S 3.99 U.S./S 8.99 International
Volume 81 Issue 4 July/August, 2009
The Dawn
Zarj 2L - The Dawn
EDITOR: Debbie Pohar DIRECTOR OF DESIGN: Bonnie Pohar Prokup CONSULTING EDITOR: Corinne Leskovar
EDITORIAL OFFICE: 1696 Illinois St.. LaSalle, IL 61301 TELEPHONE: 815.223.9596 FAX: 815.224.1074
WEB SITE: www.swua.org
PUBLISHER: Slovenian Women's L nion of America TELEPHONE: 815.727.1926
Vol. 81. No 4. July August 2009 Published bimonthly Periodicals Postage paid at Joliet. IL and additional mailing offices.
(ISSN 0044-1848)
Postmaster: Send all changes of address to: SLOVENIAN WOMEN'S UNION OF AMERICA 431 N. Chicago St., Joliet. IL 60432
Communications for the next issue of publication:
Do you have something SWUA-related you would like to share with readers, like an event you want to let people know about or an idea for an article? We would lo\ e to hear from you! Please e-mail the editor at pohar4 i< aol.com. We resen e the right to edit any article submitted. It is preferable that you submit your idea for discussion prior to writing an article. Articles must be related to SWUA events or members. The deadline for articles is the 15 day of the month, 2 months preceding the issue. For example, articles for the September October issue must be received by July 15"'. Thank you.
IT’S IN EVERY SLOVENIAN
1	From the Editor
2	National President’s Message
4	SWUA Scholarship Program 2009 Winners
8	National Secretary Notes
HERITAGE NEWS	
9	Beehive Front Panels
10	Beekeeping is a Great Hobby by Corinne Leskovar
12	Men in a SWUA World
13	SWUA Beehive Contest
14	Hiking on the Velinka Planina by Mary Lou Deyak Voelk
18	Quest for Family Genealogy by Maryjo “MJ” Villone Bush
20	Branch Reports
30	Calendar of Events
31	Festival of Nations Twin Cities, Branch 109
34	Membership Application
CULINARY
35	Pohanje (Flanciti) by Mary Frances Mohr, Branch 5
36	Jenka’s Taste of Slovenia
Marianne Wolf-Astraukas has been named president of the Illinois Women’s Press Association (IWPA). During its annual Mate E. Palmer Communications Awards luncheon Ms. Wolf-Astrauskas also received several awards for her writing.
A member of the Slovenian Women’s Union of America, Branch 20, Wolf-Astrauskas is the author of Joliet, in the Images of America Series published by Arcadia Publishing; The Joliet Rivals Club, a centennial celebration 1907-2007 a historical rendering of the club’s history; and numerous short stories published in the anthologies by Outrider Press.
Bee wagon used to move the beehives from place to
From the Editor
T
he good old summertime, it is here! It seems like my Spring just flew by with preparing and planting all of my gardens earlier than usual and soon leaving them to the forces of nature while I joined the Secrets of Slovenia tour celebrating Zarja’s 80th Anniversary. While I have to admit I was a little nervous at first leaving all of my hard work, not knowing if it would be cared for properly, but as soon as I arrived in Slovenia again, my worries were gone.
We enjoyed 10 beautiful days of discovering the secrets of Slovenia. We had a great group of 31 Slovenians, married to Slovenians or adopted Slovenians. Of course we ate and drank way too much, but we also took things a little slower than usual and enjoyed the wonderful scenery and warm hospitality that Slovenia offered to us. There were many tears of joy, as members were meeting their families for the first time. This was truly a remarkable trip in so many ways.
Following our theme for this issue, 1 have encountered many beehive front panel boards while traveling through Slovenia. I am always intrigued by them and always try to decipher the meaning behind them. I hope you try to create one of your own and enter our contest. See page 13 for details.
Looking for a “bit” of Slovenian heritage, culture, information and great stories, before the arrival of the next issue of our bi-monthly magazine, Zarja the Dawnl
By subscribing to our monthly Online Newsletter, The New Neighborhood, you can have that “bit” of Slovenia pick-up each month!! Thank you! I look forward to sending you the Newsletter!
Jan King, SWUA Online Editor
To begin receiving the Newsletter, send an email to: listoperator@swua.org
Summer is by far my busiest season. Besides juggling work everyday, I also have to maintain my gardens (which by the way survived me being gone without a glitch) and of course I have to hit the local little league scene where a niece or nephew is playing ball every night. But it seems when the heat of summer arrives; a different revival type of energy kicks in. Everywhere people seem so alive and as busy as ever, yet they appear happy, casual and carefree.
Finding a balance between the rigors and the simple joys of the day can be a challenge. But it is time for all of us to relax, enjoy the moment and make even the simplest of experiences special. Just like the old saying: Take time to stop and smell the roses.
No matter what your plans are for the summer, the best memories and moments usually are those that are unscheduled with family and friends. Invite them over for an impromptu Sunday afternoon picnic and see what,_ happens. I hope you take time and enjoy every single warm day.
-	Debbie PoHe(f,\.
Kuhel/Kuhelj Family Reunion
August 2009
Are you a descendant of the Kuhel brothers who immigrated from Kostanjevica na Krki in southeastern Slovenia in the early 1900’s?
The brothers lived on the east side of Chicago near the Slovenian church St. George.
The three brothers: Johann (John) Kuhelj, 1879-1936 (wife: Mary Skal, 1880-1959); Franz (Frank) Kuhelj, 1883-1931 (wife: Mary T. Kosic, 1885-1956) and Josef (Joe) Kuhelj, 1886-1946 (wife Frances/Fany Smole, 1883-1974). The three sisters who stayed in Slovenia: Amalia, Josephine and Leopoldina, 1871-1936 (1/2 sister).
Please call, 847.433.4567 or e-mail rjkuhel@sbcglobal.net (Kuhel family researcher) for more reunion details.
National President’s Message
Greetings! After a year of planning the Secrets of Slovenia Tour celebrating 80 years of Zarja, it is hard to believe the trip is over, we are all home safe and sound and have memories of a lifetime.
We had a total of 31 members from Illinois, Texas, Ohio, Wisconsin, Florida and Minnesota. We had quite a few sibling groups, a father and son, a fiftieth wedding anniversary couple, a few birthdays and non-stop reasons to celebrate. And celebrate we did! Each day was a new surprise for our group whether it was a special present, a hidden secret or beauty you never imagined possible, I would say we experienced it! You will read more about the success of our tour in the coming issues of Zarja.
One special present on our first evening was beautiful beehive panels for each person on the tour. They were hand painted by a local artist using 100 year old wood. 1
have several in my collection but this is my favorite and it will always remind me of a wonderful time I had in Slovenia celebrating 80 years of Zarja The Dawn.
In September we will have Peter Svetina visiting the United States. He wrote the latest book in the Forget Me Not Series of books written for children of all ages in Slovenian and English. Be sure to read more about his visit in the next issue of Zarja.
I hope you enjoy this issue of Zarja and will someday own your own beehive panel if you don’t already have one. Zivijo!
Bonnie Pohar Prokup National President, Zveza wprokup@aol.com
Welcome to Our New Members!
13, Carolyn Curtis
14, Jean Roberston 20, Kathy Hulina
20, Emma Schwandner 30, Kelly Trudeau 39, Kristin Ribich 43, Zenobia Ann Dybul 89, Jennifer Entrican 89, Julie Harback 89, Barbara Jean Roesch 93, Trudy Link 93, Marian Malenšek 99, Pauline Scharres
99, Sarah Weber
100, Nadine Braidic
108, Susan Tamse Betsinger 108, Jeanne Tamse Brown 108, Janet Glasz 108, Brian Gruber 108, Julie Simmons Hagan 108, Kelly Anne Hagan 108, Margaret Korošec
Zarja The Dawn Donations
Donation $100
Stratton, Anne, 108, + My mother Louise Tamse Hagan
Donation $75
Friesenhahn, Barbara, 5, Zaija
Donation $50
Petrich, Rosemary, 16, 53rd Anniversary George and Rosemary Petrich
Yuratovac, Annette, 47, Honor Katherine Yuratovac
Teitelbaum, Mary Ann, 40, + Mary Fercic
Ryczek, Karen, 30, + Marie Prince Kovalik
Donation $40
Pelander, Lois, 33, Zarja
Donation $30
Ksiazek, Anna, 16, Zarja
Germovsek, Rose, 71, + Josephine Germovsek and Josephine Cargnoni
Wanthal, Mary, 20, + Fr. David J. Stalzer and Margaret Stalzer
Hoag, Laverne, 38, Zarja
Donation $25
Turnbull, Jean, 100, + Frank and Clarissa Costell Kosi, Barbara, 2, + Mary Pacholski Peterlin, Victoria, 25, + mother, Frances Peterlin Palmer, Roberta, 2, + Josephine Zabel Palmer Gornick, Rosemary, 100, + Mary Gomick
Coppinger-Griffin, Patricia, 13,+ mom, Mary Coppinger and grandmother, Mary Plutt
Donation $20
Hendricks, Marilyn, 1, + Jean
Steffes and Maryann Jeldvnik Appelbaum, Margaret, 1, + Margaret G. Fischer Scholp, Elizabeth, 20, + Rose M.
Pasdertz Faas, Dolores, 30, Zarja Cummings, Dorothy Govednik, 13, Zarja
Kaye, Katherina, 43, + mother, Mici Coffelt Behrman, Helene, 16, Zarja Litwin, Rosemary, 2, + mother, Antonia Densa
Brown, Agnes, 5, + Agnes Androjna Steensland, Janet, 20, + Fr. David Stalzer and Margaret Stalzer Bokar, Catherine, 20, Zarja Quillio, Merianne, 23, + Michael and Marie Mertel Grabowski, Josephine, 24, + Josephine Brekan Pohar Pohar, Frank, 24 Zarja +aunt, Jenny Pohar
Pohar, John, 24 Zarja +aunt, Jenny Pohar
Wheeler, Kathleen, 35, + Bob
Wheeler from Kathleen, James and David Tanita, Cynthia, 100, Zarja Jermene, Murielann, 85, + Dec’d members of Anton and Mary Jermene Family Musich, Mary Frances, 39, Zarja
Donation $15
McNally, Donna, 2, + Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ribich
Donation $10
Pieman, Justine, 50, mother, Mary Grcar
Spagnolo, Marcia, 81, + Jacob Adam Springer, Martha Svete, 103, + Jane Svete, Mary Barle and Frances Svete
Duh, Rosemarie, 25, + Mrs. Justina Duh
Zidan, Heidi, 25, + great
grandmother, Francis Glavic Peterlin Zidan, Hope, 25, + great
grandmother, Frances Glavic Peterlin
Hlavaty, Mary Ann, 25, + mother, Mary Zupančič Rakovec Rademacher, Sue, 109, Zarja Roland, Virginia, 103, +Andy and Christine Susman
Keller, Kristine, 26, + Frances Kuchna Cedilnik, Marjeta, 108, Zarja Ashley, Cheryl, 30, + Julia Cesnik Morison, Frances, 2, Zarja Morison, Terrance, 2, Zarja Janezic, Josephine, 43, Zarja Federko, Jennie, 108, Zarja Phelps, Janet, 102, + Josephine Bayuk Gorup, Teresa, 42, Zarja Price, Judith, 12, Zarja Brozina, Dorothy, 10, Zarja Vlasic, Maria, 99, + Mary Pecharich Grayson, Angeline, 40, + sister, Agnes Drstvensek Zalokar, Barbara, 30, Honor Mary Zalokar
Altieri, Shirley, 100, + Antonia Zehel Meno
Klun, Marie, 23, + Rose Kozar Zakosek, Jerry, 20, Zarja Simenz, Susan Marie, 1, Zarja Buol, Genevieve, 2, + mother, Jennie Puhek
Buol, Katherine, 2, + grandmother, Jennie Puhek Riordan, Kathleen, 39, +Annie Purkat
Donation $5
Kastelic, Louis, 42, Zarja Dragovan, Lucille, 20, Honor sister, Mary Piunti Hagan, Julie Simmons, 108, Zarja Mateyko, Louise, 57, Zarja Bongiomi, Margaret, 30, Zarja Hakala, Patricia, 39, + Frances Anzelc Goebel, Gloria, 20, Zarja Grahek, Karl, 109, Zarja Dzamonja, Nevena, 43, Zarja Tomac, Amanda, 20, Zarja Tomac, Darla, 20, Zarja Gaines, Kelly Ann, 42, Honor Josie Gruden-best Grandma!
Rutkowski, Bemadine, 20, Zaija Tanita, Alexis, 100, Zarja McNally, Taylor, 2, + Mr. and Mrs.
