Fun, food, fellowship, music and dancing, what more could you ask for? Saturday, May 13, 2013 was a beautiful Texas spring day as hundreds of people from all over descended on Ronnie and Hazel Dutka’s beautiful big red barn in Plantersville, Texas to celebrate their Polish heritage at a fun-filled family reunion. The crowd was made up of members of the Marszalek/Marshall, Borek, Maduzia, Filar, Zabawa and Bartkowiak families along with many of their close friends.
There was an abundance of good food for everyone, plenty of cold piwo, Bremond Tavern Punch and lots of activities for the young and not so young including fishing, 42 dominoes, washers and black jack tournaments along with face painting and a bouncy house for the kids. Other activities included a memory table, door prizes, a silent auction and a live auction. Busha’s or JaJa’s hat contest drew a bunch of participants who danced around the barn in their creative hats.
Brian Marshall gave the blessing in Polish before the food was served and later in the afternoon participates blew up colorful balloons in memory of their departed loved ones, released them all at once and watched them head to the heavens.
Of course there was lots of music and the dancers were kept busy with a variety of old time Polish, country and Cajun music. An extremely talented group of musicians and singers took to the stage throughout the day including many family members and lots of the younger generation. The musicians included Bobby Mikulin Sr, Robert Lawhon, Karl Waitz, Chuck Bolin, Brian Marshall, Jakub Marshall, Michal Marshall, Ronnie Dutka, Carter King, Chris Syzdek, David Waters, Cliff Hanning, Kasia Bolin, Michelle Derkowski, Cole Stegent, Leonard Kasowski, David Stegent, Dalton Stegent, Johnny Kubeczka, Michael Derkowski, Brian Wisnoski, Mark Hopcus, Frank Motley, CJ Jozwiak, Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz and James Mazurkiewicz.
The Marshall Family, Friends and Traditions Reunion was a fine example of family and friends having fun by celebrating their families and their Polish heritage and traditions.
Below are a few photos of the fun and there is a slideshow of many more photos on page 2. There are a few music videos in the Polish Texans Video section or you can see more videos on our YouTube Channel.
Music Videos
James Smock has always held an interest in his Polish ancestors and heritage. He is a native Houstonian with Polish roots in Bremond, Marlin and New Waverly, Texas.