Volume 80 Issue 5 September/October, 2008
Frederic B
DETERMINATION
CHALLENGE
The reason why my garden is the best is that it is situated on my private rooftop in Brooklyn, New York. In the picture you can see the sky as we’re on the sixth floor I have large planters up there. Every year I take my shopping cart to the local hardware store, buy seed packets and two or three 25 lb. bags of planting soil. Wheel it home, carry up two flights of stairs and start my garden. Of course, there are also about ten-trash bags worth of old growth to take down the stairs, too. Then every morning 1 attached a garden hose to my upstairs bathroom sink, walk it up the stairs and water all my plants. The result, beautiful flowers on my roof! I’m even trying a little vegetable garden of red peppers and cantaloupe. - Cynthia Shaw Simonoff, Br. 93
Nothing tastes better than fresh homegrown vegetables and for me they are very satisfying and exciting to grow. I am 100% Slovenian and as a child our garden was a necessity; it had to provide enough food to feed all eight of us through the long cold winters in Illinois. Harvest time was always a very busy time, with all of the canning and preserving of our crops. Today my garden not only brings great joy to my family, but also to many friends that I am able to share my harvest with. - Frank Pohar, Br. 24
DRIVE
Every year I plant flowers in big pots on the deck. Spikes and Dusty Miller are my favorites. I like to water them.
- Jordan Dufjin, Br. 89
SPIRIT
MEMORIES
It’s a pleasure to wake up in the morning and walk to my gardens just to gaze at my beautiful flowers and vegetable garden. 1 used to help my parents with their gardens - old fashion rose bushes, peonies, violets, hollyhocks and planting potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, beans and much more. 1 am Slovenian and still appreciate what my parents taught me - to work hard and enjoy the fruits of my labor. It taught me to have a good work ethic. We also canned many vegetables and fruits to last throughout the winter. Of course, we made apple pies, apple strudel and potica using apples and walnuts from our own trees. There were eleven children in my family and we still reminisce about the “good old days”. My gardens now are good therapy for me and I get many compliments, which makes it all worthwhile. - Ethel Bregant. Br. 24
Our gardens bring many things to us.
Warm reds and oranges of luscious tomatoes, dark greens and yellows of crisp plump peppers dot our veggie garden. But our family favorites are our flower gardens, brought to us by family members, some long gone, and some with us still. Auntie Em brings in the springtime, with pink and white bleeding hearts bobbing in cold April air. May brings Grandma Fon as sweetly smelling lily-of-the-valley, hidden among dark green leaves. Grandma Polly is gorgeous, ever-blooming old-fashioned pink roses, scenting the summer breezes. But Great Grandma Vertacnik’s weather beaten wheelbarrow, worn down by the many miles of garden patch paths, planted firmly in the center of the front flower bed, loaded not witli vegetables, but with trailing potato vine and red, red geraniumSi never fails to take us back to a simpler time and place, filled witli memories of family and friends. - Phyllis Fon, Br. 5
Zarj 3 - The Dawn
EDITOR: Debbie Pohar DIRECTOR OF DESIGN: Bonnie Pohar Prokup CONSULTING EDITOR: Corinne Leskovar
EDITORIAL OFFICE: 16% Illinois St., LaSalle, IL 61301 TELEPHONE: 815.223.9596 FAX: 815.224.1074
WEB SITE: www.swua.org
PUBLISHER: Slovenian Women’s Union of America TELEPHONE: 815.727.1926
Vol. 80, No 5, September/October 2008 Published bimonthly Periodicals Postage paid at Joliet. IL and additional mailing offices.
(ISSN 0044-1848)
Postmaster: Send all changes of address to: SLOVENIAN WOMEN'S UNION OF AMERICA 431 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432
Communications for the next issue of publication:
Do you have something SWUA-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 SWUA events or members. The deadline for articles is the 15 day of the month, 2 months preceding the issue. For example, articles for the November/December issue must be received by September 15"'. Thank you.
From the Editor
The Zarja staff is pleased to announce the winners of the 2008 Garden Contest. The panel of four judges had a challenging time in selecting the winners. I believe anyone that has created and nurtured any type of garden is a winner. I find my garden very peaceful and relaxing. No matter how bad of a day I might have had, when I walk into my gardens my spirit is lifted; it is so full of life. I wish I could personally visit every garden entered. The pictures are absolutely amazing; I can just imagine myself sitting in each garden with a cold glass of lemonade and soaking up the beauty of nature.
The stories that go along with each garden indicate that gardening is in the hearts of Slovenians. I congratulate all entries for ‘‘Keeping the Spirit Alive
The detailed itinerary of the Secrets of Slovenia tour in May 2009 is printed on pages 4-7. This is going to be an exciting trip where you are going to experience and participate in the culture and heritage of Slovenia. This tour is going to take us on the back roads of Slovenia. Please consider coming along.	^
- Debbie Pohar, Editor
Letter to the Editor
In the May/June 2008 Zarja the family story of Anton and Frances Krmovnar Tegel was featured. The story was wonderful! My husband was in tears as he read through the pages. Aunt Tona was also very pleased. She considers the Zarja article a gift, a “Treasure” for future generations. At age 91, she finally knows WHY the family moved to Pennsylvania and then back again to Aurora, MN. She stated in her letter that Mary Lou did a lot of digging in our past history, giving us information that we never knew, making the family history complete and a joy to read.
To top it off, Mary Lou just sent me a copy of Branch 1 News from a 1940’s issue. We had no idea our mother was an officer in the SWUA, a vice president! Included in the article was the announcement of my brother Tony’s birth.
SWUA’s New Mission/Vision/Purpose
MISSION
Dedicated to honor and preserve our Slovenian legacy; to promote its ideals and to ensure its longevity for future generations.
VISION
To be recognized, with high esteem, as the leading Slovenian heritage and cultural association responsible for promoting interest and awakening passion in those Americans of Slovenian ancestry and serving their diverse interests.
PURPOSE
To commit ourselves to keeping the spirit alive by fostering in our membership an understanding and appreciation of our Slovenian heritage and by reaching out to awaken or instill this passion in others through communications, education and the provision of resources.
In Memory
Anna Louis Hodnik
Past Youth Director, National Board
We are saddened to hear about the death of long time member Anna Louis Hodnik of Branch 35, Aurora, Minnesota whpjwas also a past Youth Director on the Na-tional Board. Outsympathy goes out to Anna’s family.
National President’s Message
Exciting SWUA Upcoming Events
Now is a busy time of the year with many Regional Conventions, branch anniversaries, special branch activities and the Open House for Baraga Days in Joliet. 1 hope that many of you are planning on attending at least one event. So much time and energy goes on behind the scenes and nothing is more rewarding to the hosts than having a full house with happy faces. I realize we are scattered across the United States and we have busy lives but please do everything possible to take time out and enjoy one of these Slovenian events. Bring a friend along and introduce them to SWUA.
In order to survive our membership needs to grow. As time goes on we get further and further away from our immigrant ancestors. It’s important to remember THE TIME IS NOW! We have some of the best volunteers throughout the U.S. that have been working very hard to bring about new excitement for all things Slovenian. Whether it is a potica making demonstration in Minnesota or a Grape Harvest Festival in California, it’s happening! And all we need is you.
There are many ways you can help out. Whether it’s attending, hosting, volunteering behind the scenes or recruiting new members these are all ways you can help build a bigger and better SWUA.
Building is important to our survival. As the years pass not only are we further away from our immigrant ancestor
but our percentage of Slovenian in many cases decreases too. How many of you married a Slovenian? What percentage are your children? This is of course something we cannot control but it’s important to recognize what we are up against when our children may be left to carry on this legacy. How many will do it if we don’t give them the foundation now?
On another note I encourage you to read about the Secrets of Slovenia Tour in this issue on pages 4-7. We are very excited about this. For a few years we have talked about creating a different kind of trip that takes you to the “Old Country”. A trip that shows you the back roads of Slovenia, the lifestyle our ancestors lived and one that is filled with heritage, culture and tons of Slovenian food and music. The price may seem a little high at first but keep in mind the weak dollar and compare it with everything that is included. Just think, seven dinners, five musical entertainment nights, one grand folklore show, three wine tastings, two brandy tastings, culinary experiences and all the sightseeing. To top it all off one exciting picnic honoring Zarja the Dawn’s 80,h Anniversary. It’s going to be amazing. I hope you can join us.
Bonnie Pohar Prokup National President, Zveza wprokup@aol.com
Welcome to Our New	Members!	
Branch 1	Branch 24	Branch 43
Jacob L. Thill	Father Bernard Horzen	Mary Ann Grichar
Branch 3	Barbara Pyszka	Branch 50
Louise Burg	Branch 25	Richard Beck
Nick Carmody	Anthony Pozelnik	Rosemary Kostansek
David Pechek	Branch 30	Roberta Kublin
Beverly A Pierson	Maryann Gasper	Branch 71
Branch 5	Angela Prattt	Trina Petrich
Linda Fon Rusie	Anita M. Taubert	Branch 89
Branch 13	Carlene Taubert	Mary L Thies
Susan Bosnich Kremesec	Frieda Sue Taubert	Branch 100
Branch 20	Pauline Taubert	Isabella Harley-Bianquini
Jim Bartlett	Leona Vlacancich	Vicki Kleior
Robert Herbst	Branch 39	Branch 108
Kathleen Herrmann	Marian Rukavina	Mary Teresa Bowes
Cynthia Kincaid	Branch 40	Branch 109
Eddie Korosa	Mary Ann Teitelbaum	Wendy Grahek
Jacquelyn Lowry		
Zarja the Dawn Donations “Keeping the Spirit Alive”
$50 Donation
Mary Ruth Cameron, +Fran (Hren) Holasek Nena Cercek, +Lee Cercek Rosemary Gomick, +mother, Mary K. Gomick and +aunt, Antonia Turek Margaret Hodnik, +Anna Hodnik
$30 Donation
Justina Lapornik, Zarja
Marian Rukavina, +husband, Joseph Rukavina Sharon Umek, +Anton Umek
$25 Donation
Ruth Ann Ungrad, +mother, Eleanor Blatnick $20 Donation
Jill Argubright, Honor Marilyn (Grdin) Argubright
Jill Caldwell Augustine, +mother, Pauline Caldwell
Wendy Hankins, +Andrew Bole
Emily Harley, +Bela Anna Kerecz
Jerry Kosanovich, Zarja
Andrea Križman, +Jean Križman
Dragica Luna, Zarja
Donna Antoinette Mason, + Margaret Radosevich Juli Zakrajšek, Zarja
$15 Donation
Dolores O’Brien, Zarja
Maria Vlasic, +mother, Mary Pecharich
$10 Donation
Eleanor Bandera, Zarja Patricia Boitz
Agnes Brown, +Agnes Androjna
Jean Govednik, Zarja
Barbara Hengst, +Stella Menart
Eveline Kaluza Lawrence, Zarja
Audrey Miller, +Jean M. Miller
Janice Minton-Kutz, + Katie Triller
Lillian Papesh, +Michael L. Papesh
Bekki Prokup, Honor of Editor Debbie Pohar
Marge Roth, +Blass and Mary Strukel
Diane Sherek, Zarja
Allison Tevsh Zittel, Honor Minka Tevsh
$5 Donation
Kathleen Callander, +Katherine Perko
Mara Kočevar Chokel, Zarja
Mara Cerar Hull, Zarja
Anne Novince, Zarja
Nancy Smrekar, +Rose Kemtz
Denise Wagner, Zarja
Lynn Wier, Zarja
Lisa Zalokar, Zarja
Thankyou!
May our youth grow up to be grateful to their grandparents; In the future may they remember to “Keep the Spirit Alive ” in the SWUA.
SWUA Grandmas and families made strides this summer by recruiting the younger generation for membership. New applications just keep coming in, so continue reaching out to the younger generation by sharing all things Slovenian as the holiday season approaches. In our last membership campaign, new junior members received Slovenia t-shirts to help show their Slovenian spirit. You’re invited to send in photos of new juniors in their new shirts for publication to the editor at pohar4@aol.com.
Grandparents/Parents/Godparents/Aunts/Uncles ENROLL A YOUTH MEMBER CAMPAIGN September - December 2008
Recruit junior members - receive free membership!
Pass on the love of your Slovenian heritage and traditions this fall by taking some time with a prospective junior member. Show photos of family members to see who
resembles who; try a recipe together from the SWUA cookbook, most children love krofe (raised donuts). Tell a few anecdotes or stories about your Slovenian ancestry. Share your experiences of how your family celebrated the fall holidays. Was it typical, or did your family have different traditions integrating your Slovenian ancestry? 1 still remember my father not being fond of Halloween festivities because dressing up meant making fun of the saints the day before “All Saints Day.” This broadened my horizons to learn more about the historical context of this popular holiday. Our youth want to feel connected to their past and it’s up to us adults to initiate their interest to help preserve memories and traditions.
To download an application, go to www.swua.org, or call the home office at 815-727-1926.
