Polish American Heritage Month at the PMA

Chicago, IL - (Photos) For the 9th year in a row, the Polish Museum of America has celebrated "October-Polish American Heritage Month" by focusing upon Polish culture as expressed through music, song, poetry, dance and cuisine.  The popular event was held in the Great Hall of the Polish Museum on Sunday, October 14th with over 200 people in attendance.

The program began with Jan Lorys, PMA Director, introducing the Master of Ceremonies, Paul Odrobina, Vice President of the Polish National Alliance whose organization became a Life Member of the Polish Museum this year.

The Polish National Anthem was sung by Thomas Poznanski and the American National Anthem was sung by Jessica Zduniewicz, both of whom are students of the Southwest Center of Polish Dancing sponsored by the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America.  The invocation was offered by Piotr Rapcia, a Seminarian studying at Bishop Abramowicz Seminary in Chicago Illinois.

Wallace M. Ozog, Chairman of the PMA Board, welcomed the large crowd to this annual event, which was initiated by his wife, Joann Ozog, in 1998.  Maria Ciesla, President of the PMA Board, introduced the PMA Officers and Board Members who were present, including Anna Sokolowski, Vice-Chairman, Camille Kopielski, Treasurer, Virginia Sikora, Vice-President and Board of Directors, Kevin Ryba, Lillian Stempinski, Alice Robaczewski, Mary Jane Robles, Felicia Krupinski and Joyce Szarowicz.

Honorable Pawel Pietrasienski, Acting Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago, spoke on the important role that the Polish Museum of America plays in preserving Polish and Polish American history, literature, music, art, folk art and heritage. He thanked the Museum for holding this event each year and all the people involved with the planning and execution of this joyous program.

Maly Ludek of the PRCUA Southwest Center of Polish Dancing performed the "Lublin Suite" in their colorful costumes.  The audience appreciated the talented group and showed it with much applause. Then pianist Nicholas Kowalczyk from Ignacy Jan Paderewski Polish School entertained everyone by playing two numbers by Frederic Chopin, "Nocturne in E Minor” and "Grande Valse Brillante."

The cultural performances continued with the recitation of the poem "Moj Orzel" by Joanna Poznanski; a musical performance by Marcin Burdzy, who played "The Entertainer" on the piano; Cindy Avila played "Minuet #3 and Chorus” on the cello; and Anna Wypych and Jessica Zduniewicz recited the poem "Twoj Dom."  All are students at the PRCUA Southwest Center of Polish Dancing.  To close the cultural part of the program, students of the Mlody Ludek Dance Group from the PRCUA Southwest Center of Polish Dancing performed the "Wielkopolska Suite."

Thanks are extended to the following members of the PRCUA Southwest Center of Polish Dancing for their role in providing the entertainment: Lublin Suite: Gillian Rustik, Kayla Leonhard, Alicia Kaleta, Kasia Presz, Sylwia Koziel, Martha Guziak, Daniel Budz, Michael Tokarz, Maximilian Morawski, Thomas Lyzbicki, Bartek Morawski, Daniel Avila; Wielkopolska Suite: Stephanie Anhalt, Karolina Bryjak, Jessica Gewont, Caroline Miszczak, Eliza Palarz, Meagan Richardson, Veronica Socha, Gabriela Suarez, Justine Szaflarski, Meggie Szaflarski, Agnieszka Szczepaniak, Malgorzata Tumiel, Alex Bieniek, Tomasz Brzyski, Daniel Hudaszek, Johnny Pilny, Daniel Rykala, Justin Rzezinski, Jeremiah Stanek, Nicholas Stanek, Jacob Stypula, Micheal Szwagiel, Wojciech Szwagiel, Daniel Zuk. The Southwest Center is led by School Director - Krystyna Lech; Assistant School Director - Jolanta Stanek; Artistic Directors and Choreographers - Micheline & Richard Jaminski; Vocal Instructor - Richard Jaminski; Dance Instructors - Renee Bober, Kalina Dziadkowiec, Virginia Gavaghan, Anna Kraszewski, Danielle Kroplewski, and Andrew Lech. SWCPD is partially subsidized by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

Next, dignitaries and representatives from various Polish American fraternal and local organizations were introduced by MC Paul Odrobina. Their participation in the program was most appreciated.

