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ON THE COVER
ZARJA - THE DAWN
(ISSN 0044-1848)
Postmaster: Send all changes of address to: ZARJA -THE DAWN, 4851 S. Drexel Blvd., Chicago, IL 60615
NO. 9	SEPTEMBER,	1991	VOL.	63
Member, Illinois Fraternal Congress
Official Publication of the Slovenian Women’s Union of America — Uradno glasilo Slovenske Zenske Zveze.
Published monthly except January, June & August — izhaja vsak mesec razen januar, junij in avgust.
Annual Subscription for non-members, $10.00 — naročnina $10.00 letno za ne-članice.
Publisher: SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION OF AMERICA 431 No. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432 Telephone (815) 727-1926
Second Class Postage paid at Chicago, IL All communications for the next issue of publication must be in the hands of the Editor by the first week of the month — vsi dopisi za naslednjo izdajo mesečnika morajo biti v rokah urednice do I. v mesecu.
Editor, CORINNE LESKOVAR Editorial Office: 4851 S. Drexel Blvd., Chicago, IL 60615 Telephone: (312) 548-8878
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEPTEMBER
Presidents:
Sep. 5 - Ann Kapci. Br. 100, Fontana, CA Sep. 7 - Freda Michelitch, Br. 103, Washington, D.C. Sep. 10 - Agnes Widina, Br. 26, Pittsburgh, PA Sep. 17 - Stavia Dobersek. Br. 12, Milwaukee, Wl Sep. 24 - Mildred Lipnos. Br. 42, Maple Hgts., OH Sep. 27 - Florence Holland. Br. 35, Aurora, MN
Secretaries:
Sep. 2 - Joanne Ponikvar. Br. 54, Warren, OH Sep. 9 - Helen Sebastiani, Br. 22, Bradley, IL Sep. 10 - Mary De/man, Br. 12, Milwaukee, WI Sep. 16 - Mary Satkovich, Br. 97, Universal, PA Sep. 28 - Patricia Adamic, Br. 105, Detroit, MI
(Dates to Remember are on the inside back cover.)
The main altar in the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, scene of the Baraga Days Mass on Sept. 1st, officiated by James Cardinal Hickey of Washington, D.C.
BARAGA DAYS 1991 Washington, D.C.
It appears that the response to our original invitation to Washington, D.C. is quite gratifying, and our Slovenian friends will be coming from Chicago, Cleveland, Michigan, Canada, Forest City, east coast, in groups and individually. A small number is also expected from Slovenia, among them Bishop Joseph Smej from Maribor, who will represent the Slovenian Bishops and will be the main celebrant at the Slovenian Mass on Saturday. We are also expecting Bishops from the United States from places where Slovenians reside in larger numbers and places which have ties with the activities of Bishop Frederic Baraga.
Mass & Liturgy. As previously announced, there will be two Masses with prayers for canonization of Bishop Baraga, both also commemorating the 20th anniversary of the dedication of the Slovenian Chapel. The Masses will be in the Basilica of the National Shrine of Immaculate Conception. The Slovenian Mass in the Crypt church on Saturday at 4:00 p.m., and the English Mass in the Upper Church (Main church) on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Cultural programs. After the Slovenian Mass on Saturday evening and the Banquet at the Washington Sheraton Hotel, there will be a cultural program with participation of “KOROTAN" and "SLOVENSKA PESEM” and other choruses. A second concert may be given also on Sunday, after the Mass, on the premises of the Catholic University of America.
National costumes. We were asked to encourage our people to be in Slovenian National Costumes for both Masses and we would like to hope that many will be. (The information that the church is air conditioned may help you decide!)
Financial assistance. Our Committee has had to incur a considerable expense in the scope of its activities and we would be most thankful for any financial assistance in the form of donations. Please send your contributions to Bishop Baraga Days 1991 c/o Conrad P. Mejač 4445 Butterworth PI., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20016
INDEPENDENT Ravings
is now
Ma metropolitan
Wm SAVINGSBANK
 1515 E. 260th, Euclid, Ohio 44132	731-8865-
1154 788
Let’s Work Together!
The crisis in Slovenia and Croatia has been appalling and each and everyone of us who have our "roots" in these republics should not only be concerned but should become involved. Phone calls from area newspapers, television and radio stations were eager to receive proper information. It didn't take long before in-depth information arrived in the mail almost daily. Writing letters and phone calls to President Bush. Secetary of State. James Baker and our Congressmen requesting the United States government to recognize the democratic and independent republics of Slovenia and Croatia and to provide technical aid was crucial. They desperately need our help! An estimated $2 billion is needed for humanitarian purposes, such as: food, medical supplies, housing and repairs. (ZARJA Editor. Corinne Leskovar will have detailed information in the issue). Donations can be sent to: The SLOVENIAN AMERICAN COUNCIL. 1522 Lincoln Road, Wickliffe, Ohio 44092. At our July S.W.U. Board of Directors Meeting. it was decided to have all funds directed to the Slovenian American Council in Cleveland.
Congratulations to our newly appointed Scholarship Director. Carita Ancel Girman, Indianapolis. Indiana. Three new Scholarship Committee members were selected, namely: Marge Church, Br. 42. Macedonia, Ohio; Mary Lou Videgar, Br. 100, Fontana, California; and Kathleen Emerson, Br. 105, Detroit, Michigan. Welcome aboard! To our out-going Scholarship Committee members Anna Hodnik. Mary Muller and Rose Kraemer. We thank you for your valuable input and dedication.
Autumn is almost here-a time for area Regional Co-ventions. Enthusiasm should be at an "all-time high" from the messages received following the National Convention. The election of Regional Presidents will be held at the annual convention which immediately follows the National Convention (Articles 7.19). Elect officers who are dedicated, enthusiastic, and interested in the welfare of the Slovenian Women's Union of America. One who has a positive attitude can do wonders for an organization. Please make a conscientious effort to attend the REgional Convention and vote prudently.
Prior to the National Convention a meeting of Regional Presidents and National Officers was scheduled. A folder containing hand-outs was passed out and discussion followed. Upon recommendations by the members present, it was suggested that these guidelines should be printed in ZARJA before the Regional Conventions are held. PROTOCOL, GUEST SPEAKER, INTRODUCTIONS & PRESENTATIONS, and JOB DESCRIPTIONS for Reg-
ional Presidents are concise and informative. (See next page.)
"SUCCESS WITH UNITY" is the slogan for our first phase of our membership campaign effective April I, 1991 through March 31, 1992. Encourage members to join: enroll our young children and grandchildren.
On a positive note—if the world did not know the location of Slovenia or who we "Slovenians” are, they surely know now! There is a plus side to any adverse situation. Keep our heritage alive and strong by being proud to be Slovenians and Croatians. Pray for a peaceful settlement so that all people may enjoy a free and independent government where democracy prevails. May God Love You!
Victoria “Tory” Bobence
SWU BY-LAWS
REGIONAL PRESIDENTS
7:17 Regional Presidents shall have the duty to foster interest in the association in their respective areas. They shall promote the development of the organization generally, and shall program activities on a region-wide level. In addition, they will organize and preside over regional conventions. The Regional presidents shall send a report to the National President and to ZARJA for publication within two weeks after their Regional Convention. Each year the Regional Presidents shall submit a written report to the National President prior to the National Board of Directors meeting. Each Regional President will attend one meeting of the branches within her jurisdiction each year, and will supervise all membership campaigns. Regional Presidents will attend the National Convention and will present reports describing the activities of the branches within their respective jurisdictions. In addition, they shall perform such other duties as may be required by law, by the Board of Directors and the National President.
7:18 Each Regional President must be at least thirty (30) years of age, a member of the association for a minimum of two (2) years, and a member of a branch within her respective region. She should be able to promote the principles of the association to the best of her abilities.
7:19 The Regional Presidents shall be elected at the annual convention of their respective regions which immediately follow the association’s National Convention. The terni of office of each Regional President will be four (4) years and will commence on the first day of January
of the year following the National Convention. No Regional President will be eligible to serve more than two terms. The election of a Regional Vice-President shall be left to the discretion of the State President.
12:01 REGIONAL CONVENTIONS: To create additional interest, sociability and to foster new ideas benefiting the welfare of the organization. Regional Conventions will be held once a year in each region, the host branch being a different branch each year. Each branch in a region will send a representative-at-large. The Regional President will preside over the convention and a recording secretary of the hostess branch will serve at each convention. The
PROTOCOL
Webster defines "protocol’" as relating to rules prescribing the etiquette-or the code prescribing correct behavior and procedure.
In recent years it has become evident that there is a definite need for guidance on matters of protocol in organizations everywhere. The specific aim of protocol is to create an atmosphere of friendliness. Protocol covers forms, manners, and ceremonies used in the official life of an organization. It promotes orderly guidelines reflecting the rules of etiquette. The office a person holds is honored—not the person.
In cases where government officials may be present, they would have priority over all officers, except the presiding officer.
The accepted procedure in the Slovenian Women’s Union should be as follows, ranking from the highest: S.W.U. elected officers (the president is the highest ranking officer), appointed officers, committee chairmen, affiliated elected officers—Regional Presidents and branch presidents.
As a courtesy to an office of the president (of any level) the audience should rise to greet the president, when presented or after she has given her report. This applies to National Officers when visiting branch or Regional functions.
The officers take their cue from the president. They assist her with details and represent her when necessary. Each knows the responsibility of her office and does her work in an efficient manner.
GUEST SPEAKER
An aide to the guest speaker should be appointed by the president prior to the functions. Be sure this person is there to meet the guest on arrival. When meeting a guest at plane or train, if possible, take her to a place to freshen-up. If guest is to remain overnight, take her to her lodgings--ask if she would like to rest and see that her clothes are unpacked. Give your guest a copy of the program for her stay. If time permits, introduce her to some of the members before the meeting begins. Escort the guest to her seat and see that she has proper attention during the meeting.
Never allow the guest to stand in line for refreshments--serve her or place her or him at the head of the line. Transportation should be arranged for the guest’s departure. *Be sure arrangements have been made to have a check ready to make payment of gratuity. If a contract has been arrived at previously, the check should include travel
minutes of the convention will be published in ZARJA. There shall be seven (7) regions, with each being entitled to one Regional President. The regions are:
First Region: Pennsylvania-New York-Washington, DC
Second Region: Ohio-Michigan
Third Region: Illinois-Indiana
Fourth Region: Wisconsin
Fifth Region: Minnesota
Sixth Region: Colorado-Kansas-Missouri
Seventh Region: California-Oregon-Washington
expenses, loding and meals. Don't forget the thank you note following the function.
*ln most cases, this does not pertain to S.W.U. since National Officers are reimbursed by the Home Office.
WHEN YOU ARE A GUEST
Reply to invitations immediately. Ask for clarifications or additional details if necessary—NEVER GUESS. Be prepared for a short message or greeting. Never appear overdressed, especially if you are the speaker. Be on time. Know the directions, traffic conditions, trip time, and plan to drive accordingly. Don’t forget the thank you note.
INTRODUCTIONS & PRESENTATIONS
A person known to a group is PRESENTED, a stranger is INTRODUCED. Brevity is most important. Do not be flowery, but give enough information about the speaker to make the audience wish to listen. Remain standing at the lectum until speaker joins you there. The one who presents/introduces the speaker, thanks her. The manner of thanking the speaker should also be brief.
At business meetings, guests should be introduced according to rank. The highest ranking should be introduced/presented last.
Only one guest speaker is to be the keynote speaker for the meeting. Each of the speakers at other times should be introduced/presented before he or she speaks.
The PEOPLE at the head table are introduced/presented, not the HEADTABLE.
FLOWERS & GIFTS
These are a matter of individual branch courtesy, not a precedent. Candy, note paper, artificial flowers and handkerchiefs are appropriate.
The installing officer usually receives a gift from the organization; the person to be installed may give the officer a small personal gift. A president should never wear a corsage if one is not being given to the honored guest. A president should always be presented with a corsage from the organization, early enough to wear, when given a report or representing her group at a convention.
There should be no stand-ins for absent officers at installation. Every organization should establish a code of ethics and follow it.
SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION 1991 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
The Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the five 1991 scholarship winners.
Each scholarship winner will receive $1,000 upon confirmation of her/his enrollment at an accredited college or university. We wish them much satisfaction, success and happiness in their chosen careers. Again, CONGRATULATIONS!
Sincerely,
Olga Ancel	Rose Kraemer
Victoria Bobence Mary Muller Anna Hodnik	Irene Odorizzi
Hermine Dicke,
Chairman, Scholarship Committee
Kimberly
Deborah
Barbara
1.	Kimberly Ann Micknowski. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond F. Micknowski, 950 Fordham Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15226 of Branch 26, will receive the Mary and Frank Ermenc Scholarship. Kimberly will major in the Physician Assistant Program at Gannon University. Her activities and awards include: English Honors program, a $25 check from the Knights of Columbus essay contest, a medal from American Legion for Citizenship Award, a plaque lor excellence in Christian Doctrine, a certificate for dedicated service as a Principal’s Outstanding Student, student council representative, National Honors Society, student-tutor, Special Olympics, Feeding the Hungry, Red Cross Program, a feature writer for the school newspaper and volunteered 18 hours a week as secretary to her parish priests.
Mary and Frank Ermenc Scholarship
Dedicated to education, the Ermencs (deceased) of Milwaukee. Wl, donated $1,905.00 to the Scholarship Fund.
2. Michael Ceferin, son of Rose and Victor Ceferin, 6314 S. Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60638 of Branch 2. At the College of Illinois Institute of Technology, Michael will major in architecture. Listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students, he is an Illinois State Scholar, a runner-up in the All American Boy contest, recipient of art certificates from his high school and the Clear Ridge Community Council. As a member of the Tamburitza group and with his button box, Michael promotes our heritage through the musical arts performing enthusiastically for various branch, civic and church activities.
3. Deborah T. Vegh, daughter of David J. and Theresa M. Vegh, 8688 Applewood Ct., 44060, of Mentor, OH, Branch 50. At Kent State University, Deborah will major in Criminal Justice Studies and Psychology. Listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students and member of the National Honor Society, she is active in the Debate Club, Jr. Engineering and Technological Society, and the Foreign Language Club (Spanish). As a
Michael
William
high school senior, Deborah received high school and college credits in the Post Secondary Enrollment program, a recognizable accomplishment.
4.	Barbara Marie Bucar, daughter of Frank and Sharon Bucar, 1325 - 105th Ave., West, Duluth, MN 55808, of Branch 33. She will attend University of Minnesota. Duluth, majoring in Law and Criminology. An honor roll student, Barbara is listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students. She is a member of Debate, Power Board and Spanish Club. Has won numerous awards for accordion competition, performing throughout her area and for various branch activities. She delivers newspapers and newsletters for the community besides singing in nursing homes. SHARE food drives, church organist and member of TEC (Teen Encounter Christ).
5. William Joseph Jones, son of William and Kathleen Jones, 2442 Sherwin Dr.. Twinsburg, OH, 44087, of branch 73. He will attend Eastern Michigan University majoring in Accounting or Business Computer Systems. William's activities include: National Honor Society, Academic Challenge, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Church Youth Group, Honors Calculus class, baseball, basketball, working with children at Day Camp and volunteer peer tutoring.
OHIO-MICHIGAN STATE CONVENTION
September 29, 1991 HOSTESS: Br. 50, Euclid, Ohio
Holy Mass at St. Mary's Church located on 15519 Holmes Ave., Cleveland, Ohio at 10 a.m. Concelebrated by our own Rev. Father John Kumse.
Luncheon following Mass at the Church Hall, the Convention meeting should get under way by 12:30 - 1:00 o’clock.
All branches of Ohio-Mich. are expected to attend and please bring your reports.
Letters will be sent to all branches with directions, etc.
This will be an extra special meeting as a new Ohio-Michigan Regional President will have to be elected.
So	please my dear members, lets have a good turn out. Remember the date: Sunday, Sept. 29th.
God Bless All of You!
Ann J. Tercek,
Regional President
At the Convention - Scholarship was a main topic.
The Scholarship Committee consisted of delegates, Anna Hodnik (35), Evelyn Pipoly (50), Nika Kovacic (103), Ardis Gregorash (20), Charlotte Laurich (38), Mary Massich (56) and chairman, Hermine Dicke, standing.
FROM SCHOLARSHIP TO SUCCESS!
As a member of the Slovenian Women's Union. Branch 2, and former SWU Scholarship recipient, I am pleased to announce the formation of my own company, Stratiss International.
My scholarship was used to complete my undergraduate studies at Northern Illinois University in 1981. While holding various management positions, I enrolled in the graduate program at Keller Graduate School of Management and obtained an MBA in marketing in 1988.
During the past several years, I have been very politically active, as well, working on several Republican campaigns, including Lynn Martin for U.S. Senate and Greg Baise for State Treasurer.
It seemed a natural progression to combine my management ability, political contacts and knowledge of government and start my own con-
sulting firm. Stratiss will write business plans for start-up and mid-sized companies and also help them deal with government regulation, obtaining services and funding from government agencies, and reaching the decisionmakers involved in key issues for their industry and firm.
Stratiss is a new concept in consulting poised to serve the backbone of the American economy and I am very excited about the future of my firm.
Many thanks to the SWU for helping me make it through school. It was an investment in the future that is beginning to pay off in very real ways.
Sincerely,
Linda M. Schultz
President Stratiss International
MEETING OUR NEW OFFICERS...
BEVERLY CHIODO JACKSON
National Vice-President, San Francisco, California
Is it the California mystique or the "ideal weather" distinction that makes us think of sunshine when we think of Beverly Jackson? She has a smile and personality that certainly fit the California model! She was immediately "a special person to know” at the recent SWU Convention and by the time the last session was called to order. Beverly became a National Officer.
We asked her to tell us something about herself so here is a short autobiography to help us get to know her better.
“I was born and raised in San Francisco and enrolled in S.W.U. as a young girl, the years culminating in my being the reporter for Br. 13, a job my mother held for 35 years before
me. I’ve been recording secretary since 1988.
"I am very active in the church, taught CCD catachism over 25 years. Am chairman of the Church of the Nativity parish council.
"I live in Pacifica, on a bluff facing the Pacific Ocean, about 10 minutes from San Francisco (We remember Beverly’s report on the San Francisco earthquake last October!)
“I was married for 26 years to Brian Jackson, a California state highway patrolman. I am a widow for the past
six years. I have a beautiful daughter, Jan and a wonderfully supportive dad who is 82, and a lovely sister, Barbara.
“I love doll making and quilting and being with people who are enthusiastic.”
Now we know the secret! We all thought Beverly was enthusiastic and now she implies that we are enthusiastic! So, that must be what brought us together! I have a feeling that this will be a great future comradeship!
CL
A MESSAGE FROM OUR NEW NATIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT
To write and tell you about the convention in one article is almost impossible. And, to say it was marvelous is an understatement. From the minute Ann Sustarich and I stepped off the plane in Cleveland, we were met with wonderful friendliness and it never stopped, the whole time we were there.
The marvelous all day bus-tourof Cleveland and dinner at Frank Sterle’s Slovenian Country House started us off on the right foot. We had so much fun at the “Getting to know you" cocktail party on Thursday night with Dorothy Sleigh of Br. 79, and her famous snake dance and the terrific Maple Hts., Button Box Club music!
The Convention Keynote Speaker, Dr. Edward Gobetz, was a joy to listen to and I never felt so proud of my Slovenian heritage!
Friday night we had another wonderful dinner at Dubrovnik Croatian Gardens, a beautiful setting. Saturday, the again wonderful dinner-dance at the Vincentian Center and Joey Tomsick's orchestra.
And we closed the convention with Mass at St. Vitus Church, one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. The procession of all of us sisters together, with our red carnation corsages, was very emotional for me. The dinner at
the parish hall was excellent and we had Installation of Officers.
When I was elected a delegate from Br. 13,1 thought it was already a great honor and responsibility. I knew I had something I could give to this organization. I came to the convention with so much enthusiasm and love from our branch. My mother, Frances Chiodo was the delegate from San Francisco in 1955 also in Cleveland. Her wish was to bring the spirit of the Convention to San Francisco, but it never happened.
But, now it will! In 1995 we will all meet again together here in San Francisco. I have come home with an even greater honor and responsibility. I was elected National Vice-President. I could not possibly list all the wonderful ladies 1 have met. To actually get to know all the names of people I have been reading about for years is...I can't say how I feel...I love you all, Tory, Olga, Cirila, Corinne, Irene...and so many more. The wonderful delegates that I sat with. Thank you for your faith in me.
There is much I can learn and share, and I already am ready to go, believe me. I am honored. I am proud. And, I will do a good job, I promise you!
Beverly Jackson
HAPPY BIRTHDAY - Moja ljuba Mama! JENNIE VIDMAR
30th Anniversary of death Sept. 21st Ann Tercek Euclid, Ohio
NEW SCHOLARSHIP DIRECTOR NAMED
The newly elected Scholarship Director is Carita Ancel Girman, a 1971 S.W.U. Scholarship Winner, who will also serve as Chairman of the Scholarship Committee. My introductory paragraph to Carita is as follows:
Dear Carita:
CONGRATULATIONS! I am happy that you will serve as the Scholarship Director and as Chairman of the Scholarship Committee for the Slovenian Women's Union. You will bring talent, interest and vitality to the Scholarship Program and recognition of the generous, thoughtful and dear people who financially support the Scholarship Fund. Being involved with the Scholarship Program is a gratifying and heartwarming experience. I wish you the very best.
S.W.U. SCHOLARSHIP CONTRIBUTIONS FROM JANUARY 1 thru JULY 20,1991
Dear Contributors:
Many thanks to you for so generously supporting the Scholarship Fund over the years! Please continue your dedication to this most worthwhile program. Many deserving, graduating high school students will be able to attend institutions of higher education because of your generosity.
In the future, please send your contributions to the Scholarship Director, Carita Girman, 7607 Blain Way, Indianapolis, IN 46254.
Affectionately,
Hermine Dicke
Heartfelt thanks to our recent contributors from Jan. 1 through July 20, 1991:
CONTRIBUTORS	IN MEMORY OF:	AMOUNT:
From 1991 Nat'l Convention Craft Sale	S200.00
Branch 12. Milwaukee. Wl	Veronica Zavrl Visek	5.00
Branch 17. Milwaukee. WI	10.00
in honor of Josephine Schlosar's 100th birthday
Branch 23. Ely. MN	MaryNiemi	5.00
Branch 23. Ely. MN	Hannah Robertson	5.00
Branch 23. Ely. MN	Leone Lee Slogar	5.00
Branch 24. La Salle. IL	EmmaShimkus	25.00
Branch 35. Aurora. MN	25.00
Branch 42. Maple Heights. OH	100.00
Branch 50. Cleveland. OH	100.00
Branch 73. WarrensvilleHts.. OH	LouiseLiska	10.00
Branch 73. WarrensvilleHts.. OH	RoseZbasnik	5.00
(50 yr member)
Branch 100. Fontana. CA	25.00
Ancel.Olga.Joliet.1L	25.00
in honor of Marie Scheidt. Mother of the Year 1991. Branch 20 Ancel. Mr. and Mrs. Edward. Joliet. IL George Vukodinovich	25.00
Anzelc. John and Mary. Joliet. IL	Sylvester Pekol	10.00
Baum. Stella. Celeveland. OH	George Panchur. father	15.00
Brandi. Florence. Milwaukee. WI	John Jelinek	10.00
Brule. Harry. Cleveland. OH	Mary1 Brule, wife	25.00
Buck.GladvsK..Chicago. IL	ElmerDruga	10.00
Buck.GladysK.Chicago.IL	RudvKonar	10.00
Buck. Gladys K . Chicago. IL	George Vukodinovich	5.00
Church. Marjorie Yemec. Macedonia. OH Jacob Yemec	10.00
Dicke. Hermine. Madison. WI	George Vukodinovich	10.00
Dragovan. Justine. Vero Beach. FL	Anton and Kate Slogar	10.00
Emerson. KathleenM..Orion. Wl	25.00
In lieu of award from membership campaign. donated gift to Scholarship Fund
Emerson. KathleenM.	Pauline Adamic	10.00
Epley. Alouise. Bedford. OH	LouiseLiska	5.00
Epley. Alouise. Bedford. OH	5.00
Flisek.JenmeandCarl.Oakmont.PA	AnnaFlisek	5.00
Gaber. Agnes. Chicago. IL	Tony, husband	50.00
Gombach. Marie. Cleveland. OH	10.00
Grambow. Ann. Milwaukee. WI	Veronica tnee Zavrl I Visek	5.00
Grambow . Ann. Milwaukee. WI	John Jelinek	5.00
Gunderson. Martha V.. Aurora. MN	Margaret Millner	3.00
Gunderson. MarchaV.. Aurora. MN	Sharon Marie Gorecki	3.00
Hodnik. Anna L.. Aurora. MN	George Vukodinovich	10.00
Hofsommer. Sherry1. Gilbert. MN	Harry Putnam	5.00
Jamnick. Dorothy M.. Aurora. MN	Delores Lesnau	5.00
Jamnick. Dorothy M.. Aurora. MN	Fritz ismash	5.00
Jelinek. Albert J. Wauwatosa. Wl	Anton Smrekar	5.00
Jelinek. Anna M.. Wauwatosa. Wl	Anton Smrekar	5.00
Jermene. Mary. DePue. IL	Edward Jermene	5.00
Kiel. Mary A.. Milwaukee. WI	Veronica Visek	5.00
Ksiozek. Anne. Chicago. IL	Ann Marinoff	5.00
Lamm. Dorothy. North Randall. OH		5.00
Lee. Mr. and Mrs. David. Hibbing. MN	Harry Putnam	5.00
Maricich. Mickey. Chicago. IL	Ann Marinoff	5.00
Matos. Mary. Lorain. OH	Mary Ploszaj	10.00
Milanovich. Helen. Chicago. IL	Elmer Druga	5.00
Mirtel. Florence. Garfield Hts.. OH	Olga Ponikvar	10.00
Mlaker. Rosemary. Fontana. CA		20.00
Mustonen. Adeline M. Soudan. MN	Mary Vollendorf	5.00
Nico. Angela F. Kuhar. Oglesby. IL	Frank and Frances Kuhar	5.00
Noson. Mr. and Mrs. John. Aurora. MN	Harry Putnam	10.00
Orazem. Anthony and Anne. Aurora. MN	Sharon Marie Gorecki	5.00
Orazem. Anthony and Anne	Margaret Millner	5.00
Orazem. Anthony and Anne Orazem. Anthony and Anne:	Frederick Mismach	5.00
Anthony R. Orazem	JohnBradach.Jr.	10.00
Orazem. Betty. Aurora. MN	Delores Lesnau	5.00
Orazem. Betty. Aurora. MN	Columbia Peterson	10.00
Orazem. Betty. Aurora. MN Orazem. Betty. John T. and	Frances Ponikvar	3.00
Sherrie Orazem	Fred Mismash	15.00
Pesec. Julia. Milwaukee. WI	Veronica Zavrl Visik	5.00
Pesec. Julia. Milwaukee. Wl	John Jelinek	5.00
Piwoni. Frances. West Allis. WI	Marie Floryan dear friend	10.00
Prebil. Margaret A.. Chicago. IL	Elmer Druga	5.00
Prebil. Margaret A.	Rudy Konar	5.00
Pucel. Mildred. Joliet. IL		10.00
in honor ofMarie Scheidt. 1991 Mother of the Year. Branch 20		
Pucel. Rudolph. J. and Mildred	Hon.Judge Robert Buchar (distant cousin)	10.00
Saari. Uno and Anne. Ely. MN	Margaret M. Kastelac	5.00
Saari. lino and Anne	Mary Niemi	5.00
Saari. Uno and Anne	Hannah Robertson	5.00
Schulz. MaryE.. Wauwatosa. Wl Slogar. Leona and William Slogar.	John Jelinek	10.00
Ely. MN	Helen Parke	10.00
Slogar. William	Leone Slogar	10.00
Slogar. William	Hannah Robertson	5.00
Slovenian Women's Union of America Smolich.Mrs.Eliand	George Vukodinovich	25.00
Anna Rose Smolich. Aurora. MN	Delores Lesnau	10.00
Smolich. Mrs. Eli & Anna Rose Smolich Frederick Mismash		10.00
Soukup. Antoinette B,. Aurora, MN	Charles Soukup	50.00
Spretnjak. Sylvia. Chicago. IL	Elmer E. Druga	50.00
Swintosky. Dorothy. Nicholasville. KY	Dorothy Swintosky, mother	16.00
Tercek, Ann J., Euclid. OH	Parents	5.00
Turk. Mary J.. Cleveland. OH	Kovacic Family	10.00
Turk. Phyllis and Bob. Aurora. MN	"Bika" Johnson of Bloomington. MN	5.00
A PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE
CARITA ANCEL GIRMAN New Director of the SWU Scholarship Committee
“Getting to know you...” will be nota task but a pleasure when you meet Carita Girman. One of the highlights of the post-convention activity is the naming of Carita as the new S.W.U. Scholarship Chairman. Her credentials are outstanding and she carries into the position the same deep ties that her mother inherited - all to the benefit of the S.W.U. We now can boast having over 50 years of Erjavec-Ancel-Girman dedication.
