Detroit branch of Plast celebrates its 50th anniversary (12/26/99)

Detroit branch of Plast celebrates its 50th anniversary

by Maria Lisowsky

DETROIT - The local branch of the Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday and Sunday, October 16-17.

It was 1949 and the post-World War II immigrants in Detroit were the first in the United States to establish a center for Plast activities and headquarters to continue the work of Dr. Oleksander Tysovsky, who founded Plast in 1911 in Ukraine.

Anniversary events began at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Warren, Mich., on Saturday, October 16, with a 2 p.m. divine liturgy, followed by a "panakhyda" (memorial service) for deceased members, celebrated by "Hetmanskyi Skob" the Rev. Taras Roman Lonchyna, who grew up in Detroit.

On Sunday activities continued with a banquet at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Warren, with over 500 people present. Jubilee Committee Chair Stefa Korol opened the festivities and introduced Wsewolod Hnatczuk as master of ceremonies. Flag-bearers of various youth divisions brought in their standards and placed them in stands on the stage; the Plast hymn followed. The large symbolic campfire, built by Andrij Pereklita, was lit by the branch's founding members Ivanna Kuczer, Mychajlo Wytiahlowsky, Vasyl Kolodchin and Atanas Slusarczuk.

In his introductory remarks, the head of the branch, George Figacz, thanked all parents for their moral and financial support in the continuous effort to educate Ukrainian youth in the ideals set forth by Dr. Tysovsky: to be faithful to God and Ukraine, to follow Christian morals and principles, as well as to foster the Ukrainian language and traditions. Mr. Hnatczuk and Bohdan Korduba read greetings from various organizations. The keynote speaker was Chief Plast Scout (Nachalnyi Plastun) Lubomyr Romankiw.

For a group of boys and girls, the next ceremony was of great privilege and importance in their young lives. Having previously passed rigorous first phase testing, they were sworn in as full-fledged members of Plast. They recited the oath, holding their flags, promising to be faithful to God and Ukraine and to uphold the ideals and priniciples of Plast, to work for a better future and to strive for perfection. They were: Lesia Baranyk, Maksym Boyko, Marta Hnatiuk, Dmytriy Hryciw, Marta Kunynskyj, Roman Lawrin, Katia Prybula, Nina Prybula, Oles Skalchuk, Nykola Stewart and George Woloszczuk.

Having successfully passed testing of the third phase, Vera Slywynska was named "plastunka virlytsia" (equivalent to Eagle Scout).

The final speech before the banquet was given by Orest Hawryluk, the president of the Supreme Plast Command?

The prayer before the banquet was invoked by the Rev. Vasyl Salkovski OSBM, dean and pastor of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church, followed by all singing the Plast version of "Our Father."

Iryna Shamraj was instrumental in organizing a group of young members of Plast who are piano students to provide dinner music: Alexandra Bezwerchij, Andriyko Bezwerchij, Mariyka Holian, Victoria Krajnc, Motria Leheta, Mykola Murskyj, Adrian Skalchuk and Oles Skalchuk.

Following dinner, more greetings from organizations were acknowledged. A list of Plast members who received certificates of recognition was read by Mr. Figacz, while Mrs. Korol read the list of Plast friends who received certificates of gratitude for their support. It was thanks to the generous support of the Ukrainian community, that in 1951 within a short time of the branch's founding, the branch was able to purchase a building for Plast activities.

In 1959 the Ukrainian community purchased a recreational estate 40 miles from Detroit and donated a large parcel to Plast for its camps and activities. In 1972 a new center was purchased in the suburb of Warren, the new hub of the Ukrainian community.

Olena Hryciw, Petro Lisowsky and Andrea Wroblewski prepared the youngest group of children in a medley of songs. Mrs. Slywynsky and Mr. Lisowsky wrote and performed a humorous retrospective of Plast's 50 years in the United States. In the last performance of the evening the Plast chorus sang three songs under the direction of Christina Romana Lypeckyj. Accompanying them at the piano was Maria Lisowsky.

Mr. Figacz expressed his gratitude to those who had worked so hard to make this celebration a success, as well as to all who attended. The evening ended with the singing of the Plast songs that traditionally conclude campfires, "Sirily u Sumerku" and "Nich Vzhe Ide."

Marta Tatarsky and Tamara Slywynsky prepared an extensive exhibit of pictures, memorabilia, scrapbooks, etc., tracing the history of Plast in Detroit. The main stage decoration was the work of Mr. Korduba. He and Roma Figacz were responsible for putting together the anniversary banquet program. Table decorations and hostesses were Marta Korol-Skalchuk and Daria Kryva-Hreha.

On the occasion of the jubilee, a 345-page anniversary book was published to depict the history of Plast in the Detroit area. The editorial committee was headed by Lubomyr Hewko. The publication may be purchased for $30 from Sophie Koshiw, 3270 Westchester Drive, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304.

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