JUVENILE SECTION OF "NAPREDEK" CLEVELAND, OHIO, JUNE 15th, 1938 Happy I)ays Are Here Days in JUNE are happy days to every boy and girl . . . When school books are laid aside and lessons forgotten . . . When vacations begin in full swing and thoughts tura to the ol’ swimming hole, the beaches, parks and wide open spaces . . . When casting the rod and reel for a nibble and, maybe, a fish or two is a lazy pastime . . . When, “Throw the bali with lightning speed— Biff it hard and take the lead— Gee! Over the fence for a home-run— Strike three and you’re out— Hooray! We win the game!” ring out on every lot and dia- mond . . . When the SSPZ calls to her members, young and old, to celebrate Juvenile Month to- gether, and earnest appeals are made to enroll new members, to have full meeting attendances and to contribute literary mas- terpieces to the Vrtec Section ... That, boys and girls, is the month of June ... It is your month and we hope you are helping to make it the most in- teresting, active and productive of ali the months of the year . . . May its every day be full of fun, joys and laughter—full of health-giving sunshine, fresh air and exercises—full of SSPZ celebrations of which the So- ciety and the community of which you are a part can point to with pride and say, “YOU BELONG TO US! YOU ARE OUR FUTURE BUILDERS AND LEADERS!” Twenty-Four Golden Starš How I wish ali of our boys and girls could have been crowd- ed into the auditorium for our first Vrtec Cultural Festival, for I’m sure if they had been there, they, too, would have been deeply impressed and inspired by each of the twenty-four Vr¬ tec stars who appeared on the program j ust as were the hun- dreds of people who were for- tunate to be present. Perhaps, no other group was more responsible for the suc- cess of this outstanding event than were the JUGOSLAVS (Vrtec No. 9) of Indianapolis, not alone for the immediate suc- cess of the festival with their two great comedies, “The Great With Our Juniors By MICHAEL VRHOVNIK, Director of Vrtec and English Speaking Lodges MIRKO G. KUHEL: In the IMonth of June... To you this month brings fun and glee. To me, — you later urili agree, — It brings the sweet old memory Of things that were, but are no more, Of childhood days and joys of yore, Refrains of schooldays, of folklore... To you it means the close of schools, The end of study and strict rules, — A carefree summer, swimming pools... To me it means a holiday Till thirty days have rolled away, Each dag a fiesta in a way. Enchanting lure of open fields And forests calls you, self it yields And tempers health in brawny gilds... To ask you to forego ali this, I know my aim would go amiss. But can’t you špare one day of bliss? Vm asking but for half a day, Nag less! — to jom in holidag. You will enjog it and be gag! We’ll call g our gounger sister, br other, We’ll persuade g our aunt and mother And march to Vrtec hali with father. We’ll join the group and take the pledge — We’ll pin on breast our Vrtec badge — The sgmbol of great privilege: Our souls we solemnlg dedicate To honor, glorg! And dictate Our hearts and minds to concentrate Upholding gouth-move steadilg, Respect our elders readilg, In times of need aid helpfullg! Then of the games we will partake And not complain of bad luck’s break Just simplg for the fair play’s sake... We’ll make the rounds and meet our friends, With new and old we’ll shake our hands, Til curfew rings and night descends... You liked it, br other! I can see You seem contented as can be. You won’t forget, I hope, so soon, Our meaning of the month of June! Postal Mystery” and “Ribenčan Urban,” but for having original- ly given us the cue to bring them to Chicago as a feature attrac- tion. The idea of the Vrtec Cul¬ tural Festiva' really found its origin down in Indianapolis on the night of November 19, 1937. So well was their performance of “The Great Postal Mystery” received on that occasion, that it was decided then and there when the first opportunity pre- sented itself, they would be in- vited to show their talents to a Chicago audience. They were in- vited and did respond nobly. The OUTLOOKERS OR- CHESTRA, members of Vrtec No. 11, had the honor of open- ing the program with a lively tune. No other organization of musicians could have been more enthusiastically r e c eived or more highly appreciated than were these boys from Cleveland. Here is an orchestra that can really play pleasing mušic for dances and programs. Lodges and Vrtec units, expecially, in the Western Pennsylvania and Eastern and Southeastern Ohio districts, are urged to give them a chance to appear at their af- fairs. If interested, write to Frank Slejko, 16203 Arcade Ave., Cleveland, Ohio, for fur- ther particulars. Scattered carefully, before and between the two plays and orchestral selections, were well prepared solo and duet numbers in mušic, song, dance and reci- tation—a spicy variety filling a very important plače on the program and vvithout -vvhich continuous cheerfulness and in- terest might not have been main- tained. Grateful, indeed, is the Chi¬ cago Federation for having had the honor of sponsoring the Vr¬ tec Festival, for everyone must realize that here is something that will live so long as there is a spark of cultural desire in the organization. This festival was the beginning; next year, there will be other such events, spon- sored, we hope, by every Federa¬ tion in the Society. A NATION¬ AL VRTEC CULTURAL FES- Continued an Pag-e 4 STRAN 2. Juvenile Section of “Napredek” June 15th, 1938 Spartan Juniors at Work and Play First Prexy It isn’t so long since the young man smiling at you was piloting the Spartan Juniors through the uncharted sea of juvenile fraternalism in Cleveland. It is STANLEY STOKEL of course, and a sturdy chip off the old block is he! Stanley is now a proud member of the Spartans. (By the way, we hoped we would also be able to publish the like- ness of Johnny Obat, the Spartan Jun- be sure to pack a hearty lunch. We will go to Euclid Creek Res- ervation. And about bali games we ha ve one due Saturday, June 11 and one on the picnic at Surtz’s farm on July 24. The problem of jerseys was discuss- ed. There are no actual results as yet except that each team gets 3 bats and 6 balls. We hope for the best. Two checks were awarded for the Literary Contest. One was carried away by John Obat for his sports article and I took the other. The giving away of the at- tendance award was then taken up; Josephine Kovic, of the Out- lookers drew the name of Helen Papež, who was not present and so next month’s award reaches one dollar. Afterwards the meeting was adjourned. Then came the moment long waited for by ali the good little boys and girls. Ice cream was served with cookies and the little boys and girls were seen to lick their fingers to get ali of the benefits night in an alley and Antonio was taken into court to stand trial for murder, was convisted and then sentenced to life im- prisonment. His brother James eventually became a prosperous business man. He married and settled down and became a big shot, not from gangland but from the business world. He had taken the straight and narrow path. Andrevo Elersich, Spartan Jrs., Vrtec 5 DISILLUSIONED Don’t get me wrong, I love children and ali that stuff, but have you ever taken čare of a four-year old imp? Well, now you know how I feel! Let me teli you what happened to me. Remember—I hadn’t ever met the dear little child until then. At first sight he really looked sweet enough to eat, but later, I could have wrung his darling little