Pysanky Egg Blog

Joseph M Gogno

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 13:23:50 GMT

I loving memory of Joseph M Gogno

On January 8, 2025, surrounded by his family, Joseph Michael Gogno died peacefully in the Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center in Florida, at the age of 66.

Joe was born on October 18, 1958, in Pottsville, PA. He was the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Kiselica) Gogno, Briar City. Joe attended Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School and a 1976 graduate of Pottsville Area High School.

In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his sister, Mary. He is survived by his daughter, Marissa; his brother, John (Jake) and his wife Debra; sister, Maria, wife of Mark Everett; niece, Victoria; nephews, Matthew and Jacob and his wife Angie, a great nephew, Curtis; many cousins and friends.

Early on Joe worked for Counties Construction and then for Danella Construction in various roles for over 30 years but most notably as the South Florida Superintendent. Recently, he operated heavy equipment for various companies throughout Florida.

Joe loved his family and friends and cherished the time he spent with them. He also enjoyed ethnic food from Schuylkill County especially that was made by his mom, Aunt Dolly and Aunt Dede, and cousin, Diane.

Joe enjoyed living in Florida and all the friendships he made on his life journey. He loved cars and bikes, especially his Honda 50cc dirt bike that he shared with his brother. Joe had great style and is known for his famous wardrobe of pristine white shirts, blue jeans, and cowboy boots. He was an entrepreneur and a very successful businessman who owned and operated several businesses in Schuylkill County and Florida.

Joe fought a courageous battle as his health rapidly declined and was admired by all for his bravery. He was most grateful to his medical team, family, and friends who supported him at this time. As Joe said many times, “thank you for caring.” Joe never asked, “why me?” He maintained his positive attitude, his gratefulness, hopefulness, and his faith.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 AM on February 15, 2025, at Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 415 North Front Street, Minersville, PA.

A visitation will be held from 8:30 am until time of the service. Joe will be laid to rest at a later date during a private family service.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in his memory to Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Elementary School, 515 North Front Street, Minersville, PA 17954.

Nativity BVM Ukrainian Food & Easter EGGstravaganza 2022

Sun, 27 Feb 2022 17:21:12 GMT

Nativity BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church Ukrainian Food & Easter EGG stravaganza 2022

Thank you for supporting Nativity BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church during the uncertain COVID Pandemic times. Nativity is planning their next event

The Ukrainian Food & Easter EGGstravaganza 2022

Saturday , April 9th

from 10am to 3pm

featuring:

To-Go Homemade Ukrainian Foods

Pierogi- Halushki - Stuffed Cabbage - Potato Pancakes

UKRAINIAN SAMPLER PLATTER

Nut Roll, Apricot Roll, Poppyseed Roll

Paska Easter Bread & Desserts will be available in limited

quantities the day of the event

Desserts & More!

For the 2022 event Nativity is welcoming vendors by invitation back to the hall!

VENDOR, EGG ART & MORE!

Pysanky Eggs

Artists & crafters offering handmade items for sale

Egg Art - Woodwork - Jewelry - Crafts

FOOD PRE-ORDERS are Encouraged!!

They will be accepted until March 19, 2022

PICKUP Saturday, APRIL 9, 2022

Event will be held at:

Nativity of BVM Hall

211 Grace Street Reading PA 19611

610-376-0586

The Bayberry Candle Christmas Tradition

Dirollins6@gmail.com (Diane Rollins) — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 18:42:19 GMT

Bayberry candles burned to the socket,

bring health to the home & wealth to the pocket!

Each year my mom and her sister would gift each other bayberry candles - always a box of two tapers. The candles would burn in the kitchen one on Christmas eve and one on New Years eve. Bayberry candles signify a special gift giving pleasure at Christmas time. Legend has it that if you burn a gifted Bayberry candle down to the end on Christmas Eve, you will have good health and gold in your pocket the following year. Some families, like ours, burn one on Christmas Eve and one on New Year's Eve. Others only on Christmas eve.

Many Christians believe that the light of the Bayberry Candle on Christmas Eve will welcome the Christ child into their home. Legend states that the Bay Tree sheltered the Holy Family during a storm and as a result lightning will never strike it. Give the gift of a Bayberry candle. Many believe burning a bayberry candle to the end on New Years Eve ensures your household will enjoy a year of prosperity and good luck.

“These bayberry candles come from a friend.

So on Christmas Eve & New Years Eve burn it down to the end.

For a bayberry candle burned to the socket will bring joy to the heart & gold to the pocket.”

Anonymous

Learn more about the history and traditions of the bayberry candle from our friends at A COAL CRACKER KITCHEN here:

Legend of the Bayberry Candle

Julia Gogno

Sun, 05 Apr 2020 14:17:57 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

Julie Gogno (née Stefansky) 83, passed away April 3 at the Reading Hospital. Born and raised in Dowdentown, she was the daughter of the late John Stefansky and the late Anna Stefansky Wallace. She was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Stefansky Barton, Dowdentown, and her husband, Charles Gogno, Brier City.

