Zarja by Albin Zaverl Off to the Fields Official Publication Slovenian Union of America Uradno Glasilo Slovenske Zveze v Ameriki $ 3.99 U.S./$ 8.99 International Volume 85 Issue 6 November/December 2013 The Dawn Zarja - The Dawn EDITOR: Debbie Pohar DIRECTOR OF DESIGN: Bonnie Pohar Prokup EDITORIAL OFFICE: 1696 Illinois St. LaSalle, IL 61301-1359 TELEPHONE: 815.223.9596 FAX: 815.224.1074 WEB SITE: slovenianunion.org PUBLISHER: Slovenian Union of America (Formerly Slovenian Women’s Union of America) SUA Donations Thank You! $250 Donation Anonymous, Zarja $50 Donation Esinger, Mark, +Bernice Jarkovich $30 Donation Matic, Ivanka, 50, Zarja TELEPHONE: 815.727.1926 Vol. 85, No 6, November/December 2013 Published bimonthly Periodicals Postage paid at Joliet, IL and additional mailing offices. (ISSN 0044-1848) Postmaster: Send all changes of address to: SLOVENIAN UNION OF AMERICA (Formerly Slovenian Women’s Union of America) 431 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432-1703 Communications for the next issue of publication Do you have something SUA-related you would like to share with readers, like an event you want to let people know about or an idea for an article? We would love to hear from you! Please e-mail the editor at pohar4@aol.com. We reserve the right to edit any article submitted. It is preferable that you submit your idea for discussion prior to writing an article. Articles must be related to SUA events or members. The deadline for articles is the 15th day of the month, 2 months preceding the issue. For example, articles for the January/February issue must be received by November 15th. Thank you. $25 Donation Barthelemy, Elaine, 109, Honor of Stephanie Polutnik, my 94 year old mom Block, Barbara, 99, +Raymond & Frances Schultz $20 Donation Knezevic-Kong, Sonja, 93, +Ljudmila Krosel Pasetta $15 Donation DeBernardi, Leone, 23, SUA $10 Donation Branch 43, Heritage Museum +Albert Jelinek Quillio, Merianne, 23, +Marie Strukel Mertel Grah, Julie, 2, +Frank Petrich Sodec, David, 89, Heritage Museum Valent, Jennie, 99, +Frances & Martin Certalic $5 Donation Bruch, Barbara, 89, Heritage Museum Leff, Katherine, 100, SUA Submission Guidelines Tell us how to reach you: Include your name, daytime phone number, e-mail address, and mailing address with each submission, including e-mailed submissions. Go Digital: We regret that we can no longer return submitted materials. It is best to e-mail your photos. Use a 3.2-megapixal (or better) camera set for the highest picture quality, and attach your photos as jpeg files. If you have an old photo that is irreplaceable, please make a good-quality copy to share with us. (Scanned copies must be a resolution of 300 or higher.) By submitting material for publication, you grant the Slovenian Union of America (formerly Slovenian Women’s Union of America) the use of the material, including your name, hometown, and state. We may modify, reproduce, and distribute it in any SUA authorized medium and in any manner or appropriate place. SUA Branches Welcome Their New Members 01, Miller, Jean 20, Pubentz, Larry 20, Rogina, William 23, Baltich, Ashley 23, Baltich Nelson, Becky 23, Houser, Marilyn 23, Petrich, Madaline 30, Dempsey, Sydney 30, Long, Cheryl 30, Long, Veronica 43, Hurworth, Daniel 43, Hurworth, Ella 43, Prust, Emily 50, Demsar, Andrea 50, Kren, Amy 50, Kren, Cecilia 71, Bleggi, Marcia 99, Mavec, Carmen President’s Message Dear Members, On behalf of the National Board of the SUA we are wishing all of our members a most memorable holiday season. May it be filled with family, friends, and much happiness. A big shout out to Jonita Ruth and the members of Branch 20 - Joliet, Illinois, for providing a spectacular time at their 34th Annual Grape Harvest Festival. I experienced a fantastic evening spent with family and friends from throughout Illinois. (See page 32 of this issue for pictures from this event.) I just received an e-mail from Janice Luzar Gehm, President of Branch 43 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She wrote “Hi gals - just a note to let you know what a beautiful job you both do on the Zarja magazine. Interesting to hear what other Branches are doing throughout the country. Keep up the outstanding work.” Thank you, Jan, for the nice comments on Zarja, but honestly, when you love what you do it’s not a job! My sister, Debbie Pohar, and I enjoy planning and are always thinking – what can we do next? But the part I love about your sincere comments are about how you love hearing what Branches are doing. JACKPOT!!! This was a goal of the NBOD’s starting about a decade ago. I can remember too well when our Branch reports were filled with doom and gloom. Today? It is awesome information that no matter where you live you can be a part of this success. Branches are trying events that others are doing and it’s so positively contagious. Let’s keep this up! Now, not so positively contagious are a few Branches’ members who we are hearing are upset with SUA’s 501(c)(3) status and the few changes that must be made according to the IRS. I realize this may be overwhelming, but trust me – we will get through this and we are here to help. We are not here to take any Branch’s treasury money or to gain anything personally! Our hard work and perseverance to accomplish this nonprofit status was to keep this organization alive in many ways. I believe proof lies within this magazine. One only has to read through every page to see that we are thriving and have the energy to keep that Slovenian spirit alive for many more years. This is not an easy task when you are faced with a population of members that are getting further away from the immigrant Slovenian woman, but I honestly believe we are on the right track. Let’s stay positive! Let’s stay focused on the one thing that matters… KEEPING THAT SLOVENIAN SPIRIT ALIVE! Sincerely, Bonnie Pohar Prokup National President wprokup@aol.com SUA’s 2015 National Convention We would like to know what you think about the upcoming 2015 National Convention in Lemont, Illinois. Please go to the following link for a survey and answer a few questions. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7NVVQBG If you have already filled out the survey, we thank you! No need to do it again. November/December 2013 1 Ryba’s Reminders by Carol Ryba - National Treasurer Thanks to the SUA National Board for sending “Zarja,” the get-well bear, to help me file over 1,600 election insurance forms! Also, thanks to all the members who sent me get-well wishes. Your cards and e-mails were very much appreciated. Hopefully, I will be back on the golf course in a few months. DISCONTINUING BURIAL INSURANCE Burial Insurance Update as of September 17, 2013 1,125 478 29 16 11 3 Payment checks were issued to insured members. Members donated certificate reserve (actuarial) value of insurance policies. Signed certified letter return receipts - so we have proof of notification. Deceased members’ beneficiaries were paid death benefit value. Did not pick up certified letter at post office. (Money will be given to the State of Illinois.) Address problems – members could not be located. Outstanding Checks 102 insurance payment checks have not yet been cashed. Please cash these checks, as they are only valid for 90 days! Also, we’d like to pay our insured members their monetary value rather than some having their money turned over to the State of Illinois as unclaimed property. All checks have been mailed. Therefore, if you have not received your check, please notify me via e-mail or via telephone. Carol Ryba - SUA National Treasurer ryba4homeoffice@yahoo.com Telephone in Florida: 386.615.3965 2 Zarja The Dawn Burial Insurance Claim Donors - THANK YOU! Addicott, Anne Marie Bailey, Bernice Prosen Banker, Helen Blowers, Nichola Brandt, Amy DiMatteo, Mary Ehnat, Mary Therese - In Memory Fedran, Theresa Gambino, Katherine Krajewski Ganster, Diana Golf, Mary Lou Gorshe, Margaret Govoni, Donald Greschner, Janelle Hamilton, Elizabeth Humphrey, Jeannine Imhof, Natalie Ann Mlakar Klun, Marie Koci, Micaela Kurjan, Emma Lazar, Ludmila Legerski, Joanne Lehane, Isabel Lehane, Jessica Lehane, Mary Lucas, Lisa Vidergar Luebke, Rose Lyle, Anna Mae - In Memory Marn, Rosemary McNally, Thomas Menchak, Milka Moraski, Terese Morgan, Sandra Mundson, Allison Naudziunas, Sharon Omerza, Mary Paulson, Katherine Anne Perko, Roslyn Petrich, Helena Potla, Roseanne Rigler, Marija Rossi, Rea Helen Schniegenberg, Amanda Selak, Mark Selan, Maryann Shubitz, Genevieve Slaten, Matthew Stanfield, Sylvia Stanley, Jolyn Stout, Denise Susa, Frances Tavcar, Frances Thompson, Kimberly Tschida, Lindsay Tyrell, Karen Urbas, Sophie VanGunten, Patricia Welsh, Cindy Yeray, Emilia Zupancic, Dorothy Podlesnik, Ann - In Memory Please be informed that we the family of Ann Podlesnik are returning your check to be donated to your organization to continue its commitment to Slovenian heritage. Ann passed away on July 31st at the age of 94. Sincerely, Joseph and Maryann Fronczak The following artifacts have been donated to the Slovenian Union of America from the collection of the late Katherine Judnic Spreitzer of Ely, Minnesota. Katherine was the secretary for the Assumption of Blessed Mary KSKJ #202 for 40 years. She was a 32 year member of the Slovenian Women’s Union of America - Branch 23 and was selected to be the Mother of the Year on May 11, 1970. The memorabilia is given by daughter Josephine Spreitzer Pruse and Bernard Pruse. Josephine is a member of Branch 23 - Ely, Minnesota. Album: Bishop Baraga Centennial (Baragova Stoletnica) 1853-1953 78 LP Platters titled: Marija Pomagaj Numerous lapel banners and pins: KSKJ, St. Anthony Society, St. Joseph Society, St. Cirila in Metoda, American Fraternal Union (once located in Ely, MN) Dated: 1894, 1898, 1907 November/December 2013 3 SWU Scholarship Foundation CELEBRATING 64 YEARS OF FINANCIALLY ASSISTING STUDENTS Mission: To generate funding to financially assist students with hope that they will promote and preserve Slovenian culture. SWU SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE For College and Graduate Students Academic year 2014-2015 The Slovenian Women’s Union Scholarship Foundation is offering the following scholarships, to be awarded during April 2014: The Officers and Trustees wish each of you dear readers a blessed Christmas and peaceful New Year! -by Mary Turvey, Scholarship Director ROSE MARIE PRINC SCHOLARSHIP of $4,000 for a Graduate Student majoring in the field of education. Applicant must be of Slovene ancestry. Applications are available online at www.slovenianunion.org - “scholarship” and must be submitted via U.S. postal mail before March 1, 2014. E-mailed materials will not be accepted. For information, questions, and greatly needed contributions, please contact: Mary Turvey, mturvey@aol.com 4 Lawrence Drive, Marquette, Michigan, 49855 or Marge Church, yemec1@windstream.net 1028 Skyland Drive, Macedonia, Ohio, 44056 SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION SCHOLARSHIPS of $2,000 and $1,000 will be offered to High School Seniors and College Students, majoring in any field and attending accredited colleges or universities during the 2014-2015 academic year. Students applying for these awards must have held membership in the Slovenian Union of America for the past three years, beginning before March 1, 2011. Application forms are available online at www.slovenianunion.org - “scholarship” and must be submitted via U.S. postal mail before March 1, 2014. Emailed materials will not be accepted. ALBERT J. JELINEK (1939-2013) of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin A long-term SUA member and more recent Scholarship Evaluation Committee member of the Slovenian Women’s Union Scholarship Foundation has passed into his new life. Al was a dedicated biology teacher in the Pulaski High School System in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for 33 years and had a wonderful influence on his students as they continued to pursue their educational goals. 