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НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ • Березень-Квітень 2024 31 Branch 118 joined the Ukrainian Consulate of Houston on August 24 to commemorate Ukraine’s 32nd Independence Day in grand style at Ecclesia Houston, where over 400 guests were greeted by Consul General Vitalii Tarasiuk and his wife Oksana, a member of Branch 118. Branch president Juliana Villacorta served as MC, and branch member Nina Motruk and Ukrainian Consulate in - tern Anna Karas welcomed guests upon arrival, where they were greeted by an exhibit of colorful pictographic banners, sponsored by the DAAR Foundation, reflecting the centuries-long struggle of the Ukrainian people for independence. Branch members Svitlana Arroyo and Natalka Senkiv, dressed in beautiful traditional clothing from the Poltava region of Ukraine, offered guests a glass of delicious Ukrainian sparkling rosé donated by Gayle Corrigan of Saperavi USA and Artwinery. This rare wine was rescued from the cellars of the Bakhmut winery before the russians took control of the area. Ms. Corrigan gave an informative talk on the state of Artwinery and the plans to bring this delicious wine to the American market. Guests watched a moving video of scenes before and after Artwinery had been taken over, which also showed the unbreakable spirit of the winery workers and their con- tinued resilience to produce the wine amidst the challenges they face. Also greeting guests were friend of the branch Mychajlo Kry - wonos, dressed in a classic Kozak costume; branch member Han- nah Uschak-Cruz and her husband Cris Cruz, dressed in Ukrainian Hutsul attire, assisted at the bar along with Taras Bryndzia. Upon entering the main hall, guests were welcomed by branch members Chrystia Bryndzia and Christine Bishko Villacorta to the UNWLA ta- ble, where information about UNWLA and its mission was shared and questions were answered. Alex Shumsky and the Forest Brothers Band played lively Ukrain- ian music as guests enjoyed a sampling of vodka by Dolha Vod- ka from Austin, TX, along with canapés and pastries prepared by branch members Maria Zhuk, Eugenia Balaban, Halyna Balaban Seniw, and Nadia Sulyukmanov, thanks to the sponsorship of the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council, whose representative and UNWLA member-at-large, Anna Bereznyak, joined us from Georgetown, TX. Many guests took part in the 50-bottle wine pull and went away with terrific bottles of wine! Friends of the branch, Branch 118 Celebrates Ukrainian Independence Day Martha Noukas , Treasurer, and Juliana Villacorta , President, Branch 118, Houston, TX Jamie Hay and Summer Boots, manned the wine pull, which was co-sponsored by the Bleyzer family. The highlight of the evening was the silent auction of over 60 items, managed by branch member Elisa Jackson, assisted by member Tetyana Lytvynchuk and for - mer member Olia Gensior (now with Philadelphia Branch 88). The auction included a Ukrainian flag signed by some of our brave Bakhmut soldiers, rare Ukrainian wines, 152-caliber artil- lery ornamental shells fired during this war, and a military-style vyshyvanka, all generously donated. The American and Ukrainian an- thems sung by Mariia Podolyak, ac- companied by cellist Lara Horichen - ko, opened the formal part of the evening, where flags were ceremo- nially brought in by the Houston Po- lice Department Color Guards. Con - sul General Tarasiuk greeted guests and showed a video filmed by the Bakhmut soldiers who signed the flag in the silent auction. We received official greetings from Texas Governor Greg Abbott; a Congressional Proclamation from Congresswoman and Ukrainian Cau - cus member Sheila Jackson Lee; and Consulate and Branch 118 group photo (l-r): Consul Pavlo Moiseichen - ko, Mychajlo Krywonos, Martha Noukas, Gayle Corrigan, Consul Gen - eral Vitalii Tarasiuk, Juliana Villacorta, Elisa Jackson, Natalka Senkiv, Veronika Moiseichenko, Andrii Protsan, Valentyna Moiseichenko. One of the stunning outfits in the fashion show, modeled by Tamara Shevchenko Golovko. Continues on page 35
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