neck. He decided to play with his autos and demanded I iors’ present skipper m this Vrtec lssue but are not in position to simply be- cause we couldn’t get hold of one. Why so bashful?) MEET THE PRESIDENT John Obat, president of Spar¬ tan Juniors is a pupil of East Tech high school. He is a dark complexioned boy of 16 of medi- um height. His favorite pastime is playing bali. He plays with the 23rd Ward Democrats, Un- knotvns and Spartan Juniors. He also likes basektball. His favorite movies are šport pic- tures. He likes to read sports books. He has a peaceful dispo- sition. His favorite subject in school is civics. Here are some of his marks in gym tests: He can broad jump 9 ft. He is a swift runner and does the fifty-yard dash in 5:8 second. Although he is small he heaves the eight-pound shot put 32 feet. He also has a povverful grip. His right hand is 100 and his left is 110. His pleasing per- sonality and quick humor makes him liked by ali who know him. Tommy Taucar of the refreshments. Then we sat down to write articles for the big June issue. The result is here for ali to see and so until we meet again over another Vr¬ tec Page, Pil lay aside my pen and paper and say so long. Andreiv Elersich, Spartan Jrs., Vrtec 5 OUR MA Y MEETING Our meeting opened with a bang! We had as our guests Mr. Zaman, Outlookers’ administra¬ tor, the president Edward Slej¬ ko ,the vice-president Josephine Kovic, the secretary Valeria Ar- tel and another member, Fred Bashel, ali of the Outlookers. Edward Slejko gave a vivid de- scription of the Chicago affair. In the name of the Outlookers, Valeria Artel extended the Spartan Juniors an invitation to their picnic at Stusek’s farm and challenged us to a baseball game and tug-of-war. This chal- lenge was accepted by John Obat, our president. And while on the subject of outings and picnics I may as ■well teli you of our bike, June 23 at S :30 a. m. We want a\l tYie ^>\>a.Tctak,TV 3 \miora to corrve ax\e tt\ey yonrvg vndon, Anton Wapo- ot old. WUUam tich and Krist Stokel, better known as Ttie Three Mnsketeers, are by now an estafolished institntion. Wlrat would SSPZ in Cleveland do without them? game were Bob Kopec, a veter¬ an and George Biskupich, a rookie getting three hits apiece with Wally Lach, another rookie getting two. Home runs were made by Bob Kopec and Wally Poch. John Obat contributed a triple. The final summary was the Spartan Jrs. 17 runs, 15 hits and 1 error, the Outlookers 5 runs, 7 hits and 3 errors. That’s ali for that game and now comes the surprise that stunned ali of the Spartans. The Spartan Jrs. set back the Spartan Srs. 7-6 in a hard-fought battle on June 7. Bob Kopec again was the big noise getting 3 hits and Obat collecting 2. At our last meeting we accepted an invitation from the Outlookers to come to their picnic on July 17, at Stusek’s farm and play them another game. On June 18, we will play the Outlookers again at Grove- wood field which is located at E. 176th and Grovewood at 2 o’clock. Ali the Spartan Jrs. met o’clock. Ali the Spartan Jrs. meet in front of East Madison School yard at 12:30 p. m. and be ready to leave. So it’s good- bye until we meet again. John Obat, president Vrtec 5 Angy Pevc Angy Pevc graduated from the Vandling High School on June 8, 1938. She was valedic- torian of the class. Her talk was upon “The New Era and Our Patriotic Ideals.” She displayed great interest in her school work. When in sixth grade, she received a students certificate for penmanship; when eighth grade, she competed in a spell- ing contest with 40 students rep- resenting different schools in Lackawanna county and was awarded first prize. Also re¬ ceived a medal and certificate from the American Legion for scholarship, courage, compan- ionship, character and Service, and above ali was first to re- ceive her diploma from her dear school that she had valued so gxeatly. June 15th, 1938 Juvenile Section of “Napredek” STRAN 3. Picnic of Girard Vrtec Our last meeting was held on June 3, 1938. Say, members didn’t we have lots of fun after our meeting? Florence Kunstel prepared the games for us. We had a little treat from our Senior lodge. (Thanks!) Members, try and attend ev- ery meeting from now on, we are going to have more and more fun every time. Don’t for- get, the more the better. Now come one and ali July 1. Say! how would you like to earn an easy dollar? Pick out a real good name for our Vrtec No. 30! The name that receives the most votes will win one dollar. Don’t forget about our Picnic on Sunday, June 19 at Pislar’s farm, route 88, Mecca, Ohio. Bring ali your friends out for real country air. It’s grand at Pislar’s farm; I am sure you will have a good time. The truck will be in front of the Slovene Dom at 11 o’clock for those who haven’t their own means of transportation. Members, did you ever have a ride on a truck? It’s fun! The mušic will be furnished by Louis Pirc and John Yaklevich. According to a report just received Bro. Vatro J. Grili, editor of Napredek, will be pres- ent at our picnic. In čase the weather man should be against us a dance and social will be in the barn. Come regardless of the weather; we’ll make a day of it. Make Pislar’s farm your destination on June 19 for a day of real fun and enjoyment for ali our friends. Far and near lodges are ali invited to attend this grand Picnic. Plenty of refreshments for young and old. Now remem- ber: Plače — Pislar’s farm. Route — 88. Date — June 19, 1938. Time — 11 o’clock. See you ali! Irene Rovar, Sec’y. THE BIG DAY Hello! Hello! Hello! May 29th to Chicago they’ll go, With happy girls and boys, Their minds just filled with joys. Even the elders that will come Will ali join and have some fun. Children will talents vili do their parts, The people who wait with anxious hearts To see what the Vrtecs can do, Will applaud when the performance is through. I know that our Vrtec No. 33 will try their best To show yon and look upon the rest. To be on this program ’twould be a happy memory To cherish and carry through life, In our Vrtec cultural strife. ELSIE OHOJAK (Age 13) Vrtec No. 33 EDITOR’S NOTE: This little poem was printed in May 25th is- sue of Napredek. We are reprint- ing it in the June Vrtec Section, so that ali Vrtec members will have a chance to read It. Balkan Juniors News The Value of Juvenile Membership to the SSPZ Of what value are we young- sters to the SSPZ? In my hum- ble opinion I would say we are to the SSPZ what the spring season is to the year, everything comes to life in the springtime, fresh sap flows through the plants and trees, warmth and sunshine, strength, new life and future. What would an organization be if it just had a group of old- er members, but no young mem- h Message From the President This being the Juvenile Month of the Slovene Progresive Benefit S'ociety, I am proud and happy to be able to extend my heartiest greetings to the members of ali our Vrtec units throughout the land. My happiness is so much the greater since I realize that the Youth Movement within the SSPZ was never in its history as vigorous and as inspiring as it is today. This is a tribute to you boys and girls who constitute the membership of our Juvenile branches, to our Senior Lodges who are taking an increasing interest in the Youth Movement of our Society, and especially to the untiring efforts of those men and women who perform the duties of Administrators. And finally, it is a tribute to, and recognition of, the fact that the SSPZ today is, if not the biggest Slovene fraternal organization in America, then certainly the most progressive