Serbian History 101
with Baba Mim....
Serbian History 101
PA
United States
m
Shadeland 2008 Diocesan Day
Diocesan Days 2008 began with special Church services in the Most Holy Mother of God Church filled with Clergy from all over the Eastern Seaboard led by His Grace Dr. Bishop Mitrofan and his guest, His Grace Dr. Longin, beautiful singers in the form of the Shadeland Camp Choir under the direction of V.Rev.Zivojin Jakoljevich from Cleveland's St. Sava parish, and guest participants from colonies far and near who truly enjoyed sharing in the experience.
The old adage of "If you snooze, you loose" can apply to those who missed the wonderful church services and "togetherness-family feeling" that is an integral part of Diocesan Days.
Joyful Bishops Longin and Mitrofan give nafora bread
Thirty (30!) of our finest religious leaders present!
It boggles the mind to think of the talent, education, and wisdom of the ages represented here!
Children gather for photo outside of the church with His Grace Dr. Bishop Mitrofan and his childhood friend, fellow seminary student, His Grace, Dr.Bishop Longin, of the New Gracanica Monastery in Gray's Lake, IL.
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GETTING READY!
These wonderful boys are incredible musicians!
Bobiks: Kristen came all the way from Washington!
This is always a popular spot! I loved the 4 Cs socks!
Great shoppers & donors! Thanks, Bobiks!
3 Photos already! Can you tell I'm related to all of them? Almost! GREAT SERBS/ Pgh to Erie!
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OK---- getting ready! Our MC is Dan Jovanovich, who also sets up all that sound equipment!
Dan introduces Camp Director, Fr. Zivojin!
Who introduces His Grace, Dr. Bishop Mitrofan, who extends the heartiest of welcomes as Host!
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These kids are absolutely fantastic! What a credit they are to their teachers, Nikola Jovich and Nicole Belich, who continue to inspire us with new dances and songs each year!
But they captured EVERY HEART with their songs about Kosovo! One after the other after another! I think they sang every song about Kosovo there is!
"Your Grace," I breathlessly whispered after all was done, "I thought I would die from excitement the way those kids sang one song after another about Kosovo."
"Me too, Mimi, me too!"
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Did you know this was one of the best camps yet?
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If they can do all of this NOW, can you imagine them 10 years from now? I know this was in everyone's mind. They were all so good!
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"Don't worry. You'll be a star just like them, in just a couple more years....."
Look at this great Serb & his t-shirt! My husband, Gus, would have really loved the modern-designed double-headed eagle with the 4 Cs inside. Great shirt, great kid! Thanks for all your work & help!
You can click the photo of these beauties above to enlarge the picture to see that these lovely young ladies were collecting donations for Shadeland. Please, so many people MISSED putting anything in the envelops that I KNOW it had to just be an oversight and that you all want to help Shadeland remain the BEST it can be. It's never too late. Just send your donations to the Serbian Eastern Orthodox Diocese on behalf of Shadeland. There's lots of activity going on there..... a fabulous new pavilion, finally a new home for the Mothers, Tetas and Grandmothers who work so hard for the camp children, and new steps have been added in front of the church, along with lots of excavation work for drainage, etc. that we can't see. Shadeland DESERVES our help. If you agree, send your donations. Here's the address (Click below!):
Serbian Eastern Orthodox Diocese
Leaving Shadeland, from my car window....
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Wait! We had been to the church, to the picnic grounds, to the Serbian cemetery. I told Natalie I had to make one more stop. There was something else I always wanted to see..... The nearby SPRING Cemetery and the Powell Family graves. The Powells were a VERY wealthy family at the turn of the LAST century, who owned Shadeland previously. They sold horses and people came from all over the world to purchase their stock.
Remember the old saying....
"God in his mercy made it so, together the rich and the poor would go."
I knew without looking that this was the POWELL monument, and all the graves surrounding this obelisk belong to the Powell family.
Howell Powell was the Founder of the Dynasty. He was born near Utica, NY on March 11, 1804 and died at his home, "Shadeland," Feb. 11, 1873.
"He sought the welfare of others, rather than praise."
