Tarnowski’s Kielbasa from Main Street in Nanticoke took first place Saturday afternoon in the Kielbasa Tasting Contest, part of the 20th Annual Kielbasa Festival in Plymouth.
As has been the case for several years, the family business won in both the smoked and fresh produce categories.
“Anyone who knows me knows how hard I work,” said owner John Vishnefski after he and his wife, Anastasia, posed with banners announcing their products as winners. “We try to be consistent.”
The announcement that Tarnowski’s was the winner was a highlight of Saturday’s tasting competition. But the event was more than just a competition; it was a lively polka party.
At least a dozen members of the Polka Bandski lined up along the walls of the American Legion on Center Avenue, creating an inspiring sausage-tasting atmosphere for the 18 judges by playing tunes such as “Pennylvania Polka,” “Beer Barrel Polka” and the tune that begins “Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie.”
Judges included Bill O’Boyle of the Times Leader, a Plymouth native, lifelong fan and something of an unofficial cheerleader for the county, who had served as grand marshal of the Kielbasa Festival Parade earlier in the day. Also on the panel were Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo, Alan Stout of Visit Luzerne County, Plymouth Mayor Frank Coughlin, Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown and several other discerning guests.
What did the judges pay attention to?
“I like a spicy, strong kielbasa,” Crocomo said.
“I like the flavor and the texture,” Brown said. “And when you realize it, you say, ‘I’m the best kielbasa in the store.'”
Soon, people whose orange shirts identified them as the “Kielbasi Posse” were serving plates full of sliced kielbasa, including ten smoked and six fresh samples.
“The chewing up here is so quiet, so determined,” Polka Bandski leader Dan Van Why, who served as master of ceremonies, told the crowd.
Van Why eventually introduced accordion player Bernie Gardzalla, who said he began learning the traditional instrument at age six from Anthony Kotulak in downtown Plymouth.
Gardzalla played the “Public Square Polka,” which he said he was inspired by while walking through downtown Wilkes-Barre.
And the entire Polka Band joined in with a new arrangement of a traditional song, the “Take Me Out to the Ballgame Polka.” Kielbasa tasting judge and WNEP-TV contributor Chelsea Strub led the room full of judges and spectators in singing the familiar tune, and many people sang along to the chorus, complete with hand gestures that meant, “In the old ballgame, it’s one, two, three strikes, and you’re out.”
This year’s festival is dedicated to the history of Plymouth Little League Baseball, which was founded in 1950 by Bill O’Boyle’s father, William O’Boyle, and his friend Joseph Chepulis. The elder O’Boyle served as president of the league for more than 40 years, except for the four years when his son was between 9 and 12 years old and eligible to play.
“He didn’t want to show any favoritism,” Bill O’Boyle explained.
“He could have been 100 percent disabled,” O’Boyle said, becoming emotional as he told the group about his father’s return from World War II, who had lost a leg to a war wound on D-Day. His mother, Elizabeth Kraszewski O’Boyle, had suffered from polio and therefore did not have two good legs. Nevertheless, the O’Boyles were heavily involved in their community, including the American Legion and its relief organization.
O’Boyle was touched by the recognition of his family’s good deeds and said, “I will be forever indebted to the Plymouth Alive organization.”
In the Kielbasa Tasting Contest, Polish Connection (2nd place for smoked) and Joe’s Smokehouse (3rd place for smoked) took second place.
In the fresh produce competition, Rossi’s Market and Park Market tied for second place and Joe’s Smokehouse tied for third place.
