Zarja Official Publication Slovenian Union of America Uradno Glasilo Slovenske Zveze v Ameriki $3.99 U.S./$8.99 International Volume 87 Issue 1 January/February 2015 The Dawn Živijo,September Zarja! Tour 2014 Zarja - The Dawn Communications for the next issue of publication EDITOR: Debbie Pohar DIRECTOR OF DESIGN: Bonnie Pohar Prokup EDITORIAL OFFICE: 1696 Illinois St. LaSalle, IL 61301-1359 TELEPHONE: 815.223.9596 FAX: 815.224.1074 Submission Guidelines WEB SITE: slovenianunion.org PUBLISHER: Slovenian Union of America (Formerly Slovenian Women’s Union of America) TELEPHONE: 815.727.1926 Vol. 87, No. 1, January/February 2015 Published bimonthly Periodicals Postage paid at Joliet, IL and additional mailing offices. (ISSN 0044-1848) Postmaster: Send all changes of address to: SLOVENIAN UNION OF AMERICA (Formerly Slovenian Women’s Union of America) 431 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432-1703 Do you have something SUA-related you would like to share with readers, like an event you want to let people know about or an idea for an article? We would love to hear from you! Please e-mail the editor at pohar4@aol.com. We reserve the right to edit any article submitted. It is preferable that you submit your idea for discussion prior to writing an article. Articles must be related to Slovenia, SUA events, or members. The deadline for articles is the 15th day of the month, two (2) months preceding the issue. For example, articles for the March/April issue must be received by January15. Thank you. Tell us how to reach you: Include your name, daytime phone number, e-mail address, and mailing address with each submission, including e-mailed submissions. Go Digital: We regret that we can no longer return submitted materials. It is best to e-mail your photos. Use a 3.2-megapixal (or better) camera set for the highest picture quality, and attach your photos as jpeg files. If you have an old photo that is irreplaceable, please make a good-quality copy to share with us. (Scanned copies must be a resolution of 300 or higher.) By submitting material for publication, you grant the Slovenian Union of America (formerly Slovenian Women’s Union of America) the use of the material, including your name, hometown, and state. We may modify, reproduce, and distribute it in any SUA authorized medium and in any manner or appropriate place. Attendees at the SUA National Convention in June are in for a special treat. Tempel Farms will hold a special performance of their Lipizzan horses on Friday evening, June 19. See article on National Convention inside. “Photo property of Tempel Farms.” From the Slovenian Union of America Home Office e g a s s e M s President’ Saturday, November 8, 2014, in Joliet, Illinois Carol Ryba, SUA’s National statements for January 1, 2014, bread with liptaur (farmer cheese), Treasurer, was ready the day prior through December 31, 2014, by mlinci (homemade pasta) with goose to the national teleconference March 31, 2015. gravy, red cabbage, roasted green Happy Year that and welcome past, present, future board meeting. New She assured the systemto an exciting year of committee will include beans, zelce in fizoland (savoy cabbage Slovenian Union of America! We invite you to be a part members and it is our way of reaching out across the (telephone, laptop, flat screen After the morning teleconference, the and Roman bean salad), bread of it. Whether it’s recruiting new members, filling out our geographic divide todumplings, hear directly from and members monitor) was all connected. At National Board returned potica, plum who tart. are to the annual survey, joining the Nominations Committee or Advisory interested in the future of the Slovenian Union of Amer10:00 a.m., Karen Taylor, National board meeting agenda. Then out Committee, attending the National Convention, attending ica and who want to contribute to shaping its future. If Corresponding & Recording on the sidewalk Branch meetings, or simply reading Zarja - The Dawn, this approved, this committee will meet through video and/or Secretary, began greeting Member there appeared is an exciting time for SUA! audio conferences, five times a year, (for example: on the Representatives from throughout the five men, who, second Saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Central time country they connected to Ready after trying the (7:00 a.m. Alaska time,11:00 a.m. Eastern time) for an We haveasreceived close to 300 responses to our “get to Talk for annual survey meeting of online, the locked were hour, in September, November, January, March and May, know our the members” - 220 53 by door, mail, and National Board the Member peering into the with a break for the summer months). The Nominating 27 by e-mail. Wewith are keeping the survey open through Representatives. As the Reps logged windows of the Committee will also be gathering names for this Advisory January 2015 to give every member a chance to complete on, their phone numbers appeared front entrance. the survey and have your voice heard. We will present the Committee. We will let you know how to reach out to them on the flat screen TVatinour SUA’s home Convention Curious inasJuneto in the next issue of Zarja. results of the survey National office We in Joliet, Illinois. their at your presence, 2015. encourage you to discuss the survey next theyof the survey were Our membership campaign is ongoing with exciting prizes Branch meeting and perhaps make copies and have not yet with completed it to do so at Denise for those who recruit theProkup, most new members. The ask 73 those minutewho meeting began questioned. Much P. Bartlett, Bonnie and Fr. KrizologFor Ci- more the meeting or to organize a phone bank for your Branch information see our website at www.slovenianunion.org. President Bonnie Prokup greeting to our surprise, merman of St. Cyril Parish, New York City. members to reachand outVice to those who mayFr. not haveKrizolog access “Like us” on Facebook at Slovenian Union of America. all participants President to might prefer fill inCimerman the surveyofover of computers Culture &and Heritage, Mary toLou St. Cyril Parish, New After a very pleasant visit the visitors the phone. See the graph of the answers received so far Looking himself. forward tosigned a successful 2015! Voelk, offering an opening prayer. York City, introduced the guest book and left with to our first question. We’ve learned your most important Bonnie Prokup, National President Parliamentarian Denise P. Bartlett Accompanying him were four copies of past and the current issue of interest Family - for Slovenians family followediswith a review of Robert’severywhere, visitors from Slovenia. They were Zarja tucked under their arms. is our highest priority! This is followed by Genealogy, Rules of Order, SUA’s parliamentary hurriedly invited inside and this quite Travel to Slovenia, History, Relatives in Slovenia, Arts authority. Denise then briefly stated pleasant interruption was welcomed. Some history on St. Martin’s Day: and Culture, and Current Events in Slovenia. the 10 bylaw proposals that will be The Church identified with this wellvoted on by Member Representatives/ known saint, making November 11 Noticing the logo on their vests, During our Member Representative’s teleconference meetDelegates at the June 2015 they presented a business card, www. his feast day, the time of year when ing on November 8, 2014, weNational invited volunteers to join our Convention. Because of the new openfire.si , outdoor Nominating Committee for the SUA Board of Directors to cooking for hire. the ‘must’ (newly pressed juice of Corporate for our 501(c) inSuch equipment! grapes) becomes wine. The field work be elected atBylaws the National Convention June.unique If yougrilling are (3) status,in participating some corrections and is done; it is time to baptise this new interested on the Nominating Committee refinements are necessary; some Fr. Krizolog the wine. As the legend goes, St. Martin (Four (4) positions) or would like to be nominated for the mentioned suggested by ourBoard law firm and some(Seven preparations for St. Martin’s Day was a kind man who once cut his new 2015-2019 of Directors (7) positions: suggested VP byof National thatOffice, were VP taking President, Outreach, Officers. VP of Home of place back at St. cloak in half to share with a beggar Culture Heritage, of Marketing Fund-Raising, MemberandReps wereVPtold of the and Cyril Church in NYC. The menu during a snow storm. To avoid being Corresponding/Recording Secretary, Treasurer) please 12 geese, home-baked ordained Bishop, he hid in a goose December 18, 2014, deadline forand included: let know! I to looktheforward speaking with you and anyme proposals bylawsto they pen only to be answering any questions you may have. would like to suggest. The proposed betrayed by the bylaw amendments will be published cackling of the In we are proposing in addition, Zarja - The Dawn prior toa new the Ad Hoc Advisory geese. While not Committee, which will be appointed by the Board at the convention for all members to read. an official holiday, National Convention. This committee will be comprised Information would be forthcoming it is one of the of volunteers - members from our Branches across the for additions and improvements to biggest holidays in country - not exclusively elected Branch representatives SUA’s Policy & Procedure Manual Slovenia. Slovenia and officers. All are welcome! We need volunteers who thatinterested guides SUA’s Branches. is the place to be are in working with the Board on important iswhen November sues facing the organization - from our internet presence, Vice President of Home Office, 11 comes around! to relationships with the Branches, youth activities and Jan King, reminded the new Member St. Martin’s Day is Visitors fromupSlovenia (left to right): recruitment, archives, and subjects brought by Rajko Oblak, Repsmembers to submit financial celebrated! the of the thisBranch Advisory Committee. We hopeRok the Šteblaj, Peter Pušlar, and Jurij Pušlar. January/February 2015 13 Welcome to Our New Branch Members 2, Campbell, Nicole 16, Deckinga, Pat 20, Smolich, Robert 23, Colarich, Anthony 23, Omerza, Judith 24, Benkse, Brian 30, Glaize, Mary 30, Shanyfelt, Ralph 35, Baumgard, Ava 35, Baumgard, Holly 35, Baumgard, Josie SUA Donations Thank You! $100 Donation Ahearne, MaryAnn, 93, +Mary Lesjak-Link, mother $25 Donation Martincic, Wilma, 71, +Jacob Martincic Ruggera, Frances, 20, SUA Glaize, Mary, 30, SUA Blasick, Elvie, 100, SUA Augustine, Jill Caldwell, 103, +Pauline Grum Caldwell, mother $20 Donation Demshar, Rosemary, 100, +Rose Baraga, mom 35, Baumgard, Tresa 35, Moravitz, Theresa 35, Seline, Angela 35, Seline, Jean 42, Cannavino, Joseph 50, Tomsick, Ryan 93, Tackett, Roseanne 99, Manna-Skamperle, Deena 99, Skiba, Sonia 109, Jorstad, Susan LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Ms. Pohar: I am so thankful for all the efforts in keeping the Zarja publication going. My parents and grandparents (all 100% Slovenian) are all deceased and Zarja is a welcome link to my heritage and I learn a lot from it. MaryAnn Sadar Montana 2 $15 Donation Hanzlik, Maria (Meta), 2, SUA $10 Donation Wilhelm, Marjorie, 1, SUA Bubel, Bernice, 16, SUA $5 Donation Lawler, Kathleen, 20, SUA Lawler, Donna, 20, SUA Reddy, Patricia, 43, +Tom Reddy FIND YOUR SLOVENIAN ROOTS! . . . maybe you don’t know where to begin . . . . . . maybe you have hit that proverbial brick wall . . . Contact us: Slovenian Genealogy Research Center 6415 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103 E-mail: sgsi.rc@gmail.com Phone: 1.440.655.3954 Website: www.sloveniangenealogy.org Our mission is to help you!!!! Zarja - The Dawn From the Slovenian Union of America Home Office Saturday, November 8, 2014, in Joliet, Illinois Carol Ryba, SUA’s National Treasurer, was ready the day prior to the national teleconference meeting. She assured that the system (telephone, laptop, flat screen monitor) was all connected. At 10:00 a.m., Karen Taylor, National Corresponding & Recording Secretary, began greeting Member Representatives from throughout the country as they connected to Ready Talk for the annual meeting of the National Board with the Member Representatives. As the Reps logged on, their phone numbers appeared on the flat screen TV in SUA’s home office in Joliet, Illinois. The 73 minute meeting began with President Bonnie Prokup greeting all participants and Vice President of Culture & Heritage, Mary Lou Voelk, offering an opening prayer. Parliamentarian Denise P. Bartlett followed with a review of Robert’s Rules of Order, SUA’s parliamentary authority. Denise then briefly stated the 10 bylaw proposals that will be voted on by Member Representatives/ Delegates at the June 2015 National Convention. Because of the new Corporate Bylaws for our 501(c) (3) status, some corrections and refinements are necessary; some suggested by our law firm and some suggested by National Officers. Member Reps were told of the December 18, 2014, deadline for any proposals to the bylaws they would like to suggest. The proposed bylaw amendments will be published in Zarja - The Dawn prior to the convention for all members to read. Information would be forthcoming for additions and improvements to SUA’s Policy & Procedure Manual that guides SUA’s Branches. Vice President of Home Office, Jan King, reminded the Member Reps to submit the Branch financial January/February 2015 statements for January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014, by March 31, 2015. bread with liptaur (farmer cheese), mlinci (homemade pasta) with goose gravy, red cabbage, roasted green beans, zelce in fizol (savoy cabbage and Roman bean salad), bread dumplings, potica, and plum tart. After the morning teleconference, the National Board returned to the annual board meeting agenda. Then out on the sidewalk there appeared five men, who, after trying the locked door, were peering into the windows of the front entrance. Curious as to their presence, they were questioned. Much Denise P. Bartlett, Bonnie Prokup, and Fr. Krizolog Cito our surprise, merman of St. Cyril Parish, New York City. Fr. Krizolog Cimerman of St. Cyril Parish, New After a very pleasant visit the visitors York City, introduced himself. signed the guest book and left with Accompanying him were four copies of past and the current issue of visitors from Slovenia. They were Zarja tucked under their arms. hurriedly invited inside and this quite pleasant interruption was welcomed. Some history on St. Martin’s Day: The Church identified with this wellNoticing the logo on their vests, known saint, making November 11 they presented a business card, www. his feast day, the time of year when openfire.si, outdoor cooking for hire. the ‘must’ (newly pressed juice of Such unique grilling equipment! grapes) becomes wine. The field work is done; it is time to baptise this new Fr. Krizolog mentioned the wine. As the legend goes, St. Martin preparations for St. Martin’s Day was a kind man who once cut his that were taking place back at St. cloak in half to share with a beggar Cyril Church in NYC. The menu during a snow storm. To avoid being included: 12 geese, home-baked ordained Bishop, he hid in a goose pen only to be betrayed by the cackling of the geese. While not an official holiday, it is one of the biggest holidays in Slovenia. Slovenia is the place to be when November 11 comes around! St. Martin’s Day is Visitors from Slovenia (left to right): Rajko Oblak, Rok Šteblaj, Peter Pušlar, and Jurij Pušlar. celebrated! 