Zarja Official Publication Slovenian Union of America Uradno Glasilo Slovenske Zveze v Ameriki $10.99 U.S./$15.99 International Volume 88 Issue 2 March/April 2016 The Dawn Koča (little hut) nestled by the snowcapped mountains in Slovenia. Slovenian Union of America 431 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432-1703 TELEPHONE: 815.727.1926 WEB SITE: slovenianunion.org 2015-2019 National Board of Directors PRESIDENT: Mary Lou Deyak Voelk (Branch 23) ottolou@gulftel.com VP OF OUTREACH: Diane Hohenwater (Branch 20) dhohenwater@comcast.com VP OF HOME OFFICE: VP OF CULTURE & HERITAGE: Nancy Henkel (Branch 89) henkelnancy@aol.com VP MARKETING & FUND-RAISING: Norm Setnicker (Branch 109) normas188@msn.com CORRESPONDING/RECORDING SECRETARY: Catherine “Cookie” Maxin (Branch 50) cookie.maxin@gmail.com TREASURER: Robert Kuhel (Branch 16) rjkuhel@sbcglobal.net (ISSN 0044-1848) Postmaster: Send all changes of address to: SLOVENIAN UNION OF AMERICA 431 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432-1703 Zarja - The Dawn EDITOR: Bonnie Pohar Prokup DIRECTOR OF DESIGN: Debbie Pohar EDITORIAL OFFICE: 3119 Carrie St., Peru, IL 61354 PUBLISHER: Slovenian Union of America Vol. 88, No. 2, March/April 2016 Published bimonthly Periodicals Postage paid at Joliet, IL, and additional mailing offices. Communications for the next issue of publication Do you have something you would like to share with readers? We would love to hear from you! Please e-mail the editor at wprokup@aol.com. We reserve the right to edit any article submitted. Articles must be related to Slovenia, SUA events, or members. The deadline for articles is the 10th day of the month, two (2) months preceding the issue. For example, articles for the May/June issue must be received by March 10. Thank you. Submission Guidelines E-mail your photos attached as jpeg files. If you have an old photo that is irreplaceable, please make a good-quality copy to share with us. (Scanned copies must be a resolution of 300 or higher.) By submitting material for publication, you grant the Slovenian Union of America the use of the material, including your name, hometown, and state. We may modify, reproduce, and distribute it in any SUA authorized medium and in any manner or appropriate place. Table of Contents President’s Message 1 Celebrating 90 Years 2 VP of Marketing & Fund-Raising 3 Educational Grant Program 4 From the Desk of VP of Culture & Heritage 6 “April’s Showers of Dollars” Drawing 7 The Education of Slovenian Culture and Heritage One Branch-One Member at a Time Featuring Branch 35 - Aurora, MN 8 Primosh’s Silver in Smuggler Mine By David G. Sodac 10 Member Support/Zarja Subscription and Renewal Form 14 Her Name Is Sister Cecilia Adamic by Mary Lou Deyak Voelk 15 Branch Reports 16 News from Our Friends – We Would Love to Hear from You! 27 100th Anniversary Church of Saint Cyril, New York 29 It’s a Small World 30 The Heart and Spirit of a Slovenian-American Woman – Beverly Chiodo Jackson 31 The Easter Season Slovenian Customs 32 A complete copy of the “Annual IRS form 990 Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax” for the year 2014 is available for public inspection at 431 N. Chicago St, Joliet, IL. An abbreviated copy is available on the web site. President’s Message... SUA Members’ and Member Representatives’ Annual Teleconference Meeting Saturday, April 16, 2016, 11:00 A.M. This is a time to make preparations for the teleconference meeting via Ready Talk. To prepare the room, query your membership on how many plan to attend. Have enough seating for all Branch members who wish to be present. Attention must be given to ensure the site is devoid of any noises (side talking, whispering, horns, doors, rattling of paper). EVERY sound is picked up! Ready Talk Audio requires only a telephone with a speaker. To know about Ready Talk, log on to their site. It is an easy read and very informative - www.readytalk.com. To all Branches - Send any ideas/issues for discussion at the April 16 meeting to: Correspondence/Recording Secretary, Cookie Maxin at cookie.maxin@gmail.com. It is often referred to as Mardi Gras, the French term for Fat Tuesday, where exuberant events occur in every little town along the gulf coast and around the world. A week after New Year’s Day, the frenzy begins. Wreaths of purple, gold, and green are hung on door fronts. As the parade passes through, a thousand people are screaming for beads, beads, beads, and begging for Moon Pies. In Slovenia it is called Pust/Carnival. There are fairies, drummers, and monsters (just like our Halloween) and the traditional, mythical, Slovenian monsters called Kurents (figures dressed in a very heavy costume made of sheep skin, wearing spooky masks with a long red tongue, wearing cow bells, red or green wool socks, black boots, and multi-colored ribbons to dress it all up). They march through towns making loud noises with the cow bells and wood sticks. All this frolic, just to scare away the evil spirits and the cold winter weather. As with any celebration, there is food and drink. In the south it is the King Cake; for Slovenians it is krofe. And then at the stroke of midnight it abruptly comes to an end - Fat Tuesday, the last day to “eat fat before the fast begins.” Out goes any remnant of Mardi Gras. It will be 40 days until Easter Sunday, now time for the butare, and žegen basket to come front and center. PROCESS FOR COLORING EGGS The coloring matter is mixed with a quart of water and a few spoonfuls of white vinegar. A spoonful of salt is added to make the dye last longer. The mixture with eggs should be boiled on low heat for approximately half an hour. The pot is then removed from the stove and the eggs Every family has a journey... Every heritage has a journey... Every country has a journey... March/April 2016 are left in the liquid to shine. Below is a listing of the colors. Red: Red wine, dried red-onion skins Green: spinach leaves, green tea Yellow: marigold blooms, saffron, golden delicious apple peelings, any dried red flowers On having a joyful Easter Sunday, try several of these old customs: Shake the fruit trees to wake up tree spirits who will then contribute to a good harvest. Hang your baskets on the fence before sunrise. As the sun rises, the food in the basket will be blessed. They say that the Pope gives a blessing with the sun all over the world. (In certain places in the Prekmurje region, foods were not taken for the church blessing.) How about French toast style potica made from the heels of the loaf, or from small loafs of potica that did not fit in the pan? Spray a fry pan or griddle and add a pat of butter. Dip slices of potica in flour, and then in beaten egg. Fry up! Serve with more butter and warm maple syrup. Oh, my! Dober Tek. Try this idea for a dessert that those seated at the table will never forget! A warmed slice of potica, a scoop of ice cream, and a few spoonfuls of the walnut, caramel, pumpkin oil topping found on page 22 in SUA’s The Slovenian-America Table cookbook. A happy and blessed Easter to you all! Mary Lou Deyak Voelk, President These three comprise the human need for our roots... and we can only find them by LIVING OUR LEGACY 1 Celebrating Celebrating90 90Years Years--The TheSlovenian SlovenianUnion Unionof ofAmerica America1926-2016 1926-2016 -byMary MaryLou LouDeyak DeyakVoelk Voelk -by EARLY EARLYHISTORY HISTORY The TheSlovenian SlovenianLadies LadiesUnion UnionofofAmerica Americawas wasfounded foundedininan an inintheir theirnative nativelanguage. language.ItItwas wasaalonely lonelylife; life;husbands husbands age agewhen whenititwas wasaararity raritytotohave haveaatelephone telephoneininthe thehome. home.Yet, Yet, worked workedlong longhours hourstotoeke ekeout outaaliving. living.They Theywere werefar far from fromDecember December28, 28,1926, 1926,totoDecember December1928, 1928,26 26Branches Branches from fromfamily familyand andtheir theirhomeland. homeland. were wereadded addedtotothe theSlovenian SlovenianLadies LadiesUnion. Union.How Howwas wasthis this To Tobe becontinued… continued… possible? possible?To Tohelp helpme meprepare preparefor forthe thehistory historyofofour ourorganizaorganization tionI Ihad hadan aninterview interviewwith withCorinne CorinneLeskovar, Leskovar,former formereditor editor ofofZarja, Zarja,Together Togetherwe wereviewed reviewedour ourrich richpast. past.InInaddition, addition, two twoinformative informativeresources resourceswere werean an18 18page pageSWUA SWUAdocudocument ment(in (inSlovenian), Slovenian),dated datedApril April1964 1964from fromMarie MariePrisland, Prisland, and andaadocument documentstamped stampedwith withthe theEX EXLIBRIS LIBRISseal sealofofEric EricA. A. Kovacic, Kovacic,Washington WashingtonD.C., D.C.,1990. 1990. InInOctober October30, 30,1926 1926aaconvocation convocationwas wasopened openedwhere whereititwas was recommended recommendedtotoset setup upaalady’s lady’sorganization. organization.The Theidea ideatrigtriggered geredaastorm stormofofenthusiasm enthusiasmand andendorsement endorsementofofcompatricompatriots. ots.AAlively livelyexchange exchangeofofideas ideasand andadvice advicefollowed. followed.On Onthe the question questiontotoestablish establishaaSlovenian Slovenianlady’s lady’sorganization, organization,those those present present unanimously unanimously and and enthusiastically enthusiastically determined determined that that this thisisisdone. done. The The convocation convocation was was followed followed by by aa lively lively exchange exchange ofof ideas ideasand andadvice. advice.AAdraft draftconstitution constitutionand andmakeshift makeshiftrules rules for forthe theadministration administrationofofthe theUnion Unionand andBranches, Branches,that thatwere were point pointfor forpoint, point,were wereunanimously unanimouslyapproved. approved.The TheSlovenian Slovenian Union Unionthus thusbecame becameaareality. reality. Slovenska SlovenskaŽenska ŽenskaZveza Zvezawas wasfounded foundedon onDecember December19,1926. 19,1926. AAtotal totalofof72 72women womenmade madeup upthe themembership membershipofofthe thefirst first two two Branches. Branches. Branch Branch 11 ofof Sheboygan, Sheboygan, WI, WI, met met inin the the hometown hometownofofMrs. Mrs.Prisland. Prisland.According AccordingtotoCorinne CorinneLeskoLeskovar, var,Mrs. Mrs.Prisland Prislandwas wasinsistent insistentthat thather herhometown hometownwas wasthe the first firstBranch. Branch.Branch Branch22ofofChicago, Chicago,IL, IL,gathered gatheredininthe theschool school hall hallofofthe theSlovenian Slovenianchurch, church,St. St.Stefan StefanininChicago, Chicago,IL. IL. AAperplexing perplexing question: question: How How could could so so many many Branches Branches be be formed formedacross acrossthe thecountry countrywith withlittle, little,ififany, any,means meansofofadveradvertising? tising?Mrs. Mrs.Prisland Prislandwas wasaagifted giftedwriter. writer.News Newsofofthe theSloveSlovenian nianLadies LadiesUnion UnionininSheboygan Sheboyganand andChicago Chicagowas waspublished published inin the the Ameriška Ameriška Domovina Domovina (American (American Home) Home) newspaper. newspaper. Women Womenaround aroundthe thecountry countrywould wouldwrite writeMrs. Mrs.Prisland, Prisland,and and she shepromptly promptlyresponded respondedtototheir theirinquiries. inquiries.Priests, Priests,namely namely Father FatherSchiffer, Schiffer,were weregreat greatpromoters promotersofofthe theorganization. organization. Pueblo, Pueblo,CO, CO,became becameBranch Branch33ininDecember December1926. 1926.Oregon Oregon City, City, OR, OR, became became Branch Branch 44 inin January January 1927. 1927. ItIt was was said said that thatMrs. Mrs.Prisland Prislandwas wasvery verysurprised surprisedatatthe therapid rapidgrowth growthofof the theUnion. Union.ItIthad hadnot notbeen beenthe theintention intentionofofMrs. Mrs.Prisland Prislandtoto spread spreadthe theborders bordersofofthe theSlovenian SlovenianLadies LadiesUnion. Union.Women Women reading readingofofthis thisnew neworganization organizationfound foundsolace solaceiningathering gathering among amongthose thoseofoftheir theirown ownheritage, heritage,hearing hearingand andconversing conversing 22 Zarja Zarja--The TheDawn Dawn VP of Marketing & Fund-Raising LOOK CLOSELY AT THE SUA/SWUA LOGO How many of us have looked closely at the SUA/SWUA logo? It has been the trademark of our organization since 1926. In 2016 our organization will be celebrating 90 years of existence. Our BRANCHES are what feed the flames of our Slovenian ethnicity. When Bob Kuhel, our current SUA treasurer, asked me if I knew the symbolism behind the SUA/SWUA logo, I asked a few members of the current SUA National Board who then referred me to Corinne Leskovar, a decades-long Zarja - The Dawn editor and a friend of Marie Prisland, the founder of the SWUA. Corinne and I exchanged e-mails and this is what we came up with. The TORCH and FLAME symbolizes “Slovenian enlightenment” - the knowledge of our Slovenian culture. The LEAVES which are entwined represent the members connected to the BRANCHES. In other words, it is through our membership that the strength of the SUA finds its energy. Our newly-elected officers depend on the energy from its members - not just the National Board or Branch officers. We all have something to share with our Slovenian ethnicity. If you look carefully at the base of the TORCH, you will notice the small FLAMES that fuel the TORCH and thus the increased “enlightenment” of the SUA/SWUA. Today we need to “feed” the flames of enlightenment and add LEAVES to each of our BRANCHES. We must grow our Tips for Preserving Our Slovenian Oral History The Smithsonian Center for Folk Life and Cultural Heritage has published The Smithsonian Folklife and Oral History Interviewing Guide. This booklet presents guidelines and a sample list of questions. Included are seven forms to be used for recording your projects. This is a treasure and it is free. March/April 2016 numbers and spread the knowledge of our Slovenian culture. Originally, there was also a banner or ribbon that had the letters S.Z.Z. embossed on the facing. The first Z has a “v” over the top to denote the sound of “zh,” which is one of the alphabetic pronunciations the Slovenian language uses occasionally (there are s,c,z letters with the sh, ch, zh pronunciations like sure, church, and garage) - as they are the initials for Slovenska Zenska Zveza (Slovenian Women’s Union). The colors were red, white, and blue, used as the Slovenian flag shows them: white, blue, and red. The torch and wreath are gold and the ribbon blue, with the top field in white and the bottom field in red. All of you will be hearing more about the 90 year anniversary of the SUA/SWUA in the next issue of the Zarja. Be thinking about what YOU can contribute to keep the FLAME burning brightly. Norm Setnicker “Born in America with Slovenian Parts” VP of Marketing & Fund-Raising Branch 109 - Twin Cities, MN IVANKA MATIC BARAGA DAYS HONOREE St. Vitus and St. Mary the Assumption Parishes hosted Baraga Days in Cleveland, OH, this past September. A highlight of the evening was the recognition of members of their respective St. Mary Altar Society. SUA congratulates Ivanka Matic, Branch 50 - Euclid, OH, of the St. Vitus Society, who accepted the award for 30 years of service making krofe for countless Slovenian occasions. 