St. Mary's School (Worcester, MA) Fundraiser - Treasure Chest Thursday

PROGRAM

PRZEDSTAWIENIE URZADZA

Na

Dochod Szkoly

11 Kwientnia 1926 roku

Prosimy o poparcice wszystkie firmy oglaszajace sie w programie.

PROGRAM

PRESENTATION ARRANGED

For

Benefit of the School

11 April 1926

Please support all businesses advertising in this program.

(Copyright (c) 2015 Cynthia Shenette) I know my grandparents, Antonina (Bulak) Szerejko and Adolf Szerejko, were involved with amateur theatricals at their church.  Here is a program from one that appears to have been a fundraiser for the St. Mary's School, the parish school for St. Mary's Church (now Our Lady of Czestochowa), in Worcester.  The fundraiser was held 11 April 1926.  I recognize some of the names of the performers on the program, obviously those of my grandparents Adolf and Antonina Szerejko, my grandmother's cousin Sophie (Kowalewski) Konopka, and my grandfather's best friend Chester W. Janowski.  I also recognize some of the other last names on the program from the old Vernon Hill neighborhood.  

According to a newspaper clipping from a 1923 performance, my grandfather use to perform as a magician, and his magic act was first in the program on this particular April night in 1926.  My grandmother, who had a lovely singing voice, sang and is listed as performing in a couple of the skits, no doubt playing the comic roles she so enjoyed.  The 1923 newspaper article mentions Chester Janowski was a musician and played the accordion.  On this program he plays the harmonica after my grandfather's magic act.

One of the things I love about researching my family history is it's like putting the pieces of a puzzle together.  I like finding something like this program and consider it as one small piece in a bigger puzzle.  How does this piece relate to the other pieces in my collection?

The ads in this program are interesting in and of themselves.  If you look closely you can see handwritten notes on the program with what appear to be dollar amounts.  My guess is someone was recording the dollar amounts for the ads in the program.  There is an ad for my aunt Helen Bulak's dry goods business, Bulak and Pomianowska on Millbury Street, in the program.  The pencil notation looks as if she paid $2.00 to place her ad in the program.

I like looking at the individual ads and am in the process of trying to translate the text which will be the focus of another blog post.  I also like what the ads say as a whole.  The program kind of gives me a little peek into the Millbury St. business community. In a related project I am working on mapping the Millbury St. business community as it existed in 1926. While that might initially seem a bit unrelated to my specific family, it does provide some insight on what daily life was like in their little world at the time.

Please be kind regarding my translations.  I used a combination of Google Translate and Polish / English dictionaries, plus I tried to figure out what seemed to make the most sense.  If you recognize any of the names in the program I'd love to hear from you.  My plan is to do another post at some point about the ads and the 1926 Millbury St. mapping project I've been working on.  I also hope to post a translation of the script I have for the "Ostatnie dwa Ruble" or "The Last Two Rubles."

Enjoy the show!

*****

PROGRAM [Left page]

Sztuki magiczne - A. Szerejko

Harmonija Solo - C.W. Janowski

PROGRAM [Left page]

Magical Arts - A[dolf]. Szerejko

Harmonica Solo - C[hester]. W. Janowski

PROGRAM [Right page]

3) "PRZYGODY PANA EDWARDA"

Edward Nowozenski - A. Popko

Mary, jego zona - A. Kulesza

Rateklusia, panna sluzaca - Z. Kowalewska

4) Spiew Solo - L. Slotwinski

PROGRAM [Right page]

3) "THE ADVENTURES MR. EDWARD"

Edward Nowozenski - A. Popko

Mary, his wife - A. Kulesza

Rateklusia, maid - Z[ofia]. Kowalewska

4) Singing Solo - L. Slotwinski

PROGRAM [Right page]

8) dwa spiewy i muzyka ?

Akompanjament do spiewu A. Kiernozek

PROGRAM [Right page]

8) two songs and music ?

