THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

UNA national secretary pays a visit to Ukrainians of North Port

NORTH PORT, Fla. - UNA National Secretary Christine E. Kozak, accompanied by the UNA's special projects and fraternal activities coordinator, Oksana Trytjak, paid a visit to the Ukrainian community here on April 23.

Heeding the advice of Lydia Kozak, the two met with members of the "hromada," mostly seniors who remain active in the Ukrainian American community, at an informational meeting held at St. Andrew's Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center. Halyna Korol, and her husband, Dr. Wolodymyr Korol, were instrumental in promoting and organizing the meeting.

The audience - composed of more than 50 persons - was interested to hear about the latest news from the UNA Home Office. Ms. Kozak spoke about the UNA's new insurance products, as well as the new ScriptSave program that provides substantial discounts on prescriptions and medical supplies.

Ms. Trytjak focused her remarks on the history of the UNA, more specifically its role in the Ukrainian community. She also explained the latest developments at the UNA resort Soyuzivka, where the construction of town homes is planned.

Among those in the audience were former UNA President Ulana Diachuk and her husband, Wolodymyr; as well as UNA Advisor Myron Groch and his wife, Janina.

The UNA representatives also met with the Rev. Dr. Severyn Kovalyshin of St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Rev. Mykhailo Borysenko of St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Church, as well as the Rev. Ivan Fatenko, all of whom expressed their support.

On Sunday, Ms. Kozak and Ms. Trytjak attended liturgy at St. Mary's, and heard the sermon by Father Kovalyshin and the responses sung by the church choir directed by Lubov Ingram. After the service, they had the opportunity to converse with parishioners over coffee and to meet with the pastor at the rectory.

Ms. Kozak deemed the Florida visit a success as the UNA had an opportunity to reintroduce itself to the Ukrainian American community there.

On our 110th anniversary

Spotlight on UNA branches

BRANCH 161, AMBRIDGE, PA.

On a Sunday afternoon in the year 1918, September 22 to be exact, a group of Ukrainians gathered at Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church hall at the corners of Sixth Street and Melrose Avenue in Ambridge, Pa.

At this gathering a young man spoke to those assembled of a wonderful organization that would give them protection in the event of death or sickness. Also shown to the people was the UNA newspaper, Svoboda, which printed all the latest news as it happened throughout the world, and especially in Ukraine.

This young man, Antin Pidulfaly, was instrumental in organizing UNA Branch 161 with Michael Fek, chairman of the initial meeting, Hnat Birciw, Elko Zatwardyntsky, Michael Olenich, Fenis Dynstrian, Mykyta Sonetsky, Ignatz Bachor, Mary Bachor, Mary Swerdian, John Kasych, Anna Poloha and Teckla Laban.

The first officers of our branch were: John Kasych, president; Hnat Birciw, recording secretary; and Antin Pidufaly, financial secretary and cashier.

Mr. Pidufaly served faithfully in that office until December 31, 1941. On that date, Andrew Jula took over and served as financial secretary for the next 46 years. The current financial secretary, Nick Diakiwsky, is just the fifth to hold that office in the branch's 86-year history.

The other current branch officers are: Jim Paliani, president; John Macurak, vice-president; Nancy Paliani, recording secretary; Tim Ganter, Mim Polley and Sherri Mohn, trustees. The club's operations are managed by Tina Bruno.

Mr. Jula served on the UNA Supreme Assembly (General Assembly) for 10 consecutive terms, spanning 40 years. In 1994, Mr. Jula stepped down and endorsed the current branch secretary, Mr. Diakiwsky, who went on to serve two terms as a UNA advisor. At the 2002 UNA Convention in Chicago, the branch was represented by three delegates, Nick Cheddar, Michael Hrycyk and Tim Ganter.

After many years of holding meetings in the church hall and rented storerooms, plans were made in 1946 to purchase the present home at 600 Glenwood Ave. in Ambridge. Many renovations over the last 60 years were made to encourage the young generations to join the organization. In the 1990s many branches were merged into UNA Branch 161, most notably our former neighbors down the street, St. Nicholas Branch 276. Today, Branch 161 has over 300 adult and juvenile members, plus over 200 social members.

Many hardships had to be overcome since that memorable day in September 1918. The first world war was going on at the time of the branch's establishment. During the 1929 Depression many unfortunate members were unable to continue payment of their dues. Events such as World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the economic distress of our local community forced many to relocate. With all these hardships, the members, and their fellow Ukrainians in Ambridge and the surrounding communities, kept their families, church and fraternal organization together. Recent world and national events such as 9/11 inspired many to renew the fraternal spirit of giving to others.

Today, the fraternal character lives on at UNA Branch 161 as members actively participate with moral and financial support on both the local and global levels. The branch contributes to many local, national and Ukrainian causes. The branch is instrumental in organizing and participating in golf and bowling outings, trips to the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball games, Karaoke, Bingo, Pittsburgh Steelers and Super Bowl parties, as well as an annual picnic and Christmas parties for children and adults.

All living members and those who have passed away will be remembered for the devotion that helped make the branch's past, present and future a success.

- Nick Diakiwsky

The current officers of Branch 161 are: James Paliani, president; Nick Diakiwsky, secretary; Richard Koston, treasurer; and John Sradomski, chairman of the Auditing Committee.

INSURANCE MATTERS
by Joseph Hawryluk
New York State Licensed Agent

Insurance for your wife

Dear Osyp:

Can my wife obtain life insurance?

- Roman (with wife, Anna)

Dear Roman:

The UNA sells life insurance through age 90. Obviously, the younger you are, the lower the cost.

In my previous column, I stated that newborns and 1-year-olds pay only a $300 one-time payment for $5000 of life insurance. A 70-year old, for example, would pay 10 times as much, or a $3,030 one-time payment for that same $5,000 life insurance policy. In addition, there is the issue of medical limits. A newborn or 1-year-old can obtain up to $100,000 of life insurance without a medical exam, a 70-year-old only 1/10 as much or $10,000 of life insurance without a medical exam. (If required, the UNA pays for the medical exam).

So, yes, your wife can obtain life insurance, and she can pay for it in one payment or yearly, monthly, etc., based on the plan you choose.

However, don't procrastinate - the life insurance will only get more expensive and the medical requirements more stringent.

Until next time,

- Osyp

Joseph (Osyp in Ukrainian) Hawryluk is an advisor on the Ukrainian National Association General Assembly, chairman of the Buffalo UNA District and secretary of UNA Branch 360.

Detroit UNA'ers beautify Dibrova estate

BRIGHTON, Mich. - The spirit of Dibrova Day was in full swing on May 22, when members of the Detroit District Committee of the Ukrainian National Association and the Dibrova Estate spent the day beautifying the grounds of Dibrova in preparation for the season. Seen above are some of the members who participated in the project.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 20, 2004, No. 25, Vol. LXXII

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