Let Not The Light Of Freedom Be Extinguished! American Home over 100 years of serving American- Slovenians America Ameriška 89S6-180W HO AHa3d 133H1S oiho eeee NOHVWMI NVIHVI/M SLOVENIAN MORNING NEWSPAPER Vol. 109, USPS 024100 ' ISSN Number 0164-68X AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, MAY 3, 2007 Phone: m61 431-0628 E-mail: ahp@buckeveweb.net / v N- Slovenian Diplomats Run in Cleveland Marathon Ambassador of Slovenia to the United States, His Excellency Samuel Žbogar and Consul General of Slovenia in Cleveland, Dr. Zvone Žigon, will run in the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon and 10K, respectively, on Sunday, May 20. This is an extraordinary occurrence - two Slovenian diplomats running in the Cleveland Marathon, one of them stationed in Cleveland. Cleveland is home to the largest Slovenian community outside of Slovenia itself. Consul General of Slovenia Dr. Zvone Žigon is the sole career diplomat in the State of Ohio. They will be running for the Slovenian based International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance. To contribute to the Ambassador’s fund-raising campaign, send a check, made payable to Marshall Legacy Institute, to: Embassy of Slovenia, 1525 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20036. Marjan Zgonc Concert Set for St. Mary’s Hall Very popular vocalist Marjan Zgonc will hold a concert St. Mary’s in Collinwood the new hall on Thursday, May 10. It will begin at 7 P m. As usual, food and drinks will be available. Tickets are $10.00. After the concert there will be music for your dancing Pleasure. Maijan Zgonc started his career as a performer at a mature age. With his velvety tenor voice, he soon acquired a large following. He started "nth Napoletan songs, such as “O sole mio,” “Mamma,” "Santa Lucia,” “Core 11 grato.” They were featured °n his first album titled, “If Love is True.” By listeners demand, his interpretations are widely broadcast on vari-°us radio shows, making him one of the most popular singers in Slovenia. The re-ease of his first album led to cooperation with songwriters and composers who were interested in writing new material for Marjan Zgonc. His most popular songs talk with deepest commitment and dedication about nature, true feelings and sincere relationships among people. During his career, Maijan Zgonc has been singing with a number of outstanding Slovenian performers as well as with his twin brother. These duos and trios were also featured on video spots. Probably his most popular song is “Thank You, Mother Maria.” Among his greatest successes, he shared the stage as a back-up singer for the world famous tenor Luciano Pavarotti. Recently, he has very successfully performed in various cities in Australia and Canada. The warmth of his complete dedication to his audience makes him a wonderful performer, greatly appreciated among a variety of listeners. Judge Ted Klammer, left, confers with Theresa and Frank Ferkulj of Mentor, Ohio on Sunday, Feb. 11 during the judge’s informative talk in St. Vitus auditorium. (Photo by Sun Life Financial JOHN TELICH, SR.) Judge Klammer Receives National Honor The American Bar Association will present to Lake County (Ohio) Probate Judge Ted Klammer and Lake County Bar Association its “Solo and Small Firm Project Award.” This prestigious award will be given to Judge Ted Klammer on May 11 in Washington, D.C. in recognition of Judge Klammer’s Third Annual Probate and Mental Health Conference. The Probate and Mental Health Conference was an all day event held on October 26 for members of the legal profession and mental health professionals. The Conference provides a unique opportunity for lawyers to join with mental health professionals to discuss the issues confronting the mentally impaired. Participants learn how to effectively deal with mentally challenged indi- Slovenians are cool Rib Tickler A bus load of tourists arrives at Runnymede. They gather around the guide who says, “This is the spot where the barons forced King John to sign the Magna Carta.” A tourist asks, “When did that happen?” “1215, answers the guide. “Dam,” the tourist says, “we just missed it by 15 minutes.” —Phil Hrvatin viduals by meeting and interacting with legal and mental health professionals. “As Lake County Probate Judge, I saw the need to create a collaborative joint effort among the Lake County Bar Association, mental health agencies, hospitals, legislative representatives, law enforcement, and the Courts to better understand and treat the mentally ill residents of Lake County. “The mentally ill are placed in desperate situations in most instances without fault. These cases involve men and women of all ages who suffer from schizophrenia to anorexia to dementia. The Lake County Jail is the largest psychiatric facility in Lake County. Some of these individuals end up in jail not once or twice, but 10 times or more. “We have begun the first phase of communicating common problems and seeking answers, Many probate judges including Judge Swift of Trumbull County recognize the plight of the mentally ill and the need for these types of conferences. Judge Trebets of the Mentor Municipal Court has instituted the first Mental Health Court in Lake County,” Judge Ted Klammer said. “I am pleased that the American Bar Association honors the Lake County Probate Court and the Lake County Bar Association, but this honor belongs to the attorneys, mental health agencies, mental health court as well as the enforcement agencies, without their involvement, none of this is possible,” Judge Ted Klammer said. Newspaper Schedule The American Home will to be printed the first three Thursdays of the month in May. In May the remaining American Home newspapers will be printed on May 10, and 17.. In June the paper will be published on the last three Thursdays of the month, June 14, 21, and 28. In July, the American Home will also be printed on the last three Thursdays of the month, July 12, 19, 26. In August, the American Home will be printed on the last three Thursdays of the month, Aug. 9, 16, 23 In September, the American Home will be printed on the first three Thursdays of the month, Sept. 6, 13, and 20. The remainder of the year the American Home will continue to be printed on the FIRST THREE THURSDAYS of the month (Oct., Nov., Dec.)____________ AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, MAY 3, 2 AMERICAN HOME š AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA (N 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. 13 May 3, 2007 Memorable Easter Week by RUDY FLIS My Easter Sunday was most memorable, not because of the delicious meal, not because of family, and not because of the frigid weather, but because I ended up in the hospital that evening. My blood thinner went haywire, and caused me to spend the next seven days in Parma hospital. I slept, I ate and I walked, and then I slept, I ate and I walked again. There were no wounds in my body from surgery, so I lacked the feeling of pain. I lay in bed feeling like a freeloader as I looked at people recovering from their illness, but they wouldn’t let me go home, until the next Sunday afternoon. During that week, mostly awake when the nurses checked on me, I was overwhelmed by the care given me, by both male and female nurses. In fact I think I fell in love with a couple of those beautiful nurses. It sure eases my stay, for I do not particularly enjoy hospitals, no mat- ter how necessary the stay. I left with not a single complaint. After our Easter meal, I did not consume solid food until supper on Wednesday evening. My stomach did not call out to me as it was deprived of nourishment during this time as I experienced no hunger pains. But, my idle mind, with its imagination, continually lingered in our refrigerator, mingling with the leftovers from our Easter dinner. My mouth remained moist during most of these foodless days, causing no real discomfort, as I dreamed of sitting at home, in my chair, as my lovely wife, Therese, served me Easter food, and my taste buds e-mailed my stomach of the good things to come. All caregivers in ICU on the 3rd floor, doctors, nurses and service people were part of why those seven days didn’t seem like an eternity. I wasn’t able to attend Mass, but I received the Sacrament of the sick and was free to pray as many Rosaries as I pleased. Dedication of Pristava Hall Slovenska Pristava board will have the dedication of the new hall on Memorial Day weekend. It will begin on Saturday, May 26 from 5 o’clock on with music and dance. Čevapčiči dinner and other refreshments will be served. On Sunday, May 27 the festivities will start with Mass at 12 noon followed by dedication and blessing of the new hall. Dinner will be served immediately with a cultural program following. These groups will take part in the program: Fantje na Vasi, Korotan, Kres, Slavko Teskac in Pristavski Muzikantje, Melodija and Mladi Fantje. Dinners have to be reserved in advance by calling Helena Percic at (216) 732-8082. After the program Stan Mejac band will be playing for your dancing and listening pleasure._______________ Kamin, Ribič elected to represent United States in Slovenians Abroad In accofdance with the Law of Slovenians outside the borders of the Republic of Slovenia, the Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland, along with the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Washington, coordinated the first ever Convention of Slovenian organizations in the U.S. on April 13 at which individuals were elected to represent the United States in the Government of Slovenia, Board of Slovenes Abroad. The most votes were awarded to Ivan Kamin (Slovenian Business Organization, New York). Second place went to Milan Ribič (Slovenska Pristava, Cleveland, OH). A tie for third place went to Anthony Hiti (Slovenian American Heri- tage Foundation) and Joe Valencie (SNPJ). The Embassy and The Consulate General have suggested to the Government of Slovenia that Ivan Kamin and Milan Ribič bd appointed to the Board of Slovenes Abroad. Though the organizational strategy of this first convention was experimental, the approach proved successful. The invited representatives of large Slovenian organizations demonstrated great interest, evidenced by the fact that even those representatives from Detroit, Pittsburgh, Lemont (Chicago) and New York came forth. At the closing discussion of the Convention, the future of the organization of the exceptionally varied Slove-nian-American community was addressed. Discussed , was the necessity for a permanent body of representatives, which would represent the Slovenian-American community in its relations with U.S. institutions and with Slovenia, for the purpose of conducting and coordinating broader range activities. Members of this co-ordinative body ought to be elected by geographical region, and not by their membership in Slovenian organizations (KSKJ, SNPJ, SWUA, etc/). This would then create the need to establish Slovenian-American regions, whose number would correlate with the number of existing major Slovenian organizations. Therefore this governing body would consist of about 20 representatives. Catholic Preschool in Slovenia Needs Help Last summer my family and I visited our friend in Slovenia, a high school classmate of my husband’s. Dr. Alojz Snoj. Fr. Snoj has been the parish priest at Škofja Loka for several years. Dr. Snoj is the nephew of Fr. Jože Snoj, whom we met when he was a priest in Fontana, California. What a small world. A few years ago Fr. Alojz Snoj established a Catholic reschool in his parish at kofja Loka. This is one of the first independent Catholic preschools in Slovenia. Fr. Snoj told us about the worries, hard work, red tape and obstacles thrown in his way by an unsympathetic bureaucracy. There was no space for the preschool, so they had to excavate the basement of the modest single family house serving as the rectory. Fr. Snoj showed us around, and everywhere one could feel order, care, love and just plain goodness. It brought tears to our eyes. Under the communist regime in Slovenia, all educa- tion was an exclusive domain of the government. The Catholic Church was not allowed to operate any schools except seminaries. The educational system was a tool of the government used to mold the Slovenian people, to indoctrinate them in the communist ideology and atheism. Even today, the educational system in Slovenia is secular, atheistic and essentially still anti-Catholic. There are a few Catholic high schools, but by the time children get there, they have been exposed to public schools and the official atheism. That is why it is so important to have Catholic preschools. Fr. Snoj’s preschool is a resounding success. There are many more applicants than they can accept. Fr. Snoj hopes to add more space to increase the number of children. He believes the preschool should be only the beginning. There is a void in Catholic education in Slovenia, since there are no Catholic elementary schools. His next great hope is a Catholic elementary school. We often ask ourselves, how can we make a difference in Slovenia so that its citizens can live in a more free and just society. We may think there is little we can do since we live so far away. Clearly, one area where we can help is supporting Catholic education in Slovenia. Catholic schools may be able to reverse the damage done to Slovenia by 50 years of communism. It is a critical time for the country. This is a worthy cause, and the readers may want to make a contribution to Fr. Snoj’s school. I would be happy to forward contributions to him. Please write checks to Fr. Alojz Snoj and send them to Angela Stare, 5 Cherbourg Ct., Potomac, MD 20854. Fr. Snoj will celebrate Holy Mass for all benefactors. Sincerely, --Angela Stare Potomac, MD fAre Bills Breaking Your Bank? I i WE HAVE A SOLUTION! Take advantage of the Clerk of Court Trusteeship Program... avoid garnishment of your wages. How Do I File? What Does It Cost? Where Do I File? Call 1216)664-4860 www.clevelandmunicipalcourt.org Trusteeship Trusteeship was established.by the Ohio Legislature to prevent garnishment of personal earnings. It is a system where a person pays a percentage of their gross earnings into the court to be prorated among their creditors. Garnishment of wages will not be allowed by creditors as long as the debtor makes regular payments into the trusteeship. How Does It Work? You pay 17.5% of your disposable earnings every pay period. Trusteeship Is a voluntary >. program on the part of both the debtor and the creditor. However, if a creditor refuses to participate, they CANNOT GARNISH YOUR WAGES. You must make a payment to the court each time you get paid. : -W'/: EARLE B. TURNER Clerk of Courts Cleveland Municipal Court This and that from Emilee by EMILEE JENKO Let’s enjoy this pleasant weather while it lasts. Happy Mothers Day on Sunday, May 13. Belated happy birthday to Marcie Mills, Bob Mills and Julie Telban from all your friends on St. Clair Avenue. Twelve members of Slovenian American Na- tional Art Guild viewed the Claude Monet exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art, and enjoyed a luncheon at tile museum cafeteria. It was an enjoyable couple of hours. Thanks SANAG for tiie treat. Let us all pray for the victims and the survivors of the Virginia Tech University. Glad to see that Angie Shine is back in circulation. She attended the last St. Clair Pensioners meeting and looked radiant. Keep it up. T.P. we missed you, but you had two talented and friendly pinch hitters to hold down the fort, Joey JTO Tomsick and Ed Ostrey. Welcome back. Mary Petrie was laid to rest. Arrangements by Zele Funeral Home. She was a resident of Gateway Manor °n E. 200 Street in Euclid. She was laid to rest beauti-ftilly as she always was., hair