Merry Christmas! - SOKOL ONLINE

SOKÓŁ POLSKI
DECEMBER 2011, NO. 8
POLISH FALCON
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POLISH FALCONS OF AMERICA SINCE 1896
WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG
Merry Christmas!
Wesolych Swiat!
,

From the Editor
David J. Motak
Director of Communications and
Editor/Designer, Sokół Polski
dmotak@polishfalcons.org
More than any other time of year, the weeks from Thanksgiving to Christmas and New
Year, cause us to reflect on God's blessings, to share our gratitude and love with those
who are important to us. It is also a time to uphold and keep time-honored traditions,
many of which have been lovingly passed down to us from our forbearers.
Like many of us, my family and I still maintain some of our most important holiday traditions, particularly
Wigilia. After the many hours of preparation, cooking, serving and partaking in the traditional 12-
course Wigilia meal, these days we don't last until the customary Pasterka midnight mass, but our hearts
are in the right place....
But these traditions, however we keep them, are important. Like many of us, I recall many fond memories
of my childhood Christmases with tons of family crammed around my babcia's dining room table
(with many extensions to accommodate three generations of Motaks!). The sights, smells and sounds of
generations coming together to celebrate and, by celebrating, confirming our proud heritage. The food
- for the most part - was usually delicious, though I do recall grumblings that the youngsters would make
when confronted with kapusta grochem (peas and sauerkraut). "I ain't eating that!" would be quickly
followed by one of our aunts telling that "you have to have at least a little of everything, otherwise it's
bad luck." Well, none of us ever won the lottery, but thanks to these instructions, all of us managed to
grow up to be very good eaters. To this day, I still shudder when I think of that particular Wigilia food
item.
Then there was the "empty chair". I remember that, over the years, some strange people would show
up at our Wigilia table. We children didn't really know them, but they were there. Apparently, our mom
or one of our aunts found out that someone was alone for Wigilia and would invite them to join our family's
Christmas Eve meal. After all, to Poles, Wigilia is the most important night of the year and no one
should be alone for Wigilia. Over the years, many lonely people found their way to our family's table and
many hearts were comforted by this wonderful Polish custom.
Once, my mother's brother and his wife moved from their working class home into an upper scale
neighborhood, very "English" as we would say. There were no ethnic type people on the block, but that
didn't stop my uncle from going from house to house that first Christmas Eve with a bottle of vodka.
Singing a Christmas carol, he would ring a neighbor's doorbell and treat them to a shot of vodka to
toast the holidays. He would often relate how, on that first snowy Christmas, his neighbors were
shocked at his coming to their home and they would thank him very much as they closed their door.
"Oh no you're not, " Uncle Joe would say, "You're coming with me!" Soon, he had a large group of neighbors
going house to house singing carols. So, beginning with that first Wigilia on Hillside Trail, my uncle
started a new tradition, one that Uncle and his neighbors maintained for many years.
Like my uncle with his bottle and my aunts with the empty chair, we have the opportunity to share our
heritage with those around us this year. This is a wonderful time to promote our heritage while honoring
those who are special to us. Wigilia and Polish Christmas traditions need not be "museum replicas" which
we continue exactly as our great, great, great grandparents did back in the village. But we can fuse
these traditions with our life today. In this issue of the Sokół Polski, we are offering some more contemporary
Polish recipes by renowned Polish Chef, Karol Okrasa. Perhaps you might wish to modify your
traditional Wigilia meal with one of these items
Although I don't go house to house with a bottle of vodka, I have an open invitation for Wigilia to anyone
whom I know who is alone that special night. And, over the years, many friends and acquaintances
have participated in our Christmas Eve meal, sharing oplatek while listening to Polish koledy playing
softly in the background.....
But I refuse to serve peas and sauerkraut!. After all, some traditions were made to be broken!
I hope that you will enjoy this special issue of the Sokół Polski. It arrives at your home along with my
best wishes to you and your loved ones for a Blessed and Merry Christmas!
Dave
SOKÓŁ POLSKI
POLISH FALCON
Official Publication of the Polish Falcons of America Since 1896.
Published Monthly by the Polish Falcons of America
(except for March, June, September and December)
381 Mansfield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15220-2751
Phone: 800-535-2071 Email: communications@polishfalcons.org
Fax: 412-922-5029 - www.polishfalcons.org
Sent to all premium paying members without charge.
SOKÓŁ POLSKI STAFF
David Motak - Editor and Graphic Designer
Courtney Caughey - Photography / Web Site Coordinator
POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to: Sokół Polski ,
381 Mansfield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15220-2751
Telephone: (412) 922-2244, Toll Free: 1-800-535-2071
FAX: (412) 922-5029 E-mail: communications@polishfalcons.org.
Periodicals Postage Paid In Pittsburgh, PA USP 500-640
Executive Committee
Timothy L. Kuzma
 - President & CEO
Patricia B. Del Busse
 - First Vice President/Membership Service
Robert J. Gorny
 - Second Vice President/Fraternal Director
John Kuzmirek
 - Secretary/Treasurer & CFO
National Directors
District I - Ed Ciesla
District II - Thomas Eckert
District IV - Wallace Zielinski
District V - John Kowarik
Appointed Officials
David J. Motak
 - Director of Communications
Christine Puskar
 - Director of Physical Education
Richard J. Federowicz
 - Legal Counsel
Rev. Canon Joseph Sredzinski
 - National Chaplain
National Sales Office
John Denning - National Sales/Marketing Director
MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONS Call toll-free at 1-800-535-2071 or
412-922-2244
MOVING
Please complete the Change of Address form online at:
www.polishfalcons.org/change_address.asp. You may also
email/mail your change of address to: mkenbok@polishfalcons.org
or Member Services, Polish Falcons of America, 381 Mansfield Avenue,
Pittsburgh, PA 15220-2751
WEBSITE: www.polishfalcons.org
District VI - William Junk
District VII - Eric Kubasek
District IX - Mary Rand
District XIII - Janet Knauber
MEMBER SUBMISSIONS
Articles on Nest and District activities may be submitted for consideration.
Nest and District event photos, with activity and individuals
identified, may be submitted for publication. Send photos to: Sokół
Polski, Polish Falcons of America, 381 Mansfield Avenue, Pittsburgh,
PA 15220-2751. Materials can also be submitted by email
to: dmotak@polishfalcons.org. Images should be 300 DPI
resolution. Poor quality photographs will not be considered for
publication.
All submitted materials and photographs become the property of
the Polish Falcons of America and may be used to promote the
mission of the PFA. Materials will not be returned unless requested.
NEST CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS
Information for the on-line Nest Calendar should be emailed to
Courtney Caughey at ccaughey@polishfalcons.org.
MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSIONS
Unsolicited manuscripts are not returned unless accompanied with
a self-addressed stamped envelope. Publisher assumes no responsibility
for return of any unsolicited material. Manuscript submission
email: dmotak@polishfalcons.org.
© COPYRIGHT 2011 Polish Falcons of America. All rights
reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced in any form
without written permission. Printed in USA. Please Recycle.
Printed by Knepper Press, Clinton, PA - www.knepperpress.com
2 DECEMBER 2011 WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG • SOKÓŁ POLSKI

SOKÓŁ POLSKI
POLISH
December 2011 No. 8
FEATURES
FALCON
Districts and Nests
See page 10
CONTENTS
20 New Wigilia Recipes
DEPARTMENTS
4 President’s Message
8 Physical Education
12 Membership Services & Awards
14 Your Finances
19 Chaplain’s Corner
MEMBER INTEREST
22 Polish Christmas Traditions
10 Districts & Nests
13 Member Milestones / Donations
14 Upcoming
15 Falcon Sweets
18 Doylestown Pilgrimage
18 Doylestown
Pilgrimage
CULTURAL NEWS
25 Polka Pete
20 Tastes of Poland
22 Polish Christmas Traditions
23 News From Poland
25 Polka Celebration
15 Member Cookie Recipes
Traditional Polish Wigilia Recipes:
http://polishfalcons.org/wigilia_recipes.asp
POLISH FALCON • WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG DECEMBER 2011 3

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
In the last issue of the Sokol Polski magazine, we
announced the new National Dues Program starting in
2012. In this issue on Page 5, you will find a series of
questions and answers about the Program. I hope you will
find this information useful and answer questions you may
have. As was mentioned in the last issue, please do not
hesitate to send your comments or questions to me about
the Program. I will personally respond to each letter.
Timothy L. Kuzma,
President and CEO
One of the main reasons the National Dues Program is being implemented
is to provide a new and consistent revenue stream to offset the costs of the
fraternal programs that are offered by the Polish Falcons. I believe that it
would be a mistake and detrimental to the organization if we were forced to
cut the benefits provided to our Members. As a fraternal organization, we are
committed to providing the best possible benefits for our Members. Most
organizations have some kind of dues program to help pay for the programs
provided for the Members.
The Polish Falcons has not been immune from the challenging economic
times we are all facing today. Low interest rates and increased regulations
with higher costs, have reduced profits; the profits that are used to fund our
fraternal programs.
In addition, operational expenses have been dramatically reduced at National
Headquarters. We are simply doing more with less. Let me share a couple
examples. Because we are printing fewer issues of the magazine, the total cost
of the piublication has been reduced. (Even though we are printing a much
higher quality publication than before.) Earlier this year, two full-time employees
were replaced with one part-time employee. Advertising expenses, travel
expenses, office printing and supplies expense have been reduced. The Officers
and Staff at National Headquarters have done a great job in using our
resources efficiently. All of these efforts are done so that you, the Members of
this organization can continue to enjoy the many benefits of Membership.
Much, if not all of this, has gone unnoticed because we have not reduced the
service and benefits we provide for our Members. Every claim for insurance
benefits is paid in the same prompt manner as it always has. Service requests
are fulfilled. Members who have an annuity account have not lost one cent of
their account, even though we hear stories of retirement plans being wiped out
by the economic crisis. In fact, while many saw their accounts decrease in
value, a person who put money into a Polish Falcon annuity only saw that
account grow.
Despite this, there is still a need to implement National Dues. This was a difficult
decision that was worked on, discussed and debated for two years and approved
by a unanimous
vote of the National Board of Directors. We do not want this to be a burden to
any Member. That is why we settled on $1 per month.
Hopefully, this provides the background information so that you better understand
how the Board arrived at this decision, and the need for implementing
this Program. As was mentioned before, please send your comments, questions,
suggestions, etc., and I will be glad to help in any way I can.
The Christmas Season is a wonderful and blessed time of year. As we celebrate
the birth of Jesus with family and friends, we are reminded of all the things
that truly matter in our lives.
In the Polish Community, Christmas is an especially important
holiday. The
various Polish traditions that are celebrated are centered
around the family and the theme of reconciliation. Perhaps the
most meaningful of these is the Wigilia on Christmas Eve. This
is a magical night when animals are believed to speak, and
some people can even predict the future. It’s a time to reconcile
differences and also to remember loved ones who have
gone before us. After sharing the Opłatek (wafer) and eating a delicious meatless
meal, the family will sing Kolędy (carols) and gather around the Choinka
(Christmas Tree)to
exchange gifts. It is a beautiful tradition that has stood the test of time
because it demonstrates our capacity to love one another and share all of
God’s gifts.
Even if you don’t do a traditional Polish Wigilia, you can still carry the spirit of
its meaning in your heart throughout the Season. Set aside the material and
commercial side of the Season. Put away the cell phone, turn off the television,
disconnect the internet and enjoy a time of peace and quiet with those most
important to you. Maybe visit a relative you haven’t seen in a long time, or
volunteer at a homeless shelter. The entire Christmas Season gives us the
opportunity to connect with one another and share the love that Jesus
offered to us.
My wife Patti and I wish all of you a most joyous and blessed Christmas!
Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia!
Czołem
4 DECEMBER 2011 WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG • SOKÓŁ POLSKI

