Slovenski Dom Newsletter
Volume 11, March 2013
POROČILO PREDSEDNIKA
V	imenu upravnega odbora z veseljem poročam o delu društva Slovenski Dom v letu 2012. Kakor prejšnja leta smo imeli tudi v tem letu pester program in pa tudi nekaj žalostnih trenutkov. Odšli so v večnost naši dolgoletni člani: g. Lojze Genorijo, g. Frank Markež in g. Bogo Avsec. Družinam smo izrazili sožalje, darovali vence v imenu društva in jih spremlli na njihovi zadnji poti. Naj počivajo v miru.
V	letu 2012 je Slovenki dom praznoval 53-letnico svojega obstoja. Ponosni smo, da po 53-ih letih delovanja društvo napreduje in dobiva nove člane. V tem letu se je včlanila Carol Seljak. Novi člani so naša bodočnost, zato prosimo tiste, ki imate otroke in vnuke, da jih vključite v Društvo Slovenski Dom. Mi smo kulturna organizacija, brez letne članarine, ki nudi mladim priložnost, da se seznanijo s slovensko kulturo, se naučijo slovenskega jezika in so vključeni v slovensko skupnost.
Poleg rednih mesečnih sestankov je odbor v letu 2012 organiziral naslednje kulturne in društvene programe:
•	Marca smo organizirali skupaj z Domom Lipa seminar "Slovenske zdravilne rastline (prvi del)". Predaval je Dr. Richard Vukšinič ND ki sodeluje svojimi članki tudi v Glasilu z naslovom "Stari Ata Science."
•	Aprila je bil "Štrudelj Challenge" v Domu Lipa.
•	Redni letni občni zbor se je odvijal v začetku maja.
•	Kulturno razstavo Slovenskega Doma smo imeli v začetku julija na Slovenskem letovišču, kjer smo razstavili različne predmete iz Slovenije. Hvala vsem, ki ste posodili te predmete za razstavo.
•	Konec septembru se je začel zopet začetni in nadaljevalni tečaj slovenskega jezika za odrasle.
•	1. decembra 2012 smo praznovali 53. obletnico obstoja Slovenskega doma z božičnim banketom v dvorani Marije Pomagaj na Manning Ave. Med gosti, ki jih je bilo okoli 280, so bili člani in članice Slovenskega doma kakor tudi predstavniki drugih slovenskih organizacij. Uvodni govor je podal g. John Doma, častni konzul Republike Slovenije. Igral je ansambel Walter Ostanek. Kulturni program sta vodila Majda Resnik in Simon Pribac. Sledila je podelitev priznanj in nagrad. Zmagovalka za stipendijo Slovenskega Doma za leto 2012 je bila Adrianna Šuštar. Finančna nagrada je bila podeljena Slovenski Šoli in Domu Lipa. Nastopila je plesna skupina Mladi Glas s tradicionalnimi slovenskimi plesi. John Cigan je tudi letos nastopil kot Elvis Presley. Poseben gost je bil Vlado Kreslin, prekmurski pevec, avtor in pesnik ki je izvajal duet
z Walterjem Ostankom in tako zabaval naše goste pozno v noč. Vabimo vse, da se nam pridružite na naslednjem banketu, ki bo 7. decembra 2013 v dvorani na Browns Line.
Organizacijo in delovanje Slovenskega Doma si lahko ogledate na spletni strani www.slovenskidom.com. Potrebujemo še nekaj prostovoljcev za izvedbo programov, ki so že v teku. Pridružite se nam ali pa nam sporočite, če veste za koga, ki ne ve kako priti v kontakt z nami. Vabimo vas, da se udeležujete naših prireditev kajti le tako boste podprli medsebojno povezovanje in ohranitev naše kulturne identitete. Če imate kakšne ideje za bodoče delovanje našega društva, vas prosimo, da nam jih posredujete. Dvorano na Pape Ave imajo v najem Grki, ki redno plačujejo najemnino. V mali dvorani imamo mesečne sestanke odbora in pa pisarno. Opravili smo nekaj popravil in Slovenski Dom je v dobrem stanju. Na koncu bi se še rada zahvalila vsem članom in odbornikom za sodelovanje in podporo. Bodimo ponosni, da smo Slovenci in da imamo društvo Slovenski Dom, ki nas povezuje in nudi priliko da ohranimo našo kulturno skupnost.