Accompanist to singing A. Kiernozek

PROGRAM [Left page]

5) "Goscie z Ogloszenia"

Lewicki, kupiec - H. Butkiewicz

Anna, jego zona - A. Kiernozek

Irena, icn corka - Z. Kowalewska

Piotr Bomba, wiesniak - C.W. Janowski

Barbara, jego zona - A. Szerejko

Waclaw Molski, buchalter - L. Slotwinski

Jan, sluzacy Lewickiego - A. Popko

PROGRAM [Left page]

5) " Guest of the Announcement"

Lewicki, merchant - H. Butkiewicz

Anna, his wife - A. Kiernozek

Irena, daughter - Z[ofia]. Kowalewska

Piotr Bomba, a villager - C[hester]. W. Janowski

Barbara, his wife - A[ntonina]. Szerejko

Waclaw Molski, bookeeper - L. Slotwinski

Jan, the servant of Lewicki - A. Popko

PROGRAM [Right page]

6) Spiew, Solo - Z. Kowalewska

7) "OSTANTNIE DWA RUBLE"

Golnicki, student - A. Szerejko

Zdziebko, jego sluzacy - C. W. Janowski

Mama sluzaca wl. domu - A. Szerejko

PROGRAM [Right page]

6) Singing, Solo - Z[ofia]. Kowalewska

7) "THE LAST TWO RUBLES"

Golnicki, student - A[dolf]. Szerejko

Zdziebko, his servant - C[hester].W. Janowski

Mama maidservant at home - A[ntonina]. Szerejko

PROGRAM [Left page]

Udzial w spiewie

Z. Kowalewska         C. Janowski

  A. Kulesza                L. Slotwinski

    A. Szerejko               H. Budkiewicz

                              A. Popko 

                                A. Szerejko

PROGRAM [Left page]

Group singing

Z[ofia]. Kowalewska           C[hester]. Janowski

A. Kulesza                   L. Slotwinski 

A[ntonina]. Szerejko     H. Budkiewicz

                              A. Popko

                                           A[dolf]. Szerejko

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Autograph Album from Junior High, 1935 - Treasure Chest Thursday

(Digital Image. Album Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text and Images, Copyright (c) 2014 Cynthia Shenette)

Christine Sharayko

"To keep my friends

Is my delight

So in this book

I pray you'll write."
***

My mom, Christine (Szerejko) Shenette, went to Providence Street Junior High School in Worcester, MA in the 1930s.  Apparently, she and her junior high friends shared in the age old tradition of exchanging autographs.  It's funny how some end of the school year activities don't change.  I had an autograph album when I was a kid, and last week my son came home with a tee-shirt signed by all of his classmates.  The medium has changed, but the tradition has not. 

If you had an album back in the day I bet you can relate to the sentiments expressed here. Some are classics and have probably been written over and over in countless albums and yearbooks.  Still, it's fun to read them and imagine my mom going around collecting and signing autographs from her friends on that June day 79 years ago. 

Hook or by crook

I am the first

to write in your

book

An Everlasting School-

mate,

Jane Parath

Class of 1935

***

Don't be #

Don't be b
Just be [natural]

"Schoolmate"

Edith

Stonequist

***

June 25, 1935

Think of me long;

Think of me ever;

Think of the fun,

We've had together.

Always a friend;

Dorothy Morris
***

Eleanor Mikoloski

69 Harlem St. Worcester, Mass

Tel = 3-4978

Yours til Atlantic Ocean

wears pants,

To keep it's bottom dry.
***

If you get to heaven

before I do

Poke a hole + pull

me through

R.J.S.
***

June 24, 1935

If in the world a

secret you know,

Tell not your friend

Tell not your foe,

For when your friend

became your foe

Then all the world

your secret will know.

(205) Myrtle Olson
***

Roses are Red

Voilets are blue

pickels are sour

and so are you

Alden Gates

1935
***

(Got a little crush Alden?)

"1935"

Down the Lane he led her

The heaven was "studded"

with stars

Down to the gate

he led her

For her he opened the

bars

She turned her soft

eyes upon him

But theres nothing

between them now

He was just a hired man

and she a Jersey Cow

You Everlasting Friend Stella Rosochacki
***

(I think Stella and I would have really liked each other...)

Remember the girl in the

city

Remember the girl in the

town

Remember the girl who spoiled

your book

By writing upside

down

Yours Truly

Evelyn Robbins
***

Remember always a

Pal.

