Chains unshackled at her feet, the Statue of Liberty holds aloft the torch that has lit the way for millions of immigrants to begin new lives. After almost 100 years the huge statue is now in need of major preservation work to prepare for her 1986 Centennial.
(Photo: National Park Service, Statue of Liberty National Monument.)
ZARJA - THE DA WN
(ISSN 0044-1848)
Postmaster: Send all changes of address to : ZARJA — THE DAWN, 2032 W. Cermak Rd., Chicago, IL 60608
NO. 12	DECEMBER,	1984	VOL.	56
Member, Illinois Fraternal Congress
Official Publication of the Slovenian Women’s Union of America — Uradno glasilo Slovenske Ženske Zveze.
Published monthly except January, June & August — izhaja vsak mesec razen januar, junij in avgust.
Annual Subscription for non-members, $10.00 — naročnina $10.00 letno za ne-članice.
Publisher .SLOVEN!AN WOMEN'S UNION OF AMERICA 431 No. Chicago St., Joliet, II. 60432 Telephone (815) 727-1926
Second Class Postage paid at Chicago, IL AII communications for the next issue of publication must be in the hands of the Editor by the first week of the month — vsi dopisi za naslednjo izdajo mesečnika morajo biti v rokah urednice do L i’ mesecu.
Editor, COR INN E LESKOVAR Editorial Office, 2032 W. Cermak Rd., Chicago, II. 60608 Telephone (312) 847-6679
CHRISTMAS PARTIES AND ANNUAL MEETINGS..
December 2
39,	Biwabik, MN
Party at St. John’s Hall
102, Willard, WI
Pot Luck and Exchange of gifts
December 5
54,	Warren, OH
Luncheon at Elks Lodge, 12:30 p.m.
93, South Chicago, IL
Dinner at the Crow Bar, 6 p.m.
December 7
73, Warrensville Hgts., OH
Pot Luck at home of Catherine Papez
December 8
2, Chicago, IL
Junior members’ Party, 1 p.m.
105, Detroit, MI
Luncheon at Crabbe Joe’s in Dearborn
Hf
December 9
35, Aurora, MN
Meeting 3 p.m. Party and Catered Dinner, 5 p.m.
December 10
40,	Lorain, OH
Party at American Slovak Home, 2 p.m.; call Mary Ferlic 277-7878 or Jean Balogh 988-5633
43, Milwaukee, WI
Party at John’s Hall, 6:30 p.m.
December 11
56, Hibbing,MN
Dinner out, plans incomplete
December 13
2, Chicago, IL
Adult Members’ party following 7 p.m.
Holy Mass at St. Stephen’s Church
16, South Chicago, IL
Adult Christmas Party
12, Bradley, IL
Party at 7:30 p.m.; bring $5 grab-bag
55,	Girard, OH
Dinner at Foster’s Restaurant, 6 p.m.
December 15
16, South Chicago, IL
Junior Members’s Party, 1 p.m.
St. George Church Hall
December 16
13, San Francisco, CA
Noon-time Party, $3 prize requested
17, West Allis, WI
Annual Meeting and Party, 2 p.m.
20, Joliet, IL
Brunch at Holiday Inn
December 18
1,	Sheboygan, WI
Pot Luck, 6 p.m.
December 19
32, Euclid, OH
Party at Rechar Hall, Euclid
INDEPENDENT
3>AV1NGS
1515 E. 260th, Euclid, Ohio 44132	731-8865
920 E. 185th, Cleveland, Ohio 44119 486-4100
2765 SOM Center Rd., Willoughby Hills, Ohio 44094 944-3400
27100 Chardon Rd., Richmond Hts., Ohio 44143 944-5500
fvEiSWwTr u 54788
KIvvV ,»rs\ A M/
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
With the holidays approaching, we are filled with plans for celebrations with families and friends. Let us first remember the Child Jesus, who inspires us with the joy of giving.
Because we need the togetherness of the holiday season, we should try harder to volunteer our services to our respective branches, especially when elections are held. It is a privilege to be chosen as an officer - a leader who is looked to for advice and understanding.
Many of you will have Christmas parties for your children and adults - an opportunity to invite friends to join you and perhaps become members. Our campaign “20-20” is very much in progress - have you brought in at least one member?
Because 1 was not able to attend the Illinois State Convention this year, 1 was especially pleased to receive a place mat with over 100 names. 1 shall treasure it always, many thanks.
Congratulations to Matilda Ausich on the tribute paid for her many years of service to the U.S. Government.
My best wishes to Mrs. Anna Pachak on her 90th birthday - may she enjoy good health. 1 really look forward to her letters written in Slovenian - it keeps me from forgetting my childhood.
This holiday season, let us remember our ailing members and friends with a card or visit, among them, Marion Marolt and Mary Bostian.
I heard recently of the death of Josephine Sumic, an ardent bowling enthusiast and former National Auditor; let’s ask the Lord’s blessing on our beloved deceased, that they be accepted in His Heavenly environs.
My sincerest holiday greetings to the Board members as well as all our members and their families. May the Christ Child bestow health and happiness to all.
May God Walk With You.
Mary Muller
Happy Holiday Greetings
to our Spiritual Advisor, all the National Officers, our Editor, Corinne, all Branches, their officers and members!
Milo and Albina Uehlein
Lorain, Ohio
Rev. Athanasius Lovrenčič, O.F.M.:
Christ is God’s Gift
The rush of Christmas is on; it’s a hectic pace we set looking for presents for our loved ones. In this search for material things we almost overlook the greatest gift that our heavenly Father sent us: His only Son as our Redeemer. He didn’t come as a mighty warrior born in a palace; He chose to come as a helpless child in the poorest of circumstances; He chose to be poor to enrich us.
As we contemplate this divine child, do we ever ask ourselves what kind of Redeemer we are looking for? Are we creating our own image of Christ as we wish Him to be, and not really looking for Christ as He is?! We wish that this Christmas would be a happy one, a merry time full of joy, but we do not accept Christ for what He is: Our Redeemer leading us toward eternal happiness and not necessarily earthly joys. Because we do not accept Him as He is, we do not participate in the graces God has in store for us during these holy days. Jesus looks so helpless in the crib, and yet He is Almighty God. We should approach Him full of confidence and ask for Christmas gifts of good will and charity, gifts that are so much in need today. There is another gift we talk of much: peace. But we are not quite ready to work for peace. We are not ready to accept the Prince of peace. Christ is coming this Christmas as He came at the very first Christmas to embrace all peoples, but not everyone was willing to accept Him. It is the same today; just about everyone is crying out: peace, peace, and at the same time they reject the One, who can bring peace - Christ.
As we approach this holy season, let us invite Christ into our hearts, into our homes, so that there will be real peace. May this divine Child bring inner peace to many who are disappointed in life and show them the real meaning of Christmas, namely Emmanuel - God is with us!
STATUE OF LIBERTY, ELLIS ISLAND NEED NATION’S HELP
The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island -- two of the nation’s most revered national symbols — need major restoration prior to their centennial celebration.
A 40-member commission, headed by Lee A. Iacocca, has been named to raise funds for the restoration projects.
The goal of the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Centennial Commission is to raise some $230 million from private sources for preservation, future maintenance, celebrations and educational programs.
Contributions are being sought from the general public and from corporations and foundations.
The Statue of Liberty, a gift to the United States from France to commemorate France’s alliance with the American colonies during the American Revolution, is visited by about 1.8 million people a year. It will be 100 years old in 1986. Plans call for the renovation to be completed in time for centennial festivities.
Ellis Island Immigration Station opened in 1892 and operated until 1954, when it was declared surplus government property. Since then, apart from a few elements which have been partially preserved, the island has become a ruin. Between 1892 and 1954, some 17 million immigrants passed through the New York harbor site. These were the forebears of some 40 percent of today’s U.S. population.
ON THE COVER...
‘7 LOVE THE LADY”
Uniting Slovenians in another great cause, the Slovenian Women’s Union of America is spearheading a drive for funds for the restoration of the Statue of Liberty. All Slovenian organizations will be asked to contribute and all individual members requested to participate. Br. 20, Joliet, Illinois, headed by their spiritual Advisor, Rev. David Stalzer have already made a great first step. The combined proceeds of concert Oct. 21st, 1984 featuring the Ljubljanski Oktet from Slovenia, plus the profit from their program book and sale of the “I LOVE THE LADY” buttons totalling $3,000 has already been earmarked for the fund.
Members and friends interested in contributing may do so - and you are all most welcome! Send them to the I LOVE THE LADY FUND, S.W.U. Home Office, 431 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60435. The grand total of donations from all the Slovenian sources will be reported at the end. The goal is to raise $5,000 by 1986.
Fr. Stalzer:
“Tho relatively small amount in comparison to the amount needed for the complete restoration, we must show in some way the gratitude of freedom-loving Slovenian immigrants who saw in the Statue of Liberty the embodiment of their dreams and pursuits for -a better way of life.”
“I love the Lady” buttons are on sale in most communities.
“Join us,” said Iacoca, whose fellow commission members include Bob Hope and Lionel Hampton. “Help us ensure that these two great symbols of our past continue to serve as living memorials — as inspiration for the future.”
Indeed, unless the public responds, officials fear the statue and island will continue to decay beyond repair. As with the original funding for the statue and its base, the money for its preservation will be raised from private sources — from school children and other individuals, companies, foundations, and associations.
How bad is the deterioration?
As for the statue, her upraised torch must be removed and replaced. Worse yet, according to the National Park Service, is the condition of the mammoth network of underpinnings. Corrosion of the iron contacting the copper skin has caused weaknesses that must be corrected. Some 1,200 supporting iron bars will be replaced with a modern alloy.
The 271/2-acre Ellis Island, site of a federal arsenal and fort before being picked as the entry point for immigrants, now houses a crumbling Great Hall, infirmary and other ghosts of once sturdy buildings. During World War II, the island housed a hospital for wounded GI’s, a Coast Guard station and a detention center.
The various celebrations scheduled include a Fourth of July observance in 1984 to mark the gift of the Statue of Liberty from the French people. During the summer of 1985, a 100-day International Festival will be held in tribute to the nation’s cultural and ethnic background.
In 1986, more sailing vessels than participated in Operation Sail during the nation’s Bicentennial will sail into New York harbor as part of a special salute to the statue’s 100th birthday. Also during the 1986 summer, each of the 50 states will participate in two days of celebration of their heritage as part of another 100-day festival.
The centennial of Ellis Island will be acclaimed in 1992 with the opening of the refurbished buildings and a historical museum.
“More than 100 million Americans had relatives who first saw American by sailing past the Statue of Liberty on their way to Ellis Island,” said Iacocca. “These are monuments that affect you and me personally.”
Funds donated by the general public will be applied to the preservation of the statue and Ellis Island and not to administrative, fund-raising, or other expenses.
Contributions may be sent to:
Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 1986
New York, New York 10018
PHOTOS ON PAGE 3
The ljubljanski Oktet thrilled the audience with a program of classical, semi-classical and Slovenian folk songs.
Erie Pucel, grandson of Br. 20 Vice-President, Millie Pucel and son of Chris and Judy joined Tanja Cepon, little daughter of Frank and Lillian Cepon, member of Br. 20, in extending good wishes to the Ljubljanski Oktet singers at the Joliet concert.
The American Legion Championship Band of Joliet opened the program with (he National Anthem and continued with rousing American marches.
“A DAY TO REMEMBER”..
Red, white and blue next to white, blue and red; strains of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” mixing with “Triglav, moj dom”; American flags surrounded by red carnations; military uniforms, natty concert suits, narodne noše; drums, bugles, accordian and button box - what an unlikely combination of elements! But, what a glorious treat this combination held for the eyes and ears of all the members and friends of Branch 20 who were able to come to St. Joseph’s Park Hall on Oct. 21, 1984!
The occasion was the appearance of the Ljubljana Octet in concert. The purpose was dual ■ to renew our appreciation for our beloved Slovenian heritage, and to re-commit ourselves to the principle of liberty that our beloved America has given us. (All proceeds from the concert and dance have been donated to the Statue of Liberty -Ellis Island Restoration Fund.)
The event held profound meaning for the Slovenian-Americans present. It showed the Slovenian Women’s Union doing some of its best work.
Two months in the planning stages, this ambitious project finally moved to its fruition on Sat. evening, Oct. 20, with the arrival from Cleveland, Ohio of the singers and their tour coordinator, Violet J. Ruparcich. The group was whisked off to dinner at Merichka's Restaurant where they were greeted by Branch 20 officers and
representatives. Before retiring for a much-needed rest, the Octet thrilled their hosts with a little preview of what musical pleasures lay in wait for the next day.
And a pleasure it was! The day was a cultural and patriotic success. At its heart was the marvelous performance of the Octet, both in concert and at the dance afterward.
The Octet certainly tried to please all listeners by carefully choosing songs that have arisen from the many different regions of Slovenia. While the arrangements of the songs were artistically constructed, the emotions from which the music originated were always in evidence. Lyrical Slovenian melodies, tenderly cradled in unerring harmonies, painted many a fond image for a willingly-captured audience.
Can Slovenians sing? AND HOW! Now we know where we get the talent and inspiration.
The event was further etched in our memories by the generous cooperation of Branch 20 supporters. We sincerely thank them: the audience for attending; the program participants; the patrons, host families, and all the ever-faithful, willing branch workers.
This was a special day and a proud day for the Slovenian Women’s Union. It was a day that once again, gave the meaning to our existence.
Jenny Lu Skill
OHIO-MICHIGAN REGIONAL CONVENTION MINUTES
October 14, 1984 was selected as the day for our Mass in memory of our beloved organizer of Br. 50 and National Officer, Albina Novak. It was celebrated at St. Mary’s Church on Holmes Ave. with Father Louis Tomtz officiating in Slovenian and Fr. Victor Tome giving the homily in English. The organ and choir accompanied our prayers with beautiful Slovenian hymns.
A procession of young Twirlettes, the Marie Prisland Cadets and members of branches of this area filled the church pews. After mass, the luncheon was served at the school cafeteria with numerous dessserts brought in by the members.
The Regional Convention meeting was called to order at 12:15 p.m. by the President, Ann Tercek. She lighted the candles on the main table and a prayer was said in memory of the SWU Founder, Marie Prisland, as well as for Albina Novak, Sophie Magayna and Frances Seitz, our past national officers. She then thanked the Twirlettes, Cadets and members who attended this event.
As Regional President, Ann introduced the Board Members present, namely, Vice-President Cirila Kermavner, National Auditor, Irene Jagodnik, and Combined Branches officers, Vera Bajec, vice-president, Jo Comenshek, secretary, Kay Yuratovac, treasurer, Stella Dancull, and Rose Kosko, auditors and Yours Truly, reporter.
A long distance telephone from Hermine Dicke of Madison, Wisconsin was pleasantly accepted. She wished all of us good luck and success at the convention. The same from Albina Uehlein, our Director of Women’s Activities of Lorain. We are hoping God will bring her back to better health. Past National President, Mary Bostian who spent 8 weeks in the hospital is now at home and on the road to recovery. All the members present wished her well.
BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS
We extend our heartfelt birthday wishes to Anna Pachak who celebrated her 90th birthday on Oct. 15th. Mrs. Pachak is a former National Officer holding the office of Regional President for Colorado-Kansas-Missouri for many years. She was the president of Br. 3 for 26 years and has the title Honorary Regional President. She has been a diligent reporter in the Slovenian Section of ZARJA for decades and aided in the solicitation of advertisements for the holiday issues. Her record as cookbook saleslady is unparalleled!
For many years the Pachaks owned a hardware and furniture store in Pueblo, Colorado. Her children are deceased as is her husband, but she has grandchildren in whom she takes great pride.
Mrs. Pachak is always thinking about us and sends messages of comfort and guidance to many of the officers. She is truly one of a kind, with good will and spirit for the Slovenian Women’s Union and our publication.
We hope God blesses her with peace and contentment and we thank Him for the gift of Anna to our Slovenian Women’s Union.
C.L.
Minutes of the last convention were read and accepted.
At this point I want to thank Ann Tercek and the board of the Combined Branches for the honor they bestowed upon me for the 25 years as reporter of the conventions. I believe I started when Ella Starin was State President in 1959. Thank you all for the beautiful corsage of silk carnations and the gifts. Forever grateful!
The president expressed a large thank you to all branches for their donations to make good the pledge we had with the Slovene Home for the Aged. The room at the Home is now paid with $3,000 as our total contribution. It is located on the second floor and has a plaque on the door with our names.
Dorothy Winter reported that the Frances Seitz Scholarship Fund is closed. Tickets for prizes sold before the meeting brought in $123 and the refreshment proceeds totalled $155.00.
Our dear Editor, Corinne, pleads with us for more write-ups in Slovenian and we are happy that we can supply both Slovenian and English.
The Cadets lighted and then extinguished candles in memory of each of our deceased members during this year, from all the branches.
We had 93 members present at the meeting and the point was expressed that those branches not present are missing a lot of information and sociability. We hope they will all come next year. The activities of our branches and suggestions for new members was discussed during the course of the meeting. We want to keep our members active and happy.
A thank-you was extended to all the loyal members who supply kitchen help and for donating for our dinner treats. Mary Sterling took care of our guest book; thanks, Mary.
Ann Ryavec moved and it was seconded by Ann Stefančič that the “Gospel” be read in both languages and suggested that in the future the reading be done by one of our members. Ella Skoda moved to adjourn and Ann Kristoff seconded at 2:30 p.m.
Since the holidays are just around the corner, wishes to all for the best “Happy, Healthy Days ahead, and all thru 1985!”
May the Lord watch over all of us.
MARIE BECK, Reporter
To all our sisters who live here in beautiful America -• in big cities, among the skyscrapers, in the shadows of skyscrapers or far from them; to you also among the meadows where your towns sprawl, or in the beauty of mountains, lakes or deserts -I wish all the blessings at Christmas and the love of the newborn Christ be with you all year.
CIRILA KERMAVNER Nat’l Vice-President
Maria Povsič
 '\
SLOVENIA
AND
SLOVENIANS
^	v
FOLK ART
Every nation has its own artistic traditions. Over the centuries, people evolved ways of giving artistic expression to that which was important to them and their way of life.
The folk art of Slovenia is rich. It is similar to the art of the other Alpine countries. Houses and granaries resemble those of Austrian provinces with their carved and painted beams and balconies. Painted and carved chests, painting on glass, festival masks, painted Easter eggs, folk pottery, wrought iron grills and objects, lace making and embroidery - these are the most characteristic products.
Geometric designs and flower combinations prevail in Easter egg decorations as well as on the embroidered blouses, skirts and tablecloths. Red, blue, gold and black are the predominant colors. Folk pottery is abundant, especially around my mother’s hometown, Ribnica. The pottery is usually colored-glaze ware. The pictorial
decorations of dishes and vessels, became common in the 16th century. The peasant’s stone tiles are also colored with glazes and many have scenes molded into them.27
In the 18th and 19th century, the Slovenian peasants made a practice of decorating their bee-hives with painted scenes from everyday life such as nature, folktales, animal fables and the Bible. Something of this tradition survives even today in the naive paintings of Slovenia, though the scenes are updated and the technique is usually mored sophisticated.
Musicians and dances are often represented on the decoration of the beehives. Some of the popular motifs include:	Dance of the animals, Job, patron of
beekeepers, the fox shaving the huntsman, the village wedding and the military band. A few folk instruments are also shown. These are the shepherd’s horn, bagpipe, violin, bass, trumpet, flute, clarinet, zither, harp and the accordion. The dances represented include polkas and waltzes.28
CONCLUSION
Folktales and legends, folk dance and music, folk art, folk celebrations and festivities were constant companions to Slovenians throughout their history. During hard times of oppression and natural disasters, folklore gave them courage and hope. It enlivened the people’s working life with a picture of another kind of life, much like their own, only much more pleasing. Slovenian folklore has been cherished especially since the nineteenth century in the home country as well as among the Slovenians abroad. Even today, Slovenian festivities, Slovenian songs, and folk dances are the source of people’s enjoyment and recreation. They offer a pleasant diversion from the hard work and labor everywhere Slovenians live today.
27"Folk Art - Slovenia." Encyclopedia of World ARt. pp. 491-493. 28Čuješ and Mauko, p. 50.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN DECEMBER
National Officer:
Dec. 6 - Albina Uehlein, Director of Women’s Activities, Lorain, OH
Presidenls:
Dec. 5 - Rose Marie Streckel, Br. 26, Pittsburgh, PA Dec. 6 - Stella Ciccioni, Br. 70, W. Aliquippa, PA Dec. 15 - Victoria Volk, Br. 99, Elmhurst, II.
Dec. 21 - Mary Mihelich, Br. 79, Enumclaw, WA Dec. 30 - Jennie Gerk, Br. 47, Garfield Hts., OH Dec. 31 - Josephine Kapla, Br. 81, Keewatin, MN Dec. 31 - Frances Vidmar, Br. 83, Crosby, MN
Secretaries:
Dec. 9 - Elizabeth Birk, Br. 84, New York, NY Dec. 29 - Marge Church, Br. 42, Maple Hgts., OH
NEW HERITAGE ITEMS
New Heritage Tee Shirts For Sale From Home Office.
-New colors-another design of “It is in Every Slovenian.”
-Order now for Christmas gifts!
THINK HERITAGE!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN JANUARY
National Officers:
Jan. 6 - Irene Odorizzi, Cultural Heritage Officer, Reston, VA
Presidents:
Jan. 2 - Kay Yuratovac, Br. 73, Warrensville Hgts., OH
Jan. 4 - Elizabeth Kinder, Br. 22, Bradley, IL Jan. 11 - Kathleen Podobnik, Br. 96, Universal, PA Jan. 13 - May Stephenson, Br. 27, No. Braddock, PA Jan. 19 - Agnes Tome, Br. 14, Euclid, OH
Secretaries:
Jan. 5 - Mary Jackovich, Br. 28, Calumet, MI Jan. 8 - Agnes Lovati, Br. 20, Joliet, IL Jan. 12 - Mary Krall, Br. 37, Greaney, MN Jan. 14 - Virginia Zevkovich, Br. 57, Niles, OH Jan. 18 - Mary Swaggard, Br. 6, Barberton, OH Jan. 19 - Gabrielle Lustig, Br. 22, Bradley, IL Jan. 20 - Angela Mobilia, Br. 23, Ely, MN Jan. 24 - Mary Slaney, Br. 26, Pittsburgh, PA Jan. 29 - Elizabeth Spolar, Br. 56, Hibbing, MN
MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY!
NO. 1, SHEBOYGAN, WI
Greetings: At the October meeting members were reminded of the Founders Day Mass with a breakfast meeting. The financial books were audited and approved. An appeal was read from the American Lung Assn. and it was approved to make a donation. Discussions were held for the benefit of the branch. Meeting was adjourned and followed with a Halloween party. Thank you ladies for the Halloween decorations and the goodies. We had an enjoyable time.
Reminder: Our annual meeting will be held Dec. 18th proceeded by Mass at 6:00 p.m. with a Pot-Luck dinner and annual meeting. All members are cordially invited to attend. Get well wishes to all the sick and the shut-in.
A Blessed Christmas and New Year to all the National Officers and members everywhere!
Happy Birthday ZVEZA (December 19) 58 years old!
We will dispense with the January meeting.
MARGARET FISCHER
NO. 2, CHICAGO, IL
Our trip to Bradley, IL for the state Convention was an enjoyable one. We boarded the cruise ship “Love Boat”, (our Bus), at St. Stephen’s. Our cruise director was Mike Morison, and his assistant director, Joe Sustersic. Each passenger received a flower and lei, which was also our ticket to get back on the ship. The captain and his assistants (Percy Morison and his wife Fran, and Alice) welcomed all, as did the other officers. A continental breakfast of coffee, juice and donuts was served.
Alice Morison was the delegate for Br. No. 2. She read a beautiful report of all our past activities and plans for the future, 6 pages in all. The affair was enjoyed by all 36 members and 5 guests in attendance. Fran, our president, presented a check to the S.W.U. Scholarship Fund for $500 and a check to the Heritage Fund for $500. Present with Fran was Mr. Preorag Aleksič from Yugoslav Airlines, Mr. Conrad Novak, winner of the ticket to Slovenia gave the branch $50 which
was donated in his name to the Heritage Fund. Next year’s convention will be hosted by La Salle branch in Oct. 1985.
The children’s Christmas party will be held on Dec. 8th at 1:00 p.m. Chairpersons are Mike Morison and Jean Železnikar. Ray Nusko wil decorate as in other years.
The adult Christmas party will be held on Dec. 13th. Mass at 7:00 p.m. followed by “Christmas Around the World comes to you at St. Stephen’s. Members $3.00 and guests $5.00. Grab bag (optional) price $3.00, must have your name as donor.
A trip to Museum of Science and Industry “Christmas Around the world” will be on Dec. 9th. See the Sunday “Chimes” for further information.
Mass for the sick and ailing members of Br. No. 2 is on Dec. 13th. Hospitalized were Irene Carter, Jennie Kitz, Mamie Fabian, Albie Rasp, Helen Storcz. Sick at home: Angie Koziarz and her husband Bo, and Mrs. Rojc. Remember them in your prayers.
Elections were held. All officers were re-elected and agreed to stay for another term. Auditors, reporters and sentinal also agreed for another year.
Happy anniversaries and birthdays to all who are celebrating these '■vents.
A reminder, too, for donations for “cheer baskets”.
John Zefran has been promoted to staff sargeant at Marmion Military Academy. Congratulations, John!
Wishing all a very Merry Christmas with hearts full of love to welcome the newborn Christ child along with a healthy and prosperous New Year.
Your Reporter,
ANN SCIESZKA
NO. 12, MILWAUKEE, WI
October meeting was very well attended with all officers present. Frances Plesko led us in Sovenian prayer to start us off and all reports were read and accepted. We were sorry to hear that Ann Jelinek wasn’t doing too well after her other knee surgery; also Mitzi Anzcer was back in the hospital and both were missed as they are regular attendees.
Our early Christmas party was discussed and it was settled with a
buffet dinner at Kuglitch’s with almost all present attending. Should be a good event and will give us a chance to enjoy our favorite past time also.
Our Decemebr meeting will be open for business without interference that way.
The Slovenian Hour had requested pledges to keep the hour going and it was voted that we donate our usual amount.
Stavia closed the meeting with prayer in English. There were so many door prizes again to be won. Just about everyone went home with something. We certainly have generous women.
We sang Happy Birthday to Marie Brekkan, Evelyn Laurich, Rose Luebke and Rosemary Spidell who along with Ursula Ruppe and Ann Grambow treated us to a gala lunch. We still had time to enjoy our games.
MARY DEZMAN
NO. 13, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
The month of November has beauty in it, too. When we go the to the cemetery and remember our loved ones, there are white crysanthemums on the graves, mixed with tears of sorrow that glisten like stars of long ago.
In the month of November, on the 13th, we celebrated the birthday of our president, Josephine Aiuto. On Nov. 1st recording secretary, Virginia Sustarich celebrated hers. May they have a long and healthy lifetime.
On Dec. 6th we will have our Christmas party at 12 noon. Food and drinks will be our lodge’s treat. We ask the members to bring small presents, (worth about $3) that we can use for prizes.
Elizabeth Givney passed away last month after a terrible illness. May God reward this beautiful soul with heavenly peace.
Good news to report is that our church will be saved at last, thanks to diligent work of our Beverly Jackson, daughter of the late Frances Chiodo, and Jozo Bajurin and his gracious wife. May they have the blessings which they so richly deserve.
We are anticipating the elections as I write this and the crucially important proposition 41 which
HALLOWEEN FUN
Sheboygan Br. 1 members got into the spirit of “witches, ghosts and goblins” at their Halloween meeting. Dressed up as a gypsy, kitty-cat, clown, witch and baby were Margaret Fischer, Mary Gustaveson, Dorothy Behnke, Agnes Gruenke and Ruth Sheck. Under all that “finery” they are really pretty ladies!
CENTENNIAL PARADERS
The Tower-Soudan, Minnesota Irone Ore Centennial was held in July and the KSKJ and SWU local organizations combined to present a parade float using the theme: It’s in every S LOVE enian. Pictured here are Adeline Mustonen and Victoria Bobence in costume with the Poderzay Family playing their accordians, left to right: Joe Poderzay, Pauline Trucano, Tony and Tom Poderzay, Theresa Galaski and Leonard Poderzay. The music was wonderful and the crowd seem to appreciate this great clan gathering.
On the float was pictured a little house and fence on which the inscription was printed.
deals with our disabled, elaerly and sick people.
To all members, have a blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with hope, good health and dreams to come true.
POLD1CA PODGORNIK
NO. 14, EUCLID, OH
Our October meeting was very well-attended and it was a delight to welcome some of the ladies whom we hadn’t seen in awhile.
The Slovenian Society Home, which is the base for our lodge meetings, is celebrating its 65th anniversary. We join in sending our congratulations and best wishes to them!
Sec. Donna Tome announced that she is bringing two new members into our group, her daughter, Michelle Tome and a friend, Mia Krai. A hearty welcome to you both! We look forward to having you join us at our meetings and special events.
We send along get well greetings to Mary Bostian who had been hospitalized and is now at home. Mary had dedicated many of her years to the S.W.U. as past National Supreme Pres., past Branch No. 32 Pres., State Pres., as well as being active in many other organizations.
