Let Not The Light Of Freedom Be Extinguished! American Home over 100 years of serving American- Slovenians Vol. 109, No. 5 USPS 024100 ISSN Number 0164-68X Amiri* ff 8996'VSOW HO yy i33His oiho eeee nohvw^wnvihvi/^ SLOVENIAN MORNING NEWSPAPER Ameriška domovina, February 8, 2007 Phone: *2161 4.11 -0628 E-mail: ahp@buckeveweb.net / \| S-'' Permes5 Adventure Around Lake Erie by PHILIP L. PERME Introduction: On August 19, 2006 my dad, Elmer L. Perme, of Euclid, Ohio, and I began a Lake Erie Circle Tour of our own. The main characters were Phil, (the author), and my dad, Elmer, and the 2005 GTO, called the ‘goat.’ We met some real “characters” in our travels that we will smile about for years to come. The trip was a six-day road trip around Lake Erie starting from, and ending in Cleveland, Ohio. The route was westerly to Detroit-Windsor, then easterly through to the Niagara region/Buffalo, back to American soil. We spent a night in five different cities, four in Ontario, Canada, and one in Erie, PA. The theme was rolling relaxation and observation of some new towns to us. We dined well on Lake Erie perch and have a new appreciation for soy bean growing fields. Hopefully, the next few pages arranged day by day, will take you with us on the rolling vacation and give you the same laughs we had, same quandaries we had, and same desire to do a trip again, like we have. Day One Rain, Turnpike, Ambassador Bridge Saturday morning, 8 a.m. came up fast. The night before was spent late at work transitioning work to co- workers since I would be gone for two weeks of vacation. Add a few beers after that and 8 a.m. feels more ' like 8:45 a.m. After a bacon and eggs breakfast at my folks house, we were road ready. We truly had the best in life - a travel plan, some iced tea in a thermos, one jacket between the two of us, and one piece of luggage each. Mine was a gym bag, dad’s was a carry on size. We kept it simple and had no regrets. It was on the verge of raining all morning, and it finally came down upon us somewhere around Elyria, Ohio. Merely a drizzle, but much more driving energy is needed to pay attention, keep distance and stay focused. We had a bite at a turnpike rest area near Toledo -money island for the owners. Had some overpriced food -chicken sandwich, burger and coffee for dad, and pop for me. This was a good move since we gauged my tiredness to drive. Dad drove the ‘goat’ from near Toledo to Amberstburg, Ontario, Canada. We used the AAA Triptik, common sense, very watchful eyes -who designs those exits anyway? - and tolls. While around Detroit, they had some kind of car show that day. Saw an old 70’s era Dodge with four youths looking for trouble. What a waste of a beautiful car on such yahoos. Thorold, Ontario, Canada. Left to right, Elmer Perme, Paula Jenko, Phil Perme, Alojze Jenko on Aug. 22, 2006, prior to dinner at the Keifer Mansion Restaurant. Finally, we got to Detroit/Windsor and to the Ambassador bridge. Sadly, nothing too pretty or striking in the Detroit area. Kind of like the older parts of Cleveland that needs a good washing. We paid a toll to use the bridge and get into Canada. The customs man cleared us and we were now on Canadian soil. The trip is now official. The bridge was one long structure over the water. Not to mention a few hundred feet above the water. A Christmas play with a live baby “Jesus” was held during St. Mary’s of the Assumption (Coll.) Children’s Christmas Eve Mass at 5 p.m., on Sunday, Dec. 24. The excellent program was under the direction of Chris (Kosem) Vidmar and Toni Jo Kozak. _____________________(Photo by PHIL HRVATIN) We were on it for a long three minutes. Time to close eyes with holy thoughts. The first stop was Amberstburg. This fort is famous for the War of 1812 era for us Americans. It seemed like a nice first stop. This is when we learned about the Canadians’ sense of humor for road signs. We think they just don’t like signs and view them like golf strokes - the less the better. After touring the lake-front in Amberstburg about three times, we finally reached the fort. This is a national park? The fort was bordered by new housing on the east and west and a school on the north. To the south was the water. Outside of some really pleasing views of the water and the hunt of the huge expanse of lake - save your money. An online tour would be more educational and about as entertaining. Canada may have a different appreciation for national landmarks. However, it was fun seeing / being educated from the Canadian point of view. Kind of refreshing to know that other countries have national pride like we do. Now about 5 p.m., we set out for Leamington - AAA trip/tik and some directions from the woman at the fort. A serene ride into Leamington, gassed up and went to the hotel. By the way, liters are about four to a gallon at about a dollar per liter. Ouch. The hotel was a nice place, clean and new. As luck would have it, a bunch of motorcyclists stayed there, too. However, they were nice folks enjoying the road, too. So no worries. The original plan was to attend the Annual Tomato Festival for food and beverage. Nix on that since it was more of a rockfest, beer drinking environment. Too old and too tired to belly up, so we dined at Applebees. We learned another thing that night - can you say taxes? I think they tax you to kill the meal, cook the meal, serve the meal, then clean up the place. GST, PST and some other one as well. Tax on tax. National healthcare needs to fund on something. And this is how they do it. Back to the hotel for some needed R&R. This was the theme - and we followed it .proudly. R&R before breakfast, after breakfast, before dinner, and after dinner. What a tough life - someone has to do it, and that someone was us. We called it a night. (To Be Continued) /ryvr ‘o i vrwrtvrrr'nr.T My First Limousine Ride The government of the Republic of Slovenia, Office or Slovenes Abroad, posted its public notice on Friday, Jan. 26 regarding its application for grant monies available to Slovenian organizations abroad. The deadline for application is Feb. 28. The application can be viewed and downloaded at the Office for Slovenes Abroad web site www.uszs.gov.si. The Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia, in Cleveland, has sent, via mail, information and application to each leader of the various Slovenian-American organizations. If your organization has not received an application, please contact The Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia, in Cleveland. by MATTHEW CHAUBY On Thursday, January 11th, my family went to Blake’s Seafood Restaurant in Chagrin Falls, Ohio for my great uncle “Stric Joze’s” (Lah) birthday. A limo picked up my Grandma and Grandpa at their home. The limo had already picked up my Aunt Irene and Stric Joe. Then it picked up Stric Joze and Teta Marinka. On the way to Chagrin Falls it picked up my Uncle Greg, Aunt Kristina, and their kids, Josef, William, and Shane. The limousine then took them down to Blake’s. I went with my Mom, Dad, and brothers, Michael and Marcus in my Mom’s truck. When we came to Chagrin Falls we saw a huge limousine. I said, “Hey, that’s probably the limo Grandma and Grandpa are in.” My Mom said, “Maybe, but there are a lot of limos there.” We went into Blake’s and the waitress asked us if we had reservations. My Mom said we were there for Joe Lah’s birthday party. The waitress took us downstairs to a room just for us. Everyone was there to help celebrate Stric Joze’s birthday, all my aunts, uncles, and all my cousins. We talked with everyone, then the waiters gave us a menu with “Happy Birthday Josef!” on the top. We were able to order whatever we wanted from the menu. We ate a lot of food. We got to see the river and falls which were located outside of the large window where we dined. We had cake and sang happy birthday, but all the while I kept wondering what it was like inside that limo. After dinner, I asked my Grandma if she would tell me about the limo ride the next time I see her. I kept asking my mom what limos looked like inside. Finally, she said, “Why don’t you ask if you could ride home with them in the limo since they only live a street away?” I was afraid to ask, but my Mom said “Well, what is the worst they could say?” I replied, “No.” Then she said, “So if they say ‘no’ you are no worse off than you already are, therefore it can’t hurt to ask.” That made sense to me so I decided to ask my Grandma. She said, “You will have to ask Stric Joze.” So I did and he said, “I don’t see why not, but you better check with Uncle Greg.” So I did and he said, “Yes.” Then I asked, “Can my brother go too?” He said, “Sure.” So it was decided my brother and I would be going on our first limo ride. We were excited. We had to sit in the back with our cousins Victoria and Alexija, but we didn’t mind. The limo was very cool; the driver opened the door and inside was colorful lights on the ceiling and two lighted counters to put wine glasses. It had leather seats and three TV’s. I thought it was really great and so did my cousin even though she had previously been on three limo rides. I still thought it was really cool. During the limo ride I would joke around with my brother and cousins saying, “I had to go through a lot of trouble to get these seats.” It was kind of like a bus ride because people were dropped off right at their houses and we could not be loud because the driver had to concentrate on driving. After my Uncle Greg, Aunt Kristina and their kids were dropped off, we were able to move to the front where all the adults were sitting. We continued on toward Chardon, Ohio, and as with all good things, our limo ride came to an end. When we came home we told our Mom and Dad about our limo ride and went to bed. The next day I went to school and told all my friends about my limo ride. Matthew is 11-years-old and a 6th grader at Chardon Middle School. He played the part of “Ralphie” in the play “Christmas Story,” last year. He is the son of Michael and Jennie Chauby and grandson of Lenka and Joe Chauby. AMERICAN HOME AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA 6117 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103-1692 Telephone: 216/431-0628 - Fax: 216/361-4088 AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA (USPS 024100) James V. Debevec - Publisher, English Editor Dr. Rudolph M. Susel - Slovenian Editor Ameriška Domovina Permanent Scroll of Distinguished Persons: Rt. Rev. Msgr. Louis B. Baznik, Michael and Irma Telich, Frank J. Lausche, Paul Kosir NAROČNINA: Združene države Amerike in Kanada: $35 letno za ZDA; $40 za Kanado (v ZD valuti) Slovenija in tujina, letalska pošta, $165 letno (v ZD valuti) SUBSCRIPTION RATES United States and Canada: U.S.A.: $35 per year; Canada: $40 in U.S. currency Slovenia and other foreign: $165 U.S. per year (air) AMERICAN HOME (ISSN 0164-680X) is published three issues per month for $35 per year by American Home Pub. Co., 6117 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44103-1692. Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, Ohio. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AMERICAN HOME, 6117 St. Clair Cleveland, OH 44103-1692. No. 5 February 8, 2007 Groundhog Day by RUDY FLIS Today is February 2, and to many Americans it is also Groundhog Day, a day probably too cold for any little furry animal to see if the sun will shine on day number two of this cold month. But it wasn’t too cold for me as I donned boots, coat, hat and gloves as I endured the elements of winter to finish my work week, which takes me to the snow-belt area of Cleveland. And something I hadn’t done all year I did today, while out among the snow-flakes on the east side of Cleveland. I visited R&D Sausage Co. on Waterloo Road to renew my supply of klobase and želodec which were completely depleted since the Christmas Holi-lays. I’m loading up and will continue to do so until Feb. 21st, Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent and the beginning of fasting and ab-;taining and the other little hings we tend to do during this solemn season. While Joe Zuzak was filling my order, we were dis- cussing the past month and its happenings, as I consumed a few tasty slices of želodec Joe had laying on the counter for me so I did not faint from an empty stomach which was swiftly filling with the aroma of the freshly smoked meats. It worked, for I made it home on a stomach lined with želodec and a car that had the tantalizing fragrance of smoked klobase that caused a deep breathing exercise that could not be calmed until I exited the car. How can I thank the Lord for the delightful simplicity I just described that is my Slovenian heritage? Know that I always enjoy the foods that are my heritage, and I enjoy them regularly, but not constantly. Moderation can go a long way, even when it consists of a klobase meal. When I die, I want klobasa and garlic on my breath as I stand in front of the gates of heaven so St. Peter will know where I’m from and my mom and dad and family will recognize that familiar fragrance and me. Application for Grant Monies May you live as long as you wish and love as long as you live. -Phil Hrvatin 100 WORDS MORE OR LESS by John Mercina CAN YOU GUESS MY AGE AND WEIGHT ? It’s 0430 hours on a Monday morning. I’ve had one too many to drown my sorrow since my favorite football team lost in the Super Bowl. It’s dark outside and it is snowing and miserable here on the North Coast. No better time than now to come up with the ultimate quiz: CAN YOU GUESS MY AGE AND WEIGHT ON MY LAST BIRTHDAY? The prize will be an annual subscription to Mother Earth News if your NAME IS PICKED FROM THE CORRECT ANSWERS SNAIL-MAILED to the editor. Yours truly will help you by providing the following facts: Mercina’s age and weight is as follows on the planets listed below: • Mercury 257.6 752 • Venus 100.8 180.4 • Mars 32.9 75 • Jupiter 5.23 470.4 • Saturn 2.1 182.2 • Uranus .73 176.9 • Neptune .37 223.8 • Pluto .249 13.3 AGE: WEIGHT: DATE OF BIRTH: This and that from Emilee by EMI LEE JENKO Happy St. Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) to all. Candy and flowers will be appropriate for the love of your life. With the weather the way it is, who goes anywhere? Stay in, cozy and warm. Audrey Vertosnik a St. Clair Pensioner, had a cataract operation. She is on the mend. Hello from all your friends and wishes for a speedy recovery. A new member of the St. Clair Pensioners is Rose Zalneratis. Welcome aboard. Dorothy Goijup had surgery. She is one of the kitchen angels at Waterloo Hall. Speedy recovery. A little late: Get well wish to Fran Petrie of the St. Vitus Village. She had a boo-boo on her foot. She is now on the mend. Many belated happy returns to Dolores Mihelich from yours truly and your wonderful husband and children and many friends, "čestitke. My deepest sympathies to Helen Gobec Melgun and family on the passing of her beloved husband and father, John. Helen has been a good friend since I moved into the St. Clair area many years ago. May John rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Rich Zele is honoree for Slovenian Workmen’s Home awards dinner on March 24. Couldn’t happen to a nicer fellow. My sincerest congratulations. He is very deserving of this honor. A great person and so giving to all. The best to you. Sawyer Skorich Pastwa will reach the delightful age of two, or is it the terrible two’s? I don’t think so. She is such a gem. She will celebrate on Feb. 28. Have a fun day, Mac. Love you. Love Emma Pogačar’s jokes. The Irish one last issue was a blast. Also her info on subjects is very interesting. Keep it up. Belated wedding anniversary wishes to Kay and Frank Penca on 53 years of happy marriage. Congratulations and many more happy and healthy days ahead. Belated birthday wishes to: Mary Persin, Betty and Joe Kovalan and Geri Hopkins who keeps the Slovenian National Home on St. Clair running smoothly. On Jan. 21 the George Knaus segment of Dale Bu-car’s polka program on WELW had piano selections by Joe Petrik. My kind of music. Thanks George. Get well wishes to Bea Tanko who is a temporary resident of Manorcare on Euclid Avenue. A good friend since we were bicycling on East 185 and Kildeer. Wishes for a speedy recovery. 50th wedding anniversary wishes to Marianne and Hank Haller from all your family and friends and your admiring fans. Make more music together in the future. I hear from her Charter One bank friends that Gwen Slapnik Washington is hanging in there. Speedy recovery, Gwen, and love from all. Did we see the Groundhogs likeness on Feb. 2nd? Will we have more snow or are we looking for some pleasant weather. I hope so. It was a cold, blustery afternoon, but the attendance at the certificate meeting for Slovenian Workmen’s Home was ample. The election took place and six were elected. Discussion about the nonsmoking law in the SWH was talked over. Let’s abide by the law and observe NO SMOKING. It is our home and we need it to be healthful and congenial. Sunday, Jan. 30th was the date for the dinner and a belated Christmas Party for Klub Ljubljana and Lodge 10. They combined their groups for the festivities. A very intimate group, about 30 lovely ladies and one gentleman, Frank Sadar. It was held at Slovenian Society Home on Recher Avenue. Stefanie Segulin did a great job arranging the affair. Sophie Mazi and her efficient helper did the catering which was very excellent and mouth watering. Frank Sadar graciously handled the raffle, which I must admit I was very lucky. My luncheon companions were Dorothy Boldin Kane, Elsie Zalar, Polly Juratovic, Mary Perusek, and Frances Klemenčič. Thanks to Angie Shine and Mary Persin for the treat. In Sarah Crump’s column in the Plain Dealer on Feb. 1st, she wrote about Judy Zamlen Spotts’ son David, a senior at University School. He asks supporters of the school to hunt around for treasures of heirlooms for University School Attic Food Bank fund raiser that he is organizing. David is doing a great job. Keep it up, David, your are our future. Judy, his mom, is an ex St. Vitus/St. Clair area resident. Keep us informed as to the result of the fund-raiser. The “kitchen angels” at Waterloo Slovenian Home Pictured above are several of the Slovenian Workmen’s Home Auxiliary members (a.k.a. Kitchen Angels) in their Christmas attire. Front row, left to right, Sophie Matuch, Dorothy Smrtnik, Angie Žabjek and Dorothy Gorjup. Back, row, Eleanor Godec, John Vasilko, Gracie Fillippo, Jeanne Matuch, Vida Zak, President June Slapnik, Ellen Downer, Vida Kalin, and Mimi Struna.________________________________________(Photo by PAT NEVAR) for Fish Fries has a new recruit, Pauline Barbish. You have entered a very elite and prestigious group. Congratulations. Happy wedding anniversaries to Hank and Lillian Pugel, 58 years, and to Dan and Helen Pavšek, 63 years. You have to be congratulated. Such happy couples. Again, many years of happiness and togetherness. Frank Koenig, a loyal and responsible volunteer for the S.H. Aged for quite a few years, is on the sick list. I don’t know exactly what the problem is, but he was hospitalized for a few days. He has racked up many volunteer hours tending to the SHA residents. And he assists me with my bingo sessions during June, July, and August. All my Bingo volunteers wish the best to you for a speedy recovery. You are missed. The residents just love you. Hurry back. Until we meet again next time. I will leave you with this thought: There are good ships, and there are wood ships, the ships that sail the sea. But the best ships are friendships, and may they always be. - LUV YA. --Emilee Highland Heights 3 bedroom brick ranch, 1.5 bath, finished basement, central a/c, spacious yard, $164,900. Call 440-461-7133 W. Maier Services Garage Doors & Openers Electrical & Small Misc. Repairs Walter Majer 216-406-8483 Home 440-286-7177 Slovenian Style Fish Fry Invokes Secret Recipe The slogan at Slovenian Workmen’s Home has always been, “Your Home Away from Home,” and the cooking there is “Slovenian Style.” The Auxiliary Fish fries made the Plain Dealer’s Top 10 List a couple of years ago. Their secret recipes are always requested but never given. Repeat customers are many. Some try other establishments but always return and say, “We’re back. We like it here best of all.” Just ask George Knaus. He’ll tell you about the special treatment he received a couple of weeks ago. The Auxiliary is gearing up for the extremely busy Lenten season, which will begin on Feb. 23rd. Extra volunteers are always needed. If you are interested, contact President June Slapnik at (216) 486-4690. Every Friday a different homemade soup is featured. During Lent, the popular Clam Chowder will be available most Fridays. Din- ner choices are hand breaded walleye, breaded shrimp, “Catholic Senior Citizen Breaded Pork Chops,” goulash or macaroni and cheese, cabbage and noodles, applesauce and the famous Slovenian coleslaw. Of course, strudels, various cakes and pies are available for dessert. Most Fridays someone is celebrating a birthday. Last week Micki Mausser, Mary Fuerst and Paul Yanchar were served cake and serenaded by the Kitchen Angels, accompanied by Kenny Zalar and Kathy Hlad. Serving at the Friday Fish Fry begins at 11:30 a.m. and continues until 8 p.m. Music by Kenny Zalar, Kathy Hlad and friends continues until approximately 10 p.m. For takeouts, reservations or information call (216) 481-5378. The Slovenian Workmen’s Home is located at 15335 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, OH 44110. The Fish Fries are served in the lower hall. Anton J. Ogrinc, D.D.S. Fa milj^Dentistry/'Preventive Dentistry •MAYFIELD VILLAGE 6551 Wilson Mills Rd., Suit 103 1-440-473-1920 ro i AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, FEBRUARY 8, 2007 s 3 < Q Q European Leaders Hail Slovenia’s Smooth Transition to the Euro European leaders hailed the smooth euro switch in Slovenia on Monday, Jan. 15 as the former Yugoslav country held a high-profile ceremony to mark the historic event, said reports from the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency in the first half of 2007, said Slovenia’s adoption of the euro was a “moving moment,” especially considering that she personally saw two changes of currency - first when Germany was reunified and then in 2002, when the euro was introduced. European Commission President Jose Manual Barroso said the adoption of the euro was an important historic step for Slovenia and the European Union, as it proved the eurozone was not a “private restricted club; the euro is truly a currency of the EU.” l> The single European currency euro has Jjeen Slovenia’s only legal tender since Monday (Jan. 15) after two-week transition period in which the Slovenian tolar and the euro were in dual use. The European Commission said Slovenians were already making nearly all cash payments in euros. Almost 80% of tolars had already been deposited with banks and withdrawn from circulation. No notable problems were recorded, despite fears of massive price hikes. On Jan. 1 Slovenia became the 13th country using the euro. The country of some 2 million is the first among the 10 EU newcomers that joined the pan-European bloc in 2004 to have fulfilled the rigorous economic criteria needed to join the euro zone. Merkel said Slovenia’s successful switch to euro would encourage other EU newcomers to follow suit and reap the rewards of the euro, including the elimination of exchange cost and risk, relegating the threat of devaluation to history and encouraging cross-border trade and investment inside the eurozone. Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the European Central Bank, praised Slovenia’s achievement in economic development which saw its gross domestic produce per person growing from 50% to almost 80% of EU’s average between 1995 and 2006. Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša said the adoption of the euro was a big step for Slovenia, a small step for the European Monetary Union and a step in the right direction. “Since the disintegration 6f Yugoslavia, Slovenia has walked a successful path of development and transition,” Jansa said.______ Thanks for Philip J. Hrvatin for this news. Now I’m Older, Here’s What I Found I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it. My wild oats have turned into prunes and All Bran. I finally got my head together, now my body is falling apart. Funny, I don’t remembering being absent minded. All reports are in; life is officially unfair. If all is not lost, where is it? It is easier to get older than to get wiser. Some days you’re the dog; some days you’re the hydrant. I wish the buck stopped here; I sure cotild use a few. The only time the world beats a path to your door is when you’re in the bathroom. If God wanted me to touch my toes, he would have put them on my knees. It’s not hard to meet expenses... they’re everywhere,. These days I spend a lot of time thinking about the hereafter. I go somewhere to get something and then wonder what I’m here after. The nicest thing about the future is that it always starts tomorrow. If you don’t learn to laugh at trouble, you won’t have anything to laugh at when you get old. Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make it wag its tail. After a certain age, if you don’t wake up aching in every joint, you’re dead. There are no new sins. The old ones just get more publicity. Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, and faith looks up. —Phil Hrvatin When a man assumes a public trust he should consider himself a public property. -Thomas Jefferson l-It's COOL To Be SLOVENIAN AMfcRICAN SlOVtNIAN CAIHOUC/ /UNION BECOME A MEMBER WITH A NEW INSURANCE PLAN FROM KSKJ! ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT PLAN Available from ages 20 to 65 (coverage expires at age 70) Minimum Amount Available $25,000 - Maximum Available $100,000 $30 minimum per mode premium - $1.00 per thousand in PA $1.20 per thousand in CA, CO, CT, IL, IN, KS, Ml, MN, MI, OH, DC, Wl Call your local sales agent or the Home Office at 1-800-843-5755 www.kskjlife.com NUT CAKE This recipe is from the “Slovenian Cookbook,” Our Favorite Recipes, compiled by the American Slovene Club. This was always our favorite birthday cake, and should be frosted with Custard Frosting. Ingredients: 1 C butter, softened 2 C sugar 4 egg yolks, beaten 3 C flour 3 t baking powder 1/8 t salt 1 C milk Directions: Cream butter, add sugar, then egg yolks. Sift dry ingredients together, and add alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Add vanilla. To the ground nuts, add a little of the flour nrnture and fold into the batter. Lastly, fold in the egg whites. Bake in a greased angel food pan for 50-60 minutes. Let cool, and frost with custard frosting (below) CUSTARD FROSTING This is Mom’s and Aunt Betty’s recipe. We always use this for birthday cakes when we were growing up It is especially good on the nut cake. It is not real sweet, but takes a little more time and energy than other frostings. It is worth it. Ingredients: Custard: 3 T shortening 1 C milk Vi C butter, softened 4 T flour Vi C sugar 1 t vanilla Cook the flour and milk over low to medium heat, stirring constantly, until very thick. - Cool. In the meantime, in the mixer, combine the other 4 ingredients and beat until combined. Add the cooled custard mixture and whip until fluffy. —Kim Ann Kaifesh Our Family and Friends Recipes 11 vanilla 1 C chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) 3 egg whites, (beaten stiffly) Newspaper Schedule The American Home will continue to be printed three times a month in February, March and April. In February, the remaining American Home will be printed on Feb. 15. In March the American Home will be printed on March 1, 8, and 15. In April the American Home will be printed on April 5, 12 and 19. Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. - Dale Carnegie___________________________ otiCC We Make House Calls ... A Since 1963 Gorjanc Comfort Services has been providing professional, responsive service to make short work of your heating and plumbing needs ... 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And when we make a house call, we bring the warehouse with us. This ensures that most service is finished in just one visit. Call us and experience our award winning service today! GORJANC HEATING-COOLING - PLUMBING 440-449-4411 www.gorjanc.com ivq ANGIE'S UST SUPER UmKlAHUUKr NorthNStOhio 2003 Heating $10 OFF Furnace or Boiler Service A May not be combined with other jdUcoumf Plumbing $25 OFF Drain Cleaning May not be combined with othu dUcoums. Eipires 3/31/05 Unforgettable Bela Krajina (known in English as “White Marsh” or “White Carniola”) We continue with our series of articles on the Regions of Slovenia, as they were originally prepared by Prof. Edward Gobetz for the program on Slovenia at St. Mary’s Parish in Cleveland, on October 22,2006, Together with Koroška or Carinthia and Prekmurje in the north. Bela Krajina is one of the three smallest regions of the Republic of Slovenia. It lies in the extreme south and is encircled by Lower Carniola in the west and north and by Croatia in the south and southeast. It was the white national costumes which gave the region its white (or bela) name. Made by the diligent and inventive ladies out of homespun flax linen, these white vestments gave the region of hills and hillocks and of narrow valleys on the Kolpa River the name Bela Krajina, the White March, or White Carniola. The enumeration of bigger Slovenian towns by the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia includes only two towns of this region: Črnomelj (18,575) and Metlika (8,425). Yet, this smallness in numbers is more than outweighed by the folkloristic and historical wealth of the region of this wonderland on the rim of Trdina’s enchanted Gorjanci Mountains and within the little, narrow valleys, where we find small and tight population settlements. In spite of poverty which caused so many local natives to emigrate to various countries, particularly to America, this is the home country of industrious and capable people. Thus, for instance, James Cow in 2000 quotes another Englishman, Simon Clements, who visited Metlika in 1715 and subsequently wrote about “wonderfully 'veil cultivated vineyards” and “how the remarkable industry of the inhabitants exceeds that of the lazy Hungarians in their fertile plains.” Historical sources as early as 1228 Mention “regio quae Metlica dicitur,” using the Slovenian name Metlica, not the German Mottling, which was forced on the Slovenian population by foreign Germanizing lords. As Slovenia’s southernmost region, the White March was between the years 1408 and 1579 particularly exposed to the Murderous and plundering raids of Muslim Turks. Črnomelj, which Oton Kraški started building in 1165 and which was granted City Rights in 1407, was in the 16th century a Christian defense post, with strong military units. The Turks attacked it nineteen times, yet could never subdue it. Valvasor, in his important historic k°ok, Topographia Ducatus Carniolae 'Kodernae (1679), as well as in some other Publications, listed a number of castles and deluded their Slovenian names, thus, j^rong others: Krupa, Smuk, Črnomelj, Tungart, Gradac, Tum and Vinica. The foreign local lords were relatively safe in ^eir fortified castles, while the poor local inhabitants usually took refuge in then-churches. surrounded by walls and ditches. General Ivan Lenkovič built strong fortifications around Podbrezje on the River Kolpa in 1557. In about the same period, the Slavic “uskoki” (invaders), mostly Croatians or Serbians from Lika’ settled in Bela Krajina where then- descendants can still be found in villages Bojanci, Marindol and Milica. As elsewhere in Slovenia, exploitation by foreign lords led to peasant rebellions, the most notable being in 1748 in Metlika. From the earhest times, the viniculture flourished all over Bela Krajina, from Metlika to the hills of Semič. Many prominent wines come from these areas, including “metliška črnina” — the dark red Metlika wine. In addition to cultivation of vineyards, the locals engaged in agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, and various home crafts, including the making of linen > from flax. Other efforts included the opening of a coal mine at Kanižarica near Črnomelj in 1857 and a little later of a brick factory close by. From 1851 to 1883 a foundry operated at Gradac, while another small foundiy was established in Črnomelj by Janez Dollar, a repatriate from America. In 1929, a wine cooperative was established in Metlika. Later, and especially after the Second World War, the textile, food, metal and wood industries were established. The pressures of population growth and limited resources, particularly in the 19th centuiy, forced many residents of Bela Krajina to emigrate to other countries, especially to America. Thus it is not surprising that the natives of this region often constituted the first Slovenian settlements in the United States. The Vertins from Dobliče, for instance, built a very successful commercial business in Calumet, Michigan, and John Vertin became, in 1844, the bishop of Marquette, the diocese first established by the prominent Slovenian missionaiy, Frederic Baraga from the Lower Carniola who had earlier served as chaplain in Metlika. Ivan Stariha from Sadinja Vas served, between 1902 and 1907, as the first bishop of Lead, South Dakota. Until the publication of our research findings, no one in Slovenia knew that a noted pioneer of American aviation, Max Stupar (1885-1944), was a Slovenianspeaking native from Metlika whom American sources incorrectly described as an Austrian from Mottling (sic). Similarly, it was also through our correspondence with the famous American physician and researcher Dr. John Totter that we discovered his own roots, and those of the prominent Hollywood star Audrey Totter, were in Griblje, Bela Krajina. The more I came to know them, the more I have become convinced that not only their achievements, but also their character and exemplary life style can make the natives of Bela Krajina and all Slovenians truly proud of both of them. And let me add the recently confirmed finding that while the great-grandmother of the third Slovenian American senator, Amy Klobuchar, was from Ribnica in Lower Carniola, her great grandfather was an immigrant from Črnomelj in Bela Krajina. Of course, many natives od Bela Krajina have also become noted achievers in their homeland, Slovenia, for instance, the prominent sculptor Alojzij Gangl (1859-1935), from Metlika, and educator, poet, writer and playwright Engelbert Gangl (1873-1959), who was also bom in Metlika. Matija Tomc (1999-1986), whose birthplace was at Kapljišče pri Podzemlju, became a popular professor and a noted composer. The foremost achiever, however, is Oton Župančič (1878-1949) from Vinica who is, together with Dr. France Prešeren from Upper Carniola, recognized as the greatest Slovenian poet. His poetry was translated into several languages, while he himself was an outstanding translator of world’s greatest literature. Thanks to him all Shakespeare's works can be read in masterful Slovenian translation. No wonder that Bela Krajina boasts many rich collections in various towns and an impressive central museum in Metlika. A local archeological collection was bought by Harvard University. As mentioned, Bela Krajina is folkloristically the richest region of Slovenia. In addition to other popular musical instruments, especially the ubiquitous Slovenian accordion, the locals made of clay their own unique instrument “gudalo.” Many of their songs and dances are unique. In no other Slovenian region, has the “kolo” dance been adopted. Their native poet Oton Župnančič wrote the following verses (here quoted in English translation): Forge me, on thy anvil, Life! Am 1 flint, then 1 will flash, Am I steel, then I will sing, Am I glass, then let me crash! Overall, we like to believe that the natives of Bela krajina have been firm and strong like flint and steel. Edward Gobetz Fortuna, FUNERAL HOME 5316 Fleet Ave. Cleve OH Joseph & Virginia Fortuha Founders in 1958 (216) 641-0046 NEW & 2nd LOCATION OPENING FALL 2006 7076 Brecksvllle Rd. Independence, OH LICENSED STAFF: John Fortuna - James Trzaska Mary Ann (Fortuna) Trzaska - Membership Certificate Holders Annual Meeting Slovenian Society Home 20713 Recher Avenue Euclid, OH 44119 Sunday, February 11, 2007 2:00 p.m. We invite all certificate holders and Lodge and Club representatives to attend THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS V57 AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, FEBRUARY 8, 2007 AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, FEBRUARY 8, 2007 Concert, Art Exhibit at SNH Coming Events... $ Slovenia Gets Snow (at last) Slovenians woke up on Thursday, Jan. 25 to discover that the entire country was covered in snow, the first time this winter. Ski lift operators sighed with relief as snow finally coated Slovenia. According to a website providing information on snow at Slovenian ski resorts, the layer of snow is 15-170-cm thick. Get Well, Ray Best wishes for a speedy recovery to American Home writer Ray Mlakar who is in the hospital undergoing tests. Old Quiz, by James V. Debevec II OLD QUIZ: What is the world’s most valuable company? Nobody submitted the correct answer, so we will keep the question for another week or so. Send your answer to ahp@buckeveweb.net or regular mail to: James’ Quiz, do American Home, 6117 St. Clair Ave., Cleve-land, OH 44103-1627, Slovenian School Benefit Dinner The St. Vitus Slovenian Language School annual Benefit Dinner of Pork Roast or Chicken is being