^ v'' A Christmas Creche baked from dough ^ Is a tradition of the Bela Krajina region of Slovenia VOLUME 64 CHRISTMAS PARTIES IN 1992 ALL DECEMBER DATES: 1 - Br. 14, Budid, OH, 6 p.m. 3 - Br. 5, Indianapolis, IN, II a.m. Br. 24, LaSalle, IL, Noon 3 - Br. 24, LaSalle, IL, MAPLES in Peru 5 - Br. 2, Chicago, IL, Juniors' Party, 1 p.m. 6 - Br. 35, Aurora. MN, HR Church Hall, 3 p.m. 6 - Br. 47, Garfield Hts., OH SNI), Maple llts., 1 p.m. 8 - Br. 52, Kitzville, MN, Woodland’s Restaurant 10 - Br. 55, Girard, OH, Abruzzi’s Cafe, 5:30 p.m: Br. 2, Chicago, IL, Adults’ Party 13 - Br. 39, Biwabik, MN Br. 50, Cleveland-Euclid, OH, SND, Holmes, 1 p.m. 15 - Br. 1, Sheboygan, Wl, Grand Hotel Br. 26, Pittsburgh. PA, VFW Hall, Lawrenccville Br. 43. Milwaukee, Wl 16 - Br. 54, Warren, OH, 1 p.m. Elks Clubroom 20 Br. 12, Milwaukee, Wl, 2 p.m. Br. 20, Joliet, IL, 11:30 Cocktails, 12 noon. Lunch * * * OTHER DECEMBER DATES: 5 - BIWABIK WEINACHFEST, Br. 39, Biwabik, MN, Fund-raiser HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN DECEMBER Presidents: Dec. 14 - Josephine Mohorčič, Br. 25, Cleveland, OH Dec. 28 - Agnes Tomazin, Br. 40, Lorain, OH Dec. 31 - Josephine Kapla, Br. 81, Keewatin, MN Dec. 31 - Frances Vidmar, Br. 83, Crosby, MN Secretaries: Dec. 29 - Marge Church, Br. 42, Maple llgts., OH ZARJA - THE DAWN (ISSN 0044-1848) Postmaster: Send all changes of address to: ZARJA -THE DAWN, 4851 S. Drexel Blvd., Chicago, IL 60615 NO. 12 DECEMBER, 1992 VOL. 64 Member, Illinois Fraternal Congress Official Publication of the Slovenian Women's Union of America - Uradno glasilo Slovenske Ženske Zveze. Published monthly except January, June AVINGS IS NOW METROPOLITAN 1515 E. 260th, Euclid, Ohio 44132 731-8865 dVationaf Are we setting the direction for 1993? We’re enjoying our first winter snow storm, just in time for the holidays! The trees and shrubs are laden with glistening snow, fresh tracks of animals are everywhere, perhaps a squirrel still gathering acorns, the elusive deer seeking browse, and the red fox on the run. Timber wolves abound in our area—the DNR and International Wolf Center located in Ely, monitor the wolves almost all year long near our home. Christmas is a beautiful and exciting time of the year if only we would focus on the real meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus. During these weeks of preparation and busyness, keep in mind the poor and oppressed, the homeless and jobless. This year our family decided not to exchange gifts but rather give the money we usually spend to a person in need. We, who have so much materially can do wonders for someone who desperately needs help. Unfortunately, the mind set of some is that many are lazy and don’t want to better themselves. Let us be compassionate and do our part to change this attitude. When we were young, my sister and 1 would walk two miles to church every Saturday morning, attended Mass, then followed by our catechetical classes. Many mornings our footsteps were the only ones in the fresh snow, intrigued by making neat prints, not dragging our boots. More profound, however, was the awareness of our being the ones to determine the path, to set the direction, of leaving evidence that we had passed. As we begin a new calendar year, there are similarities. No one has gone this way before; we are leaving evidence of our presence in this place and time. But, everything is not really new' and different just because we write 1993 instead of 1992. The snow conceals the dinginess of the landscape, but underneath are still old problems and situations needing our attention. We must build on good beginnings and formulate new approaches. The future of the Slovenian Women’s Union of America will depend on our generosity and support in order to attain a viable and vibrant organization upon entering the 21st Century. May you have a Blessed and Joyous Christmas and a New' Year filled with hope, peace and love! Victoria “Tory” Bobence Who is Jean Korsman? Meet our Minnesota Reg. President! I was born May 1, 1935 in McKinley, MN (pop. 318) to Anton and Annie (Grahek) Purkat, the baby of the family; two older brothers are Don and Cyril and two sisters, Rosemary (deceased) and Marge, (an S.W.U. member living in Duluth, MN). I was married in 1953, divorced in 1975, have two sons, James and Robert Perpieh and two daughters, Kathleen Riordan, Barbara Schoonover. Special to me are my two granddaughters, Laura and Melissa Maki and two grandsons Philip Perpieh and Patrick Riordan. A new baby (Schoonover) is expected in February! 1 married Roy Korsman in 1981 at which time 1 began my life as a fanner. Roy has been a Primary Foundation Potato Grower since 1950, also grows hay and grain crops, oats, rye etc. and raised beef cattle for 10 yeifrs. I love the farm life and am a partner in the full sense of the word, actively helping in the planting, harvesting and selling of our 6 varieties of potatoes, (not without constant complaining about my aching back! Of course, you can never get fired from a farm job!!!) (Please turn to page 25.) HISTORY OF S.W.U. BRANCHES OPENING OF THE HOME OFFICE IN CHICAGO, November, 1952, was attended by members of Br. 95, some of whom are pictured with other SWU officers and members. We recognize Tillie Martin, right front, and behind her, Mary Barcevac and Mary Kahn. Little girl behind them is Arlene Kahn Novički. S.W.U. HISTORY It is rare that a branch enjoys a long history and has an officer who can recall early events and such is the case with Branch 95. Mildred James has reflected on the past and has come to some conclusions she wishes to share. “Astronomers don’t know if there is any intelligent life out there in space and no two economists agree on everything. Medicine has made enormous strides and we keep hearing about breakthroughs in the cure for arthritis but doctors tell you that aspirin is still the best treatment. "The point I am trying to put across is that the past is clouded and the future is more so. I have written all I know of the past and the present. It is now up to the members to prepare for the future — to sit back and take stock of what direction they will take. “I find that happiness is enjoying people. Everyone is so different that it makes life interesting, especially in an organization like the SWU. My suggestion is to keep a sense of humor. It has always worked for me. I like to laugh a lot. "During my tenure, I have taken pride in the accomplishments of our branch. I wouldn’t have stayed this long if it wasn’t a wonderful place to be. I congratulate all members for a job well done and may the success of the past pattern your journey into the future. "Branch 95 has always been special. May it continue to be so!" Mildred James Mildred James, was the first recording secretary of the branch joining in 1939. At that time she wrote the Minutes of the meeting in Croatian. Mildred has reported the branch activities in the ZARJA for the past 33 years. She has also served as Branch President for the past 35 years and served two terms as State President for Illinois and Indiana. Mildred attended many National and State Conventions as a delegate and chaired many branch functions. Mildred is one of the few members who can claim that she never missed a meeting in all those years! She could be counted on to attend the funerals, wakes and paid a gravesite tribute to all the deceased members during the past 30 years. Mildred could also be counted on to chair many ac- tivities and from 1951-86, she prepared the tribute for the Mother Of The Year. Mildred, herself, was honored in 1974, as Mother Of The Year. If you read any publicity in the local Calumet newspaper it is because Mildred submitted the information for publication. She has been totally involved in the organization from the year it was first founded. Mildred and her husband, Cyril, boast 2 children and 6 very talented grandchildren. Mildred has followed in the footsteps of the founders that have passed to their eternal reward. She has the same dedication, strength, vision and determination to keep the Branch and its activities vibrant as they did a half century ago. She is committed to remembering the sacrifices these founders and organizers displayed during the formative years of the organization and has tried to keep their shining example alive. FOUR GENERATIONS OF OUR MEMBERS CONTINUE IN THE FAMILY TRADITION OF THEIR GREAT GRANDMOTHER, THE LATE AGATHA MESIN! Milli* Cu/.ella, daughter of pioneer member of Br. 16, Agatha Mesin, her granddaughter, Catherine Ann Hansen ar,d two great granddaughters Christine Marie 16 years (-1d, a high school junior and Ann Marie 13 and an eighth grader who will graduate in June, 1993, represent a group of four generation members of Slovenian Women’s Union Br. 95! Catherine Ann is a music teacher in two Catholic Schools, St. Patrick in Joliet and St. Dennis in Lockport, also gives music lessons in their homes. Her husband, Philip is employed at the Museum of Natural History in Chicago, in charge of the Educational Department. They reside in Bollingbrook, IL, and are a very busy family. Grandmother, Millie, who lives in So. Chicago, gets to see her family as much as possible and Br. 95 is very proud of this exemplary family. Catherine, Christine and Ann Marie Hansen with grandmother, Millie Cuzella ^ - -------------- S.W.U. HISTORY v — BRANCH 95 DECEASED MEMBERS 1940 *Sicich, Anna 1943 Pavich, Anna 1944 Rozich, Milka Jankowski, Elizabeth Pozojevich, Mary Ognjanovac, H 1947 Bulich, Mary 1948 Senzel, Frances Planinac, Kath Dolac, Amelia 195« Muller, Mary Boldin, Louise 1951 Bukovac, Tillie 1952 Bozich, Mary 1953 Pustai, Barbara Vurum, Margit Soldo, Stella 1954 Rezek, Anne Ljubicich, Gloria Matanic, Manda 1955 Poropat, Helen Pazanin, Ivka Vuich, Manda Boich, Agatha Burich, Mary 1956 Segina, Ljuba Jancaric, Mary Ban, Louise Kovačevič, Catherine 1957 Cuklin, Mary Martinch, Josephine Vlahovich, Helen Mam, Mary 1958 Pozojevich, Mary Tomasevich, Matilda 1959 Grbac, Kate Starcevich, Mary Mahovlich, Agnes 1960 * Adams, Rose Udovich, Marija 1961 Duich, Mary *Africh, Mary Justinich, Cecilia Strahinich, Ant. 1962 *Markezich Mary Grahovac Kate 1963 Sopcic, Mary Petanovich, Mary Butcher, Therea Sabljak, Matilda Bucich, Kate Mazar, Mary 1964 Trtanj, Anne Cacich, Katherine Perkovich, Manda 1965 Dean, Mildred Cuzella, Florence Chorak, Johanna Andretich, Mary Lisac, Anna Mazar, Manda 1966 Bandla, Katherine ♦Dorkin, Gospa Janes, Matilda 1967 Malcic, Johanna Asan, Manda *Vuckov, Barbara 1968 *Svorcina, Antonia Rukavina, Katherine *Bogovich, Louise Sambol, Mary Bozich, Anna 1969 Mesin, Agatha Udovich, Margaret Marovich, Anna 1970 Chorich, Cvita 1971 Prebeg, Mary Ashenbrener, Mary Medonich, Mary Zagar, Anna Perkovich, Mary Plantz, Helen Gaspar, Mary Sorak, Anna 1972 Jovanovich, Anna Rukavina, Vica Gaspar, Jennie 1973 Gaspar, Georgia Ladisich, Martha Cavlovic, Anna Mazar, Helen Nelson, Anastasia 1974 Jurkas, Anna Sabljak, Anna Provich, Mary Ashenbrener, Polonia Starcevich, Kata ♦Joviča Matilda Nagoda, Anna Miljak, Milka 1976 Grankowski, Marie *Matanovich, Frances 1977 ♦Bandera, Andrijana Zburin, Frances 1978 Norley, Stephanie Pavletič, Margaret Trgovac, Ljuba Kovacevich, Rose Stewart, Helen 1979 Tomech, Victoria *Tumpich, Anna Kalavo, Cecilia Kovacevich, Mary Sambol, Barbara 1980 Isek, Cecilia *Budiselich, Mary Munich, Mary Ross, Genevieve 1981 Laklich, Hermine Klepich, Katherine Zadro, Josephine Rosandich, Katherine 1982 Chorak, Helen Polancic, Anna Kompare, Anne Holmes, Mayme 1984 Spehar, Manda Pearson, Ann Kostecka, Mary Marino, Bernadette Niksic, Mary 1985 Pave, Ann Rukavina, Victoria 1986 Winters, Rose Starcevich, Anne Cuzella, Doris 1988 Starcevich Eva Ballok Rose Mrkobrada Antonia Cora Eva Perpieh Frances *Charler member (( - =»' S.W.U. HISTORY —J) FEATURED MEMBERS Mary A. Perkovich Mildred Poropat % Manda Dosen Mildred Portopat Mildred Poropat has acted as Treasurer and Financial Secretary for 35 years, having joined the Branch in 1952. Mildred also served as delegate to several Natinal Conventions and worked diligently on all Branch 95 functions enjoying many happy times with the members. Mary resides with her husband, John, and has two sons, John and Gregory. There are 5 grandchildren: John, Gregory, Melissa, Dina and Nicole. Mary A. Perkovich Mary Perkovich joined the SWU in 1956, and has served as chairlady for many Mother Of The Year affairs and luncheons of the Branch. She served as auditor and was elected Mother Of The Year in 1978. Mary celebrated her 50th anniversary with her husband, Robert. She is the mother of one son, Larry, and the grandmother of four. Manda Dosen Manda Dosen joined the SWU in 1956 and served in the office of auditor. She served on many Mother Of The Year affairs along with many other branch activities. In 1981, Manda was honored as Mother Of The Year. Manda counts as her immediate family Fr. Anthony Dosen, C.M. the Vocation Director of St. Vincent DePaul Seminary and Sister Mary Ann Dosen, OSF, a Computer and Math teacher at Mt. Assisi. Delores & I)an Hennelly Delores Hennelly Delores Hennelly is Financial Secretary for Branch 95 and participates in branch activities since she initiated her membership in 1977. Delores is also a volunteer at church and school. She bowls in a league and is den mother for the boy scouts. Delores was honored as Mother Of The Year in 1986. She and her husband, Daniel, have three children, Donald, Donna and Daniel. There are three grandchildren Victoria, Theresa and Steven. Dragica Vukasovich Dragica Vukasovich was a very dedicated*member of the Branch since 1946. When she moved to Largo, Florida, she still kept contact with the Branch. Dragica was honored as Mother Of The Year in 1970. S.W.U. HISTORY Dragica Vukasovich Evelyn Driscoll Julie Hansen Evelyn Driscoll Evelyn Driscoll was elected to the office of Recording Secretary and served in that capacity for 25 yrs. She has rendered faithful, conscientious and valuable service to the branch by chairing many functions especially the yearly chance book project which she has undertaken for the past 20 years. Her faithfulness and longevity in membership and dedication speak praises by themselves. She has directly touched many members and her efforts have made her an outstanding member. In 1976, Evelyn was named Woman Of The Year. She and her husband, Bill, claim a sister, brother, nieces and nephews as their immediate family. Like her mother, Polonia Ashenbrenner, Evelyn is a fantastic organizer and we are assured of success in every one of her undertakings! Charlotte Fry/.a Charlotte Fryza was chosen in 1985, as Mother Of The Year because of the time and talent she devotes to the branch as an outstanding member since 1981. She is also an active member of the Sacred Heart Parish and is Vice President of the Altar and Rosary Society. She is very active and spends much time on committments with various organizations. Charlotte and her husband Jerome have 2 children and four grandchildren. Julie Hansen Julie Hansen has been a member since 1967 and has chaired four Women Of The Year affairs. She herself, was honored in 1982 as Woman Of The Year. Julie has attended meetings with regularity and has been an outstanding worker for the branch. Charlotte Fry/.a Louise Dichele She was the Financial Secretary of Br. 95 for about five years in the 50’s and very active in fund-raising, not only for the branch, but also Sacred Heart Church and local political aspirants. Her friendly personality was always an asset to our progress. As an officer, she attended a National Convention as alternate to Pres. Mary Markezich at which time she expressed her hope that all officers would speak English for better communication at the Convention. At that time, Slovenian was the language used at meetings, etc. Since then, there has been a complete turn-around and now we find very few Slovenian speaking members who do not also know English! Louise Dichele S.W.U. HISTORY Helen Alb Mary Aikovich Katherine Alferevich Sophie Barbich Mary Barcevac Frances Benkovich Mary Brezene Regina Buchanan Bernice Brebel Janice Bercich Mary A. Brozynski Ann Brkljacich Matilda Cacich Helen Ciechomski Amelia Cuzella Lois Chereso Inez Carnavacciola Manda Dosen Rosemary Dichele Louise Dichele Mary Duich Evelyn Driscoll Rose Dosen Charlotte Fryza Ann Granich Helene Golich Frances Griffin Bernice Golden Louise P. Galdina Matilda Grepo Cathy Hansen Ann Hlacar Helen Hoff Mary Hecimovich Julie Hansen Delores Hennelly Margaret Innis Mary Jurko Manda Jergovich Helen Jerbic Katherine Jakovich Mildred James Virginia Kwiatkowski Alyce Kropel Beverly Krapence Genevieve Kovacevich Maria Kompare Olga Krmpotic Mary M. Krmpotic Kathryn Kompare Lucy Kopilash Arlene Novički Cathleen Healey Helene Olson Marine Cremeens Anna Loncar Bernice Morrison CURRENT MEMBERS OF BR. 95 Barbara Marino Lucille Svalina Katherine Musa Helen Spelich Matilda Martin Florence Senzel Marie Maras Viola Spitz Betty Markusic Rose Sajatovich Anna Mae Marino Matilda Turico Eva Mesin Mary Toporis Mary Malcic Theresa Tranbarger Sylvia Mitchell Madeline Tivadar Stephanie Magnavite Anna Velcich Helen Nowicki Sylvia Vukodinovich Manda Nosich Dragica Vukasovich Mary Nuzda Susan Willis Margaret Niksich Dorothy Wortiska Margaret O’Connor Sylvia Werner Anna Plesha Helen Willis Mary A. Perkovich Ann Willis Mary Perkovich Diane Vojnovich Helen Price Emma Yergovich Mary Plesha Mary Zelenika Mildred Poropat Helen Yuratovac Catherine Placzkowski Madeline Zart Romaine Possedi Helen Zeffiro Mary Possedi Marie Zeffiro Helen Perkovich Hannah Piekarski SOCIAL MEMBERS: Virginia Pilarski Eleanor Bandera Helen Repaich Gertrude Grepo Lucille Sarich Harriet Isek Rose Smoljan Veda Janich Margaret Simunic Mary Kulchar Frances Seabloom Delphine Stemple Ann Starcevich Mary Butkovic Ann Sertich Lotti Brklajacic Mary Svalina Josephine Bruzdzinski Nicholas Svalina Mary Michalik Helen Svalina Fidelia Svalina Junior members are Christina Hansen Josephine Stengel and Ann Marie Hansen BRANCH 95 BOWLERS, photo from the 50’s! /f-----— — S.W.U. HISTORY \ )) Sophie Barbich Helene Golich Sophie Barbich Sophie Barbich has participated in as many outings, parties and projects as possible since joining the branch in 1951. She was honored as Mother Of The Year in 1967. Sophie, a widow, enjoys her 5 daughters, 25 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She especially enjoys the weddings, christenings and constant round of family birthday parties. Helene Golich Helene Golich served as Treasurer from 1959-89 and Auditor from 1989-91. She has participated in all the activities that Branch 95 has sponsored since her initiation into the organization in 1951, and during her 28 years of service to the Branch. Helene was honored as Mother Of The Year in 1973. She is the mother of a daughter, Karen Marie and twins, Jacob and James J. Her grandchildren are Kristin and Jacob James III. Helen Price Helen Price held the office of auditor and participated on many committees for branch functions since she joined in 1967. Helen was honored as Woman Of The Year in 1983, a distinction of which her husband Kenneth, is very proud. Helen Price Rose Dosen Rose Dosen Rose Dosen has served her membership faithfully and has attended all of the functions. She was honored as Mother Of The Year in 1966. Rose gave birth to 14children and can boast of 31 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. She attends family functions during the holidays and for birthdays with her large family. Rose spends a good deal of time knitting and crocheting. She is also an avid sports fan and enjoys watching the Cubs and Bears on TV. Frances Seabloom Frances Seabloom served on many committees after she joined the SWU in 1952. She was voted Mother Of The Year in 1980. Frances has two grandsons and a granddaughter. Virginia Kwiatkowski Virginia Kwiatkowski joined the branch in 1972, and since that time has participated in almost all of the activities. She tries to attend all the meetings and offers her help whenever she can. Virginia’s mother, Christia Grac-zyk, is also a member of the branch. Virgina was honored as Mother Of The Year in 1979. She has 5 children and 13 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. THE END Many thanks to Mildred James for the extensive amount of work and research which she undertook to make the history of Br. 95 a reality. Her positive appraoch about the branch, activities and membership was an inspiration to read. Thanks also to Marge Krmpotic and Tillie Martin for additional pictures and their continued interest in Br. 95. Irene Odorizzi Heritage Director Frances Seabloom & Family 8/ ZARJA - the DAWN Virginia Kwiatkowski ILLINOIS - INDIANA REGIONAL CONVENTION On Sunday, October 4, 1992, the Illinois - Indiana Regional Convention was held in LaSalle, Illinois. Branch No. 24 was the hostess branch. Anne Wangler, President of Branch No. 24 and her ladies did an excellent job organizing the events of the day. Mass at 11 a.m. was held at Resurrection Church, celebrated by Pastor Fr. James Swaner, and assisted by Fr. Bernard Horzen, OSB St. Bede’s Academy. Dinner and our business meeting took place at LaSalle Catholic School-Resurrection Building. The meeting opened with a prayer by Fr. Swaner. A warm welcome was extended to National Officers, members, and guests. President Anne Wangler introduced Major Paul Murphy of LaSalle and his wife, Josephine. Mayor Murphy gave greetings to all of us from the LaSalle Community. From the ten branches in the Illinois - Indiana region, eight branches were represented. The delegates reported on the activities of their respected branches. These reports included fund-raising, enrollment of new members, prop- osal that conventions be held every other year rather than yearly, plus many other activities in which the branches have been involved. Vida Kumse, Br. 16 spoke of her recent trip to Slovenia and the present conditions there. Fr. Horzen, key speaker, spoke on Slovenian history and Slovenian individuals that have made an impact on society by their involvement in making our heritage known to others. The Slovenian people live by a simple theme Fr. told us: “Love for Native Land,” “Love for Loved Ones.” Our meeting