3 SUA SUANATIONAL NATIONALCONVENTION CONVENTION Chicago Chicago Marriott MarriottNaperville Naperville Hotel, Hotel,Naperville, Naperville,IL IL SUA NATIONAL CONVENTION Slovenian Slovenian Catholic Catholic Center, Lemont Lemont Chicago Marriott Naperville Hotel,Center, Naperville, IL Slovenian Catholic Center, Lemont Fun Funand and Exciting Exciting Activities Activities Fun and Exciting Activities June June18-21, 18-21,2015 2015 June 18-21, 2015 Attendees Attendeesatatthe theSUA SUANational NationalConvention Conventioninin June June are are in in for for a a special special treat. treat. Tempel Tempel Farms Farms Attendees at the SUA National Convention in will willhold holdinaaspecial special performance performance ofoftheir their June are for a special treat. Tempel Farms Lipizzan Lipizzan on onperformance Friday Fridayevening, evening, June June will hold horses ahorses special of their 19. 19.The TheLipizzan Lipizzan breed breed isisstill stillbred bredtoday today Lipizzan horses on Friday evening, June in inLipica, Lipica, Slovenia, Slovenia, and andisthe the horses horses have 19. The Lipizzan breed still bred have today been been protected protected by by empires empires and and sought sought in Lipica, Slovenia, and the horses have by byroyalty royalty for forcenturies. centuries. These These been protected by empires and sought magnificent magnificent horses horses are are known known by royalty for centuries. These for fortheir theirability ability totoproduce produce magnificent horses are known movements movements initially initially for their ability to produce trained trainedfor forbattle battle and and movements initially for fortheir their proud proud trained for battle and for their proud bearing, bearing,elegant elegantgait, gait,superior superior intelligence, intelligence, and and enduring enduring bearing, elegant gait, superior strength. strength. and enduring intelligence, strength. The TheLipizzan Lipizzanrepresents represents more more than than400 400 years years The Lipizzan represents of of breeding. breeding. In In 1580 1580 more than 400 years Archduke Charles ofArchduke breeding.Charles In 1580IIII of of Austria Austria established established Archduke Charles II the stud studfarm farminin ofthe Austria established Lipica. He Hein bred bred theLipica. stud farm the the best best imported imported Lipica. He bred Spanish Spanish horsestoto the best horses imported the the native native Karst Karst Spanish horses to stock stock totocreate createaa the native Karst horse horsebest best suited suited stock to create a to the times to the times horse best suited- white inin towhite the times color, small, color, small, white in slow slowsmall, toto color, mature,but but extremely mature, extremely slow to tough. tough. mature, but extremely tough. “Photo “Photoproperty propertyofofTempel TempelFarms.” Farms.” 4 44 4 “Photo property Zarja of Tempel Farms.” Zarja - --The The Dawn Dawn Zarja The Dawn Zarja - The Dawn Efforts to Save the Lipizzan Breed By 1880 there were 341 Lipizzan horses at the Lipica stud farm. Of all the sires used in the 18th and 19th centuries, only six founded the original stallion lines of the Lipizzan breed: Siglavy, Neapolitano, Maestoso, Favory, Pluto, and Conversano. During World War I, the Lipizzans were moved, and at the end of the war in 1919, they were divided between Italy and Austria. There were only 208 Lipizzans known to be left in existence. Italy received 109 horses for its stud farm and Austria received 98 horses for its stud farm in Piber. During World War II, the breed’s existence was threatened again and the herd was evacuated to Hostau, Czechoslovakia. In the closing days of the war, Hostau laid directly in the path of the Russian army. To protect the horses from certain destruction, U.S. General George Patton led the Second Cavalry division behind enemy lines and provided protection for the horses. Patton’s unprecedented action is credited with saving the breed. It was not until 1949 that horses returned to Lipica for breeding. The Tempel Lipizzans The Tempel Lipizzans began in 1958 when the late Tempel and Esther Smith imported 20 Lipizzans from the Austrian stud farm in Piber and started what became the largest privately owned herd of Lipizzans in the world. The Tempel Lipizzans originally performed at private functions, but their appearances also include several Presidential inaugurations and special exhibitions at the White House. In 1982, the late Tempel Smith’s daughters arranged for the first public performances at Tempel Farms as a tribute to their parents’ dream of establishing an American center of classical horsemanship that followed in the tradition of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. Tempel Farms is the only place in the United States where “Photo property of Tempel Farms.” these rare, white horses are bred, trained, and perform on the same property. Tickets for the special performance will be sold individually - $35 for adults and $10 for those under 18 - and includes bus transportation from the Chicago Naperville Marriot Hotel, the site of the Convention. Blocks of tickets are available to sponsors. If you, or your Branch, or your company are interested in sponsoring this wonderful event, contact Linda Schultz at LMSchultz@outlook.com. Meet the Convention Chairperson The chairperson for the 2015 National Convention is Julie Lajoie. Julie is the president of Branch 99 in Lemont, Illinois, and has been a member of SUA since she was very young. She was introduced to SUA by her great-grandmother, Frances Zibert, and became involved by the encouragement of her grandmother, Frances Schultz. Julie is a registered nurse at a local hospital and also does home health nursing. She and her husband, Phil, have been married for three years, and are expecting their first child in March 2015. They enjoy attending car shows in the summer, training their two dogs, and spending time with family and friends. “Photo property of Tempel Farms.” January/February 2015 5 SWU Scholarship Foundation CELEBRATING 66 YEARS OF FINANCIALLY ASSISTING STUDENTS Mission: To generate funding to financially assist students with hope that they will promote and preserve Slovenian culture. ATTENTION: HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS, COLLEGE STUDENTS, and ADULTS ATTENDING COLLEGE or TECHNICAL SCHOOLS during 2015-2016. QUALIFICATIONS OF APPLICANTS HAS BEEN REVISED. In April 2015 a number of $2,000 and $1,000 awards will be offered to high school seniors and those attending college full-time during the 20152016 academic year. Continuing education awards of $500 will be offered to part-time students who are entering a new career or updating a current occupation. The ruling that an applicant must be a member of the Slovenian Union of America (SUA) for three years prior to application HAS BEEN WAIVED. An applicant for a SWU Scholarship will now only need to apply for a one year membership in the SUA; payment prior to January 31, 2015, will be necessary. Applicants must be of Slovenian heritage, whatever the percentage. Application forms and information are available at the new SWU Scholarship Foundation website www.swusf.org. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS MARCH 1, 2015. E-mailed materials are not acceptable. SWU SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION’S NEW WEBSITE Paul Callaghan’s expertise on computer work is highly evident on the new SWU Scholarship Foundation’s website - http://www.swusf.org. He has designed and produced a wonderful collection of scholarship history, scholarship applications which can be downloaded, short bios of past scholarship winners, Slovenian educational opportunities in the United States, plus a gallery full of European pictures and a Baraga Days collection of past events. Paul is a computer application developer, living in northeast Ohio with his wife and two children. He is currently employed by Fairmont Santrol, headquartered out of Chardon, Ohio. After leaving the U.S. Navy in 1996, Paul embarked on a career in Information Technology that has ranged from “help-desk” support of Windows, Linux, and Mac computers to developing Enterprise Applications for Microsoft servers. Paul earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Technology from the University of Phoenix. Paul is the son of SUA’s Vice President of Home Office, Jan King. 6 Paul Callaghan The Officers and Trustees extend their wishes to each of you for a very Happy New Year! For information on the SWU Scholarship Foundation please visit our new website: www.swusf.org or contact: Mary Turvey, Director 4 Lawrence Drive Marquette, Michigan 49855 mturvey@aol.com or Marge Church, VP and Treasurer 1028 Skyland Drive Macedonia, Ohio 44056 yemec1@windstream.net Zarja - The Dawn INFORMATION on OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE A new organization, The AmerCity. My early memican Slovenian Education Founories of Miro go far dation, was recently incorporatback to the mid 1960s ed as a 501(c)(3) and promotes when my parents, Nika the educational exchanges beand Erik, hosted Miro, tween the United States and Joze Vodlan, and the Slovenia. Bernadette Fitzsimlate France Gorse at mons, President of Branch 108 their home. For me, as - Olney, Maryland, recently a little girl, it was so spoke at a formal, inaugural much fun and exhilareception at the Slovenian Emrating to wake up, and bassy in Washington, D.C. The Branch 108 members who attended the ASEF reception, run downstairs to see reception was hosted by Am- from left to right are pictured, Nika Kovacic, Lynn Koiner, if our visiting artists bassador Dr. Božo Cerar, along and Bernadette Fitzsimmons with Ambassador Božo Cerar. were awake yet. I still with Father Peter Rožič, a founder of ASEF, and Embassy remember their smiling, young faces, and have delightNewsletter Editor, Ms. Nuska Zakrajsek. Among the 100 ed in meeting Miro and Joze decades later for their art guests, there were scientists, professors, the diplomatic exhibitions at this beautiful Embassy of Slovenia. We’ve core, researchers, academia, and officers of Slovenian aged through the years, but like a fine, Slovenian wine, its organizations throughout the United States. Bernadette flavor is more potent with a stronger impact to be remempresented a painting by artist and friend Miro Zupancic, bered and savored. a Slovenian-American of New York City, to be used as a fund-raiser in an upcoming San Francisco ASEF event. I am honored and excited to announce that Miro Zupancic has donated his time and artistic talent, and that he has Bernadette’s impressive words follow: gifted a special painting to ASEF. I encourage each guest present to experience the depth and meaning of his gift; American Slovenian Education Foundation Speech how does it inspire your imagination? May each one of Embassy of Slovenia - Washington, D.C. you be touched by the significance of this work of art, October 2, 2014 that represents building bridges between Slovenian and On behalf of the Slovenian Union of America American students, and professors, for future growth of intellectual understanding and friendship built upon a “I am humbled and honored to speak before you for this successful, student exchange through ASEF.” East Coast Chapter Inauguration of the American Slo- Bernadette Fitzsimmons venian Education Foundation (ASEF) on behalf of the President of Branch 108 - Olney, Maryland Slovenian Union of America’s (SUA) National President, Bonnie Prokup. In looking over the list of the ASEF board of directors, advisory board members, and board of young scholars and fellowship awardees, the stakeholders of the ASEF are an impressive group of highly educated, committed individuals appointed to accomplish success of a formal, foreign exchange of students and faculty in the United States and Slovenia. They are to be commended for this extraordinary effort! As the local president of SUA’s Maryland Branch 108, I represent one of the 30 nationwide Branches that total over 3,300 members. I’ve been asked on behalf of the SUA for all to be rest assured that our organization will support ASEF through our membership - by building bridges of communication among interested members who wish to help by providing room and board in university towns, and circulating information to members about ASEF among our nationwide Branches to promote this important partnership among the two countries. Miro Zupanic, a Slovenian-born artist, is a strong supporter of SUA activities with Branch 93 in New York January/February 2015 Ivan Kamin, U.S. Representative of Slovenians Abroad, admiring Miro Zupancic’s painting. 7 NOTE: The first inaugural reception of the American Slovenian Education Foundation was held in San Francisco in February 2014. The goal of this newly formed, tax-exempt corporation is to offer high-impact grant and endowment programs and teaching and learning materials to be available to American students studying in Slovenia and for Slovenian students studying in America. Three grants have already been awarded to two Stanford University students and one to a Santa Clara University student. For more information on this new organization see www.ase-fund.org. This newly-formed, foreign exchange organization is the answer to numerous requests we have received in the past from Slovenian students (new immigrants to America), who desperately needed financial help, as well as a need to adjust to the educational system in the United States. Our SWUSF program is not currently compatible for foreign students, with different evaluations and requirements needed in comparison to requirements of America’s college-bound, young people. We are happy to learn of this new offer for those who have much to offer and share with residents of Slovenia and America. Our precious heritage will become much richer. - Mary Turvey The SOCIETY of SLOVENE STUDIES A non-profit organization founded in 1976 - dedicated to forming closer communication among scholars interested in Slovene studies, and to promoting the dissemination of scholarship information through meetings, conferences, and publications. Prizes are awarded each year to undergraduate and graduate students of all ethnicities who are studying Slovenian culture. www.slovenestudies.com AMERICAN CATHOLIC SLOVENIAN UNION (K.S.K.J.) A fraternal insurance organization - offers scholarships to its college student members annually. kskj@kskjlife.com AMERICAN MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION (A.M.L.A.) A fraternal insurance organization - offers scholarships to its college student members each year. 216.531.1900. 