The official publication of the Polish Falcons of America since 1896

The official publication of the Polish Falcons of America since 1896
Polish Falcon
February 2016
No. 1
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
SOKÓŁ POLSKI
Executive Editor
Courtney Caughey-Stambul
Graphic Designer
Andy Darragh
Published by the Polish Falcons of America
(Published Feb., April, June, Sept., Dec.)
2016
Timothy L. Kuzma, President & CEO
A Leap Year
200th Anniversary of the Founding of the City of
Pittsburgh, the home of PFA National Headquarters
since 1912
Election for President of the United States of America
Most Important—The National Convention of the
Polish Falcons of America
Delegates from PFA Nests and Districts will meet in South Bend, Ind.,
July 13-16, for the National Quadrennial Convention. This 41st such
gathering will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown South Bend.
The Convention is the most important meeting of our organization. Our Constitution and
Bylaws defines the Convention as the Supreme Legislative Body of the organization.
The Delegates will hear reports from Officers and Directors about what has transpired
during the past four years, and the current state of the organization. There will also be
presentations from our actuarial firm, Allen Bailey and Associates, our asset manager,
Parkway Advisors, and our independent external auditors, McKeever, Varga and Senko.
There will be opportunities for questions and discussions on all of these reports.
Another critical function of the Convention is to discuss, debate and vote on proposed
amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws. The Constitution sets the rules for how
the organization will operate, and the Convention is the only time when those rules can
be changed. This is an important responsibility of the delegates. The Convention will
also deliberate motions from delegates, and will also redress grievances. Finally, and
most important, delegates will choose the Officers and Directors who will lead our great
organization for the next four years.
The “business” aspect is the most important part of the Convention. It is the reason for the
gathering, but I don’t want to make it sound like a corporate shareholders’ meeting. There
will be plenty of time for the delegates to socialize, renew acquaintances, make new
friends, and have a great fraternal experience. We are planning a fun fraternal evening to
raise funds for our scholarship programs, Legion of Honor Members will gather for their
Conclave, and Falconettes will gather for their traditional luncheon. And to top it off,
there will be a grand banquet on Saturday evening to end the Convention.
Important information about the Convention can be found in this magazine starting on
page 5. You can also check the PFA website for updates and more information. A mailing
will be sent to all Nests and Districts in early February.
For me, this Convention will be my seventh as a Delegate and I am looking forward to it as
much as my first back in 1988. I am sure there will be many delegates who have attended
more Conventions than me, but whether you are a seasoned veteran delegate or this is
your first time, I assure you that you will have an enjoyable experience. I look forward to
seeing all of the delegates again when we all meet this July in South Bend.
Czołem.
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SOKÓŁPOLSKI
Polish Falcons of America National Headquarters
381 Mansfield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15220-2751
Phone: 412-922-2244
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 412-922-5029 - http://polishfalcons.org
Sent to all premium paying Members without charge.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President & CEO
Timothy L. Kuzma
First Vice President/Membership Service
Patricia B. Del Busse
Second Vice President/Fraternal Director
Daniel Michalak
Secretary/Treasurer & CFO
John Kuzmirek
NATIONAL DIRECTORS
District I - Edward Ciesla
District II - Thomas Eckert
District IV - Nancy Marcuson-Capozoli
District V - John Kowarik
District VI - Christine Belasco
District VII - Thomas Washington Jr.
District IX - Mary Rand
District XIII - Janet Knauber
APPOINTED OFFICIALS
Communications Director
Courtney Caughey-Stambul
Physical Education Director
Christine Puskar
Polish Cultural Commissioner
Lawrence Kozlowski
Legal Counsel
Richard J. Federowicz
NATIONAL SALES
National Sales/Marketing Director
John Denning
POSTMASTER
Send address changes to: Polish Falcons of America,
381 Mansfield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15220-2751.
Periodicals Postage Paid In Pittsburgh, PA
USP 500-640
MOVING?
Please complete the change of address form online
at http://polishfalcons.org/change_address.
SUBMISSIONS
Articles on Nest and District activities including
photos may be submitted for consideration
through our website at http://polishfalcons.org/
sokol_submissions. Email photos to ccaughey@
polishfalcons.org or mail to PFA Headquarters.
Poor quality or damaged photographs will not be
considered for publication. We are not responsible
for typographical errors in transcribing material
that is hand-written. All submitted materials
become the property of the Polish Falcons of
America and may be used to promote the mission
of the PFA. Materials will not be returned
unless requested.
© COPYRIGHT 2016 Polish Falcons of America.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication
can be reproduced in any form without written
permission. Printed in USA. Please Recycle. Printed
by Knepper Press, Clinton, PA.
www.knepperpress.com
The submission deadline for the April issue is
Monday, Feb. 29, 2016.
CONTENTS
09 I NESTS / DISTRICTS
14 I PROGRAMS
18 I MEMBERSHIP
22 I FINANCIAL
24 I CULTURAL
FEATURES
16 I ZAPUSTY
20 I TAKE A TRIP BACK IN TIME
25 I TASTES OF POLAND: PĄCZKI
Learn about pączki!
joom.ag/1rKp
SOKÓŁPOLSKI
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EDITOR'S LETTER
I hope your year is off to a terrific start. I am very excited to share this
February issue of the Sokół Polski (and first issue of 2016!) with you.
The magazine has been given a facelift, and it’s looking better than
ever. Cleaner design and easier to read, we hope you enjoy it as much
as we do.
Contributing largely to our updated look is new Communications
Assistant and Graphic Designer, Andy Darragh. Andy is a Pittsburgh
native and graduated from the California University of Pennsylvania
in 2014, where he majored in Graphic Design and Marketing. We are
happy to have him as a member of our team at National Headquarters.
And with us for the spring semester of 2016, we have an intern,
Elizabeth Furiga. Elizabeth is a Slavic Studies major at the University of
Pittsburgh. She has a strong interest in food writing and has written the
Pączki feature appearing on page 25.
Also, you may have noticed a Quick Response (QR) Code on the
contents page. This issue is our first with a digital component. Now
accompanying select features, we will have additional information
pertaining to the article available online.
Scan the code or visit joom.ag/1rKp to learn more about pączki.
If you have any comments on our new look or digital component, send
them to [email protected]. I appreciate your feedback. Until
our April issue, czołem!
Courtney Caughey -Stambul
Andy Darragh
POLISH FALCONS HERITAGE FOUNDATION GOLF OUTING
Saturday, May 14, 2016 - Oakview Country Club in Slippery Rock, Pa. - polishheritage.org
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SOKÓŁPOLSKI
NATIONAL CONVENTION
PF
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Registration of Delegates will begin on Wednesday, July 13,
2016. The First Session of the Convention will be called to order
on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at approximately 1 p.m.
Y2
JUL
Y2
JUL
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Pursuant to Article II, Section 13 of the Constitution and
Bylaws of the Polish Falcons of America, I hereby issue a
call for the convening of the 41st Quadrennial Convention
of the Polish Falcons of America, hosted by National
Headquarters, on Wednesday, July 13, 2016, in South
Bend, Ind. All sessions of the Convention will take place
at the Doubletree Hotel in South Bend.
AL
TION CONV
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NA
Delegates
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The Convention is composed of the National Executive Board,
appointed officials, Members of the Board of Directors, Executive
District Officers, Executive Nest Officers, benefit Members of the
Legion of Honor, and duly elected Nest delegates. Each Nest is
entitled to one Delegate for every fifty (50) Members, a fraction
thereof, and two (2) alternate Delegates, duly elected by a
majority vote on a secret ballot at a special meeting of the Nest
held at least 60 days before the opening of the Convention.
-S
O UTH BEND
A Delegate to the Convention shall be a benefit Member of the
Falcons in good standing who is a citizen of the United States
and who is 18 years of age and who shall have been a Member
of the Falcons for at least one (1) year prior to the Convention
and a Member of the Nest for at least one (1) year prior to the
Convention, and who is not an officer, delegate, representative,
agent or employee of any other fraternal benefit organization
doing a life insurance business. Each Nest should notify National
Headquarters as soon as possible of their Delegate election
meeting specifying date, time, and location. This information will
be posted on the PFA website and if the timing permits, will be
published in the Sokół Polski magazine.
Quorum
A quorum for the Convention shall consist of the duly elected
delegates of at least one-third (1/3) of the number of Nests in
good standing. Therefore, it is incumbent that all Nests send a full
complement of the duly elected delegates to the Convention.
Oliver Mansion
South Bend, Ind.
CO
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To reserve a room for the convention, please
visit polishfalcons.org/national_convention.
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Czołem,
Timothy Kuzma
National President
SOKÓŁPOLSKI |
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, IN
MAKING AMENDMENTS
TO THE
CONSTITUTION
HOW
TOPFA
MAKE
AMENDMENTS
BYLAWS
TO THE AND
PFA CONSTITUTION
AND BYLAWS
All amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Polish
Falcons of America are presented for adoption at the Convention
by the standing Legal Committee as per Sections 136 and 140
of the Constitution and Bylaws. The standing Legal Committee
is in the process of reviewing our Constitution and Bylaws
for additional revisions. All proposed amendments shall be
reviewed by the Legal Committee. Any proposed amendments
may be submitted to the Committee in writing, signed and dated
by May 1, 2016, and sent to:
Polish Falcons of America
ATTN: Legal Committee
381 Mansfield Avenue, Suite 300
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
Please include your contact information with the proposals in
the event the Committee has to contact you for questions or
clarification. The proposed amendments that will be presented
to the Convention shall be printed in advance in the June issue
of the Polish Falcons magazine and on the PFA website. All of
the proposed amendments are presented to the Convention by
the standing Legal Committee and shall be approved by a twothirds vote of all delegates present and qualified to vote at the
Convention. In order to expedite their preparation, amendments
to the Constitution and Bylaws should be submitted in writing,
preferably typewritten.
