ZARJA — THE DAWN DECEMBER, 1988 HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZARJA - THE DAWN in december (ISSN 0044-1848) Postmaster: Send all changes of address to: ZARJA -THE DAWN, 2032 W. Cermak Rd., Chicago, IL 60608 DECEMBER, 1988 VOLUME 60 NO. 12 Member, Illinois Fraternal Congress Official Publication of the Slovenian Women's Union of America — Uradno glasilo Slovenske Ženske Zveze. Published monthly except January, June & August — izhaja vsak mesec razen januar, junij in avgust. Annual Subscription for non-members, $10.00 — naročnina $10.00 letno za ne-članice. Publisher: SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION OF AMERICA 431 No. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432 Telephone (815) 727-1926 Second Class Postage paid at Chicago, IL All communications for the next issue of publication must be in the hands of the Editor by the first week of the month — vsi dopisi za naslednjo izdajo mesečnika morajo biti v rokah urednice do I. v mesecu. Editor, CORINNE LESKOVAR Editorial Office: 2032 W. Cermak Rd., Chicago, IL 60608 Telephone: (312) 847-6679 ON THE COVER Lace from Idrija in Slvoenia is distinctively beautiful. It is made on bobbins of very fine thread and can by formed into designs of all kinds. The women of Idrija know how to do this delicate handwork and have taught their daughters and granddaughters through the generations. In the US we have very few experts left, and one of them is Anna Jesenko of Cleveland, Ohio who is featured in this issue. There has been interest shown in the lace-making technique which Anna does so well and the Slovenian Heritage Foundation of Cleveland has produced a video tape that is available. Anna has been on television, interviewed for the newspapers of Cleveland and is a fantastic lady. She is a member of our Zveza for many, many years. Her story in Slovenian was submitted by Cirila Kermavner (page 36) and a condensed translation is on page 28. Dear Anna, we are proud of you and your art! Every piece will be an everlasting remembrance of you, a wonderful lady! Presidents: Dec. 5 -Dec. 14 -Dec. 15 -Dec 21 -Dec. 28 -Dec. 28 -Dec. 30 -Dec. 31 -Dec. 31 - Secretaries: Rose Marie Streckel, Br. 26, Pittsburgh, PA Josephine Mohorčič, Br. 25, Cleveland, OH Victoria Volk, Br. 99, Elmhurst, IL Mary Mihelich, Br. 79, Enumclaw, WA Marie Gombach, Br. 10, Cleveland, OH Agnes Tomazic, Br. 40, Lorain, OH Jennie Gerk, Br. 47, Gargield Hts., OH Josephine Kapla, Br. 81, Keewatin, MN Frances Vidmar, Br. 83, Crosby, MN Dec. 9 - Elizabeth Birk, Br. 84, New York, NY Dec. 25 - Jennie Mayasich, Br. 65, Virginia, MN Dec. 29 - Marge Church, Br. 42, Maple Hgts., OH HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN JANUARY National Officer: Jan. 6- Irene Odorizzi, Cultural Heritage Officer, Re-ston, VA Jan. 29 - Joan Yaklich, Regional President, Wisconsin, West Allis, WI Presidents: Jan. 2 - Kay Yuratovac, Br. 73, Warrensville Hgts., OH Jan. 4 - Elizabeth Kinder, Br. 22, Bradley, IL Jan. 11 - Frances Corel, Br. 93, Brooklyn, NY Jan. 11 - Kathleen Podobnik, Br. 96, Universal, PA Jan. 23 - Mary Mundson, Br. 47, Garfield Hgts., OH Secretaries: Jan. 5 - Mary Jackovich, Br. 28, Calumet, MI Jan. 12 - Mary Krall, Br. 37, Greaney, MN Jan. 14 - Virginia Zevkovich, Br. 57, Niles, OH Jan. 20 - Angela Mobilia, Br. 23, Ely, MN Jan. 24 - Mary Slaney, Br. 26, Pittsburgh, PA JNDEPENDENT AVINGS BANK 1515 E. 260th, Euclid, Ohio 44132 731-8865 920 E. 185th, Cleveland, Ohio 44119 486-4100 2765 SOM Center Rd., Willoughby Hills, Ohio 44094 944-3400 27100 Chardon Road, Richmond Hts., Ohio 44143 944-5500 6650 Pearl Road, Parraa Hts., Ohio 44130 845-8200 dVationat Maty the spiHi'C of ChRi'stmas be uu\th tyou dLL thnough the (yeaR The snow is starting to flutter past the window as I write this article (last week of October). On the minds of many avid hunters is the annual deer hunting season. Plans are made months in advance so that every minute detail is taken into consideration. I’ve been reminded of this fact so vividly today because our son, John called to inform us that three of the men in his party who applied for “doe licenses” received them. Thus far we haven't received notice whether or not his Dad will be as lucky. They are picked by a lottery system, I’ve been told. John built a hunting shack about two miles from our home, which literally is his “home away from home.” I’ve often wondered what attracts these hunters to the forest. To begin with, it’s so quiet and peaceful getting away from the hustle and noise of the city. With no telephones ringing or TV’s blaring, it clears the mind while silentb' -talking with a slow, deliberate pace in search for the . iphy. Drifts of sweetly scented pine permeate the bi.sk fresh air; an indescribable moment which clearly says, “You have to be there.” For the first time this year the State permitted deer stands to be built 16 feet above ground (formerly 8 feet) which definitely is an advantage for viewing greater distances. In this Northern region of our state, deer hunting season is treated as if it were a national holiday weekend. Businesses close so that management and their employees have an extra day off. Some of our schools go so far as to give students and teachers an extra day, too. Our hunters unknowingly do a little Christmas shopping during the deer hunting season. Oftentimes they pick the right Christmas tree to take home to their families. Beautiful wild red berries growing on bushes (I have already put in my request for some) make lovely centerpiece decorations mixed with fresh pine. Princess pine is gathered to make beautiful wreaths or pine boughs and cedar can be used for decorating also. All one needs is written permission from the landowner to do this kind of “Christmas shopping” - a rather inexpensive way to go in most instances. The way we plan and prepare during the Advent Season can be compared to the way many of our friends and relatives prepare for the “opening day” of deer hunting season. Nothing should be left undone. This is the season of great expectations! We plan, prepare, bake, trim trees, wrap gifts, write cards and letters, but most importantly, we pray. Our time for rejoicing in the birth of the Christ Child is what we ultimately look forward to on Christmas Day. May we all enjoy the blessings and love of Jesus. Merry Christmas! Victoria “Tory" Bobence COLORADO STATE CONVENTION The Colorado State Convention was held in Pueblo, Co., Sept. 25, 1988. After mass at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, a luncheon and meeting were held in St. Mary’s Hall. Father Alan Schwab gave the invocation after which sixty-five people enjoyed a delightful luncheon. Frances Simonich, Regional President, opened the meeting. Delegates present were: Rosemary Mlakar, Br. 100, Fontana, Ca., Angela Meglen, Br. 3, Pueblo, Co., and Barbara Spritzer, Br. 92, Gunnison, Co. Present also were Ann Kapel, Pres. Br. 100, Fontana, Ca., Mary Bozaich, charter of Br. 3, Pueblo, Co. She is 93 years old. Anna Pachak, who is Honorary State Pres., was unable to attend because of illness but did send greetings. Greetings and regrets for not being able to attend were received from our National President, Victoria “Tory” Bobence. Father Alan and other speakers gave inspiring talks and all stressed the importance of supporting the S.W.U. and getting new members. Barbara Spritzer, Br. 92, Gunnison, Co., was elected new Regional Director of Colorado, Kansas and Missouri. After door prizes were given out, the meeting adjourned. NO. 2, CHICAGO, IL Can you imagine “Pennies from Heaven?” Well, seeing is believing, and our St. Stephen’s hall was well represented with pennies. Terry and Ray used their imagination and we had pennies coming from all over, hanging from the ceiling, on balloons, on walls and then Fran and Percy went to work with their talents. They made pretty little angel favors for each of us and heavenly place mats. Here we were for our November Penny Social! De-lores Puhek and her committee worked hard to have everything in place; we had many items for the games. Luba Troha, Sentinel, waited by the door with her book so that each member and guest could sign in and get the show on the road. Everyone came in ready to play. It was far from being like Vegas but the money will be going to help Santa surprise our young members at the Christmas party. Our kitchen crew, Katie, Matt and Ray were kept busy making coffee, tea, and slicing all the good bakeries brought in by the members so we could reinforce our bodies at half-time. We had a real nice attendance, everyone was in a happy mood. Our “Croupiers” were kept real busy, in fact no one wanted to go home, everyone wanted to continue playing Father Thad tried his luck, too, but he said it wasn’t his night to win but that he realty had a lot of fun. I think everyone thought that. Delores thanks everyone for all your help and for coming to make this a success. There was no business to report this month. Our condolence to our Fathers on the loss of Father Andrew Svete. He has been sick for quite a long time. He was laid to rest at Lemont, November 11. Please remember him in your prayers. Naj počiva v miru. Also, please pray for our sick members: Mary Kržišnik, Joanna Oblak, Lottie Skinkis, Sophie Bogolin, Jennie Puhek and Father Chris Gostečnik. Dates to remember: December 3, 1988 - Children’s Party - “Have a Beary Christmas” December IS, 1988 - MASS for S.W.U. Members - 7:30 p.m. - then Christmas Party - “Snow Ball Inn” (Chair-persons: Jean Hrastar & Percy Morison) December 25, 1988 - Happy Birthday Jesus - Merry Christmas to all. Želim Vam vesel božič - spomnimo se Jesusa rojenega v Betlehemu. December 31,1988 - Baraga Mass - Lemont 5:30; New Year’s Party -St. Stephen’s Gym - Slovenski Športni Klub November 6, St. Stephen’s celebrated the 90th anniversary. The church was filled with flowers, Father Blase Chemazar was the celebrant, assisted by Fathers Thad, Christian and Kalist, and Brother Bernard Scianna, O.S.A. Homilist was Deacon Frank Foys, and in charge of lectors, Angela Chemazar. The music was filled by the Church Choir under the direction of Patty Zeleznak. The Church Council was in charge of this big event. Fran Morison and Irene Kalina were co-chairmen. First we must thank all of the early pioneers who did without in order to build their Slovenian church; thanks to the Franciscan Fathers and Sisters for staffing our church and school; thanks to all the Lodges who have given their support financially; thanks to all those who have given their time freely; thanks to the Senior Men’s Club and our Ladies Guild for running the Bingo to help the school; thanks to the parishioners for their help, many living in far away places and still remember St. Stephen’s and send their donations. St. Stephen’s has and still is the center of Slovenian activities where families meet and have an enjoyable time. Danica Vlahovič and her crew really prepared a feast with lots of good Slovenian food, Corinne Leskovar and her committee did an excellent job putting the program booklet together, Ron Zefran was the master-of-ceremonies, Jean Hrastar was the party coordinator. We were entertained by St. Stephen’s Choir under the direction of Patty Zeleznak with beautiful Slovenian songs, the Slovenian dancing in Slovenian naroda nošas by Susie Rigler, Mark, Mike and Mojca Magajne - they were great! Sister Cindy, our principal of St. Stephen School, directed the school children in singing - they did not miss a beat - Watch out Broadway! Flowers were presented to the over 90 year “youngs” - namely to Sisters Ven-delina & Consolata and Ana Ahacic, also one red carnation was given to all over 80 in the hall! Thanks to everyone who worked so hard behind the scenes to make this a success, you are all wonderful. God Bless you all. Meta Hanzlik and her mother spent a month in Slovenija visiting relatives and while there Meta went to Med-jugorje. She said it is unbelieveable the peaceful feeling you get just being there; you know that the Blessed Mother is near. She hopes to return next year. Marie Ovnik is visiting relations in Slovenija; she will also be making the trip to Medjugorje. It will be interesting to hear of her trip. November 2-3-4, was “Strudel Time”, the ladies and men came early to peel the apples, make the dough, stretch and bake. What a team! The aroma of the apples and cheese strudels baking, the camaraderie of the workers, it all went together to make these very special days. This Slovenian tradition has been at St. Stephen’s for many, many years now and let’s hope it continues for many more. It is a lot of hard work, but we all appreciate the efforts that these few people put into this project. Thank you all. Congratulations to John P. Vidmar and his wife, Dawn, as John is preparing for his final year for ther consecration to the Permanent Diaconate. He was installed by Bishop Placido Rodrigues, C.M.F. into the Ministry of Acolyte on October 14th. Please pray for John and his family as they continue on in their formation. Saturday, October 29, the Mass at the Marija Pomagaj Chapel in Lemont for the Bishop Baraga cause was well attended, but we could still appreciate if more of our members and friends would try to attend. How about Joliet members? Mary Ann Oblak researches the life of Bishop Baraga and always gives a very interesting talk. This month she told us of the mentor of Bishop Baraga. She also read a letter from Mike Morison; he was unable to be with us but will try real hard to be there next month. Our hostess, Ann Sam, had the gourmet table set up very festive in all Halloween colors and goodies, she also surprised us with a pizza party. Millie Paisoli treated us to her very famous apple strudel and it was delicious. The Bishop Baraga Foundation needs a lot of help, both financially and physical support. If you can help in anyway, please contact either Father Vendelin, Father Fortunat, or Percy Morison, they can give you more information. Remember for all your help “Bog bo plačal”. Congratulations to grandmothers and great-grandmothers as their families are growing up and expanding. Mae Dzik (grand-daughter Lynn Sonnessa/New Jersey) little Brittany Lynn - 8# - 5 oz.; Catherine Tuzak (daughter Barbara Jakubowski) granddaughter Aurora Collins was surprised with little Phillip Creyden IV arriving weighing 2# 12 oz on June 7; Lottie Skinkis’ daughter Ann Marie Baldaras - little Michael. Can you see all these proud grandmothers and now greatgrandmothers? November 13, The Holy Name Society of St. Stephen’s held a Spaghetti Dinner. What an active bunch of men! It was great. They made their sauce on Saturday (everything was made from scratch, I was told, nothing from a jar). Maybe we can hire them to cook for our Christmas party? At this point, everyone is thinking about the big bird for our Thanksgiving dinner, just don’t count the calories - just enjoy the day. And Thank God we are in America! Hvala Bogu! We have been blessed with so much, please remember Father Thad’s “Cheer Basket”, it is always needed but especially around this time of the year. Let’s share a little. Market Day - food is good, and it helps a good cause, the St. Stephen’s Parish. We are starting a new year, 1989, let’s pray that it will bring peace throughout the world. HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone. Love, DAISY NO. 3, PUEBLO, CO We have been so fortunate to be enjoying such beautiful weather, although it would be nice to get some rain. The flowers everywhere are so beautiful and at their peak. We had a very beautiful day when we met Oct. 5 and had a fairly good attendance. Our meeting, opened by Anne Spelich, was short. Reports were given and approved. A big welcome to our two new social members, Josephine Poder and Jennie Mishmash! We are happy to have you. Mary Perse was the only sick member reported and is getting along fine. Anne Spelich donated a comforter which will be given at our December meeting. Frances Simonich, Sec’y-Treas., reported that the Convention was enjoyed by all present and everyone thought the meal was excellent. She thanked all who helped and who donated door prizes. There will be election of officers at the November meeting. Vera Nosen’s strudel was delicious and enjoyed by all. After the meeting, “B” was enjoyed by all. PAULINE PAUCHICK NO. 12, MILWAUKEE, W1 We had a nice attendance again with our birthday girls putting out a beautiful lunch. Everyone said the hot dogs tasted good as they don’t serve them at home anymore - too much sodium! A Trick or Treat Cake was baked by Rose Larek for our October birthday girls. Thank you, all. It was nice to see Agnes Gomik back at our meetings. Stay well. Mary Debelak had eye surgery and is doing well. Mary Skusek has been in the hospital and is now at home. Angeline Pepan is at St. Mary’s Nursing Home. We wish them all well. We discussed our Christmas Party which will be held on Dec. 15th at Bruno’s Castle. Get your reservations in to Mary Dezman. Olga Frederick’s grandson got married and a few of us were in attendance. Congratulations. Happy holidays to all. MARY KIEL NO. 13, SAN FRANCISCO, CA The first Thursday in October was our marvelous Annual Pot Luck dinner. It was the usual huge success as the food was outstanding. We had 50 people present. Virginia Sustarich won the hand-crocheted afghan and Vince Aiuto, president Jo’s husband, won the beautiful sweatshirt that was handpainted and appliqued by Barbara Rathbun. Jo will enjoy it, I’m sure. Thanks to all the members who donated raffle and other prizes. Our long time member, Dragica Thomich has been ill and in a rest home. She is now at her own home with the help of her three daughters. She is doing wonderfully and is able to get out for fresh air. Happy Birthday Mrs. Thomich -on Oct. 25th she was 86 years young. Marion Mirabella has retired and has a full time job cooking and housekeeping for her honey, Mel. Marion has been under the weather with arthritis and diabetis, but you can’t keep a great lady like Marion down for long. Mary Lesser, another long-time member has moved from Potrero Hill to South San Francisco. She was our Mother of the Year in 1987. Cousins, Doreen Sustarich and Ahn Susterich took the train down to the famous Garlic Festival in Gilray, California. They had a terrific time trying garlic cake, garlic ice cream, garlic everything. They had had enough garlic to keep the evil spirits away for years. Junior member, Anne De Bono became an adult member on her 18th birthday on Oct. 12th, 1988. She is the niece of Kate Lampe. Congratulations and Happy Birthday, Anne. Sophie Troya’s husband, Rudy was rushed to the hospital for surgery. He is at home now and we all wish him a speedy recovery. We send good wishes to all our members on the sick list. Remember our meetings on the first Thursday at noon. Bring a bag lunch; a marvelous dessert is provided. A very happy and blessed holiday season to everyone. BEVERLY JACKSON NO. 14, EUCLID, OH Did this autumn season pass us by with barely a whimper? We had our first taste of winter with the first snowfall in October... Do we dare to hope for a kind winter? Many of us are reflecting on our pleasant vacations this past summer. Mary Stražišar (Arrowhead) and her granddaughter visited Slovenia with a side trip to world famous Medjugorje. I also visited that shrine in August and found it to be truly a moving and peaceful experience. What surprised me most was the young people that were there. Many, many of them from all countries of the world including Moslems. When we prayed the rosary, we heard responses in many, many languages. No matter what anyone tells you, religion is still thriving! We returned to Slovenia driving northward along the Adriatic coast. What a beautiful sight! All the songs about the Adriatic are true. Mary Gerl and her husband Max left for a trip to Las Vegas and Martha and Ed Koren went to relax in Myrtle Beach. Member Frances Mocnik is now a resident at Slovene fjome for Aged on the Neff Road. I’m sure she would appreciate hearing from her friends. Pauline Krai had successful eye surgery recently and is recuperating at home. Sympathies are extended to Olga Ozanich and her family on the death of her husband. We’ve lost two members this month... Mary Simončič and Ann Novak, wife of button accordion player, Frank Novak, who had been active in many Slovenian organzia-tions and who passed away suddenly. Our condolences to these families and mourn with them on their loss. We pray that our dear departed find peace in the arms of our Lord. May God