8 BARAGA DAYS Marquette, Michigan - October 17, 2014 A radiant afternoon at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Marquette featured first a formal dedication of the new Baraga Chapel. Those devoted pilgrims atSUA ladies from Branches 1, 2, and 43 celebrating Baraga tending were covered in Days. Standing (left to right): Maria Sossi, Gen Buol, multi-hued Marija Rigler, Mary Turvey, and Marija Petek. Seated: Dolores Puhek and sisters, Lorraine and Judy Ovnik. rays of light coming from the chapel’s full-length, stained glass windows, as they prayed at Frederic Baraga’s final resting place. Reverend Anton Jamnik, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Ljubljana, assisted by Reverend Metod Ogorevc, Director of the Slovenian Catholic Mission of Lemont, Illinois, presided at an outstandingly, moving Slovenian Mass. A large contingent of Toronto, Cleveland, Duluth, Chicago, and Milwaukee area Slovenians were in attendance. The Men’s Slovenian Choir of Chicago sang Slovenian hymns during the Mass and later in the evening entertained with lively, Slovenian, folk music. The Singing Slovenes gave an “all out’ performance of many favorite songs. One highlight of the evening was “Silk Umbrella,” enthusiastically sung by the junior members of the Singing Slovenes. Scholarship Donations Baraga Days of Winter 2015 will be held February 7, 2015, at Hollywood, Florida. Mass at St. Vincent de Paul Church will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by a luncheon. Reservations can be made by contacting Glenn Barry at 517.627.1415. $50 Donation Branch 47 - Garfield Hts., OH +Olga Dorchak Branch 47 - Garfield Hts., OH +Mildred ‘Millie” Stautihar $20 Donation Branch 50 - Euclid, OH +Olga Dorchak Branch 50 - Euclid, OH +Maureen Podlogar Branch 42 - Maple Hts, OH +Albina Skocaj $10 Donation Ivanka Matic, +Maureen Podlogar Josephine Arko, +Maureen Podlogar Maureen Podlogar was the dedicated Treasurer of Branch 50 - Euclid, OH, for many years. Hvala! Hvala! Thank you kind donors for your support of our scholarship program. Zarja - The Dawn Slovenian Union of America “April’s Showers of Wishes” Drawing April 2015 Fund-Raiser CASH PRIZES TOTALING $2,790 Top Seller Prizes: 1st Place - $130 2nd Place - $90 3rd Place - $50 Daily Drawings at $60 April 5 and 30 at $130 April 1 and 15 at $200 $10 Per Entry How the fund-raiser works: Each day in the month of April, 2015, one (1) winner will be chosen to win the listed cash prize for that day - $60, $130, or $200. C U The month of April has much to celebrate - including April No Fool’s Day, Easter Sunday, Help with Tax Day, and the last day before May’s flowers. The winners chosen on April 1 – “April No Fool’s Day” – and April 15 – “Help With Tax Day” – will win $200 each. The winners chosen on April 5 – “Easter Sunday” – and April 30 – “Here Come May Flowers” – will win $130 each. In addition, the top sellers (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place) will win $130, $90, and $50 respectively. A minimum of 300 entries must be sold. It’s a WIN opportunity for everyone! ****Good Luck!**** T H E R E Your “April’s Showers of Wishes” drawing entry will be eligible for all daily drawings in the month of April, 2015. Sellers of the winning entries will receive $10.00 as an award for their selling efforts. The daily drawing amount and the seller’s $10.00 prize will be mailed to the winners of record the next business day. Winners will be notified by e-mail, if provided, and their names posted on the SUA website: www.slovenianunion.org. The following entry form should be printed clearly and accompany your $10 entry fee. Detach at perforation Entry Form (Please Print Clearly) Entrant’s Information: Name:_____________________________________ Address:___________________________________ City:______________________________________ State:_______________ZipCode:_______________ Phone:_____________________________________ E-mail:____________________________________ Seller’s Information: Name:_____________________________________ Address:___________________________________ City:______________________________________ State:______________ Zip Code:_______________ Phone:_____________________________________ E-mail:____________________________________ Branch Number and Location:__________________________________________________________________ Please mail completed form and $10 check payable to SUA to: Denise P. Bartlett, SUA Director of Special Projects 7902 West Howard Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53220-1612 Phone: 414.327.4990 or denisepbartlett@wi.rr.com January/February 2015 9 Slovenian Union of America “April’s Showers of Wishes” Drawing April 2015 Fund-Raiser “April’s Showers of Wishes” Drawing 10 SUA has been fortunate over the past couple of years in having some decade-long wishes realized. Being recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization was a wonderful occurrence after so many actual hours and monies were spent to make it a reality. Now it’s time to concentrate on the many needs of our organization. Our members have been so generous over the years in helping us to produce memorable National Conventions because of our successful raffle fund-raisers and we hope you’ve had some fun in doing so. Won’t you help us once again? Our needs and wishes are many. Our National Officers over many decades have donated many hours and items to get us where we are today – but some things are financially out of reach at this time. Of course we would have liked to procure them all yesterday and it is unrealistic to fulfill all our wishes at once – but we can try. Any profits from our fund-raiser could help us procure many of the following needs (wishes): Slovenian Heritage Items Heritage Programs Updated Telephone Conferencing System Updated Computer System Membership Database Software Laptop Computer Heritage Museum & Home Office Spring Cleaning Renovated Restroom Carpet Replacement Off-Site Record Retention Home Office Building Repairs Lighting/Fixtures Slovenian Cookbook Production All members’ donations are now tax-deductible, however, raffle entries are not. Your $10 entry will make you eligible for cash prizes each day in April, 2015. The National Board will determine which of the “wishes” will be met from the fund-raiser earnings. However, if raffles are not of interest to you, any donations that you are willing to make towards a particular “wish” would be gratefully received. Thank you and GOOD LUCK! Denise P. Bartlett, SUA Director of Special Projects Need additional entries? Copies accepted. Have questions? Contact Denise P. Bartlett at: Phone: 414.327.4990 or denisepbartlett@wi.rr.com How Does the Fund-Raiser Work? Everyone participating in the “April’s Showers of Wishes” Fund-Raiser has the chance to win cash prizes. Each day in the month of April, 2015, one winner will be chosen to win the listed cash prize for that day - $60, $130, or $200. In addition, each day the person or Branch that sold that day’s winning ticket will win $10. The daily winner and seller can be one and the same and win both prizes. In addition, the top sellers (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) will win $130, $90, and $50 respectively. Zarja - The Dawn Membership Application and Renewal Slovenian Union of America (Formerly known as Slovenian Women’s Union of America) slovenianunion.org sua@slovenianunion.org 815.727.1926 For RENEWALS use form at BOTTOM of this page Adult Dues $25.00 Adult Dues (International Address) $35.00 Junior Dues (Birth to 18) $5.00 If this is a gift and you agree to continue paying for this membership next year, please advise us of billing address: _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Dues are for January through December If you join after August 31 you will not be billed in January of the next calendar year Membership Renewal Notifications are sent annually in January Please print the requested information below and send this application form with a check payable to: Slovenian Union of America, 431 North Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432-1703 Last Name________________________________ First Name______________________ M___ F____ Street Address_____________________________ City/State/Zip________________________________ Phone____________________________________ E-Mail______________________________________ Date of Birth_______________ Branch Affiliation Number (if known)/Location_______/______________ Maiden Name______________________________ Do you speak Slovenian? _____________________ Please describe your Slovenian ancestry and provide SLOVENIAN SURNAMES ___________________________________________________________________________________ How did you hear about us? SUA Member___ Newspaper___ Website___ Other____________________ I would like to volunteer for the SUA. My area of interest or expertise is___________________________ Applicant’s Signature__________________________________________ Date______________________ Recommended by: Name _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL Name ___________________________________________________ Member ID No.__________________ (located on back cover) Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone _________________ E-mail______________________________ Dues Amount______________ Donation_________________ Mail to: SUA/SWUA, 431 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432-1703 January/February 2015 11 Cirila Kermavner Tribute to Long-Time Members by Patricia Budzilek Cirila (center) on a truck with friends leaving the Spittal Camp in Austria for America. Some of our members have lived remarkable lives, even cheating death on occasion. One of these fortunate ladies is Cirila Kermavner, who was born in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on March 1, 1931, the only child of Lovro Traven and Marija Starman Traven. She was born in a hospital, not common at that time, and coincidentally, her future husband, John Kermavner, was born in the same hospital six years earlier. Cirila’s parents were both teachers, with her father also being a principal. She never wanted her father to be her teacher, so she looked at schools elsewhere and fell in love with the Vincentienne sisters, the nuns with the large habits, and was enrolled in their cloistered school, the “Lichtenturn” in Ljubljana. She lived at the cloistered school and her parents came to visit, but she was only allowed to go home on Sundays. Hraše. At the border she was stopped by the Germans and taken to a police station where she was told that she must live with her father, even though he was separated from her mother and lived in Stajersko, where he was an educator and mayor of the Trojane area. Her father came to get her and for six weeks her mother searched for her as she had no idea where Cirila was, until someone who knew Cirila saw her and told her mother. At that time, the Germans were east of Ljubljana and the Italians were west; in 1943 the Germans took over the entire area. Cirila was able to converse with the Italians and gained their respect by showing them her holy pictures and sometimes even giving them one. There was no such relationship with the Germans. By 1941 life began to change as WWII was beginning and Cirila left Ljubljana by herself for a vacation with her maternal uncle in Cirila with her mother, Marija. 12 After leaving Stajersko in 1943, Cirila went back to Gorenjsko. In 1944, while in school at St. Vid near Zarja - The Dawn Ljubljana, one of her classmates who was of German ancestry was invited to meet Hitler, because her family of eight boys and seven girls all served in the German military. Hitler was proud of such a patriotic family and wanted to honor them. Cirila was invited to accompany her classmate to Berchtersgarten and there met Hitler, who in this social situation was pleasant. On one occasion in 1942, at her uncle’s house in Hraše, the Partisans (Communists) came and questioned her uncle for over two hours, and then said that they were taking him to Dolenjsko. As they were leaving, Cirila slipped a small, personal-sized statue of the Blessed Mother in his pocket. He was never seen again. A few weeks later a forester was walking through nearby woods and saw a foot protruding from the ground, which led to a body that had been stabbed over 30 times. It was identified as her uncle by the Blessed Mother statue. The murderer, a man who was studying to be a butcher, later committed suicide because he knew the Germans were after him. The Germans put his dead body in a sitting position on the steps of a church to remind people of what the Germans can do. The body remained there for a week and a half before anyone removed it. by herself for the farm in Hraše, because it was suggested that it would be better if she went there. Cirila was walking towards the border at St. Vid and met a German general who took her to the train to Medvode, from which she walked for 1.5 hours to Hraše. She had met a schoolmate on the train and they walked together for a short time until their paths separated. While walking, they passed a man who almost immediately committed suicide with a grenade. She remembers how awful the experience was with the death; the noise and objects flying all over. No one else was around, and luckily, neither girl was injured. Cirila, at the age of 13, walked on alone across the River Sava, and fields literally covered with beetles, which immediately covered her totally; especially in her hair and even some in her mouth. She stayed with her family in Hraše for days and was never afraid, as she had travelled alone before throughout Slovenia. On May 9, 1945, the family gathered their belongings for the long walk to Austria, and the Domobranci suggested that the younger members should leave and the older ones stay behind. Four people, including Cirila, her mother, and cousins Christina and Felix, left, and for about a week, walked with a wagon, pulled by a pair of horses and filled with their possessions and some food. Cirila had taken a 300-yearold wooden chest, which unfortunately she had to leave behind in Spittal. The farm in Hraše had a large gostilna and the Partisans came every evening for a meal, cleaned their weapons, and then stayed the night. Every morning the Germans came, Cirila with her father, Lovro. not knowing that the Partisans had spent the night there because the girls had metic- The first camp Cirila was at, Vetrijne, was not prepared ulously cleaned with hot, soapy water, all traces of and for a few months they camped in farmer’s fields their presence. One girl had the job of taking care of with thousands of other people. Because there was a picture, which had on one side, Hitler, and on the no food for the horses, they gave them to a farmer other side, Tito. She was to turn the picture to the whom they knew, because he had been training at appropriate side for their visitors. Everyone became their farm in Hraše. This farm had been a showplace infected with lice from the Partisans. of Slovenia as it had all the modern equipment and machinery known at that time. Cirila had attempted to In 1945, at the war’s end, the children were sent milk the cows many times and could never do it right; home. On May 6, 1945, Cirila left Ljubljana on foot and the cows would swat her with their rough tails. January/February 2015 13 She gave up. Field Marshall Goebels from Germany came to observe what they were doing at the farm. Years later, even Khrushev came to visit and they had to remove a small chapel on the farm before he arrived. Neighbors picked up the pieces and rebuilt the chapel in another village. While at Vetrinje, Cirila was offered a chance to go back to Slovenia on a truck with some Domobranci soldiers, but in the end she never went because she developed a stomach problem. Unknown to everyone, this trip was a part of the British deception, which promised that the people would be moved to camps in Italy because the camps in Austria were over-crowded. Instead, the trains were sent to Slovenia and the passengers turned over to Tito’s men, which resulted in the murder of over 14,000 people who were then buried in mass graves in Kocevje. Those who left on the truck that Cirila was supposed to be on were never seen again, including her cousin, Felix. Cirila was given carob by the camp doctor, Dr. Janez, a man who lived a saintly life and later became a missionary in Formosa. He is currently up for beatification. Cirila arrived in Cleveland on August 10, 1949, and married John Kermavner on December 1, 1950; the time of the historic Thanksgiving snowstorm in Cleveland. Everyone walked through the deep snow to St. Vitus Church, including her husband who walked through snowdrifts from Thames Avenue, a distance of about four miles. There were seven people in the church and fifteen at the reception afterwards. Cirila has two children, John (wife, Cilka), and Methoda Anastasia. Her name, Cirila, and her daughter’s name, Methoda, are in honor of the saints, Cyril and Methodius. Methoda died at the age of three from heart problems. After attending classes in dental assisting at Western Reserve University, Cirila