He was the 4th child of Watkin & Rebecca Powell.
His father there (Utica, NY) married Mrs. Sarah-Morris Nicholas in 1815. They with their families, in 1816, came to "Shadeland," Spring, Crawford County, PA, where they both died Sept...1850, aged 77 and 88 years.
(I've shared as much as I could read)
Sons James Powell (1848-1909) and William Powell (1840-1913) made Shadeland famous.
As I stood here right before leaving, I couldn't help but notice that all these Powells in Heaven had to be joyous in knowing that the music being played at the new Pavilion could be heard right here in this cemetery, from across the glen at their beloved Shadeland. I smiled as I got back into my car to head for home!
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Shadeland Memories: 2001
By Milana Karlo Bizic 8/10/01
I don't know just when I first started loving young Danny (Kukich) Capuzzi, son of Donna and Frank ("Ace") Capuzzi.
Was it when Danny and younger brother Stevan (now studying to become a pharmacist) played their trumpets for the big Tri-State Pittsburgh-area Serbian Relief Banquet in the mid 90's? They thrilled everyone in the audience with the first few haunting strains of "Mars Na Drinu," as they led off the ceremonies, fellow performers following them down the two middle aisles of the packed auditorium to create one large mass ensemble meeting on stage. Their audience's hearts and purses opened up quickly to help their unfortunate brothers and sisters overseas in time of their direst needs.
Or was it when the young college student accompanied his famous grandfather, Danny Kukich, to our house, in a surprise tribute to fellow tamburitzan, Milan Opacich, from Schererville, Indiana, who was celebrating his 47th anniversary with his wife, Roz? Young Danny and his life-long grandfather/mentor joined Milan, Teddy Shatlan, Al Abramovich, Georgie Klipa, Milan Stefanovich, Tosho Erdel and Nick Lalich and a house full of other guests in a song fest that won't soon be forgotten, one of those precious memories that make life too-good-to-be-true.
And such was the feeling when I saw our young Danny lead 76 talented youngsters from all over the eastern seaboard in a magnificent performance at Shadeland on August 4, the culmination of a week-long intensive training program at camp. How I delighted in watching the young, 23 yr. old maestro lift up the scroll of his tambura as a signal for the youngsters before him to get ready to end a musical selection, and when he lowered the scroll, they stopped on a dime! What respect and discipline on their parts. The audience loved it.
Although the dismal-looking day seemed fraught with rain as we started out from home early that morning to make sure we were in time to attend church services, I assured almost-83 year-old Mom Laurie (Karlo) not to worry, that we would make our own sunshine.
No need to. Once the final strains of "Uskliknimo" and "Krst je sila" were sung as the children filed out of line after receiving bread from their beloved Bishop, the sun broke through in all it's glorious splendor, shining down on the beautifully-manicured property and glistening lake.
Standing outside of the church, the sight was magnificent to behold, for as far as your eyes could see, this was our Shadeland, Serbian land! It's ours, all ours, Not a Presbyterian Camp not a Jewish kibbutz. But ours, Serbian Orthodox property! And it looked good. Really good. I was so proud!
To the left was the picnic area starting to bustle with activity, with a few of the tall, majestic elms still providing a grand canopy. Ahead on the horizon a lonely boat lingered near the lakeshore, framed by the large cross. To the right were the familiar administration and camp buildings, this time joined with a new cabin, now under roof, almost finished and ready for occupancy year-round.
To the very far right, past where the old roller skating rink was, a hay wagon stood ready, later piled with lucky, happy children, drawn over the property with two magnificent bay-colored horses. I remember thinking to myself as the pastoral scene passed by the lake, "can Heaven be any better?"
We were disappointed that all the picnic tables had already been taken so early on, but we improvised, turning one of the benches that lined the pavilion into a long, narrow table, and the Alex Brinilovich family delivered in true fashion, with folding chairs ready for all. Joining us were proud Shadleand camper parents, Milana Milosh and Dolly Zatezelo, two of the main planners for the recently completed wonderful 100th SNF Anniversary Celebration.