held on Sunday, Feb. 25 in the St. Vitus Auditorium between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Take-outs will also be available in the social room. The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children. Tickets may be purchased in advance from Slovenian School parents or at the door on the day of the event. Come join us for this community event and help support our school. Lendava Classic Wear www.lendava.us Looking for Assistant Manager. Send resume or questions to info@vaikard.com FISH FRY Every Friday 11:30 AM-8 PM SWH AUXILIARY 15335 Waterloo Rd. Cleveland, OH Fish - Shrimp - Goulash Breaded Pork Chops Reservations & Take Outs Call 216/481-5378 Stimbur^s Accounting Accounting S Income Tax Services 496 E. 200th St. Euclid, OH 44119 (216)404-0990 Fax \216) 404-0992 taxlin ie@en. com hUp://sttmI>urysaccounting.com Emtnl to PracSce BeMt Iw Intmal Revenue Sence Seneceig IndUduals Corporations l SmoUffusintssK. The Consul General of the Republic of Slovenia, in Cleveland, during Slovenian Culture Month, presents: A CONCERT AND ART EXHIBIT. Musical performances will be given by Slovenians from the Cleveland area. Performers include a saxophone quartet (Phil Hrvatin, John Nemec, Martin Marsic, and Dusan Marsic), violinist Joey Štepec, pianist Ed Ferrazzoli, guitarist, pianist and vocalist Johnny Srsen, pianist and vocalist Richie Celestina, vocalists John Jakomin, J.J. Žakelj, David Cup, Andrej Mejak, and others. The program will be conducted by Slovenian Consul General Dr. Zvone Žigon, reading Slovenian poetry and prose. Accompaniment by Joe Valencie in the reading of English translations of Slovenian poetry. The Art Exhibit, consisting of painting, photography, sculpture and other works created by 25 Slovenians in the Cleveland area, can be enjoyed before and after the concert. The event takes place on Sunday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Avenue. Free admission, cash bar following concert. Friday, Feb. 9 Dance from 7:30 - 11:15 p.m. at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., Cleveland. Admission $8. Featuring Ed Rodick. Sunday, Feb. 11 Judge Ted Klammer speaks in St. Vitus Auditorium after 9 a.m. Mass. Free admission. Sunday, Feb. 11 Concert and Art Exhibit at Slovenian National Home, St. Clair, Cleveland, 7 p.m. Free admission. Cash bar. Friday, Feb. 16 Dance from 7:30 - 11:15 p.m. at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., Cleveland. Admission $8. Featuring Wayne Tomsic. Saturday, Feb. 17 Florida Baraga Day in Holiday, FL at church of St. Vincent de Paul, 11:30 a.m., followed by luncheon and program at Knights of Columbus Hall. Lunch reservations call (727)-376-2743. Special guest: Bishop Garland from Marquette. Saturday, Feb. 17 Dinner, Dance Maškarada in St. Mary’s (Coll.) new parish center, featuring Veseli Godci Orchestra. Tickets call Irena Mazi at 440-942-5083. Sunday, Feb. 18 Immaculate Conception parish, Superior Ave., Cleveland, Social at Slovenian National Home, St. Clair Avenue. Sunday, Feb. 18 90th Anniversary of Lodge Bled #20 AMLA with 10 a.m. Mass in St. Lawrence Church, 3547 E. 80 St., Cleveland. Followed by dinner at Slovenian National Home, 3563 E. 80 St. at 12:30 p.m., including roast beef, breaded pork chops, Slovenian potatoes, mixed vegetables, etc. $5 for Bled #20 members; $15 guests. Call Anna Mae at (216) 341-6136. Feb. 17-24 Slovenian Ski Trip to Val Gardena, Italy. Call John Kamin 718 424-2711. Tuesday, Feb. 20 Pustna Večerja - Shrove Tuesday - Rice or Blood Sausages & 1 garlic sausage, or 3 garlic sausages - 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in St. Mary’s Parish Center, Holmes Ave. Includes home fries, sauerkraut, coffee and dessert. $12. Sponsored by Slovenian Cultural Garden Association. Friday, Feb. 23 Dance from 7:30 - 11:15 p.m. at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., Cleveland. Admission $8. Featuring A1 Battistelli Sunday, Feb. 25 St. Vitus Slovenian School annual benefit Pork Roast or Chicken dinner between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in auditorium. $12 adults, $6 children. Friday, March 2 Dance from 7:30 - 11:15 p.m. at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., Cleveland. Admission $8. Featuring Bob Kravos. Sunday, March 4 Palčinka breakfast in St. Mary’s (Coll.) parish center from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. $7 adults, $4 children. Benefit Slovenian School. Friday, March 9 Dance from 7:30 - 11:15 p.m. at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., Cleveland. Admission $8. Featuring Ray Polantz. Friday, March 16 Dance from 7:30 - 11:15 p.m. at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., Cleveland. Admission $8. Featuring Stan Mejac. Sun., March 18 - March 25 Slovenian Ski Trip to Steamboat, Colorado. For info call John Kamin (718) 424-2711. Friday, March 23 Dance from 7:30 - 11:15 p.m. at West Park Slovenian Home, 4583 W. 130 St., Cleveland. Admission $8. Featuring Jeff Pecon. Saturday, March 24 Federation of Slovenian National Homes Man & Woman of Year banquet at Slovenian National Home, St. Clair Ave., Cleveland. ' » - ... . . PERKIN’S RESTAURANT 22780 Shore Center Dr. Euclid, Ohio 44123 216 - 732-8077 Operated by Joe Foster Lyndhurst-$184,900 Sprawling Brick & Stone Ranch! Shows Very Well! Neutral & Clean! Is' Floor Family Room ! 2 Fireplaces! Formal Dining Room! Newer Kitchen, Windows & Doors! 40 x 13 Rec Room with Bar! Open Layout! Fabulous Brick Patio! Newer Timberline Roof! Covered Porch! Hot Tub! Landscaped! 2 Car Attached Garage! Handicap Ready! MUST SEE! For More Information Please Contact Paul Paratto 440-516-4444 or 440-953-5697 THERE IS “LOVE” IN EVERY SLOVENIAN Happy Valentine’s Day from Your Slovenian State Representative .:•« .?•- - 1 ■ Mjc- f. WnKOBfc v,:ap Wf! * Jss* pt&Sr ■« 1" State Representative Kenny and Pam Yuko Paid for by Friends of Kenny Yuko, Pamela J. Yuko, Treasurer, 479 Pierson Dr., Richmond Heights, OH 44143 .site FUNERAL HOME Jeff DiDonato, owner Tom Corrigan Harlan Saxton Lloyd Rankin 21900 Euclid Ave. Euclid, OH £Mi»481-5277 Caring ~ Compassionate ~ Dedicated to Euclid Specialists In Corrective Hair Coloring y’ tina & brenda’s HAIR SALON 461-7989 / 461-0623 5216 Wilson Mills Rd. Richmond‘Hts., Ohio 44143 Death Notices In Memory Thanks to Minka Cugelj of St. Vitus Village in Cleveland who included a $10.00 donation in memory of her husband, Ivan Cugelj. In Memory Thanks to Mary Koren of Willoughby, OH who renewed her subscription and added a $15.00 donation in memory of her husband, Joseph Koren. In Memory Thanks to Charles and Julie Hill of Eastlake, OH who paid 'for a subscription and added a $25.00 donation in memory of their parents, Thomas and Mary Hill and Joseph and Josephine Mlakar. Large Donation It gives us great pride to donate $100 to such an outstanding newspaper, the American Home. Glad we could help. Keep up the good work. —Holmes Ave. Pensioners Cleveland, Ohio Bill Zabukovec, Treasurer Loves Paper I love the American Home newspaper. I lived around 62nd Street in Cleveland practically all my life. Started St. Vitus School at 7 years old. Lived in one of the houses owned by Mr. Gomik, the tailor. Got married at age 21, moved to an apartment owned by Popovič, later by Mr. Sušnik. Lived there 17 Vi years. When the Second World War broke out, I was the first widow on St. Clair Avenue in Cleveland. My two children went to St. Vitus School. My daughter is now 68, and my son is 63. I graduated from St. Vitus in 1931. Now I’m a young 90-years-old. I still call the old neighborhood my home and call St. Vitus my church. Keep up the good work. —Mary Stragisher Euclid, Ohio Donation Thanks to Lillian Ri-barich of Euclid, OH for the new subscription and the $10.00 donation! Donations Thanks to the following for their donations to the Ameriška Domovina: Milan and Blažena Rihtar, Willoughby Hills, OH -$5.00 Joseph Rus, Elk Grove, IL -$15.00 Flori Zazula, Wickliffe, OH - $20.00 Frances Petrich, Eastlake, OH - $5.00 Ana Cesar, Euclid, OH — $15.00 Ken and Anne L. Tom- sick, Euclid, OH — $15.00 Stan and Josephine Janezic, Greenfield, WI — $5.00 Rudy Resnik, Etobicoke, Ont., Canada — $10.00 Frances Mauric, Fremont, OH -$15.00 John P. Oberstar, Waukegan, IL - $15.00 Anonymous, Kirtland, OH - $20.00 Frances Kristanc, Euclid, OH-$10.00 Stanley and Marija Trauner, Waterford, WI — $15.00 Marija Hutchinson, Etobicoke, Ont., Canada -$5.00 Frances Cerar, Sanbom-ton, NH — $15.00 Donation Thanks to the Waterloo Balinca Club of Cleveland, OH for the $20.00 donation. Large Donation Thanks to Daniel J. Hrvatin of Willoughby Hills, OH who renewed his subscription and added a $200 donation. Interesting Albina Skocaj of Maple Heights, OH writes, “Enjoy reading the American Home. I find every issue very interesting and informative.” Donation Thanks to Stan and Denise Krulc of Kirtland, OH who renewed their subscription and added a $35.00 donation. Donation Thanks to Lori Sier-putowski of Highland Heights, Ohio who renewed her subscription and added a $25.00 donation. She writes, “Wishing you continued success and a happy, healthy New Year.” Zele Funeral Home MEMORIAL CHAPEL Located at 452 E. 152 St. Ph: (216) 481-3118 Family owned and operated since 1908 Mass for Rev. Cerne There will be a Mass for Rev. Jože Cerne on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 8 a.m. in St. Paul’s Church, 1231 Char-don Road, Euclid, Ohio. Good Work My husband Richard and I really enjoy this paper. Thanks for all your good work. —Olga Kočevar Long Beach, CA Krofe Sale St. Vitus Altar Society will hold a krofe and noodles sale on Saturday, Feb. 10. In Loving Memory of Josephine Klemenčič 10,h Anniversary of our dear Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother Sister, and Aunt who died Feb. 14, 1997 Deep in our hearts you ’ll always stay, Loved and remembered every day. Sadly missed by FAMILY Stay Alive Editor, Gosh, I enjoy reading the American Home so much. -Thank you for your efforts in continuing to see that it stays alive. —Jackie Smith New Berlin, WI Donation Thanks to Frank and Grace Sechnick of Euclid, OH who renewed their subscription and added a $15.00 donation. They write, “We enjoy the American Home newspaper very much.” In Loving Memory g 14anujtics<. Vse pod zelo ugodnimi pogoji. Za podrobnosti se brezobvezno obrnite na tajnika društva. OUR LADY OF FATIMA Lodge No. 255 KSKJ Spiritual Advisor: Rev. John Kumse; President: Robert A. Schulz; Vice President. Jackie Hanks; Secretary-Treasurer: Connie Schulz, 5495 C. Sierra Dr., Willoughby, OH 44094-3513, Tel: (440) 944-2015; Auditors: Larry Duggan, Donna Duggan; Athletic Director: Darlene Schulz. Meetings held the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Secretary/Treasurer’s home. BALINCARSKI CLUB SLOVENSKA PRISTAVE Časni Pred.: Felix Breznikar; Predsednik; Lojze Mohar; Pod. Pred.: Janez Švigelj; Taj-Blag: Tone Škerl. Odborniki: Ani Breznikar, Mici Mohar, Tončka Švigelj, Tone Vogel, Janez in Rezka Breznikar, Vera Žnidaršič, Marija Vrhovnik, Lojze in Angelca Debeljak, Tončka Berkopec, Zdenka Kavčič. Nadzorni odbor: Lojze Hribar, Vionko Vrhovnik. PRISTAVA UPRAVNI ODBOR 2005-2006 Predsednik: Milan Ribic; 1. Podpredsednik: Metod Ilc; 2. Podpredsednica: Metka Zalar; Tajnica/Campground: Ani Sterle; Pomožni tajnik; Edi Sedmak; Blagajnik: Maijan Perčič; Zapisnikarica: Kati Cup. Odborniki in odbornice: Cerer Jože; Cerer Tony; Cerer Tony, Jr.; Champa Tony; Ferkulj Frank; Frank, Laity; Grčar Jože; Intihar Pavel; Kogovšek David; Košir Benjamin; Košir Michael; Kozina Mimi; Krištof Verena; Krulc Stanley, Jr.; Luzar, Emie; Mejak Joakin; Novak Jože; Oreh Filip; Osenar David; Pisom Branko; Ribic, Andrej; Ribic Valentin; Rote Frank; Rus Mike; Rus Ron; Rus Stane; Sedmak Kristjan; Sleme Vid; Štepec Tom; Tominc Martin; Veider Edward; Vogel MaryAnn; Vogel Tony, Jr.; Vrhovnik Vinko; Zalar Frank, Jr.; Žalik Elizabeta; Žnidaršič Thomas; Žnidaršič, Joe. Nadzorni odbor: Kmetic Viktor, Sršen John; . Zalar Frank. Razsodišče: Košir Joseph; Štepec ii Tom; Urankar Frank. ST. ANNE’S LODGE #4 AMLA President; Emilee Jenko; 1st Vice President: Madeline Debevec; 2na Vice President: Stane Kuhar; Secretary: Lillian B. Novak (440) 238-9291; Treasurer: Dolores Krause; Recording Secretary: Louis Zigmund; 1st Auditor; Ann Opeka; 2nd Auditor: Dorothy Stanonik. Meetings every first Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. in the Slovenian Room of St. Vitus Village. SLOVENSKI DOM No. 6 AMLA 5 President: Joe Petrie; Vice President: Walter Frank; Secretary-Treasurer: Theresa Aveni; Recording Secretary: Lillian Pugel; Audit