Steve's Genealogy Blog

Stelae Plaza in Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Steve — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 07:30:14 +0000

Adjacent to the Acropolis Plaza is the Stelae Plaza, named for the building on the east side of the plaza, the Stelae Structure. Along the stairs leading up to the Stelae Structure are the stelae themselves: upright stone slabs with ancient markings. The stelae here, unfortunately, are badly eroded and the inscriptions cannot be read. To the south of the plaza are the bleachers where residents once assembled for events in the plaza. To the west is the Temple of the King.

Stelae Structure in Kohunlich

SOURCE: Stelae Structure in Kohunlich (Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, México); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 02 February 2012.

Side View of Stelae Structure in Kohunlich

SOURCE: Side View of Stelae Structure in Kohunlich (Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, México); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 02 February 2012.

The Bleachers in Kohunlich

SOURCE: The Bleachers in Kohunlich (Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, México); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 02 February 2012.

Temple of the King in Kohunlich

SOURCE: Temple of the King in Kohunlich (Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, México); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 02 February 2012.

The Palace and the Western Residential Complex in Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Steve — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:00:22 +0000

Stretching out below the Acropolis in the Mayan city of Kohunlich in Quintana Roo, Mexico is a large grassy field called the Acropolis Plaza. The Acropolis itself is located on the eastern edge of this field.

Acropolis Plaza in Kohunlich

SOURCE: Acropolis Plaza in Kohunlich (Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, México); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 02 February 2012.

The northern edge of the plaza is the site of the Palace, described in a plaque in front of the structure:

The Palace

The construction of this palace was undertaken around the year 600 A.D., when it was a mere one-storey structure. Later on, this primitive dwelling was partially demolished and a large platform was erected, upon which an elegant residence was built. It probably housed some of the most important personages of Kohunlich. For 600 years, the Palace suffered modifications. It was even vandalised, since many of the objects which once were in its interior, were found thrown away as junk in the West side of the platform.

The Palace in Kohunlich

SOURCE: The Palace in Kohunlich (Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, México); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 02 February 2012.

Interior of the Palace in Kohunlich

SOURCE: Interior of the Palace in Kohunlich (Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, México); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 02 February 2012.

On the western edge of the plaza are the ruins of the Western Residential Complex, described in another plaque:

Western Residential Complex

This complex was inhabited between the years 600 – 1200 A.D. and probably functioned as a residence for a group of high-ranking artisans, who basically dedicated themselves to the manufacture of shell artifacts. By observing the distribution of the rooms, one can see that they are a product of various construction periods in which they were subdivided, remodelled and, in some cased, demolished. This probably occured due to the need of larger living quarters for an ever growing population.

Western Residential Complex in Kohunlich

SOURCE: Western Residential Complex in Kohunlich (Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, México); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 02 February 2012.

The Acropolis in Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Steve — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:48:22 +0000

The largest structure in the ancient Mayan city of Kohunlich is called the Acropolis. As in other buildings with residential funcions, stone beds can be seen with small cubbyholes beneath where the resident could store possessions. The descriptive plaque near the Acropolis states:

This, the largest construction in Kohunlich, was originally a “C” shaped building. Its most notable features are its eight meter high vaulted interiors and its false steps façade, which can be seen on the North and Eastern sides, built in the Río Bec style from Southern Campeche. This building was later covered in its entirely by a huge platform upon which what seems to be a residential complex with restricted access was built. Finally, during a later period, another residential building was added towards the South- West. In its interior, some “Graffiti” can still be seen on its stuccoed walls.

The Acropolis

SOURCE: The Acropolis (Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, México); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 02 February 2012.

Bed in the Acropolis – 1

SOURCE: Bed in the Acropolis – 1 (Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, México); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 02 February 2012.

Bed in the Acropolis – 2

SOURCE: Bed in the Acropolis – 2 (Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, México); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 02 February 2012.

View of the Temple of the King from the Acropolis

SOURCE: View of the Temple of the King from the Acropolis (Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, México); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 02 February 2012.

Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Steve — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:30:31 +0000

Kohunlich is an ancient Mayan city in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. It is located in southeastern Mexico on the Yucatán peninsula, close to the borders of Belize and Guatemala. The entrance sign states:

Kohunlich Archaeological Site
Cultural heritage of the people of Quintana Roo
Cultural heritage of the Nation

Entrance Sign at Kohunlich

SOURCE: Entrance Sign at Kohunlich (Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, México); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 02 February 2012.

