Zarja Wayside Chapel in Veliko Mraševo, Slovenia Official Publication Slovenian Union of America Uradno Glasilo Slovenske Zveze v Ameriki $8.99 U.S./$15.99 International Volume 91 Issue 1 Spring 2019 The Dawn Slovenian Union of America 431 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432-1703 TELEPHONE: 815.727.1926 WEBSITE: slovenianunion.org 2015-2019 National Board of Directors PRESIDENT: Mary Lou Deyak Voelk (Branch 23) ottolou@gulftel.com VP OF OUTREACH: Annette Charron (Branch 3) amtcharron@gmail.com VP OF HOME OFFICE: Diane Hohenwater (Branch 20) dhohenwater@comcast.net VP OF MARKETING & FUND-RAISING: Norm Setnicker (Branch 109) normas188@msn.com VP OF CULTURE & HERITAGE: Beverly Kochmann (Branch 109) bbkochmann@msn.com NATIONAL TREASURER: Robert J. Kuhel (Branch 16) rjkuhel@sbcglobal.net CORRESPONDING/RECORDING SECRETARY: Denise P. Bartlett (Branch 43) denisepbartlett@wi.rr.com STANDING COMMITTEES RESEARCH & ADVISORY Chuck Debevec (Branch 109) cfdebevec@live.com Richard Terselic (Branch 103) rat1@verizon.net EDUCATION GRANTS Barbara Bruch (Branch 89) barbarabruch@yahoo.com Frances Kovatovich (Branch 35) velike2000@yahoo.com Bill Zerial (Branch 99) billzer@sbcglobal.net PRESERVATION Carol Novak (Branch 20) sua@slovenianunion.org Carole Terlep (Branch 20) sua@slovenianunion.org Georgene Agnich (Branch 20) sua@slovenianunion.org WEBMASTER: Vacant FACEBOOK EDITOR: Mary Risner Glaize (Branch 30) tankandfrog1@yahoo.com DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS: Alisa Tugberk (ISSN 0044-1848) Postmaster: Send all changes of address to this location: SLOVENIAN UNION OF AMERICA 431 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432-1703 © Copyright All Rights Reserved Zarja - The Dawn EDITOR: Bonnie Pohar Prokup DIRECTOR OF DESIGN: Debbie Pohar CONSULTING EDITORS: Annette Charron and Bernadette K. Fitzsimmons EDITORIAL OFFICE: 3119 Carrie St., Peru, IL 61354 PUBLISHER: Slovenian Union of America Vol. 91, No. 1 Spring 2019 Published quarterly Periodicals Postage paid at Joliet, IL and additional mailing offices. Communications for the next issue of publication Do you have something you would like to share with readers? We would love to hear from you! Please e-mail the editor at wprokup@aol.com. We reserve the right to edit any article submitted. Articles must be related to Slovenia, SUA events, or members. The deadline for articles is the 10th day of the month, two (2) months preceding the issue. For example, articles for the Summer issue must be received by April 10. Thank you. Submission Guidelines E-mail your photos attached as jpeg files. If you have an old photo that is irreplaceable, please make a good-quality copy to share with us. (Scanned copies must be a resolution of 300 or higher.) By submitting material for publication, you grant the Slovenian Union of America the use of the material including your name, hometown, and state. We may modify, reproduce, and distribute it in any SUA-authorized medium and in any manner or appropriate place. Living the Legacy of our Slovenian Heritage Slovenian Union of America, Inc (SUA) THE STATE OF THE UNION The Slovenian Club Branch, Ely, Minnesota Jim Lah, Branch 23 member, high school English teacher, and director of high school musical performances is proud to announce the creation of the Slovenian Club, an offshoot of Branch 23 at his high school. The school principal gave his approval. The club’s mission is to share the Slovenian culture. Members will meet once a month at which time a member will facilitate a cultural experience involving food, genealogy, history, present day Slovenia, or music. For an age to age dance on January 26, 2019 club members were taught to dance the polka. More than sixty students participated! Convention 2019, Cleveland, Ohio News from Slovenia! Peter Hawlina and Vlasta Knapič will be attending the 2019 Convention! Peter Hawlina is the founding member of the Slovenian Genealogical Society (SGS) and has been its chairman since the establishment in 1994. He has been intensively engaged with the research of the family trees in the last three decades. He keeps over 400,000 historical records of individuals in his genealogical collection. Much more is available in the SGS collection in Slovenia. As president of the SGS which is based in Lipica, a small settlement in Škofja Loka, Hawlina organizes regular monthly meetings of the SGS, invites experts to lectures open to the public, edits the SGS magazine Drevesa (Trees), and organizes exhibitions of pedigrees which he has done since 1998 when he planned the first genealogical exhibition in Slovenia. The SGS cooperates with related societies in Europe and America. In cooperation with the Slovenian Spring 2019 Genealogy Society International, the SGS participates at genealogy conferences in Bled, Slovenia attended by the descendants of Slovenian emigrants seeking information about family members, their ancestors, and living relatives. The first such international conference was in 2001, and the last one was held in 2018. He is keen also on genetic genealogy. If you have tested DNA and have Slovenian roots, join Hawlina group at https://www.familytreedna. com/groups/hawlina/dna-results. Vlasta Knapič is a member of the Slovenian Genealogical Society since 2008. Since 2014 she has been a member of the SGS Management Board. She has been studying pedigrees for the past decade. Beside historical records of individuals in her genealogy collection, she collects historical information of settlements in the South Styria region of Slovenia for further research dedicated to homeland and local history. Vlasta chairs the DNA Club of the SGS. She helps the members to understand their results of DNA testing and make further steps in genetic genealogy. Her genealogy work includes magazine articles and writings in these online sites: • Slovenian DNA Pool https://dna-slovenia.com/ • Slovenian Genealogy research https://www.scoop.it/t/ slovenian-genealogy-research • Facebook page SRD https://www.facebook.com/ SRDrodoslovci/ • Twitter https://twitter.com/SloGenR • Portal SRD (in Slovenian) http://rodoslovje.si/index. php/sl/genetika Spominčici The Forget Me Nots/Spominčici bilingual series has the distinction of being the first Slovenian/English bilingual series of books for children. Read the story in English, flip the book, and read the story in Slovenian. The books are being used in the primary schools in Slovenia. They are prized for their quality, story plot, and illustrations. They will be available at the June 2019 convention. Price $25. 1 SUA Collegiate Scholarship: for your journey down the education road. SUA Cultural Grant: for historical research; for sponsoring heritage activities. For Applications: slovenianunion.org Anna Fooy SUA Collegiate Scholarship Winner, Spring 2016 How wonderful to hear from a scholarship winner! Hello Mary, I recently graduated from Oakland University in Rochester Michigan with my Bachelor in Science, Health Sciences. I am currently waiting to hear back from Physician Assistant schools and am praying to be accepted and begin graduate school! In the meantime, I have accepted a job at Cancer Care Associates in Royal Oak Michigan. They are affiliated with Beaumont Hospital and cater to patients seeking help in the following areas: Internal Medicine, Hematology/Oncology and Medical Oncology with 8 physicians. I am a medical assistant at the practice and will work with a variety of healthcare workers. Some of my jobs include taking vitals, assisting doctors, and some office work. I look forward to learning much in this position as I wait to see what graduate school I will be attending. Hvala Lepa! - Anna Fooy Slovenian Pilgrimage, September 1910 From the publication Egypt and Austria IX Perception of the Orient in Central Europe (1800–1918) a chapter by FRELIH, Marko 2016- Holy Tree in My Room: Slovenes and the Bible Lands. Intro from “Holy Tree in My Room” Marko Frelih: By the middle of the 19th century, much had been written in the Slovenian language about Biblical places in Egypt and Palestine. Most were written by missionaries who had visited Biblical sites and Egyptian monuments. Travelogues and books began to appear. Eager Slovenes responded to an invitation extended to the common people, “God-fearing Slovenes! A unique opportunity is presenting itself to you. The time is right, the prices are low, the journey is tempting.” 540 Slovene pilgrims set off in their pilgrimage September 1910. Read the personal travelogue of their pilgrimage! I found this article to be fascinating, considering the time in history this pilgrimage takes place. The Slovenian-American Table A Reprint! A cookbook that is a guide for bringing Slovenian heritage into family festivities, all with a modern American twist! Mail your check to: Slovenian Union of America Attn: Cookbook 431 North Chicago St. Joliet, IL 60432-1703 *Please include a phone number in case we have a question regarding your order. - OR - Call: 815.467.7619 - OR - E-mail: sua@slovenianunion.org Cost: $25.00 plus the following shipping/handling fees: 1 Book - $4.50 2-3 Books - $6.00 4-5 Books - $8.00 10 Books - $14.00 22 Books - $16.00 2 Zarja - The Dawn Do a google search: FRELIH, Marko 2016- Holy Tree in My Room: Slovenes and the Bible I do wish to hear from readers regarding this historical article. Please feel free to call (251.968.4364) or email (ottolou@ gulftel.com) me! From the SUA National Board Branches: Regarding the Policy and Procedure Manual, Branch Information, C-1 through C-10: Periodically refresh your familiarity with this by reading and discussing these pages. Utilizing both policies and procedures provides a roadmap for operations; they provide clarity and consistency in decision making. Nominating and Voting: To keep the SUA website information up-to-date, it is important that the names of all newly elected board members be promptly submitted to the home office (sua@slovenianunion.org). Vesele velikonočne praznike! Happy Easter! Member Representatives: The national board will be meeting on March 14-16, 2019 at the Main Office in Joliet, Illinois. A meeting with membership representatives will be held on Saturday March 16, 2019. Member reps will be notified of the upcoming time and the log in information. On this Easter 2019, let us celebrate the glory of the Risen Lord. Mary Lou Deyak Voelk, President Slovenian Union of America Slovenian Literary Award Calling all Writers, Poets and Essayists! The Slovenian Union of America is proud to announce its Slovenian Literary Award for writers of Slovenian heritage. Budding and seasoned writers are encouraged to submit an entry! • The deadline to submit your work and application is April 1, 2019. • Submissions of all types of writing are accepted, limited to recent non-published, self-published, or published pieces. • Writings in English or Slovene accepted; no residency requirements. • Include a narrative biography of between 50-100 words. For questions, please contact slovenianliteraryaward@gmail.com. Spring 2019 We hope this Easter season fills your home with peace, joy, and a renewal of life, love, and happiness. The SUA National Board 3 Donations Thank you! -Hvala lepa! $200 Donation Carolyn Engers, 20, $100-Educational Grant; $100-Cultural Grant +Mary Brezovar Tomazic $100 Donation Diane Data, 24, $25-+Rose Kellett; $25- In honor of Mary Dusak Frank Markelc, 43, Educational Grant Lisa Mertel, 50, +William & Shirley Mertel Martha Pecharich, 99, $75-+Maria Vlasic; $25-SUA Eileen Plese, 20, Cultural Grant +Rose Hrvatin Gary Sever, 108, +John Sever, Clara Sever, Johnny Sever, Luke Sever & Mark