became a dental assistant. Although retired, she still works when needed for the dentist for whom she had worked for over 34 years. For two years she taught “English as a Second Language” classes at the St. Clair Bathhouse, a settlement house in the Slovenian neighborhood. When Slovenia was in the process of being recognized as an independent nation, Cirila was a part of the recogniPeople in the camps often wondered how Slovenians tion committee, and worked with Ohio’s now retired could murder their fellow Slovenians. The camp Senator, John Glenn, with whom she is still in contact. residents found out about this horror and were very careful whenever a suggestion was made that they Cirila has been very active in the SUA as Secretary of move to another camp. They watched very closely Branch 25 for many years, and also nationally in the the direction the trains were going, making sure that early 1980s as National Vice President for four years, it was away from Slovenia. and then as the First Auditor where she represented the National Board by giving many speeches at Branch Cirila and her mother were moved to a camp in Lienz events across the country. She is now a member in the Tyrol, into barracks that had been used by the of Branch 50 in Euclid, Ohio. Cirila had also been Cossacks, who had all been murdered by the Rus- very active in many other Slovenian organizations, sians. It was said that the River Drava ran red with including the St. Vitus Altar Society, AMLA, KSKJ, their blood. The British again failed because they Korotan Singing Society, Lira, and is a member of knew what was happening and did not try to save the the St. Vitus Church Choir. Cossacks. Living in the same house for over 60 years, Cirila is The last camp that Cirila and her mother were in was still an independent woman, always looking to help Spittal, where they spent a couple of years. They and to further her Slovenian heritage. Incidentally, she were then sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Urbanija, of has the most beautiful penmanship you will ever see. Cleveland, Ohio, where her mother was given the job of taking care of Mrs. Urbanija who had previously fallen and needed help. Note: Please notify me if you would like to suggest a SUA/SWUA member to be profiled in this feature. Remember - they must have been active for many years, and are probably in their 80s. My e-mail is pbudzilek@oh.rr.com. 14 Zarja - The Dawn D e b e v e c : What’s in a Name? by Charles F. Debevec I first learned the name of my grandfather Anton Debevec Sr.’s birthplace, Begunje pri Cerknici, from his obituary when he passed away in 1970 at the age of 89. Further research revealed that other Debevec families originated from or still lived in that same small village, as well as in the surrounding area. There are two villages in Slovenia named Begunje. To distinguish them, one is referred to as Begunje pri Cerknici (“Begunje by Cerknica”) and the other as Begunje na Gorenjskem (“Begunje in Gorenjsko”). Begunje pri Cerknici is located 17 miles southwest of Ljubljana, in the Notranjska (“inner”) region of Slovenia. It was first mentioned in 1260 as part of the property of the Carthusian monks from Bistra. It appears in medieval town records under its German name, Vigawen. The parish church in Begunje is St. Bartholomew (Sv. Jernej); it is first mentioned in written documents in 1320. Later, during the time of the Turkish incursions, it was fortified with walls and towers and served as a peasant’s fortress. Being a haven for refugees, the town’s name was derived from the Slovenian word for refugee, Begunec. Besides my grandfather, immigrants from at least two other Debevec/Debevc families originating in Begunje reached the United States. James Debevec, Sr. (1887-1952), arriving in 1913, was owner and editor of the Ameriška Domovina (American Home) newspaper. Anton Debevc (1889-1982), the vintner from South Madison, Ohio, arrived in 1910, and bought a farm in 1916. His descendants currently operate his winery, known as Chalet Debonné. Of those who remained in Slovenia, Rev. Jože Debevec (1867-1938), the eldest brother of James Debevec, Sr., was a chaplain, professor, theologian, literary historian, writer, and translator. He is best known for his translation into Slovenian of Dante’s Divine Comedy, for which he also provided a commentary. He received his doctoral in theology in Vienna in 1894, and then pursued classical philology and Slavic Studies in Vienna and Graz, graduating in 1900. He wrote educational stories for children, theatrical plays, and literary studies. Luka Kramolc and January/February 2015 Matija Tomc mention him in their book, Slovenska Pesmarica I, as having transcribed the lyrics of many songs, recalled by Matija Rožanec (1827-1910), also of Begunje. The artist, Maxim Gaspari (1883-1980), well known for his paintings of peasant life, was born at Selšček, which adjoins Begunje on the northeast. His father was a native of Friuli, Italy, and his mother was a local peasant girl. He attended school in Begunje. Debevecs in Eveleth, Minnesota, originated at Lipsenj, which is located about seven miles south of Begunje. SUA’s own Jan King, National Vice President of Home Office, was born Jan Debevec, and traces her ancestry to Padež, located five or six miles north of Begunje. Other Debevec families trace their ancestry to the nearby towns of Borovnica, Bežuljak, and doubtlessly several others. Ed Debevic, the proprietor of the restaurants that bear his name, is not included among these and in fact never existed. He is a fictitious character made up in 1984 by the restaurateur, Rich Melman, who wanted a Polish-American (!) sounding name for his 1950s diners. Origin of the Name Janez Keber has explained the derivation of the name in his column, “The Origins of Slovene Names,” in Slovenija magazine. He groups such names as Debevec, its variant Debevc, and similar names Debelak and Debeljak under “nicknames denoting certain physical characteristics or character traits.” The related Slovene word is debel, meaning “fat” or “stout,” and so these names mean, “fat man.” Different families in Begunje used both variants of the name, Debevec and Debevc, apparently to avoid confusion. Anton Sr., used Debevc in Europe; in America Debevec ultimately prevailed. Family names came into use in Slovenia during the late middle ages, i.e. the 14th and 15th centuries, and it was probably during this period that the Debevec name, or a 15 variant, was first used. Town records of Rihemberk (Branik), which is located near Trieste, Italy, in the Archbishopric of Salzburg, list a Michel Debellcz in an entry dated 1485. “Debellcz” appears to be an early, Germanized, form of Debevc. Michel Debellcz was a peasant who lived at Dolenje pri Štjaku, about 7 miles southeast of Rihemberk, and about 23 miles west of Begunje pri Cerknici. Anton was the fifth of eight children and the third of four sons. He was boarded with a cabinetmaker, probably in another town, at age 12 (ca. 1893) to learn the trade. He remained there until age 18 (ca. 1899), when he entered into military service. It was the custom in Slovenia that a man not be allowed to marry until he owned a house. Another custom provided for the eldest son There are less than to inherit the family 2,500 Debevecs livhome, with the proviing in Slovenia, for the sion that parents and name is not on a Stagrandparents, if still tistical Office list of living, would continue the 30 most common to reside there. Consesurnames. The thirtieth quently, the house went name on the list has a to Anton’s eldest brothpopulation of 2,438. Anton (right) and Mary (seated) Debevec. Others are unidentified. er, Franc, who married A survey by Halbert’s in 1902. Anton’s other Family Heritage (1991) estimates a population of 418 two brothers, also wished to get married, but with opporDebevecs in the United States, 14 in Canada, 3 in Great tunities to earn enough money limited, decided to move Britain, 34 in Austria and 11 in West Germany, although to America to earn enough to afford a house, then return these are probably extrapolations based on the number of to Begunje. They came to America in 1903; Alojze, the households. There are possibly also some Debevecs in Ar- youngest, in January and Janez in October. Anton followed gentina and Australia, which were not listed by Halbert’s; in 1906. He settled in Lorain, Ohio, where he found work the genealogy shows some immigrating to those countries. as a carpenter. Anton Debevec, Sr. Anton Debevec, Sr. was born in Begunje at house No. 11 (reassigned No. 40 in 1954) at the address that had been occupied by his forebears since at least 1731, the first date shown in the genealogy. The house at that address was built in 1827 by Anton’s great-grandfather Urban. It had outer and inner concrete walls with a space in between where a furnace was located to heat the whole house - an early centralized heating system. The house was in use by the family for over a century and a half before it was finally replaced in the 1980s. 16 Alojze, suffering from tuberculosis, died in 1907. Janez and Anton returned his body to Begunje for burial. Janez returned at the same time, built a house at No. 105, and married in 1920. Anton had already met his future wife and remained in America. Debevecs in Willard Mary Zevnik was born in Nadlesk pri Ložu and came to the United States with her parents in 1892, at age two. They settled in Lorain, where they owned and operated a gostilna. Mary and Anton were married in Lorain in 1909, and their first child, Anton, Jr., was born there the following Zarja - The Dawn year. Anton, Sr. heard from a Slovenian real estate agent about land being available near Willard, Wisconsin. The price for similar land in the area at the time was about $17 per acre. He purchased 80 acres of logged-out land, to which there was no road, and moved there in 1912. After he built a dwelling, his wife and son joined him. Other settlers, mostly Slovenian immigrants who lived and worked in industrial cities or mining towns, likewise moved to the area. The settlers found that much manual labor was required to clear their land of tree stumps and rocks before it could be farmed. They grew potatoes and cabbages between the stumps, and survived on potatoes and sauerkraut through the long and cold winters. Some became discouraged and left for other areas. Most persisted and eventually turned the inhospitable land into profitable farms. Willard went on to become the largest Slovenian farming community in America. In 1918, Anton, now with three children, sold his farm and purchased another closer to Willard. He built a house in 1920 and a barn in 1924 and engaged in dairy farming. His son, Robert, born there in 1920, took over the operation in 1952 and lived there until his death in 2010, after which the farm was sold. Anton, Jr. married my mother, the former Frances Baskovec, and worked as a cheese maker for a few years. They then began farming on a rented farm where I, the second of three children, was born. The next move was in 1944 to another dairy farm, this one purchased, six miles north of Willard. We farmed until 1957, when my father began working as a carpenter. He lived to 86 and my mother to 94. I moved to Minnesota in 1961 and, after some schooling, worked in the electronics industry for 33 years. Now retired, I am a collector and discographer of Slovenian 78RPM records. My grandmother, Mary, passed away in 1947 at age 57. Anton, Sr. lived to 89 and remained in good health for all but the last six months of his life. Longevity ran in the family; Anton’s father lived to 84 and his grandfather, born in 1814, to 88. Anton and Mary were the parents of 10 children; two died in infancy. Today, their posterity extends to the fifth generation. In 2010, a Debevec family reunion, only the second one ever, was held at a lake near Willard. Descendants from Connecticut, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Colorado, California, and Washington state, about 80 people in all, attended. There were many others not in attendance; the total number not known. Binding oats at the Anton Debevec, Sr. farm in the 1930s. January/February 2015 17 Finding Franska by byDonna DonnaBjorkquist Bjorkquist dmbjork@windstream.net dmbjork@windstream.net Franska FranskaKec, Kec,October October2013. 2013. InInOctober October2013, 2013,IItraveled traveledtotoSlovenia Sloveniatotosearch searchfor formy mymother’s mother’s family. family.Armed Armedwith withold oldletters lettersand andpictures picturesand andthe theassistance assistanceofof my myfriend’s friend’sSlovenian Sloveniancousin, cousin,Igor IgorZaplotnik ZaplotnikofofMirna, Mirna,IIfound foundmy my mother’s mother’sfirst firstcousin, cousin,Franska FranskaKec. Kec.Igor’s Igor’shelp helpwas wasinvaluable invaluableasashe he made madethe theinitial initialphone phonecalls, calls,arrangements arrangementstotovisit visitFranska, Franska,and andthen then served servedasastranslator translatorasasFranska Franskatold toldme meher herstory. story. As AsIIlistened listenedtotoFranska’s Franska’sstory, story,IIthought thoughthow howmy mymother, mother,Helen Helen Knouse Knouse(Knaus) (Knaus)Bjorkquist, Bjorkquist,would wouldhave haveliked likedtotomeet meetthis thispreviously previously unknown unknowncousin. cousin.IIthought thoughthow howdifferent differentwere werethe thelives livesofofthe thefamily family who wholeft leftSlovenia Sloveniaand andthe thefamily familywho whostayed. stayed. When When 20-year-old 20-year-old Helen Helen Knouse Knouse (Knaus) (Knaus) was was going going toto work work atat Stackpole StackpoleCarbon CarbonCompany CompanyininSt. St.Mary’s, Mary’s,Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,inin1942, 1942,her her 15-year-old 15-year-oldcousin, cousin,Franska FranskaKec, Kec,was wasgoing goingtotoaaconcentration concentrationcamp camp ininRab, Rab,Croatia. Croatia.While WhileHelen Helenwas wasgoing goingtotomovies, movies,gossiping gossipingwith with friends, friends,and andsupporting supportingthe thewar wareffort effortby bytaking takingthe thejob jobofofaaserviceserviceFranska Franskaand andDonna Donnaatatthe thechurch churchininStari StariKot, Kot,the theonly onlybuilding buildingthe theItalians Italians didn’t didn’tburn burnduring duringWWII. WWII. 18 18 Zarja Zarja--The TheDawn Dawn Franska, her mother, and two brothers soon after the war. coast of Croatia. They were there for nine months, living in tents through the winter trying to survive. The very old and the very young were the first ones Helen Knouse in August 1942. to succumb to starvation, exposure, and disease. The man in the factory, Franska was striving to stay alive, next camp they were sent to was in Gonars, Italy, along with her mother and two older brothers, living where there were barracks instead of tents, but the in a tent and subsisting on pasta, bread, and water. conditions were not much better there. The Italians Helen’s parents, John Knaus and Helena Kec, were did not gas their prisoners as the Germans did, but married in Draga, Slovenia, and lived at Stari Kot 31, managed to kill many of them slowly. Franska and where they had two children, Frances and Frank. John her family were able to survive until the Italians surwanted a better life for his family and saved enough rendered in September 1943. money for one passage to America. He left his family in 1905 and went to St. Mary’s, Pennsylvania, where When they returned to Slovenia, Stari Kot 31 was no he worked in lumber camps and saved for seven long more and over half of the other villagers were dead. years to earn the passage for his family. Helena and The Italian Army had burned the entire village and the her two children left the house at Stari Kot 31, and only building that had not been burned was the church. her brother, Joseph Kec, and his family now called Franska’s brothers left to become partisan soldiers to it home. When his wife was pregnant with Franska, fight the Nazis. Franska and her mother survived until Joseph also left Stari Kot for a better life in Argentina. the end of the war, when they were reunited with the But unlike John, he never sent for his family and they two brothers. Franska is now 87 years old and lives never heard from him again. by herself in Lazec, not too far from Stari Kot. Life was hard in Stari Kot, a small village in the mountains on the border of Slovenia and Croatia, especially after Joseph abandoned the family. But they had a house and each other. On July 29, 1942, life was going to get even more difficult, for that was when the Italians came to Stari Kot. The Italian Army forced all of the villagers out of their homes and marched them down the mountain to Croatia. When Franska looked back, she could see that the entire village of Stari Kot was on fire. Franska, her family, and the other villagers were taken to a concentration camp on the island of Rab off the January/February 2015 So I found more than a relative in Slovenia; I found an interesting story. I did not know that the Italians operated concentrations camps during World War II or that my relatives were interred in one. All this I learned from Franska. She showed me where the house had been at Stari Kot 31, and we saw the church there and also the church at Draga where my grandparents were married. The Chinese have a curse, “May you live in interesting times.” Franska lived in interesting times. 