Our community's favorite resort beckons: come home to Soyuzivka! (05/04/03)

A Ukrainian Summer: where to go, what to do...

Our community's favorite resort beckons: come home to Soyuzivka!

by Olesia Guran

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - After a winter that blanketed Soyuzivka in depths of snow unlike the past few mild winters, spring has finally sprung in the Hudson Valley. And, as the tulips and hostas so familiar to the landscaping of Soyuzivka begin to burst through the ground, spring is definitely in the air here at Soyuzivka.

With this season of new growth, visitors will see exciting new developments here at Soyuzivka. Articles have recently been written about the changes in management, with Nestor Paslawsky, the new general manager, heading up the team. His goal is not only to increase business at this beloved Ukrainian resort but also to increase the number of year-round amenities to entice newcomers and old-timers back to Soyuzivka.

In April the resort held a trailblazing weekend that brought in volunteers of all ages and the beginnings of a mile-long trail loop that heads to the waterfalls and cuts over to the cliffs. This trail will allow for mountain biking, hiking and cross-country skiing during the winter, and will be marked with emblems of Soyuzivka's signature Hutsul. Eventually it will be connected to Minnewaska State Park trails.

There will be no need to bring your mountain bikes since this summer Soyuzivka will be opening a new Activities Center that will allow guests to use mountain bikes and cross-country skis during the winter.

This month Soyuzivka started the "Snake Pit," a vegetable and herb garden for its very own culinary master, Andrij Sonevytsky, known to the public as Chef Snake. Items from the 'Snake Pit' will be featured on the new à la carte restaurant menu, in the renovated dining room located in the Main House.

Also in time for the summer season, Soyuzivka boasts a renovated lobby and a painted Main House building. The Veselka building is currently in the process of getting a facelift with a renovated hallway and bathrooms, and freshly painted Trembita Lounge - a fixture well known to many Ukrainians over the generations.

Since Soyuzivka's owner, the Ukrainian National Association, is striving to improve the status of the resort, which is still recovering from a deficit, it has implemented a multi-level program called the Soyuzivka Heritage Preservation and Recreational Center.

Phase I of this program is to upgrade the activity areas at Soyuzivka which include a new play area for our youngest members, a roller blading and ice skating rink, and a renovated volleyball court with its very own tiki bar.

A contribution towards any one of these projects will be honored at each site with a commemorative nameplate in a venue of your choice or you may purchase a tax-deductible advertising board that will be placed around the roller blade rink (the rollerblading rink will replace the lone tennis court located next to the volleyball court).

Phase II will include the renovations of Veselka, where the heritage and cultural programs will be held. Those interested in participating in this fund-raising program, are asked to call Mr. Paslawsky, (845) 626-5641, for any additional information.

Soyuzivka gives individuals a place to learn about their culture, religion and heritage and Father's Day will mark the kickoff of the Summer Heritage Concert Series. This series will include five special Sunday performances by a variety of Ukrainian performers ranging from Ukrainian dance ensembles to Ukrainian choirs and musicians.

During the summer months, Soyuzivka will also have a dance every Saturday night with music by a variety of Ukrainian bands, beginning on June 28 with the band Vidlunnia. These concerts and zabavy (dances) are featured in the new section called "Soyuzivka's Datebook," located on the last page of The Ukrainian Weekly, as well as in Svoboda, where the same listing appears in Ukrainian. This calendar of events is an ongoing section that will highlight events at Soyuzivka throughout the year.

Also unveiling very shortly, will be a redesigned Soyuzivka website that will also keep a current listing of all events at http://www.Soyuzivka.com. Visitors will notice many improvements to the new website, including recipes from the "Snake Pit," event archives, Kerhonkson's daily weather forecast, and more.

Other marketing efforts include the Soyuzivka Internet Newsletter, distributing timelier information on events at least once a month. (Please forward your e-mail address to us if you're interested in receiving our newsletter.)

Through its first 50 years, Soyuzivka offered a variety of camps over the summer, and this summer the tradition will continue. For children of all ages, there is a nice selection of camps from "Tabir Ptashat" for Ukrainian-speaking preschoolers and the Chemney Heritage Camp conducted in English, to the children's sleep-away camp, tennis camp, scuba courses and the ever-popular Ukrainian dance camp.

This summer the Sports Camp is being expanded to two weeks, which will end with a Sports Jamboree Weekend on August 1-3. There will be a hockey/rollerblading, softball and soccer tournament, as well as a volleyball open and a seniors division volleyball tournament. Live music and entertainment will be featured all weekend long, including a comedy show/cabaret, a "Barabolya" show for the kids and a zabava with the Ukrainian band Burya.

In addition to the bounty with which Mother Nature has endowed Soyuzivka, there is so much to enjoy about this jewel in the mountains. Come and visit often and experience the exciting changes that the new management team hopes to introduce on a regular basis.

Soyuzivka is currently taking applications for the summer season, hiring for all positions including lifeguards, wait staff, bartenders and general workers. Enjoy your summer with an excellent job opportunity that will also give you memories that will last a lifetime.

Even before the summer truly begins, however, guests can get a taste of the new Soyuzivka during Memorial Day weekend. Why not come bring your family and friends and join us for a traditional barbecue on Saturday, May 24? That evening, there will be a dance to the music of the Luna band.

For more information contact: Soyuzivka, P.O.Box 529, 216 Foordmore Road, Kerhonkson, NY 12446; website, http://www.Soyuzivka.com; telephone, (845) 626-5641 ext. 141; e-mail, Soyuzivka@aol.com.

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