Bubbly Josephine Lustic is now out of the hospital and recuperating nicely at her home. Why not send these ladies a card along with a greeting to Molly Legat who is also confined at home. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of our ill members and their families.
Condolences to the family of Mary Kovacich who passed away. Mrs. Kovacich was a long time resident of Lindberg Ave. and well known past proprietor of Ludwig’s Tavern.
Deepest sympathy to the Fitzthum family on the loss of their husband and father, Nathan (Jim) Fitzthum. Jennie Fitzthum has been a faithful member of our lodge along with her daughter-in-law, Marilyn and daughter Diane. May our Lord and His compassionate Mother grant comfort to the families of our departed loved ones, and may the souls of the faithful departed find peace and eternal rest.
The State Convention was held on a bright sunny day Sunday, Oct. 14 at St. Mary’s Church. Members of Mrs. Prisland Cadets and the S.W.U. Twirlettes escorted members into church for the mass for Albina Novak with a nice representation from our branch. The Rev. Victor Toi.ic presented a very uplifting and
encouraging sermon starting with a rundown of the S.W.U. History and spoke of his interest in our work. He particularly cited the importance of our lodge’s means of communication, this ZARJA magazine and asked us to become more alert to outside influences working to prevent the exchange of ideas and information through publications such as ours. Following the mass, we had an enjoyable brunch served by the gracious ladies of Branch 50. The convention then followed with items of business presided by Ann Tereek, State Pres, of Ohio and Mich, combined branches, and also Pres, of No. 50.
Don’t forget ladies to bring your dues books to our next meeting or send to Sec. Donna Tome with payment for your membership. Donna’s address is 1000 Dillewood Rd., Cleve., Ohio 44119. Phone is 481-9374. Be sure also to check your books to see that the information is up to date and make any changes that are needed.
It certainly is difficult to believe another year is swiftly drawing to a close. We send along Christmas greetings to all of our readers and wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
ALICE KUHAR
r
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n
FIVE $1000 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 1985
The lime has come again to solicit applicants for the 1985 scholarships. If you are a member of the Slovenian Women’s Union for at least three years, a graduating high school senior and plan to attend an accredited college or university next fall you are eligible to apply for one of the five $1000 scholarships. However, only one member of a family can ever receive a scholarship and only one scholarship will be awarded to a Branch each year.
Academic achievement, branch and extra curricular activities and financial need will be the basis for selections by the seven-member Scholarship Committee.
We urge qualified seniors to apply for a scholarship. Mail the tear-off section on page 31 to Hermine Dicke to receive application information.
With best wishes to all our graduating high school seniors,
Sincerely,	Hermine	Dicke,	Chairman
S. W. U. Scholarship Committee
NO. 16, SO. CHICAGO, IL
Our last meeting had four birthday celebrants, Dorothy and Phyllis Perko, Mary Ann Starcevich, Edna Winters. Our door prize winner was Alvina Sreboth.
This year, the Christmas party will be held on Dec. 13th at the Crow Bar Lounge at a cost of eight dollars, ($8). Please make your reservations because we want to see everyone attend and have a good time.
Alvina Sreboth is taking reservations for the Christmas party. Her number is 221-4028 and we ask that you call her by Dec. 10th. Members are also asked to bring canned goods for the needy instead of a gift for exchange. Remember also that the Christmas Party for Junior members will be on Saturday, Dec. 15th at 1 p.m. at St. George’s church hall.
Get well cards were sent to members Mary Brebrick who has fractured ribs from a fall, Elaine Tinsley, Ann Bublich and Katie Triller who suffered a head gash from a fall. Veronica Cacija (96 years) has had a severe paralytic stroke from the waist down. She is in Cass County Medical Care facility on Hospital St. in Cassopolis, MI 49031. She is very alert and her daughter said she would appreciate any mail to cheer her. We also remember our past National President, Mary Bostian and wish her quick recovery. Please pray for our sick, and home-bound members, also for the souls of our dearly departed and of course, for all our
sisters living throughout the country.
May God bring us all a Happy and Blessed New Year.
FRAN B. ZUPANČIČ
NO. 17, WEST ALLIS, WI
With vacations behind us and summer fun but a memory, we once again resume our obligation regarding the monthly meetings and fraternal affairs.
Our branch chartered a bus and attended the Wisconsin Regional Convention Sept. 16th in Willard. Seven members of Br. 43 joined us. By all indications, the convention was a big success and ail those who took the trip to Willard had an enjoyable time. The trip was very scenic at that time of year. Many thanks to the wonderful cooks and waitresses who made the lovely feast.
Congratulations to Sophie Verlinde and Harley Lunden who were married recently.
Also to Beth Arthur and husband, Michael and son, Michael. They have now settled in their new home in State College, PA. Beth is the daughter of Helen Pizaro and niece of Frances Piwoni. Her husband, Michael, accepted a new position as product and process engineering manager for Murata Erie North America. We wish them luck and success.
Get well wishes are extended to Mrs. Josephine Stariha at West Allis Hospital and our president, and Nat’l Auditor, Marion Marolt who had surgery and is now convalescing
at home. She will undergo a series of operations before she can resume her active life again.
Mary Bostian, our past Nat’l president is also convalescing at home and we wish her all the best.
To Albina Uehlein of Sheffield Lake, Ohio, the Women’s Activities Director of our S.W.U. we send our prayers and wishes with her for a speedy recovery.
Sincere condolences to the families of Dr. Frank X. Schuler, our Slovenian physician, a beloved friend to all. Mrs. Anna Schneider, a member of Br. 17 years ago (she had the corner neighborhood grocery store on So. 60th and Washington) also passed away. May the sympathy that is sincere and heartfelt comfort the families and give them courage in the days to come. Parting of a loved one is hard to bear.
Members, just a reminder that our annual December meeting is Sunday the 16th at 2 p.m.
It will be held at St. Mary’s Baraga Hall, 2 p.m. Sharp. Please use the rear door.
There will be important business to attend to, elections of officers for the coming year and after the meeting, we will have a Christmas social for the members, distribution of children’s Christmas gifts and an exchange of gifts (value $3) among the adult members. A delicious lunch will be served and donations of desserts would be greatly appreciated. Ladies who love to bake, won’t you please bring that favorite dessert of yours to brighten our table for the festive holiday? Please call 327-1444 or 327-3871 to tell us.
Thank you all for your generous prizes, cash donations, food and bakery during the year of 1984. My gratitude to all of you.
The Pots and Pans cookbook makes a wonderful gift for birthdays, showers, weddings or for Christmas. Give them to your children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. ( I have them on hand.) I assured you they will thank you from the bottom of their hearts for the wonderful remembrance. Call above phone numbers for the cookbooks, too.
Best wishes and good health! No wish could be more warm and true than this one sent to say:
Here’s hoping you and yours wilt have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
MARIE FLORYAN
20/20
MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN IS ON!
NO. 20, JOLIET, IL
t JOSEPHINE “JO ” SUMIC
A Cultural - Fraternal - Sportswoman
_______•
A busload of Branch 20 members, numbering 25, attended the Stale Convention on Oct. 7 in Bradley,
III.,	hosted by Branch 22. This Branch, with only 14 members, did a remarkable job organizing the event; and extending a most cordial welcome to all attending. After traveling in gloomy weather, we were welcomed with coffee and rolls, into a very warm and cheery room. We then mingled with members of other branches and attended Mass at 11 a.m. After the Mass, we went to the Moose Hall for dinner and to begin the business of the day. Our delegate to the convention was secretary. Agnes Lovati. After hearing reports by all branches present, we noted the main “problem” uppermost for each is obtaining new members. We are all interested in ideas and suggestions to increase membership. Without new life to continue, our heritage will be lost. Again, a big thank you to Branch 22 for a job well done; the congeniality, the lovely dinner served, and the numerous door prizes awarded proved you have to be more than just a name on a membership list to be able to put your best foot forward.
The appearance of the Ljubljana Octet from Slovenia, on Sunday, October 21st, was a great experience for all who attended. The Octet arrived in Joliet on Saturday and were treated to a welcoming dinner at Merichka’s. The Sunday program began with a welcome by our own Joliet Championship American Legion Band, presentation of colors by the National Guard Unit, singing of the National Anthem by Annamae Lukansic, the Slovene National Anthem by Violet Ruparcic, who accompanied the group to Joliet, and a message from John Bourg, Mayor of Joliet, who was unable to attend because of recent heart surgery. The “sound” of the Octet is inspirational. I did not understand a word that was sung, but by their harmony, expression and presentation, 1 could almost feel the meaning. (Now you know, I am a Slovene who does not speak or understand the language ... maybe just a little bit).
The response of the audience was also emotional; many of those present, I’m sure, were awakened to memories of- days past, when they, too, sang the same songs with the same intensity of feeling and enjoyment.
After the concert, the group played for dancing - that brought
“For untiring leadership throughout her lifetime in perpetuating interest and participation of our Slovenian culture and in the great game and healthy sport of bowling, the Slovenian Women’s Union in the Midwest takes this oportunity to honor one of their most dedicated cultural and fraternal sportswomen. ”
These words engraved on a plaque were presented on the occasion of the Thirty-ninth Midwest Slovenian Women’s Union Bowling Tournament on March 15 and 16, 1975 at Joliet, Illinois.
Jo passed to her eternal reward on October 22, 1984 and is at rest at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. May she rest in peace!
yet another response — toe-tapping happiness!! You couldn’t resist the urge to take part -- young and old. Before the day was over, I feel everyone at least tried to keep up with the tempo. As all good things must end, this event too will now be a memory, to which I add:
A Polka Lover's Praver Lord, I love to do the polka That happy music can’t be beat When I hear the snappy rhythm Wings just grow upon my feet.
When my time on earth is ended No sad organ songs for me No tears, no flowers, just polka tunes And I’ll come dancing, Lord, to Thee,
Amen.
Thanks Father Dave! Through this display of OUR Slovene Heritage, we brought together interested people to help “The Lady” carry on hers-freedom to start a new life. All proceeds from the concert and the sale of “I Love the Lady” pins will be sent to the Statue of Liberty Restoration Fund. Branch 20 is deeply indebted to Jenny Lu Skul and Father Dave Stalzer for their efforts in the success of this undertaking.
Since our last report, we have lost two of our long time members. Mary Govednik and Josephine Sumic.
Mary was a 56 year member. Our sympathy to the family to whom she was someone very special; she was paid a very beautiful tribute by one of her grandsons in his eulogy. Josephine Sumic, a 50 year member was a very active member and held office both locally and nationally. She was Midwest Sports Director, 1938-50, Midwest Sports Secretary, 1950-52, Midwest Sports President, 1953-73, Auditor, 1955-58, and Treasuer 1950-74. She organized a four team league sanctioned by the Women’s International Bowling Association. This is one of the many groups organized for the pleasure and benefit of the members that is still in existence. During her 50 years of membership, she spent 36 of them in an elective office. On the occasion of the 39th Midwest Bowling Tournament in Joliet, John L. Jevitz, made a presentation to Jo on behalf of Branch 20 for her untiring leadership throughout her lifetime in perpetuating interest and participation in our Slovenian culture and her dedication to the sport of bowling. Her efforts will long be remembered.
We also extend our sympathy to Charles Kobe and Nancy Beutel on the death their mother and mother-in-law, Clara Beutel.
October 25th, we again boarded a
APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!
NO. 20, BOWLING NEWS
As of Oct. 29th, our season is 8 weeks old and Merichka’s Restaurant is our first place team, 15-9.
Top 3 bowlers are Gen Klainsek
169.5,	Marje Wajchert 168.5 and Vicki Bernikas 157.
Split-getters: 2-7 Kathy Lovati, Judy Derlinga, Mary Ann Pluth; 3-10 Marlene Ancel, Judy Kozol, Judy Derlinga, Vicki Bernikas, Sherry Phelan, Polly Bick, Marj Wajchert, Gen Klainsek; 4-5 Mary Kay Demick; 5-6 Nancy Beutel, Agnes Lovati, Donna Thompson; 5-7 Ann Kobe, Mary Kay Demick; 6-7 Agnes Lovati; 4-5-7 Nancy Beutel, Marian Jakovich, Agnes Lovati; 9-10 Marj Wajchert, Marian Jackovich; 5-10 Marj Wajchert; 2-7-8 Millie Briski; 5-6-10 Mary Ann Pluth; 4-7-10 Beth Adamic; 5-7-9 Gen Klainsek.
Our Christmas Party is fast approaching with our team captains, Barb Yattoni, Judy Derlinga, Marj Wajchert, Vicki Bernikas, Gen Klainsek and Mary Ann Pluth in charge of the event.
Attention all branches:	Don’t
forget that the S.W.U. Bowling Tournament will be on Saturday and Sunday, March 23-24 in Joliet at the Rivals Bowl on Broadway. We’re hoping the event will bring out teams from many of the branches to share in a funfilled weekend. We promise to show you a good time.
And, last by not least, happy holidays from ail the Br. 20 bowlers!
JUDY KOZOL, Secretary
bus for another interesting trip. We went ot Drury Lane’s Dinner-theatre for the presentation of — we weren’t really sure, it had been changed twice already — “Breakfast with Les and Bess” with Sheila McRae. Forty-five ladies attended and had an enjoyable evening.
Get well wishes are being sent to Pete Tomasic and Frank Plankar; to the Dick Tezak family who were all suffering different problems together; to Helen Marolt and to Robert Gunier.
We send congratulations to our Silver Anniversary celebrants: Julie and Tony Kaluza, Annamae and John Lukančič and Mary and Tony Mihelich. Mary was chosen as our Mother of the Year a few years ago.
Scott Allen, son of Marla and Charles Allen, was one of four Joliet Catholic seniors commended by the National Merit Scholarship Program. Scott won a freshman chorus medal and a Math Contest certificate. He plans to attend California Institute of Technology.
NO. 22, BRADLEY,
Still echoing in our ears are the kind words and the applause for our Branch’s efforts in the recent, successful State Convention. However, we realize full well that we did only the groundwork. It was a pleasure to see again the people we have learned to recognize through this annual meet.
To the local folks, a special thanks to Ann Richards for hosting a preconvention gathering to finalize plans, to Elizabeth Kinder and Helen Sebastiana for attending to the myriad details. Each member should be proud, however, of her contribution; without each willing heart and hand the whole could not have been accomplished.
Now for the bills and the gratuities. AM of this was nicely handled at Mary Rittmanic’s home at our regular October meeting on the 23rd. Mary and her sister, Marge Planton, were the genial hostesses.
Christmas already! Where do we eat! No definite decision but surely between now and December 2 we’ll find an eatery other than McDonald’s. Then off to the home of Helen Sebastiana for business and games.
It was a double-or-nothing evening for prize winners, Anna LaMon-tagne and Mollie Starasinich, each carting away two, and Mollie McIntyre, Helen Sebastiani, and
Scott placed in the top five percent of over one million participants! Congratulations and continued success in your plans for your future.
Much discussion has been held regarding the subject of junior members; how to get and keep them interested. A suggestion was made to start another dancing group. If you’re interested in getting your youngsters into a group, call Agnes Lovati, 727-3475. We have people interested in teaching, all we need are a few children willing to learn and enjoy that phase of our Slovene culture.
We would like to say a big Thank You to Shirley Dzurko for the donation she made to Branch 20 of materials she salvaged during a “clean out.” We surely will put them to good use.
December 16th is the date for our Christmas Brunch, hope you’re planning to attend. Bring your
Elizabeth Kinder were lucky to get one.
Believe it or not, Anna Jamnik now has 11 great grandchildren, four born this year, two in one week in September - Tyler John Jamnik and Jillian Bessette. Congratulations, dear friend. We hope they grow up to be as sweet as you!
To the many who knew and loved Fr. Leonard Lenc, you will be saddened to learn of his sudden death on September 9 while attending a wedding reception, no history of previous illness. Father was associate pastor at St. Joseph’s in Bradley during the early ’50s and presently was pastor of St. Joseph’s in Rockdale. We’ll miss him.
If a trip to California and back and in ten days a hop to Hawaii do not season to traveler, what will? That was the experience Mary Rittmanic had this September. Glad you came back, Mary, all in one piece!
The “Češčenjc Marija” is beautiful and Sister Constance, choir director, promised that it would be sung again on a Sunday in Advent -in English, of course; not the real thing but better than not at all. Our Slovenian ladies attending the Convention thrilled the organist with their enthusiastic singing. She simply loved it. Too bad Sister Constance didn’t hear it; she was hospitalized the previous evening.
Peace and love to all, not only during this Christmastide but throughout the New Year!
EMMA LUST1G
husband along, come along or bring few friends, we will have a good time. It will be held at the Holiday Inn, we’re planning a $3.00 gift exchange. You’ll have to make a reservation to attend. If we don’t see yo there, we won’t get together until next year, at our January 20th meeting, at which time we’ll have installation of officers. Dues are always payable for those whose 1985 dues are paid by March, one will become eligible for the year’s free dues.
December is here, and again we prepare for the magic of the Christmas Holiday. In the midst of our preparation, take time to wish the Infant Jesus a Happy Birthday and May the peace of Christmas fill your heart, and it’s promise be your joy.
Merry Christmas,
See you next year!
HELEN PLUT ZARJA—THE DAWN
WE SALUTE THE FIVE 50 & OVER MEMBERS OF BRADLEY
Tho small in number, the members of our Branch 22 in Bradley, Illinois are full-spirited and competent to accept any challenge, even if it seems difficult. Imagine, the fewer-than-twenty members that comprise their branch attend every function 100% and undertake hosting such formidable events as a state convention, bringing in hundreds of visitors.
So, we find at Bradley, a wonderful, generous group of ladies who did a superb job of arranging and hosting the lllinois-lndiana Stale Convention Oct. 7th. Ail those in attendance have marvelous memories of the day and extend heartfelt thanks to president, Elizabeth Kinder and all the members. Elizabeth sent us photos of the 50 year members who were awarded special gifts at the Convention banquet to show the appreciation of the organization to which they have devoted their energies and loyally.
On the top left photo we see four of the Golden Members, Anna
LaMontagne (5u years), Mollie Starasinich, (54 years), Mary Ritt-manic (56 years) and Mollie McIntyre (56 years). Right is Rose Smole Barothy and below is Anna Jamnik. All but Mrs. Barothy live in Bradley and she is residing now in Indianapolis.
Heartfelt congratulations to all!
Enrolled as a little child, Rose Smole Barothy is a member, of S.W.U. since 1928. Her mother, Rose Smole, was the organizer of Br.
22	in Bradley, Illinois, and very aclive worker for ZVEZA in its formative years. She attended the 1st Convention in 1927 - at that time there were only eleven delegates plus five national officers comprising the entire convention delegation!
Rose Barothy and her daughter, Mary Ann, attended the recent lllinois-lndiana State Convention in Bradley and were overjoyed to meet with many old friends. They now reside in Indianapolis and have some contacts with our branch No. 5, there. We hope the fond remembrance of the good old days will be rekindled in many new and exciting events still to come for our fine members.
NO. 24, LA SALLE, IL
It was gratifying to see so many members in attendance at our October meeting as the weather was stormy that evening. Our financial secretary, Wanita, presented a complete report on our recent Bake Sale which was a great success. Emma Shimkus, delegate to the State Convention in Bradley, gave a very interesting report. Mary Gramce added her observations as a visitor to the convention. These fine reports are appreciated by those of us who were unable to attend the Convention. We are looking forward to
the 1985 State Convention which will be held in La Salle.
Mary Gramce, Theresa Savnik, Josephine Savnik, Emma Shimkus and Wanita Helmer drove to Joliet on Sunday, October 21st, to hear the Ljubljana Octet concert sponsored by S.W.U. Branch 20 to benefit the restoration of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. This was a truly talented group. They reported enjoying the music as this group played for dancing after the concert. The championship Joliet American Legion Band played a short concert also, and members of the American Legion advanced the colors before the program began - a very inspiring
ceremony. Once again, the Joliet Branch provided us with a program to keep us in touch with our cultural heritage, both Slovenian and American. We’d like to thank the members of Branch 20 for making this program possible and to the committee for their gracious hospitality.
I’m happy to report that I'm a grandma again; son, Mark and his wife, Sue have a new son, Michael Anthony. We’re delighted with the grandson, after five granddaughters. He is also Anna Lushina’s 18th great-grandchild.
Anna Plantan is now at Heritage Manor Nursing Home after having
been a hospital patient. Josephine Pohar is in IVC Hospital, Peru, at this time. Remember our sick and shut-in members with your prayers and visits.
Our sincere sympathy to Mary Gornik whose sister, Louise Haley, passed away in late October. Mary was devoted to her sister through her long illness. May God grant her soul Eternal Rest!
Our Christmas Party will be announced in the church bulletin and local newspaper as the date has not been confirmed at this writing. Once again, in lieu of a gift exchange, we’ll have a Christmas stocking for donations to the Illinois Valley Food Pantry. There will be no meetings in January and February. The members decided that when we resume our meetings in March we will start our meetings at 7:00 p.m. instead of 7:30 p.m.
A very Merry Christmas to all and Best Wishes for a wonderful 1985.
ANNE M. WANGLER, Reporter
NO. 32, EUCLID, OH
October has come and gone and as
1 write its Trick or Treat time. I hope all enjoyed this special fun holiday.
Congratulations to president, Dorothy Lamm and her husband, Bob, who celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary in October. Dorothy Urankar and her husband, Stanley proudly announced the wedding of their daughter, Susan to Ross Rhodes on Oct. 6th at St. Mary’s Church in Collinwood. Susan is a former Twirlette.
Phyllis D’Amico and her daughter, Mary Gentile and a granddaughter drove to Newark, Delaware. They visited Phyllis mother who has been ill for some time. They were happy to report that she is feeling much better.
Caroline and Rudy Lokar spent a weekend in Las Vegas. They were accompanied by Caroline’s daughter, Elsie and son-in-law, Wally Frank. Christine Verch returned from California and Las Vegas and without even unpacking left on a cruise ot San Juan, Puerto Rico. Accompanying her is Carmella Cartenuto who also just returned from California where she visited her brother and sister-in-law. They plan on a week of strictly rest and relaxation.
Zani and I were on a bus tour to Cincinnati, Ohio. We cruised the Ohio River on the “Becky Thatcher” river boat. We admired the fall foliage along the way and stopped at two quaint little towns, Rising Sun, Indiana and Rabbit Hash, Kentucky.
Our member, Kathy Mehl and husband, David have now moved to Jeffersontown, KY where David has a new position as manager of a privately owned Holiday Inn. They have a little girl, Lauren Ann who was just four months old on Oct. 2nd. Great grandmother, Anna Godler and grandma, Ann Cooke spent a week with them over Labor Day, flying to Philadelphia and then to the Garden State of New Jersey. The Mehls moved shortly afterward to Kentucky. Good luck to them!
We hope everyone is well as we had no report of any ailing members.
Our birthday celebrants were Mary Zak, Josephine Comenshek and Christine Verch.
After we adjourned, we were treated to cider and doughnuts by hostesses Betty Perme and Jo Jevec.
We hope to see you all on Dec. 19th. To those who can’t make it to the meeting, we wish a very Merry Christmas and that includes the Home Office in Joliet and editor in Chicago.
ESTHER GARBINCUS
NO. 34, SOUDAN, MN
I am writing this on a bleak Fall day, with anticipation of our first snowfall here in Tower-Soudan.
Our October meeting was again very well-attended and it is encouraging to see so many out and enjoying themselves.
We are happy to announce we have three new members-Olga Erchul Nykanen, sister of Victoria Bobence and Agnes Mattson, and Kathleen Nemanich Paulson, and daughter, Katie, who live in Scottsdale, Arizona. We welcome all of you into the SWU! Kathy is the aunt of Margrette Nemanich, the SWU scholarship winner in 1984 from Ely.
We had our Founder’s Day remembrance at Mass on Saturday, November 24, and hoped that all our members would make a special effort to attend. We again donated to the Bishop Baraga Association, we hope that he will be canonized during our lifetime!
At our November meeting, we had election of officers. Our meeting was changed ot November 28, because of Thanksgiving the week before. Hostesses were to be Angela Planton and Sophie Zavodnick, with the attendance prize brought by Agnes Mattson.
For our October meeting, Adeline Mustonen and Emma Betourne were hostesses with Sophie Spollar, Frances Tanko, Angela Planton and
Mary Frances Jamnick winning during our social hour, the attendance prize was brought by Mary Frances Jamnick and won by Adeline Mustonen. At our meeting, we were all very happy to hear that Jack Betourne, Emma’s husband, had successful surgery and is recuperating very well.
One of our members, Frances Tanko and her husband, Victor, celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in October. Sincere congratulations and may they have many more anniversaries!
With Christmas coming soon, I wish all of you a most wonderful Christmas and many blessings in the New Year. I look forward to the holidays with two little granddaughters this year -- we all have much to be thankful for in the past year and look back on what we have accomplished in our Branch — our Iron Ore Centennial in July and the Heritage Day in August.
In the new year, our parish, St. Martin’s, will be celebrating the Centennial Year, so we can look forward to a big celebration next summer.
God Bless You All — Have a good year!
ADELINE MUSTONEN, Reporter
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In Memoriam \
V BLAG SPOMIN ?
6 - Anna Starc-91 yrs old
14 - Elizabeth R. Grdina
Rose Picely - 80 yrs old
15 - Mary Glivar - 95 yrs old
Mary Rogcl - 88 yrs old 17 - Anna Schneider - 89 yrs old
20	- Mary Govednik - 87 yrs old 56-yr member Frances Vraničar - 75 yrs old 50-yr member
23	- Angela Horvat 26 - Mary C. Grgurich 38 - Anna Kotchevar - 80 yrs old 50-yr member 41 - Mary Klaus - 78 yrs old 53-yr member Jennie Lukane - 83 yrs old 43 - Frances Jacobi - 93 yrs old Kathleen Michalowski 50 - Elizabeth R. Grdina Justina Klančar 61 - Mary Vidovič - 88 yrs old 65 - Jennie Tauchar - 78 yrs old 95 - Mary Kostecka - 85 yrs old
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MINUTES OF THE ILLINOIS-INDIANA STATE CONVENTION
Oct. 7, 1984, Moose Lodge Hall, Bradley, 111.
The meeting, which immediately followed a 1 p.m. dinner, was called to order by Regional President Angela Nico and opened with prayer by Rev. James Murray, pastor of St. Joseph Church, Bradley.
Angela Nico extended greetings to all present and introduced the Branch delegates: Alice M. Morison, Br.
2,	Chicago; Josephine Turk (absent), Br. 5, Indianapolis, Indiana; Marge Prebil, Br. 16, South Chicago; Agnes Lovati, Br. 20, Joliet; Elizabeth Kinder, Br. 22, Bradley; Emma Shimkus, Br. 24, LaSalle; Mary Jermene, Br. 85, DePue; Mary Kernz, Br. 89, Oglesby; Mildred James, Br. 95, South Chicago; no representation from Br. 99, Elmhurst, 111.
A motion to dispense with the reading of the Mintues of the 1983 State Convention in Joliet was made by Agnes Lovati, Br. 20, and seconded by Marge Prebil, Br. 16, these Minutes having been printed in two issues of ZARJA, December ’83 and January-February ’84.
DELEGATES’ REPORTS
In the report of BRANCH 2 by Alice Morison, the membership was listed as 109 Class A, 172 Class B, 119 juniors and 21 social, for a total of 421, with average of 60-70 at regular monthly meetings, more at special events.
Plans for the coming year include a Youth Retreat based on Astronaut Jim Irwin’s statement that “God walking on the earth is more important than man walking on the moon”. A series of paintings developing this theme will be featured at the retreat and will also be on display at the Cernin Space Center at Triton College. The two field trips contemplated are to the sky show at Cernin Space Center and a repeat trip to the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, for the Christmas Around the World display.
In the CPR classes conducted during the year 11 members successfully completed the course.
At Easter and Christmas this past year members provided non-perishable foods for “cheer baskets” for needy families designated by Fr. Vendelin.
Branch 2 not only participated wholeheartedly in all the activities celebrating St. Stephen’s 85th Anniversary but also in the Baraga Days at the church. A new Branch banner donated by member Irene Carter was proudly displayed in the procession.
Other annual successful events were: St. Joseph’s table in March; the Woman of the Year award in May, this year honoring Ann Howard Sarn; and Zveza Day in Lemont in July. Up-coming events will be the Penny Social in November to fund the children’s party and an adult Christmas party.
Prize books for the benefit of the Heritage and Scholarship Funds netted $500 to each. The grand prize was a roundtrip airline ticket to Slovenia donated by JAT Airlines.
The Branch makes use of all available talents to keep members interested in the regular meetings, beginning with the physical appearnace of the hall itself by emphasizing decorations in keeping with the month’s theme. Guest speakers have enhanced their meetings: for one, an Indian woman who told of her incredible background and personal achievements, including the making of an 8 foot x 10 foot wall hanging of the Last Supper in beads; for another, a premiere by the artist himself of the very first painting in the series for the Youth Retreat.
Another innovative idea to maintain interest is the
display of a private collection, initiated by Mary F. Lauretig with her collection of dolls dressed in ethnic costumes that Mary made. Possibly, the next exhibit will be that of Christmas ornaments.
The many photos taken of all happenings are preserved in a picture album available for anyone’s viewing.
