News And Notes From The PFA Cultural Commissioner

By Dodie Piersielak

I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate the e-mail I have been receiving regarding my columns that are published on the PFA Web site. Keep the letters coming; I promise to answer all mail received.

Pictured is Cultural Commissioner Dodie Piersielak and author James Conroyd Martin. Click to enlarge.

A few months ago I talked about some Polish-oriented Web sites, and thanks to member feedback I have some more sites for you to check out. Gene Milotz from Nest 79, Southgate, Mich., wrote that he likes to use poltran.com, which is a Polish-English translation site.

Jamie Miszczak Sullivan, a member of Nest 580, Pittsfield, Mass., wrote that even though she has frequently moved over the years, she is still dedicated to her Polish background. She suggested to those people in New York state to check out newpaltz.edu. The language immersion institute has several beginner and intermediate weekend classes dealing with the Polish language.

In addition to these Web sites, Nest 52, Rochester, N.Y., members John and Stephanie Stenclik gave me some interesting items to share with you. On a recent trip to Connecticut, they stopped in at the Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven. On display was a large collection of decorated eggs from Poland, Russia and Czechoslovakia. Stephanie purchased a book with page after page of the most beautiful decorated eggs I have ever seen. If you are near the area, this museum is definitely worth the trip. The museum is located at One Columbus Place and can be reached at (203) 772-2130.

If you are planning a wedding in the near future and are looking for some “Polish Wedding Traditions,” then Stephanie recommends you check out LNM Productions, located at 8906 Mayflower Road in Baltimore, Md. They have a CD of traditions for a Polish wedding, along with instructions and audio. Some songs include the “Tatusiu Waltz,” “Daddy’s Little Girl,” “A Wedding Blessing,” “Czepek,” and the “Unveiling of the Bride” music and instructions. There are a total of 12 traditions featured on this CD. To reach LNM Productions, call (410) 780-9054 or visit them on-line at lnmproductions.com.

I would like to say that it was a pleasure to met author James Conroyd Martin at a recent St. Stanislaus Kostka Church festival. As I was working in the Polish Organizations Information Booth, he was nearby promoting his newest book “Against a Crimson Sky,” a sequel to his successful novel “Push Not the River,” which was about a Polish countess who lived through a time of turmoil and upheaval in Poland. Mr. Martin will be attending some other festivals this season, so if he is in your area make sure to pay him a visit; he has an interesting story on how he wrote “Push Not the River.”

October is just around the corner, and that means Polish Heritage Month. This year purchase a book dealing with Polish history, culture or traditions and donate it to a school or library in your area. Be sure to take a picture of this event and send it into the Sokol Polski and PFA Web site for all of us to see.