and, therefore, may rightfully expect a most glorious future. I am sure that being good members of your respective Vrtec units will help to make you better men and women of the future, better sons and daughters to your parents, and better citizens. Fra- ternalism, briefly, is voluntary co-operation for the good of ali, and there was never a time when the world was in greater need of men and women who are trained to think co-operatively than to-day. Stick. to your Vrtec, help to build it up and you will be building your own future and that of your fellowmen! Yours fraternally, JOHN KVARTICH, Supreme President of SSPZ. CONSOLATION IN DEATH Today again, as oft of late, I found My špirit aching with the numbing pain Created by the slowly tightfning chain Of nearing Death. The other times, the sound Of mušic raised it from its sleep profound, And thus I was consoled that once again God spared me life that I might yet attain Material gain, success, and farne renoumed From sphere to sphere. But now at last I know My time is come. No longer mušic calms The voeighted soul as in those days ago When mušic soothed it so. The charm of psalms Is dead. One consolation yet remaih :— That Death wiU break Life’s slowly tighfning chains. Valeria Artel, Vrtec 11. bers? It would be an organiza¬ tion without a future! The immigrants that came over from Europe don’t come any more, or very few, the doors are closed to immigrants and we children of the second genera- tion of Jugoslavs are the only members available yet. We should follow in the footsteps of our fathers and mothers. The organization that was good enough for our dear parents is good enough for us, for you and you and me. It is may favorite organiza¬ tion. I am for dear SSPZ today, tomorrow, and every day! We young Vrtec members are the fresh new blood injected in- to our organization, we are like springtime, full of power and ambition, we will carry on the Marie Ermenc work of the organization when we become of age; maybe we will try and make some changes or improvements too; we will be members, officers, organi- zers, builders and directors in the future work, life, power and glory of the SSPZ. We are the seed that was planted late in the fall of the year into carefully prepared soil by those who experimented in every way, but at last decided that it was high time to do the planting now for the future, or else leave the land lie barren and idle without expectation of future crops. This in my humble estimation is the value of ju¬ venile membership to the SSPZ. Marie Ermenc, Vrtec No. 33 (Age: 13) Dear Vrtec Members : I am writing for the first time to the Vrtec Section. I did not have the courage before I guess. I have a younger sister who is more courageous and has already contributed a little poem to our Vrtec paper, al- though she is only eight years old. I am sorry to say there is a drop of enthusiasm in our Vr¬ tec, because we are not active enough in the membership cam- paign. I wonder why? Come on boys and girls, boost our lodge and teli the other boys and girls (Continued on page 7) STRAN 4. Juvenile Section of “Napredek” June 15th, 1938 WITH OUR JUNIORS (Continued from page 1) TIVAL is our GOAL, but first we want every Federation to get behind this idea, sponsor their own annual festivals, then I’m sure the Society will be ready to offer her financial as well as moral support to bring about its introduction and consummation as an SSPZ National Cultural Festival. Literary Gems Brighten May’s Vrtec Section Perhaps, it was the superior touch of Frankie Mivec’s per- sonality and humor flowing through every line of his recent literary gem, “Wanted: A Danc- ing Teacher” (And judging by the way he got around at the Vr¬ tec Cultural Festival Dance, his “Ad” must have been answered, which goes to prove that it pays to advertise — in the “Napre¬ dek”) or maybe, it was Marie Ermence’s poem, “The Month of May,” her finest contribu- tion, I believe, since her intro¬ duction to these pages, that gave last month’s Vrtec Section a greater appeal, a more polished attractiveness and lite rary poise. But, to whomever or whatever this noticeable im- provement may be attributed, it was indeed timely and, to say the least, inspirational and will no doubt have an important bearing on future compositions prepared for our Juvenile pub- lication. Very good were the articles written and submitted by Va- leria Artel, Andy Elersich and John Obat, members of the Cle¬ veland units, ali of which were instructive, well-balanced, and original in composition and choice of subjects. Another con- tribution warranting congratu- latory mention is “This And That From Hoosier Juniors,” a highly seasoned concoction of newsy bits ali blended into some very interesting reading . . . “Flash-Slam-Bang-Duck,” the pen names of the authors of this variety production, are com- mended on its excellence and re- minded at the same time that we’re sorry that articles written in collaboration with one or more persons are not eligible for prizes. Other contributions de- serving compliments were those by Helen Haren, Aliče Popot¬ nik, Herman Yerkich, Irene Ro¬ van, Wilma Gratchner, John Blodnikar and “Pop-eye” ... In fact, they were ali good reading, the only disappointing feature being that there were not enough prizes to go around; but don’t let that discourage you and keep right on writing. Ali roads to success are hard travel- ing and the writing art is cer- tainly no exception to this rule. I hope you’re ali back again with us in this issue, and don’t forget to brighten up July’s Vr¬ tec Section and Augusfs and September’s; in fact, every month of the year. The winners of last month’s prizes are . . . Frank Mivec, Vrtec No. 9, In¬ dianapolis, Ind. Marie Ermence, Vrtec No. 33, Milwaukee, Wis. Andy Elersich, Vrtec No. 5, Cleveland, Ohio. Valeria Artel, Vrtec No. 11, Cleveland, Ohio. John Obat, Vrtec No. 5, Cleve¬ land, Ohio. National Softball Tourney This year, the sixth National Athletic Meet, consisting of a softball tourney for Seniors and Juniors, will be held in Bridge- ville, Pennsylvania, on Septem¬ ber 3-4-5. This event will be pre¬ pared and managed, jointly, by the Progressor and Challenger Lodges of Bridgeville and Stra- bane, respectively. In conjunc- tion with this significent affair, the Society will officially cele- brate the 30th Anniversary of its organization. The defending Softball Champions will be the COM- ETS (Vrtec No. 44) of Am- bridge and PROGRESSORS (Lodge No. 237) of Bridgeville, both located in Pennsylvania. Reports have it that a strong team will represent the Trail Blazer Juniors of Chicago for the first time, and that the Ju- goslavs of Indianapolis and the Spartan Juniors and Outlookers of Cleveland have been strength- ened considerably for this years championship eliminations. The Bridgeville and Sygan Juniors aren’t telling the world, j ust yet, what they have in the way of playing material, but I have an idea that they’ve got a fine lot of ballplayers ready to put up a great game any time they are seriously challenged. We have yet to hear from the Pirate Juniors, the Challenger Yannigans, the Pierce Moun- taineers and that very active group of boys at Center, Penn’a. ... so we’re not sure whether they intend to make their debut facturing them, the priče of in the SSPZ Šport World this twenty cents is being asked for year or not. Hope they come the large emblems and only ten through alright; it will make cents for the small sleeve em- the meet that much more inter- blem . . . Also, rules governing esting. the