Sonia Mouskowitz
***

In your chain of

friendship consider

me a link

Edith Sklut

Yours till rats eat cats
***

Policeman Policeman do

Your duty,

Here comes Christine the

American Beauty

Your Schoolmate

Rose Morris

(Don't take this seriously)
***

When you

are married

and hubby gets

mad

Pick up a pocker [poker?] and

say I am boss

A pal

Rita A.
***

Christine Sharayko

Robert Smith
***

First come Friendship,

Them comes Marriage,

Then come Christine

pushing a baby

carriage.

A Friend

Cecelia Tilenda
***

Just a friend

Lillian Tarkiainen

June 25, 1935
***

Forget

Me

Not

Beatrice Sher

8' H.R. 205

(your Pal)
***

(It's nice to know Mom and Beatrice were in home room (H.R.) 205 together!)

Roses are red

Violets are ducking

When a girl gets out of

High School

She is ready for

College

Albert Quist

206
***

A. Louise Jones

~[G clef]~
***

Mildred Balcome

Providence St. Jr. High

June 25, 1935
***

(Many of the autographs are written with beautiful handwriting.  Why is it that we don't teach cursive anymore?)

Onward and Upward

Cora A. Stanton

Providence St. Jr. High School
***

schoolmate

Ray Luce

June 1935

P.S.J.H.
***

When Christine was a little

girl she use to play

with toys

But she goes to J.H.S. now

she plays with all the boys

Your schoolpal

Rose Potkaj

***

Nils Stead

Providence St. J.H.S.

June 1935
***

With Best Regards

Lula E. Mills Art

June 25, 1935.
***

(It's fun to know Lula and Mom were in art class together.)

Howard C. Norbeck,

24 Aurilla St.

Worcester,

Mass.
***

F.G. McGrath
***

Mildred Collins
***

Douglas (Pest) Wakefield

Providence J.H.S.

(Pest?  Another junior high crush perhaps?)

Sincerely!

Katherine L. Power

June, 1935
***

Christine it is

Christine forever

Sherako it is

But not forevever.

just an old

Pal

Anna Migliozzi
***

Raymond Stokowski

172 Vernon St.

Worcester

Mass.
***

When you marry and

get twins

Don't come to borrow my

pins.

Your's til' powder

puffs.

"Millie"

J.G.D.
***

(Your's til powder puffs?  I think I would have liked Millie, too.  I can see me and Mom and Stella and Millie all heading down to Liggett's for a Coke after class...)

Police man

Police man

due your duty

catch Christine

the American beauty

Doris Soderberg

Worcester

Mass
***

By hook or by Crook

I am the last

to write in this book.

Ruth Waska
***

If you are related to or knew any of the students from the Providence Street Junior High School Class of 1935 who signed my mother's autograph album I'd love to hear from you!



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95 Years Ago Today: WWI Pass To Paris - Treasure Chest Thursday

(Image and Text, Copyright (c) 2013 Cynthia Shenette)                    

HEADQUARTERS

AMERICAN AVIATION ACCEPTANCE PARK NO. 1

A. P. O. 702.

December 26th 1918.

Pvt lcl Adoplph Szerejko, 1269507 has permission to be absent from this post from 9:00 AM until  10:00 PM this date for the purpose of visiting PARIS. Regulation Uniform.

Off the streets of Paris by 9 PM          H.C. Rasmussen [signature]

                                                              Commanding Officer.

                                                              Capt. Air S.

Last summer I finally emptied the last carton of stuff I saved from my mom's house after her house was sold in 2004. At the bottom of the box I found this certificate. It's a day pass giving my grandfather, Adolf Szerejko, permission to visit the city of Paris on December 26, 1918.

I couldn't believe such a small, seemingly inconsequential, scrap of paper survived in my family for 95 years!  I love it when I discover exactly where one of my ancestor's was on a particular day in history.  It's like I've been given the gift of sharing in their day from long, long ago.              


