|
The
Golden Jubilee History of the
Orchard Lake Schools
Founder's Day Party (1953-2002)
INTRODUCTION
Fifty years is a relatively long period of time. Because I
have been intimately associated with Founder's Day and have
attended all 50 parties, I accepted the challenge to write
the history of Founder's Day. Much research and many hours
went into writing it. And it was a great pleasure to reminisce
about the historical details of the event. I regret that there
probably are some gaps - and maybe errors, too. I want to
express my deep appreciation and thanks to Don Horkey, Fr.
James Mazurek , and the Founder's Day Office Staff for their
invaluable cooperation. - Father Walter J. Ziemba
PRE-FOUNDER'S
DAY HISTORY
The Orchard Lake Schools Founder's Day was modeled on a similar
event sponsored for the first time in l95l for the benefit
of the Guardian Angel Orphan Home in Detroit run by the Felician
Sisters.
Early in 1952, at a meeting of the Detroit District Alumni
Association at the newly-constructed Veterans Memorial in
downtown Detroit, under the direction of Judge Frank G. Schemanske,
an alumnus of Orchard Lake, the Judge proposed that the Orchard
Lake Schools, in cooperation with the Detroit District of
the Alumni Association, sponsor a party similar to that of
the Guardian Angel Orphan Home.
In the fall of l952, at the regular meeting of the Detroit
District which was held in the recreation room of the rectory
of Fr. Simon Kilar, pastor of Transfiguration Parish in Detroit,
attended by about 30 members, on the agenda was a discussion
of a possible $100 dinner for the benefit of the Orchard Lake
Schools.
After a spirited discussion, Fr. Walter Ziemba, a faculty
member at Orchard Lake, made the motion to hold the party,
seconded by Fr. Edward Popielarz, also a faculty member. The
motion passed by a margin of two to one, and Founder's Day
was born. At subsequent meetings a committee was formed; August
26, 1953, a Wednesday, was chosen as the date. The sale of
tickets would be limited to 250; the price of a ticket would
be $100; a Cadillac car would be the first prize for the raffle.
To give the party a theme, it was decided that the party would
be a tribute to the founder of the Polish Seminary in Detroit
and the Orchard Lake Schools, Fr. Joseph Dabrowski.
Tickets were distributed in the early springata meeting at
the rectory of Fr. Edward Miotke, pastor of Our Lady Help
of Christians. In a dramatic gesture, prefaced by orator-like
words of encouragement and support, Fr. Kilar placed $1,000
in cash on the coffee table of the sitting room and guaranteed
that he would sell at least 10 tickets. The action inspired
the attendants and created a very positive mood for ticket
sales.
Continue,
page 2
|
|
|
