THE DAWN
URADNO GLASILO SLOVENSKE ŽENSKE ZVEZE V AMERIKI	OFFICIAL PUBLICATION SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION OF AMERICA
NUMBER 3	MAY-JUNE, 2005 VOLUME 77
	
Jamie Stratton - 39
Joseph Furry - 35
Hannah Furry - 35
Aubri Michael Ribich - 39 Anna Mane Ribitch • 39
Toni Carroll - 39
Carolyn Hodnik - 35
j. W.U.A. JUNIOR MEMmt
2005
Amanda Ochsendorf - 35
Zachary Walbum - 35
Lindsey Stratton - 39
Lydia Simrayh • 99
Miranda Neal -108 Alyssa Neal -108
Shannon
Jackie Jo Neal - 108
On the Four Cover Pages
Zarja this month is featuring the photos of 84 Junior Members and we are grateful to branch officers and parents who answered the request in the January Zarja and submitted them for publication. Branch number appears after each name. They represent the future of the Slovenian Women’s Union and we are indeed proud that each and every one of them
is a part of our membership-family.
Amy & Holly Polis- 99
Natalie Landgraf - 89
Emily Blase - 99
m
Amabelle Manjooran. 99
Jordan Duffin - 89
Olivia ScMz - 99
Mark A. Maruszak - 32
Tatiana Simrayh - 99
Katharine Burkland - 99
Cd/tney Ebner - 89
Thomas Burkland ■ 99
Kara Maruszak - 32
Monika Vidmar - 99
David Leskovar - 99
Matthew Leskovar - 99
Arme Leskovar - 99
NATIONAL PRESIDENT Kathleen Dorchak-Hall
“The Juniors of Today Are Our Future”
This issue of the Zarja is so exciting. Look over all of the wonderful pictures of our Junior members. Aren’t they precious? Keep in mind; the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow and our future. I thank all of you that have shared your heritage with your children and grandchildren. I encourage those who have not registered their children and grand children to share with them this issue of the Zarja. This can be a wonderful tool to get them excited about joining. I realize how busy our children are with school, sports, and individual interests; however I firmly believe that one day they will be sad to know they missed out knowing so much more about their ancestry and their loving parents and grandparents.
Also in this issue and not to be overlooked are our hard working Members of the Year. Congratulations to you all! May you all have a wonderful and special event with family and friends as you celebrate your special day! You deserve this recognition and we thank you for all of your contributions to the Slovenian Women’s Union of America.
The “Experience the Wonders of Slovenia” trip scheduled for June 18 - July 3,2005 is planned and ready to go. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact Kollander Travel at 800.800.5981. You may still have an opportunity to be part of this exciting excursion featuring the many regions of Slovenia, Venice and Padova, Italy and Klagenfurt, Austria. I am traveling with five other members of my family. I know we will always remember this special time spent together, especially since it will be spent in Slovenia and meeting with our relatives living in Slovenia.
Remember we are in the middle of an exciting Membership Campaign. I am confident we can reach 500 in 2005. With everyone’s help we can make it happen. Let’s all work together and grow.
The National Board is already working on the National Convention for June 2007. It is in a great location in the Illinois Valley nestled among LaSalle-Peru-Oglesby area. The convention will be held at the brand new Grand Bear Lodge. Branches should start thinking about fund raiser efforts to send a delegate and possibly an alternate to participate in this historic meeting. More information about the convention will be explained in future issues of Zarja.
Spring is in the air! Take time to smell the flowers! Here is a saying that I think is appropriate for my life and I hope you all share it with me.
Live not in yesterdays, Look back and you may sorrow.
Live precisely for today, Look forward to tomorrow.
James Joseph Huesgen
Happy Mother's Day to all of our Mothers! Happy Father’s Day to all our of Fathers!
Love and Blessings,
Kathleen Dorchak-Hall
93 Wilbur Drive, Munroe Falls OH 44262, Telephone 330.686.1336 Fax 330.688.6203, Email kdorchak@neo.rr.com
Living Our Legacy -Subscribe to the SWUA online newsletter
Fellow members,
You are invited to subscribe to the SWUA online newsletter “The Neighborhood.” It is delivered the beginning of each month to your e-mail in box. Please send me an e-mail if you’d like to subscribe.
The newsletter allows you to keep in touch with the SWUA and fellow members on a monthly basis. Please feel free to post a message if you are seeking help with anything related to Slovenia or Slovenian-American heritage. Please respond if you are able to help someone with a question. The newsletter allows our members to connect from coast to coast.
Please check the www.swua.org website to review past issues. The newsletter will celebrate five years this September!
Sincerely,
Did you know?
You can request your membership list from Bonnie including e-mails. Ask Bonnie for your list and see how many of your members are on e-mail. You may be able to connect with a whole new part of your branch membership using e-mail!
Lynn Zalokar Online Newsletter Editor, lzalokar@yahoo.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN MAY & JUNE Presidents:
May 1 - Jean Korsman, Br. 39, Biwabik, MN June 11 - Margaret Cullen, Br. 3, Pueblo, CO June 17 - Mary Lou Terselic, Br. 103, Wash. DC.
Secretaries:
May 6 - Gladys Buck, Br. 16, So. Chicago, IL May 13 - Mary Mejac, Br. 103, Wash. D.C.
May 17 - Marge Mollica, Br. 57, Niles, OH May 27 - Anka Krakora, Br. 55, Girard, OH June 29 - Elizabeth Spolar, Br. 56, Hibbing, MN
MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY!
GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING MAY
1	Branch 38’s 75th Jubilee
5	Branch 14 Member of the Year Dinner
Slovenian Society Home, Recher Av. 6:30pm 12 Branch 16 Member of the Year luncheon
Tom’s Restaurant in Calumet City at 1:30. Call Mary Jane at 773-768-5127 or Mary Therese Ehnat at 773-646-5758.
14 Branch 42 Heritage Day Meeting 11:00am Maple Heights Library.
15	Branch 13 May Brunch, S.F. Marriott at noon.
17	Branch 20 Member of the Year Banquet
St. Joseph’s Park Hall.
19 Branch 2 Luncheon call Dolores or Fran for reservations
Branch 24 May Luncheon Mario's Maples.
22 Branch 16 Feast Day of Marija Pomagaj z Brezij (Mary Help of Christians), St. George Church at 8:30am, before the 9am mass.
22 Branch 99 Observance of Mother of the Year,
St. Mary’s in Lemont.
29 Branch 42 Annual Mass for living and deceased members, 10:00am at St. Lawrence.
June
17 Branch 24 “Taste of Slovenia” Picnic, home of Barb Pohar.
17 Zveza Day in Lemont hosted by Branch 2.
September 25 Wisconsin State Convention
Sorry for the mix-ups!
The last issue of ZARJA - The Dawn was our First one using the electronically based page making system. Tho the system is faultless, the technicians are not. We did not know that little Krista Zobel’s photo would print (page 2) without her identifying name. She is a winner of $100 in the Museum Magic Month Calendar drawing in January and a member of Br. 20, Joliet.
Some of the accents, letters and graphics were not printed in the Slovenian text. One of the most frustrating was the loss of the sunglasses (page 26) that were supposed to take the place of double oo’s. Hope you will enjoy the future ZARJAs without too many printing flubs.	Editor
ZARJA - THE DAWN
(ISSN 0044-1848)
Postmaster: Send all changes of address to: SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION,
431 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432
MAY-JUNE, 2005
Official Publication of the Slovenian Women’s Union of America -Uradno glasilo Slovenske •enske Zveze.
Published Bi-monthly - šestkrat na leto.
Annual Subscription for non-members, $20.00 - naročnina $20.00 letno za ne-ilanice.
Publisher: SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION OF AMERICA 431 No. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432 Telephone: (815) 727-1926
Periodicals Postage Paid at Joliet, IL and at additional mailing offices All communications for the next issue of publication must be in the hands of the Editor by the first week of the month - vsi dopisi za naslednjo izdajo mesečnika morajo biti v rokah urednice do 1. v mesecu.
Editor: COR1NNE LESKOVAR Editorial Office: 4851 S. Drexel Blvd., Chicago, IL 60615-1703 Email: CORLESKOVAR@AOL.COM Telephone: (773) 548-8878 - Fascimile: (773) 268-4899
National Secretary Bonnie Pohar Prokup:
The Reason for a Membership Campaign
Dear Fellow Members:
Recently a member asked why we focus so much on MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGNS.
Thinking this over I realized this is a great subject for my next article - the reason for membership campaigns!
The answer is very simple - we need it to ensure the future! If we don’t have a membership campaign, no one recruits. And if no one recruits we slowly decrease in size. And before we know it we shrunk so far it’s hard to rebuild. This has happened to other Slovenian Organizations. We don’t want to be the next victim!
Bringing in new members not only increases our membership but it builds a whole new excitement both locally and nationally. I’ve seen it in my Branch 24 of LaSalle. Believe me.... Branch 24 was ready to fade away a few years back. The meetings consisted of around 8 attendees half of which I was related too. Slowly it started changing with the help of our past president. Efforts were made to follow our vision/mission/purpose. New members as well as children were encouraged and then later a change in officers was another factor. Before we knew it we were an overnight success. Today our meetings consist of 25 - 35 members in attendance, Slovenian activities throughout the year and efforts to reach out to those in need. I am very proud of LaSalle and even prouder to say this is not the only branch turning around. We have a list that continues to grow.
It is never too late to make changes to your branches. We even seen two branches that literally lost there last member but only to reinvent the branch. Today these two branches are two of our leaders out there for recruiting new members and again following the SWUA vision/mission/purpose. That is Branch 99 of Lemont, IL and Branch 108 of Olney, MD. Close to this story is Branch 93 of NYC which had a few of the original members but they were not meeting regularly. Today this branch has grown considerably in size and serves as a model to others.
Branches come in all sizes - look at our largest Branch 20 of Joliet, IL. These ladies work very hard year after year recruiting new members. Last year happened to be one of their lowest years in recruiting and unfortunately it showed - but the good news is... Joliet is ready to make 2005 a year to remember. For those in Branch 20 please be sure to learn more about your new membership campaign! Money prizes are to be awarded! Way to go Joliet! I look forward to watching you grow in 05.
Now that I started mentioning branches I think its important to list the following branches who were able to increase their membership from 2000 - 2005. That means they lost members along the way but recruited to rebuild, eventually becoming bigger than they were in 2000.
Branches 23 - Ely, MN, 24 - LaSalle, IL, MN, 34 - Soudan, MN, 42 - Maple Heights, OH, 47 - Garfield Heights, OH, 43 - Milwaukee, WI, 89 - Oglesby, IL, 93 - NYC, NY, 99 - Lemont, IL, 100 - Fontana, CA, 102 - Willard, WI and 108-Olney, MD. Congratulations!
My goal by the 2007 Convention is to see this list grow to the point where every branch is mentioned. We need to recruit more new members than we lose each year. And how are we loosing them? One of the areas we have no control over is the age of our membership. Yes, we are an aging organization! But it does not have to stay this way. This organization needs all age groups. We have so much more to offer these days other than the burial insurance that was discontinued for new members as of 2000. Many years ago the Burial Insurance meant so much to our members and many stayed in our organization only to have their beneficiary receive anywhere from $100 - $300 when they passed away. Today that money does not mean much as flowers for a funeral will eat up most of that. But, back then?
Times are changing. We are a whole new world compared to when we were first organized almost 80 years ago. The way we do business has to change and we must always think about the future. The future will only be here if we have
the membership therefore MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGNS will always remain to be a hot item.
Every family has a journey... Every heritage has journey...Every country has a journey These three comprise the human need for our roots... and we can only find them by LIVING OUR LEGACY
Bonnie Pohar Prokup 3119 Carrie Street Peru,IL 61354 W prokup@aol.com
66
Priest, Evangelist, Poet, Protector of the Poor and Defender of the Faith, John Paul II left a Legend and a Legacy”.
(Kenneth Woodward, Newsweek, 4-11-05)
With the passing of Pope John Paul II, we are repeatedly hearing the word legacy as it applies to this giant of the century - and, our use of the word legacy as it applies to the mission of the Slovenian Women’s Union seems so small in comparison. But, we do have something big in common. Legacy does speak to all of us - to the heart of a religion, of a man, or a woman, or a group, or a family, or a nation.
What we must realize is that the power of what we leave behind is important and clearly impacts on us, if not in the present, it does so in the future.
So, dear Holy Father, as we are being made aware of many inspirational aspects of your life, your history, your achievements, your intellect, your strong hold on the reins of your papacy, your profound influence on world politics and the fall of communism, you have left us empowered to courageously recognize that each of us has an immense potential for good in our lives -and — to do all we can to leave our own legacy of peace and love.	C.	L.
/
Most Rev. James Garland :
Bishop of Marquette, MI
“John Paul the Great”- Pastorally Speaking
There were six occasions when I had the privilege of meeting with Pope John Paul II. Three were the Ad Limina Apostolorum visits. These are the quinquennial visits every diocesan Bishop is required to make to the threshold or tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul. Then there were his visits to the United States at which bishops in attendance could greet the Pope individually. The two I attended were in Dodgers Stadium, Los Angeles in 1987, and in the Baltimore Orioles stadium in the year when the Pope spoke at the United Nations. On one of the three visits I expressed the hope that some day he would beatify our first bishop, Frederic Baraga. He repeated the name with a long “a”, Baraga. He said it would be good to have another saint who is
an American bishop besides St. John Neumann. Cardinal James Hickey was a devoted promoter of Bishop Baraga’s cause. He, until the end of his lifetime, was a member of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Whenever he met with the Holy Father he would mention Bishop Baraga’s cause to the Pope. The Cardinal would notice at the next meeting of the congregation there would be a note from the Holy Father inquiring about the progress of Bishop Baraga’s cause. Now both men are gone and we trust have enjoyed a personal encounter with our first bishop. Perhaps the Pope and Cardinal can persuade Bishop Baraga to ask the Lord for a miracle to further his cause.
(Excerptedfrom article submitted by Prof. Edi Gobec)
>
Bernadette Kovacic Fitzsimmons (Br. 108):
Sharing My Memories
POPE JOHN PAUL II, WE LOVE YOU Happy voices excitedly chanting, “Pope John Paul II, WE LOVE YOU” echo in my mind, remembering Oct. 7, 1979 as a college sophomore when the Holy Father visited Trinity College in Washington, D.C. Each student was allowed three tickets, so my parents also had the privilege of experiencing the Pope’s visit on that windy fall day a quarter of a century ago.
Since the campus is relatively small, we were able to take photos of the Pope from all different angles and get right up close as he blessed and waved to us all from his motorcade, surrounded by security guards. My student ticket, a Papal button and photo memorabilia are my special remembrances of this great Pope who was destined to travel around the globe to 129 countries outside of Italy radiating his charismatic spirit to all with a pleasant smile, wave or a warm hug. After running across Trinity’s campus on that surreal October day and finding a supreme spot for a perfect photo opportunity,
I	was so awestruck when he looked right at me and waved, all I could do was wave at him while tears flooded my eyes. In the seconds it took to raise my camera up to my face to take a picture( below), he was still right before me looking elsewhere, not posing as I had hoped.
That perfect photo that could have been was replaced instead by something far greater, since he forever remains etched in my memory as vibrant, smiling and making direct eye contact with me for a few short seconds.
Pope John Paul II will always hold a special place in my heart too since my husband and I were married at Trinity’s Notre Dame Chapel where the Pope held an ecumenical prayer service for leaders of different faiths and non-religious in October, 1979. We continue to cherish a lovely Apostolic blessing from Pope John Paul, sent in honor of our wedding day in August 1994. Years have passed and I’ve learned much more about him, read about him, watched him on the news on television with amazement and awe over and over again,
and delighted in telling my three elementary school children of this extraordinary Pope I saw up close at Trinity College. The Pope continued his evangelization journey as long as he was physically capable, regularly meeting with influential political figures, and in many cases speaking their native language to proclaim his message of peace and love. Countless stories continue to be told by ordinary people, including testimonies of the profound impact of a simple short glance. He proclaimed dignity and justice for all human beings, no matter who they were, embraced life and led his humble crusade by touching millions of people all over the world with a friendly wave and smile.
Pope John Paul II lived as a true disciple and servant of Jesus, called home to eternal rest by Our Heavenly Father six days after Easter Sunday 2005 and on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday, which was so dear to him. We have truly experienced a living saint in our society; let us pray for Pope John Paul’s forthcoming possible beatification.
Maria Petek (Br. 99):
All the world mourned his passing...
Island of Kauai, Hawaii - My husband and I are here on vacation and have experienced something about the local customs. At our church, tourists are asked to stand after the service to be given the congregation’s welcome. There are many of us and each one receives a lei - made of flowers, sea shells, etc. It’s very nice and everyone feels welcome here.
On Easter Sunday we watched as hundreds of children romped at an ocean-side park collecting Easter eggs.. It seemed to be the only major Easter event on the island.
I	wondered how many people it took to color all those thousands of eggs!
