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From the President: Poland Bound - Summer is here,
and it's time for vacation. Yes it's true
some of our members including myself,
are going to Poland to Rzeszów for the
International Polish Folk Festival. And
yes we will be reporting on that trip later
on this summer in our next newsletter.
But meanwhile you can follow our
activities on Facebook page 'PNACouncil21Baltimore'.
We continue to make changes to our facility, with the
addition of air condition in our Hall. Now that the hall
is cooled we can hold events during the summer
months. The cooled hall is also more inviting to rent as
we have started to do so.
We have also received a freezer as a donation by Cyr
Linonis, which is a needed addition in the kitchen
Department. A Big Thank You Cyr!
Speaking of the kitchen, we now serve hot food,
including pierogi, gołąbki, kiełbasa, burgers, and fries.
Why not have a meal and a cold Polish beer and listen
to some Polish music. And speaking of music, there's
talk of having Polish discotheques at the lounge once a
month starting in July. Yes the young Polonia is joining
our club. As they say "if you build it they will come".
Please spread the word to your families and invite them
to PNA for all the Polish-ness that we offer. I hope to
see you soon!
Dyngus Day! A Splashing Success
Paul Binkowski
Council 21 held the first ever Dyngus Day celebration
in Baltimore on April 17th. And it was, well, a
splashing success.
Festivities began with a traditional Easter Monday mass
at Holy Rosary Church at 4pm. Following the mass,
Dyngus Day participants conducted a lively exchange
of woda (water) on the steps of the church along with
occasional smacks from pussy willow branches.
The crowing of the 'the Kogutek' brought the water
exchange to an end. Revelers followed the stately bird
down Eastern Avenue to the Polish National Alliance.
At PNA, everyone came together for a good, old-
fashioned Polish party. Traditional
food and drink were offered for
everyone’s enjoyment. Children
participated in an Easter egg hunt. Our
hometown Polish folk dancing groups,
Ojczyzna and Krakowiaki put on lively
performances. After the dancers,
Kapela Slovakia and the Malgorzata
Bondyra and Josef Surowiec Duet took
the stage. The evening’s entertainment
was topped off by the Lenny Adams trio.
If you missed the 2017 Dyngus Day festivities, don’t
despair. PNA is planning another Dyngus Day
celebration for April 2, 2018. That’s less than 300 days
away. In the meantime, I wonder how many new
romances began at this year’s Dyngus Day. Bet
Kogutek knows but he ain’t talkin’.
Wiadomości Związkowe
Polish National Alliance Council 21
1627 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21231
410-732-1100
“Alliance News”
Summer 2017
Maks Bondyra
Mikayla Rohrhaugh splashes a fellow Dyngus Day reveler while
Council 21 president Maks Bondyra makes a costume adjustment.
PNA Council 21 Participated in Katyn
Remembrance Events Richard Poremski
Our Polish National Alliance was a very active in
the 17th Annual Katyn Remembrance here in Baltimore
on April 30, 2017 under the leadership of President
Maks Bondyra. The Krakowiaki Dancers looked
splendid in their folklore costumes and sang proudly
and very well during the national anthems of Poland
and the United States at the National Katyn Memorial
ceremonies in Harbor East. Officers June and Bud
Johns catered the reception and dinner at the PNA
Great Hall. Sister PNA Lodges from outside of
Baltimore were present at the days’ events that began
with a special mass at Holy Rosary Church. Richard
Poremski, Council 21’s V.P., also serves as the
Chairman of the National Katyn Memorial Foundation.
Key speakers at the Katyn Memorial Remembrance
were Mayor Catherine Pugh, Ambassador Piotr
Wilczek and Brigadier General Cezary Wisniewski.
Some of their remarks are as follows:
Mayor Pugh: “The Katyn Memorial has become a
great symbol for Baltimore City and a place to share
our memories and to never forget our past.”
Ambassador Wilczek: “The Katyn Memorial is a
symbol of our Polish history and a proud symbol of
Poland and Polish memory in Baltimore.”
BG Wisniewski: “The Katyn Forest Massacre has
served to make Poland’s military even stronger because
the victims of this genocide who were sacrificed on the
altar of freedom.”
