Q: How did the idea of a Sister City got Roselle come about?
A: In October of 1999, Carol and Vic Dawley (former Roselle residents) came to a Village Board meeting and introduced the Sister City program and asked if we were interested. The Village Board was supportive of the idea and Trustee Ron Sass and Village Clerk Linda McDermott volunteered to head a committee to proceed. They placed an article in the Village Newsletter and asked for volunteers. Krystyna Wojcik, Mark and Yolanta Kaftanski and Tom Kocur came forward. Originally the thought was for a German Sister City, but Tom suggested Bochnia, Poland because he was familiar with the town. In July 2000, after much correspondence, the Village Board approved the plan to form a Sister City with Bochnia, Poland.
Q: Can you tell us some of the calendar events as the process continued?
A: In April 2001, Bochnia invited a delegation from Roselle to witness their signing of a Sister City agreement with Bad Saldzetfurth, Germany. I attended, along with Linda McDermott, Ron Sass, Krystyna Wojcik and Yolanta Kaftanski. This gave us a chance to understand what the Sister City Program was all about and to meet the representatives of Bochnia in person. It was then that we pledged to become Sister Cities with Bochnia. In preparation of our official signing we had two peace poles made. In July 2003 we installed our peace pole in the municipal complex and sent the second peace pole to Bochnia. Two delegates from Bochnia arrived in August and on August 3, 2003 Mayor Wojciech Cholewa and I formally signed the Sister City agreement in the ballroom of the Itasca Country Club. Also present was Bochnia Council President Jan Olszewski. This occurred during out Taste of Roselle and both men enjoyed this festival. They were not able to travel with their wives as Poland had travel restrictions at this time. In June 2004, a large delegation from Roselle traveled to Bochnia to again formalize our agreement. Witnesses from Kezmarok Slovakia and Bad Salzdetfurth Germany traveled to Bochnia to also witness the signing. We were able to visit our Peace Pole, which is installed in Bochnia’s Town Square.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories?
A: On our first visit to Bochnia, I saw a nation coming out from under Soviet rule. The stores were pretty empty, with few groceries on the shelves and most residents did not speak English. But the people were very friendly and generous with their meager resources. Another memory was of Ron Sass. After touring Bochnia he came back and wanted a cold glass of water. It took a while, but he was finally presented a glass with one ice cube! Everyone was so proud that they had found the ice cube and Ron was just overwhelmed by their pride in what they could do for their guests. In 2001, when I arrived to witness the Sister City agreement between Bochnia and Bad Salzdetfurth, I thought I would just watch. Instead I was asked to give a speech and was a little freaked out. There were about 300 people there and I had nothing prepared. Krystyna had to translate my English into Polish and she was also nervous. I spoke of Roselle and the similarities between our two communities. I got thunderous applause when I mentioned that Roselle had its own winery! One of the most moving memories is our visit to the town cemetery, for a tree planting ceremony. The cemetery contained the graves of Bochnia residents who died during the German invasion in WW II. The Mayor of Bad Salzdetfurth apologized for the atrocities committed and pledged that this Sister City bond would never let that happen again. Everyone present was moved to tears.
Q: Have we had visitors from Bochnia here in Roselle and what do you recall?
A: When the Bochnia representatives came for the first official signing in August 2003 they stayed at the Lynfred Winery and went to the Taste of Roselle. Mayor Cholewa and President Olszewski spent a great deal of time with Fred Koehler, owner of the Winery, who was happy to show how his award-winning wines are made. Fred loved the opportunity to share this with our overseas partners. In August 2013, new Mayor Stefan Kolawniski, and his wife, (travel restrictions were relaxed by then) visited and enjoyed Roselle, Chicago and the Taste of Roselle.
Q: Tell us about the signing in 2004, In Bochnia. How did that go?
A: Bochnia Mayor Cholewa and President Olszewski, plus the members of their town council were there, as well as representatives from Bochnia’s other Sister Cities. There was much excitement and anticipation in the air. We were about 600 feet down in their salt mines. We began with a Mass, held in the Chapel, and proceeded to their large gathering hall. I had Barbara Raiska-Kulig translate my speech and then she read in into a tape recorder. I wrote in back down phonetically, so I could say the words properly and make all the natural pauses. It worked! After the speech, the audience came up to me and spoke in Polish, thinking that I could understand them. They were impressed that I memorized a speech just for them. The delegation from Roselle needs special recognition as they were so supportive. They are Vic & Carol Dawley, Joe & Mary Ann Allivato, Mark & Yolanta Kaftanski, Ron Sass, Linda McDermott, Barbara Raiska-Kulig (our member who grew up in Bochnia), Krystyna Wojcik, my husband Don and me.
Q: Any other visits you recall?
A: My husband and I went with Jim and Lina McDermott, Barbara Raiska-Kulig, and Wayne and Joan Domke in 2008. We were invited for Bochnia’s Partnership Days. The Mayor then was Bogdan Kostekevitch.
Q: Any other funny stories?
A: The last day of our initial trip in 2001, we had a BBQ. The Mayor brought out the vodka and was going to propose a toast—not the sipping kind—but a throw it back in one gulp kind. I don’t drink so Linda McDermott came to my aid. She got a shot glass and filled it up with water. About eight “toasts” later, I was still standing and everyone was amazed! Two years later, when Bochnia was here in Roselle we had an American picnic in my backyard. Linda again helped me with the water shots, until my husband brought out the Jack Daniels. I was discovered and we all had a good laugh.
Q: From your unique position and viewpoint of the Roselle Sister Cities, how do you see us moving forward?
A: I see the present organization continuing to thrive because of the dedicated and interested people involved. The opportunity to add other Sister Cities should help pique the interest of other residents with ties, or interest, in those cities and strengthen the program. Hopefully the Sister Cities program can come back under the Village umbrella as representation by members of the Village Board give it status to other countries.
Q: Can you share future plans?
A: Don and I would love to continue our travels once this pandemic abates. I’d like to go to Europe once more. We’ve been to Germany, England, Belgium, Austria, Spain, Italy, France, Croatia and Poland. I’d like to visit Ireland and Scotland, and Bochnia once more. I have seen how connecting with people, understanding each other and seeing their culture taught me that we have more in common with others than we have differences.