THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (03/10/96)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

UNA donates books to foreign service library

WASHINGTON - The Ukrainian National Association (UNA) presented the Foreign Service Institute Library a set of books on Ukrainian history, politics and culture in a step to augment the institute's teaching materials on Ukraine.

The institute, part of the U.S. State Department, offers courses on Ukraine to foreign service officers and other government officials who will be serving tours of duty at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv.

The presentation was made by Eugene Iwanciw of the UNA to Michael Osborne, head librarian, on February 6. Mr. Iwanciw, who headed the UNA Washington Office, is president of EMI Associates Ltd., based in Arlington, Va.

Ambassador Roman Popadiuk, the first U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, instituted the course on Ukrainian history and politics in 1993 and continues to teach it. Currently, Ambassador Popadiuk is the State Department's international affairs advisor at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) in Washington. He has instituted a similar course on Ukraine at ICAF.

Mr. Iwanciw has been a frequent lecturer at FSI on Ukraine.

The UNA and you
Fixed mortgage rates back in vogue

by Stephan Welhasch

Mortgage interest rates dropped in 1995 by more than 2 percent - from more than 9 percent at the start of 1995 to around 7 percent - for the most popular type of mortgage, the fixed-rate mortgage. In fact, some mortgage rate trackers are predicting rates this year may reach those of 1993 (a 25-year low). Fixed rates have already fallen below 7 percent this year.

Not just home buyers are benefiting from this interest rate drop. Homeowners are increasingly going to their lenders to re-finance existing loans, opting for lower monthly payments or shorter terms to save thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.

People who didn't get in on the lower rates in 1993 may decide that now is an advantageous time. As interest rates declined, more consumers again expressed their preference for fixed-rate mortgages.

If you were looking for a mortgage last year at this time, an adjustable-rate mortgage might have been your best bet. In 1996, though, the fixed-rate mortgage is the way to go, and this is especially true for buyers who expect to stay in the home for 15 years or more.

If you have a clean credit record and little or no consumer debt, your chances of getting a mortgage are good. Of course, the lender must be convinced that you will be able to handle the monthly mortgage payments - so you may have to settle for a smaller mortgage and thus a smaller house than you might like, depending on your income.

Lenders generally say that housing expenses (mortgage, insurance, taxes, special assessments) should not exceed 28 percent of your gross monthly income and all of your debt cannot total more than 33 to 36 percent of this monthly income.

If you shop carefully, small differences in rates can result in big differences in payments.

Applying for a mortgage is a major transaction, therefore lenders require background information on all applicants. Typically you are required to furnish:

a completed application,
your contract of sale or a copy of your deed if it is a re-finance,
copies of W-2 forms or signed copies of your income tax returns.

Applying for a mortgage should not have to be a difficult process. Being a member of the Ukrainian National Association entitles you to a special mortgage rate that also includes better insurance coverage for you and your family. If you've been considering looking into a mortgage loan - now is a great time to call the UNA and compare shop. You never know, rates might shoot up again soon, as happened two years ago.

To find out more about the UNA's First Mortgage Loan or Jumbo Loan Programs, refinancing your existing mortgage, or about becoming a member and sharing in many other benefits the UNA has to offer, call 1 (800) 253-9862.

OBITUARY: Michael Kolodrub, 104, UNA Branch 137 officer for over 75 years

WILSON BOROUGH, Pa. - Michael Kolodrub, who served UNA Branch 137 for over 75 years, holding such posts as president (five years), secretary (15 years), treasurer (26 years) and auditor, died here on January 23. He was 104.

Mr. Kolodrub was born on September 21, 1891, in the village of Rosokha, Staryi Sambir, Ukraine, the son of Joseph and Rosalia Kolodrub. At the age of 17 he became active in the Prosvita reading room and the cooperative in the Staryi Sambir area.

In August of 1912 he arrived in the United States, getting a job in a factory in Easton, Pa. At age 25 he married Anna Yaworsky, who hailed from his native village. The couple had two sons, Stephen and Joseph, and a daughter, Maria.

Mr. Kolodrub joined the Ukrainian National Association in 1916 and was elected to various branch offices every year since 1917. His sons, too, became active in UNA Branch 137.

As well he was the local community representative to various nationwide Ukrainian organizations, such as the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, and attended numerous national conventions throughout the U.S.

In the Easton area Mr. Kolodrub became an activist of the Prosvita organization, was initiator of the idea to build a Citizens Club, and was a member of the committee that succeeded in building the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church. He was a founder and the oldest member of Holy Ghost parish.

Mr. Kolodrub died at Eastwood Convalescent Home in Wilson Borough.

Surviving are Mr. Kolodrub's three children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His wife, Anna, had died earlier.

The funeral was held on January 27, with liturgy at Holy Ghost Church in West Easton, Pa., and burial at the parish cemetery in Wagnersville, Pa.

Young UNA'ers

Andrew and Alex Woloshyn, sons of Karen and Eugene Taras Woloshyn, are new members of UNA Branch 348 in Youngstown, Ohio. They were enrolled by their grandmother Estelle Woloshyn.

Larysa A. Switlyk, daughter of Theresa and Stephen Switlyk, is a new member of UNA Branch 13 in Watervliet, N.Y. Larysa was enrolled by her parents.

Twins Laura Christine Harrison (left) and Gregory Alexander Harrison, children of Melanie and Edward Harrison, are new members of UNA Branch 372 in Plainfield, N.J. They were enrolled by their grandfather, Prof. Jerry M. Kupchynsky (center).

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