In her words, Carita describes her S.W.U. bond:
My interest in the Slovenian Women’s Union is a family tradition. My family has been involved in the Slovenian Women’s Union since its inception. My great-grand-mother, Marija Setina, my grandmother, Josephine Erjavec, my grandmother, Barbara Ancel and my mother, Olga Ancel have all been actively involved in the Slovenian Women’s Union at both the branch (No. 20) level and the national level. While living in Illinois, I assisted my mother in various Slovenian Women’s Union activities and attended several functions including Heritage Days and the National Convention held in Joliet.
As to her further interest in the future of the organization and her part in it. she says:
My interest in the education process is a family tradition. My family has always had great respect and love for education. As Slovenian immigrants making a new way of life in the United States, my grandparents wanted my parents to have something they did not have - a college education. They encouraged my parents in attaining their college degrees just as my parents encouraged all their children in attaining their college degrees. Interest in the education process has led to my three college degrees, namely, a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Illinois, an Associate of Science in Engineering from Triton College, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. I have also tutored adults working toward their GED or associate degrees and have taught special education CCD classes. It is my wish to be once again involved in the education
Scott and Carita Girman and daughters Maria and Hannah.
process by encouraging young, and even not so young, Slovenian Women’s Union members to further their education.
Starting this Fall, I will be returning to work part-time as an environmental engineer in addition to my fulltime job as a mother of two girls - 5 year old Hannah and 1 year old Maria. Despite my other obligations, I am confident that I will be able to find the time and energy to fulfill the duties of Director of the Scholarship Program.
Dear Carita, our heartiest wishes for many wonderful years of mutual endeavors!
C.L.
Widina, Agnes. Pittsburgh, PA	5.00
Winters, Edna, Chicago, IL	Elmer Druga	10.00
Winters, Edna	RudyKonar	5.00
Winters, Edna	AnnMarinoff	5.00
Yuratovac, Katherine, Cleveland. OH RoseZbasnik	5.00
Yuratovac, Mr. and Mrs. Peter	Louise Liska	5.00
In Honor of Josephine Sclilosar’s 100th birthday:
Nimmer, Jackie, Elm Grove, WI (daughter)	$50.00
Brandt, Florence, Milwaukee, WI	5.00
Grambow. Ann, Milwaukee, WI	5.00
Hartman, Lillian, Milwaukee, WI	10.00
Kiel, Mary A. Milwaukee, WI	5.00
Pesec, Julia, Milwaukee. WI	5.00
Petrich, Mary, Milwaukee, WI	10.00
Yaklich, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley, Milwaukee, WI	5.00
In Memory of Josephine Sehlosar:
Ancel, Olga, Joliet, IL	10.00
Brandt, Florence. Milwaukee, WI	5.00
Dicke. Hermine, Madison, WI	10.00
Doherty, Karen, Loves Park, IL	10.00
Gasperic, Ann, West Allis, WI	10.00
Grambow, Ann A., Milwaukee, WI	5.00
Hartman, Lillian, West Allis, WI	10.00
Jelinek. Albert J., Wauwatosa, WI	5.00
Jelinek, Anna M.. Wauwatosa, WI	15.00
Kastelic, Vickie, Milwaukee, WI	5.00
Kastelic, Vickie, Milwaukee, WI	5.00
Marolt, Marion, Robin, Ray and Linda,	20.00
Milwaukee, WI
Pesec, Julia, Milwaukee, WI	5.00
Peters, Blanche, Milwaukee, WI	10.00
Schulz, Mary E., WAuwatosa, WI	10.00
Slovenian Women’s Union of America	25.00
Vodicnik, Stephanie. West Allis. WI	10.00
Widemshek. Louis and Frances	20.00
Zaffrann, Pearl, Greenfield, WI	20.00
Zebrowski, Mr. and Mrs. Clem,	5.00
Milwaukee. WI
Zielinski. Irene. West Allis, WI	25.00
Respectfully submitted,
Hermine Dicke
THIS WORLD IS GETTING SMALLER
Dear Mrs. Leskovar:
Ann Saari, my cousin in Ely, Minnesota, called that you would accept my son's interesting article for ZARJA.
1 have been busy writing to friends, relatives and the President, to please recognize Slovenia's plight. I am enclosing a blurb put out by a friend of mine in Vero Beach, Frank Zorc. He believes firmly as we all do in Slovenia’s ability to maintain independence. 1 hope you find it interesting enough to pass it on. I was in Slovenia a month ago for three weeks, visiting Paul and family, also relatives and friends. It was a surprise to see bold flashy posters proclaiming that that Bob Dylan was coming to town! Pampers diapers were also being extensively advertised. I turned to the clerk and said that this was going to cause an immense problem in their country. Don't think the Pampers Company ought to be required to figure out the disposal problem in their world-wide export? The Saturday before I left, Paul arranged for a barbecue in a large field behind his house, with the help of the Zaic’s, our cousins and friends. Franz made a barbecue spit, motorized from an old
windshield wiper motor so we could roast two pigs. 1 am drooling now. Almost 80 friends and relatives attended... bringing wine and home baked bread and goodies. Our casseroles are unknown there. Plain food is best. We even formed a huge circle, everybody participating, and sang and danced the folk dances. It was a delight that they were willing to learn an English song: It’s we, it’s we who make community.. .over the deep blue sea.” Molly and two of her little Slovenian friends, sang both English and Slovenian songs, looking like the Andrew Sisters, with their microphone.
An introduction to Paul
Paul is the third of seven children born to John (deceased and Justine Dragavon of Tower and Ely, Minnesota. He was a Speech Therapist in the Santa Cruz, California, school system until his retirement a year ago. He has three children, Annet and Tony in California, and Molly who is nine and is in Novo Mesto with her parents, Paul and Gina.
Paul is the grandson of Anton (deceased) and Katherine Slogar (deceased); she was branch president and Mother of the Year of the Ely Br. 23
and also a charter member.
After his retirement, Paul decided that living in Slovenia for a year would be a great experience for all of them. Molly is doing fine in a Slovenian school and now in less than a year can speak Slovenian quite fluently. Paul hired a tutor and is doing very well. (Molly corrects us both when we err!) Paul has been to Slovenia twice before when he worked with the U.S. Army Schools in Germany during the Second World War. The history holds a strong fascination for him.
In Novo Mesto he is living only a half mile from the railroad station which was strafed by the Yugoslav Army planes in the July war. He felt like he was letting down his friends and relatives when he dacided to flee with his family for safety to Austria; but has now returned to Novo Mesto to complete his year’s stay till September. He feels that Slovenian youth should not migrate out of their beautiful Slovenia, but should could stay right there to work for the betterment of their own country! Some mistakenly think America is the only “best place” in the world.
JUSTINE DRAGOV AN
400 - 18th St. 0-4 Vero Beach, FL 32960
WHEN AN AMERICAN FAMILY GOES TO SLOVENIA
Their letter tells of cultural
Cegelnica 29 68000 Novo Mesto Slovenija, Yugoslavia
December 1, 1990
Dear Lee and Billy,
First day of December, first snow. Yes, its the white stuff all right, all over the gardens, most which have month old patches of lettuce covered with plastic or just under the snow. Many bulbs, garlic and onion as well as flowers, have also been planted and are awaiting spring. No, I don’t know yet what will happen to the lettuce under the snow but everything seems to grow for these hardy people, with their cellars full of potatoes, carrots, kohlrabi, apples, wine, saurkraut and even lettuce, stored in special bins.
Molly walks the 3 kilometers down the railroad track and across the street to school. She was especially excited this morning as she left with her friends. This will be the first time she’s experienced winter here. She has made many friends and is learning Slovenian. She is also taking violin lessons at the Glasbena šola (Music School). Gina and I are in our little-old house keeping the woodfire going. Slovenia has not had snow for the last three years and the ski areas have been suffering. This year they’ve already
and educational experiences
gotten snow, though we are hoping, as we survey the old woodpile, that it does not get too cold.
We’ve been here for three months now and are settling into a routine We know the prices of groceries (generally high) and we know how the money works most of the time, though we still find times when demands are made for great sums more than we thought or we are showered with many bills and coins in unexpected change.
Slovenia is a beautiful place and the flight into Ljubljana was incredible! The Alps are rugged peaks separated by a deep, lush hanging valley that appears to have no entrances or exits. After the snow-capped mountains what struck us as we rode in the taxi seven miles to town was the rich green of the landscape. Small farmers’ fields cover the hills and valleys, bordered by small woods and forests. None seemed larger than an acre and most seemed half that. Slovenia, we find, is just one big series of these farmed valleys, dotted with villages and separated by mountain ranges, whose hill sides are covered by vineyards and topped with either castles or churches left over from the middle ages.
In the city, we were first impressed by the busy streets
—	both auto and pedestrians — and were reminded of rush hour on Powell St. in San Francisco though Ljubljana is one-fourth the size. The streets are narrow, and many
are closed off to autos providing broad boulevards for pedestrian traffic, outdoor restaurants and coffee houses. Most of these streets lead to the Old Town where a medevial castle, 19th century buildings, a beautiful river and bridges succeed in slowing one’s pace. We stopped at the cafe with an umbrella table along the river for coffee and ice cream. Since then we’ve had more than our share of coffee. “Which street do we take?” “Haven’t figured this map out yet.” “Where are we?” “Looks like we’re right by this coffeehouse.” “Oh, Ja. Dve kave s smetano, prosim.” (Expresso with whipped cream, please).
We have had our disappointments, the main one being the shortage and expense of housing in Ljubljana ($600-900 a month rent!). After several weeks, relatives of ours in Novo Mesto were able to find us a place there and, well, here we are! We live in an older, uninsulated house and heat and cook with wood ($250 a month). We eat simply, much more meat than vegetables, unless we’re given carrots, kohlrabi, or lettuce by friends who have gardens. Fortunately, the two items which are the least expensive
—	bread and sausage — are outstanding in both flavor and variety. We have stored about 300 pounds of potatoes and a couple of boxes of apples in the cellar and Gina has made a couple of gallons of sauerkraut (vitamin C, you know).
Our experiences with our relatives have been great. They have taken us to Bela Krajina, an area of birch trees, white karst stone, and traditionally, all white dress (tho blue jeans are more common now), that give it its name which means “white country.” We’ve helped them pick grapes, make wine and sauerkraut, and have hauled firewood out of their forests for both our families. We loaded wood by their old, deserted, stone and stucco farmhouse on which they keep the roof in good repair in case they might need to move in at some future time. “We would fix it up and live there, if we have no job in town,” Roman says. Many people have alternative plans in case of some future misfortune. And that seems to say it about these hard-working people; they are prepared to survive under any circumstance. They have not only survived 1500 years of domination by other nations but have developed a language and literature as well as a spiritual base in their Catholicism. All of this seems to result on a unity of thought and action which is at times bewildering to outsiders. For instance, the grape juice turns to wine on November 11th at thousands of small vineyards all over the country. This little miracle occurs on St. Martin’s Day, the patron saint of vineyards. Slovenians are also proud of their knowledge of other languages; it is not uncommon to know three or four. They know Serbo-Croatian, which are taught at school (while the rest of the Yugoslavs throw up their hands at the complexity of the ancient Slovene language). Language is not the only difference from the rest of Yugoslavia, which also has, except for Croatia, incompatible religions (Serbian Orthodox and Moslem) and in many areas uses the Cyrilic alphabet. Slovenians are well educated and for nearly a century have been 95% literate while the rest of the country ranges below 45%.
Politically, the Slovenians seem to feel that this is their chance in history to gain self-determination and independence and with the slow progress in Serbia toward free, multi-party elections there is little or no enthusiasm here for a confederation, the loosest form of relationship anyone has proposed. Most people here, the polls show, favor total independence and also favor no military, not that they
GINA’S MESSAGE
Dear friends and family,
Paul has given a beautiful account of the events of our trip. We are indeed living the good life here and this seems the perfect time to share it with you, if not on a physical plane at least in our thoughts. We have had an interesting mixture of feelings, reactions and impressions to this new environment.
At first glance, Eastern Europe seemed much more subdued than Western Europe or America; but, as dramatic as the seasonal change in the fields has been the people’s energy. It seems endless, exceeded only by their generosity. The longer 1 am here the more my respect grows for their traditions and customs passed down through generations, as does my admiration for a people determined to maintain their culture in the midst of radical change, which they see as a positive step toward a better life.
1 have loved meeting Paul’s family and exploring the land which his ancestors farmed. He is quite content researching the culture, history and politics of Slovenia. People greet his interest with great enthusiasm, adding names to his list of others to meet. Molly fits right in with the children and is able to transcend the language barrier using that secret form of communication only children seem to know. But, when needed, her rudimentary Slovene serves her well. Her one complaint has been, “soup with mushy noodles again at school!” though she manages to eat it all!
I am meeting and enjoying the challenge of cooking on a wood stove and must say, enjoy eating the results. We have strayed far from a vegetarian diet but the meat, as well as the vegetables, are organic and fresh. I continue to participate in as many activities as possible, learning new skills to take home to America. We have had many exciting adventures, which include getting lost while driving one night through a flooded area, and a perilous ride in rough seas via car ferry. We anticipate many more “fun times.”
People' from this tiny region are amazed when they realize how big and far away America is, but throughout my travels, as I observe the similarities in people all working toward the same goal, I think the world is not so big after all.
Gina
wouldn’t fight for their homes. As one neighbor put it, Serbia could eat us for dinner and for Austria, we would be mal’ca (snack). In the next two months there will be a plebisite on the future within or without Yugoslavia followed by a vote on a democratic constitution. This is an exciting time — will it be the Birth of a Nation?
We’ve taken short trips to Austria, Italy and some of the Adriatic Islands which have great similarity to Santa Cruz and Monterey so we have not been missing California greatly but have been missing our friends and look for a nice get-together when we return in September. In the meantime, we hope all is well with you and yours and may this season remind us to love our neighbor, in Iraq as well as Slovenia.
Paul, Gina and Molly
July 8, 1991
George Iiush,
President of the United States THE WHITE HOUSE
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
Your support for the new and democratic governments of Slovenia and Croatia is urgently requested. The United States of America, a free and democratic country, has been supporting the Communist regime in Yugoslavia. We are appalled by the news coming from Slovenia. Slovenia and Croatia have been struggling for decades under communist rule, and now, are determined to be independent.
The United States of America should immediately change its policy and protest the occupation of Slovenia by the nationalist Yugoslav Army.
Your immediate attention to this crucial situation is greatly appreciated.
Respectfully,
Victoria Bobence, National President Slovenian Women’s Union of America
Regarding SLOVENIA from Olga Ancel
On the day of outbreak of war in Slovenia, my husband. Ed was contacted by the JOLIET HERALD-NEWS and his comments were published in the paper. He also gave them names of others to contact.
We received copies of editorials from Professor Edi Gobetz along with his "Myths and Facts” about Slovenia. We immediately contacted the JOLIET HERALD-NEWS and gave the Editor copies of the literature from Professor Gobetz.
Via Corinne we also received names and phone numbers of political personalities to contact, which we did. as well as passed on said names at St. Joseph's Church to all the parishioners.
Enclosed is answer from Senator Paul Simon (D-IL):
Dear Friends:
Thank you for contacting me about the situation in Yugoslavia. I share your concern.
The violence instigated by the Yugoslav armed forces is deplorable and I welcome the President’s decision to withhold foreign assistance and the sale of arms to Yugoslavia. The military’s continued use of force will only weaken chances for a united Yugoslavia. The Communist-dominated government in Belgrade must enact serious reforms to ensure representation of all ethnic groups in Yugoslavia.
I hope Slovenia, Croatia and the Yugoslav central government can use the opportunity of a cease-fire to negotiate a peaceful settlement and prevent further bloodshed.
Again, I appreciate your comments on this crucial issue.
My best wishes,
Cordially, Paul Simon U.S. Senator
Native of Slovenia, Estelle Zorman McGuckin is an artist in the east and keeps in touch with the members in Washington, D.C. Her design, dedicated to Slovenian Independence, was sent to us by Nika Kovacic of Br. 103 and we are happy to share it with you.
Estelle especially loves nature and flowers. She says: "for me every day is earth day. What I remember when growing up (in Slovenia) was fields and fields of flowers, wild (lowers everywhere, in the woods, in the valleys, near streams and lakes, on hills and mountains. Flowers help me become childlike again, spontaneous and joyful.” In her design, Estelle succeeds in combining her love for flowers with her attachment to her homeland. Slovenia. Tee-Shirts with this design are available through our branch in Washington.
Thank you, Estelle and thank you, Nika!
MEMBER PARTICIPATION
From Minnesota to Illinois, to Florida, to California, our members responded to the appeal for support for the Republic of Slovenia. Justine Dragovan in Vero Beach, FL quoted editorials and letters she has read:
“Pres. Bush, People in Slovenia and Croatia are being crushed because of their burning desire to be free in a democracy such as the one we live in. They deserve, at the very least, to have our moral support for their desire for freedom. They cannot survive the immense army of the pro-communists. They are a peaceful people, long time friends of the USA. Hundreds of thousands of family ties exist here. This may be their only chance at freedom. They need and deserve support from us. Please help them! Frank Zorc"
News Tribune of Aurora, MN: “Slovenians desire full fledged democracy!”
Branch 100, Fontana, CA participated in a demonstration held July 3rd at the Federal Building in Los Angeles with signs and banners. CNN and local TV channels covered the event. A highlight of the demonstration was the appearance of LA councilwoman Joan Flores who spoke to the crowd of her resolution in support of Independence for Slovenia presented and passed by the City Council. Postcards were distributed to 2,500 people and thousands of phone messages sent. This was reported by our officers of Br. 100.
In Cleveland a special commemorative mass was held at the Cathedral in honor of the declaration of independence by Slovenia with hundreds of persons dressed in National Costume. In Chicago and Joliet, masses were also held with outstanding numbers of people in attendance.
Br. 16, So. Chicago, IL participated in an ethnic mass at Annunciata Church wearing their Slovenian national costumes and expressed their petitions in Slovenian. Vida Kumse's sister brought her a new “narodna noša” worn on that occasion.
*	* *
A concerted effort is being made throughout the US to build a fund for humanitarian help for the people of Slovenia. The Slovenian American Council of Cleveland has set the apparatus for the collection of donations and forwarding them to the proper authorities, namely, to Mr. Lojze Peterle, the President of the Parliament of Slovenia.
When you are sending your messages and making calls and signing petitions for the recognition of Slovenia’s independence, also consider making a donation to this cause. Checks may be sent to:
SLOVENIAN AMERICAN COUNCIL
c/o Treasurer
1522 Lincoln Road
Wickliffe, OH 44092
Any donations sent to the SWU Home Office will be forwarded to the SAC.
"If "klobase” were oil,
the US Marines would have been
in Slovenia June 26th!"
For Slovenia and
by Fr. David J. Stalzer,
Pastor at St. Mary Nativity Church, Joliet, Illinois
On Tuesday, July 9, almost three hundred people united in prayer at St. Mary Nativity Catholic Church in Joliet, Illinois.
The Prayer Service was for the people of Croatia and Slovenia as they seek out their independence and freedom. We prayed and sang in English, Croatian, and Slovenian. Fr. Athanasius Lovrenčič, O.F.M., Pastor of St. Joseph Parish preached an inspiring homily. We were joined by our associate pastors of St. Mary’s-Fr. Bill, Fr. Chris; Fr. George Battalia of Zagreb and Fr. Gregory Furjanic,
O.F.M. of Chicago, Illinois; and two Franciscan clerics from Ljubljana, Slovenia.
There was a beautiful spirit of unity, togetherness, and peace in church during the service and afterwards as the people stayed to mingle and talk to each other.
We continue to pray for Slovenia and Croatia, and we support them in their struggle. “Bog živi Hrvati in Slovenci.”
We thank all who joined us and are grateful to our girls and ladies in their national costumes.
May God Bless Croatia, Slovenia, and all the peoples of Yugoslavia. Please continue to pray and may God Bless You.
  -
Prayer Service photo at St. Mary’s Nativity Church shows the girls and ladies in Croatian and Slovenian National Costumes with Fr. David.
OL V
Croatia!
Say YES to SLOVENIA!
With our eyes glued to our TVs and radio during the 10 day War in Slovenia, many of our members, and groups of members responded to the news by sending messages, telegrams, letters, making telephone calls to the President and Secretary of State, to national figures and state officials. In some communities there were rallies, demonstrations, meetings and almost every community offered masses and prayers.
In Cleveland, the largest Slovenian community in the US, a new organization was formed, United Americans for Slovenia, comprised as a steering committee of representatives of the major organizations and Cleveland area churches. Serving on this committee are National Auditor Cirila Kermavner and State President, Ann Tercek. The Slovenian American Council of Chicago is busy dis-ciminating news to all parts of the US and to promote city, state and national legislation in support of the independence of Slovenia. People in many communities are working affectively in an organized fashion.
Initiatives were made in the form of appeals to the US government by our National President, Tory Bobence, National Secretary, Olga Ancel, Heritage Director Irene Odorizzi who called many branches by phone and Editor Corinne Leskovar who sent letters to all branches with instructions on how people should call and write, etc. and petitions to be signed addressed to the US Congress.
Reading various newspapers around the country one finds that in almost every Slovenian community the local papers quoted the prominent Slovenian leaders among whom were our members.
CNN reporters visited the ZARJA publications office and interviewed the Editor as did a local Chicago TV station.
The movement for public participation is not over. It is still needed. It is important that people keep writing, calling, supporting organized efforts and petitioning. Until October, when the cease-fire is to end and the final confrontation occurs, there is no time to sit back and think there is nothing anyone can do. Everyone's input and continued activity is still vital.
The effort to help Slovenia with emergency funds for its immediate needs is gaining momentum and doing well. This money will be used for the most pressing needs, it is hoped that greater financial aid will be obtained through legislation that will be backed by our US Congressional leaders.
One of the staunchest supporters of Slovenian independence and aid to Slovenia and Croatia is Senator Robert Dole of Kansas. He began to see the need for US involvement almost two years ago when the first signs of free elections became visible on the Slovenian horizon. He also visited Slovenia. Mr. Dole, on the floor of the Senate, has sponsored a resolution for recognition of the democratization of small countries and to provide aid. In Senate Resolution 153, he and his co-sponsors, Senators Metzenbaum, Pell, Helms, Pressler, Nickles and D’Amato pressed for support and passage of the bill in nine points, two of which are:
(7) The Senate urges the President to explore means of increasing direct diplomatic, political and economic ties
with the democratic governments of the republics of Croatia and Slovenia;
(9) The Senate recommends that the administration shape its foreign assistance, trade and technical assistance programs to support the republics of Croatia and Slovenia and the other democratic republics in Yugoslavia, and to encourage democracy in the rest of Yugoslavia.
Sen. Metzenbaum, in his remarks as co-sponsor of the bill, praised former United Nations Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick, for her article in the Washington Post July 8th, 1991 in which she makes this very powerful statement: “But, of course, it is not for the U.S. government to preserve structures established by monarchs and dictators. It is for people themselves to make decisions about their governments.
"In addressing these problems, it is important that the U.S. government have its priorities straight. And the only priority acceptable to American principles and interests in these cases is the priority of freedom.
“The United States was founded by people who risked order for freedom. The American Civil War confirmed those priorities and those principles. U.S. foreign policy in 1991 should do no less.;”
Sen. Dole, standing in front of the US Capitol on July 26th, one month after the Independence of Slovenia and Croatia was declared, spoke with confidence before a gathering of 30,000 Croatians and Slovenians who came from all parts of the US to show support for their homeland.
