nlisz ptraiti Official Organ Of The Slavonic Benevolent Order Of The State Of Texas, Founded 1897 BENEVOLENCE
HUMANITY
BROTHERHOOD
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SUPR.EME LODGE, SPJST, P.O. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76501 VOLUME 63, NUMBER 6 FEBRUARY 5, 1975
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK In the January 22nd issue of our Vestnik, in our editorial, we commented that we had been informed that enthusiasm in the Czech courses had abated and lessened and wrote with concern about it, because we were concerned! In the Czech editorial we went so far as to refer to the time in the past, between the years 1948-1953 (the exact year not recalled), when Brothers F. Olexa, Hilsher, yours truly and others, made an attempt to correct a deteriorating condition for Brother John Skrivanek's Czech course at the University of Houston, but to no avail. Our concern then, and now, was sincerely fraternal and genuine. We are happy to report that we now have authorative information (by telephone) from Professor Teofil Halama, the instructor, that there are definitely 38 students registered with the possibility that there will be more by the time registration is completed. That is good news, most definitely, and we regret that we were misinformed prematurely because the final registration dates were January 28th and 29th, and we were informed that the final total was approxiMately 20 students. Sister Frances Olexa has a letter in the "Letters" section calling your editor's attention to the use of more discretion as to who he
OPTIMIST AND PESSIMIST The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist fears this is true. —Branch Cabe11 Two men look out through the bars: One sees the mud, and one the stars. —F. Langbridge a a 'Twixt optimist and pessimist The difference is droll: The optimist sees the doughnut, The pessimist sees the hole. —McL. Wilson accepts information from, which is taken advisedly. Of course, we understood this to be the final count and on good authority. We have discussed this with Sister Olexa while in Houston, January 27th, and feel we understand each other. Certainly the articles were written to arouse interest and concern in our Czech-oriented people, readers, and students, and WAS NOT for the purpose of disheartening anyone. We certainly are glad to hear of the good news and wish to compliment the students, the Czech Club, Professor Halama and the University of Houston officials on their good work and devotion. Allow me to make one definite state-
ment: This editor will NEVER do anything to deter the teaching of CZech (or any other language, for that matter), in any case, or at any time! We wish much success to the Czech courses being taught at the University of Houston. At this time we would like to reprint a small part of our editorial of September 4, 1974, concerning unity in purpose: Now is the time for all involved in the Czech language program at the University of Houston to close ranks and make a success of the courses being offered there. Titles mean very little; it is the final result that matters. Groundhog Day was February 2, and perhaps our oldest popular myth, and many will be surprised to know how very, very old it is. Strange indeed would the ways of superstition seem to our humble woodchuck could he but know of his ancient fame. The Puritans instituted groundhog day here three hundred years ago, having brought the myth along with them in the Mayflower. In their native home the otter had the glory, however, instead of the groundhog. And the mantle of the tradition fell upon the otter for the simple reason that there were no bears wolves in England, for in the be-