THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (06/14/98)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

The UNA and you

Refinancing or buying a home: the time is right

by Stephan Welhasch

This may be the best time in many years to buy a new home. A major reason for this is very low mortgage interest rates, among the lowest in the last 25 years. In most parts of the country, fixed-rate mortgages have now dropped below 7 percent. Financial experts in the industry feel that interest rates will probably not drop any lower.

Needless to say, it is also a great time to consider refinancing your existing home mortgage loan, if you have not already done so. If you are now paying two or more percentage points above the current rate of interest and you're not planning to move in the near future, now is definitely the time you should consider refinancing.

Borrowing smart means getting the best possible repayment schedule, the lowest possible interest rate, and the smallest possible additional costs and fees. Even though most people understand that in the long run they can save themselves much money by refinancing, many are still afraid of the costs connected with the loan process. True, the borrower must pay a list of charges and fees when closing the loan - there is no way of avoiding it, short of paying a higher interest rate. However, with proper preparation and good research, a wise borrower can save thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.

Strange as it may seem, many people don't know how to get started when buying or refinancing a home. Much of the process happens behind the scenes. The most important step is that first phone call.

For example, when you call the Ukrainian National Association, our representative will take the time to ask you the appropriate questions and then suggest a financing program best suited for your needs. Practically the only thing you'll need to do is sign the documentation. What follows is paying less and saving more.

If you are ready to take these steps by refinancing your existing mortgage loan or are ready to buy a new home, then start by calling the UNA. We offer our members low-cost financing for owner-occupied one- two- and three-family homes throughout the United States and Canada.

The UNA's First Mortgage Loan Program offers interest rates that are competitive with the prevailing rates in your area. The UNA offers its members five-year adjustable and 15-year fixed-rate mortgage loans with 15- to 25-year payouts, including an option of refinancing at maturity. We also offer a Jumbo Mortgage Loan Program to Ukrainian churches and organizations at a preferred rate.

Members can enjoy peace of mind in knowing they're getting the best possible mortgage loan value available, along with first-class service. "Good service" is our motto. To find out more, contact us at 1 (800) 253-9862.

14th annual Fathers' Day to be celebrated at Soyuzivka

by Andre Worobec
Fraternal Activities Coordinator

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - On Sunday, June 21, the Ukrainian National Association will celebrate its 14th annual Fathers' Day at Soyuzivka. Divine liturgies for the intentions of all fathers will be celebrated at the Ukrainian Catholic church and the Ukrainian Orthodox chapel.

In the afternoon there will be a program of song and dance, featuring the renowned Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Montreal, Ukrainian flamenco guitarist Andrey Kutash and Liuba Shchibchik, lyric soprano of Kyiv.

Troyanda, founded in 1989 by students of the late dancemaster, choreographer and dance instructor Petro Marunchak, who had last performed at Soyuzivka in 1989, has been in existence since 1989. It is directed by Tanya Harasymowycz and Bohdan Klymchuk.

Mr. Kutash, who has been been closely associated with Troyanda, has performed on local radio stations in Montreal and Quebec.

Ms. Shchibchik, a graduate of the Lviv Conservarory of Music, is a talented lyric soprano with the agility of a coloratura. She recently made her American debut with the New Rochelle Opera and has performed leading roles in numerous operas in Ukraine. Ms. Shchibchik sang leading roles in Rachmaninoff's "Aleko," Verdi's "Rigoletto" and "La Traviata," Bortniansky's "Alcid," Tchaikovsky's "Eugene Onegin," as well as Mozart's "The Impressario."

As in previous years, UNA members and non-members alike are welcome to attend the Fathers' Day weekend events. UNA branches and districts are encouraged to organize trips to Soyuzivka and participate in the UNA's celebration to honor all fathers.

For further information and reservations, call Soyuzivka at (914) 626-5641.

OBITUARY: Anne K. Dubas, former advisor of the UNA

LANOKA HARBOR, N.J. - Anne K. Dubas, an accountant and banker as well as a former UNA advisor, passed away here at age 80 on March 26. Mrs. Dubas graduated from New York University and the Stern School of Business in New York. Until her retirement in 1983, Mrs. Dubas worked as a self-employed accountant and was a director at the Trident Federal Savings and Loan in Newark. She also served on the Irvington Board of Education for eight years and was its president for two terms.

Mrs. Dubas was a member of Ukrainian National Association Branch 133 of Newark. She was also a member of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, the Rosary Altar Society of St. John's Ukrainian Catholic Church, Newark, and St. Stephen's Ukrainian Catholic Church, Toms River.

Born in Newark, Mrs. Dubas was a resident of Irvington for 46 years and of Toms River for 13 years before moving to Lanoka Harbor in 1997.