MlndinAki L'ul M \ poltcwr; hi fa. A Magazine for ^ &7 cv OCTOBER 1943 Mladinski List JUVENILE IVAN MOLEK -PHILIP GODINA - Editor Business Manager CONTENTS FOR OCTOBER ISSUE Vsebina oktobrske številke POEMS, STORIES, ETC. Page Grajski vrabec (zaključek pesnitve) ................................ 8 Lukec in njegov škorec (nadaljevanje)........................... 7 Pod topolom (pesem)............................................. 6 Slamnata streha (pesem)......................................... 6 ARTICLES In Honor of the SNPJ Juvenile Thirtieth Anniversary .................. 1 Trideset let ........................................................ 5 FEATURES Birthdays of the Great Men........................................... 11 Just For Fun......................................................... 15 Let’s Play Games......................................(inside back cover) Origin of the World, The............................................. TO Our School ............................................................16 Our Own Juvenile Circles of the SNPJ............................... 23 Our Pen Pals Write ....................................................25 Stamp Collecting ............................................ .13 Zgodbe o bombažu..................................................... 12 Published monthly by the Slovene National Benefit Society for the members of its Juvenile Department. Annual subscription, $1.20; half year, 60c; foreign subscription, $1.50. Address: 2657 S. Lawndale Ave., Chicago 23, 111. Entered as second-class matter August 2, 1922, at the post office at Chicago, 111., under Act of August 24, 1912. MLADINSKI LIST JUVENILE LETO XXII—ŠT. 10 CHICAGO, OCTOBER, 1943______ VOL. XXII—No. 10 In Honor of the SNPJ Juvenile Thirtieth Anniversary Michael Vrhovnik, Juvenile Director In this Thirtieth Anniversary Year of the Juvenile Department of the SNPJ, it is no more than proper that we review not only the outstanding events relating to its prog-gress, but of equal importance is it that we bring to your attention a few of the facts leading up to the time of its organization, for you cannot fully appreciate the purpose of the Juvenile Department without first knowing what led up to it in the preceding years. Let us turn back a few pages of history and find out who were the men responsible for the organization of the Slovene National Benefit Society—who were the inspiring forces behind this new movement. Let us learn the answers to the questions: WHEN, WHERE and WHY was the SNPJ organized? It is doubtful if there are, today, more than a handful of members in the whole Society who can correctly answer these questions. Every member old enough to read should know them and be sincerely proud in that knowledge. We are told that the first attempt to organize a new society, of which there is a written record, was made in Chicago, on September 23, 1903—over forty years ago. This was the meeting preliminary to the actual organization of “Slavij a”, the number one lodge Frank Medica of the SNPJ. The founders of this new movement, the men who really gave birth to the idea, were Frank Medica and Mariin Konda, editor and business manager, respectively, of the newspaper “Glas Svobode”. Together, they provided the spiritual and business leadership necessary to win the cooperation and support of other “free-thinkers” in their immediate community. In the beginning the going was rough. Strong opposition was encountered everywhere, but once the spark turned into a blaze, it spread like a “prairie fire” throughout America and later even into several provinces of Canada. Lodge Slavija, through its able officers and members, acted as the preparatory body for organizing similar lodges in other cities and towns, and to call a convention as soon as the time was ripe to establish the new society. While all this preparation was going on, surprisingly little thought was given to the name of the society. In fact, the name was never a paramount issue, but it was principles and ideals that demanded immediate attention. Those early leaders were interested in founding a society that would be entirely free from any kind of church control, free of all religious doctrines, and free from all imported forms of Austrian traditions. Like the pioneers who first settled in America, they were in search of certain free- Marlin Konda dorris of which they were more or less deprived in the old country—inalienable rights, they are called in our constitution. They wanted to be free to worship or not to worship, to believe what they wanted to believe, to teach the truth about democracy and fra-ternalism, to expose the real enemies of the common laboring class of people—free to find and to point out an easier road to better protection, security, goodfellowship, health and happiness. Those are some of the more important things they were after, and we can proudly point to achievement after achievement, down through all the years of the Soicety’s existence, showing an abundant measure of adherence to those principles and ideals. The pioneer fathers of the SNPJ went about the task of organizing new lodges with unwavering convictions. They made personal contacts with men of influence. Letter after letter was written, and columns upon columns of space in the “Glas Svobode” were devoted to every possible advantage. Their ambition knew no bounds. In their minds was set the goal to establish a lodge in every known Slovene colony in America, and to spread their teachings through the medium of the Official Organ and the local lodges until every member was impressed and imbued with the same spirit and knowledge. Less than six months after the first lodge was organized, it became apparent to the leaders that a convention should be held very soon. Nine lodges had already been organized in several states. A date was selected for the initial convention. A call was sent out for election of delegates. Lodges in three cities, Chicago and La Salle, Illinois, and Johnstown, Pennsylvania, responded. It was only natural that Chicago, where the birth of the new society took place, should be the site of the first convention, and so, on April 6, 1904, came together the twelve delegates known as the official founders of the SNPJ. They were—Mariin Konda, Frank Medica, Anion Mladič, Mohor Mladič, Frank Peirich, John Werscaj, John Sionich, Joseph Duller, Frank Klobuchar and Mariin Potokar, all of Chicago, and Michael Štrukelj of Johnstown, Pa., and Dan Badovinac of La Salle, Illinois. As history records, these twelve men, all in the prime of their life, met in what was then the Old National Hall building, located on the southwest corner of Centre (now Racine) Avenue and 18th Street. There were no welcome signs or speeches—in fact, hardly anyone outside the place knew they were there, much less why they were there. They took their seats quietly, seriously went about the business of selecting a chairman and recording secretary, and then quite earnestly and unpretentiously began their deliberations. For three days and parts of as many nights, those twelve men sat in that hall, adjourning their sessions only long enough to eat a bite and rest a few hours. Outside, the weather was unpleasant, murky and cool. When finally they packed together their papers and other belongings and emerged from the building, the foundation of the SNPJ was a FACT—its principles were written into the records not to be removed therefrom, so long as there was need for the Society to continue its work. Those twelve men agreed unanimously, that the SNPJ was to be a FREE, LIBERAL and DEMOCRATIC fraternal society, the first one among the American-Slovenes. In addition to the adoption of “free-thought” principles, the meaning of which is to seek out the truth regardless of established beliefs and prejudices—leaving the doors open to anyone regardless of his religious inclinations or oppositions, it was furthermore decided to offer the members a new kind of protection, sick benefit for those sick and unable to work, payable from a centralized fund much the same as mortuary benefits. To start with, membership was limited to the masculine sex between the ages of 16 and 45. Our mothers, older sisters and the juveniles were pushed aside as “undesirables”— temporarily, as the events later proved. It will, of course, interest you to know who were the first Supreme Officers of the SNPJ. Chosen for this distinguished honor were the following: John Stonich, President; Michael Štrukelj, Vice-President; Frank Medica, Secretary; Frank Petrich, Recording Secretary; and Frank Klobuchar, Treasurer. The first Official Organ of the SNPJ was “Glas Svobode” and, when in 1908 the Society founded its own Organ, the name was changed to “Glasilo SNPJ”. Thus it remained until 1916, when it was given its present name—“Prosveta”. But let us re- trace our steps to another very significant event in the history of the Society. It was not long after the SNPJ became nationally recognized as a progressive fraternal benefit society, that the women began to get curious and ask questions about it. Epecially was this true of the wives of husbands who attended the lodge meetings. It was no uncommon occurrence for a meeting to last six, eight or even twelve hours in those days. In some few instances, we are told that the doors were locked and no one was allowed to leave until the president adjourned the meeting. That’s how serious they were about fraternal and economic questions then. It is no wonder that our women-folks began to take an interest in the affairs of the lodges and the Society. They wanted to know what was done at meeting about this or that question they heard about. Finally, a few became so bold as to suggest that they, too, be allowed to join the Society. At first the support given the women was awkward and weak. Many of the men contended that the problems of the lodge were problems that only men could understand and handle properly. Women should not “butt in”. Their place was at home with the children and in the kitchen. But gradually the forces of right, the more progressive-minded members, who believed that women, too, should belong and have equal rights and duties with the men, collaborated and so it came to pass. In 1909—ten years before women were granted the right to vote and run for office in our public elections—the delegates assembled at the Fourth Regular Convention of the SNPJ in Cleveland, Ohio, and they, all men of course, voted unanimously to open the doors of the Society to women, extending to them the same rights, privileges and duties enjoyed by the men. The decision proved to be a wise and forward step. It meant expansion and prog-gress in an entirely new field. It meant education of our women-folk in problems related to our social, economic and political welfare. They gladly cooperated in the promotion of cultural and social activities. They organized lodges of their own and assumed responsible official positions. Women were soon elected as delegates to conventions and a few have been further honored with a place on the Supreme Board. The Society grew rapidly, husbands and wives joining together along with those who were yet unmarried. Lodge meetings and social affairs became the most popular centers where young people, fresh from the old country, could quickly get acquainted and attached to each other. Thousands, perhaps, found the man or woman in these places with whom later they united as mates. This was all well and good as far as it went, but something was still missing. The picture of the SNPJ family was not yet complete. Mothers and fathers knew this better than anyone else and were the first to complain that their children needed the protection of the Society, too—not only that, but they wanted the whole family to be 100 per cent SNPJ. They didn’t want their sons and daughters to be insured by the commercial insurance companies, who were then beginning to invade the juvenile field, and who were not very honest in their tactics and their dealings. They wanted to be altogether —father, mother, sons and daughters—all for one and one for all in the SNPJ. Once more we turn to the pages of history and there learn that all this was brought about without too much trouble or debate. To the delegates of the Fifth Regular Convention of the SNPJ, held in September 1912, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, goes the honor of having the foresight and the courage to pave the way for the establishment of a separate branch of the Society to be known as the Juvenile Department, becoming the very first among the Slovene fraternal societies to offer protection to juveniles. It was not until the following year (1913), however, that juvenile; members were officially admitted into the SNPJ. And so it is that this year, we honor the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Juvenile Department. In the beginning, only one form of membership certificate was issued. This provided a mortuary benefit of $75 at a monthly assessment rate of 10 cents. No exceptions were made in payments regardless of age at entry or death. There were no tables of experience upon which to base rates or benefits. Evrything was purely guess work on the part of the leaders intrusted with preparing the scales of payments. This certifi- cate remained in effect until early 1919, when a new plan was introduced providing graduated benefits up to a maximum of $600 under assessment rates of 20 cents monthly. This proved popular immediately, although some years later, the Supreme Board found it necessary to reduce the ultimate benefit, on future certificates of a somewhat similar plan, to $500 at rates of 18c, 22c and 25c, depending on the age at entry. Today, and for many years in the past, things in this respect are qute different. Records of hundreds of fraternal societies and insurance companies are available to actuaries and commissioners of insurance, who set the rates of assessment, benefits, credits and non-forfeiture values for us. There is no need for guessing or any danger of underestimating the cost to the Society. Now, instead of having only one membership certificate, the SNPJ has three attractive plans of protection for juveniles, each highly recommended. We have the “Term to Age 18” (Plan 1), “Endowment to Age 16” (Plan 2), and “Twenty Payment Life (Plan 3) certificates, any one of which is suitable for the average SNPJ family. The first juvenile member to be admitted into the SNPJ was Antoinette Jenc, Lodge No. 3, Johnstown, Pa., who died a short time later. At the end of the first year, the juvenile membership reached a total of 1,407 and increased steadily until 1927, when a slight decline is noticed. The peak year or all-time high was in 1928, when a total of 19,331 juvenile members were, enrolled in the Society. Then came the terrible depression years and with them a sudden and rapid downward trend in membership. Families, who had been insured by the SNPJ for years, were forced to drop their membership and wtih it the protection. The decline continued uninterruptedly to 1936. There was an upsurge at this point, only to fall off again in the following year, and to rise once more in 1838 behind a very successful juvenile campaign that saw the enrollment of over 2500 juveniles, this in honor of the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Juvenile Department. Following two more years of decreases, at the end of which the membership stood at 13,458, the trend swung upwards in 1941, principally on the strength of the merger of the SSPZ with the SNPJ, and in 1942 and the first half of 1943, because of the amazingly good results of the Victory Campaign in which over 3300 juveniles were enrolled. Incidently, while we are on the subject of campaigns, we might as well inform you that the first juvenile campaign, and a very successful one it was, was conducted in the year 1916. And furthermore, the biggest increase in a sigle year came in 1922 after the merger of the SDPZ with the SNPJ, netting a gain of 5,244 juvenile members. It is far from the intention of the writer to blame the depression for all our losses in membership, for this certainly would not be true. One other important cause for the declines are the transfers of juveniles to the Adult Department. Hardly a month goes by that a hundred or more of our juvenile members reach the age of transfer and move into the upper class of the Society. Our records show that over 95 per cent of the juvenile members, who attain the age of 16, 17 or 18 years, transfer to the Adult Department. During the past ten years alone, nearly 12,000 of them have insured under our adult plans of insurance, which proves the tremendous importance of the Juvenile Department as a source of new adult members. . . Nor should we overlook the fact that several hundred juveniles are cancelled for various reasons each year. Then there are the few who pass on.