We also learned of the death of Pope Paul II and followed all the events of the funeral on TV. It was fascinating to see his life revealed in so many ways. I think the whole island of Maui was glued to their televisions.
What I remember most about the Pope is his visit to Slovenia in 1999 to beatify Bishop Anton Martin Slomšek. It was a very overcast day in September and rain was in the air as thousands of us from all over Slovenia and other countries, including the USA, waited at the huge field outside the city of Maribor. On huge TV screens we saw the Pope’s plane arrive in Slovenia. It landed, and after a few minutes a smiling Holy Father stepped out of the doorway. At that moment the sun came out! He came out of the door and into the bright sun! Everyone began shouting a welcome and waving flags. It was a miraculous sight - and I will never forget it!
Members of the Year, ‘2005
Each year Slovenian Women’s Union of America branches across the country honor members for their dedication, hard work, loyalty and generosity by selecting a “Member of the Year.” This year features a wide variety of members, all of whom demonstrate the Slovenian spirit.
Mary Hiza (top) and her daughter, Bernice Krašovec
Branch 3, Pueblo, Colo., has chosen a mother-daughter team as its Members of the Year. The branched selected Mary Godec Hiza and her daughter, Bernice Hiza Krašovec. Bernice is a volunteer Curator of St. Mary’s Slovenian Library and Museum and Genealogy Center. Encouraged by her mother, Mary, Bernice has written several children’s stories, including “The Legend of St. Nicholas.” Mary and Bernice were both instrumental in enrolling all of their daughters and granddaughters.
“Jeanie” Miley
Branch 5 of Indianapolis, Ind. is Excited to announce its Member of the Year, Gloria “Jeanie” Miley. Besides being a member of S WUA, she is a member of SNPJ and KSKJ. In addition, she finds time to participate in the Holy Trinity Slovenian Choir. Miley, who is 100 percent Slovenian, retired last year after 40 years as a dental hygienist. She enjoys gardening and being outdoors as well as spending time with family and maintaining her Slovenian Heritage. “Jeanie is very proud of her heritage,” say branch members.
Branch 16, South Chicago, 111., is pleased to announce the unanimous selection of Olga Kowalkowski as its Member of the Year. She made her name known in Branch 16 by regularly attending meetings, functions and activities. A long-time member, she has become more active in the branch since retiring from the restaurant business, often baking brownies for branch members.Olga is the third member of her family to receive the honor. Her mother, charter member Agnes Zupančič Cherne, and her sister-in-law, Frances Zupančič also were recipients.
Olga Kowalkowski
Branch 20, Joliet, 111. has chosen Theresa Burns as its Member of the Year for her generosity. Theresa is the first U.S.-born daughter of Slovenian immigrants and says she’s “very proud” of her heritage. Not only is she a member, but her mother, sister, daughters and husband are as well. Bums has been involved in the Heritage Museum, is coordinator of the branch’s shut-ins program, and is active on the scholarship committee. She also enjoys cooking and bowls in a senior league with her husband.
Theresa Burns
For her can-do attitude, Branch 23, Ely, Minn., selected Mary Debeltz its Member of the Year. A member since 1958, she is active in SWUA and KSKJ lodges and “is always ready to serve when called upon,” say branch members. She makes noodles and poticas for fundraisers and enjoys cooking so much that she taught her granddaughter to make all her favorite Slovenian dishes. Some of her specialties include krofi, potica and »gance as well as saurkraut. “We are very proud to fete Mary as our 2005 Member of the Year,” say branch members.
Mary Debeltz
For her great work ethic, Branch 34, Soudan, Minn., has named Robin Majerle as its Member of the Year. She worked in her family’s bakery business, famous for its pasties, a well-known Slovenian meal often tucked into miner’s lunchboxes. She says she developed her hard work ethic at the bakery, something she feels is a Slovenian characteristic. When she’s not working full time as a letter carrier, Majerle spends time with her four children and serves her community by volunteering.
Branch 35, of Aurora, Minn., is happy to announce its Member of the Year, Josephine Trost for her longevity and involvement. Trost is a 57-year member of SWUA. Married 56 years in 2005, she is the mother of three daughters, Shelby, Brenda, and Ellen. She is also the grandmother of two.
Josephine Trost
Branch 39, of Biwabik, Minn, is pleased to name Eleanor Indihar
as its Member of the Year for her ongoing participation in its branch. A 13-year member, Indihar has not only served as vice president for nine years, but she regularly lends her hand at bake sales and donates to the food shelf. In her free time, she enjoys singing, teaching hymns, and religious instruction. “This honor excites my pride in my Slovenian Heritage,” Indihar says.
Eleanor Indihar
“Through her example, Jacquelyn Smith, member, Branch 43, Milwaukee, Wis., has touched many people with Slovenian heritage and culture,” says her daughter. For her ongoing promotion of Slovenian heritage, Branch 43 names Smith its Member of the Year. When she’s not listening to polkas, she can be found demonstrating Slovenian-derived strength and compassion at local gatherings and community-assistance programs. The daughter of Slovenian immigrants, Smith continues to carry forth Slovenian traditions such as making potica.
Jacquelyn Smith
Branch 50, Euclid, Ohio, has chosen its president, Rose Mary Toth, as Member of the Year. Members say she does a wonderful job as president, “trying to set new ideas for interesting meetings.” Besides donating her time to SWUA, Toth volunteers with many organizations and was named Slovenian Woman of the Year at the Federation of Slovenian National Homes in 1991 and works with the national Polka Hall of Fame. In addition, she sings with the Zarja choral group in Euclid. “Rose works to promote Slovenian heritage whenever the opportunity arises,” say members. Most recently she was the committee chairwoman for a successful SWUA Slovenian Heritage Festival in Kirtland, Ohio.
Branch 89, Oglesby, 111. has chosen a Slovenian immigrant, Nancy Henkel, as its Member of the Year. She is the not only the Branch 89 president, but is also the National auditor for SWUA. She regularly bakes apple strudels and poticas in an effort to keep Slovenian customs alive. In addition she has traveled to Slovenia. “Nancy has an overwhelming love of her heritage,” say branch members. “She’s brought much enthusiasm and love of her Slovenian Culture to our meetings.”
Nancy Henkel
Mihaela Simrayh can often be found at the Slovenian Cultural Center lending a hand. For her giving spirit, Branch 99, Lemont, 111. named her its “Member of the Year.” A member of SWUA for almost 50 years and a Slovenian immigrant from the town of Loški Potok, Mihaela was the first member to join the newly formed Branch 99. She’s the branch treasurer and “serves enthusiastically on all committees,” say branch members. When she isn’t volunteering at her SWUA branch, she can be found singing at church or music events. One of her recent feats with Branch 99 is directing a crew making the annual supply of Slovenian Easter “butarice.”
The youngest Member of the Year this year, Teresa Mlakar Koci, of Branch 100, Fontana, Calif., has already developed impressive credentials within the Slovenian-American community: she’s received scholarships from SWUA and SNPJ; she was named Miss SNPJ in college; she’s served as branch historian; and has served on the scholarship committee. She even met her husband through Slovenian Young Adult Programs. She, her husband, and two children often participate in Slovenian family events. As youth director of Orange County’s SNPJ Circle she leads the youth song and dance group and organizes youth activities. “Teresa may be young, but she’s one of the most worthy members we’ve ever had,” Teresa Mlakar Koci	say	branch	members.
Branch 102, of Willard, Wis., is happy to announce Vicki Krultz
as its Member of the Year. Krultz is 100 percent Slovenian and is married to a Slovenian. She has 16 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. When she’s not visiting with her own nine children, she can be found crocheting, quilt-making, baking, reading or gardening. Krultz even makes a quilt for each child upon his/her wedding and for the birth of each new member of the family.
Vicki Krultz
Branch reporting secretary for 39 years and Zarja reporter for more than 20 years, Matilda Ausich has earned her place as Branch 103, Washington, D.C. Member of the Year. Ausich, the only survivor of her immediate family, felt it imperative to write memoirs for her younger family members. A copy of those memoirs are now stored at the “Institute for Slovenian Emigration Studies of the Scientific Center of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts” in Ljubljana, Slovenia. In September 2001, Ausich traveled to Slovenia where she visited the castle in Podsreda where her grandmother once worked. “Branch 103 has been fortunate to have Tillie as a member,” say branch members.
Matilda “Tillie” Ausich
Mihaela Simrayh
The following branches have selected all of their members as Members of the Year:
Branch 1, Sheboygan, Wis. - Each member of our branch, through continued loyalty and dedication, has contributed to preserve our Slovenian Heritage and Culture. Therefore, congratulations to each Member of the Year.
Branch 12, Milwaukee, Wis. - We are honoring all of our members, active or inactive, as Members of the Year. Each month we come together to enjoy each other’s company, renew our friendships, talk about our early Slovenian upbringings and resolve to continue to preserve our ethnic heritage. Each member in her own way has contributed to this cause and truly deserves to be nominated. From the oldest to the newest member, we will continue towards this goal. Congratulations to all members of Branch 12.
Branch 14, Euclid, Ohio - We are honoring all of our members as Members of the Year 2005.
Branch 38, Chisholm, Minn. - We are celebrating our 75th anniversary this year, so we are honoring all members, past and present, with a polka mass May 1 at St. Joseph’s Church, with Father Frank Perkovich and the Polka Masters, and a banquet in the church social hall. We will combine the Members of the Year and 75th anniversary observances into one big celebration.
What Mothers Know Best...
Open to Life’s Magic
“ I will never forget my mother’s words to me the first time she took me to the Hoh rain forest,” a woman told me when she learned I was going there. “We were at the edge of the forest, about to enter. My mother stopped walking and turned to me. “There’s magic here,” she said. It wasn’t her words that impressed me. What struck me was the absolute certainity and matter-of-fact way she said it. It was like she had just told me,’’Dinner’s ready.”
There’s magic in the air. It’s the next place on the journey. It’s inevitable. We have been clearing the path so we could do more than merely trudge down the road. The road leads to magic — a magical way of living. A magical way of being here. The magic in the air isn’t an illusion, isn’t a trick. You have done your work. You have stuck with the journey. Now is the time for fun, the time to see and know more of life’s magical ways.
Walk lightly. Enter the enhanced forest. Look around. Keep your eyes and ears open. Tell others what you see. The journey to the heart is a journey of wonder and
awe
“ The ancient ones, the trees, are waiting for you,” the woman said. “ When you get there, tell them / said hi." Open to life’s magic. It’s been waiting for your call.”
“Journey to the Heart”
Melody Beattie
(Thank you, Breda Remec, Riverside, 1L for submitting this piece. C.)
Soup is a very important part of any meal in Slovenia. In fact some meals may consist of only a good homemade hot soup, a hearty chunk of homemade bread and salad.
As children, we would wait for mama to remove the hot beef from the soup so that we could warm chunks of beef with some hot, homemade horseradish. Any leftover beef, if we were lucky enough to have some, might be cooled, cut into bite-sized chunks and placed in a bowl with slices of onion, vinegar and oil and a sprinkling of salt and black pepper. What a treat!
This is a recipe of my mother’s Chicken-Beef Soup which I was fortunate enough to jot down while she prepared it one afternoon.
CHICKEN AND BEEF SOUP
Kokošja in goveja juha
2 pounds beef shank or beef chuck
3 whole chicken legs
A few soup bones (with marrow if possible)
1 medium onion with skin onion
4 peppercorns
1 or 2 turnips, peeled and halved 1 rib celery
1 parsley root with top (or a few sprigs of flat-leaf parsley)
1 medium tomato
2 carrots Salt to taste
Optional,
1	parsnip
1	small rutabaga, in chunks
Place beef, chicken and bones in a large soup pot. Fill with 3 quarts of water. Bring water to a rolling boil and reduce heat. Skim foam from surface to remove foam and fat. Continue skimming until foam ceases to rise. This helps to make a clear soup.
Add onion with skin on (which adds some color), peppercorns, turnips, celery, parsley with root (which you can tie in a bundle with string), tomato, and carrots. Add any of the optional vegetables.
Simmer, partially covered, for 2 hours. Turn off heat and let stand for
1	to 2 hours which improves flavor.
Remove meat and bones. Strain soup through several layers of cheesecloth. Soup which will not be used immediately can be stored in jars or plastic containers and frozen. To remove fat from soup: Chill
the soup. Fat rises to the top and solidifies when cool. It is then a simple matter scoop off solid fat.
FARINA DUMPLINGS
Gresovi cmoki
1 egg white
2 egg yolks, beaten
2	tablespoons melted butter 1/2 cup farina (or cream of wheat) Beat egg white until stiff. Fold beaten egg white into egg yolks, then add melted butter and farina. Drop by teaspoonfuls into clear boiling soup. (Dip spoon into boiling liquid first, so that batter drops off easily.) Cover and simmer 15 minutes.
This is a delicious bread easy to make and delicious with soup.
WHOLE WHEAT BREAD
Kruh
1 package active dry yeast 1/4 cup warm water
2 cups milk 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup butter
1	teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
2 cups whole wheat flour 3-1/2 to 4 cups unbleached bread
flour (such as Sapphire) Dissolve yeast in warm water. Set aside to proof. In a saucepan add milk, sugar, butter and salt. Heat on low until butter is melted. Pour into large mixing bowl. Stir in dissolved yeast and egg.
Add 2 cups whole wheat flour and beat well. Gradually stir in enough unbleached white flour to make a soft dough. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and satiny. Place in a buttered bowl, turning to butter top. Cover and let stand in warm place until double in bulk, about 1 to 1-1/2 hours.
Punch dough down and let rest 10 minutes. Divide in half. Roll on lightly floured surface into a 12x9-inch rectangle. Roll up tightly; seal edges. Repeat with second half of dough.
Place in 2 greased 8-1/2 x 4-1/2-inch loaf pans. Cover and let rise until double in bulk, about 1 hour. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 40 to 50 minutes or until golden brown.
FRESH DANDELION SALAD
Regratova solata
1 pound dandelion greens
4	strips bacon, diced
2 hardboiled eggs, sliced
2 teaspoons sugar
Salt and Pepper to taste
3 tablespoons vinegar
Place greens in large salad bowl. Cook bacon until crisp; crumble. Add bacon to salad bowl with dandelion and sliced eggs. Combine vinegar, salt, and sugar to make a dressing. Pour over salad and toss before serving.
SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Announces 2005 AWARDS
Six $1,000 SWUA Scholarships have been awarded to the following high school seniors entering  
colleges or universities in fall 2005:
LINDSEY STRATTON - Lodi, Wisconsin, member of Branch 39, Biwabik, Minnesota, has received the Rose Marie Princ Award. Lindsey will major in a health profession at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.
ANTHONY PERKO - Pueblo, Colorado, member of Branch 3, Pueblo, Colorado has received the Josef Prince Award. Anthony will study history at Colorado University.
ROBERT KONCAR - Joliet, Illinois, a member of Branch 20, Joliet, Illinois has received the Frances Barman Award. Robert will major in accounting at Loyola University.
ANDREW KUHAR - Wickliffe, Ohio a member of Branch 25, Cleveland, Ohio is the recipient of the Frances Cimperman Svet Award. Andrew will major in industrial art and design. His school of choice not yet decided.
MICHELLE GOLDMANN - Greenfield, Wisconsin is a member of Branch 43, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was awarded the SWUA Cultural Award. Michelle will be attending Loyola University in fall; her major is undecided at this time.
KEVIN MANGOLD - Rockville, Maryland, a member of Branch 103, Washington, D.C. has received the SWUA National Merit Award. Kevin will study computer science, college not yet chosen.
Two SWUA 2005 Travel Awards
ANNE KEMMERLING - Denver, Colorado, a member of Branch 47, Garfield Hts., Ohio.
KYLE ANTILLA - Coon Rapids, Minnesota, a member of Branch 35, Aurora, Minnesota.
Donations of February and March 2005
$10 Br. 47, Garfield Hts., OH (+Mary Hrovat), Lois Pelander,DorothyZakrasek, Margaret Grayhack. $15 Judy Rechlitz $20 Margaret Kushar $25 Br. 55, Girard, OH (+Virginia Rosten) Genevieve Schubitz $30	Barb Delaney
$50	Jo Jo Lea - gift from SWUA calendar winnings;
Br. 20, Joliet,IL members who died during 2004: Johanna Rogal, Helen Horwath, Lorraine
Wedic,
Edith Rosenquist, Susan Kowalski $60 Br. 1, Sheboygan, WI - Members who have died: Mary Germ, Mary Ann Fuller, Louise Ribich, Sophia Casper, Ruth Scheck, Francis Fritz $1,000 Anthony Colnar - Frances Barman Scholarship We are grateful to all who have supported and donated to the Slovenian Women’s Scholarship Program. Special thanks to our current SWUA Scholarship Committee.
BIOGRAPHICAL UPDATES OUR PAST SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
MARGARET HODNIK 1974
I applied my SWU scholarship to tution at Macalester College in St. Paul Minnesota. I graduated from Macalester magna cum laude with BA in English.