Following is a suggested guide for submitting proposed
amendments to the Legal Committee:
1. Identify the Section that is being amended by its number
and title in the current Constitution and Bylaws.
2. Language and punctuation to be deleted from an existing
section shall be overtyped with a succession of hyphens. (For
example: SECTION 16—Quorum. A quorum for a Regular or
Special Convention shall consist… This proposal is deleting
the words “or Special” from the Section.)
3. To delete an entire section, simply state which section is
to be deleted. (For example: I propose to delete Section 16—
Quorum from the Constitution in its entirety.)
4. New words or sentences added to an existing section shall
be underlined or written in bold. (For example: SECTION 42—
Expenses of Directors. The National Board of Directors shall
receive such expenses… This proposal is adding the words
“National Board of” to the Section.)
5. To replace text, place the new text in bold or underlined
before the deleted text which is struck through. (For example:
SECTION 16—Quorum. A quorum for a Regular or Special
Falcons Meeting Convention shall consist… This proposal
is deleting the word “Convention” and replacing it with
“Falcons Meeting”.)
6. To add a new section, give the title NEW SECTION before
the text of the section.
Thank you for your assistance. Please contact National
Headquarters if you have any questions or need more
information about amendments to the Constitution.
LEGION
OF HONOR
LEGION
OF HONOR
Election of Commandery Representatives
A meeting of the Polish Falcons of America Legion of Honor
Conclave is held at every National Convention. Only those
Members with a Legion of Honor Award can attend. In
addition to discussing issues related to the Legion of Honor,
the purpose of the Conclave is to confirm the election of the
Legion of Honor Commandery and to elect a Grand Master
of the PFA Legion of Honor. The Commandery is composed
of one representative from every District. This representative
is chosen by the Legion of Honor Circle of each District. The
meeting to select the District’s Commandery representative
must be held at least 30 days prior to the National Convention.
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After this election, the results are submitted to the National
President. The National President submits the names to the
Grand Master prior to the National Convention. The Grand
Master presents the candidates to the Legion of Honor
Conclave for confirmation. The newly-confirmed Commandery
representatives are sworn in by the Grand Master during the
Conclave. Following the installation, the Conclave will hold
an election for the position of Legion of Honor Grand Master
and Secretary of the Commandery. The candidate for each
office must be a member of the Commandery. Voting for each
office must be done by secret ballot. The candidate must
receive a majority of votes to be declared the winner.
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SOKÓŁPOLSKI
Main Administration Building
Notre Dame
NATIONAL DIRECTOR
NOMINATION PROCESS
Each District is obligated to nominate one candidate for
National Director to be elected by the upcoming 41st Polish
Falcons of America National Convention. A District shall
nominate a National Director at a Plenary Meeting to be held
at least 60 days prior to the National Convention.
Voting privileges at a District Plenary Meeting:
1. Executive Board of that District consisting of the following:
President, Woman Vice President, Vice President, Recording
Secretary, Treasurer, Physical Instructor, Physical Instructress
and all elected Members of the District Board of Directors.
2. Each Nest in the District will be represented by the
following Nest Officers: President, Vice President, (Woman
Vice President and Vice President in mixed Nests. It is a Nest’s
option to elect one or both Vice Presidents.), Recording
Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Physical Instructor,
and Physical Instructress in mixed Nests.
3. Benefit Members of the Legion of Honor are permitted to
attend and have a vote at the District Plenary Meeting. Nonbenefit Legion of Honor Members have no voice and no vote.
In summary, only the qualified officers of each Nest and
District, Benefit Falcon Legion of Honor Members and
the National Director shall be allowed to vote. Any action
contrary to this will result in an illegal meeting.
(Continued right.)
LEGION
DELEGATES
LEGION
DELEGATES
All Legion of Honor Benefit Members in good standing are
automatically entitled to be a Delegate to the National
Convention. Legion of Honor Benefit Members wishing to be a
delegate must request a Legion of Honor Delegate Credential
Form directly from National Headquarters. The deadline for
submitting a request is June 15, 2016. The deadline cannot
be extended.
Also, a Member who is attending the Convention as a
Elected Delegate, Nest Officer, District Officer or National
Officer, cannot also attend the Convention as a Legion of
Honor Delegate. Requests for the Legion of Honor Delegate
Credential Form can be sent by the following methods:
Polish Falcons of America
ATTN: First Vice President Patricia Del Busse
381 Mansfield Avenue, Suite 300
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
Fax – 412-922-5029;
Email – [email protected];
Phone – 1-800-535-2071
For any questions or additional information concerning the
Legion of Honor, please call National Headquarters or email
Grand Master Bernard Wolny at [email protected].
Qualifications for National Director
The candidate for National Director shall be a benefit Member
from a Nest in the District, must be a citizen of the United
States, an adult Member in good standing for at least five (5)
years at the time of his/her election and a Delegate to the
National Convention. He/she must not be an officer, delegate,
representative, agent, or employee of any other fraternal benefit
organization doing a life insurance business. Also, no person
shall be elected to office after attaining age 70.
1. Announcements for all meetings will be posted on the PFA
website and if the timing permits, in the Sokół Polski magazine.
2. Every District must submit to National Headquarters a copy
of the complete minutes within one week after the meeting,
including the full names of all qualified voters.
3. Any District changing the date, time, or place of the previously
announced meeting must notify all concerned, as listed above,
specifying the valid reason for this change. Failure to do so will
result in an illegal meeting.
If you have any questions about the Director nomination process,
you may contact National Headquarters.
41ST QUADRENNIAL
NATIONAL CONVENTION
SOUVENIR PROGRAM BOOK
In commemoration of the 41st Quadrennial Convention of the
Polish Falcons of America, a special Souvenir Program Book is
being published. We welcome all Members and friends of the
Falcons to consider placing an advertisement in this book to
extend your best wishes to the National Convention. Please feel
free to share copies of the information and form with anyone
who may be interested in placing an ad in the Program Book.
Full Page ......................... $150
1/2 Page ......................... $125
1/4 Page ......................... $75
Sponsor Listing ............. $25
The Program Book Advertising Form can be found at
polishfalcons.org/Files/Admin/NationalConvention_2016/
Ad-Form.pdf. A sample page is included which shows the size
and corresponding cost of the ads available. Please return this
completed form and check made payable to Polish Falcons of
America to the address on the form.
As a bonus, the special price for PFA Nests and Districts is
$100 for a full page ad. The discount ad form can be found at
polishfalcons.org/Files/Admin/National_Convention_2016/
Ad-Form-Discount.pdf.
The deadline for submitting advertisements is May 20,
2016. Thank you in advance for your consideration and
participation.
SOKÓŁPOLSKI |
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GENERAL CONVENTION INFORMATION FOR NESTS AND DISTRICTS
Each delegate to the National Convention shall:
1. Be at least 18 years of age.
2. Be a benefit Member of the Falcons in good standing for at
least one year prior to the Convention.
3. A Member of the Nest he or she is representing for at least
twelve months prior to the Convention.
2. For Nest Officer Delegates, there is no election required
to be a delegate to the National Convention. The National
Convention Delegate Credential for Nest Officers form must
be completed. The Nest President and Financial Secretary
must sign this form.
4. A citizen of the United States of America. A newly organized
Nest that has been organized a least ninety (90) days before
the Convention has the right to full representation at the
Convention.
3. For Elected Delegates and Nest Officer Delegates, a copy of
the completed and signed Credential form must be submitted
to National Headquarters not later than June 15, 2016. The
original is to be presented to the Credentials Committee by
the delegate at the Convention registration. Incomplete or
unsigned Credential forms will be returned.
An individual who is an officer, delegate, representative, agent
or employee of any other fraternal benefit organization doing
a life insurance business cannot be a delegate to the Polish
Falcons of America National Convention.
The Nest Officers Form for 2016 must be on file
at National Headquarters in order for Nest Officer
Delegate Credentials to be verified and issued.
Nest Representation at the National Convention
Each Nest is entitled to the following representation at the
National Convention:
a. One duly elected delegate for every 50 Members or a fraction
thereof. (Example: If a Nest has 350 Members, this Nest is
entitled to seven delegates. If a Nest has 351 Members, this
Nest is entitled to eight delegates.)
b. Two alternate delegates who shall take the place of an officially
elected delegate who is unable to attend the Convention.
c. Executive Officers of the Nest. These Officers are: President,
Vice President (Female Vice President and Male Vice President
in mixed Nests. It is a Nest’s option to elect one or both Vice
Presidents.), Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer
and Instructor or Instructress in mixed Nests.
d. Benefit Members of the Polish Falcons Legion of Honor.
Nest Delegate Procedures
1. For Elected Delegates, determine a date to hold a special
meeting for the election of delegates to the National
Convention. This meeting must be held at least 60 days before
the opening of the Convention. The Nest should inform National
Headquarters of the date, time and place of the meeting so it
can be posted to the PFA website and if timing permits, in the
Sokół Polski magazine. Election of delegates is to be done by
secret ballot.
All Convention Delegate Forms will be available in
early February. Information will be mailed to all Nests
and information will be posted to the PFA website.
District Representation at the National Convention
Each District is entitled to the following representation at
the National Convention: Executive Officers of the District:
President, Female Vice President, Male Vice President,
Secretary, Treasurer, Instructor, or Instructress. (A District has
the option of having one or both Vice Presidents.)
