Zarja Official Publication Slovenian Union of America Uradno Glasilo Slovenske Zveze v Ameriki $ 3.99 U.S./$ 8.99 International Volume 86 Issue 3 May/June 2014 The Dawn Featuring SUA’s Members of the Year Springtime in Slovenia Zarja - The Dawn EDITOR: Debbie Pohar DIRECTOR OF DESIGN: Bonnie Pohar Prokup EDITORIAL OFFICE: 1696 Illinois St. LaSalle, IL 61301-1359 TELEPHONE: 815.223.9596 FAX: 815.224.1074 WEB SITE: slovenianunion.org PUBLISHER: Slovenian Union of America (Formerly Slovenian Women’s Union of America) TELEPHONE: 815.727.1926 Vol. 86, No. 3, May/June 2014 Published bimonthly Periodicals Postage paid at Joliet, IL and additional mailing offices. (ISSN 0044-1848) Postmaster: Send all changes of address to: SLOVENIAN UNION OF AMERICA (Formerly Slovenian Women’s Union of America) 431 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432-1703 Communications for the next issue of publication Do you have something SUA-related you would like to share with readers, like an event you want to let people know about or an idea for an article? We would love to hear from you! Please e-mail the editor at pohar4@aol.com. We reserve the right to edit any article submitted. It is preferable that you submit your idea for discussion prior to writing an article. Articles must be related to Slovenia, SUA events, or members. The deadline for articles is the 15th day of the month, 2 months preceding the issue. For example, articles for the July/August issue must be received by May 15th. Thank you. Submission Guidelines Tell us how to reach you: Include your name, daytime phone number, e-mail address, and mailing address with each submission, including e-mailed submissions. Go Digital: We regret that we can no longer return submitted materials. It is best to e-mail your photos. Use a 3.2-megapixal (or better) camera set for the highest picture quality, and attach your photos as jpeg files. If you have an old photo that is irreplaceable, please make a good-quality copy to share with us. (Scanned copies must be a resolution of 300 or higher.) By submitting material for publication, you grant the Slovenian Union of America (formerly Slovenian Women’s Union of America) the use of the material, including your name, hometown, and state. We may modify, reproduce, and distribute it in any SUA authorized medium and in any manner or appropriate place. MARK YOUR CALENDARS SUA’s 2015 National Convention Lemont/Naperville, Illinois June 19-21, 2015 Please join us for the 27th National Convention! The convention is open to all Branch delegates, members, and guests of all ages. All are welcome to join in the activities, events, meals, and business portions of the convention. Mark your calendars and watch future Zarja issues for more information! - Julie LaJoie, 2015 National Convention Chairperson e g a s s e M s President’ Greetings: The 85th Anniversary Tour, “Živijo, Zarja!” is almost filled; just a few seats remain. If you are interested in being a part of this tour of Slovenia, September 17 - 28, 2014, please call Judy at Kollander Travel, 1.800.800.5981x3. This is going to be a trip of a lifetime. Come join us! We are looking for creative individuals who can help us improve our website. Our goal is to create a team that will do research into what we need our website to look like, what we want to post, and how to make it a site viewers will want to designate as one of their “favorites” to visit frequently. We have a Webmaster, Paul Callaghan, ready to make this happen. If you can help, please e-mail me at wprokup@aol.com. Please mark your calendar for June 19 - 21, 2015 for SUA’s 27th National Convention in Illinois. More information will follow in the issues leading up to this favorite event. Keep an eye on our website www. slovenianunion.org. Mary Lou Voelk is placing wedding photos on this page that will be featured at Salute 2014, on August 15th in Ely, Minnesota. This event is open to everyone. Happy Mother’s Day and a Happy Father’s Day to everyone. Sincerely, Bonnie Pohar Prokup National President May/June 2014 1 Welcome to Our New Members Kochevar, Robert, 3 Petrich, George, 16 Gregorash, Ardis, 20 Warsaw, Jr, Ryan William, 20 Wrona, Janet, 20 Ahlin, James, 23 Gerzin, Jane, 23 Novakovich, Rosemary, 23 Ralston, Mary, 23 Drag, Christine, 24 Staresinic, Claire, 26 Dean, Warren, 30 Muelleman, Robert, 30 Opaskar, Mark, 30 Opaskar, Matthew, 30 Opaskar, Peter, 30 Thomas, Helen, 30 Bucar, Brian, 33 Vaida, Catelin, 35 Gulick, Rosemary, 42 Pogorelc, Marie, 43 Darden, Madeline, 50 Filby, Cheryl, 50 Westbrook, Emily, 50 Shouba, Geri, 89 Mavec, Mitchell, 99 Skamperle, Anton, 99 Bajc, Marie, 100 Carnes, Robert, 109 Kochmann, Beverly, 109 Kochmann, Robert, 109 2 SUA Donations Thank You! $250 Donation Anonymous, 109, Zarja $100 Donation Artusa, Sandra, 99, +Felix Mavec Augustine, Tony, 20, +Augustine family Ferlic Arredondo, Joyce, 40, +Mary Ferlic Frisch, Marie, 3, +Frank Skul Sr. Hodnik, Erika, 35, Honor of Paula Mavec Klobucher, Tom, 20, +John & Rose Ann Klobucher Louthan, Barbara, 93, +Helen L. Polainer Primozic, Edward, 108, +Primozic parents & their families Wyant, Sophia Stalzer, 109, +German Gottscheers who lived in harmony with their Slavic neighbors for over 600 years, 1330-1941 Yuratovac, Annette, 47, +Katherine Yuratovac $75 Donation Argubright, Peggy, 100, SUA Barkovich, Cheryl, 100, +Joseph & Edith Barkovich Brann, Marceline, 50, Honor of Albina Marsy Bulaga, Mildred, 99, SUA Burger, Mariana, 93, SUA Donahoe, Theresa, 30, +Stefana Masel Ferguson, Leslie, 20, SUA Helm, Stephanie, 30, +Mollie Masel Kambic, Donald, 100, SUA Miklich, Jim, 100, SUA Petrich, Joseph , 99, +Frank & Julia Petrich Tegel, John, 2, SUA Tompa, Jozica, 43, +Matilda & Ivan Omerzu Whitmire, Maria, 93, SUA Zajec, Miha, 93, +Maksimilijan & Ignacij Kunstelj Zakelj, John, 109, +Kristina Medved Zuga, Karen, 54, +Victoria Zuga $50 Donation Bruch, Barbara, 89, +Terselic Girls from LaSalle Criss, Nancy, 30, +Albina Bost-Weaver DePratt, Sonja, 99, +Felix Mavec, father Engers, Carolyn Tomazic, 20, SUA Hansen, Arnold, 20, +William & Anna Hansen Lessard, Arlene, 50, +Julie Anne Runge & Frank R. Urbancic Mavec, Paula, 99, +Marija Bajda Monaco, Ruth, 2, +Frances Hren & Joseph Hren Mosquin, Sonja, 93, SUA Osterman, Raymond, 20, +Joseph & Katrina Osterman Pohar, Debbie, 24, SUA Stratton, Anne, 108, +Louise T. Hagan Swintosky, Dorothy, 30, SUA Taylor, Karen, 89, +Frances Assussen & Honor of Valeria Taylor Teitelbaum, Mary Ann, 40, +Mary & George Ferlic Zaida, Angela, 20, +Lukancic family $35 Donation Stropnik, Milena, 1, +Helena Dolenc, mother, & Ivanka Sodnik, sister Zarja - The Dawn $25 Donation Antich, Anne, 99, SUA Anzelc, Mary Ellen, 20, +John & Mary Anzelc Bender, Georgene, 30, +Emma Zalar Guch Biondich, Kathleen, 35, +Josie Udovich Blatnik, Robert, 50, +Henry Blatnik Blatnik, Rosa Marlene, 50, +Justine Gifford Boben, Margaret, 33, SUA Bodisch, Annamarie, 93, +Anna Bodisch Briese, Dale, 20, +Marge Briese Briggs, Debra, 30, +Dorothy Zakrajsek Becktel Briscoe, Karen, 20, SUA Burke, Cheryl, 1, Honor of living/deceased Hermatz/Berce families Carlson, Michelle, 33, +Florence V. Markovich Clime, Kathleen, 93, Honor of Kozole family Cline, Sara Fon, 5, +Pauline Loviscek Davidson, Holly Blatnik, 50, +Frances K. Blatnik Dovnik Jr., Karl, 43, Honor of Rosalie Dovnik Drobnick, Julie, 50, +Ceil Znidar Dvornik, Donald, 20, SUA Dvornik, Susan, 20, SUA Ebner, Alice, 89, Zarja Egly, Joan, 20, +Mike & Jen Juricic Emery, Catherine, 20, SUA Emery, John, 20, +Anton & Anna Anzelc Ficek, Frances, 24, +Helen Swietek Fischer, Margaret, 1, +Margaret G. Fischer Freiberg, Mary Cay, 43, +Catherine Lesatz, mom Freiberg, Therese, 43, +Catherine Lesatz & Mary Christianson Fritz, Angeline, 1, SUA May/June 2014 Frohna, Helen, 43, +Mici Coffelt, mother Germaine, Anne, 99, +Ursula Zupancic Goergen, Carol, 13, +Sophie Troya Greiner, Mary Ann, 10, SUA Grichar, Mary Ann, 43, +Mary & Albert Grichar Grisez, Sandra, 50, +Josephine Simenc Hagan, Janet Marie, 109, SUA Herbst, Jean, 20, +Parents Hiltbrunner, Barbara, 23, SUA Hoag, Laverne, 35, +Anne Ruper Nickovich Jensen, Mary Lou, 100, +Frances Kinkopf Jernigan, Tina, 5, +Andrew Barlich Kaprelian, Maxine, 1, +Frances Krolnik Kashman, Terri, 5, +Rosie Dugar Kastelic, Louis, 42, +Louis & Antonija Kastelic King, Jan, 30, SUA Kinnear, Evelyn, 13, SUA Klobucher, Ray, 20, +Rose Zigon Klobucher Kochevar, Michelle, 2, +Helen Kochevar & Mary Kochevar Koren, Dolores, 2, +Clare and Johanna, sisters Kosir, MaryAnn, 30, National Convention Kostansek, Rosemary, 50, SUA Lambert, Martin, 5, SUA Lammi, Patricia, 23, SUA LaPierre, Susan, 43, Honor of June Znidorka Laurich, Margaret, 35, +Katherine L. Hanko Lawing, Rose Marie, 99, SUA Lilek, James, 20, SUA Link, Trudy, 93, +Anna Jonke Lipic, Hilda, 100, SUA Litwin, Rosemary, 2, SUA Lukancic-Valerugo, Helen, 20, +Louis & Paula Lukancic Luoma, Marian, 13, SUA Martin, Deanna, 30, +Anne Dickovich Marvic, Evelyn, 20, +Mary Marvic Terdic & Mary Rogel Marvic Mavec, Carmen, 99, SUA McComber, Alfred, 109, +Nellie Indihar, mother McComber, Yvonne, 109, +Josephine Koslucher, grandmother McNally, Donna Sierzega, 2, +Mr. & Mrs. Frank Ribich Medved, Bernadine, 109, SUA Medved, Karen, 109, +Kristina Medved Nelson Megahan, Cheryl, 30, +Anna Karun Meglich, Patti, 30, +Robert & Margaret Meglich Mikatich, Kathleen, 3, +Nick J. Mikatich Montgomery, Bernice, 20, SUA Moren, Thomas, 109, SUA Napier, Ruth, 5, +Elizabeth Bybec (nee Verhonik) Nash, Barbara, 103, +Anne F. Perhay, mom Newberg, Connie, 23, +Emily (Slogar) Rodich Newhouse, Margrette, 23, +Margie Preshiren Novak, Amalija, 99, SUA Novak, Family, 16, +Frances Novak Oldenburg, Frances, 20, +Mary Rojic, mother Oviyach, Raymond, 20, +Frank & Frances Oviyach Palcisko, Carrie, 20, +Tony & Jenny Kochevar Parsons, Virginia, 3, SUA Partyka, Mary Ann, 99, +Frances M. Schultz Pawlicki, Clarice, 30, +Mary Gregorich Pelander, Lois, 33, SUA Perme, Vida Theresa, 50, +Francis Perme and Honor of Vida T. Perme 3 Petrich, Diana, 23, SUA Pipoly, Evelyn, 50, +Michael Pipoly Pisa, Rick, 109, +Frank Vesel & Frances Prijatelj Pivik, Marie, 50, +Anne Tomsic Plovic, Marian, 71, SUA Pohar, Barbara, 24, +Sally Strohmaier Pohar, Frank, 24, +Josephine Pohar, mother Popich, Katherine, 13, SUA Potla, Roseanne Kirk, 50, +Anna Fortuna & Dorothy Kirk Price, Judith, 43, SUA Pubentz, Larry, 20, +Margaret K. Pubentz Scholp, Elizabeth, 20, +Rose M. Pasdertz Shine, Elsie, 54, +Jennie Shine Skrilec, Maria, 93, SUA Skul, Elizabeth, 3, +Elizabeth Rozboril Giarranano Slapnik, Nancy, 50, SUA Smith, Marcia Jean, 30, +Vern Zadel Soltesz, Lucinda, 109, SUA Soltysinski, Jacqueline, 16, SUA Sostakowski, Barbara, 47, +Frank & Mary Novak Stancar, Joseph, 1, +Frances Stancar Steffy, Marion, 2, +Felix & Anna Jackopin Stumm, Dona, 99, +Dona Butschar (Daniella Bucar) Tan, Lori, 30, Honor of Bill & Johanna Lukanic Tesovnik, Edward, 1, +Olga & Ruoy Saye Trauner, Rick, 5, +Erna Trauner Twers, Michele, 13, +Josephine Aiuto, mother Vicich, Joyce Marie, 20, +Frances Ukovich Walsh, Helen, 20, +Agnes & Matt Verbiscer Wanthal, Mary, 20, +Rev David Stalzer & Margaret C. Stalzer 4 Watson, Jerry, 5, +Teta Lavena Wiegand & Teta Jeanie Miley Wegerson, Frank, 110, SUA Whiteley, Metza, 93, SUA Whitmore, Margy, 108, SUA Williams, Debra, 5, +Frances Yovanovich Williamson, Mary Jane Vidmar, 103, +John Vidmar Wojdula, Elsie, 2, +deceased Wojdula & Kroschel families Yack, Sharon, 20, +Mary Lesnik Yapel, Agnes, 23, +Angela Pavlich & Barbara Yapel Zalokar, Lynn, 93, +Marillyn (Kovacic) Zalokar Zalokar, Robert, 71, +Frank & Mary (Zadnik) Zalokar Zimperman, Mary, 10, +Donald E. Zimperman Zupancic, Dorothy, 20, +Mary Gregorash $20 Donation Adamic, Frances, 30, +Helen Grasser & Barbara Baloh Adkisson, Helen, 23, SUA Becco, Norma, 3, +Pauline Pauchick Benedict, Nancy, 13, +Sophie Troya & Ann Nanut Branc, Mia, 93, +Nezka Novak Burk, Mary, 20, +Louise Schoener, loving mother Eviston, Janyce, 24, +Margaret Laken Connell Harback, Julie, 89, +Steve & Theresa Kamnikar Hendricks, Marilyn, 1, +Frank & Martha Kotnick Hribar Spires, Karen, 102, +Pauline Francel & Anton Hribar Krebs, Janice, 50, +Michael Krebs & Jane Berkopec Lacasse, Melissa Tevsh, 1, +Joseph & Mary Tevsh Lanari, Vida, 35, SUA Leskovsek, Natasha, 108, +Valentin Leskovsek Lomshek, Anna, 100, +Jozef & Franciska Pecnik Mahan, Dorothy, 20, +Johanna Govednik Maxin, Catherine, 50, +May Maxin, mom Mills, Marcelline, 50, SUA Mramor, Stan, 40, Honor of Stanley Mramor Sr. Perko, Josephine, 3, +Angela Skerjanec, mother Pulkinen, Francine, 35, +Frank & Angeline Brula Riordan, Kathleen, 35, Honor of Rosemary Sertich Ribich Schiltz, Kathleen, 33, +Therezja Kambic Gersick Sebalj, Olga, 20, +Julie Sebaly Sorensen, Valerie, 3, +Kenneth & Lena Sinkovich Spagnolo, Marcia, 30, +Jacob Adam Tercek, Barbara, 42, +Mary Doles Uher, Anna Marie, 99, +Terezija Pristov Venne, Sally, 30, +Margaret Speler Weber, Diane Sakolosky, 99, +Widmar family $15 Donation Adelman, Verdean, 2, +Mary Foys Lauretig Altman, Carol, 71, +John Urbancic Briddick, Beverly, 89, +Elizabeth Terselic Bray Ellis, Mary, 3, +William H. Ellis Fisher, Myra, 100, SUA Gorenc, Anton, 43, +Suzanne Elizabeth Zillmer Gross, Elizabeth, 93, Honor of Jakob Petrik, son of Tanja Makovec & Adam Petrik Jones, Aubrey, 42, +Antonia Vorisek Kovacic, Nika, 108, +Erik A. Kovacic Zarja - The Dawn Lustik, Josephine, 20, +Lustik & Vidmar families Malensek, Anton, 93, +Ana Malensek Mallik, Carolyn, 30, SUA Mikulich, Arlette, 35, Honor of Dottie Jamnik Plankar, Jacqueline, 20, SUA Polutnik, Stephanie, 40, +Mary Turk, mom Pucel, Philip, 20, +Olga Ancel Rechlitz, Judith, 43, Zarja Skow-Pucel, Christine, 2, +Josephine Erjavec Terselic, Mary Louise, 103, SUA Valent, Jennie, 99, +Frances Certalic Vlasic, Maria, 99, +Maria Pecharich, mother $10 Donation Agnich, Georgene, 20, +Anna (Sitar) Agnich Altieri, Shirley, 100, +Antonia Zehel Mento Banich, Adam, 89, Zarja Banich, Christopher, 89, Zarja Banich, Mary (Mitzi), 89, Zarja Barbarich, Martin, 20, +Sophie Barbarich Barbarich, Mary, 5, +Agnes Brodnik Barbarich, Peter, 5, +Josephone Barbarich Benedict, Ashley, 13, +Mary Klepec Benedict, Haley, 13, +Mary Troya Bestic, Virginia, 55, +Frances Juvancic Brady, Josephine, 24, +Helen Swietek Brady, Sharon, 24, +Helen Swietek Brunner, MaryAnn, 24, +John Pohar family Buchanan, Jeanette Sevshek, 109, SUA Buol, Genevieve, 2, +Christine Podder May/June 2014 Burns, Frances, 93, SUA Cargould, Lainie, 40, +Milo & Binnie Uehlein Chepeck, Rose, 43, +Agnes Bachun Cook, Agnes, 50, +Theresa Potokac Costell, Linda, 100, +Clarissa Costell Dawson, Barbara Somin, 33, SUA Feroni, Olga, 23, SUA Fooy, Dori Kregar, 55, +Frank & Milka Kregar France, Beverly, 20, SUA Glivar, Dolores, 100, +Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Glivar, parents Golf, Mary Lou, 20, +Mary Barbic Gorenc, Lillian, 43, SUA Goritchan, Gabriella, 35, +Mary Peterka, mother Gottardi, Paula, 35, SUA Grayson, William, 40, +Angeline Grayson Griffin, Frances Marie, 16, SUA Grozdanik, Judith and Christina, 50, +Grozdanik & Vercek families Hanks, Jacqueline, 50, +Jennie Omersa Harris, Suzanne, 42, +Angela Vidic Perko Hennelly, Dolores, 16, +Mildred James Henrickson, Karen, 20, +Ann Mihelich Hoppenyan, Shirley May, 33, SUA Horecky, Marie Bakse, 16, SUA Hull, Mara Cerar, 50, SUA Inga, Joyce, 93, +Henry F. Ostanek