George Topich, who co-chaired the event with Alex Malich and Milana, was nearby, selling the SNF commemorative books and beautiful print of the exquisite painting done by Yvonne Kozlina. One book was a compilation of many authors' work, edited by Dr. Krinka Petrov, and the other book was by her husband, Dr. Alexander Petrov, the Serbian section editor of the SRBOBRAN. We're very lucky to have them here with us in America. Their talents span two continents, and they serve as the proverbial white dove bridge, with outstretched wings, linking us and "Stari Kraj."
Pittsburgh's Diane Ranick asked if Baba Laurie would like to sit with them, and Monroeville's Millie Visnick did the same. (Serbs are kind and look out for one another.) That was when Millie proudly announced that her grandchildren had been coming to St. Sava'a Shadeland Camp for the last nine years in a row, all the way from Washington, D.C.! God bless Milan and Joyce Visnick for their foresightedness!
The McKeesport Vranasevichs were there at tambura camp, too. How could those kids miss when they have 2 twin fathers/uncles so talented? Ringers, that's what they are!
"Don't forget McKeesport's 100th Anniversary coming up in October!" Grandma Vranasevich reminded me. What a year for celebrations this has turned out to be.
Worthy to note is that the one-ton bell now used in the Shadeland church is from the old St. Sava Church in McKeesport/Duquesne. It was blessed in 1901 by the great hierarch of the Russian Church, Patriarch Tikhon, Archbishop of North America, when the Serbs were under his jurisdiction and pastoral care. Folks remember Lou Obradovich for his leadership in saving the bell for Shadeland, and also for his help in planting 7,000 seedlings around the church.
Millicent Luketich Belich, ever effervescent and bubbly, like in our old high-school days, made sure I was on the look-out for her grandson, Josh Vuketich, who would also be performing on his prim. It was almost strange to hear, as wasn't it just a few years ago that we were laughing and singing campers here ourselves, and then our children were?
Danny Kukich and his wife Anne (Balta), had front row seats, near to the Bishop, thanks to daughters Martha and Donna.
As the last stanza was sung invoking the Lord to take care of his people, I remembered seeing the gigantic, beautifully rendered, chalk drawing of the double headed eagle with the 4 C's Serbian crest, drawn by extremely artistically talented Justin Mills, of Lackawanna, New York. It was on the roof-covered blacktop floor, now completely covered with performers.
There were LOTS of them, filling the whole dance area, exquisitely dressed in their beautiful folk costumes representing different regions of Serbia!
I couldn't help but smile at one boy's black woolen socks, lovingly embroidered with the Serbian crest of the cross and 4 C's. All of the children looked beautiful, smiles capping off medal-bedecked shajkashas, gold-trimmed vests, red-ribboned blouse sleeves, and upturned leather opankes. What else could we have asked for?
The musical director knew what he was doing when he started off his program with the rousing "Djurdjevdan." Ej-ej-ej-ej! Smiles came readily as Danny Capuzzi had the entire camp ensemble singing and playing their tamburas, flutes, clarinets, accordions, violins and trumpets, finishing to thunderous applause from a most-appreciative audience.
How talented do you think Danny has to be to coordinate all of that talent in front of him? Quite musically accomplished, indeed! You could tell that Fr. Dragoljub Malich was proud of the fact that Danny was from his Monroeville parish! We all felt that pride!
Then Nicole Belich Bronkaj, the Pittsburgh dance director, led her groups in renditions of "Moravac Kolo" and "Vranjanka (Shano Dusho)" from South Serbia to the delighted onlookers. It's great to see young leaders such as Danny and Nicole lending their talents to help train our talented youth. Leadership comes from within when your hearts are full of love for your heritage.
The audience was so happy to see this heritage being preserved, when what song should come next, but "Vesela je Srbadija," leading to a standing ovation. You bet, "Little Serbia" in America couldn't have been happier that day, and if the Serbs in Serbia saw it, they would have been "veseli" too! As would the Serbs in England, Australia, South America, and everywhere! What a show! We were all beaming!
