ZARJA
- THE DAWN
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URADNO GLASILO SLOVENSKE ŽENSKE ZVEZE V AMERIKI
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION OF AMERICA
NUMBER 3
MAY-JUNE 1999
VOLUME 71
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NEW S.W.U. COOKBOOK!
ZARJA - THE DAWN
Dedicated to Hermine Dicke
Enjoy it and share it with your family and friends
The PERFECT gift for all occasions
Features of the NEW cookbook include:
600 Great Recipes with easy formats 171 NEW recipes from our members
Place your order now -$18.00 per book, postpaid
AUTHENTIC SLOVENIAN RECIPES:
Favorites of three generations Detailed Instructions Origins of regional recipes Historical Information Maps and notes of interest!
MoRfflS-fANS
SLOVENIAN -AMERICAN COOKBOOK
Heritage illustrations by renowned artist, Nancy Bukovnik
(ISSN 0044-1848)
Postmaster: Send ail changes of address to: ZARJA - THE DAWN, 4851 S. Drexel Blvd., Chicago, IL 60615-1703
NO. 3	MAY-JUNE	1999
Member, Illinois Fraternal Congress
VOL. 71
Official Publication of the Slovenian Women’s Union of America — Uradno glasilo Slovenske Ženske Zveze,
Published six times per year - šestkrat na leto.
Annual Subscription for non-members, $15.00 — naročnina $15.00 letno za ne-članice.
Publisher: SLOVENIAN WOMEN'S UNION OF AMERICA 431 No. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432 Telephone (815) 727-1926
Periodicals Postage Paid at Joliet, IL and at additional mailing offices All communications for the next issue of publication must be in the hands of the Editor by the first week of the month — vsi dopisi za naslednjo izdajo mesečnika morajo biti v rokah urednice do 1. v mesecu.
Editor, CORINNE LESKOVAR Editorial Office: 4851 S. Drexel Blvd.,-Chicago, IL 60615-1703 Telephone: (773) 548-8878
SPECIAL DATES AND EVENTS IN MAY!
Member/Mother of the Year Parties:
Make checks payable to: Slovenian Women’s Union (or S.W.U.) Mail to: 431 North Chicago Street Joliet, IL 60432
Please allow three weeks for delivery
MAY
Marija Pomagaj, Pray for us!-
May 23rd is the Feastday of Marija Pomagaj, Patroness of Slovenia. Many Slovenians the world over observe on the evening before, praying by candlelight before her revered picture.
We members of the S.W.U. will commemorate the day on Sunday, May 23rd 1999 at the National Convention in Orlando, by attending mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Universe, especially remembering all the departed members of the Slovenian Women’s Union. Delegates and friends are invited to attend in Slovenian national costume.
Br.	47	1	Luncheon, Quinn’s Rest., Solon, Call Olga 440-248-0585
Br.	105	1	Luncheon
Br.	20	11	Dinner, St. Joe’s Park
Br.	40	12	Holiday Inn, 12:30p.m., Call President 245-3919
Br.	43	12	Dinner, Klemmer’s Rest., noon
Br.	2	13	Dinner
Br.	5	13	Spring Meeting & Luncheon
Br.	16	13	Dinner, Gaddini’s, 12:30p.m., Call Edna221-5708
Br.	50	13	Lunch at Sterle’s, 1:30 p.m.
Br.	13	16	Brunch
Br.	32	19	Dinner, Hometown Buffet, 6 p.m., Call Ann 216-481-4194
Br.	10	24	Lunch, Christy’s Rest. 1 p.m., Call440-944-4954 or531-7635 *****
Br.	24	15	Litany,Resurrection Church, 2p.m. BIRTHDAYS ARE ON PAGE 15
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HOME OFFICE: 2439 GLENWOOD AVENUE ♦ JOLIET, IL 60435 ♦ (800)843-5755
JEAN KORSMAN, National President
MAY - A MONTH OF PRAYER, RESPECT AND REFLECTION
In just a few weeks we will be meeting in Orlando, Florida for our 23rd National Convention.
As in years past, there are serious issues to be addressed. The various Branches have sent suggestions for bylaw changes. At the Board meeting in February, your officers pondered those suggestions and have prepared a packet of information to be sent to the delegates for their perusal. When voted on, these rules become the guidelines for our SWU for the next four years and beyond, helping us to keep pace with the changing times. We thank you all for your continued interest and concern for the future progress of our organization.
I have been re-reading Marie Prisland’s, book and thumbing through old ZARJA magazines, and it has been an inspiration and a learning experience; a history of the events that have shaped our Union and brought us to the twenty-first century. As the stories and pictures unfold it is evident that these proud founders had a firm purpose and a far-sighted dream for their future and that of their families. With diligence and hard work, in spite of major stumbling blocks, they were able to accomplish the formidable task of bringing together a diverse group of immigrant women, and joining them in a Union where they shared similar goals, hopes and aspirations.
We must now ask ourselves, “can we keep this vision alive? Do we have the will to work with that same spirit of unity as those pioneers did in 1926? Do we possess the RIGHT STUFF? The courage that it takes to overcome the obstacles of indifference, selfpromotion and complacency that are the stumbling blocks in 1999? Or can we look ahead like Mrs. Pris-land, envisioning an ever-growing Union of women who want to be the best roll models for our daughters and granddaughters, with the sincere wish to enlighten them about the ethnic customs and traditions of their ancestors?”
I have great faith in the success of the up-coming National Convention in Florida. The Chairman, Vice President, Kathy Dorchak has been working tirelessly towards this goal and with the help of her committee, has arranged a program that will appeal to all. She has provided us with a format for the necessary full business days as well as allowing time for renewing
old friendships, socializing with new acquaintances and enjoying some fun activities.
I will not be on the ballot as your National President, but I am confident that the nominating committee will present a slate of officers who will serve the SWU with integrity, perseverance and the dedication that these offices demand.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your president these past four years, the love and encouragement of so many new friends has been overwhelming; and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. May God continue to bless the Slovenian Women’s Union of America.
Mother’s Day Tribute
This issue of ZARJA is dedicated to our annual Mother’s Day Tribute to those members and mothers of our branches who were chosen for the special honor. Their pictures and life stories, beginning on page 2, are heartwarming and uplifting. May God bless them and all the worthy members of our SWU, especially those who have gone to their eternal rewards; and may His Blessed Mother welcome them with a special embrace!
On the Cover...
GOSPA OF MEDJUGORJE
The Blessed Mother has appeared at Medjugorje many, many times since 1981, in this tiny hamlet near the Bosnian city of Mostar. Millions of pilgrims have made visits to this precious site and taken Her messages to heart. She asks that people begin and end the day with prayer!
MOTHERS/MEMBERS OF THE YEAR 1999
Branch 2, Chicago, IL
MARIJA STRAŽIŠAR RIGLER
Branch 2 is happy and proud to honor Marija Rigler as Mother of the Year of 1999. She is loyal, kind, caring and helpful. Her deep faith in God and warm smile endear her to everyone. We congratulate her and wish her all of God’s blessings.
Marija was bom on May 22, 1936 in Krvava Peč, Slovenia, to the late Josephine and Jakob Stražišar. She has a brother and two sisters: brother Rado Stražišar of Elk Grove Village, IL and in Slovenia, Anica Milošič and Milka Urbas. Another brother, Ludvik, is deceased.
Marija remembers that their life was disrupted when she was five years old and World War II began. The family went through hard times as there was little food or shelter. During the war the family relocated many times and finally came to live in the town of Velike Lašče. At the age of 9, she recalls the end of the war because it happened on the same day her brother, Rado was bom, in April, 1945. A few years passed as her mother struggled with five children, not knowing
Continued on page 20
Branch 3, Pueblo, CO
JOSEPHINE KRASOVIC
Josephine Krasovic, Mother of the Year of Slovenian Women’s Union, #3, was unanimously chosen for this honor of which she is very worthy.
Josephine was bom in Pueblo, Colorado to Agnes and Juan Grande on March 18, 1931, and comes from a family of three girls and two boys. She credits her parents with instilling honesty, love of the Church, hard work and appreciation of living a simple life. Her fondest memory is of her dad who cultivated the land near their home. Each morning he would ring the 6:00 bells at St. Anthony Church before he left for work. Josephine, in turn, had to ring the 12:00 bells taking turns with her siblings. To this day she listens for the bells as they ring at 6:00 and 12:00 each day at St. Mary’s Church.
Josephine and her husband, Raymond, were married July 26, 1952. They began their life together living in a small three room house with the bathroom facility outdoors. They lived in this house with their first three daughters until 1959 when Raymond completed building their existing home of 41 years. Both
Continued on page 20
Branch 5, Indianapolis, IN
THERESA LAMBERT
Theresa Lambert has been a member of Branch 5 since 1943. Theresa has been married to childhood sweetheart, Martin, for 51 years. They have lived mostly in Indianapolis, but moved to Florida for seven years before returning to Indiana in 1994 and settling in Brownsburg. Theresa received her RN degree from St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing in 1947. She worked at the same job for 17 years and has been retired for 15 years.
Theresa and Martin have raised seven children of whom they are very proud. All but the youngest lives within 60 miles of the Lambert home. Theresa keeps busy with her 14 grandchidlren, her crafts and baby-sitting. She is also a collector of angels and photography. SWU has been a tradition with Theresa’s family. Her mother, Antonia Bayt, was one of the founding members of SWU Branch 5. Her daughter, Karen Zarich is a member as is Theresa’s sister, Mary Huskee, and her nieces Rosemary Carl and Phyllis Cesnik. Theresa feels honored that she was named “Woman of the Year” and explains that she was inspired by her mother and her sister, “to both of whom I owe very much for my faith, caring for family and being kind to all around me.”
Reporter
CHARLENE KOBE
Slovenian Women’s Union Branch 20 chose Charlene Kobe as its Mother-Woman of the Year. During her 16 year membership she has served as President from 1993 to the present time. Chair was a delegate for Br. 20 for the 1995 National Convention as well as again in 1999 when branch members will travel to Florida in May. She has been a delegate for the State Convention every year she has been President.
The daughter of the late George and Clara Beutel, she was bom in Joliet on October 17, 1935. She has one sister, Janet (John) Alsbury and four brothers, Bob (Helen) Beutel, George (Eleanore) Beutel, Jim (Joann) Beutel and Gordie (Nancy) Beutel.
Char graduated from St. Francis Academy in 1953 and married Bill Kobe, son of Anna and the late Bill Kobe, on August 18, 1953. They went on to raise four daughters, Jeanne (Ray) Warsaw, Cheree (Larry) Lewis, Cindy (Denny) Welsh and Robyn (Larry) Coyne.
Continued on page 20
Branch 23, Ely, Minnesota
ANGELA GODEC
Mother Angela was bom in Aurora, Minnesota and is a member of Br. 23 for 59 years! During this time she has been very active and even served as reporter in ZARJA for five years. Angie has always been a good member of the branch. She attends all the meetings, takes part in the discussions and helps with suggestions. She has a sparkling personality and gets along with everybody.
She married Joseph “Phil” Godec in 1938 at St. Anthony’s Church and is the mother of three, Phyllis Joan Petrick, Frederick J. Godec and Judith Susa Ravlin.
Mother, Angela and her husband were the owners of Phil’s Cap ’n Tap Tavern and as a “people person” she has handled her duties very well. She has always had great interest in music and cooking. No wonder, since husband “Phil” is a life-long musician with many bands of his own, and played with America’s Polka King Frank Yankovic when he was in Ely touring.
Angela is retired from business and spends lots of time as a volunteer at
Continued on page 21
Branch 33, Duluth, MN
JOSEY RZATKOWSKI
Branch 33, Duluth, MN, has chosen Josey Rzatkowski as our Mother of the year. She has been a member for twenty-four years.
Josey was bom in Duluth, February 10, 1949. She attended Duluth Schools, graduated from High School and attended Vocational School for one year. Josey worked as a clerk/typist for the Minnesota Highway Dept, and was a Nursing Assistant at Miller Dwan Hospital.
In 1972, Josey traveled to Poland with her grandmother, and there she met her husband, Michal. They were married at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Duluth. Last year they celebrated their 25th Anniversary with family and friends. They live at 613-101st Ave. West, in a home they built. They have two children, Theresa and Thomas. Theresa is 25 years old, has attended college and has taught dancing for many years. Thomas is 23 and is a graduate of Lake Superior College. (He was a Slovenian Women’s Union Scholarship winner!) He is employed at John Ivey Thomas Associates, an architectural firm in Duluth as a cab
Continued on page 21
THERESA MARIE BERG
I began writing Mother of the Year articles in 1979 and this one will have a few “firsts” in it-one being that I am interviewing my own sister, Theresa Marie Berg!
Tress, as we call her, was bom on May 9, 1930, to Angela (Zobitz) and Jacob Pavlich, in Soudan, MN. She was the 8th child in a family of 11, the 7th daughter in the family of 10 daughters, and one son.
Her mother, Angela was bom in Soudan; father Jacob was bom in Ig, Slovenia and they lived in Ely, MN until World War I began. Jacob worked at the Pioneer Mine until they moved to Tower and then worked at the Zobitz Store until the war was over when the family moved to Soudan.
Tress’ sisters are Angela Tate, Helen Matson, Irene Zegler, Emma Be-toume, Regina Hall, Adeline Mustonen, Lucille Pavlich and Agnes Yapel. Brother, Jack Pavlich and sister, Mary Inzerello are deceased. Tress’ mother, Angela, was a charter member and first president of Br. 34, which is celebrating
Continued on page 21
Branch 35, Aurora, MN
ALICE WILSON
Alice Wilson was bom on December 28, 1920 in Aurora, Minnesota. She was the 12th child of 13 bom to John and Johanna Bradach.
Two of the children died in their youth, the remaining 11 children all reached maturity, were married and had families of their own. Of those, five are still alive: Joseph, the second bom, who is now 96 and still lives by himself; Henry, who lives in Babbitt, MN with his wife, Mabel; Helen Zuponcic, who lives in Aurora; Margaret Cina, who lives in Arlington, MN and of course, Alice Wilson, lives in Aurora with her husband, George.
Alice graduated from Aurora High School in 1939 and attended Duluth State Teacher’s College for a year. About that time, the war effort had started to build, and she joined the labor force, working for a time in Chicago and later clerking in the Co-Op store in Aurora.
Late in 1942, Alice travelled to Midland, Texas and married Lt. George Wilson. They travelled together to a few military installations until 1944, when
Continued on page 22
Branch 38, Chisholm, MN
ROSE SELESNIK NIEMI
Members of the Slovenian Women’s Union Branch 38 of Chisholm, Minnesota have selected Rose Selesnik Niemi as “The Mother of the Year.”
As the Secretary of the Branch, Rose has demonstrated a genuine dedication to duty; a vibrancy and motivation that has given strength to the Union; and a sense of direction and energy that is infectious. Always upbeat, and rich in humor as well as understanding, Rose adds a dimension of challenge and strength to projects and programs that at times seem impossible.
She is always willing to help, and has a heart of gold. She gives of her resources and talents freely, thus leaving a legacy of service.
Continued on page 22
Rose (center) with her family, l.-r. Janis Marie, Jayne Louise, Geri Rose and Walter.
VIDA LAN ARI
Vida Lanari joined the SWU in 1956 as a member of Branch 19, Eveleth. In 1996, Br. 19 became inactive and combined with Br. 39. She had served as a secretary in Br. 19 for a number of years and after the merger, was President of Br. 39 for one year. She currently serves as treasurer.
Vida was bom in Šoster, Slovenia on April 3, 1944. In 1956, the family of seven daughters and mother came to Eveleth to join their father, who had immigrated earlier. Vida is the sixth daughter. After a year and a half the family moved to Gilbert, MN.
On October 24, 1964 in Gilbert, she married Rick Lanari. For eighteen months, they resided in Gary, Indiana but in the spring of 1966 they relocated back to Virginia. Rick works at USS Minntac Plant as a plant manager. They raised a family of two daughters, Michelle and Monica and two sons, Marc and Greg. Michelle, husband, Darin and daughter, Katie reside in White Bear Lake, MN and Michelle works for Law Co. in Minneapolis. Monica, husband, Sam
Continued on page 24
Branch 43, Milwaukee, WI
HELEN M. HAJICEK
Although Helen, our Mother of the Year, was bom in Pennsylvania, she has spent most of her life in Wisconsin. She has been a member of two branches
-	first with 12 for 37 years and now, for the past two years with Br. 43 who chose her to be honored this year.
Helen is the mother of two children, Richard Komassa and Joan M. Komassa who were bom when Helen was married to her first husband, Charles. That wedding was performed at St. Mary’s church in West Allis in 1941. Helen now resides in New Berlin, a town near Milwaukee.
Helen began to work in 1962 and was an accounting analyst at General Electric Medical Systems. She was there 15 years, enjoying meeting lots of people. When she retired they honored her with a special company party. Since she is retired, Helen still likes to be with people, so she took on a part time job working at a maternity shop. Traveling, sewing and investment analysis are her favorite hobbies. She also collects plates and antiques.
Continued on page 24
Branch SO, Cleveland-Euclid, OH
ALBINA MRSNIK
Albina is one of those people who sees that when work needs to be done, she does it! Many of her activities have centered on the community, true, but mainly, she has been the mother of two, is the grandmother of five and great grandmother of 7!
With her husband of 57 years, the late John Mrsnik, our honored mother was a popular businesswoman, owner of the Maples Tavern in Wickliffe. Her residence now is in Euclid, Ohio. She also has worked as cafeteria supervisor and, in fact, never retired because she has always worked at the different Slovenian Homes and on the committees for many Slovenian causes.
She has 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Her son, John and his wife, Geraldine have a son, Frank and a daughter, Kathy. Her grandson, Frank and his wife, Jane have three children, Brittany (16), Matthew (14) and Mark (12). In 1998, they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary.
Continued on page 24
HILDA LIPIC
So many nice people in our organization and one of the nicest is Hilda Lipic, who has been chosen by the members of our branch in Fontana, California to represent them in this tribute. She is a member for 17 years.
Hilda comes from Slovenia - she was bom there and received her training there as a seamstress. This enabled her to go into men’s custom tailoring for 19 years in the USA.
Hilda married Eugene Lipic in 1957 at St. Joseph Church in Bethlehem, PA shortly after immigrating here from Slovenia. She has joined him in many, many activities connected with his charitable interests in the church, activities for retarded children, and orphaned boys.
Since her retirement as a seamstress in 1980, Hilda has done some housekeeping and keeps up with community events. She lives quite a distance from Fontana, and seldom sees her many friends there which makes her especially grateful for being remembered by them as Woman of the Year. She says it is a humbling experience. The members all agree, however, that it is well-deserved.
Tony and Jeanette
Branch 102, Willard, WI
JEANETTE PERUSEK
It’s been a busy and happy life for Jeanette. Living in the rural atmosphere of Willard-Neillesville, Wisconsin has given Jeanette a deep love of nature and respect for hard-working people.
In 1929, she was bom in the community of Neillesville where she and husband, Tony, still make their home. At the age of 17, after high school, she began working at different jobs, then went into restaurant work as a waitress. She completed 31 years at the White Horse Inn before retiring in 1996. Now she enjoys being home and taking care of her garden of flowers.
Jeanette and Tony were married at Holy Family Church in Willard in 1950. His family was active with the church and community there, so it was natural that the newlyweds became active with the lodges and church as well. They still attend gatherings there with their many friends. Tony retired from maintenance at the Clark County Courthouse.
They have two children, Michael and Patricia and three grandchildren,
Continued on page 24
Branch 103, Washington, D.C.
TEREZIJA BEVEC
Our Washington D.C. branch has a very cosmopolitan membership, with many of the members bringing their strong cultural interests to the mix. Since most of them have Slovenian backgrounds, it’s a marvelous place to learn and enjoy Slovenian heritage.
Our Mother of the Year for 1999 in this community is Terezija Bevec who was bom in Slovenia and is especially knowledgeable in Slovenian arts, music and history. As a result, her family life is centered on it and we often read about her children performing at the branch functions.
Terezija was married to fellow-Slovenian, Continued on page 24
Terezija with husband, Andrej and children, Kristina, Andrej and Tomaž
NATIONAL SECRETARY - - KEEPING UP-TO-DATE
With the approach of the National Convention, the items that come to mind that could be discussed are those that will be brought to your attention at the Convention. We urge everyone to read not only this issue of ZARJA, but the ones that will be printed after the convention. At the recent Board Meeting in Joliet, Illinois, as matters were brought before those present, the membership was given close consideration in any and all discussions. If a bylaw change was considered, the question was “how will the membership respond?” If a proposal for a new idea was introduced, we asked ourselves “what will the membership want, what would they do.” Decisions are not made lightly, and in many cases what seems like a very good suggestion at its presentation, after consideration and discussion, ideas are scraped. We fully realized that we had the future of the organization to consider. Thus, we hope that you will give your time and attention to read about all that was done on your behalf at the convention.
