Federal Judge Futey to speak tonight

     The Honorable Bohdan A. Futey, serving on senior status for the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, will be the guest speaker tonight at the monthly membership meeting of the Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port. His topic will be “Ukraine’s quest for democracy and rule of law after the Revolution of Dignity.” Everyone is welcome.

    Judge Futey’s activities have been multifaceted. In addition to his duties at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims since his appointment in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan, he has spoken at various conferences and meetings in the U.S., Canada and Ukraine. He has written numerous articles for American, American Ukrainian and Ukrainian news media. His last mission to Ukraine was heading the World Mission of Ukrainian World Congress on observation of presidential elections and elections to the “Verkhovna Rada,” Ukraine’s parliament.

    The meeting of the Ukrainian American Club will be held at 6 tonight at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center (known as the “Oseredok”), 4100 S. Biscayne Drive, North Port. Judge Futey’s presentation will be preceded by a brief business meeting. Club members are being asked to wear the embroidered attire for a group photograph at the meeting.
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    The North Port Branch 56 of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, known as “Soyuz Ukrayinok” (union of Ukrainian ladies), held its annual membership meeting, chaired by professor Vira Bodnaruk of Venice on Jan. 20 at the Oseredok. The meeting agenda included the annual reports of officers, committee chairs, and finally of branch president, Ann-Marie Susla of Englewood.

    After all reports were read, discussed and approved, the nominating committee, consisting of Orysia Zinycz, Zina Ferenc and Tusia Van Meggelen, presented a list of candidates to be elected for 2015-2016.

    Ann-Marie Susla was unanimously re-elected for the third term as branch president. My wife Katrusia, who is a Branch 56 member, and I congratulate Ann-Marie and wish her continued success. Also re-elected were recording secretary Roma Guran, corresponding secretary Larissa Shpon, treasurer Orysia Zinycz and financial secretary Ulana Stadnyk. Elected were vice presidents Olya Hron and Lesia Popel, and press secretary Yara Litosh. Lidia Bilous, chair of the UNWLA social services committee, was elected member-at-large.

    Other individuals elected: Anna Mariani and Zina Ferenc, cochairs of the membership committee; Oksana Lew, chair of the cultural affairs committee; Neonillia Lechman and Vira Bodnaruk, co-chairs of the public relations committee; Kateryna Steciuk and Tania Silecky, co-chairs of the art and museum committee, Lieda Boyko, chair of the scholarship committee; Roxolana Yarymovych, chair of the archives committee; and Katia Posnachiwska, chair of the hospitality committee. The social welfare committee will consist of Halya Lisnyczyj, Anna Mariani, Helen Indianu and Odarka Horbachevsky; and the auditing committee, Areta Baranowskyj, Bohdanna Fryder, Iryna Kuzyk, Chrystia Lazor Stecyk and Luba Yarmak.
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    The monthly membership meeting, first in 2015, of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans will be held at 3 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Oseredok.

    Finance Officer Oleh Sawkiw wishes to remind post members that dues for 2015 of $30 are due. Checks can be made payable to “UAV Post 40,” and any additional donations will be appreciated.

    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