All the while, I couldn't help but notice a very young boy standing on a painted wooden box to help him reach his big bass instrument that seemed to dwarf him. Who is that darling young boy over there? Why, that;s Nick Jovonovich's son, Nicky! Another ringer! His Dad, Nick, plays many instruments, besides playing to huge crowds as the General Manager of the Milwaukee Serbian Center and the Serbian Center in Weirton!
The children celebrated the Bishop's birthday by honoring him with a song from Bosnia, "Kad Ja Podjoh Na Bembasu," delighting the Bishop and breathlessly leading him to declare, "May there be 100+76 of you next year! 176!" Daj Boze!
But it wasn't over yet. No, not until the costumed campers all united in "brotherhood," holding each other lovingly by the shoulders or waists, singing and swaying to "Uskliknimo," not one verse, but ALL of them. They sang about Bosna, Hercegovina, Srem, Banat and Backa, and the children on this side of the ocean, singing their triumphant hymn to Sveti Sava! Everyone felt the special force field, the synergy of the moment.
This is what Shadeland is about. It's comraderie, the making of friendships that will last their entire lives through, wherever they go, whatever roads they travel. Their "Srpstvo," their heritage and Serbian Orthodox faith will always be a part of them. They'll remember, as this tear-filled old camper is proud to report!
Everyone worked hard to make the day so special. Congratulations to the Midland folks at the gate and manning the booths. Thanks to Mile Kovachevich, a very handsome, talented and successful, former Duquesne University performer, and one of the incredible stars of the SNF's "Century of Serbdom Spectacular," for helping in the background with his accordion. It all goes to show what can be accomplished when Serbs work together. "Samo Sloga Srbina Spasova!"
The Dushan Milicevich family, formerly from Bosnia, now of Erie, marked their third year for Shadeland's picnic, thanks to the recruiting efforts of Paul and Kathy Belosh of Edinboro. The Milicevichs, in turn, recruited other grateful Serbs from the northern Pennsylvania area, where all seemed to be having a good time sharing food, friendship, and music. Ziveli!
Once again, thank you to all of the priests who worked so hard at Shadeland this year, the cooks, the workers, the counselors, the performing campers, and the people who traveled from far and wide to get there. This includes poor Mike and Wilma Minich from Orlando, Florida who got off too soon on Interstate #79 and traveled around in circles instead of further north on Rt. 18 and never got there!
But most of all, thank you to folks like Danny Kukich, who continue to preserve for us our beloved heritage, passing on their love to their children and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Danny's daughter, Martha, held her nephew's job for seven years, volunteering her talents at Shadeland. She was as proud of young Danny as could be, and delighted in nieces Milana Capuzzi's solos (the next sevdalinka according to Milana Milosh!) and little eight-year old Sonya's talents. Wait until Martha's own three (Natalia, and twins Anna and Mira) are a little bit older! We're ready now to ask: "Who needs the "Von Trapp" family of Stowe, Vermont when we have our own "Kukich Zadruga" in Shadeland, PA?
Was it when Danny and younger brother Stevan (now studying to become a pharmacist) played their trumpets for the big Tri-State Pittsburgh-area Serbian Relief Banquet in the mid 90's? They thrilled everyone in the audience with the first few haunting strains of "Mars Na Drinu," as they led off the ceremonies, fellow performers following them down the two middle aisles of the packed auditorium to create one large mass ensemble meeting on stage. Their audience's hearts and purses opened up quickly to help their unfortunate brothers and sisters overseas in time of their direst needs.
Or was it when the young college student accompanied his famous grandfather, Danny Kukich, to our house, in a surprise tribute to fellow tamburitzan, Milan Opacich, from Schererville, Indiana, who was celebrating his 47th anniversary with his wife, Roz? Young Danny and his life-long grandfather/mentor joined Milan, Teddy Shatlan, Al Abramovich, Georgie Klipa, Milan Stefanovich, Tosho Erdel and Nick Lalich and a house full of other guests in a song fest that won't soon be forgotten, one of those precious memories that make life too-good-to-be-true.
