"CHANGING TO MEET THE C 4.NGING NEEDS OF FRATERNALISTS"
SPJST Herald "Joining Hands To Touch Lives-Fraternalism for the Family and Our Nation"
Official Organ Of The Slavonic Benevolent Order of the State of Texas, Founded 1897 HUMANITY
BENEVOLENCE
BROTHERHOOD
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SUPREME LODGE, SPJST, P. 0. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503 March 31, 1993 ISSN-07458800 VOLUME 81 NUMBER 13
Spring Meeting Season in Full Swing
LEFT: In conjunction with the District District Five Spring Meeting on March 14 at Lodge 88, Houston, district youth presented a memorial in honor of those members of the district who had passed away since the previous spring meeting. RIGHT: The district's top-producing sales
respre-
sentatives were also cited. They are, from left: Vicki Dressler (172), Louis Hanus (88), Jerry Ermis (88), Larry Pflughaupt (88), Tillie Helmcamp (88), Sidon Tumis (142), Lorenda Baldwin (139), Evelyn Mikeska (1961 and
Helen Hegwood.(More District Five Spring Meeting photos on page 4.)
SPIST honors member
of Lodge 35, Elk Albina Pavelka achieves "Grand Age of 96" On February 21, 1993, SPJST Lodge No. 35, Elk, honored one of their very special members—Albina Mladenka Pavelka—age 96. Mrs. Pavelka, who turned 96 on October 20, 1992, was joined by friends and family to commemorate the special occasion of her outliving her SPJST insurance certificate. Sister Pavelka was born in 1896 to Louis and Frances Mladenka of Schulenburg, Texas. She was the oldest of ten children in the Louis Mladenka family. Of her four brothers and five sisters, four brothers and four sisters are deceased. Before the turn of the century, when Sister Albina was born, men worked for about $430 a year The Hospodar, a Czech language newspaper, advertised many things for sale in 1896, including men's suits—for $7.50—a good amount of money in those days. In 1896, $1 bought twenty pounds of sugar, and the Elkhart Carriage and Harness Manufacturing Company advertised surreys for $60. For an additional $30, one could purchase a top for the carriage. These days, a mid-size automobile costs about $15,000, but the average salary is about $30,000 a year! It's not surprising, then, when some of the "old-timers" shake their heads in amazement at how
things have changed. Sister Albina was 16 when she became a member of Lodge No. 35, Elk, in 1913. Although she had not yet married Ben Pavelka of Mart, her future husband would also become a longtime member of Lodge 35 and hall manager. Sister Albina married Brother Ben in 1915. Of their children, the following are still living: Oleene Thun of Fort Worth, Adele Rendek of Waco, John Pavelka of Woodway and Ruby Janak of Austin. Albina lost a son, Bill Pavelka, on January 10, 1962. Bill's wife, Ruby Hazel Pavelka of Mart, remains a loyal family member. Albina's husband, Ben, passed away on July 3, 1974. During the period from 1915 though the 1950s, much of the nation's population lived on farms. In fact, by 1910, the leading industry in the state of Texas was farming. Ben and Albina Pavelka, who farmed in the Mart and Elk communities, became part of that era. As historians might say, the Pavelka's were one family in a chronology of many families who experienced war and peace, economic depression and prosperity. Over the past 96 years, the cost of living has increased, the accumulation of knowledge has multiplied, and world
Joining Sister Pavelka at the March 21 celebration at Lodge 35, Elk, are from left: Frank Janak, son-in-law; Ruby Janak; Janice Pavelka, daughter-in-law • John Pavelka; Albina Pavelka, honoree; Adele Rendek; Oleene Thun; and Ruby hazel Pavelka, daughter-in-law.
wide, the population has exploded. Sister Pavelka has seen the world in which she lives change in so many ways. Mrs. Pavelka today remains lively and involved in piecing quilts and doing beautiful hand work. She is quite an avid reader, bakes kolaches and delicious pastries, attends church regularly and enjoys visits with family and friends. As you will see from the photos accompanying this story, she is still a very beautiful lady! The SPJST wishes to thank Lodge 35, Elk, for holding the dinner in honor of Sister Pavelka, and Director Sid Pokladniklor j3eing a part of the occasion.
Seven members of Sister Pavelka's family are SPJST members and she proudly speaks of her 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and seven greatgreat grandchildren. To Sister Albina, we wish many more years of health and well being for her and for her family, and we offer our "Congratulations" to her for reaching the Grand Age of 96. Sister Pavelka will retain all of the privileges of SPJST membership with no further dues or assessments required. —Compiled by Supreme Lodge President's Office —SPJST-