c°iffed beautifully, nails in Perfect order and dressed so beautifully in pink. She was always a vision to behold, even in death she continues to light up. God bless you, hJary, you will be missed so •Puch by family and your host of friends. Rest in Peace. Get well wishes to Ann ^Peka, Frank Rich, Lillian Federico, all from the St. Clair Pensioners. Give Ann a eall (440) 460-1000 or send a eard, Greens of Lyndhurst, J575 Brainard Rd., Lynd-hurst, OH 44024, Room 151. Ed Arhar, Duke Marsic, a Patient of Manor Care. May-freldHts. Gary Vidmar of Chardon, ^hio, passed away this past P'onth, husband of Cynthia (Haca) son Jeffery. Mother Sophie (Lube Vidmar Krane) resides in Green Valley, ^iz. Brother William. His ather, Joe Vidmar passed away 5o years ag0. Private. God be with you. 1 received a very thought-titi thank you from Bob Timko from Dunedin, Florida thanking me for my card wishing him well for a speedy recovery and my prayers and thoughts are with you. I replied again, knowing that we all in Cleveland are thinking about him. God be with you. Every Saturday when I attend Mass at the SHA I meet many friends of the past. Frances Omahen is one. Her daughter Maureen is a resident. It was such a pleasant reunion. We lived a few houses apart on Kildeer Avenue, off E. 185 St. Those were happy days. Fr. Kumse was the celebrant and told of a gift received from Terri Jarem of Big Bouquet Florist. A puppy named Sasha. The puppy will be a companion to Father’s other dog, Vladimer. Ed Azman passed away this past month. He was a resident of the SHA for many years. Rest in peace. Get well wishes to Dorothy Kirk, a resident of Har-borside Nursing Home, Steve Piorkowski, Gene March, Frank Mullec. Thinking of you. 50th wedding anniversary to Don and Marceline Mausser. Many more happy and healthy years ahead. Belated birthday to A1 Pe-stotnik from all his family and numerous friends. Zivio. Happy birthday to Elea-nore Godec, one of the kitchen angels at the Slovenian Workmen’s Home on Waterloo Rd. Regards from all your kitchen angels and yours truly. Sunday, April 4lh I attended the annual luncheon for the SHA volunteers at Sterle’s C.H. The luncheon was very delicious and very ample, as always. My three bingo companions, Dan Reiger, Ann Arhar, and Stefani Segulin accompanied me. Agnes Koporc, Danielle Avsec, and Carmen McBrayer could not attend. We handle the bingo at the SHA during June, July, and August each Wednesday. Please join us as we have a ball with the residents. At the luncheon, we received many gifts, plus a hand-made rosary of many colors. We thank Mimi Stibil for all her talent in making the rosaries. All her patience and love in designing the rosaries make her a real angel. Thanks to all the board for all their generosity and to Joe Zgonc and his music makers for the polka and dance music. We love you all. Last Sunday, after the SHA luncheon, I stopped at Ed Arhar’s house and had a little chat with him in his back yard where he enjoyed the warm weather. As 1 said we chatted and he is thinner, but looking quite fit. It was an enjoyable afternoon. Ivanca Matic has been selected “Woman of the Year” for branch 50 SWUA. Congratulations. Couldn’t happen to a nicer and hard working person. Congratulations and good luck. A1 Battestelli had a young lad accompanying him with the entertainment at the St. Clair Slovenian National Home monthly raffle. He was very accomplished on the button box and did a great job. Our fixture entertainer. Keep his name on your lips.. .Matt Frank. April belated birthday wishes Lou Stromsky, Nancy Slapnik, James Logar. May birthday wishes to Gladys Luzar, resides in Venice, Fla., Marie Orazem, Ray Novak, Ed Beil, Dale Bucar, Betty Kazen, Shelli March. Wedding Anniversary: Joe and Nora Cimperman, Joe is Ward 13 Councilman. Ken and Annie Tomsick... Happy trails ahead. Get well wishes to Tony and Albina Pozelnik, Missy Žakelj, daughter-in-law of Marie Žakelj (resides at St. Vitus Village). Missy had a fall and was confined to Cleveland Clinic for a spell. She is on the mend. God bless. Andrew Rostan, a Slovenian, won $31,000 April 26 on Jeopardy. Till we meet again I will leave you with this thought: God can’t always be everywhere and so he invented mothers. How true and so appropriate for Mother’s Day. Have a good time with Mother. Luvya, Emilee Pristava Opening Slovenska Pristava board will have the dedication of the new hall on Memorial Day Weekend. It will begin on Saturday, May 26 late afternoon with music and dance. On Sunday the festivities will start with Mass, ribbon cutting ceremony, dinner, and cultural pro-v gram. After all this there will be music for listening and dancing pleasure. More information following__________________ FISHERY Every Friday 11:30 AM-8 PM SWH AUXILIARY 15335 Waterloo Rd. Cleveland, OH Fish - Shrimp - Goulash Breaded Pork Chops Reservations & Take Outs Call 216/481-5378__ St. Mary’s Slovenian 3 School Fundraiser Everyone is cordially invited to attend a Reverse Raffle on Friday, May 11 sponsored by St. Mary’s (Holmes Ave.) Slovenian School. The raffle will be held in the St. Mary’s parish center. Doors and sideboards will open at 6 p.m. Tickets for the event are $65 per couple, and $45 for a single ticket which includes dinner, open bar, music by Veseli Godci, and a number on the Main Board. The main Board prize is $2,000. For tickets or more information, please contact Christy Vidmar at 216 -731-0287, Susie Hamilton at (216) 481-0464, or Julie Tromba at (440) 350-9526, or email at stmarvslovenianschool@v^h oo.com All proceeds will benefit an educational trip for St. Mary’s Slovenian School children to Slovenia this summer. Krofe Sale St. Vitus Altar Society will hold a krofe and noodles sale on Saturday, May 5. Dave Telban Family Expands The family of Dave Telban received the “highest award possible,” a new life, on April 15th. April 15th - will be a day of significance in the Telban household. They received a “tax deduction” in the form of a new little boy - David Joseph Telban, expanding their family of three now into a foursome. Plus someone to carry on the Telban name. Not only is April 15th IRS Day, it is also the birthday of Dave’s mom, Julie Telban, Plavan. This year being her 80th year. What a birthday gift, a new grandson. Congratulations to all. . Best wishes to all from your family and friends. --Agnes Koporc ltfs Time for your eve exam! J. F. OPTICAL Eye Care Specialists Eye Exams Latest in eye fashion - Contact Lenses We Welcome Your Drs. Prescription 775 E. 185th St. Eye Glasses Cleveland, OH 44119 Repaired Tel.: (216) 531-7933 (34) DiDonato FUNERAL HOME 21900 Euclid Ave., Euclid, OH (216) 5277 Jeff DiDonato, owner - Tom Corrigan, Harlan Saxton. Lloyd Rankin Specialists in Corrective Hair Coloring tina & brenda’s HA IR SA L ON 5216 Wilson Mills Road (440) 461-7989 / (440) 461-0623 Richmond Ktš. G. Happy Birthday to SHA Residents Happy Birthday to the following residents of the Slovene Home for the Aged on Neff Road, Cleveland, who were bom in the month of May: 5-05 - Marjorie Cvar, age 91, bom in Cleveland. 5-09 - John Bencin, 88, bom in Cleveland 5-12 - Alice Nohava, 95, bom in Pennsylvania 5-20 Vlada Abraitis, 99, bom in Lithuania 5-22 - Margaret Pohl, 93, bom in Dayton, Ohio 5-24 - Grace Brooks, 86, bom in Wales 5-25 - Josephine Doljac, 91, bom in Cleveland 5-26 - Anne Brewster, 94, bom in Cleveland 5-26 - Magdalena Neu-rohr, 85, bom in Yugoslavia 5-29 - Lydia Murch, 76, bom in Cleveland 5-30 - Peter Sloe, 89, AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, MAY 3, 2007 AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, MAY 3, 2007 «Mlakar Walks Down Memory Lane « by RAY MLAKAR I was going to start off by saying that summer weather is finally here but it seems whenever I mention the weather, it turns out bad; so “mum” is the word. I could not help but admire last week’s publication when they devoted a full page to the Honorable Senator Frank J. Lausche and it is hard to believe that it has now been 17 years since his death. Without a doubt he was truly America’s Greatest Slovenian for even though he went up the ladder the hard way, he never forgot his grass roots and his Slovenian heritage. There are not too many in history that will always hold a special place in our hearts like Frank Lausche for even to this day, from time to time one reads that money has been dispersed from his foundation for some cultural endeavor. He will long be remembered as one of our own who has done much for the country and especially Cleveland. He truly lived by Kennedy’s words in the respect he felt ask not what your country can do for you. But ask what you can do for your country, and his efforts in that light were endless. He wanted to be remembered as one who gave and did whatever he could to make this a better society to live in. It goes without saying that we can certainly use his ethics today, now more than ever for he was an inspiration to everyone. Our loss is heaven’s gain. All I can say is, “Thanks, Senator, for all the memories.” Also wish to congratulate Tony Peskar who was honored as the Man of the Year representing the East 80th Slovenian National Home. A couple of years ago I had the privilege of meeting Tony at one of the festivities at the National Home. In last week’s paper, my fellow writer Joe Snyder gave him a wonderful tribute. It goes without saying that it is members like Tony who have made our Slovenian Homes exist, for they give of their time and talent endlessly. Congratulations, Tony for all your hard work. You are certainly an inspiration to the younger generation. It was with much sadness that we read in the papers as well as on TV of the terrible shooting at Virginia Tech. A drastic shame that so many lives were lost all due to one person. We often wonder what is happening to our younger generation. It is a heart-felt sorrow that affects not only the families, but the college as well. I am sure his parents wonder what went wrong? Well, I am going to leave a little room so my fellow writers can also contribute articles to the paper and so will end with a few jokes. Ready? A man asked his barber for a shave and a haircut, the barber completed the haircut and proceeded to give the customer a shave, but he nicked him so much the poor guy ended up with paper stuck all over his face. “That’s $10.00,” the barber said after finishing. The man handed him a $20.00 bill and said, “Keep the change.” “Why such a large tip?” “You deserve it. This is the first time I’ve had a barber, a butcher and a paperhanger work on me at the same time.” Okay, one more for the road. Keith and Kathy were sitting in the living room and he said, “Just so you know, I never want to live in a vegetable state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug.” Kathy got up, unplugged the TV and threw out all the beer. Well, that is it. In closing, may the Good Lord bless and watch over you and keep in mind to treat others like you would like for them to treat you. Baked Beans and Sausage | Casserole IVz lbs. hot Italian sausage 2 (16 oz.) cans pork and beans 1 can green beans, drained 1 can yellow beans, drained 1 can lima beans, drained 1 can kidney beans, drained 1 can butter beans, drained 16 oz. can seasoned tomato paste with Vi cup water ! 2 large onions, chopped 1 cup chopped celery 1 tsp. chili powder 2 tsp. prepared mustard 1 can tomato soup 1 cup brown sugar Fry sausage and drain. Fry onions and celery and mix. i Add tomato soup, mustard, brown sugar and beans, mix j j well. Then add tomato paste and water plus seasonings, i (You can put all in blender and blend, except beans). Bake at 350 degrees for 114 hours (or crock pot for j about 3 to 5 hours). —Brother Richard I X Gilmour Well Seasoned Recipes : Slovenians: People With Good Taste WANTED Live-in and light housekeeping and care-taking of an elderly gentleman in exchange for room and board. Flexible hours. Must be on premises during overnight hours. George Knaus 216-261-2561 For Sale Slak 3-Row Button Box in excellent condition. $800. , Phone: (440) 582-9322 Stimburys Accounting Accounting & Income Tax SerokeS 496 E. 200th St Euclid, OH 44119 (216)404-0990 Fax \216) 404-0992 taxtime@en.com nttp://stimbury s9cc0untlng.com Ewofttf to Pracbct SeWs fte Inttm# Revtm» Stria Smiting kWWotaes Coraoraffwj i Small Businesses. Ohio Boychoir Schedule The Ohio Boychoir continues in its tradition of offering high quality musical presentations that have been the hallmark of the Boychoir since its founding in 1974. The ensemble has provided glorious music in venues from neighborhood churches to concert halls and cathedrals across Europe, North America, and Australia. The choir offers boys ages 7 through voice change many opportunities for excellence in musicianship and community pride. Celebrate spring with the 32 boys of the Ohio Boychoir under the musical direction of Michael and Becky Seredick as they perform works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Vivaldi and a sur- prising choral number by Hoagy Carmichael. • Friday, May 4 - 7:30 p.m. — St. Christopher Church, 20141 Detroit Rd., Rocky River. • Saturday, May 5-7 p.m., Middleburg Hts., Community Church, 7165 Big Creek Pkway, Middleburg Hts., OH. • Sunday, May 6-3 p.m., John Knox Presbyterian Church, 25200 Lorain Rd., North Olmsted, OH. • Friday, May 11 - 7:30 p.m.. Holy Cross Church, 175 E. 200 St., Euclid, OH • Saturday, May 12 -7:30 p.m., St. Leo Church, 4900 Broadview Road, Cleveland. —Mary Lou Ozimek PERKIN’S RESTAURANT 22780 Shore Center Dr. Euclid, Ohio 44123 216 - 732-8077 Operated by Joe Foster 100 WORDS MORE OR LESS by John Mercina TWO SURE THINGS: Death and Taxes (Sent by a friend, author unknown) Accounts Receivable Tax; Building Permit Tax; CDL License Tax; Cigarette Tax; Corporate Income Tax; Dog License Tax; Federal Income Tax; Federal Unemployment Tax; Fishing License Tax; Food License Tax; Fuel Permit Tax; Gasoline Tax; Hunting License Tax; Inheritance Tax; Interest Tax; Inventory Tax; IRS Interest Charge; IRS Penalties; Liquor Tax; Luxury Tax; Marriage License Tax; Medicare Tax; Property Tax; Real Estate Tax; Service Charge Tax; Social Security Tax; Road Usage Tax; Sales Tax; Storage locker Lease Sales Tax; Recreational Vehicle Tax; School Tax; State Income Tax; State Unemployment Tax; Telephone Federal Excise Tax; Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax; Telephone Federal, State, and Local Surcharge Tax; Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax; Telephone State and Local Tax; Utility Taxes; Vehicle License Registration Tax; Watercraft Registration Tax; Well Permit Tax; Workers Compensation Tax; RITA Tax. Last but not least: TOILET PAPER USAGE TAX! AMERICAN SLOVENIAN CAIHOHC / /UNION BECOME A MEMBER 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, Wl Call your local sales agent or the Home Office at 1-800-843-5755 www.kskjlife.com Ordination and Mass of Thanksgiving for David Kushner On Saturday, May 5 th at 10 liturgical duties as a deacon a.m. in St. John’s Cathedral, St. Mary (Coll.) parishioner David Kushner will be ordained by Bishop Richard Lennon as a Permanent Deacon for the Diocese of Cleveland. He is the first man from St. Mary’s to be ordained as a permanent Deacon. The parish offers him their prayers and support as he undertakes this important ministry in the Church and rejoice with his wife, Marie, and his sons, Matthew and Sam. On Sunday, May 6, David will preach and perform his at a Mass of Thanksgiving at 11 a.m. in St. Mary Church. A reception for all will follow Mass in the Parish Hall. PLEASE NOTE: Because of the Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, May 6, there will be no 10 a.m. or 12 noon Mass. The ladies of the parish are asked to bring pastry and finger foods for Dave Kushner’s reception. Those who have Slovenian National Dress