4 Tam u {talci na ni {kalci ena svetla lu~ gori. Tam Marija si povija lepo Dete Jesuza. (stara bo`i~na kolednica) Zarja The Dawn Secondary Education Has Innovative Academics Trinity High School, Garfield Heights, Ohio by Marjorie Yemec Church, VP-Treasurer, SWU Scholarship Foundation With my association in SWU’s Scholarship Program, one becomes a little more familiar with the tribulations young adults in high school wrangle with in aspiring to enter college, hopefully with some knowledge of their career choice. An opportunity to determine a choice of a career is not always known, and if known, it doesn’t always seem economically affordable. There can be a lot of confusion and apprehension. This is mostly due to how economic changes have evolved in recent years, whereby parochial or private schools have exceeded the limit of comfort for families to pay high or continually growing tuition costs, which have increased so extensively that consideration of parochial/private education is set aside. From the location where I write, several Catholic high schools have closed through the years due to lack of the ability of self- funding or support from their communities. Some Catholic high schools have merged. In addition to my involvement with the SWU Scholarship Foundation, I am also associated with my former high school teaching nuns, the Sisters of St. Joseph, Third Order of St. Francis. From 1950 to 1954, I attended Marymount High School in Garfield Heights, Ohio, an inner suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. Sr. Joan of Arc, SSJ, TOSF, was a classmate of mine, and served as Spiritual Director to Branch 42 - Maple Heights, Ohio. With her position of employment at Trinity High School, she introduced me to an extremely innovative program, which follows. Marymount formerly was known as St. Joseph Academy, a school for girls. In 1939, the school’s name was changed to Marymount High School to avoid confusion with St. Joseph Academy in Cleveland. In 1954, a steadily increasing enrollment led to the need for a new high school building, which was located just to the east of the convent. On September 5, 1957, 470 girls began classes at the new Marymount High School facility, which today serves as the main building of Trinity’s 26-acre campus. In 1973, the all-girl Marymount High School closed and re-opened as co-educational Trinity High School. The school enrolled 335 girls and 46 boys and provided them with a collegeprep curriculum. While Dr. Thomas Maher was Executive Principal in 2000, he conceived an idea of providing a realistic approach to secondary education. Over the next eight years, with a focus group of parents and educators, the program was created, developed, and established. Dr. Maher now serves as Director of the Pre-Professional Internship Program. In 2008/09, the high school initiated and offered the internship program in conjunction with the college-prep courses. This new model maintains full co-curricular activities, competitive athletic team, and faith formation November/December 2013 experiences as part of the traditional Catholic high school experience. It has an inclusion of college-prep curriculum along with Advanced Placement courses, internships with greater Cleveland businesses, and tuition assistance. Financial assistance comes from the Corporate Sponsors of the internship program, which reduces and stabilizes students’ tuition. From the greater Cleveland area, Trinity has 80 plus sponsors thereby offering opportunities in many careers, such as politics, health care, hospital management and departments, medical, veterinarian, restaurant, baking, banking, dentistry, elementary and secondary education, theater, communications, sports marketing, manufacturing in various industries, music, botanical, undertaking, charitable foundations, historic districts, property management, law, engineering fields, and museums to name a few. Internship placements become available at the beginning of the school year and student selection takes place at that time. This is the only known type of high school career-based internship program in the United States as of this writing. The ninth grader is slowly introduced to the PreProfessional Internship Program throughout his/her first year. They spend their freshman year preparing for their internship experience by engaging in career exploration, completing interest and skill surveys, and engaging in a workplace readiness class. Towards the end of that year they choose an internship path aligned with their career aspirations. They can select highly specialized internships in medicine, graphics, information management, and system design. They can also choose internships centered on business or the liberal arts. They have many choices and this year they have more Corporate Sponsor openings than interns available; this shows how popular the program is being accepted and utilized by the business community. The program had auspicious beginnings, and results indicate success. A couple more years will validate the growth for future education criteria. In the continuing 10th, 11th, and 12th grades, students spend one day each week at an internship placement aligned to their career path and specific course of study. The school day and year have been lengthened to assure students are in classes long enough to earn a traditional Carnegie unit. 5 (Originally 120 hours per course per year.) Four days of the week courses are set up in 90 minute blocks, two in the morning and two in the afternoon; four courses each day. The fifth day, students spend with their chosen sponsor. At the end of the semester the courses are completed, and the next semester continues with the next four-course study. Every student participates in the internship program. Trinity has a current enrollment of 352 students. In setting up the program, consideration had to be given to transportation to the various locations of internship. Trinity purchased several vans to drive the students to their work site, pick them up at the end of the day, and return them to the school. It takes a great deal of planning, coordination, arrangements, communication, and personnel to implement not only the interns’ schedules but also their transportation. To work effectively for all students, every student spends a day at a job site, i.e. it could be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday! There is constant motion throughout the school day which runs smoothly thanks to the dedicated staff. Let me introduce you to a couple of students, Matthew and Nicholas Reese, who are sophomores and in their first year of internship. They happen to be the great-grandsons of the former President of SUA Branch 42 - Maple Heights, OH, Mildred Lipnos. If Millie was alive today, her buttons would be bursting, and a huge smile on her face to see these boys doing so well. The boys are part of our Slovenian lineage. Nicholas works in patient transport at Marymount Hospital, Garfield Heights, Ohio, and Matthew is an information technology assistant/ Matthew Reese 6 Scholarship Donations $335 Donation Branch 3 - Pueblo, CO, in memory of all their living and deceased members. Twenty-six members representing Branch 3 joined together in donating to the youth of SUA to help them receive financial assistance for education. To those who gave $50, $25, $20, $15, and $10, you gave within the spirit of furthering education among the young. Thank you for your ongoing support all of these years. $100 Donation Virginia Strukel, +Albert J. Jelinek $86 Donation Annette Koncar $79 Donation Lillian Sadowski $60 Donation Marge Church, +her parents, Jacob & Mary Yemec $56 Donation Sandra Farrell, +Edward Kurnick & Edythe Mansel $50 Donation Lynn Kossakoski & Alex Kossaskoski* $36 Donation Joanne Trunkel $25 Donation Margaret Koncar* classroom aide at St. Columbkille School, Parma, Ohio. Students graduating Trinity High School in 2013 received 5.6 million dollars in college scholarships and grants. We, as the Scholarship Award Program for SUA/ SWUA, realize that with the limited resources we have in trying to raise funds for scholarships for college entrance for our young adult membership, Trinity High School created innovative ways to present qualified prospects for the future of American life style by getting assistance from their community to resolve some of the scholarship funds availability. We look to the future of such planners, and programs to help provide our young adults to achieve their lifetime goals. $22 Donation John Koncar* $20 Donation Linda Rusie $10 Donation Branch 1 - Sheboygan, WI, +Joseph Suscha Branch 1 - Sheboygan, WI, +Frank Kotnick *denotes a SWU Scholarship recipient Nicholas Reese Hvala! Hvala! Thank you, kind donors for your support of our scholarship program. Zarja The Dawn Membership Application and Renewal Slovenian Union of America (Formerly known as Slovenian Women’s Union of America) slovenianunion.org sua@slovenianunion.org 815.727.1926 For RENEWALS use form at BOTTOM of this page Adult Dues $25.00 Adult Dues (International Address) $35.00 Junior Dues (Birth to 18) $5.00 If this is a gift and you agree to continue paying for this membership next year, please advise us of billing address: _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Dues are for January through December If you join after August 31 you will not be billed in January of the next calendar year Membership Renewal Notifications are sent annually in January Please print the requested information below and send this application form with a check payable to: Slovenian Union of America, 431 North Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432-1703 Last Name________________________________ First Name_______________________ M___ F_____ Street Address_____________________________ City/State/Zip________________________________ Phone____________________________________ E-Mail______________________________________ Date of Birth_________________ Branch Affiliation Number (if known)/Location_______/______________ Maiden Name______________________________ Do you speak Slovenian? _____________________ Please describe your Slovenian ancestry and provide SLOVENIAN SURNAMES ___________________________________________________________________________________ How did you hear about us? SUA Member___ Newspaper___ Website___ Other_____________________ I would like to volunteer for the SUA. My area of interest or expertise is______________________________ Applicant’s Signature__________________________________________ Date______________________ Tell a Friend! If you wish SUA to send information to a friend or relative, please provide us with their name and address: Name _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL Name ___________________________________________________ Member ID No.__________________ (located on back cover) Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone _________________ E-mail______________________________ Dues Amount______________ Donation_________________ Mail to: SUA/SWUA, 431 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432-1703 November/December 2013 7 Death of a Surname By George Plautz, Zarja Staff Writer A Record of Immigration Slovenian Pioneers to America 1840-1879 The pioneers listed in my columns have settled in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Washington. This establishment and settlement of pioneers occurred in a matter of 35 years. Today, Slovenian descendants can be found in each of the 50 states. 1867-During this year, John (Zumer) Schumer arrived in Brockway Township, Stearns County, Minnesota, from Slovenia. John was born April 26, 1838, near Bled, Slovenia, and died September 28, 1909, in Stearns County, Minnesota. John married Margaret Kozel in Slovenia. Margaret was born July 8, 1839, in Slovenia and died on November 14, 1923, in St. Stephen, Stearns County, Minnesota. John and Margaret had the following children: Mary, born February 1, 1863, in Zgornje Lazi, near Bled, Slovenia, died August 27, 1938, in Benton County, Minnesota, married Killian Casper Thene, born December 1858 in Bavaria, Germany, died July 2, 1928, in Stearns County, they had nine children; Lenka, born September 7, 1864, in Zgornje Lazi, died there about 1866; Jacob, born July 18, 1866, in Zgornje Lazi, married about 1900 in Stearns County, to Mary Seliskar, they had six children; Agnes, born January 4, 1867, in Zgornje Lazi; Johannah, born about 1868 in Brockway Township, Stearns County; John, born May 1870 in Brockway Township, died June 28, 1946, in Minnesota, married Mary Smoley, on January 1, 1901, they had nine children; Margaret, born December 1871, in Brockway Township; Anton, born September 1873, in Brockway Township; Anna, born June 10, 1876, in Brockway Township, married Frank Trobec, born May 1, 1873, in Slovenia, died April 9, 1960, in Benton County, Minnesota, they had nine children; Peter, born June 29, 1877, in Brockway Township, died October 21, 1951, In Stearns County, Minnesota, married June 14, 1910, in St. Stephen R.C. Church, to Agnes Smoley, born December 12, 1887, died on January 7, 1975, they had eight children; and Helen, born November 27, 1879, in Brockway Township, died August 25, 1959, in Stearns County, Minnesota, married John Smoley. John Schumer and Helen Schumer were listed in last month’s column for the Gregor Smole family. SUA Member, Sue Rademacher, provided some details of the Zumer genealogy. 