Details about the area are provided on one of the descriptive signs in the site (reproduced here with spelling and grammatical errors on the original):

The site is of a city built in the early VIth century A.D, and abandoned in the XIIth or XIIIth century A.D. Its original name is now lost to us since “Kohunlich”, which apparently comes from the English “Cohoon ridge” (Cohoon being a type of tropical palm), is a relatively modern name. Its architecture resembles the Río Bec style, to the South of Campeche, and the Petén style, to the North of Guatemala and Belize. This shows the close ties and importance Kohunlich would have had with the other areas of Mayan culture. During its days of grandeur, the site looked very different from how we see it now, since all the buildings would have been stuccoed and painted predominantely in red. Some were also decorated with stuccoed figures and geometric designs. It boasted a complex drainage system which diverted rain water to an artificial reservoir or “aguada”. The constructions that can be visited served for different purposes, these being mainly residential, administrative and religious. They constitute only a part of the site, since the rest was made up of worker and peasant quarters, who supplied the foodstuffs and manufactured the various shell and flint artifacts.

Cohune Palm (Orbignya cobune)

SOURCE: Cohune Palm (Orbignya cobune) (Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, México); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 02 February 2012.

Fruits of the Cohune Palm

SOURCE: Fruits of the Cohune Palm (Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, México); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 02 February 2012.

Turtle Carved from the Nut of the Cohune Palm

SOURCE: Turtle Carved from the Nut of the Cohune Palm (Kohunlich, Quintana Roo, México); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 09 February 2012.

The Coast of Haiti

Steve — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:30:47 +0000

The coast of Haiti is beautiful with tall green mountains surrounded by turquoise water. Fishermen earn their living from small boats with makeshift sails and a water taxi stands idle near the coast. Off the coast of Haiti lies the island of Tortuga, made famous in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

The Haitian Coast

SOURCE: The Haitian Coast (Haiti, Hispaniola); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 31 January 2012.

Haitian Fishermen

SOURCE: Haitian Fishermen (Haiti, Hispaniola); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 31 January 2012.

Water Taxi

SOURCE: Water Taxi (Haiti, Hispaniola); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 31 January 2012.

Tortuga

SOURCE: Tortuga (Haiti, Hispaniola); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 31 January 2012.

Labadee, Haiti

Steve — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:30:51 +0000

I just recently returned from a trip to the Caribbean where I visited Hispaniola, an island shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The village of Labadee is located on the northern coast of Haiti. One of the oldest structures in Labadee is Nellie’s Place which once served as a trading post there. Hibiscus flowers are common in the Caribbean, and Haiti is no exception. Small boats are anchored offshore.

Labadee Village

SOURCE: Labadee Village (Labadee, Haiti); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 31 January 2012.

Nellie’s Place

SOURCE: Nellie’s Place (Labadee, Haiti); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 31 January 2012.

Hibiscus

SOURCE: Hibiscus (Labadee, Haiti); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 31 January 2012.

In God We Trust

SOURCE: In God We Trust (Haiti); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 31 January 2012.

Readings for the Mass of Christian Burial for Ray Niedzialkowski

Steve — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:30:20 +0000

My Uncle Ray’s Mass of Christian Burial was conducted by the Reverend Ronald D. Coyne on 04 February 2012 at St. Mary Church in Randolph, Massachusetts. The first reading was from Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples.
On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples,
The web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever.
The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces;
The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth, for the Lord has spoken.
On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”

The word of the Lord.

The second reading was from Romans 6:3-9, the same passage that was read at my father’s funeral last month.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans

Brothers and sisters:

Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.

For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.

The word of the Lord.

I was unable to attend the Mass of Christian Burial for Uncle Ray because I was out of the country at the time. My cousin Susan who held Ray in her arms when he passed from this life was kind enough to let me know the details of his death and funeral.

Rest in Peace, Uncle Ray

Steve — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:30:36 +0000

Raymond John Niedzialkowski, 90, of Worcester, Massachusetts, formerly of Randolph, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully, Monday, Jan. 30, 2012 at Autumn Village Nursing Home in Worcester, with his loving niece Susan Lee at his side.

He was born on August 30, 1921 in Worcester, Massachusetts to parents Kostanty Niedzialkowski and Helen Chmielewska Niedzialkowski.

