WHAT IS DYNGUS DAY? “DYNGUS DAY” is historically a Polish tradition which celebrates the end of the often restrictive observance of lent and the joy of Easter. A special celebration held the Monday after Easter, a day of feasting, drinking, playing pranks and merrymaking. The traditions of Dyngus Day predate Christianity, in Poland, by hundreds of years and are derived from pagan celebrations welcoming the spring. Young men would signal their amorous intentions to young women by dousing them with water. In one interpretation of this tradition, the young man…
Read MoreMonth: April 2011
Easter Traditions with Rosemary Chorzempa
Rosemary Chorzempa sure knows her Polish traditions. Luckily she was kind enough to share her knowledge with an audience of eager learners on Tuesday, April 19th, at Ski’s Restaurant in Sylvania. Those who came to hear Mrs. Chorzempa explain some of the Polish traditions of Easter now know how to make a lamb out of butter for Easter dinner. They also know what type of steps go into making decorative Easter eggs (pisanki). Not only do you need to use beeswax and a tool called a kistka, you have to…
Read MoreDedication of the Alexander Drabik Ohio Historical Marker
Dedication of the Alexander Drabik Ohio Historical Marker The date for dedication of the Ohio Historical Marker honoring Alexander Drabik has been set for Saturday, May 28th at 2 PM. It will be held at 9336 Wolfinger Road off Bancroft Street near Crissy Road in Holland, Ohio. The Drabik family invites everyone to attend this dedication. Sergeant Alexander Drabik, the first American soldier to cross the bridge at Remagen, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism. April 5, 1945. U.S. Army Signal Corps photograph taken by J Malan Heslop.…
Read MoreThe Polish Easter Basket
Polish Easter Basket Maslo (Butter) – This dairy product is often shaped into a lamb (Baranek Wielkanocny) or a cross. This reminds us of the good will of Christ that we should have towards all things. Babka (Easter Bread) – A round or long loaf topped with a cross or a fish, symbolic of Jesus, who is the Bread of Life. Chrzan (Horseradish) – Symbolic of the Passion of Christ still in our minds. Jajka (Eggs) and Pisanki (decorated with symbols of Easter, of life, of prosperity) – Indicates new…
Read MoreSwieconka
The blessing of the Easter food, or the “Swieconka” is a tradition dear to the heart of every Pole. Being deeply religious, he is grateful to God for all His gifts of both nature and grace, and, as a token of this gratitude, has the food of his table sanctified with the hope that spring, the season of the Resurrection, will also be blessed by God’s goodness and mercy. Traditions vary from village to village and family to family. They have changed and evolved with each passing generation. Traditionally the…
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