19 ŽIVIJO, Tour Celeb 85 Years of Za Slovenia Se 2020 Zarja - The Dawn ZARJA! brating From our cameras to your home, these are our memories of the first four days of the Živijo, Zarja! Tour 2014. arja - The Dawn eptember 2014 January/February 2015 2121 22 22 Zarja -- The The Dawn Dawn Zarja January/February 2015 January/February 2015 23 Živijo, Zarja! Tour 2014 A 14-day Tour of Slovenia, Part 1 by Mary Lou Deyak Voelk and Marc Judnick, Photographer As each day progressed, the changing landscapes and panoramic views of Slovenia awakened our ethnic roots. Add the culinary delights, the sips of wine, the melodious language, and the sounds of the button box… This is an account of the first four days of the Živijo, Zarja! Tour 2014. From our cameras to your home, these are our memories of the Živijo, Zarja! Tour 2014. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Enjoy your virtual tour of this beautiful country, Slovenia. Day 1-2: Arrived at Lake Bled in the evening hours. After the long flight, the Grand Hotel Toplice was a welcomed sight. The hotel, advertised as “sumptuous elegance in the heart of the Alps,” left little to be desired. From the seat on the plane, to the feather bed! The dining room overlooked Lake Bled; coming into view was the island church, the castle against a background of the Julian Alps. We needed to coax our eyes; yes, this is for real! In typical Slovenian style, we had our first culinary experience this night at a local gostilna; where the friendships began. Day 3: The first activity of the day was the ride to the island. We loaded into a pletna, a wooden flat-bottom boat; its origins go back to 1590. The pletna is made by local craftsmen from local European larch. To propel the boat, oarsmen must stand. Consider this - one boat can hold up to 15 people. It is no wonder this intense labor is described as stand-up, unromantic, hard work; it takes up to 30 minutes of rowing, depending on the wind! On this particular morning, the lake was calm, the sun was bright, and the oarsman smiled all the way to the island! 24 As we neared the island, our eyes gazed upward toward the Baroque stairway. Ahead of us were 98 stone steps leading to the pilgrimage church. Dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, the church was built near the end of the 17th century and is decorated with the remains of Gothic frescos from around 1470. Known as a popular wedding scene, it is traditionally considered good luck for the groom to carry his bride up the bell tower steps on the day of their wedding. The sound of the ringing bell alerts the area that the mission was accomplished! What a view from the church courtyard: the Julian Alps, Lake Bled Castle, and the 1,000 year old town! Back on the bus, we headed to the Lake Bohinj area. At a roadside stand we sampled the local cheese, then onward to the cable car that would pull us to the top of Mt. Vogel. Oh yes, there were those who shut their eyes and hung on to their neighbor as we slowly ascended! What more could Zarja - The Dawn one ask for, a ‘mountain-sized bowl of soup’ and strudel for lunch! But always anticipating the trip down the mountain! We traveled onward to the Museum of Apiculture in the medieval village of Radovlijica, where the history of beekeeping in Slovenia unfolds in both visual and digital forms. Unique to Slovenia are the collection of painted, frontal boards with various motifs; animals in human roles, historic scenes, religious and biblical scenes - a folk art unique to Slovenia only! One of the items sold in their gift shop is Bee Propolis. Bees make propolis. They use it to glue the material of their hive together, mixing beeswax and other secretions with resins from the buds of conifer and poplar trees. It is affective in humans and animals when used in treatment for burns and dental pain, proving that propolis does have antibiotic and antiseptic properties. Also, propolis tincture is used to treat canker sores and sore throats! Ask about it! The famous Lectar Museum, home of the renowned honey dough, decorated hearts, is directly across the courtyard from the bee museum. After a historical overview of the folk craft and a demonstration of the decorating, we climbed the stairway to the dining room. At each place setting was a painting on canvas of the Lake Bohinj Bridge, by Gregor Smukovič. Our dinner was a rustic feast of traditional dishes! The entertainment was a button box player and a group of local couples in traditional dress performing traditional dances. The button box player was arrival of the 100-year-old steam engine that would take us through the picturesque Pirorsko region. The passenger car’s interiors were original, wooden benches for two. Word of caution, keep the windows closed when going through the tunnels! The button box player was the last to board. The small aisles did not inhibit people from dancing in the aisles! To Be Continued... a wizard and quite a showman; the broom dance and the hat game brought roars of laughter. As a finale, guests were coaxed onto the dance floor. Oh, what a night! BTW, did you notice we are always climbing? DAY 4: On Saturday, September 20, actors in vintage clothing greeted us at the rail station. We awaited the January/February 2015 25 25 So, No, I Didn’t Go… Back in last January’s frigid and snowy winter, on a Wednesday, the 15th of 2014, an e-mail arrived from Bonnie Prokup and Debbie Pohar that warmed my spirits up with the question, “Who wants to go to Slovenia?” The body of the e-mail offered an upcoming informational meeting date and time to discuss planning for the Živijo, Zarja! 85th Anniversary Celebration Tour. The e-mail further enticed its readers to come and experience firsthand the people and culture from the land of our ancestors. “Let us pamper you like a VIP, with surprises and unique, local opportunities each day as we travel through the unspoiled back roads of Slovenia. This tour offers much more than sightseeing; we invite you to come see why!” Submitted by David G. Sodac circumstances wouldn’t enable us to join the tour. Knowing that fact, we chose to experience the tour in vicarious and indirect ways. It tremendously helped my psyche when the editor of the Zarja - The Dawn magazine, Debbie Pohar, requested my becoming a part of the overall anniversary celebration tour through the composing of an article for the 85th anniversary issue. That commemorative 85 th issue would be toasted by members of the delegation in Slovenia during the Živijo, Zarja! Tour official reception. My “Through the Years” article would become the introductory read into that celebration issue. Now I became an emotional participant in the tour. This opportunity of a lifetime was exceptionally well planned by Bonnie, Debbie, and Kollander World Travel, with 12 glorious days scheduled for seeing, hearing, experiencing, and tasting Slovenia! There were promises of boarding an old, steam train traveling along the picturesque Bohinj railway, descending on a 120 year old elevator into the Velenje Coal Mine, and visiting a beekeeper to learn and taste Slovenia’s famous honey. In addition, opportunities were offered to visit quaint, little villages in the mountains, the medieval, coastal towns, and participate on a private cruise excursion into the azure blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. Searching for and discovering previously unknown, extended relatives living throughout Slovenia has become an obsession. It’s been a pure joy to not only discover, but be able to establish and maintain ongoing communications. We have become a part of each other’s families. Physically participating in the tour would have been a dream come true, but it was not to be. So there just wouldn’t be any satisfying hugs this time around, but that wouldn’t stop me from inserting my dreams into small parts of this trip in other ways. Apprising some of these relatives of the planned dates and locations of the itinerary would be one way of starting. The Marjan and Irena Smukovič family, along with their adult sons, David SUA members across the United States were and Gregor, of Račja vas, are one of these families. reading the same e-mail invitation and considering Our relationships have evolved into satisfying, or clamoring to be a part of this glorious, fun-filled long-distance friendships. They needed to become opportunity. Calendars were being checked or cleared aware that extended family (3rd cousins), would be of conflicts, and finances were being assessed. Many arriving in their country within the year and to mark folks were asking themselves, “Could this be my their calendars. Their oldest son, David, has already chance to finally see Slovenia?” Two of my cousins become a somewhat familiar name in the Zarja e-mailed me quickly and wondered if my wife and magazine through two of his collaborative articles I were considering this trip. They were definitely with this writer - “Letting Perpetual Light Shine Upon planning to be a part of the extraordinary tour and an Them,” Vol. 85, Issue 1, 2013, and “Young Man with offer was extended to come join them. Quite truthfully, An Old Soul,” Vol. 86, Issue 4, 2014. David is also a we thought the pricing was amazingly affordable, the SUA Branch 89 - Oglesby, IL, long-distance member. tour itinerary was unbelievable, and the opportunity The Smukovič’s younger son, Gregor, volunteered to travel with SUA members on this 85th Anniversary a digital reproduction of one of his magnificent oil Celebration was just so inviting. Unfortunately, paintings of “Bohinj” that was used on the cover of 26 Zarja - The Dawn July/August 2014 issue of Zarja. A bio-sketch of his talent also appeared in that issue. Debbie and Bonnie had already expressed an interest in my approaching Gregor to be commissioned to reproduce prints of his painting to be presented as one of the souvenirs to all members of the tour. An offer that Gregor gladly accepted and arranged his schedule to sign the prints in person at a dinner prepared at Gostilna Lectar. Iowa t-shirts were selected for David and Sara, and their children, Nikolai and Gloria, would receive a small, green, toy tractor and John Deere t-shirts. There were also handwritten letters and cards to be given to various family members. All that remained on my planning agenda was to impose on some hapless innocent to carry back a promised Marjan and Irena extended a hopeful invitation to the two touring sisters, Barbara Bruch and Betsy Wroblewski, to spend a day in their village. Their sons would arrange a comprehensive tour of the surrounding lands where their grandmother, Theresa Piltaver Terselic, was born and raised. They would also be invited to a home-cooked, family meal surrounded by their Slovenian relatives. Barbara and Betsy gladly accepted and were able to adjust their touring itinerary for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet newly embraced family. Extended Family Reunion photo: (left to right) Gregor Smukovič and Sandra, Despite not being able to Betsy Wroblewski, Barbara Bruch, Marjan and Irena (Piltaver) Smukovič, participate “live” on the tour, and David Smukovič. there was still the need to shop for uniquely American gifts that could be given first edition copy of “Korenine Cerkljanske Fare,” to the David and Sara Smukovič’s young family authored by cousin David Smukovič. The over-sized, nine pound, resource book of four. Since I knew contained a section that I relatives who were going had contributed and was on the tour and meeting printed in both English up with the Račja vas and Slovenian. Shipping family, they were asked the book would have to please find room in been exorbitant at the their suitcases for gifts cost of $55. So, cousin from me as well. Since Betsy Wroblewski agreed we live in the state of to carry back the book, Iowa, and directly across unwittingly being aware from the home office of of the size and weight of the John Deere Company the book. Bless her sore in Moline, Illinois, the back muscles! gift items had to be The departure date of the representative of those David Smukovič with his son, Nikolai, long-planned trip finally entities. University of sporting their American gifts. January/February 2015 27 arrived. A copy of the busy itinerary was posted on my included her poppy seed potica. corkboard next to the computer, along with a highly detailed map of Slovenia, to enable me to monitor the So you see, the original e-mail that had informed all daily activities of the tour group. Each day, I checked SUA members to “Let us take you to this magnificent on which dramatic, scenic setting the group would country and introduce you to locals where you will be exploring, which distinctive regional dishes they hear and taste the Slovenian language, food, and would be eating, and what entertaining activities they music…” was indeed taken to heart. So, no I wasn’t were experiencing. When the itinerary read that there able to go, and no I didn’t get to taste Melina’s poppywould be music and dancing - I could almost hear the seed potica… but, in my heart I was with you in so melodic strains of polka music in my head. Traveler many different ways. The trip was truly a magnificent Barbara Bruch would tease me with beautiful photos adventure and inventively, pleasingly organized. she would snap and send to me as text attachments Čestitke to all of you who contributed to the planning as she went from region to region. In the late evening and those of you who participated. Na zdravje! when the entourage had reached Ljubljana, and were crashing into their beds in anticipation of their last As to my own involvement, with heartfelt appreciation, full day in Slovenia, I received an iPhone message my nine pound, promised book is now in my hands, from my cousin. It was late into the evening and she given to me through an impromptu presentation by was having another glass of wine and writing from the lobby of the hotel. She was just so pumped to let me know that in the morning she and her sister would be picked up by Gregor Smukovič and driven the 60 mile trip to spend the day with our relatives in their home village of Racja vas. Later, I heard all about the day through e-mails from both David and Gregor Smukovič, as well as cousin Barbara. David Smukovič felt that it went really well, that the two cousins were lots of fun, but tired from all the touring they did that day. He had prepared an English transcript of the historic highlights and family connections during each stop along the way. They David Sodac accepting his copy of the long-awaited book traveled and stopped at all 13 villages delivered by Barbara Bruch and Betsy Wroblewski. that comprise the Parish of Cerkjl. In the village of Krška vas, David pointed out the former location of an important inn participants Betsy and Barbara on the evening of an and restaurant with a post office, owned by a branch “All Souls Day” SUA activity. The Živijo, Zarja! 