Sever Elaine Taylor, 99, +Edward C. Svete Michelle Thompson, 109, +Frances Kosluchar Paripovich John Zore, 1, SUA $75 Donation Cheryl Barkovich, 100 Mary Glaize, 30, SUA Arlene Lessard, 50, $50-+Dr. Frank Urbancic; $25-In honor of Josephine Arko Paul Slavec, 3, Educational Grant Georgina Varani, 30, SUA John Zakelj, 109, In honor of Norm Setnicker $50 Donation Robert Bartlett, 43, $20-Educational Grt; $20-Cultural Grt; $10-+Gertrude Delopst Dee Dee Kukar Fautch, 35, +my mom Phyllis Kukar Barbara Hiltbrunner, 23, In honor of Julie Puzel Beatrice Holmes, 20, $25-+Barbara J. Wilhelmi; $25-In honor of Frances & William Papesh Virginia Ivancich, 23, +Helen Strukel Robert Kuhel, 16, $25-In honor of Mary Skal-Kuhel, Branch 16; $25-+Frank & Florence Kovacic Cheryl Megahan, 30, +Anna Karun and Dorothy Bernick Margrette Newhouse, 23, $25-Educational Grant; $25-+Margaret Preshiren Judith Ovnik, 2, +Marie Ovnik Susan Pakiz, 102, Cultural Grant +Rose Pakiz and in honor of Hedwig Bauer Mary Ann Partyka, 99, +Frances Zibert & Frances Schultz 4 Charles Perko, 3, Educational Grant +Anna Knific Barbara Pohar, 24, +John Pohar Debbie Pohar, 24, +John Pohar Robert Zalokar, 71, SUA $40 Donation Josephine Lustik, 20, SUA Cecelia Nuteson, 43, $20-Educational Grant; $20-+Cecilia and Anton Kozleuchar Frank Pohar, 24, +Helen Swietek & Josephine Pohar Joanne Trunkel, 102, +Dorothy Petkovsek & +Sophie Trunkel $30 Donation Danielle Burich, 99, +Jennie Valent Bernice Montgomery, 20, +Frank & Frances Oviyach $25 Donation Dorothy Andrews, 50, +Margaret Slavec Ostroska Nancy Bartholomew, 50, +Ann Potochar Elliott Mary Bockin, 1, +Joe and Frances Stancar Siegfried Brewer, 109, SUA Karen Briscoe, 20, SUA Lainie Cargould, 40, +Milo & Binnie Uehlein Julie Drobnick, 50, +Ceil Znidar Alice Ebner, 89, +Louise (Gergovich) Kernz James Ebner, 89, Educational Grant Anne Germaine, 99, In honor of Ursula (Urbanich) Urbance Dr. Gilles Edward Gobetz, 50, Educational Grant Milena Gobetz, 1, Educational Grant Sandra Grisez, 50, +Josephine Simenc Charleen Grube, 1, +Marianne Barbuch Janet Hagan, 109, SUA Maria (Meta) Hanzlik, 2, SUA Leona Janezich, 23, SUA Tina Jernigan, 5, Cultural Grant Ana Jevtic, 103, Educational Grant Sonja Knezevic-Kong, 93, +Loudmila Krosel & Franc Pasetta Bernice Krasovec, 3, +Mary Hiza David Kristan, 3, +Marilyn (Stupnik) Kristan Laura Kult, 43, +Louis F. Saje Lisa Vidergar Lucas, 100, Educational Grant Deanna Martin, 30, +Anne Dickovich Patti Meglich, 30, Educational Grant Vera Mencigar, 93, SUA Therese Mervar, 33, SUA Stan Mramor, 40, In honor of Stanley Mramor, Sr. Darlene Nemanich, 23, +Margaret Preshiren Mary Ann Palmer, 109, SUA Joseph G. Petrich, 99, Frank & Julia Petrich (parents) Rick Pisa, 109, +Franciska Prijatelj & France Vesel Zarja - The Dawn Katherine Popich, 13, +The Popich Family Larry Pubentz, 20, +Margaret Kodrick Pubentz Mary Rom, 109, Educational Grant Valentina Ronning, 109, In honor of First Lady Melania Trump JoAnn Rustik, 99, In honor of the Vessell & Rustik Families Mary Ann Schellinger, 1, Educational Grant Kathleen Schiltz, 33, Educational Grant Maxine Schmidl, 100, Cultural Grant in honor of Margaret Schmidl Josephine Sovich, 50, +Josephine Fajdiga, Lil Goryance Frances Stancar, 1, +Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Stancar Kristina Steller, 100, In honor of Frank Kapel Veronica Sustar, 43, +Frances Zager & Frances Teshner Sheryl Thorpe, 5, +Deceased members of Loviscek/Konechnik Family Frances Thurman, 3, +Ed & Catherine Perko Rick Trauner, 5, +Ernestine Trauner Elizabeth Walker, 5, +Mary Fon Helen Walsh, 20, +Agnes & Matt Verbiscer Mary Wanthal, 20, +Fr. David J. Stalzer Marjorie Wilhelm, 1, +Jennie & Joe Tolaney Sophia Stalzer Wyant, 109, SUA Carol Yassine, 10, +Martha Batich Mary Zakrajsek, 20, +Rudolph & Frances (Dusa) Grahek Patrick Ziegenhorn, 1, +Johanna Suscha, Charter Member, Branch 1 $20 Donation Helen Adkisson, 23, SUA Jeanette Eckert, 100, +Angela Steiner (mother) Alkovich Family, 16, +Mary Alkovich & +Emma Yergovich Olga Feroni, 23, SUA Lillian Gorenc, 43, SUA Julie Harback, 89, +Steve & Theresa Kamnikar Annette Kirk, 93, SUA Janell Lukach, 89, +Marilyn Argubright Carolyn Mallik, 30, SUA Milena Nemec, 93, +my son Emil Nemec (47) Lorraine Ovnik, 2, +mother Mary Ovnik Doris Papesh, 20, +Mary F. Bistry Francine Pulkinen, 35, +Frank & Angeline Brula Larry Sterle, 109, Educational Grant Cindy Welsh, 20, +Anna Kobe $18 Donation Hank Michalesko, 20, +Elfrieda Herbst $15 Donation Martin Barbarich, 20, SUA Spring 2019 Roseann Schomber, 33, +Rose A. Krall Margy Whitmore, 108, SUA $10 Donation Mary Barbarich, 5, +Pete Barbarich Joan Bollich, 30, +Anne Tomazin Cadez Arlene Considine, 109, +immigrant Martin Teshak of Suhor Connie Dutkiewicz, 89, +Ignatius F. Novak, Jr. Anna Ebner, 89, +Josephine Argubright Michael Ebner, 89, +Josephine Argubright Olivia Ebner, 89, +Josephine Argubright Vicki Hodgman, 99, SUA Rosemary Kalfas, 50, +Christine (Basca) Duche Steve Kamnikar, 89, +Kamnikar Family Terry Kamnikar, 89, +The Kernz Family Marjorie Mitchell, 16, +Albert Salakar Jane Polnaszek Gray, 20, +Barbara Kociuba, Br. 20 Carol Renning, 35, +Anton J. Stepetz Joan Rupar, 1, SUA Florence Smorkol, 24, +Rose Urbanc JoAnn Udovich, 1, +Joseph & Theresa Udovich Justin Virant, 1, +Carol Virant Judith Zupancich, 23, SUA $5 Donation Margaret Batis, 50, SUA Helen Baum, 3, +Cecilia Adamic Kostka Karen DelRaso, 20, SUA Rosemary Demshar, 100, +Bill Demshar Pat Fields, 1, SUA Johnathan Kamnikar, 89, +Grandpa Steve Kamnikar Lydia Kamnikar, 89, +Grandpa Steve Kamnikar Maria Selak, 55, +The Kregar & Selak Families Janet Strukel, 20, +Joseph & Katherine Bostanche New Members Welcome - Dobrodošli 1, Brezonik, John J. 2, Dodick, Cyndi 2, Hoagland, Pamela 3, Deverich, Eileen M. 5, Mahoney, Joseph 5, Mahoney, Kathryn Diana 20, Kozak, Gerald 20, Petrella-Zitko, Laurica 20, Zitko, Antolina Francesca 23, Donahue, Blake & Carly 23, Hunt, Marla 26, Dormish, Jeffrey 30, Tisovic, Al 43, Floryance, James 89, Meisenbach, George 99, Capoyianes, Lilly 100, Zeleznikar, Alan 109, Ehrichs, Jennifer 109, Keefer, Kathryn 109, Mattila, Leora 109, Pakiz, Patrice 5 Let’s Sing & Dance! at the S.U.A. S.U.A. National National Convention Convention Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio Ohio Thursday, Thursday, June June 13, 13, 2019 2019 -- Sunday, Sunday, June June 16, 16, 2019 2019 Marriott MarriottCleveland ClevelandEast, East,Warrensville WarrensvilleHeights, Heights,Ohio Ohio It’s It’shard hardtotobelieve believeit,it,but butthis thisisisthe thelast lastZarja Zarjaupdate updatebefore before the the2019 2019SUA SUANational NationalConvention! Convention!We Wehope hopethat thatyou youare are busy busymaking makingyour yourplans planstotobe bewith withususininCleveland, Cleveland,Ohio Ohioatat the theMarriott MarriottCleveland ClevelandEast Eastfrom fromThursday, Thursday,June June13, 13,2019, 2019, until untilSunday, Sunday,June June16, 16,2019. 2019.Convention Conventionfestivities festivitieswill willbebegin ginon onThursday Thursdayevening eveningwith withaawelcome welcomereception, reception,and andthe the four-day four-dayevent eventwill willoffer offerattendees attendeesthe thechance chancetotoparticipate participate ininSUA SUAbusiness businessmeetings, meetings,aabus bustour tourofofvibrant vibrantCleveland, Cleveland, cultural culturallearning learningsessions, sessions,delicious deliciousmeals, meals,and andplenty plentyofof time timetotodance, dance,enjoy enjoymusic, music,and andhonor honorthe thehistory historyofofSUA SUA and andthe thetraditions traditionsofofour ourbeautiful beautifulSlovenian Slovenianculture. culture.Let’s Let’s Sing Sing&&Dance Dancetogether togetherthis thissummer summerininCleveland! Cleveland! My Myname nameisisAllison AllisonHrovat, Hrovat,and andI Iam amaalifelong lifelongmember memberofof SUA/SWU SUA/SWUBranch Branch50. 50.I Ihave havebeen beenassisting assistingthe theconvention convention planning planningcommittee committeewith withthe thesmall smalltask taskofofghost ghostwriting writing these thesesubmissions, submissions,and andininthat thattime timeI Ihave havelearned learnedsosomuch much about aboutthe thework workthat thatgoes goesinto intoexecuting executingthis thismemorable memorable event. event.The Thededication dedicationthat thatKathleen KathleenFerrante Ferranteand andher herteam team have haveshown shownininresearching, researching,organizing, organizing,and andplanning planning your yourconvention conventionhas hasjust justbeen beenincredible incredibletotowitness. witness.The The 66 convention conventionhas hasbeen beendesigned designedso sothoughtfully thoughtfullywith withall all ofofyou youininmind mind––their theirdecisions decisionshave havebeen beenguided guidedby byaa commitment commitmenttotomaking makingsure surethat thateach eachand andevery everyattendee attendee has hasthe thechance chancetotorelax, relax,totolearn learnabout aboutSlovenian Slovenianheritage heritage and andthe theSUA, SUA,totoexplore exploreCleveland, Cleveland,and andtotoconnect connectwith with their theirSlovenian Sloveniansisters sistersand andbrothers brotherssurrounded surroundedby byfood, food, music, music,dancing, dancing,and andcelebration. celebration.The Thetheme themeLet’s Let’sSing Sing&& Dance! Dance!has hasinspired inspiredtheir theirwork, work,ensuring ensuringthat thatthe theevents events truly trulyhighlight highlightthe thebeauty beautyofofSlovenian Slovenianmusic musicand anddance. dance. I Ihave havenever neverbeen beentotothe theSUA SUAconvention, convention,but butI Iwill willbe begogoing ingthis thissummer, summer,and andI Ican’t can’twait! wait!SUA SUAhas hasbeen beenimportant important totoour ourfamily familyfor formy myentire entirelife, life,and andmuch muchofofwhat whatI Iknow know about aboutmy mySlovenian Slovenianheritage heritageisisbecause becauseofofSUA. SUA.From From attending attendingthe theannual annualChristmas Christmasparties partiestotobeing beingselected selected by bySUA SUA(SWU) (SWU)totoreceive receiveaagrant granttototravel traveltotoSlovenia Sloveniaasas aayoung youngwoman, woman,SUA SUAhas hasimpacted impactedmy mylife lifeininsosomany many ways. ways.Now, Now,living livingininaastate statewhere wherethere thereare areno nobranches branches totospeak speakof, of,I Istay stayconnected connectedthrough throughmy myZarja Zarjaissues issuesand and updates updatesfrom frommy myfamily. family.Attending Attendingthe theSUA SUAconvention convention feels feelslike likean anincredible incredibleopportunity opportunitytotolearn learnmore moreabout about Zarja Zarja--The TheDawn Dawn my family’s heritage through attending learning sessions and meeting others. It also feels like a chance to revisit the SUA events of my upbringing – to emotionally connect with my family, both those who have passed and those who will be attending along with me. If you, like me, have never been to the SUA convention, this is the perfect year to start a new tradition! In this issue, I am happy to share with you the convention experiences of the following members. Denise Bartlett: Branch 43 2nd Auditor; National Treasure; Parliamentarian; Bylaws Chairperson; 2011 National Convention Chairperson; Zarja Proofreader; Director of Special Projects; currently National Corresponding and Recording Secretary “I love the SUA National Conventions! I joined SUA’s (formerly SWUA) Branch 43 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the year 2000. I enjoyed the camaraderie at the monthly meetings, the traditions learned, the delicious Slovenian treats baked by the members, and all the conversations about Slovenia. Then