are asked to join in the procession at the Mass of Thanksgiving. Waterloo Hall Swiss Steak Dinner On Wednesday, May 30, the Slovenian Workmen’s Home Board of Directors and Auxiliary will hold a Swiss Steak Dinner. This event is being held to honor their 2007 Man of the Year Richard Zele and Gerri Tre-bets who is the 2007 Federation of Slovenian National Homes Woman of the Year. Gerri is also the current President of the Slovenian Workmen’s Home Board of Directors. The dinner will include Swiss Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Vegetable, Salad, Bread and Butter, Dessert and Coffee. A limited number of tickets are available at $10.00 per person. No tickets will be sold that day at the door. Dinner will be served from 4 until 7 p.m. The Slovenian Workmen’s Home is located at 15335 Waterloo Road on the east side of Cleveland. --Pat Nevar hil Hrvatin, - 2007 West Park Slovenian Home Man of e Year receives a plaque from S.N.P.J. Presenting the p'Vard is Dorothy Gorjujp, S.N.P.J. Region 4 Vice i^ggident. (Photo by PAT NEVAR) IVORY CITY 1*1 ANO SERVICE Albert J. Koporc, Jr. 446 East 152nd St. Cleveland, OH 44110 __216—486-1105 Joke of the Week Two hydrogen atoms walk into a bar. One says, “I’ve lost my electron.” The other says, “Are you sure?” The first replies, “Yes, I’m positive.” On Sunday, April 22, Rudy Pivik, left, was honored by the West Park Slovenian Home at a dinner-dance attended by 150 people. Next to Rudy is his wife, Marie, Sarah Cash, and Master of Ceremonies A1 Pestotnik. ______________________________________(Photo by TONY GRDINA) Revolution: War Thru Eyes of a Boy by FELIX MAVEC Transcribed by Cortnie DePratt, Felix’s granddaughter, in the spring of 2006. This story is a gift to all who read it. I am honored to have been part of this process and to learn about my history. It is worth noting that Ata’s memories of this time in his life are as clear as if the events happened yesterday. I tried to preserve his writing style as much a^ possible, only serving as editor and a probe for piore information. I want to thank Ata for giving us all these memories that will last for generations to come. ♦ JOLIET, IL- Introduction During World War II Slovenia and its people were caught in a fight for life. Slovenia an independent country since 1991, was once occupied by the forces of Italy, Germany and Hungary. Italian soldiers controlled Dolenska (the southern region of Slovenia) starting in 1941 until they capitulated in September, 1943. At this point, the Partisans came out of the woods and took control of the region. The Partisans were native Slovenians who were communists. It was not long before Germany took control of Dolenska and the Partisans returned to the woods. In the meantime, the communists killed the Slovenian Home Guard soldiers and burned the Tuijak castle. The Partisans fought against the occupiers but were only looking out for their own international Communist interests. They took this opportunity to start a revolution, and may never have gained any power in this region if it had not been for World War II. Germany was in power in our country until 1945 when they were defeated by the Allies. The towns people of Slovenia were the victims of four groups of careless, ruthless enemies. In one village alone, 235 men were killed. There were no children bom for five years after the war. To understand what was happening in Yugoslavia during the war and the communist revolution, you must know the ideology of the revolutionaries. The communists of Slovenia were mostly schooled in Moscow. They had participated in the Spanish revolution of 1935. Partisan communists were never friends of the allies, imperial England and America. Their god was Joseph Stalin. To quote Edward Kardel, head of the Slovenian communist party, “If the allies come up the Yugoslavian side, we are in hot soup.” In other words, the communists would turn their guns on the allies, but they would be in trouble. Winston Churchill, England’s prime minister in 1943, wanted his offense to come up the Yugoslavian side instead of on Italian soil. This was strongly opposed by Stalin because he wanted Russia to come through Yugoslavia so that communism could take over. From a military point of view, it was a better idea at that time for Churchill. A meeting of the “Big Three” happened in Teran on July 10, 1943. Franklin Roosevelt was a sick man and did not know what was going on. He should not have been elected to this third term. Stalin got everything he wanted from Roosevelt, such as post-war Europe. Churchill received all of his aid from America, and could not oppose Roosevelt. Churchill understood communism, but Roosevelt did not. Slovenian author Louis Adamic was a good friend of Eleanor Roosevelt. He had a left leaning ideology and had a huge influence on her. She then used this influence on her husband. The U.S. state department had a lot of left leaning, communist minded men. Louis Adamic was murdered by Yugoslavian secret police in New York City in 1954. The crime is still unsolved. He was murdered because he changed his mind about communism. He had been deceived and was now convinced of the truth. (To Be Continued) TEACHER: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water? Life is to be fortified by many friendships - to love DONALD: H IJ K L M N O. and be loved is the greatest TEACHER: What are you talking about? happiness of existence. DONALD: Yesterday you said it’s H to O. -Phil Hrvatin -Phil Hrvatin AMfcKlSKA DOMOVINA, MAY 3, 2007 AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, MAY 3, 2007 * Slovenia’s President Seeks Meaning of Life LJUBLJANA - Looking for the true meaning of life? Slovenia’s president may be able to help. Janez Drnovsek’s self-help books have won admiration from many, including Brigitte Bardot, but the veteran leader’s eccentricity is embarrassing some in Slovenia as'the tiny Alpine state seeks a role in the European mainstream. A vegetarian who bakes his own bread, the president was one of the architects of Slovenia’s independence. His unorthodox lifestyle, fight for animal rights and apparent disdain for traditional politics have made him a popular figure. For six months last year, he advised readers about their daily problems in a popular women’s magazine. He is now writing his third new book on awareness. Although diagnosed with cancer in 1999, he stopped visiting doctors a few years ago and now claims to be healthy, saying he no longer seeks political power but deals with moral values. “I want to raise people’s awareness... help them to change their lifestyle. That is why I write books,” said Dmovsek in a recent interview with local daily Delo. “We need statesmen with a higher level of awareness who do not care mainly about personal interests and prestige. We need people without a big ego... who will dare to set limits to capital and profit,” Drriovsek wrote in one of his books. Taking up a vegetarian diet since the cancer diagnosis, he left his home in the capital for a village on a hill near Ljubljana where he lives alone, grows his own vegetables and often fasts. He is unmarried. France’s Brigitte Bardot wrote to him last year, saying, “If only we had a candidate (in the French presidential election) like Dmovsek; or even a shadow of him, the world would quickly become less intolerable.” Essence of the World Last year Dmovsek published two books, “The Essence of the World,” and “The Thoughts on Life and Awareness,” which became instant best-sellers and were translated into German, English, Croatian and Bosnian. “Oh, you would not be able to find these books in our library easily. They are a hit and are always lent out,” said a clerk in one of Ljubljana’s largest libraries. Dmovsek started his political career as the last but one president of the former Yugoslavia and was prime minister of Slovenia for 10 years before becoming president in 2002. Extremely thin and looking older than his 56 years, he has said he is unlikely to run for anothei1 political office after his current one expires in December. “Dmovsek is eccentric at times. But he is popular particularly because of this eccentricity, because of his promotion of healthy living and alternative approaches which are not usual among politicians,” Borut Hočevar, an editor at daily Dnevnik, told Reuters. His refusal to see doctors has angered local health officials who argue his behavior could lead to general distrust of western medicine. “After his illness Dmovsek became more human, kinder. I would vote for him if he ran for president again, though his conflicts with the government are hurting Slovenia,” said Nada Praprotnik, a 56-year-old botanist, on the streets of Ljubljana. In 2005, a woman with whom he had an affair in the 1980s told him he had a hitherto-unknown grown-up daughter, and in his own words he was truly happy about the discovery. Last year Dmovsek quit his center-left party but he has been at odds with the government ever since 2004, when a conservative victory ended 12 years of mostly center-left rule. Despite his popularity, his dabbling in foreign affairs and a row with P:rime Minister Janez Janša are, some say, clouding Slovenia’s image. Denovsek’s domestic disputes embarrassed Slovenia this year, when parliament rejected two of his candidates for central bank governor. The stand-off left the bank without a governor only three months after Slovenia became the first east European state to adopt the euro. Some analysts believe the government may now leave the post empty until Dmovsek leaves office in December. His attempt last year to mediate in Sudan’s violent Darfur region foundered when the envoy he sent was arrested and accused of spying. The envoy was released after a few weeks diplomatic activity. Dmovsek also canceled a scheduled appearance at the United Nations General Assembly after the government refused to grant him extra funds, claiming he had blown too much money on trips to third-world countries. But others argue his foreign policy moves show Slovenia in a favorable light. “His proposals are relatively successful considering the size of the country he coming from,” said Grega Repovz, chief editor of weekly Mladina._______________ Thanks to Phil Hrvatin for this article. Old Quiz, New Quiz by James V. Debevec II OLD QUIZ: What are the only two animals besides humans to have unique fingerprints? The answer is gorillas and koala bears. Thanks to Ruth Jesenko Abbott who was the only one to give the correct answer. NEW QUIZ: What do the following men have in common besides being U.S. Presidents: • William Henry Harrison • John Tyler • Zachary Taylor • Millard Fillmore Send your answer to ahp@buckeveweb.net or regular mail to: James’ Quiz, c/o American Home, 6117 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103-1627._____ St. Vitus Hosts Trip to D.C. Have you ever wanted to visit our nation’s capital and the many monuments, but never did? Or perhaps you have been there, but not since the construction of such memorials as the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial or the new World War II Memorial? Now is your chance. St. Vitus Pastoral Council will be hosting a motorcoach tour to Washington, D.C. from Oct. 5-7. The trip will include a night illumination tour of the city, visits to several monuments, Arlington cemetery and one of the Smithsonian museums. Everyone is invited to come. Stay tuned for additional details to follow in upcoming issues of American Home. --Louise Strauss For Sale Narodna Noša (the traditional Slovenian outfit) and the alba; complete set with all accessories. Large size. For more information call (,440) 843-8727. Friday, May 4 Dance at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., admission $8, featuring Stan Mejac. Friday, May 4 Fish Fry, Slovenian Workmen’s Home, 15335 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland from 11:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Reservations or take-outs call (216) 481-5378. Sunday, May 6 Pittsburgh, PA - Authentic radio program “Songs & Melodies of Beautiful Slovenia, produced and broadcast weekly by Violet Ru-parcich commemorates 22nd year at Royal Place, 2660 Library Rd. - Rte. 88 S. in So. Hills / Pittsburgh with concert at 3 p.m., featuring Marjan Zgonc from Slovenia. For tickets @$20, call (412) 343-4641. Friday, May 11 St. Mary’s Slovenian School Reverse Raffle for support of summer trip to Slovenia. Tickets $65 per couple, $45 single includes dinner, open bar, music by Veseli Godci, and main board number. Tickets (216) 731-0287 or (216) 481-0464. Benefit children’s trip to Slovenia this summer. Friday, May 11 Dance at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., admission $8, featuring Frank Moravcik. Friday, May 11 Fish Fry, Slovenian Workmen’s Home, 15335 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland from 11:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Reservations or take-outs call (216) 481-5378. Sunday, May 13 Slomšek Slovenian School, Lemont, ILL --Mother’s Day program with 11 a.m. Family Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Mission. Noon program and buffet luncheon at Slovenian Cultural Center. $15 for adults, $8 for children 7-14. For info, call 630 243-0670. Sunday, May 13 Mother’s Day Brunch, 9 a.m. - 12 noon at Newburgh Slovenian National Home, 3563 E. 80 St. $8 adults, $4 children. Tuesday, May 15 Ohio Chapter of Slovenian Genealogy Society International meets at Slovenian Society Home, 20713 Recher Ave., Euclid, Ohio at 7 p.m. Guest speaker will be Chris Dawson. Friday, May 18 Dance at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., admission $8, featuring Fred Ziwich. Friday, May 18 Fish Fry, Slovenian Workmen’s Home, 15335 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland from 11:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Reservations pr take-outs call (216) 481-5378. Sunday, May 20 Fr. Stephen Spisak 1:30 p.m. Mass of Thanksgiving on the 25th Anniversary of his ordination at St. Mary’s Church (Holmes Ave.). Public reception after Mass. Friday, May 25 Dance at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., admission $8, featuring Eric Noltkamper. Saturday, May 26 Slovenska Pristava 5 p.m. Čevapčiči dinner and other refreshments, music. Sunday, May 27 Dedication of new hall at Slovenska Pristava. 12 noon Mass, dedication and blessing of new hall, dinner, and cultural program featuring Fantje na Vasi, Korotan, Kres, Slavko Teskac in Pris-tavski Muzikantje, Melodija and Mladi Fantje. Music for listening and dancing by Stan Mejac band. Dinner reservations must be reserved by call Helena at (216)732-8082. Sunday, May 27 Memorial Mass for all the victims of Fascism, Nazism, and Communism sponsored by DSPB at noon at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, 21281 Chardon Rd., Euclid, Ohio. - Also in the afternoon a Slovenian memorial service at All Souls Cemetery, Chardon, OH. Wednesday, May 30 Swiss Steak dinner at Slovenian Workmen’s Home, 15335 Waterloo Road, Cleveland. Serving 4 -7 p.m. $10. For tickets call (216) 481-0163 or 481-5378. Friday, June 1 Dance at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., admission $8, featuring Joey Tomsick. Sunday, June 3 Newburgh Hall (E. 80 St.) Slovenian Man of the Year Tony Peskar being honored. Dinner served 1 p.m. Music 2:30 - by Wo-jtilla Orchestra. Donation $18.00. Reservations call (440) 243-0312 or (216) 6136. Friday, June 8 Dance at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St, admission $8, featuring Joe Novak. Sunday, June 10 Newburgh Slovenian E. 80th Hall, Dinner, Dance, roast pork chop. Donation $15. Music 3-6 p.m. by Wayne Tomsic. Reservations (216) 341-6136 or (216) 475-7946. Friday, June 15 Dance at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St, admission $8, featuring Eric Noltkamper. Friday, June 22 Dance at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., Death Notices MARY PETRIČ Mary Petrie (nee Novak), age 92. Beloved wife of John (deceased); loving mother of U.S. Army Major John A. (deceased), (Linda), Joyce “Cooky” (John) Buchanan, Barbara (Ed) Kuzma, Tim (Mary), Veronica and Rudy; dear grandmother of Joan Petrie, John A. (Meg) Petrie Jr., Steven (Anne Marie) Petrie, Wendy (Chris) Zorman, Brenda Buchanan, Ed (Jennifer) Kuzma Jr., John Kuzma, Mary Elizabeth “M.E” Kuzma and Natalie Petrie; great grandmother of Kathryn, Audrey, Rachel, Sarah and Morghan; sister of Olga Campbell; mother-in-law of Toni A. Petrie. Mary was very active in many St. Mary’s (Coll.) parish organizations. Friends were received at Zele Funeral Home, 452 E. 152nd St., on Wednesday, April 18 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., where services were held Thursday at 9:15 a.m. and at St. Mary Church (Holmes Ave.) at 10 a.m. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Donations in her memory to St. Mary Building Fund, 15519 Holmes Ave., 44110 or Hospice of Western Reserve, 300 E. 185 St., Cleveland, OH 44119. DOLORES H. COSIC Dolores H. Cosic (nee Grivitz), age 70. Beloved wife of Paul, lov-'n8 mother of Dan (Elizabeth), Diana (Fred) Curtin, Mariana (Roy), Linda (Bruce), Paula (Bill) Schmid, ^aul Jr., Svetlana and the late Darlene. Dear Tetka to ^°sko (Mina); cherished ©■andmother of Chad, Stacey (Steve), Daniella (Fadee), Julie (Roberto), Danny (Vaneza), Nicole, Darlene, Matthew, Brandon, Dana ^d Drew; great grandmother of Joyce and Zayd; daughter of the late John and Mary Grivitz; Kumovi ^ulizar and Mikica Misovic, Viola Djuric and Dusan Bur-(deceased). Funeral services were at 11 jjmt- Monday, April 23 at ?he Dan Cosic Funeral U°me, 28890 Chardon Rd. (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91). Willoughby Hillsjind at_ ^t Sava Serbian Orthodox athedral, 6306 Broadview d-, Parma at 12 noon. The jCry Rev. Zivojin Jakovljevič officiated Interment St. Theodosius Cemetery. cJbe family received fiends on Sunday, 2-9 p.m. Pril 22 at The Dan Cosic mineral Home. THOMAS W. FORTUNA Thomas W. Fortuna passed away on Thursday, April 19, 2007 at Pine Valley Care Center. Thomas retired to Brunswick, Ohio, after a lifetime Military career in the U.S. Army, Navy, and Coast Guard. Mr. Fortuna was the son of the late Joseph and Mary (nee Pucell); dear brother of Mary (deceased), Frank (deceased), Alouise Dunne (Carroll), Betty Godnavec (Stan, deceased), Agnes Hoffman (George) (both deceased) Joseph Fortuna (deceased) (Virginia), Julius (Lois) (both deceased), and Martha Gozion (Sam). Beloved uncle, great uncle, and great-great uncle of many. Services were on Monday, at 9:15 a.m. at the Fortuna Funeral Home, 7076 Brecks-ville Rd. (one half Mi. N. of Pleasant Valley) and at 10 a.m. at St. Lawrence Church. Interment Calvary Cemetery. JOSEPH C. PERVAN Joseph C. Pervan, age 62 of Rocky River, Ohio, beloved husband of Mary (nee Blatnik); loving father of Joseph M., Anita (Joel) Bias, and Michael; cherished grandfather of Emma; dear brother of Mildred Coric and the late Llija Pervan; fond uncle and cousin to many, U.S. Army Veteran and past UAW Steward Local 1250. Mass of Christian Burial was at 12 noon on Friday, April 20 at St. Bernadette Church. Interment in Lake-wood Park Cemetery. Arrangements by The Dan Cosic Funeral Home of Willoughby Hills, Ohio. JOHN ŠTEMPIHAR John Štempihar, 90, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2007 at his residence. Mr. Štempihar was bom on Jan. 14, 1917 in Luze, Slovenia. He was a 35-year resident of Willoughby Hills, Ohio. He was a member of KSKJ Lodge #226, St. Vitus Holy Name Society, and Slovenska Pristava Pensioners. He was a welder for Pat-terson-Leitch Co. in Cleveland. Mr. Štempihar is survived by his wife Ana (Marc); children Anna (Michael) Percic, John, and Mary Štempihar; grandchildren Nick and Monika Percic. Deceased family members are a son Johan, siblings Manca, Micka, Franca, Johana and Franc (all of Slovenia). Friends were received Wednesdayj April 25 at The Dan Cosic Funeral Home, 28890 Chardon Road, Willoughby Hills, Ohio from 4-8 p.m. Funeral was on Thurs- day, April 26 at 10 a.m. in St. Vitus Church, 6019 Lausche Ave., Cleveland. Burial in All Souls Cemetery. AMELIA GAD Amelia “Molly” Gad (nee Hrastar), age 91, died Tuesday, April 17. Beloved wife of the late Stanley J.; dear sister of the late John, Victor, Charles, Mary, Dorothy and Josephine Sutherland (nee Hrastar); aunt of many. Mass of Christian Burial was on Saturday, April 21 at 9:30 a.m. in St. Mary Church (Collinwood), 15519 Holmes Ave. Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Friends were received at t(ie DiDonato Funeral Home, 21900 Euclid Ave., from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Friday, April 20. In Memory Thanks to Ivana Volčjak of Willoughby, Ohio who renewed her subscription and added a $20.00 donation in memory of Jože Volčjak. In Memory Thanks to Dorothy and Frank Zupcsan of Madison, OH who renewed their subscription and added a $15.00 donation in memory of Anton and Marjana Debevc. In Memory Thanks to Sylvia Klopcic of Parma, Ohio who donated $22.00 in memory of her husband, Janez Klopcic. Donation Thanks to Genevieve Drobnič of Cape Coral, Florida who renewed her subscription and added a $65.00 donation. Donation Thanks to Vida T. and Elmer L. Perme of Euclid, Ohio who donated $50.00 to the American Home for continued Slovenian support. In Loving Memory of the 7th Anniversary of the death of Mike Vidmar who passed away on May 3, 2000 Sadly missed by: Daughters, Grandchildren, and Great-grandchildren Just a Note Enclosed is a check for one year renewal of my subscription to the weekly American Home. Bouquets to you all for working so faithfully in printing all the news. I am glad my paper is home-delivered and I don’t have to wait for the mailman. Thank you to “paper delivery person.” I really appreciate the service of finding the paper in my mail box instead of some of the places I find my daily Plain Dealer on the ground. So “kudos” to all of you at the “Domovina.” —Jane Slejko Cleveland Donations Thanks to the following for their donations to the Ameriška Domovina: Anton Brandsperger, Cleveland, OH - $11.00 Frank and Maria Vegel, Seven Hills, OH - $5.00 Lillian C. Wilson, Rocky River, OH -$15.00 Joe and Justina Novak, Kirtland, OH - $5.00 John and Vera Jasbin-sek, Ontario, CA - $10.00 Donna Ohman, Cleveland, OH - $5.00 Mary Kucic, Willow-brook, IL - $5.00 Marija Mlakar, Scarborough, Ont., Canada — $5.00 Tone and Anica Berko-pec, Wickliffe, OH - $5.00 Lillian Perez, Richmond Hts., OH -$15.00 Natalie Stojanov, Te-questa, FL — $15.00 Christine F. Ujcich, Mentor, OH -- $15.00 Louis and Maria Klepec, Hamilton, OH- $5.00 Olga Veber, Geneva, OH - $5.00 Mr. and Mrs. Matt Sesek, Sedona, AZ - $15.00 Margie Rebol, Euclid, OH - $4.00 Donation Thanks to Helena and Mario Percic of Richmond Heights, Ohio who renewed their subscription and added a $35.00 donation. They write, “Keep the good work going.” Liked Article I have very much enjoyed reading the American Home over the past years. Your Jim’s Journal in the April 12 issue was a gem. Just reading your article, I could smell the Slovenian klobase. —Val Burnside Coconut Creek, FL In Memory of the 35th Anniversary of Rudolph Golop May 9,1972 Then I look down from Heaven and contemplate the world around me the trees, the birds, the sunshine, a baby’s cry, a rushing train, the hurrying crowds, the dance of life and of the universe. And I know that somewhere in all of these are the remains of that person I called me and that life I called mine. Sadly missed and loved by: His wife, Ann Children Mary Atm Gannon, Milli Smith, and Rudolph Jr., Son-in-law Kevin Smith (deceased), and Grandchildren Megan and Erin Gannon, Kimmie and Katey Golop and relatives IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR BELOVED FATHER, GRANDFATHER GREAT-GRANDFATHER, AND GREAT-GREAT GRANDFATHER MATT KASTELIC WHO PASSED AWAY- 57 YEAKsAGO . THE 5* OF MAY, 1950 Your gentle fece end petient smile With great sadness we recall. You had a kindly word for each. And died beloved by all. •» • SADLY MISSED BY-EAMILY Zele Funeral Home MEMORIAL CHAPEL Located at 452 E. 152 St. Ph: (216) 481-3118 Family owned and operated since 1908 AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, MAY 3, 2007 SKA UUMUV1INA, MAY J, ZUU/ Mysterious Cave World of Slovenia by Andraž Kajzer This Is Slovenia Slovenia may not be large in terms of territory, but it is so full of variety, so rich in geographical and natural phenomena, and so beautiful, that it could easily be the envy of many much larger countries. Every region of 5 Slovenia - the traditional ^ regional division, which has no political or administrative significance, of course, is as follows: Gorenjska, Dolenjska, Koroška, Štajerska, Prekmurje, Posavje, Bela Krajina, Notranjska, and Primorska - is host to its own set of attractions. One invites us with its mountains and lakes, the second with its vineyards, the third with its endlessly expanding plains, the fourth with its idyllic valleys. The main part of this article will be devoted to the region of Primorska, or rather to a particular part of that region called Kras, and to the karstic phenomena most commonly found in that part of Slovenia (although they can also be found in some other regions to a lesser extent). It was the Slovenian region of Kras that this type of phenomena appearing all over the world was named after - Karst. Karstology derives its name from the Slovenian name Kras, also called Karst. Slovenian scientists from this field have greatly contributed to the development of karstology as a science. The rocky karstic topography is pocked with numerous skinhiles or deep dolines interspersed with the black gaping holes of deep ravines and entrances to mysterious caves in which the many mysterious beauties of the karstic terrain have been discovered. In cold, dark, eternal silence, nature has taken millions of years to create jewels of incredible beauty in the shape of cave formations, and explorers have even discovered living beings adapted to living in eternal darkness - the most famous among these is the so-called “human fish” (Proteus an-guinun), certain species of cave-dwelling beetles, etc. 300 Years of Cave Exploration The first treaties of the Slovenian subterranean world was published in The Glory of the Duchy of Camiola in 1689 by Janez Vajkard Valvasor. The book featured a plan of the cave of Podpeška jama, the first record of this kind in Slovenia. It has been discovered that individuals had entered and explored the subterranean caves even before this. The oldest signature in the Postojna Cave is believed to date back to 1213. There is a long tradition of potholing as a means of exploration of karstic caves for hobbyists, scientists and sports enthusiasts, and the first Slovenian Spelunking Society was founded in 1889 in Postojna. Today, cavers with modem gear explore the horizontal and vertical caves, measure them, map them, and take notes on their shape and content, gather samples of various kinds and collect all other documentation on caves, and quite often visit similar research sites abroad. Special attention is devoted to researching cave climate and subterranean flora and fauna. In the scientific sense, caves are studied by speleologists, and it is because of this rich tradition that Slovenian speleologists are highly esteemed in international circles. It is thanks to Slovenian potholers that numerous Slovenian subterranean caves are accessible to casual tourists who never fail to be amazed by the incredible beauty of the Slovenian caves which is unmatched anywhere else in the world. Postojna The first Slovenian cave to enjoy international fame was the Postojna Cave, the largest of Slovenia’s tourist caves, and at the same time one of the most famous karstic caves in the world. It is particularly famous for the richness of its cave formations, the complex cave systems and great tourist appeal. The explored part of the network of tunnels known as Postojna Cave spans about 20 km, but even now explorers are finding out more of its secrets. The pathways take visitors to some of the most beautiful parts of the cave, where they find a fairytale world of spectacular cave formations, giants and curtains glittering with a thousand pearls, large underground caverns where concerts, masses and other events can be organized. Among other events, a live nativity scene is performed in the cave every year. The first visitors to the cave used torches, candles and other illuminating devices to light their way, but electric lights were installed as early as 1884. The heyday of the cave tourism began after the construction of the railroad connection between Vienna and Trieste (1857) which runs through Postojna. In 1924 a cave train began to take visitors into the cave, and in 1964 a circular line was constructed so that 12,000 guests per day can visit the cave on six traiils. Today, the trains are pulled by smaller electric engines. The tourist train route is 5,300 meters long. The cave has a constant temperature of 8° Celsius. Cave explorers have discovered that the first visitors to Postojna Cave were ice-age hunters, which is supported by archaeological finds, and the walls of the cave’s ‘name tunnel’ have signatures from visitors from as early as the 13lh century. Besides the speleologists and amateur cave explorers, we must also mention the Emperor of Austria, who first visited the cave in 1816, followed by a number of other famous rulers and travelers. It should be noted that visitors to this cave usually take a look at Predjama Castle, standing about 10 kilometers from the entrance into the Postojna Cave. The castle was built into the side of a 100-meter-high rock wall, making its picturesque appearance particularly exceptional. The castle hosts a nicely outfitted museum with a rich collection of artifacts from the prehistoric and various historical periods. To Slovenians, the castle is best known for its romantic story of Erasmus of Predjama, who lived there. This is why local tourist workers regularly put on well-attended knights’ tournaments. There is also a cave under the Predjama Castle managed by the Postojnska iama company. Škocjan Caves Many bored tourists who have been to a cave or two in the past are simply dumb-founded at the total beauty of the Škocjan Caves. This is the collective name for sinkholes formed by the River Reka, which are considered one of the greatest landmarks of the Slovenian Karst. It is because of this outstanding universal value for the world’s natural heritage that they were included on the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites. For this reason, the Republic of Slovenia established a special institution called the Škocjan Caves Regional Park which takes special care of the protected environment of these caves. (Continued on page 9) Custom Tours featuring Slovenia ------ the SNPJ presents --------- Venice and Slovenian Highlights Stay in Venice, Portorož, Novo Mesto, Lakes Bled, and Ljubljana on Independence Day. Throughout this one of# kind tour you will enjoy special local meals, music, wine tastings, and SNPJ only events! June 13 - 27, 2007 Slovenian Women \ Union presents: Hidden Highlights of Slovenia Enjoy this special autumn trip designed to be relaxing and full of the sites, sounds and great tastes unique to Beautiful Slovenia! Visiting: Krajnska Gora, Habakuk Spa in Maribor, Smarjeta Spa near Novo Mesto, and Ljubljana _____________- September 17-28,2007 — Qsiaatian CouaL Slovenia and Stafy A 16 day -First Class escorted tour covering the Adriatic cities of Croatia, the charm of Slovenia, and the majestic