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Section 2—Page 19STAR HERALDSunday, October 1, 1978Frances Drwal, left, instructor in Polish heritage and culture in the School District 1434 Community Education program, ar ranged a tour of Poland for 16 of her students, so they could turn the book knowledge into personal experiences Posen residents were eager to learn about Poznan, Poland, as the Illinois village is it's sister city Mrs Drwal also teaches folk art, lower left, and singing and dancing, below. (Photos for the Star-Trtbune by Mike Voss)No man may love the beauty of his race Unless he knows the path by which he came.Unless he knows that blood-washed hallowed place.Where historians of the ages call hisname.Where footsteps of his fathers traced the soilFrom sun's arising to the list moon's wane.With hieroglyphics attesting the toil Of harvesting and sowing of the grain 0 knowledge born of beauty, bearing love, 0 threefold priceless heritage of man, Man fit to arm and wear the bright shield ofWisdom. . and walk among her royal clan.Unless he touch his fingers to the pain. Can man have knowledge nor be bornagain.about our heritage and showing it to others.By MARLENE COOKThe poem titled Heritage” by Victoria Janda, couldn’t express better why Frances Drwal, Posen, has devoted her life to teaching Polish language, Polish folk art, Polish singing and dancing and a special class titled Going to Inland” where the students actually go to Poland.The classes, offered by the Community Education program of School District 143'2, are partially funded by a Title VI Elementary Secondary Education act (ESEA).Mrs. Drwal has visited Poland several times and has studied Polish language, history, culture and folk art during summers in Cracow. Kielce. Lublin and Warsaw.The historv and culture of Poland is*rich,” said Mrs. Drwal And we have worked together and had fun together in class. At the same time we are finding outThere is more to a class trip to Poland than education Many of the people settled in the south suburban town of Posen, have roots in Poznan. Poland, which was called Posen while under German rule Many still have relatives there.THE LAST CLASS left for Poland July 2 for three weeks and the travelers took gifts and American momentos to the Poles.Mayor Joseph J. Smaron wrote, in Polish, the preface to a book that was presented to the mayor of Poznan It said something like from us to you It contained photographs of activities and lifestyles in Posen, a village of Poles.As residents came to city hall to pay water bills, etc., they signed the book in the native spelling of their names The book also included patches from the fire and police departments, bearing the original Poznan crest. The village of Posen officially adopted the Poznan crest at its 75th anniversary celebration in 1975. It is displayed on the police cars, the village flag and official documents A large embroidered crest is displayed at the village hall Mrs. Drwal was instrumental in getting that crest from the motherland.When 16 students arrived at Poznan, the president of Poznan board, Wladyslaw Sleboda. greeted them and invited them into his city’s council chambers. He accepted the gifts that included the book, Star War dolls, toy cars, tapes, t-shirts, books, make-up and shaving gear Fifth grade students at Posen school wrote letters to the Poznan children, telling them about life in the United StatesSleboda gave a brief history of Poznan and told of the remarkable recovery of the city that was devastated by war 40 years ago Buildings have been restored as theywere and in December the citv will re-ceive the highest government award, the Cross of Grunwald. Just as a soldier can be decorated for valor, our government recognizes entire cities,” he told themPOZNAN IS known for its culture The Poznan Bovs choir travels across theVworld A piano, played by Chopin, is housed in the city courthouse and concertswby famous pianists are conducted there often Classical music is not limited to the elite All the people are educated in classi cal music.Poznan is a big city with a population of approximately 140,(KM) Posen, 111 , has approximately 6,000 residents. Sleboda voiced his regret in Posen holding the German spelling of Posen rather than the Polish Poznan He'd like to see us change it,” said Drwal.The Posen residents, most of them parishioners of St Stanislaus church, visited the Lady of Czestochowa at early morning services. We got up at 5 a m to get to the church for the unveiling of the picture of her You haven’t seen people pray and sing like they did there It's communist country but their faith keeps them going strong,” said Mrs. Drwal.It was an extremely moving experience. Trumpets were played to herald the blessed mother and the people left jewels and things in the chapel as gifts The chapel was filled with gifts. she added The students purchased a picture of the Lady of Czestochowa to be placed in the chapel at St. Stanislaus church That picture was presented to the local church on August 27 Three candles were taken from St. Stanislaus church to be lit in Poland One was lit at the site of the patron saint of the Posen church. St Stanislaus, who was martyred in 14(H) while officiating at mass Another was lit at a church in Krakow and the third at the shrine to Our Ladv of CzestochowawWE VISITED Auschwitz (German) or Oswiecim (in Polish', concentration camp It was depressing The people can’t get away from the memories of war Many lost families and close friendswthereThere was one section of human hair that was to be used for mattress stuffing One room was filled with children’s shoesSo many families were separated there. she said sadlv The trip provided great experiences in culture, joyful visits with relatives, and as one woman put it. 1 never felt so good about being Polish.”The Polish have contributed more percentage-wise to our country than any other country but. credit is never given them.” said Mrs. Drwal She added that the Poles are proud and happy that we have kept the Polish traditions and heritage alive, but they feel very bad about Americans telling Polish jokes When the mavor of Poznan asked Is it true that other nationalities make jokes about us9' I was embarrassed to sav vesw wBut, we feel that when someone makes a joke or makes fun of someone for something they can't help, there is something that denotes defect or inner problems in the tellerThe feeling of Polish heritage is strong The Organization for Unity of People of Polish Descent Outside of the Borders of Poland, has been instruemntal in that strength The American Center of Polish Culture is a part of thatTHE PROGRAMS, under the leadership of Communitv Education director. DrwBarbara Kuczen and Superintendent G E. Cronin, have allowed the people to feel the beauty of the heritage in Posen They become proud They don't have to explain anything anymore I’ve seen it work, said Mrs. Drwal The 16 students who toured Poland include Harriet Terkelsen. Ann Madejczyk. Hedwig Sieroslawski. Helen Matvas. Monica and Ann Dutkiewicz, Rose Zawisza and Walter and Frances Hawrysio Also John and Lillian Gieniawski. Caroline Techman. Josephine Swiatek. Marie Christopher, Madelyn MacMahon and Frances Drwal instructor Mrs Drwal staved in Poland an additional few weeksVto studv at the Marie Curie Sklodowska••university.In addition to the Polish classes, the program offers pre-school, typing and shorthand, arts and crafts, guitar, sew ing. disco dancing and auto repair for a total of 53 classes held at Posen. Gordon. Keller and Ziebell schools Additional information on courses and times is available by calling 388-72(M)
Newspaper Details
Oak Forest Star Herald
Oak Forest, Illinois, US
Sun, Oct 01, 1978
Page 19
Full Page
Clipped by
Thomas J.
USA 27 Feb 2020
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