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AACS Activities and Calendar of Events
Updated: 18 April 2008

AACS Coming Events
Thursday, May 8, 2008 - The Semi-annual AACS General Membership Dinner Meeting will be held at Del's Ristorante, 4428 Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield. Appetizers at 5:30 p.m.; Buffet Dinner at 6:00 p.m.; Program at 7:00 p.m. Cost: $16 for adults, $10 High School Students. RSVP by May 2, 2008 to Liz Krobot 412-331-3159. Make checks payable to the AACS and mail to Liz Krobot, 94 Thorncrest Drive, McKees Rocks, PA 15136.
September 2008 - You may wish to attend the first Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concert to be conducted by Manfred Honeck, the new music director, an Austrian from Voralberg. An attempt will be made to provide the AACS membership with a means for attending as a group. Watch our Home Page and newsletter for further details.
Friday, September 26, 2008 - Opening (black tie optional) concert. AACS has a block of 60 seats on hold (30 orchestra and 30 in the family circle). Price: tentatively $36.00 to $40.00 per ticket. Details to follow . . .
Thursday, December 4, 2008 - St. Niklaus Fest at Teutonia Maennerchor, Phinneas St., Pittsburgh.
Sunday, December 7, 2008 - Annual Pitt Open House and tour of Nationality Rooms. AACS will again maintain a booth selling delicious home-made baked goods.
Sundays, WPIT (730 AM) - The German Radio Hour continues to broadcast our 2 monthly half-hour programs to help promote our Austrian culture. Heino Coelle, producer and director of the radio program "Die deutsche Heimatstunde" (the German Hour) broadcasts his show on Sundays from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. on WPIT (730 AM). As a result you will hear "Focus on Austria/Fokus an Österreich" on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. The first broadcast occurred on October 25, 2003.

AACS Recent Activities
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 2008 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 22nd Annual Austrian Ball, under the chairmanship of George Mandl, was held in the Grand Hall of the Priory. Eight debutantes were presented, along with their escorts, waltzing to the Polonaise. The Court, under the direction of choreographers Bill and Jackie Dorfner, danced the beautiful Austrian Laendler. Viennese music during dinner and for the Presentation of the Debutantes, Escorts, and Court was provided by the highly-recommended Vienna Nights Orchestra, followed by the Hank Haller Orchestra, who, by popular demand, again played for the evening's dancing.
Sunday, March 2, 2008 - Guest Announcer Hour on radio station WQED (89.3 FM), featuring music by Austrian composers, sponsored by AACS, narrated by Sister Mary Traupman.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 2007 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Thursday, December 6, 2007 - The annual St. Nikolas Fest was held at the Teutonia Maennercor, Phinneas St., Pittsburgh. Members and guests dined on a delicious assortment of flounder stuffed with crabmeat, prime rib of beef au jus, Jäger Schnitzel, spätzle, asparagus, baked potato, and an array of homemade desserts. St. Niklas appeared and presented a gift to all.
Sunday, December 2, 2007, Noon to 4:00 p.m. - Open House, Nationality Rooms, University of Pittsburgh Cathedral of Learning. Our Austrian Booth sold home-baked goods with assistance from the up-coming 2008 debs.
Thursday, November 15, 2007, 7:00 p.m. - The Annual AACS General Membership Meeting and Election of Directors was held on Thursday, November 15, 2007 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Crafton. The three new Directors elected by membership vote are Robert Tate, Jackie Dorfner, and Bill Dorfner. Their 3-year terms will expire at EOY 2010. See Home Page for list of Board of Directors and corresponding terms of office.
Thursday, September 6, 2007 - AACS Board Meeting was held at the home of President Bill Burgunder, 623 Berkshire Ave., Pittsburgh, PA.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007 - The annual AACS General Membership Dinner Meeting was held at Del's Ristorante, 4428 Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield.
Thursday, April 12, 2007 - AACS Board Meeting was held at the home of President Bill Burgunder, 623 Berkshire Ave., Pittsburgh, PA.
Sunday, March 4, 2007, 9:00 p.m., WQED-FM - Guest Announcer Hour was held on radio station WQED (89.3 FM), featuring music by Austrian composers, sponsored by AACS, narrated by Sister Mary Traupman.