cities of Italy Featuring: Dubrovnik, Split, Plitvice Lakes, Ljubljana, Postojna Caves, Venice, Florence, Assisi, Sienna and Rome Departures: September 24 and October 8 Switzerland + 5 Lucerne a Leisure September 25 - October 3,2007 Includes, roundtrip airfare, 6 nts. in a first class hotel, buffet breakfast daily, airport transfers, guided sightseeing to France, Germany, Leichtenstein, Austria and more! $2250 Relax in the heart of the Alps, all at an attractive price! I Adam Barthalt^ Grand Canyon Adventures w and Hofbrau Haas Party in Las Vegas! l 4* September 20 - 27,2007 Historic Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim, 2 nts. Williams, 1 nt.. Grand Canyon Village, 4 nts Flamingo Hilton Las Vegas. Airfare from NYC, hotels, deluxe motorcoach, special events & sightseeing: $1779 eniov a 7 nieht Polka Partv on the ■F-, Costa Fortuna Adam Barthalt, Joey Tomsick, California Polka Power, Jack Tady Orchestra La Romana, and Grand Turk Islands March 9 - 16, 2008 !! Please call, write, or email for a complete brochure !! discount airfare available from most cities for any tour Group Leader? Call to plan yoiir next adventure! “Celebrating 84 Years in Travel, since 1923" ^ Kollandcr World Travel p 971 F. 185th St * Cleveland OH 44119 (800) 800-5981 + (216) 692-1000 www.kollander.com Mysterious Caves of Slovenia 1,000 Slovenian Students to Study in Foreign Universities King’s Kopitar a relaxed rookie 9 (Continued from page 8) Upon arriving from the direction of Divača, a visitor can see the 160-meter deep valley created by the River Reka, with a spectacular waterfall disappearing underground. This is also the entrance to the cave. This watery cave is the fruit of the labor of the river over many thousands of years. The visitor enters the grandiose halls, which inspire awe and amazement at the unusual beauty. Compared to the Postojna Cave, with its charming bounty of cave formations, the Škocjan Caves are wild and romantic. We can look at the underground rock canyons, enor-rhous walls, howling chasms ar>d mighty underground caverns through which the wild Reka roars; here we can find the largest underground cavern in Europe, with a cross-section of 12,000 square meters, and a volume °f 2.2 million cubic meters. The Reka runs underground fi>r almost 40 kilometers and drains into the sea as the River Timava in the Bay of Trieste. Among the other caves °Pen to tourists in the Slove-nian karst we should also nrention the Vilenica Cave near the town of Sežana (fa-mous, among other things, for the eponymous intema-fional literary award ceremony which takes place fliere every year). Dimnice Cave, Otroška Cave, Pivka Cave, Cma jama (Black Cave), Planina Cave, Zelška Jania Cave and Križna Cave, near the town of Lož. There also a few caves which n*-® not suitable for tourists. The Taborska Cave, or ^Upanova jama (Mayor’s Cave) near the village of Ta- k°r pri Grosupljem is ex-^crnely popular. This cave is c'osest to Ljubljana, which is why it is always full of visitors. ft is also possible to visit in summer Krška jama ave located nearby above n® source of the River Krka n®ar the village of Krka; and nwer down the course of the r^fta is the Kostanjevica av®, located near one of the n'dest cities in Slovenia, R°stanjevica na Krki. In the Štajerska region, ®re are two caves open to Jurists, the cave of Pekel fiiell) near Šempeter in the afi®y of Savinjska dolina; ® nearby town of Prebold c0sts the Snežna jama (Snow . av®); and the Rotovnikova Jcama (Rotovnik’s Cave) lo-ated in the settlements of j. 0rno pri Šoštanju. A pecu- Jarity 0f thig cave js |{S France leads directly tor°ugh the house of the Ro-vnik family, after whom e ®ave is named. Seven Slovenian higher education institutions will send some 1,000 students and over 140 professors to foreign universities within the Erasmus student exchange program this year, while 700 foreign students will come to Slovenia, Higher Education Minister Jure Zupan told the press in Ljubljana on Tues., April 10. When Slovenia joined the program in the 1999-2000 academic year, four higher education institutions sent 171 students and 42 profes-sors abroad, while 20 foreign students came to Slovenia. The number increased to 900 students in the last study year, Zupan said at a press conference marking the 20th anniversary of the Erasmus program. Due to the increasing number of participating students, the state earmarked about EUR 2.9m for the program this year, seven times more than in 2000, Zupan said. The head of the European Commission’s • Representation Office in Slovenia Mihela Zupančič meanwhile said that Erasmus was one of the programs in which the results of European unification was most visible. This news was submitted by Philip J. Hrvatin. by Kevin Allen USA TODAY Los Angeles Kings (hockey) center Anže Kopitar had to beat the odds and his own geography to become one of the NHL’s hottest rookies this season. He’s the first NHL player from Slovenia, a country with a population of a little more than 2 million. Kopitar was nearly 3 when Slovenia established independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. “The thing that I love most about Kopitar is that you can tell that he loves being at the rink,” said Kings general manager Dean Lombardi. “So many kids today have been told they were great since age 15, and I sense that so much is put on them even before the draft that it becomes a burden. But because of where he has come from, Kopitar is well-grounded.” Kopitar leads a strong NHL rookie class in scoring with three goals and nine assists in 11 games. That’s a scoring rate similar to what Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals and Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins were displaying at this time last season. They ended up with more than 100 Editor, As much as I recognize and appreciate the many accomplishments of my forebears in Slovenia, the claim in the recent article that “Ca-rantania was the first democracy in Europe” is silly. I think we as Slovenian-Americans should be accurate with what we say about Slovenia and Slovenians, lest we appear to slight the accomplishments of other nations and peoples. I think all your readers know that the first democracy in Europe was in Greece; indeed, as everyone knows, “democracy” is a Greek word. The Greek democracy occurred well before the birth of Christ. What took place in Carantania occurred over a millennium later. Greece has historically been a part of Europe, even the cradle of European civilization, so it indeed was the first democracy in Europe. (The Romans also had “It’s still early, but Kopitar has the potential to be a special player,” Lombardi said. “He has a lot of tools. How he develops as a man and a player will determine how far he goes.” The son of a hockey coach, Kopitar, 6-4 and 220 pounds, had to play with a Swedish team to find quality competition when he was a teenager. Former Kings general manager Dave Taylor drafted Kopitar, 19, with the 11th overall pick in 2005. He had impressed NHL scouts with a strong performance playing for his country’s senior national team at the 2005 world championships. He was just 18 at the time, but Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland recalls, “He was their best player.” Kopitar isn’t speedy, but his vision and playmaking skills have impressed the Kings. Although he was^ fired as GM, Taylor still works for the Kings. “And I told him the other day, you left a gem here,” Lombardi said. Thanks to Philip J. Hrvatin for submitting this interesting article. periods of democracy, of course.) Some have suggested that the true significance of the Carantanian ducal investment ceremony is that it was one of the first enunciations of what French philosopher Bodin called “the social contract,” the contract between the governed and their ruler that the ruler had some obligations to his subjects, such as being just and taking care of widows and the poor, while the subjects had the usual obligation of fealty to the duke. While this is an interesting chapter in European history, and may have given Thomas Jefferson some modest support for certain passages of the Declaration of Independence, it does not displace the Greeks as the first to practice democracy in Europe. Sincerely, Mark Ryavec (Rijavec) Former Honorary Consul General for Slovenia at Los Angeles 1996-2001 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS The annual meeting of members of the SLOVENE HOME FOR THE AGED To be held on Friday, May 18, 2007 in the LAURICH ROOM of the SLOVENE HOME FOR THE AGED 18621 Neff Road, Cleveland, Ohio Registration 6:00 p.m. - Meeting 6:30 p.m. Members are cordially invited to attend this important meeting. Members, as defined in the Bylaws, are those individuals and organizations who have contributed a minimum of $25 during the preceding year. For the 5/18/07 meeting, this is the period from 4/1/06 through 3/31/07. America’s longest running daily show since 1961 2 Hours Daily 3-5 pm / Saturdays 12-2 pm Kollander World Travel, 971 East 185th St, Cleveland OH 44119 and Harbortowne Point, Fairport Harbor /■V-y Simulcast in Lake County on Ch. 99 Comcast Cable and Y\fELW world on-line www.247polkaheaven.com (216) 481-8669 or (216) 952-8669 TONY PETKOVSEK'S over 40 Years on Radio "Greatest Polka Music Variety” -At the pulse of an ever busy polka and Slovenian Community Offering complete Community News Daily and phone in Polka Opinion every Monday Featuring: (Redpes and Traditlons) DUKE MARŠIC (Strictly Slovenian News) PATTY SLUGA (Women's Interviews) ED OSTRY (Guest co-host) MARK SEDMAK (Alternative Music) LAVRISHA 216-391-0035 Construction & Repair Services Rokodelec Contractor points each.____ _______________ Disputes Caratania Claim AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, MAY 3, 2007 AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, MAY 3, 2007 Slovenian Pianists Lazar & Gorišek Perform in US Distinguished Slovenian pianists Milko Lazar and Bojan Gorišek, “The Gorišek-Lazar Piano Duo” will present various concerts in the U.S. presented by the Permanent Mission of Slovenia to the United Nations in New York, and The Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland. On May 18 at 12 noon, the Gorišek-Lazar Duo will perform at the Chicago Arts Center. This performance is part of a concert series created by Thomas Zoells, Owner of Pianoforte Chicago, Inc., a piano gallery and retail store, and representative of Fazioli pianos, and will be aired live on WFMT classical music radio for an estimated 45,000 listeners. This concert was coordinated in part by Slovenian-Chicago and Ludmila Lazar, Professor Emeritus at Chicago Institute of Art. On May 23, the Gorišek-Lazar Duo will perform in the Atrium of the United Nations building in New York, a celebration concert commemorating 15 years of Slovenia’s membership in the UN. This concert is by invitation only. On May 23 they will perform a concert at the famous Klavierhaus in Manhattan. Both Milko Lazar and Bojan Gorišek are respectively among the most outstanding musicians and pianists from Slovenia and their repertoire includes mostly newly composed literature for two pianos, and to a great extent Lazar’s own compositions. In the U.S., they performed at such New York City venues as Merkin Concert Hall, Hungarian Cultural Center and Steinway Hall in New York City and also at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Ohio Genealogists Meet The Ohio Chapter of the Slovenian Genealogy Society International (SGSI) will meet on Tuesday, May 15 at the Slovenian Recher Hall, 20713 Recher Avenue, Euclid, Ohio at 7 p.m. Guest speaker will be Chris Dawson, former Curator for Urban and Industrial History for the Western Reserve Historical Society. His topic “Conducting Oral Histories,” will provide insight into the benefits of recording individual life stories as well as serve as a prelude to the Chapter’s Oral History Project. Anyone interested in learning more about researching Slovenian heritage is welcome to attend. Call Rose Marie Jisa at 440-230-2251 if you have any questions. TEACHER: Clyde, your composition on “My Dog” is exactly the same as your brothers. Did you copy his? CLYDE: No teacher; it’s the same dog. -Phil Hrvatin If My Body Were a Car If my body were a car, I would be trading it in for a new model. I’ve got bumps, dents, and scratches in my finish and my paint is getting dull. But that’s not the worst of it. My headlights are out of focus and it is hard to see things up close. My traction is no't as graceful as it once was. I slip and slide and bump into things. My white walls are stained with various veins. It takes me hours to reach my maximum speed. My fuel bums inefficiently. But here’s the worst of it - almost every time I sneeze, cough or sputter... either my radiator leaks or my exhaust backfires. Thanks to —Ruth (Jesenko) Abbott __________________________________for this bit of humor. ^stie y^osic Funeral Home 28890 Chardon Rd. Willloughby Hills, OH 44092 440-944-8400 Joe Zevnik, Licensed Funeral Director Dignified, Professional arid Personal Service Helpful Hand and Helpful Smile. - Long time St. Vitus parishioner and parish volunteer j Joseph Baškovič, (right), was the ticket taker at the Palm Sunday Dinner on Sunday, April 1. Shown, pictured here is Joseph Baškovič receiving dinner tickets from Lou Sadar, long-time resident of the St. Clair neighborhood. Standing right behind Baškovič is Rich Zele and Zele family members who faithfully attend many parish and community events. Baškovič is chairperson of the parish finance council and has served in many parish organization capacities as well as being a former national board member of KSKJ and past president of St. Vitus KSKJ Lodge No. 25. Vitus Alumni Brave Spring Elements to Meet by AGNES KOPORC Our so called SPRING meeting of April 12th turned out to be an encore of our blustery Febmary 8th gathering. Who knew? By now we should be sporting our spring attire. But it was not to be as everyone was scurrying indoors in hooded jackets, winter scarves, and perhaps warm “gachees.” The cold of the outdoors was soon forgotten as alumni greeted one another with warm smiles and hearty handshakes. Who needs artificial heat when friends can produce such warmth by being friendly and cordial. Of course, a little “glazzek” of vino could really bring on the heat. The “usual suspects” were there, though each month a few are missing due to ... maybe illness... maybe, who knows what? Hopefully they will return again next time. The “live ins” namely Bemie Sajovec, Babe Cizel, Mary Cimperman, and of course, our dear Father Vic were there. No excuses for them. They can’t complain about car trouble, weather, etc. And it is good to know we have at least a “quorum” available. Pres. Dan Reiger efficiently brought the meeting to order, with Father Vic’s opening prayer. All officers were present, namely Secretary Daniella Avsec, Treasurer Ray Gobec who gave their minutes and readings of previous meeting with approval by all. Search for a Vice Pres, is still underway... to replace our loving Josephine Perpar... but, to date, the office has not been filled. Florence Hotujac, Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee is still in the orocess of receiving names for consideration for this year’s awards. Date closes this month, so get the names of grandchildren, etc., in as soon as possible. Seated “King Arthur fashion” at one of the “Round tables” were two knights, Tony Baznik, and Tony Grdina surrounded by fair maidens Marilyn Vidmar, Marcie Mills, Lil Ribarieb, and Josepha Strauss... discussing their views of the day. Across the way Annie Arhar and Mary Lunder were chatting away. Missing from this picture were regulars Albina Pozel-nik (still home, not feeling well). Marge Batis (we missed you), Vince and Mitzi Globokar, and of course, YOU. Hopefully, you can make it the next time. In correct fashion, the meeting was over and it was time to “bring on the feast.” Yes, it is always a feast, goodies and more goodies, mmm, good. Special thank you to all for always giving... without being asked. Our best wishes to all ailing members with prayers that better health will be in your future. We have lost a dear member... from Class of 1939, Edward Kotar. Our condolences to his wife, Marie, daughter Diane and her husband, Dr. Dennis C. Policy. Our next meeting will be our Summer meeting, the first Thursday in July - July 5th at 7 p.m. Once again I ask you to “mark your calendars.” Come down, just TRY IT. You might LIKE it. Nothing ventured, nothing gamed. From my little book of thoughts. If you laugh a lot, when you get older your wrinkles will be in the right places. Have fun on the fourth and come forth on the fifth to our July meeting - at 7 p.m. Every boy should have two things: a dog, and a mother willing to let him have one. -Ray Mlakar Just before the funeral services, the undertaker came up to the elderly widow and asked, “How old was your husband?” “98,” she replied, “Two years older than me. “So, you’re 96,” he said. She replied, Hardly worth going home, isn’t it?”