—In the thirty years of the Juvenile Department, 834 members have died for whom the SNPJ has paid to beneficiaries a total of $202,266.00, or an average of almost $250.00 per claim. But turning from the dark to the brighter side of the picture, we note that in spite of huge losses in membership and large payments of benefits, the Society is still able to show a membership of approximately 16,- 000 juveniles and financial assets of well over the $650,000 mark. In our eagerness to tell the story of the progress of the Juvenile Department relative to its membership and protective features, we by-passed at least two outstanding events. One of these was the founding of the Mladinski List in July 1922, and the other pertains to the organization of Juvenile Circles, the first of which came into its own on March 27, 1938. (To be concluded in next issue) TRIDESET LET Mladinski oddelek Slovenske narodne podporne jednote slavi letos tridesetletnico svojega obstanka. Peta redna konvencija SNPJ je v septembru 1912 v Milwaukee ju, Wis., sklenila, da naša jednota ustanovi poseben oddelek za zavarovanje otrok do šestnajstega leta za smrtnino. Ta sklep je postal veljaven 1. januarja 1913. S to ustanovo si je SNPJ zavarovala svojo bodočnost. Delegat j e pete redne konvencije niso vedeli, kaj pride po desetih letih; niti sanjalo se jim ni takrat, da se nahajajo na pragu prve svetovne vojne, po kateri pride strogi naseljenski zakon, ki zapre Ameriko masam novih naseljencev s Slovenci vred, iz katerih je SNPJ črpala svoje članstvo. Vsega tega niso slutili—vzlic temu je bila njihova ustanovitev mladinskega oddelka najboljša od-pomoč proti razmeram po zadnji vojni. Kakor da so vedeli, kaj prihaja! Naša jednota dobi povprečno tisoč odraslih članov vsako leto iz svojega mladinskega oddelka; dobi jih avtomatično, to se pravi, da si jih sama vzgoji. SNPJ je v domala štiridesetih letih svojega obstanka obogatila svoje območje z mnogimi dobrimi institucijami, ampak nobena se ji ni tako bogato izplačala, nobena ni tako velikeqa pomen?, kakor je baš mladin- ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL ski oddelek. S tem oddelkom si je SNPJ podaljšala življenje za dolgo dobo. Mladinski list, ki je začel izhajati za člane mladinskega oddelka SNPJ v devetem letu po ustanovitvi tega oddelka, se s to številko spominja te važne tridesetletnice. Mladinski list je zrastel iz mladinskega oddelka SNPJ in je miselno zrcalo vse napredno vzgojene doraščajoče mladine naše jednote. Mladinski oddelek (z mladinskimi krožki vred) in Mladinski list skupaj živita in skupaj napredujeta!— Živela Slovenska narodna podporna jedno ta! Živel njen mladinski oddelek! Naj živi, raste in cvete!— ft HALLOWE’EN FROLIC fl Slamnata streha Katka Zupančič Sanje vrnile so v dobo me šolsko; lestvo postavile gladko in spolzko. Oče pa strehi je rebra prešteval, vezal in gladil in meni veleval: “Teci po vitice! Škopnik prinesi! Pretijo podaj mi in slamo odnesi!” Gori in doli—visoko je sleme . . . Klinov se drži! Na hrbtu pa breme . . . Dolga je lestva, še daljše so ure— oh, da bi spati šle kmalu že kure! Streha raztrgana se je režala, lestva je škripala, jaz godrnjala: “Teci, prinesi in tole odnesi . . . Skedenj in streha na trn se obesi!” POD TOPOLOM . . . Kaika Zupančič Naš mucek se ne tepe več s pajdaši kosmatinci, ker nekdo ga “pogostil” je pač z mesom ali z mlinci . . . Poklicali vsevednega smo doktorja prvaka, a mucu bil je dan odštet— zaman pomoč mu vsaka. Le v sanjah še nam muc živi in prede iz navade, in v sanjah le ga slišimo še peti serenade. Pogreša ga tovariš pes— vesel ni več obeda, odkar je sam in mucka ni— posluša, voha, gleda . . . A muc leži za zmerom tih v zemlji pod topolom . . . “Dobrotnik” pa zaslužil bi nagrade malo—s kolom! LUKEC IN NJEGOV ŠKOREC Povest za mladino France Bevk (Nadaljevanje) Gledal je na morje. V smer, v katero je plavala ladja. V daljavi je zagledal črno piko. Tudi mornarji in nekateri potniki so gledali v tisto smer. Iz pike je postala črna lisa. “Ali je zemlja?” Po vsem krovu se je razneslo: “Nevihta!” Izseljenci so postali nemirni. Lukec se je spomnil vseh zgodb, kar jih je slišal o nevihtah na morju. Pretreslo ga je. Iz črne lise je zrasla črna gora. Ta se je kopičila vedno više na nebu. Iz nje so se užigali bliski. Zapihal je veter. Morje je postalo nemirno. Parnik se je zazibal. Veter je bil od hipa do hipa močnejši. V razpetem platnu je pelo in plahutalo. “Pojdimo,” je dejala mati. “Še nekoliko bom ostal,” je rekel Lukec. Objela ga je bila drzna želja, da bi videl nevihto. Gledal je za materjo, ki je opotekajoča se odšla. Krov se je bil izpraznil. Bosonogi mornarji so letali tja in sem in se borili z vetrom. Platno so zvili in zvezali z jermeni. Pospravljali so, pritrjevali nekatere predmete. Drugega ni bilo slišati nego klice. Škorec je bil prišel iz svojega kota in poklical: “Luka, Luka!” Lukec se ni zmenil zanj. “Bedak!” Ptič je bil že vajen parnika. Šel je v spalnico in se stisnil pod posteljo. Lukec se je krčevito držal za ograjo in strmel na morje. Črna gora je bila zrasla na vse nebo. Le na vzhodu se je še svetila jasnina. Bliskalo je vedno pogosteje. Grom je pretresal ozračje. Valovi so postajali zelo veliki. Zdelo se je, da parnik pleza po gorah, ki se razbijajo ob njem in se penijo. Zdaj pa zdaj je pljusknilo visoko. Debele kaplje so priletele na krov. Tudi Lukca je oblilo po obrazu. “Lukec! Lukec!” Ob stopnicah je stal Slokar in ga klical. Lukcu je bilo, kakor da se je prebudil iz sanj. Ozrl se je. “Pridi! Ves boš moker. Veter te vrže v morje.” Prve kaplje dežja so priletele na krov z vetrom. Udarile so dečka s tako silo na roke in na obraz, da ga je zabolelo. Odtrgal se je od ograje. Veter ga je zgrabil in ga skoraj vrgel po spolzkih tleh. Vitek mornar ga je prijel za roko in ga vedel do Slokarja. Lukec je sedel na svoji postelji in gledal v okrogla okna. Zeleni valovi so jih venomer zalivali. Videti je bilo bliske. Grmelo je. Voda je šumela. Parnik se je zibal ko peresce . . . Lukec je imel občutek, da ga bo zdaj zdaj pogreznilo. Škorec je molče zatiskal oči in se tiščal stene. Kljub vsemu je bilo nekaj lepega, mogočnega v Lukčevem srcu . . . Ali je še kdo občutil isto kot on? Nekateri potniki so ležali mirno, drugi so plašno gledali, grabili za postelje, kleli so in molili. Nato je bilo slišati stokanje. Morska bolezen je začela . . . Lukec je s skrbjo pomislil na mater. Pogledat bi bil šel k nji, a se ni upal na prosto. V glavi se mu je vrtelo, v želodcu mu je mešalo . . . Vse je plesalo pred njim. Ni mu bilo več mari nevihte. Ni čutil tresenja parnika, ki se je boril skozi valove in škripal, kakor da se lomi. Objel ga je neznan strah. Začel je moliti. Nenadoma se je zgrabil za prsi in se nagnil čez posteljo . . . Mislil je, da bo umrl. Nihče izmed potnikov ni šel po večerjo ... Noč je bila huda. Ploha je ponehala. Veter ni ponehal. Valovi so bili visoki. Ladja se je venomer zibala . . . Slišati je bilo stokanje, pridušene besede vso noč. Lukec se je z obema rokama oklepal postelje. Jokal bi bil, a se je sramoval. Boril se je s spancem in slabostjo. “Ali ti je bilo zelo slabo, Lukec?” ga je vprašal Slokar. “Jutri bo dobro.” Tako dolge noči Lukec še ni doživel. Bilo je že pozno, ko je ponehal veter. Valovi so še vedno izmivali tesno zaprta okna. Zibanje parnika je postajalo šibkejše . . . vedno šibkejše . . . Lukec je napol mrtev zasnul in zasanjal, da plava po morju, se bori z valovi in morskimi zvermi. (Dalje prihodnjič.) GRAJSKI VRABEC Dolga pesem o njegovih prigodah Davorin Ravljen (Nadaljevanje in konec) Ne bom vam pel, kako je oče karal zaspanca Miho, sina potepina. Nikdo ga v grajski’družbi več ni maral, izobčila ga vrabčja je družina. Kdor je v skrbeh za Miho, ta se moti,— mar se je družil s tepci in faloti? Umaknil se je Miha na Žlebnike, šepet, ščebet, klepet ga ni dojemal. Je čul, kako brusili so jezike (pravilno: kljune), on pa je zadremal. . . To naše božje, božajoče sonce se blago je razlivalo v vse konce. Hoho,—naenkrat, kdo ga je pocukal, potegnil z ostrim kljunom ga za sladke? “Čiv-čiv!” je Miha kakor fant zaukal, je našopiril perje in podbradke. Je rekla Mica: “Voščim dober dan. Zaspan? Te je premagal Tičistan?” “O, ljuba Mica!” . . . Več ni mogel reči, že lastovička je v besedo segla: “Joj, tebi je pa res težko ustreči, nestalen si, pa plah in pust do žvegla. JACK O’LANTERN Boš zdaj kar tu ostal, zapečkar grajski? Poglej ta svet, izberi košček rajski! Za zgled me jemlji! Kaj ti jaz obletam— od jutra do večera vsaj tri fare,— mladiči lačni—kaj jim vse obetam, se zanje trudim, nič me ne potare! Zdaj vendar že dorase mladi rod, brž bo jesen in treba bo odtod.” “O, jaz pa z vami!”—“Miha, ti si tepček! Leteli bomo tisoč kilometrov. Ne zmoreš takšnih potov, drobni bebček, nevajen morja, plohe, bliskov, vetrov. Kjer ti se giblješ, trudno prhutaj e, opravimo selivke kar igraje. Brez truda ni užitka. V daljne kraje je naša pot naporna, nič ni mična. A ko si tam: nikjer ti ni pregraje, svoboda je, lepota je pravljična!— No, srečno, Miha—moram še na gmajno. . “Že spet je proč!—Z njo—to bi bilo bajno!” Razmišlja Miha, cele ure misli, po Gradu spreletava se le sam! Krog njega vrabčji so obrazi kisli, da, res, odtod bo treba, kam drugam. O, ko bi vedel, kaj je za gorami, kako neznana ga tujina mami! . . . Jesen je tu. Na strehi in na žici krilati rod se zbira—ptica k ptici. Zdaj-zdaj se dvigne črna jata zbrana— nad Barje švigne—zbogom zdaj, Ljubljana! In tam je Ig, Turjak, visoki Krim , za hribi Reka, morje, dalje Rim. . . Ni romarskih pohodov brez berača, ki kruljav za procesijo hiteva. Po zraku črna jata se obrača, za njo plahoče borna vrabčja šleva. Zastaja, peša, trudno se zaganja— o daljnjem ptičjem paradižu sanja. Doline tihe, skrite pod kopreno, slemena gor je treba preleteti. Gozdov ni več ... Za sivo kraško steno gladina sinja, širna se zasveti. O morje, morje—tisoč sreč odprlo očesu, ki se vate je zazrlo!— Lepo je nekaj dni na morski strani, a dalje ne. Je zrak in živež drug. Previdnost, skrb in pamet vrabcu brani slediti lastovkam na topli jug. Lej, že se giblje morje, se razburja— pritisnila je huda teta Burja. Joj, joj, pomisli Miha, jaz brezdomec neznan, osamljen, kakor brodolomec— mar bi doma ostal! . . . Takoj obrnem, v predragi rodni kraj se danes vrnem. Ljubljana, kaj si ti brez Tičistana, a kaj brez tebe vrabec, oj Ljubljana!------------ Po vejah se leskeče belo ivje. Že noč se bliža. Vrabec je v višavah. Pritisne sneg in burja tuli divje— omaga revež, tone, tone, plava. Bo treščil v steno? Joj, nesreče večje! Zgubil se je v debeli sneg pod smrečje. Je stari Logar po nemirni noči zarana bridko puško del na ramo, postal je ob samotni svoji koči, nabasal si je v škornje suho slamo— ej, to se spet snega je naletelo, je stari Logar stopal v celo, v celo. . . Sledove najde, gleda med grmišče, sokolji vid otrplih ptičkov išče. Siničke, kose, brinovke in drozge pobira iz zametov in iz brozge. V sirotke diha, toplo jih opiha. In kdo se prvi zdrami?—Vrabec Miha. Prijazna koča Logarja Matije je ptic otetih domek varujoč. Gozdar jim žvižga stare melodije, prižiga čedro, poje: “Sveta noč. . .” O, lep je ta večer! Ves zbor krilatcev je družba zadovoljnih pevskih bratcev. Pa mine mesec, dva sta že pri kraju, skopnel je sneg, brstijo že gozdovi. Ej, to bo spet prijetno tamle v maju, ko bomo znašli se v pomladi novi. Je oče Logar ptičem dal svobodo: “Vrnite se, drobljanci, spet v prirodo!” “Zdaj zbogom, bratci! Vabim vas v Ljubljano, na Grad in v Tičistan, oj družba mila, razkažem rad vam mesto slavno znano, kaj kmalu tja naj prineso vas krila!”— To rekši vrabček Miha se je dvignil, tja daleč je na pot v Ljubljano švignil. . . Sel sveti Gregor je čez širno Barje— za njim je vrišč in radost svatovanja, oženil Gregor že premnogi par je, želel je ptičkom sreče, blagostanja. . . Vsak ptič imel izbrano je družico, izbrano lepotico, lepo ptico. . . Med svate pade Miha . . . Kakor veste, pri vrabcih mnoge zale so neveste. Nič, Miha si izbere grajsko znanko, poznal jo je iz prejšnjih dni natanko, in ta bila po volji je njegovi— brž pred svetnika, da ju blagoslovi!— Tako, zdaj pesem naša se končuje, saj Miha zdaj nikamor ne potuje. Rodil se je—frfljač—pod srečno zvezdo, zdaj zvesto straži svoje rodno gnezdo. Ko pride maj, ko pride topli junij, so v gnezdu zopet lačni mladi kljuni. . . A Miha vam čepi na strehi grajski, se razgleduje po dolini rajski. Modruje: “Kaj in kam bi jaz odtod! Drugod sem tepec, tu sem vsaj gospod. Odtod ne spravi sila me nobena!” “Tako je prav!”