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To cultivate, enhance, and promote the understanding of the Polish
language, culture, and arts;
To project the accurate and true image of the Polish American;
To promote cordial and cooperative relations among the members and the
community-at-large;
To be a non-sectarian and non-partisan organization in south-central
Pennsylvania
listopad/November 2014
www.polamhar
Andrzejki
The Polish American Association of Harrisburg invites you to celebrate
St. Andrew's Eve at a
Dance Party
Saturday, November 15, 2014
7:00 PM - 11:59 PM
Middletown Fire Department
10 Adelia St
Middletown PA 17057
The Tradition:If you’re a single young lady in Poland on the night of November 29th, you have a
unique, perhaps harrowing, opportunity before you; or a great excuse to flee the country. The
Eve of St. Andrew’s Day (Andrzejki) has been associated with fortune-telling in Poland for
centuries. The first written mention of the tradition goes all the way back to 1557, and while the
seriousness of the proceedings have certainly lightened, the basic elements of this ancient
custom remain unchanged from the Middle Ages. As St. Andrew’s Day (November 30th) marks
the beginning of Advent, in those bygone days it was believed that the spirits of the ancestors
were at their most accessible when they descended back to earth during this time. With
conditions thus in place for a bit of crystal ball gazing, and with the long, cold and lonely Polish
winter ahead, coupling was naturally the one thing on every girl’s mind. Would she be married in
the coming year? And what, pray tell, would her prince look like? Following the protocols of the
day, a widow, unmarried spinster, or divorcee was then required to light the thirteen candles that
would call forth the spirits into the room…
In those days divinations dealt specifically with marriage, were taken very seriously and were
done in private. As the tradition evolved, young girls participated in Andrzejki in groups until
eventually boys were let in on the fun and it became the kind of light-hearted social game playing
that it is today. Of the many games that were played on Andrzejki in the past, one that remains
popular today involves a group of young girls taking off one of their shoes and lining them up one
after another in a single file. The girl whose shoe is last in line then takes hers to the front, and so
on, meandering through the house until reaching the front door; the girl whose shoe is the first to
cross the threshold will be the first to marry.
Today: Andrzejki is a fun, carefree celebration of being young and single more than anything.
And that means drinking and dancing. Always a big night out for students—perhaps determined
to forget whatever grotesque revelation they’ve just received or change their fate—every club in
Kraków will be throwing an Andrzejki party. http://www.inyourpocket.com/poland/krakow/Andrzejki_72425f
If you haven’t already received and responded to the Evite and plan to come, please contact
Lorraine Buchinski at 717-534-2058 (between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM) no later than Saturday,
November 9, to make a reservation.
Wigilia
Our Christmas Eve Supper celebration will be
held on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at the
Linglestown Fire Hall, 5901 Linglestown
Road. Festivities begin at 5:00 PM.
All Association members, their family and
guests are invited to attend.
Wigilia (from the Latin term vigilare meaning "to await") is the Polish name for
Christmas Eve. Much work must be done, including cooking, baking, and all the
housework. This way, the two holidays that follow can be devoted to praying,
caroling, eating, relaxing, and eventually visiting. This special day is associated
with several beliefs and customs.
When the first star appears in the sky, the Christmas tree is lit and
the dinner begins. The Christmas Eve meal starts with a prayer, the
sharing of the blessed opłatek (bread wafer which is similar to that
used during Holy Communion in the Roman Catholic Church), and
exchanging wishes. Usually, the male head of the household takes
the wafer and turns to his wife, extending it toward her. He wishes her good
health and success in the upcoming year, the fulfillment of her dreams, and, if
there have been any misunderstandings, he asks her for forgiveness and for the
New Year to be a better one. The wife then thanks him and breaks off half of the
wafer and eats a piece of it. Next, she offers the wafer to her husband, expressing
similar wishes. He breaks the wafer and eats it. This ceremony is repeated with
each person present, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest.
After the breaking of the wafer and the exchanging of wishes, everyone
sits down at the dinner table. The table is covered with a white
tablecloth and there is one additional place set for an unexpected guest
who, especially that night, should not be turned away. This is to remind
us that Joseph and Mary were also looking for shelter. Until the first star
appears, Wigilia is a day of fasting. Although there are plenty of dishes
on the table, this is a traditionally meatless dinner. It consists of several
soups (red beet with mushroom pockets, fermented rye, fish, dry
mushroom), fish (fried, jellied, in sweet sauce, in beer-almond-ginger
sauce, stuffed), sauerkraut with beans, pierogi (dumplings) stuffed
with mushrooms and cabbage, noodles with poppy seeds and honey,
sweet strudel, and a compote made with dried fruit. It should be
pointed out that today in Poland, no one imagines the Wigilia dinner
without fish (carp in particular), just as nobody in the U.S. thinks of
Thanksgiving dinner without a turkey. http://www.polishcenter.org/Christmas/WIGILIA-ENG.htm
In keeping with tradition, our Wigilia will also be meatless. The Association will
provide fish and beverages. Everyone is asked to bring a favorite Polish or
American dish, large enough to share with about 10 people. Dinner will be
followed by singing of both Polish kolędy and American carols.
