Greetings to all as we welcome November! Being born and bred in the Midwest, I have seen (and raked) my fair share of fall foliage in all its glorious splendor, yet only recently heard the expression “leaf-peeper” watching a Hallmark movie. I never heard of its precursor “leaf-peeker” either, but both were first in print in the 1960s and soon became the new buzz word for marketing autumn tourism, especially in the Northeast, West, and Midwest of the country. In any event, I found it interesting that there was such a term for soaking up the colors of the season, reveling in its beautiful reminder of the cycles of life. We often go through the motions of our everyday rituals – sometimes savoring the little things, most times rushing to get from point A to point B. With a new month upon us and one that reminds us of all we have to be truly thankful for, let us enjoy the everyday moments, because just like leaves, they bloom and wane.
November is quite an eventful month – from the onset, the solemnity of All Saints and All Souls Days command our respect to those who have passed before us, especially those closest to us. The parents of the PRCUA Tatry Dancers (Mary Skurnit, School Director; Karen Lubiarz, Dance Instructor) will honor 2025 Graduate Isabella Ann Machowicz at the Hellenic Cultural Center in Westland, Michigan (11/2). The Henryk Sienkiewicz Polish School (Ilona Sobiech, Principal; Renata Kaleciak, President) will celebrate its 55th anniversary at the induction of its first graders (11/3). Americans will do their civic duty and vote (11/5). The Jan Karski Polish School (Marek Adamczyk, Principal) will be celebrating its 10th anniversary at Alpine Banquets in Darien, Illinois and the Holy Cross Polish School (Barbara Szuba, Principal) will host its Autumn Dance at Crystal Grand Banquets, in Lemont, Illinois (11/9). Then there is Veterans’ Day and Polish Independence Day (11/11). On the weekend of November 15-16, the Opole Dancers of PRCUA will host the 7th PRCUA National Volleyball Tournament at Centerline High School Gymnasium in Center Line, Michigan with teams in three divisions: coed, men and women. As if that were not enough for one weekend, on Sunday, November 17th, the National Directors from District 10, Colleen Bonkowski and Valerie Brumm, are hosting a Dance Workshop with Choreographer Richard Jaminski for the Michigan and Ohio dance groups AND a PRCUA Round Table for District 10 sales agents and members. PRCU 162 Hall is the site of these two events beginning at 9:00 am. Echoes of Poland are hosting a dinner dance at the PRCUA Hall in Toledo, Ohio (11/16). Celebrating its 55th anniversary, the Adult Culture Group (Elizabeth Dynowski, President; Richard Jaminski, Choreographer) will host its 52nd Cinderella-Prince Charming Ball on November 23rd at Belvedere Chateau in Palos Hills, Illinois, presenting 28 candidates. Thanksgiving will be celebrated on November 28th this year and on November 30, the PRCUA Zajączek Dance Ensemble (Colleen Bonkowski, School Director; Tricia Dennis and Rachael Kasperek, Dance Instructors) will present Evalyn Marie Frederick and Hannah Alexandra Saunders at its 2025 Graduate Presentation Ball at the Century Banquet Center in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Meanwhile, Richard and I will be at the wedding of Wesoły Lud alumna Alicia Kaleta and Andrew Summers (Alicia’s mom and aunt, Rene Kaleta and Anna Kraszewski Winkler, are also WL alumnae). Looks like another busy month indeed! Please check the Calendar of Events in this issue of the Naród Polski for details of these and other events hosted by our PRCUA members.
Before we recap the previous month, I promised to write about two events that occurred at the end of September after the October issue of the Narod Polski went to print. The first was the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Danielle Sutton. Richard is the Payment Services Specialist in the PRCUA Member Services Department. Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs.!
The second event was the annual Congregation of the Resurrection Gala held at Allegra Banquets in Schiller Park, Illinois. In 2021, PRCUA President Robaczewski was honored with the Vision of Hope award at this prestigious event. Among our founding fathers were CR priests and the PRCUA is forever grateful. At this year’s banquet, the PRCUA Polonia Ensemble (Anna Krysinski, Manager; Jaclyn Krysinski, Choreographer) entertained the guests, among whom was our PRCUA president.
October—Polish American Heritage Month—was indeed in full swing right from the start, with the celebration of PRCUA’s 151st anniversary in house with the staff (10/3). (By the way, the best way to celebrate is to encourage membership in the PRCUA – that way, we will celebrate our anniversary for many more years to come!)
