BISHOP BARAGA
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ZARJA*« DAWN
April, I9A9
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DATES TO REMEMBER
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Apr. 9 Apr. 9 Apr. 16 Apr. 16 Apr. 22 Apr. 23 Apr. 29 Apr. 30 May 5 May 7
May 7 May 9 May 10 May 11 May 16 May 17 May 17
May 17
GAMES PARTY, Br. 16, So. Chicago, IL, St. George Hall
BREAKFAST AFTER MASS, Br. 100, Fontana, CA
PA-NY-DC STATE CONVENTION, Br. 91 hostess at Acme Club in Acmetonia, PA
LADY OF THE YEAR Dinner, Br. 102, Willard, WI
GARAGE SALE, Br. 20, Joliet, IL, St.
Joe’s Park, 8-4:30 p.m.
MASS, Br. 43, Milwaukee, WI at St. John the Evangelist Church, 8:45 a.m.
DINNER-DANCE, Br. 79, Enumdaw, WA, VFW Hall
MOTHER OF THE YEAR PARTY, Br. 1, Sheboygan, WI at St. Cyril’s Church
MOTHER OF THE YEAR DINNER, Br. 100, Fontana, CA
MOTHER OF YEAR PARTY, Br. 13, San Francisco, CA, Greenhouse Restaurant. Call Jo Aiuto for reservations
MOTHER OF YEAR PARTY, Br. 19, Eveleth, MN
MOTHER OF THE YEAR PARTY, Br. 42, Maple Hgts., OH
TRIP, Br. 50, Cleveland, OH, Call Ann Ryavec, 371-5667
MOTHER’S DAY SOCIAL, Br. 71, Strabane, PA at St. Jerome’s Hall
MOTHER OF YEAR DINNER, Br. 20, Joliet, IL, 6:30 p.m.
MOTHER OF THE YEAR PARTY, Br. 10, Cleveland, OH
MOTHER OF YEAR LUNCHEON, Br. 17, West Allis, WI at Kegel’s Inn, 12:30 p.m. Call Secretary Joan, 281-8983 or President Marion, 327-3871
MOTHER OF THE YEAR LUNCHEON, Br. 54, Warren, OH, Elks on Rt. 422
ZARJA - THE DAWN
(ISSN 0044-1848)
Postmaster: Send all changes ot address to: ZARJA -THE DAWN, 2032 W. Cermak Rd„ Chicago, IL 60608
NO. 4	APRIL, 1989 VOLUME 61
Member, Illinois Fraternal Congress
Official Publication of the Slovenian Women's Union of America — Uradno glasilo Slovenske Ženske Zveze.
Published monthly except January, June it August — izhaja vsak mesec razen januar, junij in avgust.
Annual Subscription for non-members, $10.00 — naročnina $10.00 letno za ne-članice.
Publisher: SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION OF AMERICA 431 No. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432 Telephone (SIS) 727-1926
Second Class Postage paid at Chicago, IL
All communications for the next issue of publication must be in the hands of the Editor by the first week of the month — vsi dopisi za naslednjo izdajo mesečnika morajo biti v rokah urednice do I. v mesecu.
Editor, CORINNE LESKOVAR Editorial Office: 2032 W. Cermak Rd., Chicago, !L 60608 Telephone: (312) 847-6679
May 20 - MOTHER OF THE YEAR BANQUET, Br.
105, Detroit, MI
May 21 - MOTHER OF THE YEAR PARTY, Br. 35, Aurora, MN, Holy Rosary Church Hall
May 21 - MOTHER’S DAY PARTY, Br. 79, Enumdaw, WA
May 23 - MOTHER OF YEAR DINNER, Br. 50, Cleveland, OH
June 22 - JUNIOR’S PICNIC, Br. 12, Milwaukee, WI at Jackson Park
June 23 - CARD PARTY, Br. 50, Cleveland, OH at Euclid Park Clubhouse
July 16 - ZVEZA DAY IN LEMONT,Br. 2, Chicago, IL at Lemont, IL
Aug. 15 - POT LUCK PICNIC, Br. 50, Cleveland, OH at Euclid Park Clubhouse
Sep. 10 - MINNESOTA STATE CONVENTION, Br. 33, Duluth, MN
Sep. 10- WISCONSIN STATE CONVENTION, Br. 102, Willard, WI
JNDEPENDENT AVINGS BANK
1515 E. 260th, Euclid, Ohio 44132	731-8865
920 E. 185th, Cleveland, Ohio 44119	486-4100
2765 SOM Center Rd., Willoughby Hills, Ohio 44094 944-3400 27100 Chardon Road, Richmond Hts., Ohio 44143	944-5500
6650 Pearl Road, Parma Hts., Ohio 44130	845-8200
Rebirth — Spring!
According to the calendar spring has arrived, although looking out of our window it appears that winter definitely is still with us. Snow is falling, adding to the massive snowbanks we already have in our driveway. In my home just taking a few steps to the basement, we see row upon row of green seedlings and plants growing under lights which convinces me spring is here! With the onset of spring we are rejuvenated just as this past Lenten season reassured us of Easter, the glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus. This re-birth is repeated every spring to remind us of God’s healing power within our soul, our mind, and our body-our hidden garden.
Upon returning from our Board of Directors Meeting there are many thoughts whirling about in my mind. It takes awhile to get back to a normal routine after the fast pace of the Windy City and environs.
1st National Auditor, Irene Jagodnik, Scholarship Director, Bernadette Kovacic were unable to attend our meetings. Irene’s husband, Tony has been very ill for months. Hermine’s husband. Bob had triple By-pass surgery on February 22nd and we’re happy to report he’s on the mend. The absence of all three officers created a void which cannot be described. Our National Treasurer, Sylvia Vuk-odinovich’s husband, George has been ill for some time also. Our prayers and best wishes to all of you for God’s healing and strength! May the mystery of pain have a special meaning for us and for all who share pain and suffering as part of life.
A suggestion to branches who have elderly officers who served faithfully for many years—why don’t you plan a “special day” to show gratitude and appreciation for service rendered with perhaps a dinner, corsage and cake. Too often we forget to recognize our officers who have served the S.W.U. with dedication and love.
The Home Office received cancellations from a few members who are over 80 years old. This is a sad situation as oftentimes circumstances prevent them to pay their dues any longer. Years ago it was recommended that all branches have one money-making project every year to cover the dues of the 80 year olds or older. Let us help our members in need so that they may continue to receive the ZARJA magazine; it may be their onlv joy.
Mothers of the Year members have already been selected for this year. Do you ever take into consideration whether these women enrolled their children or grandchildren as members in the Slovenian Women’s Union? When reading some of the resumčs, one wonders whether there is any interest in preserving our ethnic heritage and culture or are we indifferent and/or ashamed of our ancestory. It is up to each and everyone of us to take a closer look into our heart and soul.
May the joys of the Easter season be with you!
Victoria “Tory" Bobence, President
A HISTORIAN’S MESSAGE
Since 1984, when I was elected Historian of SWU, Branch 50. I have gone through ZARJA’s publications and completed THREE LARGE VOLUMES of articles Pertaining to Branch 50 from 1931 to present time. I wish to thank all the members who contributed the old issues 'vhich enabled me to pursue this project, especially Vera Šebenik and Mary Taufer of East 68th St. I regret that the articles and photos for 1931 thru 1935 and the war years •943 to 1945 and 1947 to 1949 are not represented in these volumes.
In 1986, I started to report at the monthly meetings °n the Historical Highlights of the MINUTES taken from the years 1931 thru 1946 and 1953 to 1969. I will continue to do so and make comments on the minutes from 1970 Until the present time of 1989.
As Historian, I found it was very interesting and informative. It brought back many pleasant memories. My mother,
Mary Zust enrolled me in Branch 25 in 1936. My sister, Mary Jeraj was already a member of SWU. The “Drill Team” was then being organized under Mrs. Perpar and I was very active and enjoyed my friendship with the other teen age girls.
After moving out of Cleveland into Euclid, I lost contact with the group, but remained as an inactive member in the organization. In 1975, I transferred to Branch 50 because it was a short walking distance from my home to the Library where the meetings were held. It was great getting back to Slovenian ways.
I	sincerely hope other branches will elect a Historian and reap the benefits. It’s a tireless and consuming job, but a gratifying one. A person works at one’s own pace. Look back and compare what our mothers and we also have done and how they managed and accomplished so much with a lot of fun and hard work with their friends.
Thank you.
Josephine A. Smith
HERMINE DICKE
40TH ANNIVERSARY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM — REPORTS FROM FORMER WINNERS
Dear Readers:
We are pleased to share three more replies from our competent and thoughtful scholarship winners: Miriam Leskovar Burkland, 1974; Susan Urankar Rhodes, 1976; and Debra M. Zeman, 1975.
Miriam Burkland: Thank you for your note asking me to describe what I am currently doing. I am practicing law as a partner with the Chicago law firm of Defrees & Fiske, having joined this firm after graduating from the University of Illinois College of Law in May, 1981. I had earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science (cum laude) from the University of Illinois in May, 1978. My practice consists primarily of corporate law and I am particularly involved in equipment leasing and other commercial transactions.
Mark Burkland and I were married in May, 1982 at St. Stephen’s Church, in Chicago, IL. We have a beautiful son, Thomas Andrew, bom in May, 1987. My husband also practices law, with the Chicago law firm of Burke, Bosselman and Weaver, and specializes in municipal law and litigation. We own a home in Oak Park, IL, which provides, as many older homes do, tremendous opportunities to be creative and handy.
For the past five years, I have served as an officer and Director of Gads Hill Center, a not-for-profit organization that operates a community settlement house in the ‘Heart of Chicago’ neighborhood. As Gads Hill serves my ‘hometown’ community, and provided me with hours of enjoyment and instruction as I was growing up, I feel that it is only fitting and proper to assist it now, in any way I can.
I	am happy to answer your inquiry, and always have been grateful to the Slovenian Women’s Union for its support and guidance, and the example its members set for all young people.
Sincerely,
Miriam
Susan Rhodes: I graduated from Saint Mary’s College (Notre Dame, Ind.) in May 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. I majored in Elementary Education, received an endorsement in Early Childhood Education and a minor
in Religious Education. I graduated Magna Cum Laude (3.6 average). Then I taught at St. Francis of Assisi (Gates Mills) for 2 years, second and first grade respectively. In 1982 I moved to Tampa, FL and taught 2nd grade at Corpus Christi. I moved to Tampa because my future husband was finishing his degree there. We married in October of ’84 and moved to Atlanta where I taught pre-first grade at Christ the King. After that year we moved to Jackson, Mississippi. My husband, Ross, was transferred there by his company E.D.S. I continued to teach in interim positions while we were there for 10 months. Since Aug. ’86, we have been in Raleigh, N.C. I currently teach Kindergarten in the public school system. Ross and I own a house in Cary, a suburb of Raleigh. I also teach aerobics but that has been put on hold because Ross and I are expecting our first on Jan. 25.
And that’s the story ... College was a wonderful experience and I appreciate the scholarship. I think it is wonderful that the Slovenian Women’s Union continues to uphold such a wonderful program for their young people.
Sincerely and with gratitude,
Susan
Debra M. Zeman: I received a Slovenian Women’s Union scholarship in 1975. After completion of my diploma in Nursing from Milwaukee County Medical Complex School of Nursing in 1978, I worked at the hospital on a neurosurgical floor/intensive care unit. I transferred to the emergency department in 1979. In 1982, I began part-time study toward my baccalaureate degree at the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Nursing. I received my BSN in 1987.
In 1984, the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center began an emergency helicopter program. For nearly five years I was involved in the helicopter or airplane transfers of critically ill/injured people from scenes of accidents or from hospital to hospital.
I	left flight nursing in November, 1988, as I have enrolled in graduate school. I am working as a staff nurse in the emergency room as I pursue my Master’s in Health Science Administration from Cardinal Stritch College.
Sincerely,
Debra
HOW TO WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
WITH...
• A busy branch with lots of activities!
• Leaders that are always looking for new ideas involving the whole membership!
• Members who care about each other and are ready to make new friends! So, open your “doors” and let the word out - let everyone know who you
are and what you are doing.
New members will come because they will want to be a part of your active and friendly branch!
Try it! You’ll see! New Membership Campaign begins this month!
NO. 1, SHEBOYGAN, WI
Thanks to all our ladies who baked such delicious goodies for our bake sale. It was a big success for Br. 1. Thanks, Dorothy Behnke, for being such a great chairman.
Get well wishes to Robert Dicke who had open heart surgery the end of February. Bob is the husband of Hermine, our Pots & Pans lady and chairman of the Scholarship Program. Bob, our prayers are with you and we wish you a speedy recovery.
Mary Turk sends her greetings to us from Memphis, Tennessee. Dorothy Brezonik, our secretary is at her daughter, Kathy’s in Florida. Pauline Rupar and her husband are also in Florida at her son Jerry’s home. We hope they are enjoying the warmth and sunshine.
Here is a little poem 1 found while going through some old things:
THERE’S A REASON
For every pain, that we must bear,
For every burden, every care,
There's a reason.
For every grief, that bows the head,
For every tear-drop that is shed. There’s a reason.
For every hurt, for every plight.
For every lonely, pain racked night,
There's a reason.
But if we trust God, as we should,
It all will work out for our good.
He knows the reason.
Respectfully,
AGGIE GRUENKE
NO. 2, CHICAGO, IL
A very cold night of February 9, but 45 members braved the cold and came to the warmth of Cupid’s St. Valentine Meeting. Terry Morison and his crew had the hall decorated in red & white, hearts & flowers and everyone received candy, a valentine and those adorable place mats with cupids & hearts. Fran was presented a beautiful corsage by Joe Worth.
Our meeting began with a very inspirational prayer by our president, Fran Morison, reports were read by our officers and approved and then
our business part of the meeting.
Discussion:
1) Picnic: Sunday, July 16 - Lem-ont. 111. - Mass will be said by Bishop Metod Pirih, Koper, Slovenia. We need prizes and ideas (if you have any good new ideas please contact Fran). Please keep this date open and tell all your friends.
2.	Dues - Don’t forget, it’s like the taxes that come once a year, only ours comes without penalty.
3) New Members - Have a friend you think would be a good member? Invite them to a meeting and let them decide for themselves, chances are they will be delighted. Could add a flower to our vase.
4) Statue of St. Francis - Marble has not arrived, hope it will be ready for our picnic.
5) Scholarship - If you need information, applications, etc. please contact Fran.
6) Woman of the Year -Catherine Srabamek.
7) Brag PIG - Members had a lot of good things to brag about. And the Pig received a lot of money.
8) Bishop Baraga Apostolic Foundation symposium - weekend of Memorial Day (May 27 & 28) Lem-ont, Illinois (St. Mary’s).
We were sad that our flag was draped this month. Prayers were said for our departed old friends. Our condolences to the family of Lottie Skin-kus, we will miss her very much as she was so active in branch 2. Lottie was a very talented lady, she always helped with any project of our branch. If you attended the Christmas party and received the pretty little narodna noša hats, those were made by Lottie. To Mitzie Krapenc on the loss of her sister, and to the Vozel family for our member Anna Vozel. She had been in the nursing home for several years. Sympathy to the family of Verona Gorkas (her son Mike came to entertain us at one of our Christmas parties).
Also to the family of Ethel Morgan, she was great-grandmother and grandmother to our members: Michelle, Jennifer, Nicholas, Kelly, Scott Kochniarczyk and Lindsey Vesel-shky, the Fowler and Wohllaib children. They will all be missed, please remember them in your prayers that they will rest in peace.
Please pray for our sick members: Mayme Muller, Gizella Hozian, Jennie Kitz, Elsie Ciszek, Anna Gaber, Jennie Puhek, Stella Longosz.
Remember those members who are in nursing homes, or shut-ins who can not attend the meetings with a card or visit, if possible. It would bring a little sunshine to their lonely days.
During the social part of our meeting, we had a lot of fun. We were treated to a Barbeque Beef supper by Chef Percy and lots of delicious bakeries by the birthday members. We played a game and Ray Nusko won the Valentine Bear, Irene Smid won the huge beautiful white bear; she said it will be for her new granddaughter. Father Thad and Father Kalist joined us. Father Thad closed the meeting with a prayer.
Father Christian will be having a seminar on the 3rd Sunday of the month after 10:00 o’clock mass, the topic is “Parenting” in Slovenian. Everyone is invited.
The monthly mass at Lemont for the Bishop Baraga cause was well-attended. Afterwards Father Fortunat surprised us all with a beautiful supper, which he prepared, turkey and all the trimmings. Ann Sam had the sweet table well supplied with all kinds of goodies. Mary Ann Oblak talks each month about Bishop Baraga and then we had a real good question and answer period. Please keep in mind that the Bishop Baraga Apostolic Foundation will be having a symposium over the week end of Memorial Day, the keynote speaker on Sat. May 27 -Miles Goddard and on Sunday May 28, Father Karl Ceglar of Hamilton, Ontario. Please try to attend.
We are happy to say that our Woman of the Year is Katie Srabar-neck. She is our Kitchen Custodian and takes good care of all of us. Dates to remember:
April 13: S.W.U. Meeting - 8:00
a.m. Mass for the Sick.
April 22: Baraga Mass - Lemont, 111. 5:30 p.m.
May 11: S.W.U. Meeting -Woman of the Year; Mass: 7:00 p.m.
-	Meeting afterwards
May 27-28: Baraga Mass - Lemont, 5:30 p.m. & Bishop Baraga Apostolic Foundation Symposium Belated Happy B irthday to our president, Fran Morison, March 16.
Thank you for everything you do for us, Fran.
Be good to each other, the years are just rushing by so fast. Until next time.
Love,
DAISY
NO. 3, PUEBLO, CO
Greetings from Pueblo, CO!
Attendance at our meeting Feb. 1 was good. Some of our faithful members were unable to attend because of illness and we did miss them.
Our President, Anne Spelich, opened our meeting with prayers. Reports were given and approved.
We were happy to welcome a new member, Helen Franek. Glad to have you in our group.
Two of our loyal members, Anna Pecek and Julia Skrabec, passed away in January. A tribute was read and then prayers were said for them. We give our condolences to their families.
Mary Konchevar, a very loyal member is very much missed at our meetings. She is not able to get out in real cold weather so we are hoping when the weather gets warmer that we will again see her at meetings.
Refreshments were served by Frances Simonich and Angela Meglen.
After the meeting was adjourned, “B” was played and enjoyed by all.
* *	*
Greeting to everybody! Since our March meeting was postponed until March 8, it was impossible to report on the meeting in time for the April issue.
Mission week was held at St. Mary’s Church beginning February 27 through March 3. Father Joseph Yelenc, Spiritual Director of the American Slovenian Catholic Union and of St. Frances College, Loretto, PA, presented the retreat which was very inspiring.
Father Joseph’s father accompanied him to Pueblo and they were able to meet parishioners on a social level Saturday, Feb. 25 at a pot-luck supper in the Parish hall after the 5 p.m. mass.
The ladies of the parish are serving a meatless soup every Wednesday during lent after the noon mass. Attendance has been good.
A letter was received from the family of Julia Skrabec thanking our Pres., Anne Spelich and Sec’y-Treas. Frances Simonich for the S.W.U.’s graveside service and also for the mass given by the lodge.
Happy belated Easter to all!
PAULINE PAUCHICK
We mourn our member JULIA K. SKRABEC
Julia K. Skrabec of Westminster, and formerly of Pueblo and Canon City, Colorado died Thursday January 26, 1989 at the age of 92. She was born May 6, 1896 in Leadville, Colorado to Anton and Mary (Champa) Rozman, and was married April 26, 1915 at the Annunciation Church in Denver to Joseph Skrabec Sr. who preceded her in death.
