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2022

2022 February

2022 May

2022 September

1. Spring Hikes 2021

Due to the restrictions related to the current pandemic, we invite you to a series of safer events such as hiking in the open air. Please look at the following dates, hiking locations and contact the persons responsible for them.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28 – Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
The first of the spring hiking series will take place on Sunday, February 21. We meet at 9:00 AM in front of the Visitor Center in Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park located north of Memphis and rich in interesting hiking trails. Additional information about the park and its attractions can be found on the website. If you are interested, please contact Gosia Stroinski.

SUNDAY MARCH 7 – OVERTON PARK TRAIL
We will meet at 1:30pm at Overton Park. Park and meet near the playground and walk on the trail. Contact Tyrel McMahan.

SUNDAY MARCH 21 – WOLF RIVER GREENWAY TRAIL
This time we will meet at the parking lot at Gastro One (8000 Wolf River Blvd # 200, Germantown) at 10:00 am and we will set off for the Wolf River Greenway Trail. The person who can provide more information is Agnieszka Siarkiewicz.

SATURDAY APRIL 10 – HERB PARSONS LAKE TRAIL
The trip around Herb Parsons Lake will be led by Milka Mitchell. This is a 6.5 mile trail in Fayette County, not far from Collierville. We will meet in the parking lot of this park at 11:00. More information about this place can be found here.

2. "Smyk" Cinema

We are happy to announce the start of Kino Smyka! Every other month starting April through October we will be showing Disney movies in Polish. This will be an outdoor style movie enjoyed while lying on a blanket. The premiere will be April 10th and will feature will be “Toy Story”. Those interested should contact Magda Dutkiewicz Vaughan. Please note that due to COVID, space may be limited to ensure social distancing.

3. "Smyk Library" - Memphis - by Magda Vaughan

Information

I have started an Initiative called Biblioteka Smyka to provide our children access to Polish books that are relevant both content and age (0-18). As a parent I found it at times difficult to find Polish books for my son that contain content which he was familiar with and WANTED to read. Living in America I found it very hard to find these types of books, and when I do they are often super expensive because of shipping costs. There are few places that are in the US and ship to the US for reasonable prices. This is why I want to help other parents by providing a way to access new Polish books, with relevant content, that your children will want to read, for free.

The goal of this objective is to start a library of books that will be available to everyone and anyone free of charge, to check out, read and use for 2 weeks at a time and return or exchange for another one just like a typical library. I strongly believe in the power of reading. Moving to America as younger child with very limited exposure to Polish grammar in Poland, I feel that my ability to write, read and speak Polish fluently after 20 plus years of living in America is largely due to my continuing to read Polish books after I moved here.

The library will be created and catalogued digitally. Those that are interested will be able to sign up for a bi-monthly newsletter which will start coming out in October, that will include an inventory of all the books available. You will be able to look over the list and reserve which book(s) you will want to pick up. The book(s) you reserve will be pulled and put “on hold” for three days to give you time to pick them up. The library will be located at my home and each week there will be designated times for drop in pickups/returns as well as previously arranged special pick up/drop off times to accommodate irregular circumstances.

I Need Your Help: The first phase of this initiative involves all of you. I have started a good collection of books; however, I am looking for donations to build this library. I ask that all who may have children books that they no longer use to donate for our Polish community to have access to.

While I am grateful for donations, please keep in mind I will NOT accept any books that are in poor condition, which include tears, writing, loose pages, pages missing, very worn etc. The books need to be in used but good condition for others to enjoy.

I have set up a few donation drop of times to accommodate various schedules (please see below) Please be so kind and email or call to give me a heads up that you plan to come on a particular day. I will review the books upon your arrival to make sure they are in good condition before accepting them into the library. I will also review the books to make sure we don’t have too much redundant content. If books are not in good condition or redundant they will not be accepted into the library. Thank you for your understanding.

Friday, September 18th 5pm to 8pm
Saturday, September 19th 9am to 12pm
Sunday, September 20th, 5pm to 8pm
Monday, September 21st 6pm to 8pm
Wednesday, September 23rd 5pm to 7pm
Friday, September 25th 5pm to 7pm

Next Steps: To receive the bi-monthly newsletter of Biblioteka Smyka Inventory send an email here: bibliotekasmykamemphis@gmail.com

To let me know you have donations and sign up for a donation day send an email here: bibliotekasmykamemphis@gmail.com

You can also check out more information on Facebook, just search for @SmykMemphis “Biblioteka Smyka – Memphis”.

Thank you for your help!

2020

1. School Field Trip to Pumpkin Patch

As an introduction to Fall with all its colors and charms, at the end of October students from our School of Polish Culture and Language visited Priddy Farms. They took a hayride to the pumpkin patch, roamed the fields picking their perfect pumpkins, walked through the haunted woods. Other attractions included a train ride, bounce house and giant slides, feeding the new animal friends they made at the farm, and many more fun activities. Look at the pictures in our gallery to see how all enjoyed the field trip.