3 Slovenian Union of America (SUA) Educational Grant Program 2016-2017 Academic Year Program Objectives The Board of Directors of SUA believes that the preservation of the Slovenian culture in America, as well as the future leadership of the organization, depends upon having persons who have pursued growth in their academic and vocational educations. Further, the Board believes that financial limitations may have an important influence toward the ability of students to pursue their goals. While other sources of financial aid, such as scholarships and tuition aid may be sought, the SUA Educational Grant Program is directed to other expenses, such as book costs, lab fees, and fees beyond tuition, which pose a limitation on persons pursuing their education. There are no age limits on eligibility for the award of an SUA Educational Grant. 1. Deadline for Educational Grant application submissions is July 31, 2016 (No exceptions). 2. Refer to criteria below for eligibility requirements and application submission requirements. 3. Type or print legibly. Illegible or incomplete applications will be returned to applicants. You may also download a copy of the application online at www.slovenianunion.org. 4. You will be notified by U.S. mail or e-mail regarding the outcome of consideration of your application. 5. If you have any questions about the application process, contact the Selection Committee, the address of which is listed below. Purpose To assist SUA members of all ages to pursue their educational goals. Award Criteria 1. Applicant must have an acceptance letter from an accredited college, university, vocational or trade school, or must provide evidence of already pursuing a program at such an institution. 2. Applicant must be a member of SUA in good standing. 3. Applicant must submit a description of educational objectives, including ambitions with regard to a leadership role in SUA. 4. Applicant entering a school must provide evidence of having been awarded a high school diploma. If already pursuing training at a higher lev4 el school, they must provide a description of the current status of their progress toward completion of a program, and their GPA. 5. Applicant may submit evidence of awards (educational and/or athletic) received while attending high school, or if already pursuing a post-high school program, any awards received to date. 6. Only one SUA Educational Grant per student may be awarded for an academic year. 7. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S. Application Process Applicant must submit the following items to the Education Grant Selection Committee at the address listed below: 1. Completed application form. 2. A copy of your high school transcript or the most recent transcript with the cumulative GPA from a higher level institution. 3. A personal essay describing your educational and career goals and your intentions toward participation in a SUA leadership role. The statement should be at least 250 words in length. Attach additional sheets to the application form with the applicant’s name at the top of each. 4. A recommendation prepared by a high school instructor who knows you or a current college or vocational school instructor. Deadline for applications is July 31, 2016. Applications postmarked after this date will not be considered. Special Provision Grant awards for books, fees, and other expenses not covered by other scholarships and financial aid will be issued directly to the award recipient upon submission of receipts for the items covered by the grant. Educational Grant awardees will be featured in Zarja - The Dawn. Please mail questions or submit application to: Educational Grant Selection Committee Slovenian Union of America 431 North Chicago Street Joliet, IL 60432-1703 Zarja - The Dawn Education Grant Program Application Form Please type or write legibly. Attach additional sheets, including title of the program, if more space is required. Last Name First Name Middle Initial Street Address City & State Zip Code Home Telephone No. Cell Phone No. E-mail Address Date of Birth I Certify That I Am a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident of the U.S. □ Yes □ No If New Enrollment, Enter Program to Be Pursued. If Already Pursuing a Program, Enter Its Name. If Already Enrolled in a Program, Provide the Name of the Director. SUA Branch and Location If Already Pursuing a Program, What Is the Status Of Your Completion to Date? Name, Address, and Telephone Number of the School. If a Dependent, List Name, Address, and Telephone Number of Parents or Guardians. Personal Reference Who Knows You Well and Can Attest to Your Educational and SUA Goals. List Name and Contact Information. Describe Any Volunteer Service in the Community and/or SUA Branch Volunteer Activities. Career Goals and Goals for Future SUA Branch Participation. Attach a Statement of at Least 250 Words. Academic Scholarships, Merit Scholarships, and/or Other Awards Received in High School or College. Attach a Brief Description of a Significant High School Experience That Had a Positive Impact on Your Goals. Scholarships or Other Financial Assistance Already Available for Funding Your Education Goals. Beyond Tuition Costs, for What Purpose(s) Is SUA Financial Assistance Requested and in What Amount(s)? Signature March/April 2016 Date 5 From From the the Desk Desk ofof VP of Culture & Heritage NANCY NANCYSUPAN SUPANHENKEL, HENKEL,VP VPOF OFCULTURE CULTURE&&HERITAGE, HERITAGE,Branch Branch89 89- -Oglesby, Oglesby,IL IL 2016 2016isisgoing goingtotobe bean anexciting excitingyear yearfor forall allSlovenians, Slovenians, asasthey theycelebrate celebratethe theRepublic RepublicofofSlovenia’s Slovenia’s25 25years years ofofIndependence. Independence.They Theywill willbe becommemorating commemoratingthe the occasion occasionwith withmuch muchfanfare fanfarethroughout throughoutthe theyear. year.VariVarious ousevents eventswill willbe betaking takingplace placeall allover overthe thecountry countryfor for the theentire entireyear. year.This Thispast pastJanuary January11, 11,2016, 2016,the theopening opening event eventofficially officiallytook tookplace placeininfront frontofofLjubljana’s Ljubljana’sTown Town Hall. Hall.The Thekick kickoff offwas wasspectacular! spectacular! InInaddition additiontotothe thespecial specialyear, year,Ljubljana Ljubljanaitself itselfhas hasbeen been chosen chosenasasthe the2016 2016European EuropeanGreen GreenCapital Capitalby bythe theEuEuropean ropeanCommission Commissionfor forraising raisingenvironmentally environmentallyfriendfriendlylypublic publictransport, transport,quality qualitydrinking drinkingwater, water,zero zerowaste waste program, program,good goodair airquality, quality,and andgreat greattourism. tourism. IfIfyou youare areso soprivileged privilegedtotovisit visitSlovenia Sloveniathis thisyear, year,be be prepared preparedfor foran anextra extraspecial specialtime! time!Slovenians Sloveniansseem seemtoto enjoy enjoypartying, partying,so soititisisgoing goingtotobe bespectacular. spectacular. CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS SLOVENIA! SLOVENIA! SUA SUADonations Donations -- Thank Thank you! you! $100 $100Donation Donation Mary MaryLou LouVoelk, Voelk,23, 23, $50-Educational $50-EducationalGrant Grant&& $50-Cultural $50-CulturalGrant Grant Branch Branch89, 89,Heritage HeritageMuseum Museum Branch Branch89, 89,Zarja Zarja Barbara BarbaraM. M.Louthan, Louthan,93 93 Mike MikeSixel, Sixel,102, 102,+Pat +PatSixel Sixel $88 $88Donation Donation Janez JanezLomshek, Lomshek,100 100 $75 $75Donation Donation Donald DonaldKambic, Kambic,100 100 Barbara BarbaraNash, Nash,103 103 $60 $60Donation Donation Jean JeanRobertson, Robertson,43 43 $35 $35Donation Donation Kathleen KathleenClime, Clime,93 93 $20 $20Donation Donation Ann AnnZupancic, Zupancic,42 42 $25 $25Donation Donation Elsie ElsieWojdula, Wojdula,22 Carol CarolA. A.Goergen, Goergen,13, 13, +Sophie +SophieTraya Traya&&Ann AnnNanut Nanut Angela AngelaM. M.Zaida, Zaida,20 20 Margaret MargaretLaurich, Laurich,35, 35, +mother, +mother,Katherine KatherineL.L.Hanka Hanka Denise DeniseP.P.Bartlett, Bartlett,43, 43, Honor HonorofofPaula PaulaDelopst DelopstBehling Behling Rosemary RosemaryKostansek, Kostansek,50 50 Renata RenataWeber, Weber,93 93 Nada NadaWeber, Weber,93 93 Janet JanetMarie MarieC. C.Hagan, Hagan,109 109 Rick RickPisa, Pisa,109, 109,+Franc +FrancVesel Vesel&& Franciska FranciskaPrijatelj Prijatelj $15 $15Donation Donation Susan SusanPakiz, Pakiz,102 102 $10 $10Donation Donation Bernice BerniceM. M.Bubel, Bubel,16 16 Carole CaroleTerlep, Terlep,20 20 Frances FrancesKorringa, Korringa,20 20 Patricia PatriciaKoski, Koski,23 23 Josephine JosephineSovich, Sovich,50 50 New New Members Members -- Welcome! Welcome! 2,2,Zefran, Zefran,Joseph Joseph 3,3,Tomsick, Tomsick,Terry Terry 3,3,Yakos, Yakos,Jacob Jacob 5,5,Turk, Turk,Amy Amy 20, 20,Cabay, Cabay,Lindsay Lindsay 20, 20,Courtright, Courtright,Kathryn Kathryn 23, 23,Shober, Shober,Aaron Aaron 23, 23,Shober, Shober,Andrew Andrew 26, 26,Dennison, Dennison,William William 30, 30,Debelak, Debelak,Alyssa Alyssa 30, 30,Dunstan, Dunstan,Stephany Stephany 66 30, 30,Omann, Omann,Dr. Dr.Elaine ElaineM. M. 30, 30,Vuksinick, Vuksinick,Kurt Kurt 35, 35,Akkanen, Akkanen,Jean Jean 35, 35,Chinn, Chinn,Rose RoseAnn Ann 35, 35,Feroni, Feroni,Mary MaryLou Lou 35, 35,Schuchard, Schuchard,Morgan Morgan 42, 42,Daugherty, Daugherty,Kayla Kayla 42, 42,Daugherty, Daugherty,Taylor Taylor 42, 42,Koren, Koren,Jonathan Jonathan 42, 42,Koren, Koren,Rosalie Rosalie 43, 43,Saje, Saje,Linda Linda 43, 43,Shiflet, Shiflet,Jim Jim 43, 43,Sonntag, Sonntag,Linda Linda 50, 50,Markatos, Markatos,Josephine Josephine 50, 50,Vidmar, Vidmar,Olivia Olivia 89, 89,Calkins, Calkins,Carol Carol“Susie” “Susie” 108, 108,Rosa, Rosa,Alex Alex 109, 109,Kreck-Harnish, Kreck-Harnish,Debra Debra 109, 109,Lundgren, Lundgren,Karen Karen 109, 109,Pakiz, Pakiz,Patrice Patrice 109, 109,Schneider, Schneider,Anne Anne 109, 109,Schneider, Schneider,Christopher ChristopherJ.J. Zarja Zarja--The TheDawn Dawn “April’s Showers of Dollars” Drawing SUA’s April 2016 Fund-Raiser LARGER CASH PRIZES TOTALING $2,955 How the fund-raiser works: Each day in the month of April, 2016, one (1) winner will be chosen to win the listed cash prize for that day - $65 or $200. There will be 27 Daily Drawings at $65 and the winners chosen on April 1 – “April No Fool’s Day,” April 15 – “Help With Tax Day,” and April 30 – “Here Come May Flowers” will win $200 each. In addition, the top sellers (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place) will win $150, $100, and $50 respectively. A minimum of 300 entries must be sold. It’s a WIN opportunity for everyone! ****$10 per Entry - Good Luck!**** 2019 SUA National Convention. SUA holds its National Convention every four years in host cities around the country. These gatherings are important not only to conduct SUA business but to have a forum for Branch Member Representatives to come together to represent their Branch, share their ideas, discuss concerns, and further cement their mutual love and respect for all things related to their Slovenian heritage. Our next SUA National Convention will be held in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2019. C T Plans are underway to make this another memorable event. The successful completion of this “April’s Showers of Dollars” Fund-Raiser will provide monies to help defray the costs of conducting SUA’s National Convention. The Convention Committee strives to offer an affordable convention package to enable Member Representatives and members from every SUA Branch to attend. The entries make excellent gifts for the holiday season, birthdays, and to say “Thank You.” H Your “April’s Showers of Dollars” drawing entry will be eligible for all daily drawings in the month of April, 2016. Sellers of the winning entries will receive $10 as an award for their selling efforts. The daily drawing amount and the seller’s $10 prize will be mailed to the winners on the next business day. Winners will be notified by e-mail, if provided, and their names posted on the SUA website: www.slovenianunion.org. Thank you for your support! U E The following entry form should accompany your $10 entry fee. Detach at perforation R E Entry Form (Please Print Clearly) Copies Accepted Entrant’s Information: Name:_____________________________________ Address:___________________________________ City:______________________________________ State:_______________ZipCode:_______________ Phone:_____________________________________ E-mail:____________________________________ Seller’s Information: Name:_____________________________________ Address:___________________________________ City:______________________________________ State:______________ Zip Code:_______________ Phone:_____________________________________ E-mail:____________________________________ Branch Number and Location:__________________________________________________________________ Please mail completed form and $10 check payable to SUA to: Denise P. Bartlett, SUA Director of Special Projects 7902 West Howard Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53220-1612 Questions? 