—pristavi mlada žena. GATHERING NUTS THE ORIGIN OF THE WORLD (Continued.) I wanted to know why I had never been told about it before, but my teacher replied that very few people cared about such things. They were not interested in the origin of the world, and so they never learned, and nobody told them. That was a very hard saying to me then, but I have since learned that it is quite true. The curious thing about the footprints of the birds in the Connecticut Valley is the discovery that maybe they were not birds at all. There was an age of amphibians, of beasts that lived partly on the land and partly in the water; then came an age of reptiles, which lived on the land entirely, grew to an enormous size, and acquired the most wonderful forms. I would like to show some pictures of the monsters of those faraway days, but I think I had better show you the skeleton of one of them called the pterodactyl, a name which comes from two Greek words meaning wing-fingers. The pterodactyl had no feathers. It was a bat-like reptile, and we have nothing like it today, unless it be a tiny fruit-bat. The pterodactyl (terro-dack-til) was, however, a monster. In fact, there were flying animals before there were feathers or birds. And yet a man, a scholarly man, asked me which came first, the hen or the egg! If he had asked me which came first, birds or feathers, what would my answer have been? Birds, of course; but that would not have been quite true, for nothing is ever absolutely true. Everything is relative—but that is philosophy, so we will not discuss it, eh? The first fliers had no feathers, but the first birds were really reptiles, flying reptiles, and the development of feathers was very slow. Feathers were developed from the skin, and the skin formed the wings of the flying reptiles, so that there were birds which were part reptiles, with tails and teeth. People used to laugh when they spoke about “hen’s teeth,” as something that never was on land or sea; but when you come to study the origin of the world you find that there were, “once upon a time,” birds with teeth. When I first heard of a “bird with teeth” I was incredulous, for it appeared to be too wonderful to be true. When I saw the drawings of it, and the description of it, and finally a model of it, I believed it. But when I came to understand more simply and naturally the origin of the world, I could see that there must have been a time when there were no birds, just as there must have been a time when there were no beasts. There must haven been a time when there was nothing but white-hot gas; and my mind goes back to the time when all that gas was scattered about the universe. But my mind never goes back further than gas. My mind never goes back to the time when there was nothing, for the simple reason that I cannot think of something coming out of nothing. I cannot make my mind do what I want it to do; I cannot think of two twos being five, any more than I can think of nothing becoming something. In the Jurassic limestone, in Europe, they found the bones and feathers of a real, true bird, almost the size of a magpie, with several real reptilian characteristics, including teeth. While a reptile goes about on the earth it must have teeth to crunch its food, but as soon as the reptile learns to fly it has a wider range of vision and a wider selection of food. It can choose softer food, and that means a change in dental arrangements and stomach. These changes all affect its form, and the true bird alters from the true reptile until, after long ages, the two become so altered as to be different species. The bird that was found—in fragments— in the Jurassic limestone was “restored” by the naturalists, and the complete bird shown; but the actual fossil bones and feathers are now in the British Museum and the Berlin Museum. (To be continued in next issue) BUY UNITED STATES SAVINGS /bonds i AND STAMP* Birthdays of the Great Men oma.5 (/->. fr/acaulaif Thomas Babington Macaulay, English historian, essayist and politician, was born on October 25, 1800, at Rothley Temple, England. His father was a prominent man and an anti-slavery reformer, and his mother was a woman of rare intelligence. At a very early age, while attending a private school, the boy gave proof of a determined bent towards literature. At the age of seven he made a “com-pedium of universal history”; at eight he knew Scott's “Lay of the Last Minstrel” by heart, and himself composed several long epic poems in imitation of it. His memory, surprising to start with, became by cultivation one of the most marvelous on record. Young Macaulay entered Cambridge College at 18. Here he took a prominent part in the exciting discussion concerning the reform of the suffrage laws. He believed in the gradual extension of liberty, but distrusted violent and revolutionary methods. He won a prize for an essay, one for Latin declamation, and a scholarship. At this time Macaulay began writing for the reviews. Soon after he received his degree to practice law, he was admitted to the bar but soon gave up his law practice in favor of politics. His first public speech, made at an anti-slavery meeting in 1824, was described as “a display of eloquence of rare and matured excellence.” The following year, in 1825, Macaulay published an essay on Milton which made him instantly famous. From this time on his career was one of uninterrupted success, both in literature and politics. Five years later he entered Parliament and helped the passage of the Reform bill. Four years later he went to India, as legal adviser to the Supreme Council. He found time from his legal duties to write the essay on Bacon; the essays on Machiavelli, Dry den, Byron, and Dr. Johnson had already appeared. In 1838 Macaulay returned to England, with a comfortable fortune saved from his salary, to play once more a leading role in politics. He was made Secretary of War and a member of the Privy Council. During these years he wrote several of his most famous essays, notably those on Addison and William Temple, and, in 1847, “Lays of Ancient Rome,” in ballad verse. The next year, after long delay, he began to realize the dream of his life, in the publication of the first part of his “History of England.” This was instantly and immensely popular, and the remainder of the work which he lived to complete increased his success. The “History” was translated into most of the languages of Europe, and at home took a permanent place as a classic among historical writings. Macaulay lived in a time of great social changes and the growth of science. Social unrest, and the demand for social justice, have appeared in the work of nearly all great writers of the time. Science made gigantic strides in this age, especially the world-shaking doctrine of evolution. Macaulay made it his life-work to put his vast stores of knowledge into a form easy for common men to understand. In this, his nature was always practical and unromantic. Thomas Macaulay’s powers as an orator were superb, and they furnish a key to his fascination as a writer. His essays resemble good oratory, always clear and to the point. Few writers have ever been more skillful than Macaulay in making his whole meaning clear; none more successful in keeping the reader’s attention alert. He was always positive, never in doubt, and never at a loss. These qualities served him well in his work of popularizing knowledge. In the art of story-telling, of chaining the reader’s interest with the existing sweep of events, Macaulay stands first among English historians. But he cared little for underlying causes. Not why, but how things happened, was his concern. The five volumes which he completed cover only fifteen years. To have covered the whole period of England’s history which he at first intended, would have filled fifty volumes and—even at the rapid rate at which he worked— would have taken a century and a half in the writing. Thomas Babington Macaulay died on December 28, 1859, and was buried in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey. ZGODBE 0 BOMBAŽU (N adalj evanj e.) Lep dan. Ceste se praše od neštetih avtomobilov. Farmarji se vozijo v mesto na zborovanje. Zbornica hrumi ko čebelni panj. Farmarji so prihiteli iz vseh, še tako oddaljenih farm (posestev). Na govornico se vzpenja govornik. Pozdravi ga burno ploskanje. Govornik dvigne roko v pozdrav. Zborovalci utihnejo. Napeto čakajo govornikovih besed. Kaj bo povedal? Ali bo prav udaril? Treba je udariti! Skrajni čas je že. Sicer propadejo vsi farmarji. Govornikov glas zadoni po dvorani. “Tovariši, mera je polna! Tako ne moremo več dalje. Stroški za obdelovanje bombaža so vedno večji, bombaž sam pa vedno cenejši. Dolgovi nas duše. Banke ne vprašajo, kako si prodal, koliko si dobil. Nič jim ni mar, kaj bo z našimi družinami. Banke terjajo obresti. Če jih ne plačaš, te poženejo. Ne vprašajo, kaj s teboj in s tvojimi . . .” “Tako je!” vpije dvorana. “Tudi davkarija ne čaka,” nadaljuje govornik. “Nihče pa se ne briga za nas, ki smo steber te velike države. Dolžnost vlade je, da nam pomaga!” Govornik se vrsti za govornikom. Vsi povedo isto. Bombaž nima cene. Farmarji propadajo. Vlada naj pomaga. Vlada naj prepreči nadaljnje padanje cen. Zborovanje se bliža koncu. Razgretih lic in izsušenih grl od govorjenja in kričanja sestavljajo brzojavko: “Zvezni vladi v Washingtonu. Farmarji, pridelovalci bombaža, zbrani na današnjem zborovanju, smo ugotovili, da je naše gospodarsko stanje nevzdržno. Če se ne dvignejo cene bombažu, smo gospodarsko uničeni. Naš propad pomeni obenem tudi najhujši gospodarski udarec za vso državo. Zato naj vlada čimprej odpomore.” Predsednik čita brzojavko. Farmarji ploskajo. Zborovanje je končano. Zopet zabrne nešteti avtomobili na cestah. Farmarji se vračajo domov. Nekoliko jim je odleglo. Vlada bo pomagala. Vlada mora pomagati. Veter se igra z bombaževimi cvetovi . . . New York. Pljuča Amerike. Washington. Glava Amerike. V Washington je prispela brzojavka farmarjev. V Washingtonu je bela hiša. V beli hiši prebiva Roosevelt, predsednik Združenih držav severnoameriških. Sredi Washingtona stoji ogromna, 229 m dolga stavba—Kapitol. V Kapitolu je seja gospodarskega sveta severnoameriške vlade. Pravkar je prišel predsednik Roosevelt. Kratko pozdravi in takoj otvori sejo. Roosevelt je mož, ki ne govori mnogo. Pa tudi ne kvasi neumnosti. “Položaj je resen, gospodje,” pravi. “Iz južnih držav: Karoline, Louisiano, Alabame, Mississippi-ja in Texasa dnevno sprejemam brzojavke. Farmarji me pozivajo, naj kaj ukrenem glede cen bombaža. Po temeljitem premišljevanju sem prišel do sklepa, da je treba pridelovanje bombaža omejiti.” “Nemogoče, gospod predsednik,” pripomni eden izmed navzočih gospodov. “Ameriški bombaž je najboljši. Tekstilna industrija ne more izhajati brez njega. Količina našega bombažnega pridelka je itak že padla v zadnjih dveh letih. Pred dvema letoma smo pridelali 62% svetovnega pridelka, letos komaj 50%. Škodljivci so uničili velike nasade. Tekstilna industrija je v teh letih veliko zaostala, a kaj bo, če si zopet opomore?” “Zdi se mi,” pripomni drugi, “da farmarji preveč vpijejo. Zadnja leta smo jim itak pomagali. Vlada je kupila od njih ves presežek bombažne letine.” “Vse to ne pomaga,” meni predsednik. “Potruditi se moramo, da dvignemo cene. Če bo bombaža manj, bo za njim večje povpraševanje, višje bodo cene. V ta namen moramo žrtvovati nekaj državnega denarja.” Gospodje se razburijo. Nemogoče so nadaljnje žrtve. Država ima itak dovolj drugih izdatkov. Evropa je nemirna. Vsak hip lahko izbruhne vojna. Japonci postajajo nevarni ameriški trgovini na Kitajskem in Tihem oceanu. Združene države morajo biti pripravljene. Morajo se oborožiti. Na suhem, v zraku, na morju. Oboroževanje požira milijarde. V notranjosti pada kujjna moč ljudi. Zaslužki so slabi. Vedno več je brezposelnih. Skrb za brezposelne stane milijone. Trgovina peša. Japonci prodajajo izdelke svoje industrije za smešne cene. Izpodrivajo ameriško blago, ki je sicer boljše, a dražje. “Prav zato ne smemo oklevati,” pravi predsednik. “Potrebni so odločni ukrepi. Predlagam, da z zakonom omejimo pridelovanje bombaža. Letos naj farmarji uničijo četrtino pridelka. Prihodnje leto naj farmagi posade samo 60% sedanje površine bombažnih polj. Za vse to damo farmarjem iz državne blagajne podporo. Res je, da pridelujejo bombaž tudi v Braziliji, Egiptu, v Vzhodni Afriki, v Indiji, na Kitajskem, na Sundskem otočju, v Sovjetski zvezi. Vendar je vse to premalo, da bi pokrilo potrebe svetovne tekstilne industrije. Bodite prepričani, da se bpdo cene dvignile. Farmarji bodo prišli do denarja. Povečala se bo njih kupna moč in naše gospodarstvo se bo poživilo. Premislite, gospodje!” Gospodje so premislili. Gospodje so pristali. Rooseveltov račun se jim je zdel točen. Prav tako tečen se je zdel ameriškim poslancem, ki so nekaj dni za tem prišli na sejo v veliko dvorano Kap-tola. Rooseveltov predlog je postal zakon. # # # “Halo! Halo! Amerika je omejila pridelovanje bombaža,” oznanjajo radijske postaje. “Halo! Halo!” Vest leti z blazno naglico skozi zrak, po morskem kablu, po telefonskih žicah. (Dalje prihodnjič.) STAMP COLLECTING FACTS ABOUT PHILATELY By Lewis Barnett Did you know that the freedom of America today depends entirely upon a little stamp? Chances are that you don’t. You see, it’s like this, England issued a tax stamp—“Taxation without representation”—this caused the citizens of Boston to throw that shipload of tea overboard. This incident was called the Boston Tea Party, and it started the American Revolution. The Revolution caused America to become free. Those patriots won our freedom then, all because of a little stamp—and, because of that same brand of courage, we have kept our liberty throughout the ages, through different stages, in many crises—at ALL times. Some people shun the idea of even talking about stamps, and to those people, I hope a little light will fall their way, and that a little consideration may be brewed within their minds for hobbies. If you are one of this group, you are indeed in the minority, because hobbies are enjoyed by the majority of all Americans. For instance, there are 19,-500,000 Americans interested in Photography; 12,000,000 stamp collectors; 10,000,000 musicians; 2.500.000 model builders; and 2,000,000 people who have Shop as a 'hobby. I could go on down the line until almost every individual in the entire country would be included. The tired, “war-tense” minds of our working people deserve—and must have—a time of relaxation and leisure. Don’t “hound” yourself, hop on the band wagon, and enjoy your favorite interest. My hobby is stamp collecting, along with the twelve million others (including our President Roosevelt). Probably you would like to know more about this field of enjoyment if you have not thought through the pleasures of collecting before—or, if you are already a philatelist, then some of the facts herein might still be of value. First of all, there are over 150,000 different varieties of postage stamps listed in the annals of philately, issued by every country in the world. The postage stamp and the system in which it is used touches each individual—you, me, and everyone else, from