By Paula Peterson

  • Natasha Long and Masha Long at Friday's protest against the invasion. Photo by STN.
    Natasha Long and Masha Long at Friday’s protest against the invasion. Photo by STN.
  • Protest orgranizer Jana Menard with Steve Sandor with dog Oliver. Photo by STN.
    Protest orgranizer Jana Menard with Steve Sandor with dog Oliver. Photo by STN.
  • Natasha Long and Leo Bokarius, both of Ukraine and South Lake Tahoe residents. Photo by STN.
    Natasha Long and Leo Bokarius, both of Ukraine and South Lake Tahoe residents. Photo by STN.
  • SLT City Councilman John Friedrich with Dean Langdon at the protest. Photo by STN.
    SLT City Councilman John Friedrich with Dean Langdon at the protest. Photo by STN.
  • Reve Ramos, left, and Jennifer Ward supporting Ukraine. Photo by STN.
    Reve Ramos, left, and Jennifer Ward supporting Ukraine. Photo by STN.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – If you’ve been near the Y in South Lake Tahoe between 11:00 a.m. and noon you’ve probably heard the honks and seen the groups of people gathered with their yellow and blue signs and flags showing support of Ukraine.

Jana Menard, a local business owner, started the daily events in support of Ukraine.

“I couldn’t sit back and not do anything,” said Menard, who owns the Fragrance Vault near Stateline. “I wanted to go to the front line.”

Instead of heading to fight, Menard started a grassroots movement against the Russian invasion. Since starting one month ago the number of people who gather at the intersection of US50 and Lake Tahoe Blvd. outside of The Crossing at Tahoe Valley has grown. She also organized a candlelight vigil at Lakeview Commons and is looking for ways to support the Ukrainians. She holds a degree in Russian civilization and is passionate about the people in the region.

Ukrainian-born Masha Long, her mother Natasha, and Leo Bokarius have been part of the hour-long protests. Masha has lived in South Lake Tahoe since 1999, and Leo has been a resident for one year after 30 years in the Silicon Valley. Masha grew up in Daporidhia, Leo in Kharkiv.

Masha talks to her family still in Ukraine daily. She said her city has been okay during the Russian advances and has not been hit by artillery yet. A good friend of Masha’s is on the front lines in the volunteer army.

Jana said she’d like to see these grassroots efforts turn into a larger movement, but in the meantime, you can find her and others at the Y daily (weather permitting) from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Another South Lake Tahoe area Ukranian is Iryna Discipio. She was not out at the Ukraine support event Friday but Masha said Iryna started the nonprofit Revived Soldiers Ukraine, which she founded after the conflict between Ukraine and Russia began in 2014. She has won the Ukrainian of the Year Award for those efforts.

“If they can protest and be willing to die in Russia, I can do it here,” said retired nurse Jennifer Ward of South Lake Tahoe.

During one of the previous protests, Kenny Curtzwiler of Meyers dropped off stickers in the shape of Lake Tahoe in the yellow and blue of Ukraine. He said the group could use as they wanted and are they are being given away to those who do donate to a Ukrainian cause.

We carried a story on Talia Koval Tyaglo, a Ukrainian native who lives in South Lake Tahoe, and her artwork being used as a fundraiser for Ukraine. For a list of trusted recipients and how to get her art, visit http://southtahoenow.com/story/03/10/2022/south-lake-tahoe-local-turning-art-support-her-native-ukraine.