in 2003 my cousin, Betty Ann Kolesari, was chosen as delegate, and I was chosen as alternate delegate to attend the SWUA National Convention in Duluth, Minnesota. We didn’t know what to expect and were excited to attend. Our husbands, Bob and Jack, willingly joined us. All four of us had a very enjoyable experience! The business meetings, the special topic meetings, the banquet, the food, the music, the raffle, the gift shop - all were very special. Totally unexpected, Betty Ann and I came home holding National Board positions! She was the new Vice-President and I was 2nd Auditor. Our Branch 43 members were so excited at the idea that they had National Officers in their membership! We served our four year terms with much pride. Today, we continue as very active members. Since that first National Convention I attended, my husband and I have attended each one held every four years. We have fond memories of Starved Rock, Illinois, in 2007, Milwaukee in 2011, and Naperville, Illinois, in 2015. Each city’s Convention Committee planned special events that we’ll never forget. We are looking forward to the 2019 Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, a city known for its Slovenian community. I was the Chairperson of the 2011 Convention in Milwaukee and can attest that a lot of planning, work, and enthusiasm go into the event planning that ensures a memorable event every four years. We cherish the friendships we’ve made, the Slovenian traditions we’ve learned, and the special experiences from each convention. I encourage all members to try their best to attend our next National Convention in Cleveland, wellknown for its Slovenian ethnic community.” Kathleen Ferrante: 1995-1999 National Vice President; 1999-2007 National President; 1999 National Convention Chairperson; currently 2019 National Convention Chairperson “My first National Convention was in San Francisco in 1995. I was just accompanying my Mom, Olga Dorchak, and my Aunt, Elise Spellacy. They were the delegate and alternate from Branch 47, Garfield Hts, Ohio. I had been a member since my youth and always active in our branch activities. I was not mentally prepared on how attending this convention would affect me. I was captivated by the business sessions. There was so much to learn and be a part of. The members were so involved and enthusiastic. I was motivated to run for a national office and was elected National Vice President. What a life-changing experience! This involvement has given me the opportunity travel to many destinations and to meet many wonderful people. And I haven’t missed a convention since my first. I also believe attending the National Convention is a way to honor all of those members that have worked so diligently to keep our heritage and culture a part of our daily lives. I believe it should be on everyone’s bucket list.” Cathy Maxin: Vice President of Branch 50; past Secretary of Branch 50; Member of Convention Planning Committee “I love attending the convention for so many reasons. I love the excitement of visiting a new place and meeting and having fun with fellow Slovenes. I love the chance to make new friends and to hear new stories of my Slovenian heritage. This year, I am looking forward to having the chance to share Slovene food, music, crafts, and traditions with my SUA family. I am really looking forward to the DNA presentation as well! And, of course, I am in charge of organizing the potica contest, and I simply cannot wait to taste all of the incredible member entries. If I could say one thing to encourage others to attend, I’d say that this is an opportunity to share with fellow Slovenes and to enjoy conversation, music, and dancing… and to just have fun. This only occurs once every four years, so don’t miss the chance! I have gone twice, and I will never forget the memories of those experiences. SUA is a way that I stay connected to my mom and to those relatives who came before, and this convention is a chance to celebrate just that.” The SUA National Convention is more than just a good time – it is a transformative experience and truly a chance of a lifetime. As you can see in the testimonies above, many leave the convention with an increased understanding of the way SUA functions and with the honor of taking on an important role at the national level. The SUA is built upon the dedication and leadership of its members – and the convention is the perfect opportunity to enhance your involvement! Please make your plans NOW to join us for the 2019 SUA National Convention! Spring 2019 7 Schedule of Events Thursday, June 13 4:00-6:00 pm – DNA Presentation and Testing. DNA testing has become all the rage for understanding more about one’s heritage and familial patterns. Join us for a presentation by John Vidmar on the use of DNA testing to uncover more about your family tree. * JUST ANNOUNCED! Learn about information carried by DNA and the DNA Project from our Slovenian guests, Vlasta Knapič and Peter Hawlina. Note: if you are interested in this opportunity, make sure to indicate it on the registration form so that we will have plenty of space for everyone! 7:00-10:00 pm – Welcome Reception. The welcome reception on Thursday evening will kick off the whole weekend of events. Join us for hors d’ouevres and cash bar as we reunite and reconnect. Attendees will have the chance to win door prizes, shop from an assortment of on-site vendors, and sing and dance along to our strolling musicians, Anthony Culkar and Hank Guzel. The reception will feature an art display by Joseph Vodlan. Friday, June 14 8:30-11:30 am – Morning Business Session. SUA members are invited to join the member representatives and National Board for the business portion of the day. 12:00-6:00 pm (price: $45.00 additional) – Faith, Song, and Dance Bus Tour. Attendees who elect to include the Faith, Song, and Dance Bus Tour will receive a boxed lunch on Friday and will board a chartered coach to travel to the Museum of Divine Statues, where we will get an exclusive arranged tour, and next we will go past iconic landmarks in Cleveland before touring the Polka Hall of Fame in Euclid, Ohio. 7:00-10:00 pm – 90th Anniversary Celebration of the Zarja. Fred Ziwich and his International Sound Machine will join us for a night to remember – the celebration of the 90th birthday of Zarja - The Dawn, hosted by Bonnie Prokup and Debbie Pohar! Come gather to sing and dance along to the band and enjoy an endless variety of sweets and treats on the dessert bar. Show your competitive side in our trivia game, or try your luck at winning a door prize or raffle prize – you can’t win unless you come! Saturday, June 15 8:30-11:30 am – Morning Business Session. SUA members are invited to join the member representatives and National Board for the business portion of the day. 12:30-1:30 pm – Luncheon. Join us at Saturday’s delicious luncheon for a family-style meal of Slovenian favorites, including Slovenian sausage from a local butcher shop, sauerkraut, fried potatoes, and oil and vinegar salad. Dober tek! * JUST ANNOUNCED! Our luncheon will feature a performance by dance group Folklorna skupina Kres. Do not miss your chance to see authentic Slovenian dancing by this incredible group of young performers! 1:45-3:45 pm – Educational Sessions. Following our theme of Let’s Sing & Dance!, attendees will have the unique opportunity to learn from two experts on the topic of Slovenian music – Charles “Chuck” Debevec and Joe Valencic. 5:00-11:00 pm – SUA National Convention Banquet. Join us for the crowning event of the weekend: the SUA National Convention Banquet. We’ll gather before dinner for cocktails at the cash bar, and then Master of Ceremonies Joe Valencic will guide us through an evening of awards, acknowledgements, dinner, and dancing to Cleveland-style polka and other party hits from the Frank Moravcik Band. Save your appetite for the bountiful buffet that will include different meat selections, a baked potato bar, and salad. Saturday’s banquet will be your chance to sample the entries from the potica contest as well as meet your new National Board! Sunday, June 16 8:00-10:00 am – Brunch Buffet. We can’t send you home or off to church with an empty stomach! The brunch buffet will include fruit juices, seasonal fruit and berries, fruit yogurts, cereal with milk, scrambled eggs, French toast, bacon and link sausage, breakfast potatoes, and pastries. 10:30 am – Slovenian Mass at St. Vitus Church. Join us for a Slovenian Mass at St. Vitus Church (optional; on your own), an integral part of the Slovenian community in Cleveland since it was founded in 1893 by the first documented Slovenian immigrants to the city. Following the Mass, we will be provided with a short guided tour of the church as well as a visit to Joseph House, a partnership between four Catholic churches in the Diocese of Cleveland that provides affordable housing, a clothing bank, and other support to refugees resettling in Cleveland. 8 Zarja - The Dawn REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Please see the SUA National Convention Registration form. You may complete the form and register by mail, paying by check, or you may register on line by going to www.slovenianunion.org and using your credit card. Convention attendees are currently able to book deluxe standard hotel rooms at the discounted convention rate of $129.00 + taxes. This is a great rate available to conference attendees only! To make your reservation, call 216.378.9191 and mention that you are with the “SUA Group.” Alternately, book through this link: https://goo.gl/tLdnr2. Please make your plans early to ensure that you can take advantage of the convention rate! Also, please note that dates extended beyond the duration of the convention may not be eligible for the convention rate. If you have any questions or concerns about the 2019 SUA National Convention please contact: Kathy Ferrante 2019 National Convention Chair. Call or text to 330.730.8951 or Email to kjferrante@gmail.com Spring 2019 9 SUA NATIONAL CONVENTION - June 13 - June 16, 2019 REGISTRATION FORM (One Form Per Person – Copy As Needed) You may register on line by going to www.slovenianunion.org and use your credit card. Full Name ______________________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________________ City _________________________________________ State _________ Zip Code ___________ Phone ________________________________ Cell _____________________________________ E-mail _________________________________________________________________________ Branch Number & City ____________________________________________________________ Check box if you are a MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE (delegate) for your Branch. The Member Representative’s Convention Package is paid by the National Convention Fund. (Please note: Friday bus tour and lodging NOT included.) Full Registration: Includes all activities and meals on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning buffet. (Does not include lodging and Friday’s Faith, Song and Dance Bus Tour) Amount Member Representative Registration $ 0.00 ___________ Early Bird Registration (before May 1) $205.00 ___________ Full Registration $225.00 ___________ Registration Deadline: Thursday, June 6 Registration Refund Deadline: Monday, June 10 Faith, Song and Dance Bus Tour - with box lunch (Not included with full registration) Friday, June 14 $ 45.00 ___________ Banquet Only (for additional guests) Saturday, June 15 Adult Qty. _____ x Junior (5 – 12 years) Qty. _____ x $60.00 = $25.00 = ___________ ___________ TOTAL ___________ To ensure an appropriate room is reserved, will you be attending the DNA presentation at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 13? YES NO Include a check payable to Slovenian Union of America And mail to Debbie Duris, 9167 Briarwood Road, Macedonia, OH 44056 Questions? dcduris@gmail.com 330.467.2281 Special Needs (dietary, handicap, etc.) - Please tell us about it here: 10 Zarja - The Dawn 2019 NATIONAL CONVENTION POTICA CONTEST Enter your home-baked potica for a chance to win a fabulous prize and the honor of holding the title of Best Potica of SUA 2019! Rules and Instructions: The prize for the Best Potica of SUA will be given on the basis of taste, texture, form, and presentation. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges from outside of SUA. The winner will be featured in Zarja - The Dawn along with their recipe. In-person entries will be accepted Thursday afternoon, June 13 through Friday, June 14, 2019 at the Marriott Cleveland East Hotel in the Hospitality Room. A registration receipt will be given for each potica by the Potica Contest Committee. Member representatives may bring potica entries on behalf of another member. For delivery in person, present potica, fully baked, unsliced with complete recipe, entry number, and name of baker attached. Entries will also be accepted via mail. Please make sure to follow the instructions carefully: Ship potica, fully baked, unsliced, with complete recipe, entry number, and name of baker attached. Potica should be well wrapped to preserve moisture, shape, and texture. Shipped potica must be received no later than Wednesday, June 12, 2019. Entries should be shipped to Cathy Maxin 37524 Ocean Reef Willoughby, Ohio 44094. If you plan on entering, you need to notify Cathy Maxin by e-mail (cookie.maxin@ gmail.com) or by phone (440.488.6314) no later than May 10, 2019. She will provide you with an entry number to be secured to your potica when submitted. Winners will be announced at the banquet on Saturday, June 15, 2019. Attention! We need your assistance! We are asking members and branches to donate an item for the Slovenian Raffle at the National Convention or a monetary donation. If you are able to donate an item, please let Lynn McKittrick (information below) know what item you will be bringing and the approximate value. You can then simply bring the item to the convention. If you or your branch are able to make a monetary donation, please make the check out to SUA and send to Lynn McKittrick. We greatly appreciate your participation in making the 2019 SUA National Convention an event to remember. Lynn McKittrick 5521 Carol Jean Blvd, Garfield Hts OH 44125 Phone number: 216.663.0305 Email: lmckitt@sbcglobal.net No contribution is too small! Spring 2019 11 Wayside Chapel S Wanderings By Staff Writer David Sodac, Branch 89 Oglesby, Illinois bdsodac@gmail.com hould you ever be driving the twisting roads through Slovenia’s scenic countryside, you can’t fail to notice the countless phone-booth sized chapels that dot the roadside landscape. They are called wayside chapels and shrines. A Slovene responder to an open online discussion group on the topic of wayside chapels posted the following comment: “...the land is just lousy with them! But, I mean that in a good way.” Wayside chapel and shrines have had a purposeful history in Slovenia as well as throughout most European alpine countries. America doesn’t quite have the passion for wayside places to pray that many European countries demonstrate. These petite praying places have been a feature of many religious customs, including the Catholic and Orthodox religions. Since Slovenia is predominantly a Catholic country, the religious motivation to erect them as places of devotion makes sense. My first introduction to Slovenia’s prolific wayside chapels and shrines was through a native Slovenian cousin, David Smukovic, from the small settlement village of Račja vas and also a member of Branch 89. He had attached an online newsletter from August 2012 with his email. The article featured his hometown community’s Centennial Celebration of the Chapel of Marije Pomočnice Mary, Helper of Christians. My cousin was also recognized at this celebration for writing a historical publication on the history of the village. The community members had faithfully and reverently maintained this chapel throughout Kapelica Marije Pomočnice in Račja vas. 12 all these hundred years. The chapel remarkably contains a 400-year-old statue of Mary from the Cistercian Monastery of Kostanjevica na krki built near the Krka River in the late 11th century. Studying the ten photos that had accompanied the article, I wondered how small the settlement of Račja vas must be, given the diminutive chapel shown in the photos. There hardly seemed much room to enter the chapel for veneration or Mass. After we were given a tour of Račja vas during a visit to Slovenia, I understood… the Kapelica Marije Pomočnice is a beautiful example of a functional wayside chapel. It was constructed near the boundaries as one approaches the village territory. It is a place to stop for a moment and to meditate, reflect, and maybe leave a lighted votive candle. That experience began a fascination with roadside chapels and shrines, and it overtook my lifelong traveling attraction for searching out homemade bathtub Madonnas encountered in front yards throughout Northeast Iowa and Southwest Wisconsin. Wayside chapels and shrines have historically served a variety of purposes. There are some that still exist today from the time when roads were mostly populated by foot traffic and horse-drawn carts. Early roadside monuments were built by the Romans as mile markers in aiding travelers to safely reach their destination. In the settlement of Ivančna Gorica, there is a wayside shrine known as Abbot’s Shrine. The shrine was originally a Roman milestone that was recarved in 1583 by the local Abbot of the Cistercian Abbey. Some shrines are erected to commemorate the victims of the plague or disaster. Occasionally, you’ll see an inscription or notice that a specific deceased individual is commemorated. Some seem to mark a site where there was a fatal accident, similar to what you see in America, many with The Abbot’s Shrine in makeshift crosses. In Ivančna Gorica. Zarja - The Dawn some more isolated rural areas, you will discover the wayside chapels are even used for holding outdoor Mass. They also provided an early morning, momentary stopping place for farmers so that they could say a prayer before they went on to work their fields. garden shed size and have only a niche or a small altar that may display a depiction of a saint. The main two varieties are the open chapel, which has no doors, and the closed chapel, which has a door. The closed chapel is the older form, with examples Most wayside chapels and shrines are known from the 17th century onward. The wayside generally situated along rural roads and frequently at intersections. Some mark parish or other boundaries, such as the edge of a settlement or landholding. Wayside chapels and shrines were erected along pilgrimage routes. However, some are located along routes taken by pilgrims to famous shrines or placed at crossroads or major geographic sites, such as mountaintops or springs and fountains, offering a spot to rest and pray. You can also encounter them randomly while hiking somewhere, such Walkers shrine as the Walkers’ Shrine at Stahovica. at Stahovica. There are striking “kalvarij” or calvaries built on the slopes of hills. Calvaries are the Stations of the Cross comprised of a series of ornate chapels that represent the Passion of Christ. In the hills above Smlednik, there is a beautiful Calvary that was originally built in 1772 but extensively refurbished by 2001. Throughout most of Central Europe, one can find many wayside shrines or chapels that honor local saints. For example, Saint John of Nepomuk is the patron saint of the Czech Republic, and wayside shrines honoring him can be found alongside rivers Chapel of the Virgin Mary in Črni Vrh. A Calvary In the hills above Smlednik. and waterways, many to seek his intercession against flooding. He was martyred by drowning. Another is Saint Florian, who was set on fire. He is a patron of many roadside shrines in Poland, often placed near wooden buildings. This patron of firefighters is often shown holding a pitcher of water. Many of the chapels most commonly found throughout Slovenia, are built to resemble a small church structure, yet with enough room for several to enter and pray. Some appear to be almost a small Spring 2019 chapel dedicated to Virgin Mary in Črni Vrh is a good example of the closed structure with doors. The earliest open chapel dates from the 19th century. One example is the open chapel built in 1852 in Brezje nad Kamnikom. This chapel is now registered as a cultural heritage site. Also, commonly seen in Slovenia are the belfry chapels and shrines. There is a small chapel in the settlement of Stahovica, a village in the Municipality of Murska Sobota, dedicated to the Holy Spirit. It was built in 1852 and is a good example of having a belfry with an onion-domed c o p p e r- c o v - Open-designed chapel in ered roof. An- Brezje nad Kamnikom. 13 Chapel of the Holy Spirit with a belfry in Stahovica. Six-sided chapel built in Gorenje Skopice. other variety of construction design is the polygonal chapel-shrines such as this six-sided built in Gorenje Skopice. Wayside shrines are still being erected today and older ones continue to be attentively cared for by the local townspeople. Often the shrines have niches, steps, or small altars for visitors to place votive candles and vases of fresh flowers such as the one in Krška vas. Unfortunately, limited print space prevents me from including all of my photo collection of wayside chapels, but here are a few more to admire: The Chapel of Hrastijc in the Municipality of Šetjernej, the chapel in Zasip built in 1905, and one in Črešnjice. Father Baraga’s Cross that we visited last year. It is positioned on a slice of jutting land with a scenic backdrop of Lake Superior. This simple memorial wayside shrine was constructed in thanksgiving for what Father Baraga viewed as his prayers being received after a treacherous lake crossing during a violent storm. Father Baraga was a Slovenian Catholic priest who dedicated his life in attending to the needs of the Native Americans in the Great Lake regions. Since that time, the original wooden cross has been replaced by the granite cross found on the site today. There also is an interesting wayside chapel in the tiny mountain town of Trust in Madison County, North Carolina. The Chapel of St. Jude of Hope is a petite wayside chapel built by Beverly Barutio fulfilling a promise she had made to God during her fierce battle with cancer. The chapel was opened to the public in 1991. It Chapel in Črešnjice. Such wayside chapels and shrines definitely do exist throughout some of America’s roads and highways, but they are just not as common as in Europe. Off of Highway 61 outside of Schroeder, Minnesota, there is a wayside shrine called Chapel in Krška vas. 14 Zarja - The Dawn The chapel of Hrastijc. Chapel of Zasip built in 1905. has since become a large tourist destination and a lasting testimony to her strong faith. There is a collection of wayside votive chapels in Northeast Wisconsin’s Door County representing an old-world religious tradition brought to this area by the 1870s immigrant Belgians, many of them devout Catholics. Most of these are very simple wooden structures with a plain cross upon the roof. Given its early 1870s history, the