ZARJA - THE DAWN URADNO GLASILO OFFICIAL PUBLICATION SLOVENSKE ŽENSKE ZVEZE V AMERIKI_SLOVENIAN WOMEN'S UNION OF AMERICA 75th Year of Slovenian Women’s Union May—June, 2001 — No. 3, Vol. 73 KEEP THE SPIRIT ALIVE! Membership Campaign for the Year 2001! Remember, there is no age limit for new members! Adults pay $15.00 per year-Juniors pay only $5.00 per year OUR GOAL IS 200 NEW MEMBERS IN 2001! Every adult member receives ZARJA-THE DAWN, our popular bi-monthly publication! And, members, this is for you! For every 10 new members you will earn a prize, a lovely Slovenian folkart piece brought to us by our Slovenia Tour members when they travel to Slovenia this September, on the 75th Anniversary Heritage Tour! They have promised to bring only lovely things and we will share them with everyone who enrolls ten new members! So, bring in just 10 new members in the year 2001, and you will be able to receive a beautiful reminder of the land of your ancestry! SPECIAL DATES IN MAY Mother’s Day Observances May 1 Br. 14, Euclid, OH Mother’s Day Dinner, Call for reservations: Jennie Fitzthum, (216) 261-1196 May 2 Br. 3, Pueblo, CO Pattie’s Restaurant, 12:30 p.m. May 3 Br. 33, Duluth, MN May 5 Br. 43, Milwaukee, WI Klemmer’s Banquet Hall, Noon May 5 Br. 47, Garfield Hts., OH Quinn’s Restaurant, Solon, 1 p.m. May 6 Br. 38, Chisholm, MN Mass at St. Joseph Church, Brunch to follow May 9 Br. 16, So. Chicago, IL Tom’s Restaurant, 894 Burnham Ave., Calumet City, 1:30 p.m. Call Pres., T. Ehnat or VP, M.J. Strus May 10 Br. 2, Chicago, IL St. Stephen’s Church Crowning of Blessed Mother 6 p.m. Mass follows and party in Lower Hall May 15 Br. 20, Joliet, IL Dinner, 6:30 p.m. followed by Scholarship Awards May 16 Br. 32, Euclid, OH Hometown Buffet, Willoughby, OH, 6 p.m. Call Fran, (216) 731-0242 May 16 Br. 50, Euclid, OH May 16 Br. 54, Warren, OH Mothers Day Luncheon, 1 p.m. May 18 Br. 10, Collinwood, OH Waterloo SND, 1 p.m. Call Ann Stefančič (216) 531-7635 or Steffie Segulin (216) 451-1876 May 20 Br. 13, San Francisco, CA Brunch, Marriott, after mass May -- Br. 24, LaSalle, IL Dinner, Mario’s Maples, Peru, IL (undetermined date) June 3 Br. 42, Maple Hts., OH Mass at St. Wenceslaus Church, 11 a.m. Dinner, Hometown Buffet, Macedonia, 12:30 p.m. ZARJA - THE DAWN (ISSN 0044-1848) Postmaster: Send all changes of address to: ZARJA - THE DAWN, 4851 S. Drexel Blvd., Chicago, IL 60615-1703 NO. 3 MAY-JUNE, 2001 VOL. 73 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 1. v mesecu. Editor, CORINNE LESKOVAR Editorial Office: 4851 S. Drexel Blvd., Chicago, IL 60615-1703 Email: CORLESKOVAR@AOL.COM Telephone: (773) 548-8878 - Facsimile: (773) 268^*899 ■y'T ^ w w w w w OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS JUNE 10 Br. 47 Garfield Hts., OH, 70th Anniversary, Mass, St. Lawrence Church, 10 a.m., Luncheon at Sterle’s Country House, noon. Call by June 1 st: Olga Dorchak, (330) 468-7989 or Elsie Spellacy, (440) 232-8733 20 Br.32 Euclid, OH Pot Luck Picnic Marie T. Stelow, MS, LCPC Individual, Couple, Family Therapy 2317 W. Jefferson St. I1CČ Suite 204 Phone: (815) 773-2303 Joliet, IL 60435 Fax: (815) 744-1623 Heritage Easy Life SIMPLIFIED ISSUE Life insurance plan Fou THOSE WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS For ages 30 to 80 Call For Details A Financial Family That Feels Like Home Home Office: 2439 glenwood avenue ♦ joliet, il 60435 ♦ (800) 843-5755 E-mail: KSKJLii e @ AOL.COM American Slovenian Catholic Union NATIONAL PRESIDENT Kathleen Dorchak II 5 4 7 8 8 “More Successes in 2001” We are in our 75th year as an organization and burial society. I am sure Marie Prisland, the first National Board, and organizing members would be so proud to know that we stand firm in our commitment to our Slovenian heritage and sharing these important values with our families and friends. What they established is now being passed on to the fifth generation of ____________________________ American-Slovenian women. Isn’t this exciting? Isn’t it great? Isn’t this just phenomenal? Your National Board of Director had a fantastic meeting in March and we can’t wait to share all of the good news with you. This is the start of More Successes in 2001. • The Heritage Tour to Slovenia on September 13-27, 2001 is almost a sell-out. If you are planning to join us on the trip, make your reservations with Kollander Travel very soon. Your spot may not be available much longer! • The National Board has designed a new 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. • Our new Membership Campaign “Keep in the Spirit Alive” is launched for 2001! What a great way to win an authentic Slovenian item to display in your home! • Our new Heritage Director, Reza Rozman Lockwood is most excited and anxious to get to work. She is ready to “give back” and share what she has benefited from by her membership in this wonderful organization. • The New Neighborhood, our on-line newsletter is reaching more people everyday. Learning about our heritage is becoming more important to' all of us. Keeping in contact with Slovenes around the world is becoming very popular. The newsletter accomplishes this communication and much more. Catch the “on-line newsletter fever” and read all about it. • Our website keeps us up to date on the important news of our organization and other happenings in Slovenia. Look at it often for changes and updates. • Donations to the Heritage Museum are accummulating. We received $3,000.00 from the Lausche Foundation. For our 75th anniversary, branches are thinking of ways to commemorate this event. Donations to the Heritage Museum are a great way to get your branch’s name engraved on a donated item. Consider a donation of a new bookcase, shelves, display table or stand. So far we have received two new bookcases for a new look to our Heritage Museum. • Celebrating our 75th anniversary would not be complete without new heritage items. Look at this issue for new items to purchase and give as gifts. • The cookbooks are selling fast. Remember they are great gifts for wedding showers and friends for birthdays and events. Are you sure you remembered everyone on your gift-giving list? • 75th Anniversary Quilt Raffle prize is a queen size quilt with a red, beautiful carnation design. • And there are more! I plan to share all this with you in future issues. This is an exciting time for the members of the SWU. We are dedicated to “Keeping the Spirit Alive” and having fun in the process. In celebration of our 75th anniversary, branches, could you consider hosting your own special event? What about having a spiritual celebration at your church and hosting a dinner afterwards. Celebrate this event in your own special way, no matter how large or small your branch membership is. For those smaller branches, a combined celebration would be extremely meaningful when shared with others. This is a time to reflect and remember. This is also the time to start making memories. I wish all of our dedicated, loving, and devoted mothers a very Happy Mother’s Day with your family and friends. Love to all! Kathleen ^^^^Hrkle Silver Lake, Ohio 44224 HK, 686-1336 ®nt rf ™y favorite bible verses is dedicated to all mothers and is on page 10. 688-6203 KUHkDORCHAK@NEO.RR.COM SECRETARY BONNIE PROKUP I just love this time of the year! My tulips are beginning to sprout out of the ground, the weather is getting warmer and baseball season is starting. Already we are taking advantage of any days over 40 degrees for practicing. Bekki will play on Pohar’s Excavating where I am the coach and Barbi is the batgirl. Well, that is Barbi’s title but she never collects the bats. She is more worried about eating all of the candy at the concession stand. She is known around the park as the “candy girl.” Bekki plays on the same team I used to and my mom was also my coach. We have so much fun doing this. This year she will play with fellow cousin, Josie Brady who is also a member of Branch 24. Hopefully we will have another successful season. The past two years we’ve been champions! I mentioned in my last article about picking dandelions for salads. Has anyone had some yet? We served it last night. My sister Cathy Lenkaitis brought some over for dinner. She made the hot bacon dressing, too. It was so good. Our husbands just stared at us; they can’t understand the delicacies of this dish. Not only did I eat a favorite Slovenian dish yesterday but I took a trip to the cemetery with my two girls. They found it quite entertaining. We stopped by to visit my grandparents. They read the names and dates of birth and death. We also drove through the older section of the cemetery. It was quite interesting how many Slovenian names are on the tombstones. There were many who were bom before 1900 and many names that you knew were Slovenian but I am not sure anyone with that last name is around anymore. How sad! The girls enjoyed it and asked if they could go back again and take flowers to my grandparent’s grave. They also asked if I would take them to Slovenia to see their great-great grandparent’s grave. I told them I would some day. Through my involvement with SWU my girls are learning more about their heritage. Just this morning Bekki asked why the “red flower” is so important to Slovenians, what does it mean? And my little Barbi is a true Slovenian for she never stops whistling. This started at an early age. She can carry on many tunes from favorite songs. Keep in mind she is only five years old. My grandma used to whistle all the time, too. That is one of things I remember most about her. I’ve been thinking about her a lot lately. Just recently they cancelled the Bozo’s Circus show. For anyone who grew up watching this on WGN-TV at noon it is a disappointing thing to happen. I can still remember going to my grandma’s every day for lunch. She would have all of us over for hotdogs, diet jello and Campbell’s chicken noodle soup. We would walk there from school for our lunch hour. She would always have Bozo’s Circus on tv during this time. This was pretty much a ritual during my grammar school years. I wish my two girls could have met her. Now let me take this time to share some of our SWU enthusiasm with you. We are off to, a terrific start for 2001. Much progress has been made and many wonderful things are coming our way. We’ve been working very hard to make this organization as meaningful as possible to each and every one of you. Let me share with you: During March 8 - 10, the National Board along with appointed positions met in Joliet for our first meeting of the year. We accomplished so much in those three days it was amazing. The survey was a big topic of discussion and perhaps the best thing that ever happened to SWU in many years. We asked our members what they liked and disliked and we heard back from almost 2,000 - WOW! We learned about oui strengths, weaknesses and what our members want to see more of. An exceptional volunteer Mary Lou Voelk, Branch 23, offered to tally up the responses. She went through each survey that was received as of March 5, 2001 and gave us a preliminary report for our meeting. A full report will be given in a later issue for all to read. We were very fortunate for Mary Lou’s expertise and insight. She took on a tremendous task and to her we are very grateful. The thoughts expressed on many of the surveys helped us make decisions of which direction to go. We know what changes and enhancements need to be made. (Bonnie is continued on the next page.) II I DEATH BENEFITS This has been an ongoing trial and error. We thought it would save time by sending the deceased policies directly to me but in the end we found out that it took just as much time or longer. Therefore I am asking that all policies be sent directly to the Home Office in Joliet for the first step of researching. There, Jonita Ruth will investigate the beneficiary information. She will let me know who the updated beneficiary is and then send the information to me. From this point I will check to make sure the member is in good standing with dues and if so, a check will be issued to the beneficiary. The check will automatically go to the beneficiary unless noted by a branch secretary. This process will take two months maximum. Keep in mind sometimes difficulties arise when all of the required papers were not sent in, then the research could be quite lengthy. Once again, it is very important to make sure your beneficiary information is updated. INVOICES The payments this year has been coming quicker than last year. At this point, on April 1, 2001, I am waiting for payment from 820 members. If you have not paid yet please do so ASAP. If for some reason an invoice did not make it to your home please let me know. It’s very important to act on the “Now.” For many years we’ve read that we were on a decline. We were losing too many members and not gaining in exchange. We did not have much to offer outside of the ZARJA and a few branch activities. Gone are those days of hopelessness - today is the day we have come full circle and tomorrow shows us a promising future. Thanks to everyone’s thoughts expressed on the surveys we know we need to move in another direction. The SWU was originally organized to make Slovenian women more Americanized. Today we want to make the American woman more aware of her Slovenian culture! Our members are telling us they want to know more about the history and present day life of Slovenia, they want to hear more immigrant stories, they want to see younger members involved, more Slovenian recipes, they want to learn how to read Slovenian and speak it. They want to take trips to Slovenia, have book discussions, make more friends, attend Slovenian functions but above all they want to be able to feel Slovenian. And we promise to give it to you. That is our goal for 2001 - to deliver what the customer wants. Already we have side groups formed for several areas. We started a new membership campaign. Please look for it in this issue called “Keep The Spirit Alive.” We are offering wonderful prizes for the recruiting members. Our goal is to bring in 200 new members for 2001. I know we can do it! With everyone’s help out there spreading the word on how successful we’ve been I am sure this will be no problem. Don’t forget to mention all we have to offer now when approaching a prospective member. In addition, a future library will be located in the Heritage Museum. We have many books sitting in the basement of our Home Office that will not last much longer if they are not properly cared for. We have an outline created for the first step in making this happen. Already we have two branches (whom we will feature in a later issue) that have offered to fund bookshelves or a table for this. Many of the books located in the basement are priceless. Each time I go there I find a new book to read. They are excellent books that would be hard to find anywhere else. I just finished “Behind the Two Iron Curtains.” It was about a man who escaped during communist times in the late 1950’s. I had a hard time putting the book down. It made it easier to understand what my relatives who remained in Slovenia went through. Many had no choice. We are working on starting an online book discussion. Anyone with a background on getting this up and running can send a message to my email listed below. Our youth is very important to us and its time to start including them. Remember they are our future. Listed here is a breakdown of our membership by age. 28% of our members are 79 years and above 34% is between the ages of 60 - 79 16% is between 40 - 59 12% is between 19-39 10% is between 0-19 You can see what age groups we need to work on. We need to start giving a reason for the 39 and under group to exist. We think we have some answers and you will start seeing some activities of sort in the near future. We also invite anyone with ideas to come forward. Volunteers are most welcome even if it’s for one project. SWU - It’s Now or Never! MISSING PERSONS Please check for the report which lists names of members whose invoices were returned to me for wrong address. If you know this person and her correct address please bring it to my attention. DONATIONS Many of our members have been most generous this year! Already in a little over two months we received more donations than all of last year in Invoice Donations. Please make sure you read this column and if you know any of those kind members please tell them “thank you” for making a contribution. Every little bit helps and it will definitely make a difference for SWU. (Invoice Donations Report in this issue on page 26 is continuation from March-April ZARJA.) ZARJA Recently we compared my database of members who are paying their dues with the ZARJA mailing list. We found many people who were on the ZARJA list but not mine. A letter will be sent to all of those listed asking them if they would like to rejoin. If they choose not to join their nameplate will be pulled from the ZARJA mailing list. BRANCH SECRETARIES In the near future I will be sending to you a guide to use on where to go and what to do with different issues pertaining to your position. Too many times we have questions of where to send the deceased policy, new membership application, Mother of the Year form, Change of Beneficiary form or how to handle members going from Junior to Adult division. We want to make your job as easy as possible and we think this will help. So be on the look-out for this. In the meantime, if there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. “THE NEW NEIGHBORHOOD” Have you stopped by to visit the new neighborhood yet? This is a free monthly online newsletter for our members. You can subscribe by sending an email to Lynn Zalokar at LZALOKAR-@YAHOO.COM. Each issue is filled with exciting Slovenian related items. From an ongoing story about Marie Prisland’s life, all the way to where you can purchase Slovenian beer or potica. I promise that you will enjoy each issue. Lynn works very hard and she is excellent at what she does. I would like to close by saying “thank you” to every member. Each one of us is part of this great organization called the Slovenian Women’s Union. We need to be proud of our greatest achievement that we are celebrating this year - 75 years of existence. So here’s to another 75! Bonnie Pohar Prokup 3119 Carrie St., Peru. IL 61354 Email: WPROKUP@COL.COM Celebrating! SWU Mothers/Woman of the Year 2001! Left: Amelia; center-front: Joanna, Stella; back: Helen, Elsie, Irene; right: Marie Branch 2, Chicago, IL Stella Longosz - Joanna Ferraro Helen Fitzgerald - Irene Smid Elsie Statkus -Amelia Smith-Marie Ovnik The year 2001 is a very special year. Not only have we survived the true beginning of the millennium but Branch 2 is celebrating its 75th anniversary, too! In wishing to celebrate our anniversary in a special way, we are honoring seven special women. These beautiful women represent a long tradition of love, service and dedication to the preservation of the Slovenian tradition in our country. Some are Slovenian by birth and others in heart. Either way, they have exemplified in themselves the best of the Slovenian Women’s Union. We view them as our “Angels.” It is with great pleasure to honor the following members as “Women of the Year.” Stella Longosz is our “Angel of the Road.” Without her help, many would be "lost.” No matter what the mission was, Stella has always been willing and exceptionally reliable, without hesitation, delivering all passengers to their destination safely. The dedication with which she has discharged her duties and responsibilities characterizes her valued years of service to Branch 2. Joanna Ferraro is our “Green Thumb Angel.” Her talent with anything green has provided the neighborhood with beauty and scents that are divine. In the same way that she nurtures her own garden, she is always ready to dig in with a smile. Her kindness and attentive nature add to the enthusiastic spirit paramount amongst the bouquet of flowers known as Branch 2. Helen Fitzgerald is our “Behind the Scenes Angel.” Quiet and having the patience of a saint, she gives ot herself whenever and wherever needed. Helen, with her dearly departed sister, Josephine Lucas, conjured up a new treat each month for all of us to enjoy. Helen’s attributes of caring and sharing have helped us perpetuate the success of S. W. U. Branch 2. Irene Smid is our “On Call Angel.” She never lets you down and is always willing to be there to help with the ministry of the Word. How we enjoy hearing her as lector at mass, often filling in for another. Whatever the task, Irene opens her wings and embraces the challenge with diligence and thoughtfulness. Her ever-ready spirit carries her through to the completion of her undertaking. Elsie Statkus is our “Supporting Angel”. She volunteers her service to anyone in need. An energetic participant in many activities that support her parish and Branch 2, despite her busy calendar, she manages to spread kindness and compassion to all. Elsie’s effortless zeal to contribute is a cherished treasure. Amelia Smith is our “Culinary Angel." Her creations are a heavenly delight. She prepares her delights with the same watchful eye and perfection given to her stitchery pieces. Her culinary treats touch and warm the hearts of our members. Her delicacies are enjoyed by all. Generosity, love and understanding are a few of the ingredients she inspires us to include in our own recipe of life. Marie Ovnik is our “Rolling stone who gathers no moss Angel.” Her expertise as a travel agent and traveler has made many a trip “Paradise.” She takes care of everyone with the same love and concern that she generates to her family and friends. She is our Slovenian ambassador. These women have distinguished themselves in the eyes of their sisters and brothers. While each of them is so wonderfully and creatively unique, each shares something in common. What they share are the hallmarks of the Slovenian Women’s Union: sisterly love, family commitment and a love for our cultural heritage as Slovenians. They are always willing to help and have never refused to help when asked. Indeed, they often ask and look for ways to be of service. Seventy-five years of service are exemplified by the various contributions of these women. Without any one of them, our branch and organization would be the poorer. In honoring these women, we are reminded of a quote from the Book of Proverbs that describes each of them so well: “Many are the women of proven worth, but you have surpassed them all.” That they have. In looking towards the future, we have selected an “Angel in Training.” Junior Member Ashley Shachter already has a good start. Polite, kind and respectful, she displays many talents at our monthly meetings. Inspired by her grandmother, Jean Hrastar, Ashley aspires to be as good as the seven angels we are honoring today and looks to them for guidance. Submitted by president, Fran Morison Branch 3, Pueblo, CO Agnes J. Cvar Agnes J. Cvar was bom on January 22, 1918. One of eleven children, she was raised and lived in