Since College I have been employed professionally in various positions which included: marketing, personnel management, strategic account management and corporate strategy development. At present, I develop public policy positions for state and federal legislative and regulatory issues, assist company lobbyists in advocating for these positions, manage all aspects of internal and external company communications and act as primary company spokesperson with the media and other external audiences.
My thanks again to the SWU for the scholarship they provided towards my college education.
For comments, donations, write: Mary Turvey, Director, SWUA Scholarship Program, 52 Oakridge Drive, Marquette, Michigan 49855 or mturvey@aol.com. Visit our websites: Http://www.swua.org or http://members.aol/sherryew/SWU/SWUscholarship.html
THANK YOU! MAJOR DONORS OF SWUA SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2005
Frances Barman
Frances Cimperman Svet
Josef and Rose Marie Princ
Frances Barman Award - Frances Barman will this year as in many past years have a scholarship awarded in her name, due to the kindness of her son Anthony Colnar. Frances, bom in Slovenia, lost her first husband, Anton Colnar as a young man due to military injuries. She immigrated to the United States, met and married Joe Barman who loved and treated Anthony Jr. as his own. In later years Frances not only did intricate handiwork but with her son’s help created a huge botanical garden of over 100 varieties of fruit trees, shrubs, plants and flowers. Frances enjoyed this wonderful hobby for many years.
Frances Cimperman Svet Award - Nancy Svet Burnett, daughter of Frances Cimperman Svet has provided a 2005 SWUA Scholarship in memory of her mother, Frances Cimperman Svet. Nancy, a well known journalist, whose ancestors originated in Cerknica, Slovenia has written on Slovenian immigrants and their adaptation to life in America. One of her works, “Slovenes in Rural Appalachia” has been enjoyed by many readers. Nancy’s next work will deal with Slovenes who came to work in the silver mines of Silver Valley, Idaho. Nancy has written the following:
Fannie came to America on Christmas Eve, 1930. Until her marriage in 1933 to Frank Svet, she worked as a cook’s assistant in a West Virginia lumber camp. During the forty four year span before she visited her Slovenian homeland again, her life was spent in the traditional roles of mother, home maker and seamstress. Her passion was education and it was a legacy she passed on to her three children, John, Don, and Nancy. Fannie attained the European equivalent of an eighth grade education with apprenticeship training in dressmaking. She achieved her dream of higher education through her children and their careers as an industrialist, a federal judge, and a Ph.D. This scholarship is lovingly dedicated in her memory.
Josef Princ Award - Josef, a native of Velika Bukovar, Ilirska Bistrica, graduated with an Engineering degree from the University of Ljubljana and studied in Germany. After immigrating to the United States in 1957, he continued his studies and was employed as chief designer at Anderson Window Company as well as the Nichols Homeshield Company. Josef was married to Rose Marie Princ and loved being an American, although he was very proud of his heritage and was a devoted supporter of the Slovenian Cultural Center of Lemont.
Rose Marie Princ Award - A native of Chicago, Rose Marie is a life long member of St. Stephen’s Branch 2. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School and Rosary College with degrees in History and English. She continued her studies at Loyola, DePaul, Northwestern and earned advanced degrees at the University of Chicago and Northern Illinois University. She taught at Nazareth Academy, J. Sterling Morton High School for 27 years and was also its administrator for 14 years. Upon retirement Rose Marie served on the executive board as well as treasurer and president of the Retired Teachers’ Association. Rose Marie now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she is active in numerous organizations. Rose Marie has been an interested and generous supporter of the SWUA Scholarship Program for a number of years.
SLOVENIAN WOMEN S UNION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 2005 TRAVEL AWARDS
Between July 18 and July 31, 2005, two young adult members of the SWUA will be attending a seminar in Slovenia sponsored by the Student Organization - University of Ljubljana. SWUA has provided air and rail travel expenses to Kyle Antilla and Anne Kemmerling, who were selected from a well qualified group of applicants. Participants come from all over the world to learn of their Slovene culture. The fourteen day guided tour of Slovenia includes lodging, meals and transportation free of charge. The purpose of the SOU Seminar is to give young adults an opportunity to discover their home-land and in this way open the borders to future visits and long term connections with Slovenians globally. Visit the SOU website http://www.sou-lj.si or www.mednarodna.org for the daily itinerary and to learn more about this event.
Kyle Antilla - Coon Rapids, Minnesota is an elementary teacher with emphasis on science and math. He has been a hockey coach and enjoys carpentry and music. A member of Branch 35, Kyle finds his Slovene heritage most valuable and will not only share his SOU Seminar experience, “Why I Wish”, with his students but with a SWUA Branch and ZARJA as well.
Anne Kemmerling - Denver, Colorado is currently a part time student with a library science background and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree. Anne has long been involved with the Americorps National Civilian Community Corps of Denver. She is elated to be able to participate in the SOU Seminar, “My Heritage and Culture”, and will share her experiences with her Branch 47 members as well as in ZARJA.
Bon Voyage, Anne and Kyle!
Why I Wish...........
Growing up in northern Minnesota, an area with strong ethnic roots, it would be a great privilege to receive the SWUA Slovenia Travel Award. My mother is a first generation immigrant, so my family’s Slovenian heritage was a big part of my life growing up. From our ethnic foods, to our Slovenian language, my background has shaped and molded who I am today. With family values being a focal point, and great food and dancing to support it, I feel this award would add to my overall cultural experience. Being a middle school teacher, this trip would be a great piece to share with my students. I am proud of being Slovenian, and not too many people today still celebrate their heritage, or even know their background. I would be willing to tell anyone about this experience, and of what I have learned from my travels. What is Slovenia like? How are the people? What is different from American culture? How are the landscapes? These are all questions I would like to know firsthand. History is such a big part of human nature, and I’m sure this trip would aid in recruiting more members into the SWUA, just through word of mouth. The pictures and stories will last a lifetime, and hopefully the stories will last generations, just like the stories my parents and grandparents have shared with me.
Kyle Antilla
Top right photos : Travel Award winners, Kyle and Anne
My Heritage and Culture
For as long as I could remember, I intensely interviewed my grandma to find out about Slovenian traditions; always believing that others had such a strong tradition and sense of community. Although my grandmother provided invaluable information and history, I never realized how integrated and engrained my heritage was in my life until I left Cleveland. I didn’t need parades or extravagant festivals; I had my own set of traditions that ran deep within my family. From participating in annual Mothers’ Day celebrations with the SWU, buying potica at Maple Heights Catering, enjoying the Women’s choir at St. Lawrence church and making detours through the “old neighborhood,” to listening to my grandparents speak Slovenian on Sunday morning with polka music playing in the background. I don’t know whether my mother and grandparents worked hard to instill “Slovenian” in me, but I am proud to have it in my life and I plan to share my heritage and culture with my friends and future family.
Anne Kemmerling
In Search of My Slovenian Roots
(Part 4)
By: Beverly Blaszkowski Bevl962@charter.net (Branch 33, Duluth, MN)
My search for the Petek family now became centered in Slovenia. I did have knowledge of the Janez Petek family living in Logatec, Slovenia,. I used the internet to access the Slovenian telephone directory to find the names, addresses and telephone numbers. I wrote a letter in English to every Petek family listed in the Logatic phone book I also sent an e-mail to every Petek family listed in Logatec. I explained with a copy of the family tree how I was related to them. I waited several months, and never received a response from anyone. One day I picked up the telephone and attempted contacting one of the families. A man answered the telephone. I spoke in English explaining to him I was calling from the USA, and was searching for my Petek relatives in Logatec. All I got for an answer was, “No Speak English”, and he hung up the telephone. But I said to myself, I’m never going to give up.
Several months passed and no more was heard from Slovenia. One Saturday afternoon while standing on the top of a ladder removing wallpaper from my kitchen walls the telephone rang. My husband Bob answered the telephone, and whispered to me, “I think it’s a telemarketer and he’s asking for you Bev.” As I reached for the phone with water and old wallpaper paste running down my arms, I gave Bob a dirty look. Couldn’t he have gotten rid of the telemarketer for me, but “no”, he hands me the phone while I was up on the ladder. In kind of a gruff voice I said, “Hello?” There was a man on the other end of the line with a foreign voice asking, “Is this Beverly?” (Mentally in my mind I was, not going listen to what he had to say, my plan was to hang up the phone and get back to removing the wallpaper). Thus, 1 did answer, “yes, this is Beverly”, and the man then said, “this is Primo* Petek, from Logatec, Slovenia. 1 said, “Really? I can hardly believe it” and started to cry. I could not talk. Bob, didn’t know what was happening and from what he could hear of the conversation, thought perhaps I had won a Grand Prize in a contest? To say the least it was my “Grand Prize”.
My crying on the telephone surprised Primo* Petek, and he paused for a few minutes and he then said to me, “This is just like the Oprah Show!” and we both began to laugh. (As it turned out, Primo•
had no knowledge of my letter. It was only some time later that he was given the letter to read. It was then he made the call to me.)
After calming down, I explained to him about my Father knowing nothing of his birth Mother’s origin, as she had died when he was only three months of age. then his placement in an orphanage, and his adoption by Mr.& Mrs. Max Green. Mrs. Green died of cancer when my Father was twelve years of age, and from then on Mr. Green raised him. It wasn’t until my Father was in his mid-twenties, married, and the Father of three little girls that he was told of his adoption.
After all my years of searching, I had found my Slovenian Family. If only I would have started the search sooner, my father could have been a part of the great joy I was experiencing, the finding of his family and knowing of his Slovenian roots. And yes, I had found “ mine” as well.
I knew that we had to make the trip to Logatec to meet my Newly Found Family, and visit my Grandmother, Mary (Petek) Sickich’s home. (Where still today remains living a Petek family member.) Now there was some convincing to do.
In the next issue I will tell of our trip in August 2004, to meet all of my New Family in Logatec, Slovenia.
Experience the Wonders of Slovenia!
Full 16 days, June 18 to July 3, 2005
For the SWU Tour, called “Experience the Wonders of Slovenia”, you know that among the sights during this 16-day tour are headline places and awesome scenery. Guests will stay at 4 Star hotels, eat the most delectable Slovenian cuisine and travel in comfortable motorcoaches. An English speaking guide will tell you everything you want to know and even more!
See ZARJA back issues for itineraries and details. For reservations and information :
email: kwtravel@kollander-travel.com
Tele.: (800) 800-5981 or (216) 692-1000
For more details on our trip to Slovenia, email them at kwtravel@kollander-travel.com or visit their website at www..kollander-travel.com
Mary Lou Voelk - Direcor of Special Projects:
Heritage News:
The Power of Family Heritage
Before you read this message, I do hope you have viewed the front and back covers of Zarja and looked into the faces of these children of Slovenian heritage. These are our future leaders! Keep in mind the joys of childhood. Just ask a 2-3 year old to pronounce potica or Ljubljana or plan a pink tea party with them. You will walk away with a smile! And now for my message.
At our National Board meeting in February, Bonnie Prokup delivered a powerpoint presentation using age statistics of our membership.
Bonnie was able to extrapolate those statistics 5 to 10 + years into the future. These are somber predictions! In writing my powerpoint presentation, for the November 2004 conference in Ljubljana I combined Bonnie’s
“Culture Day”
AT GRAMMA’S HOUSE
In my last report I said I would do something special with my local grandchildren to celebrate “Culture Day”
(Kulturni dan) celebrated February 8th wherever Slovenians live.
The girls, the two newest members of Br. 39, arrived at Granmma’s house on the school bus that afternoon. Aubri (9) and Anna (7) were anxious to see what Gramma Rosie had for an after school surprise for them.
I had read Mary Lou Voelk’s article in the SWU Newsletter about the special day and I heeded her advice to make some “pink tea”, Slovenian style. Well, of course, being the girls are too young to “živijo” with wine, I used pink lemonade and had our traditional heart cookies for them. I chose to show them the simplest form of our culture that they could understand at this time of their young lives. They have enjoyed our Slovenian food, drink and good music at our gamily gatherings and understand those traditions. I explained that as they mature, we will read about other cultural events and grow with “Living Our Legacy’.
They were excited as they helped set the table and decorate it with red carnations. Sally also joined us. She is a doll tht I dressed in traditional Slovenian costume. I never thought that I would be using toys saved thru the years to entertain my grandchildren! Soon, Jack (18 months old), our youngest grandchild awoke from his nap and joined us, as you see, by
“playing” a few tunes on the
concertina.
I really don’t know who had more fun on this Kulturni dan! I do know that our heritage will only get stronger as we pass it on and continue Living our Legacy.
Rosemary Ribich (39)
research with historical events that occurred down through the decades, events that have changed the complexion/thinking of our society. One most important event is the assimilatiion/integration of people, most children on the cover of Zarja can claim multiple heritages. So what is the possible answer to the somber predictions for future of the SWUA? How does one retain and/or gain membership when today’s children are claiming multiple ethnicity. I believe it is family. Involvement in family heritage is most certainly the most effective tool for preservation of the Slovenian (or any other) heritage as well as being the most efficient child rearing alternative. Using heritage as a binding force of activity enables children to be raised in families filled with tradition and customs. Family traditions are important as they give a child the experience of being a participant in family, the child becomes an intregal part of family, the child has a designated place in the family, the child is a respected member of the family. This is called a sense of belonging, “I am a worthy member of this family and society”. With such a background of family traditions, these same children grow into adulthood having a confidence in who they are, confidence in their ability to make wise choices After all, they have been given the “soul food for life”.
By keeping the Slovenian heritage (and now multiple heritages) alive, parents are giving their children the ultimate in character building, tradition/heritage, the “soul food for life”. And we must not miss a generation!!
We adults are now living a legacy that was once given to us, “our soul food for life”. It is our responsiblity to “pass it on”. As one research project suggested, if you do not have familial/personal heritage possibilities nearby, visit those that are available and involve your family in their activities. Take advantage of multiple heritages, involve children in other traditions other than of Slovenia.
The more exposure to different heri-
Heritage News:
FAMILY PHOTO GALLERY by Nancy Henkel
The Ribich Family
The 1927 wedding of Luke Ribich and Frances Anzelc is the newest feature in the Family Photo Gallery at the SWUA Heritage Museum, Joliet, 11. Photos show the lovely couple on their wedding day, July 9, 1927, Biwabik, Minnesota, as well as their wedding party. Also shown is a photo taken 50 years later for their Golden Anniversary with their four sons. A beautiful Valentine sent by Luke to his sweetherat in 1926, is also on display along with other family pictures. Donated to the museum by her sons, is the original wedding dress and veil worn by the bride, which will be on display for special events, due to its delicate material. Frances Anzelc Ribich was a 50 plus year member of our Slovenian Women’s Union of America.
We wish to thank the Ribich family for their generious donation and want them all to know we greatly appreciate this wonderful contribution .Come see the
newest family feature on the wall of the Gallery in the museum.
Also, we are still hoping to receive more family photos along with a brief history, in the near future so they, too, will be included in this display. Let us include your family.
Many branches are filling out their Family Ancestor Charts with great enthusaism at their meetings and this a wonderful way to help to help with refrerences at the SWUA Museum Library when someone is trying to look up their roots from Slovenia. Thanks to all that have participated and those still working on their’s. Photos can be also be included and family historjes. Keep up the good endeavor. Hvala!
tages at a young age, the more accepting this child will be as an adult.
Heritage, the power of family!
So where does that leave each of us? As members of the SWUA each person carries tremendous responsiblity for the future of this organization. What is the image your branch projects to the community? Is your branch viewed as having a positive image? Is your branch known as an open society, that includes the youth, those of differing religions, males? Does your branch invest in youth and family activities? And so, branches are urged to take the time to discuss where they see themselves in their community mirror. And do remember..........
Every family has a journey...
Every heritage has a journey...
Every country has a journey
These three comprise the human need for our roots... and we can only find them by LIVING OUR LEGACY.
Now do take the time to look at those faces on the cover once again while you sip a cup of pink tea!
to je to, (this is it)
HERITAGE DONATIONS
$2,642.00 Proceeds from Ohio Heritage Festival, from Northeast Ohio Branches.
$1,000.00 Proceeds from Museum Magic Month drawing in January, 2005, Pat Figurowski, chairman
$143.00 Members of Norfolk, VA
Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary from Jack and Betty Ann Kolesari (43)
Books and Kalendars from Fred Pahula (34).
Books from Margaret Cukale (2).
$100.00: Patricia Massucci (2); Branch 59, Burgettstown, PA; Kathleen Dorchak-Hall (47).
$80.00: Helen S. Dickson (30).
$50.00: Branch 2, Chicago, IL in memory +Robert Hall; Carolyn Tomazic Engers (20).
$35.00: Carole Goergen (13).
$30.00: Branch 43, Milwaukee, WI, in memory +Robert Hall; Mary Lauritzen (24); Betty Ann Kolesari (43), John Kolesari (43).
$25.00: Mary Urbančič (25); Genevieve Shubitz (33); Br. 13, San Francisco, CA in memory +Robert Hall.
$20.00: Ann Marie Bodish (93); Br. 89, Oglesby, IL; Roseann Prey (89).
