On August 17, the Pulaski Community Pantry held a back to school event.  “Pulaski’s Back to School Store” was for all those who signed up to get families ready for the coming school year.  The event was held at Glenbrook Elementary School in the gym. 

Pulaski’s Back to School Store was an invitation-only event for district families who needed help getting prepared for the new school year.  School supplies were not the only focus of the event.  Four businesses gave haircuts, and other supplies were given such as clothes and hygiene supplies.

“I think it’s awesome,” said Wendy Nooyen. “It is great for families with multiple kids.” 

Supplies were gathered by various parts of the community.  Some supplies came from the “Stuff the Bus” competition.  Many more supplies were donated by businesses and churches in the area.  Some examples included MCL, BayTek, Logistics, and Kohls.

The event was organized and run by the Pulaski Community Pantry.  The pantry had the volunteer assistance from the Pulaski High School Leo Club, New Life Community Church, District Administration, and pantry volunteers.  All volunteers helped with assorted areas at the event, after helping with the setup of the gym a few days before.  On the day of the event, volunteers helped sweep the haircut area and wash the hair of kids who needed it before getting his or her hair cut.  Volunteers also had to work at each of the areas of the gym including supply tables, the hygiene table, book tables, and the free table.  Assistance was also offered by volunteers to walk kids through the tables to get the correct school supplies needed.  Lastly, volunteers greeted families at the door and assisted with the snack tables.

“I thought it was wonderful that they could get people together to help with the kids.  I think it’s going to get bigger and bigger,” said Wendy Nooyen, after shopping for her son. 

In the past, the pantry has helped smaller numbers with back to school and decided they wanted to help more families this year because of the economy.  The larger event was a great success.  Katie Parma, while shopping for her sons, said the event “felt very much like Green Bay, very organized.”

“It was fantastic,” said Katie Parma after shopping for her sons.

This year, Pulaski’s Back to School Store served over 90 kids from the district and made getting ready for school a breeze.

The word “challenge” can have multiple meanings. It can mean a tough task or an invitation to compete in a sport or competition. We face challenges every day; some challenges are harder than others. Pfc. Ryan Jerabek took up the challenge of enlisting in the United States Marine Corps and served in the Iraqi War. Jerabek was assigned to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, 2nd Battalion, 4th Regiment (2/4), ECHO Company Weapons Platoon. 2/4’s orders took them to patrol Ramadi, Iraq—one of the more dangerous cities in the country. During the patrol, Jerabek’s convoy was ambushed and came under heavy insurgent fire. Although Jerabek fought valiantly to save his brothers-in-arms, his own life was lost.

The challenge that Jerabek undertook and the sacrifice he made brought 1,275 runners and walkers, and many volunteers, to take up another challenge: the Pfc. Ryan Jerabek Memorial Challenge, held August 14, at Four Seasons Park in Hobart. Ken and Rita Jerabek, Ryan’s parents and directors of the event, and many other volunteers from the Pulaski High School Leo Club, Girl Scout Troop number 4561, neighbors and friends of the Jerabeks, and other members of our community, put in countless hours of preparation prior to the event. The volunteers helped set up and operate water, food, and t-shirt stations; direct traffic; and help runners register for the race. All proceeds from the race have been donated to local foundations and, most importantly, to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. One speaker at the event, Marine Veteran and Purple Heart recipient Andrew Balliet, was predicted to be paralyzed for life after an IED explosion fractured his back in three places. Balliet was able to make a full recovery after many surgeries and rehab because of the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. The event carried on with the2/4 Honor GuardPresentation of the National Ensign & 2/4 Battalion Flag and Battle Streamer. Our National Anthem was beautifully sung by Paul Lent.

The route selected for the run is very symbolic to the Jerabek family because Ryan ran the four mile route in preparation for the Marine Corps. The route has a few challenging features: very steep hills and curves that challenge every runner in the race. The Jerabek home marks the one mile marker of the route. World War II Veteran and Purple Heart recipient Peter Weitz was a guest of honor at the event. Weitz heroically stormed the beaches of Iwo Jima. Weitz had the honor of firing the gun, signaling the start of the race. Marine Veteran Roger Gwidt led the event with his pace truck.