District Delegate Procedures
1. For District Officer Delegates, there is no election required
to be a delegate to the National Convention. The Delegate
Credential for District Officers form must be completed.
The District President and Secretary must sign this form.
Incomplete or unsigned Credential forms will be returned.
Also, the District Officers form for 2015-2017 must be on file
at National Headquarters in order for District Officer Delegate
Credentials to be verified and issued.
2. A copy of the completed and signed Credential form must
be submitted to National Headquarters not later than June
15, 2016. The original is to be presented to the Credentials
Committee by the delegate at the Convention registration.
South Bend Museum of Art
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SOKÓŁPOLSKI
NEST 68 CELEBRATES
110TH ANNIVERSARY
NESTS / DISTRICTS
I
Nest 68 was organized in 1906, and in 1912 the Nest
purchased the property on the corner of Olive and
Grant Street. A clubroom was built and served the Nest
for 103 years. Unfortunately due to the changing times,
the Nest placed the building for sale in April of 2014. It
now serves as a Spanish Church.
On Saturday, October 17, Nest 68 Meriden, Conn.
celebrated at Monticello’s Restaurant in Meriden.
Kathleen Hansen, Nest 68 President, was presented with
the Gold Legion of Honor (above). The Silver Legion of
Honor was awarded to Robert Kosienski, and Walter
Ziemba was inducted into the Legion Circle with the
Bronze Legion of Honor. The awards were presented by
Frances Tracz, Commander of the 5th District Legion of
Honor Circle, John Kowarik, National Director, and Daniel
Michalak, National 2nd Vice President.
Stars of Merit were presented by Phillip Zambrello,
District V President, and Kathleen Hansen, Nest 68
President, to the following:
William McDade, Gold
David Hansen, Silver
Mallorie Michalak, Silver
Mary Lynn McDade, Silver
Robert Neuman, Bronze
In 1937, the Falcon Fife, Drum, Bugle Drum Corp was
formed and competed annually for 43 years before
disbanding in 1980. In 1946, the Nest purchased 30
acres of land on Westfield Road and named it Falcon
Park. This served as the home field for the Falcon semipro football team and also Meriden High School games,
as well as Little League baseball. The picnic grove was
one of the most popular parks in central Connecticut.
After many years it was eventually sold and later
acquired by the City of Meriden and renamed Falcon
Field. The Falcon Alumni Athletic Scholarship started in
1948 and $2,000 has been awarded annually (for 67
years) to a deserving local high school athlete.
Throughout its history, the local Nest was known for
its boys and girls physical fitness classes. Hundreds
of local teens participated in gymnastics, track and
field, and swimming competitions within District V and
nationally. Many National Championships were won,
as well as individual championships. Also, many local
men and women were elected to National and District
offices. Presently, Daniel Michalak serves as 2nd
National Vice President. The Nest remains very active
despite not having a clubroom. Fundraising projects
are carried out throughout the year.
Present Officers are: President, Kathy Hansen; VP,
Robert Billings; Financial Secretary, William McDade;
Recording Secretary, Walter Ziemba; Treasurer, Daniel
Michalak and Sports Director, Mallorie Michalak.
Monthly meetings are held at Billings Sports’
conference room on East Main Street in Meriden.
Organizational Service Awards were also presented by
President Hansen to the following:
Tadeusz Mielcarz, 75 years
Diane Impronto, 50 years
Gloria Holmes, 50 years
Mallorie Michalak, 25 years
Matthew Hansen, 25 years
SOKÓŁPOLSKI |
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From Left: Miles Blakesley, Maggie Karczewski, Rose Karczewski, Liz Karczewski, Brennon Koehler
Five Members of
Nest 564 LaPorte, Ind.
graduate high school.
Miles Blakesley graduated from South Bend Riley.
Maggie Karczewski, Rose Karczewski, Liz Karczewski,
and Brennon Koehler graduated from South Bend
Adams. The cousins were all born in 1996 and signed
up as PFA Members by their Great Aunt Adeline
Macalka. Congratulations!
CZOŁEM!
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SOKÓŁPOLSKI
NEST 42 OFFERS TWO YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS
Credit - RaStudio
The Nest 42 Auxiliary, Chicago Heights, Ill. is proud to
once again offer two youth scholarships. The Auxiliary
will award two $500 scholarships to Nest 42 Youth
Members. Applications will be accepted from Feb. 1,
2016 through March 15, 2016. Requests for applications
and/or questions about the criteria to apply for the
scholarships can be directed to Emily Repking at
[email protected], and/or mailed to: 337 Caldwell
Avenue, Chicago Heights, IL, 60411, or please contact
Lorraine Kozlowski at 708-758-7340.
NEST 827 FALL HAPPENINGS
During October, Polish Heritage Month, Nest 827
Chicago, Ill. donated a book to the St. Cletus School
Library. Mrs. Mary Delaney, librarian, stated she is
grateful for the donation because it adds to the
library's Polish History section. The following Officers
and Members were present for this presentation: Judy
Delany (President), Mary Kuta (Treasurer), Dolores
Jaskierski (Secretary), Danny Doheny (Student), and
Mary Delany (Librarian).
Preparing for the Christmas Wigilia, Nest 827 had their
annual group gathering making pierogi, sauerkraut,
cheese and potato. The group attending was as follows:
Lisa Jaskierski, Julie Jaskierski, Regina Van Henkelum,
Laura Phelan, Dolores Jaskierski, John Van Henkelum
(our dough roller), Katie Maley, and Margaret Doheny.
A reminder to all Members of Nest 827 that meetings are held the first Tuesday of
March, June, Sept., and Dec. at Archer Park 49th & Kilborne Chicago, IL at 11:30 A.M.
SOKÓŁPOLSKI |
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J.D. and Jenny Adams
Nest 163 Mocanaqua, Pa.
celebrated Halloween with
the kids in their community
this year.
Nest 163 held a Children's
Christmas Party on Dec. 19,
2015. All in attendance had
an excellent time. Thank you
to the Members who made
the party possible! Special
thanks to Rick Kowalski for
the photos.
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SOKÓŁPOLSKI
M.J. Smith
Tyler Olendorf
John Zabresky
and Linda Milakovic
NEST 163
Nest 163 held a BBQ chicken dinner, raising $500 for the Northwest
AYSO Soccer Association. Pictured are helpers: Mike Shoemaker,
Tammy Wisniewski, Larry Spaide, Jim Zarr, Linda Milokvic, Debby
Vitz, Tia Vitz, Vivian Zarr, Jeff Appolo, Michele Metcalf, and
Ronny Shuckers.
NEST 336
ANNUAL KIDS
CHRISTMAS
PARTY
NEST 307
Nest 307 Southington, Conn. held their annual children’s
Christmas Party on December 13 with 65 children in
attendance. The Nest gave away a stocking full of toys and
candy to the child at the party that guessed the correct
amount of goodies in the stocking. This year, Cora Bailey
guessed 52 items, winning the stocking. She only kept a
few items and donated the rest to Toys for Tots.
Way to go, Cora!
Right: Cora Bailey with her father, Ryan, event organizer and
Physical Instructress, Diane Decker, and Nest President, Jim
Sokolowski.
NEST 104
On Dec. 6, 2015, Nest 104 Newark,
N.J. held its annual Christmas
party and meeting at the Polish
Cultural Foundation in Clark, N.J. It
was an enjoyable gathering.
SOKÓŁPOLSKI |
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I
National Camp
PROGRAMS
2016 VOLLEYBALL
TOURNAMENT
APRIL 1 – 2, 2016
Christine Puskar, National Physical Education Director
National Camp will take place June 26-July 3,
2016 at St. Vincent DePaul Camp in Angola,
N.Y. Ages 9 – 18 may attend as Campers; Ages
19 – 20 may attend as Junior Counselors;
Ages 21 and older may attend as Counselors.
Member Registration Fee is $225 for first
Camper and $200 for each additional
immediate family member. You may bring a
friend that is a Non-Member to camp, if they
have not attended any other PFA National
event. The cost for Non-Members is a nonrefundable $250. Watch the PFA website
at polishfalcons.org/camp for additional
information and registration.
Gymnasium
Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball
One Herron Avenue
Emsworth, PA 15202
Hotel
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Pittsburgh West
875 Greentree Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15220-3508
412-922-7070
Registration Information
Youth Participants: Download the application packet
at polishfalcons.org/volleyball. (Includes players, 1
chaperone for 5 participants, and Instructors). Druhna
Chris will book all rooms for youth participants, so be
sure to complete a rooming list.
Member Entry = $25 per Player/Instructor/Chaperone
Non-Members
We will again allow Members to bring a friend that is
not a PFA Member to the tournament. Be sure to write in
“friend” on the application. Remember that this is a “one
time only” chance. If Non-Members enjoy themselves
and want to come to National Camp or another event
next year, they will need to become an insured Member.
Please note: if you brought someone with you as a friend
to last year's volleyball tournament or camp, and he/she
would like to come again this year, he/she must become
a benefit Member before the tournament.
Non-refundable “Friend” (Non-Member) Fee = $40
Non-refundable Guest Fee = $30 (Includes all meals)
Friday
Adult Participants: Download the application packet
at polishfalcons.org/volleyball. You will need to call
the hotel and book your own room. Ask for the Polish
Falcon rate of $110.
Member Entry = $50 per Player
Non-refundable “Friend” (Non-Member) Fee = $60
Non-refundable Guest Fee = $30 (Includes all meals)
Please direct any questions to Druhna Chris Puskar at
[email protected].