In recent months, while processing death benefits, some benefit checks had to be reissued. Certificates that have been presented are old—some carrying three digit numbers. We ask that secretaries pay close attention to the certificates when they submit them. For example, in one case (out of several) for a $100 benefit, four separate checks were issued to the named beneficiaries. These checks were returned, since one of the beneficiaries was deceased, the amounts were wrong and three additional checks had to be issued (to divide the $100 evenly).
It would be most helpful if secretaries would take the time to check the beneficiary information, and make a notation regarding the status of the named beneficiary. We find that families who submit the certificates for payment are most thorough—if a beneficiary is deceased, they submit death certificates as proof, Power of Attorney papers, and other additional information.
We also find that our very oldest members named their husbands as beneficiaries, were then widowed and never changed the information on the certificate. Secretaries, please take close note of these instances. We appreciate your help.
We want to thank each of you who responded so quickly with payment of your dues. Many questions were written and we tried to answer them all. We always welcome the notes that tell us that we failed to reduce the amount of the assessments, that we have misspelled a name, or a street. We admire the members who take the time to write their appreciation of our job, and we thank them for their comments, best wishes and support. Thank you also to those who ordered the cookbook in response to a flyer that was sent with the invoices. Thank you to the members who included donations with their dues, and to those who sent stamps to help out.
I hope to meet many of you at the National Convention. Our Vice President, Kathy Dorchak has put a lot of thought, time and talent into making this a convention to remember. We just wish that ALL OF YOU could join us. We will be thinking of you, we hope that you will keep us, and our work at the convention, in your prayers.
Respectfully submitted,
Evelyn A. Majercik
The Prisland Girls!
Margaret Prisland Fischer, (left) of Sheboygan, Wisconsin recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Margaret was the Secretary of Branch 1 for 14 years, and has the distinction of being one of the only three remaining charter members of S.W.U. Helping her celebrate was her dear sister, Hermine Prisland Dicke (right). Hermine compiled SWU’s three "Pots and Pans” cookbooks that were very popular among members, containing many Slovene recipes. Hermine also served as the Director of the Scholarship Fund Program for 42 years.
Margaret Fischer and her sister, Hermine Dicke	■
SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION OF AMERICA 23rd National Convention Assembly
Board of Directors
President	Jean Korsman	39 Biwabik, MN
Vice President	Kathleen Dorchak	47 Garfield Hts., OH
Treasurer	Beverly Menart	33 Duluth, MN
Secretary	Evelyn Majercik	73 WarrensvilleHts., OH
1st Auditor	Cirila Kermavner	25 Cleveland, OH
2nd Auditor	Patricia Figurowski	20 Joliet, IL
3rd Auditor	Josephine Lustik	20 Joliet, IL
	Appointed National Officers	
ZARJA Editor	Corinne Leskovar	2 Chicago, IL
Heritage Director	Irene Odorizzi	103 Washington, D.C.
Scholarship Director	Mary Turvey	1 Sheboygan,WI
Women’s Activities Director	Kathleen Emerson	105 Detroit, MI
Delegates and Alternates
Regional Presidents
Branch	Delegate	Alternate
2 Chicago, IL	Dolores Puhek	Maria Rigler
2 Chicago, IL	Jean Železnikar	Rosemary Litwin
3 Pueblo, CO	Pauline Pauchick	
13 San Francisco, CA	Beverly Jackson	
14 Euclid, OH	Jennie Fitzthum	
16 So. Chicago, IL	VidaKumse	Gladys Buck
20 Joliet, IL	Charlene Kobe	Marcia Judnik
20 Joliet, IL	Mildred Pucel	Kathy Stonich
20 Joliet, IL	Jonita Ruth	Agnes Dobczyk
23 Ely, MN	Jane Yadlosky	Dolores High
24 LaSalle, IL	Josephine Grabowski	Mary Ann Brunner
25 Cleveland, OH	Frances Gazvoda	Peggy Ann Moore
32 Euclid, OH	Charlotte Perdan	Ann Cooke
33 Duluth, MN	Rosemary Donald	Emily Skull
34 Soudan, MN	Victoria Bobence	
35 Aurora, MN	Dorothy Jamnick	Anne Orazem
38 Chisholm, MN	Gail Milton	Catherine Sandvick
39 Gilbert, MN	Angeline Hietala	Mary Cossalter
42 Maple Hts., OH	M. Marjorie Church	
47 Garfield Hts., OH	Ann Harsh	Elsie Spellacy
50 Euclid, OH	Ann Tercek	
50 Euclid, OH	Mary Miller	
54 Warren, OH	Joanne Ponikvar	
55 Girard, OH	Dolores DePietro	
56 Hibbing, MN	Mary Massick	
73 WarrensvilleHts., OH Angie Musil		Evelyn Majercik
85 DePue, IL	Mary Jermene	
89 Oglesby, IL	Angela Nico	
100 Fontana, CA	Rosemary Mlakar	
103 Washington, D.C.	Jill Augustine	
Ohio-Michigan
Olga Dorchak 47 Solon, OH
Illinois-Indiana
Bonnie Prokup 24 Peru, IL
Minnesota
Charlotte Laurich 38 Chisholm, MN
Western States
Dorothy Sleigh 79 Enumclaw, WA
Wisconsin
Josephine Janezic 43 Milwaukee, WI
As of March 23,1999
23rd National Convention, Orlando, Florida
National Vice President, Kathleen J. Dorchak: “We will have a memorable time!"
National Conventions for any organization are important events. It is the time when a group of a few individuals become the decision-makers for an entire association. It is an opportunity for the organization to gather as a whole to work out solutions to various situations or problems and to make exciting new plans for the future.
Attending the convention as a branch’s delegate or alternate is truly an honor and it should not be thought of lightly. As the delegate or alternate acting on behalf of the delegate, your branch is counting on you to make the right decisions to help our organization grow and flourish. Be prepared to take on this challenge with enthusiasm. You will want to ask questions and become involved. It is important to be informed.
Your National Board has been working hard to prepare for our 23rd National Convention. We can assure you that it will be fun, yet we have our work to do. This is the time to plan the future of the Slovenian Women’s Union, using the strong foundation that our ancestors laid down in the past. Plan to make your mark in our association’s growth. Be ready to add your ideas and be willing to volunteer where you are needed. We need individuals willing to work hard and dedicate their time to continue to make the Slovenian Women’s Union a strong and vital organization. This convention will have more meaning to you when you are involved. Remember, you have been chosen to represent the members of your branch.
I am confident that anyone attending this convention will have a memorable time. It will be so heartwarming to see many of us together again. Many of you have been to quite a few National Conventions. Can you remember something about each one of them? It has been four years since our last convention. I, for one,, think that time went by quickly.
So now we have an opportunity to meet our association’s needs for the new millennium. Your involvement, no matter how small, will make a difference. I am looking forward to seeing as many of our members as possible at the convention. It is the only time we can be together as a whole and it is important to be united. Remember that old saying “United we stand, divided we fall!” Let’s stay united and stand strong.
AMBASSADOR OF SLOVENIA TO ADDRESS CONVENTION BANQUET
The convention committee has received word that the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, Hon. Dimitrij Rupel will be the guest speaker at the Convention’s concluding gala banquet on Saturday, May 22,
1999 at Orlando, Florida.
Dr. Rupel is well-versed on the historical significance of Slovenia in today’s world and the impact its independence since 1991 has made on the Slovenian - American community. We also hope to leam about the role and contributions of the modem Slovenian woman in the new Slovenian state and what relevance a fraternal society similar to the Slovenian Women’s Union would have there.
The installation of newly elected national officers and presentation of awards will also take place at this banquet.
%	        =JJ
SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION OF AMERICA
23rd National Convention May 20—23, 1999, Orlando, Florida
Convention Headquarters: WYNDHAM ORLANDO RESORT ON INTERNATIONAL DRIVE (Formerly Orlando Marriott International Hotel)
May 20 - at the Hotel:
Arrival and Registration
Delegates may submit their Credential Forms to the Credential Committee from 6 to 8 p.m.
Reception for all Delegates and Guests and Dinner
May 22 - at the Hotel:
Convention session from 8:30 a.m. until adjournment, 4:30 p.m.
Luncheon recess from noon to 1 p.m.
Convention Banquet and Installation Ceremony at the Hotel in the evening
May 21 - at the Hotel:
Opening of the 23rd National Convention, 8:30 a.m.
Greetings, Keynote Speaker and Convention Meeting
Recess for Luncheon from noon to 1 p.m., adjournment 4:30 p.m.
Dinner and Entertainment in the evening
May 23 -
Memorial Service for SWU members and Holy Mass at the Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine. Slovenian national costumes are requested. Gathering for memorial services at 9 a.m.
After mass, Excursion to New Smyrna Beach for picnic with Slovenian community. Bus transporation from Hotel and back will be provided.
FOR ANY AND ALL INFORMATION, CALL KATHY DORCHAK S.W.U. Convention Chairman Telephone (330) 686-1336 (Home)
(440) 349-5836 (Work)
Orlando transportation to and from the Wyndham Hotel (formerly Marriott Hotel) can be arranged from Mears Transportation Group. See March-April ZARJA, page 3, for details.
IMPORTANT! Allow for sufficient time for transportation to and from Orlando Airport for your return flights home.
We are planning to have a specialty assigned S.W.U. Coordinator at the Hotel at all times available to help you with questions and instructions.
Before and after Convention Schedule or meetings, you can enjoy: DISNEY “PARK HOPPER” DISCOUNT PASSES (see March-April ZARJA, page 4) that give you unlimited entries to the four theme parks: Magic Kingdom Park: Disney fantasies and characters come to life. This is the original central feature of Disneyland.
Epcot: One of a kind theme park combines two vastly different worlds - Future World and World Showcase (11 countries represented featuring world class entertainment and food) - daytime and night-time excitements.
Disney M-G-M Studios: The fascinating world of show business with stars of favorite productions.
Animal Kingdom: Heartwarming moments with Disney characters, thrilling adventures with real animals and unsurpassed “fun.”
iftlSSlTOHIB
WASHINGTON, DC?
ATLANTA
WORLD
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Annual Meeting of the National Board of Directors Slovenian Women’s Union of America
Joliet, Illinois, February 18,19,20, 1999
The annual meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order at 1:20 p.m. Thursday by our National President, Jean Korsman. Following the opening prayer and welcome, roll call was taken. Present for the meeting were: Jean Korsman, President; Kathleen Dorchak, Vice President; Evelyn Majercik, Secretary, Beverly Menart, Treasurer; 1st Auditor, Cirila Kermavner, 2nd Auditor, Pat Figurowski and Interim Auditor, Josephine Lustik. Also present were Corinne Leskovar, ZARJA Editor and Irene Odorizzi, Heritage Director. Absent were Mary Turvey, Scholarship Director and Kathleen Emerson, Women’s Activities Director.
Reports submitted by the Regional Presidents were read. Minnesota President Charlotte Laurich advised that their State Convention will be held on the second Sunday of September with Soudan-Tower hosting. Illinois-Indiana President Bonnie Prokup reported on matters within her region, and the convention that was held in conjunction with the Br. 20 celebration. Report was read from Wisconsin new President, Josephine Janezic. The Board extended Get Well wishes to Olga Dorchak, Ohio-Michigan President, who, due to health reasons, was unable to submit a report. The decision was made not to publish the reports from the Regional Presidents in ZARJA. They are on file as a matter of record.
The Auditors met at 8:30 a.m. on Friday morning to begin the audit of the Secretary’s records. The audit would be completed as time permitted, so as to allow the auditors time to participate in the Board meeting.
The report from the Scholarship Director was read (each Board Member had received a copy) and discussed. President Korsman will confirm to the director that the letter/report was received and her financial report accepted for audit.
ZARJA Editor, Corinne Leskovar presented a report on our cookbook project. There are a total of 10,000 books to be sold. Ordering this amount of books was deemed the most economical route to take, an option to printing only
5,000	at a higher rate as we may be faced later with a possibility of having to print additional copies. Members of the Board expressed their compliments on the project as well as encouragement for all officers and members to promote the publication whenever, wherever in whatever means they can.
Corinne also presented her concerns for the future of ZARJA. She brought to our attention many factors that will need to be considered if the publication is to remain viable. These factors include the ever rising costs of printing and postage, the quality of the magazine in terms of paper, and the matter of the Croatian Franciscan Press which handles the publishing. The Board concurred that those matters should be presented to the new Board of Directors after the convention.
With regards to what the Editor presented to us, it was determined that we should complete a Mission Statement that would spell out to everyone what SWU needs to keep
in mind as we enter a new century. The statement will be brief, concise and easily understood, and will be composed, edited and reviewed by board members.
Meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
The second session of the meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. Auditors were absent, meeting elsewhere to begin their audit. In the interim, matters pertinent to the upcoming National Convention were discussed. A matter of concern is the Women’s Activities. Communication efforts have failed to result in any response from the director. No report was submitted to the President for this meeting. President Jean Korsman was entrusted to handle the matter.
At 10:00 a.m., RonEijavec, Administrator of our Trust Funds (First Midwest Trust Company) and Joy Gruber, Financial Administrator, presented their report. With the new cookbook being a major cost, the consideration of cashing a bond coming due in February, 1999 was discussed. The effect of investing in the international market was fully explained to us, and the Board concurred with Mrs. Gruber that we should keep the international Bonds that we have, but not add to them, keeping that phase flexible, at 10%-15%. The investors explained that a slowdown is expected for the second half of 1999, and interest rates may fall.
At the conclusion of the presentation, the following motions were heard. Evelyn Majercik moved that we increase our Common Stock Position from 15% to 20% (it was explained that the increase would be gradual and probably reach 20% at year’s end). The move was seconded by Pat Figurowski. Motion carried.
Evelyn Majercik moved that the $25,000 bond that will fall due on February 28, 1999 be cashed to cover the initial costs of the cookbook project. The move was seconded by Josephine Lustik. The motion was carried. Erjavec/Gruber assured us that they would handle the transaction as early as possible.
Mr. Erjavec and Ms. Gruber were thanked for the report/explanations which were well received by all present.
The Board adjourned for lunch, reconvening at approximately 1:00 o’clock p.m., with discussion opened on the National Convention. With costs an ever present concern, not only to our organization, but to the members who attend the function, the following was considered for approval. The members of the National Board would receive their airfare, transfers, room and convention package, in amounts not to exceed $700.00 each. Regional Presidents will receive their airfare and $225.00. Delegates will receive $225.00 each. Strong emphasis was placed on the fact that individual branches should contribute to the expenses of the delegate they have chosen to represent them. Efforts should be made within the branches to initiate fund raising projects that would benefit their delegate. Kathleen Dorchak moved that the above recommendations be approved. Cirila Kermavner seconded and the motion carried.
Other convention items discussed were the keynote speaker, the Hospitality room, sale of Heritage items, Heritage promotion i.e. adding Slovene aspects throughout the
three days (costumes, music, etc.) Craft sales, and a presentation before Mass on Sunday at the Shrine’s Grotto, honoring our deceased members. Scheduling of the entire convention was adjusted and approved.
The afternoon session was completed with general remarks from officers regarding subjects pertinent to the convention such as forms to be submitted, credentials to be sent, etc.
The afternoon session was adjourned at approximately 5:30 p.m. to reconvene on Saturday at 9:00 a.m.
Prior to our adjournment on Friday, Corinne Leskovar suggested that our Saturday morning session begin with Mass at 8:00 o’clock a.m. at the Cathedral. (Personal Note: At the conclusion of our meeting on Thursday evening, in contact with my residence, I was informed that my son, Michael, in due time, faces amputation of both lower limbs, a complication of his (40-yr) diabetic condition. Corinne suggested attending Mass as a means of spiritual support for Michael and me. It was deeply appreciated.)
Auditors met at 8:30 p.m. to complete their audit, with Evelyn Majercik present to answer their questions.
The meeting reconvened promptly at 9:00 a.m., (after attending the morning mass), a prayer was offered by Jean Korsman. Time was allowed for a few photos to be taken.
First item on the agenda was reports of the officers. The President’s report and the Treasurer’s report were read by Jean Korsman. Board members had received copies of these reports. The Auditors submitted their findings, stating that they accepted the records as presented, adding that they have requested corrected clarifications on certain records. The Secretary was directed to prepare additional material to complete the report. This will be sent to the Auditors as soon as possible.
The Board members reviewed the financial statement. Of main concern is the building that houses the Home Office/ Museum at 431 North Chicago Street in Joliet, Illinois. Expensive repairs have been made to the building with roof repairs needed. Pat Figurowski pointed out that there is a major wall repair to be done resulting from the water problem in 1996. The upstairs apartment is vacant, and it is not feasible at this time to seek tenants. In reviewing the records from previous years, with utilities, repairs, etc., at the rate of $350.00 per month, the rent balanced out to $42.00 per month. Access to the upstairs is not adequate and much would have to be done to make it suitable/attractive to offer it for rent. We are a charitable organization and are advised by the Illinois Dept, of Insurance not to receive rental income. Insurance costs/risks must be considered. After lengthy discussion, it was felt that the subject of the building, a decision to keep or sell the property would be a major priority for the new Board of Directors to consider.
The Board was advised that the Heritage Fund has been separated from the General Account. This was effective January 1, 1999. The account remains at First Midwest Bank, is still under the Secretary’s control; she is assisted by the Heritage Director, Irene Odorizzi. An unauthorized checking account that had been established to handle cookbook funds has been closed out and the check to clear the account was turned over to the Secretary.
Salaries of officers were reviewed. Salaries at present are: President $120.00 monthly, Vice President, $50.00 per year, Secretary, $700.00 monthly, Treasurer, $50.00 year,
Editor, $670.33 monthly, Heritage Director, $50.00 monthly, each Auditor, $50.00 yearly. The Scholarship Director receives $50.00 monthly, paid from the Scholarship Fund.
The following recommendations will be presented at the National Convention: The Editor’s salary to be increased to $700.00 per month. The Heritage Director’s administrative stipend be set at $45.00 per month, with a $55.00 allowance being made for office maintenance. The incoming Board of Directors will have to appoint a Food Editor; her administrative stipend is $50.00 per month. The matter of the salary paid to the clerk at the Home Office was discussed ($315.00 monthly); again, the matter will be handled by the new Board, with recommendations from the retiring Board. Salaries of “employees” are set by each presiding Board.
The subject of bylaws was next on the agenda, discussion was started and continued after the lunch break at 11:35
a.m.
A major recommendation to be presented to the National Convention will be with regard to Social Members. Several branches submitted proposals that indicate they want the bylaw changed. The change will give Social Members the right to a vote and the privilege to hold office, if they so desire. It was felt that with our aging membership, the Social Members have much to offer.
With regard to assessments, initial review of our membership shows that if we would drop the obligation of our older members at a given age, consideration must be given to the revenue we would lose. An alternative to this would be for more branches to assume the responsibilities of keeping (paying for) their aged members. In the same vein, it will be proposed that no FREE dues will be given. Regardless of the age at enrollment, or when they attain 18 yrs. of age, the dues will have to be paid at the time the new application is received. Both aspects of this bylaw were considered in detail, and approved by the Board. A proposal from one branch that dues be raised to $15.00 across the Board was rejected by the board.
The wording of bylaw 7.10 (National Treasurer) will be reworded to read “shall act as a financial liaison between the National Board and the branches, and will assist the National Secretary in matters pertaining to assessments and such other duties that may be required by these bylaws or which may be assigned by the Board of Directors or the National President.” This is proposed to broaden the involvement of the National Treasurer.
Proposals for changes in the bylaws were to be submitted by February 1, 1999. There is a major proposal to be received from the Scholarship Director; since correspondence did not reach her, the deadline for that proposal has been extended to March 15th, 1999. Jean Korsman will advise the Director of the procedure.
Convention Committees for the following were selected from the names of the delegates available: Nominations (Chaired by Kathleen Dorchak), Bylaws (Chaired by Jean Korsman), Credentials (Chaired by Josephine Lustik), ZARJA (Chaired by Corinne Leskovar), Salaries (Chaired by Beverly Menart), Heritage (Chaired by Irene Odorizzi), Fund Raising (Chaired by Cirila Kermavner). These committee members will be advised before the Convention.
