Polish-American Club Dedicates New $130,000 Hall With Fete
Camden Courier-Post, March 20, 1950

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Polish-American Club Dedicates
New $130,000 Hall With Fete
A banquet attended by more than 400 members and guests of the Polish American Citizens Club marked the formal opening Saturday night of its new community hall at Warsaw and Lowell streets.
Congressman Wolverton joined the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Arthur B. Strenski, pastor of St. Joseph's R. C. Church, Mayor Brunner and others in congratulating the club for its civic enterprise in erecting the new building during the past year at a cost of $130,000.
Stanley J. Jaskolski, club president, announced the organization has voted to give $1000 toward the new St. Joseph's High school fund. He presented a check for $500 to Monsignor Strenski and said another $500 will be given at a ball to be held May 13.
Monsignor Strenski commended the work done by the Polish American Citizens Club under the leadership of Jaskolski and gave the latter credit for the erection of the new hall. He said it was a generous gesture on the part of the club to contribute toward the high school building fund.
40 Workers Honored
Stephen Bielicki, chairman of the banquet committee, presented Jaskolski with a certificate of appreciation for his work and 39 other officers and members of committees, who directed the building program. The roll of these men was called after it was announced they have been made life members of the organization. A group of photographs of them was unveiled on the stage.
"This building is a monument to the Polish community of our city, "Mayor Brunner declared. "It is a credit to the committee, which directed the campaign. We need more establishments like this in our community. It is a credit to your community and to your plans for Americanization and naturalization. It represents a true Americanization plan and I urge unity and cooperation among your people."
The mayor commended Monsignor Strenski for his efforts to build the new high school and predicted the city will soon see the new school in reality.
Expansion Provided
Postmaster Edward Praiss and Jaskolski declared the club has additional ground adjoining the hall for the organization's expansion. Praiss said bowling alleys will be installed in the annex and he urged the citizens to support small and helpless nations of Central Europe. He said the Polish patriots battled against the Hitler hordes for 19 days before they were stabbed in the back by one of Hitler's pals, Stalin.
"But Poland fought on although attacked on both sides by two of the mightiest powers the world has ever known," Wolverton declared. "But it takes more than murder to destroy the spirit of Poland. Enslaved and betrayed Poland still fought on. A few months after Poland fell a Polish army was fighting in France on the Maginot Line. When France folded up the Poles went to England.
"Six months after Poland fell, 12,000 Polish boys were flying in the British Royal Air Force. They shot down one out of every five during the London blitz. It was a Polish contingent that was sent to stem the Nazi tide in Norway. When Hitler was running wild in Africa it was a group of Polish boys gave him his first defeat at Tobruk. Americans remember the deadly battle for Monte Casino hill in Italy. It was a Polish general and army
Monsignor Strenski's new high school fund.
"We made up our minds four years ago to erect this building," Jaskolski stated, "and we accomplished it. It came the hard way. If the club keeps growing we will build an addition for sports for children to keep them off street corners and out of mischief."
Monsignor Strenski said too many Americans feel this country is safe during the present "cold war" with Russia. He said the passengers aboard the Titanic believed that ship could not sink when it was taken on its first journey across the Atlantic ocean in 1912 but it did sink when it struck an iceberg.
Cold War Cited
"All thinking people are concerned now over our national security, "Monsignor Strenski declared. "It is true we won a world war, in fact two, but we cannot say the last one has ended yet.
"It has developed into a cold war. It is a most insidious war. We are disposed to feel secure because of our wealth, science and mechanics but we find ourselves in the position of those who were aboard the ill-fated Titanic.
"The enemy is the most insidious we have ever had to face. Undercover work began as soon as the communists got control of Central Europe and now Russia is attempting to overrun the world and undermine the concepts of freedom. Thirty years ago Russia began trying to upset our colleges and universities.
"St. Joseph's High school has come into being to contribute with other schools toward the safety, happiness and security of the city and nation and lay a foundation for a better tomorrow."
Polish Suffering Reviewed
Wolverton reviewed Hitler's drive against Poland and the plot to murder and destroy the
small and helpless nations of
that captured the murderous fortification and paved the way for the Allies to march to Rome.
Praises Polish Fighters
"In the landing at Normandy Beach Polish boys marched side by side with the Allied troops through France, Holland, Belgium and into Germany. The people who stayed home in Poland organized the largest and most effective underground in Europe. During the Warsaw uprising in August, 1944, 250,000 Polish men, women and children laid down their lives. The courage and sacrifice of Poland has no parallel in history. More than 8,000,000 of her people gave their lives.
"Deserted by its Allies, including our own country, Poland has been stripped of its territory and freedom and the country left to the mercy of its enemies at Yalta. Poland today is a sad victim and lies prostrate because of an American traitor by the name of Alger Hiss, a State Department aide, who drew the agreement giving the little nation to communistic Russia. But Poland will rise and live again because her people everywhere have abiding faith in Almighty God."
Joseph A. Dynakowski, treasurer of the club, introduced City Commissioner Gotshalk, Josef Zbieratski, president when the club was organized in 1914; Mrs. Helen Derowsky, president of the Polish American Women's Citizens Club, and Peter Yolley, columnist for the Polish Morning World, N. Y.
Officers and chairmen of committee also were introduced as follows: Stephen Grabowski, first vice president; Joseph Gliva, second vice president; Adolph M. Kmiec, financial secretary; Bert Grazesik, recording secretary; John Witkowski, building committee; Watson Burdalski, entertainment; Konstanty Derowski, membership; Joseph Buczkowski, athletic, and Meclecj Cuprys, ways and means.
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