The 29th Annual Polish American Heritage Month Celebration in the Calumet Region was held the first weekend of the month with a wreath laying at Pulaski Park, the 2nd Annual Pulaski Park Promenade (10/5), Holy Mass at St. Andrew the Apostle Church and a luncheon at the newly remodeled VFW Hall (10/6). President Robaczewski joined in the festivities hosted by the PAHM Committee of the Calumet Region, spearheaded by Gerry Tarka, Calumet City Treasurer and PRCUA Budget and Grievance Committee member. Meanwhile in Cleveland, Ohio, the PRCUA Echoes of Poland Dance Ensemble (Paulina Ortyl, Artistic Director and Choreographer; Teresa Gibala, Manager) participated in the Mass at St. Stanislaus celebrated by Fr. Eric Orzech, pastor, and performed at the Parish Polish Festival (10/6).
Also on October 6, commemorating the 45th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Chicago, the PRCUA Southwest Center of Polish Song and Dance (Anna Kraszewski-Winkler, Manager) participated in the Papal Mass at Five Holy Martyrs Parish which, in 1979, was the site of the Pope’s first Mass of the day before presiding over a second Mass in Grant Park.
The second weekend of October was also quite busy, beginning with the PRCUA Officers attending the Polish American Congress Council of National Directors meeting at the PNA Headquarters in Chicago (10/12)—yours truly serves as the National Treasurer. On Sunday, October 13, the PRCUA Officers with their spouses and joined by our PRCUA National Directors Ewa Cholewinski (D-7), Liz Dynowski (D-8), and Beth Sadus (D-9), attended the Polish American Congress 80th Anniversary festivities at O’Hare Tech Center, Schiller Park, Illinois. Many dignitaries were in attendance, including representation of both political parties, who all came with congratulations on the PAC accomplishments over 80 years. In May 1944, the Polish American Congress adopted two complementary agendas: the Polish one—to help Poland in its great hour of need; and the American one—to unite the Polish American community and to aid its members to become better-informed American citizens. With 8.2 million people of Polish ancestry (per 2023 U.S. Census), the majority of whom have successfully assimilated into the American mainstream, it is increasingly challenging to sustain the “Polish” in Polish American, albeit the number of Polish language Saturday schools has increased and the efforts of organizations such as the PRCUA and the PAC continue to advocate for and promote our rich Polish heritage. Congratulations to the PAC on its 80th anniversary!
Meanwhile, the PRCUA Michigan Schools celebrated Polish American Heritage Month with a Polish Mass at St. Albertus Parish in Detroit, Michigan with Very Rev. Walter J. Ptak, PRCUA National Chaplain, presiding (10/13).
On October 20, President and Mrs. Robaczewski represented the PRCUA at the PAC Illinois Division Annual Heritage Banquet at Allegra Banquets, Schiller Park, Illinois. The last Saturday in October (10/26) found Richard and me at the 60th Anniversary Banquet of the Cholewinski Polish School (Kinga Kościelniak, Principal; Angelika Bochenek, School Board President), at Crystal Grand Banquets, in Lemont, Illinois. While many attendees were among their teaching colleagues, I was able to visit with quite a few parents of past Wesoły Lud members and even my one alum and his lovely wife. The PRCUA Wesoły Lud Dance Company (Richard Jaminski, Artistic Director and Choreographer) performed at the event, adding to the well-coordinated, informative, and entertaining program. Congratulations to those who were instrumental in fostering this school since 1964 and bravo to those who orchestrated and participated in the program!
On Friday, October 25, President Robaczewski attended the Tadeusz Kosciuszko Namesday Celebration organized by the Chicago Branch of the Kosciuszko Foundation at the Polish Museum of America. During the event, the Foundation honored Malgorzata Kot, Managing Director of the Polish Museum of America, for her outstanding contribution to the Polish community and the Polish Museum of America, and her many years of support for the mission of the Kosciuszko Foundation. Congratulations to Mrs. Kot for her outstanding service to Polonia and well-deserved award.
The last Sunday in October found the Bastrzyk family and Wesoły Lud dancers (and parents) representing the PRCUA at the Polish Independence 5K/10K Walk/Run in Chicago’s city center. These photos say it all and I just want to add my applause for a job well done! It was truly a beautiful day!
Birthday wishes to NP Editor Lidia Kowalewicz and past VP Jerry Kucharski (11/16), Joann Ozog (11/17), Kathryn Romani (11/22), Nancy Golemo (11/28), and all other November birthdays and anniversaries.
The month came to an end on October 31 with the annual PRCUA Employee Appreciation Luncheon, but since this issue went to print prior, you will have to wait until next month to “read all about it.” In the meantime, may you all find time to go leaf peeping” and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
VP Micheline Jaminski, Richard Jaminski and Sales Coordinator Marge Grzeszczuk at the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Danielle Sutton.