At the PNA Great Hall, Ambassador Wilczek and
BG Wisniewski participated in a special candle lighting
ceremony honoring the 96 victims of the 2010
catastrophic Smolensk/Katyn air plane crash which
claimed the lives of President Lech Kaczynski, his wife
Maria, the Chiefs of the Armed Forces, esteemed
clergy, prominent government officials, eminent
members of the parliament, notable institutional leaders
and many honored citizens.
On this reflective spring Sunday all who perished
because of Katyn were commemorated … those in
April 1940 by the devious hand of Josef Stalin’s Soviet
Union … and more recently by the carious Hand of
Fate on April 10, 2010.
“Reflecting on Our Historic Past” From the Desk of VP Richard Poremski
~ Courtesy of Thomas Hollowak – Historyk Press ~
Part 3 – In Continuation: According to Osada, by 1905
Group 238 had 139 members and met at 419 South
Bond Street. The Society owned both Polish and
American banners costing $190.00. Their library
consisted of 150 volumes and there was $175.00 in the
treasury. The Group made the following donations
during the year: Schools - $45.00, Monuments - $10.00,
other National Purposes - $35.00, and Churches -
$90.00. The officers were: Ignacy W. Skrzynski –
President, Anastazy Simon – Vice President, Stanislaw
Wyczalek – Financial Secretary, Aleksander
Dolewcynzki – Recording Secretary, and Josef Kleis –
Treasurer.
1935 Polish National Alliance Convention Parade on Eastern
Avenue. Photo courtesy of Doyle Communications.
By 1905 there were six lodges in Baltimore and this
may have led to the city being selected by a vote of 116
to 105 over Milwaukee to host the National Convention
of the Polish National Alliance in 1907. On September
23, 1907 the Dziennik Chicagoski carried the following
front page headline: “XVII Congress of the Polish
National Alliance in Baltimore, Maryland.” Underneath
it listed the program for the first two days.
The newspaper report on the program and its events will be carried in
forthcoming Part 4.
Ambassador Piotr Wilczek flanked by Polish Scouts and Polish
Legion of American Veterans.
Jim Mislak Awarded High PNA Honor Richard Poremski
The successful surprise tribute remained so until the
very last second for an astonished James ‘Jim’ Mislak –
Past President of Polish National Alliance Council 21-
here on June 10, 2017. He was honored with the PNA’s
prestigious Silver Legion of Honor Award in
appreciation for his “Many Years of Dedicated Service
as a PNA Commissioner and Council 21 President.” It
augmented the Council 21 Recognition Plaque for his
“25 Years of Dedicated and Faithful Service as
President of Council 21, 1991 -2016,” during which Jim
also served as President of Lodge 238. Jim began his
PNA membership in 1987 during which time he was
elected as Lodge 238’s Financial Secretary for 8 years,
in addition to being an on-going Delegate.
PNA National Secretary Charles Komosa traveled
from the PNA national headquarters in Chicago to
personally present the award, co-signed by President
Frank J. Spula. Komosa recounted his years of
friendship and cooperation with Jim on many different
important issues. Council 21’s President Maksymilian
‘Maks’ Bondyra, and V.P. Richard Poremski, both
voiced many accolades in recounting Jim’s “dedicated
and faithful service” to the PNA.
In the main, it was much appreciated how Jim’s steady
hand was able to stabilize, and then gradually increase
over the years, the Council’s then-precarious finances.
Another major coup was Jim’s adroit maneuvering and
almost-miraculous success in preserving and improving
the Council’s massive 4-stories tall masonry building
for the benefit of the present and future PNA fraternity.
Eighty family members, friends and guests attended the
celebration and dinner in the Council’s Great Hall, with
much merriment and comradery, and danced the
afternoon and evening away to the music of the Lenny
Adam’s Polka Band.
The entire affair was a most fitting tribute to Jim – a
noted PNA luminary - who is a man that garners our
utmost gratitude and respect, being of unimpeachable
character and integrity … and to whom we salute with a
heartfelt “Sto Lat James E. Mislak”!