The bowling team representing Branch 2 captured first prize in the annual Midwest Bowling Tournament.
Improvements for SWU: new by-law book, with changes made at the last National Convention. Overall, “happy and proud” of performance of national officers.
Complaints: (1) unclear criteria in the selection of scholarships and (2) more space in ZARJA for coverage of a branch’s activities.
Report concludes with open invitation to attend any branch 2 meeting.
BRANCH 5, Indianapolis, Indiana, sent no delegate but the returned questionnaire showed 74 members, with 4 or 5 at the two business meetings they conduct and 15-20 at Mother’s Day affair and Christmas party.
In a note to Angela Nico, Josephine Turk made special mention of the 100th birthday of Antonia Kos, observed at St. Augustine Home where she resides. A monetary gift in her name was given to the Home. An annual donation is also given to the Slovenian National Home, the site of their meetings.
Their only money-making project is the yearly sausage sale in February.
Mass stipends for living and deceased memebrs are sent to Lemont and Canada.
Favorable comments have been received for new edition of Pots and Pans.
Delegate Marge Prebil of BRANCH 16 reported 141 adults, 12 social members, and 36 juniors, with 30-35 attending meetings.
Projects and activities at present or contemplated: Will have a Penny Social to defray cost of children’s Christmas party, a successful affair last November, and an adult Christmas party at a local restaurant on a regular meeting night.
The Card and Bunco party last April was noted to be the best ever, both financially and socially.
At the Woman of the Year event Phyllis Perko was honored at a catered dinner, with members who attended six or more meetings during the year also treated to dinner. The highlight of the evening, however, is the May crowning of the Blessed Virgin, instilling a spiritual meaning to the program.
The rosary is prayed at the wake of a deceased member and honorary pallbearers are provided when possible. A donation in memoriam of the deceased is given to the Scholarship Fund.
Donations: $50 to Baraga Association and $50 toward renovation of the Statue of Liberty.
Branch 16 sponsored a team in the Midwest Bowling Tournament.
No meetings in January, July and August because of weather and vacations.
Members especially approve of ZARJA, eagerly awaiting each issue.
No suggestions for improvements within SWU; no disapprovals - “happy with things being run as they are”.
At this point in the reports the Regional President paused to read a card from Gladys Buck, secretary of Branch 16. She expressed regrets at not being able to attend because of her ailing mother and wished a successful meeting. She wrote how difficult it is to collect
dues at this time of year, an important task to keep the present membership viable, as it is almost impossible to get new members. Angela Nico then passed along a helpful suggestion: Be prompt in the payment of dues. Waiting until the last quarter of the year creates a hardship for branch secretaries.
BRANCH 20, Joliet, Agnes Lovati delegate, reported a membership of 604 members - 466 adults (84 over age 75), 120 juniors and 18 socials. As of October 1, five members were lost through death in ’84. For each deceased member, a memorial gift of $5.00 is given to the Scholarship Fund.
At the September meeting the question of improvements within the SWU was put to the members. Responses: Doing something for declining membership, with suggestions for new members. Have the National Convention in the summer, on the week-end only. Participation in and support of any Branch function as well as helping other fraternal and Church organizations.
They approve of the sociability and of being able to help the Branch grow and maintain high standards and be important part of community, the Church, and leader among fraternal organizations.
No disapprovals voiced.
Suggestions: National and Branch officers should accept their respective offices with intent to fully dedicate time and efforts to SWU. A certain Sunday in the year should be set aside for Heritage Day, a day all branches would keep open.
To illustrate the problems of activating youth, Br. 20 sent 120 letters to its juniors inquiring into the types of programs they wanted and received five replies; for the Halloween party planned for them, four responses.
To entice attendance at regular meetings there is the usual $2.00 prize and a second one of $50. In addition, tickets of $1.00 each are sold. If a member’s name is called and is present, the award is $50 and if the member has also bought a ticket, the prize is then $100. If dues are paid by March 1, members may receive a year’s free dues.
Besides Zveza Day in Lemont, forty members and Father David Stalzer enjoyed the National Heritage Days in Hibbin g, Minnesota, starting off with a visit to the Iron Range Interpretative Center to see the Slovenian Miner’s and Laborer’s Memorial.
A recent fund raiser was the Grape Harvest Dance; its proceeds pay dues for members 80 years old and over. The money realized on the Grape Arbor goes to the Scholarship Fund.
On October 21, 1984 Branch 20 will sponsor a concert by the Ljubljana Octet, its profits to augment Statue of Liberty fund.
Joliet, Illinois, will be the site of the Midwest Bowling Tournament on March 23 and 24, 1985 at Rivals Bowl, Br. 20 the host.
BRANCH 22, Bradley, Elizabeth Kinder, as president and delegate of host Branch 22, again welcomed guests. Of its 17 members, 13 were present the Convention, with particular mention of Rose Smole Barothy and daughter Mary Anne of Indianapolis. Average attendance at bimonthly meeting 13-14.
Activities: Mass for deceased members; cards to the sick, and donation to United Parents for Exceptional Children. Several members volunteer at hospitals and nursing homes.
Members approve of keeping alive the Slovenian heritage, enjoying one another’s company, and traveling to conventions.
No disapprovals - no suggestions.
Congratulations were extended to Anna LaMon-tagne on reaching her 50th year as SWU member.
BRANCH 24, LaSalle, Illinois - Emma Shimkus, delegate: 118 members including juniors, with average 12
members attending monthly meetings.
The one fundraising project is the bake sale. Their charities include the Food Pantry, assisting senior citizens in the local AARP unit, and bringing anti-drug abuse programs to the schools.
The adults work closely with junior members to assure success of their bazaar, not only providing strudels and poticas but also teaching them how to bake these delicacies.
Prayers are offered at the meetings for the sick and shut-ins. Members act as honorary pallbearers at the funeral of the deceased. A daily Rosary for peace is being recited during the month of October.
For sociability, there is the Mother of the Year dinner and the Christmas party.
The Dawn Magazine is especially appreciated for the social and cultural background it furnishes to readers.
Efforts are being made to attract young adults to the meetings, such as, telephone solicitation. “We’re trying but don’t know how far we’ll get,” Emma concludes.
No representative from BRANCH 85, DePue, 111. However, the questionnaire, signed by secretary Mary Jermene, shows 27 members, 9-10 attending meetings.
No projects or activities at present but will try to meet more often. No suggestions - no disapprovals.
What Branch 85 likes best is ZARJA.
Mary Kernz, delegate from BRANCH 89, Oglesby,
111.,	reported 41 members, 15-20 present at meetings.
Projects and activities are annual bake sale, Mother’s Day party and Christmas dinner, visiting the sick in hospitals and nursing homes, volunteering for the Red Cross, and hospital auxiliary.
Approve of Lemont Days, bowling tournaments, and cookbooks sales. No disapprovals. Suggestions -none.
BRANCH 95, South Chicago, Mildred James, delegate: Before delivering report Mildred presented check to Agnes Lovati, Br. 20, for the Statue of Liberty project.
Of the Branch’s 162 members, 22 are over 75, 6 are juniors, 12 socials; 34-90 attend meetings.
Projects/activities: Raffle (best source of added income); Mother’s Day party honoring Charlotte Fryza in 1984; and Christmas party. Cards to sick members; payment of dues for all members in nursing homes. Mildred Poropat has made every effort to visit them and attends wakes of deceased members. A Mass is offered for the deceased. Branch offers a year’s paid dues for eligible member (she must have paid yearly dues).
Interesting and informative meetings planned, for instance, for November the speaker’s subject will be colors to choose in clothing and make-up.
Approvals - ZARJA, especially Pots and Pans and the Immigrant.
Improvements - “satisfied with the way things are handled.”
Suggestions - How does one go about enrolling new members, especially young adults? Branch 95 continues to share the experiences of all branches and hope to work together for greater prestige and strength of all.
BRANCH 99, Elmhurst, Illinois - absent. All six members are over age 75. Angela Nico reported receiving no response to her questionnaire.
Motion was made, and unanimously approved, that the reports of the delegates be accepted.
INTRODUCTIONS:
Regional President Angela Nico introduced the women seated at the head table, beginning with Corinne Leskovar, Editor of ZARJA; Olga Ancel, National Secretary, Sylvia Vukodinovich, National Treasurer, Mollie McIntyre, Vice-president, Br. 22, Mary Ritt-
manic, Past President, Br. 22, and Emma Lustig, reporter, Br. 22.
DISCUSSIONS:
Branch 2 had raised a question about the Scholarship Fund. Regional President Angela Nico called upon Corinne Leskovar to explain what she could about the Fund.
The Scholarship Committee has seven members, its chairman being elected at the National Convention; the other members are, for the most part past national officers who are appointed.
She believes that the structure of the operation is such that all applications go to Flermine Dicke, chairman, who rewrites the cover of each, using a code, either number or letter, to preserve anonymity. The Committee members then make their selections based on qualifications.
The application form itself lists the conditions for filing: (1) The applicant must have been a SWU member for three years; (2) no branch may have more than one winner a year, and (3) no family may have more than one winner. Corinne was of the opinion that the branch in which the applicant belongs must write a letter of verification of SWU membership.
Corinne suggested that the convention pass a motion that more application forms be made available to the branches, for immediate distribution to interested parties and as source of information to members.
Increasing the grant to $1,000 at the last national meet has resulted in an increase in the number of applications. The entire amount of $ 1,000 is not sent at one time, however. The applicant must submit proof of registration or enrollment in the school for each of the quarters or semesters in that year; that is, if there are two semesters, the applicant must submit proof twice. The sum of S500 is awarded for each period.
The Committee tries very hard to be fair. Mrs. Dicke has an educational background. Her husband is a former professor at the University of Wisconsin, and it is believed he lends guidance.
Corinne exhorted members to have confidence in this student aid program, as Mrs. Dicke is very careful and above reproach in all her work. She has been with the program since 1949, when her mother, Mrs. Prisland, instituted it, and was delegated its continued operation by her mother when she retired from active service. Hermine manages the Fund as well; it is very solid. The principal is invested in more than one institution and the interest accruing is substantial.
Though the delegates gave marvelous reports, showing a lot of leadership within the branches, Corinne noted none touched upon the Scholarship program which she believes to be one of SWU’s finest activities and a selling point for the organizaton.
To the question from the floor by Michael Morison, Chicago, regarding the priority of factors in the determination of scholarship winners, Corinne indicated that much depended upon the kind of applications received and felt that monetary need plus scholastic achievement would be the criteria, probably scholarship the primary. It appeared that Mr. Morison was aware of a controversial case involving Br. 2. Since Corinne felt unqualified to give a full explanation, she suggested the matter be referred to Mrs. Dicke.
Angela Nico thanked Corinne and added her own comment that the first priority is membership and perhaps Mrs. Dicke should be asked to write an article on the Scholarship program as a review, because a member may not have been interested in it initially but with passing of time and children and grandchildren, there
may be renewed interest in the rules and regulations governing it.
PRAYER CARDS: Many are using the prayer cards at funerals, and the response from families of the departed has been most favorable.
QUESTIONNAIRE FORM: Not mentioning the Branch, Regional President Angela Nico spoke of a complaint voiced about the form. At the bottom of the sheet is the query: Do you find these questions adequate for a complete report? Please state on the other side any questions you would like to add or delete to change this questionnaire for future conventions.
Her philosophy on complaints is not to criticize but to come up with a better idea, a specific suggestion. The form is not restrictive, she emphasized, but is just a guideline.
DISAGREEMENT WITHIN A BRANCH: Angela Nico speaking - Some feel that they have to have things run their way. If you want everything done your way in your organization and no one wants to agree with you, then maybe it’s not a good idea. That happens so many times, not only in one branch but in all of them. If you have some good ideas, talk to the executive board. This is where you iron out your differences. You come to an agreement; you come to a decision. So try that.
RULE OF ORDER: Emma Shimkus, Br. 24, recognized. Though Robert’s Rule of Order is used at conventions, she wished to know if it is allowable for a local branch to follow its own standing rules, rules the membership have agreed upon. Several voices in the audience affirmed that it was allowed.
PHRASE “HIGH STANDARDS” EXPLAINED: Agnes Lovati, Br. 20, was called upon to clarify the phrase “high standards” mentioned in her report. Her reply: We should uphold ourselves at all times - ladylike, hold our dignity, be a proper member, go along with the majority, don’t cause any problems, and things like that.
From the floor, Marian Jakovich, Br. 20, identifying herself as president and treasurer of Lodge 66, American Fraternal Union, expanded on Agnes’ remark in her statement that there is good rapport and cooperation between the three Joliet fratcrnals, SWU, KSKJ and AFU, in all the projects each may sponsor.
In closing, Agnes Lovati thanked all the branches which contributed to their musical program of October
21	and announced that I LOVE THE LADY buttons were available for 50 cents, the profits going to the Statue of Liberty fund.
CATHOLIC VERSUS CHRISTIAN”: Corinne Leskovar: At the National Convention there was a long debate on the use of the word “Catholic” versus “Christian”. Are we to limit our membership to Catholics? The debate ended with a reiteration that the organization was Catholic in origin and based on Catholic principles. A membership requirement is that you must be a Christian to be a member. That covers those people who were enrolled when they were children but who now may be outside the pale of Catholic sanction and non-Catholic spouses of members who profess, nevertheless, a Christian belief.
MIDWEST BOWLING TOURNAMENT: It was announced that the next event would be in Joliet, Illinois, on March 23 and 24, 1985.
NATIONAL OFFICERS’ STATEMENTS
Olga Ancel, National Secretary: From Scottsdale, Arizona, our National President Mary Muller extends best wishes to one and all.
Maintaining membership is a constant concern of the National Board as well as for officers of local branches. We need to enroll our daughters, daughters-in-law, granddaughters, and even mothers. Last week we
received an applicaiton-a gift membership for a mom; whe was very happy to be enrolled by her daughter. Gift memberships may be the answer for birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions.
The absence of young adults at the Heritage Day in Hibbing, MN, “is frightening”, as one writer put it in a letter to the National Office. “Will our heritage and traditions end with those generations who were present?” she asked.
Fifty-six years ago, on August 1, 1928, our hostess branch was organized by Rose Smole, who became president of the Bradley Branch and a national auditor. Included in the first group was Rose’s daughter, Rose Smole Barothy and Anna Jamnik. In the same year Mary Rittmanic and Mollic McIntyre joined the branch. In 1980 Mollie Starasinich was a 50-year member and on the 18th of thsi month Anna LaMontagne becomes one. The Home Office wishes to present these six members with a 50-year pin and extends appreciation for their loyalty.
Sylvia Vukodinovich, National Treasurer: Sylvia presented the 50-year pins to Br. 22 honorees (Anna Jamnik absent) and extended congratulations. Also complimented Elizabeth Kinder, president of the Branch, on doing an excellent job and the delegates for their wonderful reports.
She then appealed for more suggestions on how to recruit more members. If SWU is to remain sound financially there is need for more members. 20/20 is the campaign slogan for the 1987 convention-20 new adults and 20 new juniors for each branch! A great goal for ’87. Many people do not join because they are not asked. If you meet with no response on the first attempt, ask again, she advised.
Angelo Nico read a letter from Mary Muller, Naional President, dated September 17, expressing regrets at not being able to be present.
The letter, in part, described the Baraga Days held in Chicago on Sept. 1 and 2 at St. Stephen’s. Saturday’s Mass was very crowded and the heat was unbearable in the church. The buffet at St. Stephen’s was also very crowded. On Sunday Joseph Cardinal Bernardin celebrated Mass in Holy Name Cathedral at 3 p.m. and delivered a moving and informative homily on the life of Bishop Baraga. The dinner and meeting followed at the Continental Hotel.
It was a very pleasant time for all, what with renewing acquaintances and making new friends.
The next Baraga Days will be at Mackinac Island, Michigan.
The letter concluded with the wish for a successful convention and the hope that the branches have good reports for the future of SWU. Also expressed was the need for new members to fill the ranks of the deceased and the aged, members who are interested and progressive, with new ideas and resourceful plans to insure the future.
THE ZARJA - Corinne Leskovar, Editor: It was in 1982 that the National Board, in an economy move, decided to reduce the number of issues to 9 per year, eliminating January, June and August. No salary is paid to Corinne for January and June; August is paid because it is considered vacation pay. The editor’s work is not easier, however, because of interruption in the How of information, necessitating some correspondence to insure that the material finally to be printed is up to date.
Does the financial help make it worthwhile? Corinne, too, wishes for the return to 11 issues but at this time the magazine will continue to be 9 issues only.
Determination of number of pages - a very difficult task, as one cannot know until the type is set. Printing is a question of page forms -- 8 page forms - numbers. One cannot stop at 18; it must be either 20 or 24, or back to
16. At 16 there would be two pages of material that would not be put in. At 20, Corinne has to find four pages of material. It is a puzzle that must be solved every month. Most issues of ZARJA have 32 pages. So in the final analysis, the number of pages is only determined by the amount of material that comes in.
The material itself must be scrutinized for accuracy and worth.
Singled out were the features Pots and Pans and the Immigrant. Corinne hoped that more stories from our immigrants would be captured on tape. She pointed out that the older folks may not repeat their tales for a son or daughter but are willing to do so for a younger friend or outsider.
The Slovenian section of the ZARJA has become smaller but Corinne confessed that it is all she can do to keep it the size that it is. She feels that it is not a waste of space, as some subscribers read all the Slovenian, this section being the only place where they find the Slovenian language. Her aim is to present only high quality articles and to promote the Slovenian tongue.
The disinterest of young people in things Slovenian is very frightening and very depressing to her. The present generation has some commitment, she said, but future generations perhaps only one-eighth Sovenian won’t even think about that one-eighth. She thinks it important, then, to pass on to pur children some aspect of the culture, whether in song, food, practice, anecdote, etc.
The circulation of ZARJA is 6800, down from the peak pre-war years of 10,000. About 100 address changes are made each month.
Corinne thanked the reporters for their well-written reports and for being on time (articles due the first of the month, but she can wait a week).
HERITAGE MUSEUM: Mildred Pucel, reporter -The reason for National Heritage Days being in Minnesota in 1984 was the result at the National Convention that after three years of observance in Joliet each region should take its turn; Minnesota was chosen to be the first. In 1985 it will be in Wisconsin; however, no information as to when or where has been received to date. Members were urged to watch the ZARJA for details.
Members of the Heritage Room Board were introduced: Fr. David Stalzer, Honorary Chairman; Agnes Lovati, Secretary; Mary Marolt, Treasurer; Helen Horvat, Librarian; Jean Govednik, Historian; and Marie Malnerick and Mary Ivanich, Assistants. Branch officers graciously volunteer their time when asked.
The open house held in March 1984 coincided with the 90th anniversary of KSKJ and attracted many guests, who appreciated the opportunity to tour the room. Rolls and coffee were served.
The $100.00 contributions engraved on the plaque:
Ken and Irene Odorizzi, Reston, Va.
Martin and Emma Planinšek, Joliet, 111.
Irene Jagodnik, Cleveland, Ohio
Milo and Albina Uehlein, Sheffield Lake, Ohio
SWU, Br. 20, Joliet, III.
SWU National Championship Cadets No. 20 Joliet,
111.
Dolores and Romaine O’Brien, South Holland, III.
Luba Troha, Chicago, III.
In memory of Marie Prisland - Children
SWU, Br. 1, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Donations in 1984 totaled $355.00.
Pictures were sorted, identified, and placed in the picture stand.
The National Heritage Day in Hibbing, MN, in August was successful both financially and in the demonstration of Slovenian heritage through music and
SLOVENIAN MINERS & LABORERS MEMORIAL REPORT
THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTORS
“Enclosed please find check for $100.00 for the Slovenian Miners and Laborers Memorial in memory of my sister, Albina Novak. I am sure that if she were alive today she would be expending her energies and talents in spearheading the fund-raising drive for this artistic portrayal of Slovenian immigrants.
“My best wishes to you as you continue to seek financial support for this cause. May God bless all involved in this project. Sincerely.
Jean Križman Richmond Hgts., OH”
“Please accept our contribution to the Memorial fund for $15.00. This is indeed a very fine tribute to all the Slovenian people who aided in the growth and development of our country.
“Many of our parents and grandparents labored in the factories of the particular areas they settled. Others labored in the mines and mills. This combined Memorial to all these people seems most appropriate.
“We shall wait with anticipation for the completion of the project and hopefully soon thereafter visit the area. Fraternally,
Yvonne Rupnick Lavey Sec’y-Treas. Lodge 634 Slovene National Benefit Society, Sheboygan, WI”
“Dear sisters: 1 thank you for the lovely card sent to us in thanks for our $300 donation to the Slovenian Miners and Laborers Fund located in the Iron Range Interpretative Center in Chisholm, Minnesota. We have visited this facility and it is beautiful!!
“As to the names to be inscribed on the special bronze plaque, they are: John Furlong, Bovey, MN, Steve Furlong, Bovey, MN and my dad, Ignace Schwartz, Keewatin, MN. This is where he worked in the mines. These are all small towns on the Mesabi Range. We know one of the employees at the Center, Joe Drezenkvovich.
Frances ' ‘Fritzi'' Furlong Br. 56 Member Menomonie, Wl”
Donations still welcome!
Remember the family members who worked in America’s mines and mills with your contribution in their names to the Slovenian Miners and Laborer’s Memorial to be placed in the Iron Range Interpretative Center, an educational museum located in Chisholm, Minnesota.
The financial support you give will aid us in completing the Memorial as planned. Many magnanimous donations have been received and we thank every donor most sincerely. Names and Memorials of $100 or more will be placed at the site. Send in your contributions to:
Slovenian Women’s Union, 431 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432.
displays. To date no monies from this Day have been received.
New artifacts have come from Mary Lou Prhne, Rosemary Susel of Cleveland, and Frances Kalcic of Joliet. Mildred reminded us to not forget the Museum when discovering memorabilia in the home and to contact your secretary for contribution cards.
PILGRIMAGE DAY: Frances Morison, reporter -Contributions of $500.00 each to the Heritage and Scholarship Funds were the result of the ZVEZA Day picnic in July in Lemont. Presentation was made today because many of those responsible for its success would be present. Fran expressed her thanks for all the help extended and to JAT Airlines for the generous donation of a roundtrip ticket to Slovenia as prize.
Before presenting the check, Fran called upon Mr. Alexsic, regional marketing manager of JAT, to address the Convention. In his words, “the donation JAT Airlines gave to Branch 2 is nothing in comparison with what you are doing to keep the Slovenian spirit alive. It is peanuts to what you are giving of yourself, your time and your efforts”.
For those unfamiliar with a Pilgrimage Day in Lemont, Angela Nico described it as one of complete relaxation, with Mass, visiting or just sitting around, more prayers, games and food, a delight that should be experienced, and suggested marking the third Sunday of July on your Calendar.
Michael Morison, Chicago, explained how Branch 2 came to acquire the liberal contribution by JAT Airlines. He walked into their offices to speak on behalf of the Slovenian Women’s Union, presenting its important goals of promoting heritage and helping the scholarship
of younger people by offering them an opportunity to receive financial assistance. There still exists a common bond, he maintained, between the homeland and the descendents of those families that emigrated. He again thanked JAT for the generosity of their donation and for their faith in SWU and hoped that gratitude would be shown them because they had demonstrated their concern for their own fellow people.
Incidentally, the original winner of the ticket was Fran Morison’s husband, who considered himself ineligible to accept it. On the second drawing, Conrad Novak was the happy recipient. He insisted that Mr. Morison take a check for $50.00; that check will be turnej over to the Scholarship Fund in Mr. Novak’s name.
PAST NATIONAL AND STATE OFFICERS in attendance were recognized and a round of applause was given to Branch 22 for hosting the convention.
SITE OF 1985 STATE CONVENTION - LaSalle, Illinois, the first Sunday in October.
DELEGATES AND MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE - Br. 2, 36 members, 5 guests; Br. 16, 9 members, 1 guest; Br. 20, 25 members, 1 guest and the bus driver; Br. 22, 13 members; Br. 24, 2 members, Br. 89, 2 members, and Br. 95, 15 members, 1 guest.
On motion made by Marge Prebil, Branch 16, seconded by Agnes Lovati, Branch 20, and unanimously approved, the meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m., with prayer by Regional President Angela Nico.
Emma Lustig, Reporter Branch 22, Bradley, Illinois
IRENE ODORIZZI:
2362 Paddock Lane Reston, Va. 22091
| THE IMMIGRANT
JOSEPH OF DOBREPOLJE
Thousands of miles separate the two small cities of Dobrepolje in Slovenia and Soudan, Minnesota in America. As a young boy growing up in that small Slovenian village, never did 1 imagine that some day I would cross the vast Atlantic and eventually become an American citizen, proud of my Slovenian heritage, yet equally proud of my life in America and my contribution to a new industry and a new town.
For generations my ancestry in the Old Country had been steeped in traditions which I was expected to follow and maintain. In America, along with many other immigrants, we were “on the ground floor,” impressing our ideals, hard work, and visions upon a relatively new piece of ground. We would carve out of the soil another town — would it be that we were making history? It was difficult, yet exciting to be part of a new frontier. The road ahead appeared to be endless with possibilities for myself and my family.
It was 1906, and I was only eighteen years old when my adventure began, and I found employment in the iron hills east of Lake Vermilion. By the time I had arrived in Soudan, Minnesota the mine, which was the major industry of the area, had been in operation for 24 years, and Soudan had grown from a community of 28 families, to a small town in which many Slovenian families had already settled. Being with fellow Slovenes and speaking our native language helped to ease the pain of separation
from my homeland. We had all brought a little of the “Old Country” with us and, coupled with the demands of becoming Americanized, our lives had been challenging and exciting.
Don’t get the idea that this was an easy life because it was hardly that. As pioneers, we had to struggle through many hardships in the mining industry before we could reap the benefits of industrial and union progress. Back in the early 1900s, mules hauled small cars of ore; wages were small, only $2.00 a day; and we miners worked six days a week, from six in the morning until six at night. And, mind you, we weren’t paid for any overtime either. Many times, in the winter months, because of the limited number of daylight hours, I left for work in the dark and returneo nome in the dark; never saw any sunlight until my day off, on Sunday. The only light which we miners saw was the small light shining from the carbide helmet lamp, enabling us to dig and load the cars with ore.
A man’s good health became his most valued possession. Tuberculosis was a prevalent sickness among the miners in the early years, and each man dreaded ever being told that he had contacted this disease.
Mining posed the risk of many kinds of accidents. If a man was injured or his health broke from the hard work of the poor working conditions, there was no insurance, except maybe the small pittance received from the Slovene fraternal unions, which rose out of a need to
JOSEPH ERCHUL SPENT HIS LIFETIME AS A MINER
This historical pholo marks a long-awaited event-paying (he miner his monthly earnings. Seen accepting his wages from paymaster, Edward Byrne, of the Oliver Iron Mining Division, is Joseph Erchul who retired after 47 years of faithful service. Mr. Erchul recalls the early immigrant miner who worked 6 days a week from six in the morning until six at night for $2.00 per day with no pay for overtime.
Standing next in line is Claude Micklich and Harold Syrjanen makes room in his pocket for his salary.
TOWER-SOUDAN CELEBRATES 100TH BIRTHDAY OF MINING INDUSTRY
The first iron ore was shipped from (he Soudan Mine hack in July 1884, and the citizens and old settlers of these two communities paid tribute to (he pioneers that gave hirlli to the mining industry in a three-day celebration. Thousands of former natives from the entire nation assembled to recall events of the early days and to commemorate (his historical milestone in Ihc mining industry of Minnesota and the locale of Tower-Sotidan.
The photo shows the iron mine at Soudan near Tower.
provide remuneration for medical bills or to ease the burden of funeral expenses.
Fraternal lodges played an important part in our lives. Here in Soudan, the KSKJ formed Lodge No. 4,
S.S.	Cyril & Methodius, of which I was secretary for over 35 years. The SNPJ also formed lodges in many industrial and mining areas, so I became a member of the Soudan group. Both lodges provided insurance benefits as well as events which enlarged our social life. Along with St. Martin’s, our parish church, the community became a hub of activity and the core of social life.
In my early years at the mine, I was assigned all kinds of jobs, but was a “barman” for a good number of years. After a blast, it was my job to pry down any loose rock and make it safe for the workers to enter the tunnel. This required me to be on a ladder and was dangerous work. 1 was “unlucky” only once, when a chunk of jasper fell and gashed my head. It was also the only time in 47 years that 1 missed work. Despite the hard work and the risks involved, 1 was always thankful for the opportunity to have a job, do a day’s work, and support my family. True, there were problems that needed to be remedied, but we were a young, growing industry and with time changes were eventually made with combined cooperation from the company and the unions. When all people involved negotiate in good faith and trust, any difficulty can be coi rected.
A year after I arrived in America, I met a lovely Slovenian girl, Mary Breznik, who had recently arrived in America. She was here only a month before I proposed marriage, and she accepted.
Along with establishing a home and raising a family came additional chores and obligations. When 1 returned home in the evening, I went to the barn to help Mary milk the cows and tend to the hogs. Much of what we ate during the year was raised at home, then canned, or preserved for the winter months. Raising eleven children meant that you had to work hard, be thrifty, and trust in the Lord.