_______________________-Emma Pogačar FOR Freedom AND Justice Ameriška Domovina AMERICAN IN SPIRIT SLOVENIAN FOREIGN IN LANGUAGE ONLY MORNING NEWSPAPER AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA (USPS 024100) Thursday, May 3, 2007 - Vesti iz Slovenije - Vedno večje zanimanje za prihajajoče volitve predsednika države Po Sloveniji se oživljajo priprave na volitve predsednika države, ki bodo sicer jeseni, pri čemer stranke in organizacije civilne družbe navajajo imena možnih kandidatov. Najbolj dejaven je Borut Pahor, predsednik Socialnih demokratov (bivših komunistov), ki je hkrati poslanec v evropskem parlamentu v Strasbourgu. Ni pa še najavil svoje kandidature uradno. Prvi je svojo kandidaturo sporočil Lojze Peterle, ki si zdaj ob sodelovanu svojih najtesnejših privržencev, vodi jih poslovnež in politik iz Ajdovščine Ivo Boscarol, prizadeva pridobiti podporo čim večjega števila volil-cev. Peterle je znan kot uspešen in izkušen politik in eden izmed tvorcev slovenskega osamosvajanja. Zdaj upa, da bo njegovo kandidaturo podprla tudi vodilna vladna stranka, to je Janez Janševa Slovenska demokratska stranka. Ni še popolnoma jasno, da se ne bo odločil za vnovično kandidaturo sedanji predsednik Janez Drnovšek. Javnost še vedno pogosto preseneča in vzburja z izjavami in s stališči, ki so bolj izraz njegovega duhovnega sveta kot pa odraz stanja in problemov v državi in politiki. Pravi pač, da so njegova gledanja izraz višje stopnje zavesti. Izgleda pa, da so mnogi v Sloveniji prepričani, da bi bil Drnovšek, če bi kandidiral, skoraj zagotovo ponovno izvoljen za še pet let, kolikor traja predsedniški mandat. Vsaj v zadnjih mesecih je veliko manj namigov, da bi morda zopet kandidirala Drnovškova močna tekmovalka pred petimi leti, Barbara Brezigar. Morda bo to precej odvisno od tega, ali bo Janševa SDS konč- no se res opredelila za podporo Peterleta. Možno je seveda tudi, da se bo v prihajajočih mesecih pojavil še kdo drugi. Priprave na slovensko predsedovanje EU potekajo z vedno intenzivnejšo vnemo V okviru slovenske vlade delujejo številna telesa, ki pripravljajo vse potrebno za slovensko predsedovanje Evropski uniji v prvi polovici prihodnja leta. Predsedovanje bo zahtevalo velike napore in odgovornost velikega dela političnih in strokovnih zmogljivosti države. Uspešno predsedovanje bo pa utrdila ugled in sloves Slovenije tako v Evropi kakor nasploh v svetu. Kako pomembna bo vloga Slovenija je razvidna s tem, da bo v tistih prvih šestih mesecih 2008 potekalo okoli 220 pomembnih srečanj in drugih dogodkov o razmerjih med EU in drugimi državami. Največ teh bodo pripravili v Sloveniji. Sporazum med političnimi strankami za uspešno predsedovanje EU Na iniciativo predsednika vlade Janeza Janše so se parlamentarne stranke sporazumele o sodelovanju v času predsedovanja Slovenije EU. Opustile naj bi ali vsaj zmanjšale polemike, utišale spore in storile vse, da bi zagotovile enotnost politike, strank in državnega zbora v odnosu do zunanjega sveta. S tem pa ni mišljeno, da bo opozicija prenehala s kritiziranjem vlade oz. opustila svoj nadzor nad oblastjo. Pri tem je potrebno upoštevati, da bodo štiriletne parlamentarne volitve v Sloveniji ravno v drugi polovici leta 2008. Vsaka politična stranka se bo in se gotovo že tega zaveda in bo vodila svojo politiko z vsaj enim očesom na te volitve. 'lASPORA V PARLAMENTU? - Na fotografu! je pogled na dvorano Državnega »ra v Ljubljani, Iger aaseda slovenski parlament. Po nstavi Im, parlament 90 poslan-IV. Sedaj poteka razprava o tem, ali naj bi parlament dob.l s« Sttn poslance, od teh aj bi bila dva iz zameistva dva pa iz izseljenstva oz. zdomstva. To potrebme spre-J m mia dva iz zamejstva, uva F Slovenije (NSi). Da pride zadeva na lembo ustave. Glavni pobudniki so iz vrst Nov J nevni red parlamenta, je potrebnih podpisov 30 od 90 poslancev da b. p. bU. spre- lemba ustave uzakonjena potrebuje ''t™’J^rtpadajo desnosredinski opel- • reakcije in ie iasno. da so mu naklonjene stranke, m puf-u j r ■vt-ijc in je jasno, U« » Vcaizn nd teh opcij priznava oz. pričakuje, da bi > proti so na levosredinske stranke. Vsaka od F . . v so pa levosreams H^nosredinskim strankam, skoro gotovo iz izse- enstvT rstT^dir; aanek. “ ‘° “devo podrobneje obravnava, to poleg še po- u J konvenciio slovenskih Amenkancev 13. aprila. JcUa na str. 12, ki obravnava nedavno konvenujo Iz Clevelanda in okolice Novi diakon— To soboto dop. ob lOh bo v katedrali sv. Janeza Evangelista škof Richard Lennon posvetil v diakona g. Davida S. Kushnetja, farana pri Mariji Vnebovzeti. To nedeljo dop. ob lih bo v tej cerkvi zahvalna sv. maša, sledil bo sprejem. Dopis na str. 12. Krofi— To soboto ima Oltarno društvo fare sv. Vida prodajo krofov, to ob običajnem času v društveni sobi avditorija. Pridite! Novi grobovi Jobn Stanisa Dne 25. aprila je na svojem domu na Willoughby Hillsu umrl 76 let stari John Stanisa, rojen 30. oktobra 1930 v Vinji vasi, Slovenija, brat Franka (Kan.), Josephine Comely, Slyvestra ter že pok. Marije, Louisa, Josepha, Michaela, Ivane in Stevena, dolgoletni prijatelj Pat Lonchar, zaposlen do upokojitve pri Parker-Hanni-fin Corp. Pogreb bo jutri, v petek, v oskrbi Cosicevega zavoda na Chardon Rd. s sv. mašo pop. ob Ih v cerkvi Marjie Vnebovzete, sledil bo pokop na Vernih duš pokopališču. Ure kropljenja so danes, 3. maja, pop. od 2. do 4. in ?v. od 7. do 9. Družina priporoča darove v pokojnikov spomin St. Mary’s Building Fund, 15519 Holmes Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110. John Štempihar Dne 22. aprila je na svojem domu na Willoughby Hillsu, kjer je živel 35 let, pred tem pa v Clevelandu, umrl 90 let stari John Štempihar, rojen 14. januarja 1917 na Lužah, Slovenija, mož Ane, roj. Jarc, oče Anne Perčič, Johna in Mary Štempihar ter že pok. Johana, 2-krat stari oče, že pok. v Sloveniji so sestre Manca, Micka, Franca, Johana in brat Franc, zaposlen do svoje upokojitve kot varilec pri Patterson-Leitch Co. v Clevelandu, član KSKJ št. 226, DNU pri sv. Vidu in Klub upokojencev Slovenske pristave. Pogreb je bil 26. aprila v oskrbi Cosicevega zavoda s sv. mašo v cerkvi sv. Vida in pokopom na Vernih duš pokopališču. (DALJE na str. 16) Koncert Matjana Zgonc— V četrtek, 10. maja, bo ob 7. uri zvečer poznani pevec iz Ljubljane Marjan Zgonc imel koncert v župnijski dvorani fare Marije Vnebovzete. Po koncertu bo tudi glasba za ples. Vstopnice so po $10 in jih dobite v župnišču (216-7^1-7740), dobile se bodo tudi pri vhodu na večer koncerta. Preskrbljena bodo hrana in tekoča okrepčila. Posvetitev nove dvorane— V nedeljo, 27. maja, bo na Slovenski pristavi posvetitev in odprtje nove dvorane. Podrobnosti v sporočilu na str. 12. Javnost vabljena. Srebrni sv. maša— V nedeljo, 20. maja, pop. ob 1.30 bo v cerkvi Marije Vnebovzete zahvalna sv. maša ob 25. obletnici duhovniškega posvečenja Fr. Stephena Spisak. Javni sprejem bo sledil maši. Veieposlanik-maratonec— Čez dva tedna bo v našem mestu na obisku slovenski veleposlanik v ZDA Samuel Žbogar. Med drugim bo sodeloval v maratonu, v petek 18. maja, ga bo sprejel župan Frank G. Jackson. Ob tej priliki bo župan sprejel restavriran lesen kip, ki ga je bil prvič izročil mestu Cleveland leta 1938 takratni ljubljanski župan Jure Adlešič. O kipu smo pred nedavnim poročali v AD. Sprejem bo v tkim. “Rdeči sobi” županove pisarne v mestni hiši, pripravljata ga mestna svetnika Michael D. Polenšek in Joe Cimperman. Veleposlanik Žbogar bo tudi sodeloval v maratonu, ki bo v mestu. Več prihodnjič. Podpora našemu listu— G. in ga. Mirko Zudič, Euclid, O., sta darovala $25 v podporo AD. Ga. Ann L. Copic, tudi iz Euclida, je darovala $20, v spomin moža Johna. Brata Joe in John Hočevar, Cleveland, sta darovala $25. Ga. Frances Cercek, Bay Village, O., je darovala $65. Josephine in Rudy Merc, Euclid, sta darovala $35, v spomin Blanke Tonkli. Ga. Joži Jakopič, Wickliffe, O., je darovala $15, v spomin moža Marijana. Ga. Ivana Volčjak, Willoughby, O., je darovala $20, v spomin moža Jožeta. Ga. Mira Kosem, Willoughby Hills, O., je darovala $15. Ga. Jennie M. Mramor, Euclid, je tudi darovala $15. Najlepša hvala! Posvetitev nove dvorane na Slovenski pristavi Odbor Slovenske pristave daje v znanje vsem Slovencem v Clevelandu in okolici, da bo slovesno odprtje nove dvorane za Spominski dan (Memorial Day) konec tedna. V soboto zvečer, 26. maja, se bo začela veselica po 5. uri popoldne. Kupili si boste lahko večerjo s čevapčiči, na razpolago bodo tudi druge običajne jedi..^ V nedeljo, 27. maja, bo slovesno odprtje, spored je sledeč: Sv. maša ob 12. uri v kapelici Posvetitev in blagoslov nove dvorane Kosilo (nakaznice samo v predprodaji) Kulturni program - sodelujejo: Fantje na vasi, Korotan, Kres, Slavko Teskač in Pristavski muzikantje, dekliški kvartet Melodija, in pevci Mladi fantje Po programu nam bo za ples in zabavo igral ansambel Staneta Mejača. Za nakaznice za kosilo, pokličite Heleno Perčič na tel. 216-732-8082 Mirče Pregelj - 80-letnik PERRY, O. - Te dni praznuje v Washingtonu, D.C. 80-letnico naš poznani rojak Vladimir - Mirče Pregelj. Po študiju na ljubljanski Klasični gimnaziji ga je čakalo izgnanstvo po raznih taboriščih, odkoder se je prebil v Združene države, dovršil študije in se zaposlil v Kongresni knjižnici v Washingtonu. Tam si je z vestnim delom hitro pridobil sloves zanesljivega strokovnjaka, ki je spretno in pravočasno pripravljal neštete študije, na osnovi katerih je ameriški Kongres sprejemal važne odločitve. Pri tem je imel Mirče vedno tenak posluh za dokumente, knjige in publikacije, ki so bile v kakršnikoli povezavi s slovensko “stvarjo”. On Je tudi tisti, ki je v Jeffersonovem izvodu knjige francoskega filozofa Bo-dina zasledil Jeffersonovo osebno zabeležko, iz katere je bilo mogoče sklepati, da se je Jefferson, oče ameriške demokracije, zanimal za obred ustoličevanja Koroških vojvod pri Gospe Sveti. Pred kratkim je Mirče stopil v pokoj, to potem, ko si je zaslužil spoštovanje in hvaležnost najvišjih forumov ameriške državne uprave, še posebej za izredno korektnost in učinkovitost v eni najbolj kritičnih epizod novejše zgodovine Združenih držav. Ob vsem tem pa je Mirče ostal Slovenec z dušo in telesom in slovenska skupnost v Ameriki Je upravičeno ponosna nanj. Mirče, naj Ti bodo prihodnja leta v krogu družine, žene in sina, prijetna in v upravičeno zadoščenje za delo, ki si ga opravil za našo novo domovino, za ljubezen, ki si jo izkazoval do rodnega doma, in za ponos, ki si ga prinesel slovenski skupnosti v Združenih državah. Mnogaja Ijeta! P. B. Slovenci v ZDA zastopani v Svetu Vlade RSIovenije za Slovence po svetu SLUŽBA CLEVELAND, O. - To soboto, 5. maja, ob lOh dop. bo v clevelandski katedrali sv. Janeza Evangelista škof Richard Lennon podelil zakrament Svetega reda ali duhovniško posvečenje v stopnjo diakona. Med sedmimi kandidati je tudi župljan fare Marije Vnebovzete David Kushlan, ki se štiri leta pripravlja na to pomembno službo v Cerkvi. Podpirajo ga žena Marie roj. Smole in sinova Matevž in Samuel. Zahvalna sv. maša bo to nedeljo, 6. maja, ob lih dop., pri kateri bo David prvič pridigal in opravljal njegovo liturgično opravilo kot diakon. Beseda diakon izhaja iz grške besede diakonos, ki pomeni strežnik ali pomočnik. Škof diakona posveča s polaganjem rok, ki tako prejema prvo stopnjo sv. reda. Večina stalnih diakonov je poročenih in ima svojo družino. Njihova prva dolžnost je še vedno svoji družini, potem svojemu poklicu, potem služenju Cerkvi. Diakon je poklican za opravljanje duhovne službe v Cerkvi, to je služiti Bogu in Cerkvi. Po na- DIAKONA ročilu krajevnega škofa s pomočjo zakramentalne milosti posvečenja v Cerkvi opravlja službo na treh področjih: besedno in liturgično bogoslužje ter socialne oziroma karitativne dolžnosti. V besednem bogoslužju oznanja evangelij, pridiga in uči v imenu Cerkve. V liturgičnem bogoslužju pomaga škofu ali duhovniku pri maši, pri obhajanju evharistije, pri obhajanju bolnikov in tistih, ki so na dom priklenjeni. Deliti sme zakrament krsta, blagosloviti novoporočenca in poročati ter opravljati cerkvene pogrebne obrede. Ima tudi dolžnost zvesto moliti brevir (zjutraj, opoldne, zvečer in ponoči) skupaj z Božjim ljudstvom in za to ljudstvo, celo za ves svet. Diakon lahko tudi vodi pobožnosti, kot so evharistična pobožnost in podeljuje blagoslov, vodi molitveno bogoslužje (večernice in hvalnice), in pripravlja božje ljudstvo k sprejemu zakramentov. Diakonu pripada tudi liturgično opravilo z globoko duhovno simboliko. V velikonočni vigiliji nosi luč velikonočne sveče v •'teimno cerkev in nato oznani velikonočno hvalnico Cerkve. V socialni in karitativni službi Cerkve, diakon služi Kristusu v revnih in bolnih, v oddaljenih in potrebnih, v tistih, ki živijo na robu družbe in Cerkve. Vsak kristjan je poklican, da s krščansko ljubeznijo ljubi svojega bližnjega in služi vsakomur, ki potrebuje pomoč. Diakoni naj bi bili gibal-ci in pobudniki za socialno skrb krščanskega občestva. Jezus sam je služil Očetu, izpolnjeval Njegovo voljo, in je bil vzgled za nas vse. Zdaj Cerkev, kot služabnik, nadaljuje to delo. V svojem življenju naj bi se diakon upodobil po liku Jezusa Kristusa. Naloga diakona je torej biti popolnoma služabnik in ostati služabnik. Diakon je poklican in posvečen, da je po naročilu Cerkve človek, ki služi in živi s polno predanostjo srca. Diakon je duhovščini svetovalec in nekakšna prispodoba celotne Cerkve. V vsem bo diakon kot oko Cerkve. Povezuje duhovništvo in laike, in bogoslužje z vsakdanjim življenjem. Je služabnik Cerkve v svoji družini, v okolici, v skupnosti, in v svojem poklicu. V zakramentu posvetitvi, besede škofa dajo navdih in usmerjenost diakonski službi: “Sprejmi Kristusov evangelij. Njegov glasnik si postal; glej, da boš veroval, kar boš bral; učil, kar boš veroval; živel, kar boš učil." Našemu župljanu in prijatelju Davidu želimo veliko božjega blagoslova v novi vlogi v naši skupnosti. Obljubimo, da mu bomo stali ob strani, pomagali, in molili zanj in za družino. Zelo ponosni smo, da imamo prvega stalnega diakona. Čestitke tebi, David, in družini! Silvija Pišorn SPOMINSKI DAN PRAZNIK: 28. MAJ CLEVELAND, O. - V skladu z Zakonom o Slovencih zunaj meja RS sta Generalni konzulat RS v Clevelandu in Veleposlaništvo RS v Washingtonu v petek, 13. aprila, v Clevelandu pripravila prvo konvencijo slovenskih skupnosti v ZDA, na kateri so bili izvoljeni predstavniki za Svet Vlade RS za Slovence po svetu. Največ glasov je dobil Ivan Kamin (Slovenska poslovna skupnost New York), drugo mesto je zasedel Milan Ribič (Slovenska pristava, Cleveland), tretje mesto pa sta si delila Anthony Hiti (Slovenian American Heritage