THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (05/11/97)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

Soyuzivka: UNA resort is better than ever

by Daniel Slobodian

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - In our nostalgia, we are prone to make the good old days better than they actually were. When Soyuzivka was established, much work had to be done: buildings needed to be made structurally safe and renovated; heating and plumbing systems, both indoor and underground, had to be replaced; eventually, a new water supply and sewage system were installed; rooms were refurbished with tiled baths, new windows, rugs, walls, ceilings and furniture.

The focus of the new resort was to attract Ukrainian youth. To do this, an Olympic-size pool, a volleyball court, shuffleboard and tennis courts, a soccer field, and a large recreation hall with a patio on top for dancing, indoors or out, were built.

On summer weekends, 1,000 to 2,000 young people would come and dance to the Amor orchestra. When Walter Kwas came on board as manager he obtained many fine entertainers in addition to the orchestra. He remained manager for 28 years and is responsible for countless improvements and innovations at Soyuzivka.

The food at Soyuzivka has always been fresh and tasty, and the kitchen has been immaculate thanks to Andrij Lesiw. Who could forget his delicious duck, perfectly done steak or deep-dish apple pie? The long hours he devoted to his work and his loyalty can never be appreciated enough.

We had two Ukrainian immigrations. The first was stung by the worst depression in U.S. history. Then World War II brought the second immigration as refugees. These two groups shared two things: their Ukrainian roots and their lack of wealth.

Today Ukrainian youths are graduating college with degrees and working as professionals. So Soyuzivka has changed, too.

More rooms have been added, many have been upgraded with air conditioning, more than a quarter of the rooms have televisions and telephones. The swimming pool has been rebuilt, and a new snack bar gives a guests the option of booking rooms with or without meal plans. One can still visit the nearby Log Cabin Restaurant, and enjoy a kovbasa pizza or Ukrainian platter, participate in a game of pool and catch up with proprietors Olga and Zen Sawchuk.

Weddings are expertly catered and the value at Soyuzivka is outstanding. Many excellent tent weddings have been set upon the newly leveled ground behind the building, which provides a gorgeous view of the mountains. Soyuzivka caters to reunions, conventions, conferences and receptions for all occasions, as well as people who just need a weekend getaway.

A recent New Year's Eve in Soyuzivka's Veselka hall was unforgettable for me. The hall was elegantly decorated in black and white ribbons, streamers, balloons and table linens. A beautiful crowd attended: the men were dressed in tuxedos and the women in formal gowns, and there was dancing to the superb music of the Tempo Orchestra.

The tennis camp, children's camps and Roma Pryma-Bohachevsky's Ukrainian dance camp are still very active, along with the Ukrainian-language camp for pre-schoolers run by the Pershi Stezhi Plast sorority under the direction of Neonila Sochan and with the cooperation of parents (and grandparents).

A new addition, now in its second year and going strong, is Chemney's Fun Center, geared to exposing English-speaking pre-schoolers to the Ukrainian heritage.

The newest thing at Soyuzivka is the "Winter Inn" restaurant and cocktail lounge. Manager John A. Flis has created a first-class restaurant with atmosphere and decor that you will not find for miles around. The food is prepared by Chef Andrij Sonevytsky, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, and is truly gourmet. The restaurant is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, with à la carte choices, from the traditional Ukrainian platter to the exotic Shrimp Asianique. Sunday Brunch just has to be seen to be believed.

Sonya Semanyshyn is the hard-working office manager who is courteous and has a heart of gold. Andrij Cade (he is Chef Lesiw's great nephew) is the bar manager who is always there to provide guests with a libation.

There's plenty of activity in the Catskill and Shawangunk mountains, and I urge all of you to come to Soyuzivka. Your children will love it, and so will you. Always reasonably priced, Soyuzivka is a great vacation spot, and it's better than ever.

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For information about Soyuzivka or to make reservations, call the resort at (914) 626-5641.

Daniel Slobodian was the first general manager of the UNA's resort. He lives a half mile from Soyuzivka and is active in local community life.

Young UNA'ers

Xenia Vitovych, born in Kyiv to Christina Pendzola-Vitovych and Oleh Vitovych, a national deputy in Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada, is a new member of UNA Branch 184 in New York City. She was enrolled by her grandmother Maria Jakowiw Pendzola.

Gregory Luke Gudziak, son of Dr. Marko and Roma Gudziak, is a new member of UNA Branch 39 in Syracuse, N.Y. He was enrolled by his grandparents Dr. Alexander and Jaroslawa Gudziak.

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