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FOR MAY 2008
Phone: 602-275-9329
We are a non-profit 501(c)3 organization,
all donations are tax deductible
*President’s Corner*
Dear Members and Friends,
May is upon us and we have so much left to do. As you may have already heard, the Board Of Directors is planning major renovations and improvements this summer on our bathrooms. This may end up a major surgery, as the plumbing system may also have to be upgraded. Let’s hope it will go smoothly!
On April 21st, the parking lot was repaired, sealed and striped. It is something we needed for a while, and it will have to suffice until we can afford to completely replace the asphalt on the front and both ends of the hall.
On May 4th, we will be commemorating May 3rd Polish Constitution Day at the Pulaski Club. The Varitones will entertain, and it’s a great way to start off the month.
Our bi-monthly meeting will be on May 18th and will start at 12:30pm. Please be on time if you are planning on attending the meeting. For details about the dance, see the Second VP column.
June 8th will be our last scheduled dance before we break for the summer. Bill Regina and his Merry Men will entertain us to close out the first half of the year.
We must say Good Bye to our good friends and valuable members Donna and Wesley Ochocki, both officers of the Club, who made plans to relocate back to Poland this summer. We are grateful for their service and their dedication to the Pulaski Club in the short time they were active members. Good Bye and Good Luck. We shall miss you both.
This newsletter will be the last one published by Carol Ann and Norm Fritchie as Chez Falkowski will be taking over the responsibilities of publishing starting in September. I wish to thank both Carol and Norm for their service and dedication in putting out this modest publication each month. It requires a lot of work and organization, and they have done a wonderful job. Thank You Carol and Norm!
Halina Kosinski has done an equally wonderful job of organizing and preparing all the meals for your pleasure and consumption. It takes a lot of time, planning and preparation and a lot of help from Barbara and Chez Falkowski, Celina and Frank Tomaszkowicz, Bruno Klus, and numerous others who contribute regularly with helping out in the kitchen and with decorating the tables and the hall.
Not to be forgotten are our volunteer bartenders who spend numerous hours preparing and serving your drinks. David Bonczkiewicz orders and stocks the bar and handles the supplies. Also important is Frank Tomaszkowicz who makes sure things work properly with plumbing, electrical, and mechanical.
Thanks to our Club’s Trustee Members, who not only audit our finances but also staff the door for all our events with Henrietta Nemecek at the helm.
Thanks to Frank Kanios and Mary Hanson who, with help from others, organize our raffles.
Our unsung heroes – our volunteers. I do thank you and salute you all.
Please come out and support our events, our kitchen staff, our bar staff and express appreciation to those who make our club work so well.
Your President, Casimir Kosinski
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*OFFICERS 2008*
PRESIDENT: Casimir Kosinski 623-487-9821
1st Vice President: Chez Falkowski 480-892-0737
2nd Vice President: Halina Kosinski 623-487-9821
Sergeant At Arms: Wieslaw Ochocki 480-612-3070
Recording Secretary: Danuta Ochocki 480-612-3070
Financial Secretary: Diana O’Loughlin 480-834-5484
Treasurer: Mary Kiselus 602-526-7321
*BOARD OF DIRECTORS*
CHAIRMAN: David Bonczkiewicz 480-380-8887, ends 12/31/10
Bob Keith 602-510-7435, ends 12/31/10
Frank Tomaszkowicz 480-539-1995, ends 12/31/09
Frank Kanios 480-423-9480, ends 12/31/09
Cindy Lofgren 480-710-4192, ends 12/31/08
*TRUSTEES*
Shane Prosser 480-814-9240, ends 12/31/10
Paul Chojnacki 480-961-4180, ends 12/31/09
Henrietta Nemecek 602-955-5509, ends 12/31/08
*COMMITTEES*
Publicity: Paul Chojnacki 480-961-4180
Sunshine: Shirley Sztuk 480-964-8275
Entertainment: Halina Kosinski 623-487-9821
*NEWSLETTER*
Editor/Publisher: Carol Ann & Norm Fritchie,
623-974-4435, E-Mail: cfritchie@usfamily.net
*WEB SITE*
Original Web-Design: Sylvia Kosinski
Webmaster: Casimir Kosinski 623-487-9821
E-Mail Pulaski Club: pulaskiclubaz@yahoo.com
Pulaski Club Phone: 602-275-9329
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1st VICE PRESIDENT - Chez Falkowski:
Lately I saw an older TV clip with Khrushchev banging his shoe on the top of a table during the UN session. Well, I admit I understood his frustration. In the Communist system, a boss casually and calmly did ask "Does anyone know what kind of weather is in the Republic of Komi today?", and every opponent just shut up. Nobody wanted to end up in a dreadful Gulag Land in the Archangelsk District of Russia.
Not to be outdone - our own high ranking officials in heated discussions during the NATO meetings relied heavily on slamming a fist on a table top, if necessary, as a last point in arguments. Times have changed. The Soviet empire collapsed. Russia found itself in a serious economic crisis for a few long years. Now a days, Russia actively tries to rebuild the old sphere of influence mainly due to its petrol-dollars. It is considered to be the KGB Corporation, and I still feel angry when I see our President kissing the KGB Colonel Vodka Putting.
