(ABOVE LEFT: Polish Flag Raised at Bayonne City Hall Information) (ABOVE RIGHT: Trio “The Polska Brothers” performing at Polish American Community Center)
May 3rd, 2017
The city of Bayonne raised the Polish flag and engaged in celebration of the Polish constitution’s 226th anniversary.
The flag raising took place at Bayonne City Hall Information beginning at 5:15 pm. The celebration took place at the Polish American Community Center on West 22nd street.
Mayor James Davis, council members, Polish-American citizens, and others were all in attendance. The flag raising had honored Principal Keith Makowski of Lincoln Community School on Prospect Avenue. Makowski is also involved in other community operations in Bayonne.
(ABOVE: Principal Keith Makowski after receiving his honor at the Flag Raising Ceremony)
“It’s truly an honor; it’s amazing” said Makowski. “The Polish community has been tremendous.”
Starting off the celebration, Mayor Davis vocalized his support for the Polish community.
“I have a proclamation here declaring today ‘Polish Constitution Day’” Davis said. “Let’s have a good time, let’s eat, let’s drink.”
Other speakers included a student at Washington School and Polish Supplementary School who had given a report on Polish history named Jacob Wachulec, Polish American Community Center President, Richard P. Dwarzanski, and Polish American Home President Robert Mark Wykowski.
The celebration had also happened in order to provide economic development to the city. Contributions went to the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation (BEOF.) BEOF Executive Director Samantha Howard explained who and what Bayonne-residents’ contributions would be used for.
(ABOVE: BEOF Director Samantha Howard.)
“Head-start children, book supplies, resource material for learning; seniors we actually install things like shower handrails so seniors can be able to get in and out of the showers easily, anything that helps them with their ABA issues; this money goes towards making the purchase and doing the installation so that they can continue to be in their homes comfortably” Howard said. “We’ve dealt with the homeless population where people find themselves in a chronic homeless situation; and we put them on the path to recovery from that.”
Food and drinks were complimentary with the price of admission as people celebrated the festivities. The dinner was catered and prepared by Alex & Terry’s Deli who are located on Broadway. Entertainment was provided by the trio known as “The Polka Brothers.”
Polish celebrations have been going on in Bayonne for decades and the tradition has been kept alive.
