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Defining the Polish
Legacy in Nebraska and
the world
The Polish Heritage Center was incorporated in 1997 in an
effort to preserve the ancestral language, culture and
traditions of one of the most significant immigrant groups to
settle in Nebraska. The small village of Ashton, where the
Center is located is a hub of this ethnic region. It has seen
waves of immigrants, first Germans and later Poles. Since
the late 1800's, Ashton has been the epicenter from which
their descendants have spread out across the nation.
Today, in their establishment of a Polish Heritage center,
both current and former residents join in their efforts to
preserve the culture of their origin.
Both geographically and culturally many of these
descendants have seen weakening in their links to
their past. The Center began as an initiative to
re-educate both young and old in an effort to
maintain a proud heritage. The Center is repository
of cultural artifacts such as irreplaceable books,
music and local genealogical records. It houses early
photographs and art. It provides a meeting place to
support the accomplishment of educational goals and
activities.
We invite you to visit the center's museum, which offers
unique displays and relics of the past. As well, the Center
offers a glimpse into the emerging role of today's Poland.
Cultural heritage is a living and ever-changing thing. It is
more than a time-worn snapshot of and earlier period. The
cultural threads which are embedded in early examples of
folk art and music, are today reflected in monumental
changes in the Polish Homeland. One of the educational
goals of the Center is to update and transform popular
stereotypes into a broader understanding of the modern
Polish homeland and culture. Your membership and
donations will help achieve these goals.
Legacy in Nebraska and
the world
The Polish Heritage Center was incorporated in 1997 in an
effort to preserve the ancestral language, culture and
traditions of one of the most significant immigrant groups to
settle in Nebraska. The small village of Ashton, where the
Center is located is a hub of this ethnic region. It has seen
waves of immigrants, first Germans and later Poles. Since
the late 1800's, Ashton has been the epicenter from which
their descendants have spread out across the nation.
Today, in their establishment of a Polish Heritage center,
both current and former residents join in their efforts to
preserve the culture of their origin.
Both geographically and culturally many of these
descendants have seen weakening in their links to
their past. The Center began as an initiative to
re-educate both young and old in an effort to
maintain a proud heritage. The Center is repository
of cultural artifacts such as irreplaceable books,
music and local genealogical records. It houses early
photographs and art. It provides a meeting place to
support the accomplishment of educational goals and
activities.
We invite you to visit the center's museum, which offers
unique displays and relics of the past. As well, the Center
offers a glimpse into the emerging role of today's Poland.
Cultural heritage is a living and ever-changing thing. It is
more than a time-worn snapshot of and earlier period. The
cultural threads which are embedded in early examples of
folk art and music, are today reflected in monumental
changes in the Polish Homeland. One of the educational
goals of the Center is to update and transform popular
stereotypes into a broader understanding of the modern
Polish homeland and culture. Your membership and
donations will help achieve these goals.
Polish Reflections- A Memoir
by Larry Molczyk
by Larry Molczyk
My Polish Heritage
It was the music, which was my main tie to my Polish Heritage.
My father's cousins found an excuse to celebrate every event
from anniversary's, confirmations, baptisms, and birthdays.
There was always "pivo" and there was always music. I didn't
grow up with inviting my schoolmates to a birthday parties
with little hats and cake.
All of my dad's cousins were accomplished to some degree
on the push button accordion. There was a clarinet. There
were banjoes, drums and fiddles. Grandma played the viola,
grandpa played the fiddle, and dad played the fiddle and
accordion. Even though we appreciated "Lil Wally's" records,
it was making our own music, which was important.
At age 11 I took up the violin at school. I had private lessons
from Miss Pinder in Grand Island. I seldom practiced my
assigned lessons. Fortunately, Miss Pinder was in her 80's
and didn't remember from week to week which lesson we
were on. On a lucky week, we ended up playing the lesson
we had gone through for the first time the week before. That
didn't mean I wasn't playing my fiddle, however. This meant
that I was really spending my time playing Polish tunes with
my dad's cousins. It was all by "ear", but eventually I learned
to-play the notes.
If there wasn't a family gathering, there was always Saturday
night in Stanczyk's tavern or some unknown bar in Wolbach,
Cushing, or Palmer.
The most traditional our food became was Kielbasa and
sauerkraut. It wasn't recipes, which my family handed down- it
was the music of the old country .
Cousin" Allie" Valasek and my Father are both gone now. I
don't have occasion to play traditional songs the way I used
to. Each year at the Polish fest, I am tempted to grab a fiddle
and join in with the band. I know it's been a long time and I'd
be making a fool of myself.
My own kids had birthday parties at Skate Island, and Chucky
Cheese with their classmates.
Our family and most of my generation don't even drink
anymore. Family gatherings are far more sedate now that the
alcohol's gone. Still it's the music, which I really miss.