Pueblo, CO all her life. On March 14, 1936, she married her life partner, Frank Cvar. He was 23 years old and she was 18 years old. They had a wonderful marriage, and 5 handsome sons. Both Agnes and Frank provided well for their family. Agnes dedicated her life as a domestic engineer, working several hours a day making sure her household ran smoothly and the boys were always fed and safe. She has always been a wonderful cook, baker, seamstress and mother. Frank was employed at the CF&I, and worked at the 25 inch mill. He enjoyed fishing with his boys and friends. He was a wonderful man, full of love and laughter, and was a great role model for his 5 sons and all those around him. Agnes has been a member at St. Mary’s Church all her life. Her boy’s attended St. Mary’s Catholic School, and are now grown with families of their own. Agnes is very proud to have 5 wonderful sons and daughter-in-laws. They are: Frank (Toni), 5 children, retired from the CF&I; Jerry (Roseann), 3 children, retired from the CF&I; Tom (Susan), 2 children, employed at City Public Works, Ken (Darla), 2 children, employed at School District 60; Jim (Michelle), 2 children, working construction in Denver, CO. Agnes and Frank were married 60 years. Frank entered heaven on November 11, 1996. Agnes and her boy’s are very close, always there to help each other. She feels very lucky to have her family, especially now being a widow. Agnes has been a social member of Branch 3 for 15 years. She enjoys socializing, playing bingo, and eating the desserts the women bring at their lodge meetings. She also enjoys going to Cripple Creek once a month with family and friends. Agnes enjoys spending time with all her 14 grandchildren and 11 greatgrandchildren who call her grandma Aggie. One of her special events during the year is Christmas Eve. Aggie and all 35 of her family members gather at her home to share, love, laugh and celebrate the Birth of Jesus. It’s a wonderful holiday because everyone comes together, and to know it all started with a woman named Agnes. Agnes has always been a beautiful woman. She is the spunky lady with the blonde hair. She has always been very loving, happy and never seems to have a bad day, or at least finds humor in whatever is bothering her. Even when you are feeling sad, you go to visit her in her home and you leave with a smile on your face, and feeling much better. She has been blessed with the gift to make any one around her smile. She is a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She is someone you can look up to and be proud to know you are part of her family or friend. Branch 20, Joliet, IL Ann Marie Dragovan Ann is a devoted member of Br. 20, Joliet, IL for about 25 years and is a familiar face at conventions, meetings, and events connected with the SWU and the Heritage Museum. She volunteers a lot of time to the Museum. She chaired the many annual garage sales they have had, always attends the branch meetings and without hesitation agreed to accept the Sargeant at Arms position about ten years ago. Countless hours have been spent reviewing applications for the Br. 20 scholarship program and, in fact, she was in charge of this project for over ten years. She comes from a proud Slovenian family. She was born in Joliet, Illinois to Matt and Mary Dragovan, immigrants from Slovenia, and has four siblings, Bill, Jo Krohn, Bernie Micie and Richard. Her parents were strong in getting their children to seek a good education, therefore, learning for each child resulted in three of them obtaining graduate (master’s) degrees. So, after Ann attended St. Joseph’s grade school and Joliet Township H.S., she went to St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Joliet and earned a B.S. in Nursing from DePaul University in Chicago in 1967, later earning her master’s degree at DePaul in 1973. She retired as Director of Nursing from the U.S. Veteran’s Administration after 30 years of service, starting with the V.A. in Chicago, followed by transfers to Indianapolis, Ann Arbor and Pittsburgh. Now retired, Ann enjoys her homes in Joliet and Vulcan, Michigan. She is a very generous and kind person - mass and communion starts her day and then she busies herself doing something for her family and/or friends. There are many of them throughout the country; she is a very special aunt to numerous nieces and nephews. She especially enjoys attending art shows and is learning sketching and art work. She enjoys cooking and baking in her kitchen, does knitting, sewing and in the warm weather, you will see her on the golf course or at some other outdoor activity such as gardening and making floral arrangements. When you ask Ann about her beliefs and inspirations, she immediately refers to her faith in God and gratitude for all He has provided for her. She enjoys being a member of SWU Br. 20 and is very honored at being named Woman of the Year 2001. Branch 23, Ely, MN Marcella Zupec Marcy was born in Ely, Minnesota on November 20, 1924 to Henry and Olga Niemi. Henry immigrated from Finland and Olga was born in Michigan. Marcy had an older sister, Elsie with whom she shared a close relationship until Elsie’s death in 1999. She went through the Ely school system, graduating form Memorial High with honors in 1942. She began her first job shortly after graduation and accepted a position as a stenographer with the FBI which sent her to work in Detroit, Michigan. It was an exciting opportunity for her but soon she chose to return to Ely to be close to her family. She then worked as a secretary to the Executive Secretary of the Ely Commercial Club until her marriage to Tony Zupec. She was a homemaker during her marriage, returning to work after her husband’s death. She was also employed by the City of Ely in the Water and Light office on a part-time basis and as a cook at the Senior Citizen’s Center and at Veteran’s on the Lake. Marcy is still a part-time worker at the City Clerk’s office and also at the Vermillion Interpretative Center. Marcy is an excellent cook and baker. She has mastered potica despite being 100% Finnish! She sewed most of her daughter’s clothes when she was growing up and knit numerous pairs of socks for her husband and sons. Her hobby is collecting bells from the different places she has traveled. Marcy and Tony married on July 15, 1947 at St. Anthony’s church and she stayed at home with the children as they grew. Tony worked at the Oliver Mine in the drill shop; also worked at carpentry. They enjoyed visiting Marcy’s father’s cabin at Lunetta Lake during the early years so they decided to build their own cabin located on Tamarack Lake where they enjoyed spending their time. Marcy and Tony were married for 28 years until his death in 1975. To this couple six children were bom, David, Mike, Susan and Mark; Tony was killed in a mining accident in 1970; Marcella Ann died three days after birth. David is married and lives in Ely with his wife, Mary Lou, daughter, Elizabeth and a step-son, Bruce. He is self-employed as a carpenter. Mike is single and is self-employed as a barber. Susan is married to John Scholtz and they have two children, Stacey Scholz Sandquist and Michael. Susan is employed by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage as a loan originator and her husband, John is employed at North Shore Mining. Son, Mark also lives in Ely. He is single and self-em-ployed as a mason. He has followed in his parent’s footsteps by serving on the City Council as both Tony and Marcy did. While the children were young, Marcy was active with the Boy Scouts and in the Lincoln School PTA where she helped organize the annual style show and even sewed outfits for her daughter to model every year. Her four children see their mother on a regular basis - and they get together for holiday meals with mom still in charge of meal preparations. A recent family event was the marriage of granddaughter, Stacey and Karl Sundquist on December 30, 2000, a beautiful event. Now come the grandchildren and one grandson-in-law. Granddaughter, Stacey and her husband, Karl Sandquist will both graduate this spring from law school. Grandson Mike Scholz is employed as a machinist in Colorado. Granddaughter, Elizabeth Zupec is a sixth grader. Because of Marcy’s devoted care of these children when they were little, they still always ask grandma to make their favorite meal, homemade noodle soup, home-made buns and “sour beef’ salad. Elizabeth recently did a school report on Finland and grandma provided Finnish biscuits for the class to sam- ( pie. Grandma was so proud of the report that she brought it to her Kaleva meeting to share. We also have to mention Stormy, her grand-dog, son, Mike’s black Lab, who is very attached to Marcy. Marcy is a go-getter so she is happiest when she is busy. She is a leader as evidenced by her terms of service in the City Council and having served as President and Secretary of several organizations in the city, numerous committees and with the Branch in Ely. She has been our president and presently is secretary and reporter. She is diminutive in size but can hold her own in any situation. Her dark brown hair just recently began to turn grey, and she looks younger than her 76 years. She says her greatest inspiration comes when she can help others and she has many wonderful memories of her children growing up. This honor for Marcella Zupec has been very graciously accepted and she says it makes her feel very humble to be honored by her friends. Submitted by daughter, Susan Scholz They have 9 grandchildren from 21 to 2-1/2 years. As with her children, Polly attends sports, school and church activities of the children and likes playing games and reading to them. Branch 33, Duluth, MN Pauline Stojevich Pauline Strukel Stojevich was chosen as Mother of the Year for 2001. She was bom in Oliver, Wisconsin and is a 34 year member of Br. 33. She lives at 1316 105th Avenue West in Duluth with her husband, John. They were married Sept. 29th, 1956 in St. Elizabeth Church where they are still members. Polly started music lessons at age 7. She played the accordion and became a member of the John Copisky Accordion Band and later taught students at Johnny’s and played for weddings, dances, and parties, along with her two sisters. She was employed at First Street Dept. Store, Western Electric Co., and in her parents’ store (grocery and liquor). She retired in June 2000 after 22 years at Stowe Elementary School as a lunchroom/playground monitor. The family consists of 6 sons, Anthony, John, Robert, Jeffrey, Patrick and Darrell. All were paperboys, active in sports and scouting. Polly was in PTA so she could take care of them over and above their family and school needs. She taught them music and playing the accordion, plus other instruments such as guitar, drums, piano and keyboard. At one point they had their own band that helped pay college expenses. All of them earned two degrees each. They live in Minnesota. Polly considers her family as dear, precious gifts from God. Besides family activities and music, her interests include cake decorating, collecting bells, angels and manger sets. She plays the piano and sings with the “Singing Slovenians” of KSKJ. Her travels have taken her to Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Canada, throughout the USA and she’s gone on a Caribbean cruise. John worked at U.S. Street for 28 years and various jobs that followed: Diamond Tool, Post Office, as a bartender and he worked at Northern Electric for 20 years until retirement. They go to Arizona now for the winter. Polly and John have built a library for the children of St. Mary’s Medical Center in memory of their son, Bobby who died at age 25. New books are presented each year on the anniversary of Bobby’s birth, Oct. 31st. Bobby loved reading and this keeps his memory alive as the children and nurses love to read the books. Some terms that describe Polly are, sweet, peppy, hospitable, talented, loving, pious, devoted, well-groomed, neat and comfortable to be with. We have planned an event in Polly’s honor on May 3rd and hope you all attend the Mass to be followed by lunch and program. Submitted by reporter, Lois M. Pelander Branch 35, Aurora, MN Helen L. Simoničh Helen was the 10th child bom to immigrant parents, Anton and Mary Kostelic Grebenc in Aurora, Minnesota. Three remain alive today. Helen graduated from Aurora High School in 1939. She was married young, in June, 1940, to Albin Jaeger. He was killed in action in France in the spring of 1941. Helen worked at Foote Bros, in Chicago during the war and when she returned home she went to Duluth Business University. She married John Simonich on Oct. 25, 1947 and three children were bom to the couple, Mary Ann, John and Mark, Mary Ann graduated from St. Cloud State University in elementary education. She is employed as a technology instruction coordinator in Naperville, Illinois where she and her husband, Guy Grier moved after some time in Minneapolis. They have three children, Andrew (wife, Vicki), Adam and Jennifer. Son, John graduated from General Motors Institute in Flint, MI, attended Imperial College in London, received his Ph.D. from Stanford and is employed in Hartford, CT at United Technology as a research engineer. He is married to Stephanie and they have three children, Erica, Daniel and Claire. Second son, Mark graduated from the University of Minnesota and is employed in Detroit at Chrysler. He and his wife, Karen reside on a lake at Highland, Mi and are the parents of three boys, Bradley, Brian and Andrew. Polly has great devotion to the Blessed Mother, to the Rosary and to St. Anthony. She feels it’s a great honor to have been chosen Mother of the Year and is proud that her mother, Anna Strukel and sister, Ann Menart have also received this honor in the past. Helen loves singing and joined the choir at Holy Rosary church as a young lady, continued for a number of years and is now a member of the Resurrection Choir. She belongs to the Slovenian Festival Singers and appears with them in costume. All her grandchildren love music, too. Helen’s specialty is polka music and she listens to all programs on the radio! She recently joined the Quilters club at our church and is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and American Jugoslav Club. She walks daily and is a member of the Walkie-Talkies! Helen is our member for 22 years and serves on the telephone committee. The members all thought she is most deserving of being Mother of the Year 2001. She says she has had a wonderful life, and revels in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren who were raised with high moral values and love. Branch 38, Chisholm, MN Dorothy Brusacorum The members of Br. 38 in Chisholm have selected a mother of seven children and grandmother of 20 as their Mother of the Year! Dolly has devoted her entire life to her family, since the very young age of 18 when she married Albert Brusacorum in Chisholm. They lived in Cleveland while Albert was in the service during WW II and Dolly worked in a mail order factory there. When they returned to Chisholm the family was getting bigger so she remained at home to care for them. When her oldest was 20 years of age, her youngest was born. She had many years of childbearing. Her husband passed away 20 years ago when the youngest was in the I Ith grade and she has never remarried. Her only daughter, Carol passed away at age 11 - she also was a member of our SWU. Dolly’s main hobby is cooking but she loves ice fishing and spends her leisure time on the lake. She says she has cookbooks all over the place and is still collecting them! And, she is far from retired! The Pasta Works in Chisholm is her part-time job location. Our Mother of the Year is a very active member and can always be called upon to help at the functions. She is usually in the kitchen cooking up a storm. She also helps the Slovenian Home Auxiliary making strudels during their twice a year fund-raiser. It was not difficult for the members to find the best Mother of the Year among their members. They think it is a fitting honor for a very deserving and hard working member. She, in tum, feels very honored and thanks all her sister-members! Branch 39, Biwabik, MN Phyllis Kukar Phyllis Kukar, a member of Biwabik, MN, Branch 39, is honored to be this year’s Mother of the Year. A daughter of immigrants, Phyllis is proud of her Slovenian heritage. Her father, Anton I. Lopp, came from Komeda. Her mother, Pauline Chemoff Lopp, came from Domžale. Phyllis has been an active member of the Slovenian Women’s Union for 25 years. Her mother was a member for 65 years! Pauline passed away in 1999 at the age of 100. “God bless you, mom.” Phyllis was bom July 20, 1921, in Gilbert, MN, where she has lived most of her life. Her brother, Cyril, lives in Reno, NV. Her brother, Gene, lived in Gilbert until he passed away in 1999. After graduating from Gilbert High School, she went to St. John’s School of Nursing in Springfield, IL where she earned a diploma in nursing. She then joined the Army Nurse Corps from 1944-46. She served at Normandy Beach in Carentan, France and Bayreuth, Germany. After the war, she worked at various hospitals on the range. She married Tony Kukar, another Gilbert native, in 1955. They had three daughters. Margaret is an RN in Madison, WI, Paula is a network analyst in Denver, CO., and DeeDee is a Registered Dietician in St. Paul, MN. (She now has six grandchildren who love to visit grandma.) After Tony “retired” from Erie Mining Company in 1972, together they operated Lopp’s Food Shop. Before he died in 1992, Phyllis and Tony took many trips with the Iron Range Polka Club. Phyllis is also proud that she was the first woman to join Gilbert’s American Legion Post 138, and is a lifetime member of VFW Post 4456. She was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and Girl Scouts for many years. Former Girl Scouts, now grown, often stop by to visit. She currently is a member of the Catholic Council of Women, Gilbert Senior Citizens, Craft Club, and the funeral choir for St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Phyllis loves to travel and does so as much as she can! She has been to Slovenia 3 times, most recently in September, 2000, with her 3 daughters. They visited many cousins and had a wonderful time. In 1999, she traveled to New Zealand and Australia where she visited a Slovenian cousin. They were entertained at a Slovenian club by a men’s choir from Slovenia, “HRUSISKI FANTI.” Previous trips were to the Caribbean with Father Perkovich, a modern pilgrimage to Fatima, Lourdes, Assisi, and Rome; and to the Holy Land. Summers are spent at her cottage on Lake Eshqua-gama, with many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews visiting. A new winter hobby is following the University of Minnesota Gophers hockey team, traveling cross country. Her great nephew, Pete Samar-gia, is a member. Being a true Slovenian, Phyllis is grateful of her precious faith. The Slovenian Women’s Union has always been important to her. She was secretary-treasurer for 11 years, following the footsteps of her Teta Antoinette Lucich, who was so active for so many years. She attended 5 national conventions and enjoys the friendships of all the members. Branch 43, Milwaukee, WI Angie Johnstone Angeline Mary DeLopst made her debut on November 5, 1916; the second girl in a family of 3 girls and 6 boys. Her mother, Gertrude DeLopst, was the first president (1930-1949) of Branch 43. While their mother was officiating at Br. 43 meetings, Angie, Ray, Paula and Andy would go to the Sunday matinee. They each had 0.15 cents (0.10 cents for the movie and 0.05 cents for popcorn.) Growing up, the DeLopst family was financially very poor, but the kids never knew it because they always had enough to eat, clean clothes, clean bed - AND - everyone else in the neighborhood was more or less in the same circumstances. Angie’s first job was with the W.P.A. as payroll secretary. She fell in love wtih the boss (Lance Johnstone) and gave up her job to be a wife, and the mother of John Keith and Yvonne. John Keith and wife, Judy, had two sons, Lance and Brett. Yvonne and Sharif Khaldy had one son, Karim. Angie became a widow in 1973, at age 57. When Angie was 39, she re-entered the job market, working for the Milwaukee County Treasurer’s office. After a few years, she got a second full time job as a medical transcriber. At one point, she even had a third job on the weekends! Angie also went out polka dancing almost every Saturday night. Her energy and vitality were awe-inspiring. After retiring from the County, Angie worked until 1994 at Froederdt Hospital. The DeLopst family has always considered family doings a priority. There are over 90 family members in the USA and over 40 family members in Slovenia. This December will mark the 17th annual holiday party and family re-union. This year will also see the 9th annual spanferkel (pig roast). There is a summertime open house now in its 9th year. Assorted aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends have been getting together for breakfast almost every Wednesday morning at McDonald’s in Cudahy - this has been going on for 18 years. Angie enjoys socializing. She is now the matriarch of the family and always ready for a party. She has been to Europe with family and friends four times (always spending a good part of the trip in Slovenia). Angie enjoys collecting: recipe books and costume jewelry are her favorites. She states that she is glad she has the time available now to attend the Zveza meetings. Angie would like to thank all the “girls” for giving her the honor of being the 2001 Mother of the Year of Br. 43! Submitted by daughter, Yvonne (On the photo, Angie at age 26.) Branch 100, Fontana, CA Mary Lou Height The Fontana, CA branch is pleased to announce that Mary Lou Height is this year’s Mother of the Year. Mary Lou was bom in July 1950 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Frank and Anne Kapel. She is the mother of Mark, and grandmother of two year old Brandon, who live in Phoenix. She loves to travel, especially beach trips, and enjoys family gatherings. She is engaged to Paul Jensen, and looks forward to a wedding in the near future. Mary Lou has enjoyed a long career in the travel industry, starting wtih the airlines nearly thirty years ago, and is now a travel agent with the AAA Automobile Club of Victorville. She has helped many of her sisters in the Slovene Women’s Union with travel arrangements. Mary Lou has enjoyed her longtime membership and looks forward to many more years with the Slovene Women’s Union. Branch 102, Willard, WI Theresa Zorman As most of our mothers who combine many duties in one small package, our Mother of the Year of Br. 102 is not only a retired school teacher, but she has been a volunteer at schools, city and VA hospitals and occupies her free time very diligently. Theresa was bom in Waukegan, Illinois, and completed her education with a B.S. in Education plus some graduate work. She was an