Greeks recognized for academics

Maria Masters, Staff Writer

At this year’s… Greeks recognized for academics

Maria Masters, Staff Writer

At this year’s scholarship dinner for Pitt’s Greek community, fraternity and sorority members honored 12 professors Wednesday.

Lauren Cavallaro, the president of the Pan-Hellenic Council, said that the three members with the highest grades from each fraternity or sorority represented their house at the dinner, but all the Greeks were able to nominate their favorite professors.

“It’s a nice way to break the stereotypical ‘All Greeks do is party’ kind of thing,” Cavallaro said.

After the three professors who attended the dinner received their plaques, Kathy Humphrey, vice provost and dean of students, congratulated the attendants on their academic success and asked them to be a guiding light for their brothers and sisters.

“You sit in the seat of the one who is honored tonight,” Humphrey said.

“The O” up for sale

Mac Booker, Staff Writer

The Original Hot Dog Shop at Forbes Avenue and Bouquet Street is for sale, according to a classified ad in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The owners, siblings Bruce Simon and Terry Campasano, declined to comment, but the asking price listed in the ad was $885,000.

The Original, known for enormous heaps of French fries, inexpensive pizzas and hot dogs, was opened by the parents of the current owners in 1960 and has been owned by the family ever since.

The Simons do not, however, own the building, which is not for sale.

Marylin Sindler, one of the building’s owners, declined to discuss how the Simons’ lease would transfer to a new owner.

The Original’s name will not be included in the sale, according to the Post-Gazette ad, which was listed in the “Business Opportunities” section.

“We wouldn’t have any interest in that,” said Brian Gallagher of Oakland Real Estate, when asked if they would have an interest in purchasing “The O.” “It’s surprising news.”

John Fedele, a Pitt spokesman, would not comment on “specific properties,” but offered Pitt’s general philosophy regarding property in Oakland.

“The University is always interested in exploring any opportunity to improve campus life in the Forbes Avenue corridor,” he said.

He then reiterated that it is the business that is for sale, and not the building.

Festival helps Polish connect with their roots

Beth Oberleiter ‘ Angela Hayes, Staff Report

The smell of sauerkraut filled the commons room of the Cathedral of Learning Sunday afternoon as people in Polish garb danced to the music of an accordion.

In place of the regular student study area, vendors set up booths that promoted different aspects of Polish culture – such as traditional foods and arts and crafts – to celebrate Pittsburgh’s 20th annual Polishfest.

“We begin to realize that what it really is, is a way of connecting to your family,” said Lawrence Kozlowski, the founding director of Polishfest.

After participating in Polish traditions for most of his life, Kozlowski discovered the importance of carrying on the rituals of the culture.

On Sunday, Kozlowski stood next to a table that reenacted the popular Polish tradition of breaking and sharing the Oplatek, a thin wafer-like waffle with the imprint of the nativity scene.

“We are here because we are Polish and to keep the tradition going,” said Darlene Rzodkiewicz, who is 100 percent Polish.

Savannah Smith also sees the importance of keeping her heritage alive.

She wore a tiara and sash that identified her as this year’s “Miss Polonia,” which, in English, means “Miss Polish.”

Smith’s grandfather, who was very proud of his family’s heritage, inspired her to compete for the title.

Family heritage was a hot topic at James Clark’s Polish Surname booth, where festival participants learned the origin of their family names. Sometimes the results were surprising.

Clark said that common names in the English language translate to those common in Polish. For instance, the last name Kowalski means Smith and Krawczyk means Taylor.

“Sometimes people’s names aren’t too flattering,” Clark said, referring to the name Musinski, which translates to “housefly.”

Kozlowski hoped that all patrons, whether of Polish heritage or not, would feel welcome and find a worthwhile souvenir to take along with them.

He said that he designed the festival around the mantra, “Gosc dom, Bog dom,” which translates to: “A guest in the home is like having God in the home.”