Each year, the PMA donates books to a school in order to encourage students to learn more about Polish subjects.  This year, Anna Sokolowski, Vice Chair of the Polish Museum of America Board presented books written in English to St. Benedict School and books written in Polish to Ignacy Jan Paderewski Polish School. Accepting the books for St. Benedicts were Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Cosgrove, their son, and daughter, Chloe, who attends the school. Nicholas Kowalczyk, a student at Ignacy Jan Paderewski Polish School, and his mother accepted the Polish books on behalf of that school.

The highlight of the program for students each year is the acknowledgement of the winners of the PMA's Polish American Heritage Art Contest. Its theme this year was the 70th Anniversary of the Polish Museum of America.  There were 35 entries received from Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Indiana. 

Monetary prizes and certificates were presented to the winners in each of four grade categories by Monika Nowak, Chairman of the PMA Art Contest, who is also a volunteer and a member of the PMA staff; Wallace M. Ozog, PMA Chairman; Maria Ciesla, PMA President; and Camille Kopielski, PMA Treasurer.  Others involved in the coordination of the art contest were: Joann Ozog and Agnieszka Migiel-Lubiejewski.  The Art Contest Judges were Suzanne Etsch, Halina Misterka, Wanda Morgan, Monika Nowak and Anna Mycek-Wodecka.  The PMA appreciates the time that these individuals gave in the organization and judging of this art contest.

The winners are: Kindergarten-Grade 2: 1st place Jeremi Wasag; 2nd place Helenka Jozwik; 3rd place Krystyna Jozwik; Honorabe Mention Ela Redlinska; Grades 3-5: 1st place Elizabeth Hayes; 2nd place Laura Zelis; 3rd place Alexandra Wasag; Hon. Mention Slawomir Jozwik; Grades 6-8: 1st place Katherine Hayes; 2nd place Justyna Jozwik; 3rd place Michal Hipner; Hon. Mention Jaroslaw Jozwik; Grades 9-12: 1st place winner Vsevolod Shchepanovsky; 2nd place Luiza Knap-Serek; 3rd place Susan Dzbanski; Hon. Mention Marta Pytko; and Overall Artwork that Best Shows the Topic Mark Podowski. Congrat-ulations are extended to all these talented young artists.

Chairman Wallace Ozog and President Maria Ciesla then presented the Polish Museum of America's Polish Heritage Award to the following:

Matthew Sularski - in recognition for his generous monetary donations that have enabled The Polish Museum of America to maintain, preserve and promote its many Polish treasures. As a member since 2000, he has been a generous supporter of many PMA projects, including Save the Book, Photo Restoration, Chicago Immigration Workbook, Poster Restoration and Sabina Logisz Matching Fund.

Edmund Gronkiewicz - in recognition for his generous donations to the Sabina Logisz Matching Fund. He has been a member of The Polish Museum of America since 1999 and immediately became a Life Member.

Bogdan Dola  - in recognition for making the community aware of the Polish Museum of America, its exhibits, programs and treasures by way of the media. Bogdan Dola was born in the Podlaski province of Poland.  There, he finished technical school specializing in Construction. He came to Chicago about 20 years ago and returned to Poland due to health problems for a short time. Mr. Dola started his own construction company, A B & D American General Construction, which still exists. In 2002, after acquiring a substantial fortune, he created the TV Channel, TVP Chicago, which broadcasted on Channel 34 for 3 years. Presently, it is broadcasted on the Internet, where there is the possibility of reaching a wider audience. Over the years, Mr. Dola has given exceptional support to The Polish Museum of America by bringing information about the Museum - with its many workshops, events, programs and exhibits - into the homes of Poles and Polish Americans.

