Proud Americans, Polish Roots - 66th Annual Convention of the American Council for Polish Culture

Under the banner, Proud Americans, Polish Roots, the convention will officially open on Thursday, July 31, at 9 AM with the anthems led by the prize-winning Chopin Singing Society under the direction of Dr. Thomas Witakowski. The keynote address will be given by Judge Carl Bucki, Chief Bankruptcy Judge for the Western New York District, and a noted historian on Buffalo’s Polish American community. Continuing with the theme, the luncheon speaker will be Greg Witul, author of Adorned in Light, a window-by-window literary tour of Corpus Christi Church’s celestial stained glass windows.

On Thursday evening at 8 PM, will be the much anticipated annual vocal recital given by the recently selected ACPC Marcella Kochanska-Sembrich scholarship recipient, Alexandra Nowakowska at the Montante Cultural Center at Canisius College. Nowakowska (bio attached) will present selections by Chopin, Poulenc, Bellini, Gounod and Massenet. The concert is free and open to the public.

On Friday afternoon, the convention delegates will have an opportunity to tour “old Polish Buffalo” once again under the guidance of Greg Witul.

On Saturday evening Acting President Mary Ellen Tyszka will host the Annual Awards Banquet in the Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Cocktails at 6 PM; Dinner and Awards presentation at 7 PM. Music provided by David Sowinski. ACPC traditionally presents awards to those who have made a difference in fostering an interest in Polish heritage and culture. This year’s recipients are as follows:

• Distinguished Service: Marcin Chumiecki, Director, The Polish Mission, Orchard Lake Schools, Michigan
• Cultural Achievement: Szymon Tolak, Polish Cultural Foundation of Boston
• Founders Award: ACPC Members Ange Iwanczyk, Pittsburgh, PA, and Mary Ann Mlynarski of Youngstown, OH, and
• Special Lifetime Achievement Award to the Very Reverend Canon Philip S. Majka, Diocese of Arlington, VA

Business sessions are open to the public but comments and voting are not. Business sessions will take place at the Hyatt Regency-Buffalo on Thursday 9-12:30 PM and 2-5 PM; Friday 9 AM – 1 PM and Saturday 9 AM - Noon. For the entire duration of the convention the convention boutique will be open where arts and crafts items and books will be available for purchase.

For more information contact Convention Co-Chair Debbie Majka at 215-627-1391 or dziecko2@comcast.net. About the American Council for Polish Culture: Founded in 1948, the ACPC is a national non-profit organization uniting like-minded groups and individuals in cities across the United States in promoting Polish culture, heritage and history, and intercultural understanding. Learn more about their scholarships, projects and programs at www.polishcultureacpc.org