the cradle to the grave. It’s the world’s greatest business. In 1931, there were only two million philatelists, but in the following decade, the increased interest in this hobby rose, until in 1941 there were six times that number—and no doubt there are still more today, because Philately is coming IN; not going out! During the fiscal year including 1941, the Post Office Department sold over $4,000,000 worth of stamps to collectors, representing almost clear profit for t'he government. In New York City alone there are approximately 175.000 school children who own stamp collections. All told, around fifty million dollars is spent annually by the Americans whose hobby is stamp collecting for additions to their collections. There are, experts say, more than fifteen collections in the United States worth a million dollars each. The first postage stamp vas issued in 1840 by Great Britain, but the United States came out with its first adhesive in 1847, and since that time a complete history of this nation has been placed on our stamps. The term “postage stamp” is, of course, something of a misnomer that has crept into the English language. It is no stamp—what we call the postmark is really the stamp. When the adhesive “stamp” was first introduced, it was known as a “label”, and to t’he philotelist it remains a label to this day. Ralph Waldo Emerson, in his essay, “Civilization”, says, “The power of a wafer—to guard a letter as it flies over sea, over land, and comes to its address as if a batallion of artillery brought it, I look upon as a fine meter of civilization.” We owe, to a certain extent, our means of holding together our great democracy, our ability to communicate with friends, business associates and loved ones to the little postage stamp. Our soldiers, sailors, marines, coast guardsmen, and all members of the service benefit more than any civilian knows by the use of it. Their most prized possession is a letter from home. War Stamps are helping to finance and WIN this, our second World War. So you see, there IS a lot of meaning in t'he face of a little but mighty stamp. Aside from: the twelve million aspirants of philately in our country there are many millions all over the world-—imen, women, boys, girls— receiving daily the educational values which can be found in stamps. In the field of Philately there is no class—the rich, the poor, all with a common interest. There is probably no happier moment in a collector’s life than when he or she is scrambling around in a batch of old covers, or in a drawer full of stamps. It is genuine, honest-to-goodness pleasure. Then, too, the collector makes a few contacts with other hobbyists in other parts of the country—and there you have started one of the finest pastimes imaginable. In the course of our little discussion, I find that I might touch on the postal services in connection with our stamps because they are linked hand in hand, you know. Looking back, I see that in 1860, the Pony Express was established between Saint Joseph, Missouri, and San Francisco, Calif. At that time it took 7 days 17 hours to cover that some 1400 miles of territory—today, same distance can be covered by air in five hours or less. And, by way of mention, it cost a person $5.00 per Vz ounce to send mail by the fastest express then— today, it costs only 6c per ounce anywhere in the United' States by Air Mail. Showing still further contrast in the development of post and postage, I see that in 1776 there were only 28 post offices, and half of them were in the state of Massachusetts. Today—there are 45,000. And in 1812, New York had only four clerks. Now it has 20,000, with a payroll of over $300,000. It is very interesting, also, to note the origin of the Postal Money Order System. It was established in 1864 to enable soldiers in the Civil War to send money to their homes with safety, and is it not serving the same purpose today for our fighting men? The Special Delivery system, which further facilitates the stamp question, was established in 1885, while another division to still broaden the services of the post office department (in bringing the mail to the doors of thousands of rural residents) came in 1896. So, it really is interesting—to study and tamper wit'h stamps and to find their background—to see their sterling worth to the nation. Even back in the year 600 B. C. we find appreciation expressed by Herodotus, the great Greek Historian, when he uttered, “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds”. Today, this inscription may be seen over the entrance to the main Post Office Building in New York City. I really can’t express myself concerning our hobby, but Silas Weat'herby has certainly summed up the whole thing in his poem, “Collectin’ Stamps”. Here it is: A feller isn’t thinkin’ mean, Collectin’ stamps; His thoughts are mostly good and clean, Collectin’ stamps; He doesn’t knock his fellow men, Or harbor any grudges then; A fella’s at his finest when Collectin’ stamps. The rich are comrades to the poor, Collectin’ stamps; All brothers of a common lure, Collectin’ stamps; The boy, the joy the reprints bring Can chum with millionaire and king; Vain pride is a forgotten thing Collectin’ stamps; A feller’s glad to be a friend, Collectin’ stamps; A helping hand he’ll always lend, Collectin’ stamps; This brotherhood of shifts and line; And “CATS” and tongs is simply fine; Men come real close to God’s design, Collectin’ stamps; A feller isn’t plottin’ schemes, Collectin’ stamps; He’s only busy wit'h his dreams, Collectin’ stamps; His livery is a benzine pan, His creed—to do the best he can; A feller’s always mostly man, Collectin’ stamps. —Mekeel’s Weekly Stamp News. BUI DEFENSE STAMPS BONDS KEEP 'EM FLYING Important Dont's Read Them Twice, Thrice DON'T address your mail intended for publication in the ML lo the Main Office of the SNPJ, to Slovene National Benefit Society, or to some person. The mail so addressed may be delayed and will be late for the intended issue. Address all such mail to Mladinski List, 2657-59 So. Lawndale &.ve., Chicago, 111. DON'T write with pencil; use pen or, still better, typewriter. DON'T write on both sides of the sheet. Paper is cheap. DON'T draw your picture with ordinary ink. We cannot use such drawings. Draw only with the India ink. DON'T draw in colors! It's a waste of time because we cannot use it. DON'T fold your drawings! Send them between two card-boards in a large envelope. DON'T omit your name, address, age, and lodge No., together with the parent's signature on the back of every piece of drawing or beneath any writing. And most important of all: DON'T copy any rhymes or pictures! Be honest with yourself and us! You can't get away with it very long! We are checking on that. AUTUMN PLAY JUST FOR FUN OCTOBER October winds blow brisk and strong. Whisking the leaves from tall trees brown; October nights are dark and cool And the harvest moon shines on vale and town. There're goblins dark and witches too That screech and ride the broom; A Jack-o-Lantern smiles in roguish glee And shadows fill the room. An' Injuns play in the cornfields. Their tepees all in a row; They sing and dance by the light of the moon As they did in the long ago. ***** HALLOWEEN Every boy and girl knows that the last day in October marks the day set aside as Halloween. Below is a short paragraph about Halloween, but someone took a lot of Halloween words right out and left only the first and last letters. Can you guess what those words were? It’s H-------------n tonight. I know for I’ve seen the g-----------s walking and w—*--------s riding by the light of the moon. Then there’s a funny J k-o-L---------------n and right beside it a black c—t howling. ***** War-Time Economy Civilians must do without so that our service boys can have more of the necessary items as food and materials. Below we list a few of these and if you add the proper first and last letter, you’ll guess the correct word: —and—; —asolin—; —il—; —ire—; —utte—; —ea; —ylo. Let’s be as good fighters on the home front as our boys are on the fighting front and do with less of the above materials. ***** STICKLERS 1. If you had a globe which was one foot in diameter to represent the Earth, the Sun would have to be shown by a globe with a diameter of: a) 32 ft.; b) 38 ft.; c) 108 ft.; d) 206 ft. 2. Would you say that the French Guinea is on the a) No. Coast of So. America; b) West Coast of Africa; c) East Coast of So. America. 3. Dry ice has a temperature of about a) 10 above zero; b) 10 below; c) 32° above zero. 4. A star rises: a) 4 minutes earlier than the night preceding; b) 4 minutes later; c) At the same time. 5. What President was born on the 4th of July? We will give you a clue—he was the 30th President. 6. The month of October also has another legal holiday. It comes on the 12th of October and is known as —Day. ***** TRICKS Everyone likes to watch a magician. You can fool your friends also by doing an ordinary trick which looks difficult to the others, as for instance, try some of the following: To make an egg float, fill a glass 3A full of water. Gently drop an egg in it, and the egg sinks to the bottom. But when you sprinkle in salt, the egg floats to the top. Magic knife can be produced by holding the knife with your left hand and with the right holding the left wrist. Now hold your five fingers on the left hand extended straight and with the forefinger of the right hand hold the knife in place. From the side it looks as if the knife is sticking to the left hand by itself. ***** GIRL MEETS BOY In the left column are a lot of girls’ names. In the right column is a list of occupations of their boy friends. The trick is, of course, to match the girl’s name with the boy’s occupations as, for instance, Violet would naturally go with Florist. Now it’s up to you to guess the others. 1. Violet 1. Churchman 2. Carol 2. Fisherman 3. Carrie 3. Florist 4. Pearl 4. Songwriter 5. Netty 5. Jeweler 6. Grace 6. Porter * * * * * STATE QUIZZER ’Most every State in the U.S.A. has a nickname. Can you identify the proper name of the following? The States mentioned are—Texas, Kansas, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Connecticut. Lone Star State Bluegrass State Badger State Hoosier State Sunflower State Nutmeg State ***** If you can punctuate the following verse correctly, it will be absolutely true: A man I know lives in this land Has twenty nails on hand; And feet 5 on each twenty in all It may seem strange, but it wasn't at all. ***** (Answers on inside back cover page) OUR SCHOOL OUR SCHOOL FOR VICTORY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS (For 3rd quarter 1943) Six Prizes of $3.00 Each to: TROJAR, SYLVIA, 2803 S. Central Park Ave., Chicago, 111.—Lodge 1. TOMSIC, WILLIAM, 823 W. 7th Street, Walsen-burg, Colo.—Lodge 299. ROVAN, IRENE, 62 Smithsonian Street, Girard, Ohio—Lodge 49. OKORN, EDWARD, 1007 Cedar Street, Sharon, Pa.—Lodge 262. GOSTOVICH, ZORA, Box 521, Raton, N. Mex.— Lodge 297. BOZANIC, ZITA, R. D. 3, Worcester, N. Y.— Lodge 393. Fifteen Prizes of $2.00 Each to: ŽAGAR, NADA, 1111 E. 66th Street, Cleveland, Ohio—Lodge 137. URBAS, HELEN, R.F.D. 1, Frostburg, Maryland —Lodge 243. TAVZELJ, CAROLINE, 1425 McKinley Street, Detroit, Mich.—Lodge 518. STROZAR, FRANCES, Conemaugh, Penna.— Lodge 168. RUBRECHT, DOROTHY, R.D. 3, Box 209, Johnstown, Pa.—Lodge 82. PRELC, JOHN, 521 Penn Ave., Fairmont, W. Va. —Lodge 431. PINELLI, HELEN, R.D. 3, Box 241, Johnstown, Pa.—Lodge 82. PANYAN, ROSEMARY, R.D. 3, Box 293, Buhl, Minn.—Lodge 314. MACHEK, VIOLET, R.D. 4, McDonald, Penna.— Lodge 231. DUZENACK, VERNA M„ 709 W. 6th Street, Wal-senburg, Colo.—Lodge 299. DUZENACK, ELIZABETH, 709 W. 6th Street, Walsenburg, Colo.—Lodge 299. SUMMER NEARLY OVER Drawn by Verna Mae Duzenack. Walsenburg, Colo., member of Circle 1. ČRETNIK, ANNIE, R.D. 2, Box 425, Ft. Smith, Ark.—Lodge 24. CANALAS, CLARA, 717 N. Holmes Ave., Indianapolis—Lodge 105. BENIGER, MYRA, 3602 W. 26th Street, Chicago, 111.—Lodge 559. ALICH, FLORENCE, Box 607, Aurora, Minn.— Lodge 111. Twenty-seven Prizes of $1.00 Each to: ZORMAN, DAVID, Walsenburg, Colo.—Lodge 299. ZITKO, FRANCES R. M., Box 562, Greensburg, Pa.—Lodge 223. VIDMAR, OLGA, Colorado Springs, Colorado— Lodge 94. TOMSICK, DELMA, Box 143, Black Diamond, Wash.—Lodge 57. STONICH, JENNIE, R.R. 3, Box 135, Pueblo, Colo. -—Lodge 21. SPENDAL, JIMMIE, Clinton, Indiana.—Lodge 50. SLANSEK, JOSEPHINE, 4933 W. 24th Street, Cicero, 111.—Lodge 559. SKOFF, RAYMOND, Cicero, Illinois—Lodge 559. REICHEL, JOHN, Rte. 1, Samsula, New Smyrna Beach, Fla.—Lodge 603. POWELL, DOROTHY, 710 N. Holmes Ave., Indianapolis, Ind.—Lodge 105. POLONČIČ, MARGARET, R.D. 2, Union Dale, Pa. ' —Lodge 124. PODBOY, JAMES, 7 Latimer Ave., Strabane, Pa. —Lodge 589. NENADICH, MARY, 214—1st Street, Chisholm, Minn.-—Lodge 322. NAGODE, DONNA, R.D. 4, McDonald, Pa.— Lodge 89. MRKONICH, HELEN, Box 386, Carson Lake, Minn. —Lodge 125. MOČIVNIK, GEORGIE, Rte. 1, Scarbro, W. Va.— Lodge 24. MALNAR, DOLORES, Willard, Wis.—Lodge 198. LEKSE, FRANK, Box 465, Roundup, Montana— Lodge 700. KUMER, FRANCES, Rte. 1, Mulberry, Kansas— Circle 11. KROPER, EDWARD W., Box 384, Yukon, Pa.— Lodge 117. KOLAR, CHRISTINE, Johnstown, Pa.—Lodge 82. JANEZIC, ROSEMARY, 977 E. 239 Street, Euclid, Ohio—Lodge 450. GEROVAC, JOSEPH, Box 85, Marenisco, Mich.— Lodge 323. RUDICH, MARY ANN, 163 Baker Street, Aliquip-pa, Pa.—Lodge 122. DUZENACK, ALBERT, Walsenburg, Colorado— Lodge 299. BRISELLI, LOUISE, Box 27, Lawrence, Pa.