Ivanich, Daniel, 20, +Mary Ivanich Kalfas, Rosemary, 50, +Christine Basca Duche Kaye, Katherina, 43, +Mici Coffelt Kellen, Susan O’Block, 26, +Kathryn Bergent Kern, Sophia, 71, +Richard J. Kern Knop, Dione, 1, +Elsie Danciu Kolosov, Helene, 99, SUA Komater, Jay, 89, Zarja Koncar, William, 20, +John C. Koncar Kopfensteiner, Kathleen, 2, SUA Koporc, Agnes, 50, +Albert Koporc Korst, Joyce, 20, +Richard Korst Kovic, Judy, 20, +Helen (Malesich) Darin Krasovec, Bernice, 3, +Mary Hiza Kumse, Vida, 16, Zarja Kwiecinski, Mary Anne, 35, +Mary Krebs Laposa, Josef, 5, +Albina Laposa Kraml, aunt Leskovar, Corinne, 99, SUA Maki, Dolores, 23, +Madelyn A. Klun Manning, Marcia, 20, +Ann Verhunce Nelson Marquardt, Lydia, 20, +LeRoy H. Marquardt Massaia, Amelia, 93, +Katherine Prebilich Mavec, Michael, 99, +Felix Mavec McFarland, Margaret, 108, +my Slovenian family from Leskovec, Simon & Arch Medved, Albina, 23, +Theresa Vlaisavljevich Michalesko, Hank, 20, +Elfrieda Herbst Mlakar, Rosemary, 100, SUA Mohr, Mary Frances, 5, +Mary Konovsek Motta, Frances, 103, +Angeline Verant Nauheimer, Dolores, 2, +Mary and John Ovnik Nuteson, Cecelia, 43, SUA Orazem, Linda, 35, Honor of Anne M. Orazem 5 Otis, Jennifer, 20, +Frances (Jursinovic) Higgins Pakiz, Susan, 102, Honor of Rose Pakiz & Hedwig Bauer Pasderetz, Cole, 2, +Louis & Irma Pasdertz, parents Pecaric, Irene, 99, +my father Peppard, Linda, 20, +Luke & Jennie Benedick Petrich, Madaline, 23, SUA Polnaszek Gray, Jane, 20, +Barbara R. Kociuba Ponikvar, Joanne, 54, +Rose Racher Pyszka, Rita, 24, +Joseph & Marie Pyszka Rehn, Megan, 89, Zarja Renning, Carol, 35, +Frances J. Stepetz Roche, Jane, 3, +Jacque Simms Rogers, Mary, 3, SUA Rogina, William, 20, SUA Roland, Virginia, 103, +Mr. & Mrs. Andy Susman Rupar, Joan, 1, SUA Rutkowski, Bernadine, 20, +Marge & Tony Grahack Ryan, Mary Pat, 1, +Stephanie Ryan Satej, Carol, 50, +Ivana Satej Mohorcic Savol, Mary Jo, 20, +Ann M. Savol Schiffler, Gloria, 2, SUA Schloss, Carole, 50, +Helen Sturm Schmidt, Joleen, 1, +Marianne & Joseph Barbuch Semancik, Maryann, 100, +Louis & Mary Papes Spendal, Dorothy, 10, +Antonia Kapel & Honor of husband and daughter Stancar, Frances, 1, +Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Stancar Sterle, Rose, 35, SUA Stropki, Christine, 42, +Frank & Jennie Intihar, parents Strukel, Janet, 20, +Alvin Ann Strukel 6 Tarro, Mary Ann, 30, SUA Terlep, Carole, 20, +Tom Terlep Terselic, Nancy, 103, Honor of the Terselic family Tezak, Dorothy Marie, 3, +Katherine Tezak Thompson, Josephine, 5, SUA Tiedmann, Marie, 2, Mary Koscak, mother Ungrad, Ruth Ann, 3, +Eleanor R. Blatnick Varney, Diane, 50, +Jennie Fitzthum, mother Vidergar, Mary Lou, 100, +Frank J. Vidergar, Mary Videgar &Mary Lipovec Glad Vidmar, Constance, 43, Honor of Edward F. Vidmar Vidmar, Edward, 43, Honor of Constance V. Vidmar Volpe, Marion, 30, +Agnes & John Zornik Voss, Nada Peterka, 99, +Zora Peterka, mother Wagner, Antonia, 26, SUA Welsh, Cindy, 20, +Anna Kobe Wiley, Betty, 3, +George & Elizabeth Skube Wilhelm, Marjorie, 1, +Jennie Tolaney Yapel, Valentina, 109, SUA Yovanovich, Sue Ann, 5, +Frances Yovanovich Zawerschnik, Joyce, 43, +Rose Wallis Zevnik, Darlene, 1, +Gary Hustad Zupan, Michelle, 30, +Antonja Horvat Zupan Zupancich, Judith, 23, +Edward Zupancic, husband $5 Donation Androjna, Francka, 50, SUA Benac, Helen, 20, SUA Birsa, Joann, 3, SUA Breszach, L. Maria, 99, SUA Duh, Rosemarie, 50, SUA Elioff, Josephine, 23, +Ann Lunka, mom Elish, Jeannette Zaman, 10, +Jennie Zaman Ferrante, Louis, 47, SUA Gudac, Bernadine, 20, SUA Koren, Mary Alyce, 20, +Alice Jakovich Krogulski, Barbara, 24, +Mary Krogulski Kunovar, Irene, 43, +Ivan Kunovar & Joze Starich Leach, Agnes, 13, +Josephine Aiuto Lustick, David, 20, +Evelyn Lustick Plese, Eileen, 20, +Rose Hrvatin Steensland, Janet, 20, SUA Stefancic, Ann, 10, SUA Tanita, Alexis, 100, +Frances Kinkopf Tanita, Cynthia, 100, +Frances Kinkopf Tevsh, LeAnn, 1, +Mary Tevsh Wagner, Amy, 2, SUA Wagner, Mia Marie, 2, SUA Walker, Elizabeth, 5, SUA Wisch, Ryan, 43, Honor of SUA Branch 43 - Milwaukee We are happy to report that Nancy Sraj, formerly of Branch 20 - Joliet, Illinois is alive and well. In 2012 she was mistakenly marked as deceased instead of canceled. We apologize for this error and wish Nancy the best of luck. Zarja - The Dawn SWU Scholarship Foundation CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF FINANCIALLY ASSISTING STUDENTS Mission: To generate funding to financially assist students with hope that they will promote and preserve Slovenian culture. MOTHERS’ DAY - MAY 11, 2014 – MOTHERS ARE OUR BEST EDUCATORS! Grandmother Marie Prisland’s collection of her writings included her thoughts on immigrant women of the late 1800s and early 1900s. This text is her own, typed on her old, black, Underwood typewriter. “ to go to a place of new faces, new language, everything new: smells, sounds, sights. To go the place after weeks of cruising across a wilderness of water, also mythical in the mind --- how did they do it? How could they do it, those women, bravely and unquestioningly following their men. Well, perhaps they don’t like to go, but they were brave, they wanted the children to be with the father, to have a wholesome family. Theirs was a labor of love and faith, a defiance of fear, and a sturdy refusal to grieve of their familiar life in Old County. I think that they were heroines, those women, the heroines of the first order. Do we appreciate them as we should? The women besides the men, who built our American-nationality? Their work in Amerika: they baked, cooked, canned, washed, ironed, dyed, knitted, mended, made clothes and tended the children, husband, and boarders and tended the garden. It was hard work, but not dull. They were happy to have children to see husband satisfied and well, and they forgot stari kraj. The mother lights the fire, the children carry the flame.” - Marie Prisland THE “ULTIMATE CLOTH” Some years back, members of Branch 23 - Ely, Minnesota, discovered a fantastic fund-raiser. The “Ultimate Cloth” cleans just about anything - grease, tar, dust, smoke haze, soap scum, etc. The cloth is washable, bleachable, and lasts a long time. To order an “Ultimate Cloth” - call 218.365.4698 in Minnesota. Recently, the SWU Scholarship Foundation was gifted with a check of $500.00 from their sales. May/June 2014 7 Barbara Figurowski Delaney, Branch 20 - Joliet, Illinois, has been dedicated to working for the betterment of education in various ways. First and foremost, Barbara was elected to and held the position of President of the Board of Directors of the Joliet Junior Community College for several years. During that time she worked with architects and designers to create a new, attractive, educational facility and campus. As president of Delaney Contracting LTD, Barbara’s knowledge of landscaping produced a native plant-themed landscape setting for this junior college in rural Joliet, Illinois. Thousands of students study in this efficient, well-designed facility. Another example of Barbara’s work, which are all geared to helping those in need, is the annual “Witches Night Out Event” which brings public awareness and promotion to three social services: Lambs Fold Women’s Center, Stepping Stones Treatment Center, and Will County Children’s Advocacy Center. Women of all ages come by the hundreds, dressed in their finest witch finery, to celebrate womenhood and to provide financial support to these needy community organizations. Habitat for Humanity service included Barbara’s landscaping/contracting services, and her sponsoring a family through the process of receiving a residence. For several years she was co-chair of the Patrick Haley Mansion fund-raiser. Guardian Angels Home (Dancing with the Stars) was also one of the many noteworthy projects of which Barbara was involved. As a dedicated Slovenian Union of America member, Barbara has volunteered for many Branch 20 - Joliet projects and has served on a A SUA MEMBER’S WORK IN EDUCATION Board which awarded Branch 20 scholarships. More recently she was one of several members who worked untiringly to organize and host Branch 20’s 85th Anniversary and the Illinois/ Indiana Regional Convention which was held October 20, 2013. Because of the diversity and number of organizations Barbara has become involved in, and through her networking channels, she has been able to reach a large volume of the needy. Each organization has benefited in many ways. Scholarship Donations $2,000 Donation Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Colnar to fund the 2014 Francis Colnar Barman Scholarship $500 Donation Branch 23 - Ely, Minnesota $250 Donation Mary Ann Kosir Julie Rechlitz Anderson, 43, +Raymond Delopst $100 Donation Dr. Margaret Francel Barbara M. Louthan, +Helen L. Polainer Carol Rogel Poirier $50 Donation John and Shirley Vertacic, 1 Connie Nesberg, 23 Barbara Nash $25 Donation Angeline Fritz, 1 Sue Mihelich Sheryl Thorpe Sandra Farrell, +Edward P. Kurnick Marlene St. Jernholm, Honor of Helen Skrabec Michael A. Progress Meta Kaksa Whitely Milena Gobetz $20 Donation Jacquelyn Smith, 43, +Raymond J. Delopst $15 Donation Wanda Kocinec All contributions are sincerely appreciated. Celebration of SWU Scholarship Foundation’s 65th Anniversary is entirely due to the generous giving of Slovenian Union of America members and friends. Hvala! Hvala! Thank you kind donors for your support of our scholarship program. 8 Zarja - The Dawn NEWS FROM A SWU SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION WINNER tions for manufacturing companies. In 1991, I joined the corporate communications team at American Family Insurance. In 2008, I moved from my role as strategic communications director to lead the company’s implementation team of about 1,000 people to open business operations in Georgia. Today, I’m the company’s community relation’s manager and in that role serve as executive director of the “Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation,” a partnership American Family initiated with the pro golfer last year. The foundation’s early work is centered on nutrition and overall wellness, especially for kids. MARY RENEE VERTACIC, Branch 1 - Sheboygan, scholarship recipient of 1981, and Steve Stricker. Mary Renee has kindly shared her biography and photos. Watch for Steve Stricker, Professional Golfer, in the U.S. Open, British Open, Masters, and PGA Tournaments this season. Also, if you can, watch for Mary at stair-climbing and mud pool fund-raiser events. A NOTE FROM MARY VERTACIC It’s fun to look back at all that’s happened to me since graduating with a bachelor’s degree in communication from St. Norbert College in 1985. Professionally, I started my career doing marketing communica- Health and wellness is a passion area for me personally, as well. I like telling people that in my spare time I climb tall buildings and play in the mud! This spring I’ll participate in my fourth “Hustle Up the Hancock” event, climbing all 94 flights of stairs at the John Hancock Building in Chicago. I did it in 18 minutes last year! I’ve also participated in a couple mud runs. It’s incredibly energizing to discover I’m able to do so much more than I ever thought possible. And that’s the connection back to the scholarship program of the Slovenian Women’s Union. As a bright-eyed freshman heading off to St. Norbert College, it gave me great confidence knowing I had support from family and friends… including members of the Slovenian Women’s Union. I’ve been blessed to learn through the example and commitment of many Branch 1 – Sheboygan, WI, members; my mom and grandma among them. It was a great honor to be awarded a scholarship in 1981 as I was beginning to explore the woman I would become. Today, I enjoy every opportunity to visit with Branch 1 members at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish when I’m home for a visit, and hope I’ve made them proud. For more information, to comment, or to donate, please contact: Mary Turvey, Director, 4 Lawrence Drive, Marquette, MI 49855 mturvey@aol.com Or Marge Church, 1028 Skyland Drive, Macedonia, OH 44056 yemec1@windstream.net May/June 2014 9 “From SLOVEnia to America” - Author Marie Prisland Acworth, Georgia, February 19, 2014 Book Club Meeting by Margie Fischer, Branch 1 - Sheboygan, Wisconsin I am a member of SUA’s Branch 1 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, but live in suburban Atlanta, Georgia. My book club read “From Slovenia to America” written by my grandmother, Marie Prisland, and first published in 1968. All 14 members attended the meeting! In my grandmother’s honor I served traditional Slovenian foods: potica (one homemade and one from Rocky Mountain Potica Co.) on a doily-lined, silver platter, just like my aunt, Hermine Prisland Dicke, and Grandma Marie, would have done, smoked sausage from a Slovenian butcher in Cleveland, Ohio, with horseradish sauce, a ham and cheese platter, fruit salad, deviled eggs, and of course pink tea, served from pink tea pots! I baked two apple strudels, which I served warm with whipped cream on the side. different than today! They were very eager to hear stories about my beloved grandmother, and I know each lady left feeling she had gained some knowledge about a little-known European country and a very memorable woman, Marie Prisland. One member told me she believed Grandma knew there was an event being held in her honor on that day! My book club has on occasion had authors appear in person to discuss their books, and although my grandmother was not able to attend in person, I feel I was able to communicate for her through Slovenian food, music, wearing the noša she gave me, and recalling fond memories of our times together. We listened to the CD of my beautiful and talented cousin, Katie Gorton, singing the lovely song she wrote to honor our grandmother, “Marie,” “Kje Moj Mili Dom,” and “Slovenija, Odkod Lepote Tveje.” I created a table with Marie’s memoirs, i.e. photos of her and her family, dating back to her grandmother in Slovenia from the 1800s, cookbooks, wooden plates from her kitchen, handiwork she had done, i.e. crochet work and afghans she had knitted, her embroidery hoops and crochet hooks in her sewing table, and a vase with a big “P” on it, dated 1937, in which I placed red carnations. I sent each book club member home with a red carnation, as a memory of the national flower of Slovenia. The book club members were all very interested in Grandma Prisland’s life and, in general, the hardships the European immigrants faced when coming to America during the Industrial Revolution. We all agreed, the work ethic back then was quite 10 Zarja - The Dawn The Updated Library at the Slovenian Union of America Heritage Museum The Slovenian Union of America’s home office, 431 North Chicago Street, Joliet, Illinois, houses a museum filled with Slovenian educational exhibits and an excellent library. Georgene Agnich of Chicago, Illinois, has agreed, with great interest, to organize and catalog new books that have been kindly donated to this valuable collection. Some books that may be of interest are: “Photographic Overview of Early Slovenes of Forest City 1959,” Zupancic, Mary and Puchnick, Barbara. “The Slovenes of Northern California 1860-2001,” Kambic, Donald, 2001. 