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Branch 118 of Houston, Texas A Year in Review For the thirty-one members of Branch 118 of Houston, Texas, 2000 was a very good year. In April, the branch participated in the Sts. Cyril & Methodius Slavic Heritage Festival, a joint annual endeavor of the Czech, Polish, Slovenian and Ukrainian communities who gather to share their respective cultures with each other and with the general public. In May, branch members presented graduates of the Ridna Shkola in Houston with small gifts at a reception which followed a special year end program at the school. It is interesting to note that all teachers at the Ridna Shkola are members of Branch 118. In June, branch members Christine Villacorta and Nadia Buchai attended the Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs Conference. In October, Branch 118 participated in the Rice Harvest Festival in Katy, Texas where they sold Ukrainian food and told festival goers about Soyuz Ukrainok and about the Ukrainian community in Houston. Charitable activities during 2000 included providing medical assistance to a young woman in Temopil who has suffered, since birth, from a severe case of scoliosis. Branch members are ardent supporters of the UNWLA Scholarship Program and have contributed $610 to the scholarship fund for the support of two students in Brazil. A $100 donation was also made to the UNWLA’s “Milk and Roll” program. Members have also sent packages of used clothing, toys, candy and other items to orphanages in Ukraine. A rather unique undertaking of Branch 118 members was the creation of a Ukrainian Embroidered Quilt. The idea for the quilt was proposed by branch president Martha Noukas who, after attending the International Quilt Show held in Houston in 1998, envisioned the beloved Ukrainian cross-stitch designs of red and black on a quilt. Eighteen branch members enthusiastically embraced the idea and began to embroider. By the fall of 1999, the individual embroidered pieces were completed and, with the assistance of local quilting experts, these were assembled into a hand-finished quilt. The quilt, a compilation of traditional Ukrainian embroidery in black and DMC 321 red, made its debut at the 20th Annual Ukrainian Easter Bazaar in Houston. In November, Branch 118 assisted with the cultural display at the Ukrainian Day Program held at the Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas. Ukrainian cultural artifacts, many on loan from the personal collections of Branch 118 members, were displayed. The Ukrainian Embroidered Quilt provided a wonderful backdrop to the exhibit. It was Martha Noukas’ intention that the quilt be completed in 2000, to mark the new Millennium and to show the dedication of Ukrainian women in Texas in holding steadfast to Ukrainian traditions. Currently, Ms. Noukas is compiling short biographies on the ladies who embroidered the quilt pieces. This information will be incorporated into the quilt history that will accompany the quilt in future exhibits. Branch 118 of Houston, Texas, celebrated the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America with a banquet held at the Achilles Restaurant in Houston on Friday, December 1, 2000. The event was well-attended by branch members and their families as well as by prospective future members. After a brief introduction and greetings by branch president Martha Noukas, guests were invited to help themselves to the buffet banquet and everyone enjoyed a sampling of the restaurant’s fine Italian cuisine. President Martha Noukas opened the evening’s program with a brief personal recounting of her introduction to the UNWLA and her involvement with the organization over the years. She stressed the importance of membership in the UNWLA, highlighting the great accomplishments members have made. She then invited past president Olga Lura to the podium. After presenting a short speech on Branch 118’s history, Ms. Lura presented two of the branch members, Daria Byrd and Martha Noukas, with small “НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ЛЮТИЙ 2001 17 Martha Noukas and Christine Villacorta display the Ukrainian embroidered quilt at the Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas
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