$10.00: Corinne Leskovar(99), in mem Otilia Kumik; Br. 43, in mem. +Angeline Johnstone; Mary Lou Crotty (30); Charlotte (38) and Tony Laurich in mem. +Robert Hall; Ernestine Jevec (50) in mem. Ann Winter.
75 year photo of Luke and Frances
Do you need “A Slovenian Theme” for your next branch meeting or family event?
Order “Slovenian Magazine,” 3-episode video set! $10 including postage and handling
Branch #93 would like to introduce the “Slovenian Magazine” program to our fellow members and branches. “Slovenian Magazine is a mosaic, a 25-min-utes video show in English. It presents current events in Slovenia, its cultural and historical heritage, attractive features of the landscape, and the country’s economic and tourist potential. It places great stress on original Slovenian creativity. Slovenian Magazine is mainly intended for foreign countries, as well as for Slovenians living around the world.”
The VHS tape will include three separate episodes. Your branch can have a “Slovenian Theater Night” and show all three episodes at once, or you might choose to show each episode individually and follow with a discussion.
K-........................................................-j
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“SLOVENIAN MAGAZINE VIDEO”
3	Episodes, 25 minutes each
$10 charge including shipping and handling.
Proceeds after expenses will go to the Slovenian Heritage Museum.
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Make checks payable to Vesna Straser and mail to:! (no cash please)
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Vesna Straser, 385 1st Ave., Apt. 10A New York, NY 10010
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Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery upon receipt of your order.
Please print your contact information carefully.
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Phone:---------------------------------------------
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Mary Lou Vo elk:
A MUST HAVE!
AVAILABLE NOW AT OUR GIFT SHOP!
Berlitz Slovenian Phrase Book and Dictionary, By Berlitz
On a recent visit to Slovenia the search was on for a Slovenian/American Dictionary for the Gift Shop in the Slovenian Heritage Museum.
There was Criteria: User-Friendly, Small, Phonetic Pronunciation and Inexpensice.
The result was the Berlitz edition and it fit every criteria,
The description:
• Sections color coded by topic
• 1200 words and PhrasesBilingual Dictionary
• Easy to read print
• 4 inches x 6 inches: fits in purse or pocket
• $15 Gift Shop price, $ 17 mail order price
Here are some examples from the category called: Invitations, Hope you chuckle over my choices!
We’d like to pay
Plačali bomo vsak
(Plachaali bohrtto wsaak)
What is this amount for ?
Kaj pomeni ta znesek?
(Kaay pomehni la znesek)
Keep the change
Obdržite drobiž
(Obderrzheete drobeezh)
Why are you laughing?
Zakaj se smejite?
(Zakaay se smeyeete?)
Is my Slovenian that bad?
Je moja slovenščina tako slaba?
(Ye moya slovehnshina takoh slaaba?)
This dictionary phrase book will be stocked in our gift shop in Joliet. Mailable after May 1, 2005 ^-------
For Juniors to read :
A Mommy and Daddy in Nature
I love to watch the birds in my back yard. I can look out the kitchen window and see them clearly.
Lately, I saw a little sparrow in the bushes. It looked like he was flying around a bird house that I cleaned out before winter last year. I first saw him looking in the little entrance, then around the bird house
- it looked like he was deciding if this house was for him. Other birds had been surveying it before, but he was the one who finally began bringing grass and dry leaves into the bird house. I watched him in amazement
- he really was working hard. I thought I should help him a little, and so I went to where there was a nice patch of dry grass and cut it into strips, and dropped this pile on the grass nearest the bush.
Before too long, he came to this spot. I thought he looked so happy, picking up the grass and carrying each piece into his house. He worked every day, first looking around the area, then picking out what he wanted, and then putting it into his house.
Meanwhile, lady birds were coming around. From time to time one would go near, look into the house and fly away. It took a long time before one lady bird finally stayed close, watching and - maybe waiting for an invitation to enter the house and help him make it their home together.
It happened just that way. Before the day was over, the two birds seemed to understand that it was their home, she, inside like a mommy, occasionally peeking out to look around, and he, like a daddy, providing more comforts for their little, new home. Soon, I expect, there will be baby birds in the little bird house and I will be watching them through the summer. Maybe they’ll let me provide some yummy crumbs and fresh grass for their family.
(Bertha Stimac, member of Br. 99, narrated this story to us. She loves her birds and the natural way they let people connect to them..)
Slovenian Folklore For Children
What: Slovenian Folklore and Activiites When: June 14, 2005, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Where: Slovenian Heritage Museum 431 N Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432
Children between the ages of 8-11 are invited to a session of activities related to their Slovenian heritage. The session will include a short geography lesson, folklore, and common phrases and words in the Slovenian language conducted by Theresa Burns and Vicki Hodgman. A take home game will be included.
Cost: Members, $5.00 per child, Non-members $7.00 per child. Parents must call to reserve seats. Registration is limited, first come-First served. Another session may be added, depending on the response.
Call 815.727.1926 after May 20, 2005.
We hope Abigail Aguayo Voelk, and Maya Kakiuchi Voelk will write and tell us how they made these Slovenian cookies
Here's a thought :
Children attending a meeting can be so helpful. There are ways they can help. They can set up and serve refreshments, assist in raffles and help in the clean up process. My granddaughter, Sky loves to come to our meetings and help in any way she can. It also teaches our children manners and how to interact with adults. I believe it is a way that they can develop their social skills as well as feel a part of something. When I mention to Sky that there is a branch meeting, she is excited to see the members and work for us.	Kathleen Dorchak-Hall
Junior Activities:
We strive to offer a veriety of guest speakers, events and meetings during the calander year that appeal to our current members and our junior members. We count on parents and grandparents to take the time to bring junior members to a suitable event. We are always amazed at how much fun SWUA event can really be with a bit of effort. We have all enjoyed meeting interesting members and guests that join us in our diverse offering of activities with a Slovenian theme for both adults and juniors.	Bernadette Fitzimmons
ZARJA Fund Donations 2005- Continued
$2.00 DONORS
Fitzsimmons, Juliana (108) Fitzsimmons, Matthew (108) Fitzsimmons, Thomas J (108) Petrich, Julia (2)
Zuponcic, Helen (35)
$5.00 DONORS Perctc, Mary (67) Batic-Sciarrabba, Beverty (32) ‘memory of Mary L. Batic Becca, Norma (3)
Berg, Samantha (34)
Bernasek, Mary (2)
Br. 13, San Francisco, CA Briski, Jennie (38)
Dorchak, Olga (42)
‘memory of Mary Hrovat Diamond, Helen M> (30) Donges, Agatha (40)
Dunlap, Dolores (5)
Elish, Jeannette (10)
Erickson, Mary Lee (34) Fitzsimmons, Bernadette (108) Gales, Vera (20)
Godec, Josephine (47)
Godic, Rose (25)
Godnavec, Theresa (30) Goritchan, Gabriella (35) Gregorash, Lucille (20) Gregorich, Mollie (20)
Hofer, Bertha (20)
Homa, Holly C (43)
Hubbard, Michelle K> (35) Ivanich, Daniel (20)
Jakopič, Christine (66)
Kaplan, Eileen F (3)
Kern, Sophia C (71)
Kobe, Char (20)
Kobe, William (20)
Koci, Jean (100)
Kocinec, Wanda (99)
Križman, Margaret (50) Krogulski, Barbara (24) Kugland, Karen (12)
Laurich, Charlotte M> (38) Lawrence, Eveline K. (108)
McNally Children (2)
McQuiller, Helen (13)
Mershnik, Theresa F. (12) Mihelich, Clare (20)
Mikulich, Arlette (35)
Miller, Audrey (50)
Minnick, Helen (20)
Muren, Julia (6)
Mutz, Patricia (20)
Oberman, Sarah Eliza (50) Ornik, Vera (12)
Perko, Mary R (42)
Phillips, Beverly (30)
Popovich, Jean (33)
Pozelnik, Albina (25)
Prhne, Melinda (42)
Prhne, Sally (42)
Pustovar, Monica (34) Sabosky, Mary Jane (3) Schultz, Frances (20)
Schultz, Frances M (99)
Seday, Olga (10)
Sholar, Ray (30)
Skull, Doris Lorraine (33) Steffen, Billie Jo (1)
*mem. of Maryanne B. McCue Tomsic, Anne A (40)
Vovk, Anita (35)
Vozel, Rosemarie (2)
Williams, Debra (5)
Williams, Sarah (5)
Yauger, Teresa (108) Zakrajšek, Angela (47) Železnik, Dorothy (25) Železnikar, Jean (Daisy) (2) $10.00 DONORS Ambrose, Sister Marlene (20) Bell, Daniel C. (2)
Berkopec, Jane (50)
Buol, Katherine (2)
Carlton, Dorothy T. (28) Charvat, Eleanor M> (42) Crotty, Marylou (39)
Curtis, Joann (13)
Cuzella, Amelia (95)
Davidson, Sally (23)
Debevc, Ada (2)
Dimatteo, Mary T. (63) Dragan, Angeline (5)
Duval, Virginia (20)
Dzurko, Shirley (20) Erjavec, Ronald (20) Farrell, Sandra (13)
Fon, Elizabeth (5)
Fooy, Dori Kregar (55) Goebel, Gloria (20) Gottardi, Paula M (39) Gudac, Bernadine (20) Harr, Betty Ann (42) Harwood, Elizabeth (38) Hennelly, Dolores (95) Hoag, Joan (43)
Jagodnik, Irene (50) Janezic, Josephine (43) Kais, Mary Kay (43) Kaisher, Margaret (20) Kaporc, Eleanor (14) Kellett, Rose (89)
Kimmel, Sylvia (25) Kirsteatter, Sylvia (24)
Klun, Josephine (47)
Klun, MadelynA. (35) Kokal, Erika (108)
Kosir, Mary Ann (105) Kovach, Jeanne (25) Kovacic, Jennie (2)
Lesnik, Mary (20)
Lindic, Victoria (14) Malenšek, Anton (30) Manion, Beth Ann (2) Marentič, Fred (20) McDonald, Carol (56) McFarland, Margaret (108) Mejac, Mary Grill (103) Michaels, Frances (24) Mlakar, Rosemary (100) Newhouse, Margrette (23) Nuteson, Cecelia (12) Pelander, Louis (33)
Perko, Ann J (3)
Peterson, Mildred J (20) Petrich, Verna (6)
Pirman, Elizabeth (68) Poropat, Mildred (95) Pouchnik, Mary Jo (23)
Rak, Gene F. (30)
Rems, Margaret (20) Richardson,, Alenka (103) Scalise, Mildred (71)
Scholp, Elizabeth (20) Slogar, William (23) Soltysinski, Jaquelin (16) Spendal, Dorothy (10) Stanonik, Dorothy (50) Starcevich, Kathleen (3) Stariha, Maria (99)
Staut, Sophie (102) Steensland, Janet (20) Stratton, Anne K> (108) Stropki, Christine (40) Swintosky, Dorothy (30) Tarro, Mary Ann M (56)
Toth, Rose Mary (50) Uhernik, Virginia (74) Ungrad, Ruth Ann (66)
Veit, Alice L> (102)
Vidmar, Marilyn Fran (32) Vodnik, Antonia (12)
Wieck, Matilda (43)
Uehlein, Binnie & Milo (40) Yucevicius, Frances (2) Zimperman, Mary (10) Znidarsich, Emma (22) Zubek, Genevieve (2) Zupancich, Judith (23) Ahearne, Maryann (30) Bremec, Anica (32)
Duris, Deborah C. (47) Reichelderfer, Frances (100) Wadycki, Pamela (20) $20.00 DONORS Bandera, Eleanor (95) Behling, Paula (43)
Blatnik, Bernadette (30) Briski, Mildred (20)
Cesnik, James M> (103) Desnica, Angela (2) Donofrio, Adrienne N> (2)
Dorchak-Hall, Kathleen (47)
Dries, Anna (43)
Fidel, Pauline H> (71)
Freiberg, Mary Cay (43)
Fidel, Pauline H (71)
Freiberg, Mary Cay (43)
Gornick, Ann (25)
Gudac, Cynthia (20)
Kozlik, Marianne (2)
Kuhar, Nicholas (25)
Livaich, Marie (16)
Lorek, Carol (14)
Millman, Helen (24)
Mocnik, Sylvia (32)
Mosquin, Sonja (93)
Mueller, Maureen (20)
Pubentz, Margaret (20)
Robinson, Marie (108)
Schmidi, Maxine (34)
Schwartz, Lynn (102)
Setnicker, Maryann (39)
Smrekar, Fran (20)
Spagnolo, Marcia (81)
‘mem. of Jacob Adam Ster, Mary (32)
Tanita, Cynthia (100)
Tolhurst, Karen (47)
Varani, Georgina M. (30)
$50.00 DONORS Educational & Dramatic
Club Slovenia,
San Francisco (13)
Jerneycic, Dorothy (100)
Tompa, Jozica (43)
$70.00 DONOR Rechiltz, Judith and Family $100.00 DONOR Minnesota Branches Combined Pecharich, Martha A. (99)
$250.00 DONOR Susel, Danielle (10)
‘memory of Rosemary Susel TOTAL $3,390.
Thank you!Thank you!
MINNESOTA POLKA PRIEST, FR. PERKOVICH, HOSTS EUROPEAN TOUR
ITALY.. SLOVENIA
„ithFr. Frank Perkovich
(October 3- 16, 2005)
14-Day All-Inclusive Package
Featuring: Rome (4 nts), Venice, ITALY and Portorož, Ljubljana, Lake Bled,
Lake Bohinj in beautiful SLOVENIA
Call for brochure - $300 deposit required.
82 Years Of Dependable Travel Service!
Kollandcr World Travel
971 E 185 St ♦ Cleveland OH 44119
www.kollandcr-travel.com
(216) 692-1000 ♦ (800) 800-5981
C.- Trai/fl/
The retired Father Frank Perkovich of the Minnesota Iron Range will be escorting a tour to Italy and Slovenia this Fall. Fr. Perk invites all to join him Oct. 3-16, 2005.
He’ll spend four nights enjoying the spiritual life in Rome, the “eternal city” attending a papal audience and the customary public blessing plus a guided tour of classical Rome to include the Vatican museum. Enroute to Slovenia will feature an overnight stopover in Venice.
From there the tranquil beauty of Slovenia, the quaint country nestled between the alps and the Adriatic Sea, will be experienced.
Following a stay in the coastal resort town of Portorož the tour will base itself in Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, and it’s daily itinerary will take the group to the Bled and Bohinj Lakes, the Avsenik-Tavem-Gostilna (museum) in Begunje, and the southern Delenjska region too. The Ljubljana base will also afford tour participants to have relatives and friends meet them in the scheduled Hotel Sion.
Father Perkovich is credited with popularizing the Polka Mass along with his best selling recordings featuring the Joe Cvek Orchestra.
For information on the tour call the main Kollander World Travel office (now a division of AAA Travel) in Cleveland at 1 -800-800-5981. Departures are possible from anywhere in the USA.
CHURCHES IN SLOVENIAN COMMUNITIES
Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church
100 Years - 1905-2005
SS. Cyril and Methodius church in Lorain, Ohio was established in 1905 by Slovenian immigrants, serving 63 families. The building housed the church upstairs and the soon-to-be opened school downstairs. The parish grew to 249 families and in 1952, under the direction of Father Milan J. Slaje, our beautiful new church was built. (Editor’s, note: Fr. Slaje was National SWUA Spiritual Director from
Sts. Cyril and Methodius 1709 E 31st St., Lorain, OH
1933-1946.) The school was forced to close in 1976, but the old building is still used as a social hall.
Over the years, 12 of our young people have joined religious orders — 6 priests and 6 Notre Dame Sisters.
Father Paul Krajnik has been pastor since 1975. Approximately 80 families feel truly blessed to be preparing for their church’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2005.
BOOK/VIDEO REVIEW f
Slovenija.Svet Magazine
The magazine is journal size, and user friendly. The photographs and designs are beautiful. Articles range from political activity, historical documentation, heritage, environment. It certainly is a well rounded magazine that could capture many interests. A select number of articles have been translated into English.
The question is this: Who is the audience the magazine is attempting to capture? I believe there are many American Slovenians that would subscribe to this magazine If, the editors were more selective and discretionary about which articles were translated into English. Here is an example of an article that would be of interest to a Slovenian American! I also realize that translation is an expensive business in Europe and is costly to the magazine. Perhaps if the editors would hear from the American reader they might gain some insight into which articles would best be fit for translation.
November 2004 issue:
Mesto Pierz v Minnesoti Posvečeno Slovencu This is the story of Fr Pierz, the well known Slovenian priest in Minnesota, which has the town of Pierz named after him. No English translation is presented.
Slamnate strehe danes le še okras Beautiful photos depict the making of a thatched roof on a country home. Two pages of writing, and they are all in Slovenian! What wonderful reading this could be for a Slovenian American!
Slovenija.Svet magazines will be placed in the museum library for your interest. An “evaluation” sheet with a place for comments will be available, so please write your comments about the magazine.