closed with prayers for all SWU members living and deceased, and for peace in Slovenia and Croatia. The final prayer was recited by me with all members joining hands-the prayer is one of my favorites “Circle of Prayer.” Respectfully submitted, Romaine O’Brien Ulinois-lndiana Regional President MILWAUKEE HOSTS GREAT STATE DAY! NO. 12, MILWAUKEE, WI What a beautiful day we spent with such beautiful people! God was good to us and blessed us well. We started out with rolls and coffee and home made punckas (filled doughnuts) made by our Delores Kod-rich. At 9 a.m., our State President, Janet Maurin conducted the meeting. She did a very good job, her first! Hope we got some good ideas from the discussions. At 11:15 we all assembled in church, reserved section, and many people came. The Mass began with people in their Narodna Nošas following the altar boys into church. Then came the four priests. Slovenian songs were sung by the choir before and during mass. Janet Maurin did one Reading in English and Milka Modic in Slovenian. The Petitions were done the same way. Offertory couple were Loni Limoni of Br. 17 with her husband, in their costumes. It was very impressive. Fr. Talaska, our pastor, gave the homily and spoke some words on our heritage. Thank you, Fr. Talaska, for making our day so special, our 65th anniversary! Executive Catering served the meal and it was hot and delicious. After a program which attorney Karl Dovnik conducted as Master of Ceremonies, the officers of Br. 12 were introduced, plus our 65 year member, Mary Bucovnik and 50 year members, Kate Osep, Mary Trader, Angeline Medved, Frances Cimmer-mancic, Constance Dobcrsek, Frances Glowienka, Stavia Dobersek and Mary Kiel; Also, National Auditor, Marion Marolt and Hermine Dicke, former Scholarship Director. Fr. Talaska gave the blessing in the beginning and Fr. Verberg, the closing prayer. The entertainment was by Dolores Evancich and Tony Gorenc on the ac-cordian. They did some songs in English and Slovenian as many do not understand Slovenian. Dolores gave us a surprise, bringing in a quartette of men to sing. It was beautiful. Thank you, fellows and Dolores. The Hall was filled with people, members and friends. We want to thank Branches 1,17 and 43 and Willard for their support. Willard members got as far as Marshfield and then the roads became icy, so they went back home. We don’t blame them, but we did miss them! Thanks to the priests, Fr. Talaska, Fr. Verberg, Fr. Gole and Fr. Paul who all participated in the Mass, plus the Slovenian Choir and all the people who came to Mass and the banquet. With your attendance it was a big success! Special thanks to Nancy Debelak who made the flowers for the altar, Alma Hoelzer for the corsages for special guests, Florence Brandt for getting us a flag. Special thanks to all our members who donated the prizes, to Phyllis Brushick and Agnes Morrow for the breakfast help. Special thanks to Matt Dobersek, Tony. Starich, Mary Starich, Stavia Dobersek, Jo Wilhelm and yours truly for setting up the tables and chairs Sunday morning. Also, to our members and friends who helped clean up. If you helped in any way, selling patrons, ads, raffle tickets, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Thank you to the Bevsek-Verbeek Funeral Home for the pens, Jelenc Funeral Home for printing of tickets and Mary Kiel for the refrigerator mementos. That’s all we can say, Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! for a successful day. Stay healthy and remember our meetings. P.S. Asmall black leather book was left on a coat rack. If someone found it, please call Lorraine at 281-9585. It has sentimental value for her. MARY KIEL OHIO-MICHIGAN STATE CONVENTION - 1992 The State Convention for the Ohio-Michigan Region of the Slovenian Women’s Union of America was held on Sunday, October 11, 1992 in Lorain, Ohio. It was a new venture for us, taking the convention out of the Cleveland area. Participation was great, with about one-hundred members in attendance. Branch No. 40 hosted the affair which began with mass at 11:00 o’clock a.m. at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church. Our celebrant, Father Joseph Yelenc, a native parishioner, welcomed us to the area. His inspiring homily gave us much to think about with regard to our Slovene heritage. The mass was concelebrated with the pastor, Father Paul Krajnik. The priests joined us for lunch. The choir’s performance at the mass was outstanding. In all, it was a most fitting way to start the day. During our delicious roast beef luncheon, we were treated to music on the button box by eighty-four year old Jack Tomazic, a real Slovenian touch and a delight to listen to. After the ladies served us all their wonderful Slovenian pastries, we settled down to the business at hand and the purpose of the convention. The meeting was called to order, Marge Church (Branch No. 42) was appointed as Convention Recording Secretary. The head table was introduced to those present: Ann Tercek, past regional president, Agnes Tomazin, President, Branch No. 40, Cirila Kermavner, National Second Auditor and Ms. Church. Eleven branches were represented and after Roll Call, representatives presented their reports. Written reports from three absent branches were read. Correspondence received from our National President, Victoria Bobence was read. Her letter encouraged everyone to promote S.W.U. and to support efforts within our organization. Cirila Kermavner addressed the group in Slovenian, extending her best wishes to the newly elected president and asking members to work together for the mutual benefit and promotion of S.W.U. Marge Church, a member of the Scholarship Committee, placed emphasis on the necessity for raising funds if the scholarships are to continue to be awarded. Many items of discussion were dealt with, perhaps the most important was the urgent need to seek more members for S.W.U. Consideration was given to the dwindling membership as a result of older members leaving us due to their demise, and the apathy of the younger people—not wanting to get involved, thus not carrying on the traditions/ work that has been put in place by their mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers. Concern was also expressed for those branches who chose not to participate in the convention. It is a group effort that will keep the organization alive. To this end, members were asked to start now to give consideration as to who their delegate will be in 1995 for the National Convention in San Francisco. They were asked to consider the criteria to be met and not to choose a delegate who will merely “travel" to the convention. The “Common Cents” approach was explained as a means for raising funds to send dedicated and qualified delegates to the convention(s). A container should be made available at each branch meeting into which pennies (only pennies) would be collected. Periodically, the container would be emptied, counted out and those funds sent to Home Office to be credited to the Convention Fund. “Common! Cents” is used nationally to promote many well-deserving project, s It was also asked that branches give strong consideration to the fund-raising that is done within each branch and how these funds are dispersed. Many organizations are benefitting from our fund-raising efforts, while our own organization is striving to survive. Priority should be given to donating to our Heritage Fund, Scholarship Fund and ZARJA. Other civic and charitable projects should be supported after that fact. Members were advised that Branch No. 15 is folding. Many reasons make it necessary to absorb its members into other branches (that they select). Marie Pabijan has been the Secretary-Treasurer of the branch, keeping the records together and collecting the dues. Ill health has forced her to resign the position and, needless to say, no one is willing to assume the responsibility. Members of the branch have been advised of the situation. They will let us know of their decision and work will continue to contact those who have not responded to our inquiry. To that same end, branches were asked to make a special effort to update all their information on their members. Discrepancies should be cleared up, addressed and telephone numbers updated and for the very elderly, a next-to-kin should be on record. November 1992 would have marked the sixty-fifth anniversary for Branch No. 15. Since the branch is being dissolved it was suggested that the 1993 State Convention be held in Cleveland, Ohio at St. Lawrence Parish where the branch had its roots. Homage and recognition will be given to the living and deceased members and they will have a chance to reunite again. Rose Switalski (No. 101) moved that the convention site be St. Lawrence Parish, Josephine Comenshek (No. 32) seconded the motion. Members will be advised of the date by March 1, 1993. Prior to adjournment, members were urged to use their greatest privilege on November 3rd, to vote. The use of the absentee ballot was promoted, as well as member-helping-member to get to the polls. Our meeting closed at 4:00 o’clock p.m. with the singing of the Slovenian National Anthem by Irene Kokinda. Officers and members of the Ohio-Michigan Branches are deeply grateful to Branch No. 40 for hosting the convention. Respectfully submitted, Evelyn A. Majercik Regional President, S.W.U. Ohio-Michigan Region ADDENDUM: To Agnes Tomazin: All of us are deeply grateful for all you did to make our convention a success in spite of the burden you are carrying with your husband’s illness and hospitalization. Our pray erf are for you and “Mickey" , that God will give you the strength to care for him and that he (Mickey) will improve and see many, many good days yet to come. E.M. VESELE BOŽIČNE PRAZNIKE -SREČNO NOVO LETO “May you have the Spirit of Christmas which is Peace, the Gladness of Christmas which is Hope, and the Heart of Christmas which is Love. ” On December 19 our organization will be celebrating its 66th birthday. Marie Prisland of Sheboygan, Wl was truly innovative and daring as she founded our Zveza. As in the past, so today the need for new members, especially young members, is crucial to the existence of our organization. Thus far this year Zveza lost 150 members by death or cancellation and we are not replacing them with new members. Presently we have 3,450 members age 62 and over. This is 62% of our total membership. Since Slovenian and Croatian Independence, there is much interest in our heritages. This is an opportune time to enroll your children and grandchildren. If it were not for our mothers and grandmothers, we too, would not be a part of our Zveza. Without Zveza we would have been deprived of beautiful friendships, an enrichment of our minds and hearts, as well as our ZARJA, which serves as a source of learning and communication across our country. Do you realize that without a younger membership, our precious organization may vanish ? As we enter the 21st century, many challenging issues face us. Our Catholic Church is faced with a decline in religious vocations; the world is in search of peace, and for us there is a need to keep alive our ethnic groups lest the accomplishments of our ancestors, in some cases that of our parents, vanish in our history books. A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU is extended to the precious and dedicated branch officers and members for their achievements during the past year. Victoria Bobence, President Olga Ancel, Secretary Sylvia Vukodinovich, Treasurer Novoletni koledniki New Year’s Carolers Večer pred novim letom je zlati čas kolednikov. Ta večer se jim v vsaki hiši oglašajo in gospodarji tudi globlje segajo v žepe. Koledniki zapojo lepo versko pesem, zlasti tako, ki se nanaša na novoletno ali sploh božično skrivnost. Včasih nosijo s seboj zvezdo, v kateri gori luč. Zvezdo dvignejo do okna, da lepo sveti v izbo. They carry along a golden star that is held high and when it reaches the windows, casts a bright and shining light. The eve before the New Year is a special time for carolers in Slovenia. This is the evening they visit each home in the village and sings songs of the beauty of the holy days of Christmas. As a reward, they receive treats and sometimes, even money! Razen odraslih kolednikov hodijo novo leto voščit tudi otroci »polažarji« ali »polažiči«. Some carolers are children who like to wear paper crowns signifying the Three Kings whose holyday is January 6th, in the New Year! MAKSIM GASPARI: SV. TRIJE KRALJI ON THE COVER... it was slightly harder in order to make forming the figures easier. You can imagine how much fun this “playing with dough” and comparing the developing figures was! In Bela Krajina Christmas Creches are Baked from Dough! By Zdenka Božičnik From “Slovenija” December, 1991 For those familiar with the region between the Kolpa River, the Gorjanci hills, and the extensive forests of Kočevski rog, this is the real pearl of Slovenia. It is called Bela Krajina (White Carniola), perhaps after the white birch trees which adorn it. The region’s folk costume is all white too, since flax formerly was extensively sown, harvested, and processed here and high quality linen was made. This region is especially interesting to those who have studied the life and customs of the people of Bela Krajina in previous centuries. From here we know the “Jurjevanje” festival with its “Zeleni Jurij” figures dressed in new branches to greet and celebrate the coming of spring on St. George’s Day, the "pisanice” or specially decorated Easter eggs, and the “Kresovanje” bonfires on Midsummer’s Night which commemorate the defense against the Turks when local people set signal fires to warn against approaching danger. But Bela Krajina is remarkable for another curiosity which until now has been traced only here: the baking of Christmas creches. Creches were created from bread made of white flour, yeast, butter, and milk, although sometimes plain white bread served as the base. Small figures were added to represent Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and animals such as cows, donkeys, sheep, and birds as well as palm fronds and grass. The figures were made by the whole family several days before Christmas: children made the less demanding animals and leaves, while their parents made the figures which required more skill. The dough for the figures was the same as for noodles (white flour and eggs), except that On the morning before Christmas, mother made the dough, put it in a round dish, and arranged the finished figures on it. She placed the dough creche, called the “božičnik" or “božični kruli" (Christmas bread), in the oven and then came the moment of anxious expectation and prophecy for the coming year. While baking, the dough rose and naturally the little figures on it moved and were thus baked in certain positions. Cracks in the bread or in the figures foretold nothing good - illness in the family or among the animals. If the figures spread apart, it meant the family would no longer stay together but be scattered for various reasons: employment away from home, marriage, or even death. When the figures moved towards the center, the family felt deeply relieved since this meant that all its members would stay together until next Christmas. The božičnik was placed on the table on three occasions, set on their most beautiful white tablecloth: first on Christmas Eve, next on New Year’s Eve, the last day of the year, and finally on Epiphany. It was always surrounded by symbols of an abundant harvest, prosperity, and the spiritual life: butter bread with wheat, ears of corn, fruit, the keys to the wine cellar, house keys, a purse, and a prayer book. On the morning of the Feast of Epiphany, father and mother got up very early to attend early Mass. When they returned home, the children were already wide-awake and it was breakfast time. Mother cut the božičnik into as many pieces as there were members of the family. Formerly, good white bread was not common so everyone, especially the children, was very pleased. Father also saw to the cattle so they would be healthy in the coming year, taking some bread figures to the stables. It is interesting that only those animals which were in the stable near the manger appear in a creche, and thus from the Slovene word “jasli" for manger we get “jaslice" for creche. These creches arc beautiful decorations for the Christmas table. Cover photo by Marjan Garbajs The choice for this month's article of interest is an aluminum lunch bucket that was popular back in the early 1900’s. In 1983, it was donated to our Heritage Museum by Fran Kodrick of Br. 20. At that time, it was well over 70 years old, and had belonged to her father-in-law. As the story goes, the women would pack a lunch bucket with sandwiches and fruit for the working men. At the end of the day, when they were tired and thirsty, the men would stop at a local saloon and have the bucket tilled with beer which they would take home to drink. The charge was usually 5c to 15c. Perhaps some of you may still recall a friend or family member who had just such a lunch bucket. Hopefully, it brought back a memory or two of days gone by. cz^fs-zitcujE and ^I/Levjs, SLOVENIAN WINES AVAILABLE IN AMERICA The Slovenian Tourist Bureau provided an opportunity for me to become familiar with a number of very fine wines which are produced in Slovenia and are available for export to the U.S. At a recent marketing event in Washington, D.C., Slovenian wines were served and even though the majority of individuals in attendance were not conoisseurs of fine wines, we enjoyed immensely the many different varieties which were served. At this crucial time in Slovenian history, I would like you to consider supporting the Slovenian wine industry by purchasing and serving these delicious wines in your own home or at an organizational function. Printed here is a list of the wines available from Slovenia and which bear the seal of the Economic Union For Viticulture And Wine of Slovenia Ltd. and a list of producers. You might ask your local distributor to carry one or more varieties if they are not already on the shelf in your local area. GRAPEVARIETY Vintage Classification Region Producer Haložan 1991 Dry white wine Haloze Region Slovenske gorice Haloze Laški rizling 1991 Dry white wine Maribor Region Vinag Maribor Bell Pinot 1991 Semi dry white wine Maribor Region Vinag Maribor Chardonnay 1991 Dry white wine Vipava Region Agroind Vipava Chardonnay 1991 Semi dry white wine Ormož Region Jeruzalem-Ormož Renski rizling 1991 Semi dry white wine Maribor Region Vinag Maribor Sauvignon 1991 Dry white wine Vipava Region Agroind Vipava Sauvignon 1991 Semi dry white wine Haloze Region Slovenske gorice Haloze Rumeni muška! 1991 Semi dry white wine Haloze Region Slovenske gorice Haloze Rose 1991 Dry rose wine Haloze Region Slovenske gorice Haloze Rose 1991 Dry rose wine Vipava Region Agroind Vipava Meriot Barique 1990 Dry red wine Vipava Region Agroind Vipava Cabernet 1990 Dry red wine Vipava Region Agroind Vipava Sauvignon The above ''Jeruzalem" is in Slovenia, not the Holy Land. U.S. AMBASSADOR TO SLOVENIA IS NAMED E. Allan Wendt, senior U.S. representative for strategic trade affairs at the State Department was named U.S. Ambassador to Slovenia. The U.S. has also signed tax and investment treaties with Slovenia and is floating the idea of establishing a U.S.-Slovenia free trade area. Currently, Slovenia enjoys most-favored-nation trade status under U.S. law and about half of its exports to the U.S. receive duty-free treatment. In April of 1992, the U.S. recognized Slovenia as an independent nation and established full diplomatic relations with the former Yugoslav republic. Individuals wishing to invest or establish a business in Slovenia are encouraged to read the article, “Legal and Economic Framework for Investing in Slovenia,” which appeared in the SLOVENIA MAGAZINE, No. 2, Vol. VI. A subscription to the magazine can be obtained by writing to the magazine at Cankarjeva I, 61000 Ljubljana, SLOVENIA. THINK HERITAGE! DONATIONS ACCEPTED FOR THE HERITAGE FUND Irene Planinšek Odorizzi SLOVENIAN WINES PRODUCERS Jeruzalem - ORMOŽ, d.o.o. Skupno podjetje 62270 Ormož, Ptujska c. 12 Telephone no.: 062 702-311* Telefax no.: 062 701—441 Contact Person: Mr. Zlatko Zadravec, Marketing Director VINAG Maribor Export Import Trg svobode 3 62000 Maribor Telephone no.: 062 212-161* Telefax no.: 062 21-921 Contact Person: Mrs. Jelka Ružič, Export Manager Kmetijski kombinat Ptuj-Slovenske gorice Haloze Trstenjakova 6 62250 Ptuj Telephone no.: 062 772-821* Telefax no.: 062 771-030 Contact Person: Mr. Andrej Sajko, Director Kmetijstvo Vipava Agroind Vipava, p.o. Vinarska c. 5 65271 Vipava Telephone no.: 065 65-011* Telefax no.: 065 65-215 Contact Person: Mr. Ljubomir Čaudek, Sales Manager *please begin with International and Country Codes (011-38); all addresses are to SLOVENIJA, EVROPA. Carita Girrnan, Scholarship Director FOUR $1,000 SWU SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 1993! Now, it is easier than ever to apply for one of the four $1,000 Slovenian Women’s Union Scholarships to be awarded in 1993. If you meet the following eligibility requirements, just detach, complete, and mail in the application form below, along with the additional requested material, by March 20, 1993. To be eligible, I) you must be a high school senior intending to be a full time student at an accredited university or college after graduation, and 2) you must have been a member of the SWU for at least three years prior to graduation. However, only one scholarship can be awarded ever to any one family and only one scholarship can be awarded each year to any one branch. The applications are evaluated by the SWU Scholarship Committee based equally on scholastic achievement; school, church, and community activities; SWU participation; and financial need. To avoid partiality, all identifying information is deleted from the material given to the committee members and each applicant is identified by a randomly assigned letter of the alphabet. All applicants are notified by mail of the final decision. If you are awarded a scholarship, one half of the award is paid to you when you submit proof of first semester enrollment at an accredited university or college. The remainder is paid when you submit proof of second semester enrollment. LETTER FROM OUR SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT The following letter, dated January 25, 1992, greatly validates the work of our SWU Scholarship Fund and makes us feel proud and happy that we can be of some help to our young members. Education is the key to all success in life and especially at the present time when a college education is basic to all careers. If you agree, please consider helping to support the Scholarship Fund with your donation. We can continue the work of helping to subsidize our young members’ education only with your contributions! Dear Mrs. Girman and members of Slovenian Women's Union: Thank you for sending the second installment of the Slovenian Women’s Union Scholarship to me. I appreciate it. You don’t know how much this Scholarship has helped me out. I am very grateful to the Slovenian Women’s Union for your generosity. 