Let Not The Light 01 Freedom Be Extinguished! American Home over 100 years of serving American- Slovenians $ Americ Ameriška 8996'1-SOW HO AHHBd i33ais oiho sees NOHVIAPIfl NViaWl SLOVEMIAN MORNINO NEWSPAPER Head cook Julie Zalar gives last minute instructions to the beautiful and efficient waitresses who served the delicious food on Nov. 5, 2006 to the 535 people in attendance at St. Mary’s (Collinwood) 100th anniversary celebration in the new parish hall._______________________________(Photo by Phil Hrvatin) Slovenian Homes Name Honorees CLEVELAND, OH - The Slovenians Celebrate Euro’s Debut With Fireworks, Trip to the Bank Federation of Slovenian National Homes has announced its 2007 man and woman of the year and persons of the year for eight Northeast Ohio Slovenian homes. They will be honored at a banquet on Saturday, March 24. Robert J. Dolgan is the man of the year while the woman of the year is Geraldine Trebets. Both Dolgan and Trebets reside in Willoughby Hills. Individual home persons of the year are Stanley Baucher, Fairport; Joseph Gabrosek and Edward Sega, Barberton; Philip Hrvatin, West Park; Charles T. Ipavec, St. Clair; Adolph Kocin, Holmes Avenue; Frank J. Korelec, Recher; Anthony J. Peskar, East 80th Street, and Richard J. Zele, Waterloo. by Boris Cerni Jan. 1 (Bloomberg) -Slovenians were able to pay for their morning bread rolls and coffee with euros today after the former Communist country switched to Europe’s single currency. “The initial indication is that everything went well in Slovenia, with people being able to withdraw their first euro cash from the banks’ Automated Teller Machines,” said a statement e-mailed today from the European Commission. Euro coins and banknotes became legal tender at midnight as fireworks exploded over the capital Ljubljana and citizens lined up for their first euros at cash machines. A third of ATMs were operating at midnight, with the rest working again by 6 a.m. after a three-hour shutdown to adapt them to the changes. The tolar will continue to be legal tender alongside the euro until Jan. 14. “This is something special for Slovenia,” said Brane Ban, a 58-year-old information technology specialist as he lined up at a cash machine minutes after midnight. “I was actually very happy with the tolar, since it was a pretty stable currency, although I am sure we will trust the euro the same as it’s the currency that more than 300 million people now use.” Slovenia is the first of the 10 European Union members that joined in May, 2004 to adopt Europe’s common currency, switching at an exchange rate of 239.60 tolars per euro. Being the first is “testimony to the stability-oriented policies pursued by the Government,” said the European Commission’s statement. Economic Record Slovenia, a former Yugoslav republic of 2 million peqple, bordering Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia, became an EU member along with seven central and eastern European countries, as well as Cyprus and Malta. (Continued on page 4) Newspaper Schedule The American Home will continue to print three times in January and February. In January, the last issue of American Home will be dated January 18. In February, the American Home will be printed on Feb. 1, 8, and 15. AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA JANUARY 11, 2007 2 AMERICAN HOME AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA 6117 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103-1692 Telephone: 216/431-0628 - Fax: 216/361-4088 AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA (USPS 024100) James V. Debevec - Publisher, English Editor Dr. Rudolph M. Susel - Slovenian Editor Ameriška Domovina Permanent Scroll of Distinguished Persons: Rt. Rev. Msgr. Louis B. Baznik, Michael and Irma Telich, Frank J. Lausche, Paul Kosir NAROČNINA: Združene države Amerike in Kanada: $35 letno za ZDA; $40 za Kanado (v ZD valuti) Slovenija in tujina, letalska pošta, $165 letno (v ZD valuti) SUBSCRIPTION RATES United States and Canada: U.S.A.: $35 per year; Canada: $40 in U.S. currency Slovenia and other foreign: $165 U.S. per year (air) AMERICAN HOME (ISSN 0164-680X) is published three issues per month for $35 per year by American Home Pub. Co., 6117 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44103-1692. Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, Ohio. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AMERICAN HOME, 6117 St. Clair Cleveland, OH 44103-1692. No. 2 Januaiy 11, 2007 Benefit Dinner Served in St. Vitus Auditorium Society for Slovene Studies Report Christmas has come and gone but the start of a new year does not lessen the need to help others. A benefit dinner will be held on Sunday, Jan. 21 in St. Vitus Parish Auditorium, 6111 Lausche Avenue, Cleveland. St. Ignatius High School Marching Band and Holy Family Home along with St. Vitus Parish are the sponsors of this event. The benefit dinner is the first of many planned events to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee (75th Year Anniversary) of the completion and dedication of St. Vitus Church. The benefit dinner ' will consist of boneless breaded chicken, roast beef, home style Slovenian soup, potatoes, home style Slovenian salad, a side dish, rolls and butter, and home made pastry. Cost is $12 (adult) and $6 (child 12 years old or younger). Both sit-down and take-out dinners will be available. The St. Ignatius High School Jazz Combo will provide entertainment. On New Year’s Day, 18 members of the St. Vitus Choir surprised Ed Arhar at his home in Euclid with a personal Christmas Concert. Still recovering from last January’s surgery, Ed was not able to attend the annual concert at St. Vitus, an evening of music that he never missed. So the choir decided to come to him. Promptly at 4 p.m., they filed into Ed and Anne’s liv- Tickets may be purchased from Kathy Tomick, president, Band Boosters (440) 526-0769, Peggy Rossi Hasel, director of marketing. Holy Family (440) 866-6043, or Stane Kuhar, St. Vitus parish finance director (216) 361-1444. Net proceeds are to be shared by the marching band and Holy Family Home. Holy Family Home, formerly known as Holy Family Cancer Home, is located at 6707 State Road in Parma, Ohio. While the facility changed its name and opened its doors to all terminally ill patients, the mission remains the same. For 50 years patients have come to Holy Family to find peace and Comfort during the final stages of their illness. Holy Family is run by St. Augustine Manor, part of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland. Holy Family still operates with private donations and receives no money from Catholic Charities or the Diocese. ing room and greeted them with hugs and laughter. Then came songs from their concert repertoire and a toast to the New Year and good health. Ed wishes to express his deep gratitude for the thoughtfulness of John Srsen, director, the choir members, and their children for an evening he will always remember. The Society for Slovene Studies sponsored a series of meetings in conjunction with the 38th annual convention of the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies, 16-19 November, in Washington, D.C. After the first day’s meetings (on Slovene foreign pol-. icy and politics in Slovenia between the wars), the Honorable Samuel Žbogar, Slovene ambassador to the U.S., hosted a reception for participants. During the next three days the topics of scholarly report and discussions were nationalism in Southeastern Europe, Slovene literary history, the memory of communism in today’s Slovenia, linguistics, social tensions in Slovenia, WWI, history textbooks in Slovene schools, and entrepreneurship in Slovenia. Three presentations on entrepreneurship explored possible reasons for some industrial managers’ successes from 1950-91 (Jože Prinčič, Institute of Contemporary History), female entrepreneurs in Slovenia (Lydia Mihelič Pulsipher, Univ. of Tennessee), and Slovene managers’ self- Lausche Book Talk in Euclid Author James E. Odenkirk will speak about his book “Frank J. Lausche: Ohio’s Great Political Maveric” on Wednesday, April 25 in Euclid Public Library on E. 222 St. at 7 p.m. in the Shore Room. Frank J. Lausche was Cleveland’s first mayor of European ancestry (Slovenian). He also was a U.S. Senator and five-term governor for Ohio. This maverick politician served the public for 35 years. SPRING SPECIALS Pilgrimages 2007 PARIS $999 + tax, fuel sur. ch. & add on fare from Cleveland March 22-28 Fr. Solanus Casey Detroit, Michigan April 12 - $50.00 Washington, D.C. April 23 - 27 Motor Coach $659.00 KATHY BOWERS The Catholic Tour Co. Pilgrim Tour 877-627-4268 216-8301 depictions, a subject to which Jurij Fikfak (Slovene Academy of Sciences) has devoted two books. Economics and politics were root questions between the wars, as Žarko Lazarevič and Jure Perovšek (Institute of Contemporary History, Ljubljana) showed in discussing Slovene liberal thinkers of the time. Kristin Leigh (UCLA) analyzed aspects of nationalism in today’s Slovenia. Prominent in discussions of history were Peter Vodopivec, the leading historian of 20th century Slovenia, and Jera Vodušek-Starič, director of the Institute of Contemporary History. Mitja Velikonja (Univ. of Ljubljana) and Nina Vodopivec (Institutum Stu-diorum Humanitatics, Ljubljana) gave the audience results of their research into nostalgia for the socialist Slovenia of the past. Velikonja documented his report with public opinion research, which also shows the vast majority of Slovenes do not want a return to the pre-1991 political arrangements, and evidence from pop art and commerce; Vodopivec’s conclusions were based on by Chris Foster, Los Angeles Times * I Anže Kopitar received his first dose of what can sometimes lead rookies to moan, “Whoa, Canada.” The Slovenia-born Kopitar spent a few days in the Great White North last week, where he was examined by members of the Canadian media for the first time. *‘It’s not too bad,” Kopitar said of the increased media attention during the (Los Angeles) Kings swing through Edmonton and Calgary. “I don’t mind it. I get a lot of e-mails from sports writers in Slovenia, too. The attention is nice and I do my duty, but I definitely can’t let it affect how I play.” Still, a little northern exposure can only help him at post-season awards time. The short list of candidates for the Calder Trophy, given to the NHL’s rookie of the year, begins with Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgene Malkin and pretty much ends with Kopitar. Malkin leads rookies in goals (18) and points (37), while Kopitar leads in assists (24) and is second in points fieldwork at a textile factory. Gregor Tomc (Univ. of Ljubljana) explained the disappointment of certain leading intellectuals with the course of Slovene politics after