Pulaski graduate Matthew Mroczynski won the race for the fourth time with a time-breaking record of 19 minutes and 58 seconds. Another leader was second place finisher Bill Jones with a time of 20 minutes and five seconds. The first woman to cross the finish line was Lauren Mauel at 24 minutes and 47 seconds. Following the race, Gold Star families in attendance were invited to the stage to announce, and the event ended with the awards ceremony.

A highlight for the Jerabek family was having their son Corporal Nick Jerabek, United States Marine, home for the run. He has been serving in Afghanistan since January of 2010 and will be returning to serve for another four to five months.

“We are very proud of our son and all service men and women,” said Rita Jerabek.

Also, 14 Marine Veterans, part of Ryan’s platoon, took part in the race. The Jerabek Challenge also had companion runs that took place in many places around the world. Fifty troops ran in Afghanistan, and 50 sailors on the USS Green Bay ran on the deck of the boat that is stationed in San Francisco.

About 1,375 people, troops, and Veterans around the world came to meet the challenge of the day and honor Ryan Jerabek and other brave, fallen soldiers who took the challenge of defending our great nation.

Rita Jerabek said, “It has been an honor and privilege to organize the Jerabek Challenge to support our troops, thank our Veterans, and honor our fallen.”

When the Pulaski High School Red Raider Marching Band had the privilege of being invited to the 63^rd Annual Western Weekend BBQ and Buffalo parade in Grand Lake, Colorado, Director Thomas Busch and the students felt they couldn’t turn down the offer. After accepting the honor, Busch and the band immediately thought of their former Assistant Director Ryan Alban, who is now the Director of Bands at Seymour High School. The Seymour High School Band did not have enough members to participate in this type of parade on their own, so Busch decided to invite Alban and members of his band to join the Red Raider Band on the trip.

“It was great to have both bands enjoy such an outstanding experience,” said Director Alban.

The combined bands departed for scenic Colorado on July 14, a bus ride that was almost 20 hours long. Upon arriving in Denver on July 15, the band students could relax and stretch their legs at Elitch Gardens Amusement Park and Island Kingdom Water Park. Students enjoyed taking a dip in the wave pool and riding the wide array of rollercoasters at the park. At the end of the day, everyone could finally relax in their rooms at YMCA of the Rockies: Snow Mountain Ranch.

The next day, students were allowed free time to enjoy the many activities at the ranch, which included canoeing, biking, hiking, zip lining, horseback riding, fishing, swimming, tennis, basketball, mini golfing, and more.

From the Pulaski Polka Days grounds to Zielinski’s Ballroom downtown, the polka music didn’t stop all weekend. Pulaski Polka Days was also very special this year because Pulaski is celebrating its 100^th birthday. The event was filled with friends, family, dancing, and fun, which helped Pulaski Polka Days to yet again be a great success.

There were 25 different polka bands that came to be part of this great event all the way from the streets of New York to our neighbors right here in Wisconsin.

Returning favorites from Wisconsin included the Family Tradition, Roger Majeski and the Harmony Kings, Polish Connection, Music Connection, New Polish Sounds, Karl and the Country Dutchman, Steve Meisner, Hauser’s Hot Shots, Concertina Rich, Maroszek Bros, New Generation, Aaron Socha’s Live Wire, Chad Przybylski and His Polka Rhythms, the Brzeczkowski Family, Joe Brzezinski and the New Found Sound, and the Bohemian Bunch.

Returning out-of-state bands included Eddie Blazonczyk and his Versatones (Illinois), the Polka Family (Pennsylvania), America’s Polka Sweetheart Stephanie (New York), Dynabrass (Michigan), the Knewz (New York), Buffalo’s Concertina All Stars (New York), Freeze Dried (Illinois), Twin City Sounds (Minnesota), and Pan Franek, Zosia and the Polkatowners (Michigan).

“It’s an awesome event for young and old, and it brings everyone together for four great days,” said Tammy Brzeczkowski.