Thank you very much

For an unforgettable 2011 Christmas Party!!!

It is hard to believe that on the evening of December 10, 2011, one hundred fifty-five people gathered for the largest, most beautiful, and unforgettable Christmas party in the history of the Polish American Society of Greater Cincinnati (PASGC).  This celebration was the annual remembrance of our traditional Christmas dinner in Poland.  Thank you all for coming and spending the evening with us; without you the Party would not have been such a success.

From your phone and email messages and from the many conversations I’ve had, it is clear that everyone enjoyed the party, and everyone  recognizes all the volunteer work that was required to have a Christmas party that will stay in our memories for a long time.

First, I would like to say a big THANK YOU to this year’s sponsors: Dr. Piotr & Judy Chomczynski, Dr. Jan & Danuta Labeda and Dr. Jerzy Stanek.  Without their contributions, we could have done as much.

A special thank you to the musicians, mostly non-Polish, who worked to learn and play Polish carols.  Their lovely music created a warm, holiday spirit.  A big thank you to: Debbie Arnold (flute), Bill Hood (guitar), David Oertel (mandolin), Bill Marshall (piano) and Alex Liszka (violin).

Also, a thank you to greeters: Don Szarmach, Sara Janusik and Molly Janusik who added a warm and welcoming beginning.

The face painting by Carol Moore brought children joy.  Thank you, good neighbor Carol.  Jacek Biesiada also brought joy and learning to the children by organizing origami and ornament making demonstrations with hands-on participation.  Thank you to: Masaru Ryumae, Kyong Ryumae, Rena Ryumae, Ken Ryumae and Mina Ryumae for help with origami.

Last, but not least, for childrens’ joy thank you, Santa Claus, Satnislaw Cabaj, and your Elf: Jacek Biesiada.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who prepared Polish traditional dishes: Agnieszka Gutowska, Antonina Śleboda, Bożena Widański Ewa and Jacek Biesiada, Helena Kulik, Helen Wolf, Małgorzata Klukowska, Maria Kobak, Margo Graca and Jeff Turner, Ola Idzikowska and Victoria Mandybur.  And, thank you to Danuta Connell for donating cookies from her store, The Cookie Store.

Another huge thank you to those who helped with decorations and buffet set up: Agnieszka Gutowska, Ania Kopchak, Andrzej Biernat, Don Szarmach, David Oertel, Helena Kulik, Joanna and Stanisław Cabaj, Małgorzata Klukowska, Marlene and Ted Hardman, Megan Grender, Lily DeMar, Paweł Krawczyk, Peggy Sandfort, Robert Tamer, Sandy Murawski, Sylvia Gutowska and Ted Day.

Throughout the evening Urszula Lorent took pictures which you can access on our website.  Thank you Urszula for your dedication and time.

And a final and very important thank you to everyone who stayed to clean up that night and to those who came back the next day.  Yours was a very important contribution: Agnieszka Gutowska, Ania Kopchak, Bożena and Adam Widański, David Oertel, Don Szarmach, Helena Kulik, Helena, Jarek and Adam Meller, Joanna and Stanisław Cabaj, Małgorzata Klukowska, Marek Dziadkowiec, Maria and Pawel Kobak, Maria Torgesen, Marlene and Ted Hardman, Mirek Gutowski, Paweł Krawczyk and Sylvia Gutowska.

Once again, with a grateful heart, Thank You to all of you who helped to make the 2011 Christmas party an unforgettable occasion!!!

Merry Christmas & Happy 2012 Year!!!

Krystyna (Bogusia) Krawczyk