elementary school teacher for 38 years. She has always been interested in sewing, crafting and stamping, making cards, baking, cooking and gardening, and has done some traveling. Her sewing skills are useful when she works for hospital patients and veterans at local hospitals. Theresa and Edward Zorman were married in Willard, Wisconsin 45 years ago, in 1956. They had two daughters, Ann Marie and Diane Lea. Edward was a hard working man and an outdoors man. Theresa and Ed loved to dance the polkas together. Both were involved in their girls’ activities at school, church and community. He died in 1994. Daughter, Ann Marie is a registered nurse, married Thinking of her own mother, Jennie Koschak Krapf makes Theresa feel so proud. She was a typical mother who never had much money or material things, but, says Theresa, she did the best she could for her three children. She’s Theresa’s inspiration. Anyone who knows how far the distances are between towns in central Wisconsin can realize how difficult it is for Theresa to attend meetings held 100 miles away from her home; and what a special honor it is for her to be selected by ladies she seldom sees. Still, Theresa loves them all, and is very appreciative. This verse is a favorite of National President, Kathleen Dorchak Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Ad any daughters have done virtuously, but thou excel lest them all. (Bible, Proverb 31) and has three children. They live 8 miles away. Grandson Tyler, 10, is a good student and very active in Boy Scouts, attended last year’s summer classes at the UW at LaCrosse for gifted and talented students. He was diagnosed with Type I diabetes and is handling it very well. He plays piano, and excels in sports. Granddaughter Kaylee Maria, 7, is also a good student and takes dance, and piano lessons. She just made her First Holy Communion. Ciara Jane is 2-1/2 and is a very busy toddler. Grandma shops with them, attends all school and church activities, sports events, and makes costumes for their performances. She established a college fund for each of them, too. Theresa’s second daughter, Diana has a degree in finance and is employed by Central City Credit Union in Marshfield. She, too, is married and was expecting their first child in March. SWU SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Donations of Feb. and March 2001 $5.00 donation: Bill Slogar (tTheresa M. Fink) $10.00 donation: Bill Slogar (tJoseph M. Zollar), Bill Slogar (tRosita Polyner) $15.00 donation: SWU Branch 32, Euclid, OH (t Josephine Comenshek) $20.00 donations: Agnes Kumick (thusband, Edward Kumick), Mary Lou & Frank Vidergar (tEileen Kaucic) $100.00 donations: Josephine A. Misic; A Gift to the Scholarship Fund, Prof. Max Schuster (his sister, tFrances Payton) $1,969.00 donations: Scholarship Fund from members mailed to our National Secretary - to each of you. A big, big thanks! The spirit lives on! Our Scholarship Program is celebrating it’s 52nd year of awarding deserving young students. Thanks to each and everyone of you for your continuing interest and generous support of our SWU Scholarship Fund. Mary Turvey, Director 52 Oakridge Drive Marquette, Michigan 49855 MTurvey @aol. com Good News for Slovenian Historians, Students, Genealogists! The Slovenian Women’s Union Museum has a wonderful collection of valuable books on the history of Slovenia, Slovenian fiction and nonfiction, Slovenian branch activities, scrapbooks, periodicals, that have been catalogued some years ago by Mary Rozman and her librarian friend. About 200 of these books are in English, and a much larger volume are in Slovenian. The staff of volunteers at our museum continues to catalog each donated book as it arrives. The collection has been stored in the basement of the building which was almost inaccessible. Now plans are underway to move this great collection to our main level. Work space will be available for researchers. If you have Slovenian community or church histories, family histories, genealogy family charts, or books on Slovenia, please consider donating them to our library. In addition, archival material is being collected at the branch level which will make this non-circulating library even more valuable to our visitors. Slovenian Women’s Union 75th Anniversary Raffle Win a beautiful, hand-made, queen-size QUILT, crafted by SWU National Auditor, Beverly Menart We will fill out your tickets, Winner need not be present. f Drawing will take place at the K W and p[ace them jntQ the RafTle 75th Anniversary Celebration, RRD CARNATION DESIGN for y°u December 16, 2001 You will not receive any tickets. Tickets, $1.00 each, available by mail. Us& coupon below. Send to SWU National President, Kathleen Dorchak, 3088 Markle Drive Silver Lake, Ohio 44224 Telephone (330) 686-1336 Email: KDORCHAK@NEO.RR.COM Name: _________ Address: ______ City, Zipcode: Number of Tickets: Amount Enclosed: SWU 75th Anniversary Tour to Slovenia-2001 September 13—27, 2001 4 Star Grand Hotel Union Tour Package Features: • Round trip Airfare from New York (Call for price from any major U.S. or Canadian City) • Deluxe motor-coach throughout entire tour • First Class Hotel accommodations throughout • English speaking guides throughout the tour • All entrance fees/sightseeing, per itinerary • Breakfast daily, Lunch and Dinner as indicated • Enjoy traditional Slovenian restaurants and gostilnas throughout the tour • Grand SWU 75th Anniversary Celebration at Ljubljana Castle! • All Hotel service fees and taxes • Baggage handling & bellman’s gratuties at hotels • Comprehensive Travel Documentation prepared by Kollander World Travel. Hurry, hurry! Not much time is left for you to make your reservation for the Heritage Tour to Slovenia. We are now expanding our passenger limit to two motorcoaches for the tour portion of the trip. To save your space send deposit of $300 per person at once to Kollander World Travel, 971 E. 185th St., Cleveland, OH 44119. Some wonderful things are being planned in advance such as a visit to the Ethnographic Museum of Slovenia where a special display will highlight when and how Slovenian immigrants left their homeland through the years. Anyone wishing to research their family genealogy will be able to get helpful information. And exhibition of photos and actual material such as Slovenian folkart and costumes will be enhanced by a short lecture and very interesting and educational film presentation. Following will be a concert of songs from the time of our grandparents featuring the old instruments that were played by popular village musicians. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? It will teach us more about our Slovenian heritage that is so dear to us. We recommend you bring along your photo and sound copying equipment. Other plans include some lessons in learning easy Slovenian conversational phrases and a cooking lesson of typical Slovenian peasant dishes - hopefully we’ll eat this food for lunch that day. The 75th Anniversary Memorial Mass will take place at Marija Pomagaj in Brezje where we will remember each and every member of Slovenian Women’s Union, past and present. Father Christian Gostečnik, OFM will be the main celebrant and lead us in prayer in both languages. The Shrine of Marija Pomagaj is a breathtaking sight and remains unforgettable to all. Another memorable event will be the SWU Anniversary Gala Banquet at historic Bogenšperk Castle to be preceded by an elegant Reception at the National Gallery of Art in Ljubljana to which have been invited our US Ambassador to Slovenia, Mme. Nancy Ely-Rafaei and the representative of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Mme. Magdalena Tovornik, State Secretary for Slovenians Abroad. We hope you will be with us to celebrate our Slovenian Heritage and the 75th Anniversary of the great Slovenian Women’s Union of America. Tour Package Cost (Based on a minimum of 30 passengers) $2,698.00 per person from east coast departure city, based on double occupancy. Group Airfare for your home departure cities: Chicago $85.00, Cleveland $65.00; for other cities fares according to distance. Single room supplement $365.00; Triple room deduction $150.00. Not included: Government tax, surcharges and security fees. Note: If paying by credit card, 3% of total charge will be added to your final invoice. Your personal check is welcome. Deposit of $300.00 per person upon reservation. Bogenšperk Castle SLOVENIA IS YOUR HOLIDAY LAND If we placed a compass in the center of Slovenia and drew a circle with a radius of 500 km, we would encompass parts of Central, Mediterranean and Balkan Europe, the circle linking Prague, Stuttgart, Zurich, Milan, Rome and Dubrovnik! Despite its modest size at 20,000 square kilometers, Slovenia is very big if we consider its geographical elements. In the northwest we have Alpine countryside, where mountains reach up to 2,864 meters. In the east there are the Pannonian flatlands, where the hills spill into the plains. In the southeast is the Dinaric region, extending to the Balkans. In the southwest is the world of the Mediterranean, of the sea, whose influence reaches up to the mountains, right into the Alps. And in between these four European environments there is a fifth. Possibly the most Slovenian of them all, extending between the Mediterranean, Alpine and Dinaric regions. This is the Karst. It is precisely our Karst which caused the term “karst” to be used worldwide. That’s how big our little Slovenia is in the continent of Europe! It offers you its valleys, mountain passes, hills, roads... Nearly all the roads in Slovenia today follow the old Roman routes; one of the first European railways started on Slovenian soil, the Vienna-Trieste route. When there were still no real roads, boatmen on the Sava river stuck to the legendary route navigated by the Argonauts. Believe it or not, Jason (of Argonauts fame) founded a settlement here, today called Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia. In addition to the interesting archaeological finds testifying to the Roman civilization, we can also say that Slovenia is a country of mediaeval churches and castles, unique rustic architecture and wonderful towns. We would like to invite you to come to know the distinctions and beauties of this small “big” Slovenia. It you are interested in talking about Slovenia and reading what others say about their Slovenian backgrounds, offer information and ask questions, sign on to our The New Neighborhood on-line newsletter by clicking LZALOKAR-@YAHOO.COM. One of many direct internet Slovenian information sources is the Virtual Guide to Slovenia, www.matkurja.com/. Slovenia’s beautiful Logar’s Valley - Logarska dolina - For more information contact SWU Nat’l. President, Kathleen Dorchak, 3088 Markle Dr., Silver Lake, OH 44224, phone (330) 686-1336, fax (330) 688-6203, e-mail KDORCHAK@NEO.RR.COM or Kollander World Travel, 971 E. 185th St., Cleveland, OH 44119, phone (800) 800-5981 or (216) 692-1000. r \ Notes from a Slovenian travelogue pubiished in the Cleveland Plain Dealer Travel section, July 23,2000. The glories of Slovenia An hour northwest of Slovenia’s capital city, Ljubljana, the landscape jumps up and nearly knocks you over. The Soča River widens and reclines, a deadstill pool of turquoise under a cotton-candy cover of lifting mist. As the mist recedes, snow-topped mountains loom into view. It is beautiful. The Soča River, along the western border of Slovenia with Italy, is a striking blue-green hue and travels for about 60 miles, widening and narrowing as it runs through chasms and broad valleys. In some stretches near Kobarid it is less than 30 feet wide, racing between steep slopes. Farther south, at Most na Soči, it dawdles and widens into a lake. This is the location for world class kayak races. Leave the river behind and you begin the climb to snowy peaks. Not far beyond is Vršič Pass, 5,285 ft. high, on the Italian and Austrian border with Slovenia. Nearby, at the peak known as Višarje, where the three countries meet, is a church that has been just recently given over to Italian administration, much to the dismay of the Slovenians who have historically cared for this parish. Slovenia’s mountains make a ridiculously glorious landscape! V J “The New Neighborhood” Online Newsletter Update Over 400 SWU members and friends receive the online newsletter...and the number continues to grow. This tells us that many of you have computers, use e-mail and surf the web! Please let us know if you have found any interesting Slovenian-related websites. One that I really like is www.www.matkurja.com. Virtual Guide to Slovenia. The variety of ages receiving the newsletter tells us that it appeals to everyone - our youngest recipient is 7 years old, our eldest (but young at heart) is 95! Many of you included your e-mail address with your January dues statement. Our national secretary, Bonnie Prokup, said some e-mail addresses written on the dues statements were illegible or incomplete. If you know someone who wanted the newsletter, but isn’t getting it, please ask him or her to e-mail me directly lzalokar@yahoo.com. * * * Each month we focus on the Slovenian related sights and sounds found in many areas of the U.S. We have covered: September - New York City, October - California, November - Colorado, December -Washington, D.C., January - Indianapolis and February - The Illinois Valley (LaSalle, Peru and DePue in Northern Illinois.) In the October issue Mary Turvey, granddaughter of the S.W.U. founder Marie Prisland, began a series on Mark’s life which starts with her early years in Slovenia. There are some startling revelations that can explain why Marie would later start an organization that would become an integral part of her life. You don’t want to miss this! Past issues of the newsletter have been posted on the website www.swua.org - check it out and tell a friend or family member too! Participating in the newsletter starts with sending me an e-mail to ask a question or to share information. For example, Bonnie Pohar Prokup sent me this e-mail for the April newsletter, (from wprokup@aol.com): Is there anyone out there who is familiar with chat sessions? I would love to start a Slovenian book discussion on-line. I don’t have the background with chat rooms but I believe there is a desire for this. There are so many great Slovenian related books out there that would be exciting to read and then talk about. I happen to be reading one right now called “Between Two Iron Curtains.” 1 borrowed this book from the Slovenian Women’s Union Heritage Museum Library. I am almost finished and looking forward to sharing this book with someone so that I can discuss it with them. I want to hear another persons views on the character and see if they feel the same way I do and so son. Please let me know if anyone out there would like to get involved. Speaking of books, a question was asked in the first newsletter about a children’s book based on a Slovenian folktale. I recently found that my library carries it, maybe yours does too: Ginsburg, Mirra: How the sun was brought back to the sky. Adapted from a Slovenian folk tale. Pictures by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey. New York, Macmillan [1975]. After the sun fails to shine for the third day, the chicks go in search of it with the help of their animal friends. ***** WWW.SWUA.ORG The S.W.U. website also has a recipe section which states: “Of course, visitors to this page will no doubt have their own recipes, authentic in nature but translated to new world styles and conveniences. Would you like to see one of your recipes here? We would love to add it to this page! (Go to the Recipe section of the website and send your Slovenian recipe to our webmaster for inclusion on this page.) ***** Thanks to all of you for your positive support in this new endeavor. We are all learning so much from each other’s contributions, so keep the e-mails coming and spread the word too! Lynn Zalokar lzalokar@y ahoo .com Lend a Hand - The SWU home office can always use help with administrative tasks, but there are lots of opportunities to help out from home. Please let us know your area of interest or expertise and we’ll see that you get matched up with a person or a project. (Many volunteer opportunities utilize personal creativity that work positions may not fully allow for!) Volunteer Opportunities - If you would like to volunteer your time or expertise in any capacity, we would like to hear from you. Lynn WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY GENEALOGY? To get a Genealogical Workup sheet that will help you as an easy biographical guideline send your request to Mary Turvey, 52 Oakridge Dr., Marquette, MI 49855 Also, you can find it on our website, WWWSWUA.ORG Everyone’s doing it! Make your Family Tree! Marge Church, National Vice President Great Heritage Happenings! Results of the January 2001 Heritage Museum Magic Month Fund Raiser was $6,451.00 after all awards and expenses were paid. Congratulations to the winners (printed in last issue) and many thanks to all who supported the fundraiser! SWU received a most generous grant from the Frances and Jane S. Lausche Foundation in the amount of $3,000.00. The check was donated in support of the Museum and building renovations which have been in progress over the last six months. James and Madeline Debevec, President and Secretary-Treasurer, respectively, have honored SWU with consideration to SWU heritage goals. THE FRANCES AND JANE S. LAUSCHE FOUNDATION 1942 Brushview Drive Richmond Heights, Ohio 44143 March 14, 2001 Marjorie Church, National Vice President Slovenian Women’s Union of America Dear Ms. Church, The Frances and Jane S. Lausche Foundation is pleased to enclose a grant in the amount of $3,000 to be used towards the renovation and preservation project of the Slovenian Women’s Union Heritage Room and Building in Joliet, Illinois. Sincere best wishes for continued success for the wonderful educational and heritage preservation work the Slovenian Women’s Union of America is doing for its current members and those who will follow. Yours truly, Madeline D. Debevec, Secretary-Treasurer SWU Slovenian Heritage Museum, Joliet, Illinois SWU Heritage Museum Gift Shop 431 North Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432 Telephone: (815) 727-1926 [ Donations to Heritage Museum Branch 2, Chicago, Illinois presented the Heritage Museum with a $200.00 check to acquire new bookshelves for storage of the English written books on Slovenia. Bookshelves will be placed in a prominent place in the Museum and thus, easily available to the public for research and reading pleasure. $50: Bill Slogar in memory of Magdalene Slogar and Anne Saari $50: Anonymous $25: Mr. & Mrs. Ed Ancel, in memory of Robert Kostelc, Br. 20. $20: Mr. & Mrs. Rudy Pucel, in memory of Robert Kostelc, Br. 20. $65: Members of Br. 20, in memory of members who passed away during the last year: Rev. David Stalzer, Fran Babicki, Robert Kostelc, Justine Kauz-laric, Bernice Ogulin, Marjorie Militello, Anna Horvat, Margaret Glanek, Suzanne Ferguson, Martin Kambic, Mary Mahkovec, RichardTezak, Sr., Louise Peppard Veda Tonikvar: ^ r ‘Tram Our ‘Heritage “Kitchens Spring, where are you? Although the first day of Spring dawned and retired, the harbingers of Spring are still hidden under mounds of snow in Minnesota. The robins and finches cannot return soon enough along with the crocuses, anemones and the daffodils. The fickle, often biting cold and snowy winter can exit momentarily so that planting can begin and activities be resumed. In this issue of ZARJA we are offered some tempting recipes to help you savor the flavors, the aromas, and the satisfying dishes that graced the family table long ago. Our town of Chisholm is celebrating its 100th Anniversary of its founding. We hope that Jennie Samsa, a loyal, long time member of Zveza, who is recuperating from a stroke, will be able to resume her beloved kitchen duties in time for the banquet. SAUCY FRUIT MEDLEY This recipe can be used at brunch, as a refreshing dessert in summer, or as a yummy topping on yellow cake. 1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie Tilling 1 can (15 oz.) fruit cocktail, drained 2 medium navel oranges, peeled and sectioned 1 medium grapefruit, peeled and sectioned 1 medium tart apple, peeled and diced 1 cup strawberry-cranberry or raspberry-cranberry juice f/2 cup chopped pecans (optional) In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. Yields 8 servings. ONION BRUNCH SQUARES Excellent for Brunch or a warm appetizer. 2 large onions chopped 2 tablespoons butter or margarine 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 2 cup sour cream 2 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional) 3 eggs lightly beaten 1 cup ham (chopped or 3 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled 1 tube (8 oz.) refrigerated crescent rolls In a skillet, saute onions in butter until tender; cool. Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the flour, sour cream, salt and caraway seeds until blended. Add eggs and mix well. Stir in ham or bacon and reserved onions. Unroll crescent roll dough into an ungreased 9-inch square baking pan. Press seams together to seal. Press dough 1 inch up the sides of the pan. Pour onion mixture into crust. Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Yield: 9 servings. GOLDEN PANCAKES 6 eggs cup cream-style cottage cheese cup all-purpose flour cup milk lu cup vegetable oil »'* teaspoon vanilla extract teaspoon salt In a blender, or by hand, combine all ingredients. Cover and process on the highest speed for 1 minute. Pour batter by !/4 cupfuls onto a greased, hot griddle. Turn when bubbles form on top; cook until second side is golden brown. Yield: about 14 pancakes. SKILLET CHICKEN SUPREME 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves 1 tablespoons butter or margarine l'i cup chopped onion 1 can (141;2 0z.) diced tomatoes, undrained 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce ^2 teaspoon ground mustard x,i teaspoon salt 1/» or lU teaspoon pepper Hot cooked rice In a skillet, brown chicken in butter. Add onion; saute until tender. Stir in tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. Serve over rice. Yield: 2 servings. This dish can easily be doubled. CHEDDAR CORN BREAD This tender com bread goes well with a bowl of chili or any grilled meat. l\ cups yellow cornmeal \ cup all purpose flour 2l/i teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons ground cumin lU teaspoon pepper \ teaspoon salt 2 beaten eggs 1 cup milk 2 cups shredded aged cheddar cheese (8 ounces) In a mixing bowl, combine the com-meal, flour, sugar, baking powder, cumin, pepper and salt. In another bowl, combine the eggs and milk. Add the milk mixture and cheese to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Spread batter in a greased 9x9x2 inch baking pan. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown. Serve warm. Makes 9 servings. Activities of our Branches Reports due first of month ffi preceding publication. NO. 2, CHICAGO, IL Meeting: 2nd Thurs. St. Stephen’s lower hall Zveza is into our 75th Year - many thanks to the young ladies who worked very hard in 1926 to get the organization going, in spite of conflicts at home, those that opposed them in their churches and with families, but they persevered and thankfully, here we are. We have young National Officers who will take us forward. Br. 2, Chicago is the oldest branch and we will be celebrating our 75th on Sunday, October 7. Keep this date open. For starters, May 10, we will celebrate Mothers/Women of the Year. We have chosen 7 members to represent our branch as our “Women of the Year.” These ladies attend all the meetings and are active in all our projects. They are: Helen Fitzgerald, JoAnna Ferrara, Stella Longosz, Marie Ovnik, Irene Smid, Amelia Smith and Elsie Statkus. Please try to attend, it would be nice to have a full house and a great social gathering. July 15, we will celebrate Zveza Day in Lemont. We will need much help. Please participate! Our Pres., Fran Morison and son, Terry were happy that Mike and Susan Morison traveled from New Hampshire to help celebrate their birthdays in March. St. Joseph Table was attended by members and their quests. Each brought their favorite dish and dessert. We were happy to have Father Stan with us; he blessed the food and thanked everyone for their cards and prayers while he was recovering from his heart operation. He told us that a priest friend was sick and he told him he would ask the Slovenian ladies to pray for him, he was sure that was one reason he recuperated so fast. It was a fun evening. Everyone who attended received a small wooden plaque of St. Joseph from Fran. Joe Worth donated red carnations which were raffled off. Our condolences to members who lost loved ones in past month. Congratulations 70th Anniversary in 2001! Br. 47, Garfield Hts., OH Br. 50, Euclid, OH To the family of Johanna Oblak (Mladic) namely, her daughter, Mary Ann Oblak, sister, Mary Malloy and sister-in-law, Helen Mladic. Johanna was always a big help at our picnic, she was our coffee lady. We will miss her. To the families of Jerry Russell - his mother, Amelia Troha Smith; sister, Annette Corgiat, aunt, Jean Železnikar, cousin, Mary Newbould, four daughters: Megan, Sante, Shenille, Shelsea. He was a graduate of St. Stephen’s. To the families of Father Leonard Bogolin and to the Franciscan Fathers of Lemont. Fr. Len died Feb. 3. We all remember him for the years he was at St. Stephen’s, he was areal go getter. He was instumental in purchasing the ME Church, Gorka’s florist which was later razed for a parking lot, building the Gym which became the social center for all Slovenian affairs, and the Carnivals in the summer where everyone looked forward to having a great time. He served his people well. He was pastor of St. Stephen’s, Chicago; St. George, So. Chicago; Detroit, Michigan; Johnston, PA and St. Johns, Greenville, Wisconsin. Father Len served his country as an Army Chaplain in WW II; he was in battle along with his men. He had the rank of Captain. Father baptized and married and buried many of his flock and then his time came to retire to St. Theresa Nursing Home where the Lord called him home. Please remember all of them in your prayers that they will rest in peace. Just learned that Fran Zefran died on Holy Saturday. Our condolences to her family. Please pray for Ann Scieszka who had her leg amputated and will need much therapy and Carol Fabian, daughter of Antoinette and Lou Fabian, and David Hanzlik, son of Meta Hanzlik who are both fighting for their lives with brain cancer. Remember them in your prayers. We have a new young member, a little boy, Aiden-Ray Cerer. His grandmother is Donna Cerer; great grandmother is Elsie Ciszek. He also has 5 brothers, aunt Mary, aunt Chris and lots of cousins who are members. Zefran family just reported that they have a new baby boy, bom to Johnny Zefran and his wife. St. Mary’s, Lemont is getting ready for a big renovation project. There is much need for money for this undertaking, it will be very costly. If you are able to donate any amount, please send to: Franciscan Fathers, 14246 Main Street, Lemont, IL 60439. Happy Mothers Day to All. Love, DAISY NO. 3, PUEBLO, CO Meeting: 1st Tues. St. Mary’s Church Hall It’s unbelievable but here it is, May, and the end of our meetings until Fall. Our meetings have been good but, of course, as I have stated before, we would like to see more of our members come. As always, May is the final month of meetings until Fall. We are going to have our May party on May 2 at 12:30 at Patti’s Restaurant. At this party we will honor our Mother of the Year, Agnes Cvar. With all the violence going on, it is gratifying to see the accomplishments of our youth. One such case is Joseph Chrisman, son of Doug and Kathy Chrisman and grandson of Bernice Krašovec. Joseph is a senior at Centennial High School and has earned All State Honors in band, choir and orchestra. Recently he won a scholarship to attend the University of Northern Colorado’s School of Music where he plans to study instrumental music education, specializing in Bassoon. Congratulations, Joseph! Condolences are extended to our faithful member, Katherine Kochevar, on the loss of her brother, William Mikatich, and to Tony Adamich on the loss of his wife, Frances (Babe) Adamich. She was a member of our Lodge. We also extend our condolences to all who have lost loved ones and remembered in our prayers are all shut-ins and caretakers. Happy Mothers’ Day to all. PAULINE PAUCHICK NO. 5, INDIANAPOLIS, IN Meeting: 1st Thurs. SND, from May to Dec. Our bi-annual meeting and luncheon will be held May 10th at 11:00 a.m. We meet downstairs at the Slovenian National Home, so try and join us. We ask that each member bring a covered dish. Branch 5 will provide the meat. We will be honoring our fifty-year members Ooana Mauser and Karen Zarich and our Members of the Year Angie Dragan, Dolores Konechnik and Dorothy Waldon. Congratulations, ladies! Branch 5 would like to say “Hello” and give a great big hug to all of our shut-ins. We would also like to give a special “Hello” to Liz Bybee, who is living in Florida. Member News: Congratulations to Wendy Mar-kiewicz who graduates from Cardinal Ritter High School on June 1st. Wendy, who has been very active in the music program at Ritter, will be graduating with academic honors. She is the daughter of Jo Ellen Markiewicz and the granddaughter of Dorothy Waldon. Betsy and Sara Fon are planning to attend Summer School in Slovenia. They are taking a language course during the entire month of July. We wish them luck. (And expect them to translate on our next trip.) Love from Texas, BARBARA MOHR FRIESENHAHN NO. 10, CLEVELAND, OH Meeting: 4th Wed. Alternate months SND Holmes Ave. Hi, Ladies! The meeting of March 28, 2001 was opened with prayers for the living and deceased members led by our president, Steffie Segulin. We discussed our Mothers’ Get together on May 18, 2001 at Waterloo Hall at 1 p.m. Hope to see many of you there. Get well wishes to the members who are ailing. Our deepest sympathy to Joyce LeNassi on the death of her husband, Matt. May God bless you and also sister-in-law, Fay Morro and family. Happy birthday to Stephanie Dagg on March 26th, Joyce Segulin, May 3rd. We missed a few of our regular members. Lucy Romik had a doctor’s appointment; Elsie Zaletel is one of our sick members; Mary Podlogar was baby sitting; Stephanie Dagg and Helen Suchy are ailing. Please pray for these members to get well. The lodge will accept donations from members. This is to be used at funerals; also to send get-well cards to ailing members. Thank you and God Bless You All. STEPHANIE SEGULIN NO. 12, MILWAUKEE, WI Meeting: 3rd Thursdays St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Hall Our February meeting was held successfully even tho the weather was so-so. We lost a faithful member, Jennie Ward, sister of our member Lil Hartmann. We extend our sympathy to her family, a great loss to her church and our branch. On the sick list is Ann Jelinek. Ann Paulin had knee surgery. Ann Gram-bow just had surgery March 29th and Fannie Smole had hip surgery and is lunch of com beef and cabbage. See my next article on the wonderful women who take care of our lunch every month. Mary Cimmermancic, Dolores Kod-rich and Virginia Strukel went home with a rabbit and our treasury gained $ 16 thru the generosity of our members. We will honor all our members at the Mother’s Day luncheon. Plans are not yet finalized. Also, our Christmas party for 2001 will be Dec. 6th and in May we will decide on the place. Glad to hear that Rose Luebke’s daughter and family who live near the Seattle area where the earthquake hit are ok. She is a teacher there and they ducked under the desks at her school. No damage but they did feel the tremor. Another success story: Congratulations to our secretary, Fran Remshak on the great achievement of her son, Mark. He attended medical school in Ljubljana and interned at Frodert Hospital in Wauwatosa, WI. He is now Dr. Mark Remshak, an anesthesiologist at Waukesha Memorial Hospital. While in Slovenia studying he attended a social for American Slovenians and high up on Mt. Triglav he met his future wife, Koni. She was studying dentistry. Coming to Milwaukee she attended Marquette University to get her state boards, as they do not recognize European degrees. She now is in practice in Menomonie Falls. Congratulations to you all for your hard work and may you have many successful years. Our meetings are held at St. Peter’s Episcopal church at 80th and Lincoln Ave., on the third Thursdays of each month except July and August. We welcome all of you to join us - as we are a friendly and happy bunch! Our travelers: Vida Yakos was in Slovenia for two weeks last November and was home a couple of weeks, then to Australia for a month to visit her son. She celebrated her birthday and Christmas there. Now she is talking about going back to Slovenia to spend more time with family there. And, Connie Lewandowski was on a tour to Rome. Happy Mother’s Day to all and keep our sick in your prayers. MARY KIEL THINK HERITAGE NO. 13, SAN FRANCISCO, CA Meeting: 1st Thurs. Slovenian Hall on Mariposa St. Spring is here! Sunshine, bright flowers and new beginnings everywhere. Ceta Zagar and I returned from the National Board meeting in March filled with great enthusiasm for S.W.U. when I see what the Nat’l. Board has accomplished. I hope to bring this zest back to my Branch. At Br. 13, we did vote to retain our same officers for 2001 and thanks and gratitude to these loyal ladies, again. It is with heavy heart that I report the passing of Stanka’s husband, Peter Pecavar. Pete touched all of our lives in the Slovenian community and the Church of the Nativity. Br. 13 will forever be grateful for all he did at the 1995 national convention. The entire banquet at the Slovenian hall was due to “Pete & his crew.” Our deepest sympathy and prayers go to Stanka and sons, Pete Jr. and John. We will miss you Peter, and we thank you; but we do know our Slovenian Community and Church of the Nativity are better and stronger beacause God loaned you to “us” for awhile. God bless you. 1 had an opportunity to talk to longtime members, Anna Kambick and Anna Fabian. They can’t make meetings any longer but say hello to everyone. It was a joy to see them. We are celebrating our Mother’s Day brunch, honoring all members, on May 20th at the Marriot following Mass at the Church of the Nativity. We will raffle an afghan made by this reporter and a bottle of brandy donated by Ginny Sustarich. Call Josephine 863-8632 for reservations. Am sorry for missing an article in the last ZARJA, but I need news! Call 650-631-1098. Thank you, Louise Petrusich. Granddaughter, Stephanie Nagel (member of Br. 13) was married April 20, 2001 to Michael Creager in St. Louis, MO. Her grandson, Brad Shaffer graduates June 10 from Adlai Stevenson High School, Chicago, IL and will go to Arizona University in September. I’d like to send a special hello to Evelyn Kinnear in Saratoga, Cal who loves reading ZARJA and sends hello to us through President, Jo Aiuto. Also to Carol Georgen, Solano Beach, Cal. She can’t wait for ZARJA. Her mom, long-time member, Sophie Troya lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. Now you understand why I love ZARJA so; it is our strongest link in our Chain of Sisterhood. Secretary, Moreen Spencer, says twin sons, Kevin and Kenneth are first officers in Commuter Air Continental Connector. Kenny is in Syracuse, NY and Kevin in Hartford, Conn. They get home often to see dad, Don, who had his share of hardship. He’s doing pretty well and goes to skyline College twice a week for adoptive P.E. class. Don retired from Berkeley Farms Dairy in 1998 and he’s going to a retirement dinner to see friends he hasn’t seen since then. I loved the cover of the last ZARJA with a marvelous picture of “our own organizer,” Bara Kramer. She organized 4 branches. No. 13 SF, No. 20, Joliet, No. 43, Milwaukee, No. 45 Portland - quite a woman in her day! Very happy birthdays to: Sophie Troya, Laura Frick, Marie Fir, Mary Copp, Anna Fabian, Diana Fir, Karen Jensen, Ivanka Lukezic, Linda Phaby, Margaret Schmidt. Have a joyous Mother’s Day and remember: Worrying does not empty tomorrow if its troubles. It empties today of its strength. BEVERLY JACKSON NO. 14, EUCLID, OH Meeting: 1st Tues., 6 p.m. Slov. Society Home Happy Mother’s Day, Frances Prijatel! Selected as our Mother of the Year is Frances Prijatel. She will be honored at our party on May 1st. She joined SWU in 1936! A very active and fine member, Frances has been a Red Cross volunteer for years. Her daughters, Louise, JoAnne and Marilyn and other family members are at all at annual dinners. Happy Mothers Day to all our members! DIANE VARNEY NO. 16, SO. CHICAGO, IL Meeting: 2nd Saturday, 1 p.m. monthly except Jan.-July-Aug. St. George’s Hall Isn’t it great to be alive! It’s spring - the trees are in full foliage, flowers are blooming, days are longer, and our utility bills are lower! Now that you are in a good mood, please make a note of our Mother’s Day party at Tom’s Restaurant, 894 Burnham Ave., Calumet City. Won’t you join us for a pleasant afternoon? The food is good and the price is right. All that is required is a reservation made with our President Therese Ehnat or Vice President Mary Jane Strus and a $2.00 deposit. Bring your relatives, friends and neighbors - if you like them! The date is May 9th, time is 1:30 p.m. Please mark your calendar. Tom’s has plenty of parking spaces. We enjoyed corned beef sandwiches at March meeting. Desserts were cakes baked by Julie Vrlich and Mary Puterko; Clara Saviano baked a huge batch of kolacky and Gladys brought cookies. The tea and/or coffee was prepared as usual by Sylvia Spretnjak. Our members are few in number, but they are great! Vida Kumse brought pictures and artifacts from Slovenia and she kept us listening intently to her explanations and descriptions. Thank you, Vida. We appreciate it all. Besides that she is our fantastic recording secretary and an excellent cook and baker. Sandy Miller joined us and shared in our day. Come back soon, Sandy, we love you, ask aunt Edna for a ride. We have two perfect examples that prayers are listened to and heard. Our Clara Saviano and Manda Maggio made miraculous recoveries. After their long illnesses they are up and about and attending church and meetings. God is good! Our best wishes to Denise Maggio on her recent engagement. Congratulations to greatgrandma Mary Gorenz on the birth of Haley Kristine, bom on March 12th. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 7 ozs. God bless her! Sometime during the first week of October a little Monahan will enter this world - a first grandchild for Kathy and Tim - and my first great grandchild. VOLUNTEERS HELP PREPARE LENTEN SOUP (from left to right): Josephine Krasovic, Lillian Galich, Agnes Glavich, Katherine Kochevar, Josephine Perko and Pauline Pauchick, prepared delicious soup for parishioners of St. Mary’s Church in Pueblo, Colorado during Lent. I heard via the grapevine that Rudy Novak was a victim of a slip on the ice and sustained a bad boo-boo! I hope that your wrist is all better, Rudy. Mary Brozovich called, she’s healing slowly. Hang in there, Mary. It takes longer for old bones to knit! Ha! We love ya! Happy birthday to our Vi Somin -we miss you so much. Mary Brozovich is adding another year. We miss you and your happy laugh. I know that Springfield, MO is a happier place because of you. Guess who is going to celebrate her 90th? I’ll tell you - it’s that great baker lady, Clara Saviano. What a gal! Gladys is torching her cake on the 6th of May - many happy returns to my dear friends. We have two applicants for the scholarship program. Jason Ireland is graduating in June. He is an all-around talented young man and makes his parents proud. Good luck, Jason. Gianna Rossi is graduating next year. She is multi-talented - being involved in drama, dance, singing and some athletic abilities, besides being pretty. Our best wishes to these two students. Barb and Tom Ireland are really going to whoop it up this June. Jason gets the cherished diploma, Barbara will have 50 candles on her cake, and the topper is they will be celebrating 25 years of wedded bliss. Gladys will be there to celebrate with them. Congratulations and best wishes to all of you! Grandma Therese Ehnat is so looking forward to her granddaughter, Dana Tanczuk’s marriage to Joseph Berthold on May 18 at St. Anthony’s Church in Frankfort, IL. Best wishes to all. My grandson, Dan Monahan will exchange vows with his fiance, Christine Johnson on May 5th at St. Joseph Chapel - College of Holy Cross, Worcester, MA. I will be there in thought and prayer. We have two dear members who are ill and in need of our prayer, Helen Pastirik and Julie Vrlich. Get well soon, we miss you. Our last meeting until summer is June 9th - remember no May meeting as we have our Mother’s Day Party on May 9th. No meetings in July or August. Best wishes to all for a happy Mother’s Day and greetings to all the dads. Love, MARGE PREBIL NO. 20, JOLIET, IL Meeting: 3rd Tues. except June to Sept. St. Joe’s Park Hall Dear members, on June 18, an Anniversary Mass for Fr. David Stalzer will be held at 11:30 at St. Joseph Church. We ask everyone to attend. On May 20th, the Altar and Rosary Society will hold their Card and Bingo Party at 1:30 p.m. There will be lots of prizes and a good time for all. Come and join us. St. Joseph School presented the Rev. George Klepec with it’s Distinguished Graduate Award during the Catholic Schools Week Liturgy. Fr. Klepec graduated from St. Joseph School in 1952, was president of his class and received high academic honors and attended Joliet Catholic High; again he was president for three years and graduated with high honors. At JJC he was the recipient of the Adam Award, which is the highest academic honor. On May we meet at St. Joseph Park Hall for the final meeting of the year. We close it with a dinner banquet honoring our Woman of the Year. A special tribute to Our Lady of Brezje is planned. We will have a short meeting at 6:00 p.m. dinner at 6:30 p.m. The Branch 20 Scholarship Awards are to be presented, also an< entertainment will follow. On July 15 we will attend Zveza Day in Lemont, IL hosted by Branch 2 of Chicago. 11:00 a.m. Mass (Slovenian singing); the picnic goes on rain or shine; so please come, let’s show support for our neighbor branch. If you need transportation call Jonita at 727-1926. We will be happy to have you join us. On March 29th, the Governor Office of Ethnic Affairs sponsored the “Tribute to Ethnic Women’s Organizations” recognizing their outstanding work in the community and throughout the State of Illinois. It was an excellent opportunity for women’s organizations to share with and educate the public about their particular ethnic background and organizational activities. The display tables and exhibits were set up at the James R. Thompson Center. Over 20,000 people visit or work in the building daily. Br. 20 was represented at this event by Helen Minnick, Pat Butterback, Jim Metesh and Kathy Stonich. Joe Wolf, one of our Polka Masters, celebrated his birthday, March 23rd at the Croatian Cultural Club with family and friends, at which time he was presented a 1930 bottle of Cognac, the year of his birth. He said that if God had made better cognac, he kept it for himself! On June 13th, Joe and Cele will celebrate their 48th Wedding Anniversary and guess what? 1953 cognac will be served, the year of their marriage. Is there enough for all of us, Joe? On June 30, 2000 Jennifer Gresham married Michael Dobbs at the Rialto Theater and on August 12, 2000 Cynthia Lucenta and Daniel Krzysciak were wed at St. Mary Nativity Church. Get well wishes to Sophie Kolakowski and Theresa Pavnica. Extend sympathy to the friends and relatives of the following: Edward Zugel, Sr. Marjorie Militello, Justine Kauzlaric, Edward Makovic, Robert Kostelc and Helen Stalzer. May they all rest in peace! The winner of our 50/50 drawing at our last meeting was Helen Minnick and the attendance drawing was won by Bemadine Ukovich who was not in attendance, so the award at our next meeting will be $80. Come and join us. SWU Branch 20 has three Scholarships for members available at the local level. A $500 scholarship for an eighth grade student going into Catholic high school, another $500 scholarship to a student already in a Catholic high school for the following year, and $500 to a member who wishes to continue their adult education. For further information, contact Chairperson, Barbara DeLaney at 723-7979. That’s all folks! Call me at 727-3177 to let me know of any news you would like me to print. KATHY STONICH NO. 22, BRADLEY, IL Meeting: Noon Luncheon on Third Tuesday Designated month at Provena Heritage Village Happy Mother’s Day everyone! Yes, it has been a long time since you heard from Br. 22. Year 2000 was sort of a mixed up year, ups and downs affecting some of our members. First anniversary of her death was observed for Mayme Drassler (90) who died on April 24th. Mayme gave us many a laugh at our meetings. The Lus-tig family often think of their brother, Joe (83). He died May 20th. The family comedian, he is still missed a lot. Our former SWU member, Josephine Zalatel (85) will always be remembered' for her generous heart. Jo passed her final years in a nursing home. Our sympathy, too, went to our branch secret-ary-treasurer, Helen Sebastiani, upon the loss of her brother, Alphonse Yakofich (90), of Milwaukee in June of 2000. John Bradecich, also 90, brother-in-law to our first president, Mollie McIntyre and Tom Zajc (52), grandson of the late member Agnes Zajc complete the list of local Slovenian people who are in their final resing place. Mind you, this all happened within a span of ten weeks. Let us pray for them. Krista Katherine Zobel is a juvenile member of Br. 20. When asked to bring something for Show and Tell on Ethnic Day to her kindergarten class at Braidwood School, she wore her Slovenian tee shirt and showed a map of Slovenia that her grandma, Bernice Metesh brought from Velenje, Slovenia where she visited recently. It was in this period of time that pres. Mollie McIntyre underwent heart surgery. As Mollie puts it, she’s doing pretty well! Her spirits are lifted at the thought of her gifted great granddaughter, Cindy Orwig, one of 30 students who went to St. Petersburg in Russia this past January for voice competition. Upon completing college next year in Northfield, MN Cindy will go on to Massachusetts for further training. Our very best wishes to you, Cindy. You make your family proud. And, better health to you, Mollie. Was the trip to Slovenia last July an early high school graduation gift for Austin Grace? Granddad, Louie Jam-nick and Austin visited relatives there and had the opportunity for Austin to renew his friendship with a cousin who has been his-email correspondent! By the way, the young lad “liked Slovenia a lot!” The Lustig sisters boast of being great grandaunts for the third time for Lauren Nicole Hendrix, daughter of Don and Melanie Lustig Hendrix. ^ov»nd^\V°rl(j K 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, Tauck Tours, and many others! Book Airline Tickets at www.kollander-travel.cow KoIIander World Travel 78 Years Since 1923 (800) 800-5981 (216) 692-1000 www.kollander-travel.com Lauren was bom May 6, 2000 giving Poppa Joe a chance to see her before he died. One life taken, another life replaces it - and families are renewed. Congratulations to our very much loved Leo Rittmanic. He is 96 years old and holding his own. He deserves a solid gold medal for all he has done for the church and our town of Bradley. God’s blessings on you, Leo, and upon Barbara who takes such good care of you (she takes care of her sister SWU members, too!). Summer is here - yes! Make the most of it, after that long winter, we are looking forward to a break! So long! God bless you all! EMMA LUSTIG NO. 24, LA SALLE, IL Meeting: 3rd Thurs. Catholic School Library Mar.