2. Garden Tours

On sunny mornings this July, a group of PAS garden enthusiasts had garden tours. The visitors were able to see just a few gardens but each one was unique, full of life and beautiful plants. Each one was lovely in its own way. You can admire them in our picture gallery.

3. Polish School 2020

Information

Dear All,

This year the „Farewell to Summer” event was held at the „Menagerie” Farm. At the same time, we celebrated the End of School Year 2019/2020, which had to be postponed because of the pandemic. Traditionally, the students received the Certificates of Attendance to the Polish School and some gifts for learning Polish culture and language. Having considered our options for the next school year a decision was made to suspend our activities until the end of 2020. After that we will reevaluate the situation and take next steps accordingly.

All Teachers are committed to continuing the School classes, however, there is general reluctance to carry on group education in a private home. So, we ask Parents to take up the task of providing your students with an uninterrupted access to the Polish language in various forms such as speaking and reading.

Magda Vaughan came up with an initiative of organizing a library with Polish books with the goal to lend them to all for family reading with kids. Magda needs everyone’s help and will gladly receive donations of Polish books which may be stored at homes and no longer used. The Vaughans are also planning to organize, once a month, a movie event for kids with showings of, known to most of our kids, American motion pictures with Polish dubbing. More details will be provided by Magda Vaughan herself.

The Teachers are willing to help the Parents pro bono via zoom, facetime etc. if there is any interest in such assistance. There is also an alternative option which is taking paid private lessons. If you are interested please contact Magda Teodorowicz for more info.

The Polish School will reopen as soon as appropriate, using the same academic format and teaching standards. We all agree and believe that group participation in learning activities, Polish traditional events, Christmas parties, Ostatki, as well as School performances in front of the audience have been beneficial for our students.

From our Teachers’ side, we will do our best to keep in touch with our „Polish School Family” and will keep our School alive by still organizing group events such as, in the summer season, picking up blackberries and peaches as well as „Farewell to Summer”. This way we will make everyone remember about our School and we will all manage to get together through these hard times.

We wish all Parents and all our Student good health, optimism and much success in the new school year 2020/2021.

On behalf of the Polish School Teachers,

Halina Dutkiewicz

4. Spring Hike 2020

Our Spring Hike was successful again. Both the weather and company were great. Good news for those who missed it – we are planning to have at least two more hikes this Spring. Stay tuned.

5. Consular Visit 2020

On March 7th 2020, N. Copernicus School of Polish Culture and Language hosted the Polish Consul, Aleksandra Krystek. Before coming to Memphis, Ms. Krystek had expressed interest in visiting our School. As her predecessors, she had had good knowledge about our School’s education program and its activities.

Memphis is relatively far from cities with larger Polish communities on the East and West coasts of the U.S. and in Chicago, where Polish Education Centers are located, so our School had decided to work directly with the Polish Embassy in Washington DC to register the School and get sponsorship from education institutions in Poland. On a regular basis, we have been providing the Embassy with up-to-date, CD-recorded information about our School’ events, such as Poland’s Independence Day celebrations etc., with letters and occasional greeting cards. In return, we were receiving from the Embassy books about Poland’s important historical events, Polish traditions and great Poles. In 2016, we were honored getting congratulation letter from the Ambassador of Poland to the U.S., on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the foundation of the Polish School.

Our close relations with the Embassy allowed for registering our School as a member of the Center of the Polish Education Abroad (Ośrodek Rozwoju Polskiej Edukacji za Granicą) of the Ministry of National Education in Poland. As a result, our Teachers and Students obtained Polish School ID’s and can benefit from discounts on public transportation fares as well as cinema, museum and theater tickets in Poland. Recently, we submitted orders for Polish school handbooks and other teaching aids.

During the recent Consul’s visit, our students presented a show based on Julian Tuwim’s „The Turnip” („Rzepka”). The young actors got a big ovation from the Consul and the audience who found the kids’ performance entertaining, funny and demonstrating how good their command of the Polish language was.

The meeting with the Consul was both very enjoyable and informative. The Guests, Teachers and the Students had an opportunity to ask many questions concerning the Polish Consulat’s work, passport matters, Polish citizens’ issues in the U.S., Polish schools in America etc. We hope that the meeting met its participants’ needs and expectations.

6. March 7 - Meeting with Mrs. Aleksandra Krystek - Consul of RP

On Saturday, March 7, the Consul will observe Polish School classes at the Bert Ferguson Community Center. After the school meeting, the Consul would like to meet with the local Polish community, where she will be able to answer questions about consular matters (the meeting will exclude political topics).

7. March 6 - Consular Services

The Polish Consul will be in Memphis to offer services on March 6 at Church of the Nativity, 5955 St. Elmo Rd., Bartlett, TN 38135. Jacek Dutkiewicz coordinates the event. The updates about the consular services in Memphis will also appear on the website of the Polish Consulate. Please contact Jacek with any questions.

