Polish American Congress, WNY Division

General Membership Meeting - March 21, 2013

The Polish American Congress, WNY Division held it’s General Membership Meeting on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at St. Stanislaus Marian Hall.  The meeting was called to order by Richard B. Solecki, President PAC, WNY Division at 7:00 p.m.

Guest speaker was Dr. Anna Mazurkiewicz, Professor of Polish Studies at the University of Buffalo.  Dr. Mazurkiewicz is Assistant Professor at the History Institute of Gdansk.  She received her Ph.D. in History for the University of Gdansk, Poland.   Dr. Mazurkiewicz delivered a lecture on Post World War II activities of Stefan and Zofia Korbonski.  There were over 50 PAC members in attendance.

Left to right:

Stephen Flor Nat. Director, Andrew Kucharski Treasurer, Richard Solecki President, Adeline Wujcikowski Recording Secretary, Barbara Solecki-Fenski Correspondence Secretary, Dr. Anna Mazurkiewicz, Dina Szymanski Vice President, Richard Mazella Nat. VP Membership,  James Lawicki Board member, missing from photo Mira Szramel Board Member.

WNY first Polish-American Happy Hour set for Feb. 1

The Polish-American Congress, Western New York Division (PACWNY) is sponsoring Western New York’s first Polish-American “Happy Hour”on Fri., Feb. 1 at Flappy’s Greyside Grille and Pub, 5700 Transit Road, West Seneca from 6 to 8 p.m.

Event organizer and PAC Director, Jim Lawicki, commented, “These types of Happy Hour events have been taking place throughout the country with great success. They have taken place in cities like New York City, Chicago, Boston, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles just to name a few. Provided Western New York’s strong Polish community it just seemed like a natural that there should be a Polish-American Happy Hour here too, he added. Lawicki said, “Traditionally these events have been geared toward young working professionals, however, we welcome everyone and anyone that enjoys Polish culture, likes to socialize and network with like-minded individuals.” The event will feature Wardynski kielbasa, pizza, wings, salad, beer, wine, pop, and juice. Ample off street parking, elevator service, and wide screen T.V.s will be available. There will also be Polish music and Polish beer available. DJ Red/White, Greg Nowacki, will spin Polish tunes throughout the evening. The charge of admission to the Polish-American Happy Hour is $20 for members of the Polish-American Congress and $25 for non-members.

For addiional information or reservations please contact either Jim Lawicki at (716 ) 864-6110 or Rick Mazella at (716) 598-5869.

Attention all members - please note that individual membership fees have gone up for the year 2013 to $50 per member. Please take appropriate action when submitting your renewal applications. Thank you!

PAC WNY recommends the following:

It Started With Patton

Teresa Leska’s Story - A Memoir

 Torn from her mother’s arms when she was fourteen years of age, Teresa Leska endured Nazi imprisonment.  A political hostage for two years, her voice leads the reader through her memories as a slave into her new life reinvented in freedom.

By Amy E. Zajac

Available at Amazon.com

In Paperback or a Kindle Version

Remembering Cardinal Glemp

Richard B. Solecki - PAC WNY President

For close to 30 years. I have maintained a close friendship with Cardinal Jozef Glemp. Having learned of his recent death, I am grateful to have known this great man. He was a leader of the Catholic Church in Poland, leading the nation peacefully through martial law and communism.

He was a supporter of Lech Walesa and the Solidarity Movement. As Primate of Poland, he played a very active role in ending communism in Poland.

On over 30 visits to Poland, I always stopped on Midowa St., in downtown Warsaw, to pay a visit to my friend, having tea with him in the beautiful gardens of his residence. My last visit with him was just last summer when I took my mother and two sisters to London, England and Poland. While in Warsaw, we again exchanged pleasantries and had a chance to visit.

He was especially pleased to meet my mother Jozefa, who shared her experiences of World War II. Upon leaving, he gave us his blessings and a rosary to my mother. May my dear friend rest in peace.

May the gift of love, happiness, peace, and warmth be yours as you make a new start. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2013!

Richard Solecki

PAC WNY President