Polish Cinema Circle
The Polish Cinema Circle presents films about Poland
and “things Polish” the 3rd Saturday of each month
from 2 - 5PM. Adam Mazurek, Polish film buff
/culture expert, is your host. Coming films in the series:
June 17 - The Pianist
July 15 - A Flame To The Phoenix
August 19 - The Battle of Warsaw 1920
September 23 - Jack Strong
October 21 - Kosciuszko at Raclawice
November 18 - Katyn
December 16 - Taras Bulba
Most films are in English. There is no charge, but
donations to the library are welcome. We provide the
popcorn. Bring your own beverage. After viewing the
film, retire to the PNA Lounge for Polish libations and
lively discussion. Contact Adam at (410-925-9684) or
via email ([email protected]) for more details.
Jim Mislak is presented with PNA’s prestigious Silver Legion of
Honor Award by PNA National Secretary Charles Komosa.
Left to right, Council 21 President Maks Bondyra, PNA National
Secretary Charles Komosa, Jim Mislak and Vice President
Richard Poremski.
PNA’s Polish Language Class
Polish language classes will resume in
late September at PNA. Both
beginners and advanced classes will
be available taught by Polish
language expert and folk dancer,
Agnieszka Krajewska. Watch for
more details in the fall edition of the newsletter. And for
continuing Polish language students, practice, practice,
practice!
PNA’s Polish Cooking Classes
For the last spring class, Tom Grobicki led the class in
making a tort orzechowy/walnut torte and a
chlodnik/cold red beet soup (ideal to serve on those
steamy Baltimore summer days).
Agnieszka Krajewska mans the Kitchen Aid with students look on.
An appreciation brunch was held on Sunday, June 4,
2017, by the Polish cooking class committee for our
demonstrators, PNA Council 21 officers and staff. New
and exciting Fall 2017 cooking class schedule will be
available on Polish National Alliance Council 21
website, pnacouncil21.com in early August 2017.
PHA Book Club Fun and Enlightening
Paul Binkowski
I always thought of book clubs as rather docile groups
of people dominated by ladies in red hats. Not much
fun. But if their June 10th meeting is typical, I don’t
want to ever miss a PHA Book Club meeting.
On Saturday June 10th, the PHA Book Club met to
discuss Joseph Conrad’s "Prince Roman". After a
lively and informative discussion, Dr. Strohecker
declared a celebration of St. John's Eve. (For those not
in the know, St. John’s Eve commemorates the birth of
John the Baptist. And, yeah, it is supposed to take place
on June 24th. But what’s few weeks.) Babas were passed
out with candles alight. Club members joined in reading
aloud a poem of St. John’s Eve. Then, they started
dancing around the tables. Some book club meeting!
Participants at the June 10th PHA Book Club Meeting. From the
looks of it, they had quite a party. Photo courtesy of Aleks Rodhe.
All jesting aside, Poland has a fabulous literary
tradition that deserves to be studied and savored. PHA
Book Club meetings can be fun as well as enlightening.
Why not join the fun?
The next PHA Book Club Meeting will be September
16, 2017, the birthdays of Polish composers Joseph
Nowakowski and Czeslaw Marek. (Wonder if there will
be a party?)
The Polish Heritage Association Book Club welcomes
new members, whether or not you are a member of the
PHA. The Club meets in the Henryk Sienkiewicz
Library of the Polish National Alliance, 1627 Eastern
Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21231. For information on
book selections, please contact Jean Pula
at [email protected] or call 410-370-2644. Ask to be
added to our e-mail list! Also, we post new information
on the PHA Facebook page.
Agnieszka Krajewska
Students at the May 6th cooking class.
Polish Legion of American Veterans
The PLAV – Maryland Division meets on the 3rd
Thursday of the month – at the PNA Building, 7 PM,
and adjourns for the months of July and August. Any
armed services person – active or retired – is welcomed
to join; and you don’t have to be “Polish.” Associate
and Junior Members are also available to join in with
us. For more information please email Commander
Steve Wojciechowski at [email protected].
PNA Council 21 officers June Johns and Richard Poremski
celebrate their June birthdays at the PNA lounge. Sto Lat to both
of you.
PNA Polonia Lounge Now Serving Food
It’s been a long day. You head on down to the PNA
Polonia Lounge to relax. As you sip your Perła, you
think boy a kielbasa sandwich or some gołąbki would
just hit the spot right now. But darn the Lounge doesn’t
serve food.
Well, praise the Lord and Hallelujah!!! The PNA
Polonia Lounge now serves food. As you ponder the
world or watch the Orioles while savoring a shot of
Krupnik, you can enjoy pierogis, gołąbki, kielbasa,
hamburgers, french fries or a luscious Philly
cheesesteak. The Polonia Lounge, your home away
from home, is more like home than ever.