It has been most heartening to see how the voice of the people has been heard by the US government and helped to turn around US foreign policy at least 180 degrees. All the signs are now that Slovenia will gain its independence and so will Croatia, God willing. Generally positive commentaries have been written by many nationally syndicated columnists of major US newspapers who are expressing outrage and disappointment that the US did not immediately support Slovenia and Croatia, and instead took a stand in favor of the status quo. The courage and determination of the Slovenian and Croatian people has become known and reported arond the world.
As we approach the termination of the three month negotiation and cooling off period in mid-October, it seems there is no question any longer of Yugoslavia remaining the way it was. Slovenia is moving forward at a quick pace, making every sacrifice on the home front, widening its effect on the world through sensible and friendly approaches to its market problems and reasonable mediation with its belligerent foes.
In the words of the new Slovenian National Anthem written by foremost poet, Franc Prešeren, Slovenians toast each other with this "Zdravljica":
“Long live all nations who yearn and wait for the day where everywhere under the sun, disputes will be gone and where every man will be free; and at his border will be not the devil, but his neighbor!”
We are the possessors of a proud and honorable herit-
age!
Editor
FREE SLOVENIA LETTERS
DEAR MEMBERS OF THE SLOVENIAN WOMEN'S UNION:
We all know by this time, just what the conditions are in Slovenia and Croatia.
I want to "Thank" our S.W.U. National Committee and Mrs. Nika Kovacic from Washington. D C. for the letters sent to me to have S.W.U. take part in this support. Also "thank you" to our Heritage Director. Irene Odorizzi who personally called me.
I have sent letters to our President. George Bush and Secy, of State Dept.. James Baker, to 12 Senators. 6 Congressmen including our own Ohio Representatives: Dennis Eckart. Mary Rose Oakar. Louis Stokes and Edward Feighan. THIS IS OUR DUTY. If enough mail and phone calls get to these key “VIP” people, it should help. This is our Heritage and we must help them get this "Freedom of Independence and Democracy."
"The latest organization in Cleveland is called -"United Americans' for Slovenia". Founding member societies include 5 fraternal associations, of which our
S.W.U. is represented by Cirila Kermavner and Ann Terček. There also are two support groups: The "Slovenian American Council" and the "Alliance of Slovenian Americans". The Cleveland-based Federation of Slovenian Homes and three Roman Catholic Parishes in Cleveland: St. Lawrence. St. Mary's-Collinwood and St. Vitus. Approximately 300.000 Americans are represented by these groups.
Forms with thousands of names, letters and phone calls have been sent to Washington. D.C.. but with all the war damage already done, financial help is needed desperately at this time. I do hope that many of our SWU members have opened up their hearts and their wallets for this needy cause.
With most of our parents gone, how happy they would be to know how interested we are in doing our part in keeping up with our heritage, being the second and third generation.
Letters can still be sent, let it be known that we truly mean it.
ŽIVIJO NAŠA SVOBODNA SLOVENIJA!
Sincerely,
Ann J. Terček,
Ohio-Michigan Regional President
>
The new national emblem of Slovenija
Letter addressed to the Honorable Richard Lugar,
U.S. Senator from Indiana
Dear Senator Lugar.
1	am writing to you as a loyal American of Slovenian descent. Up to a few months ago very few people knew what I was talking about when I said I was of Slovenian descent. Now due to the historic and newsworthy events taking place in the land of my grandparents, everyone seems knows of the Republic of Slovenia. However, the Republic of Slovenia needs more than public awareness; it needs official recognition by the government of the United States of America.
Slovenians enjoyed independence and statehood at the dawn of their history and developed democratic customs that have long been admired by knowledgeable scholars and statesmen. Early Slovenians living in Carinthia, now under Austrian rule, had their dukes installed in a democratic ritual which stated that the peasants themselves elected their ruler and that the dukes were responsible to their people. This ancient Slovenian ritual preceded the celebrated Magna Carta by 450 years and had no equal in the entire world. This Slovenian ceremony was documented in the book Republic by the French philosopher Jean Bodin and through Bodin’s writings became well known to political philosophers including Thomas Jefferson. Harvard historian Crane Brinton wrote that this “picturesque Slovenian ceremony was ... a variable that went into the making of modern Western democratic institutions.”
Throughout history, though, independence and democracy have been more a dream than a reality for the peaceloving people of Sovenia who were overrun by countries with more aggressive, more oppressive forms of government. At various times, Slovenians have been subjugated by the Germans, Italians, Hungarians, and Turks. When World War I ended, the world leaders at Vesailles forced together Slovenians with peoples of similar, but vastly conflicting, cultures and nations to form the country known as Yugoslavia. This Yugoslavia has lasted for 73 years as a country only because it is a communist dictatorship led by its Serbian officers and a secret police with a history of murdering dissidents. Yet despite, or in spite of, all the years of suppression and subjugation, the Slovenians have kept alive their culture, customs, religion, language, music, dances, identity and, most of all. their hope for democratic independence.
Please do not ignore these brave Slovenian people who are struggling to be free of a communist federation that was forced upon them. Please review the United States’ policy with regard to the democratically elected government of the Republic of Slovenia and use your influence to extend official recognition to this new democratic country.
Sincerely,
Carita Ancel Girman
THE
THIRD
GENERATION
Rose Brunshol looks lovely in this two piece dress complete with matching hat and reticule (drawstring purse). The style of dress reflects the tailored look during the First World War.
Copyright 1991, Irene M. Planinšek Odori/./.i
ČRNOMELJ TO AMERICA
Part II
“Rose”
In 1924, at the age of thirty-five, Rose married Lawrence von Esch after they met at a picnic on his father’s property. Lawrence’s father owned a big farm that stands behind the present day Louis Joliet Mall. Von Esch Road lead to the farm. During the first quarter of the century, many people from Joliet would think nothing of walking the five miles to the farm for a picnic. This was the site of the budding romance one Sunday afternoon.
About forty people attended the ceremony and posed for the wedding photo. The bride was attired in a suit complimented by a fox fur. The weekened honeymoon was spent at the Stevenson Hotel (now the Conrad Hilton) in Chicago. A highlight of the honeymoon was an evening at the theater to see the popular stage play, “Abie’s Irish Rose,” which was later made into a radio series.
Rose enjoyed the theater even though years before, had she attended a certain performance at the Iroquois Theater, in Chicago, she would have lost her life. In the fire of 1907. Rose was scheduled to attend a matinee but something happened and the relative who had invited her canceled the trip. Many people died in that fire causing the city of Chicago to change the fire regulations for the theaters. If the doors had opened out rather than inwardly, the crowd might have been able to use the fire escapes and there would not have been so many casualties.
Rose worked at the “Sweet Orr”, until the birth of her child, Mary Catherine, in 1927. The infant lived only three months before she passed away.
Rose and Lawrence mourned the loss of their infant daughter, Mary Catherine, but the Lord was to bless them in a few years with another daughter whom they named, Ann. Ann was born in 1929, and her childhood was spent during the depression years. She reigned as the only grandchild until Peg was born, the daughter of Gertrude.
Ann was adored by the entire family and was somewhat spoiled with all of this love and attention. Then it all changed when she was about twelve years old and too big to be bounced on anyone’s knee. Ann loved and admired her maternal grandmother, Catherine, and was influenced by her more than anyone else.
Grandma Catherine spoke English without an accent but conversed fluently in Slovenian with her husband, John, the children and her friends, like the Kostelec and Mutz families. Granddaughter, Ann, was brought up in an English-speaking home so she could only understand a few words in Slovene although her mother, Rose, spoke Slovene to her sisters and mother.
Grandma Catherine would crochet, wash clothes by hand, iron and render her opinion on any is'sue that was worthy of her attention and comment. She would cook all kinds of wonderful things and made delicious sausage. Rose’s family visited every Sunday for roast chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetables and wilted leaf lettuce made with vinegar and bacon.
THE IMMIGRANT
This photo shows the third grade in 1899 at St. Joseph's School. Sister Aurelia is most likely the teacher standing at the left with the pastor Rev. Sustersic at the right. Rose Brunshol is in the second row, the first girl on the left.
There would always be a big celebration at Grandma Catherine’s house for Thanksgiving and Christmas. A great aunt and uncle, who didn’t have any children, would visit on these occasions. After they spent time with the family they would visit the Russ relatives.
Grandma Catherine always believed in having a Christmas tree with beautiful ornaments. One of the glass-blown figures, a Santa Claus, still remains as part of a collection of mementos.
Ann von Esch’s memories go back to 1933, when she was about four years old. At that time grandma Catherine was about seventy, having been bom in 1863. Grandpa John had already passed away and she continued to dress in black, didn’t wear make up and combed her hair back from her face making her look so old.Ladies the same age, nowdays, appear so much younger because they dress more stylishly, wear makeup and arrange their hair in a youthful manner.
Catherine and John were among the early parishioners of St. Joseph’s Parish in Joliet, 111. In the twenty-fifth anniversary booklet of the parish, printed in 1916, the Brunshol family was listed as: John and Katarina from Črnomelj; Roza, John, Anna, Jacob, Martin from Chicago.
The children all attended St. Joseph’s School but Rose complained about walking to school and being met by Polish kids that gave her a hard time. When her daughter, Ann, was born she enrolled her in St. John’s School so the little girl wouldn't have to walk across the bridge or have any of the experiences she had as a child.
Rose also had a difficult time being the oldest one in the family because many of the household tasks and caring for the younger children fell upon her shoulders. Rose relates a story of when her younger sister made her First Communion, and was required to do the dishes on that day! That really infuriated the youngster who felt that such a special day held special privileges.
(To be continued)
The family gathers for Christmas in 1933 and poses for this photo. Kneeling left to right: Aunt Gertrude, Ann Von Esch, Uncle Jacob (Jake). Standing left to right: Lawrence Von Esch (Ann’s father), Rose Von Esch (Ann’s mother), Aunt Ann, Catherine Ger-desic Brunshol (Ann’s grandmother), Aunt Henrietta, Jacob Gerdesic and Mary Gerdesic, great aunt and uncle of Ann. The year was approximately 1931-1932.
Bernadette J. Kovacic, Youth Director 13657 Cedar Creek Lane Silver Spring, MD 20904
Attention youth coordinators, parents, grandparents, relatives and friends!
This is to introduce the Slovenian pen pal exchange, an opportunity for Slovenian young people throughout the nation to begin corresponding with each other.
To have a young relative or friend on the next list to be published in ZARJA, please send the name, age and address of the young person to me today. Also, please send names of young relatives in Slovenia, ages 6-16 who are interested in corresponding with American young people of Slovenian descent. By mid-fall a list of youth from Slovenia will be published in ZARJA. Comments and suggestions are welcome.
Thanks to everybody who has offered support to the Slovenian Pen Pal Exchange!
Well, what can you write to someone you’ve never met? Here are some ideas —
• Your hobbies
• Activities at school
• Your grade level in school
• Where have you traveled, have you ever been to your pen pal’s home state?
• How many brothers and sisters do you have?
• How do you celebrate special occasions?
• What's your favorite Slovenian food?
• What's your branch No.? If they're not members encourage them to join.
• Don't forget to put your return address on the envelope.
In your first letter, write your name and address in the letter, too.
Membership is the special interest of Jonita Ruth of Br. 20, winner of the Campaign and honorary delegate at the Convention.
Fran Morison and Bernadette Kovacic explained some of the activities planned for our members, adult and youth.
Slovenian	Pen Pals
Connie Mlakar, age 10	Angela Mlakar, age 10
17858 Laurel	12455 Erin Drive
Fontana, CA 92335	Auburn, CA 95603
Jill Vicich, age 16	Debbie Vicich, age 14
1313 Raymond Drive	1313 Raymond Drive
Joliet. IL 60435	Joliet, IL 60435
Laura Carlson, age 11	Marie Carlson, age 8
5032 Ivanhoe Street	5032 Ivanhoe Street
Duluth, MN 55804	Duluth, MN 55804
Allyson Ferris, age 13	Katie Martinetto, age 8
232 Wyandotte	Highway 110
Hoyt Lakes, MN 55750	Aurora, MN 55705
Rebecca Klander, age 9	Courtney Kalar, age 8
215W. IstAvenue	315 South 2nd Street, East
Aurora, MN 55705	Aurora, MN 55705
Robert Orazem, age 10	Lydica Millonig, age 12
Box 146	1643 47th Place, NW
Isle, MN 56342	Washington. DC 20007
Annie Kemmerling, age 11	Stephen Lax, age 8
1664 Tinkers-View Drive	9207 McCracken Road
Twinsburg, OH 44087	Garfield Heights, OH
Stephanie Kneisley, age 8	William Mandich, age 12
425 Tollhouse Road	20294 Emery Road
Springfield, OH 45504	North Randall, Ohio 44128
Christopher Mandich, age 14	Leo Epley, age 10
20294 Emery Road	20294 Emery Road
North Randall, OH 44128	North Randall, OH 44128
Tracy Ann Epley, age 6	Andrea Selak, age 13
20294 Emery Road	1058 Susan Lane
North Randall, OH 44128	Girard, OH 44420
Mark Selak, age 8	Monica Selak, age 6
1058 Susan Lane	1058 Susan Lane
Girard, OH 44420	Girard, OH 44420
James Wheeler, age 9	Joseph Orazem, age 12
5044 Holiday Circle	Box 146
Minnetonka, MN 55345	Isle, MN 56342
D.J. Blakeley, age 8	Claire Blakeley, age 7
801 East 212th Street	801 East 212th Street
Euclid, Ohio 44119-2415	Euclid, Ohio 44119-2415
Krissy Jones, age 14 2442 Sherwin Drive Twinsburg, Ohio 44087
THE URGENT CAUSE OF BISHOP FREDERICK BARAGA
Dear Friends and Members of SWU,
We are so blessed to have our beautiful, interesting and informative ZARJA to keep us in close contact and aware of our connection, our precious Slovenian Heritage. Reading the many newsy, entertaining and enjoyable happenings in the SWU Branches makes many a routine day bright.
My recent reading of the book, “FREDERICK BARAGA, A PORTRAIT OF THE FIRST BISHOP OF MARQUETTE", written by Maksimilijani Jezernik. Director of the Slovenian College in Rome, I was deeply moved by the cross of suffering and hardship this dedicated missionary endured in his fervor for the salvation of souls and their human needs. Bishop Baraga daily demonstrated fearless courage and unselfish spirit of sacrifice to spread our Faith and the divine commandment to love one another as Jesus loves us.
Bishop Baraga was born in Slovenia, 29 June 1797. Ordained a priest, 26 July 1823. He came to the U.S. in 1830 to devote his life to the Indians and early white settlers in the Upper Great Lakes Country. His only goal was to make God known and loved by all men. Totally dedicated to his life in the U.S. as a missionary in the service of God, Bishop Baraga travelled perilous river rapids in a fragile canoe, trudging the frozen wilderness and accepted willingly the hardships of life in the early years of the U.S.
In 1853, he was appointed Bishop with his See located at Sault Ste Marie. Later, he moved the seat of the diocese in 1866 to Marquette, Michigan. Subsequently, Bishop
Baraga died, 19 January 1868.
In view of the approaching celebration of BARAGA DAYS over Labor Day weekend, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., an urgent appeal is made for your united prayers and interest in the cause of the canonization of this beloved Apostle of the Great Lakes and the first Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie and Marquette, Michigan.
Prayers are very special moments of grace. Spiritual experiences that touch our lives in lasting ways, bringing love, joy. pain, sorrow, peace, comfort and salvation to our daily needs.
In order to better understand the cause of Bishop Baraga, it is suggested that you read the above mentioned book which describes so vividly his missionary and spiritual life, while living in the U.S.
The cost of the book is $10.00 plus postage. It can be ordered from Mrs. Nika Kovacic, 235 Hannes St., Silver Spring. MD 20901, or from Studia Slovenica, P.O. Box 232, New York, NY 10032. Incidentally, Nika is a member of our Branch 103.
Quoting a remark from the keynote address given by the distinguished Dr. Edward Gobetz, at the 21st National Covnention of SWU, 17 May 91, "KNOW YOUR SLOVENIAN HERITAGE, AND YOU WILL BE PROUD OF IT."
Love, Health, Prayers, Friendship, and Sunshine,
Sabina L. Bartol SWU, Br. 103, Washington, D.C.
FINANCIAL REPORT January 1 to June 30, 1991 Finančno Poročilo 1. januarja do 30 junija 1991
Inconie-Dohodki:
Assessments .................................. S29.599.75
Interest from bonds ........................... 27.295.94
Interest from checking ........................... 218.98
Rental ......................................... 1.500.00
Bond sale profit ................................. 365.52
S58.980.I9
Expenses-StroSki:
Death Claims - 80 ............................ S	9.650.00
Salaries ...................................... 10.475.00
Administrative, travel, perdiems of officers .... 5.967.21
FICA - Social Security ........................... 801.37
Unemployment tax ................................. 213.27
Department of Insurance ........................... 25.(X)
Real estate tax .................................. 839.29
ZARJA - THE DAWN
Printing (less $1.799 donations) $15.886.00 Postage	2.668.37
Maintenance ........................................ 109.50
Secretary, campaign and junior awards ........... 1.040.10
Investment and bank service fees ................. 2.985.84
Computer Service - State annual report ............. 350.00
Donations:
IL Fraternal Congress Scholarship	$25.00
Scholarship memoriams	50.00
75.00
Dues IL Fraternal Congress .......................... 50.00
Bound ZARJAs ....................................... 168.00
Miscellaneous ...................................... 223.18
57.048.72
Gain for half year .................................. 1.931.47
Convention Fund (not final):
Transferred from POTS and PANS 20.000.00 Less expenses to date	15.878.64
18.554.37
Electricity, gas and water ........................... 1.735.18
Advertising, printing and stationery ................... 709.74
Postage and telephone ................................ 1.176.67
Depreciation - rent ................................ 1.950.00
4.121.36
Balance December 31.	1990 ...................... 815.368.76
Balance June 30. 1991	........................ S821.42l.59
Checking account ................................ $	6,770.02
Bond investments .................................. 751.998.06
Furniture and Fixtures	........................... 1.752.58
Real estate ........................................ 59.079.93
Song books and Slovenia	to America .................. 1.821.00
Total Assets
$821.421.59
NO. 1, SHEBOYGAN, WI
Our 65th Anniversary and State Convention will be celebrated in Sheboygan Sept. 15th at St. Cyril and Methodius Church. We will have coffee and donuts in Fr. Cherne Hall from 8 to 9 a.m. folkjwed by the business meeting at 9. Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 in the Church. Please wear your Slovenian Costumes - if you have them.
The dinner-Banquet will be at 12:30 p.m. at Stndard Hall on Indiana Ave. Our Slovenian Youth Dancers and Singers will perform for us.
Our sympathy to Mary Leon and family on the death of her husband, Albert. May his soul rest in peace.
With the beautiful weather we have been having here in Sheboygan, we should all try to visit with our many members who are confined to their homes or in nursing home in the area.
Hope to see a great number of our members from Sheboygan and the other branches from Wisconsin at our State Convention, Sept. 15th.
DOROTHY BREZONIK
NO. 2, CHICAGO, IL
Summer has come and gone and here we are ready to start a new year. Hopefully, we will get many new members with lots of new members with lots of new ideas, it would be great if some of our young members would attend so we could get new blood into the organization.
All across America we welcomed back our Troops and wished our country one big “Happy Birthday” with parades, picnics, fireworks and concerts...
PICNIC - St. Mary’s Lemont, IL; July 21. We had a really nice day, plenty of sunshine, a happy crowd. It was good to see the National Officers, also many members from other Branches. The Mass was very inspirational, lovely Slovenian songs. Mary Lauretig made a beautiful doll dressed in the national Slovenian narodna noša costume; it was placed at foot of the altar representing all the members, also pretty Millie Magajne was dressed in her narodna noša. We
had something for everyone at the picnic. good food, cold drinks, great music, games of chance, and for the children, a "petting zoo", pony rides, puppies, goats, pigs, sheep. Thanks to all the workers, and to all who came to make this a great day. The money is used to help with the "Baraga Cause,” “Heritage Museum in Joliet", "Scholarship Fund and Branch 2 pet project.
This has been a sad year, for our friends and relatives in Slovenia and Croatia. Let's continue to write and phone our elected officials and let them know that we expect them to help in securing peace/freedom for our people.
Our condolence to JoAnne Ferrari on the loss of her sister, Maria, to the family of Lillian Otrin, namely, her husband and son, Alan; to Frances Maxwell on the loss of her brother and, to the family of deceased Helen Arko. Please remember them in your prayers.
This summer we have had so many members in the hospital, we hope this finds everyone happy and well. Our get-well wishes to: Irene Kalina, Jean Hrastar, Anna Zorko, Frances Zibert, Eddie Zibert, Frances Schultz, Mary Jagar, Sophie Simec. Julia Ericson, Beth Manian, Frances Martinčič, Bo Zubek. Stella Gorka, Luba Troha, Jennie Puhek.
This summer we also lost one of our oldest members, Mrs. Mary Ovnik. For years they lived on 22nd place where they operated a “cleaners.” Our condolences to her family and children, Marie, Elsie, Johnny, Lorraine Dolores, and Judy. Remember her in your prayers.
Dates to remember: September, 1991 - 12th: 8:00 Mass-7:00 S.W.U. Meeting
15th - St. Stephen’s Benefit Dinner Slovenian Style - $15.00
29th - Slomšek Dinner - Hall
Oct. 5th - Alumni Dance
Thanks to all ZARJA reporters! We all enjoy reading what is happening at other branches. Keep up the good work!
Good luck to all our sister branches hope this will be a good year for all.
Love,
DAISY
NO. 3, PUEBLO, CO
Hello everyone! When you read this, summer will be over and it will be time to resume our meetings. Our first meeting will be September 4 in St. Mary’s Hall at 1:00 p.m. Let’s make it a good year with good attendance.
Isn’t our Zarja — The Dawn — a beautiful publication? I always look forward to receiving it and reading the variety of articles in it. Too, the reports by the different branches are excellent and make us aware of what is going on in other branches. Corinne Leskovar and her staff are to be commended for the excellent job they are doing. (Thank you. C.L.)
There have been a number of activities going on in our community. The officers and members of St. Joseph's Lodge No. 7 celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Brezje Thursday, May 24, with a special "Polka Mass" at St. Mary's Church. Fr. Allen Schwabe, OSB, the lodge’s spiritual advisor, was the celebrant. The Prešern Glee Club sang under the direction of Diane Erjavec Eichelman. A buffet supper, hosted by the lodge, was enjoyed by all present after the mass. The lodge is to be commended for this beatiful occasion.
The Prešeren Glee Club presented their first Pride City Polka Fest Friday, June 21 through Sunday, June 26, in the Palace of Agriculture at the Colorado State Fair Grounds in Pueblo. A "Polka Mass" was celebrated Sunday with Bishop Arthur Tafoya as celebrant. The Okolitza Tamburitzans and the Czech Dancers of Colorado Springs performed after the mass.
We welcome Vera and Louie Nose back in Pueblo after a ten month stay in Slovenia.
Valeria and Charles Marvel and son, Bill and wife, were guests of Mary Yanks, Valerie’s sister. While they were here, the Pritekel family enjoyed a family get together. It’s so nice to see such closeness in families.
Chris Mehle, who incurred a broken hip in a fall, is now resident at Pueblo Manor Nursing Home.
Rudy Kastelic is convalescing at St. Mary’s Hospital after knee surgery. We wish him a speedy recovery.
DEARLY DEPARTED
Br. 2, Chicago
mourns loyal member,
f Mary Poppish
who lived near St. Stephen’s church for many decades. She never let her ailments keep her home from daily mass and visiting with her neighbors. Mary and her sister, well-known Frances Zibert, came from the beautiful upper Savinjska Valley in Slovenia and made their homes in Chicago, raising large families and supporting all good causes, especially the Cause for the Beatification of Bishop Baraga.
Mary was a member of SWU for
49	years. She is survived by her many sisters of Br. 2, four children and 11 grandchildren.
May she rest in peace!
We are sorry we were not able to get to Gunnison to attend the State Convention and did appreciate their offer to change the date, but it just didn’t work out for us. A few years ago when we had it in Pueblo, Gunnison wasn't able to come so here's hoping when it is held in Pueblo next time that the three branches can get together.
Gertrude Jordan made a trip to Middletown, California to visit her daughter, Dorothy Spencer and attended the graduation of her granddaughter, Shelly.
On a sad note, sadness came to our community with the death of Edward (Morgan) Zupančič, Stanley (Sam) Skull, Anthony (Hamm) Okorn and Margaret Germ. We extend our condolences to their families.
Let’s remember our sick, home-bound and those in Nursing homes in our prayers.
Don't forget our meeting Sept. 4.
" PAULINE PAUCH1CK
NO. 5, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Branch 5 will hold a business meeting on September 19, 1991. This meeting will take place at the Slove-
2	- Ivanka Ferjan (89)
37-yr member
Lillian Otrin (79)
20-yr member
10 - Rose Marin (76)
35-yr member
, Mary Volcansek (70)
48-yr member
14 - Mary Mandick (96)
50-yr member
15 - Caroline Cergol (94)
63-yr member
20 - Evelyn Gregory (78)
31-yr member
24 - Frances Baznik (85)
54-yr member
Mathilda Switek (84)
40-yr member
25 - Frances Lipoid Phillips (91)
38-yr member
nian National Home at 11:00 a.m.
At our social meeting in May, we honored and celebrated our Mothers of the Year. This year the honors went to Elizabeth Bybee, Tillie Kam-povsky, and Anne Neese.
We also presented Sophie Turk with a small gift to show our appreciation for her work during the past 27 years.
Unfortunately, we lost one member in May, Rosie Dugar. Rosie will be sorely missed, but remembered by all.
BARBARA
NO. 1«, CLEVELAND, OH
On June 19th our Woman of the Year, Helen Suly was honored at Dino’s on St. Clair Ave. 41 members and guests helped us celebrate. Helen’s daughters, Mary Louise and Joann attended. Her sister, Margaret was also there. Fr. Kumse, pastor of St. Mary's Church (Collinwood), said prayers before our meal. After dinner, our 50 year members were announced by President, Dorothy Zagar. Pins and flower arrangements will be given to Josephine Novak, Frances Krall, Mary Dacar, Frances Stebal, Jennie Gorjanc, Veronica Vulich, Rose Kovacic, Jennie Zaman. We thank Louise Fabec for donating an Amish doll, won by Ann Augustine; and Mary Kuril won the second prize. We had homemade noodles made by Mil-
REST IN PEACE
30- Stefanie Železnik (77)
51	-yr member
42 - Mary Hočevar (90)
57-yr member
46 - Mary Gabrijan (94)
61-yr member
Charter member of branch
64 - Anne Skradski (77)
39-yr member
91 - Kay Leal (80)
52-yr member
93 - Cecilia Burgar (95)
53-yr member
Charter member of branch
95 - Rose Dosen (86)
37-yr member
Virginia Kwiatkowski (67) 19-yr member
lie Novak; thank you, Millie.
