Our Story naŠa zgodovina Vol. 5 No. 2 Summer 2015 Meet our new Directors and Volunteer Lojze Grebenc many changes that have occurred in the country; vis- I was born to a family of seven children where the iting the area the summer that Slovenia became in- education was of utmost importance by both parents. dependent was certainly a historical moment. I have They both stressed reading, love of Slovenian language enjoyed visits to Bled, Ljubljana, Bovec, Kobarid, and history. Tolmin, Škofja Loka, Bohinjska Bistrica, Postojna and Personally, I have de- am determined one day to see the area around Murska grees in Philosophy, The- Sobota. ology, Education and Spe- The opportunity to become more involved with cial Education. In my work the Slovenian community occurred when our family as a priest, teacher and co- relocated to Ancaster in 2004. While searching for unselor I have worked with a new parish, we discovered St. Gregory the Great all sorts of people trying Church. Attending Slovenian Mass has enabled me to inspire in them a love to add to my vocabulary and listening to the language of learning and the use of every Sunday keeps words fresh in my mind ready for books. meeting relatives each summer. All those things helped Lojze Grebenc, Director Some of my own history includes: attending Ysgol me to join the Canadian Uwchradd Penarlâg (Hawarden High School) in Wales Slovenian Historical Society and working in the that was established in 1606; teaching in Manchester, Library and Archives at St. Gregory the Great Parish. London, and emigrating to Canada in 1968. In Canada I taught in Toronto, Pickering and Whitby and retired in 1999. Pamela Gosgnach I joined the CSHS as Barbara Leskovec interim recording secretary My passion for history in September 2014. I developed at a young age was officially accepted from listening to family as a board member at the stories and watching annual general meeting history cartoons. I pursued held in February 2015 and my passion and eventually confirmed to the position obtained a Master of Arts of secretary at that time. in Archaeology. I am now Pamela Gosgnach, Secretary When asked why I became a practicing archaeologist interested in the society, I in the province of Ontario, think I would say that next to geography and organizing Barbara Leskovec, Volunteer and on a daily basis, things, the study of history is dear to my heart. My identify and record the interest in Slovenian history developed following my earlier occupations of our province. I have also marriage to Joseph, a Beneški Slovenian, born in Italy participated in archaeological excavations in Eastern within a few kilometers of the Slovenian border and Canada and Slovenia. I joined the Canadian Slovenian raised in the Slovenian language and tradition. Historical Society at the end of 2014 due to my desire Being from North Wales, I have always had a love to capture the stories of Canadian Slovenians and for the mountains. Having a connection to Slovenia to document them for future generations. I hope to meant that the mountains were always waiting to be assist with the Archives and build upon the great work explored. Since my first visit in 1973, I have seen the undertaken by past and current members. Slovenian Canadian Club of Calgary Mary Terenta-Donnelly TEN YEARS AGO! the discussion turns to events that happened years ago. The people love to reminisce about the ‘Good Old Days’ creating this meeting place. However, no event is complete without Slovenian music. Frank Vrečar and Leo Kladnik bring their accordions to fill the hall with Slovenian music and songs. It is wonderful to be at these Leo Kladnik events and to watch the Slovenian Canadian hall come alive with laughter and Slovenian culture. Walter Starič and Russel Donnelly Ten years ago, after retiring from his job as a school administrator, Russel Donnelly decided that he needed to do something. The membership at the Slovenian Canadian Club of Calgary was getting older. There was a need to create something for this group. Create a function to which they can attend during the day. The idea of Seniors Luncheons was born. Russel set to work and called on Mr. Franc Hajdinjak, a well-established member of Slovensko Kanadsko Društvo and had him call around inviting the membership and non-members to our very first Seniors Luncheons. The dates were set Seniors Luncheon and the Seniors Luncheons are held every third Tuesday of the month from October to May. A few years later, From our archives Walter Starič retired from his job with Canadian Pacific HISTORY OF SLOVENIAN CANADIAN CLUB OF Railway and he decided to help Russel. These two men CALGARY work together and with the help from the ladies, who The first Slovenians began settling in Calgary in the early volunteer in the kitchen preparing the lunch, made 1920s, in the mining towns of East Coule and Canmore. The major this a very enjoyable event. The meals are free for the wave of Slovenians arrived and settled in Calgary after the Second