Meetings, parties, bazaar and St. Andrew’s holiday

The monthly membership meeting of Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port, was held Wednesday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious & Cultural Center — the Oseredok.
After a brief business meeting, members and many guests were treated to an extraordinary speaker, Global Investigative Group President Walter Zalisko, retired chief of police, who spoke about human trafficking worldwide with an emphasis on our country’s human trafficking problem.
Zalisko’s presentation, which included many specific case descriptions he encountered during his many investigations, was of great interest to all.
The next membership meeting will be Jan. 25, 2017 at the Oseredok. The guest speaker will be the Honorable Bohdan A. Futey, judge of the U.S.Court of Federal Claims, now serving in senior status for the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C.

•••
The very successful Christmas Party of the Ukrainian American Club was held Saturday at the Oseredok. After an introduction by club President Daria Tomashosky and an invocation by Rev. Vasyl Petriv, pastor of the Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church, the well over 100 members and guests enjoyed a sumptuous delicious buffet of home prepared goodies and pastries, with background holiday tunes played by accordionist Vlad Szpiczka.
The impromptu organized antlered male choir gathered outside the hall and marched in singing Christmas carols, both Ukrainian and American, accompanied by accordionist Szpiczka. They concluded their concert by singing “Silent Night” in English, Ukrainian and German, with a new member of our community, Oksana Kyva, with a beautiful voice sang it in Portuguese. Party guests joined in singing of most of the carols.

•••
A festive sumptuous and delicious dinner was enjoyed by many parishioners and guests at the celebration of parish feast day of the Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church on Sunday, following the Divine Liturgy (Mass) celebrated by Rev. Vasyl Petriv, pastor, and Right Rev. Mitrate Archpriest Wolodymyr Woloszczuk, pastor-emeritus.
The guests included Ukrainian Orthodox priests Rt. Rev. John Fatenko, Rev. Oleh Saciuk, both of North Port, and Rev. Volodymyr of Utica, New York, their families and many Ukrainian Orthodox faithful.
The dinner was professionally organized, prepared and served by a team of volunteers under the direction of Christyna Bodnar-Sheldon of Englewood.
•••
The traditional Christmas Bazaar-Festival of the Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God parish is planned for Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ukrainian food and baked goods for onsite consumption or for takeout will be available, as well as many sales tables featuring Ukrainian crafts, Easter eggs and other items.

•••
St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center — the Oseredok — at 4100 S. Biscayne Dr., North Port, will celebrate the Feast of its Patron Saint, Apostle St. Andrew, at noon, Sunday.
Dinner tickets at $20 can be ordered from Maria Nikitin at 941-423-1092. All are invited.
 

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Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
by Atanas Kobryn

