Grads of Ss. Peter and Paul School schedule Reunion 2000 in Cohoes (05/21/00)

Grads of Ss. Peter and Paul School schedule Reunion 2000 in Cohoes

COHOES, N.Y. - On May 27-30 three generations of Ukrainian Americans will revisit the elementary school that served their community for over 30 years at the Ss. Peter and Paul Reunion 2000.

Over the Memorial Day weekend, former students of Ss. Peter and Paul Elementary School in Cohoes, their children, their parents and their teachers will reunite for the first time since the closing of the school in 1980. The highlight of the reunion weekend will be a concert of Ukrainian and American music at Cohoes High School on Sunday, May 29, followed by an old-fashioned family picnic on the grounds of the Ukrainian American Citizens Club.

Ss. Peter and Paul School was small by most measures - only 300 graduates over the 33 years it was open, some classes with as few as five students - but it meant a lot to the newly arrived immigrant families for whom it was a launch pad to the great America dream.

"The school and the church were the focal points of our community," said Anna Pawliw Mariani (class of 1963), reunion coordinator. "Almost everything we did academically, spiritually and socially had its heart and soul in the school, church or Ukrainian Club. We cherish those memories and truly look forward to renewing some of our fondest relationships at the reunion," she added.

Reunion organizers tracked down the current addresses of 100 percent of the school's attendees from all parts of the United States and Canada: "The enthusiasm for this reunion is just phenomenal," said Walter Kolakowski (1963), chairman of the organizing committee. "It seems to have struck a chord with everyone - maybe because we were all very close for so long," he added.

Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Church was established in 1907, but it wasn't until September 1947 that the community achieved its goal of opening a parish school. The first school building was the former rectory and, in an interesting example of "déjà vu all over again," that same building is a rectory again today.

In the early 1950s a drive was inaugurated to raise money for construction of a new school building, which opened its doors in 1950. Throughout the next 20 years the "new school," as it was fondly known in the community, stood within walking distance from the church and the club house, and took its place as a cornerstone in the tightly knit Ukrainian community.

The full program for the reunion is as follows.

Saturday, May 27 - 4 p.m., English-language liturgy at Ss. Peter and Paul, followed by coffee hour and get-together in the church hall.
Sunday, May 28 - 9 a.m., Ukrainian-language liturgy followed by coffee hour; 1 p.m., opening ceremony and Millennium Concert at Cohoes High School Auditorium; 3 p.m., Reunion Family Picnic at the Ukrainian American Club; 5:30 p.m., swinging and dancing to the music of Danny Lombardo.

The concert will feature Oksana Krovytska, a Ukrainian-born leading soprano in her seventh season at the New York City Opera. Also featured will be Ukrainian-born singer Marianna Vynnytska. Pianist Volodymyr Vynnytsky will accompany both soloists.
Monday, May 29 - 9 a.m., service at Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Waterford, N.Y.

For more information, to purchase tickets, to participate in the raffle or program, or for advertising opportunities, contact Ms. Mariani at (518) 235-5951.

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