We wish the Slovenija.Svet success! But I also believe the editor needs to hear from the American Slovenian as we could encompass a huge readership for this magazine. Most of all we would be able to receive a beautiful magazine that gives us knowledge of the country of our ancestors. I will be collecting your comments and sending them to the editor. With a little bit of effort, we readers could be the winners. This is a beautiful magazine, and it could be even better!
Mary Lou Voelk
BOOK/VIDEO REVIEW
Continued
MY LIFE IN THREE COUNTRIES
by Ana Skopec
My Life in Three Countries, a book of life memoirs by Ana Skopec published in December, 2004, highlights her life in Slovenia, Germany and America in a series of short stories. Her personal reflections reveal life circumstances she was bom into, growing up on a farm and maturing to adulthood during World War II in Slovenia. The book describes the personal road she chose to follow which fulfilled her dream of becoming a teacher and in fleeing the Communist regime. She summarizes some painfully honest accounts of living as a woman of faith; her true-life experiences provide insight to common discriminatory practices experienced by those of Slovenian descent during the Communist era.
Ana provides a candid view of her homeland, Slovenia, moving to Germany, meeting her husband Frank who leads her to America where she begins her life as a young immigrant woman in the late 1960’s. Significant individuals in her life, including parents, siblings, teachers, aunts and uncles are mentioned throughout the book with sincere gratefulness for their help and support. Her integrity and acceptance of various life situations for which she had no control are evident, as well as her deep respect for Slovenian customs and religious traditions resonates throughout the book. Ana shares an abundance of humorous anecdotes, as well as difficult moments in her life, which engage the reader to understand her unique, personal journey to freedom.
Slovenian immigrants will particularly relate to the last part of the book as Ana describes her experiences of staying in contact with relatives, going back to visit family and friends, and sadly missing funerals of immediate family members. The challenges, joys and learning experiences of coming to the United States are summarized in short story segments, all weaving meaning to her life and to the person she becomes - an immigrant, a wife, a mother, an American citizen, an employee, a grandmother and an author of her first book.
What a precious gift of her legacy Ana has left to us all, particularly to her husband, children and future generations in this detailed family history and life memoir.
My Life in Three Countries may be ordered from PublishAmerica by calling 301-695-1707, or the on-line bookstore at www.PublishAmerica.com. The book is soft cover and sells for $16.95, plus shipping.
Bernadette Kovacic Fitzsimmons
FOR SLOVENIAN LISTENING AND READING
RADIO “VESELJAK” - (“Merry Maker”)
Stephanie Polutnik, Branch 40, Lorain, Ohio has notified us of a wonderful radio station from Slovenia, Radio Veseljak. The station originates in Ljubljana. All lyrics are in Slovenian, with a mixture of folk songs and modem. There are few interruptions other than station identification.
Here are the instructions:
• Install MusicMatch@ Jukebox using this website
http://www.musicmatch.com/download/free/
• Bring up Radio Veseljak website:
http://www.radioveseljak.si/
Notice the gold bar on the right side Click on the word Tukaj. Depending on the speed of your computer Radio Veseljak will begin playing momentarily. If you have any difficulty, Stephanie recommends asking your grandkids. They will get you set up. Stephanie’s son also set up an icon on her desktop so all she has to do is get on the internet and then click on Radio Veseljak. Did you know that Stephanie plays Solitaire on her computer while listening to Radio Veseljak, this is late at night!!
Stephanie hopes to hear from you once you get that station up and running on your computer. You can find her at: step@alltel.net.
I personally logged on and do enjoy listening to this music from Slovenia. It gets one into the Slovenian mode/mood so that I can complete Zarja reports for the next printing!!
Thank You Stephanie!!
SLOVENIA NEWS
Get this delivered to your desktop each week! Slovenia ews is a weekly newsletter prepared by the Government Public Relations and Media Office. Visit http:// www.uvi.si/eng/ to subscribe.
This site has several promotional booklets on Slovenia using a PDF file, to je to !
Mary Lou Branches, Note! We want to branch out our heritage news to all locations where we have members and/or Slovenians live. Please keep your eyes and ears open for events in your area and share them with us in Zarja.
A PERFECT GIFT FOR ANY OCCASION!
SLOVENIAN
Features Include:
600 Great Recipes with easy formats 171 NEW recipes from our members
Favorites of three generations Detailed Instructions Origins of regional recipes Historical Information Maps and notes of interest!
Heritage illustrations by renowned artist,
Nancy Bukovnik
“MORE POTS & PANS”
Please send me________copies	at	special	price	of
$12.00 per copy or 2 for $ 10 each for cash & carry. If mailed from the Home Office, cost is $15 or 2 for $25.
Name_______________________________________
Address____________________________________
City_________State________Zipcode__________
Make check payable to and send order to: Slovenian Women’s Union 431 North Chicago Street Joliet, IL 60432
HERITAGE RECIPES
SLOVENIAN - AMERICAN
Slovenian Women’s Union of America Slovenska *enska Zveza v Ameriki
Membership Application
Yes! I want to join the S.W.U. I want to preserve and promote the legacy of our Slovenian-American heritage. As a member I will receive the publication, ZARJA-The Dawn; I can affiliate with branches and events across the country and best of all, I will come in contact with fellow Slovenes.
Please type or print legibly. Choose type of membership:
□ Junior (Birth to 18), Annual Dues $5.00	□ Adult, Annual	Dues $20.00
Name and Middle Initial________________________________________________________________________________________________
Street Address_____________________________________________City/State/Zip______________________________________________
Phone/Fax__________________________________________________E-Mail______________________________________________________
Date of Birth______________________________________________Do you speak Slovenian?_____________________________________
Please describe your Slovenian ancestry________________________________________________________________________________
How did you hear about us?. Applicant’s signature:____________
S.W.U. member
newspaper
website
other
Date:
Branch Affiliation No. (if known)
Location:
Please make checks payable to the Slovenian Women's Union of America and mail to:
SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION OF AMERICA, 431 North Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432 - (815) 727-1926 e-mail: swuhome@msn.com - Internet webpage: www.swua.org
Please allow four to six weeks for membeship processing.
In addition to my dues, I wish to contribute to the General Fund:
$_____________________
In honor of___________________________________________________________
For Office Use: Date Received:
In memory of_
_Membership No.:. Branch Affiliate:
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Tell a Friend! If you wish us to send information to a friend or relative just fill in name and address here:
My friend’s name
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1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
101
io:
io:
io:
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10!
10!
10!
10!
2
20
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23
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LIVING OUR LEGACY!
Congratulations to Branches 1 of Sheboygan, Wisconsin and 99 of Lemont, Illinois for leading the pack with the greatest amount of new members. Close behind them are Branches 24 of LaSalle, Illinois, 23 of Ely, Minnesota and 20 of Joliet, Illinois. For those branches not mentioned....it is not too late!
Welcome, New Members!
Grabner, Jamie	23	Shober, Rose Marie
Gruenke, Thomas J	23	Smrekar, Nancy
Horzen, Frank J	24	Bokus, Brittney
Horzen, Patricia A	24	Considine, Emily
Kinney, Amanda G	24	Considine, Kelly Sue
Kinney, Julie A	24	Considine, Megan
Kinney, Ryan A	24	Considine, Molly
Kinney, Todd M	24	Edwards, Vera
Smolic, Cecilia R	24	Jurkas, RoseMary
Smolic, John F	24	Krpan, Anne
Smolic, Johnny W	24	Lauritzen, Mary
Smolic, Samantha E	24	Pryde, Maggie
Smolic, Sydney	24	Sanders, Joanne M
Tesovnik, Edward A	24	Sanders, Millie
Udovich, JoAnn M	24	Story, Heidi
Virant, Justin L	25	Kovach, Jeanne
Jemeycic, Mary	26	Vogrin-Kametz, Emma
Aker, Mary Ann	3	Figero, Rhonda
Hester, Daniel Kokal	30	Swintosky, Patrick F
Hulse, Alana Caley	30	Swintosky, Samuel J
Kokal, Brittany	30	Swintosky, Taylor Cowart
Neal, Alyssa	30	Swintosky, Thomas Earle
Neal, Jackie Jo	30	Swintosky, Tyler A
Neal, Miranda	38	Luther, Florine M
Neal, Shannon T	39	Ribich, Anna
Gomick, Kate	39	Ribich, Aubri
Cano, Carol	39	Riordan, Kathleen
Corrado, Virginia H	42	McNamara, Mary Ann
Kovic, Judy L	43	Engelking, Karen
Primiano, Anna T	43	Relien, Alexander J
Primiano, Gina N	43	Yakos, Maria
Primiano, Mark J	99	Kovacic, Ella Mae
Shawmeker, Valerie	99	Polis, Amy Elizabeth
Harms, Amber R	99	Polis, Holly
Harms, Anne M	99	Schultz, Olivia
Harms, Erin	99	Simrayh, Suzy
Harms, Jaime J	99	Simrayh, Tatiana
Lammi, Rebecca	99	Voss, Nada
Lammi, Zachary	99	Yager, Cam
Every family has a journey.... Every heritage has a journey... Every country has a journey. These three comprise the human need for our roots...
and we can only find them by
Living Our Legacy
L wking For You!
Have you moved? Your invoice was returned to us for wrong address. Please let us know what your new address is.
2	COX,	BRANDON
3	PARSONS,	VIRGINIA
16	MILANOVICH, HELEN
20	CAHILL,	CALVIN
20	STUBBLEFIELD, WILL.
20	MCCARNEY, DELORES
20	PRIYATEL,	JENNIE
20	LANGE,	LORRAINE
20	CAHILL, JILL
20	STUBBLEFIELD, JOSEPH
20	GRONWOLD, JUDITH
35	KLANDER, REBECCA
35	REINI,	PATRICIA
47 MERVAR, VALENTINA 50	PERSIN,	MARY. D
93	KOČEVAR,	VASILIS
102	LEMERARDE, CHRIS.
Activities of our Branches
BRANCH 1 - SHEBOYGAN,WI Organized 121111926 Meetings: 3rd Sunday after mass Location announced in the St. Cyril - Methodius Church bulletin
We are happy to announce 22 members have been added to our membership roster!
We congratulate the new members who have the vision that is the spirit of the SWUA—“Living our Legacy” of Slovenian Culture and Heritage - who want to know and keep our Traditions now and for the future. A formal welcome will be celebrated May 19Ih at our dinner meeting. Father Glenn Powers, our Spiritual Advisor, will deliver the presentation.
A bus trip was planned to Milwaukee, Sunday April 3rd to attend the Slovenian Arts Program at St. John the Evangelist Church-Gym. A fun day of activity with something of interest for everyone. Looking forward to seeing friends and acquaintances.
ANGELINE FRITZ
BRANCH 2 - CHICAGO, IL
Organized 12/1/1926 Meetings: 3rd Sunday - lp.m. St. Stephen’s lower hall
God Bless our Holiness Pope John Paul II.
For the past few months we have had all kinds of weather, but now we know spring is here when the Cubs and the White Sox return to play baseball.
Happy Mother’s Day and Father’s Day to all those who take care of our children. Enjoy your special day!
Our St. Joseph/St. Patrick celebration - we were blessed with a nice day & it was well attended. With tables loaded with delicious food and desserts. It was fun to be with everyone.
The 50-year members for 2005 are Maria Nikolič, Frances Petrovič, Michelle Kochevasr, Helen Kochevar, Mayme Fabian and Ann Podlesnik.
Our prayers go out to our sick and stay at home members:	Jean
Hrastar, Bernandine Storcz, Ann Bunnetta, Mary Reich, Elsie Ciszek, Jean Zubek, Tina Schwerin, Tina Stanek, Marie Rom, Ann Sciezka, Julane Svoboda, Jennie Kovacic, Chris Pirman, Jennie Worth, Dolores Puhek and Frances Rebout. We lost two members in March: our condolence to the family of Stella Longosz - Stella was a member for 53 years. She was very active with Branch 2, St. Stephens Altar Society, & Senior Women’s Club of St. Stephens.
Condolences also to the family of Christine Dolmovic (Majcen); to her daughters, her son, sisters & grandchildren. She was a member for 65 years. When Chris lived in the old neighborhood she was very active with Branch 2 & KSKJ & was a member of the bowling league. Please remember them both in your prayers that they will rest in peace. Please try to attend our meeting May 19, we will honor all our members with a luncheon - call Dolores or Fran for reservations.
We were sorry to read Beverly Jackson report of the death of their President Josephine Aiuto and also mother of Michelle. Our prayers are with all of you.
DAISY
BRANCH 5 - INDIANAPOLIS, IN Organized 1/15/1927 Meetings: October - April Slovenian National Home
Greetings to Branch 5 Members! What a beautiful spring we are having! Seems like the flowers and blooming trees started a little early this year, but after the long, gray
Reports due first of month preceding publication
winter I was ready for some color in my yard. My magnolia tree at school is just gorgeous this year, and brings to mind the young man for whom it was planted as a memorial. Perhaps when we lose a loved one, planting a tree or flowering bush in their honor is a good way to remember them and a nice way to remind us of the cycle of life. Springtime brings a new life to all of us, and a chance to renew our friendships and to begin some new ones. Call someone today that you don’t normally see and brighten their day!
Our May meeting is on the 12th, so watch your mail for time and place. Hope you win one of our raffle prizes! All proceeds from the raffle will go to Holy Trinity Centennial fund for renovations to the church, so I hope you all remembered to send your tickets back with a BIG CHECK !!
Our prayers go out to member Alma Sekermestrovich on the death of her husband, Rudy. Also, remember all our members who are ill or recovering from an illness or injury. Our Member of the Year this year is Jeanie Miley. A special thanks goes out to her nephew, Jerry Watson, for writing a nice piece for the ZARJA about Jeanie. Jeanie’s family has always been very involved in Slovenian activities here and always a very willing volunteer to help! Have a safe and sunny spring!
PHYLLIS
BRANCH 10 - CLEVELAND, OH Organized 3/8/1927 Meetings: Fourth Wednesday of every other month Feb - Nov Collinwood-Holmes Slovenian Home
Hi ladies. Where has the time gone? It seems just yesterday we were celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and Easter. I hope everyone had a blessed Easter and were enjoying it
with their children and grandchildren.
Branch 10 is celebrating Member of the Year in May. The date is changed because many of our members are ill. I’ll call all members and let them know when it will be rescheduled. This year all members of Branch 10 will be honored.
Our ailing members are Lucy Romik in Euclid Meridia Hospital. Also Francis Klemenčič, Jennie Schultz, Stephanie Vojtkofsky, Sylvia Jansa and Albina Zimmerman.
Our best wishes to these members and hoping for a complete and speedy recovery. God Bless you all! The past month we lost our dear friend Jennie Zaman. She was a longtime member and we will miss her. On behalf of the entire Branch 10 we offer her family our sincere sympathy on their loss. She will never be replaced. May she rest in peace and God Bless her.
Please, does anyone know about Sophie Magayna Scholarship Fund? It was instituted in memory of her outstanding contributions to Branch 10. Please give me a call at 216-451-1876. Thanks.
Good health to all mothers on Mother’s Day. Children make your mom happy because it may be later than you think. Have fun and enjoy life.
Don’t forget Memorial Day. Pay a visit to your loved one and bring some flowers to their grave.
When you receive this Zarja article it will be time to celebrate Father’s Day. Happy Father’s Day to all. Wishing Happy Birthday to Joyce Segulin in May.
Stay healthy and prayer for our aimed forces and hope it will end soon. God Bless everyone.
STEPHANIE SEGULIN
BRANCH 12 - MILWAUKEE, Wl
Organized 10 31 1927 Meetings: Third Thursday of the month at St. Peter’s Episcopal ____________Church	Hall___________
At our February meeting we missed a few members. Delores Kodrich gave up her Rcording Secretary job, Connie Lewandowski took over.
President Josephine Janezic of Branch 43 came to our meeting and talked about the State Convention to be held September 25th at Klemmers Banquet Center and also to try to get new members.
In March Fannie Smole and Lucy Babich had birthdays.
Virginia Strukel made an Irish dish corn beef and cabbage, also members brought desserts. Toni Vodnik made Easter nests and shamrock cookies and I had bought colored eggs that I colored. 1 did this for 10 years, every Easter for my branch 12.
1 had a long conversation with Mollie Macht who had been very ill with heart problems, she had to give up driving but promised me that she will bring her friend who drives to the meeting in April.
Ann Jelinek passed away on Good Friday. She was a very dear friend of mine. We went to grade school and later she came to our SWUA Branch 12 meetings with her son Albert. She liked to cook and bake; she was very good making poticas and strudels. I said the eulogy for her at Bevsek Funeral Home. She belonged to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Ann had three sons Allen, Alfred and Alvin; Albert lived with her and took care of her.
Theresa Fedran is leaving May 10th with her son Jimmy to her grandson Bradley’s wedding to be held May 17lh in Punta Cana Dominican Republic. A reception will be held June 11"' at Elks Club in Milwaukee. Happy Belated Easter!
