THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (12/02/01)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

UNA Seniors hold conference at Soyuzivka

by Anna Chopek

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - The 27th annual UNA Seniors Conference held just over five months ago, on June 10-15, began on a sad note. John O. Flis, former UNA supreme president, longtime member of the UNA Seniors and father of Soyuzivka's manager, had just died.

The funeral services were held at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Kerhonkson. In attendance were Ukrainian National Association executive officers - President Ulana Diachuk, National Secretary Martha Lysko and Treasurer Stefan Kaczaraj, members of the UNA General Assembly and members of the UNA Seniors, led by President Anna Chopek.

On Sunday evening, after registration and dinner, the seniors gathered on the Veselka deck as the sun was setting in the Catskills. Led by Eugene Moroz, they sang Ukrainian folk songs and kolomyiky - recalling what they used to sing during their youth in church halls and at various conferences. Mr. Moroz also entertained with many solo numbers. It was a good beginning.

On Monday morning, members participated in a divine liturgy and panakhyda at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in memory of deceased UNA Seniors, and especially former UNA Supreme President Flis, and former UNA Supreme Secretary Walter Sochan.

The conference was opened by seniors' president Ms. Chopek. The American and Ukrainian anthems, led by Mr. Moroz, were sung; the "Pledge of Allegiance" was recited; and the business session began. Ms. Chopek was elected to serve as conference chairman and Alice Orlan as secretary.

A moment of silence was held in remembrance of deceased UNA Seniors. A "Mnohaya Lita" was sung for Dr. Roman Baranowskyj on the occasion of his 96th birthday.

Appointments to committees were made: nominating - Eva Uzych and Anne Turchyn; donations - Estelle Woloshyn, Alice Orlon, Myron Sederowicz and Dr. Mary T. Dycio; Auditing - Olga Shatynsky.

English-language Secretary Olga Liteplo, and Ukrainian-Language Secretary Larissa Dijak were not present because of illnesses. Mrs. Liteplo's report was read by Mary Bobeczko.

President Chopek reported that she had authorized Mrs. Dijak to represent the UNA Seniors at Stefan Kuropas 100th birthday party and to present him with a plaque.

Reports were given by officers and area representatives. The auditor reported that the Treasurer's books were in order, and her motion for a vote of a confidence was passed.

The Registration Committee reported that 70 members coming from various parts of the United States had registered.

The Nominating Committee presented the following slate for the year 2001-2002: president - Ms. Chopek, executive vice-president - Ms. Orlan; vice-president - Sam Liteplo; treasurer - Olga Paproski; English-language secretary - Mrs. Liteplo; Ukrainian-language secretary - Mrs. Dijak; area representatives - Jaroslawa Kovach, Connecticut; Eugene Moroz, Massachusetts; Maria Mandzij, New Jersey; Vera Shul, New York City; Dr. Stefania Baranowska, Kerhonkson and the Catskills; Chrystyna Dziuba, Rochester, N.Y.; Helen Trenkler, Rhode Island; Mary Bobeczko, Ohio; and Ms. Uzych and John R. Laic, Pennsylvania. The vote in support of the slate was unanimous.

Social activities included a welcoming wine and canapé party held in the Main House lobby. Dr. Stefania Baranowska entertained with readings from works by Edward Kozak.

A Bingo night was conducted by Nicholas and Mary Bobeczko and John and Helen Laba. The UNA donated many prizes, including UNA sweatshirts and books.

The seniors were very happy to gather around the gazebo located across from the Main House, which was purchased with $3,500 raised by the seniors. (A formal planned presentation was not held because of the death of John A. Flis's father.)

Some members joined the Ukrainian National Women's League of America for fun at a casino in Connecticut.

Every year the seniors bring many Ukrainian-style artifacts for the auction, and then enjoy bidding for them. The auction - ably conducted by Eugene Woloshyn, assisted by Mr. Moroz - together with donations brought in $450.

The seniors also brought prizes for a raffle held during the conference banquet. Marie Prucknicki and Nellie Yavarow, chairs of the Raffle Committee, along with their helpers, sold raffle tickets that brought in $330.

On the motion of the Donations Committee, it was voted to donate $150 to The Ukrainian Weekly Press Fund, $150 to the Svoboda Press Fund and $300 to the UNWLA's Babusia Fund to aid poor grandmothers in Ukraine.

An Odesa dinner was served one evening, with various kinds of seafood, including lobster, on the menu (a meat course was also served for those who do not enjoy fish).

The serious side of the conference included the annual review of current events in Ukraine, given in Ukrainian by Dr. Roman Baranowskyj, and in English by Dr. Roman Procyk, the executive director of the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute. Dr. Procyk also talked about the research that is possible as various records of the USSR are now open to the public.

Ms. Chopek, an attorney, gave a lecture on a new form of living will called "Five Wishes," which spells out in detail instructions which you can check off to indicate how you wish to be cared for when you are seriously ill.

Dr. Dycio, an anesthetist from Maine, who attended the seniors conference for the first time, gave an impromptu talk on her experiences as a woman anesthetist, and what a patient should be aware of when facing anesthesia. The presentation was of great interest to the audience, and Dr. Dycio has agreed to give a talk next year on a medical subject of interest to the seniors.

UNA President Ulana Diachuk was present at a session at which she discussed problems facing the UNA and Soyuzivka. A question and answer period followed.

The conference ended with an elegant cocktail party and banquet. Seniors dressed in traditional Ukrainian blouses and shirts added to the atmosphere. The speakers at the banquet were a representative from the Children of Chornobyl Foundation and Ukraine's Vice Consul Hryhorii Shevchenko.

The weather was great, the conference was a success and the program was enjoyed by all. As participants said their good-byes on Friday morning, all agreed to come back next year. (If you are 60 years old or over, join us!)

Anna Chopek is president of the UNA Seniors.

Markian Rybak joins Weekly team

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - Markian Rybak has officially joined the production staff of The Ukrainian Weekly as a layout artist and computer systems troubleshooter as of November 12.

The 25-year-old New York City resident began working at The Weekly on August 13, while his predecessor in that position, Serge Polischuk was still on staff.

Mr. Rybak is currently completing his bachelor's degree at Rutgers University, where he studied graphic design and history. He also does consulting and freelance work in web design.

The Weekly's newest staffer completed a certificate program in digital design and interactive media at the Pratt Institute. He has experience in graphic and interactive media design, having worked at several companies including Claremont Investment Partners.

Mr. Rybak is active in the Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization, of which he has been a member since childhood. He is a member of the Chornomortsi Plast fraternity and is the group's webmaster.

Formerly of Millburn, N.J., Mr. Rybak is a member of Ukrainian National Association Branch 234.

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