Ticker tickler.

One of my favorite things to do is flip around the Yahoo ticker. Often there will be a “best of” places or cities to live, to raise a family, to retire, etc. Many are obvious and some are surprises. For a number of the picks, the story and logic makes sense, but again, sometimes it’s a stretch.

So if there was a Yahoo ticker “what is the best city to live or visit if you are Polish,” how would you answer? Omaha, Buffalo, Los Angeles, and San Antonio have a Polish scene, including for one of these, a “Dingus Day” celebration. I had a conversation with one of our local folk artists about doing the Polish wedding dance Mach! at the reception of his friend’s daughter. As it turned out he didn’t do it because it wouldn’t have been the right fit with the scheduling and perhaps also not with the guests. He did mention however, that they “do this all the time in Toronto.” Is Toronto an American city?

Most of us that live in St.Louis, no matter the race or ethnicity, relish the fact that we still have an Italian neighborhood and have a feeling of pride about the place, the food, and the people. Not sure how many Italians really live on “The Hill,” but there are a ton of restaurants and identifiers crammed into that part of town. The fire plugs are painted in Italian colors for instance. With or without the neighborhood, an Italian living or visiting St.Louis would have to feel welcome, on The Hill or anywhere for that matter. By the way, try the toasted ravioli, thin crust pizza, or the chicken spedini, all St.Louis Italian specialties.

Italians aren’t the largest ethnic group in the metro area and by contrast, Chicago is the biggest Polish city in the world. The best American cities for Polish people probably look and act very similar to the worst but it is not how much Polonia there is what wins. The Polish population in many towns is small and close knit yet every single weekend there is something going on emanating from the community. As the number of dedicated Poles regularly leading and participating in the events gets smaller, it is still amazing how much there is to do. Quantity and other aspects do not necessarily determine the “best” though.

I think there are two defining factors that make for a good city for Polish people, whether you are a native or visiting. The first is how excited, creative, and open is the established Polonia for living and promoting their existence. Are they just hanging on or are they alive, moving forward, planning ahead, having babies, and welcoming new faces? I think another word for that is spirit! The second, greatly dependent on the first, is how open, accepting, and fond the general population is for the Poles in the community at large. To break it down further, if you were Mr. Poniewaz visiting a city and you told a native you were Polish, would the response be “hmm, you peeked my interest accompanied with a noticeable head or eye lift” along with a “we have a great Polish…this and that,” or would it be “you know, we have the largest Oktoberfest celebration in Southern Pennsylvania!” That gets a Hmm also.

I hope it is the former but look, as intelligent and good-looking as I am, I simply cannot make everyone love me or accept me. I struggle with that and the same holds true for the group. There are some great places and cities where the Polish community is more visible and at the same time accepted and even liked. Whatever the status, isn’t that a goal worth pursuing? That question leads perfectly to this question for July: what is the best city in the United States to be Polish? In your travels throughout the United States during the summer months, keep this question in mind and let me know what you think or discovered. If you find one of the best, I want to go there.

Flowers in bloom.

One of my favorite places for flowers and plants is Garden Heights Nursery because the selection and quality and variety is grand, exotic, and ethnic. While meandering through I spotted a Serbian Bellflower, a Russian Sage, Japanese Blood Grass, a Stella D’oro Day Lilly and an Indian Feather flower. No Polish named anything though so I did an online search for “flowers in Poland” On the The Flower Expert website, http://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/flowerbusiness/flowergrowersandsellers/national-native-popular-flowers-of-poland. The compliments on this site are sweet smelling and there is a nice summary of the Polish flora:

Poland boasts the greatest plant diversity and wealth of forest in Central Europe. This is mainly due to its lowland location and moderate, transitory climate. You can find some very rare plants there, like the Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica), Globe Flower (Trollius europaeus), Ostrich fern (Matteucia struthiopteris) and Broad Buckler-fern (Dryopteris dilatata). Apart from these, some other flowers blooming on this beautiful land are, Geraniums, Poppies, Pink Amaryllis, Crocuses flowers, Freesia and Alanya.

Even on The Flower Expert, no “Polish” flowers. Do you know of one?

Summer movie recommendations.

Call Northside 777 stars James Stewart as a newspaper reporter investigating a past arrest and pushing for a new trial of a Polish-American accused in a robbery-murder. This film is famous as the first Hollywood production set in Chicago. It is also notable for Stewart’s repeated and accented (you know, sounds like a clucking chicken) pronunciations of “WAN-da, SIS-ko-BICH,” as only he could do it.