Bernadette Kovacic Fitzsimmons Vice President of Marketing & Fundraising
A Fully Guided Tour of Beautiful Slovenia!
arja
the Dawn
SECRETS of SLOVENIA
a bi-monthly publication of the Slovenian Women’s Union of America
Travel arrangements by:
Zarja - the Dawn
Keeping the Spirit Alive for over 80 years
Kollander World Travel
Giving You the World since 1923
May 8 - 19, 2009
Come Celebrate 80Years with ZARJA the Dawn!
Join us as we take you through the unspoiled back roads of Slovenia. Stop at cozy little gostilnas for old world cuisine, button box music, dancing and singing. Visit historic museums, such as those dedicated to the mercury miners or beekeepers of Slovenia, where we can see what life was like for many of our ancestors. Enjoy extended stays in Ljubljana and Potoroz, visit Alpine Slovenia, rugged Prekmurje and the rich farm lands of Bela Krajina. You’ll have a chance to participate in a cooking lesson with the world famous chef, Sister Nicolina.Take part in the day-to-day operations of a local tourist farm-whether you are picking wild mushrooms, making the house wine or baking the evening’s bread, you will be a part of life in Slovenia. Be our guests as we celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Zarja the Dawn with a traditional Slovenian picnic on the foot of the spectacular, breath-taking Alps, complete with plenty of delicious regional food, traditional local music, lively dancing and the kind of fun that memories are made of. Zarja the Dawn is the oldest ethnic magazine in publication in the United States of America. It is one of the many benefits of being a member of the Slovenian Women’s Union of America. Come join us for this special occasion!
Sincerely, Debbie Pohar, Editor of Zarja the Dawn and Bonnie Prokup, National President of S WUA
Space is limited, we encourage you to contact the KollanderTravel group department today! 216~692~1000	1~ 800 ~ 800 ~ 5981
The Tour Includes:
O Round-trip Airfare from Chicago to Ljubljana
with Austrian Air via Vienna {please call for jour city)
0 Professional Tour Manager accompanies the group
throughout the tour
0 Excellent hotels in city center locations
0 Buffet Breakfast daily, 4 Lunches, and 7 Dinners
0 Local Expert Guides for in-depth sightseeing
including many unique sites planned by your hosts
0 Musical entertainment on 5 nights of the tour
0	Deluxe Air-conditioned Private Motorcoach
0	Comprehensive sightseeing tours at all major sites
0	Travel Log Memory Book, courtesy of Zarja
0	Escorted throughout by Debbie Pohar and Bonnie Prokup
Tour Cost: $2555.°°^^
Single Supplement $375.00
subject to change if the Euro is higher than 1.59 Tour based on a minimum of 25 paying passengers
Air Fare; $985.°° plus fuel surcharges of S330
and government air taxes of apx.$90
-	Subject to change if the airline increases the fuel surcharges prior to final payment
Connecting flights available from most major cities ~ Please call our group department for details
Reservations are 1 st come - 1 st served - maximum of 40 travelers and a minimum of 25 passengers. Send your deposit today to confirm your attendance and avoid disappointment.
*Not included - Air taxes and fuel surcharges, (apx. $420), meals and beverages not shown on the brochure and the customary tip to the local guides and drivers at the end of their services.
Trip Cancellation Insurance - Current cost is $235 per person in a double. Must be paid at time of booking and initial deposit in order to cover preexisting medical conditions.
Please call for details. 1 -800-800-5981
Friday 08 Mav Depart from your home airport and fly across the Atlantic to Europe.
Saturday 09 Mav Slovenia
Change to our Adria Airways flight to Slovenia and arrive at the Ljubljana airport. Meet our guide and coach driver and then transfer to Alpine lake Bled and the new Hotel Savica.Take some time this afternoon to stroll around the lake side, just a few steps from our hotel. Our tour director will host a briefing and talk about Lake Bled at the hotel before departure to a Welcome Dinner tonight at the Gostilna Lectar in Radovljica with local musical entertainment and visit of their‘Lcctarna’. Overnight lake Bled. I)
Sunday 10 Mav Lake Bled
Knjoy a tranquil day reserved for exploring this ideal alpine lake retreat. Austro-Hungarian Nobility favored the Lake and the shoreline has a number of spectacular villas from that era. You’ll have the opportunity to attend Sunday Mass at the Bled Church. Some will spend time meeting relatives or investigating local villages. For those eager to walk, try an easy hike through the Vintgar Gorge or strolling around the lake. We will offer these optional tours for those interested:
1) Alpine Highlights A guided tour of Bled Castle overlooking the lake and tiny island church. On to Bohinj Lake with a chance to try the Bohinj cheese in Stara Fužina when we visit the Alpine Herdsmen Museum. Continue on to Pokljuka forests, return to Lake Bled.
2) Pokljuka Plateau A walking tour with a local guide who knows the right spots and most beautiful places. We drive to the base of the plateau and enjoy walking through the deep woods before entering the unusual highland-marshes to view the unique wildlife, (apx. 2-3hrs )
3)	Optional goif.playiiig.at Bled Golf Course, special reduction for hotel guests, more on www.golf.bled.si.
For dinner tonight, we encourage you to try one of the many restaurants within easy walking distance of our hotel. Overnight Lake Bled. B
Monday 11 May Kobarid - Nova Gorica
Today we head west via Kranjska gora and across the mountains to the towns of Bovec and Kobarid to see the unique WWI museum. After a light lunch in Kobarid we continue to Nova Gorica near the Italian border for a panoramic tour of the city and a stop at the Europe Square or ‘Trg Evrope’, one of the rare squares that joins two cities and two countries without borders. Continue to Prvacina village in the rolling Vipava Valley to visit a
museum about the life of the ‘Aleksandrinke’, local women who were earning money for their families as nannies in Alessandria, Africa, in the early 1900’s until the end of WWII (Mr. Butros Galli, former Secretary general of UN had a nanny from these parts... ) Get ready for wine tasting and a hearty dinner in the Vipava valley before a late return to Lake Bled. B, L, D
Tuesday 12 Mav Idrija
Today the scenic roads of rural Slovenia will take us to the ancient town of Idrija to visit the mercury mine named ‘Antony’s shaft’. We’ll see how the miners used to live and work and especially about the women of Idrija who are honored in an amazing museum housed in the castle Gewerkenegg. We’ll learn about the art of bobbin-lace and admire some magnificent examples of this work. The winding roads take us past the Kamšt, a water pump from 1790 and a stop to admire Divje Jezero (or the Wild lake) Lunch has been planned at the Kenda Mansion. Return to Bled via Žiri where we will also stop at a local lace Gallery for a small presentation. Return to Like Bled for dinner and overnight. B, L, D
Wednesday 13 May Škofja Loka
We leave the Julian Alps and head for the rich farm lands of central Slovenia. In the morning we will visit a beekeeping family with a very old tradition near Lesce. On to Škofja Loka for a visit of the well preserved Old Town. Here we will meet with the President of the Slovenian Genealogy Association; Mr. Peter Hawlina and attend a lecture on how to search for your ancestry in the old books of the Archbishop’s Archives in Ljubljana. Perhaps you can start your own Slovenian family tree. After the presentation we will visit Nace’s house and see how a home looked long ago in this area. Continue to Šmarješke Toplice spas near Novo Mesto. Use the afternoon to relax and enjoy the spa’s many pools, saunas, and modern wellness centre. Dinner at the local gostilnaTri Luc ke with local entertainment (orTrska gora zidanica). Overnight Smarjeta Spas. B, D
Thursday 14 Mav Culinary Slovenia
Today visit Bela Krajina and enjoy a Culinary day with local women who are members of Društvo kmečkih žena - the Association of local farmer’s women. Our day will start at the gostilna Badovinac, where the house lady will show you how she makes her famous belokranjska pogača. Have a piece and a glass of Karanipampoli, the special home made brandy. Continue to Rosalnice village, famous for the unique Tri Fare; three Gothic churches surrounded by tall walls. It is worthwhile to see the areas oldest organ, made in Karniola back in 1755 and still working. Recent discoveries about these 12th Century churches connect them to the Knights Templar’s. Continue to Semic and a small village Črešnjevec where you will try some of the specialties of this lady of the house; Šrajf
-	different sorts of home made bread with wine. Time permitting we’ll
stop at the Regional park Lahinja in the village of Veliki Nerajec to taste a piece of their buckwheat potica.Then on to Lady Vera who makes gudala, the typical musical instrument of Bela Krajina. Conclude today’s visit at the tourist farm Raztresen where you will be able to see the process of hand - making linen from flax. Upon return, visit a local wine cellar and enjoy dinner with the local musical entertainment. Overnight at Smarjeta Spas. B, L, D
Friday 15 May Bela Krajina
Today you can relax and enjoy the Spa services and pristine nature of our surroundings. Those that wish may take an optional Wine RoadTour: Departing Dolenjsko we cross the Bizeljsko wine region to Kumrovec
-	visit the Staro selo village and the birthplace of former President Tito, quite close to the border in Croatian Zagorje region and worthwhile visiting. On to Ptuj to visit the castle then to the Jeruzalem hill vineyard and gostilna for a wine tasting and lunch at Mr. Novak’s Taverna. Drive to Ljubljana for a grand folklore dinner. Overnight at the City Hotel. B, D
Saturday 16 Mav Postojna - Piran
Free day to enjoy visiting your friends and perhaps relatives in Slovenia. For those that have not seen the famous Caves or the coast of Slovenia, we will offer an optional excursion: Coast and Karst Tour. Depart Ljubljana in the morning and begin a tour of Postojna Cave at 10:00 am. We then drive to the karst region for a wine tasting event then on to the coast. Here we will take an afternoon boat ride around the bay and visit the working salt pans. We this conclude this optional tour with a fish dinner in Piran by the sea. Overnight in the Ljubljana City Hotel. B
Sunday 17 May_______________£ arja 8Qth Anniversary Pknk.Celebration___
We begin our journey today with a drive to the Cerkniško lake area and the village of Dolenje Jezero to visit the lovely Gothic church with its wooden carved ceiling. After Mass, see the presentation or ‘maquctte’ on how this natural phenomena of the disappearing lake works. We’ll take a scenic ride around the lake on a ‘lojtrnik’ or cart driven by horses.Then drive through the scenic Loška Dolina valley enroute to Snežnik, one of the old castles with the most preserved interior in Slovenia. Afterwards we drive to our picnic location in the countryside and celebrate with a day of local musical entertainment, games, fun, food, drinks and dancing in the Rakov Škocjan regional park, musical entertainment and local refreshments included. Return to the City Hotel for overnight. B, L
Monday 18 May Ljubljana
The morning is left open for the possibility of meeting with local government authorities and perhaps a reception at the Ljubljana Town Hall. Afterwards we take a walking tour of Ljubljana city with a visit of the open market.
The rest of the day is free for last minute shopping or a visit to a favorite museum like the National Gallery or an Ethnographic Museum. Some may choose to take an optional cooking class with Sister Nicolina at one of the finest Slovenian cooking schools.Tonight we have planned a farewell dinner in a Ljubljana area gostilna with musical entertainment. Overnight at our hotel. B, I)
Tuesday 19 May
Departure transfer to Ljubljana airport for those returning home. Post tour stays and extensions can be arranged for those who wish to stay longer on their own. B
TERMS and CONDITIONS
FULL PAYMENT IS DUE March 1st, 2009
Because motorcoach space is limited, we urge your deposit of $300 per person as soon as possible. A minimum number of 25 needed to operate the tour,
2. Baggage Allowance: The tour operator has requested that there be a limit of 1 large suitcase per person due to space restrictions aboard the motorcoach. NO RESPONSIBILITY IS INCURRED FOR LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO BAGGAGE OR ANY OF THE PASSENGER'S PERSONAL BELONGINGS. TRAVEL BAGGAGE INSURANCE IS RECOMMENDED AND AVAILABLE THROUGH KOLLANDER TRAVEL.
3. Passport Requirements: A valid passport is required of all tour participants. A U.S. passport is valid for 10 years. Your passport must be valid for at least 90 days following your return to the United States. To apply for passports you can contact either your local passport office, Clerk of the District, or County Court. Kollander World Travel will be happy to help you obtain the necessary forms.
4. Tour Price Excludes: Airport Departure Taxes, customs user fees, passports, all visa fees, optional tours, telephone, telex, fax and telegram charges, excess baggage charges, sundry tips, laundry, beverages and food not on the regular table d'hote menu (these items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, or restaurant), portage at U.S. airports and all other items of a personal nature. Service charges at hotels and restaurants are prepaid. Travel Insurance is not included.
5. Refund and Unused or Amended Tour Arrangements: Unused hotel accommodations, tour features or services are non-refundable, nor exchangeable for other accommodations, services or features. Should there be any reason to change features of the tour for the group, any additional expenses will be charged to the tour members. If a change becomes necessary for any reason, hotels substituted will be the equivalent of those shown. Single room available at a supplemental charge.