— Lodge 245. ARK, RAY, Waukegan, Illinois—Lodge 14. JUNIOR SNPJ VICTORY PIN AWARDS In addition to the $75 in War Saving Stamps distributed among the third quarter winners, the SNPJ awarded Junior Victory pins to the following boys and girls who wrote to at least three different issue of the Mladinski List since the beginning of the year: ARK. RAY, Lodge 14, Waukegan, 111. STONICH, JENNIE, Lodge 21, Pueblo, Colo. KOCH. PATSY, Lodge 82, Johnstown, Pa. POWELL. JOSEPHINE, Lodge 105, Indianapolis, Indiana. POWELL, DOROTHY, Lodge 105, Indianapolis, Indiana. RESMAN, WILLIAM, Lodge 130, Eveleth, Minn. STRUKEL, ROSE M., Lodge 130, Eveleth, Minr URBAS, ROMAINE, Lodge 138, Strabane, Pa. PETROVIČ, HELEN, Lodge 166, Presto, Pa. BRISELLI, LOUISE, Lodge 245, Lawrence, Pa. URBAS, DONNIE, Lodge 285, Camdon-on-Gamley, W. Va. GEROVAC, JOSEPH, Lodge 323, Marenisco, Mich. PALCHER, ANNA, Lodge 299, Walsenburg, Colo. ZORMAN, MILLIE, Lodge 299, Walsenburg, Colo. ZORMAN, DAVID, Lodge 299, Walsenburg, Colo. LOZINSKI, DONNA, Lodge 299, Walsenburg, Colo. YOGER, DOROTHY, Lodge 225, Edison, Kansas. JANEZIC, ROSEMARY, Lodge 450, Euclid, Ohio. CRVENKA, MARION, Lodge 559, Chicago, 111. PODBOY, JAMES, Lodge 589, Strabane, Pa. FINCO, ALBENA, Lodge 700, Roundup, Mont. THE NEED FOR VITAMINS For a long time certain diseases affected sailors and other people who are usually forced to go without fresh fruits and vegetables for long periods. It is known that the lack of certain vitamins, substances whose chemical composition is still uncertain, causes faulty growth and disease. In recent years modern scientific research made great strides in solving this problem, the problem of giving vitamins to people who have a deficiency of certain vital food in their system. Six vitamins, called A, B, C, D, E and G have been identified and experimented with. These vitamins are necessary to promote many of the processes of the body, and if, for any reason, a particular vitamin is absent from the diet for a sufficient length of time, some body process suffers and the body becomes affected with certain symptoms which doctors are now able to recognize. If you include in your diet fresh fruits and vegetables, in addition to meat, potato, and bread, you will provide enough of all vitamins. Vitamin D is especially important as an aid to the work of calcium and phosphorus. Oysters, eggs, and cod-liver oil are good sources of this vitamin, especially the latter (cod-liver oil). Vitamin D is sometimes called the Sunshine Vitamin because exposure of the body to sunshine results in the formation of this vitamin in the body. This is why everyone should be out in the sunshine as much as possible. Vitamin D prevents rickets and is richly present in cod-liver oil. A, D and E vitamins are soluble in fats, while B is soluble in water and appears to be a basic substance containing nitrogen. Vitamins play a very important nart in our daily diet. (Source: Science Book) ANNIE ČRETNIK, 16, lodge 24, R. 2, Box 425, Ft. Smith, Ark. * ONE FORM OF LIFE There is only one form of life on the earth that steadily and certainly and naturally increases, and that is human life. All the other kinds stand where they are. Accident may cause one kind to increase for a time, then another accident will cause it to decrease. But from age to age there goes the steady increase of man, as it has going on for thousands and thousands of years in the past. There are more men, women, and children in the world today than there were before; and there will be many, many more in the years to come. This fact never stops, it never has stopped since man first appeared on the earth, and no one can say when it will stop. Meanwhile, though everyone knows it, it is one Drawn by Zora Gostovich, age 15, Raton, N. M. Lodge 297. of the biggest factors in our lives, in the story of the earth, and in its future. As we go on increasing we take the place of low and humble forms of life, and, indeed, we make all other forms of life serve ours, including even the life of the sea. The great part of the history of life is to be found on the land, or, rather, it is that part of the history of life which is lived in air and not in water. Although we haven’t much to say about life in the waters, we must never forget that life is something which always happens in liquid, or wet, water, and never anywhere else. (Source: The Book of Knowledge) ZITA BOZANIC, 16, lodge 393, R. F. D. 3, Worcester, N. Y. * THE IMPORTANCE OF TIN In school we had just studied about the mineral, tin, in our geography class. So I am going to tell you about tin. In the first place tin is found in large deposits in Malaya and t'he Netherland Indies, which are in the eastern hemisphere. Tin is mined by a method called placer mining. Since the Japanese have cnotrol of these two territories, we have been un able to import tin from these places which have always been our best sources of tin. Naturally, one would look toward another source for our needed supply of tin. The answer was Bolivia, which is a small country in South America. It produces one-sixth of the world’s supply of tin and we are depending upon her for our present supply. The problem here is to find a better and faster way to transport the tin to the smelters. At the present, however, cables are placed from hill to hill and buckets of tin ore are swung across until they reach the smelters. If a better way is found, maybe more tin can be produced. Tin is white in color and it is malleable, meaning it can be worked in many ways. In the 10th century tin was found chiefly in Spain and around Cornwall in Britain. Some uses of tin are: used as containers to hold food, juices, etc.; used to make black foil for mirrors, used to make tin foil which serves as a wrapper for candy, cigarettes, chocolates, chewing gum, THE END IS NEAR FOR YOU, ADOLPH--------- By Bill Ballezar, Butte, Mont. etc., and it is used in the making of iron and steel to carry on the war. That’s why tin foil wrappers have almost disappeared from the market, because tin is used for war purposes. Two alloys of tin are brass and bronze. Tin is a vital mineral to us now, so we should all do our part and turn in all our tin cans to the defense stations. We must all help to win the war. We all know that our soldiers are doing their part on the battle fronts. We also know that the workers are doing their share on the production front. We must also do our share on the home front by conserving vital materials to help speed our victory. FRANCES STROZAR, 13, lodge 82, R. D. 3, Box 245, Johnstown, Pa. * SCHOOL School has already begun, There’s work but also fun; The school is now very gay, For children it’s a new day; New teachers, books and chums, Another semester now comes. ALICE DAFOFF, age 14, Circle 43, 1428 Nordyke Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. * IMPORTANCE OF BIRDS People are more interested in birds than in any other group of animals. This is so primarily because birds are helpful in many ways and because they are beautiful. Also, birds are very graceful because of their ability to fly and sing. Wherever man goes, birds may be seen in forest, field and swamp; along the river, and lake, preferring the company of man to the quiet of the woods and fields. At dawn, in all parts of the world, a chorus of bird voices greets the light. Swallows skim the air, catching their insect food on the wing; woodpeckers drum a tatoo on dead branches; robins and warblers feed in trees by the roadside; sparrows hunt seeds through weed patches; thrushes left their lovely voices from wooded ravines; hawks, like tiny specks far up in the sky, hang on motionless wings surveying all below. From the beginning of time, birds have been attractive to man. He has studied them closely, observed them in flight and tried to imitate them. Even today men and women are studying bird flight in search of ideas for new designs, for more speedy and more effective airplanes. DOROTHY POWELL, 12, lodge 575, 710 N. Holmes Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. * THE MLADINSKI LIST The Mladinski List is a book we all know, And when we get it our eyes just glow. We look through and through its 32 pages, The contents of which cater to all ages. And guess, dear reader, what else we find? A poem made from our own little mind. JOSEPHINE POWELL, 13, Circle 43, 937 N. Holmes Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. ROBERT FULTON Robert Fulton, American inventor, was born in 1765 in Little Britain (now Fulton), Pa. His parents were poor and could afford him only a scant education. At an early age he was apprentice to a jeweler in Philadelphia, but soon he adopted portrait and landscape painting as his profession. During the Revolutionary War he designed guns and made mechanical drawings. He became interested in promoting the building of canals and inventing machinery for dredging canals. The War of 1812 turned his attention to war devices, and he spent years in developing fairly successful torpedoes and submarines, working in Europe for some years. In 1806 he returned to America, bringing with him an English steam engine. With Robert Livingston he built the steamboat Clermont in which he installed the engine. The boat made the first successful trip in 1807, and in the next year Fulton and Livingston secured a monopoly on steamboat service on the Hudson River. Fulton built many other ships, including the Fulton, the first steam-driven warship. Among other Fulton inventions were machines for spinning flax, for making ropes, and for sawing and polishing marble. In 1796 he took up his residence in Paris, where he projected the first panorama ever exhibited in that city, and constructed a submarine boat, the Nautilus, which was tried in Brest harbor in 1801. It was in Paris also in 1803 that he first succeeded in propelling a boat by steam-power, thus realizing a design which he had conceived ten years previously. He continued his experiments with submarine explosives in America, but failed to convince the government of the adequacy of his methods. However, with steam navigation he had more success. Robert Fulton died in New York on Feb. 24, 1815. (Source: Encyclopedia) TOMMY GORNICK, 11, lodge 629, 331 Third St., Trafford, Pa. ♦ SAMUEL F. B. MORSE Samuel Finley Breese Morse, American inventor and artist, was born on April 27, 1791, at Charlestown, Mass. At the age of 14 he entered Yale College and graduated at 19. At Yale he received the first impulse towards electrical studies. He went to Europe to study painting and science. In 1832 he conceived the idea of an electric telegraph while on a voyage home from Europe. For several years thereafter he worked at his invention to perfect it. Though his claim to priority has been questioned, Morse undoubtedly produced the most practical instrument. In 1843—exactly one hundred years ago—after considerable delay, Congress passed an appropriation and steps were taken to construct a telegraph from Baltimore to Washington, and on May 24, 1844, it was used for the first time. In 1847 Morse was compelled to defend his invention in courts, and successfully vindicated his claim to be called the original inventor of the Drawn by Violet Machek, age 16, MacDonald, Pa. Lodge 231. electromagnatic recording telegraph. Ten years later almost all European countries appropriated large sums in recognition of the use of his instruments. Samuel Morse died on April 2, 1872, at New York, where his statue in bronze now stands in Central Park. HELEN PINELLI, 13, lodge 82, R. D. 3, Box 241, Johnstown, Pa. * BASEBALL My Brother taught me how to play The very nicest game; Though Mother says it is for boys, I like it just the same. I wear a cage upon my head, While Brother holds the bat; He lets me chase the ball he hits, What do you think of that? JOY DAUDET, age (?), lodge (?), Box 96, Midway, Pa. • CORRECT USE OF U.S. FLAG The Flag of the United States should be displayed on Lincoln’s Birthday, Feb. 12; Washington’s Birthday, Feb. 22; Mother’s Day, 2nd Sunday in May; Memorial Day, May 30; Flag Day, June 14; Independence Day,' July 4; Labor Day, 1st Monday in September, and on any important national holiday. When a number of flags is grouped and disployed from staffs, the flag of the U.S.A. should be in the center of the highest point of the group. When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of the building the union of the flag goes to the head of the staff, unless the flag is at half mast. When used on a speaker’s platform, the flag should be displayed above and behind the speaker. It should never be used to cover the speaker’s desk. If flown from a staff it should be on the speaker’s right. VERA BOZANIC, 15, lodge 393, R. F. D. 3, Worcester, N. Y. * POPULAR SYMBOLS Aside from its flag and emblem, nearly every nation has a popular symbol by which it is identified. For instance, England is portrayed by “John Bull,” Russia by the “Shaggy Bear,” and the Unted States by “Uncle Sam.” How did Uncle Sam get his name? According to “A History of American Geographic Humor” by William Murrell, published in 1933, the figure of “Yankee Doodle,” created by the cartoonists during colonial times, was the popular idol of the time. After the Revolution, the favorite character was “Brother Jonathan,” who represented the dominant qualities of Yankee pioneer resoursefulness. During the decades between 1810 and 1850, the personalized national figure began to be known as “Uncle Sam” but he retained a continuity of character, facial expression, and physical outline. When did Uncle Sam get his name? Uncle Sam was first mentioned during the war of 1812 when some supplies, packed and shipped by Samuel Wilson, were labelled “U.S.” Samuel Wilson was familiarly known as Uncle Sam. So the word got about that Uncle Sam was feeding and taking care of the Army. After 1850 this figure replaced the other cartoons. Uncle Sam became firmly established as representative of the United States government and people. (Source: Magazine Article) MILDRED DERZICH, 15, lodge 337, 242 Seventh St., La Salle, 111. * HALLOWEEN Halloween day comes once a year, It’s full of cheer and laughter, The funny faces, and the clowns You think of them, still after. There’re jokes and pranks To meet jolly deception At the parties that always come On this very day of redemption. MARGARET POLONČIČ, 16, lodge 124, Pleasant Mount, Pennsylvania. OCTOBER October, the eighth month of the so-called year of Romulus, which became the 10th month of the year when January was made the first month of the year, retained its original name to this day. Many attempts were made in early times by the Romans to substitute some other name for October, but the name stuck and is in use ever since. “Octo” means eight and originally October was the eighth month of the year, but now it is the tenth. Many Roman and Greek festivals were celebrated in this month, the most remarkable of which was the sacrifice at Rome of the October horse to the god Mars, god of war. GEORGIE MOČIVNIK, 12, lodge 24, Kingston, West Virginia. * HALLOWEEN SPIRIT ’Tis Halloween night, When the ghosts will appear, Such a frightful delight, Halloween comes each year. Witches howl thru the air, We run to a country fair, Halloween we never fear, It’ll come another year. MILDRED ČRETNIK, 11, lodge 24, R. 2, Box 425, Ft. Smith, Ark. * THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT The Pilgrims separated from the Church of England and then they went to Holland. They went there in search of a place where they might worship according to their beliefs. After ten years in Holland, they found that their children were growing up to be more Dutch than English. In addition, they did not prosper financially, and so they decided to settle in America. One hundred and two of them sailed on the Mayflower in 1920. Before landing they signed the famous Mayflower Compact which looked towards the establishment of a democratic government for the colony. AMELIA ČRETNIK, 10, lodge 24, R. 2, Box 425, Ft. Smith, Ark. * JUST A FEW JOKES Johnny: “What did the lightning bug say when he lost his tail?” Frankie: “I’m delighted—no end.” Housewife: “You can earn your dinner if you’ll chop up that pile of wood.” Tramp: “Let me see the menu