THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (02/02/97)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

St. Nicholas makes the rounds

Woonsocket

WOONSOCKET, R.I. - St. Nicholas visited the children gathered in the parish hall of St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church on December 22, 1996.

Janet Bardell, UNA Branch 241 representative, was in charge of arranging refreshments and gifts for children, while Dr. Michael Klufas served as liaison with St. Nicholas.

The Rev. Ivan Kaszczak greeted the participants and told the story of the bishop of Myra and the origin of St. Nicholas celebrations.

St. Nicholas arrived on the decorated stage dressed in his traditional robes; he was assisted by three angels, Crystal Kusma, and Ashley and Heather Nikolyszyn.

A father-and-son team entertained the audience: Ivan Tkach played Christmas music, and his son Marko read a Christmas story in Ukrainian and sang "Boh Predvichnyi."

A group photograph was taken, gifts distributed and refreshments served to young UNA members ranging in age from 3 months to 12 years.

- Ivanna Hanushevsky

Ambridge

AMBRIDGE, Pa. - UNA Branch 161 in Ambridge held its annual children's Christmas party on Sunday, December 15, 1996. The 15 children in attendance were treated to movies, refreshments and a visit from St. Nicholas, who brought them a bag of toys and treats.

This year's event was organized by Ron Monzi, with assistance from Suzi Monzi and Nick Diakiwsky. The children's Christmas party has been a long time tradition for Branch 161. Some of the children who attended are fourth-generation UNA members.

- Nick Diakiwsky

Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Children greeted the visiting St. Nicholas on December 8, 1996, in the parish hall of the Holy Protection Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

All children, their parents and grandparents are invited to this annual event sponsored by UNA Branch 59 and supported by the Home Office of the UNA.

Irene Demkiw was the organizer responsible for the educational program. She related the story of the life and good deeds of St. Nicholas and showed a Ukrainian film about St. Nicholas titled "The Christmas Tree."

St. Nicholas spoke about the importance of prayers, attendance at divine liturgy and doing good deeds daily. He also spoke individually to each child about the importance of leading a good spiritual life. Each of the children received a gift and a picture of St. Nicholas.

Branch President Dimitri Stec and Financial Secretary Taras Slevinsky made all the necessary preparations and held a small reception for the children. Mr. Slevinsky personally delivered gifts to those children who were unable to attend the party due to bad weather.

- Ihor Hayda

UNA officers consider a tribute to Kwas

JERSEY CITY, N.J. - Several executives of the Ukrainian National Association who in their youth worked at Soyuzivka have suggested that Walter Kwas, the resort's manager for 28 years, be remembered in a special way at the upstate New York estate.

These UNA officers - four of the six members of the Executive Committee - discussed their fond memories of Mr. Kwas, the time they spent as Soyuzivka employees during their younger years, and what they could possibly do in his memory.

Alexander Blahitka, UNA treasurer, who worked at Soyuzivka for three years in the 1960s, told The Weekly: "The man helped literally thousands of Ukrainian youths become responsible adults, in addition to running a resort. Some recognition of that fact should be made."

He and three other UNA officers who once worked at the resort - Vice-President Nestor Olesnycky, Vice-Presidentess Anya Dydyk-Petrenko and Secretary Martha Lysko - decided that recognition for Mr. Kwas would be most appropriate coming from the former employees who worked under his supervision - and watchful eye. "We kept in mind that as Executive Committee members we also are responsible for setting policy for the organization. Thus, we have to be mindful that, obviously, there are other dedicated UNA'ers who deserve recognition. What are the criteria we should consider in deciding how to memorialize Mr. Kwas?"

Therefore, Mr. Blahitka has suggested that former workers raise funds for a plaque of Mr. Kwas in bas-relief to be placed at a suitable location at Soyuzivka, for example, in the workers' dorm, named Sich. "Perhaps we could have that building rededicated in his memory as the Walter Kwas Memorial Soyuzivka Workers' Quarters," he added.