85th of our family, the Kuzelj’s, in the late 1860s. They also Anniversary Celebration Tour was truly a magnificent saw the church of Sts. Hermagoras and Fortunatus adventure and creatively, satisfyingly arranged for all. that was built in the 16th century and attended by our See you all in person on the next trip! The only thing descendants. And here stood the family farm of Adam that remains, is the matter of how to pay back Betsy Piltaver, another ancestor, and a pear tree that would Wroblewski for lugging my book all over Slovenia have been planted by him. The personalized tour also and through the various airports... visited family graves, remnants of ancestral farms, and included loads of cherished, handed-down stories. The Would a gift certificate for six physical day concluded with a delectable, home-cooked feast therapy sessions be sufficient? prepared by hostess, Irena Piltaver Smukovič, which 28 Zarja - The Dawn CALENDAR OF EVENTS SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2015 BRANCH 43 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to host annual Po Bozicna Zabava at Aliota’s Restaurant at noon on Highway 100, just south of W. Burleigh in Wauwatosa. SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2015 BRANCH 109 of Twin Cities (TC), Minnesota, to host “How my Mom and Dad met Freedom, Story of Determination,” by Silvester Vicic, at 9:30 a.m. at New Brighton Community Center, Room 224. Call Norm at 651.777.6106 for more information. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015 BRANCH 93 of New York, New York, to host Prešeren Day festivities. Contact Tanya Vajk at vajkusa@ gmail.com for information. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2015 BRANCH 109 of Twin Cities (TC), Minnesota, to host Slovenian Cultural Day by Dr. Seth Hawkins at Julian Sleeper Museum at 9:30 a.m. Call Norm at 651.777.6106 for more information. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015 BRANCH 109 of Twin Cities (TC), Minnesota, to host “Oral History Videos of Yul Yost and Mimi Manning,” at 9:30 a.m. at New Brighton Community Center. Call Norm at 651.777.6106 for more information. SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2015 BRANCH 109 of Twin Cities (TC), Minnesota, to host “Regions of Slovenia” by Miro Medved at 9:30 a.m. at New Brighton Community Center. Call Norm at 651.777.6106 for more information. SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015 BRANCH 89 of Oglesby, Illinois, to host annual Slovenian Heritage Event at Claudette’s in Oglesby. SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015 BRANCH 109 of Twin Cities (TC), Minnesota, to host Festival of Nations theme with Sue Rademacher and Mike Koski at 9:30 a.m. at New Brighton Community Center. Call Norm at 651.777.6106 for more information. THURSDAY, APRIL 30 - SUNDAY, MAY 3 BRANCH 109 of Twin Cities (TC), Minnesota, to participate in Festival of Nations at St. Paul River Centre. Call Norm at 651.777.6106 for more information. WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2015 BRANCH 16 of South Chicago, Illinois, to host the Member of the Year Luncheon at Tom’s Restaurant in Calumet City. Call Mary Jane Strus at 773.768.5127 for reservations. SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2015 BRANCH 109 of Twin Cities (TC), Minnesota, to host Slovenian StrudelBaking Demo at 9:30 a.m. with Ronnie Boucher at New Brighton Community Center, Room 224. Call Norm at 651.777.6106 for more information. THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2015 – SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 2015 27th SUA NATIONAL CONVENTION Hosted by BRANCH 99 of Lemont, Illinois Convention will be held at the Chicago Marriott Naperville with side trips to the Slovenian Union of America Heritage Museum, Slovenian Catholic Mission, Slovenian Catholic Center, and Lipizzaner Horse Performance. Special activities include Slovenian fashion show, Potica Contest, Apron Contest, Auction, Polka Lessons, Beehive Tour and Presentation, and more. Hotel reservations can be made at a later date. The convention is open to all Branch Member Representatives/Delegates, members, and guests of all ages. January/February 2015 29 Slovenian Union of America Branch Reports BRANCH 1 - Sheboygan, Wisconsin Contact Information: Mary Ann Schellinger 920.457.7946/rhmas@yahoo.com October 26 was a beautiful autumn day in Sheboygan. Members of the Branch gathered after the morning Mass in Fr. Cherne Hall. Home-baked treats were provided by members of the board to include: streusel muffins, pumpkin bars, chocolate chip banana bread, and slab apple cake with pears and cranberries. Add coffee to the above and breakfast doesn’t get any better than that. The program consisted of information regarding popular foods in Slovenia. Some information was provided in a few articles from the newspaper publication – “Slovenian American Times.” This is a wonderful source of info regarding Slovenia and is written in both English and the Slovene language. “Taste Slovenia” booklets were given out to all who attended the meeting. This publication showcases all the regions in Slovenia and describes the different foods that are from the various regions. Since the date of the meeting was also “trick-or-treat” in many areas of the county, our members were “treated” to candy packets and each received a door prize. No ghosts or goblins were present to play tricks. MARY ANN SCHELLINGER BRANCH 2 - Chicago, Illinois Contact Information: Judy Stoll 708.479.2864/judystoll@att.net Greetings to all Branch 2 members! Our newly elected officers are: President/Treasurer and Zarja reporter, Judy Stoll, Vice-President, Jean (Daisy) Zeleznikar, and Corresponding Secretary/ Recording Secretary, Deborah Morris. The Auditors are Jennie Kovacic and Mary Podder. In November, Jennie Kovacic, Rose Mary Litwin, Elsie Wojdula, Daisy Zeleznikar, Meta Hanzlik and her wonderful mother joined in the 19th anniversary celebration and dinner for the Slovenian Catholic Center in Lemont. They had a very enjoyable day and will go back again next year. Our spring meeting will be held on Thursday, April 23, 30 at 1:00 p.m. at Portello’s restaurant on Harlem and Archer. This change from a Sunday to a weekday meeting and to a more central location may not be permanent, so we hope that it will not inconvenience anyone. Mark this information on your calendar and we hope to see you there. If you have any questions or comments, please call Judy Stoll at 708.479.2864. Well, the holidays are all behind us now and we’re looking forward to the exciting events on board for 2015. The SUA National Convention, hosted by Branch 99 - Lemont will be the high point of the year. Can’t wait! Until then, keep warm. JUDY STOLL BRANCH 3 - Pueblo, Colorado Contact Information: Annette Charron amtcharron@yahoo.com Slovenians in Pueblo gathered on November 1 to celebrate the delicious cuisine of the home country at the annual Slovenian Heritage Dinner at St. Mary’s. As in recent years, the dinner was a sell-out with over 300 attendees. Prior to the celebration, the Slovenian Prešeren Glee Club sang at the 3:00 p.m. Mass. Weeks before the dinner, groups of Elaine Volk and Joan Mihalick preparing the apple strudel dough. Zarja - The Dawn women led by members Joan Klun Mihalick and Elaine Medonich Volk met to make sarma and strudels. Some Branch 3 members helped with dinner preparations. Jay Skul and Gary Kleinheim provided Slovenian accordion entertainment during dinner. The menu included barley soup (Jespren), locally produced klobase and blood sausage, sarma, Slovenian potato salad, sauerkraut, and dinner rolls. Apple, cream cheese, and cottage cheese strudels, along with other baked specialties, were offered for dessert. Our October 7 monthly meeting was held in St. Mary’s Church Hall. The hostess was Eileen Kaplan, and attendees enjoyed tasty doughnuts and snacks. The mystery gift was donated by Marge Cullen. In keeping with the Halloween theme of the meeting, Eileen Kaplan led a discussion of Halloween tricks, treats, and traditions. Branch 3 Chaplain, Marie Mutz, lit a memorial candle, and prayers were offered for the Branch 3 members who died since our last associated with the Slovenian Union of America. Is your information current? Many older members move into smaller residences and acquire new addresses. Do you have an e-mail account? With postage costs on the rise, many times events are posted by e-mail, and not sent by U.S. mail. Currently, I have 30 e-mail accounts for our members. Please send any changes/updates to: Phyllis Fon, 7151 Windridge Way, Brownsburg, IN 46112 or by e-mail to: phyllisswu5@aol.com. It was with very heavy hearts that we watched the doors of our beloved Holy Trinity Slovenian Catholic Church be locked down on Sunday, November 23, 2014. Built in 1906 by our Slovenian parents and grandparents, Holy Trinity Church and School was the center of Slovenian life on the Rolling out the apple strudels in St. Mary’s Church Hall is a group effort. meeting in Spring: Helen Skul, Helen Miklich, and Lillian Galich. Branch 3 donated Mass intentions for these three members, and thank you notes from each of the families were read to the group. For the November 4 monthly meeting, Mary Fran Kelley was the hostess and served scrumptious fresh cream puffs. Josephine Krasovic won the mystery door prize, which was donated by Marie Mutz. Annette Sabo Charron showed travel slides of Slovenia and told stories about her adventures in Slovenia while living in Eastern Europe in 2013. The next regular Branch 3 meeting will be on Tuesday, February 3. ANNETTE SABO CHARRON & BARBARA KARLINGER BRANCH 5 - Indianapolis, Indiana Contact Information: Phyllis Fon phyllisswu5@aol.com Happy New Year to all Branch 5 Members! With the holiday season behind us, we look forward to the “Hibernation Season,” also known as Winter! Winter weather started early this year, and it doesn’t show any signs of leaving anytime soon. Now is a good time to review some things January/February 2015 Holy Trinity Slovenian Catholic Church 1906-2014. 31 west side of Indianapolis, in the neighborhood known as Haughville. Families all over central Indiana can claim Slovenian ancestry that started with those first factory workers that arrived in Indianapolis, and built a Slovenian Catholic Church and School. Many professional people, including an Indianapolis Mayor, enjoyed a childhood playing in the parks and alleys surrounding Holy Trinity. Eight years ago we joyously celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Holy Trinity by renovating and updating, but with the arrival of a new Archbishop with ideas of consolidating parishes, our pleas to remain open fell on deaf ears. The closing of Holy Trinity also means the end of another tradition. Our wonderful “Potica Ladies” baked their last batch of Slovenian poticas! These ladies have baked poticas on Mondays throughout the year, for over 25 years. The poticas were made with ingredients that many people donated, resulting in a nice profit from the sale of these poticas to be given to Holy Trinity for upkeep expenses. Hvala Lepa to these bakers who gave of their time and talent for Holy Trinity! You have a star in heaven! Keep safe and warm, and keep all of our Holy Trinity family in your thoughts and prayers! MARY, KAREN, & PHYLLIS City. Call Mary Jane Strus 773.768.5127 for reservations. The death of two members was reported - Lennie Barnaby and Josephine (Cacich) Stengel. Eternal rest be granted unto them. Continuing with paying tribute to our 1920s gals who are now enjoying their “golden years,” we feature Helen Franko Battista. She was the youngest of nine children born to her Slovenian parents. There are many things that make Helen special! She is an avid sports fan, having played softball in her youth. Later, she enjoyed bowling; participating in leagues and tournaments. Golf was another of Helen’s endeavors. She loves to watch baseball and is a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. She has been a member of the St. George choir for many years, and is often asked by many families to sing the “Ave Maria” at funerals. Helen is married to John Battista. During WWII, while BRANCH 13 - San Francisco, California Contact Information: Moreen Spencer Spencermj1@aol.com Happy New Year! We wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2015. Branch 13’s election of officers was held at our December meeting. Officers for 2015 are President Doreen Sustarich, Vice President - Agnes Leach, Secretary - Moreen Spencer, Treasurer - Michele Twers, and Auditors - Virginia Sustarich and Ann Sustarich. Our meetings will remain the same - the first Wednesday of each month, at 11:30 a.m. at the Slovenian Hall. One of our favorite dinners at the Slovenian Hall is coming up in February - the Pust Blood Sausage Dinner, held the weekend before Lent. We are planning and looking forward to our Slovenian Union of America, Branch 13, Member of the Year luncheon in May. Details will be in the next Zarja. Happy Valentine’s Day! MOREEN SPENCER BRANCH 16 - South Chicago, Illinois Contact: Marjorie Mitchell 773.646.4392/Dolores60617@yahoo.com Our October meeting was also a “Pot Luck” lunch attended by 20 members. Guests were invited and everyone outdid themselves with their culinary efforts. The food table was heaped with lasagna, soup (jota), smoked sausage and sauerkraut, blood sausage, and salads. The desserts included apple and cheese strudels, flancati, and kolacky. A ceremonial Member of the Year Luncheon will be enjoyed on May 13, 2015 at Tom’s Restaurant in Calumet 32 Helen Franko Battista. serving in the Air Corps his position was in the tip of the bomber plane. His prayers helped his crew survive their many missions. John had the distinct honor of serving Mass for Padre Pio while in Europe. Helen and John have two sons, Bill and John. We will not have a meeting until March 2015. Please try to stay warm, and above all, HEALTHY. DOLORES KRAL FRANKO Zarja - The Dawn BRANCH 20 - Joliet, Illinois Contact Information: Diane Hohenwater dhohenwater@comcast.net Happy New Year to all! We hope everyone enjoyed a blessed Christmas. Instead of our usual Tuesday night meeting, please join us on Sunday, January 18, at 1 p.m. for our Installation of Officers. Members and guests are invited to celebrate with us and our Spiritual Advisor, Father Tom Paul. A buffet dinner will be provided by the officers. Our 2015 officers will be: Charlene Kobe, President; Jeanne Warsaw, Vice President; Georgene Agnich, Treasurer; Robin Coyne, Corresponding Secretary; Diane Hohenwater, Recording Secretary and Zarja Reporter; Jo Lustik, Bernice Nemanich, and Sister Marlene Ambrose, Auditors; and Nancy Horwath and Sandra Kehring, Sergeants at Arms. We appreciate the dedication of our hard-working, board members. We are pleased to announce the money raffle winners at our Grape Harvest Festival Dance: $300 - Donna Sebalj; $200 - Margaret Attaway; and $100 - Jean Govednik. Our