Group teaches how to make basket covers
By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
With the Easter holiday approaching, the Raritan Valley Slavic Cultural and Heritage Society came to Manville on March 26 to bring a tradition of making basket covers for Easter baskets. Members of the organization taught participants how to make a basket cover and offered some background of the tradition at the Manville Public Library community room.
”We are trying to carry on the long-time tradition of making Easter basket covers. Long time ago back in the old country they used to embroider theirs but we are going a little more high tech; ours are digital printing,” said Pat Holup.
The material was pre cut and participants were able to choose a print and the lace that they wanted. They then folded the material and sewed on the lace. Some even put fabric paint on their cover.
Seventeen people attended this year’s event.
”Last year was our first year and this is our second year for anyone who belongs to the Slavic Society and it was publicized to the public,” said Ms. Holup. The group came to Manville because they knew that Manville has a large Slavic community, the largest in the area, according to Cathy Barrek.
”Everything in the basket is symbolic of the Risen Lord. It is the largest holyday in the Christian church. Most people don’t think that way, they think Christmas is, but this is. It has always been my favorite,” said Ms. Barrek.
”I got involved when the society started. Mr. Kursio used to teach in Weston School and he introduced me to Jerry Macho who started this society. He does the newsletter, he is the editor. I have been in this society ever since,” said Ms. Barrek .
Member Mary Bannworth did a presentation about the traditional basket and what is usually put into the basket. Items in the basket include Pascha, sausage, horseradish, butter, salt, ham, eggs, cheese, bacon and a candle. Each symbolizes a different part of the Christian faith.
Resident Mary Lopatosky explained the tradition she had growing up.
”Long time ago you had 40 days of Easter. You had to fast on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The whole holy week you had to attend services. You made all these different foods and each one has a traditional that they put in,” she said.
”Ham, kielbasa was a certain tradition. When I was a little kid, the priest used to come to the house to bless it but then there were too many people. You bring the basket to church and put all the baskets in front of the altar and after the services after the priest blesses it, you went home and then you had it.”
Ms. Lopatsky puts the same items in her baskets today but also adds a piece of palm and a puss willow and ties it with a ribbon.
Ms. Lopatosky attended because she said she wanted to make the basket cover. “I have a cover for mine which I crotched years ago and it is starting to come apart. Actually I picked the Russian one so I will give it to my sister. So she will have this one.”
The Yacik family of Middlesex came to participate in the basket covering making. Steve Yacik was the only male in the session. He was there with his wife, Valerie, and two daughters Alina and Danika.
”Both of my parents are from Eastern Europe. My mom was born there and both of my dad’s parents were born there. They are both from Slavonia. I grew up with all the Easter traditions with the food in the baskets. My wife and I have continued that with our girls,” said Mr. Yacik.
For more information about the Raritan Valley Slavic Cultural & Heritage Society send an e-mail [email protected].