The remaining time was used to review all matters discussed. The Ritual Book, a fire alarm system at the Home
Office and the need for a handy-man at that location were considered. The need for a new computer system, a cost estimate and proposal will be offered at the convention.
The meeting officially adjourned at 9:30 p.m. President Korsman thanked all who had attended, and wished them a safe journey home with anticipation of seeing them all again at the National Convention.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Korsman, National President Everlyn A. Majercik, National Secretary
Reports of Officers:
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
The final year of my four year term has gone by all too quickly.
I was privileged to attend the State Convention in Milwaukee. It was personally rewarding and I believe, fraternally significant, as it had been many years since the National President of SWU had visited Wisconsin. The members responded to my visit with gracious hospitality. I met and talked with a number of ladies who had questions that I was able to answer and a number who had suggestions for the Board. It was a heartwarming experience; one that I hope will result in renewed bonds of sisterhood and unity.
I was sorry to miss the Seventieth Anniversary celebration in Joliet, Illinois. I congratulate Br. 20 and all the branches who observed this birthday in 1998 and those that will be reaching this milestone in 1999. May God richly bless these pioneers and fill them with “Korajža” as they continue to grow in numbers and commitment to our organization.
I shared in the feelings of anxiety preceding the production of the new cookbook, ‘MORE POTS AND PANS’; and I share now in the feelings of relief and pride in the results. This has been a tremendous accomplishment and a fitting tribute to Hermine Dicke, our long-time Food Columnist/Cookbook Editor/Scholarship Director. KUDOS to Corinne Leskovar and the Cookbook Committee.
Since the Board meeting in 1998 I have kept in touch with the Directors, the Appointees and the general membership by phone, fax and mail. I have recorded 58 incoming phone calls and 4 faxes, made 71 phone calls and sent 8 faxes, written 19 letters and contributed 6 articles to ZARJA. The Executive Board shared one conference call.
The shrinking budget and declining membership remain my concern. Along with the membership losses and gains, I would like to see a quarterly financial report published in ZARJA. Our magazine continues to be our most costly item, so a precise and accurate membership list must be matched to current statistics. Accuracy and timeliness in billing is vital to our progress and advancement.
I deeply appreciate the cooperation of my fellow Board members and commend them for the many hours spent carrying out their respective duties for the benefit of our S WU.
Jean Korsman
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Many things have been accomplished since May, 1995. We look forward to the National Convention as a means of furthering projects that were started, and enhancing those that are already in place.
The direct billing program, regardless of the criticism and complaints that we receive is working very well. We are amazed at the response when the invoices are sent out.
It also never ceases to amaze us how quickly members will cancel, as soon as we approach them for arrears. The sad aspect of this is that for one or two years they have received ZARJA, enjoyed it, and now refuse to “pay up.”
We have been questioned as to why we don’t cancel these members after they are three months past due. The answer is simple—we could do this, and their first retort would be “that’s not fair.” We do try our very best to satisfy the truly interested members.
Our computer system is aging and slowing down (don’t we all). I have been in contact with those who will customize a system for us. Our main concern is that the “memory” is bogged down (guess we can all understand that). However, it serves its purpose and we will address that issue at the National Convention.
Death benefits far exceed new membeship. This, combined with the expense of printing ZARJA are major issues that need to be discussed.
Our cookbook is in circulation. Sales were really good at the very beginning, but like with everything else, they have tapered off to a degree. We hope that the membership will realize our investment and really get behind promoting the book. If you have your copy, you must admit it is a treasure.
Issues that are problems are the concern of the Home Office building and Museum, again, an aging problem. Money matters include the decline of the interest rate that was always a main source of income to our organization (especially that received from our investments). We are fortunate to have very knowledgeable people handling our trust fund.
It is asked of the Board of Directors, and later the delegates/alternates at the National Convention, that they will give their full and undivided support to the Board that is elected in May, 1999, in order that we might enter the new millennium with confidence.
Respectfully submitted,
Everlyn A. Majercik
TREASURER’S REPORT
Since the financial report is given by the Secretary, there is no need for me to repeat it here.
I have spent a lot of time this year making a quilt and costuming the doll for the raffle at the National Convention in Orlando. The quilt is finished, and the doll dresses (3) are almost complete.
I attended the Minnesota Regional Convention as Branch 33 President. I also attended the Illinois Regional
Convention and Branch 20’s 70th Anniversary. My friend and I had a wonderful time and enjoyed the festivities very much.
These past four years have been very enjoyable and special to me. I have made many new friends and I hope to continue in some capacity to be involved in the work of the Slovenian Women’s Union.
Respectfully submitted,
Beverly Menart
Off Supplies Payroll Federal With FUTA
Gross Wages MEDICARE Soc. Sec.
State Withhold SUI
Total Payroll
1,829.00
—50.00
156.71
21,903.96
—3.33
—14.99
—357.04
181.96
21,817.27
Slovenian Women’s Union Profit and Loss January through December 1998
Income Convention Fund Dues Income Heritage Fund Purchases/Museum Heritage Fund
Total Heritage Funa Interest Income Misc Income Trans trust fund Misc Income - Other
Total Misc Income ZARJA Ads Crafts
Keep Connection ZARJA - Other
Total ZARJA
Total Income
Expense
Admin Stipend Advertisement Charges Bank
Safe Box Fee
Total charges Convention Fund/Co. Death Benefit Fee FICA Insurance Insurance Fee Maintenance Misc Expenses Heritage
Misc Exp - Other
3,072.75
2,234.25
20,722.03
2,683.46
1.449.50 68.00 50.00
1.884.50
$1,341.14
64,337.10
5,307.00
25,262.93
23,405.49
3,452.00
123,105.66
3,508.00
200.00
797.00
12.00
809.00 3,721.41
19,090.00
40.00
1,657.36
1,807.00
125.00 356.90
Per Diem Petty Cash Postage ZARJA
Postage - Other
Total Postage
Printing Heritage Museum ZARJA
Printing - Other Total Printing
Prof Fee Accounting Consulting
Total Prof Fee Repairs Building Repairs - Other
Total Repairs
Scholarship
T&E
Tax
Illinois State Will County
Total Tax
Telephone Utilities City Services Electricity Gas
Total Utilities
Total Expenses
Net Income
6,058.00
3,008.66
83.50
29,619.50
768.55
300.00
457.84
5,645.00
169.00
1,487.44
367.81
9,066.66
30,471.55
757.84
267.75
1,976.60
5,814.00
28.00
4,381.48
2,244.35
1,984.20
117.37
1,170.43
1,340.36
2,628.16
$119,854.28
$3,251.38
3,149.55
2,512.30
Total Misc Exp.
5,661.85
Slovenian Women’s Union		EXPENSES	
Balance Sheet		Scholarship director’s annual stipend	$600.00
As of December 31, 1998		Postage	135.02
		Scholarship Award Payments to Non-Winners	200.00
ASSETS		Scholarship Award Payments	4,000.00
Current Assets		Maintenance on checking account	18.73
Checking/Savings		Expenses: photocopies, phone, supplies	241.26
First Midwest Check	$2,403.77	Less total expenses - 1998	$5,195.01
First Midwest Sav.	12,273.55		
		Balance as of Dec. 31, 1997	16,301.28
Total Check/Savings	14,677.32		
		Certificate of Deposit - total value	$11,857.64
Accounts Receivable		Checking Account balance	4,443.64
A/R	15,670.53		
			$16,301.28
Total Accounts Rec.	15,670.53	Mary Turvey, Director	
Other Current Assets First MidWest CD First Midwest Trust Undeposited Funds
Total Other Current Assets
Total Current Assets
TOTAL ASSETS
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Equity Earnings Net Income Open Bal Equity
11,065.13
747,213.50
—8.00
758,270.63
788.618.48
788.618.48
Total Equity
$18,433.54
3,144.88
767,040.06
788,618.48
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQ.	$788,618.48
Evelyn A. Majercik, National Secretary
SLOVENIAN WOMEN’S UNION SCHOLARSHIP FUND
For the period beginning January 1, 1998 ending December 31, 1998
Beginning Balance January 1, 1998
Checking	$	5,337.91
Savings	11,208.77
Total checking and savings
INCOME
Donations Interest Earned CD Checking
Total Income - 1998
Total Savings, Checking Income - 1998
16,546.68
$4,194.00
648.87
106.74
AUDITORS’ REPORT
Audits of the financial statements of Slovenian Women’s Union of America were checked at the annual meeting and subsequently completed on April 1, 1999. All were found in complete order.
Cirila Kermavner, 1st Auditor Pat Figurowski, 2nd Auditor Josephine Lustik, Interim Auditor
4,949.61
$21,496.29
HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN MAY & JUNE
National Officer:
May 1 - Jean Korsman, National President, Gilbert, MN Presidents:
June 11 - Margaret Cullen, Br. 3, Pueblo, CO
June 17 - Mary Lou Terselic, Br. 103, Washington, D.C.
Secretaries:
May 3 - Anna Anderson, Br. 79, Enumclaw, WA May 6 - Gladys Buck, Br. 16, So. Chicago, IL May 13 - Mary Mejac, Br. 103, Washington, D.C.
May 17 - Marge Mollica, Br. 57, Niles, OH May	27	-	Marjorie Stergar,	Br. 38, Chisholm,	MN
May	27	-	Anka Kregar, Br.	55, Girard, OH
May	28	-	Linda Lambright,	Br. 6, Barberton,	OH
June	2 -	Blanche Laurich,	Br. 81, Keewatin,	MN
June 11 - Betty Stack, Br. 24, LaSalle, IL June 19 - Dorothy Brezonik, Br. 1, Sheboygan, WI June 29 - Elizabeth Spolar, Br. 56, Hibbing, MN
MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY!
Mary Turvey, Director Slovenian Women’s Union Scholarship Program:
In Celebration of the Scholarship Fund’s 50th Anniversary -we continue with the Biographies of past Scholarship Winners
Chris Cazin of Branch 35, Aurora, Minnesota received a SWU Scholarship award in 1995 and has kindly sent us an update on his career in criminal justice. We wish Chris the very best of wishes and thank him for sharing with us.
I wish to first thank the Slovenian Women’s Union Scholarship Program which helped me to continue my education. I finished two years of college at Hibbing Community College, where I graduated in May 1997 with an Associates in Applied Science degree in Law Enforcement. During my time there I was blessed with an opportunity to play on the HCC basketball team. Our team made it to the State Tournament in Minneapolis, which was not only fun, but a great learning experience for me.
From Hibbing I transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Superior where I am working towards my four year Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice. With school and work I was unable to play basketball on the UWS college team, but I am playing in two city leagues to stay with baseball, one of my true loves.
I am working part-time for the City of Hoyt Lakes Police Department. I have been working there for over a year now and have realized that police work is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t give me time to participate in any civic and community events. However, as each season and holiday approaches at home I know that the Slovene cultural tradition continues as I am treated to homemade potica, strudel, noodles: the list goes on. I am proud to be of Slovenian heritage and hope to continue the tradition that has made me what I am today.
It is with heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you that contributed to make it possible for me to accomplish my dream to be a law enforcement officer. Bless you all.
Chris Cazin
Amy Tezak, a member of Branch 20, Joliet, Illinois, currently living in St. Peter, Minnesota was happy to provide this information to help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the SWU Scholarship Program.
I was awarded the Slovenian Women’s Union Scholarship in 1994 to attend Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. I will be graduating from Gustavus, May 30, 1999, with a double major in Biology and Environmental Studies. Through my five years at Gustavus I have had several wonderful opportunities and experiences. Just being able to attend a school such as Gustavus was a wonderful experience. Minnesota and Gustavus have become my home and I feel part of a big family. I was able to take classes from a broad range of topics including Bronze Casting, Swedish, and Japanese. I have focused my education towards a career that will be both interdisciplinary and international. I have had the privilege to study in the Philippines, Hawaii, Denmark, and Finland. All of these experiences included intense study of Marine Biology and Environmental Studies. I lived in Denmark for four months and during that
time I had an opportunity to travel around Europe. I was thrilled to finally be able to travel to the two countries from which my family comes, Slovenia and Slovakia. This was an amazing experience for me because I was able to find many of my family’s traits in the Slovenian and Slovakian people! In Slovenia I was able to go to a polka restaurant, see the Postojna Caves, the beautiful mountains, and the vineyards that inspire the annual grape dance here in Joliet. These experiences have enriched my life and will be very helpful as I go on in life. I have applied for fall 1999 admission to the graduate school of Marine Affairs at the University of Washington in Seattle. Hopefully in August I will be driving across the country towards Seattle! After graduate school I hope to be working as a lobbyist, policy maker, or in another activist capacity. The Slovenian Women’s Union Scholarship has helped me to have a very enriching college education. Thank you and congratulations on 70 years!
Amy Tezak
SWU Scholarship Fund Donations January, February, and March, 1999
Donor	In memory or honor of	Amount
Anthony Colnar	Frances Barman	1,000.00
Prof. Max Schuster	Frances C. Payton	100.00
Br. 23,Ely, MN	Mary A. Petritz	5.00
Br. 23,Ely,MN	Mary L. Ravnikar	5.00
Br. 23,Ely,MN	Jennie Deyak	5.00
Br. 23, Ely, MN	Frances Pengal	5.00
Ann Saari, Bill Slogar	Gene Lopp	10.00
Ann Saari, Bill Slogar	Mary Petritz	10.00
Emily C. Unik	Charles Tercek	10.00
Mary, Dan Turvey	Jack Yemec	10.00
Mary Okolish	John Skraba	10.00
Angela Mobilia	Mary Petritz	5.00
David, Theresa McGauley	Mary L. Smolich	10.00
Br. 47, Garfield Hts.	Scholarship Fund	25.00
Genevieve Shubitz	Mary Schubitz	50.00
Ann Saari, Bill Slogar	Jim Kemitz	10.00
Elberta Erzen	Franca Gercar	5.00
Br. 50, Euclid, OH	Sophie Kaplan	5.00
Mary E. Miller	Charles Tercek	15.00
Mary Maxin	Charles Tercek	10.00
Josephine Smith	Charles Tercek	10.00
Carole Traven	Charles Tercek	10.00
RoseZabemaitis	Charles Tercek	5.00
Nancy Mramor	Charles Tercek	10.00
Joan Podmore	Charles Tercek	10.00
Br. 50, Cleveland	Theresa Zupančič	5.00
AnnJ.Tercek	Charles Tercek, Husband	25.00
Dorothy A. Tusek	Charles Tercek	20.00
We are most grateful to our faithful donors who have made the Scholarship Fund’s 50th Anniversary possible.
Mary Turvey, Director
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Tracing your family tree can be quite a challenge but very rewarding. Carol Ryba, Branch 30, sent me a photo along with some information about her ancestry. She mentioned in her letter,
“When my grandmother, Marija Bajc Butschar died in 1941 we discovered that she was a member of the Slovenian Women’s Union Branch 30 in Aurora, Illinois.
My research also led me to discover that my grandfather, Josef Bucar, emigrated from Cerknica, Slovenia, to the U.S. in 1913, and his wife Marija (who was my grandmother) followed in 1916, with their two children, Josef and Danijela. The little family settled in Aurora, Illinois where the couple had three more children who were born as Americans. Frederika was born next, and Valburga, who is my mother, followed. A boy, Leon, died in infancy.”
Carol discovered another interesting fact. The family’s name of “Bucar” was changed when to “Butschar” when they arrived in America. Spelling changes of names was not unusual and happened in many instances.
We want to thank Carol Ryba of Branch 30 for sending in the photo and for sharing details of her family tree with the ZARJA readers.
Josef atid Daniejela Bucar posed for this photo taken in Slovenia circa 1915. They were approximately 5 and 3 years old at the time.
Irene Planinšek Odorizzi
IMMIGRATION HISTORY RESEARCH CENTER FINDS HOME
The Immigration History Research Center, part of the University of Minnesota, is one of the nation’s leading repositories of historical resources specializing in American immigrant groups. Construction has begun on the long-awaited building which will house the collections and activities relating to immigrant and ethnic history.
The Slovenian-American collection will be included among these priceless documents which note the migration and ethnic life of groups whose origins lie in southern, central, eastern and northeastern Europe.
Among the various collections can be found books, pamphlets, newspapers, periodicals, photographs and original manuscript papers and records.
Also included are personal papers of community leaders, clergy, journalists and educators as well as the records of fraternal organizations and immigrant service organizations. These resources will be used by teachers, students, journalists, exhibit curators and citizens researching family histories.
The creative architectural design features a three-story structure for offices, reading rooms, exhibit areas, meeting rooms and technial services section. The archival collections and library books will be stored in huge constant-temperature caverns carved out of the sandsome, 80 feet beneath the surface.
The new home has been the realization of a long-held dream and they are to be commended for undertaking this enormous immigration project and for honoring the immigrants with an imposing home.
Heritage Heroes CQHDQLEHCES
Sincere sympathy is extended to Ann Tercek, President of Branch 50 on the recent demise of her beloved husband, Charlie. Condolences also to Charlie’s large, loving family. (Memoriam in March-April ZARJA, p. 26) We know that he will be truly missed as a dedicated husband and vital member of his extended family.
Ann donated $25 to Heritage in memory of her dear husband and we are truly grateful for her generous donation.
SUPPORT YOUR ORGANIZATION
SUPPORT YOUR HERITAGE FUND
Remember those you love and hold most dear with a gift to the Heritage Fund. Please send the donation to Heritage Director, 2362 Paddock Lane, Reston, VA 20191. Your donation will be acknowledged in the HERITAGE HEROES column.
Irene M. Odorizzi 2362 Paddock Lane Reston, VA 22091
THE IMMIGRANT
Jean from Hudi Konec
(Rosemary Mlakar of Br. 100 and former Regional President of the Western States, suggested that Jean Kur-lich’s story be written and published in the ZARJA. Jean’s daughter, Frances Kurilich Reichelderfer, prepared her mother’s story for publication.)
So many miles separate my birthplace in Slovenia and my home in Fontana, California. Events that changed my life changed the entire world, and it is amazing to reflect upon them so many years later.
In December of 1916, I was bom in Hudi Konec, a tiny hamlet in Dolenjska region of Slovenia in the parish of St. Gregor. This was a difficult time for my mother, Frances Petrič, nee Perovšek. She not only was mother to my three older siblings (Frances, John, Joseph) but a recent widow, my father having died of an infection in a Graz hospital six months before my birth. It was his and our misfortune that World War I erupted just prior to his receiving his final U.S. citizenship papers. With the outbreak of war, he, my mother, and my three siblings had left Cleveland, Ohio, and returned to Slovenia. My father was drafted into military service in the Austro-Hungarian Army. During the years my parents had spent in Cleveland, all of my siblings had been bom in a house on Glass Avenue. This difference in our birth status was to cause the physical separation of our family during most of my adolescence.
After my father’s death, life was very hard for my mother who struggled to care for her four young children during and after the war. The first to return to Cleveland was my sister, Frances, who in 1924 married George Kovačič, an established barber. Within a year, he helped to bring my oldest brother, John and later Joseph, both of whom he helped to learn the barber trade. Then, in 1930, just as the country was in the early stages of the Great Depression, all three were able to bring my mother to the United States. I was left in the care of my maternal uncle, France Perovšek, a small farmer in Hudi Konec. At first, my family expected me to be able to follow them after only one year; however, U.S. immigration laws changed, and in order for me to come to America, my mother would have to become a citizen. Of course, this process would take several years.
After spending the first year with my uncle and his family, I then left for Ljubljana, where I stayed in a privately owned boarding house run by a religious Order. Tenants included well-to-do elderly women and some younger, disabled women also. Because my family could not afford to pay for my entire stay, I spent the first three years learning
tasks such as cooking, sewing, and cleaning while my fourth year was spent working where the Sisters most needed my help. At one point in my stay, I contracted double pneumonia and was nursed back to health by one nun in particular. With no antibiotics and no doctor available, an older priest gave his best suggestion to the nun: to bundle my chest and back area with lots of sauerkraut and wrap it tightly. The smell was awful (so the other girls later told me), but some time later, an abcess formed near my shoulder blade, and the opening drained. I recovered not too long after but still have a larger round scar for remembrance.
I left the boarding house when I was eighteen years old and then worked for one year in a private home in Ljubljana doing domestic work. In the meantime, my mother had gotten her citizenship papers, so preparations for my departure were made by her and my siblings. On January 25, 1937,1 left Ljubljana by train headed for Paris and then went on to Le Havre where I boarded the ship “Paris” bound for New York. On February 3, 1937,1 arrived in New York and then travelled to Cleveland. There, waiting for me, were my sister Frances, my brother John and his wife Mary (nee Novak). My first home was to be with my brother Joe and his wife Mary (nee Rovere) and my mother.