Change is an inevitable part of life, and soon we were advised by the mining company that the iron ore mine would be closed, not because it was e^Nausted, on
the contrary, tests at the 29th level revealed that there war more ore left than had already been mined, and it was of a high quality. It appeared that mining the natural ore at that level cost the company $12.00 a ton to mine, whereas, mining taconite cost orjy $8.00 a ton, and so the switch to mining the magnetic iron ore on the Mesabi Range becamc a reality.
The Minnesota State Park System, realizing its historic and educational values, has preserved this unique feature of the Iron Range. Visitors may take advantage of the guided tours into the mining shaft. Now, a new generation, the children and grandchildren of the iron ore miners, can rapidly descend into the mine in a shaky, roofless cage, just as we did. Before they realize it, they are standing at the bottom, 2400 feet underground, and 1400 feet below sea level. The tunnel is illuminated with
GOLDEN WEDDING FAMILY PORTRAIT — 1957
Don’t they look lovely? These Iwo pelite ladies are Josephine Erehul (left) and Mary (Mrs. John) Erehul of Soudan, Minnesota. They are attired in fashionable dress of the period. The photo was taken in 1907 and sent by daughter, Frances. Mrs. Krchul, a charter member of Br. 34 of Soudan, was instrumental in
reactivating thfl membership by conducting a house-to-house canvass. Mrs. Erehul was elected from 17 branches throughout the state as the outstanding Mother of the Year in 1953.
©Irene M. Planinšek Odorizzi, 1984
The Erchuls have eleven reasons why they consider their adopted country the finest tinder the sun. Those reasons are the three sons and eight daughters born to them since their arrival from Slovenia in 1906.
(Back left to right) Agnes Mattson, Olga Nykaner, Margaret Schmidi, Frances Bi/al, Victoria Bobence, Benedict Erehul; (front left to right) Sr. Maxine, Sr. Antonia, Joseph & Mary Erehul, Sr. Gervase (deceased). The nuns are members of the Benedictine Priory in Duluth, Minnesota. A son, Joseph T. was not present for this picture and a son, Daniel G., was deceased at the time of this photo.
Mr. Erehul slates, “My adopted e<) to raise and educate my children in tli remain under the American flag as long
intry has given me an opportunity Christian way of life. I wish to is I live.”
electric lights, but are dim enough to give a feeling c aloneness in a totally dark environment. Guides explain the geological characteristics of the mine, and many marvel at the working conditions which their fathers and grandfathers had experienced daily, and which had been taken for granted.
After 47 years of mining experience, I retired; that was enough! It was time for retirement. Time for the young people to continue what we pioneers had started. That’s what they call us “pioneers” of the mining industry. Now, 1 can enjoy life above the mine, with my wife and children who are grown and making their mark in the world. I pray the rosary daily, and still follow the motto which has guided me a lifetime — “ORA ET LABORA” -- work and pray.
NOTE: Mr. Joseph Erchul passed away in 1973 after living a very full life and passing on a legacy valued by his children: the gift of FAITH in God and the dignity of WORK. He has been laid to rest in an appropriate setting, at Lakeview Cemetery on the shores of beautiful Lake Vermillion, in the shadows of the Soudan mine shaft where he toiled in the underground mine for nearly a lifetime.
Many thanks to Frances Bizal, our member of Branch No. 38, Chisholm, Minnesota, the daughter of Mr. Erchul, for sending us the fruits of her labor. Frances prepared a lovely article for a college course and received an A + . The article was reprinted in the Hibbing paper in 1973. We are pleased that she allowed us to use this material and quote freely from its contents. Photos were also provided by Frances. Another daughter, Victoria Bobence, is our National Auditor.
Joseph and Mary Erchul celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1957.
NO. 35, AURORA, MN
Thank you to our State president, Rose Maras, her family and all the branches who worked so hard to make Minnesota’s National Heritage Day a success. Mildred Pucel of Br. 20, Joliet, gave an interesting report on this event in the Oct. issue of ZARJA. Do hope you all read it. Anytime a group like this gathers it makes one proud of one’s heritage. So many other nationalities envy us. Our family and friends enjoyed this beautiful day together. Three of our memebrs were lucky winners of some of the prizes: Betty Orazem, the afghan, Anna Rose Smolich, Slovenian dolls and Martha Gunderson, noodles.
I wasn’t able to attend the State Convention in Hibbing on Sept. 9th but those who went enjoyed the day. Special thanks to the small group of ladies of Br. 52, Kitzville. You did a beautiful job!
Many of our members helped to put on the 6th annual Grape Festival on Oct. 6th which was enjoyed by so many from near and far. We opened our Festival this year parading in our Slovenian costumes led by several accordianists and our own Slovenian
Festival Singers, down our Main Street to the hall. Then the dancing and fun started at 3 p.m. until midnight.
Congratulations to John and Mary Nosan who celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in October. May you enjoy many more years of .good health and happiness together.
Our sympathy and prayers are with the Frank Smolich and Edward Urick families. May they rest in peace. Edward’s wife, Barbara, and son, Marty, are members of our Br. 35 and his sister, Margaret Milner belongs to the Biwabik branch.
Social memebrs, Ann (Frank) Mishmash, Olga Berdice, Mary Hudy, Ann Zupančič and Julia Pirnat are on the nominating committee for new officers for 1984. Elections will be held Dec. 9th. We will initiate all new members at this meeting, too.
We will have a short meeting at 3 p.m. Dec. 9th followed by our Christmas party and a catered dinner at 5 p.m. Instead of a gift exchange this year we will bring gifts ©r money which will be donated to our Board and Car Unit at the Hospital. Barbara Kalar will be in charge of the Christmas program.
Hostesses for December are: Phyllis Turk, Ann (Frank) Mismash,
Dorothy Jamnik, Veda Marinšek, Julia Strukel and Josephine Trost.
President Smolich thanked Theresa McGauley our publicity chairman, our ZARJA reporter and Anna Hodnik for their interesting articles in the ZARJA. We closed our meeting with prayers for our members and families who are ill.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!
ANNE M.ORAZEM
NO. 38, CHISHOLM, MN
Hellow, sisters! I did not attend the last meeting in October and at this time I would like to thank Josie Zupančič for taking the Minutes. Ann Nusich showed slides of Slovenia when she was on her trip to Europe. Thanks, Ann. 1 am sure everyone enjoyed them. I just got back from a trip called the Adriatic Cruise and visited Slovenia as well. I must say that it is a beautiful place. 1 was very thankful to be able to spe^k the Slovenian language there and 1 certainly enjoyed visiting with my relatives.
We were fortunate to have in Chisholm the Ljubljana Oktet and a concert was held on Oct. 26th with a
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
Frances, nee Pogorelec, and Joseph Danko celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary August 25,
1984 with a renewal of their wedding vows at St.
Elizabeth’s church in Duluth, Minnesota, the church in which they were married.
Frances was the oldest of 13 children and all of them were in attendance at the joyful occasion. Her sister,
Mary (Pogorelec) Winkler and Joe Paszak, Joe’s best man, were also there, reliving the wedding when they acted as their attendants.
Following the renewal of vows, a dinner was hosted by their two daughters and families. Daughters are Patricia (Dennis) Picconatto and Joann (Daniel) Mar-nich. There are five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Frances has been a member of Br. 33 for 49 years.
Both of her daughters are also members.
Congratulations and best wishes.
LOIS PELANDER, Reporter Frances and Joseph Danko
dinner dance the following night. Our Jugoslav Association sponsored them. The people in Minnesota are very ethnic minded and are proud of our Slovenian Heritage. Thank you, Anna Hodnik, for your “Learn Slovenian” column in ZARJA. We enjoy that!
We want to extend our sympathy to the Ambrozich family. Frances Ambrozich passed away this month. She was 96 years young. We are also happy to see Edith Dolinar feeling better after her stay in the hospital.
We are looking forward to the winter and hope to see all our members at the meetings.
Rose Maras of Hibbing visited our Oct. meeting. She is the Regional President.
See you at the next meeting and bring a prospective member with you. Bless you all.
ROSE N1EM1
NO. 39, BIWABIK, MN
Friends and relatives were saddened by the passing of Anna Spehar on Oct. 12th. She was born on Feb. 23, 1893 in Trebuče, Slovenia. Mrs. Spehar was a member of the Slovenian Women’s Union since its beginning. She was a very active member and held office in our local branch. Her love of people showed when she attended our get-togethers. She was always in a jovial mood! Our sympathy to her surviving daughters, Ann, Rose and Celeste. Anna has found her peace but we shall miss her smiling face and outgoing personality.
Oct. 18th: Our final plans for the “B” Party were made and we will be selling coffee, cupcakes and pop to all the party-goers. The major
portion of the meeting dealt with the upcoming Polka Club dinner and dance. The McKinley members will cater this affair. We will have a Mass said for the deceased members sometime in November. All members were urged to attend.
Election of new officers will take place at the December meeting. Be an active member, don’t just belong! Attend the meetings instead of staying away and finding fault with the work that the active members do. Get involved yourself!
Everyone, please attend our next meeting. Tentative date for the Christmas party is Dec. 2nd at St. John’s Hall.
ANN KROGER, Rec. Sec’y.
NO. 40, LORAIN, OH
It was a lovely October day — sunny and nice for our “trick and treaters” and like magic at the stroke of 3:45 p.m. it started to rain. But, a very happy group of young masqueraders had a good haul!
With Halloween behind us there’s Thanksgiving and Christmas to look forward to - as I write. So, Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas!
Writing of Christmas - our annual party will be held at The American Slovak Home - 2915 Broadway at 1 p.m. - a family style dinner will be served. A gift exchange ($3.00) will also be held. The date, December 12(h. For more information call Mary Ferlic ai 277-7878 or Jean A. Balogh at 988-5633 or to make reservations.
The attendance prize was won by Jean A. Balogh and donated by Sophie Pogacher.
The October meeting was well attended - 22 in all; and the birthdays of Theresa Rajhei1, Jean Yelenc and Frances Russ were celebrated. A dessert lunch was served - Happy Birthday to all!
Many thanks to Angie Voytko, and Mary Matos for their generous donations; and a big thank you to Agatha Donges for sharing her harvest with us; eggs and vegetables make for a wonderful prize.
On our sick list is Mary Tomazic along with Mary Kurjan and Rose Kragley - we miss you.
A pleasant two week trip for George and Angie Voytko to sunny Hawaii - no need to say - have a good time!
Our sincerest sympathy to Alice Rutar on the death of her sister; E. Jeanne Kochis, who for many years lived in Barberton. She is also survived by her husband, Frank L.; sons, Gary and Frank E., daughters Joann Sear, Donna Jean Kochis and Janet Harrison; and a brother, Harry DeBevec and four grandchildren.
Also to the family of Ernest Pandy who died recently; husband to the late Carolyn; a lodge member of many years. Survivors include a son, Ernest and three grandchildren. May they rest in peace.
I’ll close with this little verse:
To ease another’s heartache, is to forget one’s own.
MARY PLOSZAJ
NO. 42, MAPLE HGTS., OH
Now that summer is over, plans are in the making for the coming holidays.
Happy birthday to our November
and December members. Happy to hear that you are improving, Cilka! We are happy also to hear that Veda Vercek’s husband, Eugene, is doing fine. To all our sick, prayers are with you. Family requests no visitation for Mrs. Simončič who is in a nursing home. Remember our sick with a card.
Congratulations to a wonderful couple, Mitzi and Lou Champa who recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Jean Offuit’s husband, Joe was sent to New York for three days to a Bankers’ convention.
Diane Balak made the Honor Roll at Tri-C College. This being the December issue, I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year.
DONNA STUBLJER, Rec. Sec’y
NO. 43, MILWAUKEE, WI
The October meeting was very well-attended. Details of the Fall Card Party and Christmas dinner were finalized. Election of officers took place at the October 24th meeting with the same officers for 1985. If you are a birthday gal, you are asked to bring your favorite bakery as a treat. Our Christmas dinner will be Monday, Dec. 10th, 1984 at 6:30 p.m. sharp. It will be held at John’s Hall on 35th & Lincoln Ave. Make your reservations as soon as possible.
We have several ailing and sick members, some hospitalized others at home. Send them a card, phone them or visit them. This is the last year we are sending money in a card. When you’re in the hospital a card will be sent only, so please let me know if someone is ill or hospitalized.
Angela Pasler, who is 93 years young, had surgery not too long ago, and again had surgery just recently and is doing quite well. Ann Rebernisek isn’t felling too well. Dorothy Pike was in the hospital but is coming along fine. Marie Wisher had surgery and is still in the hospital, but is doing well. Doris Frahm had surgery on her left arm not too long ago, and is in the hospital for surgery on her right arm. Ella Udovich is also on the sick list. Then, Kathy Lesatz who isn’t feeling well at all.
Welcome home. Jean Luzar, after your long stay at Methodist Manor. Wishing the above and all shut-ins a speedy recovery.
Angie Johnstone and Paula Behling along with two family friends, Frances Koren and Betty
Schneider recently completed a three week sojourn to Europe and toured Germany, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. They motored thru these countries. Their brother, Ray Delopst, was their host and also performed all the driving chores -4000 km worth!
They landed at the Frankfurt, Germany airport and visited Dachau, the infamous concentration camp, then to Munich, Saltzburg, Vienna, Graz, Maribor, Ptuj, Osije, Velenje, Šoštanj, Topolšica, Ljubljana and crossed the Alps at the Lubelj pass into Austria. They then motored northward thru Klagenfurt (Celovec) and back to Munich again where they spent three days enjoying Oktoberfest.
While in Slovenia they spent five days visiting relatives, cementing the bond that exists between families so distant. After Munich, on to Nurenberg and finally back to Frankfurt and return home on Oct. 8th.
The strength of the American dollar enticed real buying sprees. They received 180 dinars per dollar in Slovenia. It was a fabulous trip with plenty of fair weather and they say they are ready to return any time. How about it, Ray? Are you ready to take your four wives back on a repeat performance?
Our sincere sympathies to the families and relatives listed below:
Patricia Bengsch and Family on the death of her dad, Peter Zinko, who was also a brother-in-law to John and Ann Rebernisek and Mary Bistan; to Agnes Sagadin and Family on the death of her brother. Jack Jenich. May their souls rest in peace.
R.K.
NO. 47, GARFIELD HGTS., OH
Our September meeting was well-attended. President, Mary Mundson opened with prayer for our living and deceased members. All officers were present. Our Wine Festival (Vinska Trgatev) and Bake Sale that was held on Oct. 7th at the Slovenian National Home in Maple Hgts., was successful. Many thanks to our members who helped, baked or donated to our treasury. Without your help it could not have been done. Thanks, again!
Our prize of “cheer” will be given at the December Pot Luck Christmas Party. Each member is asked, as in previous years, to bring a door prize and canned goods or staples to fill baskets.
We attended Ohio-Michigan State SWU Convention on Oct. 14th
starting with mass at St. Mary’s church. After lunch, the convention was held in the church hall.
Congratulations to Jodi Hrovat who recently transferred from Akron University to Cleveland State. She will major in Music Therapy, a fairly new field of Therapy. She will attend Cleveland State 5 days a week and spend one day at Baldwin Wallace.
Margaret Bizjak is grandmother of twin girls; that makes it 16 times for Margaret.
Mary and Tony Kociancic celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary. We wish you many more happy, healthy years together.
Welcome to new junior member, Courtney Mundson. Pat, Tony and baby Anthony Maley re-located to Cincinnati. Happy Birthday to all members in Nov. and Dec. Glad to hear that Mary Bostian is feeling better. She is home from the hospital and recuperating, doing better each day. Also, our sincere get well wishes to Albina Uehlein. You are both in our thoughts and prayers.
Deepest sympathy to Bill and Beatrice Zagar family in the recent passing of her dad, Ignatius Tekaucic. May he rest in peace and the perpetual light shine upon him.
To al! our members on the sick list, get well soon.
I have on hand the Pots and Pans cookbooks, also songbooks. They make nice gifts for Christmas. Remember that new member! There are still a few members that are behind in their dues. Please check your payment books and mail in your dues.
Happy holidays to all. Before you know it, we will be celebrating Christmas.
MARY TAUCHER
DO YOU SPEND VACATION MONTHS AWAY FROM HOME?
If you winter in the south or spend months at another address, please let us know and we can send your ZARJA to wherever you are. It is more efficient for us to have your vacation address for special months, than to, get notices and cancellations followed by re-inslated addresses from the post office. We can arrange all this to your and our satisfaction if you will let us know the following: What is your vacation address? What months will you be there? Send this information to Editor, ZARJA — THE DAWN, 2032 W. Cermak Rd., Chicago, IL 60608. Thank you very much.
NO. 50, CLEVELAND, OH
Youth Director:
First of all, 1 would like to thank Maria Povsic for sharing her paper on Slovenian heritage with us. I’m sure it has helped you get a better understanding of our Slovenian people. Maria wrote me a letter in which she said that by becoming a contributor to our ZARJA, she has become an avid reader of our magazine and interested in our organization. This month we are publishing the last of her report. We hope Maria will continue to contribute articles of interest to ZARJA.
The Young Achievers column is certainly a wonderful addition to our magazine and 1 hope many more of you will continue to recognize our junior members and their achievements. They deserve to be recognized and by reading their achievements other youngsters will become inspired.
We are coming to an end of another year. Was it a good one?l hope we all tried in some small way to make our world a better place to live in.
I want (o wish all of you a very Blessed and Merry Christmas.
Anna /.. Hodnik
Our Ohio-Michigan Combined Branches Regional Convention had a comfortable day for the Mass and meeting. We had Mass in Slovenian and beautiful singing by the chorus at St. Mary’s Church on Holmes Ave. and the Homily was given in English by Father Tomc. I am very happy to report a nice attendance. Our cadets were on hand and so were the young Twirlettes of Br. 32. Both groups add so much to the ceremonies this year again in honor of our late organizer and national officer, Abina Novak. After the service we had lunch at St. Mary’s hall and Ann Tercek, Regional President, conducted a fine meeting for about 95 memebrs. Sorry we had so many conflicting events that day, otherwise many more would have been present. Our cadets performed a candlelight service for all the deceased members of the past year.
Our honoree was Marie Beck who has been a recording secretary for 25 years - her notes read in Slovenian or English are always good. The branches attending each gave a synopsis of their activities of the year whereby other branches could learn new ways of doing things and new strategies for fun and gain.
Because of another committment I missed our Dinner Party at the Vogue, my first absence in many years and I found out what a nice dinner and happy evening you all had. Good food, dancing, singing, joketelling and a nice ride to and from. What more can you ask? Make your reservations early next year so you don’t miss it!
A class for swimming at Ramada Inn is being stared by Eleanore Rudman, our member, on Tuesdays for six weeks for $16.00 for the first 20 people who apply. If you need exercise, join!
Had a “This is Your Life” sketch again this month and Ann Kristoff was the subject. Happily married in 1940, she has three daughters, Donna, Doris and Darlene and two grandchildren. She enjoys family, home and to be among people. She is active in lodges and societies.
Serenaded 5 birthday ladies, one an octogenarian (80)! She is Pauline Seifert and 4 anniversaries with one near the 1/2 century, namely Ann and John Mulec with 46 years. Congratulations to all. May you have many more healthy years ahead of you.
Mary Cesnik was glad to be
reunited with sister, Diane MacKenzie from Daytona Beach, Fla. and Rose and Frank Ziherl of Stuart, Fla. whose granddaughter, Kimberly Ross, a former debutante of S.W.U., was being married at St. Francis of Assisi church in Mayfield Hgts. The reception was held at the Spanish Manor. A nice family reunion and union. Congratulations!
Another granddaughter, Ellen Croak, of Mary Marinko, was married in Winona, Wisconsin and Mary enjoyed that wedding plus a trip with the Slovene United Altar Society of Cleveland to Lemont, 111. Mary said it was beautiful and well-attended.
Fanny Kaltenbach had her son, John and his wife, Betty, from Michigan visited here while attending a wedding of a grand niece. Nice to enjoy these occasions together with your family.
Anne Glavic visited a niece, Diane McHugh in Chicago then onward to Sterling Hgts., Michigan to visit a sister-in-law, Faye Heft, going via Amtrak without the worry of driving, enjoying the choo-choo ride plus the lovely seasonal scenery with changing colors in the trees made it just a beautiful time of year to travel, she says, and 1 do, too.
Convalescing are Josephine Trunk and Agnes Trebar who is at the Country Place in Wickliffe. Do get better soon. Prayers are in order for Anna Berkopec, age 99, in memoriam. She was the mother of Ann Muhic and mother-in-law of Jane Berkopec. Also passing on was Mary Hribar of Br. 10, mother of our member, Mary Zagar.
Our members, Amy Gad and sister-in-law, Helen Hraster who is convalescing from a hip operation made a cake to celebrate their mother and mother-in-law, Mary
Hraster’s 99th birthday. Do hope she makes it easily to 100 so Br. 10, her branch, can enjoy a century party. Have it in good health!
Bea Tome and family will have many birthdays to acknowledge in November and December. On Armistice Day two Tome brothers have the same birthday, two years apart. Bea and granddaughter share the same day, of course, many years apart and daughter Pattie, too. Hope you get together and enjoy.
Happy Birthday to Vera Nosan on Dec. 12th (somebody told me). Glad to see you at our meetings again and hope to see you at the Christmas Dinner and Party at Holmes Ave. Hall at 1:00 p.m. serving time. Donation is $6 and guests are invited at $7. Make your reservations.
Are your dues paid up to date? Make our treasurer happy and pay up!
Stella and Frank Kostick were in Las Vegas for 5 days. Frank was winning and Stella was losing but it was fun, no doubt. Five days can break you, too.
Aggie Flanders and Rosemary Toth enjoyed a three week cruise to Europe on the Ambassador with Kollander Tours. Nice weather, congenial passengers, good food and seeing a lot made them happy. Just found out you are our member, Aggie. Come, see us!
Get well soon, Charlie Tercek!
A very Merry Christmas to you all and do remember your friends at this time of the year as friendship is the only cement that will hold the world together. Remember the party on the 9th and see you there. Happy New Year, too.
An Ending or a Resolution-
Don't put off until tomorrow the things you should have done yesterday! Right?
VERA ŠEBENIK
MARY LOU FETED
Just before departing for her new home in Florida, Mary Lou Prhne was honored at a gala party given by her sister-members of Br. 42, Maple Hgts., Ohio. Tho the photo is dark, we can see their many smiling faces. Mary Lou is second from right, front.
The new secretary of Br. 42, replacing Mary Lou Prhne is Marge Church. She is seen holding a lovely heart-decorated cake made by Jean Offuit and presented to Mary Lou at the party.
THAISK YOU, FR. GEORGE KUZMA
tor your generous donation of $150.00 to the ZARJA Publisher’s Fund. It’s very much appreciated.
Other donations of this year include two donations of $50 and $25 from Br. 50, Cleveland, Ohio, $25 from Br. I, Sheboygan, Wisconsin; $20 from Nat’l Auditor, Irene Jagodnik; $15 from Regional President of Penna., Lucy Smith; $11 from Angela Desnica, Chicago, Illinois and $10 each from Mary Lou Prhne Br. 42; Jean Kurilich, Br. 42, Maple Hgts., Ohio; Anna Hodnik, Nat’l Youth Director; Mary Muller, Nat’l President and Cirila Kermavner, Nat’l Vice-President. Thank you, one and all!
Anna Hodnik:
Learn Slovenian!
The weather has changed.
Vreme seje spremenilo.
Snow has fallen all day Sneg je padal ves dan.
It is very cold today.
Danes je zelo mrzlo.
I have a sore throat.
Grlo me boli.
Christmas holidays are near.
Božične praznike so blizu.
Grandmother is baking potica.
Stara mama peče potico.
At our house we have a Christmas Tree and also a Manger.
V naši hiši imamo božično drevo in tudi jaslice.
I have a Christmas gift for you.
Imam božično darilo za tebe.
YOUTHFUL ACHIEVERS!
“The Road to success is always under construction!”
Br. 50, Cleveland, OH
TWO ST. JOE’S HIGH SCHOOL GRADS ON THE MOVE!
A book written by Dr. Louis J. Petrovič, son of Mary and Louis Petrovič is entitled “Questions and Answers on Coal Supply Agreements.” Mary’s son has extensive experience in analyzing mining costs and formulating contract clauses to account for changes in mining productivity and inflation. He is active in the preparation of coal supply agreements for utilities and mining companies. He holds several degrees and ir president of Resource Engineering Inc. of Waltham, Mass. He graduated from St. Joseph High School and Case Western Reserve College and Northwestern College for his doctorate in Chemical Engineering.
While Dr. Roger F. Šebenik, son of Frank and Vera (our ZARJA reporter) has been promoted to Manager of Chemicals and processing. He will direct research aimed at identifying new chemical products for AMAZ Metals Group as well as developing applications for these chemicals and processes to produce them. Dr. Šebenik joined the Ann Arbor Michigan Laboratory in 1977 as supervisor of process research and before' that was director of Process Development at Toth Aluminium Corp. of New Orleans. He has 15 patents and published a number of papers in extractive metallurgy related areas.
Congratulations to both young men on their achievements.
V.S.
Irene Odorizzi:
JVe€tM>
MUSEUM SLIDE SHOW UNDERWAY
Dear Oficers and Members:
Greetings for the coming holidays! Hopefully, everyone will be able to enjoy them among family and friends.
As you may have heard, Heritage will commence with a very large project — a slide show depicting the Slovenian heritage and the initiation and development of our Slovenian Women’s Union. This show will be housed in the Heritage Museum and be available to all members and visitors.
A professional company from the Washington, D.C. area will produce this show; however, we must supply the photos which will be made into slides and the historical references which will be written into narration. Musical background will be supplied by tapes and records.
All branches and individual members are requested to send information which can be used in this slide show. It is imperative that whatever you wish to submit reaches me very soon as we wish the show to be completed by February.
Now is the time for you to make your wishes known. After the slide show has been completed, it is too late to give advice, suggestions, or a critique.
Consider being represented by sending any of the following items:
Photos of your Catholic Church, Meeting Hall, charter members, organizer of branch, activities (the older, the better) of drill teams, twirlers, dancers, parades, floats, bowling teams (wtih trophies), debutantes, junior members, choirs, button box groups, orchestras.
Mementos which can be photographed: badges (old ribbon ones), souvenir program booklets from dedications, anniversaries, etc.
MINNESOTA HERITAGE FESTIVAL A WINNER!
Thank you ladies of combined Minnesota branches for the wonderful Heritage Festival you sponsored August 1984. Not only was it a superb day of entertainment, displays, shopping and delicious food but the great reward comes in the form of profit. A check was sent to Heritage Committee in the amount of $3,621.00. Congratulations for a job very well done ladies!
Thank you to all participants and also those branches and individuals who travelled a great distance to attend. Had it not been for the illness of my husband, 1 also would have been there to celebrate this special day with you. Reports have reached me from various locales and there have only been raves for your Heritage Festival!
HERITAGE FESTIVAL 1985 ANNOUNCED
Wisconsin branches report that the next Festival is scheduled for September 1985 in their area. Details about this event will be published at a later date. We expect the ladies are already planning! Good Luck!
Newspaper articles of special events — plays, dances, grape festivals, concerts, parades, competitions, Heritage Day, etc.
Books or Articles which tell about your branch, the SWU, or Slovenian history.
Personal:
—Photos of immigrants and their families, neighborhoods, possessions (the older the better).
--Significant people in early Slovenian immigration.
Tentative outline of categories to be included in the slide show:
Origination of Slovenes
Immigration to America
Community Life
Need for Fraternal Organizations
Establishing the SWU
Branches
Activities
Publications
A New Wave of Immigrants Cherishing One’s Ethnic Heritage Challenge for the Future
If you are not sure whether something can be used, drop me a note and I’ll reply.
Identify all items before sending them with the following:
--Name and address of sender.
-Identification of photo or article (name, year, event).
Forward items to:
Mrs. Irene M. Odorizzi 2362 Paddock Lane Rešton, Virginia 22091 All articles sent will be returned.
BRANCH No. 2 DONATION IS FANTASTIC!
Sincere appreciation is sent to the members of Branch No. 2 in Chicago for the largest single donation yet made to the Heritage Fund aside from the Festivals. We were surprised at the very generous amount of $500.00 and thank you sincerely for this very beautiful check. Our museum needs additional monies to expand its features and displays. We commend Branch No. 2 for taking it upon themselves to see this need and make such a generous offering.
ADDITIONAL DONORS FOR THE HERITAGE PLAQUE
There are many spaces still available on the Heritage Memorial Plaque and recently we received two donations, each $100.00, from the following individuals: Mrs. Hermine Dicke Mrs. Margaret Fisher
Many thanks for your donation and we hope others will follow your lead and donate either in their own name or in the name of a loved one, especially now during the holiday season.
NO. 54, WARREN, OH
Our Christmas meeting will be Dec. 5th at 12:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge. Please come. The Christmas season will soon be upon us and may we all enjoy our holidays and remember Christmas as the birth of the Christ Child. The holidays are so commercial and many forget the true meaning of Christmas.
Get well wishes to Helen Forsick who was hospitalized recently. Back from a trip to Seattle, Washington is our member, Helen Kokli and husband, John. They are really the travelers! They had a great Grape Harvest,	too, at	the	vineyard	in
Geneva, Ohio.
