Is your name Kowalski, Nowak, Ciolkosz or similar? Do you pronounce “Czestochowa” or “Krakow” like the old country or know the singular form for pierogi?
If so, we’ve got news! The Stanley Area Historical Society will celebrate the area’s Polish heritage on Sunday Sept. 20 with an event at the Historical Society, located at 228 Helgerson Street. 
Due to space considerations the event will be limited and only people of Polish ancestry are able to be invited. The museum will open to guests at 11 a.m., with concertina music provided by Walter Wartolec and Alex Kulesa. Concertina music began from several influences, a standard concertina possessing buttons on both sides and producing different sounds based on whether the bellows is pushed or pulled. Important for polka, concertinas came to the local area from the Chemnitz area of Saxony and nearby Zwickau.
As for the heritage event Sept. 20, those attending will be required to bring a dish to pass, with Polish foods preferred. The meal will begin at 12 noon. Following the meal will be several Polish language songs, with participants asked to share a story of their family member’s immigration to the United States. Why did they leave the homeland (Poland or Ukraine) Where did they land in America? What work did they do upon arrival? How is it that they came to the Stanley, Thorp, Lublin, Gilman or Owen-Withee area?  To assure your seating, please RSVP at 715-644-5880. If no one answers, leave your name and telephone number and you will receive a call back.