PHOTO STORIES

Congressman Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.) addresses the audience at a luncheon in the Rayburn House Office Building, held in honor of the anniversary of General Casimir Pulaski’s birth. The celebration was organized by the National Polish Center, chaired by Dr. Jack Pinkowski (seated, right). [Photo by Stirling Elmendorf]
 

Dr. Jack Pinkowski presents an award of special recognition to Alexander and Patricia Koproski, Chairman Emeritus and Treasurer Emeritus, respectively, of the National Polish Center. [Photo by Stirling Elmendorf]
 

Prime Minister Donald Tusk met with President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, who visited Poland in early March. Tusk declared Poland’s support for Georgia’s European aspirations and the problem of tightening that country’s cooperation with NATO. Both politicians also discussed the situation in Russia after the March 2 presidential elections there.
 

When New York State Assemblyman William Scarborough hosted a delegation from the Downstate N.Y. Division of the Polish American Congress (PAC) at an event honoring him, the group took advantage of the situation to promote attention to General Thaddeus Kosciuszko. Pictured are (l. to r.) Vincent Brunhard, Jr., PAC Executive Vice President; Chris Rybkiewicz, PAC Vice President; Richard Brzozowski, PAC Secretary; Frank Milewski, PAC President; New York State Assemblyman William Scarborough; and Chet Szarejko, Chairman of the PAC’s Political Activities Committee.
 

World famous singer Marta Eggerth, who will be honored at the at the 73rd Annual Kosciuszko Foundation Dinner and Ball in the Grand Ballroom of New York’s Waldorf-Astoria, on Saturday, April 26, 2008, is pictured performing in New York in 1995. This year’s Ball will also celebrate the life and works of 20th century Polish composer Karol Szymanowski.
 

M Gallery, 350 Main Street in Catskill, N.Y., is presenting “Translation,” a group show featuring fanciful abstracts by Patrick Milbourn and sculpture by the revered artist, Lubomir Tomaszewski. The exhibition runs through May 13, 2008. A sculpture by Lubomir Tomaszewski is pictured.
 

Dr. Stefan P. Wilk, M.D., a prominent member of Polish community in Los Angeles, a distinguished physician, humanitarian, and philanthropist, died on March 25, 2008, in Los Angeles after a long illness. Due to his unprecedented philanthropy and promotion of Polish music, Wilk received the Directors’ Award from the USC School of Music in 1983. Together with his wife, Wanda, he also received the Gold Medal from the Polish Composers’ Union in 1988 and the Polonia Award from the Polish American Congress in 1989.
 

John L. Clark, Jr., on clarinet, is now playing with Marty Swiatek & the Rich Bobinski Orchestra. Clark performs regularly with The Mood Elevators and can be heard on their CD. He has his own band, The Wolverine Jazz Band, which was founded in 1995.  “The Wolves” have made seven CDs together and have played in national festivals, as well as maintaining a busy New England schedule. 
 

Polka promoter and DJ Keith Stras makes a guest appearance with Stas Bulanda & the Old School Review at a the first Dyngus Day Party in Chicago in decades. The event was sponsored by the Chicago Society PNA, which is trying to bring the event back to its former glory.
 

David Hare (left) and Andrew Paul on March 7, 2008, at the opening of “Stuff Happens” at the Slaski Theater in Katowice, Poland. Paul, the artistic director of Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre was in Poland for most of two months, directing the non-English language premiere of David Hare’s trenchant play about the Bush administration's decision to go to war in Iraq.
 

Zygmunt Matynia, Consul General of Poland in Chicago, raises a golden coin he won at a ceremony observing Vasilopita in the office of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. In the Fourth Century, Bishop Basil had gold coins baked in bread. When the hungry took their slices of bread, those with the coins were said to have good luck for the new year. At a ceremony in Pappas’ downtown Chicago office, Metropolitan Iakavos (left of Matynia) blessed the Vasilopita (St. Basil’s Bread), which was distributed to guests. Matynia’s slice had a golden coin. Pappas (right of Matynia) congratulated him on his lucky find. [Photo by Teresa J. Potasiak]