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.