1867-This year is listed in the 1910 U.S. Census for Nick Saitz’s date of immigration. Nick may have come to America to seek work in that year, but he returned to Zaicji vrh in Crnomelj Parish, where he married. Nick was born on December 2, 1845, in Zaicji Vrh house number 5, in Crnomelj Parish, the son of Marcus Saitz and Katharina Verscaj. He married Maria Wertin about 1870, in Crnomelj Parish, the daughter of Joannes Evangelista Wertin and Marija Panjan. Maria was born on November 24, 1838, in Doblice, Crnomelj Parish, Slovenia. Their first son, Joseph, 8 was born on January 14, 1871, in Doblice. By 1874, the family was living in Lincoln, Logan County, Illinois; it was there, John was born in May. Nicholas, born December 6, 1877, followed. The family then moved to Calumet, Houghton County, Michigan, where Nick was a copper miner. Ferdinand was born on September 20, 1879, in Calumet, followed by Peter, born September 19, 1881, in Sweedtown, Houghton County, Michigan. Nick died on April 29, 1921, in Calumet; Maria died on February 12, 1918, in Calumet Township, Houghton County. Joseph Saitz married Kate Bozicevich on January 15, 1910, in Calumet, Houghton County, Michigan, the daughter of Michael Bozicevich and Helen Cazin, she was born about 1883 in Slovenia, and died on June 10, 1959, in Tamarack Works, Houghton County, Michigan. Joseph and Kate had four children. John Saitz married Rose Archer on May 26, 1897, in Houghton County. Rose was born in May 1875 in Massachusetts. Nicholas Saitz married Anna Plautz, on August 31, 1898, in Red Jacket-Calumet Township, Houghton County, Michigan. Nicholas also worked in the Calumet and Hecla copper mine, he died on October 21, 1948, in Calumet, Anna was born February 20, 1877, in Doblice 35, Crnomelj Parish, Slovenia, the daughter of George Plautz (Plavec) and Katharina Movrin, she died on September 20, 1952, in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. She was a member of the Slovenian Women’s Union of America. Nick and Anna had 11 children. Ferdinand Saitz died on January 12, 1960, in Detroit. Peter R. Saitz died on May 15, 1944, in Eloise, Michigan. Nick and his family are buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Calumet, Houghton County, Michigan. Maria Wertin is related to Josef Wertin, mentioned early on in this column. Anna Plautz, was my grand aunt, and I maintain a family history which includes the Saitz family. 1870-During this year Jacob Grayhek (Grahek) arrived in America, settling in Carroll County, Iowa. Jacob was born July 25, 1840, in Slovenia, and died June 5, 1916, in Carroll County, Iowa. He married Ursula Hutter, born November 19, 1851, in Slovenia, and died on April 23, 1910, in Carroll County. Jacob and Ursula had the following children: Agnes, born February 1, 1877, in Iowa, died December 29, 1945, in Santa Clara County, California; Veronica, born October 31, 1877, in Iowa, died August 31, 1961, in Santa Clara County; Frona, born about 1880 in Iowa, no other information is known about her; James, born about 1882 in Iowa, was living in Santa Clara County with his sisters in the 1910 U.S. Census, (he was a farmer in an orchard, but I could not find him thereafter); Anna, born August 31, 1883, in Iowa, died October 24, 1959, in Santa Clara County; and George, born April 21, 1886, in Iowa, died June 1975 in Spokane, Washington. George married Kathryn Ann Herbes, born September 29, 1897, and died September 1977, in Spokane, Washington. The three sisters, Agnes, Anna, and Veronica, died in California, the brother Zarja The Dawn George moved to Washington and he and Kathryn had three children. A nephew, George Grayhek, also moved with three of the sisters and two brothers. He was born in Minnesota, died in Washington. Not sure if he was James’ son or another brother, who died prior to 1910. The family went from the spelling of Grahek in Iowa, to Grayhek in California. 1870-This year is listed in the 1910 U.S. Census for Michael Butala arriving from Slovenia to Minnesota. Michael, born September 15, 1847, in Gric, house number 10, Crnomelj Parish, the son of John Butala and Maria Vidosch, died May 10, 1910, in Richmond, Stearns County, Minnesota. He married Maria Weiss on February 7, 1882, in Richmond, Stearns County, she was born on October 2, 1867, in Eden Lake Township, Stearns County, Minnesota, the daughter of Mathias Weiss and Katharina Derzaj from Crnomelj Parish, and died on August 24, 1950, in Paynesville, Stearns County. Michael and Maria had the following children: Michael, born January 2, 1883, in Munson Township, Stearns County, died May 21, 1883, in Munson Township; Katherine, born January 20, 1885, in Munson Township, died September 1885 in Munson Township; John, born April 12, 1886, in Munson Township, married Mary Hannasch on October 1, 1912, died February 27, 1927, in Sisseton, Roberts County, South Dakota, they had a son, Aloysius; Anna, born September 30, 1888, in Munson Township, married Joseph Harry Kowolkowski, died on January 29, 1941, in Olmstead County, they had two boys; Michael John, born December 29, 1890, in Munson Township, Stearns County, married Anna Mathilda Moser, died February 1, 1953, in Beardsley, Big Stone County, Minnesota, they had three children; Mathias, born June 14, 1893, in Munson Township, married Cecelia (last name unknown), died January 16, 1946, they had a son named Mathias; and Anton, born February 8, 1896, in Munson Township, died on November 15, 1948, in Stearns County. 1874-During this year, twins Mathias and Michael Butala (Buthala), arrive in Clinton County, Iowa. Their father, mother, sister, and brothers immigrated to Iowa in following years. Joseph Butala (Buthala) was born on March 18, 1818, in Gric (Gritsch) house number 10, Crnomelj Parish, Slovenia, to John Butala and Maria Majerle. He married Catharina Saitz (Seitz) on February 26, 1840, in Crnomelj Parish. Catharina was born to Mathias Saitz and Maria Kren on January 1, 1820, in Gorenja Paka, house number 10, Crnomelj Parish, Slovenia. Joseph died on August 20, 1890, in Clinton County, Iowa, and Catharina died on November 20, 1884, in Clinton County, Iowa. They are both buried in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Sugar Creek, Clinton County, Iowa. Joseph and Catharina had seven children in Slovenia: Katharina, born December 9, 1841, in Doljna Paka 5, Crnomelj Parish, Slovenia, died July 28, 1919, in Sugar Creek, Clinton County, Iowa, married John Herwath on February 1, 1945, John was born on February 1, 1845, in Otovec, Crnomelj Parish, to John Horvath and Margaretha Mulik, died February 1, 1907, in Sugar Creek, John and Katharina had a son named John; Joseph Butala was born on September 5, 1845, in Gorenja Paka, house number 10, Crnomelj Parish, Slovenia, died on July 23, 1934, in Clinton County, Iowa; John, born March 12, 1849, in Dolnja Paka, house number 5, died about 1906, in Clinton County, Iowa; Jacob, born July 23, 1852, in Dolnja Paka, house number November/December 2013 5, died March 21, 1942, in Clinton County, Iowa; Mathias, born June 28, 1855, in Dolnja Paka 5, Crnomelj Parish, died on February 18, 1904, in Emmett, Union County, South Dakota, married Mary Elizabeth Gard, on January 15, 1883, in Iowa, daughter of William Gard and Maria Roth, Mary was born on June 6, 1862, in Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa, died on March 21, 1946, in Emmett, Union County, Iowa, they had nine children; Michael, born June 28, 1855, in Dolnja Paka, house number 5, Crnomelj Parish, married Barbara Tezak, the daughter of George Tezak and Barbara (last name unknown), born about 1865, died about 1905 in Clinton County, Iowa, they had one child; and Frank, born on July 21, 1859, in Dolnja Paka, house number 5, Crnomelj Parish, died on January 3, 1935, in Beresford, Union County, South Dakota, married Anna Gard, on February 1, 1886, in Clinton County, Iowa, the daughter of William Gard and Maria Roth, born October 11, 1866, in Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa, died on September 17, 1950, in Beresford, Union County, South Dakota, they had three children. June 10, 1875-On this date, Maria Roschitsch and her three children arrive in New York, leaving from Hamburg, Germany. Her husband, Michael Rozic, may have arrived before hand to locate a home in Iowa. Michael Rozic, born about 1845 in Slovenia, the son of Michael Rozic and Katharina Bahor, married Maria Movrin, the daughter of Mathias Movrin and Ursula Mische on February 7, 1869, in Crnomelj Parish. Michael is listed as living in Golek house number 5, Dragatus Parish, and Maria is listed as living in Doblice house number 22, in Crnomelj Parish. They have three children in Golek: Michael, born 1870, John, born 1871, and Maria, born 1874. After arrival in Iowa they have the following children: Joseph, Margaret, Peter, and Matthew. Nothing else is known about this family. 1875-During this year, John Messerich, arrived in Clinton County, Iowa. John was born June 25, 1848, in Crnomelj house number 82, Crnomelj Parish, Slovenia, son of Josef Messaric and Katharina Strauss. John married Appolonia Maurin on February 24, 1868, in Crnomelj Parish, Slovenia. Appolonia was born in Loka house number 8, Crnomelj Parish, the daughter of George Movrin and Anna Loser. Joseph died about 1881 in Sugar Creek, Clinton County, Iowa. John and Appolonia had the following children: Mary, born November 1868 in Crnomelj Parish, died about 1936 and buried in St. Josephs Cemetery, Sugar Creek, married Martin Jackolovitch, they had three children; John, born June 3, 1877, in Springbrook, Jackson County, Iowa, died July 1933 in Sugar Creek, married Carrie Yourger, they had five children; and, Joseph Henry, born July 13, 1879, in Sugar Creek, died April 19, 1946, in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, married Anna Pluth, on November 24, 1902, in Sugar Creek, Anna was born November 28, 1884, in Sugar Creek, died December 30, 1963, in Grey Eagle, Todd County, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Martin Edward Pluth and Maria Peschel, Joseph and Anna had four children. This family was also listed in a column for Apolonia Maurin, Andrew Peschel, and Martin Tezak. To contact me by mail: George Plautz 1307 Dragon Head Drive, Valrico, FL 33594 or by e-mail at doblice@gmail.com 9 o t e m i T s t ’ t a I h T a r k l a e o H rrel P a B ! r e n i e a B g A By David Sodac, Branch 89 - Oglesby, Illinois D ad always stored his three melodic accordions on the top shelf of a bedroom storage cabinet, out of reach of the fingers of any curious, exploring, young children. Two of them were piano key accordions and one was the old button squeeze box. They just rested, and waited for the three or four times a year when mom would beg dad to play the accordion for us. On those occasions, we would all gather around him, the television would get turned off, and the three accordions would await their cue to liven up the household with their chromatic melodies of Slovenian polkas and waltzes played by the swift moving fingers of my dad. Strains of “Beer Barrel Polka,” “You Are My Sunshine,” “Pennsylvania Polka,” “Hoop Dee-Doo,” “Come Back,” and mom’s favorite, the “Blue Skirt Waltz,” were his standards. On special occasions, dad would accompany his playing of the accordion with his mouth harmonica. During these accordion “jam sessions” it would be the happiest and most spirited my father would be that I could ever recall, other than our yearly two-week fishing 10 vacations up in a low-rent cabin on Birchwood Lake in Wisconsin. My dad’s accordion playing made the household come alive with singing, dancing, laughter, and the sharing of old memories from yesteryear. After my parents Matt Sodac with his Accordion. both had died, and the house was placed on the market and sold, we priced the two piano key accordions as quick-sale items at bargain-basement prices at a garage sale. The button box I couldn’t part with though; just too many fond memories associated with her musical past. Zarja The Dawn Each of dad’s accordions had their own story to tell, but the oldest and his favorite of the three was his first accordion, the button-box. She was a vintage, early 1930s, single row, diatonic, Hohner button model. It had only four bass buttons on the box, ten treble buttons, and wood-scrolled grills, backed by deteriorated netting. I don’t recall how or when dad first obtained that button box. This elderly “old girl” had seen her playing days though. All of the bellows’ edges had been taped with sections cut from band aid strips, to assure that the air remained within them rather than escaping before they were all squeezed. The mahogany-finished, wood box was gouged and scratched and had a few of the pearl button caps missing. She was also my favorite, as it was with dad’s strained patience and my short-term attention span that he attempted to teach me to play. It was a small box and easily held by a young person. I just never mastered the skill of turning my squeezing of the bellows and fingering of the buttons into making the emitting sounds orchestrate into a recognizable song. distance of approximately four miles one way. Dad never mentioned if he played any of his accordion songs enroute or not, but the relationship blossomed after that night. Knowing how to win a woman over, dad maximized the allure of his accordion on a few of those dates. Mom always kept a photo of dad playing his accordion on the front porch steps of her family’s home. She handwrote at the bottom of the picture the words, “Oh Marie .” “Oh Marie” was a jazzy, love song written by Eduardo Di Capua and sung by the recording artist, Louis Prima. It was featured in a popular 1935 romantic comedy called “I Live for Love” and also was used in the 1936 movie, “Ladies in Love.” Dad obviously knew how to choose his songs to help create just the right mood; eventually they married. Growing