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SOKÓŁPOLSKI
Dinner: 4-5 p.m.
Coaches Meeting: Adults 4:45 p.m.; Youth 5 p.m.
Drill Performance: 5:15 p.m.
Round Robin Play: 5:30-10 p.m.
Saturday
Hotel Breakfast
Play begins: 8 a.m.
Lunch at Gym: Noon
Continue until play is complete.
Awards Banquet: 7 p.m.; Awards will be presented after
dinner with dancing until 11:30 p.m. It will take place
at West End Pulaski Society Lodge, 14 Linhart Street,
Pittsburgh, PA 15220.
FALCON BOWLERS!
Janet Knauber, Bowling Manager
This year’s Bowling Tournament will be hosted by Nest
610 Erie, Pa. It seems to be a central location. The 78th
Annual Polish Falcon Handicap Bowling Tournament
will be held on Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30.
Squad times for the Team Event will be 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
on Friday, and Singles and Doubles will be bowled on
Saturday at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. In addition to bowling the
Team Event, you have the option of bowling Doubles
only. However, if you chose to bowl Singles, you must
also bowl Doubles. Squad times will be assigned on a
first come, first serve basis.
We will be bowling at Eastway Lanes, 4110 Buffalo Rd.,
Erie, PA. The cost this year will be $70 per person if you
are bowling in Team, Singles, Doubles and All Events.
If bowling only specific events, the cost is $21.50 per
event plus the $2.50 for insurance, which is mandatory.
If you are requesting a sub for your team, that fee MUST
be paid with your application. Remember that your
National Dues must be current prior to the tournament. I
believe this the best deal on bowling in town.
The deadline for entries is on February 28.
As was decided at last year’s tournament, we are going to
allow non-Falcon members to bowl in the Tournament.
The stipulation is that you must have one Falcon Member
for each Non-Falcon member bowling. So, your team can
be two Falcons and two Non-Falcons. Doubles must be
one Falcon and one Non-Falcon, so that there will be no
two Non-Falcons bowling together. Obviously if your
Non-Falcon friend is bowling Team and Doubles, they
will be allowed to bowl Singles and they can enter the
All Events portions of the tournament. The only thing
that will be different for the Non-Falcon bowler is that
they would have to pay an additional $15 with their
entry fee. Entry fee for a Non-Falcon bowler choosing
to bowl in Team, Singles and Doubles and All Events will
be $85.00.
I will need to verify all averages prior to bowling. If you
bowled last year (2014-2015 season) in a sanctioned
league, I should be able to find your averages online. If
you bowl in a non-sanctioned league, I will need a copy
of your current bowling sheet showing at least 21 games
bowled. This is a must or you will be bowling with a blind
score of 190 for men and 160 for women. If you bowled
in a previous Polish Falcon tournament, I will have your
average recorded.
Housing arrangements have been made with the Avalon
Hotel and Conference Center located at 16 West 10th
Street in downtown Erie. Room rates are from $79 per
night plus tax. The hotel has parking on a first come,
first serve basis. The hotel is offering a Free Continental
Breakfast. Reservation cut off is March 22, 2016. You
can contact the Avalon Hotel at 814-459-2220 or 1-800822-2016. Nest 610 will have their Club room open with
food and drink on Thursday from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m.
Friday hours from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. with band starting
at 8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. until 2 a.m. with DJ at 7 p.m.
There will be bus service from the Avalon Hotel to the
Hall on Friday and Saturday evenings. Times are yet to
be determined for the bus service.
We will also be bowling a fun tournament on Thursday
evening. This will be a Scotch Doubles event. Scotch
Doubles is where you bowl one ball, and your partner
finishes the frame. If you get a strike then bowler two
starts the next frame. The cost will be $50 per Doubles
team. It will be handicapped. That entry fee for the
Scotch Doubles must be paid to Janet Knauber. Please
make checks payable to Janet Knauber, so that I can have
the cash at the tournament to payout jackpots and prize
monies. If you need further information on this event,
please feel free to contact me at 586-933-3874. The
entry for this portion of the tournament will close on
April 18. No if’s ands or buts about that! The entry forms
are available online, but if you prefer a paper form just
let me know and I will get an application out for you.
SOKÓŁPOLSKI |
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SOKÓŁPOLSKI
ZAPUSTY
16
BEYOND MARDI GRAS
Robert Strybel, Polish/Polonian Affairs Writer
The term Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, and usually
encompasses festivities held from the final pre-Lenten
weekend until Ash Wednesday. Across Polonia, Pączki
Day is widely celebrated on Shrove Tuesday. But in Old
Poland, Zapusty (also known as Karnawał), was not a day
or even a weekend, but an entire season starting between
New Year’s and the Feast of the Three Kings (January 6).
On Christmas Eve, eligible maidens drew strands of hay
from under the tablecloth in the hope of finding a suitor
and getting engaged or even married before the end of
the Karnawał season.
Families with single girls of marriageable age made a
special effort (often going into debt) to hold dances
or full-fledged balls to which the desirable young
bachelors were invited. Every eligible young lady came
to such affairs hoping to meet her prince charming.
Handsome, though not very well-to-do young men,
often in borrowed, ill-fitting suits eagerly attended such
events, knowing they would get a lot of free food and
drink, not to mention the dancing and socializing thrown
into the bargain.
Elegant Mardi Gras’ balls, masquerades and banquets
were held in the townhouses and country manors of
the landed gentry. Gourmet delicacies and vintage wine
were in abundance, and the dancing was punctuated
at intervals by performing soloists, ballroom games,
lotteries and contests. The merriment lasted until the
crack of dawn, when bleary-eyed revelers joined in a final
mazurka. A steaming bowl of tart, eye-opening żurek was
a good pick-me-up before heading out into the cold.
A sleighing party known as a kulig was another typical
Karnawał pastime. Family and friends were bundled into
torch-lit, horse-drawn sleighs, and set off in a merry ride
across the snow-covered countryside with a sleigh-load
of musicians providing entertainment. Such a cavalcade
would descend unannounced on a manor house and
literally eat and drink their hosts out of house and home
before moving on to the next neighbor down the road.
As Zapusty drew to a close, house-to-house revelers
made their final rounds. A party of such merry-makers
masqueraded as a bear, goat, stork or turoń, an extinct
wild bovine. There was a gypsy or two and beggars in
tatters with soot-stained faces begging for treats and
coins. Peasants and other commoners would gather
at the village inn, drink beer and inexpensive vodka
and feast on jellied pig's feet, kiszka, sausages and
flaczki. Home-spun musicians would belt out obereks,
krakowiaks and kujawiaks and partygoers had a merry
time jostling one another on the usually rather cramped
dance floor.
But the glittery balls and the rustic down-home meetups had one thing in common – on Ostatki (Shrove
Tuesday) they came to an abrupt halt at midnight. It was
even said that the devil was lurking somewhere in the
shadows making a list of those who kept on partying
after the stroke of 12. The following day was Popielec
(Ash Wednesday) which would usher in a 40-day period
of severe fasting and penance and zero amusement.
SOKÓŁPOLSKI |
17
I
MEMBERSHIP
Trish Del Busse, National First Vice President
I’m hoping all had a wonderful Christmas and have
survived the recent blast of old man winter! Pretty soon,
we will be hearing birds singing, seeing the sun, and
enjoying the great outdoors.
The night before Christmas Eve, I fell and broke my
ankle. So as all of you were running around frazzled
trying to get stuff done, I was lying in my bed making
constant requests. Be careful what you wish for! By the
time you receive this magazine, my foot attire will have
changed, and I will no longer require the assistance of
crutches! All should learn how to use crutches before
you need to!
I am pleased to report that all Nests have been compliant
and have purchased Liquor Liability Insurance (this
applies to Nests with buildings and bars only). Thanks
go out to all of those involved in this project: the
Membership Committee who recognized the need
for this protection (pointed out originally by National
Secretary/Treasurer, John Kuzmirek), the entire Board of
Directors and most importantly, those at the helm of the
Nests who did what they needed to do! Hopefully, there
will never be a claim filed. Just in case, we are prepared!
The bills for National Dues (as well as Nest Dues for
those who have the National Office collect) will be going
out shortly. Thank you to the Nest Officers who filled
out the rosters and returned them in a timely manner.
Please keep in mind, that in order to participate in any
of our events, one must be current with his/her National
and Nest Dues.
Even though 2016 is not a year for newly elected
Officers, there is other paperwork requested of our
Nests. It is always appreciated when the Nest Officers
return the information by the deadline.
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All Nests are asked to fill out the end of year report so
that the information may be compiled, entered into
a spreadsheet, and then forwarded to the American
Fraternal Alliance. These fraternal numbers are
necessary for advocacy and public relations. All Nests
are asked to return the form 990.
If the Nest makes less than $50,000 per year, the
National Office will relay your information to the IRS. If
the Nest makes more than the $50,000, it is necessary
for the Nest to file the 990 long forms. But, the green
information sheet must be returned to us by April 10,
2016. The National Office now reimburses the Nests (a
portion of the fee) if the Nest has an accountant take
care of this (which the Nest should!). All Nests are asked
to fill out an insurance questionnaire. All of these forms
should have been received by a Nest Officer. If you have
not received the forms, or have any questions, please do
not hesitate to contact me.
The scholarship applications are available on our
website. There have been quite a few applications
submitted already, very impressive! The recipients of
the Dr. T. A. Starzynski will be notified in late March (our
Board of Directors meeting is March 12). The recipients
of the Richard C. Gorecki will be notified in late May (our
Board of Directors meeting is May 7).