Our next meeting is Sept. 19th. Please try to attend.
ANN STEFANČIČ
NO. 12, MILWAUKEE, WI
Our June meeting was well attended and we still were celebrating the Woman of the Year, our lovable Jean Jelenc.
Stavia gave a report on the Convention. Sorry we cancelled our bus to Cleveland, but we were going as supporters and we felt we did not have to conform to rules as we intended to do some sightseeing.
Phyllis Pruschickick made a delicious lunch for us which was served at 12 noon. As you know, we snack before the meting so the kitchen crew can clean up and partake of our aftermeeting activities.
Agnes Morrow treated us with chocolate covered, very big strawberries. You miss out if you don’t come to meetings! By the way, this lucky gal will be going to Alaska again. Don't we all wish we had such a generous son!
Ann Jelinek had foot surgery and is having quite a time of it. We all wish you the best, Ann.
We also miss Josephine Mursec at our meeting, but her husband had major surgery so she is taking good
Newly elected Nat'l Vice President,	Beverly
Jackson, left, with Ann Sustarich are San Franciscans with special talents. Below is one of Ann’s special and favorite recipes.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BREADED SOLE WITH PARMESAN CHEESE
I	pound sole fillets	2 cloves garlic, minced
|	1 cup bread crumbs,	1'* cup minced parsley
finely ground	1 egg
i '■> cup flour	!/4 cup olive oil
cup grated Parmesan ‘
I
Mix together bread crumbs. Hour, cheese, garlic and parsley. Spread evenly on	|
a plate. Beat the egg in a small bowl. Dip fillets in the egg. then bread both sides	|
of the sole in the bread mixture. Heat the skillet, add the olive oil and heat the olive	|
oil until it is medium hot. Cook fillets on each side for 2 to 3 minutes until light.	|
golden brown.
cheese
care of him. Keep your chin up. Josephine.
Our picnic at Jackson Park was well attended and with the hot. hot weather, we had a nice breeze in the shade, so it was pleasant. The Cannistra Twins enjoyed themselves. 1 remember when they were born! So, mother. Linda Cannistra and grandma Evelyn Laurich really are proud people. Evelyn tells me her grand niece had triplets, so the family gets big in a hurry.
Good to see Chris Boyance back with us. Stay healthy. Mary Dezman is in Minnesota picking blueberries and Phyllis Prushick is in Poland with a group of teachers. To all our travelers, a safe return.
Remember our meeting is Sept. 19th at So. 80th and Lincoln Ave. Lunch is at noon, meeting follows. Anyone wishing to go to Sheboygan for the State Convention Sept. 15th should call Mary Dezman for your ticket. A bus will be going, leaving Milwaukee at 7:30 a.m.
Hope you had a good summer despite the heat and bring some good ideas to our meeting. A big hello to our members in nursing homes and to all, good health.
NO. 13, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
We have been very busy in San Francisco writing letters and making phone calls to help with the Independence of Slvoenia. Our ladies are very dedicated and we have met after Mass in the church hall. My sister, Barbara Chiodo. has been so much help as she is very active in politics. She has gotten us much information on where and who to write to. There have also been a couple demonstrations. Peaceful!
I have just returned from my first Board Meeting in Joliet, IL.
I	thought the Convention was very exciting, but this meeting is very challenging. I have to thank Olga Ancel
who, from the minute I arrived, treated me like one of her family. And, truly a lovely family it is. I feel the meeting was very productive and 1 love working with these ladies.
1	got a chance to visit with Jennie Priyatel w'ho lived in S.F. across the street from my dad's grocery store in the 1940s. We got to watch the filming of “The Babe" at that beautiful Rialto Theatre in Joliet. Our meeting was all day, Saturday, and then we went to dinner at the Bohemian Gardens. What wonderful food!
Sunday was one of the loveliest days 1 can remember. We went to Mass at St. Mary’s in Lemont, a lovely old church. And, then, a picnic. This was Zveza Day put on by Br. 2, Chicago. I have never felt more welcome. The music, food and games tooke me back to my childhood. The
grounds are beautiful. The Grotto altar, the Stations of the Cross, Statue of Bishop Baraga. Rosary Garden and those wonderful ladies! Mary Muller, past president, who got me out to do those polkas, and Fran Morison, a gracious hostess, and all those gals of Br.
2	were lovely. We left there and went to the festival at St. Joseph’s Park. More fun! To all my new friends, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. And, especially to Ed and Olga Ancel. for sharing your home, your family and your car with me.
We did not meet during the summer. but hope to see everyone in September. Wishing well to our dear members who can’t make it to the meetings. You are in our hearts and prayers. President, Josephine Aiuto sends good wishes to all our members.
BEVERLY JACKSON
AMERICAN
SLOVENIAN
CATHOLIC
UNION
LIFE INSURANCE FOR THE FAMILY
HOME OFFICE: 243} GLENWOOD AVENUE • JOLIET, IL 60435 (815)741-2001
HERMINE PRISLAND DICKE 3717 COUNCIL CREST MADISON, Wl 53711
Pots and
^ptRans
During the coffee break at the national convention in May, Irene Odorizzi served two varieties of “melt-in-your-mouth" dainty cookies that were favorites of her mother, Emma Planinšek of Joliet, IL. Some delegates said to me: "Please get those recipes." Here they are: SUGAR COOKIES and NUT PILLOWS (Rožke). Irene also shares her ITALIAN PRUNE LATTICE PIE, a favorite of Ken, her husband. She adds: "These oval shaped, prune-plums, bluish in color, are available only in the fall for about one month. This is the same plum used for plum dumplings.”
One of many new acquaintances
I	enjoyed meeting during the convention is Ann Sustarich of San Francisco, CA. She has thoughtfully sent four of her favorite recipes, one of which is BREADED SOLE WITH PARMESAN CHEESE.
Affectionately,
Hermine
Submitted by Vera Šebenik:
A farmer and a college professor were traveling together on a train. After a few days, they got tired of talking and reading so the professor suggested they play riddles.
“Every time you miss a riddle you give me a dollar, and every time I miss a riddle I'll give you a dollar,” said the professor.
“You're better educated than I am,” the farmer pointed out. "I'll give you
50	cents.”
The professor agreed and the farmer made up the first riddle.
"What has three legs walking and two legs flying?"
The professor didn’t know so he gave the farmer a dollar.
The farmer didn't know either so he gave the professor 50 cents.
—So Ca Sun Piper
SUGAR COOKIES
Have all ingredients at room temperature
	pound margarine	2 !/j cups flour
'>2	cup vegetable oil	"'2 teaspoon baking soda
ll2	cup granulated sugar	I;2 teaspoon cream of tartar
	cup powdered sugar	‘'2 teaspoon salt
	egg	!/2 cup granulated sugar
	teaspoon vanilla	for rolling the cookie
		dough (additional)
Cream the margarine, oil and granulated and powdered sugars. Add egg and vanilla. Blend. Add flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and sal!. Combine well. Roll one teaspoon of dough in sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. After all cookies are on the sheet, flatten each one lightly with a fork, vertically and then horizontally (a criss-cross pattern). Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes (Do not brown them.) Makes about 4 dozen.
NUT PILLOWS (Rožke)
2	cups flour	l'i	pound ground walnuts
2	sticks margarine	1 jar (12 ounces) Pineapple
1	package (8 ounces)	Preserves
Philadelphia Cream Cheese	teaspoon	cinnamon
1. Blend flour, margarine and cream cheese until smooth. Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate overnight.
2. Divide into 4 pieces and roll each piece separately. Keep the pieces not in use in the refrigerator.
3. Roll the dough on a floured board until thin but manageable.
4. Cut with a knife into 2-1/2 inch squares.
5. Place 1 teaspoon of fdling on each square and fold one end of the dough over the filling and then the opposite and over it. Flatten each and with your finger so that the filling will not come out when baking.
6. Place the overlapped side down on an ungreased baking sheet.
Filling:
Combine walnuts, pineapple and cinnamon. Bake at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes depending upon the size of your pillow. Allow to cool on a plate. Dust with powdered sugar when cool. Makes about 5 dozen, depending on the size of your squares and thickness of dough.
-
ITALIAN PRUNE LATTICE PIE
5	cups pitted and sliced fresh	lli	teaspoon	salt
Italian prune-plums	Pastry for 2 crust pie
2/.i	cup packed brown sugar	(9”)
6	tablespoons flour	1	tablespoon	butter or margarine
1	teaspoon grated orange peel	Milk
teaspoon cinnamon	Sugar
Combine prunes, brown sugar, flour, orange peel, cinnamon and salt. Place into pastry-lined 9-inch pie plate. Dot with butter. Roll remaining pastry and cut into 1/2-inch strips. Weave strips about 3/4 inch apart, over top of pie. Seal and flute edges. Brush top with milk. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 400° for 45 to 50 minutes or until prunes are tender and crust is golden. Cool before cutting and serving.
TALKING...WOMAN TO WOMAN
Throughout our lives we are faced with situations that put a scare into us. They soon pass by, and eventually they are forgotten. I want to talk to you now, woman-to-woman, and share an experience with you that I hope will prompt you into taking a look at how you take care of yourself.
On April 12th, while we were still in Florida, w hile in process of getting dressed, I picked up my bra and noticed that there were several spots of blood in the one cup. After the knot in my stomach settled down, I thought perhaps the blood was a result of a mosquito bite. We had worked out in the yard the night before and the bugs were plentiful. As I started to examine myself (for indication of a bite) a trickle of blood started from the nipple area of the right breast. I cannot tell you the sick feeling that went through me.
Ironically, when I awoke that morning I laid in bed trying to get hold on the day, thinking about how many more days we had left before we headed north, etc. With the thought of April 12th my mood changed immediately. I thought, “Oh my God, it is two years ago today that our world fell apart”. Our daughter, Mary, had been diagnosed as leukemic on April 12, 1989. My depressed mood was already set for the day, and when I realized I probably had a problem myself, that mood/depression deepened.
I eventually had to tell Steve (my husband) and he suggested I contact our family physician for advice. The doctor advised me that he felt the situation could wait until we returned home. However, he added that if I would feel more at ease with the situation, or if the condition changed in anyway, that I should see a Florida doctor.
I did wait until we returned to Ohio. We arrived home on May 2nd and I was in the doctor’s office on May 3rd. He took smears of the substance that had oozed from the breast and told me quite frankly that he was checking for 1.) infection, 2.) malignancy. He also told me that there was no lump in the right breast.
however, there was a lump in the left breast. This started a series of X-rays, biopsies, tests, etc. A partial mastectomy was done on May 24, 1991 with a “wedge” of the nipple being excised along with a milk duct and a papilloma. Biopsy on left breast, negative.
I have had fibrocystic disease for many years. For a period of time whenever a lump was found, it was always cystic. I have neglected mammograms for several years. In fact, the last breast exam I had was about 8-10 years ago. A cousin had died a few months after a complete mastecomy. That scared me, and I thought I did myself a big favor when I went for the breast exam.
What I am saying to all of you should be clear. I lucked out THIS TIME. It was always something that would happen to someone else, and I think that that thought in itself made me feel secure and protected.
My doctor/surgeon now advises that mammograms will be done every six months, to follow up on some suspicious areas. I do feel “safer", if that is the proper word to use.
We all worry about conservation. We want to recycle plastics, aluminum, glass. We want to use only biodegradable materials, go back to cloth diapers, do away with aerosol cans, stop pollution, don't kill animals, save the whales, on and on, and yet we neglect our own bodies. If we are to save the earth, let's start by “saving” people to put on it.
Please, all of you, have those physical examinations, demand those mammograms. I would not want any one of you to go through the stress and anxiety, the outright fear, that I experienced until the surgeon said “benign”.
Evelyn Majvrcik
Dear Evelyn: Thank you for sharing this experience with us. You are a brave girl and an example of how sisters should talk to each other, with respect, with encouragement and with love.
We love you a lot!
C.L.
Husbands are our greatest boosters!
Many times, 1 wanted to sit down and write to your organization about the pleasure that I receive (husband) from the well-written articles, news-items, history, and your “Pregovori
— Proverbs” section in English and Slovenian.
I am an avid reader of the ZARJA
— THE DAWN and know a lot of the people who are mentioned in your magazine or publication. My aunt, by marriage, won an Afghan at your recent National Convention. She is
•	Agnes Boštjančič, Branch 71, Strabane, Pa.
Agnes’s mother-in-law was Mary
Boštjančič (deceased), a staunch member of your organization. Her daughter, Lucille (Boštjančič) Smith has been a very active member of your group at the local and state level (Pa and NY). She has slowed down a bit, but always tries to help out her many friends. She always sends cards to the sick and helps out the needy. You will never leave my mom-in-law’s home hungry. She is quite a lady.
Having been exposed to many fine Slovenians in Strabane, Pa., I can only say that it has been a great experience. They are now and have been a very nice group of people.
Having been transferred to the Cleveland, Ohio, area, 1 would like to tell Cheryl Striner of Branch 71 (whose birthday was on Aug. 1st), that we miss all of the news from Strabane. Burgettstown, Branch 59, seems to do a beautiful job from their lodge.
In ending, I would like to thank you again for the enjoyment that "I" receive from your fine "ZARJA — THE DAWN". Keep up the good work.
Sincerely, Jacob W. Hollenbach husband of Delores Lucille Hollenbach Member of Branch 71, Strabane Pa.
COME TO THE OCTOBER STATE MEETING!
All oficers and members are cordially invited to attend the Illinois-Indiana State Regional Convention on Sunday, October 6, hosted by Branch 22, Bradley. Illinois.
Following is the schedule for the day:
• Coffee and rolls will be served at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Hall, 247 North Center Avenue.
• Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church.
• Dinner will be served at 1:00 p.m. at the Moose Lodge on Route 50, just South of Howard Johnson's.
• The Convention meeting will follow dinner.
There will be the Pot of Gold, games for prizes and entertainment. Dinner SI2.00.
Dinner reservations can be made by contacting Margaret Planton, 483 South Cleveland Ave., Bradley, Illinois, 60915 or call (815) 933-4720, or call Helen Sebastiani (815) 932-9544. Please make your check payable to
S.W.U., Branch 22. The deadline for reservations is September 23.
At this time our immediate concern is the crisis in Slovenia. Let's hope that by Convention time both Slovenia and Croatia will enjoy independence and peace!
Zbogom!
Margaret Planton President
NO. 17, WEST ALLIS, \VI
It's September already. Where did the summer go? The months fly by so quickly, when one is having fun and enjoying the picnics festivals and family get togethers. but as summer fades into fall, we once again turn our attention to our branch obligations.
First on the agenda is the State Convention on Sunday, Sept. 15th in Sheboygan, hosted by Br I. According to reports I've heard, everything is a okay and right on schedule. Hope many of you will attend and make an enjoyable day and perhaps give a few good suggestions at the convention meeting for the betterment of the SWU.
My niece, Beth Arthur and son, Michael came here from El Paso. Texas to spend two weeks vacation visiting her mom. Helen Pi/.ar, relatives and her many friends. We had a lot of fun during her short visit leaving us with loads of pleasant memories. Michael is getting to be quite grown up at the age of 8!
Jackie Nimmer's activities are a bit curtailed as of this writing as she had toe surgery and also injured her left knee; but she does manage to get around regardless as she's one that can't stay idle for long. Marion Marolt spent a week at St. Luke's Hospital and is now at home doing just fine. Must give that gal credit, she has loads of spunk and bounces back quickly.
Congratulations to Ray and Linda Marolt on the arrival of twins, daughters. Jennifer Jean and Lynn Marie, on May 20th, and to their very proud grandmother, Marion. By the
way, they are all members of our branch!
Must reflect a bit on the great performance of the Bogdan Derč Chorus of Ljubljana at St. John's Cathedral on Memorial Day, May 27th. The blending of 40 voices was absolutely terrific. The wonderful choral group consisted of all professional people, doctors, nurses and technicians who work at the University Clinic, a well-known health institution. Our USPEH Chorus also showed their immense talent as they sang a number of selections and then joined the Derč Chorus for the finale. It was indeed an emotional experience, especially as they sang "America the Beautiful" and their own hymn. "Zdravljica". What a performance! Makes one feel very proud of their Slovenian heritage.
Members, make sure your dues are paid up to date and enjoy the remaining warm days.
FRAN PIWONI
NO. 19, EVELETH, MN
The weather was cooperating, and gave us a nice sunny day for our February meeting. We convened mainly to chose our Woman of the Year. Mary Vranikar was to be honored this year. Plans were made to go to El Roy’s Restaurant for lunch on May 5th.
It rained the whole morning, but seventeen of our members were able to attend the luncheon. We had a nice time visiting with each other, discussing all kinds of things from weather to our favorite food and eventually to our mother’s recipes. Mary thanked us for coming to celebrate this day with her. Our President, Olga Kluser
was looking forward to attending the National Convention in Cleveland in May.
We wish all of you a pleasant summer and see you at the State Convention in September.
VIDA LANARI, Secretary
NO. 20, JOLIET, IL
1 hope your summer was pleasant as we are looking forward to the beautiful colors of autumn and cooler days. We had a very hot summer this year.
Br. 20 has been very busy. June 15th we participated in the city’s welcoming home of our men and women from the Gulf War at the "Operation Desert Peace Parade". It was a tremendous success. It was the biggest and best turn out ever in the city of Joliet. Br. 20 was well represented with folks dressed in Slovenian costumes and the Polka Masters Band, attired also in costume, bringing a special and lively foot stomping touch to the parade. The Slovenians were well represented. A job well done by all who took part.
Congratulations to:
Carita Girman, now the chairperson for the SWU National Scholarship Committee. Mary Mihelich was installed as 18th president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Gregorash celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 16th. Mr. & Mrs. Edward Ancel, their 45th also in August, celebrating with their entire family at home. Mr. & Mrs. Ronald DeJule have their 35th anniversary this month
OPERATION DESERT PEACE PARADE
“A Big Thank You”
The Slovenian participation in the Desert Storm Parade in Joliet included EDWARD ANCEL and HELEN PLUT and KYLE and KELSEY SINGLETARY from Ankeny, Iowa, all our Br. 20 members.
Driver DONNA CWUDZINSKI and OLGA ANCEL and MARY ANZELC.
My family and I want to "THANK" Tory and John Bobence for offering the trip to Ely, Minnesota for a stay at their resort as the top prize in the “TORY'S GARDEN CAMPAIGN" which was awarded to me at the Slovenian Women's Union 21st National Convention.
We arrived in Ely the second week of July. My thoughts were “Who goes to Minnesota for a vacation?” I soon found out there are many people who spend their vacations in Minnesota!
The weather was spectacular and the birch trees were something to see. Especially late at night when you could still see the trees across the lake in the moonlight. One afternoon, Tory took my husband and me to Mrs. Anna Hodnik’s home where I met Anne Orazem and Dorothy Jamnick, two hard-working members of Br. 35, for an enjoyable afternoon. We thank them for their hospitality which will be long remembered. If time would have permitted, I would liked to have met other ladies from the Minnesota branches.
On this trip, we visited "IRON WORLD" in Chisholm where we got to see the beautiful art pieces by Lillian Brule dedicated to the minors and laborers. That day was "German Day" so we heard some wonderful music and saw dancers that were quite entertaining.
My family and I enjoyed the cabin which had NO T.V. OR PHONE and loved being so near the water. I said, “O dear, what will I do without a TV and no phone?” But, the days went by very quickly, too quickly for all of us. There were so many things to do and see plus fishing and boat riding. This was a trip worth working for. I hope that our membership will be encouraged to go out and seek the next award because what ever the prize, it will be worth it.
Remember, there is “SUCCESS WITH UNITY”
Jonita Erjavec Ruth
P.S. I also want to thank our editor, Corinne, for writing such a newsworthy article on me. I sure do appreciate it. My talk at the convention came from MY HEART, and Corinne knows how deeply I feel about "HERITAGE" and the “SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION."
on Sept. 29th. Paul and Kelly (Rum-chak) Stefanich were married in July. Brian and Elizabeth (Giampaola) Dobczyk had their wedding in June. Daniel and Pam (Slater) Smith were married on July 6th and Richard and Mary Ann (Scholp) Johnson were married May 18th.
Baby congratulations to the proud parents. Mr. & Mrs. Tom (Mary Jean) Hayducak and proud grandparents. Dick and Jo Tezak, on the birth of Ryan Thomas, July 17th.
Ann Mulvey won an afghan from the Convention. Wasn't that nice!
Get well wishes to Loretta Parasci, Anna Sternisha and. Helen Horvath who has moved to the Sunny Hill Nursing Home (Nean and Dora St., Joliet. II 60433).
And once more, congratulations! Carita and Scott Girman have a newly adopted baby daughter, Maria.
Condolences to the Petrovič family and their relatives on the loss of Joseph E. Petrovič. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Condolences also to the Gregory family on the loss of Evelyn J. Gregory. Thoughts and prayers also with you.
Dates to Remember: Sept. 16th, first meeting of the fall and Sept. 29th, Grape Festival.
ANN M. DRAGOVAN
S.W.U. INVITES YOU
Membership open to all
NO. 22, BRADLEY, IL
What is so rare this summer as a drop of rain? I hope by the time you read this, the bucket brigade will have retired!
Sure, it was a hot day in June when Helen Sebastiani and yours truly entertained the ladies but leave it to Helen to make everyone feel comfortable and “at home.” Thanks. Helen for everything. We had a great afternoon!
With Anna LaMontagne in the hospital and Mayme Drassler still in Sun City, AZ, our group seemed mighty small. However, we signed our names to personal notes on greeting cards to
100 YEARS IS A LONG TIME!
St. Joseph’s Parish in Joliet, Illinois, (located across the street from our SWU Home Office and Heritage Museum) just celebrated their 100th Anniversary! The Centennial is being celebrated in a year-long program of activities.
Historically, St. Joseph’s has been a “Slovenian parish”, founded by about 100 Slovenian families living there in 1890. They still boast a substantial percentage of Slovenian parishioners.
Their current pastor is Fr. Athanasius Lovrenčič, OFM, the past Spiritual Advisor of SWU who just recently retired from this position due to pressing parish work.
In this year of 1991, when all the world is becoming aware of Slovenia, its location, its people, its wish for independence, it is interesting to look back on the history of this American Slovenian community of Joliet where we find the beginnings of many fraternal movements, the original location of the first Slovenian newspaper, “Amerikanski Slovenec” and a certain spirit of brotherhood from which has come the impetus for more national awareness.
We know that the few first parishioners of St. Joe’s had very little money but a strong “ideal” which carried them through. And, we are seeing that kind of spirit today, hot only in Slovenia, but also in America where a new sense of unity is forming and ethnic pride in being a Slovenian is sweeping the country.
Our Home Office and Museum maintains the finest cooperation with beautiful St. Joseph’s and there is a constant comingling between parishioners and our members. It is to be lauded and appreciated.
*	* *
In connection with the Centennial, St. Joseph’s is purchasing additional land adjacent to its Park on Theodore Street. This project is dear to the hearts of many of our members and everyone is urged to support the fundraising effort by purchasing a ticket and attending an all-day festival on the weekend of Sept. 14—15th. The committee invites your participation!
Editor
Conventioneers in Cleveland, Jo and Walter Lustik of Joliet, Marion Marolt of West Allis, Evelyn Pipoly of Cleveland, Fran Piwoni of West Allis, Mary Jo Rom of Cleveland and Ed Ancel of Joliet.
let them know they were not forgotten.
Elizabeth Kinder showed a unique piece of memorabiIia--the 1928 Christmas donor list from St. Joe’s. Sixty-three years is a long time; so many parishioners then now only in the record books. Every penny counted in the $770.81 total, down to the last entries under the heading of “1 cent”, representing donations from the three oldest children of the Chap-linski family of 9 or 10 siblings, known parishiwide as the best-behaved in church; not a peep out of them ever! Fr. Harris Darche, pastor at the time, was elected National
Chaplain of the American Legion in 1932, prompting one of the Legionnaires to exclaim: “Where in the h— is Bradley? Of course, we were just a small berg then.
And to read about the Brunshol family of Joliet in the July ZARJA filled the memory cup to overflowing. Anne Brunshol took care of our mother, Frances Lustig, in our home for several weeks in 1936-37. The doctor ordered professional care and only a Slovenka would do in our household, so my brothers hied to St. Joseph’s Rectory in Joliet to obtain some leads. Anne was a gem of a nurse
and a true friend, as were her sisters whom we came to know. To Anne’s sister Gertrude, fondest wishes from the Lustigs and to Ann Von Esch our heartfelt thanks for the story. We are eagerly awaiting Part II.
Just a few weeks after our June meeting Mollie Starasinich had gall bladder surgery, surprising us all, herself included. Glad you’re feeling great, Mollie; keep it up!!
See you Illinois and Indiana people in Bradley on October 6! Enjoy a safe trip.
Samostojena Slovenija!!!
EMMA LUSTIG
Mother of the Year of Branch No. 20, Marie Popek Scheidt, relaxes for a family picture after ceremonies in her honor at the May 21st dinner in Joliet, Illinois.
1st row: I to r: Karen, Tony and Danny Scheidt; 2nd row: Marie, Frank and Bill; 3rd row: Bob, Pat K., Brian, Kate, Richard and Beth Scheidt.
Danny is the son of Bill; Karen, Tony, Brian, Kate and Beth are the children of Bob and Pat Scheidt. We are proud that daughter-in-law, Pat, and grandchildren, Beth and Kay are members of Br. 20!
NO. 24, LA SALLE, IL
Our last meeting was held in June with only seven members in attendance. I learn of the activities of our members mostly through the conversations at the meetings but I’m sure you have more news which I would be glad to print if you would give me a call or a note. The coming State Convention which Branch 22 in Bradley will host was discussed at our June meeting and it looks like we will have a delegate and a few members in attendance. We will discuss this further at this month's meeting.
