Plast sorority marks 80th anniversary with program at Soyuzivka (12/03/06)

Plast sorority marks 80th anniversary with program at Soyuzivka

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - The Ti Scho Hrebli Rvut sorority of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization celebrated the 80th anniversary of its founding at a specially convened biennial meeting and jubilee dinner/bonfire held here at Soyuzivka over the weekend of October 14-15.

The weekend brought more than 80 members and guests from the United States, Canada and Ukraine to the Ukrainian National Association's estate here in the Shawangunk Mountains of upstate New York.

As reported at the biennial meeting by outgoing President Marta Kuzmowycz, the sorority has 108 members around the globe, in the United States, Canada, Ukraine, Australia and France.

Elected to chair the biennial meeting was Dora Horbachevsky; Chrystyna Ferencevych and Marichka Artysh recorded the minutes.

The "Hrebli," as they are popularly known, heard a presentation on their sorority's traditions, which are based on Ukrainian folk culture and the drama "Lisova Pisnia" by Lesia Ukrainka. In addition, members discussed the sorority's work around the world and adopted a plan of activity for the next two years, which includes work related to the International Plast Jamboree slated for the summer of 2007.

The 80th anniversary commemorations were coordinated by Halyna Kutko, who was elected two years prior to head the jubilee committee. The anniversary program included an exhibit encompassing photos, documents and other artifacts from the sorority's eight decades of activity - dating back to 1926 in Lviv, Ukraine - a slide show and dinner.

A highlight of the celebratory evening held in Soyuzivka's Main House was a program presented by the sorority's Bystrytsia branch, based in New Jersey. The troupe of 10 women performed an extended skit, written by Lesia Lebed, on the theme of 80 years of activity of the Ti, Scho Hrebli Rvut sorority from Ukraine to the diaspora.

The skit, performed as befits a Plast bonfire, encompassed reminiscences, favorite Plast songs, "gymnastics," Plast uniforms through the decades (with a tongue-in-cheek look at the Plast uniform of the future), a song containing the first names of all Hrebli members (sung to the tune of Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire"), and a game show that tested guests' knowledge of Hrebli lore. The presentation ended with a moving tribute to the sorority's pioneering members.

The tables for the banquet were decorated by members of the Bystrytsia branch using centerpieces adorned with flags of the countries where Hrebli are active, plus specially prepared mugs featuring the sorority's emblem.

Among the distinguished guests present at the 80th anniversary celebration was Chief Scout (Nachalnyi Plastun) Lubomyr Romankiw, who spoke during the dinner, as did the outgoing president (kurinna) of the Hrebli, Ms. Kuzmowycz.

The Hrebli were welcomed to Soyuzivka by Ukrainian National Association National Secretary Christine Kozak. Anniversary greetings were also presented or received in writing from many other Plast sororities and fraternities (including the Lisovi Mavky, Verkhovynky, Pershi Stezhi, Chornomorski Khvyli, Kniahyni, Chervona Kalyna, Siromantsi, Chornomortsi, Vovkulaky and Chota Krylatykh), as well as Plast leaders on the international and national levels.

The next day, after Sunday morning liturgy, the Hrebli elected a new leadership composed of the following: Daria Darewych, president; Roma Hadzewycz (U.S.), Daria Kowalyk (Canada) and Natalka Litkovets (Ukraine), vice-presidents; Marta Kuzmowycz, secretary; Olena Yurchuk, editor; Halyna Kutko, chronicler; Mary Kolodij, treasurer; Marta Borowyk (United States), Sophia Kachor (Canada) and Marichka Artysh (Ukraine), councilors.

For information about the Ti Scho Hrebli Rvut sorority interested readers may e-mail [email protected].

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