“Tlusty Czwartek”
Celebrated At The
PNA In Baltimore
In Photo: Member Miguel Vicente is depicted in the PNA Council 21 kitchen assisting sister member and chief cook Malgorzata Bondyra as she prepares servings of savory Polish foods and the featured paczki – it being the traditional and delicious round and jam filled Polish donut. Tlusty Czwartek – “Fat Thursday”– is celebrated in Poland on the last Thursday before Lent begins on following Ash Wednesday. Tradition has it that you must eat at least one paczek on this day to insure your having good luck during the present year.
The Polish National Alliance (PNA) Lodge 339, under the auspices of President June Johns, organized this first annual Fat Thursday celebration held in Baltimore, Maryland on February 28, 2019 in cooperation with its sister Lodges in PNA Council 21. The inaugural cultural event was well attended by the Polonia and other guests who all helped to make it a resounding success. During the 3:00 p.m. – 10 p.m. happening many guests enjoyed platters of traditional Polish cuisine prepared in the PNA’s kitchen, along with various Polish beers, vodkas and liquors that were generously dispensed over the bar in its spacious and friendly lounge.
There is no doubt that much good luck was garnered by the participants for the year as they happily consumed the mountain of paczki which – and not surprisingly – eventually disappeared as the late evening wore on to its happy conclusion.
Richard P. Poremski
Polish American Journal
Washington, DC Bureau
February 13, 2019