The Way Back is about a group of prisoners who escape from one of Stalin’s Siberian concentration camps during World War II.  Many of these were Polish “political” prisoners which simply meant they were Polish nationals who fought the Russians at the start of the war. One of the main characters is Janusz who leads the half-dozen men and one woman across Eastern Russia, through Mongolia, and eventually to India and freedom. Quite a story and none of the half-dozen primary actors has any Eastern European ancestry that I know of but you cannot tell. Great cast and story.

My prayers were answered (well, sort of) with the retirement of the bigoted president of Ohio State University, E. Gordon Gee. I wish him the worst in his retirement but hey Gordon, just joking. Good to hear from Jack from Michigan and thank you for the interesting leads.

If you have a thought about this month’s topic, an answer to the questions, a question of your own, or have interesting facts to share, contact me at: Edward Poniewaz, 6432 Marmaduke Avenue, St. Louis , MO 63139 ; eMail alinabrig@yahoo.com. Don’t forget to visit The Pondering Pole blog, ponderingpole.blogspot.com.

N.B. If you send eMail, reference the Polish American Journal or the Pondering Pole in the subject line. I will not open an eMail if I do not recognize the subject or the sender.

Used-ta

Heard an interesting take on the hometown. St. Louis is a “used-ta” city: as you drive around natives frequently point to places or talk about things that “used-ta” be there or something they “used-ta” do. The awareness for preserving, documenting, and cherishing our American heritage and traditions unfortunately became popular in many cases a little too late. At one time, those who were nostalgic were seen as boring or even backwards. “Kind-da” a shame if you think about it.

Not all used-ta is bad of course. If you say I used-ta be a failure, troublemaker, or drug addict then that is a good thing. And while we have a soft spot in our hearts for the old times or old things, not all of us want to live in museums and progress must go on. If you’ve ever owned an old house (as I do), it can practically kill you physically and financially trying to keep it maintained. If you’re constantly sitting around talking about what you used-ta do in high school or college thirty years ago, you might want to consider getting out more. Used-ta in one sense is the real and the material and in another is within the metaphysical realm, more of a state-of-mind or condition rather than a physical object or historical event. Though it pains me to say it, perhaps a balanced used-ta approach is the best one sometimes. 

Not long ago the courts ruled that St. Stanislaus Kostka Polish Church in St. Louis is the property of the congregation and not the archdiocese and therefore is no longer a Catholic Church. In other words, St. Stan’s used-ta be Catholic. That is a problem for some of the Polish people in our city who remain members of and subscribe to the teachings of Roman Catholicism.

And this has created a split in opinion and a rift among friends. For me the church had three perfect and wonderful qualities: first, it was a place and a building that was distinctly Polish; second, it was a cultural center and Polish was “spoken” there; and finally it was a church, the house of God. There were the persons, sights, and sounds and then the other-worldly character as a place of worship.

Of those three qualities, it is primarily the theology that is different now.  The place is still the same, beautiful and grand. There is still an element of the culture as many of the old guard are still running the show and working to sustain it. My understanding is the doors will always be open to friends, guests, and pilgrims. My hope is that there always will be a number from the Polish community that will continue to associate with and support the church in its current form. Those individuals, at least in their hearts, will never say that St. Stan’s “used-ta” be my parish.      

“Chopin Jazz”

Rich Kowalewski writes, “Dear Ed, I enjoy reading “Pondering Pole” every month in the PAJ and thought you might enjoy my JAZZY reworking of themes by Frederick Chopin.” Rich, yes! I really enjoyed it and (as Keith Urban would say) loved the reworking. That’s what I’m talking about, a great example of revised Polish sounds and match to Chris Botti’s Prelude in C Minor (Pondering Pole “Linkage” April 2013).

According to the press release on The Swingin’ Chopin jazz band, the newest CD is called Chopin Jazz and is “led by prominent Detroit area bassist and arranger Rich Kowalewski.”

The disc features some of the most beloved classical melodies of Frederick Chopin performed in American and Latin American styles. His well-known “B-flat Mazurka,” for example is arranged in American swing; “Fantasy Impromptu” becomes a sultry samba; and his ever popular “C Sharp Waltz” as a funky blues.

