SUM resort kicks off new year marking its 50th anniversary

by Lida Mykytyn

ELLENVILLE, N.Y. - In the company of friends, on the eve of a new year, the Ukrainian American Youth Association (CYM) officially started a year of celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of its resort (known as "oselia") in Ellenville, N.Y.

A cocktail party and a formal culinary banquet, prepared by chef Billy Kravetz, initiated the evening. Chornozem, the youthful orchestra, provided music throughout the evening for the dancing pleasure of all those who attended. Petro Kosciolek, the oselia's administrator, chimed in the New Year and the new celebrations with the aid of Chornozem. The festivities continued well into the late night, with music from Kyiv's Maidan Nezalezhnosty (Independence Square) adding to the atmosphere, recalling the victory of Ukraine's Orange Revolution.

The year 2005 is a very important one for SUM's Ellenville resort. For over 50 years, this oselia has hosted hundreds of camps and hundreds of "Zlet" and "Zdvyh" gatherings for youth, as well as countless banquets, celebrations, Olympiads and much more.

Its grounds witnessed the birth of many lifelong friendships, courtships and many marriages. The sounds of laughter and the pitter-patter of tiny feet have blessed this oselia.

The oselia also blossomed as the physical building of athletic fields, a convention building, a pool and other sports venues, summer camp quarters, chapels and more transformed it into the place we know today.

The building and upkeep of these facilities were mainly due to the volunteer efforts, financial support and spirit of its members.

The SUM oselia in Ellenville is positioning itself for the next 50 years. It has built a new camp on old Blueberry Hill, is hosting a beautiful new chapel in commemoration of the lives destroyed during Akcja Wisla and has extinguished its mortgages.

With the beginning of a New Capital Building Fund, the oselia will be upgraded and portions rebuilt, getting ready to welcome the next generations of SUM members.

For further information on the 50th anniversary celebrations, readers may log on to www.CYM.org.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, March 6, 2005, No. 10, Vol. LXXIII

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