STAV1A DOBERSEK
BRANCH 13 - SAN FRANCISCO, CA Organized 10/30 1927 Meetings: First Thursday of the month except Jul and Aug at Slovenian Hall in San Francisco
It is with much sadness that I write about the death of our dear President, Josephine Aiuto. Many of you will remember her from our 1995 National Convention in San Francisco. I have never met anyone who loved “Ženska Zveza” as much as Jo. She
Our dear Josephine “Jo” Aiuto
was a member of #13 for over 58 years and President for over 30 years. She was so dedicated and loved every minute of it.
The wonderful legacy she leaves, a daughter, a sister, nices and cousins who will follow her tradition out of love for her and SWUA.
Josephine was bom in SF on November 13, 1919 in her parents’ home in Patrero Hill. She was very active in all socials at the Slovenian Progressive Home. She absolutely loved music and dancing. She married her “favorite dancer,” Vincent Aiuto in 1944 and had 2 children. The late David Aiuto and daughter Michele Twers (our treasurer) and son-in-law, Dennis Twers who she truly loved. How do I know all this, because she was my mother’s cousin, and I was her flower girl in that beautiful wedding in 1944.
Rest easy now, dear Jo and know we will carry on your tradition.
If I were to sit across the porch from God, I would have to thank him for loaning you to us for so many years. Branch 13 met with a very heavy heart last month after we lost our dear President, Josephine Aiuto. Louise Petrusich stepped up as President and we voted Doreen Sustarich as Vice President.
We are having our May Brunch at the S.F. Marriott at noon on May 15th. We want to send birthday wishes to: Sophia Troya, Marie Fir, Laura Frick, Danielle Barbree, Steven Stimach, and a very happy 94lh to Anna Fabian, Mary Copp, Diana Gremett,
Karen Jensen, Ivanka Lukezic and Margaret Schmidt.
Happiness is not something you get, but something you do...
Have a beautiful summer!
BEVERLY JACKSON
BRANCH 14 - CLEVELAND -NOTTINGHAM, OH Organized 10/31/1927 Meetings: 1st Tuesday of the month Apr, Jun & Nov 7:00pm Recher Hall Slovenian Home (also Mother’s Day and Christmas Dinner)
Reminder to members that we celebrate with all members who will be honored as Member of the Year on Tuesday, May 3rd at 6:30 at the Slovenian Society Home on Recher Avenue. Be sure to call in your reservations to Stana Grill at 440-944-0598. We’re looking forward to another fun evening with all of our friends and members. Hope to have another large crowd!
We send greetings to Pauline Krall residing at Gateway Assisted Living and to all of our members who are residents.
Welcome home to Tommy Varney from Iraq! Tom is the son of Larry Varney and step-mom Diane. Tom was shown on Cleveland’s TV station WJW-TV8 when his group returned back to the states and interviewed Diane’s daughter Laurie Trevisano as she waited for him with the rest of the family. The entire neighborhood was there to greet him with flags, balloons and ribbons and flowers. Tommy returns to work in April as a school custodian. Thank you Tommy and best of luck to you! Members would like to take this chance to send best wishes to all of our ailing ladies for a speedy recovery and hope to see their smiling faces very soon.
God bless all our mothers as we wish them a Happy Mother’s Day!
ALICE KUHAR
THINK HERITAGE! THINK SWUA !
BRANCH 16 - S. CHICAGO,IL
Organized 2/13/1928 Meetings: 2nd Saturday, 1PM (except Jan, Jul & Aug)
St. George’s Hall
Welcome Spring and Daylight-Savings Time. We have two very important dates to remember in May. The first is Thursday, May 12th. We will be honoring our Member of the Year. Olga Kowalkowski, at our May Luncheon at Tom’s Restaurant in Calumet City on Surnham Avenue, at 1:30pm. Congratulations Olga. For reservations please call Mary Jane Strus at 773-768-5127 or Mary Therese Ehnat at 773-646-5758. There is a $2.00 reservation deposit fee, and the luncheon selection is off the menu, (your choice)
The next date is Sunday, May 22nd. We will be celebrating the “Feast Day of Maria Pomagaj z Brezij (Mary Help of Christians), Patroness of Slovenia. Br 16 and St. Florian KSKJ ask all the members to attend the service at St. George Church at 8:30am, before the 9am mass. We will recite the Rosary, The Litany of the Blessed Virgin, Mass and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. All are invited to the Church Hall after mass for coffee and rolls.
We celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with corned beef sandwiches - Fran Novak audited the books. Olga Castiglia and her husband went to Florida to visit their son Chuckie. Congratulations to Dolores Franko, son John and wife Sandy on the birth of Nicholas Angelo, 2/8/05. Congratulations to the Graduates -Gen Marco’s granddaughter, Meghan McGovern - University of Illinois - Marjorie Mitchell’s grandsons - Bill Beck Jr. - Catholic Memorial and Andrew Wheaton -Bishop Boylan - Great-niece and great-nephew of Gladys Buck, children of Barbara (Buck) Ireland
-	Kelly - Highschool, Lakeland , MN and Jason University of Minnesota Duluth, Kelly and Jason are Junior Members.
Get well greetings were sent Ana Lustig, Julie Pastor and Rosemary Pastirik.
Our 50-50 winners for Feb - Gen Marco, Vicky Putzel and Julie Pastor - for March - Marjorie Mitchell and Sylvia Spretnjak. Happy 94th birthday to Clara Saviano. Thank you Ralph for setting up the tables for our meetings.lt is a big help.
June Hostesses - Frank Novak and Vicky Outzell. Hope to see many of you on May 12th and May 22nd. ______________SYLVIA	SPRETNJAK
BRANCH 20 - JOLIET, IL
Organized 6/11/1928 Meetings: 3rd Ttiesday monthly except Jun, Jul and Aug St. Joe’s Park Hall
We hope you had a holy and happy Easter, celebrating Christ’s Resurrection! And maybe you are still working on the food you had blessed on Holy Saturday. Our pastor, Father Jim Radek, Father Tim Andres, and Deacon Dave Raskowski led us in a reverent participation during our Holy Week Services.
The Member of the Year for Branch 20 is Theresa (Mikolič) Bums who will be honored at the Banquet/ Meeting on Tuesday, May 17th at St. Joseph’s Park Hall. A special tribute to Our Lady of Brezje will take place. The Branch 20 Scholarship Awards will be presented. Entertainment by Eddie Korosa, Jr. will follow. Tickets are$ 12.00 for adults and $7.00 for children. Doors open at 5:00pm
Happy Mother’s Day on May 8! Happy Father’s Day on June 19! Sunday, July 17th is Zveza Day in Lemont. Hosted by Branch 2 of Chicago. It will begin with the 11:00am Mass with Slovenian singing. The picnic is on - rain or shine, see you there!
June 25 and 26 are dates for the St. Joseph Church Fair. Come and see Branch 20 Booth, enjoy the music, people, etc.
Congratulations to: Walter and Mary (Galick) Sova who celebrated
their 50th Anniversary in February. Richard and Mary Kay (Spelich) Demick on the birth of their grandson, Erik Richard. Our first communicants, our 8th grade, Highschool and college graduates. Let us pray for all our sick, including Margaret Stalzer. We offer our prayers and condolences to: Rudy Pucel’s wife Millie (Erjavec) and all his family. Theresa (Metesh) Pavnica’s family and to Helen Darin’s family.
On March 21, St. Joseph’s Church and School participated in the “Wish Upon a Star” Easter Parade in Joliet. Some willing members and others helped decorate the “Church” float. There are Slovenian articles, gifts, cookbooks available at our Heritage Museum. The latest articles are CD’s by the Singing Slovenes. Call 815-727-1926
Membership Drive - SWUA has a membership drive for new members. Branch 20 only is offering $2.00 for every new member you recruit. This includes family members, men, and children from birth - 17yrs, friends and neighbors. This could be a great gift for birthdays, anniversaries or special occasions. Dues are $20.00 per year for adults and $5.00 per year for children.
“Keep working for the Lord! It doesn’t pay much but the retirement plan—is out of this world.” SISTER MARLENE AMBROSE
BRANCH 23 - ELY, MN Organized 9/19/1928 Meetings: First Monday of the month (Except “J” months) Reporter: Jane Yadlosky Phone: (213) 365-5441
Cold, blustery winter weather greeted us again for our March meeting on March 1st. Just a few members showed up to take care of the business on hand, mainly selecting a committee to plan our ‘“Woman of the Year” dinner in May. Drawn to serve on the committee are Rose Starkovich, Pauline Ferderber, Janet Grahek, Mary Ann Starkman, Dorothy
Grahek, Jane Yadlosky, Mary Ann Pulis,
Mary Ann Lekatz, Pat Lammi and Roslyn Perko. The previous “women of the year’ will be a committee to select this year’s honoree. Judy Swenson reported on a book “Slovenia” with descriptions of tools used there - example; a typical ‘hay rack’ and the reasoning behind how it is made and used. It brought
back fond memories to many of us of our parents and grandparents using similar tools. Gloria Smuk won the door prize: a replica of wooden kitchen utensils used in Slovenia - a gift from President Gerry Petrich. The 50/50 drawing was won by Gerry Petrich. A lunch was served by Rose Gornik and Helen Champa.
Best wishes for a glorious and blessed Easter season to all.
JANE YADLOSKI
BRANCH 24 - LASALLE, IL Organized 10/17/1928 Meetings: 3rd Thursdays except Jan, Feb, Jul & Aug Eureka Savings Building
Dober Dan!
Wishing all moms a happy Mother’s Day. Not only mothers but also all those women who nurture, love and guide and who are wonderful role models. We honor those who have gone before us. They are forever in our hearts.
We extend our sympathy and prayers to the family of Johanna (Jane) Sherman who passed away on February 20. She was a faithful member of SWUA and of her church, first St. Roch’s and then Resurrection.
Our March meeting, with 22 members present fell on St. Patrick’sDay, and brought a wonderful combination of both nationalities. We discussed at length our Slovenian Zegen, butarica and St. Gregor’s Day and then enjoyed the delicious Shamrock cookies and other goodies prepared by our hostesses, Willa Dellinger, Toni
Essl, Jackie Assalley and Martha Lushina. A short “sing-a-long” of Irish songs followed.
Debbie Pohar won the monthly “door prize”. This month is was a singing red Cardinal. We thought it was appropriate since, supposedly, March is the month the birds get married.
It was voted upon not to hold meetings the month of January and February. It seems there is a conflict between the weather, the flu and those people who travel to Florida to escape the cold.
Plans were discuss for our May luncheon to be held at Mario’s Maples on May 19. It is a lovely setting for our yearly gathering and we are always so pleased to see so many attending.
In June we will have our annual picnic at the home of Barb Pohar. She has a large, beautiful yard and if the attendance keeps growing as it has, she may not be able to accommodate the large crowd. It is the perfect place and with the Slovenian music and only Slovenian dishes provided by the members, one would think they are in Slovenia.
It is heartwarming to see the increase in attendance at the blessing of the Easter food on Holy Saturday. Between the Easter lilies, hyacinths, azaleas and the food, church never smelled so good. A very dear friend of mine, Donna always makes butare for my basket and I usually keep it the entire year. In her basket is a cloth made in Slovenia and embroidered by her mother. What a treasure! (the cloth and the friend!)
Enjoy the spring! And, until next time, may your hearts be filled with peace and love.
LORETTA STORY
BRANCH 25 - CLEVELAND, OH Organized 11/22/1928 Meetings: 2nd Sunday of the month St. Vitus
Hi sorry about this short column. In Feb. I stepped out of my house and slipped on the ice and fractured my left wrist, and it really looks bad.
Somewhat like Frankenstein with the pins on the side of his neck. Ugly!
Hope everyone enjoyed St. Pat’s Day and you had a blessed and Happy Easter, Happy Mother’s Day and Happy Father’s Day. Greetings to all our shut-in and speedy recovery to all on the sick list.
I did attend the man and woman of the year at SNA on St. Clair. Thank everyone for all their get well cards, good wishes, phone calls and their thoughts and prayers during this time
that I am incapacitated and to all who drove me at my various appointments. Hvala Lepa! Jim Slapnik was honored by the federation of Slovenian Homes. Mr. Slapnik represented the SNH on St. Clair. Congratulations to all honorees. Our members, Helen Pisch and Josie Perpar have been ill. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Get well to Albina! I will leave you with this thought! “Friendship is God’s most perfect gift” Luv ya!
EMILEE JENKO
BRANCH 35 - AURORA, MN Organized 10/15/1929 Meetings: lsl Sunday of Feb, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Dec and Wednesday in Aug Aurora Community Center
Vice President Dorothy Jamnick presided at our meeting on Sunday, February 16th and opened our meeting with prayers for all our members. Thank you to President Anita Vovk for the lovely Valentine card and letter encouraging us to seek new members. She also asked us to bring information of our family background to the April meetings. This will be sent to Nancy Henkel at the Heritage Museum. Congratulations to: Lindsay Antilla a freshman at the U of Wisconsin Stout for winning the chancellors award for the fall of 2004 which is awarded to students with a 3.5 average or higher. Her brother Kyle, won the trip to Slovenia to study the language and culture of his Slovenian Heritage. He’ll have a
chance to visit with his relatives too. We will be looking forward to a report from you at one of our future meetings, Kyle.
David Wheeler a 2005 Highschool graduate will be spending two weeks in Chia with his Chinese teacher and several of his classmates. He has studied and written Chinese for six years - now he’ll have a chance to use it. We’ll be looking for a report from you too David. And to Carolyn Hodnik and all the young people who performed in the interesting musical “the 40’s Radio Hour”.
Get well wishes to all our members who are ill, our prayers are with you. Sorry to report Martha Gunderson has had another stroke and is our local nursing home.
Thanks to our ladies for all their lovely gifts that always makes our dime social a success.
Julie Pimot donated the door prize and Helen Smonich was the winner. After the meeting we enjoyed a social hour and a delicious dessert served by our hostesses Pauline Korpela and Betty Rekser. Thank you ladies.
With warmer weather we are glad to see our snow disappearing and we had a lot of it. Looking forward to summer
______________ANNE M. ORAZEM
BRANCH 38 - CHISHOLM, MN Organized 1/12/1930 Meetings: 1st Wed. except June & July Slovenian National Home
It looks like spring has finally returned to the northland. We are enjoying beautiful warm weather, and no mosquitoes, as yet.
Our April meeting was taken up with final plans for our 75th Anniversary. Because of Mary Lou Voelk’s request asking us to choose Slovenian Women from past and the “present” who was/is “Living the Legacy”. We had a very good discussion and realized that we have many living and deceased women who fit that category. It was hard to pick just a few, but we did come up
with three women who we believe are living their legacy.
Our first pick is Veda Ponikvar, who served in the Navy during World War II. When she returned from the service, she was the youngest and first woman newspaper publisher when she started the Chisholm Free Press. She is a living legend, not only in Chisholm and the Iron Range, but also across Minnesota. She has been a member of our SWUA for many years, like her mother before her. In a tribute to her, Walter Mondale said “Veda is a teacher, and historian who wants people to remember their roots, values, and the unique mix of immigrants that makes up the Iron Range.”
Another woman from our community who we feel is living her legacy is Marge Peterson (Champa). She served on our city council for many years, and then served as our mayor for several years. She has always been generous when it comes to helping others. She has retired from public office, but keeps involved by serving on various committees. She also is a member of our SWUA, and it is very obvious that she is very proud of her Slovenian heritage. Our third pick is a young member who is originally from Slovenia, but is now an American citizen. She is living her legacy by teaching Slovenian classes. She has written articles in the Zarja on some of the Slovenian customs. She is proficient in making bobbin lace and gladly will demonstrate the art when asked. She is also an artist who has won prized for her artwork. She has many talents, which she is always willing to share with others. These three women we feel are truly living their legacy.
Jennie Samsa, who served as our president for many years, and is well known for all the delicious meals she served is now a resident at Heritage Manor. She will be celebrating her 100th birthday on April 13th, and her family is planning a party in her honor to be
held at the Slovenian Home. What a remarkable lady!
Our Minnesota branches are still planning a Heritage Festival for this fall. Hope we will be able to squeeze it in with all of the many events that are occurring this summer and fall.
CHARLOTTE LAURICH
BRANCH 39 - BIWABIK, MN
Organized 2/311930 Meetings: lsl Sunday monthly St. John’s Church
I returned on February 27 from a National Board meeting of SWUA in Joliet representing Lisa McDonell, our Minnesota Regional President, who was unable to attend. I told the board members I wanted to get my feet wet, but did not expect to drown. Seriously, I returned with a better understanding of the importance of our membership campaign, as well as the true meaning of “Living Our Legacy.” The key element to the preservation of our beloved SWUA is membership recruitment. We need to work together to inspire new and energetic members to join us by being involved in “Living Our Legacy”. The focus of the organization has changed since its inception in 1926 and the preservation of our heritage is vital if SWUA is to exist. The board members work very hard to continue in this endeavor as I witnessed while in attendance, however, they do need our help. Let’s light up the sky with new members!
