Around the PNCC:

From the Citizens Voice: Resurrection of the Lord Polish National Catholic Church, 36 Zerby Ave., Edwardsville, PA will hold a three-day rummage sale July 30-31 and Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A bake sale will also be held Saturday, Aug. 1.

From WNEP-TV: Bleenies Keep Church Going

Parishioners in Schuylkill County are trying to keep their church budget in the black. They don’t hold a traditional bazaar but have found another way to keep the cash coming.

People stood in line in Frackville Friday. One man even brought a book to read to pass the time.

Some people call them potato pancakes, others call them bleenies. A woman came from all the way from Virginia and couldn’t wait to dig in.

“Haven’t had any bleenies for 10 years,” said Ginny Michael of Virginia. “When my mom told me there were bleenies I said, ‘Lets go get lunch.'”

Organizers tell me this is a major fundraiser for Saint John’s Polish National Catholic Church.

Saint John’s does not hold annual bazaars, which are popular. They have found that selling bleenies from June to October makes the cash flow.

“We need the money, like any other church, but we handle our own money as a committee. We’re not Roman Catholic, we’re Polish Nationals,” said Ed Halaburta of Frackville.

There’s a bit of worry at the church that as the older volunteers pass away there won’t be younger people to carry on the tradition.

“I think there is a concern. I think there is a concern with every church because it seems less [sic] and less churches are having their bazaars and everything because they’re are no young people but at least, I think, we have some to keep going yet,” said Joanne Plask.

“That’s our problem, that’s our problem but we’re hanging in there we’re doing well. We’re old but willing,” said Stanley Pulcavage.

The bleenie tradition is held every other Friday near Saint John’s Polish National Catholic Church along Route 61 in Frackville.