;r National Juvenile Cultural Festival Nearer and nearer draws the big day, the day of departure for the National Festival in Cleveland. The boys and girls, who have been chosen as “Gnest Representative” and “Partici- pants” of the Festival Program, living out of Cleveland, \vill board trains, buses or automo- biles for a long and interesting ride to the SLO VENE ME- TROPOLIS of America, there to see and perform in a cultural spectacle such as has never be- fore been attempted by any similar Society; there to form friendship ties that will prob- ably last a lifetime. The long wait ahead of them and the anx- ious moments they will spend before their arrival in Cleve¬ land will be paid for many fold in what they will see, hear and do. Instructions have already been mailed to ali “Partiei- pants” of the Festival, request- ing that they be in Cleveland not later than Saturday noon, May 18, and that each inform the Secretary of the Cleveland Festival Committee what means of transportation shall be used. The same shall be required of “Guest Representatives,” that they, too, plan their trips from home so that their arrival will coincide with that of the “Par- ticipants,” and send informa- tion, as to the medium of travel, to the Director of the Juvenile Department, who in tura will submit same to the local Com- mittee Secretary. It is very im- portant that everyone follow instructions closely, and if an answer is required, to write without delay. PIOW YOU SHALL TRAVEL TO CLEVE¬ LAND, AND WHAT TIME YOU MUST LEAVE HOME TO ARRIVE IN CLEVELAND NOT LATER THAN SATUR- DAY NOON, MAY 18, are two questions to decide .. . Once you arrive in Cleveland, youTl be taken čare of in a manner fit for queens and kings, you can bet on that. WILLIAM TRŠAR, President of the TRAIL BLAZER JRS., has been chosen to represent his unit at the National Festival. “Bill,” as most of the members call him, is 17 years old and has been a member of the Ju¬ venile Department of the So- ciety for 16 years. He is tali and scholarly looking, and has the distinction of having ap- peared on the program of both JUVENILE SECTION OF "NAPREDEK" CLEVELAND, OHIO, MARCH 20 r 1940 Chicago Festival s as an accor- dionist . . . He, also, play the piano . . . And, in the field of sports, does quite well as a soft- baller. I’m sure he has the con- fidence and well-wishes of ali Trail Blazer Juniors in the re- sponsible and pleasurable duty voted to him. SHIRLEY JOY UZUNOFF, member of Vrtec No. 13 of Madison, Illinois, is the 17th out-of-Cleveland entrant select- ed to perform in the Festival program. Shirley has been a member of the Society oply a short time, but judging from the high recommendation con- cerning her talent and the pic- ture submitted for the souvenir booklet, she’s certain to make a big hit with the audience in her tap dance and song number. * * * MEMBERSHIP GAINS . . . Since the first of the year, Vr¬ tec No. 13 of Madison, Illinois, has increased its membership by 23 new members, ali of which have been credited to George Tirpak, President and Festival Contestant of the Vrtec. This practically assures the Madi¬ son Juniors of the quarterly cash prize of $10.00 for having gained the highest number of new members in the first quar- ter of 1940 . . . Second best hon- ors go to Vrtec No. 134 of Lu- zerne, Pa., ivhere Louis Zupanič and Joseph Camloh succeeded in enrolling 14 new juveniles, the most promising gain made in that city in many years. An¬ ton Paynic and Rose Tirpak were the outstanding \vorkers in the Madison drive for ne\v members. At the present rate of increase, this department will have the highest membership total in more than 10 years by Convention time. WHAT IS YOUR IIOBBY What do you enjoy doing or making \vithout having to be coaxed and, at the same time, not expect any reward other than the joy and satisfaction that comes by doing something useful and \vorthwhile? What- ever that is may be considered a hobby. In recent weeks, a num¬ ber of very interesting letters have been received from Vrtec Administrators on the subject of hobbies. The Spartan Jun¬ iors have worked up a great deal of interest in stamp collecting and, since their Administrator, Brother Debevec, is a confirmed collector himself, find him a valuable source of information on this subject . . . Besides stamps ,one 'may find just as much fun in the collection of coins, badges, coupons, post- Members of Lodge 211 and Vrtec 148, “Dara Patrol,” Gowanda, N. Y., who had parts or helped with the direetion of the program and play given on Jan- uary 21. This SSPZ group, Lodge and Vrtec combined. have shown remarkable progress, increasing more than 100 per cent in the past year. The guiding špirit of the group is JOHN MATEKOVICH, secretary of Lodge 211. Louis Lemont is president of the Lodge. and Rose Ma- tekovich is the administratrix of the flourishing Vrtec unit. W. Our Ouestioti Box ??? 