THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM (02/04/01)

THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

Miss Soyuzivka is Weekly booster

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - Miss Soyuzivka for 2001, Michelle Poliwka, has said that one of her goals during her reign will be to increase readership among Ukrainian youth of our Ukrainian newspapers, most notably The Ukrainian Weekly and Svoboda. That's in addition to her goal of enrolling UNA members and promoting Soyuzivka.

According to the latest issue of Suzy-Q News, Soyuzivka's quarterly newsletter, Ms. Poliwka, a member of UNA Branch 88, said many of her friends and acquaintances are concerned about the fate of Soyuzivka. She stated: "Young people want to help preserve Suzy-Q and that includes raising awareness about the UNA."

One way to do that, of course, is to have them read about the Ukrainian National Association and its good works on the pages of its two official publications.

Ms. Poliwka, a 21-year-old Chicagoan, is majoring in business economics at McGill University in Montreal. She is a member of Plast and its "Ti, Scho Hrebli Rvut" Sorority, the Chicago-based Hromovytsia and Montreal-based Troyanda dance ensembles, as well as the Ukrainian Club at McGill.

Ms. Poliwka's mother, Olga, sent in subscription orders to The Ukrainian Weekly for 10 persons, thus qualifying the entire Poliwka family for the title of "Weekly Boosters."

Branch 242 hosts St. Nicholas

by Joe Chabon

FRACKVILLE, Pa. - Once again the St. Michael's/St. John's Youth Group organized the annual visit by St. Nicholas to St. Michael's Church Hall. The event, held on December 10, 2000, was sponsored by UNA Branch 242 of Frakville, Pa., led by Joe Chabon, secretary.

For the second year in a row the auditorium was almost filled to capacity, and over 50 children from the parishes entertained the crowd. There were piano and flute players, singers, several Christmas skits, poem readings and singing by all in attendance. The pre-schoolers and first grade catechism class presented the story of the Nativity and sang a beautiful rendition of "On this Bright Day." Dr. Michael Halupa served as master of ceremonies.

St. Nicholas was greeted by the Rev. Nestor Iwasiw, who led the saintly visitor thorough the crowd. St. Nicholas expressed his happiness to see such talent in these parishes, and he questioned the boys and girls from the parish about their behavior throughout the year. After that St. Nicholas gave his annual gift to all the children. This year's gift was a tie-dyed St. Michael's/St. John's Youth Group T-shirt.

Local UNAers expressed many thanks to all who organized and supported this annual tradition, including the UNA Home Office, noting that it was good to see such a traditional program experience enthusiasm and growth at a time when many such programs are a thing of the past.

Branch 112 holds Christmas brunch

by Alice M. Olenchuk

CLEVELAND - St. Mary's Lodge, Branch 112 of the Ukrainian National Association, held its Christmas brunch at Hometown Buffet on Sunday, December 3, 2000, after the 9:30 a.m. divine liturgy at St. Josaphat Cathedral.

Members had a wonderful opportunity to become reacquainted. It seems that in this busy new world we live in, we don't often get the chance to go back to old times when things moved a little slower.

It was great to see everyone enjoy each other's company, as in a family gathering. The sad part: no one brought a camera.

Chamber Choir performs at UNA HQ

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - The Chamber Choir of Parsippany Hills High School put on a special holiday performance here in the atrium of the UNA Corporate Headquarters on December 22, 2000, to entertain employees of the diverse offices located in the building as well as visitors. The chorus director, Linda Clark, led 17 students in a presentation that encompassed Christmas carols and seasonal songs, including the popular Ukrainian "Schedryk," known in English as "Carol of the Bells."

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