NATIONAL DUES
PROGRAM
In the last issue of the Sokol Polski magazine, we introduced the new
National Dues Program. Below are some commonly asked questions
about the Program. If you have any other questions or need more
information, please do not hesitate to contact National Headquarters
toll-free at 1-800-535-2071 or email tkuzma@polishfalcons.org
Why is this happening Now I have to pay money to
r eceive benefits
The collection of National dues is not a new concept. In fact some
older Members may remember a time when National dues were
collected. Some time in 2001, the practice stopped. Due to the
current economic times and conditions, our fraternal benefit programs
need some financial support for them to continue to be provided.
A view of the September flood in Mocanaqua, Pa.
Nest 163 Assists Flood Victims
On September 9, President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency in
Pennsylvania. Flooding had overtaken parts of the state, affecting the northeastern
to central areas.
The situation was dire in Mocanaqua, home to Nest 163, and citizens of the
town were searching for relief. They found that relief at the Polish Falcons hall,
which was located in an area missed by flooding.
The hall was opened to the public as an emergency shelter in the second week
of September. Volunteers at the shelter provided assistance with everything from
food to clothing. Meals were prepared for individuals and families who needed an
escape from the reality of the flood.
Malvina Conrad, 87, volunteered daily at the shelter.
“I never say no to work,” she stated to reporters at The Citizens’ Voice of Luzerne
County.
Robert Yazbemboski, a Member of Nest 163 was not personally affected by the
flood, but still showed up every day at the shelter to work, arriving early in the
morning and staying into the wee-hours of the night.
Jean Krauser made sure that the shelter was cleaned daily, while John Novelli,
whose home was affected by flood damage, assisted victims at the shelter despite
his own losses. Even inmates from the state prison’s community work program
helped stack cases of water dropped off at the hall, sometimes left by complete
strangers just looking to lend a hand.
Many flood victims came to the shelter to collect cleaning supplies as they
worked to salvage areas of their homes invaded by water. Some took rubber
gloves or towels, while others carried home containers of bleach.
While the doors to the Nest hall were open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., those who
were in need of a place to sleep were able to stay overnight at the shelter. Cots
lined one entire wall of the building, creating quite a sight when first entering the
hall. It was obvious that the Nest provided a safe-haven for all of those in need.
Members of Nest 163 could use your help to continue to provide relief to flood
victims in the Mocanaqua area. To make a donation online, please visit http://polishfalcons.org/donationform.asp.
How much are dues
National dues are being established at $12/year. Only $1 per month.
Does this take the place of Nest dues
No. Nest dues are completely separate. Some Nests collect dues from
their Members and some don't. National dues affect all Members.
I have a large family. Will I have to pay dues for all
of them
No. Dues will affect Members 18 years or older. If your household, for
example, has two adults who are Members and 3 children (all under
the age of 18) only the 2 adults will be assessed National dues.
I am on a fixed income since I r etir ed. Do I have to pay
dues
We considered this a factor for many of our older Members and kept
the annual amount as minimal as possible in order to not create a
financial burden to anyone. There is also a provision that exempts
senior Members with both 50 years of Membership and 80 years of
age to be exempt from payment of dues to address this matter.
I am a Gold Legion of Honor Member. Will I have to pay
dues
Yes.
Will I r eceive a separ ate invoice for Nest dues and
National dues
No. You will receive one invoice that shows the dollar amount due for
each. If your Nest does not require dues to be collected, you will see
that amount as zero.
When is this supposed to star t happening
National dues will be implemented in February 2012.
How long will National continue to collect dues
The collection of National dues will be an ongoing program. There is
no foreseen end date to the collection of National dues. The Board
will, however, continually monitor the need to collect National dues.
Continued on page 7
POLISH FALCON • WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG DECEMBER 2011 5

FALCON SPOTLIGHT
• The reference to “kindness” is not a typo. Between 2005 and 2009,
U.S. consumers expressed a nearly fourfold increase in their preference for
companies, brands, and products that 3show kindness in both their operations
and their encounters with customers. This desire for companies to be
more empathetic toward consumers is the biggest shift in any attitude that
we have ever seen.
• Data suggests that kindness and empathy are now dominant discriminators
in commerce, and are valuable attributes of the best companies. The
ability of a company to identify with its customers is now a prerequisite for
any brand in the post-crisis age. Today, openness, humility, and understanding
are critical. Generosity binds a company to its community and its
stakeholders. The rising importance of generosity reflects the fact that the
post-crisis era will be defined by inclusion rather than exclusion. The emphasis
is on being more human and humane in transactions with others,
and people will set these same standards for the businesses with which
they purchase their goods and services.
If you build it, they will come…
“Ray, people will come, Ray. They’ll come to Iowa for reasons they can’t
even fathom. They’ll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they’re
doing it. They’ll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the
past. Of course, we won’t mind if you look around, you’ll say. It’s only $20 per
person. They’ll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is
money they have and peace they lack. And they’ll walk out to the bleachers; sit
in shirt sleeves on a perfect afternoon. They’ll find they have reserved seats
somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children
and cheered their heroes. And they’ll watch the game and it’ll be as if
they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they’ll
have to brush them away from their faces. Oh… people will come Ray. People
will most definitely come.”
That soliloquy, from the movie, Field of Dreams, says a lot about the future
of the fraternal system. There is incredible potential for fraternals to capital-
Fraternally Speaking.....
by Joseph J. Annotti
If People Only Knew…
“If people only knew who we are and what we do, they would beat a path to
our door.”
How many times have you said that to yourself or discussed it with your
peers at a PFA meeting
That lack of awareness is one of the biggest obstacles fraternals face in
their effort to restore their relevance as providers of safe and secure financial
services to their members and meaningful community services to individuals
and organizations where their members live and work.
And it’s up to all of us in the fraternal system – the nine million members of
fraternals benefit societies, executives from the more than 70 fraternals operating
in the United States, and the American Fraternal Alliance (the trade association
that unites these organizations under one banner) – to help raise
the profile of this powerful force for good in the nation.
We have what they want…
Recent research on the changing nature of American consumers restored
my faith in the fraternal system and convinced me that we have what modern
consumers want. These trends should give you and other fraternals all the
motivation you need to reinvent your society and capture the market share
we’ve lost over the past century. Here are a few key findings:
• Consumer spending patterns are changing as a part of a trend that has
been quietly gathering strength over the past 10 years. Say hello to a
lifestyle more focused on community, connection, quality and creativity.
People are returning to old-fashioned values to build new lives of purpose
and connection. They also realize that how they spend their money is a
form of power, and are moving from a mindless consumption to mindful
consumption, increasingly taking care to purchase goods and services
from sellers that meet their standards and reflect their values. This movement
will create opportunities for businesses that heed its message, and
penalize those that do not.
• Surveys show sharp increases in the number of consumers who want
positive relationships with marketplace vendors and who focus more on
corporate behavior. The brand attributes Americans found more important
as they began to sense the impending recession and then suffered through
the crisis were: “kindness and empathy” (up 391 percent), “friendly” (up
148 percent), “high quality” (up 124 percent) and “socially responsible”
(up 63 percent).
6 DECEMBER 2011 WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG.ORG • SOKÓŁ POLSKI

ize on the desire for many American consumers to purchase their goods and services
– especially financial services – from organizations that provide both value and values.
This potential for a “fraternal Renaissance” was verified by research done by the Alliance
in August. We learned that awareness of fraternals was almost non-existent
among consumers and that most folks couldn’t even guess what a fraternal was. However,
when we explained who we are and what we do people embraced the concept we
know as “fraternalism.” Consumers were delighted to learn that not-for-profit financial
services companies existed and wondered why they had never heard of them before.
The problem that goes hand-in-hand with our lack of awareness is that it takes far
too long (3-5 minutes on average, according to our focus group results) to explain the
fraternal model to non-members and the words we use to describe ourselves (fraternal,
lodge, member) are often perceived negatively by many consumers. “Funny
hats”, “old men drinking too much”, and “secret handshakes” were some of the most
common reactions from focus group participants. Perhaps most disturbing was the
perception that fraternals were “exclusive” clubs meant for someone else – not them.
Our research demonstrates that we need a better way to quickly and clearly communicate
what we’re all about to the vast majority of folks who would, could, and should be
members, if they only knew we existed.
The Alliance will be initiating Phase II of its consumer research project in early
2012, with the express purpose of developing the words that most effectively define a
fraternal life insurer to our most important audience – the next generation of society
members. We want to come up with the words that every member society can use –
with the appropriate tweaks so that it works in conjunction with each organization’s
mission and common bond – in its marketing efforts.
A simple – but critical – choice
What’s the risk of not re-defining fraternalism for the next generation of members
Quite simply, we run the risk of continuing to fade into obscurity. We are at the point in
our history where we have a clear choice: do nothing and become a footnote in our
grandchildren’s history books, or reinvent the concept of fraternalism so that our
grandchildren will view societies as the preferred way to secure their families’ financial
futures and enhance the communities in which they live and work through meaningful
financial support and volunteer activities.
Joseph J. Annotti
Joseph J. Annotti joined the American Fraternal
Alliance as President and Chief
Executive Officer on March 31, 2008.
With more than 20 years experience in
association management, Annotti joined the
American Fraternal Alliance after serving as
Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for the Property Casualty Insurers Association
of America (PCI).
At PCI, he was responsible for the overall management of the association’s public
affairs and media relations activities, and develops and delivers public policy
messages on the association’s key issues to the trade, business and consumer
media.
Prior to joining PCI, Annotti served as Vice President of Marketing Communications
for American Business Insurance, a major national insurance broker. He spent
more than eight years with Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of California
as Vice President of Public Affairs. He has authored a variety of articles for
insurance and business publications and has made presentations on media relations
and grassroots political advocacy to groups across the country.
Mr. Annotti lives with his wife, Jody, in Golf, Illinois, and they have two grown sons.
NATIONAL DUES
PROGRAM
Continued from page 5
Will there be incr eases to the dues
Although none is planned at this time, the board will periodically
evaluate the dues amount and keep it at a reasonable rate to the
Membership.
What if I don’t pay the dues
Although we hope Members do not go down this road, it obviously
may happen. If a Member does not keep their National dues
obligation current, they will not be considered Members in good
standing. Not being in good standing may preclude or prohibit the
Member from receiving certain benefits or the ability to participate
in PFA sponsored events and activities.
If my spouse or I don’t pay our dues, will our children
under the age of 18 still be allowed to par ticipate in
youth activities or pr ograms
No. If the adult PFA Members of the household are considered “not
in good standing,” then the youth Members are also considered “not
in good standing” and may be precluded or prohibited from participation
in PFA sponsored events and activities.
Does a scholar ship applicant need to be “in good
standing” to r eceive a PFA scholar ship
Yes. The scholarship program is a PFA sponsored program and
applicants must be in good standing to be eligible. (If under 18
years of age, the adult PFA parent Members in the same household
must be in good standing.)
I still feel that this should only apply to new Member s.
I should be grandf athered.
This issue was heavily debated and considered. The board feels that
$12 dollars per year is not burdensome and is vital to the organizations
ability to continue offering its programs that we all have come
to enjoy.
Is ther e any acceptable reason I could get my dues
waived or defer r ed
If you have a situation in which the payment of dues creates a financial
hardship, you can appeal your situation to National Headquarters
for consideration.
Will social Member s be requir ed to pay dues
Yes - but only National social Members, not Nest Social Members.
Will my annuity or insur ance benefits be impacted if
I do not pay dues or am not cur r ent in paying dues
No. Not paying dues does not affect the annuity or insurance
benefits you are entitled to receive.
POLISH FALCON • WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG DECEMBER 2011 7

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Chris Puskar
National Physical
Education Director
cpuskar@polishfalcons.org
Happy Holidays to Everyone!
This time of year always makes me want to look back at 2011
and all of the events and activities that I coordinated or helped
with through the Polish Falcons. The first thing that comes to
mind is that there are so many people who help me to make all of
these events so successful. I would like to thank everyone for all
their help.
First of all, I would like to thank my family for putting up with all
the crazy and stress related moods I go through when planning
and organizing events. I appreciate how much they support me in
everything I do. I also want to thank my daughter, Melissa, for all
her help with getting ready for all of the events. It is a huge help!
A special thanks goes out to all of the Instructors and Instructresses
of the PFA. The dedicated group of people we have working
with our Youth Members is amazing! You give up your time to
keep the programs going and work diligently to try to grow our
numbers at the events. I enjoy watching your interactions with the
children and how much they like being with you. You make a great
impression on them. I am grateful for all that you do!
There are several people who have become like my own personal
staff. They are the people who know what I need done as I
am thinking about it and they are already taking care of it. They
help with everything, from setting-up to running the event and
tearing down. They are the first to arrive and the last to leave.
They have to listen to me complain and brag. They do it all for the
benefit of the kids. The following people are always there. Thank
you to Barb Chervenak, Trish Del Busse, Dennis Zembrzuski, Dan
Michalak, Willy Bradley, Chuck Johns, and Joe Choromanski. There
are many more people who step up and help but this group has
been at almost every event that I have organized since 2005. I
could not do it without you! Dziekuje!
There is also a group of younger folks that help and who have
become a big part of the Youth events. They are a fun group to
be around. They have been Falcon friends for a long time and
they show the younger children how much fun it is to grow up as a
Falcon. They are Jason Johns, Emily Rippetoe, Mike Johns, Alexandra
Smith, Mitch Smith, Kate and Karyn Choromanski, Mallorie
Michalak, Stephanie Sieczkarek, Nick Zembrzuski, and Alicja
Zajkowski. They enjoy spending time with the children and are a
help whenever I need it. A big thank you goes out to each and
every one of them!
Finally, I would like to thank all of the Youth Members for participating
in our Falcon events and I hope that you continue to do so.
It is so nice to work with such a great group of children who are
so polite and respectful of each other and the adults that are
there to help. You make my job easy. Thank you!
In closing, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year! I look forward to working with all of you in
2012!
2012 National Youth
Bowling Tour nament
Strikes and spares are in the air! It is time again for the 2012 Youth Bowling
Tournament. Your Nest or District tournament can be held at any time from
January through April, 2012. This year, we will be using an on-line entry form and
payment method. You should to go to the PFA website and enter your scores and
make payment for your entries.
DEADLINE FOR ALL ENTRIES IS MAY 1, 2012.
The tournament format will remain the same with the same age groups and rules.
Please go to the website for rules, entry forms, and on-line payment. If you have
any questions, I can be reached at cpuskar@polishfalcons.org or by phone at
800-535-2071. Also remember that we like to have photos to put in the Sokol
magazine and on the website, so please email those to me. Czolem and Happy
Bowling!
8 DECEMBER 2011 WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG • SOKÓŁ POLSKI

