It began as a sunny afternoon filled with beautiful music along the peaceful, grassy lakeshore at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein. And although music lovers attending the Polish American Association’s 75th anniversary celebration last weekend seemed to appreciate the bouncy polkas and lively show tunes, it was the clap of thunder that finally got them to their feet.
The Chicago Classical Brass quintet had completed about half of its program when the clouds moved in. “I hope the heavens don’t consider this an invitation,” commented one of the musicians as the quintet struck up John Philip Sousa’s stirring march “The Thunderer.”
The celebration attracted about 40 people from Lake and Cook Counties, including Lake Forest, Arlington Heights and South Holland. “I’m sure the weather scared some people off,” said the association’s executive director, Karen Popowski of River Forest. The driving rain did nothing to dampen the conviviality of those who did attend, however.
“It’s been such a nice, warm family feeling here today,” said Diane Zmaczynski of Chicago, the association’s public information coordinator. “The kids were running around down by the lake, people were chatting. It’s been wonderful.”
Once the quintet and guests had reconvened under a canopy, the party continued. “They have a good sound,” said Fran Wiet of Chicago as she moved to the music, while nearby 10-year-old Katie Tatarowicz of Hinsdale danced with her 2-year-old cousin, Christie Torrese of Glenview.
The concert was preceded by a tour of the university campus and followed by a catered dinner inside the tent, where raffle tickets were sold for two round-trip tickets to Poland. The day ended with a mass by retreat house administrator and association board member Rev. Edmund Siedlecki in the retreat house chapel.
The Polish American Association, formerly known as the Polish Welfare Association, was begun in 1922 by the Chicago chapter of a countrywide fraternal organization known as the Polish National Alliance to help curb juvenile delinquency among young Polish immigrants. Since then, it has grown to become the only comprehensive, Polish-bilingual human services agency in the nation.
Proceeds from the event, which Zmaczynski estimated at about $8,000, will benefit the association’s 34 programs, which serve more than 3,000 people monthly at two Chicago locations.