seniors. The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission World War, up to the mid 1960s. allows the club to use money from its casino proceeds At that time, the idea to organize and obtain a place where to sponsor these luncheons. About thirty-seven Slovenians could meet and cultivate their culture and their heritage volunteers work at the two day casino event to raise began to take form as fifteen Slovenians gathered and elected their money and support such events. Seniors Luncheons first executive committee to organize Slovenian picnics, dances and other events. First, they began gathering for picnics at the private are very successful and well farms. The dances were organized in rented community halls. attended. They continue to In 1966 the Slovenian Canadian Club of Calgary was registered draw people from all walks as a non-profit organization with Alojz Cipot, Frank Skerlak, Rudi of life and communities. Skapin, Slavko Krancan as the first directors. In the following five Videos of Slovenia years, the membership increased to about 100 registered families. and key note speakers are Under the leadership of Marjan Pavlica, the men’s choir and a brought in from time to time drama section were established. to add a bit of variety to the The activities of the club were adapted to the needs of its luncheons. Most of the time members. One of the first priorities was to establish a Slovenian the people just want to talk school, which ran for many years under the leadership of Ida Pavlica. and share their day to day Later, the school was reorganized by Anna Terenta and Mary Frank Vrečar events in their lives. Often Terenta-Donnelly and offered Slovenian classes to youth and adults... 2 The Closure of St. Helen’s Mission Church Beamsville, Ontario Jerry Ponikvar The following story about St. Helen’s Church in all helped in gathering the stones from their properties Beamsville, Ontario was related in an interview with to build the church. A number of Slovenians and Josie Zamejc (Možina) and Vi Harrison (Možina). The others, along with Father Webster were very helpful little stone church was built in 1938, is now closing in this building project. When it came to naming the and up for sale. The Diocese is pursuing a larger site church, Frank Možina was approached by the pastor to meet the needs of the increased Catholic population for a suggested name. He thought about it and said how of the community. Due to the Ontario Green Belt he attended St. Helen’s Church in Mirna back home restrictions, expansion of the present land site is not in Slovenia. Father Webster replied that he liked the permitted. name. However, W. T. Kernahan who had donated In the late thirties, the pastor, Father Webster of St. $500 to the building fund was given the privilege of Joseph’s parish in Grimsby was asked by the Bishop naming the church St. Helen’s, placing it under the to set up a mission church in Beamsville or Vineland patronage of St. Helen, mother of the first Christian area as there were a number of Catholic families, Roman Emperor. mostly Polish, Italian, Slovenian and Ukrainian. Since During the summer months, children who were Father Webster was unsuccessful in purchasing a mostly Slovenian would attend catechism classes for property, he approached two weeks led by Father Webster. In the winter months, a a parishioner, Frank nearby neighbour would light the coal furnace to warm Možina to see if he could up the Church before Mass. To provide for the spiritual assist in finding land to needs in the Slovenian language Father Bernard build a church. As he Ambrožič (uncle of Cardinal Aloysius Ambrožič) came took on the task, Frank from Lemont for missions to assist Father Webster. He approached various looked after the Slovenian parishioners with visits to landowners who were primarily Protestant. When they discovered that he was looking for a property to build a Frank and Hema Možina Catholic Church, they refused to sell. The Možinas lived at the end of Maple Grove Road off Highway 8. Everyone knew Frank as he used his tractor and truck to help out neighbours on the much smaller farms. They in turn would help him with picking the fruit on his farm. Behind the present church, there lived an elderly their homes. He also organized a special Slovenian man who was living in a shack. The property was given Mass and procession around the church property with to him by a local farmer for being a loyal employee. the portrait of Our Lady of Perpetual Help carried on Mr. Možina approached the gentleman to see if he was a pedestal followed by benediction. A large number willing to sell the property and a price was negotiated. of Slovenians from the Niagara and Toronto areas as The exact amount is not known, however the process well as from Kirkland Lake gathered to attend this of building a mission church began. The community special celebration. The portrait of Mary brought who were Catholic European immigrants and farmers, from Lemont, was hung in the church