softball tourney will appear Teams, desiring emblems for in a later issue of the “Napre- their uniforms, are requested to dek.” Watch for it and other de- send in their orders early. To tails for the 1938 athletic extra- cover a part of the cost of manu- vaganza. C A M P AIG N N E WS BUILD UP W1TH NEW bers talented in mušic, singing, MEMBERS dancing, acting, reciting, etc. Be Hey, there, young fellows, on the lookout for boys and girls boys and girls! There’s a MEM- with leadership qaulities, who BERSHIP DRIVE going on will make good officers loyal to now! In fact, there been one in the trust y° u wil1 P lace in them! progress for quite some time, Come on everybody! Let’s put but, I’m sorry to report, to date, our heart and soul in thls dnve! the results have been none too With 80 man y fine thin ^ s to of * encouraging. Do you know that fer >' our P ros P ects ’ in addition this is mostly your campaign; to the best Insurance protection, that it was planned almost en- ^ ou reall y can>t miss ^inning tirely for your benefit? What one of the man ^ tetive have you contributed towards P rizes h« 111 ® offered b ^ the So ' its success? How many new ciety-if you only try members have you proposed Do you like to play bali, nde since the beginning of the year? a blc y cIe ’ P la ^ a strm & mstru ' Is that the best you could do and ment ’ take P ictures ’ roller skate, did you really try hard to enroll sew or chotchet ’ own a watch or more? Come now, the month of make thln ^ s with tools? • • • If JUNE will soon be gone and 3™ do ’ then surel y there is your opportunity to help make something in the following list it the most successful month of of P rlzes which wiI1 P rove in ' the year will vanish forever. terestmg enough to inspire your Think hard- Isn’t there some- organizational ability and make one among ali your friends and f ou t want to inerease the mem- acquaintances who would like to bershl P of y° ur Vrtec ' Each ar ' join and whom you are reason- tic , le hsted is bou ^ ht at whole - ably certain would prove an as- sale P rice and the entire savm ^ set to your Vrtec and Society, is P assed on to the member win ' once enrolled? Don’t you have a mn ^ them ‘ See y° ur Admims- brother, sister or cousin whom trator for other details on the you could interest in joining? pilze ls t • • • Member (s) Don’t let this month, of ali Beachball ... . 1 months, go by without adding Penknife . 1 at least one new member to the SSPZ Cap . 1 Society’s ranks! . . . For after Bat and bali . 2 ali, you know, no Vrtec can grow Seiving basket . . 2 without adding new members... Mickeg Mouse ivatch . 2 Maybe, you’d like to have a bali Ping-pong set . . 3 team like other junior clubs in Agfa Camera . 3 your town and vicinity, but Scout packsack _ 3 haven’t the players to organize Baseball glove _ 4 a team good enough to compete Wrist watch . 4 with them? In that čase, the Roller skates . . 4 thing to ,do is to go out and en- SSPZ sweater . 5 roli members who will be loyal Volleg bali . 5 to your fraternity and who have Bugle . 5 proven themselves good bali- Kodak camera . 10 players. BUILD UP your team Croquet set . 10 with new members! Perhaps, Soccer bali . . 10 you are interested in having Banjo, guitar or mandolin .. 12 your Vrtec represented in fu- Wrist ivatch . 12 ture CULTURAL FESTI- Basketball . 12 VALS; if you are, enroll mem- (Continued on page 5) The Pioneer Vrtec of the SSPZ — Vrtec No. 1 of Forest City, Penna. June 15th, 1938 Juvenile Section of “Napredek” STRAN 5. With Our Juniors (Continued from page i) Tool chest and tools . ... 15 Parkcycle .... 20 Bicycle ... 40 % % % SYGAN VRTEC WINS FIRST PRIZE Boy, oh, boy! Won’t our Vrtec members in Sygan, Pennsylva- nia, be proud and glad when they read the good news! . . . And won’t the youngsters be j ust as proud and happy in Madison, Illinois, in Pittsburgh and White Valley, Pennsylva- nia! . .. And why shouldn’t they be? If you recall the rules of the present membership campaign, the Society offered four cash prizes of $10.00, $7.50, $5.00 and $2.50 to the four Vrtec units gaining the highest number of new members during the quar- terly period of January, Febru- ary and March . . . Well, after making a thorough check of ali returns for the first three months, I find the standing as follows: Vrtec No. 72 Sygan, Pa.$10.00 13 Madison, 111. .. 5.00 96 Pittsburgh, Pa. 5.00 103 White Valley, Pa. 5.00 REAP WHAT YOU SOW You will note that the last three units \vill receive similar amounts, this being due to a tie which necessitated combining the second, third, and fourth prizes and dividing them equal- ly among the winners. Of course, I mustn’t forget to re- mind you that there is stili an- other string attached to them before they can be awarded and that is, should the new enroll- ments, made by the above Vrtec units fall below the minimum limit of five (5), they will auto- matically forfeit ali claims to the prizes. So, our warning is— HOLD TO YOUR GAINS IF YOU WISH TO COLLECT THE REWARD IN JULY . . . To brothers and sisters Leo Mur and Julia Kramzar of Sygan, Rose Tirpak and Anton Pajnič of Madison, Martin Gosenca of Pittsburgh and Julia Kosmach, Mary Laurich, Helen Previc and Tillie Mladenick of White Val- ley, CONGRATULATIONS and many THANKS for your or- ganizational work during the first quarter of the current year. May your names, again, grace the honor roli during the April-May-June quarter. NEW CAMPAIGN LEADERS The second quarter of our Vr¬ tec campaign began rather slowly, but since the middle of May there has been a brisk de- mand for application forms . . . Palisade, Colo., Madison, 111., Chicago’s Southside Vrtec, Stra- bane, Pa., Pittsburgh and Bridgeville are hot on the trail of the cash prizes as they lead the campaign at the end of May. For the benefit of those who are lagging behind, none have more than 5 members to their credit Oče je kosil mejo ter prikosil do gnezda čmrljev. Zakosil je naokrog ter pustil šop trave okrog gnezda. Jaz in mlajši bra¬ tec sva takoj zaslutila, da mora biti v tem šopu trave nekaj, pičje gnezdo ali kaj druzega, drugače bi oče pokosil gladko. Ogrnila sva travo iz nje je pri¬ letel velik debel pisan čmrlj. Da, čmrlji so, sva pritrdila zadovlj- no ter stekla domov, da napra¬ viva nov panj zanje ter jih ogre- neva. Pri hiši smo imeli tudi čebele pa sva prišla na idejo, da morava tudi midva imeti nekaj zase. Ko je bil panj zagotovljen, sva na pročelju narisala debele¬ ga čmrlja. Vsi očetovi panji so imeli na pročelju nekaj narisa¬ nega. Oče je rekel, da radi tega, da si čebele zapomnijo, kateri panj je njihov ter da se ne zmo¬ tijo, da bi šle v sosedni panj. V ta novi panj sva zvečer o mraku ogrenila čmrlje iz meje. Vsake sorte muzika je bila, ko sva previdno tlačila številno družinico čmrljev v panj. Tisto noč sva oba sanjala samo o čmrljih, katere sva imela odma- šiti zjutraj v novem stanovanju. Ob sončnem vzhodu sva že stala pri malem uljnaku ter ne¬ strpno odmašila luknjico panja. Prvi je prišel ven veliki proga¬ sti, pregledal pročelje panja se razgledal nekoliko naokrog in zletel ven na pašo. Njemu so sledili in drugi in midva svi si zadovoljna mencala roke. Bala sva se, da v gnezdu ni veliko čmrljev, pa sva se prepričala, da jih je mnogo. Izza vogala se je oglasil oče ter naju klical, da je treba z živino na pašo. Midva pa nisva marala proč od uljna- ka. “Saj toliko počakajte, oče”, sva jih prosila, “da vidiva, ako se kateri vrne nazaj v panj, da bova vedela, da se nama je na¬ črt posrečil.” Prvi veliki čmrlj se je res vrnil. Krožil je nekaj časa okrog uljnaka kakor