2,500 names included in Slovene history, written genealogy, organizations of the San Francisco area. For sale at SUA Museum, $15.00 plus postage. “Slovenia: Enchantment of the World,” Orr, Tamara. Juvenile book (middle school) – excellent quality and content of early history, current sports, traditions, government, agriculture of Slovenia. For sale at SUA Museum, $26.00 plus postage. Historical photos of early Forest City, Pennsylvania. Includes Slovene organizations, families, and businesses. “Native Art in Yugoslavia,” paperback. Gallery of Primitive Art l961, Zagreb. Compiled by Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C. Paintings, drawings, statuary wooden work, artists, photos, and bios of Slovenian artisans. (striking themes and artwork –MT) WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED? Looking for volunteers who love their heritage. We need help in our Museum in Joliet, Illinois, with scanning, sorting, cleaning, and creating exhibits. WANTED Heritage Museum Director “Footsteps Through Time,” Odorizzi, Irene. Membership Director Interesting biographies of immigrant women, Heritage Museum Librarian including some family history and adaptation Museum Window Dressers to the American way of life. Source of family Heritage Museum Cleaners research. Zarja - The Dawn Writers Grant Writers May/June 2014 11 CALENDAR OF EVENTS FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014 BRANCH 3 of Pueblo, Colorado, to host annual Mother’s Day luncheon, honoring Annette Charron as their Member of the Year 2014 at the Park East restaurant. All members are welcome to attend. Contact Annette at amtcharron@yahoo.com for more information. SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014 BRANCH 99 of Lemont, Illinois, to host a Potica Culinary Class at the Slovenian Catholic Center at 8:00 a.m. Learn how to make this traditional Slovenian sweet bread. Cost is $20 per person and covers all supplies. Contact MaryAnn at 630.661.3600 or e-mail craftymar304@comcast.net to attend. FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014 BRANCH 5 of Indianapolis, Indiana, to host annual meeting/dinner at the Slovenian National Home from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Contact Phyllis Fon at phyllisswu5@aol.com for more information. SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014 BRANCH 43 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, encourages everyone to join the 35th Anniversary Celebration of the USPEH Slovenian Chorus. Cost for dinner and concert is $20, which includes Slovenian music, food, and fellowship. Event will be held at Sacred Heart Church at 2:00 p.m. Contact Mici Bregant at 414.543.6695 for more information. SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2014 BRANCH 43 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to host annual Member of the Year 2014 luncheon honoring June Znidorka at noon at Meyer’s Restaurant in Greenfield. SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2014 BRANCH 47 of Garfield Heights, Ohio, to host meeting/luncheon at 1:00 p.m. at the Burntwood Tavern on Kruse Drive in Solon. Call Debbie at 330.467.2281 or e-mail dcduris@gmail.com to RSVP. SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2014 BRANCH 13 of San Francisco, California, to host annual Member of the Year 2014 luncheon at Val’s Restaurant at noon. Cost to attend is $33. SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2014 BRANCH 35 of Aurora, Minnesota, to host annual Member of the Year 2014 luncheon for Anita Vovk at the Aurora Community Center at noon. SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2014 BRANCH 93 of New York City, New York, has information on the special “Slovene Conversation on the Internet” being broadcast from the Slovene Embassy in Washington, D.C. during the annual open house. Contact Elizabeth Gross at 718.335.8459 or e-mail Lizg669@gmail.com. SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2014 BRANCH 100 of Southern California to host annual Member of the Year luncheon for Bonney Zupan at Napoli’s Restaurant at 11:30 a.m. 12 TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2014 BRANCH 20 of Joliet, Illinois, will honor Diane Hohenwater as their Member of the Year 2014 at a dinner at St. Joseph Park. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014 BRANCH 50 of Euclid, Ohio, to host their annual Mother’s Day luncheon at 1:00 p.m. at Dubrovnik Gardens. Cost is $20. To attend call either Maureen at 440.946.1833 or Rose Mary at 440.358.9141. SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 2014 BRANCH 99 of Lemont, Illinois, to meet at 2:00 p.m. in the library of the Slovenian Catholic Center to discuss the 2015 National Convention. SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2014 BRANCH 2 of Chicago, Illinois invites all to their Annual Picnic on the “Hill” in Lemont. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2014 BRANCH 99 of Lemont, Illinois, to host a Member Lunch Brunch at 11:00 a.m. at the Slovenian Catholic Center. The event is free to all Branch 99 members. Guests are welcome to attend for $10 and children $5. RSVP is required by August 31 to MaryAnn at 630.661.3600 or e-mail craftymar304@comcast.net. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2014 BRANCH 20 of Joliet, Illinois, to host their annual Grape Harvest Festival Dance. Zarja - The Dawn Membership Application and Renewal Slovenian Union of America (Formerly known as Slovenian Women’s Union of America) slovenianunion.org sua@slovenianunion.org 815.727.1926 For RENEWALS use form at BOTTOM of this page Adult Dues $25.00 Adult Dues (International Address) $35.00 Junior Dues (Birth to 18) $5.00 If this is a gift and you agree to continue paying for this membership next year, please advise us of billing address: _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Dues are for January through December If you join after August 31 you will not be billed in January of the next calendar year Membership Renewal Notifications are sent annually in January Please print the requested information below and send this application form with a check payable to: Slovenian Union of America, 431 North Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432-1703 Last Name________________________________ First Name______________________ M___ F____ Street Address_____________________________ City/State/Zip________________________________ Phone____________________________________ E-Mail______________________________________ Date of Birth_______________ Branch Affiliation Number (if known)/Location_______/______________ Maiden Name______________________________ Do you speak Slovenian? _____________________ Please describe your Slovenian ancestry and provide SLOVENIAN SURNAMES ___________________________________________________________________________________ How did you hear about us? SUA Member___ Newspaper___ Website___ Other____________________ I would like to volunteer for the SUA. My area of interest or expertise is___________________________ Applicant’s Signature__________________________________________ Date______________________ Tell a Friend! If you wish SUA to send information to a friend or relative, please provide us with their name and address: Name _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL Name ___________________________________________________ Member ID No.__________________ (located on back cover) Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone _________________ E-mail______________________________ Dues Amount______________ Donation_________________ Mail to: SUA/SWUA, 431 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432-1703 May/June 2014 13 Micka Bajda Mavec The Journey My name is Micka Bajda Mavec. I am an older sister to Paula Bajda Mavec, whose life story was published in the May/June/July 2012 Zarja issue. My story is comparatively different from my siblings in the Bajda family. I lived in Slovenia with my maternal grandparents, away from my family for 10 years before rejoining my family in America. To refresh your memory, a brief biography of our family: My parents, Pavel and Marjia Belehar Bajda, were married July 26, 1936, in Brezje, Slovenia. Mama wore a blue dress and Ata wore a black suit. They were allowed to live on a farm owned by Ata’s parents in Prebecevo, located three kilometers from Kranj in the Gorenska region. Ata and Mama worked the farm for nine years. The farm had enough land to support four cows, a heifer, a horse, two pigs, and chickens. Hay and grain were dried on racks called “kozolc.” During this time, my parents began a family and my sister, Polda, was born, followed by Vika. I was the third child and Stanka was born after me, but died at the age of three months. Then Paula arrived. In 1940, Germany had taken control of Yugoslavia and Josip Broz Tito was secretary-general of the Yugoslavian Communist Party, the Partisans. Ata and Mama lived in constant and oppressive fear, never knowing what to expect. They shunned politics and kept their opinions to themselves. No one was to be trusted. My memories: While visiting my Bajda grandparents, my father’s parents, in the village of Padotik, I would entertain my uncles, aunts, and the Italian soldiers that frequented Stari Ata’s tavern. I was about three or four years old and liked to sing and dance. From this same time period comes another vivid memory. I do not know the reason why, but when I was about four years old, I was living with my Bajda grandparents in Ljubljana. One day, a man, riding a bike, came to the tavern. My aunts, Teta Franca, Pepca, and Valci ran out with such speed, they lost their slippers. My Stara Mama was crying as she retrieved their slippers. I did not understand the commotion, but I sensed the seriousness. As the story unfolded, the communists had come to the cigar factory where Teta Pepca was working. Pepca had openly refused to give money to support the Communist organization. She was captured and shot. Her name is recorded in a book called Crne Bukve (Black Book) as a victim of the communists. Following the death of Teta Pepca, I was sent back to live with my parents. On the return trip to my family from Ljubljana to Prebecevo, I remember crossing the border between Italy and Germany (Ljubljana was under Italy and Kranj was under Germany). Soldiers guarded the gate 14 that stretched across the road. The gate was opened for a passing milk wagon. When I saw my mom on the other side, I did not wait my turn. I walked right under the gate. It was not as much fun being at home. I had received so much more Left to Right: Micka, Polda, Vika, attention at and Paula in Slovenia. Stara Mama’s. Not only did I need to share a bed with my sisters, Polda and Vika, I had to bear their tormenting. To build my self esteem, I would tell stories about what I had done in Ljubljana; they usually believed me. As it was, my stories became more and more exaggerated over time. Zarja - The Dawn We all had chores to do. When I was five years old, I was responsible for watching Fuksa, the horse. Fuksa did not listen to me. Polda was in charge of the cows, and of course they would obey her commands. My older sisters would tease me, saying that I could not do anything right. During the summer months, we would swim in the Sava River, which was about two blocks from our house. During the winter we would go sledding. I had a great fear of the sled going into the river. I always felt safe with Polda. She was brave and could control the sled, and we never did have an accident. However, Polda could not drive the horse and wagon that well. I remember when Polda drove up the side of the hill and the wagon tipped over. Thankfully, no one was hurt. I think Mama regretted letting Polda drive, as she was only eight or nine years old. On another occasion, Mama, Polda, and I were hauling a wagon full of hay. As kids would do, we would grab hold of the leaves as the wagon came along the side of the oak trees. I grabbed a bunch of leaves and fell off the wagon. Being only four years of age, I did not know much about politics. But there are scenes I will never forget. One day three Partisan men came to the house to pick up Ata. We knew it was serious, but did not realize how serious. Mama, Polda, and Vika were crying. Before Ata left, he hugged us all. He was also crying. The Partisans made him part of their group. He was able to escape with the help of a friend. A few months later we went to visit Ata in Kranj, a trip of about five kilometers. It was such a long walk. We found Ata and other men dressed in soldier uniforms. They had become part of an established and organized anti-communist movement called the Domobranci. From that time on, Ata was home very little. When he did come home, he would help with the farm work. But most of the time it was up to Mama, with a little help from Polda and Vika. Slovenia: Micka’s First Communion. She was in the second grade. Micka: Front row, third from the left. May/June 2014 One day, while we were plowing the fields, the sky turned black with airplanes. The sound was so loud and terrifying. Mama told me to stay under the cherry tree so we would not be seen in a group. I was so scared that I didn’t listen and continued to follow the group on the field as they plowed. I was scolded. The official surrender of Germany was May 8, 1945. The Domobranci officers, with assistance by the English, decided to evacuate to Austria, where they would regroup. They intended to return to Slovenia to establish an independent, democratic government. It was suggested they bring their families to Austria as well, as it would be two weeks before they could return. To prepare for the journey, Mama baked white bread. The big wagon was loaded with food, clothes, and dishes. The wagon was topped with a day bed which made for a most comfortable ride. We harnessed the horse and began the two kilometer ride to the school in Voklo where Ata was stationed with the Domobranci. Upon arrival, we found a large gathering of villagers. Stara Mama and Stari Ata Belehar and Mama’s brothers and sisters all lived in Voklo. It was very crowded; a mass confusion. Some people were crying and others attempted to give comfort. My mother’s father, Stari Ata Belehar, decided that he was not going anywhere, even if it meant they would kill him. Since Stari Ata wouldn’t go, Stara Mama could not go. My aunts, Teta Franca, Ana, and Albina, decided to go; so did Teta Cila who lived with us in Prebecevo. Mama was eight months pregnant, so to help with the journey, Stara Mama suggested we keep Paula behind with her until we returned. But Paula made a fuss and did not want to stay. In the midst of all the uproar, I asked for some of the white bread that Mama had made. Teta Cila was the first to suggest they leave me behind since I was always hungry. So I took Stara Mama’s hand and did not let go. We thought we would see them again in a couple of weeks. Little did we know it would be 10 years before we were allowed to reunite. The date was May 9, 1945. I had just turned six on March 13th. I do not remember my family leaving for Austria. Those that remained stayed in Voklo; Stara Mama and Stara Ata Belehar, Stric Joze’s wife, Angela, and their four children, 87 year old great-grandfather Primoz, and me. Stric Joze had left to join up with the Domobranci troops. When the Domobranci troops arrived in Austria, they were turned back. British officials said they would put them in contact with the anti-communist forces in Italy. This was a lie; instead, they turned them over to the communists. This betrayal by the British led to their deaths. Stric Joze and others never returned. 