1 am happy to report to you that my first semester here at Gannon University has indeed been successful. 1 made the Dean’s List last semester. I was also invited to join Gannon’s Honor Society, an invitation I joyfully accepted. I am now a current member of Phi Eta Sigma. The official induction ceremony will be held in March. I am finding out each day how much I love my major of Physician Assistant. The work is hard, but well worth the effort. My schedule includes such courses as biology of organisms, chemistry of life, and medical terminology, all of which I find interesting and exciting. My time spent here at Gannon has truly been a rewarding experience. I am very happy with the choices I have made. I hope all is well with you and everyone else in Slovenian Women’s Union. Please give them my regards. Sincerely, Kimberly Micknowski Perfect for Christmas Are you still looking for an easy-to-buy, last minute Christmas gift for someone who was everything? Or is there someone on your Christmas list who is hard to please - it’s never the right color, size or style? Or do you just want to give someone a Christmas gift that is really unique -something that absolutely no one has ever before given? Well, here is the answer to all your Christinas gift problems - a donation to the Slovenian Women’s Union Scholarship Program made in that special someone’s name. A donation can be made easily without leaving the comfort of your own home for those crowded malls. A donation can be made quickly even at the last minute (even after Christmas). A donation can satisfy even those who are hardest to please with no worry about color, size or style. And a donation would definitely be a unique Christmas gift that has never before been given and, besides, duplicates are no problem. The cost of this perfect Christmas gift is whatever amount you decide to donate! But you must act now. Just simply send your donation made to “SWU Scholarship Program”, along with your name and adress and the name and address of that special someone in whose name you are making the donation, to your branch secretary or the SWU Scholarship Director. Merry Christmas! P.S. A donation made in someone’s name also makes a perfect gift for birthdays, anniversaries, and Mother's Day. APPLICATION FOR SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION SCHOLARSHIP Name____________________________________________________________________________Sex M_ Home Address__________________________________________________________________________ City_______________________________________________________________________________________________________State___________________________________________________________________________________________________Zip_ Name of Parent(s)_______________________________________________________________________________________________ High School__________________________________________________________________________ Principal. School Address__________________________________________________________________________________ City___________________________________________________________________________________________State_______________________________________________________________________________________Zip_ Graduation Date___________________________________________________Class______________________Rank__________________GI’A_ College Considered_______________________________________________________Major__________________________________________ SWU Branch Number___________________________________________Years of SWU Membership___________________________________ Signature _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Include the following additional material with the application form: __________ One recent 2-1/2” x 3-1/2” photo, black and white or color. __________ Official transcript of high school grades to date. __________ Brief autobiography including school, church, community and SWU activities and personal goals. __________ Statement of financial need. __________ Recommendation from high school principal/teacher/counselor. __________ Recommendation from SWU Branch president/secretary. Send the completed application form and all the requested material to: Carita Girmati, SWU Scholaship Director 7607 Blain Way, Indianapolis-, IN 46254 (Home Phone: 317-298-9255) Completed applications must be postmarked no later than March 20, 1993. MORE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE Please use the above application for your Scholarship request, or send for more from SWU Scholarship Chairman, Carita Girman, 7607 Blain Way, Indianapolis, IN 46254 NO. 1, SHEBOYGAN, WI Br. I will have its Christmas Party at the Grand Harbor Center Hotel in the Garden Cafe Room on Dec. 15th at 6 p.m. For reservations, please call 452-8808, Aggie Gruenke, or 457-9371, Dorothy, before Dec. 8th. Family style dinner will be $9.90 including tip and tax. We all had a very good meal and good time there last year. We will have our regular meeting following the dinner. Election of officers will be at that time. We will be visiting our shut-in members at the various Nursing Homes in the area and also at their homes before Christmas. If you know of anyone, please call either Aggie or Dorothy. Continued good health is our wish to Pauline Rupar, Olga Maynard, Pat Ann Simenz and Doris Carek. To all members who have been ill during the year, we wish you continued good health and hope to see you all at the Christmas party. God bless you all - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all members of SWU! DOROTHY BREZONIK NO. 2, CHICAGO, IL We had such a good time at our October meeting, in fact we are still laughing. It started off as a fiction meeting... We had to wait for a ship to arrive, bringing our guests. Soon the doors opened and in came Queen Isabella of Spain, draped in a beautiful purple robe and covered in diamonds. She smiled and greeted us. She seated herself on her throne and started putting gold, silver and jewels into a bag as we watched. Looking around she seemed to be anticipating the arrival of someone. The doors opened and in strolled Christopher Columbus dressed in red and black, wearing a large hat and holding a silver sword. He bowed to his Queen, then he asked her for help to obtain 3 ships so he could discover a route to the East. After much discussion, she handed him the bag, stuffed with jewels, and wished him luck! Christopher bowed to his Queen, turned and waved to us and winked. Then he strolled out the door. As quick as a wink, we found ourselves out of history and back at St. Stephen’s hall. Our hall was decorated with swaying Palm Trees and the Spanish Gallion was in port. Thanks to Jean Hrastar, Ray Nusko and Terry Morison for making this fun fantasy come alive with all the decorating and acting. For our social part of the meeting we were treated with giant size Subs and sweets from the birthday members. For those who could not attend the State convention in LaSalle, Fran and Sharon filled us in. Everyone wished to thank the ladies for the wonderful time they had. It was well organized, beautiful Slovenian Mass, food was good, and all those prizes. They just went on and on. You ladies of Br. 24 did an excellent job. Thank you all! We are all hoping that we will be able to attend the next convention in Joliet at Br. 20’s 65th Anniversary, 1993. Election of officers. They were voted across-the-board and will remain the same for another year, with the exception of one: Marie Ovnik was voted in to replace an auditor. Good luck, crew! For those members who would like to learn to make “Strudel” - the opportunity is always available when the ladies bake strudel for the Missions every fall. Not only is it a learning experience but you are giving a little of yourself. Congratulations to the Chicago Slovenian Radio Program on its 42nd Anniversary. Our condolences to Angie Benedict on the loss of her mother Mary Barone; and also to Irene Carter on the loss of her sister. Please remember them in your prayers that they may rest in peace. In your prayers say a special prayer for the new administration, either Democratic or Republican, that these people will be there for the people who voted them in, that they may have the courage to do the right thing even tho it may not be the popular thing to do. Remember the Baraga Mass in Lemont - last Saturday of the month. 5:30 p.m. We have been having a real good turnout. Come join us. December 13 - “Brunch with Santa” - bring your camera and video. $3.00 adults and $2.00 children, time 12:30 - 3:00 p.m. S.W.U. Children’s Party - December 5 - 1:00 p.m. Santa will be arriving for those junior members from newborn to 10 years of age. Dates to remember: Dec. 3 - Mass for Ailing Members 8:00 a.m. Dec. 10 - Anniversary Mass 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10 - Adult Christmas Party Dec. 31 - “Silvestrovanje” at St. Stephen’s Jan. 14 - Mass for Ailing Members - 7:00 a.m. Jan. 14 - Meeting: “Going to the Movies” Jan. 17 - Baraga Dinner at Gym Hall Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Vsem članicam in članom SŽZ želimo vesele Božične praznike in srečno in zadolvolno novo leto 1993. "The riches that are in the heart cannot be stolen” Love, DAISY NO. 3, PUEBLO, CO Greetings to all! Our hostesses, Adeline Kochevar and Catherine Sincovec, served delicious apple strudel to 13 members at our meeting Oct. 7. Frances Simonich, Sec'y-Treas., opened the meeting with prayers. Our president, Mary Tekavec, was absent. Reports were given and approved. There were no sick members reported but let’s remember our homebound and those in nursing homes. The mystery gift donated donated by Frances Simonich was won by Jennie Mishmash. Bingo was then played and enjoyed by all. We extend our sympathy to the families of Ray Centa, Henry Jesik, Bernard Jerman, Angela Zakraysek, Kathy Studen, Joe Glach, Joe Pugel, Bernard Jerman and Theresa Simonich. Our next meeting is Dec. 2. Attend if at all possible. PAULINE PAUCHICK “Please send an application - / want to enroll my sister. ” - Dorothy Swintosky, Nicholasville, KY. NO. 5, INDIANAPOLIS, IN I hope you all had a happy and plentiful Thanksgiving. I know 1 ate too much, how about you? I am thankful for the opportunity to still serve you although 1 now live in Dallas. 1 have been here over a year and no I have not found myself a rich oilman. Ha! I would like to say a big Thank You to all the old members for your continued support as well as the new members for becoming part of the family. December is upon us! Can you believe it? This is the time to celebrate family and friends. During this joyous season, we would like to take this opportunity to send our good wishes to all those members who have been hospitalized or shut-in throughout the year. Our love and prayers have been with you through it all. We hope that this new season finds you with renewed health and happiness. Let us also pray for our friends and family members who have lost one of God’s souls this past year. May their memory be of happy remembrances and shared times. I hope you all get what you want for Christmas and have a Happy New Year. Love from Texas, BARBARA MOHR NO. 13, SAN FRANCISCO, CA It’s hard to believe we’re coming to the end of another year. We were back to meetings in September and in October, we had our Annual Pot-Luck Dinner. We had 45 people and from all reports, the food was delicious. Michele Twers took home the hand-crocheted afghan made by this Reporter. I was in Washington, D.C. with my Father and Sister on a wonderful 8-day trip. We will have our Annual Christmas Party at noon on December 3. Please bring an exchange gift so you can join in the fun. We have had a lovely and productive year. Our luncheon-meet-ings are very enjoyable and “Josephine’s Bustrips” are a wonderful treat for all of us. Here’s hoping we can see more of our members at our meetings in the next year. For those of you who can’t attend, you are in our thoughts. If you have any news you would like to share, please contact me at (415) 359-0356. Wishing everyone a blessed holiday season and a happy and healthy new year. Remember: Regardless of how little you have, you can always give comfort and encouragement... BEVERLY JACKSON NO. 14, EUCLID, OH At this time last year, we were coming out of a summer of drought that gave us a blaze of autumn leaf colors. This year, the rainy summer once again brought on a fiery display of autumn red and gold. This year we honor two fifty-year members, Jean Ann Lourin and Jennie Vidovich, both residents of nursing homes. God bless you both! Deepest sympathy is extended to Stana Grill on the death of her mother Cecilia Mrsnik. Nothing can replace a mother’s love. May our dear Lord and Blessed Mother Mary grant her and our beloved departed eternal rest. Tuesday, December 1 is the date for our Christmas Dinner-Party beginning at 6:00. Members are invited to bring a guest with them to join in on the holiday merriment. Don’t forget to bring $4 door prizes. Luscious cupcakes were brought in to our October meeting by Ileene Collins with which we celebrated everyone’s birthday and also gave a send-off to Ileene and husband Jay who are once again on their way to spend their winter in Florida. Once again a reminder to bring all your dues paid up to date. Send your check to secretary Diane Varney at 1155 Easton Dr., Akron, Ohio44310. As the Christmas season approaches, we extend wishes for peace, contentment and love to all and hope 1993 will be a healthy and joyful year for you. ALICE KUHAR NO. 15, CLEVELAND, OH There are several members who have not responded to the letter sent in October regarding transfer of memberships. If you have not returned the form, please take care of this detail as soon as possible. For those of you have perhaps lost track of some of your former members; Jennie Milavec, Angela Trattar, Ann Sustersic and Antonia Stokar are in nursing homes in the Cleveland area. Mary Mauer resides in a nursing facility in Pensacola, Florida - and Mary, your note was delightful, thank you so much for taking the time to write. Helen (Zupančič) Krofi likewise sent a lovely note with a lot of pleasant memories regarding Branch No. 15. Angela Sustersic and Olga Gustin have passed away rather recently. (Prayers and sympathy to their families). Mail has been returned to me for Frances Zakrajšek, Antonia Glavic and Mary Kurnar. If anyone has current addresses for them, please let me know. Also, please take time to read the minutes from our State Convention. You will note that the 1993 Convention will be held at St. Lawrence, Cleveland, Ohio in YOUR honor. We hope that many of you will join us at that time. Members of S.W.U. send their best wishes to each of you for a very Merry Christmas and a good New Year. E.M. NO. 16, SO. CHICAGO, IL Mary Ann Sambol and husband, Joe, who now reside in Crystal River, FL drove to Chicago where they were joined by her sister, Martina Saindon, and Elsie Seiner, Violet Somin and husband and Michael and Kay, a friend, on a flight to Detroit for the Tamburitza Extravaganza and Banquet. They then had the opportunity to drive to Canada where they celebrated the Canadian Thanksgiving. A wonderful trip was had by all! Agnes Krilich is back in her old routine again, shopping, visiting and having lunch at the DcSales Center. We hope she continues to improve. She will be celebrating her 90th birthday on Dec. 25th! Mrs. Stambulic celebrated her 93rd birthday. She is busy with her daily chores. Zora Yurkas celebrated her 84th on Nov. 24th. She resides at the Hammond-Whiting Convalescent Center. Other birthdays: Mary Therese Ennat on Dec. 1st, Sylvia Spretnjak, Dec. 22nd, Catherine Anderson, Dec. 31st; in January. Mary Rago, 19th, Mary Brozovich, 10th, Mary Putzel, 17th, Elsie Starcevieh, 23rd, Polly Klobučar, (92nd birthday!) on the 24th, and Mary Krznaricon Feb. 12th! Br. 20 Comes Through, Again! Hy Mary Puterko is still on the mend and Helen Purenich had surgery. Corinne and Allen Winters of Lakeland, FL celebrated theri 16th Wedding Anniversary in August by taking a cruise. Sandi and Bruce Bittner moved into their new home in Nobles-ville, IN and then went on a trip to the White Sands of New Mexico. Jo Hester visited Las Vegas. On Feb. 13th we will start having our meetings on Saturday afternoons, 1 p.m. Please try to attend. St. George’s church had a benefit mostaccioli dinner on Nov. 1st. Manda Maggio was the super chef and Janet and Bob O’Berman were assisting where needed. Our compliments to Bruce and Kathy Korosa and their sons, Bryan and Kyle on an outstanding production of Music of a Generation at the Rialto Theatre in Joliet. What a finale! Just great! Everyone thanked me for making the arrangements so we could all take that beautiful trip down memory lane! Congratulations to the Bruce Korosa Family! Our Christmas party will be held at the Crow Bar on Dec. 10th at 6 p.m. For reservations, please call Gladys, 221-0475 or Edna, 221-5708. E.W. NO. 20, JOLIET, IL My favorite time of the year is December with all the gala that goes with it, it’s the time of the year when you think of old friends, and reminisce, when sending cards of greeting for the holidays... giving gifts to friends and loved ones and visiting the shut-ins and taking baskets of food to those in need; eating all the wonderful ethnic foods that are displayed in every household; putting up Christmas decorations everywhere; shopping and enjoying all the beautiful displays in the stores; visiting the beautiful churches with their Nativity scenes; the Christmas Mass in full celebration. It’s a time when giving and love is displayed everywhere. Wishing all the S.W.U. members a Happy, Blessed Holiday Season, from all the officers and members of Br. 20. Congratulations goes to Bruce Korosa, Br. 20 member, on the big sellout of his presentation at the Rialto Once again members of Br. 20 came through like the champs they are by helping with Joliet’s combined Slovenian-Croatian benefit for CARITAS (Catholic Relief Services for Slovenia. Croatia and Bosnia) on October IS. The benefit raised over $5.500 for refugee relief in these three new nations. The Chicago Tribune, tells the story in the Oct. 25 issue, an excerpt of which is below. On the above picture: Marge Grayhack and Diana Govednik (dishing out the bakery). Thanks Br. 20 members for all your help. Deanie (indue. President “It’s only natural that the churches would help the Croatian refugees”, said Fr. David Stalzer, Pastor of St. Mary Nativity Church in Joliet, Illinois and chairman of the War Relief fund-raiser held Oct. 18th. Also helping with the event were parishioners of St. Joseph’s Church, and many local organizations. St. Mary’s was founded as a Croatian parish in 1906 and St. Joseph’s as a Slovenian one in 1891. Both nationalities were once part of Yugoslavia. “Both of these parishes were built Theatre called “Music of a Generation," which featured Frankie Yan-kovic, Eddie Korosa Sr., Eddie Blazonczek, Veratones, Johnie Kaye and his 13-piece Orchestra, featuring vocalist Alicia Hamilton, Polish National Alliance Polonec Dancers, Joliet Croatian Kolo Dancers and Czechoslovak Folk Dancers. It was a great performance. I hope you repeat it next year. by immigrants and now we want to return something back,” Stalzer said. “This is a joint effort.” Donating their services at the benefit were the Ron Kramerich Orchestra of Joliet and Boduli Tam-buritza Orchestra of Chicago. The hall was also donated by St. Joseph’s Parish. Agreeing with Stalzer was Deanie Gudac of Joliet, who helped organize the event. “We’ve been responding to the refugee crisis all along,” she said. “At this time, Slovenia is caring for upwards of 100,000 refugees and Croatia has 750,000 refugees,” Gudac said. “The money we are raising will be used for the express purpose of refugee relief. People are being so generous.” Supplies needed most include personal hygiene items, diapers, formula, blankets, bedding and baby food. They can be dropped off at 610 N. Hickory St., Joliet, or call (815) 722-3973. Fr. Stalzer estimated that the dance held last weekend at St. Joseph’s Park in Joliet raised approximately $5,000 for relief efforts and collected much-needed baby supplies that will be sent to the troubled area. The Polka King, Frankie Yankovic, has retired as of Nov. 8; he will be missed as his music has entertained us for many years. Congratulations to the following: Mark and Luanne Goldman on the birth of their second son, Sept. 7, also to the proud grandmother, Ann Stefanic. Mr. and Mrs. Richard (Mary Kay) Demick, who celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on Oct. 11 at St. Joseph's Church. Diane and Raymond Hoffman on their marriage, Aug. 8. Kent and Anette Nelson 011 their marriage. Anette and her mom, Mary are our members. Mark and Jana Hlade on their marriage. Jana's mom is our member. Rosanne J. Ruth was recognized as an outstanding volunteer by the March of Dimes, Birth Defect Foundation. We are very proud of your accomplishments, Rosanne. Get well wishes, to our members for a speedy recovery: Marilyn Goss, Loretta Mrozek and Susan (Glovan) Kowolski; Condolences to the families of: Josephine Malakar on the loss of Josephine, a 49 year member. Kathryn Feldman family on the loss of Kathryn, a 12 year member. Nemanich family on the loss of Christine, a 48-year member. Dates to remember: December 20, Sunday, the Christmas Brunch at Town and Country West, 1-55 and Jefferson St. Cocktails at 11:30 a.m. Cash bar, brunch at noon. Keep it in mind - you will not receive an announcement in the mail as in previous years. Chairperson is Ardis Gregorich (725-7893); Co-Chairperson is Jo (Please turn to page 20.) CELEBRATING QUINCENTENNIAL Fran Kodrick, Lillian Cepon and Deanie Gudac, members of Br. 20, Joliet, IL were photographed by Kevin Hanrahan for publication in the Joliet Catholic Explorer, Diocesan newspaper in October in connection with the Diocesan Quin-centennial celebration. See Deanie’s report for more on this very special event for our members. A CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY by Deanie Giidac Sunday, October 11, a Joliet diocesan Quincentennial Mass “was dedicated to recognizing the distinctness of people from different cultures and celebrating the beauty that is revealed when different people gather together as one.” Said Mass commemorated the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Western Hemisphere. “Catholics from a rainbow of ethnic groups — Vietnamese, Filipino, Italian, Slovenian, Hispanic, African-American, Irish, to name just a few, gathered at the Cathedral of St. Raymond. Preceeding the Mass, the Knights of Columbus led the procession into the Cathedral. Ethnic groups followed to the altar each carrying their flower. A bouquet of red carnations was carried in by Frances Kodrick and Deanie Gudac, Slovenian participants. Lillian Ccpon proclaimed the First Reading at Mass, from the prophet Isiah in the Slovenian language. She read, “One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war against...” “When the liturgy ended, everyone left the Cathedral with smiles on their faces and with new hope that peace and harmony can be celebrated among diverse people.” At the Joyce Center all enjoyed the food specialties of more than ten different countries. Our Slovenian ethnic food specialties included potica and Težak (727-4381) call them for reservations or call any of the officers. Christmas gatherings are fun and festive, especially our Christmas Brunch. See ya’ there. January 17, Sunday is our meeting date at St. Joseph’s Park, 1 p.m. Installation of 1993 officers will be followed by a Buffet Dinner provided by the 1992 officers. Mark your reservations for the Church’s New Year’s Eve Party, Dec. 31 at St. Joseph’s Park. Buffet, dancing to Bob Doszak’s Band and favors, $12.00 per person. Call Judy Doszak 722-0783 or Diane Govednik 725-3641. ANN DRAGOVAN JOLIET BRANCH 20 BOWLING NEWS Well, we’ve had 7 weeks of bowling and the girls are really knocking those pins down! President Dorie Papesh had a terrific 221 game. Carol Doszak and Lauri Mataya had 207 games. Carol and Dorie also have high series of 537. Splits picked up: 5-7 Sue Mihelich and Lori Esposito. 