Cleveland in 1937 was similar to many large American cities in its collection of ethnic neighborhoods. The Slovenian transplants were living largely in the St. Clair area. Soon after arriving, I went to work watching twin daughters (Vidic Family) and also went to night school to learn English.
Jean Kurlich in her Slovenian outfit in 1937. She lived in Cleveland then, the year she emigrated to the U.S.
Four years later, on November 15, 1941, the former Jean Petrič was married to Sam Kurlich. They are shown exiting from St. Vitus Church.
In order to earn more money to repay my brother Joe for the trip fare, I placed an ad in the Cleveland Press for full-time domestic work. From the many responses, I deliberately picked a Jewish family with a young son, all of whom spoke no Slovenian so that I would leam English faster. I cooked, watched their son, and did light housekeeping for a year and a half. The family was very nice to me, and I still correspond with the lady, Bea Hecht, who now lives in New York City. In 1940,1 began work for Premier Vacuum in Cleveland for a short period of time.
Early in 1941,1 met my future husband, Sam Kurilich, at a dance held at the Croatian Home on St. Clair. My husband, who came from Europe just before the outbreak of World War II in 1939, is a native of Pag, an island on the Dalmatian Coast. On November 15, 1941, we were married in St. Vitus Church. After a few months on rent, we bought our first home at 61st and Edna Streets and lived there until 1947. During this time, our son, Victor, was bom in 1943, and our daughter, Frances, came in 1946. My husband worked in the building trade which was often difficult or impossible during the winter time.
In 1951, I noticed an advertisement in the Ameriška Domovina for bricklayers at the Kaiser Steel Mill in Fontana, California. (We had heard of the town through my husband’s sister who had property there.) I called for information and submitted my husband’s name; the response came quickly! An official came to pre-check him and his qualifications, and he was accepted. My husband left for Fontana in his one-ton pick-up truck with some household goods loaded on it. The children and I followed by train a few days later. After several months on rent, we bought an older home and several acres of adjacent land covered with dry orange trees. We moved into the house in February of 1952. My husband began work at the steel mill as a bricklayer and slowly adjusted to this different type of work and environment. Our life in Fontana changed for the better in many ways: the weather, for one, was better for me and my husband since I had had throat difficulties in the cold, and he had had hay fever of great severity in the East. The work and pay were both steady, so it was easier to budget our household. Of course, I greatly missed my family, but we made new friends, especially in our affiliation with the KSKJ Lodge #253 in the mid 1950s. My brothers and sister also came to visit over the years, and we have always kept in close contact.
After living in our Fontana home for about six years, we purchased a second home in Los Angeles; however, the house had to be moved. It was lifted from its foundation, cut in two sections, and slowly driven to our property next door to the first home which we already had. This house became the first of several properties to be literally transplanted from one location to another in Fontana. We have lived in that house since 1957 and after a brief period of renting the first home, sold it.
As our children grew and finished school, both went to junior college. Our daughter transferred to UCLA and graduated getting her BA and MA degrees in the late 1960s. A tragedy occurred in 1971 with the death of our son, Victor who was shot just before Christmas by teens wanting money for drugs. He was twenty-eight years old and not married at the time of his death. Our daughter stayed in the Los Angeles area and in 1972 began teaching part-time at Santa
The Kurlich’s at their 50th wedding anniversary in 1991.
Monica College in the English Department. She has taught there full-time since 1976. She married Richard Reichel-derfer in 1982; they have no children.
Over the years, my days have been occupied not only with home and family but with the Ženska Zveza and KSKJ Lodges. I served as the Branch President of the SWU and reporter for a number of yhears; and for the KSKJ I worked on many hall/lodge functions.
Over the years, I have baked countless apple strudels the old-fashioned way (hand pulled dough) and still do when my arthritis lets me. In 1974, my husband retired from Kaiser Steel after twenty-three years. We have both kept busy in our garden and with our fruit trees. My mother and my sister have both passed away, but my brothers and I maintain very close contact. Our little town of Fontana, which in 1951 had fewer than five thousand people and whose main street was unpaved, now has just over one-hundred thousand and lots of traffic. The steel mill closed in the mid-1970s, but the hospital component, Kaiser Per-manente, remains.
At the time of this writing, I am eighty years old and my husband eighty-five. We are blessed with fair health for our years and the ability to care for ourselves in our own home. Our daughter has a teaching schedule which allows her to visit on a regular basis with a weekly overnight stay, so we can do more than just chat on the phone. We have learned much from our earlier hardships, and I think these have helped to make us stronger as we handle any difficulties that come our way.
Mothers/Members of the Year
Continued from pages 3-7 Marija Rigler, Br. 2, Chicago
if her husband was still alive. He had been fighting in the war. It wasn’t until 1952 that her mother learned that their father was still alive and had found refuge in America. Her mother then began preparations to move to America with the family. It wasn’t until 1956 that mother and Rado left their homeland for the United States, and Marija’s wish to be reunited with the whole family did not happen until 1968
-	23 years since she had seen her father!
Meanwhile, in Slovenia, Marija met Vincent Rigler, in 1954, and they were married on October 27, 1956. On September 10th, 1957, Marija and Vincent were blessed with a baby son whom they named Vincent, Jr.
It was a full ten years until that day when the family was together again - in Chicago, Illinois, and they took up residence in the Slovenian community of St. Stephen’s parish where many refugee families from Slovenia were living.
Marija and Vincent were blessed with a daughter, bom on August 6, 1969. They named her Susan. The two children attended the parish grammar school and St. Ignatius College Prep high school. Both have gone on to earn college degrees, Vincent Jr. receiving his B.A. in Business Administration from Loyola University and Susan, finishing her college education in Seville, Spain with the Foreign Exchange Program. She received her B.A. in Spanish from Northern Illinois University. While in Spain, Susan had the opportunity to work at the 1992 World Expo. She is currently a Spanish language high school teacher and pursuing her Master’s degree.
Vince, Jr. learned to play the button box accordian and loves to play and sing for the many Slovenian affairs and picnics with his band, “Ensemble Heritage.” He is married to Tina Dabrowski and they have two children, Justin who is 6 and Robert who is 2-1/2 years old. They are expecting their third child in May of this year.
Susan married Ken Russ, Jr. in May of 1998.
Marija has worked for a cleaning and maintenance company at Harris Bank in Chicago for 23 years and was a member of the local union #25 there. She is active in her retirement, participating in church and community activities. She is a member of St. Stephen’s Altar and Rosary Society, Senior Women’s Club, SNPJ Cicero Neighbor’s Lodge 449 and the Slovenian American Radio Club. She enjoys music very much, singing and dancing, as well as traveling. She has many hobbies that include gardening, babysitting her grandchildren, - she loves to play Bingo - and is a very, very good potica and strudel maker! At Branch 2, she is always helping with the refreshments and sees that things are running smoothly in the kitchen.
Congratulations, again, Marija, and we all wish you the best of health and happiness in the future.
(Submitted by Tina Rigler and Dolores Puhek) *****
Josephine Krasovic, Br. 3, Pueblo
houses were located in a strong Slovenian community, a block from St. Mary’s Church.
They have four daughters: Patricia Jo Martin, the eldest, is the Executive Secretary at Minnequa Bank in Pueblo. Barbara Burkhart lives in Loveland, Colorado and is a housewife. Mary Kay Bregar is the Assistant Director of Cardiopulmonary at Parkview Hospital in Pueblo; Raeanna Tucker, adjunct faculty in the Math Department at Front Range Community College and also lives in Loveland.
Josephine has four grandchildren - Amanda and Dominick Bregar and Jennifer and Gregory Burkhart. She is very supportive of her grandchildren in all of their activities, cares for them when needed, and frequently walks with them to the prayer garden at St. Mary’s Church.
Josephine graduated from Central High School in 1948. She began working for School District 60 in 1948 as a file clerk. She worked for three years. She stayed home until her fourth daughter was bom, then returned to District 60 working in the cafeteria for ten years and finally, retiring in 1995. She is currently relaxing, spending time with her grandchildren and since her home is the heart of her family, the door is always open and her kitchen never closed.
Josephine and Raymond have done a lot of food preservation and canning through the years. In 1989, Josephine won a blue ribbon at the Colorado State Fair for her sauerkraut as well as winning the Ball Canning Award. In 1990 she won first place and Best of Show for sauerkraut and turnips. She also enjoys Bingo and going to Cripple Creek occasionally. She is a collector of carousel horse Christmas ornaments, as well as collecting and completing her Jewel “T” collection.
Josephine has been a member of Slovenian Women’s Union for 46 years. Her sister, Agnes Glavich, is also a member and was the Mother of the Year in 1997. Josephine ’ s mother in law, Mary Krasovic, and Raymond’s grandmother, Antonia Mohorcich, were both members. The tradition holds on as their daughters, as well as grandchildren are members.
Josephine says she is very humble and proud of being the Mother of the Year for Branch 3 and thanks the ladies of the lodge and her sister Agnes for choosing her.
Members of Slovenian Women’s Union Br. 3 are proud to have her as our Mother of the Year. Congratulations, Josephine!
Reporter
Charlene Kobe, Br. 20, Joliet
She also has eight grandchildren, Shelley and Ryan Warsaw, Mandy (Michael) Fisher, Dawn and Nicole Irwin, Max and Jessica Welsh and Shane Coyne.
Char and Bill as well as Anna and Lillian Papesh (Bill’s sister), and her children and grandchildren are all members of the Slovenian Women’s Union.
After raising her family, she started working at Phillips 66 Petroleum Company in 1986 and is now the Job Training Manager.
In her free time, Char also belongs to the Altar & Rosary Society, St. Gen’s, Rosarian’s and Troy Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary where she is Sunshine Chairman.
Char has fond memories of driving tractors, trucks and making big meals for her family as well as the farm help. She and her husband have farmed and run a trucking business for the past 45 years.
She enjoys visiting relatives in Arizona, Wisconsin and Florida. She is looking forward to visiting her grandson who is stationed in Hawaii.
The local branch will honor Char Kobe on May 11th at its Woman-Mother of the Year annual Dinner at St. Joseph’s Park Hall.
Congratulations!
Reporter
Angela Godec, Br. 23, Ely
Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital, or at the Senior Citizen’s Center, or helping Br. 23 for funerals. She was an officer of the original Br. 23 Drill Team in the 1930’s and is still active with other Ely fratemals and clubs. She is a member of St. Anthony Choir and enjoyed the recording sessions they had some years ago to produce two records.
Her most important interests are connected with her children and family. Daughter Phyllis attended Junior College and went into the business world as executive secretary in a Nebraska college. She is now employed at the Leisure Hills nursing facility as one of their two accountants. She is married more than 25 years to Robert Petrick, who is an equipment operator for St. Louis County. They have two sons, Joseph, recently married and a 1st Lt. with the Air Force. Son, Craig is studying to be a minister and his wife is pursuing a career as a choir director. Craig and his wife have three children, Maurya, Christian and Connor.
The Godec’s second daughter, Judith married Larry Ravlin 34 years ago and both are active in their parish in Omaha, Nebraska. Judith is a medical technologist and a very good musician. They have four children, Renae, Phil, Connie and Nicole.
Son, Fred, like his dad Phil, has played in bands of all types from 1957 to the present time. He owns and operates a business, Frederick’s Electronics and Securities. With his wife, Charlotte (Krause) they are the parents of twins, Annette and Janette and Joseph, Marie and Melissa.
It’s a wonderful, large family and is very close-knit, seeing each other frequently. Angie would love to spend more time with her grandchildren who live far away, however, when they are together, she is a very attentive grandma.
When asked about her life’s inspiration, she gives credit to her parents, Mary and Frank Jasper. Her faith in God has seen her through life and she still holds deep attachment to her church.
It is certainly the wish of all members of Br. 23 that Angela will continue to be blessed with good health, happiness and great fulfillment as mom and grandma!
Josey Rzatkowski, Br. 33, Duluth
technician/drafter. Thomas lives at home and Theresa lives nearby. Both are members of Branch 33.
Josey’s hobby is travel. They have made many trips to Europe and Poland, also many trips around the U.S. and Canada. She also collects angels.
She is active in Branch activities, has been Vice President, and whenever there is a Bake Sale, she is in charge.
Josey is President of St. Elizabeth Womens’ Council and has taught Religious Ed. for many years. She also sings in the church choir.
Words that best describe Josey are, loving, talkative, devoted, cheerful, casual and comfortable.
Josey says that God inspired her life the most. Her fondest memory is meeting her husband, Mike.
Josey feels very honored that her sisters have given her the special gift of being chosen Mother of the Year!
Reporter
Theresa Marie Berg, Br. 34, Soudan
its 70th birthday in October 1999. Other members are Emma Betoume, Adeline Mustonen, Agnes Yapel and deceased, Mary Inzerello.
Tress graduated from Tower-Soudan High School in 1948 as an honor student and excelled in business courses for typing and shorthand. Incidentally, her business teacher was none other than Fran Bizal, a member of the Chisholm Branch of SWU. Following graduation, she moved to Chicago working as secretary for Carson’s in the Merchandise Mart and lived with her sister, Mary and brother-in-law, Tony Inzerello. She moved back to MN in 1951 and worked in Duluth for the Diamond Horseshoe Company until her marriage.
She and Russell Berg were married July 18, 1951 at St. Martin’s Church in Tower, Fr. John Jershe officiating. Our mother made all the attendants’ gowns and Tress fashioned her own wedding gown. The couple made their home in Tower and Russ was employed at the Soudan Mine.
Because of the Korean War, Russ joined the Air Force in November 1951. After basic training in San Antonio, Texas, Russ was sent to Denver, Colorado, where Tress joined him. Later on when Russ was transferred to Korea, Tress returned to Chicago with her sister, Lucille, and worked as a secretary at Ludlow Industries. Tress followed him again to another location in Texas and worked as a secretary in the Auditor General’s office.
They took up residence in Duluth and lived there for nine years when Russ managed the Photo Lab at Duluth Air Force Base. In 1955 son, Mitchell, was bom and in 1964 daughter, Michele Therese was bom.
When Russ was transferred to Okinawa she and the children made their home with Emma Betoume and husband, Jack in San Diego until they could join Russ. They did, and another son, Daniel, was bom there in 1965. Upon their return to the States, Russ served in the Air Force as a Recruiter in Rockford, IL, and retired as Master Sgt. in 1971. He received his Master’s degree from Northern Illinois University in Administration and continued his teaching career.
In Rockford, Tress completed her Bachelor’s degree in 1971 and completed her Master’s degree at Rockford College, an Academic Doctorate Equivalent from the University of Illinois.
Russ and Tress retired from teaching in 1994. They spend time between their home on Eagles Nest Lake Three and their home in Rockford. They built, along with help
from others, a beautiful retirement home at Eagles Nest. Tress became an expert in painting, varnishing, staining, taping sheetrock, you name it, she did it! They started their home in 1972 and finished it in 1992!
Now that they have time, she is an active member of Br. 34, American Legion Aux., Teachers Retirement Organization, St. Jude’s Circle of St. Martin’s and both of them have joined St. Martin’s choir. In Rockford, Tress is active in Holy Family Church and Royal Order of Elks Aux., but mainly loves being a caring mother, grandmother and a good neighbor. She has enjoyed traveling with her husband and grandchildren in the States, Canada and Mexico. To quote her, “I treasure the memory of my monthlong trip in 1997 to Italy, Croatia and Slovenia with daughter, Michele. The Pavlich relatives welcomed them warmly and a cousin, Alenka, who is a pharmacist, traveled with them for two weeks by car. They learned volumes about their heritage. They saw Trieste, Opatija on the Adriatic Riviera, Rejika, Ljubljana, and Ig, where our cousin Paula still lives on the family land. It was special to hear the bells of St. Martin’s in Ig (which sound like the bells at St. Martin’s in Tower), Postojna Caves, Lake Bled, Marija Pomagaj of Brezje, Medjugoije, Split, Island Krk, where they swam in the Adriatic.
Tress and Russ’ son, Mitchell and wife, Nancy, live in Machesney Park, Rockford and have two children, Benjamin, 11 and Samantha, 9, a junior member of Br. 34. Son, Daniel and wife, Laura, have two children, Daniel, 3, and infant daughter, Abigail Michele, a new member! Daughter, Michele Cascarano is also a member of Br. 34.
Grandma travels with Ben and Samantha on school trips and has been to Washington, D.C., Yorktown, Jamestown, Monticello, Williamsburg, Boston, Providence, and Newport with them. Grandma and Grandpa took Mitchell’s family and Michele to Disney world, Orlando, for one week and missed nothing! Ben and Samantha spend one month every summer at Eagles Nest and free time after Christmas for winter fun, skating, skiing and sledding in Minnesota.
Tress is a most talented person... in high school she was a soloist with the girls chorus; she had the lead in the operetta, “To a Wild Rose.” She played the clarinet in the high school band, even took accordian lessons. She crochets and knits, making dozens of afghans for the families. Her cake decorating is amazing, she can make the most beautiful roses... she has made many birthday, anniversary and wedding cakes. She has made braided woolen rugs, and some are still being used. She has sewn clothes for many of us, taking after our mother. All of us are recipients of her ceramic creations which we treasure; she marks a distinctive TMB on each piece. She makes a good potica, we have made them together. She knows just how much to knead the dough and we stretch the dough together. Now, in retirement, she thoroughly enjoys flower gardening at their lake home and has lovely flowers. I can’t forget that she also “thoroughly enjoys” blueberry picking with sister, Aggie, getting buckets of them, but always willing to share them with many people, as it is her nature to share everything she has with anyone in her midst.
The Berg family has been blessed by a most successful kidney transplant, of sister to brother, when Michele donated her kidney to brother, Mitchell, in 1998. Since 1978, Mitchell had an illness and it was necessary for him to have the
transplant; Michele turned out to be a good match and it was done. Both of them came through the operations beautifully and we all thank God for the good health of both.
Tress says our mother Angela has inspired her the most, next to my brother, Jack and nine sisters. Her one fondest memory is their 40th wedding anniversary with all her family and husband’s family able to be there. Sister Emma Betoume arranged to have Mass said at her home on the occasion and they received a communal blessing. Tress and Russ were also honored on their 25th anniversary with a party hosted by their children in Rockford, now they look forward to their 50th, which will be in 2001!
May God give Tress and Russ many more years of retirement to enjoy what they have worked for together. We are happy to honor Tress as our Mother of the Year 1999.
Adeline Mustonen
Alice Wilson, Br. 35, Aurora
George was assigned to an operational training unit for ultimate deployment overseas. At that time, Alice returned home to Aurora.
Shortly after the conclusion of WW II, George was reunited with his family in Aurora, where he worked for the Boy Scouts of America as a Field Scout Executive.
Soon after the beginning of the Korean War, George was recalled to active duty by the Air Force. After completion of refresher training and assignment to an operational unit, he was joined by Alice, along with their two sons, George III and Jon. Often, almost annually, George was sent to various locations on temporary duty which normally lasted for three to four months. During these periods, Alice was left with the total responsibility of caring for the family. In addition to that, Alice did volunteer work at the Base Hospitals (at those installations which had hospitals) through the American Red Cross.
In 1969, George had a total of 28 years of service so he decided to retire. They moved back to Aurora, built a home, and George took a position with Erie Mining Company. By this time, both sons had graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Soon were both married and a total of five grandchildren were bom.
Alice continued with her volunteer work at the White Community Hospital. The family also acquired a lake cabin, where they spent a lot of time working on the cabin, as well as fishing on the lake. Alice also spent some time babysitting the grandchildren, both in Aurora and at the lake. The grandchildren are now all grown and on their own.
Alice has been the recording secretary for SWU Br. 35 since 1990. Her mother, Johanna Bradach and her sister, Mary Easter (both deceased) were also members of SWU 35. Her sister, Helen Zuponcic is a current member of the organization.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations! Reporter
Rose Seleznik Niemi, Br. 38, Chisholm
She was bom on September 13th, 1916 in Chisholm, Minnesota, the daughter of Frank Selesnik, Sr. and Antonia (Yez) Selesnik, immigrants from Slovenia.