1. When and where \vill the next SSPZ Convention be held ?, 2. By -vvhom and during whabi month is your Administrator elected? 3. In what state do most SS ¬ PZ members live? Next high¬ est? 4. At \vhat age may a Vrteti member join a local Lodge? 5. When do Plan “A” or “B r certificates terminate? 6. What Vrtec qualified two “Guest Representatives” to tho National Juvenile Cultural Fes¬ tival ? 7. Up to %vhat age are juven • iles eligible to join your Vrtec? 8. Is nationality considered. among qualifications for mem¬ bership ? ~ l' 9. When is each monthly as- sessment due? ' 10. Who is the Supremfi Treasurer of SSPZ? cards, curios, dolls, match hold- ers, cut and polished stoned* pressed flotvers, party favorSju etc.... Up to Gowanda, N. Y., a' hobby group is being formed \vithin the Vrtec and plans arb being drawn up to carry the idea' out on a large scale with con- test and prizes to stimulate com- petition. The hobbies should noti be limited to collections, buli should also include handicraft, such as needlework, sewing. knitting, designing, paper work ; model lioats and planeš, wood- \vork, soap and clay models and 1 so on . . . Other Vrtec units aro urged to follo\v their example and, tvhen they’ve succeeded in interesting enough members j ft this attraction, set aside a cer¬ tain day for a contest, offerirg prizes for the best entries hi each classification. It \vould bo advisable in some communitieu to invite noii-members to parti- cipate in such events; perhapn, in that way they might be in- duced to join the Vrtec. _ j HOW TO GRADE YOURSELF When you have answered ali ten questions, tum to page 3 of the Vrtec section for the correct J, answers. For each question an- | swered properly, give yourself 10 points. Par score for today is 70. % CMEIS’ NEWS wK%x%ssxxxsf3esx%3exxxxx%s$eKxxxssxxss9ex3 COMETS’ NEWS Another month h as rolled by nd its time again to vvrite to le Vrtec Page. I’m sure every- ne looks forward to the day r hen they receive it as I do. Our last meeting which was ,eld on March 8, 1940 was ather poorly attended. I think juite a number of members for- got that our meetings are held on tbe second Friday of the month. The important busines of the day was our Skating Party. I vvant to take this time to remind you ali again not to forget the date which is April 19 at Skateland. If you wish to secure tickets you may do so by calling at my home which is located at 6219 Carl Ave. The Spartans are holding a very interesting contest. Be- fore the opening of our regular monthly meeting ali members will be asked to register their names. At the eud of the year the one who has attended every meeting will receive a prize. •The officers will be excluded. This was ali the important busi- ness of our last meeting. I hope to see more of our members at our next meeting which will be held on April 12. NOW FOR SOME GOSSIP Say, what was the matter vvith the president? She must have forgotten it vvas Friday. Weli, were we surprised to see our former president Andy Elersich at the last meeting. Helen Papesh our secretary-treasurer admitted she didn’t know how to skate. I’m sure the boys won’t mind teaching you Helen. (She’s a blonde boys!) We sure would like to know v/hat Marian Birk looks like. She happens to be one of our new members. Billy VVapotich conducted our last meeting and did a very good job of it. Anthony Sterle keeps the girls vvon- dering what’s in the small green suit- case which he had vvith him at our last meeting. Well, I’U teli you girls, it's a large stamp collection. Herman Marolt hasn’t been around for quite a vvhile. How about stopping in soon? Eddie Stokel and Tommy Tavčar are also some of the fellows who havn't been seen around lately. How about sur- prising us and coming to our next meet-. ing? Don’t forget the ^skating party boys! Until we meet again I remain, Aliče Popotnik, Rec. Sec’y P. S.