- Peggy Grant's 35th Annual Art Exhibit (Jan. 27, through March 10)
- 3rd International Festival (March 24, 2012)
- Scholarship Award (June, 2012)
- PACT 2-man Golf Scramble (Monday, June 11,2012)
- Lagrange Street Polish Festival (July 13 through 15, 2012)
- Kielbasa Cook Off (October, 2011)
- TPGS Genealogical Presentation, TBA
Wigilia Celebration
Submitted by pact on Mon, 12/28/2009 - 21:46
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WIGILIA CELEBRATION
Ninety-seven members, family and guests joined in the early celebration of Wigilia on December 13th at Ski’s Restaurant. Everything about Wigilia is special, unique and surrounded by legend and tradition and so was our early celebration of the day.
Chelsea, the young daughter of a member, opened the evening by lighting a candle that was then placed in the window, symbolizing the hope that the Godchild, in the form of a stranger, might come to share the meal. An extra place was set at the table for the unexpected guest.
Wigilia is the most symbolic and festive family gathering of food, song and friendship for Polish people. It is the single most important day of the year.
Sister Aloise and Sister Geraldine, Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania, OH, shared both prayers and information about Wigilia traditions starting with the breaking of Oplatki. Everyone broke the traditional wafer and exchanged good wishes for health, wealth and happiness in the New Year.
Deacon Terry McAuley read the Christmas story and Father Brian Hurley, from St. Anthony in Temperance, MI, blessed the food.
Following a toast of “Na Zdrowie!” using Truskawka Compote (Strawberry wine), Jack and Gayle Sparagowski, owners of Ski’s Restaurant, and their team of fast moving servers served an outstanding 11 course meatless Polish meal beginning with Sledzie (Creamed Herring), Mizeria (Cucumbers in dill sauce), and Zupa Ogorkowa (Dill Pickle Soup), served with Placek (Polish Coffee Cake). The main course included Ziemniakow I Ser Pierogi (Potato & Cheese Dumplings), Smazone Ryb (Fried Fish), Kluski z Kapusta (Noodles & Cabbage) and Buraki (Beets). The meal was capped off with Miod I Orzechy Wloskie (Honey & Walnuts) and Chrusciki (Angel Wings).
Throughout the meal Tony and Susan Perzynski along with Janice Hummer got the group in the Christmas spirit by leading them in singing traditional Koledy (Polish Christmas Carols). Tony surprised his wife with a birthday cake and invited all present with December birthdays to sing “Sto lat.” Tony also graciously provided extra Oplatki for those who would like to continue the tradition with their friends and family on Christmas Eve.