414.327.4990 or denisepbartlett@wi.rr.com March/April 2016 7 The Education of Slovenian Culture and Heritage One Branch-One Member at a Time Every day, our Slovenian Union of America members are given opportunities to make a difference, whether through cultural events, research, preservation, travel, culinary or craft classes, community service, or traditional prayer. We celebrate each and every member for their dedication and compassion to honor and preserve our Slovenian legacy. Branch 35 - Aurora, Minnesota According to the Roman Catholic calendar, the Feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated on December 6, coinciding with the first Sunday of Advent, the start of the Christmas season. In keeping with Slovenians’ deep admiration of Sveti Miklavž, Branch 35 - Aurora, MN, held a Mass in memory of deceased Slovenian Union members. These individuals were instrumental in preserving their old world customs in the new world. A 6½ foot tall stuffed St. Nicholas statue greeted worshippers as they entered the Slovenian St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gilbert, MN. Beside him was a picture of the Slovenian Women’s Union of America, Branch 31 - Gilbert, MN, taken on July 4, 1937. Robert Finc, Branch 35, and his wife, Colleen Krezel Finc, helped to usher. Robert’s great-grandmother and Colleen’s grandmother were both in that picture taken almost eight decades ago; evidence of the Slovenian Union’s importance then and now. and cope. Fr. Flynn concluded the Mass by pointing to the angel and devil, reminding us that these are the choices we make everyday. Women dressed in narodna noša passed out frosted St. Nicholas cut-out cookies to over 400 people who attended the Mass. Following the Mass, a traditional Slovenian dinner of sarma, Kranjska klobase, blood sausage, coleslaw with kidney beans, Slovenian potato salad, krofe, potica, and strudel, was served in the church’s Fr. John Kausek social hall. Specials guests were from Alaska, Ohio, Wisconsin, Fr. Flynn celebrated the polka Mass with music provided by both the church choir and musicians, Johnny Snidarich, Johnny Stark, Johnny Slavich, Billy Marolt, and Matt Jarva, and singers, Pat Gentile, Rocci Lucarelli, Val Bazzani, David Sandstrom, and 86-year-old Frank Erjavec. Ninety-year-old SUA member, Eleanor Indihar, did the readings. An excellent homilist, Fr. Flynn provided historical background and statistical information on St. Nicholas by relating how many cultures claim him as their own. He shared the true story of St. Nicholas, a servant of Jesus, and contemporized it in saying that we should be like St. Nicholas, by being more loving and caring in all that we do. Slovenian Union of America (SUA) members, Ava, 12, and Tresa Baumgard, 10, of Balkan, were altar servers. Three generations of their family, all SUA members, Jean Seline, Holly and Josie Baumgard, six, dressed in their narodna noša, brought up the gifts. Unfortunately, at the last minute, St. Nicholas “called in sick.” Fr. Flynn quickly switched from his role as a priest, by walking out of the church, An angel, Mayme Scott, distributing oranges, cookies, and candy gold and into his role as Bishop Sveti Miklavž, by walk- coins to good people and Gino Simat, the Parkelj, rattling his chains ing right back up the aisle, sporting a bishop’s mitre while making faces, accompanied special guest, Sveti Miklavž. 8 Zarja - The Dawn Missouri, and Twin Cities, MN - Branch 109. During the meal, Emcee Johnny Snidarich introduced Vida Mihelich Lanari, Theresa Mihelich Meinhardt, and Josie Lunka Elioff who started the program singing “Domovina,” accompanied by Johnny Stark on the button box. Holly Baumgard read the clever poem, “A Slovenian-American Hybrid Christmas,” written by Pat Budzilek, treasurer of Branch 50 - Euclid, OH. Mr. Snidarich praised eight previously unrecognized area Slovenians and Croatians for the prominent roles they played in preserving the Slovenian culture on the Iron Range. The Barich brothers, Bernard and John, made their impact by entertaining vast audiences with Slovenian music. A posthumous award for the same was made to the late Frank Frol. Appreciation of George Rosandich’s near extinct talent of expert accordion repair was showcased. Mary Mazar Veronick’s indelible contribution to our heritage was manifested in the longtime church organist’s providing traditional Slovenian liturgical accompaniment at our spiritual events, whether joyous or sad. Also an organist, Branch 23 - Ely, MN’s president, Pat Sayovitz Koski, whose passion for Slovenian music and practicing Slovenian traditions, especially culinary, were noted. Pat’s name affixed to a recipe guarantees that she has honed the ingredients to perfection as she is a well-respected demonstrator on Public Broadcast cooking shows. Food preparation is also the forte of honoree, Leopolda Bajda Ferkul Schutte, who took over Gilbert’s Koshar’s Sausage Kitchen when the original owners sold the business to her and her sister, Albina Bajda Medved. Leopolda preserved the fine art of sausage-making by passing on the family business to her son, Willy Ferkul. Rosemary Sertich Ribich served as president of Biwabik, MN’s Branch 39, which her husband’s grandmother, Johanna Ribich Sever, organized in1930. At age 95, honoree Albin Zaverl, an active artist, lives independently and is most renowned for his beautiful paintings depicting the quaint Slovenian countryside. Josie Baumgard presented each honoree with a St. Nicholas medal. Johnny Snidarich presented Frances Kovatovich an apron with the names of Slovenian foods imprinted on the front in thanks for her work on the project. While the list of folks to thank would stretch to Ljubljana, there is one person who made the entire event possible. He isn’t Slovenian. He isn’t even Croatian. Yet, he enthusiastically and generously shared his time, talents, and resources. He must have sent a steady stream of prayers up to Saints Cyril and Methodius to make the event the huge success that it was. Without his blessing, the St. Nicholas Day celebration would have never taken place. To show our appreciation for all his efforts, Fr. Charles Patrick Flynn’s dream came true when Johnny Snidarich placed a gold medallion around his neck and made him an “honorary Slovenian.” Now, known as Fr. Flynnovich, Fr. closed the program by demonstrating his Slovenian language skills while reciting the following poem written by Pamela Capin: May your zelodec be tasty and spiced just right, your potica be nutty and rolled really tight. Wishing you krofe that are light and airy, and a holiday that is Healthy, Happy, and Merry! Frances Kovatovich with Sveti Miklavž. Following the banquet, in the sharing spirit of St. Nicholas, Johnny Snidarich and his gracious wife, Samantha, opened their Victorian farm home for tours. While guests were mesmerized by the splendor of the Christmas decor, Johnny played a 1890s music box. Guests enjoyed fine wine and delicious finger foods, good company, and conversation in this idyllic setting - a perfect end to a very meaningful memorable day. To be featured here, e-mail your One Branch-One Member photo as well as its description to: wprokup@aol.com. March/April 2016 9 Watching over the Smuggler Mines from Primosh Popish’s gravesite at Red Butt Cemetery, Aspen, Colorado. PRimosh’s silveR in smuggleR mine Zarja Staff Writer David G. Sodac, Branch 89 - Oglesby, IL bdsodac@gmail.com Rising some 8,000 feet above sea level, nuzzled neatly in a basin surrounded by the White River National Forest and the rugged hillsides of the Aspen, Smuggler, and Red mountains, you’ll discover the charm of today’s worldclass ski town of glittery Aspen, Colorado. But Aspen wasn’t always the playground encounter of high-end boutiques, luxurious spas, and lively resorts. Its roots were nurtured from the sweat and toil of thousands of immigrant miners who were attracted to the lure of the mountain’s silver and gold during the mining boom of the late 1800s. In 1890, the Sherman Silver Act had been passed, doubling the value of silver and launching the silver mining boom. The little town of Aspen “boomed” and briskly grew to over 12,000 miners and their families. But, three years later, President Cleveland repealed the act over concerns that it was draining the value on existing gold reserves. When the silver boom went bust in 1893, Aspen’s population drastically dropped. Kathleen Krieger Daily and Gaylord 10 T. Guenin, the authors of the book, Aspen: The Quiet Years, put it best, “The events of 1893 knocked Aspen to its knees.” Aspen only knew how to scrape and gouge out the silver ore from its mountains. Silver was its only livelihood. Consequently, thousands of citizens abandoned their dreams and left in search of better work opportunities. Just around 700 hardy Aspen residents stayed put during those quiet years, and most of them turned to growing crops. Eventually, the mining industry made a modest comeback and one of those hardy and enterprising residents who played a major role was a 17-year-old Slovenian, Primosh Popish. Primosh Papež [Popish] was the middle child born to Martin Papež and Marjia Oberstar. He was born on June 9, 1887, in the tiny Austro-Hungarian village of Ratje. Following the death of his father in 1899, his mother and family made some difficult decisions. In May 1900, her only daughter was sent to a relative in Cleveland, Ohio, Zarja - The Dawn to be a possible marriage prospect. Mrs. Papež sent her son, Primosh, at the age of 14, to live with relatives living near the capital city of Laibach, and then sought steamship passage to America for herself and two of her sons in 1901. In 1903, Primosh was finally sent passage to join them in Cleveland, Ohio. On April 9, 1903, Primosh boarded the S.S. La Champagne sailing out of the Port of Havre, France, and arrived on May 18 in the Port of New York. According to the destination entered on the ship manifest, Primosh would Family photo of Mary reunite with his family, then Popish (Papež) Standing reside on St. Clair Avenue in from the left are Louis, Primosh, and Laurence. Cleveland. Once in America, the Papež family members unofficially assumed the Americanized derivative of their Slovenian surname as “Popish.” on December 5, 1892, to Slovenian immigrant parents, John and Mary Zupancis, who had moved to Aspen. Primosh and Mary Dorothea married on June 13, 1909, when she was just 16. On the 1910 U.S. Census, Primosh and Mary were residing at 623 East Bleeker Street, and his wife’s family was living next door. The marriage had some early troubling years. Primosh and Mary Dorothea separated and eventually filed for dissolution of their marriage. In 1917, as the storm clouds of World War I were rumbling in Europe, Primosh was inducted into the army. He served two years in the Supply Company of the 241st Field Artillery and in the occupation forces in Germany. He was honorably discharged in June, 1919. Following his return to Aspen, Primosh and Mary Dorothea reconciled their differences and renewed their wedding vows. When the U.S. Census rolled around in 1920, the young Popish couple called 118 Juan Street their home. Primosh’s two brothers were also residing with them and all the brothers were working in the Smuggler mine. The Popish family gave birth to their first child, Primosh Bernard Popish, on April 4, 1921. Tragically, three months after giving birth, A couple of years after Primosh had settled into the Mary Dorothea Popish would succumb to heart disease. American way of life, there came a promising appeal for The newly widowed Primosh, laboring uncountable hours workers in the mining industry. In the early 1900s, union in the mine, was unable to care for his young infant son vs. non-union wars were dominating the mining industry alone. He sent for his mother, Mary Popish, who had left of the Rocky Mountain states. Newspapers across the Aspen a year earlier for Oglesby, Illinois, to help his siscountry were running appealing advertisements for job ter, Antonia Banko. Antonia had been recently widowed opportunities, as the mining industry had hoped to return herself, and was trying to hold together a family of eight to its boom years. At the age of 18, Primosh convinced his young children. Until his mother could return, he hired brothers to head west to seek their fortunes in the hills of a plucky, young 16-year-old girl, Jennie Vedic, to tend Colorado. They had relatives who had already established to the baby and do the housekeeping. Primosh’s mother themselves in the Aspen area in the late 1800s, perhaps did return from Illinois, but her health was failing and making Aspen seem a logical choice to she wasn’t of much help. Jennie found consider. herself not only tending to a young baby and a household, but also taking care of Primosh, his older brother Laurence, and Primosh’s mother. Sadness settled on the younger brother Louis, easily gained emPopish family again; Mrs. Mary Popish ployment working the silver mines that died on September 13, 1921. Jennie Vesurrounded the town of Aspen, living in dic stayed on and continued to care for the abundant, vacated, boarding houses the infant “Bernie.” Less than a year later, located in the