Thursday, January 11, 2007 - A meeting of the Society Board of Directors was held on January 11, 2007 at the Kearns Spirituality Center on Babcock Boulevard. After the final meeting of the 2006 Officers and Board presided over by outgoing President Sister Mary Traupman, Officers for 2007 were elected from among the 2007 Board Members elected at the November general membership meeting. The election results are posted on our Home Page.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 2006 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Saturday, December 30, 2006, 8:00 p.m. - SALUTE TO VIENNA - For 60 years the Vienna Philharmonic's world-famous "Neujahrskonzert" broadcast has thrilled 1.2 billion people annually around the globe-a joyous celebration of the musical legacy of Johann Strauss Jr. Salute to Vienna-the only showcase modeled carefully after the Viennese original-has established itself as a New Year's tradition in North America featuring glorious music with an outstanding cast of 75 musicians, singers and dancers. In Pittsburgh, the SALUTE TO VIENNA concert was presented on Saturday, December 30, 2006 at the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts.
Thursday, December 7, 2006 - The annual AACS Christmas Party was held on December 7, 2006 at the Teutonia Maennerchor. A delicious dinner; a visit by St. Nicholas, who distributed gifts; and the singing of Austrian Christmas songs in German and English delighted the attendees.
Sunday, December 3, 2006, Noon to 4:00 p.m. - Pitt Open House - Univ. of Pittsburgh/Nationality Rooms Open House was held on Sunday, December 3, 2006 from noon to 4:00 p.m. This event featured delicious ethnic foods, traditional dances and entertainment, and visits to the various Nationality Rooms located in the Cathedral of Learning. Several of the 2006 Ball debutantes assisted at the Austrian Booth where delicious baked goods were available.
Thursday, November 16, 2006, 7:00 p.m. - The Annual AACS General Membership Meeting and Election was held on Thursday, November 16, 2006 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Crafton (behind St. Philip's Church) with President Sister Mary Traupman presiding. The membership elected the new Board of Directors who will take office at the January meeting of the outgoing Board. Officers for 2007 will be selected by the new Board at that meeting. Sister Mary thanked the outgoing Board for their many years of dedicated service to the Society. After the meeting snacks, desserts, and soft drinks were enjoyed by the attendees. Two CDs were awarded as door prizes. See the AACS Home Page for the election results.
Sunday, June 11, 2006, 10:00 a.m. - Austrian Room 10th Year Anniversary celebration. Event began with 10:00 a.m. Mass at St. Paul's Cathedral, where we were recognized guests. Lunch/brunch followed at the PAA with a video of Austrian hightlights and a showing of a new DVD of the building of the Austrian Nationality Room. The celebration closed with blessing services in the Austrian Room.
Thursday, May 11, 2006, 5:30 p.m. - The annual general membership meeting was held at Del's Restaurant, 4428 Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield. The social began at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and a program. Attending were several members of the 2006 Ball participants who spoke eloquently about their experience.
Saturday, April 8, 2006 - The 21st Annual Austrian Ball was held at the Grand Hall at the Priory, featuring eight debutantes from the Pittsburgh area. See photo gallery for pictures of the grand event.
Sunday, March 5, 2006, 9:00-10:00 p.m. - The annual guest announcer hour on WQED-FM, 89.3 featured an hour of the music of Mozart, to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of the great Austrian musician. The guest announcer hour was the Society's incentive premium for making a gift to WQED-FM of $500.00 in the fall of 2005,
Thursday, January 12, 2006, 7:00 p.m. - The annual January Board of Directors meeting was held at Kearns Spirituality Center on January 12th. Officers were elected for 2006. Refer to Home Page for lists of Officers and Directors.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 2005 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Thursday, December 15, 2005 - The AACS Annual Christmas Dinner Party was held at the Teutonia Maennerchor, Pittsburgh, PA.
Sunday, December 4, 2005, Noon to 4:00 p.m. - The annual Christmas Open House and Bake Sale was held at the Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh. The Austrian Booth sold baked goods.
Thursday, November 17, 2005 - The AACS Annual General Membership Meeting and Election of Directors was held at 7:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Crafton, PA. Eleven members of the Board of Directors were elected/reelected. Door prizes of two pairs of tickets--to the Andre Rieu and Bill Gaither concerts--were awarded. A social hour and snack party followed the meeting.
Friday and Saturday, May 20-21, 2005 - Festgottesdienst, Heimatabend, Trachten Wallfahrt - D'Lustigen Isartaler celebrated 30 years of Bavarian and Austrian traditions, culture, customs, tracht and Gemütlichkeit dating back to the Middle Ages. Members of our Society joined in the events: Heimatabend at the Teutonia, Friday, May 20 and on Sat. May 21 on a march from Teutonia to the Festgottesdienst at St. Boniface Church, followed by dinner and/or Festabend dancing and entertainment.