up in the 50s and 60s, dad’s accordion playing struck a chord with my older brother, Allen, who was absolutely spellbound by the music coming from dad’s accordion. Allen was brain-injured at birth and the head trauma significantly impacted all of his functions, including motor, verbal, and intellectual. Allen was never enrolled in any special education programs as they weren’t offered for children like my brother in the schools in those years. My parents, without question, refused to ever consider placing him in any kind of institutional setting which was commonplace at the time. Instead, he was devotedly cared for at home by my parents, with the bulk of the responsibilities assumed by my doting mother. Dad’s accordion playing always enthralled my brother; he would buoyantly become alert, rocking back and forth, and make sing-song sounds along with the music. He would always edge himself right in front of dad’s playing. Allen’s reaction to dad’s music playing brought a smile to all of our faces and encouragement to my father to play more. During the 1930s my dad had the opportunity to play in several polka bands around the LaSalle County, Illinois, area. He never had any lessons; he just learned to play by ear and experience. The bands were all pretty amateur, but provided entertaining evenings for young singles and couples for dancing and mingling to help endure some of those austere Depression days. A young Marie Banko met my father at one of those dances where he was playing. She arrived at the dance in Peru, Illinois, with several of her girlfriends from the neighboring town of Oglesby, Illinois. As the band played on into the evening, her friends were leaving one by one with offered car rides back home. She chose to turn down offers of rides, to wait and talk with the accordion player, Matt Sodac. When his music set was finished and the dance was just about over, he was free to sit and talk with the girl waiting for him. Dad didn’t have a car, but being the polite gentleman, he consequently walked my mother to her sister’s home in Oglesby, Illinois, a Matt Sodac courting Marie Banko 1937. November/December 2013 Recently, my wife and I were on a cleaning binge and clearing out stuff we hadn’t used in the past 25 years or so. Resting on the top shelf of my clothes closet was dad’s timeworn Hohner button box accordion. After dusting it off and realizing what a forlorn condition she was in, I decided it was time to consider finding a new home for her. The old girl was in pretty bad shape and I was sure she wouldn’t be worth anything but fond 11 memories to me and useless to anybody else. I took her to a local music instrument repair shop to get an idea of how old she actually might be. The owner handled her carefully, expertly disassembling her wooden grids and looking inside the box to check for any manufacturing date - nothing was there to suggest her age. He suggested that I search online for any photos of old accordions and that might give me an indication as to when she was manufactured. The repairman also pointed out the two gold, stamped seals on either side of the Hohner brand name. He thought that those seals might give me a clue as to when the button box was made. This elderly, worn-out instrument will just have to remain in safekeeping back on my closet shelf, with her melodious sounds silenced, remaining a far-distant, but warm, memory of my growing-up years. I’m looking for a more respectable way to store her though; maybe I’ll start searching for a vintage accordion storage case. Someday, one of my children will have to deal with the ethical dilemma of what to do with grandpa’s old dusty accordion and wonder why their dad didn’t get rid of her years ago. Perhaps I’ll insert a copy of this story in the storage box with her; it might help provoke some feelings of guilt, should their decision be to get rid of her! Their grandfather’s vintage squeeze box, held With the proper lighting together with strips of band and the use of a large aides, can be just another hand-held magnifying family heirloom “gem” glass, I could recognize the added to their inherited wording printed on the eclectic collection of odds gold seals. The seal to the and ends. Now, their greatright of the logo read grandfather’s alleged gold “Panama Pacific and dented pocket watch, International Exposition * engraved with the San Francisco * monogramed initials of an MCMXV * Divine unknown gambler who bet Distinction Award.” This against grandpa and lost, was a representation of the can have a companion piece gold, coin medallion of family memories resting awarded to the Hohner with it on a storage shelf. To accordion product that tell you the truth, I hope one was showcased at the of dad’s descendants will 1915 International learn the art of playing that Exposition held in San accordion and release the Francisco. At that same lively melodies of “Beer David with his dad Matt Sodac in 1955. exposition, the “machine Barrel Polka” to be enjoyed to supercede the pen” by all once again. the Remington typewriter, as well as the “talking machine” - the Sonora Phonograph, were also introduced. The gold “Roll out the barrel seal to the right of the Hohner logo represented the We’ll have a barrel of fun International Exposition of Music held in Philadelphia in 1926. Hohner instruments were awarded the highest Roll out the barrel award at that Exposition - the Grand Prix medal. All this fascinating information only suggested that dad’s accordion We’ve got the blues on the run was made after 1926. Since I had old photos of dad with this accordion from around 1935-36, the accordion most likely was hand-made in Germany between 1926-36. On Zing boom tararrel EBay posts, listed are hundreds of vintage accordions, Sing out a song of good cheer and eventually I did locate an identical match posted for sale on line. It was unfortunately listed as a “1900s vintage” Now’s the time to roll the barrel Hohner accordion made in Germany. Well, I already knew ‘Cause the gang’s all here!” that! 12 Zarja The Dawn Annual White Iron Bocce Tourney Visited by Slovenian Dignitaries Winners: Team Hodnik (left to right) Al Hodnik (Aurora-Hermantown, MN), Karen Medved (Roseville, MN), Willy Ferkul (Gilbert, MN), and Nuška Zakrajšek (Washington D.C. - Slovenia). O n Saturday, August 2, 2013, the annual White Iron Bocce Ball Tourney was held at the Albin and Albina Medved lake home on White Iron Lake. It is jointly hosted by the Medved’s and Al and Erika Hodnik (Albina’s niece) from Aurora and Hermantown, and has been an annual gathering for the past few years for family and friends. This year was extra special since Nuška Zakrajšek, from the Slovenian Embassy’s Culture and Public Diplomacy department, came as an honored guest of the “Slovenian Strudel Sisters.” Albina, and her sisters, Paula, Nadi, and Rosie, were demonstrating strudel-making at the Embassy, on May 11, as part of the European Union’s Open House. Nuška was naturally homesick, and the sisters thought she might accept an invitation to Minnesota for the bocce ball tournament. Without hesitation, Nuška booked her flight the following week. The sisters thought the trip to Minnesota would be a wonderful experience for her to enjoy the Bajda and Medved families’ love of their Slovenian heritage. She was not disappointed. November/December 2013 Nadi volunteered to greet Nuška at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport and host her at her home for a few days before traveling to Ely. Nadi and Nuška were able to do some shopping before making the five hour trip from the Twin Cities. Nuška enjoyed the trip north, but was not sure where she was going. Nadi provided her with a map which was quite helpful. Once they arrived at White Iron Lake, they were greeted by Albina and Al and also Al’s brother, Miro. Nuška knows Miro, since he was recently appointed Honorary Consul to Slovenia. The tournament began at 11:00 a.m. with 10 teams of 4 individuals. The teams played a double elimination tournament. After seven hours of tournament play, the final two teams played for the championship. Team Hodnik and Team Bajda showed their talent throughout the match. Both teams played exceptionally well, but Team Hodnik edged out Team Bajda for the victory. 13 After the tourney, a wonderful meal was enjoyed by all the teams and also an evening of Slovenian singing was enjoyed by all. Nuška especially enjoyed the wonderful singing, since she had been in a singing group back in Slovenia. All were entertained by her wonderful voice and her harmonizing with Miro and Al Medved. Accordian music was provided by Bernie Barich, Doc Udovich, Adolf Levar, Karen Medved, and Marty Mavec. The following Monday, the sisters took Nuška on an adventure into the BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness). Albina made arrangements for a day canoe trip thanks to Doc Udovich and his son, Frank. They made their way to Kawishiwi Lodge on Lake One. Frank and his friendly staff set up the group with all the equipment and canoes needed for the day of fun. Nuška seemed a natural as she learned the techniques of canoeing. After a couple of hours of canoeing, the group stopped and made peanut butter sandwiches near Pogami Creek. They were the best sandwiches ever, since they had really worked up an appetite. They returned to the lodge several hours later, proud of their map-reading skills and canoeing talent. Nadi, Rosie, Nuška, Bina, and Patti. The Bajda Strudel Sisters hope Nuška will return annually to their “little Slovenia” in Ely, Minnesota. Runners up: Team Bajda (left to right) Stanley Ferkul (Biwabik, MN), Toni Bajda (Half Moon Bay, CA), Mike Mavec (Joliet, IL), and Nadi Bajda (Eden Prairie, MN). 14 Zarja The Dawn The Bajda Strudel Sisters All four sisters belong to the Slovenian Union of America, known for promoting the Slovenian Culture and Heritage here in the U.S. Left to right: Rosie Anttila from Branch 35 - Aurora, Minnesota, Nadi Bajda from Branch 109 - Twin Cities, Minnesota, Paula Mavec from Branch 99 - Lemont, Illinois, and Bina Medved from Branch 23 - Ely, Minnesota. Side Note: offered Marty a playing gig for the afternoon, which Albina’s great-nephews, Marty and Mike Mavec, he enthusiastically accepted. traveled from Joliet, Illinois, for the bocce ball tourney. It was a win-win for both! Marty plays the button accordion and was asked to play live on air by Ron Forsman, of WELY’s “End of the Road Radio” weekly polka program. While Marty was on the air, the owner of D’s bar was traveling to Duluth to pick up a substitute accordion player for Saturday, but when he heard Marty, he turned around and went to the radio station. When he arrived, he November/December 2013 15 It was prior to Slovenia becoming a nation, the early days of internet browsing/e-mail. I had clicked on a site “Slovenians Living Abroad.” One caught my eye; Ania Zivortnik, Iceland, with an e-mail address. It would become the first of many e-mails I was to send outside the USA. Dear Anica, A question for you. What is a Slovenian doing, living in Iceland? Anica (Nusa) and I kept in touch for the next 23 years. In April 2013 we met for the first time in Portoroz, Slovenia. - Mary Lou Deyak Voelk Nusa’s Journey Life in Iceland 1989-2005 It was 1989; I was 22 years old and without a job. The situation in Slovenia was bleak; the foreseeable future showed no promise. I had no choice; I needed to look beyond the borders of Yugoslavia/Slovenia and Europe. I arrived in Iceland in 1989, just prior to the breakup of Yugoslavia. Friends: Nusa and Mary Lou 16 Zarja The Dawn To obtain a work permit in Iceland one needed good work ethics. I became an expatriate, (Latin, ex “out of” and patria “fatherland or country”) a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of my upbringing. My life’s goal was to own an eating establishment, but realistically, that dream needed to be put on hold; I needed a job! My first endeavor in Iceland was an au-pair position. Next was employment in a fish factory, working in all the steps of fish production - gutting, cleaning, cutting, and freezing. I found my niche when hired at the Italian restaurant, Italia, starting as a dishwasher, and soon moving up to assistant cook and then cook. My final job move was to Caruso, an establishment that continues to be a top-rated Reykjavik restaurant. During those 15 years, there were other changes besides jobs. I became fluent in Old Norse, the official language of Iceland, and I gained Icelandic citizenship. I met Valter Sker, another Slovenian expatriate, who also shared my dream of opening a restaurant. When our son, Sean, was born in 2005, I gave up the long working hours to care for him and began to pack our belongings. February 2005 was moving time. Valter, infant Sean, and I returned to Slovenia, settling in the beautiful city of Piran. My mother also made a move, from Loska dolina to Lucija, a settlement in the Municipality of Piran. We now all live in the Littoral region, situated on the shore of the sea. My mother is now away from the cold winter temperatures. In October 2005, six months after our return, we