Mrs. Skrabec is survived by her son Joseph J. (Joe) Skrabec Jr. and his wife Helen of Westminister; a sister, Christine Konte of Canon City; and four grandchildren: JoHelene Aman of Spring, Texas; Marlene McDaniel of Westminister; John Skrabec of Denver, and Kristy Skrabec of San Francisco, California; and one great granddaughter, Allison Aman of Spring, Texas.
She was a member of the Benedictine Oblates of Holy Cross Abbey, Canon City, and while a resident there was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church. While a resident of Pueblo she was a member of St. Lean-der Catholic Church, and as a resident of Westminster was a member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church. She was also a member of the Western Slavonic Association #3, Slovenian Women’s Union, #3, and the Ameri-can-Slovenian Fraternal Union #47.
Services included Mass of Christian Burial, on January 30 at the Archdiocese of Denver Mortuary Chapel with the Rt. Rev. Edward J. Vollmer, OSB as Celebrant and Commital, and burial at Roselawn Cemetery in Pueblo with Rev. Vincent Peter, OSB officiating.
Our deepest sympathy.
NO. 12, MILWAUKEE, WI
Well, February weather has been good to us, so our meeting brought out the bakers and we could have opened up a bakery!
Our February birthday girls brought goodies, but they took out all the calories. That’s what they said. Alma Hoelzer brought her famous appetizers and Agnes Morrow treated us with her home-made candy again.
Our State President, Joan Yaklich visited us but she has will power, so
we couldn’t tempt her with our special goodies. We discussed our traveling to Willard for our State Convention and it looks like we may need two buses. I hope you have made up your minds to go because it is important that you sign up. It is the busiest time for bus charters. You gals in Sheboygan, I didn’t forget you. We’ll be picking you up on the way to Willard. Husbands are welcome, too, you know, to come with us.
In March we celebrated Kathy Krainig’s birthday and also Easter. Hopes were high for good weather.
We played “B” and Agnes had a lucky day winning 3 games in a row. You deserve it, for all the treats you bring us, Agnes.
A wish for good health to our sick members!
MARY KIEL
NO. 13, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
We started our February meeting with a delightful Valentine luncheon. The lodge provided the hot dogs and trimmings, potato salad and chips. We had wonderful desserts form Sophie Troya, Ann Vercelli, Jo Auito and Beverly Jackson. There were 22 members present and we were very happy to welcome new social member, Louise Petrusich. She is well-known to all our members as she was raised on Potrero Hill as most of us were. We are so glad to have you join us, Louise.Also very nice to see three generations with Agnes Lovrin, her daughter, Margie, a granddaughter, Krista. This is what keeps us going.
We are anxiously awaiting our Mother of the Year Brunch on May 7th. It is at the Greenhouse Restaurant. Call Jo Auito for reservations. Our Special Mother is Sophie Troya, a unanimous choice by everyone. She has been a member over 35 years and has always been there to help. What everyone remembers Sophie for is her marvelous povaticas and strudels. She is most generous in bringing one to any meeting or function. This is a most deserving lady to have such a special day. God bless you, Sophie.
We still have several members on the sick list and send our Get-well Wishes to them. It is another spring and another Easter season. Send a card or a smile to someone you haven’t seen in a while. It will make their Easter brighter and yours even nicer. May you all have a pleasant spring.
BEVERLY JACKSON
ON THE COVER...
The Diary of Bishop Baraga
The contract is signed, the text is in the hands of the printers at Wayne State University Press. W.S.U. has assured the Baraga Association that they will do everything in their power to have the Diary in print by the end of November, 1989.
Dr. Christopher Kauffman, editor of The U.S. Catholic Historian, will write an historical introduction for the Diary. Dr. Kauffman is editor-in-chief of a newly published, 6 volume history of the Catholic Church in the United States. The U.S. Bishops commissioned this work to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the 1st American diocese, Baltimore, in 1789. Dr. Kauffman wrote: The Diary of Bishop Frederic Baraga will be a significant publishing event for historians of American Catholicism.”
Because the Association had to guarantee the purchase of minimum of 500 copies, the Baraga Association and to know how many copies the members wanted. WSU plans to print 2000 copies in the first printing. To date orders for 300 copies of the Diary are on record. Members can purchase the Diary from the Association at the discounted prices as long as copies are available.
Let’s read a few pages of Baraga’s Diary:
1858:
Nov. 12:	It snows today for the first time, this fall.
There is already quite a bit of snow on the ground, but it is soft and watery.
Nov. 14:	The 2 church stoves were used today.
Nov. 15:	Sunday. Sad! Few people in church. All day
an unusual snowstorm.
Dec. 6:	Today the first mail-carriers left for Saginaw.
They will have a hard time.
Dec. 8:	Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the
Blessed Virgin Mary. At 8 o’clock the mass was in church, (not in the sacristy), there should have been a high mass, but Biron came too late.
Dec. 17:	The first overland mail arrived from Mar-
quette today.
Dec. 22:	And today from Sagina, two at once, the first
and second.
1859: Jan. I:
Jan. 3:
Jan. 8:
New Year’s Day. Preached in English, French and Indian. I recommended to them especially that on this first day, and for ever, they should renounce the terrible sin of drunkenness, and told them, among other things, if any one wanted to make a promise, or to take the pledge, he should come to me but no one comes.
To preach is easy, the conversion is difficult. “The perverse are hard to correct, and the number of fools is infinite.” (No one! Jan. 8
-	Jan. 19 - etc )
Last night it was very cold, and the river is finally frozen over. Perhaps the ice will remain. If we have no strong wind for a few days, then it will remain. We shall see. (It is very weak and dangerous, because the weather is mild. Jan 19)
Jan. 19:	It is raining all day. The poor travelers! The
ice is so weak the canal can be crossed only with danger. Alone I walked across the ice.
Jan. 24:	With today’s mail I received a draft for 2560
francs, on account of 8500 francs which is allotted to me for 1858. It is very mild, yet the ice over the river is so firm that it can be crossed with horses.
Feb.	1:	I received letters today, among them also one
from Fr. Pierz with the sad report that the extra-ordinarily zealous missionary Lautishar, on the night of Dec[ember] 3, froze to death on Red Lake.
Feb. 17:	Many letters, among them one from Canon
Novak with 300 florins from Amalia and 120 from himself = 420 florins = $205 through F.L. Brauns and Co., Baltimore.
Feb.	19:	Rained all day, in the middle of winter. But
on the whole, we have had very little cold this winter, but rather much snow and blizzards.
March 4:	Last night I felt severe rheumatic pains in my
back; and could not even say mass on 4th, 5th and 6th. On March 7 I again offered mass; the pains were gone.
March 10: Mild weather: it rains frequently instead of snowing. This is the mildest winter that I have seen in this country.
March 13: I Sunday of Lent. Today we had the children’s first communion, and confirmation. About 30 were confirmed.
Mar. 14:	Invited Julia Ward family to be converted.
She came and promised a sincere and permanent improvement. Likewise did Angeline Lafond. - May God grant them both perseverance in their good intentions. “The perverse are corrected only with difficulty” - “With God nothing is impossible.”
Mar. 29-30: Today and yesterday there was a terrible snow storm. More snow fell in these two days than in the entire winter. On the whole, last fall was, and the present spring is worse than the real winter (from Christmas to Annunciation.
Apr. 1-8:	Examination for the boys and girls. - The
examination for the boys was too early on April 1; they were too long without school.
Apr. 15:	Today we already pass mid-April, and we are
still in severe winter. It snows nearly every day; we have much more snow now in spring-winter proper. Also the ice in the river, especially...
BARAGA DIARY ORDERS
Please order your copy of the Baraga Diary as follows:
Send $25.00 (includes postage) for one copy, $23.75 each
for 2 to 4 copies, $22.50 for 5 to 10 copies each and for
11	or more copies, send $21.00 each. Send to:
Bishop Baraga Association P.O. Box 550, Marquette, MI 49855-0550
HERMINE PRISLAND DICKE 3717 COUNCIL CREST MADISON, Wl 53711
HAM BALLS
Pots and
Barbara Ireland of Lakeland, MN and member of Br. 16, shares one of her favorite recipes: HAM BALLS. My sister, Margaret Fischer of Branch No. 1, sent Katie Progar’s BEEF SOUP recipe which appeared in The Sheboygan Press which she learned from her Croatian mother along with the STEWED POTATOES. Florence Brandt of Branch No. 12, Milwaukee, WI gives us her excellent WEATHER VANE COOKIES which makes 14 dozen or 168 cookies.
************
Helen Milanovich of Br. 16 did send a recipe like the excellent TAFFY APPLE SALAD which appeared in December issue, with the following changes: 1 tablespoon cornstarch instead of 1 tablespoon flour; 2 tablespoons lemon juice in place of 1 ‘'2 tablespoons vinegar; lS cups salted peanuts rather than 1 *'2 cups Spanish peanuts. ************
The SURGEON GENERAL suggests the following guidelines to reduce your risk of heart disease:
1. EAT LESS FAT.
2. Season foods with herbs and spices instead of using high fat gravies, sauces, butter or margarine.
3. Prepare foods by roasting, baking, broiling instead of frying.
4. Trim fat from meat and remove skin from poultry.
5. Limit eggs to 3 per week.
6. Replace whole or 2% milk with skim or 1% milk.
7. Select fruit for dessert.
Affectionately,
Hermine
3	pounds ground ham	2	cup	milk
2	pounds ground beef	3	cups	crushed	graham crackers
3	eggs
Heat oven to 350°. Mix ham, beef, eggs, milk and graham crackers. Make 20 to 25 balls. Bake ''2 hour at 350°. Top with GLAZE. Bake one more hour. “Great to freeze.”
GLAZE:
2	cans tomato soup
2	I;2 - cups brown sugar
tablespoons dry mustard
Mix soup, sugar and mustard and pour over meat balls.
BEEF SOUP (Juha od govedine)
5-6	quarts cold water	5 sticks celery, diced
2-3	pounds beef, chuck	5 sprigs parsley
1	small soup bone	1 large whole tomato
3	whole medium onions,	!/2 yellow rutabaga, peeled
	peeled	(optional)
6	carrots, scraped	1 2 to 2 tablespoons salt
Wash beef and soup bone. Put in large (8 quart) pot with cold water. Bring to a boil and skim off top scum. Add washed vegetables: onions, carrots, celery, parsley and rutabaga; bring to a boiling simmer. Add salt and simmer about one and a half hours, covered. Add tomato and simmer another hour, covered. Let soup stand about an hour and strain broth in a large bowl or pot. Put about four or five cups broth in pot and bring to a boil. Add homemade noodles, about a cup, and cook until tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Adding a little mashed carrots “makes the soup look pretty”. Remove bones and fat from meat. Serve beef with mustard, ketchup or horseradish along with stewed potatoes, lettuce with oil and vinegar dressing.
r
WEATHER VANE COOKIES
1	egg
1	cup white sugar
cup oleo, softened cup oil
Beat together the egg, white sugar, oleo and oil.
Add:
1	cup dry oatmeal	1
1	cup coconut	1
3l,i	cups flour	1
1	teaspoon cream of tartar	1
teaspoon baking soda teaspoon salt teaspoon vanilla cup Rice Crispies (fold in last)
Heat oven to 350°. To the batter add oatmeal, coconut, flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt and vanilla. Mix well. Fold in the Rice Crispies. Chill dough for I hour. Form into balls. On ungreased cookie sheet flatten each cookie (about 20 to a sheet) with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar, or drop by teaspoon and flatten with sugared glass bottom. Bake at 350° for 10 to 14 minutes, or until very lightly browned. Makes 14 dozen or 168 cookies. (Allow to stand for a couple minutes before removing from cookie sheet).
. J
r
STEWED POTATOES
4	large potatoes, peeled	Salt	and	pepper	as	desired,
and cubed !/<	cup butter or other shortening
Melt shortening in a frying pan. When the shortening gets hot, add potatoes with salt and pepper. Cover and let steam, stirring once or twice. Keep cooking and covered until potatoes are done. Katie adds: “Sometimes the potato bottoms get a little crusty. But they are my family's favorite potatoes.”
GET WELL to our best “taster”
Hi, Bob Dicke! Get well quick! We send our best wishes to the wonderful husband of our columnist and National Officer, Hermine Dicke. Bob had a triple by-pass surgery in February and is doing very well!
God bless you, Bob, and please take care of yourself!
We know you’ll make a complete recovery!
NO. 14, EUCLID, OH
Hope you have all made a speedy recovery from the woes of winter with the suffering of our colds and flu. Now we eagerly await the sight of the first robin building its nest and the signs of our first colorful crocus.
We urge members who have not caught up with their dues to please do so immediately. You may mail them to Donna Tome, 2100 Apple Dr., Euclid, Ohio 44143. Phone is 481-9374. Please indicate on the check or a slip of paper the name of the member whose dues you are paying. Our Secretary would be most appreciative for your cooperation.
All members are reminded that Tuesday, May 2 is the date for Mother of the Year Dinner which starts at 6:00 p.m. at Slovenian Society Home on Recher Ave. We’re delighted to honor sweet Josephine Lustic as this year’s Mother of the Year. Call in your reservations to Donna Tome, or Vera Bajec at 481-7473 or Martha Koren 585-4227. We look forward to seeing you that evening where we visit with old friends and meet new ones.
Condolences to the family of Rose Fajdiga who passed away in February. May our merciful Lord grant her and our loved ones, eternal rest.
May this Easter season renewal in your hearts. Happy Spring!
ALICE KUHAR
NO. 16, SO. CHICAGO, IL
Our Games Party will be held on April 9, 1989 at 2:00 p.m. “Coffee-and” will be served. Come and have a good time with friends. Our president, Marge Prebil is hopeful of a great attendance. Branch 16 is noted for beautiful and excessive prizes.
Catch-up will have to be played be-
cause “yours truly” has been away for a few weeks.
Catherine Anderson has joined the ranks of retirees as of January, 1989. Congratulations!
Get well wishes to Mary Peloza of Colorado and Mary Sasek of Chicago.
Emma Kralj (nee Laich) passed away on January 4, 1989 at age 88. Many family members are also SWU members. Our deepest sympathies are extended to all-children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and especially brothers and sisters. She was an active member of St. George Parish and surrounding community having been a member and past president of St. George Confraternity of Christian Mothers, member of East Side Lions Club, Franko-McShane Post Ladies Auxiliary #8827 and the Woman’s Catholic Order of Foresters.
Emma had been confined to her home for sometime. We shall all miss her.
Remember April 9th at 2:00 p.m. at St. George Church Hall, 96th and Ewing Avenue.
FRAN B. ZUPANČIČ, Reporter
NO. 17, WEST ALLIS, WI
Our Valentine party was a nice way to chase away some winter blahs. The delicious zucchini bread and carrot cake plus the nice Valentines made the day. We also celebrated Mitzie Marolt’s birthday and sang Happy Birthday to Mitzi. Of course, in perfect harmony. Just a reminder, we will honor our Mother of the Year, Joan Yaklich on May 17th at a 12:30 p.m. luncheon at Kegel’s Inn, 59th and National in West Allis. If you plan to attend, please contact secretary, Joan Yaklich at 281-8983 or president, Marion Marolt at 327-3871 so reservations can be made for you. Make this a memorable day for Joan.
1
On Sat. April 29th the USPEH Chorus will present their annual spring concert at Nathan Hale High School, Lincoln Auditorium on So. 116th St. and Lincoln Ave. at 7:30 p.m. under the direction of Dolores Ivancich. A reception will follow the performance. Plan to attend this splendid concert and relive a few memories thru song. It will be an evening well spent and most enjoyable. You can obtain tickets from chorus members or call John Frangesh at 541-0443 or Mitzi Evans at 541-2283.
On Feb. 2 my sister, Helen Pizar had toe surgery (bunion) and is doing very well. Now she is anxious to have the other foot done soon. Helen, you may be out of circulation for a while but think how great it will feel not to have painful feet any more. Hang in there!
Now on a sad note. We lost our charter member and well known business woman Josephine Paucek who passed away Jan. 27th at the age of 94. Mother of Jennie, Lillian, Joseph, Edward, Ralph and the late Rudolph, she owned and operated Ma’s Place in West Allis. She was a kind and generous person and we were recipients of her great generosity at many of our functions. The friends of USPEH chorus sang a number of Slovenian songs as did the church choir at the funeral mass at St. Mary’s Help of Christians church. She will be sadly missed not only by her family but her many friends as well. Sincere condolences to the Paucek families.
Please note. If you are in arrears with your dues, please contact secretary, Joan Yaklich, and bring your payments up to date. If sending in your payments by mail, please send the book and enclosed return postage.
May the beginning of spring bring renewed strength and good health and vigor to all.
FRAN PIWONI, Rec. Secretary
NO. 19, EVELETH, MN
It does seem that it takes less and less time to get from January to December. Our branch has followed the tradition of having the Christmas party on the first Sunday of December. A catered dinner was served at 12:00, during which we had time to visit with each other and catch up on news. We had prizes to to give to the lucky members with the right numbers, but we remembered the less fortunate. Instead of exchanging gifts, we each brought a gift to be given to a nursing home patient. After the festivities we had a meeting with the election of officers. The officers for the year 1989 are: President Olga Kluser, Vice President Mary Vranikar, Secretary Vida Lanari, and Treasurer Maria Ferkul. Our auditors are Martha Klander, Angie Lautigar, and Fran Mohar.
We celebrated our Mother of the Year banquet on April 24, at the Resurrection Church Hall at 1:00 p.m. Olga Kluser, our Mother of the Year, and her family and twenty members attended the catered dinner.
In September, ten of our members were able to attend the “Zveza Day” in Aurora.
Our branch is diminishing in number since six of our members have died these past two years, Mitza Isaacson, Catherine Pollock, Sylvia Dic-kovich, Mary Korte, Mary Brank, and Frances Andolsek.
A proposed money making project for this year will be a bakeless sale. Everyone is asked to donate $2.00 to the treasury.
With all the cold weather we’ve been having and so many members not feeling well, our February 5th, 1989 meeting was not as well attended as usual. We finalized the plans for the Mother of the Year dinner. This year we will honor all the members. A catered dinner is scheduled for May 7th at 1:00 p.m. at Resurrection Church Hall. Hope to see many of you at the dinner.
VIDA LANARI, Secretary
NO. 20, JOLIET, IL
Springtime, trala!! The lenten season brought us the miracle of Easter and now the earth begins to show its rebirth, giving new life to things we enjoy seeing; trees, grass, flowers and the beautiful clear blue skies after a spring rain. Trying to imagine this,
surrounded by inches of snow, temperature below freezing and winds whipping around comers, reminds me it’s in God’s plan-that after winter there will be beautiful spring days—
Our February meeting was very well attended and our newly elected officers did a fine job. Our program was an interesting one; a slide show on “The Aging Eye,” with questions by members and answers by an opthal-mologist. We learned a lot.
We extend our sympathy to the Buchar family on the death of their sister Josephine, and also to Gen Golobitsch, Alice Jakovich, Louise Peppard and Florence Valli on the death of their brother, Bill Benedict.
Vacationers in the past month included: Millie and Rudy Pucel, who spent 3 weeks in Hawaii and enjoyed every minute; Jo and Dick Tezak, Dolores and Alex Plut, Alice and Chuck Stiglich and Dolores and Len Suhodolc spent 10 days in Mexico.
Our Woman of the Year is Diane Govednik, we honor her at our May 16 meeting with a buffet dinner served at 6:30 p.m. Included in the program will be the service in honor of Our Lady of Brezje and entertainment by the Fran Fredrick Dance Studio. Put us on your calendar for that night; it’ll be our last meeting of the season and a great get-together.
Our Garage Sale will be held on April 22nd at St. Joseph’s Park. Without your help we cannot succeed; we need your donations and your physical help. Ann Dragovan is in charge. This is the sale to benefit the Scholarship Fund which we started last year. You can bring your donations to the Park on Friday and your friends to the sale on Saturday.