Foundation) in Joseph Valenčič (SNPJ). Ambasada in Generalni konzulat sta Vladi predlagala, da sta v Svet Vlade imenovana Ivan Kamin in Milan Ribič. Čeprav je bila prva konvencija tako glede seznama vabljenih kot glede same organizacije po svoji naravi poskusna, se Je pristop Izkazal za pravilnega. Vabljeni predstavniki večjih slovenskih ustanov so pokazali velik interes, o čemer priča tudi dejstvo, da so se ses- tanka v Clevelandu udeležili tudi predstavniki in predstavnice iz Detroita, Pittsburgha, Lemonta (Chicago) in celo New York. V vsebinski razpravi o prihodnji organizaciji slovenskih skupnosti v ZDA, ki so izjemno raznolike, se je izkazalo, da bo v prihodnje potrebno oblikovati stalno predstavniško koordinacijsko telo, katerega vloga bo predstavljanje slovenske skupnosti navzven (v odnosih z zveznimi organi v ZDA in s Slovenijo) ter medsebojno usklajevanje dejavnosti. Člani takega koordinacijskega telesa bi morali biti izvoljeni po teritorialnem - regionalnem načelu, ne glede na njihovo pripadnost različnim krovnim organizacijam (KS-KJ, SNPJ, SWUA...). To pomeni, da bo v prihodnje potrebno določiti “regije”, ki bodo zajemale približno podobno število slovenskih ustanov. Iz celotnih ZDA naj bi bilo približno 20 regij oziroma njihovih predstavnikov. Sporočilo za javnost, Gen. konzulat RS v Clevelandu ^0n®tiMelodies from Beautiful Slovenia Shtmian IlnJio EDMf»*C XDC Prtfurt DOtoar WCSB 19 J FM Man iicuk SumJiy *-<(> Wednndty t-T pm 240S Somitd' Driv* Willougfaf HilU, OH 444X94 H045J-IWTOAMC «rci: www.wub.tng Pavli in Franku Dolinarju za zlato poroko Kako častit je zlat poročni dan, res čudovit, ko pol stoletja skupaj ploveta v večerni, zlat pristan! In Lidija, ta zlata hčerkica, ter Miha, Edi, vrla sina dva, Vaju srčno pozdravljata. Veselo ptički pojejo, cvetice nežno cvetejo, se vnučke sladko smejejo, prijatelji čestitajo, vse dobro Vama voščijo: Naj lepi zdaj spomini se dan za dnem vrste, naj v novi domovini izpolni Bog želje in Božji blagoslov naj spet in spet še mnogo let razveseli srce! Naj zdravja, sreče Vama da Marija z Brezij, blažena Gospa! Vajini otroci, sorodniki in vnučke, pevci, upokojenci in vsi ostali prijatelji 26. poletna šola slovenskega jezika Cleveland, O - Center za slovenščino kot drugi/tuji jezik na Filozofski fakulteti Univerze v Ljubljani prireja 26. poletna šola slovenskega jezika od 2. do 27. julija 2007 in 2. mladinska poletna šola slovenskega jezika od 2. do 13. julija 2007. Več kot četrt stoletja strokovnega in organizacijskega dela smo na Centru za slovenščino razvili sodobno mrežo jezikovnih programov za učenje slovenščine ot tujega jezika, katerih glavnih cilj je razvijanje sporazu-uievalne sposobnosti študentov. Poletna šola je pro-gram, ki ob intenzivnem jezikovnem tečaju (do 6 ur Pouka dnevno) ponuja pester spremljevalni program, v katerem udeleženci spoznajo slovensko kulturo in družbo. Mladinska poletna šola pa je intenzivni jezikovni tečaj s 4 urami pouka na dan, namenjen mladim od 14. do 18. leta in začinjen s posebej zanje Prirejenim, zabavnim, a vendarle tudi koristnim spremljevalnim programom. Več informacij dobite na naši spletni strani yww.centerslo.net. Mojca Stritar Strokovna sodelavka Tečajev slovenščine Zgoraj je tekst pisma z datumom 10. aprila. Na Pismu je tudi internetni naslov Filozofske fakultete Uni Verze v Ljubljani, ki bi dal širše informacije o tej ^stanovi: www.ff.uni-11.si. Ur. AD ' ;v Z Ameriško Domovino ste vedno na tekočem z rinrjajaniem v slovensken^st^^J Bodo v državnem zboru zastopani tudi slovenski izseljenci in zamejci? Diaspora v parlamentu? Razprava o vključitvi predstavnikov Slovencev zunaj meja države v državni zbor Je dobila nov zagon. V prejšnjih mesecih so pobudo za spremembo ustave pripravili v Nov! Sloveniji, zdaj pa se Je oglasila Konferenca SSK za Italijo. O O Ljubljana - Konferenca Svetovnega slovenskega kongresa (SSK) za Italijo, ki Je imela v Gorici svoj občni zbor, je sprejela resolucijo, s katero zahteva spremembo slovenske zakonodaje. S tem bi omogočili izvolitev dveh poslancev - predstavnika zamejcev oziroma Slovencev po svetu - v državni zbor Republike Slovenije. Poslanci NSi so že novembra lani predlagali spremembo nekaterih členov ustave, ki bi bila podlaga za sprejetje zakonov, s katerimi bi nato omogočili zastopanost Slovencev zunaj meja v slovenskem hramu demokracije. Poseg v ustavo Šlo naj bi za spremembo 5. in 80. člena Ustave RS ter njeno dopolnitev s členom 63. a. S prvo naj bi omogočili “posebne pravice in ugodnosti", ki bi Jih v Sloveniji uživali izseljenci, zdomci in zamejci brez slovenskega državljanstva. Ključen pa je dodatek k 63. členu, po katerem so avtohtone slovenske narodne manjšine v sosednjih državah ter slovenski izseljenci in zdomci neposredno zastopani v državnem zboru. Z 80. členom bi se točneje opredelila nova sestava DZ, ki bi ga sestavljalo 94 poslancev, od tega po en poslanec madžarske in italijanske manjšine v Sloveniji, po dva poslanca slovenskih manjšin v sosednjih državah ter po dva poslanca izseljencev in zdomcev. Za vložitev ustavne pobude bo potrebnih vsaj 30 poslancev (pod njo se je podpisalo vseh devet predstavnikov NSi), za kasnejše sprejetje predloga pa kar dvetretj inska večina oziroma 60 poslancev. Podobno je v tujini V poslanski skupini NSi so se za predlog ustavnih sprememb odločili, potem Ho so “potipali” razpoloženje rojakov iz tujine. Sami poudarjajo številčnost slovenske diaspore in interes, ki ga Slovenija nedvomno ima z vključevanjem le-te v gospodarsko, politično in kulturno življenje nacije. V poslanski skupini NSi ob tem navajajo resolucijo 1035 Parlamentarne skupščine Sveta Evrope o Evropejcih, ki živijo v tujini, iz leta 1994 ter Priporočilo 1410 te skupščine iz leta 1999, ki govori o povezavah med Evropejci, ki živijo v tujini, in njihovimi državami izvora. Oba dokumenta izražata pozitivne učinke izseljencev pri krepitvi vezi med narodi in vladajočimi elitami. Kot primerjavo iz bližnjega sosedstva pa v NSi navajajo italijanski primer, kjer v tujini živeči Italijani lahko volijo tako člane rimske poslanske zbornice kot senata. Izseljenci tako izberejo 12 poslancev in šest senatorjev. Ob tem je treba opozoriti, da italijanska poslanska zbornica šteje kar 630 članov, senat pa 315. Naj dodamo, da v 140-glavem hrvaškem saboru poled osmih pripadnikov na Hrvaškem živečih manjšin sedi tudi pet predstavnikov hrvaške diaspore. Možnost večje integracije Ppbudo NSi večinsko podpirajo tudi poslanci CLEVELAND PUBLIC R^DIO WCPN 90.3 ftii Tony Ovsenik: .31731 Miller Ave. Willoughby Hills, Ohia 44092 Phone: 1-440-944-2538 e-mail: tony.ovsenilc@sbcglobal.net Saturdays 9-I0pm CONTRIBUTOR TO: RADIO OGNJISCE-LJUBLJANA Spominska sv. maša CLEVELAND. O. - Radi in z zadovoljstvom se spominjamo veselih in srečnih dogodkov iz našega življenja, ne moremo pa kar tako mimo težkih in hudih stvari. Tak spomin bomo obhajali na letošnjo nedeljo pred ameriškim “Memorial Day” praznikom in sicer v nedeljo, 27. maja, s sv. mašo na svetišču Lurške Matere božje na Chardon Rd'. Sv. mašo bo daroval č.g. Pavle Krajnik, to ob dvanajstih oz. opoldne, v spomin vseh naših žrtev v času druge svetovne vojne, zlasti še poboja slovenske vojske - domobrancev že po končani vojni. To je za nas, ki smo ta tako veliki dogodek preživeli, nekaj, kar ne moremo in tudi ne smemo pozabiti. V naše molitve vključujemo tudi vse padle vojake naše nove domovine Amerike, ki še vedno umirajo za blagor svobode nas vseh. Prav lepo vabimo vse vas, da se udeležite te spominske svečanosti, ki vključuje tudi molitve na pokopališču Vernih duš, to ob pol štirih popoldne in nato obisk grobov naših pokojnih. Za odbor: v t SLS, ki so se podpisali pod predlog za spremembo ustave, je potrdil vodja poslanske skupine Jakob Presečnik. “Tak je bil tudi sklep komisije za Slovence po svetu, ki ji predseduje naš poslanec Janez Kramberger,” je dodal Presečnik, ki pa je glede na zdajšnje politične razmere pesimističen glede možnosti, da bi predlog dobil potrebno podporo. Podpredsednik SDS in šolski minister Milan Zver načeloma podpira zamisel Konference SSK za Italijo o skupno dveh predstavnikov zamejcev in zdomcev v DZ. “Takšna vključitev bi po mojem mnenju pomenila integracijo diaspore z matico. Tudi v drugih državah poznajo integracijo zamejcev in zdomcev v enega od domov parlamenta, kar na našo ureditev pomeni, da bi jih lahko vključili bodisi v (DALJE na str. 15) PAVLE BORŠTNIK RAZVOJ V PERRY, O. - Sredi man-da sedanje, demokratične vlade Slovenije se zdi, da se Kažejo jasni obrisi ne le resničnega položaja v državi, temveč tudi bodočega razvoja. Država je v zadnjih dveh letih pod vlado Janeza Janše vsekakor dosegla pomfembne in vidne uspehe. Ti so najbolj otipljivi na gospodarskem področju, bolje na finančnem, saj se je Slovenija edina med novo sprejetimi članicami Evropske unije gospodarsko dvignila do take stopnje, da je bila sprejeta v denarni sistem “evra”. To je v prvi vrsti zasluga finančnega ministra Andreja Bajuka, ki je s tem na najbolj učinkovit način izničil vsa posmehovanja na njegov račun. Očitali so mu pač “domobranstvo”, “argen-tinstvo”. “gaučevstvo” in kdo ve kaj drugega še. Bajuk je za svoje uspešno delo celo prejel lani naslov najuspešnej- Komentar SLOVENIJI šega finančnega ministra v Evropi. Posmehovanja in napadi nanj so zdaj ponehali. Ta finančni uspeh države pa je imel tudi svojo senčno stran. “Terensko delo” teh prizadevanj - če se tako izrazim -je opravil direktor Banke Slovenije Mitja Gaspari. Bilo bi torej naravno pričakovati, da bodo tudi njemu priznane čisto določene zasluge za ta uspeh, kar pa se ni zgodilo. Gaspari, ki je svoje finančno znanje izpopolnjeval v Washingtonu na Svetovni banki, izhaja iz politično leve družine (njegov stric je bil jugoslovanski veleposlanik na Tajskem) in Je bil zato v sedanji vladni kombinaciji zadrževan nekje ob strani. Ljudje, ki so se zanimali za razpoloženja raznih vladnih funkcionarjev, pa naj bi o njem odkrili negativne oz. nepremišljene postavke. Za- V BLAG SPOMIN OB 11. OBLETNICI NAŠE LJUBLJENE ŽENE, MAME IN STARE MAME MARIJA PUC REMEC Rojena: 27. m^ja 1931 v Ljubljani, Umrla: 3. maja 1996 v Westmontu ŠE VEDNO ŽIVIŠ V NAŠIH MISLIH IN SRCIH IN NAS POVSOD SPREMLJAŠ Mož: Andrej Remec Otroci z družinami: Andrej in Dionne Remec Barbara in Andrew Juvan ter Isabel, Ana in Christian Gregory in Lynda Remec ter Claire, Laura, Kristina, Eleanor Magda in Timothy Alberdi ter Marina in Anthony Monika in Charles Pritchard ter Marija, Elizabeth, Charles, Teja Karl in Sophie Remec ter Emilie in družine brata France in Janez in sestra Helka Puc v U.S.A. ter sestra Teja Kukoviča v Kanadi in sorodniki v Sloveniji. Westmont, Illinois, 3. maja 2007 to nadaljnji mandat kot direktor Banke Slovenije mu parlament ni podelil. Vprašanje, kdo bo novi direktor še danes ni rešen. Delni vzrok temu je zmeda, ki že vse od zadnjih parlamentarnih volitev vlada na politični levici. Ko je “liberalna demokracija”, ki se je podzavestno že pričela obnašati kot stranka, ki bo odslej odločala o slovenski prihodnosti, doživela poraz, se je nenadoma pokazala vse njena strukturalna šibkost. Začela je razpadati; drug za drugim so stranko začeli zapuščati ljudje s političnimi “imeni". Glavni razlog za to je bila politična nesposobnost bivšega premiera Antona Ropa, da bi poražene koštrune obdržal v svoji čredi. Do kfaja pa je razpihal ta položaj evropski poslanec Jelko Kacin, ki si je nadel dolžnost rešitelja stranke in predvideval, da bo ta rešitev v njenem povratku v leninistično čistost. To je bilo preveč celo za pravoverne socialiste. Tako se Je pričel vzpon predstavnika drugega krila politične levice -Borisa Pahorja. Tudi njega so politični opazovalci v preteklosti opisovali z rahlo mero posmehovanja. Veljal je za človeka, ki se je rad elegantno oblačil, ni pa imel kakšnih posebnih briljantnih socialnih navdihov. Pahor je predsednik Socialnih demokratov, kot se zdaj nazivajo nekdanji komunisti. SD je neposredna naslednica Zveze komunistov, v teh krogih pa si pripisuje najmočnejši vpliv Milan Kučan. Tudi Kučanu so se štrene pošteno zameštra-le. Ko je po zadnjih volitvah ustanovil "Forum 21”, je bilo na splošno pričakovano, da bo iz tega nastala nova stranka pod njegovim vodstvom. Možnost tega je še vedno navzoča, čeprav se zdi, a je manjša iz dneva v dan. (V neznano se je izgubil tudi opozicijski “Forum za republiko” pa Drnovškova “srečanja” za razpravljanje o prihodnosti Slovenije.) Kučan je pač vstopil v tisto starostno dobo, ko čas dela proti človeku, ne zanj. Njegov vpliv je bil še dovolj močan, da je svojemu protežirancu Zoranu Jankoviču žago- Odziv SDS na poročilo State Departmenta Ljubljana - Na poročilo State Departmenta o človekovih pravicah za leto 2006, ki se je med drugim dotaknila Slovenije, se je odzvala poslanska skupina Slovenske demokratske stranke oz. SDS. Tako je v njenem imenu poslanec Branko Grims na tiskovni konferenci 21. marca presodil, da je poročilo generalno gledano zelo ugodno. Kot je dejal, poročilo kaže napredek na področju svobode medijev, čeprav še vedno prihaja do nekaterih primerov samocenzure. Kot primer le-te Je navedel molk medijev o izredno dobrem stanju na gospodarskem področju. “Glede na dejstvo, da imamo najvišjo gospodarsko rast od osamosvojitve dalje, da smo v evro-območje vstopili brez inflacije, je nerazumljivo. tovil mesto župana Ljubljane, ne pa, da bi Jankovič lahko izvedel ukrepe, ki jih je bil zagovarjal oz. da bi se Jankovič lahko maščeval vladi, ki ga je bila odstavila od mesta direktorja največje slovenske trgovske hiše Mercator. Vsa ta prerivanja delajo vtis, da se politični desnici, ki je na vladi, obeta dobra letina. Pa ni tako. Janševa vlada se je izkazala za resno institucijo, ki zadovoljivo rešuje probleme države, ne da bi se kdaj zapletla v kak škandal in tudi ne kakšnega zunanjepolitičnega poraza. Njena politika v zvezi s Hrvaško je njena najšibkejša točka in zanašanje zunanjega ministra Dimitrija Rupla na učinek s strani Evropske unije v sporu s Hrvaško se ne zdi realno. Postavljajo pa se razpoke v sami vladni koaliciji, ki jo sestavljajo Janševa Slovenska demokratska stranka, Bajukova Nova Slovenija in Janez Podobnikova Slovenska ljudska stranka. Ta slednja je naslonjena na najtrdnejši del politične javnosti, obenem pa zaradi vrste Podobnikovih nerodnih iniciativ v resnici - najšibkejša. (DALJE na str. 15) da takšni dosežki niso predstavljeni javnosti," je dejal Grims in dodal, da ne smemo prezreti napisanega, da so bili neodvisni mediji aktivni in so predstavljali različne poglede brez bistvenih omejitev. Poročilo State Departmenta po njegovo tudi kaže, da je uveljavitev novega zakona o medijih in zakona o RTV Slovenija očitno pridobitev za svobodo medijdv, kar pa Je bilo v poročanju o omenjenem poročilu očitno prezrto. Enako velja tudi za znižanje RTV naročnine. Že dan pred tiskovno konferenco SDS je imela svojo tiskovno konferenco Liberalna akademija. Presodila je, da se medijska svoboda v Sloveniji čedalje bolj omejuje in krči. Po mnenju dr. Darka Štrajna naj bi bili mediji v državi pod posrednim vplivom vlade, povečujejo se tudi politični in ekonomski pritiski, še zlasti tam, kjer ima država lastniški delež. Dr. Boris Vezjak pa Je problematiziral dejstvo, da so nekateri mediji očitno prezrli poročilo State Departmenta ali pa so o njem poročali zelo skopo. Po njegovem mnenju vlada ni izpolnila predvolilnih obljub o pluralizaciji in uravnoteženju medijev. G. B. Demokracija, 29. III. 2007 V BLAG SPOMIN Ob 17. obletnici smrti našega dobrega moža, očeta, stareea očeta in brata ANTON ČESAR ki ga je Gospod poklical 5. maja 1990. V miru božjem zdaj počivaj, dragi, nepozabni nam. V nebesih rajsko srečo uživaj, do svidenja na vekomaj. Žalujoči ostali; Žena: Ana Cesar Sin: Steve Cesar z družino Hčer: Ani Zudic z družino in ostalo sorodstvo v Sloveniji in Ameriki. Diaspora v parlamentu? (NADALJEVANJE S STR. 13) državni zbor bodisi v državni