2019

1. Polish Xmas Tree at Pink Palace

Basia Scarbecz beautifully decorated the Polish Christmas Tree in Enchanted Forest at Pink Palace on behalf of the Polish American Society.

2. June - Memphis In Poland Festival

The City of Sopot has once again asked us to participate in the “Memphis in Poland” festival. This year, the city of Bielsko-Biała is also participating. Currently we have the interest of such organizations as University of Memphis, the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, the National Civil Rights Museum, Pink Palace, and United for Human Rights. The MIP Committee made up of representatives of the patronizing organizations of the Festival created an independent foundation to manage this year’s project.

3. May 25 - Memphis In May

PAS has been invited to join in the celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the founding of Memphis. As a celebration of diversity of the city, the organizers have asked each ethnic group to prepare some culinary delights that reflect cuisine of their country. We need someone to step forward and help organize this venture. More information coming in following weeks. Please contact the board if you would like to lead or help.

In addition, the Memphis in May committee has invited different ethnic groups to display a part of their culture which contributes to the city. Our Polish group is going to be taking part in the artistic part of this program. We invite all Poles to come participate in dancing the Polonaise. If interested, call Magada Mazur at 901-258-6504 or Halina Dutkiewicz at 901-277-7905.

2018

1. Marcin Arendt perphormance with Memphis Symphony Orchestra

Dr. Marcin Arendt, member of PAS, will perform as a guest soloist of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, September 29th, and on Sunday, September 30th, at Cannon Center.

2. Thank You Letter from Le Bonheur

There are pictures from the 2017 Festival of Trees in our Gallery. Basia and Mark Scarbecz represented PAS and decorated this beautiful tree. They received a thank you letter from the organizers for helping raise funds for kids at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. We thank you, too, Mark and Basia!

3. April 3 - 6 - Three Anniversaries and Visitors from Poland

PAS was invited to participate in the MLK50 event at the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. We would like to invite PAS members to participate and offer feedback on this initiative. Among those expected to attend are Dr. Ryszard Schnepf, former Polish Ambasador to the United States, as well as a group of High School students and jazz musicians from Sopot. We ask PAS members to consider meeting our Polish guests and spending some time with them during their stay in Memphis from April 3 through 7. To assist with this project contact Jacek Dutkiewicz, or Pawel Jankowski. Ambassador Schnepf will be giving a speech regarding the role of the United States in regaining independence by Poland 100 years ago. We plan for this presentation to be part of the PAS 40th Anniversary celebration. More details will follow.

4. Polish School Events

On March 3, 2018, the students and teachers of the Polish school took part in the International Story Time upon invitation from the Cordova library. Yet again, we had another chance to share the richness of Polish culture with the residents of Memphis. This time the children performed in Julian Tuwim’s English version of “Rzepka”. We are happy that the “Polish Day” has been received with great interest. Approximately 80 guests attended our event.

All of the children who attended our gathering participated in the staging. After the performance they had a chance to learn a few words in Polish. There was also no shortage of tasty treats such as apple pie or Prince Polo, which were greatly enjoyed. The next part of the program involved artwork created with plasticine (prepared by the library employees). The children were asked to create figurines with Polish accents. The realization of the program was made possible thanks to the dedication and creativity of the students, parents, and teachers. We would like to thank the library employees, especially Ms. Sharon Evard, for the help in organizing our performance. We also thank the students for their participation, parents, and all of the guests.

Here are a few movie clips from events at the School of Polish Culture and Language:

2019 International Story Time Celebrates Poland

2018 Camping

2018 International Story Time Celebrates Poland

2017 Mardi Gras at the Polish School

2016 Jasełka – Christmas Play

2016 Poland’s Independence Day at the Polish School

Classes for children at the Nicolaus Copernicus School of Polish Culture and Language in Memphis are held at the Bert Ferguson Center, Cordova, every Saturday from 10:30 am. More information about the School can be obtained from its coordinator, Halinka Dutkiewicz.

2017

1. More on Memphis in Poland Festival

The last event of the Festival was a virtual chess match played by the students of the Sopot School “Lokomotywa” and of the Memphis School Douglass. This event took place recently in September after the summer break. A short video from this event is now posted on YouTube. It was filmed by Georgia-Pacific, the Douglass School sponsor and by the School “Lokomotywa”.

2. Memphis in Poland Festival - Reflections

Illustrated Summary
Thank You Letter from Sopot Mayor Mr. Karnowski
Memphis Business Journal Story about MIP

3. Informational Materials for Memphis in Poland Festival

4. Update on "Memphis in Poland" Festival

June 12, 2017

June 12, 2017 – the Memphis in Poland Festival has begun – see here.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland has sent over this wonderful City of Memphis Proclamation applauding the Memphis in Poland Festival.

The Polish-American Society received a letter from Professor Piotr Wilczek, the new Polish Ambassador to the U.S., in which he expressed his support for our initiative “Memphis in Poland”. We also obtained an endorsement from Mr. Jim Strickland, Mayor of the City of Memphis. Mr. Ryszard Schnepf, former Ambassador to the U.S. discussed the project with Mr. Paul Jones, U.S. Ambassador to Poland. Because of this and our direct contacts with the U.S. Embassy, we are expecting a grant which should cover a portion of the expenses associated with the Festival.