Once again death has taken two members from our group. Matilda Swietek passed away on June 13 and Frances Baznik passed away on July 19. Matilda is survived by one daughter, four sons, nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one brother and one sister. Frances is survived by one son, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. We offer our heartfelt sympathy to both families and ask that God grant eternal rest to Tillie and Frances. A thank you to the faithful members who come to say the Slovenian Women’s Union Funeral Ritual before the Mass.
Fannie Piletič was ill and hospitalized in June but is feeling better now. Antonia Hoefferle had hip surgery and was recuperating at St. Margaret’s Nursing Center in Spring Valley. I hope Toni will be home and up and around by the time she reads this. Rose Furlan is being fitted with a prosthesis and we hope that she will be walking soon. To all of our sick we pray that you may soon be well.
Rev. Bernard Horzen, science and math teacher at St. Bede's Academy, spent the month of July attending a course in Immunology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY and then attended the Illinois State Board of Education Leadership Conference in Springfield, August 4-7. About 50 educators from public, private and parochial schools who have been honored by the ISBE were in attendance.
As we celebrated our Independence Day on July 4, I thought of my two grandfathers who uprooted their families before the turn of the century to seek freedom jn the United States and I thanked God for giving them the courage to make this decision, that I could be born and live in our great country. Now our Slovenian cousins
and we must have many in Slovenia, are trying to accomplish a land of freedom for their families in their beloved homeland. Irene Odorizzi had asked that all branches respond by letting our leaders know that we support Slovenia and Croatia in their fight for freedom and independence and that we protest the occupation of Slovenia by the Yugoslav army. Our secretary. Betty Stack, with the approval of the officers of our branch, followed through and called the White House, the State Department, our Senators and Congressmen on behalf of our Branch and its entire membership. Remember our fellow Slovenes in your prayers. You know, but for the grace of God, it could be us going through this terrible struggle over there.
The past few years have taken so many members from our ranks by death and sickness that we no longer have a large group in attendance at our meetings. In order to continue as an active branch we must have ACTIVE members. Ten members will be honored as 50 year members in October. We will plan a special celebration for that time at our September meeting. Plan to join us on Thursday, September 19 at 7:00 p.m. in La Salle Catholic School-Resurrection Bldg. School Library. We need you and some new ideas.
ANNE M. WANGLER, Reporter
NO. 32, EUCLID, OH
After our June meeting we had our picnic. Pres. Dorothy Lamm was absent as she was ill, also Faye Starman. I did not attend due to my vacation, but my thoughts that evening were with the members. Heard that Grandma Godlar was able to make the meeting and picnic. Glad to hear that she was well enough to attend as it has been quite some time since we have seen her.
We welcome a new member, Karen Alich.
Josephine Gornik brought in the Slovenian doll to show the members that she had won it at the Convention.
We will have our Chinese Auction on Sept. 18th. We would like to see all of our members there, and bringing friends. Doors open at 5 o’clock and the game starts at 7:30. There will be door prizes, too, and refreshments. All this for a donation of only $3 for the ticket. We would be very happy to see our friends attend this affair!
Esther Garbincus’ grandson, Matthew graduated from Euclid High School. He plays baseball with G & L Clevelanders for County Mac League. Granddaughter, Amy is going to Miami University to participate in a Junior Achievement Program and receive two college credits for it. She will be a high school senior next year.
Member Robin Hegeduš’ husband, Joseph graduated on June 16th from John Marshall Law School. It took him eight years during which time helped to take care of the children with Robin, who also works. He graduated summa cum laude. What an accomplishment! Dorothy and Bob Lamm are very proud of their son-in-law. As of Aug. 1st he will be working for Climaco, Lefkowitz, Seminatore, Garofoli. Good luck and congratulations to all of these fine people.
Faye and Charles Starman became proud great grandparents for the third time. Charles granddaughter, Kathy Mayer of Willowick presented them with a baby girl, Korrine, on July 2nd. Congratulations to the happy family.
Traveling to Texas in July for two weeks was Mary Golobic, visiting her, daughter, Cynthia and family. Charlotte Perdan and family spent a week at Myrtle Beach relaxing.
On a sad note, Jean McNulty’s mother, Sophia Massek passed away June 8th at the age of 90. She lived in Uniontown, PA. Her husband died two and a half years ago at the age of 92. Our deepest sympathy to the family and friends.
Happy Birthday wishes to members in the month of Sept. with good health. To all our sick members, a speedy recovery.
Weather will be cooler now so try to attend our monthly meetings. Hope to see all of you at the Chinese Auction on Sept. 18th.
Thanks to Helen Kovačevič and Charlotte Perdan for doing my job while on vacation.
FRANCES OGOREUC
Photos in this issue courtesy:
Pgs. 20,35, Nika Kovacic; pgs. 16,24,25,28, Olga Ancel, pg. 27, Jennie Flisek. Thank you.
HERITAGE NEWS
Irene Odorizzi Cultural & Heritage Director
A JOYOUS
CELEBRATION - “Unity in Diversity”
The Memorial Day weekend in Pittsburgh marked the 35th anniversary of the Ethnic Heritage Festival at the David Lawrence Convention Center under the auspices of the Robert Morris College.
The Folk Festival captures the rich culture and traditions of many nationalities. Terry Stefl, a Slovene from Pittsburgh, and a yearly contributor, claims the festival emphasizes the three “Es”: Eating, Entertainment & Education. That claim was evident especially with the Slovenian nationality.
The Slovenians became part of the yearly event in 1985, when Frank Kalik organized the Slovenian Heritage Association which has participated on a grand scale ever since that time. In one of the four activities of the two-day festivity, the Slovenians maintained an eatery serving beef goulash, klobase, sauerkraut, potatoes, roast pork, beef noodle soup and an endless assortment of pastries, which included: krofi, strudel, kolači, potice, flancati as well as breads, rolls and cakes.
The bazaar table offered items from tapes and videos to cookbooks and handicraft items, some of which came directly from Slovenia. I spotted individuals buying the “Pots & Pans” cookbook and thought of Hermine Dicke.
The Slovenians received a First Place Award this year for their booth which was designed as a Gostilna celebrating a Kmecka Ohcet (old country wedding). Terry Stefl, thoroughly explained the function of the gostilna in Slovene life and the typical items which would be found there: wine, mineral water, pear liquor, plum brandy, potica, braided bread and a “harmonika.” His presentation, which was repeated many times during the course of the day, was unique as no other nationality had prepared anything beyond that of a display booth. He not only entertained the group but offered them many fascinating bits of information.
Twenty-two buttonbox accordions from western Pennsylvania along with a number of singers and dancers opened the entertainment in a joyous burst of celebration to a crowd of thousands. Colorfully attired in the national costume and representing five major narodna noša in Slovenia, the performers from tots to adults entertained and brought pride to our Slovenian Heritage.
A featured costume of the evening was the typical Shepherd’s outfit “Planjšar, worn high in the Julian Alps. The two very expensive capes were specially made in Slovenia from thinly sheared Linden tree bark and are considered a national treasure of Slovenia and the only ones in North America. Completing the outfit were the decorative wooden shoes made from the trunk of the Linden Tree. Customarily the bottom of the shoes were spiked to keep the shepherd from slipping on the mountain but for this occasion, the spikes were removed from the shoes.
Familiar faces of SWU members welcomed my husband and me to the festival. Jennie Flisek, Regional President of PA-NY-WASH, publicized the festival during
Jennie Flisek, Regional President of PA/NY/DC, was one of the many SWU ladies working with the Slovenian Heritage Association in Pittsburgh.
Frank Kalik, front, with Bob Novak, Paula Hribar and John Malec dressed as alpine shepherds. Their costumes are considered national treasures because they are made from authentic linden tree bark and wood. Frank purchased them specifically to be exhibited. He is the director of the Slovenian folk group and his mother, Frances is our good member of Br. 91.
Terry Stefl’s Slovenian gostilna won 1st Place at the Festival of this year.
the SWU Convention in Cleveland and I promised her, as well as a number of other ladies, that I would attend. Upon our arrival, her genuine concern that we see everything and visit everyone was reflective of Slovenian hospitality. We can't thank her enough. She was simply a superb hostess.
This experience was a rewarding one and I can’t compliment sufficiently Frank Kalik and the large number of Slovenes that participated in this festival. During the entire festival I wished that the SWU would sponsor another SLOVENIAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL as they did years ago. There is a wealth of talent, energy and enthusiasm in the Slovenian circles, I am waiting for that “special organizer” and branch that will say, “Yes, our branch will have a heritage festival next year.”
SLOVENIAN MAGAZINE IN ENGLISH
About 4 years ago, a quarterly magazine named SLOVENIJA was published by the Chamber of Economy of Slovenija and the Slovene Emigrant Association. The magazine is printed in English on a quarterly basis and is available to subscribers for $20.
The articles of interest cover topics as Art, History, Tourism & Travel, Traditions, Literature, Slovenes Abroad, and Special Interest topics each month. The color photos are excellent and the information interesting and current.
To obtain a subscription write to: Slovenija Magazine, Cankarjeva 1, 61001 Ljubljana, Slovenia, Yugoslavia. The magazine can be viewed at the Slovenian Heritage Museum in Joliet, IL.
Steffie Segulin with the Drill Team Banner of Br. 10 given to the Heritage Museum.
FUND RAISING
The Museum needs a minimum of $3,000 per year to operate and the annual donations received do not cover that amount. Branches are requested to discuss methods that branches can use to raise funds in support of the Museum.
Money is also need to publish the History Book of the branches as the Board will not allocate organizational funds for the project.
Our organization is fortunate to have a “cause” to support for the future of our nationality and organization. The Museum and the publications represent our Slovenian Heritage and we should support the progress of the Museum so that it can reach its full potential.
c/s
wmmmm
BRANCH 10
COLL1NWOOD, OHIO
NO. 33, DULUTH, MN
Convention Report was given at the June 5th meeting by Beverly Menart, Emily Skull and Tina Zupančič who also attended. Members are asked to contribute $1 per year for increasing costs of SWU operation.
Congratulations to Barbara Bucar, winner of $1,000 SWU Scholarship.
Penny Social in May netted $69.25.
Minnesota State Convention will be in Ely on Sept. 8th.
Cyrilla Collard presented a vide called, “Marian Apparitions of the 20th Century” with Ricardo Montal-ban, narrator.
Prayers for the recovery of Emily Skull, heart surgery, Gertrude Puglisi, eye surgery. Remember membes in Nursing Homes: Eva Cacich, Rose Kresky and Fran Blatnik.
Lucy Somin and daughter, Denise traveled to California and attended the funeral of her son’s wife.
Barbara Somin Dawson and husband were in Duluth in June.
Hope you all had a pleasant summer.	LOIS PELANDER
NO. 35, AURORA, MN
The July-August issue of ZARJA with Dr. Edward Gobetz’ Keynote Address given at the National Convention, along with other interesting reports and pictures told you about a very interesting and productive 65th Anniversary SWU Convention.
Congratulations to our re-elected National President, Tory Bobence and all other re-elected and newly elected officers.
Jr. members, did you read Nat’l Youth Director, Bernadette Kovacic’s interesting article about Pen Pals? She even had helpful ideas to write about. Ask your mom to help you with your First letter. This can be a great new experience for you.
Thank you to retiring Scholarship Director. Hermine Dicke, who always had time to add a personal message when she acknowledged any donation. Hermine will be busy preparing a new edition of the “Pots and Pans” cookbook. (We are all sold out.) If you have a favorite new recipe send it
to Hermine for ZARJA or the Cookbook!
Rain did not stop people from attending the All-Slav Picnic at the Museum of Mining in Chisholm on July 20th. They enjoyed good music, food, delicious strudels and other goodies and refreshments. Special thanks to everyone who worked, planned and baked to make this another success.
SWU members who came to visit were Dorothy Jamnik’s daughter, Dorothy from Montrose, Michigan (Did you miss not having to do a "project” this year while you were home, Dorothy?) and her sister, Anna Mae Lyle from Houston, Texas.
Happy to hear that Jonita Ruth and family enjoyed their vacation at Bo-bence’s cabin on Clear Lake.
Get well wishes to our State President Emily Skull; hope to see her at the State Convention.
Plans were made to attend the State Convention in Ely on Sept. 8th. Sounds like a pleasant day has been planned for us by Br. 23.
Thanks to Betty Turk, Phyllis Turk
BRANCH40,LORAIN MEMBERS AT THE1R“M0THER OF THE YEAR”CELEBRATION
and Janice Grebence for the delicious lunch served at our Aug. 4th meeting. Next time will be Oct. 27th at the Community Bldg. Hostesses will be Martha Gunderson. Barbara Urick and Anne Orazem.
Fall is in the air and days are getting shorter; enjoy this beautiful weather and change of color.
Date to Remember: Oct. 27th. 2 p.m. Br. meeting at the Community Bldg.
ANNE M. ORAZEM
NO. 38, CHISHOLM, MN
After a rest of two months, we had a meeting on Aug. 7th. We had only twelve loyal women, but it was very enjoyable. After the meeting we shared recipes for raspberry wine, strudels, etc., while enjoying cheese cake and coffee.
Delegate Charlotte Laurich gave a complete, detailed report of the Nat’l Concention in Cleveland. It was so informative and so very interesting. We wish all members had been present to learn about the SWU activities, and also suggestions for keeping our organization alive and growing.
Pres. Frances Zalec expressed sincere thanks to Charlotte for being so thorough in her report.
Twelve members are signed up to attend Minnesota Day in Ely. Trans-
portation will be available. Hopefully more Br. 38 members will attend.
Correspondence was received asking members to contact members of Congress urging them to support Slovenia and Croatia in their search for independence .All agreed to do so.
Members who had birthdays in June or July or August were Ann Nusich and Mildred Bashel. The travelling prize was won by Jo Zupancich. Other prize drawings were won by Jo Zupancich and Kathy Knuth.
Br. 38 extends “get well” wishes to all our ill members.
Now that Fall is approaching, we hope more members will attend meetings, and possibly bring along a prospective member!
ANN NUSICH, Reporter
NO. 40, LORAIN, OH
Not even a heat wave could stop 22 faithful members from coming to our July 10th meeting which commenced with prayer after which a delicious lunch was served by Kathy Russ, Ann Rozanc. Angie Martin and Angie Tomazine. They were also generous with prizes for our money-making project. Rose Knezetic, Trica Russ, Annette Russ and Sophie Pogacher also made donations. Thank you!
Sophie was the winner of the door
m i mm mmmmmm i
prize. After reports were given, we agreed that each adult member would be assessed the $1 which was voted at the convention, to help defray the costs of SWU’s operations including ZARJA publication. This is to be paid at the beginning of the year.
We welcomed back Rose Knezetic who was in Florida and Genevieve Wenzel who is home after a visit with her son in Colorado.
Angeline and George Voytko celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on June 9th with a Mass at Holy Trinity Church. Friends and family gathered for dinner and dancing at the German Villa. Angie very seldom missed a meeting. She organized and is still in charge of the Slovenian folk dancers.
Agnes and Anton Mroske celebrated their 51st Wedding Anniversary recently.
Alice and Michael Rutar returned from a 5 day trip to Tennessee where they visited the Grand Ole Opry and many other interesting sights.
Debby Shullick graduated from Southview Hi School and has enrolled in Lorain Community College where she will major in Practical Nursing. Her brother, Terry Shullick graduated from Lorain Community College with a degree as a lab technician. He is employed at the Amherst Hospital. Debby is a member of our lodge. The proud grandma is Francine Pavlovčič.
Elan Wenzel, an 8th grader, was named a national winner recently in the Spirit of Liberty 1791-1991 Poster Contest. He was presented a $1,000 Savings Bond and an additional $500 Savings Bond as a regional winner. Elan, who is 13, received an all-expense weekend trip to Washington, D.C. with his parents, John and Sharon Wenzel. There it was announced tha this poster won for the 7-9 grade category. His father is Slovenian and his grandma is our Genevieve Wenzel. he resides in Colorado. Since there is a lot more to this story, we hope that grandma will come to our meeting and tell us about it. We’d like to see his poster, too, and maybe publish it in ZARJA! Ed.)
Our long time member, Mary Janosek had knee surgery recently and we wish her a quick recovery.
Am enclosing a photo of our Mother of the Year celebration at which time we honored Sue Tomazic. It’s a nice group!
Hope to see you at the meeting Sept. 11th.
MARY MATOS
NO. 42, MAPLE HEIGHTS, OH
Unbelievable as it may seem, summer is almost over but now we can look forward to the beautiful colors that Mother Nature gives us during the fall season.
On July 25, 1991, we boarded a bus at the Slovenian National Home in Maple Heights and headed to Pymatuming Lake and the cottage of Anne and Marge Zupančič for an all day picnic. The food was excellent, the weather was perfect and the hostesses were most gracious. We played “Balince”, pitched horseshoes and many of us sang Slovenian songs to the button box accompaniment of Bob Kastelic. There also was singing all the way home on the bus. Everyone had a super good time.
On the bus we each were presented with a handmade beaded strawberry pin made by Ann Perko. She made them to show her appreciation for having been remembered during her recent illness.
Along with many spouses, we were so happy to have had three generations aboard which included 5 young granddaughters. They were a joy,to us all. We are sad to report that Mary Hočevar passed away June 18, 1991. She was 90 years old and was a member of our lodge for 57 years.
Our condolences to Charles and Frances and Ray and Frank and their families. Also condolences to Josie Gruden and the entire Perko family on the loss of their brother Henry Perko. May they both rest in peace.
Our best wishes to Susie Gruden Gaines who became engaged to Bruce Harris. Their wedding is planned for June 1992.
Congratulations to Jo Stoltz who is now our recording secretary. We wish her much success and we’re happy to have her as an officer.
Congratulations also to Clara Hrovat on becoming a great aunt two times, to a little boy and a little girl.
Remember the upcoming bus trip to the Sorrowful Mother Shrine in Bellevue, Ohio on Sept. 22, 1991. The bus fee is $10.00. Please plan to go and also please make your reservations as soon as possible.
We will be having our bake sale on October 6, 1991 at the Grape Festival being held at the Slovenian National Home in Maple Heights. Our president, Millie Lipnos is asking that you bring the bakery prewrapped as it makes it so much easier to handle. Also, please bring the goodies to the hall at noon on Sunday. We're looking forward to this affair because “one” it’s fun and “two” it’s profitable.
Please start setting aside any rummage you may have for our "Tried and True Treasures Sale.” It will be held Saturday, October 26, 1991. More details later.
We all wish to send get well wishes to Vida Vercek and Albina Mroczka and are hoping to see you back at the meetings real soon. Also, we send our love to all the members who cannot attend the meetings. If you have a moment, send a card to a member who can’t get out or is in a nursing home. It will make them happy to hear from you.
September birthday members are: Ann Marie Buehner, Theresa Filips, Mary Tome, Millie Lipnos, Pat Wolfe and Mary Prhne.
Our next meeting will be on September 10. See you then.
DOROTHY MEHOSKY
NO. 43, MILWAUKEE, WI
The June meeting was not a business meeting, but a social luncheon. We were served a delicious lunch and it was followed by our delegate’s report from the National Convention and then, our favorite numbers game! No
meetings were held in July or August.
On Sept. 25th, meeting will begin. We will start talking of the Poultry Card Party on Nov. 3rd so come to the meeting. On Sept. 15th the State Convention will be held in Sheboygan and members are invited to please attend.
In June many of our juveniles graduated. Amy Pugis from Thomas More High, her sister, Malissa from 8th grade, Liza Hribar from Union Grove Hi and is registered at Marquette, her brother, Steven to Union Grove Hi.
Sandy Schatschneider went to Neveda to see her grandson graduate from college; Marie Wiher’s great grandson from Pius Hi; Elsie Gallun’s granddaughter, Theresa from UWM and sister, Christine received a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy; Chris Kokalj’s grandson from boot training in the Navy in San Diego, CA. To all the above and others, our congratulations.
On May 5th the KSKJ honored their 50 year members and to her surprise, we also were there to honor our Mother of the Year, Mitzi Bergant. Tears were flowing down her cheeks and she was speechless. Mitzi is worthy of this award and any honor given.
Congratulations also to Jean and Joe Luzar on their wedding anniversary.
Several members were on vacation. Theresa Kotar went to visit her daughter and family in Willard. Mary Music visited her son and family in Chicago from there to Washington to visit her sister, then to Texas. She is a constant traveler. Mary, enjoy the trips as long as you can!
Rosalie Hribar came from Florida to visit her family. She resides most of the time in Florida. The Reber-nisek’s, John and Anne, visited their daughter and husband in Detroit. Fran Sagadin had her son and family here from Arizona. Josie Verbich had a guest from Germany, grandchildren from Chicago and her son from New Jersey. Agnes Sagadin and her sister from New York left for Florida. Helen Prijic had her daughter and family visiting.
To all our sick and shut ins, a speedy recovery. Lucille Ganzel had eye surgery and is slowly recovering.
Sincere sypathies to Rosalie Dovnik and her sister on the death of their mother, Elizabeth Poi. May her soul rest in peace.
The last holiday - Labor Day! Spend it safely!	R.K.
Anita Vovk
[JfiE Bztti oj O/iistniaa
From time to time I enjoy acquainting you with some of the craftpersons from the homeland. Hopefully you find pleasure in their crafts as much as I do. Where do I find thes persons? Most often in my "Rodna Gruda" and "Slovenija" magazines. If I come across someone who sparks an interest, I write to them. These persons are very excited that we have an interest in them and their craft and most often I will purchase an item from them to add to my collection of Slovenian Art.
I have corresponded with Alojz Jan, the bellmaker from Višelnica. The bells are made chiefly for the shepherds and now also for souvenirs of that locality. The bells vary in size from 3 centimeters to 9 centimenters and the prices vary according to the size of the bell. Alojz says that the postage is quite expensive and often is more than the bell is worth due to the current rale of exchange of the dinar. A visit to the workshop could be tied in with a lour of the Bled area and you can pick up a souvenir for yourselfI already have mine. -e	Alojz	lives in Višelnica with his wife, a daughter, a son and four grand-
S"	children. He has asked me to greet all Slovenians with whom I come in contact,
so from Alojz, "Pozdrave!"
s’	The	next time you hear cow bells, you will know that they are still skillfully
g-	being made by a smith named Alojz Jan in the mountains of beautiful Slovenija.
Now a detailed method of the craft of bellnuiking in an interview with Alojz by Ančka Tomšič in "Slovenija", 1988.
NEAR BLED, just above the village of Spodnje Gorje, lies Višelnica, a remote, sleepy, mountain hamlet. The renovated and newly-built homes are so close to one another that they give the impression of a single large building. One of these fine houses is the home of Alojz Jan. He is undoubtedly Slovenia’s only bell maker. He handcrafts real cow bells and ornamental bells. We had to wait awhile: he was not at home and neither was he in the old forge. His forge is a low-ceilinged, dingy house, crouching inconspicuously by the trail leading to Višelnica and beyond. It was high noon when Alojz arrived. He very quickly got in the mood to talk about the bells and his fascinating, time-honored craft, whose future is still uncertain.
Opening the pitch-black forge, he told us that this craft first started in the region of Gorenjsko in the 18th century. It was most highly developed in the area above Bled, in Gorje and in the vicinity of pre-Alpine and Alpine regions where there was extensive livestock and sheep breeding. The making of bells progressed together with mining and iron works in the Bohinj and Jesenice regions.
It is very likely that in the area above Bled, Jan’s predecessors were the originators of the bell-making craft. This cottage industry can be traced in the Jan family back to 1752. Records tell of this activity taking place in his mother’s home as far back as 1820. In those days, the craft of making bells was passed on from generation to generation. The ancient methods did not change much. Skill and a great deal of effort always came in handy, though.
Jan’s forge is the place where the bells are cast by hand. They never wear out or lose the sound they are »bom« with. Alojz Jan demonstrated how the sheet metal of 0.5 m/m to 1.5 m/m thickness is first cut into smaller of larger plates, depending on the size of the bell. The “teeth” also have to be cut out. Then the metal is forged - the procedure is called “bokanje” - by the bellmaker and shaped in the form and size of a bell. So far, only the rough tooling has been performed. Jan calls this the "raw shape” of the bell, as the fine finishing is yet to come. He must then solder the bell with brass. The procedure largely relies on the experience of the bellmaker. Several bells are wrapped in a clay mantle or »pusl«, and brass filings are added. The “pusl” is then baked at 1650 degrees F or more. The master knows when it is done by experience. It is this baking procedure that determines the timbre of the bell. Then, excess filings have to be removed from the bells in a special cylindrical crate called a "drumla”. In the crate, the bells rub against each other and thus obtain their natural metallic sound. The quality of the sound depends on the thickness of the sheet metal, the size of the bell, and the quantity of brass applied to the bell in the "pusl.” Alojz Jan did not hesitate to divulge his secrets of bell-making. He also said that he himself embellishes the ornamental bells with a nice bouquet of alpine flowers. These bells are the most popular. He does not make very many bells for cattle-breeders any more as the procedure is very time-consuming and cattle breeding is dying out as well.
For a mountaineer, the sound of cow bells certainly adds to his hiking pleasures. Who knows how many of Jan’s bells are ringing over the alpine meadows below Triglav?
ANNA HODNIK/ANITA VOVK:
Konjički pravijo ee-ya-ya., Dobra biti je doma Oves dosti, seno dosti Nič nevem kedo se prosti!
Horses say ee-ya-ya It is good to be at home Oats are plenty, hay is plenty, I don't know who is so free!
Vocabulary:
Learn Slovenian
In the July/August issue of Zarja, we published the first proverbs sent to us by Ann Nusich of Branch #38. Chisholm. Mn. She wrote, that her branch had a lot of fun recalling these proverbs at their meeting. We want to thank Ann and her branch members for being so prompt in replying to our request for proverbs.
This must be the year of the proverbs. In our newspaper, the Duluth News Tribune, columnist and child psychologist. John Rosemond. has. in his recent column mentioned proverbs his parents and grandparents used which made a lot of sense in child rearing.
Jane Yadlosly sent in a little proverbial poem her mother taught her when she was 4 years old. She said she memorized it not know the meaning of the words, but now it makes a lot of sense — not only for horses. She said her children also enjoyed hearing it.
How about the rest of the branches taking some time at your next meeting to recall proverbs and sending them to me, Anna Hodnik, at 706 Summit St., Aurora. MN 55705!?!
NO. 47, GARFIELD HTS„ OH
The 21st National Convention held in Cleveland Ohio in No. Randall is a memory now. Thansk to the chairperson. Evelyn Majercik who so graciously took over such a big responsibility and did so well; to host Br. 73 officers and members for another successful convention: to all branches who were in charge of varous assignments and did a super job! Would like to thank the ladies who worked, baked and took care of the Hospitality Room.