Thursday, May 12, 2005 - AACS Annual General Membership Dinner Meeting was held at Del's Restaurant, 4428 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield. Program included a Photo Slide Showing of the 2004 Austrian Tour arranged by Heidi and Dr. Joe Novak. Commentary on the slides was made by Sister Mary Traupman.
Thursday, April 28, 2005 9:00 p.m. - Board of Directors' Meeting was held at the Kearns Spiritual Center, Allison Park.
Saturday, April 9, 2005 5:00 p.m. - 20th Annual Austrian Ball was held in the Grand Hall at the Priory. See 2005 Ball for details.
Sunday, March 20, 2005 9:00 p.m. - Guest Announcer Hour on radio station WQED (89.3 FM), featured music by Austrian composers. AACS President Sr. Mary Traupman was the guest announcer and an excerpt from the literary work of Elfriede Jelinek, the first Austrian Nobel Prize winner (2004) for literature, was read by Elisabeth Mandl.
Thursday, January 13, 2005 - The newly-elected Board of Directors of the Society met on January 13th at the Kearn's Spiritual Center at the Divine Providence Mother House in Allison Park to select the officers for the year 2005. The new officers of the Society are Sister Mary A. Traupman, CDP, Esq., President; Joseph Pandl, Vice President; August Miller, Recording Secretary; George Mandl, Treasurer. Franz Stehr, Joseph Fisher, Helen Semethy, Frank Weiss, and Celeste Parrendo also serve on the Board. Other appointments are: Joseph Novak, M.D. as Chair, Univ. of Pittsburgh Austrian Room Committee; Betty McDermott, Chair, Austrian Room Decorations; Arliss Sturges, Membership Secretary; Rita Lamm, Friendship Secretary; Joseph Pandl, Newsletter Editor; Anna Kresh, Webmaster of the AACS Internet Web Site; Joseph Fisher, Esq., Judge Advocate; nd Gus Miller, Insurance Advisor.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 2004 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Sunday, December 12, 2004 - The Debutante Committee of the AACS Austrian Ball 2005 hosted a tea on December 12th in the Cathedral of Learning for the upcoming class of debutantes, along with their parents and gentlemen escorts. The deb and escorts were treated to a tour of the Austrian Nationality Room.
Thursday, December 9, 2004 6:00 p.m. - The very moving and inspirational AACS Annual Christmas Party was held at the Teutonia Maennerchor, Phineas Street, Pittsburgh. The Social hour began at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. of Stuffed pork chop, Flounder stuffed with crab meat, or Rolladen. The old favorite Chistmas carols were sung in German. Music was provided by Ed Prem and his accordion. As usual, we were again blessed with a visit by Saint Niklaus who gave treats to all the good "boys" and "girls".
Sunday, December 5, 2004 - The Nationality Rooms Open House and Bake Sale was held at the University of Pittsburgh on December 5th from 12 Noon to 4:00 p.m. Although some of the Nationality Rooms were still closed for repair, the Austrian Room was open and will remain open throughout the holidays.
Members met at 10:30 a.m. to complete the decorations. This was followed by the annual AACS Bake Sale at 12:00 noon along with the delicious food, drink, and desserts offered by the various ethnic groups around the perimeter of the Commons in the Cathedral of Learning. The Austrian Booth sold delicious home-made baked goods which the attendees thoroughly enjoyed while listening to and watching the various nationality groups performing their music and dancing in the Commons area. We hope you were present to enjoy this annual event.
Thursday, November 18, 2004 - Election of the Society's Board of Directors was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 10 West Crafton Ave., Crafton, followed by a wine and cheese party. The newly-elected directors for 2005 are Joseph Pandl; George Mandl; Betty McDermott; Dr. Joseph Novak; Franz Stehr; Sister Mary A. Traupman, CDP; Joseph Fisher; August Miller; Helen Semethy; Frank Weiss and Celeste Parrendo. The Directors will meet in January to select the officers for 2005. Click to view the transcript of the presentation made to the assemblage by Austria's Honorary Consul Edgar Braun.
Sunday, November 14, 2004 2:00 p.m. - Gedenkgottesdienst of D'Lustigen Isartaler at St. Anthony's Chapel, Troy Hill, with Schlachtfest at Teutonia Maennerchor
Thursday, October 28, 2004 6:00 p.m. - The AACS Anniversary Dinner was held October 28th at Duranti's Park Plaza Restaurant, 128 North Craig St., Oakland. The buffet included roast beef, chicken and lasagna with salads and vegetables and a dessert. Adam Warhola, recipient of the 2003 Austrian Nationality Room scholarship in honor of Frank Grosschedl, and his guest joined us. After dinner, Adam shared with us his experiences in Austria. He also expressed his profound gratitude to the AACS for having made possible the furthering of his studies in law in Vienna.