Even better, the Polonia Lounge has expanded their
hours. Our new hours are Wednesday-Saturday 3pm-
till close. All year round. No summer closing.
Bring the whole family, even your crazy cousin Lefty,
and enjoy Polish food, drink and fellowship. See ya
there soon.
Dominika Bondyra, delegate of Lodge 238, is one of 9
Polish Heritage Association of MD scholarship
recipients for 2017-2018 Academic Year. Dominika
Bondyra was awarded the Polish Heritage Association's
"Anthony & Mary Poremski Memorial Scholarship."
Dominika is a recent graduate of Perry Hall High
School in Baltimore County. In the fall, she will
study Computer Science, possibly concentrate on cyber
security at the University of Maryland Baltimore
County.
Congratulations and good luck!!!
Baltimore’s Own General Edward Rowny
Celebrates 100th Birthday Richard Poremski
It was 100 years and 1 day in the life of
General/Ambassador Edward L. Rowny (ret.) here at
the residence of the ambassador on April 4, 2017.
Ambassador Piotr Wilczek organized a birthday
celebration to mark the auspicious occasion. Among the
invitees were Rowny’s extended family, many friends
and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, the Co-Chair of the
Congressional Poland Caucus.
In his welcoming address, Ambassador Wilczek
noted Rowny’s incredible accomplishments and many
contributions to Poland, especially in critical moments
such as Poland’s entry into NATO. The Ambassador
also recalled Rowny’s critical influence on U.S.
national security policy, especially in relations with the
Soviet Union regarding nuclear arms reduction
negotiations and treaties.
General/Ambassador Edward Rowny is applauded by Ambassador
Piotr Wilczek and attendees after being awarded the Grand Cross
of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland for his incredible
accomplishments and contributions to Poland and American
Polonia.
Edward Rowny was born in Baltimore, Maryland on
April 3, 1917. His family’s Polish beginnings are rooted
in Nagoszewa, near Ostrow Mazowiecka, Poland.
Rowny had a very successful military career in the U.S.
Army after graduating in 1941 from the USMA at West
Point. He retired in 1979 with the rank of Lieutenant
General. His military service included World War II,
the Korean and Vietnam wars, and as a military advisor
to five U.S. presidential administrations: Nixon, Ford,
Carter, Reagan and Bush senior. In 1982 President
Ronald Reagan appointed Rowny chief negotiator, with
the rank of U.S. Ambassador to negotiate the Strategic
Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with the Soviet
Union. Subsequently, he became special advisor for
arms control in the Reagan and Bush administrations
until his retirement in 1990.
Rowny is credited with strengthening relations
between Poland and the U.S.A., establishing the
Paderewski Scholarship Fund to support young Polish
American musicians, and establishing the influential
Polish American Advisory Council. He said that he
attained a crowning achievement in 1992 when he
fulfilled a fifty-years ambition to return the remains of
diplomat, statesman and patriot extraordinaire Premier
Ignacy Jan Paderewski from Arlington National
Cemetery to the now-democratic Republic of Poland –
where Paderewski received the full pomp and
circumstance of a state funeral. Paderewski was
stranded in the U.S. with the eruption of World War II
and died here on June 29, 1941 in New York City. It
was not possible to repatriate Paderewski’s remains to
Poland during the bitter and acrimonious communist
domination of Poland (1945-1989) by the Soviet Union
following WW II.
To top off the evening’s festivities a very special
tribute - sponsored by the Polish Ministry of Foreign
Affairs - was paid to Rowny with the premier screening
of “Ambassador of Peace” by director Wieslaw
Dabrowski. The fascinating documentary chronicled the
life of Rowny from his humble Baltimore beginnings to
his rise to the highest circles in his military and
diplomatic careers, and other subsequent remarkable
achievements contained therein, including authorship of
three relevant books: “It Takes One to Tango,”
“Smokey Joe and the General,” and “West Point ’41 –
The Class that Went to War and Shaped America.”
As he enters the second century of his life, it is only
fitting that the sobriquet “Renaissance Man” also be
applied to General/Ambassador Edward L. Rowny as
he has proven most worthy of it in all respects.
