60th Anniversary of the Rusin Garden 1939-1999

Kudos to John Krenisky and Florence Orris for having this event in our garden.  If you read the invitation above, the Irish were also celebrating a 60th anniversary and the German Garden 70 years. I'm sure they were also potential candidates for hosting this event.

You will notice the Irish Garden followed John's lead and probably the German Garden followed the Irish Garden, since all three gardens were celebrating anniversaries that year.

Things have changed! One World Day, during this time, was hosted by one garden. All garden participants marched in The Parade of Flags/Banners which culminated in the host's garden.  This year the Rusin Garden was responsible for a program, entertainment and refreshments.  John and Florence did an outstanding job making the day one to remember and inform those in attendance about our Rusin heritage. 

FYI

John Krenisky marched in every One World Day parade from 1994 - 2023.  Frequently, he marched alone and sometimes accompanied by his grandson.  It wasn't until later years that members of our Chapter joined him.

In recent years we have had a lovely contingent of marchers including Laurel and Frank Tombazzi, Marcia Benko, Susan and Randy Stolitza, Greg Smith, Diana Essock, Patti Poole, and Mike Vasilchek.  Check for others!

Since 2023, Living Traditions Folk Ensemble has marched in Rusin dress to add color and a larger number of marchers to our Rusin Garden entry.

Through the efforts of John Krenisky with the financial support of Monsignor Robert Yarnovitz, rector of St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cathedral in Parma, a new bust was completed and unveiled during the 1999 One World Day, to the delight of the many Rusyn Americans in attendance.  (excerpt from New Rusyn Times - Sept/Oct 1999)

This bust was the precursor to the larger bust dedicated on June 24, 2012.  It was kept at St. John the Baptist Cathedral for safe keeping.
 

With John Righetti as Master of Ceremonies, the interim bust of Father Duchnovich was unveiled by Cleveland's Mayor, Michael White, along with Monsignor Robert Yarnovitz, rector of St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cathedral and Bishop Basil Schott, of the Byzantine Eparchy of Pittsburgh, 

(excerpt from New Rusyn Times - Sept/Oct 1999 issue)

Cleveland Mayor, Michael White presents John with a citation to recognize the garden's 60th anniversary and the hard work of John Krensisky and Florence Orris to bring our garden back to life.

The audience for the day was comprised of Rusins from the Cleveland area and Pittsburgh, members of other cultural gardens, and attendees of the 54th One World Day.

Kruzhok Dancers came together, for the first time since 1984, for a reunion to perform at this event.  

With help from  Carpatho-Rusyn Society (National) a store was set up on the upper level of the garden.  It is interesting to view the garden as it was in 1999.  As you can see the flag pole was already installed.  The burning bushes were in place  on either side of the walkway. The Rusin sign now reads Carpatho-Rusyn Garden (changed in 2022) and the pine tree, by the sign has been removed.

The New Rusyn Times, Volume 6, Number 5, dated September/October 1999, documents the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the dedication of the Rusin Garden held in 1939.  

John Rigetti thanks John Krenisky for all the hard work required to  create the event.  I feel certain a letter also went to Florence Orris but we do not have a copy.