Have you got a couple of hours a week or month that you can share at the Heritage Museum? We could use the help. The ladies meet each Tuesday at the Museum to sort and catalogue articles, books, pictures, etc.
Even though we, as a branch, have met our goal of 60 new members, we are still looking for more to help enlarge “Tory’s Bouquet.” Bring along a friend.
Tuesday, April 18th is our meeting night. We’ll meet at 7 p.m. and on the program is Barb Ryan, Handwriting Analyst. Everyone enjoyed her presentation last year and asked to have a return visit; it will also be surprised, surprise night!!
See you there!
HELEN PLUT
NO. 22, BRADLEY, IL
Bishop Baraga, the name Brankin, the Medjugorje Madonna--for me all seem to have come together in February! The Extension magazine of the American home missions carries an excellent cameo picture of the life and work of our “Slovenian missionary” and Fr. Patrick Brankin describes his view of Baraga-land from the cupola of the Bishop’s home in Michigan and the problems of his Diocese today, the shortage of pirests, for one. And in the Feb. 1, ’89 edition of the Amerikanski Slovenec, Mary Anne Barothy writes enthusiastically of the tour of the Medjugorje Madonna statue, a work I immediately recognized as the creation of Fr. Anthony Brankin, whose brief biography, including a picture of the statue, appeared in the Extension only a few months ago. All this information coming from diverse points at one time was a bit overwhelming.
February, too, meant a coming together of Br. 22, the event warmly hosted by the Lustig sisters, Toni Leg-ris and Gabrielle (thank you so much!). A first for Marge Planton presiding as president of the branch. Congratulations, Marge, you earned four stars for Act 1. Many more acts to follow!!
Welcome were the greetings and thank-you’s from the Barothys in Indiana, Josephine Zaletel and son. Bob of Bourbonnais, Louise Gerdesich of Franklin Park, the Dominican Sisters in Bradley, and the United Development Service. I did remember to convey the “hello to all the ladies”, a message in a note from Cousin Emma Znidarsich, Hurley, WI. We’re happy for Mary Anne Barothy, who assumed a challenging position with Lilly Foundation, Educational Division. “Have a lot to do”, writes Mary Anne.
She has our best wishes and prayers.
Signs of aging: With eyes unsure in the dark, legs a bit unsteady, and kooks on the loose, we voted to take advantage of the daylight for all our meetings; hence, the next one will be at the Starasinich home Sun., April 16, 2 p.m.
By then Easter Sunday will have passed but not the Joy of the Season, which should last forever. May each of you, kind readers, bear in mind and heart this hallmark of Redemption.
EMMA LUSTIG
ONE OF OUR “MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE”! CECILIA DOLGAN
Cecelia
A friendly smile is ever-present on her face. When she starts to talk, the melody of her voice sings out. Ask her to do something and she is always a cheerful volunteer.
Can you picture Cecilia Valenčič Dolgan? Cilka, as she is known, touches many lives in her varied career as wife, mother, performer, singer, organizer, writer, editor, and an energetic participant in Slovenian cultural life of Cleveland. And, now, she has been named by Cleveland Magazine as one of the city’s most interesting people for the year 1989.
First and foremost in Cilka’s public life is her music. She began singing solo roles as a little girl with the Mladinski Zbor in Collinwood under the director of Anna Vadnal. Her first stage role was as Gretel in the Slovenian version of Hansel and Gretel called “Janko in Metka”. As a teenager she began taking voice lessons at the Cleveland Music School Settlement Studios and by the early 1960’s was performing in operas at the Cleveland Institute of Music and as a member of Glasbena Matica. She also performed with the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall as Hansel. She sang for years with the Robert Shaw Chorale and with this group, performed at Carnegie Hall in New York for a United Nations program.
In 1960 she was the first American-Slovenian to perform on TV in Ljubljana and for this won a prize.
Cilka has brought her beautiful, lilting voice to thousands by means of her recordings. All in all, she has made 7 albums and written lyrics for over 50 songs. Walter Ostanek and Johnny Pecon orchestras have recorded some of them. Under her direction. Circle 2 Juniors of SNPJ in Cleveland have also recorded an album. Cilka has been their director since 1965, after the passing of famed musical director Anton Schubel. Presently there are 40 children in her group, the 3rd and 4th generations since she originated the Circle. Not only does she teach them to sing and play the accordian, to arrange their programs and performances all over the city, state of Ohio and elsewhere and even in Slovenia, but Cilka also motivates them into all kinds of activities to promote their Slovenian culture. The "Squeeze
Me, I’m Slovenian” slogan on tee-shirts and aprons, with a drawing of a button-box accordian is a sure-selling item that Cilka has provided.
So, their concerts and Cilka’s extraordinary enjoyment of these children brings a great deal of pleasure in her life.
Cilka also hosted a radio program on Cleveland’s WZAK radio station for ten years and is the editor of a National Directory of Slovenian societies, clubs, churches, orchestras, musical groups, etc. from around the whole country. And, she has compiled two Slovenian songbooks with notes.
In 1979, Cilka was elected as Woman of the Year of all the Slovenian National Homes in Cleveland. This was not a reward for all her past work, not at all. Now Cilka is adding more to her repertoire of activities. She’s one of the active participants in our SWU Twirlettes of Cleveland, helping them to arrange their performances and writing about them - you can read the Twirlette’s reports by Cilka in ZARJA from time to time. Her two children, Bobby, age 13 and Anne, age 11, occupy most of her time and she supports all their interests. Little Anne is an avid “marcher and twirler” with our SWU group and because she loves it, Cilka is right there with her!
Aren’t we lucky to have mommies like Cilka?
The Twirlers, about 30 in number, perform all	summer
throughout Ohio and are almost always first place winners. Anne Dolgan is one of their more accomplished with a	Anne
number of medals
of her own! Anne and her mom are members of Br. 50.
Cilka’s parents, Joseph and Josephine Valenic, her sister, Mary Ann Zajc and brother, Joe Valenčič are all "givers” who have brought many special gifts to the Slovenian people of Cleveland with their talents. Her husband, Robert Dolgan, a chief sports writer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer is one of the most popular sports personalities in Cleveland and he is also the author of the biography of Frankie Yankovic, America’s Polka King. This family’s participation in the life of Cleveland - all its citizens - is indeed commendable.
It's having members like Cilka that make our organization and all those to which she belongs, proud and gratified.
We wish her happy years ahead and thanks for sharing beautiful times with us.
C.
FROM THE EDITOR
My China Diary
The Peace Statue, bronze, 10 meters high, was erected in 1955 at the Peace Park as an expression of the sincere desire of the citizens of Nagasaki for everlasting peace in the world.
We were on our way to Japan - first port of call, Nagasaki! The mention of the name brings to mind the second World War and the nuclear blast that fell on this port city. The second thought was of my favorite opera, “Madame Butterfly” which tells the story of a beautiful Japanese lady whose love for an American naval officer ends tragically. In Chicago, our Lyric Opera has a magnificent production of this opera that shows much of the Japanese traditions and costumes of that period absolutely authentically. So, here in Nagasaki I would find the legendary home of Madame Butterfly, Cio-Cio San.
We entered the port at the southernmost tip of Japan. They say that the bay first opened up to foreign ships in 1571 when friendly acceptance of trading ships was assured by a treaty arranged with a feudal lord who ruled over the region. At first, Portuguese ships came, soon to be followed by those from Spain, Holland and the orient. Even 100 years later when there was persecution and another lord banned Christianity, Nagasaki remained the biggest commercial port, opening up all of the world to Japanese silks, art-forms, and crafts of all kinds. Early Portuguese influence resulted in colonization as did the influx of the Dutch and Chinese. Each had their own colonies and Nagasaki retained its cosmopolitan characteristic for many years. Still today, traces of foreign influence remains, in the architecture of their buildings, the layouts of the streets made of cobble-stones, in the temples and churches. It is a hilly town as we soon found out while walking from our buses to various sight-seeing stops. One of these places was the Church of 26 Martyrs, so named in memory of 26 priests who were slain there during the persecution. It stands overlooking the bay. Our charming guides allowed us to wander freely, as Nagasaki is not a very large place, and tourists are very welcome. Our big, beautiful Royal Viking ship in port symbolized lots of tourist dollars coming to town so we were always treated with utmost politeness. “Arigato” and "arigato gozaimas", spoken a hundred times in a day, brought smiles to all faces as the Japanese demure to this phrase for everything meaning gratefulness. Unfortunately we could use “ohayo” only to say “good morning”!
We all enjoyed shopping but felt sad that we could not bring home any of the lovely things made of tortoise shell as it is non-exportable to the U.S. and would be confiscated if found at the custom’s search.
The religion of early Japan was the simple worship of nature which later became also ancestor worship. Shinto is based on the spirit of awe - that a simple natural phenomenon inspires its beholder, i.e. a waterfall, a sunrise and a snow-capped mountain are examples of objects
My first - and last - Japanese folk dance performance was on board ship the last day at sea. I joined Kobe’s dance theatre entertainers who were invited to show us some of the beautiful costumes and dances of that ancient culture.
worthy of Shintoism. Japan certainly has many awesome views which we were to see in the next few days.
We soon were taken to the famed Museum and Peace Park comr','m<'rf"inn the victims of the world’s second atomic bom dropped by the U.S. on August 9, 1945. Nearby is the Peace Statue. Encircling the park is a walkway edged by hundreds of the most beautiful and soul-stirring monuments, presented to Nagasaki by many nations of the world, depicting all phases of human suffering and victory over suffering. We stayed quite a long time in the Museum. Every visitor there relives many ghastly moments of this fierce and devastating occurrence. It’s a place of quiet contemplation and prayer.
We had quite a full day, ending it with a visit to Glover Garden and the home of the foremost early industrial giant, an Englishman, Glover, who brought modern trade and shipping methods to Nagasaki. His house, Japan’s oldest westem-style wooden house, is still kept in perfect condition. We truly enjoyed the gardens, with huge goldfish in various pools and all kinds of exotic landscaping along footpaths and over bridges that we walked. The tribute to Cio-Cio San is a simple statue of the lady with her little boy, and she is pointing over the horizon. On the wall near her is a relief sculpture of the composer Puccini who immortalized her in the opera. Softly playing
-	continously - in the background is the aria, “Un bel di” -“One fine day”. The estate overlooks Nagasaki Harbor.
Now we had traversed 2,766 nautical miles since leaving Hong Kong and were soon to come to the end of our journey. A trip on the Inland Sea was on tomorrow’s program and then, disembarkation at Kobe.
That night we were feted at Capt. Brudvik’s Farewell Party, i.e. cocktails, dinner and a spectacular show by the professional entertainment troupe on board. It was the last time to dress up and enjoy a fancy evening. At our table for 10 in the dining room, not only the wine was sparkling but so were our eyes!
A reminder for opera lovers of a scene in Puccini’s Madame Butterfly shows Cio-Cio San standing with her little son, waiting for the return of his father, Pinkerton.
Nagasaki Harbor. At the left is the Church of 26 Martyrs, overlooking the bay.
•irtWBilB
PROFILE OF OUR MEMBER:
mzU. <\^£.mc
We should start this story about Jennie a little differently. In the year of our Lord, 1900, two people, Vincent and Johana Schuma crossed the Atlantic. Their destination
-	Forest City, PA. Relatives and friends wrote them to come to the land of opportunity, to America. Some friends came to New York to escort them to Forest City.
On December 7, 1903. Vincent and Johana received an early Christmas, or late St. Nicholas package in the form of a cute little girl they named Jennie. She was a second child. She grew up fast and attended school there, in Forest City. Thru the years eight more children were bom and, Jennie being the second, had to help mother with all the children and all the other chores around the house.
After graduating from school she worked in a dry goods store, until she was twenty years old. She told me
also that from ten children only two finished high school. Why? No money. Everybody had to pitch in to help in the fields, with the cows and to earn money to live. In 1918, when Jennie was fifteen her father died. He had “špansko” or Spanish flu. Everybody in the family was sick, so only two sisters were able to attend their father’s funeral.
Mother Johana was also a co-foundress of SWU branch 7 in Forest City, PA. She brought in all her seven daughters. The prize for bringing in so many members was - hold your breath - one pair of pillow cases!
In 1922 Jennie went to New York. There she worked in a straw hat factory. She said she worked with “domžal-čankami”; they were all sewing straw hats. Domžale ladies were known in Slovenia, as it was the capital of the straw hat industry. Many had emigrated from there to America where they started in the staw hat industry in New York. A lot of Slovenian people were employed in this factory.
As a young, beautiful maiden, soon a handsome man from Domžale found her. (It figures, doesn’t it? - working
(Continued on page 31)
NO. 23, ELY, MN
Combined meeting of SWU and the DAWN Club was on the same night, Jan. 9th. It was a cold night, 9 below zero but 37 ladies were present. Discussed the Feb. banquet for Dawn Club at the church hall catered by Zups. Ladies who were on the committee on Feb. were Mary Palchar, Mary Thoren, Evie Prijatel, Mary Pet-ritz, Delores Maki, Margie Gomick, Angela Skala, Ann Saari, Julia Fink.
New officers for 1989 are: Ann Saari, President, Helen Strukel, treasurer and Chris Cadari, secretary.
Feb. 6th meeting was opened by the pres. Ann Saari. Virgie Ivancich read a verse, “Meaning of True Love.” All officers were present. Helen Strukel said all the cookbooks were sold so they would order another 10. They make nice gifts. Also, we donated a monetary gift for cake from Jan. combined meeting. No sick members reported. No new business. 26 members present. Sally Davidson read, “The Dawning of Springtime,” which we’re anxiously awaiting. Mary Gotchnik won the door prize. Helen Theno and Rose Novak served “coffee and.” We played “B.”
Dawn Club. Feb. 13th was the club’s Valentine Party at the church hall. Zups catered a nice beef and pork dinner with all the trimmings. There were 83 present. Also had cocktails for an hour with two kinds of punch. Valentine dolls decorated the tables made by Margaret Deyak. Nice prizes
given during dinner. “B” was played afterward. Said a prayer for Josephine Jamnik who passed away.
Committee for the night was: Margie Gomick, Marg Thoren, Evie Prijatel, Ang Skala, Maryann Kangas, Dolly Maki, Ann Saari, Mary Palcher, M. Petritz, Tina Boomer. Did a nice job. Hoping we have a sign of spring by next meeting in March.
KRIS GARNI
NO. 24, LA SALLE, IL
There’s not a great deal of news from La Salle as we haven’t had our first meeting of the year yet. With more snow in the forecast for the next few days we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring.
We’re hoping that Anne Pieczynski is making a good recovery from her recent cataract surgery.
Tom Stack, son of our financial secretary, Betty, is a member of the La Salle-Peru Twp. High School Scholastic Bowl. He was on the N.C.-I.C. All-Conference Team for the past three years and was awarded a gold medallion for each year. Tom is a senior and is planning a college career next. Angela Weihman, Granddaughter of Gale Nowik received the DAR award at Marquette High School in Ottawa, IL. We congratulate these fine students and their families. Their awards prove that they are good students and good citizens, also.
Our financial secretary has sent out notices regarding past dues. She will
appreciate hearing from members owing 1988 dues as well as the 1989 dues. Betty will be at our next meeting and will accept dues before the meeting.
The next meeting will be on Thursday, April 20, at 7:00 p.m. in the La Salle Catholic School-Resurrection Bldg. We look forward to seeing you at that time.
ANNE M. WANGLER NO. 28, CALUMET, MI
Happy New Year, all. Let’s hope and pray that it will be a year filled with good health and be blessed with good friends.
Our Christmas party was a huge success. The attendance was good and food and gifts were enjoyed by all.
Election of officers was held and the same officers agreed to take their positions again. In the last few months we lost four members: Theresa Baga-tini, Alice Frasier, Pat Pasich and Eva Gervais. We extend our sympathy to their families and may they rest in peace.
If we are to strengthen our roots we must reach out and get new members and encourage them to be a vital part of our society. At our March meeting we selected Mother of the Year and we will honor her with a dinner in the month of May.
Our prayers and good wishes to our sick members and shut ins.
Happy springtime to all.
ANNE HEINEMAN, President
NO. 32, EUCLID, OH
Pres. Dorothy Lamm opened our Feb. meeting with prayer. Veronica Dalton read a poem, “Hours For Free.” Discussed at this meeting was our Mother’s Day dinner and 60th anniversary. Members that are on the committees for our 60th anniversary are:	Helen Kovačevič and Jean
McNulty will take care of the guest book. Mary Zakrajšek and Marge Sas have charge of the prizes. Ann Godlar, Mary Drobnick, Josephine Comen-shek, Josephine Gomick and Ann Cooke, on the heritage of our branch. If anyone has any information on the history of our branch they will be happy to have the information.
Mother of the Year is Marge Sas, who is very deserving of the honor.
Our Valentine Sweetheart this year was none other than Rose Brancely. She really is a sweetheart! She is always willing to do anything you ask of her.
Our new recording sec’y. Rose Hahn did a very good job recording the minutes of the meeting.
Our deepest sympathy to Molly Sodja. Her husband passed away on Jan. 20th. Mary Golobic’s, brother, Anthony Glavan died Feb. 3rd. Agnes Modic of Cape Coral lost her husband on Feb. 12. He was buried there. May they all rest in peace.
Our spiritual director is Fr. Francis Sterk from St. Christine’s.
Our Secy. Josephine Comenshek reported that we had five members who passed away in 1988. We also have 12 members that are 85 years or older for whom we pay their yearly dues. Josephine said to check your dues books!
It was good to see these of our sick members back at our meeting: Ann Brachlow, after a long illness with a cold and bronchitis; Vicky Holny and Ceal Znidar after their illnesses; Christine Verch recuperating slowly from her operation. It was also nice to see Jean McNulty back at the meeting. We were happy to see Bob Lamm at the hall before the meeting. He looks great for all be went through. Keep up the good work, Bob.
Mary Drobnick was in Sarasota,Florida for a month. She came back rested as she enjoyed the warm weather and visiting friends. In April, we will be having a speaker.
Members please try to attend our monthly meetings.
FRANCES OGOREUC
NO. 33, DULUTH, MN
Plans are being made for Minnesota Day in Duluth Sept. 10. Some chairmen have begun work and everyone is most welcome to contribute their time and talents.
Helen Mosack was March "Queen” for “Slovenian” Ethnic Night.
April will be “Italian” Ethnic Night.
Prayers for sick members: Rose Kresky and Mary Folio.
Prayes of sympathy go to Ruth Foley, Nina McNamara and Evelyn Minogue.
Congratulations to Stacy (Radosevich) Belsito on her marriage. Her mother, Margaret, sisters and brother, are also members.
Eileen Fedo has vacationed in Hawaii.
Bernarda Saari missed $10.00 attendance prize.
Tulips that showed first green shoots on Jan. 31 in my garden were covered by snow on the same day, but it was a sure sign that warm days will be coming. So "Happy Spring” to all of you.
LOIS PELANDER, Reporter
NO. 34, SOUDAN, MN
Hello	everyone—after	several
months’ absence!
I want to thank all of you helped out when I had the misfortune to fall and break my shoulder on December 28th-Helen Adkission for taking over the president’s job, Julie Vogt for writing the column in the ZARJA, and also thanks for the cards, gifts, and food brought to my home-I appreciated all. I am recuperating very well and am able to move my arm better each day, with therapy.
Our branch met on February 22 after Stations of the Cross. Our national president, Victoria Bobence, installed our officers; they are: President: Adeline Mustonen; Vice President: Angeline Morin; Secretary-Tre-asurer: Mary Vollendorf; and Recording Secretary: Julie Vogt. Auditors are:	Mary	Gomick	and Angela
Tekautz. We received a note from member, Justine Dragavon of Vero Beach, Florida-nice to hear from you, Justine, and thank you for your donation to our branch! We collected used Christmas cards for the St. Jude’s Ranch for Children in Boulder City, NV. Our next meeting was scheduled for March 15, with Mary Frances Jam-
nick bringing the door prize. At the meeting, the door prize was brought by Angela Jamnick and won by Agnes Tekautz.