president, Char Kobe, was the lucky winner of a year’s free dues. Congratulations to all! We extend our sympathy to the families of members Margaret Franze and Robert Horvatin, who passed away in 2014. Our February meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 17, at our new earlier meeting time of 6:30 p.m. Our beloved and active member, Jim Lilek, will be sharing details of his trip to Slovenia last summer. We enjoy seeing our regular members, but if you haven’t attended a meeting recently, come join us! DIANE HOHENWATER that God will continue to bless them with good health and happiness. Members met in St. Hyacinth’s Church on Saturday, November 1, to attend a Mass celebrated for our de- ceased members. On Sunday, November 2, we once again gathered at St. Vincent’s Cemetery to honor our dear, departed loved ones. Br. Luke, from St. Bede Abbey, once again honored us by braving the BRANCH 24 - LaSalle, Illinois chilly late afterContact Information: Loretta Story 9_lives@att.net noon weather as we processed through the cemetery lightHoping you all had a blessed and Merry Christmas. We ing candles, blessing the graves, and saying prayers for the extend our best wishes for a healthy and Happy New Year! repose of their souls. This has quickly become a favorite At our October meeting, our Branch had the privilege tradition with our Branch, and as we drove slowly away our of witnessing two exceptional people share with us their hearts were warmed by the glow of all the candles. And, recipe and technique for making as is the custom of most potica. It was quite obvious that Slovenians - rarely is this lovely couple have been there an event that does working together in the kitchen not include food. We for quite some time - 67 years proceeded to the Four to be exact! Assisted by their Star Restaurant where daughter, Linda, and niece, we warmed up with a Shirley, these two proved that good meal and lots of they are truly masters of the art good company. of potica-making and it was a In closing, once again delight to watch them work tomay you all have a wongether and enjoy the end result. derful New Year and Charles and Emily (Kosem) until next time, may Marchiori were married 67 your hearts be filled years on November 8. We exwith peace and love. tend our best wishes to them Charles and Emily (Kosem) Marchiori. LORETTA STORY January/February 2015 33 BRANCH 33 - Duluth, Minnesota We celebrated Agnes Galleberg’s 90th birthday with a party on September 13. After the blessing by one of our members, wonderful food was served. We all had a nice visit and Agnes was a very cordial hostess! We had a grand time together at the “Dry Dock” Restaurant as we were celebrating our annual fall dinner. Love explodes when we come together. Our last meeting brought eight members together and as we conducted our meeting we were enjoying a warm cup of coffee with a delicious apple treat with whipped cream, made by Jackie Rukavina. There was a whole lot of discussion going on; we could hardly contain ourselves! Our meetings will be suspended for the winter months, as it gets difficult for some of our members to get out at these times. We end our meetings with a prayer asking God to take care of us, for we are aging and some of us have some type of disability. Here is a little song that I wish I could sing for you. Here are the words and you can put them to your own melody! God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He is good to us. ANN MENART BRANCH 35 - Aurora, Minnesota Contact Information: John Stark johnks6@yahoo.com Winter has arrived in northern Minnesota! Did we think it wouldn’t come? Southern Minnesota had more snow than we did (for once) and there is more snow coming. My husband and I became first-time great-grandparents in October. We are thoroughly enjoying the blessed event. Edwin John Miraw weighed 8 lbs. 14 oz. at birth. Our November meeting involved the “Art of Sarma-making” demonstrated by Tina and Tom Bajda. Tom also talked about going “wild ricing” with his sister, Rose Anttila; they made quite a haul. There are several things to do to the wild rice before it is ready for eating. We had a sampling of sarma, a wild rice salad, and dessert made by Jean Stark. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and it was all very tasty. Thanks, Tom, Tina, and Jean! Marianne Nanti showed slides of the Margratin American Cemetery in Mastrich, Netherlands, where residents place American flags on each grave every Memorial Day. Our Branch made a monetary donation to this wonderful tradition. Welcome to new member, Theresa 34 (Bajda) Moravitz, of Tower, MN, daughter of Tom and Tina Bajda. We are pleased to have you join us. Members present in November wrote little notes for the Branch to send to members who are homebound or in nursing homes. They will receive them for Thanksgiving. As you can tell by this article, we are setting up activities to do at our meetings. We are going to have to put our thinking caps on for ideas for future meetings. In January, we are hoping to have a potluck at member John Snidarich’s home. This is a member’s only activity and plans have to be finalized. Wishing all a Blessed New Year! MARLYS RABB BRANCH 43 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin Contact Information: Jan Gehm 414.321.1413/twogames@wi.rr.com By the time this edition of the Zarja reaches you, most of the holiday celebrations will be over and we’ll be working on our resolutions for 2015. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year! Election of officers was held at our October meeting and all officers remain the same! President, Jan Gehm; Vice President, BettyAnn Kolesari; Recording Secretary, Mary Bregant; Treasurer, Helen Frohna; Corresponding Secretary, Tillie Skusek; Auditors, Joan Winkleski, and Jack Kolesari; and Sergeant of Arms, Linda Abstetar. Welcome to Karen Janezic who was elected to co-chair the Sergeant at Arms position. The bake sale on Election Day was a huge success. Many thanks to our Branch members who generously baked, and there were many. Your specialties were enjoyed by many voters. A dinner was held in honor of Fannie Smole on November 12 for her many years of being President of the U.S.P.E.H. (United Slovenes to Preserve Ethnic Heritage) Organization. After over 35 years of service to this organization and to the Slovenian Community, Fannie decided it was time to retire. Fannie is a long-time member of our Branch 43 and the former Branch 12. The officers and members of Branch 43 wish her only the best. Jan Gehm, our Branch Branch 43 members at September meeting. Zarja - The Dawn President, is the new President of the U.S.P.E.H. Organization. Branch 43 congratulates her and wishes her much luck in her new endeavor. By now you should have received your calendars for 2015. Please have them handy and refer to them for meeting dates and times and other activities that our Branch has planned for you. Since this article had to be in before our Po Bozicna Zabava, you’ll have to read about it in the next Zarja. Hopefully this issue will reach you before the celebration and act as a reminder of this date, Saturday, January 10, 2015, at noon at Aliota’s Restaurant on Highway 100, just south of W. Burleigh in Wauwatosa. Condolences are sent to the Floryance family on the loss of their brother, Roman, and to the Abstetar family on the loss of David’s mother, Helen. May they rest in peace. Congratulations to member Rose Chepek on receiving the U.S. President’s “Volunteer Service Award.” President Barack Obama thanked her for helping to address the most pressing needs in her community and our country. The Service Award was presented to Rose in recognition and appreciation of her commitment to strengthening our Nation and for making a difference through volunteer service. Rose has volunteered at the Clement J. Zablocki Veteran’s Administration Hospital here in Milwaukee for over 18 years. We’re proud of you, Rose! MICI BREGANT BRANCH 47 - Garfield Heights, Ohio Contact Information: Debbie Duris 330.467.2281 Our members enjoyed our Christmas Luncheon on Saturday, December 6 at the Valley View Community Center. A big thank you to all those members who came and shared in our fellowship and the spirit of the season. I will gladly share any of our members’ activities. Just call me on my cell 330.730.8951 or e-mail me at kjferrante@ gmail.com. Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 2015! KATHLEEN FERRANTE BRANCH 50 - Euclid, Ohio Contact Information: Rick Tomsick 440.655.6735/ricktomsick@gmail.com Greetings from the “5-0” on America’s North Coast, Cleveland, Ohio! Vesel božič in srečno novo leto 2015! One of my resolutions this year (besides to become very wealthy) is to collect and share witty Slovenian sayings. Every culture has its slogans and clichés, but I think the Slovene culture must have a corner on the market of one-liners. I grew up learning a few of these from my Slovenian grandmother, Mary Tomsick, who taught us to pray constantly and fend off evil with a short prayer. But some of the sayings are not religious at all. My dear friend, Anne Zakelj, a writer in Willoughby Hills Ohio, has collected many of these January/February 2015 sayings from her own travels and interviews. One that I especially like is, “K’ zaj’c na boben” (‘like a rabbit on a drum’). If you have a favorite aspiration, shorthand prayer, or other one-liner, please e-mail me and I’ll be happy to share (if it’s suitable for publication!). I am very sorry to report on the death of our Treasurer, Maureen Podlogar, on October 14, 2014, following a brief illness. We will all miss her friendship and enthusiasm for Branch 50. I want to thank Pat Budzilek for stepping up to assume treasurer duties for our group in Maureen’s absence. I had the chance to talk with our member Josie Arko recently about her son, the accounting professor Dr. Frank Urbancic, who passed away in April 2013. Frank was a very active lad growing up in the 60s and 70s. He had a passion for racing fast cars and motorcycles, something that I can relate to very much. In his short life, Frank accomplished many great things, including becoming a very well-liked professor at the University of South Alabama. Let’s each remember to keep one another and all members of Branch 50 and all of the SUA in our prayers, especially remembering the dead and the poor souls in purgatory, and those they have left behind, to bring comfort and joy to all who mourn. Please write to me at ricktomsick@gmail. com with any family news and I will add you to our list of updates for Branch 50 (you don’t need to be a member of Branch 50). That’s all for now. Many thanks to everyone for all you do in SUA! RICK TOMSICK BRANCH 89 - Oglesby, Illinois Contact Information: Jim Ebner 815.883.3268/deadendbluff@yahoo.com On Monday evening, October 13, Branch 89 continued our tradition of praying the Rosary in a candlelight setting for our deceased members. In the late afternoon of Sunday, November 2, among the swirling, blustery winds at St. While praying the rosary for deceased members, Branch 89 arranged the candles to form SZZ as a tribute to our foremothers who belonged to Slovenska Ženska Zveza. 35 Vincent’s Cemetery, four members of our Branch joined a large group of Branch 24 members from LaSalle in lighting candles for deceased loved ones. Our Branch met the evening of November 10, to celebrate Martinovanje, (St. Martin’s Day). This traditionally is the time of year that the juice turns into wine. What better way to celebrate than with a wine tasting? Wines were enjoyed from Slovenia, Holland, and Hungary, along with cheese, crackers, olives, and dessert treats. The Treasurer’s report listed the donations our Branch has made this year. Recipients of our donations are: SWU Scholarship Fund, Zarja, Lemont’s Branch 99, (in support of hosting the National Convention) Oglesby Public Library, Food Pantry, Dickinson House, Friendship Village, and the SUA Heritage Museum. These donations are made possible largely due to the generous response of our members to our annual fund-raiser, our Bakeless Bake Sale. The nominating committee presented the following slate of officers for the coming year: President-Alice Ebner, Vice President-Fran Morrison, Secretary-Rose Bell, Treasurer-Terry Kamnikar, Auditors-Mitzi Banich, Paula Snell, and Mary Jane Gunderson, and Branch Member Representative/Delegate and Zarja Reporter-Barbara Bruch. Rounding out our November meeting was a table of pictures, pamphlets, and literature made available by President Barbara Bruch, keepsakes from her recent “Živijo, Zarja!” trip to Slovenia. When asked, “How was your trip?” Barbara responded: “Absolutely wonderful, awesome, the first day was fantastic, and somehow, each day after seemed to be even better! I am definitely going again if there is another trip in 2016!” Upcoming events: Sunshine Chairperson Julie Harback will be mailing cards to our Junior Members to celebrate the holiday of St. Nicholas on December 6. And “Yes!” We will again be hosting our annual Slovenian Heritage Event Saturday evening, March 28, at Claudette’s in Oglesby! Members are also looking forward to the National Convention this coming June 18-21. As the holiday season approaches, we send holiday greetings with well wishes for good health and happiness to all our members near and far. As the days get shorter, the nights get longer, and the snow begins to fly, we “hibernate” from monthly meetings during January and February, resuming in March. Slovenian egg-decorating and a strudel-making demonstration are already on the schedule! We thank retiring President Barbara Bruch for stepping forward these past two years as Branch 89 President, for her unique and innovative ideas, decorations, and projects; a job well done! It has been my pleasure to have served as Branch Reporter and I now turn these duties over to Barbara. We thank all who have served this past year, and all who have accepted offices for 2015. Together, we look forward to the New Year and keeping that “Slovenian Spirit” alive and well! “Dober Dan!” JIM EBNER 36 BRANCH 93 - New York, New York Contact Information: Elizabeth Gross 718.335.8459/Lizg669@gmail.com A rousing rendition of Kol’kor kapljic ushered in the Martinovanje celebration on November 9 for Branch 93 members, parishioners of the Church of Saint Cyril, a contingent of Bethlehem/Murska Sobota Sister Cities Association Slovenes hailing from Bethlehem, PA, friends from Connecticut and New Jersey, and Dr. Božo Cerar, Slovenia’s ambassador to the U.S. with his wife, Dr. Martina Skok. Wine, generously donated by Emil Gaspari, added to the festivities and, as Dr. Cerar pointed out in his remarks, was of significant relevance not only to the holiday, but to the importance of vineyards in Slovenia’s culture and economy. The traditional goose dinner was accompanied by mouth-watering, home-baked bread and liptauer (farmer’s cheese spread), zelce in fizol (cabbage salad), homemade mlinci with goose gravy, red cabbage, green beans, and bread dumplings prepared by our members Mia Branc, Ria Whitmire, and Nada Weber. And naturally, no meal would be complete without two different kinds of potica, chocolate and walnut, and just in case you were still hungry, a tasty plum tart! Accordionist Alex Gergar from Alex Gergar Zarja - The Dawn Bethlehem, PA, plied us with old favorites throughout, inspiring that demon of the slopes, Ivan Kamin (who can really cut a mean rug!), to swing Ria Whitmire into a polka that left them breathless and had all 80 men, women, and children applauding wildly! Thanks to Father Krizolog’s insistence that there had to be leftovers, most of us took home care packages to enjoy later, along with our pleasant memories of the day! On November 14 and 15, 2014, our ‘Slovene Conversation on the Internet’ language teachers, Mia Rode from California and Ria Whitmire from New York, travelled to Cleveland for a workshop designed to energize, inspire, and share ideas and methods to help students master the language. The workshop was organized by the Office for Slovenians Abroad at Lakeland Community College, facilitated by Luka Zibelnik, and Mihaela Knez and Damjana Kern who came from the Centre for Slovene as a Second/ Foreign Language at the University of Ljubljana. Participants braved the first (7”) snowfall of the year, which closed stretches of Shoreway and the college; the seminar was relocated to St. Mary’s downtown Cleveland. On November 15, 2014, at the Kimmel Center at NYU, the Association of Slovenes Educated Abroad organized a presentation by five Slovene researchers of their scholarly works in 15 minute “lightning talks” (think of an academic version of speed dating) entitled “Slovene Science Around the World” - Arne Baruca on Marketing, Veronika Dolar on Economics, Miha Habič on Mathematics, Ana Hočevar on Theoretical Neuroscience, and Tatjana Trček on Genetics. Musical intervals were provided by Žan Tetičkovič and his jazz trio. We’re still in the planning stages for Prešeren Day festivities. If you’re in New York City the weekend of February 7/8, 2015, contact our president, Tanya Vajk, at vajkusa@ gmail.com for specifics. ELIZABETH GROSS January/February 2015 BRANCH 99 - Lemont, Illinois Contact Information: Jana Hlade jmhlade@hotmail.com Happy New Year! We hope you all had a very blessed, holiday season. Thank you to all who attended the Genealogy class in November. And thank you to Tom Zakosek and Joan Kaczmarek for sharing how they began their search for family ties. If you were not able to attend or have any questions, you can contact Tom at tz2627@att.net and Joan at 815.834.0938. A big thank you, also, to everyone who donated bakery to the Christmas Cookie sale and to Mary Mavec and all the volunteers who made this event possible. All proceeds will be used for the National Convention next summer. Megan and Sarah Hlade decorating the display windows for Christmas at the SUA Home Office and Heritage Museum. 