Documentary film, picnic ... Darth Vader

The main attraction of tonight’s monthly membership meeting of the Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida will be the screening of the just released Netflix documentary film, ”Winter on Fire” (Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom). The meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at St.Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center, 4100 S. Biscayne Drive, North Port (known as “the Oseredok”) is open to all.

Nonmembers, potential members and members of North Port and the vicinity community are welcome to attend the meeting and view the movie. There is no admission charge. The screening of the film will follow a brief business meeting, which is not expected to last longer than 30 minutes. After the meeting and movie, there will be an informal social hour with home-baked pastries and beverages.

Members are being asked to bring to this meeting nonperishable (canned and boxed) food items and unwrapped children’s gifts. As it is the club’s tradition, the food items will be donated to the Salvation Army, and toys to North Port’s annual Toy Chest Program for distribution to local youth ages 14 and under.

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The local branch 56 of the Ukrainian NationalWomen’s League of America, headed by Ann-Marie Susla of Englewood, is inviting all to its traditional and very popular picnic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at Maxine Barritt Park, next to Sharky’s in Venice.

Yara Litosch, chairwoman of the picnic committee, says the traditional buffet luncheon with delicious food and desserts will be followed by bingo, and a short program, all for $8 per person. Door prizes will be awarded.

The monthly membership meeting of branch 56 will take place at 10 a.m. Nov. 3 at the Oseredok.

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In addition to the very popular traditional Ukrainian American dinners served Fridays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Parish Center of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1078 N. Biscayne Drive, including takeouts from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. (call 941423-2427 or 941-426-7931), affectionados of Ukrainian “varenyky” (pierogies) and “kovbasa” (sausage) can also purchase them at the Oseredok (St. Andrew’s) every Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information and advance orders, call 941-786-5256.

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The government of Ukraine recently passed a law finally banning Communist symbols, including statues of Lenin, and changing the names of cities, towns, villages, streets, etc. bearing names of Communists (such as city and oblast of Kirovohrad, which was now changed to its pre-Communist name of Yelysavethrad).

The city of Odesa followed up with the local ordinance, meaning the statue of Lenin needed to go. As a result, the Soviet-era statue ofVladimir Lenin was transformed into a tribute to DarthVader. Lenin’s head was turned into a helmet, and the coattails into a cape. And, according to The New York Times, Darth Vader’s helmet serves as a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The “Star Wars” character has also tried to take over the city of Odesa — a candidate named “Darth Vader” was running in the mayoral election last Sunday. He did not win. This was his second try.

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

Ukrainian American Club collecting food, toys for holidays

The monthly membership meeting of the Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port, will take place at 6 p.m. Oct. 28 at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center (known as the “Oseredok”). The meeting is open to all, and there is no admission fee. Visitors and potential members are welcome.

Members are being asked to bring nonperishable (canned and boxed) food items and unwrapped children’s gifts to the meeting.

The food items will be donated to the Salvation Army, as the club has done in previous years, and the toys will be donated to the city of North Port’s annual Toy Chest Program for distribution to local children ages 14 and under. The contribution of members’ food and toys will hopefully make a difference in the lives of children and families living in our community.

Next week’s meeting will be the last before the club’s traditional Christmas party on Dec. 5. Anna Mariani, party chairwoman, would like to welcome several more volunteers to the committee, to ensure that this year’s party is even more successful than last year.

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 Officers and members of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans are busy selling tickets for the traditional Veterans Day buffet luncheon, which will be held at noon Nov. 12 at Heron Creek Golf & Country Club in North Port.

According to the reports, tickets, at $25 per person, are selling well and there are not many left. Tickets won’t be available at the door.

In addition to the tasty food prepared by the Heron Creek staff, there will be an interesting program and surprises.

Three Ukrainian Armed Forces colonels, members of the U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base liaison team are to be guests at the luncheon.

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 Yara Litosch, chairwoman of the annual picnic of North Port Branch 56 of “Soyuz Ukrayinok” (union of Ukrainian Ladies), wishes to remind and invite everybody to the traditional and very popular picnic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 29 at Maxine Barritt Park, next to Sharky’s in Venice.

There will be a buffet luncheon with delicious food and desserts, bingo, door prizes and a short program, all for $8 per person.

As reported in last week’s column, the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America is celebrating its 90th anniversary. In connection with this observance, an exhibit “Ukrainian Women Artists of the Diaspora,” is taking place in New York City. One of the exhibitors is Branch 56 member Patricia Zalisko.

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  News from Ukraine: Ukrainians will go to the polls Sunday to elect officials in all oblasts, counties, cities, towns and villages. Many consider this election to be a referendum on the parties in the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s national parliament.

 

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

UNWLA celebrates 90 years; UAV memorial dedicated

Last week’s monthly membership meeting of North Port Branch 56 of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, known as “Soyuz Ukrayinok” (union of Ukrainian Ladies), was dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the organization. President Ann-Marie Susla opened the observance after a brief business meeting with the singing of the UNWLA anthem, a moment of silence for departed members and brief remarks. The keynote address was delivered by board member Roxolana Yarymovych, and vice president Lesia Popel recited a poem dedicated to women.

The business meeting, in addition to the mandated reports of officers, dealt with matters related to the traditional annual picnic, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 29 at Maxine Barrett Park (next to Sharky’s) in Venice.