6. Cancellation Penalties: If you cancel your reservation, your right to receive a refund is limited as set forth in the following schedules. All requests for refunds must be sent to us in writing. Charges for cancellation of the tour will be assessed by the participating tour operators, and hotels as follows:
After deposit.................................U.S.	$ 75.00 per person
90-59 days prior to departure................. U.S.	$200.00	per	person
60-29 days or less prior to departure. ..50% Penalty and No Refund on air ticket. 30 days or less prior to departure...100% Penalty and No Refund.
Cancellation charges also apply to additional accommodations reserved prior to and after the tour.
7. Insurance. While every effort is made to ensure that baggage is properly handled and that the cancellation charges to you are kept to a minimum, Kollander World Travel cannot be held responsible for damages, loss or theft of luggage or personal belongings. You may secure a policy for baggage insurance, as well as insurance against sickness or accident, or trip cancellation and interruption insurance through Kollander World Travel. Important terms concerning pre-existing medical conditions, which are not covered, are described in the insurance brochure which will be sent for your review.
9. Revisions: A handling fee of $30.00 per transaction will be charged for any alteration or revision. A change of tour date or tour itinerary within 45 days of departure will be treated as a cancellation and new booking; regular cancellation fees apply.
10. Responsibility Clause: Kollander World Travel, Cleveland, Ohio a division of AAA East Central (hereinafter referred to as “the Company") is responsible to you in making arrangements for the tour services offered in this brochure, including transportation, sightseeing and hotel accommodations. The carriers, hotels and other suppliers providing tour services are independent contractors and are not agents, employees or servants of or joint ventures with the Company. All certificates and other travel documents for tour services issued by the Company are subject to the terms and conditions specified by the suppliers and to the laws of the countries in which services are supplied. If the services included on the tour cannot be supplied or there are changes in an itinerary for reasons beyond the control of the Company, the Company will arrange for the provision of comparable services. Any resulting additional expenses will be payable by tour participants and any resulting savings will be refunded by the Company to tour participants. The Company reserves the right to make changes in the itinerary whenever the Company deems it necessary to the comfort, convenience or safety of the tour participants, and to cancel a tour at any time. If the Company cancels a tour, it shall have no responsibility beyond the refund of all monies paid to the Company by the tour participant. The tour participant agrees that the Company shall not be liable for any damages, loss (including personal injury, death and property loss) or expenses occasioned by any act or omission of any supplier providing tour services or of any other person. No person, other than an authorized representative of the Company by a document in writing, is authorized to vary any term or condition in this brochure, including any term or condition set forth in the preceding provisions.
"Air Taxes Surcharges on International Tickets are subject to change at any time
Please complete and mail this coupon :
Kollander
World Travel
Giving you the World since 1923
971 E. 185 St. Cleveland, Ohio 44119 (216) 692-1000 / (800) 800-5981
www.kollander.com
Zarja presents: Secrets of Slovenia
Maij 8 - 19, 2009
Enclosed is my deposit of $_
($300 per person +
for Insurance) for this trip. I have read and agree to
the terms and conditions applicable to this tour package. PASSPORT REQUIRED. Your personal check and/or bank check welcome. If paying by Credit Card please circle: Visa, Discover, MasterCard, Amex
Full Name(s):_
Roommate:
(Name as it appears on your passport) Name on Credit Card:____________
Signature Required:_
Credit Card payment: Card #: Address:
Expiration Date:
Email:
City/State/Zip:
Daytime Phone: (_
] Single Room (additional cost $375)
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SWUA Scholarship Program
Celebrating its 60th year in 2009
Applications for SWUA Scholarships are available on our website: http://www.swua.org and are due March 1, 2009. High school seniors, those attending college full time, adults returning to school either part or full time, each holding a three year paid membership in the SWUA are eligible. To better know the 2008 SWUA Scholarship winners, they have each submitted a short essay on Slovenian heritage and their plans of the future.
COURTNEY EBNER of Branch 89, Oglesby, Illinois “Slovenian heritage brings delicious foods and wonderful traditions into my life, but it also gives me something more: a sense of pride. Many years ago, my great-great-grandparents on my mother’s side and my great-grandma on my mother s side immigrated to this countiy. My family came to this countiy with very little, but by working hard they were able to create a financially secure life for their families. Knowing of the difficulties they endured is what inspires me to work hard in every aspect of my life. The Slovenian way oj thinking has inspired me to work hard and to do my best in everything that I do. That is why I am very proud to be a Slovenian. ”
JAMIE GRABNER of Branch 1, Sheboygan, Wisconsin “My name is Jamie Grabner and I graduated as one of eight valedictorians in the class of 2008 from Sheboygan South High School in Wisconsin. In the fall I will be attending St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin to study music education. I also plan on pursuing a double minor in mathematics and chemistry. I am incredibly gracious and thankful to have received one of the scholarships from the Slovenian Women s Union of America. I am proud of my Slovenian heritage and I will do everything I can in order to preserve some of the traditions that I have been brought up with. One of the things that I would like to continue is the making of potica around the holidays. I have made it with my Grandma Rogene Grabner, a picture was once in an issue of “Zarja ”. I also enjoy other Slovenian foods. Someday I would like to travel to Slovenia in order to be in the place where my heritage lives. Hvala!
LISA LOREK of Branch 14, Mentor, Ohio “My Slovenian heritage is the foundation of everything I have accomplished in my eighteen years. Through the media, my family and Zarja, I have learned that Slovenian people are talented in the arts, gifted athletes, and are very hard workers with a passion for achievement.
I consider myself to be a hard worker and always try to perform every task to the very best of my ability. / am very proud to be a lifetime member of the Slovenian Womens Union of America and feel that my background
and heritage has played a role in the development of my musical and artistic talents, as well as my athletic ability. These gifts have granted me a successful high school career in soccer, basketball and lacrosse. These gifts will also help me in the pursuit of my career goals as I enter the University of Dayton in the fall to study Visual Communications Design.
I have come to embrace the Slovenian traditions we practice in our home, carried down from my ancestors. We anxiously await a visit from Miklavž at Christmas time, and remember the symbolism of Christ s Passion through the traditional Zegen Easter celebration. The Slovenians are truly devout people and my faith has been a comfort and strength to me all of my life.
Thank you, SWUA, for helping to make my dreams come true. Dusk has fallen on my high school years but I took forward to “the dawn ” of my college career, as a proud Slovenian woman. ”
MARK MARUSZAK of Branch 32, Wickliffe, Ohio '7 am honored to be awarded The Frances Barman Scholarship funded by Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Colnar of North Olmsted, Ohio and sincerely appreciate your support. I have been surrounded by my Slovenian heritage by my family and especially my grandparents Anton and Doris Sadar. Of great interest to me is the history, culture, music, traditional folk art highlighted by “Splasher Cloths” and “Tramp Art”. In addition to SWUA, I belong to SNPJ, American Mutual Life Association, the Slovenian American National Art Guild and the Croatian Fraternal Union.
In my junior year of high school, I elected to participate in the Post Secondary Educational Option program at Lakeland Community College in Mentor, Ohio and graduated in May 2008 with an Associate of arts degree, the credits enabled me to transfer to Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio as a junior. In June 2008 I graduated from Wickliffe High school as an honor student and plan to attend law school.
/ belong to Lakeland Community College Democratic Club, volunteer for the cities of Wickliffe and Willoughby Hills, The West End YMCA, attended the American Legion Buckeye Boys State. I have raised over $4,500 for National MS Society and have participated in the “Pedal to the Point for jour
consecutive years, biking roundtrip 150 miles. I was inducted into the Wickliffe High School National Honor Society, National Honor Roll, Who 's Who Among America’s High School Students, United States Achievement Academy, National Society of High School Scholars, Center for Talent Development Recognition Award, qualified for Dean’s List at Lakeland Community College. I was awarded the President George W. Bush Gold Award for volunteering more than 2,000 hours in the past four years. ”
NATALIE MLAKAR of Branch 100, Irvine, California “This upcoming school year will be my final year at the University of California, Irvine, where I am a Nursing Science major. I look forward to the year ahead as I complete my clinical rotations in the hospitals and experience various specialties I might work in as a future nurse. In spring of 2009, I will graduate with a bachelor s degree in Nursing Science. Soon afterwards, I will take the board exams to become a Registered Nurse. Although I have not made a final decision as to what specialty of nursing in which 1 would like to work, I am leaning towards pediatrics. I do know with certainty, however, that I would like to pursue a master s degree after a few years of working in the field. The master’s degree I plan to pursue will most likely be in Nursing Administration.
This summer, I am working full time as a nurses aide at UC Irvine Medical Center. The job has provided me with a great opportunity to experience work in a hospital setting as well as gain more hands-on experience in dealing with patients.
1 would like to thank the Slovene Rest Home Association for donating to the Scholarship Fund. I would also tike to thank the SWUA Scholarship Committee for their hard work and dedication in administering the scholarship program. Their efforts are very much appreciated, as they are significantly helping me achieve my academic and career goals. ”
AMANDA OCHSENDORF of Branch 35, Hugo, MN “My name is Amanda Ochsendorf and last spring I completed my first year at Loyola University Chicago.
I am currently studying business and / hope to pursue a career in accounting or marketing in the future. I also plan on studying abroad during spring semester at Loyola’s campus in Rome, Italy and 1 am looking forward to it for many reasons. One of them is the chance to visit Slovenia for the first time.
Potica and polkas are among the favorite traditions in my family. These pastimes are a significant part of my life growing up and I plan to pass them on to my children someday. I have always heard so many stories about my family in Slovenia and I will finally have the
chance to meet them for the first time when I study aboard next year. I am incredibly excited to see the place and the people that shaped my heritage. Thank you so much for helping me towards this opportunity. ”
One Small Idea Brings a Magnificent Memorial
Our son, John Turvey made a trip to Fort St. John, British Columbia in May 2006. He wanted to be there on the date, when 64 years earlier his Grandfather, Major John M. Turvey, along with 11 other soldiers from the 341sl Engineering Co, US Army, drowned as they had begun construction of the Alaskan Highway. He went, with a feeling of sadness, and felt that no one in a foreign country would remember or care about such a small event of 64 years ago. However, he was greeted warmly by the Fort St. John Community and a historian was elated to see the archival, documentation that John had brought along. There had been many rumors of the Charlie Lake incident of 14 May 1942, but no actual local historical records of that drowning incident. The historian and city council members decided to build a monument in honor of the 12 soldiers who had given their lives. This spring, on 21 May 2008, nine members of our Turvey Family, along with members of other soldier’s families who had lost their lives that day, met at Fort St. John, at the head of Charlie Lake to help dedicate a magnificent stainless steel memorial. US Ambassador David Wilkins, along with dignitaries and military officers from Canada and the United States were in attendance. The First Nation prepared a native dinner after the program, after which Americans stood in one line, across from their Canadian friends, held hands and recited a prayer which stated we, of two great countries will work for peace, liberty, freedom and equal opportunities for all mankind. There were many smiles and tears. It was one little idea from our son John that resulted in a monument that is visited daily now by 100’s of visitors as they travel the Alaskan Highway.
Scholarship Donations
$50.00 Donation
Marija Kotler- Scholarship Fund S25.00 Donation
Anthony A. Pozelnik, + his sister, Albina J. Pozelnik $20.00 Donation
Kay Yuratovac, +Alouise Epley, Past Secretary,
Branch 73
$10.00 Donation
Dolores K. Maki, + Bea Lebeque
$5.00 Donations
Branch 23, Ely +Pauline Ferderberand +Helen Mam
For more information on the SWUA Scholarship Foundation Program
please visit http://www.swua.org “scholarship”
I	contact Mary Turvey, mturvey@aol.com	I
So c'mon... Lets Explore
Hi Kids! It's JO JO again. Well, it's back to school time for everyone. It's autumn again, where did the summer go? I guess it is good to get back to school after the summer break to see what is going to be new in class this year and to meet up with friends and teachers again. Autumn is a great time to gather and press the colored leaves in large books and then let dry for a long time so you can use them for your Thanksgiving table decorations. I do that each year. If you never have, try it, it's fun.
I	heard a few neat Slovenian stories not too long ago that I would like to share with you because I know you will enjoy them. These are stories or legends about Slovenia. Once there was a beautiful chamois, (goat like antelope with large horns), called Gold Horn, who lived in a beautiful garden high in the Triglav Mountains of Slovenia. Gold Horn was beautiful and strong so he guarded a treasure that a greedy man wanted. One day this greedy man set out to kill Gold Horn and steal the treasure. He shot and wounded Gold Horn with his gun, but did not kill him. From the blood that spilled onto the ground grew a beautiful flower found there yet today, called the Triglav Rose. Gold Horn was so mad that a human would try to kill him, that he put his head down and plowed through the mountains with his big horn on his head making deep valleys and chased the man away. He, too, then ran away, never to be seen again but the treasure still remains undiscovered somewhere in the Julian Alps to this very day. Some people say the true treasure is the natural beauty of these mountains and Mt. Triglav is the most beautiful sight to see. Others say, gold and jewels are still buried in these Alps today. So that is how the deep valleys were formed. Kinda neat, wouldn't you say?
