<![CDATA[markpienkos.com - Newsworthy Information]]>Wed, 23 Aug 2023 13:22:20 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[knights of Columbus founder's day]]>Sun, 22 Oct 2017 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.markpienkos.com/newsworthy-information/knights-of-columbus-founders-day


On Sunday, October 22, 2017, Mark was invited to be the main speaker at the annual "Founder's Day" Dinner sponsored by the St. Francis de Sales Knights of Columbus Council located in Lake Geneva, WI. 

Mark shared his insights on his recently published book, "1917-2017: One Hundred Years of White Sox Baseball." He also responded to questions and comments posed to him by the large number of guests present.

Mark is proud to be a member of the Knights of Columbus. The K. of C. is a Catholic organization founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney in New Haven, CT. Catholic men age 18 years and older are eligible for membership. There are nearly two million members in 15,000 councils represented in the following areas around the world: the United States (including the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam), Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Panama, the Bahamas, Cuba, Guatemala, South Korea, Ukraine, Lithuania, and on U.S. military bases worldwide.

The Knights of Columbus consists of four degrees: Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. Mark became a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus in 2012.
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Following his presentation, Mark autographed copies of his book. He enjoys listening to stories and recollections others have about their own personal baseball experiences. GO WHITE SOX!
]]><![CDATA[Meeting of Wisconsin association of school boards]]>Tue, 03 Oct 2017 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.markpienkos.com/newsworthy-information/meeting-of-wisconsin-association-of-school-boardsPicture


On October 3, 2017, in his capacity as Interim Superintendent for the Linn Joint 4 School District in Lake Geneva, Mark attended a regional meeting of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards held in Elkhorn, WI. Following the meeting, Mark presented an autographed copy of his book, "1917-2017: One Hundred Years of White Sox Baseball" to the WASB Executive Director, John Ashley.

In his leadership role, Ashley does a phenomenon job working with school board members in over 425 school districts throughout the great state of Wisconsin!

Thank you, John, for your leadership! Enjoy the book and . . . GO WHITE SOX!
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On September 27, 2017, while attending the annual meeting of the Polish American Congress in Washington, D.C., Mark met up with his good friend - and very loyal Chicago White Sox fan - Len Baldyga. Besides enjoying a delicious dinner together, Len and Mark exchanged stories about their proud Polish heritage and, of course, being ardent ChiSox fans. 

Mark presented his book, "1917-2017: One Hundred Years of White Sox Baseball" to Len. In return, Len returned a book about the great White Sox third baseman, Buck Weaver. Entitled, "The Ginger Kid: The Story of Buck Weaver" written by Irving Stein and published in 1992, it details the life and brilliant career of Weaver. In Mark's opinion, Weaver was destined to become a Hall of Famer, but because of his involvement in the Black Sox Scandal of 1919, Buck never reached enshrinement.
]]><![CDATA[Die-Hard North Side Fan Meets Die-Hard South Side Fan . . . at Wrigley Field!]]>Sun, 10 Sep 2017 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.markpienkos.com/newsworthy-information/die-hard-north-side-fan-meets-die-hard-south-side-fan-at-wrigley-field
On Sunday, September 10, 2017, Mark was invited by his good friend, Vic DiPrizio. to see the Milwaukee Brewers take on the Chicago Cubs in Wrigley Field. This was the final game of a three-game series that the Brewers - challenging the Cubs for first place - were trying to sweep. They had won Game 1 by a score of 2-0 and followed up on Saturday with a 15-2 victory. A victory would bring the Brewers to within two games of first place with 19 games remaining in the season. 

Vic is a die-hard Cubs fan who has season tickets in the left field bleachers. He's a real "Bleacher Bum!"

Besides enjoying the game - which the Brewers won, 3-1 sweeping the three game series - Mark presented a copy of his book "1917-2017: One Hundred Years of White Sox Baseball."

Mark met Vic in 1968 when he began his college career at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. Vic was Mark's resident assistant at Stevenson North Residence Hall. They have been friends for nearly a half-century!

Vic and his wife, Pat, have two fine sons, Vic and Jay, who are the owners of Chicago Distilling located at 2359 N. Milwaukee Avenue in the Logan Square area of Chicago. (It's on the North Side - where else? Both guys follow in their Dad's footsteps and are big Cub fans!) Vic and Jay are wonderful young entrepreneurs, but most importantly, fine gentlemen! I invite you to stop in their establishment and see for yourself the business these guys are building. Mention my name and I know you'll receive a smile in return. But, remember, they're die-hard Cub fans. I'm not sure the reaction you'll get if you mention my South Side team - the Chicago White Sox!!  