Cirila Kermavner from Br. 25, Cleveland, was elected 2nd National Auditor.
We honored Mother of the Year, Margaret Bizjak (better known as “Midge") on May 4th with a dinner at Quinn's restaurant. She was given a gift certificate, a lovely corsage, an array of small gifts from the members. Each lady in attendance received a beautiful red carnation - our Slovenian (lower.
Happy birthday and good health to all our ladies who have birthdays in August and September: Rose Ban, Jennie Cergol, Mary Culkar, Sophie Kandus, Mary Koman. Marie Korošec, Ginger Kemmerling,
Frances Persin. Elaine Pinter. Agnes Slak. Mary Turkovich.
Congratulations are in order to Jennifer Adeline Drobnik, daughter of Mary Ann, and the late Ken Drobnik - she received a scholarship from AMLA; to Christofer Taucher, grandson of John and Mary (yours truly) Taucher - he graduated from Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls; Bridget Dwyer, granddaughter of Val Mervar graduated from West Geauga High -was a member of the Student Council, National Honor Society. Student Yearbook. SADD and Contact and she is a track star in Columbus at the State Finals - placing third in 4 x 800 Relay and sixth in the Mile Run. These athletic honors gave her a scholarship to Bowling Green University where she will enter this fall.
James Prativa, another grandson of Val Mervar, graduated from Radford University in Virginia, he majored in Recreational Programs for Business companies. Margaret Bizjak's grandson. Emil Gantous, Jr. graduated from Purdue University in Indiana, he is with IBM in No. Carolina.
To all our graduates, best of luck in whatever you endeavor!
Deepest sympathy to the family of Anna Jesenko. She was a dear member
zvon...bell
krava...cow
planina...mountain
kovačnica...smithy
medenina...brass
trajnost...durability
pločevina.. .sheet-iron
obrt...craft, trade
lep glas...fine tone
način...method
to postopek...this procedure
stoletje...century
živinski zvonci...bestial bells
dodatnik... additional
našteval...enumerate
dokumentirano...documentation
železen...made of iron
and brought her talents and grace to many people. We loved her. May she rest in peace.
A mass for all living and deceased members of Br. 47 was said on June 30th at St. Laurence Church and was followed by a dinner at Sterle’s Slovenian Country House. It was well-at-tended.
T/Sgt. Joseph Spellacy and family from England, his home base, visited his parents, George and Elsie Spellacy, also his wife’s parents, for two weeks in Seattle, Washington. Daughters, Jane and Terri came in from their out-of-town homes and it was a grand family reunion - the first in four years. What a beautiful time they had! Joe spent 201 days in Saudi Arabia so he had a lot of experiences to share.
Vacationers on the go: Mary and Casey Mundson, Ethel and Tom Praznik, by Amtrack to California to spend some time with Frank Praznik who relocated there from Brunswick, OH.
Success With Unity Membership Campaign!
If success and unity is a part of your branch’s ideal - we will all benefit! Enroll your family and friends in the Slovenian Women’s Union today!
Olga and Al Dorchak went to Ari/.ona to visit Al’s ailing mother. The Kem-merlings, Jim, Ginger, Craig and Annie chose to vacation for a week before school begins in New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico. Had a great time.
Dates to Remember: Br. 47 will be celebrating the 60th anniversary on Tuesday, Sept. 17th at the SND in Maple Hts. Donation is $13.00 for a delicious dinner, catered by Ivanka. Come and help us celebrate our special anniversary with your friends and members, like the good old days! For tickets call secretary at 663-6957 no later than Sept. 7th.
The annual Bake Sale and Grape Festival (Vinska Trgatev) will be on Sunday, Oct. 6th at the SND, Maple Hts. All are invited, free admission, continuous music from 2 to 8 p.m.
IMPORTANT! A last reminder! Meeting is on Sept. 8th, usual time and place. Will see you there in full number.
Enjoy the rest of the summer safely. To all our sick members, a speedy recovery. Our sincere sympathy to the Drobnik family on the loss of their beloved husband and father, Ken Drobnik who slipped away so suddenly. May he rest in peace.
MARY TAUCHER
NO. 50, EUCLID, OH
Northeast Ohio is in a record drought season lacking more than 10 inches of rain. Sprinkling gardens doesn’t seem to do any good. My 6 inch healthy celery plants are only 4 inches high and skimpy - I think they’re receding back into the earth and drying up, just like the grapes in Geneva, drying up.
Mary and Mark Bajec and Marie and Ray Beck celebrated their 50th anniversaries and at our June meeting the gals received cake and corsages. Our thanks to Mary Bajec who won on the Cash Explosion game and gave the branch a generous donation. Must have been a grand and fruitful experience!
Our Mother of the Year, Ann Terček wishes to thank all members and special guests and husband, Charles who provided a cake for all to enjoy and attended the luncheon at Sterle’s in her honor. Special thanks to Carole Traven for the beautiful poem she wrote for her. It was an extra special day for Ann.
If your name wasn't Ann, you missed a great annual St. Ann’s Feast Day luncheon at the All Seasons Restaurant where 48 Annies celebrated their namesdays and renewed friendships. Even my middle name isn’t Ann, so I couldn't go!
Ann and Frank Kosten and granddaughter, Beth visited and enjoyed historical Colonial Williamsburg and then to Myrtle Beach to visit friends and enjoy gathering shells on the beach. Now, Ann, glue them to something and make a picture!
Sylvia Vegney from Vegas came visiting but had a stay in the hospital here. Hope everything is o.k. again. Rosemary and Eddie Mam are back up north from Florida after a few years stay there. Welcome home. Hope to hear you sing again; sure enjoyed your duets.
Good luck to Blair Hrovat, a quarterback at Edinboro College, PA who has taken a position as assistant coach at San Francisco State. He left his job as loan officer at a bank because coaching is his first love. Blair is the grandson of Mary Hrovat, one of our newest grandmothers when Taylor Ann was born recently.
Theresa Ann Krebs, granddaughter of Jane Berkopec, graduated from Villa Angela-St. Joseph High with high honors in physics and calculus and received a scholarship to Dayton University. She will be an engineer. Great!
Our sympathy to Jessie Rich whose daughter, Margaret Hall passed away and to Lillian Perez whose husband, Julian J. Perez died. Our prayers are for them and strength to the survivors.
Our sick and ailing members are Rose Skully, Ann Ryavec, Fanny Kal-tenbach, Gertrude Laurich, Mary Maxim, Mary Ivac, Justine Zakrajšek (eye surgery) and Dorothy Urbančič. Get well wishes to all. Glad to hear Jane Somrack’s husband, Adolph is doing well after a 5 by-pass heart surgery and also, Amy Gad is glad she can read again. Hope Ann Kristoff is recovering from surgeries, too. Take care all.
Congratulations to our scholarship winner, Debbie Vegh, daughter of Teresa Vegh.
Congratulations on their 56th wedding anniversaries in September to Ella and Frank Skoda, Bea and Martin Tome and Frank and Vera Šebenik. May we have a few more healthy ones, eh?
Susan Mramor, granddaughter of
Ann Tercek, is getting married to Daniel Ulray. We wish them happiness and good luck.
Dates: No September picnic and our State Convention is Sept. 29th the last Sunday. Our 50th Anniversary will be combined with the Christmas party on the second Sunday of December at Holmes Ave. Hall. More info, later at the Sept. 18th meeting.
Something to think about. Ann Tercek would like to give up her presidency of Br. 50 after 20 years and also the Regional Presidency. Will someone be interested in accepting the positions? You will have help from Ann and us all. Also, your reporter, Vera Šebenik must give up her job after 10 years, due to a health problem. I shall be happy to give an assistance needed to get get started.
Z Bogom!
VERA ŠEBENIK
NO. 54, WARREN, OH
Our next meeting will be Sept. 18th, Wednesday, at noon at the Elks, Rt. 422. Try to attend and enjoy an afternoon with a great bunch of “gals”!
Trudy Thompson is doing well after major surgery in June. Our sympathy and prayers to Ray and Barb Jaros on the death of Ray's brother in July.
We were in New Jersey to say goodbye to our oldest son, Philip, who went to Taiwan on company business for at least six months. We just heard from him and he has been through 3 minor typhoons and has as yet not found "Slovenian klobase” anywhere! Just kidding, I guess! We didn't think he could find them there!
We will be attending our family Klaus Reunion this weekend in Geneva, Ohio and starting with a mass said by our cousin, Fr. Frank Godic, in the vineyards. Jo Kassan, our president and all her family will be there, too.
Haven't heard any news from members so God bless and keep you all healthy and happy.
JOANNE PONIKVAR
IT’S IN EVERY StWfNIAN
We honor our President The Mother of the Year It’s Ann, our Super Leader! To us, she’s very dear.
The celebration for Br. 50’s Mother of the Year, Ann Tercek. took place in May at Sterle's Country House Restaurant with 120 ladies present. It was a wonderful day! Ann's three daughters were there and the words and gifts given to Ann will never be forgotten!
Ann's friend, and sister-member of Br. 50, Carole Traven, wrote a lovely poem dedicated to Ann on this occasion.
On the photo with Ann are her daughters, Joan Pod-more. Nancy Mramor and standing, Carol Piccirello. Aren't they like a bouquet of beautiful flowers?
She gives her all,
And doesn’t stop.
Till everything’s just right;
And that’s when we know that Ann is filled with great delight!
We’re happy to be able To honor her today.
Dear Ann, we wish you all the best Today and every day!
With love from all the “members of year”!
Climbing the Charts and the Ladder to Success
Cindy Jagodnik Jones
Since 1983, New York's "urban contemporary” radio station, WRKS, with about 1-1/2 million listeners, has been climbing to the top of the charts. Cindy Jagodnik Jones has also spent the last few years climbing to top of her career in the broadcast profession.
For the past year and a half, Cindy, a 1976 graduate of Mount Onion College, in Ohio, has been controller for the country's number one radio station, WRKS, also known as “KISS 98.7 FM.”
“I am very grateful for our success. Being number one increases the morale of the entire working environment!” Jagodnik said. “Initially taking over the department was unbelievably difficult. We had to set up all new programs while getting used to a new staff,” she said. As controller, she handles the finances, payroll and the station’s collective budget.
“Most things in my life have kind of fallen into what happens next and it seems as though all my moves have been in an upward progression.”
Cindy has been in the radio field since graduating from college. Her various jobs have taken her from east to west, and Hawaii and Puerto Rico, too. She met and married her husband, Rick Jones, while she was the business manager of San Francisco’s KNEW/KSAN, before moving to New York.
Her many career transitions, however, were not simple ones and according to Jagodnik she had to rely on many factors. “My husband and my parents, Anthony and Irene, were
always very supportive, they really have been instrumental in who I am today.”
(This information is taken from RADIO LIFE and submitted by her mom, Irene Jagodnik, our loyal member, former secretary of Br. 50 and former National Auditor, of Cleveland, Ohio. It’s a nice success story, isn’t it?)
TO THINK ABOUT!
“Education is learning what you didn't even know you didn’t know.”
—DANIEL J. BOORSTIN
There Are Lights And Shadows That Make Your Life Deep and Strong.
One Can Acquire Everything In Solitude—Except Character.
Destiny Is Not A Matter of Chance, It Is A Matter of Choice.
All Change Is Not Growth, As All Movement Is Not Forward.
“Friends are relatives you make for yourself.”
—EUSTACHE DESCHAMPS
President of Br. 50, Cleveland, Ohio
NO. 57, NILES, OH
June Meeting
We met at the home of our president. A very nice lunch was served by Catherine Graffius and Esther Logar. We all were very happy for Esther as her son had just returned home from Saudi Arabia. We had a very nice turn out with 14 members present, even some of our sick members were well enough to attend. A few others were away on trips. Am sure we will hear of their vacations at our next meeting. We played a few games and won lovely prizes, brought by our lunch committee. Birthdays celebrated in June were: Esther Logar, Charlotte Lah, Carol Nally, Amelia Simmons, Rebecca Zevkovich, Antonia Milavec and Ann Hostinsky. May God bless them with many more happy, healthy years.
We planned our July picnic and hoped for many good casseroles, etc. since we have many good cooks among our members.
‘‘People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges!"
*	* *
July Meeting
It was our annual picnic held at the home of our president, Frances Yer-man with 15 members present, which was a very nice turn out for this hot weather. Each member brought their favorite casserole and the club furnished the meat. We always have a good time!
We later had our meeting and were very happy to hear that one of our members, Mary Lukz, won one of the afghans at the National Convention. So, you see, you never know when you will be lucky!
Some of our members are on vacation and am sure we will be back filled with interesting things to tell. We planned to meet again Aug. 13th with Josephine Fabian and Ann Dzeda as our hosteses. We later played games and enjoyed the very nice afternoon.
July birthday was celebrated by our secretary, Ann Pease. May she enjoy many more happy years. To all sick members, wishes for a speedy recovery.
Our meting was closed with prayer and hopes to see everyone at the meetings this fall. God bless you all.
FRANCES STANEC
NO. 71, STRABANE, PA
Hello to all sister members of SWU! I hope all of you are enjoying your summer and all the beautiful weather.
On May 9th, our branch members attended the May meeting and Mother’s Day Social. It was wonderful to see so many members attend and share in the fun. We also welcomed Helen Kobrish, Mary Ples-kovich and Dorothy Vehar as guests. A beautiful catered dinner followed the meeting.
It was a shame we had no representation from Br. 71 at the National Convention this year. It was difficult to find a member with the time to attend. Jenny Flisek assured me she would keep our branch informed when she returned from the Convention.
Marge Valenčič was honored as our
LOOKING FOR HER ROOTS
Would like to hear from anyone or knowing another, with the surname of VRSIC, ZAKRAJŠEK or JAKSE. Knew of two relatives from Slovenia, Rev. Kazimir Zakrajšek of the Franciscan Fathers at St. Mary’s in Lemont, Illinois about 1928 - one of 12 children and his father one of 15; and Leo Zakrajšek of New York, a banker.
Am seeking all relatives’ info. Please write to PAVLA VRSIC HIGLEY,
P.O. Box 906, Hawkins, TX 75765
Mother of the Year. Marge is a diligent, loyal and hardworking member and certainly deserves the honor. She was presented a corsage and to our surprise, her sons, Frank and Darrel came to the Social and played beautiful Slovenian polkas and waltzes in honor of their mother and for everyone’s enjoyment.
It was with great sympathy that we learned of the passing of our member Estelle Trzcinski in April. Estelle was a member for many years and will be sadly missed. God bless her!
Members voted during the meeting to have a fund raiser for the September meeting. Cheryl Striner and Peg Gricar are in charge of organizing the candy sale. Our next meeting is Sept. 12th and each member is asked to bring a $1 prize to take part in the social activity. All members are urged to attend.
PEG GRICAR
NO. 73, WARRENSVILLE, OH
School bells have rung once more, soon the leaves will be changing colors; it will be time to check the winter jackets, the hats, the mittens. Time to put the storm doors in place, lift the screens and pull down the windows. And making sure the car has antifreeze will be somewhere on the list. Just for one moment sit bck and ask yourself, "Where did the summer go?” We welcome two new members into our branch. Guess the convention celebrations made an impression on them. Cynthia Majercik and Gerald Majercik. Jerry becomes our first adult male member. Bet you can't guess who solicited those memberships! And, our very newest and
Conventioneers Mary Muller (2), Hermine Dicke (1), Alouise Epley (73) and Nika Kovacic (103).
in Ma> '	50TH WEDDING
“A Da>	CELEBRATION
Kay and Pete Yuratovac happily celebrating their 50th with daughters, Lynn McKettrick and Annette Yuratovac and son. Bob.
While we were involved in getting convention plans in order, our president (Kay Yuratovac) was busy planning her fiftieth wedding anniversary. Several of us attended and were able to share in the joy of the occasion.
Pete and Kay met while he was playing in the Cleveland Tamburitza Symphony while she sang solo. They were married on May 17, 1941 at St. Paul’s Croatian Church, Cleveland, Ohio and celebrated their marriage at the S.N.D. on St. Clair. They have two daughters, Madelyn (Lynn) McKettrick and Annette and a son, Robert. They also have two grandchildren.
On Sunday, May 12th, 1991, a reception was held for the Yuratovac’s at the Toscana Party Center. Relatives gathered from throughout the United States and Canada for the party. They were entertained by Plava Ponoč (Blue Midnight) Tamburitzans. On May 17th, the family attended a private mass at St. Wenceslas Church to commemorate this very special anniversary.
Members of Branch No. 73 extend their very best wishes to Pete and Kay for many more happy and healthy years to come.	EM
youngest member at the time of this writing (7-23-91) is Meghan Marie Majercik who entered into this world just a few days ago, weighing 6 lbs, 8 oz. Beautiful and tiny is the best way to describe her. Congratulations to Mom and Dad!
For those of you who were at the convention, you met one of our dedicated members. Whenever there is a job to be done for S.W.U., Alouise Epley is always the one who starts the ball rolling and who puts a special drive into all of us. We, the members of Branch 73, are saddened by a tragedy (there is no other word to describe it) that has struck Alouise and her family. Just prior to the convention, Alouise expressed concern about her daughter (Leona) and some health problems she was experiencing. After the Convention, Leona’s condition
seemed to become more serious and, as every mother will, Alouise noticed symptoms that did not respond to medication, etc. A series of tests were started, Leona was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic where there final diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis was made. After receiving treatment at the Clinic, Leona was transferred to Parma Community Hospital for therapy and rehabilitation. Leona is presently confined to her bed or the wheelchair. She has difficulty with all the normal physical duties all of us take so much for granted. Those of us close to Alouise have always admired her for the many years she devoted to her oldest daughter, Louise (“Babe”). In August, 1956, Louise fell victim to the polio epidemic. She has been confined to her wheelchair for thirty-five years. So, you see, our hearts
now are heavy with concern for the family and especially for Alouise whose burden has been doubled. Leona is forty-six years old, she and her husband (Emil Mandich) have two sons. Their “Buggy Works" has been generous to No. 73 and I think it is safe to say everyone who reads this article wishes Leona the very best, our prayers and good wishes are with you. To Alouise, we keep you tucked into our prayers. We are here for you if you need us. To the family, take care of each other. “Mom" is going to need all of you, she will need your support and your love, to say nothing of your help. To all S.W.U. members: Please remember Alouise and her family in your prayers.
Don’t feel left out if you did not receive a call regarding our cookout. It was a unanimous decision to cancel the annual event for this year. Our next meeting date is September 9th. The Good Lord willing, we hope to see many of you at that time.
Branch No. 73 is proud to have one of our own receiving a scholarship from SWU! The award goes to a young man whose family (grandmother, mother, .sisters, aunts, etc.) have long been friends/members of the branch.
William Jones is the son of William and Kathy (Vorisek) Jones, and they too must be very proud of Bill. He has many accomplishments to his credit, and they all deserve mention. Bill was listed in OUTSTANDING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OF AMERICA, 1989-90, after he was listed in WHO'S WHO OF AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOLS, 1987-91. A member of the National Honor Society, he graduated fourth in his class from R.B. Chamberlin High School, Twinsburg, Ohio.
Bill is an ambitious young man working after school in an accounting department and doing weekends at the local McDonald's. It was at McDonald’s that he met his Slovenian fiancee, Lauri Christiansen and it was through Bill’s interest and efforts that Lauri completed the R.I.C.A. Program and became a Catholic at Easter time. Bill and Lauri will attend Eastern Michigan University this fall where he will study accounting and computers, while Lauri will work towards her degree in Physical Therapy. (I hear there is a 1995 wedding planned).
Add to all this Bill’s involvement in baseball and basketball, his mem-
bership in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and his selection as the Outstanding Business Student by the faculty at R.B.C., you can see why he was selected and deserves the reward of a scholarship. We are proud of you. Bill, and we hope you will keep in touch with us. Congratulations and the best of luck in your future endeavors.
Respectfully submitted,
EVELYN A. MAJERCIK
NO. 85, DEPUE, IL
There is not much news at the present time but a few things have to be acknowledged.
First of all, our wishes for all the best to Fr. Bernard Horzen. What a brilliant priest and teacher! We are so fortunate in having someone of his calibre teaching our young in this area.
Congratulations also to Beverly Kimble. Bev has just completed courses at the Quad Cuy Graduate Center in Rock Island where she received her second teaching certificate. She is qualified to teach physical education in all grades, through eighth. Bev has been working as a teachers aid at the DePue Schools. Best wishes to a lovely young lady and a great teacher. She is the daughter of our president, Gen Grilc.
Our auditor, Mildred Lavrin and her husband and daughter spend a vacation in San Diego, CA. Pearl Donovan was in the hospital in Peoria recently. Although she is still not feeling up to par, we are glad she is back home. Josephine Slatner had a fall and broke her hip. We were sorry to hear that and hope she is doing well.
Received a nice letter from Faye Moro and I want to thank her very much.
We are having a bad time with heat, humidity and lack of rain. It will really affect all of us and hope we will be blessed with some rain soon.
MARY JERMENC
NO. 89, OGLESBY, IL
Meeting held on June 10th. Short business meeting and correspondence read from Sharon Naudziunas, State President. The III.-Ind. State Convention will be Oct. 6th in Bradley, IL. Notes from Angie Nico on the National Convention. Angie was unable to be with us. Her grandson graduated from the university at Berkley, CA.
You are
BARBARA SITAR
Barbara Sitar was born in Oglesby, on November 20, 1902. Her parents were Ignatz and Barbara (Laurich) Hrovat and came from Slovenia. They both passed away at the early ages of 54 years.
Barbara has two sisters, Marie Ambrose of DePue and Frances Rolando of Oglesby, also our member. A brother, Frank also lives in DePue.
Barbara and her husband, Stanley celebrated their 68th Wedding Anniversary on January 25, 1991. They are blessed with four daughters, Mary Sterchi, Betty Torchia, Dorothy Senica and Donna Kane. Mary has 4 children, Betty has 5, Dorothy has 4 and Donna has 6, a total of 19 grandchildren plus 33 great grandchildren!
Barbara and Stanley were blessed with a very talented family. Dorothy's two daughters, Kathy and Karolyn are both doctors. Karolyn will be an orthopedic surgeon and Kathy is in internal medicine. There are nurses, electricians and a Baptist minister among these grandchildren. If I would mention them all, it would read as a Who’s Who!
Barbara, your life has been a happy and full one with such a lovely family. What a joy it is to see you as active as you are. We know you are special to your family as well as being special to Br. 89.
Barbara transferred to us from Br. 24 in LaSalle and has been a member ever since. We are so happy that you are one of us. Congratulations!
She promised to be at the August meeting.
A thank you was read from Darlene Wasielewski on the honors given her as our Mother of the Year.
Our congratulations to Rose Ann Prey, Emma Folty and Helen Komater who celebrated their wedding anniversaries: Helen and Emma with 52 years and Rose Ann with 43 years.
July birthdays were Darlene Wasielewski and Anne Batty. Happy belated birthdays, ladies.
Mitzi Banich and her husband are having fun in Jamaica. Lucky you, Mitzi! Have a good vacation.
special!
ELSA ZABAVNEK
Elsa Zabavnek was born Sept. 14, 1900 to Michael and Mary Simenc in Kamnik, Slovenia. She arrived in the United States at the age of 20 and lived with her sister, Angela Rancigaj for a few months until she married Cyril Ambrose. They had two daughters, Alice Kernz and Mollie Rodriguez. Alice has four children and Mollie has six daughters.
When Cyril passed away Elsa married Frank Zabavnek on March 6, 1938. They resided in DePue for 10 years, then came to Olgesby where they are still living. Elsa has a brother, Michael Simenc, also in Oglesby.
Her husband will be 96 years young in November and Elsa will be 91 this month. Frank and Elsa still get around and do small chores around their house.
We are proud to have you as a member, Elsa, and you always will be special to Br. 89. Congratulations!
Helen Komater served a delicious dessert and punch and Emma Folty won the door prize which was made by Helen.
We planned a meeting in August with Rose Ann Prey and Betty Hamilton on Committee.
Respectfully submitted,
EUNICE KOMATER
NO. 102, WILLARD, WI
June Report
Summer brought some very warm temperatures and little rain to keep our gardens growing.
Another Willard couple celebrated their 50th anniversary. They are Ann and Bill Boh. Ann is our Vice-President of Br. 102. Our very best wishes to them for many more years of good health and happiness. Their picture and write up is enclosed.
On a sad note, sincere condolences to member, Ann Perme, on the sudden passing of her husband, John. He will be sadly missed. Our sympathy also to the Kaltinger family on the loss of their brother, John. He and his wife, Antonia, lived in nearby Greenwood for many years. She preceded him in
50
YEARS
COUPLE!
Mr. & Mrs. William Boh
William and Ann Boh of Rt. 2, Greenwood celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on June I at a party held in Marshfield, Wisconsin in a lovely decorated room at the K of C hall.
Their son, Larry Boh read an invocation and daughter, Mrs. Bev Milnar read the prayer after the meal. They were written by Father James Lesczynski, pastor at Holy Family Church in Willard. Son, Bill Boh of Marshfield summarized their married life over the past 50 years and granddaughter, Sandi Boh gave a special Thank You message from all the grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A special Mass in celebration of their 50th Wedding Anniversary was held June 2, at the Holy Family Church in Willard with Father James Lesczynski officiating. The grandchildren did the readings and carried up the offertory gifts.
William and Ann were married on July 2, 1941 at Holy Family Church with Father Marcel Marinšek officiating.
death by 1-1/2 years. Both were originally from Willard.
The Staut families were honored in hosting a guest student from Australia for two weeks. He was very impressed with the greenery of Wisconsin and the many lakes and rivers, compared to his homeland. He enjoyed the hospitality and friendliness of the people in this area and we enjoyed him and his Australian accent. He is majoring in music and is excellent at the piano. We enjoyed a short concert he played for us.
After all the events of July, we had the Holy Family church bazaar and
William was bom Feb. 5, 1913 in Victor, Colorado to Frank and Margaret Boh. He attended Willard schools. Ann was born Aug. 22, 1919 in Willard to Frank and Antonia Ko-kaly. She attended North Willard School. Prior to her marriage she did hospital work in Chicago and La Crosse. After their marriage they farmed on Rt. 2, Greenwood from 1942-1980. They retired on April 20, 1980. Following retirement William enjoys hunting, fishing, woodworking and gardening. Ann enjoys crocheting, baking, walking and growing flowers.
