For more than 60 years, The Ukrainian Hour has brought our community news, music and commentary from and about Ukraine — keeping our language, culture and connection to Ukraine alive on the airwaves. While adapting to life in America in the 1950s, many Ukrainians could not forget their enslaved brethren under Moscow’s yoke. A group of Ukrainian nationalists met in Williamstown, NJ in the early 196
0s and discussed the possibility of having a Ukrainian radio program. Andrew Zabrodsky of Chester, PA implemented this idea by leasing one hour from a local religious sect and finding an advertiser. He then contacted a multinational radio station in Philadelphia. In 1966 the program officially started running under the ownership of the local Organizations of the Ukrainian Liberation Front (today: for Ukrainian Statehood), which consisted of CYM (youth), TYCM (students), OOChSU (adults), OZh OChSU (women’s auxiliary) and Society of Veterans of UPA. These organizations consistently provided moral and financial support for the program, stressing the need for Ukraine’s liberation from Russian tyranny. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and Ukraine’s declaration of independence in 1991, the emphasis shifted to preserving Ukraine’s freedom. Dr. Bohdan Siletsky took over the direction of the program in the mid-1970s and led it into the mid-1980s. He was followed by Roman Metanchuk, who held this post until 1992. The longest tenure was by George Nakonechny: 1992-2015. Longtime treasurers were Stefan Wolaniuk and Wolodymyr Ryndycz. The program shifted to a computerized digital format in 2009 with the assistance of Jerry and Roman Mykijewycz, and David and Philip Ryskalczyk; Roman provides technical support of the program to this day. Leo Iwaskiw came on board in 2004 as the news item editor and became director in March 2015, when John Yaworsky became treasurer. The program has transmitted from various stations in the Philadelphia area (WIBF-FM 104, WTEL-AM 860, and WNWR-AM 1540); it has been broadcasting from WWDB-AM 860 since June 2011. Throughout the decades, its many listeners have been enjoying news, music, literary features and commentaries from and about Ukraine, as well as announcements for the Ukrainian American community.