Chapel of St. Roch is one of several chapels that were moved for preservation to a safer site maintained by the Peninsula Belgian American Club. Then there are the simple bathtub shrines planted in yards from the Midwest to the U.S. East Coast, often adorned with various crystallized rocks, geodes, seashells, and decorations. These, too, are considered wayside shrines. Made from half-buried cast iron bathtubs, these shrines most often hold a statue of Mary but can also hold a cross or a statue of another saint. tion of Slovenian wayside chapels and is believed to be the first of its kind in the United States. The Slovenian Union of America’s Consulate General of Chicago conveyed that they were unaware of any roadside chapels erected by Slovenian-Americans here in America. The chapel is dedicated to Marija Pomagaj “Mary Help of Christians”. The impressive structure is a tall monument made of beautifully grained grey granite from India and inscribed with several etchings. One of the beautiful illustrations is of the miraculous icon that hangs in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Brezje. Other etchings include the prayer of “Hail Mary” in both Slovenian and English, a depiction of the former Slovenian St. Roch’s Church in LaSalle, and a tribute wall to the area’s Slovenian ancestors. The organizers selected a section of ground located near the final resting place of Rev. Shrine of Fr. Baraga’s Cross Michael Zeleznikar in Shroeder, Minnesota. Now there is a new wayside chapel in America constructed through the funds collected from an endowment bequeathed by Marie “Mitzi” Washkowiak. It proudly sits beside a road inside St. Vincent Cemetery, in LaSalle, Illinois. The chapel is nestled among age-old cedars and the final resting places of hundreds of immigrant Slovenians that had settled in this valley area. The endowment was matched by the Slovenian Union of America Branch members of LaSalle County through a fund drive. It was inspired in the style and func- Spring 2019 15 (1892-1983) to house the chapel. Fr. Zeleznikar was a former pastor of St. Roch’s Catholic Church in LaSalle, Illinois who arranged for persecuted Slovenian Catholics to emigrate from the old country and enjoy religious freedom in Illinois. The Chapel of St. Roch in Door County, Wisconsin. On my annual cleanup of the family gravesites in preparation for Christmas decorating, I made a visit back to the new chapel in St. Vincent’s cemetery. It was a sunny day, and the sunlight reflected off the marble walls. I knelt inside and proudly asked out loud what my deceased parents, brother, grandparents, aunts, and uncles thought of their newly installed chapel. Then I said a prayer of thanksgiving for all of the Slovenian imBathtub Madonna Shrine. migrants buried in the land surrounding these chapel walls. How wonderful that these souls have been given a way to keep alive their motherland’s customs, traditions, and spirit here in America. The Chapel of St. Jude of Hope in Trust North Carolina. 16 Chapel Marija Pomagaj “Mary Help of Christians” in LaSalle, Illinois. Zarja - The Dawn Slovenian Union of America “April’s Showers of Dollars” Drawing April 2019 Fund-Raiser The monies received will benefit the SUA National Convention in 2019. Here is how the fundraiser works: Each day in the month of April 2019, one (1) winner will be chosen to win the listed cash prize for that day - $65 or $200. In addition, the person who sold that day’s winning ticket will win $10. The daily winner and the seller can be the same person and win both prizes. The winners chosen on April 1 - “April No Fool’s Day,” April 15 - “Help With Tax Day,” and April 30 - ‘‘Here Come May Flowers,” will win $200 each. In addition, the top sellers (1st, 2nd, and 3rd places) will win $150, $100, and $50 respectively. A minimum of 300 entries must be sold. It’s a WINNING opportunity for everyone! Good Luck! Sun Top Seller Prizes 1st Place: $150 2nd Place: $100 3rd Place: $50 April 2019 Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 $200 Prize $65 Prize $65 Prize $65 Prize $65 Prize $65 Prize 7 $65 Prize $65 Prize 8 $65 Prize $65 Prize $65 Prize 11 12 $65 Prize $65 Prize 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 $65 Prize $65 Prize $65 Prize $65 Prize $65 Prize $65 Prize $200 Prize 21 22 28 29 $65 Prize $65 Prize $65 Prize $65 Prize 9 23 $65 Prize 10 24 $65 Prize 25 $65 Prize 26 $65 Prize 30 $200 Prize 13 27 $65 Prize $10.00 per entry Cash prizes totaling $2,955 Your “April’s Showers of Dollars” drawing entry will be eligible for all daily drawings in the month of April 2019. Sellers of the winning entries will receive $10 as an award for their selling efforts. The daily drawing amount and the seller’s $10 prize will be mailed to the winners of record. A complete list of winners will appear in a future issue of Zarja - The Dawn. Thank you for your support! If you have any questions, please contact Denise P. Bartlett at 414.327.4990 or sua@slovenianunion.org. Entry Form (Copies Accepted) PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY Entrant’s Information: Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________ E-Mail: _______________________________________ Seller’s Information: Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________ Branch Number and Location: __________________________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________ E-Mail: _______________________________________ Please complete form and mail with your check in the amount of $10 payable to SUA. Send to: Denise P. Bartlett ● 5275 S. 15th Place ● Milwaukee, WI 53221-3865 ● 414.327.4990 Spring 2019 17 Branch 20 - Joliet, Illinois Celebrates 90 Years by Georgene Agnich with photos by Jim Schaible Branch 20 celebrated its 90th anniversary on October 21, with an open house at the Slovenian Heritage Museum, a Mass at St. Joseph Church, and a banquet at St. Joseph Church Parish Hall. Founded by Barbara Kramer of San Francisco and Josephine Erjavec of Joliet, Branch 20 held its first meeting on June 11, 1928, at the Joliet home of Mary Russ with fourteen charter members in attendance. The branch had 292 members by year’s end and became one of the largest and most active branches in the ensuing decades. Diane Hohenwater, member and Vice-President of Home Office, greeted guests at the museum’s open house prior to Mass and offered them refreshments of potica, Slovenian wine, and slivovitz as they toured the museum in the historic building which prominent Slovenian immigrant George Stonich built over a century ago. Mary Lou Voelk and Diane Hohenwater welcome visitors to open house at the Heritage Museum. Across the street, members and guests arrived at St. Joseph Church, founded and built by Slovenian immigrants, for a special 1 p.m. Mass given to Branch 20 by Pastor Timothy Andres. Father Thomas Paul, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Elmhurst, Illinois, a Branch 20 member and also its Spiritual Advisor, was the celebrant. Father Metod Ogorevc, pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Mission in Fr. Metod Ogorevc and Fr. Tom Paul reflect Lemont, Illi- during Mass at St. Joseph Church. 18 nois, was the concelebrant. Eli Zelinski and Olivia Zelinski, grandchildren of member Joyce Vicich, were the altar servers. As the sun streamed through the beautiful stained-glass windows, organist Susan Barelo played “Lepa si, lepa si, roza Marija” as a prelude Pat Figurowski presents flowers at on the recent- Marija Pomagaj altar. ly renovated pipe organ, followed by the Entrance Hymn, “Joyful We Adore Thee,” led by cantor Mary Lynn Bruno and members of the St. Joseph Choir. Father Paul welcomed the congregation in English, and Father Ogorevc welcomed them in Slovenian. Member Barbara Guardia gave the First Reading, and Branch 20 President Charlene Kobe gave the Second Reading. Father Paul, a graduate of St. Joseph Grade School, whose mother was a Branch 20 member gave an impressive homily in which he masterfully blended his personal tribute to Branch 20 with the day’s scriptural readings. Members Lorraine Belom and Marla Lustik presented the Offertory gifts during the hymn, “Kraljica Venca Roznega.” The Communion Hymn was “Panis Angelicus.” After Communion, member Patricia Figurowski presented a large vase of red carnations at the Marija Pomagaj altar in memory of all deceased Branch 20 members, as the congregation faced that altar and sang “Angelsko češčenje.” The Mass ended with the Recessional Hymn, “All Creatures of our God and King,” as the bells of St. Joseph Church rang. Eighty-eight guests attended the reservations-only banquet at the parish hall, where member Sandra Rodeghero offered them sips of slivovitz as they bought raffle tickets, viewed an historic video created by Diane Hohenwater, picked up a 90th Anniversary Souvenir Book, and got seated. Member Georgene Agnich gave the “Welcome,” in which Zarja - The Dawn she honored B r a n c h 2 0 ’s twenty-one nonagenarian members, gave a brief history of Branch 20, and paid tribute to those devout, hard-working Congratulatory message fills St. Joseph Slovenian im- parish hall marquee. migrants who taught their descendants to love, live, and preserve their Slovenian traditions. Next, the all-male a cappella choir Zbor Spendov from the Slovenian Catholic Center in Lemont sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Zdravljica,” the Slovenian national anthem. As the guests remained standing, member Jean Herbst led them in the “Pledge of Allegiance,” Father Paul gave the Invocation, and Branch 20 President Kobe invited them to the buffet. “Welcome” banner hangs on parish hall door. The dinner, prepared onsite by St. Joseph parishioner and Branch 99 member Lillian Cepon, included baked chicken, mashed potatoes, mostaccioli, sausage and sauerkraut, vegetable medley, salad, rolls, and potica on the dessert table. Pete and Barbara DeLaney sponsored the delicious two-layer anniversary cake, filled with fresh strawberries, from Milano Bakery. Coffee and tea were served and a cash Georgene Agnich gives bar was available. San“Welcome” address. dra Rodeghero created the table centerpieces that featured a red gift bag decorated with floral paper and cloth fringe to resemble an old-fashioned Slovenian window; each bag held red carnations and other flowers, small American and Slovenian flags, and a tiny bee wired onto a flower. After dinner, Zbor Spendov, wearing Slovenian costumes, performed a program of Slovenian songs, including SWUA foundress Marie Prisland’s favorite, “Gor čez Izaro.” Zodnja Kaplja plays Slovenian music before and after dinner. After-dinner ceremonies began when President Kobe introduced head table guests Father Tom Paul, Father Metod Ogorevc, Branch 20 President Char Kobe Father Christopher addresses dinner guests. Lemont a cappella choir Zbor Spendov performs Slovenian songs after dinner. Guests mingle before dinner. Spring 2019 19 Groh, SUA National President Mary Lou Deyak Voelk, Diane Hohenwater, Georgene Agnich, and herself. She introduced SUA National Board officers Mary Lou Deyak Voelk of Foley, Alabama; Annette Charron, accompanied by husband Frank, of Pueblo, Colorado; Beverly Kochmann of Twin Cities, Minnesota; Diane Hohenwater, accompanied by husband George, of Channahon, IlliSUA National President nois; Robert J. Kuhel, Mary Lou Deyak Voelk accompanied by wife delivers keynote address. Donna, of Highland Park, Illinois; and Denise Delopst Bartlett of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Norm Setniker of Twin Cities, Minnesota was unable to attend. President Kobe gave a special thank-you to the National Board officers for scheduling their business meeting to coincide with Branch 20’s 90th anniversary celebration. President Kobe then introduced Branch 20 officers Jeanne Warsaw, Diane Hohenwater, Robyn Coyne, Georgene Agnich, Nancy Horwath, Josephine Lustik, Jean Herbst, and Mary Kay Demick. Sandra Kehring was unable to attend. The priests, National Board officers, Branch 20 officers, and 90th anniversary committee members each wore a corsage or boutonniere from Palmer Florists, who also created the Marija Pomagaj vase and other flowers, as well as the three head table centerpieces that were later donated to St. Joseph Church and Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home. SUA National President Mary Lou Deyak Voelk delivered the keynote address, commending Branch 20 members for being Illinois Senator Patrick McGuire “stewards” of the presents Senate’s honorary proclamuseum’s Heritage mation to Branch 20. 