MATRIARCH, KIN ENJOY EXTENDED VISIT FROM PERU QUARTZ HILL FAMILY IS HOST TO S. AMERICAN RELATIVES.

Byline: BETTIE RENCORET SENIOR COLUMNIST

QUARTZ HILL -- One of the fastest-growing population influxes today in the Antelope Valley is that of the Peruvian community.

The decline of economic conditions in the South American nation has triggered a migration of educated, blue-collar and professional people, all seeking an opportunity to maintain their dignity and earn a decent living.

Some are disappointed -- mainly those who have not mastered English.

Those new residents have found it necessary to accept menial work unrelated to their original occupations or their abilities. While they work hard at low-paying jobs, they also study hard to learn the language and strive to return to their trades.

Almost universally, they reject the idea of government assistance.

In Peru, they were bankers, lawyers, school administrators, teachers, medical professionals, athletes, cabinet makers, mechanics and everything else.

One such family is the Urbina-Hernandez clan, which has put down roots not only in this area, but in Arizona, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Kentucky, Florida and in other Southern California cities.

This holiday season has been a special one for the extended Urbina family.

A highlight of all the festive celebrations has been the visit from Lilia Uculmana, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who arrived Dec. 17 from Ica, Peru, with the Verme-Urbina family. Giovanna Verme is Lilia's granddaughter. The Vermes are houseguests of Giovanna's sister and brother-in-law, Jessica and John Spravka of Quartz Hill. Lilia is staying with her daughter, Gloria Uculmana, also of Quartz Hill.

Never has there been more animated gaiety or revelry than that of the Urbinas during their Christmas gatherings in the Spravka home, nor more spirituality than with the family worship on Christmas Eve at Father Serra Parish in Quartz Hill.

Lilia, 84, was in her element enjoying all her family, especially the little ones. Her presence brought together four generations of Peruvian heritage.

Growing up in Peru was not easy for Lilia, according to her daughter Gloria and granddaughter Jessica.

``Mama was a seamstress in the early days. She tailored men's pants, to help with the finances while my father went back to school to become a teacher,'' Gloria said. ``She turned out several pairs of pants a day.''

Her primary occupation, however, was as a homemaker for her husband and five children.

Born Lilia Antonia Ferreyra on Aug. 13, 1922, she married Emilio Roman Uculmana on Dec. 1, 1943, in Ica. They had five children: Bertha, now of Chiclayo, Peru; Carlos, of Pisco, Peru; Gloria, of Lancaster; and Wilfredo and Abraham, both of Ica.

``You know, in those days, there were no modern conveniences like we have now,'' said Gloria. ``Mama had to do everything by hand. She had to wash clothes on a board and iron with a flatiron and things like that, and there was very little money because teachers were paid very little.''

Emilio taught elementary school in the Ica school system for a few years before he was made a principal, said Gloria.

``He also did public relations work and interacted well with the community on many projects,'' she said.

Lilia and Emilio had been married 32 years when he died on June 25, 1975.

``My grandmother is strong,'' said Jessica, ``but she isn't as young as she used to be and she doesn't like to travel as much as she did in the past. Because of that, we are really making a big thing of celebrating this year. It may be the last time we have an opportunity to be all together again and we want to enjoy it as much as we can.''

In addition to Spravka and Verme, Gloria and her former husband, Victor Carlos Urbina-Hernandez, are the parents of Gustavo, of Phoenix, Ariz.; and Miguel, who lives in Ica. Gustavo and his family were here for Christmas but had to return home the day after. Miguel and his family were unable to attend.

The Vermes -- Americo, Giovanna, Isabella, Americo Jr., Flavia and Jimena -- will be here until Jan. 10, then they will fly back to Peru, taking Lilia with them.

The end of 2006 will long be remembered as a happy time filled with lots of Peruvian food, family love, music and laughter.

Menus for the week at the senior life nutrition sites in Lancaster and Palmdale have been announced. Meals include bread, margarine and coffee, tea or milk, for the suggested donation of $2.

Monday: New Year's Day. Closed.

Tuesday: Ham slice, sweet potatoes, broccoli, coleslaw, applesauce.

Wednesday: Orange chicken, macaroni salad, peaches in juice.

Thursday: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, carrots, coleslaw, cookies.

Friday: Chicken casserole, wild rice, Normandy vegetables, Caesar salad, orange.

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Photo:

(color) Enjoying their family reunion are Crystal Schaeffer, standing; and sitting, from left, Gloria Uculmana, Rachel Spravka, Lilia Uculmana, Jessica Spravka and Nikki Spravka.