Northwest Ohio Polish Cultural Center

Happy independence day to our Ukrainian brothers and sisters!
Toledo Helps Ukraine

Toledo Poznan Alliance
celebrates the
32nd Dozynki Harvest Celebration

Sunday, October 6, 2024
Christian Life Center at Olivet Lutheran Church

5840 Monroe Street
Sylvania, Ohio
Doors open at 4:30 p.m.,

Program at 5:15 p.m.,

Dinner at 5:30 p.m.

Join the Toledo Poznan Alliance for the 32nd Annual Dozynki Harvest Celebration, a cherished tradition celebrating Polish heritage and the bountiful harvest season. The evening will feature a beautiful procession of harvest gifts, the blessing of the people and the food, and a special recognition of our esteemed honoree, Thomas Jesionowski of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America.

Enjoy an evening filled with rich cultural experiences, including entertainment by The Bedford Cloggers—who will delight with both clogging and traditional polka dancing.

The celebration will also include a delicious Polish dinner featuring:

Chicken or Cream of Mushroom Soup

Kielbasa with Sweet and Sour Cabbage

Pork Roast with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Placek, lovingly baked by Sister Gretchen Faerber, OSF

Reservations:
To attend, please place your reservation by Sunday, September 22, 2024.

Admission:

$35 per person

Children 12 and under: Free

Come and be a part of this vibrant celebration of Polish culture and community!
PURCHASE TICKETS AT
https://toledopoznanalliance.my.canva.site/

Frances J. Rojek owned Rojek's Catering with her husband, Raymond, for more than 35 years piled plates high at weddings, anniversaries, and wakes.

She and her husband retired in 1995 from Rojek's Catering, 2819 Lagrange St., which was the oldest catering business in Toledo. The firm was known for its Polish specialties, but offered food of all kind.

"It was very hard work," their son, Raymond, said. "A lot of times, they had five, six weddings on a weekend. A 10-hour day would be average."

The couple, after World War II, owned a small market in East Toledo. They bought the former Kalinowski Market on Lagrange. At Easter and Christmas, they baked hams, roasted turkeys, and sold homemade Polish coffee cakes and kielbasa. Then a woman asked Mrs. Rojek to cater a wedding.

"That's how it started," son Ray said.

Mr. Rojek grew up on Central Avenue near Lagrange. He was a graduate of Woodward High School and worked for Kroger.

He became an Army corporal during World War II and took part in the battle at Remagen Bridge in Germany, for which he received the Bronze Star. He was a member of the Buddy Frankowski VFW Post and the St. Lawrence Council, Knights of Columbus.

Mr. Rojek and his wife had a winter home in Fort Myers, Fla., for nearly 25 years. The couple enjoyed traveling the world.

"My father loved music and big bands and dancing," his son said. "He was always happy, and he was very bubbly."

Mrs. Rojek cooked, organized food preparation, and was generally in charge. She often helped staff set up banquet halls for events. The business also sold Polish food, carryout meals, and box lunches.

The couple owned DC Ranch on State Rt. 25 in Perrysburg Township in the 1970s and early '80s and used it for wedding receptions and polka parties.

Mrs. Rojek grew up in the North Toledo Polish-American neighborhood called Lagrinka. She attended Woodward High School.

The youngest of seven, she was about 6 when her mother died. She learned Polish dishes from her older sister Mary, who later cooked at the former Bud & Luke restaurant.
Mrs. Rojek and her husband married June 5, 1941. He died Dec. 8, 2004. She passed March 27, 2007.

A little shopping trip to HomeBuys Toledo - Talmadge Rd has us stocking up on some soup as the temps head downward.
Plus, we picked up a little treat for the kiddos!

Great news for Meijer shoppers at the Alexis Road store!

Stanley's Market Toledo's Polish Butcher Since 1932. Located in North Toledo's Polish Village. Visit us on Stickney

KETO KIELBASA SOUP WITH CAULIFLOWER

Ingredients:
1 pound kielbasa sausage, sliced
2 minced garlic cloves
1 tsp olive oil
1 small yellow onion
1/2 cup of celery, finely chopped
2 large carrots, peeled and cut into cubes
4 cups chicken broth
1 pound cauliflower, cut into small florets
1/4 cup grated parmesan
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1/4 cup coarsely chopped parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
How to make keto kielbasa soup with cauliflower:
The first step:
In a Dutch oven or soup pot, heat olive oil on medium-high heat.
Add sliced sausage and cook for 5 to 6 minutes.
Remove the sausage from the Dutch oven and place it on a plate.
The second step:
In the same pan, add onions, garlic, carrots and celery and cook for 2 minutes.
Add chicken broth and cauliflower.
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for 15 minutes.
The third step:
Return the kielbasa to the pan and add the heavy cream, parmesan and cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
Stir well and cook for another 10 minutes over medium-low heat until the cheese melts.
Remove from heat and garnish with chopped parsley.
Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts (per serving, makes 6 servings):
Calories: 614
Fat: 50 g
Carbohydrates: 12 g
Fiber: 3 g
Net Carbs: 9 g
Protein: 28 g

