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EDITOR, MISS MILDRED MILANOWICZ— 151 Hopkins Avenue Jersey City 6, New Jersey Christmas Wishes It seems that One-World-ness is never so evident as during the Christmas Season. A walk through any large department'store — or a small one, for that matter, and there, in the bustle, the glitter, the excitement and confusion, are displayed the choicest offerings of many lands. ........Furs from frozen countries, lovely fabrics and foods from places with unpronouncable names, exotic delicacies from countries our sol- dier-men visited, rare woods and gems and new art pieces from lands no longer strange, clothes cut after fashions of our new allies. From near and far, the choicest selections are spread before your eyes*and it is for you to choose from among them. Christmas customs and traditions of many lands, too, are dis played before you in this wonderful land, to choose from and adopt as your own. We plan our Christmas festivities and think of our own family traditions and customs, brought over from an Old World. Down the years, as is people’s want, we have retained the most charming, cus toms. Gaily and pro-udly, we invite friends to observe our “old-world” customs and hope they will choose to adopt them too-. Gaily and proudly, all American families, many with other Old-World back grounds, are displaying and observing their family Christmas tradi tions, too. Many customs have been offered and accepted, so long ago by us, that they are thought of as “Traditional American,” and we do not think of their origin. Americans like Christmas cards, Christmas trees, mistletoe, holly, Santa Claus, stockings hung at the fire-side, fruit-cake, caroling, Christmas presents, egg-nog, cookies, rum-baba, creches, Midnight Mass — countless things. They like them because they are good and they are ready to adopt more good things. Caroling for charity, is one of the Christmas customs our Uk rainian immigrant fathers and grandfathers brought and offered to America. Their recipes for cookies1 and cakes are prized. As to their contribution to the Family Christmas traditions, an old Ukrainian custom should appeal not only to Americans, but to the world. It is the Christmas Wish. The head of the Ukrainian house, after prayers are said, officially opens the Christmas Holidays with offering each member of his family a bit 'of “kutia” (see story “Christmas in Uk raine”), or a bit of “prosku.rka” — a blessed wafer — and makes his Christmas Wish for them. This year, with them, as with families the world over, the wishes will be the same. We offer them to you. For the World—Peace, with the needy clothed and sheltered, the hungry fed, the firightened and homeless befriended, and all the peo ples of the world educated. For the Family—Health, Happiness, Humor, Ambition without dissatisfaction, tact. MERRY CHRISTMAS! Stefa Stefa is scolding, but it doesn’t matter. “Why don’t you get some rest?” she chides. You only notice that she has a beautiful speaking voice and even when raised in an xious concern, its tone is clear, rich and musical. She starts washing your hair, you look up into her eyes and get a swift smile, a merry answering twinkle in her eyes. The first step in a “permanent” continues and complete relaxation follows the restful manipulations of the hair- washing. Vaguely I note that the door bell of “Stefie’s Beauty Parlor” jangles again and again. The pleasant shop on East Sixth St. seems the destination of many New Yorkers tonight. But when the bell ushers in the sound of male voices — then I really take notice. “Congratulations!” I hear. “Many happy returns.” What’s going on here? Can’t be Stefa’s birthday, I know that. Then I notice the baskets of flow ers, Stefa’s happy smile, the sin cere handshake of the handsome man saying, “And may your next ten years in business be twice as happy and prosperous as your first ten.” There it was. Stefa was,.observ ing the tenth anniversary of her business quietly, but her friends were seizing the opportunity to show their affection and respect and good wishes toward her. It was a heartwarming sight and I was a fortunate spectator. Leisurely, after time out for fit ting refreshments to well-wishers the business of the ‘permanent’ proceeded. Stefa beamed on every one, kept up a sparkling repartee and as more friends dropped in or phoned, her happiness shone around her. “Aren’t you going to celebrate your anniversary?” someone ask ed. “Of course, here’s my -celebra tion,” she answered. We all looked. It was ten-dol lar donation to the press fund of “Our Life.” Now everyone beam ed at Stefa. The hood of the dryer descend ed over my hair and cut me off in a droning exile of noise. Now isn’t that like Stefa, I thought. Even in her own personal happi ness, she thinks of others to help. Stefa’s life, I further reflected, would make a Ukrainian “best seller” on 'How to Win Friends for the Ukrainian Cause.’ Cer tainly this modest lady with the unbelieving “this - can’t - be - me” look in her eye, has won an envi- ■ able place for herself in Ukrain ian history. Her name can be read among the notable Ukrainian wo men’s names in the American, Ca nadian and European presses. In the Soyuz Ukrainok, she is af fectionately called “Our First Member.” Her name has appear ed under her articles in countless publications, here and abroad. For seven years, she was chair man of the “Zhinocha Hrqmada” of New York. Stefa was chairman ot the first unforgettable Ukrain ian Women’s Congress in the U. S. She is remembered for her or ganizational foresight in SUA work, in organizing junior bran ches and for her “let them run it themselves” policy toward them. It was Stefa who> ended the years of “talk” about a SUA press by her $25 donation which started the ball, and the press rolling. Stefa was promin ent at countless conventions, ral lies, concerts, exhibits, banquets and at her own club meetings. Yet here was a host of friends coming to wish her well, not be cause she was Stefa Abrahamow- ska, one of our “First Ukrainian Ladies,” and a real patriot, but because she was Stefa, their friend. And then I thought, that the same qualities that made her a leader, a patriot, were the ones WELCOME, NEW PHILLY JUNIOR LEAGUE! It was with pleasure that I at- . tended the banquet Thursday, November 7 commemorating the 9th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Junior League branch 52 of the Soyuz Ukrainok. This Philadel phia group of young Ukrainian women was the first junior branch of Soyuz Ukrainok and it has been heartwarming to us vet eran Soyuz members to watch this group organize and expand into such a fine organization of about 50 .members. We feel justi fied in putting ouir hopes and trust in them for they have shown in countless ways that they will continue the great work of Soyuz Ukrainok long after we •are gone. We all sincerely regretted that Mrs. Lototsky, president of So yuz Ukrainok and scheduled guest of honor was unavoidably called away and could not attend. Junior League, branch- 52 had hoped that she would put the final touch on their latest worthy ef fort. The Junior Leaguers of Phi ladelphia have sponsored a second Junior branch in our fair city and had hoped to be able to- present them with a charter through Mrs. Lototsky. We join the Junior Leaguers in welcoing this group of young Ukrainians (16 to; 20 yrs. of age) into our organisation. We ex tend to them our hearty congra tulations and best wishes for as successful an organization as their sponsor, Branch 52. In praising these young Uk rainian women of Philadelphia, I (Continued on page 6) that won her an affectionate place in her friends’ hearts. Her com plete honesty. Friend and foe con cede this. Oh yes, she has made some foes. She knows people so well, she can instantly recognize a ‘phony’ or a psuedo-patriot and will not hesitate to oppose or ex pose them, if she feels they are hindering, or harming a good cause. She is a fighter. Her father, a well-known patriot, early instill ed into her a deep belief in the just cause of the Ukrainian peo ple. She has been fighting for that cause ever since. Her ideal has topped all thoughts of self — of health, of time, of personal hap piness. People cannot help admir ing such a fighter. There’s loyalty and courage in her make-up too. But I guess people like Stefa, because Stefa likes people. M-e. Junior league Section
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