ZARJA Generous members and donors participated in the dedication of the newly refurbished SWU Slovenian Heritage Museum in Joliet. Photos: Liiuk Ford ON THE COVER Our People. Aren’t they great? Just come see for yourself? The Slovenian Women’s Union Heritage Museum and the Home Office in Joliet, Illinois had the grand dedication of its newly renovated premises on March 9th, 2002. Many members and friends gathered there that day. It was full of exciting events and experiences and a great celebration of the 75th Anniversary! Our branches are to be commended for their participation in the day and in making this all possible. First of all, two branches made large financial gifts to us so that on March 9th, the new rolling shelves of the SWU Library could be seen for the first time, and the conference table and 12 upholstered chairs admired for their beauty. These two branches are: Br. 2, Chicago, Illinois $2,400 donation for the table and chairs, and, Br. 24, LaSalle, Illinois, $2,000 for the shelves. Besides these two major donations, Mr. & Mrs. Donald Dvornik of Clearwater, FL, in honor of his mother, made a cash donation of $2,000 which was used to help with the library shelves expenses at the Museum. On the cover photos you see part of the ceremonious dedication: middle right, the president, Fran Morison with members of Br. 2 observing, cuts a red, white and blue symbolic ribbon. Lower left photo shows the members of Br. 24 raising their glasses in a toast! Another event on March 9th SWU President, Kathleen Dorchak and Josephine Jamnik-Gomik, a member of Br. 32, Euclid, Ohio, (top left) admire the beautiful hand-made Carnation Quilt Prize awarded that day in Joliet. The quilt is the handcraft of our SWU Nat ’ 1. Auditor, Beverly Menart of Duluth, MN. We thank Josephine and for generously donating $ 100 to the SWU Convention Fund after receiving her gift and all the members who took part in the fund-raiser. Once again, our appreciation to everyone! It was a grand celebration of 75 years! ZARJA - THE DAWN (ISSN 0044-1848) Postmaster: Send all changes of address to: ZARJA - THE DAWN, 4851 S. Drexel Blvd., Chicago, IL 60615-1703 NUMBER 3 MAY-JUNE 2002 VOLUME 74 Member, Illinois Fraternal Congress Official Publication of the Slovenian Women's Union of America — Uradno glasilo Slovenske Ženske Zveze. Published six times per year - šestkrat na leto. Annual Subscription for non-members, $15.00 — naročnina $15.00 letno za ne-članice. Publisher: SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION OF AMERICA 431 No. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432 Telephone (815) 727-1926 Periodicals Postage Paid at Joliet, IL and at additional mailing offices All communications for the next issue of publication must be in the hands of the Editor by the first-week of the month — vsi dopisi za naslednjo izdajo mesečnika morajo biti v rokah urednice do I. v mesecu. Editor, COR1NNE LESKOVAR Editorial Office: 4851 S. Drexel Blvd., Chicago, IL 60615-1703 Email: CORLESKOVAR@AOL.COM Telephone: (773) 548-8878 - Facsimile: (773) 268-4899 Internet webpage: www.swua.org e-mail: swuhome@msn.com On line newsletter: lzalokar@yahoo.com What’s in this Issue: President’s Message 1 Secretary’s Message 2-3 “New Neighborhood” 6 Invoice Donors 6 New Membership Campaign 7 Youth Director 11 “Members of the Year” 12-18 Genealogy Search 19 Birthdays/Calendar 20 Heritage Kitchen Recipes 21 Slovenia Trip Travelogue 21-24 Articles from the Branches 25-34 “Our Members Write” 35 Membership Application Back Inside Cover I ——“O-——<>———-O««—-O--'O'*----V----O'---------- || 5 4 7 8 8 NATIONAL PRESIDENT Kathleen Dorchak “75th Anniversary Celebration Was a Success” Thank you members for an event to remember! Our 75th celebration was a blast! The Board and I would like to extend our special thanks to everyone involved in the success for our Slovenian Jubilej. I would like to mention everyone that contributed to the success of the event, but not to miss anyone I’ll attempt to do it collectively. Everyone involved did a fantastic job - the presenters, the cooks, special exhibits and displays, Družina Markun Choir, and the Veselje - Slovenian Cultural Center Folk Dancers, and Father Blase for the beautiful celebration mass. A special thank you is extended to Slovenska Izseljenska Matica (SIM), especially Smilja Klešnik, General Secretary for bringing Lesna Oktet for our entertainment for the weekend. These gentlemen were truly a special addition to the celebration. And not to be forgotten - Brane Vidmar and Mojca Šosterič from Kompas Travel for their travelogue of Slovenia. We can never thank enough Reza Rozman Lockwood and her parents, Bernard and Marinka Rozman for all the hard work and dedication to the success of the weekend as well as the changes made to the museum. Our Museum has a new look due to their generosity. Bernard worked many hours framing many of our new pictures and placing them just right on the walls, Marinka made the many loaves of potica that were served throughout the weekend. Thank you for all that you did for our success. Our Celebration Weekend also included a tribute to Corinne Leskovar for 50 years of dedication as our ZARJA editor. I believe Corinne was truly surprised by the attendance of her family as well as all of the gifts and remembrances. Corinne Leskovar has been the voice of the Slovenian Women’s Union of America. It is with deep regret that I must inform you that Corinne has indicated that at the end of this year she will resign as ZARJA editor. She will truly be missed and we are extremely sorry to accept her resignation. However, we understand how she has put entire life into this position and to serving the members of our great organization. Anyone interested in seeing the weekend can order videos from the Home Office. The weekend has been divided into two tapes, one tape is the entire celebration Mass and one has highlights of the Jubilej. The price for each is $23.00 includes shipping and postage. This would be a great way to share in the events as if you had been there, or remember the great time you had when you were there. And don’t forget our new promotional video “Come Look Through My Eyes” created by Mary Lou Voelk. Members should be proud to show this informative and inspiration short 20-minute video as the pride of our great organization. Videos are available from the Home Office for $23.00 each, which includes shipping and postage. It is with great sadness that I tell you that Reza Rozman Lockwood has resigned as our Heritage Director. Reza did a great job as our Director since July 2001. We wish Reza continued success in her future endeavors. If anyone is interested in knowing more about either position, ZARJA Editor or Heritage Director, please contact me via e-mail at kdorchak@neo.rr.com or call (330) 686-1336. I can provide you with a job description and answer any questions you may have. Happy Mother’s Day to all of our devoted mothers. May you all have a blessed and peaceful day spent with loving family and friends. “When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. You are connected to your child and to all those who touch your lives. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her Child. ” Sophia Loren Love, peace, and laughter, Kathleen 3088 Markle Drive Silver Lake, Ohio 44224 Telephone: (330) 686-1336 Fax: (330) 688-6203 Email: kdorchak@neo.rr.com Bavaria, Oktoberfest, and Slovenia Due to the great interest and enthusiasm of the membership attending our 75th Anniversary in March, SWU is planning an October excursion to Slovenia -to visit places we haven’t as yet seen! There’s a lot more beauty there - and we want everyone to have a chances to see it’s glories! More information in this ZARJA! Or call Kahleen Dorchak for latest information at (330) 686-1336! National Secretary, Bonnie Pohar: REACHING NEW DESTINATIONS Greetings: I hope the weather in your area is starting to look as good as LaSalle-Peru, IL. The grass is turning green and yes, those dandelions are coming up. Time to make that famous Dandelion Salad we Slovenians are so familiar with. In this article I am going to share pieces of my report from the recent National Board Meeting regarding our membership. I would like to think of us as being on the “right track!” And we, the members, are travelers jumping on board the “Carnation Express.” A little corny? Maybe, but I do believe we are heading in the right direction. We are carrying our passengers (members) on time - on line, and reaching destinations no one ever dreamed of. In just 14 weeks of this New Year we have been successful in several ways. We are traveling at full speed and breaking all time records. “SLOVENIAN JUBILEJ” 25 years - Home Office 50 years - Corinne Leskovar 75 years - SWUA The idea was conceived by Reza Rozman Lockwood and together with members of her family and committee she was able to turn this into an international success. To compliment it all we had entertainment and professional speakers from Slovenia to help put on a successful weekend. We had members and guests from all over the States. The average age of this event was approximately 60 years old. Right in line with our largest area of members. All but 9 of our active branches had representation. This event is right what are members told us in the survey. We are Finding out that our members want this and the NATIVE Slovenians seem to enjoy us too. We listened and we delivered! Our members want more Heritage and we dedicated one weekend full of it. It was nice to see all ages interested in attending the same event. I was especially pleased with the turnout from those traveling great distances. NEW MEMBERS Reaching the top! Already in 2002 we recruited 50 new members, the most in recent history. That is more than double of where we were this time last year and almost at the amount of new members total for one year prior to 1999. (Please look for more about this year’s campaign). BUILDING THE BRIDGE WITH SLOVENIA From America to Slovenia... Just the opposite of what our ancestors traveled, we are going from America to Slovenia. We are finding out that our members want this and the Slovenians seem to enjoy us too. During a recent trip Kathy Dorchak and myself built on the relationship already started with various organizations/businesses in Slovenia. Through this we were able to get the people to come to the States for our Jubilee Event. I believe this is just the beginning. Please be sure to look for our next trip to Slovenia, which will be departing in the fall. WHERE DO WE GO? Think about this saying “Yesterday is not ours to recover but tomorrow is ours to win or lose." Think of how it pertains to us - SWUA. We had been losing members without thinking “why does someone join the SWUA, what are they looking to get out of it?” The reasons someone joins in 2002 are quite different from 1926 when the organization started. Now that we have put a lot of work into finding the answers through our survey, through much more communication at every level — we have found at the very core that it’s all about being Slovenian. It’s what we have in common, what we celebrate and what we want to know more about. It’s LIFE LONG LEARNING and it’s what we are striving to offer our membership. It’s up to us to see this happen. We have to live and think for the future — not the past. Yesterday is gone - Tomorrow is here. For those of you who have children and have tried in the past to get them to join, now is the time to try again. The excuse of being busy is never the truth because let’s face it, who is not busy? I believe I am the walking billboard for busyness but I seem to manage just fine. Everyone will always find the time for something they enjoy and believe in. A new approach might be “Take another look at the S.W.U.A." The S.W.U.A. is now planning annual trips to Slovenia; they have an online newsletter, a website. You can learn more about your heritage, etc. Why not ask them - “Would you change your mind about joining the SWUA?” You might want to throw in that we have been recruiting many new members who are young moms oreven college students. A perfect success story is Branch 93 in NYC. A year ago this branch was close to extinction. Last year at this time the average age in that branch was 89.0. Today at their meetings the average age is 30! This branch was recently reorganized by a group of young women living in NYC. It is fast becoming a model branch. A branch that is following our vision set by this National Board. From the success here, two other members are trying to do the same thing in their state. Sometimes we have to try new routes. I know change is hard to do but it’s part of the progress. PROGRESS IS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT CHANGE: AND THOSE WHO CANNOT CHANGE THEIR MINDS CANNOT CHANGE ANYTHING! And CHANGE is something we need to do to stay alive. Everyone needs change in his or her life. It's time to find new routes and new destinations. We have a National Convention coming up next year. This is an exciting time for us and we want it to be contagious. We have many challenges ahead of us, which include membership and finances, but I think if we all pitch in together we can do it. Our Slovenian Heritage is a part of each one of us. Whether we were bom Slovenian, married to a Slovenian or our friend is Slovenian, it’s our Heritage! We can always use help. If you have some extra time, please let me know. Right now we especially need help in the Home Office. If anyone lives close enough to Joliet and has some spare hours we would love the help. For those of you who don’t live close to Joliet but can help in another way - let me know. Finally we are looking for a new Heritage Director and in the near future we will need a ZARJA Editor as our very own Corinne Leskovar will retire soon. Sincerely, Bonnie Pohar Prokup National Secretary, SWU 3119 Carrie Street, Peru, IL 61354, WPROKUP@aol.com NEW & EXCITING NEWS! New SWU Branch being formed in the Minnespolis/St. Paul and surrounding area! I am trying to get together people in the area to start a new Branch of our own. I am a member of my mother’s Branch 35 which is 225 miles away and it’s hard to get to meetings and events. I would like to start a new branch here in the Twin Cities area and would like anyone interested to contact me ASAP. Please include your name/address/phone (day and evening)/e-mail address/what branch you belong to now and any other info you’d like to share or have questions about. You can reach me at: Kathleen (Orazem) Wheeler 16917 Marlborough Circle, Minnetonka, MN 55345 (612) 935-7441 — (612) 335-9534 (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) k wheeler@compassmail. com f\S Another great start to this year was the Promo Video directed by MaryLou Voelk. Another project beautifully done by MaryLou that features a few “must reads from the heritage museum,” the online newsletter, the website and our enduring branches. The video was truly a success! Order a copy! BRANCHING OUT „ Look at the recent addition in Branch 13 SF. They now have a wonderful events calendar" just like Branch 20, Joliet. The one page fiyer lists all the meeting dates and times. Way to go Branch 13 and Branch 20 (the originators)! Branch 93 has had great success with their Yahoo user group. Read about it in their branch report and think about setting one up for your own. This is a way to get your younger members involved (ask a young member to set it up) and to keep your older members in the loop (who are on e-mail but can’t make your meetings). Those too lar from a branch may want to set one up for their region. r Welcome “NEW” Members 2002 Name Branch Zevnik, Darlene 1 Hribar-Spires, Karen 102 Krultz, Victoria 102 Gajewski, Marianne Tomsick 105 Crofut, Janice 13 Guilford, LaVeme 13 Mitchell, Marjorie 16 Donofrio, Adrienne N. 2 Petrich. Lauren Angela 2 Prokup, William 24 Doran, Jan 3 Kaplan, Ginny Kay 3 Collier, Ann 30 Hartnett, Janet 30 Hawkins, SethC. Dr. 30 Mazeres, Rose Marie 30 Pangrcic, Peggy 30 Rahne, Joyce 30 Reinhardt, JoAnn 30 Swintosky, Louisa 30 Uljon, Linda 30 Wolowiecki, Dorothy 32 Hubbard, Lucy Elizabeth 35 Berts, Rochelle 39 Clark, Monica Lanari 39 Dougherty, Michelle Lanari 39 Johnson, Anna May 39 Lanari, Ann Bartovich 39 Rojeski, Frances 39 Sobczak, April L 39 Sobczak, Jacqueline 39 Rahotina, Mary C. 40 Cemigot, Tatjana 42 Gravier, Chris 42 Gravier, Elizabeth 42 Gravier, John 42 Gravier, Margaret 42 Martinka, Barbara 43 Winland, Sebastian Seth 6 Bodisch, Annamarie 93 Bonser, Adrienne 93 Hladnik, Mirjam 93 Lipitz, Marjana Lavrenčič 93 Lupše, Tanja 93 Rozman-Clark, Tea 93 Stemberger, Marta 93 Isek, Harriet 95 GUESTS AT OUR ANNIVERSARY Oktet Lesna Boštjan Zanoskar from Slovenia was joined by local Chicago accordionists, Herman Simrayh (left) and Vinko Rigler (right) in providing enjoyable music for our guests at the Banquet. They put everyone in a good mood. Would you believe this is one family of singers? The Markun Family chorus sang for our anniversary mass at St. Joseph Church and later at the Banquet. The Folkdancers “Veselje” of the Slovenian Cultural Center, Lemont, presented a medley of dances from Prekmurje, Slovenia. The front right couple are dressed as Prekmurci, the others in the familiar Gorenjska noša. Kje so tiste stezice ki so včasih bile? Zdaj pa raste grmovje in zelene trave. Our guests from Slovenia who graced the 75th Anniversary celebration on March 9th are seen on this photo, on stage at the Slovenian Cultural Center in Lemont, Illinois where the grand banquet was held. After leaving Joliet, the Oktet went on tour through the Midwest and ended their travels in New York City. There they achieved what they had hoped for, a visit to “Ground Zero” at the site of the WTC where they sang in memoriam to the thousands of victims of the Attack on America on September 11, 2001. The Oktet particularly wished to do this because ten years ago, according to Tony Gasper their director, they had a chance to visit the topmost floor and there they sang “Oj, Triglav, moj dom”, in honor of Slovenia’s highest mountain. It was an experience they always remembered and after 9/11 wanted to re-establish a connection, even under the present sorrowful circumstances. This time they selected the folksong, Kje so tiste stezice. V Bom grmovje posekel travico požel; Bom naredil stezice ki so včasih bile. OUR SWU PEOPLE Sisters, Barb Pohar and Kathy Lenkaitis of Br. 24 learned to make Flancati from their mom, Barbara Pohar and presented a lesson on making this Slovenian delicate pastry at the 75th Anniversary day-long festival. Another demonstration was on Slovenian sausage-making by Peter Jakopec who brought klobase for our Friday night and Saturday parties. Genealogy lecture was given by Mary Lou Voelk and another on the Grand Ladies of SWU by Corinne Leskovar. The hall was packed twice for the presentations on travel to Slovenia by Kompas (Slovenia) Representatives, Mojca Sostaric and Brane Vidmar. SWU is planning another Slovenia tour for this fall, under the direction of Kollander World Travel - details in this issue of ZARJA. The entire National Board of Slovenian Women’s Union was present for the 75th Anniversary with one exception - due to extreme weather conditions, Mary Turvey of Marquette, MI was unable to attend. Our photographer, Linda Ford gathered most of the officers for this memorable photo, from left: Beverly Jackson, Angela Stare, Charlotte Laurich, Jonita Ruth, Ceta Zagar, Agnes Dobczyk, Fran Gazvoda, Kathleen Dorchak, Beverly Menart, Marjorie Church, Fran Morison, Bonnie Prokup, Lynn Zalokar, Mary Lou Voelk, and Josephine Janezic. A nice group of Slovenian ladies and children were dressed in their native costumes representing branches in Illinois, and Ohio. In the beautiful setting amid banquet festivities we see these members, photo snapped by Jean Korsman, pres of Br. 39, Biwabik. Seated are Charlotte Laurich, State Pres, of MN, (br. 38), Kathy Wheeler and her mom, Anne Orazem, and aunt. Barb Urick, (all of Br. 35). Standing are Ceta Zagar, State Pres, of Western States and Beverly Jackson, Nat’l Auditor, both of Br. 13. San Francisco, Beverly Menart, Nat’l Auditor (33) Duluth and Tressa Berg, (34) Soudan. Lynn Zalokar The New Neighborhood Online Comments The celebration was truly an unforgettable one and 1 enjoyed myself very much and loved meeting all the people who were involved in making this such a huge success. 