grant them eternal rest. Dec. 6 is the day for our annual Christmas member dinner celebration. Festivities start at 6:00. Hope to see you there! Another year is drawing to a close. Peace, love and joy to you with every wish for a Merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year! ALICE KUHAR NO. 16, CHICAGO, IL Our member, Romaine O’Brien, was honord as "Woman of Achievement 1988” at a Fall Luncheon of District 2, Business & Professional Women’s Club held at the Holiday Inn, Oak Lawn, Illinois on October 16, 1988. She was selected for this honor by her Club (Town & Country) for her many honors and accomplishments in the field of Nursing, Education, Community and Church activities. Romaine is very dedicated to her Profession and we are proud of her. 0nd\{zmouam Our beloved Marion Marolt, National Auditor and President of Br. 17, West Allis, WI lost her husband, Anthony last month. We extend our sincere condolences to Marion, her daughter, Robin and son, Ray and family. And our deepest condolences to Rosemary Mlakar, Regional President for the Western States. Her dear mother, Rose Terezia Novak died on Nov. 24th. May they rest in peace! /\ Our longtime member, Agnes Krilich, will celebrate her 86th birthday on Christmas Day - we wish her good health and many more happy birthdays. The summer of 1988 found the following members travelling near and far: Frances Konar, Necedah, Wisconsin, Anne Ksiazek and Ann Lus-tig, Las Vegas, Vida Kumse, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Elsie Starcevich, St. Louis, Mary Ann Sambol and Violet Somin, Pittsburgh, Pa., Matilda Voss and Edna Winters, Florida and Frances Zupančič, Houston, Texas. Beki Krai, daughter of Andrea Krai, has moved to Los Angeles, California where she will attend the College of Cosmotology - our best wishes to her for a successful career. Get well wishes are extended to Helen Magnus who has undergone knee surgery at South Chicago Community Hospital. Our deepest sympathy to Helen Pas-trik on the loss of her mother, Angeline Vickers on October 17th at the age of 97 - may she rest in peace. * * * Thank you Branch #20 for such an enjoyable state meeting and anniversary party. Branch 95 and branch 16 shared a bus to attend the doings. We also visited Fr. David Stalzer’s beautiful church and shrine before heading home. We thank him for leading us in prayer. Our member, Polly Klobučar at age 88 is still her charming and electrifying self. We all love you, Polly. Congratulations to Antonia Krese who became a grandmother for the second time on August 28th. October 13th our meeting was opened with a prayer by President Marge Prebil. The minutes were read by Phyllis Perko. Cards were sent to Helen Butler, Emma Kralj and Mary Maricich. Our Christmas Party will be December 15th at the Crow Bar Inn at a cost of $8.00. It will also be our 60th Anniversary remembrance. Door prizes were won by MaryAnn Starcevich, Gladys Buck, Andrea Krai, Edna Winters, Marge Spretnjak and Julie Vrlich. A motion was made to close the meeting by Elaine Strubel and seconded by Bernice Jarkovich. On September 10th at 2:00 p.m., at Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica on Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Br. Paul Novak, O.S.M. celebrated his Life Commitment as a member of the Ser-vite Order with Profession of Solemn Vows. Bro. Paul looks forward to his ordination as a Deacon in December of this year, and to his graduation from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, in June of 1989. He will graduate with a Masters in Divinity with a specialization in Word and Worship. Although no date has been set for his ordination to the Priesthood, the temporary Deaconate is usually for one year. Bro. Paul is the son of Rudy and Frances (Strus) Novak and grandson of Mary and John Novak and John and Josephine Strus. The late Mary Novak was a long-time member of Branch 16. Paul attended Annunciata Grade School and St. Francis de Sales High School on the Southeast Side of Chicago. Congratulations and best wishes to Br. Paul and his family. Christmas preparations should be in full swing by the time you receive this edition of our ZARJA. By the way, my son, John A. Zupančič and Frank Selenik a cousin of Bro. Paul, are partners owning a boat named “ZARJA”. May I wish a joyful and Blessed Christmas and Happy and Prosperous New Year to all. FRAN B. ZUPANČIČ NO. 17, WEST ALLIS, WI The oeautiful fall season with its colorful leaves and scenery is quickly fading into the distance as the winter season approaches. Hopefully the weather will be fairly reasonable for our busy Christmas holiday activities. TWO BARAGA “WOMEN of the YEAR” "Women of the Year" is an understatement when we think of the year-in. year-out dedication of Frances Novak and Frances Nemanich to the Cause of Bishop Baraga. Every year Frances Novak is on the telephone with relatives, friends and acquaintances to remind, urge, and perhaps cajole a little into becoming aware of renewing their memberships in the Association. In fact she uses the telephone so much that at one Baraga Day Banquet she came to the podium to present her checks and put the microphone to her earl When Fr. Strelick announced her name Frances was dumb struck. She stood in awed silence as the plaque was read and then beamed in appreciation when it was placed in her hand. Frances Nemanich and her late husband. Joseph, were among the original founders of the Baraga Association in 1930. Since her husband's death Frances has continued to promote the Cause. She worked hard on the Baraga Days that were held in Cleveland in 1975 and 1979, particularly in arranging accommodations for out-of-town guests. For years Frances Nemanich has been Fr. Victor Tome's right hand, especially in organizing the bus trip from Cleveland, Ohio. Some years she presented the check on behalf of Fr. Tome. She always had her Slovene dress for Baraga Days and represented the Slovene people in the Offertory procession. This year she had a family event that kept her from Baraga Days. All Fr. Tome's efforts to convince her to re-arrange her schedule were to no avail, even though he held a seat on the bus in hopes that she could come. He kept the secret that she was to be honored. Fr. Tome made the presentation of the "Woman of the Year" plague to Frances at a ceremony in Cleveland. Congratulations to both of our wonderful "Women of the Year!" Mrs. Novak’s photo by Mary Ann Barothy (Reprint from BARAGA BULLETIN. No. 3, 1988) Which brings me to mention that our annual meeting will be held on Sunday, Dec. 18th at 2 p.m. and a Christmas social will follow after the close of the meeting. Must make a correction. Our gift exchange among the members is $2.50 and not S2 - as mentioned previously - sorry about that! Our very active and vivacious Jackie Nintmer had serious surgery on Oct. 7th. 1 understand she is doing quite well recuperating at home. Jackie. we hope your convalescence will be of short duration with full and complete recovery. We miss you! My suggestion for Christmas gift giving, a copy of our cookbook, Pots and Pans, and our lovely poetry book. Flowers from my Gardens. The author of this lovely book is our charter member, Mary Mum. A very blessed and happy Christmas holiday to all our members and friends and in Slovenian: Vam vsem želimo vesele božične praznike in srečno novo leto! FRAN PIWONI Departed Members 10 - Angela Bohinc (86) 43 - Marie Hudaj (78) 58-yr member 24-yr member Charter member branch 41 50 - Frances Marold (75) 12 - Frances Selich (86) 15-yr member 58-yr member 50 - Mary Recher (83) 14 - Helen Kusar (71) 54-yr member 49-yr member 55 - Anna Umeck (93) 14 - Mary Simončič (90) 54-yr member 54-yr member 63 - Steffie Meyer (70) 23 - Margaret Pecha (81) 41-yr member 51-yr member 71 - Mary Tomsic (99) 27 - Milka Tomasic (93) 52-yr member 53-yr member 89 - Irene Peterlin (78) 40-yr member 30 - Ellen Stefanski (58) 33-yr member 95 - Mary Kahn (75) 46-yr member 38 - Sophie Tibur/.i (73) 95 - Frances Perpich (88) 14-yr member 46-yr member Dual Celebration! NO. 20, JOLIET, IL JOLIET 60th ANNIVERSARY The Illinois-Indiana State Conven- AND ILLINOIS-INDIANA STATE CONVENTION tio" « now a memory, and a lovely one at that, in spite of Mother Nature’s attempt to “rain on our parade.” The business of the convention was conducted before the celebration of mass at 11:30 a.m. Serving coffee and rolls to fortify the delegates were Marie Malnarick, Eleanore Smrekar, Marie Scheidt and Toni Petrovič. Parade Marshalls Jo Goron and Judy Derlinga did a tremendous job organizing the procession to church. The Mass was very impressive, being concelebrated by Father David Stalzer, Branch 20 Spiritual Director, Rev. Msgr. Matthias Butala, Fr. Thaddeus Trpin, O.F.M., our former pastor and Rev. Bernard Horzen of Peru, Illinois. Many members came in National Costume. Our special thanks to Br. 16 members for doing so, and to all our members and junior members who participated in the procession of offertory gifts, attired in full color, including Cadet uniforms. The music was inspiring; Don Legerski at the organ, Anna Mae Lukančič as soloist, and the Senior Choir of St. Joseph’s Church. In memory of the 363 deceased members of Branch 20, “Ave Maria” was dedicated to them. The dinner was held at the Renaissance Center. The tables were elegant; covered with white clothes, centered 50 YEAR MEMBERS OF BR. 20! Back row, left to right: Jonita Ruth, Mary Spelich, Olga Ancel, Margaret Stalzer, Jo Goron, Mildred Pucel; Front row: Ann Savol, Mayme Fedo, Ann Fandek and Jennie Dernulc. JOLIET CADETS OF THE PAST! Back row: Bernice Metesh, Jo Goron, Dorothy Mahan, Marie Malnarich, Gen Klainsek, Olga Ancel, Marie Scheidt, Jean Govednik, Mildred Pucel; Front row: Jonita Ruth, Agnes Dobczak, Dorothy Surman and Dolores Krzysciak. HAVING FUN AT THE CELEBRATION! Members of Br. 20 and Br. 16, Back row: Elsie Starcevich, Janet Burke, Dolores O’Brien, Vince Rigler and John Amon; Front row: Marge Prebil, Gladys Buck, Phyllis Perko, Edna Winters, Leslie Fergeson, Mary Anzelc, Olga Ancel and Marie Malnarick. with a red carnation and baby breath, and each setting had a special bookmark from the Heritage Museum. Before partaking of the food, the National Anthem was led by Anna Mae Lukančič, the Slovenian Anthem by Vince Rigler, and the invocation was given by Father Bernard Horzen. Mildred Pucel, president of Branch 20, was Toastmistress; she introduced Corinne Leskovar, editor of the ZARJA, who extended a welcome in Slovenian, Josephine Muster, who is a 60 year member, former National Treasurer and Branch Treasurer, who did the honor of introducing the 50 year members; Father David Stalzer, who was the keynote speaker; Joyce Vicich, Vice-president and chairman of the Convention dinner, who in turn introduced the 60 year members who were able to attend and the various branches sending representaives-Br. 2, Chicago; Br. 16, So. Chicago; Br. 22, Bradley; Br. 24, LaSalle; Br. 85, DePue; Br. 89, Oglesby; Br. 95, So. (Continued on pages 24-25) NO. 22, BRADLEY, IL Farewell to Summer! Best said, as we did in mid September, with the Slovenian picnic on Leo’s Acres. Pot-luck, malo piva, and lots of conversation with folks we seldom see, like Rose Barothy and Mary Ann of Indianapolis and the John Novaks of Chicago. Wonderful! We did miss many people, among them Mary Stefanich Vidmar, formerly of Cicero, who has been recuperating these several months at the home of her brother, Louis in Burbonnais. And, of course, our own Anna LaMontagne. Thanks to the committee of Sebastiani and Starasinich families for a great day! Our heartfelt gratitude for work well done also goes to Elizabeth Kinder, who surprised us by bowing out of the presidency of Br. 22 at our October meeting. Margaret Planton is the new president, with all other officers remaining the same. Margaret was assured she would have no problem with the top job. Proof was in the delightful evening that she and sister Mary Rittmanic provided us. Hvala lepa! Without Ann Richards’ husband Francis, the group wouldn’t get very far. Thanks to him, Br. 22 made it to the State Convention in Joliet. Congratulations, Br. 20 on your 60th year and wishes for a long, long life! Christmas decorations are reminding us already of gift giving. Some wit asks what do you give at Christmas to the man who has everything or to the woman who exchanges everything? One solution is a spiritual bouquet; both would need them, as do all of us. To all readers of ZARJA, a truly Joyous Christmas, not only for the Day but throughout the New Year! EMMA LUSTIG NO. 23, ELY, MN Branch and Dawn Club both met the same night. There were 44 ladies present. Pres. Angela Mobilia called the Dawn Club meeting to order and did a reading. Secretary, D. Papesh read the minutes and treasurer, Sally Davidson gave her report. No old or new business so the meeting was adjourned. Ann Lunka won the door prize. SWU Br. 23 meeting was called to order by president, Ann Saari. Treasurer’s report given by Helen Strukel. We did very well at the Blueberry Festival with the selling of strudels and poticas. Secretary, Mary Folio also gave a report. Betty Kangas won a Scholarship from SWU for $1,000. The Home Office is preparing a history of the SWU and it should be out in June, 1989. We are asked to contribute to it. Voted to donate $50 to Ziveli, a group that performed in Ely in November. Sick list: Christine Grahek, cataract surgery. We have two new members, ■ Judy Zupančič of Silver Bay and Mary Ann Palmer of Mpls. Rose Pucel credited for their membership. The Christmas party was discussed. Committee will report on it next month. Party will be on Dec. 5th at 5:30 p.m. at the Church Hall. Also, books have to be audited. Nominating Committee will be ready for elections in November. Hope we can get some new people in as officers. The Dawn Club served lunch. Rose M. Buckner won the SWU Door Prize. We played “B”. Ann Saari closed with a reading “Thank God for the Little Things.” We also had prayer for deceased members. The party continued in the Halloween theme. KRIS GARNI NO. 24, LA SALLE, IL Twelve members answered the roll call at our October meeting. A report on the recent state convention was given by delegate Ann Wangler. 50 year pins were presented to Mary Gramc and Josephine Savnik. Frances Puetz accepted Gale Dolanc’s pin and presented it to Gale at Care Inn Convalescent Center. Separate presentations were made to Wanita Helmer who was unable to be present at the meeting and to Darlene Krueger. She accepted a pin in memory of her mother, Christine Witek, who passed away in September. Josephine Spayer is now a resident of Heritage Manor. Emma Shimkus is a patient at IVC Hospital in Peru. Remember our sick and shut-ins with your prayers and visits. The project committee met on October 26th and letters were mailed to all members, excluding those in Nursing homes and the Junior members. Treasurer, Ann Serri reports a good early response. Your donations and cooperation are very much appreciated. As you prepare to pay your 1989 Wedding congratulations to Sharon Just and Jim Anderson. They were married in Atlanta and are attending Georgia Tech. Sharon was awarded a SWU Scholarship and will receive her degree in Civil Engineering, her husband is pursuing a graduate degree in Civil Engineering. Sharon, her mom, Jeanne Just, and grandmother Anna Krause are Branch 20 members r IH Rev. Athanasius Lovrenčič, O.F.M.: Christmas brings us new hox t. On Christmas Day the human race stops from a busy pace. Christians or not, it seems this day unites us, at least for a short time. No wonder; it was this day when our Heavenly Father sent His Son. Christ stepped from heaven and came among us. It was on Christmas that the heavens opened and Christ came to share our misery and weakness, to share our mortality, that one day we may share His eternal life. The human race without Christmas would be in a hopeless situation. But now Christmas came and with it new hope. Regardless of how dismal our situation might look, there is hope, hope for individuals and hope for the nations. There is hope providing we accept the Divine Son. In this Christmas season we have all the reasons to be happy and joyous, because our Redeemer came to live among us, to encourage and strengthen us and to help us to carry our crosses. Our church is encouraging us to sing with the angels and shepherds in the Gospel and praise God for giving us His Son. The world situation today may threaten us with the most devastating weapons, but we received One who is greater than all powers of nature. Therefore let us rejoice in Christmas, let us share this joy with our relatives and friends, with the poor, the sick and the lonely and tell them that there is hope for all of us. Then let us take this joy into our daily lives to be our strength through the New Year which we shall begin. May the Babe of Bethlehem bless you during this Christmas season and give you a healthy and blessed New Year. dues it would be a good idea to check your certificate and beneficiary. If you need to make a change Secretary Betty Stack will take care of it. Speaking of Betty Stack, she proudly announces that she is a great aunt. The new baby is Kaycie Kristine Plowman of High Ridge, MO. Mary Gramc is a great, great aunt and her great, great grand niece is Brooke Kendall of Tulsa, OK. We welcome a new member, Adele Jakse Gensler. Adele left La Salle to go into nurses training, marry, raise a family, was widowed and now she has returned to La Salle and assists with the care of her mother, Antonia Jakse. We enjoyed having you at our meeting, Adele, and hope you’ll join us often. Plans are indefinite at this time for our Christmas party but will be announced in our church bulletin and local newspaper. We won’t meet until March 1989 so I wish a Merry Christmas to all and best wishes for a happy prosperous 1989. ANNE M. WANGER, Reporter NO. 25, CLEVELAND, OH Meeting for November was postponed. As you all know the second Tuesday of this month was the 8th and we all had to vote. I hope you all did go. This is a privilege; not everybody in the world has it. We welcome into our midst our new members: Mimi Yavomik an excellent chef, singer etc. and Agnes Turk, who is a wonderful lady, too. Next time I'll tell you more about her. A lot of happy birthday wishes to: Marija Plečnik, our junior member Lynne Chrzanowski and her youngest son, my godchild, Derek also Cecelia Kermavner, my good daughter-in-law. To everyone else who is celebrating the “sometimes day we would like to forget” happy birthday. Especially when you get a little older. Aggie Turk had a nice trip to Baraga-land and she had her “narodna noša" with her. I’ll bet Bishop Baraga was a happy fellow watching from those beautiful clouds upstairs. Enjoy the Christmas holidays with a song and prayer in your hearts and have a peaceful New Year. CIRILA KERMAVNER NO. 32, EUCLID, OH Our annual mass for the deceased was at 7 p.m. after which our members attended the Oct. meeting. The hostess did an outstanding job of decorating the table for the refreshments which were Halloween decorated cupcakes and cider. Everyone also received a orange pumpkin lace to pin on. There were 3 birthday ladies at the meeting: Elizabeth Perme, Mary Zakrajšek who will be 60 and Jo Comen-shek; she and her husband Al took a trip to Hermitage, Pa, to the Tara Homestead and also had a delicious southern meal. Ann Cook is in Florida visiting two daughters and Mary Golobic and daughter went to Texas. Sophia Skopitz is in Weirton, West Virginia taking care of her brother who had a heart attack. Our reporter is also on a trip. Our ever faithful member Ann God-lar who is 90 years old sends her best wishes to all members of all branches for a Merry Christmas and Happy 1989. To all members healthy and happy holidays. JOHANNA WEGLARZ NO. 33, DULUTH, MN Queen at the Oct. 5th meeting was Martha Parenteau. Toni Panyon missed the $10 attendance prize. Rose Kresky was to be Queen in November. Sharon Bucar and Josie Rzatkowski passed out many "fun" prizes. Preparations were being made for Minnesota Day to be held in Duluth next year, 1989. Beverly Menart will prepare a quilt for quilting. Slovenian Doll in wicker rocker. Afghan by Martha Parenteau. CyrillaCollard will be Mistress of Ceremonies. Nominations for Woman of the Year award should be presented. Sympathy and prayers to Ann Eric-kismoen on the death of a brother. Prayers for our sick members, Mary Nagorski, Linda Hart and Mary Sken-der. Be sure to add $1 for the funeral fund if mailing in your dues to Beverly Menart, 1111 98th Ave., W. Duluth, MN 55808 or to Lois Pclander, 113 N. 65th Ave. W., Duluth, MN 55807. Happy Holidays to all Zveza sisters everywhere. LOIS PELANDER NO. 34, SOUDAN, MN Branch 34 outdid themselves again--at our meeting on October 19th. We had another great turnout! Our meeting was held at the Lakeview Apartments in Tower, where members Sophie Zupanieh, Jean Zupanich, and Angela Jamnick make their homes. The floor in our church hall was being replaced, so we had to change the site of our meeting. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood that night and we had enough noise—so much that we had to remind each other that we were in a building where other people were living! We welcome into our branch, two new members, Marjorie Simonovich Adkisson and Mary Lee Adkisson Coombe-both joined with encouragement from Mary Lee's mother and Marjorie’s mother-in-law, Helen Adkisson. We arc glad to have both of you in our branch and hope you will be able to come to a meeting sometime. At our meeting, we all signed a birthday card for Frances Setina from Chisholm, who celebrated her 100th birthday on November 6th. Plans made for our Founder’s Day on November 16 included a morning Mass at 7:30 a.m., for our deceased members, followed by a breakfast and meeting. Acting as hostesses were: Eileen Poderzay, Julie Vogt, Angeline Morin, Lucille Svatos, and Ann Frazee. Because we had such a good time last year, we planned to follow what we did then, having a breakfast consisting of rolls, hard boiled eggs, salami, cheese and juice. Fr. LaPatka was our guest. Mary Gomick provided the door prize. Also scheduled to take palce was our annual stew dinner in honor of St. Martin’s Feast Day on November 11. The religious of our parish were honored, this being held as a celebration for the Diocese of Duluth’s Centennial. The hostesses for our October meeting were Mary Frances Jamnick and Jean Zupanich. The door prize was brought by Helen Chiabotti and won by Jean Zupanich. Winners during social hour were Tory Bobence, Angie Jamnick, Agnes Tekautz and Margaret Mesojedec. We were having such a good time, we were told to be “quiet” a few times! As I am writing this, my cousin, Romana Zic, from Opatija, Slovenia, is here, being a guest at my sister, Emma Betoume’s home at Eagles Nest, and also visiting with me. Our sister, Irene Zegler, from San Diego is also here and we are having a wonderful time. Some of you may remember Romana when she was with me at Minnesota Day five years ago and she led us in prayer in Slovenian-what a lovely person she is and what a life she has led--from being in concentration camps for 21 months to now, she rents out rooms to tourists-“bed and board" type of accommodations in Opatija on the Adriatic. Rudy Grahek from Soudan has visited her in Opatija and says her accommodations are A-1! On October 29th, Angela Tekautz, Agnes Tekautz and I were in Minneapolis where we attended a wedding of Mary Agatha Tekautz Brandenburg’s daughter—a lovely wedding it was. We have snow on the ground now, so it looks like winter is here to stay. We are never really ready for it, tho! I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, with blessings and health in the New Year! ADELINE MUSTONEN NO. 35, AURORA, MN We met at the Senior Citizen's Center on Sunday, Oct. 30th with 21 adult and 2 lovely junior members, Katie Martinetto and Courtney Kalar. President Florence Holland opened our meeting with prayers for all our members. Sec-Treas. Dorothy Jamnik gave a report on the state convention. President Holland thanked everyone especially Dorothy Jamnik for all their help and cooperation. We were happy to hear from so many of our SWU sisters who wrote to tell us how much they enjoyed the convention in Aurora, including our "Queen for the Day" Mary Gotchnik of Ely. Mary was playing her accor-dian to send them on their way with happy Slovenian music! Thank you and God bless you, Mary! A memorial Mass was held on Nov. 5th for all our departed members. Slovenian choir was to sing. Our ladies will be in charge of an Ethnic Bake Sale at the Heritage Festival at the Union Hall from 11 to 3 p.m. on Dec. 10th. This will be a community effort with profits to be divided between the 4th of July fund and the Senior Citizen's Building Queen for the Day, Mary Gotchnik of Ely Winner of a set of cross stitch pictures, Helen Adkisson. Fund. It should be interesting with all the different nationalities baking their favorite ethnic specialties. The Festival Singers, accompanied by Stanley Trost on the accordian will add to the Festivities with their beautiful music and colorful ethnic costumes again this year. Many other activities will be taking place during the Heritage Festival week, including an International Heritage Dinner on Dec. 10th at the Moose Lodge. The Grape Festival attracted many guests from near and far (California and Illinois) and they were impressed with the decorations, and entertainment and delicious dinner, wine tasting, too. Thank you to all those who helped to prepare for the 10th annual grape Festival. The Christmas Party will be held on Sunday, Dec. 11th and the Calling Committee will notify you of the time and place. Hostesses will be Phyllis Turk, Chairman, Betty Turk, Janice Grebense, Helen Zupančič, Alice Wilson, Marge Ball, Erika Hodnik and Helen Simonich. Thank you to our hostess who served the delicious dessert and coffee today. Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year! ANNE M. ORAZEM NO. 40, LORAIN, OH Our Oct meeting was brought to order by our Pres. Agnes Tomazine who was back with us after her surgery several months ago. There were 15 happy faces to greet her. She thanked us all for our prayers, cards and remembrances. The door prize was awarded to Molly Glavan. After our reports were read we made plans for our Christmas activities. We will be going to Campbell’s cafeteria on Tues. Dec. 13th at 5:30 p.m. There will be a $5 gift exchange for those who wish to participate. Our Pres, will take care of arrangements. Agatha Donges, Francine Pavlovčič and I attended the Ohio-Mich. State Convention in Cleveland on Sept. 25th. It was hosted by Lodge No. 10. We got acquainted with many lovely ladies and I was glad to see Jennie Batish from Lodge No. 10 whom I met at the last convention looking so well. She was busy doing her share to make the Convention a success. Birthday girls who entertained and brought prizes are as follows: Olga Love, Annette Septaric, Rose Jancar, and Agnes Tomazine. Agatha Donges also brought a prize and so did Mary Ploszaj; though she was unable to be with us because of illness she sent us several prizes. Thanks to all. We sent get-well cards to the following: Agnes Bucher, SueTomazic, Mary Ploszaj and Lenore Pavlovčič. We also sent a card of congratulations to Kathy and Bob Russ on the birth of a baby boy, Frank Raymond. Kathy and daughters Tricia and Annette are members of the S.W.U. Lori Ledford and Scott Schmier-mund were married Sept. 17th in St. Cyril & Methodius Church in Lorain. Lori is the granddaughter of our Angie Martin. Congratulations! Christina Lopez, a senior of Lorain Catholic Hi School was crowned queen of the Spartan’s Homecoming recently. Laura Pogacher was picked as one of the attendants. Her parents are Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Pogachar. They are both teachers at Lorain Catholic. Kenneth teaches Math. He is the son of our Sophie and Andrew Pogachar. In addition, making the evening successful the Spartans were victorious 15-3 over Cardinal Stritch’s football team of Oregon, Ohio, a suburb of Toledo. It will be 3 years on Dec. 5th since cur “Binnie” passed away. She may be gone but not forgotten, thanks to her husband, Milo and family who donated $1,000 to the scholarship fund in her memory. The lucky recipient of a special scholarship was Kathleen Zallar. Hope to see you at Campbell’s on Dec. 13th. Wish you all a Merry Christmas. Love, MARY MATOS NO. 42, MAPLE HTS., OH Greetings to the November birthday ladies, Cilka Hočevar, Betty Gawer, Teresa Gorup, Josephine Stoltz, Louise Toth and Jenifer Kosak. Get well wishes to Helen Lipnos, Vida Shega and Anna Dragonic, and anyone I may have missed. Please remember our sick and shut-ins with a card or perhaps a visit. Congratulations to Veda Shega and her husband on their 45th Wedding Anniversary. May you have many more. Mary Ann Filip’s brother, Rudolph Kosteliz and his wife, Rose of Aurora, Minnesota, paid her a visit the last week of August. Plans for our Christmas party were discused. The date was set for December 13th. Details at the next meeting. Best wishes to all! Happy holidays! DONNA STUBLJER -iMrWVlrW-'WRrfer Vera Šebenik: Keep It Clean The bride had been brought up with the philosophy that cleanliness is next to Godliness, but everytime she rinsed ice cubes in hot water they disappeared. 100 Years for Frances Setina celebrating with her sister members! NO. 38, CHISHOLM, MN Greetings! Our November meeting was a memorable one. Forty-eight women attended which added to the festivities. A great big Thank You from Frances Setina and daughters for sharing this occasion with them. But first, the meeting news: Jennie Samsa reported on the results of the Card Party of October 30. She thanked all who worked, those who set the tables, decorated, those who helped with the delightful luncheon, etc. Donations for the prize list were given by Fran Zalec, Jennie Samsa, Jo Zupancich, and Rose Niemi. This all helped towards making it a successful event. And thank you, Mrs. Hodnick, for your contribution to our branch. We will be having a Christmas party at Valentini’s Supper Club on December 7th. Our calling committee will contact all members. Our branch lost a member in October - Sophie Tiburzi, nee Rose. May her soul find rest with the Lord. It was gratifying to see so many members at the wake service. Members having birthdays in November are: Fran Lucas, Mary Wil-kens and Ann Walach. Traveling prize was won by Ann Walach; and door prizes, the handiwork of Rosemary Tanko, were won by Florence Fryckman and Ann Arko. After the meeting was adjourned, Branch 38 honored Mrs. Frances Setina who was celebrating her 100th birthday on November 6th! Mrs. Setina arrived at 7:30 p.m., escorted by two daughters, Rose Stonemark of Chisholm, and Olga Biermann of King George, Virginia. She received a standing ovation from the members and was pinned with a fresh flower corsage of carnations, courtesy of Norma Salvini. At this point, Veda Ponikvar photographed the honored centenarian with her daughters and with other members of SWU Br. 38. Mr. Albert Samsa then played the Happy Birthday song on his button box accordion, and everyone joined in singing. (Photo above. Thanks Veda!) After the initial excitement, Ann Nusich gave a brief resumč of Mrs. Setina’s 100 years of life. The early years in a new country had its trials, which were certainly outnumbered by happy events, such as her marriage to Frank Setina, and the birth of five daughters, all of whom are living. At this time she has 21 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. Mrs. Setina was bom in Veliki Vrh, on Nov. 6th, 1888, and is the only living child of Joseph Bach and Marija Pečnik. She left her home when she was only 17 and never returned. The Lord blessed Frances Setina with good health. She still does her own cooking, and plays cards twice a week at the Senior Citizen’s Center. She has never regretted leaving Europe and coming to America, altho she recalls the old Slovenian proverb: “Vsak začetek je težak” (Every beginning is hard). All the Slovenian immigrants had a difficult time when they first came to this, a strange country, but they were able to survive those years and now live in retirement, proud of their families because they are a credit to our nationality and their parents who were immigrants to America. We wish Frances Setina more years of good health. We are proud that we belong to Br. 38 of the Slovenian Women’s Union, of which she is a charter member. For 50-plus years the Chisholm branch has survived. Women like Mrs. Setina laid the groundwork for us, and now it is up to us to continue with young people who want to keep the Slovenian heritage alive. Thank you, Frances for your help throughout the years, and we wish you a Happy 100th year. May God bless you and your family. ANN NUSICH, Recording Secretary (Tfiant-g. St. Nicholas came down the stairs majestically, paused at the foot of the stairs, then walked slowly to his throne. The robes of the bishop were resplendent, and were impressive even as he sat on his throne. Now the task of distributing the presents hegan. The elves would pick a present from a large stack of packages, call out a name and wait in line to give the package to St. Nicholas to distribute. The recipients of the packages formed a line and waited their turn to receive their present from St. Nicholas. However, lest you think the proceedings have now become dull, at some unobserved signal, the devils would come out of their hole. Some of the youngsters were only frightened, but some of the boys that had not been good during the year were dragged down the hole in the stage, never to appear again! Frank Mivec Indianapolis, Indiana 46241 My wife, Sophie is member of SWU #5 Victoria “Tory” Bobence m Poinsettia, the Christmas Plant... Perhaps no other plant is so associated with Christmas as this native of Central America, the beautiful poinsettia with its brilliant red bracts. Depending on the cultivar, they also come in white, pink, or red and pink bracts. By following a few basic directions, you can keep your poinsettia blooming for months. Be sure the plant is well wrapped for the trip from the store to the car. When you arrive home, keep it away from hot and cold drafts. Protecting the plant from sudden, severe temperature changes begins the moment the poinsettia is purchased. Give the poinsettia lots of sunshine. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Monitor the plant closely, pinch off new growth as soon as it appears, usually by late January. New foliage affects the existing blooms adversely. If you wish the plant to bloom and color again, there are special requirements: After the poinsettia bloom fades, reduce water gradually until the soil becomes dry. Water occasionally if the stem starts to shrivel. Keep the plant in a dim light (basement is fine) and cool temperatures of 50 to 60 degrees Farenheit until May. Cut down the plant to within 6” of the soil level, then repot in a new soil mixture of two parts loam and one part well-rotted manure. Add one teaspoon of 20 per cent superphosphate per six inch pot. Place the plant outdoors, putting the pot into the soil to insure adequate moisture. About six weeks after repotting, begin fertilizing at 2 or 3 week intervals and continue until the bracts show color. Alternate a nitrogen fertilizer with a complete fertilizer high in potash. Use only one-half teaspoon per six inch pot. Before the fall frost, bring your plant indoors. Keep your plant in a bright sunny room or under gro-lights. Beginning about the first of October, they are then moved to a dark room or completely covered with a large box or dark cloth for 14 hours a day. Once the plant is in full bloom, the long night is not necessary. Please note: Alternating bright light to 14 hours total darkness every 24 hours is crucial for a brilliant poinsettia bloom. * * * Garden Reminders: Now is the time to order your fibrous begonia, petunia, and geranium seeds. Planting by January or the very latest by the first week in February will produce strong, healthy plants for spring transplanting. Some experts recommend starting fibrous begonias as early as mid-December. Finding time during the busy holiday season creates a problem. I prefer to start planting fibrous begonia seeds right after the New Year. Try to order pelletized fibrous begonia and geranium seeds; they are much easier to handle and you can see exactly where to scatter them in the tray of growing medium. It’s not too late to plant geranium or petunia seeds in early February. There is an old saying, "The smaller the seeds, the earlier we plant; the larger the seeds, the later we plant." Last summer we planted a circular raised bed of 285 fibrous begonias surrounding a clump of white birch trees. The reds were planted in the center with the whites bordering the outer edges. A glorious sight is now only a memory! Happy Gardening! WE ,bE keeping in TOUCH WITH OUR STATES ■2-JŽJ2 CA-WA-OR Rosemary Mlakar: My very best wishes to all. We had a wonderful year 1988 with a new spirit of togetherness and I hope it continues even more in 1989! CO-KS-MO Frances Simonich: We have a new State President, Barbara Spritzer of Gunnison, Br. 92. I do wish all members a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! IL-IN Sharon Naudiunas: Wishes to all for a MerTy Christmas and hope that for 1989 we could get more new members of S.W.U. MN Emily Skull: Happy Holidays everyone! Hope you all NO. 57, NILES, OH We opened our October meeting with a prayer and 15 members present. The minutes of the previous month were read and approved as were the secretary's and treasurer’s reports. Frances Yerman, our president, attended the Convention in Cleveland and told us the day was very interesting and well-attended by members from other cities. Reservations were taken for the Christmas party which will be at the Apple wood Gardens on Dec. 13 th at 1 o’clock. Call Ann Pease for your reservation. Members, please bring a prize. Meeting was then closed with a prayer. We played "B" and sang Happy Birthday to our October Birthday celebrants. A lovely lunch was served by Frances Yerman and Margaret Galida, hostesses for the month. Next month lunch committee was to be Mary Lukz and Elizabeth Havaich. Get well wishes to all our sick members and pray for a speedy recovery. Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. How little it costs If we give it a thought. To make happy some heart each day! Just one kind word or a tender smile As we go on our daily way. FRANCES STANEC have an enjoyable one! Wishing all Minnesota Members will remember Zveza! OH-MI Ann Tercek: In general we had a pretty good year as far as meetings and activities go. Hope we can do the same in 1989! Merry Christmas! PA-NY-DC Jennie Flisek: Wishing all my members a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We’re getting ready for our Convention next spring! Wl Joan Yaklich: Healthy and Happy Christmas especially to all our sick members. Hoping you will recuperate and be well very soon. NO. 73, WARRENSVILLE, OH Holiday Greetings. As I glance at my notes from December, 1987, we had already had our first snowfall-and the snow had covered the leaves that were unraked. This year, as I write for December, the air is crisp, the leaves are falling and they are being held in place on the ground by rain. Fall is such a beautiful time of the year, and after two trips into Pennsylvania to see the changing colors, and just traveling the highways in and around Warrensville Heights, North Randall, Bedford—it is evident that God has shown forth with all His beauty. Colors are slow in coming, but they are vibrant, they are firey, they are gorgeous. I hope all of you took time to enjoy the splendor that is fall in Ohio. Late in September several of us attended the S.W.U. Convention held in Cleveland, at St. Mary’s on Holmes Avenue. Branch 10 did a superb job in hosting, and it was a delight to see so many members present. It is a good time to get together with other lodges, to exchange ideas, and to enjoy the companionship that goes with being an S.W.U. member. When the 1989 Convention rolls around in September, make plans on being in attendance. A special vote of appreciation to FatherKumse, pastorof St. Mary’s, for the Mass and for making an ap pearance at the convention. (Hi; “Slovenian” Mass was something I will always remember). CONGRATULATIONS: To Angie and Bob Musil on becoming grandparents again, and to Helen Kunka or becoming a great, great grandmother. They saw that a baby is God’s promise that the world will continue. We always love to hear about the new ones that arrive. GET WELL WISHES: Leonarc Semic (husband of member, Betty) needs some well wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery—you’ve got all of ours, Len. And Mary Szabo is recuperating after a stay in Bedford Hospital. Take the time to send our members Get Well cards. Mail does Fill some of the empty hours for them. CONDOLENCES: Helen Kainec traveled to California for the funeral of her brother-in-law, Barney Svette. Barney was the husband of our (deceased) member, Pauline. Our deepest sympathy. Our Christmas Party, to be held Saturday, December 3rd at 5:30 p.m., may be a thing of the past before this article is printed. We do want to thank Leona and Emil Mandich for the use of their “Buggy Works” facility for our celebration. The Mandich’s cleared a small area of their business to accommodate our members. We appreciate having the extra space, the nice parking area and the hospitality that was afforded us. DUES: As 1988 comes to a close, there are fifteen (15) of you out there who have not paid your dues for the year. Please, take the time right now to send in your dues. With 1989 just around the comer, you might even includes dues for at least a portion of the new year. The task of keeping track of payments is endless, the months you miss are usually paid for by the treasurer herself; it is no more than right that she be reimbursed. So please, right now, clear the record for 1988, and make a resolution to do better in 1989. It will be deeply appreciated. Let Branch 73 be among the first to wish each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas and the very best of New Years. Let us all resolve to make 1989 a year of Peace and Joy, and a great year for S.W.U. Respectfully submitted, EVELYN A. MAJERCIK A GREAT DAY FOR CELEBRATING Top row, from left to right: “Sweets Ladies” Toni Petrovič, Marie Malnarich, Eleanor Smrekar and Marie Scheidt; Group of children and adults in costume in church; Fathers Horzen, Stalzer, Trpin and Msgr. Butala at the altar of St. Joseph’s; Second row: Offertory gifts presented by Millie Pucel, Pres, of Br. 20 and Sharon Naudiunas, Regional President, Illinois-Indiana; At the Invocation before the Banquet, Fr. Horzen; 60 year members of Br. 20, Mary Ambrozich, Josephine Muster and Mary Mutz. No. 20 Continued: Chicago. National Secretary Olga Ancel presented certificates of Recog-J nition to Father David Stalzer and Lillian Brule for their contributions to the Slovenian Women’s Union on behalf of Slovenian Heritage. Other National Officers present were: Treasurer; Sylvia Vukodinovich, Auditor; Mary Muller, Women’s Activities; Fran Morison, 111.