Vera Seychuk
During the early years, weekly stage productions were held on a regular basis. Sophia was part of an amateur actors group, reciting poetry, appearing in plays, etc. She recalls that, at one time, they were scheduled to perform in Point Pelee. The artists were to be transported by Mr Hnat Poworoznyk who had a truck that he used at his meat packing plant. The guild members (many in their costumes) hopped onto the back of the vehicle. All was fine until they reached the steep, curved, muddy road leading to the UNF hall on the farm marshland. The truck began to tip towards the dike and Mr Poworoznyk yelled for all to jump off. There were no casualties, but there were many muddy shoes and dirty costumes. The show went on without a hitch after everyone cleaned up.
Running the store and later the Rex Hotel did not deter Michael and Sophia from their commitment to the organization. Whether it was a performance by the choir at Jackson Park for Firemens Field Day, sewing to be done for the Red (zolotey) Cross war effort, parcels to be prepared to send overseas, they were there, helping out. Sophias embroidery adorns the lectern for the UWO and she (along with other members) cross-stitched a section of the organizations beautiful tablecloth. Not long ago she participated in embroidering for the UNF catering group when aprons were requested. For many years Sophia visited the ill and shut-in UWO members. And she is very grateful that this tradition is continuing. Sophia so enjoys the visits by Mrs Taskey, Mrs Kohut and Mrs Stechey, on behalf of the organization.
Over the years there were many memorable times at the UNF hall for the Lysy family. Michael was honoured there on his name day; their children Vera and Bohdan went to Ukrainian School there and belonged to MYHO. The UNF members became almost family, there to celebrate Sophia and Michaels 25th wedding anniversary and there to grieve with the family when Michael died. The ladies of the Ukrainian Womens Organization were always on call, ready to help prepare those fabulous meals. The UWO is renowned for its great hospodynias.
The walls have soaked up the music, the speeches, the banquet aromas, the tears, the sweat, the laughter, the applause, and the welcome mat is always there no matter how long one has been away. Sophias children and grandchildren and their respective spouses have shared the warmth, the camaraderie. A few years ago Darlene Kindiak and Daria Lysy were honoured here, each for receiving a Masters Degree. Her other grandchildren Robert Lysy, Christina Pare, Raymond Kindiak, Michael Kindiak, and Gregory Kindiak, all experienced the organizations warmth, its sense of caring. And Sophias great grand children Douglas, Chantal, Natalie, Laska, Daniel and Nicholas join in the tribute to their Great Babsia on this 70th anniversary celebration of OYK in Windsor.
Sophias energy and loyalty symbolizes the intense love that our pioneers had for their faith, their family, their friends, their homeland and their new country. Being involved in the Ukrainian Womens Organization, the Ukrainian National Federation has played an intricate part in their success
Theres magic in those walls, or, is the magic in those braids under the floor.
Vera Seychuk, who lives in Toronto,is the daughter of Sophia Lysy. The article was written on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Ukrainian Womens' Organization Windsor branch in 2000.