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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 ISSN-07458800 VOLUME 84 NUMBER 13
Congratulations to Anna Kulhanek
Lodge 9, Snook member achieves "Grand Age of 96" The SPJST congratulates Sister Anna Clara Kulhanek, a member of Lodge 9, Snook, who celebrated her 96th birthday on August 14,1995. As such, Sister Kulhanek is entitled to all SPJST member benefits with no further dues or assessments required.
Sister Anna Clara Kulhanek was born in Texas, on_ August 14, 1899. She was one of twelve children born to Josef and Anna Mikula Junek, and is now the only surviving member of that family. Her father immigrated to the United States when he was one year old with his parents, Josef and Teresie Silar Junek, natives of Horni Cermna and Nepomuky, Cechie, respectively. After a seven-week ocean voyage from Bremen, Germany, on the Bark Texas, the family arrived in Galveston in December, 1867. An interesting feature of this journey is that the little family of three had become a little family of four upon arrival in America, a baby daughter having been born to Josef and Teresie as they sailed the Gulf of Mexico. Anna's mother was born in Fayetteville, Texas, the daughter of Moravian immigrant parents, Josef and Eva Kocurek Mikula, of Novy Hrozenkov and Hovezi, respectively, having come to America in 1855. Sister Anna and her siblings were orphaned by the early deaths of both their parents. Except for the last 15 years and a few years after her mother's death, Sister Kulhanek, seated, accepts Age 96 Certificate from Supreme Lodge President Howard Leshikar, right. Also pictured, from left, are: Rev. John R. Gannt, Jr., Mary Ann Gantt and Joseph Gantt.
"As a result of her employment, she became the first lady to drive an automobile, a Buick, in the town of Snook." when she went to live with an aunt who lived in Lyons, she spent her entire life in Snook. She received her education in the Snook School, where she met a young man named Joe Kulhanek. She played with the first girls' basketball team in Snook, while Joe played on the first boys' basketball team in Snook. Coached by Miss Lena Fridel (later, Regmund), both teams won the county championships the first year of Snook basketball. As a young lady, Anna worked for Mr. and Mrs. Vince Janac. As a result of her employment, she became the first lady to drive an automobile, a Buick, in the town of Snook. Anna Clara Junek and Joe Kulhanek were married on January 7, 1925. Their first home was on the Bettis farm southeast of Snook. The year 1925 was a year
(Continued on page four.)
March 27, 1996
SPJST Royalty and District Six Youth Clubs on Parade SPJST State King C.J. Novak and State Queen Brandi Dum ride high atop the SPJST float in the annual Victoria Livestock Parade in Victoria. Accompanying them on the float were State Duke Rusty Sims, State Duchess Kristine Dum and youth club members representing Lodge 4, Hallettsville, Lodge 30, Taiton, and Lodge 97, Placedo. As a result of their efforts, their float received he prestigious Ambassador's Award
SPJST royalty showcased in Victoria Livestock Parade Joni Lange, State Youth Director On March 2, 1996, our SPJST State King C.J. Novak, State Queen Brandi Dum, State Duke Rusty Sims and State Duchess Kristine Dum participated in the annual Victoria Livestock Parade in Victoria. Appearing along with the royal court were youth club members from Lodge 4, Hallettsville, Lodge 30, Taiton, and Lodge 97, Placedo. In honor of the state king and queen's appearance, the District Six Youth Club members and their families built a beautiful float decorated in a garden scene for all the participants to ride on. The float's theme was "SPJST-100 Years Committment to Youth". We would like to thank youth club leaders Dianna Dum, Yvonne Garrett, Annie Vahalik, Lisa Bubela, Monica Staff, and all the parents and volunteers of District Six for the wonderful job they did in organizing and decorating the float. We would also like to thank District Six Director Matt Vanek for his help in preparing the float and for his support. Thanks to their outstanding efforts, the float received the Ambassador's Award. Immediately following the conclusion of the parade, everyone celebrateu with a fried chicken lunch, courtesy of District Six parade participants and their families. On behalf of the Royal Court, we would like to thank District Six for all
their hard work, support and hospitality. It was a very special day, and we will remember it forever. C.J. and Brandi's next appearance will be May 4, 1996, at the Ennis Polka Festival Parade. We hope to see you there!
(Editor's Note: See related story and photos on page 12.) —SPJST-
SPJST State King C.J. Novak, son of Jim and Lynda Novak, is a member of Lodge 84, Dallas. Queen Brandi Dum, daughter of Robert and Dianna Dum, is a member of Lodge 97, Placedo. The king and queen, accompanied by their duke and duchess, serve as goodwill ambassadors for the SPJST in various public events around the state.