independence, which they worked towards in the 1980s. For the first time scholars from the Slovene Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Literacy Studies (Marko Juvan and Alenka Koron) attended the AAASS. Juvan and Koron were key contributors to a recent book on literary history, which Lena Lenček (Reed College) translated into English. In the same section, Timothy Pogačar (Bowling Green State Univ.) gave a paper on historical representations of Slovene literature. In the section on nationalism in Southeastern Europe, Michael Biggins (Univ. of Washington) reported on the reception of Vladimir Bartol’s Alamut, a novel that received much attention after the events of 11 September, 2001, which it is popularly believed to have foreshadowed. —Timothy Pogačar (35). That Malkin plays in the Eastern Conference tilts the ice his way. So the Canadian campaign can’t hurt. “He got a lot of attention,” Kings Coach Marc Crawford said of Kopitar. “They have three sports channels up there and every NHL story is covered. He has been a little invisible down here. The No. 1 highlights are from the Canadian teams, which they show before delving into the American teams. And then it is usually only the top American teams.” The Kings haven’t been tops so far. So Kopitar’s media scrums, followed by his usual solid and sometimes spectacular play, may be selling points to voters. His actions certainly speak louder than his words. “The first thing everyone sees is how humble he is,” Crawford said. “He listens and he learns and he is very respectful, especially to the veterans.” Kopitar, 19, is second on the Kings in scoring while playing more than 20 min-utes a game._______________ Thanks to Rudy Menart for this article. Dog’s kennel is not the place to keep a sausage. -Bob Mills Ed Arhar Gets Own Concert Slovenian Hockey Player Discovers Canadian Media Slovenian River Featured in National Geographic Article Mlakar Walks bown Memory Lane by Carol Kaufmann In the January 2007 issue of the National Geographic Magazine there is a story titled, “A River’s Gift.” Why did Romans, Celts, and even prehistoric settlers submerge their personal belongings, from swords (pictured above) to dishes, in a shallow river in Slovenia? EXCERPT: Archaeologist Andrej Gaspari is haunted by pieces of the past. His hometown river, the Ljubljanica, has yielded thousands of them - Celtic coins, Roman luxuries, medieval swords -all from a shallow 12-mile stretch. Those who lived near and traveled along the stream that winds through Slovenia’s capital of Ljubljana considered it sacred, Gaspari believes. That would explain why generations of Celts, Romans, and earlier inhabitants offered treasures - far too many to be accidental - to the river during rites of pas-Sage, in mourning, or as thanksgiving for battles won. But Gaspari may never be ahle to explain for certain why the Ljubljanica holds °ne of Europe’s richest stores of river treasures, many of them remarkably Preserved by the soft sediments and gentle waters. Too many pieces of the puzzle have already disappeared. Cleveland Public Radio WCPN £0.3 FN Tony Ovsenik: 31731 Miller Ave. Willoughby Hills, Ohio 44092 Phone: I-440-944-2S38 **•»»11: tony.avsenlk@sbcglobal.net »1111'' Saturdays 9-I0pm Contributor to: Radio ognjisce-ljubljana During the past two decades, sport divers have made the river their playground, removing most of some 10,000 to 13,000 objects found so far. Even though removing artifacts from the Ljubljanica has long been illegal, professional archaeologists have been forced to compete with private collectors. Some divers sold their loot to museums; others to the highest bidder. Some kept their treasures private. Many artifacts have left the country, untraceable. * Gaspari’s greatest torment comes from the knowledge that few maverick collectors know - or care - where exactly their prizes were found. For an archaeologist, an object’s meaning comes as much from its context -location, association with other objects - as from the prize itself. Without context, there is no story. Mladen Miick is one of Gaspari’s tormentors. Now in his 40s, the Bosnian-born architect began diving in the river in 1985 and has brought up about a thousand pieces. In his kitchen in Ljubljana, a plastic box contains prehistoric tools. Upstairs, dusty cases hold other rare artifacts, including deer antler axes. Miick says he has no intention of selling what he has found. Like many collectors, he babies his goods and claims they are better off with him than with the authorities. “More people see these artifacts in my house than if I gave them to a museum,” he says with a dismissive wave. “There they would sit in a basement.” 1 Gaspari disagrees. A team at the National Museum of Slovenia is preparing an exhibit of the river’s treasures that will tour Europe in 2008, he says. Still, he hopes that someday Miick will hand over his items. “My heart is strong,” quips the 33-year-old archaeologist. If Miick is obstinate, “I will outlive him.” (Full story in National Geographic magazine) by RAY MLAKAR "T X That can I say, Ray W hit the front page V v last week with his Choo-Choo Train and I had my hands full keeping the two dogs off the tracks. Without a doubt Happy Harry hated for me to pack it away until next year. Every time I asked Harry, “Where is the Choo-Choo train?” he would go from room to room looking for the train. Unfortunately, all good things have to come to an end. Once again I am extremely grateful to the Krulc’s for coming out and making one old man very happy. One thing we must all do is acknowledge that there is a God and as sure as he made little green apples, he also created a Santa Claus. Unfortunately, my Christmas cheer was short lived for on Christmas Eve I could not attend Midnight Mass for I came down with the flu bug or whatever, and had to spend a good share of the time in bed. And as time went on it got worse. On the morning of 31 Dec., New Years Eve, I was really battling the cough and was fortunate in getting a hold of my doctor, but he had some wild dreams. He said, “Ray, I think it is the fluid (water) backing up into your lungs again,” and said he would contact my pulmonary doctor about getting me into the hospital right away. I said in your dreams. With this being a holiday weekend, pray tell what kind of care would I get in the hospital, especially with the death of the President, just about everything was shut down. He agreed with me and said he would call the drug store and get me two special prescriptions. I made sure I got myself out of bed and went to the drug store and began taking the medication. Slowly, I am getting stronger. Hey, I got to get well, I have a train to run from time to time. I did get some good news, for when I went to the hospital yesterday for the procrit injections to build up the red blood cells, they start off with taking five vials of blood and then one waits for the results and they call the doctor. The technician came out and said, “Ray, got good news for you; you will not get a procrit injection today, for your red blood cells went up to 12, but maybe that was because I went back to work, running a choo-choo train. However, she did say, you are not out of the woods yet for the doctor still wants you to report back for the next two months for more tests, more vials of blood. I know one thing, I got to stay with the choo-choo train and deep on writing. I am beginning to have second thoughts on getting flu shots. Last year when I was in the hospital thev even gave me pneumonia injections and it appears to me that the flu shots as well as the pneumonia shots did diddly squat. Let’s face it; if it is out there, Ray will catch it. In a way I am glad the Christmas holidays are over for in my case, it seems the loneliness hits even harder when one lives alone, for without a doubt families are not close like they used to be, but then I guess we all have a cross in life to bear. Happy to hear, through Donna Ohman’s daughter, Connie, that her mom in all probability will be coming home from her extensive stay at the hospital on Friday, Jan. 5. Without a doubt, with the tender loving care of Connie at her mom’s side, Donna will be doing much better. Let’s face it, there is nothing like home cooked meals, real chicken soup. Granted that Donna was in a lot of pain when she was admitted to the hospital, but God always sees to it that there is someone standing close by to help you cany that cross, and Donna is most fortunate in having Connie, a true “God Send,” for daughters like her perhaps come along only once in a lifetime. Well, let’s see, we covered the choo choo train and we have gone thru the health problems which I am sure we all have, but then now that I think of it, I was not guaranteed perfect health for life. Sadly to say we take health for granted and at times forget to give thanks to our “Maker” for the good health we have enjoyed over the years. Okay, Ray, get off your soap box and either go run your choo choo train or come across with some jokes. I have to admit that my brother Frankie Mlakar from Erie, Penn, has been keeping my spirits up with his jokes that he sends me. Well, let’s get to the marriage jokes. At a wedding a pastor asked the groom, “Do you take this woman to be your wedding wife, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health?” “PLEASE, PASTOR,” the bride interrupted. “You’re going to talk him out of it.” Okay, one more for the road, then I got to get back to the railroad. A little boy was at his first wedding. After the service, another child asked him, “How many men can a woman marry?” “Sixteen,” the little boy said. “How do you know?” the friend asked. “The preacher said it, four better, four worse, four richer, and four poorer.” In closing May the Good Lord bless and watch over all of you and keep you in good health. r I am Slovenian - eat your heart out I U'.J..........'_.....— FISH FRY Every Friday by Auxiliary of the Slovenian Workmen’s Hom» 15335 Waterloo-Cleveland . Fish - Shrimp -^ork Chops Goulash, etc. Take-outs: 216-481-5378 AMERICAN SLOVENIAN CA1HOUC BECOME AMEMBER WITH A NEW INSURANCE PLAN FROM KSKJ! ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT PLAN Available from ages 20 to 65 (coverage expires at age 70) Minimum Amount Available $25,000 - Maximum Available $100,000 $30 minimum per mode premium - $1.00 per thousand in PA $1.20 per thousand in CA, CO, CT, IL, IN, KS, Ml, MN, MI, OH, DC, W! Call your local sales agent or the Home Office at 1-800-843-5755 www.kskjlife.com AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, JANUARY 11, 2007 AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, JANUARY 11, 2007 Slovenia Adopting Euro Is No Small Achievement When Slovenia adopted the euro money system over the tolar, it became the first former communist state to adopt the European financial structure in what Prime Minister Janez Janša has called the “biggest national achievement” since the country joined the European Union in 2004. This is no small victory for the country of two million inhabitants, which shares borders with Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary. It is alone among the 10-member European Union accession class of 2004 in having fulfilled the rigorous economic criteria needed to join Europe’s Economic and Monetary Union. The adoption of the common currency is expected to bring macroeconomic stability to the country, increase its exports and yield productivity gains. “It’s difficult for a small country to maintain a separate currency that isn’t a volatile currency,” said economist Iain Begg, a visiting professor in the European Institute at the London School of Economics. “The adoption of the euro should protect Slovenia from external factors that would lead to swings in demand for its goods and services. On the downside, by giving up its ability to fix its interest rates, Slovenia exposes itself to the risk of a house-price boom such as those experienced by Ireland and Portugal after they joined. To enter the monetary union, Slovenia has swallowed some bitter pills, but the changes have paid off. The country has brought down inflation to 2.3% in 2006 from 8% in 2001, thanks to a collective effort that saw labor unions agree to moderate wage increases. The transition to the euro will be quick, if not entirely painless, with the Slovene tolar and the euro in dual use for only 14 days. After that, the euro will be the sole currency. The government has taken precautions to make the changeover as smooth as possible. For instance, the euro value of products has been tagged to all prices in Slovenia for nearly two years. A manual explaining the switch has also been sent to every household. Despite some natural fears of initial confusion, a recent Euro survey found that more than two-thirds of Slovenians are happy to adopt the Euro with many saying they see it as further proof that their country is part of mainstream Europe. Thanks to James V. Debevec, II for submitting this article. What the New Slovenian Euro Coins Symbolize On January 1, 2007 Slovenia became the first former communist country in Central and Eastern Europe to qualify for the right to use the Euro (Evro) as its national currency to replace the Tolar. The new Slovenian Euro coins feature important historical and cultural symbols of Slovenia such as: The Prince’s Stone (Knežji Kamen), where Slovenian Dukes were installed in the first Slovenian state of Ca-rantania (Karantanija) in the 6th Century. Jože Plečnik (architect) -Plečnik’s idea for the build- ing of the Slovenian National Parliament “Katedrala svobode " (Cathedral of freedom) Famous poet France Prešeren who wrote the Slovenian National Anthem “Zdravica” Primož Trubar - author of the first book printed in Slovenian. Mt. Triglav - the highest mountain in Slovenia “Oj Triglav moj dom ’’ (O Triglav, my home) The world famous Lippi-zanner horses Ivan Grohar (artist) The stork taken from the current 20 SIT coin. Annual Stockholders Meeting Collinwood Slovenian Home 15810 Holmes Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44110 Sunday, Feb.'4, 2007 Starting at 1:00p.m. All Stockholders are invited to attend the meeting. Your attendance will be greatly appreciated. _______________________—Evelyn Pipoly, President €0.01 J €0.02 || €0.05 IP The stork taken from the current 20 SIT coin The Prince's Stone (Knežji Kamen), where Slovenian Dukes were installed in the first Slovenian state of Carantania (Karantanija) in the 6th Century. Ivan Grohar (Artist) €0.10 I €0.20 | €0.50 ~~— " '0& ’ ^ Jože Plečnik (Architect) -idea for the building of the Slovenian National Parliament "Katedrala svobode" (Cathedral of freedom) The world famous Lippizanner horses Mt Triglav - The highest mountain in Slovenia "Oj Triglav moj dom" (O Triglav, my home) o Slovenes Celebrate New Euro Coin (Continued from page 1) The nation managed to keep a lid on inflation, government spending and debt and fulfill the economic test for euro adoption, becoming the first new participant in the currency since Greece in 2001. “The Slovenian economy has had among the highest growth in history, the lowest unemployment, and we have tamed inflation,” said Prime Minister Janez Janša, 48. “We are saying goodbye to a very good currency, that was the tolar, and now we are introducing also a very good, probably an even better, currency,” Mitja Gaspari, Slovenia’s central bank governor, told reporters at the central bank just after midnight, when he also exchanged tolars for euros. “At the moment we have in circulation around 215 billion tolars or an equivalent of around 1 billion euros, while we have ordered 2 billion euros.” People will be able to exchange any remaining tolar coins at the central bank until the end of 2016, while there is no limit for the exchange of banknotes. Gaspari, who was renominated by President Janez Drnovšek for another six-year-term, becomes a member of the European Central Bank’s governing council. €1.00 €2.00 || Primož Trubar - author of the Famous Slovenian poet France first book printed in Prešeren who wrote Slovenian. the Slovenian National Anthem "Zdravica" Slovenian consumers had the first opportunity to see the new euro coins two weeks ago, when commercial banks and the central bank began selling kits of new 44 euro coins, minted in Finland, with typical Slovenian motifs. On the back of the 2 euros coin is the face of the national poet France Prešeren and the highest mountain in country, Triglav, is on the 50 cent coins. The kit costs 3000 tolars or 12.52 euros ($16.5)._____________ Thanks to Robert M. Debevec, James V. Debevec, II, and Phil Hrvatin for this article. Opportunity knocks but once; temptation bangs on the door forever. For Sale Button Box (accordion) Melodija - 4 row F - B - E Flat - A Flat In excellent condition Asking $1500. Call: 440 - 285-3748 F ortuna FUNERAL HOME 5316 Fleet Ave. Cleve OH Joseph & Virginia Fortuha Founders in 1958 (216) 641-0046 NEW & 2nd LOCATION OPENING FALL 2006 7076 Brecksville Rd. Independence, OH _ tlCENSEDSTAFF: John Fortuna - James Trzaska ■ Mary Ann (Fortuna) Tržaška UPPER CARNIOLA (GORENJSKA) The Slovenian Parish of St. Mary of the Assumption (15519 Holmes Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44110) is proudly celebrating its centennial year of service with a series of programs. On Sunday, October 22nd, the good parishioners under the leadership of their popular pastor, Rev. John Kumse, celebrated the Day of Slovenian Regions. The very capable cooks prepared a large variety of foods typical of various regions. Enika Zulic, 95 years young, exhibited her beautiful Slovenian landscape paintings. Stane Krulc, Sr., assisted by Milan Ribic and Branko Pišorn, had an exhibit on Slovenian apiculture and invited us to taste the wonderful honey. While accomplished musicians entertained hundreds of visitors, a group of knowledgeable and dedicated ladies demonstrated amazingly rich displays of artifacts, art, books and foods characteristic of the main Slovenian regions: Gorenjska (Upper Carniola), Dolenjska (Lower Carniola), Bela Krajina (The White March), Štajerska (Styria), Notranjska (Inner Carniola), Primorska (The Littoral), Koroška (Carinthia), and Prekmurje (Trans-Mura). The organizers also invited Prof. Edward Gobetz, one of the many happy parishioners, to Prepare short descriptions of each region in Slovenian Qnd English which were available to visitors. Here are the highlights in English on the Upper Carniola or Gorenjska Region. Upper Carniola, or Gorenjska, is the region of Slovenia which lies south of Austria, west of Styria, east of the Littoral (Primorska), and north of Inner Carniola (Notranjska) and of Lower Carniola (Dolenjska). Its Slovenian name is derived from “gora” which means mountain. It is, indeed, a predominantly mountainous land - a region of majestic Julian and Stone Alps and the Karavanke. Here the Triglav reins, with 2,864 meters the highest peak in Slovenia; here, too, is Škrlatica (2,740 meters), the second highest Slovenian mountain. And fjere is, in Ivan Cankar’s words, “the heaven beneath Triglav,” Wlth world-renowned Lake Bled, the seat of numerous ■Mernational meetings, and the idyllic Lake Bohinj, whence you can contemplate the majesty of Triglav, walk to the waterfall Savica, or ride a cable car to the toP of Mount Vogel. Excepting a small southernmost area, the city of Ljubljana is located within Upper Carniola. In 2005, the Municipality of Ljubljana counted 327,148 inhabitants, while the metropolitan Ljubljana area reaches almost half a million souls. Ljubljana was known as early as Jhe Roman times when its name was Emona. She was dte capital city of the Illyrian Provinces (1809-1813), created by Napoleon. Since Slovenia had reached independence in 1991, Ljubljana has been the capital of the Republic of Slovenia. This is where the Slovenian par-Jjament, consisting of the National Assembly and the National Council, deliberates. Here is the seat of Slove-nian government and of the supreme court, as well as of foremost Slovenian educational and cultural institu-|i°ns (the Slovenian Academy of Arts and Sciences, the jubljana University, the National and University Li-rary, the opera, several theaters, and several impres-SlVe Museums and art galleries). Here is also the seat of hie diocese of Ljubljana (which is older than that of icnna). In architecture, where some internationally acclaimed Slovenian architects, such as JoSef Plečnik (1872-1957), left their stamp, we meet very rich diver-Shy °f old and new, ancient and modem, which gives ue city its unique charm. Other leading Upper Camiolan cities are: Kranj, '6.065; Domžale, 51,1403; Škofja Loka, 41,082; Ra-ovljica, 34,843; Kamnik, 31,814; and Jesenice. 