Polish Times - Czas Polski - tygodnik polski w Detroit, USA

Michael Wilk, Babajide Aje, Thomas Koch, Armen Gulian & Sean Kowalski, Clare Kisiel and Marilynne Margolska are this year’s honorees of the “Hamtramck Public Library Hall of Honor”.

A special banquet during which the honors were presented took place Thursday, November 12, at the Polish National Alliance Council 122 banquet hall in Hamtramck.

The event also marked the 91st anniversary of the library services in Hamtramck.

The Hamtramck Public Library began serving the diverse, multicultural and multilingual clientele ling before diversity became a catchword of our times.

The current director of the Hamtramck Public Library is Tamara Sochacka.  Under her leadership the library has developed a computer lab, established access to electronic library, began multi-lingual collection of books, set up a collection of digital historical photos, documentary video production, ESL classes and many other programs.

The banquet was hosted by Hon. Judge Paul Paruk.  Present at event were many notables, including Hamtramck Mayor Karen Majewski, members of the Hamtramck City Council, as well as local business owners and friends of the library.
“In the profoundest sense, books makes us more human - they make our minds more flexible, and our spirits more tolerant,” said addressing the guests Karen Majewski.  “Libraries open the door to that understanding and empathy that reading brings, and that our city and our world so sorely needs”.

Vievee Francis, a great friend of the Hamtramck Public Library, a poet, author of “Blue-Tail Fly” presented a very inspiring and touching lecture during the banquet (the entire text of the lecture on page 23).

The introduction to the Hamtramck Public Library Hall of Honor took place right after the dinner (prepared by the “Polonia” Restaurant).  The list of honorees proves again of the diversity of the library.

Michael Wilk has been supporting the library for years with donations for every program that required sponsorship from local businesses.  He is a great asset to Hamtramck community and earned a great respect and admiration for his public service and community involvement.

Babajide Aje, born in Nigeria, displayed his works in the library in early 2009.  Soon thereafter he volunteered to work with children in the library on art projects and during theses sessions he shared much information on life in Nigeria.

Thomas Koch has implemented two community gardens into Hamtramck’s urban landscape in the past three years.  The first garden is located behind the Knights of Columbus Hall on Conant.  The second one, which is going through consecutive development stages, is located next to the Hamtramck Public Library.  Part of the garden already produced flowers, herbs and vegetables in the 2009 growing season.  Other parts are in the development stages and a gazebo is planned to mark the center.  Both gardens are equipped with rain water storage tanks, and a solar powered irrigation system will be installed in the library garden next spring.

Armen Gulian and Sean Kowalski are co-owners of “Café 1923” coffee house located on Holbrook St. in Hamtramck.  They have opened this business in a storefront that Sean remembers from his childhood.  They moved back to Hamtramck because of strong family traditions that started there and they are raising the next generation in their favorite town.  The coffee house supports financially many local organizations that seek donations, and participates in many civic and political functions.

Clare Kisiel calls Hamtramck her favorite little town.  She raise funds for the library by selling the library cook book at various functions.  She never learned to use computers and still considers books the best source of information and entertainment.

Marilynne Margolska’s ties to Hamtramck go back to 1933, when her grandfather Anthony Margolski opened and operated a heating and cooling company.  That is the reason why she came back there and volunteer to teach children and adults the crafts of quilting, sewing, cake decorating, jewelry making and scrap booking.  Her tradition of volunteerism at the Hamtramck Public Library goes back to 1990s.  She loves children and is happy to be a part of developing a free and creative spirit in them through arts and crafts.

The Hamtramck Public Library Hall of Honors has awarded many Poles and Polish Americans in previous years, including Antonia & Edward Bożek, Kazimierz Olejarczyk, Władysław Budweil, Janusz Żurowski, Helena Wąsacz, Greg Kowalski, Rev. Stanisław Czapiewski, Helena Żmurkiewicz, Aurelia and Józef Środek and Mariusz Szajnert.