5-10 Darlene Mar-quardt, Charlene Helgren, Lauri Mataya and Lois Geary. 3-10 Sharon L. Homerding, Lois Geary and Pam Schrader. 5-6-10 Lauri Mataya. 5-8-10 Pat Harrison. 5-6 Vickie Bernic-kas. Slovenian Home has High Game of 625 and High Series 1782. Team Standings Tezak Funeral Home 15-5 All Pro Custom Builders 12-8 Slovenian Women’s Union 11-9 Slovenian Home 10-10 Merichka’s Restaurant 10-10 Schrader Trucking 8-12 Slovenian Women’s Union #20 7-13 Fred C. Dames Funeral Home 7-13 A raffle was held to raise money for our banquets. It was won by Lucia Mares. Plans are being made for our Christmas Party by Slovenian Home Team. Where and When will be announced later. Any suggestions? If anyone would like to SUB, please call Sharon L. Homerding 886-0030. Well that’s all for this month. If anyone has any bowling news please let me know. Your reporter, Gen Klainsek NO. 24, LA SALLE, IL My Mother used to say, “Many hands make light work” as she assigned chores and as we all pitched in our work was done very quickly. Never was that adage truer than during the preparation for the 111.-Ind. State Convention which was held in La Salle. It seemed everyone helped in some way, even those out of town and state helped by selling their chances. There were 137 peple in attendance, 32 were Br. 24 members plus 2 guests from La Salle. We were pleased that the convention went so well. Romaine kept the meeting running smoothly and the delegate reports were pertinent to our organization. Corinne’s remarks, as always, are inspiring. Olga has the statistics and let’s us know how we’re doing as an organization. (Thanks again, Olga, for the apron we used on our prize table). Fran has lots of good ideas and our branch has discussed some of them at our October meeting. We were glad to meet Josephine Lustik, National Auditor, too. We certainly appreciate all the National Officers hard work and help they give us to function as a Branch. We learned some more of the history of Slovenia from Fr. Bernard Horzen and much of what we heard was new to us. Father Swaner encouraged us to hold the convention in our School Hall, and was very helpful with the arrangements. We thank him and the ladies from the Sanctuary and Rosary society wno helped with the serving and the men from the Holy Name Society who set the tables up and then came back later and put everything away and swept up so the gym would be ready for school the next day. Fr. Swaner was busy preparing for 13 hours devotion and the dedication of our new Pipe Organ and also the Community Thanksgiving Eve Mass to be at Resurrection Church with all four Pastors concelebrating Mass, members of four choirs singing, and children from all four parishes participating. We are still getting compliments on the good food served at our convention. We knew all would have a good dinner with Harold Witek of Paramount Catering preparing it. We also knew we would enjoy it again at our dinner honoring the new 50 year members on Nov. 1 st at the Paramount Club. I have some statistics too. We lost 18 members to death since the last convention in La Salle in 1985. We added 6 adult and I junior member since that time. The two newest members are Sharon Dobovsky and Barbara Krogulski. On the day of the convention I thought of the mothers who are no longer with us and felt they were watching their girls carry on and a pride for the younger ladies. I wish more young women could find time to join us. More figures - 9 of our members are in Nursing Homes, 5 live out of state and 5 are in Illinois but too far distant to attend meetings or most social activities. We love all of our members and pray for their welfare and good health. Our sympathy to Mary Sever of Heritage Manor Nursing Home and to her family. Her daughter, Pauline Ur-banski, passed away in October and also to Irene Mauser and husband, Ed, of Omaha, NB who were called to La Salle with the death of Ed’s brother, Joseph and a week later to Berwyn, IL when Ed’s sister, Ann Mauser Kramer passed away. We pray the God will grant them Heavenly Peace! Our Christmas party is going to be at noon at the Maples in Peru on Thursday, December 3. Reservations must be made with Frances Puetz, Jo Foley, AdeleGenslerorMinnieCarter by Tuesday, December 1st. A suggestion for a gift for that special cook on your Christmas list is our new SWU cookbook, the revised POTS AND PANS. Betty Stack has sold 17 to date and has more available. We won’t be meeting during the cold months of January and February but hope to see you at our March meeting. Until then - sincere wishes for a very Merry and Blessed Christmas and a Happy, prosperous 1993 to all. ANNE M. WANGLER, Reproter Welcome, Jerry! Hello! Thanks for accepting my application to your organization...I’m proud to now be a member! Please fine enclosed a check for $5.25; would you send the book From Slovenia to America (softbound, by Prisland) to the below address? Thanks again for everything...hope to hear from you soon! Jerry Mantel, Matthews, NC MINUTES OF NATL BOARD MEETING March, 1992 Reports of Officers — Continuation — WISCONSIN I would like to take this opportunity to wish the National Board and all other SWU members a very Happy Easter. I hope you have a successful Board Meeting. Our Branches in Wisconsin have been busy. Branch 1 - In May Mother of the Year celebration, Mass for deceased and living members, a bake sale was held which was a success. In December they had a Christmas party and went out to dinner. Also a card party was held during the year. They were also hostess for the Regional Convention held in September, 1991. They did a great job. They also visit the homebound and Nursing Homes at Christmas time. Branch 12 - They have great attendance at all of their meetings and play their favorite game after the meeting and plenty of goodies are served after the meeting which are donated by the members. They honored their Mother of the Year in May. They had a good attendance at the Regional Convention. They had a picnic for Junior and Senior members during the summer. Mass for living and deceased members, visit Nursing Homes at Easter time. Sent Christmas greetings to all in Nursing Homes. They also had a Christmas party and dinner. They also have a card party each year. Branch 17 - A Valentine Party was held after the February meeting with treats brought by our members. In May the Mother of the Year was honored with a luncheon at Kegel’s Inn. Also a Mass for deceased and living members. Many members attended the Regional Convention in September. We held a lund raiser in October. At Christmas time we had a party and gift exchange and also distribution of the children’s gifts. We are also involved in Civic Affairs such as USEPH. Organization. Branch 43 - There was Mass for deceased and living members followed by breakfast. Mother of Year luncheon was held in May. A card party was held in May and in November. At Christmas time there was a party and gift exchange. They also play their favorite game after their meetings. They also had members attend the Regional Convention in Sheboygan. Branch 102 - In February they have a Valentine Party. October is Strudel Day which is a big success. They also had members attend the Regional Convention. They had a Hunter’s Bake Sale in November. A Bake Sale was held on Palm Sunday after the Masses. In May a plant sale was held. In July a Potluck with music and singing and visiting was held. December was their Christmas Par;ty and gift exchange and played their favorite game and visited and ended with Potluck lunch. 1 did get to visit some of the Branches in Wisconsin and meet our other members. I would also like to congratulate Janet Maurin from Sheboygan Branch 1 on being our new Regional President here in Wisconsin. Good luck at your meeting. Joan Yaklich SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FUND Income: Donations ...................................... $3,353.30 Interest ........................................ 1,385.45 Certificate 02-0322612-7 $863.07 Certificate 02-04064945 228.52 Anchor Checking Account 41.74 Merchants Savings Account 252.12 Total Income ....................................... $4,738.75 Expenses: Scholarship Winners .............................. $3,500.00 Michael Ceferin $500.00 Diana Fir 500.00 Gina Giuffre 500.00 William Jones 500.00 Kimberly Micknowski 500.00 Carrie Pierson 500.00 Tricia Russ 500.00 Scholarship Non-winners ............................ $250.00 Brenda Bucar $50.00 Joyce Kotnik 50.00 Amy McClain 50.00 Linda Reiger 50.00 Paul Williams 50.00 Operating Expenses ................................. $517.94 Printing Scholarship brochures $75.59 Typewriter repair 50.64 Copying application material 11.85 Printing stationary 266.70 Postage 94.17 Service charge at Anchor 10.00 Check printing 8.99 Hermine Dicke 7 1/2 month stipend 375.00 Carita Girman 4 1/2 month stipend 225.00 Total Expenses ................................ $4,867.94 Net loss for the year .......................... (129.19) Balance January I, 1991 ....................... 20,222.68 Balance January I, 1992 ........................ 20,093.49 Assets: Merchants Savings Account ................... $18,390.42 Merchants Checking Account .................... 1,703.07 $20,093.49 Carita Girman, Scholarship Director To be continued The Slovenian and Croatian flags are proudly displayed by Gene Klainsek and Joe Jelinek, representing the American Slovenian Catholic Union and Croatian Fraternal Union respectively. They were exhibited at the refugee relief dance held Oct. 18th in Joliet, Illinois under the co-sponsorship of St. Joseph’s and St. Mary Nativity Churches, and several local Croatian and Slovenian organizations, namely, CCU, CFU, KSKJ and Slovenian Women’s Union. “Over 400 people attended and a true Christian and fraternal spirit prevailed,” said the chairman, Fr. David Stalzer, pastor of St. Mary’s. The profit totalled $6,000 and will be sent to CARITAS Relief Services for direct aid to the refugees living in Slovenia and other countries of Europe. The Benefit Dance Committee worked very hard and Fr. Stalzer thanks all for the efforts made, the donations of time and place, and all the support shown. He added, “God bless all who helped and supported our Benefit Dance.” WOMAN IS CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT OF SLOVENIA! Elections in the Republic of Slovenia are to take place this month on December 6th. It is the second election to be held in the newly independent Republic and the first since adoption of its first Constitution. Numerous candidates are running for the office, and for the first time, a woman has entered the race. She is Dr. Alenka Zagar-Slana, a physician who specializes in pediatrics and has spent her professional life in school medicine for students between the ages of 7 and 18. She is the candidate of the National Democratic Party and the first woman of any party to enter the political field. Dr. Slana was born in Maribor April 23, 1949 and lived there through her school years. She is married to well-known artist, Franc Slana, and has three children, Bor, who is 16, Ana, 15 and Rok 9. They live in Ljubljana and she is currently serving as the President of the Ljubljana Center county. (There are four “counties” representing Ljubljana, mapped according to population.) It is said of her that she has the perfect “predisposition” to be President! Dr. Slana was asked in a recent interview about her plans and goals if she were to succeed in being elected. She stated: “Slovenia First! Above all! “Second, preserving the Constitution! "Third, preserving Human Rights! “Fourth, preserving the Republic based on law which we must first establish! “Fifth, all this must be guaranteed by the restatement of Moral and Ethic Values in the widest sense. “Slovenia will have to weigh all matters face to face with the International Community as well as for her own good. It may take much time before wc all recognize that our destiny in Europe is based on the quality of what we do inside our country as well as outside. Just look, many nations, which are about the same size as ours, are respected for the standard of living that is guaranteed by its government.” (Taken from an interview in ND, Slovenija.) Gospa Slana kandidira za prvo demokratično predsednico Kandidatka za mesto predsednika republike iz vrst narodnodemokratske stranke je dr. Alenka Žagar Slana, sicer specialistka šolske medicine za bolezni šolarjev in mladine med sedmim in osemnajstim letom, po prvih demokratičnih volitvah pa je postala predsednica skupščine občine Ljubljana Center. Alenka Žagar Slana ima dobre “preddispozicije” za predstavnico vseh Slovencev. Njen oče je Ljubljančan, pravzaprav doma z Rudnika, mama pa prava Štajerka. Rodila se je v Mariboru 23. aprila 1949 in je polovico življenje preživela v štajerski prestolnici, kjer je tudi maturirala. Zdaj živi v Ljubljani in se dva do trikrat na mesec pelje v Maribor na obisk k svojim sorodnikom. Za akademskim slikarjem Francetom Slano se je Alenka Žagar poročila, ko ji je bilo 26 let. Rodili so se jima trije otroci, Bor ima 16, Ana 15 in Rok 9 let. Njen program: Prvič: Slovenija pred vsem! Drugič: Varovanje ustave! Tretjič: Varovanje človekovih pravic! Četrtič: Varovanje pravne države, ki pa jo moramo šele vzpostaviti! Petič: In vse to zagotavljati s ponovno uvedbo moralnih in etičnih vrednot v najširšem smislu. Slovenija se bo namreč morala šele stehtati v očeh mednarodne skupnosti kot tudi sama pri sebi. Preteklo bo še precej časa, preden bomo spoznali, daje naša usoda v Evropi odvisna od kvalitete našega dela navznoter in navzven. Poglejte, mnoge države, ki so podobno velike kot naša, so spoštovane in cenjene zaradi kvalitete življenja, ki jo zagotavljajo svojim državljanom.” ANNA HODNIK/ANITA VOVK: Learn Slovenian Another year is coming to an end. Anita and I want to wish you all a blessed and joyful Christmas. May the Grace and Peace of the Christ Child be with you this day and throughout the New Year. Anita and her husband Frank arrived home safely from their one month visit to Slovenia and Italy. They had a wonderful time visiting family and friends and did not experience any problems, except that the cost of living is very high. She plans to write about the trip in a future issue. While on a trip to Upstate New York in October, 1 visited a former Aurorean, Josephine Putzel Potter, a member of Br. 35 in Aurora. As Anita wrote in the October issue, it’s fun to visit old friends and acquaintances when on a vacation. We spent the first day talking about the “good old days in Aurora” and the people we knew then and also those friends who still live here. 1 went with her on a shopping trip to a mall in Utica and while browsing in the coat department, 1 found a leather jacket with a Made in Slovenia label. Marija Se Veseli Enajsta je urea te noči, Ko se Marija veseli, Ko se Marija veseli Svete Noči. Dvanajsta je urca te noči, Ko se Marija veseli, Ko se Marija veseli Dete rodi. Jezus je majhen, a je svet; On je odrešil celi svet, On je odrešil celi svet Na križu razpet. ‘MARY IS HAPPY” Vocabulary It is the eleventh hour this night, When Mary is happy, When Mary is happy A Holy Night It is the twelfth hour this night, When Mary is happy, When Mary is happy The Baby is born. Jesus is small, but He is Holy; He saved the whole world, He saved the whole world He was stretched on the cross. Urca...Hour Noči...Night Enajst...Eleventh Svete Noči...A Holy Night Dvanast...Twelfth Ko...When Dete... Baby Rodi...Is Born Majhen...Small Odrešil... (je odrešil) Saved Celi...Whole, Entire Svet...World Križu...Cross Razpet...Stretched NO. 25, CLEVELAND, OH Winter is a radiant princess in her dress of snowy white. Diamonds are sparkling on her breast throughout the day and night. In the midst of all this loveliness, we are celebrating the birth of Jesus, Son of God. Who gave us not just His Son, but also His Beauty, who reigns upon the earth, His Love is overall. A first blanket of snow on a winter’s morn, for the glories and wonders that on earth abound, were given to you all thru the year, dear Derek Chrzanowski, Josie Mohorčič and all the members who were bom in this beautiful month. Happy birthday! Josie Valenčič lost her loving sister, Jennie Kosan. For the last four years, as Jennie was in the Home, Josie went there every day to be with her. She fed her, encouraged her, prayed with her. Lately, as she was getting worse, Josie just prayed for Jennie and placed her faith into God’s hands. Our deepest sympathy to Josie Valenčič and Kosan Family. Our deepest sympathy also to the Cook family on the loss of their loving mother, Stella. May the love of a sister, a mother, that gives and takes, be always with you, as God’s love and understanding. May all that Christmas really means... It’s wonder, joy and love... Be yours as when, That holy night, The star first shone above... CIRILA KERMAVNER NO. 26, PITTSBURGH, PA Hope all of you enjoyed Halloween and Thanksgiving and our lovely fall weather. Meetings held on the 19th of October and the 16th of November. We began with prayer for our shut-ins and a special prayer for our deceased. This year of 1992 we had four deaths: Amelia Zunic, age 75, a 16 year member died on April 20th; Angeline Veselic, age 84, a 63-year member, died on Aug. 13th. Frances Zugell, age 93, a 63-year member, and Teresa Fabec, age 65, died on Oct. 8th. They will be missed by all. May they rest in peace. Sympathy messages and masses were sent to their families. Oct. meeting was attended by 28 members. We are hoping for a greater number of active and inactive, younger women coming to join us at the meetings, the third Monday of each month. In July and August we take a rest. At our meeting we also have treats, prizes and delicious cakes. We would like to share all this with a few younger members. In April, we had three young, inactive members come for a visit and they also came back the following months: Victoria Stajduhar, Mary Novak and Betty Jacketic Metzger. Mary Bratetich had an October birthday, brought delicious cake she baked to treat us. It was scrumptuous and enjoy by the 28 of us present. Christmas party was the important topic on the agenda. There will be prizes galore and a catered dinner. Last year, 52 members attneded and this year, 1992, we are hoping to have 62 or more! Come and enjoy one another’s com- A CRAFTY IDEA! The greatest reward from starting this column comes in the form of notes that I receive with each pattern request. The encouragement is all I need to think about what I can offer next month. I do appreciate the time you take to write. I want to encourage each of you to, No. 1 let me know of any mistakes you And in the patterns, No. 2 share with us one of your own favorites. I am open to criticism and to suggestions. I have been asked as to why I do not merely print the patterns in the ZARJA. First, a typographical error can really botch up a project-then I would have to answer many, many letters explaining the instructions. And secondly, you’d receive the pattern for free-this makes a little bit of money for ZARJA, and it keeps