20 Room, which opened in 1983, by volunteering countless hours to catalog the museum’s collection, preserve its records, create its library and card catalog, and digitize its burial insurance archive. She attributed these accomplishments to “doing what you love” because “passion puts you to work.” President Voelk said that the “90th anniversary gala is proof that the Illinois Representative Larry Slovenian spirit has Walsh, Jr., presents House’s hon- not gone away in Joorary proclamation to Branch 20. liet.” She reminded Branch 20, “You are a perfect example of the importance of heritage for life on this earth. Remember, it is holy to cherish family traditions. Remember, it is holy to know who you are and where you came from.” Senator Patrick McGuire (43 rd Illinois District), Representative Larry Walsh, Jr. (86th Illinois District), and Joliet City Councilwoman and Branch 20 member Jan Quillman presented proclamations from their respective governing bodies, honoring and congratulating Branch 20 for ninety years of preserving and pro- Joliet City Councilwoman and moting Slovenian her- Branch 20 member Jan Quillman presents City of Joliet’s honorary itage. proclamation to Branch 20. Diane Hohenwater read a tribute to four other SUA branches that were founded in 1928 and were also ninety years old in 2018: Branch 16 – South Chicago, Board member Robert Kuhel’s branch; Branch 23 –Ely, Board President Mary Lou Deyak Voelk’s branch; Branch 24 – LaSalle, the branch of Zarja’s Bonnie Prokup and Debbie Pohar; and Branch 26 – Pittsburgh. President Kobe recognized several Branch 20 members for various achievements. Marie J. Gulas, born in 1922, was congratulated as Branch 20’s eldest member and Zarja - The Dawn given a bouquet of flowers. Judith Gronwold, Marla Lustik, Evelyn Marvic, Vera Muir, Annette Nelson, and Joyce Vicich were awarded 50-year member certificates. Sandra Rodeghero read a “Special Recognition” of Jonita Ruth in honor of her 79 years of dedicated Branch 20 membership. Jonita’s brother, Ron Erjavec, accepted Jonita’s certificate in her absence, thanking Branch 20 for the honor and asking members to phone or write to Jonita in Florida. Jonita’s daughter, Rosanne Ruth, also gave a brief address in honor of her mother. Branch 20 honors its eldest member, Marie Gulas. Eileen Plese and Marla Lustik conducted the raffles. Nancy Horwath won the lovely Slovenian doll and Barbara Guardia won the 50/50 money raffle. Several guests won various gift baskets featuring wine, store gift cards, toiletries, and other items. One lucky person at each table won the table’s centerpiece. Eileen Plese sells raffle tickets. Following President Kobe’s brief closing remarks, Father Paul gave the Benediction and Zbor Spendov singer Vince Rigler led everyone in singing “God Bless America.” The band known as Zadnja Kaplja, which includes members of Zbor Spendov, rounded out the evening with Slovenian music. Branch 20 displays treasured 1930s banner. Pat Figurowski and Jo Lustik work the reservation table. Spring 2019 Nancy Horwath wins Slovenian doll raffle. Anniversary cake sponsored by Pete and Barb DeLaney. 21 Slovenian Union of America Across America - Branch Reports BRANCH 1 - Sheboygan, Wisconsin Contact information: Mary Ann Schellinger 920.457.7946/rhmas@yahoo.com The time had passed so quickly in 2018. The month of November started out with a “bang” as dough was being raised and rolled and poticas were baked by many members of our branch for the SS Cyril & Methodius pre-Christmas bake sale. Over 130 poticas were sold. On November 10, my husband Bob and I drove to Milwaukee to participate in the Martinovanje celebration hosted by Branch 43. The celebration was an evening of good food, Slovenian wine, Slovenian music, and of course potica, strudel, and lots of singing and laughter. It is always great to get together with friends made through SUA. Our members gathered at the KC hall on December 11 for the annual Christmas party. Traditional Slovenian food was served including potica and pink tea. Memory angels were presented to members who lost a family member this past year. We sang a few holiday carols and also “The Twelve Days of Christmas” Slovenian-style which was put together by our President, Mary Sandwick. The evening ended with some polkas, and a few members took advantage of the dance floor. MARY ANN SCHELLINGER BRANCH 3 - Pueblo, Colorado Contact Information: 719.569.7125/amtcharron@gmail.com Our November 6 meeting was well attended, and the members enjoyed a pizza party for lunch. Attendees received several different prayer cards. Madeleine Khosla distributed Novena Prayer Cards to Obtain Favors. Eileen Kaplan passed out prayer cards with a Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Annette Charron and MT Karlinger gave attendees holy cards in English and Slovenian from their stop at the Marija Pomagaj Basilica in Brezje during 22 Zarja - The Dawn the Zarjafest tour last June. Annette showed photographs of the Zarjafest stops at Lake Bled, Bohinj, and Brezje while members enjoyed kifeljcki (butter crescents) that she prepared from the recipe in The Slovenian-American Table cookbook. Madeleine Khosla brought the mystery gift which was won by Barbara Karlinger. The Christmas luncheon was held on Tuesday, December 4 at Park East Restaurant with over 30 attendees. Eileen Kaplan gave a presentation about the history of snowmen, and everyone went home with a Santa gift from the gift exchange. Madeleine Khosla provided goody bags filled with small bottles of wine, candy, and other treats at each table setting. Regular monthly meetings began again on February 5. In the next Zarja issue, we will report on the annual Slovenian Heritage Dinner held in November at St. Mary’s which was a great success! ANNETTE SABO CHARRON & BARBARA KARLINGER BRANCH 5 - Indianapolis, Indiana Greetings all Branch 5 Members! Spring has sprung! I’ve got my fingers crossed that my tulips will bloom even though they started to peek through the soil during our 55 degree temperatures we had in January, only to be dumped on and frozen two days later! I guess I’m an eternal optimist! It was wonderful to see so many of our members and their families at the 100th Birthday Bash for the Nash! The food was wonderful: Slovenian sausage, cheese strukjli, herb pork roast, fried potatoes, zganci with bacon... a veritable Slovenian feast! A huge cake, decorated as the Slovenian flag, along with crispy sugared rosettes and potica provided plenty of energy for singing and dancing to the music of Bob Klemens n POLKAMOTION! The Nash was packed with over 200 people during the evening, many visiting friends and family, many visiting for the first time in years! Hopefully people will return often, keeping the Nash a great meeting place! Don’t forget to make plans to bring friends and family to the Annual Nash Picnic in June! Always a great day of food and fun! 2018 was a year that Branch 5 lost two longtime members. “Polka Pete” Barbarich, who always had his trusty accordion by his side ready to entertain for any occasion, left us in March. Stella Valant Watson, who turned 100 years young on November 10, 2018, passed later that month. Both of these members have wonderful families who support the Slovenian Community here in Indy. Please keep their families in your prayers. Keep our Junior Members in your thoughts as they finish up their school year. They are the future of SUA, and the next leaders of our communities... they need our help and prayers! Enjoy the warming spring weather, and have a Blessed Easter! MARY, KAREN, & PHYLLIS Spring 2019 BRANCH 20 - Joliet, Illinois Contact Information: Georgene Agnich 773.205.1326/jamesschaible1469@att.net We wish to thank the officers of the SUA National Board for attending our 90th Anniversary celebration on October 21, 2018, and also our fellow branches for their support and good wishes on our special occasion. We drew the winners of our Money Raffle at our November 13 meeting: Betty Scolp won first prize ($300), Liz Engelman second prize ($200), and Kathy Hartong third prize ($100). Sandy Rodeghero demonstrated how to make “Curried Pumpkin Soup” and served samples. Members viewed the historic video created by Diane Hohenwater for our 90th anniversary banquet. Jo Lustik read the names of members who had passed away in 2018, and we offered prayers in their memories. Rosemary Rogel presented a painting of Marie Metesh Malnarick by our late member and artist, Lucille Dragovan, as a gift to the SUA Museum. Our Christmas Party at Merichka’s Restaurant on December 16 was a very enjoyable time with delicious food, a gift exchange and poinsettia raffle, and table favors of chocolates and small Santas, elves, and snowmen. Weeks earlier, we had placed a wreath in the grotto of St. Joseph Cemetery in memory of the parish’s war dead. Painting of Marie Metesh Malnarick, by late artist and Branch 20 member Lucille Dragovan, presented to SUA Museum by Rosemary Rogel on November 13, 2018. 