On Sunday, February 4th, in our Oseredok, sumenyata, molodshi, starshi, druzhynnyky, and parents all gathered together for our traditional "Yalynka". Podruha Natalia Chimiak-Kulas led the program and greeted everyone with "CHRYSTOS RODYVSA" and proceeded with the program. The program started with a play that molodshi yunatstvo took part in while the rest of yunatstvo sang 2 koliady: "Boh sya Razdaje", and "Vo Veflejemy". Podruha Stefczya Kawka vinchyvala and yunatstvo greeted everyone with "CHRYSTOS RODYVSA".

Next, the CYM choir performed two songs: "Shchedryk" and a medley of kolyady under the direction of Wolodymyr Popowycz. After the performances, before everyone sat down to partake of the delicious food, Rt. Rev. Mitrat Ivan A. Krotec, pastor of Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church in Chicago, said a prayer (kolyada) for this Yalynka. Then everyone ate kutya, pyrohy, holubsti, borscht, and a variety of sweets for dessert. Podruha Natalia introduced Rt. Rev. Mitrat Ivan A. Krotec who said a few words and gave a generous donation from the Parish.

Mr. Lew Bodnar from YKKA, Mr. Ivan Pawlyk from Selfreliance Ukrainian Credit Union, and Mr. Paul Bandriwsky from 1st Security Federal Savings Bank gave greetings to CYM for out Yalynka. Podruha Chrystya Wereszczak, president of our branch in Chicago, gave her annual "state-of-CYM" address about various activities in which our branch has participated in the prior year. Podruha Wereszczak thanked everyone for their help in making this Yalynka memorable especially the mothers and fathers who helped cook throughout the weekend and to Podruha Marijka Drozd who was in charge of the food preparation.

Podruha Natalia asked Rev. Petro Svidryn from St. Nicholas Cathedral to do the closing prayer.

I hope that everyone had a chance to see people that they haven't seen since last Yalynka and have better memories of it.
(written by pod. Natalka Kowal)