the mailman busy! The Strudel-Noodle Apron pattern has arrived! In fact, the sample was given to me and it is great for those of you who are real bakers, and “noodle-ists”. It is not hard to “see” the little ole’ Slovenian women in their kitchens wearing the apron. For the pattern please send $2.00 and two (2) 29c postage stamps. It will require a larger than usual envelope. Make sure to include your name, address and zip code. Make checks payable to ZARJA. Requests can be sent to: Evelyn A. Majercik 31 Eldred Avenue Bedford, Ohio 44146 pany and talk of old times. We are not having a grab bag gift exchange as we have a special fund with which we buy larger and more useful gifts to be door prizes. The Christmas party date is set for Dec. 15th, a Tuesday evening, at the VFW Hall in Lawrenceville. Hoping to see some new members and friends of long ago. Meeting closed with prayer by Mary Slaney, financial secretary. More news next issue. Happy holidays to all Zveza members around the country. JANE LYNCH, Recording Sec’y. NO. 32, EUCLID, OH Br. 32 members attended Mass at St. Christine's church on Oct. 21st for our departed and living members. Afterwards, we had our meeting. It is sad to report that our member, Emilie Kersman’s husband, Henry passed away. Our branch will dearly remember him and he will be mised. He and Charles Krivec always played their button accordians at our Mother’s Day dinners and other affairs that were held during the year. Our deepest sympathy to Emilie, the family and friends of the Kersmans. Mary Golobic wants to thank all for the kindness shown to her and the family of daughter, Joann Florjančič, during their bereavement. Our Sunshine Lady, Helen Kovačevič has been very busy sending out cards. Helen reported that Eleanor Latkovic is on the sick list. We wish all our sick members a speedy recovery to good health. Thanks to Ceal Znidar for volunteering to take over the Historian’s book of our branch. Mary Drobnick was our Historian and we thank her very much for the many years of service. She took good care of the book. We wish her good health. Marge Kovacevich was visiting her sister and other relatives in Union-town, PA in Sept. While visiting, she attended her niece’s graduation from nursing school. Marge also saw her nephew enter into the Police Academy. We wish them all good luck in their new careers. Our State Convention was very nice. Pres. Evelyn Majercik had two buses going to Lorain. Josephine Comensek, Josephine Gornik and I attended the Convention from our branch. We want to thank Br. 40 in Lorain for their hospitality. Pres. Agnes Tomazin, officers and members were so pleasant and everything went so smoothly. The mass was held at Sts. Cyril & Methodius church, concelebrated by Fr. Paul Krajnik and Fr. Joseph Yelenc. Br. 50 had their Cadets march in for mass. The choir sang beautifully in English and Slovenian. It was just wonderful! After mass we went into the church hall for a lunch and the meeting. Tables were all decorated with flowers. There were welcome signs in the church and hall. The sign on the blackboard caught my eye. It said: DOBRODOŠLA SLOVENSKA ŽENSKA ZVEZA! A delicious lunch was served by the members of Br. 40; and, of course, the ladies did a beautiful job. Pres. Evelyn Majercik called the meeting to order. All the branches that were present gave their reports. Evelyn conducted a well-organized meeting and everything went on schedule. Before closing the meeting, the new National Anthcmn of Slovenia was sung by Irene Kokinda. What a beautiful voice she has! The group also sang God Bless America. Thanks to Jack Tomazic for the music he played on his accordian during lunch. It was very enjoyable. Thanks again, Br. 40 and State President, Evelyn Majercik for a very interesting and enjoyable convention. Get well wishes to the husband of our president, Agnes Tomazin. Our prayers are with you both. We planned to have election of officers at the Nov. meeting and entertainment following the meeting. Details for the Christmas party are not complete at this writing, but, please try to attend. Our hostesses, Ceal McLean and Ceal Znidar had our refreshment table decorated with an orange table cloth, small pumpkins and corn in a basket. It was really a beautiful fall setting. The goodies were a variety of mini-muffins, chocolate pizzeles and candy corn. Thanks, Ladies, for coming up with new ideas all the time to make our gatherings so pleasant! Happy holidays to everyone. Hope that you will enjoy the coming holidays in good health and happiness. Winter will soon be here, so bundle up and keep warm. FRANCES OGOREUC NO. 34, SOUDAN, MN As I am writing this, winter is here to stay, we just had our first real snowfall — and cold. Our branch met on October 21 with a good number of ladies present — we postponed the election of new officers until our November meeting, when celebrated Founder’s Day on the 18th, Meet our Minnesota State President! Continued One of the greatest thrills of my life was a trip with Roy in 1983 to China, the Soviet Union and Finland, as part of a “People to People” Farm and Agri-Business delegation. We spent 11 days in inner China visiting commune farms, traveling to the Great Wall, and to four cities in the U.S.S.R. viewing their state farms, etc. We ended our trip in Finland for 10 days as guests of my husband’s relatives. All of this was a trip (adventure!) of a lifetime. An event that had a profound effect on me was the death of my sister, Rosemary in 1983 after an eight year struggle with cancer! Imagine my fear when I had to undergo a bilateral mastectomy in 1985! But by God’s grace I am cancer-free for seven years now, and a dedicated volunteer in “Reach to Recovery.” I am also on the Board of the American Cancer Society (Minnesota Central Div.) I am a member of the Soroptimist International of America, the largest Women’s Service Organization in the world, through which I have had the joy of meeting a wide variety of women who give of their time and talents to help improve the lives of others with their service projects. I consider this membership to be the most educational, enlightening and rewarding experience possible. Quite by chance, I became a member of S.W.U.! My mother enrolled me without my knowing in 1974.1 happen also to be involved with our great group, in particular, Branch 39, Biwabik! What was once considered a chore, going to meetings and participating in S.W.U. events with mom, has become a great joy, and even though I am a “Jeanne-Come-Lately” I have come to learn so much from the long-time members who continue to inspire me by their dedication and their obvious pride in their Slovenian Heritage. I have enjoyed being Br. 39 President for three years and was honored to have been voted Regional President in Sept. 1991. I hope I can continue to encourage members, young and old, to continue their efforts on behalf of our great organization. My grandmother, Anna Grahek (Milwaukee) and her stories of her trips to Lemont, the souvenirs of her Pilgrimages there sent to us as youngsters, and her beautiful S.W.U. pin, all of which I treasure, are fond memories that surely have been responsible for my deep feelings for S.W.U. I intend to take an active roll in S.W.U. in the coming years, and hopefully, help to increase membership and enthusiasm in Branch 39, in Minnesota and on the National Level. Thanks, Jean, for sharing your life story with us. It’s nice to know you better! with Fr. Anselm officiating at the Mass. After Mass we went to the Tower Cafe for breakfast, this is a little different than what we have been doing. I received a good response on reservations. Angela Jamnick provided the door prize. I have the new Pots & Pans Cookbooks and they are going well - I sold four in the first few days I had them. These make nice Christmas gifts, ladies! We are re-decorating our church and some of our members have been busy making decisions about painting, carpeting, etc. I’m sure it will be beautiful when all the workmen have finished their jobs. It takes a lot of planning and coordinating. Our annual St. Martin’s Feast Day was celebrated on November 14 with a stew dinner after the 5:30 Mass, this celebration has grown each year. Hostesses for our October meeting were Jean Zupanich and Mary Frances Jamnick. Winners during the evening were Frances Tanko, Adeline Musto-nen, Margaret Mesojedec, Angela Tekautz, Molly Wilson and Ann Stefanich. It was good to have Ann (Inky) back at our meeting after not having been well for some time. The door prize was brought by Angeline Grahek and won by Helen Adkisson. Some of our members are already planning to leave us for warmer places and we wish them safe journeys...a nice holiday season with your loved ones...Merry Christmas and God’s blessings to all of you in the New Year, f993! ADELINE MUSTONEN, Reporter NO. 35, AURORA, MN President Florence Holland gave an interesting report of the meeting held at the Minnesota State Day in Chisholm. We were encouraged to increase our membership and use our Memorial Cards for the Scholarship and Heritage Funds. Pots & Pans cookbooks sales help to fund the National Conventions. These cookbooks make nice gifts for any occasion. Everyone raves about them! Cards and cookbooks are available from Dorothy Jamnik. State President Jean Korsman asked each branch to view the SWU pin and decide if they would be interested in purchasing one. We will decide at the December meeting. Food for thought: A bus trip to attend Bishop Baraga DAys next year over Labor Day at L’Anse, Michigan! This would be a wonderful and rewarding trip for all of us! Congratulations to George and Alice Wilson who celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in October. Alice is our branch secretary. Get well wishes to several of our members - do hope you are all feeling better now! EDITOR’S NOTE! We will have a new look in 1992! The pages will be slightly wider, fulfilling the 8-1/2 x 11 inch format. ZARJA will have only 32 pages per month - and in order to do this, there will be strict adherence to the two column length for branch reports. Hope this will not be too difficult for our diligent reporters. Concise reporting is always more interesting to read! Welcome home to: Frank and Anita Vovk from a trip to Slovenia and Anna Hodnik and Helen Goryance from a visit to the Eastern States. Our sympathy and prayers are with Helen Simonich and Larry Grebence who lost their brother, Anthony Grebence. May he rest in peace. Plans were made for a short meeting and Christmas party on Dec. (ith, 3 p.m. at the Holy Rosary Church Hall. In lieu of a gift exchange, we will each give a monetary gift to our local nursing home for their Activities Dept. Hostesses will be Bernice Ceglar, Katherine Hanka, Rose Baudek, Kris Walburn, Carol Ferris, Linda Cazin, Delta Zabrocki and Marlys Rabb. A special thank you to all our ladies who send in their annual dues on time and to those who pay in advance for the year at this December meeting. Happy Holidays to all! ANNE M. ORAZEM HONORING OUR ONLY CHARTER MEMBER OF BR.38 Mary Pahule, only living Charter Member of br. 38, Chisholm, Minnesota was honored at the Regional Convention banquet held in September. With Mrs. Pahule on this photo are, from left to right, Victoria Bobence, Nat’l President of SWU, Jean Korsman, Minnesota Regional President, Gert Zakrajšek, Mistress of Ceremonies for the Banquet and Charlotte Laurich, President of Br. 38th. (Photo, Chisholm Tribune Press, 8-15-92) SWU Hosts Outstanding Minnesota Reg. Convention Veda Ponikvar, Editor-Publisher Tribune Press-Free Press September 15, 1992 Sunday, was a very special day in the life and history of Branch 38, Slovenian Women’s Union of Chisholm. Hosting the Minnesota Regional convention is no small responsibility, but with everyone cooperating, the event was “stupendously successful” as declared by the National President Victoria Bobence of Tower, and the sister of Fran Bizal of Chisholm. The business session held at the Senior Citizen’s Center was followed by a Mass at St. Joseph’s celebrated by Rev. Fr. Gerald LaPatka, and his Associate, Rev. Father Stephen Sol-ors. The St. Joseph’s Choir, directed by Jerry Snyder received accolades from all of the delegates for the beautiful rendition of church hymns, among them several Slovenian ones. A highlight of the banquet, attended by a capacity crowd of delegates and friends, was the tribute paid to Mayme Loushin Pahule, 93 years of age, and the only charter living member of the Branch, She was honored with a special tribute by Convention speaker, Veda Ponikvar, and was presented a corsage of red carnations and also the carnation centerpiece. Mrs. Frank Zakrajšek, dressed in an authentic Slovenian costume from the Gorenjsko Region, served as toastmistress. The city’s welcome was extended by Marge Peterson, a member of the Branch and also a councilor. Short talks were given by the National President, Victoria Bobence of Tower, and the State President, Jean Korsman of Biwabik. The keynote address was given by Veda Ponikvar, who gave an insight into the life of the SWU Founder, Marie Prisland, an immigrant from Slovenia who had a dream to become a teacher, and saw that dream fulfilled in her son and son-in-law. She spoke at the National Convention hosted by Chisholm in 1939. The musical portion of the program was a tremendous crowd-pleaser as Mike Laurich played his famous Button Box Accordion, and the trio of Charlotte Laurich, Jenny Briski and Mary Ruth Cameron sang songs of the homeland. A narrative was also presented by Jenny Briski and Ann Nusich. The Invocation was given by Rev. Fr. Gerald LaPatka, and the Benediction by Rev. Fr. Stephen Solors. Charlotte Laurich, President of the Branch, was the coordinator for the Convention, assisted by Jenny Briski, Ann Nusich, Kathy Knuth, Rose Niemi and Rose Faras. Members of the Branch also assisted with various details. The full course turkey dinner was catered by Jennie Samsa and her crew, assisted by Rosemary Marino. Next ZARJA: JAN.-FEB., 1993 Deadline for Reporters, January 1st. Monthly deadline will be strictly observed in the new year. AMERICAN SLOVENIAN CATHOLIC UNION ft LIFE INSURANCE FOR THE FAMILY HOME OFFICE: 243S GLENWOOD AVENUE • JOLIET, IL. 60435 (815) 741-2001 KEEP THE CONNECTION... A SINCERE THANK YOU to “Keep Our Connection” contributors, which arrived during June and July. They are listed according to our seven regions: California-Oregon-Washington Colorado-Kansas-Missouri Illinois-Indiana Minnesota Frances Bizal (38), Chisholm, MN Ohio-Michigan Mary Olga Kirschner (50), Cleveland, OH Branch No. 50, Cleveland, OH Pennsylvania-New York-Washington, D.C. Sabina Bartol (103), McLean, VA Thomas Zupan (88), Johnstown, PA Wisconsin Total lor June and July Previous Total Total to date (20 months) 50.00 20.00 10.00 10.00 35.00 20.00 15.00 $ 105.00 3,363.00 $3,468.00 Departed Members 15 - Olga Gustin (76) 48-yr member 20 - Kathryn Feldman (68) 12-yr member Frances Kostelc (88) 43-yr member 23 - Mary Shikonya (81) 28-yr member 25 - Stella Cook (81) 47-yr member 26 - Teresa Fabec (65) 16-yr member Frances Zugell (93) 63-yr member 32 - Joann Florjančič (56) 16-yr member 33 - Mary Ann Flolid (75) 28-yr member 40 - Louise Seskar (85) 57-yr member 43 - Caroline Jackowski (79) 21-yr member 50 - Rose Skully (76) 27-yr member 66 - Mary Fink (82) 50-yr member 93 - Mary Sarc (94) 53-yr member NO. 39, B1WABIK, MN Our Oct. meeting was quite brief as I had to get back to the farm and take advantage of the warm weather to complete our potato harvest. We only had twelve members present but managed to make some tentative plans for our Christmas dinner. Hopefully the Dec. 13th date is a good one for a lot of members. All present were in agreement about having a booth again for the sale of strudels and potica at the Weinachfest Celebration in Biwabik Dec. 5th. As this is our only fundraiser we need everyone’s co-operation. We also discussed a raffle of an Ethnic doll or a quilt. Our scrapbook project is still in the process of being put together. Several people have artifacts from years past, so we want to assemble these, plus put in the latest pictures. (Members should know that my own personal pictures are in boxes from about 10 years back!!!) A suggestion was made to stay awhile after a meeting and just get going!!! Mary Lou Crotty took minutes in the absence of our secretary Helen Milos. (We will miss Mary Lou as she and her husband left for Arizona where they spend the winter. Fran Bezek won the door prize which caused a loud applause, as 1 was the lucky winner three times last year! Ann Geržina and Ana Bosczkur served a delicious dessert. JEAN KORSMAN NO. 40, LORAIN, OH Fifteen members came to the September meeting which was called to order by Agatha in the absence of our Pres., Agnes. Lunch was served by Agnes Drstvensek, Olga Love, Mary Ferlic and Agatha Donges for her daughter, Lauren. The meeting was spent planning for the Ohio-Michigan Regional Convention which was to be held at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church and Hall on Oct. 11th. The following is' a brief report on this event. THANK YOU, MEMBERS! Br. 40 hosted the Ohio-Michigan Regional Convention on Sunday, Oct. I 1th. We wish to thank all who worked hard to make it a success. We thank Fr. Krajnik and Fr. Yelenc for the beautiful mass and homily. To the choir and organist for their beautiful music at mass. To our Agnes Serazin and her crew for preparing a delicious lunch. To our potica bakers and flancati makers. To those who were generous with prizes. To our church for altar and hall decorations. To our waitresses and those who cleaned up after it was all over. To our officers, Francine and Agatha who supervised and saw to it that everything ran smoothly. Last, but not least, thanks to all those who came to Lorain to make this a great day for Br. 40! * * * We were so busy with the convention that we forgot that Christmas is approaching and we have to start planning now for our Christmas holiday celebrations. Try to come to our meeting on the second Wednesday of the month at 12:30 p.m. Come and enjoy a delicious lunch (every month) and all the fun that goes with planning out-various affairs. In December we’ll celebrate and you'll be happily surprised. God bless you all and have a happy and blessed holiday. MARY MATOS A Blessed and Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. Br. 12, Milwaukee, sponsored the very successful and enjoyable WI State Convention on October 25th while celebrating its 65th anniversary. Three recipes were obtained: BROCCOLI SALAD AND DRESSING from Florence Brandt of Br. 12; two recipes from Lorraine Johnson of Br. 17: GRANDMA’S APPLES & SAUSAGE (a Usinger’s Contest Winner) and easy-to-prepare STRAWBERRY TORTE. Irene Odorizzi, Heritage Director, presents LEMON BABOVKA CAKE, “my mother-in-law’s recipe, Wilhelmina Odorizzi, and one of Kenneth’s favorite cakes. My fathcr-in-law at 89 bakes only this cake because it is so tasty.” Rosemary Mlakar of Br. 100, Fontana, CA, shares the palačinke recipe (crepes) served at their prime fund raiser, a Palačinke Brunch, forthe past four years. Frank Vidergar volunteers his time and recipe for this project. His recipe and picture is on the next page. Affectionately, Hermine BROCCOLI SALAD AND DRESSING 2 bunch fresh broccoli, 1cup regular or golden cut in bite size pieces raisins I pound bacon, fried 1 cup chopped nuts and cut in small pieces 1 medium red onion, chopped Prepare broccoli. Fry bacon and cut in small pieces. Add broccoli and bacon pieces to raisins, nuts and onions. Combine. Dressing: Mix and blend well with salad ingredients. 1 cup mayonnaise 2 teaspoons vinegar 1% cup sugar Note: If pressed for time, use Marie’s or Marzetti Cole Slaw Dressing. GRANDMA’S APPLES AND SAUSAGE 1 l,i pounds pork sausage l'i cup sugar (fresh bulk) 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 cans (20 ounces each) apple slices, unsweetened and drained Preheat oven to 350°. Shape sausage into six patties. Cook until lightly browned on both sides. Combine apples, sugar and cinnamon. Place in an eight-inch square baking dish. Arrange sausage patties on top of apples. Bake in 350° oven for 30 minutes. "Grandma used fresh apples (about 6 large) but the canned ones are easier.” Makes 6 servings. STRAWBERRY TORTE 2 packages strawberry 2 packages (10 ounces each) Jello (3 ounces each) frozen strawberries !/» teaspoon salt 2 cups heavy cream, whipped 2l'i cups boiling water I 10-inch angel food cake, cubed Dissolve gelatin and salt in boiling water. Add strawberries immediately. Mix gently; chill until slightly congealed. Beat until fluffy. Fold in whipped cream. Loosely arrange one layer of cubed cake on bottom of 9 x 12-inch glass dish or a spring form pan. Cover with Jello mixture. Repeat layers. Chill until firm, 6 to 8 hours and top with whipped cream. LEMON BABOVKA CAKE Ingredients: Peach halves to line bundt pan 4 beaten egg whites 2 lemons grated 1 stick butter, room temperature 2 cups sifted flour 2 cups sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 4 egg yolks Pinch of salt 1 cup milk Preparations: Grease and Hour a Bundt pan. Line with pecan halves. Set oven to 350°. Grate 2 lemons. Sift flour, baking powder and salt together. Beat egg whites. Directions: Cream butter and sugar; add grated lemon rind. Alternately add the flour mixture, eggs and milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Fold in beaten egg whites at the end. Baking: Bake in Bundt pan at 350° for 50 minutes to an hour. Test with toothpick. Cool and remove from pan. When cold sprinkle with powdered sugar. I PALAČINKE (Crepes) 4 large eggs 1 cup flour or more until l'i teaspoon salt right consistency 2 cups milk I tablespoon margarine Toppings I I Beai eggs with salt and milk. Add 1 cup flour and a little more until batter is thick as warm syrup (or thick as heavy cream). Heat margarine in 9 or 10-inch fry pan. When pan is very hot pour in 1/4 to 1/2 cup batter, swirling pan so that batter covers the bottom. Fry until the top side begins to get dry. Turn crepe with a spatula letting the uncooked egg mixture How underneath. Brown briefly. On a plate fill middle of crepe with a filling on buffet table: sliced strawberries or apples or blueberries. Overlap sides... Top with ice cream or whipped cream. Bacon is also served and champagne which makes for a wonderful brunch. 