In Canada, a discussion of vanishing Jewish heritage in Ukraine ...

No. 18
THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2010
23
A Ukrainian Summer: where to go, what to do...
Why not pay a visit to Pennsylvania’s Ukrainian Homestead?
by Ihor J. Czenstuch
LEHIGHTON, Pa. – For over 50 years
the Ukrainian Homestead, a piece of
Ukraine on 200 acres owned by the
Organization for the Rebirth of Ukraine –
has been the summer home for Ukrainians
of all ages from various states and countries.
In recent years, this Ukrainian resort in
Lehighton, Pa., located 75 miles north of
Philadelphia and 90 miles west of New
York City, has experienced a resurgence
of visitors. Adults who spent many summers
at the Homestead are now bringing
their children, third-and fourth-generation
Ukrainians from the coal mining regions
of Pennsylvania are revisiting their roots,
and the new wave of Ukrainians is finding
a haven.
The Ukrainian Homestead offers motel
rooms, bungalows, barbeque areas, a
swimming pool, two dance halls and a
social club. A traditional open-air chapel
also graces the grounds. Occupied throughout
the year by skiers, bikers, rafters, hunting
and fishing enthusiasts, conventioneers
and vacationers, the Homestead is near
attractions such as the quaint town of Jim
Thorpe and many ski resorts.
In the summer the Homestead hosts
two camps: Ukrainian Gold Cross
Children’s Camp and the Kazka Dance
Camp.
The highlight of the summer is the
annual Ukrainian Independence Day
Festival held on the third weekend in
August. Spectators come to experience
traditional songs and dance as performed
by groups from the U.S. and Canada,
feast on Ukrainian foods, view arts and
crafts presented by many vendors, learn
from educational exhibits about Ukrainian
culture and enjoy the “zabava” (dance) on
Saturday night.
This year’s festival will take place on
August 21-22 and will feature the
Kashtan Dance Ensemble from Ohio, the
A re-enactment in 2009 at the Ukrainian Homestead of the historic Battle of Konotop.
Kazka Ensemble of Pennsylvania, violinist
Inessa Tymochko-Dekailo and many
more performers.
The summer season at the Homestead
ends with the traditional “Pechennia
Baraboli” (potato bake) and dance on
September 25.
As a special attraction this fall, in
October the Homestead will host another
Ukrainian battle re-enactment, which
aims to educate students and adults via a
Alexander Prociuk
living history demonstration and handson-activities
showing how the Kozaks
lived and used cannons, sabers and other
period arms on the field of battle. (More
details will be announced as they become
available.)
For more information, or to make reservations,
readers may call The Ukrainian
Homestead, 610-377-4621, or visit www.
ukrhomestead.com for a complete schedule
of events.