MOHYLA 21ST ANNUAL REUNION
The twenty first Mohyla reunion was held in the seminar room of the St. John’s Cultural Centre, Edmonton AB, on Saturday June 25 2011. Twenty nine bursaki and spouses participated in the event, which began by a group of graduates from the fabulous sixties. While most of these participants hailed from Alberta and Saskatchewan, we did have Dr. Robert Wintonyk from Whitehorse and Marilyn Truscott from Hamilton.
Guests began arriving shortly after 3 PM and renewed acquaintances, socialized, had a drink or two and shared picture albums, yearbooks and family memorabilia for the next several hours. Notable to mention… Al Kachkowski sharing his yellowing 1961/62 yearbook, and pictures of Russ and Sandra Sawchuk’s daughter meeting the Queen and Prince Philip while attending Cambridge University in England.
Veronica Clough collected the $30 per person registration fee and provided name tags for ease of recognition. Terry Kozmech gave a group picture, a signed Kameniari crest and individual pictures to those who attended the Cochrane Reunion in 2010. Marianne Makowsky, Audrey Sarich, and Veronica Clough donated the appetizers during this fellowship.
Before we knew it, everyone gathered on the steps of the Cultural Cente for a group photograph at 6 PM which was followed by a delicious dinner buffet and complimentary (red and white} wine. M.C. Al Kachkowski led the group with the Lord’s Prayer and we sang Vichnaya Pamiat, in memory of our dearly departed bursaki…David Mysak and Cliff Perritt in this past year.
Following dinner, each member shared their highlights and memories of their institute life, their careers, travels and family accomplishments.
Every year, our lives will change and Lesia Perrittt closed her memories by saying that “When you learn to face death, you truly learn to live and that it is most important to focus on family and maintain contact with others, as the participants have in the past two decades.” It became evident that the Mohyla Alumni has contributed greatly to the cultural, economic, social and political landscape in Canada. Perhaps, someone should be recording our contributions for future generations.
Cec Kachkowski, spoke passionately about her project in retirement. As president of the Hanka Romnachych Branch of the UWAC in Saskatoon, she reported that her committee has completed a 370 page Ukrainian cookbook entitled “From Baba, With Love”. More than a cookbook, this publication features the spiritual seasons of life, including cultural and folkloric descriptions of selected feast days and sacraments. Furthermore, this book includes a collection of treasured family favourite recipes reflecting Ukrainian food traditions. Priced @ $35 per copy, please contact Cec by e-mail at akachkowski@shaw.ca.
Cec is also a Certified Master Gardener with the U of S Centre for Continuing Education. In this role, her project involves compiling and editing a cookbook using prairie developed sour cherries in every recipe. Proceeds from this cookbook will fund a scholarship for a student studying horticulture at the U of S.
Mohyla board president, Steve Senyk, invited everyone to attend St. Petro Mohyla Institute 95th anniversary celebration on September 24, 2011 in conjunction with the Ukrainian Museum of Canada’s 75th anniversary on the previous day. For more information, please visit www.mohyla.ca or e-mail the Institute at admin@mohyla.ca.
To top off this celebration, Ron Pillipow and Don Popowich provided memorable musical entertainment while others reminisced or tipped another drink of Popowich’s ice cold wine until near 1.30 AM. As a remembrance of this fun filled evening, we are pleased to donate $190 to the Institute.
A group picture is attached. Do visit www.groups.yahoo.com/group/mohyla 1916 to view additional pictures and to upload your information. And an invitation is extended to next year’s event, the location and time to be determined.
Your organizing committee,
Terrence Kozmech, Veronica Clough, Mitch/Marianne Makowsky and Audrey Sarich
Attendees
(1) Clough, Veronica (60/61Niwranski)
(2) Kachkowski, Al(60/64)/Cec
(1) Kozmech, Terrence(62/65)
(2) Makowsky, Mitch(64/67)/Marianne
(1) Mysak, Sonia(64/68Harasym)
(2) Panchuk, Orest(59/60)/Yvonne(65/66Achtymichuk)
(1) Perritt, Lesia(63/66Talpash)
(2) Moe(63/67)/Kathy(65/66Korol) Davyduke
(2) Pilipow, Ron(61/65)/Janice
(2) Potts, Nadine(64/68Luciuk)/Tom
(2) Sawchuk, Russel(65/69)/Sandra(65/69Stelmaschuk)
(2) Senyk, Steve(60/65)/Sandra(60/65Darcovich)
(2) Stelmaschuk,Walter(61/65)/Marian(64/69Gorchynski)
(1) Truscott, Marilyn(62/65Filyk)
(2) Popowich, Don(60/65)/Joan
(2) Sarich, Audrey(62/64Markowski)/Tim
(2) Saranchuk, Taras(60/65)/Georgina
(1) Wintonyk, Robert(61/62)
