The amalgamation of Preston, Galt and Hespeler into the city of Cambridge surely had an influence on the decision of members of two Alliance Branches in Preston and Galt to merge and to establish a single organization – Polish Alliance of Canada Branch 6-27. This took place at the end of 1972.

PAC Branch 6 in Preston, existing since 1930, and PAC Branch 27, established in 1953, decided to work together for the Polish community living in Cambridge.  They had already cooperated in organizing various types of fundraising events and celebrations of important Polish holidays, so the decision to merge was not a difficult one.  The first board was chosen and consisted of the following people: Stefan Klimt – President; Tadeusz Nowak – Recording Secretary; Wojciech Ciepiela – Financial Secretary; and Stefan Skibinski – Organizer.  Intensive administrative work began first.  Before merging with Branch 27, PAC Branch 6 had planned on having its own Alliance Hall, so it had purchased a plot of land on which to build it.  Unfortunately, limited financial resources had prevented anything further.  The plans became a reality when the stronger Branch 6-27 was established.  The decision was made to build a Hall, which was put to use in its raw state in 1976.  The building only had walls and a roof, and the Branch was over 200 thousands dollars in debt.  Between 1976 and 1982, interest rates on loans were very high, and paying them off required unbelievable endeavours and management.  The 75^th anniversary of The Polish Alliance of Canada in 1982 and subsequent years were a period full of economic growth for the Branch, of reimbursement of bank and private loans, and of enormous building renovation, betterment and beautification expenses.  The upper hall’s walls were renovated and insulated for 30 thousand dollars; the lower hall was renovated and insulated for over 100 thousand dollars; and the upper hall’s air conditioning was installed for approximately 20 thousand.  The replacement of the entire building’s heating and the betterment of the air conditioning system cost nearly 50 thousand.  For over 160 thousand dollars, a new wing was added onto the building.  Between 1980 and 1992, the Branch’s main revenues came from the Social Club beer house, open 6 days per week and amounting to approximately 35 thousand annually, from renting out halls for various events organized by institutions and individuals, from Alliance and other parties, and from PAC Branch 6-27’s Ladies’ Circle’s kitchen. Great words of recognition are due to the Branch’s members, who charitably ran the bar and continuously renovated the building, and to the women of the Ladies’ Circle, who operated the kitchen at all events.  From 1990 onwards, as a result of new laws concerning bar operations and other things, the beer house’s revenues decreased so significantly that it was finally closed in 2003.  Therefore, renting out halls became the Branch’s main source of income.  Thriftiness and care in managing sources of income, as well as the charitable work of successive directors of the Alliance Hall’s lease, resulted in the fact that the Branch’s finances continue to thrive today.  The lease’s directors were the late Jozef Gatner, the late Boleslaw Firko and, since 1998, Janina Krupski.  The Branch’s economic activity in the past quarter of a century has given its members much satisfaction about well-executed volunteer work for the organization, the Polish community, and Canada.