—Tli see you ali at the skating party! URUGUAY OF SOUTH AMERICA Uruguay is the smallest republic in South America, having an area slight- ly larger than that of the combined Nevv England States. The population is about 1,850,000. Like the A. B. C. coun- tries, Uruguay is in the south temperate zone. The climate is invigorating and stimulating with a mean summer tem¬ perature of about 72 degrees F. and a mean winter one of 55 degrees F. A fair tribute to the qualities of the cli¬ mate is shown by the fact that the country is used as a summer resort by Argentines and Brazalians. The rainfall is about 37 inches and is fairly well dis- tributed throughout the year. Uruguay has less waste land than al- most any country in the worl4 it being estimated at 90 per cent of the country could be used for farm land. The rais- ing of livestock always has been and stili is the chief occupation of the peo- ple. Just how important livestock is to the country is shovvn by the fact that almost ali her exports consist of animal Products. The principal one are wooI, hides, meats and extracts, grease and tallow, and live animals. The republic has about 1,700 miles of railroads, mostly British owned, con- necting places in ali parts of the cpun- try. Highways are being rapidly ex- tended also modem means of communi- cation. There are about 700 miles of navigable waterways furnished by the Rio de la Plata the Parana and Uru- guy rivers. Ocean going vessels from Europe, North America, and other parts of Latin America make almost daily calls at the metropolis, Montevideo. Montevideo ,the Capital and center of almost ali activities in Uruguay, is one of the beautiful cities of South America. It contains nearly one-quarter of the population of the country and is the leading port witl\ ali modem ship- ping facilltles. Three-fourths of the import and export trade passes through it. The Soliš Theatre is said to be one of the most beautiful in South America, attracting world-famous performers for opera and drama. Public monuments are found ali over the city. Sophie Colarič Vrtec 5 THE STORY OF DOGS There are many puppies that are bom under tunnels in Little America. At the time of this story, twenty-five puppies were bom there. Men vvould feed them povvdered milk, and vvater until they were old enough to eat seal meat like the older dogs. A dozen pup- pieS would gather around one piece of meat and try to tear it to pieces. It would be frozen hard, and stiff. Wlien the baby dogs were about one month old, their mothers would take them out- side the tunnels, but the light from the sun would frighten them, They would rush back into the dark tunnel, and the mother would sit at the end of the tun¬ nel and whine and cry for them to come out. In two or three days, they would get accustomed to the light from the sun and would scamper and play together, When the puppies were five months old ,the men started to train them by hitching them to a sledge with an older dog. They learned how to run fast vvith the dog leader, and would go anywhere the leader went. Soon they grew up, and became leaders themselves. Pauline Zupančič Vrtec 5 SUSIE MARIAR Susie Mariar Fell in the fire. The fire was so hot She jumped in the pot. The pot vvas so little, She jumped in a crack. The crack was so narrow, She jumped in a wheelbarro\v. The -wheelbarrow was so low, She fell in the snovv. The snow vvas so white, She stayed ali night. The night vvas so long, She sang a song. The song was so svveet, She vvalked down the Street. The Street vvas so clean, She picked up a bean. The bean vvas so hard, She dropped it in lard. The lard vvas so greasy, She jumped clean fleezy. When she came dovvn, She ran through the town. The tovvn vvas so big, She jumped on a pig. The pig jumped so high, She hit the sky. She hit the sky, And could not go higher. So that was the end Of Susie Mariar. Pauline Zupančič Vrtec 5 Urma — What is the height of happiness? Christy — In my čase he’s about five feet 10 inches. Teacher — Do you think George Washington could have pitched a dollar across the Rap- pahannock River, as he is said to have done? Jimmie — I don’t know; I guess so. It says in our history book that Washington pitched his camp across the Delavvare River when the British \vere pursuing him. Ambridge, Pa. — Well here it is another month and I am back again as usual with little bits of news concerning Vrtec 44. Spring is here again. You ali know vvhat this means. Winter is over and niče, warm weather vvill soon be here. I wish to congratulate Jane Gašperšič for her spleadid arti- cle which she wrote to the “Na¬ predek” last month. It was real- ly very interesting. Keep it up Jane! What about you other Comet members! Do your share by contributing something to the Vrtec section I am sure many of you have had interest¬ ing experiences which other Vr¬ tec members would enjoy read- ing about. It doesn’t take much of your time to vvrite an arti- cle, and I am quite sure that after you have written several of them, you’lI find it a great deal of fun. I extend my heartiest greet- ings to every Vrtec member from far and near for a very “Happy Easter.” On March 3, a very dear mo¬ ther and wife passed away. Sho was Mrs. Josephine Rosenber- ger, mother of the PresidŠnt of our Vrtec. Mrs. Rosenberger was a member of various SIo- vene lodges here in Ambridge. She vvas a very good member of Lodge 41, SSPZ, vvhere she has been a member for many years. The Comets’ Vrtec 44 wish to express their deepest sympathy to Mr. Anton Rosen¬ berger and family in the loss of their beloved mother and vvife. FLASHES Marion Vlasic is leaming to type. How are you getting along, Marion? The ‘'Rožmarin” Singing Society vvill hold their second concert on April 28. ,(They are progressing very lricely.) Mary Klevisher of Pierce, W. Va., certainly can write good articles. Nice going, Mary. Bill Bono sure can vvrite compisitions, even thought he did exaggerate quite a bit. I vvonder why Raymond and Harry Sumrok never attend our meetings? cxlons Of ali the many, lovely holi- days Easter is the most beauti- ful of them ali because it comes at a time when life is slowly bursting anew in sprintime. Na¬ ture has now returned to life .. . thus Christ... he who gave his life to save his children... has also returned to life. At this time Easter is a universal thought ... when ali men lay down their grievances to re- joice the resurection of Christ. Now is the time for peace on earth, good will toward men i . . now is the time 'for one to feel kindly toward ali and we should forgive our enemies just as Christ forgave those \vho cruci- fied him. And may Easter Bunny come hopping to your doorstep early Easter mom and leave behind loads of jelly eggs and bushels and bushels of lifetime happi- ness. To the girls. I hope the day shan’t spoil your wanting to look your best in your new Easter outfit. Hope everybody likes it! (ril bet they will, too, if you parade down the aisle, in your new outfit. They’re bound to see it, eh!) Julia Kramzer, Sec’y Vrtec 72 ¥ H- ing room, only to find it thoroughly deserted. The room was filled at 7:15. At this time John Dolinar, our presi- dent, arose and spoke, “the meeting will now come to order!" Minutes from our previous meeting were read as well as taken again for our next meeting. Although our meeting was unusually short, but interesting, we planned a party for the 16th of March at 8:00 p. m. Everybody vvas to welcome to attend. The remainder of my evening X spent in talking of everybody’s business. Dear diary, how I wish more delight- ful evenings as these would end a dull day. Wouldnt you call it a perfect day? Julia Kramzer “THE YEAR’S AT SPRING” Dear diary: Brr! The cold speli hasn't ended, yet I arose quite early this moming. My, what a long day this was, couldn't keep myself occupied to pass my time! It was pleasant to recall to mind that “meeting nite” had been scheduled for this evening because of the basket- ball game on Friday 16, Uncidentally, this was to be our regular inonthly meeting). At 6:30 Mon and I entered the rneet- Perhaps you’ve already seen a spring bonnet in the bus, even gazed with wide-eyed expression when bits of grass sprouted from the half-frozen earth. Golly! that’s a positive sign of spring. While you girls are busy selecting your Easter styles, color combinations and the such, nature, too, is busily plan- ning her color schemes for her spring and yearly ensemble. What colors have you in mind? Nature’s will be green; be it light, medium or dark. Perhaps earlier than we expect, every- thing will be painted green, and over- night