da ni gotov, da je prišel prav, končno pa sedel na rob panja ter po¬ časi ves obložen in rumen od cvetličnega soka zlezel v luknjo panja. Prišel je drugi, tretji, četrti in tako naprej. Kakšno veselje, kako zadovoljna sva ti¬ sti dan pasla krave v mislih, da imava čmrlje in da bova čez čas srebala njih med! Zvečer sva šla pogledat na prejšnje mesto, kjer so imeli gnezdo, predno sva jih ogrenila. Našla sva še enega, katerega at this writing, which means you ali have about an even chance of winning if you take up the task at once. Good lučk to you ali! Anton Zaitz, assistant secretary of the SSPZ and one of most loyal eon- tributors to the pages of Napredek, may justly be called the Father of the Vrtec Movement of our Society. The story “čmrlji” on this page is a good example of his entertaining way of writing. If you don’t know how to read Slovene, ask your mother or father to read it for you. prejšnji dan ob času ogrena ni bilo doma, ki je žalostno ril po zemlji ter iskal gnezda. Ujela sva ga previdno ter nesla v uljnjak k drugim. Čmrlj je bil vesel, ker je našel svojo družbo, midva pa še bolj, ker sva bila sedaj gotova, da imava vse sku¬ paj. Po nekaj tednih so očetove čebele rojile. Tako je imel oče iz enega panja dva panja čebel. Želela sva, da bi tudi najini čmrlji rojili; ako je oče tako srečen, da ima iz enega panja dva, zakaj bi ne bila tudi midva ? Prigovarjala sva jim, naj rojijo, pa je bilo vse najino pričakova¬ nja zaman. “Čakaj”, sem rekel mlajšemu bratcu, “ako nočejo rojiti sami, bova sama napravi¬ la, da boste.” Napravila sva nov panj pa zvečer razprtila satovje in čmrlje na dva dela. V vsak panj sva jih dala polovico, a ko sva jih drugi dan odmašila, sva bila razočarana. Vsi čmrlji iz druzega panja so šli nazaj v prvi panj. Se bodo že privadili, sva si mislila ter jih vsak ve¬ čer ponovno razdelila. Čmrlji pa niso razumeli najinega namena ter se čez dan vedno zopet vrnili v prvi panj. Svojo bolest sva po¬ tožila očetu. “Zakaj vaše čebele ostanejo, ko rojijo v drugem panju, naji¬ ni čmrlji pa hočejo vedno biti vsi skupaj v enem?” “Čmrlji nikdar ne rojijo in ker ne rojijo, je vajino delo za¬ man,” je pojasnil oče. Midva s tem pojasnilom ni¬ sva bila zadovoljna; že vsled te¬ ga ne, ker je očetov drugi panj rojil in je oče imel v kratkem času kar tri panje, midva pa še vedno samo enega. Razprtila sva jih ponovno vsak večer to¬ liko časa, da se je čmrljem zdelo že prveč ter jih je bilo čim dalje manj. Šele, ko je ostal sa¬ mo eden, ki je odhajal in do¬ hajal, sva misel na roj opustila. Vsa žalostna sva potem obžalo¬ vala svoje početje; bolelo naju je ker nama je od toliko čmrljev ostal samo še eden, in nekoč se zna še ta zgubiti, sva mislila pa bova ob svoje veselje. Toda glej čudo! Neko jutro, ko je ta edini čmrlj prilezel skozi luknjo je za njim prikobacal mali nov čmrlj—sinko. Veseea sva bila, kadar je imela krava telička, a še bolj sva bila vesela sedaj, ko sva se prepričala, da ima naš čmrlj mlade. Čez nekaj dni sva opazovala druge nove in mlade čmrlje, kateri so narastli na lepo družinico. Nič več nisva mislila na roj ali da bi jih razprtila. V jeseni pa, ko sva mislila od- President Vrtec 1 Wm. Pevc VANDLING, Pa. — June is an exciting month because we have put away our school books for awaited vacation, while some students put them away to begin their careers in life. Education is very beneficial in the world of today. So I send my heartiest congratulations to ali graduates who are members of the SSPZ and that their career in life may be one of suc- cess. * With bright new things to interest you, And lots of lučk and gladness too, May you find that your future way, Is just as happy as this day. * June is also the month in which ali juvenile branches of SSPZ will hold outings or enter- tainment programs. If this is done plans must be made and in order to carry them out we need the wholehearted cooperation of ali our members. So let us try and make our next meeting per- fect in attendance. We should strive to bring members into our ranks. When we get new mem¬ bers not only does our Vrtec grow, but also our organization. INDEPENDENCE DAT July Fourth! The bright flags flutter, Bands play patriotie airs; Marching feet parade together, Hearts are lightened of their cares. On this day of Independence, History unrolls its scrolls And the daring deeds of courage Gives new vigor to our souls. Wm. Pevc, Vrtec No. 1 SLOVENE PROVERBS - Nine gamblers could not feed a single rooster. * * Truth is dew from Tieaven; catch it in clean receptacle. * * The more liars there are, the easier one can find out the truth. * * There is no compromise be- tween right and wrong. * * H e who is building a house with someone else’s money is piling up stones for his tomb. vzeti med, pa sva bila zopet raz¬ očarana. Vsi mali piskrčki v sotovju so bili zaprti z ličin¬ kami, medu pa nikjer. Zopet je posegel oče vmes, rekoč, da ima¬ jo čmrlji navado, da med po¬ žrejo kadar grmi. Tisto leto je grmelo mnogo, pa so ga menda res. STRAN 6. Juvenile Section of “Napredek” June 15th, 1938 Jugoslavs Contribution to Sprin THE BLESSED LIE The winding stream ran so near that ali Dolenjovas slept to its lullaby. Johan plunged down the bank. There the trees grew thickly, and beyond these, in summer, stretched a brown ribbon of sand and pebbles. No one might see at ali if you lay upon the sand with a stone for a pillow, and wept. Lena had wept. She rarely v/ept through life. Johan thought at first she was asleep. She lay her bright face to- wards him, her eyes closed. Her breast rose and fell; there was something — ah, so deep. In that second she became magical to him. He had never known she was so beautiful. She opened her eyes, was startled. With hand pressed upon a stone she raised herself as if to run away. In a moment he was by her side. With a gentle hand upon her shoulder he turned her towards himself. “Why do you weep so?” For an answer she embraced him, burying her face in his shoulder weeping softly. They stood there knowingly without speaking. The weeping stopped, as did the trembling and deep sighs; stili they stood midst the trees, which screened them from life’s realities, enrapturing themselves in each other. He a tali, vvell- mannered peasant boy, with a soft but full beard, his curly blond hair peeping from under a worn black hat. His coat, slightly torn and patched at the elbows, was a bit too warm today. It lay at the foot of the old willow tree, from whence he first espied her. She a small maiden, shy, yet daring, for ali pointed to the fact that their meeting, here in the midst of nature’s wonders, casting a magical speli upon ali that chanced to wander there, was forbidden. But young love, though blind as it may be, over- comes obstacles. It did not mat- ter that her familv was one of the best and richest and his the poorest. Her dress and curly locks vvhich fell below her slender shoulders, told very plainly of much culture... Mo- thers usually have great plans for girls such as she. * * “This certainly is a good time to come home, Lena. Where on earth have you been? Don’t you know it is past nine o’clock? Right to bed with you now so you will look fresh tomorrow. We have some important guests arriving.” Lena started to comply vvith- out a word, but as her mother returned to her knitting, she beckoned her sister to follow her into the “kambra”. Her sister quickly made sure the baby she had been rocking, was asleep, and giving him a final kiss of affection, she fol- lowed Lena vvondering what was troubling her. It s e e m e d strange. Her sister seldom asked