opened “Prego,” our restaurant in Portoro` (city of roses), a coastal settlement in the Municipality of Piran. Situated on the Adriatic Sea, it is one of the country’s largest tourist areas. Prego has a commanding scenic view. On clear evenings, the sunset over the Adriatic is a mesmerizing scene, with the coast of Croatia off to the left and Piran to the right. Sunset at Prego about the size of Kentucky with a population like that of Cincinnati, Ohio. News gets around quickly; adding that the cook is an expatriate and a new citizen makes it all the more newsworthy. During these 15 years I was able to meet Icelanders from all walks of life and visitors from around the world. Perhaps I helped put Slovenia on the map; a grand place to visit, with food so exceptional? Friends and notoriety from Iceland have dined at Prego, notably, former President, Vigdis Finnbogadottir, the 4th President of the Republic of Iceland. She served four terms (1980-1996), and ran three of the four terms unopposed. Vigdis was the first woman in the world to be elected in a national election. Also served at Prego, was the former Prime Minister of Iceland, Halldor Asgrimsson. Today Asgrimsson serves as the Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, a union between Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Their photographs hang proudly in Prego. The Prego menu appears in five different languages, Slovenian, English, German, Old Norse, and Italian. Despite the differences in languages, {truklji is strictly a Slovenian word. There is no other way to say it, even in Old Norse! Restaurants require long hours; owning a restaurant requires even A rare winter scene, 2013; the snow covered olive trees. Each year Valter and longer hours. The heavy tourist season, the Nusa harvest and pickle the olives for conferences, and conventions, while their own use! - Photo by Sean always welcomed, go on for days and weeks. To keep a semblance of family, The public is a keen evaluator of food techniques, recipe Valter, Sean, and I have a table at Prego. It is our table appeal, and presentation. And restaurants, like people, away from home, a space where we eat our meals together, gather reputations. Iceland is a small island, proportionately, without interruption. It is our family time. November/December 2013 17 In October 2012, we made our first return trip to Iceland, the place of Sean’s birth. Sean was now of age whereby he could fully understand where he fits into our family’s journey through life. So much to see; smoking volcanoes, the roaring waterfall (Golden Falls), glaciers, steaming geysers, the land of fire and ice. A great vacation. Wonderful to see old friends and the beauty of the country, but so good to be back home in Slovenia. Did you know that the namesake for all the world’s geysers is Iceland’s Great Geysir that erupted in the 14th Century? Icelanders are proud of the copyrighted word “ geysir” whose roots translate from the Old Norse word “geysa” meaning to gush or rush forth. Another piece of information you must know about, geyser is an eponym, meaning to give a name to everything of its type. That includes Old Faithful Geyser! In April 2013, Mary Lou and I met for the first time. Sharing photos and news over the years kept us in touch, but sitting across the table over a cup of coffee was reality. In February 2014, we are planning a trip to Disney World. We hear it is about a day’s drive to Alabama! Here is hoping to meet you in Portoro`! Every family has a journey, Bon Appetit! Check out the on-line menu, Prego Every heritage has a journey, restavracija, malo drugace site: http://www.prego.si/ Each country has a journey. Valter and Sean both have a pizza named after them. These three comprise the human need for roots...... For a satisfying lunch, try the delicious seafood soup And we can only find them by living our legacy. with bread! Nusa also serves a great disgestif! Sean at Prego 18 Zarja The Dawn Calendar of Events SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2013 Branch 93 - New York City, New York to host Martinovanje at St. Cyril’s after Mass. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2013 Branch 3 - Pueblo, Colorado to host their annual Christmas Luncheon. Contact Annette at amtcharron@yahoo.com for more information. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2013 Branch 55 - Girard, Ohio to host the annual Holiday Party with members from AMLA Lodge 42 at 5:30 p.m. Call Maria Selak at 330.539.5893. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2013 Branch 47 - Garfield Heights, Ohio to host Christmas Luncheon at the Valley View Community Center at 12:30 p.m. Please call Debbie at 330.467.2281 (home) to RSVP. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2013 Branch 100 - Southern California to host their annual Christmas Luncheon at 12:00 p.m. at Napoli’s Italian Restaurant in Loma Lida. Contact Jean Koci at ajkoci@cox.net. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2013 Branch 99 - Lemont, Illinois to host their annual Cookie Sale from 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. in the Slovenian Catholic Center lobby. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2013 Branch 2 - Chicago, Illinois to host Christmas Dinner at Ignatz Restaurant at 2:00 p.m. Call Daisy at 630.325.3965 or Judy at 708.479.2864 to reserve your spot. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2013 Branch 43 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin to host a New Year’s Eve Party and celebration of Spravanje (Reconciliation) and Silvestrovanje (St. Sylvester’s Day) from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Wisconsin Athletic Club on Highway 100 just north of West Lincoln Avenue. Contact Jan Gehm at 414.321.1413 for reservations. SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2014 Branch 43 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin to host their annual Christmas Luncheon. Contact Jan Gehm at 414.321.1413 for details. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014 Branch 100 - Southern California to host the Slowind Quintet from Ljubljana at St. Timothy’s Church in Laguna Niguel. Contact Jean Koci at ajkoci@cox.net for more information. November/December 2013 WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED? Looking for volunteers who love their heritage. We need help in our Museum in Joliet, Illinois, with scanning, sorting, cleaning, and creating exhibits. WANTED Heritage Museum Director Membership Director Heritage Museum Librarian Museum Window Dressers Heritage Museum Cleaners Zarja - The Dawn Writers 19 Ivanka Matic Tribute to a Long Time Member by Patricia Budzilek Many of our Slovenian women have worked very hard all their lives to promote their Slovenian heritage but have preferred to remain in the background. Ivanka Matic is one of these remarkable ladies and few people even know her name! For the past 15 years she has been President of the St. Vitus Altar Society, and in the past was President of the St. Vitus Mother’s Club, where she led them through some very active years. For at least 12 years, trips organized by Ivanka went to the Shrine at Lemont, Illinois, and she led 11 tours to various locations where Bishop Baraga Days were held. Ivanka was born in Slovenia in Stojanski vrh, Dolenjska, into a family of 12 children, seven boys and five girls. She was the 10th child and the only one still living today. It was a poor, but happy, family full of laughter with never a dull moment. In order to attend school she had to walk one hour each way. Life changed terribly when the war started in April, 1941. Her family had anticipated problems and part of the family left for Italy with the rest expected to follow soon after. But they did not leave soon enough, as German soldiers came to their village and ordered the family to be ready in two hours to leave with them. They were to leave everything behind and had no idea where they were going or why. Then they were put with many other families on a closed train, with no windows and only straw on the floor, for a trip to a concentration camp in Germany at Wurtenberg Kr. Ravensburg. Eventually most of the other families in the village were also ordered to the camps. They were not political or religious prisoners, but people captured to take the place of the German men, most of whom were in the military, and who had families that needed workers. Many times there was very little food; a boiled potato with water that they called soup or a small scrap of bread was considered a feast! The young Ivanka was sometimes so hungry that she imagined bread, and even reached out for it! One day when there was no school, the Langerfurher saw Ivanka playing homemade cards with her friends, which she should not have been doing. He took her aside and surprisingly offered her a job! He showed her the house where she was to work, where a man lived who had called the Slovenians “gypsies.” Her mother feared that it would not be a good place for her. Ivanka was told that there was a little girl there who needed to be watched, so she consulted further with her mother and hesitatingly agreed to try this job. The next day she was taken to a house in a meadow where she met a beautiful little girl, Klara, with whom she made friends instantly. Frida, the lady of the house, gave her milk and delicious bread 20 to eat for breakfast. Ivanka then started working for the family of seven during the day, and in the evening did school work to keep up. There were also two deaf-mute sisters living in the house and she had to learn sign language along with German. Ivanka was given more work to do than just watch Klara. She was taught to cook and make bread, and milked 10 cows daily. Eventually she was asked to remain overnight and with her mother’s approval, and a promise to keep up with her school work, she was permitted to do so. On one occasion Frida asked Ivanka to call her “mother,” but Ivanka refused and told Frida that she already had a mother whom she loved very much. She remained with the family for three years; she had been treated like a family member and she and Klara were like sisters. When the war ended and it was time to go back to Slovenia, Frida and Klara were there to see her off, crying, as they did not want to let her go. They kept in contact for many years after. Things did improve some and when the war ended after their four years in the Zarja The Dawn camp, they were shipped back home to Slovenia on a train similar to the one they were on when they left the country. They were very disappointed when they returned to their village because their house lacked most of its furnishings, as it had been occupied while they were away in the camp and items had been scattered throughout the village. Family members went looking for pieces and brought back those they found. The house is still standing today, needing many repairs, but the government will not allow these repairs to be made because the building is considered to be of historical value. Ivanka left home to take a Singer sewing course in Zagreb, where she later married her husband, George, in St. needed to hold a book right up to her nose to be able to read. Thanks to the grace of God, her eyesight slowly improved and after a few years returned to normal. Ivanka worked as a “butcherette” for 17 years at Rudy’s Meats, and then at Allen-Bradley, where she assembled computer boards. After that she was “grandma” for 20 years to a doctor’s two children; she raised them from the time they were infants. She has been a widow for over 16 years and is now retired and living in Euclid. Ivanka speaks five languages - Slovenian, English, Serbian, Croatian, and German. A member of SUA’s Branch 50 - Euclid, OH, since December 21, 1964, Ivanka joined when the President was Frances Sietz, and her membership was recorded by Antonia Turek. Her daughter, Vesna, has been a member since 1981 when Ann Tercek was President. In 1971, Ivanka was honored for all her work with the St. Vitus Mother’s Club by a proclamation signed by Cleveland Mayor Ralph Perk. In 2010 she was the Bishop Baraga Woman of the Year, and in 2011 was the Woman of the Year at St. Vitus. Ivanka has a strong Catholic faith. This remarkable lady is very active in Branch 50 and was their Member of the Year in 2007. Mark’s Church in 1950. In 1956, through the help of St. Ivanka is still working quietly behind the scenes, and Sava’s Serbian Orthodox Church, they came to always can be counted on to bring delicious treats to the Cleveland, Ohio, where they stayed with a Serbian family meetings. for about a month, and then moved to the St. Vitus area where relatives lived. Ivanka is the mother of two children, Tribute to Long Time Members both born in Cleveland; Vesna, now in Arizona, and George in Texas. Both children have college degrees and Note: Please notify me if you would like to suggest Vesna spent four years studying in Slovenia. Ivanka has a SUA/SWUA member to be profiled in this feature. two grandsons. One grandson has a degree in graphic Remember - they must have been active for many