-Ind. Regional President; Sharon Naudziunas. Representatives from Fraternal Organziations were: Ed Ancel, Rudy Pucel, KSKJ National Board, Marian Jakovic, American Fraternal Union National Board, Gene Klainsek, President, 111. KSKJ Federation and members of local KSKJ lodges St. Joseph #2, St. Francis #29, and St. Genevieve #108. Also honoring us with their presence, were; Pastor Emeritus Father George Kuzma, St. Rose in Wilmington, and Pastor, St. Stephen’s in Chicago, Father Thad-deus Trpin. It was a full day; enjoying friends, food, and the music by the Heritage Ensemble. Vince and John are great entertainers; everyone joined in the singing and dancing. I was not able to attend the convention this year; fortunately Jonita Ruth taped segments of the day’s activities which enabled me to get a feeling of what occurred. The involvement of members, guests and friends made it, indeed, a special occasion. Many thanks to all who worked so hard for so long to make everything come out perfect. While viewing the tape, a few tears and a lump in the throat occurred during the singing of the Slovenian hymns in Church, seeing the Altar adorned for this celebration, the National Costumes, the organ, choir, and the com-raderie at the Renaissance Center, true Slovenian flavor—and I gave this up to cruise the St. Lawrence Seaway! Did you take notice of the doll dressed in National Costume—that was the handiwork of Lillian Cepon. Father David Stalzer, our keynote speaker, chose for his theme, “WHERE DO WOMEN FIT IN.” The commendations to Father Stalzer and Lillian Brule are as follows: Rev. David Stalzer is recognized for his enthusiasm and interest in all things Slovenian, for his committment to completion of the organization's sponsoring of "A Tribute to Slovenian Miners and Laborers," an artistic expression located at Ironworld, USA, Chisholm, Minn., his successful fundraising campaign “Slovenians for the Lady” towards restoration of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island; and for his dedication as Spiritual Director of Branch 20, providing inspiration and guidance to officers and members in the conduct of the organization’s goals. Presented on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Branch 20, Slovenian Women’s Union on October 2, 1988 * * * Lillian Brule is recognized for her contribution of talent and ability to Slovenian heritage and life; for her exhibit of paintings on Slovenian life and culture at the Heritage Museum; for creating the magnificent Tribute to Slovenian Miners and Laborers, a life-sized bronze sculpture and mosaic, and 3-panel mural installed at Ironworld, USA, at Chisholm, Minn, and for her willingness to travel to Ljubljana and exhibit her art as an American of Slovene descent. Presented on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Branch 20, Slovenian Women’s Union on October2,1988. We have two of our members to whom we extend get-well wishes; Dolores Zbačnik and Ann Fondek. Congratulations are in order; to Mary Lee Demick for passing the Nursing State Board test; to Pam Lodewyck who won the top individual sectional golf title; she is also on the Pom Pom squad at St. Francis Academy; and to Marian Jakovic for being elected to the National Board of the American Fraternal Union. Sincerest sympathy is sent to our members, Frances Zola and Alice Stiglich on the death of their mother and mother-in-law, Pauline Stiglich; to Kathy Goss Raddatz on the sudden death of her husband, Darin; to Marilyn and Robert Goss on the death of their son-in-law, and also to Marian Marolt, National Auditor on the death of her husband. Trust God; there’s never a moment when He doesn’t care, and never a time when He won’t hear your prayer. Our Christmas Party is taking place on December 18, at the Renaissance Center. Cash bar-cocktails at 11:00 a.m., Dinner—11:30 a.m. Members, husbands and friends are all invited. $10.00 is the charge-$3.00 gift exchange is optional. Make your reser-vation-Diane Kalcic is in charge. The January meeting will take place on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m., at which time we will have installation of newly elected officers; the date is January 15, 1989. The new officers will be hostesses. The Christmas Season is upon us. I read in a Christmas card: “Christmas is a journey of the heart, bringing peace and happiness to all." May your journey bring you much happiness and peace. Merry Christmas! HELEN PLUT FROM THE EDITOR My China Diary The crane is another of China's “luck” symbols. It is used on stationery, as knick-knacks, toys, sculptures, and many Chinese wear them as charms. It denotes peace. Beijing is one of the oldest cities in the world, yet, it has a look of modernity and vitality. The streets are extremely wide and government buildings and “palaces” as they call the buildings used by the common man as museums, halls, exhibition areas, etc. are all well placed along the boulevards. The government can wiDe out a whole area anytime it wants to and reconstruct houses and streets without asking the people who live there. But one part of Beijing is still somewhat “sacred” at least for the tourist business. It’s the Forbidden City, an area just north of Tian an men Square which dates from the Ming Dynasty, 1406-1420. Walls forty ft. high surround a palace area with gracefully designed watchtowers at the four comers. It covers an area of about 100 acres. It has more than 9,000 rooms among the palace buildings, some of which are the oldest in the world. The palaces are colorfully tiled and painted. Among them is the most sacred, Hall of Supreme Harmony, where there is to admire the Golden Throne of the Emperor. Here it was that the greatest ceremonies took place. One can walk down the central path, from one palace to another, each known by another name, such as, Palace of Complete Harmony, where the Emperor rested, the Palace of Preserving Harmony, where he dined; also an The Forbidden City’s Palace Museum with its grandiose courtyards is the largest and best preserved group of Chinese architecture in all of China. A visitor learns a lot about what China is, during a visit to this place. inner court where were the living quarters of the Emperor’s concubines and at one end an imperial garden. From Tian an men Square, one enters the Forbidden City through the Gate of Heavenly Peace. Within the City is the Meridian Gate and along the same north-south path, at the extreme opposite end of your very long walk, is the Gate of Spiritual Valor. Each of the Palaces also has its own “gate”. If anyone remembers seeing the movie called "The Last Emperor”, the story of the boy emperor Piu Li, you may remember him romping on one of the footpaths ■or courtyards. Some of these area could only be touched by the imperial foot. No one else. A story is told of the time when the entire palace complement stood at attention in the courtyards waiting for the Emperor to dismiss them. Since he forgot, or didn’t care to be bothered with this chore, they remained there for something like 48 hours and many of them either fainted or died on the spot without any attention given to them. And it wasn’t only tradition that kept the Chinese of antiquity in line. They were also very superstitious. Colors were worn by caste - for instance, only the Emperor could wear yellow and his highly placed officials and family members could wear red or green - and of course their religious beliefs run the gamut of superstitious gimicry. On the buildings in the Forbidden City we learned that a certain number of little animal-like figures adorn the roofs and these are always an odd number. The most crucial number and the luckiest is nine - hence, the Emperor’s own number was nine and these adornments were used nine-by-nine. (It so happens that nine is my lucky number, since my birthday is on the 9th - so I felt very appreciative of this symbol!) Yes, the Emperor was a Son of God or, the Son of the Father of Heaven. In the southern part of urban Beijing is the Tianjan Temple of Heaven, also built during the Ming dynasty. This was the place where the Ming and Qing emperors went to pray for good harvests and to worship Heaven. This temple is a masterpiece of traditional Chinese architecture. It is circular in shape and if two people stand at opposite ends of the 90 ft. wide hall, they can hear each other talking without either of them raising his voice. The ceiling is three tiered and about 60 ft. high. It has exclusively nine posts or balusters at each tier, that “heavenly” number again. Yes, Being, or Peking, is unforgettable! It is world famous, from the standpoint of world history, from the standpoint of size and grandeur, from the standpoint of political importance. And, we must not forget that the Peking Man lived here as far as 700,000 years ago and about 180,000 ago the cave man dwelt in this place. Many Adding to its perfect symmetry are the “steps” leading into the Taihe Hall museum. One can picture an imperial chair being carried by servants over this walkway. They did not dare to walk over the intricately carved center, reserved only for the Emperor’s feet. historical and cultural relics of the last 800 years are also found here. And you can fly into Beijing from almost any capital city in the world within a few hours, for not too much money, with all hospitality accorded. China is proud of its capital city and will do everything in its power to make you feel welcome. Now we were ready to leave Beijing, the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, Tian an men Square with is massive stone edifices, teeming streets and oceans of bicycle parking lots, its grey walls and its fascinating people. Goodbye China! We hope to come back again! At Xingian four hours later we took sight of our beautiful white ship, flags flying from bow to stem, music playing and all the crew on board waving from the decks. Champagne was waiting at the dock - it was the welcome of welcomes! AMERICAN SLOVENIAN CATHOLIC UNION ± LIFE INSURANCE FOR THE FAMILY HOME OFFICE: 2439 GLENWOOD AVENUE • JOLIET, IL 60435 (815) 741-2001 I ............................... GERMAN PORK STUFFING This recipe will stuff an 8-10 pound turkey. PotS and ^Rans Mary Muller, National Auditor, thoughtfully sent me the excellent cookbook of treasured recipes from the parishioners of the SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Merrillville, Indiana, where her friends, Ann Pandorf and Rosemary Unetich, are members. Some recipes from that cookbook could be included in your Christmas season entertaining: GERMAN PORK STUFFING, HOLIDAY CAULIFLOWER, TAFFY APPLE SALAD (submitted by four women and a couple), WHITE FRUIT CAKE, AND FANNIE MAE FUDGE. May you enjoy a Blessed and Merry Christmas, Hermine Elenore Rudman, Vera Šebenik: This new day is given to us Uncluttered, fresh and clean Yesterday’s troubles are in the past. Tomorrow’s may never be seen; God has granted us this new day To do with as we will... LET’S FILL IT WITH Kindness and Happiness Love, Joy and Good Will. 1 pound ground pork 2 tablespoons parsley 1 medium size onion !/j cup butter ll'i cups golden raisins (1 box) 1 cup red candied cherries, cutup I cup green candied cherries cut up Combine ingredients and mix well Batter: 1 l;i cups butter 1!/» cups sugar 8 eggs 8 slices of day old bread (or bread left out overnight) 1 egg Dash of salt and pepper 1 cup candied pineapple, thinly sliced l,i cup candied citron, chopped l/i cup shredded coconut 1 cup chopped pecans, large pieces 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel with 2 cups flour. Set aside. 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt Beat together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well I after each addition. Mix together: 2 cups flour, baking powder and salt. Add slowly to butter, sugar and egg mixture. Fold fruit mix well into butter mixture. Pour into I a well buttered 10-inch tube pan. Bake at 275° for 2 hours and 45 minutes. Place I shallow pan of water on bottom rack throughout baking time. Cover cake with brown | paper or foil during last hour of baking. Cool in pan for ''i hour, then, finish cooling I on rack. Place in a large tin box or Tupperware with tight cover and store about a I week before slicing. Note: If desired 2 loaf pans, 9x5x3 inches can be used. Line with aluminum foil; grease. Bake as above at 275° for 2l,i to 3 hours or until toothpick inserted in I center comes out clean. I__________________________________________________________________________________________________J Brown pork in pan and drain grease; place in large mixing bowl. Saute parsley and onion in butter until onion is tender. Next take bread and moisten with cold water. Squeeze out excess water. Tear bread into little pieces and add to browned pork. Add egg, salt and pepper and mix very thoroughly. Stuff turkey just before roasting. HOLIDAY CAULIFLOWER 1 large head cauliflower, washed lU cup butter and in pieces % cup flour 1 can (4 ounces) sliced 2 cups milk mushrooms, drained 1 teaspoon salt cup diced green pepper 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese 2 tablespoons chopped pimento Break cauliflower into medium sized pieces; cook until tender (about 10 minutes). Heat oven to 325°. Drain cauliflower and set aside. In a 2-quart saucepan, saute mushrooms and green pepper in butter, until tender. Blend in flour, then gradually stir in milk. Cook, stirring constantly over medium heat until mixture is thick. Stir in salt, cheese, and pimento. Place half of cauliflower in casserole, cover with half of cheese sauce and repeat. Bake, covered, at 325° for 15 minutes. Makes 8 servings. WHITE FRUIT CAKE 1 TAFFY APPLE SALAD 1 can (20 ounces) chunk I1'. tablespoons white vinegar pineapple in juice (not 1 carton (8 ounces) Cool Whip syrup), reserve juice 1*2 cups Spanish peanuts 2 cups mini-marshmallows 2 cups diced red, unpeeled cup sugar apples 1 tablespoon flour 1 egg, beaten Drain pineapple and combine with marshmallows. Stir. Refrigerate overnight. In a saucepan mix together the pineapple juice, sugar, flour, beaten egg and vinegar. Cook until thickened. Refrigerate this mixture overnight also. Next day, in large bowl gently mix sauce with Cool Whip. Stir in pineapple and marshmallow mixture, diced apples and peanuts (one lady chopped the peanuts, others added them whole). Chill for several hours. Serves 8 to 10. r FANNIE MAE FUDGE 10 large marshmallows 1 package (6 ounces) 1 teaspoon water chocolate chips 2 cups sugar lU pound butter (1 stick) 1 can (5 ounces) Carnation 1 cup chopped nuts milk (small can) Melt marshmallows and water in double boiler. In another pan bring to boil sugar and milk. Boil exactly 6 minutes, stirring constantly. Add melted marshmallows, chocolate chips and butter. Stir in nuts. Put in buttered 9 x 9-inch pan. Do not make a double batch at a time. It somehow does not work. Cut into desired pieces when cold. NO. 79, ENUMCLAW, WA Members and friends of Branch 79 please note that our annual Christmas party is to be held on December 4th at the Osceola Hall out of Enumclaw. This will be a potluck (klobasa, rolls & liquid refreshments provided) Santa will provide candy for the little ones and those who wish to have Santa distribute gifts remember to bring them. Two o’clock P.M. is party time. Let’s have a turn out of all of our members! MARY BRATOVICH, Reporter NO. 81, KEEWATIN, MN Branch 81 had a short meeting on August 31st to discuss plans for the members who were planning on attending Minnesota Day in Aurora on September 11, 1988. On Wednesday, October 26, our meeting was called to order by our president Josie Kapla. Prayers were said for our sick and deceased mem- bers. The minutes of the last meeting were read by our secretary, Blanche Laurich. The treasurer’s report was given by Anne Dickovich. Plans were discussed for our Christmas party which will be held December 13 in Father Frederick Hall. The meal will be catered by the members. Games will be played after the dinner. A discussion was held in regard to writing up material on the history of our branch for the Heritage Book. Election of officers will be held at our December meeting. The Aurora branch which hosted Minnesota Day in September is to be congratulated on an excellent meting. The members who attended enjoyed the day. Members of our branch were busy making strudels and noodles for St. Mary’s Bazaar. They were good money-makers. The members spent the rest of the evening visiting and discussing church “trivia” with Father Foster. Take care and God Bless. MARY MICHELICH NO. 85, DEPUE, IL We held our first meeting of the season on Sept. 13 as a dinner meeting at Yuvan’s Supper Club. Seven members attended. A card was sent to Mrs. Josephine Slatner who is in Heritage Manor Nursing home in Peru. Our next meeting would be on October 20 at the home of our president, Gen. Grilc. 1 attended the Grape Festival and the Illinois-Indiana State Convention in Joliet with a group of lovely ladies from La Salle and Oglesby. I would like to thank Angie Nico from Olgesby for taking us there. Needless to say, it was a very enjoyable time. We, of Branch 85 congratulate Branch 20, Joliet on their 60th Anniversary. It is always a pleasure going there as the Slovenian and also non-Slovenian ladies are always so pleasant and there is such a great feeling of togetherness. The Mass with the Slovenian singing, the young people with Olga Ancel in her cadet uniform carrying the gifts, and of course, Father Bernard and Father David truly made it inspirational. They are two wonderful Slovenian priests and it always makes everything complete having them there. The organist, choir, and the beautiful rendition of the “Ave Maria” by Anna Mae Lukančič were beautiful. 1 have inherited the love of the Slovenian singing from my mother and dad. My mother had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. My cousins in Joliet as well as in Slovenia also love to sing and we have had some wonderful times together. The banquet and program were very nice. The music and singing of John Amon and Vince Rigler are outstanding. They seem to enjoy performing as much as we enjoy listening to them. That’s what makes a “great performer" and artist. We were sorry that Mary Gramc was not feeling well and unable to go with us. We missed you, Mary, and hope you will be feeling better soon. Our member, Fran Machek is not feeling up to par and Pearl Drennan was scheduled to have knee surgery in Nov. We wish you gals the best and hope to see you at our meetings when you feel better. Greetings to all the ladies who were at the 111.