Thanks for a great time, Vic, watching a great baseball game at Wrigley! More importantly, thanks for your friendship! You are one heckuva guy! GO Vic DiPrizio and the DiPrizio Family! WHITE SOX!
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On Friday, September 8, 2017, Mark was invited to speak about his book, "1917-2017: One Hundred Years of White Sox Baseball." His audience was Polanki - the Polish Women's Club of Milwaukee. The event was held at The Villa of St. Francis in Milwaukee and nearly 80 people were present. After his well-received presentation, Mark sold and autographed several copies of his book. In the photo, Louise Cieslak poses with Mark after purchasing a book for her husband who is a loyal White Sox fan! Thank you Louise! Thank you Polanki for the invitation!
]]><![CDATA[Great Solar Eclipse of 2017!]]>Mon, 21 Aug 2017 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.markpienkos.com/newsworthy-information/august-21st-2017On Monday, August 21, 2017, Mark traveled to Carbondale, IL from Lake Geneva, WI to
take part in the festivities surrounding the full solar eclipse in this southern Illinois city.
Carbondale is a city of 25,000 people and home of the University of Southern Illinois
Salukis. On this day, over 90,000 visitors converged on Carbondale to witness a-once- in-
a-lifetime experience.
 
As Mark got closer to Carbondale, traffic on Interstate 57 was starting to build, so he got
off the expressway and began to meander through the small towns of Southern Illinois to
get to his destination: Carbondale.
 
Not having secured the proper sunglasses to safely view the eclipse, Mark stopped at a
few stores and gas stations to see if there were any available. No luck. He continued on
his drive and came across the small town of Zeigler, IL – population 1,750 residents.
Rather than just driving through, he decided to get a closer look into the town. What he
discovered was a quaint downtown square – and a library! Mark remembered that
libraries were providing NASA approved sunglasses and decided to stop in to see if this
was the case in Zeigler. The lady inside directed me to some people who were setting up
for the eclipse in the parking lot where other towns people were assembling. To my
surprise, the people in the van were from the Adler Planetarium in Chicago! They were
setting up to view the eclipse on the library’s front lawn. They gave me a pair of
sunglasses – free!
 
Mark decided to return the hospitality. He asked if the librarian was present so that he
could present a copy of his book, “1917-2017: One Hundred Years of White Sox
Baseball” to the library. She was!
 
Although the focus of the day was the solar eclipse, Mark and Peggy had a nice chat and
he discovered that Peggy has been the librarian for the Zeigler Library for 41 years! What
dedication – and you can see Peggy has greatly loved and enjoyed her service to the
community. In return, you could see they love her, too!
 
