Skip to content
Call Us Today! 212-533-4646 | MON-FRI 12PM - 4PM (EST)
DONATE
SUBSCRIBE
Search for:
About Us
Publications
FAQ
Annual Report 2023
Annual Report 2022
Annual Report 2021
Initiatives
Advocate
Educate
Cultivate
Care
News
Newsletters
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Join UNWLA
Become a Member
Volunteer With Us
Donate to UNWLA
Members Portal
Calendar
Shop to Support Ukraine
Search for:
Print
Print Page
Download
Download Page
Download Right Page
Open
1
2-3
4-5
6-7
8-9
10-11
12-13
14-15
16-17
18-19
20-21
22-23
24-25
26-27
28-29
30-31
32-33
34-35
36-37
38-39
40
ANOTHER PATH by MARY ANN ZAJAC, President UNWLA Branch 95 UNWLA Branch 95 was bom in 1991, formed by women raised and educated in the U.S. who felt that they must never forget about Ukrainian communities and churches, but should also move beyond those boundaries. It presently consists of 17 members who reside in Dutchess and Ulster Counties. They are unique, bright, committed, hard-working and open-minded. They take pride in their Ukrainian roots and are thankful for the opportunity to help fellow Ukrainians while at the same time educating non- Ukrainians about the richness of our culture and heritage. Because we do not live in an area of any significant Ukrainian concentration, it takes much effort to find members, to keep the Branch together, to maintain interest, and keep the fire alive. Working within our local communities, we can expand our horizons and our contacts, and in this way, we can educate those whose paths we cross about our country and our culture. Even though Ukraine is independent, it seems to be receiving, justly or unjustly, much negative press. There is no better way to erase this negative image from people's minds than by presenting a positive image of Ukrainian Americans and by showing our community that we are steadfast in continuing our support of Ukraine. One noteworthy community event that UNWLA Branch 95 spearheaded was back in February 1996 when the Dutchess County Girl Scouts Council invited us to help with a project. "Veryovka", one of Ukraine's foremost dance groups, would be appearing in Poughkeepsie at the historical Bardavon Theatre. As part of the Girl Scout Fundraiser, the Council bought 500 of the available tickets and would be reselling them at a profit. They asked whether Branch 95 would help them out by holding workshops in Ukrainian arts and crafts. The workshops would be included in the ticket price; only the costs of our materials would be covered. We decided that this was a fantastic opportunity for community public relations and agreed to proceed. Central Hudson Gas & Electric offered the use of its newly renovated auditorium, and the planning commenced. In the end, eight stations were created by our members — embroidery of book marks, fable readings and songs, folk dance instruction by two young semi-professional dancers, lessons in learning to write one's name in the Cyrillic alphabet, pysanky writing and exhibit, gerdany threading, a tour of Ukraine by video, and a taste of medivnyk. The public was greeted with a "Vitayemo" and a Ukrainian flag and map, while bandura music played in the background. Anyone who purchased a ticket through DCGC was entitled to attend; however, the girl scout who completed three workshops earned a badge entitled "An Evening in Ukraine" (see illustration). Designed by one of the branch members, the badge is now being worn by dozens of Girl Scouts in Dutchess County. Another member of Branch 95 painted life size cutout figures of "Natalka Poltavka" and Hutsulka Ksenia" and one and all were invited to have Polaroids taken as one or the other. The girls had fun and it was rewarding for us to witness the enthusiasm and eagerness with which they absorbed out culture. During the concert at the Bardavon, the president of Branch 95 was publicly thanked for the hard work and creative methods branch members used in sharing Ukraine's rich cultural heritage. Another way in which Branch 95 has interacted with its community is its participation in the "Festival of Trees", an annual Christmas tree de corating competition and auction sponsored by Vassar Dutchess County Girl Scout Badge
Page load link
Go to Top
1 
2-3 
4-5 
6-7 
8-9 
10-11 
12-13 
14-15 
16-17 
18-19 
20-21 
22-23 
24-25 
26-27 
28-29 
30-31 
32-33 
34-35 
36-37 
38-39 
40 
