(By EMILY SPINA, NeXt Correspondent – Buffalo News) America, the land of the free and the home of the brave. But where did we come from? At one point in history, your ancestors likely emigrated to the U. S. from someplace else. Do you know from where –and when – they came?
Nineteen-year-old Christina Slomczewski does.
Christina, a sophomore at Daemen College, takes great pride in her family’s history. She grew up in a home in Buffalo based on Polish traditions, and she often heard her grandmother speak the language.
“As a child, I always heard my grandmother talking to family and friends in Polish, and it always seemed like a bonding experience,” said Christina.
Christina’s great-great-grandparents emigrated to the United States. Even though her ties to Poland are not extremely close, the tradition has been passed down since those first relatives set foot on American soil. The family eats Polish foods such as ham, potatoes, pierogi (a dough pocket filled with fruit, meat, cheese or potatoes) and kielbasa, (a Polish sausage.) They also celebrate swenconka, or a blessing of Easter food the day before Easter.
[read full story in the Buffalo News]
Reminder: Join the Harmony Polish Folk Ensemble at their fundraiser Mardi Gras Zabawa Maskowa on Saturday, February 21. Celebrate the last Saturday before Lent “New Orleans” style, with performances by the dance group at 8pm and 9:30pm. Click for more info—->