Chairman: Janice Verch; Auditors Elsie Frank, Dorothy Lamm, Coordinator: Elsie Frank, Josephine Markatos; News articles: Joe Petrie. KRAS No. 8 President: Vida Zak; Vice President: Celeste Frollo: Secretary / Treasurer: Anton Lavrisha, 1076 E. 176 St., (216) 531-3413, meti@aol.com; Recording Sec.: Sophie Matuch. Meetings the second Thursday of the month at' 7 p.m., at Slovenian Home on Holmes Avenue in Cleveland except July and August. AMLA LODGE CLEVELAND No. 9 President: James Pavlik; 1“ Vice President: Robert Menart; Secretary: Patricia Amigoni, 21051 Arbor Ave., Euclid, OH 44123 Ph: (216) 531-8468; Recording Secy.: Gertrude Menart; Audit. Chm.: Gertrude Menart; Auditor: Ana Mihelich; F.A.C. Coordinator: Gertrude Menart; F.A.C. Jr. Coordinator: Robert Menart; Lodge Reporter: Albert Amigoni; Lodge Contact: Patricia Amigoni. Meetings First Sunday, 11 a.m. in AMLA Home Office. LODGE RIBNICA No. 12 AMLA President: James E. Czeck; Vice President: Vincent F. Ilacqua; Secretary-Treasurer: Carole Czeck; Recording Secretary: Gina Ilacqua; President Auditing Committee: Jaime Lončar; Is' Auditor: Lillian Bratina, 2nd Auditor: Philip J. Yan, Sr.; F.A.C. Coordinator: James E. Czeck; Lodge Reporter: Carole Czeck/James Czeck. Meetings Sundays July 16, Oct. 15, and Dec. 17 at, 1:30 p.m. 988 Talmadge Ave. ST. MARY’S SENIORS Spiritual Director: Rev. John Kumse; President: Zora Kocin; Vice President: Elsie Jacobs; Secretary: Mary Zimperman; Treasurer: John Spilar. Meetings are held every l“ Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in St. Mary’s School. For particulars and membership call Zora Kocin at (216) 289-0467. FOR Freedom AND Justice Ameriška Domovina —.. AMERICAN IN SPIRIT SLOVENIAN FOREIGN IN LANGUAGE ONLY MORNING NEWSPAPER AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA (USPS 024100) Thursday, February 8, 2007 - Vesti iz Slovenije - Liberalno demokratska stranka (LDS) dejansko v razsulu Na kongresu LDS, ki je bil 27. januarja, so poskušali ohraniti to stranko, ki je kar dvanajst let imela oblast v državi. Zdaj je zelo oslabljena, pravzaprav v razsulu. Na kongresu so se soočili samo z možnostmi za njeno preobrazbo in nadaljnji obstoj ali pa za ukinitev in s tem za izginotje iz slovenske politike. Prihaja čas, ko bodo v Sloveniji morda ustanovili novo stranko, ki bi čez čas utegnila nasprotovati koaliciji Janeza Janše, ki ima sedaj oblast v državi. Iz LDS so medtem izstopili nekateri znani funkcionarji v Ljubljani. Med temi nekdanja županja in soustanoviteljica stranke Vika Potočnik in poslanec Matej Lahovnik, poimenovan tudi kot “čudežni deček slovenske politike. Vika Potočnik je ob izstopu iz LDS dejala, “da je Slovenija za mnoge iz LDS bila le pladenj, s katerega so samo jemali in odnašali”. Janez Janša na vrhu lestvice stotih n^jbo(j vplivnih Slovencev v letu 2007 - Njegova vlada uživa trenutno kar večinsko podporo V zadnji javnomnenjski anketi, ki jo je opravil časnik Dnevnik, je 51.7% vprašanih delo Janševe vlade ocenilo kot uspešno. Šeststo slovenskih vojakov za zavarovanje miru na Kosovu Ena izmed najbolje usposobljenih in znanih enot Slovenske vojske, deseti motorizirani bataljon, bo kmalu odpotoval na Kosovo, kjer bo sodeloval pri ohranjanju miru in reda. V njem je okoli 600 pripadnikov. To bo prva operacija Slovenske vojske v tujini, kjer bo enota lahko delovala brez nacionalnih omejitev, kar pomeni, da bodo slovenski vojaki lahko posredovali tudi ob morebitnih množičnih nemirih, česar v prejšnjih misijah niso smeli. Ker je napetost na Kosovu med srbsko manjšino in albansko večino na višku - EU predlaga za provinco skoro dejansko neodvisnost -, možnost nemirov nikakor ni izključena. Deseti bataljon bo deloval v sestavi namenskih sil v Peči, ki jim poveljuje italijanski general. Kadilci v Sloveniji predstavljajo skoro četrtino vsega odraslega prebivalstva V Sloveniji ob začetku vsakega novega leta sestavljajo spiske oz. lestvice najbolj vplivnih osebnosti na raznih področjih. Pred leti se je na prvo mesto najbolj znanih in uglednih posameznikov skoraj redno uvrstil bivši predsednik države Milan Kučan. Tedenski magazin Mag je objavil lestvico najbolj vplivnih Slovencev v letu 2007. Časnikarji in uredniki so že tretje leto menili, da to mesto pripada Janezu Janši. Po moči drugi v Sloveniji pa je finančni minister Andrej Bajuk, sledita mu ministra za zunanje zadeve in javno upravo, Dimitrij Rupel in Gregor Virant, najvplivnejši gospodarstvenik v državi pa naj bi bil predsednik uprave Istrabenz, Igor Bavčar. Evropska komisija se pripravlja na baje močne omejitve kajenja v javnih stavbah v vseh članicah EU, torej vključno v Sloveniji. Ne gre pri tem samo za varovanje zdravja kadilcev oz. uporabnikov tobaka, marveč tudi zdravja nekadilcev. V zvezi s tem nameravanim ukrepom so pri komisiji zbrali podatke o kadilcih v državah EU. Podatki kažejo, da je največji odstotek kadilcev med odraslim prebivalstvom v Grčiji (37,6%), najmanj - in to daleč najmanj - na Švedskem (17,5%). V Sloveniji predstavljajo kadilci 23,7 odstotka odraslega prebivalstva, cigarete so sorazmerno precej poceni v državi (daleč najdražji v Veliki Britaniji. TROJNO PREDSEDOVANJE EVROPSKI ZVEZI VELIKO OBETA - Sl. januarjem 2007 je prevzela predsedovanje EU za šest mesecev Nemčija. S 1. julijem ji bo sledila Portugalska, s 1. januarjem in nato do 20. junija 2008 bo pa na vrsti Slovenija. Dne 17. januarja je v Strasbourgu na sedežu evropskega parlamenta potekala predstavitev skupnega leto in pol dolgega predsedovanja Nemčije, Portugalske in Slovenije. Gre za novost, ki bo - tako predvidevajo - omogočala kontinuiteto pri izvajanju pomembnejših projektov iz enega polletja v drugega, posebej za Slovenijo pa naj pomeni odlično priložnost za nabiranje izkušenj. Zato je premier Janez Janša iniciativo pohvalil in poudaril večjo učinkovitost, ki bo iz tega izhajala. Na fotografiji so Janša, nemška kanclerka Angela Merkel in portugalski primer Jose Socrates. Iz Clevelanda in okolice Koncert in razstava— Danes, 8. februar, je v Sloveniji Prešernov dan, največji kulturni praznik. Tu v Clevelandu bo pa to nedeljo, 11. febr., v SND na St. Clairju program slovenske kulture, na katerem bo sodelovalo več naših lokalnih umetnikov, prav tako bo na ogled razstava umetniških del. Slednja bo sicer na ogled tudi od 17. do 21. febr. pred dvorano župnije Marije Vnebovzete. To nedeljo zvečer ob 7h ste pa vabljeni v SND; vstop je prost. (Gl. str. 12) Novi grobovi Anna A. Skebe Stanley G. Skebe Umrla je Anna A. Skebe, rojena Urankar 1. maja 1927 v Clevelandu, vdova po Stanleyju, mati Jeffreyja, Stanleyja, Gerarda, Marianne Rohwer in že pok. Mary, 1-krat stara mati, sestra Mary Aucin in Frances Vidmar, članica SŽZ št. 50, KSKJ št. 169, Kluba upokojencev na Holmes Ave. in več drugih organizacij. Pogreb je bil 5. febr. v oskrbi zavoda Brickman-Dona-to s sv. mašo v cerkvi sv. Paskala Bajlonskega Umrl je Stanley G. Skebe, rojen 15. oktobra 1924 v Clevelandu, vdovec po Anne, roj. Urankar, oče Jeffreyja, Stanleyja, Gerarda, Marianne Rohwer in že pok. Mary, 1-krat stari oče, brat Daniele Isakson, Mary Long in Frances Hočevar, veteran 2. svetovne vojne, v kateri je služil v ameriški mornarici, član dr. sv. Jožefa št. 169 KSKJ in Kluba upokojencev na Holmes Ave., vneto se je zanimal za svojo slovensko dediščino. Podatki o pogrebu so isti kot za svojo ženo. Tony Godina Umrl je 82 let stari Tony Godina, vdovec po Millie, roj. Kramar, oče Marka, Garyja in Candice Moore, 5-krat stari oče, 3-krat prastari oče, bratranec Vincenta Godina. Pogreb je bil v oskrbi Želetovega zavoda s kropljenjem v sredo 7. februarja. Družiina priporoča darove v pokojnikov spomin Hospice of the Western Reserve, 300 E. 185 St., Cleveland, OH 44119, ali pa za Club Room pri SDD na Recherjevi ulici v Euclidu. Sodnik Ted Klammer— To nedeljo bo po sv. maši, ki se pri sv. Vidu prične ob 9h dop., v farnem avditoriju govoril sodnik iz okraja Lake Ted Klammer in to o zakonih, ki se tičejo zapuščinskih zadev. Ta govor bo gotovo hkrati zanimivo in koristno. Javnost je vabljena, vstop je seveda prost. Maša za Rev. Černeta— V soboto, 17. februarja, bo v cerkvi sv. Pavla na Chardon Rd. ob 8. uri zjutraj spominska sv. maša za Rev. Jožeta Černeta, ki je umrl zelo mlad pred nedavnim v Los Angelesu, Kalif. Krofi in rezanci— To soboto ima Oltarno društvo pri sv. Vidu prodajo domačih krofov in rezancev, to ob običajnem času v društveni sobi farnega avditorija. Pridite! Popravek in opravičilo— V “Zahvali” za go. Marijo Rantaso, ki je bila objavljena pretekli teden, je bil pomotoma po naši odgovornosti izpuščen stavek, v katerem se svojci pokojne zahvaljujejo č.g. Jožetu Bo-žnarju za vso njegovo izredno skrb in sočustvoivanje za go. Rantaso. Za napako se iskeno opravičujemo. Na letni seji SND— Preteklo nedeljo popoldne je bila letna seja lastnikov certifikatov SND na St. i Clairju. Potekala je brezhibno ob spodbujajočih poročilih o uspešnem delovanju. Na volitvah ob koncu so bili vsi dosedanji direktorji, ki jim je bil mandat končal, zopet potrjeni in sicer: Michael Japel, Slyvia Ply-messer, Lawrence Hočevar, David Hočevar, Marjanca Hočevar, Jeff Zabukovec in Heather Davidson Kosilo Slov. šole sv. Vida— Kosilo bo v nedeljo, 25. februarja v šolski dvorani s serviranjem od 11. dop. do 1. pop. Cena za odrasle je $12, za otroke $6, nakaznice imajo starši učencev, dobile se bodo pri vhodu na dan kosila. Podpora Am. domovini— ' G. Daniel J. Hrvatin je podaril $200 v podporo našemu listu Klub upokojencev na Holmes Ave. je daroval $100. Balincarski klub pri SDD na Waterloo Rd. pa je daroval $20. Tem darovalcem in vsem ostalim gre naša iskrena hvala! Mons. FRANCI PETRIČ Ljubljana S srcem vedno v Sloveniji 90 let dr. Milana Pavlovčiča iz Clevelanda V nedeljo, 21. januarja, je praznoval osebni jubilej dr. Milan Pavlovčič, ugleden kulturni delavec v slovenski skupnosti v Clevelandu. :o Ko smo pred nekaj leti predstavili dejavnost dr. Milana Pavlovčiča v slovenski oddaji clevelandske državne univerze WCSB je za Družino izjavil: “Ves čas sem živel v Slovenijo. Tole življenje tu je bilo le ’gostovanje’. Zelo sem hvaležen, da sem po vseh peripatijah prišel sem v Ameriko. Tu sem se vživel, čeprav je slovensko okolje že precej ’zvodenelo’. S srcem pa sem še vedno v Sloveniji.” Pokončnost, zvestoba slovenstvu in narodni kulturi je tisto, kar dr. Pavlovčiča uvršča med tiste odlične Slovence v svetu, na katere smo lahko v domovini upravičeno ponosni, čeprav pri tem lahko z bridkostjo pomislimo, kaj bi ljudje s takimi kulturniško obarvanimi talenti lako naredili šele v domovini, če se jim ta ne bi odrekla ob koncu vojne. Milem Pavlovčič se je rodil 21. januarja leta 1917 na Brezovici pri Ljubljani očetu fotografu Jakobu in gospodinji Mariji, roj. Udovč. Po končani osnovni šoli je bil na ljubljanski klasični gimnaziji deležen temeljite izobrazbe, šolanje je nadaljeval na pravni fakulteti. kjer je 5. julija 1941 doktoriral, nato pa nastopil na sodišču kot notarski pripravnik. Vseskozi ga je privlačilo gledališče in kulturno udejstvovanje, zato je še istega leta začel študij ' na gledališkem oddelku takratne glasbene akademije v okviru ljubljanske univerze. Direktor Ciril Debevec je uvidel njegov izjemen režiserski talent in mu sredi vojne poveril v Drami režijo Linhartove komedije Matiček se ženi. Doživela je petnajst uprizoritev. Druga svetovna vojna je kruto posegla v njegov študij, saj se Je tik pred njenim koncem zaradi groženj komunističnega dr. Milan Pavlovčič nasilja pridružil reki beguncev na Koroško, in v Italijo. V šestih letih življenja v taboriščih po Italiji je bil profesor na begunski gimnaziji in deloval v u-pravnih službah taborišč. Januarja leta 1952 se je preselil v Združene države. Našel je delo v tovarni za hidravlična tesnila v Clevelandu. Kasneje pa je do upokojitve leta 1982 delal v tovarni za barvanje strojepisnih trakov. Takoj po prihodu v Cleveland se je začel kulturno udejstvovati. Pridružil se je akademskemu klubu “Krog”, bil je soustanovitelj in član “Združenih igralcev”, deloval je v dramskem klubu “Lilija” in v slovenski šoli pri Sv. Vidu. Povezal se je z rojaki v Argentini, kjer ima sorodnike. Postal je soustanovitelj “Slovenske kulturne akcije”. Zanjo je zbral in uredil pesniško zbirko Marjana Jakopiča. Vseskozi je bil zvest član "Slovenske pristave”, pisal je za radijsko oddajo “Glas Amerike". Najbolj pa se je zapisal v srce mnogih rojakov s slovensko radijsko oddajo “Pesmi in melodije iz lepe Slovenije”, ki je bila na sporedu vsako nedeljo. Začela sta jo dr. Stane Šušteršič in Rado Menart 11. oktobra 1953. Z njima je dr. Pavlovčič sodeloval vse od začetka. Po odhodu dr. Šušteršiča v Washington je vse