the trees wiU bloom to a sight of elegance. Prom blossomed tree tops our feathered flocks will fill our ears and hearts with mušic and gladness. Just a little bit later on, summer will come rushing in, bringing with her every color in the rainbow; every de- sign and shape in petals, leaves, flowers and grasses and many delightful odors. No sooner does summer go rushing out than autumn comes to take its course. Now come lovely autumn colors, bumt by the summer's scorching sun. Slowly, slowly, the year's crop dies away, leav- ing behind her nude trees, bushes and plants amid the cold. Comes winter vvith her clear blue skies and glimmering stars. The earth is old, dead but yet is covered with a vvhite mass of beauty. Unusual art is applied to windows by Jack Prost. There come four seasons in each year, one which is the bursting of real, clean life. Dont you think Spring ranks first for her beauty ,new life and hope she brings? Julie Kramzer Challenger Juniors A FRIENDLY KNITTING CIRCLE By Dorothg Helay EASTER Girls! Boys! Vrtec No. 10. We’re to have an “Easter Par- ty” March 21. We wish ali of you will attend. Of course you know that “Bunny Rabbit” is for Easter as “Santa” is for Christmas. Light refreshments will be served. Games that you ali like will be played. Attend the Easter Party at 6:30 p.m. in the ŠNPJ hali. Knitting is coming along fine, and ali the stitches are in line. The talk as fast as they knit, and they never want to quit. They ali get a set of needles free, and then they ali leam to knit with glee. A tx-eat is given at the end, and then homevvard they are sent. We get together once a week, and now so long, until we meet. ‘POEM OF INFORMATION” g®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®^ QU E ST ION BOX ANSWERS 1. Week of May 19,1940, in Cleveland, O. 2. Members of Parent Lodge in December. 3. Pennsylvania first, Ohio second. 4. Not before age 16 years. 5. Upon attainment of 18th birthday. 6. Vrtec No. 5 (Spartan Jrs.), Cleveland, O. 7. 15 years, 6 months (15 M* yrs.). 8. Not if one is of the white race. 9. On or before the last day of the rnonth. 10. Mirko G. Kuhel. ■iS®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®*- Prances Vrhovnik our administratrix, Can show ali you girls many knitting tricks, Zelma Burchik a very good member, Has a birthday 25th of December. Harvey Davis, sargeant-at-arms, Causes pretty girls false alarms. Johanna Vrhovnik a verv good knit- ter, Isn't always an easy quitter. Betty Jane, our prominent secretary, Makes ali the boys she meets feel free. Our president Sam Zompan, With him you have fun. Mary Jane doesn’t čare for boys, And neither does she čare for noise. Frank Prazzalore known as “Pop- sicle,” My, how he makes the girls giggle. INFORMATION PLEASE I Why doesn't Bobby and Billy Davis come to the meetings anymore? Is it that they have a date that night?... Mary Jane doesn't čare for boys—eh? Well, we’ll show her... Did you know that Irene Ellis is knitting a jitterbug hat? Well, she is... Was Margaret Slabe late for school because she was out late the night before?... Who is the little boy who sits in back of Eleanor Be- Mihvaukee, Wis. — I don’t like to write this, but I think there is a lack of cooperation and enthusiasm at the meeting. There should be at least an increase of attendance from the boys, since they have started arrangements for a baseball team. If there were more girls at the meeting we could plan something interesting and en- joyable for us to do too. I think that most of ali the officers should be on time. If something happens and you cannot attend the meeting send vvord to somebody, or teli the administratrix that you can’t come so that she may have a substitute to take your plače at the meeting. The members that are pres- ent become discouraged when they have to wait. Don’t forget to attend the meetings, which are held every second Saturday of the month. ' * * MARCH THAW , Boys play baseball; girls play jacks, Father pays his income tax, Mother plows the window box, Moths make eyes at skating socks, ' i j Flower pushcarts reappear... Raise the flag! Spring’s almost here! Renton, Pa. — The meeting« of our Vrtec have been very ir- regular since we have had sc little active interest among oui members. I think that with r bit of cooperation we might possibly progress toward more important