Our Branch #39 met on March 6th with our President, Jean Korsman calling the meeting to order. Twelve members were in attendance and two new junior members were introduced. Aubri and Anna Ribich, granddaughters of Rosemary and Bob Ribich listened attentively as the business meeting progressed. We must continue “Living Our Legacy”. We unanimously voted Eleanor Indihar as our member of the year. Vida Lanari, our secretary, will send all the information about our honored member to the Zarja for publication.
After adjournment, Phyllis Kukar, Eleanor Indihar and Helen Zallar served a delicious lunch on tables decorated with Easter motif. Conversation about Pust and Zegan let to some interesting reminiscing. Vice President, Eleanor Indihar called our April 3rd meeting to order and we recited the Chaplet of Divine Mercy prayers. It was a beautiful opening on this first Sunday after Easter. Eleanor presided over the meeting in Jean Korsman’s absence. Jean’s husband Roy is hospitalized after heart surgery. We all pray for his quick recovery.
We welcomed back our member Jane Purkat. Jane thanked all those who sent cards during her hospital stay. Glad to have you back and in good health, Jane.
Thirteen members were in attendance. Our Member of the Year celebration will take place on April 24th at the Days Inn in Eveleth. Vida Lanari, our secretary, will take care of the arrangements and Eleanor will be presented with a gift certificate and a corsage from the Branch. Eleanor kindly obliged to change her celebration date so that members could attend the May 1st celebration of Chisholm’s 75th Jubilee. Congratulations to you Eleanor, an active and well-deserving member of the year.
We plan on sending letters of the yearly schedule to all the branch members. They will go out after we make our definite plans about our 75th Jubilee. Some of these plans are pending do to conflicting celebrations of other branches as well as our Minnesota State Convention and Heritage Day. Rosemary introduced information about a pending plan on the reprinting of the original 1951 issue of Woman’s Glory. There was much discussion and many questions involving the project.
Preparations continue with the archival project and Phyllis Kukar, along with her daughter Margaret Stratton volunteered to go through all our existing Zarja publications and compile the information for our scrapbook. Thanks to both of you
and to the rest of the members that took home projects so we may continue this effort for our 75th Jubilee.
The meeting was adjourned and Judy Stuntebeck and Ann Geržina served a delicious dessert.
Happy Mother’s Day!
ROSEMARY (SERTICH)RIBICH
Reporter
BRANCH 40 - LORAIN, OH
Organized 412111930 Meetings: 2nd Wednesday of every month St. Cyril & Methodius Church
Our whole community has been deeply saddened by the loss of two of our faithful members and wonderful friends to all who knew them. It was just a year ago that I wrote about Olga Love being honored as the Volunteer of the Year by the Lorain Historical Society. Now I must report that Olga died in January at age 88. She was a woman of many talents. Among them, she was a very good tennis player. When her death was announced, a radio sports announcer told of her prowess at tennis where she excelled not only as a player but also as a teacher of the game to many young people, including my own grandson. She was a proud Slovenian and active in SWU and KSKJ. We shall miss her. Her husband , Winston Love died in 1981. She is survived by a niece and several cousins. To them we extend our deepest sympathies. Agatha Donges read the lodge farewell at the wake. Father Paul Krajnik celebrated the funeral mass at Sts. Cyril and Methodius church. May she rest in peace.
Then, on Holy Saturday, our member and dear friend Lenore Pavlovčič died after a brief illness. She was a registered nurse and for many years was employed as head nurse in the labor and delivery department at the former St. Joseph hospital in Lorain. She loved crafts, especially china painting. She had a joyful, happy personality. She was an excellent cook and baker. Lee was
not of Slovenian descent, but when she married Ray Pavlovčič, she learned Slovenian cooking and baking from his mother Mary Pavlovčič. Lee and Ray were married for 56 years and were active in the Slovenian community and at their church. In addition to Ray, Lee is survived by two sisters, a brother, nieces and nephews. To them we extend our deepest sympathies. Agatha Donges read the lodge farewell at the wake. The funeral mass was celebrated by Father Paul Krajnik at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church. Rest in peace, dear friend . We will remember you always. Aggie Serazin’s husband Joe suffered a stroke and spent the Christmas holidays in the hospital. He is recovering at home now. Get well and stay well , Joe. Is Paris as beautiful in the spring as the songs say? Well Aggie and Joe’s granddaughter Elizabeth can give a report on that — she is in Paris even as I write, having gone there with her high school French class on Spring break. What memories!! And Elizabeth’s brother Brian has been accepted at Kent State University in the school of Journalism. He also hopes to continue his studies in photography Congratulations to the whole family.
Fritz and Francine Pavlovčič recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary .They, too, have been active members of our Slovenian community and church. Francine is one we can rely on for help in any way where help is needed . Thank you both for all you do. We wish you many more happy years together.
My daughter Elaine’s latest trip was with her New Zealand friend Heather. For Chinese New Year with a week off from their teaching assignments, they flew to Delhi India. They hired a driver to drive them to Agra where they were they were going to see the Taj Mahal. The cost of the driver which included the car, gas, his meals and lodging- plus he proved to be an excellent guide -was $35 a day. Imagine that !The
four-hour drive proved to be an adventure in itself. On a two-lane highway, cars , buses and trucks were not the only vehicles traveling it. There were also tractors, rickshaws ,motorized rickshaws, bicycles, motorbikes, police cars, an ambulance, and bulldozers. Plus there were wagons filled with loads of produce, sugar cane and big sacks pulled by camels, horses and water buffaloes. People on bicycles with loads of their own and women walking on the edge of the road balancing jugs of water on their heads added to the confusion. It is compulsory to signal passing by honking your horn. After awhile you got used to the constant blaring of the horns. People didn’t seem to be in a hurry to get where they were going and there was no road rage,— at least none they could see..
The Taj Mahal was erected by the then Emperor in commemoration of the memory of his love for his favorite wife who died in 1631 after giving birth to their 14th child. It is of pure white marble and is considered to be the 7th wonder of the world. It is very beautiful.
So now Easter has come and gone . Have you planted lettuce yet? I must admit that I have not, — it should have been done on St. Joseph’s day
—	March 19th —but it has been so cold. Have a wonderful Spring. All you computer users be sure to get on line with Radio Veseljak Just simply great. Read about it on Lynn Zalokar’s monthly bulletin. If you have trouble doing it, ask your children or grand kids. My son Michael found it and my other son Rob installed it for me. You will hear beautiful all Slovenian music— oldies and new songs. I know you will love it.
Happy Mother’s day to all mothers. Love . Stephanie Polutnik
BRANCH 42 - MAPLE HEIGHTS, OH Organized 513111930 Meetings: 2nd Saturday in Feb, May, Aug, Nov & Dec Maple Heights Library
Greetings of Spring everyone! My
trip to Florida took an unexpected turn when I began preparation while there for a visit with my cousin, Stan Legan and his wife Pat. Just about the time I left Cleveland to fly to Fort Lauderdale for a month’s visit with cousin Florence, Stan was driving to his local library and suffered a massive stroke. He was life-flighted from the local hospital to a major trauma center in Tampa Bay and underwent emergency brain surgery. He never came out of his coma and succumbed the day before I called to arrange a visit. Ho and I hastened our plans and motored across the state to Seminole for his funeral. The Legan brothers, Herb, Joe and Tom attended with their spouses. With Stan’s three sons and a daughter and their families it proved to be quite a Legan assembly. Our sympathy goes out to Stan’s aunt, Betty Kosak Gawor, sister-in-law, Arlene and cousin Bob Kastelic, all members of Br 42.
While in Seminole I was able to dine with Fran Fedor our new member, whose Uncle Johnny Prhne has just recently passed away. I read about his demise in the American Home newspaper on my return. Johnny was Stanley and Rudy Prhne’s brother. We extend our deepest sympathy to the Prhne and Lipnos relatives in Br 42.
Congratulations are in order to our spiritual advisor, Sister Joan of Arc, who is celebrating her 50th jubilee. By the time you read this the event will have been celebrated on April 10,h with a mass at St. Martin of Tours Church in Garfield Heights. May you continue in your ministry, Sister Joan, with the same zeal and vitality we have come to know. God Bless you!
Happy May birthdays to John Gravier, Dorothy Mehosky, Shawn and Samantha Thompson, Mitzi Champa, Melinda Prhne, Madelle Zimmer and John Haslup. Happy June Birthdays to Tatjana Černigoj, Jackie Albers, Ann Trattar, Dolores Lipnos, Bob Kastelic, Betty Ann Kastelic and Sally Prhne and Katherine Gruden.
Congratulations to our junior member, Grace Zupančič on her induction into the National Honor Society as a Beaumont School sophomore. Grandparents Angie and Tony Zupančič must be very proud.
Our annual mass for living and deceased members of Br 42 will be held on Sunday, May 29th at 10:00am at St. Lawrence Church. Please make an effort to attend.
Our next meeting is Saturday, May 14th at 11:00am at the Maple Heights Library. This meeting will highlight Heritage Day so we are asking you to bring pictures of your parents and or grandparents.
Till next time Happy Mother’s Day to all our mothers and a Happy Father’s Day to the dads.
Zbogom,	LIL	SADOWSKI
BRANCH 43 - MILWAUKEE, WI Organized 6/4/1930 Meetings: 4th Wednesday of the month except Jan, Jul & Aug St. Mary Help Christian Church
Our day was a huge success and we had a wonderful, big crowd. It made a difference having it at St. John’s. Diana Fir was a delightful addition to the talent part of the program. All is all it was a wonderful, exhausting day.
SINCERE APOLOGIES TO BRANCH 43 FOR OMITTING THIS FROM THE MARCH/APRIL ISSUE OF ZARJA.
Sadness was felt by the members of our branch when we were informed of the death of Joan Jaklich. Joan was the president of branch 17 for many years and when the branch merged she became our member. She has always been an active and avid supporter of SWU. For many years she was the State President and until her death was the State Vice President. Joan’s funeral mass was held at St. Mary Help of Christian Church, where she was very actively involved. With a heavy heart President, Josephine Janezic read the SWU Burial Prayer. May she rest in peace.
Congratulations are extended to Michelle Goldmann who will be graduating from Pius High School. Even though Michelle’s future plans are not set, she plans on attending Loyalo University. Best Wishes are extended to her.
Many thanks to the birthday ladies, Mary Zortz, Toni Needham, and Rose Chepek who prepared a most delicious lunch which was enjoyed before our March meeting. Thank you too to the ladies who brought special treats:	Denise Bartlett,
Tillie Kvedar, Yvonne Khaldy, and Mici Bregant.
Just a reminder that our meetings are usually held each 4th Wednesday of the month at noon at St. Mary Help of Christian Church. Why not join us for lunch prior to our meeting. We’d love to see you. Please NOTE that our June meeting will be held at 6 PM. Hopefully this will enable our working members to attend.
Future plans for Branch 43 include the celebration of its 75th Anniversary on September 25, 2005. This milestone will be celebrated in conjunction with the State Convention. Preliminary plans call for Mass, dinner, meeting and a program. Mark your calendars and plan on attending. Enjoy the spring and summer. I for one am happy to discard heavy coats, boots, and scarves.
MICI BREGANT
BRANCH 50- CLEVELAND & EUCLID, OH Organized 911511931 Meetings: 3rd Wednesday 1 p.m. Except Jan, Feb, July,& Aug. Euclid Public Library
Mother of the year for 2005-Rose Mary Toth! She accepted this honor with tears in her eyes, as she follows in the footsteps of her mother. Albina Mrsnik who was mother of the year in 1999.
At our March 16 meeting the president, Rose Mary Toth, welcomed everyone back -twenty-four members were present
including all the officers. Several members brought pastries, and in particular a cake decorated in the Irish theme for this” St. Patty “day meeting donated and decorated by Cookie Maxin. Mary Blatnik, delivered several seasonal green plants which were donated by Jimmie Slapnik, florist;
Many of the members wore green for this meeting, and Anne Tomsick wore a green dress and coat outfit which she made for her honeymoon fifty-two years ago from a “Vogue” pattern and which through the years had vanished, only to be found by her sister in Garfield Heights. Anne was so delighted to find something that was “lost and now found,” since she treasured this dress from memory lane. Incidentally it still fits!
Dorothy Ann Winters was in attendance after a lengthy absence due to surgery and hospital stay. Dorothy donated thirty-dollars for the raffle and the lucky ladies were Ann Orlikowski, Ruth Kolence, and Alice Signorelli.
Happy birthday songs were sung to Mary Blatnik, Mary Aucin, Alice Signorelli, Cookie Maxin, and Mary Wolf.
Ivanka Matic reminded us and brought our attention to the article “Churches in Slovenian Communities” which appeared in our March/April issue of “Zarja” publication. This article is a brief history overview of St. Vitus Parish with photos, and well worth reading It appears on page twelve of that issue.
Rose Mary Toth distributed map of all the provinces of Slovenia, as well as an ancestor’s chart to the members.
Josephine Smith. Historian, of our branch and grandmother of Sean, Kevin and Ryan English. She is so proud of the following accomplishments of these young men, Sean was awarded MVP and received the “Doc Davidson Award” for character, academics, and athletic ability. Sean played forward for the Berea High School
basketball team. He will-graduate in June with a 4.16 PA- he will attend Ohio U.
Kevin will graduate from BW with a BA .He studied in Australia.
Ryan graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Sports Industry and employed as manager of stadium events in San Bernardino minor league baseball team. Congratulations, Gramma Smith! Josephine Smith has been recuperating, and hopes to join us on our April meeting.
We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of Rose Bavec and Mary Peterlin.
P.S. Information on “Mother of the Year”
Luncheon honoring Rose Mary Toth will be held at DUBROVNIK GARDENS,
34900 Lakeshore Blvd.
Eastlake, Ohio
Contact person, Fran Kajfez-1=440-944-3697
Respectfully,
ANNE TOMSICK
BRANCH 54 - WARREN, OH
Organized 8122/1932 Meetings: 3rd Wednesday 5 or 6 times a year
We had our annual Mother/Daughter Luncheon and we had a good turnout. Thanks to Anne O’Block and her sister Mary Diana who were hostesses - they did a wonderful job!
We’re on our way to visit our daughter and son-in-law in South Carolina. It will be a welcome relief to be in the south with them, after such a snowy winter here.
Vic Zuga will be spending a month at Oak Island, N.C. with her daughter, Karen. They rent a home on the beach and its R & R for them. Karen is a professor at Ohio State and needs a relaxing time after teaching all winter. We will not have a meeting until September and Elsie Shine has offered to entertain us at her home in Niles. I’ll call you all a week before.
Mary Lou Voelk Director of Special
Projects has sent an email for input on women, who have qualities of leadership and I will write a few lines about my mom, Rose Racher, who helped organize our branch in the early 1930’s. She left her family in Ribnica, Slovenia, when she was 19 years old and came to Cleveland to work for a cousin and settled in Warren. She learned to read in English, became an American citizen and was an officer for S WUA for many years, officer for AMLA, worked for her parish and was an all around wonderful person. She loved being Slovenian, loved to polka, make potica, etc. and was never ashamed that she came from Europe. She died in 1984 after a long life. I have kept up my heritage by being an officer and reporter for 42 years because also of my love for her -1 would feel guilty if I wasn’t active.
Happy summertime!
___________JOANNE PONIKVAR
BRANCH 55 - GIRARD, OH
Organized 61811933 Meetings: lsl Monday of Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov & Dec 1575 Norwood Avenue
Greetings from Branch 55 in Girard, Ohio! I hope this article finds everyone in good health. It’s great to see that the weather is finally starting to feel like spring. Over the Easter weekend, I’m sure many of you had a chance to see some of the early spring flowers peaking out from underneath the last remains of the winter months. I know that spending Easter with my family was certainly an enjoyable time as there was much delicious zegen to enjoy. We even had three different poticas to sample this year! In Branch 55 news, longtime member Sophie Kren celebrated her 93rd birthday in February. Happy Birthday Sophie and may God grant you many more years! At the last SWU meeting, it was determined that a monetary donation would be made to the SWU scholarship fund in memory of Virginia Rostan, a longtime member who had recently
passed away. Also in Branch news, the Gregorjevo tradition was discussed for the feast of St. Gregory on March 12th. Member Anka Krakora made a delicious potica to enjoy at the meeting as Branch 55 is working towards “Living our Legacy” as the campaign goes. Please keep longtime SWU member and my Staramama Milka Kregar in your thoughts and prayers. She is currently recovering from a broken hip and surgery at the Liberty Arms Rehab Center. Congratulations are in order for Mark Selak, son of President Maria Selak as he will be graduating from Duquesne University on May 7 with a BS in Information
System Management. Mark will also be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps on May 13. He will then attend The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia to complete his training. Best of luck to you, Mark!
That’s all for now from Girard! Enjoy the warmer weather as Spring finally arrives!