PAC Branch 6-27’s exemplary organizational work was conducted in many cultural domains in the past years.  Having over 80 members, the Branch has its own Alliance Hall, library, and Boleslaw Chrobry Polish School.  The Polish School was established in 1932 by PAC Branch 6 in Preston and, with intermittent breaks, continues to operate today.  Initially, the school was funded by the Branch, but once the government Heritage Language Program was implemented, the Branch partly paid for only one teacher.  School lessons were first conducted in private homes, later in leased out rooms, and finally in the Alliance Hall.  The school continues to freely use the Hall’s rooms for its purposes and for fundraising parties for its needs.  When many Poles arrived in Canada in the 1980’s as part of the “Post-Solidarity” immigration wave, the Branch’s members gave them the help necessary to adapt to life in the new country.  Immigrants found work, as well as help in finding residences and schools for their kids or in their first shopping trips to Canadian stores.  The Branch’s members and the Ladies’ Circle’s women collected objects necessary for living, like furniture, clothing or household equipment.  The Branch purchased English dictionaries for the newly-arrived and invited them to join the Alliance’s ranks, paying their membership fees until they found jobs.  Many newly-arrived immigrants used the Branch members’ help, and thanks to, among others, Antoni Szwejkowski, Ludwik Sponder, Jozef Gatner, and Janina and Stanislaw Krupski, they found work in Canadian industries.  The Branch’s library and Polish School were very useful for the new immigrants during this first most difficult period of getting used to the unknown country.  Words of gratitude directed at the Branch were the best award for its charitable help.  PAC Branch 6-27 also used its funds to give financial aid to various organizations and charitable institutions.  Their list is very long, while the donation values reached tens of thousands of dollars.  Among these organizations were the following: the Laski Centre for Blind Children near Warsaw (several times), The A. Mickiewicz Foundation (several times), “Zuk” Polish Radio, The Bobola Foundation, the Orchard Lake School for Orphans, the Canadian Polish Congress (several times), Cambridge Hospital, and Lublin Catholic University.  Many times, the Branch sponsored the Polish Eagles Soccer Sports Club in Kitchener and donated to cancer patients through The Children’s Wish Foundation, to the construction of the Monte Cassino Heroes’ Monument in Warsaw, and to the construction of the church in Glogow.  Other donations were given to the PAC Head Executive Board to insure the shore at Place Polonaise, as well as to maintain a secretary in the Head Executive Board office.  The Branch responded to the call for help of Polish flood victims in 1995 by setting aside $1500.00 for this cause; it sent $1000.00 to the victims of the Chernobyl explosion in the Ukraine.  It was also the Miss Polonia Cambridge sponsor in the central level, until this event stopped being organized in this city.  Branch 6-27’s members were initiators and co-founders of the Polish Catholic Mission in Cambridge and continue to help it via freely offering its Hall’s rooms for Mission-related meetings.

The Branch’s cultural work was closely related to Nobody’s Theatre, which later changed its named to the “Five-Dollar Club” and which continues to entertain the Polish community in Cambridge and other cities with its fun programs.  The beginning of the Club reaches back to 1991, when a theatre was established, thanks to the initiative of a few Poles living in Kitchener, Guelph and Cambridge, who wrote texts, composed songs, sang them, and recited Polish poetry for the theatre.  Since they were fund-less, had no place to meet, and did not belong anywhere, they called themselves “Nobody’s Theatre.”  The Branch’s board at the time took care of the theatre by offering the artists a free room for their rehearsals and by purchasing lighting for the stage, in order for the performances to take place regularly.  Stanislaw Krupski initiated this plan.  Under the direction of Adam Burak, the theatre partly changed the character of its performances and took on the name “Five-Dollar Club.”  Waclaw Bielawa, Teresa Klimuszko and Adam Burak continue to be the Club’s actors, while Witold Kaiser recently became its director.  In February 1993, four couples (Buzny, Grodzki, Garner and Skorubski), all members of PAC Branch 6-27, established an ensemble called “Szmelc Paka,” which began performing its own repertoire and entertaining audiences with its songs and amicable sketches.  During a certain time, the ensemble diversified the Five-Dollar Club’s program.  In the same year, thanks to the initiative of President Jan Dryngiewicz, the Brow Jays Sports Club was established and sponsored by the Branch; unfortunately, three years later, it was disbanded.  In 1997, Piotr Baranowski and Witold Walkowski established and operated the “Klaps” Film Club, which was very popular for a while.  The most interesting Polish films were shown, while their projection took place in a friendly atmosphere over coffee, meat and sauerkraut stew, and deliciously unhealthy bread served with pork fat.  A few years later, the club was closed due to the computer age and easy access to the Internet.  The beginning of the 21^st century marked Branch 6-27’s history with the establishment of a new cabaret ensemble called “Milusincy,” which is artistically directed by Jan Adams, the current Branch President.  Every year, parties are also organized for Mother’s Day, “Swieconka,” “Oplatek” and St. Nicolaus for children of the entire Polish community.  For these occasions, the women of the Ladies’ Circle always prepare free delicious refreshments, which are paid for by the members.  The Branch’s members do not forget important Polish holidays, including May 3^rd and November 11^th.  Academias take place for these holidays.  Since 2003, U. Walkowska and K. Dymoska have been operating a Sunday café, where one can spend free time pleasantly chatting over coffee and good cake.  Interestingly, members of PAC Branch 6-27 and of the Ladies’ Circle, as well as students of the B. Chrobry Polish School, participate in the annual Polish Days organized by the Canadian Polish Congress Kitchener District.