svet,” pravi Zver, ki se hkrati dobro zaveda težavnosti pri doseganju kompromisa., “Dejstvo je, da stranke levega oziroma levosredinskega bloka prav zaradi t. i. političnih kalkulacij niso naklonjene morebitni vključenosti zdomcev in zamejcev v naš zakonodajni organ, opozarja minister. Naš sogovorec prav tako izpostavlja dobre odnose, ki jih sedanja vlada goji do rojakov v tujini. “Eden od dokazov za to je prav gotovo to, da smo dvignili rang vodje urada za Slovence v zamejstvu in po svetu na raven državnega sekretarja in mu s tem dali pomembno vlogo in mesto. Konkretno za ministrstvo za šolstvo in šport lahko rečem, da smo z novimi prijemi zagotovili nadaljnje učenje slovenskega jezika novim in novim generacijam. Za Slovence v zamejstvu in po svetu imamo pripravljen nov organizacijski in vsebinski koncept, ki ga bomo v prihodnosti začeli uresničevati,” delo vlade na tem področju ocenjuje Zver. Skeptična opozicija Zanimivo je, da bojazni Pred političnimi kalkula-oijami ne skrivajo niti v opoziciji, a si to predsta-vljajo v zrcalno nasprotni Podobi. Prvak SNS Zmago Jelinčič absolutno ni naklonjen vključitvi pred- V blag in ljubeč spomin °b tretji obletnici smrti stavnikov Slovencev v zamejstvu in po svetu v parlament. “V SNS sodimo, naj ima vsakdo volilno pravico in odloča o državi, v kateri plačuje davke,” pravi Jelinčič, poleg tega po njegovo rojaki v tujini ne morejo pravilno odločati o slovenski politiki, ker slovenskih razmer ne poznajo dovolj dobro. Zato v SNS zagovarjajo stališče, da ne bodo dovolili, “da bi nekdo iz tujine krojil usodo naše države”. Jelinčič, ki poudarja, da niti zamejci niso enotni glede tovrstnih predlogov, vidi v potezi NSi predvsem način za pridobitev dodatnih glasov, ki pa zaradi dvetretj inskega praga, potrebnega za posege v ustavo, bržkone ne bo uspešen. Gledanje v LDS in SD V LDS prav tako niso navdušeni nad nenehnimi posegi v ustavo, kot je dejal namestnik vodje poslanske skupine Aleš Gulič. O konkretnem predlogu NSi pa se Gulič ni želel natančneje opredeliti, saj je zadeva ne nazadnje še v fazi neformalnih pogovorov. Ob tem poslanec LDS opozarja, da bi bili ob sprejetju tujih državljanov v slovenski parlament državljani Slovenije na neki način “hendikepirani", saj bi državljani drugih držav odločali tudi o njihovih davkih. Poleg tega obstoječa zakonodaja, ki Jo bo treba še implementirati, po Guličevo ponuja rešitve, ki Slovencem v tujini v zadostni meri omogočajo vključitev v življenje matice. Podobno o morebitnih drugih načinih za vključitev zamejcev v slovenske politične odločitve misli tudi vodja poslancev SD Miran Potrč. “Lani sprejeti zakon o odnosih Republike Slovenije s Slovenci zunaj njenih meja med drugim določa poglavitna nosilca sodelovanja med RS ter Slovenci v zamejstvu in po svetu, in sicer sta to Urad Vlade RS za Slovence v zamejstvu in po svetu ter Komisija DZ za Slovence po svetu in v zamejstvu kot posvetovalna organa vlade,” spominja Potrč. Prepričan je, da je “s temi oblikami dela mogoče zagotavljati boljše obveščenost zamejcev o delu DZ, uveljaviti pa bi se dalo tudi posebne oblike njihovega sodelovanja pri oblikovanju odločitev”. Pri SD so zato prepričani, da razširitev članstva v DZ ni najboljša rešitev, saj gre za državljane, ki niso z vsemi življenjskimi interesi povezani s Slovenijo. Take rešitve, opozarja Potrč, so tudi v tujini prej izjema kot pravilo. Ne nazadnje pa so po njegovo poleg številnih drugih vprašanj, ki kličejo po resni in poglobljeni obravnavi predloga ustavnih sprememb, postavlja vprašanje, kako bi glasovi državljanov, ki ne živijo v Sloveniji in ne bodo nosili posledic svojih odločitev, vplivali na najbolj občutljiva politična vprašanja, morebiti tudi na oblikovanje pozicije in opozicije. V poslanski skupini nepovezanih poslancev pa ne vidijo “posebnega razloga, da bi sprejeli predlog SSK”, saj zagovarjajo načelo zastopstva na podlagi državljanstva, kot iz- Z AMERIŠKO DOMOVINO STE VEDNO NA TEKOČEM haja iz slovenske ustave. Po njihovo je že sedaj Slovencem brez državljanstva RS omogočeno vključevanje v družbeno in politično življenje matice. Odgovorov iz poslanske skupine DeSUS do oddaje članka v tisk žal ni- smo prejeli, iz predstavljenih mnenj pa je na dlani, da smo še precej oddaljeni od potrebnega soglasja za tovrstno širitev parlamenta. Mitja Volčanšek DEMOKRACIJA, 19.IV.2007 RAZVOJ V SLOVENIJI (NADALJEVANJE S STR. 14) Nova Slovenija (NSi) kaže znake notranjega nemira in po nekaterih glasovih se postavlja pod vprašaj celo Bajukovo nadaljnje vodenje stranke. Janša sam ima spričo Podobnika in Bajuka svoje težave, ker v politično življenje uvaja nekaj, kar je podobno krščanskemu socializmu, čeprav si ne pripisuje nobenih njegovih atributov. Položaj se bo verejetno razčistil v prihodnjem poldrugem letu, ko bo Slovenija opravila tako predsedniške kot parlamentarne volitve. Tu se že močno čuti posledica krize na levici in negotovosti na desnici. Krepko je skalil politične vode Lojze Peterle, ki Je že pred meseci najavil kandidaturo za mesto predsednika države. Okoliščine pa mečejo posebno luč na njegovo kandidaturo in na bodoče ravnanje vladne koalicije. Peterle naj bi namreč prebolel epizodo z rakom in po svojem mnenju bil kvalificiran za to mesto. Zaradi tistega “naj” pa se bo v glavah mnogih volivcev pojavilo vprašanje, kaj pa če ne velja in je moč res bolan? L.Prijatel’s Pharmacy St. Clair & E. 68 St. 361-4212 IZDAJAMO TUDI ZDRAVILA 'ZARAČUN' POMOČI DRŽAVE OHIO - AID FOR 1 THE AGED PRESCIPTIONS S svojo odločitvijo je Peterle domala paraliziral desnico, ki praktično nima izbire. Kako naj postavi drugega kandidata proti človeku - Peterletu -, ki je igral tako pomembno vlogo pri osamosvajanju Slovenije in se potem izkazal kot dober strankarski politik, bil izvoljen za poslanca v evropskem parlamentu in v tistih krogih ustvaril zavidljiv sloves? Posledica te zmede utegne vplivati na desne volilce, tudi če bo Peterle edini kandidat te opcije. Levica se tudi ni zedinila na svojem kandidatu. Deloma zato, ker je Drnovšek zavrnil prejšnjo trditev, da ne bo ponovno kandidiral. Če bo, ima izvolitev najbrž zagotovljeno, četudi ima nad seboj identičen problem -zdravje - kot Peterle. Dva možna kandidata torej, nad obema pa visi Damoklejev meč v obliki zdravja. Stvar je še bolj pomembna, ker bodo te predsedniške volitve letos jeseni in tako utegnejo vplivati močno na parlamentarne, ki bodo leta 2008. V kolikor je to še relevantno, se lahko ustavimo ob vprašanju, kakšen je odnos med sedanjo vlado in politično emigracijo. Odgovor je enostaven: odnosi so normalni, vendar brez kak-(DALJE na str. 16) Janez klopčič Srčno ljubljeni mož, Pfezgodaj si šel od nas. Pogrešam Te, a v duhu z menoj živiš. Žena Slavi vn«*kinji Shelli in Debi BECOME A MEMBER 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, MT, OH, DC, Wl Call your local sales agent or the Home Office at 1-800-843-5755 www.kskjNfe.com AMERICAN SLOVENIAN CATHOLIC UNION NO V O R O J E N K A Elena Cerkvenič O ZGODBA... J\do se je veselil njenega rojstva? Meri prav gotovo ne ali vsaj. tako se je zdelo. Pustila je svojo novorojenko v umazani najlonski vreči na stopnicah zunaj cerkve, kjer je tudi dostikrat prespala noč. Nato se je previdno oddaljila, da je ne bi nihče opazil. Punčka se je rodila še kar zdrava, bila pa je drobcena: glas iz njenih ustnic je od časa do časa zakričal, malce od veselja, ker se je telo osvobodilo materinega pasu, ki ga je stiskal, malce zato, ker je hotel izraziti upanje, in sicer to, da bo mati slišala hčerkino kričanje in da se bo vrnila, jo vzela iz plastične vrečke v naročje in jo nesla s sabo domov ter skrbela zanjo. Meri je bila že tako daleč, da je ne bi mogla slišati. Verjetno je ne bi slišala niti, če bi bila blizu, kajti, po porodu, ki se je zgodil verjetno kje na cesti, ni imela ne dovolj moči ne dovolj volje, da bi njen sluh zaznal hčerkino kričanje. Pred novorojenko pa je stala cerkev. Moderna. Imela je obliko osmero-kotnika in ljudje v okolici so pravili, da sploh ni niti malo podobna cerkvi. Toda dajati dosti po pomena zunanjosti je lahko nevarno, v kolikor potem zanemarjaš notranjost, v kateri Je lahko skrito neprecenljivo bogastvo. Seveda, cerkve, ki imajo nekako klasično zgradbo in stoletja dolgo zgodovino za sabo, so zelo lepe in zanimive. Mislim, da nihče ne dvomi o tem. Vendar najbolj nenavadna obleka, ki Jo imaš na sebi, o kateri marsikdo mmisli, da je malo čudna ali celo nedostojna, je le pokrivalo človekove osebnosti. Ne vemo, kakšna je oseba, ki se skriva pod tistim nepomembnim pregrinjalom Večkrat pridemo do spoznanja, da prav v človeku, ki ima posebno obleko, gori tista luč, ki nam omogoča, da z bolj gotovim korakom hodimo gor in dol po stopnicah našega življenja. In prav tako, če vstopimo v cerkev, ki ima osmerokotno obliko, odkrijemo, da znotraj gori tista luč in da ima tudi isto funkcijo. V Merini notranjosti ni bilo več te luči. Morda jo je kdo ali ona sama ugasnila, iz kakega posebnega razloga. Trenutno tava v temi. Potem ko je zapustila svojega otroka, je šla v gostilno, kjer so jo vsi poznali. O tem, kar je storila, ni nikomur ničesar povedala, vendar so skoraj vsi, tudi gostilničar, začutili v zraku, da se ji je zgodilo nekaj žalostnega. Meri je namreč tekla h gostilničarju, ne da bi pozdravila ne znancev ne prijateljev. •Z nemirno roko je nervozno položila na pult denar, ki naj bi ji zadostoval za pijačo. Ta naj bi ji morda pomagala odstraniti iz njenih misli prizor, v katerem je videla sebe, kako s prav tako nemirno roko in prav tako nervozno opira umazano najlonsko vrečo, poriva noter svojega otroka in skuša vrečko zavozlati. Toda roke se ji preveč tresejo, da bi Ji to uspelo storiti. Novorojenka je tako kričala, da jo je kričanje popolnoma izčrpalo. Ni imela več moči. Nenadoma je utihnila. Takrat si od daleč slišal sireno rešilnega vozila. Postajala je vedno bolj glasna, kot da bi se vozilo vedno bolj bližalo cerkvi. In res. Rešilno vozilo je peljalo mimo cerkve. Šofer ni opazil nič nenavadnega. Edinole takrat, ko je slučajno pogledal stopnice, je opazil najlonsko vrečko. Mislil je to, kar bi vsakomur prišlo lahko na misel: kako so necivilizirani ljudje, ker puščajo najlonske vrečke kar tako na tleh, ne da bi jih pridno vrgli, če že jih ne rabijo več, v smeti. Sireno je slišal gospod Alojz, ki je iz cerkve, kjer je bil zbrani v molitvi, usmeril svoje korake dol po stopnicah, prav proti najlonski vrečki. Novorojenko Je gospod Alojz vzel v naročje. Dete je radovedno premikalo nogice ter vedoželjno po-tipavalo s prstki drobne desne rokice dolgo sivka-sno duhovnikovo brado. Ta zgodba je bila objavljena v tržaškem Novem glasu 19. aprila letos. Ur. AD Izpod zvona sv. Marije Vnebovzete CLEVELAND, O. - Naša cerkev je bila v postnem času dobro očiščena, da se je vse svetilo na cvetni nedelji. Hvala vsem, ki ste darovali čas in delo za lepoto cerkve, kot tudi g. župniku. Cvetna nedelja je bila kot praznik. Veliko narodnih noš je bilo v procesiji od Lovšetovega atrija v cerkev, in tudi otroci slovenske šole, ki so zelo lepo brali Pasijon pri sv. maši. Naslednji dan je bil začetek Velikega tedna. Ponedeljek nas je obdaril s toploto, saj je toplomer kazal 80 stopinj. A le ta dan, naslednji so bili drugačni. Mrzli vetrovi so ohladili ozračje in sneženi meteži so nas spremljali, da so nastali veliki kupi snega okrog parka-lišč. Zadnji Božič je bil lepo zelen, a Velika noč je bila bela. Vendar je na vse večerne molitve prihajalo kar lepo število vernikov. Na sobotni popoldan je bil dvakrat blagoslov živil, pri večerni maši smo dobili novo župljanko - dobrodošla! Velikonočna nedelja -kljub mrazu in snegu je bil zelo lep obisk Vstajenja. Ko si stopil v cerkev, ti je zastal dih ob pogledu na oltar: vse Je bilo v pomladnem cvetju. G. župnik Je prav lepo zapel trikrat Alelujo, to kljub temu, da ima problem z grlom-glasilkami. Lepa hvala vsem, ki ste to jutro v lepem številu oblekli narodno nošo. Kako to vse poživi! S posebnim veseljem smo ves teden prepevali velikonočne pesmi, saj jih se ali smo te tudi dodali darovanjske in obhajilne. Kar prehitro je minil ta lepi velikonočni čas. Na Belo nedeljo smo po deseti sv. maši prepevali litanije Matere Bož- je, saj je bila nedelja Božjega Usmiljenja. Preteklo nedeljo je pet malih prejelo prvo sv. obhajilo. Naj bo Jezus vedno njihov najboljši prijatelj, to jim iskreno želimo k našim čestitkam. V mesecu maju smo, ki je namenjen naši Nebeški Materi Mariji. Njej bomo prepevali mnoge lepe pesmi, ki so jih njeni častilci ustvarili. Na prvo soboto, 5. maja, bo v stolnici prejel posvečenje naš župljan David Kushlan za diakona. Naslednji dan se bomo posvečenja veselili v naši cerkvi. Vsi mu želimo velikega božjega blagoslova. Materinski dan Slovenske šole je pred vrati in bo v župnijski dvorani. V nedeljo. 20. maja, bo v cerkvi praznoval srebrno sv. mašo g. Steven Spisak, ki rad prihaja v našo cerkev in nadomestuje župnika. Vsi želimo, da Nebeški Oče ohranja g. Spiska pri zdravju tudi do zlatega jubileja. Ne pozabite, da bodo pridne članice Oltarnega društva delale krofe in prodajale pecivo v petek in soboto, 25. in 26. maja, v župnijski dvorani. Najbolje bo, če si na koledar napišete, da ne boste pozabili, ker Junija in julija krofov ne bodo delale. Prav lep pomladni pozdrav od vseh sodelavk in - Lavriševe. Novi grobovi (nadaiievaqje s str. 11) Mary Petrič Umrla je 92 let stara Mary Petrič, rojena Novak, vdova po Johnu, mati majorja ameriške vojske Johna A. (pok.-ubit v Vietnamu), Joyce Buchanan, Barbare Kuzma, Timothyja, Veroni-ce in Rudyja, 9-krat stara mati, 5-krat prastara mati, sestra Olge Campbell. Pogreb je bil 19. aprila v oskrbi Želetovega zavoda s sv. mašo v cerkvi Marije Vnebovzete in pokopom na Kalvarije pokopališču. Amelia Gad Dne 17. aprila je umrla 91 let stara Amelia Gad, rojena Hrastar, vdova po Stanleyju, sestra Johna, Vic-torja, Charlesa, Mary, Dorothy in Josephine (vsi že pok.). Pogreb je bil 21. aprila s sv. mašo v cerkvi Marije Vnebovzete in pokopom na Kalvarije pokopališču. ^.Ameriško Domovino pokrivamo slovenski svet RAZVOJ... (nadaljevanje s str. 15) šnega posebnega navdušenja na eni ali drugi strani. Janševa stranka vidi v politični emigraciji sicer zanesljiv, vendar popolnoma brezpomemben element elektorata, se pravi element, na katerega želje ali namere se ni treba ozirati s kakšno pretirano skrbjo. V tem je razlog, da tudi ta vlada ni in po vsej priliki tudi ne bo izpolnila nobehega pričakovanja, kaj šele zahteve, politične emigracije in bo vse ostalo samo pri obljubah. Občasni govori ne pomenijo nič, neizpolnjene so ostale obljube o ureditvi grobišč, brez učinka so ostale celo personalne spremembe v vodstvih različnih institucij. Drugače povedano: slovenska politična emigracija tudi od te vlade ne more pričakovati kakršnegakoli zadoščenja, kaj šele priznanja za vztrajanje na črti brezpogojnega slovenstva. Morda je na mestu samo še kratek pripis na račun preteklega obnašanja politične emigracije. Vse bolj namreč postaja jasno, kako resna napaka je bila zagrešena ob osamosvojitvi Slovenije, ko se je tisti nesrečni Narodni odbor namesto, da bi se ovedel zgodovinske priložnosti in razširil svojo sestavo in delovanje, na vrat na nos razšel; češ, zdaj se vsakdo v tujini lahko pridruži eni ali drugi demokratični stranki v domovini. Močna in odločna reprezentanca Slovencev, živečih v tujini, bi še kako vplivala na razvoj v domovini! Ob presojanju teh vprašanj, bi se torej zazdelo, da se razmere v Sloveniji nekako normalizirajo. Ideološka vprašanja preteklosti so iz dneva v dan bolj odmaknjena, pojavljajo se novi, tudi osebni oziri in politika se Jih loteva z večjo intenzivnostjo. Parlamentarne volitve leta 2008 bodo zato kritičnega pomena. V odsotnosti večine starih “obre-menjencev” bo narod odločal o svoji prihodnosti v'21. stoletju. Mi, ki smo otroci nesrečnega 20. stoletja, lahko samo upamo, da bo žarek božanske modrosti slednjič vendarle obsijal tudi slovensko politično misel.