THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (09/15/96)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

UNA Seniors Association holds 22nd conference at Soyuzivka

by Anna Chopek

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - The 22nd conference of the UNA Seniors Association was held at Soyuzivka on June 9-14. It was a wonderful opportunity for senior members from various parts of the United States to renew old friendships. Activities were carried on in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Sessions were carried on in both Ukrainian and English languages.

A wine and cheese party on the Veselka deck began the week's activities. The orchestra playing old time favorites and dancing contributed to an enjoyable evening.

In all 108 seniors registered for the conference. Registration was handled by Olga Paproski, Dr. Stefania Baranowskyj and Mary Bobeczko. Members participated in a liturgy and panakhyda at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Kerhonkson in memory of deceased UNA seniors and the victims of Chornobyl.

The conference was opened by President Anna Chopek. The singing of the American and Ukrainian anthems was led by Eugene Moroz, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Honorary President Eugene Woloshyn read President Bill Clinton's message on the 10th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster.

Olga Liteplo was elected English-language secretary and Jurij Swyschuk, Ukrainian secretary.

The minutes of the 21st conference were read by Alice Orlan in English and Helen Trenkler in Ukrainian. Reports were given by Ms. Chopek, president, Ms. Paproski, treasurer; and Sam Liteplo, vice-president.

The following regional representatives also reported: Ms. Paproski, Connecticut, Anne Remick, New England, Maria Mandzij, New Jersey, Ms. Liteplo, New York City and vicinity; Irene Russnak, Rochester, N.Y.; and Ms. Bobeczko, Ohio.

Danylo Slobodian, executive vice-president, was not present because of illness, and Controller Bohdan Bezkorowajny could not attend because of illness in his family. Controllers John Pawlow and Joseph Lesawyer reported that the treasurer's books were in order, and a vote of confidence was passed.

The nominating committee - composed of Mrs. Remick, Mrs. Orlan and Mr. Woloshyn - submitted a slate of officers.

Unanimously elected for the 1996-1997 term were: Ms. Chopek, president; Ms. Orlan, executive vice-president; Mr. Liteplo, vice-president; Ms. Paproski, treasurer; Ms. Liteplo and Yurij Swyschuk, respectively, English and Ukrainian secretaries. Regional representatives who had served the previous year were re-elected.

Many interesting talks were given during the conference. Dr. Roman Baranowskyj spoke in Ukrainian on the current problems in Ukraine, and Dr. Roman Procyk gave an English version of the high points. Dr. Procyk then spoke in English on the work of the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard and exhibited its various publications.

Martha Lysko, secretary of the Ukrainian National Association, brought the seniors up to date on various insurance policies now available from the UNA.

Mr. Lesawyer, former supreme president of the Ukrainian National Association, spoke about the inauguration of the Chornobyl Memorial Forest in Florida and his participation in planting the first tree.

Mary Bednarczyk and Rosalie Polche recorded the donations made by the members - a total of $595. This sum has been sent to American Forests, and trees will be planed in Ocklawaha Prairie, Fla., and in the Kyiv, Poltava and Chernihiv regions of Ukraine.

One of the favorite activities of the conference is the annual auction. Not only do the UNA seniors donate the Ukrainian articles for the auction, they also bid on them. The auction was very ably conducted by Messrs. Woloshyn and Moroz.

Marie Prucknicki and Cornelia Yavarow conducted a raffle and raised more money. The total raised by the auction and raffle was $1300. The committee on donations, Irene Russnak, Estelle Woloshyn and former UNA Supreme President John O. Flis, recommended that 50 percent of the monies raised be sent to the Children of Chornobyl Foundation and 50 percent to the Ukrainian National Women's League of America project, The Babusia Fund, to aid poor grandmothers in Ukraine.

Social activities included: Dr. Baranowsky arranged a cruise on the Hudson River; Nicholas and Mary Bobeczko, John and Helen Laba, and Sam Liteplo conducted an evening of Bingo; Michael and Stefania Babiak gave a demonstration of ballroom dancing; Ms. Liteplo and Mr. Moroz, led a Ukrainian folk song sing-along at the Veselka Bar; Ukrainian videos were shown by Yury Trenkler; and a new racing game introduced at this conference by Ms. Senchy was a great deal of fun.

Emilian Jurchynsky had an exhibit and sale of his photographs and proceeds were donated to The Ukrainian Museum in New York, Soyuzivka and the UNA senior conference.

The highlight of the week was the elegant banquet and the cocktail party. Anatoliy Zlenko, Ukraine's ambassador to the United Nations, gave a moving address on the many problems that still confront Ukraine as a result of the Chornobyl disaster.

A Chornobyl vigil for the accident's victims followed. Women dressed in Ukrainian blouses and carrying candles formed a living wreath. Honorary President Woloshyn lighted the first candle and, as the lights were dimmed, the candles were lit one by one. Then Dr. Baranowskyj recited a poem on Chornobyl with great emotion. A prayer was said by the Rev. Volodymyr Zaiats and a moment of silence followed. The choir of St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Boston, directed by Mr. Moroz, gave a beautiful rendition of "Otche Nash." (Our Father). It was a moving experience and a fitting end to the 22nd Conference of the UNA Seniors Association.

UNA sponsors hockey team in Kontakt Cup

by Stefko Kuropas

CHICAGO - The Ukrainian National Association sponsored the Chicago U-Hawks Hockey team in the Kontakt Cup Hockey Tournament held in Toronto.

The tournament, sponsored by the Kontakt Ukrainian T.V. Network, was held in the Northeastern suburbs of Toronto on April 19-20. Thirteen teams from all over North America including Edmonton, Montreal, Oshawa, Chicago, Toronto, New York and Detroit, competed in two divisions.

The UNA-sponsored Chicago U-Hawks defeated the Edmonton Ukes 4-2 in the final of the recreational division. Amazingly, the U-Hawks finished in last place in 1995. In the competitive division, the Toronto Husars edged the Oshawa Halendas 6-5.

After the games, all the teams got together for a dinner dance and awards presentation. Awards were presented by tournament organizer Yurij Pawluk to both division finalists and to the MVP of every team.

The use of the hall was donated by the sports commission of the Toronto Branch of the Ukrainian National Federation. The chairman of this committee is Slawko Kowal.

The Ukrainian National Association sponsorship of the U-Hawks is just one of many fraternal benefits for members of the UNA. Other benefits include reduced subscription rates for The Ukrainian Weekly and Svoboda, discounts at the UNA resort, Soyuzivka, scholarships for Ukrainian students, and sponsorship of sports, cultural and educational activities.

To join the UNA call 1-800-253-9862 or contact your local UNA branch secretary.

Olympic movement thanks UNA

JERSEY CITY, N.J. - The president of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, Valeriy Borzov, on August 15 thanked the Ukrainian National Association for helping Ukraine's athletes who competed at the Summer Olympiad in Atlanta.

In a letter to the fraternal organization, Mr. Borzov wrote: "We are thankful to the leadership of the Ukrainian National Association and all its members for the constant support (both moral and financial) for the development of the Olympic movement in Ukraine."

"You, too, have played a role in Ukrainian athletes' successes," he underlined, noting that Ukraine's Olympians had won 23 medals, earning 10th place in the over-all team standings.

Back in February, the UNA had presented $10,000 in donations to the Ukrainian Olympic effort. The funds had been collected from Ukrainian community members who responded to the UNA's appeal to support Ukraine's athletes at this time of economic crisis.

Since February, an additional $5,000 was collected by the UNA for the Olympic fund.