NOTES ON PEOPLE (09/11/05)

NOTES ON PEOPLE

Returns from service with Marines in Iraq

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - Andrew Galonzka is proof that Ukrainian Americans stand proudly behind their country on both native and overseas soil.

Mr. Galonzka, 22, of Walpole, Mass., recently returned to his post with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) after serving in Iraq as a soldier with the Marines.

Mr. Galonzka, a member of Air Wing Squadron 472, joined the Marines upon graduating high school in 2000. After boot camp and numerous other training programs, he joined the Marine Reserves in January of 2001. While in the Reserves, Mr. Galonzka began studying criminal justice at Northeastern University in Boston, where he used the cooperative education ("co-op") program as a steppingstone to achieve his dream of becoming a police officer.

During his time in college, Mr. Galonzka worked with both the Nantucket and Wellfleet police departments, where he gained crucial first-hand experience in the realms of criminal justice and public service.

Soon thereafter, Mr. Galonzka headed straight to the MBTA Police Academy in Quincy, Mass., in April 2004. Although his Marine unit had been called to service during his stay at the academy, the Corps allowed him to stay and complete his studies in Quincy.

However, it was not long after his graduation from the academy in September 2004 when Mr. Galonzka was called into duty and deployed to Iraq. Stationed at Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, Mass., Mr. Galonzka's unit had been training for active duty since June 2004, and had been sent out between the months of September and October of 2004.

While serving his six-month tour of duty, Mr. Galonzka was stationed at Al Asad airfield - Iraq's second-largest airfield - where he performed service on vehicles as a heavy equipment mechanic and engineer.

As part of his responsibilities, Mr. Galonzka rode a convoy into nearby towns in order to repair broken and damaged water mains, which were designed to provide the soldiers in the area with a water supply.

In January 2005, during Iraq's elections, Mr. Galonzka was assigned to a military police unit along with several other Marines to protect a group of Iraqi election officials.

After his six-month stint in Iraq, Mr. Galonzka returned home on February 24. Upon arrival, he immediately returned to his duties with the MBTA, and was officially deactivated from the Reserves on May 31. For his service in Iraq, Mr. Galonzka was awarded five medals, including the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Overseas Deployment Ribbon, the Reserve Mobilization Medal and the Reserve Good Conduct Medal.

On his first day back on the force, Mr. Galonzka was honored by MBTA Police Chief Joseph Carter during an academy graduation ceremony.

Mr. Galonzka has been active in the Ukrainian Community for many years. He is an active member of the Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM), and is the assistant activities director for Druzhynnyky, a youth program. He has gone through three camps as a counselor at the Ellenville, N.Y., SUM campsite, and has taught soccer at the sports camp sponsored by SUM.

Accountant pursues baking as a business

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - Natalia Kost-Lupichuk quit her accounting job in February to pursue baking, and she now works out of her parents' home, creating European-style pastries.

Ms. Kost-Lupichuk, 34, bakes "Natalia's Elegant Creations" in the state-inspected commercially licensed kitchen in the Kosts' Falls Church home, and delivers her baked goods all over the Washington area. Delivery is free in Arlington and Falls Church, Va.; for other locations in the Washington area there is a delivery charge of $7 to $10.

According to the Washington Post, in which Ms. Kost-Lupichuk was featured in the July 27 Food Section, "sales of Natalia's Elegant Creations have increased every week."

Ms. Kost-Lupichuk, who has a master's degree in culinary arts from Boston University, told Walter Nicholls of the Washington Post, "At first, I thought to myself, 'Let's see how it goes.' But I put care and love into everything I make, and people seem to appreciate it."

Ms. Kost-Lupichuk also infuses her Ukrainian heritage into her creations from the ingredients that she uses to the finished products that she sells. She uses little flour in her recipes, and instead incorporates ground nuts and layers of light, airy genoise. In fact, one of Ms. Kost-Lupichuk's "standouts" is a Ukrainian walnut torte layered with vanilla walnut butter cream and red currant preserves. Ms. Kost-Lupichuk naturally flavors her pastries, avoiding the use of preservatives.

Readers in the Washington area may purchase Natalia's Elegant Creations at Dean & DeLuca, 3276 M St. NW; phone number, (202) 342-2500; and at the Clarendon Farmers Market at the Clarendon Metro Station on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Custom orders require 72 hours' notice, and may be placed by calling (571) 239-0256.

For more information about Natalia's Elegant Creations, including pictures and prices, readers may visit the website: www.nataliaselegantcreations.com.

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