28 of us came on a bus to attend this celebration. Mici Bregant, Branch 43, Milwaukee This was my first trip with the SWUA to Joliet and Lemont. It was an adventure since I didn’t know anyone beforehand taking the bus from Cleveland. (Eventually I would meet up with Marge Church, in Joliet, whom I’ve known all my life. She went via air travel.) Everyone was so wonderful and friendly that I felt right at home with all of Kathy Dorchak’s family riding the same bus. Made several new friends and became reacquainted with Jean Križman and met her niece, Marge Križman. By the time I arrived in Joliet and hooked up with Marge Church, I already had a new family of friends. The Heritage Museum was so interesting and organized. I even found some of my relatives in the old photograph displays from 1955! The demonstrations and lectures were fun and informative. My favorite was the session on the “Grand Ladies” by Corinne Leskovar. And the button box music while eating Slovenian sausages hit the spot! The Mass, banquet and music were wonderful. I thank all the ladies who worked so hard to plan a memorable event for the 75 anniversary. Since my grandmother, Antonia Legan, and my mother, Antonia Matis, were past presidents of Branch 42, I felt that someone needs to carry on a little bit of tradition by attending one of the celebrations. Hopefuliy I will visit the Slovenian Shrine in D.C. this weekend while visiting our son and his family for our little grandson’s 2nd birthday. Marie A. Zimmer Branch 42, Maple Hts. (Cleveland) Thanks for your INVOICE DONATIONS! These donations came with dues payments in March and April, 2002. We thank the members for their generosity. Donor Zarja Heri- Schol- Misc. tage arship ($) ($) (S) Bodisch, Annamarie •mem ol mother (93) 15 Branch 20 35 Carlson, Elizabeth (35) 10 Jub. Charvat, Eleanor (42) 10 Chase, Lillian 10Jub. Church, Marjorie (42) 13 DeBord, Ann (85) 10 Desnica, Angela (2) 10 10 Fedor, Franell (30) 100 Flisek, Jennie (91) 5 Golob, Stephanie (16) 15 Goritchan, Gabiiella (35) 5 Gosline, Josephine (30) 10 Hubbard, Lucy(35) 25 Icenhour, Mary L. (30) 10 Jagodnik, Irene (50) 25 25 Jonke, Anna(93) 10 Jorgenson, Whitney (79) 20 100 Koncar, Dorothy (20) 10 10 10 Kotler, Milena(103) 100 Kovacic, Jennie (2) 20 Launch,Anne 10Jub. Litwin, Rosemary (2) 15 Lynch,Jane(26) 10 Memory of Alice Jako- vich, from family (20) 100 Miller, Mary E. (50) 5 5 5 Mladic, Helen (2) 15 Motta, Frances (38) 5 Nanut, AnnaF. (13) 8 Pelander, Lois M. (33) 10 10 Pyszka, Rita Mae (24) 10 Ruggera, Frances (20) 500 Sankar, Suzanne (30) 15 Seday, Oiga Mary (10) 10Jub. Sleigh-Layman, Staci (79) 20 Stropnik, Milena (1) 5 Wroblewski, Agnes (2) 20 Yadlosky, Jane (23) Zaman, Jennie (10) 5 Železnikar, Jean (2) 5 Zevnik, Darlene'honor of Dorothy Swintosky (1) 15 Zubek, Genevieve (2) 10 Tctil 378 190 795 73 SWU STATEMENT OF OUR VISION, MISSION AND PURPOSE VISION - To preserve the living spirit of the founders and past membership by promoting and nourishing the legacy left to us for future generations. MISSION - To reach individuals by uniting them through their common interest in Slovenian culture and traditions. PURPOSE - To provide resources, communication, and foster friendships in honor of our cultural heritage. R. S A B e r o ANt> N C ^ H I N 3 NEW MEMBER CAMPAIGN 2002! “Reaching Above and Beyond” Each One - Reach One Please help us to preserve and promote the legacy of our heritage. Here are some simple ways we can all can help with the 2002 membership drive: • Tell at least one person a day about the S.W.U.A. Many times we have opportunities but say nothing, we need to remember to promote the S.W.U.A. a little bit every day! • Wear a Slovenian t-shirt to the mall, airport, health club or community event. • Utilize “Silent Salesmen”. Try to display flyers, posters, and calling cards at public locations: employee lounges, bank lobbies, churches, laundromats, post offices, town and city halls, health clubs, libraries, schools and universities, bars, barbershops, beauty salons, etc. • Request copies of the membership brochure from the home office or xerox copies of the membership application (back page of this issue of ZARJA-The Dawn) and distribute to family, friends and other prospective members in your community. • Donate extra copies of the ZARJA-The Dawn to your local library. (Get them from the Home Office.) • Sell the S.W.U.A. cookbooks (with a membership brochure tucked inside) at a community event, family reunion or branch picnic. • Hold a “Membership Madness Party” - Invite prospective members and show the S.W.U.A. promo video, serve Slovenian appetizers, display Slovenian family keepsakes or souvenirs and distribute those membership brochures! Member benefits include: • The bi-monthly publication “ZARJA-The Dawn.” • The free monthly online newsletter “The New Neighborhood.” • Local branches and events across the country. • S.W.U.A. Heritage Museum in Joliet, IL with exhibits, library and merchandise. • Scholarship opportunities for high school seniors and adult continuing education students of any age. • Best of all, the opportunity to connect and network with other Slovenian-Americans! Please share your membership recruitment ideas with us - together we can do so much! Write, e-mail or phone your ideas to Jonita Ruth at the home office: Membership Committee: Charlotte Laurich, Branch 38 - Chisholm, MN Jonita Ruth, Branch 20, Joliet, IL Lynn Zalokar, Branch 93 - New York City, NY Lzalokar@yahoo.com The membership committee is working on special prizes for the top five recruiters: • The top three individual recruiters.* • The branch that brings in the most new members.** • The branch that increases its numbers the most with the new members. Corinne Leskovar: THE GRAND SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S The ladies that we can call the pillars of the Slovenian Women’s Union are all the most exemplary and unique ladies of their time - the 20th century. I have tried to think, in order to make this presentation, of all the ladies of the SWU, decade by decade, who imparted something great to our Union, the women who influenced our work and forwarded our goals. It was difficult task because there were many “pillars” in the SWU, practically one or two in every locality where we have our members. Without these hundreds of women we would not exist today, I am sure. Think of your own branch and I dare say you will remember an officer who had the ability to direct successful activities. She would be a Mary Lenich, a Frances Ponikvar, an Angela Strukel, an Ann Tercek, a Josephine Železnikar, an Anna Pachak. These were the heroines of our organization, and there were many just like them. But to begin, there is the leader and founder of Slovenian Women’s Union, Marie Prisland who started it all. Her courage and foresight was remarkable. She started with a feeling, an idea, that women needed to be organized, just as the men were. She knew she had the ability to get things done. She undertook this idealistic job in an era that actually frowned upon women having interests away from home and family duties. But, Marie did the impossible. She struck at the heart of each one of us, that part of us that yearns to accomplish something on our own. Mrs. Prisland did have a very fine husband who was proud of her and cooperated with love and admiration. She commanded the activities of SWU from her home - a little comer office, that was the center of her writing, calling, reading and planning. She still maintained all the household duties, so one can imagine how her mind was racing all the time, thinking, thinking, thinking. It was her joy to write a letter to other intelligent women in the USA who would agree with her ideas and offer help and input. Marie Prisland found lots of women who liked her thoughts and joined in them. Thus, she was able to form this network of members and groups all over the country, via her pen and paper! She lived a very dedicated life that culminated not only in this successful organization, but also in its administration. Her ideas were sound and usually completely agreeable to the rest of the members. She was able to handle the finances, the correspondence, the gathering of members, the writing of articles, and her greatest ability was in giving other women the same spirit and determination that she had. Our Slovenian Women’s Union was her whole life, outside her family, from her youth until her death at the age of 89 in 1979. My thoughts naturally go to my mother, Albina Novak as the second grand lady of Zveza. She had organizational abilities that took her out of her father’s butcher shop where she was a hard working daughter, as were her brothers, out into the world of “lodges.” She became interested in the way women seemed free to meet and socialize at meetings LADIES OF UNION OF AMERICA Good friends and Zveza co-workers Marie, Bara, Josephine and Albina of the Women’s Auxiliary of the American association named Woodmen of the World. As a member there she reach a high office - vice president for the State of Ohio and she would have stayed with this large and growing national insurance organization except for one thing...her love for Slovenian people. She found that in the Slovenian Women’s Union she could be with women who were of her own background and culture and had the same energy to accomplish something of their lives. She just began with Branch 25 on St. Clair and before she knew it, her work blossomed and she became successful in organizing events and increasing membership. Albina was able to reach down into everyone’s soul with her beautiful Slovenian speaking and friendliness. Still today, those who remember her say she was unforgettable because of her sincerity. A hankie, a picture, a piece of jewelry, anything she gave as a gift is still held as a treasure by those recipients because it was from Albina! The first English speaking branch of our Zveza No. 50, came about because she saw the future lay in enrolling the younger daughters and relatives of our first generation of members. She also taught me what it is to love our Slovenian women. I trailed along to all meetings and other events, from babyhood on, and to everyone I was “Korinca”. Not any more now, but until just a few years ago there were still a few among the older ladies in Cleveland who knew me as a child and still called me Korinca. Mrs. Prisland, lifelong National President or Honorary President of SWU, Albina Novak, National Editor and National President, for a total of 44 years, are followed by Josephine Erjavec, as our third Grand Lady. Mrs. Erjavec’s years of service centered around the strong and vital branch No. 20, here in Joliet. She engaged her whole family in this work. But, her main inspiration was Mrs. Prisland, so one could say she was “Chief of Staff to the President” during the early years. Mrs. Erjavec had a very long career as National Secretary and as an officer of Br. 20, equally as long as the branch’s president, Emma Planinšek, both of them for over 40 years in office. Friends of Mrs. Prisland were inspired, as I said, and it was easy to be a friend to someone who encouraged and challenged you. From out in the west, San Francisco, came Mrs. Prisland’s friend, Bara Kramer, another Grand Lady of exceptional vitality. Bara could convince you of anything! She was a person who liked to take chances and usually came out a winner. So she came into the picture just a year after SWU was founded, and organized Br. 13 in San Francisco in 1927. A year later, when she came to Joliet where she had friends, she gathered them all and organized Branch 20. Later, she organized two more branches, No. 43 in Milwaukee and No. 45 in Portland. So, by the end of 1928 there were already branches in glamorous. Fran saw the young women as her own daughters, and guided them into activities that were pace-setters for many other fratemals. Our SWU Drill Teams were all over the USA and Fran coordinated many drill performances and exhibitions of drill work. She also sewed the uniforms and always came up with new ideas in design and fashion. In the late 1930’s drill teams, bowling and youth activities all were at their height and Fran was elected as the first director of the newly formed SWU Youth Department. When the Debutante Cotillions began in Cleveland, about six of them were under her complete direction, and these were times when many of our present members were young and unmarried. From the first years, we had an officer whose chief interest was enrolling new members. Her branch, No. 25, Cleveland, had the biggest enrollment of all branches and she herself signed up almost every member herself. In the 1940’s Zveza had its largest membership, and Mary Otoničar, alone, enrolled more than 1,300 members. The SWU Honor Roll - the listing of the greatest solicitors of new members, had the name Mary Otoničar at the top. of this long listing, up to and including 1983, long after Mrs. Otoničar had passed away. No one has ever come near that total of new members. What a Grand Lady she was! In the 1940’s another good membership lady came along, Frances Mary Chicago, Sheboygan, Pueblo, Oregon City, Indianapolis, Barberton, Forest City, Steelton, Detroit, Eveleth, Milwaukee, Joliet, Cleveland - West Park, Bradley, Ely, LaSalle, Cleveland - St. Clair, and Pittsburgh. I venture to say there was a pillar of our organization in each of these branches! - all organized in the first two years. Our Grand Ladies were all people who devoted their time and talents to SWU and what they did still remains a living part of the organization. Such a person was Frances Kure Sietz of Br. 50, Cleveland. Where Fran was, there was smiling and good feeling. Although some Drill Teams were already in formation in 1933, Fran took the ball and carried it, as they say, to new heights. She could talk and sell ideas, she could convince young women to live life to its fullest, she could sew and design and she could be a friend like none you’ve ever had. Fran was president of her branch, captain of her branch’s drill team, and came up with all the embellishments that made events beautiful and Hermine Antonia Irene she was Mary Terlep of Br. 20, Joliet. In those years, the winner of each Pre-convention Membership Campaign was named “Queen” at the Convention and ceremoniously crowned as the best worker among all members. Mrs. Terlep had that honor three times! That we are celebrating the 25th Year of the Heritage Museum here in our Home Office is a wonderful occasion. Twenty-five years ago, in 1976, a new Board of Directors took their places at the staff meetings in our recently acquired new Home Office. The preservation of our Slovenian heritage was a long term goal and dream, to be sure, but it took a special person to have the vision and foresight to put the Heritage Program of SWU into form and direction. It was our good fortune that elected to the office was Irene Odorizzi, of No. 103, Washington. Irene had plans for this place, she worked hard to put her ideas in all our heads and make us feel that some day this would be a real museum and a real place where people could come and see things that would make them proud of their natonality. Irene was the first to put into reality the idea that our Slovenian immigrant ladies, those who began the SWU and those who came here early in the century as young wives, mothers and daughters were precious and wonderful and their stories should not be forgotten. Her writing of “The Immigrant” series in ZARJA did just that - it brought out the stories of our predecessors whose lives she made real. Her projects to record the histories of each of our branches, in the written form, was an ingenious way to bring the sense of pride to each member. Those histories were printed in ZARJA for ten years. Irene had far advanced ideas in many areas, and a video show was another one of them. She scripted, narrated and produced our Zveza’s first video, entitled: Zveza’s Golden Years that has been on view in the Museum for many years. In it, she traced the first beginnings of this organization and featured all the events up to the year 1989. A new branch, No. 103, in Washington, D.C. was organized by Irene in 1965, and shortly afterward, in 1967, the SWU held it’s first National Convention in the Nation’s Capital when the idea for a Slovenian Chapel at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception was presented and Irene was involved in that most beautiful dedication of the new Chapel, a monument to us all as Slovenian-American Catholics. One of our National Presidents, in the years 1961 to 1973 was Antonia Tanko Turek of Br. 50, Cleveland. Before her presidency, Toni was a businesswoman and an active branch officer, especially interested in the recreational aspect of our youth program. She organized and directed the Cleveland bowling sports teams and found her energy most needed as the State President of Ohio-Michigan. She presided at the National Convention in Washington, D.C. in 1967 when the SWU approved support for the Slovenian Chapel fund drive. After that Convention, she became the Secretary of National Slovenian Chapel Committee that collected financial resources from among all fraternal and social organizations in the country, and ultimately, the Slovenian Chapel was built and dedicated in 1971. Hermine Prisland Dicke, daughter of our Founder, found that the path led her also to follow in her mother’s footsteps, in work that enhances the SWU. She was a perfectionist in homemaking and cooking, and became the editor of our second successful cookbook that she named after the title of her cooking column in ZARJA, namely. Pots and Pans! When it became appropriate, Hermine took over the directorship of the Scholarship Fund from her mother, Mrs. Prisland, who protected the investments that would make this fund grow. She instilled in Hermine an ardent love for our young members and financial help for their education. Under her guidance this fund did indeed grow and the distribution of awards to our most diligent and deserving students is still one of our most respected goals. Hermine’s dedication formed the foundation for the strong lund it has become today, under the able directorship of her niece, Mary Turvey. Our Grand Ladies of SWU remain with us still. In memory we look at them with admiration and gratitude because truly, they have shown us the way. Beginning our 76th Year... But, m cannot forget the 75th just completed. Now that we are ready to settle into our next quarter century all thoughts are directed toward the ideas of our energetic Board of Directors because they are giving us a fresh look to the future. They are saying: the goal for this year 2002 is “Reaching...for what is beyond!” They will be reaching for new ideas, for new heritage awareness, new challenges. Nothing will stop them - because in just a few years they have seen success and know that IT CAN BE DONE! I hope all our members, whose of us who have long-term membership and tend to hold fast to the “way it was,” will jump aboard the rocket that is going up to Reach for the Stars! and give them all the support and encouragement you can! You will see how great it is to be on a winning team! But the past is beautiful to consider and remember, too. The foundation of Slovenian Women’s Union was built on the officers and members we knew and loved. We say thank you to them for being the grandmothers and mothers who led the way. It is a nice time for me to say thank you, also. I would like to direct it especially to those who have expressed much love and caring through the past 50 years, culminated by the tributes I received on the 50th Anniversary of my editorship. I feel I have a large extended family of sisters and am grateful to the SWU for giving me this blessing. I can’t imagine life without you, and pray that God will bless you, my sisters, for a long time to come. Corinne Leskovar Leskovar Family at the Anniversary From the Youth Director Angela Stare: Dear Junior Members: I hope that you are taking advantage of reading the Junior Page in the ZARJA. Please ask your parents, grandparents, aunts, or others who may have signed you up in the Slovenian Women’s Union to read thru the ZARJA, with you particularly the page that is meant for you. I have been trying to reach all of you, hoping that you may have read the Junior Page or that someone may have read it to you. I haven’t received a single response. How can I reach YOU? What can I do to invite YOU to contact me? I am asking the branches to invite their junior members to meetings and to teach them about their branches. Let’s get the juniors involved and excited. Branches, I’d like to hear from you, too! We can succeed if we work together. ANGELA STARE, 7601 Elmore Ln., Bethesda, MD 20817, Fax (301) 229-8149, email bartstare@wans.net tel. (301) 229-7587 Juniors, this picture of Marija Pomagaj is for you to color!!! Podoba Marije Pomagaj spremlja Slovence po vsem svetu. Kjerkoli se na daljnih celinah v cerkvi zbirajo naši