Another cool story that I like to tell is that once there were three sisters, the Drava, Sava and Soca Rivers and they decided to hold a competition to see who would be the first to reach the Adriatic Sea, far from their home in Slovenia. The evening before the race, Drava made careful preparations and went to bed early for a good rest. Early the next morning she got up and set off quietly so as not to wake her sleeping sisters.
When Sava woke up and saw that Drava had already gone, she quickly ran after her. Little Soca was called from her bed by the rays of the late morning sun. Oh, she jumped up and raced off by the nearest route across the mountains and down the valleys. Oh, she was so late! She went faster and faster. Do you know what? She reached the sea first! Her sisters thought they had so much time that they had moved much slower! Another great story, I think. Today the Soca River is regarded as one of the most beautiful Alpine Rivers in the country. Slovenia has many interesting legends, traditions and stories. They are fun to remember and tell to others. These stories have a way of sticking in your head and easy to remember. Pass them on.
In this issue of Zarja you can read about a great Slovenian man, Bishop Baraga, (1797-1868), the "snowshoe priest," who came here from Slovenia to live and teach the American Indians as a missionary of the upper Midwest of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin before there were roads or even states. He learned their language and wrote a dictionary of their own which is still used today. He taught them about God and reaching heaven and being good to each other. His story is very interesting so be sure to read about him.
Well, until next time! Enjoy the autumn!
See ya.........JO JO
A Slovenian word to learn gora it means mountain
FUNNY CORNER
KNOCK KNOCK
Who is there?
NORMA LEE!
Norma Lee who? NORMALLY I'D BE IN SCHOOL BUT ITS SATURDAY!
Autumn reminds us Halloween is near. Here is a neat treat bag
to make:
WITCHES BROOMS
1)Get 2 brown lunch bags for each broom
2) Unfold one bag, push out its base but fold in the two sides
3) With scissors, cut thin strips from the top down, stop short of the base
4) Cut second bag only 1 inch down from top
5) Open both bags; placing second bag inside the first shredded one
6) Fill as much as you want with candy, using candy corn or candy kisses
7) Gather fringe up around the inside bag, making one bag
8) Insert small twig from your yard into bag as handle
9) Cinch top of bags together using yarn, ribbon or twine, tie tight
10) Tear Bag at bottom corner to open for treats
There it is!
An old Slovenian thing is whistling, especially with
1)	Make an upside down V with your index fingers.
2)	Put fingers in V form under your tongue so that tongue curls backward. Close lips around fingers so air passes through only the small hole between fingers.
3)	Blow! It may take practice but don't give up it does work. Practice. Practice.
4)	Wow! It works!
Try it!
Men in a SWUA World
Pheasant Hunting
Pheasant hunting, where do I begin? I don’t ever remember a time that I haven’t hunted pheasants. Like many family traditions, this is one that my family has always cherished and has been passed down from generation to generation. The issues that we are taught is safety, sportsmanship and just as importantly that it is a family event and the experience and memories are more important then the harvest.
One funny memory 1 have has been called the surprise in the trunk and it actually happened to me when I was seventeen years old. 1 was on Christmas break and I awoke to a nice dusting of snow, which as any hunter knows keeps the pheasants nice and snug in there roosts and I was hoping to catch a couple of roosters sleeping in late. When I arrived it was a perfect morning, it was grey and overcast and there were tracks everywhere. I began to walk slowly into the ditch. 1 wasn’t 50 feet into the hunt when three huge roosters busted out of the ditch and 1 swung to my right and fired, bang down went the first, shoot again and number two crashed to the frozen field, one more bird and one last shell in the chamber, so I aimed and squeezed the trigger and the third rooster fell out of the sky. 1 couldn’t believe it, my first triple! 1 ran as fast as
I	could and swept up the three beautiful birds and tossed them into the trunk so proud and anxious to show my Dad when 1 got home. After the fifteen minute drive home I raced into the house and told my Dad to come see the surprise I had in the trunk. He said, “Got one huh?” 1 snickered as we made it to the trunk and flamboyantly
popped it open, but the surprise was on me as when the trunk opened bird number three exploded out of the trunk and flew down the street as we both nearly fainted! Turns out I clobbered the first two but only knocked out the third. Well, from that point on I never took it for granted that a down bird was in fact dead.
Now in Slovenia, to hunt pheasants is a much harder deal than here in the United States. Slovenia is much more structured and has many more rules than we do. First off you need to become a member of a club called Hunting Organization and then you must go through a training program. The training program is a year long process that teaches you about your hunting grounds and the ethics of hunting, such as not taking your prey in the feeding grounds and to do everything possible to make sure your prey doesn’t suffer. The total course involves 10 exams and an avocation to become a full fledged hunter. This code of ethics was actually adopted in Slovenia in 1999 and was the first of its type. In Slovenia hunting is considered a leisure activity and unlike in the U.S. your hunting prowess is not measured in what prey you have taken but rather how you took it and the most decent and fair hunters are looked at with the most admiration.
Well, that’s all for now, I hope you got a laugh out of my pheasant hunting experience. As always may good luck be yours and if you have any funny hunting stories I’d love to read them, so send them to me at doomsports@aol.com. - Don Baldin
m\i;U
AMERICAN SLOVENIAN CATHOLIC • / UNION
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Slovenian Women’s Union of America
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Slovenska Zenska Zveza v Ameriki Membership Application
Yes! I want to join the SWUA. I want to preserve and promote the legacy of our Slovenian-American heritage. As a member I will receive the publication Zaija the Dawn; I can affiliate with branches and events across the country and best of all, 1 will come in contact with fellow Slovenes.
Please type or print legibly. Choose type of membership:
Junior (Birth to 18) Annual Dues $5.00	Adult	Annual	Dues	$20.00
Name and Middle Initial_____________________________________Maiden Name______________________________
Street Address____________________________________City/State/Zip_____________________________________
Phone/Fax_________________________________________E-mail_____________________________________________
Date of Birth_____________________________________ Do you speak Slovenian?___________________________
Please describe your Slovenian ancestry and provide SLOVENIAN SURNAMES_______________________________
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Applicant signature:___________________________________________________________ Date:_____________________
Branch Affiliation No. (if known)______________________ Location:_________________________________________
Please make checks payable to the Slovenian Women s Union of America and mail to:
SWUA 431 North Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432
For additional information, contact:
SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION OF AMERICA, 431 North Chicago Street, Joliet, 1L 60432 815.727.1926 e-mail: swuhome@sbcglobal.net - website: www.swua.org
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The Path Taken.. • Dopoljcna pot by Mary Lou Voelk © Bishop Frederic Baraga
Bishop Frederic Baraga...
“it is not easy for one to imagine how difficult a journey is through the primeval forests of North America where, like a swimmer, one must part the branches before himself in order to make a way through. ” March 7, 1834
Father Baraga was bom to John Nepomucene and Catherine Jencic Baraga in Dobemice, Slovenia. He was educated in Ljubljana and furthered his education in Vienna where he studied both civil and canon law. Baraga received a law degree from the University of Vienna. Ordained into the priesthood, he served at St. Martin Parish at Šmartno and St. Nicholas Parish in Metlika, Slovenia.
Discontented by religious disorders and Napoleonic aggressions, Fr. Baraga asked permission to apply for missionary work in America. U.S. history, at that time, was undergoing drastic changes. Treaties between the Indian bands and the government meant ceded Indian lands, and/or removal of Indians from their lands. It was a time when alcohol, exploitation by fur traders, and lumber barons, and epidemics such as measles, cholera and small pox were altering the Indian way of life.
Upon his arrival in America, and in preparation for his assignment in the Great Lakes area, Baraga began learning the Ottawa language. During the next 37 years, Baraga would travel through 80,000 square miles including areas of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Canada. His goal was to make God known and loved by all men. Baraga was concerned with human rights for the Native Indians, their physical and emotional needs and their spiritual needs. Baraga was a listener; he learned their pattern of life and prayer. In turn he shared with them his devotional practices and his love of God.
Chronology of The Life of Frederic Baraga: 1797-1868
1797, June 29 Birth of Fredcric Baraga 1816 -1821 Studied law, University of Vienna 1823, September 21 Ordained to the Priesthood
1829, August 10 Asked permission to apply for the missions
1830, October 18 Left Metlika to begin journey to America
1831, May 27 Fr Baraga arrives at Arbre Croche (see map) 1832 Published Is' Indian book:
Ottawa Anarnie- Masinaigan Wawiyatanong
In Arbre Croche, Baraga found a peaceful quiet community. He continued his study of the Ottawa language, formulating grammatical rules that went into his dictionary of their language. Baraga used the Indian language for every service. He recognized the need to educate them in their native tongue. In 1832, the First of many Indian-language books was published. Baraga also turned their labors toward agriculture and encouragcd the storage of the harvest for the winter months.
Baraga’s daily living was difficult. He called home a small log cabin with a birch bark roof. Rains that poured through the shabby dwelling interrupted his work and sleep and winter cold was a constant visitor as was loneliness.
As he moved throughout the area, the night sky was his “home for the night”. Wherever he traveled and whomever he met, his spirituality was felt. He was universally respected by the Indians and in the upcoming (growing/ expanding/developing) mining communities.
Chronology of the Life of Frederic Baraga: 1833-1837
1833, March 5 First mention of desire to travel to Lake Superior
1833, March 8 Detroit diocese created
1835, July 27 Fr Baraga arrived at La Pointe (see map)
1836, September 29 Fr Baraga left La Pointe for Europe
1837, October 8 Fr. Baraga returned to La Pointe
Baraga arrived in La Pointe (Madeline Island) on Chequamagon Bay on southern Lake Superior with three dollars in his pocket and only his summer clothes. At that time, the island had a population of about 3,500 people including Chippewa Indians, French voyageurs, fur traders, fishermen, etc. In La Pointe, Baraga again showed compassion, and disregarded denominational differences. When the Presbyterian minister and his wife suffered the loss of their stillborn baby, Baraga and other Protestant missionaries walked in the funeral procession. After two hard winters Baraga left La Pointe and journeyed to Europe with high hopes of soliciting funds and supplies for his mission.
Among the items he brought from Slovenia was a painting of St. Ignatius by the Slovenian artist, Matthew Langus, This painting, now housed at St. Ignatius Church in St. Ignance, Michigan, is of St. Ignatius of Loyola dedicating himself to God. He brought several paintings - 6 large Langus paintings and several smaller ones. One of the Langus paintings was at LaPointe, others at L’Anse, Sault Ste. Marie, Mackinac Island and Harbor Springs. All other pictures that adorned the first St. Joseph Church at La Pointe were lost in a fire that destroyed the church.
Chronology of the Life of Frederic Baraga: 1843
1843, May 24 Fr. Baraga visited L’Anse 1843, October Fr. Baraga arrived “permanently” at L’Anse
Because Baraga had earned the love and respect of the native population his responsibilities grew. L’Anse, Michigan needed him. At L’Anse, Baraga named the mission the Church of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. La Pointe and later L’Anse became his headquarters. From these two missions, he visited Indian settlements in Fond du Lac (Duluth) and Grand Portage, Minnesota and Fort William, Canada. Snowshoes allowed him to travel great distances in the deep winter’s snow. Known as the “The Snowshoe Priest”, journeys of 40-50 miles were not uncommon. On two occasions he made snowshoe trips of 250-300 miles. His trip from L’Anse to Fond du Lac, Minnesota and back was 690 miles. In summers he traveled using the waterways.
During his absences at the missions, Baraga depended on lay people whom he had recruited.
Pierre Cotte was one such man. Pierre had obtained a copy of Baraga’s first Indian prayer book and had used it to teach the Indians at Fond du Lac. When Baraga returned to the settlement he found the hymns, prayers and teachings were already familiar to the Natives.
In L’Anse, Baraga again overlooked denominational differences when he and the Methodist missionary, Rev. John Pitezel, cooperated when the Chippewa had a grievance against the government. Acting first, Baraga and then Pitezel both purchased the land on which their missions were located and deeded the land to the Indians. This deeded action prevented the removal of the L’Anse Indians westward and made possible the Keweenaw Bay Reservation in L’Anse today. In the 1883 edition of Lights and Shades of Missionary Life Pitezel wrote:
‘7 shared generous hospitality and the priest was made no less welcome among our people. Rev Frederick Baraga was the resident priest. Temperate in his habits, devout and dignified in his private and ministerial bearing he was universally respected by the Indians, the mining community and affectionately loved. ” (pp. 443-44)
SUPERIOR
Upper Michigan
Wisconsin
* k
Lower Michigan
Grand River m
Chronology of the Life of Frederic Baraga: 1850-1868
1850, Publication of the grammar book
1852, June 27 Fr. Baraga began his Diary
1853, My 8 Publication of the dictionary
A Dictionary of the Ojibway Language 1853, October 9 Fr. Baraga received official notification of his appointment as Bishop 1853, November 1 Consecration of Bishop Frederic Baraga
1853, November 26 Departed from New York for Europe
1854, Visited Martin Pitzer in Munich. Pitzer taught art at old St. Mary’s Church in Milwaukee in 1847. Pitzer painted religious works for Baraga and Franz Pirc.