-Apr.-May-June Sept.-Oct.-Nov. We had a very successful March meeting with a large group of members present to witness the installation of our new Financial Secretary, Michelle Pangrcic. Eighteen members braved a cold rainy night to welcome her. Bonnie Prokup served as Installing Officer. Bonnie gave us a report on a lot of new ideas for our Slovenian Women’s Union as we look into the future. She also told us of the condition of the Museum and the need for donations. We voted to send a check to be used for improvements. We also welcomed a new member to our branch, Roberta Donahue. We talked about our archive box and Cathy Lenkaitis will serve as Historian and gather all of our Branch materials for the box. We will have two fifty-year members and will honor them later this year. Congratulations to Loretta Story and husband, Joseph. They had two new granddaughters recently; Heidi to Jeff and Michelle Story and Emma to David and Patty (Story) Hughes. They now have 10 grandchildren, nine girls and one boy, and two more are due to arrive in May. What a lovely family! We were sorry to hear that Theresa Gende passed away on March 26th in Heritage Manor Nursing Home. Her funeral Mass was in Resurrection Church on Thursday, March 29. She was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony, in 1970. Her survivors include two sons, Gerald (Joyce) and Harold (Stella) and one daughter, Deborah (Paul) Dobrydnia, also seven grand-children and five great grandchildren. We offer our deepest sympathy to her family and we will remember her in our prayers. Thank you to the members who participated in the Slovenian Women’s Union Funeral Service before the Mass. More congratulations are in order — Wanita and George Helmer celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 31st and I will write more regarding this in the next Branch 24 report. Wanita was a long-time Financial Secretary of our Branch and did a wonderful job. We could never thank her and George for all the generous gifts they gave us through the years — favors for our conventions and door prizes and donating the printing of tickets, etc. Our Hospitality chairman, Barb Pohar and daughter, Cathy Lenkaitis served delicious refreshments after the meeting adjourned. Our first attendance award was won by Anne Wang-ler. Loretta Story was scheduled to provide the treat after our April meeting. Our May dinner will be held at Mario’s Maples in Peru and Mary Mecum and Linda Struna will be in charge. The date is uncertain but will be decided at the April meeting. We look forward to our June picnic with Helen Swietek and Barb Pohar and family in charge. Patricia Weihman will transfer from the Juniors to Adult membership and will receive a gift from the Branch for further schooling at this time. 1 ask that you watch the Church Bulletins and our local newspaper for further information regarding our dinner and picnic. The notices serve as a little reminder. No July and August meetings — we expect it to be HOT! Plan to join us and enjoy good fellowship and good food. Congratulations to all the mothers on their day — we remember them in life with our cards and gifts and we pray for them after they are with the saints in Heaven. God bless all of them. ANNE WANGLER, Reporter Barbie Prokup, 4 years old, and a member of Br. 24, models a Princess of Potica apron that you can order, too, for your own Princess! We have them at the SWU Heritage Museum gift shop for $12. See mail order address in this issue. NO. 25, CLEVELAND, OH 2nd Sunday, 1:30 p.m. St. Vitus Social Room Congratulations to Slovenian Women’s Union on the 75th Anniversary in 2001! To all, happy Springtime! All the snowy weather is behind us, so let’s look forward to May flowers! Our Women of the Year will be All of Us! The entire group of members will celebrate together. We will honor each other. Živijo, ladies! Our own Gene Drobnik had been in Florida for quite a few months on a mission of mercy taking care of her daughter, Gene Ann, after surgery. We miss you, Gene, and hope to see you soon. Marie Orazem and Josie Ambrožič are absent from our meetings. We wish them good health. As of late they are stay at homes. Jan Krivacic was under the weather this winter, but is feeling chipper again. Stay that way, Jean. Our best wishes and regards to all in nursing homes and to our shut-ins at home. We love you and you are kept in our prayers. We were sad to read that Lynn Marie Hrovat did not win a Grammy this year. She is so talented, but as she said, “there’s always next year!” Good luck to her. Belated Easter blessings to all. And, to all Mothers and Grandmothers, Happy Mother’s Day! We wish Fr. Boznar, pastor of St. Vitus Parish, a belated birthday greeting in March. St. Vitus Village is really taking shape - it is looking beautiful. God bless all the workers and may they stay safe in all their endeavors to complete this beautiful edifice. Woman of the Year on St. Clair is Chris Ujcich. Best wishes to her. The main honorees from the Federation of Slovenian Homes were Florence Un-etich and Michael Polansek. Florence is the well-known singer in our area. Of course we know Michael is a City Council President. Our best to them. I was the winner of 4 tickets to the show called “Say Goodnight, Grade!” the show about George Bums and Grade Allen. It was at the Music Hall and my guests were Jan Krivacic, Eleanor Rasper and Dannie Reiger. It was a great show, especially since the star was a Slovenian, Frank Gorshin. He did a wonderful job in the role of George Bums. At the March 25th meeting we met at Emilee’s Beauty Salon and had a nice gathering. We celebrated Ann Clements’ birthday and her retirement. Good luck and much happiness to her in the future. Josie Perpar was welcomed back from her fall of last fall (play on words!) Albina Pozelnik didn’t join us as at the last minute a problem arose - we missed her. On April 22nd our luncheon in celebration of Mother’s Day was at Sterle’s Country House. After the Mother’s Day lunch, our next reunion will be at the monthly meeting on May 6th at Emilee’s Beauty Salon, 6412 St. Clair Ave. All members are urged to attend. We will have a fund-raiser, probably in September. More details later. We will reserve a quarter page ($25) for SWU Branch 47. The members decided to get an SWU plaque to be displayed at the wake of a member. We are in touch with the Home Office to obtain one. Hope all members are happy with this decision. Keep praying for all our members. Remember: Life is fragile, handle with care. The best way to make a friend is to be one! Last but not least - Happy Father’s Day! EMILEE JENKO MAIL ORDER TODAY Mother’s Day - Father’s Day Gifts! All items are high quality with satisfaction guaranteed. We accept check, money order, Visa and MC. Allow two weeks for delivery. Order Form Merchandise_____________ Quantity Size(s) Price ea. Total Cookbooks Slovenians Love To Cook Apron Ladies’ Apron Tee-shirts Carnation Greeting Cards Carnation Hankies Shipping: Under $10 add $2.50 Merchandise Total: $10 - 25 add $4.50 Add shipping: $25 - 50 add $6.50 IL Add 8.25% Sales Tax: $50 - $100 add $8.50 Total Enclosed: (No shipping charges for Cookbook or Apron orders) Name: _______________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________ City:________________________________State:__________Zip:______ Visa_______________ MC______________ Card # _______________ Exp. Date:____________________ Signature:_____________________ Send to: Slovenian Women’s Union 431 No. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432 Slovenian slogans and phrases on useful merchandise - and the famous SWU international recipes cookbook! Tee-shirts Latest! With Immigration Scene “From Slovenia to America” (S,M,L,XL) $15.00 Carnation Note-cards Blank, with envelopes Five designs for $2.00 Lovely Hankies Carnation motif $7.00 Cookbook New - Popular MORE POTS & PANS $18 postpaid Red/White/Blue Aprons “Slovenians Love to Cook” (Unisex) $20.00 Ladies’ Apron Frilly, Delicate White Lace trimming $25.00 NO. 32, EUCLID, OH Meeting: 3rd Wed. Euclid Library, E. 222nd St. After two months of vacation, Br. 32 met March 21 st at the Euclid Library at 222nd St., in Euclid. This is our meeting place. Meeting was called to order by president, Ann Cooke. Hermine Strainer led the prayer, the rosary, and did an excellent job - very touching indeed. All the officers remain the same for the year 2001, however we need a “reporter” so please, members, step forward and help these officers who truly hold our branch together. We will honor all members on May 16th as we celebrate Mother’s Day. It will be at 6 p.m. at Hometown Buffet, 91 & 20 in Willoughby, Ohio. To be a mother is “God’s blessing,” so try to be there. Call Fran at (216) 731 -0242. Mark the date of June 20th for our picnic, held at the meeting room. A pot luck, so do try to be there ,6:30p.m. Deepest sympathy to the Tushar family on the loss of Mary Tushar, our member. She was loyal and kind. We will miss Mary. To the Ogoreuc family, our sympathy as Frances Ogoreuc lost her brother-in-law. Also, Charlotte Perdan, lost an uncle. May they rest in peace. Ceal McLean, our hostess, does a great job with pastry for whatever is the theme of the month. Tables are always done up just so! Members, come along and join us at the meetings. Please see that your dues are paid for 2001. If you need help, call Charlotte Perdan, our Financial Sec’y. Wishing you a happy spring. May your Mother’s Day and June month for brides be special occasions. Our best wishes go out to one and all. DOROTHY LAMM NO. 33, DULUTH, MN Meeting: 1st Wed. St. Elizabeth’s Church Prayers of sympathy for those who have died and their families who are members. Clementine Spehar, 88, a 41 year member died on 1/31/01. Her sister is Lucile Somin. Frances Sever of Alameda, CA died on 02/02/01. Sisters are Virginia Mik-rut and Althea Tverberg. Nick Rukovina, Sr., 77, died on 02/ 26/01. Sorrowing wife is Thyra Rukovina, a daughter, Sandra Malmquist, and sister, Kathryn Aldrich. Dolores Janchar, 70, a 39 year member, died unexpectedly 03/17/01 in Fairhope, AL while on vacation with her sister, Betty Mrak, at Margaret (Mrak) and Ronald Boben’s. Anyone who wishes to be a funeral pallbearer, call Josie at 626-1147. Our prayers are with any member who is sick, homebound, or in a nursing home. St. Patrick’s Day celebration began with mass at St. Elizabeth’s, followed by a Pot Luck supper. Performers were Joe and Alice Janchar; and their family (grown children and grandchildren) sang for us. Mary White, Sean McGovern, Frank Kovasevich, Lisa Mehling, Lynn Nepher and Frank Bucar, also sang. Lorraine Del Zotto was their accompanist on the piano and Julie Blazevic, violin. Fr. Patrick Moran sang with Mary White. Approximately 20 children of the parish sang and performed with David Mehling on piano. Such a marvelous evening was enjoyed by all. Dorothy Jacobson was honored on her 80th birthday with an open house. All of her children and grandchildren were with her. On Wednesday, May 3, we will honor Mother of the Year, Pauline (Polly) Stojevich. Spring is really here; bulbs are coming up along with other plants. LOIS M. PELANDER, Reporter NO. 35, AURORA, MN Meeting: 6 per year Community Sr. Center We opened the February 11th meeting with prayers for our deceased members and families. We enjoyed an interesting letter from our Vice President, Anita Vovk who was vacationing at Padre Island, TX. Thank you to: ZRFUB donations! Our sincere thanks for a donation to ZARJA’s Publishing Fund from Miss Danica Adjemovic. She sent $25 in memory of tAna Cemelc, a long time memberofBr. 103, Washington, DC. Thanks also to Jane Yadlosky of Br. 23 for her memorial donation of $10 for tMolly Prebil, Br. 102, Willard, WI. ♦Phyllis Turk who served as one of our auditors for many years. Helen Simonich volunteered to take her place. Phyllis will continue as our Sunshine Chairman. *Betty Rokser who volunteered to embroider 2 Splash Cloths. These will be donated to the Craft Sale at the next SWU National Convention to be held in Duluth in 2003. *Our ladies who donated the prizes for the dime auction which brought in $46.30. This money is put toward dues for our over 80 members. Get well wishes to all our members who are ill and their families. Happy to report that Katherine Hanka is doing well after heart surgery and Ann Zuponcic is recovering from her fall. Betty Turk is feeling better, too. Take care, ladies. Our sympathy and prayers are wished to the Joseph Bradach, Sr. family. Joseph was looking forward to his 98th birthday on March 4th but passed away on March 1st. Many members of his family belong to Br. 35. His wife, Frances, had been our branch’s Sec.-Treas. for 35 years. May he rest in peace. Congratulations to all our officers who were installed at this meeting. Each was presented with an SWU pin. Best wishes to all of you and thanks! Again, our wonderful hostesses were Betty Carlson and Betty Rokser. They had lovely Valentine decorations and lunch - Betty Rokser also provided the door prize which I won! Wishing all a happy summertime. ANNE M. ORAZEM Early History of Slovenska Ženska Zveza, Branch 42 in Maple Heights, Ohio Conclusion Activities were always carefully planned and executed. Assignments were made with an eye for the talents of the members. Mrs. Prhne was considered the best cook and therefore supervised the meals, Mrs. Stavec baked the ‘potica,’ Angela Perko make the ‘krofe’, Antonija Legan made the ‘flancate, and “Teta Bazi” (Anna Fortuna) knew who made the best wine that season. For example, the Veselica was planned for October 10, 1933, probably took place in the Newburgh Hall - Slovenian National Home -and the records show the following assignments: 25 lbs. of meat for gulaš, purchased from Jelusic, also 10-12 lbs. of fresh ham; cooks: Victoria Jelusic and Mrs. Prhne, “za gulaš”, ham baked by Miss Gregorčič; two cases of beer, 2 boxes of pop, 14 loaves of bread from Jacob Jemec; wine (Anna Fortuna will check with Curk), wine will be 30 cents per quart. Wine tenders: Julia Legan and Mary Franetič (Fink). Wine waitresses: Julie Podpadec and Antonia Legan. Door attendees: Cristina and Rose Novak. Gulaš waitresses: Mrs. Stavec and Mrs. Simončič. Masquerade parties were also popular with the many of whom participated with much dash and creativity, posing as movie stars, celebrities of the day and sometimes as witches from the Pagan past of the Slovenes. The latter nasquerade was usually on Halloween. With the reality of the new hall, more cultural activities were presented including, of course, the concerts of the Planina Singing Society. Albina Novak was invited to tell of her trip to the “Stara Domovina” and to show pictures of places the immigrant ladies had not seen since their youthful day. Members from other lodges were also invited including the neighboring Slovenes from Randall (Br. 73, Warrensville Hts., OH). A few months later in 1939, Anton Grdina, the renowned entrepreneur from St. Clair Avenue, showed movies of his trip to Europe. At this, showing, the entire neighborhood was invited, especially the youngsters who were encouraged to become familiar with their parents’ native land and to appreciate their national background. One diversion from the usual practice of the weekly sewing circle of the SŽZ members was to purchase a quilt from Vacha’s Dry Goods. Frank Vacha was the respected Chief of Police in Maple Heights who assisted his wife in operating the dry goods store near “Stop 10” (The Cleveland to Bedford train that stopped in Maple Heights for pick up and drop off - Stop 9 was at the end of Greenhurst Avenue on Broadway) Next to Idella’s Cafe. The quilt was used as a prize for another ‘srečka.’ Minutes were carefully written by the ‘zapisnikarica’ which showed the opening of each session with a prayer by the President who then asked for reading of the minutes of the previous meeting, the financial report from the Treasurer and then discussion of old and new business. Meetings were short, closed with another prayer and followed by a social during which time the ladies discussed national events and local news. They expressed approval and appreciation of the use of the Hall for cultural and social purpose such as the concerts, lectures and talks, and the many dances which brought the Slovenian community together. They were concerned however, lest the saloon drain the energies and finances of the members and the “Dorn” respectively. The minutes were written in Slovenian as expected of women schooled in the elements of a Central European education. Even the minutes written by Mae Golla, a daughter of Theresa Glavic, are in Slovenian. Not until 1950 when another daughter Ludmilla (Millie) Lipnos became recording secretary were the minutes written in English. As the emigre lady made way for the 2nd generation American-born daughter and the influence of pluralism was felt throughout society, restrictions for membership in the SŽZ were softened so that Catholicism and the Slovene nationality were no longer requirements. But the sisterhood in Maple Heights continues in the same spirit followed by Theresa Glavic and generated by the SŽZ foundress Marie Prisland back in 1926. The foregoing was written in February, 1990 by Robert Kastelic, with information from records of proceedings of Branch 42, SŽZ, beginning in 1930 and information from Branch Officers Ludmilla (Millie) Lipnos and Marjorie (Jemec) Church on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of Branch 42. Hvala Lepa Bob! M.C. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww w w w w HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN MAY & JUNE Presidents: May 9 - Theresa Berg, Br. 34, Soudan, MN June 11 - Margaret Cullen, Br. 3, Pueblo, CO June 17 - Mary Lou Terselic, Br. 103, Washington, D.C. Secretaries: 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 Mav 27 - Anka Krakora, Br. 55, Girard, 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! DONATIONS FOR ZARJA-HERITAGE-SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS This is the second part of the Invoice Donations report, period of February-April 2001. It shows the wonderful loyalty and quarterly of many members. We thank them for the free-will donations sent with dues for the year 2001. Sincere thanks to each and everyone! Donor Adamic, Frances(105) Andrews, Frances Mary (25) Androjna, Francka (14) Annicks, Pauline 'mem. of Antonia Berce Anzelc, Mary (20) Azman, Alice (14) Bartl, Mary (33) Batich, Martha (10) Be lorn, Lorraine (20) Berg, Samantha (34) Bledsoe, Henrietta (100) Bogatich, Frances (30) Bogolin, Sophie (2) Bohince, Valerie (103) Bowers, Marion (20) in honor Leskovar/Odorizzi/T urvey Braeckel, Joseph (71) Brann, Marceline (14) Brezene, Mary Jane (95) 'mem. of sister Doris Cuzelle Briski, Jennie (38) Brooks, Cheryl Kay (3) Brown, Agnes (5) Brown, Deborah (20) Brown, Dorothy (20) Bruch, Barbara (89) Carlson, Elizabeth M (35) Catrovince, Nanci (50) Cesnik, James (30) Champa, Susan (50) Chaplin, Billie K (20) Charvat, Eleanor M (42) Church, Marjorie (42) Coffelt, Mary (43) Collins, lleene (14) Cooke, Mary (32) Coppinger, Mary (13) Cullen, Mary Ann (3) Desnica, Angela (2) Dezman,0lga(10) DiBartolomeo, Lillian (20) Dicke, Hermine (1) DiMatteo, MaryT (63) Dime, Barbara (79) DiNardo, Betty (50) Dobersek, Stavia (12) Doles, Anne (50) Dorchak,OlgaA.