A TOAST AND ROAST - PNA VICE PRESIDENT
ODROBINA RECEIVES HIS DAY IN HAMTRAMCK

Hamtramck, Michigan - According to Paul C. Odrobina, the National Vice President of the Polish National Alliance, it was a true fraternal affair with other PNA members ribbing him at his roast, June 20, 2007 held at the PNA Hall in Hamtramck.

Proceeds from the fund-raiser benefit the Polish Day Parade held annually on Labor Day in Hamtramck, Michigan at 1:30 p.m. The Polish American Congress Michigan Division sponsors the parade, considered one of the largest ethnic parades in Michigan. Warren, Michigan 37th District Court Judge John M. Chmura, a PNA member, serves as the roast and parade committee chairman. Msgr. Stanley Milewski delivered the Invocation.

Raconteurs included Don Horkey, executive Vice President of the Polish American Congress Michigan Division, who was the Master of Ceremonies; Gerald Surowiec, long time attorney; Carla Kaczmarek, local attorney; Frank J. Spula, National President of the PNA and PAC; Rev. Robert Staszewski of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Stella Szczesny, President of Hamtramck Council 122 of the PNA; Rev. Timothy Whalen, Chancellor of the Orchard Lake Schools; and the  mystery roaster, who turned out to be Greg Wilczynski, the Chief probation officer for the 37th District Court of Warren, Michigan.

Hamtramck Mayor Karen Majewski, a member of the parade committee, presented the honoree with a resolution that proclaimed June 20, 2007, as Paul C. Odrobina Day in his hometown of Hamtrack. Jerrod Marsh, another parade committee member, arranged for a resolution from the State of Michigan that also recognized him.

Terenia Peczeniuk of Hamtramck's Under the Eagle restaurant catered the meal.

Odrobina was responsible for bringing the Polish Day Parade to Hamtramck from Detroit while serving as the President of the Polish American Congress, Michigan Division for 23 years - a record for the Organization. He served as parade chairman for five years and also was a Hamtramck Councilman for 18 years.

Earlier, he said of his achievement of bringing the Polish Day Parade to Hamtramck in 1977, "The Polish Day Parade is an annual tradition that celebrates Polish American life. The Parade brings out all that is good about one's Polish heritage. We all should be proud of who we are and what we contribute to America."

Odrobina, lives with his wife Janice; daughter Katrina and son Paul Mitchell in Chicago, Illinois.

Also making the journey to Hamtramck from Chicago was PNA National Secretary Z. John Ordon, and Vice President Odrobina's staff, Joan Oskorep and Robert Jadach. The PNA was well represented with both Commissioners from District X attending, Edward Nizienski and Barbara Martin and representatives from various lodges in the Detroit area.

Hamtramck muralist Dennis Orlowski, as a member of the Polish Day Committee, designed the cover of the program booklet. The Detroit School Art Teacher will also design the local PAC float which will celebrate the 2007 theme: "Celebrating Polonia's Catholic's Faith."

For additional information about the roast or the parade, contact Judge John M. Chmura, at (586) 574-4925.

Story by: Michelle Odrobina-Jiompkowski
Photos by: Robert M. Jadach