As a delegate representing the Ukrainian United Organization and president of Branch #8 of the Ukrainian Women’s League of America , the latter  organization that  not only commissioned and paid for the bronze statue of Lesya Ukrainka back in 1961 but  has spearheaded this project by engaging our community in helping us raise funds for the restoration of the statue of  the ukrainian poetess and nationalist.

The  benefit/ dinner event “An Evening for Lesya” will be held at the Grand Hall of the Holy Trinity Church on State Rd. in North Royalton Ohio Sat. May7th,  2011 at 5:30p.m. Tickets are $45.00 per person which include appetizers, wine with dinner, homemade  desserts,and a cultural program filled with poems and songs by the poetess Lesya Ukrainka performed by a wonderful cast of talented artists. Our two featured performers; renowned N.Y. Metropolitan Opera singer Stephan Schkafarowsky and the virtuoso bandurist artist and balladeer, Julian Kytasty.

The work on the statue and gardens will begin in April , completed and  ready for the rededication ceremony of the newly restored “Lesya” for the “One World Day ” event August 28th, 2011.

With the total restoration expenses exceeding $10,000, we have consistently raised funds by selling photo cards of our Gardens, pastries, organized events and solicited sponsorships in our community to small businesses and individuals.

I cordially invite all delegates and members of the Federation  to support us for an incredible evening  event May 7th. Tickets  can be purchased by calling 216- 857-4878.

Respectfully,

Dozia Krislaty

{ 1st delegate for the Ukr. Cultural Gardens}

Cleve. Ohio

• Community clean-up at the Garden with assistance of the Parma, Ukrainian scouting community on May 2
• Planting of summer flowers in the Garden, organized by the Ukrainian Women’s League (UWL), branch #8
• Sold Lesya Ukrainka cards and netted $1200 towards restoration of the Lesya Ukrainka statue in the Garden, on September 19th
• Planted 200 tulip and daffodil bulbs in the Garden on November 8 by members of UWL, branch 8.
• UWL, branch 8 contracted with the Intermuseum Conservancy Association (ICA) to restore the Lesya Ukrainka statue so that it can be rededicated on the 50th anniversary of the statue’s dedication, September 11, 2011.  $4000 deposit  made December 1, gets ICA started
• Helped organize the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation’s annual holiday dinner in Little Ukraine, Parma, at Shynok Ukrainian restaurant.  Provided the “Kashtan” Ukrainian Dance troupe for a performance at the event, December 8.
• Applied to Holden Parks Trust for funding of the Lesya Ukrainka restoration on December 14th
• Mailing to Ukrainian Credit Union members on Lesya Ukrainka’s birthday with a sample card brought in $1300 towards the restoration effort by March 1, 2010.
• Future projects, in random order, are additional lighting for the Garden, water for irrigation, and exploration of hosting One World Day in 2011 on the September 11, 2011 anniversary of the Lesya Ukrainka statues dedication in 1961.
• See the Card entry on the www.culturalgardens.org blog/news pager for pictures and information on the cards for sale to support the Ukrainian Cultural Garden’s restoration.

Submitted by Ms. Dozia Krislaty, President, Branch #8 of the Ukrainian Women’s League.

Get great looking cards featuring photos of the renown Ukrainian-American sculptor, Alexander Archipenko, and Ukrainian sculptor Mykhailo Chereshniovsky in the Ukrainian Cultural Garden.  Buy them and support the restoration of the Ukrainian Cultural Garden by contacting the Ukrainian Women’s League of America, Branch 8, president Dozia Krislaty at 216-857-4878 or <dkrislaty@aol.com>.  Thumbnail versions of part of the larger photos follow:

Ukrainian political activities, writer, poet, critic, journalist and economist

Bronze sculture by renown Ukrainian sculptor, Mykhailo Chereshniovsky--1961

Taras Shevchenko--founder of modern Ukrainian literature, poet, and humanist

Volodymyr the Great converted the Kievan Rus to Christianity, beginning the Eastern Slavic period of Christianity

Mark your calendar.  The Federation’s Holiday dinner is coming Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at Shynok Party Center, 5840 State Road, in the middle of our area’s “Little Ukraine” neighborhood.  And you can be sure that you’ll find lots of Ukrainian delicacies on the menu. Invitations are going out soon with the details.  Contact Federation’s Executive Secretary and party giver extrordinaire, Mary Hamlin, at either (440) 461-2533 or mwhamlin@adelphia.net to be sure you are on the list.  Sold out event in 2008.  So be sure to get your reservation in soon after you receive it.  Space is limited.

Your invitation to the Federation's Holiday Dinner

Menu & directions for Holiday Dinner, December 8, 2009

Reservation Form for Holiday Dinner, December 8, 2009