Frank Ribich Kolosov, Helene, 99, + My mother Schultz, Frances, 20, Zarja Holmes, Beatrice, 20, Zarja
Donation $2
Miklavčič, Mary, 68, + Frank Miklavčič
Scholarship Donations
Donation $10
SWUA Branch 12 +Estelle Kobow
Donation $20
Lois Pelander Anna Ksiazek
Donation $25
Julia Rechlitz
Donation $30
Josephine Lea
Donation $80
In memory of Branch 20’s members who passed away during 2008: William Marsh, Bea Krause, Olga Ancel, Barbara Kociuba, Betty Chinderle, Josephine Goron, Angela Holuyac, Angel Chytracek, Evelyn Mauro, Richard Korst, Mary Tomasic, Mary Marolt, Kathleen Ursetti, Bertha Hofer, Josephine Tezak, Barbara Patochnic
Heritage Donations Donation $10
Branch 43, Milwaukee, +Mary Evans
Thank you for your generous support of SWUA. During this tough economic time worldwide, it shows how important our heritage is to all of us. Your donations are truly appreciated.
Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations.
 	“Keeping	the	Spirit	Alive”
SWUA Scholarship Program
Recipients of 2009 SWUA Scholarships
The Slovenian Women s Union Scholarship Foundation Program is pleased to announce the recipients of 2009 SWUA Scholarships.
VERONIKA STARE - Branch 103, daughter of Gojko and Angela Stare, Potomac, Maryland was awarded the 2009 Rose Marie Princ Scholarship of $2,000.00. Veronika will graduate from Oakcrest High school and plans to enter William and Mary College, to major in cognitive and neuroscience during fall 2009. Veronika, the daughter of Slovenian immigrants, knows her culture well and has been an active participant of Slovenian Embassy, Washington D.C. events, since a child. She has been chosen as a member of the National Honor Society, National Math Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, received an AP Chemistry Award and is also an accomplished pianist. Veronika has held offices in the Oakcrest High School’s student council and managed the Team America Rocketry Competition.
Bernadette Hanssen, Teacher and Faculty Advisor, Oakcrest School writes. “ Veronika is never satisfied to do the minimum. She is intellectually inquisitive, academically demanding, and personally well disciplined, while maintaining a veiy serene and cheerful manner. She is able to notice and attend to the personal needs and concerns of many of herfellow students. ”
VERONIKA STARE
JOHN KONCAR - Branch 20, son of Raymond and Annette Koncar, Joliet, Illinois is graduating from Joliet Catholic Academy and will enter the University of Illinois, majoring in accounting during fall 2009. John is the recipient of the 2009 Joseph Princ Scholarship of $2,000.00. John has received honors and awards from the Math Honors Society, National Honor Society, Latin National Honor Society, and Illinois State Scholar Award.
Community service activities include tutoring students, coach of youth flag football, Eucharistic minister, Join Hands Day Service Project, and Kairos Retreat Leader. John spends summers as a maintenance assistant and head lifeguard, giving swim lessons to children.
Harry Dans, Latin Teacher, Joliet Catholic Academy writes: “John is studious, responsible, plans well and shows appropriate respect for students and staff. Will John have an impact on society? With family traditions and his own personal character, he will have a profound impact on both the individuals he encounters and the societal groups he serves, and, in many cases, leads."
JOHN KONCAR
RACHEL VORA - Branch 23, is the daughter of Robin and Irene Vora, Ely, Minnesota and is currently attending Central Oregon Community College as a sophomore. She is majoring in general social science, with plans to become an occupational therapist. Rachel has received the 2009 France Barman Scholarship of $ 2,000.00.
Matt Canham, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Central Oregon Community College writes: “ Rachel has been consistently by far, one of the top performers, demonstrated excellent communication skills, and maintained a grade point average of 4.0 over the course of her attendance at Central Oregon Community College and the University of Oregon. Rachel has passionately contributed service to her community through her volunteer work at the Alzheimer’s Care Center, giving swimming lesson to children, and teaching people with disabilities how to ride horses. ”
RACHEL VORA
FRANCIS KONCAR - Branch 20, son of Raymond and Annette Koncar, Joliet, Illinois will be a senior attending Lewis University in fall 2009. He is majoring in mathematics education. Francis has received the 2009 SWUA Scholarship of $2,000.00. Not only has Francis been a member of the Colligate Math Honors Society (KME) from 2007 to present, on the Dean’s List during the past three years, but in Francis’s planned field of Mathematics Education, he realizes he will have the opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of countless students whom he will begin to teach soon. Francis is a Eucharistic minister and also volunteers to help with Branch 20 projects.
FRANCIS KONCAR
David C. Bernhard, Sr, Mathematics Teacher, Lewis University writes: “Frank (Francis) is a diligent worker who produces quality work, always striving to be the best he can be for the profession he will be entering in the nearfuture. Even beyond his conscientiousness and work ethic, Frank is a quality individual with high character. He always approaches every aspect of class or relationships with a positive demeanor. He is well respected by his peers, who gravitate to him for support and guidance. ”
STUDENTS graduating from high school or college all over the world, please accept our best wishes for your success as you strive to pursue your goals and make a difference in our world.___________________________
DANIELLE DOVNIK - Branch 43, daughter of Karl Dovnik, Jr., Waukesha, Wisconsin will be entering her junior year at the University of Wisconsin - Waukesha in fall 2009. She is majoring in rural sociology, planning to be a park ranger. Danielle has been awarded a 2009 SWUA Scholarship of $ 1,000.00. Danielle has spent much of her free time in recent years, working on environmental concerns and the well being of younger generations, hoping to make the world a better place. She has been both a member and leader of the Girl Scouts since elementary school, and in May 2008 made her second trip to New Orleans to build homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Danielle helps Branch 43 with projects when called upon.
Damon Schneider, English Teacher, University of Wisconsin-Waukesha writes: “English 102 is designed to teach student argumentation skills as well as to develop critical thinking and reading skills. Danielle excelled on all assignments including two dialogue papers, one on whether or not guns in America should be banned and another paper - an analysis on whether or not Wal-Mart is tied into the emerging global economy. Overall, I would place Danielle in the top two or three students I have taught to date, in fact, I have recommended her to the UW Waukesha s Writing center to be a student tutor. ”
KATHERINE ANCEL - Branch 20, daughter of Pam and Andy Ancel, Brownsburg, Indiana will be graduating from Brownsville High School and entering Eastern Illinois University, with an undeclared major in fall 2009. Katherine has been awarded a 2009 SWUA Scholarship of $1,000.00. Katie has been a member of the Key Club (a community service club), was chosen captain of the girl’s swim team and organized the Relay for Life Fund raiser. She participated in Passion Plays that took place on Good Fridays all four years of high school and presented a show “What it Means to be a Slovenian”, giving a talk, serving potica and teaching polka dancing to her class; informing them of the importance of her heritage that her parents and grandparents instilled in her.
Heather Chandler, Spanish Teacher, Brownsburg High School writes: “Katie is organized, thorough, and thoughtful in her work. With her dedication and her manner of handling everything with genuine concern and focus, I cannot imagine a situation in which she would not come out shining. ”
SWUA Scholarship Program Celebrating 60 Years of Financially Assisting Students
KATHERINE ANCEL
DANIELLE DOVNIK
MARIAAHYUNG GIRMAN - Branch 20, daughter of Scott and Carita Girman, Indianapolis, Indiana will graduate from Cardinal Ritter High School and plans to enter DePaul University, Chicago in the fall, majoring in pre law and communications. Maria has been awarded a 2009 SWUA Scholarship of $ 1,000.00. In leadership roles, Maria has served as a student ambassador, Eucharistic minister, Big Sis/Little Sis mentor, a Promise to Keep speaker, and a Pro-life participant, coeditor of the Cardinal High School’s yearbook, secretary of Service Learning Club, public relations manager of both the Hands of Mercy and Helping Hands Clubs, representative of the Service Learning Student Leaders, and president of the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) She has tutored the underprivileged, worked on canned food drives and blanket drives for homeless shelters, and baby sat for parents taking English as a second language course. Ever since Marie heard the words of Pope Paul VI, “If you want peace, work for justice”, she has been inspired to choose her career goal of helping those without a voice, to have justice. She believes that her calling is ambitious and may seem unrealistic, but believes that her calling is to assist everyone who wants to make a difference in the world. Marie intends to work for a non-profit organization or non-profit law firm defending the rights of others.
Anthony J. Basso, Theology Department, Cardinal Ritter High School writes:” Maria was one of thefirst students selected to enroll in an honors level course in theology and her performance in that class was first rate. She is a disciplined, organized student who works diligently on projects. She brings a keen insight to class discussion, coupled with an ability to clearly and succinctly articulate her thoughts. Marie has served as the Cardinal Ritter Student Ambassador, representing the school to the larger community precisely because she embodies the virtues and ideals that Cardinal Ritter High School values. ”
The Slovenian Women’s Union Scholarship Committee is sincerely thanked for their work in evaluating this year’s applications. This is not an easy task, but makes the SWUA Scholarship Foundation Program the success it has been for the past 60 years.
Friends of SWUA Scholarship Program: We are grateful for your financial contributions, which make education possible for deserving students. Thank you for any further contributions, be they $1.00 or $100.00, to help SWUA provide educational opportunities to our young student members.
Donations and correspondence can be mailed to: Mary Turvey, Director SWUA Scholarship Foundation 4 Lawrence Drive Marquette, Michigan 49855 mturvey@aol.com
On the 25"' Anniversary Celebration of the Slovenian Women’s Union, Marie Bombach Dye, SWUA Scholarship recipient of 1949 wrote the following poem in tribute to the SWUA Scholarship Committee:
“ I would have never seen this campus,
The tower, the grass, the lovely flowers;
I would have never known such friends Nor sent so many happy hours;
I would not have drunk of Pierian s spring
Nor breathed knowledge s sweet perfume, My greatest dream would not have lived,
In college halls for me there’d be no room. Had you not given me a helping hand,
Had you not made my dreams come true, May God, for all your kindness,
Shower His blessing on you. ”
For more information on the SWUA Scholarship Foundation Program
please visit http://www.swua.org “scholarship”
MARIAAHYUNG GIRMAN
National Secretary Notes
Update on the Recently Renovated Rooms Above the Museum
I am lucky enough to be of Slovenian heritage and that in and of itself is enough to make me proud of who I am and where I come from, but put me in a room full of other Slovenians and I am just amazed by the amount of hard work, creativity, talent, joy and genuine care and concern that soon begins to fill that room. I have been so privileged over the last two years to have had the chance to meet and serve with such a talented and dedicated national board. In that time I have seen great strides at reaching several of the numerous goals that have been set out for this board and throughout this tenure I have seen my fellow Slovenians donate countless dollars, hours and goodwill to see our work through. We recently held our annual board meeting and four of our board members were lucky enough to stay in the renovated rooms above the museum. That space has just recently been made available for board meetings, special interest groups and annual audits. In addition, the space now allows traveling board members and guests to stay overnight, saving hundreds, actually thousands, of dollars of hotel and meeting room expenses. It is truly a remarkable addition to the limited work space that we previously had and is a huge accomplishment made possible by the hard work and efforts of your national board members and several regional and local branch members (and a couple of husbands and teenagers). As someone who put in a couple of stints working at the building in Joliet, I can tell you that it was pretty grueling at times. But I never minded the work or the time because I knew that I would not only have someone working harder than me by my side, I would also have a great time while I was doing it. As you know from our National President’s previous letters, there was always plenty of music and singing, a few outbreaks of dance and great food to sustain us and keep us working well into the night. The end results are something that would make our grandparents proud. We have a lovely historic upstairs apartment- now fully furnished, beautifully decorated and ready to be of Slovenian service.
What is even more amazing than the fact that the upstairs remodel is close to completion (we have just a couple more jobs we want to finish up) is the fact that for the board meeting this spring we had four women, not just staying together in one place, but sharing ONE BATHROOM! Now that is the true measure of a woman: her ability to share a bathroom with other women. Having had experience with that on our recent trip to Slovenia, three of us already knew our places (I’m third in line.... behind the queen and a vice princess) so it was only a matter of
getting our fourth board member (who shall be nameless but whose title rhymes with nice cinpress of merritage) on board -so to speak. You would think that this would be one of those tasks that might require some negotiation, a few trial drills, more negotiation and then a signed contract with binding consequences for any failures to comply. But in fact, it all went very smoothly. I think that’s because we are not just any women, we are Slovenian women. (I’ll spare you the “hear us roar” part, but really, who else could manage this and not come out pulling hair- and I don’t mean one’s own.)