first.” Wife: “Did you go to the doctor the other day, John?” Husband: “Yes, I did.” Wife: “And did he find out what you had?” Husband: “Very nearly.” Wife: “What do you mean very nearly?” Husband: “Well, I had $10 and he charged me $8.” Drawn by Zora Goslovich, age 15, Raton, N. M. Lodge 297. Boss: “Why did you leave your last job?” John: “Illness.” Boss: “What sort of illness?” John: “My boss said he got sick of me.” Wife (to absent-minded professor): “Your hat is on the wrong way.” Professor: “How do you know which way I’m going?” Son: “What is experience, dad?” Dad: “Experience, my son, is the name men give to their mistakes.” DOLORES UDOVICH, 14, lodge 573, R. 1, Box 90, La Salle, 111. * HALLOWEEN It’s the night of Halloween, We almost always throw bean, We go thru the crazy house And get scared by a mouse. And if you see a horse, You run to shelter, of course, A light shines in your eyes, And then people throw gies. WILLIE ČRETNIK, 13, lodge 24, R. 2, Box 425, Ft. Smith, Ark. Apple or Peach? Customer: “Waitress, what kind of pie is this, apple or peach?” Waitress: “Well, what does it taste like?” Customer: “It tastes like glue.” Waitress: “Well, then, that’s the apple, the peach tastes like putty.” "Dawn Patrol" Circle No. 40, Gowanda, N. Y. (See article on opposite page.) Our Own Juvenile Circles of the S. N. P. J. Dorothy, Rose and Milan Gosiovich, Lodge No. 297, Raton, New Mexico, three more of the family of nine children, all of whom are members of the SNPJ. thank all who attended the affair to help out the members of the Juvenile Circle to better success. On Labor day, Sept. 6, the Kansas Federation of SNPJ lodges held its annual picnic at Sterle’s farm in Edison. A fairly large crowd attended and everyone had a swell time. Our Circle is planning a celebration in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Juvenile Department and the 5th anniversary of Juvenile Circles in October. The exact date will be announced in the Prosveta. We continue to meet regularly on the first Sunday of each month at the Franklin Lodge Hall in Frankiln. All members are urged to attend the next meeting. I want to thank the SNPJ headquarters for the three dollars sent to me in war stamps. JENNIE LAMPE, Secretary, R.R. 3, Box 863, Girard, Kans. » FROM THE AVELLA, PA., CIRCLE AVELLA, PA.—I am a member of the newly organized Juvenile Circle of the SNPJ. We had our first meeting Aug. 1. Our officers are as follows: Louis Mlekush, president; Veronica Tananicz, vice pres.; Demetro Tananicz, secretary; Charles Dolinar, rec. secretary; Lillian Korshina, treasurer. Lillian Korshina and I are on the entertainment committee. Our second meeting was held Aug. 15. Our Circle meets every second Sunday for the time being. We are planning to have hikes, parties and other things. This is my first letter to the Mladinski List. I am in the seventh grade and I’m 12 years of age. I will write more next time. IRENE COKEL, Circle 51, Box 312, Avella, Pa. * JUVENILE CIRCLE NO. 31 WARREN, O.—This is Juvenile Circle No. 31 broadcasting its latest news. There is very little to report because during the summer months our Circle has been rather inactive. We didn’t hold our regular monthly meeting in August because there weren’t enough members present. Absent at t'his meeting were members Edward Smuke, Richard Smuke, James Herman, Jerry Banozich and William Zaeken. On July 18, we all went on a hike to Waddell Park in Niles, Ohio, and a good time was had by all. All members are urged to attend Circle meetings regularly. We would like to see Jerry Banozich at our meetings more often. ELIZABETH ZAEKEN, Rec. Sec’y, 2255 Burton St., Warren, Ohio. * JUNIOR HARMONIZERS CIRCLE ROUNDUP, MONT.—The Junior Harmonizers, Circle No. 28, held its July meeting at the annual picnic. No less than 15 members were present. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as read. Marilyn and Carol Goles, five year old twins, members of Lodge No. 102, Chicago, 111. Our picnic was a big success and everyone had a swell time. Albina Finco received $1 from the Mladinski List and Frank Lekse received $2. We had no meeting in August but we planned to resume our meetings in September. Our Circle will give the attendance prize to the one who is present at the most meetings. All members are asked to attend the next meeting. The Junior Harmonizers Circle meets on the second Sunday of each month at the Moose Hall at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. FRANK LEKSE, Secretary, Box 465, Roundup, Mont. * NEW CIRCLE AT AVELLA, PA. AVELLA, PA.—Our newly organized Circle held its first meeting on Sunday, Aug. 1. I am a member of the publicity committee. We elected our officers and then we played bingo. I won the most games and so I got the prize. It was a checkerboad and checkers. I guess I was just lucky. After the games we had a little party. I am eleven years old and am 5 ft. 3 in. tall. I weigh 102 pounds. My hobby is collecting pictures of movie stars. My favorite actress is Betty Davis; my favorite actor is John Garfield. My favorite sport is roller skating in summer and sledriding in winter. I like to read, listen to the radio, and go to the movies. This is my very first letter to the Mladinski List. And this is all for this time. Best regards to all. And I must not forget to urge all juvenile members to attend our Circle meetings. JEAN BARWIDI, Lodge 292, Box 238, Avella, Pa. * BROOKLYN JUVENILE CIRCLE NO. 50 BROOKLYN, N. Y.—A few weeks after our first performance, we had our regular monthly meeting. We celebrated the success of our program with some soda. We also discussed plans for a picnic at Bronx Park. We read the anniversary issue of the Mladinski List at that meeting, and were very glad our members sent in enough letters to fill a page. On June 13, we started out from the manager’s home at 10:30 a. m. well prepared with plenty of lunch for a big day at Bronx Park and Zoo. We took three different subway trains before we got there and it took us about one and one-half hours to get there. We only saw a few animals, when Circle No. 50, Brooklyn, N. Y.—Left to right: Lillian. Kochever, Josephine Peshel, Jean Kirh, Delores Mikoley and Mildred Padar. Circle No. 50, Brooklyn, N. Y. Top row, left to right: Jean Kirh, Deloris Mikoley, Lillian Kochever and John Wolf.—Bottom row: Josephine Peshel, Mildred Padar and Paul Wolf. our storrachs told us it was time for lunch. After lunch we really started our “hike,” for it’s no fun walking all day in the hot sun. We saw beautiful birds from the tropic regions, bears from the Arctic, fish from Canada, wild animals from Africa, and seals from Canada. We spent a lot of time feeding the ducks and then we went home, a tired but happy group. We sent cards to our relatives and friends, and also rode on a camel’s back, a new experience for all of us. I am sending some pictures we took at this outing and hope they are published in the M. L. along with this letter. On June 27, when New York All Americans, SNPJ lodge 580, had their picnic, our Circle 'had a party. We had a large, decorated cake, candy and ali the ice-cream we could eat. At the party our manager, Jennie Padar, gave a prize for the member "who sold the most tickets for our May program. Josephine Peshel received the present, and was very surprised. We were happy to have at our party, Lt. Michael Kumer, 1st vice president of the SNPJ, and Set. Raymond Travnik. 3rd district vice president and former manager of the Young Americans’ Juvenile Circle in Detroit. By the time this is published school will be well on its way. Before I close, I wish to say that our Circle meets on the 3rd Sunday of each month, at the American-Slovene Auditorium, 253 Irving Ave. MILDRED PADAR, Sec’y Circle 50, 222 Wyckoff Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. * Juvenile Circle No. 1 Section By Members of Circle No. 1, Walsenburg, Colo. Mrs. Edw. Tomsic, Manager Circle No. 1 is holding its regular monthly meetings as per schedule, the 3rd Sunday of each month at Kapusin’s hall. Attendance during the summer months was rather small. We hope that more members will come to the meetings during the fall and winter months. The topic of my letter for this month is “Silk.” Silk is a very important fabric and right now there is a shortage of this material. Silk was originated in China. The mulberry trees were plentiful in China and millions of caterpillars lived in the leaves of the mulberry trees. It is likely that the Chinese were the first people to learn how to spin and weave the fibres of the wild silkworms; they weave their thread into cloth which we call the wild, silkworm shantung or pongee. The people were watching the worms on the leaves and they also watched millions of tiny eggs hatch. In the branches of the trees the silkworms were spinning a thin coil about themselves and would spin their cocoons. The people would unwind the long fibers from the cocoons and twist the fibers into a strong thread, then they would weave this thread into cloth which we call pongee. All the countries of southern Europe wanted to The five Duzenack children, Albert, Verna, Elizabeth (top row), Anthony and Tommy. All are members of Circle No. 1, Walsenburg, Colo. produce raw silk, and so hundreds of mulberry trees were planted. They attained some success but China and Japan continued to be the leading silk producing countries. In the United States similar attempts were made to produce silk, but the raising of raw silk never prospered in the United States. Silk factories had to be built but the silk manufacturers had to buy most of their raw silk from other countries. Nevertheless, today no other country produces rr.ore silk material than the United States. This silk is called rayon. VERNA MAE DUZENACK, President. On Aug. 13 and 14, a fair sponsored by the 4-H club was held at La Veta, Colo. In the morning at ten o’clock they had a parade followed by contests for the best Victory gardens, biggest vegetables grown, etc. In addition, they also had cash prizes for the best float. They had exhibits of horses, hogs, cattle, rabbits, sheep, poultry, farm products, flowers, home canning, art and fancy work. For fancy work they had crocheted tablecloths, bedspreads, and pillow cases. In the afternoon they had a softball game, in the evening they had free movies. On Saturday night a big old-time dance was held at Cuchara Camps sponsored by the 4-H club. My uncle, Steve Duzenack, who lives in La Veta, won first prize for having the best garden in La Veta. ELIZABETH DUZENACK, Secretary. I, too, am a member of Juvenile Circle No. 1. I like to write to this fine magazine, the Mladinski List. This is my fourth letter, and I am still hoping to receive an SNPJ victory pin. School is here again and I am very glad. I am in the seventh grade at the Walsenburg school. Thus vacation days are over but will return again next spring. I can’t think of very much to write this time, but will try to write more next time. I must close, sending my best regards to one and all. DONNA JEAN LOZINSKY, Circle No. 1. I am still attending the meetings of our Circle each third Sunday of the month at Kapusin’s hall. Our Circle meetings are interesting, and after the meetings are adjourned we play lotto or some other game. I still enjoy reading the letters and looking at the pictures which appear in the Mladinski List. But now school is here again. Our band teacher has been taken to the army. We have a new band teacher; he is from Nebraska. I have FIVE cousins serving in Uncle Sam’s armed forces. Three of t'hem are overseas and two are still in the United States. They are scattered in three different branches of service— Army, Navy and the Air Force. I will write more next time. ALBERT DUZENACK, Circle No. 1. Our Pen Pals Write (Naši čilaleljčki pišejo) LET'S GET GOING! Dear Editor:—Here I am again writing to this fine magazine which I never want to forget. I really enjoy writing to it, and only once a month isn’t anything too much for us SNPJ members to do, so let’s get going. It doesn’t call for a lot of brain work, mostly pen and paper plus willingness. How about it, members? You have nothing to lose but a great chance of improvement in your work for the future—your own future. Isn’t that encouraging? Besides that you also have a chance of winning the beautiful gold SNPJ pin and war stamps. By the time this letter is printed we’ll be back in school. I am 14 years old now, my 14th birthday having been on July 27. Time goes fast, doesn’t it? My best regards to all ML readers and writers. Keep reading it and you’ll keep smiling. —Caroline Tavzelj (14), 1425 McKinstry St., Detroit 9, Mich. (Lodge 518) * WILL WRITE EVERY MONTH Dear Editor:—I was very glad to see my letter published in the M. L. My brother is also writing to this fine magazine. I will try to write to the ML every month. My brother-in-law Mike was transferred from Georgia to Texas. He is now going to school It is nice to hear you ML writers that you are getting your SNPJ pins. I remain a proud member of the SNPJ—Dolores Malnar (10), Willard, Wis. (Lodge 198) * GLORIA'S "FIRST" Dear Editor:—This is my first letter to the ML but not the last. I was 13 in June. I have green-ish-blue eyes, brown hair, weigh 105 lbs. and am almost 5 ft. tall. I am in the eighth grade. I would like very much to have pen pals, either girls or boys, from all over the country, especially from the West and South. I wish to say hello t Evelyn, Margaret, Sadie and Dolores and Mary. I noticed that hardly any letters come from Illinois. Come on and wake up, Illinoisans, and start writing to this fine magazine. Show the other states that you are not slackers. I hope you’ll pile many letters on the Editor’s desk. I remain a proud Illinois SNPJer—Gloria Kritzer (13), 4542 Joliet Ave., Lyons, 111. (Lodge 270) * BUDDY LIKES THE M. L. Dear Editor:'—This is my first letter to the M. 1 I enjoy reading this fine magazine. Our school ended May 28 and started again in September. I would like to have some pen pals between the ages of 8 to 10. My hobbies are collecting postcards and letters; my favorite sports are riding bicycle, swimming and playing tag. I weigh 62 lbs. and am 4 ft. 4 in. tall. I have light brown hair and blue eyes. I am 8 years of age. I am in the fourth grade and go to the Willard School. I remain a proud member of the SNPJ—Buddy Malnar (8), Willard, Wis. (Lodge 198) * ADMIRES CIRCLE WORK Dear Editor:—I am again writing to this “swell” magazine. I want to say hello to Olga Vidmar, Dorothy Martinčič, John Reichel Jr., Lucille Throneburg, Polly Prince and Violet Widgay. In my spare time I go to an Army Aircraft school. After we pass all of our tests we receive diplomas. I surely do admire the good work that the boys and girls are doing in their Circles. For some reason or other we just can’t seem to start one here. I’ll close for now, giving my best regards to all. —Delma Tomsic (14), Box 143, Black Diamond, Wash. (Lodge 57) * PAUL'S HOBBIES Dear Editor:—This is the second time I am writing to this fine magazine. I am twelve years old and am 5 ft. 2 in. tall, weighing 98 lbs. I would like very much to have some pen pals. My hobbies are woodwork and mechaincs which combine nicely. I have two uncles in the armed forces. One is a Sergeant in the Army and the other is a Pfc. in the Marine Corps. Best wishes to all.