When Rose, the second of five children, was only five years old, her father died, and for this athletic, full-of-dreams
little girl, life took on a heavy challenge. She loved school and drowned her sorrows and heartaches in the swimming pool to become a formidable contestant in the breaststroke. Her idols and mentors were Olympic swimmers Anne Govednik, Mary Govednik, Ann Dergantz, Lorene Portugue, and Molly Sterle. Her love of all sports came to a resounding burst of glory when the 1934 Men’s Basketball Team of Chisholm won the State Championship. Since that time, no one has come close to Rose’s record of attending every basketball game for the high school boys’ and girls’ teams. She is their best cheer leader from the stands, and her moral support, is legend. She also loves to cook and is happiest when the big dinner-dances are held at the Slovenian National Home hosted by Club 9 of the Minnesota All Slav Association, as well as the National Home Association.
As much as Rose wished she could go on to college, it was not meant to be. She always held down two and three jobs to help her mother, brothers and sisters, and when she married Walter Niemi, Sr. the challenges grew even greater.
Rose’s husband, Walter, Jr., was also a premier swimmer for Chisholm High and placed seventh in the breaststroke of the American swimmers. At an early age, he was afflicted with muscular dystrophy and spent much of his lifetime in a wheelchair. He passed away in 1977.
The Niemis had four children. Never once did Rose complain. She not only guided and nurtured her family, but she also worked. Believing deeply in education, she inspired and motivated her son and three daughters to obtain college educations.
Walter, Jr., a graduate of Chisholm High School, continued his education at Hibbing Community College and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Bemidji State University. He is employed as an elementary teacher in Hibbing and will probably retire this June.
Daughter, Geri Rose Wellems, a Chisholm graduate, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Child Development. A homemaker and volunteer, Geri helped her husband through College to earn his degree in Dentistry.
Janis Marie Niemi was the Valedictorian of her high school class and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Macalester College. She earned her Master of Arts from the University of Minnesota and is employed as a Counselor at the North Hennepin Community College.
Jayne Louise Niemi was the Valedictorian of her high school Class, and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Macalester College. She remained at Macalester and is now the Associate Registrar at the college.
“I am very proud of my children,” said Rose Niemi. “They listened as I expressed my wishes for their solid education. They did not allow adversity to stand in their way as they strived for their goals.”
At any gathering of Slovenes, one will find Rose dancing and singing. She is very proud of her Slovenian heritage, and has a deep devotion to Iron world, an Ethnic Interpretative Center in Chisholm. You will find Rose in National costume at all of the events, conventions, and picnics as she lends a helping hand and brings smiles to the faces of all.
“I am thankful I lived in an era that lets me know what it means to be poor and to work hard. Sure, there were obstacles and problems to hurdle, but my background gave
To All Mothers and Women of the Year!
Congratulations and best wishes from the officers and members of
Br. 42 Maple Hts., Ohio
May God Bless You All!
me the will and desire to work hard and move to greater things. My children are my crown, and my grandchildren, Jackie Wellems Peterson, a graduate of the University of Minnesota and Mike Wellems a sophomore; Kris Niemi, a Restauranteur in Columbia, South Carolina, and Kara Niemi McLaughlin of Chisholm, are the stars in that crown.” Rose’s two brothers, Frank and Tony are both deceased as is her sister, Frances Rupar. A sister, Mary (Mitzy) Westerlund resides in Chisholm.
“It wasn’t always easy,” said a misty-eyed Rose, “but the years have been good to me. I have my family and a lot of good friends. As for the Slovenian Women’s Union, they have paved my path with happiness and contentment. To them, I am grateful for the honor of being selected “Mother of the Year.”
Yes, Rose Selesnik Niemi, the years have been good because you have made them so with your bubbling personality, your generous heart, your warm hospitality; the sharing of your talents, and your big hearted, cheerful cooperation.
We, in Chisholm cannot forget your contributions when the community worked on the Iron Ore Miner Memorial, the All Class Grand Reunions, and Longyear Lake Committee; the Minnesota All Slav Association, and the many projects involving our youth.
We are proud of you, 1999 Mother of the Year!
Veda Ponikvar
Love and Prayers To All our Mothers!
Br. 12, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Br. 14, Euclid, Ohio Br. 16, So. Chicago, Illinois Br. 24, LaSalle, Illinois Br. 73, Warrensville Hts., Ohio Br. 101, Bedford Hts., Ohio
and children, Andrew, Abby, and Matthew live in Le Sueur, MN. Marc will complete his studies as a civil engineer this spring. Greg is residing in Minneapolis and is employed at Pirtek. It’s always a joy to have the children and grandchildren visit with grandma and grandpa.
Vida is employed at Marquette Catholic School in Virginia as a secretary. Her interests include her family, music, sewing and crafts. As a member of Holy Spirit Church she sings in the funeral choir and serves as a lay minister. Vida frequently attends daily morning Mass.
Vida willingly participates in branch activities, attends meetings and supports its functions. Sisters, Maria Ferkul, Martina Michals and Teresa Meindhardt are also members. Her mother was a Mother of the Year in 1966, Maria in 1994 and Martina in 1998.
The inspiration in her life came from her parents. In their difficulties they never wavered from their faith and sustained a special devotion to the Blessed Mother Mary. Their strong faith instilled a strong and lasting impression in all their daughters. Fond memories remain of her childhood years in Slovenia where family trips on pilgrimages to Brezje and Šmarna Gora and wild blueberry picking cannot be forgotten.
Vida feels very honored to be chosen as this year’s Woman of the Year as were her mother and sisters.
Reporter
Helen Hajicek, Br. 43, Milwaukee
Helen has three grandchildren, Scott and Karen Kohler of Hartland, WI and Jasper Komassa of Flagstaff, AZ.
She is a most friendly person and has a winning smile.
Many heartfelt wishes and congratulations, Helen!
Albina Mrsnik, Br. 50, Cleveland-Euclid
Daughter, Rose Mary and her husband, John live in Painesville Twp., Ohio and have 3 daughters, Rose Mary, twins, Cheri and Terri. Granddaughter, Rose Mary (who lives in Boston, MA) has 4 daughters Kelly (21), Kimberly (18), Jillian (9) and Madeline (7).
Daughter, Rose Mary is also a member of Branch 50.
Albina worked closely with the organization throughout the years, especially during and after World War II in the movement to help victims in her war-torn native country. The relief effort was a great task and helped hundreds of thousands of victims. Albina did more than her share in this project.
In 1935, after moving to Euclid, Ohio, she joined St. Christine’s parish, becoming very active there. In 1937, she joined Branch No. 41 of the Slovenian Women’s Union and there, too, became very active. She also enrolled her daughter, Rose Mary who was a member of the Drill Team Cadets at that time and also traveled with the drill team through the United States.
When the idea of building the Slovene Home for the Aged located on Neff Road in Cleveland was still in the talking stages, Albina was enthusiastic and went diligently to work to help in its realization. She spent countless hours going door to door for donations for this worthy cause. Since then, for many years, she has been its ardent supporter and has worked at many functions for its benefit.
In 1960, she became active with the SNPJ Farm Board and since her specialty is cooking she was readily seen in the kitchen, cooking.
For 37 years she has been an active member of the Cleveland Slovenian Radio-TV Club, a charter member of the United Slovene Society which began originally as the Slak Committee. The later group honored her on January 27, 1980 for her dedicated services in the Slovenian community. She also belongs to the Pensioners Club of Euclid, member of the National Cleveland Style Hall of Fame, SNPJ Lodge Comrades #566, supporting member of Slovenian Singing Society Zarja and Progressive Women Circle 3.
Albina’s words: “I feel overwhelmed to get this honor now, at my age of 92! it makes me very happy.”
Her hobby is definitely cooking. She also did a lot of traveling - returning to her Slovenian homeland 21 times, been to Australia, Buenos Aires, European countries, Austria, England, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary and Poland.
Due to all her volunteerism and in recognition of her unwaivering attention to the Slovenian community of Cleveland, she was honored in 1983 as WOMAN OF THE YEAR from the Federation of Slovenian National Homes.
Jeanette Perusek, Br. 102, Willard
Jessica, (14), Ashley (13) and Ben (7). Activities at the children’s schools and sports are always supported by grandma and grandpa!
Lately, the Perusek’s have been taking short trips which they enjoy very much, because it’s still nice to do things together!
Our wishes for their wonderful and healthy lifetime ahead!
Terezija Bevec, Br. 103, Washington, D.C.
Andrej Bevec at a beautiful ceremony in Slovenia. They have made their home in the Washington area where Andrej’s parents and family reside. Terezija has been employed in market research and Andrej is an engineer, now employed by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory. He has a Master’s degree in computer science from Johns Hopkins University and another in nuclear engineering from the University of Maryland, with a B.A. from Catholic University in Washington.
Terezija has a very pleasant disposition and is very helpful and friendly when called upon to participate with the other members in their yearly anniversary and other events. These bring the entire community together, so it is always a big undertaking.
She enjoys her home, her cooking, music and knitting.
The Bevec children are seen on this photo with their parents. They are Tomaž (15), Andrej (12) and Kristina (10). They are good students and Tomaž and Kristina play instruments. Andrej draws pretty well and they all enjoy sports.
Our honoree says her mother, Marija, was her greatest inspiration because she lived her faith.
The members are very happy to have such a fine member as Terezija and extend their most heartfelt wishes on this happy occasion.
Greetings from Mary Muller Past National President!
On this occasion, the gathering of officers and members of Slovenian Women’s Union at the 23rd National Convention, greetings to all from Past President, Mary Muller. She served for two terms, from 1979 when the Home Office moved into their home in Joliet, until 1987. She was also an officer of Br. 2 in Chicago for many years and worked in the Chicago Home Office.
Mary was asked about her participation as officer of the SWU and she wrote, “Many happy thoughts go through my mind as
I	recall incidents as an officer and active member. I was fortunate to meet many of our members far and wide across the USA. They were happy times because we all worked for the same good sisterhood.
Mary has suffered through two surgeries and has slowed down but her faith as kept her on an even keel, where she enjoys her friends at a retirement complex at May slake, Illinois.
Mary says there are several other members living in the beautiful complex where she has made her home for 11 years. She has a daughter living in California, a son in Oregon and her youngest son and his family live nearby so Mary can enjoy seeing them often.
She says she loves reading ZARJA and the interesting happenings members report from all over. The many friends she has made through Zveza remain in her fondest memory.
Mary’s address is: Mrs. Mary Muller, 1801 35 St. 1125, Oak Brook, IL 60521.
A daughter’s remembrance...
My mother has Altzheimer’s Disease but she will be 89 years old this June 27th and I guess it’s not unusual. Sometimes she knows me and sometimes she doesn’t. But, her face lights up when I bring her the ZARJA!
We all think that eventually she will remember only Slovenian, since that was the first language she spoke.
We love her and miss the real mother and grandmother we had, but she had 81 good years before the disease started to destroy her life as she and we knew it.
God bless her and make her days happy.
C.F.D.
Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Fabian, Sr. of Chicago, IL celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on Sept. 20, 1998. Their children and grandchildren hosted a surprise dinner-reception in honor of their anniversary with one hundred guests attending.
Lewis and Antoinette (Panzella) were married on Sept. 18, 1948 and have three children, 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Lew is the son of Frank and Agnes (Ukovich) Fabian. He grew up in the Slovenian neighborhood of St. Stephen’s parish on Wood St. with his seven brothers and a sister. He lived in this community through all his childhood and even with his bride for the first ten years of their marriage. Lew enjoyed parish life; he was a guard at the roller rink for many years when this was a major recreation for parish youth. He was a veteran of WW
II	and worked for 20 years at Western Felt; later, a job change brought him to Electro-Motive where he worked for 15 years until retirement in 1988. He is now a full time Bingo player!
Lew has been very active and served on the Board of Western Slavonic Association; everyone knows him as the long-time secretary-treasurer of the Chicago lodge.
Antoinette (Toni) is the daughter of Joseph and Ersilia “Elsie” (Citro) Panzella. She grew up in Chicago’s Italian neighborhood around Polk and Taylor Sts. She met Lew at the roller rink! Toni is retired from Lowery Electronics after 20 years. She is a member of Br. 2 in Chicago for 25 years. She keeps active at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Council of Women, and two different Senior Citizens groups. In May, 1998 she was named Senior of the Year.
The members and many friends of Lew and Toni extend heartfelt congratulations!
Veda (Ponikvar:
3 teaspoons salt Pepper to taste
CREAMY MUSTARD SAUCE
Across the land the winter is past, and the lingering chills and rough winds do shake the darling buds of April and May. Spring hangs her infant blossoms on the trees, filling the air with a rich perfume that sends all of us into our gardens and flower beds.
Winter was kind to us living in the northern tier of states this past season even with freezing temperatures and mountains of snow. We are looking forward to the peach-bud glow, the wild bees humming, and wild flowers waving in graceful gladness. Here, in Chisholm, the last days of March, we spotted saucy robins, and crocus and anemones blooming.
We share with you some choice recipes to add to your Springtime joys and happy days.
From the kitchen of our beloved, the late Sylvia Baraga, are two of her favorites.
BIG BUNS
Dough:
1 cup milk
6 tablespoons sugar
4	teaspoons salt
6 tablespoons butter or margarine 3 cups warm water 3 packages dry yeast
10	to 10 cups flour
Scald milk and stir in sugar, salt and butter. Cool to lukewarm. In a large bowl, measure water, add yeast and stir until dissolved. Add milk mixture to the water and yeast, and add four cups of flour. Beat until smooth. Add rest of flour gradually to make a soft dough.
Turn onto floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Shape into smooth ball; place in greased bowl and grease top of dough. Cover and let rise in warm place until double in bulk-about two to three hours.
Filling:
l/2 pound bacon
2 pounds ground beef
1	pound ground pork
1 medium cabbage-shredded
2 medium onions-chopped
Dice and fry bacon. Remove bacon and some of the grease (leave enough to cover bottom of the pan). Add beef, pork and diced onions. Saute until light brown. Add shredded cabbage. Cook until cabbage is tender. Return bacon to pan and cool until lukewarm.
Place raised dough on floured surface. Pat down and cut in half. Roll half of the dough to 1U" thickness. Add one cup of the filling. Cut around in circle and bring edges together and pinch or fold closed. Put seam side down on ungreased cookie sheet. Let rest for 15 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes. Makes approximately 26 Big Buns.
QUICK CARAMEL ROLLS
Dough:
2	cups warm water
2	packages dry yeast l/2 cup sugar
2	teaspoons salt
2	eggs
l'i cup butter or margarine
To above, mix in approximately 7 cups of flour. Let rise until double. Form rolls. Dive into two parts and roll each out to lU inch thickness. Cover with soft butter or oleo, then brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up like jelly roll and cut 2 inch pieces. Place in greased 9x12 pan to which half of the caramel sauce has been added.
Caramel Sauce:
Bring to boil and cool:
2/j cup white syrup
2	cups brown sugar
1	cup butter lU teaspoon salt Nuts are optional
Pour sauce into bottom of 9x12 pan to which you add the cut rolls. Let rise until double. Bake 35 to 45 minutes in 350 degree oven.
Easy to fix and mix and perfect with ham.
1	tablespoon butter or margarine
1	tablespoon all-purpose flour
1	tablespoon ground-mustard x'* cup water 1;3 cup vinegar cup sugar ]/3 cup mayonnaise
In sauce pan, melt butter, stir in flour and mustard until smooth. Add water, vinegar and sugar and mix well. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, add mayonnaise and mix well. Serve with ham. Yield: one cup.
SUNSHINE CARROTS
They look and taste like Spring! The tangy orange glaze has just a touch of ginger-makes bias-cut carrots extra special.
5	medium carrots 1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch l'* teaspoon salt
lU teaspoon ginger lU cup undiluted orange juice (may use cup orange juice as a substitute.
2 tablespoons butter
Slice carrots crosswise on the bias-about 1” thick. Cook, covered in boiling salted water till just tender, about 20 minutes. Drain. Meanwhile combine sugar, cornstarch, salt and ginger in small saucepan, add orange juice, cook, stirring constantly, till mixture thickens and bubbles. Boil 1 minute. Stir in butter. Pour over hot carrots, tossing to coat evenly. Makes four servings.
I have also used the baby carrots found in grocery stores. However, the large carrots, if sweet and tender, are far better.
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NO. 2, CHICAGO, IL Meeting: 2nd Thurs. St. Stephen’s lower hall
It seems we waited so long for the winter to pass and spring to arrive. We had so many snow storm days this year in the Chicago area, and it seemed that it always came when we were to have our meetings. But as strong Slovenians, we persevered and here we are enjoying the spring-like weather; our parkways and yards are all in bloom with beautiful yellow daffodils and soon the other flowers will follow. We are all getting itchie fingers to get out in the garden and start planting; however, we know it is a little early. A little patience we will need!
As always, March meeting, we celebrated St. Joseph & St. Patrick’s Days with a nice table of great food, brought by members. Our member, Dan Bell, from Phoenix, AZ sent a box of grapefruit, oranges and nuts. We appreciated your thougtfulness, Dan, and all the members send a great big thank you! It was also our branch pres., Fran Morison’s birthday month.
We had many members sick with the virus and others in the hospital - Jean Hrastar - eye operation; Millie Pasoli
-	hip replacement and later at a rehab nursing center for therapy; Rose Mary Litwin broke her ankle and will be off her foot for 6 weeks; Tarz Kovacic -heart problems now in rehab hospital for therapy; Mary Vrhovnik is still going for chemo but doing better; Ann Scieszka better after back surgery; Frances Jazbec - home after her surgery and feeling better, too. Our prayers are with you that you will all be feeling better and up and around soon.
Our prayers and condolences to the following members on their losses:
To Adeline Dolence on the loss of her husband, Frank, he was also a member of SWU Br. 2 and to his daughter and her family; to the family and daughter of Mary Dolman; to the Turner and Wroblewski families on their loss of brother, Steve Turner.
To Father Jack Zibert and Eddie and
daughter on the loss of their father, Eggza Zibert; also to his sisters and their families. Eggza was a joy to be around; he always found something funny to say to make a really bad moment pass away. We will miss him at our picnic.
To the Schultz/Squok families who lost both mother and father in two weeks. Josie Squok was a member of Br. 2; her husband Tony Squok followed her in death two weeks later.
To Elsie Kroesel Wojdula on the loss of her husband, Ted. They attended the convention in S.F. and had planned the Orlando trip before he became ill.
To the Toplak/Cecich families on the loss of Albina Cecich. She was a member for many years, and everyone remembers she would be quiet until something was funny and then she would laugh real hard.
To the Prah/Leff families on the loss of Margie Prah. We all thank her for all the musical shows she put on with her dancing school children; many of our children attended her classes when they were small.
Please remember all in your prayers, that they will rest in peace.
Congratulations to the following new members who have joined S.W.U. -we are hoping that they will attend our meetings so we can get to know them and they us! Karen Blue, Connie Taylor, Mary Ann Kozlik, Betty Zolig and Neil Krašovec.
April 11, was the dedication of the Shrine of St. Stephen and the installation of Rev. Stan Wisniewski, S.J. as the first Rector of the Shrine. A reception was held following the Mass.
We honor Marija Rigler as our Mother of the Year. She is always there when we need a helping hand at our meeting with a great big smile.
Please join us for our Annual Zveza Picnic - July 18, 1999, St. Mary’s Seminary, Lemont, IL - Mass 11:00 a.m. - picnic on the grounds after Mass.
Thought to remember:
Other things may change us but we start and end with family Love,
DAISY
Congratulations! SWU Crest indicates the 70th Anniversary of this branch in 1999.
NO. 3, PUEBLO, CO Meeting: 1st Tues.
St. Mary’s Church Hall
We had a nice turnout at our meeting March 2. There is so much camaraderie at our meetings. We hope that more members would make an effort to come.
We were happy to have Bernice Krašovec at our meeting. She has been a member for some time but was unable to attend due to working. We hope to see more of her.
It was unanimously decided to have our May party at the Carriage House, 15th and Grand at 1:00 p.m. May 4.
The mystery gift was donated by Helen Kaplan and won by Margaret Cullen.
After the hostesses served a delicious dessert we played Bingo. Our hostesses were Frances Ondovchik and Rose Zupančič.
We want to welcome five new members. They are the daughters of Bernice Krašovec. They are: Katherine Chris-man, Mary Jane Davies, Bernadette Head, Karyl Krašovec and Virginia (Gina) Golob. Another daughter, Eileen Krašovec Perez has been a member since 1992.
Our faithful member, Gertrude Jordan, was honored on her 90th birthday Valentine’s Day. Her children, Car-mella and Frank Jordan, Jr. and Judy and Donald Jordan, along with Californians Dorothy and Bert Spence cohosted the Mexican Buffet for nearly 80 friends and relatives from Alaska, California and throughout Colorado.