And such was the feeling when I saw our young Danny lead 76 talented youngsters from all over the eastern seaboard in a magnificent performance at Shadeland on August 4, the culmination of a week-long intensive training program at camp. How I delighted in watching the young, 23 yr. old maestro lift up the scroll of his tambura as a signal for the youngsters before him to get ready to end a musical selection, and when he lowered the scroll, they stopped on a dime! What respect and discipline on their parts. The audience loved it.
With the Help of God, Serbs Make Their Own Sunshine
Although the dismal-looking day seemed fraught with rain as we started out from home early that morning to make sure we were in time to attend church services, I assured almost-83 year-old Mom Laurie (Karlo) not to worry, that we would make our own sunshine.
No need to. Once the final strains of "Uskliknimo" and "Krst je sila" were sung as the children filed out of line after receiving bread from their beloved Bishop, the sun broke through in all it's glorious splendor, shining down on the beautifully-manicured property and glistening lake.
Standing outside of the church, the sight was magnificent to behold, for as far as your eyes could see, this was our Shadeland, Serbian land! It's ours, all ours, Not a Presbyterian Camp not a Jewish kibbutz. But ours, Serbian Orthodox property! And it looked good. Really good. I was so proud!
To the left was the picnic area starting to bustle with activity, with a few of the tall, majestic elms still providing a grand canopy. Ahead on the horizon a lonely boat lingered near the lakeshore, framed by the large cross. To the right were the familiar administration and camp buildings, this time joined with a new cabin, now under roof, almost finished and ready for occupancy year-round.
To the very far right, past where the old roller skating rink was, a hay wagon stood ready, later piled with lucky, happy children, drawn over the property with two magnificent bay-colored horses. I remember thinking to myself as the pastoral scene passed by the lake, "can Heaven be any better?"
More Picnic Tables Needed for Future
We were disappointed that all the picnic tables had already been taken so early on, but we improvised, turning one of the benches that lined the pavilion into a long, narrow table, and the Alex Brinilovich family delivered in true fashion, with folding chairs ready for all. Joining us were proud Shadleand camper parents, Milana Milosh and Dolly Zatezelo, two of the main planners for the recently completed wonderful 100th SNF Anniversary Celebration.
George Topich, who co-chaired the event with Alex Malich and Milana, was nearby, selling the SNF commemorative books and beautiful print of the exquisite painting done by Yvonne Kozlina. One book was a compilation of many authors' work, edited by Dr. Krinka Petrov, and the other book was by her husband, Dr. Alexander Petrov, the Serbian section editor of the SRBOBRAN. We're very lucky to have them here with us in America. Their talents span two continents, and they serve as the proverbial white dove bridge, with outstretched wings, linking us and "Stari Kraj."
Pittsburgh's Diane Ranick asked if Baba Laurie would like to sit with them, and Monroeville's Millie Visnick did the same. (Serbs are kind and look out for one another.) That was when Millie proudly announced that her grandchildren had been coming to St. Sava'a Shadeland Camp for the last nine years in a row, all the way from Washington, D.C.! God bless Milan and Joyce Visnick for their foresightedness!
The McKeesport Vranasevichs were there at tambura camp, too. How could those kids miss when they have 2 twin fathers/uncles so talented? Ringers, that's what they are!
"Don't forget McKeesport's 100th Anniversary coming up in October!" Grandma Vranasevich reminded me. What a year for celebrations this has turned out to be.
Worthy to note is that the one-ton bell now used in the Shadeland church is from the old St. Sava Church in McKeesport/Duquesne. It was blessed in 1901 by the great hierarch of the Russian Church, Patriarch Tikhon, Archbishop of North America, when the Serbs were under his jurisdiction and pastoral care. Folks remember Lou Obradovich for his leadership in saving the bell for Shadeland, and also for his help in planting 7,000 seedlings around the church.
Millicent Luketich Belich, ever effervescent and bubbly, like in our old high-school days, made sure I was on the look-out for her grandson, Josh Vuketich, who would also be performing on his prim. It was almost strange to hear, as wasn't it just a few years ago that we were laughing and singing campers here ourselves, and then our children were?
Danny Kukich and his wife Anne (Balta), had front row seats, near to the Bishop, thanks to daughters Martha and Donna.