Larry Molczyk- Reflections January 2008
Aurora, NE
You are invited to Submit your own reflections
regarding your Polish Heritage. Send Your
Personal Reflections
It was the music, which was my main tie to my Polish Heritage.
My father's cousins found an excuse to celebrate every event
from anniversary's, confirmations, baptisms, and birthdays.
There was always "pivo" and there was always music. I didn't
grow up with inviting my schoolmates to a birthday parties
with little hats and cake.
All of my dad's cousins were accomplished to some degree
on the push button accordion. There was a clarinet. There
were banjoes, drums and fiddles. Grandma played the viola,
grandpa played the fiddle, and dad played the fiddle and
accordion. Even though we appreciated "Lil Wally's" records,
it was making our own music, which was important.
At age 11 I took up the violin at school. I had private lessons
from Miss Pinder in Grand Island. I seldom practiced my
assigned lessons. Fortunately, Miss Pinder was in her 80's
and didn't remember from week to week which lesson we
were on. On a lucky week, we ended up playing the lesson
we had gone through for the first time the week before. That
didn't mean I wasn't playing my fiddle, however. This meant
that I was really spending my time playing Polish tunes with
my dad's cousins. It was all by "ear", but eventually I learned
to-play the notes.
If there wasn't a family gathering, there was always Saturday
night in Stanczyk's tavern or some unknown bar in Wolbach,
Cushing, or Palmer.
The most traditional our food became was Kielbasa and
sauerkraut. It wasn't recipes, which my family handed down- it
was the music of the old country .
Cousin" Allie" Valasek and my Father are both gone now. I
don't have occasion to play traditional songs the way I used
to. Each year at the Polish fest, I am tempted to grab a fiddle
and join in with the band. I know it's been a long time and I'd
be making a fool of myself.
My own kids had birthday parties at Skate Island, and Chucky
Cheese with their classmates.
Our family and most of my generation don't even drink
anymore. Family gatherings are far more sedate now that the
alcohol's gone. Still it's the music, which I really miss.
Larry Molczyk- Reflections January 2008
Aurora, NE
You are invited to Submit your own reflections
regarding your Polish Heritage. Send Your
Personal Reflections
Connections:
Polish Heritage Center
P.O. Box 3 226 Carlton Ave.
Ashton, Nebraska 68817
308-738-2249
Contact us by e-mail
Click Here
Other Contacts:
Contact Persons:
John Maschka President
Cyril Skorupa, Vice President 308-384-8867
Jeanette Siwinski. Secretary 308-338-2268
Phyllis Piechota, Museum and Gift Shop 308-738-2260
The center is located in Ashton NE. It houses a
headquarters office, museum, library, a genealogical
collection, meeting rooms and a gift shop. The building
itself is the renovated, former convent of the St Francis
Catholic Church.
Directions: From the Grand Island/Highway 281
exit of Interstate 80, proceed North 28 miles to the
town of St. Paul. At St. Paul, head west on Highway
92 for 18 miles.
Hours: The center is open to the public from
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM each Sunday and during the week
by appointment only. Please call (308) 738-2260 for
appointment.
Admission: $3.00. Free to members. (Call for
membership information)
P.O. Box 3 226 Carlton Ave.
Ashton, Nebraska 68817
308-738-2249
Contact us by e-mail
Click Here
Other Contacts:
Contact Persons:
John Maschka President
Cyril Skorupa, Vice President 308-384-8867
Jeanette Siwinski. Secretary 308-338-2268
Phyllis Piechota, Museum and Gift Shop 308-738-2260
The center is located in Ashton NE. It houses a
headquarters office, museum, library, a genealogical
collection, meeting rooms and a gift shop. The building
itself is the renovated, former convent of the St Francis
Catholic Church.
Directions: From the Grand Island/Highway 281
exit of Interstate 80, proceed North 28 miles to the
town of St. Paul. At St. Paul, head west on Highway
92 for 18 miles.
Hours: The center is open to the public from
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM each Sunday and during the week
by appointment only. Please call (308) 738-2260 for
appointment.
Admission: $3.00. Free to members. (Call for
membership information)
Your Membership is gateway to
special events throughout the
season offer the rich tastes of a
proud past including:
Polish Fest traditional music, food and fun each
September.
Memorial Polka Mass for the community's
departed held in during Polishfest.
Christmas Wigilia Observance in December,
Parish Hall Ashton
Artistic, musical and educational events
presented throughout the year
Quarterly Newsletters and updates of the Center's
activities
Free access to the museum, its library and
geneological records.
special events throughout the
season offer the rich tastes of a
proud past including:
Polish Fest traditional music, food and fun each
September.
Memorial Polka Mass for the community's
departed held in during Polishfest.
Christmas Wigilia Observance in December,
Parish Hall Ashton
Artistic, musical and educational events
presented throughout the year
Quarterly Newsletters and updates of the Center's
activities
Free access to the museum, its library and
geneological records.
