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Changing to meet the needs of fraternalists.
"Joining Hands To Touch Lives-Fraternalism for the Family and Our Nation"
VE SIN K SPJST Herald
Official Publication 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
VOLUME 84 NUMBER 29
ISSN-07458800
Fraternal support helps make Project Greenhouse a reality Each year, the Texas Fraternal Congress (11C), a statewide association of fraternal benefit societies operating in Texas, chooses a charitable project that will "make a difference" in someone's life. "In 1995, our goal was to build a greenhouse for clients of the Central Counties Center for Mental Health and Mental Retardation (CCCMHMR),"
says SPJST Supreme Lodge Vice President Leonard Mikeska, immediate past president of the TIC. That goal became a reality on July 10 when the CCCMHMR hosted a grand opening for the greenhouse which is located in Temple. The goal of the psychological rehabilitation services program is to work with persons with mental illness and provide them with moral support and training that will enhance their opportunity for meaningful employment. "Prior to the greenhouse project, we were limited with handstraining," says on Pullins, Acquanetta supervisor of the pro-
gram. The greenhouse will provide a year-round training facility for learning and personal development. Beth (Jez) Lawrence, an instructor with the Department of Agriculture at Central Texas College, served as the keynote speaker for the grand opening ceremony. Eldon Tietje, executive director for the CCCMHMR presented plaques of appreciation to Forrest Green of Forrest Green Nursery and Brother Mikeska for the support of the SPJST and TFC. Also receiving recognition were SPJST Lodge 177, Academy, Evelyn Jez and Pamela Jez for their support of the project. "The SPJST and other Texas fraternal benefit societies are glad that we could lend our support to this worthwhile project," says Brother Mikeska. "It will touch the lives of some very deserving individuals and enhance their opportunity for meaningful employment." —SPJST-
CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE 1996 SPJST GRADUATES
TRAVIS BETAK
ROBERT LEE THURMOND
RODNEY DAVID POSVAR
Travis is a member of Lodge 187, Round Rock and a graduate of Hutto High School. He is the son of Charlie and Norma Betak and the grandson of Norman and Nancy Fuessel and Charlie Betak, Sr. and Mary Ochoa.. Travis will be attending the University of Texas in the fall where he will be majoring in Computer Engineering.
Robert is a member of Lodge 148, El Maton and a graduate of Tidehaven High School. He is the son of Art and Gay Lynn Thurmond and the grandson of Frank W. Hahn, Sr. and the beloved Dorothy Hahn and Chedeva Thurmond and the beloved Robert Thurmond. Robert plans to pursue a career as a commercial pilot, specializing in crop dusting.
Rodney is a member of Lodge 24, Cyclone and a graduate of Rogers High School. He is the son of Larry and Nancy Posvar and the grandson of Alvin and Anna Posvar and Joe and Martha Dubcak. Rodney's future plans include attending Temple College in the fall.
July 24, 1996
In memory of Age 96 recipient Gilbert Jochec On May 25, 1996; Gilbert Jochec, a member of Lodge 1, Fayetteville observed his 96th birthday. As such, he was recognized by the SPJST for having achieved - "The Grand Age of 96." We were saddened to learn that on June 18, Brother Jochec passed away at Colonial Belle Nursing Home in• Bellville, Texas. The following profile is presented in loving memoiy of our departed brother Gilbert Jochec and his twin brother, Jesse, were horn on May 25, 1990 to Charles and Anna (Wotipka) Jochec in Nelsonville, Texas. Other family members included brothers Louis and Franklin; and a sister, Alice. Gilbert attended public school through the eighth grade in Nelsonville. At 18, he passed the county teacher's examination and taught school for two years. He later attended Blinn College — or at least until his funds ran out. To earn money, he accepted a job splitting heater wood and doing janitorial work for the college. The following year, he attended Sam Houston State Teacher Precollege and graduated with a High School diploma and a three-year teacher's certificate. In the summer of 1924, he enrolled in Sam Houston State Teachers College where he received his bachelor's degree in1927. During his stay at Sam Houston, he played in the prestigious college band and orchestra and sang in the acapetla choir. He taught school for several years in rural areas, including a stint teaching English at Needville High School. Recognized by the state inspector as the "number one teacher" during his employment at Rivera High School, Brother Jochec received his bandmaster's certificate from Sam Hous-ton State Teachers College and taught and conducted band at Granger High School. He left Granger and went to Ingleside High Gilbert Jochec School to conduct their two bands and teach history. During World War II, Brother Jochec served in the Air Force. After his basic training, he was assigned bugler to the Drum and Bugle Corp and attached to the prestigous Air Force Band of Camp Kesano, Utah.
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