POLAND'S CUSTOMS & TRADITIONS.🌹
August 15th – the day of the Assumption of Mary – is commonly celebrated in Poland as a day dedicated to the Divine Mother of Herbs (Matka Boska Zielna). The name of that day and the Holy Mother’s title as the Goddess of Herbs comes entirely from Polish folklore. It is one of the old customs that never got erased but were adopted by the Polish Catholic Church. Day of the Divine Mother of Herbs is connected very closely to the season of harvest when the vegetables and fruits ripen, and when the crops are collected from the fields. August 15th used to be one of the most important days for Polish farmers. It was ending the ritual season of harvest – a crucial season of hard work that determined how much food would a family have on their table for the whole next year. On this day, the faithful bring to churches bouquets made of flowers, herbs, fruits, vegetables, for blessing. In Poland, August 15 is a day off from work.

W. J. Gasiorowski, 53, Toledo undertaker, civic worker and businessman, 1882 - 1936

Mr. Gasiorowski was a native Toledoan. He was born in the Lagrange street district, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Gasiorowski, who were among the first Polish families to migrate to Toledo.

Mr. Gasiorowski was a member of Toledo Lodge of Elks. the Eagles, Polish National alliance, Alliance of Poles, the Junction Civic club, the Ohio Funeral Directors association and the National Funeral Directors association. Starting his career as an undertaker. as a young man, Mr. Gasiorowski built firmly and for many years had operated two funeral homes in Junction avenue and in Lagrange street.

Rossford's Riverfest is this Sat., Aug. 17th!
6 pm to 11 pm at Veterans Memorial Park.
Free and open to the public!
New this year: All Saints Church will be selling pierogi, kielbasa, stuffed cabbage, kolachy, and pulled pork sandwiches at the new concession stand.
A dunk tank!
Pierogi Eating Contest: 8 pm! Men's and women's divisions. Winners receive $125.
Fireworks at 10 pm
Duane Malinowski's Orchestra plays at 6 pm.
Dos Dudes play at 8:30 - 11 pm
Plus food trucks, inflatables and more!

Took a trip "up North" to the Sweetest Heart of Mary Pierogi Festival in Detroit.
Great time! Food, music, gambling and people. Always looking for more Polish fun!

Poland Versus Texas

The Central European country of Poland is known for its scrumptious perogi and beautiful architecture that makes you feel as if you have gone back in time. In yet another edition of Texas versus a country, Poland does not exactly come out on top.
Poland itself is large, but Texas is larger. In this instance, everything is bigger in Texas. Although, we are not sure if the food in Texas is better. Poland might win in a cuisine competition.

Stop on by Kroger on Navarre Ave. tomorrow to taste some Stanley's Market kielbasa!

Weekend Sampling: We will be sampling our fresh kielbasa, bratwurst and Italian sausage tomorrow Saturday 8/10/24 at Kroger on Navarre Ave in Oregon, OH. from 11am - 2pm. Share to let your friends know where to find Stanley's Market products. If you would like to see Stanley's Market products at your favorite grocery store request us by name.
Kroger
3301 Navarre Ave
Oregon, OH 43616
(419) 691-4607

We are excited to join Quenched & Tempered Brewing Co. this Saturday 10 August for their 2 Year Anniversary Collaboration Block Party!
Come join in on the fun from Noon - 8PM. There will be music, food, and, of course, drink!
We will be there with information on what's happening in the Polish Community along with opportunities to get some PCC swag.
The fun happens on the corner of Jackson and 12th Downtown Toledo. Plenty of FREE on street parking is available for you!

Get ready for a day of non-stop fun at the Rossford Annual Riverfest on August 17th! Whether you're a local to Rossford or just passing through, this event is the perfect way to spend a summer day. All Saints Catholic Church will be serving up hot and ready pierogi, kielbasa, and stuffed cabbage. Or feel free to enjoy a variety of delicious food trucks and a selection of beers starting at 6 PM. Rock out to Polka music with the Duane Malinowski Orchestra from 6 PM to 8 PM and jam out with classic rock with Dos Dudes from 8:30 PM to 11 PM. Participate in, or watch the exciting pierogi eating contest from 8 PM to 8:30 PM, and end the night with a spectacular fireworks display. Bring your family and friends for a day filled with entertainment, good food, and unforgettable memories. Mark your calendars and join us for this epic summer celebration!