16 small or 8 large crepes. I NO. 42, MAPLE HTS., OH Another year and time to review, and also the beginning of the season of joy, love, and hope for the future. Since we missed the November issue, this will be the catch up segment. Gracious good wishes and belated happy birthday to all our November ladies: Jo Stoltz, Louise Toth (California), Elyse Harr, Betty Kosak-Gawor (N. Carolina), Jennifer Kosak, Teresa Gorup, and Jennifer Yemec. And may Santa bring something special to the December birthday ladies who have been told that their birthday gift is also their Christmas gift. Better luck this year to Ellie Lip-nos, Albina Skocaj, Yong Hui Shega, Jennie Lockard, Fran Wenckus, Marge Church and Chris Hajek. A special Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday for Frances Zakrajšek who is living at Walton Manor. October was hectic with Zveza activities, the first being the Vinska Trgatev bake sale which was a success. A “class act” committee worked overtime to create and market crafts for the festival. The producers were Eleanor Charvat, Dorothy Mehosky with hubby Bennie, Marge and Ann Zupančič and our State President, Evelyn Majercik along with a major craft contribution from Clara Hrovat. Many thanks to Eleanor and Dorothy for spending those long hours working and selling. You did a terrific job and your strong support is deeply appreciated. The bake sale donors were just a few this year, but the supply of baked goods didn’t dwindle. Some just did double duty or contributed dollars. Special thanks and blessings to those members who supplied us with such wonderful delicacies and to Jo Stoltz and Josie Gruden for ably handling the sales at the bake table the entire day. October 17th was a special day for our President Millie Lipnos and our long-standing active member Mary Fink who were again honored by the Maple Heights Slovenian National Home as the “Slovenian of the Year” in their respective years, 1974 and 1987. All past living and deceased honorees were recognized at this special dinner along with the 1992 Maple Heights Slovenian National Home honoree, Lud Hrovat. The catered dinner was excellent and music provided by Eddie Rodick and his Orchestra was really fine! Congratulations to all Honorees. Also our Michi-gan-Ohio State Convention was held in October hosted by Branch 40 in Lorain, Ohio. Agnes Tomazin and Lorain members welcomed all with such warmth and hospitality, starting with a beautiful Mass at Sts. Cyril & Methodius (beautiful singing) followed by a terrific luncheon prepared by Branch 40. Evelyn Majercik presided over a productive meeting and in all, it was a perfect day. A milestone to be remembered is the 45th wedding anniversary of our member Marge (Margaret Prhne) and A1 Lipnos which they quietly celebrated with family on September 6, 1992. Marge is a 42 year member and her Mother, Mary, was one of the original active members. The tradition is being carried on by Marge and now with her daughter-in-law, Ellie and hopefully their children. Our congratulations and love to two very special and well-known people within our small Slovenian community for many more years of happiness. Ann Perko was pleased to let us Frank Videgar making palačinke at the stove, prepares hundreds of them at a yearly fund-raiser. know how proud she is of her granddaughter, Susan Basta, an R.N. who graduated this past spring with a Ph.D. in Health Care Education from OSU, Columbus, OH. Dr. Basta and her husband Ned Lodwick, DVM currently reside in Georgetown, Ohio. On our sick list this past fall, but now on the mend, were Helen Prudic, Marge Lipnos, Mary Fink and Josie Gruden. Get better and stay better ladies. Our Christmas get-together luncheon will be in conjunction with the combined branches to be held on December 2nd, 1:00 p.m. at Sterle’s Slovenian Country Restaurant. Cost is $13 and all members are invited. January Birthday wishes go to Kelly Gaines, Elizabeth Shega, Pat Wenckus, Karen Lockard and Camille Lao. Congratulations! There will be no meeting in December this year, but please be sure to attend the January 12th meeting, 7:00 p.m. at SNH. We will have to lay out the plans for the coming year. Throughout the year, we have had sadness and illness, permanent and temporary, and loss of loved ones. So let us remember them at this year’s end with our prayers for their recovery, peace of mind or place with God. God’s blessings to everyone during this holy season and Merry Christmas and wishes for a Happy New Year from your officers and ZARJA reporter. MARGE CHURCH NO. 43, MILWAUKEE, WI The October meeting was very well-attended, and surprised us all. A lunch was served at noon, followed by the meeting at 1:00 p.m. with prayer. The card party was finalized. The Christmas Party, scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 15 at noon, (be there at 11:45) at Meyers’ 60th & Forest Home Ave. Be sure to make reservations for the Christmas Party, call 481-7357. The election of officers was next on the agenda and we have the same officers as we had for 1992. President Matilda Simcic, Vice President Mary Martino, Secretary Rose Kraemer, Treasurer Chris Kokalj, Recording Secretary Mary Musich, Auditors Mary Bushnik and Mary Martino, Sgt. of Arms Elsie Gallun. The Mother of the Year will be Arline Fritz, who is well deserving of the title. Get well wishes to Stella Pousha on her surgery and hope you are feeling better; to Mary Musich on her hand surgery and she is recuperating very well; to Lucille Ganzel on her eye surgery and Marcella Misiewicz on her surgery. Hoping you all have a speedy recovery and also to our other shut-ins. We have had some sadness with the deaths this year. Our sincere condolences to the following families: Cynthia DeWitt on the death of her mother; Agnes Bachun on the death of her son. Peppy; to Elsie and Eddie Gallun also on the death of their nephew; to Mary Martino on the death of her sister Caroline Jackowski, and to Caroline’s daughter Jacqueline Puzia and her family; to Fran Schneider on the death of her brother. May their souls rest in peace. We do have some happy news. The daughter of Shirley and Eddie Schulta, Mary Ellen, was married on Richard Enea on October 10th. Her father, Eddie, walked her down the aisle. Mary Ellen wore a gown of Italian silk. The beaded bodice had an illusion neckline and the cathedral train was accented with silk roses. The head piece was trimmed with beads and silk roses and pearls. She carried a white bouquet of daises, roses and carnations. She was attended by four bridesmaids wearing floor length gowns in apricot. The reception was held at The Columns. A fourteen piece band and four singers were the entertainers. Their honeymoon was spent in Col- orado. Congratulations to the newlyweds, Mary Ellen and Richard and to Shirley and Eddie. We have been starting our meetings at noon, but starting Jan. 27, 1993 we will start at 1:00 p.m. Birthday gals don’t forget to bring your treat. Remember no meeting in December. Christmas party, Tues., Dec. 15 and the Jan. meeting on Wed. Jan. 27, 1993. R.K. NO. 47, GARFIELD HTS., OH A nip in the air tells us that a dreary, cold winter is approaching us fast. The birds have gone south, the trees are bare, the ground will be covered with snow and the holidays will follow. We already are in the last month of the year. Dec. 6th at I o’clock is the yearly meeting and election of officers AND...Pot Luck Christmas Party. It will be at the SND in Maple Hts. Bring door prizes and canned goods to fill baskets for a raffle; another prize will be a basket of checr for the tickets sold at our wine festival. The Bake Sale was successful as always. A big Thank You to all the ladies who baked, worked, donated money for the treasury, helped in any way. Two bus loads of our ladies from Cleveland attended the Ohio State Convention on Oct. 11th at St. Cyril & Methodius Church in Lorain, Ohio. Mass was at 11 in the morning followed by a delicious Slovenian Style luncheon. Br. 40 did a super job! Travelers on the go: Just in time for our Grape Festival, Andy and Ann Harsh came up from North Carolina to visit their family and friends. It’s always nice to be with your old friends. Enjoyed have you here. Tom, Ethel Praznik, daughter and granddaughter took off a week to attend a business seminar in Minnesota. While there they got to see part of the new Shopping Mall. Happy Birthday to our Nov. and Dec. birthdays: Midge Bizjak, Angela Zakrajšek, Josephine Korman, Ann Harsh, Caroline Stare, Pauline Rogel, Jennie Gerk. On the sick list is Jennie Gerk, recuperating at home after colon surgery. Antonia Dolinar is a Jcn-ning’s Nursing Home. Katherine Gasparič is convalescing at the Frankling Nursing Home. Mary Sholar and Vicke Hočevar are on the sick list at home. To all our ailing members, get well soon! Histro se pozdravite! Posebno za praznike! Things to remember: New members - sign her or him up! Have new Pots & Pans Cookbooks on hand and they make a lovely Christmas or Shower gift. As of last year we are to add a dollar with dues to defray costs due to inflation. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Vesele božične praznike in Srečno novo leto žetim vsem! See you all on Dec. 6th- Sveti Miklavž day! MARY TAUCHER NO. 50, EUCLID, OH On the December agenda will be our Christmas Party and dinner on Sunday December 13th at the Holmes Ave. Hall at 1:00 p.m. Call for reservations: 261-3615 - Ann Tercek. Please bring new gifts for the raffle-wrapped. These prizes will help our treasury; also, crafts and articles to sell at our boutiques. Our dinner will be cooked by member, Julie Zalar and as you know, it will be good and plentiful. So please attend so we can say ‘hello’ to you and Merry Christmas and wish you a Happy New Year! Jo Smith gave us a report on the year 1980, the year I started writing for ZARJA “temporarily” - 12 years already - does time fly! We were very active and much younger and more attended meetings but many have passed away since, so our attendance has dwindled somewhat. But we’re still active and full of ideas. We just need some new younger people in to take over and give us a rest and incorporate new ideas. Ladies, have your daughters join and learn the advantages of fraternalism and comraderie. It would be nice for us seniors to take a back seat. We wish early recovery to our sick and convalescing members, who are Stella Baum, Frances Hrovat, Ann Stemot, Louise Mlakar (St. Joseph-St. Mark Home), Agnes Bradec and Mary Chesnik both of Wickliffe Country Home, with Mary celebrating her 83rd birthday there. To all who have not reported their illness. Ann Tercek, Pres, has been visiting the ladies at hospitals and homes, she’s our Angel of Mercy. Sympathy to Ann Zalar whose husband, Henry passed away in April, suddenly, from heart failure. Born in PA, but lived most of his life in Euclid. Just heard this news, Ann. Our travelers this month are John and Jo Smith who travelled by train and 3 boats thru the Polar Bear Express, north of Ontario, Canada near Hudson Bay and the Cree Indians; Frances Kikel to Nashville, Tenn. with Catholic Order of Forresters; Frank and Ella Skoda after an enjoyable trip to San Francisco are spending a few days in New Jersey with their daughter’s family celebrating Thanksgiving and Frank and Vera Šebenik at their son’s family home in Boulder, Colorado. Nine ladies, with Rose Lewis’ tour guidance (of Euclid Pensioners), decided to gamble at Las Vegas: Helen Banac, Julie Smrekar, VidaGawenda, Angie Aversano, Angie Shine, Mary DcLost, Mary Sirna and husband Ray and Stella Kostick. All were winners but as usual left it there. Saying, anyway we all had a good time. After reading ZARJA Branch 50 wishes to congratulate our member, Jennifer Ann Dickinson of Idaho, granddaughter of Jean Paik, who was our recording secretary a few years ago, upon her varied accomplishments and endeavors. Its great to hear our Juniors are doing so well. Hello, Jean and Carol! We remember you and miss you. Knowing you read the ZARJA I would like to wish Josephine Vehar Oblak of Fenton, California age 90 + good health and happiness from all of Cleveland’s relatives and members of SWU. Sorry we missed you when you were a visitor here. Wishing everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year. Health is wealth! See you at the Christmas Party!! Our meetings too, eh? VERA ŠEBENIK NO. 5«, CLEVELAND-EUCLID, OH Cleveland, Br. 50, will hold the annual Christmas Dinner on Dec. 13th! It is hard to believe that the Christmas Holidays are upon us, our time is just flying by! Just a reminder, ladies, that our day is on Sunday, Dec. 13th at the Collin-wood Slovenian Home, 15810 Holmes Ave. at I p.m. Our member, Julie Zalar, the greatest cook, and her staff will prepare the meal. There will be music, singing and socializing. It is a pleasure meeting people that you have not seen for a long time. Everyone is cordially invited - husbands, and guest are most welcome! For tickets, please call our treasurer, Jean Miller at 946-0830 or myself at 261-3615. The deadline for reservations is Dec. 7th. At this time I am extending my sin-cerest, loving wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy 1993 to all of our members, including all our out-of-Ohio members, too. God bless and take care of all of you! ANN J. TERCEK, Pres. NO. 52, KITZVILLE, MN A meeting was held Oct. 13th -usual place: First Ave. Apt. at 7:30 p.m. We began with prayer. Milena Koehler inquired at the Cozy Cafe for reserving a breakfast after the Commemorative Mass for our deceased members and arranged it. Everyone had an enjoyable time at the State Convention in Chisholm on Sept. 13th. The dinner was very delicious. In old business, it was discussed whether or not to order Cookbooks and how they would be sold. In new business, we planned our Christmas party at Woodlands Family Restaurant. Ann Satovich will get full details about the party scheduled for our meeting night, Dec. 8th. Ann Satovich consented to take office as Vice President again. Hostesses for Nov. will be Sylvia Latick, Dorothy Oberstar and Ann Shubat. Birthdays for Oct. were recognized and one celebrant was Rose Vukich on Oct. 12th. Ann Satovich won the jackpot. It was an enjoyable evening of conversation. Meeting closed with prayer and a delicious lunch was served. EDITH JONES, Recording Sec’y. NO. 54, WARREN, OH Our Christmas luncheon will on Dec. 16th at 1:00 p.m. at Elks Club Room, Rt. 422. You will be called for a reservation. We will have a gift exchange and a cookie and grocery raffle. Please come and enjoy an afternoon with your sister members. Our member, Helen Gorsick, is in the hospital with a serious illness. She needs all of our prayers. Elsie Persin is selling her home and will move in with her daughter, Diane and family. We hope she’ll continue to come to our meetings since she will be about 20 miles from Warren. Isabelle Rek is still recuperating from her illness and was missed at the last meeting. Vic Zuga and Frank have moved into a condo after selling their home and are very happy and contented, with no maintenance, etc. Merry Christmas and God’s blessings to all for a happy and prosperous New Year. JOANNE PONIKVAR NO. 55, GIRARD, CO Our October meeting was held at the Girard Free Library, and 10 members were in attendance. Our secretary, Tillie Cigolle was unable to attend because she was recently hospitalized, as was Anne Zager. All of us wish Tillie and Anne speedy recoveries.' Junior member, Andrea Selak, asked for a donation for an ad in the Ursuline High School Yearbook. A $20.00 donation was unanimously approved by the members present. Our president, Maria Selak, inquired about our Christmas Party. The members decided to have the party on Thursday, December 10, 1992 at 5:30 p.m. at Abruzzi’s Cafe 422. Hope to see all members there! On the lighter side, our Junior member, Monica Selak, broke her toe at gymnastics. If I know Monica, she’ll be back on her feet in no time! All she needs is some tender-loving-care which her family provides her 24 hours a day. Monica’s sister, Andrea, is a star player on the Ursuline High School girls soccer team. Keep up the good work! Their brother, Mark, was elected to the Student Council for the 4th grade at St. Rose School. Who knows, he may be elected president of the United States some day! Hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Don't forget to thank our Lord every day for all the blessings he bestows on our families. See you at the Christmas party! Nasvidenje, DORI KREGAR NO. 57, NILES, OH We are now into our fall weather and the leaves on the trees are really beautiful - so we are enjoying until we get our first snow. We opened our Oct. 13th meeting at the home of our president with a prayer. We had a delicious lunch served to us by hostesses, Ann Dzeda and Mary Lukz. At the meeting we discussed our plans for the Christmas party and we’ll have more on this at the next meeting. We had a couple of members on the sick list. They had to have surgery. Frances Mollis and Esther Logar both are recuperating at their homes and 1 am sure they would like to receive get well cards. We were saddened by the loss of our faithful member, Mary Young and offer our condolences to the family. May her soul rest in peace. Some of our members are still doing some traveling. Elizabeth Havaich and her husband just returned home from a trip to MO are leaving again to go to Nashville. Frances Stanec is very happy to have her son back home. He recently moved back home from New York. Birthdays celebrated in October were Catherine Graffius, Elizabeth Havaich, Mary Visnosky, Josephine Fabian, Louise Mateyko and Mary DeCapua. Hostesses for November were Ann Pease and Ann Gunther. "If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door!" FRANCES STANEC NO. 73, WARRENSVIIXE, OH A very brisk October morning provides the ideal time to put together the Branch No. 73 report. Summer, brief as it was, has passed and with a predicted low of 29-degrees set for tonight, all too soon the thought of grey days, bare trees and snow fills our minds. As 1 write this report, Christmas is two months away—however, by the time you read my words, Christmas will be upon us. Does time ever really stand still? We do hope that any S.W.U. members that were effected by the hurricane Andrew again have a grip on their lives. Members of our branch who did write us did not suffer any losses. A relative of one member did lose everything, she moved a bit further north with a sister for a short time and has since returned to the Miami area for a fresh start. Our little house in the Daytona area was too far north for the storm to reach, and too far south for the tornados that struck the Jacksonville area. GET WELL WISHES: To our vice president, Helen Dodyk — a quick recovery from her cataract surgery. She also had a run-in with a bee that gave her a bit of trouble. Although the bee left its mark, she assures us that the condition has greatly improved. CONDOLENCES: Our sympathy to Helen Cergol on the passing of her brother. And to Jean Novotny whose husband Bill died early October. Prayers are with both of you. And Jean, it was nice to see you at the convention. Mary Szabo has moved to Windham, Ohio with her daughter. We know you have not been feeling well, Mary, and we hope that the TLC that you will be receiving will make things a little easier and better for you. Our bus trip to the State Convention in Lorain was more than any of us had anticipated. We were so warmly welcomed, we were treated like royalty and we were dined like we were long lost relatives. The mass at Sts. Cyril and Methodious was beautiful. Father Yelenc’s. homily was inspiring, the choir was wonderful and our day was filled with many things that will always be remembered for years to come. Thank you Branch No. 40 for taking on the task of hosting the 1992 State Convention. Many of you will be traveling for the holidays. Please make those jour-nies safe ones. We wish all of you the happiness that is so special and that only comes once a year — at Christmas. Let’s reflect back onto 1992 and all it held for us, and let’s look forward to 1993 with hope for better things, for good health for ourselves, for our loved ones, for our friends. And, God willing, we pray that we will all be together again for Christmas, 1993. Merry Christmas, to all of you, from all of us. Respectfully submitted, EVELYN A. MAJERC1K NO. 85, DEPUE, IL The leaves are really down and I think I have picked the last pears from the trees. Talk about a bountiful crop! No one seemed to want them any more. Congratulations to Br. 24, LaSalle, on a very nice convention. Everything was lovely and my compliments to the committee for a “job well done!” It is always good to see the members of other branches. Josephine Savnik did a beautiful job in making the welcome folders for each place at the tables. The ladies also worked very hard in preparing so many delicious strudels. Pearl Drennan of our branch celebrated her 80th birthday on Oct. 25th with a “great" party at the Pitstick Pavilion in Spring Valley. There were about 300 people there. Pearl was very sick about two years ago so it is really good to see her doing so well. It is hard to believe she is 80 as she certainly doesn’t look it! She has a beautiful garden and still does all the work to keep it so nice. Mary Maloney and her sister-in-law, Marge, spent some time with Mary’s niece in So. Dakota, also taking in some sights. She said the Mt. Rushmore Memorial is very inspiring to see. Our sympathy to Muriel Jermene whose uncle passed away in Keokuk, Iowa. He was the last member of the older generation iq her family. Clouds and the prediction of rain are hurrying me to the mailbox. Till next time, stay well and God bless. MARY JERMENC NO. 89, OGLESBY, IL The October meeting on the 12th was well-attended. October birthdays celebrated: R.A. Prey, Em Folty and Eunice Komater. In November, birthdays were celebrated by Honorine Corpus, Barbara