Members of our branch are still vacationing where it is warmer, Mary Gomick was in Arizona and now is in Florida, Angie Grahek has been in Lake Havasu for the winter, Angeline Morin was in Hawaii, where she visited a granddaughter who is stationed there with the service. Mary Vollendorf took a trip to see her son and family in Alaska this winter.
A big welcome to our new members, Michele Berg Cascarano, whose mother, Theresa Berg of Rockford, IL is a member of our branch and Erin Nicole Mustonen, my new granddaughter, born on January 19. Michele is a granddaughter and Erin is a great-granddaughter of Angela Pavlich, who was the first president of our branch, founded 60 years ago in October 1929!
Our member, Sophie Spollar, had surgery in Duluth on March 4th and we wish her a speedy recovery so she can again join us at our meetings. Ann Frazee had surgery also and we wish her the same!
I’m sure all of us are waiting for spring this year, with all the snow we have had and the cold temperatures-we will be planning our Mother of the Year celebration for May when we will honor Lorraine Berg as our Mother of the Year.
It is nice to be back “in circulation” again—we should thank God every day for being able to walk, to be able to work and do our everyday chores, to communicate and to enjoy life—when any of these are taken from you, you can really appreciate just ordinary, everyday living!
Have a nice spring!
ADELINE MUSTONEN, Reporter
NO. 38, CHISHOLM, MN
Mrs. Frances Setina is confined at the Mesabe Regional Medical Center, Hibbing, Minn., with a broken hip. She is our oldest living member, age 100, and still participated in some of our activities. We are praying for a complete recovery.
ANN NUSICH, Reporter
NO. 40, LORAIN, OH
The temperature was dropping and the weatherman was predicting stormy weather, but that didn’t keep 11 brave and faithful members from coming to our Feb. 8th meeting. I, too, probably would have been there, if 1 didn’t have my foot in a cast. Thanks to Francine who took over the minutes for me.
Thanks for your prayers and get-well wishes. It feels good to know that so many cared.
As usual the meeting commenced with prayer.
After the reports were read, they made a resolution that we do not have meetings in the months of Jan. and Feb. due to the unpredictable weather. All present were in favor.
The door prize was given to Angie Martin.
I was glad to hear that Angie came since she was absent from a number of meetings due to serious illness in the family.
I felt sad to hear that Sophie Pogacher was hospitalized and her brother, Rudy, the husband of our Sue Tomazic was in the hospital at the same time.
Frances Krumpak is back in the Ohio Extended Care rest home. Our other sick members are Agnes Bucher and Mary Ploszaj. Jean Balogh is just getting over the flu. We wish them all a speedy recovery.
Birthday girls who brought refreshments were Agatha Donges, Molly Glavan and Francine Pavlovčič. Thanks, girls!
Happy birthday to all members who have birthdays in March and April and especially to our Angie Kozjan who will be 88 years young on April 8th. We are glad that her health is improved and she has been coming to our meetings.
Happiness reigns in the Ploszaj family. Rebecca Hilary was bom to Stanley and Kathy Ploszaj of Teaneck, NJ. Grandparents are John and Mary Ploszaj and Mrs. Gerard Marousek of Dumon, NJ.
Joe and I welcomed our great grandson, Frank James bom to our granddaughter Lisa on Feb. 19th.
We now have 2 great grandsons.
If everything goes well we will be great grandparents to two more babies in a few months. We are hoping for a couple of girls!
Hoping to see you at our April 12th meeting at 7 p.m. when we will be
making plans for our Mother of the Year dinner in honor of Angie Martin. Love,
MARY MATOS
NO. 42, MAPLE HTS., OH
At our February Meeting (Valentine’s Day), we were pleased to welcome a new member, Fran Hočevar. Good to have you, Fran. Also on board in the month of March is a new junior member, Emily Gruden. Our April Birthday ladies are Frances Stavec, Mel Blazy, Joyce Kosak, Arlene Legan, Eleanor McArdle, Helen Prudic, Marge Roznik and Jennifer Repka. Our very best wishes to ALL of you!
Olga Ponikvar’s husband Bill was selected as MAN OF THE YEAR from the Maple Heights Slovenian National Home and was honored at the annual banquet for Slovenes of the Year on March 19th. We congratulate y ou, B i 11, and are very proud of you!
Mary Lou Prhne, our former secretary, is headed this way travelling from Florida to Michigan in April to attend her nephew’s wedding. We hope she will spend a little time in Cleveland and visit with us. Mitzi and Lou Champa took some time off from all their Slovenian Club activities and spent a couple of days of relaxation in Atlantic City. Betty Kosak-Gawor visited with her daughter Betty Ann Harr (one of our out-of-town members) in North Carolina then went on to Florida to visit her niece. Coming in from North Carolina for a visit was Jane Szymkowski's daughter, Pamela, who stayed with Jane and John for two weeks.
Two of Millie Lipnos’ grandchildren are graduating from college this May; Stephanie Lonardo from Kent State university in Graphic Arts and Denice Lipnos from Bowling Green State University in Marine Biology. Congratulations, girls, your grandmother is very proud of you and we wish you both very successful futures.
Remember our shut-ins. Drop them a note or send a card. Jennie Intihar and Jane Szymkowski spent some time in the hospital in the recent months and we hope both are better by now. Our prayers are with you. Donna Stubljer is recovering nicely from eye surgery and we hope to see her name on these articles in the very near future.
We enjoy having our new members coming to the meetings. If you have
a friend you would like to have join Branch 42, just bring her to the next meeting. We also would like to hear from out-of-state members. Drop us a note and let us know what you are doing.
In the meantime, God bless you and keep you in His care.
MARGE CHURCH Secretary-Treasurer
NO. 43, MILWAUKEE, WI
In January the weather was ideal. We did have a few cold days.
The meeting was attended with a good number of members. All our business for 1989 was discussed. We made final plans for a Mass, Sunday, April 23rd at 8:45 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church. Please meet at the hall downstairs. The 3 pews in the middle aisles will be reserved for us. After mass, breakfast will be served at Meyers Family Restaurant, 6015 West Forest Home Ave. at 10:15 a.m. Please call your reservation to the secretary 481-7357.
Our Mother of the Year plans weren’t completed. More on that subject in the next issue.
Some of our members are living in Florida for the winter. Rosemarie Hribar spends her winters in Sarasota, living there six months of the year. She is feeling much better. Ann Hibbard and her husband live in Deshen, Florida all winter and part of spring. Eddie and Mitzi Bregant are vacationing in Arizona. They both needed a rest. I’m sure they are taking it easy. Celia Dvornik has lived in Clearwater, Fla. for many years, but is moving back to Milwaukee to live with son and daughter-in-law.
Our condolences to the John Bentz Family and to the James Verbick family on the death of Theresa Verbick. Theresa was the cousin of John Bentz and the aunt to Josephine Verbick. May God bless her soul.
Mary Frankowski is recuperating very well from her fall. Get well fast. To all our sick and shut-ins a speedy recovery.
Just received word that Mr. Pauc died. He was the uncle of Mitzi Bregant and Joan Hynek. To these two families our sympathies.
R.K.
Vera Šebenik:
Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
—	Mark Twain
NO. 50, CLEVELAND, OH
“Easter” came early this year and now we’re looking forward to spring and warm weather and working in our gardens. Trips and travel are on the agenda for many. Millie and Victor Petrovič traveled to Florida and I'm hoping they missed the cold out that way that finally came to the south. Rose and Patrick McHugh visited their son and other relatives in the Los Angeles area. Ann Kristoff went to Clark Fork, Idaho with her daughter, Sister Donna, who is an Ursuline nun to visit her other daughter, Darlene and family. Enjoyed the two grandsons and rustic scenery. Our west is beautiful, second Slovenia, I’d say.
Marge Križman visited her daughter, too, in Seattle, Washington. Ella and Frank Skoda are flying to California, and they will visit Disneyland and see the Queen Mary and other interesting stops. Hope to hear all about them at the next meeting, Ella. Due to sickness in the family, Frances Bencin, as announced in March Zarja, could not be our Queen so Mary Blatnik, our honoree as Woman of the Year, was bestowed another honor as our Valentine Queen. Honey Vegal explained how our Valentine Day originated and Ann Tercek had another version. Both were on the subject of love and appreciation of people. It is nice to be remembered be it a valentine or a card to our sick.
So many of our members’ husbands are ailing. Mary Budas’ husband, Mary Petrovic’s, Jane Berkopec’s, Marie Beck’s, Irene Jagodnik’s, Jane Somrak’s, Pauline Seifert’s and Stella Rupe’s.
We are sorry, gentlemen, so our prayers are for you and also for Mary Perusek, Virginia Mlack, Ann Muhic, Rose Zaller and Stella Baum. Take care and follow doctor’s orders for comfort and recovery.
Elsie Oberson who lives in Spring Hill, Fla. celebrated their 50th anniversary and she wrote to say that a month after her husband, Peter died. We are sorry to hear that, but at least God waited for your “biggie" to pass. Write and keep in touch, Elsie. Mary Cesnik and John celebrated their 56th and Mary and Joseph Peterlin celebrated their 53rd. Rose and Joseph
“Before you decide to retire, stay home for a week and watch the daytime TV shows.”
—	J«an Fontaine
Zuzek had their “golden” one and a new first grandson to crow about and boast about, too.
Bea Tome has been a member of Br. 50 for 50 years on March 1st and she remembers how hard it was to leave her two little sons to attend meetings in the early years, but she did. Mrs. Louise Mlakar, who is in a retirement home on Charon Rd. was the lady who enrolled her. Bea’s granddaughter, Daniella Barbosa, 10 years old, received a trophy and $100 as first prize and was written up the papers for her speech about Commodore Robert E. Peary who discovered the North Pole in April, 1909. That’s a history date! Bea is proud of her and so are we - a 10 year old!
Another Happy Anniversary was celebrated by Irene and Paul Meden with a mass for their40th at St. Francis of Assisi followed by a lovely luncheon at St. Noel’s Party Center. Hope you make the 50th and then more! Congratulations to all celebrants.
Ann Krovick won the monthly $2 bill door prize.
Dates to remember: May 10th: Tour of Kent State, Cortier World Famous Exhibit and several other stops and lunch at Triple Crown Restaurant. Anne Ryavec always has a nice tour for us. Phone her at 731-5776.
May 23rd, our Mother of the Year Dinner, place undecided as yet.
June 23rd, Card Party at Euclid Park Club House, 1 p.m. Bring gifts for our special events.
Historian, Jo Smith gave us a resume of 1969. A lovely bunch then, too. Had a rummage and style show. Marie Azman (deceased) was head of the drill team and Mary Susnik was Mother of the Year and Ann Hočevar Tercek was the Convention Queen.
Our Br. 50 was well represented at the recent United Slovene Society Band concert and bake sale. It’s the only Slovene Community Brass Band and the only one in the USA and it is fitting that we patronize and be proud to have it in our midst. They are good! Sound so professional!
Don’t forget to bring your beautiful hats to wear in our hat parade at the April meeting. So search the attics! Also, initiation that night of new members.
Three things that are better to neglect: Worry over yesterday’s misfortunes, Concern over another's ingratitude, Anxiety over tomorrow’s uncertainty.
VERA ŠEBENIK, Reporter
DEEPEST SYMPATHY j to Br. 52, Kitzville!
We lost our faithful reporter, Gertrude Kochevar. She was getting ready to come to our monthly meeting. She died in her favorite chair, watching tv.	[
She will be missed by all. j Jennie Crea j Secretary ]
NO. 54, WARREN, OH
Our Feb. meeting was well attended and final plans were made for our Mother-Daughter Luncheon on May 17th at 1 p.m. at the Elks Club on Rt. 422. You will all be contacted unless you already made reservations at the meeting. We will honor Jo Kassan, our president, as Mother of the Year so let’s show her “we care” and come and have a wonderful afternoon with friends. Millie Pollock and I will be in charge of the festivities. You can bring a guest, canned foods for the prizes and a door prize.
It was good to see Ann Brdak at the meeting. She looks really well and is feeling well, too. Mary Zuga was hospitalized recently. She was having a problem with her arm from the auto accident and it wasn’t healing right. Hope you will be well soon, Mary.
Happy Mother’s Day to all and God’s blessing!
Harry and I are going to Hawaii in April. Can’t wait! Aloha!
JOANNE PONIKVAR, Rec. Secretary
NO. 56, HIBBING, MN
Our February meeting was well-at-tended considering the cold weather and snowing. We had 19 members in attendance.
It was time for installation of new officers and Rose Maras, outgoing President, turned over the gavel to Ann Selvo, our newly-elected President. Our new slate of officers is as follows:
Ann Selvo, President, Veronica Marter, Vice President, Elizabeth Spolar, Financial Secretary, Milena Koehler, Recording Secretary, Valeria Carlson, Treasurer, Rose Vukich, Sunshine Chairman, Mary Sikich, Sgt.-at-Arms, Frances Tobey and Dorothy Oberstar, Auditors.
Our new President gave plaudits to our outgoing officers for a job well-
done all these years, it takes dedication such as theirs to make our Branch a success. In return they pledged their support and help to the new offices.
Our Christmas Party was a huge success and even the husbands in attendance had a good time. President Selvo gave appreciation to the committee for their efforts. The party was held at the Courtyard Cafe in their private dining area. The food was excellent, the prizes were very nice, the wine was good, the sociability was great; what more could we want? It was a Merry Christmas party!
President Ann then switched to more serious subjects. She suggested that each member try to think of some good entertainment for our future meetings and to let her know soon if you have anything along this line. She also suggested we try to attend the card party that Kitzville Br. 38 is having on March 5th. Our two branches have always had such good rapport.
Ann also brought up the suggestion that more of us try to visit our old friend and loyal, hard-working member, Barbara Dosen at the Leisure Hills Nursing Home. She spent a lot of time with and for us, so why not share a little of your time with Barbara?
The Nat’l Office request for information and pictures of our Branch dating back to 1929 was seriously addressed and we will look into this matter.
President Selvo wants us all to think of a family member or a friend who would accept membership in our Zveza. We hope all members will give this their serious consideration.
Mary Micheletti and Sylvia Latick were appointed to lead us in prayer at the funeral home when we have a member being laid to rest. Liz Spolar will be an alternate.
Our President read a letter and Christmas greetings from the Nat’l Officers and we return the greetings. SREČNO NOVO LETO! Aside from the greetings, they requested that we consider sending a donation to help pay for publishing “ZARJA.” However, at this time, we had to vote this down. It was also brought to our attention that Zveza was founded 62 years ago in December 1926. We’re still going strong! Price of cookbooks went up to $10.50, and for now, we don’t need to order any more.
Jan. & Feb. birthdays were acknowledged with a song.
Jackpot prize was won by Katharine Marino.
Meeting was closed with a prayer, after which a delicious lunch was served by Roma Lae Perpruner, Valeria Carlson and Milena Koehler. Being Feb. 14th, a valentine them was carried out. Prizes in games were won by Ann Pintar, Rose Maras and Agnes Barkis.
MILENA KOEHLER
NO. 71, STRABANE, PA
Hellow to all members of SWU from our branch! We have been so busy in the last few months that we failed to write to you in ZARJA. So, let’s get caught up!
Br. 71 ended the year with a Halloween Party in October and a delightful Christmas party at a local restaurant in December. Both were well attended and we always enjoy sharing time together.
We recently had a Valentine’s Day party and Feb. meeting on the 9th. Although it was cold and a snowy night our members braved the weather to attend. The hall was decorated in the Valentine spirit by Marge Striner and Dorothy Bruce. During the meeting, officers were elected and installed and Maime Toplisek was chosen as our Mother of the Year for 1989. Congratulations! Maime is deserving of this honor since she is a very active member of our lodge.
Announcements concerning the upcoming Regional Conference to be hosted by Br. 91 of Oakmont were given. We plan to attend and hope all members in neighboring branches also plan to attend. Jenny Flisek is doing an outstanding job in organizing this affair and she needs everyone’s participation to make it successful.
Beacuse of the recent passing of seven branch members in the course of just one year, members voted to donate for masses at church instead of buying flowers for the funeral. In the last yar we sadly mourn the passing of:
Veronia Talpas, Josephine Kushma, Mary Tomsic, Millie Dami, Anna Skittle, Mary Božic Sinkovič, and Julia Kern. These members were founders of the branch and through the years were very active. They are sadly missed by all. God bless them!
Members of Br. 71 are planning a Flea Market in May. More details will be given at the May meeting and Mother’s Day social to be held on May 11th at 7:30 at St. Jerome’s Hall in Strabane.
Get well wishes to out to Cheryl Striner and Denise Vance and all of our members that are shut-in. Happy Birthday to Lucille Smith, Patty Oravek, Peggy Gricar and all members having birthdays this spring.
We would urge all branch 71 members to attend our special Mother’s Day social. It promises to be great fun and we would like to see all of you again. Please try to attend.
PEGGY GRICAR
NO. 73, WARRENSVILLE, OH
April has arrived—for some I don’t doubt that you thought it would never get here, and for others, you are wondering what happened to January, February and March. Sometimes I play a game with myself and I try to remember what I was doing "at this time” last year. I can hardly remember what I did last week, last month, let alone last year. The days do fly by so quickly, and for the majority of us, that is good.
Since there is a shortage of news for this month, I shall use my time and the column to update you a little on our life here in Florida. As you know, we are winter residents, “snowbirds.” We are trying the good life, so to speak, for our retirement years. Florida is beautiful, and the weather that we have had this year has been record setting. While back home (Bedford, Ohio) was freezing, I was outside enjoying 80-degree temperatures, watching flowers bloom and having birds wake us up in the a.m. It is probably that aspect alone that helps us over the winter months. The one thing that Florida lacks at this time, for us, is family. Our “kids” have always played an important part in our lives and in each day that passed. Here, it is quiet, no phone ringing off the hook, no back door opening/ closing to bring another family member, no adding another cup of water to the soup to serve one or two more, no quick shopping trips to K-Mart, just peace and quiet. The pace is slow and time is all your own, for whatever you want to make of it. Many crafts fill a lot of the time, Steve enjoys reading. We both enjoy a good television program and visiting with “Mom” fills the remaining void. So, all in all, we want everyone to know we are enjoying Florida, we are fine and in good health (at least today), and the welcome mat is always out for anyone that is passing through.
DON’T FORGET YOUR NAME
IN MEMORY OF MARY TOMSIC, BRANCH #71, STRABANE, PA
Mary was elected Recording Secretary at the first meeting she attended in 1936, and later served as president for over 40 years. In 1946, she was elected as national Vice President and in 1958 as State President for PA and New York. On May 24, 1948, she organized Branch 106 Meadowlands, with 25 members. Each year she conducted a state convention always in a different branch. At the time of her death, she was honorary State President.
Through the years she enrolled countless members and sold over 2,000 Zveza cookbooks. Mary was truly a devoted member of the Slovenian Women’s Union.
On October 6, 1988, Mary passed away at the age of 99. She is sadly missed by her family and friends.
Rest in peace, Grandma!
Marge Valenčič
Branch #7/
By Fr. David Stalzer
The Ellis-Island restoration project has extended it’s nation-wide contribution campaign until June of this year. The Island is being cleaned up and a major United States Museum is being constructed. This will be a major historical museum in the United States.
Introduced in the museum will be the Immigrant Wall of Honor where your family name can be permanently set in place for thousands to see and to never forget. You can have your family name, (first & last) honoring your father and mother, grandparents or your name, and if you wish the country of origin. For each family name a donation of $100.00 is requested.
As Slovenians, we helped generously with the Statue of Liberty, so we are involved in this national project too. Also if we can contribute another $5,000.00, we will receive special recognition as American-Slovenes. This would bring us to $50,000 that we will have contributed to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis-Island Project. Gifts of $50,000 or more are specially credited.