Adult Walking
Program
Did you know that walking can reduce your risk of memory problems
Did you know that your brain actually shrinks as you get older That’s
part of the reason memory fades as you get older. According to a study
in the journal Neurology, if you walk six miles every week, you can help to
stop that shrinkage. Participants were tested over the course of 13
years. It was found that those who walked the most cut their risk of
developing memory problems in half.
So, we hope that all of the adults in PFA have been working to improve
their memory by walking. We hope that you have been keeping track of
your walking mileage and are ready to turn your information in to the Adult
Walking Program. Keeping a record of your mileage can get you some
great awards and prizes.
For those of you who have already joined the PFA walker group, I will
be sending out new forms to all the Nests who participated last year with
all of the information updated. All you will need to add is your 2011
walking miles and send it back to me by February 1, 2012. If you just
started walking this year and you need the forms, please email Druhna
Chris and I will get you what you need to join the program. REMEMBER:
All Adult Walking forms should be returned to me by February 1, 2012.
So let’s get out there and boost your brain power. Walk a little everyday
and remember a little more too!
Czolem!
Druhna Chris Puskar
FOR UNDER
YOUR FALCON
CHRISTMAS TREE
This year, we are again offering distinctive gifts
for you and your family.
The Officer’s Wife
$ 25
Upon the death of his father, a son makes a
startling discovery. A forgotten safe deposit
box reveals his grandmother’s memoirs, old
photos of an army officer and a mysterious
postcard that all link to a concealed crime:
the Katyn Forest massacre. Weaving
dramatic interviews with bold animation,
The Officer’s Wife probes the collision of
truth, justice and memory in a shrouded family
tragedy. A moving documentary by young Polish-American director Piotr Uzarowicz,
this gripping film weaves his own family’s tragic history into one of the most brutal
crimes of the twentieth century. Shot in Russia, Ukraine, Poland, England, Canada
and the USA in HD. 80 minutes, English and Polish with English dubbing.
Oplatek Wafers
$ 5
Four wafers beautifully packaged
for your Wigilia table.
2012 Adult Volleyball
Tour nament
The Adult Volleyball Tournament for 2012 will take place at Slippery Rock
University in the Aebersold Recreation Center. The dates for the tournament
are March 9 – 10, 2012. Housing will be at the Comfort Inn New
Castle in New Castle, PA. The PFA rate is $80.99 per night and is available
until February 1, 2012.
The cost for the Tournament is $60 per person. Registration and online
payment are available at the Polish Falcons website along with all other
information regarding the tournament. The web page can be accessed at
http://polishfalcons.org/adult_volleyball.asp.
Evening activities will take place at Nest 146, New Castle, PA which is
about seven minutes from the hotel. After play on Friday, wings and pizza
will be served. Upon completing the tournament on Saturday, dinner and
awards will be served at Nest 146.
All Members ages 18 and up are invited to attend. If you do not have
a complete team or are just one person who would like to join us and play,
please register and we will add you to a team.
Czolem!
Druhna Chris Puskar
Order your items on-line at
http://polishfalcons.org/christmas_sale.asp
POLISH FALCON • WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG DECEMBER 2011 9
go to
Beautiful Poland
2012 Calendar $ 19
The perfect gift for a family member,
friend or for your home.

DISTRICTS & NESTS
SOMEThING TO TAPE,
TO RACE AND
A DIFFERENT KIND
OF TREE AT NEST 725
It’s almost hard to believe 2011 is nearly over! It’s not easy to fit
unlimited possibilities into limited space and time, so I will sum up just
a few things that have been going on here at Nest 725 and muse on
the Christmas yet to come.
History and the future still seem to be running parallel to each
other this year, as Nest 725 had the honor of being on a brand new
TV show on our local PBS station! Taped (I suppose it’s all electronic
now, but I still like that word) on August 5th, 2011, Nest 725 had
a chance to talk about our history as well as our present and
future on the upcoming local series entitled “Around the Corner with
John McGivern”. John McGivern is an Emmy Award–winning actor and
host who explores some of the uniqueness of 13 communities in SE
Wisconsin. Our very own Riverwest neighborhood shall be featured.
The series begins sometime in January 2012. Milwaukee Public Television
serves 2.1 million potential viewers. A special thanks must be
given here to our volunteers who made this possible: Breanne and
Deanne Hassman (in costume), Suzanne Zareczny (assistant), Nest
725 President Marian E. Hansen who along with myself gave the interview.
For more information you can go to the following website:
http://www.mptv.org/local_shows//s=15.
Yet another opportunity to “show off” Nest 725 and its past, present
and future is at our neighborhoods’ annual Center Street Daze
Festival. This year, September 24th, was even bigger and better with
an expanded space, more volunteers to help and our first time entry
into the famous Art Cart Races. We did pretty well race-wise considering
it was our first time. We plan on doing a little modification so we
can win 1st place next year! Our displays were fantastic and we had a
record number of volunteers. Their names are on our website
(www.pfanest725.org) where we are also featuring pictures and
videos of this “historic” day.
Now it wouldn’t be Christmas without some sort of tree. So,
how about a Tree of Descendants Nest 725 is proud to
announce its 95th Anniversary. On Sunday, December 4,
we intend to celebrate this occasion with a special program
honoring one of the original Founder’s of our Nest Boleslaus
(Bill) Orlikowski. Special guests will include many of Bill’s
descendants over these past 95 years!
This day long tribute will include a Children’s Christmas
Program and Falcon Awards. The program is from
1- 4 p.m.. with a reception at 6:30 p.m. at the Falcon Bowl,
801 East Clarke St., Milwaukee, WI. Please call Marian
Hansen at 414-562-5640 if you have yet to receive an
invitation or will be in the area and would like to come.
Getting ready to race (left to right) Jerry Fix, George
Wortz, Lance Agbuis, and in cart: Tristan Agbuis.
Breanne Hassman (left), TV Host: John McGivern and Deanne Hassman.
Virginia Szalewski, Karen
Urban, Bill’s Daughter:
Phyllis (Orlikowski)
Kneyse, Suzanne
Zareczny and Steven
Blicharz.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Czolem,
Druh William Bielicki (Webmaster Bill)
Chris Borek,
Suzanne Zareczny
and Audrey Fix.
10 DECEMBER 2011 WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG • SOKÓŁ POLSKI

Falcon Teen Silences
Strong German Bats in
Baseball World Series
Paul A Bor kowski, Nest 519, Middletown, Ct, pitched
a near perfect game in the Colt Division (15-16 year
olds) of the Boys Baseball World Series Tournament,
played over the summer in Lafayette, Indiana. Pitching for
his Puerto Rico team, representatives of the Caribbean
Zone in the tournament, the slender 6’4” ace answered
his coach’s call by allowing only one hit and no runs in a
spectacular 11-0 shutout performance in a game shortened
by the 5 inning mercy rule. A loss to heavy hitting Germany, winners of the European Zone competition,
would have sent the Puerto Rico team, winners of the Caribbean Zone competition, back
home. Paul’s team eventually finished second to a great California team, the U.S. Western Zone champions.
Young Paul is no stranger to international baseball competition (or Sokol Polski) having won big
games over the Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Michigan and Chicago area teams in the past. Some
of his greatest memories are the warm receptions given to him by Polish Americans and Polish Nationals
when playing in the States, especially the Chicago area. Although at times he wasn’t able to
understand their Polish words, he knew they were words of congratulations and encouragement by
their many handshakes and pats on his back - where his uniform proudly bears his Polish name.
Paul, now 17, will graduate high school in May and is looking forward to continuing his education
and baseball playing in the States; having just received an offer to pitch for Lynn University in Boca
Raton, Florida, home of the 2009 NCAA’S Baseball Division 2 Champions. Moreover, Lynn has been
selected as the site of the final 2012 Presidential Debate by the Commission on Presidential Debates
(CPD), to be held on October 22, 2012.
Paul encourages young Falcons to always continue to pursue their dreams, no matter how difficult
the sacrifices are. For the past ten years, Paul and his parents have called baseball parks their second
homes. While his friends hung out at beaches, malls and movie theaters, Paul spent almost every
weekend, twelve months a year, playing baseball doubleheaders and pitching under a burning hot
tropical sun, which he feels was well worth the sacrifice.
DISTRICTS & NESTS
Helping
Haiti
Druhna Amy Lynn Tafil Coyle, Nest 104 Vice President,
visited Haiti in September, 2011 on a week-long medical
mission.
A physical therapist with Bachelors and Masters degrees
from the University of Scranton, she was one of
seven therapists who comprised the University of Scranton/Hope
for Haiti Medical Mission led by Scranton Professor
John Santo. The Hope for Haiti non-governmental
organization (NGO), based in Naples, Florida, has been
on site providing assistance to the people of Haiti since
1996.
The volunteer group met in Miami and flew to Port au
Prince. From there they traveled to Les Cayes, a city in
southern Haiti where, as in much of Haiti, the population
has been deeply affected by the recent earthquake and
hurricanes. Their mission was to visit, distribute supplies,
treat residents and teach local staff. They visited
a general hospital, and infirmary and outpatient clinic,
the Le Foyer nursing home and two orphanages.
Among other activities, Druhna Amy helped local staff
to initiate an exercise-therapy program at the nursing
home. Reflecting upon her activities in Haiti, she observes
that "it was a very demanding mission, but I got
so much more from the experience than I gave. I am so
blessed to have had this opportunity."
The daughter of Nest 104 officers Stanley and Amy Tafil,
Amy Lynn is the granddaughter of the late Nest 104 Financial
Secretary and District I organizer Stanley
Tafilowski and Druhna Michalina Tafilowska. Amy is married
to Michael W. Coyle and their nine year old son,
Michael Adam Coyle, is a fourth generation Member of
Polish Falcons Nest 104.
Submitted by Stan Tafil, President, Nest 104
Falcons
Make a
Difference
The annual “Make a Difference Day” took place on Saturday, October 29. As we have for the past 10 years or so,
the Nest 31 volunteers worked at the Polish Army Veterans Home for this “Make a Difference Day”. The Members of
Nest 31 were greeted with a cold but partly sunny start to the morning with a threat of rain looming in the near future.
The somewhat sleepy eyed and tired looking youngsters and their adult supervisors weed-whacked, picked
up trash, cleaned out the flower beds, swept, roto-tilled the garden, stacked the picnic tables and beautified the
grounds for the long winter ahead. We worked together in teams, some youngsters and then the more experienced
Members as one, to get the day’s job done and to help our friends at the Polish Army Veterans Home. A big “Thank
You” goes out to Frank Wloch, Nathan Wloch, Nicholas Zembrzuski, Cynthia Zembrzuski, Teena Bradley, Austin
Bradley, Ashley Bradley, Amber Bradley, William Bradley, Andrew Borkowski, Kasia Borkowski, and Dennis Zembrzuski
for taking the time to “make a difference”.
POLISH FALCON • WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG DECEMBER 2011 11