1854, August 21 Returned to Sault Ste. Marie 1863, July 16 Last entry in diary (1852-1863)
1866, September Moved to Marquette 1868, January 19 Death of Bishop Frederic Baraga in Marquette, Michigan
Baraga remained at L’Anse until his consecration as bishop. In L’Anse he completed both the grammar and the dictionary of the Otchipwe (Chippewa) language. A Dictionary of the Ojibway Language is still being sold today.
In the years covered in his diary,
Baraga wrote of his travels, his joys and tribulations. These same years, he began serving immigrant Catholics in the growing mining towns especially Marquette, Negaunee and Keweenaw Bay.
Father Baraga’s legacy! Baraga County bears his name. Baraga was also renowned in Slovenia. He inspired many priests to come to the United States. Two of the most notable were Reverend Joseph Buh, who ministered to the Slovenians in northern Minnesota and Reverend John Cherbul, who ministered in the Great Lakes area. It has been suggested that of all ethnic groups who came to America, (priests preceding lay immigrants) is unique to the Slovenian immigrant experience. Baraga’s adventures and successes inspired thousands of Slovenians to emigrate to the United States. By the late 19"' century, Slovenian immigrants were working in the copper mines of the Upper Peninsula and the iron ore mines and lumber industry of Minnesota.
Bishop Frederic Baraga died at 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 19, 1868 on the day of the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus in Marquette, Michigan. He was in his thirty-seventh (37"‘)year of ministry to the native peoples of the Great Lakes. At his funeral at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Fr. Jacker delivered a public eulogy.
Thus ended a man, whose purity of soul and singleness of purpose, whose mortified life and burning zeal was successfully employed in the service of God, and of the most abandoned of his creatures: a man whose extraordinary achievements as a pioneer of Christianity, will not
allow his memory to pass away. - Fr. Jacker
The remains of Bishop Frederic Baraga are interred in the crypt of St. Peter’s Cathedral in Marquette, Michigan. The official Cause for Canonization was opened in 1952.
“His day to day life was lead by something we could not see”
He intended to travel to Grand Portage, Minnesota to build a church. But it meant 40 miles of open water across Lake Superior. From the Apostle Islands an alternative route required a month of travel along the 200 miles of shoreline. Baraga and Louis Gaudin started out in a small fishing boat with a mast and sail without keel or centerboard. The boat was but eighteen feet long. They awaited a favorable wind to take them across the 40 miles. Father Baraga steered and Louis rowed the boat. Before they got midway, a heavy west wind arose and the lake grew rough. In the height of the storm Louis became frightened and said “Nosse, ki ga-nibomin, ganabatch” (Father, perhaps we are going to perish). The Father answered quietly “Keo segisiken, Wizon” (Chippewa for Louis) “Don t be afraid, Wizon the priest will not die in the water. If he died here in the water, the people on the other shore, whither we are going, would be unfortunate. ”
Nearing the north shore, Baraga told Louis to steer straight ahead through the rolling breakwaters for the land. They passed through the breakers unharmed and ran their boat into the mouth of a small river heretofore unnamed, but now called Cross River. In thanksgiving, they erectcd a small cross with a penciled inscription.
9§C 9§C 9§C )§C	9fc	3§C	3^C	3§C	9§C	9^C 3§C
“In commemoration of the goodness of Almighty Cod in granting to the Reverend F. R, Baraga, Missionary, a safe traverse front La Pointe to this shore, August, 1846”
Bibliography:
Bernard J. Lambert, “Shepherd of the Wilderness”, Franciscan Herald Press, Chicago, 1967
Google Search: Frederic Baraga
Lake Superior Port Magazine: “The Snowshoe Priest”, Duluth, MN, 1984
The Diary of Bishop Frederic Baraga: “Chronology and Biographical Introduction
pp 21-31, Wayne State University Press, Detroit, 1990
Slovenian Heritage Volume 1, “Slovenian American Trailblazers” pp 127-131
Slovenian Research Center of America, Willoughby Hills, Ohio, 1981
St. Louis Historical Society, “Shared Horizons, Ojibwe and Baraga”, Duluth, MN, 1997
Special thanks to: Elizabeth Delene, Archivist and Program Director, Bishop Baraga Association and Editor, Baraga Bulletin
Yul Yost, Branch 109 Twin Cities
Baraga Days
Joliet and Lemont, Illinois September 27 - 28, 2008
See page 24 for details!
Heritage Donations
$100 Donation
Rose Ann Prey, Branch 89 Branch 32
$25 Donation
Angela R. Daly, +Helen Mam, Branch 23
$10 Donation
Louise Vett
$5 Donation
Rosemary Marino Anonymous
World War II
Survey Project
The WWII Survey was published in Zarja (May/June 2008) and the survey is now on our website (www.swua.org). Slow but sure, surveys are coming in. Just when I get disheartened, the postman delivers a survey, an email comes across my desktop or the phone rings. This past week it was an email from Kathy Senffner regarding her father’s efforts on the battlefront, the Invasion of Omaha Beach. In a telephone conversation, Kathy told me of a daily diary her father kept during the war. She will be writing up her father’s life just as he documented it! And then days later the postman delivered a package from John Petrie of Fontana, California. John had a story to tell. On the CD I found a 140-page biography, which includes his military tour and his June 6th D-Day jump into Holland when he landed in an apple orchard. It is a rare look at war, complete with photos.
Reading through each piece that is received makes for somber moments, tears and a heavy heart. In addition, my reading material for the past 5 months has been the 1940-1945 Zarja issues. Let it be known, the war effort was a priority with the Slovenian Women’s Union of America! What I have found in Zarja makes the phrase “the power of the pen” a reality and this went on for almost 5 years of publication.
Today I am convinced the WWII project must be a top priority. I am adamant when I ask each branch to bring this project to your membership. I am adamant when I ask members to take the initiative and the time to document this war. A few hours of research is but a small sacrifice for that long, ugly war that left no family untouched.
Remember, this survey is only a guide. Fill out as much as you have knowledge of. If you have stories, write them out. Not to worry about sentence structure, paragraphs. Have photos transferred to CD’s and while you are at it, have enough made for members of your family. Remember, I always answer emails, and phone calls. Call me, talk to me! - Mary Lou Voelk
9157 Clubhouse Drive, Foley, AL 3653 715.372.8578 or 251.968.4364 ottolou@gul ftel .com
Baraga Days
Joliet and Lemont, Illinois September 27 - 28, 2008
Saturday September 27 St. Joseph Church, Joliet
Marian Hymn Concert ^5:15 p.m.
Slovenian Marian Hymns, English Marian-Hymns, StringEfiserfible Mass - 6:00 p.m.	'	i" /;
Principal Celebrant: Bishop Sartain, Joliet Concelebrating Bishops from Chicago, Joliet and Marquette Priests, Deacons and women religious Evening Reception follo^Hng Mass'
St. Joseph Park (Rese^'ation required - $5 donation)
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Sunday September 2& Slovenian Culture Center, Lemont
There will be a tent to cover 500 people
Liturgy - 1:30 p.m. Slovenian Marian Litanies in I^onastery Chanel
Process from St. Mary’s Chapel to Baraga Park \__
Mass - 2:30 p.m.
Principal Celebrant: Fr. Drago Ocvirk, PhD, School of Theology, University of Ljubljana Concelebrating Bishops from Chicago, Joliet and Marquette Priests, Deacons and women religious Banquet - 5:00 p.m. (Reservations Required)
There will be no banquet ticket sales at the door. ($25 donation for the banquet)
Banquet Adgenda
Everyone seated to begin program at 5:00 p.m.
Introduction and general greeting
Introductions of guests of honor and various communities that are represented
Welcome from Fr. Roger Kuntzner and p. Metod Ogorevc (Co-hosts of2008 Bishop Baraga
Days)
Call to begin meeting: Bishop Garland Opening prayer by Bishop Garland
Report of Elizabeth Delene on membership and archival work Report of Bishop Sample on status of miracles and progress Presentation of monetary gifts Close meeting
Blessing of Food in English, German, French, Slovenian and Ojibway, the languages Baraga used in his ministry
Serve dinner - 5:30 p.m.
Announcement of2009 location	For more information:
Closing Prayer	Phone! 630.243.0670
Meet the Authors Open House
Slovenian Heritage Museum Saturday, September 27, 2008 Museum Hours: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Book Signing: 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
“Maybe Be Rain ” by Fr. Bernard Horzen, OSB About the Book
About 7 years ago I visited with relatives out west, staying in a small cabin on the acreage. Each day I would pray, and then record my life’s memories into a tape recorder. My niece transcribed the six 90 minute tapes and a friend, Dan Nagle, edited the entire text.
About the Title
1 would ask my Slovenian father for a ride to the school. He would answer in his heavy Slovenian accent, “maybe be rain”. But father it isn’t raining! His answer? “maybe be rain”. But father 1 would like to go to the school! His answer? “maybe be rain”. After pleading my case a number of times, he would drive me to the school. Such a wise teacher he was. It was his way of teaching me the “life skill” titled “Persistence”!
From Slovenia two new books in the Forget-me-not series, the bilingual series for children. They are known for their brilliantly colored illustrations and whimsical stories.
“Antons Circus” by Peter Svetina
It is in Ljubljana, 1921, and the opening of the first city fair. The circus act of Anton Bon and his lion Leopard are facing difficult times. The fleas, which are the main attraction of their act, have deserted them. They do not like the smell of the new shampoo used on the lion’s mane. The wonderful illustrations conjure up an amazing picture of Ljubljana, as it existed a century ago. It was the time of the mass migration of Slovenians to foreign lands.
“Luisa from Outer Space” by Majda Koren
From outer space comes Luisa in a flying potato. A young boy befriends her and becomes her guide as the two go exploring through the old city of Ljubljana.
Beautiful illustrations depict the old city town of Ljubljana.
Written with much humor!
Come Join the Fun!
A Slovenian Camp Heritage
Ironworld in Chisholm, Minnesota, June 7-8, 2008
It was a 2-day camp, a team venture between Minnesota branches, Ironworld and Slovenian World Congress with camp presenters, Sonia Avguštin, Jure Sesek, and Matjaz and Ursa Merljak. Our goal was to introduce and familiarize kids with the Slovenian language using action games, music, repetition, repetition and repetition. With the exuberance and talents of Sonia, Jure, Matjaz and Ursa, the kids took grasp, much to the amazement of our audience!
Events included facts about Slovenia, crafts and tradition pertaining to beehive fronts, the Camiolan bee, Sv Miklavž and Kurent, a tour of the mines via trolley, a potica demonstration and genealogy with actual documents from the research center at Ironworld. Special guests from Slovenia were Sv Miklavž, the angels and parkelj (devil). Lunch was an ethnic buffet in the Ironworld dining room. (They asked for seconds, but not one request for mac and cheese!)
At the closing of camp the kids presented their accomplishments in the Ironworld Theater. As the kids sang and wove up and down the aisle, a chorus of voices from the audience joined in. Dr. Zvone Žigon, his wife Irena, Miro Medved, Albin and Albina Medved, Frank Medved, Veda Ponikvar and Fr. Perkovich were in fine voice singing age-old folksongs.
Each participant received a Slovenian gift bag and a CD of children’s folksongs.
To our wonderful hosts: Veda Ponikvar, Terry and Claire Rupar, Ray and Rose Palcher, the Slovenian Home of Chisholm, Ironworld and our, personal attendant, Erinn Taylor and to our own Char Laurich, Anita Vovk, Bev Menart, Norm and Mary Ann Setnicker and Minnesota members! THANK YOU.
Rosemary Ribich,
Minnesota State President, Zveza
Maty Lou Deyak Voelk,
VP Heritage and Culture, Zveza
The Slovenian Heritage Museum
New Reasons to Visit The Slovenian Heritage Museum
The museum has been cleaned, rearranged, and has a fresh look with new exhibits that have been created to give a poignant significance with a new theme that informs visitors about the unique history of the early Slovenian immigrant. Work has been going on for some time and is still being done, but we are able to welcome visitors. Open weekdays, and weekends open gladly by appointment.
This month at the museum we will host an afternoon open house for the Bishop Baraga Society on Saturday, September 27th, while they are in Illinois this year for their annual pilgrimage. The museum will also welcome any visitors here during the SWUA Illinois State Convention being held in Joliet, on Saturday, October 18lh.