-Ind. Convention and Joliet’s 60th Anniversary. It was a pleasure and joy to be one of you. God bless. MARY JERMENC SLOVENIAN BOBBIN-LACE MAKER, ANNA JESENKO (A translation of Cirila Kermavner's story on pages 36-37.) Let’s go to Žiri, located in the western part of Slovenia, near the cities Škofja loka, Idrija and Logatec. This area has been known for several hundred years because of its production of beautiful lace as well as shoe-making. The lace is used for the most beautiful church linen, women’s garments and table linens - even men’s garments are often enhanced by this beautiful, delicate lace. So we find that in Žiri, most of the women were ‘ worked for a family and learned to cook, keep house and To make this special kind of lace a special kind of “pillow” is needed on which the lace takes its form, or “grows”. It is a pillow filled with sawdust, of very hard consistency, and covered with a tight fitting cloth. A basket holds it tightly in place. This basket can be used on the lap or a table. To make the lace in a certain design, a paper pattern is pinned onto it that shows the picture of what the lace will look like. If it is to be used as an edging, for instance at the hem or end of a cloth, little pins are punched into the pattern at the outer edges and if the lace is to be sewn into cloth, the pins are centered on the pillow. These pins are constantly moved as the pattern is growing. Also needed are seven bobbins on which the thread is wound tightly. The bobbins are make of hard wood and very smoothly finished so they can be handled deftly. The threads are flipped over, spun around, moved this way and that, and as the thread follows, it forms the design. Anyone can imagine that this is a very difficult and tedious craft! Our Anna Jesenko of Cleveland, Ohio is an expert at bobbin-lace making. She is originally from Žiri where she began to learn lace-making at the age of 6. Her teachers were her mother and sisters - who taught her as they were taught in their formative years. Anna’s youth was spent in various menial jobs in her home town but during the first World War she was sent to Ljubljana where she worked for a family and learned to cook, keep house and care for children. While Anna and her three sisters had various jobs in Ljubljana her four brothers were serving at the Front line. A friend of theirs, another young soldier from their home town, soon met Anna and a friendship began. After the war when they all returned from the war Jacob Jesenko asked the much younger Anna to marry him. So, on the 10th of October, 1920, they were among three couples who were all married at the same time at St. Peter’s Church in Ljubljana. Anna remembers that for her wedding she had a brown silk dress but no hat or veil. In her hair she wore a red carnation. She says that she took a piece of bread with her to the church because she was told that if a bride sees a poor man in front to the church, she has to give him something to guarantee good luck in her marriage. She did see a young girl to whom she gave the bread! After their wedding dinner and dancing till midnight Anna followed another old tradition. She changed her dress to one of a light color before the party ended. A year later, Anna and Jacob became the proud parents of a baby girl, Anna. Jacob was always intersted in going to america and the opportunity came in 1922 when he left Slovenia and came to Red Lodge, Montana where Anna’s sister, Mary Erznoznik had already settled. He worked very hard as a miner and saved his money. When he heard of better working conditions in Cleveland, as they were building a Slovenian National Home on St. Clair Ave. and needed workers, Jacob went there and began to work for Mr. Mohar. Then he sent for his family. Anna had no qualms about coming to America - she picked up her daughter and her lace-making pillow with her patterns and went! After the first fright at seeing a father she did not recognize anymore, Annie and her parents began a loving relationship again. Their first home was on West 14th St. and Anna took care of “boarders” as did most housekeepers. It was hard work washing and cleaning without any conveniences such as we have now. In 1924 their son Jack was bom but because of Anna’s weak condition and illness during pregnancy, the infant died. In 1926 another son, Marjan was bom and in 1935, a daughter, Ruthie came into the world. The family bought a house on West 61st St. during those years and this is where Anna still lives today. As the children grew, Anna became an efficient home- Anna L. Hodnik Learn Slovenian! My good friend, Anita Vovk, found this simple but beautiful Slovenian Christmas hymn that we thought could be a part of your program for your Christmas meeting or party. It will also provide our lesson this month. We would also like to wish all of you a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year! Blagoslovljen božič in srečno novo leto! Poslušajte--You listen!; Listen! Sveti—Holy; Saint V mesto—To Town; in town, in the city Gre, gresta—He goes, they go Prideta—They two are coming Prenočišča—Accommodations for the night Iščeta—They are searching for; They are looking for Nočeš--You don’t want Prenočit—To pass the night Tam-There Gmajnica—Wooded area; Woods Revni-Poor Zapojmo-We sing Štalica-Barn Srca-Heart Skedenj—Bam Dete—Baby Je rodila—Was bom Nam—To us Vsi-All Blagoslov-blessing maker and did laundry in her home to earn money during the Depression. She remembers that two baskets of laundry would bring in $5 and this was for washing and ironing every piece without any washers or wringers. Everything was done by hand. Anna and Jack were among the original members of the singing club Triglav which was organized on the west side of Cleveland. Both were excellent singers. Anna was president of the club for 25 years and Jack was selected as the Man of the Year by this group in 1972 Later that year Jack died. He ended his life’s journey with dignity and fulfillment. He was a diligent husband and father and a good Catholic. Anna has always found jreat peace in her religion and the satisfaction of living a good life with the man she loved. In 1981 Anna was also honored as the Woman of the Year by members of Triglav. She was a charter member of Br. 53 of Slovenian Women’s Union and has been a good member of Br. 21 after their merger. Anna remembers the many winter evenings she would sit with her neighbors and each would be making the lace on their pillows and exchanging patterns and ideas for new ones. She always managed to keep up with this talent, even in the years when it was difficult to find the time. Now when there is more interest in lace-making as a Slovenian art form, Anna has been very busy preparing for exhibits and teaching others. She has three pillows in constant work and of course, many lovely pieces which she has made herself. It is beautiful lace from Žiri known as “Idrijske čipke” (Idrija is a town nearby and also a name for the area in which Žiri is located. See map on page 40.) Anna is now known as the “Lace Lady” of Cleveland! She was also featured in a commercial video tap produced by the Slovenian Heritage Foundation in 1987 (See p. 36 in Slovenian section for more on Mrs. Jesenko.) Poslušajte vsi ljudje božična Po- slu Sve- ti zef vme-sto ti Jo- zef Ma-ri gre- sta vme-sto Be-tle-hem. 1. Poslušajte vsi ljudje: Sveti Jožef v mesto gre. Sveti Jožef in Marija gresta v mesto Betlehem. 2. Ko pa v mesto prideta, prenočišča iščeta. „Oj, ti mesto betlehemsko, da nas nočeš prenočit’!'1 3. Ko pa iz mesta prideta, bajtico zagledata. Tam na gmajn’ci, v revni stal'd, je rodila Jezusa. 4. Vsi zapojmo iz srca v slavo Jezusa, Boga, da nam Dete betlehemsko blagoslov svoj sveti da! ENGLISH TRANSLATION 1. Listen all you people; Holy Joseph is going in the city Holy Joseph and Mary Are coming in the city of Bethlehem. 2. When they come into the city, They are searching for accommodations for the night. “Oh, you city of Bethlehem, That you do not want us to pass the night!” 3. And when they are coming out of the city, They catch sight of a shack. There in the woods, in a poor bam, Jesus was bom. 4. All are singing from the heart, In glory of Jesus, the Lord, That the Baby of Bethlehem gives To us His Holy Blessing! NO. 89, OGLESBY, IL Our October 10th meeting was called to order by Rose Ann Prey, president. Opening prayers and the Pledge of Allegiance were led by Frances Gorišek, chaplain. Roll call of officers taken and one was absent. Financial and treasurer’s reports were read. Angie Nico, delegate for our branch to the Ill-lnd State Convention on Oct. 2nd gave her report on all the proceedings. We were very pleased and happy to hear her interesting report. September birthday celebrants were Frances Rolando, Mary Dittle, Rose Kellett, Jo Schmidt, Elsa Zabavnik and Mary Ann Samuelson. In October, Rose Ann Prey, Emma Folty, Rev. Dennis Mackessy, our spiritual advisor and ...myself. Members will be contacted on the Bakeless Bake Sale which we would have in November. Each member was asked to donate $3 or the cost of what the baked goods would be. At our meeting we welcomed a guest, and old friend and neighbor who now resides in California. She is a sister to Rose Kellett, one of our members Our guest, Anne Dusak Morawa graciously donated towards the Bakeless bake Sale. Thank you, Anne, it was very nice of you to be so generous in helping out. Have a safe trip back home. The committee was Rose Kellett with Ann Batty and Irene Peterlin. The tables were set in a Halloween theme with lighted tapers and pumpkins. The committee did a lovely job and the dessert was very good as it always is. Meeting on Nov. 14th, Jo Morrison, my sister Anne and 1, hostesses. Respectfully submitted, EUNICE KOMATER NO. 95, SO. CHICAGO, IL A partial list of officers was voted on and announced at the November meeting with 29 members present. Mary Brozynski, president; Helen Alb, vice-president; Dolores Hen-nelly, secretary and Helen Golich, treasurer, accepted office. Auditors are Betty Markusic, Lois Chereso and Sylvia Vukodinovic. Charlotte Fryza, chairman of the Dec. 7th Christmas party, announced \11 was in order. Deadline for reserva- ons December 1st. Cocktails at 5:30 with dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Iwans on the Boulevard. Research for the Heritage Book is begun in earnest. Branch 95 was formed March 1st, 1939 with 35 members. Still members are Millie James and Matilda Turico. Member since 1940 is Mary Barcevac. We need all information from the various Mothers of the Year, plus pictures of the big day if possible. Please help members - we want to be proud of our contributions to the book. Member for 46 years, Mary Kahn died mid-October. Mary was a loyal and active member in years past, whose loss will be greatly felt by her innumerable friends. Our sympathy to her husband, Arnold, and daughters. May she rest in peace! Mary Malcic had serious surgery with another soon scheduled. Please remember her in your prayers. Hostesses were Helen Price, Mary Nuzda, Lois Chereso and Dolores Hennelly. Holiday greetings to all and we’ll see you at the Feb. 2nd meeting. MARIE MARAS NO. 100, FONTANA, CA Things have been fairly quiet since the Western State SWU Regional Conv. in Sept. I was sorry to have missed it as I was out of town welcoming 2 new granddaughters. From all reports, it was a great success and everyone was delighted to meet the representatives from Northern CA and Wash, and also our National Pres. “Tory” Bobence. A thank-you for donations from the gals also. Even with temperatures over 100“ a good time was had by all. A very special thanks to Mary Lou & Frank Videgar for opening their home to us for the brunch. At our Oct. meeting, Rosemary Mlakar gave an informative report on the Regional Convention she and Ann Kapel attended at Pueblo on Sept. 24. Tho she came home to Fontana, Ann went on to Cleveland. We discussed plans for our annual Christmas party which will be on Dec. 9th with a gift exchange. Details of place and time were finalized at our 'lov. 3rd meeting at the home of Chris XATHY’S POETRY DECEMBER Cold blustery days — wind thc.t howls. White blankets of snow. Snowballs and snowmen. People ršshing buying gifts. Singing Christmas carols Carolers with candles outside your door. Hot cocoa by a fire. Midnight Mass. Christmas Morning. Christmas dinner. Kids’ smiles. Kids saying, “Santa was here!” Making New Year’s resolutions. That’s what December is to me. U/ Drawing by Mark Nusko, Br. 2, Chicago, IL & Linda Costell at 1301 Oakhurst Dr. in San Bernardino. Chris gracious agreed to show the ladies how to make cheese bread sticks. We are discussing charitable projects for Christmas and money makers like another rummage sale or what ever. Your ideas are always welcomed. Get well wishes were sent to Cecelia Horzen, Mary Videgar, Mrs. Majcen. May they and all our members who are in convalescent homes or under the weather improve and enjoy good health soon. HENRIETTA BLEDSOE Irene M. Odorizzi 2362 Paddock I,ane Keston, Va. 22091 THE NEXT GENERATION Joseph Part III I tried to enlist in the Marines, hut I was not accepted because of my hearing. The recruiters sent me to Dr. Woodruff who cleaned out my ears and then I could hear a pin drop. When I was coming down the stairs after my office visit, I met a good friend of mine. Dr. Smelich, who asked. “Where are you coming from?” I replied, “I just came from Dr. Woodruff who cleaned out my ears. I'm going to join the Marines.” He blew his top, as he was a prison doctor and a good friend of mine. “Don’t join the Marines! That is too hard for you.” I questioned him. “What’ll I do?” He responded. “Don’t sign up now. Wait till they draft you.” I waited til they drafted me but learned that I was exempt. There were five of us friends and only one didn’t want to go to the army, his last name was Music. We didn’t get into the war til 1917, and all four of us served in the infantry. John Grahek, the treasurer of the K.S.K.J. had a son who was a graduate of the University of Illinois as a civil engineer. Years later, the highway Interstate 80 was built by John Grahek Jr. When we were in Hoboken, N.J., I asked John, "Did you tell them about your schooling?” “No, I didn’t tell them anything.” “Well, John I’m going to expose you.” I asked to see the authorities and told them that a man with us was a graduate from the University of Illinois and a civil engineer. The next day, they gave John an honorable discharge. He left us as a second lieutenant and they assigned him to the Army Corps of Engineers. He wanted to be with us and that is why he never mentioned his education. We all came back from the war: Skopac, Music, Louis Posega and myself. They are all deceased now. Louis Posega had a little different story ot tell from some of the other Slovenes who came directly from Slovenia. He arrived in America in 1901 from Brazil, having been recruited to work on a coffee plantation. When he arrived in Brazil he experienced very hard times with very poor conditions and meager wages. Two Croatian families who lived on Chicago St. also came from Brazil: Tejan and Minarich. When I arrived in France, I went through the wine cellars in those mountains and it was like a big city, there was so much wine. The armistice was supposed to be signed on the 7th of November. I took a case of champagne and was intoxicated for four days. Then they told us to get ready to start marching 290 miles with seventy pounds on our backs. The Germans would be in one town evacuating and then we would come in. It took us from the 17th to This handsome man, dressed in the fashion of the time, was Joseph Sekola, after he returned from the army. the 10th of December until we got to Coblends, Germany, then I was transferred from Brigade headquarters to Intelligence. I’d take written communications from one person to another. The brigade had sixteen regiments or two brigades of 40,000 men. While in Europe, I fought in three battles: Aisne, Muese Argonne and St. Michael, receiving three bronze stars. At Meuse Argonne, the Germans were located below the hill and found out we were on top of the hill. The calvary was spotted and the artillery fire began. When you saw someone shot in battle, especially a buddy, you would want to stop and help the guy but the officers would move you on ahead, and say, “The Red Cross will take care of him.” When I had been in the trenches and a mustard shell hit, my back was burned and I went to the Red Cross and they threw me a bar of soap and said. “Tell your buddy to wash it off.” That was the only treatment that I got. Wash it off with soap! When I was in France, Joe Železnik and I studied at Dijon at the University for three weeks. On the front lines, communications came from the ground, in those days, and we had to lay flags on the ground, so that the signals could be read from the air. My friend, Joe and I did this because there weren’t any radio signals like in later wars. John was a year older than I. He was shot in battle. When the soldiers walked through the village streets in France, they had to walk in the center of the street, as the girls would chase the American boys because the soldiers spent money on them. When I went into the army, I was twenty-two or twenty-three. I didn’t have a girlfriend. The only communications I had was from my sisters and a girl that formerly lived in Joliet but has moved to New York City. I knew her when she lived in Joliet on Chicago Street. When I returned to the States in September, the ship landed in Baltimore, and I recall getting off the ship in the morning and being given a cup of coffee and a doughnut. We paraded to the train depot and got on the train and rode to Rockford, III. where we were discharged. I came home on Friday and went down to the Eagle store and bought two suits of clothes with the money I had saved. After the weekend, I started working Monday morning at the same place, Heggie Boiler Works, doing the same kind of work on the crane as I had done before the war. In 1924,1 switched my employment and began working as a mail carrier at the Chicago post office. I worked on the train picking up pouches of mail and throwing them out at certain locations. My route on the Wabash was from Chicago to Mark Twain’s home town of Hannibal, Missouri. I worked there one year and made nineteen hundred dollars that year. Then my brother Max said, “Why don’t you work for the railroad, Sam." (They called me “Sam” instead of Joe.) “You can make more money there.” So 1 went to work as a switchman at twenty-five hundred dollars per year and switched the Santa Fe cars. There was a “Y” at Jackson St. and we would turn the train around so that it would go in the opposite direction. When I nearly fell off a car, I decided to go back to my original job on the crane at Heggie’s. In 1930, I got married and remained so for eighteen years when one rainy day, my wife went downtown to shop and slipped and fell, cracking open her head. She died eight years after that. I worked till 1930 at Heggie’s, receiving thirty cents an hour. Then they closed down because the Depression hit. After a few years there was a sign on the fence stating, “We will now start operating again at 20 cents per hour.” Would you believe that men flattened the fence to the ground in their rush to get one of those jobs for less money? The people actually tore down the fence to go back to work. After leaving Heggie’s Boiler Co. I worked the next seven years for the State of Illinois and then with the advent of World War II transferred to the Ammunitions Plant and received $36.00 a week. For awhile I worked in the factory and then transferred to the Finance Dept. When the Ammunitions Plant on the outskirts of Joliet closed after the war ended, I began to work at the White Front Liquor Store in the Golobitch Bldg. on Chicago St. and stayed with the liquor store until 1951. Since World War II ended many things happneed to me and to the town of Joliet. First of all, I married a lovely lady and she became Mrs. Joseph Sekola. Rose worked in sales for forty years in downtown Joliet. Being a consistent and responsible lady she worked twenty-Five years for the, “Fashion Shop,” which specialized in Woman’s Clothing and then