You know we each had the option and could have stayed at a swanky hotel with our own bathrooms, real beds, professional entertainment and bell hops. Instead, besides having to share four to a bathroom, princess number two had to sleep on a blow up bed, we all had to carry our own suitcases up two tiers of stairs and we made our own entertainment. We not only saved a boat load of money, we got more work done, we came to know and care about one anther on a deeper level and we had fun doing it. I think the ones that had to stay in hotels (since there was no more room in the inn) actually felt liked they missed out on something special. (Don’t tell them, but they did.)
So why am I telling you all of this? Because it’s important for you to know that despite different agendas, (even bathroom agendas) having come from different parts of the county, different branches, with different interests and different concerns, your board has the ability to work hard - to come together and work for you and the best interests of the SWUA. It’s also important that you know that the board is absolutely fiscally responsible in response to these extremely difficult financial times. Know that they never shy away from hard work, are willing to roll up their sleeves when it’s needed and that they believe this service is for, and on behalf of you, our members. And when times are tough and opinions differ, they are willing to come together and treat each other with respect and courtesy. They are willing to listen to the views of their fellow Slovenians and make decisions that will ultimately benefit you, our current members while honoring the legacy left by our ancestors and our past members and preserving our beloved SWUA for our future members. I am so honored and excited to be a member of this group of intelligent, hardworking and caring Slovenians. And, I’m just lucky that my turn in the bathroom is 3rd, not 4lh!
-	Karen Taylor
Beehive Front Panels (panjske končnice)
Slovenia’s Popular and Unique Form of Folk art
Beekeeping in Slovenia has contributed to one of the country’s most popular and unique forms of folk art with the creation of painted beehive front panels, panjske končnice. Originally bees were kept in hollow logs or in woven baskets but the entire hive was damaged when the honeycomb was removed. By the eighteenth century, the kranjic hive was developed; the wooden bee-house (čebelnjak) incorporated removable boxes that resembled a chest of drawers, thus creating individual hives. The kranjic hives have front panels (panjske končnice) above the entrance of the beehive that soon became the canvas of many professional as well as amateur painters.
Dating as far back as the mid-eighteenth century, these wooden front panels were painted first in monasteries and originally depicted religious scenes. Soon folk artists, inspired by the smooth wooden boards on the fronts of beehives started to paint scenes to depict humorous or satirical scenes from Slovenian folklore. The panels were painted with natural pigment and linseed oil to ensure their longevity. The beekeepers would acquire the painted bee panels either by purchasing them at fairs or from peddlers and traveling painters who went from house to house offering their services and goods.
These paintings, with bright colors of figures and usually paler backgrounds, made up picturesque images on the front panels of beehives that could easily be noticed from a distance. But many aspects of the history of beehive front panels remain unclear still today. It is not known exactly where and when they originated, nor is it clear the reason for their emergence. The oldest known beehive front panel is dated 1758 and depicts the Madonna with Child. Among the religious subjects depicted on the panels are: events from the Old and New Testaments (creation of the world, the garden of Eden, Joseph, Job, John the Baptist, Mary, Jesus Christ) images of the saints, especially patron saints; amongst them St. Florijan, St. Anthony, St. Barbara, St. Agnes, St. Hubert and St. Lucy.
They blossomed during the Baroque art period and continue today mainly as a folk art. The subject matter was inspired by everyday life, folktales, festivities and historical events. The subjects included the depiction of animal and hunting motifs, various professions and aspects of society. The scenes covered a gamut of content and were expressed also with humor, caricature, satirical comment and social criticism. There is the devil grinding a woman’s tongue, a world “turned up side down”; of a huntsman’s funeral
where the animals are the pall-bearers (the social meaning is the reversal of the master slave relationship).
Today it is generally believed that beehive front panels were decorated so that the bees would recognize their beehive and that the beekeeper could more easily distinguish between the individual beehives in the apiary.
The largest exhibit of beehive panels is located at the Museum of Apiculture at Linhartov trg 1, Thurn Manor in Radovljica, Slovenia.
Painting by Maksim Gaspari depicting the traveling painter
Beekeeping is a Great Hobby!
by Corinne Leskovar
What I know about beekeeping you could put in the eye of a needle. But, even so, I love bees and respect them, their diligence, their “smarts”! Did you know that bees have their own language and can tell other bees where to find food? I’m talking about honeybees, of course, the kind that produce delicious golden honey that we all enjoy eating plain or added to the filling of a Slovenian potica.
My husband kept bees, about ten hives, at the summer farm we had in Wisconsin. In early spring he would cook sweet syrup and give it to the bees, their first sustenance after the long winter hibernation.
When the grass was covered	with
dandelions in April he was so happy - the bees would have food.
Honey that is produced by bees depends on the blossoms from flowers and/or trees they feed on in the summer.
Darkest is from flowering buckwheat and lightest is from wildflowers. We planted a field of buckwheat on our farm for this very purpose.
Probably the only time the average person thinks about bees is when they swarm and scare everyone with their
loud droning. We had two experiences with swarms: once at the farm in Wisconsin, and the second time in Chicago when some friends hysterically called for help because a swarm had invaded their suburban garden. Both times the Leskovars came to the rescue. At the farm it was easy because my husband, Lud just lured the queen bee into a box and the rest of the bees followed her in. He was happy
he now had new colony. The second time, my son came to the rescue; he lured the queen bee into a big box, jumped in his truck, and drove for 8 hours from Chicago straight to the farm, where they joined our little bee farm. He said they were happy - he could tell.
Both of my men were avid apiculturists (and my son still is!). Even in Chicago, living in a tight city neighborhood, my husband kept two hives on our roof. I worried that the neighbors would not like it, even that they would protest. But they didn’t, they said they loved watching the bee activity. Honey gathering is also a part of my son’s adult life. He has six active hives at his home in Vermont and neighbors clamor for the honey from his bees. He is teaching one of his sons how to keep bees, not because they need the honey but to teach him the patience, caring and respect that comes with the job. (The good quality of my son’s honey earned him a citation from the Slovenian Honeybee Association in Bela Krajina a few years ago.)
Slovenians have been very successful beekeepers for centuries and one of the first to write about it in the Slovenian language was J.V. Valvazor (1641-1693) in his famous Slava Vojvodine Kranjske. In 1857, the beekeeping world found that a newly discovered queen bee called, “krainische” in the Dolenjsko region of Slovenia produced strong, healthy colonies. Since then,
An older style of bee house in Slovenia
A typical old čebelnjak (bee house) in Slovenia, one of many that graces the landscape
WWZm
Modern day bee house in Slovenia with wild flowers blooming in front
because they are so gentle and non-aggressive, the popularity of the “Camiolan Bee” (Apis mellifera camica) is strong all over the world. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food inspects breeding and marketing, and the newspaper, Slovenian Bee, has existed since 1873.* The beekeepers themselves have an active association that helps regulate and promote the healthy stock and that gives awards to beekeepers for the quality of honey they produce. The Museum of Apiculture in Radovljica is an interesting place to visit and there you can see the centuries-old history of the art of Slovenian beekeeping.
And, finally, did you know that bees are the only insects that “die”? They are respectfully given this human term for extinction. -By Corinne Leskovar
*The Carniolan Bee in Slovenia, Gregori, Poklukar, Mihelič, Ljubljana 2003
A favorite souvenir that tourists are buying are “honey boards”, the wooden hive panels from Slovenian bee-houses, painted in the baroque style. They are a hoot! They show a variety of farm scenes, historical and religious events, hunting, fishing and many other satirical subjects, such as the one showing two women fighting over a man’s trousers! These designs have been authentically and beautifully reproduced so they are seen not only on the beehives, but also on walls as art pieces.
Bee house in Slovenia from the 1940’s
Men in a SWUA World
Bee Board Humor
The bee board is a tradition of Slovenian culture that is a mixture of art history and political criticism. They are a unique Slovenian phenomenon that depicts an old type of folk art. The panels were painted and decorated with wide ranges of figurative motifs and pictures. In olden times the beekeepers acquired these unique pieces of art and history in three main ways; first they could buy them at fairs and from peddlers. Secondly, they could order them special from painters and finally a bee keeper could hire on a traveling painter who would come door to door and paint his slogans or panels with personal meanings if that is what the keeper desired. Many of the older ones, including the oldest from 1758 of the Madonna and child had religious meanings and depicted an act from the bible. They are beautiful and meaningful but the ones I prefer are the humorous and bizarre ones that must have just been a riot in their day.
The one that hits home most for me is one in which animals are carrying a hunter through the woods as pall bearers. Being a hunter myself 1 laugh to think about how the animals I hunt, deer, squirrel and pheasant would have a heck of a time carrying me through the woods. With me being a larger than average man, I’m not real sure they could lift me. Another one that cracks me up is the one where an old man stuffs an old lady in a barrel and she comes out young and beautiful again. The reason I found it funny was because if you are an old man why wouldn’t you put yourself in the barrel too? That way you could both start over again. But then again the man in the panel is older and wiser than me and he must have his reasons.
Well the funny thing to me is that we have a bee panel on the top of the refrigerator that has a lady with a stick chasing a devil with a fiery tongue and though I thought it was neat 1 never realized until lately that is was a Slovenian tradition. So, of course with me being a Slovenian that likes tradition 1 came up with a couple of modem day ones, let me run them by you and see what you think.
The first one 1 call the “new” old days: It has a picture of a teenager texting and their parents or grand parents trying to clobber them with an old fashion phone but they can’t reach them because of the phone cord hooked to the wall.
The second thought I had is called improvement of a good thing? It has a modem day farmer standing and staring at his broken down monster machine as an old fanner with his horse and single plow move along steadily past him as he shakes his head with a look of pride.
Finally, now this one is for us sports people, I call it “full circle”: A modem day stadium with the field of millionaire ball players with money pouring out of there pockets sits empty and right outside a huge crowd watches a group of kids play there hearts out.
Well, considering I can’t draw a lick and that people love the old panels so well, we’ll just keep my ideas to ourselves. But if you think old Don’s ideas are good and we can make millions off of them just give me a call and I’d be more than happy to share more of my hair brain ideas for a mere percentage of the profits. Ha! Ha!
I hope everyone is enjoying the summer and getting out to a ball game, a golf course, drowning a few worms or just enjoying a peaceful day on the porch. Because as you all know before too long we’ll be talking about fall and mushroom hunting again. Well that’s all the space 1 have this time, if you have and idea an want to contact me you can at doomsports@aol.com, I love hearing from you. Have a great summer and as always may good luck be yours!
-	Don Baldin
Show us Your Creation of a Slovenian Beehive Front Panel
A contest for all SWUA members, no matter how well you can draw!
Sponsored by:
Zarja the Dawn -your bi-monthly magazine that is “Keeping the Spirit Alive”
Grand Prize Winner will be $25.00 - gift prizes for 2nd and 3rd place
Create you own unique painting and story for a beehive front panel.
Send in a photo of your drawing/painting and in 200 words or less tell us the story behind your painting.
Since traditionally, these front boards are based on folk art, judging will be based on your story and how well you depict the theme in your painting rather than your artistic ability.
Pictures and stories will be featured in Zarja the Dawn and on our web site: www.swua.org
Send entries by September 20,2009
Email: wprokup@aol.com Mail: Debbie Pohar 1696 Illinois Street LaSalle, IL 61301
Be creative! We want to hear about it!
Keeping the Spirit Alive
Helping people of the world learn more about one another
SCOLA
WWW.SCOLA.ORG
king on the Velinka
The Herdsmen’s Village
_
by Mary Lou Voelk, Zarja Journa
T t was October 19, 2009. Sonia Avguštin and I left Ljubljana, heading northeast toward the old town of Kamnik. We were to embark on a hiking trek upon the Velika planina/vast mountain and take in the Herdsmen’s settlement. It was about a 30k drive to the žičnica/cable car, which would take us up to the Velika planina plateau. As we waited in line to board the cable car, my eyes scanned upward, so as to ascertain what we were about to experience. Yes, 1 confess that heights terrify me! The queue of people awaiting entrance to the car appeared to have no concern as to the heights we were about to scale. And then we began moving upward. After a few moments I was brave enough to take a peak out the window area, only to find out I was not seeing trees, but only treetops! My math skills came rushing back! We had to be scaling the 1,666 meters at a 60° angle! I closed my eyes, not to open them until we stopped!
I have since read the two descriptive “facts ” of the vast mountain. “The six-minute ride is not for the skittish!” “Cables are fixed only at ends, there are no support pylons along the way or anything in between! ”
From the žičnica we transferred to a double ski lift that ascended another steep 250 meters. As we approached the top, a panoramic, phantasmagorical landscape came into full view. Before our eyes was the famous village of herdsmen, “the best preserved dairy settlement of its size in Slovenia” and moreover, Europe.
