Throughout the year, the Polish Center of Discovery and Learning at Elms College offers a variety of workshops, exhibits, concerts, conferences, seminars, films, plays, lectures and other events that focus on the history and cultural traditions of the Polish people in Europe and the United States.
Here, you'll find a list of upcoming events and information about how you can enrich your life by participating in one of the unique educational or cultural experiences offered by the Center.
JULY 24 - AUGUST 7, 2013
2013 Benefit Tour of Poland
HERITAGE TOUR OF POLAND
July 24–August 7, 2013
For further information contact World Wide Pat Tours at 1-413-747-
7702 or 1-800-388-0988.
Also, contact the Polish Center at 413-592-0001.
Flight and tour: $3,900.
GENEALOGY RESEARCH CLASSES
Instructor: Alan Horbal. Sponsored by the Polish Center and the Polish
Genealogical Society of Massachusetts
Location: Chicopee Public Library
For information contact Chicopee Public Library or
Ron Lech at the Polish Center.
Free and open to the general public.
DATE TO BE DETERMINED, 2013
COOKING CLASS AT THE POLISH CENTER
TRADITIONAL POLISH HUNTER’S STEW “BIGOS”
Date: To be determined
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Member fee - $25/Non-member fee - $35
Bigos is considered the national dish of Poland. It’s hearty, longsimmered
meat and sauerkraut stew that goes back centuries. It was
traditionally served at the start of the hunting season, from fall through
Shrove Tuesday, or until the family’s supply of barrel-cured sauerkraut
ran out. Today, it’s enjoyed year-round. An excellent way to use up leftovers,
it can be any combination of game, beef, pork, poultry, vegetables
and fruit. Wacek and Ela Szyczakiewicz will teach you how to make this
delicious age-old dish to serve your family.
JUNE 15, 2013
COOKING CLASS AT THE POLISH CENTER
HOW TO MAKE POLISH “GOLĄBKI”
Date: June 15, 2013
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Member fee - $35 Non-member fee - $45
Stuffed cabbage rolls are the epitome of comfort ford. Pork and beef
mixed with rice or barley are nestled in a cabbage leaf and cooked in the
oven or on the stove until tender. Goląbki (gaw-WOHMP-kee) literally
means “little pigeons”. It is a delicious traditional dish. Greg Bernat of
Bernat’s Deli will teach you the techniques and you’ll go home with
some to share with family.
MAY 18 , 2013
COOKING CLASS AT THE POLISH CENTER
CAKE DECORATING WITH A POLISH FLAIR
May 18, 2013
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Member fee - $25/Non-member fee - $35
Looking for ways to enhance your celebrations. Come learn the basic
cake decorating techniques of icing, making flowers and borders and
create something amazing. Anita Wegrzyn, a Wilton Method Instructor,
will conduct a lively course with delicious results. Each student decorates
their own cake and takes it home!
APRIL 20, 2013
COOKING CLASS AT THE POLISH CENTER
HOW TO MAKE POLISH PIEROGI
April 20, 2013
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Member fee - $25/Non-member fee - $35
There’s nothing like homemade pierogi! Beyond providing sustenance,
their sole purpose in life seems to be to give the tummy a big hug.
Filled with everything from vegetables to meat, fish, fruit and sweet
cheese and served with butter, sour cream or sautéed onions, there’s
nothing better. Come learn the techniques from Greg Bernat of Bernat’s
Deli and go home with a dozen or two.
APRIL 17 - JUNE 5, 2013
ESL CLASS
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CLASS
Instructors: Ms. Adele Love and Ms. Rose Dachowski
April 17, 24 through May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5 at 6:30 PM.
Fee: $20 per student
MARCH 16, 2013
CRAFT SCHOOL AT THE POLISH CENTER
March 16, 2013
Time 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Member fee - $30/Non-member fee - $40
The centuries old art of Polish pisanki (pee-SAHN-kee) is a wax-resist
method of decorating eggs, much like batik. The designs are not painted
on, but “written” with 100% pure beeswax. Eggs are a symbol of spring and
rebirth and they have become a symbol of Easter and Resurrection.