The music part of the project is coordinated by Marcin and Becky Arendt representing both our Society and the University of Memphis School of Music. Our other main partners are the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, the City Hall of Sopot and the Baltic Artistic Agency.

The education part of the Festival is a joint venture of the National Civil Rights Museum and the European Solidarity Center in Gdansk. The object of this undertaking is an exhibition celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Freedom Award. In 1999 Lech Wałęsa was invited to Memphis to receive this Award from the National Civil Rights Museum.

Also, a new component was added to the Festival, which is a chess tournament between the students of the Sopot Elementary School No. 8 and the Douglass K-8 Public Elementary School in Memphis. The tournament will be held in June during the Festival in Poland.

5. Memphis Festival in Poland - June 12 - 18

Letter

Dear Friends,

I am sure that you all remember the Memphis in May International Festival Saluting Poland last year. You may also recall that this was the time when the idea of organizing a Memphis music and education event in Poland was born. Ambassador of Poland, Mr. Ryszard Schnepf, was first to announce it publicly when he was visiting Memphis during the 2015 Festival. And you may remember as well that this is how the Polish-American Society of Memphis and the Polish Embassy in the U.S. became the main sponsors and coordinators of the “Memphis in Poland” project.

Our goal was not only to bring Memphis culture and history closer to the public in Poland but also to further develop and strengthen the ties between the Polish and American people of music and culture. Another objective, equally important, was to offer a unique opportunity to Americans who would come for the Festival to Poland to see our Old Country and to appreciate how it has developed both culturally and economically since the fall of communism.

Since its conception in May 2015 the idea of such an event in Poland may have seemed dormant. Nothing is farther from the truth. In fact many important things happened behind the scenes in the meantime. First of all, the City of Sopot expressed high interest in hosting the music part of the Festival and we have now full support of the Sopot Authorities to organize this event there. The Vice-Mayor of Sopot. Joanna Cichocka-Gula, and her Staff are excited to work with us and with all other institutions involved in the project. Needless to say, Sopot is a perfect match for Memphis – it is famous in Europe for its music, its historical International Song Contests in Opera Leśna (Forest Opera) and jazz festivals.

The City of Sopot pledged to help with all the formalities and will be engaged at all stages in the organization of Memphis Festival. The famous Opera Leśna has been already booked for June 17, 2017, for the music part of the Festival. The Sopot Museum will also accommodate an exhibition about Memphis history of blues, rock’n’roll and soul as well as world-known Memphis stars. Music master classes will be led by Stax Academy musicians as a part of the Festival program too.

The Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau Center, and personally Mr. Kevin Kane, CEO of MCVB, assumed a leading role in preparing the music program with fine Memphis musicians for the Festival and pledged to cover significant part of the expenses associated with it. Three Polish groups who performed in Memphis in the recent years are going to join as well (Myslovitz, Nocna Zmiana Bluesa and Boogie-Boys). We are expecting one of the Polish TV stations to cover the event.

Gdańsk, a birthplace of Solidarity, is undoubtedly a great choice for hosting the education part of the Memphis Festival. The great news is that the European Center of Solidarity located next to the historical Gdansk Shipyard is very much interested in the project. The ECS will be a great venue for an exhibition about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Memphis history of civil rights movement. The National Civil Rights Museum of Memphis is leading the effort of organizing the exhibition and is planning to work closely on this project with the European Center of Solidarity. A number of other Memphis organizations expressed their interest as well in participating in Memphis music and education event in Poland, such as Memphis in May International Festival, B.J. Hooks Central Library, The Blues Foundation, Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. We are also reaching out now to the U.S. Embassy in Poland to get their support and sponsorship. We believe that there will be more institutions and individuals both on the American side and in Poland who will sponsor the project “Memphis Festival in Poland” and will pledge their financial support.

The time of the Memphis Festival in Poland is planned for June 2017 when Sopot and Gdańsk are usually filled with crowds of international tourists coming to the Tri-Cities for summer vacation. We would like that many of you could also be there during the Festival and that we will be visible as a strong group of Polish-Americans from Memphis. Let us know should you be interested in being a part of such a group and we will try to get tourist discounts for travels and accommodation.

We hope that this update on the Memphis in Poland Festival project is of interest to all of you. Please share your ideas how you would want to get actively involved in this project in any way, by providing your support, assistance in its realization or maybe even financial sponsorship. Please spread the news about the project (e.g. Facebook, email etc.), help us promote the idea and give us your feedback or ask questions should you want to learn more details. You may contact us by sending email to Jacek Dutkiewicz, to Paweł Jankowski or to Tomek Mustwillo.