I am sure there are at least (50) fifty lodges, societies and branches that can and will make this $100.00 contribution so that we can reach our goal. Remember your family name and the Slovenian name.
If you or your lodge make a contribution, please put on the letter and check the code S.F.L. (Slovenian for the Lady). This is a good way to remember your family and/or your lodge and all members, past and present.
Make checks payable to ELLIS ISLAND FOUNDATION, INC., and mail them to:
The Statue of Liberty Ellis Island Foundtion, Inc.
52 Vanderbilt Ave.
New York, N.Y. 10017-3808
Thanks for all your cooperation and help in supporting these national projects. God Bless America!
If you have ever thought to yourself what a big world this is, let me give you an example of how small it is—We decided to visit Cape Canaveral to see the Delta rocket blast off. The day was beautiful, clear skies and very warm (like 84-degrees). We enjoyed the trip south, about 60 miles, with our neighbors. And I might mention, our neighbors here in Florida are long time friends and neighbors from Bedford. We decided to have lunch before the rocket shot, and while standing in the cafeteria line in heard someone call my name several times. A few feet behind us was Agnes Zabak and husband Ray. We have tried so often to visit each other while at home, here we are 1100 miles from home— and we enjoyed their company for a few hours. It is a small world-and getting smaller all the time.
The "Bus Bums" invaded Daytona this week, and it sure was fun seeing
all our friends in the group, many SZZ members. I have always said it only takes ONE Slovenian to make a good party—so when there are 35-40 in the group, need I say more!!
To all of you who have been ill, please get well soon (Louise Epley did have major surgery, and is recovering nicely). If there have been any losses in your family, please accept our sympathy and prayers, if you have been blest with a new grandchild, or if a grandchild has achieved a special honor, or if you have reached a special milestone in your life, we send our heartiest congratulations. It would be so nice if each of you would take time to call or drop us a line regarding these things—we do scramble for news each month. We would deeply appreciate it.
Take care of yourselves. I do miss all of you, especially those at our meeting (what a fun group!!) and look
forward to seeing you during the summer months. We will be heading home mid-May. God Bless all of you. Keep us in your prayers, and we’ll do the same for you.
Sincerely,
EVELYN A. MAJERCIK
NO. 79, ENUMCLAW, WA
Our branch had their January meeting on a snowy day at the Retirement Home where our president, Mary Mihelich now lives. Mary has been the president of our branch for over
30	years. We are looking forward to the dance which we will be hosting at the VFW Hall in Enumclaw on Saturday, April 29th. This will be a dinner dance, and members will be asked to prepare lasagna. Dinner from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. and dancing from 8:00 p.m. to midnight. A popular local band,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR MARY!
who also has performed at the polka fest in McGregor, Minnesota, will be playing. This is our first dance in several years. All members are urged to sell their tickets and most certainly attend as everyone should have a very good time.
On May 21st we will be holding our party honoring our Mother of the Year, Mary Patterson. Further details will be forthcoming, but be sure and save that date.
MARY BRATOVICH
NO. 89, OGLESBY, IL
First meeting of 1989 was held on Feb. 13th at Dickinson House. Rose Ann Prey presided at the meeting. Opening prayers and a Pledge of Allegiance was led by Frances Gorišek. The draping of the Charter took place for Anne Komater, my sister, who passed away Feb. 6th. She will be missed by all of us. Frances Gorišek led the ladies in prayer. Thank you, ladies, for being there at my time of sorrow.Angie Nico read the funeral ritual prayer and her honorary pallbearers were Josie Argubright, Anne Batty, and Angie Nico. Thank you, ladies. I’m very grateful for your caring.
Angie Nico did the honors of installing the 1989 officers. The auditors reported that the 1988 books were all in order.
Congratulations are in order for Angie Nico who has been elected president of the Oglesby A.A.R.P. Chapter 3684.
Anne Batty has been chosen as the "Mother of the Year” for ’89. Catherine Golick will be our “You Are Special” member, slated for June ’89.
Meeting closed with prayers led by Frances Gorišek. Rose Ann Prey served two delicious desserts. They were very good, Rose Ann! We all enjoyed them very much.
EUNICE KOMATER
NO. 92, GUNNISON, CO
Barbara Spritzer opened the meeting with seven members present. We were delighted to see Margaret Malenšek after her surgery.
After the minutes and treasurer’s reports were read and approved, Margaret informed us that she had heard from many of the ladies who are helping with the history of our lodge. She said Helen Cobai was very informative and sent us her regards. Helen’s
President of Br. 79, Mary Mihelich accepts a birthday cake from member, Dorothy Sleigh.
family has been hit with illnesses and other injuries. Her daughter-in-law, Joyce, and Helen’s granddaughter were injured in a sleighing accident in Crested Butte. We want her to know that our prayers are with them.
Margaret also mentioned Pauline Stadohar and Barbara Peterson. Kay Starika sent in her dues. Other correspondence included news from Audrey McKnight and Frieda Forcier. Frieda informed us that she had been in the hospital for surgery and we wish her best of health. Audrey informed us that she would see us in March for a brief visit. I realized that I had said in previous news that she worked in a guest house. That should have been a gift shop. Sorry, Audrey.
Happy birthday to two of our members who have reached their 75th birthdays-Kay Starika and Barbara Peterson. Regards were sent to us by Mary Sayre from Denver. It really was good to hear from our out-of-town members. We wish them all the best.
Kathy Adamic reported on the County Fair. More meetings are scheduled. Our Food box was greatly appreciated by a needy family.
The next meeting will be held on March 21 at the home of Rita Bartelli. Mothers Day plans were discussed. It was also decided to have our summer picnic in June and honor the fathers. A letter was written to Audrey and each of us added a few words. Hostess gifts were won by Bunny Spritzer, Kathy Adamich, Betty Stefanic, and Linda Mikus. A social hour of visiting was enjoyed the rest of the evening.
FRANCES SOMRAK, Reporter
NO. 95, SO. CHICAGO, IL
Solemn blessing by Rev. Stipe Per-van at Sacred Heart Church finalized the liturgical celebration of Branch 95’s 50th anniversary. It was a beautiful sight to see the 39 members gather for the momentous occsion.
Did we stop to think of all the trials and tribulation our past officers had, to keep the group together all these many years? I think so. We thank them and let’s remember them in our prayers.
Highlight of the social evening was the presentation of the 50 year pin to past president, Mildred James. Never at a loss for words, our “Millica” graciously thanked her officers during her long tenure - "Couldn’t have done it without them”. They are Evelyn Driscoll, Helene Golich, Mildred Poropat and Sylvia Vukodinovich.
Congratulatory messages from the Home Office were extended by National Officer, Sylvia!
Installation of officers by Amelia Cuzella, who just had minor surgery, followed. Mary Brozynski, president; Frances Benkovič, Recording Secretary; Dolores Hennelly, Financial Secretary; Betty Markusic and Lois Chereso, Auditors; were installed.
Not present were Helene Golich, treasurer, still on sick list and Helen Alb, Vice President.
New members are Helen Ciechomski and my aunt, Rose Sajatovich.
President Mary Brozynski con-
Anna L. Hodnik
Leam Slovenian!
Anita Vovk, my helper, found some Slovenian riddles that she thought might be fun for my column. She enlisted the help of a semi-retired and beloved priest at Holy Rosary Church, Father Vovk, to translate some words. The three of us had a fun time working on them. Thanks, Father Vovk and Anita. By the way they are not related.
Why not share these riddles with your younger family members.
Spring has come—let us rejoice and be glad!
Uganke-Riddles
V zlati skrinji droben mlin teče, teče noč in dan.
In a golden chest a tiny mill runs, it runs night and day.
Answer: Ura--clock Zlati—golden skrinji—chest droban—tiny mlin—mill teče—it runs noč—night dan-day
Pet sinov iz ene hiše, pa se vsak drugače piše.
Five sons from one house, each has a different name.
Answer: Prsti—fingers
Pet—five
sinov—sons
ene-one
vsak—each
drugače-different
se piše—signs his name
Ladja plove po obzorju, ne po suhem, ne po morju.
A ship navigates on the horizon, not on dry (land), not on the sea.
Answer: Letalo-airplane Ladja—ship plove—it navigates po—on
obzorju—horizon suhem—dry morju-sea
A letter from Dorothy Godfrey of Br. 73, War-resnville, OH, was forwarded to me by our editor, Corinne. In it she writes that she really likes the ZARJA and especially enjoys my Slovenian column. Thanks Dorothy—it’s nice to hear that what you do is used and appreciated.
ducted the meeting with usual business prevailing. She announced that Millie James will take over the Heritage Book contributions for the branch.
A beautiful and tasty cake also marked the occasion and was appreciated by all.
Hostess, Virginia Kwiatkowski made a beautiful centerpiece marking the 50th year. Other hostesses were Manda Dosen, Mary M. Perkovich, Ann Josue, Helene Golich and Anne Granich.
Mary and Joe Jurko celebrated their 47th anniversary in February. March marked 51 years for Harriet Isek and her spouse. Split the pot was won by Anne Josue.
MARIE MARAS
NO. 100, FONTANA, CA
Our January meeting was held at Jan Eckart’s home. We all enjolyed being around the fire during our unusually cold weather. Installation of new officers for 1989 was given, and thanks given to outgoing officers. Dorothy Petrich and Carol Harley agreed to share calling to members in the future. We planned to have something ready for the February meeting for Valentine’s Day for the Slovene Rest Home Residents.
Nell Phillips was selected as our Mother of the Year. We gained 2 new members this month. Our February meeting was held at the home of
Dorothy Petrich.We learned we have gained 3 more new members. This is good news.
Jan Eckart found some hearts filled with candy for each of the Slovene Rest Home Residents. Plans were to deliver these on Valentine’s Day. The residents would enjoy these.
We plan our Communion for April
9	at St. George’s 9:00 a.m. Mass, followed by a Brunch. We will select a place for the Brunch at a later meeting.
Our Mother of the Year dinner is planned for May 5. We will select the restaurant later. We discussed possible outings for the group, but nothing was decided. If anyone has any ideas, bring them to a future meeting.
Our objective is to raise money so we can purchase a VCR for the Slovene Rest Home in Fontana, so the residents can watch movies they like. If any member wishes to help or donate to this cause, please let us know. We still plan a rummage sale later, probably in June when the weather is nice.
Our March meeting was at Carol Harley’s house on March 2. Our April meeting will be at Rosemary Mlakar’s home on April 9 following our Communion and Brunch. Rosemary will teach us how to make flancati. That should be fun. Milka Zupančič
		
*		*
♦	SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION	*
+ *	REGIONAL CONVENTION	*
*	Holy Family Church	*
+	Willard, Wisconsin	*
*	Sunday, Sept. 10, 1989	*
+	Coffee and rolls - 9:30 a.m.	+
»	Meeting - 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.	* *
*	Holy Mass - 11:45 a.m.	*
*	Dinner - 1:30 p.m. served family style	*
*	WELCOME TO ALL WISCONSIN MEMBERS TO ATTEND!	*
+		*
		
Departed Members
brought her niece, Teresa Bozic, visiting from Slovenia to our meeting. We enjoyed the little talk she gave about Slovenia. We hope to see our new members at a future meeting or outing soon. We have a very congenial group already, and it will only be improved with new members.
LINDA COSTELL
NO. 102, WILLARD, WI
Greetings from Willard! It’s been a while since you’ve heard from us but we’re still around!
Our Valentine’s Day meeting was held on Sunday, Feb. 12th in the Parish Center with 18 members present. First we enjoyed a delicious Pot Luck Dinner. Our meeting opened with a prayer by our president, Jo Artac. Plans were discussed regarding hosting the Wisconsin State Convention and the date is set for Sept. 10th, 1989 with the following program:
Coffee and rolls for our guests will be served at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will follow 10:00 to 11:30 and afterward, Mass at 11:45. Dinner will be served immediately after Mass - that is, about 1:00 or shortly afterward, followed by entertainment and refreshments. Chicken and Ham will be served as our dinner menu with all the trimmings, family style, for $8.00 per person. Tickets are available from the branch secretaries of Wisconsin. We hope to have a good attendance! There will be a door prize and many other prizes, too.
Plans were also made to take our “Lady of the Year”, Agnes Lesar, out to dinner. This will be on April 16th, the place as yet to be decided. Agnes truly deserves this recognition, always being a faithful, helpful member. She can be regarded as an “Angel of Mercy” for the wonderful care she gave to her sister, Mary, who was bedridden at home for several months before her death. She also cares for her sister, Ann.
We were saddened by the death of two of our faithful members. Four days after a massive heart attack we lost our recording secretary of more than 10 years, Betty Scharenbrock, age 80 who died on Dec. 17, 1988. She was an inspiration to all. In spite of her handicap, having both legs amputated at the thighs some twenty years ago, she was always cheerful and had a smile for everyone. Wanting to be as independent as possible, at age 74, she got her driver’s license
1 - Mary Borsecnik (84) 61-yr member
3 - Anna Pecek (82)
46-yr member
Julia Skrabec (93) 50-yr member
10	- Anna Nestic (87) 59-yr member
Anna Tomsic (82) 25-yr member
Olga Toni (96)
55-yr member
14 - Rose Fajdiga (84) 59-yr member
16 - Jennie Glusac (92)
50-yr member
Emma Kralj (88) 52-yr member
17 - Josephine Paucek (97)
61-yr member
Theresa Verbnik (92) 59-yr member
19 - Frances Andolsek (94)
49-yr member
20 - Josephine Buchar (88)
49-yr member
Miskulin Mary (77)
50-yr member
and drove herself to many senior citizen activities in nearby towns.
On Feb. 1st, we lost one of our charter members, Mary Lesar, age 91. She, too, was a very special person, very generous, happy and active until ill health prevented this. She managed her own grocery store in Willard for many years, later with her sister, Agnes’ help. All the children in the area loved her because they knew there would always be an extra piece of candy for them whenever they stopped in. Both deceased members will be sadly missed.
Our member, Angie Moore is recuperating at home after surgery. We all wish her a speedy recovery.
Our Easter Bake Sale was on Palm Sunday weekend. We hoped to have a variety of home-baked goodies available. Our annual Plant Sale will be sometime in early May, the exact date not yet decided. This will also be our next meeting.
25 - Molly Dezelan (72) 47-yr member
Anna Milautz (90) 55-yr member
28 - Eva Gervais (77)
38-yr member
31	- Theresa Lindy (71) 50-yr member
33 - Elizabeth Baran (62) 22-yr member
47 - Jennie Firem (77)
18-yr member
Mary Evanovitch (97)
50-yr member
Mary Železnik (101) 58-yr member Charter member
52 - Gertrude Kochevar (71) 55-yr member
71 - Julia Kern (90)
46-yr member
Mary Šinkovec (88)
50-yr member
Anna Skittle (87)
42-yr member
73 - Elizabeth Simec (75) 29-yr member
89 - Anna Komater (76)
47-yr member
This may be a bit early, but Happy Mother’s Day to all!
After our meeting we enjoyed our favorite game with many prizes to choose from.
Being appointed as reporter, I will do my best to keep news coming regarding our convention and other activities.
MARY STAUT
NO. 105, DETROIT, MI
We had a small meeting on February 18, 1989. Chocolate Easter Bunnies were donated by John and Theresa Smoltz for sale by our branch. They have been very generous, especially since Theresa has been very ill lately.
It was decided that our Mother of the Year banquet will be held on May 20th. The location has not been set as yet.
VICTORIA DOHERTY
*Zlomatozi
If you would ask a dozen gardeners what their favorite variety of tomato was, you would undoubtedly receive a dozen different answers, and rightly so.
Growing tomatoes is a relatively simple procedure. A satisfactory crop of tomatoes begins with hybrid seeds. Hybrid tomato seed produces conformity, higher yields, disease resistance and better quality. Sow seeds indoors in a tray of Jiffy-Mix about six to eight weeks before the last expected frost in your area. Cover seeds lightly and keep evenly moist. Place 4 to 8” below fluorescent lights 14 to 18 hours per day at a temperature of at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. After germination grow seedlings at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Transplant seedlings when they have at least two pairs of leaves (approximately 1-1/2” high) in 3 or 4” pots. Half gallon milk cartons cut in half with about Five holes punctured in the bottom make excellent containers. Don’t forget to wash the cartons well.
After hardening-off, transplant outdoors to a sunny location, if possible, on a cloudy day or in the evening. Pour a water soluble fertilizer such as Tomato-Gro (12-48-8) or Miracle-Gro (15-30-15) into each hole when transplanting and a regular feeding after plants are established. A new product introduced this year is the Wall O’Water Insulating Teepee which enables you to transplant your tomato plants 6 to 8 weeks earlier without fear of freezing. Each teepee has tubes, when properly Filled with water, will protect to 16 degrees Fahrenheit. The solar heated water creates an ideal frost-free environment night and day. Having ordered these Teepees, I am anxious to test their effectiveness.
In recent years diseases of tomato seed has virtually been eliminated by seed growers. The leading causes are: 1) unsterilized trays and pots, 2) unsterilized potting soil, 3) improperly fumigated greenouses, 4) nesting insects from outdoors, 5) failure to rotate crops from previous year (potatoes, peppers and eggplant are relatives of the tomato family, therefore avoid planting them in the same area the following year), 6) overhead irrigation, 7) contaminated knives or tools used when removing suckers or cultivating, and 8) anyone who smokes. If you smoke, always wash your hands with soap very carefully before handling plants. As a matter of fact, common sense tells us that sanitation is advisable in all phases of gardening.
Two types of tomatoes are the indeterminate and determinate. Indeterminate varieties grow and bear fruit in-deFinitely unless killed by frost or disease, reaching heights to 6 feet or more. Staking tomatoes allows you to grow plants in less space, making harvest easy and keeps the fruit off the ground. Determinate varieties stop growing when fruit sets on the terminal bud, therefore tends to ripen over a shorter period, usually producing less fruit. In our region any tomato which requires 80 days to maturity is risky. It is best to plant early, midseason, and late indeterminate for producing until frost.
With so many new products on the market to lengthen the growing season, starting from early spring until late fall, we can be sure we will enjoy the best loved and most popular vegetable grown throughout the United States.
"One of the healthiest ways to gamble is with a spade and a package of garden seeds."
...Dan Bennett, American journalist
Happy Gardening!
Irene M. Odorizzi 2362 Paddock I.ane Reston, Va. 22091
THE IMMIGRANT
EMMA
More than seventy years ago, a young Slovenian girl named Emma Matko from Trbovlje, worked as a governess for two little children, Evica and Mira Kramer. Their mother was an opera star performing at the Zagreb Opera House and their father, Emil, was a wealthy business man.
Emma enjoyed caring for both girls but little Evica died at two years of age from a childhood sickness. Mira, a bright, imaginative and loving youngster grew very close to Emma; however their relationship would end sadly because Mrs. Kramer left her husband for another man who also sang at the opera.
Her husband was so offended by this decision that he sent little Mira to live with her grandmother in Trbovlje. Emma went along to care for Mira and also live near her own family. This arrangement was to be short lived for by the beginning of April, 1921, Emma was on her way to America.
Years later, in fact after World War II, Emma happened to hear of a woman novelist whom she suspected of perhaps being her little Mira. She wrote a letter to her and received a reply. Yes, it was her Mira, who was now an adult and a popular writer in Slovenia. The two corresponded through the years and they even met on Emma’s return to her homeland in the 1950s. It was a joyous reunion and one filled with many stories and many tears. Mira and her estranged mother were eventually reconciled when Mira learned all the details of her mother’s love from Emma.
One year after this tender reunion, Emma received a book in the mail entitled, “Pridi moj Ariel” by Mira Pucova Mihelčič. As she read the chapter entitled, "Two Letters”, Emma was stunned, for Mira had used Emma’s letter and their relationship, as a basis for the chapter. Here was an immigrant girl remembered in story for the loving relationship she held with this talented, young Slovenian child.