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The Neatest Private on Guard - Treasure Chest Thursday

(Original Image and Text, Copyright (c) 2011 Cynthia Shenette)  I love this.  I know exactly where my dad was on July 26, 1939.  Actually, to be more specific, I know exactly where he wasn't on July 26, 1939.  He wasn't on duty.  I found this Orderly Pass in with my dad's military documents and thought I'd post it for Treasure Chest Thursday.  It's nice to know that besides his two silver stars, two bronze stars, good conduct medal, and various other military campaign medals, he can also count being the "neatest private on guard" among his many accomplishments.

ORDERLY PASS
HEADQUARTERS POST OF MANILA
Office of the Commanding Officer

Pvt. Henry A. Shenette, 6138[***],      Manila, P.I.
Company M, 31st Infantry,                    July 24, 1939.
having been selected as the neatest private
on guard   7/21/39   is authorized to be absent
from his company and duties from   6:00 A.M.,
Wednesday, July 26 to 6:00 A.M., Thursday, July 27,
1939.___________________________________
By order of the Post Commander.
[Signature of R. M. Lawson]
R. M. LAWSON
Major, 31st Infantry, Adjutant.


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Treasure Chest Thursday: Travel Diary, Poland 1937

I was in the process of closing out my mother's house in 2004 when I made a surprising discovery. I found a box of things from my Aunt Helen's trip to Poland in 1937. My Aunt Helen Bulak (1894-1985), or just plain "Auntie" as everyone always called her, was my grandmother's sister and only sibling. Auntie Helen was a fairly well-to-do business woman with a clothing shop--or as it started out in 1919, a "millinery and dry-goods" business--on Millbury St. in Worcester, MA. Auntie was by no means rich, but definitely well-to do. In the 1930s when most people were struggling to make ends meet, my aunt was off on a two month trip to Poland. I never knew much about her trip other than she went there and brought back some souvenirs of her trip--a Polish doll, a carved wooden deer, and the like. To my surprise, in the box, I found my aunt's passport, photos, multiple menus from the dining room aboard her ship, postcards, a sailing program with information about the ship and it's passengers, a program from a play she saw in Warsaw, and most importantly her travel diary.

The travel diary doesn't look like much. It's black leather with faded gold lettering. There's a red ribbon book mark and a little gold pencil for writing notes. The writing in the diary varies from English, to Polish depending on the entry and the day, and probably Aunt Helen's mood. The entries at the beginning of the diary are pretty ordinary, kind of what you'd expect from a travel diary. They list dates, hotels, and sights visited. All pretty routine. Later in the diary though, when she visits my grandfather Adolf Szerejko's family in Warsaw, the entries change. They become more personal and offer details about the sights seen, and more importantly, about my grandfather's family in Warsaw. Aunt Helen stayed with my grandfather's brother, Feliks Szerejko, and his family for several weeks while she was in Warsaw. She also visited other members of the family while she was there.

Before I read my aunt's travel diary I knew nothing about our family in Poland, other than some of the family still lived there. I didn't know who, and I didn't know where. When I was a kid I remember my grandmother would periodically send letters, money, and packages to Poland. In return she would get a letter or an Easter card or Christmas card with oplatki, the thin unconsecrated wafers similar to communion wafers, to be shared during a holiday meal. Someone sent my grandmother a beautiful doll, dressed in Polish costume, to give to me. Who were these people? When my grandmother died all knowledge of the family back in Poland died with her. The information contained in the diary opened up a whole new world to me. My aunt's travel diary provides a glimpse of our family's life in Poland and in Warsaw in 1937. From it, I've been able to put together large pieces of the family puzzle.

My aunt visited Poland in June, July, and August of 1937. Little more than two years later Poland and Warsaw would be bombed, World War II would begin, and life would never be the same for our family in Poland. I've decided to write a series of articles over the next few weeks using Aunt Helen's travel diary as the focus of the articles. I plan to offer excepts from her diary and chronicle her trip, using what I know about the family and her trip on the eve of World War II. I hope you'll "pack your bags" and follow along with me. I've found the journey to 1937 Poland fascinating. I want to share what I know. I hope you find my story, a travelogue of sorts, and Aunt Helen's diary interesting. The ship is about to set sail. Bon Voyage...