THE UNA FORUM

On our 110th anniversary

Spotlight on UNA branches

BRANCH 9, ST. CLAIR, PA.

UNA Branch 9 was founded in 1985. In the late 1930s, my father, Nicholas Salak, was secretary of Branch 9. Metro Yankosky was president, and Wassil Bednar was treasurer. My father got involved because all of our family belonged to UNA Branch 9. With the help of members and family we organized a picnic and two dances to raise money to get Branch 9 back in good standing.

Then in 1938 my father went to the UNA convention. At that convention Gregory Herman was elected as athletic director and decided that the UNA would sponsor baseball and basketball. My father told me to write to Mr. Herman about starting a baseball league. Mr. Herman then called a meeting at Centralia and we formed a baseball league consisting of Centralia, Berwick, McAdoo, Wilkes-Barre, Olyphant and St. Clair Branches 9 and 31.

I was elected business manager, and my brother was team manager. Each team played two games, one home and one away. Branch 9 didn't win a game because we were only kids and were playing against professionals, but we had a lot of fun, traveling on weekends and having a good time after the games. My father as secretary enrolled new members by organizing baseball and basketball teams. The sports program didn't last long, however, because World War II began and all our team members went to war.

After the war I came home and, as my father was getting on in age, he asked me to take over as secretary of Branch 9. I held this position from 1947, when my father and mother passed away. I still am secretary/treasurer of the branch and Paul Naradko is president.

Following are the names of the baseball and basketball team members: Joseph Salak (deceased), manager; Walter Salak, business manager; Frank Lessick, Michael Lessick, Wassil Lessick (deceased), Wassil Yaroshak (deceased), Peter Yaroshak, John Bednar (deceased), Nick Bednar, Charles Krysock, John Krysak (deceased), Paul Naradko, John Naradko (deceased) and Michael Drabuschak (deceased).

More recently Branch 9 has sponsored a Christmas play given by the youth of our church under the direction of the Rev. Dan Tryan with St. Nick giving out gifts to the children. A UNA donation of $200 made this possible.

In the summer this same group had a weeklong camp on our church grounds and a trip to Hershey Park, Pa. Again the UNA came through with a donation of $150. Thanks to these donations, I have organized a few new members.

- Walter Salak

UNA Branch 9 merged with UNA Branch 242 of Frackville, Pa., in 2003. The current officers of Branch 242 are: Andrea Chabon, president; Joseph Chabon, secretary; and Andrea Chabon, treasurer.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, April 11, 2004, No. 15, Vol. LXXII

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