Polish Hall of Fame

The Polish Cultural Center advisory board announces the following individuals have been selected for its first Northwest Ohio Polish Hall of Fame:

In the category of Faith: 

Sr. Ann Klimkowski and John Augustyniak

In the category of Family: Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Smigielski and The Walinski Family (Richard, Thaddeus, Nicholas, and Nicholas Jr.)

In the category of Entertainment/Culture: Paulina Ortyl and Marty Blaszczyk

In the category of Labor/Work: Joe Szenderski and Lorraine Kwiatkowski

The inductees were recognized at an awards dinner on Saturday, November 17th at 6 pm at Brandywine Country Club.  

Pictured  (left to right):
Greg Augustyniak (accepting on behalf of his late father John), Richard Walinski, Joe Szenderski, Paulina Ortyl, Mary Toth Smigielski (accpeting on behalf of her late parents Anthony & Esther), Janice Blaszczyk (accepting for her late brother Marty), and Lorraine Kwiatkowski. Seated; Sr. Ann Francis Klimkowski.

To view the awards ceremony, go to our Facebook page.

Help support our efforts to build a Polish Cultural Center
Polish Cultural Center

P.O. Box 291

Waterville, Ohio 43566

If you have questions, please call 419-754-3633 or email PolishCC18@gmail.com

The Polish Hall of Fame was started by the Polish Cultural Center Advisory Board. The honorees will be perpetually enshrined in the Polish Cultural Center, which is currently in its development stage. Inductees were in the following four categories (nominations are closed for 2018).

The first Polish parish was founded in 1875, according to Toledo's Polonia. Since then, Toledo has been blessed with wonderful parishes and a supporting clergy. Nominate someone who has been a spiritual compass for Poles in this category.

You know the story, and you tell it all the time; "We had to be home before the street lights went on. And usually before I got home, my parents knew all about what I had done, because all the neighbors kept an eye out for our safety and their peace of mind." Maybe your grandmother who passed along her coffee cake recipe deserves your nomination under this category.

Whether one of the hard-working Jeep employees reporting to the production line, or a small business owner with the corner grocery store, or a "domestic CEO" who made sure supper was on the table seven days a week, Polish people knew the value of a dollar and how to earn and spend it honestly. Nominate your favorite worker in this category.

Has someone you know been a big part of our Polish entertainment or culture in northwest Ohio or beyond? Nominate a musician, sports figure, dance teacher, etc. in this category.