(White and) RED OCTOBER

As a child, my October was bracketed by the Camden Pułaski Day Parade at the start and Halloween at the end. Halloween had costumes and candy, but Pułaski Day had so much more: a day with Babcia and Dzidek, rosoł, pierogi, kiełbasa, and pączki. The aromas of their Polish kitchen wafted out to the street, … Continue reading (White and) RED OCTOBER →

Jimmy

Jimmy, Bev, me 1972 Remembering my brother Jimmy, who passed away 52 years ago today at 16 years old. Riding his new bicycle, Jimmy was struck by an inattentive driver on a drizzly summer evening at the intersection of Lees Lane and Belmont, a lane often used as a shortcut by walkers, and rarely by … Continue reading Jimmy →

Babcia Cried

BABCIA’S TEARS OF JOY Babcia cried. I have never met anyone who could shed copious tears of happiness like Babcia could. Babcia cried when Myron Floren performed one of her favorite songs on his accordion on the Lawrence Welk Show. Babcia cried every September when a new Miss America was crowned. I was allowed to … Continue reading Babcia Cried →

From Aunt Helen, On her 79th, correction 16th, Birthday

HANK ORTH. HELEN LARGE ORTH. JAMES LARGE I found a letter today. It was written almost 30 years ago by my father's sister, my Aunt Helen, on her 79th, correction 16th, birthday. I will let Aunt Helen speak for herself: Wednesday, November 8, 1995. Dear Debbie- I want to thank you for sending me such … Continue reading From Aunt Helen, On her 79th, correction 16th, Birthday →

ŚMIGUS-DYNGUS And Palm Sunday: Water and Whipping

There were two holidays when I would hide from my Polish American mother, both associated with Easter. The first was Palm Sunday. When we arrived home from Mass, my mom would whip us with the new set of palms while she chanted in Polish. The purpose of this lashing was to drive the devil out … Continue reading ŚMIGUS-DYNGUS And Palm Sunday: Water and Whipping →

A Family Grocery in Polish Camden: Memories of Leona Burdalska

1545 Mt. Ephraim Avenue Camden NJ about 1950 AUDIO INTERVIEW: LEONA BURDALSKA LARGE Leona Burdalska Large, born 21 October 1931. Left us on 2 January 2023. With daughter Deborah Large Fox Audio File transcript 19 APRIL 2017 L: Leona D: Deborah Deborah: This is my interview with Leona Burdalski Large, my mom, and she is … Continue reading A Family Grocery in Polish Camden: Memories of Leona Burdalska →

Holy Kiełbasa, or Why Mrs. D Ate the Butter Lamb

When I was a child, and for many Polish Americans today, having the kiełbasa blessed by the priest was important on Holy Saturday. We ate kiełbasa year-round--with bread for lunch and kapusta for dinner or plain for snacks--but eating the blessed kiełbasa? Only on Easter Sunday. I don’t know if having the kiełbasa blessed is … Continue reading Holy Kiełbasa, or Why Mrs. D Ate the Butter Lamb →

Snow Day

Snow Day “All clear!” the kid at the bottom of the hill yelled. We trusted that he was not lying about approaching cars because we were sledding down an icy street, no adult supervision. As if hurtling head-first on a wooden Flexible Flyer sled with steel runners sharp enough to slice off a limb wasn’t … Continue reading Snow Day →

Trick or Treat/Smell My Feet

Tripping over the too-long hem of my Casper the Friendly Ghost costume, I elbowed my way past my friends, the Lees Avenue Gang, to the top of the steps and held out my pillowcase. We all chanted: “Trick or treat Smell my feet Give us something good to eat!” “And who do we have here?” … Continue reading Trick or Treat/Smell My Feet →

THOSE WILDWOOD DAYS

Is there any food memory more visceral, more redolent of childhood, than that of eating a melting ice cream sandwich, with a gritty coating of sand, on a hot Jersey beach while sticky rivulets of vanilla ran down your arm? “Fudgy Wudgy Man!” We could hear his call before we could spot him on the … Continue reading THOSE WILDWOOD DAYS →