Please contact Lorraine Buchinski at 717-534-2058 (between 9:00 AM and
9:00 PM) no later than Wednesday, November 26, to make a reservation.
Please provide the number of adults, the names, ages and gender of each child
attending, and what help you can provide in preparing the hall and clean-up.
As always, Wigilia is free to members. To facilitate admission and avoid a
charge for the dinner, members are encouraged to submit their 2015 dues
(membership form is attached) to ensure receipt by the treasurer prior to
November 26. Guests and members who have not submitted their 2015 dues on
or before the date of the dinner will be charged $10.00 each and $5.00 for each
child between the ages of 6-12. There is no charge for children under age 6.
Wesolych Swiat, Bozego Narodzenia i Szczesliwego Nowego Roku!
CZERWONE GITARY
BAND FROM POLAND
TOURING USA
FIRST TIME IN BALTIMORE!
JANUARY 15, 2015
Red Guitar’s first tour in the U.S. and Canada
promises to be a unique and unforgettable experience.
Their music speaks of love and human desires, things
close to our hearts. In addition to their most popular
songs, the group will also perform well-known
Christmas Carols creating a warm, family atmosphere
during their winter evening performance.
Ten koncert będzie wyjątkowym i niepowtarzalnym spotkaniem z gwiazdą . Po raz
pierwszy w USA i Kanadzie. Czerwone Gitary zagarają oprócz największych przebojów
również swoje przepiękne pastorałki oraz ulubione kolędy. Będzie to niezapomniane
przeżycie dla każdego uczestnika tego artystycznego wydarzenia.Teksty pastorałek choć
proste w formie zawierają ogromny ładunek emocjonalny. Mówią o tym, co człowiekowi
bliskie ,w czym sie odnajduje, dotykajaką życia uczuciowego ,opowiadają o problemach:
bo i w nóżki zimno, i stajenka mizerna . Mówią o miłości i pragnieniach człowieka .
Wywołują różne skojarzenia , nie tylko te dobre ale dają szanse na przerobienie i złych
doświaczeń. Wspólne śpiewanie kolęd ,pastorałek oraz znanych i lubianych przebojów
Czerwonych Gitar pozwoli poczuć się każemu w ten wieczór zimowy jak w jednej wielkiej
rodzinie.
Historia w pigułce: 3 stycznia 1965 roku w kawiarni "Crystal" w Gdańsku - Wrzeszczu
powołana została do życia grupa muzyczna o nazwie "CZERWONE GITARY." W tym
samym roku występowali w sopockim "Non-Stopie." Było to jedyne miejsce w Polsce,
gdzie w okresie wakacji można było zobaczyć i posłuchać czołowych wykonawców rocka.
W kwietniu 1965 roku nagrywają po raz pierwszy dla Polskiego Radia, a jesienią ruszają
w swoją pierwszą trasę koncertową pod hasłem "Gramy i śpiewamy najgłośniej w
Polsce." Koniec lat 60-tych, rozpoczyna się okres największej popularności Zespołu.
Płyty sprzedawane są w rekordowych nakładach. Wszystkie otrzymują miano "Złotych
płyt." W styczniu 1969 roku w Cannes we Francji, zostaje wręczone zespołowi trofeum
"Midem" w postaci marmurowej płyty, w nagrodę za największą ilość sprzedanych płyt w
kraju, z którego pochodzi zespół. Taką samą nagrodę otrzymała na tym festiwalu również
grupa "The Beatles." Rok 1991 to powrót Zespołu "Czerwone Gitary" na polskie sceny
koncertowe. Z okazji jubileuszu 25-lecia istnienia grupy planowali 38 koncertów sądząc,
że chyba tyle wytrzyma z nimi polska publiczność., zagrali ich w ciągu sześciu lat - 500!
Wszędzie przyjmowani entuzjastycznie.
In Memoriam
Zygmunt Skiba
1927-2014
Zygmunt Skiba, father of PAA member Malgorzata (Goshia) Sudol, died peacefully on
September 19 after a long illness. Born in Brzuchowice, Poland, Zygmunt moved with
his wife, Zofia, Goshia, her husband and their four sons to Mechanicsburg, PA in the
1990’s. Employed as a construction site manager until his retirement, he enjoyed great
satisfaction in his family and in pursuing his many activities and interests. He is
remembered by his family as a good listener, humble, wise, warm and possessing a
great sense of humor. The PAA joins former PAA President, Agata Czopek in extending
condolences to Goshia and her family.
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk
Becomes New European Council President
“Poland’s legacy and experience can become a very important source of energy, which
the EU needs and is going to need in the future more than ever before,” Prime Minister
Donald Tusk said after his choice as new President of the European Council. He will
take up his position on December 1.
“I come to Brussels from a country that deeply believes in the sense of a united Europe.
Eighty percent of [the people in my country] have a deep faith that there is a point to the
European Union, and they look for no alternative. Each day we must keep answering
the question[s]: [G]iven the confrontation in Ukraine, and the situation in Syria and
Libya, who are we? How can we respond together to this challenge?”