We also welcome YOU to pay us a visit soon. There are many reasons to visit: enjoy your heritage, help inform your family members about their ancestors, reflect on their lives, the hardships and employment of your early ancestors and their countrymen. See original artifacts, clothing, furniture, photos and histories of early Slovenes. You can browse the library of over 1000 rare books and enjoy the Gift Shop, which has some new items. Come by car or bus, docents will give you a guided tour to enhance your visit, if you wish. We are housed in an old historic Slovenian building, the Stonich Building, which in 2010 will be 100 years old. We are located in the old Slovenian neighborhood only 2
miles north of Interstate 80, take the Chicago Street North exit. We are, also, directly on the original historic Route 66, which was once the crossroads of Mid-America. So come “get your kicks on Route 66”, as the saying goes. Enjoy the Slovenian and Polish restaurants in the area, Joliet’s many festivals and events on most weekends, along with other museums, gardens, NASCAR Racing, landmarks, Illinois Michigan Historic Canal and even 2 casinos and we are only 35 miles from Chicago. We hope to see you soon. - Nancy Henkel, Museum Director
The Slovenian Heritage Museum 431 North Chicago St.
Joliet, Illinois 815.727.1926
-Remember Admission is Free!-
SWUA CALENDAR OF EVENTS
For more information on any event contact: wprokup@aol.com
Sunday, September 14
Wisconsin Regional Convention in Sheboygan Saturday, September 27
Open House at SWUA Heritage Museum Book Signing by Fr. Horzen “Maybe Be Rain " Book Signing and presentation by the Forget Me Not Tour of Slovenia introducing new books Tour the museum, scanning project and library View the documentary Američanke, Look through my Eyes and The Golden Years Saturday, September 27
Baraga Days Mass at St. Joseph’s Church in Joliet, reception to follow at St. Joseph’s Hall Sunday, September 28
Baraga Days Mass in Lemont, IL Sunday, September 28
Grape Harvest Festival by Branch 20 Joliet, IL Saturday, October 4
Meet award winning Slovenian children’s author Majda Koren and facilitator Spela Brecelj and a short film on Slovenia in Washington DC
Sunday, October 5
Ohio Regional Convention 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Vitus Church in Cleveland, OH Saturday, October 18
Open House at SWUA Heritage Museum Sunday, October 19
Illinois/Indiana Regional Convention and 80th Anniversary of SWUA Branch 20 Joliet, IL Saturday, November 1
Apple Strudel Demonstration in Lemont sponsored by Branch 99 Lemont, IL Register with Julie at 630.229.6416 Friday-Sunday, November 7-9
“Sample Slovenian Heritage” weekend at the Mohican Outdoor Center in Blairstown, NJ. Open to all members, friends and guests. Tuesday, December 2
Branch 14 Christmas Party 6:00 p.m. Slovenian meal at the Slovenian Society Home on Recher Avenue in Euclid, OH
NEW for 2008!
You can send a special Christmas Greeting to all of our Zarja readers throughout the world or honor your family of Christmas Past.
It’s so simple!
Write up a short greeting and include a picture (pictures will not be returned).
Our preference is that everything is sent electronically and emailed to: wprokup@aol.com
If not able to email, please mail to:
Bonnie Pohar Prokup 3119 Carrie Street Peru, IL 61354
The deadline is September 15, 2008
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS OR REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS PAST
$300.00 Full Page $170.00 1/2 Page $80.00 1/4 Page $50.00 1/8 Page $20.00 (Examle)
Season Greetings from the
John Novak Family
of Chicago, IL
Hollander
Looking for a “bit” of Slovenian heritage, culture, information and great stories, before the arrival of the next issue of our bi-monthly magazine, Zarja the Dawn?
By subscribing to our monthly Online Newsletter, The New Neighborhood, you can have that “bit” of Slovenia pick-up each month!! Thank you! I look forward to sending you the Newsletter!
Jan King, SWUA Online Editor
To begin receiving the Newsletter, send an email to: listoperator@swua.org
Branch Reports Poročila Podružnic
BRANCH 1 - Sheboygan, Wisconsin
The summer months were very busy for members of Branch 1. The annual SS. Cyril and Methodius Slovenian Festival was held in July, and many of our members were involved with that effort. We also were busy preparing for the Wisconsin Regional Convention, which will be on September 14, 2008 in Sheboygan. As you read this, hopefully the Zarja has arrived in time to be reminded of the convention! If possible, late RSVPs will be honored. Consult your invitation for details.
On June 14, 2008, Mary Bockin, Agnes Wiltzius and I attended Branch 12’s 80,h Anniversary party in Milwaukee. The first raffle prize was the Slovenian Doll, originated and constructed by members of Branch 1. It had been proposed and agreed to return the doll if any member of Branch 1 had the winning ticket - which was me! In returning the doll I was given a very nice Usinger gift box, which was later shared by some of our members. A member of Branch 2 Chicago was the excited winner in the re-raffle of the doll. It was a lovely day and we know how much time and effort was involved. Thank you, members of Branch 12.
Lastly, in our prayers and visits, let us remember our members who are unable to enjoy the outdoors during these wonderful days.
ANGIE FRITZ
BRANCH 2 - Chicago, Illinois
On June 14lh several of our members attended Branch 12’s 80lh Anniversary. The program was dinner, a songfest and a raffle. Our president, Fran Morison, won the raffle prize, which was a Slovenian doll. Virginia Strukel made the most delicious apple strudel, which was served with ice cream for dessert.
Our June 15,h meeting was all about planning for our Zveza Day in Lemont and our early celebration of the 4"' of July. To keep us in the spirit, we saluted the American flag and ate hotdogs with all the trimmings.
Congratulations to all graduates of year 2008 -Grammar, High School and College. You do your Branch proud!
To our members who are ill, we remember you in our prayers and wish you all a speedy recovery.
We hope everyone who attended our Zveza Day picnic had a wonderful time.
DAISY
Kimberly Thompson and Aunt Phyllis in NY j £
BRANCH 5 - Indianapolis, Indiana
Greetings to all! Summer has unfolded into a time of beautiful warm days and soft cool nights, my favorite time of year. My flowers this year were exceptional, due in part to all the early rain we had and to my wonderful live-in gardener, also known as my husband, Steve. We got many compliments this year on the beauty of the many varieties of flowers we have, even had a family stop by to ask if they could take their Christmas card picture in our front garden! I hope that your gardens gave you as much pleasure this year as ours did!
A big thanks to all who helped out with the TRAMONTANA concert. We have never been involved in a fundraiser before and we learned a few things, and maybe did a few things not quite right, but we had fun! I especially want to thank two very busy ladies who worked very hard to make this event a success, Karen Zarich and Mary Dragan. They both travel a lot with their jobs and family, but made sure that they were available to cook and work at the concert. HVALA LEPA!!
Congratulations to member Kimberly Thompson, who
obtained her law degree from Michigan, on passing the bar in New York! I am sure mom Josephine Thompson, grandma Angie Dragan, aunt Mary Dragan and cousin Martina Findley are very proud of your accomplishments. Junior member Erika Pell once again participated in the Hancock County 4-11 Fair. She won Reserve Grand Champion in Whiteface X Sheep Division, Grand
Champion Demonstration and Champion Sheep Poster. Congratulations and Good Luck at the State Fair! I am sure that Grandma Mary Frances Mohr cheered just as much as Erika’s mom, Rosemarie Mohr Pell!
Watch in your mail for our annual Memorial Mass and Holiday Dinner dates. Please remember to keep all our members in your prayers, especially our sick and deceased members. Our military families need our help and prayers, also. As you pray for others, they will be praying for you.
PHYLLIS
BRANCH 12 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Branch 12 of the SWUA celebrated 80 years of promoting education and culture to Slovenian Women with a dinner at Tanner Pauli’s Banquet Center in West Allis, on June 14,2008.
Dr. Zvone Zigon, Consul General of the Republic of Slovenia, (wife Irena), and newly elected West Allis Mayor Dan Devine were the guest speakers. Special guests were our National Treasurer, Denise Bartlett, the Wisconsin State President, Yvonne Johnstone Khaldy, members of Branch 1 from Sheboygan, Branch 2 from Chicago, and Branch 43 of Milwaukee, Mary Cay Freiberg, President of the Slovenian Arts Council of UWM, joined us for the Celebration.
Communications were read from our National President Bonnie Prokup, Mary Turvey our National Scholarship Director, Branch 43 with a special gift, and Branch 89. Please accept our sincere thanks to each of you for making this a very memorable occasion.
We owe a special debt of gratitude to Branch 1 for giving us that beautiful Slovenian doll not once, but twice. Because after they won it on the raffle Angie Fritz said she was instructed to give it back to us. Fran Morison, President of Branch 2, eventually won the doll. Thanks also to our member Teresa Fedron who donated a TV and a coffee maker for a raffle. Branch 1 was given the gift box of Usinger’s Sausage and Cheese to share. Thanks to all individuals and companies who supplied our door prizes.
Thanks to A1 Jelinek, Rose Luebke, Terri Majher, Gloria Sparacino and Nell Zietlow for their services above and beyond the call of duty.
The celebration ended with Dr. Zigon leading us in song, and members of the Uspeh Chorus with Mici Bregant as their director ended with their theme song Pozimi.
VIRGINIA STRUKEL
ncial solutions
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<jj| First Midwest Bank
Joiict, Crest Hill, Lockport & New Lenox
800.322.3623 • firstmidwest.com m™*«.™ žl
BRANCH 13 - San Francisco, California
Welcome Jack Spencer and congratulations to his parents Alina and Kevin Spencer and the Board of Directors of Branch 13. This baby is truly a SWUA legacy.
It all started in 1919 when Matt and Katie Judnich bought a house on Potrero Hill in San Francisco to be with other Slovenian people. Baby Jack is the fifth generation to live in that house. His great-great grandmother Katie and great grandmother Helen Susarich were both active members of SWUA. Today all but one officer of the Board of Branch 13 are related to Jack. The long list includes President Doreen Sustarich, Moreen Sustarich, Barbara Chiodo, Michele Twers, Virginia Sustarich and Ann Sustrich. These women have been active in SWUA so many years, it is unbelievable!!!
Katie Judnich was widowed at a young age and as her four children became adults they all helped their mother. First, Josephine Judnich Auito, President of Branch 13 for more than 25 years, her husband Vince and children Michele and David lived with Katie. Then her only son Matt and his family lived with Katie. Later daughter Helen Sustarich, her husband Frank and twin daughters Doreen and Moreen lived with Katie. Helen lived there until her passing and daughter Doreen remains there today with Kevin, Alina and baby Jack. Daughter Virginia did not live in the Judnich house with her family but had a home built with connecting yards behind her mother. She lived there with her husband Rudy until his death and raised their three children Mark, John and Ann there. Ginny still lives there today with her daughter Ann. Virginia’s son John and his son Matthew live next door to the Judnich house. So you can see Jack is surrounded with love. What a lucky little boy. 1 know Katie Judnich and Helen Judnich Sustarich are looking down today and are so proud of their family. Yes, this is truly a SWUA Legacy.
One of our new members, Kathleen Ann Musich and Josh Ciodar were married in Katie’s hometown in Minnesota on August 23,2008.
BARBARA CHIODO
BRANCH 14 - Euclid, Ohio
Summer is almost over and with it new memories of activities pursued. Hopefully you have made this a truly Slovenian summer by attending our picnics and other Slovenian events.
It will be a sad day when our “Ameriška Domovina” prints their last newspaper the end of August. The paper did so much for the SWUA by supporting us and publicizing our activities and I don’t know how we will ever get our information out in the future. Let us hope that God will find another way to fill this void in our community.
We will be holding our annual Christmas party as usual the first Tuesday of the month, December 2, at the Slovenian Society Home on Recher Avenue in Euclid, starting at 6 p.m. The meal will be the traditional delicious
Slovenian dinner, followed by our only fundraiser, a raffle of donated gifts all of which are just beautiful. There are enough prizes so that almost everyone who purchases a ticket wins something.
Stana Grill will be contacting everyone for their dinner reservations. Some members bring guests and you may know someone who might like to attend. If you wish to call Stana her number is 440.944.0598.1 don’t know what we would ever do without Stana as she knows everyone, knows how to get hold of them, and then makes the seating arrangements at the dinner. God bless her!
If you have any information about members or yourself for this column, please email it to me at the address below. We hope to see everyone in December if not sooner.
PATRICIA BUDZILEK pbudzilek@oh.rr.com
BRANCH 20 - Joliet, Illinois
Hope you all had an enjoyable, relaxing summer. Branch members are busy with the planning of our Annual Grape Festival Dance scheduled for September 28. On top of our list is making sure all who attend has a good time. Bob Dozack will provide music and it is possibly the last time he will be playing in Joliet.
We are also hard at work planning our 80lh Anniversary scheduled for October 19. Read through this issue for additional information. Tickets are $50, reservations and payment must be made in advance. The celebration begins on Saturday evening at the Heritage Museum with a fun evening planned to get the festivities started.