MEMBERSHIP
Patricia Del Busse
National First Vice President -
Membership Services
Membership
vptrish@polishfalcons.org
& Awards
This is the time of year when we celebrate the holidays.
Halloween seems to be the beginning and before you
know it, we are ringing in the New Year. This is also
when we embrace the importance of our families. Family
can mean many things to people but family are the people
who mean the most to us. Once I encountered a
plaque that read “Friends are the family we chose.” I
think that is very true. Our biological family is extremely
important but the family we chose can be just as significant.
The Polish Falcons is one of those families that we
choose. We chose to be a part of this wonderful organization
for many reasons. Initially, I joined the Falcons to
be a part of the gym class. As I grew older and started a
family of my own, the Falcon family was still essential.
Many of us join the Polish Falcons as children and continue
into adulthood. It is so inspiring to attend youth
events and watch these children grow and remain active
in our organization. Camp is where I notice this the most.
Several of our young Members were very young when
they joined our family and feel the same way as I do. It is
also worth noting that quite a few of our scholarship recipients
remain very active and support their “Falcon
family.”
Growing up, my dad raced motorcycles. So every
Sunday, our family spent the day at the track. Recently,
my brother, Bud became a race promoter. I attend these
races to help with the logistics and my brother, Brad is
there to race. In early October, we spent the weekend
at the races and it reminded me that 50 years ago, my
brothers and I were at a race track. My nephew and
sister-in-law were also there to support my brother. The
weather was perfect and it was a great way to spend a
weekend. While there, I noticed that the riders are part
of a wonderful family. They compete against one another
but also support one another.
I have two sons who are now adults and have families
of their own. My son, Gregory has a fiancé named
Andrea, who has three children who are now very special
to me. Jasmine, Dakota and Mikayla did not join my
family until a couple years ago, but they are now my
grandchildren and I feel truly blessed to have them in
our family. Unfortunately, they live in Indianapolis so I
don’t get to spend as much time with them as I would
prefer but it does make for interesting sports conversations.
My son, James and his girlfriend, Jaylyn had baby Ryan
James on September 15. This was quite an experience
for me as I was in the delivery room along with Jaylyn,
Jim, and Lori (Jaylyn’s Mom). I was able to hold my new
grandson when he was minutes old. It was so incredible
to witness his birth and the reaction of my son with his
son. The miracle of birth reminds one of so much. How
truly precious life is, how very blessed we are, hope, optimism,
joy and promise. Jim, Jaylyn and Ryan live with
me and I have to tell you that I am so enjoying having
this new baby in my home. It is wonderful to end my day
by spending time with this new little guy.
My hope for all Members is to enjoy the upcoming
holiday season with their families (or without, if you
prefer!). My wish is for all of us to have a healthy, happy
2012!
As most of you are aware, 2012 is an anniversary
year for the Polish Falcons of America. The PFA will be
125 and it will be 100 years since PFA headquarters
moved to Pittsburgh and, especially important to me,
2012 will be the 50th Anniversary of the Dr. T.A.
Starzynski Scholarship Program. Back in 1962, Nest 8
Member James Sopata received a $250 grant along with
Joanne Zielski, Nest 401 and Mary Malinowski of Nest
805.
The upcoming year will be quite a busy one for our
Falcon family. I am looking forward to seeing you at several
of our events next year. The adult volleyball, the
youth volleyball/camp, the adult golf and bowling and of
course, the National Convention will all take place in or
near the Pittsburgh area. Plans have been made and we
are looking forward to a fruitful, successful year. Information
regarding housing, dates, applications and other
pertinent facts will be available on our website www.polishfalcons.org.
If you haven’t visited our site, you really
should. Courtney is doing a great job updating and providing
forms and information for our Members. I have
started a blog that will be updated continuously with
Member information, news regarding our organization
and various other tidbits.
Even though we will all be extremely busy preparing
for and celebrating the holidays, it is very important for
us to take care of ourselves. Adequate rest is necessary
(although a tad unrealistic) but exercise is more important
this time of year than ever. When shopping, park at
the end of the parking lot (this is a habit we should have
to begin with), take a walk around the neighborhood to
enjoy holiday decorations, go sledding when we get all
that beautiful snow, anything to get moving!
Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy,
Healthy New Year to all of you and yours from me and
mine.
Czolem!
Druhna Trish with her brothers.
Grandma Trish greeting Ryan in the hospital
Our newest Falcon Member.
12 DECEMBER 2011 WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG • SOKÓŁ POLSKI

MEMBER MILESTONES
Donations
Starzynski Scholarship
Donations
The Polish Falcons of America wishes to express
sincere gratitude to all who have contributed to
the Starzynski Scholarship Fund. Your generosity
is appreciated by both the organization and the
scholarship recipients alike. It is because of your
support that we are able to continue this worthy
program.
Please Note: In making scholarship
donations, please make all checks payable
to: PFA/Scholarship Fund.
Donations Received September, 2011
Donations of $250.00 or mor e ...
District VI
Donations of $126.00 or mor e ...
District VI Convention
Donations of $25.00 or more ...
Ruth A. Sagan, Nest 276
Kathleen R. Pol, Nest 610
Donations of $20.00 or more ...
Jane S Opalacz, Nest 519
Donations of $10.00 or more ...
Helen A. Ploski, Nest 36
Genevieve Borovicka, Nest 97
Stacey L. Ferry, Nest 247
Genevieve P. Maigarie, Nest 307
Michele Rase, Nest 494
Marian Drozd, Nest 946
Donation of Less Than $10.00 ...
Janice E Rump, Nest 8
Elsie B. Kuryloski, Nest 91
Arthur Bachetti, Nest 247
Christopher J Gioia, Nest 247
Edwina Mc Gonigle, Nest 804
Iris Jean Weiss, Nest 804
James R. Weiss, Nest 804
Benedykt Drzewicki, Nest 956
Marzena Drzewicki, Nest 956
Attention Nest 104 & District I
College Students
Nest 104, Newark, NJ, will once again
be offering $2,000 scholarships to
eligible students who are Members
of Nest 104 or any Nest in District I.
Qualifications for the scholarship and
the Scholarship Entry Form will be
posted on the PFA web site at:
http://polishfalcons.org/104_scholar.asp
The application form can be downloaded,
completed and returned to Nest
104. If there are any questions, please
contact Druh Stan Tafil, President,
Nest 104 at 609-518-0022 or email:
stanmy@msn.com.
In Memoriam
Member Deaths Reported in September, 2011
Nest Member Date
22, Brooklyn, NY Mildred Zalewski July 21, 2011
74, Auburn, NY Stanley Koziel August 29, 2011
159, Ford City, PA Pauline L. Mohr August 27, 2011
172, West Warwick, RI Thomas W Podgurski August 03, 2011
182, Ambridge, PA Ruth J. Boice August 23, 2011
208, Derby, CT John J. Rossik August 29, 2011
307, Southington, CT Roy T. Scott August 21, 2011
336, Jackson, MI Carlton W. Bemer September 3, 2011
494, Batavia, NY Irene Donohue *** August 13, 2011
507, Rockford, IL Anna M. Mc Donald August 27, 2011
519, Middletown, CT Rosemary Curtin September 9, 2011
652, Lansing, MI Joseph B. Loszewski September 22, 2011
866, Chicago, IL Martha Del Quattro September 27, 2011
Member Deaths Reported in October, 2011
Nest Member Date
4, South Bend, IN Joan M. Rozycki September 29, 2011
74, Auburn, NY Walter F. Dec September 25, 2011
80, South Bend, IN Chester S. Bukowski September 28, 2011
123, Erie, PA John A. Slomski October 16, 2011
141, Cleveland, OH Kathy Ann Hustak October 1, 2011
276, Muskegon, MI Dolores G. Hopka September 4, 2011
907, Cicero, IL James J. Sulicz September 7, 2011
964, Reading, PA Joseph F. Kowalczyk October 1, 2011
* Indicates Bronze Legion of Honor ** Silver Legion of Honor
*** Indicates Gold Legion of Honor
Memorial Donations received during
the month of September, 2011
In memory of JoAnn Wilkosz
Kathleen Barrett, Nest 494-$25.00
In memory of Dolly Brooks, Nest 4
MR Falcons Nest 4 100 Club-$20.00
In memory of Mary Schuttrow, Nest 4
MR Falcons Nest 4 100 Club-$20.00
In memory of Lawrence Wujcikowski, Nest 6
Janice Merzweiler, Nest 45-$15.00
In memory of Stanley Koziel, Nest 74
Nest 430 Falconettes-$10.00
In memory of Stanley Pasik, Nest 74
Nest 430 Falconettes-$10.00
In memory of Adeline Jaskowiak, Nest 80
Polish Falcons Alliance of America District VI -$10.00
In memory of Michael Marko, Nest 88
PFA District V LOH-$15.00
In memory of Lou Guzik, Nest 8
PFA Nest 118-$10.00
In memory of Mary McCarte, Nest 118
PFA Nest 118-$10.00
In memory of Adella Siak, Nest 118
PFA Nest 118-$10.00
In memory of Thomas Schmanski, Nest 80
MR Falcons Nest 4 100 Club-$20.00
In memory of Jane Fronczek, Nest 430
Nest 430 Falconettes -$10.00
Donations continued on page 14
New Members
& Referrals
Welcome New Members
September, 2011
Autumn Kay Junk 80, South Bend, IN September 19
Donna M. Lameo 163, Mocanaqua, PA September 30
Greer Katherine Baker 247, Donora, PA September 16
Taylor Noelle Frampton 973, West Seneca, NY September 2
October, 2011
Jonnathan C. Simmons 4, South Bend, IN October 05
Teresa Wojdyla 17, Newark, NJ October 05
Agnieszka Bartoszek 36, Southwestern CT October 17
Lucy Kisiel 36, Southwestern CT October 14
Bruno Perlicki 36, Southwestern, CT October 17
Thomas J Salerno 77, Carnegie, PA October 05
Nicholas M. Berdis 123, Erie, PA October 05
Hope L. Zielinski 147, Mt Pleasant, PA October 20
Olivia G. Schaefer 176, Pittsburgh, PA October 13
William L. Pierce 519, Middletown, CT October 14
Madison Lyn White 519, Middletown, CT October 25
Spencer E. Tompkins 564, La Porte, IN October 25
Ada C. Albert 725, Milwaukee, WI October 04
Loralei Burton-Kmetz 725, Milwaukee, WI October 04
Anabelle R. Canar 725, Milwaukee, WI October 04
Salvador Espinosa 725, Milwaukee, WI October 04
Alexi Garcia 725, Milwaukee, WI October 04
Kylie Garcia 725, Milwaukee, WI October 04
Homer R. Graff-Walsh 725, Milwaukee, WI October 04
Kieran J. Knight-Quinn 725, Milwaukee, WI October 04
Starlyn H. Lerret 725, Milwaukee, WI October 04
Tatiana Lugo 725, Milwaukee, WI October 04
Rene Sems 725, Milwaukee, WI October 04
Mirabel M. Steiner-Hays 725, Milwaukee, WI October 04
Joel C. Chambron 973, West Seneca, NY October 20
Zachary C. Moulton 973, West Seneca, NY October 31
New Member Sponsors & Recommenders
September, 2011
Stephanie A. Kuzmicz 80, South Bend, IN 1
Robert J. Gorny 80, South Bend, IN 1
Eric Kubasek 163, Mocanaqua, PA 1
Bruno Bruce Najaka 163, Mocanaqua, PA 1
Wallace J. Zielinski 247, Donora, PA 1
Robert J Uccellino 804, Pittsburgh, PA 3
Susan C. Burdzy 973, West Seneca, NY 1
October, 2011
Robert J. Gorny 4, South Bend, IN 1
John M. Denning 17, Newark, NJ 1
Karyn L. Choromanski 36, Southwestern CT 3
John M. Denning 77, Carnegie, PA 1
Michael G. Berdis 123, Erie, PA 1
John M. Denning 123, Erie, PA 1
John M. Denning 147, Mt Pleasant, PA 1
Wallace J. Zielinski 247, Donora, PA 1
Clifford M. Opalacz 519, Middletown, CT 2
Gerald P. Albin 564, La Porte, IN 1
Melissa L. Albin 564, La Porte, IN 1
Shannon M. Borek 725, Milwaukee, WI 6
George J. Wortz 725, Milwaukee, WI 7
James P Jozwiak 973, West Seneca, NY 1
Susan C. Burdzy 973, West Seneca, NY 1
POLISH FALCON • WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG DECEMBER 2011 13