Picnic Committee Chair Yara Litosch states there will be a lunch buffet with delicious food and desserts, bingo, door prizes and a short program, at a cost of $8. All are invited.

The annual national board meeting of UNWLA Inc. will take place Friday through Sunday in New York City. Two national board members, Branch 56 members, will be attending — Lidia Bilous of Osprey, Social Welfare chair, and Orysia Zinych of Venice, co-liaison for Branches at Large. The UNWLA 90th anniversary will be celebrated with a banquet in NYC on Saturday.

Also, in connection with and as part of UNWLA’s 90th anniversary observances, the opening of the “Ukrainian Women Artists of the Diaspora” exhibit will take place Sunday at the Ukrainian Museum in New York City. Works of internationally known artist Patricia Zalisko of Estero, a member of Branch 56, will be included in this exhibit.

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 The monthly membership meeting of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, held last Friday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center (known as the “Oseredok”), was dominated by the reports of officers and delegates to the UAV 68th National Convention and the formal dedication of the Ukrainian American Veterans Memorial at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Memorial Cemetery in South Bound Brook, N.J.

The brief business meeting, chaired by Post Commander Col. Roman Rondiak, USA (Ret.), included the review of minutes of the last meeting, a comprehensive report by Finance Officer Oleh Sawkiw, and a review of the status of preparations for the Veterans Day observances next month, including the traditional Post 40 Veterans Day fundraiser luncheon, which will take place Nov. 12 at Heron Creek Golf & Country Club.

UAV national officers and Post 40 delegates who attended the national convention and dedication of the UAV monument were unanimous in applauding the superb organization and massive participation in the ceremony masterfully conducted by Brig. Gen.  Leonid Kondratiuk, UAV past national commander. The U.S. Air Force Color Guard from McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey presented the colors, and the Ukrainian Youth Association Choir of Chicago sang the national anthems of the U.S. and Ukraine, and “America the Beautiful” after the blessings. 

The unveiling and blessing of the monument were preceded by remarks of Metropolitans Anthony and Stefan, of the Ukrainian Orthodox and Catholic churches, respectively; Bishop Daniel, Raymond L. Zawacki, deputy commissioner of Veterans Affairs, N.J.; Col. Mykhailo Kyrylenko, military representative of Ukraine to the U.N.; UAV National Commander Ihor W. Hron; Oksana Koziak, president of UAV Auxiliary; and Mathew Koziak, PNC, chairman of the UAV Monument Committee.

The Ukrainian American Veterans Memorial was unveiled Oct. 3 at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Memorial Cemetery in South Bound Brook, N.J.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians

by Atanas Kobryn (atanask@aol.com)

Club activities and Ukrainian dinners

The monthly membership meeting of the Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, headed by commander Col. Roman Rondiak, USA (Ret.), will take place at 2:30 p.m. Friday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center, known as the “Oseredok” (“center” in Ukrainian). The agenda of the meeting will include reports of officers and delegates to the UAV 68th National Convention held Oct. 2-4 in New Jersey, the planning of Veterans Day observances next month, including the traditional UAV Post 40 Veterans Day luncheon at noon Nov.
 
12 at Heron Creek Golf & Country Club, and other matters. The Nov. 12 luncheon tickets, at $25 per person, can be obtained from Post 40 members, including yours truly.
There will be no tickets sold at the door.
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 Last week’s monthly membership meeting of the Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, held at the Oseredok, was chaired by vice president Lieda Boyko of Port Charlotte.
 
The guest speaker was North Port Police Chef Kevin Vespia, who was introduced by Nancy Wosny. Chief Vespia’s comprehensive and very interesting 20-minute presentation was followed by a lengthy question-and-answer period.
The meeting began with a moment of silence in memory of two members, Walter Shipka and Florence Lysak, who died since the last membership meeting.
 
Following the reports of officers, members approved the date of the traditional Christmas party as Dec. 5 (Anna Mariani “volunteered” to chair the party committee), and the club’s participation, together with the St. Petersburg Ukrainian American community, in the Dec.10 annual Headquarters of the U.S. Central Command International Coalition Night at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.
 
These and other matters will be discussed in more details at the next membership meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 28. Members are being asked to bring to the next meeting nonperishable (canned and boxed) food items, which will be donated, as in the past, to the Salvation Army.
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The new pastor of North Port’s Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God (St. Mary’s) Ukrainian Catholic Church, the Rev. Vasyl Petriv, and his wife Lyubov, are providing leadership and an example to the parishioners by being personally involved in the operation of “Nasha Kukhnya” (our kitchen), including food preparation, which serves the popular traditional Ukrainian American dinners from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Friday.
 
The dinners, at $12 (which includes gratuity) consist of “borsch” (Ukrainian-style beet soup), “varenyky” (pierogies), “holubtsi” (Ukrainian-style cabbage rolls), chicken and home-baked pastries with coffee or tea.
 
Guests who find the full dinner too large may choose individual menu items (price list is available).
 
In addition to the service of dinners, take-outs of borsch, varenyky and holubtsi are available from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays. Large orders, to ensure availability, should be called in in advance at 941-423-2427.
 
St. Mary’s Sisterhood will have a garage sale from 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday at the Parish Center, 1078 N. Biscayne Drive, corner of West Price Boulevard.
 
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