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
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