Ukrainian American Club meeting tonight

The monthly membership meeting of Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port, will be held at 6 p.m., tonight, Nov. 30, at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center/Oseredok.
The guest speaker at tonight’s meeting will be Global Investigative Group President Walter Zalisko, retired chief of police who served with several police departments. He will present a program on human trafficking. Many women from Ukraine who came to work here in the United States have been exploited, some forced into prostitution, and many others forced into involuntary labor with little or no pay.
This should be a very interesting presentation. The meeting, as always, is open to all, free of charge.
Mr. Zalisko’s presentation will follow a brief business meeting, including reports of officers and committee chairs. Following the presentation and questions-and-answers period there will be the traditional coffeeand- pastries social hour.
As it is a tradition every year at this holiday season, the club will be collecting canned and packaged nonperishable food for the local Salvation Food Pantry. Mrs. Halya Lisnyczyj of North Port, chair of club’s social services committee, is appealing to the members (and guests) “to bring your share and help out someone less fortunate than you.”
•••
The traditional and very popular Christmas Party of the Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida will take place at 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2, at the Oseredok. This year’s party will have some traditional holiday segments as well as some new surprises.
Mrs. Halya Lisnyczyj, chair of club’s social services committee, is asking the members to take a new unwrapped toyto the club’s Christmas Party which will be delivered to Social Services here in North Port for distribution to the needy children. The club received a letter requesting toys for the needy children in our community. There is a great need. Your support and help will be greatly appreciated.
•••
The Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God (St. Mary’s) Ukrainian Catholic Church in North Port will celebrate the Parish Feastday on Sunday, Dec. 4. The Parish Feastday Dinner will be held at noon immediately after the Divine Liturgy (Mass). Parishioners, visitors and guests are cordially invited to come and share this celebration with your parish family. For reservations and tickets at $20 per person, please contact Christyna Bodnar-Sheldon at 941-460-9890, or Ann-Marie Susla at 941-474-4930.
The traditional Christmas Bazaar-Festival of the parish will be held Friday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Featured will be Ukrainian food and baked goods; lunch, dinner and takeouts, offering varenyky (pierogis), borsch, stuffed cabbage, blintzes, potato pancakes, sausage and sauerkraut plates, as well as homebaked pastries, breads, poppy seed rolls, walnut rolls and “pampushky” (Ukrainian doughnuts). There will also be sales tables featuring Ukrainian crafts, including wood carvings, ceramics, embroidery, jewelry, Easter eggs, books and other items.
The Christmas Bazaar-Festival will take place at 1078 N. Biscayne Drive (corner of W. Price) North Port. For more information, call 941-423-2427 (Parish Hall) or 941-4267931 (Rectory).
•••
St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center will observe the Feast of St. Andrew, its patron saint, on Sunday, Dec. 11. More information in next week’s column.
 

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Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
by Atanas Kobryn

There was an erroneous date for the Ukrainian American Club's CHRISTMAS PARTY

in today's (Wednesday's) column "Our Neighbors - The Ukrainians"

he Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida's traditional CHRISTMAS PARTY

will take place at 5:00 p.m., SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2016 

at St. Andrew's Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center ("Oseredok"), 

4100 S. Biscayne Drive, North Port, FL

I apologize for the misinformation.

See you at the party!

New UAV Post 40 officers installed

The popular Heron Creek Golf & Country Club never before saw as many Ukrainian American Veterans as it did last Wednesday.
In addition to members of North Port’s Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40, many visiting veterans from out of state came to enjoy the camaraderie, delicious buffet luncheon, and, most of all, to witness formal installation of the new slate of officers of Post 40.
After the opening remarks by outgoing Post Commander Col. Roman Rondiak, opening ceremonies (posting of colors and singing of national anthems) conducted by PPC and UAV National Chaplain Marian Bojsiuk, introduction of guests, new members, past national commanders Atanas T. Kobryn and Ihor W. Hron, commemoration of departed Post 40 members, and invocation and blessing by Rev. Roman Badiak, post chaplain, it was time to enjoy the delicacies presented by the famous Heron Creek Golf & Country Club buffet.
The installation and swearing in ceremony was professionally conducted by PPC Marian Bojsiuk, UAV national chaplain. Installed were: PNC Ihor W. Hron, of Osprey, post commander; PPC Eugene (“Gene”) A. Tomashosky, vice commander; John Czerkas - post adjutant, Oleh Sawkiw, finance officer; Dr. George Baranowskyj, judge advocate; Rev. Roman Badiak, chaplain; Mykola Kompanijec, quartermaster; Bohdan Hirniak, public relations officer; PPC Marian Bojsiuk, welfare officer, and Col. Roman Rondiak — immediate past post commander.
Two special awards were also presented. A plaque was presented to Vladimier “Vlad” Szpiczka, of North Port, for his many years of service to the community and to Post 40. He provided background music at the luncheon.
A second plaque was presented to Kenneth A. Miller, commandant of Marine Corps League, Detachment 948, for Detachment’s exemplary community service and several yearslong cooperation with and support of UAV Post 40.
Two special guests, Ukrainian Army colonels Bodnar and Cholovskyi, currently serving as liaisons with the U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, were presented with UAV medallions.
The winner of the 50/50 drawing amounting to several hundred dollars was Rev. Vasyl Petriv, pastor of Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church in North Port, who attended the ceremony with his wife, Luba. He donated the entire amount back for support of UAV Programs.
Members of Post 40, led by Col. Rondiak, and the color guard, attended the traditional Veterans Day observance Friday, Nov. 11, at the Veterans Park in North Port.

