(FORT WAYNE) MAYOR EXTENDS SYMPATHY TO POLISH SISTER CITY, INVITES PUBLIC TO SIGN CONDOLENCE BOOK 

Churches encouraged to ring bells three times at 1 p.m. Wednesday

Fort Wayne, Ind. – Strengthening a Sister City bond in the wake of the tragic plane crash Saturday that killed Polish President Lech Kaczynski and 96 other people, Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry today expressed his sympathy to the people of Poland and asked Fort Wayne residents to send their condolences to Plock residents.

Starting at 1 p.m. Wednesday through May 2 during regular business hours, a condolence book will be available in the lobby of the City-County Building for anyone to sign. Mayor Henry will present the book to Plock’s mayor, Miroslaw Milewski, next month as part of the already-planned Sister City trip to Fort Wayne’s Eastern European partner.

Mayor Henry also invited churches and other houses of worship to ring their bells three times at 1 p.m. Wednesday followed by a minute of silence to mark the accident involving Polish dignitaries during a trip to Russia.

“The horrific plane crash that killed many of Poland’s top leaders is not only a national tragedy, but also one that touches all of us here in Fort Wayne,” Mayor Henry said. “Our hearts go out to the people of Poland, as we join with our Sister City Plock in mourning their immeasurable loss. We are with them in spirit. Through the gesture of the condolence book, we can share our sorrow and show that Indiana cares.”

This year commemorates the 20th anniversary of Fort Wayne’s Sister City relationship with Plock.

C.M. Sloan & Sons donated the condolence book that will go to Poland.

# # #  (Rachel Blakeman, Public Information Officer, City of Fort Wayne, April 13, 2010 )

Fort Wayne honoring of late Polish President Lech Kaczynski & Polish Officials.
(April 13, 2010, 1:00 p.m. Church Bells of the Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception, Fort Wayne, IN)

Polish president Lech Kaczynski killed in plane crash.  All 96 passengers, including top Polish officials, dead after presidential aircraft crashes in thick fog. The Tupulov Tu-154 plane came down in the Russian town of Smolensk at 7am GMT, April 10, 2010, about a mile (1.5km) from Smolensk airport.  Kaczynski was visiting Smolensk to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre.

   
"The Polish presidential plane did not make it to the runway while landing. Tentative findings indicate that it hit the treetops and fell apart. Nobody has survived the disaster,"  Instead of Landing in Minsk, Kaczyński’s Plane Crashed in Smolensk

- a condolence book will be available in the lobby of the Fort Wayne, IN, City-County Building for anyone to sign April 14 through May 2. Fort Wayne Mayor Henry will present the book to Płock’s mayor, Mirosław Milewski, next month as part of the already-planned (FWSCI) Sister City trip to Płock‎ Poland.

Jane Willmert - the Art of Pysanky

2010 FAME FESTIVAL

(The Foundation for Art and Music in Elementary Education)

March 13-14 2010, Grand Wayne Center, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Jane is very talented and knowledgeable in the art of Pysanky and has been doing for many years.  She demonstrated making Pysanky eggs at the 2010 FAME Festival, on March 13 and 14th, this year at the Grand Wayne Center in Fort Wayne.   She is a wonderful person and has been very helpful with many tips and resources for the egg decorating and the process and helped with our beginners Instructional we held, March 16th, at the ACPL Georgetown Branch. 

(The pictures below, from her booth at the FAME Festival, were uploaded in hi resolution. If you click on them you will be able to see in great detail.)

 

Artwork from Polish students displayed at the FAME Festival 

(The Foundation for Art and Music in Elementary Education) March 13-14, 2010, Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the Grand Wayne Center.

The focus for the Fort Wayne FAME Festival this year was on the Fort Wayne's Sister Cities; Płock Poland, Gera Germany, and Takaoka Japan.

 
(Click on the pictures below to see the more detailed artwork !)

       

(Click on the above pictures to see the more detailed artwork !)

the Polish National Alliance, White Eagle Lodge

Booth at the 2010 FAME Festival

March 14-15, 2010

at the Grand Wayne Center, Fort Wayne, Indiana

 

Workers at the booth for Poland Saturday: Jean Podzielinski, Joyce Pacer, Richard Pacer and Jeff Wilenski.  Sunday: Richard Pacer, Jeff Wilenski and Stan Podzielinski.  Next year we propose that the FWSCI, Poland, Germany and Japan booths are all close or all next to each other.  