affairs than we have thus far. Show us some of that good Slovene špirit by attend- ing our meetings. We need new ideas and I’m sure we \vould think up something if we ali got together. — GOSSIP Here’s hoping that we. have niče sunshiny weather for the Easter Parade which we are ali looking forward to. Marie Ermence, Vrtec 33 EASTER MOM’S AND SIS’S BONNET Yesterday after school my chum and I, not knowing what to do decided to get a Street car or bus pass and go on a sight-seeing trip. After tiring of rid- ing from one end of the city to the other we thought we would stroll down the avenue and see the bright lights. On the opposite side of the Street vre savv a window display which looked like a pet and flower store. So we crossed the Street. Well, when we got there, lo and behold, it was an exclusive mil- linery shoppe. fin other words, ladies’ hats.) Ha! Ha! Even as I write this I can’t control my laughter. There was dad's old slouch hat with a ribbon. down the back. Also his crush- ed-in top hat \vith a bird perched on the end. I guess it had a nest in the hollow of the hat for he iooked very defiant. It resbmbled a woodpeeker. There was also a small bunch of flovrers with a narrow band of ribbon around the chin marked $35.00. I couldn’t be- lieve my eyes so I asked the boy with me what was the priče. He said, “It says $35.00, but they must have made a mistake. I guess they mean 35 cents.” I said, “Yes, that’s why I asked you; I thought I wasn't seeing right.” The passers-by looked at us standing there giggling. Up comes an elderly gentla- man and asks us what was so funny. We told him about the mistake on the priče tag, $35.60 instead of 35e. He in- forrned us that the priče was correct; that it must be an original imported model. My chum and I couldn't figure out where it could have been sent from with so much postage and were stili skeptical about the priče. What women won’t wear just to be in style! Edward Ermence, tone?... Who was Helen Pinchak’s “first date.” Was it Jimmy?... Betty Jane is our “square dancer-jitterbugger"... Mar¬ garet Hickerson came back from Ten¬ nessee... I think “homesickness” drove her home... — Va. Bogaty is our new president— this might be of some interest to those who don’t attend our meetings. — I don’t see much of Emma Kern anymore — where are you keeping you.r- self? — 1 Where has Ray been the last few meetings — important date—maybe? —We're stili waiting for Lud and Al- to. show up at our meetings. Come on boys—don’t be bashful. —What have we been hearing about Vr. Bogaty and a certain Frank H. from Clum Hi. — Here’s hoping Bro. Likar is feeling better. That’s about ali for this time—why haven’t vre heard from Va.—You're not that busy are you? Don’t forget our next meeting. Amelia Starman, Rec. šec'y Vrtec 109 PRAYER FOR SINNERS Dear God, this evil world Has forgotten Thee, And has turned to other views Irreligousness to see. It used to be that they believed In Thee in old time, But now they sltght our faith In ali that is Thine. They go to church and pray But the špirit is not true, And those who righteous be In number, they are few. They break Thy commandments Tho they try to be concealed, And of the world knows not Their souls with sin are sealed. O, creatures how can they be Such fools without belief, Do they not know that faith in Thee Will bring them sweet relief. And whilst thev struggle onwarcl(y Thru sin and fear and hate, They do not see comfort in Thee Until it is too late. They believe, yes, they believe That selfishness and wrath Will bring them ali their needs Throughout life’s weary path. They live a life of arrogant sin, In Thee, they disbelieve, To satisfy their hungry hearts, They scheme and they deceive. Some grow rich and are admired And others tum-to crime. They hate and spite but for Thee, Lord, Poor creatures have no time. O, Lord not ali of human beings Are so wicked as are some, Some believe and have faith In the blessed Kingdom Come O, humble sinner are vre, Lord, Forgive our sins we pray, Teach us the glory of Thy love And lead us on our way. Amelia Starman Vrtec 109 Bye~and-bye has no end. — St. Augustine ®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®0€Xi<3 NOTICE — Turn to page three of regular issue for Roster of Vrtec Officers. e®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®®«®*'' _ JJ _