fifteen years with, “David Balch,” known for high fashion Women’s clothing as well as all the accessories which the stylish lady used. Rose was the third oldest girl in a family of seven girls and when her Mother died at forty-five years of age, Rose stayed home and took care of her father and the four younger girls while the older girls went to work. Those younger sisters have been very close to Rose since their mother’s death. We have never been blessed with children but Rose always felt closest to her sisters’ children and grandchildren. I’m sure she holds a special place for them in her heart as if they were her own, and they return the love. Rose and I traveled quite a bit through Europe and enjoyed our trips. There’s one other thing for me that was truly enjoyable. I could honestly say that “I loved a parade” and never missed one in Joliet or now on T.V. I guess that love goes back to my days in WWI where we paraded quite a bit. Parades fascinate me. For a number of years, I marched in the local parade on Armistice Day, now Veteran’s Day, as a member of the Foreign War Group. There was always a group who represented WWI and a Mrs & Mrs. Joseph Sekola few old soldiers from the Spanish and American War. A real, patriotic soldier was Ed Ambrose who never missed a parade and the opportunity to represent the soldiers who fought in the battles of WWI. Joe wore his old uniform and helmet which fit him perfectly, well into his 90s. I also am a member of the Harwood Post, comprised of former military men, in Joliet. Now, I am looking toward another turn in the century but even though I feel pretty well for my age, every day is a gift from the Almighty Father. One never knows. Each day on this earth is a blessing when you have good health, a lovely wife, and the comforts needed for a good life. I hope that these memories which I have lived and recalled will allow the readers to get a glimpse of old Joliet when they were just a twinkle in their parents’ eve. That reminds me of another story my father used to tell. Pa would say, “When there were Republicans in office and there was a panic, they would close down places of employment for three or four months. Nine months after that there was a baby boom because the men had been off work.” Now, you take that three or four months and add nine months to it and you have a baby. I guess without working at the mill they had a lot of time at home. One other thing I haven’t mentioned and that is how my parents died. Mom had a stroke and Dr. Zalar put Dad in the hospital for a week because he was upset. When he became curious about her condition and after the barber and shaved him and had given him a haircut, he dressed himself, left the hospital and went home. On the way home four people attacked him and tried to strangle him. In his struggle he died from a heart attack at eighty-one years of age. My mother, as ill as she was, became worse and lived only ten additional days before dying from a second stroke. My Dad might even be living now if this incident hadn’t happneed, as he was quite hearty and never had been in a Doctor’s office. My Ma, bless her, could cure a person because she had that special gift. Well, I’ll leave my story-telling for now. It’s been three hours since I started. God Bless You All! THE END NOTE: My husband, Kenneth, and I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Joseph Sekola and his wife, Rose, at the Heritage Museum on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, 1986. We were quite impressed with his fine memory and interesting stories as well as his stately appearance. Unfortunately, this old soldier passed away before the printing of his interesting story, but his words will remain for a much longer time. We thank Mrs. Jonita Ruth of the SWU Home Office for arranging this interview with Joseph Sekola. PROFIL: Naša Slovenska klekljarica ANNA JESENKO Podajmo se v Žiri, v severo zahodni del Slovenije. To je lep kraj, ki leži med Škofjo Loko, Idrijo in Logatcem. Dolgo so spadale po Notranjsko, a sedaj so pod Gorenjsko. Žiri so že par stoletij znane po svojih lepih čipkah, kakor tudi po čevljarski obrti. Klekljane čipke so nekdaj kot sedaj uporabljali za cerkvena oblačila, prtove, okras oblek, spodnjega ženskega perila. Tudi za moško perilo, srajce, robčke itd. so jih precej uporabljali posebno v preteklih stoletjih. Le malo poglejte zgodovinske knjige. V Žiri h pravijo-ženska je klekljarica, moški pa čevljar. Pri klekljanju se rabi: povšter - natlačen z žaganjem, povrhu se da mušter. Ako so špice za všivati se dajo bucike na notranjo stran muštra, če so pa samo čipke pa na zunanjo stran. Rabimo tudi najmanj sedem parov kleklenov, kateri so nerejeni iz trdega lesa. Cvirn se rabi za nove vrste čipk št. 50, za stare vrste čipk pa št. 30. Konec devetnajstega stoletja sta imela Fricov ata Jožef in mama Marija že devet otrok. In glej, v pričetku novega stoletja leta 1901 se jima je pridružila še deseti otrok, Ana naša znana Slovenka klekljarica. Ana je začela s klekljanjem s šestim letom. Dobila je povšter in kleklene. To je bilo samo njeno. Počasi Ponosna in hvaležna klekljarica Ana Jesenko sprejema rože ob premjjeri njenega video tape-a. Rože poklanjajo Suzanne Vadnal in Tony Hiti. si jo pridobivala znanje skozi leta s pomočjo sester in mame, ki so jo učile to kar so se one naučile od svojih prednikov. Znanje klekljanja se je podajalo - učilo iz roda v rod. Po končani osnovni soli s 14tim letom je morala Ana iti služiti. Šla je v neko gostilno kjer so je poimenovali v ta mlado deklo. Ta mlada dekla je ponavadi pomagala ta veliki dekli in gospodinji opravljati mala dela. Tam je ostala par let. Svetovna - prva vojna je bila že v polni vihri, ko so jo kot maldo dekle poslali v Ljubljano služiti k profesorju Vesenjaku, da se nauči malo olike in kuhe. Pri njih je skrbela tudi za njihova dva otroka poleg drugega gospodinjskega dela. Ostala je pri njih par let, dokler profesor Vesenjak ni bil premeščen v Maribor. Ana ni želela iti z njim čeprav so jo prosili, Maribor se ji je zdel predaleč. Preselila pa se je na Poljansko cesto k Angeli Škulj, sestri profesorja, ki je imela tam trgovino. Anini štirje bratje so bili vsi na fronti, tri sestre so služile v Ljubljani, drugi so pa služili drugog. Ana pa je spoznala med vojno nekoga še malo pobližje, ki je tudi služil vojsko z njenimi brati. To je bil Jakob Jesenko. Poznala ga je že preje, ko je bila še veliko mlajša, še ko je on hodil z Breznice v Žiri delati. Sedaj nekaj let kasneje se je pa nekaj vžgalo in tisto oznanje se je spremenilo v ljubezen. Pošarji so bili se v tistih časih precej zaposleni s pismi, ki so jih nosili od enega do drugega. Konec vojne. Vsi so prišli srečno domov. Jakob in bratje. Bilo je še malo plavšanja in v letu 1920 je Jakob vprašal za roko Ane. Popoldne 10tega oktorbra so se poročili trije pari v cerkvi sv. Petra v Ljubljani. Ana in Jakob, njena sestra in še en drug par. Bili so eden drugemu tovarši in tovaršice, samo priče so imeli vsak svoje. Ana je imela rujavo svileno obleko, brez pajčolana in brez klobuka. Imela pa je rudeč nageljček z zelenjem pripet v laseh. S seboj v cerkev k poroki je pa vzela tudi kos kruha, ker če vidiš koga pred cerkvijo, ki je revež mu daš kruh. To pomeni, da boš vse skozi življenje radodaren. Ana ga je dala neki deklici. Zvečer so imeli dobro večerjo. Zabaval jih je orkester enega harmonikarja, vse tja do polnoči. Opolnoči so se tradicijonalno preoblekle v svetlejše obleke in vsak odšel po svojem. Sestre Mary Erznožnik se je vrnila iz Amerike leta 1921 iz Red Lodge, Montana, toda ni bila zadovoljna vžireh. Bila je pripravljena za takojšno vrnitev. Jakob jo je malo pospraševal, ker je tudi on nameraval iti v Ameriko. Mary mu je obljubila, da mu bo poskrbela delo. Milena Merlak Ti si prišel Tu ležiš med nami v jaslicah, rojen kot naše novo upanje, kot naše odrešenje in življenje. Veliko je v Tebe naše zaupanje veliko je naše veselje na ta dan. Naj poje, naj slavi Te kristjan! Ti si prišel, da poveš vsem ljudem, da nas ima Tvoj oče v nebesih rad, da naš Stvarnik ni gluh in nem, da razodeneš skrivnost božje ljubezni. Sedaj ležiš tu, v jaslicah, med nami na Tvoj rojstni, na naš božični dan. Naj pojejo, naj veselijo se zemljani! Medtem je bil pa v družinici vesel dogodek. Sredi leta 1921 je Ana podarila Jakobu hčerko Ani. Toda, Amerika je še vedno klicala. Leta 1922 tega je Jakob sam odšel v Red Lodge, Montana, Amerika. Delal je v rudnikih, težko, eno leto. Šparal je denar, da bi čim-prej dobil k sebi ženo in hčerko. V začetku leta 1923 mu je sestra iz Clevelanda pisala, da v Clevelandu zidajo slovenski narodni dom in, da rabijo delavce. Dom bo na St. Clairju. Odzval se je in odpotoval v Cleveland. Dobil je delo pri Moharju, ker on je imel pogodbo za gotova dela pri narodnemu domu. Sedaj je Jakob preimenovan v Jacka poslal v letu 1923 temu karto za svojo ženo Ano in hčerkico Ani, da prideta končno k njemu v Cleveland. Ana ni nič pomišljala, ampak je vzela hčerkico in povšter s klek-leni in muštrom in se podala na pot. Vožnja po morju ni bila preslaba, a prijetna pa tudi ne. Obe sta se spopadli malo z morsko boleznijo, a se je vse srečno izteklo. A kaj je to? Ata jih je prišel iskati na kolodvor in Ani ga ni več poznala. Vseskozi je samo jokala in klicala staro mater naj pride po njo. No, počasi se je vse poleglo in Ani in Ana sta bile srečne v objemu njim ljubega moža in ata. Njihov novi dom je bil na West 14 in seveda Ana je imela tudi "boarderja" Jack Česnik mu je bilo ime. Mlada Ana ni znala kuhati po ameriško in je kar po domače urezala v veselje možičku in “boarderju". Spomni se tudi kako težko je bilo prekladati velike škafe iz sinka v sink pri pranju. Leta 1924 je bil rojen sin Jack. Ana je imela med nosečnostjo, proti koncu pljučnico in to je vplivalo na otroka. Babica Marjana Puc je komaj rešila Ano, še krstila otročička Jack-a in kmalu nato je izdihnil svojo dušico. Leta 1926 tega je bil rojen sin Marjan, zopet je prišla babica, ker je bila preje pri Ani kot doktor. Leta 1928 tega so kupili hišo na West 61 ti cesti. Ana, naša znana slovenska klekljarica še danes živi v njej. Leta 1935 jih je zopet obiskala štorklja z malo deklico Ruthie. Vsi otroci so hodili v katoliške sole. Ana je doma skrbela za otroke in sem pa tja malo klekljala. V depresiji je pa jemala domov perilo za prati. Dve košari perila za $5.00. Bilo je treba oprati, speglati in zašiti in poleg tega se še spomnite je bil washer na wringer. Na roke... Ko je družina odrasla je Ana nekaj časa delala v Higbee, a je morala radi bolečih žil ostati doma. Ata Jack pa je nekaj časa delal v “ledrovki", nekaj časa imel svojo čevljarsko obrt na W. 17, zadnjih 15 let pa v GM. Ana in Jack sta bila tudi med ustanovitelji pevskega zbora “Triglav". Oba odlična pevca. Ana je bila 25 let president kluba. Jack je bil pri klubu izbran za moža leta 1972 tega meseca marca, maja je še pel pri koncertu in meseca julija je pa umrl. Dokončal je svojo življensko pot in delo. Poskrbel je za ženo in otroke in sam odšel po svoje plačilo. Umrl je mimo in hitro kakor si je vseskozi želel in prosil Ano naj še ona moli za to. Želja se mu je izpolnila in Ana se počuti veliko lažje, ker ve, da ji je Bog stal ob strani ob težki izgubi. Leta 1981 tega je bila Ana izvoljena za ženo leta pri Triglavskemu klubu. Bila je tudi med ustanoviteljicama SŽZ pri št. 53, katero se je pa pozneje razdrlo. Sedaj pa je članica št. 21. Sicer pa pripada skoro vsem slovenskim društvom. Ana pravi, da se še sedaj spominja kako so v zimskih večerih prišle sosede k njim s svojimi povštri in vsakovrstnimi muštri na njih in kako so klekleni valovili iz ene v drugo roko in peli svojevrstno klekljarsko pesem. Kakor tudi pravi, da ko so otroci odraščali je le sem in tja prinesla povšter doli, da je le toliko delala, da ni pozabila in, da ji niso prsti otrdeli. Pozneje, ko se je pa začelo gibanje ponosa v korenine naših prednikov so jo pa skoro prisilili, da skoro vedno dela kaj, uči druge in ima razstave itd. Ana ima sedaj kar tri povštre z enkratno vezenino. Ana ne more pozabiti lepih klekljarskih čipk iz Žiri. Cirila Kermavner DATES TO REMEMBER Dec. 3 Dec. 3 Dec. 4 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 7 Dec. 7 Dec. 7 Dec. 7 Dec. 7 Dec. 8 Dec. 9 Dec. 11 Dec. 11 Dec. 12 Dec. 12 Dec. 13 Dec. 13 Dec. 13 Dec. 13 Dec. 13 Dec. 15 Dec. 15 ■ CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY, Br. 2, Chicago, IL - CHRISTMAS PARTY, Br. 73, Warrensville, OH - CHRISTMAS PARTY, Br. 47, Garfield Hts., OH, 1 p.m,S.N. Home - CHRISTMAS PARTY, Br. 79, Enumclaw, WA„ Osceola Hall, 2 p.m. - CHRISTMAS PARTY, Br. 23, Ely, MN, Church Hall, 5:30 p.m. . CHRISTMAS MEETING, ELECTION OF OFFICERS, PENNY SOCIAL, Br. 33, Duluth, MN - CHRISTMAS PARTY, Br. 38, Chisholm, MN, Valentini’s SupperClub - CHRISTMAS PARTY, Br. 43, Milwaukee, WI at the Country Buffet, 11:45 a.m. assembly, noon Luntheon. Call Rose Kraemer for reservations. - CHRISTMAS PARTY, Br. 52, Kitzville, MN ■ CHRISTMAS PARTY, Br. 95, So. Chicago, IL, Iwan’s on the Boulevard, 6 p.m. Cocktails, 7 p.m. Dinner - CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON, Br. 43, Milwaukee, WI - CHRISTMAS PARTY, Br. 100, Fontana, CA . CHRISTMAS PARTY, Br. 35, Aurora, MN - CHRISTMAS DINNER, Br. 50, Cleveland, OH.SNDon Holmes, 1 p.m. . CHRISTMAS DINNER, Br. 55, Girard, OH at Lamancusa’s Restaurant on Trumbull Ave., 6p.m. - CHRISTMAS PARTY, Br. 56, Hibbing, MN, Howard Court Cafe, 5 p.m. - CHRISTMAS PARTY, Br. 1, Sheboygan, WI, Rupp’s, 6 p.m., Reservations due before, call Aggie 452-8808 or Ruth 452-8251 - CHRISTMAS DINNER, Br. 40, Lorain, OH, Campbell’s Cafeteria, 5:30 p.m. - CHRISTMAS PARTY, Br. 42, Maple Hgts., OH - CHRISTMAS PARTY, Br. 57, Niles, OH, Applewood Gardens, 1 p.m. Call Ann Pease for reservations. - CHRISTMAS PARTY, Br. 81, Keewatin, MN at Fr. Frederick’s Hall - ADULT CHRISTMAS PARTY, Br. 2, Chicago, IL - CHRISTMAS DINNER, Br. 12, Milwaukee, WI at Bruno’s Castle, call Mary Dezman for reservations. VESELE B0ZICNE PRAZNIKE -MERRY CHRISTMAS! Sixty-two years ago this December, our Zveza was founded by Marie Prisland of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Through her initiative and determination and of those who followed, the status of Slovenian womanhood was enriched, civic, cultural and charitable causes were supported and our heritages were preserved. To continue the work of our predecessors, it is hoped each branch will enroll one or two members during the year. The Tory’s Bouquet refrigerator magnet is sent to urge you to try extra hard to enroll one and more members from among your family, relatives and friends, both male and female. In our very mobile world. Zveza and the ZARJA serve as an important medium of keeping in touch with our dear ones both near and far. It is important that we do not become an “endangered species!”. At the close of another year we extend our deepest appreciation to the hard-working and dedicated officers and members. All across the world the peace of Christmas comes again. May it wrap you and those you love within its calm and gentle blessings throughout the New Year! SREČNO N0Y0 LET0 -HAPPY NEW YEAR! Olga Ancel, Sylvia Vukodinovich, National Secretary National Treasurer Dec. 15 - CHRISTMAS PARTY & 60th ANNIVERSARY, Br. 16, So. Chicago, IL, at Crow Bar Inn,8p.m. Dec. 18- ANNUAL MEETING & CHRISTMAS SOCIAL, Br. 17, West Allis, WI, 2 p.m. Dec. 18 - CHRISTMAS DINNER, Br. 20, Joliet, IL, Renaissance Center, 11 a.m. cocktails, 11:30 a.m. dinner. Reservations requested Dec. 21 - CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON, Br. 54, Warren, OH, Elk’s Club, Rt. 422, lp.m. WHAT IS A Perfect Christmas Gift? Why, a copy of our SWU international cookbook, POTS & PANS! Just send $10.50 per postpaid copy and you’ll make someone very happy all year long! Remit to: SWU Home Office, 431 No. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432. DR. M. JOSEPH CHRZANOWSKI DR. MARTIN H. TELICH Family Dentistry 782 East 185th St., 6402 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44119 Cleveland, Ohio 44103 692-2010 431-4114 Our thanks to Cirila Kermavner and Alouise Epley for securing the Cleveland Christmas ads ZAK FUNERAL HOME (ZAKRAJŠEK) ZACHARY A. ZAK - LICENSED A GENERATIONS OF SERVICE, SINCE 1890 6016 ST. CLAIR AVE. 361-3112 361-3113 SHELIGA DRUG INC. 6025St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103 (216) 431-1035 Serving our neighborhoods' daily needs Frank Sterle Country House Slovenska kuhinja Slovenian Home Cooking 1401 E. 55th St. Cleveland, Ohio 44103 For Reservations: 881-4181 TIVOLI ENTERPRISES 6419 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103 (216) 431-5296 “Imports from Slovenia” s HANDCRAFT - BOOKS - VIDEO CASSETTES - RECORDS Korporacija BARAGOV DOM 6304 St. Clair Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44103 V ---------------------------------------------- Officers & Members Br. 73, Warrensville Hgts., OH Anzlovar Department Store 6214 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, Ohio FORTUNA FUNERAL HOME 5316 Fleet Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 641-0046 & NAŠA KMEČKA DRUŽINA POMIKAMO SE PROTI ZIMI Pšenica in ječmen sta morala biti že do konca oktobra posejana. Treba jih je posejati v jeseni, da dobe dovolj moči do spomladi. Sneg mu daje toplo odejo, da se močno ukorenini in na pomlad lepo ozeleni. Snežna odeja mora biti čez žito, za dobro letino. Sicer pa pravijo: "Sneg je kmetovo zlato". Zdaj so že v teku tudi s pospravljanjem sadja: Jabolka, hruške, slive, grozdje. Iz jabolk so naredili sladki mošt, katerega so vsi že težko čakali, čeprav je včasih malo napenjal. Iz ta kislih so pa naredili "jesih". Pripravili so tudi krhlje iz jabolk in hrušk. Naložili so jih na lese in jih sušili v sušilnici ali pa v krušni peči. Češplje so tudi sušili čeprav je vzelo malo dalj časa za nje. Bile so pa dober dodatek ali k kuhanemu suhemu sadju, katero se je rabilo po uporabi svežega sadja. Bile so pa tudi za češpljevo kašo za med letom, da se je malo popestrilo vsakdanje jedi. Seveda so tudi žvečili suho sadje, saj takrat ni bilo denarja za take stvari. Ob dobri letini češpelj so pa skuhali še slivovko. Iz grozdja so naredili vinski mošt, ki se je spremenil v vino, ko je prišel sv. Martin 11 tega novembra, pa so zapeli: "Prišel bo sv. Martin delal bo iz mošta vin’ in ga bo krstil at' jaz ga bom pa pil." Otepali so pa tudi orehe. Eden je šel na vrh z dolgo palico in jih je klatil doli. Pobrali so jih, zluščili in posušili. Ob dobri letini so si malo zaslužili s prodajo orehov. Orehi so bili zelo cenjeni, ker ni bilo dosti orehovih nasadov po Sloveniji. Orehe so rabili za potice, pogače, tepežni dan, sv. Miklavža, to se pravi ob praznikih in velikih delih na polju in okrog doma. Kostanj se je tudi otrpal. Potem se je izluščil iz ježkove lupinice. Jedel se je kuhan ali pečen. Pekli so ga ponavadi na odprtemu ognju. Kjer niso imeli dosti koruze, a so imeli veliko kostanja so se vozili po vaseh in zamenjavali kostanj za koruzo. Kostanj so tudi prodajali ljudem, ki so ga pekli po mestnih vogalih na malih pečicah. Nazadnje se je pa pospravljalo zelje, repa in korenje. Na zevniku so se posekale zeljnate glave. Naložili so jih na lojternik, kateri je imel spredaj in zadaj preko lojternika dilo, da se zeljnate glave niso valile na tla. Pripeljali so domov, kjer so pustili kje pod streho, da so ženske čistile glave. Z noži so zvrtale v steblo glave - temu so rekli, da so krožile. Nekaj moških ga je ribalo - z velikimi ribežni v velike škafe in nekaj ga je pa nosilo v ta vel'ke kadi. Izbrali so enega malega fantka - kakih osem let, dobro so mu umili v zelo topli vodi noge in ga nato prenesli v kad. Tam je tlačil zelje, da ni bilo zraka vmes, ker če je se pokvari. Vmes so pa včasih malo posolili in na koncu so nalili na naribano zelje vode, da ga je pokrila. V kad na zelje so naložili zanalašč za to pripravljene dile in na to so pa naložili velike kamne. Kadi so prekrili s kakim starim platnenim prtom. Vsake par tednov, včasih pa tudi vsak teden so morali čistiti zelje v kadi. Pobrali so vse kamne in dile doli in jih umili. Iz kadi so pa se pobrali pene in, če je bilo kaj slabega zelja in zopet vse nazaj naložili kot preje. Nekaj zeljnatih glav so populili s koreninami vred, da so jih imeli za seme. Zagrebli so jih v zemljo v kevder pod kaščo, da je pognalo seme. Pod kaščo so pa tudi spravili korenje in peso kar je bilo za prašičji futer. Repo, kar jo niso naribali za kislo so pa zakopali na njivi. Izkopali so globoko jamo, obložili s slamo in notri so zložili preostalo repo, korenje in peso. Vse zelenje je bilo že prej vse