Sacred Heart Club crowns Dyngus Day king and queen, continues Polish celebration

Photos by Ginny Kropf: The king and queen of Dyngus Day were crowned Monday night at Sacred Heart Club in Medina. The new royal couple, Patty Jones and Chris Kozody, were crowned by last year’s royalty, Eileen Pettit and Eli Howard.

MEDINA – Dyngus Day couldn’t come and go without a celebration at the Sacred Heart Club.

Although the club on North Gravel Road doesn’t throw the big party they used to for the community, they still observe the traditional holiday for their dedicated members.

J.T. Thomas, president of Sacred Heart Club, and member Chris Kozody spent the weekend cooking the traditional Polish dishes for their Dyngus Day feast Monday night, which also included crowning of a king and queen.

Georgia Thomas, wearing a traditional red outfit for Dyngus Day, fills a plate with authentic Polish food at the buffet Monday at Sacred Heart Club.

Last year’s royalty, Eileen Pettit and Eli Howard, crowned the new king and queen, Chris Kozody and Patty Jones.

Kozody and Jones were both surprised, even shocked, to have been chosen, they said.

Kozody is a dedicated volunteer at Sacred Heart Club, where he cooks for fish fries and Dyngus Day, Thomas said. He also does the inventory and ordering.

 Jones volunteers her time at almost every event, Thomas said.

“Whether it’s decorating or working the door or raffles, she is always there,” he said.

During the evening, members enjoyed the feast prepared by Thomas and Kozody, both of whom said they learned to cook from their family – Thomas from his father Ron, who was a butcher; and Kozody from his mom and grandma.

Kozody prepared sweet and sour cabbage and golabki (stuffed cabbage rolls), while Thomas made lazy pierogis, smoked Polish sausage with kraut and fresh Polish sausage. An array of Polish sweets was provided by Hans’s Bakery.

There were also pussy willow branches for guests to take home, another tradition on Dyngus Day.

Thomas said Sacred Heart stopped running a big Dyngus Day celebration for the public several years ago when it became impossible to find a polka band.

Dyngus Day is steeped in tradition. It celebrates the end of the often restrictive observance of Lent and the joy of Easter. Information provided by Thomas says many Polish customs date back to pre-Christian, Slavic practices. The custom of pouring water is an ancient spring rite of cleansing, purification and fertility. The same is true of the complimentary practice of switching with pussy willow branches.

Dyngus Day is associated with the baptism of Prince Mieszko I and his court on Easter Monday in 966 AD. In more modern times, the tradition continued when on Easter Monday farm boys in Poland wanted to attract girls of their choice by throwing water on them and hitting them on the legs with twigs or pussy willows. On Easter Tuesday, the women would return the favor.

Chris Kozody, left, and J.T. Thomas, president of Sacred Heart Club, pose in front of the array of Polish dishes they cooked for Dyngus Day.