The following exerpt is a translation of this somewhat autobiographical chapter. Emma Planinšek, President of Joliet’s Branch 20 for 47 years is the young governess in the story. We hope with the brief explanation above, you will enjoy one chapter, in English, of the book "Pridi moj Ariel.”
TWO LETTERS
Many years had passed since Marinka had spent time in her homeland. During her absence she had gone through another war and finally there was peace in the world again. One day she received a letter from America: “Dear Marinka,
1 hope you won’t mind my calling you "Marinka" since we are old acquaintances. In one of our newspapers, I read about a play that had been presented on stage in Chicago—you are the author of this play. Of course, this surprised me and I immediately asked the "Prosveta" editors to send me the address of the writer. So, this is my little Marinka that I took care of so many years ago!
When we didn't go for a walk because of bad weather, I would tell you stories at home, Oh, I still remember everything very well I loved you so much. It was not easy to leave you when I went to America, but I had to go because your grandmother had given me notice. I, too, am now a grandmother. Just think of that! I have been away from my homeland for a long time, hut still often think of my youth and everything that happened when I was young. The days have passed so quickly, everything has passed so fast...Please let me kniow if you receive this letter. I send you my warm regards and kisses.
Once yours, Emma”
She could not imagine Emma as a grandmother with children and grandchildren. Suddenly, she remembered her clearly, as a young girl with smart, bright eyes and a plait of red-brown hair, wound round her head above her forehead like a crown of dark gold.
Emma was a poor miner’s daughter from Mlake and she had to leave home to make her living. Her first job was with Marinka’s grandmother. The old lady had hired her to take care of Marinka because her grandmother didn’t have time to do it. She especially wanted Emma to take her for walks in the afternoons after school, so that Marinka would not be wandering about alone, or perhaps meet with inappropriate company. Since Marinka’s grandfather had died, her grandmother kept busy with all kinds of work so that she would not think too much of the loss she was unable to overcome. When, in spite of all, she would think about her fate, she sighed desperately. She had given her husband seven children (four of whom died). Now he, too, went after them. Grandmother wanted to forget her sorrows by imposing upon herself a lot of work. This way she could forgive herself for not having time for Marinka; she felt so powerless with this child, and had problems with her.
“She’s got no right,” said daddy in an oddly unpleasant, even mean voice. “She left her and the court has given her to me. She can visit her only with my permission, which she will never get, as long as I live,” added daddy in a strange, bitter, dark voice, as if another man was speaking, one who was insulted, an angry man, and not the quiet, polite, handsome man who bowed to people with dignity and received their bows. “You can chase her away with the help of the police.”
“For Christ’s sake, son,” shouted grandmother, “we could not afford a scene like that. After all, so many years have passed that might perhaps...”
“Forgive her, mother? Me, never!” said daddy in that same voice again, and then Marinka knew why she was afraid of him, although she loved him. “If she tried anything, wire me at once and I’ll come, and we will send Marinka far away, abroad perhaps...”
“No, daddy, no,” shouted Marinka as she rushed out of her dark corner behind the door of the drawing room.
Grandmother and daddy turned their heads in surprise and looked at her angrily.
“You’ve been listening,” daddy said strictly.
“No, I was playing there and I heard that you were going to send me somewhere again, but I want to stay now—with Emma.”
“Not with me?” grandmother said angrily.
“Oh, yes, with you too,” Marinka corrected herself.
© Irene P. Odorizzi, 1989
Marinka promised everything, but you could never count on her keeping her promises, although she really had meant to . One never knew when she was telling the truth or making it up. It was not that she wanted to lie; it seemed to her grandmother that Marinka just didn’t know where truth ended and fiction began. Grandmother had encouraged Marika to refrain from being affectionate. When the little girl, without cause, suddenly hugged her and started to kiss her grandmother, this was strange and unpleasant to the old lady.
Grandmother was unable to teach the child to stop disappearing. She did not always disappear from the house--no, they often found her inside the house in some remote dark comer. The used to call her, but she would not let herself be found, not because of meanness, but because she just didn't hear them until they finally found her and gave her a good shaking.
“Marinka, wake up. Where have you been?”
“I’ve been. I’ve been...” she stated, turning her eyes round just as if she had gone insane.
“I was in a country.”
“In what country, for goodness sake, you were here, on the floor.”
“No...I was with...I was with a beautiful lady.”
“Where do you see a lady here? You don’t think I’ve gone crazy, too, do you?”
“I was with the queen,”
“Oh, you miserable child, you are making up stories again.”
When grandmother appeared to be angry and offended, Marinka often apologized, but sometimes the granddaughter sudenly burst into laughter to the great astonishment of the old lady who was then even more insulted.
Grandmother had hired Emma to look after Marinka day and night. Marinka’s father sent Emma’s salary every month, and for Christmas some material for a blouse and two aprons. Emma would take Marinka out of doors, help her dress, feed her, comb her hair, and help her to bed in the evening. Marinka felt that she was treated like a baby again. But this was not unpleasant at all because Emma was gentle and kind. In the evening, before Marinka fell asleep, Emma kissed her forehead gently and tucked the blankets around her shoulders. The girl felt an overwhelming, passionate love for Emma that she could not give to anybody else.
Grandmother started to frown again and wonder why the poor child always had to exaggerate everything so much. She knew after whom Marinka has taken her unbalanced character, although she had never said that aloud. Daddy came to visit seldom, twice a year perhaps. Grandmother told Marinka that he was too busy to come to visit them. Marinka saw so little of him that he became strange and she began to fear him. Of course, he was extraordinarily handsome and well dressed, dignified, and he chose his words carefully. He was so refined that grandmother was very proud of him. Marinka, too, was proud of him, as he was a finer man than anybody she knew in the village. The local gossip said that he was extremely wealthy, that he had plenty of money, and he was extremely generous whenever he arrived, giving money to all. Marinka was also given a “stotak” (a hundred) or two and told to buy herself anything. Her father was a proud man and spoke courteously to everyone, including Marinka. He encouraged her to do well in'school, and promised to send her
abroad to a fine Finishing School for girls from “good” families. There she would learn to be a fine young lady.
Marinka looked at her father with incomprehension, showing no delight.
“What would you like to be, Marinka?”
“A sailor” (she was reading a book on pirates at that time).
“For Christ’s sake!”
When daddy came to visit, it was a holiday and the “salon” (drawing-room) was used. Daddy didn’t want to sit in the kitchen, of course, and the sitting-room was not good enough for him either. Grandmother and he sat in the drawing room at the large mahogany table which no one was allowed to appraoch at other times, and drank tea, real tea, as he had learned to drink in England. He was a cosmopolitan—no one in the village knew what that meant.
One day, Marinka was hiding in a comer in the sitting room, behind a big tile stove on which she used to sit and read in winter, since the stove was so wide. It looked like a real rural stove, though it was made of fine white flowered tiles. Marinka discovered a recess behind the stove where there was an old book shelf.
This was where she could hide without being discovered when the door of the drawing room was open. That day, the door was open and from time to time Marinka heard a sentence interesting enough to listen to. “Does she still ask about-her?” daddy asked grandmother. “About-her?” repeated grandmother with the same strange emphasis on the last work. “Sometimes, but less and less often.”
“I must ask you again, mother, to be careful,” daddy said. “She must not get in touch with her, by no means.
Emma Matko Planinšek poses for this picture before leaving Slovenia for America in 1921. Emma will be 90 years old April 2, 1989.
Mrs. Kramer, costumed for her operatic role of Madame Butterfly, holds her daughter Evica, before the untimely death of the little girl.
I don’t want her to influence Marinka’s upbringing. That might be a bad influence. I’m sorry to say that Marinka could not learn anything good from-her.”
“But what shall I do if she appears here all of a sudden?” grandmother asked.
“Who is she, daddy, that wicked woman who may not come to visit me?”
Daddy and grandmother exchanged glances, grandmother cleared her throat.
“You cannot understand it yet, but you will when you grow up.”
Thus, Marinka was often sent away. One day she will know everything, she will understand everything that is not now understandable. She had to become reconciled to that-but she was not at ease and had to ask-“Is she not perhaps...” No, it was not possible that daddy and grandmother were talking about her mother when they mentioned "her”. She shook her head.
“What was it that you wanted to ask?” said daddy very kindly again.
“Go ahead, what’s bothering you?”
“I'd like to go for a walk with Emma,” Marinka said quietly. Marinka and Emma liked to walk along the other
side of the stream along a narrow path, leading through the meadows up to the woods. There they would pick forget-me-nots and daisies from which Emma would make wreaths. Every day she put a different one on Marinka’s head, or she made a real big hat out of hazel-bush leaves fixed together with little sticks. She would make long chains from dandelion stalks and Marinka would wear them round her neck like a necklace. She felt, thus decorated, like a princess and Emma was her lady-in-waiting. “Emma.”
“What is it, sweetheart?”
“When I was very little I often went to the theater.” “You are not very big now either, sweetheart.”
They were sitting at the edge of a forest, under a big wild cherry tree, holding its branches above them like a big canopy.
“When I was much smaller than now, I remember I was sitting in the theater in front of the stage under which the music was playing and on which the singers were singing. They were all clothed in silk and gold like kings and queens, and the most beautiful was...”
"Who?”
Marinka looked at Emma as if she didn’t know if she could tell her.
“She had a diamond crown on her head and she was the most beautiful of all and she also sang most beautifully. Now I sometimes think that she has gone to that country that I saw on the stage, and she is the queen there—I go to visit her because she cannot come to me.”
“Do you know who that queen was?”
“I know,” whispered Marinka and hugged Emma round her neck. She pressed her lips on her ear, “My Mummy, it was before she left.” They stood up holding their hands and ran to the woods. There was the world of birds, full of joyful chatter.
“I wish I could understand what that titmouse is saying,” said Marinka, and pointed to it. “Once I understood it but it was by accident because the fern seed came into my shoes. That helps.” Emma stopped and looked after the bird that had flown from the nearest branch deeper into the woods.
“I can understand what it is saying even though I haven’t got the fern seed,” said Emma.
“Tell me, Emma, tell me, please. What did it say a moment ago?”
“It said—Cicici, Marinka, is it true that you already know how to read and write?”
“It’s true, it’s true! Let’s tell her it’s true. And what else does it say?”
“It’s asking you,” continued Emma more and more severely, “why you don’t write to your mummy if you can write so well.”
"To my mother?” wondered Marinka, “nobody knows where my mother is now.”
Emma bent down to her and started to whisper something, although they were alone in the forest and nobody but the titmouse could hear them. Some days ago a fine man came to the village and looked for Emma because he had learned that Emma was taking care of Marinka. He gave her a letter from Marinka’s mother. She wrote to Emma and asked her about her little girl. Is she well and good? Does she ever think of her? Emma said she was going to write to her and it would also be nice if Marinka dropped a few lines to her, which would be enclosed in Emma’s letter. Then Emma would send the letter to
Emma (center) met Mira (left) and her mother, (right) in Slovenia again in the later 1950’s. What a reunion that must have been! Emma recalls that they probably would not have been reunited if she hadn’t been visiting the country.
Marinka's mother and she will reply and perhaps even come to visit. Marinka was excited and now started to whisper, too, without knowing at first why they had to talk so silently. Then she became aware of what she had anticipated all the time-grandmother and daddy talked about her mother when they referred to “her.” She asked Emma if her mother was really a bad woman. Emma knelt beside her, embracing her, and told her that her mother was a famous and a beautiful woman, that she loved her, and that that was all Marinka needed to know about her. Their conversation in the forest was wonderfully mysterious, the trees agreed by their silent rustling.
"But you must not tell your grandmother that we are going to write to her,” said Emma.
"I know," answered Marinka. The secret had brought them even nearer together. Marinka thought herself to be very important since she knew something that no one else was supposed to know. Sometimes she and Emma looked at each other and smiled. Marinka could hardly keep the secret to herself. She never liked to trust the secrets to her grandmother, but now she found that she wanted to tell her everything about the letter she was going to write to her mother. She had to put her hand on her mouth in order to keep from talking.
After supper, grandmother sent Emma to the village for some reason and put Marinka to bed by herself. But as soon as grandmother had turned the light off and left the room, Marinka crawled silently out of her bed to the table by the window where she usually wrote her homework. There was a candlestick on the table with a box of matches. She lit the candle, tore a piece of paper out of her school notebook, dipped a pen in the ink, and started to write.
"Dear Mother,
I can’t tell you how much I miss you. I think of you almost every day.
Her pen creaked slowly and made clumsy loops of letters up and down the lined paper. By the daring candle, Marinka bent her head so low that she almost touched the paper with her nose. The branches of the apricot moved in front of the window, the wind knocked on the glass,
and outside some cautious steps were heard. Marinka didn’t hear anything, she didn't see anything but the square and round letters, growing under her pen, one after another, until a white, trembling hand pulled the pen out of her hand. The same hand took the piece of paper. Marinka shivered and shouted in fear. Then she slipped, and almost fell off the chair. Her grandmother was standing beside her, looking at her more sadly than angrily. Her pressed lips trembled with anguish.
“Haven’t we said ‘good night’?” grandmother asked, “why did you get up again?”
“Because.. .because...”
“Now I see. You wanted to write-to your mother. Why, behind my back?”
“Because...”
“Because you thought I wouldn’t let you, didn’t you? And I really wouldn’t have let you, because we don’t have your mother’s address, so we couldn’t have sent your letter. Nobody knows where she has gone,” grandmother said bitterly.
“Oh, yes, Emma knows", cried out Marinka. “Emma can send her my letter and my mother will then come to see me and she will be by my side again.”
“Oh, you miserable child, don’t you know that it just won’t be so? She’s gone for good, left you and your father. Now you have made me tell you this painful truth, but you had to learn about it sooner or later. Now you go to bed and I am going to talk to Emma.”
In the dark, on a pillow wet with tears, Marinka finally fell asleep. Emma was not there in the morning. Grandmother had fired her. Very quickly, without letting her say good-bye to Marinka, Emma left their house and also the village. It was many months later that Marinka learned how far she had gone-she had gone across the large ocean, to a relative in America.
So, the letter from America brought back many memories of the Old Country, of Marinka as she used to be, of Emma, and of the second letter that had never been sent.
End
ANA GABER: ŠT. 2, CHICAGO, IL
ANTON DERMOTA
VI PA LEPO ZAČENJATE
Od študija pri gospe Radd do državne opere
Bila je pot v neznano, toda zaupal sem in bil sem dobro razpoložen. Pred menoj se je odpiral svet, predvsem svet glasbe, ki sem jo ljubil bolj kakor sem kdaj mislil. Tudi za stanovanje je bilo preskrbljeno. »Podedoval« sem sobico v Starhemberggasse v četrtem dunajskem okraju (v zadnji vojni jo je porušila bomba) od prijatelja Boga Leskovica, ki je takrat končal študij violončela na državni glasbeni akademiji in je po diplomi odšel nazaj v Ljubljano. Za to veliko uslugo sem mu še danes hvaležen. Najprej se je uveljavil s solističnimi koncerti na violončelu, kmalu pa je stopil za dirigentski pult in koncertiral s Slovensko filharmonijo in radijskim orkestrom. Kot dirigent si je zgradil pomembno mednarodno kariero. Svoje zelo obsežno glasbeno udejstvovanje je končal kot večletni direktor ljubljanske opere. Zelo pomembno je tudi njegovo kompozicijsko ustvarjanje s simfonijami, komornimi skladbami in pevskimi kompozicijami.
Štipendija je znašala mesečno 160 dobrih, starih šilingov. Dnevne pevske ure pri učiteljici Radč so veljale okrog 60 šilingov, soba pa 35 šilingov. Zraven tega pa še klavirske ure pri prof. Antonu Trostu 25 šilingov, tako mi je ostalo golih 40 šilingov, torej malo več kot en šiling na dan. Kako bi se dalo s tem živeti?
V	ulici Johanna Straussa, kjer je stanovala gospa Radč, je bila skromna meščanska gostilna, tam je stal najmanjši obed 1.20 šilinga, kar pa je bilo že preveč za mojo skromno denarnico. Pogajal sem se torej z gostilničarjem in nazadnje sva se zedinila za kosilo po 80 grošev brez mesa in brez sladice. K temu sem vsak dan kupil pol kilograma črnega kruha, ki sem si ga razdelil čez dan; nekaj za zajtrk, nekaj pa za zvečer z golaževo juho ali s kako drugo jedjo takve vrste pri tedaj po vsem svetu znamem, prvem samopostrežnem lokalu na Dunaju, pri Ottu Kasererju, kratko O.K. Pozneje mi je gospa Radč prepustila nekaj učencev, mojih kolegov, da sem z njimi korepetiral. In tako je včasih priletelo še nekaj šilingov.
V	velikem mestu sem se čutil precej osamljenega in iskal sem stikov. Tedaj sem se spomnil, da stanuje v Simmeringu bližnji rojak z imenom Šlibar. Poznal sem njegovo mater, ko smo še v Kropi za božič v skupinah hodili od hiše do hiše s kolednicami. Bila je pravi original in živo izročilo, zakladnica slovenskih ljudskih pesmi. Njej se moramo zahvaliti, da je lahko Jože Gašperšič, že dolgo preden smo poznali zapis
na magnetofonski trak, zapisal veliko slovenskih ljudskih pesmi in jih tako ohranil za prihodnje rodove.
Šlibarjevi so me prijazno sprejeli. Res, Šlibarjeva žena mi je bila kot mati in to razmerje je kmalu postalo tako prisrčno, da sem prišel v to družino skoraj vsako nedeljo in pogostil so me s krepkim kosilom. Potem sem šel s Slibarjevimi otroki po navadi v Konzerthaus k priljubljenim koncertom simfonikov, ki so jih prirejali vsako nedeljo popoldan. Stojišče je veljalo 30 grošev, ravno toliko sem še imel. Tam sem spoznal velik del kalsične koncertne literature, med drugim oratorije »Mesijo«, »Letne čase«, Mozartov »Rekviem« in druga klasična dela.
Oče Šlibar me je vzel nekoč s seboj na osrednje dunajsko pokopališče, kjer je za vse svete imel stojnico s klobasicami. Tam sem mu pomagal vabiti kupce
- »vroče hrenovke...!« — zato pa sem se jih smel po volji najesti.
Tudi sicer se je vzajemnost in dužabnost mojih rojakov na Dunaju dobro izkazala. Kmalu sem bil gost pri več družinah, da sem lahko po tednu stradanja upal na dobro obloženo opoldansko nedeljsko mizo. Bil sem torej nekakšen potujoči jedež, na raznih krajih, z različnimi krušnimi očeti in materami.
Moja »kraljevska« soba v Starhemberggasse se ni dala ogreti. Sicer je stala tam stara peč, toda nerabna, kar pa je bilo vseeno, saj tako nisem imel denarja za kurjavo. Samo enkrat jo je moja poznejša žena poskusila zakuriti, ko sem ležal s hudim prehladom. Hotela jo je obuditi v življenje, toda oba bi se bila pri tem skoraj zadušila.
Sicer pa sem bil kar zadovoljen, ker nisem od življenja več zahteval. Hišna gospodinja, kultivirana Judinja, mi je včasih primaknila kos kake dobrote, močnate jedi ali kako drugo malenkost. Predvsem pa je bilo pomembno, da sem smel vaditi na klavirju v sosednji sobi, če s tem drugih stanovalcev v družini nisem motil. Pevskih vaj ni imela preveč rada, toda to sem pač lahko razumel. Če sta njeni odrasli hčeri dobili obisk, sem z vajami končal.