odtrgano. Za vse svete in vernih duš dan so se ljudje pripravili s čiščenjem grobov. Nanesli so črne prsti za na grob in belega peska za okrog groba. Vsi sveti je bil strogo zapovedan praznik. Zvečer na vse svete se je že začelo z enim delom rožnega venca za vse verne duše. Zjutraj na vse zgodaj pa z vsemi tremi deli. Dejali so, da so takrat nebesa odprta. Opolnoči, med vsemi svetimi in vernih duš dan pa, da se pridejo duše hladit’ na ta svet! Vsi so prisostvovali vsem trem mašam na ta dan z vsemi domačimi. Po mašah so pa odšli prižigati sveče na grobove in še malo pomoliti za duše, ki morda potrebujejo molitve. Pozna jesen je že bila in začelo se je že pripravljati na božične praznike. Treba je bilo pospraviti in pripraviti za peko. Ob večerih se je zbrala družina, da so trli orehe, jih jemali iz lupin, drugič pa zbirali. To je mali delček naše kmečke družine. Skupaj so delali, skupaj molili, skupaj prebredli vse težave, ki so jih doletele, pa kako ne, saj so zaupali v našega Novorojenega Jezuščka, ki upamo, da se bo usmilil tudi nas vseh. Praznujte v miru in zadovoljstvu. Cirila Kermavner Svečke! Orehe! Bonbončki! . XA* 1 -) k \ v 1 s 'A' Vv 4- ^, , /• 4 y ! U* 'V /■. k »v, •*. < A Jšf I /-/T' .v\ n r* fr MflSfl SLOUENSKfl DEDIŠČINA Ana (labor NAŠA POT PO SLOVENIJI PROTI MESTU KAMNIKU POD KAMNIŠKIMI PLANINAMI Ogledali smo si že dve stari mesti na Gorenjskem in sicer Kranj in Škofjo loko; danes pride na vrsto še mesto Kamnik, ki leži ob vznožju Kamniških planin ali Alp. Pod temi planinami izvira reka Kamniška Bistrica, se vijuga med hribi in končno priteče na obdelano ravnino, kjer so lepa polja, čedne naselbine z močno industrijo. Na Ljubljanskem polju najde reko Savo, v katero se izliva. Kamnik je staro srednje-veško mesto — po dokumentih znano iz 12. stoletja. V svojem starem delu ima mesto ozke ulice in čedne starinske enonadstropne hiše — v novem delu pa visoka poslopja — med njimi tovarne, gimnazijo, šolo in internat za invalidno mladino, ki je raztresena po Sloveniji. Tekom vsega leta je Kamnik zelo živahen. Poleti sem prihvajajo letoviščarji, turisti in gorniki, katerih želja je doseči najvišje vrhove v Kamniških Alpah. Zelena pokrajina okoli Kamnika in mogočne gore v ozadju dajejo mestu izredno lep položaj; nižje planine s pašniki — med katerimi prednjači Velika planina — so poleti polne izletnikov, pozimi pa smučarjev. Sedanji graditleji novih turističnih hišič in koč na Veliki planini se poslužujijo pri svojih gradnjah načina ali sloga prastarih planšarskih stanov ali hlevov; sklepajo, da so to stvaritve prvih naseljencev v naših krajih. Stavbe so lesene in štirikotne — velike, s skodljastimi strehami, ki segajo prav do tal. Sredina je prostor za pastirja, vse okrog njega pa prostor za ovce. < _! a < * _i tu > Ob široki cesti Kamnik — Ljubljana so v nekaki sredini znane Domžale, kjer je bilo nekdaj središče slamnikarstva. Koliko deklet — slamnikaric je prišlo iskat kruha v Ameriko, največ v New York. Iz Domžal se odcepi cesta, ki pelje skozi Črni graben, na Trojane (nekdanja meja med Kranjsko in Štajersko) in dalje v Savinjsko dolino in Celje. Črni graben je bil nekoč strah pred rokovnjači — domačimi izgubljenci in tatovi. Ta cesta je v davnih časih vezala Emono s Celeo: Ljubljano s Celjem. Gospodarsko razvit svet! Na tej ravnini so kraji: Komenda, Mengeš, Trzin; blizu je letališče Brnik. • f ouj Triglav.' 1/ Bled"'».“"i* ^ »JBSCB , Kropa* \\ r„cy ^ Zatrnik „ . ’Trlic N'fc0Lucej Radovljica Preddvor Kš™Mca velika J $ • Planina 'N- - ^. 0^ KrOpa* Krvavec vogel Bohin'Kobla«!teg* ||ran: 9 Kamnik Železniki Tnlmin . , BRNIK Škofja Loka y ) "Franja" losi na ^rt11"* oci i ' VE. Idrija^ Medvode \ * Domžale Polhov Gruclee ^LJUBLJANA DOPISI ŠT. 3, PUEBLO, CO Hello, vse moje članice naše Slovenske ženske zveze! Tudi glavne odbornice! Bodite vse hvaležne, da ste vse žive in zdrave! za prihodnje božične praznike moje voščilo odboru in vsem članicam! Državna konvencija je minula brez mene. Bolezen! Ne smem mimo zahvale Mildred Stofac za krasni afgan darilo ob mojem rojstnem dnevu in tudi soprogu: afgan je delo M. pokojne mame. Hvala Vama za obiske v moji bolezni. Prav tako tudi č.g. Kapushionu za obiske. Hvala Stefie Weis, Lucy Jesih za košarico cvetlic, Frances Simonich, Rose Volk, mojemu bratu, Franku Jager in ženi. Bodite vsi in Jenie Lucanik, moji poznani, lepo pozdravljeni: vsi ostanete v mojem spominu! VAŠA ANNA PACHAK Cenjena gu. Anna in izredna članica nase Zveze! Vaše pismo nas je ganilo in razveselilo. Vemo, koliko truda Vas je stalo, da ste jja ročno napisali. I)a bi Vas posnemale članice S.Ž.Z.! Srčna zahvala! Bog Vas blagoslovi! Iz. uredništva Zarje. ŠT. 13, SAN FRANCISCO, CA Pozdrav iz Kalifornije! Bolj mrzlo prihaja tudi tukaj. Drevja listi so rumeni in odpadajo. Jesen in zima imata tudi svojo lepoto. Bolniki občutijo spremembo vremena. V svoji sobi v Metliki sem imela štiri slike letnih časov; pomlad, poletje, jesen in zima. Vse štiri so kazale štiri prelepe mladenke. Poročam, da se je popnesrečila sestra Dora Šimenc z avtomobilom. Precej je bila pobita, a upamo, da se kmalu pozdravi. Sreča res nikdar ne počiva in zadene tudi najboljše ljudi. Dora in Aleš Šimenc imata že 10 vnukov in vnukinj. Častitke tej spoštovani družini! Virginia Šuštaršič in njena sestra Helen sta bili obe bolni, toda se jima obrača nazaj na boljše. Naša predsednica Josephine Aiuto se počuti tudi boljše. Skrbi nas zanjo, ker ne bi dobile več tako dobre predsednice kakor je ona. Naša lepa podpredsjednica Ana Fabian, ki je bila delegatinja za Zvezo, se je pohvalila, kako so jih lepo sprejeli v Fontani. Posebno sestra Mary Glad jim je lepo postregla. Gospa Glad je sestrična moje tete Kati Kremesec iz Lok-vece pri Metliki. V spomin na mojo dobro teto se Vam vsem lepo zahvalim. Sestra naše Rose Scoff je tudi bila tam in naredila lep govor, ki ji vedno tako pristoja. Pri njenih 89 letih ji kličimo: "Bravo, Rose, nate smo vsi ponosni." Dr. Ravnik nas je zapustil pri svojih 89 letih - res pravi ljubitelj slovenske zemlje. Moral jo je zapustiti po drugi svetovni vojni. Takoj po dveh tednih za njim je umrl dr. Stephen Erlach, znani človekoljubni dobrotnik. Saj so ga še v bolnici tako zvali. Zapušča ženo in štiri sinove, ki so vsi odvetniki. Sožalje obema spoštovanima družinama. Podrobneje sem o njih pisala v verski list Ave Marija in v Prosveto. Ker se bližajo božični prazniki in Novo leto 1989 želim urednici Corinni Leskovar in vsem sestram po širni Ameriki mnogo božjega blagoslova v zdravju in miru. Vsemu svetu naj božje Dete podeli sveti mir. Ker se bliža rojstni dan mojega pokojnega moža Zvonkota - 25. decembra - in ob 9-1/2 obletnici njegove smrti mu kličem: Ljubezen, ki se je rodila v mladosti v nežnih in prelestnih dneh: ljubezen večna, neumrljiva na Te najlepši je spomin! To v srcu nosi jo Tvoja žena in Tvoj sin. POLDICA PODGORNIK Št. 10, Cleveland, OH T. Ferraccioli: NEKAJ ZA SMEH IN DOBRO VOLJO V velikem evropskim mestu se je na železniški postaji trlo vse polno ljudi. Vlaki so že bili polni potnikov in pripravljeni za odhod. Že so se med seboj pozdravljali in ropot in hrušč se je slišal od vseh strani. Kar naenkrat prihiti naglo po hodniku — zadnjo minuto pred odhodom nek moški. Stopil je starejši ženski na nogo. Ta pa zavpije naglas: “Veste, ko sem bila jaz toliko stara kot ste sedaj vi, sem hodila po svojih nogah in ne po drugih!" V Staro - loškem mestu je bil sejem po vojski. Prišli so kramarji in mešetarji od blizu in daleč. Glasno govorjenje se je slišalo od vsepovsod. Pri neki stojnici je prodajal nek ribniški kramar svojo suho robo; to se pravi žliče, rete, sita, škafe, ribižne, zobotrebce; imel pa je tudi nekaj iz lesa izrezljanih svetnikov in bogcev. Ženica lepo vpraša kramarja: “Koliko stane ta mali bogec?” Kramar odgovori.” Vse je en vrag, pa najsi bo ta mali ali ta veliki."'Res sta imela oba isto ceno. In to je bilo resnično. Ljudje so rekli, daje prodajal "heroj". (Heroji so bili “Ta najboljši" v vojni.) Če je ta še živ, pa res nevem. Gotovo je bil tudi velik heroj pri kozarcu vina! Pa še drugič kaj več! Vsem Rezkam in Rožicam želim za god vse najboljše; pišem 3. oktobra 1988. Vsem bralkam in bralcem lep pozdrav! Vsem čitateljicam naše ZARJE obilo božičnega veselja in sreče! JOSIP JURIČIČ: ILUSTRIRAL MAXIM GASPARI DESETI BRAT men BRAT Kdor pa hoče Se peti, Mora od kraja začeti. Narodna pesem PET IN DVAJSETO POGLAVJE obra štiri leta pozneje je mlad mož nekega jesenskega popoldne peš koračil po kamenitem potu od Obrhka proti Polesku in Slemenicam. Do vasi se je bil pripeljal in pustil voz in voznika pri Obrščaku, sam se ni mudil, ni vprašal ničesar, govoril ničesar kakor naročevanje, da naj se vozniku dš piti in jesti, kolikor hoče na njegov račun. Obrščak ni bil vajen gosposkih gostov sprejemati, zato se je čudil temu gospodu, in skušaje se obnašati prav vljudno, bil je neroden in neumen videti. Zdelo se je staremu krčmarju, kakor da bi bil tega gospoda že nekje videl. Preštel je v svojem spominu vse oskrbnike bližnjih graščin, tržaške hrastare in druge kupčevavce, katere je kdaj videl v vasi ali po semnjih, pa nobenega ni mogel najti, da bi bil tako čedno črno opravljen, da bi imel tako rjavo brado in bi bil tako mlad kakor ta, ki ni mogel našteti veliko več ko šest ali sedem in dvajset let svoje starosti. Med tem ko je krčmar tako premišljal in ni mogel ugeniti, prišel je mladi gospod blizu Skjal. Tam je malo postal, naslonil se na svojo paličico in nekako otožno gledal čez strme pečine. Koj pa so mu prišle druge misli in koračil je naglo dalje po stezi. Prišedši iz ovinka in iz grmovja zagledal je pred seboj Slemenice. Solnce je nekako čudno obsevalo belo grajsko hišo, ki je ponosno in samotno izmed zelenega drevja molila svojoj rdečo streho na kvišku. Ta razgled je bil res lep, našemu popotnemu pak je menda še posebno ugajal, zakaj vidno je bil ginjen, obstal je v drugič in dejal pol na glas: To je tvoja rojstna hiša! Tanj si se rodila zame, zame se razcvela, tam sem čul tvojo pravo sladko besedo, da me ljubiš, tam si me čakala dolgo in dosti dni in si mi zvesta ostala. Tudi katero grenko uro si morda imela zaradi mene, in vendar je tvoja blaga duša vredna, da bi poznala le srečo in mir. Dom moje ljube! Kolikokrat sem te videl v svojih sanjah in zdaj si mi v resnici pred očimi; zdi se mi, kakor da bi mi star, ljub prijatelj rokn molil. In kakor bi hotel srce utišiti, ki mu nemirno tolklo vnedriju, prekrižal je na prsih in pod pazduho roke in gledal. S polja je bilo že večidel vse pospravljeno, lahna sapica je majala visoko odžeto strnišče po ravini daleč tja do grada. In tam pod gradom je videl grajsko čedo na travniku, pastirja, ki je ležal na tleh, in psa, ki je kakor skrben varuh letal okrog rogatega krdela in zdaj to zdaj ono neubogljivo živinče oblajal in vračal. Na poslednji njivi pak je mrgolelo delavce, ki so turščico rezali in znašli na kupe. Zdelo se je Kvasu — vemo, da ga je bravec že spoznal —, da vidi tudi visoko postavo gospoda Benjamina, ki je stal sredi svojih hlapcev in tlačanov. In nehotš mu je na misel prišlo, kako se je ločil od tega moža in od tega kraja, kjer je bil srečen, srečnejši ko kje drugje v daljem svetu. Kako bi bil tačas mislil, a se bo tako vrnil, povabljen, pričakovan! Kako biu bil mislil, da bo kdaj lastnik malega gradiča, ki gaje videl na vzhodi strani. Iz teh in enakih misli ga je prebudilo kričanje, ki ga je slišal za seboj iz grmovja: »Hej, pravim! Zgaga, bleda voda! Hej kozača!« Ozre se nazaj in zagleda znano podobo iz nekdanjih časov, namreč Krjavlja. Mož je bil malo postaran, še slabeje oblečen ko včasi, pa še vedno tistega zabuhlega obraza z malimi, živimi očmi in čokatim životom. Gnal ali bolj prav, vlekel je za seboj serasto kozo, kateri je bila debela vrv okoli vratu prevezana. V levici pak je držal polenu podobno palico, in ker se mu je koza z vsemi štirimi nogami upirala, postal je včasi in jo pretpel, potem pa zopet vlekel za seboj in klal: »Bleda voda, volk te potiplji, konjska smrt, da bi hudiča ne videl, hej! Jaz ti bom že dal pasje obisti in palico po rebrih, da se mi boš vedela izgubljati.« Tako je privlekal Krjavelj kozo do Kvasa. »Kaj se ti je zamerila žival, da jo tepeš?« pravi Kvas. »Kaj?« pravi Krjavelj in korači vštric Kvasa s svojo kozo — »izgubila se mi je bila. Že dva dni nisem videl te b§rdje potepivne. Pasel sem in čevelj sem šival, pa je je zmanjkalo. Za vraga je ni bilo nikjer. Koliko sem prestal zavoljo kleka! Dve noči nisem spal in obe noči se mi je sanjalo le o kozi in o kozi. Jesti nisem mogel nič, ni kislega mleka ni kruhovca. Zmerom sem je iskal po hosti in po polju, klical in vpil: serka, nš soli, n& serka! Pa menite, da sliši? Jokal sem se po hosti, kaj pravim, jokal, da mi je sedem vrst solz teklo poliču, kakor da bi se rajnice matere ali moje Urške domislil. Pa menite, da se človek kozi smili? Ko bi se na meh drl, se ji ne smili! Čekaj, čakaj, ti bom že dal!« In rekši se Krjavelj zopet obrne in jame srdito natepavati po kozi za kazen, da mu je tolike nadloge in žalosti prizadela. »Nikar ne tepi!« brani Kvas. »Žival nima pameti!« »Kaj!« rohni Krjavelj. »Če vi mojo kozo zagovarjate, ki je pred Bogom in pred ljudimi poredana in pregrešna, niste nič boljši ko ona.« Kvas se nasmeje moževi jezici. »Ali mi veš povedati, kaj je na Slemenicah novega? Kaj počenja stric Dolef?« vpraša ga, da bi govor na druao napeljal, obenem pa, da bi zvedel kaj. »Dolef? Kaj ste ga poznali? Pač, pač, saj on je bil tudi gospod, ko je bil še mlad. Dolef je že tam, kjer muh ni, tri čevlje pod ježo, kakor je dejal deseti brat Martinek Spak, ko ni bil še umrl. — Pa kaj ste popred dejali, da koza nima pameti?« »Umrl je, praviš? Ali je to res?« vpraša Kvas strm6. »Deseti brat? Kaj pak da!« »Dolef!« »Tudi Dolef. Pri Obrščaku se je bil lansko zimo brinjevca nalazel in je v snegu obtičal za svinjakom. Mesec mu je luč držal, svinje so mu pa zadnjo uro .krulile — Bog jim odpusti, saj jih je Obrščak že zaklal in jaz sem tudi dve klobasi od njih dobil, Dolef je pa zmrznil.« Po tej vesti je Kvas resen postal in se zamislil. Pač žalosten konec za moža, kateremu je bil Bog dal obilo uma in drugih darov. — Tako Kvas ni slišal obširnega krjavljevega razlaganja, da ima koza več pameti kakor človek, da se to jasno vidi na njegovi kozi, ki samo zaradi slabe vesti noče rada iti za Krjavljem, temveč se mu vedno ustavlja itd. V svojem blebetanju je Krjavelj omenil tudi desetega brata kakor veljavno pričo, da je res, kar trdi o kozji pameti. To je Kvasu naneslo misli od nesrečnega Dolfa na Martineka, in da bi zvedel, v kakem spominu je njegov bratranec, vprašal je: »Ali je že dolgo, kar je deseti brat umrl?« »Naj umrje, mrcina!« zagodrnja Krjavelj. »On je imel denar in pri meni je ležal in jaz sem mu stregel. Pa menite, da mi je kaj pustil. Nič! Pa jaz že vem, kdo je tega kriv.« »Kdo?« »Tukaj gori na Slemenicah je bil nekdaj — ni dolgo tega, ravno tisto leto je deseti brat umiral — nekov mašiš, goljuf in podpihovavec za šolmoštra, za takega, ki brati in pisati uči in kaj vem kaj še. Tisti nepridiprav je bil zadnje dni pri Martineku in mu je odsvetoval, naj mi ničesar ne zapusti. Jaz vem, da je tako storil, dasiravno sem ga za pet ran prosil, naj me v testamentu zaznamuje. Ako bi ga jaz še enkrat v pest dobil, ko bi mi pred oči prišel, jaz bi ga pomikastil in pretrl in pretepel, kakor se snop pretepe. V vodi bi ga vrgel, v globoko vodo, ali pa še ozmerjal bi ga, da bi me pomnil.« Ali bi ga poznal, ko bi zdaj k tebi prišel, Krjavelj?« O kaj pak! Kakor srebrn groš, tako bi ga poznal. Tolikšen je ko vi in tak, ves tak, samo brade nima take volčje podobe kot vi. Pravijo nekateri, da mu je Marijan, ta, ki se je tukaj na Stavnik, dve uri od tod, preselil in zdravnikovo hčer za ženo vzel, Polesek dal, zastonj, prav zastonj. Jaz pa tega ne verujem, zakaj dobro vem, da Marijan ni tako neumen, da bi kaj takega zastonj dal. Sosebno pa takemu malopridnežu ne, kakor je ta. Mar naj bi dal meni kaj ali pak komu drugemu, če ima preveč.« »Ali pa veš, da je tisti šolmošter, kakor mu praviš, tako malopriden, Krjavelj?« Vem, vem. Pa čigav ste pa vi in od kod ste, da mene po imenu poznate?« vpraša Krjavelj zvesto. »Iz Dunaja prihajam.« »Kaj me tam poznajo? Glejte si no! To bom pa pri Bučarju povedal drevi na preji. I, lehko je, da, je že tako! Slišali so menda tudi na Dunaju, da sem jaz tisti Krjavelj, ki je bil pomorski vojščak in je hudiča razklal, na dva kosa razklal. Kaj ne da? Glejte, glejte! Bog zna, ali tudi cesar v6 zame ali ne? Kakšen je neki cesar? Ali sta kaj govorila kdaj?« Lovre se nasmehlja. Da mora tudi Krjavelj svoje slave — to se v6, da žalibog le namižljene — vesel biti, tega ni vedel. »Kako vam je pa ime, gospod? Rad bi vedel, da bom znal povedati,« pravi Krjavelj. '»Lovre Kvas mi je ime in oni Polesek je moj.« Krjavelj debelo pogleda, ustavi se s svojo kozo, debelo in velikansko roko dene Kvasu na ramo in pravi ves v veselju: »O, kaj ste res vi? Ste že vi! Ste že! O! Bolj sem vas vesel, kakor da bi svojo rajnico Urško videl, ki sem jo rad imel. Bog vam daj zdravje! Raca na vodi, konjska smrt, hudiča ne videl, — zmerom sem dobro o vas govoril in hvalil sem vas, kamor sem prišel, pri Bučarju in Obrščaku in v hosti pri smreki, ko sem smolo drl.« »Ali nisi popred, ko me nisi poznal, drugače govoril?« »Kaj? Jaz slabo govoril, grdo govoril? Ni res! Kdo pravi? Vprašajte, kogar hočete, vsak bo vam povedal, da sem vas hvalil. Kaj ne, da mi boste pustili po vaši hosti kako smreko zasekati, da bo rajša smolo cedila. Saj nočem tako zastonj. Ampak čevlje vam bom zašil. Če je treba še tako velik župšnec ali zaplato nanje prišiti, jaz znam. Glejte, kako sem svoje dobro okrpal.