Hope everyone had a Happy Easter. Also, let’s remember in our prayers the home-bound, the sick and those in nursing homes. We extend our sympathy to those who have lost loved ones.
PAULINE PAUCHICK
NO. 5, INDIANAPOLIS, IN Meeting: 1st Thurs.
SND, from May to Dec.
Since you have already marked your calendars, I guess I do not need to remind you about our annual spring meeting and luncheon. But, I will. It will be held on Thursday, May 13, 1999, at 11:00 a.m. at the Slovenian National Home. We meet downstairs. The entry door is in the back.
Please bring a covered dish. The branch will supply the meat. This is a very enjoyable time so try to attend. I know some of you may have a hard time to get to the luncheon/meetings, but we only have them twice a year. Also, remember that we will be honoring both our 50-year members and our Member of the Year at this event.
Branch 5 has lost a dear member. Mary Kronoshek passed away on February 8. For the past few years she had lived at the Eagle Valley Health Care Center. Our sympathy and prayers are with her family.
Do not forget that Phyllis Fon, 317— 852-9850, has the order form for the new SWU cookbook. The cookbooks can only be ordered, but Phyllis should have her copy at the meeting, so you can see it.
A special hello and Happy Spring/ Summer to those of you that are shut-in.
Member News
It is getting close to the end of the school year, so I expect you to send me some member news. You can mail it to Barbara Mohr, 14100 Montfort Dr., #3126, Dallas, TX 75240. Or if you have e-mail, send to barbara@ mohrpart.com. Thanks.
Betsy Fon, while attending Carthage, has made the Dean’s List with a 3.7 GPA and the 1999 Athletic Director’s Honor Roll for women’s volleyball and track & field. She has also been invited to join Alpha Lambda Delta, the National Honor Society Sorority.
Congratulations Katie Fon on your May 8th graduation. Katie has decided to continue her schoolwork and stay in Terre Haute for a two-year graduate program.
BARBARA MOHR
NO. 6, BARBERTON, OH Meeting: 1st Sun. Slovene Center
Although it’s been a long fall-winter, spring is in the air. I haven’t heard from many ladies. I hope you got a chance to mail in your dues to the home office. I did receive 2 inquiries and two checks. I will send them with my dues. Of my 18 members, 5 are accounted for, plus my grandson who is the only junior.
My address is still the same.
Linda K. Lambright, P.O. Box 16602 Surfside Beach, SC 29587
Phone (843) 626-8456 or 1-800-707-1278. Will try to get in touch with all of you soon.
LINDA K. LAMBRIGHT
NO. 10, CLEVELAND, OH Meeting: 4th Wed. 1 p.m. SND Holmes Ave.
Our first meeting for 1999 was held on Wed., March 24th at 1 p.m. at Col-linwood Slov. Home on Holmes Ave. In Jan. there was no meeting due to the severe weather.
The meeting was called to order by Pres. Stefie Segulin. Prayers were said for our sick and deceased members. Ten members were present. After the business meeting we discussed plans for our annual party to honor all our members and mothers for the year 1999. We will have our party on Wed., May 26th at 1 p.m. at Christy’s Restaurant on 200th St. and Tracy Ave. in Euclid. For reservation call 440-944-4954 or 531-7635. All members are invited and guests are welcome.
Our deceased members for 1998 were Jennie Ceme, Frances Mohorseč and Jennie Russ. In 1998 we lost Rose Micklich, Victoria Klemenčič, Elsie Watsen, Peggy Dobnikas, Ann Snider, Frances Kopac and Mildred Darrow. Our condolences to all the families. Get well to all our members who are ill.
After the meeting refreshments were served and many thanks to the ladies who brought refreshments and served. A raffle was held and again thanks to the ladies who brought the gifts for prizes.
Our best wishes for a happy Mother’s Day. See you at our party on May 24th.
Bring a friend. Our meeting for Sept.
will be on the 28th at 1 p.m.
Please check your policies and keep your beneficiaries up to date. Please call our Pres, or Sec. (216) 451-1876, if a member has died that we may pay our respects and our flag is on display.
The new “Pots and Pans” are now available.
The 23rd National Convention is to be held this month. Have a successful convention!
ANN STEFANČIČ
NO. 12, MILWAUKEE, WI Meeting: 3rd Thurs.
St. Peter’s Church Hall except July & Aug.
Another nice meeting, well-attended, even tho many people were battling the flu. Hope you are all well by now.
Estelle Koban spent a monthy in Florida with her son and family.
April found Fran Remshak on her way to Paramus, New Jersey for a wedding shower for Jane who will be getting married in July to Jonathan Remshak, grandson of Fran. Jonathan went to Boston College, then to Seton Law School and now is an attorney in the east. He was special to my husband and me when we did volunteer work at St. John the Evangelist School. Ed always teased him about his good lunches (usually, breaded chicken!) A quiet, mannerly young man, I wish him much success in his profession and happiness in his marriage. Skip and Judy Remshak will be going east with Fran as they are mother and father of the groom. Have a good trip!
The Easter Bunny brought us colored eggs to our meeting. Thanks, Stavia.
Theresa Fedran had surgery and with TLC from Tony she should be back with us soon.
In May we honor all the members as Members of the Year! We haven’t finalized our plans to celebrate as yet.
I spent a week in the hospital in February and want to thank everyone for the cards and phone calls. Very much appreciated.
Mary Pontar was 91 years old and is now in a nursing home in Walden, Wisconsin. She keeps up with our news.
A get well wish to all and a Happy Mother’s Day!
MARY KIEL
NO. 13, SAN FRANCISCO, CA Meting: 1st Thur. Slovenian Hall on Mariposa St.
Spring has arrived and the blossoms and flowers are all beautiful due to lots of rain. I’m looking at my gorgeous tulips right now!
We met April 1st and brought bag lunches. It was good to see old friends. We have so many older, loyal members who just can’t make the meetings anymore. But they are with us in spirit and we think of you.
Louise Petrusich’s grandson, Brian Nagel is getting married on June 25th. Congratulations to the family.
Secretary Moreen Spencer’s twin sons, Kevin and Kenneth are graduating from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in June. This is a proud day for Moreen and Don, but along with the joy is the concern that Don is having a difficult time after heart bypass surgery. He has had three surgeries due to a staf infection. I know only too well how that is with five eye surgeries myself last year due to a staf infection.
You have our love and prayers, Don
-	my prayers especially that you can make that graduation. I know “Aunt Doreen” Sustarich is as proud as can be. Job well done, Kevin and Kenneth!
St. Francis Lodge of KSKJ invited many of our ZVEZA ladies to their annual Palm Sunday Brunch. It was a beautiful day and food was exceptional, due to the watchful eye of Stanka Pecavar.
We are very happy to have in our branch Agnes Kumick and her daughter, Sandra Farrell; also, Edythe Ansel. Agnes and Edythe are the daughters of a very long-time member, the late Mary Ansel. Agnes told me how much they enjoy reading ZARJA. Welcome, ladies!
With spring also come monthly bus trips by our president, Josephine. In May we go to the Solar Living Center and lunch at Fetzer Winery. In June we will board the Spirit of Sacramento for a two hour cruise and lunch. In July, the Roaring Camp Train in the Santa Cruz mountains and our Bar-B-Que. (Our Conventioneers will remember this event during our 1995 convention here - it was a beautiful day!)
If you would like to join us, please call Josephine at (415) 863-8632. We
have such a good time and Jo and daughter, Michele Twers are such great hostesses!
We have our Woman of the Year Brunch secheduled for May 16th at the Marriott. Call Josephine, please and join us! Mass is at the Church of the Nativity at 9:30 a.m. and following is the brunch. Wishing everyone a beautiful Mother’s Day and...
May today be a beautiful day filled with joy and happiness - enough to share with those you meet!
See you at the Convention!
BEVERLY JACKSON
NO. 14, EUCLID, OH Meeting: 1st Tues., 6 p.m. Slov. Society Home
With the sun shining through the window and birds singing in the trees as I write this article, I realize it’s a promise of pleasant spring days to come. Already a few crocus bulbs are showing their brilliant purple and golden colors.
Once again this year we honor all of our members as Mothers and Women of the Year during May. The date is Tuesday, May 4th at 6:00 p.m. at Slovenian Society Home on Recher Avenue. Call in reservations for yourself and guests to Pres. Marty Koren 440-485-4227 or Vice Pres. Jennie Fitzthum at (216) 261-1196. Hope to see you then!
An update: Member Mary Gerl who had been ailing and was in and out of the hospital several times is now at her home. Her sister Vickie Lindic had surgery on her arm and she too is recuperating at home. Our Sunshine Lady Rose Rodgers is also on the mend after a fall and injuring her leg. Wishing you ladies a speedy recovery, and to all of our ailing members, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
May you celebrate Mothers’ Day among your loved ones!
ALICE KUHAR
“Yesterday’s the Past, Tomorrow’s the Future,
But today is a gift,
That’s why it is called The Present.”
THINK HERITAGE!
NO. 16, SO. CHICAGO, IL Meeting: 2nd Saturday, 1 p.m. monthly except Jan.-July-Aug. St. George’s Hall
Greetings and salutations!
Are you enjoying our beautiful weather, the lovely flowers and all the greenery that mother nature endowed on us?
Attention! Attention!
We need your reservations! Our May party will be on Thursday, May 13th at 12:30 p.m. atGaddini’s. Please mark your calendars. Come and join us -bring a guest or two. Call Gladys 221— 0475, Edna 221-5708 or Vida at 734-4830 - if they are not in call me 646-0705 - Thanks! We’ll have a surprise entertainer.
Welcome, dobrodošla, Anna Vrhovnik, our Vida’s sister. Anna is visiting from Ljubljana, and she’ll be here for a few weeks. Enjoy your visit here, Anna!
Ann Mary Gorenz is spending a week (and money) in Las Vegas visiting her daughter and granddaughter. Good luck, Mary!
Six of our members are going on a Mayflower tour to New Orleans: Gladys Buck, Dolores Franko, Andrea Krai, Christine Tomasik, Vida Kumse and Anne Vrhovnik. I hope they enjoyed the beignets.
I	have a guessing game. There is a cruise in July that two certain people are going to luxuriate on. The ship is the Grand Princess, the largest and longest ever built. They are sailing the Mediterranean and visiting exotic ports, one is Istanbul. I will give you the answer in the June-July issue. I don’t have a prize for the winner - just an A for trying.
Congratulations to grandma Andrea Krai on the birth of Hayley Jean Krai bom on March 30th.
Helen Battista is fully recovered after her surgery. It is a pleasure to hear her voice in St. George Choir.
Clara Saviano is so grateful for her full recovery from a broken hip. Clara, thank you for all of those goodies. You know my favorite!
Last month (March) we had pastries from Dotsi, Vida, Clara, Julie and Gladys. Thanks, ladies.
Tina Sertich’s great grandson,
Matthew John had one big candle on his birthday cake on Feb. 13. We wish you many, more, big guy!
Dotsi Rossi’s granddaughter, Gianna Rossi had surgery on her left knee; she finished her therapy and is now ready to play ball! She is a catcher for Whiting High School Oilers.
Jane Szymonik had a bad session and spent some time in the hospital again. Hope that you are feeling better now. Sandy Bittner, Edna’s daughter sustained a knee injury while she was in Washington, D.C.
Fran Zupančič is all settled in her new “PAD” in Crown Point. Surely by this time you have found some interesting places to shop and new restaurants! Enjoy!
Ana Lustig getting her wheels (wheelchair) all readied up for her granddaughter’s big day. Valerie Schwer was married to Todd Koleno on April 18th at St. Dennis Church in Lockport, IL. Our best wishes to the young couple.
Our Gladys has a big day coming up on May 6th. I hope that she won’t be angry with me if I tell her age, but she is the youngest 80 that I know! Please swamp her with birthday cards.
She deserves that! Gladys has been our secretary for close to 50 years!
Martz Bublich is celebrating her 83rd birthday on May 13 - have a good one, Martz! Kako si?
Our deepest sympathies and condolences to Zinka Shesek and her family on the loss of their beloved husband and father, Frank Shesek. We also extend our condolences to Helen Battista on the loss of her brother-in-law.
Also, we remember in prayer, Robert Freeman, son-in-law of Helen Pastirik. May they rest in peace.
Come join us for our June meeting, Saturday, June 12, 12:30, St. George Hall.
Happy birthday wishes to all May and June celebrants!
Best wishes to all mothers, grandmas, great grandmothers, aunties, and all Caretakers. A happy day to all Fathers, grandfathers, great grandfathers, uncles and big brothers. God bless them all!
“A true friend is forever a friend”
MARGE
NO. 20, JOLIET, IL Meeting: 3rd Tues. except June to Sept. St. Joe’s Park Hall
Dear members: Our spring weather is here and soon we will “spring ahead” and we will be enjoying longer evenings and picnics that will start in May at St. Joe’s Park.
July 18- Sunday: Zveza Day is in Lemont, Illinois hosted by Branch 2 of Chicago. Beginning with 11 a.m. Mass (Slovenian singing) a very entertaining day is planned with good food, music, games etc. The picnic goes on rain or shine; so please come, let’s show support for our neighbor branch. If you need transporation, call Jonita at 727-1926.
How many women mayors are there in Will County? Only one. Bertha Hofer of Shorewood, IL, our member who is in the forefront for Equity for Women. Go, Bertha!
Junior bowler Connie Cwudzinski achieved all-state status in helping Lockport rally to win the Girls State Bowling Tournament at Rockford. Cwudzinski totaled 2,363 pins for 12 games, a 196.9 average, in the two-day event to finish 10th individually. She had games of 254 and 223 Friday, and four of her six Saturday games were above 200 as Lockport came from seventh place to win.
Will County Executive County Board recognized and honored our member, Chief Examiner, James Sef-cik for the GED Testing Program, the highest in the State of IL. as observed by the Illinois State Board of Education.
It is evident that the SWU attracts the “Creme de la creme” and I certainly enjoy writing about these outstanding people. These days with all the suffering and sadness in the world, we must accentuate the positive. Please pray for these poor unfortunate people.
Our “get well” list is short this time, so our “get well wishes” last time seemed to help. First get well to Robert Horvatin, Bob Kostelc and also to my sister, Josephine in Tucson, AZ who fell in her home, but luckily she is o.k. now.
Sympathy to Elaine Weber and Family on the death of her mother, Anne (Judnik) Volkl; to Lois Geary on death of her Mother, Rose Sczpaniak; to
Br. 20 members make the best Krofi!
Just before Lent, the Joliet, Illinois Herald News featured a nice story on Slovenian Krofi (donuts) - the pre-lenten delight that our moms and grandmas know how to make (and our cookbook has good instructions for you to make!). With the story, and recipe, and hints for making them, readers were given the whole story. Pictured were Lilijana Cepon (she’s our Br. 20 member as are her three daughters!) and crew doing the actual mixing and frying.
Congratulations, ladies! It was great to see this feature praising what we already know is good!	Editor
Johanna Rogel on the death of her brother, Valentine Papesh; to John Machak on the death of his sister, Pauline and to Jan Gould, Will County Clerk on the death of her father, John Darguzis, former Mayor of Rockdale.
At our February meeting, we had our attendance award drawing for $20 and it was won by Elizabeth Burkhardt, but she was not there. Sorry, Liz! And at our March meeting, Lydia Marquardt’s name was drawn for $30 but she was not there, so sorry, Lydia. In April it was to grow to $40. How many will show up for these meetings???
Char Kobe, our President of Br. 20, was elected to be our Woman of the Year. We are all looking forward to our celebration May 11. Why not attend. It’s always a lot of fun.
Please call me about news you may have at 727-3177.
OOPS!! Correction in the last ZARJA. I got mother and daughter mixed up. Erin Regis, daughter of Dodie Regis won the Continuing Education Scholarship from Br. 20. Soooo Sorry.
50 Years Ago in the News March 10, 1949: Guam is the faraway destination for Helen Pasich of Oakland Ave. She will depart Sunday for the island in the Pacific where she will serve as a secretary for the U.S. Army.
KATHY STONICH
‘Trip’ to Slovenia
The kindergarten class of St. Joseph School, Joliet, recently completed a class “trip” to the country of Slovenia. In preparation, they prepared items of clothing that they would need on the trip, obtained passports and airline tickets, and gathered maps, pictures and information about Slovenia.
On their departure date, the classroom was transformed into an airplane. Tickets were checked, and students were seated by student flight attendants, dressed in the Slovenian national costume.
Upon arrival in Slovenia (the lower level of the school), the flight attendants greeted the passengers with a red carnation, the Slovenian national flower. Passports were stamped, and the students were taken on a tour of the Alps, Slovenian coastline on the Adriatic Sea, caves, countryside, villages and landmarks of Slovenia (via videotape).
Frank Markun, grandfather of two of the kindergarteners, and a native of Slovenia, treated the students to stories of his childhood in Slovenia, read them some stories, and taught them some Slovenian songs. He and his daughter, Annette Koncar (class of 1977), demonstrated the polka to the accompaniment of Ray Koncar (class of 1970) on the button box. Many of the children also enjoyed trying to polka.
On the flight home, the students were treated to potato dumplings, klobase, apple strudel and potica.
Reprinted from Joliet Herald News
Photo: Ray Koncar
Students (from left) Margaret Koncar, Nick Vidmar and Colleen Earley pretend they are flight attendants on a kindergarten “trip” to Slovenia at St. Joseph School. Margaret and Nick are members of Br. 20.
NO. 22, BRADLEY, IL Meting: 3rd Tuesday every other month Members’ Homes
Happy Easter Season and Happy Spring! It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Surely Bourbonnais was put on the map March 15 with that fatal Amtrak train/truck crash in the area. You get the scope of the tragedy when you read in the local paper that 34 fire trucks, 35 ambulances and 20 television crews were on the scene. Eight days later and
11	miles away from this site two freight trains collided, no fatalities but plenty of car derailment. To top this, there was an attempted murder/suicide at the renal dialysis facility of Provena St. Mary’s Hospital, leaving a nurse critically wounded and the disgruntled patient dead. All this negative news made the Chicago TV channels for days.
March certainly was not a happy month. Our most heartfelt sympathy is extended to Marge Planton and family upon the untimely death of her 19-year-old granddaughter, Elizabeth Arnold, who died March 3 as the result of an auto accident. Elizabeth was in the
springtime of life; may she bloom forever in the garden of God’s love.
Mayme Drassler now resides at Heritage Village after a month of hospitalization for heart problems. She will be 90 on May 27 and I’m sure she would appreciate a card from her friends. The address is 901 N. Entrance Ave., Kankakee, IL 60901. At this writing, Toni Legris is at Provena St. Mary’s with a broken ankle and Mayme’s sister-in-law, Ruth suffered a stroke. Ruth was named recently by the Bradley Library Board as the Grand Marshal of the 1999 Bradley Christmas Parade, and the first week of December is Ruth Drassler Week. May good health be restored to our ailing members and to their dear ones.
The Kinders, Elizabeth and Anne, are concerned about brother-in-law/ uncle, Louis Marcotte, who sustained severed thumb and ring finger which required 5 hours of surgery to repair the nerves, and Ann Richards hopes husband, Francis will regain sight in an eye that was operated on twice. The Richards’ grandson, Mark, in the Air Force, has made his fourth trip to Korea. Better to go far east than to Europe these days.
A little information for the June bride: Wedding bands are worn on the third finger because the ancient Greeks believed that the “vein of love” ran from that finger to the heart. Guess, then, it is important to keep that vein from collapsing.
A safe Fourth and a fun-filled summer to all.
EMMA LUSTIG
NO. 23, ELY, MN Meeting: 1st Monday St. Anthony’s Church Hall Sept. thru May
Members of Branch 23, Slovenian Women’s Union in Ely, met at the Ely Senior Citizens’ Center, on February 1st. The new officers were all present for the meeting, as follows: Beverly Lobe, President; Gloria Smuk, Vice President; Recording Secretary, Marcella Zupec; Secretary-Treasurer, Pat Lammi; Auditing Committee; Margaret Deyak, Pat Lammi and Olga Feroni.