breme oddaj padlo nanj. Kasneje mu je pri delu pomagal tudi sin Mitja, tiho in neopazno pa tudi soproga Barbara. Iz te oddaje so v času njegovega vodenja dihali slovensko življenje, slovenska kultura in slovenska zemlja, ob spremljanju svetnega in cerkvenega leta, običajev in praznikov. Dr. Milana Pavlovčiča je oblikovala katoliška vzgoja, ki jo je dobival v družini in katoliških organizacijah. Od vsega začetka se je pridružil gibanju za slovensko državo (Ehrlich, Žebot, Jur-čec, Dolinar, Jeza,...). Ta ideja je bila ves čas osnova njegovega narodnopolitičnega delovanja. Bil je podpisnik “Majniške deklaracije 1989", od katere sta, kot večkrat poudari, danes uresničeni le samostojnost in neodvisnost Slovenije. Ni pa še uresničena demokratizacija vsega slovenskega življenja. Tudi ni duha in volje za popravo neznanskih krivic, ki jih je zagrešila revolucija. Sloveniji je potrebna dekomunizacija, kakor Je bila zahodni Nemčiji potrebna denaci-fikacija, večkrat ponavlja. Ob vsej predanosti slovenski besedi, slovenskemu slovstvu in gledališču se je dr. Pavlovčič ves čas zanimal tudi za slovensko glasbo in likovno umetnost ter za slovensko kulturo v najširšem pomenu te besede. Njegovo zavzetost za likovno umetnost izpričuje njegova umetniška zbirka, ki predstavlja predvsem emi- ED MEJAČ RDC Program Dif&tor Son8i Melodies SSL”, WCSB 84.3 FM radio hours: I jun Wednoday 6-7 pm from Beautiful Slovenila ?40S ^ / sknmnum Radio Homily Willoughby Hilta-OH 44094 440-J5 J-1709 m/mx WU: www.wcib.org Generalni konzulat Republike Slovenije v Clevelandu pripravlja v februarju, slovenskem mesecu kulture, KONCERT IN RAZSTAVO V IZVEDBI SLOVENSKIH ROJAKOV IZ CLEVELANDA IN OKOLICE V kulturnem programu bodo sodelovali: Kvartet saksofonov (Phil Hrvatin, Janez Nemec, Martin in Dušan Maršič) Joey Štepec (violina) - Ed Ferrazzoli (klavir) Johnny Sršen (klavir, kitara, vokal) Richie Celestina (klavir, vokal) John Jakomin, J. J. Žakelj, David Cup, Andrej Mejak, Joe Valenčič (branje angleške poezije) ih drugi. Program bo tudi letos z branjem slovenske poezije in proze povezoval generalni konzul dr. Zvone Žigon. Koncert bo v nedeljo, 11. februarja, ob 7. uri zvečer v Slovenskem narodnem domu na St. Clair Ave. Pred in po koncertu bo na ogled razstava slik, fotografij in skulptur 25 slovenskih ustvarjalcev iz Clevelanda in okolice. Razstava bo nato od 17. do 21. februarja na ogled tudi pred dvorano slovenske župnije Marije Vnebovzete. PROST VSTOP, po koncertu možnost osvežitve v baru. grantske slikarje in kiparje. Njegovo ljubezen do slovenske glasbene umetnosti pa so izpričevale posebej njegove radijske oddaje. Za vsem tem pa stoji neopazno, a vedno pozorno in zvesto njegova soproga Barbara, roj. Hren, s katero se je po- ročil leta 1961. V skladnem družinskem življenju, kjer se prepletajo molitev, delo, branje, glasba, tudi danes najde čas za Družino in jo vestno prebira. Svojemu zvestemu bralcu zato vošči vse najboljše tudi Družina. DR U Ž I N A 28. januarja 2007 SEN O VRNITVI Koncert ob 85. obletnici skladatelja p. dr. Ve n deli na Špendova Mešani pevski zbor Lipnica je rojaku p. dr. Vendelinu Špendovu ob njegovi visoki obletnici pripravil niz koncertov z njegovimi skladbami. O Ljubljana - Sen o vrnitvi so pevci iz Kamne gorice in okolice naslovili koncertni program v spomin duhovniku, skladatelju in dirigentu p. dr. Vendelinu. Kratko slovensko mašo, ki jo je napi-sal leta 1967, skladbe Spevi najlepši, Materam (na besedilo Ksaverja Meška). Sen o vrnitvi (na besedilo Franceta Balantiča) ter venček slovenskih narodnih je mešani zbor Lipnica pod vodstvom zborovodje Slavka Mežka izvajal trikrat: v cerkvi v Srednji Dobravi (12. decembra), v domu krajanov Kamna Gorica (22. decembra) in v frančiškanski cerkvi v Ljubljani (7. januarja). “Bendelnov Franci”, kot p. Vendelina kličejo najstarejši vaščani Spodnje Dobrave, kjer Je preživljal otroštvo in zgodnjo mladost. Je ljubezen do glasbe podedoval od očeta. Z osemnajstimi leti je stopil v frančiškanski red in bil 1. 1947 v lateranski baziliki v Rimu posve-če. Kmalu po novi maši je odšel v ZDA, kjer živi in ustvarja še danes. Glasbo je študiral v Chicagu, leta 1971 pa je kot drugi Slovenec doktoriral na Papeškem inštitutu za cerkveno glasbo v Rimu z disertacijo Slovenska orgelska glasba. “Glasba je del mojega življenja, z glasbo pridigam. Glasba odpira srca, vsak jo razume, če je iskrena,” Je povedal v pogovoru za Družino ob zadnjem obisku v Sloveniji (poleti leta 2004). P. Vendelin je v Chicagu vodil cerkveni zbor, (1>ALJE na str. 14) SLOVENIJA v letu 2006 Pregled dogodkov AVGUST Križnar v zaporu V začetku avgusta se je agonija z nakupom operacijskih miz, ki je trajala nekaj mesecev, končno razpletla. Minister Andrej Bručan se je namreč na podlagi sprememb zakona o javnih razpisih, ki jih je le malo pred tem sprejel državni zbor (slednje so po novem določale, da se lahko postopek javnega naročanja nadaljuje kljub reviziji, če je ogroženo zdravje ljudi), odločil, da bo pogodbo s podjetjem Soča podpisal, še preden bodo končani vsi revizijski postopki. Pogodba med ministrstvom in Sočo je bila podpisana 4. avgusta, v njej pa se je podjetje obvezalo, da bo vse mize dobavilo najpozneje do konca oktobra. Medtem ko so se bolniki in zdravniki veselili novih miz, tega ne bi mogli trditi za slovenskega popotnika in humanitarnega delavca Toma Križnarja, ki je že od sredine julija sedel v e-nem od sudanskih zaporov. Križnar se je tam znašel, potem ko je kot posebni odposlanec Janeza Drnovška brez potrebnega vizuma prečkal čad-sko-sudansko mejo. Ker Je Drnovšek Križnarja v Čad poslal brez vednosti parlamenta in vlade, je vlada Drnovška očitala neusklajeno in škodljivo zunanjepolitične delovanje, Drnovšek pa ji je vrnil z očitki, da vlada za Kri-žnarjevo izpustitev naredi premalo. Konec primera Petek Avgusta so v negativni luči zablestela tudi slovenska sodišča. Tako je Višje sodišče v Mariboru vsem vpletenim v primer napada na Mira Petka izdalo razsodbo v tej zadevi, njena vsebina pa je prišla v javnost že vsaj dva tedna prej. V razsodbi Je sodišče potrdilo sodbo nižjega sodišča, s katero je to vse obtožene za napad na Petka spoznalo za nedolžne. Razsodbo so nekateri označili za triumf pravne države, večina pa se je nad njo zgražala. Za novo presenečenje je konec meseca poskrbelo še Višje sodišče v Ljubljani, ki je po dveh mesecih odločanja odločilo, da preiskave v primeru Mitje Ribičiča ne bo, s čimer je primer za zdaj končan. Mesec smo si zapomnili še po napovedi LDS, da bo po parlamentarnih počitnicah v parlament vložila nedoločeno število interpelacij, in odločitvi Franceta Cukjatija, da bodo lokalne volitve 22. oktobra. SEPTEMBER Predvolilni golaž Začetek meseca je zaznamovala izpustitev Drnovškovega odposlanca Toma Križnarja iz sudanskega zapora, za kar pa je bilo potrebnih veliko diplomatskih naporov. Hkrati je bilo na zunanjepolitičnem področju še vedno vroče zaradi že tradicionalnih zapletov s Hrvaško glede meje v Istri, kasneje pa se je nevarno zapletlo na Hotizi, kamor so zaradi enostranskih hrvaških posegov na območju ob Muri prišle posebne policijske enote. Svoj lonček je postavil tudi koroški deželni glavar Jorg Haider, ki je napovedal, da bo Koroška odslej enojezična, s čimer se je začela intenzivna akcija odstranjevanja dvojezičnih krajevnih tabel na Koroškem. Začetek volilne kampanje September je bil zaradi bližajočih se lokalnih volitev predvolilno obarvan, saj se je začela intenzivna predvolilna kampanja. Najbolj vroče je bilo v Ljubljani, kjer so ankete najbolje kazale nekdanjemu direktorju Mercatorja in znanemu tranzicj iškemu tajkunu Zoranu Jankoviču, ki je svojo kampanjo začel že poleti. Njegov najresnejši tekmec je bil dr. France Arhar, nekdanji guverner Banke Slovenije, medtem ko so ankete slabše kazale dosedanji županji Danici Simšič pa tudi kandidatu LDS dr. Jožefu Kuniču. Za slednjega je LDS celo zahtevala, naj časopis Delo objavi intervju (DALJE na str. 14) Zelena V Štajerska (Styria) Nadaljujemo s prikazom nekaterih najvažnejših značilonosti slovenskih pokrajin, kot so bile na kratko prikazane na enem izmed praznovanj stoletnice župnije Marije Vnebovzete v Clevelandu, Ohio, dne 22. oktobra 2006. WILLOUGHBY HILLS, OH.-Nikjer v Sloveniji ne manjka zelenja, vendar se je prav Štajerske prijelo ime “Zelena Štajerska.” Zeleni so seveda njeni čudoviti gozdovi na Kozjaku, Pohorju, Boču, Donački gori in drugod, zeleni njeni travniki na Dravskem in Ptujskem polju in kot smaragd zelena čudovita Logarska dolina in vsa Savinjska dolina, kjer je bila v Ljubnu doma babica slovitih drsalcev Erika in Beth Hei-den, v Rečici pa ustanoviteljica Slovenske ženske zveze in ena najbolj zaslužnih Slovenk v Ameriki Marija Prisland. Štajerska je največja pokrajina severovzhodne Slovenije. Na severu meji na za Slovenijo rešeni delček slovenske Koroške (z zgodovinskimi kraji Slovenj Gradec in Prevalje, industrijskim železarskim mestom Ravne in rudarsko Mežico) in na Avstrijo, na severovzhodu na Prekmurje, na jugovzhodu na Hrvaško, na jugu in jugozapadu pa na Dolenjsko in Gorenjsko. Statistični urad Republike Slovenije navaja v poročilu za leto 2005 naslednje podatke za število prebivalcev v največjih štajerskih mestih: Maribor, ki je tudi drugo največje mesto v Sloveniji, 145.768; Celje, ki je bilo do nedavnega drugo največje spodnještajersko mesto, se je s številom 63.074 pomaknilo na tretje mesto, na drugem pa se zdaj prvič pojavi Ptuj, ki šteje 69.171. Sledijo: Velenje (45.104), Žalec (40.328), Slovenska Bistrica (34.345) in Gornja Radgona (20.649). Ker je velik del Štajerske, z glavnim mestom Gradec (Graz) pod nemško govorečo Avstrijo, ločimo med avstrijsko Zgornjo Štajersko in slovensko Spodnjo Štajersko, ki ji je posvečen ta članek. Skozi Maribor in Ptuj teče reka Drava, znana po splavarjih, ki so po njej na splavih tovorili les vse do reke Donave in po slednji do Beograda in še dalje na jug. Zadnje čase pa Drava poganja tudi modeme elektrarne, kot npr. v Fali. Iz Savinjske doline priteče skozi Celje reka Savinja. Med manjšimi rekami so Voglajna, Dravinja na Dravskem polju in Sotla, ki po njej poteka del državne meje med Slovenijo in Hrvaško. Čeprav Štajerska polagoma prehaja v Panonsko nižino, se vendar na zapadu ponaša tudi s Savinjskimi Alpami, bolj vzhodno pa z grebeni Kozjaka in Pohorja (znanega tudi po smučarskih tekmah), s Konjiško goro, Bočem in Donačko goro in gričastimi vinorodnimi Slovenskimi goricami in Halozami ter Kozjanskim hribovjem. Res, pestra in prelepa dežela! Najpomembnejša stara zgodovinska slovenska štajerska mesta, z bogatimi muzeji, so Ptuj (znan že v Rimskih časih kot Poetovio), ki je dobil mestne pravice v letu 1250 ih je najstarejše slovensko mesto; ter Celje (rimska Celeia), znano po slovitih celjskih grofih (1341-1456) in grbu treh zvezdic, ki so vključene v grb Republike Slovenije. Slovenski Celjan je humanist Brikcij Preprost (Briccius de Cilia), ki je bil v petnajstem stoletju trikrat izvoljen za rektorja dunajske univerze in je tudi prvi dobil naziv “rector magnificus”. Od leta 2006 pa je Celje tudi sedež novoustanovljene škofije pod vodstvom znanega filozofa in teologa dr. Antona Stresa, doma izpod Donačke gore v dekaniji Rogatec. Prestolnica slovenske Štajerske je Maribor, ki je uradno postal mesto leta 1254 (ali štiri leta pozneje kot Ptuj) in so mu Avstrijci skozi stoletja vsiljevah ime Marburg an Drau (kot je moralo biti Celje znano pod nemškim imenom Cilli in Ptuj kot Pettau). Pred ponemčenjem sta rešila Maribor in velik del Spodnje Štajerske predvsem veliki štajerski rodoljub s Ponikve, vzgojitelj evropskega slovesa, skromni ljudski pesnik in vodilna osebnost evropskega ekumenskega gibanja, blaženi Anton Martin Slomšek (1800-1862), ki je leta 1859 tja prenesel sedež lavantinske škofije, in pesnik ter odločni in zmožni general Rudolf Maister (1874-1934), doma iz Kamnika na Kranjskem, ki je po prvi svetovni vojni s svojimi prostovoljci, Maistrovimi borci, zasedel mesto in rešil za Slovenijo ozemlje od Dravograda do Radgone. Maribor je postal verski, gospodarski, politični in kulturni sedež slovenske Štajerske, kjer od leta 1975 deluje tudi druga največja slovenska univerza. Ponaša se še z najstarejšo trto na svetu, ki je stara že nad 400 let in še vedno bogato rodi. V bližini Celja je Laško, znano po toplicah in laškem pivu, kakor je Savinjska dolina, zlasti Žalec, znana po hmelju. Logarska dolina je ena najlepših dolin v Evropi. Med štajerskimi zdravilišči so znana zlasti Dobrna ter Rogaška Slatina in Slatina Radenci, ki slovita po odlični zdravilni in namizni mineralni vodi, ter Rimske Toplice in Atomske toplice v Podčetrtku. Štajerska, zlasti Podravje, Slovenske