Throngs travel to Soyuzivka resort in annual ritual marking end of summer (09/16/01)

Throngs travel to Soyuzivka resort in annual ritual marking end of summer

by Peter Steciuk

KERHONKSON, N.Y - With the lazy summer months fading away quickly, a veritable throng of Ukrainian Americans and Ukrainian Canadians descended on the Ukrainian National Association's Soyuzivka resort this Labor Day weekend intent on ending the summer with a bang. The weekend at "Suzy-Q" has become an annual ritual - one last chance for Ukrainians to gather as a community and have some fun in the sun together before the weather turns and young people go off to school.

Some chose to bask in the sun, sitting by the pool and getting a tan, while others played tennis and volleyball in the summer heat. For some, the weekend was a celebration of the picturesque surroundings, with the energetic spending their time hiking in the Catskills or rock climbing on the nearby cliffs. Many of the guests showed off their moves on the dance floor by night, and an intrepid bunch started off their days with a true breakfast of champions - the "Hutsul Platter," with kovbasa, holubtsi, varenyky and bigus all on one plate.

Visitors from near and far

As always, Ukrainians came from far and near to be at Soyuzivka this year. While the Stecyk family did not even need to leave their hometown's city limits to be at "the Q," others had more taxing journeys.

Natalie Krawciw of Virginia, and Marko Melymuka of Michigan, reported that their respective 10-hour car rides were well worth the effort, despite strong thunderstorms for much of the latter's trip. Not to be outdone, fellow Detroiter Natalie Tobianski chimed in, boasting that she left Michigan at 4 p.m. on Thursday and arrived at Soyuzivka at 9 p.m. Friday, not setting any speed records, but reaching her destination with a story to tell.

Although it rained into the early evening hours on Friday night, the weather cleared before the first "zabava" of the weekend, during which guests danced to the music of Vechirka. Afterwards, some members of Vechirka mingled with fans in the Trembita Lounge. Jayson Wishard, a non-Ukrainian member of the band, praised the Ukrainian community: "The whole society has been incredible. Even though I'm not Ukrainian, they love me. I'm not treated as an outsider at all." Mr. Wishard, who had played at Soyuzivka but never on Labor Day weekend, said, "I couldn't believe it when I got the call to play here. It was just so exciting."

Art and entertainment on the agenda

The Labor Day program continued during the day on Saturday with art exhibitions in the Main House. Andrij Pikush of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast of Ukraine, brought an assortment of paintings characterized by vivid reds, yellows and blues, mostly his own work, representing the Folk Art Center of Petrykivka.

Also in the Main House, Vitaliy Lytvyn presented an exhibit of linocuts on various themes, including the 1,000th anniversary of the baptism of Ukraine and the works of Taras Shevchenko. A resident of Montreal, originally from the vicinity of Rivne, Ukraine, Mr. Lytvyn recently published a book, the product of more than 25 years of work, dedicated to the 350th anniversary of the Battle of Berestechko, called "Kozak Graves." He estimates that this is the 10th time he has exhibited his work at Soyuzivka on Labor Day.

Later that evening the Yunist dance ensemble of Yonkers, N.Y., led by artistic director Hryhoriy Momot, displayed its talent in a two-hour show featuring dances and costumes from various regions of Ukraine characterized by a mix of humor and athleticism. Said dancer Julianna Pedersen, "The best part [of performing at Labor Day] is the feeling you get with the costumes and make-up on when you go out in front of an audience like this." Yunist also gave an abbreviated performance the following afternoon.

On Saturday night, Tempo and Vechirka provided the music, with Zolota Bulava taking over on Sunday night. Despite the somewhat cold weather - you could actually see your breath - people stayed and danced into the early morning hours. After the music stopped, many chose to stay even later and warm up in the Trembita Lounge. Bartender Bill Swiac commented, "The time [at Trembita] flies by. Before you know it, it's 3:30 a.m., and it's time to close."

The mood was jovial and festive, with no negative incidents detracting from the fun. Members of the Kingston Police Department were on hand just in case problems arose, but had only nice things to say about the Ukrainians gathered at Suzy Q. Officer Damon Brodhead said, as he kept watch over the Trembita Lounge, "In the inner city, the people don't always respect us. But here everyone knows we're just trying to allow them to have a good time. This is my third year here, and I've been impressed by the good, clean fun."

A long-standing tradition

When asked why they come to Soyuzivka for Labor Day year after year, the vast majority of young people replied that it gives them an opportunity to see their friends one last time before heading off to school. As Adrian Olesnycky explained, "it might seem like a generic thing to say, but it's true."

Christian Koschil, a New Jersey native who moved to Torrence, Calif., but now attends Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, added, "I was out of the loop in California. Being away from it for a while really lets you see and appreciate it. There's a kind of continuous friendship here that you'll find nowhere else, on the East or West Coast. It's something our grandparents had and passed on to our parents, who have passed it on to us. And we'll carry it on."

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