Four of our very special ladies are now with God; and they are Julie Heg-fors, Mary Ravnikar, Jennie Deyak and Mary Petritz. They were remembered with prayer. Angie Godec is in charge
REST IN PEACE
NO. 23:
Anne Marie Wangler:
MY MOTHER - ANNA LUSHINA
Anna Lushina was born on July 9, 1901 to Jacob Juvančič and Frances Ravnikar Juvančič in La Salle. She had two sisters and three brothers, all preceded her in death. She inherited a great musical talent as her dad played the organ and mom sang and sister Frances served as organist at St. Roch’s Church for 12 years, until she went into Nurse’s Training. Mom played the organ in Church until she was married. She married Ludwig F. Lushina in St. Roch’s Church on April 19, 1925. They had six children; Anne Marie (Bill) Wangler, Mary Jane (Jim) Darif, Dorothy (Glenn) Stevenson, Ludwig J. (Carol), James (Pearl) and William at home. Her husband passed away suddenly on March 9, 1966, a great loss to her and the family. She passed her love of music on to her children and found a way to make sure they each had lessons and a musical instrument to play. She also had a gift	*	*	*	*	*
of drama and appeared in Slovenian plays at church and at the Dom. This too is apparent in children and grandchildren, who act and sing, etc.
Home was always the best place to be where we enjoyed time spent together. We learned to cook and bake at her side, and we prepare her good Slovenian recipes, not from printed copy but from memory as she did. Her bread was better than Angel Food cake and she made sure each family had a fresh loaf for Christmas as long as she was able to prepare it. She thrilled at the news of a new great grandchild on the way and the news perked her up.
She became a member of the Slovenian Women’s Union in 1936. She received her SO year pin in 1986. She served as Treasurer of our Branch for many years, at
a time when there was no bank book. Mrs. Angela Strukel would bring the dues she collected to mom and she placed all in a strong box and Angela would come when she had to send in branch dues and mom would get the box out of its safe place and give her enough to send a money order to the home office. She loved SWU and ZARJA and was proud when I became the Reporter and later President of our branch.
Mom was Mother of the Year in 1980 for Branch 24, La Salle.
She passed away on March 16, and her Funeral Mass was held in Resurrection Church on March 20. The large number of SWU members who came to pray the S.W.U. Funeral Ritual at the funeral home was a great act of love shown to mom and to me and our family. I thank all sincerely for coming and being there for us. The grandchildren served as pallbearers, readers, and Marianne and Amy Schweickert, our members, sang the Communion meditation hymn. 1 played the organ and the entire choir and funeral choir sang. Dorothy (daughter) read a poem by Edgar Guest.
I know mom would have been proud of her family. We will go on as she would have wished. She taught us how to live and she showed us how to die.
May she rest in peace!
MOTHER’S DAY
Edgar A. Guest
Never a thought for self had she,
Never for herself ambition, goal of all her dreams were we,
Holding us her earthly mission.
We were first in every thought;
Friend or foe could not divert her. Failing her in what she taught,
We alone had power to hurt her.
Looking back, we know today
We were source of all her gladness; And whene’er we went astray,
we were source of all her sadness.
This the mother that we knew!
Never any life was purer.
Gentle, tender, brave and true,
Never any love was surer!
of calling for ladies to attend the funerals for our deceased members; and it is a very impressive ceremony with the ladies dressed in black and white; and a reading is given for our departed member. Many thanks to this dedicated group.
Sally Davidson will be our new Hostess, replacing Olga Feroni, who has served faithfully and done an excellent job. Those who will be on the Auditing Committee will be Rosemarie Buchner, Mary Ann Starkman and Gen Erchull.
Sunshine report indicated that cards were sent to Mary Starkovich, Mary Evanish, Mary Ann Lekatz, Marion Kangas, Julie Fink and Pauline Fer-derber.
Jane Yadlosky, our competent Past President, will represent Branch 23 at the National Convention in Florida.
Rose Ferderber won the door prize; and Olga Ferderber won the 50/50 drawing. Judy Swenson was introduced as a new member by Rosemarie Buchner. Members enjoyed coffee and after the meeting, and the usual Bingo.
MARCELLA ZUPEC
NO. 24, LA SALLE, IL Meeting: 3rd Thurs. Catholic School Library Mar.-Apr.-May-June Sept.-Oct.-Nov.
A few members attended the March meeting which was held mainly to discuss the May National Convention.
There has been much sadness to report from Branch 24. On February 28, Betty Stack’s brother-in-law, Bill Loveless of Kokomo, IN passed away. He is the grandfather of our Junior member K.C. Plowman. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, four children and one grandchild. On March 14, Minnie Carter’s son-in-law, Charles Bierbom passed away. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, five children and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by daughter, Cindy and grandson* Kevin Sweetland. On March 16th my mother, Anna Lushina, passed away at La Salle Healthcare where she was a resident for seven and one-half years. She is survived by six children, thirteen grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren. I had a phone call while writing this and learned that Dom Serri,
passed away today (3/31). His wife, Anne passed away in January. He is survived by two daughters, Patricia at home and Janice (Michael) Bly of Waukegan and two grandchildren. The members offer their sympathy to all of the bereaved families and we pray that our deceased will enjoy Heavenly Peace.
Theresa Wellner is still on the sick list but we’ve heard that she will have a Pacemaker. Hopefully she will be back with all of us soon. Jo Grabowski had surgery at Mayo Clinic and is slowly recuperating. At this time she is uncertain as to whether she can go to Florida as our delegate. Mary Ann Brunner’s husband had surgery and Mary Ann (elected alternate) doesn’t feel that she can serve as our delegate. These two members were the best qualified to represent us-they attend every meeting, help with every project and serve as Hospitality chairmen when called upon. We hope that all of our sick people will soon be well and strong again.
Jo Foley and Rita Mae Pyszka will be celebrating their birthdays in May and Paula Illman, Betty Stack and RoseMary McLaughlin and Junior members, Abby Schweickert, Patricia Weihman, and Bekki Jo Prokup will celebrate birthdays in June.
There will be no Mother of the Year as Branch 24 honors all members at a May dinner. Our June meeting usually is in conjunction with a Pot Luck Picnic. Plans for these activities will be made at our April meeting. Fr. Bernard Horzen has advised me that there will be Slovenian Litany of the Blessed Virgin at Resurrection Church on Sunday, May 16th at 2:00 p.m. This is a beautiful service and we hope that more of our Slovenian people will attend. Lunch will follow. Please read the church bulletin for information on the May and June activities. There will be no meetings on HOT July and August and we will resume regular meetings in September. Plan to become an active member and enjoy your participation in our programs. We wish a very Happy Mothers Day to all of our Mothers.
ANNE WANGLER, Reporter
Najtežje je zidati gradove v oblakih,
če je popolnoma jasno.
It’s hard to build castles in the clouds
if the sky is cloudless.
NO. 32, EUCLID, OH Meeting: 3rd Wed., 6:30 p.m. Euclid Public Library Erie Room
Hello to everyone! Spring is just about over and Summer is almost here.
I hope everyone has a good and safe summer.
Just a reminder, our meetings are now held at Euclid Public Library in the Erie Room. The meetings start at 6:30 p.m. Come and join us!! We need the support from our members.
On May 19th, 1999, we will be celebrating Mother’s Day by going out to dinner. Please come join in this celebration at Hometown Buffet at 35085 Euclid Avenue, Willoughby (Rt. 91 & Euclid Avenue). We are meeting at 6:00 p.m. for dinner. If anyone needs more information or needs a ride please call Ann Cooke at (216) 481-4194. Let’s have a great turn out so please come and join in the fun.
Charlotte and Rudy Perdan along with their family went to Myrtle Beach over the Easter Holiday. Hope you all had a good time.
Frances Ogoreuc’s sister-in-law, Ann Deptola, had a heart attack on March 22nd. She is now recuperating at home. Frances and her family wishes Ann a speedy recovery and best of health real soon.
See you all real soon. Take care until then.
ADRIENNE JAGER
NO. 40, LORAIN, OH Meeting: 2nd Wed.
SS Cyril & Method Hall
We had 17 members at our Feb. 10th meeting.
Our Birthday girls, Agnes Serazin, Lee Pavlovčič, and Sue Tomazic put us in a mood to celebrate St. Valentine’s day by their decorations and the delicious dessert they served us. Thanks girls, and thanks to all who brought prizes for our raffle. Our Pres., Agnes was the winner of the door prize.
Our President brought our meeting to order with prayer. We got down to business and picked our delegate to the National Convention in Florida in May.
President Agnes Tomazin will be our delegate and Anna Rossman is alternate; her daughter, Mary Ann Foster is planning on going also.
Congratulations, Emilee!
Our diligent reporter from Br. 25, Cleveland, OH, Ms. Emilee Jenko, has been named St. Clair Slovenian National Home Woman of the Year.
In her biography, Emilee states that she is the daughter or immigrant Slovenian parents, was born in Cleveland and at this time is the owner of Emilee’s Beauty Salon on St. Clair Ave.
Emilee is the kind of person who believes in being active and not just a “silent” member, she says! We extend our thanks to her for joining in all the activities of the Slovenian community of Cleveland, and especially our branch.
Heartfelt congratulations!
We also agreed that we will honor all our mothers again this year at our May dinner which we usually have on our meeting day. This year it will be on Wed. May 12, 1999.
We sold 11 cookbooks so far.
We tried to elect new officers for 1999, but there were no takers so here we go again:
Pres. Agnes Tomazin; V. Pres, vacant; Sec. Treas. Agatha Donges; Rec. Sec. Mary Matos; Auditors, Agnes Serazin, Sue Tomazic and Reporter Mary Matos. We closed our meeting with prayer and we later played Keno.
March Meeting
There were only 8 members who came to our meeting. I wasn’t there and our president Agnes was also ab-
WORKING FOR THE GOOD OF S.W.U.
NATIONAL OFFICERS AT 1999 BOARD MEETING IN JOLIET, ILLINOIS spent three days in intense discussion and deliberations on the future of the Slovenian Women’s Union. This group photo shows the Board of Directors: seated, left to right, Secretary-Treasurer, Evelyn Majercik, President Jean Korsman, Vice President Kathy Dorchak, and Treasurer Beverly Menart; standing, left, First Auditor Cirila Kermavner and right, Auditors Pat Figurowski and Jo Lustik. Editor Corinne Leskovar and Heritage Director Irene Odorizzi are center.
sent. I wish to thank Agatha for taking the minutes for me.
Our birthday girls, Angie Voytko Jean Balogh and Angie Zgonc served a delicious lunch. Thanks girls! Too bad that so few came as there were enough sandwiches left over so everyone got some to take home. Angie Voytko got the door prize.
Agatha brought the meeting to order with prayer. She announced that we sold 13 cookbooks. She mailed in a check for $234 to pay for them. Agnes Serazin and Angie Voytko made motions to give our delegate to the convention $200 taken from our treasury to cover some of her expenses. The majority approved.
Our May dinner will be on our meeting day, May 12th at the Holiday Inn at 12:30 p.m. For reservations call our president at 245-3919.
By the way have you heard that our Molly Glavan gave up her house in which she has lived for over 60 years. She is now living at the Oberlin Manor Hi Rise on Oberlin Avenue on the 4th floor. I saw her lovely apartment and she is content and happy as a lark.
Let’s all pray for our sick members especially for our Alice Rutar and Genevieve Wenzel who are very ill.
With love,
MARY MATOS
NO. 42, MAPLE HTS., OH Meetings: Quarterly, 2nd month of the quarter, 2nd Saturday Maple Hts., Library
Greetings of Spring to all our members! The month of May was always a special month to the students who attended Maple Hts. schools back in the 1930’s and early 1940’s. This was the time annual May festivals were held on the grounds of the high schools. Those of us in the lower grades practiced for weeks dancing around the 3 Maypoles while holding a long crepe paper streamer in varigated pastel colors. These streamers were attached to the very top of the Maypole. I seem to recall that in practice it seemed much easier to weave the Maypole than during the actual event. The weaving was accomplished by 2 circles of students at the base of the pole moving in opposite directions while intersecting each other and having a secure hold on a designated streamer. The end result (if done correctly) was a pole of braided colorful crepe paper which could be wound or unwound depending on the activity at the base of the pole.
The 3 Maypoles represented the 3 elementary schools in the district:
Broadway, Granger and Stafford. Competition was keen and before it was all over confusion reigned! One person out of sync could throw off the entire effort. Needless to say, youthful exhuberance usually prevailed. Most of the time it was much to the consternation of our instructor since it was almost impossible to correct anyone once in motion.
The highlight of the entire festival was the crowning of the May Queen who sat on a throne surrounded by her court. One May Queen that stands out in my memory was Margaret Terz who eventually became the bride of Tony Klir, brother of “Red” Klir
This past February marked the passing of Jack Yemec, brother of our secretary, Marge Church and son of our late member, Mary Yemec. The Yemec Grocery Store at the comer of Stanley Ave. and Raymond St. was a landmark in the Slovenian neighborhood of Maple Hts. for many years. Jack, Sr. stirred all our taste buds when he smoked “Klobase” in his smoke house behind the store. Jack, Jr. made his home in Michigan for many years. Our condolences go out to his family.
On a lighter note, happy May birthdays to Clara Hrovat, Dorothy Mehosky, Samantha and Sharon
Thompson, Mary Champa, Melinda Prhne and Angeline Zupanc.
Happy June birthdays to Ann Trattar, Dolores Lipnos, Robert Kastelic, Betty Ann Kastelic, Sally Prhne and Katherine Gruden.
As we go to press I am leaving for California with my 7 year old grandson, Eddie, to visit my daughter, his special Auntie, Lynn. It will be a somewhat abbreviated visit since he is on a short Easter vacation from school. Can you imagine flying across the U.S. when you were just 7 years old? I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I got to go to downtown Cleveland on a Maple Hts. bus!
Till next time, get well wishes to any ailing members.
Zbogom!
LIL SADOWSKI
NO. 43, MILWAUKEE, WI Meeting: 4th Wed.
St. John Evangelist Rectory
Because of bad weather we did not have a meeting in January, but our February and March meetings were well attended. Our Luncheon ladies for February, Jo Zahn and Lorraine Johnson and for March, Mary Martino, Josephine Janezic, and Elsie Gallun treated us to a very tasty luncheon. Both of the meetings were opened with a prayer, and minutes were read and the financial report was given. By a unanimous vote Helen Hajicek was named as our Mother of the Year. The dinner will be at Klemmer’s at 10401 West Oklahoma Avenue, on May 26th at 12 noon.
That nasty “Bug” is coming around making many people quite ill. Our Jo Zahn and Lorraine Johnson have been ill, and Mary Martino was hospitalized with a heart problem. Let us hope that all of our members will be well and able to spend the Easter Holiday with their family and friends.
At the April meeting we discussed the details of the Mother of the Year dinner. Hoping to see you there. HAPPY EASTER TO ALL.
ANNE E. KONCZAL, Reporter
WE HAVE A CONVENTION RAFFLE
for a beautiful hand-made Quilt and Doll with 3 outfits handmade by Beverly Menart. See back cover for ticket information.
NO. 47, GARFIELD HTS., OH Please note change in meeting place to Bedford Public Library,
70 Columbus Rd., 1 p.m. in March, May, Sep. and Dec.
Now that Spring is in the air the crocus are peeking through the ground and before we know it we will be enjoying our summer activities.
On the agenda was discussion pertaining our coming national convention in Orlando this month, sponsored by Br. 47 of Garfield Hts. Ann Harsh was elected as our Delegate.
Sat. May 1st we will honor all Mothers with a Luncheon at Quinn’s Restaurant at 1 o’clock in Solon. For reservations call Olga at 440-248-0585.
Mass for living and deceased members is Sunday, July 11th, 1 o’clock Mass, St. Laurence Church. After Mass we will go for dinner to Sterle ’ s.
Congratulations to Mary Skul’s granddaughter, Kathy and David Johnston who were married at St. Rita Church in Solon on Sept. 19th. Kathy is the daughter of Mary and Rudy Matjeka of Medina and David is the son of Netta and Paul Johnston of Cleveland. Kathy is a graduate of Notre Dame Academy and is employed at Fabric Center Stores as financial analyst in Hudson, Ohio. David is a graduate of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic High and is employed at the Plain Dealer. Both are attending Tri-C in Parma. After a honeymoon to Hawaii they are residing in Noyalton, Ohio. May you spend many happy healthy years together.
Happy birthday to our May and June birthdays: May - Kathy Wallace, Rose Kočevar; June - Antonia Bme, Mary Skul, Terry Spellacy and Elsie Lovrenčič. To our shut-ins get well soon! Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincere sympathy to Virginia Kem-merling and family who lost their beloved husband and father, James Kem-merling. He was the father of Craig and Anne, son-in-law of John and Mary Taucher. May the eternal light shine upon him and may he rest in peace.
Last but not least The Pots and Pan cook books make beautiful wedding and shower gifts; just a suggestion but you’ll be proud to give it.
Have a safe summer.
MARY TAUCHER
NO. 50, EUCLID, OH Meting: 3rd Wed. Euclid Public Library except July & Aug.
Dober Dan! The news sent in for this issue had to be sent in by April Fool’s Day; so it may seem somewhat passč. Our last meeting, 3-17-99, was short but appropriate. The attendance could have been better. A meeting was scheduled for April 21 st but not for May 19th due to other closely scheduled events prior and after. Our Mother of the Y ear, in honor of Albina Mersnik at Sterle’s will take place on Thursday, May 13th at 1:30 p.m. and the 23rd National Convention in Orlando, Florida will be held May 21st thru May 23rd. We should have a very interesting meeting on June 16th. Please try to attend.
Our President, Ann Tercek and our Treasurer, Mary Miller will represent us at the National Convention. We wish them a happy, informative time which they will share with us when they return.
As of this writing, Jane Somrok and Jen Laurich have not been well. We hope they are better or well at this time and that goes to all our members that might not be up to par.
We are happy to announce that Maureen Podlogar has consented to being our Vice President and Scholarship Assistant, but sad to state that “Freeway,” Maureen’s beloved little dog, went to doggie heaven.
A lovely wedding took place on Feb. 6th at St. Noel’s. The principles were Donald Frank and Lisa Lije. Their grandma is our fond member, Caroline Lokar.
Although it has been months since, we want to announce that Olga Sames was our Valentine Queen this year. Her delightful rendition of her life thus far was inspiring to learn as is her smile to see.
Mary Miller’s cataract operation took place in February. She was on duty at our March meeting and is doing fine.
It is with great happiness to announce the blessed arrival of Ann Tercek’s great granddaughter bom to Ann’s granddaughter, Sharon Gillen with the help of Sharon’s husband, Gary. Sharon is the daughter of Ann’s daughter, Nancy Podmore.
As of the end of March, Mary Alice “Elsie” Primuth left us to receive her eternal reward. Our prayers are with her family.
In our previous issue of ZARJA, it was stated that Mary Sterling passed away. The sentence was not completed from the rough draft. Mary is still with us thankfully, but sadly it was her husband, Robert who left us. Deepest sympathy.
Don’t forget the prompt payment of this year’s dues, and the cookbooks are still available.
At this time your reporter will give her telephone number for you to conveniently jot down. It is (216) 481-0753. We welcome all news with the correct spelling of names and full disclosure as members desire it to be. A note stating the particulars would be preferred. Thank you for your cooperation.
I leave with this thought of the day:
Although the years bring aches and pains that render our muscles inert, one consolation that remains - thank goodness our wrinkles don’t hurt.
Na svidenje!
VI MORAVCHEK
NO. 54, WARREN, OH Meeting: 3rd Wed. Feb. thru May, Sep., Nov., Dec.
Greetings to all! Hope you had a blessed Easter and are enjoying the beautiful springtime weather.
We have had to change the date of our Mother-Daughter luncheon and you all will be notified.
Our next meeting will be in September, at my home, and you are all to bring a sack lunch - I will be the hostess with a special dessert; Vic Zuga has volunteered to do a special dessert for the October meeting. We have not been too active this winter and hopefully, our group will perk up soon, like the weather!
Louise Vett will be traveling to Florida soon. Her husband, John, had a hip replacement and is doing well and should be able to travel. Back from Florida is our Isabelle Rek, who spends several months there with her daughter and family. Our family has also had some busy months, birthdays, anniversaries and confirmation - and it’s been wonderful.
Get well wishes to our shut-ins and our best wishes and prayers for a successful 1999 National Convention in Florida.
Happy Mother’s Day to all and good health and God’s blessings!
JOANNE PONIKVAR Secretary-T reasurer
NO. 55, GIRARD, OH Meeting: 3rd Wed., 7-8 p.m.
“Honor your father and mother; which is the first commandment with a promise; that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:2-3
Happy Mother’s Day and Happy Father’s Day!!
Spring has finally arrived and it is glorious. There is not much news because we have not had a meeting yet this year. Several members were ill or otherwise incapacitated.
