late returns Page 24 Z , TEREST Sa EE LO RT A SOAS BETO INA SN ARS MDS gS SERS SR oe: North Van woman preserves ancient Easter egg tradition EASTER IS even more special than Christmas for Marjorie Pondick’s family, who celebrate the occasion by making Ukrainian Easter eggs. “It’s something very special for us, even more than Christmas, because it’s a giving time of the year rather than receiving,’’ said the North Vancouver artist. Pondick, her husband Larry, and children -—- Jody, 13, and Lisa, nine — will make about 50 Easter eggs this year, which they will give as gifts to friends and family on Easter Sunday. “‘We give a lot away and for us By KIM PEMBERTON News Reporter that's part of the tradition — they’re like a grecting card,"’ she said. About a month prior to Easter, Pondick said a work-table is set up in the home, and all the tools for making Easter eggs are put out. She said in one sitting, family members will work side-by-side for as long as it takes to make an egg, EWS photos St art On ry A CLOSE—UP of one of Pondick’s Ukrainian Easter eggs shows the meticulous details the artist has taken to produce an image featuring doves, Everts which is usually three hours. The Pondicks have been setting aside this seasonal ‘‘family’’ time for the past 10 years, when Mar- jorie first learned the art of paint- ing Easter eggs from Larry's cous- in. “My husband’s family is Ukrai- nian, and I’m not. But I wanted to learn how to make the eges, because } didn’t want the art to be lost for my children. It’s nice for them to do because it’s part of their heritage,”’ she said. “It’s also a nice thing because it’s something we can all sit down and do together. We'll talk about them and what their religious meanings are,’’ she said. Pondick said all of the designs and even the colors used on the eggs have religious connotations. Netting represents a separation of good from evil, dots are the tears Mary wept for Jesus and fish are symbolic for the hero winning his fight over evil, according to Ukrainian fairytales. ‘7 learned about most of the symbols from a book. When I first saw them I thought they were just designs — I had no idea what they really meant and why the old peo- ple cherished them,’’ she said. Making an Easter egg is a step- by-step process, said Pondick, beginning with removing the egg yoke and leaving the shell. She said most people prick a small hole in both ends of the egg and blow out the egg material. But the Pondicks use a less time-con- suming water pressure method. Pondick said the egg is not ac- tually painted, but a stvius is used to melt wax onto the egg. Then the egg is dipped in dyes, starting with the lighter to darker shades. ““When you're finished the egg is entirely black — then you melt off the wax and all of a sudden the color comes through. “It really is a neat art form,” she said. = Ore TE Settee oe 1 House 2030 SOUTH PARK ROYAL {Upstairs Gallery) 926-3818 OPEN SUNDAYS Gift Certificates available We also carry Hats & Accessories AUER ff the designs painted on the eggs have religious connotations. % OFF QUR REGULAR PRICE OF CUSTCOM-MADE DRAPERIES AND RE-UPHOLSTERY PRINTS « WEAVES & VELVETS VERTICAL AND VEHETIAN BLINDS FREE (ARASURE & DELIVERY + PLEATED SHADES + A" MICROS + MINIS ABBEY + LEVOLOR +HOMETEX =| p nr Co NEWS photos Stuart Davis DELICATELY PAINTED Ukrainian Easter eggs are what Marjorie Pondick, of North Vancouver, enjoys making this time of year. Many of “ } oa a ay a “wer THERE ARE OTHER VERTICAL AND VENETIAN SLINDS BUT NONE LIKE ABBEY ASK ABOUT OUR LIFETIME WARRANTIES! OFTEN IMITATED — HEVER DUPLICATED IM HOME SERVICE Mon. thru Sat. 9-5:30 and evenings WHEN ONLY THE BEST WILL DO ... Consult Serving North & West Vancouver “ INTERIORS Sen, aa satiny,