Excitement Builds As Costumed Children Fill Pavilion
Then it began, the musical program at Shadeland, 2001! First, the national anthems: American, Canadian, Serbian. "Boze spasi, Boze hrani…" As the last stanza was sung invoking the Lord to take care of his people, I remembered seeing the gigantic, beautifully rendered, chalk drawing of the double headed eagle with the 4 C's Serbian crest, drawn by extremely artistically talented Justin Mills, of Lackawanna, New York. It was on the roof-covered blacktop floor, now completely covered with performers.
There were LOTS of them, filling the whole dance area, exquisitely dressed in their beautiful folk costumes representing different regions of Serbia!
I couldn't help but smile at one boy's black woolen socks, lovingly embroidered with the Serbian crest of the cross and 4 C's. All of the children looked beautiful, smiles capping off medal-bedecked shajkashas, gold-trimmed vests, red-ribboned blouse sleeves, and upturned leather opankes. What else could we have asked for?
The musical director knew what he was doing when he started off his program with the rousing "Djurdjevdan." Ej-ej-ej-ej! Smiles came readily as Danny Capuzzi had the entire camp ensemble singing and playing their tamburas, flutes, clarinets, accordions, violins and trumpets, finishing to thunderous applause from a most-appreciative audience.
How talented do you think Danny has to be to coordinate all of that talent in front of him? Quite musically accomplished, indeed! You could tell that Fr. Dragoljub Malich was proud of the fact that Danny was from his Monroeville parish! We all felt that pride!
Then Nicole Belich Bronkaj, the Pittsburgh dance director, led her groups in renditions of "Moravac Kolo" and "Vranjanka (Shano Dusho)" from South Serbia to the delighted onlookers. It's great to see young leaders such as Danny and Nicole lending their talents to help train our talented youth. Leadership comes from within when your hearts are full of love for your heritage.
Vesela Je Srbadija
The audience was so happy to see this heritage being preserved, when what song should come next, but "Vesela je Srbadija," leading to a standing ovation. You bet, "Little Serbia" in America couldn't have been happier that day, and if the Serbs in Serbia saw it, they would have been "veseli" too! As would the Serbs in England, Australia, South America, and everywhere! What a show! We were all beaming!
All the while, I couldn't help but notice a very young boy standing on a painted wooden box to help him reach his big bass instrument that seemed to dwarf him. Who is that darling young boy over there? Why, that;s Nick Jovonovich's son, Nicky! Another ringer! His Dad, Nick, plays many instruments, besides playing to huge crowds as the General Manager of the Milwaukee Serbian Center and the Serbian Center in Weirton!
The children celebrated the Bishop's birthday by honoring him with a song from Bosnia, "Kad Ja Podjoh Na Bembasu," delighting the Bishop and breathlessly leading him to declare, "May there be 100+76 of you next year! 176!" Daj Boze!
What a Finale! Brilliant Serbian Children
But it wasn't over yet. No, not until the costumed campers all united in "brotherhood," holding each other lovingly by the shoulders or waists, singing and swaying to "Uskliknimo," not one verse, but ALL of them. They sang about Bosna, Hercegovina, Srem, Banat and Backa, and the children on this side of the ocean, singing their triumphant hymn to Sveti Sava! Everyone felt the special force field, the synergy of the moment.
This is what Shadeland is about. It's comraderie, the making of friendships that will last their entire lives through, wherever they go, whatever roads they travel. Their "Srpstvo," their heritage and Serbian Orthodox faith will always be a part of them. They'll remember, as this tear-filled old camper is proud to report!
Thanks To All Who Helped Make It A Special Day
Everyone worked hard to make the day so special. Congratulations to the Midland folks at the gate and manning the booths. Thanks to Mile Kovachevich, a very handsome, talented and successful, former Duquesne University performer, and one of the incredible stars of the SNF's "Century of Serbdom Spectacular," for helping in the background with his accordion. It all goes to show what can be accomplished when Serbs work together. "Samo Sloga Srbina Spasova!"