YOUR FINANCES
How much will your dependents need
John Denning
National Director of
Sales and Marketing
jdenning@polishfalcons.org
Not only can cash from a life insurance policy help settle present financial
matters, it can also ensure that your family’s dependents are taken care of
down the road. Children are the most in need of financial support that can
stretch from a few years to a lifetime. Additionally, you or your spouse may
need funds during the grieving process before returning to employment.
How much financial support your dependents need depends on your family’s
situation.
In addition to any children you have had with your spouse, you should consider
the support of any children you may have from a previous marriage.
The death of an income-earning family member could financially impact multiple
households.
Another issue to consider involves children with physical or mental disabilities
that prevent them from becoming self-sufficient. Institutional or home care
can be expensive and possibly require financial support beyond you and your
spouse’s lifetimes.
As the National Sales/Marketing Director of the Polish Falcons, I stress the
importance of creating a special needs trust for children with physical or
mental impairments.
You should really establish a trust for your child and fund it with life insurance.
This way, the parent would be able to provide for the child, supplement
their living expenses and not jeopardize the child’s eligibility for additional
government benefits.
Whatever the needs of your child, you’ll want to make sure they’re taken care
of. The proper life insurance policy can provide immediate resources that
would periodically provide them with an influx of funds.
Contact your Polish Falcons Nest Insurance Specialist or John M. Denning
National Sales/ Marketing Director for Life Insurance Planning at 1-800-535-
2071.
UPCOMING
UPCOMING
Please note: Because of limited space, we cannot feature the entire Nest calendar of meetings and events.
These are posted on the PFA web site which will be continually updated. If you have a calendar posting for a future
event, please email the information to dmotak@polishfalcons.org. For full information on upcoming District and Nest
activities, please visit the on-line calendar at www.polishfalcons.org/calendar.asp.
District II • Jan 8 District II Legion of Honor Oplatek Celebration. The Crystal Light, 8400 S. Cicero Ave,
Burbank, Illinois. Noon $30 pp. Contact Maryann Myskowski 708-261-573
Nest 31, Detroit, MI • Various Dates: Junior Bowling at Rose Bowl Lanes 12/11, 1/15/12, 2/26 /12,
3/1/11, 4/22/12. Bowling begins at noon.
Nest 80, South Bend, IN • Dec 4 Nest Meeting and Holiday Party 12 noon; $6 for party
• Dec 11 Youth Christmas Party 1 p. m.
Nest 123, Erie, PA • Dec 4 Annual meeting and election of officers 2pm, lunch served.
Nest 208, Derb, CT • Dec 11 Yearly meeting & Christmas party. St. Michael's church hall,
75 Derby Ave., Derby at 1 p.m. Contact Terri Wadsworth -203 926 0498 or Masry Ann Brozak - 203 735 1748.
Nest 964, Reading, PA •Member dues are payable starting Nov 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012 (deadline). Make
your check payable to Polish Falcons Nest 964 and send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Helen
Nowotarski, 1076 Freemansville Road, Shillington, PA 19607.
Nest 946, Somerville, NJ • Meetings are held on the second Friday of each month, except in July and August,
at the Polish Falcon Camp Polanka, 140 Falcon Road, Hillsborough, NJ at 7:30 p.m. Contact: 908-722-3562 or
visit our website at www.nest946.com. • Nest 946 Polish
Language School classes meet every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's in Bound Brook.
Children ages 4 to 16 accepted. For enrollment info please call 732-968-7984.
Event Calendar
For more information on Nest and District
Events and to view the updated Event
Calendar, please visit
www.polishfalcons.org/nest_calendar.asp
Sokół Deadlines
Beginning in 2012, the Sokół Polski will
be published six (6) times per year. Deadlines
for 2012 are as follows:
December 5, (2011) - February, 2012 Issue
February 7 - April Issue (Easter Edition)
April 2 - June Issue
June 4 - August Issue
August 6 - October Issue (Polish Heritage Edition)
October 1 - December Issue (Christmas Edition)
Please email artcles and photos to dmotak@polishfalcons.org.
14 DECEMBER 2011 WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG • SOKÓŁ POLSKI

The following Cookie Recipes were submitted by
PFA Members for your Holiday Dessert Table - enjoy!
FALCON SWEETS
Nut Cookies - Pola’s Way
Submitted by Druhna Pola Choromanski
First Day - Making the Pastry
Pastry ingredients:
2 cups flour, sifted
½ pound salted Fleishmann’s
margarine (2 sticks)
¾ cup sour cream
1 egg yolk
Blend 2 cups sifted flour with ½ lb. margarine
until crumbly. (Use pastry blender or two
knives.) Mix 1 egg yolk with the ¾ cup
sour cream. Combine flour and egg
mixture with hands separate pastry
into 4 balls. Chill dough overnight
Druhna Pola
Combine filling ingredients:
¾ cup ground walnuts
¾ cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
Next Day - Baking:
Preheat oven to 350 °
Roll out one ball of dough on floured surface into round circle. Cut the circle into
wedges using ridged pizza/dough cutter. First cut circle into quarters, then cut each
quarter into 3 wedges. Should have 12 slices total, like a pizza. Sprinkle the filling over
the wedges, generously. Loosely roll each wedge starting at widest part on outside of
circle working towards the point. Shape into crescent / half-moon and place point side
down on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 22-25 minutes until lightly
brown. Check at 20 minutes. Cool on racks. Sprinkle with powdered sugar when cool.
(Photo credit: Barb Kruger)
Druhna Betty
Potato Chip Cookies
Submitted by Druhna Betty Kolano
1 lb margarine (or 1/2 lb margarine/ 1/2 lb butter)
1 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup potato chips, crushed
3 1/2 cups flour
confectioner's sugar
Cream the margarine until fluffy. Add the rest of the ingredients
and mix well. Drop two inches apart on an ungreased
cookie sheet and bake at 350 ° for 15 minutes.
Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar while hot.
Double Chocolate
Chip Cookies
Submitted by Druhna Lina Bystryk
Druhna Lina
cookies
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 shortening
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
4 oz semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 ups all - purpose flour
6 oz bittersweet chocolate (70% cocoa) - coarsely chopped
6 oz semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Preheat oven to 350 ° Combine the butter and shortening
in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium, ending
with high speed for 30 seconds Add the brown sugar,
baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Beat till combined, scraping
the bowl occasionally, Add the melted and cooled
chocolate, eggs and vanilla; beat until combined. Beat in as
much flour as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden
spoon, stir in the remaining flour. Stir in the chopped bittersweet
and semisweet chocolates and nuts. Drop by heaping
teaspoons 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet covered with
parchment paper. Bake 9 - 11 minutes or just until the
edges set. Let cookies stand on cookie sheet for two minutes.
Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool. To store,
in an air tight container layer cookies between layers of wax
paper. Can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
Yield: 72 cookies
continued on page 16
POLISH FALCON • WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG DECEMBER 2011 15

FALCON SWEETS
continued from page 15
Black Forest Cookies
Submitted by Druhna Lina Bystryk
1 1/2 cups firmly packed lightly brown sugar
2/3 stick of Crisco or 2/3 cup of vegetable
shortening
1 TBL water
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup (12 ounce pkg) semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped maraschino cherries, well drained
1 package (4 oz) sweet dark baking chocolate,
coarsely chopped 18 whole marachino cherries, halved
and well drained
Heat oven to 375 ° Place sheets of foil on countertop for cooling cookies. Combine brown sugar,
shortening, water and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well
blended. Beat the eggs into the creamed mixture. Combine the flour, salt, baking soda and cocoa.
Mix into the creamed mixture at low speed just to blend. Stir in the chocolate chip and chopped
cherries. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough 2 inches apart onto the parchment paper. Bake
one baking sheet at a time for 7 to 9 minutes or until cookies are set. Do not over bake. Cool two
minutes on the baking sheet, then remove the cookies to the foil to cool completely. Place the
dark baking chocolate in a microware safe bowl. Microware for one minute on high; stir, then heat
again for 30 second intervals until melted. Spread the chocolate on the cooled cookies and top
with the cherry halves. Yield: 3 dozen
Chr usciki
Submitted by Druhna Betty Kolano
12 eggs 1/4 tsp salt
2 TBL sugar 6 tsp sour cream
3 tsp whiskey or vodka 1 tsp orange flavoring
2 Tbls vinegar or lemon juice 1 cup flour to start
1 tsp baking powder vegetable oil or
shortening for frying
Mix the ingredients in order, one by one with
the electric mixer on low speed. When the
dough thickens, add 4 to 5 cups more flour
by hand. Knead until the dough is smooth
and leaves your fingers clean. Divide dough
into four parts. Roll out very thin. Cut into
3" x 1" strips. Slit the center of each strip.
Pull one end through the slit and pull out to make
a bow tie. Fry in the oil until brown on each side.
Cool on brown paper and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Makes about 12 dozen.
Sesame Cookies
Submitted by Druhna Madelyn Rzewincki
1 cup salt free butter, softened 1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp almond extract 1/2 tsp salt
2 cups flour sesame seeds
strawberry preserves
Heat the oven to 350 °. Cream together the softened butter and sugar. Blend in the
almond extract and salt. Add the flour and mix well. Shape tablespoonfuls of dough
into balls and roll in sesame seeds. Place on ungreased cookie sheets covered with
parchment paper if available. Indent the center of each cookie ball and fill with the
preserves. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until just beginning to brown.
Yield: 3 dozen cookies.
Ladi-Locs
Submitted by Druhna Trish Del Busse
2 cups flour 1 cup sour cream
½ lb. butter 1 egg yolk
cookies
Mix well and refrigerate overnight. Roll dough out on
flour covered table. Roll to approximately 1/8 inch
think. Cut into strips about 3/4 inch by 6 inches. Wrap
dough around old style clothespins (wooden, without
clips) overlapping the dough.
Bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes (lightly greased cookie
sheet or parchment paper covered sheet) or until
lightly browned. Let cool slightly then remove the
clothespins.
Filling:
1 cup yellow Crisco ½ cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla ½ cup milk
1 ½ cups powdered sugar 2 cups marshmallow creme
Cream Crisco. Add flour and sugar alternating with the
milk. Beat until creamy. Add marshmallow and vanilla.
When shells are cool, use a pastry bag and fill. Sprinkle
with powdered sugar.
Druhna Madelyn
16 DECEMBER 2011 WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG • SOKÓŁ POLSKI

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POLISH FALCON • WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG DECEMBER 2011 17

Doylestown Pilgrimage
The chartered bus departed from the South Side of Pittsburgh on Saturday,
September 24 with 31 passengers and the National Chaplain. The participants
enjoyed an overnight stay in New Jersey and "hospitality plus"
at Polanka with Druh Andrzej Terepka, who served delicious food at dinner
and again at breakfast. The group from Pittsburgh met with a busload
of Falcons from New Britain, Connecticut, lead by Druh Andrzej
Mechlinski. Druh Mechlinski brought young Falcons in Polish folk attire,
appropriate flags, and flowers for both the sanctuary altar and cemetery.
Druh Edward Ciesla from District I was also in attendance with other East
Coast Falcons who arrived to participate in "Dzien Sokolow" at the National
Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. After
mass, in which Rev. Canon Joseph Sredinski concelebrated and read the
Sunday gospel, the Falcon group marched to the cemetery. Here, they
stopped and prayed at the granite bench in honor of past Vice President
Leona Kozlowska, and at the gravesites of Druh Mieczyslaw Wasilewski and
Druh Teofil Starzynski. Prayers were said in Polish and
English, with a few words by National President Timothy Kuzma. The Polish Falcon day events concluded with
an Ognisko, or Bonfire, with plenty of socializing in typical Polish Falcon style. The return bus trip to Pittsburgh
included a film on Blessed John Paul II supplied by District IV President Druhna Nancy Capozoli and her
helpful husband, Druh Angelo Capozoli.
Above: The Falcon group from Pittsburgh.
Right: President Kuzma and National Chaplain
Rev. Joseph Sredzinski lead the procession to
the cemetery.
Photo Credit: Diane Mechlinski
Below: (left and center) Attendees enjoy
the “Ognisko”.
Top Photos: Falcons pay their respects at the gravesite
of President Teofil Strzynski.
Second Photo: Attendees at mass in the National Shrine.
Third Photo: Processing to the cemetery.
Below: National Director Druh Ed Ciesla, Druhna Christine Ciesla
and National Director Wallace Zielinski.
18 DECEMBER 2011 WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG • SOKÓŁ POLSKI

