Bernie's Taste of Poland
By Bernie Sadowski
Reference: My visit to Poland in June 2001.
"Decision and Planning"
Hi Friends,
The reason why I wished to write this story and send it to you is because I am excited to tell you about our trip to the Homeland. Helen Suchara, my half first cousin in Detroit, invited me to join her in June 2001 for a visit to see my grandparent's relatives. Helen served in the Peace Corp in Poland ten years ago and she was going to attend the formal closing of the program after its planned 10th year. I was to accompany her to Poland and thus have not only my cousin with me but a Polish-speaking experienced traveler. How could
I not go on this trip? The opportunity was put in front of me by the graces of our Lord.
(Bernie second from right) |
We planned to visit the my maternal Urbanik clan in and around Zdziary. Most
folks have married since 1904 when my gfather immigrated, and now have names
such as: Mroczek, Kielbowicz, Mierzwa, Urban, Siembida, and Rzekec. On the
paternal Sadowski side, I hoped to visit second cousins in the town of Mlawa,
Bogucin, Plock and Plonsk. They are Sadowscy, Chmielewscy, Konopkas,
Krzewscy, Rumianowska, Pokorscy, Piotrkowscy, Fraczewscy, Sankowscy and
Chelenscy.
Prior to my departure I encouraged USA relatives to send me photographs of
their family so I may show them to our relatives. I constructed a photo album
to distribute to the families I would meet.
Many suggestions had been given to me when I asked for ideas on what kinds
of little USA souvenirs to take with me to Poland to distribute to my
relatives.
Since my grandparents immigrated between 1906 - 1908 no one born of those
marriages had ever visited Poland. Here I was, the first person in almost
100 years to return. By the time I finally packed my suitcase and checked in
at SEATAC Airport here is what I brought to give away:
- Three dozen assorted lapel pins of Seattle scenes and events
- 100 assorted SuperSonics player cards
- Two dozen city tourists maps of my area.
- 12 copies of my family group picture
- 30 of the new USA gold one dollar coin
- Two Seattle Mariners baseball hats for the husbands
- Three adult sized Seattle Tee shirts for the wives and one widow
- Six medium sized Seattle Tee shirts for their children
- One dozen assorted post cards of Seattle and Washington state
- 12 signed & embossed cards from the Secretary of State, WA courtesy
of my state Senator
- Copies of the FTM ancestral charts for the families
- One coffee mug with local picture on it
- 12 copies of a 21-page booklet containing photos of all the USA
relatives.
- One shot glass
- A 12 month calendar with great photos of Washington state
- Two Seattle Mariners drinking cups
At the culmination of my fifteen days all items had been dispersed. Golly,
it was real joy to be able to share my life with my relatives. One of the
children liked my magnifying lens so I left that with him. And one of the
teenaged girls kept my English-Polish guide book of 1000 common things
after I was done with it. It was fantastic. BTW, I was showered with several
table cloths and boxes of chocolates to take back home.
__________
Czesc,
Bernie
Bernie's Menu:
Introduction: Hi, I'm Bernie
Decision and Planning
Setting Foot on the Homeland
Polish Hospitality and Cuisine
Inside Poland
I'm Glad I Went
To Bernie, from Poland
Related links:
Family biographies:
Louis SADOWSKI
Emily URBANIC
This story is presented here with permission of the author. -
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