rojaki, je v njej tudi brezjanska milostna podoba. Marija je naša kraljica. Že prva cerkev med Slovenci je bila v 8. stoletju posvečena prav Mariji. Mariji se je leta 1992 posvetil ves slovenski narod. Slovesnost na Brezjah je vodil nadškof in metropolit dr. Alojzij Šuštar. Marija nas varuje in uslišuje naše prošnje. Radi prihajamo k njej. V naši domovini ji je posvečenih veliko cerkva. Številne med njimi so romarske cerkve. Brezje pa so že dolgo dolgo naša najbolj znana božja pot. MARIJA POMAGAJ - PROSI ZA NAS! The picture of Marija Pomagaj has accompanied Slovenians all over the world. Whatever continent, in whatever church they gather Marija Pomagaj is with them. Mary is our Queen. The first church in Slovenia was built in the 8th Century and dedicated to Mary. To Mary, in the year 1992, the Slovenian nation dedicated itself and the celebration was led by the Archbishop and Metropolitan of Slovenia, Dr. Alojz Sustar. Mary is our protector and answers our petitions. We come to her confidently. In our homeland there are many churches named for her and many are pilgrimage churches. But our favorite for many, many years is at Brezje. Her Feastday is May 23rd Mother Is a Word Called Love The most wonderful thing in the world is love. Mothers mean so much to us because what they are is what love is - a magic, a mystery, a power that lifts and changes and blesses all it touches. Yes, Mother means Love. Helen Steiner Rice 'I 1 1 daw! Jdotherss Qay! Stories of their lifetimes... A TRIBUTE TO OUR MEMBERS FROM THEIR SWU SISTERS ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ Branch 16, So. Chicago, IL Vida Kumse By a unanimous vote at the February 9th meeting, the members chose Vida Kumse as the Member of the Year 2002. Vida has been our Recording Secretary for 10 years and has done an outstanding job. She has served as a delegate to Regional and National Conventions. She is always ready and willing to offer a helpful hand wherever needed. She is very generous in treating us to her delicious home-baked poticas, Flancati and cakes. Vida proudly wears her beautiful Narodna Noša costume at all S.W.U. functions. We are happy to have Vida receive this first-time honor and we look forward to honoring her at our party in May. Gladys K. Buck, Secretary Branch 3, Pueblo, CO Josephine Poder Josephine (Jo or Babe) Poder (Kerns), Member of the Year 2002, was bom June 27, 1921. A lifelong resident of Pueblo, CO, Jo was married to William Poder for 45 years. Bill died on June 17, 1990. She is our member since 1996. She is devoted to her family, two daughters, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren and has helped all of the grandchildren with college finances. Jo enjoys traveling to visit them. Singing in the St. Mary’s Church Choir is an activity Jo has enjoyed for many years; in fact that’s where Jo and Bill first met. Jo coordinates monthly bus trips to Cripple Creek and profits are donated to St. Mary’s Church. In some cases Jo has added her own money to cover any deficit. A 1938 graduate of Pueblo Central High School, Jo enjoys keeping in touch with friends; and her classmates appreciate her efforts to organize monthly class reunions. Jo has used her skills over the past years in a variety of businesses, including the Colorado Fuel & Iron Corporation and School District 60. An excellent typist, Jo’s shorthand and other secretarial skills were always in high demand. She is an avid sports fan, rarely misses watching the Denver Broncos or Colorado Rockies games and her grandchildren’s sporting events. Not only is she a sports fan, but Jo is also a good sport, willing to try anything and delighting in having and spreading fun. Mary Barbarich Mary Barbarich is this year’s Woman of the Year for Branch 5 here in Indianapolis. We are proud to have Mary as this year’s honoree as she is an outstanding example of an involved Slovenian American. Bom and raised in Indianapolis, Mary is enjoying her retirement years, life after the Post Office, with husband “Polka” Pete, at their house on Heritage Lake in Putnam County. A mother of four and grandmother of nine, Mary has raised a wonderful family and has remained a very active member of our Slovenian community. She is a life long member of Holy Trinity parish, and also is an active member in the K.S.K.J., and the Slovenian Cultural Society in addition to the Ženske Zveza. Blest with a beautiful soprano voice, Mary has sung with the Slovenian choir for many years, and is also a dedicated member of the potica bakers at Holy Trinity. Not one for standing out in crowd, Mary has the respect and admiration of many for her quiet dedication and service to her faith, family, and community. Congratulations to Mary Barbarich, Branch 5’s Woman of the Year. Br. 12, Milwaukee, WI Stavia Dobersek The royalty governing our Milwaukee Castle. Branch #12, is President, Stavia Dobersek, celebrating 25 years as head of our Kingdom. In constant motion, she is here, there and everywhere; - selling tickets; - collecting, donating for whatever, whenever or whatever; - GIVING, CARING AND SHARING. Stavia gives unselfishly of her time, talents, love and energy. In all of her varied endeavors she is always loyal to her cause and faithful to all. We honor her, support her and love her. Sincerest congratulations Stavia, from your Subjects. Branch 33, Duluth, MN Mary Krmpotich Pogorelec Mary was born to Croatian immigrants in 1927 in Duluth where she has lived for all except 10 years and is a member of St. Elizabeth Church. She and husband, Fred were married there in 1954. Her fondest memory is the birth of her two daughters, Kathy and Janet. They have given her 2 granddaughters and one grandson. Mary is a 29 year member and offers assistance when she can as well as being hostess at the meetings. This kind, generous person feels very humble at being chosen for the honor as Member of the Year. We will celebrate on May 1 st. Lois M. Pelander Mary Kay Demick Mary Kay Demick was bom in Joliet, IL to Frank and Mary (Vlasich) Spelich. She graduated from St. Joseph’s School and St. Francis Academy. A member since four years old, she remembers enjoying different activities as a child with her grandmother Mary Vlasich, aunt Kathryn Pavnica and mother. She fondly thinks of the S.W.U. picnics with the entire family attending. On October 6, 1962, she married Richard (Lee) Demick who is also a member. They have three children, Mary Lee, a member, is a nurse at Edward’s Hospital in Naperville, IL and will be married to Bob Strahanoski on May 18, 2002. Oldest son, Richard Jr. is a detective with the Joliet Police Dept. He and his wife, Debby have two girls, Gabrielle, 7 and Emily 5. Youngest son, Mark is a patrolman with the Joliet Police Dept, and will be married on September 28, 2002 to Jenny Farkas. Mary Kay was on the S.W.U. bowling league for many years and was also an officer. She has worked at the Grape Festival Dances, visited shut in members at Valentine’s Day, worked at the bakery sales and has been an officer for several years. She enjoys the monthly meetings, and the company of the other members. Mary Kay has sold Avon for 34 years and has enjoyed the friendships she has made with her customers. Since her husband’s retirement from Ameritech, they have enjoyed traveling, going on day trips and cooking together. She is very honored to be chosen as Woman of the Year, representing Br. 20. Branch 23, Ely, MN Jane Yadlosky Jane Yadlosky has been a long-time active member of Branch 23, Ely. She is a past president and was our delegate to the National Convention in Orlando in 1999. Jane is a wonderful cook and baker, and especially loves to make ethnic foods. She is always willing to donate her wonderful apple potica to local organizations for money making raffles. Jane is also active in many local organizations and in her church, St. Anthony’s here in Ely. Jane was employed at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital as Director of Dietary for 20 years until her retirement. She volunteers at the hospital one day a week, and works as a Unit Assistant, as needed on call. She also enjoys traveling with her husband. Jane and her husband, Bill have three daughters, Valerie Osaben; Sandra Tesch; and Mary J. Ciriacy and six grandchildren. Valerie and her daughter, Aimee, are also members of Branch 23. Jane will be honored as our Member of the Year on May 6th. Submitted by Gloria Smuk, President Elizabeth (Betty) Carlson Elizabeth (Betty) Carlson has been chosen as our Member of the Year for 2002. She has been an active member of our branch for 23 years. She lives in Virginia and attends most of our meetings. This year our branch will host the SWU Minnesota State Convention and Betty is busy making an afghan for one of the prizes. Betty is a homemaker, seamstress and enjoys knitting, reading, dancing and going to casinos. She has retired from Aurora schools as a secretary. Betty comes from a large Slovenian family of ten girls and one boy, and most of the Slovenian traditions are carried out in her family. Her greatest joy is having two sons and their families. She wishes her late husband, Carl, could be here to enjoy them with her. We will honor Betty on May 5th with a dinner at our American Legion Clubroom. Anne M. Orazem Branch 39, Biwabik, MN Rosemary Ribich Rosemary Ribich is the wife of Bob Ribich, the mother of four adult sons, and grandmother to nine ranging in ages from 4 to 22. In addition to raising her family, Rosemary owned and operated her own beauty salon for 40 years, just recently retiring. Encouraged by her mother-in-law, Frances Ribich and her husband’s grandmother, Johanna Ribich Sever, who was one of the founding members of the local branch, Rosemary has been a member since 1982. She has served locally as both Secretary and Reporter. Rosemary is a woman to be admired and recognized for her commitment and dedication to whatever she takes on, be it the welfare of her family or her volunteer activities within her church, charities, civic organizations and the SWU. She brings her gifts of humor, warmth and caring to whatever she does and willingly shares them with those around her. Branch 89, Oglesby, IL Eunice Komater Our Member of the Year is Eunice Komater and what a special lady she is. Eunice is our only surviving charter member. Our branch was formed in 1938 and she has been an active member ever since. In January 1985 she became our secretary and for the past 17 years has been doing a wonderful job recording our meeting minutes and sending our reports to the ZARJA. For over 63 years she has been there for Branch 89, donating her time and energy to keep our Slovenian heritage alive. We are proud to select her as our member of the year. (Submitted by Mitzi Banich) Paula V. Behling S.W.U. Branch 43 in Milwaukee, WI has chosen Paula V. Behling as their 2002 Member of the Year. Paula has been a branch member for over 60 years but became actively involved only a few years ago. She is proud of the fact that in 1930 her mother, Gertrude Delopst, was Branch 43’s first President. Paula has been to Slovenia three times and still speaks quite a bit of the language. She enjoys singing and dancing to Slovenian music at family functions and attending events such as the March 2002 Slovenian Jubilej in Joliet, IL. Paula looks forward to the monthly branch meetings and helped recruit younger family members. Her fellow members marvel at her energy and zest for life. Paula is a very cherished member of the Delopst family. Never blest with children she has been a blessing to the family as an extra pair of hands to help raise dozens of nieces, nephews, their children and their grandchildren. Paula is 81 years young and still babysits for neighborhood children several days a week. Her hobbies include knitting, crocheting, shopping for bargains and anything Slovenian. Congratulations, Paula! (Submitted by Denise Bartlett, Paula's niece) Branch 47, Garfield Hts., OH Millie Stautihar Our chosen mother is a member of Br. 47 for about 55 years - including membership at Br. 15 in the early years. Members are very happy to claim her, she does so much for their meetings and church. Millie started the St. Joseph’s funeral choir, is a seamstress, cook, plays the accordion, piano, organ, is a cake decorator and PSR teacher for 29 years. Millie and her husband, Frank were married in 1949. They have 3 boys and 3 girls, and 10 grandchildren. When her grandchildren were little she was their baby sitter full time, always loving to take care of them, play with them and teach them things. Now she has two great grandchildren. She is very loving, has white hair, green eyes and wears the latest fashion. She and Frank celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1999. They call him the “miracle man” for he survived a massive stroke at the age of 52 and is still quite active. He likes to come with her to meetings and together they help in the kitchen. They also constructed the 75th anniversary booklet. Millie’s mother was Helen Mirtel and many in her family are members. She has a special devotion to the Blessed Mother Mary. Frances Kajfez Frances Kajfez is well deserving of this honor. She is a 20 year member and an A-l Auditor for seven years, attending all meetings, always smiling and is friendly to everyone. Frances has a brother, Frank Homar and three sisters, Mary Blatnik, Josephine Wuttschutt and Alice Signerelli who are all members of our branch as are Evelyn Pipoly, Lillian Homar and cousins. Frances was bom in Collinwood and her parents were Katie and Frank Homar - he was a well-known barber in the area. Frances went to Longfellow school and Collinwood High. In 1954 she and Matt were married and have three children, Marc, Matt and Debra, and 6 grandchildren - whom they love to babysit. They are proud of the family, all well-educated. Frances worked in many places, before and after marriage. She is very active and belongs to nine different clubs. She and Matt especially enjoyed doing trips with the Holmes Ave. Pensioners and do a super job as tour guides. They also love to dance and play cards. Fran’s Quote: “The Slovenians are known for being generous, friendly, happy and fun-loving people. Am proud to be an American Slovene and am deeply honored to be chosen as Mother of the Year for Br. 50.” Fran, you are all the above and we salute you and love you, sending God’s blessings that you have all good days to come! We’ll see you at the party, May 15th at Sterle’s! Ann J. Tercek, Pres. Branch 100, Fontana, CA Matilda (Tillie) Skebe Matilda Skebe, known to all as Tillie, was bom in Cleveland, Ohio on April 11, 1915 to Mathias and Mary Cigoj Sežun. Tillie was raised in Cleveland with her four sisters. Her mother, Mary, was secretary of Zenska Zveza #10 and Tillie would help her to rewrite the minutes of the meetings, remembering even today the names of the ladies who took part. When Tillie was 25, she married Richard Skebe and had two children, Diane and Edward. The family moved to California in 1950 and shortly thereafter, Tillie joined SWU Branch 100 in Fontana, even though the family lived in the Los Angeles area and later in Orange County. Richard passed away suddenly leaving Tillie a widow at age 68. After a break from the society for some years, Tillie rejoined Branch 100 and now is a regular and active member. She truly enjoys getting together with the ladies and families for our luncheons and parties. Tillie is known for her generosity, her prayerful nature, and her wonderful smile. Branch 100 is proud to honor Matilda Skebe as our Member of the year 2002. Judy DiPasquale Judy DiPasquale, Rochester, NY was enrolled in Br. 102 in 1973 by her mother, Donnell Wolf [deceased] of Willard. Distance prevented her from participating in our activities. She visited her mother often and each July attended the Slovenska Družba Picnic as well as other Slovenian functions. Judy loves to cook Slovenian dishes for her family her husband, three children and two grandchildren who enjoy attending the Družba Picnic, too. She plays the buttonbox and Slovenian melodies are her favorites. She was mistress of ceremonies at the 60th Anniversary of Br. 102, Sept. 2, 2001. For many years her mother crocheted and donated an afghan for the Družba raffle. Judy will continue this tradition in her memory. Her handiwork is also exhibited in the church in Willard where three banners are displayed. Besides being active in Church and community organizations, she is a member of the Lions Club and serves on the Sr. Citizens RSVP advisory council. Judy is a professional clown and performs under the name of “Marmalade.” (Submitted by Rose Pakiz, President) Branch 103, Washington, D.C. Valerie Bohince Valerie Bohince became a member of Branch 103 in Washington, D.C., in February 2000. She was bom in the District of Columbia and grew up in the suburbs of Maryland, one of five children. Her father was an American-born Slovenian, and her mother is Irish-French. Valerie graduated from the University of Maryland in 1981 where she majored in costume design. She has been working at a Washington, D.C. law firm as a legal assistant in communications law since 1982. Ever since Valerie became a member of Branch 103, she has shown an enthusiasm for and has fully participated in branch activities, always willing to introduce new ideas and back them up with action. She became a reporter for ZARJA writing articles on branch activities in English, these articles have proven to be informative as well as interesting Because of her qualities and youthful verve, the members nominated her as Woman of the Year for 2002. (Submitted by Mary Mejač) Ask Tončka! Dear Tončka, If one of your readers has information on Anthony and Jennie Moze Ujcic of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we would like to hear from him or her. Anthony was bom 1889 in Slovenia and came to Ellis Island 21 March 1921. We would like to have the naturalization, marriage record, and death records of this couple. Regards, Charles Judy cjudy@neo.rr.com Hello, My name is Frank Pavlovčič and my Father, Frank senior has asked me if I could help trace the whereabouts of his cousin. He hasn’t heard from him for years. His name is Louis Konyar and he lived in Lorain, Ohio until moving to Redlands, California some years ago. Any information would be appreciated. Thank you, Frank Pavlovčič frankp@ismi.net 1743 E. 36th Street Lorain, Ohio 44055-2503 Dear Tončka: I have recently become a member of the SWUA. I live in Meriden, Connecticut and have been informed that the closest branch to me is Branch 93 in New York City. I could participate in this branch’s activities but wonder in there are any fellow Slovenian organizations/groups or individuals I could connect with closer to my home in Connecticut. If so, I would love hearing from you. Annamarie bodisch@bms.com Annamarie Bodisch 158 Suffolk Court Meriden, CT 06450 Dear Tončka I can’t be the only Slovenian in the Atlanta area. Please write if you live in the area. Lisa llbk@mindspring.com Hi, I live in northern California, near Santa Rosa and would be interested in hearing from SWUA members in the area. Katherine Popich kapl928@aol.com 1414 Spruce Way Healdsburg, CA 95448 MY DEAR READERS, Many of you are asking how to find vital records of your ancestors in Slovenia. Research in Slovenia is not always easy due to the following situations. 1. Latter Day Saints filming was minimal when their representatives visited Slovenia. There was much upheaval with people moving constantly from one region to another and access to records was difficult. 2. When the communist government took effect many of the local churches were ordered to turn over their records to government archives in Ljubljana, Koper, and Maribor. Only the Catholic Churches in the cities of Ljubljana and Maribor were able to keep copies of their records. 3. The very earliest records are written in Latin, followed by a period of recording done in German and finally in the late 1800’s, written in Slovenian - sometimes several languages are used in one document. 4. The actual village or city of origin must be known. 