(47) Dovgan, Natalia (3) Dovnik, Rosalie (43) Dragavon, Justine (34) Drnach, Betty (73) Dus, Ann (14) Epley, Alouise (73) Erjavec, Ronald (20) Falletta, Christopher (3) Farrell, Sandra (13) Fedor, Franell (30) Fir, Diane Marie (13) Fischer, Margaret (1) Flisek, Jennie (91) Franko, Dolores (16) Gaber, Agnes (2) Galich, Helen E (3) Ganster, Diana (20) Gasi, Kathleen (68) Girdaukas, Mary (1) Globokar, Sharon (14) Golob, Stephanie (16) Zarja Heri- Schol-tage arship ($) (S) ($) 10 10 5 5 5 5 10 25 25 10 5 5 10 5 5 10 10 5 8 5 10 15 50 5 10 10 10 5 7 5 10 10 10 25 15 5 10 2 10 10 15 10 10 10 10 6 25 25 5 25 5 5 10 15 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 25 10 10 5 15 100 50 50 15 5 Golobic, Wanda F (50) 5 Lustik, Josephine (20) 10 10 10 Gornick.Ann (25) 20 Lynch,Jane(26) 10 Gottardi, Paula M (39) 15 Marel, Eleanor (91) 5 Grambow,Ann(12) 5 Markun, Ivanka (20) 15 Grilc, Genevieve (85) 5 Martin, Matilda (95) 8 Grunhard, Elsie(16) 2 Mary L. Doles (10) 20 Gudac, Bernadine (20) 10 'memory of mother Mary Gulas, Isabelle (20) 12 Lokar (Marcia) Gulas, Maria L (20) 10 10 10 Mata, Menky(20) 10 Hart, Erin (33) 10 Mathews, Mary Lou Kusar (71) 30 Hart, Linda (33) 10 Maxin.Mary (50) 5 Hennelly, Dolores (95) 10 McFarland, Margaret M (103) 5 Henrickson, Karen (20) 10 McNally,Thomas II (2) 3 3 10 Hodnik, Margaret L (35) 50 Meden, Josephine (2) 5 Hofer, Bertha (20) 10 Meljac, Rose (42) 5 Holmes, Beatrice (20) 10 Mershnik, Theresa F (12) 10 Hrovat, Clara (42) 10 Mihelich, Clare (20) 10 Hubbard, Michelle K (35) 30 Miklavčič, Angela (68) 20 Humphreys, Add ie (14) 10 Miller, Mary E (50) 5 Intihar, Mary (39) 10 Mills, Marceline (25) 10 Jacklich, Valeria (105) 10 Mirtel. Florence M (101) 5 5 5 Jackson, Beverly (13) 10 10 Mohar, Mary (14) 10 Jerry, Deborah (2) 10 10 Mollis, Frances R (57) 10 Johnson, AnnetleM (79) 5 5 5 Muller, Mary (2) 5 Johnston, Joanna (20) 5 Musil, Angela (73) 5 5 5 Jorgenson, Whitney (79) 100 Mutz, Patricia (20) 5 Judnic, Cynthia (2) 8 Novak, Genevieve (97) 5 Juvančič, Rosemary (55) 10 OBIak. John (20) 5 Okleson,Mary(14) 5 Kalac, Josephine M (68) 5 Oldenburg, Frances (20) 5 5 Karges, Cyndi (20) 5 Pakis, Susan (102) 5 Kastelec. Justine (20) 5 Papesh, Theresa J (20) 10 Kastelic. Betty Ann (42) 10 Pastirk, Helen (16) 5 Kastelic, Mary V (3) 1 1 1 Povlacich, Josephine 2 Keca, Margaret Mary (20) 10 Pelander, Lois M (33) 5 5 10 Keltz, Melanie (20) 5 5 5 Pelcic, Dorothy (25) 5 Kish, Nancy (42) 15 Perko, Ann J (3) 10 10 Klopcic, Ann (25) 10 Perko, Mary R (42) 5 Kobe, Charlene (20) 10 Perpar, Josephine (25) 5 Kochevar, Adeline (3) 5 Petrovič, Josephine M (50) 2 Kociuba, Barbara (20) 10 Petrusich, Louise (13) 10 Komater, Eunice (89) 20 Pieman, Justine (50) 5 Kompare, Maria (95) 100 Pisoni, Viola (46) 5 5 'memory of Anne Kompare Popich, Katherine A (30) 10 Končar, Dorothy (20) 5 5 Poylner, Jean A (23) 10 Koporc, Agnes (25) 10 Pozelnik, Albina (25) 10 Korecko, Stella (14) 10 Price, Judith (12) 25 Koren, Mary Alyce (20) 2.5 2.5 Prijic, Helen (43) 10 Kovacic,Nika(103) 5 5 5 Pritekel, Nadine E (3) 25 Krese, Antonia (16) 10 Pryately. Christine A (103) 15 10 Križman, Jean A (50) 15 Pucel. Mildred A (20) 30 30 30 Krogulski, Barbara (24) 1 1 1 Pucel, Rudy (20) 25 Ksiazek,Anna(16) 15 Pugel,Mamie(3) 5 Ksiazek, Wendy (16) 15 Purkat, Jane E (39) 5 Kuhar, Alice(14) 10 Radosevich, Margaret L (33) 10 Kuhar, Margaret (25) 5 10 Rastetter, Joan (30) 5 Kunovar, Irene (43) 5 5 Rifelj, Sophia (43) 10 Kunst, Ann Agnes (32) 5 Rodgers, Rose (14) 2 Kwiecinski, Mary Anne (39) 5 Rosenberger, Janet (26) 10 Rot, Maryann (33) Rozman, Mary (20) 12 5 10 Lammi, Patricia (23) 5 Rutkowski, Bernadine (20) 5 Lanari, Vida (39) 5 Ryba, Carol A (30) 5 Lasik, Joann (73) 10 Sacsek, Mary (91) Lawrence, Rose Marie (71) 5 5 5 Lea, Josephine (47) 25 Sadar, Mary (14) 5 Leach, Agnes C (13) 15 Scalise, Mildred (71) 5 5 Legerski, Joanne (20) 3 Scholp, Elizabeth (20) 10 Lenkaitis, Cathy Jo (24) 10 Schoonover, Barb. Perpich (39) 10 10 10 Lesnik, Mary (20) 10 10 Scott, Patricia Joan (38) 3 Lind, Rose Marie (39) 5 Simonich, Sophie (70) 5 Lindic, Victoria (14) 5 Somrak, Theresa (50) 10 Lockard, Karen (42) 5 10 Spagnolo, Marcia (81) 5 5 5 Lokovšek, Gloria (79) 10 Springer, Martha(103) 10 Lukančič-Valerugo Helen (20) 25 'mem. of Jane Barle Svet/ Lustig,Emma(22) 5 Frances Hart Pekol SWU New Member Report February 1 - April, 2001 Branch Member ID Name Date Joined 105 68298 Thomas, Diane 03105101 14 68287 Bowman, Joanne 03104101 2 68283 Roschay, Louis F 03104101 20 68295 Caneva, Lillian 04101101 20 68268 Deed, Albina Rose 02104/01 20 68296 Pfister, Donald P 04101101 20 68285 Quillman, Jan 03104101 24 68300 Donahue, Robbie 04101101 25 68280 Marin, Patricia 03104101 3 68271 Carter, Margaret A. 02104101 3 68289 Lipich, Laura 03104101 3 68270 McCarthy, Patricia 02104101 30 68297 Costello, Anthony 04101101 30 68288 Draper, Charlotte 03104101 30 68299 Kostric, A 04101101 30 68281 Levanger,Jodi 03104101 30 68267 Oven, Stana 02104101 30 68282 Smith, Marcia Jean 03104101 30 68272 Zadel, Dolores A 02104101 32 68269 Riddlebaugh, Mary Jane 02104101 33 68284 Schoen, Mary T 03104101 38 68286 Rupar, Terry J 03104101 50 68279 Oberman, Sara Elizabeth 03104101 Donations Continued: Spritzer, Anne J (3) 10 10 Vogel, Kathy (79) 10 Stanonik, Dorothy (50) 10 10 Vozel, Rosemarie (2) 5 5 Starcevich, Elsie (16) 2 Wadycki, Pamela (2) 10 Steensland, Janet (20) 20 20 20 Wagner, Antonia (27) 15 ‘mem.ofFr. David Stalzer Walsh, Martha (43) 5 Stefančič, Caroline L (10) 10 Wangler,Anne(24) 20 Stefanich, Lillian (20) 10 Ward, Jennie (12) 5 5 Stelow, Marie (20) 15 Warren, JoAnn (26) 20 Sterle, Joseph W (20) 10 Wetzel, Lillian (20) 10 Stimac, Bertha (30) 10 Wimber, Nancy A (3) 1 1 Strle, Cecilia (20) 5 Wroblewski, Agnes (2) 15 10 Stropnik, Milena (1) 5 Wyant, Sophia (30) 10 Strupeck, Viola (2) 10 Yakos, Vida (12) 5 Stupica, Josephine (14) 10 Yankovic, Ida (20) 10 Surovchak, Christine Mary (32) 25 Yucevicius, Frances (2) 10 5 Sustersic, Victoria (10) 10 Zagar,Ceta(13) •mem. of sister Jos. Turner Zagger,Anna(55) 10 Suwal, Laurie Kambic (103) 12 Zajc, Virginia (100) 10 Tarizzo, Marilyn (20) 15 Zakrasek, Dorothy M (3) Tarro, Mary Ann M (56) 20 Zalar, Julia (50) Theno, Helen M (23) 10 Zaletel, Elsie(10) 12 Theoharis, Christine (105) 50 Zaller, Helen (39) 10 Thomas, Amelia(103) 5 Zalokar, Mildred (2) 10 Tolhurst, Karen (47) 25 Železnik, Dorothy (25) 10 ‘mem. of Antoinette Janders Znidarsich,Emma(22) Tomaszewski, Patricia A (43) 5 Zupančič, Margaret L (42) 10 Tucker, RaeAnna(3) 20 Zupančič, Milka (100) 10 Ukovich, Susan (20) 15 Urbancich, Dorothy (50) 10 Feb. 2nd thru April 1,01 $1363.50 $663.50 Urbas, Helen(103) 42 Ursick,RoseL(3) 7 Jan. 25-F*b. 1,01 1674.00 039.00 Valasek, Mildred (70) 5 Valek, Rose (20) 50 Year to date: 3037.50 1502.50 Vertacic, Mary Renee (1) 50 5 20 2 10 10 10 20 15 12 GRAND TOTAL: $8,233.00 HAVE YOU MOVED? wwww^wwwwwwwwww Missing Persons Report Mail to these members has been returned by the Post Office. Please advise correct address. Thank you. Branch Name 1 Lemahieu, Sarah 1 Lemahieu, Lisa 1 Maynard, Olga 2 Trebian, Kathleen 3 Jordan, Gertrude C 7 Winchell, Margaret 10 Wilson, Josephine 12 Muren, Mathilda 12 Olson, Jennifer L 12 Gilkay, Ruth 12 Kraus, Erica 12 Kraus, Jessica Anne 12 Kraus, Michelle 13 Anderson, Christopher 14 Stupar, Eleanor 14 AnzJovar, Dorothy 14 Spehar, Tillie 20 Mihelich, Allyce Marie 20 Muehler, Shirley 20 Gudac, Cynthia 20 D'Andrea, Rosalie 20 Pavnica, Therese 23 Hutar, Ann 25 Gustinčič, Mary 25 Plečnik, Maria 25 Zakrajšek, Albina 25 Kusansek, Albina 30 Varani, Georgina M 30 Barthauer, Linda 33 Margaret Ann Johnson 34 Vene, Melissa 34 Vene, Joseph 34 Vene, Cathlene 39 Reishus, Josephine 43 Sagadin, Agnes 50 Parker, Anne 50 Lombardo, Catherine 67 Markovich, Anna 68 Vandervort, Loretta 70 Gaydas, Matilda 73 Lowrie, Lisa 73 Spremulli, Rose 73 Spremulli, Mary Sue 73 Novak, Josephine 91 Murphey, Melissa 91 Murphey, Betty Ann 91 Buttgereit, Dorothy 105 Matevich, Victoria NO. 38, CHISHOLM, MN Meeting: 1st Wed. except June & Jul. Slovenian National Home Greetings to all from Chisholm, MN. It’s been some time since you have heard from us up here in frozen northern Minnesota, the reason being that our very capable reporter, Gert Zakrajšek, moved from Chisholm for a short while and gave up her reporting “job.” We have not been able to replace her, so I am writing this just to let you know that we are still alive and doing quite well. Our March meeting was held on March 7th in the downstairs meeting room of the Slovenian National Home. The main business of that meeting was to finalize plans for our Mother of the Year celebration. It is to be held on Sunday, May 6th, with a mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and a brunch to follow in the church Social Hall. Our honored mother this year is Dorothy “Dolly” Brusacoram. She has been a long time member of our branch and a very worthy recipient of the honor. There wasn’t too much business to discuss as the members decided that we would take a little time off from fund-raising and our other activities. Most members feel a little “burned-out” from all the noodle making, soup making and baking. We truly need some fresh members to take over. We again will bring carnations to our members confined in nursing homes for Mother’s Day. We have a new member in that category this year. Mary Mas-sich is confined at the Golden Crest Nursing Home in Hibbing and she said she would appreciate hearing from any of her friends that she has made during her many years in the SWU. Our wonderful cook, Jenny Samsa is confined to the hospital and our calling girl, Bunny Vicari has been having some medical problems lately. We wish them all complete and speedy recoveries as we keep them in our thoughts and prayers. We are looking forward to spring and summer and the blooming of the flowers and hopefully, some new members. CHARLOTTE LAURICH NO. 39, BIWABIK, MN 1st Sunday monthly St. John’s Church Our March 4th meeting was attended by 10 members. We received notes from several members who sent money for our “Bakeless Bake Sale” fundraiser. Thanks to those of you who sent money even though you are unable to attend meetings. It shows a generous spirit and concern for our SWU Br. 39. Thanks to ALL who donated. We received over $500 which will be used to pay our annual obligations and also for expenses for the State Convention which we will be hosting on September 9, 2001. Lunch was served by Jennie Ahlin and Katty Steblay. Mary Lou En-quist was the lucky winner of the attendance prize, a lovely fresh daisy plant. Our April 1st meeting was a lengthy one, with final preparations for our Woman of the Year dinner, to be held on May 6th. We are all looking forward to the May-June issue of ZARJA which is always so special with photos and articles about the various Branch hon-orees. Our selection for 2001 is Phyllis (Lopp) Kukar. She has a long history with SWU involvement through her mother and aunt. Phyllis transferred to Biwabik Br. 39 several years ago from Br. 31, Gilbert, MN. We are honored to have these Gilbert women join us, as they have become active and contributing members to our branch activities; along with several ladies from Branch 19, in Virginia-Eveleth. These added members help keep our small branch viable. We also co-ordinated the committees for the State Convention in September and have concluded plans for the meeting site, the caterer and menu, raffle items, tickets and prizes. Of course, there is always more to do, so we will meet in June to finalize the plans. Hostesses for the meeting were our mother-daughter team, Helen Milos and Betty Lou Enquist. Secretary Vida Lanari won the attendance prize, a basket of fresh fruit. JEAN KORSMAN NO. 42, MAPLE HTS., OH Meetings: Quarterly, 2nd month of the quarter, 2nd Saturday Maple Hts., Library I have just returned from a 2-1/2 week motor trip to Florida accompanied by a nursing classmate whose daughter lives in Jaxville. We played golf there and spent a day touring the world golf Hall of Fame and village. We visited mutual friends in Stuart, Vero Beach and Boca Raton and proceeded to Hollywood to spend several days with my cousin. Florence Boh Grahm, a former Maple Hts. resident. Driving across the southern part of the state we headed for Punta Gorda, Clearwater and Seminole. While in Clearwater we were able to attend an exhibition ball game by the Cleveland Indians who very conveniently were playing the Phillies at their spring training facility. In Seminole we had a most wonderful visit with my cousin, Stanley Legan and wife, Pat. It seems almost a lifetime since I last saw Stan, a career marine who was constantly on the move. He gives his wife all the credit for maintaining a family in spite of their ongoing mobility with 4 children in tow. He looks great and is still very active, playing golf 3 times a week. Adding to the enjoyment of the visit was the fact that my classmate’s late husband played football with Stan at John Carroll University when they were both in college. What a great evening! The Zupančič gals, Ann and Marge, also just returned from Florida on their annual trip with the “Bus Bums." Marie Matis Zimmer and husband, Barry visited Nancy and Bill Kish in Las Vegas and family Eleanor McArdle had recent eye surgery and is on the mend. Garfield Hts. SWU Br. 47 has invited us to their 70th anniversary celebration on Sun. .June 10th with 10a.m. Mass at St. Lawrence Church and luncheon at Sterle’s Slovenian Country House at 12 noon. Reservations by June 1st are a must. The cost is $20. Please call Olga Dorchak at (330) 468-7989 or Elsie Spellacy at (440) 232-8733. Happy May birthdays to: Clara Hrovat, Dorothy Mehosky, Samantha and Shawn Thompson, Mary Champa, Melinda Prhne and Angeline Zupanc. Happy June birthdays to: Jackie Al- NEW MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME 28/ ZARJA - the DAWN bers, Ann Trattar, Dolores Lipnos, Joyce Scott, Robert Kastelic, Betty Ann Kastelic, Sally Prhne and Katherine Gruden. I like to think back to a Mother’s Day of many years ago when Ma would start breading chicken right after Sunday mass in anticipation of the family members making appearances throughout the day. This was long before Mr. Chicken and KFC. There was always a mouth-watering apple or cheese strudel and "honeymoon” coffee, but that’s a whole different story! Why not honor your mother by attending our annual Mother’s Day mass on Sun., June 3rd at 11 a.m. at St. Wenceslas Church. Dinner will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Hometown Buffet in Macedonia. Mark Legan, grandson of one of our founding members, Franca Legan, is a California TV writer and is currently writing for a national TV show, “The Fighting Fitzgeralds” seen here on Tuesdays on NBC Channel 3. Mark is the son of Herb and Dottie Legan. His name appears in the credits at the beginning of the show. Get well wishes to any ailing members and shut-ins. Happy Mothers Day to all our mothers and happy Father’s Day to all fathers. See you at our next meeting on Sat., May 12th at 11 a.m. at Phoenicia Restaurant in Mapletown. Zbogom, LIL SADOWSKI NO. 43, MILWAUKEE, WI Meeting: 4th Wed. St. John Evangelist Rectory Our February and March meetings were well-attended. Minutes were read and the financial report was given. We were treated to lovely lunches by our Birthday Girls and some goodies were brought in by other members. Our meetings are starting to become quite interesting. Our Program Chairwoman, Betty Anne Kolesari is scheduling speakers for our meetings. At our February meeting Julie Kas-chub, Radiation Therapist at St. Luke’s Medical Center told us about the awareness of breast cancer, and the benefit of early detection. I believe we learned a lot from her presentation. At our March meeting we had Cap- tain William Wilson who spoke about various ways to stay alert in keeping our homes, families, and ourselves safe. He left with us some safety literature. He also gave each of us a personal alarm that could protect our purses. On May 5th, a Saturday at 12 noon we will honor our “Mother of the Year” Angeline Johnstone, at Klemmer’s Banquet Hall. Tickets will be $15.00. The meeting was closed with a prayer for our sick and deceased members. For the April meeting we had a representative from Natural Ovens of Manitowoc to talk about their technique of special bread making. This should be interesting to those of us who are doing some baking. ANNE E. KONCZAL, Reporter NO. 47, GARFIELD HTS„ OH Please note change in meeting place to Bedford Public Library, 70 Columbus Rd., 1 p.m. in March, May, Sep. and Dec. All the white stuff is finally gone, so now we can look forward to the warm days of Spring filled with flowers, songs of birds and trees of green. Dates to remember: Our annual Mothers’ Day Luncheon will be held at Quinn’s Restaurant, located in Solon, Ohio. The date is Saturday, May 5, 2001 at 1 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there. All family members and friends are welcome! The 70th Anniversary of Branch 47 will be at 10:00 a.m., at St. Lawrence Church located at East 80th and Union Avenue. Luncheon to follow at Sterle’s Slovenian Country House. We cordially invite members of all our branches to come and join in the celebration with us. We extend a sincere thank you to Sisters, Ann Harsh, Millie Stautihar and Rose Vatovec for the fine job they have done and continue to do in obtaining ads for our 70th Anniversary memory book. Also, we want to thank all the behind the scenes ladies, and want them to know we very much appreciate their efforts. My sister, Elsie and I had a wonderful vacation, visiting my daughter, Paula in who lives in Chandler, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. While there we visited Tucson and Old Tucson, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, (gambling a the Gila River Casino), Sun City (visited friends there), Flagstaff, Sedona, Apache Trail, Tortilla Flats and the Superstitition Mountains where the famous Los Dutchman and Manmouth Mines are located. We logged 2500 miles on our rented car. The weather was warm and sunny; flowers in the desert area were in bloom. Grapefruit, lemon and orange trees were all bearing fruit. Dairy farms in the rural areas are also in abundance. Because of the heat, cattle in the corrals are kept cool by huge fans operated by windmills. With the right wind direct — you’ll get a whiff, phew! We also visited our cousin, Tim Lon-char and his family in Chandler. In addition to holding a position at Intel as an Electrical Engineer, he owns and operates a horse ranch. He also maintains large grapefruit, orange and lemon orchards on his property. We rode the horses and enjoyed the cool pool after our trail rides. We flew to Las Vegas for 3 days, stayed at the MGM Grand Hotel. Through the magic of the Inemet, we were able to get a fantastic room with a view of the strip, which was breathtaking at night. We gambled, saw several shows, as well as going to Fremont Street to see the evening laser show. We came home to a snowstorm, and are anxiously looking forward to our next trip. Birthday greetings go out to our May members, Robert Hall, Sky Hall, Beth Kociancic and Katherine Wallace, and June members, Elsie Lavrenčič, Jane Spellacy and Terry Tume. We wish a speedy and complete recovery to the husband of Mary Kociancic, Tony. Our prayers are with you. Please note: the phone number given in the March-April issue of the ZARJA for our President, Olga Dorchak is incorrect. We ask that you make a note of the correct number: (330) 468-7989. God's blessings to you and yours and may each day be filled with laughter and sunshine! DOROTHY SQUIRE Reporter NO. 50, EUCLID, OH Meeting: 3rd Wed. Euclid Public Library except July & Aug. Supposedly, Spring has sprung! Looking outside, tho, there are remnants of a recent snowstorm. Actually, today is April Fool’s Day when your May and June report must be sent to and your April meeting is yet to be held. We have good plans for our next meetings because they will cover future plans for the year. Your attendance is necessary as well as desired. It seemed forever before our first meeting of the year, March 21, was held. After that long wait, Mary Maxin brought us up to date by reading the minutes and Mary Miller reported our financial standing. The big event of this meeting was our honoring Mary de Lost as our 2001 Queen. She looked great in the special queen gear, and her life story was very interesting to hear. The honor was rightfully bestowed. Ailing members at this time were Mary Kirchner, Frances Milavec, Louise Vovko, and a few days later even our Queen, Mary de Lost had an operation. We wish them early wellness and hope to see them at our next meetings. Branch 47 has invited us to their 70th Anniversary on June 10, 2001. There will be a morning mass at St. Lawrence Church followed by a Luncheon at Sterle’s. Try to attend at least one of the get togethers that day. More will be explained at our next meeting. Our May meeting on the 16th will also be the Woman of the Year fest for our Treasurer, Mary Miller. We will discuss our coming big time events in the future such as Ann’s Day in July, picnic in September, and of course our Christmas Party which will include the celebration of our 70th Anniversary. How quickly the year goes. Let’s hope and pray we will enjoy each and every occasion together. We need your input so please attend. Also, these are the times when you must be careful what you spend and remember charity begins at home. Right now, it seems it should end there and so should this. Na svidenje. VI MORAVCHEK NO. 54, WARREN, OH Meeting: 3rd Wed. Feb. thru May, Sep., Nov., Dec. Spring has arrived but you wouldn’t know it here! We have had snow all this week. Hopefully that is it until next fall! We haven’t had a meeting for a few months, but we will get together in May and June. Back from Florida is Isabelle Rek who spends the winter there with her daughter. We’ll be traveling to So. Carolina in a few weeks to spend some quality time with our daughter and son-in-law. Happy Birthday to Ann Savor who will be 95 years young in June. She never misses a meeting and she’s a sweetheart! Her husband, Martin will celebrate this 100th birthday in August! He is an avid reader, reading four newspapers daily. I hear that they’ll have a big celebration for Martin! Sorry to hear that Angela Petrich Kaferle had her leg amputated. She had been ill for such a long time and this is really a set back for her. We all send her our love and pray for God’s blessing. Happy summertime to all and safe traveling. God bless and keep you. JOANNE PONIKVAR I’ve learned... that it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is requested and when it is a life-threatening situation. Author — Andy Rooney NO. 73, WARRENSVILLE HTS., OH Meeting: only as needed We are two days into spring, the ground is covered with snow, and radar shows another band of the “white stuff’ about to enter Cuyahoga County. Woe is us!!! Our trip to Florida was great. We saw so much, did so much, relaxed so much, no schedule to follow, no pressing situations, and outside of a few cool days, weather was fine. We are already planning a return visit. Graduation is rapidly approaching, and that phase of life for Stephen God bless and reward ^ ^ our beloved departed sisters! "" Name Br. Age Isabel Bartz 33 93 Josephine Comenshek 32 86 Stella Baum 50 81 Pauline Siefert 50 96 Rose Scoff 13 101 Marjorie Militello 20 75 Anne Yogar 73 89 Margaret Roznik 42 78 Mollie Matuska 10 89 Rosemary Susel 10 76 (grandson) will end. He had the lead in the production of “No, No Nanette” and performed like a pro. It is hard to believe that college is the next step. We wish him and all our graduating students, grade school, high school, college, the very best in their forthcoming endeavors. We extend our sympathies to the Papez Family on the death of their father, Frank. Katherine (wife/mother, member, deceased) preceded him in death. We include Frank and Katherine in our prayers for all our deceased. Had opportunity to talk with Louise Samardge recently. She advised me that her sister, Angela Gliha (92 yrs old) is doing well in the nursing home where she resides. Louise also reported that she and her husband, Pete, will celebrate their sixty-first wedding anniversary. Pete is the accordian player who teamed with Pete Yuratovac (deceased) for our get-togethers. We knew them as “Pete and Repete”. We send our best wishes to them, along with Get Well wishes, as they have both been having health problems. With a little luck, we planned a meeting in April. Hopefully, we will have 5-6 attending. Seems like there are more items on Kay’s agenda for discussion than there will be “bodies” present. We’ll do our best. Have a Happy Mother’s Day, and Guys, you have a Happy Father’s Day. After both of those pass, remember to display your flag for the Fourth of July. EVELYN A. MAJERCIK NO. 85, DEPUE, IL Meeting: at Members’ Homes Spring is finally here - enjoy it! Our deepest sympaty to our member, Mary Oberch, whose husband, John passed away on March 7. He is also survived by a daughter Sharon, sons John and Monsignor Rick Oberch, one grandson and 2 sisters. Msgr. Rick concelebrated the mass for his father. Again, our deepest sympathy to all the family. Our member, Mary Benkse has been visiting her daughters and families in Peoria. Belated birthdays wishes to Muriel Jermene on Jan. 27 and Mary Oberch in February; also to Mary Kuhar in April; Ann De Bord will celebrate on May 1st, Mary Plantan on June 14th and Mildred Lavrin on July 16th. Ann, Muriel and I attended a polka mass in St. Joseph’s Church in Rockdale on March 18. It was beautiful as always. We would like to thank the parish for refreshments served after mass. It was so good to see my cousins there. Stay well everyone and have a good summer. God bless. MARY JERMENC NO. 89, OGLESBY, IL Meetings: Feb.