The dedication of the Ohio Historical Marker honoring Alexander Drabik took place on Saturday, May 28th at the site of his birthplace in Holland, Ohio. About 150 family and friends attended this dedication to honor the WWII hero. Sergeant Alexander Drabik, the first American soldier to cross the bridge at Remagen, Germany received the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism on April 5, 1945. Along with many of his relatives (he was one of 14 children to John and Frances Drabik) and friends and those that just wanted to honor…
Read MoreDyngus Day Celebration
WHAT IS DYNGUS DAY? “DYNGUS DAY” is historically a Polish tradition which celebrates the end of the often restrictive observance of lent and the joy of Easter. A special celebration held the Monday after Easter, a day of feasting, drinking, playing pranks and merrymaking. The traditions of Dyngus Day predate Christianity, in Poland, by hundreds of years and are derived from pagan celebrations welcoming the spring. Young men would signal their amorous intentions to young women by dousing them with water. In one interpretation of this tradition, the young man…
Read MoreEaster Traditions with Rosemary Chorzempa
Rosemary Chorzempa sure knows her Polish traditions. Luckily she was kind enough to share her knowledge with an audience of eager learners on Tuesday, April 19th, at Ski’s Restaurant in Sylvania. Those who came to hear Mrs. Chorzempa explain some of the Polish traditions of Easter now know how to make a lamb out of butter for Easter dinner. They also know what type of steps go into making decorative Easter eggs (pisanki). Not only do you need to use beeswax and a tool called a kistka, you have to…
Read MoreDedication of the Alexander Drabik Ohio Historical Marker
Dedication of the Alexander Drabik Ohio Historical Marker The date for dedication of the Ohio Historical Marker honoring Alexander Drabik has been set for Saturday, May 28th at 2 PM. It will be held at 9336 Wolfinger Road off Bancroft Street near Crissy Road in Holland, Ohio. The Drabik family invites everyone to attend this dedication. Sergeant Alexander Drabik, the first American soldier to cross the bridge at Remagen, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism. April 5, 1945. U.S. Army Signal Corps photograph taken by J Malan Heslop.…
Read MoreThe Polish Easter Basket
Polish Easter Basket Maslo (Butter) – This dairy product is often shaped into a lamb (Baranek Wielkanocny) or a cross. This reminds us of the good will of Christ that we should have towards all things. Babka (Easter Bread) – A round or long loaf topped with a cross or a fish, symbolic of Jesus, who is the Bread of Life. Chrzan (Horseradish) – Symbolic of the Passion of Christ still in our minds. Jajka (Eggs) and Pisanki (decorated with symbols of Easter, of life, of prosperity) – Indicates new…
Read MoreSwieconka
The blessing of the Easter food, or the “Swieconka” is a tradition dear to the heart of every Pole. Being deeply religious, he is grateful to God for all His gifts of both nature and grace, and, as a token of this gratitude, has the food of his table sanctified with the hope that spring, the season of the Resurrection, will also be blessed by God’s goodness and mercy. Traditions vary from village to village and family to family. They have changed and evolved with each passing generation. Traditionally the…
Read MoreEaster Pisanki
Pisanki are eggs which are decorated by writing on them. They can be divided into two main techniques; “batykowane” and “scrobane”. Batykowane employs the use of a stylus and wax to draw on the eggs which are then placed in colored dyes. Skrobane uses an egg which is first dyed a solid color and then the decoration is scraped or scratched into the shell. There are three main motifs which are used in the decorating of pisanki. They are geometric, such as dots, triangles, and crosses, floral, such as flowers,…
Read MorePACT’S Pierogi, Piwo, Paczki and Polka Party
Toledo can be a happening place when you mix Polish people with pierogi, beer, kapusta, paczki and award winning kielbasa. Throw in some great music and a few games and you have the recipe for a great time. On Sunday, March 6th, that’s just what the Polish community in Toledo did. People lined up well before 2:00 to make sure they had a place in line for dinner. On hand was Mike Janiszewski, who recently won the title of Toledo’s “Kielbasa King”. Mike made 150 pounds of his tasty kielbasa…
Read MoreThe Polish in Toledo
This Thursday, January 13th, WGTV will show “The Polish in Toledo” at 8 PM. This is a part of the PBS Toledo series.There was always a very strong sense of pride…in the neighborhood…in the business community…in the churches…It stemmed I think, from a sense of belonging.” — Jerry Mazuchowski Join WGTE when one of its most beloved and requested episodes of Toledo Stories airs Thursday, January 13 at 8:00 p.m. Cornerstones: The Polish in Toledo tells the story of the migration of thousands of men, women and children from Poland…
Read MoreMore Kielbasa Than One Person Can Eat!
A kielbasa lovers dream come true! The first ever Kielbasa Cook Off challenge was held at the Bedford Hills Golf pavilion on Saturday, November 13th. Eleven challengers brought their home made kielbasa to the cook off. Participants were: PVK. Jan Howard, J&J Kielbasa, Janiszewski’s Kielbasa, Krueger Kielbasa, Zaza’s Old World Kielbasa, Archie Z’s, Erin Darah Kielbasa, Lou’s, Wulf Family Pride, and Grycza’s Kielbasa. Along with the mounds of kielbasa available, other Polish foods were offered. Music by Billy P. kept the pavilion hopping and games were available to occupy both…
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