TERRA COTTA, September 1 – One need not travel to Ukraine to visit Poltava. There happens to be a resort club 45 minutes northwest of Toronto that bears the same name as the famous city in central Ukraine.

Located in a world biosphere just south of the Niagara Escarpment, Poltava has been home and cottage for Ukrainians since the late 1950’s. Every year, the residents of this sleepy enclave hold their Praznyk, or annual "village celebration".

This year was no different, with over 100 Poltavans and guests attending the event. Praznyk began with mass celebrated by Rev Zenon Valchynskyj, parish priest at Burlington’s Holy Protection Church. Rev Roman Galadza, of the nearby St Elijas Church, was present for the mass and luncheon. Stephan Harasowsky conducted the volunteer choir that sang mass.

Following the mass, attendees were led through Poltava’s Community Hall, where they found a buffet prepared by Poltava’s ladies. Proceeding through the Hall, guests were invited to sit at tables under large tents, where they were greeted by MC Harasowsky. He introduced the first performers, vocal duet Aria, comprised of 14-year-old ex-members of Polyphonia Oresta Babyuk and Andrijka Vasylevska. Much to the disbelief of the audience members informally polled by the New Pathway after Aria’s performance, the two girls, who have been singing together for 5 years, started their duet only this year.

Next, reknowned Toronto actor and author Petro Hrynchyshyn delighted the crowd with his humorous anecdotes. Not one to be outdone by Hrynchyshyn, Harasowsky proceeded to recite anecdotes by famous Ukrainian homourist Pavlo Hlazovyj. He also sang and played guitar – the one he borrowed from Poltava’s president Dmytro Ostapiak. Myron Barabash, Poltava’s chairman, who turned 85 earlier this year, was honoured by those in attendance with the song "Mnohaya lita".

– Report by Petro Lopata