gorice, Haloze in Prlekija, prideluje odlična vina (beli renski in laški rizling, rdeči traminec, rumeni muškat, šipon, jeruzalemčan in radgonski biser). Rudarsko in industrijsko Velenje v Šaleški dolini je štajersko mesto, ki se je razvilo kot rudarsko in industrijsko središče predvsem po drugi svetovni vojni in ga je Tito “gojil” in uporabljal v komunistične propagandne namene, saj se je pod njim uradno imenovalo Titovo Velenje. V bližnjem Šoštanju je velika termo elektrarna, v Tržišču pri Rogaški Slatini pa ena največjih steklarn, ki po vsem svetu slovi po svojem kristalu. Del Štajerske je tudi Prlekija, znana nele po svojem značilnem narečju in dobrih in duhovitih Prlekih, amapk tudi po odličnih vinih, umnem poljedelstvu, velikih nasadih čebule (luka) in sladkorne pese in po konjskih dirkah. Središče Prlekije je Ljutomer (18.021 prebivalcev), kjer je bil leta 1868 prvi slovenski narodni tabor, ki se ga je udeležilo okrog 10.000 zavednih slovenskih rodoljubov. Tam je bil rojen dr. Franc Miklošič (1821-1901), kije kot profesor in rektor dunajske univerze slovel kot največji jezikoslovec v takratni Evropi. Iz (DALJE na str. 15) SLOVENIJA v letu 2006 (NADALJEVANJE s str. 13) z njim (podobno kot z Jankovičem, Arharjem in Simšičevo), vendar se uredništvo ni uklonilo političnemu pritisku. V Kopru je najbolje kazalo “staremu” županu Borisu Popoviču, v Mariboru pa Gregorju Pivcu. Vsekakor je bilo težišče volitev na mestnih občinah. V tem času je imela SDS svoj festival v Izoli. Med drugimi dogodki velja omeniti izkop grobišča Konfln pri Grčaricah, kjer so zakopane žrtve povojnih pobojev, pa tudi vložitev interpelacije proti ministru za kulturo Vas-ku Simonitiju. Začeli so se tudi napadi predsednika države Janeza Drnovška na vlado, ki mu ni odobrila novih sredstev za njegovo delovanje, zaradi česar je protestno odpovedal svoj obisk v Španiji. OKTOBER Spopad za občine Oktobra je predvolilna kampanja dosegla vrhunec. V tem času so namreč prišle na dan Jankovičeve nečednosti iz časa, ko je vodil Mercator, saj se je pokazalo, da sta bila njegova sinova v poslih z Mercatorjem v privilegiranem položaju, polega tega je Jankovič ob razrešitvi z mesta predsednika uprave Mercatorja prejel odpravnino v višini skoraj sto milijonov tolarjev, po zamenjavi pa je še pol leta prejemal tudi plačo. Kljub temu (ali pa prav zaradi tega) je Jankovič na lokalnih volitvah 22. oktobra premočno zmagal že v prvem krogu in tako pometal z drugimi županskimi kandidati. Posebej pa je presenetila njegova lista.saj je dobila več kot polovico sedežev v ljubljanskem mestnem svetu. Pri tem Je LDS doživela pravo polomijo, kar pa niti ni bilo presenečenje glede na to, da Je imela v zadnjem času velike težave. Poleg tega je več vidnejših članov ljubljanske LDS kandidiralo na Jankovičevi listi. V Kopru je zmagal Boris Popovič, v Celju pa Bojan Šrot. Največja poraženka volitev je bila LDS, saj je ogromno iz- gubila, nič bolje pa se ni zgodilo SD, ki je izgubila župana v Ljubljani in Mariboru. S tem pa se volitve še niso končale, saj je kar nekaj županskih kandidatov čakalo na drugi krog, pri čemer so bila izpostavljena mesta Tržič, Kranj, Maribor, Novo mesto, Izola, Piran ... Boljše stanje v medijih Oktobra je bilo vroče tudi na področju medijev, saj je LDS začela stopnjevati javnomnenjski pritisk na ministra za kulturo Vaška Simonitija zaradi zakona o RTV in njegovih posledic. Da stanje medijev ni tako zaskrbljivo, kot ga prikazuje LDS, je dokazalo pregledno poročilo o stanju slovenskih medijev, ki ga je izdelal inštitut IRSA, pa tudi javnomnenjske ankete so pokazale, da mediji poročajo bolj objektivno kot prej. Prišlo je tudi do zamenjave v uredništvu Mladine, kjer je dotedanjega urednika Janija Severja zamenjal nekdanji Delov novinar Grega Re-povž, predsednik Društva novinarjev Slovenije. NOVEMBER Srhljivka v Izoli V novembru so se spopadli županski kandidati, ki so se uvrstili v drugi krog, pri tem pa je prišlo do več presenečenj. V Mariboru je Franc Kangler premagal Gregorja Pivca, čeprav je slednji vodil po prvem krogu (pred tem so o obeh kandidatih krožile različne anonimke), v Tržiču pa je Borut Sajovic iz LDS premagal Pavla Ruparja, ki je pred tem odstopil z mesta poslanca državnega zbora. V Novem mestu Je zmagal Alojz Muhič, v Piranu Tomaž Gantar, zapletlo pa se je v Izoli, kjer je prišlo skoraj do izenačenja glasov dosedanje županje Brede Pečan in njenega protikandidata Tomislava Klokočovnika. Pokazalo se je namreč, da je pri štetju glasov prišlo do več nepravilnosti, saj je bil med drugim v volilni komisiji mož Brede Pečan. Zaradi tega je prišlo do protesta in celo na- pada z molotovko, za katero so mediji zapisali, da je pristala na sedežu SD, vendar se je pokazalo, da je pristala tam, kjer imajo sedež občinski odbori vseh strank v Izoli, še najbliže kraju napada pa je bila pisarna OO SDS Izola. Začele pa so se tudi priprave na predsedniške volitve v letu 2007, saj je svojo kandidaturo napovedal evropski poslanec Lojze Peterle. Ciganski golaž Novembra je počilo v Ambrusu, kjer so se vaščani razburili zaradi fizičnega napada na enega od krajanov. Za napad naj bi bil odgovoren človek, ki je živel med tamkajšnjimi Romi, natančneje pri družini Strojan, ki naj bi se precej ukvarjala s kriminalom in naj bi že kar nekaj let sejala strah in trepet med prebivalci okoliških vasi. Na prošnje krajanov Ambrusa za posredovanje se varuh človekovih pravic Matjaž Hanžek ni odzval in ni obiskal kraja, kjer je prišlo do napadov, po preselitvi družine Strojan v Postojno pa je napadel vlado. V tem času je LDS vložila še eno interpelacijo in sicer proti ministru za zdravje Andreju Bručanu, SNS pa je vložila predlog interpelacije proti ministru za delo, družino in socialne zadeve Janezu Drobniču, vendar po nepotrebnem, saj je Drobničev odstop zahteval Janša. Ker ga ni dosegel, je državnemu zboru predlagal, naj Drobniča razreši, in to se je tudi zgodilo. DECEMBER Novi pretresi v LDS Potem ko Je državni zbor razrešil ministra Drobniča, je na njegovo mesto imenoval Marjeto Cotman, dosedanjo državno sekretarko na ministrstvu za delo, družino in socialne zadeve, Janez Drobnič pa se Je vrnil v poslanske klopi (od poslanskega sedeža pa se Je poslovil Franc Capuder). Uspešno sta interpelacijo odbila ministra Vaško Simoniti in Andrej Bručan, ki pa si je kmalu prislužil nove kritike opozicije zaradi domnevnega izbora zasebnega helikopterja za reševanje in medicinsko pomoč. V državnem zboru je bil končno sprejet tudi zakon o verski svobodi, za katerega niso hoteli glasovati poslanci DeSUS, zakon pa je bil deležen tudi ostrih kritik, češ da uzakonja monopol in dodatne privilegije Katoliške cerkve. Zbudil se je tudi policijski sindikat in pripravil zborovanje na Bledu, zbrani člani pa so izžvižgali direktorja policije Jožeta Romška. Z notranjimi težavami se je morala znova spopasti Liberalna demokracija Slovenije, saj je njen poslanec Slavko Gaber zahteval odstop predsednika Jelka Kacina. Hkrati so stekle tudi priprave na januarski kongres LDS, ko bodo morda volili tudi novega predsednika. Stranko je neprijetno presenetil izstop njenega nekdanjega generalnega sekretarja Gregorja Golobiča. Z mesta varuha človekovih pravic se je poslovil Matjaž Hanžek, ime leta na Valu 202, nasledila ga je psihiatrinja Zdenda Čebašek Travnik, ki jo je predlagal Janez Drnovšek, potrdil pa državni zbor. V začetku meseca je bilo precej vroče v Ambrusu, kjer je prišlo celo do spopada med policijo in krajani, vaške straže pa so se že v novembru organizirale v drugih krajih po Sloveniji, kjer bi lahko bila morebitna nova lokacija, kamor bi se naselila romska družina Strojan. Vlada je za predsednika vladne komisije za romsko skupnost imenovala Janeza Podobnika, ki je nadomestil prejšnjega predsednika Milana Zvera. (KONEC) Sen o vrnitvi (nadaljevanje s str. 12) ki je bil tako kakovosten, da so v šestdesetih letih nastopali tudi na nacionalnem radiu in televiziji. Predvsem pa je poznan kot skladatelj. Čeprav je večina njegovih skladb še v rokopisu, pa jih je kar nekaj že natisnjenih v pesmaricah Slavimo Gospoda in v cerkveni zborovski pesmarici. Na slovenskih korih že prepevajo dve njegovi slovenski maši, spevi med berili pa so zbrani v petih zvezkih. Znan je tudi po kantatah, najbolj poznani sta Stvarniku in Turki na Slevici. “Uglasbil sem vedno le tisto, kar me je nagovorilo, kar mi je bilo všeč. Nikoli nisem sedel za klavir in si rekel: zdaj bom pa eno zložil. Za to moram imeti poseben navdih, poseben trenutek in besedilo, ki me nagovori,” je povedal za Družino p. Vendelin. Spomladi bo izšla notna zbirka Špendovih skladb, ki jih je na Jubilejnem koncertu izvajal mešani zbor Lipnica. “Dve domovini imam: Slovenijo in Ameriko,” je ob zadnjem obisku dejal p. Vendelin. “Tu imam družino, sorodnike, v Ameriki pa sem preživel dobršen del življenja. Rad se vračam domov, na Dobravo, v ta lepi kraj blizu Brzij, rad se srečam s sorodniki, prijatelji, vaščani, sobrati, ampak rad se spet vračam tudi v Ameriko. Slovenci v Ameriki me potrebujejo in Jaz potrebujem njih.” K. H. Družina, 28. Jan. 2007 Sprememba naslova Ko se selite, trajno ali začasno, ste lepo nagro-šeni, da naši pisarni posredujete tako Vaš novi naslov kakor sedanji oz. stiari. To .omogoča, da boste brez prekinitve dobivali naš, list. Nov naslriv Datum začetka: ________________________ Vaše ime: Naslov: ___________________________ ; Star (dosedanji) naslov STZ banket v Torontu TORONTO, Ont. - Slovenska telovadna zveza (STZ) je 20. januarja 2007 priredila svoj letni lovski banket v cerkveni dvorani Marije Pomagaj na Manning Ave. v Torontu. Kakor vsako leto doslej je bila kuharica Minka Hace, ki je pripravila tudi prvi “lovski banket” že leta 1955. Minka je začela s kuhanjem že v Sloveniji, v gradu Windischgratz, in nato nadaljevala v dvorani na Manningu, v Slovenskem domu na Pape Avenue, to poleg mnogih drugih klientov v Torontu. Divjačino “Caribou” je okusno pripravila Amy (Carmen) Škulj na svoj filipinski način, kakor nas pač gosti že nekaj let na STZ izletu v Bancroftu. Napovedovalka progra-ma, vodja natakaric in pozneje še loterije je bila Stephany, sicer študentka na univerzi York; pripada ji veliki del hvale za uspeh tega večera. Bar je vodil Peter Gormek. Orkester Brajda je goste odlično zabaval, kakor so pričali veseli plesalci v dejanju in pohvali. STZ se zahvali tudi Cerkvenem in Krekovem Credit Unionu, Edwardu Klemenčiču in Zephyr Data Ltd. (Peter Gormek) za finančno pomoč, s katero so krili stroške miz in večerje za otroke in mladino. Krajši nagovor je imel inž. Frank Gormek, starosta društva, ki je razložil aktivnosti STZ, se prisrčno zahvalil vsem za obisk in nato povabil g. Plazarja, da je vodil molitev pred večerjo. Inž. Jože Škulj je podaril pokale za športno-lovske aktivnosti v preteklem letu, njemu pa je dal pokal Oskar Koren, to za uspeh na Slovenija Trust farmi. Banketa so se udeležili tudi ustanovni člani STZ in sicer: Jože Škulj, Lojze Škulj, Frank in Peter Gormek, Nada Mušič, Majda Resnik, Oskar Koren in Peter Golobič. Po vsaki meri je bil banket uspešen, kajti so se prijatelji spet srečali in skupno veselili. Nada Mušič -Prijatel’s Pharmacy St. Clair & E. 68 St. 361-4212 IZDAJAMO TUDI ZDRAVILA ZA RAČUN POMOČI DRŽAVE OHIO - AID FOR THE AGED PRESCIPTIONS H It's Time for vour eve exam! J. F. OPTICAL Eye Care Specialists Eye Exams Latest in eye fashion - Contact Lenses We Welcome Your Drs. Prescription 775 E. 185th St. Eye Glasses Cleveland, OH 44119 Repaired Tel.: (216) 531-7933 (34) Zelena Štajerska (NADALJEVANJE S STR. 13} vasi Mota pri Ljutomeru izhaja goriški nadškof in prvi slovenski kardinal Jakob Missia (1838-1902), iz vasi Bučečavci nad Ljutomerom pa biblicist, strokovnjak za Prekmurje in dvakratni rektor ljubljanske univerze dr. Matija Slavič (1877-1958). V Sakošaku pri Ptuju se je rodil Slovenec Janez Puh, v svetu bolj znan kot Johann Puch (1862-1914), eden vodilnih evropskih industrialcev, ki se je uveljavil kot proizvajalec izjemno uspešnih koles in mo-toijev znamke Puch, a tudi avtomobilov in zgodnjega avstrijskega letala. V Ključarovcih pri Ormožu je bil doma duhovnik in priljubljeni pisatelj, dramatik in pesnik Ksaver Meško (1874-1964), medtem ko dr. Anton Trstenjak (1906-1996), teolog, filozof in vodilni slovenski psiholog in znanstveni pisec, izhaja iz vasi Rodmošci pri Gornji Radgoni. Opozorimo še na duhovnika in vodilnega slovenskega politika, zlasti še med obema svetovnima vojnama, dr. Antona Korošca (1872-1940), rojenega v Biserjanih pri Sv. Juriju ob Ščanvnici, od koder je bil doma tudi Edvard Kocbek (1904-1981), dober slovenski pesnik in naiven in slab ideolog in politik. Pri drugem Sv. Juriju, v Šentjurju