Ukrainian women honor their own

     Members of North Port Branch 56 of the Ukrainian National Women’s League, known as “Soyuz Ukrayinok” (union of Ukrainian ladies), headed by Ann-Marie Susla of Englewood, and their guests had a wonderful time at the traditional annual Christmas “Zustrich” (get-together) on Friday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center, known as the “Oseredok.” The Christmas Zustrich committee, chaired by Christyna Bodnar-Sheldon of Englewood, who also superbly performed duties as mistress of ceremonies, worked very hard in arranging for an enjoyable program and serving a delicious three-course buffet dinner. All hors d’oeuvres, dishes and desserts, including baked goods, were prepared in UNWLA members’ homes.

    An outstanding part of the program was, naturally, caroling by a group of ladies, organized by past president of Branch 56, Oksana Lew of Venice.

    Lieda Boyko of Port Charlotte was the starcarrier, an integral part of the traditional Ukrainian carolers.

    The Honorable Ihor Sybiga, general consul of Ukraine in New York, with his lovely wife Natalie, daughter Dorothea, and Natalie’s parents of Kyiv, Ukraine, were special guests. Other guests were the Rev. Dr. Severyn Kovalyshin, the Rt. Rev. Mitred Archpriest Wolodymyr Woloszczuk, the Rt. Rev. John Fatenko and Anastasia Fatenko.

    After members and guests had finished enjoying the main course, before serving desserts, President Susla announced and handed out to the branch and several branch members awards that were announced at the XXXth UNWLA National Convention in Tarrytown, N.Y., last May. There were two awards to the branch — one for sponsorship and support of the UNWLA Scholarship Action and organizing new branch members, and a second for a ponderable contribution in supporting the movement to democracy and civil society in Ukraine.

    Individual awards were presented to the following Branch 56 members: Honorary UNWLA memberships to Orysia Swystun of North Port and Lidia Bilous of Osprey; for 50 years of dedicated service to the UNWLA to Iwanna Holowaty and Maria Wolynec, both of Venice; for many years of dedicated service as members of the UNWLA National Executive Board to Anna Macelinski and Roxolana Yarymovych of Osprey; and for leadership activity in the area of culture in the local community to Oksana Lew.
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    The Coordinating Committee of Ukrainian American Organizations of North Port and Vicinity (“Hromadskyi Komitet”), headed by Roma Guran of Venice, is inviting all to attend the commemoration of the 96th anniversary of the unification of all Ukrainian lands in one Ukrainian National Republic, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Center, 1078 N. Biscayne Drive (corner of West Price Boulevard), North Port.

    The commemorative program will be highlighted by internationally known Ukrainian soprano-soloist Oksana Krovytska, a New York City Opera star who was honored with its coveted “Diva Award.”

    Proceeds will benefit the war victims.
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    The annual membership meeting of UNWLA Branch 56 will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Oseredok. All members are encouraged to attend. Membership dues may be paid at the 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