on the side using horse and stoneboat as well as Možina’s truck, altar where it remained for many years. Eventually, Father Ambrožič took it back to Lemont where it now hangs in the Church at the Shrine. As the Slovenian congregation dwindled and other nationalities arrived, it was recognized that it would not be a Slovenian church especially with Father Ambrožič going back to the States. The Možina sisters spoke about the many fond memories of walking from the far end of Maple Grove Road to the church. St. Helen’s played a big part in the growing up years of the Slovenian youth singing in the choir. They recalled how Father Ambrožič would 3 come to the Možina home and taught Josie how to play Slovenian boys were altar servers including Ivan and the organ for Mass and weddings. They spoke about Hank Žužek, Henry and William Možina. attending Midnight Mass, meeting with friends along The photos of this beautiful chapel in the middle the way and walking in the snow. There were no snow of orchards in Beamsville are a glimpse of cherished ploughs in those days. Over the years, there were many memories of the Slovenian community and a tribute to Slovenian weddings and funerals at St. Helen’s. Many Frank Možina for his contribution. Are You a Secret DELTIOLOGIST? Anne Urbančič Have you received a postcard recently? With our also historically important: we learn about fashion by instant electronic messaging systems this type of looking at the people photographed; we can gather mailing has become less and less common. Postcards information about transportation systems; we can see belong to the subject field called Material Culture which how the infrastructure of the area has changed over studies the everyday objects of our lives and what they the years (look for overhead wires or the height of say about us today, and even more, what they say buildings); we can consider architectural styles and about our past. And did you know that postcards claim how the passing of the years has adapted older styles a special classification among collectors: deltiology? to newer times. We can also compare what used to be The word was coined in the 1940s from the Greek there and what is no longer there. All these hints in word meaning “writing tablet”. the picture offer answers about the history of the place Postcards have a fascinating history that begins in depicted. A great archival study! England in 1840 when writer Thomas Hock mailed Postcards are often show-off opportunities shouting the first one. Curiously, he sent it to himself, probably at us to appreciate where the writer has travelled while to make fun of the postal service which was still the receiver stayed at home. They often tell us who the developing at the time. He likely wondered if his hand writer is travelling with, and while the writing space drawn card would arrive because, at the time, post does not allow much description, they also often reveal offices all over the world placed numerous restrictions how the writer feels about the place on the postcard. on what could or could not be considered a postcard, The stamps also tell significant stories. including paper size and weight, and what space might Are you a secret deltiologist with a collection be used for a message. Even the placement of a stamp of attractive family postcards that stimulate your (private cards) or preprinted stamp (government post curiosity? Some postcards have become valuable card) became a topic of intense debate. collectors’ items; others are valuable as personal family The colourful photochromic postcards we see histories. In either case, their stories are worthy of note today became popular only after World War 2. The and certainly never boring. most common theme of postcards is a category called “town view”, in other words, a picture of a town or city in whole (often as an aerial view or profile view) or in part. Of course, post cards present a highly idealized perspective of the subject: generally you will not see town view postcards depicting the locality in bad weather, or under less than perfect circumstances, with garbage, slum areas, or industrial zones. Instead, in postcards, we see only the best side of the setting. Postcards have archival relevance for many reasons. First, as relatively inexpensive entertainment, they arrived at homes where people often carefully saved them. Consequently, many were well preserved, capturing a location at a particular time in its history. Unlike many family photographs, postcards identify the place pictured and the postal stamp gives an approximate date of the picture. Other details are OUR STORY is published by: In this issue: Canadian Slovenian Historical Society 52 Neilson Drive, - Meet our new Directors and Volunteer Toronto, ON M9C 1V7 For more information contact: - Slovenian Canadian Club of Calgary Frank Brence - The Closure of St. Helen's Mission Church, Beamsville, Ontario Telephone: 416-281-6794 - Are You a Secret DELTIOLOGIST? E-mail: frankbrence@rogers.com 4