Surviving are a son, Charlie Gogno, Hatfield (husband of Anita Gogno), and a daughter, Diane Gogno Rollins, Sinking Spring, (wife of Vince Rollins), as well as five grandsons: Nicholas Gogno, Philadelphia; Nathan Gogno, Pottsville; Neil Gogno, Quakertown; Mitchell Rollins and Joshua Rollins, both of Sinking Spring; and a great grandchild, Vivian Gogno, Philadelphia.

Julie was co-owner of The Blue Front, a clothing store in Minersville, for many years. She was active in the area Merchants Association and contributed her time and talents to helping strengthen the local business community. She also worked for many years at the Acme in Pottsville.

She was an active member of Ss Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church in Minersville, where she helped organize fundraisers for the school and church. She loved cooking, gathering the family for holidays and Sunday dinners, traveling with friends, listening to polka music, and being involved in her church and community. While most of her life was spent in Brier City, she spent the last several years in Sinking Spring, lovingly cared for by her daughter and son-in-law.

She was loved by many, they called her Julia, Julie, dolly, Aunt Doll, Nana and mom. Her love was unconditional. She will be missed beyond words.

A private service is planned, under the direction of Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in memory of Julia Gogno to:

Nativity BVM Ukrainian Catholic CHurch

501 Summit Avenue

Reading, PA 19611

Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Gogno

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 23:58:29 GMT

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Gogno!

Here is a link to pics from Jacob & Angela's Wedding!

Family & friends enjoyed 3 days of fun celebrating the nuptials of Jacob & Angela! Here are some highlights of the weekend:

Wyomissing Library Pysanky Egg Class 2019

Sat, 23 Mar 2019 21:49:40 GMT

Taught by Diane Rollins & Maria Everett at the Wyomissing Public Library.

On March 23, 2019 the Wyomissing Public Library help a pysanky egg decoration class. For most of the participant, this was the first time they were trying the batik wax resist method of decorating an egg. First time eggers learned how to hold the kistka, the writing tool used to draw with wax on the egg shell and quickly began to write their eggs. Soon they were dying their eggs and adding more color and wax to their pysanky creations. Everyone went home with a beautiful pysanky egg and the supplies to continue to make pysanky eggs.

Here are some highlights from the Pysanky Class at the Wyomissing Public Library on March 23, 2019. Enjoy!

Pysanky Egg Class at Nativity BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Pysanky egg class at Nativity BVM in Reading PA taught by Diane Rollins and Maria Everett.

What do Ukrainians do on St. Patrick's Day? Decorate pysanky eggs, of course! Thanks to Nativity BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church in Reading PA for hosting the pysanky egg class on March 17, 2019.

Students were eager to start writing their eggs. We got right to it! We had several experienced students and some pysanky newbies! We also had some helpful hands at the egg dying station. Everyone did an awesome job! Check out their work here.

THE START OF SHOWING EGGS

Sat, 26 Jan 2019 23:37:53 GMT

Over time we began participating in various egg shows displaying and selling our pysanky eggs.

THE START OF SHOWING EGGS

As I shared earlier, I started decorating pysanky at an early age. Each Holy Saturday, my parents would select their favorites to include in the Easter basket that we would take later that day to be blessed. My aunt and my mom would line the baskets up next to each other. I remember others would walk around viewing the baskets and would comment on the pysanky that were displayed in each of the baskets. My aunt would always include a few extra pysanky to share with friends. I remember one neighbor would always request from my aunt one dozen pysanky for Easter. My aunt would work days to make the pysanky being sure to have a variety of designs and color combinations. One year after receiving the request, she asked me to make the pysanky for the neighbor. I was so excited since up until then the pysanky that I made were for family and friends. I realized if I continued to practice I would improve my abilities. Over time my cousin, Diane, and I began participating in various egg shows displaying and selling our pysanky egg creations. Something that we continue to enjoy doing.

Memories of Learning the Art of Pysanky

Sat, 26 Jan 2019 23:04:32 GMT

Memories of a Young Child Learning the Art of Pysanky

I always looked forward to Lent as a youngster because that was the time my aunt would set up the dining room table for us to practice the art of the pysanky writing tradition . My aunt began teaching me the basics when I was five years old. I remember the smell of the kistka heating over the candle. Apparently , like any youngster, I did not always sit still. I remember her always pulling my long hair back into a ponytail to avoid any contact with the flame. She taught me to respect the flame.

Over the years, she not only taught me the intricacies of writing pysanky but also taught me patience and perseverance . I share that because there were many times when I would work through the process but would not make it to the end. Instead, I might have dropped the egg shattering it, heated the kistka too much causing a blob of wax on the egg, or accidentally wrote on the egg where I should not have . I learned to appreciate each step of the process – especially removing the wax to see the colors of the final product . I was always amazed and continue to be so even today.