Wednesday, October 27, 2004 - Vienna Choirboys at the Byham Theater, Downtown Pittsburgh (not affiliated with AACS)
Thursday, October 14, 2004 - Click to view the transcript of the presentation made by Dr. Eva Nowotny, Austria's Ambassador to the U.S., at the European Union Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, on October 14, 2004. This presentation was also made by Dr.Novotny at the Center for Western European Studies at the University of Pittsburgh.
Monday, October 11, 2004 - President Robert Tate and Vice President Sister Mary Traupman presented WQED with a $500 challenge grant for encouragement of public contributions to its semi-annual fund-raiser. We were gratified that the goal for the hour was exceeded and, with the Society's contribution, over $2,200 was raised.
Sunday, September 26, 2004 - September 26th was Austrian American Day. The Austrian American Cultural Society celebrated this day by underwriting programming on WQED Radio (89.3 FM) with five announcements the morning of September 26. WQED-FM, Pittsburgh’s only classical music station, plays the music of Austrian composers.
Tuesday, July 27, 2004 through Monday, August 9, 2004 - A group of thirty or so AACS members and their friends returned to Pittsburgh after traveling as a group, organized by Joe Novak, for two weeks through Austria, beginning and ending in Vienna. Some of the diverse locations of the tour were Semering, Altausee, Bad Ischl, Attersee, Alpenau, Salzburg, Kitzbuehel, Kaprun, Bad Gastein and Grossglockner. While there many took the occasion to detour to visit family members in various towns. Sister Mary Traupman served as the unofficial diarist and photographer and she promises to present a travelog at a future meeting.
Thursday, July 22, 2004 A meeting of the Board of Directors of the Society was held at 7:00 p.m. at the home of President Tate.
Tuesday, June 1, 2004 A meeting of the AACS Board of Directors was held on June 1st during which the results of the Silver Viennese Ball were reviewed. Tentative plans were made for the 20th Annual Ball at the Priory in early 2005. Two scholarships for summer study in Vienna will be awarded next year. The ongoing compilation of the history of the Society and the annual Ball, to be posted on the AACS web site when completed, was discussed.
Saturday, March 27, 2004 The 19th Viennese Ball was held at the Grand Hall at the Priory, 614 Pressly Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At this Silver Viennese Ball the attendees celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Society. Honored Guests were the Honorary Consuls of both the Republic of Austria and the Republic of Slovenia; the Consul of the Swiss Confederation; the President of the Polish Cultural Council; the Chairman of the Austrian NationalyRoom Committee of the University of Pittsburgh; and officers and/or representatives of the North American Singer Association, Alpen Schuhplattler and Trachtenverein, G.T.E.V. D'Lustigen Isartaler, Teutonia Männerchor and Damenchor, and the East Pittsburgh Sängerbund. Presented were twelve beautiful debutantes and their escorts. Music during dinner and the Presentation of the Debutantes and Escorts was provided by the Steve Ehrlich Palais Ensemble and all enjoyed an evening of gemütlichkeit and dancing to the music of the Al Nowak Edelweiss Orchestra.
Sunday, March 7, 2004 On Sunday, March 7th, from 9 - 10 a.m. on WQED (89.3 FM) the AACS hosted an hour of Austrian Music. Commentary on the composers and the Society were made by President Robert Tate and Vice President Sister Mary Traupman.
Tuesday, February 10, 2004, 7:00 p.m. The annual meeting of the newly-elected AACS Board of Directors, originally scheduled for January, was postponed several times due to inclement weather. It was held on February 10, at which time the Society's Officers for 2004 were selected. Unanimously re-elected to serve another term were Robert Tate, President; Sister Mary Traupman, Vice President; Rita Lamm, Secretary; and George Mandl, Treasurer.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 2003 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Thursday, December 11, 2003, 6:00 p.m. - Weihnachtsfest, the annual AACS Christmas Dinner Party, was held in the Ratskeller of Teutonia Maennerchor.
Sunday, December 7, 2003, 12 Noon to 4 p.m. The "PITT" Christmas Open House was held at the University of Pittsburgh, Cathedral of Learning. Delicious Viennese pastries and Cookies were sold by members of the AACS. Many visitors toured the beautifully-appointed Austrian Nationality Room which was decorated for Christmas.
