Traditional Ukrainian Easter bazaars planned

      From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, a Ukrainian Easter bazaar will take place at 4100 S. Biscayne Drive, North Port, sponsored by St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center (known as the “Oseredok”). A Ukrainian “pysanky” (traditional Easter eggs) decorating demonstration and sale, arts and crafts exhibit, and baked goods sale will be some of the attractions. Ukrainian food will be available on-site as well as for takeout.

    To ensure takeout availability of ring kielbasa, “babka” (Ukrainian Easter bread) and “varenyky” (pierogies), it is highly recommended to pre-order these items by calling 941-786-5256.

    Also at the bazaar, there will be an exhibit of books and other materials dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the birth of universally acclaimed Ukrainian artist, poet and revolutionary Taras Shevchenko, sponsored by the Ukrainian Language Society. The coordinator of this exhibit will be Neonilia Lechman of Venice.

    One week later, on April 11, the traditional bazaar of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Parish will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1076 N. Biscayne Drive (corner of West Price Boulevard), North Port. Ukrainian arts and crafts, gift items, pysanky, and Easter bread will be available, as well as other popular Ukrainian food. The traditional Ukrainian American dinners featuring pierogies, “holubtsi” (cabbage rolls) and homebaked pastries will be available from noon to 6 p.m. As in the past, visitors will be able to win prizes by purchasing raffle tickets.

    Takeouts also will be available, but large orders should be pre-ordered by calling a day or two earlier at 941-423-2427.

    This year’s St. Mary’s bazaar committee is headed by co-chairs Oksana Lew and Iwanna Holowaty, both of Venice.


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    This month’s membership meeting of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans will be held at 3 p.m. April 11 at the Oseredok.

    This is a change from the regularly scheduled meeting date, which is the first Friday of the month, due to the Ukrainian bazaar sponsored by the Oseredok on Friday.


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    The Coordinating Committee of Ukrainian American Organizations of North Port and vicinity, known in Ukrainian as “Hromadskyi Komitet,” an umbrella organization of all Ukrainian American clubs and organization of Southwest Florida, held its annual meeting and election of officers last week at the Oseredok.

    After the reading of minutes from the previous meeting and reports of officers, the members re-elected Roma Guran of Venice to serve another year as president. Also re-elected were vice president professor Vira Bodnaruk of Venice, secretary Lieda Boyko of Port Charlotte, and treasurer Klara Szpiczka of North Port.

    Hromadskyi Komitet is composed of two representatives each from member organizations. It was decided at this meeting to ask the organizations to replace representatives who were their delegates for several years with “new faces.” Member organizations will be notified by mail and/or email of the date and place of the next meeting.

    Atanas Kobryn covers the Ukrainian community for the North Port Sun. He can be emailed at atanask@aol.com.

Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians

by Atanas Kobryn