Many years passed before we learned to “blow out” eggs. This resulted in many earlier pysanky having a dried yolk. I remember one warm Lenten season when my aunt displayed the pysanky in a basket on the table positioned under the ceiling light . One afternoon we were drawn to the room by popping sounds to find the eggs shattered and the room had a foul-smelling aroma . My aunt learned very quickly about “blowing out” the yolk so we would not have a repeat.

I am fortunate to have had an aunt who was willing to take the time to teach a young child the tradition of pysanky writing . I will always be grateful to her. Love you Aunt Dede!

Welcome to Ukrainian Pysanky Eggs

Sun, 20 Jan 2019 03:34:21 GMT

Thanks for visiting our Ukrainian Pysanky Egg Art site!

We look forward to sharing details about events we attend featuring Ukrainian pysanky eggs. Additionally, we will share stories, traditions, and recipes from our childhood. Stay tuned!

Diane & Maria

Pysanky Folk Tale

Sun, 20 Jan 2019 03:34:21 GMT

This ancient pysanky folk tale is one we remember learning when we were writing pysanky as children.

Ukrainian pysanky eggs were once used by the Ukrainians in mystical and magical rites, considered vital to their survival. Decorated egg represents rebirth, life, spring, and life winning over death. In Christianity, the eggs have taken on religious meaning as well. An ancient folk tale The Blessed Mary decorated some eggs to offer to Pontius Pilate in a pleas for sparing her son’s life. As she prepared the eggs, her tears fell onto the shells, forming dots of brilliant colors. To this day, in honor of Our Lady’s tears, dots are often incorporated into the egg designs. When Mary came before Pilate, she dropped to her knees, and the story goes that the eggs rolled out across the floor, a symbol of their distribution world wide. At Easter time, these eggs are still distributed to commemorate Christ’s teachings of Peace and Love, and to help us open our eyes and witness the rejuvenation and rebirth of spring and new life. Meanings and symbols change with time, but one fact is certain — there is no life without art. Pysanky is a folk art which has been the life pulse of the Ukraine people for many centuries. Today, artisans and crafters continue the tradition.

Mary "Tootsie" Barton

Dirollins6@gmail.com (Diane Rollins) — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 23:22:13 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

Mary Barton, 84, formally of Dowdentown, passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2018 at HCR Manorcare, Sinking Spring. Mary was born in Pottsville, April 27, 1934, a daughter of the late Anna Kalinich And John Stafansky. She was the widow of Robert Barton. She was a former member of Ss. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church.

"Tootsie" was loved and survived by

Sister - Julia Gogno - Sinking Spring PA

Nephew - Charles Gogno and wife Anita Gogno - Hatfield PA

Niece Diane (Gogno) Rollins and husband Vince Rollins - Sinking Spring, PA

Great nephews:

Nick Gogno wife Amanda - Philadelphia

Nathan Gogno - Pottsville PA

Neil Gogno - Bethlehem PA

Mitchell Rollins - Sinking Spring PA

Josh Rollins - Sinking Spring PA

She was a member of SS Peter & Paul Parish Minersville. Formerly

employed by State Factory New Philadelphia where she was a talented

seamstress and supervisor.

She will forever be remembered for her kind and gentle ways and her

great love for the children she cared for. We love you sweet Tootsie

and we thank you for loving and spoiling us!

Pysanky Egg Blog

Joseph M Gogno

I loving memory of Joseph M Gogno

Nativity BVM Ukrainian Food & Easter EGGstravaganza 2022

Nativity BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church Ukrainian Food & Easter EGG stravaganza 2022

The Ukrainian Food & Easter EGGstravaganza 2022

Saturday , April 9th

FOOD PRE-ORDERS are Encouraged!!

Event will be held at:

Nativity of BVM Hall

211 Grace Street Reading PA 19611

The Bayberry Candle Christmas Tradition

Bayberry candles burned to the socket, bring health to the home & wealth to the pocket!

Julia Gogno

This is a subtitle for your new post

Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Gogno

Wyomissing Library Pysanky Egg Class 2019

Taught by Diane Rollins & Maria Everett at the Wyomissing Public Library.

Pysanky Egg Class at Nativity BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church

Pysanky egg class at Nativity BVM in Reading PA taught by Diane Rollins and Maria Everett.

THE START OF SHOWING EGGS

Over time we began participating in various egg shows displaying and selling our pysanky eggs.

Memories of Learning the Art of Pysanky

Memories of a Young Child Learning the Art of Pysanky

Welcome to Ukrainian Pysanky Eggs

Thanks for visiting our Ukrainian Pysanky Egg Art site!

Pysanky Folk Tale

This ancient pysanky folk tale is one we remember learning when we were writing pysanky as children.

Mary "Tootsie" Barton

This is a subtitle for your new post

Bayberry candles burned to the socket,

bring health to the home & wealth to the pocket!