Keith Koshute (C-RS, Windber, PA) was a guest on the spring edition of "Heritage Kitchen," a production of WJAC-TV Channel 6, Johnstown, PA. Keith explained the contents of a Rusyn Easter basket and talked about the symbolism of Rusyn Paschal customs and foods. The 30-minute show, which aired on March 21 and 30, also featured and explanation of Jewish Passover foods and recipes.
On May 4, 1996, "The Carpathians" Rusyn folk ensemble from St. Michaels Orthodox Church in Binghampton, New York performed at the 14th Annual Two Rivers Ethnic Festival at the Broome Veterans Memorial Arena. Guest choreographer Jerry Jumba (C-RS, McKees Rocks, PA) taught a week-long Rusyn dance workshop with "The Carpathians" director Cheryl Dutko. A five piece folk orchestra played for the Rusyn program. St. Michael's Church sponsored a food booth with delicious Rusyn cuisine
In the early decades of this century, the city of Cleveland opened its cultural gardens, featuring the cultures of its many ethnic groups. One of these gardens was the Rusin Cultural Garden, which opened in 1939 under the direction of the Rusin Elite Society in Cleveland. It featured a bust of Father Aleksander Duchnovych which sat on a pedestal engraved with "Ja Rusyn byl jesm i budu" [I was, am, and will be Rusyn - from Duchnovych's most famous poem] in Rusyn and English.
The gardens fell into disrepair during the 1960's and 70's, and are now being renovated by the city, but the local ethnic communities must take responsibility for their own areas. At the Rusin Garden, the bust of Duchnovych has disappeared, but the pedestal (with inscription intact) remains. The Carpatho-Rusyn Society, led by our Cleveland branch, has stepped forward to renovate the Rusin Garden. More help is needed, however, from our membership - particularly those residing in Ohio - to make this renovation a reality. The Cultural Gardens will be formally rededicated on Sunday, September 8 from noon to 4 p.m. C-RS will be there with a cultural display and hopefully with a substantial western PA and Ohio membership representation. If you are willing to help or want more info, call John Krenisky at (216) 398.5027.
The project is as important to us as the Regional History Center project was in Pittsburgh. This is the only Rusyn Garden in the United States, and we think it is essential that our people's presence at this Cleveland landmark be maintained.
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Last modified on September 27 1997
URL:http://www.carpatho-rusyn.org/crs/america6.htm
Greg Gressa [ggressa@carpatho-rusyn.org]
The Carpatho-Rusyn Knowledge Base