Even if you are not familiar with Chopin or cannot pick out the melodic connection, Chopin Jazz is excellent music and would be an excellent CD for someone of the Polish or jazz persuasion. It can be purchased on the website www.cdbaby.com/swinginchopin. For more information contact Rich at richkowalewski@gmail.com. Buy one for yourself and a bunch of them for family and friends. For the record, the processional hymn at church last week was a rock version of Jesus Christ Has Risen Today.  It was simply, great.

The Blogging Pole Online.

Now you can tell me if you have a “thought about this month’s topic, an answer to the question, a question of your own, or have interesting facts to share” immediately and online! Visit The Pondering Pole blog at  www.ponderingpole.blogspot.com. Eventually I will have all of the Pondering Pole articles listed on the site. Please let me know what you are thinking as I love a good discussion and enjoy debating just about anything.

A number of big dziekuje bardzos this month. I want to thank Rich Kowalewski and the other Swingin’ Chopin band members for the great work, sound, and interpretation of our beloved classical Polish artist, doing it in a jazzy style. Thank you Frank Adamiak for the card and kind words. I’m going to frame the costumed dancer card cover and hang it on the wall. I love it that much. If you have a thought about this month’s topic, an answer to the question, a question of your own, or have interesting facts to share, contact me at: Edward Poniewaz, 6432 Marmaduke Avenue, St. Louis , MO 63139 ; eMail alinabrig@yahoo.com.

N.B. If you send eMail, reference the Polish American Journal or the Pondering Pole in the subject line. I will not open an eMail if I do not recognize the subject or the sender.

A book about us.

Look closely at the picture of the Polish soldiers on the cover. Focus on the sad and exhausted face of the marching young man peering directly at the camera. He is Henry, and Charlie, and Joe. He is me. He is you. I have seen that face a hundred times. He is us. 

Albin Wozniak, publisher of the Polish Studies Newsletter got it right in the February 2013 edition when he proclaimed, “Polonia should honor her for writing this book.” The woman he refers to is Halik Kochanski and the book is The Eagle Unbowed: Poland and the Poles in the Second World War (Harvard University Press 2012). Buy as many copies as you can afford and give it to your children, grandchildren, to your friends, and then donate a copy to the neighborhood library. It is that good and important.

Here is why. The Polish experience is either non-existent, minimized, or put in a negative or biased light in popular culture such as movies and television and in our formal culture such as in our schools. Kochanski examines all of the major parts of the war and gives the Polish perspective, whether it is good or not so good but she gives a logical and clear picture of the context and circumstance surrounding whatever occurred. That is a refreshing thing and the mark of a stellar historian.

Another reason to read this history is to feel the power of both the sorrow and the incredible pressure the Poles lived under fighting to survive in truly unbelievable conditions in their country and abroad. We have heard so many times about how Poland “suffered” in World War II and this work illustrates that part of it. What is most satisfying to me was the dispelling or clarifying of what I thought was the history of the Polish performance on the battlefield and off the battlefield, in diplomatic circles and in other spheres. In some cases Eagle Unbowed reveals information I was not aware of and what I was familiar with the book often gave at the least one other take on those events, added a twist or two, and without passion.

The range of the historical record Ms. Kochanski presents is new and broad. World War II really began for the Poles as it had for many of the European nations from the end of World War I. Poland was a recovering and emerging entity and this had a tremendous impact materially and psychologically on how she would engage Germany and Russia when they attacked her September 1, 1939. This, throughout the war, and until the “Final Chapter,” the total war experience “left Poland devastated” (page 532).   

There are a number of excellent books written about the Polish experience in World War II. Add this one to that list and please read it. Then consider as a meditation sometime during May, Polish freedom month, first that the Poles lost their freedom for over one hundred years, that their country was trashed and raped by the warring powers in World War I, that they fought five wars following World War I to secure their borders, that they worked very hard to build an emerging nation between the wars only to see it destroyed because they fought Hitler and the Germans in the Second World War. To the critics, yes, the Poles made mistakes, didn’t do as much as they should have, and on and on but they also were engaged in the fight, often alone, with spirit and determination, and on balance, made decisions and acted appropriately from start to finish. All of those battling the evil German empire can claim as much.    

For all of this then, can you easily trade away the honor, dignity, and identity of your ancestral background? Again, see the face of the young soldier on the cover of Eagle Unbowed. I hope you never forget it.

