Emigration and Genealogy

"The Black Madonna of Derby" is very readable and enjoyable novel about complexities of the life of a Polish origin family settled in Derby, England.

It encompasses three generations starting with babcia (grandmother) who does not even speak English and finishing on the grandchildren. The book encompasses different time periods since it starts before World War II and it finished in late 70s. It shows also glimpses of life in Poland through the dangerous time of war and the street "lapanka" (catching people on the streets and sending them to labor camps in Germany). Eventually we see the post-war communistic Warsaw with its grey buildings and grey streets, but also the full of life cafeterias of Krakow and the spirit of Polish people which is seemingly unbroken in spite of the suffering they have to endure.The story is so interesting that I felt as like I become a part of the Baran family.

Read more: The Black Madonna of Derby - Review

WASHINGTON, D.C. // The critical mission was concluded most satisfactorily. Now it was time to decompress, relax and enjoy themselves a bit before returning home. And that's just what happened here at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland on March 2, 2009 when Ambassador Robert Kupiecki hosted Slawomir S. Skrzypek (he died in airplane tragedy 4-10-2010, together with Polish president Kaczynski and 95 others), President of the National Bank of Poland (NBP), and his delegation of seven Bank officials.

Ambassador Kupiecki, assisted by DCM Wojciech Flera, arranged an intimate dinner - created by Master Chef Adam Holewa - for the NBP president and entourage. Also invited were 20 guests representing a very interesting and diverse cross section of the local Polonia. Given the present economic crises around the globe, it was good to hear President Skrzypek say that Poland is in relatively good financial shape, especially in comparison to other emerging countries in Eastern Europe. For example: despite having taken its share of hits, Poland's economy grew by a respectable 2.9% in the last quarter of 2008, while many others were tanking world-wide.

Bank Hosted at Polish Embassy. The President of the National Bank of Poland, Slawomir Skrzypek (pictured above in glasses, opposite to standing Amb.Kupiecki), and his delegation were the honored guests at a candlelight dinner party, hosted by the Embassy of Poland in Washington, following their important and successful working visit to the United States.

Read more: National Bank of Poland Visits U.S.

    Rose Kowal recalled taking her young son Charles to the Museum of Science in Buffalo, N.Y. where he attended programs about the night sky. She also remembered him building home-made telescopes and using them to peer at the heavens in the backyard of their home.

    Charles T. Kowal graduated from high school at age sixteen in 1957 and moved to Los Angeles, where he attended the University of Southern California and received a bachelor's degree in astronomy. He was hired by the California Institute of Technology to look for supernovae, or exploding stars. From 1961 to 1984, he discovered eighty-one of them, second only to one other astronomer. Kowal's access to the giant telescopes at Mt. Wilson and Mt. Palomar allowed him to search for other objects as well. He discovered many asteroids. Several comets that he found bear his name. In September 1974 he discovered the thirteenth moon of Jupiter, which he named Leda. The following year he found the giant planet's fourteenth moon, Themisto. Since then dozens of more moons have been found.

Read more: Charles Kowal’s Comets, Moons and Centaurs

     Baltimore, Md. For over the past 100 years here, bright sunlight has freely streamed through the vibrant stained glass windows of historic St. Stanislaus Kostka R.C. Church. Now comes the proprietary Franciscan Friars and their prospective developer who want to remove the colorful windows and replace them with clear glass. A total of 61 windows, of all types, exist in the upper and lower churches that comprise the building. Some are grouped together on the front of the church to appear as two large dome-shaped windows.

     As per previous reports in this newspaper: The church was closed in 2000. A committee of concerned former parishioners and Polish groups later negotiated to buy the church and establish a Polish Church Museum and Cultural/Community Center. A long and bitter court battle ensued when the Franciscans abruptly and arbitrarily returned the purchase contract without their co-signature. They were then sued for breech of contract by the St. Stan's Committee, which ultimately lost its case in 2007 at the Maryland Court of Appeals level.

Read more: St. Stan’s Stained Glass Windows Imperiled