5. Immigrants anglicized or shortened their surnames when they came to America. Finding an ancestral village may be a little easier now due to the Ellis Island records online, (www.ellisisland.org) They will often give the region in Slovenia of the immigrant, although the country of birth will probably be listed as Austria, and the name of the region or town may have changed in spelling. Example: Rečica became Reitz (a German variation of name of that town). Applications for intent to naturalize (found in county courthouses where intent was filed - men only filed) will indicate the place of birth, as often will application forms for memberships in Slovenian Societies. (SWUA application forms show place of birth). Obituaries, church and civil vital records at times may give the native city of origin. Often Slovenians immigrated together from one town or city of Slovenia into an American City. Case in point, those native of Loški Potok, Traunik, immigrated to Traunik, Michigan in the early 1900’s to work in logging camps. City histories can be helpful. For some researchers, however finding a native ancestral village or city may be a long process. Slovenian records prior to 1880 are kept at Regional Archives but after 1880 most City Halls within towns will have birth, marriage and death records on file. You can write to them directly, a giving a name and approximate year as part of your request. It would be best to write in Slovenian language. Do not send money but send two international postal coupons that you can purchase at the post office. Letters should be addressed to the city hall as follows: Matični urad (name of town or city) Slovenia Other suggested resources for finding your ancestral Slovenian city or village: Many immigrants had served required time in the Austrian Army - to have records searched write to: Osterreichisches Staatsarchiv Kriegsarchive 1030 Wien Notteendorfer Gasse 2 Austria, Europe Latter Day Saints also has these records on microfilm. TONČKA, 904 Margaret Street, Iron Mountain, Michigan 49801 For fraternal organization records write to: Immigrant History Research Center (e-mail: ihrc@to.umn.edu Elmer M Anderson Library, Suite 311 222-21st Avenue South Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455 Family records which may include origins: Slovenian Genealogy Society (w w w. slo veniangenealogy. org) At Peterlin, President 50 Old Farm Road Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011-2604 Social Security application forms also give birth dates and places of birth: Social Security Administration (w w w. cy ndislist. com/sosec. htm) OEO FOIA work group 300 North Green Street, P.O. Box 33022 Baltimore, Maryland 21290-3022 A blizzard kept me from meeting so many of you who attended the 75th Jubilee in Joliet. I was so very sad to have missed being there. To place queries or questions, or to order a $6.00 genealogy packet, please write! Happy hunting! Srečno! Tončka HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN MAY & JUNE National Officer: Presidents: May 1 - Jean Korsman, Br. 39, Biwabik, MN June 11 - Margaret Cullen, Br. 3, Pueblo, CO June 17 - Mary Lou Terselic,Br. 103, Washington, D.C. Secretaries: May 3 - Anna Anderson, Br. 79, Enumclaw, WA May 6 - Gladys Buck, Br. 16, So. Chicago, IL May 13 - Mary Mejac, Br. 103, Washington, D.C. May 17 - Marge Mollica, Br. 57, Niles, OH May 27 - Marjorie Stergar, Br. 38, Chisholm, MN May 27 - Anka Krakora, Br. 55, Girard, OH May 28 - Linda Lambright, Br. 6, Barberton, OH June 2 - Blanche Laurich, Br. 81, Keewatin, MN June 19 - Dorothy Brezonik, Br. 1, Sheboygan, WI June 29 - Elizabeth Spolar, Br. 56, Hibbing, MN MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY! SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS $5.00 donations: Mollie Sterk - a gift to the Scholarship Fund, Bill Slogar (tFrank Shepel) $10.00 donation: BeBe Lobe (tJohn Lobe) Thank you to all donors to our SWU Scholarship Program. These gifts are tax deductible if written to the Slovenian Women’s Union Foundation. Estate planning often considers charitable gifts as a tax exemption. For questions on our program or for donations which will be acknowledged individually and in ZARJA please write to: Mary H. Turvey, Director 52 Oakridge Drive Marquette, Michigan 49855 MTurvey@aol. com IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER MAY 4 Mother of the Year party, Br. 14, Euclid, OH 5 Mother of the Year party, Br. 35, Aurora, MN 5 Mother of the Year party, Br. 47, Garfield Hts., OH Sterle’s, Noon. Contact Elsie (440) 232-8733 or Olga (330) 468-7989 5 Mother of the Year party, Br. 100, Fontana, CA Mass at Noon, Luncheon follows, Contact Anne Kapel (909) 822-0287 5 Mother of the Year party and Plant Sale, Br. 102, Willard, WI 7 Mother of the Year Party, Br. 3, Pueblo, CO Patti’s Restaurant 7 Annual Dinner-Social, Br. 14, Euclid, OH Contact Jennie (216) 261 -1196 9 Member of the Year party, Br. 16, W. Chicago, IL Tom's Restaurant (Calumet City), 1.30 Thursday Contact Therese, Gladys or Marge 15 Mother of the Year party, Br. 50, Cleveland-Euclid, OH Sterle's, 1:30 p.m. 15 Mother's Luncheon, Br. 54, Warren, OH 17 Mother of the Year party, Br. 10, Cleveland, OH 19 Mother of the Year party, Br. 2, Chicago, IL Mass at St. Stephen's, 10 a.m. followed by Reception 19 Woman of the Year Brunch, Br. 13, San Francisco, CA Mass at 9:30 a.m. Brunch 11:00 a.m. at the Marriott Contact Jo Aiuto (415) 863-8632 21 Mother of the Year party, Br. 20, Joliet, IL 22 Our Lady of Brezje Prayer Hour, Br. 16, So. Chicago, IL St. George Church, 4:30 p.m. JUNE 23 Commemorative Mass, Br. 47, Garfield Hts., OH St. Lawrence Church, 10:00 a.m. JULY 21 ZVEZA DAY IN LEMONT, IL, Br. 2, Chicago, IL Vecfa [Ponikvar: r Trom Our ‘Heritage ‘Kitchens Greetings to our SWU members far and wide. Following a very mild winter, March came in like a lion and continues to plague Minnesota into the early days of April. The snows are constant and the winds are sharp, but the Cherry Blossoms are glorious in Washington, D.C., and hopefully the first crocuses are ready to bloom soon in this northern climate. Some recipes to brighten your day are being shared. BARLEY SALAD l/i cup pearl barley 1 l/i cups vegetable broth or fat-free chicken broth 2 tomatoes chopped l/2 cucumber chopped !/j cup chopped flat-leaf parsley ,74 cup chopped fresh chives DRESSING 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 teaspoons olive oil 1'* teaspoon salt % teaspoon ground black pepper To make the salad: In a medium saucepan, combine the barley and broth. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low, cover and cook for 30 minutes, or until the barley is tender and the broth is absorbed. Transfer to a large bowl and fluff with a fork. Set aside to cool. Add the tomatoes, cucumber, parsley and chives to the cooled barley. To make the dressing: In a glass measuring cup, whisk together the lemon juice, oil, salt, and pepper. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Makes four servings. FRUIT SALAD WITH POPPY SEED DRESSING Dressing: !/2 cup fat-free sour cream (without gelatin) 4 ounces 2 tablespoons fat-free mayonnaise 3 tablespoons chopped crystal- lized ginger 2 tablespoons honey 2 teaspoons white vinegar 11;< teaspoons poppy seeds FRUIT SALAD 2 cups cantaloupe balls 2 cups honeydew melon balls 2 cups fresh pineapple cut into chunks 2 cups sliced strawberries Mint leaves (optional) To make dressing: In a glass measuring cup, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, ginger, honey, vinegar and poppy seeds. To make salad: In a large bowl combine the cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and strawberries. Whisk the dressing and add to the salad, toss to coat. Garnish with mint leaves if desired. Makes 8 servings. Delicious. GOLDEN CHICKEN CASSEROLE 2 cups cubed cooked thicken 1 can (20 oz.) unsweetened pine- apple chunks, drained 1 jar (12 oz.) apricot preserves 1 can (103/4 oz.) condensed cream of chicken soup undiluted 1 can (8 oz.) water chestnuts, drained Hot cooked rice In a bowl, combine ingredients. Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until heated through. Serve over rice. Yield: 6 servings. BASIC BISCUITS 2 cups all-purpose flour 4 teaspoons baking powder 3 teaspoons sugar l'i teaspoon salt l/2 cup shortening 1 egg 2/3 cup milk 1 tablespoon honey In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Combine the milk, egg, and honey; stir into flour mixture just until combined. Turn onto a floured surface; knead 8 to 10 times. Roll out to l,2 inch thickness. Cut with a floured 2}'2 inch biscuit cutter. Place 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 425 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Yield: 10 biscuits. Popular MORE POTS AND PANS cookbooks are still only $18 per copy postpaid. An order form is on page 26. Or write the SWU Home Office, 431 No. Chicago St., 60432. Your mail orders will receive immediate attention. EN1AN ■AMERICAi' COOKBOOK Nika Kovačič: OB 75. OBLETNICI USTANOVITVE SLOVENSKE ŽENSKE ZVEZE... NAD AUEV ANJE Po slovesni večerji v gradu Otočec smo prespali v Novem mestu v hotelu Šport. Drugo jutro pa smo nadaljevali vožnjo proti Ljubljani. Ogledali smo si Pletarski samostan in grad Kostanjevica. V gradu so zanimive razstave priznanih umetnikov kot je Boždar Jakac in drugi. Bila pa sem prijetno presenečena, ker sem videla razstavljenih več del znanega kiparja Franceta Goršeta, dela še izpred vojnih let. Nekaj let pred svojo smrtjo, se je resno pripravljal, da bo na povabilo tamkajšnjih prijateljev razstavljal svoja dela v Kostanjevici, pa je oblast v zadnjem trenutku prepovedala, da bi razstavljal. To ga je takrat zelo prizadelo. Pa danes so zopet drugačni časi... F. Gorše Božja Porodnica (Woman with Child) Po kosilu v Kmečkem hramu v Kostanjevici na Krki, smo se preko Žužemberga, Muljave (J. Jurčič-ev roj. kraj) peljali proti Ljubljani. Naj omenim še to, da so bili posebno Amerikanci poznejših generacij med nami prijetno ganjeni nad tolikimi cerkvami, ki smo jih videli iz avtomobila. Prav tako so poudarjali, kako je vse čisto in kako so ceste v dobrem stanju v Sloveniji. Vodič Brane nas je naslednje jutro peljal po Ljubljani in ves čas temeljito razlagal lepote Ljubljane: Plečnikovo arhitekturo, Tromostovje, Čevljarski most, hodili smo po stari Ljubljani, videli Robov vodnjak, Magistrat, univerzo, opero, ljubljansko tržnico itd. Popoldne pa smo se odpeljali v bližnje Domžale, kjer smo obiskali keramično delavnico in trgovino z najrazličnejšimi lectovimi izdelki. Naj poudarim, da so to marsikje ljudje z akademsko izobrazbo in skušajo svoje talente izrabiti v svojih zasebnih trgovinah. Seveda cene niso najnižje izdelkom, pa vendar, ker so delane bolj v masovni produkciji še vedno povprečnemu kupovalcu dostopne. Razdalja iz hotela Union v Ljubljani, je manj kot pol bloka v razdalji, do frančiškanske cerkve. Cerkev ima mogočno pročelje nekdanje avguštinske, zdaj frančiškanske cerkve Marijinega Oznanjenja v Ljubljani pri Tromostovju. Cerkev je bila v gradnji 1646-1660. Tu smo bili pri maši ob 8 uri zjutraj. To je naša prva nedelja v Sloveniji. Še pred bogoslužjem smo si ogledali prenovljeno “kapelo svetniških kandidatov”. Ravno tisti dan je v tej kapeli pri deseti maši blagoslovil oljnato sliko blaženega Antona Martina Slomška mariborski škof Franc Kramberger. Kapela je za glavnim oltarjem. Popoldne smo se iz Ljubljane in našega lepega hotela v Unionu odpeljali na poseben izlet v Belo krajino. Ko smo v bližini reke Kolpe, kmalu sledi vas Sušice in Kočevje. Približno 1000 Nemcev še živi tu, tako imenovanih kočevskih Nemcev. Vozimo mimo Občice, vas Mošnjice (800 metrov nad morsko gladino), preko Brezovice in, ko cesta pride do vzpetine se odpre krasen pogled na Belo krajino. Vozimo mimo Gorjancev, Semiča s cerkvijo Sv. Štefana. Pokrajina je tu drugačna od Gorenjske. Tu rastejo bele breze, katerih les ljudje radi uporabljajo, ker tako lepo diši na ognju. Kako mora biti tu lepo, kadar ajda cveti in je vse v belem cvetju; tu je doma belo platno in bele obleke. Peljemo se skozi Petrovo vas, Rozarec, Lokve, Metliko, Črnomelj (to mesto je prvič omenjeno 1228). Peljemo se preko reke Lahinja, katera se izteka v reko Kolpo pri Slovensko Hrvaški meji. Narajčanka Simona nam je povedala, da ima njihova vas 81 prebivalcev in, da pet žensk še vedno dela in peče ajdove potice, slovita posebnost, tega kraja. Ponosno je tudi povedala, daje bila njihova vas izmed 37 Evropskih držav zbrana med 6 najboljšimi v Evropi za orginalnost in kulturno dediščino. Simona nas je tudi seznanila s tukaj poznanim glasobilom gudalom. Instrument zgleda približno takole: Lončena posoda, (ali lončena širša vaza) lahko je različnih velikosti je prekrita s tanko kožo v kateri je nameščenih par cevkastih palčk. Te palčke se potem z mokrimi prsti drgnejo gor in dol, kar povzroči edinstvene zvoke in melodije. Zvok je tudi odvisen od velikosti lončene posode. Od tu nadaljevali pot naprej skozi Vinico (roj. kraj O. Župančiča) do čebelame v Purgi v Beli Krajini. Lastnik čebelame nam je najprej postregel čebelni liker. Nato pa povedal marsikaj zanimivega. Čebelica je prišla približno 400 let tega v ta kraj. Spočetka domačini niso vedeli kako se pravilno ravna z njimi. Šele s časom so pričeli s panjskimi končnicami. Cvetlični med je svetle in gozdni med je temne barve. Ena matica-kraljica, čebela ima 50-60 tisoč čebel in par tisoč trotov. Najbljše leto za matico je tretje leto. Poleti čebele živijo samo en in pol meseca, pozimi pa šest mesecev. Troti so samo za množitev. Z vsako oploditvijo matici trot tudi umre. Nekaj izrekov iz čebelame: “Ko delo vaše opazujem, lenobe svoje se sramujem”, “Kdor zna s čebelami pravilno ravnati, ni treba se pika mu bati”, “Kadar skrb me tare, žalost me prešine, pri čebelah razvedrim se, skrb pozabim, žalost mine”. (nadaljevanje) Corinne Leskovar (Translator): Observing the SWU’s 75th Anniversary with a great Heritage Tour to Slovenia We continue with our travelogue: Part III An enjoyable dinner was on tap for the evening. We arrived at nightfall at the Castle of Otočec, that little island gem. Greeting us at the door was the master of the castle, dressed in royal clothing of the last century and speaking to us as his guests. We enjoyed an apertif and then were led into a salon that was truly magnificent. The evening was filled with good food, good talk and reminicences of the trip to far. The next morning we were off toward Ljubljana. On the way we stoped to see the former monastery - castle at Kostanjevica. It is filled with art work of the most interesting painters and sculptors, including the master Božidar Jakac. Personally, I was happily surprised to see an area devoted to the work of our friend, France Gorše who spent many years in America and Austria after his post war immigration from Slovenia. All the work shown was from the period before he left Slovenia. Shortly before his death, Gorse planned an exhibit of his work in this place, arranged by his friends there, but was declined by the regime. This was a very hurtful decision for Gorse to accept as he is well-known as one of the foremost Slovenian sculptors. His work is seen world-wide in many churches and institutions. His reliefs of Bishops Baraga and Slomšek are placed in the Slovenian Chapel in Washington, D.C. After another delicious lunch at a local inn we visited the towns of Žužemberk, Muljava where the writer Juričič was bom and then, on to Ljubljana. (Just a note: I was happy to hear the comments of my fellow-travelers who were first-time visitors to Slovenia, as they admired the many churches in Slovenia, the cleanliness of the countryside and the good roads we traveled. I know that one sight is very inspiring, that is seeing our many hilltop churches bathed in light at night-time.) We arrived at our beautiful hotel, the Union, later that night. Our Tour Guide Brane got us up early the next morning and led our walking tour around the center of the city, pointing out the main sights such as the Prešeren Square, Tromostovje (Three Bridges), the Čevljarski most (Shoemaker’s Bridge), Plečnik’s architecture at various buildings. We went to Old Ljubljana and saw the Robov Fountain, Magistrat (City Hall), Ljubljana University, the Opera House and open air market. In the afternoon we visited a ceramic factory at nearby Domžale. Here we could purchase more beautiful souvenirs, such as cups and pitchers, made by professionally trained artisans. It is amazing that this hand work is still relatively inexpensive and produced in quantity. Our hotel in Ljubljana was just a few steps away from the history and magnificent Franciscan Church, dedicated to the Annunciation of Mary. It stands just at the center of the city on Prešeren Square and dates from 1646-60. We Franciscan Church and Tromostovje (Three Bridges) are the center of Ljubljana. attended early mass and then visited the newly constructed chapel behind the altar that would be dedicated at 10 a.m. that morning by Bishop of Maribor Franc Kramberger in honor of the first Slovenian saint candidate, Bishop Anton Martin Slomšek who was beatified in September, 1999 by Pope John Paul II. (Many of our members attended that event held in Maribor). Our departure for a full day’s visit to Bela Krajina began soon after we returned to our hotel. We rode smoothly along, in a southeasterly direction, to the village of Sušice and town of Kočevje. About 1,000 people of German ancestry live in this area and are known as “Gottscheers” by their relatives in America. After passing Občice and the village of Mošnjice, and Brezovica, we came to a breathtaking sight before us, the plains of Bela Krajina, the region of white birches and fields of buckwheat. It is the homeland of many of my friends. The hills of Gorjance are pleasant to see, not too high and easily climbed. Many hilltops have churches situated on them. We soon came to Semič and the church of St. Stephen where the beauty of the white birch trees surrounded us. We talked about the sight of buckwheat when it is in bloom - all white! Known for its white linen flax which the natives weave into clothing, Bela Krajina is a very hospitable land. Their vineyards produce many kinds of wine but we know best of their Metliška črnina. The town of Metlika has a beautiful castle which they now maintain as a museum. Črnomelj is an old, old town, known since 1228, and on we went, passing Lahinja which is near the Kolpa River and the boarder of Croatia. This town has only 81 inhabitants, five of them women who are famous for baking the best buckwheat potica. It is also known as one of 37 European towns from which were selected only 6 as the best examples of originality in showing their cultural heritage. We also were told of a very unique musical instrument that looks somewhat like a ceramic dish - or wide vase - (can be large or small) covered with a thin skin that has imbedded in it small tubes. The player puts his wet fingers up and down to make a melodic sound of music. We later traveled thru the town of Vinica, birthplace of the writer Oton Zupančič and straight to Purgi to see a well-known beekeeper. The first thing he offered us was a drink of honey liquor and then began to tell us all about beekeeping in this area. The first bees arrived over 400 years ago. At first, no one knew what to do with them but afer a time, they began to arrange the hives in drawers, stacked upon each other. The fronts of these drawers are painted to attract the bees back to their hives; they have colorful, humorous but sarcastic scenes depicting some kind of village situation. Flowers that the bees are attracted to can be very different, such as wildflowers, pine trees, buckwheat blooms, etc. One queen bee has from 50 to 60 thousand worker bees and a few thousand drones. The queen flourishes best after three years. The worker bees live only one and a half months during the summer, but survive for six months in the winter. The drones are only for propagation of the hive and die after every impregnation. Here are a few proverbs the beekeepers like to use: When I see your work, I am ashamed of your laziness! Whoever knows how to treat the bees, does not need to be afraid of a pinch! When I am worried and sad, the bees make me happy so I forget my worries and sadness escapes! This is a bee hive drawer front depicting a cart driver (the cat) playing the role of a human being. Two dogs, his natural enemies, are harnessed up to the farmer’s cart. Dated 1837. To be continued B- e r o B A ANX> N C, IAP » hi I N Slovenian Women’s Union of America 24th National Convention Dates: June 12-16, 2003 Place: Duluth, MN Hotel: Hawthorne Suites. This is an all suites hotel. Prices range from $79.00 to $129.00 per night. They have a 24 hour office area and convenience store. This was formerly a Marshall-Wells Hardware Warehouse. There are three restaurants in the building; Red Lobster, Timberlodge Steakhouse, and Chicago Pizza. Also in the building is Bananaz, a family amusement complex. There are many other restaurants in the immediate area. Thursday will be the arrival day with a Harbor Dinner Cruise aboard the Vista Fleet.. Friday and Saturday are Convention days. Banquet will be Saturday evening. Keynote speaker: Father John Petrich. He was a 1979 Scholarship Winner of SWU. He is the fire and police chaplain and is a chaplain at St. Luke’s Hospital