There	will be	no	meeting	in
January.	Merry	Christmas and
Happy New Year to all.
JOANNE PONIKVAR
NO. 55, GIRARD, OH
At the Oct. 11th meeting we made plans for the Christmas party. It will be Dec. 13th at 6 p.m. at Foster’s Restaurant on Rt. 422 just outside of Girard. You can order anything you want from the menu. After dinner we will have a gift exchange; if you are interested please bring one of at least $5 value.
We have decided that if more ladies come to the meeting we will play “B” or some type of card game after the meeting.
Ladies that had birthdays in Nov. were Olga Rogel, Mary Selak Jennie Selak and Kathering Sefcik. In December they are Helen Degati, Gala Jhose, Ivanka Florjančič, Rosemary Juvančič. Best wishes to all of you.
At our Nov. 8th meeting we had election of officers.
Our hostesses for Oct. were Mary Macek and Matilda Cigolle and for Nov. Mary Selak and Sophie Kren. Everything was very good.
To all ladies who cannot come to the Christmas party we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Love,
ROSEMARY GORDON
NO. 56, HIBBING, MN
Our Oct. meeting was opened with a prayer. Reports were read and accepted. October birthdays were acknowledged. Our Memorial Mass for the deceased members was on Nov. 4th at the Immaculate Con-
(to p. 27)
P
o
T
5
6 P A N S
l_.
MANDARIN CAKE
1	box yellow cake mix	4	eggs
'/4 cup oil	1	can (11	ounces) Mandarin
Oranges, juice and all
Mix all together in a large bowl with electric mixer. Put in a 9 x 13-inch greased, floured pan. Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes until wooden pick comes out clean when inserted in center.
ICING:
1	can (20 ounces) crushed	1	large carton (8 ounces)
pineapple, drain off a	Cool Whip
little juice 1	package (33/4 ounces)
Instant vanilla pudding, dry
Mix all together with electric mixer and ice cake.
ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE
4	cups impeded, diced	*/3	cup	milk (rinse can)
zucchini (2 medium large)	Salt and pepper, to taste
1	package STOVE	TOP
STUFFING Mix	'/4	cup	chopped onion
(without rice)	Fine breadcrumbs
1	can (10'/2 ounces) cream
of mushroom soup, undiluted
Steam zucchini in a small amount of boiling water - 3-4 minutes. Drain. Mix the dry stuffing with the packages of seasoning in box. DO NOT ADD LIQUID. Mix all ingredients together and place in buttered casserole. Sprinkle fine breadcrumbs on top. Cover and bake 30 minutes, at 350°. To brown, uncover for last 10 minutes.
BAKED MARINATED CHICKEN BREASTS
3/4 cup salad oil	'/3 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons soy sauce	'/4 teaspoon ground pepper
l/2 teaspoon salt	1	teaspoon	oregano
Chicken breasts - boned
Mix I he above ingredients except chicken. Place chicken in pyrex dish; pour over marinade. Cover with Saran Wrap. Refrigerate in marinade overnight. Preheat oven to 325°. Bake for 1 hour, uncovered, in the marinade, may be broiled last 10 minutes to crisp.
At this joyous Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, 1 wish you all the very best.
Come Christmas, while we always think of the wellloved traditional dishes our mothers and grandmothers made, here are a few new ones: BANANA BREAD as prepared by Josephine Misic of Cleveland, Ohio (this won a third place ribbon in the Bake-Off Contest in 1983); Frances Prisland (Ted’s wife) of Highland Park, III., enjoys serving BAKKI) MARINATED CHICKEN and ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE while Rosemary Orenchuk of Burgettstown, Pa., suggests an easy-to-prepare MANDARIN CAKE. HOLIDAY CRANBERRY SALAD is added for color.
Before Christmas dinner I often serve cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks and easy-to-prepare CR ABM EAT SPREAD with sliced fresh mushrooms and a variety of sliced fresh vegetables.
Merry Christmas!
Hermine
HOLIDAY CRANBERRY SALAD
1	pound fresh or frozen	1	package (3 ounces)
cranberries, coarsely	strawberry	flavored gelatin
ground	1	cup boiling water
2	medium apples, peeled and ground
3/4 cup sugar
Mix ground cranberries and apples with the sugar. Dissolve strawberry gelatin in boiling water. Chill until partially set. Fold cranberry mixture into partially set gelatin. Pour into a 1-quart mold or six to eight individual molds. Chill until firm. Unmold on lettuce leave and surround with fresh orange slices.
BANANA BREAD
2	cups all-purpose flour	2	eggs
'/2	teaspoon salt	1	teaspoon vanilla
t	teapoon baking soda	2	bananas (1 cup), mashed
>/2	cup butter or margarine	1	cup chopped walnuts
1	cup granulated sugar
Sift the flour, salt and soda; set aside. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well. Blend in the dry ingredients. Add the mashed bananas and nuts. Place in a greased 8-inch square pan. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand several hours or overnight before slicing. Note: 9 x 5-inch bread loaf pan may also be used. Dates or raisins may be added.
CRABMEAT SPREAD
1	package (8 ounces) cream	Dash of Worcestershire
cheese, room temperature	sauce
1	can (6 ounces) crabmeat,	Seafood or Shrimp sauce
drained	(or substitute with
1	tablespoon grated onion	Chili sauce)
Triscuits (this cracker is best)
With fork blend together the cream cheese and crabmeat (do not use blender). Work in the onion and Worcestershire sauce. On an 8 or 9-inch plate shape the cheese-crab mixture into a small loaf about 6 or 7 inches long. Refrigerate if made ahead of time. When ready to serve, cover loaf with Seafood sauce. Serve with Triscuits. Have guests spread some of the crabmeat mixture topped with sauce on Triscuits and enjoy! Variation: Shrimp may be used in place of crab.
NO. 56, CONTINUED.
ception church following which we planned to go for breakfast at the Village Inn. Election of new officers was also planned for the November meeting.
Plans were made for the Christmas party on Dec. 11th. Motion was made and seconded to go out this year for dinner. Rose Maras will report on the details at the next meeting.
Mary Sikich made place mats which will be given to some lucky member at a future meeting. Hilda Pogorelce was reported ill and Dorothy Oberstar was the special prize winner.
Meeting was closed with a prayer. Lunch was served by hostesses Elizabeth Spolar, Manda Butarac and Mary Meadows. November hostesses were Mary Puhek, Ann Selvo and Julia Vecchi. Cards were played and winners were Ann Voiovich, Frances Tobey and Mary Sikich.
Best wishes to all.
ANN SATOV1CH, Reporter
NO. 57, NILES, OH
The October meeting was held at the home of our president, Frances Yerman. Final plans were made for the Christmas party and reservations were taken. Games were played and lunch was served by Mary Opalka, Ann Gunther and Julia Yakop. Absent from the meeting were Mary Strah and Frances Racher, they were enjoying the beautiful autumn days in Cape Cod, Mass. They said that the foliage was at its peak on the way to and from Cape Cod. The nice weather will not be with us for very long so enjoy every minute of it as long as it lasts.
The Way
by Esther Nilsson
A loving word, a cheerful smile,
A kindly thought or two...
A helpful hand, a ready step,
They help, my friend, they do.
A patient heart, a thoughtful deed,
A willingness to cheer...
An endless day of service, friend, These things make life more dear.
Be kind, do good, have loving thoughts.
Throughout the live long day,
Think right, serve God, be kind to all,
And you have found the Way.
ANN PEASE, Reporter
NO. 59, BURGETTSTOWN, PA
Hello readers! With Christmas coming soon, this is the most festive time of the year. But it may also be the most hectic for many homemakers. If you plan ahead you can save precious hours and give yourself more time to enjoy the holiday season with your family and friends.
Not much news to report from our Oct. meeting. We had only 9 members present. Being a member is not only paying dues but taking part and offering any suggestions you have to liven up our meetings. Plans are being made for a Christmas dinner. Hilda and Rosemary brought a pig’n poke prize which was won by Frances Korošec.
We still have some ladies taking vacations. Going to Williamsburgh, Va., for a look at the beautiful decorated Christmas theme at Colonial Williamsburgh will be Genia Bendick, Jennie Ferbežar and Hilda Montequin. I’m sure these gals will enjoy the trip.
Mary Serrini, Hilda Gavazzi and Tom Paskitius have holiday birthdays in Dec. Starting off the new year with a birthday bang will be Theresa Shearson, Josephine Ferbežar, Hilda and Frances Montequin and Louise Paskitius.
Caroline Papesh
We are all sadden at the recent death of Caroline Papesh. She died Oct. 7, 1984 at the age of 83. She was born Nov. 15, 1900 in Slovenia.
Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Jo Benn of Pittsburgh; and one son, Henry of Waynesburgh, Pa.; also four grandchildren.
Her husband, two brothers and one sister are deceased.
May she rest in peace.
Perhaps by now the snow has fallen. Just hope we have a mild winter.
Put a smile on your face and keep warm. A Joyous and Blessed holiday to all. Ho! Ho! Ho! Vesel Božič!
ROSEMARY
NO. 67, BESSEMER, PA
Here it is October as I am writing. Mildred Hulina and I were the only ones at the monthly meeting. We sat and talked waiting for you ladies to come. Did you forget or did not know it was the first Sunday? Please
try to come to ur Christmas meeting and visit with us. We would like to hear what you did this summer.
I am deeply sorry to report that our President, Mary Snezic, was in the hospital. She fell at home and fractured her hip and leg. So, as of now they have her in a Nursing Home, the Golden Hill Home, Inc., Pulaski Rd. New Castle, PA 16101. Please ladies, would you send her a card and let her know you care? She is a wonderful woman. I can’t put it into words how wonderful. Some of you know.
The next meeting is the first Sunday. Don’t forget, please. To all our shut-ins and sick members, a speedy recovery and may God bless you all.
MARY PERCIC, Sec’y and Reporter
NO. 71, STRABANE, PA
Hello members! Our lodge wishes all of you a prosperous fall and winter season.
Our September meeting was well-attended by 23 members. It was nice to have Patti and Margie Oravic once again attending our meetings. We hope many more of our members will try to join in the fun with us. We know once you do attend you’ll come back. The donated prizes of Catherine Soroka, Aggie Boštjančič, Denise Swihart and Dorothy Bruce decorated the tables and helped to provide fund-raisers. Thank you.
Our September birthday ladies were Frances Dion, Denise Swihart and Mary Lesko. “Happy Birthday” also to all members not in attendance.
We would like to acknowledge the 50th Wedding Anniversaries of two of our members, Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Dami and Mr. & Mrs. John Ter-schal, Sr. God bless you and our members wish you many more years of happiness together.
Members receiving “get well” wishes this month were Rose Kaplan and Josephine Verholtz. Hope you are feeling well soon.
October Meeting Report
Happy Halloween! Seems too late for these greetings? Well, as I write this near that fun holiday I am into the spirit! At our October meeting and party, the 23 members were greeted by “creatures” dressed in the holiday tradition. The hall was decorated by Marge Striner and Dorothy Bruce. Prizes were given for the best costumes and everyone in costume received an extra treat. The
prizes were donated by Margie and Patti Oravic, Agnes Boštjančič, Marge Valenčič, Marlene Tkach and Frances Poloski. Thank you all. Mary Kocian, winner of our September fund-raiser donated a share of her winnings to our treasury. Thanks, Mary. The delicious Halloween lunch was served by Beanie Engott and Frances Dixon.
The “Ice Capades” trip to the Civic Arena proved an enjoyable time. The skating was beautiful and costumes delightful.
Lucy Smith has Pots and Pans cookbooks to sell for $8.00 if anyone is interested in purchasing them. She also urges all members to pay their dues before the new year begins.
Members celebrating October birthdays were Sharon Boštjančič, Mary Progar and Rose Gromovsek; also, Elizabeth Tomsic, Frances Tomsic, Katherine Toth, Katherine Soroka. Alice Pugar, Mary Lucas, Frances Poloski, Caroline Massack and Justine Sedmak who were not able to attend.
We are planning to hold our December meeting and Christmas party at the Western Steer Steakhouse in Canonsburg on Dec. 13th at 7:30 p.m. Members are urged to attend and bring a $5 grab-bag. We will discuss activities in the coming year and hold elections of officers. Please circle your December calendars and plan to attend.
PEG GRICAR
NO. 73, WARRENSVILEE HTS, OH
At this writing Louise Epley and Evelyn Majercik are in Chicago attending the affair for our dear Corinne Leskovar, not only for all the time and effort devoted to our beloved heritage and in so many phases of same, but her years devoted to radio broadcasts (begun by her deceased husband) to keep many, many listeners closer to their ethnic background. May the dear Lord give her the strength and health to carry on all of her good works as she is one-in-a-million. Congratulations again dear, Corinne! (Many, many, thanks! C.)
Our dear Catherine Papez offered to have the combination Christmas Party and Pot Luck Dinner again this year at her home, and we all thank you, Catherine. It will be held on Friday December 7th. This was not only a good day for Catherine, but it gives our members who live away from Warrensville Heights now, a chance to get their ZARJA and read the date and save a lot of
calling to the members. Hope the weather is as nice as can be expected at this time of year, so that a large group attends.
Ann Fike left for her Florida home recently for the winter, and we all will miss you Ann.
Mary Schneider left for the state of Virginia to make a permanent home with her only daughter, Elaine and family. We shall miss you, Mary and hope that your health is better there as they don’t get as bad a winter as we do. May the dear Lord bless you and keep you and yours.
We would like to thank all those who donated articles for the rummage sale, for Louise Epley allowing the sale to be held on her property, and to all the members who helped make this sale a success.
We want to welcome Julie Koltz, mother of Jean Epley as a new member. She, her husband and one daughter reside in South Carolina, but before this move down south, Julie had lived in Cleveland and was a member of our Lodge. She said that she will await the ZARJA every month as she did while residing in Cleveland, and is so happy that her daughter Jean, Jean’s son and daughter are also junior members. Welcome, Julie, from all of us.
The best of health and happiness to all not only for the coming holidays, but always. Say an extra prayer for the ill throughout the world, the poor, the aged, as some people don’t have anyone to remember them in their prayers, and you will be blessed for same.
MILDRED D. ROBERTS, Reporter
NO. 81, KEEWATIN, MN
Our October meeting was called to order by our president, Josie Kapla. Our meeting was well attended. The members got caught up on the news of the summer doings.
President Josie Kapla thanked all of the members who helped and who donated crafts, food and money for the Heritage Day celebrated in Hibbing. On the financial side, our booth which handled “T” shirts etc. had receipts of 1,021. All were pleased with the results.
Rose Maras, State President of the Slovenian Women’s Union and her committee should be commended for the excellent job. It was a “huge” undertaking.
Anne Dickovich made a financial report on our Mother of the Year dinner which was held in May. Snapshots of the affair were shown.
Plans for our Christmas party which will be held on December 5
were discussed. Josie Kapla will make arrangements at the Village Inn.
Refreshments were served by Anne Michelich and Mary Michelich. Respectfully submitted,
MARY MICHELICH
NO. 92, CRESTED BUTTE, CO
Meeting on Oct. 16th was at the home of Kathy Adamich. Prayer was led by Fern who opened the meeting and roll call showed 12 members present. Minutes and Treasurer’s report were approved as read.
We congratulate Helen and Emil Cobai on their 50th wedding anniversary.
We held a birthday party at the Health Care Center on Oct. 20th Cookies were donated by Margaret Depew. Kathy Adamich, Betty Stefanic, Frieda Forcier and Loretta Zaller. Helping at the party were Kathy, Betty, Frieda, Elsie, Frances Somrak and Fern. Punch and ice cream cones were also served.
We planned to meet Nov. 20th at the home of Loretta Zaller with Sharon Mills co-hosting. We had election of officers, Christmas name exchange and discussion on the holiday party. Mystery box was donated by Frieda and won by Linda. High winners were Frieda and Margaret Depew; low, Fran Austin and Bunnie.
Meeting closed with a prayer by all and another prayer for the recovery of Frances Guerrieri’s mother. Frances is now in California with her. We enjoyed playing Trivial Pursuit. Surprised how much we all have to learn.
We have about 10 inches of snow since last night and today. Too soon for that nuisance. We have such a long winter as is. But before Halloween?
Till next month.
FERN WHITE, Reporter
NO. 95, SO. CHICAGO, IL
Oh, Goody! t’is that time of the year again! Our Christmas Party will be held on Wednesday, December 5th at the Crow Bar Lounge, 4001 E. 106th St., at 6:30 p.m. Make no mistake, Barbara Marino, Chairlady, and her committee: Adeline Marino, Anna Mae Marinov, Bernice Morrison and Eileen Barone have assured us that the dinner will be delicious and of course, there will be entertainment.
We know the service will be friendly and efficient. Price for the Dinner Ticket is $9. Make your reservations by November 30th by calling Evelyn Driscoll, ticket Chairlady, at 731-5088. Please do your utmost to attend and bring along a friend. We want this Party to be successful and your presence will help assure this.
Once again our members made a wise choice by selecting Charlotte Fryza our “Woman Of The Year.” Congratulations Charlotte!
I just want you all to know that I was thrilled by the Birthday Party tendered to me at our October meeting. The huge cake prepared by Charlotte Fryza impressed me, and for all the fun gifts that were presented to me, I wish to thank all of you. Your	messages of
congratulations and good wishes, to me, symbolize the fine spirit of friendship and cooperation and it is most sincerely appreciated. There also were goodies donated by: Evelyn Driscoll,	Mary (Bob)
Perkovich Bernice	Bubel, Lottie
Brkljacich, and Yours Truly. All the above with Dolores Hennelly were hostesses.
Cash by: Bernice Golden and Matilda Martin $5 each.
Remember in your prayers, Ann Pave, who is recovering at home, and Mary Ann Taporis who recently underwent surgery, also, Marge Doherty and Rose Mary Dichele. Get well wishes to all of our members who are ailing. We miss you.
Congratulations to Rev. Kozina, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, who recently celebrated 25 years in the ministry. We wish him continued health and happiness so that he can serve the people and spread the word of God for many more years to come.
Mary Kostecka
Once again we are saddened by the death of a member, Mary Kostecka. She was the wife of the late Charles, devoted mother of Margaret (the late Louis) Turek, Edward (Phylis) Matincich, Shirley (Robert) Miscovich; fond grandmother of 18, great grandmother of 20. Mass was held at St. Gerald Church with entombment at Resurrection Mausoleum. Her passing leaves a void in our hearts and in our branch which she served so effectively. May her soul rest in everlasting peace and may the Almighty grant solace and consolation to the members of her grief-stricken family.
NO. 106, MEADOWLANDS, PA
Charter member, Louise Mogentaleand her husband, Baptist, celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary quietly on November 2nd, 1984. Louise was 91 years old on Nov. 3rd and Baptist will be 96 on March 13, 1985.
They have two sons and a daughter; two sons and a daughter are also deceased. There are 7 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
Friends and relatives attended their reception on Nov. 4th. Our heartfelt wishes to them on this happy occasion!
Reporter
If Helen Golich appears to be walking on air these days she has every reason. She is a grandmother! Son, Jacob James Golich and daughter-in-law Nadine (Rakich) Golich became parents of a son, Jacob James Golich III on August 5th. Also great grandmother, Harriet Isek and grandmother, Frances Griffin have news about a new grandchild. Their daughter, Pat and her husband, Robert Lindeman are parents of a son born August 1st. And great great grandmother, Chestra Graczak and great grandmother Virginia Kwiatkowski have news about their great granddaughter that they are anxious to share. A baby girl was born, and her name is Kathie Kwiatkowski.
Virginia Kwiatkowski is also happy to be a new grandmother. Her daughter, Debbie and her husband, Bob Schreiber are parents of a girl born on July 19th; the baby’s name is Melisa. Our best wishes to all of you, especially to the new momies and daddies.
Our deepest sympathy to John and Mildred Poropat on the death of his mother Ursula Poropat. May the bereaved family find solace in the inspiring memories of the life of the departed.
In conclusion: I would like to thank Br. 22 for the excellent work that was done by their committee in presenting the State Convention. They performed quietly, modestly and with dignity in the interest of all the members of every branch. It was a very pleasant day for all of us and we here at Br. 95 thank you for your kind welcome, for the great courtesy, for the generous hospitality which you showed us. Thanks to Dolores Hennelly for chauffeuring our members to the convention. Peace!
MILDRED JAMES
Celebrating enduring love
Mr. & Mrs. Baptist Mogentale
NO. 102, WILLARI), Wl
A special thank you to all the ladies who helped with out 1984 State Convention. We have a small group and it meant extra work. Anna Volovsek and Ann Boh made afghans and Jo Artac made the quilt.
Our Charter members, Anna Volovsek and Mary Lesar were honored along with Ann Horvat, out Mother of the Year. Three memberi were unable to attend because they were then vacationing in Slovenia. They were Rose Pakiz, Mary Staut and Jean Govek. All of them reported a wonderful time. We are waiting to see some of their pictures.
On Oct. 24th about three hundred people gathered in Willard to hear the Ljubljanski Oktet perform. They were so good. We are hoping they will return again. It gave so many of of us deep thoughts of our parents’ homeland Twenty-eight members and guests attended our October Strudel party. There was a short meeting before the party. Plans are for a Christmas party on the first Sunday in December. Members are asked to bring exchange gifts and a pot luck item for lunch.
Our condolences to Alice Plautz on the death of her son, Robert. He was a part of the community all his life and was well known to all.
The weather is getting colder but we hope the snow will stay away for a while longer.
Mary Djubenski and Frieda Klanchar, we hope you have a nice stay in Houston, Texas.
ELSIE PERKO
WE NEED YOUR CAMPAIGN ACTIVITY!
NO. 105, DETROIT, MI
Our meeting on Oct. 20th was held at the home of Jennie Bole. She is a very gracious hostess and her luncheon was delicious. There were 12 members present. It was good to see you, girls, after missing most of the meetings during the summer.
Our president, Kathleen Emerson, came with a great idea to replenish our much deflated kitty. She ordered a box of very attractive Christmas candles and with the proceeds it will take care of our Christmas luncheon which will be held on Dec. 8th at Crabbe Joe’s in Dearborn. A letter will be sent to each member in regards to this. Guests are very welcome - the more the better!
I would like to wish Mary Vihtelic a belated Happy Birthday. May you be blessed with many more happy eturns, Mary. The same to Frances Hostnik. Happy Birthday to our December girls: Ann Lindish, Fayi Craig and Stephanie Hometz.
May I take this time to wish all our members everywhere a very Blessed Christmas and may you all be blessed with the best in the New Year.
ANN POBANZ
LETTER FROM JUDY
“JOYS AND SORROWS ARE A PART OF LIFE”
Our lovely member, Judy Oster, has written a little up-date of her experiences as the wife of a serviceman overseas. The last time she wrote they were in Okinawa.
Dear Olga:
I received your letter and package at the same time my husband was hospitalized last January with a heart attack. Thank God he survived the initial attack and after being evacuated by air to Hawaii and a month of hospitalization, he was returned to Okinawa. There was no permanent damage to his heart and even though he is diagnosed as having two vessel coronary artery disease, he is back on duty with the US. Marine Corps awaiting by-pass surgery at a future date. He is doing well on medication and now has been transferred to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. This sort of problem is always hard on a family in the best of circumstances but when it occurs in a service family, stationed in a foreign land, it has so many extra stresses and concerns. Of course, the military “family” is super in their support ind caring. My goodness, I certainly do sound pitiful and I don’t feel this way at all. I am very happy to be back in the United States and I have so much to be thankful for and I am anxious to pick up the loose ends of my own plans for sharing some of the experiences and knowledge 1 gained in living in a foreign land.
1 received letters from several SWU members, saying they had read my letter published in ZARJA. I think it was in the May issue. 1 am enjoying their fellowship through letters and hope to continue corresponding.
I don’t know what happened to my mail but when we were in Hawaii at the hospital my address was changed
several times and I have not received a large portion of it. My mail was always late but suddenly I was receiving nothing. The April issue was the last one 1 got and it came on May 22nd. Is there any possibility that 1 could get the back issues that 1 missed?
We are not as yet settled nor are we sure what direction the future holds for us but for now we are in a quiet little community on an island in the Puget Sound. The Dutch are the largest group of people that settled this area and their influence is still the strongest felt in everything. The weather is wet but the temperature stays 40 to 60 degrees year round, very mild but feels cold to me after Okinawa. The country is beautiful with majestic mountains (Mt. Baker is a sleeping giant, snow-capped volcano that is visible on clear days) and beaches. This is the land of salmon and even thought 1 am not too fond of salmon, even 1 love the way the smoked variety tastes.
In many ways, I am finding it a bigger cultural shock, coming back the U.S. than I did going to Japan. So many things happened in even as short as a two year period.
Hopefully, I will now have time to reflect and share as well as try my hand at more of the Japanese-Okinawan cooking I learned.
I did have the opportunity to take lessons to play the Koto, an ancient instrument that looks like part of a telephone pole with 13 strings. I gathered several souvenirs such as wedding kimonos, vases, dolls etc. even though my budget was very limited. My best souvenirs, tho, are the memories and friendships. These are the things I hope to be able to share with my “sisters” in S.W.U.
I seem to be rambling now and if
you could see my surrondings, you would understand. I am living with boxes as tables and storage while waiting for our household goods and I am not the most organized person in the world!
My enthusiasm is the same as when I first wrote, requesting acceptance as a member of S.W.U. I have had to place my own desires on the back burner but now I hope the time has come to offer whatever I might have to share and to begin the search for knowledge about my husband’s heritage. With his illness, he has begun to reflect and he values even more the strengths and comforts he gained by his upbringing, the faith, the traditions, the ties and bonds between people. After so many years of sojourn, I feel he is yearning for home and it can only be helpful for me to be able to introduce a little Slovenian into our daily lives. He is so thrilled that I care to learn and every time I prepare a meal or share an understanding I have learned from ZARJA, it adds that mysterious cement that binds marriaeesand familipc
Since my mail was sent through my husband’s work address, he always devoured every word in the ZARJA before it reached me. He is thrilled to find so much coming back to him and is also happy to have an avenue of learning more of his own heritage. He speaks often of us taking a trip to Slovenia after our retirement.
I will end (his now and look forward to hearing from you and my SWU friends. Sincerely,
Judy Oster 552 East Street Oak harbor, WA 98277
(Thank you, Judy. Keep us posted as we love hearing from you. C.L.)
Request for Scholarship Application
□
I am considering applying for one of (he S.W.U.	Mail	to:
scholarships which will be awarded lo members who w ill	Hermine Dicke
be 1985 high school graduates. Please send me Ihe of- 3717 Council Crest ficial application form which must be completed by Madison, W! 53711 March 31.
I am a high school senior planning to attend an accredited college or university in fall.
NAME   DATE OF BIRTH
STREET   ______________________________________________________
CITY _________________________________STATE	&	ZIP	CODE	_______
p. Atanazij Lovrenčič, of m
Božič
Že beseda sama “božič” nam prinese vesele spomine naše mladosti, spomine naših mladih let, ko smo se zbirali okoli jaslic in z živo vero občudovali božje Dete, ki je ležalo v revnih jaslicah. Z velikim veseljem smo hiteli v cerkev, kjer smo z vsem navdušenjem prepevali božične pesmi. V svoji preprostosti smo sprejeli poročilo Evengelija o Jezusovem rojstvu, o njegovi materi Mariji, o svetem Jožefu, o pastirčkih, o angelih. V naši veri ni bilo nobenega dvoma, kajti evengelij prinaša le resnico, smo mislili v srcu. In tako je bilo naše srce polno veselja, ker je Jezus prišel tudi zame.
Med našimi mladimi leti in današnjim dnem se je že marsikaj spremenilo. Naša vera je bila izpostavljena mnogim preizkušnjam in v marsikaterih točkah je naša vera oslabela. Morda je tudi božična skrivnost zgubila tisto notranjo moč, ki bi naj bila temelj našega vsakdanjega življenja. V današnjih dneh, ko tako skrbimo, da bo vse preskrbljeno, kar se tiče materijalnih stvari, le preveč pozabljamo, kaj nam je prinesla prva božična noč, nič manj kot Sina božjega. Kako bi se morala pesem: "Raduj se o kristjan,” izpolniti v vsakem vernem srcu. Zakaj danes ljudje obupujejo, kot da ni več rešitve za človeštvo? Ker ne sprejmejo Njega, ki je naše edino upanje. Današnji človek išče rešitve v materijalnih stvareh.
Ko se bližamo temu velikemu dnevu, ki je bil odločen po nebeškem Očetu, kot začetek našega odrešenja, vzemimo si vsaj par minut vsak dan in malo premislimo, kaj pomeni božič zame. Če smo pripravljeni potrošiti toliko ur za materijalno pripravo, bi naj žrtvovali vsaj par minut za svoje notranje razpoloženje. Tako se bo tudi v tebi izpolnilo, da bo božična noč: “Sveta noč” zate. In ko bomo pripravljali jaslice, kamor bomo položili kip Jezusa, bo novorojeni Odrešenik gledal z veseljem na žive jaslice tvojega srca. In čim bolj bodo te jaslice tvojega srca pripravljene, s tem večjim veseljem bo Jezus praznoval ta božič s teboj. Naj Božično Dete napolni tvoje srce z mirom in ljubeznijo.