31.472. Upper Carniola, which was historically known als° as Oberkrain (until 1918, as a province of ustria), was meticulously described and “celebrated” ^ Janez Vajkard Valvasor, in an extensive German- language work, titled The Glory of the Duchy of Krain (1689). The reputation of the scientist, researcher and writer Valvasor was recognized in 1687 when he was selected as one of the small number of members of the prestigious British Royal Society “in recognition for his contributions to the world of knowledge.” Valvasor, while originally well-to-do, devoted literally everything he had to research and publication of books which survive as important sources to the present day. He, however, lost his possessions and died a poor man at Krško. Upper Carniola gave to Slovenia and the world numerous prominent individuals. We can here list but a few of them: Jurij Slatkonja (1456-1522), a Ljubljana native who, in 1498 established the Vienna Court Musical Institution and the famous Vienna Boys’ Choir and became, in 1513, the first regular residential bishop of Vienna; Mark Anton Kappus, bom in 1657 in Kamna Gorica, who reached the New World in 1687 and became a prominent missionary, explorer, and Jesuit superior on the enormous territory of Sonora and Pimeria Alta; Anton Janša, bom in 1734 at Breznica, who under the auspices of Maria Theresa taught and organized the apiculture throughout the Austrian Empire; Jurij Vega (1754-1803), from Zagorica at Dolsko, a foremost mathematician who improved and published logarithmic tables which went through nearly one hundred editions; Franc Pirc, a foremost authority on fruit culture and horticulture, bom at Godič near Kamnik, who became a leading teacher and missionary in Minnesota where a town, Pierz, is named after him; Janez Puhar (1814-1864), a priest from Kranj who became internationally known as inventor of photography on glass; Lovrenc Košir (1804-1879) from Luša near Škofja Loka, conceptual father of the postage stamp to whom stamps were dedicated by Austria, Yugoslavia, and Slovenia; Igna-cij Mrak (1810-1901), from Hotovlje near Poljane, who came to America in 1845 and succeeded the prominent Slovenian Indian missionary Frederic Baraga as the second bishop of Marquette; and Friderik Pregl, bom in Ljubljana in 1869, professor and rector of the University of Graz, a widely studied and acclaimed Father of Microanalysis who was awarded the 1923 Nobel Prize in chemistry. More recently, Dr. Janez Janež (1913-1990), who in 1945 escaped from the transport that was taking thousands of young Slovenians to the communist slaughter house, became a lay missionary in China and in Taiwan where he worked for only room and board and, by performing over 80.000 surgeries, reached the world record in surgical medicine. Ljubljana was also the birthplace, in 1921, of Saša Lajovic who came to Australia as a penniless refugee from communism and became in 1975 the first immigrant and the first non-Anglosaxon federal senator of Australia, while his brother Dušan has become an internationally prominent industrialist. Two other refugees bom in vicinity of Ljubljana have become high dignitaries of the Catholic Church: Cardinal Aloysius Ambrožič, the current archbishop of Toronto, Canada; and Cardinal Franc Rode, the prefect of the Congregation of Institutes for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life who is in charge of all Catholic religious orders and their institutions throughout the world and an influential member of the Vatican governing curia. The Upper Carniola region also gave Slovenia and the world the greatest Slovenian poet. Dr. France Prešeren (1800-1849), a native of Kranj, and a long line of writers and poets, great artists, composers, and internationally prominent singers, such as Anton Dermota (1910-1989), from Kropa, who became the leading opera tenor in Vienna and appeared on the Austrian stamp. The region can also boast impressive accomplishments in industry (ancient and modem steel foundries in Železniki and Jesenice); electronics, rubber tire industry, etc., in Kranj); in medicine, sports (Bloudek’s ski jump at Planica, one of the first and largest in (Continued on pag&ti) Slovenian 5 School Lunch St. Mary’s Slovenian School will host its annual lunch on Sunday, January 21st at St. Mary’s Parish Hall on Holmes Avenue in Col-linwood. The menu will include pork and chicken. Serving will start at 11 a.m. Prices are $12 for adults and $6 for children. Take out orders are available. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance from St. Mary’s Slovenian School students and faculty. Dolgan Discusses Yankovic Book Author Bob Dolgan will talk about his new book, “America’s Polka King: The Real Story of Frankie Yankovic and His Music” on Tuesday, April 3 at 7 p.m. in the Shore Room of Euclid Public Library on E. 222 Street in Euclid, Ohio. Accordionist and band leader Frankie Yankovic, Cleveland native, had a life filled with triumph, defeats and controversy. He was an uninhibited original with an international reputation. He thrilled polka fans around the globe with hits such as “Just “Because” and “The blue Skirt Waltz.” Bob Dolgan, a member of the Cleveland Journalism Hall of Fame, will have copies of the book available for purchase and signing. Lottery Joke Man (praying at night). “Oh God, please let me win the lottery, I want a new house.” Man (next night) “Oh, God, please let me win the lottery. I’ll give half to St. Vitus Church.” Man (next night) “Oh, God, please let me win the lottery. I’ll give half to St. Vitus Church and half to St. Mary’s Church.” Voice from above: “Okay, but the least you can do is buy a lottery ticket.” Man’s best possession is a sympathetic wife. —Euripides Euclid Slovenian Home Friday Meals Serving 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call 216-531-8348 for take out orders. Featuring deep fried Canadian pike and baked cod dinners, breaded pork chops, beef goulash, four-cheese macaroni and cheese and Slovenian Home fries, polenta, hand-cut French fries, coleslaw and assorted desserts. 10 & under children’s menu available. Every Friday will feature a different dinner AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, JANUARY 11, 2007 AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, JANUARY 11, 2007 UPPER CARNIOLA (GORENJSKA) (Continued from page .5 Europe; numerous skiing, ski jumping, gymnastic and other European, world and Olympic champions (e.g., Miro Cerar). It is also a mecca for tourism and international meetings, conferences and congresses. The very first meeting of the American president George W. Bush and the Russian president Vladimir Putin, on June 18, 2001, took place at the Castle of Brdo near Kranj; thus, in the shadow of majestic Triglav, the West and the East shook hands. At Brezje, near Kranj, there is also the most prominent Slovenian pilgrimage basilica, devoted to Mary, Help of Christians, which was visited, among others, by Pope John Paul II, by Mrs. Laura Bush, and by the prominent American astronaut Dr. Jerry Linen-ger whose grandparents emigrated to America from Radovljica (known also for its apiculture museum) and from Tržič (the seat of Peko shoe industry). This is also a region known for its many concerts, the classical and popular entertainment music (Avsenik from Begunje), and for its rich folklore. And, as tourist guides remind you, in addition to the best European cuisine, you can here order also a genuine local meal; the Camiolan sausage with sauerkraut and buckwheat crumbles (žganci). Edward Gobetz Pristavska Noč Banquet Traditional Pristavska noč banquet will be held on Saturday, Jan. 27 in the Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland. Starting time is 6 p.m., with dinner served at 7 o’clock. Entertainment by Veseli Godci. For reservations call Elizabeta Žalik at (440) 537-1941 or Metka Zalar at (440) 943-3844. Members and friends are invited. ............ Zalla Zarana Slovenia’s First Hollywood Actress on Turner Cable Coming Events by JOE VALENČIČ Film fans get the rare opportunity to watch the first Slovenian actress in Hollywood on the Turner Movie Classics channel on Monday, Jan. 29. Zalla Zarana plays a small role in director Tod Browning’s off-beat carnival thriller, “The Show,” filmed in 1927 for MGM with Lionel Barrymore and screen heart-throb John Gilbert. . The newly-restored silent feature will have its television premiere at 1 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST, with an original musical soundtrack. Zalla is seen in three scenes as a Hungarian sideshow attraction called “Zela, the Half Lady.” Browning is best known for his legendary “Dracula,” with Bela Lagosi, and the controversial “Freaks” from 1932. Zalla Zarana made her Hollywood debut in 1918. Bom Rozalija Sršen and raised in Žužemberk, Slovenia, she is the earliest known Slovenian performer in American films. She appeared in about 20 movies in walk-on roles and as an extra, with a personal prefer- ence for vamps and exotic characters. Her stage name translates from Slovenian as “A lovely lady early in the morning.” As a bit player, Zalla’s screen career is measured only in minutes. The petite brunette shared scenes in westerns, dramas and romances with famous stars like Lon Chaney, Lewis Stone and Laura La Plante, a lead actress who has sometimes been mistaken as Slovenian. Zalla is most noticeable in “The Show,” as well as “The Merry Widow,” the big-budget MGM classic directed in 1925 by Erich von Stroheim. With the advent of talking pictures, Zalla retired from movies and lived with her husband, Miro, in a Spanish-style bungalow in West Hollywood until her death in 1967. Don’t blink - Zalla Zarana’s appearance in “The Show” is brief, but memorable. For more information on the film, check the Turner Movie Classics website at www.tumermovieclassics.co IQ Friday, Jan. 12 Dance from 7:30 - 11:15 p.m. at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., Cleveland. Admission $8. Featuring Bob Kravos. Friday, Jan. 19 Dance from 7:30 - 11:15 p.m. at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., Cleveland. Admission $8. Featuring Frank Moravcik. Sunday, Jan. 21 St. Mary’s (Coll.) Slovenian School annual lunch featuring pork and chicken, beginning at 11 a.m. $12 for adults, $6 for children. Takeouts available. Sunday, Jan. 21 Benefit dinner for St. Ignatius Marching Band and Holy Family Home in St. Vitus Auditorium. For tickets ($12 adults) call Stane Kuhar at St. Vitus rectory (216)361-1444. Friday, Jan. 26 Dance from 7:30 - 11:15 p.m. at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., Cleveland. Admission $8. Featuring Wayne Tomsic. Saturday, Jan. 27 Pristavska noč banquet (Veseli Godci orchestra), Slovenian National Home, St. Clair, beginning at 6 p.m., dinner served at 7. Reservations call (440) 537-1941 or (440) 943-3844. Members and friends invited. Friday, Feb. 2 Dance from 7:30 - 11:15 p.m. at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., Cleveland. Admission $8. Featuring Joey Tomsick. Feb. 2, 3, 4 SlovenSKI weekend in Windham, NY with giant Tony’s... Old World Plaza Barber Shop Haircuts $7.00 664 E. 185 St. at Abby Ave., and Windward Rd. HOURS: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. M-F 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sat. We love the Slovenian people. We want more of them as our customers. slalom friendly race on Sat., with dinner/dance in the evening. Call John Kamin (718) 424-2711. Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007 Annual stockholders meeting of Collinwood Slovenian Home, 15810 Holmes Ave., starting at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9 Dance from 7:30 - 11:15 p.m. at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., Cleveland. Admission $8. Featuring Ed Rodick. Friday, Feb. 16 Dance from 7:30 - 11:15 p.m. at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., Cleveland. Admission $8. Featuring Wayne Tomsic. Saturday, Feb. 17 Florida Baraga Day in Holiday, FL in church of St. Vincent de Paul, 11:30 a.m., followed by luncheon and program at Knights of Columbus Hall. Lunch reservations call (727-376-2743. Special guest: Bishop Garland from Marquette. Sunday, Feb. 18 Immaculate Conception parish, Superior Ave., Cleveland, Social at Slovenian National Home, St. Clair Ave., Cleveland. Feb.17 - 24 Slovenian Ski Trip to Val Gardena, Italy. Call John Kamin 718 424-2711. Friday, Feb. 23 Dance from 7:30 - 11:15 p.m. at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., Cleveland. Admission $8. Featuring A1 Battistelli Sunday, Feb. 25 St. Vitus Slovenian School annual benefit dinner between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25 City Music Cleveland Concert at St. Vitus Church. Friday, March 2 Dance from 7:30 - 11:15 p.m. at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., Cleveland. Admission $8. Featuring Bob Kravos. Friday, March 9 Dance from 7:30 - 11:15 p.m. at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., Cleveland. Admission $8. Featuring Ray Polantz. Friday, March 16 Dance from 7:30 - 11:15 p.m. at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., Cleveland. Admission $8. Featuring Stan Mejac. Sun., March 18 - March 25 Slovenian Ski Trip to Steamboat, Colorado. For info call John Kamin (718) 424-2711. Friday, March 23 Dance from 7:30 - 11:15 p.m. at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., Cleveland. Admission $8. Featuring Jeff Pecon. Saturday, March 24 Federation of Slovenian National Homes Man & Woman of Year banquet at Slovenian National Home, St. Clair Ave., Cleveland. Friday, March 30 Dance from 7:30 - 11:15 p.m. at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St, Cleveland. Admission $8. Featuring A1 Battistelli. Sunday, April 1 City Music Cleveland Concert in St. Vitus Church. Tuesday, April 3 Author Bob Dolgan talks about his book, “America’s Polka King” The Real Story of Frankie Yankovic and His Music” at Euclid Public Library, E. 222 St., at 7 p.m. 2)c fan L^odic Funeral Home 28890 Chardon Rd. Willloughby Hills, OH 44092 440-944-8400 Joe Zevnik, Licensed Director Our Slovenian Family Serving Yours Death Notices RICHARD STERLE Richard Sterle, age 81. Dear husband of Mary (nee Zalar); stepfather of Dennis Dorsch and Ken (Debbie) Dorsch; grandfather of Sam Dorsch; brother of Loretta Zust, John, Leonard (deceased), Eugene, Edward, Mitzi Loftus and Pauline Lukash; loving uncle of many nieces and nephews. U.S. Army Veteran of WWII and Korea. Friends were received at Zele Funeral Home, 452 E. 152nd St., Wednesday, Dec. 27 from 2-4 and 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., where services were held Thursday, Dec. 28 at 9:15 a.m., and at Holy Cross Church at 10 a.m. Interment All Souls Cemetery. Donations in his memory to Slovene Home for the Aged, 18621 Neff Rd., Cleveland, OH 44119; Holy Cross Church, 19951 Lake-shore Blvd., Euclid, OH 44119, or Euclid Hospital, 18901 Lakeshore Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44119 would be deeply appreciated by the family. MARIE M. BASHEL Marie M. Bashel (nee Savchuk), age 87. Beloved wife of Frederick; , dear mother of Patricia (Frederick) Dugach, and Donna (Kenneth) Stevenson (former wife of the late Lawrence Cohn) (all deceased); grandmother of Brandon Stevenson; great- grandmother of Ben and Sara; sister of Peter, Andrew, Kay Kmet and Ann Conrad (all deceased). Friends were received at Zele Funeral Home, 452 E. 152 St., Cleveland on Sunday, Jan. 7 from 4-8 p.m. Interment private. Donations to a charity of your choice in her memory would be appreciated by the family. A thing of beauty is a joy foreVer; Its loveliness increases; it will never STEPHEN M. JOCHUM Stephen M. Jochum, age 94. Beloved husband of the late Bertha (Urbančič) and Rose (Sturm); loving father of the late Dolly Palmer and Barbara Minotas (Richard, living); grandfather of Tina Lee (Doug) and Dawn Gainer (Scott); greatgrandfather of Brendan, Ma-risa and Alex; brother of Mike, James, Robert, Frank, Betty, Dorothy and the late Anthony, Barbara and Mary; uncle of many. Donations may be forwarded to the Hospice of the Western Reserve, 300 E. 185 St., Cleveland, OH 44119. Memorial Mass was on Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. in St. William Church, 367 E. 260 St. Interment private. Friends called at the Brickman-DiDonato Funeral Home, 21900 Euclid Ave on Monday, Jan. 8. DOROTHY STARK Dorothy Stark (nee Vicic), beloved wife of the late John; dear mother of Carol Sidari (Paul), John I. (deceased), Teresa and Michael; grandmother of Brian (Suzanne), Paul (Holly) and Julie; great grandmother of Jack and Dominic; daughter of Michael Vicic and Pauline (nee Bastancic) (both deceased); sister of the following (all deceased): Florence Mirtel, Walter Vicic and Anamae Bizily; dear aunt and great aunt. Funeral Monday, Jan. 8 at 9 a.m., at the Fortuna Funeral Home, 5316 Fleet Ave. Services at St. Lawrence Church at 9:30 a.m. Interment All Saints Cemetery. Visitation Sunday, Jan. 7 from 2-8 p.m. Donation Thanks to Društvo Lozka Dolina who submitted a $50.00 donation. The card was signed by Louis Zig-mund. Donation Thanks to August B. Pust of Euclid, Ohio who added a $35.00 donation to his subscription renewal. He writes, “To our dear friends at Ameriška Domovina. Somehow the U.S. Post Office did not find you in Cleveland. The mail came back to us. So here it is again. Sveti Miklauž stamp (U.S. stamp!) with a small contribution to the preservation of our Slovenian heritage here, and as a special tribute to our Slovenian schools, (signed) August, Gloria, and Adriana Pust.” Pass into nothingness. --John Keats Zele Funeral Home MEMORIAL CHAPEL Located at 452 E. 152 St. Ph: (216) 481-3118 Family owned and operated since 1908_ In Loving Remembrance of Richard Sterle The following eulogy was delivered by Mark M. Zust, nephew of Richard Sterle and delivered at the Funeral Mass on Dec. 28, 2006 in Holy Cross Church. How do you describe a man as loved and celebrated as Richard Sterle? The word “tough” immediately came to my mind, so I looked to the Oxford Illustrated Dictionary for help, half expecting to see a picture of my Uncle Rich next to the definition. Instead I found the following descriptors: Tough. Meaning: Hard to break. Durable. Strong. Able to endure hardship. Unyielding. Stubborn. The ability to withstand difficult conditions and circumstances. I began to think the Oxford scholars knew Rich personally. What’s missing from that definition, though, is the most important measure of the man — his kindness, his sincerity, and his willingness to help absolutely anyone, without giving a second thought to his own comfort or safety. My Uncle Rich’s heroic deeds as a fireman are well documented and too numerous to mention here. Those of you who attended the calling hours yesterday saw the many military medals, including three Bronze Stars he received for his uncommon courage in World War II and the Korean War. Rich was truly a leader of men. He led them into battle, into blazing buildings, and, into developing their full potential. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, his guidance was crucial to a cocky, impressionable teenager -me. Sitting at my parents’ kitchen table, he and I would talk, sometimes heatedly, about the Vietnam War, about the oil crisis, about the nature of people. He had clear, passionate opinions about everything, and was rarely at a loss for words. Yet, in his reflective moments, usually between gulps of strong coffee, he would look at me and say, “Mark, I don’t agree with your opinions, but I’ll go to my death defending your right to say them.” Those were words that he meant, deeply, and that he lived by. You see. Rich is not only my feisty uncle, he is also my Godfather, and he found ways, both large and small, to show me his love. In 1964, he took me to the LaSalle Theater on E. 185 Street for a screening of a black and white documentary about four English musicians whom he considered “amateurs.” Fortunately, Rich wasn’t their agent. The movie was “A Hard Day’s Night,” featuring the Beatles, and the rest is history. I didn’t know it back then, but Rich supported me in many ways He helped fund my accordion lessons; he paid for a magic set that began my 3 5-year love affair with the magical arts; and he contributed often to my college fund. He never told me these things and he never asked for thanks. That was the quiet, modest side Rich hid from so many people. I’m sure everyone in this room has a story of Rich’s generosity, his courage, and his love of family. Now I understand why everyone calls him “Rich” -because he has enriched our lives and we are all better people for having known him. There is no lesser or greater gift if the gift is love. Sends A.H. to Slovenia t Love neyer dies as long as . inhere' is someone who remembers. ' In Loving Memory Of Our Dear Emma Emma Cesen Entered into rest January 14,1994 Dear Emma, since you’ve gone away, the ones you loved so true tiy hard to carry on the way we know you’d want us to. The Bethlehem/Murska Sobota Sister Cities Associa-i tion from Bethlehem, PA ordered a one year subscription of American Home/-Ameriška Domovina to be sent to Pokrajinska in Študijska Knjižnica library in Murska Sobota, Slovenia. They enclosed a $165 check. In Memory OF THE DEATH OF Dear Emma, we miss you very much. Loving Husband - Frank Daughters: Patricia Wilks Francine Žabkar Son-in-law: Brian Grandchildren, and Great-grandchildren Joseph Grdina who died on January 12,1974 Missed by: Sister: Antonia Mazi and Brother: Ivan Sons: Joseph and Anthony. Daughters-ih-Law: Mary and Betty Grandchildren - and Great-Grandchildren Slovenia bank to join Gold Agreement Gold prices are up about 1% this week, and about $100 on the year. Slovenia’s central bank has agreed to join the Central Bank Gold Agreement, the pact that limits bullion sales by European central banks. The former Yugoslavian republic, which joined the eurozone on Jan. 1, holds only 5.1 tonnes of gold, according to World Gold Council figures, and its addition will not affect sales limits agreed under the pact. Under the agreement, 15 European central banks agreed to cap sales at 2,500 tonnes between 2004 and 2009, or 500 tonnes a year. —Phil Hrvatin IVORY CITY PIANO SERVICE Albert J. Koporc, Jr. 446 East 152nd St. Cleveland, OH 44110 216-^86-1105 New E-Mail Address The American Home Publishing Co. has been issued a new e-mail address by their Internet service provider. It is: ahp@buckeveweb.net ■? AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, JANUARY 11, 2007 AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, JANUARY 11, 2007 »First Great-Grandson Dr. David Turk on accordion, Val Ribic on bass, plus guest musicians Mike Kramar on baritone (California), and John Ferfolija (Canada) at the Marriott Hotel during Tony’s Polka Party. (Photo by TONY GRDINA) Grkmania Sweeps Awards Show XIX by RUDY FLIS On January 5, our family attained a degree of greatness never experienced by any of us. Yesterday, early afternoon, our granddaughter Maria became a mom for the first time when she gave birth to a son. She, her husband, Joseph, and the noname baby boy are all doing well. Thank you Lord. It has been 10 long years since a baby has been bom into our family. When Maria was bom 24 years ago, all my sons and daughters became uncles and aunts, and Therese and I became grandparents. Yesterday, early afternoon, each of our children and Therese and I became great. May I say it is a . “great” feeling. Each of our granddaughters, youngest to the oldest, are anxious to see and hold their new second cousin. We don’t have to wait because Monica drove her old mom and dad to the hospital this The K. of C. organizers of the annual wintertime event in Florida, Messrs. Herbert Wegener and Glenn Barry, have announced the date Saturday, Feb. 17 for the event to again be held in Holiday, Florida, as it has been on the last several occasions. The time for the Mass at the church of St. Vincent de Paul, followed by the luncheon and the program at the local Knights of Columbus Hall, is 11:30 a.m. Obviously, all are welcome to attend the Mass. For the luncheon, reservations must be made with Herbert Wegener at (727) 376-2743. One may also send e-mail to Glenn Barry at g.s.barrv@iuno.com We are happy to announce that Bishop James H. Garland, the recently retired ordinary of the Diocese of Marquette, MI, will attend this year’s Baraga Day and he will be the principal celebrant of the Mass. day to visit the new mom and her son. Right after we arrived Monica went into the restroom, washed her hands, and came over to Maria’s bedside and scooped the baby from Maria’s arms, and just went nuts over the little miracle from God who she said looked perfect, in every way. He’s a baby, and I’m happy he is healthy and his mom is also doing well. It’s hard to believe all our children were once that little and that helpless, to grow into adults, with some grief between crib and altar. We are survivors and here to enjoy our grandchildren, who bring us no grief. I don’t particularly care to listen to braggarts and you may feel the same as I do about that, and I wish to apologize to each of you if I dwelt too long on greatness in our family. But what a truly great feeling it is when all must admit that I am a great-grandpa. It makes me feel so great. Friends of our saintly Bishop Baraga are urged to plan to attend the occasion if at all possible. If you take your winter break at your own choice of time, try to plan it so that you can join us at the Baraga Day celebration in Holiday, FL on Saturday, Feb. 17. Meeting as many Slovenian friends as possible at this occasion can be an added reason to take even an extended trip if that should be involved. As all Florida travelers know, there are excellent connections to the Tampa Bay area from every comer of the state. I am personally looking forward to seeing you there. Asking God’s abundant blessings on you in the year 2007,1 am Sincerely yours in the Lord, —Father Aloysius Hribsek (Retired pastor of Holy Cross Slovenian parish in Bridgeport, Connecticut) The National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame presented Crystal Awards Show XIX to the delight of nearly 1000 polka lovers at Euclid High School Auditorium on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 25. Joe “Grkmania” Grkman band was voted the Band of the Year, which capped an afternoon of several highlights for the family from Yukon, Pennsylvania. Joe Grkman, Sr., received the Lifetime Achievement Award, as presented by his son Joe Grkman Jr. The Grkmania band performed and included four generations of Grkmans, including two-year-old Ben. Jake Zagger of Sharon, Penn., was honored for Lifetime Achievement. Jake’s life story was read by Joe Godina, a Pennsylvania DJ. Zagger entertained the audience on the button accordion, accompanying his daughters Jeri Swogger, Jody Zagger, and Janelle Parker, who sang, “Back Home in Pennsylvania.” The 2006 Annual Awards for the following categories were announced: Cultural/Heritage Award -Slovene National Benefit Society, Imperial, PA Support/Promotion Award - Ed Ostry Best Button Accordion -Individual - Ron Likovič Best Button Accordion Group - Ken Zalar & the Captain’s Crew Best Vocalist - Christine Hibbs Musician of the Year -Eric Noltkamper Best Sidemen - John Gerl, Mike Grkman, Eddie Klančnik Recording of the Year -Polkas on Broadway - Don Wojtila, Christine Hibbs, and Fred Gregorich. The Trustees Honor Roll was awarded to seven recipients: Ray Gay (posthu- mously), the award was accepted by his widow Lucille; Don Lipovac of Kansas City, MO; A1 Pestotnik of Willoughby Hills, OH; Marie Pivik of Middleburg Heights, OH; Gary Rhamy of Youngstown, OH, Eddie Slagle of Cincinnati, OH; and Jack Zorc of Cleveland, who received his award at a presentation at the Slovene Home for the Aged, where he lives. The theme of the Next Generation showcased talented young performers and presenters, many of whom appeared with their parents -the current generation. Ray Somich of WELW radio served as the Master of Ceremonies. He was joined by 18-year-old John Koenig in making some of the announcements. Headlining the presenters was Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Feller, who along with veteran writer Bob Dolgan presented the Cultural/Heritage and Support/Promotional awards. Other presenters included: Toni (Trontel) Solarz and Tony Trontel, Sophie Zalokar, Brandon Bucar, Christine Wojtila, Jim Lapinski, Tony Petkovšek, Cecilia Dolgan, Ann (Dolgan) Potter, Joey Tomsick, Miss SNPJ 2007 Dacy Brand, Raymond Somich II, Katie Miskulin and Andrea (Yank-ovic) McKinie. Outstanding musical performances were given by a young group of musicians: the Next Generation, which included Brian O’Boyle, Blaise Cackovic, Anthony Culkar, Matt Frank, Laryssa Byndas, Michael Byndas, and Phil Yan III. Accordionist Fred Gregorich of Pittsburgh played his Greatest All-Time Hit Polka “Cheese ‘n Crackers.” Prize winning accordionist Don Lipovac of Kansas City, MO played an accordion serenade medley that grabbed the attention of the audience. Mike Schneider of Milwaukee, WI brought his band to town, and appeared in the Finale of the Show. Fred Ziwich, music director and arranger of the music for the show, conducted the Polka Hall of Fame All-Star Band, who were Brian O’Boyle, accordion; Frank Yasnowski and Toni Kramar, saxophone and clarinet; Eddie Rodick II, banjo and guitar; Ray Zalokar, bass; and Fred Yasnowski, drums. Escorts on stage: Frannie Kocin, Colleen Frank, Ashley Russ, and Kristy Ziv-kovich. The goals of the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum are to preserve and promote the uni'que American style polka music with its roots in Slovenian folk music. The Polka Hall of Fame has 1500 members nationwide, with a Museum and Gift Shop located in a historical mansion in Euclid, Ohio. Certificate Holders ANNUAL MEETING Slovenian National Home 6417 St. Clair Avenue - Cleveland, Ohio 44103 Eddie Kenik Room (annex) Rear Entrance Sunday, February 4, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. We invite all Certificate Holders and Lodge representatives to attend. --The Board of Directors Bandleader Joey Tomsick, left, is happy to meet baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller. ___________________________(Photo by TONY GRDINA) Florida Baraga Day 15 Years of Polkas in Downtown Cleveland by ALICE KUHAR It was the 15th year at the deluxe Marriott Hotel in downtown Cleveland for Tony Petkovšek Thanksgiving Polka Party Weekend. Exactly 45 years ago in November, 1961 a young man decided to begin a polka radio program that would also be commemorated annually on the family Thanksgiving holiday. For some four-and-a-half decades people would recognize this as a holiday for polka music, “Cleveland-style,” and come from near and far to congregate in kind of a special reunion of sorts, whether they were from Greater Cleveland, all of Ohio, from over 20 different states, throughout Canada, and even occasionally from Europe like the Netherlands. The event would go from the local neighborhood nationality center (Slovenian Home) to a local high school auditorium (St. Joseph), to the heart of downtown at a modem deluxe hotel complex - the Marriott Hotel where it’s been since 1990. Just as this special holiday implies, you could experience the great feeling of getting together and enjoying some of the finest talent that nil of North America could display, occasionally some outstanding European performers portraying an exceptional Slovenian music theme. Perhaps what sets this polka festival apart from the rest is its ability to attract folks of various ethnic backgrounds and of various age groups to include the teenage and early 20s range, not usually seen in the average polka dance setting. Apart from the numerous different polka bands, an exceptional diatonic accordion champ from Europe, Denis Novato really wowed them along with the Cleveland based Kreš~Slovenian folklore dancers in colorful authentic attire, who actually stole the show with their fantastic display of rhythmic demonstrative folk dancing. And to everyone’s delight, they later mixed right in with the regular dancing crowd giving everyone the opportunity to “dance with the Slovenian stars.” One of the bandleaders made a general comment, from his perspective on the bandstand, that it was the most energy he had ever witnessed from the crowd in his close to 50 years of dance hall and festival performances as close to a thousand people packed the hotel ballroom on Friday night alone. Hank Haller was quoted with the preceding. Perhaps the warm-up was an ultimate half hour jam session on the main stage with the “who’s who” of accordionists and other musicians from near and far. The Thursday and Friday festivities as always were in direct support of the longest running, self-produced daily polka radio programs on WELW 1330 AM as well as worldwide at 249 Polka-heaven.com. For that November weekend at least it seemed to be evident that everyone who participated felt as though they were truly transported to kind of a “polka heaven” atmosphere thanks to the efforts of “TP” - Tony Petkovšek who continues to bring up the tops in polka music both on the air daily and at the annual November