Coming To America

Andrij Chornodolsky wearing a traditional Ukrainian shirt, speaking at a Ukrainian genocide memorial.

Most Americans are unaware of how their families came to this great nation, along with the hardships they had to endure during the voyage.

The trips were long and arduous, and many did not survive due to the high rate of disease and sickness. Andrij Chornodolsky, a 65-year old Ukrainian businessman from Baltimore, vividly recalls nearly every detail of his passage to the United States of America in September of 1949. "I remember it as if it were just yesterday," Chornodolsky said.

Andrij's parents came from Western Ukraine and escaped the inevitable imposition of Soviet communism. The decision to flee was based on the experience and expectation of what Soviet rule would bring to Western Ukraine. They escaped to Vocklabruk, Austria where Andrij was born in December of 1944.

With the imminent collapse of the Nazi military to protect them in Austria, along with the approach of the Soviet forces, millions of people from numerous Eastern European countries embarked on a journey of survival across seas. Among these millions was the Chornodolsky family. Andrij recalls, "We traveled in many stages, including trains, carriages, and even on foot."

They had with them only their minimum belongings and some goods that could be traded for lodging or food. The most valuable commodities were cigarettes, jewelry and watches, warm clothing and cosmetics.

These refugees arrived at various ports all across Europe with the hopes and dreams of reaching America. The issue of what to do with these millions of displaced persons fell upon the United Nations and the International Movement Office. An extensive program to determine who would qualify to come to America was put in place.

The Chornodolsky's qualified and four-year-old Andrij was on his way to America on the U.S. troop carrier ship the General Holbrook. "I was in awe of the enormity of the ship and the thousands of people living basically on top of one another. The trip took ten days, and was mostly shrouded in heavy rain and fog."

Upon arriving at the port of Boston, they were all welcomed by social services women who gave out little american flags and tiny vinyl stuffed animals of donkeys and elephants. From Boston, the Chornodolsky's took a train to Baltimore, where they have resided ever since.

It is important to understand one's heritage and the struggles their ancestors dealt with to give them a life of freedom.

10-Day-old baby survives baltimore house fire

A 10-day-old baby survived a fire in Southeast Baltimore Thursday after a fire erupted in the neighboring home and the connecting wall collapsed onto the babies crib.

Arnetta Sands, 36, of the 200 block of North Aisquith Street, was using an aerosol spray can next to her lit stove when it combusted and ignited the blaze. Sands suffered 1st degree burns to her back and arms and was treated and released from Church Home and Hospital.

The infant, Andre Henderson, was sleeping in his crib when the wall collapsed on him from the explosion. Henderson suffered from smoke inhalation and was treated and released in good condition from Hopkins.

The fire damaged the kitchen and furnishings in Sands apartment. Captain Thommen of the Baltimore City Fire Department says the fire has been ruled accidental.

Armed Robbery On Greenmount Avenue

Three males robbed the Provident Savings Bank on Greenmount Avenue Tuesday afternoon according to Baltimore City Police.

The three male suspects entered the bank around noon, with one of the suspects brandishing a sawed-off rifle. The armed suspect pointed the weapon at the bank manager and ordered everyone to lie down on the floor.

While the bank customers and employees laid on the floor, the two unarmed suspects leaped over the counter and ransacked several teller's cages. They proceeded to stuff money into two white pillowcases and ran out of the bank heading east down an alley where the rifle was recovered.

The suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of cash with no injuries reported and no arrests made in connection with the robbery authorities said.

Skiing, It's A Way of Life

Skiing is a fast sport that involves concentration, toughness, coordination, determination and ski instructor Roxanna Kobziar uses all of these elements on a daily basis.

"The thing that I love most about skiing is the freedom," said Roxanna Kobziar, 22, ski instructor at Telluride Mountain in Telluride, Colorado.

Kobziar teaches younger children to ski during the winter season in Telluride, and loves every minute of it. Although the kids can slow her up at times, she loves the speed and feeling in control while skiing. Although she does not enjoy being cold and feeling wet, she says it is a small price to pay for the joy of skiing.

"My father taught me to ski, and I plan on teaching my children to ski and will never stop skiing," Kobziar said.

When an individual has a passion for a sport or hobby, they will stop at nothing to pursue their desire for it.

Baltimore Police Seize 91 Pounds of Cocaine (Post 2 of 2)

Baltimore City police officers took a big step in the war on drugs by seizing 91 pounds of pure powder cocaine from a home in southwest Baltimore early last Friday. The seizure was the largest in the history of the Baltimore police department. One man was arrested at the residence, and the department is hoping to make more arrests in connection with the cocaine. Had the drugs hit the streets, it is estimated they had a value of $2 to $3 million dollars. Baltimore Police Commissioner Fred Bealefeld said the product would have been diluted, repackaged and sold on the streets in the form of either cocaine or crack cocaine.

The Baltimore police department should be highly commended for the bust, but with only one arrest made there is still much work to be done. It is possible that they may only end up nabbing one person for this massive shipment of cocaine. If they do not make more arrests in the case and make these arrests soon, the criminals and drug dealers of Baltimore will win this battle.

The investigation and subsequent bust came after only weeks of investigation. Most major drug investigations require much more time and effort. The police department gathered information through a variety of surveillance and tips, and had prior knowledge of the individual arrested. Maybe the police department should have waited a little longer to unravel the other players involved in the drug ring, one arrest is simply not enough. There is undoubtedly several very disappointed criminals who lost a large sum of money because of the bust, but they are still out on the streets. Bealefeld said the drugs were part of "a wholesale operation" and officers were pursuing leads about the suppliers of the cocaine.

The drugs would have potentially been distributed throughout the Baltimore area as well as surrounding counties and suburbs. Although heroin is the major drug in the area, cocaine is widely distributed in the region. Officers also seized $11,000 in cash during the raid. No weapons were found and the man was taken into custody without incident. The Baltimore city police department hopes this will lead to more arrests and at least make a dent in the Baltimore drug epidemic.

At the very least, those 91 pounds of cocaine will not be distributed on the streets of Baltimore. The real victory will come when more arrests are made and the drug ring responsible is brought to justice. It is unknown whether the individual arrested was of substantial drug affiliation. The citizens of Baltimore are hoping to read more headlines such as this one and finally put an end to the enormous drug and crime syndicates that rule this city.

Baltimore Police Seize 91 Pounds of Cocaine (Post 1 of 2)

Baltimore City police officers seized 91 pounds of pure powder cocaine from a home in southwest Baltimore early last Friday. The seizure was the largest in the history of the Baltimore police department. One man was arrested at the residence, and the department is hoping to make more arrests in connection with the cocaine. Had the drugs hit the streets, it is estimated they had a value of $2 to $3 million dollars. Baltimore Police Commissioner Fred Bealefeld said the product would have been diluted, repackaged and sold on the streets in the form of either cocaine or crack cocaine.

The investigation and subsequent bust came after only weeks of investigation. Most major drug investigations require much more time and effort. The police department gathered information through a variety of surveillance and tips, and had prior knowledge of the individual arrested. Bealefeld said the drugs were part of "a wholesale operation" and officers were pursuing leads about the suppliers of the cocaine.

The drugs would have potentially been distributed throughout the Baltimore area as well as surrounding counties and suburbs. Although heroin is the major drug in the area, cocaine is widely distributed in the region. Officers also seized $11,000 in cash during the raid. No weapons were found and the man was taken into custody without incident. The Baltimore city police department hopes this will lead to more arrests and at least make a dent in the Baltimore drug epidemic.