Jacek Dutkiewicz, President

6. Germantown International Festival 2017

We invite you to view the photos and videos from this year’s “Germantown International Festival”:

Parade
Polish Group Performance
Pictures

2016

1. Words Matter - new video highlighting historical accuracy

The Embassy of the Republic of Poland has released a new video explaining the importance of using correct terms to describe German Nazi Camps. The video can be viewed here.

2. Christmas Play From "Wigilia" on YouTube

The Christmas play presented during this year’s “Wigilia” dinner by Polish School students is available on YouTube.

3. Letter from Ambassador

The embassy of RP in Washington sent us a letter from the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, Piotr Wilczek. You can read it here.

4. PAS on the Polish Embassy Facebook Page

The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Washington, DC wants to highlight the efforts of Polish communities at maintaining their Polish heritage. PAS submitted the info about our history, mission, and activities. This information and pictures are published on the Embassy’s Facebook page here, here, and here.

2015

1. 2015 MIM Salute to Poland

If you do not have our brochure with Memories of the MIM “Salute to Poland”, you can view it here. It includes all the events honoring Poland.

2. Essay Competition "What It Means To Be a Pole"

See the Polish version for the competition details.

3. Polish School - Christmas 2014

One of our teachers, Magda Teodorowicz, made a short movie showing our students making Christmas ornaments, getting the tree ready, their gifts from Santa Claus. You can watch this beautiful move on YouTube.

4. Memphis In May 2015 Salutes Poland

Dear Friends,

It has been our best kept secret for some time that Poland has been selected “a country of honor” of the Memphis in May 2015. Now it is official. On Tuesday, August 12, at the MIM annual dinner at the Memphis Botanic Garden, the new MIMIF Chairman Wei Chen announced that Poland will serve as the honored country for the 39th annual Memphis in May International Festival in 2015. This is a historical event for our Polish community – we are very proud. Now we have to meet the challenge. We invite our community to join the Honored Nationals Committee and help make this event a memorable one. The Honored Nationals Committee will be working on promoting Poland, with help from MIMIF, the Polish Embassy, and other Polish organizations here in the US as well as in Poland. Please contact PAS President Jacek Dutkiewicz if you want to volunteer. We are positive that our joint effort will produce a high quality program that will be remembered by Festival attendees for years to come.

PAS Executive Committee

5. Memphis In May 2015 Salutes Poland

News & Events

Dear Friends,

The Memphis in May Festival season honoring Poland this year has already begun! The official inauguration took place on the 5th of February with the unveiling of a special poster by a Memphis painter Lester Merriweather honoring Poland. During his stay in Poland, the artist was inspired by Polish folk art and he envisioned it on the poster. His work of art can be viewed as well as purchased on the internet. A conference for Shelby County school teachers on February 7th was the second event of the Festival, in which our Educational Commission MIM took part. We prepared several presentations that were received with great interest and applause. Teachers from local schools will benefit from knowledge and guidance provided by our presenters on topics that included Polish history, culture, heritage, geography and economics when they pass that knowledge on to their students. Presenters were Magdalena Teodorowicz, Milka Mitchell, Eddie Kozlowski, Mark Scarbecz and Halina and Jacek Dutkiewicz.

A few days later, on February 10, we met at the Expo for volunteers who want to help in the work related to the preparation, organization and conduct of the festival events. For those of you who volunteered to work in the Honored Nationals Committee, we especially sugest participation in such committees as “International Programming” (Dwight Haley, internationalprogramming@memphisinmay.org) and “Education” (Audrey Elion, inteducation@memphisinmay.org). Their main goal is to help artists, students and other people who come from Poland and assistance in school competitions about our motherland. Information on these committees is either available already, or will be available soon on the Internet, as well as can be directly obtained from Jacek Dutkiewicz (honorednationals@memphisinmay.org), who was selected by the Management of MIM as the President of Honored Nationals Committee. Over 50 volunteers from our Polish community are on the “Honored Nationals” committee, so we have the opportunity to proudly represent Memphis Polonia in this year’s Festival. Many people are already using tags and flags on their cars to promote the country of our ancestors. We invite everyone to use these tags and flags to show local community the role of Poland in this year’s Memphis in May celebration. We also want to raise funds that will help us organize, in coordination with Management of MIM, additional events like a Polish culinary show performed by the chief Edward Nowakowski. We would love to enhance this show with an exhibition and art performance.

The part of the Festival thematically related to Poland promises to be very interesting. There are concerts, exhibitions, a Polish team competing in the Barbeque Contest, a school exchange, lectures and other activities planned for the event. The Polish Embassy in the U.S. considers the event in Memphis as the most important event promoting Poland this year in the United States and is supporting our organization financially in MIM. In May, we expect to host the highest-ranking representatives of the Polish diplomatic contingent in the US. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but we also have a chance to take advantage of this unique opportunity and reap the fruits of our efforts for the benefit of Poland and Polish people living in Memphis and beyond.