The view is difficult to describe! Clusters of herdsmen’s huts/bajte throughout the undulating panorama came into view. The karst topography was peppered with bedrock of limestone and/or dolomite. Off in the distance a cross atop the Chapel of Marija Snežna/Mary of Snow appeared
framed against a backdrop of an all blue sky! It has been said that no photo can do justice to this astonishing view. This I do believe!
To see a panoramic view of Velika Planina, log on to the following sites. Click on 360°: http://www.slovenia.info/ ?naravne_znamenitostijame=3422# http://www.burger.si/KSA/VelikaPlanina/ uvod_ENGhtml
History of the Herdsmen Village
For centuries herdsmen have pastured their cows on the Velika planina. Each June a cow’s bell announces the return of the shepherds. The lead cow is decorated with rosemary and carnations, the herdsmen with flowers on their hats and their walking sticks. During their summer-long grazing shepherds tend to their flocks. Diet of the herdsman is heavy dairy, sour milk/yogurt, with a boiled com mush. Best known is the special shaped and decorated cheese/sir called tmič. (See separate article)
Meanwhile, down in the valley, hay is cut and dried for the winter months. In mid-September, the herds return to the valley where they live off the valley hay that has been dried on the kozolec/hay-rack. Indeed, a very inventive method of pasture management.
The living quarters are unique wooden huts/bajte that have become the symbol of the Velika planina. The original huts were built in an oval shaped design with a roof that extended nearly to the ground. This roof extension created a suitable shelter for livestock. There were no chimneys, windows or electricity. The traditional roof was topped with šinkel, a wood pine shingle.
In 1945 enemy soldiers burned the original settlement of 120 bajte, some of which were over 200 years old, along
with the chapel. After W WII, Andrej Pleskar rebuilt a hut using the original oval floor plan. Today the Pleskar hut is the only preserved example of the oval Velika planina hut in Slovenia. It is built in the distinct shape and size of the original design and is covered with the characteristic šinkel roof and without any windows or chimney. The interior was separated into two parts; a cattle pen, the roof extension, encircles the herdsman’s room. Today the Pleskar Hut /Preskarjeva bajta serves as a museum where visitors can get a herdsmen’s lunch and attain insight into the life of a herdsman. Modern wooden huts with a rectangular floor plan have replaced the oval design allowing for more floor space. The šinkel roof extensions are still part of the building architecture. Windows and chimneys have been added for convenience.
The Trek to Marija Snižna
It is approximately a 40-minute walk to the chapel from the ski lift. While one can walk a macadam path, we opted to wind our way, up and down around the undulating karst strewed grounds. We followed no given path, but ascertained each step. I called it our pilgrimage!
Halfway through the pilgrimage, is a Slovenian shrine, a crucifix sheltered by a šinkel overhang. True to form, the shrine is constructed within the style of the herdsmen’s settlement. As one nears the chapel, there is a feeling of exhilaration.
Framed by an intense, cloudless blue sky, is the wooden chapel, with its cross, pointing toward the heavens. Its style and placement on the slope creates a faith based ambience, like receiving a gift for making the pilgrimage!
The famous Slovenian architect, Joze Plečnik, conceived and drew up the plans for the chapel. The first chapel was built in 1939 by the shepherds of Velika planina and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In 1988, 43 years after it had been destroyed, a new chapel was built on the original ground, through the initiative of the herdsmen. It was blessed by Aljzij Šuštar, who was the Slovenian archbishop at that time.
Mass is celebrated each Sunday during the grazing season. There are a number of special events that are celebrated by the herdsmen and visitors. Very popular is the Midnight Herdsmen wooden huts/bajte	Mass	at the chapel on December 6lh, the Feast of St.
Chapel of Snow Mary
Stephan. Processions of people carrying torches and lanterns can be seen moving through the night skies as they head toward the chapel. Each August 5th the holiday of the Snow Mary is celebrated.
Leaving the chapel, we continued walking for several more hours amongst the clusters of huts. Herdsmen were busy with maintenance of either the huts or the outside perimeters. Roofs were being replaced. Looking around the panorama, were ribbons of people on the move, hiking throughout the plateau while they absorbed the quietness of the majestic mountain. And then a loudspeaker broke the silence and announced the last cable car for the day! Here I go again... once on terra firma, Sonia and I picnicked on a delicious meal of sauerkraut with sausage and goulash!
Tourism
As early as 1837 Dr. Johannes Frisch recognized the beauty and the possibilities of the Velika planina. People are naturally drawn to the mountains and Velika planina is no exception. After 1930, tourists and downhill skiers began hiring the herdsmen’s cottages for their winter outings. The area became so popular, an area was set apart for the building of holiday huts so as not to distract from the historical settlement. Today the Velika planina offers year-round attractions and recreational activities: walking, downhill skiing, hiking, trekking, racing, mountain biking and mountaineering.
Historical Facts: Velika planina
1499 Written record mentioning the pasture and herdsmen huts and dwellings
1571 From the Land Register: The pasture’s owner is identified as Stari grad (Old Castle). “Everyone who has cattle on the pasture of Velika planina has to pay yearly one goat and one cottage cheese made of 1 day’s milking of cattle”
1830 Data on the number of livestock grazing: 182 horses, 1,507 cattle, 1,136 sheep, 500 pigs: Total: 3,300
1837 Dr. Johannes Frischauf describes the Velika planina herdsman’s’ huts
1850 Dr. Frischauf stresses importance of Velika planina as a tourist attraction; “would have world reputation”
1928 Tourist association prepares plans for the cable car; “would have world recognition”
1939 Construction of Snow Mary Chapel (June 29, 1939 opening date)
1963 Opening of the cable car to Velika Planina
The Culture of the Shepherds
Sir trnič (Trnič Cheese)
by Mary Lou Voelk, Zarja Journalist
The herdsmen of the Velika planina are known for their unique shepherd huts/bajte. Yet they have a culinary tradition, an authentic cheese/sir called trnič, made from solid curds, with the addition of salt and heavy cream.
It is a stylized sculpture of the female breast, which is then decorated with a “bas relief’ design. The design is incised into the breast surface with a pisava, a wooden stick with a unique design carved by the herdsman. (See photo) Once shaped and incised the cheese is dried for a fortnight over a hearth. The cheese shrinks to half the size and becomes solid.
The trnič was used as gift to a girlfriend or wife. Usually a pair was given. It represented love, friendship, loyalty and perhaps an anticipated marriage proposal. Not only decorative, trnič were used as food. Their dry firmness made them suitable for grating into soups. Soaked in milk they became a savory sharp delicacy.
Trnič is recognized as a Slovenian culinary art form. However, the practice of making the cheese is a dying art. Two women Rezka Mali and Iva Šubelj Kramar still practice the craft. Kramar now organizes events at Preskarjeva bajta (Preskar Hut) on the Velika planina.
	Dictionary
Velika planina, large mountain	Sir trnič, specialty cheese (pear shaped, dry)
Šinkel, pine shingle	Pisava, wooden stick used in incising identifying mark
Bajte, cottage	Žičnica, cable car
Marija Snežna, Mary of Snow	Kozolec, hay-rack
Sources:
Taste Slovenia: page 228, Foods of Gorenjska (Carniola) by Janez Bogataj
Chapel and Scenic Photos: Mary Lou Deyak Voelk
Trnič and Pisava: Slovenian Tourist Board
Google Search: Velika planina; Slovenian Tourist Board
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Quest for Family Genealogy
Each day I research, I find something new....
by Maryjo “MJ” Villone Bush
Each day I research, I find something new.... whether it is about my ancestors or it is about documents or the ways and signs of the times.
I have been researching my ancestry since 1998 only to hit several brick walls along the way. Needless to say, I would take a break... each break was about two years.... then I would try again. Now please understand, I only knew my paternal ITALIAN grandparents. My maternal SLOVENIAN grandparents had both died before I was bom. However, I feel as if I did meet them and know them. I am named for them. I was bom and raised in New Jersey. There really weren’t many people who knew what Slovenian was.
Growing up, I would ask my mom about her parents and any aunts, uncles, cousins or anyone and anything she could tell me. The bits and pieces she knew were all written in my memory. She did have one aunt, Karolina that she remembered very well.
Two years ago, 1 began my search again. This time, the light bulb flashed in my head, a rare happening! I should try searching my maternal SLOVENIAN grandparents. I began my quest. Much to my surprise and pleasure, I stumbled upon the Slovenian Genealogy Society. At first I thought, “Let’s go for it, if nothing gained, nothing lost.”
As many of you may know, the resources in the SGSI are plentiful. Well, I clicked on the site, and there it was... and in English! I began surfing through the site to find A1 Peterlin, who, by the way, has the same cousins as 1 do. Our grandparents lived in the same area and our parents were born in the same area as well. I was so happy and excited to have a connection to the Slovenian side. I began sending emails and with such rapid responses, I suddenly became obsessed. That was all I did in my spare time/ waking moments.
I joined the SGSI (http://www.sloveniangenealogy.org). While digging through numerous sites and information, I found that great aunt Karolina was President of the Forest City Branch of the SZZ in 1929, Branch 29 which I am in the process of reviving. I then joined the SWUA to find more (http://www.swua.org). I even joined county historical societies to have all resources available that I could. I went to the Susquehanna Historical Society (http:/ /www.susqcohistsoc.org) as my relatives lived in Forest City, PA. I found a wealth of information there. I cried during that visit. I found books with photos of Slovenes and in those photos, after reading the names, found my
mother as a little girl of five years, with her aunt and her cousin dressed in the native garb of Slovenia! I had never seen these
was quite an emotional as well as elated time for me. The historical society also has marriage records so it made it quite easy for me to go across the street to the Prothonotary’s office and obtain copies of my grandparent’s marriage application request. I also found aunt Karolina’s marriage information as well.
I then began to send emails to the archives in Ljubljana for information. They will search and prepare the Družinski List, mail it to me with an invoice. I send the money immediately and request another search. I never know if my emails are received or not until I receive the information in the mail, as emails are not answered.... only if you specifically request an answer. However, do not ask for any information, as you will not receive that. You will only receive, “Yes, I did receive payment today!” So far, I have received information back to 1776 regarding my maternal grandfather’s lineage. As I have been reminded, it is a slow process. However, when the envelope is in my mailbox, I forget how slow it is as the joy of new ancestors and names and dates and places erases that.
Much to my surprise, once again, even though the form from the archives was in Slovenian, the information was in German!!! So not am I only learning Slovenian, I am learning German as well! So lets see, its Slovenian, German, Italian and Spanish (from high school with refresher courses the last few years before trips to Mexico).... hmmm, let’s see that is four foreign languages... WOW... if I could only master one of them!
The search of my maternal grandmother’s family, like several families, has disclosed information that certainly surprised me. My mother’s aunt Karolina was an illegitimate birth. She was more than 10 years older than my grandmother. I was floored. 1 don’t think my mother knew, nor did any of her siblings as they were all young when their aunt died. Certain things were not discussed with children. So while 1 was searching for the last name 1 thought she had, I was going down the wrong path. Even with the correct name, it was still difficult to find her, as the translations of Ellis Island records were often not correct.
Maryjo “MJ” Villone Bush
Learning as much as I have during the last two years from the SGSI, I have made requests from the National Archives (http://www.archives.gov) regarding naturalization. It is quite simple to request. I sent for my grandparent’s naturalization papers and also received a Certificate of Arrival for Ellis Island. Now my great aunt, the same illegitimate one gave me several gray hairs, as she was most difficult to find. I found her husband everywhere I searched, he was so easy. However, not her. Her name was misspelled, just as my grandfather’s had been. Not only was it wrong on the ship manifest sheets, it was also incorrect on Ellis Island.
I found out information about citizenship that 1 didn’t find anywhere else. I sent a request for both my great aunt and uncle, only to receive two of the same for my great uncle. I chalked it up to an error of the searcher of the National Archives and sent another request for my great aunt. The searcher at the National Archives was so kind as to call me and tell me she already sent me the information. I replied that I received double for the uncle and none for the aunt. She said at that time, 1915, when a male petitioned for naturalization and he was married before that petition date, the wife was automatically naturalized along with him! WOW, I didn’t know that. I was so grateful and thanked her a million times and hung up. Then, again, another light bulb flashed, I called her back! I asked that since my paternal grandfather was naturalized in 1906, was my grandmother as well, even though her name was not on the petition? She said YES! So then I asked, my maternal grandfather was naturalized in 1924 and my grandmother had a separate petition. Before I could finish, she told me that in 1923 when the women received the
right to vote, this fringe benefit stopped and women had to make their own application. WOW, again.
During my quest for ancestors, I emailed Peter Hawlina (peter.hawlina@siol.net), a Slovenian researcher in Slovenia, extraordinarily nice gentleman, and asked if he had any info regarding my relatives. I sent him a list of names. He replied with the little info he had regarding my grandparents. It was the same info 1 had. I was very happy to send him what I had to complete his reference files. When I receive more, I will send that to him as well.