The “Polonez” Song and Dance Ensemble deserves separate attention; it was established in the 1960’s and worked well in the 1970’s, thanks to the Youth Alliance and Polish School, which provided new members for the ensemble.  However, it blossomed fully in the 1990’s, founding its position as one of the best folkloristic ensembles in Ontario.  The ensemble is very successful on stages in many Canadian cities and is preparing itself for the artistic competition of Polish stages in 2008.  “Polonez” owes its high artistic level to many devoted teachers, caretakers and dance instructors, including I. Jaworska, S. Kozuch, R. Dryngiewicz, A. Grodzka, M. Baranowska, U. Walkowska, E. Durakiewicz, K. Dymowska, K. Zeglen, and M. Dudkiewicz.  In 2007, the ensemble grew significantly and currently has three different age groups.  As the Branch’s members underline, “Polonez” is the pride of the entire Polish community in Cambridge.

It is difficult to imagine the Branch’s work without the women, who have been unceasingly supporting all of The Polish Alliance of Canada’s work for years with their hard work, involvement and dedication.  PAC Branch 6’s Ladies’ Circle was established in 1938, but for many reasons, was disbanded in 1947.  In March 1957, PAC Branch 27’s Ladies’ Circle was formed in Galt; after the branches merged, the women continued their volunteer work as PAC Branch 6-27’s Ladies’ Circle.  The following women have been President of the Circle: Irena Jaworska, Barbara Bialo, Genowefa Janicka, Regina Dryngiewicz, and Stella Kozuch who currently fills the position.  Apart from managing the kitchen at various events, the Ladies’ Circle has been organizing a Craft Show, as well as a sale of Polish cuisine specialties, for years.  Revenues are used for charitable causes and for the Branch’s needs.  Many Branch 6-27’s Ladies’ Circle’s members have filled and continue to fill responsible positions in the Ladies’ Circles’ Central Board (Irena Jaworska, Stella Kozuch).  Every year, the women take part in the Harvest Festival, organized by the Ladies’ Circles’ Central Board at Place Polonaise in Grimsby.  None of the celebrations organized by the Branch could have taken place without the input of the Ladies’ Circle’s members.  Every five years, banquets were organized to celebrate anniversaries of PAC Branch 6-27’s establishment.  On May 5, 2007, the Branch organized a beautiful banquet for The Polish Alliance of Canada’s Centennial, which was attended by PAC Head Executive Board President Robert Zawierucha and other members, by Canadian Polish Congress representatives, Cambridge municipal representatives, and representatives of other Alliance branches and The W. Reymont Foundation.  The Branch’s ex-presidents and representatives of the Branch’s affiliated organizations were also invited.  Deserving members received PAC Centennial diplomas and medals.  In this way, Branch 6-27 underlined its membership within this enormous family named “The Polish Alliance of Canada.”