Ray was pre-deceased by his wife, Mary O’Connor Niedzialkowski, who died in 1982, his sister Jane Niedzialkowski Danko and brother Frederick Niedzialkowski. He is survived by his sister Natalie Niedzialkowski Rawding of Duxbury, Mass, Henry Niedzialkowski of Worcester and several nieces and nephews.

He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Coast Guard on both Atlantic and Pacific shores, attended art school in Boston and owned and operated Floors the Ray Way in Randolph for 50 years.

Ray was an artist with a poet’s soul, an unfailing sense of humor and a love of all of God’s creatures.

A funeral Mass with a calling hour just prior was held at 9 AM on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at St Mary’s Church, Rte. 28, North Main St., Randolph, Massachusetts. Interment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Randolph, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ray’s memory to an Animal Rescue League of your choice.

Funeral arrangements were handled by the Hurley Funeral Home. For online guest book, please visit www.thehurleyfuneralhomes.com.

Ye Men of Galilee, Why Stand You Looking up to Heaven

Steve — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:53:42 +0000

Ten stained glass windows in the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Albany, New York depict scenes from the life of Christ. The tenth, Ye Men of Galilee, Why Stand You Looking up to Heaven, appears in the east wall, near the front of the church.

Ye Men of Galilee, Why Stand You Looking up to Heaven

SOURCE: Ye Men of Galilee, Why Stand You Looking up to Heaven(Albany, Albany County, New York); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 08 January 2012.

{1:3} He also presented himself alive to them, after his Passion, appearing to them throughout forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God with many elucidations.
{1:4} And dining with them, he instructed them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but that they should wait for the Promise of the Father, “about which you have heard,” he said, “from my own mouth.
{1:5} For John, indeed, baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not many days from now.”
{1:6} Therefore, those who had assembled together questioned him, saying, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom of Israel?”
{1:7} But he said to them: “It is not yours to know the times or the moments, which the Father has set by his own authority.
{1:8} But you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit, passing over you, and you shall be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”
{1:9} And when he had said these things, while they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
{1:10} And while they were watching him going up to heaven, behold, two men stood near them in white vestments.
{1:11} And they said: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall return in just the same way that you have seen him going up to heaven.”

SOURCE: Conte, Ronald L. Jr., translator and editor. The Sacred Bible. Catholic Public Domain Version. Acts of the Apostles 1:3-11. Online <http://www.sacredbible.org/catholic/NT-05_Acts.htm>. Accessed 26 January 2012.

The inscription on the window states:

Ye Men of Galilee, Why Stand You Looking up to Heaven – Acts

In Memory of Dennis Harley March 9 9

The Guards Were Struck with Terror

Steve — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:01:59 +0000

Ten stained glass windows in the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Albany, New York depict scenes from the life of Christ. The ninth, The Guards Were Struck with Terror, appears in the east wall of the church. Note that the Gospel which this window represents is Matthew 28:4, not Mark 28 as the window itself states.

The Guards Were Struck with Terror

SOURCE: The Guards Were Struck with Terror (Albany, Albany County, New York); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 08 January 2012.

{28:1} Now on the morning of the Sabbath, when it began to grow light on the first Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulcher.
{28:2} And behold, a great earthquake occurred. For an Angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and as he approached, he rolled back the stone and sat down on it.
{28:3} Now his appearance was like lightning, and his vestment was like snow.
{28:4} Then, out of fear of him, the guards were terrified, and they became like dead men.
{28:5} Then the Angel responded by saying to the women: “Do not be afraid. For I know that you are seeking Jesus, who was crucified.
{28:6} He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where the Lord was placed.
{28:7} And then, go quickly, and tell his disciples that he has risen. And behold, he will precede you to Galilee. There you shall see him. Lo, I have told you beforehand.”
{28:8} And they went out of the tomb quickly, with fear and in great joy, running to announce it to his disciples.

SOURCE: Conte, Ronald L. Jr., translator and editor. The Sacred Bible. Catholic Public Domain Version. Matthew 28:1-8. Online <http://www.sacredbible.org/catholic/NT-01_Matthew.htm>. Accessed 26 January 2012.

The inscription on the window states:

The Guards Were Struck with Terror. St. Mark XXVIII (sic)

Gift of Thomas and Elizabeth McEnaney in Memory of Their Family, John McEnaney in Memory of His Wife Jeannette and Family