Chaplain’s
Corner
FALCON FAITH
Rev. Canon Joseph Sredzinski
National Chaplain
Grudzie - A Month of Cold, Activities and Joy
The 12th and last month of the calendar year brings different weather conditions
and some special obligations. Its colder with the sun further away from
us, bringing snow flurries, snow removal and heavier clothing. School children
look for those famous "snow days", and so many will be confined to their homes.
However, liturgically, it's the time of preparation of ADVENT. We see the green
wreath with four candles as a visible reminder. The celebrant at mass wears a
red-violet vestment and the hymns call out for the coming of the Promised One
- the Messiah. Most are preparing for the birthday of Jesus, decorating, sending
Christmas greetings, making use of precious heirloom recipes for candies,
cookies and kolache, and setting-up the Christmas tree with the manger scene.
Each week is a reminder that we are closer to CHRISTMAS and the celebration
of the birthday of Jesus in Bethlehem, the fulfillment of the promise of our
Creator and Heavenly Father - sending us Emmanuel, the Long Awaited One.
Those special songs fill the airways and shopping malls. We join them - even
with a hum. They are uplifting, joy filled and speak of the REASON for the SEA-
SON - - Boze Narodzenie.
The Polish Heritage Club of Uniontown, PA conducts its annual "Wigilia" attracting
nearly 150 and this year's event is set for Friday, December 16 at 6
p.m. After the president notes that first shining star in the evening sky and the
Club Chaplain leads the invocation, all present share the oplatek with sincere
wishes of health, happiness and many of God's blessings. This custom, handed
down by our forbearers, has so much meaning. As Jesus is the Bread of Life,
drawing us together, so the white wafer - symbolizing Christ - is shared and
consumed. Then, a meatless meal is served beginning with kapuszniak and
concluding with kolacze. There is always the singing of koledy - a precious part
of our precious Polish heritage, some spiritual advice from the invited clergy
and then the distribution of pierniczki by children in Polish folk attire; thus lending
color to the event experienced in a most friendly and joy filled atmosphere.
Of course, there is the family gathering, especially on December 24.
Oplatek, pierogi, baked fish, a special soup, meatless, yet favorable, all with
labors of love from the kitchen. Not long after, there is Pasterka, with choirs
leading us in practiced selections and those beloved koledy carols. We often return
home in the snow only to begin visitations of friends and family who, with
us, celebrate the great and joyful observance of the Savior’s birth, as we wish
one another MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and to yours.
Owszem, chociaź pogoda podczas grudnia jest zimna, cały Adwent nas przygotowuje
na wielkiei radosne Święto Bozego Narodzenia gdy wzajemnie zyczymy
Wesołych Świąt Boźego Narodzenia i duzo lask Bozych poprzez cały
Nowy Rok. Takźe i ja dołączam i blogosławienstwo udziele.
May December end with much JOY for everyone in and with Christ Jesus.
z Panem Bogiem i Czołem!
Rev. Canon Joseph Sredzinski
Nest 42 President Honored
The Catholic War Veterans have presented Druhna Lorraine Kozlowski of Nest 42, Chicago
Heights with their highest award, the Honor Legion of the Order of St. Agnes. The honor
was bestowed at the Catholic War Veterans National Convention held in Orlando, Florida August
13. The award is in recognition of Druhna’s devotion, volunteerism and dedication to
the organization’s motto "For God, Country and Home". The Catholic War Veterans Chicago
Heights Post 1060 Auxiliary and Polish Falcons Nest 42 Members are very proud
of Lorraine's accomplishments. Druhna Lorraine is also the President of Nest 42 and has
also been awarded the Gold Legion of Honor Medal.
POLISH FALCON • WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG DECEMBER 2011 19

smaki
Polski
Tastes of
POLAND
WIGILIA
A New Twist on an Ancient Tr adition.....
Many Polish Americans have favorite family recipes for the
traditional Wigilia Christmas Eve meal, many of which have been
passed down over the years from one generation of family cooks to another.
Although there is no exact list of required foods to be served at
Wigilia, the meal is always meatless. There is always śledzie
(herring), as well as soup, fish or seafood, and a special dessert, all of
which take center stage on the beautifully prepared table once the oplatek
wafer is shared. Some traditional Wigilia foods are actually regional, such as
red beet barszcz soup (served in central Poland) or mushroom soup (southern
Poland). In the Cracow environs, meatless golabki are served that simply
melt in one's mouth (see p. 28).
Poppy seed is also a favorite. The Silesians of western Poland are famous for
their "kutia" which is resplendent with poppy seed, nuts and honey (p. 28),
while in the south, kolacze - those wonderful poppy seed rolls - are very
popular. In some parts of Poland, a sweet poppy seed paste is used to fill
dessert pierogi, which are delicious with honey and sweet cream.
But why not start your own tradition This year, we are "breaking" our practice of featuring the same,
standard Wigilia recipes which have consistently been printed in the Sokol Polski for many years. Instead,
we look to contemporary Poland for some Christmas culinary magic. Now that Poland is becoming prosperous,
Poles are beginning to make their mark not only on the world stage, but also on the culinary scene.
Supermarkets, specialty stores, restaurants and Polish kitchens are now bursting with ingredients that were
rarely seen - or never available - under the old communist system. As Poles celebrate this new abundance,
they also are free to experiment, and, as a result, shrimp, scallops, salmon and other previously rare items
are now making their way to the Wigilia table. The recipes featured in this section have been modified from
recipes created by one of Poland's rising young culinary stars, famous Polish Chef K arol Okrasa.
We hope that some of these offerings will find a place on your Christmas Eve table!
Christmas Eve Her ring
śledzie z kwaśnymi jabłkami
• 2 - 3 large herring fillets
(available at most Eastern
European delicatessens or
use herring in oil)
• 1 white onion, diced
• 2 red onions, thinly sliced
• 2 hard sour apples
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 lemon and zest of 1 lemon
• white wine vinegar
• salt, pepper, oil (about 2 TBL)
Scallops St. Jacob
Małże Św. Jakuba z sosem
ze świeżych pomidorów
• 6- 8 medium sized scallops
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 4 cloves garlic, sliced
• 1 onion
• 4 fresh peeled tomatoes
• 3 TBL butter
• salt, pepper, olive oil
Marinate the scallops in salt, pepper, sliced garlic,
fresh thyme leaves and olive oil for about 30 minutes.
Melt the butter and sauté the scallops, lightly
brown them on each side.
For the fresh tomato sauce: Heat the oil and sauté
the chopped onion and garlic until translucent, add
the diced tomatoes, season with butter and 2 TBL
fresh thyme leaves, let thicken. To serve, pour some
of the sauce onto each serving plate, then place the
scallops on top. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves or
fresh cilantro.
If using salted herring, soak the herring in cold water and soak for several hours , changing the water
every 30 minutes. If using herring in oil, pat dry. Cut the herring into medium sized pieces.
Dice the white onion. Core and dice one apple (leave the skin on the apple). Mix these with the sour
cream, season with pepper and a little salt and a pinch of sugar and approx. 2 - 3 TBL of the lemon juice
(to taste). Add the herring to these ingredients.
Thinly slice the red onion. Core and slice the second apple (without peeling). Heat the vinegar, the rest of
the sugar, lemon zest, add salt, pepper and the oil; cook until the liquid reduces to a syrup, add the apple
slices and sliced red onion and cook briefly. Remove from heat and pour a small amount of the sauce on
individual serving plates arrange apple slices on top. Set the herring on top of the apple slices and decorate
with the sautéed red onions.
20 DECEMBER 2011 WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG • SOKÓŁ POLSKI

HERITAGE
Sorrel Soup with Coddled Egg
Zupa szczawiowa z jajem w koszu
• 5 peeled potatoes
• 2 carrots
• 7 - 10 oz of fresh sorrel
• 4 eggs (or one egg per person)
• 3/4 cup vinegar
• 1 tsp flour
•1.5 quarts chicken stock
• 5 TBL sweet 30% cream
• salt and pepper
Sautéed Shrimp
with Tomato
and Coriander
Krewetki w sosie ze
świeżych pomidorów
i kolendry
• 1 1/3 lbs of whole, raw
shrimp thawed
• 2 - 3 cloves of garlic,
diced
• 1 hot chili pepper or hot
smoked "chipotle"
• 1 lemon
• 1 bunch fresh coriander
• 3 blanched and peeled tomatoes, cubed
(reserve 2 - 3 TBLS for garnish)
• 4 oz butter
• 5 cups dry white wine
• salt, pepper, olive oil
Peel potatoes, cut into thick chunks. Clean the carrots. Add these to the boiling
stock and cook for 15 - 20 minutes until soft.
Chop the sorrel leaves (with stems), chop finely, add to broth with vegetables and
cook until all vegetables are tender. Mix the flour in a bowl with cream, add a few
tablespoons of hot soup to harden the mixture, then add the rest of the soup mix.
Add salt and pepper and cook for about 30 minutes on very low heat.
Coddled Eggs: Bring about 1.5 l of water to near boiling (it should not boil!) Add the
vinegar. One by one, break each egg into a bowl, then gently pour into the water,
taking care that the yolks are centered in the egg white. Cook for about 2 - 3 minutes.
Remove with a slotted spoon. Pour the soup into low soup plates, add an egg
to each bowl.
K arol
Okrasa
Continued from page 23
Thaw shrimp with cold water if frozen. Cut a slit into the shell,
leaving the tail. Remove the dark digestive tract content. Place
cleaned shrimp in a bowl. Marinate in salt, pepper, chopped garlic,
lemon peel, chopped fresh chili pepper, 2 TBL chopped coriander
and oil, then mix gently. Let sit for 10 - 15 minutes. Heat the oil in
a sauté pan, arrange the shrimp and sauté on both sides until
their color changes from gray to orange (shrimp should be slightly
raw inside.)
Sauce: Add 1/2 of the butter to the pan until it dissolves, then add
the garlic and pepper. When the garlic is wilted, add the white
wine and simmer until the liquid reduces slightly. Add the chopped
tomatoes into small cubes and sauté until softened, then add butter,
salt, pepper, chopped fresh coriander and lemon zest. Heat
the sauce for about 1 minute more, then ladle onto serving plates.
Add the shrimp. Quickly heat the reserve diced tomatoes and set
on the shrimp as a garnish. Garnish with whole coriander leaves.
for traditional Polish WIGILIA RECIPES
go to http://polishfalcons.org/wigilia_recipes.asp
One of Poland's top chefs, Karol Okrasa is a
national media figure in Poland, hosting various
television shows including the popular
Kuchnia z Okrasą (Cuisine with Okrasa)
and Smaki Czasu (Today's Tastes).
Born in 1978 in Biala Podlaska, he began
his career in Warsaw's Jan III Sobiecki Hotel
then became head chef at the landmark
Bristol Hotel from 1997 - 2008. Okrasa is one of
the founding members of the Fundacja Klubu
Szefów Kuchni a foundation that he helped
established to promote fine cooking in Poland
and abroad. An award winning chef and author,
he is Owner and Head Chef of Warsaw's popular
Platter Restaurant, one of Poland's top
restaurants and author of one of Poland’s
most popular cookbooks, Gotuj z Okrasą.
POLISH FALCON • WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG
photos: Telewizja Polska
DECEMBER 2011 21

HERITAGE
A Polish
Christmas
The Jasełka
(“yah-sell-kah”)
The Jasełka is a Christmas
performance that tells the story of the
Birth of Christ and other biblical tales with
musical accompaniment. Jaselka plays are
sometimes performed using a szopka and
hand puppets.
The Christmas
Star
The Turon
The Poles have many very lovely Christmas Carols and caroling is a popular activity
during the Christmas Holidays. Polish Carolers often present various humorous plays
that frequently include performers dressed in animal costumes, such as a stork or the
turon, (“tour-ohn”) which is a stylized goat with large, curved horns and a large
flapping mouth. T he Christmas Star is carried by groups of Carolers who go
from house to house during the Christmas Season. The stars very large and ornate,
are lighted, and frequently are twirled. They are often constructed from cardboard with
colored tissue or foil embellishments.
The Breaking
of the Opłatek
The Opłatek (“oh-pwah-tek”) is a thin
rectangular unleavened wafer bearing various
Christmas scenes that is shared by
every person at Wigilia. Each person takes
a piece of the other’s wafer and they exchange best wishes for good health and
success in the upcoming year. It is an old Polish custom that no grievance be
brought into the Christmas season and the New Year, so forgiveness is asked
and always granted. This ceremony is repeated between every person present,
beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest.
Święty Mikołaj
(“sh-ven-tee mee-koh-why”)
The Christmas Holidays in Poland begin in early
December with St. Nicholas Day or Święty
Mikołaj on December 6. Unlike the American
Santa Claus, which has become a very commercialized
figure, the Polish St. Nicholas is the real
thing! He is dressed in a long robe, a bishop’s
hat or “mitre” and carries a staff.
He distributes candy, gingerbread cookies
(pierniki) and apples to good children,
while those who have misbehaved
receive twigs.
The Szopka
(“shop-kah”)
In the city of Cracow, people
make ornate Christmas Nativity
structures from cardboard, foil
paper and ribbon. They carry
these when they go Christmas
caroling. Many of these structures
are very ornate and very detailed with
mechanical figures.
The Wigilia (“wee-gee-lee-ah”)
This traditional Polish Christmas Eve
meal is considered the most special
of all meals. The table is covered
with a white tablecloth and the best
household china is used. Straw is
placed under the table cloth in
remembrance of the stable of Bethlehem.
An uneven number of foods
are served for Wigilia, which is a
tradition that harkens back to the
ancient Slavic belief that this will
bring good luck in the following year.
Poles are excellent cooks and
present a wide range of wonderful foods for their Christmas Eve Feast,
including red beet soup (barszcz) with”uszki” or little mushroom filled
dumplings, wild mushroom soup, marinated herring, carp, sauerkraut
with mushrooms and peas, pierogi, baked or roasted fish, and kutia, a
national dish made from boiled wheat, poppy seeds, nuts and honey.
Desserts include gingerbread cookies or cakes, and poppy seed roll.
The Empty Chair
Polish people are famous for their hospitality, especially
at Christmas. During Wigilia, there is always an additional
empty chair set at the table no matter how large the
gathering. To Poles, no one should be alone on Christmas
Eve, which is the most important night of the year.
So, no matter how large the guest list, strangers, those
without family, and acquaintances who do not have their
own Wigilia to attend are welcomed to the Christmas
supper and treated as honored guests. We honor these
guests as we would the Christ Child who comes into the
world on this special evening, so the Empty Chair is
considered a place of great respect.
22 DECEMBER 2011 WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG • SOKÓŁ POLSKI