her advice. As she closed the door behind her Lena said quickly: “Peppa, Johan is going away. He’s going to the army. He’ll be gone for a year and a half.” it was hard for her to finish, and at the last words she sniffed lightly. “Ah! You can get married when he comes back. Besides it will give mother time to change her mind.” “But I don’t want to wait,” she fairly screamed throwing herself upon her bed starting to weep profusely. Her sister sat quietly beside her and said consolingly: “In a few weeks there is going to be a dance at Tratnik’s. Listen.. and she talked for many min- utes. Ten, twenty, thirty minutes had passed since her sister had left, stili she lay as before, not vveeping now, but craftily lay- ing plans for the dance. She stopped dancing in the middle of the dance, stili and motionless, and counted silently the several slow strokes as the beli beat the house. As soon as the last died away the life and merryment started anew. So she stopped at eight, so at nine, so at ten o’clock, and if Johan wanted to ask the cause for so strange actions Lena placed her finger on her lips, and therewith looked so earnest and sad, that he no longer wanted to trouble her about the world. About ten o’clock a pause was made in the dancing, and the orchestra, which must have had iron lungs, strode into the dining room followed by the dancers. Lena looked sadly as her young friends called her to join them. Sadly she shook her head and looking up at Johan, who with a puzzled look on his face as if not understanding was trying to coax her along, she said, “Johan I must go home now.” A few moments later they were walking hand in hand down the deserted Street, slowly and silently. At last Lena spoke bluntly, “Johan wh'at would you say if I told you were to be a— a—.” They walked on talking ex- citedly the while. Before they knew it they were before Lena’s home. She kissed him fleetingly and fairly rushed into the house and into the “kambra,” scared because he... “Oh, you fright- ened me Peppa. Did you wait up for me.” “Yes. How did he take it vvhen you told him?” Everything worked out just as we planned it. Peppa, I’m scared what if he should find out. And mother.” “Now don’t worry, we’ll fix that tomorrow. And if we go away who is to know.. The last guest had gone. Lena and Johan were sitting together near the door, tired, for they had really celebrated, not only their wedding, but Lena’s mo¬ ther giving in also. Johan put his arm around Lena and said softly, “We had better go to sleep. You must see me off to- morrow, I mean today rather.” So laughingly they strode through the hali door out into —. Yes, Lena vvondered what they were walking into. They were — ah so profusely happy now, but what did the future hold in store for them? * v One year passed, as did the second, so did the third. Lena and Johan sat at the fireplace, she knitting, he smoking, each vvondering why the other was so silent on this particular night. Lena was thinking how good fate had been to them. Since Johan’s retum he had vvorked hard and earnestly, and this year her dad had made him foreman at the savvmill. And this new home of theirs. She never dreamed it would be as heavenly as this. Johan relighted his pipe, vvhich, during his deep medita- tion he had allovved to die out. At last he said, “Lena, I had been thinking about little Karl. Why can’t he live with us now? I don’t think it is quite fair on your sister making her support our child.” And he looked at her as if expecting an ansvver. “I do get lonely, Johan,” she said. After putting away her knitting she continued, “Johan, I have a confession to make. I hope you don’t get angry at me when I teli you this, — but — but I can’t see how you can keep your composure. Johan, Karl is not our child.” As Jo¬ han did no more than open his mouth she continued, “Every- thing I told you before we were married was a lie. I didn’t want you to leave before we were married, so my sister and I planned since she was going to have a child we might as well make it appear that I was the one...” She could not go on. Her throat just vvould not make an- other sound. Sobbing she arose but Johan calmly striding to her chair quickly helped her regain her seat; comforting her. “You needn’t cry. I wanted you even more than you wanted me. How can you think I vvould ever be sorry. Cheer up now and give me a smile.” She raised her head and smiled. Johan smiled also, then he quickly bent over and sealed the past with a kiss. Frank Mivec, Vrtec 9, SSPZ. Flash! Another meeting of Vrtec 9 was held on June 5. The meeting was well attended for such a hot day as June 5, but it wasn’t overcrovvded. Mem- bers, please attend the meetings, you will find them very in- teresting. John Praprotnik, our illustri- ous secretary gave a synopsis of the trip he took to Chicago in company with several other members. As no snoring was heard during those fifteen min¬ utes, we take it that it was in- teresting. One of the committeemen of the Slovene National Home asked vvhether or not we vvould help them in putting over a play for the benefit of National Home in October. This vvould be a part of a huge program the National Home is planning to have this fall. We accepted the offer, and vvould try our best to help out the Slovene National Home in anyway. Follovving the meeting re- freshments were served. The Vrtec members vvhich have made the trip to Chicago vvish to express their gratitude and appreciation for the vvon- derful hospitality shovvn them by Mr. Michael Vrhovnik and the committee. We also extend our thanks to the people vvho gave us our lodgings. Here and There Lil Abner Zupančič visiting Daisy Mae Ivančič recently. Dolores, our vice-president vvho is usually very punctual at meetings. (Did she think Frankie Mivec was stili in Chi¬ cago ?) Frank “Crackerjack” Zakraj¬ šek vvas the “craze” of Chicago after his stellar performance on the stage. (He had that blond made, only vvas married!) Martin Dragar vvas always insulted. The people took him for Frank Mivec. (Everyone ex- cept the young vvomen.) Sophie Brodnik has been sort of backvvard about telling us what she savv at the zoo. Yours fraternally, Siam, Duck, and One More, Vrtec No. 9, SSPZ. UBEGLA PTICA Zopet v širnem gozdu gostolim pa se več ujeti ne pustim. Tesno kletko, ptičar, sam imej, vele rože v oknu sam jih glej! Moja domovina: hrib in dol, domovina tvoja: skrb in bol. —Silvin Sardenko. He vvho humbles himself too much, gets trampled upon. June 15th, 1938 Juvenile Section of “Napredek” STRAN 7. Perm ’'a Kingsters Have Their Say HELLO EVERYBODY! WHITE VALLEY, Pa. — It has been quite sometime since I have written, I suppose I’ve got the lazy fever for writing, as other people have. With Summer coming on, we should ali lose our Spring fever and think of ali the beautiful days ahead of us, of picnics, dances, and most of ali, dropping a few lines to the “Napredek.” In the last issue of the “Na¬ predek”, I have read of a cer- tain lad from Indianapolis, Ind., who was advertising for a dancing teacher. It is too bad that Frank lives so far away, I’m sure if he lived nearer he would find plenty of teachers who would be willing to teach him, but seeing that the dis¬ tance is so great, it is impos- sible to get-together. One of our girls said that she would love to teach this young man. Perhaps in the near future we may meet up with this young man, who is in need of a danc¬ ing teacher. We send lots of lučk to Frank and his dancing. * * Last year at this time we were asked this question: What is the month of June called? And