Ukrainian American Club plans scholarship lunch, other activities

The Board of Directors of the Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port, met Monday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center (known as the “Oseredok”), to hear the reports of secretary Doris Horbachevsky, treasurer Nancy Wosny and other officers, and to outline plans for activities over the next several months.
Professor Victor Lisnyczyj’s report as chairman of club’s Scholarship Committee included plans for the Scholarship Awards Fundraiser Luncheon, which will take place at Heron Creek Golf & Country Club in North Port at noon April 12, and the deadline for scholarship application submissions from North Port High and Port Charlotte High school seniors (March 24)n.
The club’s charitable and other activities, including a tapestry project and planned art exhibit, were discussed at length, following presentations by Halya Lisnyczyj, Lieda Boyko, Klara Szpiczka and Katya Steciuk.
President Daria presented two proposals — a bus trip to Tarpon Springs on April 6, and a “mystery dinner train” ride on May 19. The Tarpon Springs bus trip will include a boat ride and luncheon, all for $81 per person. A minimum of 30 people will have to register for the trip. The mystery dinner train, originating from Fort Myers, will cost $80 per person.
The next membership meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Oseredok, which will include a guest speaker and coffee and pastry social after the meeting. There is free parking and no admission charge. All are invited.
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Last Saturday’s 25th anniversary celebration of North Port Branch 56 of Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, known as “Soyuz Ukrayinok” (union of Ukrainian Ladies), was a resounding success. The celebration committee, headed by Ann-Marie Susla, branch president, did a superb job in organizing and promoting the affair, resulting in a full house of members, their spouses and guests from St. Petersburg, Naples and other communities. All enjoyed the program and delicious dinner prepared and served by “Nasha Kukhnya” (our kitchen), and danced to the tunes of the Syzonenko Brothers Orchestra.
The program was opened by Ann-Marie Susla, who greeted all and introduced several distinguished guests, followed by the singing of the Soyuz Ukrayinok anthem.
A program authored by Lidia Bilous and masterfully MC’d by her and Katya Steciuk included songs, recitations and passages of history of Branch 56 and was warmly applauded by the public. Singers and readers participating in the program were Olya Hron, Oksana Lew, Halya Lisnyczyj, Lida Mychalowych, Lieda Boyko, Anya Rejnarowycz, Ulana Stadnyk and Lida Kramarchuk. Ulana Rondiak was the music coordinator, and Vladimier Szpczka provided accordion accompaniment.
All past presidents of Branch 56 (Maria Nawarynsky, Marika Bilynsky, Orysia Swystun, Chrystyna Lazor, Iwanna Holowaty and Oksana Lew), honorary members (Nadia Iwanczuk, Lubow Ingram, Neonilia Lechman, Slawa Maluk and Roxolana Yarymowych) and honorary national members (Maria Nawarynsky, Iwanna Martynetz, Dr. Iwanna Ratych, Orysia Swystun and Lidia Bilous) were introduced and presented with flowers.
The address by special guest Marianna Zajac, national UNWLA president, included greetings on behalf of the National UNWLA Executive Committee, congratulations and thanks to members of Branch 56 for their successful quarter-century of dedicated work and raising nearly a quarter-million dollars for charities and scholarships.
Atanas Kobryn covers the Ukrainian community for the North Port Sun. He can be emailed atatanask@aol.com.


Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
by Atanas Kobryn