—Paul Wolf (12), 1245 Willoughby Ave., Brooklyn 27, N. Y. (Circle 50) * HELLO TO MISS CHUCHECK Dear Editor:—I haven’t written to the ML for a long time, but I still think a lot of this fine magazine. By the time this letter is printed we’ll all be back in school. We will have three new teachers. We lost three very good teachers. One I want to say hello to is Miss Olivia Chu-check. I know she will read the M. L. With the best of luck to her and to everyone, I remain— Phyllis McKinley, 402 Ohio St., Johnstown, Pa. (Lodge 82, Circle 47) * SCHOOL DAYS. SCHOOL DAYS . . . Dear Editor:—Another month passed by, and do you know what that means? I do, and so do you. School will soon reopen and will be well under way by the time this is published. We will be happy once again, or will we? I will be a junior for this term and will continue the commercial course that I started last year. On June 1, my brother Rudy was promoted to Carpenter’s Mate 2nd class. He is still with the Seabees stationed somewhere in the Pacific. Before he left for the Navy he put his car on blocks, but a few weeks later he had it in running condition again, so that I may drive it a little. I must confess I’m not an expert driver, but I hope to become more experienced in the future. I hope that our victory will soon be achieved and then the boys will return to their homes and peace will come back to the world. In closing, I wish the best of luck to all.—Florence Alich (16), Box 607, Aurora, Minn. (Lodge 111) "JUST SO IT'S PRINTED'' Dear Editor:—I hope I’m not writing in too late to have this letter published in the September issue. If so, I hope it’ll be printed in the October number. I’m satisfied just so my letter appears in the M. L. at any time. I want to say hello to my pen pals Christine Kolar, Helen Volk, Mildred Ravnikar, Anne Mil-lone, Louise Suklje, Albena Finco, Connie and Coleen Medved, Doris Pike, Tilly Kočevar, Helen Pakovitch, Rose Hervet and Doris Ujcich. Since I have so many pen pals to write to, I wish they won’t mind if they receive a letter a little late. I can’t say much more for this time but I’ll try and write more next month. Best of luck to all. — Louise Bricelli (14), Box 27, Lawrence, Pa. (Lodge 245) * BACK FROM THE HOSPITAL Dear Editor:—I just got back from the hospital. I don’t have anything to do, so I thought I’d write to the M. L. By the time this letter is published school will be open. We’re starting school a week earlier than last year. I didn’t have an enjoyable vacation. I can hardly wait till next year to make up for this year. Ever since I’ve been writing to this magazine, I haven’t mentioned that I had an uncle in the Army. Yes, I do. He is a Pfc. His name is Mike Bisich. He’s been in four different states and now he’s somewhere in England. He said when he comes home he’ll have a lot to tell us. And boy! I can hardly wait till he comes home. I haven’t seen him for a year. I have cousins in the service too, but they are all in the U.S. Late in July another of my uncles left for the Army. His name is Pete. We have to keep on buying bonds and stamps so that they will come back soon. This is all. I’ll close still being a proud member of the SNPJ.—Mary Ann Rudich, 163 Baker St., Aliquippa, Pa. (Lodge 122) * "WAS GLAD TO GET IT" Dear Editor:—I just received the ML today and was glad to get it. I was especially glad to get it as I was sick in bed with the mumps. The ML helped keep me company with its many interesting articles and features. I especially like the Pen Pal Section. In the July issue of the ML I read about the SNPJ Victory pins. I would like to earn one and add my name to the list of those who already have them. I will close now with best regards to all.—Virginia Orazem (12), Box 785, Mullan, Idaho. (Lodge 214) * GREETINGS TO SNPJers Dear Editor:—First of all, I want to say hello to all the members of the SNPJ. I am a member of Circle 47. We meet every Monday at 7 p. m. and many members are always present. In June our Circle had a party for all the members who didn’t miss a meeting. There were about 36 that didn’t miss a meeting. I want to say hello to all my pen pals: La Verne Alt, Caroline Stimac, Greta Yough, Louise Suklje, Louise Briselli, Helen Mikulich, Gloria Iskra and Lorraine Golob. I wish Louise Suklje would please answer my letter, and I also wish Jean Cestnik would answer my letter of a year ago. Good luck to each and everyone of my pen pals. —Christine Kolar (12), 421 Ohio St., Johnstown, Po. (Lodge 684) * JOHNNY'S "FIRST" Dear Editor:—This is the first letter I ever wrote to this fine magazine. I am sorry I didn’t write sooner. I am nine years old and am in the fourth grade. I have one sister and three brothers. So far, I have one pen pal. I would like to have some more, though, about my age. I promise that I will answer all the letters I get, promptly. Best regards to all.—John Powel (9), 710 Holmes Ave., Indianapolis 9, Ind. * ALBENA'S "SECOND" Dear Editor:—This is my second letter to the M. L. I want to thank the SNPJ for the prize of one dollar in war stamps. I certainly was surprised when I found my name on the award list. I hope to do better next time. I would like to say hello to all my pen pals. Why doesn’t E. Eltz answer my letter? I would like to have a few more pen pals. Best regards to all.—Albena Finco (13), Box 986, Roundup, Mont. (Lodge 700) * MARLENE'S "FIRST" Dear Editor:—This is my first letter to the Mladinski List. I enjoy reading it very much. I am 10 years old and in the fifth grade. I have brown hair and brown eyes, and I weigh 68 pounds. My hobby is collecting pictures for my scrapbook. I belong to the Morton 4-H club. We have been collecting scrap, newspaper, waste fat, and magazines. We also have been making bean bags for the soldiers. I have two brothers, Roger and Robert. They both like to read the ML as well as I do. I am closing with the best regards to all.—Marlene Debelak (10), Box 413, Hibbing, Minn. (Lodge 125) * VACATION IS GONE Dear Editor:—Here I am writing this letter on a real hot day. Yesterday it was 105°, and boy! I’m telling you it was plenty warm. But it seems as though our vacation days are passing by in a big hurry. My sister Mary was home on a two weeks vacation from Chicago and we were very glad to see her as much as she was glad to see us. She had hoped to see her brother Johnny, but he had left for the Army before she came. My brother Leo came home from Camp Berkeley, Calif., on a furlough. We were all so proud and glad to see him. He went to Chicago first to see some of his many friends up there, then he came home. I have been rather busy helping my mother can different things and also helping my daddy with the hay. The Army has taken nearly all the boys around here and I imagine everywhere else, too. We have some mighty fine boys serving our country from our community. We people back home must do all we can for our boys. The best of luck to all.—Annie Čretnik (16), R. 2, Box 425, Ft. Smith, Ark. (Lodge 24) * THIS FINE MAGAZINE Dear Editor:—I was certainly glad to see my letter published in the July issue. This will make my third letter to this fine magazine. I have a brother, Johnnie, in the Air Force. He is stationed at Camp Lee, Va. School will be well under way by the time this is printed. I would like to say hello to Joan C. Benedict. I would also appreciate it very much if Anna Palcher and Dolores Udovic would answer my letters. I would like to have pen pals, boys and girls, and I promise to answer all letters promptly. I remain a proud SNPJ member— Agnes Kavcic (14), Box 205, Midway, Pa. (Circle 22) * WILL WRITE EVERY MONTH Dear Editor:—This is my first letter to the ML in a long time. I have written before but I didn’t keep it up. I will try to write every month from now on. Most of us will be going to school by the time the next issue of the ML comes out. I hope the contributors to our juvenile magazine won’t have to study too hard. From now on I will try to contribute more to this magazine. I am not good at drawing pictures, but I’ll try. I would like to have some pen pals and promise to answer their letters. I would like pen pals between the ages of 15 and 17. And don’t forget, SNPJ members, keep buying bonds and stamps.— Florence Debeljak (15), Box 344, Aurora, Minn. (Lodge 111) * WANTS PEN PALS Dear Editor:—I would like to have some pen pals from New York and Texas, pen pals between the ages of 10 and 12. My birthday was on July 28 and I was 10 years old. I belong to the SNPJ lodge at Midway, Pa. I want to say hello to my pen pals and would like to hear from them. I also want to thank Barbara Savor and Julia Anne Urbas for the pictures they sent me. I would be glad if Amelia Čretnik would answer my letter. Best regards to all.—Joy Doudet (10), Box 98, Midway, Pa. ♦ APPRECIATION Dear Editor:—This is a letter of appreciation. I thank the SNPJ very much for the $1 stamp I received. I was so surprised to see that I won a dollar war stamp. I am sorry I didn’t write sooner but I was so very busy going to the hospital every day. My mother had an operation on her knee. It was pretty serious. I graduated from grade school and am now go- ing to high school—Washington High School. In a way I am glad to go to high school, although I would rather go back to grade school, for sentimental reasons, I guess. Best regards to all.— Josephine Powell (13), 937 N. Holmes Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. (Circle 43) * MILDRED'S "FIRST" Dear Editor:—This is my first letter to the Mia-, dinski List, and I am sorry I hadn’t written before. I will try to write in every future issue. By the time this is published, school will have begun. I will be in Farragut High School here in Chicago. I would like to have some pen pals between the ages of 13 and 15, either girls or boys. I will answer promptly. Good luck to all.—Mildred Ravnikar (13), 3700 W. Cermak Rd., Chicago 23, 111. (Lodge 631) * "IT MAKES YOU RELAX" Dear Editor:—This is my third letter to this fine magazine this year. I still enjoy reading the ML no matter how busy I am. It surely makes you relax. And by the time this is printed school will be in full swing. Before I close I would like to say hello to Louise Manhach, Helen Siska, Virginia Kocher, Dot Orehovec and Ed Kroper. My best wishes to all.—Mary Hevalo (17), 111 Park Ave., Struthers, O. (Lodge 277) * MY DESCRIPTION Dear Editor:—I haven’t written to the ML for a long time. This is my third letter to this wonderful magazine. I enjoy reading the letters, and I wrote to some girls and hope they will answer. Here is my description. I am 15 years old, am 5 ft. 3 in. tall, have light brown hair and hazel eyes. I belong to the Sea Cadets, which is something like the Waves, and we have our own uniforms. I used to save movie star pictures but I stopped. I will write more next time, hoping to get some pen pals in the meanwhile. Best regards to all.—Bessie Zajec (15), 1600 S. 1st St., Milwaukee, Wis. * POSTCARD COLLECTING Dear Editor:—Here I am again writing to this fine M. L. I was very glad to see my letter in the August issue. We have many chicks and they will soon be ready to eat. My postcard collection is growing rapidly. If anyone would like to exchange postcards, please send one and I will send one to you. This hobby is very interesting. Recently I saw a movie called “Chetniks.” I liked it very much and wouldn’t mind seeing it over again. It deals with the Jugoslav guerrilla warfare. I’ll close now but will write more next time. Best regards to all.)—George Gerovac (12), Box 83, Marenisco, Mich. (Lodge 323) * IS PROUD OF HER UNCLES Dear Editor:—I certainly was glad to see my letter in the August issue. At this writing I can hardly wait until school starts again. It will be good to get back to our studies although I enjoyed the summer very much. I have two uncles in the Army. One is an M. P. I am very proud of them. I would also like to say hello to my two pen pals, Marion and Marijane, and I wish they’d answer my letters. I would like to have more pen pals from the East, West and South. Best regards to all.—Margaret Verbic, 18905 Arrowhead Ave., Cleveland, Ohio. * UNTIL VICTORY IS WON Dear Editors—I was very glad and surprised to see my letter in the ML for August. I am trying my best to write to the ML every month and hope my letters will reach you always on time. I have not heard from Carole Rogers for a long time. I surely miss her cards, for she sends very interesting picture postcards of Black Diamond, Wash. If anyone would send me a postcard, in return I will send one of Marinesco. I will close now hoping to hear from! a few more pen pals. Until Victory is ours, let’s all buy bonds and stamps.—Joseph Gerovac (10), Box 83, Marinesco, Mich. * THEY FORMED A CIRCLE Dear Editor:—This is my first letter to the M. L. I will be in the seventh grade when school starts, and by the time this letter is printed it will be in full swing. We have started a Juvenile Circle. Our first meeting was held Aug. 1. We elected our officers, but as yet have no name for our Circle. We are going to have parties, plays, hikes, etc. I belong to SNPJ lodge 292. Best regards to all. I remain a proud member of the SNPJ—Elizabeth Ribarich (13), Box 93, Avella, Pa. (Lodge 292) * TWO BROTHERS IN ARMY Dear Editor:—Here I am again writing to the M. L. My brother Leo, who is stationed in California, was home on a furlough. He spent a few days in Chicago. My brother Johnnie is also in the Army. By the time this letter is published school will be well on its way. Best regards to all.—Amelia Čretnik (10), R. 2, Box 425, Ft. Smith, Arkansas. * WON'T REPEAT— Dear Editor:'—First of all, I want to say hello to all of my pen pals. By the time this little letter is printed school will be in full swing. Because I know that other members of our family will write about my two brothers who are in the Army, I will not repeat what they already wrote. I will be glad when school starts. I will be in the seventh grade. Best regards to all.