Members of our Council: Maks and Malgorzata
Bondyra, Melissa Kalinowski and Agnieszka Krajewski
who are long time dancers of Ojczyzna Polish Dancers,
Inc. are going to perform with their group at the World
Festival of Polonia Folk Groups this July in Rzeszow,
Poland. 19 members along with over 80 costumes soon
will travel to spend a week with other groups from all
over the world.
To defray the cost of travel and costume transportation,
Ojczyzna runs a fundraiser. The group is a non- profit
501(c) (3) organization, and your donations are tax
deductible. If you wish to donate, please send your
check to: Ojczyzna Polish Dancers, Inc. C/O
Malgorzata Bondyra Managing Director 8735A Gerst
Ave Perry Hall, MD 21128 Thank you very much for
your consideration.
Fraternal Membership
Dear Members,
If one were planning to leave a loved one or an
organization some funds, there is no safer way than life
insurance to accomplish this purpose. Here, at the
Polish National Alliance, we offer many plans to fit
your budget. One of them is a Single Premium Plan
where with just one low payment you are provided with
lifetime benefits and fraternal programs. To learn more
about other offers or to sign up a new member, please
contact me at 410-458-1938 or send me an email at
Fraternally yours,
Malgorzata Bondyra
Maryland Sales Representative
Drodzy Członkowie,
Związek Narodowy Polski oferuje plany
ubezpieczeniowe na życie, na każdą kieszeń. Jednym z
nich jest jednorazowa opłata (SPWL), która zapewni
państwu pełne ubezpieczenie na całe życie oraz da
możliwość udziału w dodatkowych programach
oferowanych przez nasz związek, takich jak konkurs
fotograficzny, konkurs kolorowania dla dzieci czy też
stypendia dla studentow uczelni wyższych, bez
ponoszenia dodatkowych kosztów. Po więcej
informacji na temat planów i działalności naszego
związku proszę o bezpośredni kontakt ze mną pod
numerem tel. 410-458-1938 lub poprzez wysłanie
emaila na [email protected]
Małgorzata Bondyra
Dział Sprzedaży w MD
Wiadomości Związkowe via Email
To receive future editions of PNA Council 21’s
Wiadomości Związkowe newsletter via smart phone or
computer, send an email to [email protected].
Polish National Alliance
2017 Annual Photo Contest
“My Everyday Hero”
2017 is the Year of Tadeusz Kosciuszko. His
extraordinary life and a quest for freedom and
democracy made him a true national hero in Poland,
and in the United States.
Not all heroes have to be soldiers. Some heroes are
ordinary people doing extraordinary things for others.
Some are working diligently for the community, same
sacrifice for the family. Look around, perhaps you can
find and everyday hero near you? Take a photo, make
him or her known. For more details visit pna-znp.org
Your Humble Staff
Your staff for this edition has been Paul Binkowski,
Lawrence Janowski, & Richard Poremski. Thank you
for letting us serve you, the Reader. BY ALL MEANS,
SHARE THIS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS!
Polish Events Calendar
June 24th– Wianki Festival in front of Lincoln Memorial in DC- 6 pm.
July 8th - Polish Dyskoteka at PNA Polonia Lounge - 8pm
July 15th- PNA’s Polish Cinema Circle shows the film "A Flame To The Phoenix ".
Film is in English. 2pm at PNA’s Henryk Sienkiewicz Polonia Library. Free
admission. Call Adam Mazurek for details- 410-925-9684.
August 18, 19, 20 - Krakowiaki/PNA camping trip at Secret passage ranch. Fort
Valley VA
August 19th - PNA’s Polish Cinema Circle shows the film "The Battle of Warsaw
1920". Film is in English. 2pm at PNA’s Henryk Sienkiewicz Polonia Library. Free
admission. Call Adam Mazurek for details- 410-925-9684.
Sep 2,3,4 & Sep 9,10 - Polish-American Family Festival & Country Fair, National
Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA.
Sep 16, 17 - Polish Festival at Holy Rosary Church in Baltimore.
Sep 23rd - PNA’s Polish Cinema Circle shows the film "Jack Strong". Film is in
English. 2pm at PNA’s Henryk Sienkiewicz Polonia Library. Free admission. Call
Adam Mazurek for details- 410-925-9684.