COMMUNITY CHRONICLE (09/16/01)

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE

Pyskir addresses Chicago audiences

by Roman G. Golash

CHICAGO - Maria Savchyn Pyskir, the author of "Thousands of Road," visited the Chicago area on June 9 and 10 to discuss her life in the Ukrainian underground up to 1954 The events were sponsored by the Ukrainian American Veterans (UAV) Post 32 and the Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) in Palatine and Chicago.

Dr. Alex Striltschuk from UAYAA welcomed the community in Palatine, while Chrystya Wereszczak did the honors on behalf of SUM in Chicago. At both events the commander of UAV Post 32 Walter Chyterbok made introductory comments and Roman Golash introduced the speaker.

Mrs. Pyskir discussed her, book from the perspective of why the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) fought the Germans and Russians though they know the odds of winning freedom were not likely. She said they hoped that the Western powers would come to their aid. She also noted the strong value-based training that the UPA members underwent in order to understand the nation's need for freedom.

The UAV and the SUM sponsored this unique event to encourage the younger generation to learn the history of the UPA.

Mrs. Pyskir's experiences of being arrested, escaping and spending winters in underground bunkers seemed surreal. Yet, she survived and went on with her life. Throughout her life these values have been passed on to the next generation. In the audience was her son, Bohdan, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Over 100 copies of Mrs. Pyskir's book were sold in the Chicago area. For bulk purchases contact the purblisher McFarland & Co. at www.mcfarland.com; copies are available from www.amazon.com or www.barnesnoble.com.

Ethnic center honors university president

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The Ethnic Heritage Center recently honored Michael J. Adanti, president of Southern Connecticut State University, at an appreciation dinner held here at 500 Blake Street Restaurant.

The organization was chartered in 1988 with five ethnic groups: the Afro-American Historical Society, Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society, Connecticut Italian Historical Society, Jewish Historical Society of Greater New Haven, and Ukrainian American Historical Society. The Ukrainian group is represented by Donald and Gloria Horbaty of Wallingford, Conn. Mr. Horbaty serves as treasurer of the Ethnic Heritage Center and was treasurer for the dinner.

The purpose of this group is to create a facility that would provide space for the archives, records and memorabilia of each ethnic group. It also is working towards the establishment of educational programs and exhibits of the rich multicultural history of the Greater New Haven area.

At the invitation of President Adanti, the center is now located on the campus of Southern Connecticut State University, creating a unique and exciting partnership in establishing historical and educational activities. Student volunteers are working in the archival collections; classes from the university's communication department have filmed activities held in the center and journalism students have conducted interviews there.

With this commitment of a real home on the campus, the center's long-range goal of establishing an archive, exhibit hall, educational center and library took a giant step forward. become a hub of The Ethnic Historical Archives Center of New Haven is located on the campus of Southern Connecticut State University at 270 Fitch St. in New Haven. Information about the Ukrainian American Historical Society may be obtained from Mr. and Mrs. Horbaty at 3 Pequot Road, Wallingford, Conn.

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