—Mildred Čretnik (11), R. 2, Box 425, Ft. Smith, Ark. * "BY THE TIME THIS IS " Dear Editor:'—Here I am writing again to this fine magazine. I would be only repeating what others have already said, if I were to mention that by the time this is printed, etc., etc. I will be in the eighth grade this fall. The gardens are drying up now because of “no rain.” Bean picking season is now over. My best regards to one and all. —Willie Čretnik (13), R. 2, Box 425, Ft. Smith, Ark. (Lodge 24) * LIVES ON PEACH FARM Dear Editor:—This is my first letter to the M. L. It is a very fine magazine. I am 14 years old and I have blue eyes and blonde hair. I am 5 ft. 4 in. tall. I have three sisters, Shirley, 6, Helen, 10, and Mary who is 16 years old. I live on a seven acre peach farm and six acre of rocky hill. This will be all for this time. I would like to have some pen pals.—Frances Mautz (14), Palisade, Colo. (Lodge 162) * SHE'S A WORKING GIRL Dear Editor:—It has been a long time since T wrote to the M. L. I work every day as a clerk in one of Sears stores and besides that I go to summer school where I am taking up shorthand and typing. My days are filled but I found time to write today. I want to thank the SNPJ for the beautiful Victory pin I received. It’s one pin I’ll have for a long time, in fact, for a lifetime. I want to mention that in mid-July we took inventory at the store, which was a new experience for me. I enjoyed it very much. I’ll close now and will write more next time.— Mary Knafelc, 13312 St. James Ave., Cleveland, O. * THEY'RE PROUD OF JOHNNY Dear Editor:—I am sorry I haven’t written sooner to the M. L. but I was rather busy. I am a junior in Reading High School. I enjoyed my summer vacation and now I am back in school. My brother Jonny received his wings which made him a qualified paratrooper. We are very proud of him. He is now at Kigger’s school at Ft. Benning, Ga. I wish to say hello to all my pen pals. I would like to hear from more pen pals. Girls and boys are welcome to write. My best wishes and luck to all.—Frances Suklje (16), 460 Tulpehocker st., Reading, Pa. * "FORGOT TO MAIL THEM" Dear Editor:—It is about time I am writing to this wonderful magazine. The truth is, I have written many letters but forgot to mail them. I am tired of vacation and very glad school is here again. I am in the ninth grade, am 13 years old any my birthday will be in October. I wish to see more letters from Delagua in the M. L. I have one pen pal from Rock Springs, Wyo., her name is Jennie Bernard. I hope to write more next time. Regards to one and all.—Jean Cernoia (13), Box 538, Delagua, Colorado. (Lodge 201) * "THIS FINE MAGAZINE" Dear Editor:—This is my third letter to this fine magazine. I have a new pen pal, Alice Pavlovich from Imperial, Pa. My hobby is collect- ing picture postcards. I would like to get one from every state. Come on, Minnesota, get to work and write to this wonderful magazine. We all can find time to play and so we can find time to write. I am closing with the best luck and happiness in the future to all.—Mary Jean Kosmerl (14), S. R. 3, Box 319, Hibbing, Minn. (Lodge 125) * MARGIE IS EIGHT Dear Editor:—This is my first letter to this wonderful magazine. I am eight years old and am in the third grade. I have brown hair, brown eyes, weigh 53 lbs. and am 4 ft. 4 in. tall. My mother is secretary of SNPJ lodge 492. We all belong to it.—Best regards to all.—Margie Musich (8), S. R. 3, Box 328, Hibbing, Minn. (Lodge 492) * WANTED: PEN PALS Dear Editor:—I have been reading the ML every month and think it is a very nice magazine for everyone to read. This is the first time I am writing to the ML and hope to write more often. I have two brothers in the service. Bozedar is stationed in the Lawson General Hospital, Atlanta, Ga., and Carlo stationed in Camp Pickett, Va. I have a brother, Mike, who is 15 and a sister who is 17. I am 13. We all belong to SNPJ lodge 269. Since this is the first time I am writing, I would like to have some pen pals, girls as well as boys.—Anna Buhavac (13), R. D. 1, Box 232, Adah, Pa. (Lodge 269) * WHAT'S WRONG, EUCLID? Dear Editor:—By the time this letter is published school will be well on its way. Our school started the day after Labor day and I am in the eleventh grade. I changed my course last spring from commercial to home economics. I believe I’ll benefit more by this course than the former. I was very happy to see my letter in the last issue and hope to see my letters in the ML many more times. I don’t see very many letters from Euclid in the M. L. What’s wrong, Euclid? You should be proud to be able to write to such a fine magazine. Of course, everyone enjoys reading the magazine, but someone must contribute articles. So, what do you say, Euclid? Both of my brothers were home on leave in summer for five days. I am mighty proud of them and all the rest of the boys in the armed forces. They are both going to service school for four months. Victor is stationed at the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Memphis, Tenn., and Louis is tationed at San Diego, Calif., which is a long way from home. While they were still in “boot training” at Great Lakes near Chicago, we went to see them. On Aug. 5, my mother and father, my girl friend and I went to see Niagara Falls. We went across the international bridge into Canada. They have a very beautiful park there. The Canadians were very friendly to us. We also went for a boat ride underneath the falls. I 'had a most enjoyable time on this trip. You may be a little surprised when I tell you that I have finally seen my first circus. Never before have I seen one. It was very thrilling to watch the acrobats do their stuff. The music, in the background, is what I enjoyed most. I want to thank all the girls who wrote to me. And that’s about all the news from Euclid, so I’ll close and send best regards to one and all.—Rosemary Janezic (16), 977 E. 239th st., Euclid 17, Ohio. (Lodge 450) * JOHN'S "SECOND" Dear Editor:—This is the second letter I have written to the M. L. My sister is the treasurer of Circle 43. I would like to exchange picture postcards with someone. I like the ML and I like to write to it.—John Powell.. 710 N. Holmes Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. * PEN PAL IN THE WACS Dear Editor:—I saw my last letter published in the ML, and also my jokes, and it makes me want to write again. I have been wanting to write before but it’s been so terribly hot that you don’t feel like doing anything but sit in the shade all day. Now I am a freshman in high school and I like school much. I want to say hello to all of my pen pals. My latest pen pal is Edith McWilliams from Irwin, Pa. I also have a pen pal who is in the Wacs, her name is Agnes Zuzek, from Gowanda, New York. This is about all I have to say this time. Best regards to all..—Agnes Marzel (14), Box 78, Rte. 1, La Salle, 111. (Lodge 98) * ONE OF HER "FIRSTS" Dear Editor:—This is one of my first letters to the ML and if it weren’t for one of my pen pals, I guess I still wouldn’t be writing. I am 13 years old and am in the eighth grade. I have golden blonde hair nad blue eyes, and I am 5 ft. tall. I would like to have some more pen pals, although I already have five. I like to write to people from different states. I want to say hello to my pen pals Mary Nenadich, Nadine, Hursh-man, Dolores Mikoley, Mary Rudich and Iris Tucci. —Helen Krmpolich, Box 162, Winton, Wyo. WORD SQUARE Can you fill all of the spaces below? All of the words across will be the same as those going down, in the corresponding numbers in the squares. |---------1--------1---------1--------1 | ll 2l 3l 4! I_________I--------1---------!--------1 I 2l I I 1 !---------1--------1---------1--------1 I 3! ! I I 1---------1--------1---------1--------1 1. Drill. 2. Egg-shape. 3. Rodents. 4. Other. (Answers on inside back cover page) A PROGRESSIVE ATHLETIC CARNIVAL This party can be used either indoors or outdoors. Divide the crowd into small groups of equal numbers—say four, or six, or eight to a group. Most of the games may be table games. Have table and play spaces arranged and numbered, so that it will be easy for the players to progress in order. The numbers and directions can be printed on cards and placed in standards. All players at a table progress to the next game when the leader blows a whistle. Thus, during the evening, each person plays each game. Even when a group has finished a game, it does not progress until the leader signals for progression. Otherwise confusion will reign. Scores are kept in each game and noted by the player on a talley sheet. After each group 'has made the rounds, total high and low scores are announced for each group. Thus the evening’s “Champion” and “Champ-nit” are discovered. Awards may be made to these two. In selecting games for this party, the committee, or leader, should select those that will require about the same time. The following are suggested: 1. Basketball—Bounce tennis ball into a wastebasket at distance of about ten feet. Point for each ball going into basket on first bounce. Five throws make a turn. 2. Bowling—Five tenpins or long-necked bottles. Playground ball or baseball. Each player gets three throws for a turn. Limit game to two rounds. 3. Markmanship—Make target of soft wood. (Corrugated board or beaver board will do.) Outer circle counts 1, next circle 2, then 3, 4, and 5 in center. If regulation darts are not available, make darts by using large corks, darning needles, and feathers or cards. Players cast darts at distance of ten or fifteen feet. Three throws constitute a turn. 4. Quoits—Use a “Dodo Board” or drive a long nail into a piece of wood. The wood should be about three inches square. The nail serves as a peg. Use mason jar rings for quoits. Two to five throws. Ringer counts three; touching peg counts two, and touching the wooden base counts one. 5. Baseball—A soft wood board about two feet long. A good knife with two blades at one end. The smaller blade is opened all the way; the other blade only half way. Player touches this latter blade lightly to the board with forefinger under end of knife handle. He then flips the knife over. If the small blade enters the board, thus causing the knife to stick straight up witn no other part of it touching the board, a home run is made, and the player scores four points. If the small blade sticks in the board, but the other blade touches the wood, it is a three bagger, and three points are scored. If the large blade supports the knife alone, a two bagger and two points. If the large blade and the handle touch the board, then a single and one point. If the knife lands on its back and stands up in that position, no play; and the player tries again. If the knife falls over, no score. 6. Marble shootingi—Three holes in a cardboard box or cigar box—or just straight piece of board could be used. Center hole about one inch in diameter. Two side holes about one inch and one-half. Center hole counts five. Others count one. Players shoot with marbles as in regular game. If they prefer, they may roll marble. Three shots count a turn. Any player getting two holes in succession gets an extra shot. 7. Jacks—Need a set of jacks and small rubber ball. Play as in regular game of jacks. 8. Tennis rules—Eack player is provided with a sheet of paper and pencil. He then makes as many words out of “Tennis Rules” as he can-working at it until the whistle blows. No letter can be used in a word oftener than it appears in the two words given. Suggestions: Ten, net, lure, utensil, etc. One point to each player for each word formed. 9. Football Cover a table with a smooth piece of wrapping paper. Mark off football field using chalk. Make football of empty egg-shell. Paint and maik to look like football. By punching small holes in either end of the egg, and blowing into one of these ends, you can force the contents out the other end. Each player takes his turn at blowing from behind one end of the field. The space into which he blows the football indicates the score. If the egg goes outside the field, the count is made from the point at which it went outside. If a player blows to football all the way across the field, he scores ten points. ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON JUST FOR FUN PAGE Halloween—Halloween, ghosts, witches, Jack-o-Lantern, cat. War-Time Economy—Candy, Gasoline, Silk, Tires, Butter, Meat, Nylon. Sticklers.—1 —c) 108 ft; 2—a; 3—b; 4—a; 5— Calvin Coolidge; 6—Columbus. Girl Meets Boy—Violet-Florist; Carol-Song-writer; Carrie-Porter; Pearl-Jeweler; Netty-Fisherman; Grace-Churchman. State Quizzer: Lone Star—Texas; Badger—Wisconsin; Sunflower—Kansas; Bluegrass—Kentucky; Hoosier—Indiana; Nutmeg—Connecticut. In the verse place the semi-colon in the third sentence between feet and 5, making the second sentence read: Has twenty nails on hand and feet. ANSWERS TO WORD SQUARE ON PAGE 32 1. Bore. 3. Rats 2. Oval 4. Else 1SNPJ JUVENILE 30th ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGN • The Juvenile Department of the SNPJ is in its thirtieth year of successful progress. The Society honors this important anniversary with a special three months juvenile membership campaign, beginning September 1 and ending November 30, 1943. • This campaign is open to any adult or juvenile member in good standing. To qualify as a contestant, one must first enroll a new juvenile member. • In order that competition between contestants will be more equal, all lodges arc grouped into four classes designated by the letters A, B, C and D, and each lodge is assigned a quota based on the official adult membership as of last June 30. ® Attractive cash awards are offered:—There will be two special prizes in each class, one for $50 and another for $25 and, over these, four All-Classes combined prizes, one each for $75, $50, $35 and $25. • As an inducement for promising juvenile members to participate as contestants, four EXTRA All-Classes combined prizes are offered to the four highest juveniles finishing out of the special prizes described above, these as follows:—$25, $20, $15 and $10. Each, however, must secure at least five new members. ® In addition to the special prizes, the Society shall also pay the following:—$1 for each juvenile insured under Plan 1 or 2, and $2 for each one insured under Plan 3. • All new juvenile members shall be considered for awards on condition that they have paid at least six monthly assessments. • No medical examination is required unless insurability is doubtful or questioned. In all such cases, the Society shall pay up to 50 cents for each juvenile examined. • An attractive CERTIFICATE OF MERIT, signifying that one has done his part in the SNPJ Juvenile 30th Anniversary Membership Campaign, will be awarded to every contestant who enrolls the required quota of new members. • During the Victory Campaign our lodges and members responded wonderfully. Many of them obtained excellent results. Won’t you do the same in this campaign? ® A golden opportunity to build a stronger foundation for the future is here. Let our goal be an UNLIMITED VICTORY, and our slogan: REJUVENATE THE SNPJ WITH JUVENILES! VINCENT CAINKAR, MICHAEL VRHOVNIK, Campaign Chairman Campaign Director