15 In the first few weeks after the family departed, many Domobranci soldiers were traveling through Voklo on their way to the border. They would rest in our yard and they would give Stara Mama meat to cook for their lunch. After a time people began to worry. What had happened to those who had fled? People were especially worried after hearing about a woman who was brought back and shot to death in Trzic. Rumors of the massacre of soldiers began to circulate. Stara Mama and Stari Ata fell into a deep despair. It was three months before word was received that the family was safe. Later, Stara Mama said that having me to care for kept them from losing their sanity. Meanwhile, summer was upon us and there was much work to be done in the fields. Because Stara Mama was afraid of heights, I was required to load hay on the top of wagons. It was my job to bring water from the pump in the front yard. Stari Ata did not think it necessary to install indoor plumbing since the pump was so close. We were also the last to get electricity because Stari Ata did not believe in it. His motto was to get up early and go to sleep early. This meant getting up by five every morning to take the cow to pasture. In late afternoon I would return with the cow. At age six, I was thought to be old enough. This job took two hours each time because I had to hold the cow’s rein so she would stay in our family’s patch of pasture. I remember being very bored just standing there with the cow, so I would sing to keep myself entertained. One particular day, I asked Stara Mama for permission to leave the cow in the clover patch while I visited with a group of women who were peeling turnips in the nearby field. A few minutes turned into an hour. A neighbor came over and yelled to get the cow out of the clover patch; but it was too late. The cow had eaten too much clover. The neighbor even poked a hole in the cow’s stomach to relieve the gas, but the cow died. That winter I was reminded many times that we were without a cow. In the spring we were able to buy a new cow. It was now the beginning of the second year since the family had left. Teta Ana came back from the camp in Austria. This made the farm work easier. I do remember that she and Stari Ata argued quite a bit. That fall I began first grade. School did not start out well for me; I was placed in the corner almost daily for talking. My grades were not good in penmanship. The second half of the year went much better; I had a grade of four on a five-point scale. I was always so happy when Stara Mama Bajda and Teta Valci (from my dad’s side) would come to visit. They were so well-dressed. Teta Valci was beautiful, and she paid special attention to me. Occasionally, I got to go to Lju16 bljana with Stara Mama Belehar to visit Stara Mama Bajda. The first time we went to the apartment, the police came to arrest Teta Valci. She had escaped from the Partisans. They also arrested Teta Stanka and Teta Franca, who miscarried her baby in jail. They were held in jail between six months and one year. Tone Gaspirc began to visit us in Voklo, arriving on his motorcycle. Everyone in the village knew he was coming to court Teta Ana. Before long they were married. It was a small wedding, with a dinner and refreshments. I was allowed to have some wine; I was nine years old. Tone and Teta Ana lived with us and everyone got along well. Tone was an auto mechanic in Kranj. As a side job, he would fix bikes and machinery at home. Stari Ata, Ana, and I worked in the fields and collected firewood. Ana and Tone had a son, Joze, and Stara Mama stayed at home to care for Joze. He was so cute - he was like my little brother. Life was pretty good, but for Stari Ata whose memory was beginning to fail. Ana and I now did the farm work. We even helped with the brick and mortar work during the remodeling of the house. Three years later, Ana had another baby, a boy named Ciril. Tragically, when Ciril was just nine months old, Tone was killed in an automobile accident. We were all devastated. It took Ana years to get over his death, and she never remarried. Stara Mama moved into Ana’s and the children’s room to help with the children. I stayed in Stari Ata’s room. He was becoming more and more senile and needed care. Sometimes at night he was convinced he was lost in the woods and would plead with me to help him. When I turned on the lights he could not believe he was in his own bed. After having lived in an Austrian camp for four years, my family was headed for America. They began to petition the government so that I could join them. The first petition was rejected by the Yugoslav government. Later, an international law allowing families to be reunited made it possible for me to leave. However, I had to wait my turn. This wait took approximately three years. I visited the American Consulate twice, and I had to be immunized a second time as my first shots had expired. Teta Ana did not want me to leave. I was family and such a big help with the children. Stara Mama Bajda was the person most instrumental in getting my papers. By October 1954, I was set to go. I was 15 years old. A priest from the neighboring village made travel arrangements with a female relative in Genoa, Italy. She was to pick me up at the train station. Because I would need to change trains, the priest taught me how to ask for the train from Milano to Genoa. Zarja - The Dawn Utah. I waited alone for five more hours until the train to Duluth, MN, arrived. It was an all-night train ride to Duluth. At last my mom and dad found me! I recognized Ata right away, but Mama looked so young that I thought she was Polda. She was very beautiful. Vika was there and so was a cute, little boy with big, brown eyes. This little boy was my brother, Marty. It was obvious he was not happy to see me. I found out he was mad because I was not little. 1954: Micka’s first Christmas in America. Left to Right: Vika, Micka, Pavel. The day came for me to leave the only home I knew. I would be traveling across the ocean to a place I had only heard about. Stara Mama and Stari Ata cried. We knew this would probably be the last time we would be together. Cousin Joze, who was now six years old, would not let go of my hand. It was bittersweet; I was frightened, excited, sad, and yet happy. I was leaving my friends and family to be reunited with my parents, sisters, and siblings I had never met. I never saw my grandparents again. I boarded the train in Ljubljana. At the border with Italy, the Slovenian train personnel departed the train and were replaced with Italians. In Genoa, just as planned, I was met by the lady and spent the night with her. The next morning we headed to the pier where I met a Slovenian lady from Dolenjska. She had been separated from her husband for 30 years. She told me the first thing she wanted to buy in America were false teeth. We boarded the ship, Independence, for a five day journey to America. The ship was very nice, and for most of the trip, the weather was fair. It was early morning on November 18, 1954, when we entered New York harbor. I saw the Statue of Liberty, but did not realize it was so special; I had never heard of it. We did not know why, but we were told to wait until all other passengers had debarked the ship. Father Ambrozic, the head of the Slovenian Catholic League, was there to meet us. The Slovenian lady and I were so relieved to see him. I was overwhelmed with the many cars and tall buildings on the ride to the train station. Americans were very friendly during the train ride to Chicago, but I wished they would not talk to me. I could not understand them. Upon arrival in Chicago, the League had arranged for people to help make our transfers. After a few hours of waiting, the lady from Dolenjska boarded the train for May/June 2014 Mr. Pucko, Ata’s friend who had a car, was also with the group. We drove to Elcor, a small town in Minnesota, where my family lived. There was Polda, who was really cute; Paula, who was young and skinny; Janez and Bina, who I had only seen in pictures; Theresa was three years old and could speak so well; in the bassinet was sixmonth old Rosie; and Stefan was sitting in a chair. Stefan was mentally challenged and could not talk. I hardly knew these people, yet I felt I had come home. That evening many of the local Slovenian people came to visit. We sang Slovenian songs. Dad was pleasantly surprised that I knew how to sing Domobranci songs. I also met Polda’s fiancee, Vinko Ferkul. I really liked him, as he had many interesting war stories. There were plenty of chores to do around the house; clean the barn and haul water for the cows. Mom had two cows and was quite disappointed that I did not know how to milk them. I tried, but in vain. To make extra money, Mom sold some of the milk. One week after arriving in Minnesota, I started school. It was difficult because I did not speak English. I was put in the ninth grade. Milana Dolence was in my class and we became friends. I also had a special English class one hour a day with Mr. Hogan. By the end of the year I had learned English fairly well, and I attempted to read my first English novel. I went to school for another half of a year, and then left school and started to work at the Arrow Shirt Factory. Life was much different in a big family than it was living as an only child with Stara Mama and Stari Ata. It took a while to adjust. My brother, Tommy, was born in the spring. While Polda and Vinko were courting, Vika and I were sent along to chaperone. Vinko did not seem to mind a carload of girls. In January 1955, Polka and Vinko were married. Soon after, they moved to Cleveland, Ohio. Our family stayed in Elcor for two years. When the mines were closed in Elcor, the mining company did not want to keep the town. We had an opportunity to buy the superintendent’s house, which was bigger and nicer, for a reasonable price. It was autumn and getting cold when the house was lifted and moved on trucks to Gilbert, Minnesota. The basement needed to be dug and the chimney needed to be built so we could have heat. 17 Today, my faith, my children, nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren fill my life. Mr. Pucko built the chimney. Paula and I had the job of keeping him supplied with mortar and bricks. It was cold. Once the chimney was built, we could at least have a fire, but the furnace was not ready until Christmas. I remember a hole from the old chimney that went from the upstairs, down to the kitchen. One day little Tommy fell through it. Luckily he was not seriously injured. Vika and I became good friends. She was always the life of the party. All the guys liked her, especially Ivan Goricon. Dad did not trust him. He told me to keep an eye on them, and they were never to be alone. When Ivan’s father asked if Vika could go on vacation with them to Canada and Cleveland, dad gave his permission. Mom, however, said that if Vika was going, Micka should go also. Dad was not happy, but he let us go. What a great time we had. We even visited Polda and Vinko, who had a nice apartment in Cleveland, and now they had a baby boy, Vinko. From there we went to Toronto, Canada, where I met Dad’s brother, Stric Dore, for the first and only time. On the way home to Minnesota, we passed through Joliet, Illinois, to visit some friends of the Gorican family. Ivan suggested that instead of staying with the “old folks,” we should visit Felix and Albert, the Mavec boys. We went riding in Felix’s 1954 Chevy and had a great time. Felix did not pay any special attention to me. In fact, I cannot even remember him speaking directly to me. But about a week after we returned to Gilbert, I received a letter from him. He wanted to correspond with me. I was pleasantly surprised. So for the next nine months, Felix and I averaged about two letters per month. Then in May, Felix came to visit and asked me to marry him. He had already asked my Dad for permission to marry me. Our entire courtship was done through letters, and we continued to write for another four months. Felix then came to Gilbert about one 18 week before the wedding. We were married on September 6, 1958. I moved to Joliet, Illinois, with Felix and life was good. Later, Felix’s brother, Albert, married my sister Paula. Sisters had married brothers! We lived in an area settled by many Slovenian families. St. Joseph Church, founded by Slovenian immigrants, was nearby. Felix and I had four children; Sonja, Tommy, and twins Marko and Sandy. After almost 55 years of marriage, Felix passed away on April 5, 2013. Today, my faith, my children, nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren fill my life. I returned to Slovenia in 1977, 23 years after I came to America. My grandparents on both sides had passed, but I still have several relatives, including Teta Ana and numerous cousins, that live there. I have been back to Slovenia several times and intend to visit again in the fall of this year. Family photo: Micka with parents and siblings on her wedding day. Back Row: Micka with her parents, Pavel and Marjia. Middle Row: Polda, Albina, Theresa, John, and Vika. Front Row: Paula, Marti, Rosie, Tommy, and Nade. Zarja - The Dawn Tribute to Long-Time Members by Patricia Budzilek will be back in the next issue of Zarja - The Dawn. It is with great sadness to report that Terry Vidervol Hocevar of Cleveland, Ohio, who had achieved the age of 100 years on July 6, 2013, and was written about in a recent Zarja – The Dawn issue (Sept/Oct 2013, page 8), has gone to her eternal reward on January 1, 2014. She was the youngest of 11 children born to Anton and Johanna Vidervol and had lived her entire life in the home that her father purchased in 1906. Terry married Joseph Hocevar in 1936 and had five children, Sister Rosemary Hocevar, OSU, Laurence, Joann, Kathleen, and Thomas (deceased). Her whole life was devoted to her Church and promotion of her Slovenian heritage as she was active in eight Slovenian organizations, including SUA Branch 50 - Euclid, Ohio. A Mass of Christian burial was held on January 6th, presided over by Father Frank Godic and concelebrated by Fathers Bede Kotlinski and Joseph Boznar. Over 300 people braved the inclement weather to pay their last respects. Terry will be greatly missed by her family and is fondly remembered as a vibrant woman who always had a smile on her face. Note: Please notify me if you would like to suggest a SUA/SWUA member to be profiled in this feature. Remember - they must have been active for many years, and are probably in their 80s. My e-mail is pbudzilek@oh.rr.com. May/June 2014 19 Rosalia (Rosie) Miklaucic Perushek By cousins Phyllis Perushek Schmidt and Mary Lou Deyak Voelk find it.” With such an abundance of glacial drift in northern Minnesota, is it not probable that Rosie missed a rock? Rosie was often asked about how she met her husband. “That was easy, I