C a r p a t h o - R u s y n   R a d i o   P r o g r a m

February 16, 1997 marks the date of the first broadcast for the only Carpatho-Rusyn Radio Program in the United States. The program is hosted and produced by Jerry J. Jumba of McKees Rocks, PA, and plays each Sunday at 12 noon on WEDO 810 AM - "The Station Of Nations," in White Oak-McKeesport, PA. Several thousand listeners in the tri-state area are treated to Rusyn songs, dances, and instrumental music, and hear interviews with the voices of Rusyn culture discussing Rusyn activities, cultural issues, religious issues, and learn of the coming events of interest to the Carpatho-Rusyn community in the tri-state area.

The songs of every Rusyn region are played from professional recordings of solo and duet and trio artists, and also delightful folk art amateur field recordings. The high artistic standards and extensive repertoire of ensembles such as the Transcarpathian Folk Art Choir and Orchestra of Uzhorod, and the Dukla (PUL'S) Ensemble of Presov, are regular radio features. The singers share deep feelings for their Rusyn music traditions, including the soulful congregational harmonizations of Rusyn Liturgical Chant which are the musical bonds of inspiration for some 1.2 million Carpatho-Rusyns who live in Slovakia, Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Canada, and the United States.

Radio listeners have sent dedication notes for Rusyn music selections to be played for their loved ones, or for a birthday or anniversary greeting to a friend, or a prayer request with a hymn. Special theme shows have been produced which highlight the Paschal and Christmas seasons. The Christmas special featured a heartfelt and articulate discussion of Rusyn Christmas customs and foods with Pani Mary Buletza of Rankin, PA, and the chant of Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic choirs in Europe and America, and the ecumenical Song Tour of Carpatho-Rus' choir performances of Rusyn carols.

Voices of Rusyn Culture guest interviews on the program have included:

• Rusyn Song Artist Beata Begeniova of Presov, Slovakia on her impressions of performing with American Rusyns;
• Edward Boyko, President of the United Societies fraternal organization in McKeesport - on fraternal history and insurance;
• Metropolitan Nicholas of the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese in Johnstown PA, - on Eastern Christian unity - Rusyn identity, and his visit to the Bishop's conference in Rome on behalf of Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew;
• Charles Sidun of McKees Rocks, PA - on mushroom picking;
• Helen Hopey of Moon Township, PA - on making award-winning - "Best In the Burg" Holy Ghost Church Pyrohy from Mckees Rocks;
• Walter Orange, Carpatho-Rusyn Society Board Member, N. Huntingdon, PA - on medical help and financial aid for Rusyn educational institutions in Europe;
• Maritza Mosquera, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh Program Coordinator at the Andy Warhol Museum - on the big "Carpatho-Rusyn Easter Egg Extravaganza" event in April of 1998;
• John Senich Righetti, C-RS President, Mars, PA - on the Akcja Wisla operation that resettled Lemko Rusyns in late 1940s, and reflective commentary of the 3rd Carpatho-Rusyn Tour of the homelands;
• Maria Silvestri of Monroeville, PA - a twelve-year-old's observations of the 3rd Rusyn Heritage Tour in 1998;
• Mary Kostrubanic, a 20-something up-and-coming American Rusyn singer from N. Huntingdon, PA - on learning to sing, Rusyn identity, and her experiences competing for Miss Czech-Slovak of Ohio;
• Theresa Vosko Haas of Pittsburgh, PA - on organizing a delightful genealogical family reunion which rediscovered their Rusyn roots and related family memories;
• Dr. Patricia Krafcik, Carpatho-Rusyn American Editor, Russian language and world classics teacher of Olympia, WA - on the happy 20th anniversary of the Carpatho-Rusyn American journal/forum/current events news magazine;
• Eva Riecianska, M.A. from Bratislava's Institute of Ethnology, Slovak Academy of Sciences - on her experiences and studies of Rusyns in Western Pennsylvania;
• Dr. Tatiana Jarosova of John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH - on Rusyns and the Velvet Revolution;
• Marta Kamenjicki and her father, Juljan Kamenjicki, Editor for 38 years of the Ruske Slovo weekly newspaper for Rusyns in Novi Sad, Serbia, Yugoslavia - on the extensive cultural activities of Rusyns in Yugoslavia;
• Robert Carl Metil, Research Fellow, Department of Ethnomusicology, University of Pittsburgh - on the fun in Rusyn songs and the popular ascendancy of Rusyn folk art singers in Slovakia;
• Dr. Paul R. Magocsi, Professor of History and Political Science, and the most prolific writer (over 350 publications) on Carpatho-Rusyns, of Toronto, Canada - on the 20th anniversary of the Carpatho-Rusyn Research Center, its publishing accomplishments in education and the far-reaching activities stemming from its many publications.

WEDO in White Oak-McKeesport, under the leadership of John James, and known for decades as the "Station Of Nations," is unique in that it offers delightful ethnocultural programming for the enjoyment and educational benefit of its listeners in the tri-state area.  There are some 50,000 Americans of Rusyn descent in Western Pa.

Our Sincere Thanks to Jerry J. Jumba of McKees Rocks, Pa who hosted and produced the Carpatho-Rus' Radio Program fro 1997 until Decmber 2003.