« Še več takega je Krjavelj pa proti hosti domu s svojo zopet najdeno kozo, katero je iz gole ljubezni zdaj pa zdaj lopnil po boku. Kolikor bliže je Kvas gradu prišel, toliko počasneje je korakal. Raznovrstni čuti so ga premagovali. Srce mu je bilo polno. Zdelo se mu je, kakor bi bil šele včeraj tod hodil. Vsak grmiček, vsak jarek ga je domišljal, kaj je nekdaj tod sprehajaje se mislil in čutil. Hrepenenje, da bi videl njo, pospeševalo mu je stopinjo, pa zopet je koračil počasi in zdelo se mu je, kakor da bi ga nekaj težilo. Gospod Benjamin je bil z njive zagledal tujega gospoda iti proti gradu. Šel je tedaj k potu in gostu naproti. Ko sta se sešla, spoznal ga je brž. Vesel ga je pozdravil in mu pomolil roko. Spraševal ga je po prvem srčnem pozdravljenju to in ono in zvedel, da je svoje učenje srečno prestal, da je zdrav, da je poslednje pismo prejel itd. »Gospod doktor, pojite gori na dom. Manica je doma in mati. Jaz imam še nekaj svojim ljudem povedati, potem pa koj pridem in pomenili se bomo na drobno in več,« dejal je graščak. V gradu je Lovre zvedel, da je Manica v svoji sobi. Deklica je sedela pri neki knjigi, ko je Lovre stopil pršdnjo. Ko ga je zagledala, vstala je s stola, vzkliknila, podala mu roko, oko je govorilo, kipeče veselje ji je zvezalo jezik, izgovorila je samo njegovo ime in v tem imenu je bilo povedano vse, vse! Šele ko so pritekle po lepem, blednem licu bleščeče, vroče solze, oznanjevalce nečesa neizrekljivega, prišle so besede, vpraševanje in odgovaranje. In pol leta, pol dolgega leta pozneje je poštenjak Krjavelj sedel sredi vaških otrok in beračev na Slemenicah v družinski izbi in se dobro mastil v jedi in pijači. Zakaj bila je svatovščina, na katero so bili povabljeni Marijan s svojo ženo, Vencljevo hčerjo, in veliko drugih ljudi, Krijavelj pak se je bil povabil za prežarja sam. In dobro se je možu godilo; dejal je, da je v malih nebesih. Doletela ga je celo proti večeru čast, da je bil poklican v gosposko sobo, kjer sta ženin in nevesta, dr. Kvas Poleščan in Manica iz Slemenic, skupaj sedela sredi gospode, in je Krjavelj moral povedati, kako je hudiča presekal in kako se mu za rajnico spreljubo Urško toži, s katero sta korenje zasadila, da ga je bila vsaka luknja polna, s katero sta od sv. Kozmeka do vseh svatih v božjem strahu živela in gledala, kako so drugi pogačo rezali. Celo s spominom o desetem bratu se je bil ta dan zlepa spravil, ko je slišal, da sta mu gospoda Marijan in Kvas postavila lep spomenik iz rezanega kamena na grob, kateri je svetu oznanjal, da tukaj počiva: deseti brat. C\QS>^ p. Atanazij Lovrenčič, ofm: Božič nam prinaša pravo veselje. Vsako leto ko se pripravljamo na Božič, neka skrivnostna sila nas nagiba, da bi se čim bolj pripravili na ta velike praznike. Človek bi mislil, ko smo praznovali že toliko božičev, da se bomo otrudili in pustili to navado. A resnica je ravno nasprotna. Vsako leto smo nekako odločeni, da bo ta božič najlepši v našem življenju. In zakaj? Morda zato ker z leti vedno bolj in bolj spoznavamo, kaj prav za prav božič pomeni. Božič ni nič drugega, kot da je Bog prišel med nas. Kot otroci smo občudovali jaslice, pastirje, ki so stali na straži pri svoj čredah, angelčke, ko so prišli iz nebes in oznanili Jezusovo rojstvo. S skrbjo v srcu smo sočustvovali z Jožefom in Marijo, ki nista našla boljšega bivališča za božjega Sina, kot revne jaslice. A predvsem smo občudovali božje Dete, ki je zapustilo nebeški prestol in prišlo med nas, v našo revščino. A sedaj ko smo odrasli, počasi doumevamo, kaj se je prav za prav dogodilo na prvi božič, ko je Jezus prišel med nas. Tako je otroško spoznavanje in ljubezen nadomestila živa vera v božično skrivnosti spoznavamo pomen našega bivanja na zemlji. Božič nam kaže pravo pot skozi temo sovraštva i prepira današnje moderne družbe, pot ljubezni in sprave. Božič nam je priča, da vsemogočni Bog ni zapustil človeštva, ampak po svojem Sinu nas zopet sprejel nazaj kot svoje otroke. Zato odprimo svoja srca in se navžimo tega svetega veselja. Naj se božični spev: Mir ljudem na zemlji, uresni tudi v vaših domovih. Ana Gaber, Št. 2: flosOjSlow v m m/aečer Anton Dermota Dermota na orglah v Kropi 1924. cerkvi so stale orgle mojstra Milavca, ki so bile pri nas med najboljšimi. Bile so pnevmatične z dvema manualoma in pedalom, s kakimi štiridesetimi pojočimi registri. To je že mogočno glasbilo. Orgle so bile vse moje veselje. V zboru pa so bili tudi dobri pevci. Zbor je dirigiral upokojeni nadučitelj Rus, za vse odgovoren pa sem bil seveda jaz sam. Dvakrat tedensko smo imeli vaje. Pri mašah za rajne sem sam igral in pel »Rekviem«. Na hrani sem bil pri dobrih sosedih Rantovih. Vzeli so me medse kot člana družine. Njihov sin, zborovski pevec, mi je prijateljsko včasih pomagal tudi pri zvonjenju, če je le utegnil. Bled je bil tedaj že zelo razvito poletno letovišče in tudi kralj je imel tam svojo poletno rezidenco. Včasih je prišel k službi božji kak član kraljevskega spremstva. Tedaj pa je sedemnajstletni »fantek« igral na orgle pred odličnimi poslušalci in se je pač zavedal te visoke časti in odgovornosti. Tudi med letoviščarji, ki so prihajali na Bled in so zahajali k maši, so bili včasih poklicni pevci. Ponudili so se, da bi med nedeljsko mašo zapeli kak solistični vložek, npr. »Ave Marijo« ali kako Handlovo arijo. Z njimi sem moral imeti skušnje in prvikrat sem prišel v stik z radostmi in težavami poklicnega petja. Tedaj sem prvikrat spoznal radijsko čudo. Tudi Ljubljana je začela s skromnimi oddajami. Imel sem preprost detektor, na streho mežnarije pa sem razpel dolgo anteno. Ko sem drezal v kristal in ga obračal, sem očaran prisluhnil starim ploščam, ki so jih vrteli v oddaji, pa tudi prvi živi oddaji, koncertu ljubljanske vojaške godbe, ki sem ga navdušeno poslušal. Služba blejskega organista je zame trajala nekako poldrugo leto. Tedaj je nekega dne prišlo povabilo iz Krope. Jože Gašperšič, ravnatelj železarske zadruge, je bil tudi pobudnik razvitega in navdušeno delujočega glasbenega življenja v Kropi. Perano umrlega se spominjam s hvaležnim spoštovanjem. Bil je rojen muzik, ki je nekoč najbrž sanja, da se bo poklicno posvetil glasbi, toda usoda ga je postavila na drugo odgovorno mesto. Iz laikov, ki jih je sam izučil, je sestavil pihalno skupino in tudi mali godalni orkester. Obe skupini sta skupaj z zborom dosegli lepe uspehe in večkrat so se ti glasbeniki tudi javno lepo uveljavili. Gašperšič sam je bil tudi izvrsten organist. Z nalogami pa je bila obremenitev vse večja in odgovornost tudi. Gašperšič ni več zmogel vsega dela in iskal je nekoga, ki bi ga nekoliko razbremenil in vodil zbor še naprej po njegovi zamisli. Pri tem je Četudi je Ljubljana imela operno hišo z rednimi predstavami, nisem prišel z njo v stik. Kako bi si mogel plačati obisk opere? Enkrat samkrat sem obiskal predstavo, ko mi je sin hišne gospodinje prepustil svojo abonentsko izkaznico. Izvajali so opereto »Netopir« in ne morem reči, da mi je ta obisk zapustil kak poseben vtis. Pač pa sem čutil posebno ozračje operne hiše in občudoval sem slovesno belo-zlato-rdeče ok rasje gledališkega avditorija. Posebej sem uživa zvoke glasbil, toda kako so peli in igrali, mi je povsem izgnilo iz spomina. Na koncu tretjega leta sem v orglarski šoli opravil sklepni izpit in to z odličnim uspehom. Tedaj pa je stalo pred menoj vprašanje, kaj sedaj? Spet je ravnatelj Premrl pomagal pri odločitvi. Na Bledu je bilo prosto mesto organista, to mi je bilo že od začetka namenjeno. Junija 1927 sem začel s službo organista prav tam, kjer sem nekaj let prej služil kot hlapčič. Lepe stare cerkve, barokizirane gotske stavbe, ni bilo več. Kljub ugovoru dr. Kimovca so jo podrli in postavili drugo v slogu nove gotike. Stavbenik je bil Friedrich Schmidt, pomemben arhitekt dunajske mestne hiše. Ob cerkvi je ostalo staro župnišče, tedaj mežnarija, in tam sem stanoval. Ko sem prvikrat stopil čez prag te hiše, sem se spominjal prejšnjih let, ki sem jih prebil v tem okolju. Vendar kakšna sprememba! Z župnikom pa se nisva nič kaj dobro razumela. Zanj sem ostal še vedno prejšnji hlapček. Postaral se je, vid mu je močno opešal in postal je še bolj strog in nepopustljiv. Poleg naloge organista sem moral prevzeti tudi cerkovnikovo delo kakor nekoč, včasih pa tudi prepisovanje matičnih knjig. Toda v mislil name. Ko sem nekoč obiskal svoje domače v Kropi, sva se pogovarjala in predlagal mi je: »Potrebujem zborovskega vodjo, jaz tega ne smorem več. Bi vas to veselilo? Če prevzamete to neplačano mesto, bi vas naša zadruga zaposlila.« Brez obotavljanja sem sprejel to ponudb o, ki je bila vabljiva kar iz štirih vzrokov. Prvič, še vedno sem imel domotožje in končno bi se mogel vrniti domov. Drugič, s tem bi moje življenje postalo bolj urejeno. Tretjič, tudi denarno bi si opomogel, in nazadnje — to je bilo najbolj vabljivo — bi bil nekako samostojen pri svojem življenjskem delu. Jeseni 1929 sem začel to novo službo v Kropi. Delo v tovarniški pisarni je trajalo od osmih zjutraj do petih popoldan. Tam je bila moja naloga nekaj manj pomembnega pisanja, npr. izpolnjevati naročilnice za blago, knjižiti strojne izdelke, popisovati zaloge blaga v skladišču in podobno. Ta zaposlitev ni bila naporna in zdi se mi, da me je direktor Gašperšič postavil na to malo pomembno mesto samo zato, da mi je omogočil eksistenco. Vneto sem se lotil skromnih glasbenih nalog. Moški zbor, ki sem ga prevzel, sem razširil v mešani in z njim vadil za prihodnje nastope. Takoj prvo leto smo pripravili spored posvetnih pesmi, poleg tega koncert nabožnih pesmi v cerkvi z orgelskimi vložki, ki sem jih sam izvajal. To pa je bila pač izjema, zakaj nekaj mi le ni bilo dano: da bi v domači cerkvi postal tudi organist. Iz sosednjih vasi so me večkrat poklicali, da bi tamkaj naštudiral zbor ali da bi pomagal kot organist, če je bilo treba cerkvene praznike nekako olepšati. Moja pomoč v sosednjih vaseh so bila tudi moja prva »gostovanja«. Seveda sem se moral ubadati tudi s težavami: s pevci, ki jim ni bilo vedno lahko biti kos, z notnim gradivom, za katerega je navadno manjkalo denarja. Sam sem moral prepisovati glasove in s tako imenovanim opalografom razmnoževati - težka naloga, pri kateri je treba notno sliko s posebno tekočino izpisati na kamen, s tega pa potem odtisniti posamezne primerke. Posebno dobro pa so nam uspele prireditve poljudne narodne vsebine, preproste spevoigre, med katere so bile vpletene ljudske pesmi. Te pa smo izvajali v kostumih in maskirani, kot prave dramatizirane prizore. Posrečen poizkus, da bi splošno veselje do petja pri nas izrabili tudi na odru. Dostikrat sem pel v glavnih vlogah ali pa sem pevce spremljal na harmoniju, ker klavirja, žal, nismo imeli. Za predstave nam je bila na voljo opuščena žaga, ki smo jo s pičlimi sredstvi opremili. Danes ima Kropa kulturni dom, na zunaj pomemben, toda razen nekaj filmov, katere vrte konec tedna, le malo uporabljajo te lepe, praktične prostore. Kaže, da zunanje obilje ni vedno koristno. Takrat smo imeli manj sredstev, zato pa več vneme in še veliko več požrtvovalnosti. Nekoč nas je povabila tudi ljubljanska radijska postaja, da bi z manjštevilnim zborom nastopili v studiu, ki je bil preprosta baraka v središču mesta. Cestni hrup se je slišal skozi tanke stene, včasih je glasno prisopihala in zažvižgala tudi kaka lokotiva. Le štirje zaposleni so vodili ves obrat: programski vodja, napovedovalec, tehnik in pisarniška usluž-benika. V tistih časih sem seveda stanoval doma. To pa je tudi pomenilo, da sem plačo vedno dajal v družinsko blagajno. Le tu in tam sem kaj obdržal zase, da sem si kupi najpotrebnejše. Denarne razmere pa so se v družini malo izbol-jašale, odkar sta obe sestri zaslužili kot tovarniški delavki. Brata Leopold in Gašper pa tega nista mogla. Šla sta v uk kot strojna ključavničarja, da bi si pozneje kot strokovna delavca izboljšala položaje. Svetovna gospodarska kriza 1929/30, ki je pretresla svet, je segla tudi do Krope. Velik del tovarne je prenehal z delom, strašila je brezposlenost in Gašperšič mi je svetoval, da naj se spet zanimam za kako službo organista, da bi bilo moje mesto v tovarni prosto za nekoga, ki bi sicer ostal brez službe. Spet je pomagal monsignor Premrl. Priporočil me je župniku v bližnjem Tržiču, mestecu z največjo tovarno čevljev v deželi. Neke sončne nedelje v februarju 1930 sem iz Krope šel tja, 15 kilometrov kar peš in spominjam se prijetnega občutka, ko em romal skozi zimske gozdove, kjer je od mraza vse kar škripalo, pred menoj pa so kipeli v nebo lesketajoči se mogočni groski vrhovi Karavank. Okrog poldne sem stopil v tržiško župnišče, kjer so me že pričakovali. Župnik Anton Vovk je ležal bolan. Presenetil pa me je z zapeljivo ponudbo: prevzel naj bi ne le dolžnosti organista, temveč tudi zborovodje in kapelnika pihalne godbe prosvetnega društva za plačo 1. 400 dinarjev mesečno. To pa je bilo za 300 dinarjev več, kot je bila moja uradniška plača v kroparski tovarni, in vsota, s katero si tedaj lahko kupil novo dobro obleko. Kljub tej ponudbi sem si izgovoril čas za premislek. Ne vem, zakaj sem to storil, kaj me je nagnilo k temu, kakor si tudi ne morem razložiti vsega, kar je temu sledilo. Pozno popoldan sem prišel domov in vzel v roke nedeljski »Slovence«, na katerega je bil oče naročen. Časopise sem vselej z zanimanjem bral, toda za oglase se nisem zanimal. Zakaj sem jih prav takrat pogledal, ne vem povedati. Morala je biti pač »višja sila«, saj ne morem in nočem verjeti, da je naše življenje prepuščeno samo naključju. Pogled mi je obstal na malem oglasu treh vrstic, da išče Opera v Ljubljani za svoj zbor prvega tenorista. Namig usode? Nič nisem okleval, že naslednjega dne sem se odpeljal v Ljubljano. Božje rojstvo Kakor sonce skoz glaž gre in glaž se ne razbije: glej: tako je rojen bil Jezus iz Marije. Kakor luč iz luči gre, sonce svojo svetlost spusti, vendar v njem ostane; glej: tako Bog od Boga gre, Bog Oče Sinu rodi, večno v njem prebiva. Jože Krivec MOJ OČE IN MATI Smo še vedno v času vojne; upamo, da gre h koncu. Italijani so odpovedali zvezo s Hitlerjem; že par let nisem bil doma na Ptujskem polju. V Ljubljani sem končal s študijem in sedaj me žeja po domačih krajih. Kak mesec pred Božičem sem napisal pismo in ga poslal domov. Kratko sem materi in očetu razodel, da se za praznike verjetno vidimo. Imel sem obljubljeno potno dovoljenje. ****** Dan se je že nagnil, ko sem jo sekal po rahlo zmrznjenem snegu proti širokemu polju, za katerem leži ob rečici Polskavi naša vas. Ljudi ni bilo na cesti. Vsak se je pred svetim večerom rad držal doma in pripravljal zadnje malenkosti za veliki praznik. Dospel sem do zadnje bogate domačije pred ravnim poljem. Skušal sem v dalji doseči vsaj obris zvonika domače cerkve. V meni je kipelo pričakovanje doma po dveh letih. Izza ovinka so prizvončkale sani. Bister konjič je bil vprežen vanje. Voznik je ustavil sani in mene takoj spoznal. Kar brž me je naložil na sani in me prepeljal čez samotno polje. S prihodom večera je vedno bolj pritiskal mraz. Pred kapelico Matere božje - čuvarice tega polja - sem se ustavil in končno tudi ustrašil čudne postave, ki je nenadoma stopila predme. — Kdo si in koga čakaš v tej sveti uri? — sem ga vprašal. — Ne boj se me. Ali si koga videl prihajati čez polje? — — Nikogar. Znanec Karl me je pripeljal čez, če ga poznaš? — — Presneto — saj prav tebe čakam. Kakšen glas pa imaš vendar? — Bil je oče, ki me je pričakoval in že sva padla v objem. — Tu si me čakal in v tem mrazu. Ali že dolgo? — sem ga spraševal. — Že lep čas. Bilo je še svetlo, ko sem že prišel — Misliš, da ne poznam pota do doma? — — Vem, da jo poznaš, vem. Vendar...Sem ti pač prišel naproti.— Takoj sem spoznal, da ga je zabolelo, ko sem mu tako rekel. Moral bi sprejeti njegovo čakanje kot posebno dobroto kot neko njegovo ljubezen. — Dve kratki leti sta naju spremenili: tebi postavo, da sem se te prestrašil, meni glas, ki se ti je zdel tuj. — — Hotel sem že odditi. Na sveti večer ni poznih potnikov na cesti. A nisem našel besed, kako bi materi povedal, da te ni. Vsak dan te je nestrpno pričakovala. Težko si predstavljaš, da v srcu boli zaradi svojih. — — Kako skrbita zame. Bog vama plačaj! — — Veš, danes je tako, da vsakdo rad koga pričakuje, le redkim je dano, da koga pričaka. Časi so hudi. Tudi za nas v tej navidezni samoti. — — Pojdiva —. Čez pas sem ga objel, da bi lažje potolažil njegovo žalost, ki se je natakala vanj, ko je ME PRIČAKUJETA prežal v upanju po stezi čez široko polje. — Tudi mamo čakanje teži. Stopiva, da ne bo predolgo sama — Šla sva po široki cesti skozi vas. Na obeh straneh hiša pri hiši, v miru. — Kaka tema je. — — Stroga zatemnitev. — Oče je razlagal: iz te hiše sta dva na fronti; od tam so dekle poslali v Nemčijo na obvezno službo; od tu so trije na delu za municijo; tu so starejšo poslali v pisarno na železnico. — — Kam bi bili pa mene vtaknili? — — Šole ti ne bi nič pomagale. Ni-si nemške krvi.— Tiho sva dospela. Dom! Svetišče tolikih sanj. Oče je vstopil, jaz sem počakal. — Ga ni, — je dejal v veži. — Sem si mislila. Kdo naj gre na pot, če ni treba. Bova pa spet sama. Saj je človek že vajen samote, — je še rekla. — Nocoj pa že ne bosta samovala, — sem se oglasil in vstopil. — Glej ga čuka, kako me je hotel potegniti, — je brž spremenila glas, Najprej je zaprla vrata, nato prižgala luč, kakor bi res že bila sovražna letala v zraku. — Da si le že prišel. Veš, da sva te težko čakala. Oče ti je že pri visokem dnevu šel naproti. — — Zdaj sem tu. Doma. Nikjer ni lepše kot doma. Vem, dase nocoj milijoni ljudi vrača domov. Iščejo toploto za mrzlo srce. Tudi najrevnejša koča jim je danes grad.— — Naprej. V hiši je toplo. V peči žerjavica razdira šoto. In večerja tudi že dolgo čaka. Kako živiš? Gotovo si lačen. Taka dolga pot človeka zdela. — vse je hotela v eni sapi povedati. — Kako blaženo diši po dobrotah. Tako zna le naša mama pričarati. Brž sem razdrgnil svojo potovalno vrečo in izvlekel, kar sem jima bil prinesel. Oče je bil najbolj vesel zavitka dobrega tobaka, mati pa je božala tople volnene nogavice. Malenkosti, ki pa so zbudile hvaležnost. — Ali še kadite? — sem pobaral. — Seveda, le tobaka ni. Dišeča gozdna perla in drugo dišavno dračje mi tobak nadomeščajo. Vidiš, kaki časi. Še pipice tobaka ne dobiš. — Nocoj je bil drugačen kot po navadi. Veselje je prepreglo njegovo lice, oči so se nalile radosti, še glas se mu je sprevrgel v božajočo milino. Primaknil je kolač pšeničnega kruha in postavil slatinko vabečega haložana na mizo. Da si bomo ogreli srca z njim. In toplo je dahnil. Mati pa se je že bližala z glinasto pekačo s svinjsko pečenko, katere vonjave so budile slasti v dno lačnega želodca. — Po večerji bomo postavili še jaslice in hlevček, da bomo imeli sveti večer kakor nekoč, — sem dejal. Iz sosednje sobice je potem oče prinesel tisti hlevček, ki sem ga bil napravil v mladih letih: z okenčkom v steni in prave male jasli za Jezusčka. Tla posuta z narezano slamo in z lučko v kotu. S peskom posuta pot gre iz hlevčka proti vodnjaku, kjer pastirci zajemajo z vedrom vodo zase in za živinico. Vse, kakor je bilo nekoč. Še po kadilu rahlo diši in ljubezen dremucka v njem. Nocoj bo nalila ljubezen veliko sreče v srca. Samo srce ji je treba odpreti in jo sprejeti. Tudi najbolj revnij bodo bogati, če jo bodo sprejeli. In najbogatejši bodo ostali sirote, če bo šla mimo njih. — Manjka pastirček z vrčkom v roki, ki gre k vodnjaku. — — Lani se mi je izmuznil iz rok in končal na tleh. Vidiš, tudi pastirčki umirajo, — se je obtoževal oče. — Najbrž je bil tudi on že star. — Zdramilo nas je pritrkovanje v vaški cerkvi. Čudovito se je dotaknilo naših src. Svet in vesel pozdrav Detetu! Urno sem stopil na podstenje, da bi ga ujel v vsej veličastnosti. To je pesem svete noči, molitev, ljubezen, ki je plavala do viška neba v zahvalo za dobroto, ki nam je bila poslana. — Bračiča pritrkavata: oče in sin. Že dolgo nimata nobene vesti o fantu, ki so ga poklicali pod orožje. Polnočnice pa ne bo, ker nimamo duhovnika. Prižgali smo lučko v hlevčku. Zdelo se mi je, da je zaživelo Dete, Marija in Jožef. Odnekod se krade zmagoslavno petje: Slava Bogu na ... MARY MURN: NEUSMILJENA ZIMA Kruta mrzla zima se je razsrdila, v led je uklenila ves naš kraj nemila, nič se ne ustavi, kot da je zakleta, nemilo s snegom nas zameta. Res te ne razumem zakaj bi huda bila, kot prišla bi iz pekla, si svet oledenila, z jezo in sovraštvom se vlečeš čez poljane, ali je mogoče, da sile tvoje so od Boga poslane? Ako pa premislim, njemu je mogoče, nam pošlje zimo hudo, al’ poletje vroče, zaslužimo, da huda zima je od Boga poslana, je kar verjetno, da nismo vredni, da padala bi mana. Oh, le Boga prosimo, da kmalu bo vstajenje, njega, ki za nas trpel je za odrešenje, zbudil bo naravo, z njo še srca naša, mi čakamo nestrpno, nič več naj ne odlaša. Začel sem peti, ker sem bil srečen, ker sem bil doma in ker sem bil spet otrok. Pritegnila sta oba: Rojen nam je božji sin ... ******* Čez dva dni sem se poslovil. S potrtim srcem smo čakali trenutka, o katerem smo vedeli, da mora priti. — Vojne bo kmalu konec. Spet se bomo vedeli. Tedaj bom kje bliže doma ih lahko bom večkrat prihajal na obisk. Saj vesta, da bi želel živeti med domačimi ljudmi. — Tedaj se je zgodilo, česar nihče od nas ni pričakoval. Mati se mi je naravnost vrgla v naročje in z obilnimi solzami zaihtela: — Jožko, mi se ne bomo več videli. Bodi srečen! To me je presenetilo in tudi meni se je stisnilo srce, da bi najlažje zajokal. Hitro sem podal še očetu roko, da bi skrajšal žalost. Tudi v njegovih očeh sem opazil solze. In zgodilo se je po materini napovedi! 1989 ZDRAVJA IN USPEHOV POLNO SREČNO NOVO LETO, ŽELI VSEM VAŠA ZARJA!! DAVY’S COLUMN The Christmas Rattle Sometimes you wonder if your child understands what it is you’re trying to teach. At times I ask myself, “I am speaking English, aren’t I?” Then at the least expected moment, the child says or does something and you know youreffors weren’t in vain. Such is the case with my Katie last Christmas. We were in the midst of Christmas preparations. One day, while cleaning the house for the holidays, out of the blue she asked, “Mommy, what are we going to give Jesus for his birthday?” Totally jnprepared for the question I asked her what she wanted to give Him. “A rattle. Hr cioesn’t have one.” “If you want to give Him a rattle then that's what you can give him.” “One with a happy face on it.” “O.k., one with a happy face on it.” Maybe, I should mention that at the time my daughter was three years old. Well, the search for the “perfect” rattle began. Finally, we found it. It had a green handle. The rattle part was white with the face of a smiling kitty-cat painted on it. Christmas Eve 5:15 Mass we attended. Katie made sure she brought the rattle. After Mass we made our way to the giant creche on the altar. Katie made her way through the other children, placed the rattle at the foot of hte crib, and then we left. Unknown to us at the time, bystanders had reported to the pastor of the parish. He was told a child of the parish gave a present to Jesus. When all had left, he came to investigate and found the rattle at the foot of the crib where the statue of Baby Jesus laid. Katie’s grandma went to church Christmas morning and reported the homily when she returned home. . .and a child shall lead the way.” He reported the events of the previous night and the finding of the rattle. He added that it would remain as part of the creche as a reminder of what the Christmas Season was really all about. Whenever I think of the Christmas of 1987, I know tears will come, as they do now, to my eyes. The rattle was given from a babe to a Babe. It was a gift of pure love, just like the Babe’s gift to us. Merry Christmas! 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