Suggestions from the Pondering Pole

I’m listening to a woman of Mexican descent describe how her uncle gets the family together to make tamales. He has the family secret and he wants the rest of them to learn how to make it like grandma did. I knew an Italian family that did the same thing with raviolis. How about your family getting together to make pierogis or chrustcikis? What a great way to pass down the “art” of your personal ethnic cooking and have fun with the cousins.

Along the same lines, here is an idea for a business. In the case of the tamales and raviolis, someone had to host the group, the cooking, and the drinking (of course!) at their house and it can be a major mess when the party is over. Renting the church hall or another public facility can be quite expensive and is paying for more room than is needed, but why not a storefront “kitchen” where a group can meet, have the fun, and clean up for a slight rental fee? We rent rooms for all kinds of reasons and with some minor upgrades you can turn your property into a rent-a-kitchen. The Pondering Pole and Ralph Cramden never stop thinking. “You’re going to the moon, Wanda!”

Pondering Pole question for May, does your family meet to make the family secret recipe? I would love to hear the story.

A very big Dziekuje Bardzo to my friend Jim “Jak” (for Jakub) Rygelski for the wonderful gift of Eagle Unbowed. I also recommend you make the blueberry cheesecake from the Mala Cukierenka website (http://www.malacukierenka.pl/sernik-na-zimno-z-jagodami.html). Hint: there are amount equivalency websites out there and use only an ounce of gelatin. It makes it fluffier and is absolutely delicious. Thank you Susie for making it for me. If you have a thought about this month’s topic, an answer to the question, a question of your own, or have interesting facts to share, contact me at: Edward Poniewaz, 6432 Marmaduke Avenue, St. Louis , MO 63139 ; eMail alinabrig@yahoo.com.

N.B. If you send eMail, reference the Polish American Journal or the Pondering Pole in the subject line. I will not open an eMail if I do not recognize the subject or the sender.

Linkage

The passing and tribute to Stan Musial in January prompted a Pondering Pole question, not appropriate then, but appropriate now. If Stan was so popular, admired, and respected, why isn’t Poland? It should follow that if you thought so highly of someone, and that person comes from a place, wouldn’t you think the place had to be special?

Not by everyone of course but you have to admit, most Americans when the words Poland or Polish are spoken don’t get the kind of reaction and respect that, let’s say, Italy, Mexico, Ireland, England, Russia, or Israel get when they are mentioned. I could list famous sports figures with backgrounds from those countries whose temperament and character compares to Stan, Mike Krzyzewski, or Jim Furyk, and the relation of the person to the place would be different and generally more positive.

So there is good linkage and bad linkage. What determines the status of the linkage? Pondering Pole theory: there is linkage based upon at least one defining factor that influences and “convinces” a person that upon hearing the word will register a positive response. I picked these countries because they signify three different linkage types. The first is “in your face,” the second is “the big dude,” and the third group is the “small dude with the big dude attitude.” All of the six countries have various degrees of beautiful countryside, cuisine, famous places, and notable histories. How we think of them varies.

 

Italy in most respects has it all: the great history, a beautiful countryside, and famous places. Mexico has beautiful beaches and renowned archeological sites but the thing that set both of these countries apart and shines most favorably with Americans is the food. It is a tangible and direct path, an absolutely “in your face” impression of these two nations and the reinforcement occurs millions of times a day, all over the country. Not sure how many pizzas and tacos are consumed each day but I bet it is a lot. Tummy feels good and so does the brain when it comes to Italy and Mexico.

Russia and England have a number of famous places and are steeped in history but certainly don’t have the reference to food as strongly as Italy and Mexico have. The defining factor of these two countries is the powerful reputation they carry.  The “big dude” with big shoulders like the largest kid in the class: you automatically respected him and wouldn’t say anything bad about him because you didn’t want to get beat up. Sad, I guess, but true.

In the final category, two small nations, Ireland and Israel are the most intriguing. Both countries have some interesting and famous historical sites but they also have tricky weather and non-standard topography. Ireland is often rainy and cold and Israel sits in the middle of a desert. Neither can boast a cuisine that is comparable to the variety and taste of Italian or Mexican. Neither has the power or reputation that England or Russia exudes. Yet, I find that the Irish and the Jewish as well as the non-Irish and non-Jewish are able to speak freely and confidently in near glowing terms about these two countries. Why so glowing?  