23 Members are reminded of our St. Joseph Table on March 19, our annual Bake Sale on April 6 and 7, and SUA’s “April Showers of Dollars” fundraiser for the 2019 National Convention. Jeanne Warsaw conducts the gift exchange We offer our at Merichka’s on December 16, 2018. India. Etched on the left inside wall is the Hail Mary in Slovenian and on the opposite wall the prayer is in English. The inside back wall has a large etching of Marija Pomagaj welcoming all to come in and say a prayer. The outside wall has a tribute to “Keeping the Slovenian Spirit Alive.” The back wall bears the names of the generous donors who made this chapel a reality. We believe our roadside chapel is the only one like it in the United States. The chapel is located in St. Vincent’s Cemetery, 371 N. 2979th Road (North St. Vincent’s Avenue) in LaSalle, Illinois. Following the cemetery walk, we met at the Paramount Club for a dinner buffet and very much enjoyed listening and dancing to the music of Branch 20 member Eddie Korosa, Jr. Eileen Plese, Mary Barrett, Mary Fran Smaron, and Barb Guardia enjoy our Christmas party at Merichka’s. sincere condolences to the family of member Irene F. (Likovich) Vicic, who passed away on October 20, 2018. GEORGENE AGNICH BRANCH 24 - LaSalle, Illinois Contact Information: Diane Data diane3121@comcast.net Zivijo! Happy New Year to all! At our October 25 meeting, officers for 2019 were selected. Taking on the task of President will be Mary Mecum. Barb Krogulski will remain as Secretary and Mary Pryde has agreed to the Treasurer position for another year. Thank you ladies for giving of your time to the SUA. As mentioned in my last report, our annual All Soul’s Day Cemetery Walk was held on Sunday, November 2. It was a cold and windy day, but the event was well attended. Prior to starting the walk, a dedication of our Slovenian Roadside Chapel was held with a blessing by Brother Luke McLachlan. The chapel is made of granite imported from 24 Inside of Slovenian Roadside Chapel , Marija Pomagaj. In November, a group of members of Branch 24 and 89 visited Letterkraft Printers in Peru, Illinois to watch the Winter 2018 issue of Zarja being printed. A few of our Branch 24 and 89 at Letterkraft. Zarja - The Dawn members were not able to attend since they were busy with Thanksgiving preparations; therefore, a future tour will be planned. The Uptown Grill was the setting of our annual Christmas Party. What a festive night with delicious food, dessert, and candy to celebrate Branch 24’s 90th Anniversary. Liv Karun and incoming President, Mary Mecum at Christmas Party. In a recent survey of foreign countries with the best English speakers, Slovenia ranked 6th. Dober Dan! DIANE DATA BRANCH 43 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin Contact Information: Jan Gehm 414.321.1413/twogames@wi.rr.com Happy New Year and good health for everyone in the new year! Several of our branch members traveled to Sheboygan in October for our Regional Convention hosted by Branch 1. Our members reported that it was another lovely event planned by their members. We are proud of our Branch 43 member, Jackie Smith, who does a wonderful job of keeping our three Wisconsin branches connected in her role of Regional President. On November 10 we hosted a wonderful celebration for the Slovenian community. On that day we celebrated Martinovanje, St. Martin’s Day, one of the largest celebrations in Slovenia and one of our Slovenian community’s largest with 100 guests. The evening started with cocktails and proceeded with a delicious buffet dinner and beautiful desserts. What an assortment! After dinner the Zadnja Kaplja Spring 2019 Band (The Last Drop) from Chicago continued the festivities with their Slovenian dancing music. What an outstanding group! During intermission we had two 50/50 raffles. Over 30 bottles of Slovenian wine were won by many of the partygoers, and a large money prize was won by the youngest attendee. At 9:00 pm out came the snacks - another beautiful array. The evening ended with smiles on everyone’s face and our feet still tapping. A good time was had by all! Branch 43 is looking ahead to November for another successful Martinovanje. Many thanks go out to Helen Frohna and Betty Ann Kolesari who were our co-chairpersons. Also 25 thank you to the ticket takers, the wonderful bakers, servers, and all who donated items and contributed to our event. We ended 2018 with our popular Christmas luncheon on December 1 at Alioto’s Restaurant. On this day we offered congratulations to our branch officers as they took their oath of office – all elected to serve for another term. May this be another good year. God bless you all! Please join us on Wednesday, February 27, for our regular luncheon meeting at the West Allis Library at 12 noon. In March we will meet on Saturday the 23rd, same time and location. Our delicious luncheons are prepared by our members. All are welcome! JANICE LUZAR GEHM BRANCH 47 - Garfield Heights, Ohio Contact Information: Debbie Duris 330.467.2281/dcduris@gmail.com Greetings! Our members had a delicious Christmas luncheon on Saturday, December 1 at Lockkeepers in Valley View. I was able to chat with them briefly from my Florida home. I sure do miss attending the Christmas celebrations. Our first luncheon in 2019 will be on May 4 at Rose Italian Kitchen in Solon. Our September 14 meeting will be at the Glenwillow Grille in Glenwillow, and our Christmas luncheon with be December 7 at Creekside Restaurant and Bar in Brecksville. All luncheons are on a Saturday and start at 1 p.m. We encourage everyone to attend as the luncheons are fun and tasty. Our members are busy working on the upcoming convention to provide a memorable and fabulous event. I am looking forward to seeing many of our members from all over the United States in attendance this June in Cleveland. Members are encouraged to share branch information with Debbie at her home at 330.467.2281 or email her at dcduris@gmail.com . Wishing everyone a Happy and Blessed Easter. I’d love to share any member stories. Call me on my cell 330.730.8951 or email me at kjferrante@gmail.com. KATHLEEN FERRANTE 26 BRANCH 50 - Euclid, Ohio Contact Information: Rick Tomsick ricktomsick@gmail.com Greetings from the “5-0” on America’s North Coast! The new year has started out fairly calmly for us in Cleveland. The weather today is only about 25 degrees, but it’s typically much colder this time in January, so we’re happy, especially after a high in the 50s last week! Cookie Maxin has asked me to remind everyone that our next branch meeting will be on April 17, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at the Slovene Home for the Aged. We are so happy to be welcomed for our Branch 50 meetings at this historic institution, which is both easily accessible and a perfect fit for our mission. I’m sure many of our members have family who has been residents there, and a few of our current members live there now. Planning is well under way for the big national convention which will be at the Marriott hotel on the east side of Cleveland from June 13 to June 16 this year. Yours truly will be unable to attend much of the convention because my daughter, Johanna, is getting married that same time. But I will look forward to any moments that I can be there. Please keep all members of Branch 50 and all of the SUA in your prayers, especially remembering the sick, the poor souls in purgatory, and those they have left behind, to bring comfort and joy to all who mourn. The best way to stay up-to-date with the SUA is on its Facebook page – and feel free to look for me there as well. There is a lot of up-to-date information on the page, and of course you can get directly in contact with fellow members. Please write to me at ricktomsick@gmail.com with any family news, and I will add you to our list of updates for Branch 50 (you don’t need to be a member of Branch 50). I always like to hear from members near and far. RICK TOMSICK BRANCH 89 - Oglesby, Illinois Contact Information: Barbara Bruch 815.339.2714/barbarabruch@yahoo.com The City of Oglesby invited our Branch to have a Slovenian bake sale in conjunction with the town-wide Christmas celebration. We sold strudel and potica by the slice and were very successful. We also had bread and cookies. Rose Bell and Alice Ebner at the bake sale. Zarja - The Dawn Every single thing sold! Thank you to our members who baked for it; it was great! Our Christmas dinner meeting at Canal Port in Utica was attended by 18 members, and since it was the day after the bake sale, we were in an extra celebratory mood. Thank you to Brigit Gunderson and Janelle Lukach for organizing our dinner. Our next big event will be our Slovenian Heritage Day on April 13, the day before Palm Sunday. We always have such a good time and are always pleased to see so many Branch 24 members come across the river. Last year the National Board members came from Joliet to be with us. We have had groups of cousins come from different directions to enjoy their Slovenian heritage. BARBARA BRUCH BRANCH 93 - New York, New York Contact Information: Kathleen Simmonds 917.780.9412/kathleensimmo@gmail.com On the arts front, we have been incredibly lucky in New York this winter. In November, two Slovenians performed in the United Solo Festival in NYC. What an amazing achievement! We wrote about Miha Rodman’s show “The Jewish Dog” in the previous edition of Zarja. However, Branch 93 members in the audience were also treated to Cynthia Shaw Simonoff’s one-woman show “Velvet Determination: A Young Pianist’s Journey to New York.” Before being invited to be a part of United (the world’s largest solo theatre festival), Cynthia performed her autobiographical piece set to classical musical to sold-out audiences in her hometown of Pueblo, Colorado and now plans to travel it around the world. Congratulations Miha and Cynthia! MoMA exhibition “Toward a Concrete Utopia: Architecture in Yugoslavia, 1948-1980” ran until mid-January and featured works by Edvard Ravnikar, Jože Plečnik and Niko Kralj, with contribution by Martina Malešič, Department of Art History, University of Ljubljana. In addition, Shepherd W & K Galleries presented paintings and works on paper by the Slovenian artist Zoran Music (1909 – 2005). On the social front, our December gathering of Slovenians in New York began with a stimulating round table organized by the VTIS Society featuring three outstanding Slovenians - Sara Oblak Speicher, Marko Mihalec, and Luka Uršič. Then in January we met at Madison Square Garden to watch the NY Knicks take on the Dallas Mavericks, a team which includes fellow Slovenian Luka Dončić. It was a thrill to watch a fellow countryman playing basketball at such an elite level - even though he was on the opposing team! On the news front, we are excited to announce that Andrej Grebenc is our Slovene Conversation Online teacher! We resumed beginner classes in February. If you are interested in participating, please contact Stephanie Owens at nycslovenianunion@gmail.com for information and details. KATHLEEN SIMMONDS Spring 2019 BRANCH 100 - Southern California Contact Information: Jean Koci 949.495.0097/ajkoci@cox.net Branch 100 in Southern California had a very nice gathering at our Christmas luncheon on Saturday, December 8 at Napoli’s Italian Restaurant in Loma Linda. We also had a meeting that day and a collection of toys for underprivileged children. Everyone is so generous with these Christmas gifts, so thanks to all! At our meeting we also discussed some ways for the National Society to raise finds to keep the Zarja funded. One possibility is the sale of tea towels and aprons with a logo for members to purchase as gifts or for their personal use. Also try encouraging new memberships and consider the possibility of a slight increase in dues. In the meantime, we are planning one of our favorite pastimes/events. Saturday March 9 at 11:30 a.m. will feature a cooking demonstration at the home of Bonnie Zupan, 2276 San Gorgonio Avenue, Banning. Quite a few members live in the desert communities, so we hope you will be able to attend. We will make Slovenian cabbage rolls, but to complement that main dish, please bring an appetizer, side dish, or dessert to share. Most of you will not receive this magazine for the article announcement, but should receive an email or regular mail invitation with details. We always have a great time getting together to cook, bake, and eat together! Of course, there is always lots of socializing and catching up at these events. We hope many will carpool to make the trip back and forth more enjoyable as well. Until next time! JEAN KOCI BRANCH 102 - Willard, Wisconsin Contact Information: Candy Johnson candyjohnson1718@gmail.com I’d like to say welcome to 2019 from Branch 102 where the fields are nestled under a blanket of pristine, white snow. But I can’t. Instead I can say welcome to 2019 from Branch 102 where the fields are brown (but still lovely). As of early January, when I am writing this, we are experiencing a brown winter. That’s okay with me, it makes traveling easier, and I never have liked to shovel snow. Some of the beauty is Home goods donated by Branch 102 members for the House of Mercy. lost, but I know 27 the snow will come. It is, after all, Wisconsin! Branch 102 had a very nice December meeting at Sue Pakiz’s home. Her home was decorated beautifully for Christmas. Members brought household items (paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies) to donate to the House of Mercy, a homeless shelter located in Loyal, Wisconsin. It’s amazing how many items can be collected from eight people! We also gave them a monetary donation. Members enjoyed holiday spirits at the meeting. There was wine and slivovitz! The slivovitz was made locally. I’d like to Holiday spirits, wine, and slivovitz! Sue Pakiz presenting a check to director of the House of Mercy. 