November 20, 2003 - AACS Business Meeting/Election The annual AACS Business Meeting was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Crafton on Thursday, November 20, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. In addition to the reporting on, and discussion of, the affairs of the Society, an election was held for the members of the AACS Board of Directors for the year 2004. The term of each director is one-year, although directors are permitted to serve successive terms. After the business portion of the meeting was completed, there was a social with delicious snacks, beverages, and dessert refreshments. The eleven Directors elected were (in alphabetical order) Joseph Fisher, Anna Kresh, Rita Lamm, George Mandl, Betty McDermott, Dr. Joseph Novak, Joseph Pandl, Dolores Stehr, Franz Stehr, Robert Tate, Sister Mary Traupman.
November 15, 2003 - Nationality Room Christmas Preparations In alliance with the German Nationality Room, the Society on Saturday, November 15th co-hosted the luncheon that is prepared annually for the battalion of elves who gather en masse at the appointed time in the Cathedral of Learning to decorate the nationality rooms for the holidays. Responsibility for the luncheon is rotated among the room sponsors from year to year. AACS Committee members led the Austrian team effort.
November 2, 2003 - Viennese Ball 2004 - Debutante tea The Debutante Committee of the AACS Viennese Ball 2004 hosted a tea on November 2nd in the Cathedral of Learning for next year's class of debutantes, along with their parents and gentlemen escorts. A visit to the Austrian Room was a part of their introduction to the program. Although it is too soon to know the final complement of debutantes, we are gratified by the interest shown at the few high schools that have been recruited for next year, such as North Catholic, Mars Area, Deer Lakes and Shaler Area. We appreciate the efforts of the Ball Committee members with the tea and other crucial aspects of the debutante program.
The German Hour (Sundays - WPIT 730 AM) Recently the Society formed an arrangement with Heino Coelle, producer and director of the radio program "Die deutsche Heimatstunde" (the German Hour) to promote our culture. Heino broadcasts his show on Sundays from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. on WPIT (730 AM). As a result you will hear "Focus on Austria/Fokus an Österreich" on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. The first broadcast occurred on October 25, and the second on November 9, 2003. To inaugurate our part of the show, our President was interviewed by Heino at the WPIT studios and was able to describe the Society, its growth, its key goals, the nationality room as well as the annual ball.
Please tune in to "Focus on Austria". We anticipate that Heino will play a vibrant blend of traditional and contemporary Austrian folk music and light classical melodies, interspersed with interesting tidbits about the music. Your comments are most welcome, too, as we strive to make our new program as entertaining as possible for our members and all of the other listeners with an abiding affection for Austria.
October 27, 2003 (WQED 89.3 FM) Continuing the Society's two-pronged goal of the promotion of Austrian culture in the tri-state region and the support of WQED Multimedia, the AACS Vice President, who has been instrumental in nurturing the evolving relationship with the station, and the AACS President visited the studio of WQED-FM on October 27th to offer a challenge grant of $500, as the station’s autumn fund raiser was in the home stretch. Judi Cannava, co-hosting the hour along with Jim Sweenie, provided a number of opportunities during the hour to tell the listeners about the Society, its history, achievements, especially the nationality room and the scholarship fund, the annual Viennese Ball, and the Society’s objectives. During the hour several persons of Austrian ancestry called to make pledges and the challenge of $500.00 generated more than $1275.00 in additional pledges. The premium to the AACS for the grant is a guest announcer hour. The hour is scheduled for Sunday, March 7, 2004, from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Tune in to 89.3 FM for an hour of favorites by Austrian composers.
September 26 - Austrian-American Day September 26 was Austrian-American Day, having been proclaimed so by President Clinton in 1997. The Society celebrated the event by underwriting programming on WQED-FM (89.3). The underwriting announcement was broadcast several times during that morning's program on the only local station that regularly presents among its programs the classical and semi-classical music of Austrian composers.
September 11, 2003 - AACS Dinner Meeting During the AACS Brenner Pass dinner meeting held at Del's Ristorante on September 11th the recipient of the Austrian Nationality Room scholarship, a second-year law student, reported on his summer studies and travel in Austria. All those in attendance enjoyed his presentation, complete with video accompaniment. Adam's experience of a lifetime (his words) included not only immersion in the University of Vienna's law school and an introduction to the Austrian courts, but travel around the country and the special treat of a reunion with relatives who are living in Austria. The Society has reason to be gratified by the mutual benefits of the scholarship awarded to the recipient and we look forward to seeing him, his family and friends at future AACS events. Back to top of page