tagged along with my brother Frankie.” Frankie chummed around with Joe Flake (Flaky), and Frank Perushek. So it was Flaky, Frank, and Frankie. Flaky was the only one who had a car, and in those days Saturday night dances were big. They packed into Flaky’s car, as many as comfort would allow, and headed over to the Pink Hall or the Tower, some 18 miles south of Ely. No seat belts were required in those days and the back seat held six. It was called lap sitting. For 67 years of her life, Rosalia (Rosie) Miklaucic Perushek was a resident of Ely, Minnesota, most notably, in the Chandler area. Rosie was born to Frank Miklaucic and Angela Merhar on January 24, 1921. The Miklaucic siblings in order of birth were Angela (Gelly), Frank (Frankie), Rosalia (Rosie), Emma, Eddie, and John. The family home was just a few feet from the road; a common design as land was not wasted. The back yard housed a huge garden plot, a barn, a chicken coop, a pigsty, and a brick sausage house. The sausage house was originally built as a summer kitchen and was fitted with a wood, cook stove. Life meant chores, such as pumping water, weeding the garden, and delivering milk to the owners of a feed store on Chapman Street. The feed store would purchase milk from Angela during spring calving season when there was no milk, and Rosie made the deliveries. It was a rule given by her mother, “never take extra money from a customer.” Rosie had delivered beans for her grandmother, Rosalia, to Mrs. Indihar who lived on Lawrence Street. Mrs. Indihar handed Rosie a quarter, which Rosie knew she should not have taken, so she climbed the big hill across the road from her house and hid it under a rock. “No matter how many times I searched for that quarter, or how many rocks I turned over, I never did 20 “On November 8, 1939, Frank Perushek and I were married.” (The family name is Perovshek (Perovšek). Frank’s birth certificate was written Perushek, a spelling given by a Slovenian priest, Monsignor Joseph Buh. Perhaps the “u” and “v” were used interchangeably, and Frank kept the “u” version as his legal surname.) “Our first abode was the converted sausage house, which we used during the time Frank was remodeling the second floor of the Perovshek house, located about three dirt road blocks away. The area between the inside window and storm window was our first refrigerator which served us faithfully during late fall, winter, and early spring. Two years later we purchased a house across the street from my parents, where our son, Phillip, and daughters, Phyllis and Peggy, were reared in the atmosphere of Chandler, with a multitude of Slovenian families.” For years, Rosie did her share of canning; jars of vegetables from the garden and fruit delivered by Klun’s Store were readied for winter eating. When living in the apartment, Rosie would join the Perovshek girls in a canning frenzy, which once resulted in little Phyllis being badly burned when a cooling jar exploded. Butchering, sausage making, and canning meat were also required labors for winter eating. The sausage house became the home freezer during winter months. As sausage making Zarja - The Dawn was a communal project, family and extended families, needing sausage, came to the brick house. Every so often, an early spring would bring about a sausage-eating frenzy, because they needed to eat it before it thawed out! “The pig was slaughtered, the head was cooked, and the skin, head, tongue, ears, and snout were all diced and/ or ground. Nothing was wasted. Those little textured pieces of cartilage that we all loved? They came from the snout! There was no other added meat. My mother, Angela, was the mixer and taster. She would roll up her sleeves and give her arms a good scrubbing, make an arm into a dough hook, extend it into the washtub, and begin mixing. Every so often she would do a taste test, and then maybe suggest ‘more salt,’ ‘more marjoram,’ etc. It had been my duty to stir the blood to keep it from curdling. Nothing was wasted, not even the pig’s brain. Very early in the morning my mother would cook the brains and scramble several eggs for my father before he went to work in the mine. He considered this dish a delicacy. No one else ever tasted this meal, but the aroma smelled so delicious as it drifted up the staircase.” John and Rosalia Hennikman Merhar hired Mr. Chernivic as the family butcher and sausage maker. Mr. Merhar had taken in Rosalia and daughter, Mary, after they were abandoned; he and Rosalia were eventually married. Mary was wed to Joe Sheryak, also a butcher and sausage maker. It is assumed that recipes of Chernivic and Sheryak were family recipes brought from Slovenia. Angela Merhar, daughter of John and Rosalia, and Frank Miklaucic were married. Sheryak became the butcher and sausage maker for the Miklaucic family. Angela, Rosie’s mother, bought a sausage press, which was used by many families in Chandler, notably the Vesel family as referenced in a past Zarja feature story. After Frank Perushek and Rosie were married, they became the carrier of the Chernivic/Merhar/Sheryak/Perushek recipe; Frank was the first to write down the recipe. Frank passed away in 1978. In the next four years Rosie lost her brother, Eddie, and her mother and father. In 1991, at age 70, Rosie left Chandler and moved to Whidbey Island, Washington, to be near her daughter, Phyllis, and family. With Rosie came the sausage-making equipment, which then produced Polish, potato, and blood sausage, and even May/June 2014 white sausage, which is the same as blood sausage, except it had loads of garlic and no blood. In reality, it is a substitute for those turned off by the thought of blood. You know them, they are the foolish folks. The saga of sausage continues. Fifteen years ago, Frank Deyak, Phyllis’s cousin, visited the island and was treated to the Perushek blood sausage. It is now a tradition: potato sausage, blood sausage, and Polish (smoked and unsmoked) sausage are mixed and extruded in the Deyak sausage kitchen. In Seattle, Washington, Rosie’s granddaughter, Julie, carries on the sausage legacy. Now using her great-grandmother’s sausage maker, she hosts sausage-making parties. She teaches how to make preservative- free, fresh sausage from scratch. Choose your type of sausage, invite your guests, and Julie provides all ingredients, equipment, and packaging materials. It’s a great time and you go home with a supply of sausage. Website: stuffitsausageworks.com. Rosie has lived her life in an environment embraced by a legacy; a free flow of Slovenian traditions from one generation to the next. She chuckled when she served her potica to her Japanese guests, from an extended family. She baked her last potica at age 91, but she is never without the delicious pastry. Stop in at Phyllis’s house, and out comes the potica, along with buckwheat potica with ham, and more. One year ago, Rosie entered a convalescent center on Whidbey Island. In 2013, Phyllis made the move to mainland Washington State where her daughters reside. Rosie also made the move and now resides at Alderwood Park Convalescent Center, 2726 Alderwood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225. Rosie is a 47 - year member of SUA Branch 23 - Ely, Minnesota; her mother, Angela, was a charter member when Branch 23 was established on September 24, 1928. “Zarja continues to be dear to me. I look forward to each issue, and I read it from cover to cover. What a beautiful magazine, where I can read what is going on in the Branches, especially in Ely.” 21 SUA’S MEMBERS OF THE YEAR AGNES WILTZIUS Branch 1 - Sheboygan, Wisconsin Agnes was born on a farm in School Hill, Wisconsin, being the ninth child of a family of thirteen. In September of 1955 she married Frank Wiltzius. They were married 45 years and had three children. They now have five grandchildren, all of whom live in the Sheboygan area. Agnes is an active member of the Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish and of the SUA Branch 1. She has participated in the Branch 1 doll project and has done the tedious beading handiwork on most of the Avbas. Agnes has also made many costumes for the Slovenian celebrations and for the church events. Besides her talent of making potica, one of her other hobbies is yarn work (knitting and crocheting scarves). Agnes enjoys traveling; she has been to Hawaii and last year enjoyed a cruise on the Rhine River. When asked what is her favorite part of belonging to SUA, she said “with a smile,” it is the good friends she has made, their companionship, and the interesting meetings. Branch 1 considers it an honor that Agnes accepted their nomination to become its 2014 Member of the Year. 22 ANNETTE CHARRON Branch 3 - Pueblo, Colorado Annette is the daughter of John and Heddy Sabo. Annette’s grandmother, Frances Hoffer Sabo, was born in Metlika, Slovenia, and Frances’ father, F r a n k ( A n n e t t e ’s great-grandfather), was from Karlovac, Croatia. Frank Hoffer is credited with introducing tamburitza - playing to America. He made the tamburitzas, and the Hoffer family performed at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The Hoffers moved from Chicago to Pueblo so that their oldest daughter, (Annette’s Aunt Kate Hoffer Jerman), could fill St. Mary Church’s need for an organist. Annette’s grandmother, Frances, was also an accomplished musician. Annette inherited her grandmother’s parlor grand piano; a wedding present from her grandmother’s husband, John. Annette became a member of Branch 3 while living in California and took over the Branch’s Zarja reporting duties with friend Barbara Karlinger upon moving back to Colorado. Annette also joined the Slovenian Prešeren Glee Club, whose first conductor was her great-uncle, Pueblo composer and orchestra leader, Matt Jerman. Annette enjoys performing with the glee club at community celebrations. As a faculty member of Pueblo Community College, she coordinates the school’s annual Slovenian/Croatian Heritage Day. Annette has been married to Frank Charron for 30 years; the couple moved to Pueblo in 2010 after Frank, a geologist and Marine brat with no hometown, retired from Chevron Inc. Frank and Annette have two daughters, Elise and Chrissy, who enjoy baking strudels and poticas with Annette. Like her parents, Annette has emphasized the Slovenian values of honesty, hard work, and the importance of education for her children. During the 2012-2013 school year, she and Frank lived in Prizren, Kosovo, where Annette taught at the University of Prizren as an English Language Fellow for the U. S. Department of State. Living in a part of the former Yugoslavia afforded Annette and Frank opportunities to explore Slovenia and all of the Balkans. Zarja - The Dawn RICK AND GENITA BRODNIK Branch 5 - Indianapolis, Indiana Rick and Genita are a couple to be depended upon no matter what! Rick was born and raised in the Slovenian community of Haughville, attending Holy Trinity Slovenian Catholic Church and School. After marrying 25 years ago, they returned to Haughville to live next to Rick’s parents. Rick and Genita are longtime volunteers at the Slovenian National Home, where they run the bar, kitchen, finances, and marketing for the Home. They get everything ready for us to meet, including our annual “Koffe ‘n Krofe” breakfast. Their daughters, Angie and Jamie, write this about Rick and Genita: “How do you describe a lifetime of generosity and giving, not only to our Slovenian culture and heritage, but to everyone they meet? Rick, like his father, Carl, before him, is a lifetime member of the Slovenian National Home, KSKJ, and one of the first men to join the Slovenian Women’s Union. His mother, Ruth, was a longtime member. When he married Genita nearly 25 years ago, she became a member and whole-heartedly volunteers at many events. They help manage the gym at Holy Trinity’s Bockhold Hall. They open the gym and clean up after events for the Slovenian community, including wedding receptions and parties of neighborhood families. Rick is on the board at the Slovenian National Home and has been helping to maintain the bar and he frequently runs the kitchen on Friday nights for all who come down to enjoy Slovenian company and fun. You will see them at Holy Trinity Church events either helping out or happily spending their money and time to support a good cause. The Slovenian culture in Indianapolis has always been one of generosity, acceptance, and faith. Richard and Genita are the epitome of these values which shows in their actions as much as their words.” May/June 2014 DIANE (née Beaird) HOHENWATER Branch 20 - Joliet, Illinois Diane became a member in 2010 after helping decorate for a Branch 20 Grape Harvest Dance. She has served as Recording Secretary since 2011, Zarja reporter since January, and attends most Branch 20 events. Diane has worked at Grape Dances, helped organize the last two Christmas parties, and was co-chairperson for last year’s 85th Anniversary events. Diane has always been proud of her heritage and has enjoyed learning more about her Slovenian ancestors. She and her husband, George, vacationed in Slovenia last summer, enjoying stays in Maribor, Ljubljana, Piran, and Lake Bled. Diane and George also visited Šmarje Sap, her great-grandfather Anton Duša’s birth town, and Logatec, where her great-grandmother, Katarina Mihevc Duša, was born. To her delight, Diane unexpectedly met a cousin, Darko Duša, in Grosuplje. Diane has two sons, Brett and Scott, and a beautiful granddaughter, Kylie. She enjoys watching movies, genealogy, and scrapbooking. Diane has enjoyed meeting many wonderful people since joining SUA and is impressed by the passion our longtime members have for the organization. She hopes to be a part of SUA’s bright future. 23 ANITA VOVK JUNE (Bohte) ZNIDORKA As Anita embraced the Slovenian culture she shared it not only with her family, but others in the community. She learned Slovenian to communicate better with her husband’s family and then taught language classes to others wanting to learn in her home and in the church. She sang with the Slovenian Festival Singers and Slovenian Choir at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. She gave a demonstration of flancita-making for a show on local Public Television. She wrote and directed the play, “A Day in Slovenia,” which her Slovenian class students performed for the community. Anita spent much time at Ironworld volunteering as a greeter during the All Slav Festival and sharing the culture with students during a summer Slovenian Youth Camp. In addition to traveling to Slovenia several times with her family, she also participated in an Archival Seminar on genealogy in Ljubljana. June is proud of her Slovenian Heritage. She sang in a Slovenian Youth Chorus, danced with a Slovenian Group for the Annual Folk Fair, and is currently singing with the Uspeh Slovenian Chorus, of which she is a charter member. June has been the chorus’ historian for its entire 35 year existence. In addition to Milwaukee’s Branch 43, she is a member of St. John the Evangelist #65 KSKJ, and the Slovenian Retirees. She was employed at US Bank for 26 years and after retiring, worked as a casino hostess on tour busses. Branch 35 - Aurora, Minnesota Branch 43 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin Branch 35 is pleased to honor Anita Vovk as our 2014 Member of the Year. Anita has been an active member since 1985. She served as Vice President from 1998 to 2001 when she then took over as Acting President. In 2002 she was elected President and held that post until December 2012 when she moved to the Twin Cities to be near her children. June was born on June 4, hence her parents decided to name her June. Her parents, Tony and Margaret Anita’s dedication to Slovenian culture is particularly Bohte, were both of Slovenian descent and June special since she herself is full-blooded Italian. Anita married Joseph Znidorka, whose parents were also of Vitali was born and raised in Chisholm, Minnesota. Slovenian descent. That makes June and her family In 1952, she married Frank Vovk, originally from 100% Slovenian. Joe and June were married for 56 Slivnica, Slovenia. They raised six children who years and together they raised three children, Jean, have now given them 16 grandchildren and 23 great- John (now deceased), and Jerry. Joe died in April of grandchildren. 