Among Ann's many interests are--in no particular order--food, grungy fonts, polka, baking, opera, film, Latin (as in dead language), The Colbert Report, dark chocolate, avant-garde accordion tunes, a.m. radio, pop art, and Chicago bungalows. For links on her latest fascinations or to read her BLOG...

Dr. Ann Hetzel Gunkel serves as Director of Online Communications for the Polish American Historical Association (authoring/editing the PAHA website) and has designed the very popular Polish Traditions websites, which have had over a quarter of a million visitors to date. For links to all these online resources...

Ann and David Gunkel are arts & crafts/bungalow afficianadi. Having renovated a 1927 Chicago brick bungalow, they have much to say on the value and worth of the arts & crafts ethos. Ann's much-read Bungalow Manifesto has been shared with arts & crafts enthusiasts and used by historic preservation activists...

Our family's collection of Boleslawiec artisanal pottery from Poland is out of control. This wonderful hand-painted pottery from Poland's western Boleslawiec region dates back 700 years. A spectacular ethnic alternative to mass produced goods, it is also practical for our family: dishwasher, microwaver, oven and freezer safe, it is sturdy and beautiful...

The accordion, now seen as perhaps the quintessential polka instrument, has a radical pedigree that belies its popular image. For more on this topic and accordion links from polka scholar (and accordion player!) Ann Hetzel Gunkel...

Our dog breed of choice--although its more like they chose us. For links and images of our boxers...

A cradle Catholic, Ann is interested in theology, ritual and domestic devotion. The social justice mission of the church offers guiding principles for her life and work as she is intrigued by the counter cultural possibilities of incarnational theology. The revolutionary power of Polish Marian devotion and the Solidarity movement affected her outlook on history, politics and prayer. Having no qualms about reconciling postmodern philosophy and premodern devotion, Ann's life & scholarship values the primacy of action over belief (not the other (Protestant) way around)...