Majda Resnik, začasna predsednica
(Slovenski prevod poročila je bil pripravljen s pomočjo Oskarja Korena)
ŠTRUDELJ CHALLENGE Sunday April 22, 2012
Slovenski Dom has an excellent working relationship with Dom Lipa, where a 5th CHALLENGE event was held on Sunday April 22, 2012. This time it was a ŠTRUDELJ CHALLENGE rather than a Potica Challenge. A Sunday afternoon social held during Lenten season, it was an opportunity to exchange greetings with friends over light refreshment and samples of home made štrudelj. Thank you so much to Boris Grmek, Fran Anderson, and Mrs. Ivanka Jelen (of Dom Lipa's Retirement Floor) for sharing your culinary expertise as our ongoing judges! This year's winner was Ana Jankovič with our very own Marija Grobin, a long-time Slovenski Dom member, placing 2nd. Tom and Denise Resnik placed 3rd, while the audience favourite was Marija Movrin.
There were 7 challenge participants who submitted 14 trays of strudelj and about 100 audience members in the auditorium. As always, it was a fun success. The audience was asked what they would like to see next year and the response was unanimous - Let's check out our Slovenian
potica bakers one more time. Everyone who participates in the CHALLENGE, either as a contestant or as an audience member, has so much fun, we had to agree. On Sunday April 14, 2013 we will hold a POTICA CHALLENGE at Dom Lipa. Come and join us!
Majda Resnik
CHRISTMAS BANQUET December 1, 2012
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Our annual Christmas banquet was a great success. I have heard it said that it was the best ever! The setting was elegant, the ambience was gracious and bright, the food by Ana Sikič and Family Catering was delicious, the music was fantastic and, judging from the camaraderie at the tables and the activity on the dance floor, our guests truly enjoyed themselves. Walter Ostanek and the Niagara Button Boxers are such happy musicians! John Cigan as Elvis is always an audience favourite. That the popular and entertaining Slovenian singer, Vlado Kreslin, dropped in unexpectedly with Mr. Hozjan of Večerni Zvon was an absolutely awesome surprise!
Walter Ostanek and Vlado Kreslin
At this banquet we also honoured two outstanding Slovenski Dom members. After 9 years as board secretary, Nora Burnett decided to step down as an active member of the board. We honoured Nora with special recognition for her meticulous notetaking, timely mailings and special remembrances and keeping the Board of Directors organized and "on their toes" for the past 9 years. Oscar Koren stepped down from his role as President after 17 years but remains an active member of the board. Oscar was honoured for his boundless energy, leadership and devotion to the preservation of Slovenian heritage and cultural tradition, for his creativity and for his dedication to the work of Slovenski Dom. Slovenski Dom has accomplished much under his leadership! We will definitely be missing Nora and we will be gratefully accepting Oscar's guidance as we continue the mandate set out by the
founding members of Slovenski Dom.
Finally, on behalf of the 2012 Board of Directors, a few words of acknowledgement to the members and friends (first-name basis only) who helped the board make our banquet the success it was:
•	Margaret, Marija, Pat, Gwen, Lorne and Connor for helping with the Friday night setup;
•	Gwen for managing the prize giveaways all evening;
•	Pat, Gwen, Boris, Rosco and Lorne for the Saturday night cleanup;
•	Michelle, Jennifer, Mira and 4 of their friends for their service in the cloak room, kitchen and/or bar;
•	Daniela, Andrea and several paying guests, for volunteering with dinner service and selling Raffle tickets;
•	Johnny, Carlye, Ella and Simon for helping Randy with the cleanup of the hall into the wee hours of the morning.
The support of our volunteers, their good humour and willingness to get things done are so very much appreciated by all of Slovenski Dom! We invite all our members and their friends who enjoy Slovenian cultural entertainment to book you tickets for this year's banquet on December 7, 2013 at Brown's Line in Etobicoke.
Majda Resnik
TRETJI TEČAJ SLOVENSKEGA JEZIKA ZA ODRASLE
Tretji začetni tečaj slovenskega jezika za odrasle se je začel 25. septembra 2012 z desetimi udeleženci. Učni program, ki ga je pripravila Mimi Radovan, je bil precej obširen in je zahteval od udeležencev precej truda in domačih nalog. Mimi, kot glavna učiteljica, je bila uspešna pri motivaciji udeležencev in so kmalu po nekaj urah pouka znali povedati nekaj o sebi in si tako pridobiti znanje vsakdanjega razumevanja slovenskega jezika. Program je vseboval osnovno slovnico, izgovorjavo besed kakor tudi različne stavčne oblike, ki se uporabljajo pri vsakodnevnem govoru. Po končanem programu so udeleženci opravili preizkus znanja iz slovenskega jezika na ravni, ki je potrebna za osnovno sporazumevanje. Pet udeležencev začetnega tečaja se je prijavilo za nadaljevalni tečaj, pet udeležencev pa je izstopilo zaradi obveznosti v službi in osebnih razlogov. V nadaljevalnem tečaju so si udeleženci pridobili znanje o tem kako pripovedovati, opisati in razlagati o sebi.