It is all about will for these two nations. Simply put, the Irish and Jewish do not tolerate any negativity from those outside the group and they also promote and market themselves well. They condition those around them to think highly of their ancestral land. I hear Irish or Jewish comedians laugh about themselves and their culture, but I don’t hear too many others “kid” them about being Irish or Jewish or being stupid mainly because they do not allow it.   

So, what linkage category do we fall into?  Can the Poles get linkage from the food?  Probably not although I think the jury is still out and we have nothing to be ashamed of in this area. Can Poles get linkage with English power and Russian reputation? Historically the Poles have had their empires and domineering moments but nothing as sustained and on par with those two giants, or China, Germany, Spain, or Persia for that matter. Our option is to create connections between people and place based on the Irish and Israeli model.

 

Every country’s music, dance, food, history, and land will have some credibility and specialness and beauty. The grace and blessings that God has bestowed on the Polish people has been very generous. On balance the people are good and decent and so is where they came from. We can sit around like the salesmen in David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross and hope someone gives us the “good leads” or we can stand up and get the positive linkage ourselves. Write the radio station, correct the speaker, or bring some delicious pastry to the Easter dinner and tell the folks straight up, well, this is Polish.

Brought me to tears.

Chris Botti is a world renown jazz trumpet player and he performed a concert at Powell Symphony Hall in midtown St.Louis February 23rd. Chris’s mean horn playing, combined with his outstanding accompanying band members, the special guests, Powell’s orchestral background, along with the excellent acoustics made for a spectacularly satisfying evening. Then came the linkage.

Towards the end of the first half of the concert, Chris went into a short intro as he did with all of the works played that night. He spoke about the fourteen consecutive visits the band had made to Poland and how much the Poles were enamored with jazz. Then he described his reasoning behind the next piece, his interpretative take on Frederick Chopin’s Prelude in C Minor. 

Then came the tears. The gentle and sincere comments about Poland and the glorious jazz rendition of classical Chopin was a wonderful testament to the composer and to the Polish people and made my eyes well up. That was a connection between person and place, big time, and with a big heart. Linkage, yes, and dzienkuje bardzo Chris.

Polish or not?

Chris Botti, jazz trumpeter. His father’s ethnic background is Italian and his mother was a classical pianist. Ding, ding, ding!  His mother’s ethnic background is not identified in at least two biographical sources for Chris. Botti obviously has a soft spot in his heart for Poland. Son loves Poland and mom loves piano. Is Mrs. Botti Polish?

One final thought. In a distant past issue of the Pondering Pole, I suggested that a Polish American musician rework some of our beautiful folk tunes with jazz sounds and interpretation. How about some of the beautiful Easter songs with jazz interpretation ala Chris Botti?

I want to wish all of the Polish American Journal readers a happy and blessed Easter, Wesolego, Alleluja! If you have a thought about this month’s topic, an answer to the question, a question of your own, or have interesting facts to share, contact me at: Edward Poniewaz, 6432 Marmaduke Avenue, St. Louis , MO 63139 ; eMail alinabrig@yahoo.com.

N.B. If you send eMail, reference the Polish American Journal or the Pondering Pole in the subject line. I will not open an eMail if I do not recognize the subject or the sender.

Farewell to the “Perfect Knight”

Stan Musial, Stan “The Man,” died, January 19, 2013. May he rest in peace.

Please indulge me with some thoughts on the passing of baseball’s “Perfect Knight,” a real hometown hero, “The Man,” ninety two years young. Even as a St.Louisan and Cardinal fan I was amazed at the outpouring of adulation and respect the city and the media paid him in our town. Many of the Cardinal greats including his good friend Red Schoendienst, Whitey Herzog, Ozzie Smith, Joe Torre, and Tony LaRussa, spoke about him as a great guy, a fun guy, a perfect role model, a giving man, and mostly just a good and decent person.

Bob Costas did a truly heartfelt eulogy at the Mass. Julian Javier, Cardinal second baseman in the 50s and 60s, named his son after Stan. Musial was the favorite player and influence for the Pittsburgh Pirate’s great first baseman, Willie Stargell. The St. Louis Blues hockey team all wore number 6 jerseys during their warm up for the game on the Saturday night following the funeral Mass. A reporter asked Stan’s grandson if he liked hockey and he said he did but didn’t like to go to the games because of the fighting. Of course and that made perfect sense.

