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What We’ve Done

– Organization Accomplishments –

This organization files an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ. It is a 501(c)(3) public charity. GuideStar, the national database of U.S. charitable organizations, gathers and distributes data on more than 850,000 IRS-recognized nonprofits. Read the GuideStar report on The Welsh Cultural Endeavor of Northeastern Pennsylvania. This organization also files forms BCO-10 and BCO-23 annually with the Department of State in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and revenue reports with regard to tax exemption status with the Department of Revenue every five years.

1. October 2, 2006 – Articles of Incorporation were filed for The Welsh Cultural Endeavor of Northeastern Pennsylvania with the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under the Non Profit Law of 1988.

2. September 7, 2007 – The U. S. Internal Revenue Service granted a letter of determination for federal tax exempt status under section 501 (c) (3) code.

3. October 14, 2007 – Gymanfa Ganu 2007, was held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Wilkes-Barre, PA, for a tremendously successful Welsh hymn sing conducted by the world-renowned Alun Guy of Cardiff Wales and augmented by the top Welsh National Eisteddfod competition winning Côr Meibion Pontarddulais, Pontarddulais, which is the top rated choir in Wales.  The occasion commemorated Welsh composer John Hughes’ centenary of the world top five hymn tune, Cwm Rhondda, which is also known as Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah.  Mr. Guy had the privilege of conducting the powerful hymn at the church in the town of Pontypridd where it was first presented to the world a few months before his arrival here.  Over 80 members of the choir attended as well as 500 were estimated to gather at the free service in Wilkes-Barre.  A recording was made of the occasion.  The choir was transported from and to neighboring Scranton on Martz Bus Company coaches and was hosted to a formal dinner at the church afterward, compliments of the organization: at a total cost of nearly $13,000.

4. March 10, 2008 – Filming began with an interview with 90-year-old lecturer, historian and anthracite miner, William A. Hastie at the Anthracite Heritage Museum at McDade Park in Scranton for an historical documentary featuring Welsh immigration into Northeastern Pennsylvania.  A series of interviews were conducted by founder and president George C. Horwatt and shot on selected location and with various experts.  The film would later be titled Pwy Sydd Fel Nyni ? – Neb ! or Who Is Like Us ? – Nobody !

5. March 21, 2009 – A trio of female members and directors of the organization were invited to Sugar’s Tea Room, Forty-Fort, and performed at a Celtic festival organized by proprietor Cheryl Roman.  The ladies represented the Welsh and sang various Welsh hymns and secular songs while attired in full native costume.

6. September 2 – 6, 2009 –  The organization was represented at the North American Festival of Wales also known as the National Gymanfa Ganu, held in Pittsburgh.  A full featured display of the upcoming documentary was exhibited and pre-sales of the DVD version were accepted.

7. September 12, 2009 – The organization represented the Welsh community at the commemoration of the Shawnee Cemetery, Plymouth, were many Welsh people are interred.  A full display of memorabilia and upcoming documentary information was presented.

8. January 10, 2010 – Completion of the 34 page Power Point ® presentation, Revival – Heavenly Inspired Holiness or Man Made Hoax? was completed.  An investigation into the world famed Evan Roberts Revival of 1904-1905 in Wales, was inspired by the organization’s founder and president’s several visits to old native Cymru.  Revealing notions of discovery were more than just mere coincidences to this visitor.  Spine tingling, conclusive and corresponding information was discovered in several issues of the Wilkes-Barre Record newspaper.  Revealed were earth shattering accounts of phenomenal soul saving occurrences that transformed form Wales to the Wyoming Valley and beyond.  A seasoned pastor from the Dallas area assisted the organization’s board in the tedious and technical assembly of this extraordinary accounting.

9. February 20, 2010 – The Castle Inn, Dallas, was the scene where the organization featured legendary folklorist and storyteller, Fiona Siobhan Powell of Milton, and formerly of Wales.  Ms. Powell expressed what it is to be unmistakably Welsh to a packed room.  An announcement was made that the documentary was complete and a complete display of it was present.

10. March 8, 2010 – The Senate of Pennsylvania by Senate Resolution 257 recognizes March 1, as “St. David’s Day” in Pennsylvania to honor Pennsylvanians of Welsh heritage.  The resolution was introduced by Senator Lisa Jones Baker and was presented by her to this organization in leather bound addition in gratitude.