PAS Executive Committee

6. Poland in "Memphis in May"

Recently we received strong support from the members of the Advisory Council and from Polish Embassy leadership for our efforts aimed at earning the selection of Poland as the Country of Honor at the Memphis in May International Festival in 2015. As a result of these efforts, Poland has garnered a first place position among the finalists for the title of Country of Honor. Competing finalists also included Austria, Greece, Switzerland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. As a result of Poland’s selection as the First Place finalist and at our initiative, Jim Holt, Chair of the Memphis in May Organizing Committee, recently visited the Polish Embassy and conducted preliminary discussions on the participation of the Polish diplomatic mission in the festivities. According to the latest information, the Memphis in May Organizing Committee strongly supported Poland as the Country of Honor for 2015. The final formal selection of Poland will occur after the Polish Ambassador’s official acceptance of the invitation to participate in the event. If this happens, which we do not doubt, we are sure that all of us who hold the name and fame of Poland dear will rise to meet the challenge.

Dr. Susan Murmann has been working for some time on convincing the Memphis In May organizers to select Poland as a “theme” country. She did not succeed this time: Panama has been selected for 2014. We are hopeful we will have more luck in 2015. The Embassy of the Republic of Poland supports our efforts. Consul Konowrocki sent MIM organizers a letter recommending Poland for Memphis In May. The letter is here. PAS also sent MIM organizers a letter with information about Poland, its ties with America, and activities of the Polish community in Memphis.

2014

1. August 23 - Farewall to Summer - at Tunica

The “Farewell to Summer” event has already become our tradition. This time around we plan to bid farewell to summer vacation on Saturday, August 23, 2014, cruising our mighty Mississippi River on the Tunica Queen riverboat. The boat leaves from the Tunica River Park. We will meet at 11 am sharp at the River Park entrance where students of the Polish School will receive their tickets paid for by the School. The parents/companions can buy their cruise tickets for $18.75 ($16.05 for groups of 20 or more). There is a snack bar on the boat serving soft drinks and snacks. This is a 1.5-hour cruise that offers lots of information and anecdotes from the history of this great river and unforgettable views that can be admired in the comfort of the riverboat rocking chairs. Please see the attached map to see the exact location of the meeting place. You can find the directions how to get there on this site.

2. July 12 - Field Trip to Cotton Museum

Everyone is invited to join the group on a field trip to the Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange. The Museum tells the story of how Memphis came to be. Engaging exhibits help visitors understand our city’s place in time and explain how the art, history and music that is so important to our culture evolved from the confluence of people that were originally gathered here around the cotton industry. Visit us later for details about the group meeting place and time.

3. March 15 - Polish Story at International Storytime

The Cordova Branch Library celebrates countries and cultures of the world at the International Storytimes. The School of Polish Culture and Language will be hosting the upcoming edition of the International Storytime at the Library (8457 Trinity Rd). The event is planned for March 15 at 11 am.

The Polish School students, guided by a teacher Magda Mazur, prepared a puppet show “Stories about the Dragon of Wawel”. After the play there will be more attractions for the audience (coloring of the story characters, making a Polish flag, and sampling of Polish cookies).

4. "Boogie Boys" Concert

The Polish blues band “Boogie Boys” represented Poland at the International Blues Challenge 2014. They extended their stay in Memphis to play on Sunday January 26 for our local Polish community. If you attended, you know it was great music and great fun for all. Our heartfelt thanks go to the artists for this awesome treat. There are pictures from the concert in our site picture gallery.

5. New Executive Committee of the Polish-American Society

The PAS General Assembly Meeting held in October 2013, elected the Executive Committee for the next 2-year term. At their first meeting on January 15th , the Executive Committee divided their roles and functions as follows: Jacek Dutkiewicz – President, , Edward Nowakowski – Vice President, Zbigniew Stroinski – Treasurer, Ludmila Mitchell – Secretary, Agnieszka Przetak – Coordinator – Cultural Events.

6. January 26 - Polish Blues Band Boogie Boys - Free Concert for Polish Community in Memphis

The Boogie Boys Blues Band will participate in the Memphis International Blues Challenge 2014. The band also visited Memphis in 2009 and were one of the finalists of the 2009 International Blues Challenge. You can get acquainted with their music on YouTube and on the Band’s website. Once we know their schedule, we will publish it on our website so we all can go and cheer for the Polish band. The Boogie Boys have graciously offered to give a free concert for the Polish community in Memphis – thank you SO MUCH. The concert will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2014, at 6 pm at the Burt Ferguson Community Center – Banquet Hall, 8505 Trinity Road, Memphis TN 38018. See you all there!!!

7. March 27, 2014 - 2nd Meeting of the Polish-American Advisory Council

See the Polish version for details.

8. November 9, 2014 - 3rd Meeting of the Polish-American Advisory Council

See the Polish version for details.

9. Polish-American Advisory Council Created

Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Washington, DC Ryszard Schnepf established the Polish-American Advisory Council. See the Polish version for details.