Everyone had a story about Stan. It seems like they were never ending. Bob Costas, in a radio interview, told of Musial’s admiration for of all people, Mickey Mantle. He spoke about how Stan felt a connection with the way they grew up, their father’s hard lives, and how Mantle impressed him as a ball player. Costas did the eulogy at Mantle’s funeral, and about half way through, while struggling to keep his composure at the loss of his idol, he panned the congregation and fixed on Musial, sitting in a chair in the left aisle of the church, by himself, present, solemn, paying his respects. He flew in the day of the funeral and then quietly left shortly afterward to go home. Mantle and Musial were only acquaintances and were certainly different animals in their personal lives, but he came because he thought a lot of his idol, Mickey Mantle.

On and on, the accolades, the way he affected others, the stories, and though usually just a mention in all of it, there is Stan, the “Polish” man. St. Louis Polonia will always remember Stan for what he did for us. He made appearances at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, at the Polish American Cultural Society Polonez Ball, and at the Polish Heritage Open (PHO) Golf Tournament. He was the honorary chairman of the PHO for many years and helped out with various donations of his memorabilia for our auction. I believe his ethnic background was something he felt as well as acknowledged. Son of an immigrant Pole, Musial did not forget where he came from, whether from St.Louis, Donora Pennsylvania, or Poland.

Barrett Jackman of the Blues said “Stan was thought of as a god around here” and though there was a certain amount of truth to that he wasn’t a god and we all have to go some time. We will miss him and cherish the many times that he took us “out to the ballgame.” Goodbye friend and thank you for giving so much of yourself to so many for so long.

Polish POWs.

A long time ago in an early edition of the Pondering Pole, the question came up, “What happened to those Poles captured by the Germans after the Polish-German conflict at the beginning of World War II?” We are aware of the Katyn massacre and the poor treatment of the Polish captives by the Russians for their part in that war but I have never seen documentation on how Hitler treated Polish soldiers and officers captured by his army.

In a recent published work by Halik Kochanski, The Eagle unbowed: Poland and the Poles in the Second World War, (First Harvard University Press, 2012), there is a mention of what happened to these soldiers in the chapter entitled, “The German and Soviet Occupation of Poland to June 1941.” About 700,000 Poles were captured by the Germans. Of these 30,000 were officers. As POWs, both officers and enlisted were treated poorly in internment camps and then,

In the spring of 1940, these men were compulsorily released from their POW status and became slave workers – principally in German agriculture but also in road building and other hard-labor projects. The POWs were subject to the same draconian restrictions as the Polish civilians.

Not as extreme or heinous as the murder of the officer corps by the Russians, but brutal none-the-less. Do the Germans get a pass for how they treated the Polish officers?

Polish or not?

Stephanie Gosk, London correspondent for NBC Nightly News. Gosk -  Goskowski, Goskiewicz, or Goskala?

If you have a thought about this month’s topic, an answer to the question, a question of your own, or have interesting facts to share, contact me at: Edward Poniewaz, 6432 Marmaduke Avenue, St. Louis , MO 63139 ; eMail alinabrig@yahoo.com.

N.B. If you send eMail, reference the Polish American Journal or the Pondering Pole in the subject line. I will not open an eMail if I do not recognize the subject or the sender.

A “little candy” for your sweetie

 As Michael Corleone said in Godfather III, “Every time I try to get out, they pull me back in.” Every time I find the perfect food network or web site, “they pull me back in” and I find something else new and exciting.

While you are looking at Ren Behan’s FABULICIOUS FOOD! (Pondering Pole January 2013) let me direct your attention to another Polish food-themed home page called Mala Cukierenka, "Little Candy" (http://www.malacukierenka.pl/), a web site devoted to deserts. It is in the Polish language but there is a translator available.  Like FABULICIOUS, the styling and layout of the displays are modern and so, so tantalizing. If you are a pastry addict as I am, then this site is your worst nightmare. Pay close attention to the blueberry cheesecake.

Question for February, is “Little Candy” a person or if not, who is the creator and force behind this excellent online resource? Since Valentine’s Day is near, perhaps this is the perfect place to find the recipe for a Polish treat that you can make for your Valentine’s sweetheart!

