Official Organ Of e Slavonic Benevolent 0
HUMANITY
BENEVOLENCE
VOLU
er Of The State Of Texas, Founded 1897.
BROTHERHOOD
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 with Undeliverable Copies to: SUPREME LODGE SPJST, FOB 100, TEMPLE, TEX 76501
NO. 51
Ill C1,i^I ER
18, 1968
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK Last Charter Member Passes. Sister Veronika Baca, 94 years of age, died recently in a Temple nursing home, where she had been confined since April 1st , 1063. Sister Baca was the last surviving charter member of the SPJST, having joined the Society in July 1897. This marks the end of an era that started with that first group of lodges incorporated into the Society by July 1st, 1897. I recall that when 1 assumed this office six years ago, there were still about a dozen of these charter members (it'll living. In these brief few years, time has taken its toll, and the last of these is now gone to her reward. (See complete story elsewhere in this issue). It would now be interesting to know who the oldest living member is — in membership and also in age. We will endeavor to do a special stn": , on this person SQ01 1 in 1969. 4
COW , e See lis More Often. Activity around our lodges increases dramatically around this time of the year every year. There are -- and will be in.,7ny Christmas parties, socials, programs, and the like. The children are happy and smiles can be seen. all around. One cannot help but notice the "sudden" increase in numbers at these
events. You see people you haven't seen since last Christmas. Each lodge welcomes ALL its members. They're glad to see them, even if it is only once a year. No one is barred from participating in the fun — and in the work. Your lodge officers need your help and your support. After this Christmas, go back and see what's happening at your lodge as often as you can. Take' pride in your local unit. It is the backbone and primary structure of our fraternal system. It will be as efficient and beneficial as you help make it. Come see us more often! 4
Old Style Christmas in Czechoslovakia. Despite serious ideological struggles taking place throughout Czechoslovakia today, the custom of observing Christmas in the old traditional manner seems to have made a complete comeback, according to word from various sources in that country. This year, more so than in recent years, Czechs will be celebrating the season according to old-time traditions and practices, after almost a generation of trying to sell them on something else in its place. Decorated Christmas trees and bells have replaced portraits Of government and party leaders in small show windows on Wenceslaus S q u a r
(Vaclay ske namesti) and on the National Boulevard tNarodni bulevard) in downtown Prague. Snowflake dcAsigns, angels, and the words of old Christmas carols appear in places that had heretofore been reserved only for political slogans when Soviet troops occupied the city. For the first time in about 20 years, major cities have tall community Christmas trees. The wives of leading government figures were invited to the tree lighting in Republic Square and to participate in charity collections for orphans, etc. Charity collections have previously been frowned upon and discouraged because they were considered an admission that social ills existed, The churches are crowded in this advent period. Overlooking cosmetics and toy displays in Prague show windows are rhyMes from old Christmas carols such as, "We Go To Bethlehem Together." Christmas shoppiri:. ... • ans to be brisk. Many Czechs b:1 :• fu;sumeel , longer the attitude: 'Why put cz1J' always buying the things we h,. wanted? Since the Russi:::.: will nobody knows what torno ,.. bring.' 4
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Don't Let it Be You, This otherwise happy season will again be marred by sadden and tragic deaths on the highways of this and other states, Officials