MARY MURN
REVNO DETE V JASLICAH
V revnih jaslih Dete je ležalo, ročice male prisrčno stegovalo. Kot da hoče svet objeti to malo Dete, otrok sveti.
Prostora zate ni h 'lo v hiši, prošnje Jožefa nihče ne usliši. Tja i’ hlev so vas pregnali, k osličku tja v preprosti št ali.
Tam se Dete sveto je rodilo, da bi grešni svet rešilo.
Mi pa danes jaslice krasimo, rojstvo tvoje na vso moč častimo.
Okrasimo smreko vso zeleno.
Tebi v čast lepo krašeno, da spodobno počastimo rojstni dan Njega, ki iz nebes je bil poslan.
Pod drevce jaslice smo d jali z ljubeznijo smo jih postlali.
O, častimo Dete to nebeško, ki rešilo grešno je človeštvo.
PONOS IN SRCE
Zdi se mi, da je bilo nekako pred sto leti v naših krajih na Koroškem življenje takšno, kot je v svoji zgodbi pripovedovala že pred leti umrla žena. Spomini: *****
Ko se je na vasi začelo šušljati, da se bom poročila, mi je namignila prijateljica in izkušena žena, naj le dobro premislim.
“Ženinova mati je menda huda žena, boji se je njen mož, tudi njen sin, tvoj ženin in skoraj vsi njeni sosedje." Prav nič me ni skrbelo in mislila sem, da mi ljudje zavidajo. Moj ženin je bil postaven fant in njihova kmetija ena največjih v vasi. Rada sva se imela in delo na kmetiji me je zelo veselilo. Kmalu sem pa spoznala, da je bilo svarilo utemeljeno.
Ko me je ženin materi pripeljal se predstavit, je bila zelo kratka in hladna. Dala mi je čutiti, da imajo veliko kmetijo in veliko dela: vse pa vodi sama. Jaz sem le doma z male kmetije.
Takrat je bila navada, da sta novoporočenca, ko sta prišla na ženinov dom, bila prijazno sprejeta od hišne matere s kruhom v rokah in ključi. Že sem klečala na pragu, da bi me mati pokrižala z blagoslovljeno vodo za dobrodošlico, a nje od nikoder. Solze so mi že drsele po licu, ko se je približala. Zakaj me je tako ponižala in vpričo tolikih ljudi? Sklenila sem, da ji bom vedno dobra in ji v vsem pomagala.
Življenje na novem domu je bilo trdo in dela čez glavo. Potrudila sem se biti hiši v korist. Mati me ni kregala, a bila je tako hladna. Mož in oče sta bila z menoj zadovoljna.
Ko je mati po enem letu opazila, da sem noseča, je takoj vprašala, kam bom šla, ko bom dobila otroka. Na njenem domu ne morem biti, ker da imajo preveč dela, ona pa še posebno. Vsi ugovori, da moram iti rodit k svojim staršem, so bili zaman. Ko je bilo delo na polju postorjeno, mi je kratko velela, da sedaj lahko odidem. Pobrala sem nekaj malenkosti in odšla v eno uro oddaljeno domačo vas. Objokana sem stopila v rojstno hišo in se brez besed vrgla materi okrog vratu. Neprestano je ponavljala: “Nič si ne stori iz tega, saj si naša, vsi smo te veseli." Preživela sem lepe dni v domači hiši. Nepopisno je bilo veselje, ko se je rodil otrok, krepak deček. Na krstitev sta prišla moj mož in njegov oče. Po nekaj tednih je prišel mož pome s kolesljem in malemu smo pripravili košarico in jo postavili v zapeček; mati ni marala zibelke v hiši, “ker je nastava, ki se ji moraš umikati". Delo je steklo po stari poti in za otroka, ki je bil zelo priden, skoraj nisem imela časa.
Le nekaj dni je še manjkalo do Božiča, ko me pokliče mati in pravi, naj grem z njo na podstrešje. Iz temnega kota sva izvlekli staro zibelko in jo prinesli v vežo. Ko je bila očiščena, sem videla, da je bila v dobrem stanju in kar lepa. Prinesli sva jo v hišo in videla sem, da je mati vse pripravila, kar spada vanjo. Sama jo je postlala in položila otroka vanjo. Tako je,pri nas za Božič stekla hišna zibelka v veliko radost vseh domačih. Sploh se je mati tiste dni pred Božičem zelo spremenila. Postala je zgovorna in se, ko je nihče ni videl, pogovarjala z malim. In tudi dovolila mi je - da sem začela kuhati. Oh, tisti srečni Božič! Mati je klečala poleg zibelke, ko smo molili vse tri rožne vence. Meni je darovala ogrinjalko, da mi bo toplo. “Sam Bog je moral priti kot otrok na svet, da je ogrel hladna človeška srca."
T% V • V •	1	•
Božični dnevi
Zunaj sta zima in mraz, sneg in led, znotraj lučka pred jaslicami noč in dan gori; zunaj zmeraj znova sovraštvo vznemirja svet, znotraj okrepljena družinska povezanost, božični mir.
Kadar dva-tisočletna božična pesem doni, kadar se otroci veselo igrajo z darili, stisnimo tesneje drug drugemo roko, in topleje si poglejmo v oči.
Milena Merlak
mčnc m veselc Boiičnc pkaidikc
ANA GABER
ŠT. 2, Chicago, IL
ffjja Slovrnsk-oJ)^
/van Tavčar
VISOŠKA KRONIKA
VII
Drugo jutro je bil oče mirnejši. Njegova govorica je pričala, da mu je nekaj pomirilo razburjeno notranjost.
Ko sem pristopil k njemu, mi je ukazal sesti in takoj sem vedel, da mi hoče nekaj povedati, česar mi do takrat še ni bil povedal.
Res je pričel govoriti in dolgo je govoril:
“Ta iz Loke me je potolažil. Povedal mi je, da mi še ni obupati nad večnostjo. Kar pa mi je naloženo, to se mora zgoditi, ker bi sicer ne postal deležen usmiljenja, katerega sem silno potreben. Kar ti bom naložil, izpolni, Izidor, če hočeš pomagati očetu, ki se bo prav kmalu selil s sveta.” Zapriseči me je hotel, da bom izpolnil njegovo voljo. Zaprisegel sem pri Bogu, pri Materi božji in po očetovi zahtevi pri evangeliju.
Nato je oče nadaljeval takole:
“Da vse veš in da ti ne bo treba ničesar ugibati, ti bom povedal tole. Sramoval se boš svojega očeta, a kar se je zgodilo, se je zgodilo in Valentin Trubar mi je naložil, da ti moram odkriti vse. Da bom težko umrl, bi itak opazil, in naj sem ti prikrival svoje hudobno življenje ali ne. Gospod Valentin je ukazal
—	torej poslušaj!
Na svet sem prišel nekje v Poljanski dolini; kraja ti ni treba vedeti. Očeta svojega nisem poznal. Kolikor se spominjam, sem živel pri materi, ki je služila v gradu na Brdu pri gospe Doroteji Suzani. Kar se spominjam, sva bila z materjo v evangeljski cerkvi, ker je bilo na Brdu zbirališče najpobožnejših služabnikov svetega evangelija. Ti so nam oznanjevali čisto božjo besedo ter nam kazali pravo pot do nebes.
Ko sem bil star dvanast let, je zaukazala ljubljanska gospoda gospe Doroteji Suzani, da mora iti z Brda. Mater in mene je vzela s sabo ter se naselila v nemškem mestu, ki se mu pravi Nuernberg. Tam sem se v svetem evangeliju še bolj utrdil, ali žalosten sem, da pozneje nisem živel po njem. V dvajsetem letu moje starosti je gospa Doroteja
Suzana umrla. Kmalu za njo je umrla tudi moja mati, tako da sem bil sam na svetu. Potem sem se klatil naokrog in se sesnanil z mnogimi malopridneži. Ko je Šved se vtaknil v nemško vojsko in ko je gospod Wallenstein klical ljudi pod svojo zastavo, sem se oglasil pri naših cesarskih. Silno mlad sem še bil, ko je padel švedski kralj in naš general. Nato pa sem vihral po Nemčiji okrog ter se udeležival bitk, ki so bile zares lepe.
Pri mojem oddelku je služil tudi Lukež. Kako je prišel k nam, kod se je vlačil poprej, ne vem. Po tem ga tudi nisem nikoli povpraševal, kakor me on ni izpraševal, kje sem se klatil poprej. Slučajno se je pokazalo, da sva rojaka in da sva oba iz te doline. Od takrat sva skupaj držala kot dvojčka. Bil je boljši od mene: pil ni, igral ni in za ženske ni maril, česar o sebi ne trdim.
Živeli smo divje življenje. Vojskovali smo se za vero, pa vere ni bilo ne v cesarskih, ne v švedskih vrstah. Gorje mu, kdor je prišel pod naše orožje! Človeško življenje ni veljalo več kakor jabolko, ki ga sklatiš z drvesa. Požigali smo, jemali smo, kjer smo kaj dobili. Prebivalstva nismo pobijali, če se ni branilo; ženskam smo delalo vsako krivico; otrok nismo morili, pač pa so take reči uganjali oni z Ogerskega. Živeli smo, da si je moral Lucifer od veselja meti roke, ali na smrt nismo prav nič mislili. Jedli in pili smo in kocke smo metali, dokler ni hudič vzel vsega, kar smo naplenili na polju in kar smo naropali po seliščih. Da, divje življenje smo živeli. In to življenje mi sedaj sedi na vratu, da težko umiram. Verjemi mi, da težko!”
Nekoliko se je oddahnil, izpil nekaj vode in nadaljeval:
“Z Lukežem sva ušla k Švedom in se tam vojskovala. Bilo je pravtako divje kot pri naših cesarskih. Pa smo na Pemskem premlatili cesarske in z Lukežem sva imela srečo, da sva dobila v pest cesarskega generala. Da sva mu uzkazala usmiljenje ali pardon, je nama moral položiti sto težkih zlatov, katere sva pošteno delila.
Od tedaj se pričenja moja nesreča. V ta rumeni
denar sem se zagledal in polastila se me je lakomnost. Teh petdeset rumenjakov sem spravil v usnjato mošnjo in jo nosil na vrvici okrog vrata. Mošnja pa je od tedaj s plenom in ropom postajala težja in težja in obilokrat mi je ožulila kožo, ko smo se v podili nad cesarske.
Kmalu sva pa odkurila od Švedov in se udinjala k cesarskim, kjer sva se borila za sveto katoliško stvar, prej pa za sveti evangelij.
V	tistem času se je meni in Lukežu pridružil kamerad, ki je trdil, da se piše za Jošta Sch-warzkoblerja in da je doma iz Eyrishouna, nekje tam, kjer leži mesto Passau. Govoril je, da je oženjen in daje pustil v domači vasi ženo in otroka, hoteč si pridobiti v vojski kaj denarja. Ni pil, ni igral in gotovo je tudi on nosil pod obleko težko mošnjo. Bil je človek, starješi od naju, sam zase in manj odkritosrčen, da ti ni rad pogledal v oči.
Ko smo zopet enkrat potolkli Švede, se je nam trem posrečilo, da smo uplenili vojno blagajno, katero smo težko prikrili tovarišem. Vendar se je nam posrečilo, da smo jo spravili na varno in da smo jo zakopali v zemljo. Ravno, ko smo bili z delom pri kraju, je v bližini neki Šved sprožil in Lukaža težko ranil.
Nekaj dni kasneje je prišlo poročilo, da so cesar in kralji sklenili mir in da je končana vojska, katera se je menda vlekla trideset let in pri kateri sem imel sam opravka skoraj osmnajst let.
Tudi nam je bilo prav, da ni bilo več vojske. Gospodje generali so hiteli, da nas odpravijo, ker sedaj, ko se ni smelo več krasti in ropati, soldat ni mogel več živeti. Dobili smo potrebne spise, da nas med potjo gosposke niso zadrževale. Jezdecem, ki so plačali majhno odškodnino, so se prepustili konji in še celo vojaška oprava z orožjem.
Lukež je še vedno ležal v lazaretu ali bolnici. Izročil sem mu nekaj denarja in mu naročil, da naj pride pozneje v Škofjo Loko, kjer bo že zvedel, kje me bo dobil. S Schwarzkoblerjem pa sva se brez odloga podala na potovanje. Kupila sva si tovar-nega konja ter ga obložila z vojno blagajno.
Od Dachaua naprej je mrgolelo po cesti in po poti znancev in kameradov, ki so na konju ali peš hiteli proti svojim domovom. Tujci so ogovarjali naju v različnih jezikih in nisva dajala odgovorov. Veliko jih je gledalo na tovornega konjiča in čutila sva, da je v pogledih bila nevošljivost.
Nikomur nisva zaupala, pa tudi zaupala nisva sama drug drugemu. Takoj, ko sva sedla na konja, sta se nama pridružila dva hudiča — sicer nevidna, a sva ju čutila. Eden je sedel k meni, drugi pa Joštu. Postajala sva zamišljena in sva malo govorila. Ce sem le pogledal Joštov zamišljen obraz, sem čutil, da šepeta hudič Joštu na uho: “Čemu bi delil denar? Samokres imaš, bodalo imaš, in samotnih krajev je na vsaki cesti veliko; tudi jarkov je dosti, da vržeš truplo v katerega, kjer ga do sodnega dne nikdo iztaknil ne bo.” če pa je Jošt opazoval moje zamišljene oči, je vedel, da tudi meni hudič isto govori.
Ponoči nisva nikar ostajala na cesti. Vselej sva si na večer poiskala selišče: da sva prenočila pod streho, da bi bili ljudje pri roki, če bi skušnjava premotila mene ali njega, in bi posegla po orožju, kaKor je nama šepetal hudič na uho.
Nekega dne pa je imel Jošt nesrečo. Padel je konj pod njim in ni več vstal. Sebe sva slabo redila in še slabše najino spehano žival. Menjavala sva se konju od takrat naprej. En dan sem tičal v sedlu jaz, drugi dan pa on. Otovorjenega konja je vodil tisti, ki je hodil peš.
Približala sva se reki Donavi in mestu Passau, bližini Joštovega doma. Vprašal me je, ali bi delila, kar sva tovorila, ali na cesti, ali v njegovi vasi? Odgovoril sem: “Tukaj.”
Zavlekla sva konja v goščo ob cesti ter ju privezala k drvesu. Vrgla sva tovor na zemljo in sedla. Med nama je tičala vojna blagajni. Sch-warzkobler je rekel, da morava biti previdna zaradi tatov. Izza pasa je vzel samokres, ga napel ter položil tik sebe v travo, da bi mu bil takoj pri roki. V tistem trenutku sem tudi jaz pripravil svoj samokres. In pripravil sem tudi bodalo, da ga rabim, kadar hočem.
Odprla sva železen zaboj. Do vrha je bil nasut z belim in žoltim denarjem. V ta denar je kamerad vtaknil roko in mešal po njem.
“Glej, da se ti kaj prstov ne prime,” sem rekel hudobno.
“Ne bova se pričkala,” je odgovoril. “Deliva si na pol, pa je.”
“Kaj na pol”, rečem začudeno; “Ena tretjina je Lukeževa.”
“On bo poginil v lazaretu,” je ustavljal Jošt.
“Lukeževa tretjina gre z menoj, jaz vzamem”.
“Opeharil me ne boš,” je hropel Jošt. In njegova desnica je že lezela počasi do napetega samokresa, da sem prav videl, kako so se premikali prsti med bilkami in travo.
“Ti pa mene tudi ne,” in že je tičalo bodalo v moji roki in sunil sem Jošta zadaj pod tilnikom v telo, da se mu je curkoma ulila kri. Namočila mu je hrbet in tudi spredaj je lila po rjaski obleki.
Samo še trenutak je sedel in me čudno debelo gledal, nato pa je padel na hrbet in obležal. Ustne je premikaval in zadnje njegove besede, ki jih je stokama jecljal, so bile: “Pridem pote.” Nato je umrl.
Prav nič me ni bilo groza strašnega dejanja. Če bi ga jaz ne bil, bi pa on mene, sem mislil. Taka je pač navada v vojski. Z vso hladnostjo sem se lotil dela. Odpasal sem ga in pograbil mošnjo, ki jo je res nosil na vratu. Z bodalom sem njegovo sedlo parkrat presuval na raznih mestih; in res sem dobil v njem še par cekinov, za katere Jošt v mošnji ni imel prostora.
Truplo sem zavlekel v goščo ter ga vrgel v jarek. V ta jarek sem vrgel tudi staro sedlo ter vse skupaj založil s suhim vejevjem, katero je ježalo tam okoli. Z vejevjem sem pokril tudi mesto, kjer sva delila, ter tako prekril kri, od katere se je trava rdečila.
V	celoti torej nisem slabo opravil. Obložil sem tovornega konjiča, in ker nima človek v takih divjih časih nikdar preveč orožja, sem vtaknil za pas svoj in Joštov samokres. Vlekel sem se s svojima konjičema dan in noč naprej. Prišel sem dalje in dalje, ali nikdo me ni zasledoval kot morilca. Ali povem ti, da so bile noči puste. Za mano ni več sedel peklenski hudič, da bi me zapeljieval; ta je izginil, a na njegovem mestu je čepel — povem ti,
sam Jošt Schwartzkobler. Oh, dobro sem ga videl, kako je debelo gledal in kako je zijala zadaj na hrbtu globoka rana. Tudi molčal ni; brez nehaja se je med konjskimi kopiti oglašal njegov šepet: “Pridem pote. Pridem pote.” Tako sem ga nosil s sabo, čeprav je ležal pri Eyrishounu v jarku pod gostim vejevjem. No, pa človek se tudi takemu šepetanju privadi in počasi je njegov šepet utihnil.
Koval sem naklepe za prihodnost. V dolini, kjer sem bil kot berač rojen, sem hotel postati mož veljak. Z vsem dopadenjem sem zrl na tovor, ki je bil pritrjen na konju. In tako sem prišel v tedanjo Škofjo Loko.
Vse je letelo skupaj, ko je pri vodnih vratih v mesto prijahal v zarjavelem oklepu cesarski ali švedski kirasir, kakršnih niso videli mnogokrat. Ustavil sem se pri najboljši gostlini, ki je bila že takrat v posesti Wohlgemuetov. Dali so mi v hlev konja in tudi posebno čumnato, v katero sem se naselil s svojim zakladom. Pričetkoma sem zahajal po pivnicah in pripovedal loškim meščanom pripovesti iz vojaške službe, katere so bile največkrat zlagane. Da ne bi vzbujal sumov, da sem bogat, sem plačeval počasi svoje račune. Splošno se je začelo misliti, da nimam nič in mesni sodnik se je že bal, da bom padel občini na breme. Za denar so bili tedaj hudi časi, zatorej je bil moj zaklad precej varen, ker ga nihče ne pričakoval pri meni.
Tudi tedanji loški škof Vid Adam je živel v vednom pomanjkanju. Iskali so daleč naokrog človeka, ki bi hotel škofu kaj posoditi. Ravno v tistih dneh se je po celom mestu govorilo, da išče škof Vid Adam dva tisoč nemških goldinarjev in da bi zanje zastavil dve lepi kmetije na Visokem. Meni je tedaj zasijalo sonce! In ponudil sem glavariju ta dva tisočaka. Ko dolga po dveh letih škof še ni mogel plačati, sem postal lastnik dveh kmetij. V očeh ljudstva pa eden prvih mož v Poljanski dolini. Sam svoj biti je največja sreča!
Oženil sem se. Neme Vovk Wulfing na Suhi je imel mladega dekleta. To deklico sem dobil in še nekaj dote z njo. Bila je tvoja mati Barbara. Njen
starejši brat je še sedaj gospodar na Suhi, mlajši Jeremija se je priženil v Davče, saj veš, da je Margareta njegova hči.
Dopalo se je Bogu ali pa hudiču, da se mi je gospodarstvo čedno razvijalo; polnili so se hlevi in množili so se posli.
Nekoga dne je prišel k hiši raztrgan človek in poznalo se mu je, da se je klatil po svetu. Bil je moj kamerad Lukež. Nikdar ni vprašal kaj je z vojno blagajno, kako se je delila in kje je njegov delež; bil mi je priden in pošten hlapec. Jaz sem mu lagal, da je njegov delež vzel Jošt in zdi se mi, da je v to veroval. Blagor mu, lahko je umrl.
Prišlo pa je nekaj hudega nad mene. Jošt, katerega sem zabodel, ni hotel obtičati v grobu. Oglašal se je glasneje in glasneje od leta in leta. Ponoči v sanjah je bil tu in če sem sedel v sedlu, je čepel ta peklenski mrlič zopet za mano. “Pridem pote. Pridem pote.” Zopet in zopet mi je to zvenelo po ušesih in od muk sem se v temni kleti dostikrat zvijal kot kača.
Vse to sem ti povedal, ker mi je tako zapovedal Valentin.
Poslušaj me natanko, fante, in tvoja duša naj si zapomni vsako mojo besedo. Moja želja je, da gospodariš za mano na Visokem. Koj ko boš za mano vse opravil, boš moral iti takoj na pot v nemško deželo. Vzemi dva tovorna konja, hlapca in orožje, ker vem, da je še dosti hudobnih ljudi po svetu. Prideš do velike reke, kjer leži mesto Passau; povprašaj po ljudeh vdove Schwarzkobler in po njeni vnukinji Agati. To deklico moraš, naj stane kar hoče, pripeljati na Visoko. Ona je lastnica dobre polovice obeh tvojih kmetij. Moja želja je, da zasnubiš to deklico in da postane tvoja zakonska žena. Ne delaj pa sile! Če bi si izbrala drugega, ji izplačaj polovico naših dveh kmetij, da bo poravnana krivica in škoda, kadar bo sodil Gospod mene
—	morilca.
Na vse to mi daj prisego in zgnije naj ti jezik, če jo boš kdaj prelomil”. — In s temi groznimi besedami me je oče odslovil.
Okrog Božiča je oče naredil testament in grajski pisar je zapisal, kar je bila očetova poslednja volja. Kmalu po novem letu se ga je dotaknil prst božji in ohromela mu je desna stran telesa, da ni mogel več vstajati in da smo ga prekladali kakor kos mrtvega lesa.
Takrat sem bil poslan še enkrat po brata Valentina. Dolgo mu je govoril, pel in bral iz debele knjige. Obhajal ga tudi po luteransko.
Oče me je prijel z levico, ki jo je še lahko pregibal in mi rekel: “Izidor, bodi blagoslovljen za vso ljubezen, katero mi izkazuješ.”
Bratu Valentinu sem izplačal deset cekinov, potem sem pa pobegnil iz sobe pod temno podstrešje, kjer sem se izjokal, kakor nekdaj apostol, ko je bil zatajil svojega učenika. Bolelo me je očetovo luteranstvo.
V sobi sem pogledal težko Valentinovo knjigo; bila je biblija — sveto pismo — od Jurija Dalmatina v slovenskem z letom 1584.
Visoški gospodar se je pričel približavati smrtni stiski. Govorica mu je tekla težko in postal je sam sebi v največjo nadlego. To umiranje je bilo mučno, grozno in strašno. Še bolj grozne so bile noči. Onemoglemu telesu je odpovedalo spanje.
Jecljal je: “Ali ga vidiš Schwarzkoblerja? Tam v temi stoji, dobro mu razločim obraz in zadaj je tudi rana in v nji prekleto bodalo.”
V takih trenutkih sem pograbil biblijo Jurija
Dalmatina in pričel brati  “skrij svoj obraz, moj
Bog, pred mojimi grehi, in zbriši vse moje pregrehe” Umrl je na pepelnično sredo.
•Tedaj sem obnovil obljubo, da hočem vse žive dni delati pokoro za njega, ki je bil velik grešnik, ki pa je bil tudi moj oče.
Naš župnik gospod Janez Kašper se ni dal ganiti in nikakor ni hotel dovoliti, da bi ga pokopali pri cerkvi sv. Martina v Poljanah. Njegova beseda je bila: “Zagrebite ga na nekdanjem luteranskem pokopališču.” To je bilo na zapuščenem mestu v nekem pozabljenom kotu. Katoličanom, ki niso bili z našo hišo v nikaki zvezi, je bila udeležba zabranjena. Pa jih je mnogo prišlo vzlic ti prepovedi!
Držal sem se starih navad. Tik groba sem vse, kar jih je prišlo, pogostil. Jedli so, pili so in bili prav dobre volje. Oni pa je spal pod rušo. — In več, ko se je snedlo in več, ko se je spilo, imenitnejši je postajal pogreb. Pri tej priliki sem izkazal očetu vso čast in napravil pogrebščino, kakor je prej, ne slej ni bilo na poljanskem katoliškem pokopališču. Ko je padal mrak na zemljo, je odšla pogrebna družba vesele in Židane volje.
Ko se je komaj še kaj videlo, je prišel iz teme nekdo po tovorni poti. Pri grobu je tedaj stala dolga, črna oseba in govorila je in blagoslavljala mrliča pod zemljo. K grobu je pač prišel na skrivno luteranski predikant. Nekomu pa, ki je baš šel mimo, so se naježili lasje na glavi. Ko je prisopel v Poljane, je pripovedal, daje moral pokojni Visočan že prvo noč iz pekla, da je od bolečin skakal po svojem grobu in da je zvijal roke, kakor bi ga nekaj prav posebno peklo.
Od tedaj so govorili, da stari Visočan na grobu straši.
D O P I S I
ŠT. 3, PUEBLO, CO
Prelepa jesenska narava se spravlja v zimsko obleko. Za nas starejše, bo tedaj najboljši kotiček v hiši. Vabim članice na decembersko sejo, ko bo volitev odbornic za prihodnje leto. Seja bo 6. dec. v cerkveni dvorani, ne glejte za prijateljstvo, ampak na sposobnost in prijazno delovanje med članicami.
Pretečeno poletje je bilo poročno slavje 50-letnice-zlata poroka — Frank in Frances Skul (naša predsednica podružnice). Slavje se je vršilo v dvorani Ramada Inn. Obilna udeležba je veselila zlatoporočenca. Jonie Paucek nas je zabaval s svojo harmoniko, da je bilo slavje poskočno in vse po domače. Franku in Frances prisrčna voščila za bodočnost.
Naša dobro poznana članica Pauline Jamnik je nesrečna zaradi svoje sladkorne bolezni. Bila je v bolnici, kjer so zdravniki ugotovili, da se bo zdravje zboljšalo, ako ji odstranijo nogo pod kolenom. Pravilna jedila so še vedno na njenem dnevnem redu. Doroty Bradish zelo trpi z bolečinami v kolenu. Nešteto operacij za olajšanje je prestala v svoji bolezni. Želimo, da ščasoma vse naše bolnice okrevajo. Zelo obžalujem bolezen moje drage Mary Bostian; moja molitev je, da ti Bog da zdravje.
Zelo obžalujemo dolgo in mučno bolezen župnika naše fare č.g. Blane Beble O.S.B., ki se nahaja v zdravniški oskrbi v Opatiji sv. Križa v Canon City, Colo. Father Blane je, tako mislim, edini mož, daje član naše podružnice in obenem voditelj. Želimo in molimo, da se bolezen poslovi in da se sčasoma pozdravi. Father, povrnite se zopet med nas vaše farane. V tej bolnici se tudi zdravi nekdanji naš župnik Claude Roberts. Vse članice naše Zveze vam želimo obilno božičnega blagoslova in ponovnega zdravja.
V	oktobru je naša cerkev in z njo fara Marije Pomagaj obhajala
90-letnico obstoja. Ta za nas tako pomenljivi dan je bil brez vsake slavnosti in z Bingo party. Vsi smo razočarani. Pričakovali smo slavnost za banketom, z govori “oldtajmerjev”, pa se je tako sramotno končalo in to pri naši največji fari v Pueblo.
Avgusta meseca je bil pomenljiv izlet iz Denver-ja, Colo. v Jugoslavijo. Letalo (plane) je dospelo direktno v Denver in 73 Slovencev je odšlo na obisk; jaz si ne morem odpustiti, da nisem potovala z njimi. Prijateljica mi je pisala, da sem veliko zamudila. Tam, da so veliko spremembe: vse je po amerikansko, vsa udobnost, pri hiši avto na razpolago, obleke — tudi v hlačah, jedila “za gospodo” še na kmetih, govori! “Cerkev ni pod obenim nadzorstvom od vlade”. Upam, da bo naša Zveza imela izlet prihodnje leto v našo opevano Slovenijo. V listu Rodna gruda je opis fantka, kateremu je kosilnica odrezala obe nogi pod kolenom. Napredni zdravniki so fantku prišili obe nogi nazaj; večkrat beremo, kako izučene zdravnike imajo v Evropi in v Ljubljani so eni od tistih.
Vse rade beremo dopise v Zarji. Zanimivo je čtivo od Poldice Podgornik pod št. 13. — Marie Florian, hvala za kartico, a besedilo je bilo nečitljivo. Lepa hvala za rojstna voščila glavni predsednici Mary Muller in urednici Corinne Leskovar.
Danes je pogreb daljne sorodnice Anne Ursick; njen že pokojni mož je bil brat naše predsednice Frances Skul. Umrle so naše članice: Johana Pav-chek, Katharine Krasovich, moja nepozabna Anna Grahek, ki je rada brala slovenske dopise v Zarji; zvesta prijateljica Katherine Mutz. Naj počivajo v miru, tudi nam so odprta vrata groba. Decembra meseca (17.) bo dve leti, ko sem zgubila nepozabnega moža. Bog daj vsem pokojnim večno veselje v nebesih.