-Apr.-May-Sept. Oct.-Nov.-Dec. at Hardees, 2nd Monday 7 p.m. The month of February opened our meetings for 2001. The installation of officers and the auditing of books was on the agenda Alice Jean Ebner, daughter of Josie Argubright was welcomed as a new member. We had a sad winter this year. Branch 89 lost Jo Morrison, and Darlene Wieczorek. It doen’t stop there; some of our members lost family and friends including Mitzi Banich, her father in law, Rudy Banich. Also, Catherine Golick lost her great grandson, William Golick who was killed in a snow-mobile accident. Rose Kellett lost her brother, John Dusak. Jo Schmidt also lost her brother, Joe Livek and niece, Joyce Livek within a month of each other. May all their souls rest in peace. Our condolences also go to Branch 24, La Salle on the death of secretary, Betty Stack. Darlene Wasielewski spent a few weeks in California with her sister, Elsie and brother-in-law, Harold Stone. From Darlene’s happy smiling face she can’t hide the good news that her granddaughter, Amy Nosalik is now certified as a P.A. Congratulations, Amy! Marilyn Argubright had a very pleasant visit when two of her cousins visited her from France. She’s been quite busy taking care of her grandson who broke his leg while playing outdoors. Our president, Rose Ann Prey is recuperating from a bout of pnuemonia. Our prayers are with you. Hope our January and March birthday ladies enjoyed their day. Jan.: Alice Pucha and Mary Kotar; March: Angie Nico and Mary Stubler. In April were the birthdays of Nancy Henkel, Barbara Bruch and Elizabeth Wrobleski. May birthdays are Jo Argubright and Catherine Golick. April 29th, 2001. We celebrated the 100 years of Catholicism in our town of Oglesby. Hope that everyone had a Blessed Easter with their loved ones and that we all shall be grateful, therefore, for our heritage. My prayers are with you always. EUNICE NO. 100, FONTANA, CA It is with a great deal of sadness that we report the death of Eileen Kaucic on March 1. Eileen and her husband, Tom, rarely missed a dinner or gathering of our Branch, except when they were away on a trip or when she became very ill. In addition to the SWU, Eileen was very active in the California SNPJ Federation and Lodge 786. She participated actively in her church, San Gor-gonio Catholic Church in Beaumont, CA since the family moved to the desert community some years ago. Having lived in the Sun Lakes area of Banning, she also took part in many activities within that community. Many friends and family members attended her Memorial Mass on March 7th. Our sympathy goes to her husband, Tom; son, Tommy; and daughters, Janet and Laura. Members of the Fontana Branch are MoRFfoTS-PAN.S SLOVENIAN -AMERICAN COOKBOOK Popular MORE POTS & PANS cookbook is still only $18.00 per copy postpaid. looking forward to attending the Annual Slovenian Mass in Fontana on May 6 at St. Joseph’s Church. This event is usually followed by a nice dinner in the church hall. For 2001 we will be honoring Mary Lou Height as our “Mother of the Year”. May Lou is the daughter of Anne Kapel and is a regular participant in all branch activities. She regularly serves as our special travel agent and tour guide. Plans for a celebration are still being made. JEAN KOCI NO. 102, WILLARD, WI Meeting: When convenient Parish Center Meeting at the Parish Center Feb. 14, 2001 was followed by pot luck lunch; 11 members were present. Secretary and Treasurer’s report were read and approved. Palm Sunday Bake Sale was held after both Masses. Photos, programs, etc. of branch activities to be collected and forwarded as a part of SWU archives to the Home Office. Mother of the Year is Theresa Zorman. Congratulations! We report the following deaths, Larry Boh, Ida Plautz, John Stauner, Molly Prebil and Alice Plautz. Ourcon- Our Members Write... dolences to the families. On the sick list are Bill Kokaly, Amy Morgal, Walter Backus, Ed Perko, Steve Imre and Josephine Debevec. We wish them a speedy recovery. Frieda is doing very well. We thank her for the great job she did as reporter. I am the new reporter, Agnes Debevec. I hope I can do as well as she did. Our CYO had a bake sale March 24 & 25. The money went to sponsor a child overseas. We are very proud of our CCD kids. Jean and Frank Govek left Arizona on the 26th of March. They will be coming home to snow and cold weather! Sincerely, from your reporter, AGNES DEBEVEC NO. 105, DETROIT/WARREN, MI Meeting: 3rd Sat. Temp, at Secretary’ home We hope all of you had a beautiful Easter! Spring is finally here! A note to all of our members: A meeting will be called to discuss the future of our branch. The date will be announced. Our branch has 42 members and it would be fantastic if many of the members were able to attend the upcoming meeting. Our goal as a branch and as an organization is to promote our Slovenian heritage. Coming up in September is the Baraga Days in Lansing, Michigan. The dates are September 21-23, 2001. May is the month in which we pay special homage to our heavenly Mother, Mary. She is the one who comforts us in our sorrows and rejoices with us in our joys! 1 never realized how much the title “Mother,” entails. As I witness the growth of our little Anna Maria, I see so much of myself in her and I pray that she will keep all the good things I am teaching her though-out her life. As we await the birth of our second child, we are witnessing God’s grace and love as we prepare to take on the responsibility of raising a new human being. I thank God daily when I remember all the wonderful things my own mother, Milka Kregar, has done for her family. To all mothers, godmothers, grandmothers and mothers-in-law, a very Happy Mother’s Day! In June we celebrate Father’s Day! My own husband, Tom Fooy, reminds me so much of my father, Frank Kregar. Tom is my best friend, my confidant, and he is one who always sees the positive and the good in each person. Anna is fortunate to have such a special Daddy. And as the saying goes, “Anyone can be a Father, but it takes someone special to be a Daddy.” I want to wish a Happy Birthday to any of our members who are celebrating their birthdays in May and June, especially, “Veseli Rojstni Dan” to Milka Kregar and Anna Maria Fooy. Take some time in May to pray to Mary, our heavenly Mother. “Hail Mary, full of grace...” Na svidenje, DORI KREGAR FOOY “Christmas in Florida” a Family Reunion My dad, Tom Buchar turned 97 in November. His grandchildren couldn’t make it down here to Florida for his birthday, but they all came for Christmas. It was our first Christmas in Florida with all four of the kids “home for the holidays.” Helping Grandpa Tom Buchar celebrate his belated 97th birthday and Christmas in Punta Gorda, FL are (pictured, left to right) his daughter, Deanie Gudac (past president of Joliet Branch 20); granddaughter, Cynthia L. Gudac (also a member of Br. 20); grandson, Dean M. Gudac (Br. 20); grandson and namesake, Thomas S. Buchar; granddaughter, Georgette A. Lamb (Br. 20); and granddaughter-in-law, Lori B. Reeder. Tom Buchar is the last surviving member of the Matthew Buchar Family of Joliet, a pioneer Slovenian family, which at one time numbered five brothers and four sisters. Tom’s late sister, Josephine A. Buchar, was a long-time member of Br. 20. His nieces, Leanne Fuerbom and Lynn Pius are members of Br. 20; another niece, Ann Kapel, is president of Br. 100 of Fontana, CA. Deanie Gudac A Family Reunited By Paula Bajda Mavec, (Br. 20) In February, 2000, several family members and I had the pleasure of taking a trip to Argentina to reunite with 13 cousins whom we had not seen for over 50 years. This was an extraordinary experience, an utmost emotional event. Can you imagine meeting perfect strangers and yet feeling completely at ease because they look so familiar? Our reunion began with the Internet. One of my cousins, Lukas Bajda from Mendoza, was “surfing the net” for other Bajda names. He e-mailed my brother, Marty, in California asking if they could be related. One e-mail lead to another, and soon another cousin, Marjan, asked to visit my mother, who is his aunt. We arranged a visit, and before long our plans to vacation in Argentina were formed. You may wonder how our families became separated. To answer this I will briefly review some historical and political events that had a direct impact on our families as well as thousands of other Slovenians. In the early 1940’s, during World War II, the German Nazi government and Italian Fascist government invaded Slovenia and the rest of Yugoslavia. The Yugoslav government, under King Peter, did not resist so the country was quickly occupied by German and Italian armies. During this time, the Communist Partisan army lead by Marshall Tito was the main fighting force that battled against the Nazi and Fascist soldiers. There were many Slovenians who could not follow the Communist ideology. This difference in beliefs split families, villages, and cities. It created such fear, anger, and hatred, and caused people to act in the most beastly fashion. Neighbor would betray neighbor. Even within families, there was serious mistrust. In 1944, the Domobranci organization was established. This force was created primarily to protect the country villages and homes from acts of aggression. This aggression was identified as the German regime which wanted to dominate all of Europe, and the Communist party which desired to control the Yugoslav government. The Bajda family strongly opposed the Communist doctrine and the activities of the Partisan army. Therefore, our family joined the Domobranc movement. This included my father, Paul, and three of his brothers, Peter, Jože, and Dore. They fought the soldiers from both sides, the Germans and the Partisans. However, the greater threat to the Domobranc army were the Communist Partisans. In May 1945, with the defeat of Germany by the allied nations, the German army retreated from Slovenia. At this time, the Partisan army was very strong. For fear of their lives, many members of the Domobranc organization and their families evacuated to Austria. This mass exodus was to be only temporary until the political status of King Peter was re-established. Imagine the confusion, chaos, and uncertainty that was prevalent among the Slovenian people. Our parents, Paul and Mary, also fled the country to Austria. My father was in great danger of being killed by the Partisans if he were to be captured. To prepare for the journey, our family loaded up a wagon of food and personal items to last for about two weeks. My sisters, Leopolda, Victoria, Mary, and I were ready to go. My mother’s parents had wanted to keep me behind as I was only 3 years old, and they feared that I would be too much a burden on my mother who was in her last month of pregnancy. I must have put up such a fuss that my sister, Mary, agreed to stay instead. Besides, we thought we would only be gone for a short period. With thousands of Slovenians following the retreating German army, the path was soon crowded to a standstill. Yet the Partisan army was pressing and shooting in the rear which caused such terror and panic in the people. My father sent my mother and us ahead on foot, and he would follow with the wagon and our possessions when the crowd moved forward. However, conditions became so horrifying that my father was forced to leave the wagon behind. After much hardship, my family and thousands of other Slovenians crossed the border into Austria. In Austria, we refugees were first spread over the farmers’ fields in a “tent city” in the town of Vetrinje. Later, other refugee camps were established under the supervision of the Allied Nations. Most of the people did not have any provisions, so with the help of the USA and England, we were clothed and fed. The Communist government took over the Yugoslav government and the borders to the country were closed. We were unable to return to Slovenia for my sister, Mary. The Bajda extended family was also separated. My grandfather Bajda and my uncles were in Austria, but my grandmother Bajda and my aunts were still in Slovenia. With us in the camp were my Uncle Peter and his family, and my uncles Jože and Dore. Jože and Dore were still single at the time, and later Jože married my mother’s sister, Franca. Life in the refugee camp in Spittal, Austria was hard, but we created a community. Employment was provided for family men and single adults. Children and teenagers went to school. Religion was very important and services were attended in great numbers. Social events were valued. There were many plays, concerts, and choirs for our entertainment. The community thrived, but the people were still without a home or country. At this time, different nations began to accept refugees to their lands. Canada was one of the first countries accepting displaced people, but they needed to be single. My Uncle Dore decided to go there. Argentina also opened its borders and welcomed families. Other nations included South America, England, and Australia. The United States was one of the later nations to allow immigration of refugees made homeless bv this war. When news was received that Argentina would accept whole families into her boundaries, my father decided this would be a good place to settle. His brothers, Peter and Jože, had also begun the procedure to relocate to Argentina. However, much to my parents’ dismay, our family was rejected because my mother was pregnant. They believed the long ocean voyage would have been too hazardous for a person in her condition. My uncle Peter and Uncle Jože and their families were accepted, and soon left for Argentina. Over the years, we mostly lost touch with them. About a year later, our family was accepted to live in the United States. We arrived in Duluth, Minnesota on November 6, 1949, and settled in the town of Elcor. By this time our family had grown. Three additional siblings were born in the refugee camps in Austria, and then five more over the years when we lived in Elcor. My sister, Mary, who had stayed in Slovenia, was reunited with us 10 years after we were separated. Our Argentina families also had grown. They, too, had children that were bom in Slovenia, Austria, and then Argentina. By the time of our trip, there were about 100 relatives. How amazing it was to see that our basic cultural ideals have remained in tact only to be modified by our adopted nations. The Slovenian language was still our main means of communication although it was rusty from lack of use and, in some cases, colored by Spanish or English words. On our trip to Argentina, we spent 10 days with my cousins, mainly in Buenos Aires and Mendoza. Our Argentina Bajda clan has established a good life. Hard work, talent, education, and luck are important qualities for success, and are established in the roots of the Slovenian culture. There were, however, some distinct cultural differences between Argentina and the U.S. The biggest adjustment was becoming accustomed to their daily routine. Dinner was normally at about 10 p.m. and bed time not until 2 a.m. We were quite tired the first few days. Another complaint was the plumbing. Nowhere but in the USA are toilets in such good working order! All in all, the trip was wonderful. The food was outstanding, the vistas interesting. But nothing could compare to the memorable meeting and reunion of our families. In July, we have the great fortune to again see our Argentina relatives. The Argentina Slovenian Cultural Group will be touring the U.S., and some of our relatives are members. We look forward to visiting again and re-es-tablishing our family ties here in the U.S.A. ^^wenia/ m/ 2000 — / It’s been about a year since I last was in Slovenia and found that there have been continuous improvements in its capital city of Ljubljana while still retaining its old world charm. Roads and highways are constantly under construction and older buildings are being renovated while new buildings are rising rapidly. The four-star Grand Hotel Union has become a bustling location for worldwide seminars and meeting. My favorite meal is breakfast and I really looked forward to their breakfast buffet. Besides various fruit juices there is a variety of breads, “žemlje” (hard rolls), and sweet rolls or toast. Scrambled or boiled eggs, bacon, sausages, lunch meats and cheese, yogurt, fresh fruit appeare on the table along with freshly baked cakes and enticing tortes. What a way to start your day! And at breakfast we could catch up with the exciting travels of the Kollander group led by Father Godic, who had already arrived in Ljubljana following their tour from Rome to Assisi, Mestre, Italy, then to Slovenia’s Portorož. The value of the American dollar was very strong with the exchange rate of 230 tolars to one U.S. dollar, therefore prices were quite a bit cheaper this year that last. At MacDonald’s restaurant cost for one plain hamburger and one Coca Cola (which was always served with a slice of lemon) was $1.30 while their MacFlurry was $1.00. As you are probably aware, we have the popular U.S. novelty item Billy Bass, the mounted fish that flaps its tail and head and sings. Well, Slovenia has its own version called Boogie Riba which speaks in English and sings Elvis style tunes! After making a few purchases in the supermarket of the Nama department store I was surprised to see that the back of the cash register receipt featured several coupon savings offers. Elaborately decorated tortes for about $1 a slice, are sold at Sion Hotel’s ice cream shop. It’s an excellent stop after a day of walking through town. The kozolec, hay drying rack, is slowly disappearing from the Slovenian scene. Farmers are beginning to bale their hay in large round plastic containers. But talk to any old farmer and they will claim that there is no better milk than from a cow which has been fed air-dried hay. Will shepherds soon disappear from the countryside? An electric fence called Electrični Pastir is being utilized more and more by farmers who after milking their cows in the morning, send them off to pasture, which is surrounded by this electric fence. When it’s time for the cows to return home in the evening, the electric fence is turned off and the cows return to the bam for milking! Alice Kuhar Artist Nancy Bukovnik’s sketch in More Pots & Pans cookbook shows the Slovenian kozolec on this pretty girl’s farm. WE’LL FOLLOW THE SLOVENIAN SKI JUMP TEAM ON TO THE OLYMPICS! Recently the Slovenian Ski Jumping Team competed at two International Continental Cup Ski tournaments here in Upper Michigan. Of the over 100 participants from Austria, United States, Germany, Czech Republic, Japan, Korea, Russia, Norway, Finland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Canada, Robert Kranjec of the Slovenian Team won two first places, two seconds and a fifth in the last five events! His first place record on the 120 meter hill at Pine Mountain, Iron Mountain, Michigan was comprised of leaps of 129.5, 125, 132, and 129.5 meters. The second meet held on February 24 at Ishpeming’s Suicide Bowl, a tricky 90 meter hill, was only held one day due to high cross winds. Robert Kranjec placed second that day. Slovenian Coach Mitja Vidmar of the Sports University of Ljubljana advised that Robert will most likely be representing Slovenia at the World Cup to be held on Obersdorf. Gaspar Cvetko of Kranj, Blaz Bilban of the University of Ljubljana, and Rolando Kaligaro of Velenje have all had great leaps during their stay in the United States. Coach Mitja Vidmar was surprised to learn that there are Slovenians living in Upper Michigan, although he knew there are many “Vidmars” in the United States. He knows well Loški Potok and the region south of Ljubljana from where settlers in Traunik, Michigan’s logging community settled in the early 1900’s. Mitja was presented with our SWU “More Pots and Pans” cookbook which he will share with jumper Rolando Kaligaro who works as a chef in a health spa when he is not training. We wish this fine team of competitors great success in the Olympics in 2002 at Utah Olympic Park near Salt Lake City, Utah. Mary Turvey Top Photos: (Right) Suicide Bowl, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, is a 90 meter hill where ski jumpers must climb many stairs to reach the top on this scaffold before they plunge down on an exciting ride! (Left) Ski Team of Slovenia member, Robert Kranjec, flying over Suicide Bowl! (Bottom) Our Mary Turvey enjoyed meeting Mitja Vidmar, the coach of Slovenia’s ski team at Ishpeming, Michigan where the team participated in ski lumping competition. =11 ""ril II ----------------^-1E= Olympic Games Winter 2002 Salt Lake City, Utah Summer 2004 Athens, Greece dr. Katarina Kompan Erzar ________________________UTRINKI IZ OTROŠKEGA SVETA KAJ NAJ NAREDIM, KO ME OTROK NE UBOGA? Najpogostejše vprašanje, ki ga psihologom vedno znova upravičeno postavljajo starši je, kako naj si v konkretnih situacijah pri vzgoji otrok pomagamo z vašimi teorijami? Zato bi rada začela nov cilus prispevkov, ki se bodo dotikali konkretnih problemov s katerimi se srečujemo starši. Najhujša preizkušnja za starše je, ko se otrok neprimerno vede, in ko starši postanejo tarča kritike in zgražanja. Kaj lahko naredita mati in oče, ko se njun otrok vede neprimerno? Najprej morata vedeti naslednje. 1. Otrok hoče vedno, tudi ko se neprimerno vede, ugajati staršem in jim ustreči. 2. Otrok se nikoli ne vede neprimerno zato, ker bi bil hudoben, ampak zato, ker ne ve, zakaj tega ne bi počel. 3. Otrok poizkuša, izziva, hoče narediti nekaj novega, ne zna pa resoditi posledic svojih dejanj. 4. Otroka je sram, ko ga starši okarajo in mu pokažejo neodobravanje in to izraža z neprimernim vedenjem ali užaljenostjo. 