Celebrating Polish American Heritage

A group of friends traveled every Sunday to the Rustic Lodge in Luna Pier for Polka music. They wondered why there were no dances closer to home, so they decided to start a Polka Club.

The founders were Tony Turczyn, Mack Pilat, Wally Webber, Ed Wolanin, Steve Cichon and Paul Drabczyk. Also in attendance were Betty Skowronski, Ida Masiarczyk, Delphine Hll, Ann Susac and Anita Pawlowski.

Applications were printed and dues were set at $2.00 per year or $10.00 for 5 years, making you a Charter Member.

The name “Polka Booster Club of America” was approved and the club was on its way!

The first officers were
President: Al Jay; Vice President: Kenny Pytlak; Treasurer: Gerda Galen Recording Secretary: Betty Shaw; Corresponding Secretary: Ida Masiarczyk (Wegrzyn); Sgt. at Arms: Sylvester Peplinski; Registered Agent: Mack Pilat; Entertainment Chairman: Tom Zacharias.

The first meeting was held at Sip & Chat Lounge in Detroit. Afterwards, all meetings were held at Sgt. Tip Top Lounge on Proctor. For about the next 5 years meetings were at Sgt. Madaj Post then to the Dearborn Civic Center, then the Sokol Cultural Center, then the Sgt Romanowski VFW Hall.

The meetings were held at the Msgr Hunt K of C Hall in Dearborn until 2015.

Up until 2022, our meetings were held the first Wednesday of the month at Our Savior Polish National Catholic Church in Dearborn Heights.

The first regular Polka dance was held at Msgr. Hunt with music by Marion Lush from Chicago. The following schedule was approved: Inaugural Dance in January, Anniversary Dinner Dance in September, and a Christmas party in December. Our first picnic was held Memorial Day Weekend at the Greenlawn Grove picnic grounds.

With the election of Florence Kateu as President in 1984, membership increased to over 400 people! The club added monthly dances with the exception of June, July, and August.

Dan Coppens kept the momentum going when he was president from 2000-2013. He was active in the club including bus trips to many polka festivals near and far. Our dances were held at Msgr. Hunt K of C until 2015. Then we enjoyed our dances at the St Clement Orthodox Church in Dearborn for a few years after.

After Dan Coppens death, we had 3 presidents from 2012 – 2016 before Shirley Siwiec took over from 2016-2022.  Shirley served faithfully for 6 years. Dances were held at St Clement until it become costly. The club worked with PRCUA (Polish Roman Catholic Union) #162 in Wyandotte, where dances are still held today. 

We have had the opportunity to host great bands such as Lenny Gomulka, Ray Jay and the Carousels, John Gora, and many others.

Currently, our membership is at 250 with dues at $15/year.