Andrea Kaufman highlights special moments from the C-RS 30th Anniversary Celebration.
Andrea Kaufman
Published: November 25, 2024
As the hall of the Cultural Center began filling up on the evening of October 25th, the decibel level rose as revelers raised their voices, joyously greeting old friends and welcoming newcomers. With handshakes and hugs, C-RS members reunited with long-time friends, met some in-person for the first time after working together on Zoom for months or years, and made the acquaintance of Rusyns new to C-RS.
The Cultural Center never looked better. Thanks to the ongoing efforts of former board member Rich Laychock and the recent efforts of Pittsburgh newcomer Bob Pavelka, participants were enveloped in the warm glow created by freshly painted ceiling and walls, new flooring, bright chandeliers and well-placed spot lighting on a newly-installed art gallery.
On display were paintings by Carpatho-Rusyn American artist Father Anthony Kubek (1885 – 1971). The display was sponsored by the Carpatho-Rusyn Research Center and the Timo Foundation ,and curated by board officer Maria Silvestri. C-RS president Sharon Jarrow and President Emeritus John Righetti welcomed those in attendance and introduced Dr. Nicholas Kupensky, Assistant Professor at the United States Air Force Academy. Nick held the audience’s rapt attention with the illustrated story of Anthony Kubek’s life as a priest and development as an artist.
Before and after the informative talk, the gift shop was abuzz with shoppers happy for the opportunity to make purchases with no shipping charges. Books, musical CDs, pysanky, hoodies and t-shirts flew from the shelves. Two new books were made available for the first time: Bogdan Horbel’s history, From Thatch-Roofed Houses to Immigrant Enrepreneurship, and the C-RS Education Committee’s coloring/ activity book for childrenLife in a Traditional Carpatho-Rusyn Village. Both are now available from the Heritage Store.
Next morning, many C-RS members attended a special Rusyn Slavonic Liturgy at St. Michael’s Orthodox Church in Rankin, offered in memory of all C-RS members who passed to the next life during the past thirty years. C-RS founding member Professor Jerry Jumba cantored the Liturgy. Priests serving the liturgy included Fr. Nicholas Ferencz and Fr. David Urban. C-RS members Fr. John Kotalik and Fr. Matthew Conjelko joined about 40 attendees in congregational singing. Coffee and pastries followed in the fellowship hall.
The morning was rounded out with a bus tour of Rusyn Pittsburgh led by John Righetti. The large crowd of interested members filled two buses. They visited and learned about the Warhola family home, St. John Chrysostom Byzantine Catholic Church in Ruska Doyna (Rusyn Valley), St. Michael Orthodox Church in Rankin, and finally, back where they started, the National Carpatho-Rusyn Cultural and Educational Center in Munhall.
There was time for repose before the evening’s gala. The weather in Pittsburgh was a perfect fall day: dry crisp air, warm golden sun, coloring leaves, and a light breeze. Folks napped or enjoyed some of Pittsburgh’s many retreats, such as Frick Park, the Aviary, or the Warhol Museum.
The banquet was held Saturday evening in the social hall of St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cathedral, in Munhall. Trees of red, orange and yellow leaves lined the winding country road that brought us to a large parking lot, where we were greeted by a family of deer and a view of the beautiful new church and spacious social hall. Upon entering the hall, we saw many dining tables handsomely set to accommodate the large crowd, the band Harmonia poised to entertain us, and along each wall, platters of appetizers, a cash bar, and a long table of donated baskets to be won by lucky raffle ticket holders.
Guests munched on delectable hors d’oeuvres, sipped their drinks and took the opportunity to chat again with new and old friends, while they dropped raffle tickets near the baskets of their choice. When everyone was seated, guests were welcomed once again by C-RS President Sharon Jarrow, who presented the Michael Shrank award to Rich Laychock for his many years of excellent service to C-RS. John Righetti gave the keynote address, and board officer Dr. Robert Hanich encouraged attendees to donate generously to our organization because we cannot operate without capital. Jerry Jumba played accordion and led the assemblage in singing “Ja Rusyn Byl.”
A delicious traditional meal of cucumber salad, pyrohy, halushky, breaded chicken, and stuffed cabbage (holubky), followed by cake and coffee, was enjoyed by all. When Harmonia started playing the classic Carpatho-Rusyn tunes, brave attendees got up to dance. It was a pleasure to see a group of young people immensely enjoying themselves and later to witness a large number of people rise from their chairs to join in a spirited circle dance. As the evening drew to a close, raffle tickets were drawn and winners received their baskets.
That was the end of the weekend for me. My friend and I had an early flight to catch the next morning, so we missed out on The 42nd Annual Carpatho-Rusyn Celebration sponsored by St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church was held on Sunday afternoon.
This was my third anniversary celebration in fifteen years. It was worth the price of the flight, the hotel, the car and the restaurants to meet in person so many people with whom I have worked or seen in passing, over the years. Some I traveled with on the Heritage Tour in 1996. Some I have just met in the past year in one of the Zoom classes available online. We are a relatively small community, and as such, we are family. I cannot describe the warm feelings engendered by this lovely gathering. I can’t wait until the next one in 2029. I invite more of you to join us then!
Hearty thanks go to the Anniversary Committee: Bonnie Burke, Christina Duranko, Sharon Jarrow, Mary Ellen Nusbaum, John Righetti, Maria Silvestri, and Karen Varian.
We also thank the current Board of Directors for their committed leadership: Sharon Jarrow, Dr. Robert Hanich, Tim Felegie, Maria Silvestri, Jim Kaminski, George Pawlush, Maryann Sromoski, Bill Tarkulich, and Karen Varian.
Andrea Kaufman is a member of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society, and co-leader of the Pacific Coast Chapter.
