What a difference a year makes! I reread my article from September of last year and it was a truly sad and uncertain time. We were six months into the lockdown thanks to the pandemic and there was little to report. Dance and language schools were weighing their options if and when they would be able to hold in person classes or how to prepare for remote learning. Social events and sports tournaments were cancelled. We were all just hoping that we could be with our families for the holidays and some of us were, others were not. With more than half the population vaccinated, there is a glimmer of hope that life will return to normal and in some places, it has.
As the new school year commences, vigilance and safety continue to be still first and foremost on our minds. However, we do see more interaction among our friends throughout our communities and within the PRCUA, but caution is the key. “May each teacher become a mentor, may every classmate become a friend, may every lesson teach and enrich you. Here’s to the best school year ever!” JollyGreets.com
In July, PRCUA Society #1031 from LaPorte, Indiana hosted the 68th PRCUA National Golf Tournament, with Chairperson Amy Baucom at the helm. I direct your attention to pages 12-13 of the September issue of Naród Polski for complete details and many photos for you to enjoy. Bravo to PRCUA Society 1031 for a great job hosting this event! Thanks to all the golfers, committee, sponsors and cheerleaders!
In August, PRCUA Society #718 hosted the 66th PRCUA National Softball Tournament in Woodhaven, Michigan – spearheaded by Chairman Dan Gdowski; with support from Society President Jerry Nasiatka PRCUA and Vice President Emeritus Bob Bielenda. PHOTO #1 An article will be forthcoming in October, but in the meantime, let’s celebrate the winners: Coed Team: St. Rita 2 from Society 1368; Men’s: St. Stan’s Society #718; and Women’s: St. Rita’s Dziewczyny.
CONGRATULATIONS TO FIRST TIME BABCIA AND DZIADZIA, Donna and Dan Gdowski, on the birth of their grandson, Gabriel Troy Gdowski, on August 17th and to new parents, Jerica and Troy. How Dan and Donna balanced the excitement around a new baby in the family and still hosted the Softball Tournament shows the dedication of our PRCUA members. Thank you and all the best to “Gabryś”! PHOTO #5
On Monday, August 23, Sec-Treas. Agnieszka Bastrzyk and I represented the PRCUA at the farewell reception hosted by the Polish Teachers Association and the Polish Museum of America for Consul Piotr Semeniuk who is concluding his consular mission in Chicago at the end of the month. Consul Semeniuk and his wife, Lena, were very visible at many Polonian events throughout this consular district which includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The Semeniuks will be returning to Poland and although call Lublin “HOME”, will reside in Warsaw. Of all of his prestigious assignments, most noteworthy was the visit to Chicago of Poland’s President Andrzej Duda and First Lady, Agata Kornhauser-Duda in May of 2018 which he was tasked with organizing. The Presidential couple visited the PRCUA Home Office and the Polish Museum of America. The main Polonian event was held in Millennium Park in Chicago on May 19, 2018. Consul Semeniuk with his charismatic smile will be greatly missed and we wish him and his family all the best in his personal and professional life! Sto Lat! PHOTO #6
The Polish Museum of America will be hosting its GALA virtually on Friday, October 8, 2021. As this year’s Chairperson, I invite you all to join us by clicking on the link which will be posted at a later date on the PMA Facebook page as well as on their website. This year, the Spirit Award will be given to Frank Spula, President of the Polish National Alliance and the Polish American Congress, as well as the Pilsudski Institute of America in the individual and organization categories, respectively. Your financial contribution as well as virtual presence will ensure that the Polish Museum of America will continue its mission of “Preserving the Past to Benefit the Future.”
On the cover of this month’s Narod Polski, the site of the 63rd PRCUA Quadrennial Convention is featured. Pre-Convention Committee hosting the event from August 11-14, 2022, is PRCUA District 8 chaired by National Directors Elizabeth Dynowski and Myron Cislo. The Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center (3500 Midwest Road, Oak Brook, IL 60523) was personally selected by PRCUA President James Robaczewski to provide a total fraternal experience mixing business and leisure. Check out the website and be prepared to be impressed. District 8 plans to do its part to make this a convention to remember so SAVE THE DATES: August 11-14, 2022.
On August 28, 2021, New Business Associate, Mateusz Bomba, married the love of his life, Victoria Gavaghan. In the next issue of the Narod Polski, we will include photos of their wedding which united not only these amazing people and their families, but also their respective PRCUA sponsored Polish folk dance groups and the north and south sides of Chicago. Mateusz has danced with Polonia Ensemble for many years and Victoria with the Wesoly Lud Polish Folk Dance Company. Congratulations and best wishes as you begin your new life as Mr. & Mrs. PHOTO #7
Speaking of District 8, it will host the upcoming 4th PRCUA National Volleyball Tournament (November 5-6, 2021) and Annual Oplatek (December 4, 2021). These events were to be held in 2020, but I am sure you know why it was postponed. Please mark your calendars!
Our deepest sympathy to National Director from District 7, Anna Krysinski, on the passing of her husband, Janusz. It was very sad to see a man of 65 years be deprived of his mobility and time with his family. He suffered greatly and, according to his three children, in silence, never complaining. The eldest son, Janusz, shared a short bio about his father, as well as memories he promised to share with his own children in the future. The youngest, Adam, who was also very close to his father and spent much time with him especially at the end, simply told of his love and respect for his dad. His daughter, Jaclyn, took the podium to share not only memories, but thanked those who paid their respects as well as contributed to the ALS foundation with the hope to find a cure for this debilitating disease. As for Anna, it has been an especially difficult year for her, losing both her mother and her husband in the same year – the two people who loved her unconditionally. Please keep the family in your prayers. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. May he rest in peace, Amen.
PRCUA President James Robaczewski underwent surgery to have his gallbladder removed and is recovering nicely. PRCUA Home Office, in an attempt, to keep his spirits up, sent him a lovely gift basket of well wishes and jokes; items to follow the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) as well as Jello and cans of soup; etc. Although he is well on the mend, we continue to wish him all the best and know that he is getting the best care possible with Elaine, Joey, Tommy, and his sister, Barbara (a nurse) at his side.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes to President Jim Robaczewski who shares the day (8/30) with my grandson, Cole, celebrating “13”! Sto lat, sto lat, niech żyją, żyją nam! Birthday wishes to all born in September including: President Emeritus, Wally Ozog, past Vice Presidents: Anna Sokolowski (9/6) and Lorie Rose Gorny (9/16) who will be celebrating her 99th birthday, Kevin Kucik (9/14); Loretta Dykla, Mary Jane Robles, and son-in-law Michael Turkiewicz (9/16); I share the day with Andrew Lech (9/17); Tommy Robaczewski (9/18); Rev. Walter Ptak (9/20); Dir. of Marketing Elzbieta Sawczuk (9/22); Elaine Robaczewski (9/26) and friends, Evelyn Cedzidlo (9/6) and Joanna Niedzielski (9/25). Happy 6th Anniversary to my niece, Joline, and hubby, Anthony (9/6) and belated happy 3rd birthday to Cooper (8/26)!
Photo #1: with Colleen Bonkowski, Robert Bielenda, Jerry Nasiatka, Dan Gdowski, Micheline Jaminski, Agnieszka Bastrzyk, Thomas Lisiecki
Photo#5: Donna and Dan Gdowski with their grandson Gabryś
Photo#6: with Micheline Jaminski, Consul Piotr Semeniuk and Agnieszka Bastrzyk
Photo#7: Mateusz Bomba at our Social Hall during his pre-wedding surprise party organized by the PRCUA Main Office
