Voice of America program spotlights Soyuzivka's jubilee (09/15/02)

Voice of America program spotlights Soyuzivka's jubilee

by Roma Hadzewycz

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - Celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Soyuzivka, the beloved Ukrainian resort in the Catskill region of New York state, went international thanks to the Voice of America program "Kaleidoscope of the Diaspora."

Aired on August 3, before the resort officially began celebrations of its golden jubilee, the program informed listeners around the globe about the history of Soyuzivka, owned and operated by the Ukrainian National Association since 1952, and presented fond reminiscences of the resort and its multifaceted programs as shared by Soyuzivka regulars.

A weekly Ukrainian-language program about the life of Ukrainians in various countries around the world, "Kaleidoscope" is hosted by veteran VOA correspondents Anya Dydyk-Petrenko and Theofil Staruch.

The first guest on the broadcast was a former advisor of the UNA (once the youngest member of the UNA General Assembly) and a former band leader at Soyuzivka, Alexander Chudolij. Mr. Chudolij, today an accomplished and polished accordionist, recalled how he first came to Soyuzivka as a young boy and how his musical career began there.

"Soyuzivka is where I first became acquainted with the Ukrainian community, learned about Ukraine's culture and understood that this was not only interesting but also important to me in my life," Mr. Chudolij remarked.

That's why," he continued, "I married a Ukrainian and why my son [7-year-old Peter] continues in my footsteps."

Daniel Slobodian, one of two co-managers of Soyuzivka after the UNA purchased the resort on Foordmore Road, took listeners back to Soyuzivka's beginnings. "The UNA found a 450-acre parcel of land that was reminiscent of Ukraine. ... We built Veselka [the pavilion that comprises a deck overlooking the scenic Shawangunk Mountains, and the auditorium where concerts are held], a pool, tennis and volleyball courts, a soccer field.

"Two thousand guests came for the weekends," Mr. Slobodian recalled. "Soyuzivka was very popular among the young and the old."

Next the program interviewed Sonia Semanyshyn, Soyuzivka office manager for the past 13 years. She offered "thanks to the UNA for foresight in purchasing a resort that would attract youths and keep their hearts Ukrainian."

Ms. Semanyshyn recalled how as a little girl she first came to Soyuzivka for vacations with her family and later, as a young lady, came for the dances. Now the generations who grew up with the resort are attending "christenings, all types of gatherings and conferences, weddings and, unfortunately, funerals, too," Ms. Semanyshyn said.

"Everyone returns here as if to their own home. It's a unique resort where everyone feels at home. There's no place like Soyuzivka," she underlined, repeating the resort's famous slogan.

Soyuzivka's importance in the upbringing of Ukrainian youth was the focus of interviews with "Kaleidoscope's" next two guests. First, Aristida Staruch, a longtime leader in Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization, spoke of the beginnings of the Plast program for pre-schoolers called "Ptashata" (literally, little birds) in the late 1970s. After explaining that the first day camps for children so young were organized by Plast educators, she said that "Soyuzivka is an ideal place for such activities - the only place really" - as it allows parents to be with their children in a very special setting.

Fellow Plast activist Neonila Sochan, founder of the "Tabir Ptashat" day camps that have been held under the aegis of the Pershi Stezhi Plast sorority at Soyuzivka since 1989, underscored that "these camps for children age 4-6," are the first steps of organizational life for our children. Twenty-seven camps [two tours have been held each year since 1990] have been held at Soyuzivka, which means that more than 1,500 children have gone through our program."

"The children who attended the first 'Tabir Ptashat' are now in college, and they are active in our community, especially as youth counselors. It is significant that their first community involvement was at Soyuzivka, at 'Tabir Ptashat.' "

"We wish Soyuzivka another 50 years so that our children and youth can continue to grow there," Mrs. Sochan concluded.

The attraction of Soyuzivka was succinctly described by Stephanie Hawryluk, a former UNA advisor who also worked in the resort's colorful gift shop. "Soyuzivka is like our dear home, where we meet our dear friends, where we hear the Ukrainian language and Ukrainian music. And all segments of our community are welcome here. There really is no other place like this anywhere in the world," she stated.

The special program aired by VOA also featured musical selections that highlighted instrumental music by Mr. Chudolij and a song performed by Oles Kuzyszyn, leader of the Luna band, which often plays at Soyuzivka for dances and other occasions.

Fittingly, the broadcast ended with music by the Tempo orchestra, a Soyuzivka regular of long standing, and the mellifluous voice of the group's leader, the late Ireneus Kowal, announcing the last dance of the evening.

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