Z.

Z. B. FALCONS 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY


(Click on picture to enlarge for better viewing)

 

Z. B. Falcon's Founders- 1897
Z. B. Falcon's Hall - 1898 Z. B. Falcon's Hall - 1935 Z. B. Falcon's Hall - 2005 Z. B. Falcon's Band 1926

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The Question: What is a Z.B. FALCON?

 The answer Z.B. stands for Zygmunt Bairiki, a Polish nationalist who inspired immigrants in South Bend with his dedication to his homeland. The Falcon ‘SOKOLNIA” is the name of a nationwide gymnastic club, which vowed to train youngsters to have sound minds and bodies. Its time to look back for Z.B.Falcon nest 80, which will celebrate its 100th birthday in October 1997.

The organization founded October 3 1897 by John P Rozplochowski, Louis Liwosz and Louis Mucha , has grown to a membership of 1,100 and has become an institution on the West Side.

“It’s a place for people to come and enjoy themselves” said Ken Staszewski, President and chairman of the 100 Anniversary committee. The nest continues its tradition of offering physical fitness programs for children and young adults. But in the 100 years since the club opened, other interests have also emerged,

The Z.B.Falcons have sponsored baseball and softball teams, organized leagues for golf, bowling and darts and fed thousands at the monthly fish fries.

 Martha Pieszak, a 50 year member at Z.B., has spent quite some time recently studying the clubs history. She is fluent in Polish which is handy considering a majority of the clubs early documents are in that language. It wasn’t until the mid 1960’s that the clubs records were recorded in English.

Z.B. Falcons has had three homes over the past 100 years, moving west from the downtown area each time a building was acquired. The first home was above a bank at 411 S. Chapin St. Within the first year, gymnastic drills were offered for boys twice a week and a men’s choir was formed.

By 1910 Z.B. included 300 adults and 100 children in the gymnastics classes. The nest’s women, called the Falconet’s, officially formed their own group, Ladies Nest 185.

In those days admission was limited to people of Polish or Slavic ancestry. It’s just a recent change that allows non-Polish members. The backbone of the club is the insurance program. There are however other reasons as well. The Falcons have always been patriotic and interested in helping when Poland had its troubles. Fifty eight members joined the Army or Navy for WW1 and an additional 23 members joined the Polish Army. During WWII 84 members entered the service.  The club maintains its tradition of offering an annual memorial service for members who served in the military.

Web Site:  http://www.zbfalcons.com/

Source: South Bend Tribune 8-18-1997, Ken Bradford, for Hometown


Information Submitted by: Jim Piechorowski and John Kovatch


Project Started: Sunday, September 04, 2005 - 09:21:50 PM

Updated: Monday, December 26, 2005 07:21:37 PM


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