area. In October 1906, LauPrimosh Popish proposed to Jennie and rence, the oldest of the Popish brothers, they were married at St. Mary’s Catholic was able to put down enough money for Church in Aspen on February 22, 1922. the west half of lot 21 and all of lot 22 of Edward was born one year later on the Eames addition in the city of Aspen, February 5, 1923. Joseph arrived in the where the boys would eventually reside following year on July 11, 1924. Martin with their mother, Mary. Three years was born February 1926. Their only later, Primosh met an attractive local gal daughter, Lillian, gave the family cause named Mary Dorothea Zupancis. Mary The dapper Popish brothers, to be most thankful as she was born on Laurence, Louis, and Primosh. Dorothea was born in Pueblo, Colorado, November 24, 1927, Thanksgiving Day. March/April 2016 11 On June 20, 1929, Louis was the last child to be born to Primosh and Jennie. Throughout this period of family expansion, Jennie was quite consumed with raising her family of six children, all under the age of eight. Their move from the hillside of Eames addition into the home at 824 Hyman Street, allowed not only elbow space to raise the six children, but plenty of yard space to plant and tend to her large vegetable garden. Primosh, along with his two brothers, Laurence and Popish Children in 1932: Louis, Lillian, Martin, Edward, Joe, and Bernie. Louis, continued to be successful in working the local silver mines, particularly the Smuggler Mine. They developed quite the reputation in the mining community as “lucky leasers” and as mining men of ability. Eventually, Primosh’s brothers sought prospecting opportunities out west in Arizona, California, Montana, and Oregon. Working the Smuggler wasn’t easy as it frequently flooded and the water had to be pumped out in order to mine it. Primosh stuck with the local mines and remained devoted to Aspen. He had always told his boys that there were still loads of silver ore yet to be mined out of the Smuggler. other families. Primosh’s “Thanksgiving born” daughter, Lillian Dalton, shared, “The Depression period really didn’t seem to affect us, as we had food on the table and we didn’t want for much. We were lucky ones.” When the price of silver had plummeted, and most of the Aspen silver mines were shuttered, Primosh seized this entrepreneurial opportunity and began leasing sections or “blocks” of the Smuggler Mine. He hired men to work deep in the guts of the mine that meandered under the city of Aspen. The work was hazardous and difficult and they worked long hours with crude mining tools, but it was satisfying. Lillian recalls that her family always gathered for their supper meal at 5pm sharp and her father would be there with them. Family time was important to Primosh. He would always spend quality time with them as they were growing up, frequently playing cards with the boys in the evenings after supper, while Lillian and her mother would prepare snacks for them to eat. The children loved visiting with their father out at the mine site, riding in the mine carts, and snaking their way deep into the shafts where their father was working. All it took for them to scatter out of the mine was when he would shout that it was time to start up the dynamiting. Wintertime was particularly difficult for the Popish family, primarily due to the separation from their father. Due to wintery and dangerous conditions when traveling the mountain roads to the Smuggler Mine, Primosh would often have to remain in a shack with his men near the mines for two weeks at a time. Yet, the family was in constant Four months after the birth of their last child, the devastating stock market crash on Black Tuesday in 1929 signaled the downward spiraling of the economy into the Great Depression. The Popish family 1940s view of the Popish house, now the site of ski lift #1. persevered through this era, unlike many (Photo compliments of the Aspen Historical Society.) 12 Zarja - The Dawn communication with each other during his absence as they were fortunate to have the use of the telephone. As the children grew, Primosh became quite involved in Boy The Smuggler Mine. (Photo compliments of the Aspen Historical Society.) Scouts with his sons, and in supporting their interests. As a former serviceman himself, he was bulging with pride when his three oldest sons, Bernard, Joe, and Ed, enlisted in the military during WWII. On August 6, 1942, the Aspen Daily Times ran a front page article with the headline, “Popish Family All Out for Victory,” and credited their proud father’s own service. As the years passed by, and the Smuggler Mine became too treacherous to work, Primosh began working as the foreman at another local site, the Midnight Mine. In 1943, Primosh was involved in a tragic incident when his son, Martin, accidently shot him in the leg during a recreational hunting trip. The Aspen Daily Times newspaper clipping, dated October 14, informed the community through this article: “Word reaching Aspen Wednesday was that Primosh Popish underwent a leg amputation at Mercy Hospital in Denver early that day. The main artery had been severed in the leg, and it was necessary to amputate below the knee. This will give full use of the knee, and modern artificial limbs are highly efficient, so that he will eventually be able to use his foot very well in spite of the accident. Primosh Popish was recovering this week from the gunshot wound he suffered last Saturday afternoon, when Martin, with whom he was deer hunting, accidentally shot him. The bullet entered his leg and shattered the bone. The accident occurred atop Independence Pass. Primosh sat down to rest and Martin said he wanted to scout around a little. Primosh told his son to go ahead, that he would stay there. Time dragged on, however, and Mr. Popish decided to continue the hunt. He was wearing duck-colored pants, and when Martin saw the movement of something that looked very much like a deer, he fired.” March/April 2016 Primosh’s daughter, Lillian, recalled the lasting emotional impact the accident had on her brother Martin. She recalled that Martin was just so overwhelmed with what he did to dad, that he never forgave himself. He had reoccurring nightmares up until his own death. Her father, she said, wrote it off as just an understandable and unfortunate accident. Primosh seemingly adjusted well to the use of his artificial leg, and returned to what he knew best… working the mines. Primosh generously gave back his time and talents to his Aspen community. For years he held the elected position of city councilman and was quite active all his life in the local St. Mary’s church, the Aspen Post of the American Legion, and the St. Barbara Fraternal Slovenian Lodge. He became one of Aspen’s most prominent and well-liked citizens. A 1944 newspaper printed that “Primosh Popish is a good citizen, very level-headed fellow, and an American Legionnaire who always has the best interest of Aspen at heart.” He continued to work the Midnight Mine for eight years up until the time of his death. Primosh’s noteworthy contributions also were his five children who each created their own legacies. Only son Joe followed in dad’s footsteps as a miner at Smuggler and Midnight; later he became a plumber. Bernard became Pitkin County’s Coroner. Louis was an electrician and ran Popish Electric. Martin earned his Master’s in Education and last taught as an instructor at Feather River College, California. Lillian attended Business School and worked for 25 years at Aspen Sanitation District. Edward was a clerk at the Aspen Post Office. Primosh died in 1947 and was buried in Aspen’s Red Butte Cemetery. His casket was placed to rest facing his beloved Smuggler Mountain where he arduously labored most of his life, searching for silver in the Smuggler mines. Scenic view of the Smuggler Mining operation. (Photo compliments of the Aspen Historical Society.) 13 Member Support/Zarja Subscription Form and Renewal Slovenian Union of America slovenianunion.org sua@slovenianunion.org 815.727.1926 For RENEWALS use form at BOTTOM of this page Adult $25.00 Adult (International Address) $35.00 Junior (Birth to 18) $5.00 If this is a gift and you agree to continue paying for this support next year, please advise us of billing address: _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Member Support/Zarja Subscription payments are for January through December If you pay after August 31 you will not be billed in January of the next calendar year Renewal Notifications are sent annually in January Please print the requested information below and send this form with a check payable to: Slovenian Union of America, 431 North Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432-1703 Last Name________________________________ First Name______________________ M___ F____ Street Address_____________________________ City/State/Zip________________________________ Phone____________________________________ E-Mail______________________________________ Date of Birth_______________ Branch Affiliation Number (if known)/Location_______/______________ Maiden Name______________________________ Do you speak Slovenian? _____________________ Please describe your Slovenian ancestry and provide SLOVENIAN SURNAMES ___________________________________________________________________________________ How did you hear about us?______________________________________________________________ I would like to volunteer for the SUA. My area of interest or expertise is___________________________ Were you recommended by someone? Y/N Their name________________________________________ Applicant’s Signature__________________________________________ Date______________________ Would you also like to make a donation to support: SUA Operations and Special Projects Education Grants Cultural Preservation and Sharing Add any support donation amounts to your check. Thank you. Amount_______ Amount_______ Amount_______ MEMBER SUPPORT/ZARJA SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL Name ___________________________________________________ Member ID No.__________________ (located on back cover) Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone _________________ E-mail______________________________ Renewal Amount______________ Donation______________ Mail to: SUA/SWUA, 431 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432-1703 14 14 Zarja - The Dawn HER NAME IS SISTER CECILIA ADAMIC by MARY LOU DEYAK VOELK from an interview with FRANCES KOVATOVICH, Branch 35 - Gilbert, MN Sister Cecilia Adamic and Sister Ad Nives Marolt, my maternal aunt, entered the convent together. Her years as Sister Cecilia were dedicated to the children she taught and to the nuns she shared in the convent community, one of whom was her older sister, Sister Cherubim. It was a simple life; it was a hard life. When Sister Cecilia was six years old her mother took her to St. Joseph Church in Joliet, IL, where the family attended Mass. It was there that she saw a Sister for the first time. As Cecilia watched this Sister dusting the Communion rail and saw the way her veil was flying around, she was fascinated and thought this was “cute!” She asked her mother, “Who was that?” Her mother said, “That’s a Sister! She dedicated herself to God!” Hearing the answer, Cecilia said, “I’d like to be one of those!” That desire never left her and she continued to talk about it, so her family and friends were not at all surprised when she chose to enter the convent. She was also following in the footsteps of her older sister, Sister Cherubim, who had entered the order as an aspirant in 1928. On June 28, 2015, Sister Cecilia celebrated her 85th jubilee. Throughout Sister Cecilia’s 85-plus years as a member of our Franciscan community, she served in a number of different ministries: teacher and administrator on the elementary school level; teacher on the secondary level; local house superior and administrator at St. John Children’s Home in Kansas City, KS; administrator at Alvernia Manor Senior Living in Lemont, IL; Novice Directress for 16 years at our Provincial House in Lemont, and for many years she was also responsible for the formation of aspirants, postulants, and the junior Sisters as well. SWU S c h o l a r s h i p March/April 2016 Sister Cecilia has always had special artistic talent, and this has shown itself in many ways: in the countless craft items she has made over the years, along with the many beautiful Christmas wreaths which many people were so eager to purchase during our bazaars. Sister’s finest artistic talent, however, is evident in more than 100 beautiful oil paintings that she has produced over the years. Many of these paintings are beautiful landscapes, which now grace the homes of those who are so proud and feel so honored to have one of her paintings. In 1996, Sister Cecilia began what was to become her “semi-retirement years” at Marian Hall, but it was to last only a year, as she was willing to offer help in tutoring students at St. Mary Nativity School in Joliet during the 1997-1998 school year. After that year, she returned to Lemont and continues to live in residence at Marian Hall. Although she is in full retirement, she continues to be a Eucharistic Minister to the Sisters at St. Joseph Infirmary who are unable, due to illness, to attend Mass in the chapel. Sister celebrated her 100th birthday in May, 2014. She is an inspiration to all, and she continues to be the epitome of what it means to “age gracefully.” Sister spends her time praying for many needs - those of the Church, the world, and the needs of our religious Congregation. She also prays for her family members, including her brother, Fr. Al Adamic, 93, a retired priest at Holy Redeemer in Chicago, for her many friends, and our many generous benefactors. When asked what advice she would give to someone who is trying to decide what to do with his or her life, she offered these