The Dushan Milicevich family, formerly from Bosnia, now of Erie, marked their third year for Shadeland's picnic, thanks to the recruiting efforts of Paul and Kathy Belosh of Edinboro. The Milicevichs, in turn, recruited other grateful Serbs from the northern Pennsylvania area, where all seemed to be having a good time sharing food, friendship, and music. Ziveli!
Once again, thank you to all of the priests who worked so hard at Shadeland this year, the cooks, the workers, the counselors, the performing campers, and the people who traveled from far and wide to get there. This includes poor Mike and Wilma Minich from Orlando, Florida who got off too soon on Interstate #79 and traveled around in circles instead of further north on Rt. 18 and never got there!
Ziveo Srpski Narod I Srpska Pravoslavna Crkva!
But most of all, thank you to folks like Danny Kukich, who continue to preserve for us our beloved heritage, passing on their love to their children and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Danny's daughter, Martha, held her nephew's job for seven years, volunteering her talents at Shadeland. She was as proud of young Danny as could be, and delighted in nieces Milana Capuzzi's solos (the next sevdalinka according to Milana Milosh!) and little eight-year old Sonya's talents. Wait until Martha's own three (Natalia, and twins Anna and Mira) are a little bit older! We're ready now to ask: "Who needs the "Von Trapp" family of Stowe, Vermont when we have our own "Kukich Zadruga" in Shadeland, PA?
It was a PERFECT day!
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This little guy stole my heart in his Narodna Nosinje....
He wanted to get a head start on the day's activities, starting in church!
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The Radovick-Topichs are an incredible family. They have been helping Shadeland since time immemorial! Thank you to KSS Chairperson Millie Radovick, and her wondrful Mom too. Millie's Dad used to make AFGHANS to raffle off each year. That's SRPSTVO, everyone! Maca's husband, Dane Topich, used to be called "Mr. Shadeland," because he emceed many a program and more!
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Beautiful kids everywhere, like this fine devojka!
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No age boundaries when you're Serbian! These two old friends are genuinely happy to see each other again!
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"Bogu Fala Sto Sam Lala"
and
"Hey Baby, What's your Slava?"
Just got to love the guys who wear them, and those who imagined them in the first place!
Serbs LOVE being SERBS!
Just ask THESE Serbs, with their Shadeland Camp T-shirts!
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These were the Juniors--- the "Rastko" Shadelanders, who the audience LOVED, especially when they waved their hankies in the air!
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Our Alex Brnilovich singing a solo, which brought lots of cheers, but when he followed that up with a solo on the frula, to which the others danced, why it was like the Heavens let loose in joy! That's his proud mother's head to the left. Her heart had to be beating fast!
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Look at how their heads are held high!
Great self-esteem here!
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Are they beautiful or not?
Yes, they are!
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They brought the house down! Look at the beautiful new pavillion too!
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Great photo op!
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Fun posing afterwards for proud relatives & friends!
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I know Kristen & Brett were happy their parents donated the new shrubbery around the church. Their father, Joe, remembers being a Shadeland camper and loving the experience. He remembers us singing in front of the campfire. The Bobiks were amazed at all the wonderful new changes and were happy to be a part of it!
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Lots left to do, so please help!
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They did their share to help in the past, but they CONTINUE to do whatever it takes NOW!
These people ALWAYS worked for Shadeland too! Nick, a retired Principal, used to teach the kids all about Serbian coins and other great crafts.
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The Kukich-Steen twins celebrated their 8th birthday at Shadeland, while their older sister reminds us that their Aunt Sonja celebrated her 16th birthday on the Boat Ride! Lucky girls all!
Their mother, Martha, and their Uncle Danny Kukich used to teach all the instrumental music before for years and years and years!
God bless our TALENTED families who share their talents, time & treasusres!
Melanie & Fr. Rastko.
Earlier in the day, Fr. Rastko and Fr. Rodney led the blessing of the old Serbian graves, right after church.
Here's our Vujo!
Here's what our +Shadeland pioneers get to see & hear!
Vjecnaja Pamjat,
never forgotten ones!
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Serbian History 101
PA
United States
m
