southwest Center of Polish and Dance in the early years; Duane (Kelly) Malinowski and his family on the passing of his mother, Sylvia Malinowski on December 26th; and to Ron (Basia) Toboy family on the passing of his sister-in-law, Mary Ann Toboy on January 17. Eternal rest grant unto them, Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen.
Happy belated birthday wishes to National Directors D-8 Elizabeth Dynowski (1/15) and D-10 Colleen Bonkowski (1/27); the Sales Department staff – Associate Joanna Blach (1/24) and Coordinator Marge Grzeszczuk (1/29), as well as to former Sales Coordinator and choreographer at the Southwest Center of Polish Song and Dance as well as Polanie Dancers of the St. John Paul II Polish School, Michael Dziadkowiec (1/31); as well as Irena Gavaghan (1/6); Lillie Gajda (1/14) and Basia and Ania Toboy (1/28) and to all others celebrating January birthdays! Sto lat to the February babies, including Sales Associate Lily Prado on her 21st birthday (2/2); New Business Associate, Mateusz Bomba (2/3); and from Treasury, Boguslawa Chrzanowska (2/25).
While we are on the subject of February, the Carnival Season, referenced earlier, is upon us and among the many school dances on our calendar is the 34th Shirley Ann Galanty Michigan State Ball (2/15) honoring: Sophia Josephine Zaliwski (Gwiazda Dancers, Hamtramck), Olivia Grace Barba (Halka Dancers, Detroit), Kelly Lynn Czyzyk (Malbork Dancers, Grand Rapids), Michael John Orlowski (Opole Dance School, Warren), Natalie Ann Magiera and Logan Nicholas Porada (Polskie Maki Dance School, Warren), Mackenzye Marcia Ann Klimowicz (Rogalin Dance Troupe, Wyandotte), Ian Andrew Zelek and Lillia Weronika Zelek (Wieliczka Dance Ensemble, Dearborn Heights), and Hannah Alexandra Saunders (Zajączek Dance Ensemble, Sterling Heights).
The Maria Konopnicka Polish School (Principal Rafal Zachara, School Board President Sylwia Raj) will be celebrating its 50th anniversary on February 8 at Paradise Elegant Banquets in Bridgeview, Illinois. The PRCUA was instrumental in the funding of the newly-formed school, when in 1974 then-District 8 Director Regina Ocwieja was asked for financial assistance by School Director Sophie Tarnas and her husband Kazimierz, one of the teachers. Mrs. Tarnas was also the person who introduced me to the Konopnicka School, Adult Culture Group and eventually my road to PRCUA. The Brighton Park area on the southside of Chicago with both St. Pancratius and Five Holy Martyrs Parishes were in the heart of Polonia and the latter became the birthplace of the Adult Culture Group, the Wesoły Lud Polish Folk Dance Company, and FHM Youth Dancers which evolved into the Southwest Center of Polish Song and Dance. The incomparable His Excellency Bishop Alfred L. Abramowicz was at the helm of this area of Polonia as well as the pastor of FHM. For many of our current PRCUA members within District 8 – the Maria Konopnicka Polish School was where they gave much of their time and energy, and where they continue to have happy memories. Congratulations to all who made and continue to make the Konopnicka Polish School one of the best ones! Sto lat on this golden anniversary!
Also on February 8, but in another part of town, the Henryk Sienkiewicz Polish School (Ilona Sobiech, Principal; Renata Kaleciak, President) will continue celebrating their 55th anniversary with “Las Vegas Night” dinner dance at Crystal Grand Banquets in Lemont, Illinois. District 8 Director, Elizabeth Dynowski (social worker by day and modern dance by night), has volunteered her talents to make this a showstopper! Shhhh! It’s a secret!
Other significant occasions will be the 45th anniversary of the St. John Paul II Polish School of Lemont, Illinois (Halina Szyrzyna, Principal; Grzegorz Karkoszka, President) and the 10th anniversary of the Zbigniew Herbert School of Polish Language and Culture (Irena Wozniak, Principal; Kinga Pierwola-Truta, Vice Principal). Both will be held on February 15th at Crystal Grand Banquets, Lemont, Illinois. On the same date, Polonia Ensemble will host their Family Carnival Ball at Allegra Banquets in Schiller Park, Illinois; while the St. Raphael Kalinowski Polish School will hold their Carnival Dance at the Carmelite Fathers Hall in Munster, Indiana. There will be much to read about in the next issue of the Naród Polski!
In the spirit of the 60th Presidential Inauguration (1/20), may God bless our president and all the presidents who chose to serve our country. On February 20, we will celebrate Presidents’ Day – may we do so in the spirit of optimism and good will. Happy Presidents’ Day!
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY to all of you! Fill your hearts with love, chocolates and memorable moments on this special and every day!