Certain translations of certain documents are incorrect, making it quite difficult to find any information. I kept inputting different spellings, all to no avail. Well there it was again, yep, you guessed it, that flash. I tried searching without any names at all, only dates. I found several census records for both sides. I thought they had to be somewhere, but how do I find these records? The names were grossly misspelled. On the Ellis Island website, as well as Ancestry, you can send an email with the correction and a simple explanation. It becomes an annotation to that particular name.
One disappointing aspect of my search was the church in Forest City. When 1 called I asked several questions of the woman who answered the phone. She was not obliging. I guess I gave too much information as to why I wanted certain information and docs. Oh well, take the failure with the success. It is a long journey. I am having so much fun with all of it, that any information is good!!! I would love a trip to Slovenia! Perhaps soon...
Lep pozdrav, - Maryjo “MJ” Villone Bush
forbidden brecid
ERICA I0HNS0N DEBEUAK
Book Review by Mary Lou Voelk
Forbidden Bread by Erica Johnson Debeljak
In November 2008 I pre ordered “Forbidden Bread” by Erica Johnson Debeljak. Amazon.com was right on, the book arrived down in Alabama a day after the April release date. I read the book and then reread the book! One long sentence encapsulates the 273 pages. I found this personal story to be an emotional tribute to the love affair between two persons of disparate, mismatched worlds (separated by thousands of miles of ocean water, and Alpine mountain ranges), intertwined with historical transitions occurring in Slovenia during and following the war, and the intimate reactions of family and Slovenians in general. Here was an Amerikanka amongst their midst. Erica and Aleš, was it coincidence or Providence?
A MUST READ BOOK! It all ended too quickly! I would be the 1sl to purchase a ticket to a screen play of this story!
Branch Reports Poročila Podružnic
BRANCH 1 - Sheboygan, Wisconsin
In May it was with great pleasure we celebrated “Member of the Year” Rogene Grabner. Her tireless work for SWUA and SS Cyril and Methodius church gave no doubt of her work as a recipient of this honor.
Plan on taking part in the July 19, SSCM Slovenian Festival! Bakers, we always need your Slovenian delicacies. Come and join us for a day of fun and polkas.
Preparations are already in progress for our craft sale in November. We all have talents of which we may not be aware, please plan on being part of this event. Help is always needed and welcome. Contact Aggie at any time if you are able to help with this worthwhile fundraising event.
We wish everyone a happy and healthy summer.
ANGIE FRITZ
BRANCH 5 - Indianapolis, Indiana
Summer is in full swing and so are all the parties and picnics! Family traditions come to mind at these times. Aunt Mary always brings the watermelon pickles, Aunt Sophie the strudels, Aunt Annie the “lighter than air” angel food cakes! Picnics at the Slovenian National Home picnic grounds, America and Slovenia Independence Day celebrations with wine, songs and grilling!
Here in Indy, the 100th Anniversary of the running of the Indianapolis 500 Race made me think of other traditions. Year after year, families and friends meet at the track, most of them in the same seats they have had for years, establishing lifelong friendships, yet many of these people only see each other once a year at the race! Fried chicken, potato salad and drinks (ok, beer!) are the staples in any bleacher cooler, and don’t forget the camera!
The same holds true for so many for our Slovenian traditions. Our beloved Holy Trinity Slovenian Church is 100+ years old, but many Slovenians only attend Christmas and Easter because it is tradition. It is there Sunday after Sunday, but without support of many of the Slovenian families. The Slovenian National Home has dances and celebrations attended by many Slovenians, because it is tradition, but on a weekly basis sits empty.
Many because of family tradition join our organization, SWUA, but where are the many Slovenians who could be starting a new tradition? ZARJA is a wonderful example of an 80-year-old tradition that has adapted with the times. Look at some of the old copies and the stories and pictures...ZARJA was involved in the preservation of many Slovenian traditions that many of us here, with no
family ties left in Slovenia, could still see and pass on to our families. The recipes alone are priceless!!
Start a new tradition with your family today! Make a true Slovenian meal; invite family to bring something to share. Break out the old pictures and share the wealth of stories and songs from your parents and grandparents....TRADITION....it only takes a minute to start a new one! God Bless!
KAREN, MARY and PHYLLIS
BRANCH 13 - San Francisco, California
Our Member of the Year Luncheon was wonderful again this year thanks to our Board of Directors led by President Doreen Sustarich. Thanks to Treasurer Michele Twers who made the reservations and details for us and Auditor Virginia Sustarich who once again sold the most raffle tickets. Way to go Ginny!!!!!! We had a good crowd and everyone had a wonderful time. I was honored to be the Member of the Year and so proud to have my son Joe and his wife Amy and my son David and his fiancee Katie with me. Both Amy and Katie have become members of our Branch 13 and they are the fourth generation members. My mom, Fran Chiodo who was active for so many years and attended many National Conventions, would be delighted with the girls becoming members. Once again our fond thoughts for member Shirley Cooper for donating four box seats and preferred parking for both a San Francisco Giants game and an Oakland A’s game. It sure helps to sell raffle tickets with prizes like that!!! Thanks to everyone who made this a wonderful day.
Our BBQ will be held on Saturday, August 15th at 12:00 noon at my home. We are planning a Luau with Hawaiian decorations and food and drinks. All members are invited; please notify President Dorren at 415.468.5039. It should be a fun day. I know some of our members can’t make the monthly meetings because they work, so please try to make the Luau.
I hope everyone has a lovely summer and for those of you who are going on vacation, have a wonderful and safe time! I am looking forward to my son David’s wedding. He and his lovely bride Katie are being married at a dear friend’s winery in Murphys, California. Both families are looking forward to a wonderful time.
BARBARA CHIODO bchiodo@comcast.net 650.593.9576
Tezak’s
1908 - 2008
Home to Celebrate Life ®
1211 PLAINFIELD RD., JOLIET, IL 60435
www.tczakruneralhomc.com
815.741.2563 Fax 877.587.8460 815.722.0524
______________Celebrating our 100** Year!__________^
BRANCH 14 - Euclid, Ohio
We hope everyone is having a wonderful summer. Our Mother’s Day Dinner was held in May at the Slovenian Society Home in Euclid. Everyone had a wonderful time savoring the delicious Slovenian dinner prepared by Sophie Mazi, and her helpers, after which we had a fun raffle. Our guests were members of the Slovenian American National Art Guild, some who are also SWUA members. All our members are worthy of being chosen “Member of the Year,” so we always honor each and every one of them. Thanks again to Stana Grill for all her hard work in gathering reservations and planning seating arrangements. We don’t know what we would do without her.
The theme for this issue of Zarja is beehive panels and I have two, one a reproduction, and the other has a date of 1861 on it. The older one is quite weathered and the colors are somewhat faded but the folk story it tells is still very visible. The story was written on the back in Slovenian and was translated by Cleveland’s Slovenian Consul General Dr. Zvone Žigon to say that a man brings an old woman and dumps her into a sort of barrel and she comes out the other end young again! I want to find that barrel. Also, how about dumping an old man into the device? Would he come out young again? Our ancestors certainly were very imaginative. These panels were given to me by the late Jean Križman who was an active SWUA member whom many of our readers may have known. She was aware of my family’s history with bees.
My father’s family came from Kojsko in Goriška Brda, an area north of Nova Gorica on the Italian border. My aunt, Rose Lenardič Streiner, had always said that we had some relationship with Empress Maria Theresa who lived in Vienna in the 1700s. We always thought that my aunt had things a bit mixed up, but then I read that Maria Theresa brought in her bee keepers from Goriška Brda because she thought they were the best! So my aunt was probably right in what she said.
Aunt Rose was a remarkable person, I remember as a little girl visiting her garden where she showed me her beautiful large roses. Large black bees with yellow stripes would land on the roses and she would pet them! They seemed to enjoy the attention and went about their business as usual and never once became aggressive. Obviously, she must have learned to communicate with the bees while growing up in Goriška Brda.
In April, I displayed my beehive panels and other Slovenian artifacts at the Folk Festival at Lakeland Community College in Mentor, Ohio and people were very curious about them. An article about the festival appeared in our local newspaper and 1 was quoted about the beehive panels.
We say goodbye to member Pauline Krall who recently passed away. Our condolences to her family and friends.
PATRICIA A. BUDZILEK
BRANCH 16 - South Chicago, Illinois
Congratulations to our “Member of the Year” Dolores Franko. We celebrated with her family, friends and members at a dinner at Jovial Club; it was a very enjoyable afternoon. It was good to see Dolores back after recovering from knee surgery. She is looking good and ready to go.
Branch 16 Member of the Year, Dolores Franko with her brother Ed Krai and sister Kathry n Jurincie
Dolores Hennelly and her husband joined us, they were in from Florida and it was good to see them. (Dolores was past-president of Branch 95.) There were also quite a few of our new members there to celebrate with us. Thank you to Genevieve Marco and Marjorie Mitchell for taking care of this dinner.
Congratulations to all the graduates this year and especially to Mary Jane and John Strus’ grandson Patrick Krillic and Marjorie Mitchell’s grandsons William Beck and Andrew Wheaton. We wish them good luck in their new endeavors.
Our prayers and get-well wishes are sent out to all of our members who are ill.
MARJORIE MITCHELL
BRANCH 20 - Joliet, Illinois
Greetings to all. Branch 20 has members scattered far and wide in almost every state of the Union. They are always with us in spirit and continue supporting our Branch. Aloha from Lori Tezak in Kihei, Hawaii, Dolly Cox in Oklahoma, Nadine Ancel in Fairfax, Virginia, David Lustick in Mt. Vernon, Washington, Keith Lustik in New York and Julie Crouch in Ben Wheeler, Texas. Send us news from your “neck of the woods”. We would love to know how you keep up your Slovenian heritage.
Our annual bakery sale way back in March was a resounding success! Money raised helped finance
scholarships awarded to help seven young men and women. Branch 20 national scholarships were presented to John Koncar ($2,000), and $1,000 scholarships each to F. Koncar, Katherine Ancel and Maria Girman. In addition, Branch 20 scholarships of $500 each went to Amy Koncar, Coyne Shane and Nicholas Vidmar. Congrats and may successes follow all of our young scholars.
Member of the Year recipient Barbara Delaney was greeted and feted by over 100 of her closest and dearest friends and relatives. What a great tribute to a great lady and community supporter. Member Mom (and former Member of the Year recipient) Pat Figurowski and Dad Bob couldn’t have looked prouder.
Just a reminder that the Branch 20 Grape Festival is Sunday, September 27. Not only is this a highly anticipated event for the members of the Branch, but always a highlight in the community. Lots of music, food, decorations reminiscent of a Slovenian village fest and good cheer of the liquid kind make this festival a popular way to spend a Sunday.
PAT SCHAGER patricia. schager@sbcglobal. net
BRANCH 24 - LaSalle, Illinois
Dober dan! Our annual Spring Luncheon was held on May 21 at Mario’s Maples in Peru. Hostesses, Mary Mecum, Linda Struna, Robbie Donahue and Olivia Karun did an outstanding job for all the members. This event is always so lovely and well attended.
We were saddened by the passing of our member, Jennie Pohar and extend our deepest sympathy to the Pohar family. We continue to keep all those who are ill and homebound in our prayers.
Congratulations and best wishes to this years graduates! We wish them success and happiness in all their endeavors and pray the Holy Spirit will guide them on their journey through life. We are proud of our junior member, Megan Considine who received the Senior of the Year award from St. Bede Academy, Peru, IL. She will be attending St. Mary’s of Notre Dame this fall.
Wishing everyone a fun and safe summer. Until next time, may your hearts be filled with peace and love.
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BRANCH 33 - Duluth, Minnesota
We had a good turn out for our Member of the Year Banquet at the Buffalo House in May. We were glad to see some folks we haven’t seen for a long time.
We offer our sincere sympathy to the families of Lucille Somin and Helen Zilko. Both were very active members until recent years and will be missed.
Minnesota Day is September 13, registration and coffee is 8:45 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. The meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. and Mass will be at noon followed by a banquet and short program and prize drawings.
Our 80lh Anniversary is Saturday, October 3. We will begin with a 5:00 p.m. ethnic Mass with the music ministry of the Singing Slovenes. Following Mass will be a dinner and entertainment. We hope a lot of you will join us and help celebrate. If you are not called to help with these events, please volunteer.
I have been spending my free time researching Slovenian needlework. Before the National Convention I borrowed a book from Mary Lou Voelk about the Žegan cloths and I copied some and made some for sale, but the book was returned. I found out many European countries had Splasher Cloths. Some were very crude and I assume were made by young girls practicing their needlework skills. Someone in Minnesota had made a quilt out of the four splasher cloths that were for sale years ago. I don’t know who did this, but if anyone has this info I would sure appreciate it. I also received some patterns from my idea girl, Anita Vovk.