words, “Get in touch with God first. Pray that He will Foundation inspire you and guide you, and also talk to Him as a friend in whom you can confide.” At the age of 101, Sister Cecilia became the newest member of SUA Branch 99 - Lemont, IL, as she now resides at Alvernia Manor Retirement Home in Lemont. In June 2015, while attending the SUA National Convention in Naperville, IL, I had the opportunity to visit Sister Cecilia in Lemont. I so enjoyed hearing the stories of the good times she and my aunt, Sister Ad Nives, had together. As we visited, I could feel the strength of this woman. She has lived through decades of the world’s ebb and flow, including the changes that have occurred in religious orders. Sister Cecilia remains a woman of dedication. Today the twinkle in her eye and her smiling face give vibrations of peace and deep faith. As I drove away from the Alvernia community, I realized I had just experienced someone extraordinary. Today Sister Cecilia remains active with the Alvernia community. I am certain her former students from around the country would enjoy ‘catching up’ on her life and they would be so pleased to know she has not aged since she taught them. Sister Cecilia can be reached at: Alvernia Manor Retirement Home 13950 Main Street, Lemont, IL 60439 or 630.257.7721. w w w. s w u s f . o r g 15 Slovenian Union of America Branch Reports BRANCH 1 - Sheboygan, Wisconsin Contact Information: Marilyn Hendricks 920.395.2148/marilyn.hendricks@qualitystate.com Our Christmas Dinner was on December 15 at the Knights of Columbus Hall. The food by Czech Please was wonderful. We sampled Alvira’s nut and poppyseed rolls (like our potica), and “pink tea” was served. Again we donated hats and mittens for those in need; many were hand knit and crocheted. We exceeded our expectations with139 items. It is a wonderful feeling to be able to share our good fortune with others. Following our meeting we had a Christmas sing-along. Members got to participate in “The 12 Days of Christmas,” wearing festive elf hats. A special moment was the SSCM (Saints Cyril & Methodius) choir leading us in singing “Silent Night” in Slovenian. MARY ANN SCHELLINGER Jim Schramm, Mary Sandwick, and Tom Fields (elf singers). Branch 1 board members at Branch 1’s Christmas party. 16 Special Tribute to Branch 1 Member Pauline Virant Rupar Pauline became a member of the Slovenian Women’s Union Branch 1 - Sheboygan in 1934. She passed away a day after her 105th birthday on January 3. A native of Bistrica, Slovenia, Pauline came to America with her parents when she was 18 months old. The family settled in Sheboygan. Pauline married Joseph Rupar in 1938 and she has three children, Joanne Rupar CV, Jerome Rupar, and Jacquelyn Schmidbauer. Music, singing, and dancing were the prime interests of Pauline. Pauline and her friend, an accordionist named Janet Maurin, organized a children’s singing and dancing group. Dressed in native costume, 25 young children entertained at many social events. Pauline was a 50-year member of the St. Cyril & Methodius Church Choir, and a past member of USPEH (United Slovenes to Preserve our Ethnic Heritage). Another group she organized, the “Slovenian Songsters,” performed at nursing homes and at special events. Pauline’s most popular hobby was cooking and baking. Her potica recipe has appeared in a number of publications. Members of the Slovenian Union of America held a prayer service before the Mass for her funeral. Prayers, along with a ribbon in red, white, and blue with “nasvidenje” (until we meet again) embroidered on it was placed on Pauline’s shoulder as they paid a final farewell to their sister, Pauline. MARY TURVEY Zarja - The Dawn BRANCH 2 - Chicago, Illinois Contact Information: Judy Stoll 708.479.2864/judithstoll@att.net Spring is almost here and hopefully soon we’ll be able to put our big, puffy, winter jackets into the back of the closet. Our last get-together was held at the Peaches and Pears restaurant to celebrate the holidays and to acknowledge Lorraine and Judy Ovnik, our Members of the Year. Over 30 members and friends enjoyed a wonderful meal and good company. This year Branch 2 was pleased to donate funds to Miseracordia, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Franciscan Fathers in Lemont, St. Peter Church, the Slovenian Women’s Union Scholarship Foundation, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, and to Fr. Christian Gostecnik, OFM. Fr. Gostecnik is the Director of the Franciscan Family Institute in Ljubljana and he will distribute our donation to needy Slovenian causes. Since we were able to raise these monies at our annual Zveza Day Picnic, we have decided to host the raffle and picnic again this coming July so that we can continue to make contributions to qualified organizations. We were sorry to hear of the passing of longtime member, Alma Trinko, who died in December at the age of 93 years. Remember to keep our sick members in your prayers. Our next meeting will be held Thursday, April 6, at 1 p.m. at the Peaches and Pears restaurant. Hope to see you there. JUDY STOLL BRANCH 3 - Pueblo, Colorado Contact Information: Annette Charron 719.569.7125/amtcharron@yahoo.com Branch 3 members gathered for their annual Christmas luncheon on December 1 at Park East Restaurant with 23 attendees. In keeping with the Christmas party tradition, many members made individual contributions to the national SWU Scholarship Fund. Marilyn Miller donated two beautiful afghans that she designed and made. The afghans were raffled off to members at the party and won by Judy Kochevar and Barbara Karlinger. President Marge Cullen and Vice President Eileen Kaplan made crocheted Christmas wreaths in the size of brooches as favors for participants. They also provided delicious Christmas cupcakes for dessert. Madeline Khosla distributed holiday goody bags filled with treats, a small bottle of wine, and lotions. Another tradition of the holiday luncheon is that everyone brings a small Santa gift to share. After a delicious lunch, Eileen Kaplan led a game involving Christmas phrases, which was won by Diane Glavich Slaten. In addition to the Christmas luncheon, many Branch 3 members celebrated the feast day of St. Nicholas at St. Mary Help of Christian’s annual St. Nicholas Day Mass and dinner held on Saturday, December 5. Father Ben Bacino celebrated the Mass and dressed up as St. Nicholas March/April 2016 after the dinner. Children had fun sharing their Christmas wishes with St. Nick and receiving an early Christmas gift from him. Dinner included klobase, hot dogs, sauerkraut, bread, and a variety of Slovenian and American desserts. ANNETTE SABO CHARRON & BARBARA KARLINGER BRANCH 5 - Indianapolis, Indiana We hope this finds you all healthy, happy, and keeping all your New Year Resolutions! January and February always work against you; the cold keeps you inside the house, which means you are cooking and baking and drinking things to keep warm, so the whole “losing weight” thing goes out the door! We won’t even talk about the friends who winter in warm places, and send photos from along the beach, or the desert in bloom! Our ancestors would never let the cold stop them; the men continued to work regardless of the temperature. The women worked harder, as everything got moved inside the house and Newest Branch 5 member, Nora Frances barns, so the Fon, the daughter of SWU 2010 scholarcleaning and ship winner, Anna Fon. washing and cooking took up the entire day. Our ancestors worked hard, preserving, canning, and drying foods and meats to make it through the harsh winters, and sewing sturdy clothes for the cold. Can we imagine life without central heat, mega malls, computers, washers, and dryers? Who remembers hanging launBranch 5 Junior Member, Chase Poole, has made the Gold Mite Major team at the dry outside on lines that Indiana Coliseum Youth Hockey League. 17 stretched through the backyard, flapping in the breeze, making everything smell clean and fresh? And getting yelled at by grandma or mom because the basketball hit her clean sheets was part of Monday (laundry day) afternoons! Branch 5 member Linda Konechnik Dalton having fun at Grandparents Day at Saint Malachy School in Brownsburg, Indiana. Pictured: Grandma Rosie Neal, Grandma Linda Dalton, Maddie, Nick, and Lanie Dalton. Easter arrives, bringing spring flowers, spring rains, and sunshine! Just not this year... Easter is so early this year, it is still winter! The Easter Bunny has a very difficult time hiding eggs in snow and ice; chocolate eggs freeze, Easter bonnets blow away, and mittens cannot pick up eggs! No matter what the weather, Easter still comes, bringing with it faith and hope for a renewed world, for better lives, and for peace in our lives. May your Easter resolution be for a more peaceful, patient, and forgiving life this year! Happy Easter! Our Branch officers are working hard setting up a new schedule for 2016. We are exploring bimonthly Saturday dates with Nash, so be on the look out for an informational letter. Family and friends are always welcome at our meetings. We look forward to once again dusting off our Slovenian cookbooks and trying old family favorites grandma used to make! We may even dust off the old “Haughville Bingo”... bring your gambling money! A Happy and Blessed Easter season to all! MARY, KAREN, & PHYLLIS BRANCH 13 - San Francisco, California Contact Information: Moreen Spencer spencermj1@aol.com We want to wish all a very holy and Happy Easter. Please save this date for our annual Member of the Year Luncheon - Sunday, May 1, 2016, 12:00 p.m. at Val’s Restaurant, located at 2468 Junipero Serra Blvd., Daly City, CA. Cost of Luncheon is $38 per person. Send check by April 23 to President Doreen Sustarich, 575 Hamilton Street, San 18 Francisco, CA 94134. Please join us! We always look forward to visiting with our members and friends each year. See you at Val’s. MOREEN SPENCER BRANCH 20 - Joliet, Illinois Contact Information: Diane Hohenwater dhohenwater@comcast.net Our Installation of Officers luncheon and meeting was held on a brutally cold January afternoon. Thank you to those who braved the weather to attend. Our 2016 officers are: Father Tom Paul, Spiritual Advisor; Charlene Kobe, President; Jeanne Warsaw, Vice President; Robyn Coyne, Treasurer; I will again be Secretary and Zarja Reporter; Jo Lustik, Sister Marlene Ambrose, and Jonita Ruth, Auditors; and Nancy Horwath and Sandra Kehring, Sergeants at Arms. We are lucky to have such a dedicated group who do so much for our Branch. Thank you to outgoing board members Georgene Agnich and Bernice Nemanich, who worked diligently during their tenures. Unfortunately, Jonita Ruth, our Branch’s longtime driving force, has suffered a health setback, but we wish her a speedy recovery. Branch 20 Installation of Officers. Seated: Father Tom Paul; Standing: Char Kobe, Jo Lustik, Sister Marlene Ambrose, Diane Hohenwater, Robyn Coyne, Sandra Kehring, Jeanne Warsaw, and Nancy Horwath. We had lots of fun at our February meeting with a Slovenian travel presentation by Branch member John Kambic and enjoyed a very entertaining evening. Please join us on Tuesday, March 15, for our annual St. Joseph Table dinner at St. Joseph Park. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. We ask those who attend to bring a dish to pass, to accompany the chicken and beverages provided by our Branch. Whether you receive a phone call or not, please consider contributing to our annual Bakery Sale on Saturday, April 9, and Sunday, April 10, before and after all Masses at St. Joseph Church, 416 N. Chicago Street, Joliet. We are pleased to accept donations of baked goods or monetary contributions and appreciate the generosity of our members Zarja - The Dawn Branch 20 Members Honor Fallen Heroes by Pat Schager Branch 20 members Pat Figurowski, Jo Lustik, Jean Herbst, Mary Kay Demick, and Eileen Plese participated in “Wreaths Across America” and presented a fresh commemorative wreath at the St. Joseph Church Cemetery Grotto in memory of fallen parish warriors who gave their lives in three conflicts. “The Grotto has been the focus for many parish ceremonies, and Branch 20 members were honored to continue the wreath presentation here this day,” said Figurowski. “It is a place of peace and contemplation.” The Grotto was built after World War II around 1947 in honor of parish veterans who lost their lives in the conflict. The original plaque listed the names of fallen comrades. Names of parish soldiers who died in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts were later added in 2000. Names of the fallen parish members on the plaque from WWII are: Bernard Barbic, Frank Fance, Anton Filak, Martin Govednik, Edward Horvath, Lawrence McCarthy, John J. Mlakar, Anthony Muren, Edward Planinc, William Pluth, Edward Rozman, Anton Semrov, John Skoff, John Suhadolc, Joseph Ursich, James Videtich, Paul Wilfinger, Louis Zaletel and Frank Zugel; Korean Conflict: Richard J. Zaletel; Vietnam Conflict: Frank J. Gasparich Jr. and Roy B. Keith. May they rest in peace. demonstrations have proven to be very popular. Why not join us now that the weather has improved?! DIANE HOHENWATER BRANCH 23 - Ely, Minnesota One learns quickly that the ebb and flow of life constantly manifests itself in the world around us, especially in the Northland, when snow blankets the earth. It comes as no surprise that it also happens in people and their activities. But the Solstice arrives, and the days become longer; the dormant season is almost over. And so it has been with Branch 23. The Branch has been involved; it was just not growing. We now have evidence of rebirth in our “Branch.” One of our “new buds” is a regular meeting. In the past meetings were held only when a need arose. We see older members attending meetings; we see new members joining and participating and there are new officers. E-mails are sent reminding members of the meeting. SUA