Information regarding the National Convention is
discussed in the opening pages of this issue. A packet
of information will be sent to all Nests and Districts.
This packet will include information on the hotel, the
Constitution amendment process, and ad forms for the
program book. Also included will be mandate forms for
Nest (District) Officers, Nest (District) Delegates, Legion
of Honor, and the number of Delegates each Nest and
District may send to the Convention in South Bend.
The second weekend of January, John and I took a trip to
Connecticut. It was nice to be back in Connecticut visiting
with so many Members of District V. Nest 36 Southwestern
Conn. celebrated our 110th Anniversary. Congratulations!
During the celebration, I received my Bronze Legion of Honor.
It was quite an honor to receive my award. Thank you to the
Officers and Members of Nest 36 for recognizing me. Even
though I knew I was getting it, I was still extremely pleased
to receive it. Nests in District V have a very nice ceremony
for those receiving their awards. The next day, I was able
to participate as a Legion Member during the Nest 519
Middletown, Conn. awards presentation. My compliments to
all Nests and Districts who participate in the awards program
offered by the Polish Falcons.
Jawn, Trish and Druhna Frania
(District V Commandery Representative)
I strongly encourage the Nests and Districts to acknowledge
the Members who work so hard for our organization. Honestly,
Members work for the good of the order because they care
and desire to do so, but it is always nice to receive a pat on the
back and a small token of appreciation for such dedication
and commitment.
CZOŁEM!
I am looking forward to an interesting and exciting 2016.
It is a very busy year! It is a Leap Year so my son, Jim, has a
birthday; he will be 10! (actually 40!). Is that possible for me
to have a 40-year-old son? The volleyball tournaments for
both the youth and the adults will take place at the same time
this year. I hope the event will prove very successful, along
with the bowling and golf tournaments, National Convention,
and numerous other events and activities one participates in
as a Falcon. See you in Pittsburgh, Erie, South Bend and New
Castle at the very least!
Let’s get moving so we can all be healthy and strong to enjoy
all that is ahead of us.
If you need or desire to do so, please contact me at vptrish@
polishfalcons.org or 800-535-2071.
FRATERNALIST
OF THE YEAR
2016 NOMINEES
Jawn, Trish, Ryan and Ryanna
at the Nest 8 Christmas party.
The Fraternalist of the Year Award is an honor presented
by the Polish Falcons of America on a National level to
recognize an individual within the organization who,
through example and accomplishment, has provided
outstanding volunteer service to his or her Nest and
community in the past year.
For eligibility requirements, program procedure and/
or to download the 2016 nomination form, please visit
polishfalcons.org/fraternalist. Applications must be
postmarked no later than May 1, 2016.
SOKÓŁPOLSKI |
19
TAKE A TRIP BACK IN TIME
Robert Strybel, Polish/Polonian Affairs Writer
By 1905, America’s Polish immigrant population was
estimated at just over two million. Peasants seeking
to improve their lot accounted for the overwhelming
majority of newcomers who flocked to major industrial
centers such as Chicago, New York, Buffalo, Pittsburgh,
Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee and the mill towns of
New England. To a lesser extent, they settled on farms,
usually not far from big cities. By 1910, their ranks
would grow to three million.
Poland meanwhile continued to languish under the rule
of the three partitioning powers. It had been 132 years
since Russia, Prussia and Austria first helped themselves
to generous slices of what had once been one of
Europe’s biggest land empires, the Polish-Lithuanian
Commonwealth in 1772, and 109 since they carved up
what was left of Poland in 1793, wiping the country off
the map of Europe.
The first Polish settlement in
America was Panna Maria, Texas.
Panna Maria celebrated its golden anniversary in 1904.
Over the intervening half-century Polish settlements
and neighborhoods, parishes and organizations had
sprouted up in many parts of the U.S. In 1905, Polonia’s
oldest nationwide benevolent society, the Polish Roman
Catholic Union, had turned 32, and the Polish National
Alliance celebrated its 25th anniversary.
A year earlier, Father Wacław Kruszka had made his
second trip to the Vatican where he begged Pope Pius
X to appoint a Polish bishop for America’s Polish Roman
Catholics. Despite the Pope’s vague promise to deal
with the matter, Father Kruszka was violently attacked
by America’s Episcopate, dominated by Bishops of
Irish and German extraction who advocated rapid
Americanization.
“Ameryka-Echo, one of Polonia’s most interesting
newspapers, was a year old. It had come into existence
through the merger of the Buffalo-based “Gwiazda”
and Toledo’s “Ameryka.” Its owner, Antoni Paryski, was
a dynamic publisher of books and periodicals which
helped educate and entertain the immigrant masses.
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SOKÓŁPOLSKI
OUR AMERICAN POLONIA
Credit - Patryk Kosmider
Around about 1905, Polishlanguage newspapers were
sprouting up all over Polonia.
They informed their readers about events in their local
communities, around the U.S., in Poland and the world.
Their classifieds enabled readers to find jobs and housing,
and serialized novels provided cultural enrichment.
The story of Michał Drzymala was making the rounds
of the Polonian press. The Prussian authorities allowed
Poles to own land but prohibited them from building
homes thereon, so Polish peasant Drzymała took up
domicile in a circus wagon on a parcel of land he owned.
Prussian law did not expressly forbid living in a wheeled
conveyance, and for his clever ruse, he became a folk
hero on both sides of the Atlantic.
The First Synod of the newly emerging Polish National
Catholic Church had been held a year earlier in Scranton,
Pa. The synod adopted a constitution and elected Father
Franciszek Hodur as the Church’s first bishop. Other
Roman Catholic parishes, dissatisfied with the antiPolish policies of America’s largely Irish and German
hierarchy, began joining the independent movement.
Polonian leaders, mainly associated with the Polish
National Alliance, were engaged in a project to
commemorate Kazimierz Pułaski and Tadeusz
Kościuszko, the heroes of two continents, with major
monuments in their honor in Washington D.C. A
fundraising campaign in which each of the PNA’s then
435,000 members contributed 2¢ a month, raised some
$11,000. The memorial was unveiled amid much fanfare
at ceremonies attended by U.S. President William Taft on
May 10, 1910.
Polish leaders, journalists, politicians and activists
in America, as well as many grass-roots immigrants,
closely followed various European conflicts and other
developments with a view to how they might affect their
ancestral homeland. In 1905, they would still have to
wait another nine years for the outbreak of World War I,
the conflict which would ultimately lead to Poland's
re-emergence as a free and independent nation.
SOKÓŁPOLSKI |
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I
FINANCIAL
PFA REFERRAL PROGRAM
SUCCESS IN 2015
Elizabeth Furiga, Communications Intern
The PFA Referral Program began in early 2015. In
January of last year, referral cards were mailed out to the
Presidents of the Nests. Cards were then distributed to
Members. Members could fill out a referral card with the
name of a friend or relative who they thought would be
interested in becoming a Member of the Polish Falcons.
If the person they referred became an insured Member,
the recommender received a $10 incentive.
Each quarter, a winner was drawn from those who
made successful referrals for the chance to win $100.
Recommenders who qualified for the quarterly drawing
also qualified for a $500 grand prize drawing at the
end of the year. The Nest that had the largest number
of new Members referred through this program also
received $500.
The 2015 winner of the $500 grand prize drawing was
Brian Najaka. Brian has been a Member of Nest 163
since Aug. 3, 2004. When asked what being a Member
of the PFA meant to him, Brian responded, “To me, it
mostly means the sense of being involved in something
bigger and greater than myself.” Brian plans to put the
$500 towards his student loan debt.
Nest 163 Mocanaqua, Pa. earned $500 for the most
referrals within a Nest. Their success was due in large
part to the efforts of Insurance Agent, Bruce Najaka.
Bruce has been an Insurance Agent with Polish Falcons
since 2001. He shared his thoughts on the referral
program with us.
“Other people referring their friends
helps our organization,” said Najaka.
If you haven’t participated in the program yet, Bruce
says you should because, “It allows them [Members] to
enlarge their circle of friends and interact more with
other Polish Falcons Members, and it allows everyone
to participate with the organization.”
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In Bruce’s opinion, the referral program has been key to
the success of the organization.
“It’s important [to PFA’s success]
because it gets the word out about
the quality of the Falcons, and the
general public gets a better idea of
who and what we are and how we help
the community in various ways.”
He noted that the quality of PFA insurance products is
what makes the referral program so successful. It also
opens up the doors for new Members to the Falcons’ other
benefits and the fraternal aspects of the organization. He
had a note of advice to share with other Agents about the
referral program.
“Do as many referrals as you possibly can and take a very
good look at the product. Compare it to other products in
your portfolio and you will see the Falcons’ product has
high quality and long term benefits.”
The PFA Referral Program will continue in 2016. For
additional information, please contact John Denning at
800-535-2071 or [email protected].
$10 PFA REFERRAL
program
Mail completed Referral Cards to PFA National Headquarters,
Attention: John Denning, Sales Director at 381 Mansfield
Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15220.
$100 VISA GIFT
CARD WINNER!
Doug Blaker
Nest 182 - Pittsburgh, PA (2 Referrals)
(Juvenile Term Plans do not qualify for drawings.)
Monthly, a $10 referral fee will be paid to the recommender
who completes a lead card that results in a sale.
The recommender will also qualify for a quarterly drawing
for every qualified referral that resulted in a sale. The
winner of the drawing will receive a $100 gift card.
All recommenders will also qualify for a $500 grand prize
drawing at the end of the year.
Congratulations on your referrals!
Melissa Bedford - Nest 163, Mocanaqua, Pa.
Kevin Sharretts - Nest 163, Mocanaqua, Pa.