Congratulations are in order for member Reverend Robert M. Herbst who recently received his doctorate in Canon Law in Rome, Italy. He is the son of member Jean and Gerald Herbst, brother of 3rd National Auditor Rita Bottomley and member Renee Herbst and the uncle of member Renee Bottomley.
Honors to junior member Allyse Mihelich who was Valedictorian at her high school graduation and received a full scholarship to the University of Indiana.
Congratulations to member Marge Gasperich on being chosen Person of the Year of her KSKJ Lodge.
Condolences go to the families of members Barbara Kociuba, Betty Chinderle, Josephine Goron, and Angela
Reverend Robert M. Herbst
Hotuyec who died recently. Condolences also to members Frances Trautner, Angela Chytracek, Dorothy Mahan, Jean Govednik, Diane Govednik, Marion Bowers, Beatrice Fothergill, Bernice Nemanich and Pat Schager on the loss of their loved ones.
Hope to see you at one or both of the very exciting events we are planning. Friends are made by many acts and can be lost by just one.
PATRICIA FIGUROWSKI
June 7 of this year. We wish them every happiness in their new life together. Missy graduated in May from Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL with a degree in elementary education.
Heartiest congratulations are extended to Emil and Connie Kotar on their 60lh wedding anniversary, which was
celebrated in June. May God continue to bless them.
Until next time, enjoy the summer and all that goes with it - fresh fruit and veggies, garden flowers, butterflies, hummingbirds, lemonade, picnics, family reunions - and, may your hearts be filled with peace and love.
LORETTA STORY 91ives@comcast.net
BRANCH 24 - La Salle, Illinois
Dober Dan! Sixty people - members, spouses and friends attended our annual summer picnic on Thursday, July 10. “Maybe Be Rain”, the title of Fr. Bernard Horzen’s memoirs, was definitely appropriate that evening because there were no “maybe” about it - we had rain! And, more
rain! Originally scheduled to be held at the home of Hank and Martha Lushina, the festivities were moved to the Paramount Club in La Salle when the skies opened up late in the afternoon. It didn’t put a damper on the mood, though, and with all that delicious food topped off with Slovenian delicacies and a beautiful birthday cake commemorating the 80"' birthday of our branch, a good time was had by all. As the sun came out, we gathered at the Lushina home to enjoy the music of George Muylle and to sing along -until the clouds rolled in once again and we quickly dispersed. It was an interesting night, to say the least. Eighty years - it’s more than a number. It says something about the Slovenian spirit and the legacy handed down to us by our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and friends. A legacy to be proud of, to maintain and respect. May we enjoy many more years of this camaraderie.
Our very best wishes go out to Missy McLaughlin and Jeremy Actis on the happy occasion of their marriage on
BRANCH 35 - Aurora, Minnesota
On Sunday, May 18, 2008, Branch 35 honored their Member of the Year, Julie Pimat. Family and friends joined us in celebration. We had a lovely spring luncheon, our favorite, Sandwich Loaf, fresh fruit, cake and ice cream. Julie was presented a gift and flowers. We brought music along “The Swinging Forties” thinking we would sing along. Well the conversation overpowered the music and that was okay as those who knew Julie for many years and grew up with her children sat and reminisced about days gone by and it sure was fun. It reminded me of my neighborhood in Chisholm, MN. Guess the kids are the same all over the world.
We held a short meeting after the party and discussed our involvement with the Slovenian Heritage Camp at Iron world. We met again on June 12 for further discussion on this camp.
We are sad to see Father Bill Skarich leave our parish. We wish him well in his new assignment in Ely and Babbitt, MN. We welcome Father Rick Banker to our parish.
For now we’ll say, “ na svidenje in srecno pot” if you can afford to go anywhere.
ANITA VOVK gospanita@yahoo.com 218.229.3202
BRANCH 39 - Biwabik, Minnesota
By the time this appears in Zarja, the kids will be back in school, the leaves will be turning on the trees and Branch 39 will be gearing up in anticipation of their 2008- 2009 year. We have been on a summer break and it feels good.
We spent many months in preparation for the Heritage and Culture Camp that was held at Iron world in Chisholm, MN on the weekend of June 7/8, in conjunction with All-Slav Days. With the direction and guidance of Mary Lou Voelk, who spent countless hours preparing for this event, our team of Minnesota Branch Presidents and members of Minnesota branches, are now able to say it was a successful endeavor. It’s amazing how much preparation can be done with our technology today. Mary Lou was wintering in Alabama, our officers and members were here in Minnesota and the collaboration with the Slovenian World Congress in Slovenia with us and the staff at Iron world came off without a hitch. Most of this communication was done via-e-mail and got to be a little scary as we approached the weekend, what a team effort! (Read a more detailed account and see the great pictues on page 22-23 in this issue of Zarja.)
For the past two weeks, members of our branch have been attending the presentation of the Northern Lights Music Festival. Veda Zuponcic, Music Professor at Rowan University, New Jersey returned with her entourage of students from all over the world to bring us fifteen (15) days of concert music. Veda is the daughter of long time SWUA member Helen Zuponcic. Along with the troupe were several students from Slovenia and carnations were presented to welcome them. Petra Persolja, pianist from Novo Gorica accepted them.
ROSEMARY (SERTICH) RIBICH rribich@northlc.com
BRANCH 40 - Lorain, Ohio
We had a nice turnout for our July luncheon meeting. Six members and several guests made for a pleasant few hours.
There is much sadness at the news that our beautiful Slovenian church, Sts. Cyril and Methodius, would be closing and consolidating with other parishes, for reasons beyond our control. There is little consolation in the thought that the same thing is happening to other churches in our area. Sts. Cyril and Methodius will live in our hearts forever!!
Francine Pavlovčič tells us that her grandson Major Frank W Pavlovčič has returned from Iraq. 1 lis brother Matthew just returned from a month’s tour of Europe, which included Slovenia. He remarked at the beauty of Slovenia and has hopes of returning there for a longer visit. He toured with the Rock-a - Billy Band. He said they were well received wherever they played. Congratulations to all!!
STEPHANIE POLUTNIK
BRANCH 42 - Maple Heights, Ohio
The Zarja theme for this issue is missionary Bishop Baraga, the legendary Slovenian “snowshoe priest”, so named by the Ojibwa (Chippewa) Indians of the Upper Peninsula on Lake Superior. During his lifetime in the early 1800’s he made his mark in history, which you can read about in the Path Taken in this Zarja. For many years Slovene fraternal organizations have unsuccessfully pursued a movement to canonize him. The Maple Hts. experience in this endeavor was to attend fund-raisers held at St. Lawrence Church. Our local authority on this subject is none other then Maple Hts. High School retired teacher, Bob Kastelic, who tells me that when Bishop Baraga first came to the U.S. from Slovenia he stayed in Cincinnati, Ohio. Bob described him in appearance as a small, wiry man, much like our Mr. Stavec.
This being a fall issue and on the subject of Bob Kastelic, I have vivid memories of picnicking at his Twinsburg property with the members of the Planina Singing Group and their families. Bob took us on a hayride via an open bed truck throughout dense woods. This was a real test of survival since no trail existed. The bumpy ground and open sides of the flat bed left us reaching anywhere and everywhere for something to hang on to. To this day I can still visualize Mary Fink dragging a tree-like growth with its roots intact when she got off the wagon! How sweet it was.
Get well wishes to Dorothy Budimlic on her recent hip replacement, to Sr. Joan of Arc on carpal tunnel surgery and Teresa Gorup who is recovering from an incapacitating fall.
Our next meeting is Saturday, Nov 8,h at 11:00 a.m. at the Maple Hts. Library. Zbogom.
LIL SADOWSK1 216.398.4367 LRSadow@aol.com
Alouise Epleywas one of the true loyal members of SWUA for at least 30 years. From the time that I met her, she (as Branch 73 secretary) held all of the branch meetings in her home in Warrenville Heights, Ohio. She attended all Ohio-Michigan yearly conventions, every national convention, and maintained relationships with all the incoming and outgoing National Officers, attended meetings at other branches and participated in their activities, as well as invited other branches to 73’s activities. At the funeral, photos on easels presented by remaining members of her family were of her attendance at Slovenian cultural activities, showing her in Naroda nosa of the locale of her heritage, along with National Convention pictures and in the participation of many of the Slovenian events in the north eastern Ohio area. Alouise was a very strong supporter of SWUA and one of the “grand ladies” of SWUA. - Marge Church
BRANCH 47 - Garfield Heights, Ohio
Hi everyone. Summer is winding down and we are all trying to set ourselves up for the Holiday’s. Our next meeting will be in September on the 14th. Details will follow on where it will be held.
Olga Dorchak and Elsie Spellacy and family had two cousins from Slovenia here in July for a two-week visit. They got to meet family here and spend time with all of us. We had picnics and they were able to see some of the sites of our cities and a lot of our family.
Our family is now planning a trip to Slovenia to visit more of our family. More details to follow.
Hope to see everyone at the September meeting. Members will be notified where it will be and when. Our next meeting in November will have Election of Officers. See you there.
Birthday wishes go out to all September and October Members. Contacts: Olga Dorchak 330.468.7989; Elsie Spellacy 330.699.0031.
KATHERINE WALLACE
BRANCH 50 - Euclid, Ohio
Our May 21st “Mother of the Year” luncheon for Josephine Arko was filled to capacity at Kristy’s Tavern in Euclid, Ohio. Friends and family came from as far as Fort Myers, FL. Josephine’s great joy unfortunately turned to sadness on June 26th with the loss of her sister Jennie Arko, Branch 50 member since 1964. We offer sincere condolences to all the family, including Captain John Letnick and his niece Danica of Toronto, Canada.
On June 18lh, we held our summer picnic at Gilson Park, Willoughby, Ohio. The officers presented a fantastic lunch with sandwiches, desserts and beverages amidst chilly and
Rosemary Toth excitedly announced the merger of Branch 32 with Branch 50. Our Branch extends a great welcome to President Charlotte Perdan and fellow members Rosemary Kalfas, JoAnne Oberman and Ann Totha.
Please mark your calendars for Sunday, October 5th when Branch 50 will host the Ohio Regional Convention at St. Vitus Church in Cleveland. The day begins with 9:00 a.m. Mass, followed by brunch at St. Vitus Village prepared by caterer Linda Plečnik. We extend a warm welcome to all Ohio Branches. For reservations, call Anne Tomsick 216.531.2745.
This October marks the 10th Anniversary of the passing of America’s Polka King, Frankie Yankovic, fondly remembered throughout the country. I had the pleasure of making the cake for his 75lh and 80,h birthday celebrations, held at the annual East 185,h Street Festival in 1990 and 1995. Frank’s wife Ida helped our committee serve cake to more than 1,000 people.
Our Waltz King, Lou Trebar recently relocated to the Slovene Home for the Aged in Cleveland.
Congratulations to my grandson, Jonah Tomsick, who received AMLA’s Josephine Ambrosic Scholarship. Additional congratulations to my niece, Lisa Lorek, Branch 14, who received the SWUA Scholarship and will be entering the University of Dayton. Lisa is the granddaughter of Mitzi Globokar of Branch 14.
Joe Valenčič, trustee, of the PHF recently displayed pictures and memorabilia of all the Slovenian Marching Bands at the Polka Hall of Fame in Euclid. I urge you to stop by for a visit.
Our first meeting of the season will be held on Wednesday, September 17th, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Euclid Public
ANNE TOMSICK 216.531.2745 cjaynow@yahoo.com
BRANCH 55 - Girard, Ohio
Greetings from Branch 55! It is certainly amazing how quickly the summer months have come and gone. Once again, we find ourselves in the heart of the autumn season. What a wonderful time of the year for picking apples, enjoying hayrides and watching the leaves change into a rainbow of colors.
In Branch news, members Brian and Amy Kren welcomed a baby girl into their family on July 1, 2008. Their new daughter, Sophia, was named after her late great-grandmother Sophie Kren, who was one of the charter members of Branch 55. Congratulations Brian and Amy!
Thank you to everyone who participated in our bake sale on August 16. It was a great success! It is no surprise ihal the delicious
rainy weather.	Library.
Frank Yankovic’s 80"1 birthday. Anne Tomsick baked the elaborate cake that had 3 separate bases with various Slovenian cuifurai scenes depicted.
baked goods were a big hit and enjoyed by many of the people who attended the Girard Car Show.
That’s all the news for now. Members will be contacted as meetings and events are scheduled. Wishing each of you a pleasant autumn!
‘Winter is an etching, spring a wa terco lor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all. ” Stanley Horowitz
MONICA SELAK
BRANCH 89 - Oglesby, Illinois
We enjoyed our summer activities and are looking forward to our next meeting, which will be our annual picnic/potluck at the Dickinson House in Oglesby on Sunday, September 7, at 12 p.m. This is also Grandparent’s Day so bring your extended family or another guest; we are looking forward to a good time. Vsi vso vabljeni!
Nine of us attended Mass for our living and deceased members on June 10 at Holy Family Church followed by breakfast at Delaney’s. Darlene Wasielewski told about her wonderful trip to Austria to see her parent’s birthplace.
