Philadelphia - Past Events
During the fall 2009 and winter 2010 seasons, the activities of the Philadelphia Chapter have increased the visibility and outreach of the Kosciuszko Foundation in the City of Brotherly Love. On the first Sunday in October, the Chapter participated in the Philadelphia Pulaski Day Parade. The Chapter's contingent featured Tomaszkiewicz-Florio Scholarship winner Lukasz Dziurzynski and Frances E. Wyszynski Memorial Scholarship winner Marcelina Hollender.
On Sunday, October 25, 2009, the Philadelphia Chapter hosted its first Imieniny Celebration for our organization's beloved namesake. With its elegant Victorian ambiance, the Silverstonestay Bed & Breakfast in Chestnut Hill comprised the perfect setting to pay tribute to Kosciuszko. Chapter Board member Yolanta Roman and her husband Romuald served as consummate hosts for the Imieniny party. Classical guitarist Lukasz Kuropaczewski delighted all with an outstanding recital. The finest Polish pastries followed a delectable dinner of Polish cuisine. Gathering with friends to observe the beautiful Polish tradition of "imieniny" and at the same time honor the memory of Thaddeus Kosciuszko proved to be an exquisite way to spend an unforgettable autumn afternoon in Philadelphia.
Following a long-standing custom, the Philadelphia Chapter co-sponsored the Polish Poetry Reading of the Overbrook Poets Society at the Polish American Cultural Center. This year's featured artist was Juliusz Słowacki. On November 13, guests enjoyed hearing texts (poems and acts from plays) in English translation and in their original Polish.
Despite a formidable snowfall the day before, the Chapter's Annual Polish Christmas Celebration enjoyed great success on Sunday, December 20, 2009. The highlight of the event consisted of an exceptional concert by Polish violinist Kinga Augustyn. The Christmas celebration also included Christmas caroling, sharing of the opłatek Christmas wafer, a buffet of Polish cuisine, and basket raffle.
In January, the Chapter celebrated the Chopin bicentennial with a group outing to the Kimmel Center for "Keyboard Conversations: Chopin the Storyteller" by Jeffrey Siegel. Mr. Siegel coupled his performance of Chopin's works with insightful commentary which allowed audience members to gain a deeper appreciation for the compositions.
New York Gala Ball Features Philadelphia Debutantes
Adria and Rachel Wyszynski
April, 2010
The elegance and sophistication of the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City provided a fitting venue for the presentation of six debutantes during the Annual Gala of the Kosciuszko Foundation. Twin Philadelphia area natives, ADRIA and RACHEL WYSZYNSKI, of Yardley, PA, were presented by their grandfather, Raymond Wyszynski, Sr., and father, Raymond Wyszynski, Jr. during the 75th Anniversary Dinner and Ball on Saturday, April 24, 2010. Dressed in exquisite white gowns and satin gloves, the young women were introduced individually and accompanied onto the stage by a military escort from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY, as well as a civilian escort of their choice. Following tradition, each debutante performed a curtsy or full court bow in front of an audience of 450 guests and then danced a waltz with each of her escorts.
Graduates of Neshaminy High School, Adria and Rachel Wyszynski currently attend Temple University and study finance and criminal justice, respectively. Their grandparents, Raymond and Barbara Wyszynski, are active in the Polish-American community. Mr. Raymond Wyszynski annually awards two Frances E. Wyszynski Memorial Scholarships in honor of his late mother - one for Summer Study at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, and the other for a worthy student affiliated with the Polish Police Association of Philadelphia.
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