Tusk is prime minister of a country that has weathered the global crisis better than any
other country in the entire EU. Poland was the only Community country not to slip into a
recession between 2008 and 2011. Poland is generally held up as a model of economic
success.
Tusk stated, “We will help Ukraine, we will help our neighbors in the south only if we are
able to form a common and unequivocal point of view. We must be at once courageous
and responsible. Imagination and common sense have to go hand-in-hand, especially
given the challenges that are so dramatic in the EU neighborhood.”
The nomination of Donald Tusk reflects Poland’s standing in Europe. European political
leaders unanimously backed Tusk’s candidacy because they want a new, charismatic
leadership in the European Council.
“My experience as the prime minister of the Polish government shows that reconciling
two challenges – fiscal discipline and growth – is possible. Since I became Poland’s
prime minister seven years ago, we’ve recorded a total growth of close on 20 percent,
while keeping the financial discipline.” Tusk added that the EU will be looking for an
effective way to make sure these two objectives support one another. “What I’m offering
is good will, a bit of imagination, interesting Eastern European experience, and above
all the faith that there is and will be a point to Europe.”
Poland’s President Bronisław Komorowski, commenting on the choice of Donald Tusk
as European Council chief stated: “The post of the Council President we’ve won on the
international arena is not only prestigious but also very important. [It means} not only …
great recognition for Poland’s achievements and position in the European world [and]
the Western world, but [it] also enhances Polish opportunities.”
http://washington.mfa.gov.pl/en/news/0_polish_prime_minister_takes_the_reins_of_the_eu
New POLAMHAR Officers Named
Gabriela Trembecka will be our next President and Stanisław Jarzyna our next VicePresident.
Yolanta (Jola) Gorski and Marzena Wolnikowski will remain on the Board. Jola will
handle event planning and Marzena will continue to manage the Association;’s email,
Facebook, and webpage. Our thanks to Marzena for her contributions as President and
for her willingness to remain on the Board.
Agata Czopek steps down from the PAA Board with the Association’s gratitude for her
many years of exceptional involvement! Without people like Agata, the PAA would not
exist. She has our best wishes for her upcoming travels.
The official installation of officers will be part of our Wigilia celebration, when members
will have the opportunity to meet Gabriella and Stanisław.
Calendar of Events
2014
Saturday, November 15
Saturday, December 6
Andrzejki
Wigilia
7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
Middletown Fire Department
10 Adelia St.
Middletown, PA
Festivities begin at 5:00 PM
Linglestown Fire Hall
5901 Linglestown Rd.
Linglestown, PA
Calendar of Events
2015
January 15 – Czerwone Gitary
Holy Rosary Church, 408 S. Chester St., Baltimore, MD
February 8 – Polish Fest
St. John the Baptist Social Hall, New Freedom, PA
For more information: Contact Greg at kocgering@yahoo.com
February – PAA St. Valentine’s Dance
(Date to be announced)
May 20 – St. Faustina: Messenger of Mercy
St. Mary’s Church, Fairfield, PA
Nancy Scimone will present a one-woman drama on the life of St. Faustina
www.saintfaustinadrama.net
July 19 – Bobby Vinton & Jimmy Sturr
American Music Theater, Lancaster,, PA
Between 1962-1972, Bobby Vinton had more #1 records than any other solo male artist.
Jimmy Sturr is the well-known “King of Polka”; his orchestra is on the Top Ten List of
the All-Time Grammy Awards and has acquired more Grammy nominations than
anyone in the history of Polka music. http://amtshows.com/event/bobby-vinton-jimmysturr/#sthash.pXLNDF20.pduf
Polish-American Association Of Harrisburg
polamhar@gmail.com
Officers:
President: Marzena Wolnikowski
Treasurer/Membership: Anna Rossi
Secretary: Bill/Deb Boshinski
Board Members:
Joseph Boshinski
Barbara Smolinski
Maria Chojnacka
Jola Gorski
Newsletter Editor: Carolyn Blaszczyk
Submissions for the February 2015 newsletter should be submitted to the Editor at 717889-2623 or cbis2@comcast.net, not later than January 31.
Polish Lessons: For individuals and groups, adults and children.
Contact Joanna Rzeszotko: joanna.pu1@interia.pl.
Business Ads: Members may advertise at polamhar.com for only $50.00 per year, and
Packages to Poland.
Contact Anna Rossi at polamhar@gmail.com.
Membership Form
YES! I want to join ____ or renew my membership ____ and
support the Association!
Please select a dues category:
$15.00
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Individual
$10.00
$35.00
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Individual Senior (over 65)
Family
SPECIAL CATEGORIES:
For those individuals and companies who care to make a special contribution in support of the
activities of the Association.
_____ Sobieski (male) $100.00 or more
_____ Jagielonka (female) $100.00 or more
Members in this category receive free admission to all Association events plus recognition in
all event programs.
Please return this form and enclose a check payable to the
“Polish-American Association, Inc.”
Send to: Anna Rossi, 850 Waltonville Rd., Hummelstown, PA 17036
PLEASE COMPLETE OR UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION
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