The Kemz and Argubright family had their annual picnic in Oglesby on July 6. This has been held since 1936 and many of our members were in attendance.
Our officers are busy planning interesting meetings and activities for the upcoming year and if anyone has suggestions please let us know. We look forward to seeing you all soon and if you can’t be with us remember that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
BARBARA BRUCH 815.339.2714 barbarabruch@yahoo.com
BRANCH 100 - Fontana, California
Branch 100 took the summer months off but many of the members traveled or took advantage of other Slovenian events in the area. Many members attended the recent Wine Tasting Party in Temecula in June. That is the very same event where Mary Lou Jensen secured about 20 new members for our Branch last year. July will mark a barbecue and swim party for all ages. Then, because so many of the Branch 100 members are also active in SNPJ we will be celebrating California SNPJ Days in Orange County on August 23-24. So it gives us a common thread...having a Slovenian connection where everyone can enjoy each other’s company. The Fontana Slovene Button Accordion Club will perform at this event.
We will miss Frank Vidergar, former president and musical director, but the club will continue under the direction of Larry Sikora, president and Frank Rote, musical director. We will also enjoy the Mlakar Bros. Orchestra with the Mlakars also greatly involved in both societies.
We do have plans to have a Slovenia Tour departing from Southern California for the second two weeks of September 2009. Many of the details have already been set-up. The tour will also include a few days in Croatia
Tezak’s
1908 - 2008
Home to Celebrate Life ®
1211 PLAINFIELD RD., JOLIET, IL 60435
www.tezakfuncralhome.com
815.741.2563 Fax 877.587.8460 815.722.0524
______________Celebrating our 100"' Year!_________
and Austria. It will be a total of 15 days and has been customized by the highly rated “Insiders Slovenia” tour company based in Ljubljana. I’m very excited about this trip and invite anyone interested to contact me immediately as we will have to limit the travelers. Na svidenje!
JEAN KOCI ajkoci@cox.net
BRANCH 102 - Willard, Wisconsin
Greetings from Willard! What a nice summer we had in central Wisconsin. Branch members report very nice gardens with ample vegetables and fruit for the winter months. Happy birthday to President, Rose Pakiz, Rose Pekol, Jodi Friedman, Bernadine Gauthier, Rebecca LaBonte, Andrea Plautz, Dorothy Podboy, Josephine Vershay and Theresa Zorman.
Left to right: Larry Paki/., Butch Trunkel, Jana Herrick, Scott “Blackie” Herrick and Sue Pakiz (member Ruth Zwieg took the photo)
Several Branch members participated in planning	for
Willard’s second Slovenian Heritage Festival held in June.
C e v a p c i c i sausage was a new traditional delicacy served this	year.	Making Cevapclci
Thousands of the small sausages were made over two weeks early this summer. Branch reporter Sue Pakiz
A scene from Heritage Day
shared that in Slovenia these sausages are eaten with toast and beer. Sounds wonderful!
Heritage Day brought together families and
friends We Slovenian Gals, Karen Spires/Sue Pakiz were happy to see SWUA Wisconsin State President, Yvonne Khaldy and many of our Branch members in attendance. Music was provided by Elvis tribute artist, G.L. Wesley, Dave Pakiz-Alpine Musik, Johnny Snidarich and the Singing Slovenes. Holy Family Church was filled to capacity for the Polka Mass with the Singing Slovenes, special Thank You goes out to everyone who traveled a distance to support Willard Heritage Day.
Dot Podboy and Judy DiPasquale spent the warm months at their homes at Rock Dam again this year. It is great to see them at meetings and events. Troy and Jennifer Pakiz (Troy is the son of Sue and Larry Pakiz) were married on July 26th in Danville, IL.
Branch members finished up the summer participating in Holy Family’s bazaar and the Slovenska Družba picnic. With the beauty of fall upon us, we send you our best from Willard. Until next time.
KAREN HRIBAR-SP1RES 847.356.6160 kleespires@comcast.net
ZIMMER FUNERAL HOMES
Mark Zimmer, Funeral Director mark@zinimerfuneralhome.com 805 North 6th Street, Sheboygan, WI 53081 (920) 457-7012 - Fax: (920) 457-7013 W 2132 Ganton Rd., Sheboygan, WI 53083 (920) 565-2331 www.Zimmerfuneralhome.com
BRANCH 108 - Olney, Maryland
All members, friends and guests are welcome to attend our meetings this fall. Please join us on Saturday, October 4 in welcoming Mrs. Majda Koren, an award winning Slovenian children’s author, and her facilitator, Miss. Spela Brecelj to the Washington, DC area. Mrs. Koren will present her two new English/ Slovenian books from the Spomincice series at a free family library program. In addition, the Embassy of Slovenia has graciously offered to supplement the program with the showing of a CD about Slovenia to help familiarize the audience about the country.
Refreshments with a Slovenian flair will also be served following the program.
For details, please see the September and October online newsletters and e-mail
Junior Matthew Fitzsimmons with Archbishop Wuerl presenting him the Ad Altare Dei medal
announcements.
New junior member,
Katherine Ziemke was happy to receive a beautiful Slovenia T-shirt this past summer as a promotional gift, a result of being enrolled	Katherine Ziemke receives
during the membership	Slovenia t-shirt for joining
campaign by her mother	during membership promo-
Elaine Ziemke.	tion campaign
Archbishop Donald Wuerl at the Archdiocesan Scout Religious Emblem Presentation Ceremony in Forestville, MD recognized the following three junior members in May 2008: Alana Hulse - Girl Scout medal Mary, the First Disciple recipient, Thomas Fitzsimmons - Boy Scout Parvuli Dei medal recipient and Matthew Fitzsimmons -Boy Scout Ad Altare Dei medal recipient. Congratulations to these young people who worked very hard in fulfilling and completing the challenging requirements for these medals.
BERNADETTE K. FITZSIMMONS Bettekfitz@comcast.net
Illinois/Indiana Regional Convention 80th Anniversary Branch 20, Joliet, Illinois
Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18
Celebrating 80 Years of Slovenian Culture and Community
Joliet, Illinois Branch 20 welcomes fellow members for a weekend of food, fun and fellowship at the annual Illinois/Indiana Regional Convention Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18.
The SWUA Heritage Museum will be the first stop on Saturday. Pictures of Slovenian families from the 1800’s to the present look out at visitors to the Museum. Collections of priceless family heirlooms from a by-gone era, colorful Slovenian costumed dolls, a tableau of a typical home and lovingly made crocheted and hand knitted artifacts remind us of our heritage of what life was like for our ancestors in Slovenian and their brave coming to America.
The Convention meeting on Sunday will be held in Ferdinand Hall in the historic St. Joseph’s Church in Joliet. The Church was built in 1905, and parishioners celebrated its restoration in 2005. The beautiful limestone facade, twelve original stained glass windows and an exquisite rose window above the choir loft give testament to the faith of the immigrants who prized their Church community.
What would a Slovenian celebration be without a Polka Mass featuring the Singing Slovenes of Duluth, MN, followed by accordions and dancing during the banquet at the restored and beautiful turn of the century Patrick Healy Mansion in Joliet.
The members of Branch 20 extend a warm welcome to its many Branch cousins to join them on this historic occasion.
Make Joliet a mini weekend stop and enjoy our many entertainments and local sites.
For more information contact Jean 815.725.1030 or Pat 815.741.1863
Branch 20 Anniversary Committee Back row, left to right, Josephine Lustik, Nicki Blowers, Pal Figurowski,Jcan llcrbst, Mildred Pucel, Nancy Ferencik.
Front left to right Chairperson Jonita Rulh, Charlene Kobe, Co-chairperson Pal Schager
Roast Pheasant
3 plump young pheasants, IVi-lV* pounds each 1 tablespoon salt V4 teaspoon pepper 3 bay leaves 3 cloves garlic 3 whole cloves 3 sprigs parsley 1 cup celery leaves 3 thin slices lemon 3 thin slices larding pork 10 whole black peppers 1 medium onion, sliced 6 large mushrooms, sliced 1 cup Tokay or other sweet white wine 1 cup chicken stock or consomme 3 tablespoons red currant jelly
Rub salt and pepper on the inside and outside of the clean birds. Then in each bird’s cavity put 1 bay leaf, 1 clove garlic, 1 clove, 1 sprig chopped parsley, 1/3 of the chopped celery leaves, and 1 slice lemon, seeded and chopped. Cover pheasant breast with the •arding pork; sew or skewer cavity together and arrange birds in a shallow roasting pan. Toss whole black peppers, sliced onion, and mushrooms in with the birds. Pour the wine and chicken stock or consomme over pheasants. Roast 1 '/« to 1 '/2 hours, or until tender when tested with a fork. Baste occasionally.
Boil sugar and water together for two minutes. Core apples and pare the upper halves. Place in 12 x 7 Vi x 2 baking dish. Pour the syrup around apples. Bake until soft, basting occasionally with the syrup. Center cavity may be filled with chopped figs and almonds or orange marmalade, or cut-up dates and nuts. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour at 350. Serve warm or cold.
Sauteed Mushrooms
3 tablespoons olive oil
V* pound small fresh cultivated mushrooms, stem ends trimmed Salt and freshly ground pepper Persillade made with 1 clove garlic 1 lemon
Warm the olive oil in a large frying pan over high heat.
Add the mushrooms and saute, tossing repeatedly in the air or stirring with a wooden spoon, for 3 or 4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper and add the persillade. Continue to saute for 1 minute or so, or until the scent of frying persillade fills the air. Squeeze over a few drops of lemon and serve. Serves 4
Baked Apples
'/2 cup sugar 1 cup water 6 apples
To make the gravy, transfer pheasants to a hot serving plate, stir rcd currant jelly in remaining drippings, heat and taste to see if more salt is needed. Serves 6
2008
920103987,5
Third Place
When we bought this	f	^
house 14 years ago
there were no ^^SwPvif' T&i-ZiŠ flKl	1-	~
flowers. It must be
the Slovenian in me	j IRIfllBt
to	in	it
garden from all
windows. We have
worked every year	*',	^	.^-v
husband hauled all
the stone, built the swing and moved bushes, flowers and stone to keep me happy. One thing I regret is not being able to grow the grapes like my grandmother had climbing over her garage on Hickory St. in Joliet, Illinois. - Carol Novak, Branch 20
1 have to connect my love of flowers and gardening to the times I spent watching and helping my Slovenian grandmothers tend to their gardens. 1 grew up on the farm of my mom’s mother, Frances Pečnik Hren Vertačnik, during the 1950’s and 60’s. Having the rich farmland, Grandma Vertačnik tended one of the biggest vegetable gardens 1 had ever seen, along with several flower gardens. The vegetable garden took up an entire lot between the farmhouse and my cousin’s house next door. She also took care of over 20 apple trees. However it was her flower gardens that always attracted me. She made gorgeous flowers rise from the soil in long manicured beds in front of the house, in two huge rock gardens, and around all sides of the farmhouse. My mother still lives on the farm in Avon and many of Grandma Vertacnik’s perennial flowers continue to bloom there to this day as well as in my own flower gardens where 1 have transplanted her hardy stocks. - Linda Fon Rusie, Branch 5
In my garden I can work, relax and feel connected to my Slovenian heritage. My parents were ambitious gardeners; their vegetable crop fed thirteen children.
Their many flowerbeds instilled in me a love for native perennials and vibrant annuals. This garden is cool and green and shady. My parent’s hostas, lamium, ferns and daylilies carpet the oak-shaded floor. Working the dirt every spring connects me to my Slovenian ancestors who cultivated their city and country land. Their determined spirit created beautiful gardens on even the tiniest plots. It is this spirit of creating beauty that 1 feel blessed to carry in my Slovenian roots. Now 1 trade plants with family and friends. The blooms are reminders of how gardens continue to bring people, both past and present, together.
-	Rosy Bayuk, Branch 102
*********** AUTO^-DIGIT 441 SLOVENIAN CONSULATE GENERAL 55 PUBLIC SQ STE 945 CLEVELAND OH 44113-1923 USA
PERIODICALS
POSTAGE
PAID
LASALLE.IL
1174 27 -W
Garden Contest
Grand Prize
NARODNA IN UNIVERZITETNA KNJIŽNICA
Perhaps my Slovenian garden is the best because my mother tended it so lovingly and the flowers meant so much to her. I still have many of the same plants. They were originally planted sixty years ago. The original garden became too shady because the trees grew. Now I have several new sunny areas that have replaced the original beds. 1 have always enjoyed color. My garden is a colorful spot. The colors do not always match but are truly beautiful and pleasing to me. The multi-colored iris and peonies are a mainstay. 1 also have clematis, monarda, coneflowers and petunias. The birds also enjoy the flowerbeds. I don’t cut the coneflowers back. The finches enjoy eating the seeds all winter. 1 also enjoy watching them and waiting for another spring when it all begins again.
-	Georgiana Stonich Pascente, Branch 20