2013

1. Polish Musicians at the International Blues Challenge

Boogie Boys

Since 2002 they visited almost all continents. In their achievements they have already three albums. In Feb 2009 Boogie Boys were finalists of the greatest blues competition in the world “International Blues Challenge”. In 2010 and 2011 in a “Blues TOP” survey they were chosen a „Band of the Year”. Team leader Bart Szopinski and also other group members have repeatedly been awarded as “The Pianist of the Year” and “Instrumentalist of the Year”. Their latest album “Made in Cali” was entirely produced in the USA together with the fantastic guests (such as guitarist Ron Thompson). Music producer of the album was John Clifton. In 2013 the album was announced to be “The Album of the Year” in “BLUES TOP 2012.” Website

Boogie Boys performance schedule (Band Category):

January 22 (Wednesday) – 5:30 pm at BB King’s Blues club
January 23 (Thursday) – 9:40 pm at BB King’s Blues Club

The Jan Galach Band

The Jan Galach Band was formed by the Polish violinist Jan Galach. The current line-up matured in 2011. The music is, broadly-taken, ambitious blues-rock with jazz and fusion elements. The band likes improvising, which is why the songs played during its concerts create a mosaic of sounds and make each performance different and unique. Playing their original tracks along with covers of well-known pieces, they boast a repertoire that recalls the spirit of psychedelic music from the early 70’s. Last September the band released its first album Jan Galach And Friends consisting of 8 tracks. The group delivers blues-rock like it was meant to be played – hot and a little rough – making it swing while they are at it. Website

Tha Jan Galach’s Band performance schedule (Band Category):

January 22 (Wednesday) – 7:55 pm at New Daisy
January 23 (Thursday) – 6:10 pm at New Daisy

Hubert Szczesny & Kuba Kleinschmidt

“Szczęsny & Kleinschmidt” is a polish blues- rock duo, created by two friends Jakub Kleinschmidt and Hubert Szczesny. Musicians have played dozens of concerts all over the country. In January 2012 they have been presented to polish fans through one of the most important blues radio broadcasts in Poland “Okolice Bluesa”. Music presented by the duo is much wider then blues only. Their music can be defined as mixture of interesting interpretations of songs and uncommonly tender dynamic. Musicians can easily transform from oasis of calm into erupting volcano. Blues is the most important in what they are doing but other music genres like folk, pop or flamenco are also important for them. Website

We do not know their performance schedule yet.

2. "Surprise" Wigilia Gifts for Kids

We are happy to announce that one of the PAS Members, Bruno Jaromirski, donated $2,000 for Christmas presents to be given to kids who will be at the Polish Wigilia Dinner. To make sure that your child gets the present, please contact Halinka Dutkiewicz ph. 901-277-7905 lub email halinatu comcast.net by Tuesday, December 3, 2013. Also, you need to send the Wigilia dinner admission fee to: Attn: PAS Treasurer, Polish-American Society, P. O. Box 770927, Memphis, TN 38177-0927.

3. 35th Anniversary of PAS

This year we are celebrating the 35th anniversary of our organization. PAS was founded in 1978 by Len Jankowski and a group of Polish immigrants and Americans with Polish roots. PAS activities were suspended in 2002 and then revived six years later. We will celebrate this significant anniversary at our election meeting October 27.

4. GFest - Summary

This year’s event was a great success. We also feel satisfaction that our Polish representation was very visible, the Polonaise dance was exceptional, and our grilled sausage was an undisputed hit – for four years in a row. You can read about the festival in the Commercial Appeal. There are pictures featuring international teams and their dances available on the GFest website. We concentrated our shots on the Polish team and you can see our pictures here.

5. Music from Friday, August 30, Recital in Memphis

Les Claires Duo: Kinga Augustyn, Violin and Alexandra Snyder Dunbar, Harpsichord performed in Memphis at a recital organized by the Polish-American Society. Handel- Sonata in D Major, HWV 371, third movement from the recital is available on YouTube.

6. August 30 - Kinga Augustyn Violin Concert

Kinga Augustyn will play in Memphis again on Friday, August 30, 2013, at 7 pm at St. John Catholic Church (before the Labor Day weekend.) She will be performing with her harpsichordist, Alexandra Snyder Dunbar. Our thanks go to Father Kazimierz for providing the venue and helping to make the concert happen. The recital theme is “Mostly Baroque” and the program is available here.

7. February 9 - End-of-Carnival Dance - "Ostatki"

According to our Polish tradition, we will end the Carnival at the “Ostatki” party on Saturday, February 9, from 7 pm to midnight, at the Country Hills Clubhouse, 1610 Oaken Bucket, in Cordova. The theme is “Black and White” – so wear a costume or dress up in stuff that is black and white. This is a potluck event so please bring a dish to share with others. Witek Kaziow, ph. 752-9010, is in charge of the event and the menu, so please contact him about the dish or a dessert you plan to bring. We also appreciate offers of help with event preparations. Tickets are $10 per person. Please contact Witek to sign-up for the dance and send your check to PAS Treasurer, Polish-American Society, P. O. Box 770927, Memphis, TN 38177-0927.