MONICA SELAK
BRANCH 89 - OGLESBY, IL Organized 5/911938 Meetings: 2nd Monday except Jan, Feb, Jul & Aug Dickinson House
Greetings to all from Branch 89 in Oglesby, Illinois. It was great getting together for our March meeting after a long cold winter. Our correspondence from Director of Special Projects, Mary LouVoelk, reminded us that March is “National Women’s History” month. “Women Change America” is the 2005 theme. We have some homework to do before our April meeting, choosing a Slovenian woman who has paved the way for us and made a difference in our lives. We will then vote and decide who our Slovenian woman will be for our article in our Zarja. Our deepest sympathy goes out to our own Mitzi Banich on the death of her husband, Bill. May his soul rest in peace. We had the honor of
sharing our meeting with Dan Johnson, a junior at LaSalle-Peru High School. Dan is writing a report on Slovenian Heritage and Cultures. We are looking forward to Dan returning to our April meeting to read his report to us. What a joy it was to have him with us. Our president Nancy Henkel, shared some very interesting “info” sheets for us to enjoy. Gregorjevo or St. Gregory’s Day is celebrated on March 12. It is said that birds mate on this day and fanners start plowing their fields. Shoemakers and tailors could stop using their lanterns because of more daylight and so they would throw their working lamps into the stream. Hence, the tradition of children floating candles on small pieces of wood down the brook on St. Gregory’s Day. Our meeting was adjourned and we all enjoyed “Žegen” our traditional Easter breakfast food. Officers provided potica, smoked sausage, horseradish, hard boiled eggs, and Easter table service. We are all looking forward to our April meeting. One of the high-lights is learning to count to five in Slovenian! Our prayers are with our men in service.
Peace to all....
ALICE EBNER
BRANCH 93 - BROOKLYN & NYC, NY Organized 11/26/1938 Meetings: 5-6 times a year at various locations
Hello Branch 93 members,
Here are some updates on our activities in the past couple of months.
At the end of February we applied for grant money from the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia For Slovenians Abroad for a lecture series to be given at several locations in the United States of America by Mirjam Milharčič-Hladnik in fall 2005. Mirjam is a member of the SWUA NY Branch but moved back to Slovenia last year. As you may remember, during her stay in the US she studied the lives
and history of Slovenian Women in the US, which was part of a larger project by the Slovenian Cultural Ministry on Slovenian Emigration. We would invite her over to present results of this work in the NY, Washington, Cleveland and Chicago areas. 1 will keep you posted on the progress of this project; if we receive the grant 1 hope for your help in organizing the events.
Per Lynn Zalokar’s initiative in late February, 1 recorded the TV show Slovenian Magazine and sent it to SWUA headquarters. Due to an enthusiastic response, Lynn further suggested to tape a few episodes of the show and mail it to other branches that would be interested in seeing it. Since we are the only ones who can view this program, taping the programs would be a nice gesture on behalf of our branch for other branches to see a program about Slovenia and produced by Slovenians. An order form for a tape with 3 episodes prepared by Lynn will be available in the upcoming Zarja issue. Once we receive the orders we will get together and prepar e tapes for mailing.
Lynn also had a suggestion concerning the SWUA “member of the year” feature in the May/June issue. So far our branch has not participated in this feature because we did not know how to implement it with our branch being so new. With many members who have not yet met in person, this would also be a nice opportunity to find out more about each other. We thought to draw the name of a member out of a hat and ask this person to write a brief story about their connection to their Slovenian heritage and submit it with a photo to Zarja. We’ll do the drawing during our next meeting, which will be in late April or early May.
Speaking of our next meeting, 1 would like to remind you that this will be our hiking trip. So please, send me your suggestions as to where to go and please pick a date that would work best for you: April 30, May 7 or May 14.
I’d like thank Lynn for her initiatives and ideas and Sonja for updating our web page
http://nycbranch93.cubixsoft.com/
Best,
VESNA
BRANCH 99 - LEIMONT, IL Organized 6 13/1940 Reactivated 11/30/2003 Meetings: 5,h Sun. of the month Slovenian Culture Center
Good news, members. We have tied for first place in the current member’s campaign! We now have about 70 members - thanks and let’s keep signing up all your family and friends? We’re having a wonderful time being together!
On May 22nd we’ll have our observance again, as we did last year, of the feast of Marija Pomagaj at St. Mary’s in Lemont. We’re planning on having our little juniors bring flowers in the procession and members will read the petitions at mass. After lunch, we’ll celebrate in the Slovenian Cultural Center with a party for our chosen Member of the Year, Mihaela Simrayh. Her family is planning a lovely program. In charge of everything for this day is Suzi Rus who is making it a very nice event.
We hope you enjoyed getting the cookie recipe from Suzi Pecharich that our Secretary, Joan Sobočan has sent out to you in the mail. If any of you have more such goodies to share, bring them to the meeting we’ll give them a taste test! How about for the sweet table in May? Looking forward to seeing you then!
COR1NNE LESKOVAR
BRANCH 102 - WILLARD, WI
Organized 5 11 1941 Meetings: When convenient Parish Center
Happy Easter! Our meeting was held Feb. 6"’ with 9 members and 2 guests. Our next meeting will be May I". Our Member of the Year Vickie Krultz will be honored. Our bake sale was held March 19th and
20th. It was a great success. We could have had more bake,ry goods, everything was sold. Potica is our best seller. On Friday we had our worst snow storm that made us think that it could hold our members away. With our country men working long hours got the snow removed from the roads by Saturday by noon.
Our Honor Society student from Willard and Greenwood school will be going to Washington D.C. March 29th through April lsC. Many of the students are from our parish.
First Holy Communion will be May 1st. Graduation mass will be May 15th. We will have our Sunday Fellowship and Graduation Potluck Lunch. The students will receive a gift from P.C.C.W.
Condolences to the families of A1 Volovsek and William Boh. Get well wishes to Ed Bayuk, Bill Guenther, Lavone Horvat, Mary Stout and Lenny Koltis.
AGNES DEBEVEC
BRANCH 103 - WASHINGTON, D.C. Organized 111 14/1965 Meetings: 1st Sunday of Jan, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov & Dec St. Columba’s Church
Greetings from Branch 103, Washington, D.C.
Branch 103 met on December 52004, at St. Ann’s church. As members were arriving, President Mary Lou Terselic invited them to join them in making Christmas napkin holders.
The meeting was called to order at 2:30 PM with a prayer. Prayers were offered for all members present and those who were not able to attend: Sabina Bartol, Mary Bodling, and Cecilia Hlebanja The members attending the meeting were Mary Lou Terselic, Mimi Mejac, Ana Sonc-Jevtic, Molly Thomas, Valerie Bohince, Ana Skopec, Lydia Millonig, Jana Bevec, lea Zebot, Anna Menapace, Angela Daly and Matilda Ausich. Conrad Mejac, husband of Mimi, had a successful surgery on December 7.
President Mary Lou Terselic read the minutes, and discussion
followed with corrections. A report on the October 23 social was given with a follow-up on the social’s two charities: Father Dr. Alojz Snoj’s preschool in Slovenia and gift boxes for the soldiers in Iraq. Sincere thanks to all of our members for the preparations and hard work in making our social a success.
We were delighted to have our new Slovenian ambassador, Mr. Samuel Zbogar, his wife and their young daughter attended the event. It was a pleasure to see them mingle with our members and guests throughout the evening. The Ambassador thanked the Branch for the invitation and even mentioned how happy he was to be with us.
The church hall was nicely decorated for the event; the service and food were excellent. Many delicious home baked goods were for sale, as well as numerous Slovenian items and souvenirs. The entertainment was great and enjoyed by all. Tillie Ausich was honored for her 39 years of excellent, faithful service as Recording Secretary. The members stood to offer a toast with Slovenian wine (courtesy of Ana Sonc-Jevtic), and Jana Bevec led them all in singing “Kol’ko kapljic, tol’ko let Bog Ti da na svet zivet’.” Tillie was unanimously selected as the Branch 103 Woman of the Year for 2005.
Many of our members were present at the Independence Day and Christmas celebration at the Slovenian ambassador’s residence. Ambassador Zbogar spoke about recent events in Slovenia. Our Branch will also be well represented at the Slovenian Cultural Day -Preseren’s Day at the ambassador’s residence on February 8.
The current officers were reelected: Mary Lou Terselic, President, Angela Stare, Vice President, Mimi Mejac, Secretary, Molly Thomas, Treasurer, Ana Jevtic, Program Chair, Angela Daly, Greeting Cards, Jana Bevec and Ana Skopec, Auditors. Valerie Bohince consented to serve as Recording Secretary, and Molly Thomas will be the back-up.
Branch 103 will be celebrating its 40th anniversary next year, and several members have already come up with ideas for a memorable event. The members enjoyed delicious pastries prepared by Ana Jevtic and Mimi Mejac. The meeting adjourned with a prayer at 4:30 PM.
REPORTER
BRANCH 108 - OLNEY, MD
Re-orgainized Nov. 16. 2003 Meetings: 2nd or 3rd Sun. of mo.
except Jun, Jul, Aug & Dec Lucia’s Restaurant
Branch 108 held its first meeting of the year in January with an Installation of Officer’s ceremony, highlighting member unity and religious heritage, led by our Installing Officer, Lynn Koiner. An enthusiastic spirit ignited among all as plans were finalized for meetings and events in 2005. As we share Slovenian customs with our own families and invite our friends and neighbors in the greater Washington community to join us in sharing our rich cultural heritage, we expand our knowledge and set a positive example and say YES to our LEGACY!
We celebrated a France Prešeren Kulturni Dan (Cultural Day Program) in February. Our own, Dr. Patricia Walsh treated branch members and guests to an exciting and information-laden presentation. Her topic was “Dr. France Preseren’s Literary Influence in Slovenia and Throughout Europe.” She described Dr. Preseren’s life as he matured and coped with the changing political and social upheavals throughout Europe, particularly in Slovenia. We received much detail about his personal life and how he influenced the opinions of European leaders and their gradual acceptance of Slovenia’s national cultures and objectives. Of particular interest were his persistent efforts to become accepted in his chosen profession of Law, as well as the increasing popularity of his literary accomplishments. Dr. Walsh gave Preseren’s life long efforts more
Slovenian Ambassador Speaks at the Branch 103 April Meeting
The Ambassador of Slovenia to the United States, Samuel Zbogar, was the special guest of Branch 103 at their April meeting. He began his professional career just prior to the 1991 war of independence with the government of Old Yugoslavia in Belgrade. Following the war, he worked in the fledgling Slovenian foreign relations office, prior to being assigned to China as Deputy Chief of Mission in the Slovenian embassy. While he and his wife enjoyed Chinese food, adjusting to life there-and the language-was particularly difficult. After completing his tour in China, he had a series of assignments back in Slovenia and at the United Nations. He was the Deputy Representative of Slovenia to UN, 1998-1999. This was a particularly active period in international events, and he participated in addressing important matters such as the war in Kosovo and the problems in Bosnia . Mr. Zbogar was appointed State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ljubljana. He was assigned to his current post in 2004, and will likely stay there for 4 years.
The staffing at the US embassy is among the largest, reflecting the importance of relations with the US. The Ambassador described some of the activities with which he and his embassy staff are engaged, one of which involves seeking to expand collaboration among American scientists of Slovene heritage with counterparts in Slovenia. The Embassy website includes a section where American-Slovene scientists can register.
Mr. Zbogar emphasized that Slovenia has been increasing its international visibility. In 2004 it became a member of both NATO and the European Union. Slovenia is currently holding the presidency of the Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe (OSCE) for the period of one year.
A lively question and answer session followed the Ambassador’s presentation. In answer to a question regarding the Slovene government’s attitude toward persons of Slovene heritage in the US and elsewhere in the world, the Ambassador observed that maintaining strong links with the “diaspora” has been-and remains-very important. Angela Stare, who immigrated with her parents to the US following the Communist takeover, expressed concern that individuals and families were held up to criticism in Slovenia for having fled, and asked what was being done to explain the valid reasons for their leaving. The Ambassador expressed his regrets that any such criticism might still remain, and noted that the current generation of Slovenes is not likely to be conscious of it.
Submitted by Goyko Stare and Rich Terselic on behalf of Br. 103
meaning in the discussion by tying historical local events in Slovenia and within the entire European continent.
The day’s program also included readings in Slovenian and English of several well known poems written by Prešeren, including; Zdravljica (A Toast), Nezakonska Mati (Unmarried Mother), and Sonetje nesreče (Sonnets of Unhappiness -
O	Vrba, Happy Village, My Old Home). Helena Schweiger shared a favorite CD by Vlado Kreslin, singing poetry verses to contemporary music, including “O Vrba ...”. To learn more, go to www.kreslin.com. During intermission, we were treated to a variety of refreshments contributed by members. Following a short break and socializing, we enjoyed additional readings selected from “Sonetni venec (A Wreath of Sonnets). We thank members and friends for reading the poems with beautiful expression and grace in remembrance of Prešeren.
March was a festive month; we enjoyed dancing to the music of Jerry Intihar of Johnstown, PA and singing along to his repertoire of Slovenian folk songs at Blob’s Park. Once again this year, we joined in a big St. Patrick’s Day parade with members and friends dressed in Slovenian national costume. Participants enjoyed a fun time; our junior members added charm by leading our group of Slovenians on the parade path with a banner and patriotic signs created by May Kokal promoting SWUA. We especially thank our new Slovenian friend. Rosalia Ferlic whom some members met in Ocean City, MD last summer for bringing her homemade cheese strudel and potica to share with us all after the march.
Our branch has expressed great enthusiasm for the upcoming fun cultural afternoon. We have been invited to the Olney Library on Sunday, April 17 for a presentation on “Folk Songs, Folk Tales and
Holidays in Slovenia.” This free family learning event will encourage participation and provide yet another wonderful opportunity to spark interest in our young people through a variety of unique activities and sampling of Slovenian desserts. Congratulations to Ana Skopec of Br.
103	on her newly published book “My Life in Three Countries” Several of our members have read the book and encouraged others to purchase and read it as well.
We thank our President, Bernadette Kovacic Fitzsimmons for arranging exciting programs to celebrate our Slovenian heritage. Once again this year, all our members will be especially recognized at a Slovenian potluck dinner celebration in late May.
Vesel materinski dan! (Happy Mother’s Day!) this month and vesel očetovski dan! (Happy Father’s Day!) in June
JOHN KLANSEK
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BENEFICIARY CHANGE FORM
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Please keep your beneficiary up-to-date. Fill out this form and send it to:
Slovenian Women’s Union of America 431 North Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432
SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION OF AMERICA - SLOVENSKA »ENSKA ZVEZA V AMERIKI
REQUEST FOR CHANGE OF BENEFICIARY WHICH SHALL BECOME A PART OF CERT. NO.________________
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Name of new beneficiary__________________________________________________Relationship,
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Witness	Member’s	Signature
Branch No.______________________in_______________________________________________Date____________
Secretary
DONATIONS OF ANTIQUE MINING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED BY SLOVENIANS OR MIGHT HAVE BEEN USED BY THEM
The Slovenian Heritage Museum needs donations of Antique Mining Tools and Equipment for a mining exhibit honoring Slovenian Miners.
Tools that were on loan have been returned to their owners. Items of interest are coal skuttles, miners’ hats, miners’ picks and shovels, miners’ lanterns and other interesting and unique mining equipment.
Items can be from these suggestions or other categories. Donated items should be of Slovenian origin or items Slovenian miners may have used, and antique.
Donations should be in good condition and repair to contribute to an attractive display. Any known history of the mining equipment would be appreciated and would help with the appeal of this exhibit.
For more information, write, phone or email.
Jan Wilt
Slovenian Heritage Museum Director 431 N. Chicago Street Joliet, IL 60432 (815) 727-1926 jnwilt@ameritech.net
•y^ANTED:
Alex Kossakoski - 42
Jamie Bulgajewski - 2	Alexis	Bulgajewski	-	2
Barbi Prokup - 24	Anthony	Podder	-	2
Bekki Prokup - 24
Claire Louise and Camille Margaret Voelk - 23 Newest Junior members, bom March 22,2005
Elaine Bottomley - 20
Hannah Singletary - 20
Louisa Swintosky - 30
Veronika Stare -103
Hayley Singletary - 20
Tyler Ann Swintosky - 30
Sam Swintosky - 30
Donavan Swintosky - 30
Elizabeth Gonzalez - 20
Mary Frances Schultz - 2
Kimberly Stanczak - 2
Andrew McDonell - 33
Anthony McDonell - 33
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Our LEGACY goes to the CHILDREN
Matthew Fitzsimmons -108
Juliana Fitzsimmons -108
Thomas Fitzsimmons -108
I
Brittany Kokal • 108
Alex Lenkaitis ■ 24
Cartney Mascarenas ■
Adam Lenkaitis ■ 24
Andrea Rae Janko - 24
Josie Brady - 24
Daniel Paul Hester • 108
Erin Bergant -14
Zackary Martin ■ 14
Alexandra Elaine Koi-14
Audrey Lucia Koi -14
Amalia Own • 108
Ayta Beran Roda -108
Brielle May Roda -108
Celine Alisse Roda -108
Alana Hdse ■ 108