pri Celju, pa so bili doma plodni slovenski skladatelji Benjamin Ipavec (1828-1908), njegov brat Gustav Ipavec (1831-1921) in Gustavov sin Josip Ipavec (1873-1921). Iz Šentjurja izhaja tudi mednarodno znani strokovnjak v elektroniki in izredno zaslužni častni generalni konzul Republike Slovenije v .Sydneyu, Avstraliji, Alfred Brežnik. Štajerska je poljedelsko najbolj plodna slovenska pokrajina. Podobno kot Koroško je Avstrija tudi Štajersko skušala ponemčiti - z naseljevanjem nemško govorečih Avstrijcev, z nemškim šolstvom in pohtičnimi in gospodarskimi pritiski, zlasti še na mesta Maribor, Celje in Ptuj. Po nemški zasedbi Spodnje Štajerske je aprila leta 1941 v Mariboru takrat še “nepremagljivi” nacistični diktator Hitler ukazal: “Ponemčite mi spet to deželo!” V šolah, cerkvah in javnosti je bila slovenščina strogo prepovedana; v Rajhenburgu (zdaj Brestanica), na gradu Bori in v Stmišču pri Ptuju so bila zbirna koncentracijska taborišča. V Mariboru in Starem piskru v Celju so nacisti množično streljali, v Frankolovem pa obešali slovenske talce. S krajev blizu Brežic, štajerskega Posavja in Kozjanskega so prisilno preseljevali Slovence, pogosto v bombardiranju najbolj izpostavljena industrijska središča, mlade fante, počenši s sedemnajstletnimi (med njimi pisca tega članka) in može pa odvažali na prisilno delo ali nasilno mobilizirali v nemško vojsko, v slučaju pobega pa se kruto maščevali nad njihovimi družinami in sorodniki. Podobno kot druge slovenske pokrajine je med drugo svetovno vojno in v prvih letih po njej tudi Štajerska zelo trpela. Le v zelo zakotnih krajih so včasih zatirani rojaki hrepeneče slovensko zapeli. Najbolj pretresljivo pa je bilo, ko so nekateri mučeni talci, npr. v celjskem Starem piskru, tik pred ustrelitvijo glasno zapeli slovensko pesem, ljudje na ufici^pd skrivali solze, da se niso krvniki še nad njim maščevali. Pod izjemnim nemškim nasiljem komunsti na Štajerskem niso mogli izvesti revolucije. Tako na Štajerskem ni bilo revolucije in tudi ne vaških straž in domobrancev. To je dokaz več, da vaške straže in domobranstvo niso nastale iz naklonjenosti do zasovraženih okupatorjev, ampak iz nujnosti obrambe pred sistematičnem komunističnem teroijem, kije takoj po vojni pokazal svoj grozni obraz tudi na Tehaijah pri Celju in drugod po Štajerski in Sloveniji. Štajerski rojaki pa so med vojno žal trumoma umirali nele kot talci, ampak tudi v internacijskih taboriščih in kot prisilno mobilizirani vojaki in ujemiki na ruski, afriški in drugih frontah. Po končani drugi svetovni vojni so se kljub komunističnemu nasilju in enoumju in drugorazrednosti preživelih medvojnih trpinov vendarle povsod spet oglasile slovenske pesmi. Zaplesali so spet štajeriš, polko in valčke, pojavili so se spet ptujski kurenti. V Mariboru je zrasla tudi druga največja univerza v Sloveniji in v Celju zaživela Mo-hoijeva družba. Spet so obiskovalce vabili bogati muzeji, galerije in gledališča. In Štajerci so spet množično romali k Mariji na slovito Ptujsko goro, na Svete gore, Ložno in drugam. Tudi na vseslovensko kranjsko Brezje! Leta 2006 je sveti oče Benedikt XVI povzdignil mariborsko škofijo v nadškofijo in priljubljeni Slomškov naslednik dr. Franc Kramberger, doma iz bližnjih Slovenskih goric, je postal prvi nadškof in metropolit mariborske nadškofije. Štajerci, skupaj z drugimi Slovenci, vse bolj pogosto romajo tudi na grob svojega rojaka in vseslovenskega narodnega buditelja, blaženega Antona Martina Slomška, čigar truplo zdaj počiva v mariborski stolnici. Cleveland Public ftpio WCPN 90.3 rff Tony OvseniK: . 31731 Miller Ave. Willougjiby Hills, Ohie 44092 Phone: 1-440-944-2538 e-mail: tony.ovsenik@sbcglobal.net •O Saturdays 9-iopm CONTRIBUTOR TO: RADIO OGNJIŠČE LJUBLJANA KSKMm. AMERICAN SLOVENIAN CATHOLIC /Tž/uNION BECOME A MEMBER WITH A NEW INSURANCE PLAN FROM KSKJ! ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT PLAN Available from ages 20 to 65 (coverage expires at age 70) Minimum Amount Available $25,000 - Maximum Available $100,000 $30 minimum per mode premium -$1.00 per thousand in PA $1.20 per thousand in CA, CO, CT, IL, IN, KS, Ml, MN, MT, OH, DC, Wl Call your local sales agent or the Home Office at 1-800-843-5755 www.kskjlife.com Ob knjigi Lada Ambrožiča Novljanovo stoletje Vprašljivi IX. korpus Slovenija bo imela novo varuhinjo človekovih pravic: Zdenko Čebašek Travnik Ljubljana (Moja Slovenija, Osrednja revija za Slovence zunaj meja domovine), jan. 2007 - Psihiatrinja Zdenka Čebašek Travnik bo 22. februarja letos nasledila dosedanjega varuha človekovih pravic Matjaža Hanžka. Konec lastnega decembra so jo poslanci Državnega zbora (DZ) s 64 glasovi za in nobenim proti izvolili na mesto varuhinje v šestletnem mandatu. Čebašek Travnikovo, ki jo je 21. novembra lani Državnemu zboru predlagal predsednik republike Janez Drnovšek, parlamentarna mandatno-volil-na komisija pa je njeno kandidaturo ocenila kot ustrezno in predlagala DZ, naj jo izvoli, so podprli poslanci iz vrst vseh sedmih parlamentarnih poslanskih skupin. Kot je Drnovšek zapisal v dopisu, ki ga je poslal DZ, je Čebašek Travnikova pri svojem dosedanjem delu pokazala izreden občutek za človeka. Kljub svoji ozki strokovni specializaciji (področje zdravljenja različnih oblik odvisnosti), pa je veliko pozornost namenila tudi socialnemu in družbenemu okolju, v katerem so se znašli posamezniki, potrebni njene pomoči. 51-letna doktorica medicine in specialistka za psihiatrijo je zaposlena na Psihiatrični kliniki v Ljubljani, kjer od leta 2004 dalje dela kot pomočnica strokovnega direktorja za izobraževalno dejavnost. Od leta 1993 je tudi asistentka na Katedri za psihiatrijo Medicinske fakultete Univerze v Ljubljani. Poklicno se udejstvuje predvsem na področju zdravljenja različnih oblik odvisnosti ter dela z odvisnimi od alkohola. Od leta 1991 je svetovalka in supervizorka za delo z odvisnimi od alkohola, od leta 1994 pa koordinatorka dejavnosti za zmanjšanje škodljive rabe alkohola za Slovenijo pri European Alcohol Action Plan Svetovne zdravstvene organizacije (World Health Organization), glavna mentorica za izvajanje specializacije iz psihiatrije in izvedenka Zavoda za pokojninsko in invalidsko zavarovanje. Je tudi članica ekspertne skupine za transplantacijo jeter, delovne skupine za pripravo smernic za zdravljenje odvisnosti od alkohola v Sloveniji in tudi v okviru mednarodne skupine ter članica Sveta za alkoholno politiko pri Vladi RS, ki je v ustanavljanju. Poleg tega je avtorica številnih člankov v domačih in tujih znanstvenih in strokovnih -revijah. Novoizvoljena varuhinja človekovih pravic je kot svojo prednostno nalogo izpostavila otrokove pravice, zlasti njihove kršitve zaradi nasilja. Svoje poslanstvo vidi tudi kot zaščitnica starostnikov, ki so vedno bolje ogrožena skupina prebivalstva na področju človekovih pravic. V svoji prvi izjavi za javnost je izrazila prepričanje, da je s svojo predstavitvijo poslancem vlila dovolj upanja in zaupanja, da bodo lahko sodelovali v prihodnje, pri svojem delu pa računa tudi na podporo zaposlenih na Uradu varuha človekovih pravic. Sedanjemu varuhu Matjažu Hanžku se šestletni mandat izteče 21. februarja. Za nov šestletni mandat se ni potegoval. Prvega varuha človekovih Trst - V Gorici v Sloveniji so predstavili knjigo Novljanovo stoletje, ki jo je uredil Lado Ambrožič, sin generala Lada Ambro-žiča-Novljana, nekdanjega generala IX. korpusa in poznanega pisca zgodovine NOB-ja, seveda s pogledom, ki ga ima na zgodovino partizan. Knjigo so predstavili tudi v zamejstvu, na Goriškem. Generalov sin je na več kot 500 straheh prenesel očetove 60-letne spomine. General je umrl pred dvema letoma, sta 96 let. Ob tej predstavitvi so generala Lada Ambrožiča primerjali z dvema Slovencema, to sta general Rudolf Majster in mislec Edvard Kocbek. Velika evforija, ki jo je obakrat ustvarila izbrana publika, je to primerjavo potrdila. Vse skupaj pa je treba jemati z veliko rezervo, še zlasti primerjavo z Edvardom Kocbekom, ki je kljub velikokrat zagonetnim odločitvam bil popolnoma nekaj drugega od omenjenega generala. Tudi primerjava generala Majstra z vodstvom NOB-jem je vprašljiva! IX. korpus je bli ustanovljen 13. decembra 1943 in razformiran 16. maja 1945. Ta dva datuma sta za Primorce važna, saj ju marsikdo ne pozna, pa prav zato velikokrat napačno presoja in vrednoti dogodke zadnje vojne na Primorskem. Zanimivo je, da tudi prisotni zgodovinar ob predstavitvi omenjene knjige, ki je imel poseg, se ni obregnil ob nekatera naravnost grozeča dejstva, ki jih je zagrešil IX. korpus. Samoumevno pa tudi je, da pri tem za vsa ta dejanja imajo krivdo tudi tisti, ki so mu poveljevali. Še vedno je sporen umik domobrancev iz Tolminske, Grahovega ob Bači in Kobarida proti pravic v Sloveniji Ivana Bizjaka je Državni zbor na ta položaj izvolil 29. decembra 1994. Pred šestimi leti je bil šele po tretjem krogu iskanja pravega kandidata izvoljen varuh človekovih pravic Hanžek. Matea Jakin Gorici, ko so jih partizani napadli 30. aprila 1945 pri Dolgi njivi. Pobite domobrance so partizani zmetali v Sočo, preostale pa, ki so se razbežali, so zajeli pri Mrzleku, natančno pri koritu, kjer je tekoča voda. Nekaj jih je tedaj zbežalo, ostale pa so pozaprli v Solkanu in nekatere, ne vse, zaslišali. Partizanske simpatizerje so izpustili, druge pa pobili in zmetali v eno od brezen - verjetno je to brezno Zagomila pri Grgarju. Glavnina pobitih domobrancev so bili mladi fantje s Tolminskega, ki so se ob koncu vojne znašli v teh vrstah, in marsikdo sploh ni vedel, kaj se dogaja... Načelnik NZ za severno Primorsko je bil tedaj Anton Hvala. On je zasliševal domobranskega poveljnika s postojanke Grahovo ob Bači, Avguština Žnidaršiča, ki je bil doma iz Morskega pri Kanalu. O tem zasliševanju, ki je bilo v Gorici 5. maja 1945, ne obstaja noben zapis. Gospod Anton Hvala je bil dolga leta po vojni v Gorici v Sloveniji inšpektor za delo. Ob predstavitvi Novljanove knjige so vsi skupaj pozabili, da se je pokrajinska komisija VOS za Primorsko avgusta 1944 preimenovala v Odsek OZNE za območje IX. korpusa in delovala v Gorenji Trebuši, s sedežem na kmetiji Na gradu, ki je v zgornjem delu Trebuške doline. OZNA Je imela glavne zapore na drugem koncu, to je na Bogatinovšu, glavna zasliševanja pa so se opravljala na kmetiji v Rižah. Žrtve, takšne ali drugačne, so od kmetije Na gradu vozili uro hoda v Podgrivško grapo in jih tam postrelili. Po oceni domačinov naj bi tu bilo pokopanih na stotine žrtev! Tudi Melišče nad Babjim poljem bi nam lahko kaj povčdalo, če bi spregovorilo o grobovih na danes že porasli jasi ... Grobovi v smrekovem gozdu med Lazi in Govci “slovijo po štirih Šuštarjih”. Ti štirje partizani so čez dan opravljali svoj čevljarski poklic, zvečer Z Ameriško Domovino ostajate na tekočem z dogajanjem v naši slovenski skupnosti ter s celotnim slovenskim svetom! pa, da ni pokalo, so se lotili skrivnostnega posla in s čevljarskim kladivom pobijali ... še dobro se spominjam, ko mi Je v mestecu vrtnic, enega od teh Šuštarjev pred leti pokazal stric, ki je bil v tistem času terenec, in mi prišepnil: “Ta je krvavi Šuštar!” Šele danes razumem, kaj mi je hotel povedati! Tudi Makčeva grapa ni bila partizanom neznana. Tukaj naj bi ležalo vsaj enaindvajset mož in fantov, ki so bli zajeti na Črnem vrhu nad Idrijo! Nekoliko naprej je Pod-grivška grapa, ki sem jo že omenil. Prav tako ne morem mimo Makčevega boršta, ki Je severno od Bogatinovša, kjer so zopet grobovi, ki pa so nekoliko poznejši... Tam pod zaraslo in propadlo kmetijo na Bogatinovšu, kakih dvesto metrov od hiše na mali, danes zaraščeni jasi pod strmino, je tudi verjetno grob duhovnika Antona Piska iz Kanala ob Soči. V dokumentu OZNE beremo, da je bil ustreljen 3. novembra 1944. Ena od domnev je tudi ta, da so tu nekje pokopane žrtve cerkljanske tragedije. Ta domneva vedno bolj prevladuje med novejšimi raziskovalci tega dogodka. Kadarkoli grem v Solkanu po ulici IX. korpusa, me pri srcu stisne, ko se spomnim na vse te dogodke. Prav tako se mi zdi naravnost nezaslišano, da se ta nesrečna dejanja, ki Jih je zagrešilo vodstvo IX. korpusa, nikoli ne omenjajo, kaj šele da bi Jih kdo obžalovali ali vsaj priznal! Res je, da vojna je bila vojna, vendar na strani IX. korpusa so bile nekatere stvari naravnost pošastne. Primorci naj bi ne pozabili na Gorenjo Trebušo. Ne samo na okrog osemdeset prebivalcev, kolikor jih še vztraja tam, pač pa tudi na vse one, in teh je kar nekaj sto, ki raztreseni nemo pričajo o grozotah zadnje vojne, in tudi IX. korpusa ob gornjem toku reke Trebušnice in so nam živim v žalosten opomin. Ambrož Kodelja Novi glas, 30. XI. 2006 . . ^ BRALCI AMERIŠKE DOMOVINE 1 Priporočajte naš lisi! j