11. June 19, 2010 – Luzerne County Community College, Nanticoke, was the host to the grand premier showing of Pwy Sydd Fel Nyni ? – Neb ! or Who Is Like Us ? – Nobody !  After two and one half years and nearly $30,000 spent, the film became a reality.  The gathering hosted by the organization was presented free of charge to special invited guests that included, the interviewed experts, area elected officials, friends, and various members of the Welsh community through out Northeastern Pennsylvania.  A standing ovation of appreciation erupted at the review conclusion.  A gala reception with food and refreshments followed and a full DVD version including a printed case insert went on sale.

12. July 25, 2010 – Revival – Heavenly Inspired Holiness or Man Made Hoax ? was presented by president Horwatt for the very first time at Back Mountain Harvest Assembly this evening.  The revival transformation was revealed from Wales to Wilkes-Barre and then beyond to other places in the U. S.  It was a night of fervor in prayer following the presentation.

13. November 23, 2010 – Grotto Pizza, Harveys Lake hosted its annual Parade of Trees.  Directors and friends decorated a colorful and Welsh festive Christmas tree that was sponsored by Dr. Bradley Bryant from Back Mountain Chiropractic Center in Dallas.  30 trees are voted on by making contributions to the non-profits.  The tree was decorated with Welsh artifacts, by the board and friends, with love spoons, Welsh phrased ornaments, pewter statues of St. David, his banners, y Ddraig Goch flags.  At the base of the tree there is a manger (the only one present), a recent copy of the organization’s DVD titled Pwy Sydd Fel Nyni? – Neb! or Who Is Like Us? – Nobody!  Place next to the tree is a mailbox which lists the organizations accomplishments, DVD order copies of Ninnau.

14. December 19, 2010 – Yr Hendy, Wales.  President George C. Horwatt and director Megan M. Horwatt visited the home of Eric and Gwen Jones.  Eric is the president of Cor Meibion Pontarddulais and recently authored a book, Brothers Sing On! – A History of Pontarddulais Male Choir (1960-2010).  President Horwatt and this Welsh organization are mentioned in this book.  An personally autographed edition was presented during the visit.

15. January 22, 2011 – Barnes & Noble, Wilkes-Barre, hosted a DVD signing for Pwy Sydd Fel Nyni? – Neb! or Who Is Like Us? – Nobody! at 2 PM.  President George Horwatt, director Megan Horwatt, and cast members Dr. Richard M. Loomis and Anthony T. P. Brooks were on hand to answer questions and discuss the content of the film.  A full exhibit of Welsh related materials was displayed while the film aired throughout the store. Attendance was good.

16. February 19, 2011 – Irem Temple Country Club, Dallas, was the venue for The Inquest, a reenactment presented by the Eckley Players in full era costume to determine the cause of a fire resulting in the deaths of 110 mostly Welsh miners at the Avondale mine in Plymouth, on September 6, 1869.  Our sponsored event attracted a good crowd of new and familiar people to hear testimony from the company, an engineer, and union official.

17. March 1, 2011 – Luzerne County Courthouse, Wilkes-Barre.  Officers, directors, and Welsh friends were invited by the Luzerne County Commissioners to receive a special St. David’s Day resolution;  “NOW, THEREFORE, WE, the Board of Commissioners of the County of Luzerne do hereby applaud all Luzerne County residents of Welsh descent for their determination to keep the culture and spirit of their ancestors alive, thank them for the many contributions they have made to their country and their community, and congradulate The Welsh Cultural Endeavor of Northeastern Pennsylvania for a job well done!”  Commissioner Thomas P. (Lewis) Cooney was on hand to make the presentation.

18. March 2, 2011 –  BBC WALES called us today for a live national interview that lasted for several minutes.  President George Horwatt was a featured guest on the popular Roy Noble Show and was questioned about the Welsh people in northeastern Pennsylvania. Highlighted was the documentary Pwy Sydd Fel Nyni? – Neb! or Who Is Like Us? – Nobody!, that identifies and mirrors Wales more than anywhere in the U. S.

19. June 18 & 19, 2011 – Eckley Miners Village, Eckley, PA.  The site of the 1970 filming of The Molly Maguires that featured Sean Connery and Richard Harris.  We were asked to participate in their ‘Patch Town Days’ celebration in which we displayed artifacts and sold Welsh cookies, shirts, and our documentary DVD.  Those in attendance and assisting were George, Joan and Meredith Horwatt, Joy Ondrea Suda, daughter Bryn, and Chris Flynn.