and at the Federal Prison in Duluth. Sunday we will go by Motor Coach to Chisholm, MN to visit Ironworld, USA. We will have the Original Polka Mass with Father Frank Perkovich and a breakfast at a location to be named later. Monday: Trip to Mall of America and possibly another stop on the way. We will be having Camp Heritage for the Junior Members during the hours the convention is in session. It will be right in the hotel so there won’t be a problem transporting children. Plans will be completed in the near future. We have received 2 framed splasher cloths, and a Snow globe valued at $95.00 and we will have the blue quilt. Bev Jackson said she would make a redwork wall hanging. We are still working on some activites and things. I would like to get some demos on bobbin lace, etc, going on the hospitality room. We are really looking forward to this convention! Bev Menart Activities of our Branches Reports due first of month preceding publication. NO. 2, CHICAGO Meetings: 2nd Thurs. St. Stephen’s lower hall Congratulations to Corinne who celebrated her 50th year as Editor for ZARJA and to all the members of Zveza who have been lucky to have had her with us all these years. Thanks, Corinne, for helping all the reporters get their info, out to the branches. We could not have done it without you. Thanks to everyone who worked to make the Slovenian Jubilej 75th Anniversary March 8 and 9 at Joliet so special. It was a great week-end. There was so much put together for 2 days, lots of history, genealogy, cooking, klobase making, many items from Slovenia to buy, the strolling button box musicians. The Library, Reading Room dedication honoring the benefactors was blest by Fr. Metod Ogorevc which will be used for many productive years. Those especially honored were: Mr. & Mrs. Donald Dvornik; FL; Br. 24 LaSalle and Br. 2, Chicago. Mass at St. Joseph Church, what a thrill to hear the choir singing those beautiful Slovenian songs. Father Blase celebrated the Mass. We probably will always remember the “WIND” on Saturday that brought the snow flurries; it blew us around like paper. Afterwards we all met at the Slovenian Cultural Center/Lemont, each table was named for a city of Slovenija. We were happy to meet and get to know members from other branches. The food was delicious, entertainment was great; Oktet Lesna with Boštjan Zanoskar from Slovenija. They were very friendly and outgoing. Also the Slovenian Dancers/Lemont; Choir and Vince Rigler’s Button box group who strolled around the tables and we all sang with them. What an enjoyable day and evening!!! There were 25 members from our branch who attended and had a great time. Our St. Joseph Table and St. Patrick’s celebration was well attended, there were over 50 members present. This year it was held on Sunday afternoon. The table was filled to capacity with a variety of food, it was fantastic. The sweet table looked as tho Chef Emeril came to town to treat us. We also celebrated Fran Morison’s birthday. Members who were in the hospital: Agnes Wroblewski, Joe and Jennie Worth, Amelia Smith, Chris Pirman, Helen Mladic, Millie Paisolli, Ann Sci-eszka, Lil Seibert and our home bound, Mae Persa, Millie Persa and Angie Blatnik. Please remember them in your prayers and with a card. Our condolences to the following members who lost loved ones: Rose Marie Krapenc (sister-in-law Beverly Krapenc); Augusta Di Cenzo (husband Edward), who now live in FL; Ann Hozian (sister-in-law Bernice Zalik); Julane Svoboda (mother Stella); Clare Lesza (brother); Lillian Seibert and Dorothy Draeger lost their sister (Margaret Terlizzi) and to the Salmich family; Mary Malloy and Mary Ann Oblak lost cousin, Josephine Mokorel; Helen (Luzar) Mladic and her daughter, Lorraine lost husband/father John; and to the Mladic family; also to Jean Hras-ter’s family on the death of their aunt, Ann in FL. Just heard that Sister Dolores Omer-zel (St. Francis, Lemont) died. She grew up in the old neighborhood of St. Stephen, went to school, left for the convent; returned to St. Stephen School to teach. What a blessing she was; she is now in the hands of our Lord. Please remember them all in your prayers that they will rest in peace. Our 50 Year members of 2001: Elsie Gottlieb and Mary Muller. Congratulations to Amelia Smith (as Great grandma) and to Annette Corgiat as a Grandma and to Daisy as a great aunt. Anthony Thomas was bom to Michael and Anna Corgiat in AZ. MOTHERS DAY - We will honor all members as: Women of the Year on May 19. Mass is at 1:00 o’clock -Father Blase will celebrate. Reception afterwards. June meeting: 2nd Sunday - 1:00 o’clock at Lower Hall. Picnic will be held at Lemont on July 21 - More details later. Memorial Day Tribute: “They answered their country’s call to arms, into battle they did go, Where theirfinal destination was. No one will ever know. May their final resting place, Under some unknown sod, Be forever hallowed, For it is known only unto God. ” God Bless all our Service personnel who are fighting for us. Keep them in your prayers and your thoughts. Love, DAISY NO. 3, PUEBLO, CO Meetings: 1st Tues. St. Mary’s Church Hall Here we are in the final month of our meetings until Fall. We will have our May party at Patti’s Restaurant at which time we will honor our Member of the Year, Josephine Poder. Josephine Poder and her daughter Jeannette attended the Slovenian Jubilej, the 75 years of the Slovenian Women’s Union of America and 25 years of the Slovenian Heritage Museum. They enjoyed the festivities very much and then Josephine went on to Washington to spend some time with her daughter. A number of our members were very busy during Lent serving soup every Wednesday and helping assemble and deliver Easter baskets to our shut-ins and residents of nursing homes. It was great to see Agnes Cvar enjoying our soup on Wednesday. She was such a faithful member at our meetings until she had surgery on her back. We also miss her sister Gertrude Jordan at our meetings. Don’t forget to remember the sick, homebound and nursing home residents in your prayers. Have a happy summer. PAULINE PAUCHICK NO. 12, MILWAUKEE, WI Meetings: 3rd Thurs. St. Peter’s Church Hall I am sorry I missed the celebration of the Slovenian Jubilej in March. I heard it was a beautiful affair and everything was so enjoyable. At our February meeting we celebrated Valentine’s Day. We had a delicious lunch prepared by our kitchen chairman, Virginia Strukel. Our birthday girls, Delores Kodrich and Rose Lorek brought the refreshments and we also had 6 red carnations at each table, donated by Virginia. At our March meeting we had a good turnout. Leona Zigmund was at St. Francis Hospital with a viral infection but is home now and recuperating. Fanny Smole had a special birthday treat for us and other members brought desserts; Easter was remembered by colored eggs.Every year I enjoy coloring eggs for my members. My husband who is now deceased enjoyed coloring them and I picked up from him. Virginia prepared another delicious lunch and members brought desserts. Theresa Fedran spent 10 days in Florida visiting a friend and enjoying the weather. We discussed the “Willard” convention in September and also getting a chartered bus. I hope we can get many ladies to attend as it will be a beautiful affair. Willard people are so friendly and all the food will be home made. Take care and I wish all my members a Happy Mother’s Day! STAV1A DOBERSEK NO. 13, SAN FRANCISCO, CA Meetings: 1st Thurs. Slovenian Hall on Mariposa St. I hope everyone had a beautiful spring. Ceta Zagar and I have just returned from the 75th Anniversary celebration in Joliet. It started on Friday evening with a fun social at St. Joseph’s Hall. We had a delicious Slovenian Sausage dinner. The debut of our new SWU video was presented to the delight of all. It is called: “Come Look Thru My Eyes” and was produced by our own committee, headed by Mary Lou Voelk. Then, a slide show on the beautiful places in Tribute to Beverly Jackson No. 13, San Francisco, CA. We had our Valentine’s Day party before our meeting in February. Beverly Jackson brought all of the homemade goodies. We had Taco salad, chicken enchiladas, cornbread and a delicious cake. We all enjoyed our lunch and had a good time. Thank you, Beverly, for being the wonderful person that you are. She is always there to do good things for us, bringing goodies to the meetings and making Afghan spreads for our raffles. She gives rides to our members who don’t drive. She comes in smiling and laughing all the time, bringing life to the party. She makes our day!! She has been our Recording Secretary and Reporter for many years. Beverly, we all care for you as a friend and we are proud to have you as a member in our Branch #13. Josephine Aiuto, President Slovenia was given by Ms. Smilja Klesnik, Secretary General of SIM in Ljubljana followed by the wonderful singing of Oktet Lesna with the accordionist Boštjan Zanoskar. All day Saturday we had lectures, displays to look at, and demonstrations of food preparations. Music, always music! All over the place! We ended the afternoon with a glorious Mass at St. Joseph’s Church 4 p.m., Ceta, Bev Menart and I were proud to present the gifts at Mass. That evening was the magnificent banquet in Lemont. The food was beyond delicious and the table settings gorgeous. The program, consisting of the Oktet Lesna with Boštjan Zanoskar, Družina Markun Choir, Veselje folkdancers of the Slovenian Cultural Center and a tribute and recognition of Corinne Leskovar, ZARJA Editor on her 50th Anniversary. It was wonderful to see so many old friends from Minnesota, Ohio, Illinois, Washington, D.C. But to say it was COLD and WINDY, is an understatement! I don’t think Ceta or I have every been so cold. 14 degrees is cold for us plus the snow and wind! Quite different for two “California Girls!” Sunday and Monday we had our Board Meetings -two very long days with much discussion and decisions to make. We at Br. 13 will be having our Woman of the Year Brunch on May 19th, 2002. Mass is 9:30 a.m. at the Church of the Nativity and brunch is at 11 a.m. at the Marriot in S.F. Please call Josephine for reservations at (415) 863-8632. In June we will have our “Hello to Summer” pot luck dinner at the Slovenian Hall at 6 p.m. We will show the new video of SWU, a beautiful story tracing the activities of SWU and our heritage. I will also have an album of pictures and programs of the 75th anniversary, Slovenian Jubilej! We would like everyone to join in making the plans for the Anniversary party celebrating our own 75th anniversary set for Oct. 20, 2002. Wishes to everyone for a happy, healthy and safe summertime. “ When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die the world cries and you rejoice!" (Native American Proverb) BEVERLY JACKSON NO. 14, EUCLID, OH Meetings: 1st Tues. 6 p.m. Slov. Society Home We’ve been so fortunate with such mild weather this winter and only a dusting of snow every now and then. But the weather hit us with a vengeance the last two days as we had layers of ice then heavy snow so that as I look out of my window while writing this article, I can behold a beautiful scene of trees encased in a heavy shell of pure white snow swaying in the wind. God truly paints the loveliest of pictures with nature. It’s time to make our reservations for our dinner in which this year we will honor all ladies from No. 14. We also would like to remember all of our deceased members for all their hard work and dedication through the years. It was through their efforts that the S.W.U. became such a strong lodge for our Slovenian Heritage and which the ladies loved so much. We also will get to congratulate our 50-year members Diane Bergant, Josephine Kastigar (our Banner Lady) and Olga Klanchar. Date for this annual dinner social is Tuesday, May 7 at 6:00 p.m. at Slovenian Society Home on Recher Ave. Call in your reservations to President Jennie Fitzthum at (216) 261 -1196. We always have such an enjoyable evening with all of our friends and members. Hope to have another large crowd! Our Sunshine lady Rose Rodgers herself is on the sick list along with Peggy Smerke and Josephine Emser. Wishing our ladies a speedy recovery and hope to see their smiling faces very soon. Condolences to the families of our deceased members Frances Kristoff and Emma Polzer. May our merciful Lord and His Mother grant eternal rest to our loved ones. May you celebrate a joyous Mothers’ day with your loving family close around you. ALICE KUHAR NO. 16, SO. CHICAGO, IL Meetings: 2nd Saturday, 1 p.m. monthly except Jan.-July-Aug. St. George’s Hall Hello, dear members! By now our weather should be decent and our gardens in bloom. Just think, a couple of months from now we will be enjoying tomatoes that taste like tomatoes! Yummy! Our 75th Slovenian Jubilej has come and gone. From all that I heard, the celebration was wonderful. We had some members who were fortunate to be there for a lovely day and evening. Gladys Buck, VidaKumse, Dotsi Rossi were passenger guests of our new member, Rose Mary Petrich and her husband, George. Fr. Ed Krai chauf-feured his sisters Dolores Franko and Catherine Jurincie and their cousin, Sylvia Spretnjak. (These ladies are pictured with a group in Slovenian costume on another page of this issue) I was so grateful that I was able to attend the Jubilee mass at St. Joseph church. That special mass will remain in my memory, thanks to a special couple, my daughter, Rose and her fiance, Jim. Our March meeting was cancelled due to a snow storm that day! Please mark your calendars for our Vida’s big day! She’s our Member of the Year and we will celebrate with her on May 9th at Tom’s Restaurant, 894 Burnham Ave., Calumet City. Dinner will be at 1:30 p.m. This is a Thursday. Please make your reservations with Therese, Gladys or me. Come for a fun afternoon. Let us show our appreciation to our diligent secretary. She really deserves this honor. On Wednesday, May 22nd at 4:30 p.m. we are gathering at St. George Church to honor the feastday of Our Lady of Brezje. Special prayers will be said. Come down for coffee and’, after the prayer service. Our Tina Sertich had a blood clot in her leg but with emergency treatment she made a good recovery. You just can’t keep a good lady down, right? Our chaplain, Fr. Josip is also recuperating after surgery. Father says that he is all better. With all of our prayers, he should be! Our dear Clara Saviano fell in her home and broke her hip. She had surgery and is now recuperating. Send our friend a card to her home. We love you, Clara and miss you. Rose Salokar’s niece, Marjorie Mitchell called to inform me that Rose also fell and broke her hip. Rose is now residing in a rest home. I called her and she was happy to hear from me. She sends her regards to all the members in Chicago in Br. 16. Rose moved to Racine, WI many years ago. Our prayers for you, Rose. We lost two long time members, Jane M. Moldenhauer (Szymonic) passed away on March 17th after a long illness. A group of us gathered at the wake to pray the rosary. Our condolences to her son, Walter and other survivors. Jane was a member for 28 years. On March 21st our dear member of Continued on page 28 It is with deep sadness that I report the death of our beloved member, Edna (Triller) Winters on September 27, 2001 after a brief illness. Edna was bom on October 12, 1916 and would have celebrated her 85th birthday on October 12, 2001. Her husband, Joseph passed away on November 8, 1996. She is sur-vived by her daughter, Sandi Bittner (Bruce), grandchildren, Katy and Kristin, son, Alan (Corinne) Winters, sisters, Gloria Serapin and Joann Stoudt and many nieces and nephews. Edna joined Branch 16 on December 18, 1941. She served as President for 9 years, and planned many beautiful parties and dinners for us. She was a loyal, dedicated and very active member. She bowled in many of the S.W.U. Bowling Tournaments during their activity; she was a member of the Branch No. 16 Cadets and was also a member of the S.W.U. Kitchen Band. She is greatly missed at our meetings. Prior to her marriage to Joe, Edna worked in the office of the Wisconsin Steel Works and served her country in the W.A.A.C’s. during WW II. Edna’s aunt, Katie Triller, was a charter member of the S.W.U. and her mother, Katy Triller was a Charter member of Branch 16. Eternal rest grant to her, O Lord, and may Perpetual Light shine upon her. Gladys K. Buck, Secretary No. 16 Continued 60 years, Gloria Serapin went to her eternal home. She is survived by her beloved Tony, husband for 54 years, son Anthony, three grandchildren and one great grandchild - also a sister, Joanne (Paul) Stoudt and numerous relatives. Her mother and sisters (four of them) were all staunch members of SWU. They are all of blessed memory. May our members rest in peace. Sympathy to Ana Lustig and family, also to Manda Maggio and daughters, on the loss of their brother and uncle, Michael Bublich. Eternal rest grant unto him. Happy Mother’s Day - Happy Father’s Day - and best wishes for happy birthdays to all May and June celebrants. Love, MARGE Dear Candy Gram, My mom and dad say that this poem below was so good they wanted it to go to the Chicago Tribune. Well, here it goes: Like St. Patrick everyone Comes together and celebrates. What it means to love And be thankful. After Christmas, Thanksgiving And before Easter, St. Patrick Gives us a time to play and Just have fun. We live and work all day But we love to come Together and be happy, We are safe. Love, Richard Prebil (P.S.: Grandma Marge knows a better publication, so she sent this to us! Richard is a member of Br. 16, So. Chicago, IL.) NO. 20, JOLIET, IL Meetings: 3rd Tues except June to Sept. St. Joe’s Park hall Well, the formal celebration of the 75th Jubilee of the Slovenian Women’s Union is over. But many of the events on March 8 and 9 will be fondly remembered. The 4:00 p.m. Mass at St. Joseph’s Church was graced by the Markun Family choir, who gave such a wonderful rendition of Slovenian songs. Father Blase, the celebrant, delivered an inspiring and congratulatory homily. Judy Mravle, Branch 20 member, played the organ and did a splendid job. It was such a thrill to see our ZARJA editor of 50 years, Corinne Leskovar, honored at the banquet on March 9. The banquet was catered by Lillian Cepon, Branch 20, and helpers. It completed an evening of celebration with button-box music and the singing of the Lesna Oktet, followed by dancing to Vince Rigler’s music. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this evening success. We will fondly remember the 75th anniversary celebration of the Slovenian Women’s Union. On March 12 we had a St. Joseph’s Table with delicious foods brought in by the members. After the dinner we began the meeting with prayer. Then we remembered Mary Ivanich, 94 years old, who was Woman of the Year in 1984. “Auntie-Mayme,” as she was called, went to meet her Maker on March 2. She was a long-time member of Branch 20. We extend our sympathy to her family. A committee chose Mary Kay De-mick as 2002 Woman of the Year. Congratulations to you, Mary Kay! A banquet will be held in her honor on Tuesday, May 21, 2002. Scholarship winners will be announced at the banquet. The 50/50 was won by Jean Herbst. Since Loretta Grzetich was not present, she didn’t receive the accumulated prize of $70. Games of Bingo were played after the meeting. For the annual St. Joseph’s picnic held the last weekend of June, we will need prizes for our booth, “The Lucky Draw” - new items valued at $ 10 each. “Can we do it?” “Yes, we can!” How about it? Josephine (Babe) Poder, 2002 Mother of the Year, Branch 3, from Pueblo, Colorado, with daughter, Jan, and son-in-law, Dan Doran, of Lakewood, Washington, celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Slovenian Women’s Union with Joliet relatives, Rudy and Millie Pucel. On June 15, I will be on my way to the Franciscan Study Pilgrimage in Assisi, Italy, thanks to an anonymous donor. On July 8th, following the Pilgrimage, I hope to meet my cousins in Dobrava, Slovenia, where my mother and dad were bom. On March 7, 2002, I moved to a new residence. My new phone number: (815) 730-9733. Jonita Ruth says, “Thanks, Branch 2, for the table and chairs! They dress up the Heritage Museum. The chairs are so comfortable!” “Remember - see you all Tuesday, May 21, 2002 at St. Joseph’s Park for our Mother of the Year banquet.” Congratulations to: Nancy (Schultz) Voots, Branch 20, for her win in the primary election. Leo and Jeanne Pic-ciotti who added a new baby girl to their family. School news: Outstanding and best of category was Frank Koncar, who will represent St. Joseph School on May 4th at the University of Illinois. His project was “Com as an Insulator.” Congratulations to him and to one of the 2nd Place winners, Amanda Blowers, both our members. To five students from St. Joseph School for their performacne at a Solo & Ensemble contest held on Saturday, March 2 at Holy Trinity School in Westmont. One of two First place solo awards went to Nicholas Vidmar, trumpet; and a second place solo award went to Amy Lilek, clarinet. So, until the next time... “use laughter as a healing process. Laughter helps with communication... take things seriously and yourself lightly.” (David Schroeder) TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER. “LET GO, LET GOD.” SISTER MARLENE AMBROSE, OSF NO. 22, BRADLEY, IL Belated Happy Easter - Happy Spring! Only seven members gathered around the table at the March 19th meeting, among them was Marge Plan-ton, getting along very well after “repairs” following a fall. We enjoyed each others company and, thanks to Ann Richards, went away with prizes in various name drawings. We miss our members who have important appointments; hopefully, we’ll have full house on June 18th when we meet again at the Heritage Village. Congratulations to SWU for a great program in observance of the 75th anniversary of our togetherness and as we hold on, we must pass along our ethnic heritage to other generations. We will read with much interest all about the day’s events. St. Joseph’s parish in Bradley is preparing for its centennial in 2004, Parting off with the sale of “bricks” for the courtyard, between the church and school. A custodian of the Slovenian picnic funds with no picnics for two years, Tony Jamnik, is using the money for four bricks with inscriptions of Slovenian families. The remainder of the funds is going to St. Joseph School. Good thinking, Tony, and thanks for handling the project. Best wishes to all graduates and newlyweds of this busy time of the year. EMMA LUSTIG NO. 24, LA SALLE, IL Meetintgs: 3rd Thurs. Eureka Savings Bank Meeting Room, 7 p.m. Mar.