to teli the truth only a few knew what the answer was. But this year we ali know that the month of June is called the month of ali Juvenile Celebra- tions. Ali Vrtecs should plan some sort of an affair and if possible attend the doings of the other Vrtecs. Nothing would please one Vrtec more than to meet the members of another. I have sent in an article of “Cooperation Makes Success.” This has been written in my idle moments, thinking of the Kingsters, as this being their 103). Watch for further news of this great gala affair. Until July 4, I’ll be seeing you. Helen Previc, Box 458, Export, Pa. SSPZ FOREVER The SSPZ lodge is of greater value to us than a non-member thinks it is. Any person of good character may become a mem- ber of this society. It believes we are ali equal regardless of what nationality you may be. To join the juvenile department the child can be j ust a day old and not more than fifteen years and dependent upon parents or an adult member. Application of such a mem¬ ber must be made by the parent or adults, ali questions answer- ed truthfully also be responsi- ble for the payment of regular and special assessments. The child (in some States, but not Pennsylvania) must be ex- amined by the lodge physician. This examination is witnessed by the secretary or the adminis¬ trator then sent to the supreme office. The member may be in the juvenile department until the age of eighteen years. At the age of sixteen to eight¬ een years members are trans- ferred to the adult department. Members now receive a credit from $0.64 to $12.52 depending on the age of admittance. If the person insures himself for $500 and $1.00 per day sick benefit he can do so without a physical examination but if he insures himself for more he must be examined by a lodge physician. When a member gets this far he can join senior Slovene or Eng- lish-speaking lodge. The lodge is more interesting to us juveniles because a Vrtec people say “SSPZ FOREVER.” Julia Kosmach, Sec’y Kingsters, Vrtec 103 White Valley, Pa. First of ali; I want to thank the contest j udges for the check I received for the last contribu- tion in the “Vrtec Page.” ' Two active members were transferred to the adults; our president, Helen Previc and a member Tillie Mladenick. Our new president elected is Helen Sabec and vice-president Frank De Biose. I'm certain they will do their best to keep up an ac¬ tive Vrtec. On May 14, 1938 our juvenile director, Michael Vrhovnik visit- ed Center Vrtec No. 77. The members had a program pre- pared for the evening, consist- ing of a one-act comedy and a few songs. Following the pro¬ gram Michael Vrhovnik showed his movies. We ali enjoyed see¬ ing the pictures of different Vr¬ tec members especially our Vr¬ tec of White Valley. Decoration Day, May 30 the Evening Starš lodge No. 218 held a picnic at Glunt’s Grove. It was a huge success. And now a few words to the members. What is happening to you? Our membership isn’t in- creasing. This year they are giv- ing away cash or material prizes, so ali of you members please try to increase our mem¬ bership. This month you ali know is SSPZ Juvenile Month and it should be celebrated in some way or other. Last year our di¬ rector Michael Vrhovnik visited every Vrtec in Western Pennsyl- vania and Ohio. Being so well entertained by our director last year June 13th we are again having him on Saturday, August More Balkan Jr. News (Continued from Page 3) the jolly good times we have on our outings, and meetings. The boys have started aero- plane building which is directed by our air-minded leader Burt Schmith. They have been boast- ing about their work on the aeroplanes, which they have been building; they will display them at our picnic June 19th and have aeroplane races. A little reminder to ali those who have not paid their dues. Only those whose assessments are paid will receive tickets for refreshments free. Be sure you pay your dues. Jackson Park will be our picnic grounds on June 19th. Bring your lunch, and don’t forget the swimming suits. For a jolly time come early. Till we ali meet at the picnic I remain Fratemally yours, Norma Stampfel, (Age 12) Sec’y Vrtec No. 33. MILWAUKEE, Wis. — June being Juvenile Month and also our first birthday anniversary I guess it’s my duty to con- tribute a few lines also. Many interesting events have taken plače since our Vrtec started. At our first Vrtec out- ing at Armory Lake I wasn’t able to swim. But now I’m taking swimming lessons and gymnastics, at the Y. M. C. A. I hope Mr. Vrhovnik will be with us at our picnic, so I can show him a little improvement in me. Our picnic will be held in Jackson park June 19th. Burton Smith, a member of the senior lodge is teaching us Vrtec boys to build miniature aeroplanes. I look fonvard eagerly to our monthly meetings which mean a lot of fun and motto. If you didn’t attend the Eve- iiing Starš picnic on May 30, (Decoration Day) you don’t know what a wonderful time you missed. We were quite sur- prised at the crowd that had gathered, but we were disap- pointed in a few of our friends from out of town who promised to come but did not. Now I hope that these friends keep July 4 open so that they can attend a picnic again held by the Evening Starš at Glunts Grove, which is located one mile out of Export. So don’t forget! Everybody!! July 4 at Glunts Grove. Read more of this affair next week! can be established in a small town of ten members with the approval of the senior lodge. An active member of the seniors is elected to be the administrator. The Vrtec is directed by offi- cers, president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer with the help of the administrator. We must have monthly meetings as the seniors do. The president presides at ali meetings; vice- president takes the presidenfs chair if he is absent; recording secretary keeps the minutes of ali meetings; secretary collects the monthly dues, and the treas¬ urer takes čare of ali income. To be a good Vrtec member you must be of good behavior at meetings ,entertainments and be honest. 27th. Arrangements have been made for a program and dance on this day. So friends and neighboring lodges please keep this date in mind. August 27, 1938 at the White Valley Slovene Hall. Members do attend our monthly meeting on Sunday, June 19, 1938 at 11:00 a. m. There are several problems of discussion on hand. Julia Kosmach, Sec’y Kingster Vrtec 103 White Valley, Pa. delicious refreshments after business is attended to. I’m proud and feel honored to be the treasurer of our Vrtec. My sister is a regular contribu- tor to the Vrtec section. But this is my first attempt at writing. I would like to hear from some of my brother Vrtec members. I think those prizes the SSPZ is offering are won- derful. I hope I will be able to get some new members. Edward Ermence (Age 10) Vrtec No. 33. DREAMS My Ufe is something like the sunngs, I have ups and downs, and ali such things: One day Vm happg, — the other sad, Some dag s V m gloomg — other s mad. Also keep August 27 wide At the meetings not only open as the Evening Starš, Vr- members can be present but tec 103 and the Senior lodge members from other Vrtecs. 