5. Otrok ne loči med seboj in svojimi dejanji, zato kritiko njegovega neprimernega dejanja razume kot kritiko njega kot osebe. Starši so edini, ki lahko otroka na varen in neboleč način naučijo kaj sme in česa ne. Preko dinamike sramu in odpuščanja ter ponovne vzpostavitve toplega stika se razvija celo organska osnova otrokovega čustvenega sveta. Kako naj otrok sprejme sebe, kadar naredi nekaj nesprejemljivega? Taki trenutki so najhujši trenutki v otrokovem življenju, zave se, da je starše razočaral. Razvojna nevropsihologija ugotavlja, da so prve izkušnje neodobravanja, prvi Ne-ji, ki jih otrok doživi v svojem življenju, najpomembnejši trenutki razvoja njegove samopodobe in sovpadejo s kritično periodo organskega razvoja tistega dela možgan, ki uravnava emocije. Pred seboj imamo torej otroka, ki je pravkar shodil in se poln navdušenja podal na raziskovanje svoje okolice. Starša, ki sta do tega trenutka z otrokom delila njegova čustva in ga spodbujala v njegovi dejavnosti, sta zdaj v vlogi tistega, ki mora otroku pokazati mejo, znotraj katere je še varen in znotraj katere lahko raziskuje, ter omejiti njegovo gibanje takrat, ko je to zanj nevarno. Ta prekinitev prejšnje harmonije je za vse hud stres. In tukaj starša otroku lahko dasta največjo vrednoto odnosov, lahko mu dasta še eno možnost. Lahko od-pustita njegovo nevarno ravanje, mu pokažeta, kaj je sprejemljivo in sprejmeta otroka prav v njegovem sramu in radovednosti. Pokažeta mu, kako lahko neprimerno dejanje pusti za seboj, ko ga naučita, da namesto prejšnjega dejanja naredi nekaj novega. Sicer bo ppnavljal neprimerno vedenje, ki bo tako postalo vedenje, ki bo organiziralo njegove odnose s starši. Vsa pozornost in najmočnejša čustva se bodo vrtela okrog tega vedenja. Otroka je namreč pred starši groza samega sebe, njegovo telo ob jasnem in resnem: “NE!" v hipu otrpne, en sam pogled neodobravanja lahko zaustavi otroko dejavnost. In tukaj otrok potrebuje očeta in mamo, ki mu znata reči: "Vem, da ti je hudo in pomagala ti bova poiskati drugo možnost.” Če mu starša od-pustita, najprej stopita do njega in ga poučiti te mu pokažeta, kaj lahko naredi naslednjič, ko bo v podobni situaciji, bo iz groze nad seboj lahko nastal sram zaradi dejanja, otroku bo žal in se bo z veseljem oprijel nove možnosti. V primeru, ko starša otroka zavrneta, pa se bo groza obrnila v neustavljivi bez, ki bo izčrpal otrokovo telo in za zmeraj ranil njegovo psiho. Otrok ne loči med svojimi dejanji in seboj, zato doživlja nezadovoljstvo staršev kot nezadovoljstvo nad seboj, ne nad svojim dejanjem in tukaj se začne učenje odpuščanja, ko starši lahko odpustijo otroku, da se je zmotil, in ko verjamejo, da bo otrok naredil vse, samo da bi jima ugajal in ustregel, in mu pomagajo, da jima res ustreže. Takrat mu lahko povedo, kaj res želijo od njega. Otrok bo spremenil svoje vedenje, ne da bi moral spremeniti in zanikati svoje doživljanje, potrebe in čutenje. Upal si bo še naprej raziskovati, se motiti in se učiti novih pravil. Vztrajnost, toplina in odločnost staršev je ključ do odgovornosti in veselja otrok. WHAT CAN I DO WHEN MY CHILD DISOBEYS? This is the most frequently asked question a psychologist hears. The parent is facing a situation where theories don’t seem to be enough - the parent needs real help - it’s actually happening at their house! Therefore, I will direct my column today to this problem for parents. The most difficult test for a parent is when the child knowingly defies him and makes him the target of criticism and rowdiness. The child is “acting out” aggressively. You should know these points: 1. The child always wants, even tho he is acting out, to please his parents and to comply. 2. The child is acting out not to be mean but only because he doesn’t know why he should not be doing what he wants to do. 3. The child is trying, challenging, wants to do something new, but he doesn’t know how to assess the outcome of his actions. 4. The child s ashamed to get his parent’s disapproval and so, he mistakenly continues to behave improperly and sometimes, insultingly. 5. The child does not differentiate between himself and his actions, therefore criticism that he hears for his misbehavior he understand as a criticism of himself. Parents are the only ones who can teach a child what is wrong and what is right in a way he can feel safe and cared for. We need to understand the dynamic of what is shame and what is forgiveness to again bring him to the warm haven of closeness that is actually and physically his complete emotional world. How will the child accept himself in a situation where he has done something that is not acceptable? These are the hardest moments in a child’s life, especially because he sees that his parents are unhappy with him. Studies of the development of a child’s psyche shows us that the first time he feels disapproval, the first time he hears. No! This is the most important moment when he feels himself to be a person. It is the critical moment of internal development in that part of the brain that determines his emotional well-being. Therefore, here we have a child who is steping, actually, jumping, into'an exploration of his surroundings. Parents, who until this time have shared all their close feelings with him and encouraged him to be himself, now are the ones who are showing him his limits, telling him where he is safe and where he is unsafe. He has been given limits as to how far he can go! The close harmony he has known since infancy that is between parents and child is broken and it creates quite a bit of stress. Here is where the parents can give the most valuable lesson to the child. They can give him a choice. They can show him that he is forgiven, but in this spirit of parental forgiveness he is shown guidance to know what he is allowed to do and/or not to do. And, they can show him that is possible even if he still wants to do it his way. The parents teach him that he can put this aside and learn how to do something new. How soon this works to a positive conclusion is up to how soon he can organize a new relationship with them. In his mind all these things are swirling around and around - and clashing around him - leaving him and his emotions mixed up. We must realize that this child is now unsure of himself; physically he is unable to cope. The word, “No” brings on a glance of disapproval from his parent that stops him for the moment. And here is where he needs a mother and father who will know that this is a situation they must deal with - and recognizing the child’s dilemma, gently reassure him, “we know it is hard for you to understand, we will help to find another way...” This is the time for the parents go to him and make him understand that there is something he himself can do the next time that he and his parents clash. It will make him happy if he knows a better way to act the next time he gets angry or confused. It doesn’t have to be a time of shouting and scolding. If and when the parents react angrily, without understanding of what he is going through, the child will be afraid and want to be mean - sometimes so much so that it affects his body and sometimes, his psyche. A child does not see the difference between his Behavior and his Self, therefore, he feels the disapproval of his parents as being against his person, not against the act of his behavior, so here is where the lesson of forgiveness is needed. When the parents show forgiveness, and then show him in action that they believe he knows enough to do better, the child is so content in this realization that he will do all he can to obey them, satisfy them, and, he thinks, help them. In this positive atmosphere he can be told what is really expected of him and he will gladly follow their suggestion because he knows they really know all his needs and feelings and he wants to please them. He might still look for ways to explore ahead, and will make many more mistakes, but he will also learn what mom and dad expect of him. A happy child will result from his persistence in using his new behavioral tools and his parents’ understanding and determination to direct his bright and willing spirit. a. Half a Century of Dedication and Diligence Dedication to a goal, a mission, has become the life work of Edward Gobetz, the director of the Slovenian Research Center and professor emeritus of Kent University in Ohio. It began long ago, fifty years ago, and has not stopped yet. Thank God! Overcoming all the distresses that public work and recognition brings, Dr. Gobetz is indeed a man in a million, a man who has taken on the tremendous task of telling the world about Slovenians - who we are, where we are! In the American melting-pot as we call it, there is little room for small nationalities to shine out of the glare of all that is around us, the millions and millions of brilliant stars that shine in all the fields of endeavor. But, do you know what? We, Slovenians have stars, many of them, and if it were not for Prof. Gobetz, they might be lost - to world recognition and to our own awareness of them, and forgotten in the telling of history. Yes, it is a gift to know we are a people of achievement and honor, worthy of recognition. What he has accomplished seems to some to be personal attainment. To us it is the biggest gift that can be given to others and the biggest gift one can receive. To Dr. Gobetz and his life’s partner, Milena, our sincere congratulations on the magnificent contribution they have given the Slovenian-Amer-ican world, and many more years of successful endeavor is our wish. Editor SREČANJE MED POETOM IN SVETNIKOM P in s, RESEREN gLOMSEK — Frank Zebot — Pogledi Odnosi Srečanja — Nadaljevanje — Abecedni boj Leta 1808 je sprožil Jernej Kopitar v že omenjeni slovnici zamisel nove fonetične abecede za slovanske jezike. Vsak glas bi naj bil predstavljen z enim samim znakom (črko). Bohorčica, prvi slovenski črkopis, je imela za šumnike po dva znaka (č - zh, š - fh, ž - sh). Kopitar je sicer obljubil, da bo sestavil primerno abecedo, vendar se dela ni lotil. Prvi je leta 1817 predložil svoj alfabet, nazvan ‘slovan’, Franc Bile, kaplan v Trnovem na Notranjskem. Njegovo delo pa je bilo preveč diletantsko in ga je vlada odklonila. Leta 1824 je v Radgoni, tamkajšnji kaplan, poljudni pisatelj in pesnik Peter Dajnko izdal "Abecedno knjižico na hitro in lehko podučenje slovenskega branja”, s katero je uvedel nekaj cirilskih črk, glasovno prikrojenih za vzhodnoštajersko narečje. Leto dni za Dajnkom pa je profesor Franc Metelko v svoji slovnici (“Die Lehrgebaude der Slovenischen Sprache") objavil svoj črkopis. Obdržal je 20 latinskih znakov, dodal pa z odobrenjem Kopitarja 12 novih cirilskih črk. Obe abecedi, metelčica in dajnčica, imenovani tako po njunih avtorjih, sta bili uradno vpeljani tudi v šole. Tako so bili Slovenci med leti 1825 in 1833 ‘‘obogateni’’ s tremi abecedami. Bohoričico so uporabljali čbeličarji in njih pristaši, metelčico janzenisti, dajnčico pa nekateri, sicer maloštevilni štajerski pisatelji. Tako stanje je bilo nevzdržno, zavrlo je za mnogo let kontaminacijo narečij v enotni književni jezik. Razumljivo je torej, da so bili z novima črkopisoma nezadovoljni najprej šolniki. Nove pismenke so povzročile veliko zmešnjavo pri pouku, ker so se na Kranjskem učenci morali učiti poleg bohoričice še metelčice, na Štajerskom pa dajnčice. V tistih časih so škofije imele nadzorno oblast nad šolstvom. Tako so v alfabetski spor bili vnešeni štirje škofijski konzistoriji: ljubljanski, lavantinski, krški in sekavski. Abecedna borba se je bila v dveh fazah. Takoj po izidu prvih šolskih knjig v novih črkopisih so nastopili proti njim šolniki in cerkveni šolski nadzori, predvsem v izvenkranjskih pokrajinah. Ta nastop je bil sicer odločen, vendar je bil omejen na notranje šolsko območje. Na Štajerskem sta se protivila dajnčici in posredno tudi metelčici vodja glavne šole (normalke) v Celju, Simon Rudmaš in videmski šolski nadzornik, dekan Jurij Alič. Lavantinski ordinariat je dosledno zahteval, da se šolske knjige tiskajo s starimi latinskimi črkami (v bohoričici). V tej zadevi je našel polno soglasje pri ljubljanskem in krškem konzistoriju. Čudno vlogo pa je v abecednem boju igral sekavski ordinariat, ki Slovencem nikoli ni bil naklonjen. V vseh sedmdesetih letih, kar je mariborsko okrožje pripadalo graški škofiji, je le en sam Slovenec (dr. Andrej Kavčič) bil imenovan za kanonika. Ko je leta 1786 mariborsko okrožje bilo prideljeno sekavski škofiji, je bil za priključitev merodajen en sam razlog: ponemčevanje obmejnih Slovencev. Vsekakor je sekavski ordinariat storil vse, da bi dajnčica bila uvedena v šole in s tem pretežni del štajerskih Slovencev postal kulturno in jezikovno ločen od matičnega ozemlja. Treba je povdariti, da je Dajnko bil notoren protivnik jezikovne unifikacije. Graški škofijski urad je uspel v svojem načrtu. Štajerska deželna vlada je leta 1831 odredila, da se novi šolski abecednik tiska v Dajnkovih črkah. Tudi na Kranjskem šolske oblasti niso bile zadovoljne z metelčico. Proti koncu abecednega boja se je od 18 okrajnih šolskih nadzornikov 17 izjavilo za odpravo metelčice. nadaljevanje From the Youth Director Angela Stare: Dear members, I hope that you all had a chance to read the Junior Page in our last ZARJA. Please let me know if you enjoyed it or have any comments. I’d love hearing from you. As I stated in the last issue, we will be learning about our beloved Bishop Baraga, this saintly Slovenian bishop, and what he has taught all of us. I would like to include in this issue another project. The Major Missions and Residences of Bishop Frederic Baraga (1831-1868) in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Please color, decorate, etc., study these missions. I would like to ask you to read and describe in your own words, why each of the Christian Duties is important in your life as a Christian. Sometime in the future, if any of you would like, I will share your definition with our readers in ZARJA. Also, we will compile them and send a token to all of those that send them to me. If any of you would like more information on the life/story of Bishop Baraga, please let me know and I will forward this to you. This month of MAY is special. We celebrate MOTHER’S DAY. It is also the month in which we take time to honor Our Blessed Mother. I hope that many have a clear understanding of Our Lady and why we honor her. I’d like to suggest another ‘project’, appropriate for this month. Do something special for your mothers, grandmothers. Write a letter, poem or make something that they will cherish always. If any of my readers wish, write an essay on MOTHERS and on ‘Our Blessed Mother.’ I do hope that I will hear from many of you. I would like to ask for prayers for my daughter Veronika, who will be receiving her First Holy Communion this month. We pray that she will pray to Jesus each and every day of her life and that she will receive Him often. May is also the month of May celebrations. To each of my juniors having graduations, congratulations and prayers to each one of you. May you grow to love Jesus more each and every day and may He remain with you always. Remember this is a very special sacrament and an important day in your life. Treasure it and thank your parents for teaching you and bringing you to Jesus. COPPER COUNTRY IRON MINES Major Missions A Residences of Bishop Frederic Baraga 1831-1868 A < Arbre Croche 3 ■ Srond River C ' La Pointe P ■ L'A rise (Assinins) £ • Soult Ste. Marie F • Marquette ^4l ntonia. Father Baraga’s first six years in America proved to be busy and eventful. In that time he had learned the Ottawa and Ojibwa languages, had established three of his four missions, and had written books in Slovenian, German, and Ojibwa. The two books intended for his Indian missions, a prayerbook and a book about the life of Jesus, were to be printed in France during his first trip back to Europe in 1836. In France, while Baraga was getting his books printed, his younger sister, Antonia, was learning French in order to prepare herself as a teacher in her brother’s missions. She returned with him to La Pointe but the harsh climate of the Great Lakes area and poor health forced her to return to her homeland after only two years. As a parting gift, Baraga gave her a personal acrostic which he had written in the many languages he spoke. In this poem, he lovingly reminds her, among other things, to never forget Heaven’s protection, and to always observe God’s law: Christian Duties (Lessons taken from Bishop Baraga’s first pastoral letter, 1853) In Baraga’s first message as Bishop to his north country churches, he reminded his beloved children of the important duties they must uphold as Christians. Describe, in your own words, why each of these is important in your life as a Christian. 1. Faith_________________________________________________ 2. Adoration/Prayer. 3. Respect. Boshji najte vedno spremlja (Slovenian) Nie verlasse Dich des Himmels Schutz (German) Tuta sis et salva in aetemum (Latin) Observez toujours la loi de Dieu (French) Nuovo sempre sia il Vostro zelo (Italian) Imitate the Savior’s holy life (English) Angwamisin, mino bimadisin (Ojibwa) (Signed: Mission Zum hi. Joseph in N. America, in Juli, 1839, Dein Dich ewig liebender Bruder, Friedrich Baraga, m.s. pr.) ACTIVITY: After studying about Bishop Baraga, write an acrostic using his name and facts about his life. BISHOP BARAGA WORDSEARCH UNUMESTNECEESSAR IUMONYRANOITCIDE BISHO.PTLHINTAGIK SLOVENIASNEERCEE AAASSARNTUNUBUOW UPMCESTSSNEQRCTE LOESKSAERSSREICE TIUMORNETHAACIHN SNYRANOISSIMRNIA T T P YRC GBISNNOE PW EECESPRIESTSCAWR MARIEYLSNOWSHOES OVEGGRANDRIVEROD 4. Obedience. 5. Love. BLACKROBE MARQUETTE ARBRE CROCHE KEWEENAW L’ANSE CRYPT SAULT STE. MARIE SLOVENIA OTCHIPWE LA POINTE MASS MISSIONARY SNOWSHOES GRAND RIVER DICTIONARY PRIEST SAINT (Unused letters, in order from left to right, will spell out Bishop Baraga’s motto: meaning (What do you think Bishop Baraga meant by this?) Vl\ «v« t^otve' It’s Julie! Julie Ann graduates from Nequa Valley High School on May 27th. Congratulations! You are a bright star on the horizon of life! I hope you are all patiently awaiting warm weather, sunshine, and spring blooms. I can tell you that I will be making my high school graduation on May 27th. As of when I am writing; I am patiently waiting for the day. It will be a big adjustment for me, however, I am looking forward to a new lifestyle. Since my last article, I was approached to speak more of how my heritage is incorporated into my life. However, being that I am a teenager, and I write for the Junior section of the ZARJA, I had found it easier to write about things that affect myself that would also affect my readers. Considering we all come across with the experiences -1 was able to find that I am related to many of my readers. Even though I receive compliments from my adult readers, they would like to hear me talk about my heritage and the role it plays in my life. Hopefully this article will help to provide you all in understanding about my life and my heritage and how they all work together to make me unique. Being that it is only mom’s family that is Slovenian, that makes me 50%. Therefore, I only practice the Slovenian heritage for “half’ the holiday! (My mom’s family was started by the late Frances “Fannie” Zibert.) My grandparents, (Ray and Fran Schultz) continuously try to teach my younger cousins and me various words in Slovenian. Throughout my childhood, and even now with growing young cousins, I have learned songs, history, and family stories that originated in Slovenia. We have some traditional meals for special occasions and holidays, and we continuously pick up the ZARJA Magazine to keep up with things happening in our Branch and in SWU as whole. I am not sure as to what else you would all like to hear about from me, which is why I would love to get your mail. After writing for the magazine for so long - it gets harder and harder to find things to write about that would hopefully attract my readers. Please send me any suggestions, I would be more than happy to fulfill them for you. Congratulations, graduates! Best of luck and happiness to you! Julie. Want to write to Julie? Use the ZARJA address, 4851 Drexel Blvd., Chicago, IL 60615. Send it to the Editor by fax: (773) 268^4899; or thru the editor’s e-mail: CORLESKOVAR-@AOL.COM and it will be forwarded to Julie. Comments are welcome! SHEUGA DRUG INC. Jhiul/aSue.. 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's; Richard K. Tezak (815) 722-0524 (Forethought Trust) American Slovenian Catholic Union (KSKJ) 459 No. Ottawa, Joliet, IL 60432 • Opening Westside Location, • Plainfield Road, Joliet in 2000 Haberman — Zimmer Funeral Homes Traditional to Contemporary Funeral Services - Cremation Services OAe ... Pre-Arranged Funerals - me 19 Funeral Trusts N 6th EAjcatona/ Programs - Serving At Fatihs 117 N. Wisconsin Dr. Sheboygan i iwm hmm* tamam Howards Grove 457—7012 Mark S. Zimmer rsr 1 ,’1* •Sum) SMojiii i Cany Sna IKr"'"3 *JJ1 % First Midwest Bank tort Joliet • (815) 727-5222 bS Heritage Annuity Traditional IRA Rotii IRA Tax-Deferred Savings Guaranteed Income Competitive Rates Long-Term Growth Fraternal Benefits 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 PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID JOLIET ILLINOIS MEMBERS, When you move, please let us know! In order to improve our mailing system for ZARJA, any changes in your postal address must be made in advance to our National Secretary, Bonnie Prokup, 3119 Carrie St., Peru, IL 61354. Your ZARJA delivery will be delayed if you send your address change in any other way. Change of address form may be obtained from the Secretary of your Branch. Or just mail in letter form to Bonnie. We are anxious to eliminate heavy postal costs for changes channeled through the U.S. Postal Service, plus, the delays that are caused. Thank you very much! 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 Ze-fzcux <\3xuz£:xa£ cz^-fonzs., _J2td~ 1941 West Cermak Road, Chioago, IL 60608 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! SWU COOKBOOK A PERFECT GIFT! Our new SWU Cookbook, MORE POTS AND PANS, is a great addition to your cooking library! The book gives your instructions, tells you how to make the dishes that your mom and grandmom made, gives you the skills and knowledge to make you an expert in Slovenian cooking, plus... lots of wonderful and simple recipes for every day. TO ORDER YOUR COOKBOOK send $18 by mail to the Slovenian Women’s Union, 431 No. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432 and your copy will be sent right out! You can call for more information, (815) 727-1926. Internet webpage: www.swua.org e-mail: swuhome@msn.com On line newsletter: lzalokar@yahoo.com ZELE FUNERAL HOMES, INC. 452 East 152nd St., Cleveland, Ohio (216) 481-3118 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 is proud to bring our members and friends the availability of SLOVENIA at nominal cost and convenience. Please send your orders to Slovenian Women’s Union 431 No. Chicago Street . Joliet, IL 60432