helped make the strudels and potica for the 125th anniversary of St. Anthony Church in Ely. For the past three years SUA helped put on “Salute to Slovenian Americans.” Branch 23 members thank our out-going officers, especially Geri Petrich, our past president who held on during this dormancy. This is a Nova pomlad - new spring. Let it be a Nov začetek - a new beginning. BRANCH 24 - LaSalle, Illinois Contact Information: Diane Data diane3121@comcast.net Happy 2016! The weather was beautiful for our Christmas party on December 3 at Senica’s Oak Ridge. About 32 members gathered for a delicious meal, laughter, and talk of plans for the upcoming holidays. One of our members donated a “mint condition” Woman’s Glory-The Kitchen Branch 20 - Joliet, IL, members present wreath during “Wreaths Across America” commemoration. Left to right: Pat Figurowski, Jo Lustik, Jean Herbst, and Mary Kay Demick. and St. Joseph Church’s parishioners. Our final business meeting is set for Tuesday, April 19, at 6:30 p.m. Member Sandy Rodeghero will be demonstrating how to make cherry strudel. It should come as no surprise that cooking March/April 2016 19 cookbook issued in 1951, which we used for a fund-raising raffle. The lucky winner was Cheryl Benkse, wife of our member Brian. We’ll have to check in to see what recipes they have tried. As you are reading your Zarja-The Dawn have you ever wondered where the magazine was printed? I did - I knew that Branch 24 members, Debbie Pohar and Bonnie Pohar Prokup, were the Editor and Director of Design respectively and that I forwarded my Branch report to them via e-mail. On their computer, they arranged articles, Branch Reports, and pictures to design the issue and then send it off to Letterkraft Creative Services (LKCS). But what happens after that? A few phone calls later, about a dozen Branch 24 members were about to tour LKCS in Peru, IL, and watch the January/February 2016 issue come off the press. LKCS is a locally-owned printing company that started in the owner’s garage and in 2006 moved to a 57,000 square feet high tech, geothermal facility in Peru. Steve Piano and Donna Hammerich of LKCS took our group from the reception area into the computer composing area where the person in charge of Zarja prepares aluminum plates for each page of the magazine with the information provided by Debbie and Bonnie. These aluminum plates were set into the press where we watched the front and back cover being printed. The press operator checks the color level on a regular basis for consistency. Only four colors are used in the printing of the magazine - cyan (blue), magenta (red), yellow, and black. After all pages are printed they are then moved to the collating and stapling area. The final step is 20 the mailing. From the member list provided to them by Diane Hohenwater, SUA Database Manager, names and addresses are printed on the back cover and then are off to the local post office for mailing. Two thousand three hundred copies on average are printed for each issue, which are mailed to 48 states and 3 countries - Slovenia, Canada, and Germany. We all left LKCS with excited anticipation knowing we would soon see this issue in our mailboxes. Our new Co-Presidents, Bonnie Pohar Prokup and Debbie Pohar, along with current Secretary Shirley Eide, and Treasurer Lois Hollerich, will conduct our April meeting. I’m sure an exciting new meeting schedule will be presented. Loretta Story will continue as Sunshine person. See you at the next meeting. Call a fellow member or two and carpool. Bring a friend. Let’s have a crowd! DIANE DATA Zarja - The Dawn BRANCH 35 - Aurora, Minnesota Contact Information: Rosemary Sertich Ribich 218.865.6600/rribich@northlc.com Although the weather was mild with little snow, Branch 35 was able to get into the holiday spirit. At our November meeting Holly Baumgard demonstrated how to make Christmas wreaths with princess pine. On December 6, 2015 we honored St. Nicholas at a Polka Mass. Fr. Charles Flynn presided and was made an honorary Slovenian. He took the alias Fr. Flynnovich. The Mass was followed by a Slovenian dinner of klobase, sarmas, and blood sausage at St. Joseph’s Church in Gilbert, MN. St. Nick, along with a devil and angel, made an appearance and handed out cookies to everyone. Many of our Branch members had a part in the celebration. Member Vida (Mihelich) Lanari, along with her sister, Teresa Meinhardt, and Josie Elioff, sang the Slovenian homeland song “Domovina.” Holly recited a humorous Slovenian-English rendition of “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Rosemary Ribich was honored for her contribution of keeping the Slovenian culture and traditions alive in our region. Branch 35 would like to extend a special thanks to Frances Kovatovich for organizing the event, and to the musicians, Johnny Snidarich and John Stark. For more details see page 8 of this issue. We also elected new officers for 2016: Co-Presidents are Vida Lanari and Rosemary Ribich, Treasurer is Bernice Ceglar, and Secretary is Sharon Starkovich. A brief Branch 35 meeting was held on January 3 to recap the event, and many positive reports and thank you notes were read. THERESA BAJDA MORAVITZ BRANCH 43 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin Contact Information: Jan Gehm 414.321.1413/twogames@wi.rr.com It was in a festive mood that all arrived at our Christmas Party at Meyer’s Restaurant. The food was great, and the door prizes many. Many thanks to all who made this party another success. New Year’s Eve was celebrated in grand fashion as Branch 43 hosted its third New Year’s Eve Party. The music by Dobie the Concertina Man was great, as was the food, and the door prizes plentiful. Left to right: Sisters Lynda Broucek and Jackie Smith with “Dobie the Concertina Man.” Holly Baumgard reading Pat Budzilek’s poem, “A Slovenian-American Hybrid Christmas.” March/April 2016 If you have not received a 2016 calendar of Branch 43’s activities, please contact one of the officers. We hope that one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to attend our luncheon meetings and become involved. On March 19, 2016, we will meet at 10 a.m. at Triglav 21 Left to right: Jackie Smith & John Urh, Lynda Broucek & John Cerar, and Loretta Urh & Jerry Floryance. Most of the New Year’s Eve Partygoers. Park and make butare, which will be carried in procession on Palm Sunday at the 8 a.m. Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church, hopefully by several dressed in the narodna noša traditional Slovenian costume. After Mass we will gather for a pancake breakfast in the school hall and help kick off the opening festivities of the 100th Anniversary of St. John’s Church. If you do not have a narodna noša, please wear a red carnation. Our Branch luncheon meetings are very well attended and the Wednesday meetings of March 23 and April 27 at 22 noon in the Constitution Room of the West Allis Library should be the same. We hope to see YOU there! We also hope you plan to join us on the evening of Wednesday, May 25, when we recognize and celebrate the ladies of our Branch who are age 80 years old and above as our “Members of the Year.” We appreciate their decades of support. Contact Jan Gehm for details. On behalf of the officers and members of our Branch, “Happy Easter - Vesele velikonočne praznike.” MARY “MICI” BREGANT Zarja - The Dawn BRANCH 47 - Garfield Heights, Ohio Contact Information: Debbie Duris 330.467.2281/dcduris@gmail.com Greetings! Thank you to our members that attended our Christmas lunch. Everyone present had a wonderfully delicious time. I would like to encourage members to attend our luncheon on Saturday, May 7, at 1 p.m. at the Burntwood Tavern on Kruse Drive in Solon. To get Branch information contact Debbie Duris - contact information above. Wishing everyone a Happy and Blessed Easter. I’d love to share any member stories, call me on my cell 330.730.8951 or e-mail me at kjferrante@gmail.com. KATHLEEN FERRANTE Branch 89 members, Chris and Analise Sabotta, Mitzi BRANCH 50 - Cleveland, Ohio Contact Information: Rick Tomsick 440.655.6735/ricktomsick@gmail.com So far it’s been a pleasant new year at the “5-0” on America’s North Coast, Cleveland, OH! I know the big snow is just around the corner, but as I write this in mid January, it’s 50 degrees outside! Christmas was wonderful and the St. Vitus choir had its annual concerts at both St. Vitus and St. Mary’s in Collinwood between the holidays. John Srsen does an amazing job directing these annual events and we are very blessed to have such spirited, professional caliber singers in our midst. I know that a lot of work goes into these wonderful concerts and they are very much appreciated. Our first Branch meeting for the new year will be on April 20 at the Euclid Public Library at 1:00 p.m. We will be making plans then for our Mother’s Day luncheon. Please plan to attend. Let’s all remember to keep one another and all members of Branch 50 and all of the SUA in our prayers, especially remembering the sick and the suffering, the dead and the poor souls in purgatory, and those they have left behind, to bring comfort and joy to all who mourn. I always like to hear from members near and far. Please write to me at ricktomsick@gmail.com with any family news and I will add you to our list of updates for Branch 50 (you don’t need to be a member of Branch 50). That’s all for now. Many thanks to everyone for all you do in SUA! RICK TOMSICK BRANCH 89 - Oglesby, Illinois Contact Information: Barbara Bruch 815.339.2714/barbarabruch@yahoo.com Hi Everyone! We had a great Christmas party with an always fun, white elephant, gift exchange. New officers were installed. They are: President - Julie Harbeck, Vice President - Fran Morrison, Secretary - Rose Bell, Treasurer - Terry Kamnikar, Auditors - Paula Snell, Mitzi Banich, and Mary Jane Gunderson, and Zarja Reporter - Barbara Bruch. Our famous Slovenian Heritage Day will be held on March/April 2016 Banich and Ona Rehn planned a great Christmas party. Chris and Analise are Ona’s daughter and grand-daughter and Mitzi is her sister - three generations of Komater girls. Members enjoying dinner at Angelo’s Restaurant. March 19 at Claudette’s in Oglesby from 4-7 p.m. We invite everyone close enough to Oglesby to attend. We have a lot of fun and get to eat smoked sausage, potica, and strudel. Please join us. Our next meeting will be Monday, March 14. Bring your family wedding pictures to share, old or recent ones. I have an old one with an accordionist in it. Does anyone else? If you can’t come to the meeting, send a copy. There will also be a chance to grind your walnuts for Easter potica. Alice was given an antique Austrian nut grinder that is over 100 years old. It does a marvelous job, better than a meat grinder. Call or e-mail any time with ideas or suggestions. Best regards! BARBARA BRUCH BRANCH 93 - New York, New York Contact Information: Elizabeth Gross 718.335.8459/Lizg669@gmail.com New York City’s mild, early winter weather had Branch members heading out for what was an abundance of wonderful events - The VTIS (Association of Slovenes Educated Abroad) “Slovene Science Around the World” presentations by Dr. Aleks Jakulin, Saša Jereb, Dr. Ana Petrović, and Nastasja Suhadolnik, with a musical addition 23 by Milena Pfeiler at New York University in November; Slovenian saxophonist and composer Igor Lumpert’s concert at the Cornelia Street Café in December, and Slovenian guitarist, singer-songwriter Sošo Sandič in a stirring performance at The Bitter End in January. Perhaps most thought (and speech!) - provoking was Pasolini’s “Pylade” an English translation directed by Ivica Buljan and starring Marko Mandić in the title role of the updated telling of Aeschylus’s “Oresteia” at La Mama. Both Buljan and Mandić are highly regarded Prešeren Award winners. The post-show panel, “Myth, Desire and Dissent,” went a long way in making the concepts of this Greek tragedy understandable to contemporary audiences, actors, and academics. The play was first performed in 1969 in Sicily. Branch members were happy to hear that New York once again has an official active Slovenian consulate. On November 12, 2015, at the Slovenian Honorary Consulate in New York, Dr. Božo Cerar, Ambassador of Slovenia to the U.S., introduced Mr. Erik Horvat, Honorary Consul of Slovenia for the states of New York and New Jersey. The Slovenian Honorary Consulate is located at, One Chase Manhattan Plaza, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005. On December 1, 2015, many branch members had the opportunity to meet Miro Cerar, Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia. Among them was Lynn Zalokar, and her father who joined her, as he was visiting New York City. We want to congratulate Branch 93’s oldest member, Mary H. Palčič, on her 90th birthday in 2015. While Mary now lives in Florida you will not fail to recognize her – her hair is still brown! She keeps up to date by checking the news in Zarja, and remains loyal to NYC – after all, her mother, also Mary, was one of the three musketeers, Mary Palčič, Agnes Klarich, and Helen Hodnick – the original founders of our Branch! After eight long years in the making, Branch members, parishioners at St. Cyril, and filmmakers saw Carole Ryavec’s documentary film, “Letters from Slovenia.” It is a biographical history of her family from the early 1900s Miro Cerar, Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, with Branch 93 past-president, Lynn Zalokar, and her father, William H. Zalokar of Tinley Park, IL, on December 1, 2015 in New York City. 24 to present day Slovenia in Trnovo, a village in the Goriška/ Primorska region near Nova Gorica, which are both separated by the Italian border from the original Slovenian town of Gorica, now Gorizia, which became part of Italy after WWII. Although the Rijavec family was culturally Slovenian and spoke that language, their Mary H. Palčič