Instructor Carol Kostecki will teach you how to create these beautiful eggs
to decorate your home year round with various symbols, colors and
FEBRUARY 18 & 20, 2013
FILM AT THE POLISH CENTER
WOJTEK
THE BEAR THAT WENT TO WAR
February 18, 2013 at 3:00 PM
February 20, 2013 at 6:30 PM
FREE EVENT
BBC film about the bear that was an official private in the
Polish 2nd Corps during WWll.
After an arduous trek from Siberia, a few Poles in Iran purchased a cloth bag containing a small orphaned bear. They felt they had much in common with the motherless animal facing a bleak future and adopted him as a mascot for the Polish Second Corps. They named him Wojtek. Wojtek was to become an affectionate six-foot tall, 500-lb companion and friend fond of playing, frequent baths, raiding food stores, drinking two bottles of beer a day, and enjoying a cigarette or two. He identified totally with his human acquaintances. Wojtek was made an official Private in the Polish Army and followed the Polish Second Corps through Palestine, Egypt, Italy and on to Scotland. While in Italy, he played a role in the battle of Monte Cassino.
See the Polish Center's permanent exhibit about Wojtek.
DECEMBER 2 - 3, 2012
FILM AT THE POLISH CENTER
TO KILL A PRIEST
A film about the murder of activist and spiritual leader of
Polish Solidarity Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko
featuring Christopher Lambert & Ed Harris.
DECEMBER 1, 2012
CULTURAL ACTIVITY
LEARN TO MAKE
TRADITIONAL POLISH
CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS
Saturday December 1 from 1-3PM
$10.00 Per Person
Call 413-734-7052
to reserve your place.
NOVEMBER 17 -30, 2012
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT
Solidarity & Martial Law in Poland
Exhibit of Photographs
by Jerzy Polak
at the Polish Center
In conjunction with
Kosciuszko Foundation Solidarity Conference
SUNDAY OCTOBER 14, 2012
Discussion of Warsaw Philharmonic
with New England Public Radio Classical Music Host
WALTER CARROLL
Followed by a Tour of the Polish Center
Begins 2:30 PM
A limited number of discounted tickets are available for the
Concert Monday October 22, 2012
Call UMASS Fine Arts Box Office and request
the "Friends of the Polish Center Discount"
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2012
2012 KRAKUS FESTIVAL
You are cordially invited to join in the festivities and celebration
at the
2012 Krakus Festival
A Benefit for the
Polish Center of Discovery and Learning
at the
Polish American Citizens Club
355 East Street
Ludlow, MA 01056
Social Hour - cash bar 6:00-7:00 pm
Followed by Dinner/Dancing at 7:15
Tickets: $50
2012 Presentation of Community Service Award to:
Janina (Joan) Lupa Owner of NL Construction and President of the Lupa Zoo. Mrs. Lupa is a successful Polish American business woman, community benefactor and champion of Polish American causes.
She serves as a splendid example of an individual who with great
determination, boundless energy and diligence raised a family,
established and continues to direct a successful business. Together with her husband, she built and maintains the impressive Lupa Zoo, which attracts not only local residents but a wide variety of out-of-state visitors. She has always been committed to generously providing support to her community when it is in need.
For More Information Contact:
Henry Dziok aat 413-533-7540
Marie Jablonski at 413-205-2912
Joanne Gruszkos at 413-733-7341
Saturday, September 15, 2012
FALL FESTIVAL LUNCHEON/CARD PARTY
Presented by Joan Czaja Marsh
to benefit the Polish Center at the
Polish Center of Discovery and Learning
33 South Street, Chicopee, MA 01013
11:30 - 4:00 PM
Luncheon with dessert
Raffle Gifts
Whether you wish to play Bridge, Canasta,
Cribbage, Dominoes or Monopoly...
Bring them along with your friends
Join us at this fund raiser $15 per person
For reservation call
Joan C. Marsh
413-734-7052
Please make checks out to the Polish Center
SUNDAY MAY 20, 2012
GYPSY CARAVAN
Join in the fun and celebration
at Pilsudski Par, Holyoke, MA
Download PDF POSTER with details.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 29, 2011
6TH KRAKUS FESTIVAL
You are cordially invited to join in the festivities and celebration
at the 2011 Krakus Festival
A Benefit for the
Polish Center of Discovery and Learning
July 27 – August 10, 2011
Introduction to the Polish Heritage Tour
A unique insight into Poland’s History, Culture, Folklore and Traditions
This is the sixth tour sponsored by the Polish Center.
