American dream: how a Ukrainian who survived 5 concentration camps built a popular resort in New York

Lake George Mountain Lake, a three-hour drive from New York, is a popular vacation spot from the stuff and bustle of a big city. One of the local resorts belongs to the Ukrainians: brother and sister Yuri and Kristina Pasternak.

Photo: video frame VOA

“Many people from New York have been coming here on vacation for over a hundred years, we have built wonderful houses here on the islands,” says Yuri Voice of America.

They owe this place to their father, Yuri Pasternak. His life story is a unique example of the invincibility of the human spirit and the reward for hard work. Pasternak Sr. was born in Ukraine before the war, and survived 5 concentration camps during the war: Auschwitz, Bruttig, Dora-Mittelbau, Elrich and Bergen-Belsen. One of his brothers died in Auschwitz, the second brother survived the concentration camps, but lost his family there. Father was freed by the Americans and weighed 87 pounds (39 kg). He was saved, he lived for several years in Germany, and then moved to Philadelphia.

Photo: video frame VOA

In America, he met his future wife Olya, who was from Drogobych and also survived the horrors of war. For the first 8 years, he worked hard at the construction site and at the factory, he put aside his earnings to buy land and open his own business.

According to his son, his father wanted to be close to the Ukrainian community, and when he arrived at Lake George in New York State, he saw the local nature, she reminded him of Ukraine. He fell in love with these places, called his brother, quit his job and bought land here.

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Photo: video frame VOA

In 1957, Yuri Sr. personally built the first buildings of the recreation center and named them “Marathon,” which symbolized his difficult life. Over the course of several years, he bought another resort called “Flamingo” and decided to keep that name.

Photo: video frame VOA

“We have 58 rooms,” says Christina Pasternak. “People start coming in May, which is Memorial Day in America, we open the doors, and we end the season around mid-September, when the kids are already in school.”

The recreation center has small rooms and large rooms with a full kitchen, where families cook for themselves, make barbecue. According to Christina, people often come in large groups of several families.

Photo: video frame VOA

“The work is quite hard, but the business is very good,” says Yuri. - We are proud of this. People book rooms a year in advance and come to us. Dad wanted the American Dream, he wanted to work hard, but have something of his own, be proud of it, be in such a great place.”

Yuri Sr. lived to the 91 year and almost until the death of 12 years ago he led the resort. Now his children work here. Both grew up here, spending every summer at the resort. Kristina worked in other businesses and hotels, gained experience and returned to family business.

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Photo: video frame VOA

Parsnips say: father lived almost all his life in America, but he passed on to his children his love for Ukraine.

“We know that we are American citizens, but at heart we are Ukrainians,” says Yuri. “We pass this on to our children.”

Photo: video frame VOA

The local nature and really somewhat resembles the Carpathians. Forests, mountains, spring water and clean air have made Lake George a favorite vacation spot for New Yorkers and the surrounding area. Many are here for the first time, but for some this place has already become a family tradition.

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Photo: video frame VOA

A New Jersey tourist, Mary Powers, says she has been coming here for the last 20-25 years.

“We always like it here. Good people, we knew their mom, dad when they were alive, Yuri, his wife Lauren, Christina - they are wonderful people. The resort is very good.”

Photo: video frame VOA

Christina and Yuri hope that the resort will continue to remain a family business. The new generation - Christina's sons - are just growing up and are already helping their mother in her work.

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