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.