Looking for an overview of the complete
history of Poland Since it's beginning? Try
out this link..
history of Poland Since it's beginning? Try
out this link..
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Join us now in Preserving and celebrating our Polish Heritage |
The Polish Heritage Center is and outgrowth of ideas
initially put forth during the 1989 Ashton Centennial.
Elaine Dart, a former Ashton resident, followed up on
the notion and spearheaded the long process of
bringing the Center into reality. Through generous
donations from Dr. Phillip and Ruth Maschka, the St.
Francis convent was purchased in March of 2000.
During the Grand Opening of the Center's permanent
home, visitors from ten states and Canada
participated in the festivities.
initially put forth during the 1989 Ashton Centennial.
Elaine Dart, a former Ashton resident, followed up on
the notion and spearheaded the long process of
bringing the Center into reality. Through generous
donations from Dr. Phillip and Ruth Maschka, the St.
Francis convent was purchased in March of 2000.
During the Grand Opening of the Center's permanent
home, visitors from ten states and Canada
participated in the festivities.
The Polish Heritage Center Inc.
Ashton,Nebraska
Ashton,Nebraska
| Exchange Student Shares Her "Polish Reality" With Polishfest Audience |
Nebraska Weslyan Student, Maggie Mitteis offered the
story of her "Polish Reality" in a Power Point presentation
to a packed classroom of those eager to learn more about
life in Poland today. Maggie returned recently from a
semester as an exchange student at the University of
Wroclaw.
Maggie, who grew up about "two blocks" from Aston's
Polish Heritage Center pointed out that she didn't hear any
Polka music or eat any czarnina (duck blood soup) during
her stay. "I told my mom that I was going to disappoint a
lot of people with my presentation. We think of Poland as
frozen in the time our ancestors came here. A lot has
changed." Maggie kept an ongoing blog with pictures
during her stay in Poland. Maggie's Blog
story of her "Polish Reality" in a Power Point presentation
to a packed classroom of those eager to learn more about
life in Poland today. Maggie returned recently from a
semester as an exchange student at the University of
Wroclaw.
Maggie, who grew up about "two blocks" from Aston's
Polish Heritage Center pointed out that she didn't hear any
Polka music or eat any czarnina (duck blood soup) during
her stay. "I told my mom that I was going to disappoint a
lot of people with my presentation. We think of Poland as
frozen in the time our ancestors came here. A lot has
changed." Maggie kept an ongoing blog with pictures
during her stay in Poland. Maggie's Blog
Polishfest 2009
Sunday September 13th
Ashton, Nebraska NEW
Cookbooks Now Available!
Check out video footage from past events on You Tube
In 2009 our annual fund raiser will open with a
Polka Mass, followed by a meal. There are
many activities planned, including a polka
dance with music by the Urkowski Band.
There will once again be a guided tour of the
Ashton
cemetery.
A new activity this year will be awarding
savings bonds for the best essays
submitted by any 6-12th grader. Entrants
need to submit a 250 word essay about their
Polish Heritage, which will be judged by
selected community members. Entries must be
submitted to the center by September 1, 2009.
The first place winner will receive a $250
savings bond, with second and third place
winners receiving a $100 bond each. Each
winner will also be honored with a free buffet
meal at the festival. Best entries will also be
published on the PHC web site.
Entries should be sent to: PHC P.O. Box 3
Ashton, NE 68817.
The 2009 Wigilia will be held December 6th at
the St. Francis Parish Center in Ashton.
Plan now to attend.
Sunday September 13th
Ashton, Nebraska NEW
Cookbooks Now Available!
Check out video footage from past events on You Tube
In 2009 our annual fund raiser will open with a
Polka Mass, followed by a meal. There are
many activities planned, including a polka
dance with music by the Urkowski Band.
There will once again be a guided tour of the
Ashton
cemetery.
A new activity this year will be awarding
savings bonds for the best essays
submitted by any 6-12th grader. Entrants
need to submit a 250 word essay about their
Polish Heritage, which will be judged by
selected community members. Entries must be
submitted to the center by September 1, 2009.
The first place winner will receive a $250
savings bond, with second and third place
winners receiving a $100 bond each. Each
winner will also be honored with a free buffet
meal at the festival. Best entries will also be
published on the PHC web site.
Entries should be sent to: PHC P.O. Box 3
Ashton, NE 68817.
The 2009 Wigilia will be held December 6th at
the St. Francis Parish Center in Ashton.
Plan now to attend.
| COOKBOOKS HAVE ARRIVED! We have been in the process of compiling a cookbook of favored recipes in our Polish community. It has been produced as a fund raising effort and is now ready to be purchased from the Polish Heritage Center Box 3 Ashton, Nebraska NE 68817 The price is $16.00 plus tax. with applicable shipping and handling for mail orders. |