A short time ago NATO showed some cracks in the monolith. The USA, Poland, and the Baltic States aggressively pursued the idea of the Ukraine and Georgia joining NATO. That membership would be a spring-board to membership in European Union (EU) as well. The “Old Europe” (Germany, France, and Italy) were opposed. This time there was no fist banging. Proponents argued that it would make the Black Sea area the inner lake of NATO, thus securing crude oil lines from the Caspian region. It would expand western democracies and prevent them from being swallowed by expansionist Russia.
Poland sees this as a great opportunity to create a safety buffer between itself and Russia. History taught us that only an alliance of Poland with the Ukraine, Baltic States, and potentially with Belarus could counter the Russian's "drank nach west" (expansion towards west). Also a potential alliance of Poland and Ukraine in EU would tip the voting power towards Eastern Europe. More then half of the European populations are Slavic people.
Opponents argued that neither the Ukraine or Georgia are ready for NATO, and it would be undesirable to upset the Russian government because it bitterly opposes the idea. They do not need a buffer zone against Russia. They already have it with Poland and other nations. A compromise was achieved by encouraging candidates to accelerate this transformation and postponing the official vote for a half year. Some say it is the beginning of further compromises because Germany keeps an eye on its big prize – permanent membership in the UN Security Council, and it needs this broad support.
2nd VICE PRESIDENT - Halina Kosinski:
On May 4th, we will commemorate the Polish Constitution with traditional Polish food and dessert. The table settings and decorations will reflect the patriotic tone of the day. For further temptations, our members Mary Kiselus and Sylvia Kosinski will set up their jewelry tables so that everyone can browse or buy to satisfy their desires.
May 18th – both the food and the dance that follows will be in a Hawaiian Luau style. We will take you to the islands with the decorations and food. So get your Hawaiian Leis, grass skirts, Hawaiian shirts and shorts, and come out to enjoy yourself. Oh, and practice your Hula Dance steps. However, dancing the Polka in your flip flops is not suggested or encouraged.
TREASURER - Mary Kiselus:
March was another profitable month for the club. Thank you to all Board Of Directors, Officers, and all members for all your hard work at the club in preparation for all our club events and rentals.
The outcome of your hard work and membership support is reflected in our nice profit for March. The events held at the club in March included: Polka Weekend, the March 9th dance, Easter dinner, & hall Rentals. March income totaled $9,321.70, expenses were $6,048.47, with a profit of $3,273.23. GOOD JOB! AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
Best Wishes to all and hope to see you all at our May events.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY - Diana O‘Loughlin:
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 they can contact me with the changes.
SUNSHINE COMMITTEE - Shirley Sztuk:
No news is good news!! Stay healthy, and have a happy and healthy summer. Keep smiling.
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Nickelcity Dave's
News and Notes
ALOHA-SKI! May 18th is our Hawaiian polka party; grass skirts, a complementary lei at the door, tropical drink specials, and a roasted pig. (maybe) Join in the fun, dress the occasion, and let’s bring in the summer heat with the limbo, a hula dance, and some paradise fun!
Facility Upgrading Activities. The parking lot has been resurfaced and should last us a few more years of wear and tear. Also, the Board Of Directors will be getting together at the end of this month for planning our remodeling of the women’s and men’s restrooms. Anyone wanting to volunteer their services or expertise just contact one of the Board Members at the next dance. While we are in the remodeling of the restrooms, we will be installing a new RO (Reverse Osmosis) water system for the Club.
Please Keep An Eye On Our Parking Lot. If you happen to drive past the club and notice one of the gates open, please stop and close them. We’ve been having parking issues recently and would like to keep the parking to our club members only.
Mark your calendar for October 17th, 18th, and 19th. The Board Of Directors are once again going to have another weekend polka party with the “Full Circle” Polka Band featuring Polka Hall of Famers of Lenny Gomulka, Jimmy Weber, Al Piatkowski, and polka legends Mike Stapinski, Roger Malinowski, and Mike Matousek. Look for more information on the Pulaski web page and flyer advertisements at the upcoming dances.
Just A Reminder, We will be having a membership drive for the Club on June 8th and again on September 7th. This is the time to check your own membership card, making sure you are up-to-date on your dues, and bring new potential members to join our polish club. Bring a friend to our Polish-American Club ‘cause we Polish people like our dances packed!
BARTENDER: New Jersey Wives: Three recently married men were sitting together bragging about how they had each given their new wife some duties. The first man had married a woman from Iowa, and her dad told her that she was going to do the dishes and house cleaning. It took a couple of days, but on the third day he came home to see a clean house with dishes washed and put away. The second man had married a woman from Michigan. He had given his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, dishes, and the cooking. The first day he didn't see any results, but the next day he saw it was better. By the third day, he saw his house was clean, the dishes were done, and there was a huge dinner on the table. The third man had married a beautiful girl from New Jersey. He told her that her duties were to keep the house cleaned, dishes washed, lawn mowed, laundry washed, and hot meals on the table for every meal. He said the first day he didn't see anything, the second day he didn't see anything, but by the third day some of his facial swelling had gone down so he could see a little out of his left eye….enough to
Pulaski Club is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax deductible.
