`CHANGING TO MEET THE C NGING NEEDS OF FRATERNALISTS"
ESTNIK
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 BROTHERHOOD
HUMANITY
BENEVOLENCE
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SUPREME LODGE, SPJST, P. 0. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503 ISSN-07458800 VOLUME 83 NUMBER 14
April 5, 1995
District Two welcomes new lodge
Lodge 182, Falls County receives charter On Sunday, March 26, 1995 SPJST members, officials and friends gathered at the Volunteer Fire Station in Lott, Texas for the chartering ceremonies of Lodge 182, Falls County. The ceremony included presentations by District Two Director Kohutek, Willie Lodge 182 President Donald Beckendorf, Supreme Lodge President Howard Leshikar and Supreme Lodge Vice President Leonard Mikeska and State Youth Leader Joni Lange. The drive to establish the Falls County Lodge can be traced hack to 1978. It was in that year when State Field Silas Managers Smith and Gene McBride perceived the need for a new lodge in the Falls County area. Discussions were held with SPJST members living in the vicinity. As a result of these talks, Sister Marie Macha
of Marlin was recruited by Smith and Mc ride to train as a sales representative and help organize the new lodge. Several new members were enlisted as a result of Sister Macha's efforts. Even at that, the lodge still needed a total of twenty members before it could officially be organized. Help came along in 1983 in the form of Brother Nick Komar, of Marlin. Brother Komar enlisted his services as a sales representative. More new members came aboard—but the magic number of 20 had yet to be achieved. In the interim period between 1983 and 1995, various attempts were made at reestablishing a foothold for a new lodge in Falls County. In 1993, Johnnie Gaidusek, Sr., a sales representative for Lodge 66, Waco, .signed on Donald and DeAnn
"We want to build a family-oriented lodge. To us, family is the most important thing in life.
SPJST Supreme Lodge representatives in attendance at the chartering ceremonies for Lodge 182, Falls County included, from left: District Seven Director . Bob Bayer and wife, Polly; District Two Director Willie Kohutek and wife, Adeline; Supreme Lodge President Howard Leshikar; Dorothy Mikeska and Supreme Lodge Vice President Leonard Mikeska.
The First Team Supreme Lodge Vice President Leonard Mikeska, background, delivers oath of office to incoming officers of Lodge 182, Falls County. Pictured, from left, are President Donald Beckendorf, First Vice President Nick Komar, Secretary Darlene Komar, Reporter Allene Kuropata, Youth Leader Judy Treat, Treasurer Marie Macha, and Assistant Youth Leader and Sales Representative DeAnn Beckendorf. Beckendorf as new members. Because of their interest in establishing an active lodge in the greater Falls County area, they were assigned as members of Lodge 182. In March of 1994, Sister Beckendorf received her credentials as a volunteer sales representative. By the end of 1994, Lodge 182 had its twenty members. The lodge officially organized on January 22, 1995 with 35 members. In his presentation, Supreme Lodge President Howard Leshikar underscored the importance of "teamwork." "Life is a series of lessons that we learn one day at a time," President Leshikar said. "Working together, we can achieve great things. Dream big enough that you are always trying to achieve a greater corn-
mon good for your members and for your community," he later summarized. Following the presentation of the gavel and lodge banner, Supreme Lodge Vice President Leonard Mikeska administered the oath of membership to incoming Lodge 182 members and the oath of office to incoming officers. He also extended his congratulations to the new lodge. "It's been a long time in coming, but I believe their potential is great," observed State Field Manager Gene McBride. Lodge 182 President Donald Beckendorf agreed with that assessment. "We want to build a family-oriented lodge," he said. "To us, family is the most important thing in life. Then comes community. (Continued on page three.)
Lodge 182, Falls County Youth Club members shared in the spotlight. State Youth Director Joni Lange and District Two Youth Counselor Patsy Koslovsky, pictured at left, were in attendance. They were accompanied by SPJST State King Jason Cervenka and State Queen Delia Wiederhold, at center. Lodge 182 Youth Leader Judy Treat is pictured at far right.