arts, and the other is studying medicine and will become years, and are probably in their 80s. a doctor in 2015, possessing three degrees. Late 1930s in Slovenia - Ivanka is the little girl standing to the right of her father. As a young woman, Ivanka began to lose her eyesight to the extent that she could no longer see in the distance and November/December 2013 My e-mail is pbudzilek@oh.rr.com. 21 Old Country Memories: The Art of Albin Zaverl The St. Louis County Historical Society hosted a traveling exhibit, Old Country Memories: The Art of Albin Zaverl, at the SUA cultural heritage event, “A Salute: Slovenian Cultural Expressions,” that was held in Ely, Minnesota, in July. 22 Zarja The Dawn Old Country Memories: The Art of Albin Zaverl included 15 paintings from the prolific artist’s collection. Albin Zaverl was born in Ely, Minnesota, and has resided in Virginia, Minnesota, since 1947. His home is filled with his paintings, many of them done in bright acrylics, muted pastels, and watercolors. Lakes in Slovenia and other Slovenian themes predominate; Lake Superior and its ships, children, fishermen, his parents in their youth, and American Indians are also included in his collection. What these works all share is a realistic style. They also are all the products of the artist’s pure creative interest in whatever subjects have caught his imagination. Zaverl has produced paintings on commission, but most of his collection is the result of his sheer love of painting. He studied at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts prior to World War II, in which he served as a medic in the Army Air Corps. After the war, Zaverl worked at W. A. Fisher Printing Company in Virginia as an artist, designer, and lithographer, during a 43 year career. Old Country Memories offers a window to the recollections of one of the Iron Range’s earliest pioneer groups, the Yugoslavian immigrants, such as Albin Zaverl’s parents. His father, John Zaverl, was born June 16, 1980, in Cerklje pri Kranju, Austria (now Slovenia), to Anton Zaverl and Mary Pogacher. John arrived in the United States on February 12, 1910, and came to Ely, where his brother, Frank, and family lived. John worked at the Sibley iron ore mine until 1923, when he became a custodian of November/December 2013 the Savoy school; moving to a position in 1938 to work at the Industrial school until his retirement. He greatly appreciated becoming an American citizen on July 11, 1922, as did his wife, Jozefa Josephine Pechnik Zaverl, who was born March 19, 1894, in Zapuze St. Vid Ljublanja, Austria (now Slovenia), to Frank Pechnik and Mary Tershen. Jozefa immigrated to the U.S. in 1913, with help from her oldest brother, who was already in the U.S. and provided passage for her, along with two of her sisters and one other brother. On January 18, 1914, John and Jozefa were married by Rev. Father Buh, a well-respected priest of that era. The couple’s first child died at birth; three sons and one daughter were born to them subsequently. They were early pioneers of Ely, and their daughter, Josephine Grahek, Albin Zaverl’s sister, remembers that she, Albin, and their 23 On the Front Cover: From the Collection Old Country Memories siblings can look back at hard-working parents who provided a fine family life and memories for them and their own children. John passed away in 1968, followed by Jozefa in 1974. In addition to his parents’ stories, Zaverl also drew creatively from the trips he made to Europe, one with his mother and wife in 1975. The St. Louis County Historical Society of Duluth, Minnesota, aligning with the Slovenian Union of America, announces the upcoming art exhibit, Old Country Memories, by Albin Zaverl, to be held at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Washington, D.C. on May 14, 2014. Albin resides in Virginia, Minnesota. He is a member of Branch 35 Aurora, Minnesota. More information will be forthcoming in upcoming issues of Zarja in 2014. (Editor’s Note: Albin Zaverl’s sister, Josephine “Dolly” Grahek, will be featured in the January/ February issue of Zarja - The Dawn. She has also been very actively producing beautiful, intricately patterned crochet work throughout her own lifetime in Ely.) Zaverl is currently offering limited edition prints of his work Lake Bled (Slovenia) for sale at and after the Festival. Please see below for details about the print and on how to order. 24 Zarja The Dawn Slovenian Union of America Branch Reports BRANCH 1 - Sheboygan, Wisconsin Contact Information: Mary Ann Schellinger 920.457.7946 rhmas@yahoo.com On July 14th, S.S. Cyril and Methodius Church (our Slovenian parish) held their annual church picnic at Deland Park on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. The day was sunny and warm. MANY members from our Branch were working at the picnic, but also found time to grab a Tom and Aggie Gruenke Karen Medinger - with the raffle baskets. few minutes to enjoy the festivities. The day started with an outdoor polka Mass celebrated by Fr. Paul Fliss. Hundreds of people joined the celebration. Food stands, games, silent auction, raffles, and of course music and dancing were throughout the day. This year we served a Slovenian potato salad, cabbage and dumplings, along with various meats (225 pounds of brats, 140 pounds of hamburgers, 140 pounds of kranskys, and more). But, what is a Slovenian celebration if it were not for the sweets? The potica (50 loaves), strudel, cakes, and cookies were sold out by 1:30 p.m. The picnic was a huge success! August 18th found the Branch members attending a breakfast brunch at Al & Al’s Restaurant - good food and good company. Information was shared about the Wisconsin Regional Convention being held in Sheboygan on October 27, as well as discussion of agendas for the remaining 2013 meetings. November/December 2013 Betty Repenshek, Peggy Laposa, and Mary Ann Schellinger with the Na svedenje bookmark. On August 19th, Mary Ann and I met with Peggy Laposa (Josef’s wife) from Branch 5 - Indianapolis. Peggy was in the Sheboygan area with some friends. After our “Family Festival Slovenia” event, Josef had contacted Mary Ann referencing our article in the Zarja magazine regarding the concentration game that was used at the event. Mary Ann put together another concentration game, some samples of the tissue paper carnations, and the Na svedenje bookmarks that were used at the festival and gave them to Peggy to take back home. Their Branch is planning on using the game at the Indianapolis Sister City Festival in September. BETTY REPENSHEK 25 BRANCH 5 - Indianapolis, Indiana BRANCH 2 - Chicago, Illinois Contact Information: Phyllis phyllisswu5@aol.com Contact Information: Daisy Zeleznikar 630.325.3965 We are sorry to report that we lost three members last Holiday Greetings to all Branch 5 members! Food, family, month. One was our past Vice President, Joe Worth, who and festivities abound this time of year. With the onset of always brought flowers for our meetings. We extend our winter and cooler weather, families tend to stay inside more, condolences to his sister, Ann Worth. Another was Ann enjoying the company of family and friends, and feasting Margaret Kobal Masuelwicz who was a teacher and Girl Scout leader at Saint Stephen’s School. We send our condolences to her family. Also Julia Petrich, a member for 48 years, who is missed by her sons, John and Joe, her daughter, Julia, and their families, and the members of Branch 2. Please remember them all in your prayers and may they rest in peace. In August we helped Fr. Blaze with the Honey Picnic raffle. Our Picnic was a great success with excellent weather, wonderful support from our members, and a fabulous turn out. We hope to match in the coming year the increased crowd we had this year. Please pray for Mary Wright’s recovery. She is now at home following a hospital stay. Our November meeting will be on Sunday, November 17th at Cristo Rey at 1:00 p.m. Please plan to attend. SUA Branch 5 member, Sheryl Loviscek Thorpe, celebrated her 50th All members are invited to our Christmas dinner. birthday with family at the Slovenian National Home picnic grounds. It It will be held at Ignatz Restaurant on December was a beautiful September day, allowing her 94 year old mother, Pauline 15th at 2:00 p.m. Reservations are required for Konechnik Loviscek, to attend the festivities and join in all the fun! this event. Call Daisy at 630.325.3965 or Judy at 708.479.2864 for information and reservation before on hot noodle soup, warm crusty bread, and “winter salad” December 5th. with endive, boiled potatoes, and eggs, tossed with hot Special wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New bacon dressing! Bring on the cold weather! Year and remember our service men and women in your Many of our members help out the Holy Trinity potica prayers with wishes for a speedy return home. bakers at this very busy time of year. Baking poticas is an DAISY all day process, involving many steps, from set-up to cleanup, and then coming back the next day for wrapping and BRANCH 3 - Pueblo, Colorado freezing. As with everything, prices for baking ingredients Contact Information: Annette Sabo Charron keep going up, so please consider a monetary donation to amtcharron@yahoo.com the potica bakers for much needed supplies. Let’s help During the autumn several Slovenian activities took place keep this wonderful Holy Trinity tradition alive! What around Pueblo. The Preseren Glee Club sung at the would Christmas be without potica? Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pueblo in October. The Thank you to everyone who attended our “Koffee and group will also sing at the 3:00 p.m. Mass at St. Mary Krofe” memorial Mass and meeting. Those wonderful Help of Christians Church before the annual Slovenian krofe come from Hilligoss Bakery in Brownsburg, Indiana. dinner in the church hall on Saturday, November 2. Several Mike Hilligoss is always ready to bake up a special batch members of Branch 3 are active in the Preseren Glee Club of krofe for us. Why not order some for your next and are also involved with other parishioners in preparing gathering? for the annual dinner. More information regarding the Mary, Karen, and I would like to thank our loyal members events will be included in our next report. for continuing to support the Slovenian Union of America, Tuesday, November 5 is the date of our next meeting. The and we look forward to seeing all of you in 2014. Have a annual Christmas luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, wonderful Thanksgiving, and a happy and blessed December 3, and all are welcome. Christmas! Keeping you all in our prayers, as we know ANNETTE SABO CHARRON & we are in yours! BARBARA KARLINGER KAREN, MARY & PHYLLIS 26 Zarja The Dawn BRANCH 16 - South Chicago, Illinois Contact Information: Marjorie Mitchell 773.646.4392 Dolores60617@yahoo.com Along with much summer heat, July brought sadness to our Branch. We counted three deaths from Branch 16. Our long-time member and past President, Mary Therese Ehnat, Kathryn Kral Jurincie, and Mary Jarkovich died. Mary Therese was at a re-hab hospital at the time and Kathryn, age 88, was at home surrounded by her family. May they all rest in peace. On a happier note, we celebrate long-time marriages of members Mary Jane Struss and Jackie Soltysinski. Mary Jane and John racked up 60 years as did Jackie and Hank. Wishing them many more happy years together! At our September meeting, Katherine Hoeger Flotz, author of “A Pebble In My Shoe-A Memoir,” spoke of her experiences as a child of nine in a concentration camp in what was the former Yugoslavia, during the war years of 1944-1947. She and her husband, George Flotz, Jr., (who also, as a young boy with his family, dodged bombs as a refugee during World War II), kept us spellbound with their tales of hardship and finally escaping in 1949 to America. Needless to say, the book is an interesting view of life in a concentration camp through the eyes of a child. Fascinating reading! DOLORES KRAL FRANKO BRANCH 20 - Joliet, Illinois Contact Information: Patricia Schager 815.439.0062 patricia.schager@att.net Recaps for all who might have missed our two important events of the year: Grape Harvest Festival in September, and in October the dual Illinois/Indiana Convention and 85th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of our Branch. A spectacular time was had by all who attended these events. The 2013 Harvest Festival Mayor was John Churnovic, Jr., who not only greeted festival-goers, but also entertained us with his button box playing. One of the highlights of the festival is always the grand march of accordion and button box players who bring out the old familiar tunes. What a grand time! There were cheers and the singers among us always join in. John’s picture with his button box and the smile on his face tell the story of the fun. The Convention and Anniversary Celebration were just a little more sedate. We shared fond memories of those who came before us in making our Branch one of the largest in SUA. And we celebrated our Branch history during the Anniversary