Pol-Am began in 1984 as a one page
mimeographed sheet; a labor of love by Chester Rog. In 1984, a well known
Polish American in the Twin Cities passed away and there was no other means
to let people know other than by word of mouth. Chester resolved to remedy
the situation by publishing a newsletter. His priority was to “Keep Alive
This Heritage” as Pope John Paul II so eloquently stated later.
Over the years Pol-Am
grew to an 8 page professionally designed publication mailed to over 600
subscribers from 28 states and Poland. Chester proudly and loyally nurtured
the publication for all these years until the Fall of 2005 when the demands
of health and family made it ever more difficult to continue. It is at that
time that he entrusted Pol-Am to the Polish American Cultural
Institute of Minnesota, which assured Chester that it would continue to
publish Pol-Am as a vehicle to promote and celebrate our Polish
heritage.
In October of 2005,
Steven Ukasick, a student of Chester’s Polish
language classes for many years and board member of PACIM, took upon the
duties of Managing Editor of Pol-Am.
Pol-Am endeavors to be a
means to share, teach and promote Polish heritage to all those interested,
whether they are relatively unaware of their heritage, want to deepen
their knowledge, or are Poles who desire to keep their
heritage alive for the next generation.
Articles include those on
contemporary Polish culture and events, Polish history, traditions and
customs, photographic essays on different regions and cites of Poland,
notable Poles and Polish Americans of the past and present, and news and events
of the Polish and Polish American community of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Pol-Am is a benefit of
membership in the Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota. However,
for those who find themselves unwilling to become a member, PACIM offers
Pol-Am at a subscription rate of only $15.00 per year in its effort to
promote Polish heritage to all.
To subscribe use the
membership form