We will leave Boston and arrive in Warsaw the next day.
We go on to Torun (the gingerbread capital of Poland and home of Nicholas Copernicus)
through Otrebusy (Karolin, home of the Mazowsze Dance Company)
and Lowicz, an especially colorful folkart center.
We will visit Biskupin (a pre-historic settlement going back to at least 750 BC)
and Gniezno (Poland’s first capital).
Our group is scheduled to stay the night at the Rydzyna Palace,
visit Boleslawiec (known in the US for its ceramics) and stay the night at Kliczkow castle
(where we can select to take advantage of the spa facilities).
We go on to Wozniki, Czestochowa, and Wisla.
There will be an opportunity to see how Polish crystal is cut in Zawiercie
before the tour proceeds to Wisla in the Beskid Mountains.
Here, participants will, among other events, attend a Mountain Festival
and visit the Zywiec Brewery (one of the best known and oldest of Polish breweries).
In the village of Koniakow, we will visit a lace maker and have lunch in a village cottage.
A visit to Wadowice, the home of John Paul II, is on the program
as we go on to the ancient Krakow, (certainly one of the most magnificent of Polish cities).
The tour includes a visit to the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine
and Zakopane in the Tatra mountains. Optional excursions are available to Auschwitz.
The tour departs from Krakow to Boston.
All inclusive cost from Boston: $3,890 per person. Single room supplement $680
For information and a brochure call
PAT/Worldwide Tours
1-413-747-7702 or 1-800-388-0988
or speak to Stas at the Polish Center 413-592-0001
KATYÑ: MASSACRE, POLITICS, MORALITY
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBIT AT THE
POLISH CENTER OF DISCOVERY AND LEARNING
33 South Street, Chicopee, MA 01013
The Polish Center of Discovery and Learning
and the Kosciuszko Foundation New England Chapter
are honored to host a remarkable exhibit consisting of
44 panels depicting the story and images
of 22,000 Polish military officers, policemen, priests,
landowners, lawyers, doctors, teachers,
and civil servants murdered by the Soviets in 1940.
The exhibition was prepared by Andrzej Przewozniak of the
Polish Council for the Protection of Memory, Struggle and Martyrdom
with the cooperation of the Kosciuszko Foundation (NYC)
and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland (Washington, D.C.).
The exhibit has been shown in places such as the EU headquarters in Brussels,
the Library of Congress, as well as the
Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace
at Stanford University.
Many will recall that en route to a Katyñ memorial in April, 2010
the lives of Poland’s President, First Lady, the producer of this exhibit Andrzej Przewozniak,
as well as many government officials, leaders of the military, prominent personalities
in business and the Church were lost in a tragic airplane crash.
OPENING HOURS MONDAY THROUGH SUNDAY
- Friday/Saturday............April 8 and 9......10AM to 6PM
- Sunday........................April 10..............10AM to 2PM
- Monday – Tuesday........April 11-19.........10AM to 7PM
- Wednesday..................April 20..............10AM to 2PM
- Thursday.....................April 21...............10AM to 7PM
For further information call: 413-592-0001
Admission free and open to the general public.
This exhibit is not recommended for children under the age of 12
Voluntary donations to help offset the cost of transporting the exhibit are gratefully accepted
APRIL 20, 2011- 5:30 PM
Admission free and open to the general public.
KATYÑ AND SIBERIA POLES MARKED FOR EXTERMINATION
A PANEL DISCUSSION WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY
Scanlan Building, Scanlan Banquet Hall
A moving and thought-provoking meeting with scholars and Polish citizens who were sent to Siberia or lost family members at Katyñ. This is a remarkable opportunity to actually touch history. Free and open to the general public. Refreshments available before the program.
These events are sponsored by the Polish Center of Discovery and Learning, The Kosciuszko Foundation New England Chapter, The College of Our Lady of the Elms, and Westfield State University.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 12, 2011 -- 7:00 PM
A SPECIAL SCREENING OF THE OFFICER’S WIFE
A FILM PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY PIOTR UZAROWICZ
Elms College Alumnae Library Theatre
Elms College Campus Chicopee, MA 01013
Admission by invitation only — call 413-734-7072 for information.
