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P.O. # 362, Ingomar, PA 15127
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AACS Home Page
 Updated: 28 February 2009
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What we do...
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NOTICES:
~ 2009 Austrian Ball - Message from President Bob Tate ~
Greetings AACS Members,
I am very pleased to be able to announce the Annual Austrian Ball for 2009. The committee with responsibility for the arrangements has given the event already considerable time and effort, with much more to come. The venue for the Ball is new, and for those not already acquainted with the Pittsburgh Golf Club, you can count on a very pleasant evening in the elegant ballroom of a stately mansion. The committee found it an ideal venue for an early spring Ball. Even the invitation has a new look, which we hope coveys our excitement and enthusiasm about the Ball. More importantly, we sincerely hope that you will find it a stirring inducement to make your reservations as soon as possible. Of course, we encourage you to invite family and friends to join you to experience genuine Austrian culture and hospitality.
April 4, 2009 - 23rd Austrian Ball - see invitation and reservation.

March 18, 2009 - JCC Opus Concert featuring our own Linda Fischer, PSO Violinist - See Calendar of Events for details.

See below for recently-elected AACS Officers for 2009.

The Society welcomed Maestro Manfred Honeck, Musical Directory of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
at at luncheon on 6 May 2008. See Photo Gallery.

Check our Photo Gallery for pictures of our 22nd Austrian Ball, held on Saturday, March 29, 2008 in the Grand Hall at the Priory.

Please visit the AACS Archives section containing our History; the History of the Austrian Room; past AACS Officers and Staff members, Newsletters, Notices, etc.

Who is AACS?

The Austrian American Cultural Society (AACS) is a non-profit organization of Americans and Americans of Austrian ancestry residing in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, and others dedicated to the promotion of Austrian culture.

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What does AACS do?

In accordance with the Society's by-laws, the Purpose of the Society is to

~ "create and foster among its members a genuine love for Austrian culture and customs by establishing an Austrian Room among the Nationality Rooms at the University of Pittsburgh in compliance with the rules of the Nationality Rooms Program of the University of Pittsburgh," [task completed]
~ "sponsor cultural programs which represent authentic aspects of Austria's cultural heritage," [ongoing]
~ "and to provide scholarship funds for studies in Austria..." [ongoing]

To these ends, the AACS participates in several annual activities designed to promote and preserve Austrian culture in the United States. Among these are

- the annual Viennese Ball, patterned after the Opernball held each year in February in the State Opera House (Staatsoper) in Vienna, Austria, bringing the elegance of old world Vienna to the Pittsburgh area, recently including the presentation of debutantes along with their escorts

- the creation and maintaining of the Austrian Nationality Room at the University of Pittsburgh.

- the sponsorship of the Austrian Room Scholarship/Endowment Fund at the University of Pittsburgh, providing educational scholarships (usually two) to local Pittsburgh college students for summer study in Vienna in their chosen fields

- participation in the Gedenkgottesdienst, a Thanksgiving and Memorial service in German held at a local church in memory of the deceased members of the German Clubs of Greater Pittsburgh

­- a general Membership/Dinner Meeting held in the Spring of each year

- an annual Christmas Dinner/Party, including Austrian Christmas traditions, readings, and the singing of carols in German, usually held in the Ratskeller of the Teutonia Maennerchor

- an annual Membership meeting and Election of the AACS Board of Directors, followed by the sharing of a wide selection of wines, cheeses, pastries, etc.

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2009 AACS OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS
 Robert J. Tate - President
Helen Semethy - Vice President
George Mandl - Treasurer
Irene Rosati - Recording Secretary
Jackie Dorfner - Newsletter Editor
Anne-Carol Tawoda - Chair, Austrian Room
Robert Tate - Chair, 2009 Austrian Ball
Bill and Jackie Dorfner - Chairs, 2010 Debutante Ball
Anna Kresh - Webmaster/Membership Secretary
Betty McDermott - Friendship Secretary

Dr. Ivo Fischer, Bregenz, Austria - Founder and Honorary President
Edgar Braun - Pittsburgh Honorary Consul of the Republic of Austria

* * * * *
AACS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

~ ~ terms expire EOY 2009 ~ ~
George Mandl, Betty McDermott, Celeste Parrendo, Helen Semethy

~ ~ terms expire EOY 2010 ~ ~
Robert Tate, Jackie Dorfner, Bill Dorfner

~ ~ terms expire EOY 2011 ~ ~
Elizabeth Krobot, Irene Rosati, Anne-Carol Tawoda, Frank Weiss

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History of the Society
History of the AACS - detailed history of the Society, courtesy of Joseph Pandl (in progress)
AACS Past Officers and Chairs - list of past AACS officers, chairpersons, support staff

Because the history of the AACS is so intertwined with the history of the Austrian Nationality Room, see also:
History of the Austrian Room. - as printed in Austrian Room Dedication booklet, June 9, 1996
People Who Created the Austrian Room - as printed in Austrian Room Dedication booklet, June 9, 1996

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Membership Information
Membership in AACS is open to any person interested in
supporting the purpose of the corporation, and in
participating in the Society's activities, and
who is at least 21 years of age.
Membership dues of $15 for individuals, or $20 for couples, are due each year by the end of January.
For more information about membership, please contact Webmaster

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For questions or comments, contact: Webmaster