Nest 163 is the 2015 Referrals Winner!
Nest 163 Mocanaqua, Pa. had the largest number of new Members referred through
this lead program and was awarded $500. Congratulations!
POLISH FALCONS OF AMERICA $10 REFERRAL CARD
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Gender:
Nest No.:
Email:
Male
Female
Age:
Name:
Date of birth:
Phone:
(Name of Recommender)
(Phone Number of Recommender)
SOKÓŁPOLSKI |
23
I
CULTURAL
CARNIVAL MASKS
Larry Kozlowski, Cultural Commissioner
He-Goat - “Turoń”
For centuries in Poland, an annual festival that
signified the farewell to winter and the welcoming
of spring was celebrated beginning right after the
Christmas season and leading up to a celebration
of “Fat Tuesday.” Often referred to as “Karnawał,"
“Ostatki” or “Zapusty,” it was celebrated with
a variety of costumed masqueraders parading
through the towns and villages. Handcrafted
folk masks were created and believed to scare
away the demons and spirits of winter, awaken
the frozen earth and ensure the fertility, warmth
and prosperity of spring. These traditional
masqueraders visited each home each evening
receiving pancakes, donuts and alcohol.
The mythical “he-goat” or bison represented strength and
prosperity. He was made to walk through the fields, orchards and
gardens to ensure plenty at harvest.
Carnival masks can be divided into two groups,
one representing human forms (a beggar, a gypsy
and a devil) and one representing animal forms
(a “he-goat,” a stork and a bear). Other costumed
characters varied with regional differences.
Stork - “Bocian”
Storks were believed to be symbols of good luck. Any home
having a stork’s nest was believed to be protected by this noble
bird. Storks are also believed to protect the farm animals.
Bear - “Niedźwiedź”
The bear, awakened from his long winter’s sleep, is believed to
scare away the dark, cold spirits of the winter from the homes
and villages.
Beggar - “Żebrak”
Masks were created using a variety of materials
including wood, leather, fur, cloth and most
recently, paper. Many vintage carnival masks can
be found preserved in ethnographic museums
throughout Poland.
The beggar scared away the “Fat Man” in anticipation of the fasting
and abstinence of the six long weeks of Lenten restrictions.
The ritual of masks hide the identity of the
masqueraders allowing the costumed character a
sense of equality and anonymity throughout the
entire carnival season. Wives could escape from
their husbands; men and women could flirt with
each other, and everyone could play pranks and
jokes on all of the merrymakers.
The gypsy was to ensure insight into the future with a forecast of
health, wealth and security in the months ahead.
Create your own mask based on this
age-old Polish pre-Lenten tradition
of scaring away the dark, cold days
of winter and welcoming the bright,
warm sunny days of spring!
polishfalcons.org/Files/Admin/Digital-Magazine/Masks-Feb16.pdf
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Gypsy - “Cygan”
Devil - “Diabeł”
The grotesque devil combed the village scaring away the spirits of
the cold, dark winter to welcome the warm, bright days of spring.
TASTES OF POLAND
A HISTORY OF PĄCZKI
PĄCZKI RECIPE
Elizabeth Furiga, Communications Intern
Robert Strybel, The Polish Chef
Pączki are delicious Polish pastries similar to jelly doughnuts,
but unlike their American counterparts they are made with a
very rich dough, which sets them apart. Pączek, the singular of
pączki, translates to doughnut or little package.
Stir in to dissolve 2 packets active dry yeast in 1-1/2
c. warm (110°) milk and set aside. Cream ½ c. sugar
and 1 stick butter by hand or with paddle attachment
of mixer until fluffy. Beat in 1 large egg and 3 large
room-temperature egg yolks, 1 tsp. salt and 1 TBSP.
cognac, rum or vodka brandy, and salt until all
ingredients are incorporated.
Pączki are typically filled with jelly or custard. Traditional
fillings include stewed plum jam and rose hip jam, but today,
pączki can be filled with Bavarian creme, custard and various
fruit fillings like strawberry, raspberry and apple. They are
usually coated with powdered sugar, icing or orange zest.
Typically a small amount of alcohol is added to the dough
before cooking; it later evaporates to prevent the absorption
of oil in the dough.
Pączki have existed in Poland since the middle ages. Originally,
they were savory. In the middle ages, they were filled with pork
fat and fried in lard. Polish King August III is often credited with
changing pączki from savory to sweet.
With the spread of Polish immigrants to the United States, the
pastries are now very popular in several U.S. cities including:
Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
Pączki are traditionally associated with the preparation for the
Lenten season in Poland. The traditional reason for making the
pączki was to use up all the lard, sugar, eggs and fruit in
the house.
Poles consume the pastries on Fat Thursday, the Thursday
before Ash Wednesday. In the U.S., Polish-Americans typically
consume them on Fat Tuesday.
The popularity of pączkis has turned Fat Tuesday into the
holiday, Pączki Day, for Polish-Americans. Customers line up
around blocks to buy pączki from bakeries and some cities
hold parades, dances or banquets.
Gradually add 4-1/2 c. flour, alternating with milkyeast mixture and beat for 5 minutes or longer until
air blisters appear. If dough appears too soft, work in
up to ½ c. more flour.
Transfer dough to greased bowl, cover with tea
towel and let rise in warm place until doubled in
bulk. Punch down and let rise again. Turn dough out
onto lightly floured board amd roll out to a 1/2-inch
thickness. Cut rounds with 3-inch biscuit cutter or
tumbler. Combine leftover dough scraps into a ball,
roll out and cut into additional rounds. Cover and let
rise until doubled (30 mins. or more).
In deep skillet, pot or Dutch oven, heat lard or oil to
350°. Place pączki top-side down a few at a time so
as not to crowd, and fry 2 to 3 mins. or until bottom is
golden brown. Flip over and fry another 1-2 mins. or
until golden brown.
Drain pączki on paper towel. When cooled to room
temperature, poke sides of pączki with nozzle of
pastry bag and fill with powidła (plum butter), rosehip jam or other thick jam of choice.
Glaze with white icing and sprinkle with finely
chopped candied orange rind. Or, simply dust with
confectioner's sugar.
SOKÓŁPOLSKI |
25
Robert Strybel, Warsaw Correspondent
POLISH REGION
HERO OF FRENCH FILM
NO GLOBAL WARMING
SAY 24% OF POLES
A recent survey by Newsweek Polska has shown
that 24% of the respondents deny the existence
of global warming. Some 16% percent of
those surveyed said they were unsure if global
warming was taking place, but a 60% majority
described it as a real threat. Droughts, frequent
flooding, tornadoes, unseasonably mild and
snowless winters and record hot summers are
seen by Poles as symptoms of climate change.
Greenpeace spokesperson Katarzyna Guzek feels
Polish society needs to be better educated about
global warming. The small sampling used in the
survey (800 respondents aged 16 to 64) may cast
some doubt over its accuracy.
POLAND AGAINST ISIS
Poland’s foreign minister, Witold Waszczykowski,
spoke to U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, during
NATO's latest ministerial meeting at the Alliance’s
headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Both ministers
agreed on the importance of intensifying the
anti-Islamic State coalition's efforts against the
terrorists. “If there are some concrete proposals
and we are able to provide technical support,
then we will help,” Waszczykowski said, adding
that at present Poland cannot directly involve its
armed forces because of the conflict in Ukraine.
26
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SOKÓŁPOLSKI
Credit - Jacek Kadaj
Soon people all over the globe will be able to
admire the flora and fauna of Poland's most
pristine region – Podlasie, in the country's
northeastern corner bordering Lithuania and
Belarus. In their documentary, “Les Saisons”
(“The Seasons”), French film-makers Jacques
Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud have highlighted
the primeval Białowieża Forest where wolves,
lynx, bears, bison and wild ponies still roam.
They are convinced that Białowieża is the only
place on earth that reflects the general flavor
of Europe's once vast virgin woodlands as they
were thousands of years ago prior to
human interference.
News From Poland
POLKA CELEBRATION
Peter Danielczuk
Nest 36, Southwestern Conn.
The United States Polka Association will hold its 48th
Annual Festival and Convention on May 27-29 at
the Holiday Inn Cleveland South, 6001 Rockside Rd.,
Independence, Oh. Bands for the weekend include: Polka
Family, Freeze Dried, Dynabrass, Toledo PolkaMotion
Grammy Band Reunion, Dennis Polisky & The Maestro's
Men, The Boys, The Knewz, Ray Jay & The Carousels,
Polka Country Musicians, Box On, Brass Connection
Reunion and New Brass Express. The 40th Annual USPA
Award Banquet will be held on Saturday, May 28 with
brunch being served at 11 a.m. The 8th Annual Junior
Miss USPA & Teen Miss USPA Pageants will also be held
on Saturday, and a Kid's Jam will be held on Sunday, May
29. For further information, please call USPA President,
Barb Haslow, at 440-886-6157 or email her at
[email protected].
The German Cultural Society, 78 Carter Ave., Pawtucket,
R.I. will be sponsoring a Polka Weekend Fundraiser on
April 2-3. On Saturday, they will be featuring Dennis
Polisky & The Maestro's Men with special guest, Lenny
Gomulka and the Eddie Forman Orchestra. Then on
Sunday, they will feature the Eastern Sound Orchestra
and Chris and Ronnie Polka Band. For more information
and reservations, call Ericka at 401-723-3549.