The drive to Carbondale to witness the solar eclipse was a fantastic experience for Mark,
but equally so was his visit to this beautiful, small downstate Illinois town where
hospitality abounds! Thanks, Peggy Carpenter! Thank you, Town of Zeigler!
(By the way, baseball fans may want to learn more about two major leaguers who hailed
from Zeigler: Babe Martin, outfielder and catcher for the St. Louis Browns and Boston
Red Sox, grew up in Zeigler AND Mike Milosevich, shortstop for the New York
Yankees, was born in Zeigler.)
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The excellent Zeigler Public Library
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Mark presents Town of Zeigler Librarian, Peggy Carpenter, with his book.
]]><![CDATA[Book  Signings  and  anniversaries!]]>Sat, 12 Aug 2017 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.markpienkos.com/newsworthy-information/book-signings-and-anniversaries
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August 12, 2017 was a special day for Mark and his wife, Ann. First, the day began with a signing for Mark's book, "1917-2017: One Hundred Years of White Sox Baseball" at the Cornerstone Shop & Gallery located in Lake Geneva. Mark sold over 30 books to Cornerstone customers! Dominic, from suburban Chicago, purchased a book and spent time talking about his own connections with the White Sox with Mark.
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On August 12, 1972, Ann and Mark were married at Five Holy Martyrs Catholic Church located in Brighton Park on the South Side of Chicago. The celebrant was Bishop Alfred Abromowicz. Their wedding reception was held at the Sabre Room with over 300 guests attending. On August 12, 2017, Ann and Mark celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church located in Lake Geneva, WI. The celebrant was Pastor Mark Danczyk. Here, Ann and Mark pose with Fr. Mark who gave blessings to them on their special anniversary. Thanks, Fr. Mark!
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Mark signed a copy of his book for Barb, who happens to be a Lourdes High School graduate in Chicago. Interestingly, Mark's wife, Ann, also graduated from Lourdes High School. What a neat coincidence! Barb and her family are big White Sox fans and it was fun reminiscing about the Go-Go White Sox of the 50s. Thanks, Barb! Go ChiSox!
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Ann and Mark topped off this special day with a nice dinner with family and friends at one of their favorite spots: Mars Resort on Lake Como in Lake Geneva. What a spectacular day! Lots of fun and wonderful memories - especially our 45th wedding anniversary!
]]><![CDATA[Celebrating  the  175th  Anniversary  of  the  St.  Francis  de  Sales  Catholic  Church  in  Lake  Geneva,  WI]]>Sun, 06 Aug 2017 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.markpienkos.com/newsworthy-information/celebrating-the-175th-anniversary-of-the-st-francis-de-sales-catholic-church-in-lake-geneva-wi
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On Sunday, August 6, 2017, Ann and Mark, as parishioners, attended and participated in the Mass celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church located in Lake Geneva, WI. Mark is a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus and is shown here wearing his Honor Guard regalia. He is a member of the St. Francis de Sales K of C Council and the Basilica of St. Josaphat Assembly in Milwaukee. The following week, Saturday, August 12, Ann and Mark will celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary with a special Mass at St. Francis de Sales!
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On August 6, 2017, Mark presented Milwaukee Diocese Archbishop Jerome Listecki with his recently published book, "1917-2017: One Hundred Years of White Sox Baseball" following the Mass celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the St. Francis de Sales Parish located in Lake Geneva, WI. Archbishop Listecki is from the South Side of Chicago AND is a big White Sox fan! Archbishop Listecki said his favorite Pale Hose club is the 1959 team. Also, he told Mark that his all-time favorite White Sox player is Minnie Minoso. Mark said it was quite an honor to have the chance to share a few baseball memories with the Archbishop.
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Members of the Knights of Columbus Honor Guard pose with Archbishop Jerome Listecki following the Mass celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Lake Geneva, WI.
]]><![CDATA[Throwback  Game  Honoring  the  1917  World  Champions]]>Sat, 29 Jul 2017 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.markpienkos.com/newsworthy-information/throwback-game-honoring-the-1917-world-championsOn Saturday, July 29, 2017, the Chicago White Sox hosted the Cleveland Indians in a "throwback game" honoring the 1917 World Champion ChiSox team. Mark was in the stands and also received a 1917 World Series team jersey. Even though on this day the White Sox fell to the Indians 5-4, it was a great event honoring a fantastic team from a century ago.
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Photos of past White Sox players can be found throughout the upper deck walkways. Here, Mark displays a 1917 jersey with the great Hall of Fame pitcher, Urban "Red" Faber - hero of the 1917 World Series against New York - in the background. Faber recorded three victories while losing one as the Pale Hose defeated the Giants four games to two. Faber entered the Hall of Fame in 1964.
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Catcher Ray Schalk revolutionized the backstop position. He used his speed and agility to make himself one of the premier players of his era. Schalk is credited with being the first catcher to back-up plays at first base. As a testament to his speed, Schalk's 30 steals as a catcher in 1916 stood as a record for 66 years until Kansas City catcher John Wathan stole 36 in 1982. Schalk's 177 career stolen bases still stands as the most of any catcher in Big League history. Ray Schalk was admitted to the Hall of Fame in 1955.
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Here's a photo of one of the greatest second baseman of all-time - Eddie Collins. He played 25 seasons (twelve with the ChiSox from 1915-1926) batting .333 which ranks him 26th all-time in Major League history. Collins was admitted into Cooperstown in 1939.
]]><![CDATA[Nashville  Friends  and  Fans!]]>Tue, 18 Jul 2017 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.markpienkos.com/newsworthy-information/nashville-friends-and-fansDuring a recent road trip, Ann & Mark visited their great friends, Donna and Doug Callaghan, in Nashville. Doug was gracious to write a comment on Mark's book, "1917-2017: One Hundred Years of White Sox Baseball" that appears on the book's back jacket. During their stay, Donna was equally gracious in offering "Southern Hospitality," including a home cooked fried chicken dinner with all the fixins! Delicious! What wonderful hosts - and friends! Thanks, Donna! Thanks, Doug! (Being a big Tamp Bay Rays' fan, Mark wished Doug the best as he pulls for his team to make the playoffs in the A.L. East.)
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