Pevske lekcije sem imel dnevno ob enajstih dopoldan, trajale so približno 30 minut. Kmalu pa se je pokazalo, da je to premalo. Zato me je gospa Rad6 večkrat naročila še za popoldan ali zvečer. Tako sem imel brez novih stroškov še drugo lekcijo. Marija Radč
- Danielli, tako se je imenovala, s čimer je hotela
pokazati zvezo s starimi italijanskimi pevskimi mojstri, je bila belolasa starejša dama, z značilnim, izrazitim obrazom. Močna osebnost, ki je zbujala zaupanje. Gotovo je imela za seboj bogate življenjske izkušnje, o katerih pa nismo nič videli. Nikdar nisem slišal o njeni pevski karieri in niti tega ne vem, ali je sploh kdaj bila na odru.
Sam eno slabost je imela moja učiteljica: kadila je. Po vsaki lekciji je stopila - stasita gospa - med podboje vrat in popuhala cigareto. Bržkone jih je pokadila do trideset na dan, saj je poučevala od devetih zjutraj do devetih zvečer. Ni mi mogoče razumeti, kako je to vzdržala; zlasti odkar poučujem, vem, kaj pomeni, vleči ta voz vse življenje ob zavesti, da doseže le majhno število učencev svoj cilj. Gospa Radč pa se je - njej v čast naj bo povedano - za vse in vsakega, tudi za manj obetajočega učenca popolnoma zavzela.
Čeprav je zbujala veliko spoštovanje, je bila nam svojim učencem tudi materinska prijateljica. Celo v čisto osebnih zadevah se je bilo mogoče zateči k njej. Marsikatero sporno zadevo je rešila, marsikatero srčno bolečino omilila, pač tudi iz spoznanja, da se vsaka duševna stiska takoj prenese tudi na glas. S takim ravnanjem se je rodila med nami zaupljivost in zvestoba, ki tudi ni dopustila nobenega dvoma o njeni pevski metodi. Ta pa je bila res taka, da jo še danes priznavam.
S tem hočem reči: nobene splošno veljavne pevske metode ni, še najmanj take, ki bi bila primerna za vsakogar. Vsekakor se moram za temelje svoje pevske tehnike zahvaliti šoli Radč. Seveda je v poklicnem življenju mogoče marsikateri tehnični problem rešiti le s stalnim delom, ki se konča šele s koncem poklicnega udejstvovanja.
Ljubljansko operno ravnateljstvo mi je dalo priporočilo, s katerim mi je bil omogočen obisk predstav v državni operi na stojišču tretje galerije po režijski ceni 20 grošev. Skoraj vsak večer sem to izkoristil, tako da sem opere, ki so stalno na sporedu, Traviato, Rigoletto, Bohšme ali Tosco še in še slišal in z vedno drugimi pevci. Pri tem sem napeto sledil, kako so razni tenoristi vsak po svoje obvladali težja mesta. Velikorat sem potem pozno zvečer po predstavi telefonično prosil gospo Radč, da bi mi pojasnila, kako bi se dalo to ali ono frazo, ki se mi ni zdela prav posrečena, bolje odpeti. In ta dobra gospa tega nikoli ni štela za obremenitev ali celo za predrznost. Vedno je bila voljna pojasniti vsako nadrobnost.
Seveda pa mi je bilo tudi do tega, da bi spoznal dela, ki niso sodila k mojemu repertoarju, na primjer velike Wagnerjever opere, predvsem »Prstan«. Dolgo časa nisem mogel najti pravega odnosa do te glasbe, toda nisem popustil. Zavedal sem se, da moram najti stik tudi z njo, če nočem biti le »tenorist«, temveč vsestranski glasbenik. Pravpodobno je bilo z Richardom Straussom, predvsem s »Kavalirjem z rožo«, s katerim najprej nisem vedel kaj početi. Danes pa je ta opera že dolgo med mojimi najljubšimi.
Med pomembnimi učenci gospe Radč je bil tudi Jože Gostič, ki je kot že velik in priznan umetnik prihajal iz Zagreba na Dunaj, da bi se z gospo Radč posvetoval o svojih osebnih pevskih tehničnih problemih. Midva sva utrdila sloves šole Radč, seveda predvsem v svoji domovini. Zato je imela gospa Rado med svojimi učenci vedno bogat prirastek iz Jugoslavije.
Poleg Marije Radč nisem pozneje iskal stika s drugimi pevskimi učitelji, temveč sem tehnična vprašanja, na katera sem naletel, poskušal rešiti iz svoje izkušnje in s presojo svojih zmožnosti. To pa mi je morda le zato uspelo, ker sem bil vselej dovolj samokritičen. Šele v svoji ženi sem dobil pozneje razsodnico, katere mnenje mi je mnogo pomenilo in je ona postala stalni korektiv mojega dela.
Prepričan sem, da je bilo srečanje z mojo bodočo ženo za mojo življenjsko pot usodnega pomena. Okoliščine, v katerih sem jo spoznal, potrjujejo to prepričanje. Nikdar nisem slutil, da jo bom srečal. Tudi ona je hodila na obede v že omenjeno gostilno v ulici Johanna Straussa, kjer sem tudi jaz vsak dan kosil. Največkrat se nisem zmenil za svojo okolico in tudi pri kosilu sem mislil le na svoje petje. Štipendija je bila podeljena le za dve leti. Zato sem hotel ta čas čim temeljitelje izkoristiti in nisem mislil na nič drugega kakor na študij.
H kosilu sem sedel vedno v isti kot, zamišljeno in napol odsoten pogledal jedilni list, da bi vedel, česa ne bom mogel naročiti in komaj sem se kdaj ozrl okrog sebe. Zrezki in razne torte na mizah poleg mene me niso motili. Zemeljski užitki niso imeli zame takrat posebnega mika.
Nekega dne pa sem manj zaverovan v svoje misli vendarle pogledal okrog sebe. Videl sem, da je k mizi meni nasproti sedlo neko mlado, svetlolaso dekle. To mi ni bilo neprijetno. Drugega dne je njen prostor ostal prazen, kar sem skoraj razočaran ugotovil. Tretjega dne je spet prišla in tedaj si nisem mogel prikriti nekega prijetnega občutka. To se je ponavljalo. Ni prihajala vsak dan, temveč le tu in tam. In kadar je ni bilo, mi je kar nekaj manjkalo.
Začel sem se zanimati. Nobenega stika ni bilo, toda mlada dama mi je bila v mislih nekako takole: danes je ni. Škoda, menda vendar ni zboleta? — Nekega dne sem si drznil naravnost pogledati moj vis-š-vis. Videl sem, da je dekle s pogledom odgovorilo, sicer le plaho, vendar nedvoumno in razločno. Tedaj sem vedel: tam ni nobenega nasprotovanja, nobenega odpora, pa tudi ne spogledovanja, temveč nekakšno sorodno občutje.
Toda treba je bilo še zunanjega povoda, da sem se sploh opogumil, da bi me dekle opazilo in da bi jo nagovoril. Tak povod sta omogočil dve gospe pri mizi poleg moje, vdova po nekem generalu in njena hčerka. Ta je prav tako študirala petje. Mati pa je kmalu opazila skrivne poglede med svetlolaso neznanko in med menoj in zelo tenkočutno poskušala posredovati. To je bilo sicer precej preprosto, saj je naju oba poznala in naju zapletla v pogovor. Tako sva se torej najprej pozdravljala, s časom pa tudi drug z drugim govorila. Moj nemški besedni zaklad je bil še zelo skromen, toda kar je bilo glavno, sem že znal povedati. Sicer pa sem iz previdnosti nosil s seboj slovarček.
Že prej sem opazil, da si je moja svetlolasa neznanka preganjala čas, ko je čakala na jed, s tem, da je listala po notah. To je bila čudovita priložnost, da bi navezal stik. Zato je potekel najin prvi pogovor, ki se je seveda sukal okrog glasbe, tako rekoč med juho in prikuho. Zvedel sem, da študira klavir na akademiji v mojstrskem razredu, ki ga je vodil Emil von Sauer, in da je temu prv tako predana kakor jaz petju. Povedala je tudi, da poučuje nekaj otrok in da si tako zasluži priboljšek k denarju za študij.
VELIKONOČNI KRES
JOŽE KRIVEC
POMLAD 1941
(NEMCI ZASEDEJO SLOVENIJO)
Oče Jakob pa je bil že ves dopoldne žalosten. Hodil je nemiren sem ter tja, a ni našel miru. Ko se je popoldne ozračje nekoliko segrelo, je spet lezel z otroki na vrh. Jožica in Barbka sta ga vlekli vsaka za eno roko. Tonček pa je skakljal pred njimi. Kar lepo mu je bilo v družbi teh malih. Kaj bi počel, če še teh ne bi imel. Seveda, kadar sta bila doma Jože in Martin, je bil vedno le z njima. Če sta hotela kam na obisk, kamor ni mogel z njima, se je že pritoževal, češ ali nista prišla zanj domov.
Ogledovali so pripravljeni kres. Če bo vreme lepo, bo gorel, da bo veselje.
“Kolikokrat sem ga takole kuril!" je otrokom razlagal. “Menda sem bil star deset let, ko smo ga preskakovali. Cela vrsta nas je bila in drug za drugim smo frleli skozi plamene. Spotaknil sem se in, čof, že sem ležal v ognju.”
“Pa se niste opekli, dedek?" ga vpraša Tonček.
“Seveda! Komu pa ogenj prizanese? Kožo so mi slekli z rok. Še zdaj noosim na desnici brazgotine.”
Potegnil je rokav visoko ter jim kazal brazgotinasto roko. Ne rečem, da ne bi bil nikjer zadovoljen, a doma ni bilo. Vsako pomlad sem čutil neutolažljivo željo po domači zemlji in po naši pomladi. Nekoč se je zgodilo, da nisem vzdržal več. Nenadoma sem se dvignil in se vrnil..."
Zazrl se je po goricah navzdol. Zemlja se je počasi prebujala, zadehtela je že. Tiho so pomladni sokovi lezli v sleherni trs. Pod gorico spodaj je na ravninici čepel dom: zdel se mu je kot gnezdece, v katerem more biti doma le sreča. Sivkast dim se je vrtinčil iznad strehe, zelena trata ga je obdajala kakor z žametom.
Med goricami se je kot kača vila cesta, da je po njej en hrib podajal roko drugemu. Na njih so bile razsejane hiše: večje gosposke, a tudi manjše, kmečke. Mračnost je kazala na domove bajtarjev in viničarjev. Kljub temu pa je bila ta zemlja lepa, kakršni bi težko na svetu našel enako.
“Vesel sem čakal prvega grozdja, ko sem zasadil gorice in sadje z mladih dreves!" je razlagal naposled. S toploto v očeh je gledal na delo svojih rok. “Zdaj bo spet pomlad in vse bo cvetelo, dehtelo ... “je dahnil.
Vodil je otroke nad ovinek ceste, da bi se morebiti srečali z Matijem ali z Jožetom. A na cesti je bilo le nekaj tujih ljudi. Obraza, ki ga je pričakoval, ni bilo.
Sele v prvem mraku se je Matija vrnil. S težkim korakom je pritaval v hišo, kakor bi ga bila pot posebno utrudila. Na obrazu mu je ležala žalost.
Srečali so se v veži: oče Jakob, Matija in žena
Barba. Za trenutek so tiho strmeli drug v drugega.
“Ne bo ga!" je šepnil Matija.
“Reklo mi je, da ga ne bo!" je Jakob pokazal z desnico na prsi in glava mu je padla še niže med ramena. “Od koga si zvedel?"
“Šuparjev študent je pribežal domov. Razlagal je grozne stvari: da so Jožeta in še nekaj drugih vodili po mestu, pljuvali vanje in jih pretepali. Zmerjali so jih s 'slovenskimi svinjami’. Tudi njegovi bivši študentje z belimi nogavicami in v irhastih hlačah so bili med njimi."
“Ne bo ga!” je siknila Barba. Oči je povesila, šlo ji je na jok. “Ubogi!”
“Tudi duhovnike in učitelje povsod pobirajo. Cerkve in šole pa zapirajo," je Matija dodal. “Ganzittija sem videl v družbi nemških vojakov. Ostro meje meril, zaničljivo me je prebadal z očmi...”
Ganzitti je bil oskrbnik na nemškem veleposestvu.
Jakob je brez besede oddrsal v svojo sobico. Te vesti so ga presunile. Zdelo se mu je, da so mu z mečem prebodli srce.
Ko ga je Matija prišel klicat k večerji, ga je našel klečečega pri mizi in s paternoštrom med prsti. Njegove oči so bile pa vlažne, obraz vse bolj koščen in star kot sice.
Večerjal ni nihče razen otrok. Še Blaža je novica pretresla. Edino otrokom je bilo lepo, ker jim ničesar niso povedali. Še vedno so z otroškim hrepenenjem in srečo pričakovali strica Jožeta in Martina...
Ta večer je molil pred Križanim oče Jakob sam. Počasi in vdano so tolkle ob stene njegove besede, kakor bi bil hotel rotiti Boga, naj odvrne trpljenje od njihovega doma...
Zgodaj zjutraj, še tema je bila, so votlo odmevali udarci po vratih in jih vse spravili pokonci. Jakob je vstal in odprl.
“Ste vi Jakob Kmetič, oče Jožeta in Martina?” je iz teme kričal vojak v nemščini nad njim.
“Sem! Kaj želite?” je vprašal Jakob.
“Kje je Matija Kmetič in njegova družina?”
“Tukaj notri. Spijo še, ker tako zgodnjih obiskov nismo vajeni."
Štirje vojaki so planili v vežo in kričali.
"Vstanite. Pojdete z nami! V pol ure morate biti nared!”
S puškami so udarjali po vratih, po podu in mizi. Kamor je priletelo.
Ko se je danilo — obetalo se je lepo vreme, kajti nebo se je čez noč zjasnilo — je stopala čez prag dobrega doma Kmetičeva družina s culami čez ramo. Barba je ihtela z Jožico v naročju, Matija za njo je komaj pridrževal solze, ko je poljubil podboje vežnih vrat, otroci so z jokom zapuščali rodno streho, da bi mogli tudi kamnito srce omehčati. Le oče Jakob, ki je zadnji prestopil prag, bil snel iz kota Križanega ter ga skril pod suknjič, je bil videti trd in neranljiv. V prečuti noči je ojeklenel.
“Ne jokajte, saj se boste nekoč spet povrnili!" jih je tolažil on, ki je čutil najbolj z domom. “Kaj vam, ki ste mladi! Prišli bboste nazaj in našli dom in zemljo. Jaz pa mogoče grem na tuje umirat, jaz, ki imam že belo glavo...”
Namesto njega so drugi ob njem bridkeje zaihteli. Njegovo srce pa je bilo na videz neobčutljivo.
STARA JABLANA
MIŠKO KRANJEC
Okrog hiše je bil prostran vrt, ograjen z drogovi in latami, kakor so ograjeni vrtovi v hribih. Na tem vrtu je bilo mnogo sadnega drevja, po večini še mladega, nekaj celo pred nedavnim zasajenega. Za hišo pa je med mladim drevjem stala stara, zelo stara jablana, z raskavo skorjo, brez vrha, z odžaganimi vejami, ki so nekatere na novo pognale. Le ena sama veja je še bila nedotaknjena, zdrava. Debela kakor kakšno drevo je visela vodoravno in se je vzdignila šele, kjer se je razširila v manjše veje. Tiste veje, ki so iz odžaganih pognale, so cvetele vedno jeseni, le ona stara nedotaknjena, je cvetela spomladi. A tudi ta ni že dolgo rodila.
Ampak takrat, ko je Oče Presečnik prvič navezal malemu Tončku vrv na to vejo, kjer naj bi se gugal, je jablana bila še košata, dasi že stara. Tončku je bilo komaj eno leto. Odtlej so ga tam vsak dan zibali. Vrvi razen pozimi niso nikdar sneli. Ko je doraščal, se je sam gugal. V hribih ni bilo otrok, da bi se gugali z njim pa si je pomagal, kakor je vedel in znal.
Ko se je tako že nekaj let gugal, se je sosedovim, ki so bili za nekaj streljajev daleč, rodila hčerka. In ko je ta doraščala in ko je prišla nekega dne z materjo k Presečnikovim, ji je Tonček takoj pokazal svojo gugalnico. Poslej sta se skupaj gugala. Poslej sta bila na vejo te stare jablane navezani dve vrvi, da ni bilo treba drugemu čakati, ko je drugi imel zabavo. Spomladi je jablana cvetela, jeseni pa so na njej zorela lepa jabolka, ki sta jih gugajoč se jedla in pri tem seveda modrovala, kakor pač modrujejo otroci. In tako sta modrovala tudi nekega dne, ko je jablana najlepše cvetela, njima pa je bilo: Tončku dvanajst, Manci pa sedem let. Tedaj, ko sta v zraku plavala vštric, je rekal Tonček:
»Ko doraseš, Manca, te vzamem za ženo. Mislim, da nimaš nič proti?«
Manca ni prav nič zardela, zdelo se ji je naravno, premislila je, nato pa odgovorila sila resno:
»Dobra žena ti bom, samo tepsti me ne boš smel. Ali me ne boš?«
»Ne bom te tepel,« je odvrnil pametno, »zakaj naj bi te pa? Saj boš pridna in poštena?«
»Saj si lahko misliš,« je odvrnila. »Samo strah me je, če bi me tepel. Naš ata skoraj vsak dan tepejo mamo. Nimam rada ata. Ti ne smeš biti tak.«
»Še dotaknil se te ne bom!« je dejal mirno in resno.
»Tudi piti ne boš smel,« je dejala, ko sta bila visoko v zraku.
Malo je pomislil, nato pa odvrnil: »Pil bom. Ker kakšen možak pa je, kdor ne pije? Saj bi me bilo sram.«
Zdaj je ona mislila. In ko sta bila na drugi strani v zraku, je rekla: »Če boš že pil, vsaj pijanec ne smeš postati. Sicer te ne vzamem. Naš ata se večkrat opijejo in to je tako grdo!«
»Pijanec ne bom.« je obljubil. »Če bi pa že moral piti, ne bom sirov. Vesel pijanec bom in bom samo prepeval.« Manca je spet mislila pa dejala:
»Ne, bolje bo, če sploh ne piješ. Saj si kljub temu lahko vesel. — In kaditi ne smeš.«
»Kadil bom, to si lahko misliš! Saj bi me bilo sram, če v nedeljo pred cerkvijo ne bi kadili cigare.«
»Pa vsaj pipe ne smeš,« je zaprosila. »Iz pipe tako strašno smrdi. Naš ata kadijo pipo. — In kleti ne smeš. To je tako grdo! Naš ata vedno kolnejo, da me je kar strah, mater pa sram.«
»Klel ne bom, Manca, če tako hočeš,« je obljubil. »Tako kak primejduš bom pa včasih rekel. To se spodobi za možaka.«
»No,« je privolila Manca, »to ti že dovolim, ker vsi tako govorijo. Samo kaj hujšega ne smeš! — In za drugimi ženskami ne smeš gledati, pa meni baba ali kaj podobnega reči!«
»Ne bom gledal za drugimi, ti povem. Ker če te rad imam in če si lepa, zakaj naj bi gledal še za drugimi, ne? Tudi ti nikdar ne bom rekel baba. Tako se reče samo tistim babnicam, ki so slabe. Ti pa si dobra.«
»Naša mama so tudi dobri, pa jim vendar ata rečejo baba in še hujše stvari, ki niso za nikamor.«
»No,« je obljubil, »lahko si misliš, da ne bom tak kakor vaš ata!«
Tako sta se pomenila Presečnikov Tonček in Hojnikova Manca, ko je bilo njemu dvanajst, njej pa sedam let! Še sta se gugala leto in kaj, potem pa sta doraščala in nekaj let sta se kar sramežljivo spogledovala, če sta se že srečala. Srečevati se sta si želela, ali nista utegnila od dela in nekako ju je bilo sram. Tako so minila leta. Dorasla sta in tedaj se je godilo nekega nedeljskega popoldneva, daje Manca, že zrelo dekle, prišla k Presečnikovim, kjer je po naključju našla Toneta samega doma. S časnikom v
“Prosite raje Boga, da bi... “je počasi nadaljeval.
