EDITORIAL: Our Soyuzivka (05/07/06)

EDITORIAL

Our Soyuzivka

It is a truism that everybody in the Ukrainian community considers Soyuzivka "ours" - a gorgeous piece of property in the Catskill region that the Ukrainian community can call its own.

"Nasha Soyuzivka" (our Soyuzivka), which is owned by the Ukrainian National Association, is a veritable gem. It's a place where anyone in our Ukrainian community feels at home, a place where many of our organizations hold their conferences, meetings and conventions; the venue for countless Ukrainian weddings (everyone knows that a Soyuzivka wedding is second to none); a vacation spot where all family members can feel comfortable and safe, where friends can enjoy each other's company in a relaxed and naturally beautiful setting.

Soyuzivka is also the host to a variety of camps: from tennis and other sports camps to day camps for preschoolers, from Discovery and Exploration camps that promise adventure in the great outdoors to Ukrainian Heritage and Ukrainian Folk Dance camps. In fact, Soyuzivka's roster of camps has been expanded for the 2006 season - a development that demonstrates the continuing popularity of the estate.

The establishment back in September 2005 of the Soyuzivka Heritage Foundation aimed to take advantage of all Soyuzivka has to offer in order to promote the cultural, educational and historical heritage of Ukraine and Ukrainian Americans. A non-profit charitable entity, the foundation is to operate Soyuzivka as a cultural and educational venue for all Ukrainians, regardless of their backgrounds.

Earlier this year the Soyuzivka Heritage Foundation announced membership options for those who want to help secure Soyuzivka's future by creating a strong financial foundation for the estate. Responses have begun coming in from young and old alike; certainly many more are expected as the summer season gets under way.

In addition, there are several groups of activists that have stepped up to the plate.

The Brooklyn Ukrainian Group, for example, held a Spring Cleaning Weekend - the third annual - at Soyuzivka on April 7-9, with all labor to spruce up the estate provided by a band of hardy volunteers.

Then there's the concert slated for May 19 during the Ukrainian Street Festival in New York City. Dubbed "Ukrainian Music Invasion," it will feature five live bands. Proceeds will benefit St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church and Schools, Help Us Help the Children and the Soyuzivka Heritage Foundation (via the Chornomorski Khvyli Sorority of Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization).

All of the above indicates that, yes, our Ukrainian community truly wants Soyuzivka to remain ours. And yet, the resort is not filled to capacity during the summer season, save for a few popular weeks and special weekends. The fact of the matter is that, if we truly want Soyuzivka to continue to exist and be there for us when we need it for our weddings, conferences, meetings, etc., then we need to support the resort by being more than occasional guests. Our community members need to book rooms for more than a weekend. Why not make reservations for a week along with a group of friends? Not only will you be re-establishing the bonds of friendship, but you will be making a very concrete contribution toward Soyuzivka's well-being. And, rest assured, there is much to do in and around Soyuzivka. (Don't believe us? Call the helpful staff at the estate and they will steer you to activities that will satisfy everyone in your family or group.)

We write this editorial with this week's special pullout section, "A Ukrainian Summer" - our 10th annual summer supplement - in mind. As our thoughts turn to summer, we say to our readers: Why not make plans this year to rediscover our Soyuzivka?

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