142 are going to have a joint That way we become more inter- affair. There is a possibility of ested in the society. Brother Michael Vrhovnik be- When we Vrtec members will ing there with his movie camera join the older folks we will learn and probably more singing and more and more about this so- acting by the Kingsters (Vrtec ciety. We will not ask, why do The years have come and passed me hy Not so many that I may not die. But surelg the Creator toill let me live, So that 1, too, mag obtain, and to others give. Though I can’t sag mg name will be heard From the throat of a human tvith a voice like the bird, Ali of the greatest men were one dag goung, And noiv poems about them are being sung. Fred Bashel, Vrtec 11. STRAN 8. Juvenile Section of “Napredek” June 15th, 1938 The Outlookers SPAIN In the land of olives, and of voarm, rich wine; Of rich, deep soil, and of voarm, red sun; Of warmer hearts vohere there 1 s no “Me for mine”, But only “I for you, and we for everyone.” In land of love, of star-seen serenade; s Of haunted, heart-made melodies, heart-sung; Where good architecture did not fade; And vohere the rich, voarm, Spanish blood is ever young. There can I see no scena that is serene; (Though the last years, there was beauty dressing Spain) There I can see no grass fields that are green — Nothing that has been saved from slauther and from pain. No castles stays but keeps as souvenir A half-torn tower, or a blood filled moat. No face that has escaped a trickling tear — No crime done, but mode many weep,—and a few men gloat. No voarm sun comes but soon is hid’ by planeš — No melodies but dirges for the dead. Nothing of that great land in fact remains Except the rich, voarm, Spanish blood that is so red. Except the hearts, so brave with steady beat, Leads on the march for life of battling men; The driving force that doesn’t knovo defeat, And voill not rest until it takes its Spain again. Josephine Kovic, Vrtec 11. VALERIA ARTEL is no stranger to “Vrtec” readers. Her prose and poetry always reflect her exquisite personality. BACKSTAGE The life of the artist is hard. On May 19 I made my debut in the field of drama, in a play called “The Night of January 16.” What would we do without the good old high school drama? I arrived early the night of the performance—so early, in fact, that it was neccesary to crawl through the custodian’s window to gain entrance into the school. Hours were spent on make-up, but when my fatal moment arrived, it found me on the verge of swooning from the effects of chetving off my blue- gray lips. I dragged myself to the stage to be greeted by the audience—with laughter! My tragic figure struggled for con- trol. I sank into the chair, flush- ed with mortification—Magda Svenson, the great Swedish ac- tress of ali time—laughed at. Somewhere out in that unappre- ciafive audience, I heard some- one whisper: “Where did she ever unearth that costume?” Well, ali I could do was pray that mom hadn’t heard that crack about her new spring out- fit. At the grand climax, when the heroine cried into the gang¬ ster^ shirt-front, the director himself let out a “Ho! ho!” So I was not alone in my misery. Well, the third act began, and we rushed back-stage for our final scene—the black-out. We were greeted with the strongest “odeur” of any glue that could possibly have been used to hold scenery together. We stood it about ten minutes, staggeringly, until (after making a few cracks about the stage needing a Lifebuoy bath) Davey (the villian) pulled his masterpiece: “Pew,” he said, “I know what smells so awful—my acting.” The only thing that saved us then from total collapse was the sudden black-out. Several thumbs went in my eye, accom- panied by “Are you there’s?” I wasn’t sure, but they evidently took my silence for the affirma- tive, for they clutched my skirt tightly, —so tight\y, in fact, that when I crawled out on the stage, I almost left it behind. I waited for the spotlight, said my lines, and crawled off, only to dis- cover I had missed being in the spot altogether, said the wrong line, and forgotten my Swedish accent. Ah, yes, what would we do without the high school drama? Valeria Ar tel, COLLINWOOD-Cleveland, O. — Here I am again, and again I’m going to teli you absent members that you’re really missing something when you miss the meetings. Last Friday, we had refreshments — ice cream, and cookies — ali you wanted. Well, maybe you’ll learn, after a few more treats like that. This summer is going to be filled with fun. The first affair is the Združeni Bratje picnic to be held next Sunday, June 19 at Stusek’s farm. Our Vrtec is go¬ ing to be represented by the Vadnal boys who are going to play for dancing. Next comes our picnic, July 17. You you can read about that on one of the other articles, so I won’t teli about it here. Last, but definitely not least, is our own combined outing at Zurtz’s farm on July 24. We’ve spent several enjoyable days there in the past, and I’m sure that this one will prove no ex- ception. Since there’s another month before the last two outings, and there will be more said at our meetings and in next month’s Naprerdek, 1*11 j ust finish up by thanking our members for real- ly waking up and writing this month. 'Til next month. Outlookers ’ Sec’y THE OUTLOOKER’S GOSSIP COLUMN Can you imagine: Edward Slejko—trying to read French (love note) ? Josephine Kovic—trying to forget about a certain someone? Andy Bohinc—without his (stale) jokes? Valeria Artel—without her perfect minutes? Stanley Slejko—coming to the meetings? Mildred Krašovec — without her page boy? Rudy Bratina—without his sailor hat? Aliče Bashel—trying to re- member whether she was at our last meeting? Olga Zaubi—not picking on a blonde? Freddy Hribar—trying to be tali? Frankie Vadnal—playing his brother’s accordion? Freddy Bashel—trying to mow a lawn? The officers—c o m i n g on time? Frank Gačnik—without his personality smile? The “Pucelj Boy”—talking to a girl ? “Alley Oop”—keeping her trap shut? Frankie Yagodnik—trying to skate? The administrator—losing his temper? The secretary—not having to stick up for her school? One of the “Slejko Boys” not blushing? The president—not using the gavel ? Millie Rijavec—not bossing her sister? Bobby Zaman—not being em- barrassed in front of girls? Joe Cekada—not pitching for Corner Vrtec Booster In FRANK PUCEL, president of the Supreme Trial Board, and president of lodge “Združeni Bratje,” No. 26 SSPZ, Outlookers have one of its most loyal friends and boosters. ATT EN T ION, OUTLOOKERS! Here’s what you’ve ali been waiting for: the announcement of the Vrtec picnic. It’s to be held at Stusek’s farm, which is familiar to ali of you, on the 17th of July. We’re ali going to have a lot of fun because there will be races for ali ages. 1*11 list them for you, so that you’ll know what to practice for: Sack race—girls, ages 8-12, and 13-18. Shoe scramble, girls, ages 10-18. Sucker scramble—ages up to 6 (don’t worry, you mugs, you’ll get some, too). Sack race—boys, ages 8-12, and 13-18. 3-legged race—boys, ali ages. Sir Walter Raleigh—ages 12- 18 (boys and girls). Blind-folded treasure hunt— ali ages. (Now here’s one for you French I students): Concours de bouteilles—boys and girls, ali ages. But that’s not ali. There will also be two contests held. One will be a tug- of-war, and the other a baseball game; both will be betvveen Out¬ lookers, and Spartan Juniors. Now isn’t that some set-up? Pil say it is. I want you ali to be out there, and we’ll make whoopee! Dancing will be to the Vrtec 11 Orchestra. Pil be seein’ you. Edivard Slejko, president Vrtec 11. SLOVENE PROVERBS An empty barrel has a pow- erful sound. You can teli a tree by its fruit. * * If lučk would display its wares, it would be first to seli out. You can teli a bird by its voice, a lion by its paw. Do not ask a blind man which way to go nor the fool for coun- sel. the team? You can’t? Neither can we, so “au revoir.” Les deux amante’es Vrtec 11.