2010 after a lengthy illness. Anita is well known for her baking skills - noodles, potica, strudel, krofe, and flancita. Her presence at our monthly meetings is greatly missed. Congratulations and thank you for your many years of service, Anita! 24 June has traveled to all 50 states, the Orient, and traveled to Europe with the Uspeh Chorus on three different occasions. She is a true and loyal member of our Branch, always willing to help in any way possible and always knows what needs to be done without being asked. In her own quiet way she just goes about doing it. June is always willing to provide transportation, even if it means going out of her way or starting out earlier than she planned. We are truly fortunate to have her in our midst and wish her only the best. Congratulations, June! Zarja - The Dawn ELIZABETH M. HAMILTON Branch 89 - Oglesby, Illinois Branch 89 is proud to announce our 2014 Member of the Year, Elizabeth M. Hamilton. Betty, as she is known to everyone, was born on August 2, 1918, to Frank and Anna (Gatz) Siolz. Betty was the youngest of nine children. As a child she remembers playing “store,” “kick the can,” ice skating and roller-skating, baseball, bowling, and playing cards. But her greatest joy in life was dancing. As a teenager, she started dancing to “Big Bands” and danced until she was 93 years of age. After marrying Paul Hamilton they became the proud parents of five children; four boys and one girl. After only 16 years of marriage, upon Paul’s death, Betty and her children moved back to her hometown of Oglesby. Betty worked at a greenhouse, Westclox, and worked as a licensed beautician to help raise her family. Being the youngest of nine children, and raising five children on her own speaks volumes of Betty’s strong Slovenian/ German character. She is a kind, fun-loving, hard-working woman who is a very proud mother, grandmother of 12, and great-grandmother of 13. She is now 96 years of age and still lives in her own home under the watchful eyes of her children. Congratulations, Betty, on being Branch 89’s 2014 Member of the Year! May/June 2014 BONITA KATHERINE KLAUS ZUPAN Branch 100 - Southern California In Bonita’s words... “To begin with, both of my parents emigrated in the 1920’s from Yugoslavia to Cleveland, which had a large Slovene community. After my folks married and I was born, my primary years were spent at St. Mary Magdalene School. Celebrations, holidays, and Sundays were spent at KSKJ, SNPJ, and AMLA, listening to polka music and eating klobase and strudel. Slovenian was spoken between my mom and Grandma, so I do understand, but don’t speak the language. After studying cosmetology at Andrews School for Girls, I married my high school sweetheart. Two children later we moved to California in 1976. I purchased a travel agency in the 1980’s and we visited a continent a year with the kids. Also, during this period I was a Eucharistic minister. I served on Bishop Straling’s Diocesan Marion Council, was a school board president, an insurance agent, a columnist for our local paper, Life Member of the Soroptimists, and had various volunteer jobs in Riverside County sprinkled in. During the nineties, by God’s design, I worked for VNAIC Hospice and was also on their Ethics Committee. My mom passed on the travel “gene” to me. I’ve been to Slovenia over a dozen times because I love it! My cousin Lilly and family still live in the same house where mom was born… No. 11 Hrusica, Primorska. Grandpa’s house was No. 13. I take utmost pride in being 100% Slovenian…no brag, just fact! My grandmother was the first to belong to SUA (Slovenska Zenska Zveza), which precipitated me joining several years ago. Branch 100 members have enjoyed two cooking classes at our home and I look forward to more fun getting to know more of the members in the years to come. Thank you for nominating me for this honor! (Frankly, I don’t feel worthy.)” 25 MEDA KREMPASKY Branch 102 - Willard, Wisconsin Branch 102 is proud to announce Meda as our 2014 Member of the Year. Meda’s grandparents were Stephen and Mary (Popovich) Plautz. Stephen came to America in 1881, working in the copper mines in the Calumet area, until moving to Willard in 1908 to start farming. (Meda’s Uncle Frank has the distinction of being the first boy to be born in Willard.) They had 12 more children, including Meda’s father, George. Meda shared her heritage with five siblings, including her brother, George, who is a Zarja Staff Writer, with the column “Death of a Surname.” Meda grew up in the Greenwood/ Willard area. Her parents, George and Ellen Plautz, are longtime members with Branch 102. Meda’s memories of growing up in a Slovenian household include making all the traditional Slovenian foods, including potica and blood sausage. Meda attended Alverno College in Milwaukee, majoring in English and Journalism. After college she moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked for the FBI as a fingerprint analyst, and later writing a procedural manual for fingerprint identification. It was there she met her future husband, Jerome. After they married they moved back to the Greenwood/Willard area to raise their family. Meda has been married to Jerome for 40 years. They currently live in the Greenwood area. 26 NORM SETNICKER Branch 109 - Twin Cities of Minnesota Norm was a co-founder of Branch 109 almost 10 years ago. He has been a dedicated and tireless volunteer, including: serving as president for five years, reporting to the Zarja since the establishment of the Branch, attending the National Conventions, working on revising the Bylaws of the SWUA, writing and publishing the Festival of Nations brochures for six years, researching information to co-author the history of Branch 109, and pursuing dual citizenship with Slovenia. Norm grew up in Biwabik, Minnesota, and is 100% Slovenian (as is his wife, Mary Ann, formerly Koroshec). They will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in August. They are passionate about passing on their Slovenian heritage to their seven grandchildren. Both he and Mary Ann have taken Slovenian language classes in Slovenia and are active in our local Slovenian class. They have traveled extensively worldwide, including three trips to Slovenia to visit relatives and friends and to climb Mount Triglav. Norm has had a distinguished career as an American History, English, and Advanced Placement Macroeconomics teacher for 34 years. He was a substitute teacher until 2013 at Tartan High School and continues to administer the Advanced Placement and ACT tests in the district. He was employed in the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District for 50 years. Norm is an avid Senior Baseball Player. His team, the Minnesota Masters 70’s, has won two national championships. He is a two-time All American Softball player. In January 2014, he was selected as the Gold Glove Award Winner for being the best defensive baseball player over age 50 at the Minnesota Twins Fantasy Baseball Camp. Hvala Lepa, Norm Setnicker, for your major contributions promoting our heritage and maintaining the vitality of our Branch 109 - Twin Cities Slovenians. Zarja - The Dawn Slovenian Union of America Branch Reports BRANCH 1 - Sheboygan, Wisconsin Contact Information: Mary Ann Schellinger 920.457.7946/rhmas@yahoo.com On February 16th, 23 members of Branch 1 met for their first meeting in 2014. As it was so close to Valentine’s Day, the Board prepared many goodies to eat with “TLC.” The food area was set up in a red and white theme. Each member was given a special card with a “Love in every Slovenian” magnet. who enjoy the condiment of mustard, two types of Slovenian mustard are now available for sale at the National Mustard Museum in Middleton, Wisconsin. The facility has over 5,500 mustards from all 50 states and over 70 countries from around the world. It definitely will be worth a trip to Middleton to check this out. From the SINFO magazine, I read an article regarding the Slovenian cradle that was presented to Prince George. What an honor from our little country to be a part of history. Even though the winter weather is keeping most of us housebound, a few of our members will be venturing south to Florida to enjoy, hopefully, some sunshine and warmer weather. I’ll be heading down to Australia to spend a month visiting some of my Slovenian cousins and hopefully come back with more family stories. BETTY REPENSHEK BRANCH 2 - Chicago, Illinois Contact Information: Judy Stoll judystoll@att.net Information was shared regarding the upcoming trip to Slovenia, the SWU scholarship program, and some items from the new SUA Policy and Procedure Manual. When preparing a program for the meetings, I like to use information obtained from the Slovenian American Times and SINFO, which are two publications that I receive. The information from these two sources really keeps us in touch with what is going on in our “homeland.” From the “Times,” we learned that in early 2014 imagery will become available on the internet in “Google Street View” in some of the bigger cities, such as Ljubljana and Maribor. Smaller areas around the coast and tourist attractions will also be added as time goes on. As a special interest to those of us living in Wisconsin May/June 2014 At our March meeting, we discussed plans for our annual summer picnic, which will be held on Sunday, July 20th on the “hill” in Lemont. We are hoping for a big crowd and great weather to go along with the many prizes and wonderful food that will be offered by our members. We were saddened to learn of the passing of a fine old gentleman, Louis Pasderetz. He attended many of our meetings and was always present at our summer picnic. We extend our condolences to his family. Our next meeting will be held on Sunday, May 18th at 1:00 p.m. at the Cristo Rey High School Hall. Please join us as we will be finalizing plans for the big picnic. JUDY STOLL 27 BRANCH 3 - Pueblo, Colorado Contact Information: Annette Charron amtcharron@yahoo.com On Saturday, December 7, St. Mary’s Parish celebrated the St. Nicholas Feast day with Mass celebrated by Father Ben Bacino. During the offertory, parishioners brought festively-wrapped Christmas gifts to the altar, which were later distributed to needy children by Catholic Charities in the Pueblo area. The Mass was followed by a Slovenian dinner of klobase and sauerkraut. Strudels and other sweets were available at the dessert table. After dinner, St. Nick (Father Bacino) distributed small gifts to all of the parish children and listened to their Christmas wishes. Gifts at St. Mary’s Parish altar for the St. Nick’s celebration on left; Jacob Tracy (great-grandson of Branch 3 member Agnes Cvar who is 96 years young) and Father Ben Bacino dressed as St. Nick. Our March meeting was held in St. Mary’s Church hall on March 11 and began with the election of officers. By a unanimous vote, Marge Cullen was reelected President, Eileen Kaplan was reelected Secretary-Treasurer, and Marie Mutz was reelected Chaplain. Chaplain Marie Mutz led the opening and closing prayers and a memorial for members, Hermina Petrick and Lillian Galich, who both recently passed away. Barbara Karlinger hosted the meeting with snacks for the members to enjoy. Betty Skul brought the mystery hostess gift, which was won by Marie Mutz. Members discussed the possibility of sponsoring a gambling bus trip to Cripple Creek, Colorado, for a Branch fund-raiser. Cripple Creek, located in a high valley near the base of Pike’s Peak, is a historic, former, gold-mining camp and the site of the last Colorado gold rush in 1890. Norma Becco heads the Cripple Creek Fund-raiser Committee. The Slovenian/Croatian Heritage Day at Pueblo Community College was also a topic of discussion since Branch 3 helps sponsor the event. Members discussed items that they could bring for the display tables. The annual Mother’s Day luncheon, which will honor our Branch Member of the Year, Annette Charron, will be held on Friday, May 2, at Park East restaurant. All members are welcome! ANNETTE SABO CHARRON & BARBARA KARLINGER 28 BRANCH 5 - Indianapolis, Indiana Contact Information: Phyllis phyllisswu5@aol.com Springtime Greetings! After the “winter that would never end,” it is wonderful to see, hear, and feel signs of spring everywhere! Spring also brings Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. For many of us, it is a day of fond memories of our parents who are no longer with us. Here in the Indy area, most of our parents of Slovenian descent were 1st generation Americans, as their parents were the immigrants who came in the early 1900s from Slovenia. Our parents were bilingual, speaking both Slovenian and English, and many school age children returned home at night and became the “teacher” of English to their parents, especially for their mothers, who by staying home had very little contact with others speaking English. Fathers who came to Indy from Slovenia usually worked in one of the Haughville factories and picked up English from co-workers. Many men were actually boarders with Slovenian families in the Haughville area, working at the factory, sending money back home to Slovenian family members, often to buy farmland and homes back there, so they could return to Slovenia. My grandfather, Frank Konechnik, was a boarder at the home of Frances Vertacnik, who owned a home in Haughville. Every Monday, he left his wife and children down on a farm, 30 miles from Indy, to come and work in the factory all week, returning on Friday to his family. Mrs. Vertacnik provided meals and beds for her boarders, many of whom came from the same regions in Slovenia as she did. She became “botrca” (godmother) to my mother and her sisters, and her family spent many a weekend down at the Konechnik farm. Many of the boarders became like “extended family” to the families they lived with, often as an honorary “stric” (uncle) for the children, and the children often helped the boarders with reading and writing letters to family back in Slovenia. So as we celebrate Mother’s and Father’s Days this year, remember those who play just as important a role as our parents did in our lives, without actually being parents! Congratulations