•••
The Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port, will have its membership meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov.
30 at the Oseredok.
Halya Lisnyczyj, chair of Social Services Committee, reminds members to take to the meeting unwrapped children’s toys and nonperishable food items.
•••
To commemorate the victims of HOLODOMOR, an artificial famine created by Stalin and his cohorts in 1932-1933 in Ukraine resulting in millions of Ukrainian peasants, women and children starving to death in the richest food-producing country in Europe, an ecumenical “Panakhyda” (requiem service) was celebrated last Sunday at the Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church.


The celebrants were: Rev. Vasyl Petriv, pastor, and Rt. Rev. Mitrat Archpriest Wolodymyr Woloszczuk, pastor-emeritus, with two Ukrainian Orthodox priests, Rt. Rev John Fatenko and Rev. Oleh Saciuk, who were accompanied by several dozen Ukrainian Orthodox faithful.
 

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Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
by Atanas Kobryn

Post installs new officers today at Heron Creek

Post installs new officers today at Heron Creek

Today at noon at Heron Creek Golf & Country Club in North Port, there will be a formal installation of officers of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, an organization of United States armed forces veterans of Ukrainian descent.
Officers to be installed were elected at the last monthly membership meeting Friday, Nov. 4.
The installation formality will be followed by a delicious buffet luncheon, presentation of awards and other activities. Music by very popular “Vlad” will make the luncheon more enjoyable.
Inasmuch as all tickets are already sold, there will be no tickets sold at the door.
••• The Most Rev. Bohdan J. Danylo, bishop of Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy (Diocese) of St.
Josaphat in Parma will visit the Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God (St. Mary’s) Ukrainian Catholic Church in North Port on Saturday. This parish serves the Ukrainian Catholic faithful of Southwest Florida. The Rev. Vasyl Petriv is the pastor.
The announced purpose of the visit is to meet with individual parishioners (the meeting will take place at the Parish Center located next to the church), to provide information about the state of affairs of the Eparchy, and to outline his vision and plans for the continuous growth of the Eparchy, including the Missions, Missionaries and Ministries.
Bishop Bohdan was consecrated by Patriarch Sviatoslav (Shevchuk) of Kyiv, head of the worldwide Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and installed as Bishop of Parma Eparchy on Nov. 4, 2014. He is the second Bishop of Parma Eparchy, and the youngest U.S. Catholic bishop. He was born May 27, 1971, ordained a priest on Oct. 1, 1996, after completing his studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
Eparchy of St.
Josaphat in Parma is one of four Ukrainian Catholic Eparchies (Dioceses) in the United States. The other three are the Archeparchy of Philadelphia, Eparchy of Stamford, Connecticut, and St.
Nicholas Eparchy of Chicago.
••• The Ukrainian Language Society and St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center (Oseredok) co-sponsored a very successful, well-organized and professionally presented commemorative program in honor of a great Ukrainian poet, writer, publicist and political activist Ivan Franko (1856-1916) on Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Oseredok.
••• The Board of Directors of Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port, met Monday. After approving minutes of the last meeting, read by secretary Doris Horbachevsky, financial report presented by Nancy Wosny, correspondence secretary and social services coordinator Halya Lisnyczyj, the meeting devoted much time to discuss the upcoming projects.
Discussed were the Christmas party (Dec. 2), tapestry project,(presented by Klara Szpiczka), tapestry exhibit at Selby Library (presented by Katya Steciuk), and bus trip to Tarpon Springs (presented by President Daria).
This monthly membership meeting will take place at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the Oseredok. Members are being asked to take to the meeting nonperishable food items and unwrapped children’s toys.
 