Many years ago, the late Joseph Jozwiak, a
director of the International Polka Association,
made a suggestion that an award be bestowed
upon an individual or group of individuals
who have made a significant contribution
or endeavor to enhance the promotion of
Polka Music. This year's Joe Jozwiak Award
was presented to Jill Czerniak Krzeszewski of
Strongsville, Oh. at the IPA's January Festival
of Bands Dance held in Chicago. Jill has
been a long-time Polka promoter, former IPA
Director and Past President of the Cleveland
Polka Association. Congratulations to Jill on
this very well deserved award.
Lynda Kurdziel, wife of Polka musician Dave "Nigel"
Kurdziel, is battling Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. If
you know Lynda, she is a super human being and to help
with her medical expenses there will be a special dance
called Lovin' On Lynda on March 5 at West Catholic, 1801
Bristol Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, Mich. and will feature
music by Gerry Kaminski's Polka Network, The Knewz,
The Hip Pocket, Michigan Connection Reunion, Diddle
Styx, Signal Point, Dynatones, Phocus and DynaBrass.
Advanced tickets are $20. For more information, call
Mona at 616-485-4241 or Dawn at 616-334-3068.
Visit polkacelebration.com
SOKÓŁPOLSKI |
27
TAKE A TRIP WITH US
Bob's Polka Trips and yours truly are presenting an
8-day Southern Caribbean Polka Cruise aboard Carnival
Cruise Lines Carnival Spendor from November 5-13.
We will depart from Miami and sail to Grand Turk (Turk
& Caicos), La Romana in the Dominican Republic,
Curacao and Aruba. Join John Gora and this all-star cast
of musicians including: Kevin Altenburg, Eddie Biegaj,
Eddie Blazonczyk Jr., John Cieplik, Eddie & Carol Forman,
Bob Frydyk, Jimmy Krzeszewski, Dan Mateja, Robbie
Piatkowski, Stephanie Pietrzak, Ron Urbanczyk and Bob
Wojtowicz playing Honky and Push-style polkas. Also
featured will be polka parties with me as your DJ aboard.
Prices are $999 per person for inside cabins, $1099 per
person for outside cabins and $1349 per person for
balcony. Included in price is port taxes, admission to all
polka dances, polka cruise t-shirt, two 1-hour open bar
cocktail parties, discounts on group tours and free raffles.
For more information or to make reservations, call me
at 203-735-7788 or email me at [email protected].
Come and sail away with us in what promises to be a truly
memorable cruise. And, coming in the future, a cruise to
Alaska in 2017.
John Gora is running a couple of great trips this year. The
first is "Journey Through Italy" from June 1-11, visiting
Frascati, Pienza, Siena, San Gimignano, Montecatini,
Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Chianciano Terme, Assisi, Cassinom
Pompeii and Rome. Cost for land only is $2300, and call
to check airfare from your departure gateway. Highlights
will include: wine and cheese tasting in Pienza, Medieval
dinner in Siena, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Basilica of St.
Frances, Bededictine Abbey and Polish Cemetary in Monte
Cassino, archaeological ruins at Pompeii and the Vatican
Museum and Sistine Chapel in Rome. For information,
please contact Wanda at Chopin Tours at
1-800-533-0369.
The second trip is a Central European Tour from August
21-September 1, traveling to Krakow, Zakopane, Budapest,
Bratislava, Vienna, Cesky Krumlov and Prague. Highlights
of this tour include: The Rynek Glowny in Krakow, which
is one of the most beautiful old town squares in Central
Europe, dinner at a Highlander Inn with bonfire and
horse drawn carriage ride in Chocholow Valley, scenic
river rafting through the Dunajec Gorge, Danube dinner
cruise, Gypsy music and superb Hungarian wines to try in
Budapest, and Praque Castle, the largest castle complex in
the world. Cost of land tour starting in Krakow on August
22 is $2199 per person, and call for best prices for airfare
from your gateway city. Again for more information, call
Wanda at Chopin Tours at 1-800-533-0369.
The Boys are proud to announce the release
of their brand new CD, "Where The Boys Are."
The 15 tracks on this album include a new, original
composition, eight innovative arrangements, and
six classic polka selections that exemplify the
high-energy, signature sound of The Boys. Polka
Hall of Famer, Frank Liszka, composed and sings his
original: Mary Jane, a catchy, exuberant polka that
instantly grabs the listener. He also rearranged
the powerful classics of Blue Ohio Dreamer, Uphill
Climb, I'm Gonna Live It Up, Love Of A Lifetime,
and Stop The World and Let Me Off. Frank's duet
with Stacey Morris, the USPA's Female Vocalist of
the Year, Love Makes The World Go Round is really
something special. The Boys' renditions of My Girl/
Modern Girls Polka Medley, Where Did The Boys
Go Oberek, Mr. Pan Polka (featuring reed work by
guest artist Eddie Siwiec), Mom and Dad Know Best
Waltz, and Flirting Polka would have made Eddie
Blazonczyk Sr., Li'l Wally and Frank Wojnarowski
mutually proud. Al Puwalski is featured on his
arrangement of "I Don't Believe I'll Fall In Love
Today," while Mike Matousek sings his arrangement
of "I'll Never Find Another You." Last but not least,
Dave Morris is featured on the fun and lively: I Wish
I Was A Millionaire Polka. Throughout the album
you'll hear harmonies sung by Frank, Al, Mike Evan
and Mike Matousek. Polka fans can order the CD
by sending a $18 check, payable to Mike Matousek
at 8372 Williamstowne Dr., Millersville, MD 21108.
At last, you can discover Where The Boys Are!
Until next time, take care and God bless. Remember we are all one
family, all one big Polka family. God bless Poland and God bless America!
28
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SOKÓŁPOLSKI
Peter Danielczuk
NEW MEMBERS
WELCOME FALCONS!
Laura J. Kabel 6, Buffalo, NY November 04
Thomas G. Kabel 6, Buffalo, NY November 04
Chloe G. Szymczak 6, Buffalo, NY November 12
Bennett S. Wackowski 6, Buffalo, NY November 12
Ella R. Wackowski 6, Buffalo, NY November 12
Nolan R. Wackowski 6, Buffalo, NY November 12
Carter J. Woods 6, Buffalo, NY November 12
Jerzy Chrostowski 88, New Britain, CT November 17
Thomas M. Frankowski 88, New Britain, CT November 17
Rajmund Swiderski 88, New Britain, CT November 17
Pawel Szymanowski 88, New Britain, CT November 17
Elizabeth A. Gutowski 307, Southington, CT November 09
Trevor J. Kelley 804, Pittsburgh, PA November 12
Leonard J. Pastorelli 804, Pittsburgh, PA November 25
Michele A. Pastorelli 804, Pittsburgh, PA November 25
Mary Jean Sudina 804, Pittsburgh, PA November 25
Leonard J. Pastorelli 804, Pittsburgh, PA November 25
Michele A. Pastorelli 804, Pittsburgh, PA November 25
Mary Jean Sudina 804, Pittsburgh, PA November 25
Emelia J. Close 8, Pittsburgh, PA December 28
Nathan Scott Drzemiecki 8, Pittsburgh, PA December 02
Jayden Harper Crow 45, St Louis, MO December 10
Camden P. Wieczorek 80, South Bend, IN December 16
Tomasz M. Zajac 88, New Britain, CT December 14
Vada Sade Rose Boyd 176, Pittsburgh, PA December 22
Adam R. Kujawski 493, Batavia, NY December 29
Mary A. Barrera 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Dorothy Bolinski 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Gerald F. Bonito 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Joy L. Dempsey 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Antonia O. Ellingsworth 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Donald Ford 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Nina Ford 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Jyll Foy 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Ray Foy 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Sidney M. Glickstein 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Marilyn J. Hammer 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Pearlene Haralson 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Samuel C. Heller 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Mary Beth Hilf 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Jacqueline Elaine Hornbaker 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Gregory H. Horton 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Wilhelm Huening 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Mark B. Hurowitz 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Linda H. Jones 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Paula J. Jordan 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Thomas K. Jordan 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Behzad Kasraie 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Edward J. Kikta 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Carlton King 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Mila Pearl Kraus 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 18
Bruce D. Layton 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Carol J. Layton 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Joseph Marsala 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Mary Mc Cutchen 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Richard E. Nelson 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Barbara Parson 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Robert E. Pawlos 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 14
Gerald D. Rucker 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Jerry Rucker 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Judith E. Sicoli 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
Beckett L. Snyder 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 29
Patricia J. Tustin 804, Pittsburgh, PA December 30
SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS
Donations of $10.00
or more....
Donation of less than
$10.00....
Adrian Wojas, Nest 946
Anthony F. Meczykowski, Nest 36
Dorothy M. Meczykowski, Nest 36
Casimir Radecki, Nest 86
Carmen A. Pastore, Nest 146
Mary M. Kurowski, Nest 163
Gregory F. Zajac, Nest 519
Sally A. Steffy, Nest 564
Adam Kurasinski, Nest 946
Danuta Pakosz, Nest 946
Daniel Janucik, Nest 36
Emily Repking, Nest 42
Malynda Synan, Nest 176
Susan Bashore, Nest 182
Tori Kowarik, Nest 208
William Kowarik, Nest 208
Michael J. Regeczi, Nest 276
Charles M Staniszewski, Nest 519
Ronald R. Staniszewski, Nest 519
Irene S. Krawczyk, Nest 86
Lisa A. Krawczyk, Nest 86
Mark A. Krawczyk, Nest 86
Nina Jo Krawczyk, Nest 86
Kathleen Zagata, Nest 163
Gladys F. Lenart, Nest 208
Edwina Mc Gonigle, Nest 804
Donations of $50.00
or more....