We have FABULICIOUS FOOD! and Mala Cukierenka, Kowalski’s Markets of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and now Eroski Supermarkets. Eroski is part of Groupo Eroski, a private cooperative with over 2000 supermarkets and other specialty stores mostly found in Spain. From the Answers web site (http://www.answers.com/topic/grupo-eroski) here is a brief description of the company:

Grupo Eroski can fill your pantry and book your next flight. One of Spain's leading retailers, Eroski operates about 2,440 supermarkets, hypermarkets, perfume shops, sporting goods stores, and other formats throughout its home country and in France and tiny Andorra. The firm's supermarkets operate under the monikers EROSKI/center and EROSKI/city while hypermarkets carry the EROSKI banner. It also runs grocery stores bearing the Caprabo brand. In addition to supplying foodstuffs, the company manages the Viajes Eroski travel agency through more than 200 outlets. Grupo Eroski, which is the retailing arm of Mondragón Corporación Cooperativa, is owned by its employees.

I like the name Eroski because of the obvious Polish/Eastern European stamp, but I could not find any explanation for why this is the name as opposed to something more Spanish sounding.  Can you help? I would also be curious to hear from our readers on whether they have visited and used the Eroski stores and what is your impression.

Lists

How about a few lists to start off the New Year? Let’s begin with the “what is there to see in Poland” list. A number of recent experiences made me concerned about the initial responses of non-Poles but also about what comes to mind for our Polish people as well. For instance, when I asked a young American student what stuck out on his trip to Poland, his reply was “that Auschwitz really had an impact on me.”

Majdanek had an impact on me as well but that is not the most notable thing I remembered and saw in my visit to Poland. I have heard Wieliczka Salt Mines as a number one as well. Americans are so bombarded with Auschwitz and Poland, Auschwitz and Poland, and Auschwitz and Poland in movies and television that I fear people are automatically associating death camps and salt mines when they are asked about Poland. If you ask me what is there to see in St. Louis, the first items on my list are not the old courthouse, site of the famous Dread Scott race case, or the River des Peres, “the backbone of the sanitary and storm water systems” running through a significant portion of the city.  

Before Auschwitz as my “places to see” in Poland are the rebuilding of “stare” Warszawa, the countryside, Zakopane and the Tatra mountains, Krakow and Wawel Castle, the various palaces and castles and manor houses, Jagiellonian University, Gdansk and the Baltic coast, and the special places of worldwide notoriety such as the Lenin Ship Yards, Malbork Castle, the Boleslawiec Pottery headquarters, and of course, Auschwitz or Majdanek. I would also mention a trip to Poland gives the experience of a people as culturally and historically different than the Western or Southern Europeans including trying the food and drink. Can you think of other interesting or unique things to see or experience in Poland? What have I missed?

From 2012, Polish or not?, did not get an answer on these:

Ward Bond, Bert the cop from the movie It’s a Wonderful Life 

Katie Cleary, Chicago born, model and actress
Kate Upton, Michigan born, model and actress (mom Polish?)
Elle “The Body” McPherson, model and entrepreneur, father's
      name is Gow. Is this short for “Gowronski?”
Frank Yablans, movie director, Mommie Dearest and North Dallas
      Forty
John Candy, comedian and actor
Jennifer Coolidge, actress

If you have a thought about this month’s topic, an answer to any of the questions, a question of your own, or have interesting facts to share, contact me at: Edward Poniewaz, 6432 Marmaduke Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63139 ; eMail alinabrig@yahoo.com.

N.B. If you send eMail, reference the Polish American Journal or the Pondering Pole in the subject line. I will not open an eMail if I do not recognize the subject or the sender.

Milestones

Dzien Dobry 2013. I woke up the other day and realized that I had worked for the same company for 25 years! Where did that time go?  It feels like 24.

A mark like that imbibes a wonderful sense of calm, satisfaction, and accomplishment. It wasn’t always easy and I certainly wish I would have done more than a few things differently in those twenty five years but on balance, it feels good and was a pretty good ride. I said it felt like 24 and a smiley face truly would be apropos because it was more like five years. Where did the time go?

Nestled in with the calm, the satisfaction, and the accomplishment, is a sudden sense of urgency as well. The urge comes from the fact that there is a lot more to accomplish and the realization that time is running out. The longer you are in the game and experience so many things in life, the greater the possibilities seem and greater are the expectations. This is the other side of the coin.