Sitar, Marilyn Argubright and Mitzi Banich. We enjoyed the State Convention in La Salle, IL hosted by Br. 24 and were so happy to be there with such a large turn-out. Happy for Joliet, Br. 20 who will host the convention in 1993 in conjunction with their 65th Anniversary. Our turn will come in 1994. On the agenda was our Bakeless Bake Sale which was to be in November; also nomination of new officers. Plans were finalized for our Christmas party. Jo Morrison reported a lovely time at her grandson’s wedding in Detroit, Michigan. Em Folty and her husband visited her sister in Moline, IL, took in the points of interest there and also enjoyed a trip on the Casino Boat on the Mississippi River. It was fun. Patrick Dooley made grandma Anne Batty very proud. He made the Honor Roll at St. Bede’s Academy. Charles Frank, brother of Darlene Wasielewski, is visiting her and her family. They surprised him with a lovely birthday party. Her sister, Frances and Doug Hunter came to visit in October. It’s always nice to have your loved ones around for a family reunion. Glad to see Frances Rolando back and feeling well again. Bishop John J. Meyers closed the observance of the Quincentary year by celebrating a field mass at Howard Fellows Stadium at LaSalle-Peru Township High School in LaSalle on Oct. 12th. The following day we were honored to have the presence of the Fatima Pilgrim Statue in our parish on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Our Blessed Mother’s apparition at Fatima, Portugal. The Rosary was recited and a talk was given. At the close of our meeting prayers were recited for the poor people of Slovenia. Darlene Wasielewski and Eunice Komater served delicious danish apple slices, ice cream and coffee. The table was decorated with a basket of fresh fruit, later won by Anne Batty. Also receiving a prize was Helen Komater. We planned the Nov. 9th meeting with Marilyn Argubright and Frances Rolando as hostesses. EUNICE KOMATER NO. 95, SO. CHICAGO, IL Members! Don’t come to Sacred Heart hall January 6th, February 3 or March 3rd - because we won’t be there! We are eliminating the cold weather month meetings. Many of us come long distances and the roads are unpredictable. We will meet in April, May, June, September, October, November and our December Christmas Party. Upon completion of Officer reports, Chairlady Dolores Hennelly gave details of our Christmas Party, which will be held at Golden Shell restaurant December 2nd. Reservations will be handled by Frances Benkovich and Mary Brozynski. Door prizes and raffle will be handled by Helen Santy and sister Ann Yosue. Ann and Helen did a fabulous job with our yearly fundraiser. Along with Frances Benkovich, they made “Big Bucks”! Congratulations. We enjoyed hearing notes read from members Mary Barcevac, Mary Bre-zene, Ann Brkljacich, Fidelia Svalina, Matilda Grepo. Anne Velcich and Til-lie Martin. Special thanks to Fidelia and Matilda or their generosity Turkey raffle winners were Anne Cikulin, Lois Chereso and Dolores Hennelly. Big raffle winners were Millie Poropat, $25; Lu Goldina, Ruth Muth, Anne Starcevich and Marge Krmpotich $10 each. Marie Maras and Anne Cikulin were the Split the Pot honorees. Rose Smoljan donated a cute teddy bear, which was won by Betty Markusic, who in turn graciously gave it to Mary Nuzdo for her grandchild. What sweethearts! President Millie James led the assembly in prayer for the soul of Mrs. Sophie Perkovich, sister-in-law of Mary A. Perkovich, Manda Dosen and Mary “Matt” Perkovich. Also remembered was Catherine Nazimek, sister of our Harrier Isek. May they rest in peace! We are all shocked at what befell Helen Rapaich on the doorstep of her mother’s home. Two undesirables attacked her, pushing her down the stairs. She has a cast on one leg to the hip and one to the knee, plus various bruised. She must be on her back for 90 days. She is staying with her mother, Kate Alfirevich on the East Side, so send cards. Also ill is mommy Kate Musa, who had a serious bout with pneumonia and a flareup of emphysema. Aunt Rose Sajtovich just left Northwestern hosptial with kidney problems and is now returned to Hammond-Whiting nursing home. Mary Toporis’s mother, Mrs. Helen Pesut is her neighbor there. Hostesses Helen Nowicki, Mary A. Perkovich, Helen Price and Mary Malcic outdid themselves along with the help of Charlotte Fryza and Lottie Brkljacic. It was a fun meeting. MARIE MARAS NO. 102, WILLARD, WI Greetings to all! The travelers are back! What a wonderful 3 weeks we had in Slovenia with all our relatives and friends. We did not plan a sightseeing trip this time; the weather would not have cooperated. We had lots of rain and even snow on Oct. 18th! The next day, the sun shone on the snow-capped mountain tops, what a beautiful sight! The Savinja River was roaring and boiling along, almost over its banks, but fortunately, the rains subsided and prevented another flood tragedy as the same area experienced almost exactly 2 years ago on Nov. 1st, 1990. My purpose for this trip was to follow the geneology of my family and I was so happy to accomplish my task, of finding my great grandparents on both parents’ sides. Beyond that, I did not care to go further. Anyone wishing to do this must first go to the parish rectory of the birthplaces or to the registry of deeds office (krajevnik urad) of the home village. You may be directed to the diocese -either Ljubljana or Maribor or Koper, depending on where your ancestors lived. If you are unable to find them, you may be directed to the archive office in Ljubljana, especially if you are looking for anything beyond the 1800’s. This address is: Republika Slovenija Ministrstvo za Kulturo, Arhiv Republike Slovenije Zvezdarska 1 61000 Ljubljana, Slovenija Telephone number for overseas calling is 011 38 61 151-222 The first five numbers are the area code information. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. I had no problem with the Slovenian language, but I’m sure you would be able to find someone in the office who could translate from English. Life in Slovenia goes one as usual, prices are Somewhat higher, material things do not seem to be lacking, at least not the necessities. It’s so good to see that our hard-working Slovenian people know how to solve their own problems by being so resourceful, inventive and thrifty. They are still a happy people. Of course, beyond the borders, it is still a very sad situation, but, thank God, not threatening to the newly independent Slovenija. Bog živi, Slovenija! I must mention that we visited the office of the Slovenska Izseljenska Matica (The Slovenian Immigrant Society) where we were most welcome. We were happy to tell them that in ZARJA we have had some reports on the beautiful magazine SLOVENIJA. I do hope that more of you American Slovenians will send in a subscription to this quarterly magazine. You won’t be sorry, I’m sure. Our Heritage Director did a good job with the ad in the October 1922 issue. (Page 13) Very good advice! With winter just ahead of us, there is still much to do in preparation, so now it’s time to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas! MARY STAUT A LABOR OF LOVE! GREETINGS FROM SLOVENIA Recent Rook Printed in English About Slovenia On Saturday, 10 October 1992, it was a warm, clear, beautiful, sunny day filled with delightful enthusiasm, friendliness, and joy, as sixteen of our ladies in Branch 103, agreed to meet at St. Ann's Hall, Washington, D.C., to bake sweet goods for our dinner/dance, on 17 October. It is our annual custom to prepare and bake the Apple Strudel to be served for dessert to our dinner guests. Also, we bake enough to sell along with other home-made pastries. This practice affords another opportunity to obtain funds for charitable donations. Nika Kovacic, our Vice President, suggested that this year’s special treat would be the Alpine Cookies and extra fancy mammoth Macadamian Nut Cookies. The delicious Alpine Cookies require freezing thoroughly before baking. Nika further offered to prepare the cookies at her home and bring them to St. Ann’s for baking and packaging. Our Mother Mary’s loving care permeated throughout the entire baking session with the zeal, harmony, and untiring efforts of our selfless workers. Freda Michelitch, our President, Tillie Ausich, our Recording Secretary, members Mara Chokel, Angela Daly, Anna Skopec, Molly Thomas, Iča Zebot, Helen Krotec, Loretta Kennedy and Sabina Bartol, busily engaged themselves in peeling and slicing the apples for the strudel. Another group of our skilled and proficient strudel makers, Ivanka Antolin, Anna Skopec, Jana Bevec, Bernadette Kovacic, Theresa Bevec and Regina Raspet, worked diligently together in mutual amity and fun measuring the ingredients that go into the dough for baking. Meanwhile, Nika, Iča, and Molly carefully watched the cookies being baked to insure that they were evenly browned to perfection. In the meantime, Tillie, Mara, Loretta, and Sabina wrapped the Alpine and Macadamian Nut Cookies in individual, attractive packages, each tied with a ribbon and bow of white, blue, and red ribbon, the homeland colors of our beloved (lag of Slovenia. For the workers, Loretta and Sabina were hostesses for a light lunch we enjoyed. Our Branch members really look forward to the enjoyment, familiarity and closeness that exists in these treasured moments of being together. Our afternoon baking session ended about 2 p.m. Several of the ladies volunteered to take the Apple Strudels home for freezing and safe keeping until our dinner/dance. Our group was tired, but cheerful and proud of their baking accomplishments. We then departed, leaving Freda, Iča, and Molly to secure the kitchen and to insure that it had been left in proper order; further, to lockup and return the key to St. Ann’s Rectory. Our beloved Pope John XXIII has said "Whoever has a heart full of love always has something to give.” This is so true of the spirit in our branch and throughout all the other branches of our dearest, loved SWU. Warmest wishes to everyone. Sabina L. Hartal If you are at all curious about Slovenia and haven't had the opportunity to read about the land of your ancestors, then you must consider purchasing the recently printed book, “Greetings From Slovenia,” written in English. You will be introduced to the many geographical regions of Slovenia from Triglav to the coast and its hinterland. You'll read of tranquil lakes, mills nestled by the rivers, castles, farmsteads, caves and virgin forests. You’ll be introduced to remnants of the past, of Slovenia’s natural wonders and of its cultural heritage. As you turn one page after another you’ll visit Slovenia as never before. The hook is divided into the many regions of Slovenia with an accompanying map, photo and explanation of the specific area. Every page presents excellent photographs with accompanying explanations. From whatever region your ancestors emigrated, you will have a pictorial presentation of that general area. All American-Slovenes should be aware of the natural wonders, the historical monuments and the everyday life and beauty of Slovenia. This book has been published since Slovenia’s sovereignty in June of 1991. Here’s a suggestion to all branches. Purchase a copy of this interesting book and donate it to a local library. The general public is interested in Slovenia especially since it has declared independence and has been introduced to the public on TV and through the newspapers. If you are looking for an excellent gift to that special friend or relative, seriously consider, “Greetings From Slovenia.” Send a check for $28.00 which covers postage & handling to: The Slovenian Heritage Museum 431 N. Chicago Street Joliet, II. 60432 DONATIONS STILL BEING ACCEPTED FOR HERITAGE DONATION RECEIVED Irene Jagodnik, former National Board Auditor and member of Br. 50, recently sent a $10 check for Heritage in memory of Molly Mauer. Irene mentioned that Molly was a good friend not only to her but to many other people. She said that Molly was a very caring person and will be missed. Irene was forced to resign from the SWU Board because of her husband’s illness. Sho is unable to keep up her many SWU activities because Tony needs care around the clock. Irene is truly Tony's angel. I’m sure that she would appreciate a word of cheer from her friends during this demanding time Irene M. Odorizzi Heritage Director Cirila Kermavner LEPI STARI OBIČAJI V BOŽIČNI DOBI SLAVSKI-LAZ Z Zahvalno Nedeljo se začenja novo cerkveno leto in Adventni čas. To pomeni, priprava na Božične praznike, ki jih začenjamo z Zornimi Mašami. Imenovane so Zornice, ker so bile zelo zgodaj zjutraj. Bila je še črna tema, ko so se ljudje opravljali v cerkev. Imeti so morali razvetljavo za pot. Najbolj imenitne so bile baklje. to so bile iz drv natesane trske, katere so v šopu navezali na kol. Baklje so dajale dovolj svetlobe in veselja, daleč naprej in nazaj, vsem kateri so hiteli k Zornicam. Nekateri, ki so bili oddaljeni od cerkve kako uro hoda so morali uporabljati “literne" ali “filarje". To so bile petrolejke, ki so gorele tudi po dve ali pa še tri ure. Luč je veselje. Ta lepa navada je pritegnila veliko ljudi od vseh strani naše fare, k tem zornim mašam. Od vseh strani so se lesketale male lučke, kakor, da bi bila tudi zemlja polna nebesnih zvezdic, ki pripravljajo pot malemu Detetu. To je trajalo ves mesec, vse tja do Svetega večera, ki smo mu rekli "Badnjak". To pomeni bedenje, saj je bilo treba bedeti, da se je lahko šlo potem k polnočnici. “Badnjak" Sveti Večer. Ta dan je bil strog post. Eden od družine je moral zjutraj v cerkev, ker so med sveto mašo blagoslavljali vodo in ogenj. Prinesel je oboje domov. S tem se je začelo veliko svečano praznovanje Jaslice so nekateri napravili že en dan preje. l/se je moralo biti opravljeno že podnevi. Zato se je zgodaj zjutraj vstajalo, da se je praznovanje Svetega Večera začelo že, ko je zvonilo za praznik Božiča. To je bilo ob štirih popoldne. Nihče ni več smel prijeti nobenega dela v roke. Ob mraku je vedno zvonilo Ave Maria, pri temu se je zbrala vsa družina k molitvi Angelovega Češčenja. Po molitvi je gospodar začel kropiti po hiši. Znotraj, okrog hiše, skedenj, štalo - živino itn. Po kropljenju se je začela molitev Rožnega venca in vse druge večerne molitve, nato je pa vsa družina večerjala. Tako pripravljeni, polni radosti in veselja smo stopali v pravi čar Božiča, ki se ga z besedami nikdar ne da opisati. Nekaj tako čudovitega, kot se je nekoč, neki visoko izobražen in globoko veren misijonar izrazil. Da samo ena tenka zavesca nas loči od nebes, to pa je - Božični prazniki. Sveta noč, blažena noč! Vse že spi, je polnoč; le Devica z Jožefom tam v hlevcu var'je Detece nam. Spavaj Dete sladko! Sveta noč, blažena noč! Prišla je nam pomoč; Dete božje v jaslih leži, grešni zemlji radost deli. rojen je Rešenik. Sveta noč, blažena noč! Radostno pevajoč angeli Gospoda slave, mir ljudem na zemlji žele: človek zdaj si otet. Na Sveti dan, ko je Božič je morala biti vsa družina doma. Šli smo samo k maši, večernicam in potem samo doma, kjer smo praznovali radost in veličastno rojstvo našega Odrešenika. Praznik Sv. Štefana je bil šele bolj sproščen dan. Šlo se je lahko kamorkoli s svojimi domačimi in priiatelii se malo poveseliti. Stari običaji so prinašali veliKo veselja med ljudi. Bila sta še dva sveta večera, kot je staro leto in dan pred Sv. Tremi Kralji - to je bil potem tretji "Badnjak". Konec božične dobe je bila Svečnica, ko je Marija nesla Jesuščka v tempelj, darovati. Po Svečnici smo šele pospravili Jaslice in končali božično dobo. Najlepša hvala Lojzki Jurkovičevi za njene lepe misli oh spominu na Slavski - Laz. Blagoslov Božjega Deteta naj vas spremlja vsekozi Božično dobo; kakor tudi vseskozi Novo Leto. MRŠfi SLOVENSKA DEDIŠČINA \ im (i;i Irt BAR G A finiiijiV'1, Začetki Katoliške Cerkve v Ameriki FRANC JAKLIČ — Nadaljevanje — DELO V LA POINTU PRED PRVIM POTOVANJEM V EVROPO (1835 in 1836) V pismu poroča, da število spreobrnjencev stalno raste. “Med novokrščenci je tudi najstarejša oseba tega kraja in najbrž vse okolice, namreč Indijanka, stara okoli sto let. Sicer ne ve, koliko je stara, pripoveduje pa o dogodkih, ki jih je sama dožvela, pripoveduje pa o dogodkih, ki jih je sama dožvela, in iz njih sklepa star Kanadec, ki že več ko 53 let živi na tem otoku, da mora imeti že sto let. Ta dobra starka je bila silno vesela, ko je prejela sv. krst. Je prav dobrodušna stvarca in živi nedolžno kakor otrok. Trdno upam, da bo umrla v svoji krstni nedolžnosti. Trije njeni pravnuki so bili obenem z njo krščeni, njenega najmlajšega vnuka, 40 letnega moža, sem krstil na božični dan. Taki krsti človeka, močno ganejo. Posebno razveseljivo je za misijonarja, če krsti po cele družine naenkrat. Ce stoji oče na desni, mati s svojim dojenčkom na levi in še četvero ali petero otrok okoli njiju in vsi skupaj prejmejo milost sv. krsta: o kako razveseljivo in vzpodbudno je to! Na božični dan sem krstil več družin." Za te krščence je pa poprej imel dosti truda, ker piše: “Prezimovali so v gozdu, tri milje (eno uro) daleč od mojega stanovanja. Da bi jih pripravil za sv. krst, sem en mesec vsak dan hodil k njim. Pozvonil sem in vsi so se zbrali v prostorni koči. Ves mesec je bil zelo mrzel; najtežje je pa bilo, da sem jih moral poučevati ponoči, ker so čez dan ribarili ali pa nastavl- jali pasti. Nauk je po navadi dolgo trajal in sem vselej pozno prišel domov. In tako imam vpisanih že 184 krstov." Vesel je, da je v vseh petih mesecih umrla ena sama krščena oseba, dveleten otrok, ker če bi jih več pomrlo, bi Indijanci v svojem praznoverju takoj sklepati, da umirajo zaradi krsta. V svojem stanovanju poučuje vsako jutro krščanski nauk in stari in mladi radi prihajajo; otroci pred vrati nestrpno čakajo na znamenje zvončka. Prav slučajno je tisto zimo prišel še en sel iz Saulta, zato je 24. februarja Baraga spet mogel pisati Amaliji. Sporča ji, da bo šel v Rim in na Dunaj in da se bo ustavil tudi v domovini. “Že nekolikokrat sem Ti omenil, da me v tem novem, toliko obetajočem misijonu tare skrajno uboštvo. S tremi dolarji sem prišel, brez živil in s prav malo obleke, čisto sam, brez učitelja, brez postrežnika, brez vsega. Od dne do dne bolj čutim težo svojega položaja. Tako ne more iti naprej, misijon trpi veliko škodo. Saj sem z malim zadovoljen in za svojo osebo ne iščem ne koristi ne udobnosti. Toda če vidim, da zaradi mojega siromaštva misijon trpi; da misijonska cerkev znotraj ne more biti dodelana; da tukaj še ni šolskega poslopja, še manj pa učne moči; da moji ubogi otročiči nagi okoli letajo (s solzami v očeh to pišem): o potem si želim biti bogat, da bi svojim ubogim Indijancem s časnimi zakladi pridobil neminljive zaklade večnega življenja." V Rimu na Promovini upa dobiti dovolj podpore. Indijancem je že povedal, da bo šel v Evropo. Ustrašili so se, češ da se ne bo hotel več vrniti mednje, a jih je potem pomiril. V Sloveniji bi rad ustanovil "Jožefovo majhno. Ni osebno. To veselje je večno in je nes- končno. Večno in neskončno kot Bog. In On je hotel tako bi misijon imel stalne dohodke. Amalija naj ta njegov načrt že zdaj razloži njegovim znancem in prijateljem. V Ljubljani bo dal natisniti dve svoji indijanski knjigi; upa, da bodo dobrotniki poravnali stroške. Odpotoval bo v septembru. Antonija naj ga počaka v Ljubljani; če je pa že odšla proti Ameriki, jo bo do svoje vrnitve nastanil v Detroitu, da se bo še bolj izvežbala v francoščini in angleščini. Amalija naj mu ne piše več. Sporoča ji, da je v zadnjem času krstil tudi 40-letnega vaškega poglavarja, ki bo po smrti svojega očeta, ki je še pogan, postal nekakšen vrhovni poglavar vseh Očipvejcev. Krstil je tudi vso njegovo družino. Bil je to Mladi Bivol. Njegov oče Bivol je bil znamenit Indijanec, a je do svoje visoke starosti ostal pogan. Drugi dan, 25. februarja, je Baraga v tem pismu pripisal, da mu je pisemski sel prinesel več pisem, samo od nje nobenega. Iz Saulta mu sporoča o. Hatscher, da ga tam čaka njeno pismo in pet zlatnikov; poslal mu bo oboje spomladi s prvo ladjo. Nejevoljen je zaradi tega čakanja, ker denar nujno potrebuje. 0. Hatscher mu tudi sporoča, da bo spomladi prišel v La Pointe tudi služabnik Merlak; sestri se toplo zahvali, da mu ga je dobil; “Amalija, s tem si mi izkazala neprecenljivo dobroto.” Zima leta 1835/36 je bila dolga in ostra. Imel je manj dela, zato je mogel napisati kar pet knjig; tri indijanske, eno slovensko in eno nemško, ki jo je prevedel tudi na francosko. 1. Slovencem je napisal “Premišljevanje štirih poslednjih reči". Knjiga je izšla v Ljubljani šele leta 1837. Tiskal jo je Blaznik in založil Klemens. Imaobliko dvanajsterca s šestimi stranmi uvoda in 411 stranmi besedila. Spredaj je slika zadnje večerje z napisom: “Kruh, katerega bom jaz dal, je moje meso za življenje sveta, jan 6, 52." Prva polovica so premišljevanja, druga pa molitve. Zadnja molitev je k sv. Frančišku Ksaveriju za spreobrnjenje poganov in jo je pač namenil v pomoč svojim Indijancem. V uvodu pravi: “Preljubi moji Kranjci (Slovenci)! Šest let je že preteklo, kar sem zapustil našo ljubo kranjsko deželo, kar sem nehal božjo besedo svojim preljubim Kranjcem oznanjati. Ali dasiravno sem tako daleč od vas, več kot dvatisoč ur, je vendar moje srce vedno pri vas. Kakor sem vas prisrčno ljubil, dokler sem še med vami bil, prav tako vas tudi še sedaj ljubim in želim iz celega srca vašega zveličanja. Ker pa ne morem več svetih resnica z besedo med vami oznanjati, sem vam spisal le-te bukve. Prejmite jih v znak moje velike ljubezni do vas in mojih srčnih želja za vaše zveličanje, moji preljubi Kranjci!" S to knjigo je torej hotel pokazati svojo ljubezen in hvaležnost do domovine, odkoder je prejemal mnogo razumevanja in podpor; hotel je, da bi se Slovenci še za naprej zanimali za njegove misijone in jih podpirali. V nemščini je za člane in prijatelje Leopoldinine ustanove spisal knjigo “Zgodovina, značaj, šege in navade severnoameriških Indijancev". Tudi to knjigo je leta 1837 v 2000 izvodih natisnil v Ljubljani Blaznik in založil Klemens. Ima 200 strani osmerca. - Istega leta 1837 je izšel v Parizu pri Societe des bons livre tudi francoski prevod, ki ga je priredil Baraga sam. (Naslov: Abrčge de I’ histoire des Indiens de I' Amerique septentrionale). Knjiga ima 296 strani dvanajsterca. - Na slovensko je pa knjigo prevedel menda Kek pod naslovom “Popis navad in zadržanja Indijanov polnočne (to je severne) Amerike". Izšla je pri Klemensu v 4000 izvodih na 165 straneh osmerca. Ta slovenski prevod je zelo prost, marsikaj je izpuščenega, o čemer priča že to, da ima 35 strani manj kakor nemški izvirnik. Slovenska in memška izdaja imata spredaj sliko, kako Pokahonta, hči indijanskega kralja, velikodušno izprosi življenje ujetemu in na smrt obsojenemu belokožcu Jamesu Smithu. 