“Da bi Bog tem, ki nas izganjajo, nekoč za istim poplačal!” je divje zasikal Matija ter stiskal v jezi pesti. Kakor orel s kremplji bi se bil zagnal v te preganjavce, a le treznost ga je držala v oblasti.
“Nimaš prav, Matija! Tako te nisem nikoli učil! Prosite raje, naj Bog njim ne pošlje takih sovražnikov, kakor jih je poslal nad nas. Če se jih ne bo usmilil, se sovraštvo na svetu nikoli ne bo nehalo in ljubezen nikoli ne bo zavladala med ljudmi."
Hlapcu Blažu je stisnil roko.
“Zvesto skrbi za dom in za zemljo! Kakor bi bilo tvoje!"
Vojaki so bili že nepočkani. Sunili so jih naprej. Ni bilo več časa za poslavljanje. Bili so brezčutni, mrzli. Govoriti so znali le s puško.
S poti se je oče Jakob ozrl še enkrat nazaj, preden se je dom skril za ovinkom. Kakor jagned se je zravnal, zrastel in s ponosom zavednega haloškega gospodarja zaklical Blažu, strmečemu izpred praznega doma za njimi:
“Blaž! Zvečer zakuri kres! Prižgi ga, da se ne bo zdela naša zemlja mrtva! Pa zbogom!"
“Vorwarts!” je zapovedal vojak in s puškinim kopitom potisnil Jakoba naprej.
Blaž je stal negiben, kakor bi bil pognal korenine v zemljo. Strmel je brez besede za odhajajočimi, ki so se izgubljali v sinjem svitu jutra.
Silna žalost ga je težila, kakor viharni oblaki, ki pokrijejo zemljo. Bilo mu je kot bi mu bili iztrgali kos srca.
Polnih deset let življenja in dela pri hiši, ki je bila tudi njemu dober dom, mu je pomenilo vraščanje v družino. Počutil se je enakega med njimi.
Sam je ostal pri hiši. Brez gospodarjeve roke.
Odločil se je, ne da bi mnogo razmišljal.
“Storil bom vse potrebno, da bo dom ostal živ, dokler se ne vrnete!” je obljuboval za odhajajočimi.
Napotil se je proti hlevu, da nakrmi najprej živino, ki se je prebujala, privezana k jaslim...
STARA JABLANA Nadaljevanje od st. 29
roki je ležal pod jablano, pa bolj gledal v vejo nad seboj, kjer sonce ni moglo prodreti skozi listje, Manca je zelo zardela, ker ga je našla samega, njemu pa je kmalu odleglo in ji je ponudil prostor ob sebi. Ne po Tonetu, ozrla se je po stari jablani, ki je bila zdaj že močno okleščena, a je hranila dovolj spominov.
»Oklestiti smo jo morali,« je dejal, »ker so se ji veje posušile. Samo ta je še ostala. Čudna jablana; one obsekane so pognale mladike in te mladike cvetejo vsako jesen, ta stara veja pa cvete spomladi, ne rodi pa prav nič. Kljub temu je ne bom posekal.«
»Ne boš je posekal?« je dejala tiho.
»Ne,« je pritrdil, »nikdar je ne bom. Oče jo je že hotel, jaz pa nisem dal. — Ali se spominjaš, kako sva se tu nekoč gugala?« Zardela je, pobesila oči, a se je ljubko nasmehnila. »Ali se spominjaš, kaj si mi tedaj obljubila?« Smehljala se je tudi zdaj, a že nekam grenko; naposled je dejala mirno:
»Bila sva otroka Zdaj je vse drugače!«
Mislil je nekoliko, čez čas pa odvrnil tiho, a resno: »Nič ni drugače. Ali prideš k nam? Hočeš?«
Odkimala je. »Takrat sva bila otroka. Zdaj drugi odločajo. Saj veš, da vaši ne morejo naših. Oče je pijanec in revni smo postali...«
»To ni nič. Tebe hočem. In naši mi ne bodo nič rekli. Samo reci, če hočeš pa pridem pote! Res pridem!«
In po daljšem premisleku je odvrnila, »če vaši ne bodo preveč proti, pridem.« Kimal je zadovoljno, žuljil travo, naposled pa dejal tiho.
»Manca, poljubil te bom, če ne boš huda?«
»Ne,« je odvrnila in zardela. »Bo kdo videl. Če že mora biti, pa drugič in drugo!«
»Ne,« je dejal, »pa naj vidi!« In že jo je pritegnil k sebi in poljubil. »Tako, zdaj sva se dogovorila.« In čez čas je dejal trdno: »Te jablane ne bom nikdar posekal. Ostala nama bo za spomin, ne? Dokler bo stala, se bova rada imela.«
»Da, rada te bom vedno imela.«
Slika Fatimske Gospe, ki jo naša dobra in zvesta članica št 15 Antonija Stokar, zelo iskreno časti. Na priprošnjo Fatimske Gospe je ozdravela. Gospa Antonija bo v mesecu maju zakorakala v 84. leto, vendar kot znajo povedati njene prijateljice, se ji leta sploh ne poznajo. Še vedno je sveža in mlada, še vedno razveseljuje bližnjo in daljno oklico Newburg-a kjer živi.
Antonija, želimo vam še veliko let med nami.
FOUR GENERATIONS
PROFILE (Continued from page 12):
JENNIE FEMC AND FAMILY
Grandson, Robert Selan is at the top of this picture with his mother, Mary Ann Seian. Great grandson, Bradley is right, next to Jennie who is holding her two baby great granddaughters, Brittany and Sarah Selan.
with the ladies from Domžale?) They fell in love. In 1923 John Majdič proposed and so John and Jennie were married.
Then in 1924 a bundle of joy came into their lives. It was a girl, Mary Ann. John was working very hard, his heart could not take it anymore, and in 1935 he died, a young man. Jennie moved back to PA with Mary Ann where the little girl went to school and Jennie worked to support them. A little sunshine came into their lives when Jennie met a wonderful man - Louis Feme. She married him in 1937. They were a happy family again. Louis was a wonderful father to Mary Ann.
After retiring from work in the mines in 1942, Louis, Jennie and Mary Ann moved to Cleveland. They enjoyed their lives in our city to the fullest till 1974, when Jennie lost her husband.
In 1942 Jennie joined Branch 25, S.W.U. She was, all along, very active as a member and as an officer. She was also a National Auditor for three years.
Now Mary Ann is married and has a son, Robert. He is married, too, already and has a son, Bradley, and twins, Brittany and Sarah. So you see, Jennie is very busy with all her loved ones around.
Jennie, Bog Vas živi Se na mnoga leta!
Cirila Kermavner
ŠT. 25, CLEVELAND, OH
Po praznikih smo se končno malo odpočile in oddahnile z delom pripravljanja, pospravljanja, peke, i.t.d., ki smo ga imele za praznike. Sedaj bo pa že treba pohiteti s pripravljanjem sadik, če hočemo imeti kaj rožic in zelenjave čez poletje in tja v pozno jesen. Upajmo, da bomo lahko vsaj v sredi maja začele s potikanjem sadik po gredah. Ste dobro pognojile?
Frances Kotnik je menda naša edina “deklica", ki obhaja rojstni dan v krogu žena, ki pridejo na sestanke. Želimo ji ljubega zdravja, kakor tudi vsem drugim našim članicam, ki so tudi imele svečke prižgane na svojih tortah ta mesec, Bog vas živi!
Zopet smo izgubile dobro članico, sosestro Mollie Deželan. Odšla je k Bogu po večno plačilo. Bog ji bodi milosten Plačnik. Možu Franku, sinu in ostalemu sorodstvu, izrekamo globoko sožalje.
Kaj ko bi se malo potrudile in pripeljale kako novo članico k naši podružnici? PROBAJTE, MORDA VAM BO USPELO! Malo se ozrite naokrog in seveda vprašati je treba. Saj pravijo: "Kdor jezika špara, kruha strada."
Dobrodošlico izrekamo Ann Gor-nick, ki se je končno le lahko udeležila seje, Dosedaj je delala ponoči, celih 29 let. Bila je zaposlena v state hospital. Upamo, da se dostikrat vidimo se na naših sejah.
In sončne Kalifornije nam pošilja tople in lepe pozdrave Anna Božič. Zopet je malo poskočila k svojim, da si odpočije duha in telo.
Bodite pridne in ne naredite kaj neumnega, da se ne bodete kasneje kesale.
Ostanite zdrave!
CIRILA KERMAVNER
ŠT. 68, FAIRPORT HBR., OH
Danes je 31. januarja, ko to pišem; zunaj izgleda, da smo že v bližini pomladi, saj toplomer je skočil skoro na 50 F. Snega smo do sedaj imeli le toliko, da so ga otroci bili veseli, da so lahko napravili snežnega moža. Drugače je pa kar dosti sončnih dni, čeprav je včasih precej vetrovno. Čas nekako z hitrostjo beži in hiti, kot bi ga podili in seveda s časom se z njim vred vsi različno brž staramo. A na splošno se še kar dobro držimo. Kot vidimo, se nikomor med nami ne godi preslabo; in saj nimamo prevelikih želja, razen ene res potrebne želje,
posebno mi starejši državljani. Zdravja naj nam da ljubi Bog in smo zadovoljni. Vse ostalo bo samo ob sebi prišlo.
V	januarju in februarju pri naši podružnici nimamo sej. V marcu bomo v tem letu imele prvo sejo tretjo sredo v mesecu, zvečer ob šestih-6 uri kot običajno v Slovenskem klubu v Fairportu.
Kod sem že v februarski Zarji omenila, da iz naše slovenske srenje se ni nihče preselil v onostranstvo. Pač pa smo dobili novorojenega zemljančka pri družini J. Kohr. Lynne je povila krepkega fantka, ki bo delal druščino 2 letni sestrici Jennei. Krstili so ga Tony-Nikolay. Naše častitke staršem, Lynn in J. Kohr. Iskrene častitke starim staršem, Tony in Carol Satej. Ta novo rojeni fantek je pra-ravnuk pokojne Jennie Mohorcic-Satej.
Od naše podružnice nimam posebnih novic, kot, da je naša članica Mary Modic poletela v tople kraje k svojemu sinu Franku v Kalifornijo, da se je snegu umaknila. Ko bo ta ZARJA, Vam drage sestre prišla v roke, bo Mary naj-brže že doma.
Še nekaj o našem Slov. društva upokojencev v Fairportu. Da ne bi nič tega potrebnega društva opisala, vest mi ne dopušča, in
dolžnost mi narekuje, da moram še o tem nekaj besed z v našo ZARJO. Katerim se ne zdi vredno to brati, se lahko pa list naprej obrne. To društvo je zelo aktivno in družabno in klub ima dobiček in letna stanarina se po možnosti tudi plača. Nevem zakaj se dobi oseba, ki je proti temu?
V decembru smo imeli božično praznovanje v Euclidu-Cleveland v Rehar Hall-i; sejo in volitve na drugo sredo v mesecu in je bilo naročeno kosilo za 80 članov. Imenitno kosilo je pripravila Mary S. z njenimi pomočnicami. Bilo je mesa tri vrste; prašičevi kre-menatelčki, pečene kokoši in pohane ribe in dobro pripravljene prikuhe in tudi jabolčni štrudelj. Ker smo imeli v januarju isto tako, kot v decembru: sejo in kosilo, isti jedilni list kot v decembru tudi vsi člani v velikem zadovoljstvu z vso oskrbo, posebno z Mary-kuharico in njenimi pomočnicami: okoli 80 članov nas je bilo udeleženih. Imeli smo tudi volitve za novi odbor. Ves odbor z velikim zadovoljstvom, je bil enoglasno potrjen.
V februarju je bila seja v Fair-portu v Slov. klubu. Udeleženih članov nas je bilo 70.
Izvoljen novi odbor: preds, Frank Shume, vice preds, Rose Bradack; sekreteri, Dorothy Nemura; tres. Ann Poruber; Sgt. of Arm. Maty Shume; Arbt. Com. Nick Vukčevič; Frank Žnidar; Frances Mole. En-tert. Comm. Vic Melle, Roy Gobec, Loyd Gross. Auditor, Ann Cecelic, Don Lombardy, Tony Zadnik.
Zakusko so pripravili: Sofi in Vic Melle in Ann Poruber in Tony Zadnik. Sendviči s slov. klobasami. Ker je bila ta druga sreda postna -pepelnična - je Sofi Melle, pripravila tudi Tuna Fish kremo za na sendviče, ker je dosti članov, ki se
držijo posta. Bili so prav okusni, in pecivo, šifon cake in jaboljčne rezine, Vse z velikim zadovoljstvom članov. Tudi 50/50 igro imamo, to vodi Ann Cecelic, ker je pa listke dobro prodajala, se mi zdi, da so bili štirje člani obdarovanci. In še nekaj dobitkov je bilo prinesenih. Dve steklenici vina je Mrs. Vukčevič darovala; in še par drugih, ki si pa imen nisem zapisala, v takem razpoloženju je težko vse dojeti. Skoro pri vsaki mesečni seji imamo nove pristopne člane, da jih je res težko po imenu zapisati in zapomniti.
Čepravje že pozno; Želim v marcu vsem, ki ste se veselili v družbi svojih dragih svojih rojstnih dnevov, vsem Jožicam in Pepcam, Jožetom, seveda tudi mojemu Jožetu; obilo zdravja in Božjega Blagoslova, da bi se še dolgo let veselili življenja in prebirali slovenske časopise, posebno mesečnik ZARJO, Ameriško Domovino; Ave Marijo kjer je toliko lepega branja; in zadnje čase, zelo razveseljive novice iz naše matične domovine. Vsem, ki smo se tam rodili, ali kot otroci, ali kot mladeniči smo morali se prisilno odtrgati od nje in odpotovati v neznano nam tujino.
Zelo zanimiv je dopis - My China Diary -. Ko čitam se mi zdi, kot da bi tudi z Vami se udeležila tega potovanja. Lepo pozdravljam vse v uradu, ki se trudite z urejevanjem našega mesečnika ZARJA posebno urednici gospej Corrini Leskovar. Bog naj Vas ohrani še mnogo let srečno in zdravo.
Tudi lep pozdrav gospej in gosp. Mirkotu in Josephini Kalac. Saj gotovo kot članica čitate našo ZARJO, ker sem enkrat slišala Vaše ime na naši seji. Gotovo se
me boste spomnila, kdo sem. Danes je bila sv. maša za Jenie in Louis Lagina.
Še spomini na pesmico iz šolski let.
Stoji učilna zidana, pred njo pa stara jablana, ta jablana je votepanj sinica nosi gnezdo vanj
Sinica zjutraj prileti, na šolskem oknu obsedi, na oknu kljunček svoj odpre, tako prepevati začne:
Poslušajte, učitelj vi,
Kako se pod teboj godi, vsi vaši dečki me črte, povsod love, povsod pode.
Zalezli so moj ptičji rod, iz gnezda vrgli ga za plot mladiči tam pomrli so, oči svetle zaprli so.
Grdobe grde, paglave, masti ste vredne leskove Kdor v gnezdu ptičice mori, ta v srcu svojem dober ni.
Ko smo tole pesem zapeli, mlada gospodična učiteljica Mina Selan, doma tam od Ljubljane, predmestje Dravlje, pa hitro vse okna odpira, ker šola je bila prav ob glavni cesti. Petje, je kar grmelo, da so se mimo idoči ustavljali in poslušali. Bilo je nekaj zelo dobrih pevcev in pevk. Imam fotografijo od sošolcev, je pa zelo malo še tistih živih, največ, med in po drugi svetovni vojni pobitih. Si človek misli, kako čudovita so Božja pota, na različne načine v življenju.
Z pomladanskim pozdravom.
JULKA KLAMMER
AMERICAN
SLOVENIAN
CATHOLIC
UNION
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LIFE INSURANCE FOR THE FAMILY
HOME OFFICE: 243) GLENWOOD AVENUE • JOLIET, IL. 60435 (815)741-2001
^ -1 “FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART”
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RIDDLES
Rain, sleet, snow may not deter the post office but just leave out a zip code and they're completely helpless.
* * *
Before you borrow money from a friend, think about which you need more.
* * *
The most disappointed people in the world are those who get what is coming to them.
* * *
Some people are so generous they will give you anything they don’t want.
* * *
Mother to small son: “I don’t care if our basement wall is cracking, stop telling everyone that you come from a broken home.”
* * *
The country boy, coming to the city for the first time, was sent to court with a parking ticket. When asked why he parked in a place clearly marked, “No Parking,” he replied, “It’s not my fault. The sign said ‘Fine for Parking.’
Hunting the Gowk
“Your shoes are untied."The victim looks down at his shoes. “Ah, made ya' look. April Fool!”
As prankster, victim or just the supporting on-looker who supplies the laughter, we've all participated in the follies of April Fool’s Day.
Did you know that this tradition has been a tradition for over 400 years!
I didn't.
Exactly, where and when and why is uncertain, but most folklore points to France and the year 1564.
See, it was in 1564 that Charles IX (he was king at the time), decided to rearrange the calendar. He moved the first day of the year from April 1 to January 1. Anyone who resisted this change, and still celebrated New Year’s on April 1 was referred to as a “poisson d’avril" (April fish) and the victim of public scorn and humiliation.
As far as exactly when this practise became internationally practised isn’t known. My sources were conflicting.
Some say the 16th century, others the 18th century, but one fact they all agreed on is that it was the English who turned this French tradition into an international tradition. As soon as they discovered it, they introduced it to their neighbors, the Scots, and any other nationality that stopped in their harbors.
The Scots gave the custom another name. They call it hunting the gowk. (A gowk is what they call acuckoo!)
So, if you’re the victim of an April Fool’s Day prank, consider yourself part of an ancient tradition.
Oh, just one warning, if you happen to be vacationing in Mexico on April 1st, don't play any pranks on any of the locals, or the fool will truly be you. They celebrate their Hunting the Gowk on December 28th.
DAVY
Why do birds fly south?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN APRIL
National Officers:
Apr. 4 - Irene Jagodnik, Auditor, Cleveland, OH Apr. 16 - Emily Skull, Regional President, Duluth. MN Apr. 21 - Hermine Dicke, President, Scholarship Fund, Madison, W1
Presidents:
Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. 24 Apr. 25
1
4
6
10
17
Frances Korošec, Br. 59, Burgettstown, PA Margaret Cricar, Br. 71, Strabane, PA Betty Stefanic, Br. 92, Gunnison, CO Jeanette Killoran, Br. 6, Barberton, OH Virginia Uhemik, Br. 74, Ambridge, PA Charlotte Laurich, Br. 74, Ambridge, PA Kathleen Emerson, Br. 105, Detroit, Ml
Because it’s too far to walk.
Secretaries:
Apr .	1	-	Ardis Gregorash, Br. 20, Joliet, 1L
Apr.	3	-	Vida Lanari, Br. 29, Eveleth, MN
Apr.	6	-	Betty Stefanic, Br. 92, Gunnison, CO
Apr.	7	-	Stella Dancull, Br. 21, Cleveland, OH
Apr.	8	-	Angeline Voytko, Br. 40, Lorain, OH
Apr. 18	-	Katherine Knuth, Br. 38, Chisholm, MN
Apr. 24	-	Delores Puhek, Br. 2, Chicago, IL
Apr. 26	-	Jennie Crea, Br. 52, Kitzville, MN
2ND CLASS
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Louis Ron Zefran Marilyn E. Zefran
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Frank J. Zefran Lois M Zefran
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Books on Slovenian Immigrants and Pioneers
FROM SLOVENIA TO AMERICA
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FOOTSTEPS THROUGH TIME
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ROŽE Z MOJIH VRTOV (FLOWERS FROM MY GARDENS)
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