event. The Cleveland Slovenian Radio Club committee appreciated the acknowledgements by various public leaders from national, state and local county levels with Judge Ron Šuster, State Representative Kenny Yuko in attendance. The National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame completed the weekend with its “Awards Show XIX” in Euclid as baseball star Bob Feller was presented here and then the “Meet the Winners” Dance back downtown. Beside the individuals from throughout North America, six busloads came from Canada, Wisconsin, and Michigan. they were also delighted with the longest established polka festival held on the last full holiday weekend in November. Hope to see you next year. Bob Dolgan, left, author of a book on America’s Polka King, Frank Yankovic, and Walter Ostanek, Canada’s Polka King. All Photos by TONY GRDINA barija Sedmak and Peter Hauptman present Tony Petkovšek, left, with a 45lh Anniversary cfr>ck plaque presentation. Members of the Radio Club, left to right, A1 Pestotnik, Don Mausser, Duke Marsic, Ronnie Pestotnik, and Micki Mausser. Standing behind are Marriott hotel coordinator Cal Elaban with Tony Petkovšek. Judge Ron Šuster, left, congratulates Tony Petkovšek. AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, JANUARY 11, 2007 AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, JANUARY 11, 2007 , j« James Oberstar Named to Head Transportation WASHINGTON - Rep. James L. Oberstar (D-Minn) is now officially the Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The action is the culmination of more than 40 years of service on Capitol Hill for Rep. Oberstar, who began his Congressional career on the staff of his home-town Congressman, Rep. John A. Blatnik, in 1963. Blatnik was a Member of what was then known as the Committee on Public Works. The Committee later added “Transportation to its name and jurisdiction. When Blatnik rose to the Chairmanship of the Committee in 1971, Oberstar was named Staff Administrator. In 1974, Oberstar was elected to succeed Blatnik as For true love is inexhaustible; the more you give, the more you have. And if you go to draw at the true fountainhead, the more water you draw, the more abundant is its flow. —Bob Mills the Representative from Minnesota’s Eight Congressional District, and chose Public Works and Transportation as his major Committee assignment. In the 1980s and 1990s, Oberstar chaired, in succession, the Subcommittees on Economic Development, Investigations and Oversight, and Aviation. Following the Republican takeover of the House majority in the 1994 elections, Oberstar became the Ranking Democrat on the Aviation Subcommittee, and in late 1995, became the top Democrat on the full Committee, now renamed “Transportation and Infrastructure.” Thanks to Philip J. Hrvatin for this article. Holiday Humor A woman went to the Post Office to buy stamps for her Christmas cards. “What denomination?” asked the clerk. “Ah, give me 30 Catholic, 10 Baptist ones, 20 Lutheran, 40 Presbyterian, and two Swahili.” -Phil Hrvatin Easy Beef Casserole 2 lbs. cubed beef 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 can Golden mushroom soup 1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix 1 can water Mix all ingredients into large casserole. Bake covered in a slow oven at 325 degrees for 3Vz hours. Can be made a day ahead. Stores well. Makes 6 servings. —Brother Richard Giltnour Well Seasoned cookbook Brickman- Jeff DiDonato, owner I>i Donato jp k Tom Corrigan Harlan Saxton FUNERAL HOME Lloyd Rankin 21900 Euclid Ave. Euclid, OH 21«*481-5277 Caring ~ Compassionate ~ Dedicated to Euclid _ - _ •- •». •>. • .... i . Specialists In , Corrective Hair Coloring Acting & brenda’s HAIR SALON 5216 Wilson Mills Rd. 461-7989 / 461 -0623 Richmond}^;.. Ohio 44143 PERKIN’S RESTAURANT 22780 Shore Center Dr. Euclid, Ohio 44123 216 - 732-8077 Operated by Joe Foster The Environmental Friendly Home Builder Riko Hiše The town of Ribnica in Slovenia has always been known for its craftsmen and woodenware. Today, it is the headquarters of Riko Hiše d.o.o. (Riko Houses), which manufactures unique houses built according to the ecological standards and cultural tradition. At the same time, the houses, too, are modem. As early as 1492 the skilled craftsmen of Ribnica acquired an imperial license to sell their woodenware across the empire. They soon became famous for their high-quality products. Half a millennium of tradition is a heritage which hardly anyone is able to boast. It is also true that today’s knowledge of wood and its byproducts is more comprehensive than it ever was. Consequently they are able to build houses made of solid timber. Every single house is unique, carefully planned with love and careful attention to the customer’s wishes and lifestyle. Furthermore, each house is constructed with responsibility towards nature, from which the company has taken the best it has to offer - wood. According to Janez Škra-bec. Managing Director of the company, it is a nature-inspired gift to be capable of visioning big dreams and Bells of St. Mary’s Movie The classic Bing Crosby movie “Bells of St. Mary’s” will be shown in St. Mary’s (Coll.) school cafeteria on Saturday evening, January 20th at 7 p.m. This event is-co-sponsored by St. Mary Court Catholic Order of Foresters and the Altar Society. Donation is $2. Euclid Fish Fries The Slovenian Society Home on Recher Avenue in Euclid, Ohio is serving fish fries and other meals every Friday. Krofe Sale St. Vitus Altar Society will hold a krofe and noodles sale on Saturday, Jan. 13. House for Rent Wickliffe - 3 bdrm. bungalow with finished basement, nice. $800 per month. Call 216-347-2626. Stimburys Accounting Accounting 6 Income Tax SemiceS 496 E. 200th St. Euclid, OH 44119 (216)404-0990 ; Fax\216)404-0992 taxtime@en.com http://stlmburysaccountlng.coM Stneina InOmijuH Qrporwbam t SmUfijma«!. Economical and unique, ecological materials are some ot the distinctive features of Riko houses. transforming them into reality. Houses with Responsibility Riko houses are no ordinary houses. They are solid timber eco-houses built according to strict ecological standards. The Riko Eco-home is a Slovenian product, entirely manufactured in Slovenia. At the beginning, only Germans and Austrians took an interest in the houses. Now, more and more people in Slovenia are becoming aware of their responsibility towards the environment. The entire construction of these houses are made of solid glued timber and dry pinewood. The basic element is solid glued walls insulated with timber fiber and covered with the facade, which is either wooden or a classic one. The interior can also be enriched with natural cover such as colored vegetable oils, waxes or resins. The Riko company is compatible with nature and pays a lot of attention to modem analysis and research of wood. Their house manufacture is based on environment-friendly materials and low-energy standards. The production is mainly carried out in the factory so there is no further work and unnecessary noise at the building site. The house is environment-friendly, warm and pleasant. The Riko house is earthquake-proof and fireproof. Timber is flexible and adjusts perfectly to heavy burdens and pressure loads. The company was established in 1997 as a manufacturer of solid timber components for foreign companies. The new company was set up in Ribnica, a town with long tradition in wood utilization. The Riko Hiše company offers locals new work and increases the income of residents, and consequently that of the region. In 2003, the company started active marketing and sales in other markets such as those in Italy, Sweden, France and Croatia. Riko Hiše had developed into a modem European company and has been able to adapt to the European market with its unique features. It is now broadening its market to Spain and England. The cooperation with distinguished domestic and foreign architects, contractors and institutions of research and development will continue due to growing interest in new environmental friendly products. Sinjo Slovenia’s luxury property to go up The Baltic states will be the hottest places to invest in next year, according to estate agents Knight Frank. The luxury property firm said Lithuania will lead the way, with an expected 20% growth in property prices. Latvia and Slovenia were next in line in the list of predicted property investment hotspots in 2007. Honorary European country Morocco is also expected to see strong growth with a predicted house price increase of 15%. The estate agent said, “The appetite for second homes, whether for personal use or for investment reasons, continues unabated, facilitated by ever-increasing accessibility via new low-cost air routes and the growth in supply of residential properties in both the mass and luxury sectors.”_____________ This news came from Philip J. Hrvatin. FOR Freedom AND Justice Ameriška Domovina AMERICAN IN SPIRIT FOREIGN IN LANGUAGE ONLY AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA (USPS 024100) SLOVENIAN MORNING NEWSPAPER Thursday, January 11, 2007 - Vesti iz Slovenije - Evro v uspešnem obtoku - Kritizirane so nekatere podražitve ob spremembi valute S 1. januaijem je bila uvedena po Sloveniji evropska valuta evro. Že prihodnji teden bo evro edino veljavno plačilno sredstvo v državi. Dejanska uvedba je šla baje brez kakšnih večjih zapletov, so pa nekatera podjetja izkoristila priložnost za podražitve svojega blaga ali storitev. Že pred 1. januarjem so v slovenskih bankah prodali veliko svežnjev slovenskih evrokovancev, tudi tistih za numizmatične zbirke. Slovenske banke so za prve potrebe v državi v pred-dobavi naročile za 80 milijonov evrov kovancev in 850 milijonov evrov bankovcev. Največ kritike so bila deležna podjetja in trgovine, ki so podražile v tem času oz. s spremembo valute svoje cene. Seznam teh je pripravila civilna organizacija Zveza potrošnikov Slovenije in ga označila za “črni seznam”. Na tem seznamu se je znašlo 29 vrst blaga oz. storitev. Celo Pošta Slovenije je storitev odprave pošiljk na nov naslov podražila kar za 164%, med prvimi družbami, ki so podražile svoje storitve, so bile poslovne banke. Splošno mnenje ekonomistov in finančnih strokovnjakov je, da je bila odločitev Slovenije za evro izredno pametna in se ji bo močno pozitivno obrestovala. Nekdanji guverner Banke Slovenije dr. France Arhar pravi, da se je država na uvedbo evra pripravljala praktično že 15 let. Prepričan je, da bo ta skupna evropska valuta enakovredna najmanj ameriškemu dolarju. Kasneje ga bo morda celo nadomestila kot nova poglavitna svetovna valuta. Z novo valuto se bodo prebivalci Slovenije navaditi na manjše številke. Tako na primer je Statistični urad Slovenije objavil podatek, da je povprečna neta plača v mesecu oktobru znašala 186.295 tolarjev. Če