to our Members of the Year, Rick and Genita Brodnik! You’re a good example of our Slovenian heritage, thanks for all you do! Our meeting/dinner will be Friday, May 2, at the Slovenian National Home (fondly nicknamed - Nash), from 5-7 p.m. Dinner will be cooked by your favorite officers, Mary, Karen, and Phyllis, and will be the Friday night dinner for the Nash. So please come join us for a delicious pork roast dinner, bring a dessert to share, and stay for Friday night fun at the Nash! As always, keep our members in your thoughts and prayers, along with those who protest our streets and country. God Bless! KAREN, MARY & PHYLLIS Zarja - The Dawn BRANCH 10 - Cleveland, Ohio Hi Ladies! We hope that all had a nice Easter. We wish Ann Stefancic a “Happy Birthday” as she will be 100 yrs old. If anyone would like to send her best wishes - her address is 900 Ruyard Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44110. Happy Mother’s Day to all. Good wishes to all our sick members. Our May meeting will be the last Wednesday of the month at Collinwood Slovene Home. Call Stephie if anyone has news for the Zarja. God bless, and we are thinking of our members in the nursing homes. BRANCH 13 - San Francisco, California Girlfriends, Virginia Judnich Sustarich and Louise Pluth Petrusich, have been meeting at the Slovenian Hall, on Potrero Hill (Krinski Hrib), San Francisco, since they have been little girls. Louise’s family lived on the 500 block of San Bruno Avenue and Virginia’s family still lives on the 600 block of San Bruno Avenue, two blocks away from the Slovenian Hall. Before that, Louise’s father, Louis Pluth, and Virginia’s father, Matt Judnich, lived across the street Virginia Judnich Sustarich and Louise Pluth Petrusich from each other in the town of Mladica, Slovenia. Louis and Matt left Slovenia and came to the United States on the same ship, settling in San Francisco’s Potrero Hill in the early 1900s. The families have been friends all of these years. Virginia and her late husband, Rudy Sustarich, have three children and six grandchildren. Louise and her late husband, John Petrusich, have two daughters, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Congratulations, Virginia and Louise. There are not many people that can say they have been girlfriends this many years and still meeting at the “Hall.” A very Happy and Special Mother’s Day, Louise and Virginia, and to all our Mothers, much love... MOREEN SPENCER May/June 2014 BRANCH 16 - South Chicago, Illinois Contact Information: Marjorie Mitchell 773.646.4392/Dolores60617@yahoo.com Happy Spring to all! Well, February didn’t cooperate with us weather-wise and our scheduled meeting had to be canceled till March. As a matter of fact, March wasn’t much better - there was still lots of snow on the ground and plenty of cold winds blowing. Belated birthday wishes to Dotsi Rossi - a big 85! Gen Marco and Jim Rossi have both been under the weather; Helen Nowicki is home from the hospital and recuperating nicely; and Victor Sebahar had surgery. He came through with flying colors and surprisingly made it to our March meeting. I guess our “get well” prayers were answered and hopefully everyone will be feeling better with the coming of warmer weather. Enjoy the picture of Vic taste-testing a Fat Tuesday krofi. Yum!! Duquesne University Tamburitzans made their annual tour to our area in March with a concert in Munster, Indiana. They always entertain royally with their multi-ethnic music, dancing, singing, and costumes. Our April meeting had everyone preparing a potluck lunch item in the “Easter/Spring” theme. We also collected new or “gently used” items as our annual donation to a local women’s shelter. Hopefully, the “April’s Showers” drawing brought a shower of dollars to some members. Last year we had three (3) winners from our Branch. A reminder to all: Our new meeting date is to be the first Saturday of each month. Try to make it. DOLORES KRAL FRANKO 29 BRANCH 20 - Joliet, Illinois Contact Information: Diane Hohenwater dhohenwater@comcast.net We are pleased to announce that Georgene Agnich is our Branch’s new treasurer. Georgene replaces longtime treasurer Jean Herbst, who worked tirelessly in her role. We appreciate Jean’s dedication to our Branch finances and hope she enjoys a much-deserved reprieve. Despite a threatening weather forecast, those attending our annual St. Joseph Table Dinner enjoyed chicken, beef, and a wonderful assortment of salads, breads, fruits, and desserts. What a great event! Those who attended were only asked to bring a dish to pass, and our Branch provided beer, wine, and plenty of Slivo. Thanks to everyone who contributed to another successful bake sale in April. Of course, the Slovenian baked goods were the first to go. Poticas and strudels seemed to disappear as quickly as they arrived! I am very honored to be our Member of the Year and am excited for the dinner to be held on Tuesday, May 20, at St. Joseph Park. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., followed by a short program at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m., with entertainment following the banquet. We were saddened to learn of the death of Robert Mulvey, husband of member Ann Marie Mulvey, and father of member Maureen Mulvey. As always, we do not hold meetings during June, July, and August, but mark your calendars for Sunday, September 28, when we will hold our annual Grape Harvest Festival Dance. We wish everyone a pleasant beginning of summer. DIANE HOHENWATER BRANCH 24 - LaSalle, Illinois Contact Information: Bonnie Prokup wprokup@aol.com Be sure to come back here next issue to read all about our visit to St. Roch’s Church which is now a residence. St. Roch’s was our Catholic Church for many years in LaSalle until it was closed in the late 70s. 30 BRANCH 35 - Aurora, Minnesota Contact Information: John Stark johnks6@yahoo.com Our extreme below zero weather finely left us in midMarch and we are now having spring-like weather. There was so much snow that the city had to haul it away to make room for the next snowfall, and the intersections were very hazardous because of the high snow banks. There have been many homes with frozen water pipes in every town and some still haven’t been thawed! The joys of winter! Our March meeting went very well; good attendance and the dime auction made a good sum for our rest home activity department. Thanks to all who came. A reminder: NO meetings in June and July. We’re looking forward to see our new Member of the Year, Anita Vovk, again. She moved to the Twin Cities last year. Anita was our president for many years. Members will be contacted with the cost of the dinner and reservations. Our branch will be celebrating our 85th anniversary, on October 21st! We’ll have to plan something special for that milestone! Until next issue… take care. MARLYS RABB BRANCH 43 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin Contact Information: Jan Gehm 414.321.1413/twogames@wi.rr.com A good number of members braved the cold and attended our February meeting and were treated to a delicious lunch prepared by the birthday members and other members. Thank you very much. We are quite pleased with the addition of several men joining our Branch and attending our luncheon meetings and special events. Would you like to attend our meetings, which are usually held on the fourth Wednesday of the month? Do you need transportation? We would like to see you and make it possible for you to attend. Please call Mici at 414.543.6695 and I will try to help you. We welcome three new members to our Branch - Jerry Floryance, and John and Janet Cerar. Our sincere sympathy is extended to our Branch Vice President Betty Ann Kolesari and her family on the death of their mother, Deone Delopst. May she rest in peace. I just received word that our member, Lucija Menchak, passed away on March 11. Sincere condolences are expressed to her family. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Stan Vidmar is unable to be our auditor. We thank him for his past service and support of this Branch. Joan Winklewski has been elected to take over his position. Thank you, Joan. Stan’s brother, member Ed Vidmar, is to be commended for recently donating his blood - bringing the total to 20 gallons over 30 years! That’s a wonderful commitment, Ed! Zarja - The Dawn BRANCH 50 - Euclid, Ohio Contact Information: Rick Tomsick 440.655.6735 ricktomsick@gmail.com Greetings from the “5-0” on America’s North Coast, Cleveland, Ohio! As I write this report Branch 43 is pleased with the number of men joining our Branch and has many men on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day, the attending our meetings. Attached picture is from our Feb. 26, 2014, luncheon meeting weather is beginning to break and – even on a bitterly cold day. Pictured left to right: John Urh, John Cerar, Tom Gehm, someone told me they saw the sun Richard Floryance, Jerry Floryance, and Ed Vidmar yesterday, but by the time I looked out the window it was gone! I’m Mark your calendars for May 18, 2014. The Uspeh Slovekidding of course, but this has been an especially hard nian Chorus, which includes many Branch 43 members, will celebrate their 35th Anniversary with a dinner and winter on all of us, and I’m personally ready to get back on concert. The place is Sacred Heart Church, the time is 2 my motorcycle and ride to a beach somewhere. My sinp.m., and the cost is $20. Come and enjoy some Slovenian cere best wishes and Easter blessings to every one of you music, delicious food, and fellowship. For more informa- reading this update. I try to keep the members of Branch 50 and all of the members of the SUA in my prayers. tion please call Mici at 414.543.6695. If you use e-mail, you can write to me (listed above) with Are you looking for warmer weather and picnics? Plan on attending our Branch picnic on Saturday, July 26. Our any family news and I will add you to our list of updates member, Josie Midman, has kindly offered her summer for Branch 50. It’s good to hear from our members, like home on Lake Beulah as the site. All details have not been Lisa Mertel, Ivanka Matic, Jack Samsa, and Dorothy Tusek by e-mail. worked out, but mark your calendars. Speaking of Dorothy Tusek, we are very proud to reHave a wonderful summer! port on her granddaughter, Mandy Schniegenberg, who MICI BREGANT is a senior at Medina (Ohio) High School. Mandy is going to study at the prestigious Scholars Program at the BRANCH 47 - Garfield Heights, Ohio Ohio State University, and is very interested in a career Contact Information: Debbie Duris in zoology. She keeps very busy with school responsibili330.467.2281/dcduris@gmail.com ties, work, and volunteering for a number of worthwhile Greetings! Welcome to the beautiful and warm spring causes. Mandy is part of a Branch 50 dynasty - her mothweather! It was a rough winter, and I hope everyone is er Susan, cousins Becky and Emma Blackford (and their healthy and happier. Members are encouraged to attend mother Nancy Blackford), and grandmother Dorothy are our first meeting and luncheon in 2014 on May 3rd at 1 all members, as was her great-grandmother, Ann Grcar p.m. at the Burntwood Tavern on Kruse Drive in Solon. Dekleva-Stanonik. What a wonderful tradition! Please call or e-mail (listed above) our President, Debbie Duris, so you can be included in the reservation count. I’d like to remind everyone again of our upcoming meetings on Saturday, September 6th, at 1 p.m. at Panera Bread in Solon and Saturday, December 6th, is our catered Christmas Luncheon at the Valley View Community Center to begin at 12:30 p.m. A very happy Mother’s Day and Father’s Day to our members. I will gladly share any of our members’ activities. Just call me on my cell 330.730.8951 or e-mail me at kjferrante@gmail.com and I will include it in the next Branch report. I look forward to seeing you all very soon! KATHLEEN FERRANTE Left to right: Emma Blackford, Amanda Schniegenberg, and Rebecca (Becky) Blackford. May/June 2014 31 One thing I am looking forward to is the month of May, and our annual Mother’s day luncheon. Rose Mary Toth reports that the luncheon will be on May 21st at Dubrovnik Gardens (Eastlake Ohio). Luncheon will be at 1:00 p.m., cost $20. Please contact Maureen at 440.946.1833, or Rose Mary at 440.358.9141, or Ivanka at 216.481.1514 for reservations. I want to remind you to check in on SUA’s activities by going to the website at www.slovenianunion.org often. And, as a reminder, Bonnie Prokup is always looking for volunteers who like to write, do research, or submit photographs (you can let her know at wprokup@aol.com) for the national website and Zarja –The Dawn magazine. That’s all for now. Many thanks to everyone for all you do in SUA! RICK TOMSICK BRANCH 89 - Oglesby, Illinois Contact Information: Jim Ebner 815.883.3268/deadendbluff@yahoo.com Branch 89 kicked back into action March 3rd after “hibernating” in January and February. The planning committee met on that date to finalize plans for the 3rd Annual “Slovenian Heritage Event.” A strudel-making demonstration was scheduled for our first regular meeting of the year on Monday, March 1, but plans were changed at the last minute due to a death in the family of those presenting the demonstration. The strudel-making event will be re-scheduled for a later date. In lieu of the strudel-making, members who have traveled to Slovenia graciously brought keepsakes from those trips to “show and tell” to those in attendance. The Slovenian trip in September, “Živijo Zarja!” was discussed since we do have members who will be part of that great experience. Best wishes to our members near and far! JIM EBNER BRANCH 93 - New York, New York Contact Information: Elizabeth Gross 718.335.8459/Lizg669@gmail.com With the coldest and snowiest winter for NYC in decades, we were unsure that there would be any greenery for butarice, but fortunately Palm Sunday didn’t come early this year! Thanks to everyone who showed up to fashion these traditional items that enrich the religious services at the Church of St. Cyril. Poems in Polish, Russian, Slovenian, Czech, and Ukrainian 32 were featured at The New Museum in an event organized by Draga Rinkema, a highly respected Slovenian translator, active in the Slovenian Centre for Literature. This non-governmental organization is supported by the EU Culture 2000 Programme, supporting translation workshops and stimulating translations of Slovene authors into foreign languages. A special “Slovene Conversation on the Internet” GotoMeeting® session is scheduled to be “broadcast” from the Slovene Embassy in Washington D.C., on May 10 during the annual European Union embassies open house! Maria J. Rode and Joan Walker, in California and New York, will lead class members who will be participating from across the USA. Maria Whitmire and Tanya Vajk will be in D.C. coordinating the projection of the live class in the Embassy’s video corner and answering visitors’ questions. Many of us will be heading to Lincoln Center to catch Bernarda Fink (Slovenian mezzo-soprano from Argentina) performing in Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 with the New York Philharmonic, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, and the Women of NY Choral