at age 90 scooting village went around in Orlando, Florida. from Austro-Hungarian rule, where they were required to serve in that army until WWI, annexed to Italy after WWI, occupied by the Germans in WWII, reunited with Slovenia as part of Yugoslavia after WWII, and finally in the Republic of Slovenia when it became independent! Carole’s relatives who emigrated or stayed in the Primorska region wrote many letters to her grandparents who lived in Cleveland. These letters spoke of the hardships and brutality of the times that they lived through, and the film beautifully filled in the story with interviews with Carole’s extended family members still living in Slovenia. Viewers shared their childhood experiences of WWII - a testament to survival while younger Slovenians in the audience spoke about the continuing legacy of this history. The film is available “LETTERS FROM SLOVENIA” documentary by Carole Ryavec, narrated by Edvard Žitnik. Zarja - The Dawn in DVD format ($20, including shipping) – please e-mail carole.ryavec@gmail.com indicating the proposed date of screening for your Branch, if applicable. ELIZABETH GROSS BRANCH 99 - Lemont, Illinois Contact Information: Jana Hlade jmhlade@hotmail.com Greetings fellow members! Wishing you warm wishes for spring! After so many cold days this winter, it’s a relief to know warmer weather is on the way. The new Branch officers met in January and by this time you should have received the 2016 calendar of events. One change the officers made was to plan fewer activities. Member participation has been a challenge, and we are hoping this change will increase attendance at our events. In February our Branch met at a restaurant to discuss upcoming plans. Please join us in April for a Member of the Year celebration to honor our new President, Bill Zerial. Bill has been an integral part of our Branch and a great supporter for several years. An RSVP is required, so please see the calendar for details. If you did not receive a calendar, please contact Jana Hlade at the e-mail address listed above or 815.439.1905. The Branch 99 officers are looking forward to a great new year and wish you a very Happy Easter and spring season! JANA HLADE BRANCH 100 - Southern California Contact Information: Jean Koci 949.495.0097/ajkoci@cox.net We are a few days into the New Year 2016 and many of us are thinking of all the good times that we have had with friends and family over the past month or more. Our gatherings not only included Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year celebrations, but family reunions, birthdays, welcome home parties for college kids, and followed by farewell parties for the young people to go back to their far flung “homes away from home.” Some of us of the “older generation” will be resting up a bit, and then making plans for spring and summer vacations and special events. Our family will be expecting some Slovenian visitors and I’m sure others as well will have guests from many other places. It looks as though 2016 will be a busy year. Branch 100 members celebrated with our annual Christmas Luncheon held as usual at Loma Linda’s Italian Restaurant in December. It is always good to get together and catch up with our good SUA friends at this nice, private, banquet room. For Christmas the banquet room was decorated with poinsettias thanks to Paul and Mary Lou Jensen and these were used as door prizes at the end of the afternoon. A few of the young people joined us this year also, and it was good to have Phyllis Wood back after her long illness, as well as Virginia Johnson who hadn’t had a chance to join us for a long time. March/April 2016 The main part of the business meeting that was held was the election of our Member of the Year for 2016. I am happy to announce that Paul Jensen will be the first male representative with that honor for Branch 100. Paul has been the right-hand man for President Mary Lou Jensen, who for many of her years was employed full time. Paul is very computer literate and greatly helped the Branch in managing the notices and the mail out to the members. I hear he’s pretty good in the kitchen, as well. So, we will be honoring him on his designated date of April 16 - mark your calendar now for this Member of the Year Luncheon! Mary Lou and Dorothy Jerneycic gave a very interesting report on their June 2015 National Convention experience in Naperville, IL. It looks like many changes are being made with new officers on the Board, and many new ideas are giving new life to the SUA. The upcoming Slovenia Tour sounds wonderful, as well. The Branch 100 annual Cooking/Baking Class was held on February 27 at the home of Teresa Koci in Laguna Niguel. Be sure to read all about it in the next issue of Zarja. These annual sessions are a big part of our Branch activities and always lead to good turnouts at the meetings. Wishing all good health and happiness and keep the Slovenian culture alive! It is a blessing to have a connection to our heritage… and for those who are not Slovenian, we hope that you will enjoy the music, food, wine, and history that is brought to you in the Zarja. Travel to Slovenia, if you have not already done so. I guarantee that you will love it, as we do! Nasvidenje! JEAN KOCI BRANCH 108 - Olney, Maryland Contact Information: Bernadette Fitzsimmons bettekfitz@verizon.net In December members met at the Embassy of Slovenia for the National Day Celebration, and enjoyed the festivities. Prospective member, Angela Krulc, attended the event, and looks forward to becoming active with her family for occasional SUA and other Slovenian community gatherings in MD, and in Washington, D.C. Slovenian Ambassador, Dr. Božo Cerar recently introduced his newly-published, bilingual children’s book entitled, “Gorska ribica gre na morje,” Little Mountain-Fish Goes to Sea. At the Library of Congress, during the EuroFestival in November, he read his book to children; a story about the adventures of a curious fish living in a mountain creek who travels down the river towards the sea. Go to http://kidseurofestival.org/little-mountain-fish-goesto-sea/ to learn more about the annual KidsEuro Festival event held in the Washington, D.C. area. Bernadette K. Fitzsimmons was happy to be contacted by Kim Whitely, aka Metza Jaka/Kocevar, from the York/ Lancaster, Pennsylvania area in recent months about collaborating with our Branch with the possibility to learn more about our Slovenian heritage. Kim has suggested that 25 we compare notes, ancestry stories, and possibly visit each other. She is reaching out to people and inviting Slovenians from Pennsylvania to contact her at 717.764.6313, or send an e-mail to tubadoc@msn.com about meeting with others in the area. Please contact Kim if you live in the York/Lancaster area. We look forward to reaching out and expanding to our neighboring state, and meeting more Slovenians. Erika Kokal is recovering from her second hip replacement in the last year, and is doing very well. On behalf of all our Branch members - Erika, we wish you a smooth recovery, and many active years ahead! Please let me know if you’d be interested in gathering on Palm Sunday to color Easter eggs the Slovenian way. If there are enough people who would like to come out for this event, I’ll plan for it. Please send me an e-mail by March 10 if you are interested in this activity. Vesele velikonočne praznike in veliko pirhov! BERNADETTE FITZSIMMONS Vicic, led the group in singing “Jingle Bells” and “Silent Night” in Slovenian. We are actually getting better! The Richard Samec family then gave an excellent presentation of their family’s first visit to Slovenia. The highlight of the presentation was Maja Samec, a sophomore at Wayzata High School, reading an essay which she had prepared for her English class. The assignment was to write an essay about a person who has had a major influence on the student. She picked her Slovenian relative who she had met for the first time, and yet had a significant impact on Maja’s life. Kudos to Maja…. the audience was riveted! Accolades to Branch 35 (Mesabi Iron Range towns of Aurora, Biwabik, and Gilbert) for the Saint Nicholas Day Celebration honoring Slovenians who have contributed to the legacy of our Slovenian heritage. Saint Joseph’s church in Gilbert was packed for the Polka Mass led by Father Flynn, the resident Irish priest who was “Slovenian for a Day,” along with John Snidarich leading the “button box” musicians in singing the traditional Polka Mass songs originated by Father Perkovich. Frances Kovatovich and John Snidarich organized the program and the “all Slovenian” meal which followed the Polka Mass. This format could be the signature event for Branch 35, being that it was so well attended and enjoyed by everyone. This will be my last article as the Zarja reporter for Branch 109. It has been a privilege and an honor to be able to write about our Slovenian culture for the past 10 years. I will sign off as: Norm Setnicker “Born in the U.S.A. with Slovenian Parts.” NORM SETNICKER BRANCH 109 - Twin Cities (TC) of Minnesota Contact Information: Norm Setnicker 651.777.6106/normas188@msn.com It looks like 2016 will be a busy year, especially with the new initiatives outlined by SUA President Mary Lou Voelk. Specifically, the SUA Educational Grant Program, the Cultural Preservation and Sharing Program, and the SUA 90th Anniversary Celebration. The new National Board is asking that each of our Branches becomes involved in supporting these new initiatives. Please read the article on page 3 where I describe the symbolism of the SUA/SWUA logo, which has been our signage since 1926. As a follow up to Richard Terselic’s, “Displaced Persons,” story in the last issue of the Zarja, Frank and Miro Medved recently presented their family history from their roots in Podkum in Dolenjska region to their “trials and Alot - 1980’s - Zarja - For score and 7 years... tribulations” in the DP camp in Spittal, Austria, following It was the most authentic delicious home made walWWII. In 1949 they were able to emigrate to Biwabik, nut potica I ever ate at our bi-monthly get together. Minnesota, and then to the Twin Cities where they have been leaders in many of the Slovenian activities in our Did your eyes catch these printing errors? Would TC Slovenians group. you like to help the Zarja pages look professional? With all the discussion about the refugee crisis in Europe and the immigration policies discussed in the U.S.A, We are looking for someone with a strong English Mary Gorshe Manning, a member of the TCs and a WWII background to serve as our proofreader (copy refugee from Slovenia, had her DP story videotaped by editor) for each issue of Zarja – The Dawn. The the nonprofit group, Green Card Voices (GCV). GCV position will begin in January 2017. A knowledge used her story in a new curriculum guide for social studies of the Slovenian language would be helpful, but not teachers at the secondary level. It is an excellent lesson, mandatory. Compensation to be negotiated. and if you are a teacher or know teachers who deal with Contact Bonnie at wprokup@aol.com immigration issues, be sure to contact GCV to get a copy for more information. of this excellent lesson plan - Mary Gorshe Manning and her Slovenian Immigrant story. Corrected: I would be remiss to not mention our December 2015 A lot - 1980s - Zarja - Four score and seven... membership meeting. Sue Rademacher presented a short It was the most authentic, delicious, homemade, walhistory of St. Nicholas and the tradition of the Slovenian nut potica I ever ate at our bimonthly get-together. Christmas. Mary Ann Palmer, accompanied by Sylvester Proofreader Needed 26 Zarja - The Dawn We would love to hear from you! Send us your comments and a picture of a recipe, craft, or tradition that you followed from the new SUA cookbook – The Slovenian-American Table. Send to wprokup@aol.com. Helen Snidarich, Eveleth, MN, invited a few friends into her kitchen early on Christmas morning to prepare a delicious, late afternoon, traditional Slovenian meal for a gathering of 15 friends and family. Her recipes were taken from The Slovenian-American Table cookbook. Helen’s little kitchen crew made crackling biscuits, potica, apple strudel, palacinke, krofi, potato dumplings, and horseradish deviled eggs, with jota being the biggest “hit.” One of the cooks read “Zdravljica” from the SUA cookbook, after which a guest perused the copy and was so intrigued that Helen relinquished hers and purchased a replacement. March/April 2016 27 Ellen Shiflet and Bev Marinello, members of Branch 43 - Milwaukee, WI. My latest copy of the Zarja arrived yesterday, and I spent a snowy afternoon in Wisconsin reading this attractive and informative magazine. Congratulations on maintaining and even improving what is already a first class magazine! Both my sister, Beverly Marinello, and I are 100% Slovenian, daughters of Joseph and Christine Boyance. We are now members of SUA Branch 43 in Milwaukee and are learning more about our Slovenian heritage. We both purchased several copies of The Slovenian-American Table cookbook and continue to enjoy the beautiful pictures and format, while exploring the recipes it contains. Food is such an important part of learning about one’s culture. Beverly has been making potica for several years at Christmas time, continuing the tradition of our grandmother, Angeline Pepan, who was known across Milwaukee as a master baker. This year, though, we both thought we would try our hand at something new. The Slovenian-American Table was our inspiration! The strudel recipe was irresistible, as Grandma Pepan also had baked it all year round. So my husband, Jim, and sister, Beverly, took on the task, and even with the packaged phyllo pastry, the results were fabulous! Jim and I saw the beautiful pictures of the Medenjaki Cinnamon Honey Cookies in the cookbook and thought that the recipe looked both easy and delicious. It