Changing to meet the needs of fraternalists.
"Joining Hands To Touch fives-Fraternalism for the Family and Our Nation'
ViSTNiK SPJST Herald
Official Publication Of The Slavonic
ENEVOLENCE
enevolent Order of the State of Texas, Founded 1897 HUMANITY
BROTHERHOOD
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SPJST Home Office, P. 0. Box 00, Temple, Texas 76503 VCLUM7 85 NUMBER 36 ISSN-07458800 September 24, 1997
Text Stop: Hallettsville
Family Fun and Important SPJST Dates October 5 October 5 October 19 October 19 October 19 October 25 October 26 November 8 November 15
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November 15 November 30 December 6
Lodge 15, Buckholts Centennial Homecoming Lodge 18, Elgin 100th Anniversary Celebration istrict One Fall Meeting, hosted by Lodge 17, New Tabor Gulf Coast Czech Festival at Lodge 172, Pasadena Heritage Day at the State Fair of Texas, Dallas Czech Festival at Lodge 49, Rowena District Three Spring Meeting at Lodge 6, Cottonwood arbecue Cookoff and Sale Day at Lodge 24, Cyclone SPJST State Volleyball Tournament ruceville/Eddy High School Gymnasiums Deadline to submit Fraternalist of the Year nominations Conclusion of September 1 - November 30 Sales Contest Tarok Tournament at Lodge 20, Granger
'Winter, Spring, Summer or Fail
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You're always welcome to visit the SPJST Heritage Museum, located in the SPJST Home Office in Temple, Texas, The SPJST Home Office is located at 520 North Main in Temple, A major goal of the SPJST Museum is to preserve the Czech cultural heritage by teaching Czech history and traditions. It also stands as a memorial to the pioneer Czech forefathers and mothers who settled Texas. Museum hours are Monday - Friday, 8 - 12 and 1 - 5 and on weekends by special arrangement.
998 Royalty Court represented the SPJST c the recent Wesffest ceiet , :c-..i.ion held in West, Texas. Pict.-ed bove, is 1, are: SPJST State Duke Michael Kenney, State King J.J. Novak, State Queen Elizabeth Wagner and State Duchess Elizabeth Vahalik. The appearance marked the 1997-1998 Royalty Court's first public appearance. On Saturday, September 27, they will be participating in the Kolache Fest Parade in Hallettsville. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and all SPJST members in the vicinity are encouraged to come out and enjoy the procession.
I
Czech Republic recovering from floods During the month of July, approximately one-third of the Czech Republic — a large part of Moravia and a part of Eastern Bohemia — was hard hit by devastating floods. The flood resulted in the loss of 49 lives and a tremendous amount of damage. While the emergency phase is over, assistance in recovery and reconstruction remains urgently needed. To date, assistance has come from many U.S. sources, including companies, individuals and various*Czech-American organizations. On July 10, President Clinton authorized $100,000 in emergency relief funds for the Czech Republic and a like amount for Poland. Assistance continues. Last Tuesday, September 17, seven Peace Corps volunteers arrived in the Czech Republic from the U.S. to assist with flood-relief efforts. The volunteers, who had done their Peace Corps service in the Czech Republic, "can hit the ground running because they also know the culture, customs and landscape of the country," says Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan. According to Czech Embassy reports, the rainfall in the period between July 4 9, 1997 represented 41 percent of the annual average rainfall for the region. The flood wave, which came from the Beskydy and Jeseniky mountains, reached the cities of Ostrava and Olomouc, and a number of major towns,
including Kromeriz, Otrokovice, Hodonin and Breclay. The flooding affected more than 50 towns and 350 villages in 15 districts. It completely demolished or heavily damaged about 10,000 houses, more than 1,000 km of railroads and 26 railroad bridges, 2,000 km of roads and 800 road bridges. Also damaged were schools, hospitals and social institutions. Due to transportation failures and the interruption of water, electricity and gas supply, factory production has been temporarily discontinued in large areas. The regions with intensive agricultural production in central and southern Moravia were also severely hit. Thousands of acres of fields and crops were flooded and lost. Official estimates of the damage are approximately $1.8 billion. According to various news reports, the floods initiated a strong feeling of solidarity in the Czech Republic. Thousands of people who had to leave their flooded houses were able to receive immediate material assistance through public collections. From the beginning, the Czech government took a series of measures to combat the flooding. Army units and thousands of volunteers took part in the relief effort. The government is also implementing various programs to help those affected return to a normal life, including the issuance of flood relief bonds to raise money for repairs and reconstruction.
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During the month of July, approximately one-third of the Czech Republic — a large part of Moravia and Eastern Bohemia — was hard hit by flooding. According to the Czech Embassy, restoration efforts are proceeding in an organized manner. Food and drinking water is being distributed evenly and without disruptions. The health and vetrinary situation is also reported to be under control. Individuals and groups that would like to help cover the damages can send their contributions to the following addresses:
(Indicate that the gift is for Czech Flood Victims Relief)
American Fund For Cechoslovak Relief 1776 Broadway, Suite 2105 New York, New York 10019 Caritas - Olomouc c/o Archbishop Jan Graubner Wurmova 9, 77111 Olomouc 1 Czech Republic — Thanks to Dorothy Bohac, Henrietta
American Red Cross 2218 Pershing Drive, Austin, Texas 78723
Klecka, Victor Janak, Alden Smith and the Czech Embassy for contributing to this report.