Celebrating the 17th Anniversary of the Yanchak Family Reunion, descendants of Kasper and Katie (Wisniewska) Yanchak gathered once again at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Anderson to celebrate the seventeenth annual Yanchak Family Reunion on Sunday, October 7, as those gathering continue to celebrate the family’s heritage, and its Polish roots planted over 100 years ago – recalling ancestors who came from Poland – and made their way to Grimes County in Anderson Texas.
Those present enjoyed a multi-faceted family reunion, as we continue to search, discover and rediscover the connections within the various family lines of the Yanchak, Gorney, Kapalski, Klodzinski, Kubiak, Koronka, Wrobleski and Kolojajck lines – that interweave and intermingle in creating our Family Tree.
Celebrating in the theme of our ancestors’ love of the Eucharist, arrangements of Wheat and Grapes on purple and lavender tablecloths highlighted the table decorations. The beautiful floral arrangements were created by decorating coordinator, Shirley Machacek.
The climax of the day and – to the surprise and delight of everyone – Polish Music was provided by Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz and son, James, and Brian Marshall. The music – along with interesting factual tidbits of Polish traditions and Dr. Mazurkiewicz’s recent trip to Poland – added to the Polish spirit of the day much to the delight of everyone present. Polish Pieorgi prepared by Eugene and Janette Yanchak and Teresa Bystry added to the celebrated Polish traditions of the day.
New additions to our Exhibit tables included an extension of our Family Military Tribute; a specially framed Tribute – donated by the family of Brosig Kolojajck, who was killed at Pearl Harbor – of the letter informing family members that he was designated as a Purple Heart recipient – and family displays and charts of the Busa and Klodzinski families created by Marcia Linton; A special exhibit focusing on the Three Partitions of Poland and the history of St. Stanislaus Church complimented the many new Exhibits. Teresa Bystry created a special Children’s Corner this year while conducting a class in the Polish art form called ‘Wycinanki.’
A Remembrance Prayer Service was conducted by Michael Adam, Gregory and Jeremy Adam, Plano; Herman Jadloski, Houston, and Eric Adam of San Antonio .
A special dedication, “We Remember Them” was offered by Marie Yanchak; A Reading from the Book of Sirach, “In Praise of our Ancestors” was read by Susie Habegger with a special remembrance dedicated to her dad, Teofil Klodzinski. Emily Adam, Marie Yanchak and Jacob Vance led the children in the Crowning of the Blessed Mother. The poem – “Lovely Lady Dressed in Blue” was read by Jessica Temborius, Hannah Payne and Rachel Reinbolt.
A special prayer and the blessing of the food were read in Polish by Teresa Bystry. The traditional raffle concluded events of the day.
Our next reunion will be held on October 6, 2013 – when family members will, once again, gather to celebrate our faith, our family and our Polish heritage.
Below are a few photos of the fun.
