International Association of Ukrainian Studies seeks reform in ...

22 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JULY 10, 2005No. 28by Christina TemnyckyPASSAIC, N.J. – Our troop“Konvaliyi” from Plast’s Passaicbranch – Marta Lewko, AlexaPatti, Christina Temnycky and ourcounselor Christine Kotlar –wanted to share with our neighborsall the things we collectedduring the Orange Revolution.We filled three glass cases atthe Clifton Public Library withmemorabilia from Ukraine. In thecases were: an orange “Tak” flagwhich was used and tattered duringa caravan through the oblast ofSumy, close to the Russian border,in an attempt to get the people toUKELODEONFOR THE NEXT GENERATIONPassaic Plast troop showcases Orange Revolutionvote their conscience; a yellowPora Flag; a “Tak” headband wornby one of the Pora students duringthe rallies; official Yushchenkoand Yanukovych platform posters;buttons, keychains, wristbands,ribbons, bumper stickers andother items sold during the revolution.We also printed photographs fromboth the revolution at the maidan(Independence Square in Kyiv) andfrom rallies around the world insupport of Viktor Yushchenko.This exhibit will be on displayfor a few weeks. We are proud tobe able to share the beginningsof true independence for Ukraine.The Konvaliyi Plast troop with their display at the Clifton Public Library.150 Plast campers descend on “PK” for “Sviato Vesny”by Mykhas FedynskyMIDDLEFIELD, Ohio – On May28, over 150 Plast campers descendedon the 140-acre Pysanyi Kamincampsite – known to regulars as“PK” – in Middlefield, Ohio, for theannual “Sviato Vesny” (literally, celebrationof spring) camporee, the culminationof weeks of preparation onthe part of many dedicated people.The campers came from all over– Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit andWashington. The counselors alsocame from different cities, representingvarious Plast sororities andfraternities (“kureni”).The Lisovi Mavky took on the taskof planning and running the camporee.Komendantka Anya Maziak,Bunchuzhna Larissa Hotra andPysar Katria Kuzmowycz had thehelp of other Lisovi Mavky, alongwith representatives from theBuryverkhy, Chervona Kalyna,Chornomortsi, Khrestonostsi, LisoviChorty and others. They did a greatjob, with a program based on thetheme of the Orange Revolution.The campers created their own tentcity, complete with orange decorations,reminiscent of the one on themaidan in Kyiv. The program kept theParticipants of the 2005 Sviato Vesny at Plast’s Pysanyi Kamin campground.kids busy, informed and entertained.The weather was almost perfect:mostly sunny with a brief shower onthe first day. In a talk on Monday,the representatives from differentkureni encouraged the campers tojoin their respective groups.As the theme was based on theOrange Revolution and Plast’s 2005maxim “Razom nas bahato –Together we are many,” part of theprogram was for the campers to gettogether in groups representing oneof the 25 oblasts in Ukraine and createtheir own theoretical revolution.Some of the winning ideas were torun the campsite with a democraticdictatorship where a dictator iselected but then has absolute power,to have dances 40 hours a week forthose 18-20, to replace Ukrainianschool teachers with our grandmothers,and have bigger uniforms forbigger people. It was all in good fun.Another part of the program wasa “lysiachyi bih,” basically a scavengerhunt, which gave campers anopportunity to explore PK usingorienteering skills learned at camp.Later that afternoon the oblastgroups once again got to compete insport activities and fun and games.During Sunday’s bonfire a numberof important ceremonies took place:several scouts received first rankand pledged their allegiance toPlast’s ideals, and one received thirdrank. After these ceremonies, interwovenwith many Plast songs, eachkurin presented its “Orangethemed”skit in a contest.Washington boys received first prize,and Cleveland boys received second.At the end of the weekend, noone wanted to leave, becausethey’d had such a good time.Everyone had so many wonderfulmemories of adventures at SviatoVesny and they now wait in eageranticipation of getting together withtheir friends at summer camp.This Sviato Vesny – a kickoff forthe 40th anniversary of the purchaseof PK – was a great success.Mykhas Fedynsky is a member ofPlast Ukrainian Scouting Organization’sCleveland branch.