The February 2009 edition of the Polish Hill Voice is hot off the press! If you are a member, you should be receiving a copy in your mailbox any day now. For those of you that prefer your news on the computer, we have the edition available as a pdf download.

Following is an excerpt from the newsletter —

Hello Residents, Members and Friends,

We have had our holidays come and go and I hope you all had the opportunity to enjoy the company of family and loved ones. Our times of celebration have given way to the new opportunities of 2009. As we fondly remember the cookies of days gone by, we prepare ourselves to work hard in 2009. Just as 2008 was an active year for Polish Hill and the PHCA, 2009 holds just as much in store for all of us.
We have two new board members at the PHCA. Alexis Miller was elected to the executive board as Secretary. Tom Ogden was elected as a Director of the PHCA. A returning board member, Colleen Helwich, was elected as our Second Vice President/Membership Chair. I would like to thank all the members of the PHCA for their votes and support. I now have the opportunity to serve as President for three more years (don’t worry, we have a really good coffee maker at the PHCA). If you see the light on late, it is the PHCA night shift catching up with projects.
This is an exciting time to be on Polish Hill and a part of the PHCA. We have just entered into our 40th year of service to our neighborhood. As we reflect on all that the history of our neighborhood and the PHCA has to offer, we now must make plans for the years to come. We hope our efforts make the next 40 years of the PHCA fondly remembered.

In 2008 we met new neighbors and friends, as our community continued to be rediscovered. I encourage all residents of Polish Hill to introduce yourselves to our new neighbors and welcome them. We have a unique neighborhood with a long history. Pass it along, share what you have experienced here. Let our new friends and neighbors know why we love it here. You might remember the family that lived in the home for many years before or the candy store from your youth that is now a home. Share the history of Polish Hill; don’t worry, we will make more.

Polish Hill residents will see continued growth in our business district in 2009. Brereton Street is continuing to reinvent itself. In 2008 we had the pleasure of welcoming Tai+Lee Architects and Alfred’s Deli back to Polish Hill. They are bringing valuable goods and services to our residents. The continuing renovations on Brereton can easily be seen. One of our landmark buildings, Mostowy’s Hardware, has changed hands. We would like to thank Mr. Dymek and his hard working crew of Bogdan’s General Construction for taking on the renovation project. Mr. Dymek will be renovating the first floor as a commercial space. If you have been looking for a place to locate your business on Polish Hill, please contact the PHCA and we will pass your contact information to Mr. Dymek.

The Jubilee Kitchen is moving along with remodeling another piece of Polish Hill history, the former site of Jerry’s Market. This will be yet another opportunity for a business returning to Polish Hill. The Jubilee Kitchen will be renovating one of the Brereton Street store fronts as a commercial space available for a business to rent. We at the PHCA will of course be willing to assist and pass along your contact information to facilitate business returning to our neighborhood. We also hope to see our first coffee shop opening in 2009.
At the PHCA we will continue our efforts on behalf of all our residents. We hope to have good plans in the works for 2009: a Polish Hill plan to improve our neighborhood.

Terry Doloughty
Polish Hill Civic Association President