A film inspired by a recently discovered manuscript and photos describing the previously little known life story of the director’s grandmother. Forcibly taken to a Siberian Gulag, she struggles to survive and later learns that her husband, a Polish army officer, was murdered at Katyñ in Soviet Russia
SUNDAY APRIL 10, 2011 - 3:00 PM
EXHIBIT OPENING EVENT
A READING OF A PLAY BY AUTHOR KENDALL MERRIAM
The interrogation of Janina Lewandowska
Elms College Alumnae Library Theatre
Elms College Campus Chicopee, MA 01013
Admission free and open to the general public.
The story of the Soviet interrogation of the one woman, a Polish pilot, murdered at Katyñ. Janina Lewandowska, daughter of the commander of the Polish Army First Corps, had a passionate love of flying and parachuting. After the readings, there will be refreshments after which you are invited to view the Katyñ exhibit at the Polish Center, no more than a block away from the College. Parking is available near the main entrance of the Polish Center.
November 10 - 16, 2010 - 2:30 PM
ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF TREES
AN EVENT HOSTED BY
THE CHICOPEE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION
The Polish Center
33 South Street
Chicopee, MA 01013
Free of charge and open to the general public.
Trees may be viewed Nov. 9 and Nov. 14 from 1-6 P.M.
Silent Auction of trees Nov. 14.
Come see the many trees on display. This event will provide you with an opportunity to visit the Polish Center and view the many trees that will be auctioned to benefit the Chicopee VNA, which provides preventative health screenings and clinics throughout our community.
October 30, 2010 - 2:30 PM
MUNICH HOUSE RESTAURANT/POLISH CENTER
SPECIAL LUNCH AND TOUR
The Munich Haus Restaurant in Chicopee and the Polish Center are offering a Polish lunch at the Munich Haus and then a guided tour at the Polish Center."
Choose from a special luncheon menu including 17 entrees of traditional Polish dishes such as house made pierogi, kielbasa, and kapusta as well as German standard stuffed pork roast, great schnitzels, sausages and much more.
Lunches include Garden Salad with a choice of 2 dressings
For dessert a Vienna style pastry table with German and Polish specialties
Coffee and tea served.
Please make your reservations in advance.
We look forward to seeing you.
$25 per person - Children under 12 $14.50 (tax and tip included).
Call (413) 594-8788
www.munichhaus.com
www.polishcenter.net
FRIDAY OCTOBER 29, 2010
5TH KRAKUS FESTIVAL
You are cordially invited to join in the festivities and celebration
at the 2010 Krakus Festival
A Benefit for the
Polish Center of Discovery and Learning
The Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House
500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke, MA 01040
Social Hour 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Followed by Polish Dinner at 7:15 p.m.
Dancing to the music of Eddie Forman Orchestra
With guest appearance of Madeline Lukowski
Tickets $100 per person
With special tribute and guest appearance of
Fr. Charles Jan DiMascola
Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, Turners Falls, MA
R.S.V.P. by October 22, 2010
Reservations no later than October 22, 2010
Joseph M. Kos
Krakus Festival Committee
5 Lynn Ann Dr., Holyoke, MA 01040
Menu
Hors d’Oeuvres
Barszcz Soup, Polish Rye Bread, Rolls and Butter
Mesclun Salad, Vidalia Onion Dressing with Crumbled Bleu Cheese
Family Style Selection of Bigos Stew, Golabki, Kielbasa, Cabbage and Potato and Cheese Pierogies
Roast Loin of Pork with Cider Sauce
Potato Casserole, Kapusta and Season Vegetables
Cheese Cake with Fruit Topping
Coffee and Tea Service
For more information write or call the
Polish Center at
33 South St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
413-592-0001
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 7-9 PM
WIWAT POLONIA!
A FESTIVE EVENING
at
The Polish Center of Discovery and Learning
on the evening before Kosciuszko’s Imieniny.
Sponsored by the Kosciuszko Foundation New England Chapter
to benefit the Polish Center
Featuring: Musical interlude and Polish delicacies
We encourage you to join us for the celebration.
