Archives for July 2017

Once again this year Polish American Congress of Michigan held its fund raiser to help bring in needed money for the Michigan division of the PAC. Maintaining its own building in Hamtramck (since 1978) with a part time staff, providing various services to Polish immigrants, promoting our cultural heritage, protecting our group’s good name, acting as an umbrella organization for organized Polonia and serving as its voice, requires ongoing commitment by volunteers and financial support. Fund raisers and donations are the key in providing a basis for continuing the division’s mission, especially in light of the fact that 80% of PAC membership dues go to the national PAC office.   This year this event was called Pierogi Palooza II and once more itwas held at the Polish National Alliance Council 122 Banquet Hall in Hamtramck, taking place on Friday, June 2.

What was different about this year’s event was that, though there were not the long lines  with guests waiting as there were at last year’s event, participants were treated to a more varied menu of 15 varieties of pierogi from area vendors: Polish Village Café, ŚrodekCampau Quality Sausage, Bożek Meat Market, and Old World Gluten-Free (which also features vegan pierogi), and, once again, kielbasa on a bun (with or without kapusta), tasty desserts of torte or pączki(Sweet Dreams Bakery and Bartz Bakery), and of course various beverages from the bar, including Polish beers.

The crowd was entertained all evening by the Kielbasa Kings Polka Band, providing listening and dancing pleasure for young and old.Earlier, Mr. StasiuŚmigielski entertained everyoneon his accordion with beloved Polish musical selections. Two young adult area Polish folk dance groups provided added fun with suites of regional Polish folk dances – the Wawel Polish Folk Dance Ensemble and the Polanie Polish Folk Dance Ensemble.  The Polaniedancers, who are participating again this summer in the World Polish Folk Dance Festival in Rzeszow, Poland, also featured a lively and entertaining “Charleston”, which they will perform in Poland this year, representing an “American dance”.  This yearthePierogi Palooza guests came and stayed much of the evening, enjoying an authentic Polish American experience, even though food take-out was also available.Once again this year they were able to browse and purchase unique Polish souvenirs from the Polish Pride of Michigan kiosk or view interesting facts about PAC-MI, Poland, and Poloniafeatured in the Polish American Congress exhibit.Share the wealth raffle drawings and 15 attractive gift basket raffle drawings allowed a good number of guests to leave even more “enriched”.

Of course, as with any event, there were the financial sponsors, item donors, and volunteers who contributed materially as well with their time and talents.Appreciation goes out to the vendors: Carolyn Wietrzykowski; RadosławŚrodek; MichałBożek; AliciaBemiss; Sam Dahr; andthe proprietors ofBartz Bakery,who helped to provide us with delicious Polish style food. We would like to recognize and sincerely thank the others for their contributions here as well.

 

Sponsors:

Ray Okonski*

Barbara Gronet*

PNA Council 122

Polish Pride of Michigan

PAC-MI Senior Club

Polish Century Club of Detroit

Bożek Meat Market

Tadeusz and Eugenia Górecki

*Significant donations

 

Donors:

Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish

Wawel Royal Castle Restaurant

Polish Art Center

Polish Varieties Radio

Lawrence Chominski (Polonaise Chorale)

Stella Szczesny and Tom Schemanski

Michael and Christine Wilk

MałgorzataLorelli

John Dąbrowski

Janina Furman

Rik Lapham

Donna Bielecki

Barbara Lemecha

Ann Bańkowski
Pierogi Palooza II Committee:Ann Bańkowski, Barbara Lemecha, Stella Szczesny, Barbara Gronet, Donna Bielecki, Jacqueline Kołowski, Helena Żmurkiewicz, Sebastian Szczepański

 

A big “Dziękuje” goes out to thesePP event volunteers:

Marcia Lewandowski

Henrietta Nowakowski

Krystyna Kuczara

Thomas Schemanski

Janina Stanton

Irena Bańkowska

Władysław Bańkowski

Tomasz Wolski

Stanisława Rogal

Wanda Jagłowska

Mary Ellen Tyszka

Richard Konrad

Marianna Konrad

Chester Szczotka

Nancy Szczotka

Carol Bennett

Brian Malski

Alicja Foryś

Zdzisław Foryś

Anna Huk-Glaeser

Ms. Klaudia- visitor from Poland

MirosławHałoń

Lee Merritt

Jasia Żmurkiewicz

Ola Konopka

Iza Szczepańska

Krzysztof Adamczyk

Grażyna Adamczyk

Pat Bargowski

Norbert Golembiewski

Stefan Łopacki

Stanislaw Łopacki

Andrew Pietrzak

James Kaczor

Alicja Kaczor

Danielle Miller with friend „Mo”

JurekRóżalski

 

Of course we thank all who came to Pierogi Palooza II, showed their support of Polish American

Congress of Michigan and we hope had an enjoyable Polish American experience. See you next year!

 

MORE PHOTOS FROM PIEROGI PALOOZA ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1305306042858143&id=241433862578705

 

St. Anne De Detroit Church, located near Ambassador’s Bridge in Detroit, dates back to Cadillac’s settling of Detroit in 1701, and it’s considered the second-oldest continuously operating Roman Catholic parish in the U.S.  The current Neo-Gothic structure, the parish’s 8th church building, dates to 1886 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

What was once Detroit’s signature French-language parish – the old school building has the name “Ecole Ste. Anne” carved into it – now has a growing, vibrant, primarily Hispanic congregation.

But once a year, for 10 days, the church becomes a site for Ethnic Novena, catered to the diverse community of Metro Detroit.

On Thursday, July 20, a Polish Novena will be held, with Fr. Ostrowski as Presider, and featuring award-winning Filarets Choir.  Knights of Columbus, Polish dance groups will also be featured.

This year the Novena will introduce a special new tradition: carrying of flags – the flag of the nation represented, the Detroit flag, the American flag, and the Vatican flag.

Refreshments will be served after the Novena at the Parish Hall.

St. Anne De Detroit Church: 1000 St Anne St, Detroit, MI 48216.  Visit www.ste-anne.org for more information.

 

JULY 18 – Ste. Anne Novena – Night 1 (Irish)

JULY 19 – Ste. Anne Novena – Night 2 (Asian)

JULY 20 – Ste. Anne Novena – Night 3 (Polish)

JULY 21 – Ste. Anne Novena – Night 4 (Albanian)

JULY 22 – Ste. Anne Novena – Night 5 (Mexican)

JULY 23 – Ste. Anne Novena – Night 6 (French)

JULY 24 – Ste. Anne Novena – Night 7 (Chaldean)

JULY 25 – Ste. Anne Novena – Night 8 (African-American)

JUL 26 – Ste. Anne Novena – Night 9

 

(seb / photo: St. Anne de Detroit Facebook Page)

On Wednesday, August 9, 2017, the Polish American Congress of Michigan (PACMI) Scholarship Fund will host its annual Fund Raiser / Dinner, during which 2017 PACMI Scholarship Recipients will be presented.  The event will take place at Krakus Restaurant in Detroit (12900 Joseph Campau).  Doors open at 5:30 pm; dinner served at 6:00 pm.  Suggested contributions: $30.00 per person (contributions in excess of $20.00 are tax deductible).  For a contribution of $250.00 or more towards the Scholarship Fund, each donor will receive a document of their contribution.

Reservations can be made by August 2, by calling 313-365-9400 or 586-751-8168.

This year, the Polish American Congress of Michigan Scholarship Fund selected nine students which will be presented with scholarships.  They are: Danielle Miller (Oakland Univeristy; major: Health Science), Ewa Sztandera (University of Detroit Mercy; major: Nursing), Hanna Gove (Grand Valley State; major: Occupational Therapy), Agnieszka Miklasewicz (Western Michigan University; major: Law), Pamela Jablonski (University of Michigan; major: Business Admnistration), Natalia Jablonski (University of Michigan; major: Nursing), Karina Cieslak (Wayne State University; major: Bio-Chemistry), Evelina Kutyma (Unviersity of Michigan; major: Public Health).