Poleg učenja slovenskega jezika so udeleženci bili obveščeni in povabljeni na kulturne prireditve, ki jih organizira Slovenski Dom ali druga slovenska društva v Torontu. Zanimivo je, da je bila starost udeležencev od osemnajstega do okoli petdesetega leta in pri samem učenju in znanju ni bilo nobene razlike. Vsi so pokazali izredno voljo in zanimanje do spoznavanja jezika njihovih staršev ali partnerjev in se radi udeležijo tečaja naslednje
letu, da si tako osvežijo in utrdijo do sedaj predelano snov.
Stoje od leve: Oliver Obad, Victor Hanc, Jennifer Jurisevic, Theresa MacDermid, Frank Brence
Sede od leve: Anna Dekleva, Nadi Kuri, Jade Choput, Mimi Radovan, Dan Seljak, Carol Seljak
Naslednji začetni tečaj slovenskega jezika je na programu septembra 2013. Prijavnice se lahko dobijo po eletronski pošti: okoren@sympatico.ca
Oscar Koren in Mimi Radovan
MEDICINAL PLANTS OF SLOVENIA
On March 25, 2012 I attended a seminar on "Medicinal Plants of Slovenia" at Dom Lipa. The seminar was organized by Slovenski Dom and presented by Dr. Richard Vukšinič, a naturopathic doctor and author of "Stari Ata Science." I was one of approximately 70 participants who came to learn about the remedies provided by natural medicinal plants.
The seminar was structured in a way that helped participants understand five medicinal plants found in Slovenia as well as in Canada. It focused on plants used in Slovenian folk medicines. These are: Dandelion (regrat); Nettle (kopriva); Wormwood (pelin), Chamomile (kamilica) and Horseradish (hren). For each plant Dr. Vukšinič explored the similarities between the Slovenian herbal medicine and modern scientific understanding of traditional plant medicines. He explained the medicinal value of each plant and its effect on our body.
The feedback of the participants confirmed that the seminar was very well appreciated as well as that there is a pressing need for more practical approaches on how to maintain good health through natural medicinal plants.
Besides the five medicinal plants discussed at this seminar, there are many more medicinal plants in Slovenia as well as in Canada that should be explored. It is hoped that these additional plants will be presented at some future seminars.
We are very grateful for the excellent facilities and hospitality of our hosts at Dom Lipa. We would also like to thank Krek Slovenian Credit Union who provided the projection equipment for the seminar. A warm thank-you also to Dr. Vukšinič who delivered a very informative and entertaining lecture.
Oscar Koren
2012 Slovenski Dom Scholarship
This year's recipient, Adrianna Šuštar, has an outstanding record of volunteerism in her home and school community as well as with the Mladi Glas and Planika dance ensembles. Adrianna has participated in various roles in social and church-based groups, been granted numerous prestigious leadership and community service awards and is an honours student. She is currently enrolled at University of Ottawa, working on an honours degree in Communications with a specialization in Media in a French Immersion program including CoOp. Congratulations, Adrianna! We wish you much success in your future studies! We also hope you will continue to find joy and satisfaction in, to quote your words, "serving (your) community, especially the Slovenian community."
Majda Resnik
MOJ DOPUST V SLOVENIJI
Moj letošnji dopust, 2012, sem preživel v Sloveniji. Iz Toronta smo odšli 31. julija in se vrnili 5. septembra. Kar se tiče vremena je avgust verjetno najboljši mesec za počitnice v Sloveniji. Povprečna avgustovska temperatura zraka se je sukala okoli 22°C, število dni s padavinami pa je bilo manj kot pet. Največ časa sem preživel v Mariboru, Evropski prestolnici kulture 2012. Prvo soboto v septembru sem obiskal 12. svetovni festival praženega krompirja kot samostojne jedi. Kljub deževnemu vremenu je bila zame to ena najbolj zanimivih prireditev v Mariboru. Ulice okoli Trga Leona Štruklja so bile preplavljene s prijetnim vonjem po praženem krompirju. Na festivalu je sodelovalo preko 70 ekip pražilcev, ki so pražili krompir na 70 različnih načinov. Med ekipami jih je bilo največ iz Evrope, našel pa sem tudi eno iz Lime, Peru.