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Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians

November’s historic dates for Ukrainians

Three important events took place Nov. 1 which Ukrainians in Ukraine and throughout the world commemorate.
When World War I was close to the official end (many bloody skirmishes, especially in Ukraine and surrounding areas continued for many more years), the Ukrainians in L’viv declared the lands inhabited by Ukrainians in the Austro-Hungarian Empire will henceforth become an independent West Ukrainian National Republic with L’viv as its capital city. That day was also the beginning of a lengthy Polish-Ukrainian war. Poland eventually became the master of the largest portion of the new republic (portions were taken over by Czechoslovakia and Romania) with a mandate to grant the territory an autonomy, which Poland never fulfilled.
One of the most prominent religious and civic Ukrainian leaders for nearly half a century, Metropolitan Archbishop of L’viv Andrey Sheptytskyj (1865-1944) died on Nov. 1, 1944. He was a descendant of an old, wealthy and prominent noble family who decided to become a monk. Soon he became a Bishop, and then Archbishop and Metropolitan of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Diocese of L’viv, thus becoming the head of the worldwide Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. His life was devoted to serving his people.
He contributed large sums for charities (he funded a hospital, museum, turned over his villa for use by Boy Scouts, etc.).
He did not exclude from his attention other ethnic and religious communities, especially saving many hundreds if not thousands of Jews, mainly children, during the Nazi German occupation of Ukraine.
Metropolitan Andrey is considered a saint by most Ukrainians, including my family, notwithstanding the fact that the Vatican, for political reasons, refuses to recognize his sainthood.
The Ukrainian Liberation War hero, a prominent military leader (Chief of Staff of the Army of Ukrainian National Republic), political activist (second head of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists), and prisoner of occupational regimes, including Nazi Sachsenhousen concentration camp, Col.mAndriy Melnyk (1890-1964) died while living in exile in Luxembourg on Nov. 1, 1964.
He was also a close friend and confidant of Metropolitan Sheptytskyj, and my late father’s cousin and boyhood playmate.

•••
Members of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans met Friday at the Oseredok to hear reports of delegates to the recently held UAV 69th National Convention and to elect a new slate of officers for the next two years. Past National Commander and Past Post Commander Ihor W. Hron of Osprey was elected post commander, and Past Post Commander Eugene Tomashosky was elected vice commander.
Both of them and all other post officers who were re-elected will be formally installed at the Installation/ Fundraiser Luncheon at noon, Wednesday, Nov. 16, at Heron Creek Golf and Country Club in North Port. On Friday.
Post 40 members will participate, with its color guard, at 11 a.m., Fri., Nov. 11, in the Veterans Day observance at Veterans Park next to the North Port Area Public Library. Members’ uniform: summer, with blue scarf.

•••
A literary evening honoring Ivan Franko (1856 - 1916), a great Ukrainian writer and poet, will take place at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Oseredok.
Sponsors are St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center headed by Professor Victor Lisnyczyj, of North Port, and Ukrainian Language Society headed by Professor Vira Bodnaruk, of Venice.

 
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Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians

Month busy for veterans, others

Members of Cpl Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, headed by retired U.S. Army Col. Roman Rondiak of Osprey, will meet at 1 p.m. Friday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center — the Oseredok.
The main items on the agenda: election of post officers and finalization of plans for the Installation of officers at the fundraiser luncheon at noon, Wednesday, Nov. 16, at Heron Creek Golf and Country Club in North Port.
The list of candidates for post commander and other officers was presented by the nominating committee at last month’s meeting.
At Friday’s meeting, the members will have an opportunity, as provided by the constitution and bylaws, to submit other candidates’ names. The election will follow, and the elected/reelected post commander and other officers will be formally installed at the Installation Fundraiser luncheon on Nov. 16.
Tickets for the Brunch Buffet, at $25 per person, must be ordered in advance. There will be no tickets available at the door.
Other items on the agenda, in addition to the reports of officers including Finance Officer Oleh Sawkiw, will be the traditional participation of Post 40 in the community Veterans Day observance at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 11 at Veterans Park next to the North Port Public Library (U.S. 41 and South Biscayne Drive).
UAV Post has 40 participated in both Veterans Day and Memorial Day public observances since its formation and often it is the largest veteran contingent at the observances. Members of the local Ukrainian American community are being urged to join, as in the past, our veterans at this year’s observance to honor men and women who served and defended our country.