Our Polonia is the same way. Looking back as the “grandchild” of the immigrants, experiencing the culture, learning the culture, involved in the culture, yes, there is a sense of calm and satisfaction now but I also feel an urgency to “complete” the one hundred year immigration experience that Michael Novak talks about in the Unmeltable Ethnics (Pondering Pole, October 2012). If you figure that most of our people came here around 1925 and we are quickly approaching the 2025 mark, time is running out. Dzia Dzia and grandma ain’t around anymore and the moms, dads, uncles, and aunts are fading away now as well. No one is going to help us on the last lap, whatever that might be.

So where are we headed? What is left to complete? I believe we have made a mark as individuals and as a community and have established our legacy in contributing to the greatness of this country. It is not hard to mention one or more outstanding Poles in just about any discipline or area of interest. I guess that final milestone I would want to reach is a total and unqualified acceptance of our ethnicity and what we bring culturally to the society. That would be the capper. Rather than us just dissolve into the American scene, I want us to be an identifiable piece in the fabric of the society. I’d like us to get to a point of no more changing the names to “help our careers”; no more belittling ourselves to pre-empt or diffuse poor behavior; no more little blond girls throwing horse manure at the dispossessed; yes more success incorporating Polish things and characteristics; and as easy as someone talks about being Irish or Jewish, yes to being uninhibited and easily speaking about the Polish.

We are on our way and I am encouraged. The light is getting brighter and brighter at the end of the tunnel and here are a few examples of the kinds of things that excite me about the future:

·       SelectQuote Life insurance company (http://selectquote.com) has a radio commercial featuring a representative “Nick Soloweski” (sp?) finding a great deal for a customer. Ford Motor Company runs a television commercial featuring innovations by employee “Scott Makowski.” Polish names selling products.

 

      ·       Ren Behan’s FABULICIOUS FOOD!         (http://www.renbehan.com/) is a blog featuring modern and
        creative Polish cooking. The web site offers upscale versions
        of “Seasonally inspired home cooking, recipes, reviews &
        food writing.” What I like most is the look of the web site and
        the shots of the various dishes are done exquisitely as if right
        out of “Bon Appetit” only with Polish filling. Check it out!

·       Bernie Miklasz, ESPN show host and writer for the St.Louis Post-Dispatch claimed the number one spot (over second place, none other than, Bob Costas!) in the October 18, 2012 issue of the St.Louis Riverfront Times “2012 RFT St.Louis Sports Media Power Rankings” (http://www.riverfronttimes.com/microsites/power_rankings/). “Be it radio, TV or print, the ‘Big Dog’ holds fan base and franchises alike in his sway.” Yet this prevalent Pole keeps his toe in the ethnic waters as an Honorary Chairperson for the Polish Heritage Golf Tournament each year.   

If you are looking for projects and tasks for the coming year and beyond, eMail me.  The pay is terrible but the emotional and psychological benefits are great.

Polish or not?

John Candy, Canadian and one of the greatest comedians of all time, Polish or not?

Jennifer Coolidge, actress. She currently plays Sophie Kuchinsky on the sit-com Two Broke Girls. Not only does she play Sophie Kuchinsky, she looks like a Sophie Kuchinsky.  Polish or not?  Bonus question: I don’t watch this show. Is Sophie a “Hollywood” Polish person or a decent and positive character?

Meg Ryan, actress (When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle), is she Polish or not? Well, she is Polish according to Ethnic Celebs (http://ethnicelebs.com). “She was born Margaret Mary Emily Hyra, and took on Anne as a confirmation name.  Meg’s paternal grandparents were Michael Orest Hyra (the son of Orest Hyra and Anna “Annie” Durniak) and Mary Helen. Orest Hyra was born in Galicia, Halychyna, Poland, the son of Georgi Hyra and Katarzyna Fylak. Annie Durniak was also likely of Polish descent.” The Ryan part comes from Meg’s mom whose maiden name was Ryan. At best, Meg is Irish and Polish but EC does not specify whether mom was 100% Irish.

If you have a thought about this month’s topic, answers to any of the questions, a question of your own, or have interesting facts to share, contact me at: Edward Poniewaz, 6432 Marmaduke Avenue, St. Louis , MO 63139 ; eMail alinabrig@yahoo.com.

N.B. If you send eMail, reference the Polish American Journal or the Pondering Pole in the subject line. I will not open an eMail if I do not recognize the subject or the sender.