THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

UNA Supreme honored at banquet

WINNIPEG - The Ukrainian Canadian community honored UNA Supreme Director for Canada John Hewryk and Stephanie Hewryk with a banquet attended by 200 representatives of local and national organizations at the Lincoln Motor Hotel here on July 24. The reception was held to celebrate Mr. Hewryk's 75th birthday and 55 years of community service as well as Mr. and Mrs. Hewryk's 45th wedding anniversary.

The celebration was opened by master of ceremonies Judge Michael Barylak and was followed by a prayer and an address by Metropolitan Hermaniuk of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada. The metropolitan praised Mr. Hewryk's work in the community. Judge Barylak then read greetings congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Hewryk on their anniversary. These included messages from Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, Liberal Party leader Jean Cretieu, NDP leader John McLaughlin and many other Canadian dignitaries.

Dignitaries from the Ukrainian community that extended their greetings included Ukrainian government in exile president Mykola Plawiuk, Ukraine's ambassador to Canada Levko Lukianenko and the president of the World Congress of Free Ukrainians, Yuri Shymko, as well as many others.

Speaker George Hwozdulych drew a brief biographical sketch of Mr. Hewryk's youth in Ukraine to his most recent activities and achievements in Canada. UNA Supreme Secretary Walter Sochan extended greetings from the UNA's Supreme Executive Committee and presented Mr. Hewryk with an award plaque. Other speakers offering greetings included former Manitoba Minister of Culture and present MLA Judy Wasylcia-Leis, administrator of Ss. Vladimir and Olga Cathedral, the Rev. Jaroslaw Radkewych, Olga Kowal, vice-president of the Ukrainian Women's Organization of Canada, and Olga Mychalchuk, representing a local branch of the UWOC.

The Hewryk's son-in-law, Dr. Lev Chirovsky, expressed gratitude to his in-laws and thanked all the guests that attended the banquet. Mr. and Mrs. Hewryk also extended appreciation to their guests.

Archbishop Wasyly, metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada, praised Mr. Hewryk's many accomplishments and dedication to the Ukrainian community and led the assembly in prayer for Mr. Hewryk and his family.

St. Nicholas visits young UNAers

Berwick

by Tymko Butrej

BERWICK, Pa. - UNA Branches 164 and 333 from Berwick, Pa., sponsored their annual St. Nicholas party, which was held at the church hall of St. Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church on Sunday, December 6. Mr. Tymko Butrej, chairman of UNA Wilkes-Barre District as well as secretary of Branch 164, briefly addressed the guests, mentioning that the UNA is the oldest existing Ukrainian organization in the diaspora and informing the audience of the membership benefits and insurance products available to UNA adult or children members.

Over 130 guests attended this affair, among them 28 children. As part of the program the children enjoyed a visit by St. Nicholas, who presented them with gifts.

All guests young and old alike enjoyed a delicious buffet and refreshments.

Manville

by Mike Zacharko

MANVILLE, N.J. - St. Nicholas visited the children of St. Michael the Archangel parish in Manville, N.J., on Sunday afternoon December 6. A program on the St. Nicholas theme was prepared in anticipation of his visit.

The program began with the pastor, the Rev. Paul Labinsky, greeting the guests and explaining to them the beautiful Ukrainian St. Nicholas tradition and its meaning to us.

The children of the Ukrainian School, which meets on Saturdays, welcomed St. Nicholas with the traditional song "O, Khto, Khto Mykolaya Liubyt" (Whoever Loves St. Nick, will be rewarded). Orest Kraynyk must be commended for an excellent job as pianist for the program. St. Nicholas was very generous to the children, showering them with gifts.

The children were treated to sweets, soft drinks, while coffee and pastry was served to parents and other guests, who freely socialized.

Everyone had a good time. The children are already anticipating St. Nicholas' coming next year.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, January 3, 1993, No. 1, Vol. LXI

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