HERITAGE
News from Poland
Poland at NYSE
Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski officially
opened the September 22, 2011, session on the
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). However, the
NYSE’s indices took a hammering later that day,
with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, for example,
losing 3.48% on the day. Komorowski stressed
that his visit to Wall Street was an excellent opportunity
to present Poland’s accomplishments and
relatively good economic situation. When speaking
with the press, the President added that cooperation
between the New York and Warsaw stock
exchanges and cooperation in
broader economic terms is
important, especially in
these difficult times.
Museum on Track
The Museum of the History of the
Polish Jews is scheduled to open in
Warsaw on April 19, 2013, to coincide
with the 69th anniversary of the start of
the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The multimedia
museum, which will be
devoted to the thousand-year history of
Jews in Poland, will be located in Muranow,
in the heart of the city’s former Jewish
district. In order to complete the project by the
scheduled date, the museum's
developer will receive up to $1.5 million from the
Ministry of Culture and city authorities. The total
cost of the project is estimated at $3 million.
Not Made in China
New statistics show that more than half of Poles
don’t buy goods made in China. According to the
report, carried out by IQS, 55 percent claim they
avoid such products, although the trend appears
to be more popular amongst older citizens, with
only 25 percent of those under 25 stating they
wouldn’t buy Chinese goods. Puls Biznesu claims
that one of the factors behind the status is the
fact that Poles wish to help their national economy
and would rather buy products produced in
their own country.
TV Tur n Off
New figures printed in Gazeta
Wyborcza suggest that an increasing
number of homes are
choosing to ditch their TV sets. According
to statistics by Izmalkowa
Consulting on behalf of PanMedia
Western, approximately 700,000
households do not currently own a
television set - a number that is
rapidly growing. “Back in 2007
[when Izmalkowa Consulting first conducted
research into viewing habits] the TV was an
essential part of the furniture,” says Ewa Goralska,
a spokeswoman for PanMedia Western. The paper
points to computers as being the
main factor behind this new
trend, with Poles preferring to
watch films and programs
online due to a wider variety of
choice. “Until recently, not having
a TV in your home was almost
unthinkable,” says Julia Izmalkowa,
owner of the research firm.
“However nowadays, trying to find young
people who actually owned a set turned out
to be quite difficult.”
Poles in Green Card Lottery
Poland will once again be allowed to enter America’s
‘Green Card Lottery’ system for the first time
in six years. According to Fakt, 3,500 Poles will be
able to apply for official residency in the US’s Diversity
Immigrant Visa Program, between October
4 and November 5. The law states that if less
than 50,000 people from one country go to the
States during a five-year timescale, then that nation
is allowed to enter the ‘lottery’. “Because of
the economic situation, America is not as attractive
a destination as it once was,” says Zygmunt
Matynia of Chicago’s Polish Consul.
LOT Takes Off
The long-awaited privatization of the national carrier
LOT looks to be underway, as the company’s
President, Marcin Pirog, told reporters there were
candidates interested in purchasing the airline.
“We’re holding talks with two aviation companies
about the sale of LOT,” Pirog explained.
The news comes as a confirmation of earlier assurances
given in May by Government Minister
Aleksander Grad that there was a
chance that LOT could be privatized
during 2012. LOT is currently
restructuring all spheres of
its activities; assets, employment
and organization. So far this year
the figures show, an improvement
of PLN 60 million as compared to
the same period last year, but that
still entails oan overall loss of
91.1 million Polish zloty.
Zakopane Subway
Subway recently opened its first drive-through
restaurant in Poland, located in Nowy Sacz in the
Malopolskie voivodship, on the main road to
Zakopane. It is also the chain’s first such establishment
in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), and it
plans more such openings, some at gas stations.
Reportedly, sales from the first few weeks of the
new fast-food restaurant’s operations were above
average, and the drive-thru window accounts for
up to 50 per cent of the establishment’s sales
revenue.
continued on page 26
POLISH FALCON • WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG DECEMBER 2011 23

HERITAGE
News from Poland
Hollywood’s Polish Roots
A new book entitled Pollywood that charts Hollywood’s
surprising Polish connection is scheduled to
hit the bookstores in November, 2011. The book is
being published by Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN
[Polish Scientific Publishers].
Few people know that the immigrants born in territories
currently or historically Polish played a significant
role in this process. In his book “Pollywood,” Andrzej
Krakowski traces the Polish-born founders of Hollywood,
such as Samuel Goldwyn, Louis B. Mayer and
the Warner brothers. A film based on “Pollywood” is
planned for production in 2012.
Authored by Andrzej Krakowski, a renowned Polishborn
screenwriter and director living in the United
States since 1968, the book reaches into the origins
of Hollywood and the American film industry.
Going back to the last quarter of the 19th century—
the period of the Great Immigration, which brought
more than 23 million immigrants to America’s
shores—the author analyzes the socio-historical conditions
of that era, wondering why it was not the Italians,
the Irish, or the Scandinavians, but the Eastern
European refugees (mostly Jewish) who became
the founders of the new film industry.
Some of his conclusions are quite
startling.
The personalities in the book have
been carefully selected. They were
all true pioneers—the trailblazers
responsible for the development
of new sectors of the budding
industry. Siegmund Lubin, the inventor of
the first moveable projector; Samuel Goldwyn,
producer of the first feature film shot
in the town called Hollywood; Louis B. Mayer, cofounder
of the famed Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio
and the studio system; Nathan H. Gordon, creator
of the first multi-screen movie houses; the Warner
brothers, who brought sound and color to the
otherwise silent and black-and-white films; the
Shubert brothers—conquerors of Broadway
and the first czars of the American theater; Al Jolson,
the actor-singer sensation who broke “the sound barrier”
and survived the impact; Pola Negri, the first
truly international Hollywood female movie star; Paul
Muni, the Oscar-winning first crossover from the Yiddish
theater through Broadway to the mainstream
cinema: an actor-chameleon, the precursor of “the
method” in acting; and last, but not least, Billy Wilder,
the multiple Academy Award-winning writer/director.
They all had one thing in common—they were born
in the same area, relatively near each other: Poznan,
Warsaw, Minsk, Vilnius, Krasnosielc, Wejherowo, Sieradz,
Lipno, Lwow, Sucha and Beskidzka.
Based on the materials contained in “Pollywood,”
a feature film is being planned for production in
2012. Penned by the book’s author and Michal
Komar, it is being produced by Michal Kwiecinski for
his Akson Studio. The movie, which is
scheduled to be shot in the English
language, is currently
being cast.
continued
High Enough
K abanosy Cer tified
The European Union has agreed to grant
the certificate of “Traditional Specialty
Guaranteed” to the Polish kabanos, a thin
dried specialty sausage. The decision to grant
the special status to the kabanos was finalized
after Germany, a leading producer of sausage in
Europe, withdrew its objection. Poland's western
neighbors will still be able to produce the
sausage, but only those made in Poland will carry
the special EU logo.
Polish Supercar
The Arrinera, Poland’s first “supercar,” was
introduced on September 23, 2011. The general
opinion is that it borrows heavily from the famed
Italian-made Lamborghini with a distinctly sleek exterior,
squared-off intakes scissor doors and intricate
rear lights. The car itself is comprised of Kevlar and
carbon fiber, which sits on top of a tubular steel
frame, keeping it light and nimble without interfering
with the 638 horsepower and 6.2-liter supercharged
V8 Engine. The Ministry of Culture and city authorities.
The total cost of the project is estimated at
$3 million.
Pizza Popular
This year, pizza restaurants in Poland will sell
over $205 million of the originally Italian
food. The daily newspaper Rzeczpospolita
[The Republic] credits the estimate
to the research firm Euromonitor
International. In comparison to year 2010
sales will increase by about 7%. Poles will spend even
more money on pizza in 2012, boosted by the Euro
2012 soccer events.
A report by town planners has dashed numerous plans for skyscrapers in the center
of Warsaw by restricting building heights anywhere close to the Starowka, or Old
Town, to 70 meters (229 feet). Anything higher would, according to the report,
“Lead to an irreversible deformation to the skyline of the Starowka, which is on the
UNESCO World Heritage list.”
As a result, no buildings will receive planning permission if they are more than six
floors high. The report has destroyed plans for development of the Rotunda, for
the prestigious Lilium tower designed by Zaha Hadid and many others. A range
of other projects have had to be redesigned as the report’s authors considered
them too different from the surrounding buildings.
Sources:
Polonia Media Network, New Poland Express, among others.
24 DECEMBER 2011 WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG • SOKÓŁ POLSKI

