Ukrainian Eggs displayed at Library
By Donna Wassmuth
Dr. Sam Couch is sharing his Ukrainian egg collection with the library for the Easter Season. In the Ukrainian Catholic heritage, pysanky are decorated eggs with symbols representing new life associated with spring, resurrection and Easter. He also included a few of his sugar egg collection. Some of the eggs are grouped together with a particular theme.
His first teaching job was at Dickinson State University in North Dakota where there is a large Ukrainian Catholic population. Because he is a cultural geographer, Dr. Couch served as the university's liaison with the local Ukrainian Catholic population. Local women gather between Christmas and Easter to pass on pysanky egg decorating traditions. At that time, Sam began collecting these remarkable symbolic eggs as gifts for family members. 
Dr. Couch says, “I have the best neighbors in the world, and I love living in this area.” We are grateful to Dr. Couch for sharing this bit of culture with us. Most of us would never get to see something like this. 
Since retiring Dr. Couch continues leading tours to rural Ireland and Scotland. He leads small groups of 8 people or less who stay in farm houses. For more information you may go to www.risingroadtours.com or call him at 962-9886. 

Sam Couch is displaying his collection of Ukrainian Eggs at the library for the Easter season.  Photo by Laurine Nightingale.

A closeup look at part of Sam Couch’s Ukrainian Eggs collection. Photo by Laurine Nightingale.

Cottonwood, Idaho 83522
 

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