PAC Branch 6-27’s energetic work is due to many of its members, who have dedicated and continue to dedicate their free time to this organization, so that it may serve the Polish community.  They include the following people: Stefan Klimt – Branch member since 1948, President in 1972 and between 1997 and 2002, and a model volunteer to be copied, who devoted more time to the Alliance than to his family or himself; Stanislaw Szymanowski – Branch member since 1971, Board member for many terms, and Branch 6-27 President between 1987 and 1990; Jozef Dryngiewicz – President of the Youth Alliances’ Central Board for many years, and Branch President between 1990 and 1997; Witold Kaiser – Branch member since 1989, Branch Vice-president between 1990 and 2002, Branch President between 2003 and 2006, and director of the Five-Dollar Club since 2003; Jan Adams – in the PAC since 1998, board member filling various positions, current Branch 6-27 President who cares for the organization’s well-being and all of the building’s renovations, and director of the “Milusinscy” cabaret; Jozef Mallan – in the PAC since 1967, charitable manager of the bar, and recently responsible for the bar’s bookkeeping and supplies; Stanislaw Krupski – PAC member since 1978, Branch Financial Secretary since 1982, co-director and main executor of planned expansions, modernizations and renovations of the Alliance Hall, Branch delegate at several PAC Assemblies, and participant of many legal and financial meetings; Stella Kozuch – member of the Ladies’ Circle for many years, in the PAC since 1991, Branch Organizer since 1994, manager of the kitchen and many events, and Ladies’ Circle President for many years; Urszula Walkowski – in the PAC since 1997, Branch Recording Secretary since 2001, director of the Polish School in Cambridge for many years, and caretaker and cooperator of the “Polonez” Song and Dance Ensemble; Boguslaw Kaminski – in the PAC since 1981, and Branch board member filling various positions, usually Recording Secretary, and always helping; Janina Krupski – in the PAC since 1993, charitable director of the Alliance Hall’s lease, and responsible for the supplies necessary for the bar’s operation and for the building’s cleanliness; Katarzyna Dymowski – director of the “Polonez” Song and Dance Ensemble, and in the PAC since 1997; Ewa Durakiewicz – director of the Polish School, and in the PAC since 1998; Adam Burak – actor, founder of the Five-Dollar Club, and Alliance member since 1995; Ryszard Gawel – ex-steward of the Hall, ex-board member, and in the PAC since 1965; Andrzej Szuba – Vice-president, steward of the Hall, and in the PAC since 1998; Mieczyslaw Jozwiak – PAC member since 1968, ex-member of the Branch’s board, and member of the colour party; Konrad Watola – in the PAC since 1954, board member filling many positions for many years, and electrician during the construction of the Branch’s domicile; Jozef Bukowski – PAC member since 1962, who dedicates much of his time to the building’s maintenance; Maria Palinski – Ladies’ Circle member for many years, and devoted chef always wanting to help; Katarzyna Zeglen – very active in directing the “Polonez” Song and Dance Ensemble and the Polish School; Marek Laskowski – in the PAC since 1991, and member of the board and Auditing Committee for many years; Grzegorz Dorozynski – Branch member since 1998, and sound and electrical equipment specialist; Kazimierz Zapotoczny – devoted volunteer in the PAC since 1976; Barbara Adams – in the PAC since 1997, and organizer and actress in the “Milusinscy” cabaret; Boleslaw Stankowski – Branch member since 2003 who takes care of the building’s appearance and who is always willing to charitably help; Zofia Mankiewicz – in the PAC since 1997, ex-member of the Branch’s board and Auditing Committee, and member of the “Milusinscy” cabaret; Lidia Buzny – in the PAC since 1995, current Branch Vice-president, and curator of The W. Reymont Foundation for many years; Piotr Czerkaski – PAC member since 1991, and the Branch’s legal advisor; and Regina Dryngiewicz – in the PAC since 1999, previously a Youth Alliance volunteer, and Ladies’ Circle President for many years.  PAC Branch 6-27’s current fortune was obtained through the volunteer work of many deserving members, who were unable to see the Alliance’s Centennial Jubilee because they joined the Lord forever.  They include deserving presidents and members of the Branch’s board: Antoni Szwejkowski, Ludwik Sponder, Ludwik Ziemski, Zbigniew Jaworski, Stanislaw Kozuch, Kazimierz Gajewski, Boleslaw Firko, Maria Nawratel, and Spiros Colis.  This long list of deserving Branch volunteers evidences its activeness and involvement in issues close to everyone’s hearts: maintaining Polish character on Canadian soil and writing subsequent pages of The Polish Alliance of Canada’s proud history.