WTC attacks cause Philatelic Society to change convention-exhibit's venue (10/21/01)

WTC attacks cause Philatelic Society to change convention-exhibit's venue

The Ukrainian Philatelic and Numismatic Society (UPNS), an international collectors' organization of some 300 members, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. For this special event it had scheduled two UKRAINPEX convention-exhibits this fall - one in Canada, the other in the United States. The first event, held in Edmonton, on September 14-16, went on successfully despite the fact that the terrorist strikes had occurred in the United States earlier that week. The second show, scheduled for early October, however, had to be cancelled because its venue was to have been downtown New York City.

Due to security concerns, transportation problems to and from Lower Manhattan, and a lodging scarcity (to house rescue workers), the New York show had to be called off. However, society members were determined not to let their anniversary celebrations be stymied by the terrorists. Alternate plans were quickly explored and a new show has been scheduled for November 10-11 at the Ukrainian Homestead resort in Lehighton, Pa.

Called FREEDOMPEX, the new show has a threefold tie-in with this name. The first, obviously, has to do with current developments and the society's support for the worldwide struggle against terrorism and for the preservation of cherished freedoms.

The second connection has to do with the original venue of the show, the Shevchenko Scientific Society headquarters in New York. A temporary postal station, called Shevchenko Station, was to have been set up at this locale. This name will be retained for the new temporary postal station to be set up at the Homestead in Lehighton on November 10. Taras Shevchenko was an outstanding spokesman for freedom.

Finally, the third tie-in is the selected theme for the FREEDOMPEX name which is the 10th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

The original cancellation design for New York City honoring Ukraine's independence will be retained, but the name of the show, date, and location on the cancel will be changed. The new cancellation (currently being designed) will be applied to two specially designed envelopes that will be available at FREEDOMPEX. Various collectable dealers will be at the show as well as UPNS president and The Ukrainian Weekly's "Focus on Philately" contributor Dr. Ingert Kuzych. Special philatelic exhibits will also be available for viewing by guests. Admission to this special get-together is free.

The Ukrainian Homestead is at 1230 Beaver Run Drive, Lehighton, Pa., (610) 377-4621. For directions to Lehighton or more information about FREEDOMPEX, please contact show chairman Mike Matus at (610) 927-3838 or by e-mail at [email protected].

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