3. Očipvejcem je spisal molitveno knjigo “Otch-ipwe Anamie-Masinaigan". Tiskana je bila 1. 1837 v Parizu pri Billyju (Bejieu) v šestnajstercu na 300 straneh. Očipvejska beseda je bila v njej prvič natisnjena. Spredaj je slika Marijinega oznanjenja, pod njo pa v očipvejščini pozdrav nadangela Gabriela. V naši pisavi se ta pozdrav glasi: “Kičitva Marie gaganodamavihim, či vi mahkavendamiid Kiže-Man-ito, kaginig či mino-iživegesijan". Ta knjiga je le očipvejska predelava otavskega molitvenika “Ottawa Anamie-Misinaigan” iz lewta 1832. - Tudi ta otavski molitvenik je istega leta tiskal Bailly v 2. izdaji. Namenil jo je predvsem misijonarjem-začetnikom, zato ima več hvalnic francoski napis. Knjiga je pozneje doživela še več izdaj; že iz tega se vidi, kako je bila potrebna in koristna. 4. Očipvejcem je skoraj doslovno po evangelijih sestavil tudi “življenjepis Gospoda Jezusa Kristusa, Jesus Obimadisivin orna aking". Vmes so tudi vprašanja in odgovori iz katekizma, ki se nanašajo na posamezne evangeljske dogodke. Knjiga je izšla leta 1837 pri Baillyju v Parizu na 211-ih straneh šestnajsterca. V knjigi je tudi zganjen zemljevid Svete dežele. 5. To knjigo je spisal tudi v otavščini in jo je Bailly natisnil na 206-ih straneh. Z zadnjima dvema knjigama je hotel izriniti od Cerkve prepovedane izdaje evangelijev, ki so jih protestantje širili med Indijanci. Ker je še premalo znal očipvejsko, se mu je v razlago katekizma proti volji vrinilo nekaj nepravilnosti, ki jih je moral pozneje na opozorilo svete stolice popraviti. Ko se je na Gorenjem jezeru stajal led, je zaplula prva ladja, okrašena s pomladanskim zelenjem in od vseh toplo pozdravljena. Bila je glasnica novega življenja, ki se je z odprtim prometom vsako leto spet začelo. Ko je odšla spomladi leta 1836 - tisto leto je izšel Prešernov Krst pri Savici - prva ladja iz La Pointa proti zahodnemu kotu jezera, se je Baraga peljal z njo v Fond du Lac in ostal pri spreobrnjencih spet dva tedna. Dne 17. junija je pisal o njih na Dunaj, da občuduje njihovo stanovitnost v veri, čeprav nimajo duhovnika. Pobožni in goreči trgovec Peter Cotte mu je spet pripravil 14 osebn za krst. Med njimi je bil tudi eden od višjih poglavarjev z vso družino. Ta mož je prišel en dan pred Baragovim odhodom k njemu in ga nujno prosil, naj ostane pri njih, La Pointe pa odda drugemu. Baraga mu je prijazno odvrnil, da mora ostati v La Pointu, kjer je bil večkrat zatrdil, da bo živel in umrl med njimi. Na pol mu je obljubil, da bo drugi misijonar, Franc Pirc, kmalu prišel v Fond du Lac, zato so šli mogel priti. Fond du Lac ni nikoli postal samostojen misijon, vselej so ga morali oskrbovati od drugod. Dandanes je tam le še peščica Indijancev. _ Nadaljevanje — PREŽIHOV VORMC SOLZICE LEVI DEVŽEJ Pri sosedovih, niso imeli matere. Umrla je pred letom dni in je zapustila celo kopo majhnih otrok. Toda to še ni bilo edino zlo: pri sosedovih še nečesa drugega ni bilo, kar je bilo prav tako hudo ali pa še hujše. Tam namreč tudi kruha ni bilo na mizi, ker je bilo sosedovo opeta bajta.l Njive so rodile nekaj ovsa in ječmena in to krušno so hranili za poletne mesece, kadar je delo postalo trdo in naporno. Pozimi niso mleli žita in niso pekli kruha, ampak so živeli od pečenega krompirja, od kuhane bele repe in pese, kolikor je tega bilo v kleti. Sosedovi otroci so zategadelj čestokrat prihajali k nam čez polje. Pri nas tudi ni bila bogatija doma, ker smo bili le najemniki, toda taka trdoba, kakor pri sosedovih, pri nas ni bila. Naša mati je bila dobrega srca, sosedove sirote so se ji smilile in je zmerom našla zanje kaj ostankov, kakega sadja ali kos kruha. Pozimi, kadar je ležal visok sneg, se je vila od soseda do nas globoka gaz. Desno in levo od gazi seje razprostiralo gladko,belo polje, preko njega pa so se pojale lačne vrane. V tej gazi se je včasih pokazalo pet črnih pik, ki so se od soseda začele pomikati proti naši hiši. Spredaj je migala naj večja pika, tej pa so sledile vedno manjše pike. Zadnja pika je bila še čisto majhna in jo je bilo komaj opaziti v gazi. Te črne pike so bili sosedovi otroci, ki so šli k nam. Najstarejša pika je bila stara deset let, najmlajša pa komaj tri leta. Tri pike so bili dečki, dve piki pa sta bili deklici. Sosedovi niso radi puščali otrok k nam, ker jim je bilo sitno zadelj njihove revščine. Zato so se otroci naskrivaj odtrgali od hiše, kadar se je le dalo. Včasih se jim je posrečilo, da so neopaženo prišli do nas, včasih pa se je zgodilo, da jih je kdo domačih gredoč zalotil in začel nad otroki vpiti. Kadar črne pikice še niso bile predaleč v gazi, so se zbegale in se začele po malem vračati nazaj proti domu. Kadar pa so bile že daleč v gazi, tedaj se na vpitje, kije prihajalo od doma, niso več ozirale, ampak so jo začele urno cediti po gazi proti nam. Takrat se je procesija črnih pik navadno pretrgala. Prednje pike, ki so imele daljše noge kakor zadnje, so jo laže cvrle po gazi kakor zadnje pike, ki so imele kratke nožiče. Zadnje pikice so zaostajale, padale v sneg, se zopet dvigale vse zasnežene, stokale in vpile za prednjimi pikami, ki so jo cvrle naprej. Včasih se je zgodilo tudi, daje od soseda kdo pritekel po gazi, oče ali gospodinja, pograbil, zaostale pikice za vrat in j ih odgnal nazaj domov. Takrat se je iz gazi dvigal obupan verk^, ki je bil v zimski pokrajini še obupnejši. Kadar je sosedova procesija črnih pik prišla na naše dvorišče, je obstala sredi njega in se zastrmela v našo hišo. Le kadar so pike pritekle na dvorišče vse zasople, ker so bile od domačih preganjane, tedaj so brez pomisleka planile k hišnim vratom. Drugače pa so se pike vedle, ko da se sramujejo in si ne upajo vstopiti. Sosedovi otroci pa so bili zagoreli v lica, dasiravno jih je zelo zeblo. Zakaj oblečeni so bili nedovoljno in včasih smešno. Nekateri otroci so imeli na sebi stare, dolge očetove suknje, ki so se skoraj vlekle za njimi, fantiči so imeli nataknjene gospodinjine rokavce, deklice pa očetove hlače. Navadno so otroci bili košeg-lavL3, ali pa so bili nekateri pokriti z velikanskimi kučmami in klobuki, ki so jim bili čez ušesa, da je bilo njihove rožnate obraze komaj videti izpod pokrival. Še slabše je bilo z obutvijo. Nekatere pike so bile ftbute v škornje ali očetove stare cokle, druge so bile v kakih raztrganih opankah, nekatere pike pa so bile celo bose, posebno majhne pikice so navadno bose prigazile do nas. Noge so jim bile rdeče, vse ozeble, toda namesto da bi se te male pike jokale od mraza, so se jim obrazi srečno smehljali. Tako so sosedovi otroci tiho stali na dvorišču, dokler ni kdo naših prišel ponje iz hiše. To sta bili navadno naša mati in pa naša babica. Ena ali druga, pač tista, kije procesijo prva zagledala, je stopila čez prag, se približala otrokom, vzela najmanjšega na roke, ga poljubila na mrzla usta in dejala s smehljajem proti drugim, ki so stali v vrsti pred njo: »No, drobež, ali ste le prišli.« Potem je vstopila v hišo z najmanjšim otrokom v naročju, medtem ko so ji vsi ostali otroci tiho sledili. Pri nas smo stanovali v veliki, prostorni dimnici, kije bila pozimi prijetno topla, ker se je v njej kuhalo za ljudi in za svinje. Tudi poleti se je kuhalo v njej, vendar je bila zato poleti v njej neznosna vročina. Bila je to velika, zelo prostorna soba z lesenimi, stoletja starimi stenami, ki so bile na debelo pokrite s plastjo svetlikastih, strjenih saj. Po stenah so se videli curki strjene smole. Tudi strop je bil ves črn od saj. V ta veliki prostor je kukal dan skozi štiri majhna, zamrežena okenca, zato je bilo v dimnici tudi čez dan vedno mračno. En kot je zavzemala velika, črna peč, velika za dvajset hlebov kruha. Pred pečjo je bil ogromen, štirioglat zid, kakor se je imenovalo odprto ognjišče, na katerem je noč in dan tlel ogenj. Nad zidom seje sklanjal zaokrožen obok enake velikosti, ki se je imenoval klobučnik. Vse je bilo črno in sajasto. Ob isti steni kakor peč in zid, samo v nasprotnem kotu, je bil ogromen zidan kotel za svinjsko kuho. Pod stropom dimnice so se od klobučnika do druge stene vlekle gliste, to je dva sajasta trama, na katerih so se sušila drva In kjer se je vodilo4 pozimi svinjsko meso. Podu ta dimnica ni imela nobenega, ampak so bila tla ilovnata ter od stoletij zbita, da so bila trša od opeke. V tretjem kotu je stala velika javorova miza, ki je bila edina bele barve. Za njo je ob dveh stenah stala dolga in široka klop, ki je bila že zakajena. V četrtem kotu je stala nizka postelja, kjer je spala naša babica, poleg nje ob steni pa popolnoma začrnela omara. Tudi ta omara je bila last naše babice. Ta kot je bil nekako babičina last, tuj e zimski čas prečepela za kolovratom. V dimnici je navadno dim ležal do kolena nizko, in kdor ni bil tega vajen, v njej ni mogel zdržati. Le kadar je bilo zelo ugodno vreme, je dim potegnilo iznad ognjišča v širok dimnik. Domačini smo bili tega dima vajeni In nič nam ni bil nadležen. Babica je celo takrat nemoteno predla, kadar se je kolovrat popolnoma skril v dim. Dimnica je bila torej še taka kakor njega dni, pred stoletji, le jasli in svinjskih korit ni bilo več v njej kakor včasih, ko je bila živina navajena po paši priteči v dimnico, kjer jo je čakalo v jaslih lizanje in so krave potem v dimnici pomolzli. Tudi svinje so dobivale hrano iz korit, ki so stala ob stenah. Takrat so ljudje živeli še skupaj z živaljo. Tudi pri sosedovih so imeli dimnico, dasi mnogo manjšo in tesnejšo, zato so tudi sosedovi otroci bili navajeni dima in saj. Med našo in sosedovo dimnico je bila razlika še v tem, daje bila sosedova mnogo bolj mrzla od naše, ker pri sosedu niso imeli toliko drv kakor pri nas. Ko so sosedovi otroci prišli v dimnico, je bilo navadno tako: Mati se je znašla v dimnici, ako že sama ni prignala otrok vanjo. Sedla je na nizko stolico ob steni in vzela najmlajšega otroka, triletnega Naceja v naročje, nato pa seje začela z njimi pogovarjati. Večji otroci so obstali sredi dimnice in se ozirali na vse štiri strani. Tako je mati počasi zvedela od otrok vse, kar se je pri sosedovih godilo. »Ali je nova mama huda?« »Huda!« so odgovorili otroci na vseh pet ust naenkrat. »Ali tepe?« je vprašala dalje. »Tepe!« je spet odgovorilo vseh pet ust hkrati. »Ali vam daje kruha?« je vprašala mati po kratkem premisleku. »Kruha ne daje,« so odgovorili otroci, ko da bi odgovorila ena sama usta. Njihova usteča so se pri teh besedah poželjno zamigala. »Kruha ne, ker ga ni pri hiši,« je menila mati premišljeno, kakor bi hotela novo sosedovo mater zagovarjati. Pri sosedovih je namreč zadnji čas gospodinjila neka sorodnica umrle matere otrok. »Oče in mati pa skupaj spita v eni postelji,« je tedaj rekla petletna sirota Nanika. »A tako!« je odgovorila mati, ko da bi je to sploh ne zanimalo, dasiravno je zvedela, kar je hotela zvedeti. Ta vest je bila za našo hišo tako zanimiva, da je ob njej tudi naša babica za nekaj časa prenehala s prejo. Včasih je mati vprašala: »Kaj pa oče delajo?« »Oče vozijo iz planine,« so odgovorili otroci. »Oče vozijo iz planine zato, da bodo zaslužili in vam kupili kruha,« je izpopolnila mati. Sosedje pri nas veljal za pridnega človeka. Imel je medlega konjička, s katerim je bil na cesti, dokler mu konj ni poginil. »Oče vozijo iz planine zato, da nam bodo kupili kruha,« so ponavljali otroci z bleščečimi očmi. Včasih je zvedela mati na ta način še kaj hujšega. Nekoč je najstarejši sosedov otrok, ki mu je bilo ime Jozej, dejal naši materi z navdušenim glasom, ko da bi ji pripovedoval kdo ve kako novico: »Nocoj je pa krava zvrgla.« Tedaj je mati molčala. Nekoč je rekla Nanika: »Danes smo pa meso jedli, ker je ovca crknila.« Tudi takrat je mati molčala, iz oči pa so se ji prikradle solze. Ves ta čas, dokler je naša mati izpraševala, so otroci stali mirno sredi dimnice. Ko je mati potemvečem5 vse zvedela, kar se je pri sosedovih godilo, se je dvignila, stopila k mizi ter vzela iz nje velik krajec miznika6 ter odrezala vsakemu otroku velik kos kruha. Pri tem najmlajšega Naceja ni izpustila iz naročja. Otroci so drug za drugim stopali k materi. Preden je otrok vzel kruh v roke, je stisnil obe roki v prošnjo, pogledal materi v oči in dejal: »Lepo prosim!« Šele potem je otrok vzel kruh in zopet rekel: »Bog lonaj!« Taka je bila takrat šega. Mali Nacej še ni mogel prav dobro govoriti in je dejal najprej: »Lepo plosim!«, potem pa, ko je držal kruh v roki, rekel: »Bolonaj!« To je napravil tako prisrčno, da seje mati smehljala in so ji prišle solze iz oči. Kruh je bil vedno prvo darilo, ki so ga dobili pri nas. Včasih pa so otroci bili deležni še česa drugega, kakega toplega jedila, ki je ostalo od naših južin, ali česa podobnega. Kadar je bilo vse spravljeno pod streho, takrat so otroci zaživeli, da jih ni bilo mogoče več spoznati. Medtem ko so bili pred jedjo tihi in pohlevni kakor jagnjeta, so začeli kmalu razsajati po dimnici, daje šlo vse navzkriž. To je bil dokaz, da so prihajali k nam resnično lačni. Sosedovim otrokom se tudi nikoli ni mudilo domov. Vedno smo bili mi, ki smo jih začeli spravljati nazaj. Po navadi so ostajali do noči. Toda zgodilo se je, da otroci niso hoteli domov. Večji so se začeli kisati, mali pa so padli v jok. »Mama nas bo doma tepla,« so vekali in se kremžili. Takrat je naša mati vzela v naročje Naceja in poklicala ostale otroke za seboj ter rekla: »Pojdite za menoj, bom jaz šla z vami domov.« Tega jim ni bilo treba dvakrat reči. Mati, M je šla z njimi do doma, je seveda znala preprečiti, da otroci niso bili tepeni. Zato so otroci našo mater silno vzljubili in soji rekal: »Teta.« Mi domači otroci smo sčasoma postajali ljubosumni, ker jih. je imela skoraj rajši kakor nas. Nekoč smo ji to tudi vrgli v lice. Takrat se je razžalostila, čez nekaj časa pa je rekla: »Sosedovi otroci so siroteji, ker nimajo matere.« To je bilo opravičilo za njeno veliko ljubezen. Pred odhodom je mati otroke zmerom zopet obdarovala. Če ni bilo drugega, je bil dober domač kruh, navadno pa je prišlo na vrsto še kako sadje, suho ali presno, ali pa še kaj boljšega. Kadar so sosedovi prihajali k nam goli in bosi, j ih j e tudi nekako oblekla v primerne stare cape, zakaj tudi pri nas za obleko ni bilo predobro. Včasih je potem, ko je že vsak otrok držal v rokah kos kruha, odrezala še en posebno velik kos, ga izročila najstarejšemu otroku in rekla: »Na, to je pa za vašo mater, da ne bo huda.« Potem je odrezala še nekoliko manjši kos, ga izročila Naniki in ji rekla: »Na, to je pa za vašo babico, ki nima zob.« Pri sosedu so namreč tudi imeli babico, ki je bila še veliko starejša kakor naša in je vedno ležala v dimnici na kupu slame. Pri teh delitvah, posebno kadar so bili na vrsti orehi in drugo suho sadje, je natlačila otrokom vse žepe, kolikor so jih imeli. Starejši otroci so takrat navadno mnogo bolje odrezali, ker so imeli večje žepe v svojih oblekah. Včasih pa so nosili tudi jopiče svojega očeta, v katerih so bili žepi skoraj brez dna. Nekoč je bil mali Nacej v jopiču, ki mu je bil mnogo prevelik. Mati mu je napolnila desni žep do vrha z orehi in suhimi češpljami. Levega žepa pa ni takoj zagledala, ker je bil pod veliko zaplato. Tedaj je Nacej pokazal na levi žep in zaklical s kislim obrazom in glasom, kije šel najok: »Teta, tuje še en devžej!« Materin obraz je pokril blažen smehljaj, nato je Naceju napolnila še ta žep s suhim sadjem. Drug za drugim so se otročički pobirali iz dimnice. Zunaj se je navadno že delal mrak. Visok sneg je bil podoben kameniti odeji, ki ni imela ne konca ne kraja. Kmalu so se sosedovi otroci pogreznili v globoko gaz, kije vodila čez polje. Nobenega glasu ni bilo slišati od njih. Zdaj so bile pike še temnejše kakor takrat, ko so prihajale k nam. Devžej ali devžek je žep. lOpeta bajta, trda bajta. ^Vek, jok. ^Razoglavi. ^Prekajevalo meso. Povojeno je prekajeno meso. §V glavnem. 6Miznik, vsakdanji kruh za razliko od stolnika, ki je pšenični kruh. Božično veselje Božič, praznik veselja. Preprostega veselja, čistega kot otroški nasmeh. Veselja, ki nam ga prinaša novorojeno Dete. Ni to hrupno veselje, ki bobni po zvočnikih in aparatih, ni to veselje, ki žari v blestečih žarometih mestnih noči. To veselje je tiho, ker je edino veselje, ki lahko napolni naša srca. Veselje, ki osvetljuje tudi najbolj temne noči. Veselje, ki presega zemeljske meje. Veselje, ki napolnjuje vesolje. To je Veselje, ki je na zemljo prišlo iz nebes v tihi božični noči. Veselje, ki je prišlo v skromne jasli, da od tam preplavi ves svet. Ni le za trenutek in ni majhno. Ni osebno. To veselje je večno in je neskončno. Večno in neskončno kot Bog. In On je hotel deliti to veselje s človekom. Pokazal nam je pot do veselja. “Bog je svet tako ljubil, da je dal svojega edinorojenega Sina, da bi se nihče ne pogubil." Sin si je izbral družino, Sin si je izbral Mater, da se je lahko rodil v jaslih kot človek. In takrat se je rodila Ljubezen. Ljubezen je prišla med nas. Sam Bog nas je naučil ljubiti. Zato je božič tudi rojstvo Ljubezni. Ljubezni, ki ne gleda nase, ki ne misli nase. Ljubezni, ki se daruje vsem, kateri jo pridejo iskat. Ljubezni, ki nas povzdigne iz naše človeške narave, da nas naredi Bogu podobne. To, in samo to, je pravi pomen vsega božičnega veselja. Samo od te ljubezni priteka ves sijaj božične luči v temno noč človeškega življenja. Jezusovo rojstvo je klic, da zavrnemo žalost in temo v svojem življenju. Tema ne more biti del našega življenja, saj ne bo prinesla drugim veselja. Če bi se odtrgali od tega izvira radostne božične svetlobe, bi kmalu zamrl tudi njen odsev. Vsa bleščeča božična drevesca in vsi božični darovi, vsa bajna razsvetljava, v katero se za božič zagrinjajo svetovna mesta - vse to bi ne moglo prebuditi v srcih ljudi tistega veselja, ki ga je oznanil angel pastirjem. Božična radost je moč, ki je spremenila svet; moč, ki more spremeniti svet! Ne pozabimo nikdar te božične blagovestiI Uresničujemo jo dan za dnem. Božič naj nam ne bo samo en dan y letu, temveč celo leto, vsi dnevi našega življenja. V veselju in radosti praznujmo rojstvo Ljubezni! Tako bomo našli srečo. A tenka Poznič FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART » ! Christmas A Time For Family Tradition Grandma had poor circulation so the thermostat at her house was always set somewhere in the 80’s. However, despite this, grandma could always be found wearing her navy blue sweater. On Christmas Eve her house was warmer still. All day the oven would be on, cooking the evening meal. Her six children all came home on Christmas Eve. Each one brought his/ her spouse and children. We all gathered around the dining room table which extended into the living room. The meal was always the same: Mushroom soup, salad, roast beef, mash potatoes, green beans, bobalky, oplatky with honey, (These were only served on Christmas Eve.) and for dessert, various sorts of Christmas cookies. Although the meal was always the same no one complained. In fact, now that I think about it, there would have been a mutiny. It wouldn’t have been Christmas Eve without the traditional menu. As we ate and joked with each other, the same Christmas special was being broadcasted over the television. I can remember glancing at the T.V. DAVY’S COLUMN set now and then, year after year, and thinking, “That was on last year.” However, as many times as I noticed it and thought, “That was on last year” not once did I catch the title or see the special in it’s entirety. 1 guess you can say that missing that show was also a tradition. After dinner, all of us little kid cousins were shooed upstairs, so not to get under foot as the ladies cleared the table and washed the dishes. Once the dishes were done, once again we all gathered in the dining room to watch as grandma opened her presents. Afterward, my immediate family would bid everyone a good night and head for my maternal grandparent’s home. The others prepared for midnight Mass. Once at my grandparents on my mother’s side, we got to open some presents because we wouldn't see them on Christmas Day. By the time we got home it was usually near or after midnight, and while we were gone, Santa Claus had been to our house! Christmas Eve was always the same, and yet that’s what made it so wonderful. The tradition. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! DAVY St. Nicholas: Patron of Children, Patron of Sailors There are few historical facts about St. Nicholas. We know he was the Bishop of Myra (in what is now Turkey) in the fourth century. He attended the Council of Nicaea in A.I). 325 and died about 350. Although the facts are few, the legends of St. Nicholas are many. Some say he provided the dowries for the daughters of a poor man. The story of his charitable gifts is the reason some celebrate his feast dav of December 6 by the giving of gifts. Legend has it that St. Nicholas stopped at an inn on his way to the Council of Nicaea. Nicholas discovered that the innkeeper had murdered two boys for the money they had. After having the innkeeper arrested for the crime, St. Nicholas brought the boys back to life. For this reason and the stories of gift-giving to children, he is known as the patron of children. Many miracles are attributed to St. Nicholas. He is said to have fashioned the release of three army officers who had been wrongly convicted. St. Nicholas is also known as the patron of sailors. A common greeting between sailors in the Aegean Sea is: “May St. Nicholas hold the tiller.” A tradition in many families is to hang the children's stockings the night of December 5. When the children awake the next morning, the feast day of St. Nicholas, they find their stockings filled with goodies -from St. Nick, of course. 2ND CLASS POSTAGE PAID CHICAGO ILLINOIS vrmiu, do:.'res theresa 6815 EKBUENTCW.NE DR TINLEV PARK IL 60477 95-32942B 200 W Maple (Hie New Lenox. Ill 60451 Rosanne J. Ruth REALTOR Res. 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