They are both members of Holy Family Catholic Church in Willard. Ann is a member of the Slovenian Women’s Union for many years.
Besides two sons, William of Marshfield, Larry of Verona, and one daughter, Mrs. Greg (Bev) Milnar of Woodbury, MN they also have five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. All attended the celebration.
Sincere congratulations to all!
chicken dinner in August. The whole parish worked together to bring it to a successful conclusion. Over 1000 dinners were served!
Yours truly had an exciting experience a few days ago, seeing two black bears ambling across a cut-off hay field in mid-day, heading for the woods. I’m sure this will be one of the highlights of my summer. I was driving down the road in my car!
July Report
Willard was really buzzing in July. The Polkafest and the annual Slove-
nian picnic were well attended. It is really great to see so many folks return to visit this area where they spent their youth. Those who had hard farm life in their youth, as did the early pioneers, came to visit again with family and friends and former neighbors. The Gorman, or McKinley grade school, now long gone, had a reunion on July 27th of their students. The majority were from Slovenian families and that included the teachers. This also added to the festivities of the past two weeks. In spite of threatening weather, everyone had a good time. Many folks stayed for extended vacations.
It’s canning time, berries are in abundance this year, including blueberries which were not available for many years.
Soon we will be planning the State Convention in Sheboygan. We hope to have a carload of interested ladies for the trip.
Slowly, the old pioneers of our second generation are disappearing from our community. Our sincere sympathy to the families of Jerome Stremikis, who passed away at the age of 83 after ailing for 27 years. His wife, Ann was his daily nurse and caregiver all these years until recent hospitalization was necessary.
Our president, Jo Artac, had surgery and is recuperating at home. Her sister, Angeline Berthold had a serious stroke and is now at the Clark County Health Care Center. To all our shut-ins, we wish a speedy recovery.
We sincerely hope that all Slovenians are focusing their thoughts and prayers on our dear, beautiful Republic of Slovenija and help them achieve their independence. They will need much financial help until things will begin to run smoothly and their economic status improves. So, let’s all do our very best in any way possible, by donating for this cause. Send donations to the Slovenian American Council, 1522 Lincoln Rd., Wickliffe, OH 44092. Dr. Matthew Roesman is the president. Let us help reach the goal to send support to the country of our forefathers. Forward!!
MARY STAUT
“ZVEZA” MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN IS NOW ON!
KEEP THE CONNECTION...
A SINCERE THANK YOU to “Keep Our Connection” contributors, which arrived during May, June and July. They are listed according to our seven regions:
California-Oregon-Washington	$40.00
Branch 100, Fontana, CA	$25.00
Rosemary Mlaker (100), Fontana, CA	10.00
Lillian Eggen (30), Benecia, CA	5.00
Colorado-Kansas-Missouri	—
Iilinois-Indiana	75.00
Ann Dragovan (20), Joliet, IL	25.00
Loyal and caring member of branch 2, Chicago, IL 15.00 Lucille Kuta (2), Chicago Ridge, IL	10.00
Josephine Lustik (20), Joliet, IL	10.00
Josephine Gosline (30), Palm Beach Shores, FL 10.00 Memory of parents Frank and Frances Kuhar
from daughter Angie Nico (89)	5.00
Minnesota	138.00
Branch 39, Biwabik, MN	50.00
Branch 38, Chisholm, MN	40.00
Branch 35, Aurora, MN (total $125)	25.00
Branch 52, Kitzville MN	10.00
Anne Orazem (35), Aurora, MN	10.00
Anita Vovk (35), Aurora, MN	3.00
Ohio-Michigan	10.00
Mary Taucher (47), Maple Heights, OH	10.00
Pennsylvania-New York-Washington, DC	70.00
Sabina Bartol (103), McLean, CA	25.00
Mary Palcic, Ridgewood, NJ	20.00
Agnes Widina (26), Pittsburgh, PA	10.00
Jennie Flisek (91), Oakmont, PA	10.00
Alouise Epley (73), Warrensville Hts., OH	5.00
Wisconsin	70.00
Branch 102, Willard, WI
Branch’s Golden Anniversary	50.00
Matilda Simcic (43), Franklin, WI	20.00
Total for May, June and July	$403.00
Previous Total	2,021.00
Total	$2,424.00
NO. 105, DETROIT, MI
On May 11th, 49 members and guests of Branch 105 attended our Mother of the Year Luncheon honoring Dorothy Bermck. We had an excellent meal and were all happy to be there to honor Dorothy.
Seven members of the Branch attended the 21st National Convention in Cleveland along with our delegate,
Kathleen Emerson, President of our Branch. Kathleen attended all of the business sessions and brought back several suggestions for activities and ideas to attract new members.
We are looking forward to our June meeting when all members were encouraged to bring their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or pictures so we can enjoy the younger generation. We planned to move to a local park after the business meeting so the children could enjoy themselves
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS GRATITUDE....................
I enjoy reading ZARJA very much, so here is $10 for another year and I want to donate another $5 to help the ZARJA in memory of my dear mother, Anna Sterle. She was an officer at one time for SWU Br. 71 of Strabane, PA and was at the Conventions in 1961 and 1964. Wishing you a very happy Easter. Hedy Sterle, Strabane, PA.
Enclosed is my check for $20 to help cover the cost of ZARJA. I enjoy it so much as both of my parents were born in Slovenia. Sincerely, Mary Telia.
We all enjoy reading ZARJA - keep it coming. $25 from Br. 91 and $5 from Jennie Flisek.
Here is ten dollars towards the Dawn. Why not raise the subscription price? Did the Miners ever get their names engraved for the Miners Memorial? A Happy New Year to you. Valerie Dostaler.
while the rest of us just relaxed. The weatherman promised good weather and we were looking forward to this outing.
Plans are well underway for our Harvest Dance which will celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the Slovenian Women’s Union. It will be held on September 28th from 8:00 to 12:00 with the popular Eddie Adamic Orchestra playing for our dancing pleasure. We will have food and baked goods for sale as well as the usual liquid refreshments. The dance will be at the VFW Hall, 7258 Chase Road, Dearborn, Michigan. Tickets are $5.00 and can be obtained from the writer.
September 21st at 1:00 p.m. will be our last meeting before the dance and you are all encouraged to attend. We are planning a trip to the Ritz-Carlton or the Birmingham Townsend Hotel in October for tea. At present we have no definite plans for November, but we will have our annual Christmas Party early in December.
From all of us who attended the Convention, our sincere thanks to our hostesses for providing us with wonderful food, music and friendship. It’s a weekend we won’t forget soon.
PATRICIA ADAMIC
An Evening to Remember
Our members in Washington, D.C. participated in the 20th Annual "KNOW YOUR SLOVENIAN HERITAGE” program on May 11th, 1991 sponsored by the Slovenian Heritage Committee of Washington.
On the program were musical renditions by the Washington Slovenian Choral Society, readings, and a
special presentation, Remarks on the Slovene Plebiscite of December 23, 1990 and the Movement for Slovenian Independence by Carole Rogel, Ph.D. a professor at Ohio State University.
S.W.U. member Ivanka Antolin read the following historical and biographical sketch to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of her father, Narte Velikonja, which we are pleased to share with our readers, through the courtesy of Ivanka and our reporter from Br. 103, Nika Kovacic.
NARTE VELIKONJA
On the 100th Anniversary of his birth
by Ivanka Velikonja Antolin
On June the 8th of this year my father, Narte Velikonja, would be hundred years old. He was sentenced to death by shooting on June 23, 1945 by the special military court as a war criminal. He was executed on June 25, 1945. At that time he was only fifty four.
Narte was bom on Dol, a small village near Otlica, in the Slovenian Littoral region. He was the first son of Ignacij Velikonja and Marija Bevk. His father was the forest ranger on Gora, the forest that covers mountains which surge as a wall over Vipavska dolina and from the transition from Kras to the world of Julian Alps. As a child Narte was called “Bevkov poba”, this because his father married Marija who was the only child of the Bevk’s family and the young people lived with my grandmother’s parents.
Narte went to the elementary school in Dol, in the company of his younger brothers who shared his early adventures in this idyllic surrounding, he later described in the story “Naš pes”. When Narte was eleven years old he was sent to the minor seminary to Gorica to gymnasium. He had to learn German, but the love for his native language was already firmly established in his soul.
He started writing poetry and prose in the third year of his student years. His early literary works were published in “Domači prijatelj”. Later he also contributed articles of literary criticism to “Zora”, a students’ periodical. So in the article "Our students and art”, he discusses the interest of the youth in modern literature. Narte regrets the poor concept that the students have of the literary achievements and of artistic value of literary efforts of the contemporary writers. He advocates the necessity of independent artistic, creations: “Liberate art from politics, liberate art from political criticism and give it profound emotions and profound ideas.”
From 1913 (the year of his graduation from high school) he started publishing poetry and prose in “Dorn in svet" (Catholic literary and cultural review). Narte searched for a new form of expression. He tried to bypass the then “modern” and to find a new way to realism or
rather realistic idealism as he called it himself. His writings reflected his profound moral convictions. His language was derived from the simple speech of the people from his native Kras (Carso). He reached his highest point with psychological short stories describing the anguish of young souls in the face of pharisaic Christianity. Narte knew what is in man’s soul. In his stories, he describes well the thoughts, the emotions and the behavior of the people.
He had a particular sense of humor. He writes:
“Many things have changed my life, many things I have gained and lost, but there is something I could not gain, try as I might. Seriousness! Yes, indeed, to this very day I am still not serious. Today I still think it’s funny to see a man change his colors, even though he is not embarrassed; today, I still laugh at human frailty which avers that a low shoe is quite suitable, when yesterday its praise was for a hobnailed or high boots... There is nothing you can do about being able to see into someone or other’s brain, to see that it is easier for people to believe insipid news than serious deliberation.”
My father studied law in Vienna. During vacations he worked as a student assistant, first in Gorica and later in Ljubljana in Marijanišče. During the I World War, his father was transferred to Mljet, an island in Dalmatia. His mother died there. He always talked about putting a stone on her grave, but there was never enough money. In 1963 my uncle Logs, his wife Berta and my sister Meta went to Mljet carrying there the stone for my grandmother’s grave.
In November of 1918 my father started his career as an administrative counselor at the provincial administration (Banovinska Uprava) in Ljubljana. In 1920, he married my mother, Ivanka Jeglič, who was the niece of archbishop dr. Bonaventura Jeglič, at that time the bishop of Ljubljana.
When our family could not find a place big enough to live in Ljubljana, we moved to the bishop's castle in Goričane, where I spent my early years. I still have a vivid recollection of those times. There was no electricity in the village, so we used kerosene lamps, fetched the water at the fountain in the middle of the village and went with the servant girl to rinse laundry in the Sora that flowed not far away, still clean at that time. My father commuted to Ljubljana. Sometimes he even went to work on a bicycle. He was very active in cultural organizations, was editor of “Ilustracija”, a weekly illustrated magazine. He also directed the theater productions in “Ljudski oder”.
The family returned to Ljubljana in 1930. We lived in the house directly across from St. Peter’s Church. In the fall of 1934 my father became ill. For nine months he stayed in the hospital. There was very little hope that he would improve. His right side was paralyzed, and he was slowly losing his consciousness. On the advice of Dr. Brecelj, my mother took my father to the clinic in Zagreb. They went in a private car accompanied by a doctor. After
two months, he returned by train, he was walking again; he recovered. It was a miracle.
There were nine children in the family then, and the oldest was only twelve years old. My father was never completetly well again, his right side remained paralyzed. He learned how to write with his left hand, and he had to use the cane to walk. We could hear from home his dragging steps on the pavement, when he stepped from the tramway at the comer of St. Peter's street.
At the age of forty-three, my father had to start a new life. However he never felt defeated. He continued working at the "Banovina", the provincial administrative office on Bleiweiss St. He also continued writing, even if his style changed a little. He started collecting anecdotes. During the summers, when we were vacationing in Sora, my father went with us on rather long walks. He shared his experiences with us, taught us botany, geography, how to read maps; he introduced us to appreciation of literature and guided us through the most famous literary works. I remember how he recommended to me Don Quixote, the Raymont's Peasants, the Boyer's Emigrants, the Tolstoy's War and Peace, etc.
Then the war started. It was so incomprehensible that Ljubljana was occupied by the Italians, but that gave us the opportunity to visit papa's home, which was under the fascist rule for so long. That first summer of war, we traveled on bicycles all over the Primorska — Slovenian Littoral. That vacation opened our eyes to the beauty of the country from which my father came.
Even though the war changed so many things, we still had to go to school. But when I started my university studies in the fall of 1943, the Germans closed the university in Ljubljana. By then the communist revolution was fully developed in Slovenia. The number of victims of communist terror was getting larger and larger. The communists were excusing themselves with the slogan "There have to be victims, it is not possible to build a new future without the bloody struggle.”
My father opposed the armed resistence to the occupying forces from the start. Besides, he saw that all the leaders of the National Liberation Front were communists. He, as a faithful Catholic, did not want to cooperate with the communists in any enterprise. He was always convinced that Hitler would lose the war. The big decisions in the war would be done somewhere far away, in Moscow, in London, in Washington, in Yalta. The communists fought not against the occupying forces but against its own people. The struggle ended in tragedy: Tito's forces won.
My father was arrested and taken for questioning the day after he and my mother celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Of the ten children that planned to be with papa and mama for this happy family celebration, just my two young sisters, Meta and Lena, were there with them.
My oldest sister Mija was in detention in Gorica; my brother Jože and I were in Palmanova in Furlania. There, Allied troops, after celebrating the V day on May 8th and 9th, were loading us on trucks to transport us, with the other refugees, to Cesena in the middle of Italy. Tine and Jane, still minors, were somewhere in Gorenjska. They had joined the Domobranci in the last minute, and my three sisters Zina, Zora and Ančka were crossing the mountain pass at Ljubelj with the refugees, who were abandoning their homes just for two weeks, until the confusion of the great victory of the National Liberation Front cleared itself and order and peace were restored.
My mother was never allowed to see my father again, not even after the trial, when she begged the judge who persisted at the military court to be allowed to say the last good-by to her husband. We still do not know where his remains are. My brothers were never able to obtain the death certificate that they needed to register for school There are no records of the trial in Ljubljana. Only OZNA kept strict control over every step of Velikonja’s family.
In 1988, when I checked the holdings in the University library in Ljubljana, my father’s books were not listed. He had become a non-person — one of the many Slovene literary and cultural workers, that the Osvobodilna Fronta not only detained, imprisoned and persecuted, but also deleted from the school books and cultural publications.
The nation fought for liberation between 1941-45, "for a communist paradise in liberty, social justice and prosperity", that my father publicly denounced in radio speeches as false promises. He accused the partisans of criminal actions that were disastrous for the future of Slovenia. This was his only crime.
He was only a civil servant and as such he was called to organize “Winter help” for the many homeless people that were trying to find shelter in Ljubljana. They had lost their homes because of the partisans’ activities. Slovenski Biografski Leksikon calls him the leader of the propaganda against NOV (Narodna Osvobodilna Vojska) mentioning the pamphlet "Malikovanje zločina”, the publication of his radio speeches.
After forty-five years Slovenia has shattered the handcuffs of communism, recognizing that the promises of communist leaders did not bring the nation happiness and prosperity. Marxist systems had failed as philosophically sound solutions for organizing a prosperous and happy society long ago. And now they also crumbled completely as viable economic systems. The nations that were submitted to the dictatorship of the proletariat face a long and painful struggle back to democratic organizations of their societies.
Forty-six years after Narte Velikonja's death it is only right that we remember him at the hundreth anniversary of his birth. He was a good man, a faithful Catholic and a great son of the Slovene nation.
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S PONOSOM LAHKO REČEM: SLOVENKA SEM
Med odmorom na konvenciji same ponosne Slovenke!
Ko sem se vrnila domov kot delegatinja z 21. konvencije SŽZ, mi je dalo zagotovilo, da moja resnična domovina Slovenija, ki nenehno živi v mojem srcu, le ni samo v moji notranjosti. Devetintrideset delegatinj in štirinajst odbornic in še veliko zavednih Slovencev iz različnih držav Amerike se nas je zbralo v slovenski ameriški prestolnici v mestu Clevelandu.
Z obrazov vseh udeleženk 21. konvencije se je lahko razbralo, da smo zbrane z namenom, da naredimo kar je v naših močeh v dobrobit in nadaljnje ohranjevanje slovenske ženske skupnosti v Ameriki. Kot delegatinja sem zastopala našo podružnico iz Washingtona in okolice. Nehote so mi misli poletele šestindvajset let nazaj, ko se nas je tam prvič zbrala peščica Slovenk. Koliko novih prijateljstev se je rodilo že od takrat, koliko priprav in dela smo že vložile v to našo skupnost. Skupaj pridemo v veselih, prazničnih in žalostnih prilikah. Med nami živi in se čuti sestrska povezanost. Naš uspeh in obstoj je v zvestobi vrednotam, ki smo jih Slovenke prinesle iz prve domovine. Ta zvestoba se lepo poraja v naši novi domovini, ki pomaga ustvarjati in utrjavati dediščino in izročila, ki sta temelja v naši novi domovini.
Letos poteka 65 let odkar je bila ustanovljena Slovenska ženska zveza. Prvo zborovanje (in še mnoga druga nadaljna) je vodila v Chicagu ustanoviteljica gospa Marie Prisland. Njena veličina in prikupnost vsem takratnim Slovenkam je bila na združitvi in geslu “spoznajmo se". Pokažimo rojakinjam v stari domovini, da z njimi vred čutimo ponos slovenske narodnosti. — Poglejte drage rojakinje , danes je Slovenija zopet na razpotju. Dela se z vsemi močmi za samostojnost in neodvisnost.
—	Naše delovanje tukaj v Ameriki pa je še vedno na osnovni zamisli ustanoviteljice. Še vedno delujemo v narodno slovenskem, izobražavalnem in verskem duhu. Nenehno tudi dokazujemo, da smo potomke slovenske krvi izhajajoče iz ponosnega in delovnega
naroda, kateri si je v tujini prislužil lep dom in pošteno ugledno delovno mesto.
Enaindvajseta narodna konvencija SŽZ se je vršila v hotelu Day's Inn v North Randall oddaljenem približno petnajst kilometrov od središča mesta Clevelanda. Zasedanja konvencije so se pričela 17. maja z nagovorom glavne predsednice gospe Victorie Bobence. Victoria "Tory" je tudi vodila in nadzorovala ves spored z nagovori odbornic kakor tudi govore častnih gostov. “Biti med samimi Slovenci je čudovit občutek” je rekla Tory v začetnem nagovoru. Vsaka aktivna članica SŽZ je ponosna na svojo dediščino in s tem najlepše izraža svoje prepričanje za pridobivanje novih članic. Nato smo izrekle "Pledge of Allegiance”. Ameriško narodno himno pa je zapel član lokalnega policijskega oddelka. Sledil je kratek pozdrav z blagoslovom gospoda Toma Carolana (O.F.M. od cerkve Sv. Juda). Pozdravil nas je tudi župan Frank Spremulli. Sledil je skrbno pripravljen in z navdušenjem podan in sprejet govor g. profesorja Gobetza iz Clevelanda. Opisal je začetek in delovanje SŽZ v vseh petinšestdesetih letih. Povdaril je, da imamo Slovenci veliko zasluženih in znanih Slovencev v Ameriki. Naletimo na izumitelje, športnike, inžinirje, pisatelje itd. Vsi ti Slovenci pomagajo graditi boljšo in spoštovanja vredno Ameriko.
Nato so se vrstila dolgovezana poslovna
obravnavanja, o katerih se bo lahko čitalo v podrobnosti v posebnih poročilih.
V	nedeljo, tretji dan od pričetka konvencije pa je bila slovesna koncelebrirana sv. maša v znani slovenski cerkvi Sv. Vida v osrčju slovenske naselbine. Sv. mašo je daroval clevelandski pomožni škof gospod A. Edward Pevec. Šopki rdečih nageljnov, ki predstavljajo simbol in našo zvestobo Sloveniji so krasili prelep oltar in še bolj pripomogli slovesnemu občutku pri darovanju sv. maše. Rdeč nagelj je tudi roža države Ohio. Predstavlja pa tudi zvezine podružnice porastresene po vseh Združenih državah Amerike. Med mašo je ganljivo lepo zvenela vsem poznana pesem: "Lepa si, lepa si, roža Marija" in “Marija skoz življenje” ob koncu slovesnega bogoslužja. Pogrešala pa sem vsaj eno slovensko berilo med bogosložjem. Ko pa sem pozneje pozdravila g. pomožnega škofa v slovenskem jeziku,
je bil pa zelo vesel in je tudi sam lepo govoril slovensko.
Naj povem, da me je od začetka do konca presenečal izreden red in odlično vodstvo konvencije. Boljše glavne predstavnice kot je Victoria Bobence si ni mogoče zamisliti. Z materinsko ljubeznijo in potrplenjem se vsa posveča slovenskemu delu v SžZ. Enako tudi druge dolgoletne odbornice, kot tudi mlajše članice.
Vse priznanje in zahvala za vse delo s pripravami, za konvencijo kakor tudi trud, pa zaslužijo podružnice iz Clevelanda z glavno organizatorko gospo Evelyn Majercik! Vse potrebno je bilo tako izvrstno organizirano, da smo se vse tudi iz oddaljenih krajev počutile domače in ugodno. Ves vaš trud in vse vaše delo je želo bogato zadovoljstvo.
Končno bi se rada zahvalila vsem članicam moje lokalne podružnice št. 103, da so mi zaupale to sodelovanje na 21. konvenciji SŽZ v Clevelandu.
KAREL MAUSER
RAZDRTO GNEZDO
Nadaljevanje
Ves januar sestra Marjeta ni zvedela niti ene novice, kako je doma. Šele proti koncu februarja se je oglasila Robnikova, toda novice, ki jih je prinesla, so bile slabe. V vasi so rdeči ubili Kovačevega Andreja, ki jim je ušel in se skrival doma. Križnarjev Jože je bil odšel k domobrancem in bil že v prvem boju na Ilovi gori tako ranjen, da so mu morali odrezati roko. S štrcljem zdaj hodi okoli in čaka, da bi dobil umetno roko. Stric pa postaja iz dneva v dan bolj čuden. Neko žensko je vzel za deklo in ker ljudje že preveč govore, je rekel, da se bo oženil. Pridna je, toda videti malo avšasta. Župnik so se zavoljo govoric razgreli in ga poklicali k sebi. Poroka bo menda takoj po Veliki noči. In Slave je naročil pozdrav.
Po odhodu Robnikove se je Marjeti tista samota zdela še večja. Pred tem krajem jo je bilo samo še strah. Strah, da bi se morala vanj vrniti.
Na predzadnji dan februarja — po kosilu so v obednici brali iz “Življenja svetnikov" življenjepis svetega Gabriela od Žalostne Matere božje. Na koncu je bralka, sestra Damascena, prebrala še ukaz prednice matere Doroteje, da sklicuje za zvečer ob osmih sestanek v obednici.
Zašumelo je kakor v panju na pomlad, le mati prednica je s stisnjimi ustnicami in brez giba čemela na svojem stolu. Zdaj so vse vedele, da se je zgodilo nekaj hudega, zakaj mati Doroteje se je po branju svojih oklicev vselej na poseben način nasmehnila.
Ugibanje o sestanku so sestre odnesle s seboj. Ko se je val belih kornetov (pokrival) šume zlival skozi vrata obednice, ja mati Doroteja še vedno sedela. Imela je občutek, da jo je val pustil na bregu in da ne more nikamor več. Šele potem, ko je zadnja od sestra zaprla vrata, je odsotno pogledala okrog sebe
in se dvignila. Še dobrih sedem ur in morala bo povedati, kar so ji naročili. Morda se ne bo zgodilo, so ji rekli. Morda gledamo prečrno, toda naša dolžnost je, da je vsaka sestra tudi na najhujše pripravljena. Prišlo bo hudo, udarilo bo sredo in jih razteplo.
Prišlo bo, ji je jokalo srce. Razdrli bodo gnezdo, kakor malopridni otroci in ne bodo se mogle upirati. Nič ne bo mogla storiti v njih obrambo, sama bo morala z njimi.
In kako bo potem? Kje bodo in kaj bo prineslo življenje? Koliko bo ostalo še zvez po letih, kakšna bodo srečanja, če sploh bodo? Kaj bo s sestro Ger-trudo, sestro Frančiško, s sestro Katarino? Najstarejše, vse tri bolne.
Končno se je priklonila proti velikemu križu na steni in odšla ob mizah kakor prej sosestre. Ni hitela, z dlanjo je vseskozi drsela prek stolov, ki so v ravni vrsti stali vse do vrat. Brada ji je trepetala od ginjenosti. Nekoč od cele velike družine morda ne bo nič ostalo. S počasnimi koraki je šla po hodniku in naprej proti kapeli.
Še pred osmo uro so bile zbrane vse sestre, ki niso imele dežurne službe. Nobenega glasnega gov-orenja ni bile, ki je bilo običajno pred sestanki, samo šušljanje je šlo od stola do stola. Mati Doroteja je stopila skozi stranski vhod točno ob osmih, šla ob zidu in se s čudno težavo spravila na malce vzvišeni prostor, podoben prižnici, kjer so med obedom sestre 'po vrsti brale iz nabožne knjige.
(Nadaljevanje na st. 45)
Drago Ocvirk
DOMOVINA v ZDOMSTVU
Če je človek na kaj navezan, potem je na dom. Toda prej ali slej pride trenutek, ko je treba dom zapustiti in si ustvariti novega. Kljub temu da če ima svoj novi dom in tudi družino, pa se še vedno rad vrača "domov", še zlasti dokler sta živa oče in mati. Šele ko ta dva zatisneta oči, se mu zdi, da je ostal brez doma. Za vsakogar med nami je dom tako povezan s starši in njegovim otroštvom ter seveda ljubeznijo, varnostjo, prostostjo in brezskrbnostjo, ki smo jih tam užili. Ko enkrat zapustimo dom, je kakor bi prišli na piano, v puščavo, kjer je treba sredi nenaklonjenih okoliščin začeti iz nič. Toda po tej poti mora vsak, ki hoče odrasti in se postaviti na lastne noge.