Artists. This musical treat is expected to be sold-out for all three performances, but if you’re in NYC on May 15, 16, or 17 - it’s worth trying to get a ticket. ELIZABETH GROSS BRANCH 99 - Lemont, Illinois Contact Information: Jana Hlade jmhlade@hotmail.com Happy Spring! We wish all of you a wonderful new season! It’s great to be back outdoors, enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather, especially after such a rough winter. Thank you to all our volunteers who helped make the Spring Bake Sale in March such a success. We appreciate all who donated bakery and supported our sale. Many thanks to MaryAnn Partyka, Julie LaJoie, and Laurie Stanczak who organized the sale. Our Branch collected over $300 and will use the proceeds toward the National Convention that we are hosting next year. On May 17th, please join us at 8 a.m. for a Potica culinary class held in the Slovenian Catholic Center (SCC) kitchen. Spring bake sale: Megan Hlade, Alyssa Stanczak, Blake Johnson, and Emily Stanczak. Zarja - The Dawn Learn how to make this traditional Slovenian sweet bread. Cost is $20 per person and covers all supplies. Contact MaryAnn Partyka at 630.661.3600 or craftymar304@ comcast.net to register. Our next meeting will be in the library at the SCC on June 8th at 2 p.m. We will be discussing the National Convention. Also, there are no events scheduled for July. This September 6th, our Branch is hosting a Member Lunch Brunch at 11 a.m. at the SCC. The event is free to all Branch 99 members, and guests are $10 and children $5. RSVP’s are required by August 31 to MaryAnn Partyka. This is a luncheon prepared by our members to celebrate our members! Wishing you a wonderful summer! JANA HLADE BRANCH 100 - Southern California Contact Information: Jean Koci ajkoci@cox.net As most of the U.S. has been suffering from a very snowy and windy winter, I must confess that our weather in Southern California has mostly been balmy, beach weather. We are wishing for rain, however, as we are in a serious drought condition for the second year in a row. February was an exciting time for Slovenians and those interested in Slovenia all over the world, with the success of the athletes participating under the Slovenian Flag in the Winter Olympics. When the Slowind Quintet was staying with us, we had a regular morning report of what had already happened Jean Koci and Lina Kerwick are pictured with the Slowind Quintet at the reception following the concert at St. Timothy Church in Laguna Niguel. The Slowind Quintet in concert, February 22, 2014. each day in the competition. In addition to that, the ensemble members were rehearsing and getting ready for May/June 2014 two concerts in Southern California and three in the Bay Area, before heading to the East Coast for their appearances at the Slovenian Embassy and Concord, MA. It was truly memorable to have them here with us, once again. They were happy to get a break from the ice storms that they had just left at home and be able to spend some time at our coastal beaches. Our SUA members will have enjoyed, I am certain, our cooking class coming up in a few days that will be held at the home of Lina Kerwick. We should have a photo or two in the next issue. We are looking forward to the Member of the Year Luncheon on Saturday, May 10th. You will be able to read about our honoree in this issue of Zarja. She has had a most interesting life and I know I was amazed when I read about some of her accomplishments. Congratulations to Bonney Zupan! Congratulations to the families of the new babies recently born to members of SUA… making some of us repeat great-grandparents! Rosemary Mlakar has two new little ones and another coming soon. Arnie and I have our second great-grandson, and are fortunate enough to live close so that we can watch him grow. A Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mothers out there and we hope that the summer will bring colorful flowers and sunny days for you! JEAN KOCI BRANCH 108 - Olney, Maryland Contact Information: Bernadette Fitzsimmons bettekfitz@verizon.net At our last meeting we discussed participating in the EU Open House at The Embassy of Slovenia in Washington, D.C., on May 10th. There was interest among our members and some interesting ideas were discussed for our table. We look Following his visit to Washington, D.C., in forward to February, Fr. Rožič and Bernadette took a few meeting our minutes to talk on the front steps of the Nafellow SUA tional Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. members from the Midwest when they visit the Embassy of Slovenia for the baking d e m ons t r a tion at this exciting event that brings thousands of visitors to numerous em33 Branch 108 members with prospective members, Mojca and Isabella Ackerman, and Aleš and Haven Pšaker. bassies at this annual open house embassy event. It was a pleasure to welcome prospective members, Ales Psaker and his son, Haven, and Mojca Ackerman and her daughter, Isabella. They were also enthusiastic about participating with us at the EU Open House. Fr. Peter Rožič stays in touch with our Branch and continues his membership from afar during his doctoral fellowship in Santa Clara, CA. We miss him, and wish him all the best of God’s blessings in all his endeavors. Congratulations to member, Mrs. Stasha Furlan Seaton, who published a book this year entitled, “War Changes Everything.” Please see next page for brief summary and where to purchase. BERNADETTE K. FITZSIMMONS BRANCH 109 - Twin Cities (TC) of Minnesota Contact Information: Norm Setnicker 651.777.6106/normas188@msn.com Even though the Sochi Olympics are over, members of Branch 109 followed the Slovenian team very closely. This was the best ever performance for Slovenia. Dr. Seth Hawkins, an honorary member of our TC Slovenian group, pointed out that Slovenia, with 8 medals, finished in second place based on the category “Medals per Million Population” - Norway was first with 5.52 and Slovenia was second with 4.0. Slovenia’s hockey team did not win a medal, but their performance was amazing, considering that there are only seven hockey arenas in Slovenia. Dr. Hawkins hosted our 2014 Prešeren Day event at the Julian H. Sleeper House Museum on February 8, which is the anniversary of the death of Slovenia’s greatest poet, France Prešeren. In Slovenia, February 8th is an official holiday, which celebrates the Slovenian culture. The program started with members presenting a “Show and 34 Tell” story dealing with Slovenian memorabilia. Ruth Petschauer, a new member, commented on several pieces of Slovenian artifacts. Norm Setnicker showed the Slovenian mascot, “Lipko,” from the European Basketball tournament, which was held in Slovenia in 2013 Dr. Hawkins and President John Zakelj did a short bilingual performance of Dr. Prešeren’s poetry. The selection was titled, “Krst pri Savici,” - The Baptism at the Savica, followed by a brief discussion and interpretation of the poem. The poem is a rather grim tale of medieval battles between the invading Christians and the old Slovene pagans who defend the freedom of their people, without any hope of victory. Our regular meeting in February centered on a presentation by Isa Keller. Isa spent the summer in Slovenia where she studied the Slovenian language and traveled around the country. Isa teaches English as a Second Language at a community and technical college in the Twin Cities. Isa’s father is Bob Keller, former resident of Gilbert, MN. Mary Ann Palmer led the members in singing of “Siva Pot,” the Slovenian version of “Country Roads,” which was made popular by John Denver. What a hoot! In preparation for Easter Tea, Rozman Clark, a native Slovenian and director of the Green Card Voices (immigrant oral histories), gave a presentation on traditional Slovenian Easter egg-dyeing techniques using natural herb leaves, such as basil, sage, rosemary, and parsley along with purple onion skins. It was a real “hands on” experience for our members. Member highlights: Sue Rademacher and Liz Miller were actively involved with the community theatre’s presentation of “The Sound of Music.” Rick Pisa launched his new calendar picture contest for 2015. Jean and Chuck Podominick completed our new “Member Directory.” In addition to the essential information, each member could list his or her Slovenian surname along with his or her ancestral Slovenian village, and region. As an added touch, the Podominick’s designated the Statistical Regions of Slovenia and a listing of villages within that statistical region. President John Zakelj announced the formation of the “American/Slovenian Education Foundation.” Started this year at Stanford University, the foundation is encouraging more Slovenians to attend U.S. universities as well as secondary schools. Branch 109 has shown interest and support in implementing the foundation’s goals in Minnesota. On a sad note, Dan Patterson (50), son to our longtime member, Tom Moren and his wife, Becky, suffered a brain aneurysm and died suddenly this past February. Our condolences to Tom and Becky’s family, and Dan’s family - his wife and their two girls, aged 11 and 13. “Drzi smehlaj se” - Keep smiling. NORM SETNICKER “Born in USA with Slovenian Parts” Zarja - The Dawn A condensed summary from the back cover of the book “War Changes Everything.” Seaton tells an unusually compelling story of when she was an exuberant, young woman faced with innumerable losses: the loss of her brilliant father targeted first by the Nazis and then by Tito, of her mother, and her country. She recounts her family’s wartime odyssey as they flee from Slovenia to Istanbul, to Cairo, to Capetown, to New York, and London, with interludes in Trieste, Rome, and Jerusalem. In describing her own journey toward a new life, Seaton also tells the courageous story of her father, Dr. Boris Furlan, a renowned lawyer and professor; a true Slovenian patriot, and an advocate for democracy. Stasha Furlan Seaton, Branch 108 member happily displaying her book “War Changes Everything.” “War Changes Everything” is a treasure for your shelf of favorite World War II memoirs. This book offers a fascinating history of the former Yugoslavia’s struggle to survive and right itself during and following World War II - a rare look at a poorly known part of the world. The book is sold for $18 at Politics & Prose Bookstore 5015 Connecticut Ave, NW Washington, D.C. 2008-2024 www.politics-prose.com May/June 2014 His betrayal by Tito’s government, the trial to which he is subjected and his imprisonment, vividly show the changing winds in Communist Yugoslavia. It is the biography of a brave and brilliant professor of jurisprudence who sacrificed his life for his democratic principles - and the personal story of his exuberant, brilliant daughter, herself sought by the Nazis and then by Tito, who never said die, even in the face of the devastations of war, the loss of her country, of her beloved father, and of the entire rest of her family in a riveting adventure. As a young woman serving with Tito’s Partisans, Seaton comes close to being arrested but manages to escape in a clandestine flight to Italy, where she works for the U.S. Army in Rome. Finally, she is able to immigrate to America, where she enrolls in college and studies philosophy, while struggling to make sense of her world, both old and new. Throughout this remarkable tale, Seaton’s unfailing optimism, resilience, and blithe spirit illuminate the best qualities of the human spirit. Her story will leave the reader caring deeply about a brave and visionary family. 35 Salute 2014 “It’s Who You Are” Vermilion Community College, Ely, Minnesota August 15, 2014 It’s a preservation project! Scan family wedding photos, save in a .jpg format; submit to Mary Lou Deyak Voelk. All photos will be exhibited as an 8” x 11” poster at Salute 2014. Digitized copies will be preserved at the Slovenian Union of America, Ely-Winton Historical Society, Iron Range Historical Society, and St. Louis County Historical Society. For any person of Slovenian ancestry who was either born, raised, lived, or married in Minnesota, to include members and non-members of SUA. Deadline for submitting photos is June 1, 2014. An information document can be downloaded from the following websites. For your viewing pleasure, several wedding posters are also available at slovenianunion.org or twincitiesslovenians.org. Need more information? Call Mary Lou Deyak Voelk 251.968.4364 or E-mail ottolou@gulftel.com View left: The wedding of Frank and Rosalia Miklaucic Perushek. 36 Zarja - The Dawn Živijo, Zarja! Come experience firsthand the people and culture from the land of our ancestors. Let us pamper you like a VIP, with surprises and unique, local opportunities each day as we travel through the unspoiled back roads of Slovenia. This tour offers much more than sightseeing; we invite you to come see why! eat together. Let us feast on fresh fish from the Adriatic Sea while onboard our private cruise boat with stops at the medieval coastal towns. Let us take you to this magnificent country and introduce you to locals where you will hear and taste the Slovenian language, music, and food. Let us take you back in time as we board a steam train along the picturesque Bohinj railway, or descend on a 120 year old elevator to the Velenje Coal Mine, or as we visit a beekeeper to learn of honey and tasting. Let us show you the beautiful cities of Slovenia, such as Bled, Portorož, Piran, Izola, Ljubljana, and Kamnik. Let us explore the little villages as we stroll their narrow streets; partake in the various culinary chores, as we sing, dance, and Space is limited. Above are just a few reasons that this tour is, quite simply, an “opportunity of a lifetime.” Let us be your guide! Bled ~ Brezje ~ Bohinj ~ Radovljica Primorsko Region ~ Vipava Valley Village of Goce ~ Piran ~ Izola Portorož ~ Slovenian Istra Lipica ~ Karst Region ~ Ljubljana Velenje ~ Kamnik Tour Highlights: Tour Cost (Land Package Only): $2,595.00 per person Single supplement $390.00 Tour based on a minimum of 25 travelers. Send your deposit today to confirm your reservation and avoid disappointment! Professional Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout the tour Local expert guides for in-depth sightseeing, including many unique sites planned by your Hosts Excellent hotels chosen personally for this group Deluxe, air-conditioned, private motorcoach Buffet breakfast daily, seven lunches, and five dinners included Wine-Tasting, Honey-Tasting, and Olive Oil-Tasting Musical entertainment throughout the tour Comprehensive sightseeing tours at all major sites Escorted throughout by Hosts Debbie Pohar & Bonnie Prokup ŽIVIJO, ZARJA! commemorative shirt Travel Log Memory Book Only a ! t f e L s t ew Spo NON-PROFIT PERIODICALS POSTAGE POSTAGE PAID PAID IL LASALLE, LASALLE, IL F A full brochure can be obtained from the SUA website at www. slovenianunion.org or by calling Kollander World Travel. Or e-mail Bonnie Prokup wprokup@aol.com for more information. September 17-28, 2014 Join Us for the ŽIVIJO, ZARJA! Tour as We celebrate 85 Years of Zarja - The Dawn 90 Celebrating 90 Years 1923-2013 KOLLANDER WORLD TRAVEL 761 East 200th Street / Euclid, Ohio 44119 (800) 800-5981 / (216) 692-1000 Ext #3 for Judy www.kollander.com