"CHANGING TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF FRATERNALISTS"
"Joining Hands To Touch Lives-Fraternalism for the Family and Our Nation"
ViSTNIK SPJST Herald
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 February 9, 1994 ISSN-07458800 VOLUME 82 NUMBER 6
Happy Valentine Greetings How the tradition of exchanging Valentine's on February 14 got started is a matter, according to sources on the subject, that is still open for debate. Many, however, tend to agree that the earliest Valentine's Day observances were attempts by the Church to Christianize the old Roman "Lupercalia," a festival held around the middle of February. Part of the ceremony consisted of putting girls' names in a box and letting the boys draw them out. This, supposedly, paired off couples for a whole year—until next Lupercalia. Although times have changed, the practice of extending heartfelt sentiments has endured through the ages. Working to preserve this tradition, the Vestnik, on page 8 of this week's issue, presents a collection of Valentine greetings from SPJST members to their special someones. qP
Lodge 16 member achieves "Grand Age of 96" The 1890s were an exciting period in our nation's history. It was during that time that the first gasoline-powered automobile was operated in the United States, one of the precursors of today's computer—the punch-card tabulating machine, was introduced, and the comic strips "Buster Brown" and 'Happy Hooligan" first made their appearance. Sister Eda Schumaker was born in Bila Hora, Texas on December 18, 1898. Her parents were the late Robert Schumaker of the Bila Hora community and the late Annie (Machac) Schumaker of Fayetteville. She also had one brother, Edward Schumaker, deceased, and two sisters, Emma, deceased, and Emily, 90, who resides at a Hallettsville rest home. Eda Schumaker lived in Bila Hora until she married Willie Tesch on August 27, 1916. The Teschs earned their living by farming, raising cattle, cotton, corn
Sister Eda Tesch, who celebrates her 96th birthday in 1994 has been a member of Lodge 16, Bila Hora for sixty years.
and tomatoes. They later moved to Sheridan, Texas, where they continued to raise cattle and corn. Sister Tesch, whose membership in the Society spans sixty years, became a member of SPJST Lodge No. 16 in 1934. The Tesch's farmed for many years. Brother Tesch passed away on November 30, 1972. Other members of Sister Tesch's family included a son, Marvin
Tesch, who died on January 2, 1989 and two daughters, Lillian Walters of Hallettsville, Texas and Evelyn Criswell of Sheridan. Sister Tesch always loved to entertain guests. Even today Sister Eda would much rather give than receive. She enjoyed church and going to church pic nics. Eda loved quilting and quilting bees, cooking and baking cakes and kolaches. She learned to drive at an advanced age and continued to drive until becoming a resident of the Stevens Convalescent Home in Hallettsville, Texas at the age of 95. Being self-sufficient and able to drive made her happy in her later years. The Society offers its congratulations to Sister Eda for achieving the Grand Age of 96, thus outliving her SPJST insurance certificate. As such, Sister Eda is entitled to all SPJST membership benefits with no further dues or assessments require&
"Sister Tesch loved to entertain guests. Even today she would much rather give than receive." Our best wishes go out to Eda and her family during this year in which she celebrates her 96th birthday! Compiled by S.L. President's Office SPJST-