Idalia Blaszczyk - in recognition for her efforts in making the community aware of the PMA, its exhibits, programs and treasures by way of the media. Idalia Blaszczyk was born and educated in Poland. As a student she became involved in Polish Radio, beginning with Rozglosnia Harcerska in Warsaw, then Polish Radio in Lodz and finally Polish Radio Zielona Gora. In 1990, Ms. Blaszczyk worked at 750 AM for 3 years and for the last 11 years she has worked at 1030 AM.  Presently, she is the producer and hostess of a two-hour daily show known as "Co slychac?" ("What's going on?) It airs Mon.-Fri. from 10 AM to Noon, covering a wide spectrum of Polonia's reality including politics, science, art, literature, economics, health, education and sports. Quite often Ms. Blaszczyk has invited staff members of the PMA on her program to promote and inform the public of the events and exhibits held at the Polish Museum. She also is very visible at many of the events sponsored by or held at the Museum.

Hon. Pawel Pietrasienski, Acting Consul of the Republic of Poland in Chicago and his wife, Ewa - in recognition for their support and interest in promoting The Polish Museum of America here and abroad. The Hon. Pawel Pietrasienski was born in Warsaw, Poland. He attended the Warsaw School of Economics for his Masters and Doctorate Degrees and worked there as an Assistant and Lecturer in the Dept. of Market and Marketing. He was  Consul in the Consulate General of the Republic of  Poland in Chicago, Deputy Consul General of Poland in Chicago and Head of the Dept. of Promotion and Cooperation with Polonia. Presently, he is Acting Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago. He is also  the author of the book "International Marketing Strategies" published by PWE (Poland).

Ewa Pietrasienska was born in Dzialdowo, Poland. She was educated in International Relations at  Warsaw University and has attended Northwestern Business College, Leon Kozminski Academy of Entrepreneurship and Management and The Diplomatic Academy.  Her work experience includes the Commercial Division of the Consulate of the Republic of Poland in Chicago and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  She is married to Hon. Pawel Pietrasienski and they are the proud parents of two daughters, Roksana and Nina.

A special presentation was made by Misia Jaminski, Director of the Polish Folk Dance Association of the Americas' Chicago Festival 2007 to organizations who were Sponsors of the Festival. 

The official program concluded with Benediction given by Krzysztof Szczepanik, a Seminarian studying at the Bishop Abramowicz Seminary.

After the program, 137 guests attended the Annual Polish American Heritage Month Dinner in the Social Hall where they enjoyed a delicious buffet of traditional Polish foods prepared by Kasia's Deli. All guests received table favors and some went home with a door prize.

The PMA is most thankful to have the following Sponsors who have made monetary donations towards the 2007 Polish American Heritage Art Contest prizes:

Mr. & Mrs. Wallace Ozog (Golden Contributor); Dr. & Mrs. Robert Dutka (Bronze Contributor); Mr. & Mrs.  Richard Ciesla (Bronze Contributor); Sabina Logisz (Bronze Contributor) and Polish Heritage Contributors Felicia Krupinski; Renee Lameka and Pat Michalski.

The PMA also extends "special" thanks to the following sponsors: Polish Falcons; Polish National Alliance; PRCUA; Joann Ozog; Michael Sztapka, who provided Pol-Am buttons; Camille Einoder; Vitners Potato Chips & Pretzels; J & B Distributing; Michaeline Drust; Dale Eastman, "Happy Foods"; Dirk Wales, Author of "Twice a Hero"; and Mariusz Brymora, Culture & Public Affairs Counselor, Embassy of the Republic of Poland.

Thanks are extended to the committee who made this inspiring celebration possible, including: Program Chairperson Joann Ozog, Dorothy Bialek, Maria Ciesla, Jennifer Crissey, Barbara and George Cwiak, Krystyna Grell, Olga Kaszewicz, Frank Kocubinski, Camille Kopielski, Malgorzata Kot, Robert Kowalski, Felicia Krupinski, Richard Kujawa, Agnieszka Migiel-Lubiejewski. Monika Nowak, Alice Robaczewski, Mary Jane Robles, Henriette Rocks, Kasia Rosypal, Kevin Ryba and Pam Tuytens.