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Polish Americans on Florida’s Suncoast

Meet our Speaker, Dr Mark Pienkos, National First Vice President for the Polish American Congress at the J. Geldbart Auditorium of the Selby Public Library downtown.

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A Global Toast Holiday Party
16
January

A Global Toast

A Global Toast

5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

The Sister Cities Association of Sarasota invites members, friends, and guests to an elegant January cocktail reception to celebrate international connections and the year ahead.

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Polish Americans on Florida’s Suncoast

Meet our Speaker, Dr Mark Pienkos, National First Vice President for the Polish American Congress at the J. Geldbart Auditorium of the Selby Public Library downtown.

This presentation will be focused on:
– 80 Years of Achievement of the Polish American Congress
– The Polish-American Association of Sarasota, Inc., serving the Sarasota Community Since 1975
– Sopot, Poland: will Sopot become another Sister City of Sarasota?
Dr. Mark Pienkos, National First Vice president for the Polish American Congress, will explain the purpose and accomplishments of the Polish American Congress (PAC). The PAC advocates for nearly ten million Americans of Polish descent. He will then highlight the many activities and achievements of The Polish-American Association of Sarasota, Inc., which celebrates its 50th anniversary of operation in 2025.
Finally, Pienkos, and his wife, Ann (born in Poland, is a native speaker, and has returned to visit her homeland nearly thirty times since emigrating to America at age nine) will share the beauty of Sopot, Poland.
Sopot is one of the tri-cities in Poland on the Baltic Sea along with Gdansk and Gdynia. Similar in size to Sarasota, it offers a wonderful cultural scene.
Q & A time following the presentation will provide opportunities for the audience to inquire about the beauty of Poland. As Mark often says, “If you haven’t had the opportunity, visit Poland! It’s a beautiful Country!”
BIO
 
Dr. Mark Pienkos is a third-generation American of Polish descent. All four of his grandparents came to America from Poland in the early 1900s.
Currently serving as the National First Vice President for the Polish American Congress, Mark earned his Doctorate in Education from the University of Southern California. His career spanned 45 years as a teacher, school counselor, assistant principal, principal, and school superintendent in Wisconsin.
He and his wife, Ann, are also proud graduates of Northern Illinois University. Locally, Mark serves as an elected Board Member for The Meadows Homeowners Association, chairs the Sarasota County Historical Commission, works for the Baltimore Orioles during the Spring Training Season, and is a Board Member for the Northern Illinois University Alumni Association. He’s also a member of several Polish organizations, including The Polish-American Association of Sarasota, Inc., of which Ann is the Immediate Past President.
Ann and Mark have three adult children and two grandchildren. Finally, being from Chicago (and being a lifelong White Sox fan), Mark authored “1917-2017: One Hundred Years of White Sox Baseball” published locally at Peppertree Press in Sarasota in 2017.
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Join us for a friendly Meet & Greet at 6:15 pm at Cafe Amici 1371 Main Street, Sarasota.

 

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