The Association was founded to cultivate, enhance, and promote the understanding of the Polish language, culture, and arts; to project the accurate and true image of the Polish American; to promote more cordial and cooperative relations among the members and the community at large; to be a non-sectarian, non-partisan, and non-sectional organization embracing south-central Pennsylvania.
Tony Topolski and Charles Pliszka the founders.                                                                               Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 1975

  

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Wigilia 2008 


 Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 6:30 PM Check Newsletter for details

November 2008 Newsletter click here

President’s Message
 November, 2008

 Dear Friends,
It was such a beautiful fall weekend! The temperature was still quite warm, beautiful colors all around us and this unique scent of fallen leaves mixed in with the cold night air.
I love autumn in Pennsylvania, however most of the day my mind was thousands of miles away. I was in my home country with my family once again.
In Poland it’s a time of special celebration of All Souls and All Saints days. If you have never been to Poland during this time, it’s and amazing spiritual holiday.
Families travel from all parts of the country to their place of origin and spend most of their time at the cemeteries. They on pray, light candles and place flowers the graves of their family members. Everyone is out. There is festive feeling in the air even though the mood seems somber. There are many church services and processions to the cemeteries. The graves are beautifully clean and decorated, but the main focus is on the souls of our beloved departed. We reminisce with tears and joy at the same time. We manifest our love, show respect and most of all we unite in prayer for those loved ones who are no longer with us.
When I was a little girl, my mother used to take my hand and walk me to the attic of our house. From there I could see a breathtaking “burning field” which was the cemetery with thousands of flickering lights. I remember watching it in silence with my heart pounding.
We all repeat the same ritual with our children and grandchildren now. Please say a prayer for those whom you’ve lost throughout your life, but whom you still love so deeply. . . It’s a Polish tradition!
It has been a few months since our last newsletter. Since then we’ve had our annual picnic and celebration of the Polish National Heritage Month. It is always good to visit with friends and simply enjoy the food and good company. Thanks to the faithful members who come and help with the events.
Our Wigilia dinner is early this year, only four weeks away. If you would like to help us with set-up please come a half hour early. We can always use and extra set of hands. If you can’t come early, please stay a little longer afterwards and help us clean up. We greatly appreciate any involvement. 
Here’s a quick friendly reminder. If you have not yet paid your 2009 membership dues, please do so at this time. We fund our organization from our very modest dues.
Paid members benefit with the complimentary holiday meal. Feel free to bring some friends along and share our special celebration with them. 

Something new.
A few months ago, our association joined Hershey Park and Entertainment’s food and beverage volunteer program. We are looking for a group of steady team players who could be ready on short notice to help at Hershey Park or Giant Center events. By becoming involved you earn free passes to Hershey Park, free t-shirts, plus our association gets paid $5.85 for every hour that you help. In some cases we can earn double rate, but we must react quickly.
This past summer, six of us launched the partnership by working at the Bruce Springsteen concert. We served drinks, checked ID’s, greeted guests. Best of all, we had fun together as we earned $210.00 for the association and when our duties were finished, we enjoyed the concert. 
If you would like to join the group you’ll need an e-mail address for quick communication. Please contact Agata Czopek at agata@cetusa.org to be added to our list of volunteers.
Thanks to the “first group” who covered the concert. I appreciate your time and effort.
One last thought. Our Polish-American Association needs you to take ownership of our organization. Please don’t stay on the side lines. Become involved!

Regards,
Agata Czopek, 
President