se je ta raven ohranila tudi po 1. januarju, kar sicer ni verjeti, bi povprečna neto plača v Sloveniji bila 777,40 evra. Verjetno se bo Liberalno demokratska stranka razdvojila Nekdaj je bila Liberalno demokratska stranka najbolj vplivna politična stranka, ki je skupaj z manjšimi koalicijskimi strankami dvanajst let vodila vlado, torej bila na čelu izvršilne oblasti. V zadnjih letih, posebej v zadnjem času, se čedalje bolj slabi. V njej vladajo nasprotja in razprtije. Vodilni član dr. Slavko Gaber zahteva, da predsednik LDS Jelko Kacin odstopi, kar pa Kacin noče napraviti. Pred nedavnim je iz stranke izstopil Gregor Golobič, ki je bil svojčas strankin največji., strateg in tudi najtesnejši sodelavec takratnega predsednika LDS dr. Janeza Drnovška. Zaradi tega negativnega razvoja so napovedi, da bodo zaradi oslabljene LDS morda kmalu ustanovili novo stranko, ki bo zagovaijala levosredinske politične usmeritve. Bliža se namreč kongres LDS, ki ga Jelko Kacin gotovo ne bo preživel. Visoko avstrijsko priznanje slovenskemu glasbeniku Avgustu Ipavcu Slovenski skladatelj in duhovnik Avgust Ipavec, ki živi in dela na Dunaju, je prejel zlati častni znak Republike Avstrije. Ipavec je predvsem ustvaijalec programske glasbe in je najbolj znan po svojih zborovskih in oratorijskih delih. Odlikovanje so Ipavcu podelili 4. decembra v uradu avstrijskega kanclerja. = 88,8o tolarjev = 929,80 tolarjev Drobiž v žepu od 1. januarja 2007 vreden veliko več Poročila o prevzemu po Sloveniji evropske valute “evro” še vedno soglašajo, da to poteka brez večjih zapletov. Med razlikami, ki jih prinaša nova valuta, je ta, da so kovanci, ki jih imajo v žepu prebivalci, sorazmerno precej več vredni, kot so bili kovanci v dosedai\jih tolarjih. Na levi zgoraj so tolarski kovanci, ki že prihodnji teden ne bodo več vejavni kot plačilno sredstvo v državi, na desni pa so novi evro kovanci (ki imajo slovenske motive, gl. angleški del današnje AD), ki so v “centih”. Najmanjši kovanec je za en cent (kot ameriški “penny”) in je kar majhen po velikosti, kot je bil 10-tolarski kovanec, le da je več kot desetkrat več vreden. To potrjuje spodnja kalkulacija vrednosti vseh kovancev skupaj. Edina druga razlika je v tem, da je pod tolarskim režimom bilo v obtoku devet kovancev različnih vrednosti, sedaj jih je osem. Iste sorazmerne razlike se kažejo seveda tudi v tolarskih in evrskih bankovcih poudariti je še to, da ima vsaka evro država svoje lastne kovance in bankovce, in tai^- je Slovenja mogla imeti podobo knežjega stola na svojem 2-centnem kovancu. (Na sliki so prikazani strani kovancev, ki kažejo vrednost kovanca, podobe so na obratni strani - zopet ang. del AD.) Iz Clevelanda in okolice Pristavska noč 2007— Tradicionalen ples in zabava “Pristavska noč” bo v soboto, 27. januarja, v SND na St. Clairju. Začetek ob 6. zv. in večerja ob 7. uri. Za ples in zabavo bodo poskrbeli Veseli godci. Za rezervacijo, pokličite Elizabeto Žalik na 440-537-1941, ali pa Metko Zalar na 440-943-3844. Člani in prijatelji Slovenske pristave vabljeni! Krofi in rezanci— Oltarno društvo sv. Vida ima prodajo krofov in rezancev v soboto, 13. januarja, ob običajnem času v društveni sobi avditorija. Novi grobovi Gizela Canker Umrla je 92 let stara Gizela Canker, Newyorčanka, ki je pred mnogimi leti živela v Clevelandu, hčerka že pok. Franka in Mary (r. Slivar) Canker, sestra že pok. Ladislawa, bila je poklicna igralka in pevka v New Yorku ter nastopala v hollywoodskih filmih, to pod poklicnim imenom Janet Lord. Pogreb je bil 9. januarja v oskrbi Želetovega zavoda s sv. mašo v cerkvi sv. Jeroma in pokopom na Vernih duš pokopališču. Jennie Laurich Umrla je Jennie Laurich, rojena Eržen, vdova po Stanleyju, mati Marilyn Jen-ner, 3-krat stara mati, 4-krat prastara mati, sestra Olge Skodlar in Christine Nestor (obe že pok.). Pogreb bo jutri, v petek, v oskrbi Želetovega zavoda s sv. mašo dop. ob 9.30 v cerkvi sv. Kristine, sledil bo pokop na pokopališču Vernih duš. Josephine Luchka Umrla je Josephine Luchka, rojena Buntura, vdova po Jospehu in po Augustu Kalich, mati Barbare Riggle in Jean Kalich, sestra Willi-ama Andryszak, Eleanore Hoffman, Lottie Predle, Mary Šveda, Frances Habe-rak, Franka, Josepha in Johna (vsi že pok.). Pogreb je bil 10. januarja v oskrbi Želetovega zavoda s sv. mašo v cerkvi sv. Jeroma in pokopom na Kalvarije pokopališču. Družina bo hvaležna za darove v pokojničin spomin Slovene Home for the Aged Foundation, 18621 Neff Rd., Cleveland, OH 44119. (daje na str. 15, 16) Kosilo Slovenske šole— Slovenska šola pri Mariji Vnebovzeti vabi na svoje letno kosilo, ki bo v nedeljo, 21. januarja, v župnijski dvorani na Holmes Ave. Serviranje se bo pričelo ob 11. uri dop. do 1. pop., nakaznice so po$12 za odrasle in po $6 za otroke. Imajo jih šolski učitelji, na voljo bodo tudi pri vhodu na dan kosila. Dobrodelno kosilo— V nedeljo, 21. januarja, bo v avditoriju pri sv. Vidu dobrodelno kosilo, ki bo koristilo godbo višje šole sv. Ignacija in Holy Family Cancer Home. Nakaznice so po $12 za odrasle in $6 za otroke. Kosilo se bo lahko vzelo domov. Serviranje bo od 11. dop. do 2. pop. Za nakaznice kličite župnijo na 216-361-1444, ali pa 440-526-0769. Bliža se letna sija— V nedeljo, 4. februarja, pop. ob 2h se bo pričela letna seja delničarjev Slovenskega narodnega doma na St. Clairju. Seja bo potekala v Kenikovi sobi zadaj. Vabljeni so vsi delničarji in predstavniki društev, lastnikov delnic. V naslednjem času bodo imeli svoje letne seje vsi narodni domovi, vsi pa tudi potrebujejo podporo. “Pravica do živjerja”— DNU pri Mariji Vnebovzeti ima naročeno avtobus za Washington, D.C., za pohod “Pravice do življenja” v nedeljo, 21. januarja. Za rezervacije kličite Louisa Koenig na 216-481-0800. Podpora našemu listu— Ga. Ivica Mavsar, Cleveland, O., je darovala $50, v spomin moža Franka. G. Stanko Šajnovič, Orillia, Ont. je poklonil $50, v spomin 3. obletnice smrti dolgoletnega prijatelja iz Clevelanda Toneta Nemec. Ga. Amalija Champa, Richmond Hts., O., je darovala $20 v spomin moža Jožeta. Društvo “Loška dolina” je darovalo $50. G. August B. Pust iz Euclida je daroval $35. Ga. Elsie Zalar, Willowick, O., je darovala $20, v spomin moža Bernarda. Ga. Doris A. Zajec, Lyndhurst, O., je darovala $15, v spomin tete Mare Hren. G. Frank 'n ga. Anita Bračič iz Boynton Beach, Fla., sta darovala $30, v spomin prijateljice Marije Povšič. Naša iskrena zahvala vsem našim dobrotnikom! Posnetek kaže na levi sen. Franka Lauscheta, poleg njega pa bivši ameriški predsednik Gerald R. Ford, ki je umrl 26. decembra 2006, ko sta bila skupaj junija 1981 na “Dayton Bogie Busters Festival”. Druge osebe niso identificirane. (Foto: prof. dr. Edi Gobec) Predsednik Ford in Slovenci WILLOUGHBY HILLS, OH. - Vsi ameriški predsedniki od vsaj Franklina Roosevelta dalje so poznali kakega ameriškega Slovenca, čeprav na žalost niso vedno vedeli, da je njihov znanec ali prijatelj slovenskega rodu. Tudi pred kratkim umrli predsednik Gerald Ford je od bliže poznal več naših rojakov. Ni nam sicer znano, če se je zavedal pomena našega velikega misijonarja, učenjaka in škofa Friderika Barage, ki je v 19. stoletju tako plodno deloval tudi v njegovi državi Michigan. Imamo pa močno dokumentacijo za njegove prijateljske odnose z več njegovimi slovenskimi sodobniki. Kongresnik, podpredsednik in predsednik Ford se je dobro poznal s slovenskim kongresnikom Johnom Blatnikom iz Minnesote, posebno blizu pa je bil kongresniku Philipu Ruppetu, saj sta oba predstavljala okraje države Michigan in sta mnogokrat tudi skupaj zajtrkovala. Tam se jima je včasih pridružil tudi (Slovenski kongresnik Joe Skubitz iz Kansasa. Ob zbiranju arhivskega gradiva o Slovencih v Ameriki in po svetu sem bil večkrat v stiku s temi (in drugimi) ameriškimi kongresniki, Blatnik pa je bil skupaj s Slovencem zelo naklonjenim podpredsednikom Združenih držav Hubertom Humphreyem tudi častni član našega Slovenskega ameriškega raziskovalnega središča (Slovenian Research Center of America). Posebno zanimivost sem doživel v zvezi s kongresnikom Skubitzem. Kot se vsakemu raziskovalcu rado zgodi, mi na več prošenj za svoje gradivo ni odgovoril. Ugibal sem, kaj naj bi bil vzrok za njegov molk. Morda samo prezaposlenost, ali pomanjkanje narodne zavednosti, ali pa morda misli, da se bomo z njim postavljali, “Poglejte, Slovenci imamo celo rojaka v kongresu! Pa bi bil morda on edini, ki bi se lahko takole sklicevali nanj?” Za vsak slučaj sem naslednjemu pismu priložil tudi kopijo svojega članka, “Amazing' accomplishments of Slovenians abroad” (Čudoviti dosežki Slovencev na tujem), ki so ga objavih skoraj vsi slovenski ameriški listi. Nekaj dni zatem mi je telefoniral na univerzo v Kentu. “Tu je kongresnik Skubitz. Tako zelo sem ponosen, da sem Slovenec!” Potem je vprašal: “Ali je še kak drugi Slovenec v Washingtonu?” “Kar precej jih je,” sem mu odgovoril. “Med njimi je tudi Philip Ruppe, vaš kolega v kongresu.” “Philip?” je presenečeno vzkliknil. “Saj skoraj vsak dan skupaj jeva zajtrk, pa nisem vedel, daje Slovenec!” Seveda •mi je kongresnik Skubitz kmalu zatem poslal svoje gradivo in več slik, med njimi tudi eno starejšo, ko zajtrkuje skupaj s predsednikom Eisenhoweijem. Med Ruppetovimi slikami pa je bila še ena pri zajtrku s predsednikom Fordom. Zelo blizu sta si bila tudi predsednik Ford in najpomembnejši slovenski ameriški politik Frank J. Lausche (Lovše), legendami clevelandski sodnik in župan, edini petkrat izvoljeni guverner države Ohio in dvakratni zvezni senator. Mnogokrat sta skupaj igrala golf, kar sta prijateljsko nadaljevala tudi pozneje, ko sta bila oba že v pokoju. Ko smo pipravljali knjigo Ohio's Lincoln Frank J. Lausche (1985), so ob Lauschetovi devetdesetletnici poleg več rektorjev univerz, vodilnih novinarjev in številnih guvernerjev, kongresnikov in senatorjev prispevali svoje pripombe in voščila vsi še živeči predsedniki Združenih držav, s takratnim predsednikom Ronaldom Reaganom na čelu. Ford je svojemu tipkanemu pismu dodal še z roko napisano vrstico, kjer slavljenca sprašuje, kako je kaj z njegovo igro golfa. Fordovo življenje je bilo prenekokrat dobesedno v rokah slovenskega pilota helikopterja Franka Ovniča. France ali Frank se je leta 1937 rodil na Javorniku in se je komaj osemleten ob koncu vojne skupaj z družino umaknil iz Jesenic na Koroško v Avstrijo. Tam je z drugimi begunskimi otroki, med njimi s pozneje zelo uspešnim inženirjem Marjanom Kosmom, obiskoval slovensko šolo v Spittalu, med nekaj starejšimi študenti pa so bili tudi sedanji torontski nadškof kardinal dr. Alojzij Ambrožič in vatikanski prefekt kardinal dr. France Rode in poznejši podpredsednik SAZU, akademik dr. Kajetan Gantar. Leta 1949 se je Ovničeva družina podala na pot v Ameriko, a v nemškem Bremnu je na porodu umrla mati Mimica. Oče Maks je z dvanajstletnim Frankom, devetletno hčerko in novorojenim Lojzkom nadaljeval pot v Ameriko, kjer