Nest 88 Celebrates 100 Years With Banquet, Mass

By Diane L. Mechlinski

Pictured above is National President Wallace Zielinski, District V Director John Kowarik, District V President Philip Zambrello and his wife Diane. Click to enlarge.

It is a monumental milestone for an organization to reach their centennial. Over the course of such a long period of time, many obstacles and events can hinder its growth and continuance. Generations of committed individuals are needed to work together in cooperation, decade after decade, so as to pass on the traditions and aspirations of those that instilled its beginning. Nest 88, New Britain, Conn., has accomplished this, and more, as it proudly commemorates its 100th anniversary during this year of 2007.

During the weekend of June 23-24, Nest 88, proudly and rightfully, took to acknowledging and celebrating all their achievements of the past 100 years, remembering and honoring those who began Nest 88 and those who to this day continue to work hard, upholding the original Falcon ideal of “A sound mind in a sound body.” A dinner/dance was held on June 23 at the Nest 88 Hall on Washington Street in New Britain, which was attended by a large gathering of Nest 88 members, their families and friends, as well as many honorary guests. An outdoor picnic was held at the Falcon Pavilion on Farmington Avenue, New Britain, the following day on June 24, beginning first with an outdoor Mass commemorating and blessing this most special anniversary observance.

“The Polish Falcons of America welcomes all of you to this evening’s celebration of our 100th anniversary of Nest 88, New Britain,” Dinner/Dance Toastmaster Dh. John V. Rogalewski reminiscently said as he addressed the crowd. “From a young band of strong-willed men in 1907, looking to bond and organize the newly arrived immigrants of the Polish population, to becoming one of the largest Polish organizations in our area, we gather this evening to admire and congratulate Nest 88 on 100 years of service to the Polish community.”

An important part of the evening’s celebration was reminiscing and reflection –– applauding and appreciating the monumental accomplishments of past Nest 88 initiators over the span of a century, as well as those of members continuing the traditions today. A fraternal benefit society and physical fitness organization, which is a direct outgrowth of a similar organization which developed in Poland in 1867, the Polish Falcons of America came into existence as the only Polish organization in America dedicated to physical culture and athletics, believing in the principle that within a healthy body lies a healthy mind. With this ideal, following its inception in 1907, Falcon Nest 88 prospered and thrived under the leadership of 38 different Nest presidents, through the times of two World Wars, a Great Depression and the turnover of four generations of volunteers.

Pictured above is the Mass that took place at Falcon Field the day after Nest 88’s Awards Banquet. Msgr. Plocharczyk (center) concelebrated the Mass with Fr. Stanley Dudek and two visiting priests from Poland. Click to enlarge.

In February of 1907, in “Lee Hall” on Lafayette Street in New Britain, 26 Poles led by the first Nest 88 President, Waclaw Niedenthal, agreed to apply for a charter to form Nest 88 of the Polish Falcons of America. Throughout the years, the Nest has brought to various levels, championship sports programs in New Britain as well as many other parts of the Northeast, including baseball, softball, bowling, golf, gymnastics, track and field, and soccer.

The 100th anniversary program began with an invocation which was led by Monsignor Daniel Plocharczyk of Sacred Heart Church in New Britain. Dh. Andrew Mechlinski, 100th Anniversary Committee Chairperson, was introduced, along with his committee members, who were responsible for months of hard work and planning in making this celebratory anniversary weekend a reality.

Honorary guests who were acknowledged included:
• Mayor Timothy T. Stewart, City of New Britain;
• Current Nest 88 President Dh. Kazimierz Garbowski;
• Nest 811, New Britain, Conn., Ladies Auxiliary President Romualda Kaczynski;
• State Senator Donald DeFronzo;
• Nest 88’s Honorary Anniversary Chairperson, Father Brian Shaw of Holy Cross Church in New Britain;
• Honorary Chairperson, Connecticut Secretary of State Susan A. Bysiewicz;
• Dh. Wallace J. Zielinski, Polish Falcons National President from Pittsburgh, Pa.;
• Dh. John Kowarik, District V Director to National Headquarters;
• Dh. Philip Zambrello, District V President of the Polish Falcons;
• Dhna. Mary Mazur, District V Legion of Honor President;
• Reverend Stanislaw Dudek, Sacred Heart Church;
• Former Connecticut State Senator Thomas Bozek;
• Commander of the General Haller Post 111, Henry Kawecki;
• General Haller Post 111 Ladies Auxiliary –– J. Prokop;
• District V Polish Veterans Commander Zbigniew Rostkowski;
• Mr. and Mrs. Edward Rutkowski, Haller Post #111;
• Lucian Pawlak, Lawrence Hermanowski and Dominik Swieszkowski, representing the Pulaski Democratic Club;
• Ewa Jankowska, Pope John Paul II Polish Language School President;
• Kazimierz Garbowski, representing the Polonia-Paderewski Choir;
• Richard Sadanowicz, Nest 88 Ski and Golf Club;
• Zbigniew Bogacki, Falcon Hunting Club President;
• Stefan Tyminski, LOS Hunting Club Vice President;
Dh. Gerald Krzysinski, Polonia Falcon Soccer team;
• Representatives from Nest 307, Southington, Conn., Nest 36, Southwestern Conn., Nest 519, Middletown, Conn., Nest 68, Meriden, Conn., and Nest 208, Derby, Conn.;
• Former presidents who have faithfully served Nest 88: Dh. Wieslaw Pisarski, Dh. Andrzej Mechlinski, Dh. Kazimierz Swiatlowski, and Dh. Tadeusz Galaszewski.