28 say, “Yum!,” but once again, I can’t. Slivovitz is definitely an acquired taste, and while I haven’t “acquired” it yet, I keep trying! CANDY JOHNSON BRANCH 108 - Olney, Maryland Contact Information: Bernadette Fitzsimmons bettekfitz@verizon.net Branch 108 is preparing to participate in the Annual Embassy of Slovenia Open House in Washington, DC. This has become an annual tradition where we have the opportunity to showcase a Slovenian theme and promote the SUA in the Maryland, DC, Virginia, and Pennsylvania area. It is always fun for our branch to meet with native Slovenians from Slovenian and from around the country at this event and to partake in the various activities offered at the open house. This past winter we met for a cultural day celebration luncheon and learned about Slovenian poet France Prešeren and his thought-provoking poetry, which is still honored in the present day all over Slovenia on Prešernov Dan, a national holiday celebrated on February 8. Charlie Koiner, our oldest branch member, was featured on Maryland public television in a short documentary about Maryland farmers. To learn more about the Koiner urban farm and to view the documentary, go to https://video.mpt. tv/video/episode-606-jmunks/. Our branch members have expressed interest in attending the National Convention in Cleveland and to visit the Slovenian capital of the United States in June. We look forward to the events offered, meeting new friends, and conversing in person with old friends once again. Vesele velikonočne praznike in veliko pirhov želimo vsem podružnicam v Ameriki od Branch 108, Olney, MD. Understanding Slovenian Sayings by Bernadette: Ponavljanje je mati učenosti Repetition is the mother of learning BERNADETTE FITZSIMMONS BRANCH 109 - Twin Cities (TC) of Minnesota Contact Information: Elaine Barthelemy elaineab@yahoo.com As of this writing we are enjoying a mild winter in our part of Minnesota and have had great turnouts at our meetings and events. For our annual Martinovanje celebration, we returned to the home of Honorary Consul of the Republic of Slovenia, Miro Medved, and his wife, Karen. After a reading by our branch president Mike Koski, we joined in strains of Živijo, oj živijo, oj živijo na svet and toasted with the fruit of the vine. The BriNotes entertained us with their harmonious tones. Then we indulged in Slovenia sausage, an amazing potluck buffet, and friendly camaraderie. Later Hank Thunander encouraged singing and dancing to his lively accordion music. Zarja - The Dawn At our December member meeting, Hank again played while Mary Ann Palmer led us in singing both Slovenian and English Christmas carols. A few of us reprised our eating cevapčiči in Maribor, hiking Velika planina, braving the fifty hairpin switchback turns of the Vršič Pass, and swimming the Adriatic in both Portorož and Piran. Kobarid Norm Setnicker, Raphael Kraljic and John Perhay celebrate Martinovanje. Cindy Gauthier, Denise Perhay, and Karen Medved organized the potluck. dancing action from Martinovanje, and we even had a “Christmas Conga line.” In Summer in sLOVEnia, Josh Cardinal talked about his recent experiences in a new six-week program with eight other students where he attended lectures, interned with Visionect (an electronic found us touring the WWI museum and feasting at Ana Ros’s restaurant Hiša Franko (featured in Chef’s Table on Netflix). However, the best parts were visiting my mother’s original cottage in Vrhnika and meeting relatives who welcomed us with open arms and fine homemade wine. In February, Mary Kay and Shazore Shah presented about their 2018 trip to Slovenia. David Ross Kess’s March presentation, Cultural Diversity, centered on the diversity of the ethnic groups that settled the Iron Range. More on that next time. Mary Ann Palmer and Hank Thunander lead the singing. paper company), and was able to visit Lake Bled and other sites. Josh’s expert presentation had many of our members wishing we could be the right age to attend ourselves. For January, this writer shared a slide show of the trip my adult sons, Mark and Matthew, and I took across Slovenia in September in honor of my mother. Experiences included Matt and Mark Barthelemy hiking on Velika planina. Christmas Conga line at our December meeting. Attention: Twin Cities Slovenians invite you to a special afternoon of wonderful music by the Singing Slovenes, one of the premier Slovenian singing groups in the Midwest, on Saturday, May 19 at the Rosetown American Legion Post 542 in Roseville, Minnesota. Advance tickets are $13, and the doors open at noon with the event continuing until 3:30. We hope you can join us for singing and dancing, snacks, a cash bar, and a raffle for Slovenian wine and collectibles. If you have questions, write to Twin Cities Slovenians at TCSLO2013@gmail.com or call 612.254.5225. ELAINE BARTHELEMY Spring 2019 29 Young Men Carrying on the Tradition of Cooking Slovenian Comfort Foods O by Bernadette Blatnik - Branch 47, Garfield Heights, OH ur family really looks forward to reading of our daughter, Kathy Blatnik Kraus. The oldest, every issue of the Zarja. We appreciate our Jacob, is the supervisor. He manages the ingredients heritage, giving us a strong work ethic and from scratch, carefully adding each component and an appreciation of family. My husband and I are both proud Slovenians (however, only 92% according to Ancestry.com) by name, Anton Blatnik and Bernadette Kenik. I tend to cook from scratch like my mom and grandmother. We make all of our favorite comfort foods: potica, strudel, and žlinkrofi. However, we have noticed that every time the Zarja features a group of people making potica, it is about the women. Our daughter, Anita, was a recipient of the SWUA scholarship in 1980. Her essay encompassed the fact that watching her mother and grandmother make potica was a way of binding the generations and a continuation of the art of Slovenian cooking. Certainly, I agree with that, but I wonder why the young men cooking are never featured. Anita’s daughters, Elizabeth and Anna Gombert who live in Tennessee, mixing. Matthew grinds the nuts with his great-great are the strudel makers in the family; however, my grandmother’s old grinder. Lucas spreads the filling, and Jacob usually does the rolling and the placing into father cooked and so do my son and grandsons. the pans for baking. This is not a “once in a while” Our grandsons have been making our potica for years. happening. An older grandson, Roland Blatnik, now They fight about who will grind the nuts with the hand 26 years old, helped make our potica for years. (Rogrinder, who will roll, and so forth. Here are some land is the son of Anton Jr. and Deb Blatnik.) pictures that were taken last fall. The boys are sons I still have some potica in the freezer, so I wasn’t planning on making any this fall. However, Jacob asked me last week when they can make potica. Also, when are we going to make žlinkrofi? 30 Zarja - The Dawn Many of our Slovenian friends have never heard of I hope to share with your readers that it is important žlinkrofi. It’s a meat-filled noodle (similar to Italian and fun to include your sons, grandsons, nephews, ravioli). Žlinkrofi is shaped like a bow. It is tedious to and other male family members in the continuation make, especially the hundreds we make, but certainly of our food heritage. I’m sure many of you already worth the effort. We love it, especially at Christmas and Easter in our soup. I enclosed a picture of our žlinkrofi… not too pretty. Our quality control isn’t do. We count our blessings every day. Here’s a shout very good when five or six young children are the out to all the men in our lives!! makers. Still, it tastes wonderful! Spring 2019 31 The Slovenian Women’s Union Scholarship Foundation (SWUSF) Applications for School Year 2019-2020 The Slovenian Women’s Union Scholarship Foundation (SWUSF) is pleased to announce that applications for school year 2019-2020 will be available on Palm Sunday, April 14, 2019. The applications may be picked up at St. Vitus Parish Auditorium, 6111 Lausche Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44103 during the annual Palm Sunday benefit event (11 a.m - 1:30 p.m.) or by letter request to this address: SWUSF, c/o 6019 Lausche Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44103, Attention: S. Kuhar. Deadline response for an SWUSF application is MAY 12, 2019. Core criteria include the following: • Applicant is a member of Slovenian Union of America (SUA). • Applicant has applied or is applying for admission to an accredited two-year or four-year college or university with preference given to a four-year program. • Service in the local American Slovenian communities. My son Asa, a hockey playing 7½ year old, got a dream meeting with his favorite LA King and fellow Slovenian, Anze Kopitar. Upon their initial meeting, my son exclaimed, “I am Slovenian like you!!!” - Lisa Zalokar-Radosavljevic 32 Zarja - The Dawn WANT MORE OUT OF LIFE? At KSKJ Life we’ve put members and communities first since 1894. We offer quality, reliable life insurance and annuity solutions. And, because we are a not-for-profit organization, we’re able to focus our profits on giving back to members and their communities. Take advantage of the great financial and member benefits that KSKJ Life has to offer. FINANCIAL BENEFITS LIFE INSURANCE PRODUCTS ANNUITIES Whole, Term and Final Expense policies available Reliable products with great rates and withdrawal features MEMBER BENEFITS PERKSPOT DISCOUNT PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL GRANT PROGRAM Online discounts on travel, retail, entertainment and more One-time $1,000 educational grant for all members who meet the requirements AMERICAN HEARING BENEFITS VOLUNTEER & SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES Discounts on hearing aids plus access to free hearing consultations SOCIAL AND ATHLETIC ACTIVITES FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS SCRIPTSAVE WellRx Prescription Savings Program KSKJLIFE.COM | 800.THE.KSKJ KSKJ Life, American Slovenian Catholic Union, is an Illinois fraternal benefit society located at 2439 Glenwood Ave., Joliet, IL 60435. 2019-02-Z Let’s Sing & Dance! PERIODICALS PERIODICALS POSTAGE POSTAGE PAID PAID LASALLE, LASALLE,ILIL at at the the S.U.A. S.U.A. National National Convention Convention Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio Ohio News from Slovenia! 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We We are are so so fortunate fortunate that that Folklorna Folklorna skupina skupina Kres Kreshas hasagreed agreedtotoperform performatatour ourluncheon! luncheon! Their Theirperformance performanceisissure suretotobe beaamemorable memorable experience experiencefor forall allinvolved involvedand andaahighlight highlightofof this thisyear’s year’sconvention. convention.For Formore moreinformation information about aboutKres, Kres,visit visittheir theirwebsite websiteat: at:http://fskres. http://fskres. wix.com/folklornaskupinakres. wix.com/folklornaskupinakres.