festivities. We dined elegantly in a beautiful ballroom and were entertained with the wonderful music performed by the A Cappella Group Zbor Spendov and Zadnja Kaplja, and special music entertainer, Vince Rigler. Guest speaker, the Rev. Father Gregor Gorsic, pastor of St. Andrew the Apostle Church in nearby Romeoville, Illinois, is a special favorite of ours. His remarks are always filled with warmth and gentle humor. Our Branch congratulates member Marianne WolfAstrauskas who was recently honored by the National Federation of Press Women with its 2013 National Communicator of Achievement Award during its 76th conference in August. Marianne was nominated by the Illinois State Affiliation for the National Federation’s highest award. She is known locally for her fiction and short stories, and her book on the history of Joliet for the “Images of America” book series. PATRICIA SCHAGER BRANCH 24 - LaSalle, Illinois Contact Information: Bonnie Prokup wprokup@aol.com Congratulations Branch 24 on 85 years! This is a long time and truly worth celebrating. Members should keep an eye out for e-mail or phone calls on the upcoming Branch events - starting off with our 2nd Annual St. Vincent’s Cemetery Event honoring our deceased members. This was such a moving experience last year we are bringing it back again. Next on the list will be the Christmas party. This evening is open to members and guests. There will be no meetings in January and February, but we will resume again on Thursday, March 20th at Eureka Savings Bank in LaSalle. John Churnovic, Jr. - the honorary Mayor for the Grape Festival. November/December 2013 BRANCH 35 - Aurora, Minnesota Contact Information: John Star johnks6@yahoo.com The months flew by so fast I missed the July deadline for the Zarja! Belated sympathies to the Betty Carlson and the Helen Zuponcic families. Both were long-time members of our Branch. Our sympathy also goes out to Bernice Ceglar, our 27 Secretary/Treasurer, whose husband Ed passed away suddenly. Our Regional Convention will be long over when this issue is published, but at this time our Branch members are making last minute preparations for the Convention. Over 50 members are expected to attend. It will be exciting to get all of our Minnesota members together. The event will include coffee, meeting, Mass, followed by the dinner, and program. Miro Medved, Honorary Counsel to Slovenia, is the guest speaker. Anita Vovk, our past President, moved to the Twin Cities area this summer. She has written to let us know they have all settled in and are enjoying being closer to their children and grandchildren. We all wish them well in their new venture! Get well wishes to Barbara Urick who is recuperating following knee surgery. MARLYS RABB BRANCH 43 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin Contact Information: Jan Gehm 414.321.1413 twogames@wi.rr.com We lost our dear member, Albert J. Jelinek, in August after a long illness. Albert was a proud Slovenian and active SUA member; he served as the timer for the 2011 National Convention and was our Branch auditor. He will be missed! There will be NO meeting in November due to Thanksgiving. Our next meeting will be on December 4th at noon at the West Allis Library. Our meetings include a delicious luncheon, interesting discussions, and an emphasis on our Slovenian heritage. We hope to see you there. At this time plans are in the making for a Gala New Year’s Eve Celebration to be held on December 31, 2013, at the Wisconsin Athletic Club at 1939 So. 108th St. in West Allis from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. We will be celebrating the Slovenian traditions of Spravanje (Reconciliation) and Silvestrovanje (St. Sylvester’s Day) and the New Year 2014. Everyone - members and non-members - is welcome! There will be appetizers, mini subs, snacks, soda, coffee, desserts, music, favors, and a cash bar. At 5:00 p.m. we will have a champagne toast to the New Year (Midnight in Slovenia). All this for just $20 per person! Space is limited, so get your reservations in early. You can make them by calling our President, Jan Gehm, at 414.321.1413. You won’t want to miss this special event! Due to the early deadline for the Member of the Year edition of the Zarja, nominations for the Branch’s 2014 Member of the Year will be held at our December meeting. There are so many deserving people, but we can only choose one, so think hard and attend this meeting. It’s not too early to start making resolutions for the New Year. How about attending Branch meetings and becoming involved in our special Slovenian events? MICI BREGANT 28 BRANCH 47 - Garfield Heights, Ohio Contact Information: Debbie Duris 330.467.2281 Greetings! It was great to see 12 members and one guest member attend our meeting on Saturday, September 7th at Panera Bread in Solon. We had a very informative meeting conducted by our Branch President, Debbie Duris, about SUA’s 501(c)(3) status. We were sad at the passing of one of our dear members, Kay Yuratovac. Her cheery disposition will be missed. Our next meeting will be our Christmas Celebration on Saturday, December 7th at the Valley View Community Center on Hathaway Rd. The meeting will begin at 12:30 p.m. We are doing something different this year by having our luncheon catered. Please call Debbie (home 330.467.2281) if you will be attending so we can have an accurate count. We’re asking that you bring your favorite dessert and a gift for the gift exchange, too. Debbie Duris and Olga Dorchak recently cataloged our Branches’ records, which go back to 1931. It took longer than expected, only due to stopping to read past Branch reports (the ones in English, not Slovenian), reading old newspaper clippings, and looking at pictures. Some of these historical treasures will be at our Christmas Celebration before we determine a rightful home for them. I will gladly share any of our members’ activities. Call (330.730.8951) or e-mail me at kjferrante@gmail.com and I will include it in the next Branch report. Wishing everyone a delicious Thanksgiving, blessed Christmas and happy New Year’s with your family and friends! KATHLEEN FERRANTE BRANCH 50 - Euclid, Ohio Contact Information: Rick Tomsick ricktomsick@gmail.com Greetings from the “5-0” on America’s North Coast Cleveland, Ohio! The holidays are already upon us and plans are underway for the annual Christmas party, which will be held in late November at the Dubrovnik Gardens. Please check your mail for details of this terrific event. Thanksgiving always brings polka fun to downtown Cleveland. This year’s annual polka party promises to be a very special one as Tony Petkovsek, who now officially holds the record as the longest on-the-air radio personality in history, will present yet another outstanding Thanksgiving Day Polka Party at the Marriott in downtown Cleveland. Do you have an e-mail address? If so, you can write to me at ricktomsick@gmail.com and I will add you as a recipient of our list of updates for Branch 50 (you don’t need to be a member of Branch 50). This way, you’ll get more up-to-date information on activities, member notices, and news. I want to remind you to check in on SUA’s activities often by going to the website at www.slovenianunion.org. Zarja The Dawn Also, your humble Corresponding Secretary could always use additional ideas and information that you want to share for upcoming articles. Feel free to call me or send an email. And, as a reminder, Bonnie Prokup is always looking for volunteers who like to write, do research, or submit photographs for the national website and Zarja magazine. You can let her know at wprokup@aol.com. That’s all for now. Many thanks to everyone for all you do in SUA! RICK TOMSICK BRANCH 55 - Girard, Ohio Greetings from Girard! Another year is quickly coming to an end. The year 2014 is just around the corner! In Branch news, Joan Twaddle and Anka Krakora have volunteered as guides at the historical Barnheisel House in Girard, OH. They help give tours to local students and other visitors. Member Dolores Dipietro performs with her button box on Friday Polka Nights at McMenamy’s in Niles, OH. It is wonderful to see our members active in the community! The annual Holiday Party will take place on Wednesday, December 4th with members from AMLA Lodge 42. The party will start at 5:30 p.m. Please call Maria Selak at 330.539.5893 if interested. That’s all the news for now. Veseli Bo`ic in Srecno Novo Leto 2014! MONICA SELAK BRANCH 89 - Oglesby, Illinois Contact Information: Jim Ebner deadendbluff@yahoo.com 815.883.3268 Branch 89 kicked back into action with our September potluck luncheon at the Dickinson House in Oglesby. Branch officers decorated the tables, as well as providing refreshments. The food tables were filled with homemade goodies as Slovenian music played in the background. A relaxed social time allowed for “catching up” on the activities various members had participated in this summer. A few brave souls did venture out in the heat of the day to put the beanbag toss boards to good use. Branch President Barbara Bruch gave a brief report on our successful Slovenian Heritage Day at Claudette’s last March. Barbara also outlined the agendas for our meetings for the remainder of 2013. They are as follows: October 14 Rosary for living and departed members of Branch 89, November 11- celebrate Martinovanje, St. Martin’s Day. That is the day the grape juice in the barrels traditionally turns to wine. We will have a wine tasting featuring Slovenian wines! Yessssss!!! Our traditional Christmas Dinner time and place will be announced at a later date. Whether you are near or far, hope you can join us, here, or in spirit. May your holidays be filled with good health and the joy of family and friends! November/December 2013 BRANCH 93 - New York, New York Contact Information: Elizabeth Gross 718.335.8459 lgross@tstnyc.org Our Slovene classes have gone into high gear! These aren’t just for our local Branch members - we have participants from Alaska to Florida, California to New York, and states in-between - thanks to modern technology and the internet. It’s tough going - our trio of u~iteljici Maria Rode, Joan Walker, and Ria Whitmire expect us to do homework(!) - but we’re having fun just the same. Get in touch with Tanya Vajk at Vajkusa@aol.com if you’re tempted to join us. Our big event of the year, Martinovanje, will be held November 10th at St. Cyril’s after Mass, with parishioners, members, guests, families, friends, and dignitaries invited; we’re hoping to meet Andrej Logar, the new Slovene ambassador to the UN. Ria Whitmire has taken on the challenge of finding sufficient geese to make the traditional St. Martin’s day roasted goose feast - tricky in the U.S. where geese are raised to be ready for dinners at Christmas and New Year’s - not early November! (Perhaps a specialty niche for a Slovenian poultry farmer?) For relaxation, members enjoyed another summer afternoon at the Bosnian riverside café in Long Island City (the ducklings have really gotten bigger!), saw two Russian operas at the Bohemian Center, and heard the Croatian cello duo, Luka Suli~ and Stjepan Hauser, at a 2 Cellos performance (Wild stuff! - but Branch members have eclectic, pan-Slavic enthusiasms). And we’re holding our breath - as of September 15th, Slovenia remains in the running for the World Cup Soccer Championship in Rio - keep it up Milivoje Novakovi~! ELIZABETH GROSS BRANCH 99 - Lemont, Illinois Contact Information: Jana Hlade jmhlade@hotmail.com Hello Everyone! Just a recap of the last few months. Thank you to Fanika Fritz for teaching the Sarma and Rizoto culinary class in August. It was some of the best sarma I have ever had! In September, the Bocce Tournament/ Member Celebration was cancelled and instead our Branch met at Olive Garden for a meeting to discuss several items of business. Then in October, several members of our Branch attended the Illinois/Indiana Regional Convention and the 85th Anniversary Celebration of Branch 20 - Joliet. We also held our 10th annual Bunco event with special raffles and prizes. Details of these events will be in the next issue. Our next meeting will be held on November 24th at 2:00 p.m. in the Slovenian Catholic Center (SCC) library. We will be planning and discussing the 2014 calendar and electing 2014 officers. In December, we are holding our annual Cookie Sale on December 8th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the SCC 29 lobby. Please drop off cookies by 11:00 a.m. that morning or contact Mary Mavec at 815.723.9003 to make other arrangements. Thank you so much in advance for your holiday baking! Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving and a joyous Christmas season! JANA HLADE BRANCH 100 - Southern California Contact Information: Jean Koci ajkoci@cox.net We are looking forward to another Christmas luncheon and social gathering to be held on Saturday, December 7th at noon at Napoli’s Italian Restaurant in Loma Linda. Notices will have gone out before you read this article and will include any other information needed. I am happy to report that, just this morning, I was able to take part in the Slovenian Conversation Class on the internet conducted by Tanya Vajc and Mia Rode. The class is sponsored by the SUA and it has been possible to meet with other members from coast to coast as we chat and learn a bit about the Slovenian language. The program includes 10 lessons so I am looking forward to increasing my knowledge, and I am certain that the other 18 - 25 people who will participate will have a positive outcome as well. This was just the first lesson... so there is much more to learn! Anyone living in Southern California or who may be visiting in February, might want to mark their calendars for Saturday evening, February 22nd, to attend a concert at St. Timothy’s Church in Laguna Niguel. We are so very happy to be able to welcome, for the fourth time in about 12 years, the Slowind Quintet from Ljubljana. These five talented musicians are all a part of the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra and have traveled all over the world bringing their music to a vast and varied audience. Our concert will feature a “meet and greet” reception in the church hall, serving traditional Slovenian pastries to all in attendance. We hope that many of you will be able to attend. For more information, please call or e-mail: Jean Koci at 949.495.0097 or ajkoci@cox.net. May you all have a blessed Christmas Season with family and friends! JEAN KOCI BRANCH 102 - Willard, Wisconsin Contact Information: Karen Hribar Spires kleespires@comcast.net Greetings and Happy Holidays from Willard! It’s time to curl up at home in our rural area as the Branch prepares for our holiday celebrations. Hopefully every family and extended family has something Slovenian as a decoration or on the table this season! Congratulations to all the families experiencing new things this fall. To the Pakiz family: grandparents Sue and Larry 30 and great-grandparents Rose and Frank, on the birth of Malia Sue (daughter of Troy and Jen), born on 8/21/13, weighing 8 pounds, 10 ounces. Sue and Larry also saw the first of their grandchildren, Brayden (son of Todd and Kaysie) off to kindergarten this year; a sure sign of how fast these little ones grow up. I am sure there are several more families in our Branch experiencing with joy the same special events. Hoping everyone with fall birthdays had delightful days. Sending wishes for peace and joy to members Ed Bayuk and Jeanette Perushek in their new homes. Congratulations also to Megan Johnson on her receipt of $100 from the SWU Scholarship Fund toward her college expenses. At the Branch meeting on December 7th, a 2014 Member of the Year will be selected and Officers will also be elected to serve in 2014. Members within driving distance are asked to attend and participate in this important meeting. KAREN HRIBAR SPIRES BRANCH 108 - Olney, Maryland Contact Information: Bernadette Fitzsimmons bettekfitz@verizon.net Our members have been busily preparing for our Branch’s 10th Anniversary Celebration, which will take place at the Embassy of Slovenia in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, October 5, 2013. By the time you receive this issue we will have our photos and article draft for the January/ February Zarja issue to share our news. Since Slovenians have a special admiration and are generally familiar about the many legends associated with Sveti Miklavz (St. Nicholas), I’ve decided to write a few words about “Manna of St. Nicholas” which is not as well known, but brings attention to the generosity of St. Nicholas of Myra, many hundreds of years after he lived, through continued miracles of healing of mind, body, and spirit. “Manna of St. Nicholas” It is interesting to note that numerous biographies and eulogies document a manna exuded in the tomb of the Basilica of Myra since the death of St. Nicholas. The holy relics of St. Nicholas remained incorrupt in the ad hoc erected sanctuary near Myra. These relics were found to secrete a liquid, oily substance called “myron” for which there is no natural or supernatural explanation of this phenomenon. Myron was collected for anointing the sick and suffering, and its application became known for its miracles to heal and cure the sick and ailing. The tomb of St. Nicholas became a place of pilgrimage, especially for pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land, imploring protection for their long journey. This is likely why St. Nicholas became Zarja The Dawn the patron of travelers, especially those who journeyed by sea. The miracle of myron was still evident even after the translation for the saint’s relics to Bari, where it became known as “Manna of St. Nicholas” (Santa Manna). After hundreds of years the tomb was opened, the bones were exhumed, and An example of a manna bottle, the relics were designed by a local artist, where holy water and “pure santa manna” examined and found is stored. to continue to secrete prodigious manna, prior to the remains being placed in a new tomb in the crypt of St. Nicholas Basilica. Manna was distributed to visiting pilgrims to the site during the restoration of St. Nicholas Basilica in Bari between 1953 and 1957. Since 1980, the manna is formally extracted annually on May 9th, the Feast of the Translation of the relics from Myra to Bari by the Rector of the Basilica. This is done in the presence of the delegate of the Pope, the Archbishop of Bari, an Orthodox Bishop, Civil Authorities, the Clergy, and faithful following the celebration of the Eucharist. There is only approximately 50 ml. extracted annually, of pure “santa manna,” as the native Italians call it. The liquid currently distributed to visiting pilgrims and the faithful is holy water mixed with “pure santa manna.” This liquid is conserved in beautifully decorated small ampoules and is taken as a drink, or sprinkled on a person’s part of the body suffering from illness. During this season of Advent, let us celebrate our amazing Sveti Miklavz, and the manna that helps to enliven and sustain our faith in the midst of all human struggles, weaknesses, and triumphs. BERNADETTE K. FITZSIMMONS November/December 2013 BRANCH 109 - Twin Cities (TC) of Minnesota Contact Information: Norm Setnicker normas188@msn.com As we prepare for the holiday season, to the TC Slovenians it seems like September was looking like January and the beginning of a “new year.” Children and teachers started their new year; SUA held regional meetings; changes in leadership are beginning to unfold; an announced change in fiscal matters from SWUA to SUA has become a reality, and for Branch 109 new challenges await our 9th year of existence. We have been busy in preparing for this “new year.” Jean Podominick was updating our member directory which will be unveiled in January; John Skubitz was preparing for our Slovenian placemat sale; Rick Pisa conducted his “Slovenian photo contest” as the 2014 Slovenian calendar is launched; Kathy Muhvic Wilson organized the TC Slovenians first “Hennepin County Family History Day” which helped individuals connect through Slovenian genealogy; Liz Miller and Jean Podominick were starting to organize the TC’s photos - possibly on Facebook; Norm and Mary Ann Setnicker attended the SUA Regional Convention held in Aurora (Branch 35) on September 15; Frank Medved and Joe Kuznik were preparing lesson plans for the Slovenian language class which began in October; Pat Dahl, one of our newest members is preparing our Branch 109 for Navihanke - the all female Slovenian singing group; Issa Keller reported on her Slovenian Language class held at the University in Ljubljana; and Tea Rozman taught us about doing an oral history of one of our members, Yul Yost. Three of our members went to Slovenia this fall - Chuck and Jean Podomonick, Pat Dahl, and Mike Koski. Chuck and Jean were into genealogy; Pat went to Maribor for Stara Trta; and Mike and his mother toured Slovenia with relatives. Bob Grahek met with Len Russo, chef at the Heartland Restaurant in St. Paul, to plan a Slovenian dinner for our members. Len Russo was picked as one of the “diplomatic chefs” to tour Europe - in this case, Slovenia, to learn about Slovenian cuisine and wines. John Zakelj, President of Branch 109, did it all - presided over meetings, planned agendas, hosted Slovenian contacts, wrote numerous e-mails over the summer and fall, and coordinated all the activities. “Hvala Lepa” to all of those members and Officers who have made Branch 109-Twin Cities Slovenians such an active organization. On a sad note, our sympathies go out to Jan Hahn and her family. Jan’s father, Victor Palcher, passed away at age 94. It was only months ago that Jan lost her mother, Sophie Marie Palcher. Jan grew up in Ely and has been an active member of Branch 109. “Drzi smehlaj se” Keep smiling. NORM SETNICKER “Born in USA with Slovenian Parts” 31 Joliet, Illinois - Branch 20’s 34th Annual Grape Harvest Festival Congratulations to Branch 20 for a great evening! 32 Zarja The Dawn Slovenian Union of America ER P 0 0 . 0 $1 T E CK I T 27th National Convention 2015 in Lemont, Illinois “April’s Showers of Dollars” DRAWING April 2014 Fund-Raiser Top Seller Prizes: 1st Place - $130.00 2nd Place - $90.00 3rd Place - $50.00 CASH PRIZES TOTALING $2,790 C U 26 Daily Drawings at $60 April 1st and 20th at $200 April 13th and 30th at $130 30 Daily Seller Prizes at $10 T H E R E You are eligible for all daily drawings in the month of April, 2014. Sellers of the winning entries will receive $10 as an award for their selling efforts. The daily drawing amount and the seller’s $10 prize will be mailed to the winners of record the next business day. Winners will be sent an e-mail and names posted on the SUA website. For information on how the Fund-Raiser works - see back cover. The following entry form should be printed clearly and accompany your $10 donation. Detach at perforation “April’s Showers of Dollars” Entry Form Entrant’s Information: Name:____________________________________ Address:______________________________ City:______________________________________ State:_____________ZipCode:_____________ Phone:____________________________________ E-mail:________________________________ Seller’s Information: Name:____________________________________ Address:______________________________ City:_____________________________________ State:_____________ Zip Code:____________ Phone:____________________________________ E-mail:________________________________ Branch Location and Number:_________________________________________________________ Please send completed form (Print) and $10 check payable to SUA to: Denise P. Bartlett SUA Director of Special Projects 7902 West Howard Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53220-1612 Phone: 414.327.4990 or denisepbartlett@wi.rr.com PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID LASALLE, IL Slovenian Union of America Need additional entries? Copies accepted or contact Denise P. Bartlett at: Phone: 414.327.4990 or denisepbartlett@wi.rr.com 27th National Convention - 2015 - Lemont, Illinois “April’s Showers of Dollars” DRAWING April 2014 Fund-Raiser www.slovenianunion.org 2015 SUA/SWUA National Convention. SUA/SWUA holds its National Convention every four years in host cities around the country. These gatherings are important not only to conduct SUA/SWUA business but to have a forum for branch representatives to come together to give their reports, share their ideas, discuss concerns, and further cement their mutual love and respect for all things related to their Slovenian heritage. Our next SUA/SWUA National Convention will be held in Lemont, Illinois in 2015. Plans are underway to make this another memorable event. The successful completion of this “April’s Showers of Dollars” Fund-Raiser will provide monies to help defray the costs of conducting SUA/SWUA’s National Convention. The Convention Committee strives to offer an affordable convention package to enable delegates and members from every SUA/SWUA Branch to attend. The entries make excellent gifts for the holiday season, birthdays, and to say “Thank You.” How Does the Fund-Raiser Work? Everyone participating in the SUA/SWUA “April’s Showers of Dollars” Fund-Raiser has the chance to win cash prizes. Each day in the month of April, 2014, one winner will be chosen to win the listed cash prize for that day - $60, $130 or $200. In addition, each day the person who sold that day’s winning ticket will win $10. The daily winner and seller can be one and the same and win both prizes. The month of April 2014 has much to celebrate - including April No Fool’s Day, Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, and the last day before May’s flowers. The winners chosen on April 1st - April No Fool’s Day - and April 20th - Easter Sunday - will win $200.00 each. The winners chosen on April 13th - Palm Sunday - and April 30th - “Here Come May Flowers” - will win $130.00 each. In addition, the top sellers (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place) will win $130 and $90 and $50 respectively. It’s a WIN opportunity for everyone. “Larger Prize Amounts” Your Participation is Appreciated! Good Luck!