1	— Domovina
Toda čeravno zapusti človek svoj dom, da bi postavil lastnega, pa le ni čisto izgubljen in prepuščen sam sebi. Zapušča sicer dom, a ostaja v domovini. Domovina je namreč naravno, kulturno in duhovno okolje, v katerem stoji njegov dom in kjer bo začel znova.
Človekovo oko se privadi okolice in srce jo vzljubi. Štajerc se naveže na hribe in doline, Gorenc se ozira v strme gore, Dolencu je pri srcu valovita dežela in lena Krka, Notranjec je zaljubljen v gozdove, Primorec ni mogoče izruvati iz kamnite dežele in Prekmurec ne bi zamenjal Panonske ravnine za nič drugega. Življensko okolje postane del nas, v njem se dobro počutimo in kakor gremo, ga nosimo sabo. Naj nas življenje zanese sem ali tja, podoba domačega kraja nas zvesto spremlja povsod in kako prijetno nam je, če v kakšnih dalnjih krajih zaslutimo obrise domače krajine.
Dalje kakor oko nam seže uho. Štajerc lahko zapusti svojo deželo in gre na Dolenjsko, a bo še vedno govoril isti jezik, se brez težav sporazumeval z neznanci in se ne bo počutil na tujem. Še vedno bo med svojimi, čeprav gleda oko drugačno krajino in sliši uho drugačen dialekt. Vsi smo Slovenci, druži nas isti jezik, zgodovina. Danes vsi trepetamo za skupno svobodo in samostojnost, želimo, da bi bil naš slovenski jutri lepši od včerajšnjega dne in lažji od današnjega.
Toda človek, ki se želi vsestransko uresničiti, ve, da ima njegova domovina tudi duhovno razsežnost. Slovencem daje to razsežnost katoliška vera. Vse nas vabi in usposablja, da živimo v medsebojni ljubezni, poštovanju in medsebojni pomoči. Pomaga nam, da se dvigamo nad vsakdanje skrbi, da ne podležemo pod bremeni in stiskami, ampak z upanjem zremo v prihodnjost. Verujemo namreč, da pot v vstajenje, srečo in radost vodi prek Kalvarije, kjer umiramo sebi,
da bi zaživeli za druge. V taki veri pa izgubljajo naša bremena težo in stiske nas manj pritiskajo. Ta duhovna obzorja so naša najširša domovina, v kateri srečujemo vse ijudi kot sestre in brate.
2 — Zdomstvo
Vsak izmed nas postane prej ali slej zdomec, če ne prej takrat, ko umreta oče in mati. Drugače je z domovino. Velika večina jo namreč ohrani v vseh treh omenjenih razsežnostih. Ljudje, posebej v Sloveniji, radi ostajajo v domačem kraju ali vsaj kje v bližini. Za jezik se jim ni treba kaj posebej truditi, saj vsi okrog njih govorijo slovensko. Tisti, ki se zvadajo pomena vere za človeka in narod, vztrajajo tudi v veri, čeprav so morali zaradi tega marsikaj pretrpeti ali pa jih nadlegujejo materialistične skušnjave kot vse druge po bogatem svetu.
Toda naš narod pozna tudi tragedijo izseljenstva, tako ekonomskega kakor političnega. Tudi ZARJA (Dawn), v katero pišem, je priča te tragedije. Drugače je namreč, če človek zapusti domovino prostovoljno, drugače pa kadar ga k temu prisilita prazen trebuh ali (zločinska) oblast. Takšen človek je oropan domovine in posledice tega nasilja čuti vse življenje. Da ne bi bil povsem zgubljen, ohranja vse, kar je lahko od domovine dal v svojo culo in vtisnil v svoj spomin.
Za vedno je izgubil slovensko naravo, planine in ravnine, reke in jezera, gozdove in travnike, mesta in vasi... Da to podobo nosi v svojem spominu, jo neguje, idealizira.
Od posameznika in vseh izseljencev je odvisno, ali bodo ohranili svoj kulturno ali ne. Sami odločijo ali bo med njimi slovenska beseda živela ali zamrla; ali bo še donela naša pesem ali pa bo umolknila. Še vedno opažam tu v Clevelandu precaj ljudi, ki poskusajo slovensko kulturo in dediščino ohraniti in zapustiti kot najbolj žlahtno doto svojem otrokom. Še so žive slovenske župnijske sole, v pevskih zborih so mladi glasovi, v dveh župnijah so še slovenske maše. Če ste, žal, izgubili slovensko naravo, ohranjate del domovine v Ameriki, ko gojite in negujete našo kulturo. To pa vas dela bolj vsestranske in polnokrvne ljudi.
3 — Z zemeljsko domovino v večno
Del domovine, ki so ga izseljenici prinesli iz Slovenije, je tudi katoliška vera.
Po eni strani jim je pomagala in še pomaga, da so našli stične točke in še lažje povezali z Amerikanci. Prav tako jih spodbuja, da to deželo, ki jih je sprejela,
ljubijo in spoštujejo ter delajo za njen razcvet in uspeh. Končno je namreč to prava in edina domovina njihovih otrok. Če bodo starši naučili svoje otroke prav ljubiti (ameriško) domovino — v vseh treh razsežnostih: naravni, kulturni iri versko-duhovni — se bodo ti otroci zanimali za domovino staršev, jo spoštovali in ohranjali v tej deželi.
Po drugi strani pa prav vera odločno spodbuja izseljence, naj ne pozabijo svojih korenih in naj ne zavržejo tega dragocenega božjega daru. Če je Bog dopustil, da so šli Slovenci v svet, je to zato, da bi ga, s tem kar smo, obogatili, obenem pa tudi sami od njega kaj prejeli. Ni je večje neumnosti in škode za vse, kot da kdo zavrže, zataji ali iz nemarnosti počasi pozabi kulturne in duhovne vrednote, ki so del naše domovine in duše. Kristjani se zavedamo, da bomo pred Bogom dajali odgovor, kaj smo storili s svojimi talenti: ali smo jih pomnožili ali zakopali. Če smo jih zakopali, nima od tega nihče nič, in nam jih je Bog zaman zaupal, nismo bili vredni njegovega zaupanja. Če pa smo jih pomnožili, je to v prid nam samim pa tudi novi domovini, saj se tako širijo njena obzorja.
Nenazadnje pa nas vera opozarja na zadnjo in najglobjo resnico, da je vsaka zemeljska domovina le podoba prave domovine, kjer ne bo več solza, ne trpljenja, ampak bomo živeli v dokončnem prijateljstvu med sabo in z Bogom. To seveda ne pomeni, da bi smeli zemeljsko domovino zaničevati in biti do nje brezbrižni. Nasprotno, ko smo zazrti v večno domovino, je zemeljska kot čoln, s katerem potujemo večnosti naproti. Ali ni neumen, kdor bi ga zapustili in skočil v vodo, češ, bom raje sam plaval? Nič bolj pameten ni, kdor bi začel vratiti luknjo v čoln sredi oceana, češ, saj tako ne bo več potreben, ko bomo enkrat na cilju. Z njim vred se bo potopil. In ali kaj boljši je tisti, ki mu za čoln ni mar, in ne sodeluje pri njegovem zvdrževanju?
S tako vero je zdomstvo lažje in bolj razumljivo, saj nam odkriva naše poslanstvo in naše naloge. Če nas je Bog poslal po tolikih preskušnjah in trplenju v ta kraj, je zato, da bi v njem iz starih korenin pogajalo novo življenje, kjer se prepleta vse, kar je najboljšega iz stare in nove domovine. V tem prepletanju pa se že kažejo obrisi prave, večne domovine.
Bog daj naši domovini Sloveniji blagoslov, zdravje in srečo!
Žive naj vsi narodi, ki hrepene dočakajo dan, je napisal Prešeren in upamo, da smo mi tisti narod, ki bomo živeli svobodno in neodvisno.
RAZDRTO GNEZDO
(od st. 43)
Nastala je moreča tišina. Mati Doroteja je sklenila roke in pričela moliti Zdravo Marijo in po njej dodala kakor vselej:
“Marija, brez madeža izvirnega greha spočeta...."
“Prosi za nas, ki se k Tebi zatekamo," so odgovorile.
Nato se je mati prednica z obema rokama oprijela roba rjavo popleskane prižnice. Oči sester so se uprle vanjo. Kako zelo se je spremenila v zadnjih mesecih. Ostre poteze na obrazu je ublažila notranja bolečina. Sive oči so sicer še šle po vrstah kakor nekoč, toda bile so brez žarečega izraza, ki je bil nekoč kar strah sester, ki so morale k njej na razgovor.
V	prvi vrsti so bile najstarejše sestre. Sestra Gertruda s palico in oteklimi nogami, sestra Frančiška s hudo naduho, sestra Katarina z rumenkastim obrazom zavoljo bolnih jeter. Poleg njih so bile še druge, katerim je starost pobirala že zadnje moči.
Zgubani obrazi in skrivljeni hrbti so otožno stremeli proti prižnici. Življenje je že celo šlo mimo, ostalo je še zadnje srečanje — srečanje z večnostjo. Sestra Gertruda je tako rada ponavljala v svoji ponižnosti:
“Star papir sem, že velikokrat prebran in zato za nobeno rabo več. Zastonj ga jemljejo tiskati, ki ga zmeljejo in iz njega delajo spet nove bele pole. Kako je to prav!"
"Drage sosestre”, je pričala mati Doroteja, “izvršiti moram, kar mi je bilo naročeno. Nekaj v bodočnosti je grenak kelih, ki ga bo verjetno vsaka izmed nas morala izpiti. Lahko se zgodi in opomnjene smo, da bo morda treba zapustiti to gnezdo, v katerem smo živele skupaj v svoje posvečenje in v blagor bližnjega. Lahko se zgodi, da ga bodo razdrli in da bo treba nazaj v svet, iz katerega smo odšle. Jaz pred tridesetimi leti, sestra Gertruda že pred petesetimi. Kajne, sestra Gertruda?"
Stariča je skušala vstati, oprla se je na palico, toda mati prednica ni želela, da vstane.
"Sedite, sestra Gertruda: hotela sem le povedati, da smo nekatere že tako dolgo v družbi, da smo že pozabile, kakšen je svet v resnici."
Skušala se je nasmehniti.
"Naročeno mi je, da svetujem vsem, ki so pod mojim vodstvom, da si dobe od doma civilno obleko. Kateri to ne bo mogoče, tej jo bo preskrbil samostan. Obleka naj bo spodobna, to se razume. Kar mlademu dekletu zunaj v svetu pristaja, še ni rečeno, da bi moglo pristajati nam, zlasti ne starejšim. Daj Bog, da bi nikoli ne prišlo do tega, da bi civilno obleko spet rabile. Treba pa je pogledati nevarnosti v oči. Ne bo prvič in ne zadnjič v zgodovini, da je bila Cerkev zaničevana in njeni redovi zatrti ali razgnani. Vse je v božji volji in brez nje še vrabec ne pada s strehe."
Vse tiste, ki do najbližjih nimate nikogar več, prosim, da se v tem tednu oglase pri meni. Vsaka bi morala imeti pripravljeno civilno obleko, če bi stiska le prikipela do viška.
Zdaj pa drage sestre še molimo, da se izpolni samo božja volja.
(Nadaljevanje)
mŠR SLOUEMSKfl DEDIŠČINA
Začetki Katoliške Cerkve v Ameriki
FRANC JAKLIČ
IV. BARAGA V KRIVEM DREVESU
ZAČETNO DELO
—	Nadaljevanje —
Odkar se je Baraga pred 15-imi meseci v Ljubljani poslovil od svoje sestre Amalije, ni dobil od nje v Ameriko še nobenega pisma, čeprav ji je večkrat pisal. Šele 10. marca leta 1832, torej tri četrt leta po prihodu v Krivo drevo, se ji je mogel zahvaliti za prvo pismo, ki ga je dobil do nje. Iz njega je sprevidel, da je ona dobila vsa njegova pisma, njena so se pa izgubila. "Izredno me je zabolelo, a le za malo časa, kajti misijonarji se navadijo, to vem iz lastne skušnje, takoj zatreti in Bogu žrtvovati tudi najprisrčnejša in najnežnejša čustva. Naj se tudi v tem zgodi sveta božja volja. Saj On ve, da pišem samo v njegovo čast in v spodbudo bližnjega, in prosim ga, da bi se izgubila vsajista moja pisma, ki bi ne dosezala tega namena. Že večkrat sem mislil prenehati z vsem dopisovanjem z Evropo; pa zavest, da sem tolikokrat in tako trdno obljubil, zlasti Leopoldinini ustanovi, da bom zdaj pa zdaj pisal, in upanje, da so moja pisma morda vendarle komu v spodbudo, me je vedno spet pripravila do pisanja. Z dopisovanjem bi pa zato rad nehal, ker se zelo bojim, da bi mi tisto dobro, ki ga Gospod po mojem skromnem delovanju tukaj vrši, ne bilo prišteto, če ga raznašam v svet.” V pismu pohvali svoje vernike, da “so na splošno dobri kristjani. Živijo v slogi in bratski ljubezni in se greha zelo bojijo. Prav radi in čedalje bolj pogosto prihajajo k spovedi.” Željno čaka pomladi, ko bo spet učil pogane in jih krščeval.
Baragova pisma so storila mnogo dobrega. V Ljubljani, v šmartinski in metliški župniji in ponekod drugod so krožila od rok do rok, budila zanimanje za njegov misijon in mu dobivala dobrotnikov. Njemu in njegovim slovenskim sodelavcem so Slovenci mnogo poslali, sprva po Leopoldinini ustanovi, potem pa rajši naravnost. — Leopoldinina ustanova je Baragova pisma tiskala za svoja “Poročila" (Berichte). Z njimi je najbolje priporočala severnoameriške misijone; zato je Barago mnogokrat prosila, naj piše. Društvo je njegova pisma objavljalo tudi v češkem, latinskem in italijanskem jeziku; lyonsko Društvo za širjenje vere jih je prinašalo v francoščini. — Ob branju Baragovih pisem se je Janez Nepomuk Neumann (Nojman), semeniščnik v Budjejevicah na Češkem, odločil, da bo šel v severno Ameriko za misijonarja. Šel in je nazadnje postal škof v Philadelphiji. Zdaj teče postopek, da bi bil proglašen za blaženega. — Na podlagi Baragovih pisem je kranjski dekan Avguštin Sluga nabral za Barago denarja in pri Langusu naročil 26 oljnatih slik.
Ko se Baraga zahvaljuje Amaliji za to njeno pismo, ji zaupa, da ga na spomlad čaka novo, veliko duhovno veselje: “Neki krščeni divjak iz drugega rodu je prišel pred nekaj tedni k meni in mi pripovedoval, da bi jih več iz njegovega rodu postalo kristjanov, če bi prišel oznanjevalec vere k njim. Tega dobrega kristjana je ta obljuba njegovih še ne spreobrnjenih sobratov zelo razveselila; prišel je tri dni hoda daleč in mi dal upanje, da bi se morda dal tam ustanoviti zelo pomemben misijon. Dobil sem tudi od drugod zagotovilo, da se bo mnogo divjakov spreobrnilo, če jim grem oznanjat evangelij. Ti me poznaš in me boš razumela, ko Ti pravim, da z besedami ne morem
izraziti čustev, ki mi jih taka povabila in zagotovila budijo v srcu. Tisoč in tisočkrat bodi Bogu hvala, da ne živim zastonj med divjaki." Opisuje ji neodljudnost dežele. V notranjosti je gorata, porastla s pragozdi in neobljudena; Indijanci živijo samo ob jezerih. Kar jih je krščenih, so lov že precej pustili in se živijo deloma s poljedelstvom, ki pa na tej peščeni zemlji slabo uspeva, deloma pa od pridobivanja javorovega sladkorja. Spomladi se vas izprazni, vse gre v bližnje gozde varit sladkor. V pismu ji pošilja list sladkornega javora. Indijanci so svobodno ljudstvo; državnih postav nimajo, samo evangeljski nauki jim urejajo življenje. “Oznanjevalec evangelija je njihov kralj. Misijonarju skazujejo veliko spoštovanje in čudovito pokorščino, da sem večkrat prav ganjen. Kar jim rečem, takoj storijo, brez godrnjanja in oporekanja." Sporoča ji nekatere zanimivosti iz pretekle zime: Pitna voda, ki je stala na mizi samo en korak proč od železne peči, je zmrznila, čeprav v peči neprestano in močno gori. Zmrznila mu je tudi voda za umivanje, četudi jo je bil postavil prav pod peč. “V januarju in februarju je bilo nekaj dni tako mrzlih, da sem sv. mašo pričel, a bi je skoraj ne bil mogel dokončati. Vrčka, v katerih imam mašno vino in vodo, sem dal poprej segreti; pa preden sem bil pri darovanju, je bilo že vse zmrznjeno in sem moral prebiti led, da sem mogel vino in vodo vliti v kelih. Pa komaj sem vlil, je že pri tisti priči zmrznilo; in ko sem prišel do povzdigovanja, sem moral dolgo časa v kelih dihati, da sem led nekoliko otajal. Še dosti dlje sem moral dihati pred sv. obhajilom, da sem mogel zaužiti sveto Rešnjo Kri." Tudi v cerkvenih stenah iz brun je bilo mnogo špranj in je mrz vdiral skoznje. Pismo zaključuje s pozdravi do vseh prijateljev, znancev in sorodnikov. Posebno pozdravlja bogoslovnega profesorja Pavška, potem Amalijinega moža in sestro
Antonijo. “Povej jim, da se jih v ljubezni vedno spominjam." Ob zaključku pisma se imenuje njenega “presrečnega brata". Mnogo tolažbe mu je torej vlival Bog.
NA DOBROVEM OTOKU.
PRVI OTAVSKI MOLITVENIK (1832)
Za na spomlad leta 1832 je dobil Baraga povabilo od treh strani. Ko se je Michigansko jezero rešilo ledu in so vsi kristjani opravili velikonočno dolžnost, se je 9. maja odpeljal s tolmačem in nekaterimi spremljevalci na misijonsko pot, ki jo je 1. julija potem opisal Leopoldinini ustanovi.
»Najprej sem se peljal na prav prijazen otok velikega Michiganskega jezera, ki je tako daleč od obale, da se kot tanka meglica komaj malo vidi. Otok je precej velik in se obhodi v kakšnih štirih urah; imenuje se Bobrov otok, ker je nekdaj bilo tam mnogo bobrov. Na njem je vasica osmih koč iz lubja. Prebivalci se živijo z ribarjenjem in pridobivanjem sladkorja. Več jih je dvomilo o uspehu tega misijonskega pota; jaz sem se pa vendarle odpravil z zaupanjem na Boga, ki je obljubil, da bo spremljal svoje služabnike.«
»Srce mi je tolklo, ko smo se bližali otoku. Imam belo zastavo z rdečim križem v sredi, ki jo razvijem, kadar se peljem na misijon, da z njo označim svoj čoln. Ko smo se vozili proti otoku, smo imeli prijeten veter; mirovna zastava s križem je ljubko vihrala. Otočani imajo, kakor sploh vsi Indijanci, čudovito oster vid. Ko so zastavo s križem že od daleč zagledali, je dal tudi njihov poglavar svojo zastavo obesiti na sleme svoje koče. Indijanci iz Krivega drevesa, ki so me spremljali, so v tem videli zelo ugodno znamenje, kar me je docela pomirilo. — nadaljevanje —
Kapela Marije Pomagaj v katedrali Marijinega brezmadežnega spočetja v Washington-u, kjer so pred leti Slovenci obljubili zvestobo Mariji.
Letos bodo tu od 31. avgusta- 1. Septembra BARAGOVI DNEVI-Potrdilo zvestobe SLOVENSTVU.
FRAN LEVSTIK
MARTIN KRPAN
ILLUSTRATED BY
TONE KRALJ
TRANSLATED FROM THE SLOVENE BY F.S. COPELAND
Continued
Then the Emperor said: »Wait a bit. Martin! Don't be so hasty! You're not going to leave our house like this, believe me! I'm the master here, you know!«
Krpan replied: »Every man is such as God made him. We've each of us got something amiss: who hasn't got a hump, perhaps he's pouty! My manners are not for you, 1 can see that. So don't let's talk as if I was to stay here. Even my little mare, whom they miscall a goat, is not used to dry fodder all the time. At home she grazes in the wood, and when we're on the road, it’s by the wayside!«
At that, the Emperor's minister, Gregory, came up. He kept the keys of the Emperor's treasury, because such as He have a special servant for every single thing. The Minister said: »D'you know what, Imperial Majesty? Stehan, your fool, is dead: yesterday it was a week since he passed away, God grant him heavenly bliss! Stehan and Krpan, they sound pretty well alike. What d'you think?
Perhaps that chap would take on his job? You never can tell. He's a slyboots; he’s fat; comical too, and just as long-tongued; there’s not such another in all Christendom!«
Krpan replied: »Master Gregory, d’you know what? Once you made a fool of me, but you won’t do so twice. Great and small would laugh at me and my lost wits, if that were to happen. - But now it’s a good thing that I’ve remembered! I'd almost forgotten what’s been for long on the tip of my tongue. Your Imperial Majesty, one day you met me and my little mare in the snow, didn't you?«
The Emperor: »That is so!«
Krpan: »And what I was carrying in my load?«
The Emperor: »Whetstones and tinder.«
Krpan »That was when you were travelling to Jerusalem.«
The Emperor: »Rubbish! I was on my way to Trieste; I know no more of Jerusalem than of my last hour.«
Krpan: »And I just as much of whetstones and tinder. At the time, you know, I didn't tell you the truth.
I'm still sorry for it. I was carrying English salt. Matter of fact, I wasn't afraid either of you or your coachman. But that's how it is: once a man departs from the straight road, no matter how strong he be, he's scared at the sound of one branch hitting another.«
Then up spoke the Minister, Gregory: »Don't you know that's forbidden? He's a dangerous man; he defrauds the State. Seize him, lock him up!«
Krpan answered: »Who's to take me? You. perhaps, you high-heeled snob, as lean as a grill? Why, with all your magisterial airs, you're scarcely half a handful! With one hand I'll toss you over the roof of St. Stephen's in the middle of the town! Don't talk nonsense!«
The Emperor said: »Now you just tell me if there's anything you'd like. We're not going to be enemies, you and I, if it please God that we shouldn't. And you. Minister Gregory, leave him alone! I know fine what to do!«
Krpan answered: »Then listen to me! I know that my tussle with Brrdows is worth something. What do we know? Perhaps our minstrels will make tales and poems that shall be said and sung when you and I shall be no more, neither dust nor bones, unless Master Gregory has it set down differently in a book. But let him do as he pleases; he'll neither win my favour by it nor buy himself off with me. All the same, every workman is worthy of his hire, as I’ve heard in church. If it be your will, then give me a letter which will hold good with all authorities both temporal and spiritual; and set your seal upon it, that I may safely peddle English salt about the country. If you will give me that, may I be a rascal from top to toe, if ever I cast anything up to you as long as I go trading!«
To be continued
    ^
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“FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART”
Fate of the Illinois
Illinois is the French name given to the tribe of Indians that occupied the geographical area known as the state of Illinois.
In their native tongue, their name meant “perfect man.” They were a very peaceful race of people. Oneness with nature and the Great Spirit was the cornerstone of their way of life.
At the height of their existence their population numbered in the millions. For many seasons they ruled this area, and there was peace and harmony.
However, more and more white settlers were moving into the area known as New York. This caused the Iroquois Indians to move west, into the land of the Illinois.
The Iroquois decided that the Illinois Indian was too peaceful for their own good. If the Illinois Indian was going to survive, they would have to adopt a tougher, more aggressive way of life.
A northern tribe known as the Blackfoot agreed with the Iroquois and joined forces with them. Together they approached the Illinois.
However, the Illinois would not be swayed. They stuck firm in their beliefs, and refused to fight their brothers, white or red.
The Iroquois and the Blackfoot sur-
A view of the Illinois River from atop Starved Rock
rounded the Illinois Indians and cut off their supplies. The last of this great tribe retreated to the top of a great rock near the Illinois River. There, legend says, all but fourteen died of starvation.
In attempts to retrieve water from the river, the Illinois Indians lowered buckets on ropes. The surrounding Blackfoots cut the ropes.
One night, fourteen of the Illinois Indians lowered themselves from the rock with ropes and made theirescape. Legend says they headed down to St. Louis where some joined up with another tribe and others intermarried with the white settlers, ending the existence of the Illinois Indian.
In the 1930’s, as part of Pres. Roosevelt's recovery plan (CCC) this historic spot was turned into a national park, naming it after that tragic fate of the Illinois Indian: Starved Rock National Park.
’Til next month...
DAVY
HAPPY SCHOOL DAYS
he youngster brought home a failing report card. “What have you to say about this?” asked his mother.
“One thing for sure,” he replied. “You know I ain’t cheating!”
“Can you give me a good example of how heat expands things and cold contracts them?” the teacher asked.
“Well,” one pupil answered, “the days are much longer in the summer.”
—Quote
The students kept looking at the wall clock very often. One day they came to class, looked at the clock and saw the large inscription placed over it: Time will pass. Will you?
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sep.	I	CA-WASH-ORE STATE CONVENTION. Br.
100, Fontana, CA Sep.	8	-	MINNESOTA STATE CONVENTION. Br. 23.
Ely, MN
Sep. 15 - WISCONSIN STATE CONVENTION. Br. I. Sheboygan. WI
Sep.	17	-	60TH’ANNIVERSARY DINNER, Br. 47. Gar-
field Hts.. OH at SNH. Maple His.. 6 p.m. Call Mary Taucher for tickets by Sept. 7th.
Sep.	18 -	CHINESE AUCTION. Br. 32. Euclid, OH
Sep.	28 -	65TH ANNIVERSARY DANCE. Br. 105.	De-
troit, Ml at VFW Hall. Dearborn. 8-12 p.m.
Sep. 29 - OHIO-M1CH1GAN STATE CONVENTION. Br.
50. Cleveland, OH Oct. 6 - ILLINOIS-INDIANA STATE CONVENTION.
Br. 22. Bradley, 1L Oct.	6-	BAKE SALE. Br. 42. Maple Hts., OH
Oct.	6-	BAKE SALE & VINSKA TRGATEV. Br.	47.
Garfield Hts.. OH at SNH. Maple Hts.
Oct. 26- "TRIED & TRUE TREASURE" RUMMAGE SALE. Br. 42. Maple Hts.. OH Nov. 3 - POULTRY CARD PARTY, Br. 43, Milwaukee. WI
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