UKELODEON

For The Next Generation

Magical fairytale unfolds in Palatine as SUM branch presents spring concert

by Walter Tun

PALATINE, Ill. - More than 400 SUMivtsi (members of the Ukrai-nian American Youth Association) and parents and friends of the Dmytro Vitovsky Branch of SUM in Palatine, Ill., journeyed through the magical world of fairy princesses, "gnomyky" (elves), animals and flowers during the branch's annual spring concert performed on April 21 by its School of Ukrainian Dance.

Comprising more than 85 dancers, Palatine SUM's dance group has been presenting its spring concert for six years. This year, choreographers Adriana Striltschuk, Kalyna Wasiunec, Peter Osijchuk and Rostyslaw Zbotaniw created a mosaic of mystical forests and faraway lands, where the young dancers performed traditional and modern Ukrainian dances, taking themes and characters from Ukrainian as well as non-Ukrainian tales.

The youngest dancers, age 3-6, thrilled the audience with their portrayal of characters, including rabbits, girls picking flowers and lumberjacks, who encounter Little Red Riding Hood and the evil wolf in the forest.

Seven of the youngest dancers also took on the roles of the seven dwarfs. Dressed in "sharavary," embroidered shirts and silk caps, the dwarfs enchanted Snow White with a traditional "Hopachok."

The dance concert also included a duet, "Pan Kotsky and Lysychka Systrychka;" a modern dance based on the story of "Rukavychka"; a comical Hutsul dance whose main dancer was Gnomyk Romtomtomyk; and the story of Goldilocks, who falls asleep in the bears' cottage and dreams of dancing with Hutsuls.

The concert climaxed when the oldest dancers presented "Cinderella." The 20-minute interpretation of the story culminated with the royal ball, where Cinderella, the prince and all guests dance a beautiful "Kozachok."

The concert ended with the vibrant "Hopak" performed by the middle dancers age 7-9 and with a finale by the whole dance school.

The audience was also treated to a bandura performance by Palatine SUM's Bandura Ensemble under the direction of Lesia Klimchenko, a graduate of the Lviv Conservatory and ODUM's ensemble under the direction of Motria Poshyvanyk. SUMivka Krystyna Lopez also performed on the violin, while Tania Goncharoff accompanied her on the piano.

Adding to the success of this year's production were beautiful stage sets by Daria Kyszka and Luba Woodbine, and costumes made by a talented group of moms.

Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union sponsored this year' s concert. The Palatine Ukrainian Center is now the largest Ukrainian cultural center in Chicago's suburbs. Since its inception in 1968, Palatine SUM has grown into a Ukrainian community landmark offering Ukrainian dance and bandura classes, its own school of Ukrainian studies, and a complete soccer program.

The center is open to all who wish to learn about Ukraine and its culture. For information on programs call (847) 358-3582.

Cherry Hill children remember Chornobyl

CHERRY HILL, N.J. - On Sunday, April 28, the 16th anniversary of the Chornobyl tragedy was observed here at St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church.

After Marissa and Daniel Orichowskij attached the number 16 and the date to the wall chart, Larissa and Yuri Stawnychy introduced the program in Ukrainian and in English. Original poems by Taisa Kohut and Tara Orichowskij were recited.

A candlelight procession followed. Sixteen children, one by one, slowly walked up and placed their lit candles in the long candle holder, while bandurist Stephan Orichowskij softly played "Chom, Chom, Chom, Zemle Moya" (Why, Why, Why, O Land of Mine). The choir sang "Vichnaya Pamiat" (Eternal Memory), setting a mournful atmosphere.

Olga Prychka delivered a message focusing on the lyrics of the song "Chom, Chom, Chom..." and cited environmental problems in Ukraine today. She also pointed to the outstanding record of aid delivered to Ukraine by the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund (CCRF) and announced that the local committee was donating $1,000 to the CCRF.

The participating children each presented a toy for the sick children of Ukraine. In conclusion, the children sang, "Jesus Loves the Little Children," with the lyrics adapted to present-day Ukraine. The Ukrainian verse was recited by Irina Hrubiy, followed by comments and a prayer by the Rev. John Ciurpita.

New York City Plast troop raises funds for children of 9/11 victims

by Adrianna Hankewycz

NEW YORK - Members of Plast Scout Troop 2 in New York City were deeply moved by the tragedy of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the United States. Soon after the horrific events they made a decision to help by raising funds for the children of the victims. Each patrol (hurtok) raised money in its own unique way.

Hurtok "Vodohrai" made red, white and blue lapel ribbons and Ameri-can flags, which they sold in front of the Plast building on 2nd Avenue. "Leopardy" stood in Washington Square Park singing "God Bless Ame-rica" along with other patriotic songs. Many pedestrians stopped to listen and drop money into their basket. Hurtok "Lileyi" organized a delicious breakfast served at the Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church in Astoria, N.Y. Father Philip Sandrick was enthusiastic and his help was immeasurable. The yunachky served everything from bagels and croissants to scrambled eggs and sausage after both Sunday masses. During the Christmas season the "Romashky" hand-crafted patriotic Christmas ornaments which they sold in front of the Plast building, and the "Chornobryvtsi" held a bake sale and made bookmarks which they sold by St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church on Seventh Street.

All of their endeavors were highly successful and raised a grand total of $1,275. After researching several organizations, they decided to donate the money to the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund, which was created by the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America. As Plast is a youth organization, they wanted to help other children. This money will go toward scholarships for children of World Trade Center workers and visitors who lost their lives September 11.

Glad and proud to have made a small contribution, they expressed their thanks to all the people who helped and supported them during this project.

Mishanyna

To solve this month's "Mishanyna," prepared on the occasion of Father's Day, please find all the words that appear in the story below in capital letters.

The first national FATHER'S DAY was marked in 1966. It was in that year that President Lyndon B. JOHNSON signed a presidential PROCLAMATION officially designating a SUNDAY in June to HONOR fathers. But it was President Richard NIXON who in 1972 established permanent national observance of Father's Day to be held each year on the THIRD Sunday of JUNE.

But even before then, however, back in 1924, President Calvin COOLIDGE had expressed support for the idea of a NATIONAL Father's Day, and in 1926 a National Father's Day Committee was formed in New York. Congress weighed in with support for the idea with a special resolution in 1956.

And, even earlier than that, in 1910, the first Father's Day had been observed on June 19 in SPOKANE, Washington. The day was the IDEA of Sonora Smart DODD who a year earlier had proposed a day to honor fathers. She wanted a special day on which to recall her own father, William Jackson SMART, a veteran of the Civil War who was widowed when his wife died. Smart was left to care for his six CHILDREN by himself on a farm in eastern Washington state. Mrs. Dodd considered her father to be courageous, SELFLESS and LOVING, and worthy of tribute for his great dedication to his FAMILY.

Today, Father's Day is a day on which we also honor GRANDFATHERS, UNCLES and other adult males who are special to us. Just look in any card shop and you will see a huge selection of GREETING CARDS for all the important men in your life!

To all of our fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, uncles, brothers and others we say: HAPPY Father's Day.

OUR NEXT ISSUE: UKELODEON is published on the second Sunday of every month. To make it into our next issue, dated July 14, please send in your materials by July 5.

CONTACT: UKELODEON, c/o The Ukrainian Weekly, 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054; fax, (973) 644-9510. Call us at (973) 292-9800; or send e-mail to [email protected]. (We ask all contributors to please include a daytime phone number.)

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 9, 2002, No. 23, Vol. LXX

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