Michael S. Wiktor, Nest 68
Angeline A. Galluze, Nest 118
(From Oct.-Dec. 2015)
Donations of $100.00 or more... Vada Sade Rose Boyd, Nest 176
257th Donation of $10 (Total of $2570)... Genevieve Borovicka, Nest 97
SPONSORS
John M. Denning 6, Buffalo, NY 2
John M. Denning 88, New Britain, CT 4
Bruno Bruce Najaka 163, Mocanaqua, PA 1
Gregory F. Kuzma 182, Ambridge, PA 1
John M. Denning 307, Southington, CT 1
John M. Denning 485, Chelsea, MA 1
John M. Denning 804, Pittsburgh, PA 1
Brad M. Arnone 804, Pittsburgh, PA 2
Patricia B. Del Busse 8, Pittsburgh, PA 1
John M. Denning 8, Pittsburgh, PA 2
John M. Denning 45, St Louis, MO 1
Robert J. Gorny 80, South Bend, IN 1
John M. Denning 80, South Bend, IN 1
John M. Denning 88, New Britain, CT 1
John M. Denning 123, Erie, PA 1
Richard J. Donohue 493, Batavia, NY 1
John M. Denning 580, Pittsfield, MA 1
Robert J. Polczynski 804, Pittsburgh, PA 4
John M. Denning 804, Pittsburgh, PA 2
SOKÓŁPOLSKI |
29
IN MEMORIAM
DONATIONS
In memory of Charlotte Bartus, Nest 118
Betty & Frank Kolano-$10.00
Joe Kaminski-$25.00
Dorothy McCartney-$10.00
Alberta & Ronald Ziolkowski-$25.00
Ted Kokoski-$25.00
District IV-$50.00
Frania Yakima-$20.00
Edward Depersis- $25.00
Nest 118-$50.00
In Memory of Reverend Canon Joseph Sredzinski
Loretta Aemisegger, Nest 45-$15.00
Wallace Zielinski-$250.00
Ted Kokoski-$25.00
District IV-$100.00
Florence Petrosky-$100.00
Nest 86-$100.00
Nest 564-$25.00
PFA District VI-$25.00
Nest 118-$50.00
In Memory of Martin Engler, Nest 41
Nest 41-$100.00
In Memory of Theodore S. Piatek, Nest 146
District IV LOH Circle-$20.00
In Memory of Edward Wiertel, Nest 3
Maryann Myszkowski-$10.00
In Memory of Michael Perhach, Nest 8
Nest 8-$50.00
In Memory of Mary Serzen, Nest 118
Nest 118-$10.00
In Memory of Johanna Federowicz
Richard J. Federowicz-$75.00
In Memory of Helen DiVito
Edward Depersis-$325.00
In Memory of Merle Adams
Edward Depersis-$25.00
In Memory of Irene Adams
Edward Depersis- $25.00
OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES
Deaths
30
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SOKÓŁPOLSKI
Frank J. Thoma 3, Chicago, IL October 17, 2015
Michael A. Perhach *** 8, Pittsburgh, PA October 24, 2015
Delores A. Stevens 42, Chicago Heights, IL September 18, 2015
Joseph Nosal 70, Port Chester, NY October 28, 2015
Charlotte H. Bartus 118, Pittsburgh, PA October 12, 2015
John J. Piatek 146, New Castle, PA September 23, 2015
Pauline Gianantonio 318, Beaver Falls, PA October 09, 2015
Leona Moscicki 494, Batavia, NY August 05, 2015
Joseph Z. Wanczyk 800, Pittsburgh, PA August 09, 2003
J. Wanczyk 800, Pittsburgh, PA Marilyn April 10, 2001
Joseph L. Sredzinski* 804, Pittsburgh, PA October 10, 2015
Michael J. Babinski 946, Somerville, NJ March 28, 2015
Edmund S. Golembiewski 964, Reading, PA September 06, 2015
Joseph Zdradzinski 964, Reading, PA June 29, 2015
Edward T. Jones 8, Pittsburgh, PA November 06, 2015
Martin Engler, Jr. *** 41, New Kensington, PA July 31, 2015
Dorothy Lovenduski 128, Duryea, PA November 22, 2015
Carolyn M. Nowicki 172, West Warwick, RI December 08, 2015
Joseph W. Jarzynka 182, Ambridge, PA November 22, 2015
Helen Sirota 301, New Kensington, PA December 09, 2015
John F. Homnack 307, Southington, CT September 26, 2015
Dorothy M. Hagen 336, Jackson, MI November 28, 2015
(*)-Legion of Honor-Bronze Level, (**)-Legion of Honor-Silver Level, (***)-Legion of Honor-Gold Level
PFA PRIVACY POLICY STATEMENT
Privacy of Personal Financial and
Medical Information
Protecting the privacy of your personal
financial and medical information has
always been and will continue to be
a matter of top priority for us. When
used in this notice, the following terms
have the meaning shown.
*
Public
Information
means
information that is lawfully available to
the general public from: Federal, State
or local government records; widely
distributed media; or, disclosures to
the general public that are required to
be made by Federal, State or local law.
* Non-Public Information means
personally identifiable financial and
medical information. It also means
any list, description or other grouping
of individuals, and publicly available
information pertaining to them,
that is derived from any personally
identifiable information that is not
publicly available.
* Consumer Reporting Agency means
an entity which regularly provides
reports (Consumer Reports) including
information regarding an individual’s:
general reputation, character, personal
characteristics or mode of living and
financial status. The information may
be obtained through interviews with
the individual or third parties, such as
the individual’s: business associates,
family members, friends, neighbors,
acquaintances or financial sources.
We obtain information about you from
the following sources: information
that you provided to us in an
application or other form; information
about your transactions with us (such
as premium payments, loans, claims,
etc.), or others; and information that
we may receive from a Consumer
Reporting Agency.
We will not disclose any personal,
non-public information about you
to anyone, except as permitted or
required by law. We will not disclose
personal medical information about
you, except as permitted by law or as
you may authorize
We restrict access to your personal,
insurance and medical information
to those of our employees who need
to know that information in order to
provide insurance or service to you.
We are, and will continue to be, vigilant
in the safeguarding of your personal
financial and medical information.
We maintain physical, electronic and
procedural safeguards to comply
with Federal and State regulations
regarding the safeguarding of nonpublic information.
It is our sincere desire to maintain
complete, accurate and up-to-date
records. You may contact us to access,
as provided by law, information
included in your file. We will promptly
correct any error in our information.
To protect your privacy, you will need
to identify yourself by providing us
with your name, date of birth and
social security number.
Obi t uaries
Sophie Czarnecki
Sophie Czarnecki, 87, passed
away on Oct. 6, 2014. She was
born in Indianola to the late
Paul and Mary Tutak Koziol, and
had lived in New Kensington
since 1955. She had previously
resided in Russellton. Sophie
worked as a bookkeeper for
Alcoa. She was an extremely
active member and volunteer
for St. Mary of Czestochowa Roman Catholic Church in New
Kensington and was a Member of Nest 301. She also belonged
to the Christian Mothers at the church, East Kensington
Community Circle, Springdale Presbyterian Ladies Craft
Group and the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed
crocheting, crafts, cooking and baking. She was married to
her husband, Pa. State Police Cpl. Henry J. Czarnecki, for 59
years. She is survived by her children, Dennis P. (Maureen)
Czarnecki, of Clayton, Calif., retired Navy Senior Chief
Patricia Czarnecki, of Jacksonville, Fla., Tama Czarnecki, of
Magalia, Calif., Thomas J. Czarnecki, of Covington, Ga., and
Mark H. Czarnecki, of New Kensington; grandchildren, Aaron
Ropp and Julia and Nathan Czarnecki; and sisters, Pauline
Haduch, of Lower Burrell, Helen and Frances Lawrence, both
of Russellton, and Mary Nase, of Lower Burrell. She was
preceded in death by her parents and by brothers, Paul and
Joseph Koziol.
Carolyn Nowicki
Carolyn Nowicki, a Member of Nest 172 West Warwick, R.I.,
was born on Dec. 2, 1931 and passed away on Tuesday,
Dec. 8, 2015 at the age of 84. Carolyn was a resident of
West Warwick at the time of her passing. She was married to
Rudolph. May she rest in peace.
Chester H. Kurk
Mr. Chester H. Kurk, P.E., 89, passed away on Dec. 22, 2015.
He was born in Lodz, Poland and was a survivor of World War
II. Mr. Kurk served in the Korean War as a member of the U.S.
Army. In 1954, the day after Christmas, he married the love
of his life, Krystyna, and they celebrated their 60th Wedding
Anniversary in 2014 surrounded by family and friends. Mr.
Kurk has two daughters- Theresa Kurk McGinley and Eileen
Landman, five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren
who have provided much joy over the years. A professional
engineer by education, Mr. Kurk spent many years in NYC and
NJ with major firms, served as Hillsborough Township
Engineer in New Jersey, President of Polish Falcons, and then
moved to the Houston area where he founded Kurk Homes,
a custom home company with Michael McGinley, his son-inlaw. One of his many cherished legacies in Houston is being
instrumental in the start of the new Polish Church, Our Lady
of Czestochowa. Mr. Kurk had the honor to meet Pope John
Paul II in Rome with members from the church. Mr. Kurk was
known for his kindness, leadership, and generosity and will
be remembered by all who knew and loved him.
SOKÓŁPOLSKI |
31
Polish Falcons of America
USPS
381 Mansfield Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15220-2751
WHAT DOES YOUR POLISH
LAST NAME MEAN?
For information on the meaning and origin
of your Polish surname, how many people
use it, where they live and whether a
coat of arms goes with it, please email
[email protected].
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