WHAT’S YOUR NUTRIENT IQ?
What nutrient is one of the hardest to get from the typical American diet? Vitamin E. An astonishing 93% of women and nearly as many men don’t get the 15mg of vitamin E that the body needs daily to protect you. Vitamin E is present in olive, canola, and sunflower oils, plus almonds, peanuts and spinach but in small amounts. Just a handful of 23 almonds a day pack 7.3 mg of vitamin E almost half your RDA with only 164 calories.
Calcium builds strong bones, but not by itself. It needs what nutrients? Vitamin D, which maximizes the body’s absorption of calcium. Adults need 200 to 600 IU of D daily. Milk and some orange juice brands are fortified with this vitamin. Eight ounces of milk plus fatty fish (mackerel, salmon, & sardines) contain Vitamin D. What is the most effective way to get your daily requirement of calcium? A 12 ounce of milk at each meal. These daily 24 ounces of milk will give you 900 mg of calcium. Calcium is easy to get, so enjoy that glass of milk.
If you were trying to prevent a stroke, which foods would help? A baked potato, lean meat such as turkey or chicken, whole grain bread, and low fat cheese. All of these are great stroke preventers. The best is your potato which packs 960 mg of potassium, a mineral that helps maintain normal heart function. To increase your potassium intake, eat 9 servings of fruits and vegetables daily instead of five. Folic acid lowers levels of homocysteine and amino acids. Folic acid is a B vitamin which will lower your homocysteine levels the most. All of these are in your 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Don’t forget your breads, too.
This info was so helpful to me that I thought I’d share it with you. Happy and healthy eating, but most of all, take that 30 minute walk every day. Exercise is the most healthful activity of all, especially dancing the polka….
Contributed by Carol Ann Fritchie
A NOTE FROM THE NEWSLETTER EDITORS:
Carol & Norm Fritchie
This is our last newsletter as the editors, and we would like to thank the Board plus all the members and guests for all their help and support for the past two years with the newsletters.
We are originally from Minnesota, and at one time we were members there of the Polish American Club of St. Paul, Minnesota. This May they will be closing their doors for good, and that facility has been in existence as long as the Pulaski Club here. The reasons for the closing are lack of members, loss of interest, lack of participation, lack of rentals, and no funds. Many members there in the past years had remodeled their building, much like the Pulaski Club here. They have limited parking in an older neighborhood much like Phoenix.
We mention this to you because we do not want to see the same thing happen here. Please support our Club not only by being a member, but also by participating in the events when you can. The Board and all the volunteers here work so hard and only ask that you come and support their efforts.
May God bless you all, and may the Pulaski Club continue to flourish with more members and a wonderful atmosphere.
Carol & Norm
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MAY & JUNE ACTIVITIES
May 4: Sunday, Constitution Day
Dinner & Dance, Dinner 1-3pm,
Dance, Varitones, 3-7pm
May 10: Saturday, Polish Highlanders
Dance, 8pm-2am, P.O.C.
Contact Jan Gacek for info: 602-526-0294
Not a Pulaski Club Sponsored Event
May 18: Sunday-Membership Meeting 12:30pm
“Hawaiian Theme Dance”
Hawaiian dress suggested for this dance
Dance, John Smoltz, 2-6pm
June 8: Sunday, Dance
Bill Regina & the Jolly Timers, 2-6pm,
Membership drive, bring a new member
to the Club (see NEWS & NOTES for more info)
Food is served at all our functions, plan to enjoy these culinary delights.”
SUMMER BREAK
2008-2009 ACTIVITIES
September 7: Sunday, Membership Meeting 12:30pm,
Dance to Varitones, 2-6pm –
Membership Drive (read NEWS & NOTES for more info)
September 13
: Saturday, Dance, two bands,
Varitones plus John Smoltz, 4-10pm
October 5: Sunday, Pulaski Day, Dinner & Dance,
Dinner 1-3pm, Dance to Varitones, 3-7pm
October 17-18-19: “Full Circle” Polka Band weekend party
with Polka Hall of Famers (see News & Notes)
November 1:
Saturday, Halloween Dance,
John Smoltz, 6-10pm
November 9: Sunday, Membership Meeting 12:30pm,
Dance, John Smoltz. 2-6pm
November 30: Sunday, Dance,
John Filipczak & AZ Classics, 2-6pm
December 14:
Sunday, Christmas & Dance,
Dinner 1-3pm, Dance to Varitones, 3-7pm
December 31: New Year’s Eve –
Organizers - Polish Highlanders
January 1, 2009
New Year’s Day
Fundraiser/Potluck/Polka Jam/Dance Party!!!!
Invite your friends and join us for a fun day…..
Date, time, & bands are subject to change
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