Polska Pryba Crowned 2016 Kielbasa King (Toledo, OH) — The team of Polska Pryba, led by Jeremy Pryba, was voted the People’s Choice and earned the title “Kielbasa King” for the Polish-America Community of Toledo (PACT) Fifth Kielbasa Cook-Off held Saturday at the St. Clements Community Center in West Toledo. Polska Pryba competed in the Fourth Kielbasa Cook-Off in October 2014 and finished in second place and tied for the Celebrity Judges Award. For the past 15 years, Mr. Pryba and his family have used the same recipe handed down…
Read MoreCategory: News
Shrove Thursday (tłusty czwartek)
In Poland, tłusty czwartek is celebrated on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent. Because Lent is a time of fasting, the next opportunity to feast would not be until Easter. Instead of parading and partying like in Mardi Gras, Poles line up to buy their favorite pastries from their local bakery (piekarnia). Of course the most famous pastry is the Pączki, a deep fried doughnut filled with any number of sweet fillings. Fat Thursday is one of the busiest days of the year among bakers and confectioners…
Read More2016 Kielbasa Cook Off
This year, the Kielbasa Cook Off will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016. It will be held at St. Clements Parish, 3030 Tremainsville Road in Toledo Ohio. We are excited about this year’s cook off and want to get the word out early so potential contestants can register in plenty of time. If you have questions, or would like to be a contestant in this year’s cook off, email us at info@polishcommunity.org or call Jack Sparagowski at 419-356-1811. KIELBASA COOK-OFF Contestant’s Information Sheet 1. The Kielbasa Cook-Off is being held…
Read MoreJoin Rev. Daniel Zak’s St. John Paul II Poland Pilgrimage
Follow the Footsteps of St. John Paul II. Sept. 6 – 16, 2016 Krakow, Wadowice, Auschwitz, Czestochowa, Zakupani, and Wieliczka! **9 nights in Krakow’s City Center near Medieval Market Square **Evening spent strolling Krakow Old Town (a UNESCO Heritage site): St. Mary Church, Sukiennice Cloth Hall, Florianska Gate, famed Jewish Kazimierz district, Old Town’s defensive walls and the Barbican, Wawel Castle Cathedral, buriel site of St. Stanislaus, Patron Saint of Poland **St. John Paul II Tour (Known as the “Catholic Tour”. Following in the Footsteps of St. John Paul II, Visiting…
Read MoreOctober is Polish Heritage Month
Show your pride in your Polish Heritage! The month of October is a good time to learn something new about Poland, the country of your ancestors. Here are a few suggestions for things you can do: 1. Start your family tree and invite all the members of your family to get involved. 2. Review a map of Poland and learn more about the town or city of your ancestors. 3. Read a book on Polish history and share that information with family and friends. 4. Attend a Polish American event…
Read MoreWinners of the 2015 PACT/Stanley’s Market Golf Scramble
This year’s golf scramble, held at Giant Oaks Golf Course, had the most competitors in the golf scramble’s history. One hundred and eight golfers (27 4-man teams) competed for the winning spot. This year’s winners were: George Polcyn, Steve Spencer, Tim McQuire and Chris Monroe. They each received a cash prize of $300 and $200 in gift certificates to Stanley’s Market. PACT member, Ed Lepiarz had a hole in one on the 15th hole, a par 3. 2015 winners: Tim McQuire, Steve Spencer,Chris Monroe, and standing in for George Polcyn…
Read MoreEssay by Zach Pylypuik
Jestem Polski Throughout the existence of Poland, the contributions made to the betterment of mankind is innumerable, and I am glad I can say “Jestem Polski”. To me, being Polish-American includes three pillars that should be practiced by all patriotic Poles, the first of which being the practicing of Polish culture and traditions. Being Polish-American also means studying the academia and works of art and literature born out of the heart of Central Europe, Poland. Finally, a large part of having a Polish heritage is Catholic faith. To me,…
Read MoreEssay by Ethan Collins
I wrote an essay last year telling you about my pride in being Polish but I did not win a scholarship. I was proud of what I wrote, so I am sending it again. This time, I am adding a few things. I am leaving for boot camp in a few days. I will do boot camp this summer and then return to do my senior year at Central Catholic. My grandfather joined the Marines right out of high school when he was 17. I am 17 and I am…
Read MoreEssay by Casey Sobota
It’s a blessing and a comfort to know where your family comes from and I’m fortunate to have been enveloped in my mother’s Polish background while growing up. I’ve called my grandpa Dziadzia, ate Polish food at family gatherings and heard stories from my mom about “Busia”, my great-grandmother. As I grew, I realized that not all of my friends celebrated their roots as much as my family did, and I became more interested in learning about our Polish background from relatives and through my own research. At Ohio State,…
Read MoreEssay by Jessica Pietrasz
Having a Polish-American Heritage means that I have had the unique opportunity to be able to experience many wonderful and remarkable traditions in my life. I have been able to witness weddings with polka bands, grand marches, the oczepiny and the poprawiny. My holidays have been filled with my Great Grandmother’s kapusta, which my aunt creates from our secret family recipe, our traditional trip to Stanley’s Market for kielbasa, my Great Uncle presenting the Oplatek at Christmas and of course, having homemade pierogi on Good Friday. Everyone who shares this…
Read More