Enjoy the summer and I can’t wait for the report on the Slovenia trip.
BEV MENART libbydoodles@msn.com
BRANCH 35 - Aurora, Minnesota
We were busy at our March meeting finalizing plans for our 3 members of the year. I brought a display of the different Easter eggs that I have from Slovenia and Austria, and the little rattle used during Holy Week when no bells are to be rung. I also had my homemade butara and some stickers for applying to the eggs after they are colored.
May 3rd was our Member of the Year Celebration and it was so wonderful. We were sad that Margaret Cina could not join us as she was ill but we sent her flowers and the book “From Slovenia to America” by Marie Prisland. The honorees that did attend also received the book and flowers. Helen Zuponcic represented her sister, Margaret Cina, and told about her life in a large Slovenian family and how she went on to become a teacher, married and raised two children.
We talked with Pauline about her life in Eveleth but most of it was spent in Aurora. Pauline was leery about accepting the honor but she enjoyed this special day. Mary Noson’s family, 16 members and 2 friends joined us that day. John Stark played Slovenian music as the guests arrived. We
enjoyed a delicious chicken breast dinner with all the trimmings cooked by our member Kris Walbum. She always goes the extra mile to make our meal so enjoyable. Kris learned well from her mom and grandmother. Mary’s daughters really gave a beautiful tribute to their mom. They showed their love and gratitude for all that Mary has done for them.
Father Keith Bertram, our new pastor at Holy Rosary also joined us for dinner. We told him a little about our Slovenian Heritage and he will certainly experience our tasty Slovenian foods while serving our parish.
1 thank all those who helped to make this day so special and memorable. We wish all those who went on the trip to Slovenia, “Srecno Pot” in “ Dobro se imete”!!
ANITA VOVK gospanita@yahoo.com
218.229.3202
BRANCH 39 - Biwabik, Minnesota
Our business with delinquent memberships, insurances and notices of death has been completed. Be reminded to notify either our branch secretary or Carol Ryba of address changes so your dues invoices arrive. You could lose your policies.
Twenty-one members attended our Member of the Year dinner at the El Roy Supper Club. Shelley Berts was honored with a corsage and gift certificate. Our entertainment was great button-box music by Carol Sherek and original skits done by Richie Bizal. We especially enjoyed his imitation of “Oj Marička Peglaj” with the “ruta” on his head and also his journey on the donkey from Mexico via Cleveland to Minnesota.
Long-time SWUA member Phyllis Kukar, her daughters Margo Stratton, Paula Kukar, Dee Dee Fautch and her nieces Kathleen Samargia and Mary Skorjanec journeyed to Lemont, IL on Palm Sunday. Relatives who are also
Carol Shcrek on button box and Richic Bizal in a “ruta”
Branch 39 members at the Heritage Museum in Joliet Left to right: Kathy Samargia, Paula Kukar, Maro Stratton, DeeDee Fautch and Mary Skoranjec
SWUA members and attended a Slovenian Mass at the Catholic Mission joined them. It was great to see a standing-room only congregation. After mass, it was on to the Culture Center for the annual brunch and renewing friendships with many friends. The trip continued with a drive to the Heritage Museum in Joliet where they were greeted by Carol Ryba, National VP of Home Office and Jonita who provided their Sunday to give them a tour. They are LIVING THE LEGACY.
Branch 39 members, along with Branch 35, Aurora, MN members are finalizing plans for a visit from Consul General Dr. Zvone Žigon on June 25th at the Aurora Community Center. Dr. Žigon will return to Slovenia after finishing his five (5) year stay in the United States. A detailed report about the event will appear in a future issue. MARIJA POMAGJI PROSI ZA NAS
ROSEMARY (SERTICH) RIBICH rribich@northlc.com
BRANCH 40 - Lorain Ohio
Although our numbers are few, we had a great time enjoying several hours of just being together. There were six members at our May luncheon. I hope more will be able to attend next month’s meeting, you will be called. Our luncheons take place on the second Wednesday of the month at different locations. Please come.
Congratulations to Aggie Serazin on her granddaughters Elizabeth A. Smith graduation.
My daughter Elaine Barthelemy who is a member of Twin Cities Branch 109, is planning to teach in Seoul Korea this summer and will be leaving for Korea as soon as the current school year is finished here. She will be teaching at an English Language school. She is looking forward to it.
Congratulations are in order to Branch 109 for winning an Award of Excellence at the largest and longest running
Ethnic Festival in the United States held at River Center in St Paul, MN. This draws crowds in excess of 80,000 for the four-day event. They won one of the five coveted Award of Excellence prizes. Months of hard work and planning paid off. Congratulations!!
Congratulations seem to be the order of the day. Our Congratulations and best wishes for a successful “Let’s Feel Slovenia” event celebrating 80 years of Zarja. Let’s hope our members support this and also any other lodge doings and picnics held in their towns during the warm months ahead.
Now back down to earth. My mom always tried to plant her spring garden on St Joseph’s day. This year, St. Patrick’s day, two days earlier was so nice, I planted my lettuce patch, which is now producing a bountiful crop. So good!! Now it is warm enough to plant everything else out there - good luck! Enjoy the summer. Love,
STEPHANIE POLUTNIK step@windstream.net
BRANCH 42 - Maple Heights, Ohio
For many months now we have been discussing the state of our branch and searching for answers on how to continue what our founders began in 1930. The majority of responses to our questionnaire favored a possible merger with another branch. This was seriously considered until the realization that we would lose both our identity and history became totally unacceptable. We would simply become new members in an existing branch. In view of all this we have now decided to keep our branch intact but as a “social” group only. The present slate of officers would remain in name only since our regular meetings as such would cease. Future “social” gatherings would occur ad lib at various restaurants. This move will retain our identity and history but we will lose our voting rights on a national level. As long as everyone continues to pay their dues they will remain a member of Branch 42 and receive Zarja through which I will periodically give you updates. Thank you all for your input regarding this matter.
LIL SADOWSKI LRSadow @aol.com
BRANCH 43 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I hope everyone had a very happy Mother’s Day and their loving families surrounded all. Things will be pretty hectic around here in the coming months. Many activities are planned for your enjoyment.
First is the 80th Anniversary Celebration of the Zarja. Congratulations to everyone who had anything to do with the success of this informative magazine.
July 19, is the day of the Annual Mission Picnic at Triglav Park and special recognition will be given to Dr. Zvone Žigon for his past 4 years as the Consul General from Slovenia. We invite you to spend the day and enjoy the events. The day will start with Mass at 11 a.m.
The USPEH Organization (United Slovenes to Preserve Our Ethnic Heritage), of which Branch 43 is a member, will host a wonderful day of music and culture as the Ensemble Erazem from Postojna perform, “Koncert in the Park”. This event will be held on Saturday, August 29, at Triglav Park. The Park will open at 11 a.m. with the program to start at 1 p.m. There will be food and beverages available and admission is S10.00. Tickets can be purchased from any organization in USPEH or one of the delegates.
September brings the Wisconsin State Convention to Milwaukee, and Branch 43 will host it. All activities will be held at Klemmers Banquet Facility beginning with a Continental Breakfast at 9 a.m., followed by the meeting, Mass and banquet at 12:30. The committee is working hard to insure all of a pleasant day.
Anyone interested in balina? The Fifth Annual Tournament will be held on September 20, at Triglav Park. Hopefully we will have a team from each organization in USPEH.
We welcome new members: John Skusek, Margaret Dicey, Christine M. Creed, Joan H. Winkeski, Amelia Robertson and junior members: Gunner Robertson and Murray Robertson.
So much for news in our neck of the woods. Have a wonderful summer.
MICI BREGANT
BRANCH 47 - Garfield Heights, Ohio
Dober Dan! A big thank you goes to all of the members and their guests that attended our Member of the Year Dinner at Piper’s Three on Saturday, May 2nd honoring all of our members. The food was delicious and it was wonderful to see so many in attendance. Also, another big thank you goes out to those members able to attend our Mass for Living and Deceased Members on Sunday, June 7lh at St. Lawrence Church.
I	am sorry to say that our reporter, Kathy Wallace is unable to write for this issue. Kathy’s husband, Bruce, recently had a stroke. His
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recuperation requires a couple of weeks in intensive care in the hospital. Our prayers go out to Kathy and her family.
Our President Olga Dorchak is being honored as the 2009 Woman of the Year for the Slovenian National Home -Newburgh (NASH). A special event for all the Cleveland Slovenian Home honorees was held Saturday, March 21s1 at the St. Clair National Home. The event honoring Olga at the NASH was held Sunday, June 14th. Olga is a dedicated volunteer for her beloved NASH. Our branch members are proud that she is being so honored.
Several of our members are busy travelers. We are looking forward to Ginger Kemmerling’s exciting details of her recent trip to Slovenia with SWUA. Elsie Spellacy vacationed in Orlando with her son, George and daughter-in-law, Jane and 1 have returned to Ohio from six months in my new Florida home in Largo, it is wonderful to be in a warm sunny climate during the months when winter hits the northern states.
Our branch is honored to host the next Ohio Regional Convention on October 4,2009. Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Church with a traditional Slovenian Dinner and meeting to be held at the NASH. Tickets will be $20.00. Details and specific information will be sent to all branches in mid August. We encourage all Ohio branches to attend this event. St. Lawrence will be closing in 2010 and this will be our last SWUA event. We hope to see many of you in October. Enjoy the summer!
KATHLEEN FERRANTE
BRANCH 50 - Euclid, Ohio
Greetings from America’s North Coast! As I write this article in mid May 2009, I am grateful to be home recuperating from surgery in March that included an aortic heart valve replacement and bypass procedures at University Hospitals in Cleveland. During my hospital stay we marked my birthday on April 8lh with my wonderful team of care professionals. Thanks to all my fellow Branch 50 members for their prayers and support throughout my
recovery and especially for all the beautiful cards and letters which were unbelievably helpful in lifting my spirits! The deluge of cards received, thanks in part to the periodic updates on Tony Petkovsek’s radio show had our mailman and local post office working overtime.
Branch 50 has a few new members to announce, including my own grandchildren, Johanna (who was recently named “Euclid Student of the Week” by our local newspaper), Zachary and Faith Tomsick, as well as Marguerite Poropat, Ed Pushry and Colleen Boruszkowski. Best wishes to our newest members!
We were saddened to hear of the recent death of Mary Perusek, a member of Branch 50 since 1968. Best wishes to member Faye Paulin, who at this writing was continuing her recovery from an injury.
August marks the end of the four-year appointment of Dr. Zvone Žigon, our beloved Consul General for the Republic of Slovenia, who has been stationed here in Cleveland, Ohio since 2005. He has truly been an inspiration for our local Slovenian community, and has certainly made his mark in the city and beyond with several important initiatives that began under his guidance. Dr. Žigon wasted no time immersing himself in American culture and helping to bridge Slovenian-American relations. An avid sportsman and runner, last May Dr. Žigon competed in the Cleveland Rite Aid Marathon. Dr. Žigon and his wife Irena will be greatly missed for their enthusiastic support of cultural, educational and sporting events, and we offer our sincerest best wishes for their success in the future.
We congratulate the Slovenska Narodna Čitalnica, which recently announced the opening of its new Children’s library to be maintained at the Slovenian National Home in downtown Cleveland. This quiet organization that is committed to sharing and preserving our Slovenian-American culture and heritage has been around since 1906 and is the largest such organization outside of Slovenia. For more information, please contact its president, Nenca Cerer at nenca@att.net.
ANNE TOMSICK ciaynow@yahoo.com 216.531.2745
AnneTomsick’s birthday in the hospital
BRANCH 55 - Girard, Ohio
Hello to all from Girard! It’s hard to believe that it is summertime already. It seems like only a few short weeks have passed since the last frost covered the ground. I hope that it has been a relaxing and enjoyable season for all. This is such a great time of the year for backyard barbecues, vacations, fireworks and many other fun outdoor activities.
In branch news, Nicolas Fooy made his First Communion on April 26 at St. Anne Church in Warren, MI. Many family members and friends were able to share in this special day. Congratulations, Nicolas! May God Bless you always!
In other Branch news, members are encouraged to contact Maria Selak about upcoming events. That’s all the news for now. I’ve enclosed a short poem about the season for all to enjoy!
“That beautiful season the Summer!
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light: and the landscape lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.”
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
MONICA SELAK
BRANCH 89 - Oglesby, Illinois
The Girl Scouts held an international fair recently in the gym of the local community college. Our branch was invited to attend and President Alice, Treasurer Mitzi and I went. We had a two-table booth with a great view of the stage and sat right next to the food stand. We had a great display combining pictures, maps, books and artifacts and we played Slovenian music.
