THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (09/19/99)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

UNA Seniors conclude 25th anniversary conference

by Anne Chopek

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - The 25th anniversary conference of Ukrainian National Association Seniors was held at Soyuzivka on June 13-18.

The weather was great as registration began Sunday afternoon in the lobby of the Main House, ably handled by Olga Paproski, Dr. Stefania Baranowskyj and Mary Bobeczko. After dinner members gathered at the Veselka Bar for a no-host cocktail party, the perfect place to socialize, and to have the annual Ukrainian sing-along led by Olga Liteplo.

On Monday morning, members participated in a divine liturgy and panakhyda (requiem service) in memory of deceased UNA seniors at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Kerhonkson, N.Y.

The conference was opened by President Anna Chopek. The American and Ukrainian anthems were sung, the "Pledge of Allegiance" was recited, and the business session began.

Dr. Chopek was elected conference chairman, Mrs. Liteplo, English-language secretary, and Larissa Dijak, Ukrainian-language secretary.

Appointments to committees were made as follows: Nominating Committee - Eva Uzych and Olga Shatynsky; Committee on Donations - Estelle Woloshyn, Volodymyr Diachuk, Alice Orlan and Helen Chornomaz; Auditing Committee - Tatiana Rishko and Myron Pastushenko.

A moment of silence was held in remembrance of deceased UNA Seniors. Dr. Oleh Wolansky led members in the singing of "Mnohaya Lita" for Dr. Roman Baranowskyj on the occasion of his 94th birthday. Dr. Baranowskyj is not only an active and longtime member of the UNA Seniors, but is well-known in the Ukrainian community for his work on various Ukrainian causes.

Minutes of the 1998 seniors' conference were read by the English-language secretary, Mrs. Liteplo. Ukrainian-language minutes were not read due to the absence of Dr. Jurij Swyschuk, who was unable to attend the conference. Reports were given by Dr. Chopek, president; Alice Orlan, executive vice-president; Sam Liteplo, vice-president, Ms. Paproski, treasurer; and regional representatives: Connecticut - Ms. Paproski; New Jersey - Maria Mandzij; New York City - Mrs. Liteplo; Ohio - Mrs. Bobeczko; Kerhonkson, N.Y. - Dr. Baranowskyj; Pennsylvania - Ms. Uzych. Irene Russnak of Rochester, Anne Remick of New England - and John Lapic of Pennsylvania, were unable to attend the conference because of personal reasons.

Controllers reported that the treasurer's books were in order, and a vote of confidence was passed.

The Nominating Committee presented the slate for 1999: President - Dr. Chopek, Executive Vice-President - Ms. Orlan, Vice-President - Mr. Liteplo, Treasurer - Ms. Paproski, English-language Secretary - Mrs. Liteplo, Ukrainian-language Secretary - Larissa Dijak, all area Representatives who served in the previous year, including Ms. Uzych for Pennsylvania. The vote approving the slate was unanimous.

On Monday evening, the lobby of the main house was transformed into a beautiful cocktail lounge, where the UNA Seniors' 25th anniversary party was held. Wine and canapes were served. Music was provided by Yurij Trenkler. Dr. Baranowskyj entertained participants with readings from the writings of Edward Kozak.

Bingo night, which was well attended and enjoyed by all, was very efficiently conducted by Nicholas and Mary Bobeczko, Mr. Liteplo, and John and Helen Laba. Prizes were donated by the Ukrainian National Association, the Soyuzivka gift shop and the UNA Seniors.

The UNA Seniors also enjoyed an exhibit of photographs taken of them over the years. The exhibit was preapred by Oksana Trytjak of the UNA Home Office.

Ms. Orlan showed a video of a cruise on the Dnipro River in Ukraine, and the various places visited along the route. She also spoke about the tour she is planning for the year 2000 in Ukraine which will include the cruise. The presentation was very interesting and was very well attended.

Eugene Woloshyn very ably conducted the annual auction of items donated by the UNA Seniors. Along with cash donations the auction raised $900. The raffle conducted by Marie Prucknicki and Cornelia Yavarrow raised $545. The large sums raised from the auction and raffle are evidence of the generosity of UNA Seniors.

The Committee on Donations, proposed that the following donations be made from the money raised: $500 to Dr. Oleksander Myndiuk, administrator of a hospital in Vynnyky, Ukraine, for use by the hospital; $1,000 to the Ukrainian National Foundation, specifically for a Soyuzivka project; and $200 for the Babusha Fund of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America. The proposal was unanimously accepted.