FAME Fort Wayne Sister Cities International Passport

The 2010 FAME Festival at the Grand Wayne Center had Fort Wayne's International Festival traditional "Passports" with activities for the kids to participate in focusing on our three Sister Cities Countries of origin (Poland, Germany and Japan).

 

                           

This festival excursion had many activities and art projects for the kids to participate in. Poland had booths featuring in the (a simplified) art of "Psyanky" egg decorating and Wycinanki (paper cut out) art booths.

the   Art of Pysanky a Beginners Instructional

March 16, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.

Allen County Public Library, Georgetown Branch

6600 East State Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN

On March 16,2010 we plan to hold an instructional on the art of Pysanky, with cultural information about the art of, origin and technique. This will be a beginners instructional and anyone can attend. Non-members are welcome.

      The tools used and materials will be supplied. If you want your egg to be hallow or "blown out" please bring your own egg, as the demonstration technique we will cover will be about the process of the applied art.

Dear Friends,


The Children of Plock "Dzieci Płocka" Dance Ensemble will be participating in the FAME Festival this year. This is the first time the group has come to the US, but they are a well renowned group that has performed worldwide. Information about the group can be found at their website: www.dzieciplocka.pl/english

They will arrive in Chicago February 28th 2010 and will be performing at elementary schools in Merriville, IN as well as in the Merriville FAME Festival March 6th and 7th. Information can be found on the FAME website: www.famearts.org/2010pages/Polandartist.htm

On March 7th, they will arrive in Fort Wayne, for a two week stay, to perform at schools and participate in the FAME Festival on March 13th and 14th at the Grand Wayne Center. While in Fort Wayne they will stay with host families organized through FAME and the Fort Wayne Sister Cities International. Fun activities during their stay in Fort Wayne include bowling, roller-skating, swimming, and shopping. Many thanks goes to Stanley Podzielinski of FWSCI for his participation in the groups sharing their talents and Polish culture in Fort Wayne.

If anyone is interested in helping during a Teachers Workshop this year, to give a talk or demonstration on a traditional Polish art form, please contact me at 260-247-2888 or jwilenski@netcape.net. There is a need for education of Polish Art thru FAME this year as their focus is on the Germany, Japan, and Poland, the Sister Cities of Fort Wayne, which includes Plock, Poland.

I would like to congratulate Stan Podzielinski on his award received during our Installation of Officers, from our District Commissioners, Mary Wozniak and George Gustas, for all his hard work and dedication to the Polish community and the Polish National Alliance Lodge 3149.

As you know times have been difficult in this economy. 2009 was a difficult and challenging year for us as a group, as well as our Country. I look forward to 2010 as a new and growing year for us and all Americans.

Our Lodge is planning several social events for 2010, continuing our goals and cultural activities and hope that you may have an eager outlook also for continuing Polish cultural activities and participation.

March 13th & 14th we will have a booth at the FAME Festival, displaying Polish art. If you want to bring art to be displayed, just let me jwilenski@netscape.net or Jean Podzielinski Pod32@aol.com know and we can make accommodations.

March 16 we plan to hold an instructional on the art of Pysanky, with cultural information about the art of, origin and technique. This will be a beginners instructional and anyone can attend. (non-member are welcome) The tools used and materials will be supplied. If you want your egg to be hallow or "blown out" please bring your own egg, as the demonstration technique we will cover will be about the process of the applied art. Cost will be 5.00 to cover supplies used. Please RSVP jwilenski@netscape.net so we can prepare for amount of supplies and materials we will need.

Best Wishes to everyone for health , happiness and prosperity in 2010.

Sincerely,
Jeff Wilenski


Feb 16 - (evening) Teachers Workshop, Focus on FWSCI, including Polish art form
Feb 24 - 7:00 p.m. Children of Plock Ensemble Host Family information meeting ACPL Downtown Branch

Mar 13 - FAME Festival, Grand Wayne Center, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Mar 14 - FAME Festival, Grand Wayne Center, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Mar 16 - 6:00 p.m. Lodge Business Meeting, ACPL Georgetown Branch
Mar 16 - 7:00 p.m. Pysanky instructional, ACPL Georgetown Branch - RSVP jwilenski@netscape.net so we can prepare for materials needed, cost: 5.00.
Mar 19 - Children of Plock Ensemble Concert at IPFW

April 20 - 6:00 p.m. Lodge Business Meeting, ACPL Waynedale Branch