We had a great time and talked to lots of kids and some potential members. We gave a back issue of Zarja to people who seemed truly interested along with a SWU A calendar. The question we answered most often was, “What is the difference between Slovenians and Slovaks?” Luckily we had brought a big atlas and were able to explain and show on the map. We had a great time and plan on attending next year. The school principal of a nearby town asked us if we would attend a similar event next year at her school and we readily accepted. It was a lot of fun and we reached a lot of people, some of whom might become members. If your branch has an opportunity to do something like that we heartily suggest that you do.
At our most recent meeting we held a sort of Antiques Road Show. Everyone brought something interesting to share. We had letters written by a SWUA member WAAC during WWII, family recipes, religious statues and old rosaries and all kinds of family artifacts. We really enjoyed
what everyone brought and stayed later than usual talking about all the different things. It was a great meeting that involved everyone who came.
We want to welcome two new members. John Maloney is Branch 89’s first male member and lives in Champaign, IL. Julie Kamnikar Harbeck lives in Flanagan, IL. We are glad you have joined us.
Twenty-two members and guests met at Mario’s Maples on the rainiest night of this rainy year for the Member of the Year dinner to honor Marilyn Argubright our Sunshine Person and long time member. We were pleased to have her son-in-law, Mike Gunderson, as a guest. Pam Nosalik was the guest of her mother, Darlene Wasielewski.
We have had a great year and look forward to resuming meetings in September. We enjoy hearing from out of town members; call or e-mail any time.
BARBARA BRUCH barbarabruch@yahoo .com 815.339.2714
BRANCH 93 - New York, New York
Our strudel making demonstration led by Sonja Mosquin (with the help of her daughter Erika Bruno) on Saturday, March 28th was a success! 18 members, friends and guests enjoyed Sonja’s baking expertise and good humor! Sonja is originally from the Trieste area of Slovenia by the Italian border (Primorska region). You can see this in her strudel recipe, which includes pignoli (pine) nuts. More photos and the recipe are on the Branch 93 website. Thank you to new member Tanja Vajk who offered her photography skills. We had a potica demonstration June 6th and more demonstrations are planned for the fall/winter: Gnocchi (light potato dumplings made with baking potatoes, egg yolks, and flour) is more commonly eaten in Northern Italy but also found in the Primorska region and Gibinica (a layered pastry that contains various fillings) from the Prekmurge region by the Hungarian border.
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Strudel making demonstration led by Sonja Mosquin (with the help of her daughter Erika Bruno)
Folk Dance Fridays are held the first Friday of the month at the Hungarian House in NYC. www.nycfolkdance.org. This is international folk dancing with an emphasis on Balkan. We will try this as a branch event in the fall as the organizers have at least one Slovenian folk dance in their repertoire! A Balkan Cafe Music Series is also offered once a month - we are inquiring about getting Slovenian musicians involved.
The weekend of November 6-8 was reserved at the AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club) Mohican Outdoor Center in Blairstown, NJ for another “Slovenian Heritage” weekend. More details to come.
If you have an e-mail address, please join our yahoo group for information on upcoming events and activities. If you are not on e-mail, please call the Branch 93 contact.
Branch 93 contact:
201.947.6336, swuabranch93nyc@gmail.com; website www.swuanyc.org; yahoo group, to subscribe e-mail:	SWUABranch93N	YC-
subscribe@yahoogroups.com; Branch 93 NYC facebook page: www.facebook.com (type in “SWUA”). The branch membership list is available upon request. Check the May/June branch report for a brief list of ongoing events/resources in NYC!
BRANCH 99 - Lemont, Illinois
First of all, our Member of the Year celebration for Martha Pecharich was a wonderful day for all. Martha was presented with an engraved photo album from our Branch. Her daughter Linda took pictures and made the beautiful floral centerpieces. Her niece Diane brought sheets of creme snite (napoleons) for dessert, which is Martha’s favorite. Her daughter Sandy and son Mark acknowledged their mom with a list of attributes that described Martha and how much she means to them. Her daughter Sandy also brought Slovenian cookies all the way from Florida. The dinner was prepared by Fanika and was delicious. We’d like to thank all of our other bakers who made the event so memorable. Slovenian songs sung by Nandi Puc, Corinne, Michaela and Martha herself entertained us. It was a beautiful celebration and we are so grateful to have Martha as one of our active members.
August 2nd is our third meeting of the year at 1 p.m. in the SCC library. We are hoping for more members to attend. There will be another culinary class September 19th, when we will be cooking Flancati or “angel wings”. Call Barb to register for the above culinary classes.
Remember and pray for all the sick in our Branch, especially Fran Schultz.
On a side note, Mary and Paula Mavec just returned from a trip to Slovenia. I’m sure they had a wonderful time and hopefully will show us pictures and tell us tales of Slovenia at our next meeting. Have a safe and fun summer!
BRANCH 100 - Southern California
Branch 100 members and guests gathered together for our 2009 Member of the Year Luncheon on Saturday, May 2nd. It was so nice to have the opportunity to honor our member, Rosemarie Black, who has done so much in supporting members and friends who have suffered sickness and distress these past few years. She is also the quintessential mother who dotes on her children and grandchildren in the best ways imaginable. It was nice to have some of her family members with us for this occasion. Although Rosemarie is not Slovenian, she has embraced the culture and music wholeheartedly through her membership in the Fontana Button Accordion Club, the SNPJ and the SWUA. Thank you so much for your contributions, Rosemarie!
We enjoyed the great food and the friendship at the Mimi’s Restaurant in Fontana with about 35 in attendance. Mary Lou Jensen conducted our semi-annual meeting and introduced guests. We were happy to have Barbara and Patty, the daughters of former Member of the Year, Marge Ostrowski who has been ill for more than a year now. They brought thanks on behalf of their mother for the cards and visits during her illness.
Mary Lou Vidergar with Rosemarie Black,
Member of the Year, Branch 100
Suggestions were made for our Christmas outing and will be researched before definite plans are made. We had two volunteers for the position of Sunshine Person, Dorothy Jemeycic and Carol Harley. Mary Lou, in her thoughtful way, had four door prizes to award to lucky winners. This always makes for some extra fun in addition to the very active conversations and the good food enjoyed at these gatherings. We hope everyone has a pleasant summer! Nasvidenje!
JEAN KOCI
the potluck. Several different kinds of potica were baked and served. Among the samples, peanut butter and walnut were favorites. A look out the window delighted the senses with the colorful riding apparel of the bikers.
We send thoughts and prayers for increasing wellness to members Pat Sixel, Frieda Klancher and Monsignor Malnar. President, Rose Pakiz reported that member Gertrude Bukovic is now residing at Clark County Health Care Center in Owen. Happy Birthday to everyone celebrating their special day during the summer months of July and August.
All members are encouraged to update insurance beneficiary information. Forms can be obtained from Sue Pakiz.
Branch 102 welcomes new member Kathy Severson. Kathy, Pat Sixel and Candy Johnson grew up together. They were friends across the “eighty” (acres that is!) remembers Pat.
Karen Spires recently completed the requirements of a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Karen is a School Nurse in Waukegan, Illinois. Congratulations to Meda Krampasky (and husband Jerome) on the birth of Grandson Maison Robert in February. Maison is the Great-Grandson of George and Ellen Plautz.
Having waited so long for the return of warm weather we are enjoying the summer here in Willard. Gardens and preserving are keeping many of us busy. Celebrations including Dairy Days in Greenwood and Polka Festival in Willard have provided entertainment and a chance to keep in touch with family and friends.
KAREN HRIBAR-SPIRES kleespires@comcast.net
Helping out; Sue Pakiz and junior member Sandy Brierton
BRANCH 102 - Willard, Wisconsin
Potica making and a bike race were the order of the day in Willard when Branch 102 last met. The KSKJ lodge held members of both groups and shared a potica making demonstration and sale prior to the branch meeting and
Potica making in Willard, Wisconsin
Keeping the Slovenian Spirit Alive
BRANCH 103 - Washington, D.C.
Our branch honored a tradition of the blessing of the food, Zegen in Slovene on Holy Saturday at Maria Pomogaj Brezje Chapel at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in northeast Washington. About 50 Slovenians clutching their butara brought baskets filled with Easter eggs, ham, breads, horseradish and pastries like potica to
members who have happily brought their children along to a few Slovenian events.
All are welcome to join us for our luncheon meeting on Sunday, September 13 at 1:00 p.m. in the back dining room of the Hunan in Olney, MD. Our guest speaker will be Mrs. Helen Sisto, a “transplant member” originally from LaGrange Park, IL. She will read her cousin’s diary from a two-week trip he took from the time period when Slovenia declared Independence in June 1991.
be blessed by Father Wadas. Our priests also explained the significance of each food, from the eggs (jajce) to the horseradish (hren), which represents the pain that Christ endured during his crucifixion. We passed out specially filled eggs to members and guests and Easter baskets to Fathers Wadas and Rozic prepared by Angela Stare.
We are planning a mass for living and deceased members in the fall (date to still be determined) followed by lunch in the Shrine cafeteria.
Veronika Stare, member and daughter of Vice-president Angela Stare, was awarded the 2009 Rose Marie Princ Scholarship. After graduating from Oakcrest High School, she will attend William and Mary College in the fall and major in cognitive and neurosciences. Congratulations and best wishes for continued success!
TATJANA ZUNKO
BRANCH 108 - Olney, Maryland
On Palm Sunday, Marjeta Cedilnik hosted a Slovenian egg dyeing demonstration and opportunity for guests and members to decorate Easter eggs, “The Slovenian Way.” All those that had the chance to attend took home a few eggs they decorated with natural dyes imprinted with clover and other beautifully shaped leaves.
This past spring our branch celebrated the 5th Annual Membership Appreciation potluck dinner celebration hosted at Bernadette Fitzsimmons home. Everyone present enjoyed the spread of traditional Slovenian dishes and socializing across generations. A warm welcome to Margaret Korošec and Brian Gruber, our two newest
Brian Gruber, new Branch 108 member and daughter Sara stopped by the Slovenian booth at Laytonsville’s International Night coordinated by Bernadette and her daughter Juliana in March. Brian is of Slovenian descent and attended his first SWUA event, Pustna Veselica with his daughter after receiving an invitation from his neighbor John Klansek, charter member of Branch 108. Brian purchased the “Pot’s and Pan’s Cookbook” at International Night and looks forward to sharing Slovenian recipes with his family.
Keeping the Spirit Alive
SLOVENIA
BRANCH 109 - Twin Cities of Minnesota
Amidst all the planning and brainstorming sessions dealing with the Festival of Nations, some of the members of the Twin Cities Slovenians attended a two day series of lectures held at the Center for Austrian Studies, University of Minnesota. The speaker was Dr. Andrej Rahten, a young Slovene historian who teaches history at the University of Maribor and is a Senior Research Fellow in the Institute for Cultural History of the Slovenian Academy of Arts and Sciences.
The two lectures were: “Archduke Francis Ferdinand and the South Slav Question” and “From the Habsburg Monarch to the European Union: Evolution of national, regional and European loyalties among the Slovenes in the 20,h century”. Joe Kuznik, a member of Branch 109, paraphrased a couple of the main points of Dr. Rahten’s lecture: A Slovenian identity as such did not develop until the aftermath of WWI when the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was established. It later became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia without the consent of most of the Slovenes. Prior to WWI people identified themselves First as residents of whichever Austrian province they resided: i.e. Carinthians, Camiolans or Styrians. Another interesting fact that Dr. Rahten pointed out was that in the year 1900 the city with the largest population was Trst (Trieste) with
67,000	Slovenes while Leibach (Ljubljana) had only 42,000. He also touched on some of the more controversial issues especially of the Tito era.
Branch 109 was also represented at an Archiving Workshop on May 15 at the Immigration History Research Center at the University of Minnesota. Mary Alice Schwanke, our Webmaster and Member of the Year, attended a one-day seminar on how organizations can organize and preserve documents for historical purposes. This workshop will be the stepping-stone to indexing the Zarja magazines for the years 1946-1959. This project was launched in late May and chaired by Jim Smrekar and Norm Setnicker. We have not finalized a completion date for the indexing but are anxious to see what progress can be made this summer.
June 24, the Twin Cities Slovenians hosted a farewell reception at the Nectary restaurant for Dr. Zvone Žigon, the Slovenian Consul General from Cleveland. A “resounding” chorus of singers led by Miro Medved as they sung the Slovenian national anthem greeted Dr. Žigon and his wife. Dr. Žigon then presented a power point presentation on modem day Slovenia with the evening concluding with the singing of more traditional Slovenian songs. Thanks, Miro and Karen for hosting the sing-along and organizing the reception, which was on the eve of Slovenian National Day, June 25"'.
