SUM resort in Ellenville hosts Family Day of fun for all ages (09/11/05)

SUM resort in Ellenville hosts Family Day of fun for all ages

by Tania Priatka

ELLENVILLE, N.Y. - On one of those perfect midsummer days when the sun is high and the humidity is low, scores of Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) members found themselves enjoying a fun-filled Family Day at the association's "oselia" (resort) in Ellenville, N.Y.

The day, Saturday, July 23, was organized as part of an ongoing series of activities planned during the summer months to celebrate the oselia's 50th anniversary year. Some came just to relax and lounge by the oselia's pool or to indulge in some of the popular, traditional Ukrainian foods prepared with love by oselia's tireless "kitchen ladies."

Beginning at 11:30 a.m., children ranging in age from 1 to 12 and their parents assembled in the main building to enjoy arts and crafts, music, "kazky" (stories) and a lively and interactive concert of songs from the new CD "Scho za Hamir," performed by Olya Chudoba-Fryz.

While the kids had a terrific time participating in the activities, planned by Oksana Tomaszewsky of Yonkers SUM, parents found it a pleasant experience to see their children immersed in a positive environment of Ukrainian arts and culture.

While the children played indoors, the sixth annual Co-Ed Quads Volleyball Tournament, organized by Christina Jancew Iwanik of Hartford SUM, was held outside on the large field in front of the oselia's tribute to Ukrainian heroes, the "trybuna."

Ten teams represented the tri-state area consisting of Team "Asbach" (NYC/Yonkers), Team Tomaszewsky (Yonkers/Hartford), Team Brigada (NYC), Team Super (Passaic), Team Precision (Passaic), three teams from Hartford SUM (Juniors 1, 2 and 3), Team Hrim Roadies (Yonkers) and Team GBO (Yonkers.)

This year's tournament witnessed an incredible caliber of play, likely the highest since the tournament's inception in 2000. Team Tomaszewsky and the three Hartford SUM teams made it to the semifinals. After an exhausting but exciting day, victory went to Hartford SUM Juniors 2, second to Hartford SUM Juniors 1 and third to Team Tomaszewsky.

MVP awards were given to Taissa Tomaszewsky of Team Tomaszewsky and Roman Palylyk of Hartford SUM Juniors 2. Winners went home with trophies and prizes provided by oOselia.

All proceeds from the tournament were donated to the resort's Capital Improvements Fund to benefit future projects. Oselia Administrator Peter Kosciolek was quite pleased with the amount of the donation and thanked the coordinators of the tournament for all of their work.

As the sun went down, everyone was invited to participate in a traditional "vatra," or bonfire. Campers in SUM's Wilderness Camp ("Praktychnyi Tabir") cooperated in building an awesome bonfire that burned brightly into the star-filled night. Songs, skits, jokes and other activities were planned by Zoryana Kovbasniuk for all to enjoy. For some it was an opportunity to relive old camp memories, and for the younger participants it was a chance to spend time with their parents, enjoying an event that unites multiple generations of SUM members.

Following the bonfire, those in the 21 and over crowd were invited to wind down the night at "Oldies Night" held in the lounge inside the main building. The lounge was decorated like a blast from the past, thanks to the creative genius of Orysia Woloszyn Dmytrenko of New York SUM, and the festive atmosphere was filled with nostalgia and the music and memories of days gone by.

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