"What we are looking for," he continued, "is feedback from the workers. Is this a good idea? Would they be willing to financially support it? Then we could prepare a budget and present it to the entire Executive Committee."

The UNA treasurer added that initial feedback among persons attending funeral services for Mr. Kwas on January 3-4 was positive. "But, we would like more feedback from the employees of the resort who worked there in 1955-1983 at the time of Walter Kwas."

Mr. Blahitka recalled his own experiences working at Soyuzivka. "Mr. Kwas helped our characters grow and kept us out of trouble. Maybe we didn't see it at the time, but we now see what an impossible job he had to do - both running a resort and watching over some 60 young summer workers. And we now realize how well he did that job."

And what is the UNA treasurer's most memorable recollection of the former manager of Soyuzivka? "Well, it had to be the time he fired the whole kitchen staff because a waitress had dropped a tray. He told us we were fired and then told us to get back to work."

Mr. Blahitka, who worked at various jobs at the resort ranging from dishwasher to junior cook (assisting Chef Andrij), recalled Mr. Kwas as a tough boss and as a surrogate parent. "He was a tough love father. Now I have children - I have three- and he took care of 60. I can now appreciate the job he did."

"Mr. Kwas helped me learn responsibility and the value of hard work. We worked six days a week for 12-14 hours each day," Mr. Blahitka said. "And I am grateful to him."

"He also played cupid quite often - to literally scores of couples. In fact, our vice-president, Nestor Olesnycky, met his wife, Ivanka, at Soyuzivka," he continued.

Now two of Mr. Blahitka's daughters have a connection to Soyuzivka. Tania has worked in the office, as a chambermaid and in the bar for two years. Her younger sister Genia also worked at Soyuzivka for the first time this past summer.

And the Kwas connection is there, too. "Mr. Kwas showed Tania some of his archives, his materials for a book he was working on and old photographs - including a picture of Soyuzivka summer workers when I was there."

Mr. Blahitka said he is certain that hundreds of workers have similar fond memories of their former boss at Soyuzivka, and that is why he is sure there will be support for a Walter Kwas memorial.

* * *

Interested persons are asked to contact Mr. Blahitka by writing to: Ukrainian National Association, 30 Montgomery St., Jersey City, NJ 07302; fax, (201) 451-2093. Donations also may be sent to the UNA (checks should be made payable to the UNA with the notation "Kwas Memorial").

Seniors slate conference

LOS ANGELES, N.M. - The 23rd annual conference of the Association of UNA Seniors will take place at Soyuzivka on June 8-13, announced President Anna Chopek.

The executive committee is planning an interesting and enjoyable program, Dr. Chopek noted, adding that this is a very well attended event, so it is important that you make your reservations as soon as possible.

Call Soyuzivka at (914) 626-5641; or write to Ukrainian National Estate, Foordmore Road, Kerhonkson, NY 12446.

Looking for volunteers to teach English

Join the ranks of over 300 volunteers who over the last five years have spent a month or more of their summer vacation participating in the UNA's program to teach conversational English in Ukraine. You will have an opportunity to visit and teach in almost any region of this country. Since the program's inception, we have placed our teachers in 80 cities and towns throughout Ukraine.

Students vary from high-school students to professionals in various fields. The class size is limited, and schedules are flexible. Approximately 4,000 students have benefited from the skills that our volunteers have shared with them. The courses give students an opportunity to converse in English with a native English speaker, reinforces their language skills and opens a window to both American and Ukrainian American cultures. What better way to teach Ukrainians about Americans than by sharing with them something very natural for us: the spirit of volunteerism.

If you have the time and energy to volunteer, we will organize the class, supply you with the teaching materials and find room and board for your extended stay in Ukraine. We guarantee this will be the experience of a lifetime.

For further information, please call the Ukrainian National Association at (800) 253-9862 or (201) 451-2200. Deadline for applications is February 28, 1997. Most placements occur between May and August 1997.

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