This is the time of year that we stop and reflect on the many things that we are thankful for. The Polish Texans website has seen significant growth both in content and traffic over the past few years and we are thankful for the great group of friends and sponsors that has made this possible. What better way to show your appreciation then to support them in their various enterprises. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, will be here soon and it will be time to start buying those special gifts for your loved ones. You can celebrate your culture and heritage by giving gifts that show your love for all things Polish. Here’s a gift guide featuring many wonderful items from our friends.
Brian Marshall Band
Brian Marshall has been instrumental in preserving the rich tradition of Polish fiddling from Texas and he has been a true friend to the Polish Texans website. Brian and his band have recorded several cd’s including Texas Kapela, Texas Polish Roots and Texas Lowlands. You can buy the Texas Polish Roots cd from Arhoolie Productions or you can purchase and download MP3’s of Texas Kapela and Texas Lowlands at CD Baby.
A great way to say thanks to Brian and give the gift of live music is by hiring his band to play at your next party, wedding or anniversary celebration. I can guarantee that you’ll come away with a new appreciation of your Polish Texan heritage. You can reach Brian by emailing him at bmarshallband@yahoo.com.
Polish Genealogical Society of Texas
The Polish Genealogical Society of Texas serves to unite Polish researchers, share information, publish Texas research for previously undocumented and unexplored areas, educate others on Polish-Texan history, sponsor trips to Polish Settlements in Texas, sponsor workshops on historical and genealogical topics relevant to Poles in Texas. The society was organized in 1982 to promote genealogical research among individuals of Polish heritage.
PGST provides some great gift ideas for anyone interested in their Polish history or genealogy. Yearly membership is only $20.00 and includes 3 issues of the award winning Polish Footprints periodical. Back issues of the periodical are available and a digital edition of every periodical the PGST published before 2009 is now available on either cd or dvd format. This covers 1984 through 2008, including special editions.
Another great gift idea from PGST is the the newly published edition of Travel Notes which is a translation of Notatki z podrozy by Stefan Nesterowicz. In 1909 Stefan Nesterowicz was sent as an agent by the weekly Ameryki-Echa (Echoes of America) to the south and southwest of the United States to visit Polish settlements. He published his writings as Notatki z Podrozy in the next year. His journey covered four states: Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Photographs included only in the 1910 publication have been extracted, enhanced and included in this new book.
Polish Heritage T-Shirts and Gifts
Polish Heritage T-shirts and Gifts consists of several on-line stores and is a great source for apparel and gift items featuring Polish colors, the flag and map of Poland, the Polish White Eagle and lots more. In addition to the 100’s of Polish Heritage designs, they also offer a large selection of Polish American, Polish Texan and Polish Canadian designs. The products are printed on demand by CafePress, Zazzle and other well known print on demand services which allows them to sell custom printed products with no minimum purchase requirement.
Shop for Polish heritage t-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies for men, women, children and babies. You can also buy Poland pride designed gift items from the great collection of mousepads, mugs, buttons, stickers, magnets, posters, greeting cards, tote bags, hats and pet shirts. Most of the products can be customized by changing the product style or color, moving or resizing the images and adding your own text!
Polonia Restaurant
A nice traditional Polish meal would be a great gift for any of your love ones. Sharon & Andrzej Szpak serve up delicious Polish food at their Polonia Restaurant in the Spring Branch area of Houston located at 1900 Blalock, near Beltway 8 and I10 West. This is the only restaurant in the Houston area that serves authentic Polish Cuisine. Enjoy traditional Polish favorites including bigos, kielbasa, pierogi, schabowy, golonka, paczki and more.
Polish Food Store
A great variety of gift ideas can be found at the Polish Store, which is located at 1780 Blalock in Houston, just down the street from Polonia restaurant. In the store you’ll find an extensive selection of ethnic Polish food: packaged goods and cold cuts, frozen homemade food and more including Polish memorabilia like flags, T-shirts etc. The in-store deli selection features many types of polish sausages, hams, variety of bacons, and more.
Texas Slav and German Warehouse
Texas Slav and German Warehouse is owned and operated by Denise and Jason Gouge. Both grew up in the tiny Polish town of Bremond, TX where Polish pride and traditions abound. Being Texas born and from Polish/German families themselves, pride was not lacking though traditions were becoming more diluted with each passing generation.
Texas Slav & German Warehouse is their small attempt to keep these traditions alive and kicking in the great state of Texas and across the good ol’ USA.
So… whether you are of Polish, German, Czech, Russian or American mutt decent or whether you just like going to heritage festivals and drinking beer, Texas Slav & German Warehouse is the place for you.
Texas Polka News
The Texas Polka News is one of the premier polka newspapers in the nation and is your monthly guide to polka music and dance in Texas and across the nation. Published by John Rivard, The Texas Polka News is a 16 page monthly paper. A gift subscription would be great for that polka lover in your family.
Polish American Journal
The Polish American Journal is the nation’s largest, independent English language monthly newspaper dedicated to the promotion, preservation and continuance of Polish American culture. The PAJ has readers throughout the world and it is the most referenced Polish American publication in the Congressional Record. Among the PAJ editors,columnists and writers are some of American Polonia’s most respected personalities. Since it’s founding in 1911, Polish American political, religious, fraternal, social and entertainment leaders have staffed the newspaper. A gift subscription to the PAJ would be perfect for anyone interested in their Polish heritage.
PAJ also has an extensive collection of wonderful gifts including Christmas cards, salt lamps, Polish music cd’s, butter molds, Oplatek, ornaments and t-shirts in their On-line Gift and Bookstore.
James Smock has always held an interest in his Polish ancestors and heritage. He is a native Houstonian with Polish roots in Bremond, Marlin and New Waverly, Texas.