37 Thank you to Megan and Sarah Hlade for helping to decorate the display windows for Christmas at the Slovenian Union Home Office and Heritage Museum. The windows looked great! The new calendar for Branch 99 will be coming out soon. Watch your mailbox for upcoming events and activities. We have been planning an exciting 27th National Convention for 2015; registration and hotel reservation information will be in the March-April 2015 issue of Zarja. You won’t want to miss it! Wishing you a wonderful new year full of good health, abundance, and fun! Stay warm! JANA HLADE BRANCH 100 - Southern California Contact Information: Jean Koci 949.495.0097/ajkoci@cox.net As I write this, here on the west coast, we are anticipating St. Martin’s Day and Thanksgiving. Many of our Branch 100 members and friends had a great time at the SNPJ Federation Vinska Trgatev a few days ago, so it is a celebratory time of the year. We are also looking forward to the Southern California SUA Branch 100’s Christmas Luncheon on December 13 and family gatherings throughout the fall and winter months. Three newer members of Branch 100 who came to the recent Vinska Trgatev at the Slovene Hall in Fontana, CA: Marie Bajc, Karen Jantzen, and Trish Moore. We are looking forward to seeing some of our members who have gone through some health issues and are on the mend. We hope that they will be able to join us at the upcoming luncheon. It is heartwarming to have heard from a couple of new or distant members who are interested in taking a more active part in our activities. So perhaps by the time you read this, we will have connected with them, as well. We have kept in touch with Fr. Peter Rožič, s.j. during the year, and hope to see him again before he leaves California. It is wonderful to read about the success and growth of his educational project of bringing students from 38 Slovenia to the U.S. and opening up the opportunity for Slovenian-American students to attend classes in Slovenia. The support that he has received from so many sources is just incredible. Virginia Zajc Johnson is now at a lovely, retirement home in Brea. Her husband also lives there in the memory care unit. She is very happy in her new place and making friends among the residents, as well as taking advantage of the many opportunities available to her. Our young adults are doing well in school, and former scholarship recipient and long time member, Natalie Mlakar Imhof, as an R.N., is now in a continuing education program with opportunities to work in the field of anesthesiology. We wish her luck with this pursuit. By the time you read this it will be the New Year. Blessings to all for 2015! JEAN KOCI BRANCH 102 - Willard, Wisconsin September 17, 2014, dawned as a bright, sunny day and excitement filled the air. Branch 102 members, Ruth Zwieg, Sarah Trunkel, Megan Johnson, and Candy Johnson, were finally leaving for Slovenia on the “Živijo, Zarja!” trip! In their words - “Yes, Slovenia, the old country, the ‘land of our people.’ From our first glimpse of Slovenia to our last, we were hooked. The words to describe the scenery are endless; it’s hard to choose just one. Gorgeous, majestic, and beautiful only begin to describe it. It was simply breathtaking. Mountains surrounded us almost everywhere we went. Of the countless villages we drove through, every one of the villages had a church and every church was on a hill. We spent three days on the beautiful shores of the Adriatic Sea, rode on an old, coal-powered train, took a gondola to the top of Mt. Vogel, attended a reception at the National Library in Ljubljana, and toured the Lipizzaner horse farm, the Slovenian Ethnographic Museum, and a beekeeping museum. Endless amounts of wine, pork, and potatoes were consumed; some more begrudgingly than others (we’re look- Megan and Candy Johnson, Sarah Trunkel, and Ruth Zwieg. Zarja - The Dawn ing at you pork). Slivovitz managed to make an appearance almost every day too, just like the pork. What made the trip so wonderful were the people in our group. Everyone was so nice, so kind, and so much fun. We couldn’t have asked for a better group of Slovenians to spend our time with on our first trip to the ‘homeland.’ ” BONNIE BRIERTON BRANCH 108 - Olney, Maryland Contact Information: Bernadette Fitzsimmons bettekfitz@verizon.net Branch 108 members met for their 11th Anniversary Luncheon meeting in November. Five of the members present attended the first meeting when the Branch was established in November 2003; they were Treasurer, John Klansek, Vice President, Lynn Koiner, Auditor, Nika Kovacic, Secretary, Anne Stratton and President, Bernadette Fitzsimmons. Prospective member, Tea Durmič, served as guest speaker on the topic of “My Hometown of Novo Mesto, Slovenia.” Tea prepared a slide show of photos depicting lovely points of interest in Novo Mesto, including original and internet-generated, aerial photographs. She was nostalgic while also sharing photos of a few of her closest family members, whom she misses and hopes to visit this summer. We also welcomed guest, Chris Bohince, Branch 108 members at their 11th Anniversary Luncheon. President of KSKJ Lodge 257, who provided details about the annual Sveti Miklavž celebration hosted by the lodge in December. Members were briefed by Bernadette on the points discussed at the Branch Member Representative’s teleconference meeting held on November 8 during the National Board meeting. The information presented to the members was helpful in better understanding important changes of the 501(c)(3) status of the SUA, the long-range strategic plans, and highlights about the upcoming National Convention. Bernadette Fitzsimmons spoke on behalf of SUA’s National Officers, as President Bonnie Prokup was unable to attend the ASEF East Coast Inaugural Reception at the Embassy of Slovenia. Following her speech, Bernadette and January/February 2015 Ivan Kamin, U.S. Representative of Slovenians Abroad, unveiled an original, watercolor painting by Miro Zupancic depicting the building of bridges among academic scholars in Slovenia and the United States. Both Miro Zupancic and Ivan Kamin are strong supporters of Branch 93 - NYC and all SUA nationwide activities promoting Slovenians and Americans here and abroad. For more details about the ASEF Washington, D.C. reception, see SWU Director of Scholarship, Mary Turvey’s column on page 7 of this issue. The first meeting of 2015 will be held in January. Please check your e-mail for details and the agenda. BERNADETTE K. FITZSIMMONS BRANCH 109 - Twin Cities (TC) of Minnesota Contact Information: Norm Setnicker 651.777.6106/normas188@msn.com At our August Board meeting, President John Zakelj laid out the calendar of events for 2014-15. John introduced his daughter, Cece Watkins, at the September 20 membership meeting. Cece’s slide show was based on her two-week experience on an Eco farm in Slovenia where she learned Slovenian baking techniques through a program called Woofing and also learned some of the intricacies of beekeeping from one of her relatives. There was a good question/answer session and a brief discussion of “pole beans,” which seems to be a staple in every Slovenian garden. Rick Pisa, who heads our Slovenian calendar fund-raiser, announced the winners of the photo contest and showed the pictures, which are included in the 2015 calendar. All the photos were taken by members of Branch 109 when they were in Slovenia. Tivoli Park, Basilica of Mary (Brezje), traditional Slovene bee hut near Logatec, and a double-sided hayrack near Podkum were just a few of the pictures included in the calendar. The two-hour meeting ended with a few announcements: a 10-year anniversary book to be finished in 2015 highlighting the history of the TC Slovenians. Liz Miller continues to create and update our photo library. President Zakelj talked briefly about the SUA as a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization. Congratulatory remarks were directed to Norm Setnicker on receiving his dual citizenship with the country of Slovenia. Winners of the two bottles of Slovenian wine were Mary Jo Verschay and John Perhay. Our October meeting was highlighted by a two-hour music presentation by Hank Thunander. Hank has worked in TV and radio and played with Frank Yankovic and Myron Floren, and also recorded with Yankovic. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for entertaining the troops and was recently inducted into the Polka Hall of Fame in Cleveland. He gave a history of polka music in America and played the many different styles and then proceeded to play songs recorded by Slak and Avsenik. He ended his program with requests for a Slovenian singa-long. Thank you, Mary Ann Palmer, for organizing this excellent program. 39 Norm Setnicker’s Dual Citizenship Celebration Hank Thunander President Zakelj presented the Board’s recommendation for the officers (2015). There were no nominations from the floor and so the following individuals were elected: President, John Zakelj; Vice President, Bob Grahek; Treasurer, Mary Ann Setnicker; Recording Secretary, Liz Miller; and Membership Secretary, Jean Podominick. Our Slovenian-themed meetings are open to all guests. Please see our January thru April events listed in this issue’s Calendar of Events on page 29. NORM SETNICKER “Born in USA with Slovenian Parts” Norm and Mary Ann Setnicker and grandchildren. Front (left to right): Sam Setnicker, Torin Wood, and Ben Setnicker. Mary Ann kneeling in middle. Standing: Brittany Wood, Norm Setnicker, Sydney Wood, and Nicole Setnicker Wood. Sam, Ben, and Norm are wearing Anze Kopitar’s Slovenian hockey jerseys; others are wearing Slovenian soccer jerseys. Food Celebration Polmesece Winter has set in and meals tend to be heartier this time of year, or more fanciful for holiday celebrations. To complement this, this issue focuses on a crowd-pleasing menu option that can be dressed up or down - dinner rolls and/or crescents called Polmesece. This bread recipe is flexible and easy; it can be crafted into different shapes. The following will focus on the crescent, but the method, directions, and baking time remains the same for other forms. Befitting for a soup, stew, salad, or main meal accompaniment, it is a wonderful addition to the table. Children love the shapes that can be made from the dough 40 and can assist in making this “no fuss” recipe that uses common ingredients. This version yields a basketful of crescents or rolls, but can easily be divided to lower the quantity. Additionally, the dough can also be topped with a variety of savory garnishes, such as poppy seeds, or can remain plain. From our table to yours, we hope this recipe adorns your meals and becomes a fast favorite, as it has for us. - by Suzan Weigert Dober tek! Zarja - The Dawn Ingredients 8 cups all-purpose flour 1 packet of instant dry yeast 1 tablespoon sugar ¾ tablespoon salt 2 tablespoons butter or shortening 2¼ cups milk 2 eggs, beaten separately Oil for brushing Salt, cumin, poppy seeds, or other toppings for garnish Step 1: Prepare the yeast and flour mixture In a small bowl, mix yeast and sugar. Heat ¼ cup of milk to warm, and add to bowl of yeast and sugar, stirring to combine ingredients. Let rest for 10 minutes, until thickened. While mixture rests, take a large bowl and pour in the flour. Create a well in the center and add the salt, butter or shortening, and beaten egg. Take the yeast mixture and pour into the well. Heat the remaining 2 cups of milk and add as well. Mix quickly so the egg does not cook. Combine thoroughly, but do not overwork the dough. The dough should come together and not stick to your hands. If the dough is too dry, add more milk, as needed. Step 2: Let the dough rise Cover the bowl with a towel and place in a warm area for the dough to rise. It should double its size in about 30 minutes. Step 3: Roll out dough and make shapes Once risen, roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/8” to ¼” thickness. The thinner the dough, the more layers the rolls will have; the thicker the dough, the less layers. Cut the dough into triangles. It may be easier to cut the rolled dough into a square and then cut on the diagonal to achieve uniform triangles. Once in triangles, brush with oil and roll up from the widest end toward the narrowest. It make take a few times to figure out a technique that works best for you. Step 4: Bake and enjoy! Shape ends to form crescents, if desired. Place on a greased, baking sheet. Brush tops with a beaten egg and garnish with topping of your choice, or leave plain. Bake at 400° for 18-22 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove tray from oven, allow to cool slightly, and serve. Makes about two dozen, more or less, depending on size. Can be frozen, if needed. Ambassador Dr. Božo Cerar To Speak at the National Convention June 2015 Pictured above (left to right): Mary Mavec, Sonja DePratt, Ambassador Dr. Božo Cerar, Carole Terlep, Diane Hohenwater, Bonnie Prokup, Jana Hlade, Carol Novak, Fr. Peter Rožič, and John Vidmar. Slovenian Ambassador Dr. Božo Cerar will be coming from Washington, D.C. to speak at the National Convention. In November 2014, he visited the Slovenian Union of America Home Office and Heritage Museum in Joliet, Illinois, and met with National President Bonnie Prokup, John Vidmar, Honorary Consulate for the Republic of Slovenia, Fr. Peter Rožič, members of the convention committee, and office volunteers. SUA National President Bonnie Prokup discussing the many projects of SUA with Ambassador Dr. Božo Cerar. NON-PROFIT PERIODICALS POSTAGE POSTAGE PAID PAID IL LASALLE, LASALLE, IL