From Books To Ballgames: Rochester's Polonia Scene

By Gerry Wilson

Over the years, the Polish population of Rochester, N.Y., has grown and decreased as families moved out to the suburbs. I had the opportunity to learn how this Polish population grew by reading “Shoulder to Shoulder,” written by Kathy Urbanic. It is the story of Polish Americans in Rochester from the 1890s to 2000.

In addition to writing “Shoulder to Shoulder,” Urbanic was instrumental in putting together a wonderful exhibit called “Under the Wings of the White Eagle,” which was housed in the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Many people, including Krzysztof Kasprzyk, the Polish Consul General from New York City, visited and enjoyed this exhibit, which had images and objects that captured more than 100 years of Polish American life in Rochester.

The University of Rochester, a mid-sized private university, has the Center for Polish and Central European Studies, which is a part of the Political Science Department. This center is sponsored by the Louis Skalny Foundation, and the Skalny family is an avid promoter of Polish Culture. Contemporary Polish films, Polish documentaries and animated films are an example of what the center has available. Interested Americans and newer generation Polish immigrants can view these films and afterward discuss their contents.

St. Stanislaus Kostka Church also continues to keep our Polish Culture alive. A Polish choir sings beautiful Polish hymns at a Polish Mass celebrated each Sunday. A Polish arts festival is also held on the parish grounds every summer. For months, parishioners get together to make pierogi, which are frozen until needed. Golobki are also made fresh each day. Polish dancers perform and festival-goers dance to polka music provided by the Brass Magic. Members of Polish organizations, including the Polish Falcons, staff a booth where they distribute information about each of their groups.

Each spring, Holy Saturday brings back hundreds of people who come to have their food baskets blessed and visit with old friends. In addition, Pulaski Day is celebrated at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. Many of the Polish organizations that are part of the Polonia Civic Centre march into church with their flags to attend Mass. There is a reception after the Mass and a speaker to help celebrate the day.

Polish Constitution Day is celebrated each year at the Hall of Justice in downtown Rochester. The ceremony includes a speaker and the placement of a wreath at the bust of Thaddeus Kosciuszko. Members of the Polish Falcons participate in this presentation, and the observance is continued on the following Sunday with a Mass and an artistic program at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.

We have the opportunity to enjoy Polish music on the radio for two
hours each Saturday morning on 90.1-FM JAZZ. Ray Serafin, who grew up in the Polish Community in Rochester, has hosted the program on a volunteer basis for 25 years. Along with the Polish music, he keeps everyone informed of all of the activities happening in the Polish community.

The Polish Heritage Society hosts many activities and speakers such as Michael Galas, who spoke on “Polish Jewish Relations.” Another gentleman spoke on genealogy. In addition, a demonstration of the art of “Pisanki” was held. Those in attendance then were able to decorate their own eggs using this technique. An accordion jam with more than 20 accordion players and a polka band helped to bring an end to summer activities. A Polish dinner/dance welcomes October, and a Wigilia Dinner will be held during the Christmas season.

One of Rochester’s Sister Cities is Krakow, Poland, and in the past this organization has sponsored two students per year to study in Poland. The Sister City Program also helped purchase an ambulance and computers to be used in Krakow.

“Polish Night at the Ballpark” is one of the many special events that are held at Rochester's Frontier Field. This event brings the Polish community together to support our local baseball team, the Rochester Red Wings. The Polish National Anthem is sung after the Star Spangled Banner, and for many years entertainment at the ballpark would include polish dancers. The Polish Community is visible and recognized as our home team plays baseball.

As you can see, there are many people working hard to keep our Polish Heritage going strong in Rochester.