Chambersburg Polka Charities Plan An Evening Food And Music

The members of the Chambersburg Polka Charities Committee are planning an evening of delicious homemade ethnic food and a band renowned for its polka repertoire. Preparations are under way for its 23rd annual Polka Party, April 25, 2009 at the Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department's Social Hall in Fayetteville, PA.

The menu for this annual event will include pierogi (a noodle stuffed with potato and cheese, boiled, then sauteed in butter with onions), kielbasa (a fresh, not smoked traditional Mid-European sausage), halupki or golamki (cabbage leaf stuffed with ground beef, rice & seasonings, cooked in a seasoned tomato sauce), polish casserole (a blend of sauerkraut, noodles, cream of mushroom soup, sauteed onions and mushrooms), freshly baked Polish rye bread, beet horseradish (a fiery blend of finely chopped beets & horseradish), and a variety of desserts, homemade by members of the committee and beverages.
There will be every opportunity to work off the calories consumed in the above menu to the dancing of the music of the well known John Stevens Double Shot Band who will play polkas, waltzes and other dance music.
The dance night came into being many years ago as "Polish Knight" at the Knights of Columbus in Chambersburg. When the capacity of the K of C hall became too small, the "Polish Night" moved to the hall at Corpus Christi Church. Since that time, a new organization, Chambersburg Polka Charities, was formed becoming an International Group, holding the event at various places for various charitable organizations and this year will accommodate 360 in the Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department's social hall.

Originally started by second-generation Polish residents of Franklin County who had grown up in the coal regions of Pennsylvania, the group has expanded to include more than 25 people of a dozen nationalities including Bulgarian, Croatian, English, German, Greek, Jewish, Polish, Slovak, Hungarian and Ukrainian.
Paul & Martie Foor of Chambersburg serves as President of the committee with Diana & Gus Alexiou of Chambersburg as Vice President. Mary Ann McCartney of Fayetteville is Secretary and Sue McMurtray of Caledonia is the Treasurer. Other committee members are George & Judy Baker, John & Marie Kanuk, Rita Lisinski, Joe & Jean Martinchick, Larry & Mary Ann McCarthy, Andrea Maxinoski, Mike and Donita Nowak, Joe & Peggy Spila, Jamie Trotty, Darrell and Rose Van Scyoc, Henry Wilk and John & Ruby Winsko.

Past recipients of the Polka Charities (a not for profit group) proceeds have included Corpus Christi Church, St. Mark's Church, Hospice, Contact, Chambersburg Hospital's Cancer Treatment Center, Chambersburg Hospital, Hometown Shield, Salvation Army, Child Abuse Center, Frances Leiter Children's Center, Operation Concern, Chambersburg Homeless Shelter, New Vision, Meals on Wheels, Sam's Kids YMCA, Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance, House of Grace, Founding Father's Statue, Caledonia Theatre Company Theatre Camp, Capitol Theatre Center Foundation, Franklin County Library, Connor Kirby Memorial Fund, Shared Support and numerous Fire Companies. Since 1985, $30,053 has been donated to various organizations. Last year's recipients were Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department, Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance, and Helping Hands With Hearts.
Members of the committee provide many door prizes for a raffle drawing. Some of these items include a gift basket of Mary Kay products, season tickets to Totem Pole Playhouse, baskets of international food, large loaves of Polish rye bread, baskets of cheer and floral arrangements.

According to Joe Martinchick, past president, the annual event is "the best party in Franklin County". Casual dress is appropriate and if you want to attend this special evening of good fun, great food, and excellent music and support a worthy cause, call Diana Alexiou (717) 263-3673 by April 1. Tickets are only $25.00 per person. The doors open at 5:00 PM and dinner is served at 6:00 PM with dancing following the presentation of the donations and drawing for the door prizes.