All are welcome to attend and we hope many of the women will dress in white like the
elegant ladies in 1792.
There will be pleasant surprises for those dressed in white with blue ribbons in their hair!!!
On October 28, 1792, Thaddeus Kosciuszko’s "IMIENINY"
(name day), Prince Czartoryski held a party at the Sieniawa
Palace to honor him. Russia had just crushed the Polish Army,
outlawed the May 3rd Constitution, and banned the Virtuti
Militari medals given to the Polish Heroes. Officers who had
received these medals sent the blue ribbons from these medals to
their wives and sweethearts. At this party for Kosciuszko, these
women wore white dresses with black and azure sashes and
braided the blue ribbons into their hair. For Kosciuszko, these
same women fashioned a garland crown made of branches from
an oak tree planted 100 years before by King Sobieski.
$10.00 per person.
All proceeds will benefit
The Polish Center of Discovery and Learning.
For Information call: 413 532-1546
or email cct58@comcast.net
LIMITED SEATING SO PLEASE RESERVE EARLY
Send check by October 22 made out to KF/NE to:
Carolyn Topor
8 Sycamore Parc
S. Hadley MA 01075
July 19, 2010
THE POLISH CENTER NINTH ANNUAL GOLF SCRAMBLE
to Benefit the Polish Center
THE HAMPDEN COUNTRY CLUB
128 Wilbraham Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. and a Polish lunch will be served at 10:45. Shotgun start for the tourney is at noon. A steak dinner will follow at 5 p.m.
Entry fee is $125 and includes prizes, meals, use of a cart and locker facilities. Teams and foursomes are welcome. Raffle prizes and a silent auction will wind up the event. Sponsorships are available and a tee green sponsor is $100. For information contact Ed Dzielenski at 413-567-3132.
This is a fund-raiser for the newly renovated Polish Center. Tax-deductible monetary donations may be made to the Polish Center.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
OPEN HOUSE FOR POLISH CENTER MEMBERS
3:00-6:00 p.m.
The Polish Center invites the membership to a special showing of the museum and cultural center on 33 South St.
Wine and cheese reception will follow tours of the new galleries. Please R.S.V.P. the Polish Center 413-592-0001.
June 2, 9, 16, and 23
THE POLISH PEOPLE: WHO ARE THEY?
A LIFE LEARNING COURSE
Offered by a non-credit course offered by Elms College Division of Continuing Education Held at the Polish Center on 33 South St. from 6-8 p.m. This course attempts to provied participants with an overview of who the Polish people are. A review of major historical events will serve as a vehicle to learning about the origin and development of the language and culture that define the Polish people as we know them today. For further information or to register call Ms. Dana Malone, 413-265-2218, (maloned@elms.edu).
2009 Benefit Tour of Poland
This will be the fifth tour of Poland sponsored by the Polish Center. Those who have been with us on previous trips and are now planning to accompany us on this one will have seen most of the country. In planning our tours, we strive to include something out of the ordinary. Examples from past tours include medieval reenactments, ghosts, Christmas tree ornament production, and storytelling. This year, after visiting Warsaw we look forward to visiting the Bialystok region, which was responsible for the second largest number of Polish emigrants to come to America at the beginning of the twentieth century. Since we always promise you that there will be something out of the ordinary for tourists to see, you will visit an ancient Polish Muslim community and eat lunch with a Polish Tatar family. You will attend a country fair in Kiermusy, visit a weaver’s workshop in Janów and pass through a number of small villages on your way to Lublin and Rzeszów. The tour will introduce you to Bochnia, a saltmine which is older than the famous Wieliczka mine. You will have ample time to enjoy Kraków, the most magnificent city in Poland and on returning north to Warsaw there will be a stop in Czêstochowa (Poland’s most holy shrine), £ód’ (the "Hollywood" of Poland), and £owicz (the colorful folk capital of the country). We also hope to schedule a meeting with a master maker of the szopka krakowska (fascinating Krakow style Christmas creches—the Polish Center has 13 in its collection).
The tour will depart from Boston on July 30 and arrive home August 12.
For details contact
PAT TOURS at 413-747-7702
1-800-388-0988
or
THE POLISH CENTER at 413-592-0001
or WRITE TO THE POLISH CENTER