Soyuzivka hosts annual Labor Day weekend festivities (09/15/02)

Soyuzivka hosts annual Labor Day weekend festivities

by Andrew Nynka

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - Soyuzivka came alive with many hundreds of guests this past Labor Day weekend hosting musical programs, athletic events and get togethers. Youngsters played, older folks reminisced and, all around, friends celebrated the closing of another summer season.

While the turnout seemed somewhat smaller than in years past - perhaps due in part to poor weather Sunday night - many of those present said Soyuzivka put on a great party.

"I love coming here," said Roma Klymkovych of Chicago. "Everyone gets together here at the end of the summer before going back to work, school or wherever it is people go back to when the summer ends."

While people began gathering at Soyuzivka earlier in the week, the official Labor Day program began on Friday night, August 30, with bands entertaining guests at the Veselka complex. Playing late into the night the Luna band provided music and entertainment for guests on the Veselka terrace. Meanwhile, the local New Paltz-based Saints of Swing performed selections of swing, New Orleans-style Dixieland, blues and Gospel in the packed lounge.

On Saturday evening the Syzokryli Ukrainian Dance Ensemble directed by Roma Pryma Bohachevsky performed to a capacity crowd in the Veselka Auditorium. Nearly 400 to 500 people watched the group perform traditional Ukrainian dances such as "Pryvit," "Kozachok," and "Hopak" as well as more contemporary pieces such as "Vohon" and "Three-man Buko," a tango done to the song "Chervona Ruta."

The emcee for the night, Dora Hapij - also a member of the Syzokryli ensemble - introduced solo performances by soprano Lesia Hrabova, accompanied on the piano by Andrij Stasiw. For her final song Ms. Hrabova told guests she wanted to perform for them a selection from Verdi's "La Traviata" but said that without a tenor to accompany her she would be unable to sing the piece. A man from the crowd, later identified as tenor Bohdan Chaplynsky, emerged to put on a crowd-pleasing performance.

It is also interesting to note that although the "surprise" duet may have been planned earlier that day, Mr. Stasiw showed his musical talent by playing the piece without notes. Also, Mr. Stasiw said, the melody was given to him only seconds before by Ms. Hrabova and Mr. Chaplynsky, who hummed it to him.

Following the performance, guests danced and socialized to the sounds of Soyuzivka's two featured bands. Both Tempo and Fata Morgana played late into the evening.

During the day the Ukrainian National Association's resort hosted the Zenon Snylyk Memorial Tennis Championships and the annual Labor Day weekend swim meet held by the Carpathian Ski Club of New York under the aegis of the Ukrainian Sports Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada.

Many guests noted that their holiday weekend at Soyuzivka was a pleasant experience and said the opportunity to see old friends and make new acquaintances at the Ukrainian National Association's 50-year-old getaway in the beautiful Shawangunk Mountains was time well spent.

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