THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (09/12/04)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

UNA Seniors convene their 30th Conference at Soyuzivka

by Anna Chopek

KERHONKSON - The 30th Conference of UNA Seniors was held at Soyuzivka on June 13-18. The weather was great, accommodations were excellent and the program was varied, ensuring that a very good time was had by all.

The conference was opened by President Anna Chopek. The singing of the American and Ukrainian anthems was led by Eugene Moroz, and the "Pledge of Allegiance" was recited.

A moment of silence was held in memory of recently deceased UNA Seniors Olga Liteplo, Myron Seredowych, Dr. Oleh Wolansky, Dmytro Stec, Myron Russnak and Andrij Lesiw. A panakhyda (memorial service) was sung at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Kerhonkson.

A Mnohaya Lita was sung for Dr. Roman Baranowsky on the occasion of his 100th birthday, and one for those who have had their 90th birthday or would reach it this year: Ms. Chopek, Peter Dziuba, Nicholas Bobeczko and Semen Liteplo.

Ms. Chopek was elected as conference chairman, and Bozhena Olshaniwsky as English secretary. Since last year's secretary, Cornelia Yavarrow, was unable to attend, the minutes were read by Ms. Olshaniwsky. The following committees were appointed: auditing - Olga Shatynsky and Chrystyna Dziuba; donations - Wolodymyr Diachuk, Vera Shul and Mary Bobeczko; and nominating - Olga Paproskyj and Ihor Hayda.

Reports were given by the president, treasurer and area representatives. The treasurer's report indicated that after the payment of the conference expenses, the organization's net worth is $2,571.42.

The Auditing Committee reported that the treasurer's books were in order, and a vote of confidence was passed.

The Registration Committee headed by Olga Paproski reported that 58 members had registered.

The nominating committee presented a slate of officers for the year 2004-2005, for a vote. Unanimously elected were: president - Oksana Trytjak; vice-president - Alice Orlan; secretary - Ms. Olshaniwsky; treasurer - Ms. Paproski; honorary past presidents - Eugene Woloshyn and Ms. Chopek; regional representatives - Yaroslawa Kovach (Connecticut), Mr. Moroz (Massachusetts), Maria Mandzij (New Jersey), Ms. Shul (New York - Florida), Dr. Stefania Baranowskyj (Kerhonkson, N.Y.), Chrystina Dziuba (Rochester, N.Y.), Mary Bobeczko (Ohio), Eva Uzych (Pennsylvania) and Helen Trenkler (Rhode Island).

Ms. Chopek, who had served for many years as the president of the UNA Seniors, said she was unable to accept any office because of health problems, and was very happy they had chosen Ms. Trytjak as the new president. She welcomed the newly elected president and expressed her gratitude for all the help the UNA Seniors had received from her over the years. In her remarks Ms. Trytjak thanked the UNA Seniors for their confidence in her, and stated that she will do everything possible to assure the continuance of the organization. With the cooperation of members, she said she will find a way to increase the membership.

Ulana Diachuk and Olga Paproski, on behalf of the UNA Seniors, presented Ms. Chopek with a beautiful gift, a Ukrainian-style carved wooden box which the outgoing president said she would add to her large collection of Ukrainian artifacts.

Christine Kozak, the UNA's national secretary, announced that Ms. Chopek had been nominated by the UNA for the 2004 Fraternalist of the Year Award to be presented by the National Fraternal Congress of America, and presented her with a plaque from the UNA "for outstanding service to the Ukrainian National Association."

Ms. Kozak spoke about policies available for people age 75 or older in the amount of $3,000, with a one-time cost of $2,100, noting that there are tax advantages. She also spoke of the drug prescription discount cards that are now available to UNA members.

Social activities started on Sunday evening with a sing-along of Ukrainian folk songs led by Mr. Moroz. The singing was carried on at the welcoming wine and cheese party. The next evening Maria Pidluska came prepared with many humorous stories to tell and, before long, everyone had a story to tell.

Mmes. Paproski and Bobeczko, with the help of many members, collected and set up the auction, and Mr. Moroz was the principal auctioneer. It was an enjoyable way to raise funds for the UNA Seniors' charitable donations. Mr. Moroz also entertained conference attendees with a slide show of a trip that he and his wife had taken to Japan.

Mr. Hayda gave an informative talk on health and nutrition, and covered the pros and the cons of the various diets that are being promoted everywhere. Mr. Hayda is now retired after having worked 50 years in the food industry and is presently an adjunct professor at Norwalk Community College in Connecticut.

A surprise appearance by Lydia Riopka Lidyonsky, who demonstrated a pill-dispensing machine that automatically issues pills at specific times during the day, was of great interest. However, on closer examination, seniors found that the programming of the machine was quite challenging, and the cost of the machine, $800, was a bit high.

Nestor Paslawsky, manager of Soyuzivka, gave seniors an update on the work that had been done at Soyuzivka during the past year: a new dining room, a Tiki Bar, carpeting, air conditioning in some areas and electrical rewiring. He also spoke about plans to build condo townhouses at Soyuzivka.

The annual review of current events in Ukraine was given in Ukrainian by Dr. Roman Baranowskyj and Dr. Roman Procyk in English. Events touched upon included the upcoming elections, the Odesa-Brody pipeline, the increase of tourism in Ukraine, and the death of James Mace at the age of 52, which was a great loss to Ukrainians.

Dr. Baranowskyj is well-known in Ukrainian circles as an editor, a journalist and long-time secretary of the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council.

Dr. Procyk is the executive director of the Ukrainian Studies Fund. He brought and arranged a display of books on Ukrainian subjects that were recently published by the Ukrainian Studies Fund at Harvard, and spoke about various projects they are working on. He also stressed the importance of expanding the fund to other prestigious institutions, such as Columbia University.

UNA President Stefan Kaczaraj attended a session and gave a report on the financial and fraternal status of the UNA. He spoke about the proposed building of condos at Soyuzivka. This is all in the planning stage, it was noted, but if this project succeeds it will help to maintain the existence of Soyuzivka.

The banquet each year is an event to be remembered. Seniors come dressed in traditional Ukrainian blouses and shirts, which adds to the atmosphere; the food is superb. The speaker was the Rev. Bohdan Lukie, pastor of St. John's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Newark, N.J. His talk was inspirational, his credentials impressive. He has taught English literature at St. Vladimir's College, has served in many parishes in Canada and the United States, and has conducted parish missions, retreats and religious workshops.

The raffle was conducted by former UNA President Ulana Diachuk, and Ms. Paproski, assisted by many members. When all the income from the raffle, the auction, registration and donations from the members was added, the Donations Committee recommended that $1,500 be contributed to the Soyuzivka fund, $250 to Svoboda and $250 to The Ukrainian Weekly. The vote was unanimous.

When Friday morning arrived and it was time to leave Soyuzivka, all agreed that the 2004 conference was a success and that a true fraternal spirit had prevailed. All resolved to return next year.

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