Changing to meet the needs of fraternalists.
VESTNIK SPJST Herald
"Joining Hands To Touch Lives- Fraternalism for the Family Official Publication Of The Slavonic Benevolent Order of the State of Texas, Founded 1897 and Our Nation'
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Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SPJST Home Office, P. 0. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503 ISSN-07458800
VOLUME 86 NUMBER 14
Governor Bush joins supporters to break ground for Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center Trail Emphasizing the contributions Czech immigrants made in preserving freedom in Texas, Governor. George W. Bush highlighted ceremonies at the official ground breaking ceremonies for a Walking Trail at the proposed site of the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in LaGrange on Tuesday, March 24. "The promise of freedom is what brought Czech immigrants to Texas, " said Bush. "All Texans of all descents can be proud of our rich heritage."
dignitaries that were on hand for the ceremonies that were held on the grounds where the $10 million project will be built. Some 450 people from around the state heard remarks by State Comptroller John Sharp, who is of Czech descent, State SenatOr Kenneth Armbrister, State Representative Robby Cook, Fayette County Judge Ed Janecka, LaGrange Mayor Dave
Noak, and TCHCC Chair Retta Chandler. "As I look across the Colorado River Valley, I can imagine those early Texas Czech pioneers coming here and being reminded of their homeland," Ms. Chandler observed. "This city and the surrounding communities were the first homes of our ancestors. They came here to find a better way of life in a land of opportunity." Phase I
The walking trail is the first phase of the project that will feature a museum, meeting hall, amphitheater, Czech working village, picnic areas, and a In Good Company working farm area. The trail will give Bush headed a list of state and local visitors an idea of how the multi-million dollar site will look when finished. What this means is that in 1998, the The walking trail is scheduled to open Editor's Note: At their January meetSPJST will focus its statewide fund ing, the SPJST Supreme Lodge designatby September 1, 1998, and will feature ed four groups as "SPJST Statewide raising efforts to support the goals and eight stations with descriptions of each Charities" in 1998. They are as follows: objectives of these groups. The first building to be built. step in this process will be to raise an • The Texas Czech Heritage Ms. Chandler noted that the site awareness of these organizations, what consists of 70 acres that will provide and Cultural Center, Inc.; they do and their plans for the future. the opportunity to focus on the past • The Czech Cultural and Today's article on the Texas Czech and and present contributions of persons Community Center; Cultural Center in LaGrange is a first of Czech descent. She recognized • The Czech Educational in a series of articles that will be Foundation of Texas; and TCHCC board members and Czech appearing on the designated statewide • The Peaceable Kingdom Retreat organizations throughout the state. charities. for Children "We are in-debted to everyone who has given support to this project," she said. "We are confident this center will effect future generations through its educational concept. We envision people coming back often to see changing exhibits, programs, or to become involved in genealogical study." Cutright and Allen Architects have designed the walking trail and the entire center. TCHCC Board member Don Chovanec served as master of cereSupporters from around the state gathered in LaGrange on March 24 for the official ground monies, and Czech breaking ceremonies for a Walking Trail at the proposed site of the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center. Pictured, from left, are: Brad Cutright, Brad Cutright & Allen Architects; Glenn dancers and Hutka, RVOS; Don Chovanec, Fayette County; David R. Nook, Mayor of LaGrange; State singers from the Representative Robby Cook; State Senator Kenneth Armbrister; Retta Chandler, TCHCC Fayette County President Carolyn Meiners, TCHCC Secretary; Larry Laznovsky, American Sokol Southern District area performed. Woody Smith, CEFT; Elo Goerig, KJT; George Hruby, Bexar County CHS; Eugene Labay, CHS of —SPJSTTexas; Arnold Pechal, TCHCC Treasurer.
Walk This Way
April 8, 1998
SPJST invites after-hours inquiries It's the middle of the night and you've got a question about your insurance, annuity, home loan or anything else having to do with the SPJST .. . Rather than waiting till morning, now you (Continued on page 4.)
From the Vice President's Office
Jim Wiest named State Field Representative for District Five After long consideration of the highly qualified applicants, Vice President Leonard Mikeska has selected Jim Wiest to fill the position of State Field Representative Jim Wiest in District Five. He is confident that Jim will provide the sales representatives of District Five with the level of service and professional assistance they deserve. Jim's experience with the SPJST goes back to 1984. Since that time, he has served in the Home Office as State Field Representative in Districts Three and Four and most recently in Districts Six and Seven. For the present, he has been reassigned to serve Districts Five and Six. He is a very energetic person and Vice President Mikeska feels he can provide the sales representatives in both districts an outstanding level of service. Jim will be meeting with the sales representatives in District Five as soon as possible. In the meantime, he can be reached by dialing toll free pager (800) 752-3307 and then entering pager number 774-3385. His home number. is (512) 571-6085. Vice President Mikeska is enthusiastic about the great potential in District Five and is confident that District Five will soon regain its position as the top recruiting/selling district in the state.
Congratulations, Jim! —SPJST-