is! We now have a wonderful addition to our afternoon coffee 28 breaks - soft cookies with the wonderful accent of orange zest mingling with the coffee. Each year we hope to try more of the recipes you have provided. Thank you for producing such beautiful and informative materials to help us learn about our Slovenian heritage. ELLEN SHIFLET, Branch 43 - Milwaukee, WI I echo Ellen’s comments. I love the Zarja and so look forward to getting it and reading it. The photos are amazing! I sent a copy of The Slovenian-American Table to my son in the Twin Cities, who is the one of my four adult children that especially loves to cook, and also sent one to one of our cousins who now lives in California, but remembers as we do, breakfast after Christmas Eve Mass at 3:00 a.m. with Pink Tea and Potica. We grew up on that and blood sausage, sauerkraut, and zganci. My poticas get better every year. I use Pauline Rupar’s recipe from the 1976 Zarja and have been making it for that long. Our mom taught me to roll and fill half of the dough at a time, which gives me eight loaves. Next on our list is krofi; we’ll keep you posted! Happy New Year and thank you so much for helping us maintain our Slovenian heritage! BEV MARINELLO, Branch 43 - Milwaukee, WI Zarja - The Dawn My mother, Patricia Mislej Deckinga, and I really enjoy the Zarja magazine. I just wanted to comment on the Jota recipe. My relatives live in Vipava and jota is a staple in that region. From October until March you can find this incredible stew in most of the restaurants, Koci, and Kmecki tourism farms. Thank you for posting this... now I know how to thicken it! CHRIS DECKING (MISLEJ), Branch 16 - South Chicago, IL Florence Menart Scharber, St. Michael, MN, passes on potica-making to her daughter, Annie Floyd, and granddaughter, Malia, as taught to Florence by her mother, Catherine Ulcher Menart. Florence received a copy of The Slovenian-American Table as a birthday gift and having the recipes in bound written form will ensure the next generation savors Slovenian delicacies. Dober Tek! Save the Date Sunday, October 16, 2016 Centenary Mass followed by gala reception and music. 100th Anniversary Church of Saint Cyril Branch 93 is welcoming Slovenians from across the world - Slovenia, Argentina, Canada, USA - to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Church of Saint Cyril in New York City, where so many of our friends, relatives, ancestors have come together over the past 100 years. Over 3,000 Slovenians lived on the city block where the church was built in 1916 – during the past 100 years, the church was and remains a focus and gathering place for the Slovenian community in New York City. More details to follow in next issue of Zarja... We hope you can join us, all are welcome! March/April 2016 Independence Day, July 4, 1916 First Mass at the Church of Saint Cyril, New York, NY. Church of Saint Cyril 62 Saint Marks Place, New York, NY 10003 29 IT’S A SMALL WORLD Searching for the “Lost Song Polka” by Norm Setnicker Branch 109 - Twin Cities, MN Who knows where casual conversations will lead? In October, my brother, David, was in Vienna for a reunion and met Debra Kreck-Harnish, a fellow Vienna alumna from Sacramento, at a reunion ball held in their honor. Curiosity about nationalities emerged as a topic. As it turned out, Debra’s heritage is from Domžale… you can imagine the rest of the conversation. As a nice Slovenian gesture, David promised to send her SUA’s The Slovenian – American Table cookbook when he returned home. Then, a few weeks later, David received an unexpected e-mail from Debra who was on a polka song mission for Rudy Kreck, her 88-year-old father in Oneonta, NY. Growing up he listened to many polkas, but one polka, “The Lost Song” (Zgubljena Pesem Polka), was his favorite. At age 88 he wanted to hear it again, and David seemed to be her last hope to find it. The Slovenian connection went to work. David contacted cousin Ron Setniker, the button box Hall of Famer, in Biwabik, MN. No luck. He then sent me a copy of Debra’s request thinking that Cleveland, OH, connections would produce results. I told Dave that Chuck Debevec, a member of our Branch 109 - Twin Cities (TC), MN, a Slovenian and a polka archivist, might know of this song. Bingo!! Rudy Kreck and his daughter Debra Kreck-Harnish. David told me recently that Debra called after her father received the CD and basically said, “Now that I’ve heard ‘Zgubljena Pesem,’ I can (you guessed it) die.” How many times have we all heard this from our grandparents as they reminisced about “the Dave - Holy polka, Batman. THAT’S THE SONG. I just got off the phone old country?” with Dad and he confirmed it. He told me the Slovenian name and it matches. He had told me the Slovenian name before, but as I know only PS: On Christmas Day David picked up one word of Slovenian, pivo, what he said made no sense. I asked him his mail in Biwabik. In a simple hand-adwhy this song was one he remembered and he said that it was his favorite dressed envelope to David was a most song as a kid on the farm. When I told him you found it, he said he never special present, a personal, hand-written, thought he’d hear it again. He was born in 1927, so it all fits together. - heartfelt letter of thanks from Rudy Kreck. A good story about the Slovenian connecDebra Kreck-Harnish tion and David did send her the cookbook. The correspondence follows: Norm - Possibly she is thinking of “The Lost Song,” which is the translated title for, “Zgubljena Pesem Polka,” by the Deitchman Brothers Orchestra of Joliet, IL. It was recorded on Victor 80331 in 1927. I have a copy of that record and could put it on a CD for her. – Chuck Debevec Do you have a “IT’S A SMALL WORLD” story and photo to share? Please send to wprokup@aol.com. 30 Zarja - The Dawn Beverly Chiodo Jackson Branch 13 - San Francisco, California The Heart and Spirit of a Slovenian-American Woman There is a certain inherent interest that Slovenian women have in gardening, whether it is veggies or beautiful flowers. When I heard of Beverly Chiodo Jackson’s lovely garden, saw the photos, and learned that she plants the flowers, trees, and shrubs, along with maintaining them herself and enjoying them with friends, I knew a gardening article about Beverly would be of interest to other SUA members and Zarja readers. Some members may remember the SWUA National Convention held in California in 1995, when Beverly was an integral part of planning that successful event, and hopefully some members may recall that memorable trip to California – I certainly did. - Irene M. Odorizzi Beverly was born and raised in San Francisco and enrolled in SWUA as a young girl, which resulted in serving as Branch 13’s reporter for Zarja - The Dawn, a position her mother, Frances Chiodo, held for 35 years. Beverly was also elected as recording secretary of Branch 13, serving for a number of years, and ultimately served as a National Vice President of SWUA, attending board meetings in Joliet, IL, and making marvelous friends at the meetings and conventions. In 1995, she stepped down, as her father had just died, but in 1999, Beverly assumed the position of auditor on the Board for four additional years. Beverly’s mother was a delegate to the National ConvenBeverly and daughter Jan. tion in Cleveland in 1955, when she wanted to bring the Convention to San Francisco, but it never happened until 1995, when the SWUA enjoyed a masterful Convention and Beverly was elected National Vice President. Beverly was married for 26 years to Brian Jackson, a California state highway patrolman, now deceased. Her daughter, Jan, is an integral part of her life and they often enjoy short California excur- Wistera at Easter. March/April 2016 sions together. Beverly states that, “I am out in my garden almost every day. I love weeding, reading, or just enjoying the flowers. It was a dream to have a “Secret Garden,” like in my favorite book and movie. I also have a lovely corner which I call ‘Nancy Drew’s Secret Garden.’” As every gardener realizes, her garden of 18 years occupies much of her time during the day, which is reflected in her photos. Beverly especially enjoys her wisteria arbor at Easter and the many colorful roses during the summer. Beverly has other interests aside from her garden. She loves doll making, quilting, embroidering, and sewing of all kinds, and is a master at all of them. She also participates in “Zveza” meetings every month when her Branch meets and enjoys lunch together with the members, reminiscing of the “old times,” while discussing the new innovations and changes of the 21st century. 31 The EasterSlovenian SeasonCustoms Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Christian Holy Week, commemorating the triumphant day that Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey and was warmly greeted by crowds wildly waving palm branches. In churches across Slovenia, Palm Sunday processions reenact this celebration in much the same way, but since you won’t find many palm trees growing in the hillside slopes, local greenery is substituted. The custom of using locally grown evergreen sprigs and shaping them into ornate beautiful bundles or butare is a resplendent substitute, unique to Slovenia. Holy Saturday , the church, tradiOn tionally, has a somber look. Altars are bare, statues and crosses are shrouded. It is a day of reflection. In regions across Slovenia, tinder dry fungi from the nearby woods are ceremoniously lit at an early morning Mass. Altar servers carry the smoking coals to village homes, blessing the kitchens that will soon begin the preparation of the Easter breakfast meal, žegen. In most Slovenian families, the preparation of the žegen is a highlight of the Easter celebration, as they specially prepare to represent the Passion of Christ and take it to church for blessing. The foods are carefully prepared and placed in large, woven baskets called jerbas. They traditionally consist of a loaf of bread, rose-colored, dyed eggs, sweet bread rolls, potica, klobase, horseradish, and fruit. The basket is covered with an embroidered cloth and then taken to church for the Easter blessing of food, velikonočni žegen. In creating these traditional ornaments, sprigs and branches of local greenery are bound up with vibrant colored ribbons. The adornments seem to vary somewhat dependent on regions, but many are embellished with added greenery, such as box, twigs of heather, honeysuckle, spring flowers, and brightly colored strips of wood shavings. Some butare are sprays easily held in one’s hands; others are 5-6 feet in length. The beautiful velikonočni žegen awaits Easter morning when it is consumed as the first food of the day, after everyone returns from the Easter church service. Nothing is eaten before and every crumb of the blessed food is either eaten or preserved, but never discarded. This custom is truly a liturgy of the family. The plaited bundles of spring greenery are taken to the church to be blessed, used in the Palm Sunday procession, and then taken home to hang on the wall for the coming year. The ancient pagan, and later the Christian beliefs, were that these blessed butare were used to protect the homes, family, livestock, and crops. The butare are displayed in the home all year long, and then replaced the following Palm Sunday. 32 Zarja - The Dawn Easter Sunday remains a holy day in predominantly Christian Slovenia. Easter baskets with chocolate bunnies and marshmallow eggs may have inched their way into the day’s customs, but essentially, Easter Sunday remains a sacred family day. In preparation for Easter Sunday, a basket of food called žegen, is blessed at church on Holy Saturday. Traditionally, the family will share the žegen following the Easter morning services. The balance of the day remains focused on the celebration of the risen Christ and on family. It just isn’t the Easter Holidays without mentioning the blessed and richly decorated eggs or pisanice, pirhi, pisanke, and remenice that have become a treasured tradition in Slovenia. In the eastern regions, the eggs are decorated in the highly recognizable, geometrical, and stylized designs. Easter eggs in the Primorska and Gorenjska region feature mostly nature motifs, traditionally flowers and plants. The detail and craft given to creating all these Easter eggs are known as some of the most beautiful in Europe. These hand-crafted Easter eggs are too beautiful to be used in ordinary Easter dishes. In this way, a pisanica makes a lasting souvenir. Traditionally, Easter Monday, Velikonočni ponedeljek, is observed as both a public holiday and as a Christian holy day throughout Slovenia. It is considered to be a part of the Easter period. This day is generally a day of rest and relaxation and a day to appreciate the outdoors. Many families pack a picnic lunch and head for the hills. Mail your check to: Slovenian Union of America - Attn: Cookbook 431 North Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432-1703 *Please include a phone number in case we have a question regarding your order. - OR - Call: 815.467.7619 - OR - E-mail: sua@slovenianunion.org NON-PROFIT PERIODICALS PERIODICALS POSTAGE POSTAGE PAID PAID IL LASALLE, LASALLE, IL Cost: $25.00 (includes tax) Plus Shipping/Handling: 1 Book - $4.50 2-3 Books - $6.00 4-5 Books - $8.00 10 Books - $14.00 22 Books - $16.00 The Slovenian-American Table Featuring Details on Making Flancati A cookbook that presents many of the favorite dishes that Slovenian immigrants brought with them to America, but with a modern flair. This book is more than a cookbook; it is a guide for today’s American families to bring Slovenian heritage into their festivities, all with a modern American twist. This book takes you through a calendar year and offers primarily recipes, but also includes crafts, entertaining and decorating tips, a little background information of the holidays, and all with full-color pictures.