From Branch 109 in the Twin Cities Enjoy the rest
of the summer.
Calendar of Events
JULY 19
Slovenian Festival at Kiwanis Park in Sheboygan, Wisconsin 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m..
AUGUST 15
Summer BBQ hosted by Branch 13 of San Francisco, California starting at noon. For further information contact President Doreen at 415.468.5039. All are invited to attend.
SEPTEMBER 13
Minnesota Convention hosted by Branch 33 of Duluth, Minnesota will begin at St. Elizabeth’s Church, 610-99th Avenue West. Coffee will be served at 9:00 a.m., meeting at 9:30 a.m., and Mass will be at noon with a banquet to follow.
SEPTEMBER 19
Culinary Class featuring Flancate (Angel Wings) sponsored by Branch 99 of Lemont, Illinois.
SEPTEMBER 27
Wisconsin Convention hosted by Branch 43 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin starting at 9:00 a.m. at Klemmers Hall.
Grape Harvest Festival hosted by Branch 20 of Joliet, Illinois. All are invited to attend. Contact Jonita Ruth at 815.727.1926 for further information.
OCTOBER 3
80,h Anniversary of Branch 33 of Duluth, Minnesota will start with mass at 5:00 p.m. followed by dinner and music by the Singing Slovenes.
OCTOBER 4
Ohio Convention hosted by Branch 47 of Garfield Heights, Ohio will begin with Mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Church followed by a luncheon at the Slovenian National Home.
Festival of Nations
Twin Cities, SWUA109 wins the “Award of Excellence”
Theme was Entitled “Invention and Transportation”
The Twin Cities Slovenians (SWUA 109) won the “Award of Excellence” at the Festival ofNations held at the River Centre in St. Paul (April 30-May3). This is the largest ethnic Festival held in the United States and historically the longest running. It traditionally draws crowds in excess of
80,000	for the four-day event. This award of excellence is given to the top 5 exhibits and is based on the following
discovery. This was probably the first time that this picture and replica were displayed together in such a public setting.
The third piece of our exhibit used our traditional background panels of the Slovenian landscape with pictures of prominent Slovenian inventors, scholars and scientists in the foreground noting their primary accomplishments.
Also in the
Our last minute insert for the exhibit proved to be very popular for the adults - a detailed picture and replica of the oldest wooden wheel ever found in the world (between 5100-5350 years old). It was discovered in the Ljubljana marshes of Slovenia. Yul Yost, our “Slovenian Renaissance man”, made contact with Dr. Anton Velušček of the Archeology Institute of Slovenia and produced a wooden replica of this amazing
criteria: theme related, use of technology, interactive activities, exhibit personnel (costumes, demeanor, knowledge) and artistic quality.
This year’s theme was entitled “Invention and Transportation” with the idea to draw out how people get around and/or how things work from the cultures. One of the center points of the exhibit was Frank Medved’s six-foot plywood replica of “Urban” the Ribničan who peddled his wooden goods throughout central Europe. What made our “Ribničan special was that the face was hinged so that the school children could pose with their face and the body of the Ribničan. This made the display more interactive for students.
foreground was a 32-inch TV monitor with a continuous	out to students. Inscribed on the cards was our website:
playing DVD illustrating innovative Slovenians along with	www.twincitiesslovenians.org with the idea that students
prominent Slovenian Americans who had made significant	could visit the website and learn more about these prominent
contributions to Invention and Transportation.	Slovenians and their contributions to the world.
Slovenian
Another unique feature of our exhibit was an attempt to have students become more interactive with the theme of the Festival. Two thousand “baseball size” cards picturing Slovenian scientists, scholars and inventors were handed
As with last year’s Festival theme of “Art and	that were innovators) and Mary Schwanke (website
Architecture”, this year’s theme created more involvement	design),
for our “young” Branch 109 and the Award of Excellence
is a credit to the many people who worked in the exhibit	For more details on our Festival of Nations exhibit please
stamping “passports”, greeting people in Slovenian, writing	check our website: www.twincitiesslovenians.org.
first names in Slovenian, passing out literature and responding to the many questions from students and adults. Special thanks to the following:	Mary	Medved,
chairperson, Frank Medved (DVD and Ribničan replica), Jeff Martinka (research), Ann Slavec (prominent Slovenians “baseball” cards, Sue Rademacher and Tom Moren (artists/setup), Yul Yost (oldest wooden wheel replica/ research), Andy Percic (transportation/storage) Yvonne and A1 McComber (TV monitor),
Dr. Edward Gobetz of the Slovenian Research Center of America, Inc.
(supplying the PowerPoint slides of Americans of Slovenian heritage
Congratulations Branch 109 and the Twin City Slovenians for Keeping the Spirit Alive!
Slovenian Women’s Union of America
V
Slovenska Zenska Zveza v Ameriki Membership Application
Yes! I want to join the SWUA. I want to preserve and promote the legacy of our Slovenian-American heritage. As a member I will receive the publication Zarja the Dawn; I can affiliate with branches and events across the country and best of all, I will come in contact with fellow Slovenes.
Please type or print legibly. Choose type of membership:
Junior (Birth to 18) Annual Dues $5.00	Adult	Annual	Dues	$20.00
Name and Middle Initial_____________________________________Maiden Name_______________________________
Street Address____________________________________City/State/Zip______________________________________
Phone/Fax_________________________________________E-mail______________________________________________
Date of Birth_____________________________________ Do you speak Slovenian?____________________________
Please describe your Slovenian ancestry and provide SLOVENIAN SURNAMES________________________________
How did you hear about us?	
SWUA member newspaper website other	
Applicant signature: Date:	
Branch Affiliation No. (if known) Location:	
Please make checks payable to the Slovenian Women’s Union of America and mail to:	
SWUA431 North Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432	
For additional information, contact:	
SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION OF AMERICA, 431 North Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432	
815.727.1926 e-mail: swuhome@sbcglobal.net - website: www.swua.org	
I would like to volunteer for the SWUA. My area of interest or expertise is:	
Tell a Friend! If you wish us to send information to a friend or relative just fill in name and address here:	
My friend’s name	
Address: City State	Zip
	
Pohanje (Flanciti)
Recipe from Mary Frances Mohr, Branch 5
My husband, Bob and I make Pohanje (Flanciti) for many occasions. Our granddaughter Kristina has always shown an interest and asked to make them with us. It is so nice when the young people want to carry on our Slovenian traditions.
This recipe is not very detailed because each generation watched the other make it and no one realized that writing down the steps was important (sound familiar). This recipe is very simple, handed down from my mother, Mary Konovsek, Kristina’s maternal great-grandmother.
- Mary Frances Mohr
Ingredients
3	eggs
1 tablespoon of sugar 1 tablespoon of cream
1 teaspoon of vanilla
2 cups pastry flour
Beat eggs to a foam, add cream, sugar and vanilla and beat again. Then sift in enough flour to handle the dough easily. Roll very thin on floured board, cut in diamond shapes about 4 inches long and slit the center of each. Bring edge of each shape through the slit.
Brown in deep hot fat like you would for a doughnut. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Branch 5 member Kristina Cox with a tray of Pohanje she and her Grandpa Mohr made for a New Year’s Dinner. Kristina is a junior at Ball State University. She is the daughter of Mary Ann Cox and granddaughter of Mary
Frances Mohr.
POLKA CRUISE
February 21 - 28, 2010
All SWUA members and friends are invited to the Polka Party at Sea.
How does a 7 night cruise starting in New Orleans with ports of call to Costa Maya, Santo Thomas, De Castilla, Belize and Cozumel sound?
With entrance to five private polka parties, open bar cocktails, receptions and late jam sessions.
The All Star musical line up will include the Eddie Rodick Orchestra, Steve Meisner, and the Karousel with Bob Dozak.
If you are interested call Kollander World Travel at 1.800.800.5981 or 216.692.1000 and tell them you are with SWUA.
They will send you complete details.
Pk sigMaM*
Jenka’s Taste of Slovenia
Slow Things Down for an Afternoon and Enjoy an Old Slovenian Family Custom
Sunday afternoon meals were always a family affair that lasted for hours and was always accompanied with homemade wine or brandy. It was our chance to sit together and catch up on the week’s events. My favorite Sunday’s were during the summer months when the dinner was always set up outdoors on a beautiful summer afternoon.
In today’s busy life style too many times a family meal on Sunday afternoon means passing a bag of fast food over the seat to the kids in back while a parent eats as they drive to the next activity. There just doesn’t seem to be time for a good old fashion family meal, you remember them don’t you? When on Sunday the meal would be a can’t miss event. There was always ample food and the family would sit around the table for hours discussing what ever came to mind and of course catching up on what was going on in everyone’s life. It was a time to work out problems, it was a time to become closer and it was definitely a time to laugh.
Blueberry Liqueur (Borovnični Liker)
4 cups blueberries (preferably fresh, but you may also use frozen)
1 cup water, boiled and allowed to cool
2 cups water
3 cups sugar
5 whole cloves 1 vanilla bean
1	cinnamon stick
4 cups plain brandy
It could be the immediate family or in many cases entire sides of families and the funny thing was no one was ever in a hurry to leave. The time was both cherished and necessary, each person old or young would seem to get a chance to speak and you would sit there for hours and not even realize the time had gone by. I understand that times have changed and that with all the modem technology we may not need to “catch up” as much, but I also think it would be wonderful for us to sit and chat over a Sunday meal again, maybe slow things down for an afternoon and enjoy an old Slovenian family custom one more time. Dober tek - Jenka
Place the blueberries in a large pan and cover with the
1	cup water. Allow to sit, covered for 1 day. Press the mixture through a cheese cloth, reserving the liquid. Save the pressed berries.
In a medium saucepan, place sugar and 2 cups of water. Cook over high heat, stirring continuously until the mixture boils. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Pour the sugar water into the blueberry juice.
Add the cloves, vanilla bean, cinnamon, pressed blueberries and brandy to the blueberry juice.
Pour the mixture into clean bottles, which you can seal loosely. Allow the bottles to stand in the sun for several days, turning them occasionally. Pour the liqueur into sterilized bottles and seal tightly. It may be drunk immediately! Makes 2 to 3 small bottles of brandy
Noodles (Rezanci)
These basic noodles can be used in many different ways from pasta salads to soups.
1 cup white flour 14 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
Jenka’s
Place the flour on a flat surface, mix in the salt and make a well in the center. Crack the eggs and put into the center of the well.
Begin beating the eggs with a fork and slowly incorporate some of the flour from the sides of the well into the egg mixture. Continue to beat while gradually adding more and more of the flour until you can form a wet ball. At this point you can use your hands to continue mixing the dough and adding in more flour. You will eventually have a pliable ball. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes. It should be a smooth, elastic dough.
Roll the dough out on to a floured surface as thinly as possible.
Roll the dough up jelly roll fashion and then, starting at one end, slice the roll as thinly as possible. Spread the noodles out on a dry surface and let dry for several hours.
Noodle Dough Squares (Bleki)
Despite the fact that they are easy to make with few ingredients and very inexpensive, bleki (squares made from noodle dough), have always been considered a better dish. That is why they were served for lunch or dinner at harvest, haymaking and grape harvesting time. Sauces or seasoning were always added to create the dish. Below are two of my favorites but you can create your own as well.
Noodle (Bleki) dough
1 % cups plain (all-purpose) flour
2 eggs
Vi teaspoon salt
2	tablespoons water
To prepare the noodles, sift the flour and salt into a bowl and make a well. Add the eggs and water, then wisk lightly. Work in the flour to make a dough. Knead until smooth.
Roll out the dough thinly on a lightly floured surface and cut into strips 1" wide, then cut them across into squares. Boil the noodles in a large pan with salted water, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, until the noodles are tender.
Cabbage with Noodle Squares (Zeljove krpice)
This dish is enjoyed particularly in July and August when fresh cabbage is plentiful.
Noodle (Bleki) dough - See separate recipe 9 ounces cabbage, cut into 1" squares
3	tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon sugar
1 onion, chopped
2 slices bacon, diced Cumin, ground
Salt
Melt butter in large pan, add sugar and cook until it starts to color. Add the onion and bacon and cook until lightly browned.
Add the cabbage and a pinch of salt and cumin. Add a spoonful of cooking water from the noodles and cook the cabbage for 6-8 minutes. Drain the noodles squares and mix in. Serves 4-6
Seasoning #1
Prosciutto, cut in pieces Butter
Salt and pepper
Seasoning #2
Cracker crumbs Butter
Salt and pepper
Melt butter in separated pan, add prosciutto or cracker crumbs and fry until transparent. Mix with bleki and season with salt and pepper.
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Secrets of Slovenia
May 2009
Keeping the Slovenian Spirit Alive