Želim ponovno zdravje po operaciji Anni Kerne, hčerki od Jenie Lukanik. Milka Henigsman se tudi pritožuje nad bolečinami
“arthritis". Helen Miklich je še vedno v bolečinah od operacije na obeh kolenih; krepi nas upanje, da se bolno stanje okrepi, kmalu zboljša. Nepozabni so moji spomini na vse drage, ki jih že krije zemlja: M. Prisland, A. Novak, J. Železnikar. Bile smo vedno v tesni zvezi pisanja; bodi jim božični spomin!
Pri sklepu želim vsem članicam vesele in zdrave božične praznike in srečno Novo leto. Naši S.Ž.Z pa nove članice. Moje pisanje je skromno in mi oprostite, sem že stara in bolehna. V Zarjo poročam že od 1.1949, urednica Corinne razume moj starostni položaj. Hello Faniki Humar, ki mi je še vedno v spominu. Vsem skupaj božji blagoslov, srečen Božič in Novo leto.
ANNA PACHAK
ŠT. 13, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Sporočam veselo novico, da nam naša cervica bo ostala vsaj še eno leto in naprej, če dobimo Hrvata ali Slovenca za župnika. Hrvati imajo prednost, saj so oni bili prvič in so ustanovili našo cerkev. Zaslugo pri tem ima od pokojne Frances Chiodo (dopisovalke ZARJE) hčerka Beverly Jackson in Mr. in Mrs. Jožo Bajurin, Mr. Kambich in vsi drugi v cerkveni zadrugi (Council).
V	naši cerkvi ob nedeljah ob 12:15 je Poljska sveta maša. Predno se sv. maša začne, prinesejo veliko lepo sliko Poljske matere božje (Mother of Chestočova) pred oltar. Vsak Poljak, ki je v cerkvi, naprej poklekne in se pred oltarjem in pred sliko prikloni. Imela sem priliko prisostvovati pri tej sv. maši.
Cerkev se je naponila do zadnjega sedeža in zatem poje cela cerkev lepe pesmi brez orgelj. Ženske pridejo vse dostojno v dolgih krilih kakor se spodobi katoliškim ženam. To mi je zelo imponiralo.
Volitve so za nam'. V Californiji
sta bila dva “Propositions”, št. 36 in št. 41, ki sta bila naravnost proti revnim, bolnim in invalidom. Hvala Bogu, nista zmagala. Miljoni niso volili, ker se je razglasilo 3 dni pred volitvami, kdo bo dobil predsedništvo in so ljudje rekli, “Kaj bi volili, saj ne bomo zmagali”. Slišala sem, da so izdali en biljon v teh volitvah
—	več kot še nikdar prej.
Zadnjo nedeljo v oktobru je poteklo 45 let od kar je bil ustanovljen pevski cerkveni slovenski zbor.
Pesem:
Glej, na tihem nočnem nebu
Zvezda se je utrnila; svetla zvezda sreče moje več ne bo se povrnila.
Več ne bo se povrnila slika moje domovine v srcu solza se stresila zvezda sreče mladih let se ne vrne nikdar več.
POLDICA PODGORNIK ŠT. 14, EUCLID, OH
Oktoberska seja je bila prav dobro obiskana. Bile smo vesele, ko je bilo več članic med nami, ki jih že nekaj časa nismo videle. Kar tako naprej, saj vedno kaj dobrega in novega sklenemo v prid naše podružnice.
Novembra bodo obhajali 65. obletnico obstoja Slovenskega društvenega doma na Recher Ave. V tem Domu imamo seje za našo podružnico in jim pošiljamo naše najlepše častitke k temu praznovanju.
K naši podružnici sta pristopili dve novi članici: Michelle Tomc, hčerka naše tajnice Donne Tomc in pa Mija Kralj, ki je prijatlejica naše tajnice. Obe sta prav dobrodošli. “Sunshine girls” so razposlale kartice in to: za Mary Boštjan, ki je bila v bolnici in je zdaj doma. Mary je bila zelo
aktivna članica dolga leta pri Ženski zvezi in tudi pri drugih organizacijah. Prav tako so tudi na bolniški listi Molly Legat in Josephine Lustic, ki se je vrnila iz bolnice in doma okreva. Vsem srčno želimo, da bi se jim zdravje prav hitro vrnilo. Drage članice, tiste ki ste pri zdravju, vzemite si malo časa in jim še ve pošljite kartico, saj boste s tem napravile veliko veselje bolnim, vam bo pa v zadovoljstvo, da ste naredile dobro delo.
Umrle so Mary Kovačič, ki je živela na Lindberg in je bila poznana lastnica Ludwig’s Tavern. V Kaliforniji je umrla naša članica Rose Picely. Njihovim domačim naše iskreno sožalje. Globoko sožalje tudi Jennie Fitzthum in njeni družini ob izgubi dragega moža Jima Fitzthum.
Državna konvencija je že tudi za nami. Bila je 14. oktobra na nedeljo. Bil je lep sončen dan. Maša je bila pri Mariji Vnebovzeti v Collinwodu, darovana v spomin pokojne Albine Novak. Udeležba naših članic je bila lepa. Po maši smo se zbrale v dvorani, kjer so nam prav dobro postregle članice podružnice št. 58. Konvencija je bila zelo uspešna in želimo še dosti zdravih let naši državni predsednici Mrs. Terček, ki je vse lepo vodila in za vso vzpodbudo, ki nam jo daje za napredek Ženske zveze.
Članice, ne pozabite na članarino! če ne morete na sejo, pošljite naši tajnici Donni Tomc na naslov: 1000 Dillewood Rd., Cleveland, Ohio 44119 - telefon 481-9374.
Res je kar težko verjeti, da gre leto tako hitro h kraju. Kar naenkrat bodo prazniki pred nami in zato želimo vsem bralcem in bralkam,
“Vesel Božič in srečno Novo leto.”
AGNES TOMC
ŠT. 17, WESTALLIS, Wl
V	nedeljo 21. oktobra smo počastile častno mater tega leta. Pozno, a sigurno. Žrebanje je izvrstno vodila Josephine Nimer. Imele smo veselje posebno še tiste, ki so imele srečne številke. Veselje pa ni bilo popolno. Preveč smo pogrešale drago predsednico Marion Marolt, ki je bolna in takrat v bolnici. Srečno je prestala operacijo. Marion, please get well soon. Me pa prosimo Boga za tvoje zdravje. Pri mizi odbora je velika vrzel brez tebe. Sejo je vodila podpredsednica Vicky Kastelic in za to smo ji hvaležne. Imele smo izvrsten lunch. Prisrčna hvala vsem, ki ste napekle toliko dobrot. Pokazale ste, da vam je Zveza pri srcu in da ste pripravljene se žrtvovati zanjo. Hvala tudi za dobitke žrebanja. Se zahvaljujemo, tudi tistim, ki ste se za veseljem sukale po kuhinji in tako je bilo vse v redu. Sedaj vas opominjam na glavno sejo 16. decembra, ki je vedno zelo važna. Udeležite se jo kar polnoštevilno. Ne pozabite peciva, ker bomo imele lunch kot ponavadi. Tudi izmenjavanje daril po $2.00. Bog daj zdravje bolnim. Molimo za umrle članice.
Članicam želim srečno Novo leto 1985!
MARY MURN
ŠT. 68, FAIRPORT HRB., OH
Kadar so kaki posebni dogodki je najbolje, da se sveže opiše. To je bilo včeraj na soboto 6. oktobra v Painesville pri St. Mary cerkvi; poroka od Lynne Satej in John Kohr. Poročil jih je Rev. F. Zarnik ob 12 uri z sv. mašo.
Nevesta Lynne je hčerka podpredsednika A.D.Z. Tony Satej, njena mati Carol je pa tajnica A.D.Z. št. 30, in vnukinja Jennie Mohorčič, več letna
EDWARD F. KOMPARE
FUNERAL HOME
9858 So. Commercial Ave., Chicago, IL 60617 Phones 768-1111/8800
«
predsednica naše podružnice št. 68. Poročno gostovanje je bilo v Slovenskem vrtu A.D. Zveze (RECREATION Center) v Leroyu. Povabljenih	gostov se je
udeležilo okoli 350. Imenitna ohcet, kuharice iz Clevelanda Mrs. Mary Blatnik in njene pomočnice;	program	lepo
razvrščen z muziko v veliko zadovoljstvo gostov. Nevesta je graduirala iz	Riverside	High
School v Painesville in Kent State University. Ženin pa je tudi graduiral iz	Riverside	High
school Painesville, in zaposlen pri Lauri Rantrala Builders Comp. Concord.
Oktobersko sejo smo imele 17. kot običajno na tretjo sredo v mesecu v Slov. clubu v Fairportu. Nič posebnega ni bilo. Za božični party ni bilo še nič določenega. Door price je dobila naša predsednica Rosi Bradač, spodaj podpisana sem pripravila pa malo zakusko.
Na 10. oktobra smo imeli upokojenci sejo in sicer pri Vough, Zalarjevem restavrantu. Udeležilo se nas je okrog 60 članov in to ob eni uri popoldan; imeli smo najprvo kosilo. Kosilo je bilo imenitno, samopostrežba, potem je pa predsednik Vik Melle odprl sejo. Rafling 50 - 50 so dobili Josie Ul le, Jahn Ludvik in Stanko Bradač. Nekaj novih članov smo dobili.
Božični prazniki se nam bližajo, in ta čas se bomo že pripravljali za Božič. Katere imate večje družine, boste skrbele kaj jim bi kupile, posebno malim vnukom.
Slovesne maše bomo imeli po cerkvah, na sam sveti Božični večer se je Jezušček nam rodil. Spomini nam bodo uhajali v našo rojstno domovino. Kakor vemo, iam ni več jaslic v Bogkovem kotu, kjer so nekoč stale z Jezusom in Marijo v štalici. Nič
več jih ne pogrešajo. Starejši so pomrli, ali jih muči bolezen, njih otroci so vsi v državnih službah, so nato že pozabili, ali opustili, če hočejo biti v službi.
Pred časom sem dobila pismo, da so družine le še po 3 ali 4 člane, ali pa samo zakonca. Kje so tiste številne družine, da jih je bilo lepo videti. V naši vasi je pusto in dolgočasno; poprej tri gostilne in trgovine z vsakdanjimi potrebščinami, sedaj nobene. Starejši pogrešajo fantovsko petje na vasi, v spremstvu harmonike, kako milo se je slišalo ponoči na sredi vasi.
Ko to nadaljujem 26. oktobra v petek, bo čas prihodnjo nedeljo 28. oktobra ure premakniti za eno uro nazaj po Ohiskem zakonu.
Ker gre leto 1984 k koncu, bo ta naša Zarja zadnja v tem letu, in bo čas že pred Božičem. Zato drage bralke Zarje-želim Vam srečen in vesel Zahvalni dan, katerega praznamujemo zadnji četrtek v novembru in se moramo Bogu zahvaliti za vse, kar smo in kar imamo v naši svobodni domovini. Prav tako tudi zdravja polno in božjega blagoslova v Božičnih praznikih. Mali Jezušček naj Vam podeli ljubega miru v Vaših srcih.
Vse, ki praznujete rojstne dneve v novembru, decembru in januarju Vam želim vse dobro, pred vsem zdravja, da bi se še in še veselile življenja med svojimi dragimi.
Vas lepo pozdravlja,
PASTIRČEK
V. Vodušek
“Jezušček, pastirsko pesem zate.
Veš, saj nimam še piščalke zlate da bi zlato pesem ti zapel; majhne roke niso še bogate.
Pa zato le željo ti povem: naj naš dom bo kakor Betlehem v oni zimi,
ko so jagenčke privedli k tebi.
Naj še jaz bom
jagenček med njimi.
Jezušček, kaj naj darujem tebi? Drugega daru gotovo ne bi v malih jaselcah bil bolj vesel: jagenček naj tvoj bom, vedno bel. "
Moja pesem je tako božična, moji jagenčki tako so svetli, da gotovo bodo Sveti trije kralji, k Jezuščku na poti pome prišli.
PISMO
Strabane, Pa.
Okt. 15-84
Že dolgo nisem pisala v lepo urejeno Zarjo. Ne morem več pisati, sem bolna in stara; vid mi peša, sem imela že dve operaciji za oči. Sem tudi padla in si zlomola kolk (hip) in tudi hoditi ne morem-samo z walker-jem po hiši. Bliža se mesec november in Vseh vernih duš dan, ko se spominjamo vseh naših dragih pokojnih v molitvah in obiščemo njihove grobove.
Tu pošiljam $5.00 v blag spomin pokojne Albine Novak, ker tudi je njen rojstni dan. Naj v miru počiva. Vsem bolnim članicam želim ljubo zdravje, še posebno Mary Bostian.
Mary Tomsic
AMERICAN
SLOVENIAN
CATHOLIC
UNION
+
LIFE INSURANCE FOR THE FAMILY
HOME OFFICE: 2439 GLENWOOD AVENUE • JOLIET, IL 60435 (815) 741-2001
ZAPISNIK DRŽAVE KONVENCIJE ZA OHIO - MICHIGAN
Kako hitro je prišel naokoli mesec oktober in z njim tudi letna državna konvencija, ki se je vršila 14. oktobra 1984.
Članice združenih podružnic so se zbrale v cerkvi Marije Vnebovzete na Holmes Ave., da se udeleže svete maše v blag spomin ustanoviteljice št. 50 S.Ž.Z. in dolgoletne glavne tajnice Albine Novak.
Št. 32 je prispevala 12 mladih Twirlettes, ki so nas vodile in za njimi Marie Prisland kadetke; oba oddelka sta bila v lepih modrobelih kostumih.
Župnik Victor Tomc je imel pridigo v angleškem, g. Louis Tomtz, ki je prišel iz Canade, pa v slovenskem jeziku. Orgle so zadonele in pevci so zapeli slovenske pesmi. Po maši so članice odšle v šolsko dvorano, da se članice okrepčajo s prigriskom in kavo. Med tem časom so članice prodajale listke za darila, katerih dobiček je prinesel $123.00.
Ann Terček je prižgala svečke na odru v spomin umrlim: Marie Prisland, Albini Novak, Sophie Magajne in Frances Seitz. Z molitvijo Očenaš je pričela s sejo ob 12:30 in najprej predstavila sebe in odbornice, se zahvalila vsem, ki so se udeležile sv. maše in seje konvencije. Zapisnik lanskega zborovanja je bil prečitan, sprejet in odobren.
Naša Hermine Dicke je telefonirala in poslala pozdrave ter želela uspeh in srečo, pravtako tudi Albina Uehlein. Poročila podružnic, pismeno in ustmeno, so bila sprejeta v splošno zadovoljstvo in z ugotovitvijo, da prinaša združenje podružnic moč in uspeh pri Zvezi.
Zapisnikarica Marie Beck je poslala zahvalo Ann Terček, odborom in članicam združenih podružnic za častitke in darila, poročevalki konvencij za njeno delo že vsa leta. Prav presrčna zahvala!
Predlagano je bilo, da bi drugič prebrali “Gospel” v obeh jezikih slovensko in angleško. Treba je izbrati za to delo eno ali dve izmed članic. Izrekla se je želja, da bi skušala vsaka članica pridobfti po eno novo članico, da se pokrije izguba umrlih.
Kadetke so prižgale in ugasnile svečke v spomin urmlih članic v tem letu; predsednica je zaključila sejo ob 2:30 z molitvijo Oče-naš. Ugotovitev vseh, da je v združenju podružnic moč in napredek Slovenske ženske zveze.
Ker so božični prazniki skoraj pred vrati, želim, da bi jih vse obhajale v zdravju, veselju in z zadovoljnim srcem.
Vaša zapisnikarica,
Marie Beck
Vsem sosestram po mestih —med nebotičniki in v njih, po vaseh, dolinah polnih potočkov, rek, gozdov, pobočjih gora—
voščim Sveto noč polno milosti in radosti nebeškega Deteta. Njegova Ljubezen naj Vas spremlja vseskozi leto 1985!
CIRILA KERMAVNER glavna podpredsednica
DRAGI ROJAKI: PRIDRUŽITE SE NAM V POČASTITVI NAŠIH SLOVENSKIH RUDARJEV IN DELAVCEV!
Želim pokloniti priloženi dar za Spomenik slovenskim rudarjem in delavcem, ki bo zgrajen v Interpretative centru Železnega okrožja v Chisholm, Minnesota.
Ime:   Naslov: __________________________________________________________________
Priloženi dar: $ __---------------Mesto, država, zip:______________________________________
Imena posameznih darovalcev $100 ali več, bodo vtisnjena na posebni bronasti plošči pri Spomeniku.
Pošljite: Slovenian Women’s Union — SŽZ. 431 NO. CHICAGO ST., JOLIET, ILLINOIS, 60432.
MLADA BREDA
Povest
_______dr.	Ivan	Pregelj_______
II del.
26.	Luka gre po zdravnika.
—Nadaljevanje—
1
Poslovila sta se. Oživljenega se je čutil Luka in rahla opojnost se ga je polaščala. Ž njo so prišle tudi lepše misli. »Eh,« je mislil. »Na svetu je vendar še dobrih ljudi. Prav nič slabega ne bi bilo na svetu, če bi samo ljudje hoteli. Pa vsi nočejo. Nočejo! Sami smo si krivi nesreč in žalosti.« In z bridkostjo je mož mislil na svoje izgubljeno življenje. »Prešlo je. Vse je prešlo. Prvo sem bil prevesel in potem sem bil preresen. Iskal sem nečesa in nisem našel. Ti moj ljubi Bog, tako je. Človek obrača, Bog obrne. Sem mislil, bom bogat, sem grabil, sem pustil ono siroto. Pa je prišlo tako nad me, da sem revež in me še sestra ne mara. Katra, Katra. Ženske so tudi čudne. Nam za denar, njim za ljubezen. Vidiš Katra, saj ne rečem, da je bilo prav, da sva te z očetom silila. Prav ni bilo, in Bog je obrnil le po svoje. Zapisano je bilo, da se mora sesuti naše premoženje, in se je. Samo to mi je žal, da tega prej nisva vedela z očetom. Potem sva oba vedela, da mora biti tako.« In z nekako grozo je rekel na glas: »Krivično blago je bilo!«
»Krivično!« je mislil dalje; »vsi so vedeli to. Vidiš Katra, to je bilo. Sem šel čez njivo, pa me je gledal sosed; pa sem rekel: “Glej ga, že misli: Le hodi po tisti njivi. Tvoja bo, kakor je sedaj tvojega očeta. Pa ga vprašaj, no, enkrat, Luka, vprašaj, kako da je njegova.” Glej Katra, pa sem ga res vprašal: “Oče, čigava je bila prej naša njiva?” Ti! Prebledel je, in potem ga nisem več mogel vprašati. Pa saj ni bilo treba. Saj sem vedel; po krivici jo je pridobil. Krivo je prisegel. In ko je šlo potem s premoženjem kar v nič in v nič, sem si mislil: Bog že ve, kaj dela. Vse bo šlo. Oh, Katra, in čez in čez sva bila zadolžena. Da bo prodal, je bil rekel. In Krošnja se ni šalil. Še tista njiva je bila čista. Samo tista njiva. Sem stopil k očetu. “Prst božji,” sem rekel, “dajte njivo nazaj. Kamor je šlo vse, naj gre še to!” Da si ga videla, Katra, kako je planil in zatulil. Pa kaj si ti vedela o tem?«
»Pote je prišel Krošnja. “Prodal bom!” je rekel. “Prodaj!” je odvrnil oče. Jaz sem stal ob oknu in sem mislil, ali ne bi bilo dobro, da skočim v tistega skopuha in mu zavijem vrat.
“Ali nimaš neke dekline?” je rekel Krošnja. In prav tedaj si prišla ti, Katra. Ti —, kaj si vedela ti, kaj smo potem govorili. Za premoženje te je dal. Pa sem stal zraven in je nisem rekel nobene.«
Zamolkel glas zvona je odjeknil od nekod. Luka je snel klobuk.
»Povzdigovanje je!« je mislil, Za hip je izginila
misel na preteklost iz njegove duše. Toda tem glasneje se je oglasila nato.
»Greh rodi kazen, greh rodi greh. Katra, kam to gre! Katra, ali res midva ne moreva pozabiti, kaj je bilo? Ali ne moreva odpustiti? Katra, zakaj delaš krivico drugim, če so jo drugi tebi delali? Saj Peč ne bo, ne more biti tvoja! Da se na me srdiš, tega ti ne zamerim. Saj sem zaslužil, že zaradi one sirote, Jeričine matere. Pa Anica je nedolžna. Ona ima svoje pravice, ona jih ima. Na meni in tebi je kazen, je prokletstvo...«
Čim dalje, tem močnejše so bile te misli Luki. Z nekako silo so vstajale v njem. »Veruj mi, Katra! Moja sestra si! Najin oče je nesrečno umrl. Katra, misli na konec! Kdor drugim jamo koplje, sam vanjo pade! Veruj mi! Mene je nesreča izučila.«
Luka je prišel na cesto, ki se je v velikih ovinkih spuščala doli v trg. Skozi glavo mu je šinila zopet misel na Jerico. Neizrečena ljubezen je zaplamtela v njegovem srcu do deklice. Skoro na glas je govoril:
»Katra, imej usmiljenje z dekletom.« Istočasno se mu je stisnila pest. »Usmiljenje!« se je nasmehnil. »Zato, da bi jo mučila, si jo vzela na Peč. Zato je tepeš, ko veš, da mi trgaš srce. Katra, ti si hujša od kače, ti odpustiti ne moreš!«
Nehote je začel Luka hiteti. Spomnil se je, da gre k zdravniku.
»Živeti mora, ozdraviti mora!« je dejal zdaj pa zdaj, in bolest in strah in razburjenost so mu vzbujale čudno jezo, in skoro na jok mu je šlo.
»Jerica, Anica!« je klicalo v njem. »Dvoje sirot! Ti jima ne smeš storiti zlega, Katra. Ne dotikaj se ju.«
V	takem razpoloženju je prišel Luka v trg. Nekaj hipov pozneje je potrkal na zdravnikova vrata.
Vrata so se odprla. Lepo rejena ženska z belim predpasnikom je odprla in premerila Luko od nog do glave.
»Ali ste bolni?« je vprašala žena.
»Nisem ne,« je odvrnil Luka, »naša Jerica je bolna, črne koze ima!« Vrata so se zaprla. Za nekaj hipov so se zopet odprla. Na vratih je stal mož z belim prtom okoli vratu.
»Kaj je?« je vprašal. »Odkod ste?«
»S Peči!« je odvrnil Luka strahoma motreč rdeče, zdravo lice gospodovo.
»Kdo je bolan?«
»Jerica,« je odvrnil Luka. »Sirota je, pastirica je pri nas.«
»Ali ste vi gospodar?«
»Ne, nisem!«
»Kdo vas je poslal po-me?«
»Kdo! Sam sem prišel. Ljubi gospod, pridite pogledat.«
»Ali imate voz?«
Začuden je pogledal Luka moža. Ta pa je naglo vprašal:
»Vi, kdo bo pa plačal? Ali plačate vi?«
»Ali bo mnogo?«
»Dvajset goldinarjev.«
Luki so zaklecala kolena.
»Sirotaje!« je vzdihnil.
»Veste kaj, mož,« je dejal zdravnik nato, »pojdite v hišo nasproti. Tam stanuje okrajni zdravnik. Veste, so domači bolniki. Le pojdite in
povprašajte. Prva hiša na levi.«
Vrata so se pred Luko zaprla. Velika, čudna glava iz medi je bila vdelana v les. Luka se je zagledal vanjo. Zdelo se mu je, da gleda sovražno in zlobno nanj. Obrnil seje in lezel iz hiše.
»Prva na levi,« je premišljal in krenil na desno. Toda na desni ni bilo nobene hiše. Mimo je prišel deček, od tega je doznal Luka, kod naj se obrne.
Lezel je po stopnicah in obstal pred vrati, na katerih je bilo pisano neko ime. Zopet je potrkal. Ali dolgo ni bilo nikogar. Potrkal je v drugo, v tretje. Šele tedaj je zaslišal korake in potrkal je v četrto. In sedaj so se res odprla vrata.
Nekaka podobna ženska ko preje je otvorila, in začelo se je staro izpraševanje.
»Doktorja ni doma!« je dejala končno žena.
Luka se je prijel za glavo:
»Ga ni doma!«
»Vrnite se lepo,« je rekla žena, »jutri pride pogledat!«
»Jutri,« se je izkušal smejati Luka, »če ne bo prepozno.« In nekaka jeza gaje prijela in je rekel:
»Veste kaj, če ga zdaj ni, potem ga ni treba!« In obrnil je debelo gledajoči ženi hrbet in odšel.
»Saj je vse zaman!« je mislil. »To z zdravniki ni drugega, ko sleparija. Kdor ima denar, da kdor ima. Kaj boš ti, Jerica, sirota! Umri, vidiš, to bo še najbolje.«
Luka ni vedel, da se skoro zapleta, ko je šel po cesti. Mislil je venomer le eno: da je Jerica izgubljena. Hipoma pa je obstal.
»K prvemu grem nazaj. Deset goldinarjev imam, porečem, pa sveto besedo vam dam, da dobite še drugih deset.«
In res je krenil k prvemu zdravniku nazaj. Ko pa je prišel do vrat in zagledal ono medeno glavo, mu je zmanjkalo poguma in je odšel.
»Vsega je konec!« mu je šumelo po glavi. »Če je vsega konec, naj pa bo!« je mislil in krenil v gostilno. Luka je popil kozarec vina, Luka je popil drugi kozarec, Luka je popil tretji kozarec vina.
»Bog me je zapustil!« je mislil pred se in vrgel denar na mizo. Nekako čudno ga je pogledala deklina, ki mu je menjevala. V trgu je zazvonilo.
»Ali je kdo umrl?« je vprašal Luka.
»Oh,« je odvrnila deklina, »saj mrjo vsak dan.«
»Kaj imajo?«
»Koze!«
Luka je naročil nov četrt vina in govoril sam s seboj:
»Le pij, Luka! To je še najbolje. Vino je zdravo in pa človek pozabi, kadar pije, pozabi!« Smejal se je pred se, da se ga je strežajka skoro bala. On pa je kimal sam za se. Skoro dobro mu je delo, da zvoni. »Naj le zvoni, naj. Naj mrjo. če Jerica umrje, zakaj ne bi drugi. Naj mrjo.«
»Naj mrjo,« je govoril Luka še vedno, tudi potem, ko je taval po cesti proti domu. V nekaki omotici, napol pijan je kolovratil proti domu. Včasih je hipoma postal sredi ceste, zamahnil v zrak proti trgu in klical:
»Dvajset goldinarjev bi rad! Šema, ali misliš, da jih nimam! Tu imaš trideset, n& petdeset, sto, pa hajdi! Bomo videli, kdo je gospod. Le proč s tisto belo cunjo, pa hajdi, hahaha! Seveda nisi mislil, da Luka lahko plača.«
Čim bliže Peči je prihajal Luka, tem jasnejše se mu je svetlikalo v duhu, dasi se ni mogel otresti gotovih vtisov. Trudnega se je čutil do smrti. Skoro omahnil je ob brvi na zid. Tam doli pod brvjo je gledala izza skale drobna, živahna živalica, podlasica. Luki se je zazdelo, da se mu roga. Pograbil je kamen in ga zalučal doli. Živalica je odskočila in pogledala izza druge skale. Čudovita besnost se je polastila Luke. Zanj ni bila to podlasica, bilo je nekaj sovražnega sploh. Ali kaj je bilo, ali je bila smrt, ali je bila Katra, Luka sam ni vedel. Samo neizmerno jezo je čutil nad temi očmi. In popadel je znova kamen. Toda živalica je bila izginila.
Luka se je vrnil na Peč.
Srečala ga je Marjanica in ga začudena gledala.
Luka je zmajal z ramama.
»Kje imaš Hanco?« je vprašala Marjanica nevoljna.
»Je umrla,« je odvrnil Luka.
»Pa bi bil zdravnika pripeljal.«
»Ga ni doma,« je odvrnil in se opotekaje bližal zidanici. Luka je omahnil k Jerici. Pri njej je sedel Anže in položil prst na usta ter zašepetal:
»Sanja, daje v nebesih!«
Za Luko je stopila Marjanica v shrambo in stopila tik pred starca. S silo je krotila svojo jezo in govorila polglasno:
»Ali je znorel, ali kaj?«
»Bog me je zapustil,« je zastokal starec.
»Kaj pa v roki držiš?« je vprašala Marjanica.
Lukaje izpustil kamen in prišel nekoliko k sebi. Prijel se je za glavo in mrmral:
»Zakaj nisem skočil z brvi!«
Anže in Marjanica sta ga gledala čudeča se in ga nista razumela.
