Pan Surmach
Source: www.placematters.net node 1536
For me Surma was all about Pan (Mr.) Surmach, the founder. I visited often on my wanderings around town when newly single and exploring the world anew.
Pan Surmach was a master bee keeper. I asked him how you learn to keep bees. "The bees teach you." I even took my two daughters to visit his home and garden/apiary in Saddle River, New Jersey one summertime. It was idyllic there in the thick Raspberry bushes, bees swirling all around.
Source: gudrungeorges.blogspot
In the photo image above just left of center is a painting by his daughter Yaroslav Surmach of his New Jersey home and the large gardens and apiary.
Source: gudrungeorges.blogspot
Still some of the very best honey. Raspberry, in season. Iron rich Buckwheat. Goldenrod. Also, bee pollen. And, notice the propolis. Raw "Bee Glue". Powerful medicine for sore throat and respiratory infections.
Source: gudrungeorges.blogspot
Above shows the back office paneled in pine after traditional Ukraine farmhouse/cottage interiors.
Myron Surmach told the story of the shop's founding in his autobiography: Istorija mojeji Surmi: Spohady Knyharja (The History of My Surma:Memories of a Bookseller, Vydavnyctvo Surma: New York, 1982).
Not a problem. He was most generous to me with his time and interest.
I just learned that the store will be closing closing in June 2016.
This just in ...
3 comments:
Myron was a good friend to The Health Nut, Inc., in Ridgewood, NJ.
In 1973-75 I used to help Myron Surmach with his bees. We always had a great time together, and he appreciated the help because he was about older and sometimes the hives could be quite heavy. Also, it took a lot of effort to remove the combs and extract the honey. He must have been about 80 years old when I knew him. After I went to college, we lost touch. I tried to contact him to congratulate him when the Ukraine won its independence from the USSR, but unfortunately he had just died a few years previously. He would be heartbroken to witness the recent invasion.
David Wronski - I would love to have a copy of Myron Surmach’s autobiography, if you have any information on how to buy one, please let me know. anja.ken@gmail.com
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