-Apr.-May-June Sept.-Oct.-Nov. I went to Resurrection Church this morning for the Blessing of Easter Food and was pleasantly surprised to see several of our younger members with their food baskets and very happy to see that our Slovenian customs and traditions are continuing. Our March meeting was attended by only eight members-three of them recent additions to our Branch. Our last business meeting was held in October, in November we joined Branch 89, Oglesby and enjoyed Reza’s program, in December we had a great turnout for our Christmas Dinner and of course, we don’t meet in January and February. We should have had a lot of business taken care of and we did have a great report from our Recording Secretary, Adele Gensler, about the March 9th Jubilee. Fortunately, Jennie Pohar told a lot about her recent trip to Slovenia to see her brother and she had a bag full of mementos to show us. We hope she will be with us in April as she said she could go on and on, it was such a wonderful experience. We want to congratulate Cathy and Scott Lenkaitis on the birth of their second son, Alan on December 4th. We also congratulate Loretta Story and husband, Joseph on their new granddaughter bom on February 27th, to daughter Susan and her husband Jeff Considine. Our sympathy to Linda Strune whose brother passed away unexpectedly in November. We will remember him in our prayers. Our birthday celebrants in May are Jo Foley and Rita Mae Pyszka and in June Paula Illman. Abby Schweickert, Patricia Weihman, Rose Mary McLaughlin and Jr. Member, Bekki Jo Prokop will blow out the candles. We will have a new meeting place for future meetings. We will meet in the Eureka Savings Bank Meeting Room. We appreciated the use of the school but there is more and more going on there and parking is a big problem and the school desks are not the most comfortable, so we will give this new place a try. The next meeting will be held on April 18th at 7:00 p.m. at the Eureka Bank. We will not have a Mother of the Year but will honor all of our members. Mary Mecum, Linda Struna and Roberta Donahue will arrange our May luncheon and we all know what a good job they do. Looking forward to seeing all of you there. Best wishes to all of our mothers. May you enjoy the day with your families and much good health and happiness in the days to come. God Bless you. ANNE MARIE WANGLER, Reporter NO. 34, SOUDAN, MN Lorraine Berg is doing an exemplary job as vice president of Branch 34 in northern Minnesota. We thank her. This is our report on the 75th Slovenian Jubilej which I attended with our daughter Michele. Sound! That’s what we heard when Reza opened her mouth and out rippled the music of our Slovenian tongue. It echoed throughout the time we spent there and again when the Slovenian Octet sang to us. I could hear my father distinctly as they sang the songs he taught us so well. Heritage, that’s what it’s all about. We were all caught up in a truly Slovenian event from the slide presentation of Slovenia by a Slovenian representative, actually hearing the Mass said entirely in Slovenian, choir and all. The food, button music-boxes, singing, dancing, meeting of old friends and the making of new, recognition from the Governor, appearance of representative from the Slovenian Consulate and the very special visit to the Slovenian Heritage Museum. We will never forget the beautiful children, busy with their appointed tasks, playing accordian, all in costume. We met and enjoyed particularly the triplets. It all jelled into an unforgetable gem in time. Reza, Kathy, Corinne, Marjorie, Bonnie all became beautiful faces to go with their voices and enthusiasm for our Slovenian Women’s Union. There were sincere promises to attend the National Convention in Duluth. We will be there to greet them all. Hope you will be there, too! Theresa Berg, President /^'4 M Hollander Since 1923 Proud to be the official agency for the 75th anniversary tour! Featuring the World's Best! Abercrombie & Kent, Crystal, Cruises, Holland America, Seaborne Cruises, Special Expeditions, Tanck Tours, and many others! Book Airline Tickets at www.kollander-travel.com Kollander World Travel 78 Years Since 1923 (800) 800-5981 (216) 692-1000 www.kollander-travel.com MISSING PERSONS 4/10/02 Do you know where these members are? Please advise Home Office of new or changed addresses. Benedik, Ann Bengtsen, Barbara Bistan, Mary Bitner, Katie Bond, Marie Bumach, Rosemary Buzan, Pauline Callans, Nancy Cepon, Kristine Dewitt, Christine Drobnič, Genevieve Duncan, Sherri Fidel, Pauline H. Fitzgerald, Helen Georgen, Carole A. Gibbons, Mary Gottlieb, Elsie Gulas, Maria L. Hočevar, Frances Hribar, Frances Kamer, Mark Killelea, Jill Kolakowski, Sophie Kosko, Rose Krall, Mary E. La France, Linda Omerza, Mary Pavich, Phyllis Pope, Kathleen Rositch, Josephine Skopec, Marlene Staut, Andrew J. Stemot, Ann M. Stevens, Emma Strumble, Helen A. Towne, Ann Zupan, Marija Vera NO. 35, AURORA, MN Meetings: 6 per year Community Sr. Center Our meeting on Feb. 10th was opened by prayers led by Vice Pres. Dorothy Jamnik for all our deceased members. We had another successful dime auction today; thank you ladies. An update was given for the Minnesota Convention to be in Aurora on Sept. 8th. Several ladies volunteered to make prizes for the raffle - thank Welcome home to brank and Anita Vovk who returned home from Texas. Frances Stark and her sister, Mary passed away within a week, along with two of our 50 year members, Rose Voi-ovich and Julia Strukel. She was our 1993 Mother of the Year. Our president, Anita lost her sister, Tillie. May they all rest in peace. Our sympathy and prayers are with all these families. Thank you to our hostesses Pauline Korpela and Betty Rokser for the delicious lunch. Martha Gunderson won the donor prize made by Betty. The bus trip to Joliet for the 75th Anniversary Slovenian Jubilej was cancelled but a few of us went by plane. We left on Friday, March 8th on a cloudy, snowy day but once we were flying above the clouds the sun was shining. There was no snow in Joliet but there was a WIND! That evening we spent meeting old and new friends and had a good Slovenian meal. We were entertained by three young men and a little boy playing their button box accordions. Later, the Oktet Lesna from Slovenia sang several songs for us and then led us in a sing-a-long of favorite Slovenian folksongs. Saturday morning we enjoyed our visit to the Heritage Museum. It is beautiful. Then off to the Tezak Hall to take in all the demonstrations on genealogy, and other subjects and more music. At 4 p.m. we attended the Slovenian mass at St. Joseph’s Church with their Slovenian choir singing. In the evening, we went to the Slovenian Cultural Center in Lemont for the banquet and reception. Corinne Leskovar was honored this evening for her 50 years as the ZARJA Editor. Her family wa there to share this special time with her. Congratulations, Corinne. A lovely cultural program following the banquet featuring singing, folkdancing and presentations. Our sincere thanks to everyone who made this a memorable weekend for all of us. How blessed we are! Happy summertime to everyone. ANNE M. ORAZEM NO. 39, BIWABIK, MN Meetings: 1st Sunday monthly St. John’s Church The “March Wind Did Blow, and we did have snow” on Sunday the 3rd of March, but we did have a fair tum- Happy 50th! 1 Jean Korsman’s brother Don Pur-kat and his wife, Jane (our Br. 39 secretary for 8 years), on their 50th anniversary celebrated January 12, 2002 at the Eveleth Holiday Inn. They have 8 children and 10 grandchildren. Congratulations, Don and Jane! out, (12) for our Branch meeting. Several of our members went to the nursing home to help celebrate the 90th birthday of Marge Dewhurst. Marge was such an active member before her confinement and we miss her. Congratulations, Marge, and God Bless you. We also miss Ann Tushar, who has been given bad news about her cancer, which has metastesized to the bone. We said a prayer for her complete recovery. Get well, dear friend! We were sad to have to cancel the planned bus trip to Joliet for the 75th Jubilee. We simply could not get the 30 passengers necessary. But luckily six of us from Minnesota did go, (by plane) and were treated to a fabulous weekend of celebration, including tours, workshops, music and time to renew friendships from times past. The Board is to be commended for such a well-planned and memorable event. At this time of the year we also get into the planning of our Branch Woman of the Year banquet. Br. 39 has chosen Rosemary Ribich, a 20-year member who was an elected officer (reporter) and a diligent worker in years past. We were happy to have her join us in preparation for our big State Convention last year, and are looking forward to her continuing participation in future activities. Congratulations, Rosemary. My mother, Annie Purkat would have been 100 years old on April 7th. She would also have two new great grandchildren, Annie May Johnson, my sister Marge Wallings’ 6th grandchildren bom on February 28th and Joshua Jarad Perpich, bom February 13th, my 8th grandchild. Roys’ grandson and wife had a baby girl, Sarah Kay, on Feb. 13th also, so he and I became grandparents and great grandparents on the same day! We thought that was pretty cool! That’s a total of 25 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren for us, combined! I just completed the ‘Family Tree’ of our Purkat clan, which I sent to Slovenia to a cousin of mine who is compiling a record of several generations back of (my fathers’ family). We will be thrilled to see it completed. Congratulations to all the “Mothers.” Have a pleasant summer. JEAN KORSMAN NO. 42, MAPLE HTS., OH Meetings: Quarterly, 2nd month of the quarter, 2nd Saturday Maple Hts., Library Hello everyone. My Florida trip proved to be most enjoyable but, as usual, time went by too fast. I flew down but had a SUV (from Florence’s son) at my disposal the entire time. We started on a 2,000 mile jaunt stopping along the way to visit friends and relatives. Our first contact was in Cape Coral for a wonderful visit with Louis Gorsha and wife, Sophie. The Gorsha family lived on Raymond St. right across from Kohler’s store. They moved to Minnesota in the early 1930’s, during the depression, but I always remained in touch wtih their family. I was amazed at how much Louis remembered about our old neighborhood and its people. His boyhood companion was Rudy Craider and according to Louis, the town “muscle” was big brother, George Craider. Louis’ son, Gary, as I have previously written, was the contact that linked me up with the family again. What an enjoyable visit! From there we moved on to Venice and my cousin, Marge Fabjan Munley (Br. 73 member) who with husband, Bob welcomed us into their beautiful home. We proceeded on to Seminole and again enjoyed the company of my cousin, Stan Legan and wife, Pat. Stan is a perfect example of the durability of the Slovene! At the age of 84 he still plays golf at least 3 times a week and shoots in the 70’s! We then moved on to the Chain of Lakes Park in Winterhaven and the Cleveland Indians in spring training. They were playing the Yankees and the game was a complete sellout. We moved on to Orlando and Disney world. From there we hit Jaxville and a visit with my lifetime friend, Laurabelle Foster. “Laurie” and I were classmates at Broadway School until her family moved to Florida when we were in the 5th grade. We have remained pen pals to this day. Our next stop was Biloxi, Mississippi and the casinos, a mini Las Vegas. We then returned to Florida and moved down the east coast. When we approached Port St. Lucie we decided to visit the graves of my sister and her husband, Julia and Lou Lipnos. We returned to Pembroke Pines after many interesting and pleasant encounters, only to be told that Florence’s grandson, Brett, age 9, was in the hospital with a recurrence of his leukemia which was diagnosed at age 6. He will probably need a bone marrow transplant. Please remember Brett in your prayers. Since I have been away I was out of touch with any happenings locally, however, today I read the obituary of Frank (Smicey) Urbančič, Planina’s long-time lead tenor. He was such a great guy. To his wife Emma, and their family, we extend our deepest sympathy. Happy birthdays to Clara Hrovat, Dorothy Mehosky, Samantha and Shawn Thompson, Mary Champa and Melinda Prhne. Happy June birthdays to Dolores Lipnos, Bob Kastelic, Betty Ann Kastelic, Sally Prhne, Katherine Gruden and Jackie Albers. As always, get well wishes to all our ailing members and a happy Spring to everyone. Zbogom. LIL SADOWSK1 Go to the SWU website to see pictures of our 75th Anniversary Celebration: www.swua.org. ■flflttgHflflBflOOOOooooooooooqo NO. 43, MILWAUKEE, WI Meetings: 4th Wed. St. John Evangelist Rectory Our February and March meetings were weli attended, and we were treated by our birthday members. Some of our members need our prayers. Arlene Fritz had eye surgery, Joan Yak-lich’s back is giving her trouble, and Lorraine Johnston is being treated for cancer. Father Pakiz, a long time ago Pastor of St. John Evangelist Church was an uncle to Barbara Martinko who sings with the Uspeh Chorus. I remember Father Pakiz, I received my First Holy Communion from him. Some of our members and some from Br. 12 attended the 75th Jubilee of the Slovenian Women’s Union in Joliet. We wish to thank Denise Bartlett for arranging the travel arrangements. To make our meetings more interesting Betty Anne Kolesari arranges for speakers. At our February meeting we had 2 Fire Fighters from the Milwaukee Fire Department, Joel Richlitz of Engine No. 28 and John Richlitz of Engine No. 14. They talked on fire prevention and fire protection, and showed us how to use the fire extinguisher. They are both our members since they were babies. Their grandfather, Ray Delopst put them into our lodge. We wish to thank Ray Delopst for showing movies of the 75th Jubilee. This was a two hour showing and was done so well that it made us feel as if were there. Which was good for those of us who couldn’t attend. The State Convention will be in Willard on September 8th 2002. Betty Anne Kolesari will be our Delegate. Our April meeting was on the 24th. ANNE E. KONCZAL, Reporter NO. 47, GARFIELD HTS., OH Meetings: 2nd Sunday in Marcvh, Sept., & Nov. Maple Hts. Public Library March meeting opened with prayer by President Olga Dorchak. Those of us that went to Joliet for the celebration told everyone that attended that we had a great time. Kathleen Dorchak and her committee members did a great job in coordinating everything. Myself learned more about my heritage that weekend and was very glad I was able to attend something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Mother’s Day celebration is on May 5th at Sterle’s Country House at 12:00. Cost is $18.50 per person. Our Mother of the Year is Millie Stautihar. Items will be raffled off at our celebration. Reservations can be called in to Elsie Spellacy at (440) 232-8733 or Olga Dorchak at (330) 468-7989. Mass for Living and Deceased members will be June 23rd, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Church. Birthday wishes go out to all our May and June members. May members: Robert Hall, Sky Hall, Beth Kovacic and Katherine Wallace. June members: Elsie Lawren-cic, Jane Spellacy and Terri Turner. To all moms of the Slovenian Women’s Union have a beautiful and happy mother’s day. KATHERINE WALLACE NO. 50, EUCLID, OH Meetings: 3rd Wed. Euclid Public Library Except July & Aug. Here it is - April Fool’s Day - there it goes! Spring is springing, and the world is going nuts. Will it ever be understood? Pray for an answer. Our first meeting of the year was a good one in spite of the close quarters. We learned about the terrific get together in Joliet, IL by our few fortuante attendees, and, of course, we made some of our own future plans, such as, our next Christmas Party on the 1st Sunday in December, our annual Picnic meeting on September 18th at the Euclid Park Clubhouse and our Mother of the Year dinner meeting in honor of our Auditor, Frances Kaifez on May 15th at Sterle’s Country House Restaurant at 1:30 p.m. Last but not least, our next meeting will have taken place on April 17th. Spring should have sprung by then! We have quite a few under-the-weather members whom we hope will mend themselves soon. Julia Kuhar, unfortunately bruised quite painfully but is improving as she mends. Dorothy Winters is recovering from the surgery she endured on the bottom of her foot. She will be back kicking around as before in no time. Carole Lokar, how- ever, is not doing as well and was transferred to the hospital from the nursing home. Helen Raplanovic suffered a stroke and has been hospitalized. Mary Sirma had back surgery and Mary Klemenčič is convalescing from a fall. Stella Kostick fell and injured her ankle. C’mon Gals, enough already. We lost the presence of Agnes Miller. Her family and sister Mary Ogn bear the heartache. Sympathy also goes to Christine Duche for the loss of her sister, Rose Puzdar and Josephine Gre-ben’s brother, Charles Paik died. Evelyn Hrovat, daughter of Mary Maxin, our recording sec’y. died at the age of 52 on April 2nd. She is survived by her husband and three children. Our prayers of sympathy are extended to all of you. We hope it is better where they are than what is happening down here. Na svidenje! VI MORAVCHEK NO. 55, GIRARD, OH “Prišla je pomlad... spring has finally arrived and with it comes spring cleaning, gardening, sprucing-up the home and yard, and, yes, even a late snowfall. Rumor has it that the 75th Anniversary Celebration was a huge success -hope to read about the event in this issue of ZARJA. The program booklet was nicely done, too. Hvala Lepa to the entire committee who worked so diligently preparing for this celebration. Easter came very early this year; I hope and pray that all of our members and their families had i very blessed day, enjoying our many Slovenian customs including Butarce on Palm Sunday and Žegen for Easter Sunday. My family enjoyed Easter with our daughter, Andrea, who lives in New York City. She enthusiastically told us of the newly organized Branch 93 in NYC ... Congrats ladies! We are looking forward to reporter Suzanna Zupančič Brathwaite’s column for young people. During the Easter break our other daughter, Monica, traveled to Paris with her French teacher and 10 other students. What an experience! We are very proud of our member, my sister, Anka Kregar Krakora for being selected Class Act Teacher by NBC Channel 21, Youngstown, Ohio. Anka was thoroughly surprised on March 13, 2002 with a bouquet of balloons, flowers and a beautiful crystal apple, inscribed with her name. She was, momentarily, speechless as the TV camera and reporter entered her classroom. Amid tears, she beautifully affirmed her love of children and teaching. Anka has influenced many students in her over 20 years of teaching third grade in the Girard School System. Her name was submitted by twin brothers in her present class who wrote, “Mrs. Krakora makes learning fun,” ... what a testimonial. We salute a very dedicated teacher... Anka Krakora, a Real Class Act. Čestitamo ti, Anka! Our branch is in the process of planning our May dinner/meeting. All members will be notified of the event. Please plan on attending. We will try to show the Jubilee Video. “Come Look Through My Eyes.” To all of our members in nursing homes or convalescing at home, our good wishes and prayers are with you. Take time to enjoy God’s beauty as it awakens from it’s winter sleep. Happy Spring! Nasvidenje, MARIA SELAK, President NO. 59, BURGETTSTOWN, ?? Member Mourned Branch 59, Burgettstown mourns the loss of their member Margaret Yenko who was bom in 1907 in Livingston, IL. She was a member of our Branch 59 for many years. Margaret was the wife of Stephan Yenko who died in 1965 and surviving her are a daughter, Louise Paskutis of Bulger, a son, William, also of Bulger, six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. We will miss her and extend our sympathy to the family. ROSEMARY ORENCHUK IT’S IN /^>kEVIERY s(lovo\iiaim New Members are welcome — $15.00 per year—with ZARJA subscription NO. 85, DEPUE, IL Meeting: at Members’ Homes Br. 85 would like to congratulate the SWU on the 75th Anniversary held in March. I was sorry that I could not attend but have heard very good reports about how wonderful everything was despite a terrible wind and cold. We would also like to congratulate Corinne Leskovar for her 50 years as Editor of ZARJA. She has done such a wonderful job and the honor was certainly well-deserved. We wish you many more good years as Editor, Corinne. (Thank you. C.) We have two birthdays coming up. Mary Plantan will be celebrating on Flag Day, June 14th. Millie Lavrin has hers on July 16th. Have a good one, Mitz and Millie! I felt so bad when I read my last article in ZARJA about teachers. Here I had missed a very good and special one - my own niece, Jeanine Crockett, daughter of Muriel and the late Edward Jermene. Jeanine has been chosen “special teacher of the year” in her school for the past two years. My apology to Jeanine and Muriel. Ryan Crockett, son of Jeanine and Will Crockett and grandson of Muriel Jermene was baptized and made his First Holy Communion on Holy Saturday. Our congratulations! We extend our deepest sympathy to our president, Gen Grilc and her family whose sister, Anna Elder passed away and was buried on April 2nd. May she rest in peace. Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms. Eternal rest grant to our deceased mothers. Have a wonderful summer, everyone! Stay well! God Bless! MARY JERMENC NO. 93, NEW YORK, NY Lepe pozdrave od NYC! Greetings from NYC! Branch 93 has been quite active. In the past few months, we have reorganized the branch and hosted a number of activities. At each of our events, attendance increases, and we are very excited about celebrating our Slovenian roots here in New York City. New member, Jana Colonna took the lead on planning and communicating the first few meetings to our group. Thank you Jana! We have held meetings at several NYC restaurants in the past few months - Ferrera’s (Italian) and Veselka (Eastern European) -where we shared our stories and enjoyed excellent palačinke and coffee. Jana also set up a Yahoo user group, where members post and exchange messages almost every day. This has been an excellent way for us to keep in touch and to share news. The address for the group is: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWU-newyork Please feel free to visit the site and consider setting one up for your own branch. Thanks again to Jana! Some news about our members: Suzi Zupancic-Braithwaite, just had a baby boy, Lukas, on 4/2. Congratulations! Tea Rozman Clark has started an initiative to collect children’s books for libraries in Africa. (See her story in this issue.) Marjana Lovrencic-Lipitz, a translator (English, German, Slovenian), will be contributing her expertise to the online newsletter and the ZARJA by teaching us some Slovenian! Mirjam Milharcic-Hladnik is an independent researcher who is working on a project on Slovenian Women in the U.S.A. and their role in the preserving of Slovenian cultural heritage. We wish her great success with this project. Mirjam and Lynn Zalokar represented Branch 93 at the Jubilej. Lynn is heading up the national SWUA membership committee this year and coordinates the ‘The New Neighborhood’, the monthly e-mail newsletter for SWUA members. I will serve as Secretary/ZARJA Reporter of the Branch. We’re wishing good luck to Jana Colonna with her move to Miami, FL at the end of April. Jana has worked as a graphic and web designer for the past 10 years and is now launching her own advertising, web and graphic design business called “mediaZZero”. Visit Jana’s site at: http://mediaz-zero.net. Best of luck, Jana, and 'Hvala Lepa!’ for all of your contributions to Branch 93! We will miss you. Please feel free to contact me, Andrea Selak, if you have any items for the next ZARJA article or any questions about upcoming Branch 93 events! You can reach me via e-mail at andrea.selak@gs.com, via mail at 330 East 39th Street, Apt. 23L, New York, NY 10016, or via phone at (646) 865-0604. ANDREA SELAK NO. 95, SO. CHICAGO, IL Hi Ladies! How is everyone doing? Dan and I are doing great! We won’t get back to Chicago until the 3rd week of May. The weather here is nice and just a little rain which is good in Florida. We lost a dear member in our branch. Beverly Krapence died in February. She was a long time member. Her mother, Emma Yergovich just died last September. I’d like to hear from you and hope that if anyone is ill you will have a quick recovery! Would like to have any news you want to share. Congratulations Corinne, on 50 years of being the Editor of ZARJA. You have done a wonderful job. And, a happy anniversary to Slovenian Women’s Union and 25 years for the Home Office and Museum in Joliet. How the years go fast! Wishes to all for Mother’s Day and Happy Birthday to ladies celebrating in May and June. Say prayers for the sick and deceased. Happy Springtime to all of you! DOLORES HENNELLY NO. 100, FONTANA, CA Branch 100 members are looking forward once again to gather for our Corporate Communion and Mass and to honor our Member of the Year. For 2002, our special member is Matilda (Tillie) Skebe. We will take part in the celebration of mass at St. Joseph’s Church in Fontana on May 5th at 12:00 noon. A luncheon will follow at 1:30 at Napoli’s Italian Restaurant in Loma Linda. Please join us for a lovely afternoon with friends and family. Call Anne Kapel to reserve your place for lunch (909) 822-0287. We would also like to extend our best wishes to Florence Stmad who celebrated her 90th Birthday in January. We miss seeing you, Florence! Condolences go to the family of Frances (Fay) Vidergar who passed away March 21 in Fullerton. She was a patient in the Sunny Hills Convalescent Home. Fay leaves son, Dennis Vidergar of Arizona and daughter, Loretta Jorgenson of Buena Park. Our members continue to enjoy the ZARJA with all of its new departments and revitalized membership. Also, the “New Neighborhood” brings interest to those of us who can take part in it. I have used both of these in transferring information to my young granddaughter who is doing a school project on Slovenia. Micaela is also a member of SWU. Websites on Slovenia abound and will be very helpful for these upcoming students. Enjoy the Spring and early Summer. .. remembering your roots with the help of our Slovenian societies. JEAN KOCI NO. 102, WILLARD, WI Meetings: When convenient Parish Center Our meeting was held Feb. 14 with 14 members present. With a Valentine Party potluck and bingo we enjoyed the evening. Rose Pakiz donated a beautiful cake as a door prize. Our next meeting is May 5th. We will honor Judy Di Pasquale as Mother of the Year. Also, we will have a plant sale. The Palm Sunday bake sale was a great success, a lot of poticas and strudels were donated. Josephine Bayuk was chosen to be Woman of Light from our parish. There are 17 ladies in our LaCrosse Diocese and one was chosen at the Deanery meeting in April at St. Mary’s in Colby. Jesse Plautz received recognition for his scholastic achievement and was put on the Dean’s List. He is a freshman at the University of Minnesota. Jesse is the son of Patrick and Kay Plautz and his grandmothers are Mary Djubinski and Frieda Klancher. Condolences to the families of Albert Bukovec, Andy Cohara, Caroline Klancher and Mary Lesar. Our prayers also go out to the caregivers of Frank Bayuk who is gravely ill. Rose Pakiz submitted the following to add to the branch news. Sister Genevieve (Christine Jordan), formerly of Willard, passed away recently in Illinois. In her memory the Slovenska Družba Society donated $25 to St. Mary’s Memorial Fund. Twice a year a mass is offered for the deceased and also for the benefactors of the Memory Fund. Fr. Benno Korbic, OFM, passed away in Lemont. From 1950 to 1958 he was assistant pastor to Fr. Augustine at Holy Family. Ed and Josephine Bayuk and Vitko and Mary Staut attended his funeral. Br. 102 was represented at the SWU 75th Slovenian Jubilej held in Joliet and Lemont in March by member Sue Pakiz and husband, Larry. They were accompanied by Larry and Karen (Hribar) Spirer and son, Erik of Lake Villa, IL. Karen is Sue’s cousin and recently became a member of Br. 102. They frequently vacation in this area where Karen’s parents originated. They reportedly had a most enjoyable time and said it was a well organized celebration. They became acquainted with many of the national officers and other SWU officials. She will give us a report at the May 5th meeting. AGNES DEBEVEC, Your Reporter NO. 103, WASHINGTON, D.C. Meetings: 1st Sun. except July & Aug. St. Columba’s Ch. Albermarle St. The March meeting of Br. 103, which was held on Sunday, March 3, 2002, will be remembered for our very important guest speaker, Mrs. Davorin Kračun, the wife of the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia. I can not convey how happy and honored Branch 103 was to receive Mrs. Kračun. Likewise, His Excellency Dr. Davorin Kračun escorted her; it was an unexpected pleasure and honor. Andreja Purkart Martinez, the Embassy Second Secretary for Consular Affairs, also accompanied Mrs. Kračun. Mrs. Kračun spoke on the Role of the Ambassador’s Wife. In addition to her official duties, Mrs. Kračun’s focus and joy has been children’s education. As part of her mission, she has undertaken to collect English language books for children of ages 9 to 13 (junior high school ages). These books will be sent to Slovenia and will be read by Slovenian children. (Please see the separate article in ZARJA containing the text of Mrs. Kračun’s speech.) The subsequent period for questions-and-an-swers added insight to Slovenia’s new identity as a modem European nation. Prior to Mrs. Kračun’s arrival and speech, Branch President Mary Lou Terselic conducted the meeting for members. Business and financial matters were discussed. Mimi Mejač presented the annual financial report for year 2001. The branch now has 89 members. Meeting hostesses Ana Šonc Jevič and the undersigned, Valerie Bohince, along with Molly Thomas, outdid themselves by baking pastries, cookies and cakes for refreshments. Most impressive and delicious were the two kinds of potica (nut and cheese) freshly baked by Ana. VALERIE BOHINCE The Ambassador’s Wife Addresses Br. 103 members Mrs. Andreja Kračun, wife of the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the United States was a guest speaker at Branch 103’s March 3 meeting. She spoke on the dynamic topic of the “Role of the Ambassador’s Wife.” We were honored to have Dr. Davorin Kračun, the ambassador join us during the question-and-answer period to discuss a variety of questions about culture, education, economics and politics in Slovenia today. Mrs. Kračun agreed to share her interesting talk with other members of the SWU. We hope all are touched to read about just a few of her tireless efforts and the many good deeds she has accomplished through her important position. On behalf of Branch 103, we wish to thank Dr. & Mrs. Davorin Kračun for taking the time out of their busy schedules to speak to us. We wish them continued success and perseverance in all their endeavors in the future. Dr. & Mrs. Kračun recently hosted the Oktet Lesna concert at their residence. A warm and wonderful time was had by all at this entertaining performance by a superb group of Slovenian performers. On the photo (page 36), they are pictured at the close of the concert, while the guests were serenaded by another song before departing. Submitted by Bernadette Kovacic Fitzsimmons Our Members Write Andreja Kračun Br. 103, Washington, D.C. Role of an Ambassador’s Wife Diplomatic life in Washington is very dynamic. Fortunately, I came with some experiences. In Slovenia I was a member of SILA (Slovenian International Ladies Association) and the way women’s clubs work is not new to me. I was also familiar with my duties as an ambassador’s spouse because of my husband’s position (work) in the government. In the very beginning I accepted every invitation to numerous social functions and of course it made it easier for me to meet a lot of people, especially from the diplomatic circles. So, what have I done in these two years? At the start I became a member of many women’s clubs. I must admit that I prefer the clubs where I can be actively involved in several activities. Last year I had an opportunity to host one of the most prominent clubs - the International Neighbors Club 1. Some very important ladies came, like Mrs. Secretary of State Alma Powell, Mrs. Secretary of Transportation Deni Mineta, Mrs. Secretary of the Treasury, Nancy O’Neill, also senator’s wives, ambassador’s wives... My husband delivered a speech about Slovenia; my mother and sister baked a potica and we presented Slovenia as the most successful and beautiful country in the world. Because of the success of this event I decided to invite more clubs to our residence and present my country to them. I also delivered some speeches about Slovenia at the Capital Speaker’s Club. After all, it is also my duty as ambassador’s spouse to represent my country the best way I can. Besides, I like to work with children. You may recall that I organized a class for your children “Slovenska vesela sola.” Mrs. Pregelj and I tried to teach the children some Slovene. Despite of the irregular attendance of classes I feel that each class was worth our effort. In our first year of living here in Washington, D.C. we celebrated our first Thanksgiving ever. I found the story about Pilgrims and Indians so interesting that I decided to deliver a lecture on it to children when I returned to Slovenia. Children were enthusiastic and after the lecture they asked questions about life in the USA, about famous film stars, except for one boy who asked me about homeless people, how they live and how they spend Thanksgiving Day. Later on the teacher told me that this boy’s family is very poor. When I came back to the U.S. I always thought about this boy and finally we decided to invite him to Washington. He was also a good student and I was told that his biggest wish had always been to go to America. The decision was perfect. I arranged everything with the headmaster who invited the boy’s parents to school where they were informed about my invitation. His mother began to cry and when Matjaž came to the office he got scared: “Mama, what happened?” he asked. “Matjaž, you are going to America,” his mamma told him. At this point I have to emphasize how proud I am of my town, Maribor. The local companies there bought a plane ticket for him and clothes, in short, the whole town helped this boy. And exactly a year ago Matjaž came to spend a week with us. Can you imagine a 13 year old boy traveling alone from Vienna to Washington and he has never before been outside Maribor? When we arrived to our residence he told me: “Mrs. Kračun, I will come back to America as a doctor of medicine and I will build the same house and one room I will make just for you.” That week was very special for us. We almost forgot how it is to be modest and Matjaž taught us modesty. His friends in Maribor collected about $100 and he spent this money on the presents for his family. I really enjoyed shopping with him; it was very special and touching. I organized a special program for him and almost all the staff from the Embassy helped me. We were invited for lunch by the family of the Tunisian Ambassador, Matjaz also had an opportunity to visit the White House and he spent a day at an American school. It was a pleasant surprise when the children of our embassy people collected some money he could spent on himself and then went to the Mall with him. They became friends and Matjaž left Washington with a lot of marvelous memories and new friends. This year I delivered a lecture about American history and the Constitution, and I was invited to three schools in Slovenia. I always enjoy working with children because of their curiosity. The American Ambassador to Slovenia Mr. Johnny Young and his wife, together with my husband, attended one of my classes and it was really something special. Last year we invited a girl who won a regional competition in research. She came on September 10. I don’t have to tell you what a week we spent. We hosted the Cherry blossom princess from Slovenia last year; she was from Maribor and this year a young girl from Koper is coming. I also got involved in other activities, for example I decided to collect English books for Slovenia’s schools. Last year I helped to collect some international items for the silent auction for a charity event to benefit the Children’s Hospital for which I successfully collected beautiful things from about 15 Embassies. Besides all this it is my duty to accompany my husband to the receptions, as well as host numerous events at our residence. In conclusion, I want to say that I couldn’t realize my projects without the help of the staff of the Embassy and their families. I am very thankful to all of them. And last but not least, I would like to thank my husband, Davorin. He has been always open to all my ideas. So you see my life here is very dynamic, demanding, but also very interesting. I try to do all my best because I represent my country and I want the people to get to know Slovenia as much as possible. LESNA OKTET of Slovenia with Mrs. Kračun, enjoying one last song before departing Washington in March. Tea Rozman Clark Br. 93, New York, NY SLOVENIJA, NEW YORK CITY, AFRICA-IN MY HEART I am one of those people who found living in Slovenija a bit claustrophobic. After I went on my first backpack travel around Europe in my high school years, things were never the same. Summer in a camper (prikolica) in Strunjan was just not an option anymore, skiing in Krvavec sounded boring. But the more I traveled, the more I also realized that I didn’t like simply being a tourist. Running from one country to the next, then from one site to the next was too cursory an experience. To get the rich educational experience I yearned for I realized I needed to live in a country and to come with a purpose. To achieve this I began working in volunteer work camps all over the world and in the process combined my love for traveling with my life passion which is fighting for social equality, human rights and peace. In Belgium 1 worked with battered Muslim women, in Bosnia with victims of the war, and in Kosovo refugees from Albania. I traveled to Mexico to support the natives of Chiapas in their struggles and last year taught children in Mali, Burkina, Faso, and Ghana. I was able to further my passions thanks to a Soros grant which paid for me to study in the United States at Wisconsin University. However, after all of my traveling I began to realize that I also missed my home country. This became even clearer each time I sat down in an Adria Airways airplane with a copy of Delo in my hands. And arriving in Ljubljana to the hugs and kisses of my family and friends was overwhelming. But my travels were not over and in October 2001 I moved to New York City. This was the first time I had traveled without a return ticket to my name and I felt the weight of sadness in what I was doing. My mother also felt this and as I was leaving at Bmik airport she said, “Again