»Kaj se mu je zgodilo,« je mislila Marjanica in odšla. Od vasi sem je bilo čuti glas zvonov. Marjanica je potegnila črez čelo križ in rekla:
»Bog ji daj nebesa, kdorkoli je, grešni duši ali nedolžni.«
27.	»Judež nisem!«
Nekega dne pred Veliko nočjo, malo zatem, ko je bil prevzel Pušar varuštvo nad malim dedičem na Peči, se je zglasil pri njem tuj človek ter začel povpraševati, čegav-le je oni mlin doli ob brvi, in dejal, ko mu je bil Pušar pojasnil tako in tako, da bi on vedel za kupca.
»Kdo pa bi bil ta kupec?« je vprašal Pušar. Nekaj časa je tujec izkušal skrivati, češ, da trguje v naročilu drugega, potem pa je rekel, da je on sam kupec.
Pušar je bil previden mož in nikoli ni bil prijatelj takih, ki so svoja premoženja prodajali tujcem. Zato je dejal kratko, da mlin ne bo na prodaj. Stvar mu je pa dala povod, da je odšel kmalu za tujcem na Peč. Mislil si je:
»Anti zdaj ne bo mogla reči, da mlin ne bi nesel, če so še kupci tu.« Obenem se je nekako bal. Nekaka nezaupnost ga je imela do onega tujca.
»Ne odneham, v dobrem tednu je mlin popravljen in za delavca tudi ni sila. Naj se da pa v najem. Urh je že vprašal, in Urh je pošten delavec.«
V	teh mislih je prišel na Peč. Skoro nič se ni začudil, ko je dobil sedaj na Peči onega tujca. »Ah,« je misli, »si hotel ti mene, pa bom jaz tebe. Mlina za enkrat še ne dobiš.«
In tako se je zgodilo. Dasi bi bila Katra rada prodala, se Pušar ni hotel vdati, nasprotno je trdil, da je treba takoj mlin popraviti in tako izkoristiti. Katra je mislila, da je zato treba šteti denar in da tega ni, in bi bilo bolje, da pride denar na Peč, kakor da bi se ga brz potrebe metalo iz hiše. Nato je dejal Pušar, da to ne pomeni nič, ker bi dobiček pri mlinu in zlasti žagi prinesel v par mesecih toliko dobička, da bi bili izdatki petkrat pokriti. In dejal je celo, da se on niti za hip ne pomišlja in rad založi potreben denar. Za najemnika da tudi ni v skrbeh, dasi bi bilo najbolje, da prevzamejo mlin in žago sami. Seveda bi bilo treba zato par delavnih in zanesljivih hlapcev.
Ko je Katra uvidela, da ne more nič preko Pušarja, se je iznebila te zadeve s tem, da naj Pušar dela, kakor se njemu zdi. Tako je bil Pušar ukrenil svoje, in te dni je bil začel poslovati popravljeni mlin, da je bilo veselje. Obenem je bil kupil Pušar nekje od domačina par dvanajstič hlodov; zakaj na Peči ni bilo pripravljenega lesa, izvzemši nekaj orehov, ki so jih bili že kdo ve kdaj vrgli iz zemlje.
In res se je žaga obnesla kar hitro. Malo selišče v hribih je bilo pogorelo, in pogorelci so se zglasili z lesom prve dni pri Pušarju, tako, da sprva niti lesu ne bi bilo treba. Kmetje so les sami pripeljali. Zaslužek pa je bil vendar tu. Tedaj je Katra uvidela, da zna imeti Pušar vendar-le prav in premišljala je,
kako bi dobila polagoma oblast nad žago in postavila vanjo njega, katerega bi ona hotela. Pušar z Urhom še ni bil napravil pogodbe. Tako sta Urh in njegov fant delala prve čase nekako v varuhovem naročilu. Katri je padlo v glavo, potisniti mej ta dva koga iz Peči, ki naj bi nekako nadzoroval ona dva. Kakšno bodi to nadzorstvo Katra ni sama vedela. Pač pa se je bodi to nadzorstvo Katra ni sama vedela. Pač pa se je gotovo ne samo iz naključja spomnila Tomaža.
Tozadevno ga je nekega dne poiskala in započela ž njim sledeči pogovor:
»Tomaž,« je rekla, »žaga dela!«
»Dela!« je dejal nekam malomarno hlapec.
»Urh in njegov fant sta prevzela!«
»Saj vem sam,« je odvrnil hlapec, »zakaj mi neki to pravite!«
»Zakaj!« se je raztogotila ona, »ali morda ne smem?«
»Seveda smete, pa mene vaš mlin presneto malo briga!«
»Pa te bo še brigal,« je zategnila Katra.
»Kaj,« se je zavzel hlapec, »pa ne mislite, da bi šel jaz na žago?«
»Prav to mislim!«
Hlapec se je zasmejal: »Taje lepa!«
Katri je stopila jeza v lice.
»Ne misli, da se šalim!«
»Tudi jaz se ne!« je dejal Tomaž.
»Potem,« je drhtel glas Katri, »potem lahko veš, kaj ti je narediti!«
»Kaj?« je dejal hlapec, »vi mislite da lahko grem? Ali mislite takisto?«
»Prav tako!« je naglasila Katra. Hlapec jo je premeril od glave do nog in dejal:
»Him, se mi zdi, da ste kaj kratke pameti ve ženske. Saj ni še tako dolgo, ko ste mi rekli, da naj se obnašam ko gospodar. Pa zdaj že ne veste več tega, mati. Je Tomaž pa že drugačen mož!«
»Molči,« se je zadrla vanj Katra; »misliš, da sem slepa. Za Anico se spakuješ. In zdaj veš, koliko velja moja, koliko tvoja.«
Tomaž ni takoj odgovoril. Skoro neljubo je bilo to Katri, ki je pričakovala, da bo odgovoril osorno. TodaTomaž je molčal in dejal šele potem:
»Vsaj psa ne bom več ščuval na njo.«
»Si ga na Lipeta!« je dejala ona. Toda on je zamahnil jezno z roko in hotel iti.
»Ali torej pojdeš, ali ne pojdeš?«
»Kaj bi doli delal,« se je nevoljno odzval hlapec. »Samo to mi povejte, kaj naj delam doli pri Urhu?«
»Pazil boš!«
»Pazil? Pa ne, da se bojite za Urha, da ne pade v vodo?«
Katra je bila jezna, da je Tomaž noče umeti. Vendar pa si je mislila: »Tomaž se vda. Naj postopa tu gori ali doli, da le postopa. Mar mu bo!« Glasno pa je dejala:
»Pusti mi izgovoriti, kakor mislim. Glej, Pušar je lepo prevzel vse pod svoje varstvo. In reč mu pojde dobro. Zakaj bi neki Pušar imel stvar v roki, če jo morem jaz? Zato je treba odriniti Pušarja in tistega Urha.«
»Ah,« je dejal hlapec, »pa ste preje rekli: paziti!«
»Seveda, paziti! Kaj misliš, da dela Pušar za božje plačilo? Seveda! To je, vidiš. Prič je treba, kaj gre skozi žago. Pa tudi Urhu je treba vzeti veselje.«
»Kaj,«	se	je	smejal zaničljivo	Tomaž,
»ponagajati malo, kaj?«
»Seveda, paziti! Kaj misliš, da dela Pušar za božje plačilo? Seveda! To je, vidiš. Prič je treba, kaj gre skozi žago. Pa tudi Urhu je treba vzeti veselje.«
»Kaj,«	se	je	smejal zaničljivo	Tomaž,
»ponagajati malo, kaj?«
»Katra,« je pridodal za nekaj hipov, »pustite delati Urhu,	kakor	ve in zna, in tudi	Pušar je
premoder, da bi	mu	mogel kaj nagajati. Po moji
misli bo to najbolje.«
»To se pravi,« je odvrnila Katra, »da ti ne maraš doli in da sploh misliš, da ni na Peči nikogar, ki bi ti smel predpisovati, kaj moraš delati.«
»Delal bom, kar je moje delo!« je odvrnil samozavestno hlapec. »Tisti teden sem vam delal, pozneje pa niste hoteli. Čemu bi bil?«
»Boš pa odslej delal kar bom hotela!« je odvrnila ona vsa bleda v obraz, da ji Tomaža ni mogoče ukrotiti.
»Presneta prijaznost, me bo drago stala!« se je norčeval hlapec.
»Prijaznost!« je zaklicala. »Kaj si res mislil, da sem mogla kdaj misliti zares? Malovredna bi bila,» je nadaljevala skoro nevede, kako naj se otrese tega človeka, »malovredna in neumna.«
»Nekaj manj pač, pa ne neumna, samo malovredna!« je sekal v njene besede Tomaž.
»Ne spozabi se, da si hlapec!« je rekla Katra vsa ljuta.
»Kadar boste vi gospodinja!« se je rogal Tomaž. »Kaj? Ali naj grem k nevesti in ji vse lepo povem, kake namene imate ž njo? In tudi pri sodnjiji bi bili veseli.«
»Judež!« je siknila Katra.
»Nak,« je dejal Tomaž, »Judež pa ne!«
»Če še nisi, paše boš!« je dejala Katra.
»Vas ne bom vprašal za dovoljenje!« je odvrnil
on.
Ta spor je nekako uničil namene, katere je imela Katra, in ji zmešal načrte. Dasi je od tega dne sovražila Tomaža in ga ni mogla videti, ga vendar ni mogla zapoditi. Tudi če bi sicer bila mogla, ne bi bila tega storila tako brez skrbi. Bala se ga je in že po nekoliko dnevih je začela premišljati, ali ne bi kazalo, prikriti se mu in ga kako privezati na se. Zakaj Tomaž je bil — kakorkoli svojeglav — vendar priročen in resen delavac, če je le hotel. To je videla te dni Katra, in še nekake vrste spoštovanje je začutila do njega, češ: »Neumen bi bil, da se mi ni postavil, ko sem mu sama dala pravico.« In tako je zmagala presodno ženo slabost, ki jo je čutila do Tomaža. In Tomaž je bil ostroviden dovolj, da je uvidel Katrino željo. In tako je prišlo po preteku osmih dni do novega sporazumljenja.
Tistega jutra je bilo, ko je bil odšel iskat Luka Hanco, da sta se po starem načinu pogovorila Tomaž in Katra. Tomažu se je mudilo na vas in zato je govoril kratko.
Tedaj je prijela Katra hlapca za roko in rekla:
»Tomaž! Tisto o Judežu! Saj se smem zanesti!«
»Eh,« je zamahnil nevoljno z roko.
»Glej,« je rekla, »gršega bi mi ne mogel narediti, kakor če bi držal z Anico. Ž njo, ne!«
»Judež nisem!« je odvrnil on prepričevalno in slovesno. In Katra mu je verjela, ko da ni nikoli šinilasencačezenj.
Tomaž pa je odšel proti vasi in nekam zamišljeno žvižgal robato pesem pred se.
Pred cerkvijo je bil oznanil in razglasil vaški tajnik, da pride prihodnjo sredo komisija in da naj pripeljejo vaščani otroke, da jim bodo cepili koze. Pa tudi odraščeni naj se zglase, da se tako zatre osodna epidemija, ki se je bila pojavila. To je imelo biti v sredo. V torek zvečer pa je zbolel Anici otrok. Nič čudnega. Saj je gotovo Jerica, ki je večkrat dete pestovala, prenesla nanj bolezen, in bi bilo čudno, da otrok sploh zbolel ne bi bil.
Neprestani strah, ki ga je Anica zadnje dni prestajala, jo je bil toliko prevzel, da ni čutila, videča kako dete gori, in da ima koze, sprva nikakega vznemirjenja več. Vtelesila se ji je bila misel, da jih dobi, in sedaj jih je res imel.
Nekaka nezmožnost, misliti in čutiti, se je polastilo matere. Sedela je sama vase izgubljena pri zibelki. Zdelo se ji je skoraj, ko da sedi nekdo drugi tu na njenem mestu, in da ona samo gleda to nesrečno ženo. Ko se je v naslednjem hipu domislila, da je ta žena ona sama in to dete njeno dete, in da ima to dete koze, je nemirna planila kvišku. Zdelo se ji je, da mora nekaj napraviti, da mora nekaj storiti v otrokovo varstvo. In blodila je po sobi, vzela to v roko in ono. Pa ne eno ne drugo ni bilo tisto čudodelno, tisto nezavedno iskano. In zopet je sedla v topi grozi: Tu ne pomaga nič, nego čakati, da se bolezen razvije. In potem, ali prestane, ali ne prestane. »Ne prestane,« je mislila Anica in se izkušala popolnoma vmisliti v pomen teh besed, verjeti vanje. Zdelo se ji je, da potem odleže, odpade to grozno breme. In od nemira se je pognala zopet kvišku in od neme groze pojena hodila od zibeli k oknu in nazaj, čisto po glasu ure, ki je nihala nekod v bližini: ne pre-sta-ne, ne pre-sta-ne.
In Anica je stopala po glasu ure in ponavljala: »Ne pre-sta-ne, ne pre-sta-ne!«
In potem je zopet sedla in gledala otroku v obraz in slišala njegove bolestne vzklike, tiho ihtenje. In če se je za hip umiril, je zopet upala: »Morda pa prestane!«
»Ne pre-sta-ne, ne pre-sta-ne!« je nihala ura. In Anici se je zdelo, da se uri mudi, silno mudi. In mislila je: »Da bi vsaj vedela, kolikokrat bo še zanihala. Ali še dolgo? In potem zadnjič in nič več, njemu nič več, njenemu detetu, njenemu Jurčku nič več, nič več!«
IN od nestrpnosti gnana je zopet vstala in hodila od zibelke do okna in nazaj venomer ponavljaje:
»Ne prestane, ne prestane!«
In venomer je iskala ono čudežno, ono tajno, in ni našla drugega ko temno tolažbo: »Čakati.«
Tako je bila obsojena Anica, da čaka in čaka skozi tri, štiri, pet tednov dan in noč, ono isto pot ponavljaje, od zibeli do okna in nazaj, ono isto pesem poslušaje:
»Ne pre-sta-ne, ne pre-sta-ne!«
Nekega večera pa je prekipela njena bolna duša v čudnem dejanju. Ves napopisen strah noči in dni, vsa tema morilnega čakanja in poslušanja, zdvajanja in upanja je bruhnilo v žarki svetlobi iz nje. Nikoli ni bila ne prej ne slej tako močna in tako šibka Anica. Nikoli ni bilo orožje njeno tako ostro, tako previdno držano kopje molitve in sukano s toliko duševno silo. In vednar — Anica je vstrepetala pod vtisom besedi, ki jih je bila pravkar rekla, in v onem hipu je tudi vedela, da je bila njena volja bolja in močnejša od njene materinske ljubezni.
Mračilo se je, ko je planila od otroka doli v kuhinjo in od tam v zidanico. Tiho ječanje Jeričino je motilo molk, v katerega pogreznjen je slonel v kotu Luka.
Anica se je zgrudila k opostelji in pokrila svoje obličje v odejo in govorila sebi in Bogu slišno:
»Jerica! Moj Jurče je bolan. Hudo sem ti storila, ko si zbolela. Strah za Jurčka me je prevzel. Prav grdo, neusmiljeno sem storila. Nisem ti stregla, nisem branila, ko so te prenesli, ko kužno žival, iz hiše. Zato mi je poslal Bog bolečino. Umrl bo! Jerica, veruj mi. Ne bom se hudovala in kregala z Bogom. Če mora umreti od vaju kdo, naj umrje moj Jurče. Naj umrje za greh materin!«
»To je blazno!« je pomislila Anica še ko je govorila zadnje besede. In dvignila je obraz, neizrečeno bled in bolesten in čakala, da poreče Jerica čudežno besedo. Pa Jerica ni rekla nič, ni niti vedela, da se odigrava grozovit boj v enem materinem srcu.
Pač pa je začutila Anica, da ji je nekdo s silo prijel roko in ji jo začel poljubljati.
»Kaj delate?« je planila Anica kvišku in gledala prestrašena ihtečemu Luki v obraz.
»Pustite,« je prosil ta, »pustite, zato ker ste ji tako dobri.«
Anica je zaihtela. Po dolgem so ji privrele solze v obraz. Od srca gori se je premaknilo to težko, dušeče.
»Luka,« je govorila, »kako je to hudo!«
»Hudo!« je ponovil Luka in gledal s čudno nežnostjo in vdanostjo ženi v lice...
Pa bolesti še ni bilo konec za Anico. Najtežje je šele prihajalo. Otroku so se izpustile koze po životu in obrazu. Prav nad oko mu je sedla ena. Neizrečeno usmiljenje je napolnjevalo mater, videčo otrokovo spačeno lice.
»Saj je bolje zate, umri, umri!« je obupovala, begala po sobi, jemala otroka v naročje, nosila ga od zibelke do okna in nazaj. V naslednjem hipu je položila dete zopet v zibel, prevzeta od strahu, da se dete prehladi.
In nič ni hotelo biti bolje, vedno grozovita negotovost. Za hipom upanja ura obupa, od večera do jutra, od zore do mraka. Prišla je Marjanica. S silo je Anico spravila, da je užila skodelico mleka, zaspala ZA POL URE. Navadno se je tedaj zbudila Anica še bolj trudna, in žalost se je je polastila še huje. In če se je oglasil zvon na vasi, jo je zabolelo, ko da jo je sunil nekdo z nožem.
In čimdalje je trajalo to stanje, tem brezupnejši je bila Anica. Skoro z nestrpnostjo je čakala.
»Ona grda rana nad očesom! Vsaj ta naj izgine, in potem naj umrje.«
Tista koza nad očesom, tista grda, gnojna koza!
Marjanica je povlekla Anico nekega dne s seboj in dejala: »Bog že ve, kaj dela. Se mi zdi, da se mu gnoje!«
»Ali umrje?«
»In če bi,« je odvrnila krčevito ljuta Marjanica. »Saj pojde v nebesa!«
Tedaj je Anica sprva vstrepetala. Toda samo za hip. Čudovita mirnost je govorila z njenega lica. Molče je odšla k otroku in vzela od njega slovo. Poljubila ga je na čelo, na ročici, kakor otrok je govorila:
»Sirotek, Bog te hoče imeti. Bog te hoče. Pojdi, sinko moj, pojdi, in mu povej, da mi je hudo, hudo!«
Vse, kar se je še nadalje godilo ž njo, se ji je zdelo ko v sanjah. Skoro ni vedela več, čemu je vse tako čudno ž njo. Nekaka prostost je dihala okoli nje. Ni bilo strahu, ne čakanja, komaj nekako neprijetno čustvo zapuščenosti se je je doktaknilo zdai pa zdaj. In ko je prišel trenotek, da je dete utihnilo in odplulo v sinjo dalj, v večnost, je Anica odprla okno, pogledala doli čez dvorišče in s čudovito hladnokrvnostjo dejala sama sebi:
»Anica, sedaj si sama. Anica, ali pojdeš za možem in sinom, ali pa misliš ostati?«
»Na Peči bom umrla, Anica ne gre s Peči,« si je odgovorila. »Da, Peč,« je dejala Anica nato. In prvič v življenju se ji je zgodilo, da je z nekako ljubeznijo objel njen pogled to lepo posestvo od potoka doli, pa sem gori do hiše in še daleč gori v hrib.
»Peč!« je ponovila zamišljena. In v tisti uri je sklenila, da pojde k odvetniku in toži.
Kdo ve, ali je bila Anica sedaj še ona ljubeča Anica, ali pa se je v njej srce utrgalo in se oprijemalo one iste bežne slike o sreči ko Katra? Kdo ve? Morda pa je čutila nezavestno, da sega zvestoba do oseb, ki smo jim jo prisegli, preko njihovega groba in da velja tudi za zemsko ostalino njihovo, prav tako, kakor so sveti vzori in prava dedov hvaležnim potomcem.
»Da,« je ponovila Anica, »hočem ostati zvesta, zvesta Peči!« — Nekaj dni zatem je povedala Katri, da misli vložiti tožbo in ugotoviti sodnijsko, da je Peč njena last.
Katra se ji je zasmejala.
Da bo z dokazi dognala, je odvrnila Anica.
Naj le! je odvrnila Katra. Še nikdar si ni bila lako v svesti zmage, saj je bila Jurijeva oporoka že zadeva, katero so bili pri sodišču že davno uredili, kakor je mislila Katra.
Vendar pa je Katra skoro s pomilovanjem pogledala na Anico, češ, da li ni znorela.
Sicer je Anica vse bodoče dni stregla Jerici. In Jerica je okrevala...
Nadaljevanje prihodnjič
USE THIS APPLICATION BLANK FOR YOUR NEW MEMBER PROSPECT:
QoiPaamjumaumuuaaaannooinoisaiLimuuiuaieroiHoiiJuiopiaoiaape
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PRINT or TYPE IN DUPLICATE PIŠITE Z VELIKIMI ČRKAMI ALI TIPKAJTE V DVEH IZVODIH APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION OF AMERICA
SLOVENSKA 2ENSKA ZVEZA V AMERIKI
A BURIAL INSURANCE SOCIETY INC ORPORATED UNDER THE ILLINOIS INSURANCE CODE
□ New Member Novi (a) član (ica)
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Amount of Benefit Zavarovalnina $ ____
1 Last Name Rodbinsko Ime	Maiden Name • Dekliško Ime					First Name and Initial Krstno ime in začetnica	
2. Address Naslov		City Mesto			State	Država	Zip Code
3 Date of Birth Datum rojstva	Age	Starost	Place of Birth Kraj rojstva				
4 Descendant of which nationality Narodnost				Marital Status Zakonsko stanje			
5 Are you a Christian9 Ali ste Krscanske vere?				Occupation Poklic			
6 Have you now any chronic ailments as cancer, disease of (he heart, tuberculosis or diabetes? Ali bolehate na raku, bolezni srca. jetiki ali sladkorni bolezni?						7 Telephone Number Telefon številka	
8 My death benefit to be paid to Moja posmrtnina se Name Ime		naj izplača			Relationship Sorodstvo		
Address Naslov		City Meslo			Stale	Država	Zip Code
9 In case the above beneficiary does not survive me. my beneficiary should then be V slučaju, da gornji dedič umre pred menoj, naj bo moj dedič Name Ime					Relationship Sorodstvo		
Address Naslov		City Mesto			State	Država	Zip Code
I understand and agree that the Slovenian Women's Union of America assumes no liability whatever until this application is received and accepted by the local branch and the Home Office of the Union together with the payment of the first year’s assessment
I affirm that I have read the foregoing questions and state that the answers thereto are full, complete and true
Razumem in pripoznam, da nima Slovenska ženska zveza v Ameriki napram meni nobenih obveznosti dokler ta prošnja m sprejeta in odobrena tako v lokalni podružnici kakor tudi na glavnem uradu Zveze in je obenem s prošnjo priložen asesment za prvo leto Izjavljam, da sem prebrala gornja vprašanja in da so odgovori na vse popolni in pravilni
Applicant recommended by Sprejem priporoča	Signature	of	the	Applicant	Podpis	prosilke
Accepted by Branch No ................... S	W	U	.	in	 at	the	meeting
Sprejeta v podružnico št	S	Ž.Z.,	v	na
this  day of............................................... 19........... .........................................................................................
na	dan	meseca	Secretary	Tajnica
Treasurer Blagajničarka
This application must be executed in duplicate The local secretary is to forward both copies to the headquarters Be sure to answer every question Do it distinctly and completely, and write with ink Illegibly or partially filled out blanks will be returned The applicant must sign both copies by her own hand
FORM 2 Revised July 1979
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President Predsednica
Za vsako novo članico izpišite dve taki prošnji in tajnica naj pošlje obe na glavni urad Odgovorite na vsa vprašanja Pišite razločno, s tinto, ne s svfhčnikom Prošnje, ki jih ne bo mogoče brati ali kjer bo kaj manjkalo. Vam bodo poslane nazaj Prosilka naj podpiše obe prošnji lastnoročno
juiauftjaoopaono:
VITAL STATISTICS OF THE STATUE OF LIBERTY
Height from base to torch Steps in Statue from base to torch Height from base of foundation to torch Heel to head Height of torch Length of hand Index finger
Circumstance of finger at 2nd joint Size of fingernail Chin to cranium Head thickness from ear to ear Distance across eye Length of nose Length of right arm Greatest thickness of right arm
Greatest thickness of waist Width of mouth Length of tablet Width of tablet Thickness of tablet Height of granite pedestal Height of foundation Steps in pedestal Windows in crown Rays in diadem (representing the seven seas and seven continents)
Inscription on tablet in
commemorating Declaration
ofIndependance
Weight of copper used in Statue
Weight of steel used in Statue
Total weight of Statue
Copper sheeting
covering Statue
(thickness varies because
of hammer forming)
151 ft. 1 in. 171 steps
305 ft. 1 in. Ill ft. 1 in. 21 ft.
16 ft. 5 in. 8 ft.
3 ft. 6 in. 13x10 in. 17 ft. 3 in. 10 ft.
2 ft. 6 in.
4 ft. 6 in. 42 ft.
12 ft.
35 ft.
3 ft.
23 ft. 7 in.
13 ft. 7 in.
2 ft.
89 ft.
65 ft.
167 steps 25 windows 7
July 4, 1976, in Roman numerals
100 tons 125 tons 225 tons
1 /8 to 3/32 in. thick
MA Y ZARJA NEEDED
The Home office is in need of extra copies of (he May, 1984 ZARJA and will appreciate anyone sending her copy back to us, if not needed for your personal libraries. Thank you.
\	SLOVENIAN	MOTIF
CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR SALE
Original Slovenian motif Christmas cards are for sale at the S.W.U. Home Office, 431 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432 at 10C each, minimum order $2.00 plus 50C postage.
( “FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART”
DAVY’S COLUMN
Christmas Customs
Happy Birtnday S.W.U.! A Christmas poem
by Helen Shiek
May the peace and love of Jesus Christ
God with you on your way,
And bless your home and loved ones In spirit Christmas Day.
May the joy of God’s bright promise
The Advent of his Son -Live evermore within each heart And comfort everyone.
May the faith of old-time prophets Be with you where you are,
And may the truth of God’s own Word
Remain your Christmas Star.
A mother observes that at Christmas the kids hang up their stockings. After that, it’s a full year before any one of them hangs up anything again.
Customs change. An elderly lady we know recalls when mistletoe was not only decorative but necessary.
—	Press, London, Ohio
A little old lady handed a stamped Christmas parcel to a post office clerk and asked him to weight it for her. He did so and told her she'd put too much postage on it.
“Goodness,” she said, “I hope it won’t go too far.”
Hi Boys and Girls,
Did you ever wonder how and why certain things got to be the way they are? Well, here’s a few little tid-bits.
The manger scent was started b; Saint Francis of Assisi, because he thought a visual scene would help the people of that time realize what a beautiful scene it was that first Christmas night. (By the way, he is also responsible for the figure of Christ being on the cross. Before, just the plain wooden cross was used as a reminder of Christ’s suffering.)
France goes really wild with their nativity scenes. They literally put everyone and their brother in the scene. They have a statue for thf butcher, the baker and the plumber. (Ha, thought 1 was going to say candlestick maker, didn’t you!)
Czechoslovakians crochet spider webs and put them on their Christmas tree, because legend has it
that on that first Christmas night, so the Baby Jesus wouldn’t catch a chill, a spider, who was up in the rafters at the time, spun a blanket out of her webbing for the Christ child.
What about our Christmas carols? Who wrote them and why?
“Silent Night” was written for the guitar when the church organ was broken. And, music was needed that Christmas Mass.
“Away in a Manger” was written by Martin Luther and for years it was forbidden for Catholics to sing, because Martin Luther was a monk who broke away from the Catholic Church to start the Lutheran faith. (He left because he felt the Mass should be said in the language of the people and not just Latin.)
Well, I hope you and your families have a happy holiday season.
‘Til Next Time.
DAVY
Christmas is when your wife tells you to buy her something practical and then complains when you give her an outboard motor.
Two youngsters were dragging a huge, awkward sack through the toy department of a store. They were
making a lot of noise and getting into the way of customers.
The manager admonished them, “Now, boys, if you keep on being troublesome, Santa Claus won’t come to your house.”
“That’s what you say,” retorted one youngster. “Who do you think we got in the sack?”
—	Successful Meetings, Quoie
2ND CLASS
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Ermenc Funeral Home 5325 W. Greenfield Ave. Phone: 327-4500 Milwaukee, Wisconsin		ZEFRAN FUNERAL HOME 1941-43 WEST CERMAK ROAD LOUIS J. ZEFRAN (1907-1981) ELIZABETH L. ZEFRAN LOUIS R. ZEFRAN MARILYN E. ZEFRAN Funeral Directors and Embatmers CHICAGO, IL. 60608 847-6688
		
ZELE FUNERAL HOMES, INC. TWO COMPLETE FUNERAL HOMES 452 East 152nd St. 6502 St. Clair Ave. Office 481-3118 Cleveland, Ohio 361-0583		GEREND HABERMANN Funeral Home SHEBOYGAN, WI 53081
FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME
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TEZAK	
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HOME	Joliet, IL 60435
First in service since 1908 Phone 772-0534	
Slovenian Women’s Union proudly presents:
Slovenian-International Cookbook SENSATIONAL BESTSELLER POTS & PANS $8.00
Books on Slovenian Immigrants and Pioneers
FROM SLOVENIA TO AMERICA $5.00 hardbound — $3.50 softbound
FOOTSTEPS THROUGH TIME $6.00
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GRDINA FUNERAL HOMES
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Make checks payable to and send order to: Slovenian Women’s Union, 431 No. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432.