Our next meeting for 1999 was Wednesday, April 21, 7:00 p.m. at 1058 Susan Lane, Girard. We’re looking forward to seeing you and having a great time. We will be making calls concerning the May banquet.
Our condolences to Rose Volk Juvančič (Br. 55) and her family on the loss of her husband, Dr. Richard Juvančič.
May Birthdays: Dori Kregar Fooy, Virginia Rostan, Andrea Selak, Anka Kregar, Frances Lukz.
June Birthdays: Seth Gordon, Anna Zagger, Marian Cigolle, Milka Kregar.
JOAN KRISTIN TWADDLE
NO. 56, HIBBING, MN Meeting: 1st Tues.
First Ave. Apt. Social Room except Jan.-June-July
To celebrate Mother’s Day, our members were planning a special lun-chon to honor all mothers of our branch. It was scheduled for April 6th and we will tell you all about it next month!
Our sincere wishes to all mothers, grandmothers and members on this happy day!
ANNE B. SATOVICH, Vice President
NO. 73, WARRENSVILLE, OH Meeting: Mar.-Apr.-May-June Aug.-Oct.-Nov.-Dec.
Sec’y. Epley’s Home 20294 Emery Rd., No Randall
It seems like ages since we have had a meeting, and we look forward to our next get together on May 3rd. This will be the first opportunity we will have to see everyone-after our Anniversary Celebration on April 11th.
Our president, Kay Yuratovac, has been visiting in Florida, and a greeting from her says that the weather has been great and she is enjoying the visit with her daughter and other relatives.
We hear that Jeanne and Richard Epley, and family, will travel to South Carolina to visit Gramma. Have a safe trip. Tell Gramma we said hello. Tracey Epley has achieved second honors in school. Keep up the good work, Tracey.
Our Secretary, Alouise Epley is doing well, and we hope that the warm weather will help her to improve even more. She is always most anxious to start work in her yard, and we hope that her health will again afford her that pleasure.
Yours truly spent the Easter Holiday in Florida, letting the younger ones enjoy the activities of Spring Break, while I catch up on a lot of things that I have put aside. After returning from the south, I will head west to San Francisco for five days, accompanying my son, his wife and daughter. Mark (an RN) will attend a cardiology seminar, while we girls take in some of the sights. Should be fun. Wonder if I will remember all I saw in 1995!
Then, it will be time to pull things together for the National Convention. I look forward to traveling with Angie Musil and the Mueller’s who will join our little group for a few days of fun. We hope to meet and greet many of you in Orlando.
Your prayers and thoughts for my son, Michael, have been greatly appreciated. He, too, seems to be improving with the arrival of the warmer weather.
Will greet you again after the convention. Take care of yourselves, let us know your comings/goings. It’s always news to us-and others like hearing about it.
Respectfully submitted,
EVELYN A. MAJERCIK
NO. 89, OGLESBY, IL Meetings: 2nd Mon. except Jan. and July Dickinson House
First meeting of 1999 was held Feb. 8th at Hardee’s Restaurant. The same officers were installed by Angie Nico, Liaison Officer. Books were audited by Darlene Wasielewski and Barbara Bruch. A thank you note was read from the Dickinson House Foundation for a donation which the members collected at the Christmas party in lieu of gift exchanges among members.
Prayers and a tribute was extended to Mary Dittle, one of our 98 year old members who passed away Jan. 13, 1999.
Marilyn Argubright was fortunated to be picked to attend the Papal Mass at St. Louis and her talk about the trip was very enlightening. Wish we could have been along.
No March meeting due to the heavy snow storm, so I’ll keep you posted on February happenings. We lost another 98-year old member on Feb. 12th, 1999, Elsa Zabavnik. Losing two members in a month’s time has put our membership to 32 as of this count. Our sympathy to the families of Mary Dittle and Elsa Zabavnik.
Belated birthdays that have passed, but are not forgotten, are hereby recognized: We wish them all very happy returns: Jan. Alice Piecha, Frances Kir-bach and Mary Kotar.
March: Angie Nico and Mary Stu-bler; April: Helen Komater and Barbara Bruch; May: Josie Argubright and Catherine Golich.
As I write, Easter is around the comer and it won’t be long until we are all out in our gardens. I’m looking forward to sunshine. It feels good already. Hlittle count-down calendaEas-ter with your families.
A very Happy Mother’s Day to All! And, remember, our Mass for deceased members is June 27th at 10:30 a.m.
Sincerely,
EUNICE KOMATER
NO. 101, BEDFORD, OH Meeting: 1st Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Bedford Hts., City Hall
WE HAVE SELECTED ALL
OUR MOTHERS/MEMBERS TO HONOR THIS MONTH
On April 25, 1999, as it is our yearly custom, all members of Branch 101 gathered together for 9:00 a.m. mass at Holy Trinity Church in Bedford Hts. After mass we met for a breakfast brunch at a local restaurant.
Each month brings new ideas to our meetings and as we look ahead to the rest of the year we plan to keep busy. Our main money making project for the year is selling pop and hotdogs at the “Bedford Hts. Home Days” which is usually held in July. Our hearts and enthusiasm are in the project for we gain a great deal not only in the socializing we do but also the money we make and the contributions we give to each worthy organization.
Welcome to our new members: Joan and Sandra Larson and Michelle Sibits! We welcome you with a smile.
Unfortunately, we have a sad note to report. Barbara Orlosky, one of our faithful members, lost her husband, John, this year. Our deepest condolences to her and to the family.
We wish all our members who are ailing a speedy recovery. To Mary Bradac, who is currently staying in a nursing home but is always with us in spirit. Each month she reminds her daughter, Linda about meeting night. And especially to Dorothy Stark who is not feeling up to par. Hope you’re better soon and can join us.
The “More Pots and Pans” cookbook is selling extremely well. Our third order is in the mail.
Remember! “True friends are those who really know you, but like you anyhow."
Adijo!
FLORENCE MIRTEL
NO. 102, WILLARD, WI Meeting: When convenient Parish Center
We hope that everyone is enjoying the warm weather, sunny days, and the return of the birds!
A birthday party was held for Josephine Artac’s 85th birthday. Several people from Willard and Greenwood came to help her celebrate. The party was held at the Neillsville Nursing Home.
The Slovenian singers of Willard sang at the Mike Well’s Facility in Marshfield on March 4th; then on March 17, they sang at the home of Donnie Wolf, honoring her 87th birthday. A pot luck meal was served. Rose Pakiz baked a beautiful birthday cake.
The World Day of Prayer was held at the Willard Parish Center on March 5th. The CCW of Holy Family held their monthly meeting in March.
The S.W.U. held a bake sale at the Parish Center in April.
A1 and Virginia Volovsek will celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary at the Willard Parish Center on Sunday, June 6th. Our congratulations to them.
Our deepest sympathy to Rose Pekol of Greenwood who lost a sister on February 2nd:	Sister	Mary	Lillian
Simonelic of Lemont. Sister Aloysius, age 91, of Lemont passed away on January 22nd.
Let’s remember those who are home-bound, in Nursing Homes or in a hospital . Our thoughts and prayers are with them. May they enjoy good health.
FRIEDA KLANCHER
NO. 103, WASHINGTON, D.C. Meeting: 1st Sun. except July & Aug, St. Columba’s Ch. Albemarle St.
Greetings once again from Branch 103. On March 9, we received our first significant snowfall here in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. What a beautiful scene. We were fortunate here to have had a mild winter,
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Making “Pisanice” for Easter
Dorothy Bernik (top left) and Kay Plackard (top right) are getting to be experts at decorating the Slovenian style Easter Eggs. Members enjoyed learning this art at the Br. 105 meeting in March, (see Dori’s article below.)
and now are eagerly awaiting our beautiful spring.
As always, it’s gratifying to bestow congratulations and praise to our Slovenian sisters for their outstanding accomplishments. First of all, our congratulations are extended to Lidija Tatjana Millonig, a mezzo-soprano, for her performance on February 14, 1999 at the Valentine’s Day Junior Recital of Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Ward Recital HaU, The Catholic University of America. She is the daughter of Lydia B. Millonig and granddaugher of Jane Bevec, all members of Branch 103.
Our best wishes are extended to Bernadette and Timothy Fitzsimmons for the birth of a daughter, Juliana Veronika, bom on March 1, 1999. Their sons, Matthew and Thomas are very excited about having a sister. The proud grandmother is Nika Kovacic, all members of Branch 103. Congratulations, again!!!
Agna Javornik, a long-standing member of SWU Branch 103, retired at the end of 1998 from her employment with the Library of Congress. Upon receiving her citizenship in the USA, she was employed by the Library of Congress as a cataloger where she worked for 31 years. Her talents were many and impressive. In addition to the English language, she was versed in Slovenian, Croatian, Serbian, Macedonian, Albanian, German, and Italian languages, and had a teacher’s degree in Slovenian. During the last several years, since the 1980’s, she worked with computers. She loved her work and was extremely dedicated to her duties as a cataloger for the Library of Congress. We wish Agna an enjoyable retirement which is much deserved.
Once again, we ask your prayers for all members of Branch 103 who are incapacitated and on the way to recovery, especially for Freda Michelitch, Sabina Bartol, Loretta Kennedy, and Mimi Mejac. Also prayers for those who have passed on, especially Mattie Terselic who is greatly missed.
We hope all SWU members and family have had an enjoyable the blessed Easter, and that all goes well for the future. Also, much success at the upcoming SWU National Convention.
MATILDA AUSICH
NO. 105, DETROIT, MI Meeting: 3rd Sat. Temp, at Secretary’s home
We hope all of you had a wonderful Easter! There is so much news to report. We have chosen our Member of the Year - Yola Roel. Congratulations! Yola is a very hardworking and dedicated member of our branch. The luncheon will be held on May 1. Information will be sent to the members regarding this event.
At our March meeting, Fran Desmond taught us how to make “Pisanice” the very colorful Easter eggs. The session went so well that Fran will be doing a repeat performance in the Fall. Our picnic will be held on June 19 at Hartsig Park in Warren. Please make
every effort to join the festivities. I do hope that Armand comes to the picnic because he taught my little daughter, Anna, to play soccer last year!
May is the month of Mary, our Heavenly Mother. She guides us in all of our endeavors and intercedes for us with her son, Jesus. “Marija pomagaj nam.”
If any members have any news to report, please call me any time at (810) 574-9564.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers. Thanks, Mama, (Milka Kregar) for being such a wonderful mother. I hope that I am following in your footsteps with my daughter Anna.
“Ko sem še majhen bil, sem bil vesel; Sem svojo Mamico, prav rad imel. Meje zibala in srečna sva bila...”
Na Svidenje,
DORI KREGAR FOOY
nRSfl 5L0UEM5KR DEDI5ČIMR
BARAGA
Začetki Katoliške Cerkve v Ameriki
FRANC JAKLIČ
V BALTIMORU ZADENE BARAGO KAP (9. oktobra 1866)
“Brez tvoje pomoči ne morem tega, kar mi pošiljaš v dušni prid, dobro porabiti. Zato te prosim, usmiljeni Oče, dajaj mi v vseh nesrečah pravo krščansko potrpežljivost. Če je to tvoja presveta volja in če je k tvoji božji časti in v mojo dušno korist, da se mi to trpljenje kmalu konča, te prosim prav ponižno, odvzemi mi ga. Vendar ne moja, ampak Tvoja presveta volja naj se zgodi. Kar hočeš, kakor hočeš, dokler hočeš! Za vse to te prosim po Jezusu Kristusu tvojem Sinu, našem Gospodu in Zveličarju. Amen."
Zares svetniško je znal trpeti mož, iz čigar razbolelega srca je kipela taka molitev.
Dne 3. aprila 1867, torej po šestih mesecih bolezni, je Jackerju spet narekoval pismo za Leopoldinino ustanovo. V njem pravi: ‘Moje stanje je ostalo zadnjih šest mesecev žal nespremenjeno. Tako sem slab, da me komaj razumejo, če hočem kaj povedati, in se komaj premikam. Vsako jutro vstanem in hodim po malem gori in doli po sobi, da potem v postelji laglje strpim. Kdor me vidi ali sliši, komaj verjame, da bom še en teden ostal živ, pa vendar še životarim in čakam na naslednika, ki bo prišel to poletje. Že štiri mesece ne mašujem več. Zbral pa bom vse'svoje moči, da bom včliki četrtek maševal in posvetil sveta olja.” Spet
se tolaži z mislijo na stanje škofije. "Vsa duhovniška mesta so zasedena. Zdaj je tu 21 duhovnikov in šele ko bodo nastale nove naselbine, jih bo treba več. Kolika razlika med zdaj in takrat, ko se je škofija začela! Takrat sta bila v njej samo dva duhovnika, ki sta morala maševati večinoma po zasebnih stanovanjih; sedaj ima pa že vsaka večja naselbina svojo cerkev. Naše cerkve se gradijo na stroške soseske, večji del stroškov pa mora vendarle nositi škofija. S šolami smo dobro preskrbljeni. Misijonarjem zdaj ni treba toliko trpeti kakor nekdaj, ko so maloštevilni duhovniki morali po slabih potih daleč hoditi. Zdaj so pota povečini dobra in skoraj povsod se človek lahko pelje, po vodi ali pa po suhem.” Le za duhovniški naraščaj bo treba še kako poskrbeti, ker do sedaj ni imel ne učnih moči ne denarja.
26. aprila je pisal Ludovikovemu misijonskemu društvu v Munchen: “Preobložen sem z dolgovi, ki mi jih je povzročila moja selitev v Marquette in moja dolgotrajna bolezen. Rad bi jih plačal, preden umrjem. Nujno in vdano Vas torej prosim, pomagajte mi iz stiske. Če prej umrjem, preden pride pomoč, bo gospod Jacker, pisec teh vrstic, podporo sprejel, jo vnovčil in z njo plačal dolgove.”
Pismo, ki ga je Jackerju narekoval 28. junija za Leopoldinino ustanovo, je pa kakor pretresljiv klic trpeče duše. Zdaj še brevirja ne more več moliti in le s težavo še govori. Brez denarja je. Premestitev škofijskega sedeža iz Saulta v Marquette ga je mnogo stala. Na marquettski stolnici je velikanski dolg 6000 dolarjev. Dohodkov od nje, kakor jih imajo druge škofije, nima nobenih, ampak mora sam kriti njene tekoče potrebe. Tudi bolezen ga veliko stane. “Upniki silijo vame, da naj plačam. Sem torej v skrajno mučnem položaju in lepo prosim za izdatno pomoč. Moja prošnja je zelo nujna, kajti še nikoli nisem bil v toliki potrebi. Biti bolan, pa neprestano nadlegovan od upnikov, ki jih ne morem zadovoljiti: to je res žalostno. Rotim vas torej, pomagajte mi iz moje stiske.”
Mnogo gorja je prišlo nadenj, poleg telesnih bolečin tudi toliko dušnih.	NADALJEVANJE
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Summer “Break” is upon us!
Hi everyone!
I hope you all have had a great couple of weeks since I wrote you last. I have, a few bad days, but then again, good days are always mixed in!
The tip of the Month is “Don’t follow anyone.” This tip means, be your own person. Sure, you can like someone’s jeans, their shirt, or maybe their sunglasses, but when it comes to opinions and choices to make, you should be the person you were bom to be. This was a person who was unique, distinctive, and had their own individuality. We all have our own choices, but we can easily be persuaded by friends, and sometimes relatives on the choices we each make in our lives everyday. Choices such as, do I go to that party knowing that there will be drugs and alcohol; do I risk the chance of getting caught? Hopefully in a situation like that you will be who YOU are. If your best friend is going, and you know it’s wrong, DON’T GO. Tell your friend that you feel it’s wrong and that you think she shouldn’t go either; but please realize that your friend has her own opinion and you need to respect that. There is NOTHING within your powers as a friend that can stop her from going. If you truly, truly find it irritating that he/she won’t even listen to you, I think that then you should contact an adult, possibly a parent. But in the end, I would hope that you realize that you chose the right decision, NOT TO GO TO THE PARTY, and that you can feel confident and say, “I made my own decision and it was a good decision to make.” Feel good about the decisions that YOU make, not that other people make for you.
On to possibly a happier note, summer is quickly approaching us, as we joyfully look forward to summer break! What can I say, it’s a great thing. I
hope that you all have fun things to do over summer vacation. I know I do. I will be doing a lot of rollerblading with my friends, and going to the mall and Great America, now that almost all of them are getting their driver’s licenses.
Last month’s mind game, I hope, wasn’t too confusing. The answer is LUCILLE BALL. This is because the word Lucille is written in the shape of a ball. If anyone has any really neat little mind games, I would love to hear them, so just write me. You name will even be in the ZARJA magazine right under your game. Even make one up!
I hope you got last month’s right, cause here come’s another one! Give this one a try. Month by month they’re going to get harder, but just think about
it, and I’m sure you all can get it!!!
I have a little count-down calendar until the year 2000, with 365 of the stupidest things over said or written. This is one of the stupidest things said for March 26th, (the day I am writing this.)
STOP: DRIVE SIDEWAYS!
That is a sign posted in Kyushi, Japan. Geez, how weird is that! I don’t think you’ll ever see a sign like that in Illinois. Well, I just thought that was interesting.
I hate to go, but I really have to. I enjoyed writing to you and I can’t wait until next time. So, I’ll talk to you all later. Take care of yourselves, and enjoy your last few days/weeks of school.
Talk to you all very soon!
Haberman — Zimmer
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This month’s Mind Game:
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MANY SPLENDORS OF SLOVENIA TOUR III
will bring you to fascinating places in Europe at the ideal time to travel,
September 6-23, 1999
Highlight of this tour is the ceremony in Maribor at which the Slovenian Bishop Anton Martin Slomšek will be beatified by Pope John Paul II.
*A visit to Medjugorje is planned with sightseeing the most beautiful places along the Adriatic Sea, i.e. Dubrovnik, Split; also the wondrous Plitvice Lakes.
After 12 full days in Slovenia, touring the classically important places and enjoying the best accommodations, transportation, food and wine, the tour will conclude in Budapest, Hungary.
Call for further information:
Rudy Crnekovic at Priority Travel, 312-782-7340 or Corinne Leskovar, 773-275-1115.
(* Interesting alternatives are being planned for the Medjugorje portion of the tour in case the turbulence continues in the Balkan peninsula and flights to that area may be cancelled.)
Polka Mass-sters Community Events
The Popular Joliet group, The Polka Mass-ters have recently released an audio tape and CD of the Polka Mass, as well as, Pre-Mass hymns.
Send orders to:
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Traditional 6trape Festival čr Panct with The frarith brothers žr Polenta £and
(Saturday from 5:00-10:00 p.m.)
PolKa Mass With Father Perfcovich
(Sunday @ 11:00 a.m.)
Puquesne University Tamburitzans, from Pittsburgh. Penn.
(Sunday @ 2:00p.m.)
Live entertainment M\ Weekend: Triglav Dangers, Polenta £and £rZ.von Singers, Winnipeg, Canada
West Range Tamburitzans • East-West Buttonaires Tony Perpich & the Perpitones • Joe Cvek Orchestra Yours Truly, Johnny Snidarich Button Box Showcase featuring Ronny Setniker Pauline & Dorothy • Slovenian Home Button Box Club Rudy Jandry • Ely Slovenian Chorus Join Bill Lah in the Slovenian Sing-a-long Paul & Julie Sersha • Tommy Zakula Sing-a-long
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Slovenian Women’s Union National Convention Raffle
Both prizes made by National Treasurer, Beverly Menart. Doll is donation National President Jean Korsman.
Second prize: 18 inch Doll, dressed in Red Coat, trimmed in black velvet with black fur muff,
Plus... costumes of three Slovenian regions, Gorenjska, Bela Krajina and Prekmurje.
Complete, with stand.
First prize: Queen-size, hand-made Quilt “Geese in the Pond” design, in forest green and ivory.	*
Tickets available by mail: Send $1 per ticket with coupon below to:
Beverly Menart, SWU Nat’l. Treasurer 1111 98th Ave. W., Duluth, MN 55808 Telephone: (218) 626-3183
Winner need not be present. Drawing will be at the Nat’l. Convention, May 23, 1999, Orlando, Florida. We will fill out your tickets and place them in the raffle box for you. You will not receive any tickets.
Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Quilt:	------------------------------
Number of Tickets
Address: __________________________________________________________
,	Number	of	Tickets
City, Zipcode: ____________________________________________________
SPECIAL CONVENTION RAFFLE OF OTHER PRIZES, TOO!
Amount Enclosed: $.