MARCH 2007
From the President
Dear Members and Friends,
This is a quote taken from a scroll, found in our storage room, which was printed around 1956; and 50 years later, those words give us a reason to pause and reflect.
“A chance remark, a word overheard, and a chain of events followed. It happened in Phoenix, Arizona sometime prior to May 3, 1939. Two persons were conversing in the Polish language. Their conversation was heard by a passerby, whose spirits were immediately uplifted on hearing his mother tongue spoken so far from home. Introductions were in order, and plans were made to get together again in the near future. Each of the three became a committee-of-one to see if there were other Poles in the Valley of the Sun with the purpose of forming an organization for their social and spiritual benefit. The first meeting was held on a day both memorable and patriotic, the Anniversary of the Constitution of the 3rd of May 1939.”
The individuals who initiated the idea and carried it forward to the point of organization were: Edward Aleksander, Joseph Janis, and Leo Rokosiewicz, co-founders of the Pulaski Club.
Joseph Janis is the father of our past president and current member of the Board of Trustees, Henrietta Nemecek, who was around 16 years old at that time.
The quote continues: “Sixteen years of existence of the Pulaski Club and five years of occupancy of it’s own clubhouse, which we commemorate on the occasion of this inscrollment, gives us an unmatched opportunity to reflect on our past, take a soul searching inventory of the present, and plan for a challenging future”.
Reflecting on the past – the beginnings in 1939 were tough, raising funds to buy the property and erect the building were tougher. But our Founders endured through the most difficult period and built our existing clubhouse. They succeeded in giving us the foundation to build upon which becomes our duty to continue.
The quote continues: “The cradle of our home has been well tended . . . (by) those constant workers, whose willing hands have helped make the dream of the founders a reality.
With God’s help, may we carry on our self-appointed task of integrating the wealth of Polish culture into the life-blood of Arizona . . .”
How true is that statement? Are we up for the challenge? Yes, of course, we are! We are doing it, and we are succeeding. Our Founders would certainly be proud of our efforts.
Thank you all for contributing and continuing to fulfill the challenge our predecessors bequeathed to us.
Your President, Casimir Kosinski
Reminder: Pulaski Club bi-monthly Membership meeting is on Sunday, March 4, 2007
__________________________________________________
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT – MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN - Chez Falkowski:
We have a few people accepted to the Pulaski Club who have not yet been sworn in for a variety of reasons. I will inform them about the next membership meeting. Hopefully they will be able to attend.
Lately a club member asked me to translate the 19th century passport as part of genealogical research related to his family. The passport was issued by the Russian authority. In those days, clerks used quite ornamental scripts in their Cyrillic hand-writing. Well, I translated the passport and found exactly where the passport bearer lived. That small village exists on the old maps and on the contemporary ones. I even found the Coat of Arms for that lady. I have been interested in Polish history for a long time. I have access to Polish Coat of Arms and old maps (eq. Austro-Hungary, Polish WIG, USSR, etc.) through the Internet. So if you research your genealogical tree back to Poland and stumbled on an old document or name, I might be able to help you. Feel free to contact me.
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT - ENTERTAINMENT DIRECTOR - Halina Kosinski:
Our kitchen volunteers have been serving meals during a few dances in the past two months. We are still experimenting with different menus, trying to make them interesting as well as economical to prepare.
In March we have three dances, and we plan on serving meals at each one. I would like to encourage everyone to plan on eating lunch at the Pulaski Club on those days in order to support our club. The menus will vary for each dance, and please save room for dessert.
This year’s St. Patrick’s Day dance is on Friday, March 16th. We will serve an Irish meal for this occasion. Sam Pecorilla will be entertaining our St. Patrick’s party revelers.
Please reserve April 1st on your calendar for our Easter Feast and Dance. Also, invite your friends and relatives to join us. Dinner will be served from 1-3PM. Stan Maczka & his “Accordion Magic” will be entertaining from 3-7PM.
For April 1st, we are preparing quite a menu & an abundance of home made deserts. Wait to see the April newsletter for a detailed menu. It won’t be April Fool’s, I promise.