“On June 12, the 120th anniversary of the Polish Falcon organization in the United States was celebrated,” said Connecticut State Senator Donald DeFronzo, 6th District (D). “Here in New Britain, the Falcons are an important part of our community … as leaders in promoting sports, continuing to help nonprofit organizations and churches … may their next 100 years bring an equal amount of success.”

Pictured above is Msgr. Plocharczyk (from Sacred Heart Church in New Britain) and the mayor of New Britain, Timothy Stewart and his wife Patty. Click to enlarge.

“We are deeply indebted to those who have followed in the footsteps of those first members,” said Mary Mazur, District V Legion of Honor President. “We cannot function as a body without all members working together.”

Prior to the evening’s dinner/dance festivities, a portion of the program took place to honor selected members with the Falcon Bronze Service Star awards. Toastmaster Rogalewski invited Dh. Garbowski, Dh. Zambrello and National Director Dh. Kowarik, to join him in honoring Thomas Bozek, Larry Hermanowski, Gerald Krysinski, Andrew Mechlinski, Ben Nadzieja and Roman Sulewski with this honor.

Additionally, the presentation of a very special award followed. Just as an individual member may be awarded the Legion of Honor award, so too can a Nest. It may have taken 100 years, but Nest 88 was finally nominated and awarded the Gold Level of the Legion of Honor of the Polish Falcons of America, which is the highest decoration a Nest may receive. National President Zielinski, along with District Legion Representative Dhna. Mazur presented the award, with Nest 88 President Dh. Garbowski accepting on behalf of the Nest.

The Polish Falcons Nest 88 currently has over 300 active and social members who call 201 Washington St. in New Britain their home. The building was purchased in 1934. Immediately, Nest 88 addressed social concerns by entertaining members with dances, led by the biggest event of the year, the installation of Officers and committee members held each January.

Nest 88 also hosts a yearly New Year’s Eve gala, along with a scholarship dance where two deserving students receive scholarships to higher educational institutions of their choice.

Meetings are held every second Sunday of the month and spoken in the traditional Polish language. Nest 88 purchased approximately 30 acres on Farmington Avenue in New Britain (Polanka field), where picnics and sporting events are held throughout the summer months.
Nest 88 hosts the Polonia-Paderewski Choir, who themselves have competed for and won many choral championships throughout New England and the Tri-State region. Hunting, skiing and motorcycle clubs have been added to Nest 88 over the years, along with a golf team.

“As Mayor of the City of New Britain,” said Timothy T. Stewart, “I join with all residents of our community in commending the members of the Polish Falcons of America, Nest 88, for one hundred years of contributions to our country, state and community.”

An outpouring of Falcon Nest 88 members, their families and friends, and area community members joined in the next day’s continuing 100th anniversary celebration at the Falcon Field (Polanka) for an all-day picnic which began with an outdoor Mass, concelebrated by Msgr. Plocharczyk from Sacred Heart Church in New Britain and Father Stanislaw Dudek. Joining them were two visiting priests from Poland. Blessings and wishes for continued success to Falcon Nest 88 were extended.

Pictured above is the banquet's 100th Anniversary cake. Click to enlarge.

“It is very important to encourage our youth to get involved in the athletics and sports,” said PFA National President Wallace J. Zielinski, as he relaxed at the picnic, enjoying some Polish food and anticipating the start of a youth soccer game which was scheduled to begin soon. Dh. Zielinski urged members to make the effort to seek and encourage youth involvement in Nest activities. “We have to find out what it is they want –– what they are interested in,” he said. “This might help draw in the interest of new, young members.”

Polish food, fun and dancing followed as the picnic progressed into the night. Along with the soccer match that took place during theafternoon, there were other games and a magic show for children.

The weather couldn’t have cooperated better –– warm sunshine and gentle breezes accompanied the mingling conversations and laughter of guests who came to celebrate 100 years of Falcon Nest 88’s existence and hard work. It surely was a monumental time for an extraordinary organization within the community, state and country.

Best wishes for another Sto Lat –– and Czolem!