Changing to meet the needs of fraternalists.
"Joining Hands To Touch Lives- Fraternalism for the Family and Our Nation"
O
VESTNIK 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 October 18, 1995 ISSN-07458800 VOLUME 83 NUMBER 40
Coining October 22 - 28
Texans set to observe Czech Heritage Week October 22 to 28 is Czech Heritage Week in Texas. In June, Texas Governor George Bush signed a resolution from the Texas House of Representatives and Senate designating the last week in October as Czech Heritage Week in Texas. It will be an annual observance. The resolution was sponsored by Representative Robert Saunders of La Grange and Senator Ken Armbrister of Victoria. The idea was conceived by Fayette County Judge Edward F. Janecka, who helped write the resolution. Thanks to the Travis Williamson Counties Chapter of, the Czech Heritage Society of Texas for contributing information in the following summary. Historical utline The Czech population in Texas traces its roots to the 19th century immigration of their ancestors from the regions of Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, and Slovakia in the Austrian Hungarian Empire. The country of Czechoslovakia which encompassed these regions was created after World War I with the assistance of President Woodrow Wilson. Czechoslovakia's independence was proclaimed on October 28, 1918. Its first president was Tomas Garrigue Masaryk,
"Several events around the state have been scheduled in conjunction with Czech Heritage TATeek." who was elected on November 14, 1918. Inspired by French and American models, its constitution proclaiming the country a Democratic Republic was ratified in 1920. Under the Munich Pact of 1938, Czechoslovakia was occupied by Germany prior to World War II. After World War II, in 1948, Communists under Soviet influence seized control of the government. The Velvet Revolution in the Fall of 1989 ended the 50-year
(Continued on page 4)
Promoting Czech Heritage in Texas
A new exhibit, "Our Czech Heritage," at the Fayette Heritage Museum in La Grange runs through the month of December. Pictured above are those individuals who helped with the research and development of the display. They are, from left, front: State Czech Heritage Society President Carolyn Meiners, Helen Mikus, Olga Merecka, Dolores Guenther, Elsie Farris and Bernice Miller. Back row: Librarian Annette Luchert, Museum/Library Director Cathy Carter, Georgia Hrachovy, Colleen Willrodt, Mildred Bohlmann and Lillie Mae Brightwell. (See related story on page 7.) —Photo submitted by Carolyn Meiners.
100 Pennies Drive gains momentum during second week "Those pennies are starting to add up!" That's the word from State Fraternal Activities Coordinator Frank Klinkovsky. Through the morning of Friday, October 13, $1,331 had been collected for the 1995 SPJST 100 Pennies Scholarship Drive. "Think about that for a while," Brother Klinkovsky says. "That's two new $500 scholarships that wouldn't have been there without this generous support. "That, to me says 'fraternalism.' It's people giving freely to help someone else. In this case, it will he two deserving young members." The scholarship drive will continue through December 31. The first listing of members who have donated to the 1995 drive include: Mr. and Mrs. Leon Cranek Patsy Brending Frieda Bednar John A. Kuba Annie Michalsky Mable Loika Malone Mr. and Mrs. George E. Vrla Chad Tallas Adam Tallas Deloras Condon Viola Mikeska Spalding Howard and Mary Leshikar Ryan and Cody Leshikar Gladys and Wilbur Nelson Lauren Johnson Allyson Holman Daryl Entrop Machu Insurance (Albin and Elaine Machu) Nelson and Ethel Mikeska Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hlavenka Chester and Mildred Shmoldas Walter and Ella Pomykal Calvin and Dolores Skrabanek Edward Mares Otis and Nancy Meier Edward and Lucy Mihatsch Edwin and Nelda Marek Lee and Ruth Hanusch Frank and Irma Klinkovsky John H. and Bennie Valcik Robert and Gladys Veit R. L. Grissom Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Ginther Lydia Jansen Irene Buss Johnny and Clara Broz Warren and Bernadette Broz Cara Spanel-Weber Laura Spanel-Weber James and Patsy Brending Mike and Helen Bienek, Jr. Joe Elles Lisa Vasek
Larita Wilks Macek Kirby Bette Alcorn Alice Kovar Rudolph Kovar Louie and Gloria Malek Ben and Mildred David Sue, Richard and Justin Jaramillo Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Provazek James and Mable Loika Malone Tillie Dusek Joe and Adell Vlk George and Joyce Sykora Edmund Kana Dora Lee and Landis Kopecky Esther I. Heinsohn Velma C. Fardran Lee Ellen and Sue Ellen Flippin David Skrehot —SPJST-
$12,000 (24 Scholarships) —S11,500
—$11,000
(22 Scholarships)
—S10,500
—$10,000
(20 Scholarships)
—S9,500
—$9,000
(18 Scholarships)
—S8,500 — $8,000
(16 Scholarships)
$7,500
—$7,000
(14 Scholarships)
—S6,500
—$6,000
(12 Scholarships)
—$5,500
—$5,000
(10 Scholarships)
—$4,500
— $4,000
(8 Scholarships)
3 1500000 -13,
(6 Scholarships)
— $2,500
$2,000 (4 Scholarships) —$1,500
—$1,000
(2 Scholarships)
—$500 Let's make it happen!