Polonaise Ball 2024

 Polish Heritage Society of Philadelphia

On Saturday, Nov. 9th the Polish Heritage Society of Philadelphia (PHSP) held its annual Polonaise Ball at the Associated Polish Home in Northeast Philadelphia. Guests arrived at 6:00 pm in the freshly renovated Belvedere Ballroom to socialize and partake in cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Dance music was provided by the TKO Band led by Ken Adamski. This year's honoree, receiving the PHSP Polonia Achievement Award was John Wisniewski.

He is a member of a family that has always been active in Polonia. His father was a president of the Polish Home, a position now held by John's son Andrew. John served on the boards of many organizations and for many years was a member of the PKM Polish Folk Dance group based at the Polish Home.

Over the last decade he has been involved in an action to save St. Laurentius Polish Roman Catholic Church. Unfortunately, despite intense effort and the support of a diverse number of social organizations in the city (some of them not Catholic), the action was not successful. Despite this, John has been instrumental in re-locating the stained glass windows and murals from the church to other locations where they can be properly appreciated and serve as historic reminders of the deep faith held by our Polish immigrant ancestors.

In addition to the Winged Hussar statuette, that is the Polonia Achievement Award, John received a letter of congratulations from Cherelle L. Parker, Mayor of Philadelphia. In addition to praising his dedication to the Philadelphia community she mentioned the fact that John had already been approved by the office of the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, to be awarded the Cavalier Cross of the Order of Merit for his service to Polonia. The medal will be presented to him by the Consul General of Poland in Washington, DC, on a convenient date in the near future.

A delicious buffet banquet was prepared and served by Ela of the Astoria Restaurant, which specializes in Polish food and desserts, located in Northeast Philadelphia.

At the close of the evening winners were drawn in the traditional Chance Auction. This year, because of the generosity of donors, there was a wide selection of prizes that included: liquors, decorative items, personal accessories, and confections.

Some guests, including several that came from the Polonaise Society of Hazleton, PA, commented favorably on the food that was served, and on the fresh decor, with new chandeliers, in the Polish Home ballroom. Among the guests were Janusz Romanski, Honorary Chairman of Polonia Technica, a society of Polish engineers, and Deborah "Debbie" Majka the Honorary Consul of Poland for Southeastern Pennsylvania. A few persons stayed on even as the band was folding up, reminiscing with friends and looking forward to next year's Polonia activities.

We wish to express our thanks to the Ball Committee: Diana Blichasz, Margaret Zaleska, Deborah Majka, Teresa and Terri Wojcik, Marie Hejnosz and Tiffany Loomis. Peter Obst compiled the printed event program, which may be seen on the PHSP website under: Ball Program 2024.

Additional information about the Polish Heritage Society, which is an affiliate organization in the nationwide American Council for Polish Culture, may be found on Facebook. This year's ball was a success thanks to the generosity of donors who supplied prizes for the Chance Auction and purchased ads in the event program. Funds raised from the event benefit the PHSP Scholarship Program.


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Ball Program

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Winged Hussar Statuette

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Presentation of the Award

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Presentation of the Award

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Presentation of the Award, l to r: John Wisniewski,Peter J. Obst, Debbie Majka

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John Wisniewski thanks the Polish Heritage Society

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Guests at the Polonaide Ball

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Members of the Polish Heritage Society Board (l. to. r): Peter J. Obst - President, Tiffany Loomis, Marie Hejnosz, Margaret Zaleski, John Wisniewski, Diana Blichasz, Jewls Rogowska Teneva, Agnieszka Simon, Debbie Majka - Honorary RP Consul in SE PA, Janusz Romanski.