Probate Court Judge Chopek gave a talk on legal matters of importance to seniors. She spoke about durable powers of attorney, giving the attorney authority to handle the assets of a person, about living wills, and about the necessity of a durable power of attorney for health care. The latter is a legal form that allows a person to authorize someone to make health care decisions, including end-of-life decisions. It allows the person to give specific instructions concerning health care and, especially, to indicate at what point life should not be prolonged. A question and answer period followed.

The annual review of current events in Ukraine as well as of the coming elections in Ukraine was given by Dr. Baranowskyj and Dr. Roman Procyk. A lively question and answer period followed. Dr. Procyk also spoke about the various publications produced by the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute that he had brought.

Dr. Chopek welcomed Ulana Diachuk, president of the Ukrainian National Association, at the last session. Mrs. Diachuk spoke about various matters confronting the UNA, including the importance of increasing membership. She urged the UNA Seniors to continue to sign up their children and grandchildren as members of the UNA. A question and answer period followed.

The UNA Seniors looked forward to the fantastic cocktail party that usually takes place on the Veselka deck. Unfortunately, nature did not cooperate this year and the outdoor cocktail party was rained out. Cocktails were enjoyed inside the banquet hall, which was beautifully decorated for the silver anniversary. The food was superb. Seniors were dressed in traditional Ukrainian blouses and shirts. The lights were dimmed, a large 25th anniversary cake with sparklers was carried in, and several "Mnohaya Litas" led by Dr. Wolansky were sung.

The principal speaker was Dr. Bohdan Vitvitsky, an assistant U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey. He gave an overview of the status of the Ukrainian government and expressed optimism about its future.

The work of all the members throughout the years who made it possible for the UNA Seniors to reach their 25th anniversary was not forgotten. As each recipient was called forward by the executive vice-president, Ms. Orlan, a certificate of recognition was presented to each by UNA President Diachuk. Photos were taken of each by Emilian Jurchynsky. (The honorees are listed alongside this article.)

And so, the 25th anniversary celebration of the UNA Seniors went down in history. Let us hope that the UNA Senior Conferences continue for years to come.

UNA Seniors Certificates for Service

President, Conference Chairman and Honorary Member
Stefan Kuropas
Anna Chopek

President and Honorary Member
Eugene Woloshyn

President and Treasurer
Mykola Avramchuk

President and Secretary
Dr. Oleh Wolansky

President, Conference Chairman and Publicity Chairman
Dr. Roman Baranowskyj

President
Dr. Wolodymyr Sawchak

Vice-President and Secretary
Daniel Slobodian
Alice Orlan

Vice-President and Conference Chairman
John Laba

Vice-President
Sam Liteplo

Conference Chairman
Mary Dushnyck
Michael Olshansky
Wolodymyr Senezhak

Conference Chairman and Regional Representative
Irene Russnak

Conference Chairman and Secretary
Mary S. Bobeczko

Conference Chairman Controller
Estelle Woloshyn

Treasurer and Regional Representative
Olga Paproski

Treasurer
Maria Gerus
Helen Chornomaz
Regina V. Dziubaniuk

Secretary and Regional Representative
Dr. Stefania Baranowska
Helen Trenkler
Olga Liteplo
Eva Uzych

Secretary
Dr. Iryna Kramarchuk
Dr. Jurij Swyschuk
Wolodymyr Pryjmak

Publicity Chairman
Wolodymyr Barahura

Regional Representative
Anne Remick
Maria Mandzij
Nicholas Bobeczko

Controller and Regional Representative
John R. Lapic

Controller
Bohdan Bezkorowajnyj
Myroslaw Pastushenko
Bohdan Prynada
Olga Shatynsky
John Pawlow
Joseph Lesawyer
Prof. Irene Tanya Rishko

Branch 161 sponsors golf outing

WAMPUM, Pa. - UNA Branch 161 sponsored annual golf outings for members on June 12 and August 21 at Stonecrest Golf Course. Over 50 members participated in the all-day events. Many members dedicated their time in organizing these annual events and special thanks goes to John Sradomski for all his efforts in overseeing the coordination of the golf outing. Above are the branch's die-hard golfers (from left) Lou Oleski, Pete Roman, Jim Barnes and Al Prisker.

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