Krompir je bil že od zdavnaj osrednji steber preživetja slovenskega naroda, posebno v časih, ko so bile hude lakote. Slišal sem, da so bili Slovenci prvi, ki so začeli pražiti krompir. Zato bi lahko rekli, da je pražen krompir slovenska kulturna jed. Pravijo, da so do sedaj v Sloveniji zbrali že več kot 160 receptov za pražen krompir. Statistike kažejo, da sta Evropa in Azija največji pridelovalki krompirja ter da Evropejci pojemo najvec krompirja po osebi. Za pridelavo krompirja na slovenskih njivah se moramo zahvaliti cesarici Mariji Tereziji, ki je izdala zakon o obveznem sajenju krompirja v celotnem njenem cesarstvu. Tako smo Slovenci postali ljubitelji praženega krompirja in ga še danes z veseljem pojemo. Ob zaključku bi rad povabil ljubitelje praženega krompirja na Božični banket, ki ga prireja Slovenski Dom. Tam boste med drugimi dobrotami lahko poskusili tudi pražen krompir, narejen po domačem slovenskem receptu. Če pa boste kdaj v Evropi okoli 1. septembra pa vam priporočam, da se udeležite svetovnega festivala praženega krompirja kot samostojne jedi. Festival je tako popularen, da ima tudi svojo himno, ki jo je spisal Dušan Velkaverh in uglasbil Mojmir Sepe.
Pražen Krompir
Sladko je vince	Vseh sort jedače
In hladen je pir,	Bolezni so vir,
Toda najboljši je	Nam trdno zdravje da
Pražen krompir	Pražen krompir.
To ni ne maslo	Tu smo se zbrali
Ne sadje ne sir,	In našli svoj mir
To je, prijatelji,	Zdaj, ko nas združil je
Pražen krompir.	Pražen krompir.
Oscar Koren
EDITOR'S COMMENTS
This year, 2013, I am happy to mark the fifth anniversary of my taking on editorial duties for the Slovenski Dom Newsletter. Despite the retirement of Oscar Koren as President last year and the formal leadership "vacuum" that ensued the Board has managed to guide and sustain Slovenski Dom through a successful and productive year.
As was anticipated, Oscar has continued as an active volunteer. His dedication and commitment continue to be exemplary. However, it would be remiss in the extreme not to mention all the effort and enthusiasm contributed over the years but particularly this year by Vice-President Majda Resnik. She continues to be an inspiration to fellow Board members together with whom she and Slovenski Dom as a whole face the continuing and growing challenge of maintaining relevance in the increasingly multifaceted and
multicultural environment that exists in the Toronto of today. Conditions are a far cry from the times of over 50 years ago when Slovenski Dom was founded.
The challenge for Slovenski Dom is exactly the same as that faced by Slovenian clubs and organizations throughout Ontario, across Canada, in North America and around the world. It is the same challenge all emigrants face as they confront the fact that they are now far from their "homeland" in another land where they are "foreigners" who are all too often, sadly, disparaged in one way or another by many people in the communities within which they live. So they band together in clubs and organizations comprised pretty much exclusively of individuals born in Slovenia (or their "home" country) in an attempt to cling to the language and culture they were born into and grew up with. However, with time, the local culture begins to supplant that of the homeland in many ways and as new generations are born locally the children retain only a portion (sometimes very small) of their parents' language and culture. So Slovenski Dom and similar clubs and organizations are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit the new members needed to achieve its objective of maintaining Slovenian language and culture in Canada. As a result of being immersed in the local culture, inevitably, the enthusiasm and commitment of the founding generation for Slovenia and things Slovenian is gradually replaced with, at best, preference and affinity.
Fortunately, there continues to be a sufficient pool of willing volunteers to continue the work of Slovenski Dom through the coming year. As for the future, only time will tell.
Tony Muc, Editor
PROGRAM FOR	2013
Co-Ed Cross-Country Skiing	Jan. - Mar.
Movie Nights	Jan. - Mar.
Bowling	Jan. - Apr.
Seminar: Medicinal Plants of Slovenia	Sun., Mar. 10
Potica Challenge	Sun., Apr. 14
Annual General Meeting (AGM)	Sun., Apr. 28
Environmental Day with STZ	Sat., May 11
Cultural Exhibit at Slovenski Dan	Sun., Jun. 30
Slovenski Dom Members' Barbeque	Sun., Jul. 14
Slovenian Language Course (Beg.)	Sep. 24 - Oct. 29
Slovenian Language Course (Adv.)	Nov. 5 - Dec. 10
Christmas Banquet	Sat., Dec. 7