8. Richard Bute Induction into the CBU Athletic Hall of Fame

The Christian Brothers University selected Richard Bute to be a member of the 2013 class of the CBU Athletic Hall of Fame. Richard, with 5 other inductees, will be honored with a dinner program that will take place on Friday, February 15, 2013. He will receive a commemorative plate and he will also be recognized during the men’s basketball game with Shorter University in Canale Arena on Saturday, February 16, 2013. Richard, please accept our congratulations and best wishes.

9. Polish Band Blues Night Shift in Memphis International Blues Challenge

Some of you may remember the Polish blues group Kajetan Drozd Acoustic Trio who competed at the last two sessions of the International Blues Challenge. This time around we are going to host Nocna Zmiana Bluesa (The Blues Night Shift), a well-known band coming from Poland to compete with other blues groups. The musicians have graciously extended their stay in Memphis and will play for the Polish community and sympathizers. The concert will be held on Sunday February 3, 2013, at 2 pm in the reception hall of St. John Catholic Church, 2742 Lamar Ave.

Admission is free but donations to thank the band will be very welcome. To learn more about the group, you can visit their website or listen to their music on YouTube. Please spread the word around, we don’t often have such a great opportunity to see Polish artists perform. See you at the concert!

2012

1. Polish Tree at the Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees

The beautiful white and red Christmas tree decorated with Polish baubles that we displayed in our home page slide show during the Christmas season was a creation of Basia and Mark Scarbecz. The Festival of Trees organizers sent a special thank you letter appreciating our organization’s support. Basia and Mark – big Thank You for your effort. You can still admire the Polish Tree on pictures in our gallery.

2. Nov. 19 - Edward Nowakowski's Book Signinig Event

Dear Friends,

I would like to invite you to attend my Book Signing Reception at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis. It will be an honor for me to see you there. Please come, your presence will reward all my efforts of writing this book, “Brush with the Edge of Time and Profession.”

November 19th 5:30 PM
Holiday Inn University of Memphis
3700 Central Avenue, Memphis TN. 38111
Tennessee Ballroom

Food and Drink will be available

Edward Nowakowski CFBE

3. E. Nowakowski in The Commercial Appeal

On September 19, 2012, The Commercial Appeal published a story about Edward Nowakowski, one of the Poles whom many of you know and who lives in Memphis. The article shows Edward as not only a master of culinary art but also as a teacher and author of a book which will be published this fall.

4. Rutkowski Clan Hooked on Honey

On October 17, 2012, The Commercial Appeal published an article about the Rutkowski family bee hives and honey – interesting reading.

Paderewski

1. Commemorative Album Handed Over to the Ignacy Paderewski Museum

The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Washington DC has handed over a commemorative album containing momentous belonging to Ignacy and Helena Paderewski to the Ignacy Jan Paderewski Museum in Kasna Dolna outside of Tarnow, Poland. The album was gifted to the Embassy by Halina and Jacek Dutkiewicz who reside in Memphis, Tennessee. These valuable memorabilia was given to them by Neil Smith, an American whose family was acquainted with the Paderewski’s. Neil Smith’s ancestors were for many years strong supporters of the Polish White Cross, a paramilitary civilian organization established by Helena Paderewska in the USA during the First World War. In line with the wishes of the donors, the album was gifted to a museum located in the former manor belonging to Ignacy Jan Paderewski in Kasna Dolna. Paderewski purchased the manor in 1897, intending for it to become his summer residence. On the pages of the “Boston Transcript” he would invite Americans to visit Krasna, for it is close to the Tatra Mountains and even not too far from Paris, only a 33 hour train ride back then. Thanks to the efforts of the Tarnowski Musical Society and the Paderewski Center Tarnow-Kasna Dolna, this manor – which is the only remaining residence of the virtuoso – functions today as a museum, a concert venue and a place dedicated to the memory of Ignacy Jan Paderewski.

2. Ignacy Paderewski - 70th Anniversary of Death

On Wednesday, March 29, 2011, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland hosted an event in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the death of Ignacy Jan Paderewski. At the event, in addition to speeches, a piano concert, the guests had an opportunity to view Paderewski memorabilia, including some of the historical documents gifted to the Embassy by the Polish-American Society. Please see pictures from the event.

3. PAS Received Paderewski's Memorabilia

The Polish American Society is fortunate to have obtained some valuable mementos of Ignacy Paderewski and his wife Helen. This gift was forwarded to the Association by Halina Dutkiewicz, who received it from a family friend, Neil (Chip) Smith. Chip”s parents were close friends with the Paderewski family. They helped financially support the Polish White Cross, an organization created by Helena Paderewska. The goal of this institution was to get medical attention for Polish soldiers who fought on various fronts during the First World War. The mementos include portraits of the great Polish pianist and statesman, signed in his own hand, numerous letters and postcards from Helen Paderewska, and other interesting memorabilia. We have decided to make electronic copies of the memorabilia and publish them on the website of the PAS. The originals will be given to the Polish Embassy in the United States in a ceremony during the Consul’s visit in Memphis in August 2010.