Garden Party

The Ukrainian Women’s Organization, Toronto Branch

By Orysia Chwaluk

The uncomfortably muggy Sunday of the Annual Garden Party put on by the Ukrainian Women’s Organization, Toronto Branch, was in sharp contract to the joyous atmosphere inside the Ukrainian National Federation Community Centre and to the cool, tasty punch the guests were sipping.

Approximately 100 people, mostly women sporting inventive hats and pleasant demeanours, attended the annual event on September 25.  Anna Adamowych, social convener for the organization, cheerfully greeted the guests. She promptly introduced Myroslav Chwaluk, who performed a culinary demonstration featuring a dish of stuffed mushrooms with bacon and cheese. Myroslav was kind enough to prepare this delicacy ahead of time so all present could sample it.

The buffet table had a wonderful variety of finger foods, including spinach wrapped in filo dough, salmon pate and a delightful home-made cheese bread. Kudos and a warm thank you to the ladies in the kitchen – Mrs. I. Cord, Mrs. S. Wozniak, Mrs. O. Harasymchuk, and Mrs. L. Perets – for their culinary and organizational abilities.

After brunch, guests were entertained by the Ukrainian Troubadours, a group of about 20 senior music aficionados under the direction of Ann Jafelice.  Their performance was so much fun that the audience could not resist joining in song. Recently, the ensemble participated in the Seniors’ Jubilee at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto.  They also perform every Wednesday afternoon at the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre.

The highlight of the afternoon was the hat parade. This year’s judges were Mr. Z Chwaluk, Mrs. N. Bundza-Iwanytzkyj, Mr. P. Fedina, Mr. B. Dmyrasz and Mr. A. Macko. First prize for the most traditional hat went to Sally Lenyk-Sobchak from Welland, Ontario.  Her hat was made of white straw, with six rows of white pearls, lined with a gold rim.  A puffed gold-and-white ribbon adorned the back. Second prize, for most creative hat, went to Mrs. O Maksymiw.  Her hat was made from interwoven pieces of brown cloth, surrounded by gold-and-brown ribbon, decorated with bulrushes.  Mrs. V. Storoniak walked away with the third prize for most patriotic hat with her truly beautiful straw hat adorned with blue ribbon, a Ukrainian flag, a small sheaf of wheat, a bouquet of poppy pods and bright, yellow sunflowers.  Fourth prize went to Nadia Ostapchuk for most original hat. Keeping in tune with the season, her hat was encircled by a string of orange, red and green autumn leaves.

Every year, prizes are given to the best hats in the junior category. This year they went to Olena Klaesen, Ivanka Cord and Cassandra Sherlock.  Olena’s hat was covered in foil and cellophane to remind us to recycle and be environmentally friendly, while Ivanka’s and Cassandra’s were decorated with strings of ju-jubes.

Many guests went home with raffle prizes donated by the members of the organization.

Mrs. A. Adamowych and Mrs. I. Fedina, social conveners par excellence for the Ukrainian Women’s Organization, Toronto Branch, deserve to be congratulated on planning and organizing this very special event.