•••
St. Petersburg members of Post 40, including Post Chaplain Rev. Roman Badiak and Post Adjutant John Czerkas, are inviting North Port veterans and members of the Southwest Florida Ukrainian American community to the 36th Ukrainian AutumnFest at Epiphany of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church in St. Petersburg from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m.5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13.
Attendees will enjoy traditional Ukrainian food, imported Ukrainian beer, arts and crafts, entertainment, music by “Cathy and the Lorelei Band” and beloved “Kalyna” Ukrainian Dancers.
Admission is only $3.
For additional information, call John at 727576-0400, or Father Badiak at 727-576-1001.

•••
The Ukrainian Language Society, headed by Professor Vira Bodnaruk, of Venice, and St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center, headed by Professor Victor Lisnyczyj of North Port, are sponsoring a literary evening in honor of a great Ukrainian writer, publicist and poet Ivan Franko (1856-1916) at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Oseredok.
The program will consist of poetry readings and songs on favorite Franko’s poems. The program will be in Ukrainian language.

•••
The Most Reverend Bohdan J. Danylo, Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy (Diocese) of St.Josaphat in Parma, Ohio, will visit the Southwest Florida Ukrainian Catholic congregation to meet with parishioners and to attend the eparchial “fundraising” on Saturday, Nov. 19, at Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church in North Port, where Rev. Vasyl Petriv is pastor.
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Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
by Atanas Kobryn

Ukrainian American Club meeting tonight

Members of the Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port, will meet tonight at 6 p.m. at St.
Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center, known as “Oseredok” (center) to Ukrainians. This will be the first meeting after a long hot summer.
Guests and potential members are always welcome, and there is no admission charge — unless one signs up to become a member.
Delicious pizza to welcome in the new season will be served before the business meeting.
The business meeting will include the usual reports of Secretary Doris Horbachevsky, Treasurer Nancy Wosny,Correspondence Secretary and Social Services Committee Chair Halya Lisnyczyj and other committee chair heads. The traditional and very popular Christmas Party, scheduled to be held Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Oseredok, will be discussed at length and the party committee will be selected.
Other planned activities will be discussed and approved, including planned Tarpon Springs tour on Thursday, Feb. 16, club’s picnic on Wednesday, March 8, and Scholarship Awards Luncheon Fundraise at Heron Creek Golf and Country Club on Wednesday, April 5, 2017.
Nominating Committee Chair Klara Szpiczka will present a slate of candidates for the Board of Directors for the next term, to be voted on by the members.
Featured speaker will be our own Lieda Boyko of Port Charlotte who will speak about her visit of Ukraine during the last summer, including her visits with families of soldiers fighting Russian armed aggression at the eastern border of Ukraine.
Some families she visited lost their family members in the war, other members were disabled due to war activities.

•••
The first post vacation meeting of the Executive Committee of Branch 56 of Ukrainian National Women’s’ League of America, known as “Soyuz Ukrayinok” (Union of Ukrainian Ladies) headed by Ann-Marie Susla of Englewood, was held Tuesday at the Oseredok. There were many important issues to be discussed and voted on.
Two members of Branch #56, Lidia Bilous of Osprey, and Orysia Zinycz of Venice, members of the UNWLA National Board, will be attending the UNWLA, Inc. National Board Meeting at Soyuzivka, New York, on Oct. 7 – 9.
•••
Retired U.S. Army Col. Roman Rondiak, the commander of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post #40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, reminds all post members of the next meeting at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Oseredok.
All post members are strongly urged to attend as we will be holding the election of Post Officers for the coming year.

•••
The traditional and very popular Ukrainian American dinners will be served from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 30, at the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Center located next to the Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God (St. Mary’s) Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1078 N. Biscayne Dr. (corner of W. Price Blvd.), North Port.
For more information, please call Parish Hall at 423-2427, or Rectory at 426-7931.
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Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
by Atanas Kobryn