20. November 22, 2011 – Again, Grotto Pizza, Harveys Lake hosted its annual Parade of Trees.  Directors and friends decorated a colorful and Welsh festive Christmas tree that was sponsored this year by Snowdon Family Funeral Homes of Shavertown and Kingston.  24 trees are voted on by making contributions to the non-profits.  The tree was decorated with Welsh artifacts, by the board and friends, with love spoons, Welsh phrased ornaments, pewter statues of St. David, his banners, y Ddraig Goch flags.  At the base of the tree there is a manger (the only one present), a recent copy of the organization’s DVD titled Pwy Sydd Fel Nyni? – Neb! or Who Is Like Us? – Nobody!  Placed next to the tree is a mailbox which lists the organizations accomplishments, DVD order copies of Ninnau.

21. January 5, 2012 – The board of directors authorize and received the purchase of Efengyl – Gogogniant Bendigedig Y Dduw.  The Bible.  Translated by Bishop William Morgan in 1588 from the original Hebrew and Greek, this leather-bound 10”x13” Y Cessegar Lan version has commentary on each page given by Rev. Matthew Henry and Rev. Peter Williams.  The only English found is on the beautifully illustrated captions of historical scenes.  This bible will be used in future presentations.

22. August 30 – September 2, 2012 – The 81st North American Festival of Wales was held in Scranton and we were a major sponsor.  Pwy Sydd Fel Nyni? – Neb! was presented at the Hilton theater.  Revival – Heavenly Inspired Holiness or Man Made Hoax?, was given at seminars by George Horwatt.  The board of directors sold Welsh clothing at a marketplace.  A press conference was held announcing a fundraiser event to be held at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre on St. David’s Day, Friday, March 1st 2013 and will be hosted by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Ice Hockey Team.

23. November 20, 2012 – Grotto Pizza, Harveys Lake hosted its annual Parade of Trees.  Directors and friends decorated a colorful and Welsh festive Christmas tree that was sponsored this year by our friend Attorney John H. Kennedy who is mostly a Welshman.  24 trees are voted on by making contributions to the non-profits.  The tree was decorated with Welsh artifacts, by the board and friends, with love spoons, Welsh phrased ornaments, pewter statues of St. David, his banners, y Ddraig Goch flags.  At the base of the tree there is a manger (the only one present), a recent copy of the organization’s DVD titled Pwy Sydd Fel Nyni? – Neb! or Who Is Like Us? – Nobody!  Placed next to the tree is our mailbox.  Placed inside are the DVD order form and an announcement order form for a fundraiser event to be held at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre on St. David’s Day, Friday, March 1st 2013 which will be hosted by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Ice Hockey Team.

24. January 14, 2013 – Our newly renovated and expanded website www.welshculture.org went online.  The site has much historical information correlating Wales and the similarities of Northeastern Pennsylvania.  It gives announcements of upcoming events, photos, poetic and musical renditions of famous Welshmen and new blog forum.  Donations now can be received through PayPal as well as the offering of Welsh clothing and our DVD.

Fall Gathering – November 23, 2013 at Irem Temple Country Club

Posted by on Oct 14, 2013 in Past Events | 0 comments

Fall Gathering – November 23, 2013 at Irem Temple Country Club

WALES – A HISTORY IN BONDAGE   Startling Discoveries… WAS A MUST SEE EVENT!!   What do you say about an ancient civilization that thrives until this day but has virtually been ignored by most of the world?  Its history ignored, degraded, and mischaracterized, with the effect of biased, one-sided and plain just unrepresented assessment, from what is considered authoritative establishments; and for unjustifiable reasons?   If you don’t believe it, just look at the present day Union Jack of what’s known as the United...

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Dropping the first puck.

Posted by on Mar 2, 2013 in News, Past Events, Portfolio | 0 comments

Dropping the first puck.

DROPPING THE FIRST PUCK…LET’S PLAY HOCKEY!!  Our first fundraiser with our team the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

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Welsh Heritage Night On Ice!

Posted by on Jan 6, 2013 in Blog, Past Events | 0 comments

Welsh Heritage Night On Ice!

~The first ever-held American Hockey League – Welsh Heritage event ~ March 1, 2013  The American Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hosted Welsh Heritage Night at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza on St. David’s Day.     This day heralded in Wales and throughout the world, commemorates St. David’s Day, held for the 6th century bishop and patron saint of Wales (known as Dewi Sant).  The game this March 1st evening featured the first ever  AHL team sponsorship of a Welsh event as best rivals the...

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Parade of Trees Advancing Welsh Awareness – 6th Year

Posted by on Dec 5, 2012 in Blog, Featured, News, Past Events | 0 comments

Parade of Trees Advancing Welsh Awareness – 6th Year

The 17th annual Parade of Trees is once again under way at Grotto Pizza, Harveys Lake, a Christmas tree competition for the benefit of various area charities.

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