you are going to where it is not safe.” I knew what she meant but this time 1 really wasn’t looking for it. This time I was going for love. The summer before I had married an American man who I met while studying in the States and I was going to join him in New York City. He had moved there first in order to find an apartment and now I was following him two months later. For three years we had lived in Slovenia, but we always had an agreement that once I finished my degree in Ljubljana we would move to New York City so that he could pursue his long term goal of attending The New York Academy of Arts. As for me, my goals were also quite ambitious. I hoped to start working with an NGO and slowly work my way up to a position at the UN or something similar. I have been here for over 6 months now, earning money as a babysitter and working as a volunteer for an NGO. I never imagined I would be doing this, especially with my full resume and hard-earned degree. However, everyone assures me that it’s a matter of timing - bad timing. Not all has been bad, though. Recently I have started a brand new program in conjunction with Global Education Associates, the NGO where I am volunteering. The program is called Books for African Children and the mission is to collect children’s paper back books and then send them to schools in Africa. The idea for this grew out of my first hand experience in Africa and the sad reality that so many children there do not have access to books. In fact each child must make do with a single hand-me down book per school year. This one book is read so many times it quickly becomes memorized. However, althlough the minds are active and hungry, there are no more books for them to read. My plan is to change all this. I want to build libraries filled with books of all types. Books for education, reference, and entertainment. Books to create dreams, start careers, and sustain hope. I realize the job is a big one and that is why I am also asking you, my fellow Slovenians, to help with this important cause. If you have any used children’s books (paper back only), dictionaries, atlases, encyclopedias, books on peace education, AIDS prevention, ecology, and global citizenship, please send them to Global Education Associates, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1848, New York, NY 10115 or contact me through globaleduc@earthlink.net or by phone (21) 870-3290. At its essence the idea is rather simple, but its potential is profound. Become a little piece in a mosaic. Naj se glas o Sloveniji sliši tudi v Afriki! Tea reading to children in Larabanga, Ghana International recognition for Lucija Dragov an The American Watercolor Society has chosen a painting by Lucija Dragovan to be included in the its 135th Annual International Exhibition in New York City. Among the prize winners, her watercolor “A Light Within” was honored with the Edgar A. Whitney Award. The painting portrays a woman seated at a cafe table with sunlight streaming through the window behind her. The woman’s blouse is rendered in multiple, transparent blues which shimmer softly against the orange and yellow light surrounding her and spreading over the table and her coffee cup. A kind of thoughtful joy radiates in her expression, as of a mind and soul creating a beautiful idea. The model for the painting was Composer Regina Harris Baiocchi, who often combines her performances together with artists’ exhibits. All works for the AWS Annual Exhibition are chosen by a jury of known artists. Over the years exhibitors themselves have been famous artists such as Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth, and Millard Sheets. The Exhibition, at the Salmagundi Club on Fifth Avenue, continues through May 5th, after which, the Award Winning paintings will become a traveling exhibit to show in eight cities across the U.S. Congratulations, Lucija! (Lucija and her sister, Lillian Brule are long-standing and generous members of Br. 20, Joliet.) Come, Look Through My Eyes A promotion video for the Slovenian Women’s Union Heritage Video copies $23.00 including mailing costs $20.00 if purchased at the Museum Send to: (Includes shipping and handling) Slovenian Heritage Museum 431 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432 (815) 727-1926 — swuhome@msn.com A LONELY PLANET TRAVEL BOOK BY STEVE FALLON SLOVENIA Cost is $16.00 ($13.95 plus $2.05 postage and handling) Slovenian Women’s Union 431 No. Chicago Street . Joliet, IL 60432 Heritage Annuity Traditional IRA Competitive Rates Roth IRA Long-Term Growth Tax-Deferred Savings Fraternal Benefits Guaranteed Income low Minimum A Financial Family That Feels Like Home Home Office: 2439 Glenwood Avenue ♦ Joliet, IL 60435 ♦ (800) 843-5755 E-Mail: KSKJLife @ AOL.COM Slovenian Women’s Union presents: “BACK TO OUR HERITAGE” TOUR, 2002 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4: Departure from our home cities and rendezvous in our gateway airport. Board our overnight transatlantic flight and depart the United States bound for Munich, Germany. Complimentary meals and beverages will be served during the flight. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5: BAVARIA, Germany. Morning arrival to Munich airport where we will be met by our waiting guide and motorcoach for transfer via the German Autobahn (Highway) to a quaint Bavarian village in the Alps. Time to explore on your own this story-book-like town with interesting shops. This evening we enjoy some authentic Bavarian musical entertainment at our Welcome Dinner. Overnight in Bavaria. D. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6: BAVARIA/OKTOBER-FEST: Following a leisurely breakfast board our motorcoach for a return drive to Munich and the Wies’n Fairgrounds, home of the Annual Oktoberfest Celebration! We are welcomed by the aroma of sausage and roasted chicken and the music of the lively German brass bands! We’ll quickly get into the festive spirit with our reserved group seating in one of the large tents. We have all afternoon to enjoy the festival from its amusement rides to its seven large tent-buildings. Later we’ll enjoy a special chicken dinner in our tent along with a taste of the Oktoberfest “suds”. Tonight we’ll depart the Oktoberfest and return to our hotel for overnight. B, D. MONDAY, OCTOBER 7: SALZBURG, Austria. Following breakfast, a morning drive through scenic southeastern Bavaria takes us to Mozart’s golden Salzburg, Austria in its perfect setting of Tyrolean mountains and forest. For more than a thousand years this city has been residence of splendor-loving Prince-Bishops, who gave Salzburg this everlasting look of nobility and beauty. Known the world over for its music, castles, churches museums and pastry shops our guide takes us for a 3-hour narrated sightseeing tour of Salzburg’s important mountains and buildings and entrance to the famed birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Moz-ant, now a historical museum. Our afternoon is free to sightsee and shop through Salzburg’s narrow old streets and elegant squares. Enjoy the store fronts displaying their exclusive and fashionable clothing and merchandize, and perhaps a lunch in one of the outdoor cafes (on your own). This afternoon we return to our hotel in Inzell for dinner with some local entertainment and overnight. B,D. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8: Travel south through high mountains, across Austria en route to Villach where we’ll stop for a city tour with free time for strolling and lunch on own. Continue through spectacular scenery to Klagenfurt (Celovec) and a visit to the “Duke’s Throne” nearby on the “Gospa svetska polje” to visit to the well-preserved stone throne considered to be the symbolic place where the Slovenians first became a nation.* Then on to the Slovenian resort, alpine Lake Bled. “Welcome to Slovenia” dinner and overnight at our hotel in Lake Bled. B.D. *In the democratic process called the “Installation of the Dukes of Carinthia,” the new Duke was publicly elected Duke’s throne at Gosposvetsko polje WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9: LAKE BLED. Walking sightseeing tour of Lake Bled including an enjoyable oar-propelled ride to the island. Enjoy lunch at Lake Bled castle overlooking the surrounding regon. The afternoon free for independent exploration and shopping or enjoying the wonderful facilities of our hotel. Dinner tonight at the restaurant Lectar in nearby Radovlice, a well-preserved medieval era town. B.D. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10: TO MARIBOR. Today we journey east via Kamnik, a historical town with an attractive medieval core, across the Tuhinj valley to the scenic Slovenian Logarska Dolina valley. On the way, we’ll stop in Radmirje at the St. Francis Xavier Church, established as a pilgrimage site. The church’s rich treasury contains mass vestments of the French and Polish kings and the golden chalice of the Empress Maria Theresa. In Logarska Valley, an optional walk to the Rinka waterfall and then enjoy lunch on a local tourist farm. Continue to Maribor, capital of the Štajersko region. Overnight at Habakuk Spa hotel. B,L. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11: PITUJ/ROGASKA. Sightseeing of Ptuj, the oldest Slovenian town, including a visit to Ptuljska Gora Church, its castle and wine cellar. Enjoy a light lunch as we also visit vineyards near Ormoz and Jeruzalem. On to Rogaška Slatina crystal factory with time for shopping. Return to Maribor area stopping for dinner at a local gostilna in Jarenina. Overnight at Habakuk Spa hotel. B,D. and crowned, and took a seat on a stone throne (still preserved) swearing to democratically uphold the rights of the people during his reign. This site is located in present day Austria. Slovenians lived in this region from the 7th Century. Thomas Jefferson, in the formation of his contractual theory and the writing of the American Declaration of Independence in 1775 is said to have been influenced by the Slovenian democratic process which was written in the very earliest history of this European region. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12: MARIBOR/KAM-NICA/LAKE BLED. Sightseeing of Slovenia’s second largest city will include the sights of Maribor castle, the cathedral with Bishop Slomsek’s tomb, the monuments erected by the Pope in his honor and the “old town” of Lent with the more than 400 year old grapevine. The tour of the surrounding area will also include a visit to Kamnica and it’s most interesting St. Martin’s Church. Lunch at a local tourist farm with witness of the Slovenske Gorice region. On to Lake Bled for dinner and overnight at Hotel Kompas. B,L,D. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13: To PORTOROŽ. Journey southwest through several small towns en route to the beautiful coastline of Slovenia. Check into the beautiful seaside Grand Hotel Emona in Portorož. Enjoy a seafood dinner at our hotel and a swim in their swimming pools or a visit to the Portorož Casino. Accommodations at Grand Hotel Emona in Portorož. Welcome dinner at our hotel and overnight. L,D. MONDAY, OCTOBER 14: POROTOROZ/ LIPICA. This morning we’ll drive to the Karst region for a taste of famous Slovenian prsut, ham cured in the “burja” Karst wind. Drive to Lipica, the 400+ year-old stables of the world-famous Lipizzaner horses, and possibly see a performance. Upon return to the coast, stop in Hrastovlje to admire the well preserved frescoes of “danse macabre” in a tiny local medieval church and enjoy a regional dinner at the nearby Gostilna Schwab. Return to Portorož for overnight. B,D. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15: PORTOROŽ/KOPER/ PIRAN. This morning the group will board a private boat for a seaside tour of Portorož, Piran and the bustling port of Koper. Though Slovenia has only a small stretch of coastline, it’s history has been significantly influenced by its access to the sea. We will end up in nearby Piran and enjoy a late lunch at the spectacular Pavel restaurant on the seaside. Return to Portorož with some free time and overnight at Hotel Emona. B,L. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16: To LJUBLJANA. Following breakfast, we depart for a visit to the Pleterje Monastery and the open-air museum of a Dolenjsko region farm. Time permitting, we’ll also visit the Kostanjevica castle and art gallery of Božidar Jakac. Lunch in Kostanjevica at a local gostilna. Continue to Ljubljana via Žužemberk. Accommodations at the Grand Hotel Union. Enjoy the evening out in Ljubljana. An optional restaurant and nightlife excursion will be organized. Dinner on own. B,L. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17: LJUBLJANA. This morning enjoy a walking sightseeing tour of “Old Ljubljana.” Well see the open air market, the City Hall, Robba’s Fountain, the Three Bridges, the Parliament, and a visit to the Ethnographic Museum. Some free time for lunch on our own and some independent shopping this afternoon in Ljubljana. Time permitting, we suggest a visit to a private pottery producing craft shop in Domžale and afterwards a Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant or gostilne with entertainment. B,D. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18: LJUBLJANA. Free morning for independent shopping, sightseeing, etc. You may choose an optional excursion today, or take more time to visit relatives and local friends. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19: Early morning departure for the airport for our return flights home. B. For further information, immediately contact National President of SWU, Kathleen Dorchak, 3088 Markle Dr., Silver Lake, OH 44224, Call (330) 686-1336, Fax: (330) 688-6203 or Email: Kdorchak@neo.rr.com. This proposal is dependent on minimum of 25 passengers. Travel arrangements by Kollander Travel (800) 800-5981, www.kollander-travel.com. Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone: ____________________________________________________ E-Mail: ________________________________________________ Notice for Children of Slovenian descent! The Slovenian World Congress (Svetovni slovenski kongres - SSK is inviting youngsters from the world over to come to their 6th Summer Camp for children of Slovenian descent. It will take place from July 28th to August 4th, 2002. The leader of the Camp will be Davo Karničar, world famous alpinist who was the first man ever to ski down from Mt. Everest in the year 2000. The Camp takes place at the community of Jezersko for ages from 12 to 16. If you are interested in more information, please send your letters to the Slovenian World Congress, Cankarjeva 1/IV, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia or fax + 386(o)l/252 21 25, Email: drustvo.slo.konferenca@siol.net. Slovenian language course available on the Slovenian Adriatic Coast The Republic of Slovenia invites you to the summer school courses entitled: “Hello! This is the Slovene Mediterranean!,” organized by the Science and Research Centre. For those who wish to improve their knowledge of Slovenian, or learn its basics, this course is for you. This is the 8th annual event, two weeks featuring the language course, participating in Slovenian cultural events and traveling around the country. For information contact Vesna Mikolič, Director of Summer Courses, Science and Research Center of Slovenia, Garibaldijeva 18, 6000 Koper, Slovenia, tel. +386 5 663 77 00, fax: + 386 5 663 77 OOorbyEmail:zrs@zrs-kp.si June 27-30 'vTusic festiv^T* July 20-21 Visit our website at www.ironworld.com for a detailed calendar of events and entertainment lineup, including our New Cultural Arts Series. ISCOVERY( ENTER www. iron wo rid. com PO Box 392 ■ Hwy 169 West • Chisholm, MN 55719 • 800-372-6437 or 218-254-7959 Holiday in Slovenia — CD Slovenian Folk Melodies • Slovenske Narodne Pesmi with Frank & Jimmy Horzen Includes Slovenian words with English translation (1) Medley: Jaz Pa Ti/Rompompom/Mica Kovačeva/Štirje Fantje Spilajo/Pa Še Enkrat (2) Nikdar Ne Bom Pozabil (3) Zlati Časi (4) Polka Za Ano (5) Tam Gori Za Našo Vasjo (6) Sprehod Po Ljubljani (7) Kadar Boš Na Rajžo Šel (8) Medley. V Nedeljo Zjutraj Vstala Bom; Oj Lepo Je Res Na Deželi; O Moj Preljubi, Dragi Dom; Izidor Ovčice Pasel (9) Ti Boš Pa Doma Ostala (10) Na Zdravje (11) Zvedel Sem Nekaj Novega (12) Polka Tečne Muhe (13) Medley: Čez Tri Gore/Daj, Daj Srček Nazaj/ Čes Na Vasel Yes! I would like to order Holiday In Slovenia, an all new collection of Slovenian folk melodies, with words and translation. Please hurry the following Order! Please send a total of Holiday In Slovenia CD(s). I understand the cost is $15 per CD including shipping. I have enclosed a check, money order or VISA/Mastercard info (number, exp. date and signature) made payable to H Publishing. • • Don’t forget 2 Horzen Slovenian cassettes: Dober Dan ($10) & Slovenian Souvenir ($10). Florida residents add 6& sales tax. Send your order to: Dept. Z, c/o H Publishing, P.O. Box 592729, Orlando, FL 32859 Slovenian Women’s Union of America Slovenska Ženska Zveza v Ameriki Membership Application Yes! I want to join the S.W.U. I want to preserve and promote the legacy of our Slovenian-American heritage. As a member I will receive the publication, ZARJA-The Dawn; I can affiliate with branches and events across the country and best of all, I will come in contact with fellow Slovenes. Please type or print legibly. Choose type of membership: □ Junior (Birth to 18), Annual Dues $5.00 □ Adult, Annual Dues $15.00 Name ___________________________________________________________ Street Address _____________________________________________ City/State/Zip _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone/Fax ______________________________________________________ E-Mail _____________________________________________________ Date of Birth ____________________________________________________ Do you speak Slovenian? __________________________________ Please describe your Slovenian ancestry ______________________________________________________________________________________ How did hear about us? S.W.U. member ________ newspaper_________ website __ other Applicant’s signature: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date: Branch Affiliation No. (if known) _______________________________________________ Location: _________________________________________ Please make checks payable to the Slovenian Women's Union of America and mail to: SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION OF AMERICA, 431 North Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432 - (815) 727-1926 e-mail: swuhome@msn.com — Internet webpage: www.swus.org In addition to my dues, I wish to contribute: $ Heritage Fund ____________ Scholarship Fund Zarja Fund In honor of In memory of Send acknowledgement to For Office Use: Date Received: Membership No.: Branch Affiliate: _ □ I would like to volunteer for the S.W.U. My area of interest or expertise is: Tell a Friend! If you wish us to send information to a friend or relative just fill in name and address here: My friend’s name Address City State Zip PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID JOLIET ILLINOIS SHEUGA DRUG INC. JfiiJil/aSut. 6025 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103 (216) 431-1035 Serving our neighborhoods' daily needs TEZAK FUNERAL HOME “First in Service Since 1908” Licensed Producer: Richard K. Tezak (815) 722-0524 American Slovenian Catholic Union (KSKJ) 1211 Plainfield Road Joliet, IL 60435 SLOVENIJA MAGAZINE Quarterly issue/$30 USD per year. Personal checks accepted. Send your subscription to: Slovenia Magazine, Cankarjeva 1, P.O. Box 169,1001 Ljubljana, SLOVENIA, Europe It’s truly beautiful magazine! A First Midwest Bank Joliet • (815) 727-5222 & LKMOtft ZELE FUNERAL HOME, INC. 452 East 152nd St., Cleveland, Ohio (216) 481-3118 Zimmer FUNERAL HOMES Mark Zimmer, Funeral Director mark@zimmerfuncralhomc.com 805 North 6th Street. Sheboygan. WI 53081 (920) 457-7012 - Fax: (920) 457-7013 117 North Wisconsin Drive. Howards Grove, WI 53083 (920) 565-2331 www. /immerl uncralhomc .com At Your Service During Life’s Most Difficult Moments Louis "Ron" Zefran Connie Rodriguez Frank J. Zefran Lois M. Zefran Debbie Zefran Jerry 1-800-249-9150 (773) 847-6688 ^7^-j^Lcui \}\xn£.xaL cz)-fom£., -J2td(. 1941 West Cermak Road, Chicago, IL 60608 Marie T. Stelow, MS, LCPC Individual, Couple, Family Therapy 370 Houbolt Road LICČ ^7 Suite 201 Phone: (815) 773-2303 Joliet, IL 60431 Fax: (815) 744-1623 American Need A Slovenian JfiFWSl Final Expense Catholic STTj^ Plan? Union Call For A Quote A Financial Family That Feels Like Home HOME OFFICE: 2439 Glenwood Avenue ♦ Joliet, IL 60435 ♦ (800) 843-5755 E-Mail: KSKJ@Kskjlife.COM