POLISH AMERICAN LIFE
by Peter Danielczuk
Nest 36, Southwester n CT
December 2011 marks the
end of two of the best and long
time Polka Bands. The famous
and fabulous Ampol-Aires have
decided to call it quits after 55
years. Also leaving the Polka
circuit this year is Eddie Blazonczyk's
Versatones. Their
final performance will be on
Saturday December 31, 2011
with a New Year's Eve Extravaganza
at the Glendora House,
10225 S. Harlem Ave., Chicago
Ridge,IL. Doors open at 6:30
p.m. with dinner at 7:30 p.m. and
music at 9:00 pm. The cost is
$75 per person and includes dinner
and open bar plus more surprises. For more
information and reservations call Bel-Aire Enterprises
at 708-594-5182. January is National Polka
Month. Please plan to attend a local Polka Dance
and also listen and support your local Polka radio
programs. We need them to keep going in order
for our music to survive.
In honor of National Polka Month, the International
Polka Association will hold their annual Festival
of Polka Bands on Sunday January 15, 2012
at Glendora Banquets, 10225 S. Harlem Ave.,
Chicago Ridge, IL, from 12 noon to 7 p.m. (Central
Time). Bands include Rick Rzeszutko & The Music
Company, Danny Mateja & The Downtown Sound,
Freeze Dried, Lenny Zielinski & The D Street Band,
Full Circle, Polka Generations, Tony Blazonczyk &
New Phaze and The IPA Tribute Band. The IPA will
also have a Pre-Festival of Polka Bands Dance on
Saturday January 14, 2011 at Polonia Banquets,
4604 S. Archer Ave., Chicago, IL with Full Circle.
The Seventh Annual IPA Benefit Dance at the
Ludlow Polish American Citizen's Club, 355 East
St., Ludlow, MA will be held on Sunday February
26, 2012 from 2 to 7 p.m. Featured this year are
Lenny Gomulka and Chicago Push, Dennis Polisky &
The Maestro's Men and The Boys. There will also
be a Big Band tribute to IPA Polks Music Hall of
Famer Walter Solek with special guest Andre
Krystopolski. Tickets are $15 in advance or $18
at the door. For more information or reservations
call IPA Director Ed Szela at 413-567-1961.
The Ludlow PACC in Ludlow, MA will
be holding a New Year's Day Dance on
January 1, 2012 from 2:00 PM to 8:00
PM featuring the great sounds of Eddie
Forman and EFO and Dennis Polisky &
The Maestro's Men. A Polish kitchen will
also be available. For more information
and reservations call 413-567-1961.
The Polka Family Band has another
brand new recording entitled
“Moooore Cowbell.”
It features 14
great polkas, obereks
and waltzes.
Jimmy K Polkas has released
a new recording by
Stas Golonka entitled The Kings
Treasures.” It contains 23 songs by
the King of Honky. Cost is just
$14.95 including shipping. Check it
at www.jimmykpolkas.com or call
1-866-454-6695.
Jimmy Sturr has a special three
CD offer for you. You can get his latest
CD "Not Just Another Polka" plus
"A Tribute To The Legends Of Polka Music" and
"Polka Cola" for just $34.95 which includes shipping.
Send to Starr Records, Box 1, Florida, NY
10921.
Eddie Blazonczyk and Bel-Aire Enterprises have
announced the dates for the 38th edition of the
Polka Fireworks Festival at the Seven Springs
Mountain Resort, Champion, PA. The Polka Fireworks
is scheduled for Friday June 29 thru Sunday
July 3, 2012. Watch the www.polkafireworks.com
website for more information.
The Polish American Journal Newspaper who recently
celebrated it's 100th year of publication
named some of the most influential American Polka
Musicians of the last 100 years. They included
Ray Budzilek, Brunon Kyrger, Gene Wisnewski,
Frank Wojnarowski, Ted Maksymowicz, Eddie Zima,
Ignacy Podgorski, Marisha Data, Lil Wally Jagiello,
Don Lucki, Ray Henry, Walter Solek, Marion Lush
and Walter Dana. For a subscription to the Polish
American Journal send a check for $21 to: PAJ
Subscription Department, P.O. Box 328, Boston, NY
14025-0328.
Joseph R Dziuba Jr., an accomplished musician
who played the bass and recorded with many
bands including Jolly Rich Anton, Freddy K
Kendzierski, the Beat, and Lenny Gomulka &
Chicago Push, recently passed away surrounded
by his loving family. "He made friends and fans
throughout the country and with his talent and personality
he touched the hearts of us all," said
bandleader Lenny Gomulka. He is survived by two
Polka Chicks
daughters , a son, his mother, sister, and brother.
Memorial contributions may be made to the
CentraState Healthcare Foundation, 916 Rte. 33,
Suite 6, Freehold, NJ 07728.
Ever hear of the Polka Chicks Well, the Polka
Chicks had a CD release concert recently in
Helsinki, Finland. Two other all girl groups from
Europe, whose name both mean "Polka Girls" are
Polka Punce and Polka Maedeln who are both from
Slovenia. The word is that both groups are beautiful
and very talented.
My wife Grazyna and I would like to wish all of
you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas and a
Happy New Year
Until next time, take care and God Bless.
Remember we are all one family, all one big Polka
family. God Bless Poland and God Bless America.
Czołem!
Dr uh Peter
POLISH FALCON • WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG DECEMBER 2011 25

HERITAGE
Mushroom Soup
with "Lany Kluski"
Zupa grzybowa z lanymi klusami
• 9 oz dried Polish or porcini mushrooms,
soaked and cooked
• 3 quarts of broth from cooking the
dried mushrooms
• 4 potatoes
• 1 celery
• 1 onion
• 2 TBL butter
• 4 - 5 pitted prunes, cut into strips
• 3 eggs
• 8 - 10 TBL of wheat flour
• 1/2 cup of heavy cream
• salt, pepper, oil
Soak dried mushrooms in warm water, and then (in the same water), cook for about 40 minutes.
Water should be enough to yield 2.5 liters of broth. Reserve the mushroom broth and cut the
mushrooms into strips. Cut the potatoes, celery and onion into equal sized cubes. Pour oil to the
pan, add a TBL of butter, add the potatoes and celery, then the onions. Sauté until the onions
are translucent, then add enough of the mushroom broth so that the vegetables are covered.
Season with salt and pepper, cook for about 20 minutes.
Add the mushrooms and prunes to the vegetable liquid, plus any remainder of the mushroom
broth. Simmer for another 15 - 20 minutes; remove from heat and add the sweet cream; season
with salt and pepper. While the soup is cooking, prepare "lane" noodles: Beat the eggs in a
bowl, add salt and pepper, then gradually add the flour stirring constantly with a whisk. The
resultant dough should be runny, having the consistency of thick cream. Pour the batter
through the funnel into salted boiling water making long ribbons of dough (a pastry tube or
plastic ketchup dispenser will also work.) Simmer for 1 - 2 minutes then drain the noodles
under cold water. Add the noodles to the bottom of each soup bowl, then add the hot soup.
Silesian Poppy Seed- Kutia
Makówki – śląska kutia
• 10 oz poppy seed, ground three times
• 3 TBL hazelnuts, cracked or halved
+ 2 TBL for garnish
• 3 TBL peeled almonds, chopped
• 3 TBL raisins + 2 TBL for garnish
• 1 pints milk
• 2 TBL butter
Wigilia Recipes
Continued from page 23
• 4 - 5 TBL honey
• 1 sweet loaf of sweet bread
• 2 TBL candied orange peel
+ 1 TBL for garnish
• 3 TBL shredded coconut
+ 2 TBL for garnish
• 1/2 cup rum
Roast the hazelnuts in the oven until slightly golden.
Combine 2 TBL butter, honey and heat, when the milk boils
remove from the heat, add the raisins and let sit for
1 -2 hours for them to soften. Add the poppy seed
and bring to a boil once more, then remove. Add
chopped almonds, hazelnuts, chopped orange
peel and coconut. (If the mixture is too runny, add
additional poppy seed.) Cut the sweet roll into slices 1
cm wide. Line a glass bowl with the slices and sprinkle with the
rum. Add a layer of the poppy seed filling the approximate thickness of the
bread, then put a layer of raisins poppy mass of similar thickness, add another layer of the
bread, then poppy seed, etc. until the bowl is stacked with alternating layers. The top layer
should be poppy seed. Chop the reserved hazelnuts, raisins, orange peel and coconut and
sprinkle on the top layer of poppy seed. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours.
Serve at room temperature.
Buckwheat Stuffed Cabbage
with Mushroom Sauce
Gołąbki z kaszą z sosem grzybowym.
• Chicken or vegetable stock
(about 1 large can)
• 2 cups soup stock vegetables (carrots, onion,
celery, parsley root, and cleaned chopped leek.)
• 2 oz buckwheat, (kasia) Sauteé in butter until golden brown
• 6 oz buckwheat, (kasia) unsauteéd
• 1 head cabbage
• 3 onions, diced
• 2 oz of cooked dried mushrooms, diced
• 1/2 cup of broth from cooking the dried mushrooms
• 2 lb peeled potatoes
• 7 oz heavy cream
• 1 TBL butter
• salt, pepper, oil.
Prepare the stock: In a pot of chicken stock, add the chopped
vegetables and cook on low heat for at least an hour; salt to taste.
Prepare the stuffing: Sauté the buckwheat in butter. Grate the
potatoes on a fine setting. Add the browned and unbrowned buckwheat,
diced onions and finely chopped mushrooms. Add salt and
pepper, stuffing should be loose and rather "liquidy.".
Prepare the cabbage: Cut the core from the cabbage, place the
head of cabbage into a large pot of salted boiling water and cook
slowly, when the outer leaves are tender, remove them gently,
trying not to damage them. Keep putting the cabbage head into
the water until all of the softened leaves come loose. Set the
leaves aside to cool. Making a "v" cut, remove the hard stems
from each of the cabbage leaves. Place a large spoonful of filling
on each cabbage leaf and roll the leaf, then set them in a baking
casserole. Fill any empty spaces in the casserole with leftover or
broken cabbage leaves, folded to take up space. Cover with any
leftover liquid and bake at 350 ° for about 1.5 hours..
Prepare the Mushroom Sauce: Dice the onion into small cubes,
sauté in oil until translucent. Add the mushroom
liquid and vegetable stock. Cook until reduced about 1/3. Then
add the fresh cream. (Add about 1/4 cup hot stock into the
cream, stir, then pour the cream mixture into the stock.) Cook
slowly until the sauce reduces and becomes thick, then season
with the salt, pepper and butter..
Remove the cooked golabki from the oven and arrange on serving
plates (you can cut in half at an angle). Cover with the mushroom
sauce. Note: If you wish for a thicker stuffing, add a small amount
of potato starch.
for traditional Polish WIGILIA RECIPES
go to http://polishfalcons.org/wigilia_recipes.asp
26 DECEMBER 2011 WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG • SOKÓŁ POLSKI

Change of Address
To change your address or contact information,
please complete the Change of Address Form
posted on the PFA web site at:
www.polishfalcons.org/change_address.asp or write:
Member Services, Polish Falcons of America,
381 Mansfield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15220-2751.
3-D “BATTLE OF WARSAW 1920”
One of the most decisive battles of the 20th century was fought in Poland in 1920. The
First World War had ended, but the Bolsheviks, having taken power in Russia, now marched
the Red Army towards Warsaw. It looked like certain defeat for the Poles, but a ferocious
counterattack saw the Bolsheviks routed. This stunning victory prevented communism
spreading to the rest of Europe, and secured Poland's independence—for the time being.
“The Battle Of Warsaw 1920” [“1920 Bitwa Warszawska”], which opened in the
Chicago, Illinois, area on October 14, 2011, is one of the most expensive films in Polish
cinema history.
The story is told through the eyes of newlyweds Ola (Natasza Urbanska), a dancer in
Warsaw’s revue theatre, and Jan (Borys Szyc), a Polish cavalryman. It focuses on the
1920 clash between the powerful Red Army and soldiers of newly reborn Poland, which
resulted in a repulsion of Bolsheviks from the gates of Warsaw. The heroic effort of Poles
led by Marshal Jozef Pilsudski defeated Soviets in the battle, which shattered Lenin’s
dreams of conquering the whole continent and introducing communism to the world.
Jerzy Hoffman
In the movie,
fictional characters
intertwine with
great historical figures: Pilsudski, Petlura, Lenin, Stalin, Trotsky. The action reflects a
participation of daring American pilots from the Kosciuszko Squadron, as well as an
important role of the Ukrainian troops.
The plot, however, is quite uncomplicated. It is Warsaw, 1920. Young Ola is a talented
actress in a revue theatre and fiancé of Jan, a left-leaning poet and flamboyant cavalryman.
After being summoned to leave for the front to defend the homeland from the Red
Army, Jan immediately proposes to Ola and decides to marry her immediately. The marriage
in Saint Anna’s Church is blessed by a young priest and army chaplain Ignacy
Skorupka who would lead the Poles into battle (photo above) and, ultimately, gave his life.
The powerful Red Army marches to conquer the continent. During the fighting, Jan is
accused of communist sympathies and Bolshevik agitation. He is sentenced to death by
martial court. Meanwhile, Ola is molested in the theater by her ardent admirer, Captain of
the military police, Kostrzewa. Ola enters the Auxiliary Women Legion to serve as a nurse
and defender of Warsaw. The girl still believes in finding her husband, who vanished into
the blue, supposedly killed…
Renowned Polish director Jerzy Hoffman, whose “The Deluge” was nominated for an
Oscar in 1975, recreates that historic battle on an epic scale in “The Battle Of Warsaw
1920.”
Cinematographer Slawomir Idziak, Oscar nominated for “Black Hawk Down,” uses the
latest 3D technology to take viewers into the heart of the action. The screenplay is by
Jaroslaw Sokol and Jerzy Hoffman. Dialogue is in Polish and Russian with English subtitles.
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POLISH FALCON • WWW.POLISHFALCONS.ORG DECEMBER 2011 27

Polish Falcons of America
USPS
381 Mansfield Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15220-2751
IN THIS ISSUE
Falcon Spotlight Page 6
As Polish Americans, as Falcons
it is Tradition that Sustains Us.
New Wigilia Recipes Page 20Page 29
Districts & Nests Page 10
Falcon Sweets
Page 15
In Times Like These, Tradition Matters.
This year, as we gather around the Wigilia table, we give thanks for the many blessings
bestowed upon us. It is such time-honored customs that comfort us in difficult times.
The Polish Falcons of America have been helping families like yours for nearly 125
years. It is during times like these that you need to know that your investments are
safe and secure, that you are part of a Community that cares about you and your
family. With the Polish Falcons of America, we offer a tradition of solid, reliable and
safe choices that will help you face today’s financial challenges and plan for your
future.
To find out about how the Polish Falcons of America can help
you and your family, contact John Denning, National Sales
Director at 1-800- 535-2071 or email jdenning@polishfalcons.org.
Polish Falcons of America
Protecting Families Since 1887
Polish Christmas Tr aditions Page 22