TREASURER - Mary Kiselus:
We had another good month at the Pulaski Club. January events (Potluck 1/1/07, Hall rentals, Meeting/Dance 1/14, and 1/28 Dance) brought in income of $5420.46. Total expenses for January totaled $4883.66. This figure includes utilities, bar and hall expenses, fan installation balance due, and sales tax. We still managed to show a profit for January of $536.80.
Have a great time at all of our March events. See you all at the club and as always, thank you for your support.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY - Stella Wojski:
Thank you for all the renewals. Dues are $24.00 a year. Check your membership card, and send a check to the Pulaski Club. If you know of anyone with address changes, have them fill out the form in this newsletter or contact me with the changes.
SUNSHINE COMMITTEE - Shirley Sztuk:
A "Get Well Card" was sent to Wayne Trinka who had surgery. We hope he is feeling better.
Did you know? Fort Pulaski National Monument is located in Savannah, Georgia. In 1833, the fort was named Pulaski in honor of the Polish hero, Count Casimir Pulaski, who fought in the American Revolution and was mortally wounded at the Battle of Savannah in October 9th, 1779. He died two days later and, according to tradition, was buried at sea near the mouth of the Savannah River.
HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY TO EVERYONE,
EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT IRISH!!!!
__________________________________________________
“Nickelcity Dave’s”
NEWS & NOTES
Well, another busy month at the club has past, and once again I have to ask, “What do we need to do to bring our (officers) members, friends and polka fans together?” We had two new entertainment performers this past month, and not a big turn out at all. If anybody has an idea, send me an e-mail at nickelcity_dave@yahoo.com. I would like to thank the Polish Highlanders for their support. They had a nice turn out on Saturday evening (250 people). Maybe we should ask them to take part on our Entertainment Committee. At this point, I think anything would help?
The Pulaski Club has a new telephone answering service and telephone caller I.D. I have it set up right now for only inquires for hall rentals, club deliveries, or emergency. I will be adding updated club information soon. The Club phone service is checked daily. (602) 275-9329
BAR-STANDERS: An old lady is walking around in a supermarket calling out, "Crisco, Crisssssssco!" Soon a store clerk approaches and says, "Lady, the Crisco is in aisle 12." The old lady replies, "Oh, I'm not looking for the cooking stuff. I'm calling my husband." The clerk is astonished. "Your husband's name is Crisco?" The old lady answers, "Oh no, no, no. I only call him that when we're out in public." "I see," said the clerk. "What do you call him at home?" "Lard ass."
BARTENDERS: Suppose you overbuy your favorite alcohol beverage for a big party and your brother agrees to take a bottle or two and reimburse you. That seems reasonable, but anywhere in the United States doing that would make you guilty of committing a punishable crime....selling alcohol without a license.
WAY OUT WEST DYNGUS DAY FEST - HOW TO CELEBRATE DYNGUS DAY? The Easter season in Poland ends on Monday when the traditional “Dyngus-Smigus” custom is observed. It is a humorous Easter time custom. The young people break the solemnity of Easter by a burst of frivolity. They visit from house to house, singing songs, playing pranks, and merrymaking. No, you do not need to be Polish to enjoy Dyngus Day. Many parties begin at noon on the Monday after Easter with a large buffet of traditional Easter foods (kielbasa, ham, fresh breads, and eggs). It is common to hear polka music on Dyngus with the mandatory dancing of at least one polka. Come to the Club on April 9th and celebrate
“Smigus! Dyngus!” with us. There will be an Open Kitchen from 4-6pm, and a Polka Jam Session & Dance from 4-8pm lead by the Varitones Band.
RENT THE HALL: The Pulaski Club is available for all your social events. Basic Club price is $1150.00. This includes a 6 hr. rental, cleaning deposit, and damage deposit (refundable). In addition, we offer full bar service, security, kitchen, and a list of available catering services for your event. (602) 275-9329.
REMEMBER: We are a 501(c) non-profit organization; your donations are tax deductible. Let us support our club!
“BRING A FRIEND TO THE NEXT DANCE,
WE POLKA PEOPLE LIKE OUR DANCES PACKED”